RARE 1864 Civil War Diary, GEORGIA, Kennesaw Mountain, Rome, GA, Sherman\'s March
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RARE 1864 Civil War Diary, GEORGIA, Kennesaw Mountain, Rome, GA, Sherman\'s March:
$3500.00
SHERMAN\'S MARCH TO THE SEA
A Civil War diary 1864 Cyrus \"Scout\" Chapin later in life as Attorney at Law, Denver CO\"With a view to break the monotony of camp life, to drive dull care away...\"
So begins thediaryof Private Cyrus Chapin, of the 10th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, 1st Regiment, 2nd Division, Company E, of the Army of theCumberland. It details, in 25 well written and legible pages (plus a few pages with just one line) his time with General Sherman during the Union Army\'s battles throughGeorgiain 1864. It begins May 1st, nearRome.Ga., and continues on until June 20th, when he is wounded bya rebel sharpshooter at the Battle of Kennesaw Mountain. The diary also has two pages of receipts kept forUnionHospital#1 inQuincy,Illinois,near the rear of the book,where he recovered from his wound. There is also the beginning of a separate bloodstained letter, on green paper, I believe written at a field hospital after he was wounded, of which he was only able to finish half a sentence, in a rather shaky hand. There is a break in the journal at May 20, (page 18) and begins again June 10, with a number of blank pages in between. The journal was also used later for family accounts, and for practicing his handwriting. There are also several separate pages of family history, from a family bible, documenting births, marriages (he was married twice) and deaths, and he appears on each. Above is the photo of him I found online, afterhe became an attorney and realtor inDenver,Coloradolater in life.
This larger than average Civil War camp diary, measuring 8 1/2\" x 7\", is very well written, and Chapin was obviously an intelligent man.It hasa great deal of information on the activities and fighting inGeorgia. The diary began life as a journal kept bya SouthernerinRome,Georgia, and Chapin apparently acquired it afterShermanand the Union forces hadtaken the city. The only page left from the original Southern ledger journal, the first page upon opening the diary, is actually from 1862, and concerns a commencement exercise ata school inRome. The earlier pages written on by the Southerner have been cut out, but the page from 1862luckilyremains, as, with the back of the pagebeing blank,I supposeChapin left itin the book. It creates a better document this way, with the fact it begins nearRome, written in a confiscated Southern journal...the spoils of war. I particularly like the fact he has signed the introduction \"Scout\". The diary is so well written, in fact, I believe it to be publishable.
Content is detailed andtop-drawer throughout. It is hard to imagine a better written, or more interesting diary for the campaign, every page aswell written, interesting, and exciting as the previous and following.
Every one of the 25 filledpages (except the introduction page) concerns the campaignand battles.I have transcribed the diary fairly completely... it is quite legible. I believe Chapin acquired the ledger to write his diary in as Sherman sacked Rome, Georgia, at the beginning of the campaign. He found the partially filled in ledger book there, cut out the earlier pages... but leaving in one page (shown in the images) of some commencement exercise in Rome in 1862. He then begins his diary, writing about events that happened up to the army being in Rome, while the army spent 5 days encamped there. The diary is unique in that it begins rather self aware, as Chapin (a bit patriotic and proud) knows this is an important time in history. He then continues to catch up to current events, until he is wounded at Kennesaw Mountain (or up to a few days before he is actually wounded, not writing in the diary those few days, as it rained quite heavily). He writes later in the diary from the hospital, where he may have been an orderly. The last two entry dates are most likely written at the hospital in Illinois... there is a gap of blank pages leading up to them, and he already knows his stint as a soldier is over...The final entry being;
\"20thAs the day dawned on the morning of the 20ththe rain which had been falling for several days had slackened and the weather did fair became clear and pleasant. The good fortunes which had attended Company E thus far was here to be changed about 10:00 am I rec’d a shot from a rebel sharpshooter.Thus ends my hitherto prosperous career with the Regt. as also my history of the operations to the Regt during its brilliant campaign inGeorgia,which offers fair to be the most successful of the war.
