Status - John Baer - 40th Indiana Regiment - Stanley's Corps - Newton's Division - Wagner's Brigade
Atlanta Campaign
Sherman is now making one more attempt to get around the Confederate left, but finds only disappointment. The army moves slowly, allowing the rebels to entrench and then stop any Union advances. By the 6th, there is another stalemate.
Mobile Bay
Mobile Bay is captured by Union Navy forces on the 5th. This battle is most famous for Admiral Farragut being quoted as saying "Damn the Torpedoes! Full Speed Ahead!" when the lead monitor is sunk by a mine (mines were called torpedoes at the time) on entry to the bay.
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John Baer Diary Entries - text in white, comments in blue. Entries for August 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th.
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DIARY ENTRY - Wednesday, August 3rd, 1864
Emigrants still arriving all confirm the report of the capture of General Stoneman. I am not in the habit of criticizing any General’s maneuvers or the policy of the administration - but every man, according to the form of Government, has a right to his opinions - in consequence of which I will venture to affirm that there was some looseness in the operations of the cavalry on that occasion. I will not, however, venture a suggestion on how the said operations should have been conducted, as there are undoubtedly wiser heads and greater military geniuses at the head of it than I claim as an endowment or attainment - but there have been greater raids made and greater results accomplished with fewer men.
Still the rumors of an exchange fly but they are as chaff driven by the wind, and as a great many pleasures that are constantly anticipated, are almost in reach but constantly elude our grasp. Truly Hope deferred maketh the heart sick. Vanity of vanities, all is vanity.
For the past two days they have been busy taking the sick out of camp and yet there are thousands almost to go out. It is reported that they are to be transferred to North Carolina.
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DIARY ENTRY - Thursday, August 4th, 1864
Still the sick are being taken out and the number does not seen to be diminished. Helped to carry a sick man down but there was so many to go out that we had to bring him back to get him in the shade. Later developments show that the rebs cannot take care of all the sick men that are here, for indeed nearly or quite one fourth of the men here are positively unable to help themselves, and the number is increasing daily. A few more arrivals from the front. No sick taken out today on account of there being 900 more out now than they have yet taken care of.
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DIARY ENTRY - Friday, August 5th, 1864
No roll call for several days, the cause of which I have been unable to ascertain, and of which I am compelled to make very strange - as heretofore the Reb. Sergeants were particular to see every man. It may be possible that it is in consequence of their being engaged in tacking out the sick.
Over a month in prison. So far, through the Providence of God I have enjoyed good health, the greatest earthly blessing that can be bestowed. Have I been thankful for this blessing! Alas, many times I have been found to murmur at other misfortunes, and yet they are the dealings of an all wise Providence “cast down but not forsaken” Patience, did ever mortal have more to endure. The thought of the dreadful suspense of family and friends is almost enough to make one heartsick, but I hope to relieve them ere many weeks at farthest. Hope - how it brings up the spirit of men in distress.
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DIARY ENTRY - Saturday, August 6th, 1864
So hot that I cannot write and the smoke is almost intolerable. Suffering for one’s country, Liberty and Independence - how sweet, and yet what sacrifices have to be made to maintain it. Home and all its pleasures are sacrificed on the Country’s altar, yea, even life. The lives of thousands have already been given, a willing sacrifice - the best blood of the nation has been poured out as water for the maintenance of the Union, and others are suffering almost a thousand deaths in prison camps.
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The conditions in the camp have become nearly intolerable, with the newly captured men arriving, numerous sick and dying prisoners, and the full midsummer heat of southern Georgia. Approximately nine percent of the prisoners in the camp during August died that month. Hospital facilities were very limited.
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More Information:
- Link: War Operations, see Volume XXXVIII, Chapter L, Part V, Correspondence, pp. 339-407.
- The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. pp. 173-174.
- The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1II, Red River to Appomattox, Shelby Foote, pp. 475-492.
- Battles and Leaders of the Civil War, Retreat With Honor, pp. 315-320.
- Decision In The West, The Atlanta Campaign of 1864, Albert Castel, pp, 436-454.
- Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant, pp. 613-619.
- Memoirs of General William T. Sherman, pp. 572-576.
- Events: 1864
NEXT POST: AUGUST 10TH
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