ALLATOONA PASS

(Confederate troops under the leadership of General French attacked the Union supply depot at Allatoona Pass, Georgia on October 5,1864. They drove Union troops back into an earthen fort. However, they had to withdraw and the attack was unsuccessful. Casualties were very high for both sides. About 33% of the Federal troops and 50% of the Confederate troops that participated in the assault were killed, wounded or captured. This portion of the diary includes the time Jefferson Moses and his regiment camped at Allatoona on August 8 until they left and began the March to the Sea on November 14. The railroad supplying Sherman's Army ran through Allatoona Pass and there would have been a great deal of activity with supply shipments and troop movements during this period.)

August 8, 1864

Today I am with the Company. They are now camped on the Altoona Mountain a very rough place. The worse mountons I ever seen in my life.

August 9, 1864

To day it is rather cool. It rain a little this morning. Nothing new to day. Last evening the train started out and run off at the suich and hurt one man very severe. Broke one leg twice. No hopes of his recovery.

August 10, 1864

Yesterday I was out in the contry for some corn. The rations are prety scarce down here. The Georgian woman brings lots of things in to sell.

August 11, 1864

To day it was quite warme. Last evening there was a Whole train of soldier went home that there time was out. Nothing has been heard from the front to day.

August 12, 1864

To day I am on guard at the depot guarding commesaries. I have a very nies place in a shed. To day at 4 PM they have inspection. This time il miss it once.

August 13, 1864

To day it is quite warm. To day we here that the rebles took the railroad (unidenified words).

August 14, 1864

To day is sunday and is very warm day to. This morning we had company inspection. Nothing new to day so far.

August 15, 1864

To day I am on picket. To day our regiment got ordes to be redy to march at a moments notice for to go up to dalton. The rebles made a dash in there yesterday and took the city. They also made a dash on some catle that our men were bringing through. They captured 600 head but wether they kept them I know not.

August 16, 1864

This morning we were relieved from picket and are now in camp. The regt left here last evening at 4 PM for Dalton or as near as they can get. Nothing has been heard of the where abouts of the enemy at or near Dalton. Hope they will not destroy the railroad mutch till our forces will drive them out.

August 17, 1864

It is very warm again this morning. I am detailed to guard commesaries. I just came off of Picket yesterday and this morning.

August 18, 1864

This morning I am relieved of guard and am now in camp. Again nothin new to day. We heare that the regt is in persuit of the rebles between dalton and Clavland (Cleveland, Tennessee).

August 19, 1864

Last evening the regt came back again. They had been as far as Recako (Resaco, Georgia). Then from there they marched to a place called Spring Hill a distance about 12 miles. Then they stoped a while. Then marched back the same day again. They had prety hard march. To day I am on Picket. There are 9 of us on one Post. Nothing new. (There were reports of raids on the railroad to the north of Allatoona and the regiment spent several days chasing the Confederates, without success.)

August 20, 1864

To day I am in camp again. It rained awful hard last night while I was on Picket and thundred very hard. Nothing new to day so far.

August 21, 1864

To day is a very unplesent day. It has rained all day and is very wet. It looks still more for rain and no doubt will rain to night.

August 22, 1864

This morning it is more plesant then it was yesterday. It rained all day yesterday but to day the sun shines warmly again.

August 23, 1864

I traded some sugar and coffee for some potatoes and tomatoes. We had a very good meal. This evening we were out in line of batle. They expected the rebles. There were two men of the 4 Minsoto captured.

August 24, 1864

To day it is quite warm and is a little cloudy. I think will have rain to day. I wrote 4 letter. That is pretty good for one day. Nothing new from the front to day.

August 25, 1864

To day it is very warm. To day I am on Picket. I am now standing sentonel on a very high hill about 100 yards from the reserve regt in the Brush in the Shade.

August 26, 1864

To day it was very warm and towards Evening it was very smuthering. Now no air a stiring at all. Nothing new to day.

August 27, 1864

Last night was rather a rough night. We had a considerable storm. To day I am on Picket again Off one day and on the next. Nothing new to day.

August 28, 1864

To day it was very warm again. Nothing new to day.

August 29, 1864

To day I am on Post guard. I had (unidentified) two hours and now am in camp for Dinner. Nothing new to day so far. Thomas folgat is with us now. He came down on a visit yesterday and he is going back today. (Thomas Folgate was a member of Company G but apparently was on furlough).

