Status - John Baer - 40th Indiana Regiment - Howard's Corps - Newton's Division - Wagner's Brigade
Atlanta Campaign - Battle of Peachtree Creek
General Thomas with his army crosses Peachtree Creek on the 19th, in anticipation of moving toward Atlanta. General Hood on the 20th orders one wing of his Confederate army to attack Thomas and drive the Union forces back onto the creek. The Union men are only beginning to dig in when the full Confederate attack falls on them. Newton's division is on the left, and is able to use the entrenchments
they have already dug, and therefore suffer fewer casualties. Wagner's
brigade (under temporary command of Colonel Blake of the 40th Indiana) find themselves in the thick of the
fight. They hold their lines, but are almost flanked on the left and trapped, but Union artillery stop the Confederates and force them to fall back.
On the right, the armies clash in the open field, with close fighting and hand-to-hand combat. At day's end, the Union army has held it ground, and inflicted significant casualties on the Confederates, who have returned to their original positions. The difference in casualties makes this a Union victory.
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John Baer Diary Entries - text in white, comments in blue. Entries for July 18th, 19th, 20th and 21st.
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DIARY ENTRY - Monday, July 18th, 1864
Remained near quarters all day except when necessity called me away. Played a few games of checkers, read some and took a nap in the evening. Received a few visitors after dark - rather an unusual hour, but as we have introduced a new style of aristocracy it is perfectly allowable. Cats flying in the air, but we know how to take them. Some rain in the afternoon.
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DIARY ENTRY - Tuesday, July 19th, 1864
The last ray of hope is vanished but new ones will spring up and the second house will exceed the first in brilliancy and magnificence. Plans are developed before matured for want of discretion and secrecy, every man has his friends, and there is a sympathy that binds them together. What one does another must know and when they all know it, they must talk about it - and before they are aware of it, some one hears it who has lost all confidence and all patriotism and for a little favor will betray his comrades - such men are numerous. Long confinement has made them ready to do anything for a few moments of pleasure. I would think their consciences would condemn them but they have become seared as if it were a hot iron, and they would accept the infamy of treason for a little liberty.
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DIARY ENTRY - Wednesday, July 20th, 1864
Far different feelings exist in the bosoms of many. There are those here who were honest - those who never infringed law but who are now ready to disregard all law. Confinement only makes them desperate, and woe to the man who defeats their plans, should he be made known in the future. Human nature - what a theme. Pope has well said that “the proper study of mankind is man”. To know man you must see him in all circumstances and in all places.
I have seen them at home. I have seen them in the farm at home enjoying all its pleasures, surrounded with friends and plenty - still they are not satisfied, they complain of hard times and are not content with the dealings of Providence. There is too much rain, or they are suffering for rain, and would be willing to argue the point with the Ruler of the Universe to convince him that they know best and would regulate affairs for Providence if they had it in their power.
In the army I have seen them surrounded with danger and bearing up under all hardships that they are called upon to endure without one word of complaint - but there is another feature that no man knows without learning by experience. That feature I see now an am seeing every day. I love liberty, but should I live to get out safe in due time, I will never begrudge the time spent in prison.
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DIARY ENTRY - Thursday, July 21st, 1864
Grapevines are talking vigorously, but not so much as on several days previous. Nothing important transpiring in the vicinity of Anderson except that there is a good amount of extraordinary vigilance manifested on the part of our guard. What the cause is easily conjectured from the fact that there are a few raiding parties whose proximity to different points in the Confederacy is creating some uneasiness for the safety of the charge our Confederate brethren have on their hands. Weather pleasant considering the latitude. Preaching near our quarters at night. After preaching went to the branch and took a bath.
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More Information:
- Link: War Operations, see Volume XXXVIII, Chapter L, Part V, Correspondence, pp. 169-222.
- The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. pp. 171-172.
- The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1II, Red River to Appomattox, Shelby Foote, pp. 472-475.
- Battles and Leaders of the Civil War, Retreat With Honor, pp. 313-315.
- Decision In The West, The Atlanta Campaign of 1864, Albert Castel, pp, 365-380.
- Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant, pp. 600-608.
- Memoirs of General William T. Sherman, pp. 544-547.
- Events: 1864
NEXT POST: JULY 25TH
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