Tuesday 15th November 1864
We left camp this morning at sunrise and marched down to Atlanta
where we were joined by the rest of the Corps. The Third Division took the advance. The
First Division guarded the wagon train and the Second Division brought up the rear. Our
Division didn't leave until 10:00. We stopped for dinner at Decatur, six miles from
Atlanta. We waited there until the wagon trains had all passed. We marched with the wagons
all night helping them out of the mud holes when they got stuck. We came up to camp with
the First Division at 4:00.
Wednesday 16th November 1864
We cooked our supper for last night and breakfast for today and
started again at 7. Our division being in the advance. We had a pretty good road today. We
marched 18 miles and camped at dark.
Thursday 17th November 1864
Started at 5 this morning and marched about 3 miles before daylight.
We came to a large grist mill that was grinding corn for the Rebel army. The boys
confiscated the meal in a hurry. We marched about 20 miles today and camped at dark. Had
plenty of sweet potatoes for supper.
Friday 18th November 1864
Started at 5. The 2nd Division in advance. Stopped for dinner at
Rutledge , a small town on the Atlanta and Augusta RR. We traveled through some real fine
looking country. Camped for the night 2 miles from Madison.
Saturday 19th November 1864
This AM the 2nd Division was sent on a mission by itself to burn the
RR bridge over the Oconey River. and were to join the rest of the corps at Millidgeville
in 4 days. Started a 5 and passed through Madison at daylight. This is the best looking
town we have seen in the whole south. We marched about 20 miles and camped for the night
on a large plantation called Blue Spring. We tore up a lot of RR track and burned the RR
bridge. We found plenty of sweet potatoes, fresh pork and sorghum molasses today.
Sunday 20th November 1864
It rained hard all night. Started at sunrise and marched about 15
miles and camped near a large tannery for a rebel shoe factory. The 149th & 29th went
on picket. It rained nearly all day and night but we made out to keep ourselves
comfortable by eating plenty of sourdough and roasting chickens.
Monday 21st November 1864
Started at sunrise after first making a bonfire of the Rebel Shoe
Factory and Tannery. It was here that most all the shoes were made for the Rebel Army. We
marched about 15 miles today. It rained hard all day. The night was pretty cold but we
were able to keep warm by using plenty of Nails....?
Tuesday 22nd November 1864
Started at daylight. The weather was pretty cold today. At 10:00 we
came up the rest of the Corps at the Oconee River 8 miles from Milledgeville. Crossed the
river on pontoons and got to Milledgeville at dark. Passed through the town and camped for
the night.
Wednesday 23rd November 1864
We camped about a mile from town. About 11 AM the Third Brigade was
ordered into line with guns and equipment. Went down to Milledgeville and commenced
tearing up the RR track. Our regiment re-grouped about a mile away and burned the ties. We
got back to camp at dark.
Thursday 24th November 1864
Started at 8 and marched about 15 miles. Camped at dark.
Thursday 25th November 1864
Started at 8. Marched 15 miles and camped at dark.
Friday 26th November 1864
Started at 8 and after marching 5 miles, stopped for dinner. The
Rebel Cavalry had burned the bridge a short distance in front of us. It was dark before
the Pioneers had it re-built and we could cross. We crossed the bridge and camped at 9:00.
Saturday 27th November 1864
Started a 7. Marched with the wagon train until we got to
Sandersville where we stopped for dinner. Some of our cavalry had just had a hard fight
with some of the Rebel Cavalry under General Wheeler. The Rebels got the worst of it and
were driven through the town leaving their dead in the streets. After dinner the 2nd
Division started for the railroad about 4 miles from town. The 149th tore up about 80 rods
of track before dark. The Division camped for the night by the side of the railroad
tracks. At 2 o'clock in the morning we were ordered to pack up and fall into line. A negro
had come to headquarters and told them that General Wheeler was close by and was ready to
attack us. It proved to be a false alarm so we laid back down again.
Sunday 28th November 1864
Started along the track at sunrise. The 149th acted as pickets while
the division started tearing up the railroad. They tore up and burned about 4 miles. At 3
PM the division started and marched about 10 miles to Davisboro. and camped for the night.
Monday 29th November 1864
Left camp at 8, and marched back to the same place on the RR that we
had left yesterday and commenced tearing up the tracks. While we were at work about 75
Rebel Cavalry came up the tracks where we were working and commenced firing at some of our
stragglers who were scattered along the track. After we returned the fire they Skedaddled.
Tuesday 30th November 1864
Started about 8 and marched about 16 miles where we came up on the
rest of the Corps and camped for the night. The 149th P V were on picket tonight.
Wednesday 31st November 1864
Left camp about 7. The Rebs had burned a bridge a short distance
ahead of us which hindered us considerable. We marched about 10 miles and camped at dark.
We didn't have any sweet potatoes for supper the first time on the march. We had been
drawing only 1/4 rations of hard bread since leaving Atlanta.
