Description:

INDIANA SOLDIER RECORDS HIS SERVICE IN GEORGIA
Ruled composition book, 34pp. 8vo., which has been used as a diary by John S. McLaughlin, a private in the 130th Indiana Volunteers. It describes, in excellent detail, McLaughlin's enlistment on Dec. 23, 1863, at Camp Stillwell in Kokomo, although he is immediately stricken with measles and sent home until he is well enough to return to his unit in April. After rejoining his unit, McLaughlin travels to Louisville, and then to Chattanooga, describing many of the sights he sees along the way: "...as good land laying all out to the commons as I ever saw. Fine big apple and peach trees all over the farms in full bloom things so destroyed not even stock to eat the grass... very little farming done here the Rebels have left their farms..." In Chattanooga, begins to write of his travels to that point. After this date, Apr. 14, he keeps his diary in real time; he describes traveling to Knoxville by train, and waiting for the rest of his regiment to arrive by foot while they guard the railroad bridge that will give them access to Chattanooga: "...we will have no fighting with the Rebels here unless they make a raid on the railroad..." The regiment soon passes through Tennessee, arriving in Dalton, Georgia by May 21: "... we have been running and fighting the rebels for a week every day..." McLaughlin and his comrades arrive outside of Atlanta and lay siege to the city by June 8th, where they remain for the rest of the summer. In part; "...we are now about 7 miles south west of Atlanta and are building some of the strangest works I ever saw... I do guard duty at the General's head quarters... when the brigade goes out to fight we march in the rear and guard the prisoners... after the battle we went from Decatur to Atlanta station got there just after the fight the dead and wounded Revels lay thick along the road..." After being furloughed home due to sickness, he rejoins his regiment and travels to Charlotte, N.C., where he remains as the war ends. He records a particularly interesting occurrence while there: "... we spent the 4th here we all took our guns went to town and heard a speech. There was about 8 Negroes for every 1 white man we heard the speech the boys got in a mess, shot 2 negroes, whipped the Rebel mayor..." He then travels home by way of New York, arriving there on Sep. 19th. Also present is McLaughlin's pocket bible, 316pp. 12mo., inscribed on the front flyleaf: "John S. McLaughlin date 1864 carried during my service in the Civil War". An excellent account of a particularly mobile term of service. Very good.

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May 24, 2016 10:30 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

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