July 14th, 2011
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/14/2011
20 Page Manuscript, in the form of a Detailed Diary, written and signed by “Amos Guthrie, who enlisted in the United States Signal Corps on December 22, 1863 and served in the Southeast during the Civil War. Guthrie died in Chattanooga, Tennessee on 4 August 1864. In full, [Headquarters 23rd Army Corps, Dept. of the Ohio May 9] “Left Chickamauga Creek at 6 ½ o'clock and marched to General Schofield's headquarters distance 1 ½ miles. We had scarcely got our tents pitched till the order came to move the wagon train to Tunnel Hill distance 4 miles. We arrived at General Thomas Headquarters about 12 o'clock. Immediately after noon we were ordered to proceed to Rocky Face Mountain and open a line of communication with the 4th Corps. Our men had scarcely got up to the top till my party was up and signaling to Schofield's headquarters. This mountain is about 1 ½ miles high and so steep that a man cannot ride up on horseback. It is about 10 yds. wide on top. After driving the Rebs about 1 mile out of the mountains into a fort the ball began to open on every side of the mountain. 2 Brigades of infantry belonging to the 4th Corps advanced along the hill as skirmishers. In about ½ hour the Rebs made a charge on us but were repulsed with great loss. Our loss was about 25 killed and wounded. In a few minutes afterward the 15th Ind.[iana] Battery opened on a Reb fort about 1 mile distant. The shells struck right in the fort and the way the Johnnies got out of there was anything but slow. Their wagon train skedaddled for the rear quicker than I can write it. In the evening [General David S.] Stanley's Division of Cavalry came up and formed on the right of the 23rd Corps.” [May 10] “This morning is wet and disagreeable to be out in the open field without any tent. Some little skirmishing on the right last night. We brought 2 pieces of artillery up on the mountain. About 9 o'clock our men fell back about ½ mile so as to be out of range of the Rebel artillery. The Reb skirmishers now hold the house where Gen. Schofield's headquarters were. Our men are being heavily reinforced on the left and so are the Rebs as we can see them moving by thousands from their camps in and about Dalton. Some artillery firing in the direction of Buzzard's Roost. This afternoon Capt. McCreary came up to us. He had just arrived from Knoxville. He brought Will Hunt and 3 niggers with him. In the evening the headquarters train moved up to the foot of the mountain. Everything quiet along the lines tonight.” [Tuesday, May 11] In full, “There are more Major Generals here than you could shake a stick at. Sir Gen. Sherman, Schofield & Stoneman and brigadiers innumerable. About noon we were again ordered up on the mountain to relieve Lieuts. Reynolds & Ruskby. In the afternoon the Rebs put on their blankets & knapsacks and marched off in the distance of Dalton. After they got in line they shelled us for about one hour. At night they kept up strong picket fires. In the evening Gen. Stoneman arrived from Camp Nelson, Ky. with 10,000 cavalry. 3,000 of them went to Tunnel Hill and the others are operating on the left flank.” [Wednesday, May 12] In full, “This morning is very cool for the sunny south. Were relieved at 7 o'clock in the morning about daylight. The 2 brigades moved down off the mountain and marched on the left flank. The 23rd Corps then marched down to Tunnel Hill. We were ordered to load up our baggage and send it back to Ringgold. The dismounted men were ordered back till we get horses. We arrived here about 5 o'clock and went into camp.” [May 13] In full, “I always had an idea that Ringgold was a nice southern town but far from it. All the principal buildings were burnt down by our forces when they took possession of it. It is the county seat of Catoosa County. 2 miles from it are the Catoosa Springs, the Saratoga of the Confederate States. In the evening 51 Rebel prisoners were brought in from Dalton. Our men are said to have possession of Dalton. Ringgold is 22 miles from Chattanooga and 14 from Dalton, 7 from Tunnel Hill.” [Saturday, May 14] In part, “This morning the news came that Gen. Lee surrendered with 40,000 men. I am afraid it is too good to be true. Our men have possession of Dalton and 173 miles beyond. ...We have taken 5,000 prisoners and 20 pieces of artillery. 