| Dec. 28 | Enrolled and Sworn into the United States Service, at Mrs. Laer McDonalds, on Lick Creek, Greene Count, Tennessee, by David Hill of the Recruiting Service. |
| Dec. 29 | Started to Kentucky from Day's Gap, Bay's Mountain, about dark. We passed a Rebel Battery (about midnight) on the Rogersville Road. We passed between their camp and pickets by taking off our boots and shoes. Crossed the Holston River, and arrived at Riders on top of Stone Mountain at break off day. |
| Dec. 30 | Lay at the foot of Clinch Mountain until dusk, then crossed Neumans Ridge. |
| Dec. 31 | Lay on Powel's Mountain until dusk, then crossed Powel's River and Powel's Valley onto Cumberland Mountain. |
1863 | |
|---|---|
| Jan 1 | Descended the Cumberland and crossed Brush Mountains, and arrived at Howard's and Greene's on Pucket Creek, Harlan County, Ky. hungry, tired, and sleepy, where we rested two nights. Then we crossed the Bump, passed Barboursville, Rockcastle, Lancaster, Craborchard, London, Dickrobinson, Bryantsville and arrived at Nicholasville, Ky. (general rendesvous) January 10, 1863. We lay at Nicholasville during January and February where I took sick with something similar to fever; from thence I reported to my Command at Camp Boon, Ky. During this time the 7th Tenn. Infy. was consolidated with the 8th., and in March we marched to Lexington and camped on the farm of Old Henry Clay, and fortified Lexington. From this point we marched to Camp Dickrobinson, then sometime in April we marched to Lancaster and back again to Dickrobinson where the 8th. regiment Vol. Infy. was orgainized May 13th. 1863, and sometime in June we marched to Camp Speed, Ky. About the first of July we marched to Camp Nelson and fortified. (during the notorious John Morgan Raid) and camped until about the 10th. of August, when we started to East Tennessee under Burnside. We marched to Danville and was organized as the 2nd. Brigade, commanded by Col. Cammeron of the 65th. Illinois. (There on the 15th. of August, I was appointed, temporiarly, 1st. Lieut. Co. C, 8th. Infy. by special order Col. F. A. Reeve, Comdg.) Passed Lancaster, crossed Cumberland River near Summerset, Ky. and the Cumberland Mountains into East Tenn. arriving at Lenor Station about 3rd. Sept., 1863; thence to Concord (here I took the Yellow Jaundice) thence to Knoxville, Panther Spring; Morristown, at this point we took the cars to Greeneville. Marched thence to Watauga River, Carter County and drove the Rebels to Zollicoffer. Then fell back to Greeneville, almost starved. Rebels advance. Drive them again beyond the Tenn. line. Then fell back to Lick Creek, Rebels advance again (under "Mudwall" Jackson) and are defeated again at Blue Springs, Tenn. and are driven back toward Va. Then fell back again to Lick Creek bridge, sometime in November 1863, thence to the Siege of Knoxville, until Longstreet evacuated the place, Subsequently, I took the fever and lay sick at Knoxville 30 days., and then reported to my Command at said place in Feb. 1864. |
1864 | |
| Feb. | Fortified Knoxville. In March, marched to the Plains, Mossey Creek, and at Morristown skirmished with the Rebels. Then fell back to Mossey Creek. |
| April 1 or 2 | Marched to Bulls Gap and were furloughed four days. |
| April 15th | Tore up railroad between Lick Creek and Jonesborough. |
| April 26th. | I was discharged from the Service by order of Gen. Schofield in order to accept an appointment as Captain in 8th. Infy. Fell back to Knoxville to enter Georgia Campaign. |
| April 30th. | At Charleston, Tenn; Was mustered as Captain by Lieut. Denney, Mustering Officer, 3rd. Div. 23rd. A. C. |
| May 1st. | Hd. Qtrs., Sherman's Army at Chattanooga with following forces. Army of the Cumberland; commanded by Maj. Gen. Thomas; 60,773 men and 130 guns, (artillery), Army of the Pennesseo; commanded by Maj. Gen. McPherson; 24,465 men and 90 guns, Army of the Ohio; commanded by Maj. Gen. J. M. Schofield; 13,559 men and 96 guns, Cavalry, under Maj. Gens. Stoneman and Kilpatrick; 1679 men. |
