We move at seven o'clock this morning; weather very cool. Mud, mud
everywhere; this evening the trains all swamp; night comes on dark and dreary,
and being unable to extricate the teams, we go into camp two miles from
Clinton.
SOURCE: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment
Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 280
We move at seven A. M.; the troops succeed in getting the train in
motion; we go into camp in the evening five miles from Gordon.
SOURCE: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment
Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 280
We move slow to-day, reach Gordon, the junction of the Milledgeville
Railroad, by noon. The work of destruction is now going on; the railroad is
being destroyed; we cross the railroad and go into camp two miles from Gordon.
The whole country is clouded with smoke. This mighty army is making a terrible
sweep. The legitimate vengeance of this government is now falling upon this
rebellious people.
SOURCE: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment
Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 280
This morning we move early; pass through Irwinsville about noon. This was
once a very beautiful town, but now lying in ashes. The roads are better
to-day; we march twenty five miles and go into camp at five o'clock P. M. Our
rations are now very short, and we are compelled to subsist chiefly upon the
country.
SOURCE: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment
Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 280
Our regiment having received orders to take the advance, to-day we move
at 5 o'clock a. m.; about noon we enter the swamps of the Oknee river. Here the
enemy endeavored to check our advance, but from this great army's front they
are hurled away like chaff. The pontoons having been laid we cross the river, 2
o'clock P. M., go about eight miles, and go into camp for the night.
SOURCE: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment
Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 280-1
This morning our brigade moves on three miles to the Macon and Savannah
Railroad, and for our allotment destroy six miles of track. Night coming on we
go into camp near the railroad.
SOURCE: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment
Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 281
This morning Company H is detailed for foragers. The Fifteenth corps is
thrown into confusion to-day. The Third and Fourth Division get all mixed up,
General Corse with the Second Brigade takes the wrong road and gets lost in the
Pineries, taking some time to extricate himself and get on the right road.
SOURCE: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment
Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 281
We are still in the pine barrens of Georgia; darkness is now hovering
around us. The troops are all on half rations, forage is scarce. We are late
going into camp to-night, but the troops are all in fine spirits this evening.
All seem confident that success with its glories will fall around this army.
SOURCE: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment
Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 281
To-day finds us still in the Wilderness of Pines, not more than half way
to the sea, which, it is now evident, is our destination. For two days we have
not seen a habitation; has man ever, penetrated these wilds before? It seems
not. The roads are desperate; our supplies are becoming shorter and shorter;
darkness seems to be falling on our path but the 70,000 warriors keep moving on
with a silent but unceasing tread. Every step seems to say we will yet see the
sunlight from the ocean flash on our serried lines—seems to say that we will
yet see the ocean steamers from the great cities of the east, laden with
supplies, deck the waters. This is our hope—our only hope. Late going into camp
to-night; all tired and hungry marched 25 miles to-day.
SOURCE: Daniel Leib Ambrose, History of the Seventh Regiment
Illinois Volunteer Infantry, p. 281-2
Left for Monongahela City with ten members for Company D, of the 79th Pa. Vols. Infantry; arrived in the camp or fair ground in the above named place, Washington county, Pa., in time for supper, and was happily received by our captain, and after supper escorted up into town for lodging and entertaiment for the night—making a march of 12 miles.
SOURCE: Adam S. Johnston, The Soldier Boy's Diary Book, p. 7
Sworn into Company D by a justice of the peace of the town of Monongahela City, and afterward formed into line, and a farewell speech made to us by the Rev. J. C. Brown (of the M. E. Church) of the same city, in behalf of us as soldiers going out in defense of our country, and sacrificing home, friends and all that was near and dear to us, and bidding us a final farewell. Who was followed by Mr. M'Bride, the father of our captain, giving us a hearty welcome for choice of our captain, and then presenting him with a very nice sword, saying, "Take this, and never surrender it to those traitors against whom you have been called out to battle with, and may it not be returned till stained to the hilt, or peace once more restored to our now distracted country." With a final farewell we were marched down to the river's brink, to enter on board a fine steamboat there ready to receive us and to convey us from our friends, who escorted us to the boat, with ten thousand cheers for our welfare and safe return again. But, alas! how many of us never did return. We got to Pittsburgh the same night, took supper at the Girard House, and left for the cars on Liberty street, at 12 o'clock at night, en route for Lancaster; but owing to a train running off on the Chicago R. R. we were detained till morning. Making a march of 28 miles.