150 of them deserted by the Rebs, went to Nashville tonight. ... The prisoners think the next stand will be Rome Georgia as they can not get back to Atlanta, the Southern Confederacy is pretty well played out....” [May 15], in part “Today heavy fighting in the center. Reb prisoners coming in say they will not make a stand this side of High Tower River. Our loss is not known ... but is very heavy in the charge on Buzzards Roost. Our men killed 1,500 of the Rebs. ...” [May 16], in part, “..Met about 500 prisoners 2 miles this side of Dalton taken by the 1st Alabama Cav. ... The town is now nearly destitute of inhabitants as they thought the Yanks would kill and butcher them in every house where they were found....” [May 17], in part, “Passed through Tilton. ... This is the first RR station this side of Dalton....” [Wednesday May 18], in part, “Was ferried across the Coosawattee River ... The prisoners are constructing a bridge across it with pontoons....” [Thursday May 19], in part, “... we were detained by Johnnies in our front who had erected breastworks ... but we soon made them skedaddled... Heavy firing all day in the direction of Kingston. .. This morning McKiney captured a Spencer from a wounded Reb soldier who belonged to the 10th Ga Battalion Sharpshooters. ...” [May 20}, in part, “... came to Cassville the Rebs having evacuated it about 4 o’clock last evening. Skirmishing with the enemy all day. ... In the evening by 6 o’clock, the Rebs were all across the Etowak River. Our forces ... burned both bridges across the river ... The sharpshooters shot about 20 shots at our Captain ...” [Saturday May 22], in part, “Seen Major Generals Sherman and Stoneman. Both look as if they have seen hard service ... appear to be disgusted of the way the Southern Conthievery is being managed by Jeff Davis. They all appear to be tired of the war. ...” [Sunday May 22], in part, “... it was not many minutes before the balls flew as thick as hail. ... We then signaled back for reinforcements which came in about 1/2 hour. ... We raised the yell and started for the fort. they immediately opened on us with artillery and musketry. We got within 100 yards of the fort and then we were charged by the Reb infantry which drove us back ... Our loss was 81 killed & wounded ... No person can describe the feeling which comes over him while in a fight. I was frightened ... I despise a Copperhead worse than Jeff Davis or the devil for I think a Copperhead is a brother to the devil only by another name. ... Amos Guthrie.” [Near Dallas Georgia, Signal Corps Headqtrs, in the field, May 23], in part, “Some skirmishing with the Rebs all day. the Rebs are in force on the other side of the river. They captured 60 men of the Ind cavalry but all escaped but 8 of them. ...” [May 24} in part, “The inhabitants have all fled to the throne of Jeff Davis for protection taking their nigs, cattle and everything they can. ...” [May 25], in part, “Heavy firing to our left supposed to be General Hooker’s Corps engaging the Rebs at Burnt Hickory. ... The guerillas have got into our baggage train and burnt 10 wagons... Our men burnt Cass Station. [Thursday May 26], in part, “Seen Tom Custer. he is in Co. H, 21st Ohio. He looks as though soldering agrees with him and I suppose it does ...” [Friday May 27], in part, “... we came to Pumpkinvine Creek ... where yesterday’s battle began. .. In passing over the battlefield you can see Reb and Federal lying close to each other. ...The surgeons are amputating arms and legs as if they belonged to beasts instead of men, the most horrible scene that I witnessed ... I shall never forget .. a German boy ..A shell had struck him above the knees and taken off both legs. He was bleeding to death and nothing could be done for him. ... A piece of shell struck Gen. Schofield orderly on the head and killed him instantly. The surgeon took it out. It weighed 14 pounds. ...” [may 28], in part, “The Rebs made a charge on our men but were repulsed with heavy losses. ... no man can show his head ..unless he is picked off by our sharpshooters. ... we will trash old Johnston so bad that he will not have enough men for a Corporal’s Guard. ...” [Sunday May 29], in part, “2 of our boys had their horses struck by a shell. We had to shoot one this morning ...Last night about midnight the Johnnies made another charge ... they charge our works as if they were devils instead of human beings, they never accomplish anything but leave a number of dead and wounded in our hands to tend to. ...” [Near Dallas, Georgia, May 31, 1864], in part, “We are laying in the Altoona Mts with plenty of Johnnies to keep us company ... I think if we are successful here and at Richmond the Southern Confederacy is played out. The next 100 days will tell heavily on the Rebs. ... We will not be exposed in this battle like the ones at Resaca & Buzzards Roost ... I have passed through 2 and came out unhurt but cannot tell what is in store for me next. I think we will be in Atlanta in two weeks. Goodbye Amos Guthrie.”
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