June 10th We marched from the camp, 2 1/2 miles from Ackworth Ga. in which I found the regiment on the 7th. Went but five miles though we were in line the entire exposed to a heavy rainfall. Cannonading continued in our front from morning until night.

June 11th Moved to the front early in the day and was kept in line until night, though the actual distance travelled was but two miles. Constant skirmishing was kept up in our front, with occasional artillery firing. Very heavy rain in the fore noon.

June 12th and 13th Remained in camp. Weather rainy and cool. Picket firing was kept up continuously and bullets struck all about us. I was troubled with lame back, caused perhaps by getting wet.

June 14th We moved a short distance to the front passing what had been our advance line. Our 1st division seemed to be held in reserve and most of the day was engaged in building breastworks. I had partially recovered from my lameness. The weather was quite cool.

June 15th There was fierce fighting on our left. Our forces charged upon strong Confederate earthworks and handsomely carried them and captured a number of prisoners. Our division was not actively engaged though exposed to a heavy fire.

June 16th and 17th We changed our camp slightly, and built a strong line of breastworks. Picket firing was kept up all day, though but few men were wounded by bullets. On the evening of the 17th I was detailed with my company for picket duty.

June 18th We had a gloomy time on picket through the night, though we had but little firing. The darkness and pouring rain made it very unpleasant. In the morning I was directed, if possible, to advance the picket line across an open field to a ridge upon which the confederates were strongly entrenched. We made the attempt but failed as we found the enemy too strongly posted to be driven by a skirmish line. Soon our forces upon the right made an advance under the shelter of timber, when, with the help of a battery near us, we advanced across the field in a perfect rout. Company "G" captured seven prisoners and we held our position until our brigade came up and built a strong line of breastworks. The company did nobly and was fortunate in loosing but one man wounded. On the 19th I wrote of the skirmish as follows:

Camp 21st Wis.
June 19th 1864

Dear Wife,

I will now write you of a skirmish in which Company "G" played a part on yesterday. On the evening of the 17th I was detailed with my company for picket duty. We were held in reserve until twelve o'clock at night, when we advanced to the front lines which had to be held at all hazard. The night was very dark and rainy. But little firing was done on either side until daylight, at which time the bullets began to fly in dead earnest. Soon the order came to advance our line across an open field in front. I communicated the order to Company "G" and it was met with a ready response. Every man sprang forward at the word, leaving breastworks and the shelter afforded by young timber and rushed into the open field exposed to a withering fire at short range. Our advance proved that the enemy's position could not be taken by a direct attack of a skirmish line. Consequently we fell back to the shelter of timber. Soon a fight commenced on our right which turned to our advantage, as our men there were able to open a cross fire upon the Confederates in our front. Then it was that the order was again given to Co. "G" to charge the line, and this time it proved a perfect success. The Confederates were driven from their position in a rout, leaving guns, accoutrements, knapsacks, haversacks and even shoes. Company "G" captured seven prisoners, which I sent to Brigade Headquarters. Company "G" did nobly and received praise from both, brigade and regimental commanders. Fortunately we lost but one man wounded. We held the captured works and kept up the skirmishing through the day.

J. M. Randall

June 19th During the night the Confederates retired from our front and took up a strong position upon the slopes and top of Kenesaw Mountain. Our brigade advanced three miles and established a line confronting them. There was heavy cannonading throughout the entire day. Some shot and shell being thrown from the top of the mountain. Weather was quite pleasant.

June 20th This was one of the days long to be remembered by those who participated in the Atlanta campaign. There was heavy cannonading all along the line from morning until night. From three o'clock P.M. until nightfall it was one continuous roar of heavy guns and bursting shell. It almost seemed as though the mountain trembled. The air was filled with death-dealing missiles. Smoke from the guns settled about the foot of Kenesaw Mountain and became so dense as to make objects indistinct at the distance of twenty five yards. After dark the 1st brigade changed its position which brought it very close to the enemy's lines. Captain Weisbrod of Co. "E", Captain Edwards of Co. "A", Lieut. Stuart of Co. "C" and myself formed ourselves into a mess for boarding and hired a cook.