| May 1st. | Entered Georgia Campaign; Brigade commanded my Col. J. M. Reily, Division by Brig. Gen. J. D. Cox; Corps by Maj. Gen. Schofield. At Charleston, Tennessee until 3rd. |
| May 3rd. | Marched to Cleveland, camped at Blue Spring and drew ammunition for the coming struggle. |
| May 4th. | Marched to Red Clay, Georgia. |
| May 5th. | Camped at Red Clay. |
| May 6th. | Marched in the direction of Buzzardroost Mts., where we arrived on the 9th. |
| May 9th. | Drove the Rebels from their works at Buzzardroost Mtns; then fell back several miles and went into camps; our Cavalry defeated on our left, |
| May 10th. | Lay in camps near Dalton, Ga. until the 12th. |
| May 12th. | Marched through Dalton on our way to Resacca. |
| May 13th. | Regiment pass through Snake Creek, Gap and formed in line of battle and advanced on Rebels in the direction of Resacca. |
| May 14th. | Battle of Resacca, Ga. Regiment fought on the extreme left; under heavy fire for about three hours when we were relieved by other troops. In driving the Rebels through a dense woods, I was slightly wounded in the right arm but not enough to force me off the field. I lost several men from my Company. |
| May 15th. | Moved to the left near the 20th. Corps. (Hookers) about dusk, and formed and laid on arms all night. This was a bloody battle,; The earth trembled and seemed to groan beneath the flames of battle, but the Union arms were crowned with victory. |
| May 16th. | 23rd. Corps advanced; crossed the Connessogga River. |
| May 17th. | Crossed the Cooseewatee River on pontoon bridge and continued to march the most of the night. |
| May 18th. | Marched, enemy retreat in the direction of Cassville. |
| May 19th. | Marched all day; At sunset charged the Rebels at Cassville, who retreated toward Cartersville, Ga. |
| May 20th. | Formed in line of battle one mile south of Cassville and drove the Rebels beyond Cartersville, and across the Ettawau River; Laid all night at Cartersville, (took some prisoners) rested until the 22nd. |
| May 22nd. | 8th Tenn.; 100th. Ohio,; and 112th Illinois Infantry under Col. Reily marched up the Ettawau five miles and burnt a foundry near Altoona Mountain. The 8th. firing it in the face of a hot fire from the enemy. Returned to Cartersville at night without loss. |
| May 23rd. | Marched down the Ettawau 4 miles and camped. |
| May 24th. | Crossed the Ettawau, marched all day, camped on Altoona Mountain. |
| May 25th. | |
| May 26th. | Crossed Pumpkinvine River and advanced on the Rebels lines near Dalas. Threw up breastworks at night. Lines very close; heavy skirmishing all night which continued until the 28th. |
| May 28th. | I was ordered to reinforce the line of skirmishers here with my Company. We drove in the Rebel Skirmishers after a hard fight and found them fortified with a heavy force. We fell back to our former position with considerable loss. I took the sword of Capt. Bishop, 100th Ohio, off of him as he was mortally wounded. |
| May 29th. | Very heavy skirmishing on our line. |
| May 30th. | Enemy charges us. They are driven back with considerable loss. |
| May 31st. | Very heavy skirmishing along the lines. |
| June 1st. | Quite along the lines. At noon we were relieved by other troops. Moved to left and rear. Camped. |
| June 2nd. | Took my Company on the battle line, after considerable fighting, drove them from their position with loss. Lt. Col. George De Lavergne of 8th., wounded. Rebels single out my Co. and made it hot for us while I was taking my position by giving me shells and shot but we steadily advanced and formed in their immediate front without much loss and held our ground until they hastily retreated. During this battle the earth was drenched with the hardest rain I ever saw fall from the heavens. |
| June 3rd. | Rebels withdrawn from our front. 8th camp in rear. |
| June 4th. | Advance and occupy the enemies works. |
| June 5th. | Advance into their strongest works out of which they had been flanked. |
| June 6th. | Army pause and rest for the first time. |