The entire diary is bracketed by the first page being the unknown Southerner\'sentry, about the school commencement, and at the end by his lists of supplies for the hospital in Illinois where he recovered.
Mentioned in the diary...
Mission Ridge, Donaldson, Oostanaula andEtowahRivers, Pumpkin Vine Creek,Dallas, Acworth
Generals George Thomas, Meade, Gilmore, Schofield, Rosecrans, McPherson, Sherman, Hooker, James D Morgan, Ward, Davis, Johnson, Blair, Howard, Dan Sickles
Death of Gen Bishop Polk by their artillery action againstPineMountain
4th Corps, 23d Corps, 14th Corps, 60thIllinois
Diary and pages of family history from old bible First page of actual diary
Only remaining page in ledger book showing Rome Gaschool record from 1862
bloodstained letterCyrus Chapin Quincy Illinois Hospital No. 1
One of the hospital receipts towards the back of the diary
\"1st Div U.S. Hosp Quincy Ills\"\"Mr So and So\"\"Please furnish this Division with 1000 lbs of beefFurnish 100 lbs mutton and deduct from beef orderSignature\"_______________
Some of the pages of newspaper clippings at the rear of the diary.... tip of plainUnionribbon of some kind showing.
(The transcription of the diary portion follows...)
General Sherman’s Campaign
With the army of the Cumberland
Or items and incidents picked up by a
Private Soldier
Giving a sketch of the operations of 10thIlls
Vol Infantry of the 1stBrigade 2ndDivision 14thA Corps.
With a view to break the monotony of camp life, to drive dull care away and not to throw journalist and historians in the shade I take occasion to note down a few items that come under my surveillance, and should these feeble efforts of mine fall under the observation of anyone who will be sufficiently interested in them, either through curiosity or otherwise to read them, I will be amply repaid for my labors.
For rejoicing the title and honor of being a private soldier confined to the ranks only as I would play truant take French leave of absence from my company I cannot be expected to profess the facilities for obtaining news that an army correspondent has. But trusting I may have seen and heard something that is not generally known I thus boldly set forth.
Yours for three years,
“Scout”
Sunday 1st
The army of the Cumberland so distinguished for its ignorance of defeat and whose career during the last three years bloody drama enacted by them in the struggle for liberty has been one of continued success acquiring more territory then the combined armies of Meade, Gilmore and Steel are at the above date making stupendous preparations for the advance upon Atlanta.
Having been comparatively inactive since the Battle of Mission Ridge, in consequence of a great portion of the army being absent on furlough, during which time no efforts had been spared to accumulate rations atChattanoogafor the contemplated campaign.
The arduous duties incident to preparing for this movement of such immense magnitude devolved upon General Thomas who proved himself imminently fitted to the task reviewing his troops, ascertaining their strength and providing them with everything necessary for a long campaign assisted by Fighting Joe Hooker of the 20th Army Corps and the one-armed Christian Howard who having relieved General Granger now commanded the 4thCorps composed of the 20thand 21stCorps of Rosecrans army consolidated.
General Schofield with a portion of the 23rdCorps was marching to join our left while the intrepid McPherson with portions of the 15thand 16thwas so directing his march fromHuntsville,Alabamaas to join the right.
Twas’ the morning of the 7thMay ’64 that the immense multitude of Lincoln Hirelings (so called by our Southern brethren) having effected a grand junction with each other move forward from near Ringgold, Georgia, toward Dalton.
If I mistake not our Division General Davies took the advance driving the rebel pickets who, however, show but light resistance, to Tunnel Hill, at which point they show a disposition to contest our advance. But a few well directed shots cause them to still fall back and we continuously advanced and took position upon a round top mountain within a mile and a half of the rebel stronghold known by our correspondent’s as Buzzard Roost but by the rebels as Mill Creek Gap.
