-
11. Supplying Sherman’s Army: June 28–September 24, 1864
- Wayne State University Press
- Chapter
- Additional Information
11 + Supplying Sherman’s Army June 28–September 24, 1864 By early July 1864, Sherman’s forces had pushed the Confederate army across the Chattahoochee River to within a few miles of the outskirts of Atlanta. As his army advanced, however, Sherman’s supply line grew longer and more vulnerable while his opponent’s shortened.It was critical for the Union forces to repair, defend, and maintain the single span of railroad track stretching back through northern Georgia to Chattanooga . In August, Confederate cavalry under General Joseph Wheeler struck the critical railroad once again. Detachments of the Michigan Engineers were all along the route, scattered in small details working on blockhouses and other defenses. Kimball and the detachment from Company H at Stevenson had moved to the regimental headquarters at Cartersville, Georgia, by this time. They were among those threatened as Wheeler’s Confederate cavalry moved northward with four thousand troopers against the railroad line in George and Tennessee.Though Cartersville was not attacked directly, the men remained on alert as Confederates struck nearby positions. Other Michigan Engineer detachments were not as lucky, and several members of the regiment were killed,wounded,or captured by the Confederate cavalry during this raid. For the rest of August and most of September,Kimball and the men in Company H remained at Cartersville, working on several local projects . At one point Kimball and his friend Charles Fowler were detailed to clean up the company records, which entailed coming up with some Chattanooga to Atlanta. (Map by Sherman Hollander) [54.146.154.243] Project MUSE (2024-03-29 00:19 GMT) supplying sherman’s army 135 creative explanations for missing arms, clothing, and tools. This was part of the growing army bureaucracy and consistent with the fact that the three-year enlistments of the original men would soon be expiring, including Kimball’s. June 28. The Co. went to Ga. We finished framing posts. June 29. By a little shrewdness and lying we managed to draw five days rations. July 4. Worked awhile in the morning and then went to Stevenson. There was speaking but we were too late to hear it. Cannon were fired. We returned to camp and had a blackberry shortcake and bread pudding then fixed up a spring board and had a good swim. July 5. Lt Eaton returned. Finished the stockade in the forenoon and a car came for us in the afternoon. We loaded up and went to Stevenson and stayed over night, getting our suppers at the soldier’s home. July 6. Left Stevenson at daylight and reached Chattanooga at 10 a.m. Remained there the rest of the day. Mic and I went out and found Lt Pete Gordon. Lt Eaton quite roiled to think we could not get our car billed and go on. July 7. There was an accident on the road so we could not leave. A sutler got some of the boys to put three trunks containing goods on our car. He got us a pail of beer when he was arrested, his trunks thrown out and confiscated. He said they were very valuable. We confiscated some small coffee pots he had. July 8. We left at 9 a.m. and went as far as Kingston and stopped for the night. There was about 100 guerillas intending to attack our train, but our cavalry got after them and captured 40 of them, chasing the rest away. July 9. Went on to Cartersville where the regimental Hdqrs, Co I and a part of Co H were. Put up bunks and got nicely settled down. July 10. We were to have had inspection but Capt Grant and Lt Vandy were away and did not return until night. I was detailed to assist burying a mule. 136 chapter 11 July 11. We built an oven and cook shanty. Drilled some, the recruits drilling by themselves. July 12. I was on guard for the first time in over four months. July 13. Went out two miles after blackberries and got a fine lot of them.Was an escort to the grave of a man named [James] Wallace, Co. A.The band accompanied. James Davis died just at night. July 15. Lieut. Eaton an old Californian, Charley Fowler and myself went out in search of gold without success.1 Lt. Eaton thought the looks of the country indicated gold. We were at the creek one mile north where some of our Co were building a stockade when...