| June 7th. | 8th. Tenn. detailed to guard ammunition train until 14th. |
| June 14th. | Moved to the front again and was ordered to the skirmish line with one half of the regiment under my command. |
| June 15th. | Drove the enemy with skirmishers 3-4 of a mile. |
| June 16th. | Drove them again. At night fortified. |
| June 17th. | Drove them to Kenesaw Mountain; This day I shall forget last of all others during my service; In conjunction with five companies of the different regiments of our brigade, I was ordered on the skirmish line again. These five companies of skirmishers was commanded by a Kentucky Captain. (our senior). We drove them to the foot of Kenesaw Mountain; At this time I was ordered with my Company foreward to act as sharpshooters. I took position right in front of a battery of 12 pieces and within 500 yards of it. They opened these 12 pieces upon us and the scene begars description. We were in an open field, protected only by the uneven ground. Plunging shot, screaming shells, grape and canister, swept overhead and around us, which hidiously rent the air; the earth trembled and the Heavens appeared like a blaze of fiery hail. I thought we were lost. I cautioned my Company to watch the flanks as I had no support on the right or left. Once the Rebels tried to turn my right but a well directed fire turned them back again. For one hour my Company was enveloped in fire, shots, and shells; truly in the Valey of Death, held in the hollow of God's hand. Finally the skirmisher of Gen. Hookers Corps joined my left with six 12 pound pieces, with which we gave them a rejoinder that did us good., forcing them from their positions. Was relieved at dusk by other troops: Adjt. 8th. Tenn. mortally wounded, same ball wounding George A. Easterly (Private) Co K. |
| June 18th. | Rain. Lay in second line of works; tremendous cannonading in front of Hooker's Army on our left. |
| June 19th. | Heavy rain falling; Advance, Cropnose Creek, then to the extreme right three miles. |
| June 20th. | Build breastworks on north bank of Mud Creek; Skirmish with the enemies Cavalry. |
| June 21st. | Quite in front, slightly skirmishing; Heavy cannonading on our left about the mountains. |
| June 22nd. | 23rd. Corps cross Mud Creek, drive Rebels 1/2 mile to White House and fortify; Heavy fighting on left. |
| June 23rd. | Skirmished at White House until the 26th. Heavy fighting on our left about Kenesaw Mountain. |
| June 26th. | Drove the Rebels to the next creek. |
| June 27th. | On skirmish line again. Charged through an open field across a creek; Drove them out of their works and about two miles beyond; Halted and fortified. |
| June 28th. | Built strong works; Skirmished with the enemy until July. |
| July 3rd. | Drive the Rebels one mile. |
| July 4th. | Rebels evacuate Kenesaw Mountain; Retreat across the Chattahooche River. |
| July 5th. | Our Division (3rd.) rest near Kenesaw Mountains. |
| July 6th. | Army of the Ohio moved to the left and camped at the mouth of Soap Creek on the Chattahooche River. |
| July 7th. | Camped. |
| July 8th. | Our Brigade (1st) and the 3rd. crossed the river on a pontoon bridge about sunset and attacked the Ga. Militia, who fled leaving one brass field piece. Her we lay on our arms all night, being the first infantry of Sherman's Army across the river. |
| July 9th. | Moved foreward and fortified on a ridge. |
| July 10th. | Rested once more. |
| July 11th. | 8th Tenn. ordered to help build a bridge across the Chattahooche, where we remained until July 17th. |
| July 17th. | Regiment ordered to our Command. |
| July 18th. | Advanced to within 7 and 1/2 miles of Decatur on the newly graded railroad; 11 miles from Atlanta. |
| July 19th. | Took Decauter: Camped. |
| July 20th. | Lay in field near Decauter. |
| July 21st. | Company on skirmish line at very close range. Private Eliga Fox mortally wounded and five Kentuckians. |
| July 22nd. | Gen. Hood makes a desperate effort to turn our left and is defeated with heavy loss: Maj. Gen. McPherson KILLED ! |