June 21st During the night our regiment again changed position slightly and built a new line of works. We were still exposed to a heavy artillery fire. Our only safety was in lying close behind our earthworks, and this was none too safe. Private Bates of my company was instantly killed by a solid shot. He was a splendid young soldier. We buried him where he fell. Two pieces of shell passed through my tent while I was in it. No harm was done except to cut four holes in the side of the tent.

June 22nd There was some heavy infantry fighting on our right, and artillery firing was brisk around us. Only our breastworks saved us from severe loss. Toward night our brigade was relieved by other troops and we moved about one mile to the right, where we built a new line of works. Private B.F. Hall of my company was sent to the division hospital.

June 23rd It was unusually quiet in camp until afternoon, when the dogs of war again commenced to bark. We listened to a regular artillery duel. No great amount of damage was done to our men, but the tree tops and young timber showed marks of the storm. Toward night there was some heavy musketry firing all along the line. Private Olsen and Watson being sick were sent to the division hospital.

June 24th Our regiment built a strong line of works to protect us against shot and shell though there was rather less firing along the line than usual. It was reported in camp that the Confederates had burned a R.R. bridge in the rear of our army.

June 25th and 26th We remained in camp. Had rather less firing along the line. A portion of our forces seemed to be moving to the right. Some heavy artillery firing off in that direction. The weather was very warm.

June 27th The 20th Corps, with the assistance of the 2nd Division of the 14th Corps made a very determined assault upon a strongly fortified position of the enemy. Our (1st) division stood in line ready to support the storming column if needed. But the movement was pretty much a failure. One Confederate line was captured with a number of prisoners, but in the attempt to make a further advance, our force was repulsed, with heavy loss. After dark our brigade moved out to the front and relieved the 2nd brigade of our division. Privates Calkins and Joe Woodnorth were sent to the division hospital.

June 28th and 29th After getting into position we worked through the night to strengthen our works. The picket firing was at times spirited. On the 29th our batteries opened upon the enemy quite lively, but the response was feeble. Private Jaquith was appointed Corporal via Geo. Ross promoted to Sergeant.

June 30th During the night artillery and infantry firing was heavy upon our right, and the usual picket firing was kept up during the day. Orders were given to our brigade to be in readiness to advance to a new position after dark.

July 1st Our brigade got into its new position in the early part of the night. The movement was of extreme danger and could be made only under cover of darkness. We were close to the Confederate lines, and the least noise, such as a loud word, the rattle of accoutrements, or the snapping of a twig, served to draw a sharp fire from the enemy. Our regiment took a position at the extreme front on the left of our brigade. Less than seventy five yards distant, up the slope of the mountain, the confederate works were in plain view of us, and every motion made upon either side was sure to draw the fire and there was no safety except in lying closely behind the works. It was reported that a portion of our army was moving round to the right towards the rear of Johnson's army.

July 2nd Our brigade remained on the front line. Picket firing was brisk. The artillery opened up lively in the morning, but the confederates made only a feeble response. We had quite a rain in the afternoon.

July 3rd At an early hour it was reported in camp that the enemy had retreated. The report was soon confirmed by our scouts who made their way into the deserted works. Our whole army moved forward at 7 o'clock A.M. The 14th Corps passed through Marietta, Ga. about noon, and first encountered the enemy three miles south of that place. Forming into line of battle we advanced a short distance. At 8 o'clock P.M. the 21st Wis. went out on picket. Weather extremely warm.

July 4th Independence day. The third one I had passed in the army. Our regiment remained on picket, or rather the skirmish line through the day. I was in command of Co's "B" and "G". Being in the advance we had a lively time of it. We used sixty rounds of ammunition to each man, and drove the enemy a mile or more. James E Woodley, a cousin whom I had never met, visited me upon the picket line nearly all day. He was a soldier belonging to the 60th New York.

July 5th We were awakened by the cry, "The Johnnies have gone." Sure enough, the confederates had abandoned a strong line of works and fallen back. Our army moved forward at 7 o'clock A.M. The 10th and 21st Wis. regiments moved on a road at the right of the brigade, and became engaged in lively skirmishing. We found two dead and one man wounded of the confederates. At length we came upon the enemy strongly intrenched, and we, too, commenced digging to protect ourselves.

July 6th In the morning our regiment changed its position to one less exposed. Here we built a strong line of earthworks to shield us from shot and shell. Picket firing was kept up constantly. Private Vanduzen of Company "G" was instantly killed by a sharpshooter. He was a fine young soldier, the comfort and support of a widowed mother, to whom he was in the act of writing a letter when killed. I took the unfinished letter and briefly added an account of his sudden death and sent it to that mother. It was evidence to her that the son's last thoughts were of her.

July 7th I was detailed as Officer of the Day and directed to have our camp ground cleared off. It was said we might remain here a few days. There was heavy cannonading on our left. Picket firing continued though not quite so briskly.

July 8th We had a general clean up, after which our camp presented a very respectable appearance. Arms and accoutrements were thoroughly inspected and found to be in fair condition.

July 9th About 10 o'clock A.M. our regiment was ordered out to support our picket line in an attempt to advance. Though we were not actively engaged, we were exposed to a heavy fire until 6 o'clock P.M. when we returned to camp. Sergeant Wiesenbom of my company was wounded. It was reported that our 23rd Corps had crossed the Chattahooche River on our left. A very warm day.

July 10th Again the cry; "The Johnnies have gone." It was true. The confederates had retreated across the Chattahooche River, leaving the most formidable looking fortifications behind them. Our 4th Corps crossed the river on our left. We remained in camp, as we did also on the 11th and 12th and enjoyed comparative quiet.

July 13th We moved our camp to a more pleasant location, cleared off the ground and erected shades to protect us from the burning sun.

July 14th I went over to the 17th Corps seven miles away to visit old comrades in the 14th Regt. Only a portion of that regiment was present on this campaign and I found but a few whom I had intimately known. But among the few was Major Worden formally my old captain. I enjoyed my visit with him very much, as I did also my horseback ride of 14 miles. I received a letter from the wife of Lieut. Harding, stating that his wound was worse and expressing fears that he would loose his arm. Private Boyden of my Co. was sent to the division hospital.

July 15th Occasionally firing along the line. Captains Turner and Vanvalkenburg of the 21st Wis. arrived at the regiment from Wisconsin. Our regiment went out on picket at 5 o'clock P.M. We were stationed neat the Chattahooche River. I was in command of the reserve, consisting of Companies "B", "C" and "G".

July 16th Picket firing was comparatively light along the line. We were relieved from picket, at sundown, by troops of the 2nd brigade. We received orders to hold ourselves in readiness to move at any moment. Private Boyden died at division hospital.

July 17th At 2 o'clock P.M. our corps broke camp and marched across the Chattahooche River on a pontoon bridge and advanced one and a half miles through heavy timber. My company was thrown out on the left of our brigade line as flankers.

July 18th My company remained on picket through the night and joined the regiment in the morning. The 14th Corps made an advance of about three miles and were compelled to fight for all the ground we gained. We built a strong line of earthworks at night and were prepared for whatever might come. Weather cooler.

July 19th Our corps remained inactive. It was reported that the 15th and 17th Corps had crossed the Augusta R.R. east of Atlanta. It was though that if this was true, Johnson would be compelled to either fight or retreat. The 14th and 20th Corps were now situated about 7 miles north of Atlanta. We were in the midst of a dense forest where we could see but a short distance. This made it necessary for us to move with the greatest caution. A feeling prevailed among officers and enlisted men that we were on the eve of battle.

Chapter Thirteen --->