John Yates Civil War Time line

John Yates and 38th Indiana Volunteers selected Map locations

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Date	John E Yates	Union Army	Hot Links

September 21, 1861		38th Regiment, Indiana Infantry ordered to Elizabethtown, Kentucky, for duty at Camp Nevin on the Green River untill February, 1862.

October 9,1861		General Sherman directed General Rousseeau to choose a strategic location along the Nolin River and the railroad to defend any Confederate attack from Bowling Green, Kentucky. This place is christened "Camp Nevin".	Camp Nevin

November 20, 1861	36 years old, fair complexion, dark blue eyes with brown hair, enlisted for 3 years near the Ohio River in Alton, Indiana. He is described as having a dot in the middle of his forehead and having an extra toenail on his left big toe. He will be mustered into his unit, Kilo Company, 38th Indiana Volunteers for a 3 year enlistment at Camp Nevin, Kentucky by Colonel Benjamin Scribner.		Camp Nevin

November 27, 1861	Mustered into his unit, Kilo Company, 38th Indiana Volunteers at Camp Nevin, Kentucky.

December 3, 1861	He is writing to his "Good Companion" that he is well and hardy and explains that it has rained 4 inches and that he has been on picket duty. He is assuring her that she can rest contented as danger is far from his location. He tells her that he stood picket duty with 3 other guys and they rotated standing out in the cold rain while warming themselves next to a fire

January 28, 1862	John given 30 day medical furlough recovering from measles

February 10, 1862		Advance on Bowling Green, Kentucky and Nashville, TN February 10-March 6, 1862.

February 13, 1862	John is writing this letter while at Camp Wood, Munfordville, Kentucky. The railroad bridge over the Green River at Munfordville made the security of the town absolutely crucial to the Union war effort, as control of the bridge meant control of the Union supply line into middle Tennessee. He says his health is improving fast and that he should return to regular duty in a week or so. He is sending $20 which should last her until the upcoming fight is over; they plan to march to Bowling Green, Kentucky the next morning.		Munfordville, Kentucky

March 25, 1862		Moved to Franklin, TN March 25, thence to Columbia, TN and Shelbyville, TN. Duty at Shelbyville until May 11, 1862

April 1862	38th Indiana Volunteers, present	38th Indiana Volunteers training at Camp Wood, Munfordville, Kentucky
April 1862	38th Indiana Volunteers, cooking duties

April 28, 1862	John is writing this letter from Shelbyville, TN. He says they have moved 115 miles from Columbia and are now encamped 1 mile from Shelbyville, TN which he describes as a Union Town. He mentions that some of the Grantsburg boys are taken to the hospital for the mumps.		Shelbyville, TN

May 13, 1862		Action at Rogersville, TN: popular due to its location near the intersection of three early thoroughfares, U.S. 72, Snake Road and Lamb's Ferry Road. U.S. 72, was once part of an Indian trail and was used to bypass the Muscle Shoals river barrier. Snake Road leads out of Rogersville into neighboring Limestone County and provided passage from Florence to Athens by way of a shallow ford across Elk River. Lamb's Ferry became an important river port where boats from Knoxville and other points on the upper Tennessee River would unload supplies that were taken over land to areas around Pulaski, TN	Rogersville, TN

May 18, 1862	John is writing this letter while at Camp Wood, Munfordville, Kentucky. He explains that the 38th marched but left him and the others on the sick list at Shelbyville, Kentucky. He was very sick then but now in good health again. He wants Hester to know that he had made a pipe to smoke now instead of cigars. He wishes to know if Daniel Roberson [1840-1864] and George Roberson [1843-1920] are getting well.

May 28, 1862		Expedition to Chattanooga May 28-June 16, 1862

June 1, 1862	John is writing this letter while at Columbia, TN which is about 30 miles south of Nashville. He says he is well and hardy except that as explained in his previous letter he has injured his knee and had to be hospitalized for care. It is healing up but he can't walk on it; Johns is expressing his fear that it is stiff and it may be a permanent injury. As a result he has not been able to do his regular duty for almost a month. His regiment has gone on another scout into Alabama and should return in 10-12 days. About 160 men were left encamped in Columbia but he is unsure if any are his boys. He says he has a pretty good place to stay; he has a room with a straw bed to sleep on and plenty to eat; 4 men are sharing this one room: F.S. Mauck, H. Roby and G. Cotner all of Harrison Co., IN. Mauck waits on John because of his knee.