| July 23rd. | All quiet on the left. |
| July 25th. | Strengthened works where we remained until Aug. 2nd. Cannonading and heavy skirmishing all night on the center. 15th, 16th and 17th Corps on our left. |
| Aug. 2nd. | Moved to the extreme right, near East Point; Built breastworks near Utoy Creek. |
| Aug. 3rd. | In works. |
| Aug. 4th. | Brigade massed (under a heavy fire) to charge a battery. Order Countermanded; Lay on arms in line of battle all night. |
| Aug. 5th. | At 11 o'clock a heavy column of skirmishers advance and take many prisoners; At noon, moved to the extreme right. |
| Aug. 6th | At Utoy Creek: Charged the Rebels works and after a desperate fight our regiment was forced to retire, losing many men. The 8th. Tenn. suffered more on this day than in any battle they were in during the Rebellion. (About 85) My Company carried the colors; both colorbearers were lost; one killed, the other captured, losing both stands of colors. Lieutenants Johnson and Fetzjerald were killed. Lieutenants Bible, McPherson and Douglas were wounded: Capt. Bowers wounded and captured: Lieut. Walker was captured. When we retired from this bloody field we were conscious of having done our duty, as no other Regiment of our Brigade was near the enemies works, while we were in a few yards (some say 10) of them and fought until ordered to retire. |
| Aug. 7th. | Moved to the front: Fortified; skirmished until the 12th. |
| Aug. 12th. | On reconnoisance to the right; returned at night; remained here until the 16th. |
| Aug. 16th. | Foreward again; built strong works: Remained until 18th. |
| Aug. 18th. | Advance again and drive the Rebels; built strong works. Here I took the Mumps the 25th. and was admitted in the hospital. |
| Aug. 26th. | Sent to Merietta: Atlanta was taken Sept. 2nd. and I joined my Command Sept. 8th. at Decauter where we remained until Oct. 4 |
| Oct. 4th. | 23rd. Corps marched to the north side of the Chattahooche River; Soldiers fainting by overheat. |
| Oct. 5th. | Marched: Camped near Kenesaw Mountain. |
| Oct. 6th. | Marched one half day to Acworth. |
| Oct. 7th | At noon, marched to Altoona. |
| Oct. 8th. | Visited the Rebel hospital at Altoona; witnessed shocking scenes; heaps of amputated limbs. |
| Oct. 9th. | Lay in camps. |
| Oct. 10th. | Crossed the Ettawau River near Cartersville; camped at Cassville. |
| Oct. 11th. | Guarded wagon train to Kingston. |
| Oct. 12th. | Marched to Rome. |
| Oct. 13th. | 23rd Corps crossed the river at Rome; advanced 5 1/2 miles and captured an artillery company and two guns; returned to Rome. |
| Oct. 14th. | Marched from Rome to near Calhoun. |
| Oct. 15th. | Marched to Resacca. |
| Oct. 16th. | Marched through Snake Creek Gap and went into camp. |
| Oct. 17th. | In camps. |
| Oct. 18th. | Marched 15 miles on the Sumerville road. |
| Oct. 19th. | Marched to Gaysville, Ala. on Chatooga River. |
| Oct. 20th. | In camps on Chattooga River until 25th. |
| Oct. 25th. | Marched to Cedar Bluff, Alabama. |
| Oct. 26th. | Brigade crossed Chattooga River (on a reconnoisance to Center, Alabama) and returned. |
| Oct. 27th. | In camps at Cedar Bluff. |
| Oct. 28th | Crossed the Chattooga River en-route for Rome, Ga. |
| Oct. 29th. | March to Cave Springs, Ga. |
| Oct. 30th. | Marched to Rome; Lt. Bible relieves me of his Company. |
| Nov. 1st. | Marched to Pilton, Ga. |
| Nov. 2nd. | Forced march of 8 miles to Dalton; camped until 6th. |
| Nov. 6th. | Took cars; passed Chattanooga and Stevenson. |
| Nov. 7th. | Passed Tulahoma, Wartrace, Murfreesborough, Nashville. |
| Nov. 8th. | At Nashville; Presidential Election; Eleven men of the 8th voted for McLelland: Took cars for Franklin. (18 miles) |
| Nov. 9th. | Cars ran off track at Springhill with us; camped at Springhill until the 13th. |
| Nov. 13th. | Marched to Columbia on Duck River. |
| Nov. 14th. | Marched to Lindville. (18 miles) |
| Nov. 15th. | Marched to Pulaski; remained here until the 22nd. |
| Nov. 22nd. | Marched to Lindville: Extremely cold, now on ground. |
