Status - John Baer - 40th Indiana Regiment - Stanley's Corps - Wagner's Division - Lane's Brigade
Having broken up the railroad from Resaca to Tunnel Hill, Hood has moved west and encamps for two days as Sherman's army follows him. Hood intends to give battle to Sherman in this area; he polls his commanders, and is disappointed when they all say that the army is not ready. He then decides to move west into Alabama, just as Sherman's force begins to arrive in the area. Not knowing that Hood has moved west again, Sherman prepares to attack.
On the 15th, Wagner is ordered to Bridgeport, AL to protect the river between there and Chattanooga from any attacks from Hood's army. They arrive on the 17th. Current orders are they are to be relieved in Bridgeport, and then return to Sherman's army in central Georgia.
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John Baer Diary Entries - text in white, comments in blue. - October 14th to 17th.
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DIARY ENTRY - Friday, October 14th, 1864
No entry.
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DIARY ENTRY - Saturday, October 15th, 1864
Brigade was ordered to be ready to march at 12 o’clock - as Brigade Headquarters baggage did not go, I was left to take charge of the guard that remained behind. Brigade went to Ringgold where it arrived about 1 o’clock P.M. and awaited orders.
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DIARY ENTRY - Sunday, October 16th, 1864
Nothing worthy of note occurred in the forepart of the day - exciting rumors prevailed in regard to the movements of the army. Little apprehension is felt in regard to the safety of Chattanooga. Brigade returned from Ringgold with orders to proceed to Bridgeport. The Lieutenant Commander of the company not being well, I was relieved from my command in Chattanooga and sent with the company.
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DIARY ENTRY - Monday, October 17th, 1864.
Boarded the train at day light and shoved out for Bridgeport. At Whitesides met the trains from Nashville. Arrived at Bridgeport about 11 o’clock A.M. and stacked arms. Received not instructions what to do or where to go, until about sundown we received an order for a guard for horses - when I found that the staff had taken quarters in the cars accordingly. When we had finished supper I took the company to the train and took shelter - also as it had the appearance of rain.
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More Information:
- Link: War Operations, see Volume XXXIX, Chapter LI, Part III, Correspondence, pp. 266-346.
- The Civil War Day by Day, John S. Bowman, Ed. p. 181.
- The Civil War, A Narrative, Vol 1II, Red River to Appomattox, Shelby Foote, pp. 613-616.
- Shrouds of Glory: From Atlanta to Nashville, Winston Groom, pp 78-96.
- Personal Memoirs of U. S. Grant, p. 640.
- Memoirs of General William T. Sherman, pp. 630-633.
- Events: 1864
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