August 30, 1864

Nothing new to day. There is a train just come down.

August 31, 1864

To day I am working on a kind of tunnel that we are (unidentified words).

September 1, 1864

To day one year ago I got home on furlow. I wish I could go home to day. I would like it very well. Last evening the second Lieut got his commision for capt and the orderly for Lieutenant. S M Daughenbaugh is capt and G L Piersol Lieutenant.

September 2, 1864

To day it is very warm again. Nothing new to day. This morning I found five dollars. Now if the owner come after it and tells the nomber he can have it.

September 4, 1864

This morning I am still on duty. Yesterday Henry Denhart went out a foraging and it is reported he is captured. They went out about 7 or 8 miles and the rebles captured 19 of our men. Two got away but they may return yet. I hope they may come back. Last night it rained nearly all night. Denhart got off from the Rebles again. (The regimental history reports that 10 men of a foraging party of 16 were captured by Confederate Cavalry on September 3. Henry Denhart of Company G was not listed as one of the 10 captured).

September 5, 1864

To day I am on Picket again. I am on the East sid of our camp. To day they are beginning to haul these rations out from here to take them to Atlanta. There are about two and a half million rations (unidentified words).

September 6, 1864

This morning I am still on Picket. I am now on from half past 5 till half past six. Last Evening we had quite a rain. It rained considerable.

September 7, 1864

Last Evening there were about 50 of our regt went out 3 miles to see wether they could not catch some rebles. They had collect a (unidentified word) team that a citizen had (unidentified word) one of the 4 minsoto but he did not see any of them. To day I am on Picket agan. I had just com off of picket yesterday morning and next (unidentified words).

September 8, 1864

To day it is cloudy and look very mutch for rain. Nothing new to day so far.

September 9, 1864

To day I am on Picket agan. I am on the same post that I was two days ago. Nothing new to day yet so far. Last evening there were two trains loaded with reble prisiners.

September 10, 1864

This morning I am on the railroad. Will be reviewed this morning. To day we had genrel Inspection. We were Inspected in front of our company quarters. Nothing new to day.

September 11, 1864

To day I am on Picket again. I am on every day off in the morning and next morning on again. Today the first mail com through. Our regt mail went up to Kingston. We had not got non to day.

September 12, 1864

To day I am in camp again. Last night I was on Picket. It was a very nies night to be out but the mosquites prety nigh ate one up. It was prety cold after mid night.

September 13, 1864

To day it is quite warm. This morning I am on Post Commessarry. Nothing new to day so far.

September 14, 1864

To day it is very warm again. Last Evening one of our boys come back. He went home on a furlow from Huntsville. He was home quit a while.

September 15, 1864

To day I am not on duty. I have been a writing nearly all day. I also was outsid of the pickets to trad but did not suceed in that or geting enything.

September 16, 1864

To day it was right plesent but very warm. Nothing new to day.

September 17, 1864

To day I am in camp. I did not get on duty to day. Last night it was very cold the coldest night that we had this fall yet. I guess the cold weather is now coming. It will be prety cold here this winter if we stay here.

September 18, 1864

To day I am on Picket again. It has been raining all fore noon. It will not be very plesent if it keeps on so.

September 19, 1864

This morning it is very dewy. The trees are all whet. It was a prety good night to be out last night but I have seen better night then this.

September 20, 1864

To day I am on Picket. It rained nearly all night.

September 21, 1864

To day we have very whet weather. To day I am sick without (unidentified words).

September 22, 1864

To day I am in bed. I am partially able to be up.

September 23, 1864

To day it is raininy all day and is very unplesent to be out. Nothing new to day so far.

September 24, 1864

This morning there was a large drove of Catle went through here. Then when (unidentified word) hundred went by.

September 25, 1864

To day it is very nies and warm. We did have very whet weather this last week.

September 26, 1864

To day it is quit cool. Last eveng the boys come in again. They had went out to catch (unidentified word) some rebles.

September 27, 1864

To day it is prety cool again. It is very cool after night. Nothing new to day so far.

September 28, 1864

To day it is kind drizly again and looks very mutch for rain.

September 29, 1864

To day it is right plesent again. It rained a litle but not mutch. Nothing new to day. There are some troops going up here on every train.