June 16, 1862		Guard duty at Shelbyville, TN and Stevenson, TN until August 16, 1862.

August 12, 1862	Nashville, TN Hospital #12; Ward #2; John is writing this letter from a hospital in Nashville, TN. He says he is sure now that he will never recover from his knee injury enough to serve again as a "Footman" in the infantry. He says if he is medically discharged that he can not promise to go in and serve in some other way. He does promise however that if he is discharged he will come home at least long enough to make Elizabeth and the children happy for a few days. He tells Elizabeth that he wants her to take the world easy for that is what he intends to do so let whatever come.

August 17, 1862		Moved to Decherd, Tennessee	Decherd, Tennessee

August 21, 1862		March to Louisville, Kentucky, in pursuit of Bragg, until September 26. Pursuit of Bragg into Kentucky October 1-15, 1862.

September 10, 1862	John is writing this letter having arrived in Bowling Green, KY about 67 miles north east of Nashville, TN. They started their march on Monday September 8, 1862 and arrived at 7 AM on September 10th. He stays he stood the march a great deal better than he thought but it was a slow march, he didn't carry anything and he was able to ride part of the way. He supposes that Elizabeth would like to know why he left the hospital. He says he knew that all of them that could go to camp would be sent off to guard bridges which he did not want to do. He says he is doing well but is very lame but adds that all the men with him are in the same fix. It is his intent to remain with Company K as long as he can and when he can't stay any longer he will try to get situated in some hospital and stay the war through as he intended from the start. He is asking Elizabeth if she can to quit writing for him to come home. He says he wants to see her and the children as much as they want to see him but says the Union must stand and then he can come home contented with the result. He says they have plenty to eat and believes that they may go on to Lexington or Frankfort, KY as they are a blocking force to keep General Bragg CSA out of Louisville, KY. He wants his Dear Wife to rest easy and hope for better times.		Bowling Green, KY

Fall, 1862	Considering the letter content it is believed this letter was likely written in the fall of 1862, perhaps from Nashville, TN. On the reverse side he writes to Samantha that if things don't improve with his leg he may be coming home for some extended recuperation. He addresses the letter to his daughter "Semanthia" Yates.

October 1, 1862	John Yates unable to perform the March.	James G. Land, we marched from Louisville that day.