SOURCE: Adam S. Johnston, The Soldier Boy's Diary Book, p. 7-8
Left Pittsburgh and got to Lancaster on the night of the 18th, about 4 o'clock in the morning; slept in the Rankin House till morning, took breakfast and then were marched up near the Pennsylvania rail road and quartered in a hook and ladder house for sixteen days, and drilled and put through the manual of arms about four hours per day during those sixteen days, being our first alphabetical lessons of military tactics. Making a march of 339 miles.
SOURCE: Adam S. Johnston, The Soldier Boy's Diary Book, p. 8
Left Lancaster and got to Harrisburg the same day; drew our first tents and pitched them for the first time; drew our first blankets, stood our first sentinel beats around camp, and our first duty required. Making a march of 90 miles.
SOURCE: Adam S. Johnston, The Soldier Boy's Diary Book, p. 8-9
Left Harrisburg and got to Pittsburgh the 7th, being one day and night en route, and encamped in Camp Wilkins, well known by the citizens and surrounding neighborhood as the fair ground. Making a march of 249 miles.
SOURCE: Adam S. Johnston, The Soldier Boy's Diary Book, p. 9
Left Louisville, having remained three days in that city and fair ground, making a march of three miles out of town and three back again, which will make six miles. Got to Camp Nevin on the 23d of October, the place where our first division commander, General Rousseau, defeated the rebels and made them skedaddle back to Horse Cave City in Kentucky. Making a march of 72 miles.
SOURCE: Adam S. Johnston, The Soldier Boy's Diary Book, p. 9
Left Camp Nevin, making one month and three days in camp. Got to Camp Negley on the same day. A march of 3 miles.
SOURCE: Adam S. Johnston, The Soldier Boy's Diary Book, p. 9
Left Camp Negley, after remaining there nine days; got to Camp Hambright the same day. Making a march of 1 miles.
SOURCE: Adam S. Johnston, The Soldier Boy's Diary Book, p. 9
Left Camp Hambright, after remaining there six days. Got to Camp Wood, Baking creek, on the 11th. Making a march of 12 miles.
SOURCE: Adam S. Johnston, The Soldier Boy's Diary Book, p. 10
Left Camp Wood, Baking creek, Ky., after remaining there five days, and got to Camp Woodsonville, Green river, Ky., making a march of 14 miles. Had to fall in battle-line about ten minutes after receiving order to pitch tents, and go over Green river to reinforce Col. Willich, whom the rebels had attacked; but before we reached the river Col. Willich and his small command had whipped them and driven four thousand of them back. We then got orders to return again to camp. Twelve of Col. Willich's men killed and seventeen wounded, on the 16th day of December, 1861, the day we arrived in Camp Woodsonville. Making a march of two miles to the battle-ground and two from it—4 miles.
SOURCE: Adam S. Johnston, The Soldier Boy's Diary Book, p. 10
In camp near
Culpepper, Va.—Weather delightful. Rumors of marching tomorrow morning.
Marching orders we have been expecting several days, but this is the first
rumor for some time. It has been mysteriously quiet. If, instead of May and
fine weather, we had had dead of winter, storm and mud, we would have been
provoked with five or six rumors daily. So that's nothing; but we shall march
soon. Usual drill forenoon and afternoon; march an hour under knapsack. Go to
Culpepper with several for examination for commissions in negro regiments. At
5:30 o'clock drew one day's rations. This task is assigned me this week, for my
company. At dark, orders for three days' more rations. Had a tedious task
lasting until 9 p. m. Quartermaster is getting everything ready to leave and
hinted we should move at 12 midnight. Got orders at 8 o'clock to strike tents,
pack nothing unnecessary; build no fires. Everything soon ready; we are
waiting, the boys are jolly, full of spirit. At 11 o'clock we marched—winter
quarters again broken.
SOURCE: John Worrell
Northrop, Chronicles from the Diary of a
War Prisoner in Andersonville and Other Military Prisons of the South in 1864,
p. 22