September 30, 1864

To day it is plesent again. It rained last night like everything. It is prety warm to day again. Nothing new so far.

October 1, 1864

To day it is quite warm. It rained very hard last night and nearly all night. Nothing new to day.

October 2, 1864

To day it is very warm again and looks very mutch for rain. There is a heavy thunder storm coming up now. I guess we have a hevy rain before morning. There is a long wagon train passing here now on raid for Rome Georgia.

October 3, 1864

To day it is raining again. It is awful whet here now. Last night it rained nearly all night. Nothing new.

October 4, 1864

Today I am Post com guard. Nothing new to day.

October 5, 1864

This morning the enemy attacked our pickets. They planted their artilry so they had good range of us. They drove us out of our rifel pits about 11 A M and we fell back in the fort and then we held them and fought them until nearly 4 P M. The timber is laying full of dead and some wounded. Our brigidier was wounded (General Corse) and the colonel of the 52 Ill was wounded and the post comm of Allatoona was wounded . The wounded of our company Henry Hockman in left leg, J Garman finger shot off, E Kahley shot in back, J Humpfrey in the side, (unidentified words), H C Carl through the breast, J Stewart slight in leg, Danil Dauber slightly in arm. Killed Simon Hulbert.

October 6, 1864

Today they are burying the dead and gathering in the wounded. I have not learnt the nombers of men killed yet but there are good many johneys killed. The timber is just full of the dead and a good many wounded here yet.

October 7, 1864

To day it is quite warm. Last night after dark I was detailed to go on patrol. It was a good while after dark when the detail come up.

October 8, 1864

This morning the 23rd army corps come in. They are camped right in sight of us. They have a prety large corps.

October 9, 1864

This evening genrel Sherman come up. He has his headquarters in a field here. I have not seen the genrel yet.

October 10, 1864

Today the 23rd corp marched out. They go toward Cartersville. They move along prety brisk. Today I seen old genrel Sherman. He looks quite naturel. There are still troops going by here. There are a lot of wagons in town yet. They are still ampatating legs and arms from the rebels. There own doctors are here operating on there own men. They go at it prety rought so they do.

October 11, 1864

This morning the 15 corps passed through here. Last evening the 4 corps passed through. They passed through here all night. This morning there was a detail come up about 4 oclock for to unload some cars. To day I am on Picket. I seen Howard Haines and francis Bare. They belong to the 15 army corps. (Howard Haines and Francis Bear were from Stephenson County and in the 26th Illinois)

October 12, 1864

This morning I got relieved from Picket. I am now in camp. There are some wagons still passing by and will all day I guess. There are lots of wagons going by here. The 17 corps passed through yesterday.

October 13, 1864

To day I am on fatigue. I am choping down trees to day. We hear that the rebles destroyed the Resaca railroad bridge but how true I do not know.

October 14, 1864

To day it is quit warm again. Last night it was very cold again. It is very cold through the night then in daytime it is warm again. Nothing new to day.

October 15, 1864

This morning I am detailed again for to go a foraging. We went out about 7 miles . We got some corn and some sweet potatoes and some peaches (the final word could be peaches, pickels or porkers).

October 16, 1864

To day it is very smokey. I supose the woods is burning someplace above here towards Kingston. This morning there was a prety large drove of catle went back again. I supose they are going to the army. Last evening the report was that old Hood was between Resaca and Dalton and sherman on his rear and thomas on his front. If that is so old hood is gone up. (Confederate General Hood had been trying to cut Union supply lines in Northern Georgia)

October 17, 1864

To day we move our camp. We now insid of the rifle pits. We had to carry everything from the old camp to where we are now about 40 rods. I am trying to get it all over from the old camp.

October 18, 1864

To day I am on picket. This morning I feel very sore. Had to carry so mutch lumber yesterday that my sholder aches like everything.

October 19, 1864

Today I am in camp. I was on picket last night. To day I and Peter Wetzel and Lester Nichlas built a chimey to our tent. It done well. To day Jams Logan was out a foraging. Nothing new to day so far.

October 20, 1864

Last night I took sick again. Had a terible time all night. Nothing new to day.

October 21, 1864

To day I am in my tent. I dont feel very well. I had the Chill fever. I felt very sick for a while. To day we got the first mail again since the 8 of this month I think. I got two letters one from father and one from (unidentified word).

