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Chester Whitman. Autograph Letter Signed. In the Field [Georgia], July 30, 1864. To “Brother Otis.” 8 pp. Inventory# 20349 $800 Partial Transcript: “...This day we done nothing with the Batt[er]y: the fighting being farther on the left. So close were the combatants to each other they fought with clubbed muskets & the rebs in their rage even planted their colors upon the slight works of the 104 th & pulled by the hair of their heads several of the Reg[imen]t over the works. They were it is reported all drunk with whiskey & gun powder & fought like infuriated demons. But they were badly beaten and driven back with heavy loss leaving their dead mostly upon the field..... We gained our present position on the 22 nd. On that day the hardest- fought battle of the Campaign was fought with victory to our army. [Maj. Gen. James B.] M cPhersons command [Army of the Tennessee,] consisting of the 15 th 16 th and 17 th Corps occupying the extreme left of the Army were attacked by the enemy under “Gen [John Bell] Hood” who had massed his force for the purpose of striking a decisive blow & driving the Yankees back in confusion. But his purpose was thwarted and after making seven charges; each in its turn unsuccessful our Boys repulsing every time: He withdrew leaving his dead & many wounded upon the field. Many prisoners were taken, said to number 7 thousand. Also many small arms. M cPherson was killed..... ...after fighting and defeating the enemy at “Tunnel Hill”; “Buzzard Roost Pass”; “Rocky Face” Reseca "Dallas” Kennesaw to the crossing of the Chattahoochie River we are at a last confronting the Rebs before the Rebel strong hold Atlanta. After Crossing the River we have drove them from four lines of very strong works & they are now making a desperate struggle to defend the City in the “last ditch” but thus far they have succeeded only in keeping us from entering by hard fighting & charging & in every engagement have been repulsed with great slaughter. On the 20 th[of July] a portion of [Maj. Gen. Joseph] Hookers [20th] corps & the 1 st Brigade of our Division had a severe engagement with the Johnnys & lost heavily. The 104th Regt (Ills) lost some 50 men in killed wounded and.....” Historical Background: Chester Whitman is serving with Battery C, 1st Illinois Light Artillery, which is part of General William T. Sherman’s Military Division of the Mississippi during the Atlanta Campaign. At the end of July, the Confederates are defending Atlanta from entrenchments which surround it. The Federals are encircling the city, and gradually cutting off the supply routes, principally the railroad lines. The Confederates attack Union positions in the Battles of Peach Tree Creek (July 20) and Atlanta (July 22), both referenced here, and then in the Battle of Ezra Church (July 28). In each case the result is a Confederate loss. Soon afterward, Union forces will cut off the final rail line at the Battle of Jonesboro (August 31-September 1), and Hood’s forces will be forced to abandon Atlanta (September 1). The first corps of Union soldiers will enter Atlanta on September 2.
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