Near Jackson, Ga.,
November 17, 1864, 12 a.m.
Have just had our coffee. Marched some 17 miles to-day.
Begin to see where the “rich planters” come in. This is probably the most
gigantic pleasure excursion ever planned. It already beats everything I ever
saw soldiering, and promises to prove much richer yet. I wish Sherman would
burn the commissary trains, we have no use for what they carry, and the train
only bothers us. . It is most ludicrous to see the actions of the negro women
as we pass. They seem to be half crazy with joy, and when a band strikes up
they go stark mad. Our men are clear discouraged with foraging, they can't
carry half the hogs and potatoes they find right along the road. The men
detailed for that purpose are finding lots of horses and mules. The 6th Iowa
are plumb crazy on the horse question.
SOURCE: Charles Wright Wills, Army Life of an
Illinois Soldier, p. 320