| Nov. 23rd. | March 11 miles; camped about midnight. |
| Nov. 24th. | Moved at break of day without breakfast. Arrived at Columbia at sunrise and formed line of battle on double quick to keep the Rebels out of town. The 100th Ohio of our Brigade charges them and takes some prisoners; skirmish with them and fortify. |
| Nov. 25th. | Behind works; Rebels battery shells us at dark. We fall back about 3/4 of a mile across Duck River. |
| Nov. 26. | 8th. Tenn. fortified at the river in the advance to keep back the enemy. Work all night in heavy rain. |
| Nov. 27th. | Rebels quietly take possession of Columbia and advance to the ford, where we kept up a sharp skirmish with them all day. Here one of the 1st. Tenn. Cavalry, escaped from them Rebels after dark, and ran through the guards and plunged into Duck River and swam across to our Brigade. |
| Nov. 28th. | By a continual cross fire with the aid of artillery, the Rebels forced the 8th. Tenn. from their position, falling back about 100 yards but at dark resumed our former position and held it until relieved. |
| Nov. 29th. | Regiment relieved by the 12th Kentucky Infantry at break of day; heavy skirmishing and cannonading. At 2 o'clock P.M., under cover of artillery, river banks and vastly superior numbers, the enemy enveloped the 12th Ky. Inf. (with heavy loss) drove them back upon the 16th. Ky. Inf., who charged and drove the Rebel Brigade back to the river; recovering all the ground lost. At dark we marched, passing the Rebel forces at Spring Hill, arriving at Franklin about daylight. |
| Nov. 30th. | Slept one hour; built breastworks. About 4 o'clock in the evening, the Rebels drove in our Rear Guard and immediatly thereafter the Great and bloody battle of Franklin was begun. /The enemy numbering two to our one. They suddenly burst in upon our center, forcing in one Division of the Fourth Army Corps, who passed through our Brigade. In doing so, the 104th. Ohio (in front of us) gave away and all came rushing back upon us, leaving a breach in the center of our line. We were immediatly ordered to advance and take their place, which was obeyed. Then came the Awful struggle: One volley and then another; then rose the war cry and the clash of arms rose higher. Massed Batteries on our right, poured into their ranks their missles of death until the earth seemed to real, rock and tremble and the ground was strewn with wounded, dead and dying. The Sun hid his face in the smoke of battle until he sank below the horizon and left the awful scene in darkness and Victory to the Union Arms. At 10 o'clock P.M. we quietly crossed the river and fell back to Nashville. |
| Dec 1st. | Lay in camps. |
| Dec 2nd. | Moved into works and repaired them. |
| Dec. 3rd. | Behind the works near Fort Negly. |
| Dec. 4th. | Rebels advance in front of 4th. Army Corps; skirmish with Hoods Army until the 15th. EXTREMELY COLD. |
| Dec. 15th. | First day's battle of Nashville: Our Corps was relieved by colored troops. Moved to the right; acted as reserves. Cavalry in our front, charge and take one line of works and capture some guns and prisoner About sunset, we passed the Cavalry, took an advanced position: At dark, I was ordered to take command of the skirmishers of the Brigade: Pressed the enemy with skirmishers and watched them until morning. (being in a few yards of them). |
| Dec. 16th | Relieved by Maj. Riddle, 104th. Ohio. Our Brigade stormed the enemies works: 8th Tenn. took a Battery of four guns: Rebels completely routed and defeated. Our losses were estimated at 1000; the Rebel losses, 500 killed and 5000 prisoners and 70 peices of artillery. |
| Dec. 17th. | Lay on the Granny White Pike. At dark moved about 3 miles through mud, Knee deep. (rain). |
| Dec. 18th. | Marched to Franklin. |
| Dec. 19th. | Crossed the river at Franklin. |
| Dec. 20th. | Marched 11 miles to Spring Hill where we laid in camps until the 23rd. |
| Dec. 23rd. | Marched to Columbia. Camped until 26th. |
| Dec. 26th | Crossed Duck River; camped until Jan. 2nd., 1865. |