October 22, 1864

To day I am in bed. I am very sick. I have had the chills all fornoon and fever in the afternoon. Our old docter come back again on last friday. He looks well but he dont know more than he did.

October 23, 1864

Henry C Carl died last evening at 10 o clock. He was wounded on the 5 at the batle of Allatoona Ga. He sufered very mutch. He will be buried to day at two P M in a prosesion of 12 men to fire a salut. Henry was mutch thought of in the Company. He was always willing to do his duty when was called upon to do anything but I hope he is now at rest with god where I hope we all may meet him is my wish. (There is only one existing Civil War letter from Jefferson Moses. It was written on October 24 and goes into detail on the death and burial of Henry C. Carl).

October 24, 1864

To day there is another large detail went out a foraging again. Last night we had a very cold night again. Nothing new to day.

October 25, 1864

To day has been a very nies day. It was quit warm. I am still not well yet. I have not drawn no duty for some time. Nothing new.

October 26, 1864

We drawed some clothing but not the kind we wanted. No overcoats. Not but a few socks.

October 27, 1864

To day it is very wet. It rained the greater part of the night and is still raining this morning.

October 28, 1864

This morning I am detailed for to go on Picket the first time that I was on duty for nearly two weeks. I am well again.

October 29, 1864

This morning it is very plesent and warm. This morning there were two Hospital trains went down and one train loaded with soldiers. Just as many as could get on were on.

October 30, 1864

I am on Patrol. I stand guard at the reserve this morning. All of our trains went up to Cartersville. They have a regular genrel Inspection of teams. There are some prospects of us soon going on a march but I hope we will not go yet for awhile yet for we have nice winter quarters up now and I would like if we could stay here awhile now. Yesterday our mail for the 93rd Ill went through to Atlanta. I hope they will send it back to day again. We have not had no mail for some time now and we are all anxious for to hear from our homes.

October 31, 1864

To day it is quit warm and looks very mutch for rain.

November 1, 1864

To day I was out a foraging. We had 140 men on our detail. We were out about 12 miles. It was after night when we come to camp but we got lots of corn. We also got some hogs but they are secure out in the contry.

November 2, 1864

Last night it rained all night and is still raining and is prety cold. To day there was a lot of caverly went by here up towards Cartersville.

November 3, 1864

To day it is still very windy and still rains. Nothing new to day so far.

November 4, 1864

To day it is very cold again. Still there are some rumors afloat that we are again to march before long. To day there was a large drove of catle went through here. (unidentified words) while passing by here. It was very muddy to day for them to march. There were a good many soldiers with them as guards and some caverly. This morning there are some caverly in camp out sid of our pickets.

November 5, 1864

To day I am on Picket. I am on the fort oposite our camp. To day our reg took and voted. The result I dont know yet. I guess by tomorow Il know. This is the first vote I had and now it wasnt good for enything. They only want to see how the regiment stands for presendent.

November 6, 1864

This morning I am relieved of Picket. It was a very cold night to be out but then it was nies and clear all day and night but this morning it comenced to rain again and has rained nearly all day and is prety cold to be out.

November 7, 1864

The returns of the Election were 185 for Lincoln and 72 for the young Napoleon McCleline. (General George McClellan was Lincoln's opponent in the 1864 election. He was known as the "Young Napoleon". The 185-72 count was apparently a straw poll since the actual election was not until the next day.)

November 8, 1864

Today I am on patrol. I am on the out fort today. To day the pay master pays the minesoto regt. To day is election day.

November 9, 1864

To day we got our pay. We got two months pay. 82 dollars. Prety soon we will leave here. To day the train of the 4 army passed through here.

November 10, 1864

Last evening we had to give up our tents. It was dark already when we had to take them down. Then after we had them down it comenced to rain and rained the greater part of the night.

November 11, 1864

To day I am on Picket. They had genrel Inspection in camp. I missed that this time.

November 12, 1864

This morning we march. I was on picket and they fired the canon and we went to camp and at 9 we marched. We are now in camp about 8 miles from Allatoona toward Atlanta.

November 13, 1864

To day we marched through maryetto (Marietta, Georgia) and they had the whole caverly train loaded with horses. Genrel sherman had his headquarters there. Maryetto is a nice town. We marched 12 miles to day and now we are in camp out of a field.