The rebel position was simply this, the Gap situated as it were in the apex of a triangle formed by two ranges of mountains the one turned rocky faced running north and south nearly parallel with the R.R. terminating in an abrupt point at the gap the other being a series of rugged mountains running nearly east and west in and around this Gap were numerous wooden hills steep and rocky which were covered with rebel earthworks and batteries and supported by some forty thousand infantry.
The day being far advanced the troops rested during that night and the following day except to make a reconnaissance with a single Brig of some of the hills near the Gap. Gen. Sherman, Thomas, and Butterfield honored us with a visit in the afternoon of Sunday coming to take observations form the top of the summit it affording a fine view of the situation of both armies.
Tis needless to say they were stared at considerably and what a contrast presented itself between those two commanders General Sherman, quiet unassuming without a particle of dignity or bombast about him moved carefully about carefully scanning with his piercing gray eye everything would that in any way would facilitate him in the reduction of the rebel stronghold talking in a free and easy manner with his aides and other officers present now looking through his telescope and occasionally dropping his head to ponder and take a few puffs at his cigar at last takes his leave and we are none the wiser as to what will be the program or what part we will have to play.
Gen. Thomas tall and powerful his dignified countenance bespeaking the true soldiering qualities moved slowly but with force and precision says but little but keeps up a of deal a thinking, his abilities are questioned by no one and we look upon him as the right man in the right place.
Monday the 9ththe 2ndDiv. 14thCorps and 1stDiv. 4thCorps under General Stanley are advanced and heavy skirmishing is kept up all day the 25thCorps has taken position farther to the left and Hooker and McPherson and company are passing to the right to gain the enemy rear.
Late in the evening of the 9thwe find ourselves directly opposite the point of Rocky Face the lines of skirmishers are advanced though with difficulty scaled the rugged side of the mountain, and a continuous rattle of musketry is kept up until after dark and our men advanced far enough to be satisfied as to the folly of taking the position by storm. General Howard, Stanley and Dan Sickles are present who if I am rightly informed decided twas best to go slow and not sacrifice too many men. Darkness put an end to the work and the men falling back leaving only a picket guard and slept on their arms disturbed only by an occasional stray shot that would whistle past doing no harm. The two days following were spent in nearly the same manner with slight loss to either side our skirmishers would advance to within 40 paces of the summit only to be driven back by the withering fire of the rebel sharpshooters strongly posted behind stone works protecting them from our fire. An effort to plant batteries upon a hill within 500 yards of the top of Rocky Face failed we however succeeded in mounting two howitzers losing nine men by the operation they opened fire with what effect I am not able to say.
On Thursday 12thwe were relieved by the 4thCorps and marched to the right passing through Snake Creek Gap and bivouacked in the mud among stragglers from the 15th, 16thand 20thCorps we arrived at the front line on the evening and were soon joined by Gen. Schofield and the 23rdCorps.
The 14thwas spent moving into position quite a spirited battle was fought a short distance to our left the rebels seemed to be making a desperate effort to turn our left. Hooker’s command was thrown to the left which interfered somewhat with this enterprise. Several batteries were put in position and made terrible havoc among the Johnny Rebs. Sometime during the night our brig was rousted up and moved a short distance to the right relieved Gen. Wards brig Of Hooker’s Corps and took position on the brow of a hill 600 yards from the rebel earthworks separated there from by a narrow valley through which ran a small stream.
Remaining a short time under arms we stacked guns and proceeded to entrench ourselves and by daylight we completed our work consisting of a kind of sod fence arrangement sufficient to protect us effectually from the enemy’s musketry. Batteries had been planted on commanding positions and the day was commenced firing at random doing as I think little damage. We could plainly see the rebel line of works and occasionally a skulking Butternut could be seen. A desultory fire was kept up by sharpshooters on both sides. Two men from our Regt were wounded severely.