October 1, 1862	*(These activities place here to understand context; trial was held Headquarters, 1st Division, 14th Army Corps,Chattanooga, TN Oct 31, 1863)* Cross Examined--By the Accused: James G. Land; Do you know anything in reference to the prisoner having been sick or lame on the 1st day of October 1862 and previously to that time? I know that he had been complaining previously to that time with lameness, I think sickness both. I am not sure though. Did you hear from the accused at any time during his absence? I got a letter from him once, he wrote from New Albany. George S. Newman: Do you know anything in reference to the prisoner having been sick or lame on the 1st of October 1862? He was lame, had a bad knee. How long had he been lame? Some two months, I suppose about that. *John Curry: Surgeon, 38th Regiment, Indiana Infantry. Were you present with your regiment on the 1st day of October 1862? Yes sir. In what capacity were you acting at that time? I was acting in the capacity of assistant Surgeon. Did you examine the prisoner on that day? Yes sir.* What was his condition? His knee was stiff from an injury received. He had received the injury in May or June. How far did the injury to his knee disable him from marching on the 1st day of October 1862? I don't think he was able to march, that is like an able-bodied soldier. Was he disqualified for doing duty in consequence of the injury at that time? He was not able to perform the marches that we were in the habit of making. He might have been able for some light duty. *By Judge Advocate: Was he excused by you from marching that day? I think I told him like this; That he would have to do the best he could. The Surgeon of the Regiment had left and gone into town and told me to make every man march, to start them; that those were his instructions. By Court: Was the accused left at Louisville, Kentucky, on the 1st of October 1862 by your authority? No sir. Can you give a reason why he was not sent to a military hospital? I can't. As far as myself was concerned it was because Dr. Lod W. Beckwith would not permit it. He was Surgeon of the Regiment. Had the Surgeon of the Regiment examined the accused when he instructed you to make every man march? No sir, I think not. Were there any men of your Regiment left at a military hospital in Louisville, Kentucky, on the 1st of October by authority? Two days before there were some seventeen sent to the hospital. None on the 1st of October. Those seventeen were sent on my own authority. Why was not the accused sent with this lot? The reason why was these were strictly hospital cases. The Brigade Surgeon ordered them to be divided into two classes. The strictly hospital cases to be sent to hospital the others to convalescent camp. The accused belonged to the latter class. He was not sent to convalescent camp because the Surgeon would not permit it but ordered that they should all be started on the march. Were any men sent to convalescent camp? No sir. George W. Roberson*: Private Company "E" 38th Regiment Indiana Volunteers. Did you see the prisoner John Yates at any time during the month of October 1862? Yes sir. Where? At New Albany, he was in the hospital there--it was hospital No. 4 we walked a part of the way and went a part of the way in an ambulance. How far did you ride in the ambulance? It was not more than a mile, I guess. How far is it from Louisville to New Albany? I think it is about three miles.	Examination-in-Chief-By Judge Advocate: James G. Land: 1st Lieutenant Company "K" 38th Indiana Volunteers. State all you know in reference to charge of desertion brought against the prisoner Private John Yates of your Company? He was absent from the Company on the 1st of October 1862 but from what cause I do not know. He returned on the 9th day of September 1863. When did he absent himself from his Company? On the 1st of October 1862. Where? At or near Louisville, Kentucky, we marched from Louisville that day. Do you know under what circumstances he left? No sir, I do not know. I don't know whether he had any leave or not. Where and under what circumstances did he return to the Company? The first I know of it he reported to the Company on the march I think at Johnson's Creek. I am not positive; it was after we crossed the Tennessee River. Do you know of the prisoner having been paid at any time with the Company? I think he had been paid before he left the Company. By Court: Did the prisoner perform duty with the Company up to October 1862? He did not all the time he was sick part of the time. Was he doing duty with the Company immediately before the 1st of October 1862? I cannot state positively. I think he marched with the Company without his gun. Was it the custom in the Regiment to have such cases referred to the Surgeon for excuse? It was not very often the case. I can't say whether it was the custom or not. What has become of the letter which you received from the accused? It was lost or destroyed. Did the prisoner say anything in that letter in reference to coming back to the company? I don't think he did. He stated that he was sick in the hospital and wanted his Descriptive Roll. The letter was received by me in the forepart of November 1862. George S. Newman: 2nd Lieutenant Company "K" 38th Regiment Indiana Volunteers Infantry. When the Regiment left Louisville, I did not go with it but remained behind to see some relatives. I came across Mr. Yates and he and I started together in pursuit of the Regiment, following the Regiment we had got about a mile, and he said to me that he did not believe he could keep up. I told him to do the best he could and to get as soon as possible. That was the last I saw of him; he did not come up with the Regiment that night. When and where was this? On the 1st day of October 1862, at or near Louisville, Kentucky. Do you not what became of the prisoner after you separated from him that day? No sir, I do not. When did he rejoin his Company? On the 9th of September 1863, at Johnson's Creek, Georgia. Where was the prisoner during the time of his absence from the Company? I can't say. Do you know of the prisoner having been paid with the Company at any time? I think he was paid with the Company at Shelbyville, Tennessee, in the summer of 1862. Do you know whether the prisoner had permission to remain behind his company on the 1st day of October 1862? No sir, I do not. By Court: Did the accused seem to you to be unable to march when you and he left Louisville, Kentucky, to rejoin your regiment? He was pretty lame, it looked like that he got along pretty poorly, I should think that he was unable to march and keep up with the Company. Was he reported sick on the 30th day of September or the 1st of October 1862 on the morning report? I don't know. What was your rank at that time? Sergeant. Captain George W. Windell, