On the Road to Atlanta: An Army Christmas

Journal Entries of Lt. Chesley Mosman, Company D, 59th Illinois Infantry,

At Whitesides, Tennessee:

December 24, 1863—Detailed on fatigue to build breastworks near the bridge. Joshua Green and Charles Henderson of our Company on the detail. Col. J. E. Bennett of the 75th Ills. In command of the brigade. The 80th Ills. Regiment joins our brigade today. I[t] belonged to Col. Streight’s command at one time and was in his raid on Rome and the rebels captured it. The men were paroled but the officers went to Andersonville [Libby] and so, though the men were exchanged and returned to duty, they have no commissioned officers, and an officer from another regiment has to be detailed to command it. The regiment came into the works we were building. Fine spring west of the railway near the works. Played Chess with Lt. Gooding. Just think of the Jollification they are having up north tonight. Boys start off for some fun, shooting off their guns and throwing cartridges down the chimneys of the shanties. Guards are doubled to stop it.

December 25—A merry merry Christmas to all. Gooding over to see us and he, Anderson, and I go for a walk to the Aetna Mine and back. A very dry Christmas. Breakfast, dinner, and supper are the usual fare. Went down to the Forshees and had a pleasant chat with the family. Mrs. F. gave me a tart but was plagued by her young son and so took one half to camp with me Read a piece on maniac surgery. Company B on a drunk and Stub Davis was bucked by the officers, and he is swearing like a trooper.