Night closing in upon us all was still save the hum of voices as is a natural consequence when men are together and have nothing else to do few questions were proposed to us by the Rebs, and by us to them, but neither party gained much valuable information so the dialogue was finally dropped they appeared anxious to know if we had been paid off recently.
During the night a charge was made by the Rebs upon Johnson’s Div 14thCorps which was handsomely repulsed the firing was vigorous for a few minutes it had the effect to disturb my rest somewhat. But the morning of the 16thwhich we had expected would be signalized by the beginning of one of the bloodiest battles of the war we awoke to find the rebels gone flitting with the things that were.
Yes they had took their leave silently under cover of the darkness without offerding us even the casual adieu quite a number of deserters came in to our lines glad to escape the cruelties they had been subjected to in the Confederate Army. They told the same old story of dissatisfaction and starvation in the rebel ranks. They give the Confederate force a 60,000 all told and were of the opinion that they would make their last stand atMarietta.
The main army followed in the wake of the enemy whileDavis’ Division 14thCorps as usual took a byroad leading toRomewhich place lay some twenty miles west of the R.R. at the junction of the Oostanaula andEtowahRiverswhere they unite and form theCoosa.
Thirty miles marching on a good road along the right bank of theOostanaulaRiverbrought us to the once flourishing city and despite the ravages of war bears marks of enterprise and industry in its inhabitants.
The place was strongly fortified in garrison by three or four thousand troops who after a feeble resistance evacuated the place after having with their own hands ruthlessly destroyed large amounts of stores belonging to their own misguided southern brethren. They also burned all the bridges in the vicinity and left precipitately leaving the citizens to the tender mercies of Lincoln’s Hirelings who they had reason to expect would show them no mercy much less sympathy.
The 3rdBrig Dan McCook’s Corps being at advance crossed the Oostanaula and occupied the town on Wednesday the 18thcapturing a large amount of cotton, Tobacco etc., the former was probably disposed of for greenbacks to some speculator the latter was issued as a ration to the men in the division.
Remaining at this place for 5 days we passed the time quite pleasantly visiting the citizens who were very courteous towards us dividing with us their necessaries and luxuries of life such as cornbread, milk and poultry, strawberries, onions, etc…which was wise in them in as much as we would have taken both chairs had they showed a disposition to treat us coldly. Rome is a pleasant place tis situated in the heart of a beautiful country comparatively fertile and is noted for its manufacturers several large mills besides foundries and salt works have been carried on extensively until quite recently but Grant’s strategies movement of Sherman’s Yankee army put a damper on their operations causing them to suspend and the place is to all experiences dead pro tempore although we read that it took Rome 900 years to die!! Tis also suggested that when you are inRomedo asRomedoes which is vice versa as regards to 2ndDivision for we when inRomeforce the inhabitants to do as we done, or rather calmly to aoffere by the terms of General Orders.
On Wednesday 24thhaving completed pontoons across both rivers and thrown the entire div. across we marched southward to Limestone Springs forming a junction with McPherson’s’ command where we remained all night resuming the march on the morning of the 25th. Our course was rather east of south through a miserable poor country covered with pines forest with a wretched cabin surrounded by a diminutive field on either side of the road at intervals along the route. These humble residences were generally graced with a rustic country woman with a pipe in her mouth standing at the door looking wonderingly at the vast multitude of Yankees while clinging to her or standing near her could be seen a dozen more or less dirty but healthy looking children. Of course she was a widow her husband being in the army with a view to drive back the ruthless invaders and protect his own hearthstone or rather protecting the rich man’s nigger!!
On the 26thwe moved a few miles farther and occupied Dallas a small town on Pumpkin Vine Creek some 30 miles from Atlanta we encountered some rebels who fell back before our skirmishers showing little disposition to contest our advance.
On Friday 29thwe were ordered hurriedly into ranks and ordered forward we double quicked across a field and formed a line beneath the brow of a hill Company B and C were thrown forward as skirmishers. We advanced cautiously past our own skirmishers who being thus relieved fell to the rear we had advance probably 60 paces when we encountered the Rebs who were dressed in blue clothes which gave them a chance to fall back firing to the rear as they retreated and through the brush they would be mistaked for our own men. But discovering the trick at last we drove them pell mell across to their fortifications with a loss of one prisoner besides several wounded.
We were soon halted having gone beyond our orders and reforming our line occupied the ground during the day exchanging shots with the enemy at intervals which had the effect to render (?) combat five men from the two companies were killed and four wounded.
Heavy firing was heard all day to our left in front of Hooker, Howard and Johnson the 15thand 16thCorps on our right kept up a noise and so it is mini balls are turnips all the time. We are relieved by the 1stMich.at dark and return to the Regt.
On Saturday the 28ththe enemy made a charge on Sweeney’s div. 16thCorps capturing several pieces of artillery but confident of victory flushed with their partial success pushed a little too far and were gobbled up by the heroes of Donaldson, Shiloh, and Vicksburg. The results being decidedly in favor of the Feds.
Dissatisfied with such results they made several attempts during the night to force our lines back but were met and promptly checked and thus we remained without any apparent advantage being gained by either party for 5 days. Stray shots would pick off a man occasionally and a continuous rattle of musketry was kept up broken at intervals broken by artillery.
On the morning of 1stJune we were surprised to find the entire Federal force our Div included falling slowly back and marching by the left flank the Rebs followed closely keeping a respectable distance however until we had passed some 6 miles to the northeast following the main road from Dallas to Acworth a small station of the R.R. some 10 miles from Marietta.
Separated from the main army by a gap some 2 miles intervening between our Div and Hooker we had heard but little regarding the movements of the corps of Hooker, Howard and Schofield but the thousands of wounded in several hospitals along this road and the numerous fresh graves confirmed the reports of the heavy losses sustained by these corps.
We took position on the left of the 4thCorps remained 2 days during which time there was few changes effected except the weather which suffered quite a change sending rain in copious quantities which proved more beneficial than agreeable insinuating itself through our dog tents causing us to experience the sensations particular to a shower bath.
Remaining two nights in this position we again moved to the left and finally joined our corps on the same day the charge was made by the enemy immediately at the point which we had just evacuated but it proved disastrous to the Rebs for the ever vigilant Christian Soldier Howard met them charged them back beyond their own line.
The weather continued raining unfavorable for offensive operations and both armies occupied nearly the same positions until the morning of the 5thwe were somewhat surprised to discover the enemy had disappeared from our front.
On the 6ththe entire army moved to the left and took up position on the road leading fromDallasto Acworth our left resting near the R.R. the right some 6 miles southwest fronting the rebel position which is now several miles distant on the road toAtlanta.
And in this position we find ourselves on the 9thof May (actually the 9thof June) having been comparatively inactive for 3 days the rattle of musketry has ceased and it seems so odd and out of place to be permitted to take off cartridge belts, coats and shoes by snuggling down under our dog tents and enjoy a good old fashioned nights rest without the accustomed fear of being called out at the hour of midnight to greet the miscreant Rebs. The weather continued raining unfavorable.
(Here ensues a gap of a number of pages… perhaps he is now at the hospital)
Continued from page 18.
Not withstanding the inclemency of the weather the column moved forward at 7:00 am and took up the line of march in a southEasterly direction marching at intervals and halting occasionally to mail until the long trains of army wagons could wind themselves through the dense wooded hills. The rain continued falling almost incessantly rendering the roads almost impassable for artillery or army wagons. About 4:00pm the sound of cannon greeted our ears and we hurried forward and formed line directly on the left of Howard’s 4thCorps. Directly in our front lay an open field about 1 mile in width beyond which there are rows gradually a succession of hills or ridges affording ample advantages for the defense.
10th
It was ascertained however that the rebels were gradually falling back intending to make one desperate stand atKennesawMountainnearMarietta.
11th
At 10:00 am the div. ofDavismoved to the left a distance of 2 miles formed in columns of div. and moved forward. Near night we halted at a distance of 8 miles from Kennesaw there we remained for several days the almost incessant rain rendering campaigning out of the question.
12th
The comparative stillness which had reigned in our front for several days was destined to be broken. About 10:00 am we were ordered forward without knapsacks and it was well known that there must be work ahead. But whether at any distant period we could only conjecture. The column moved forward slowly and cautiously toward Kennesaw. After going a short distance I ascertained that the load in my gun had been previously wet and was obliged to fall out which caused me to be left behind some distance. After carefully drying my gun I started on double quick to overtake the command. After going but a mile I learned that the brigade had taken another road. This added to my discomfiture and I retraced my steps in a greater hurry than I came. Taking the direct road, I came upon the Regt a short distance ahead where it had been resting for half an hour. The skirmishers having advanced some distance, the column was ordered up to build breastworks. After considerable maneuvering the line was finally established breastworks were thrown up and all was quiet in our front save the usual picket firing which was kept up almost incessantly day and night increasing and decreasing in importance alternately in according to the apprehension of the alarmed pickets.
The center having been pushed forward in advance of each wing we were obliged to lay still for several days to await the cooperation of Howard and Hooker and Blair and Schofield who were pushing the enemy on the right and left respectively.
13th
For several days after this line was established nothing of interest occurred in our immediate front. Directly on the right of our brigade commanded by James D. Morgan a battery had been planted which kept up occasional firing on the enemy’s position which was now some two miles in advance. Beyond them was frowning Kennesaw rising some 1500’ above the common level on either side of which a succession of hills and ridges ran parallel to our position. Between our positions and that of the enemy were innumerable hills hollows and ravines affording advantages for defense seldom found.
14th
Notwithstanding this our skirmishers pushed the enemy slowly back until the evening of the 18thwhen the lines were advanced half a mile where 2 lines of breastworks were erected in the midst of a drenching rain.
(After a gap of a number of pages, the diary begins again)
18th
At 9:00 am it having been ascertained that the rebels had withdrawn from our front our brigade was ordered forward in support of the skirmishers. In our advance many prisoners were taken also some who came in to our lines voluntarily and gave themselves up from them we learned of the death of Gen. Bishop Polk who was killed by one of our shells onPineMountainsome days previous. We also learned that the rebels had withdrawn their entire force to Kennesaw intending to make one desperate effort before yielding to us the immeasurable strength to which the mountain possessed. Although the rebels tested the ground stubbornly yet by 1:00pm they had been forced back within their entrenchments on Kennesaw where they occupied a very lofty position looking down contemptuously quietly waiting for us to make an assault on their elevated position supposing of course we would be foolish enough to make one.
During the afternoon several wounded men were brought back among whom was the Capt of Company B 60thIlls who had rec’d a very dangerous wound in his head.
20th
As the day dawned on the morning of the 20ththe rain which had been falling for several days had slackened and the weather did fair became clear and pleasant. The good fortunes which had attended Company E thus far was here to be changed about 10:00 am I rec’d a shot from a rebel sharpshooter.
Thus ends my hitherto prosperous career with the Regt. as also my history of the operations to the Regt during its brilliant campaign inGeorgiawhich offers fair to be the most successful of the war.
Inserted in diary the beginnings of blood stained, folded letter to his sister…
“Hospital
Sister Willa,
It is under great disadvantage…”
Apparently written in a field hospital after receiving his wound, and he could not complete more than one sentence.
There follows two pages of hospital records/accounts under “1stDiv.USGen Hosp Quincy Ills. Sept 12th1864”
Several pages of Civil War newspaper clippings pasted in the back
RARE 1864 Civil War Diary, GEORGIA, Kennesaw Mountain, Rome, GA, Sherman\'s March:
$3500.00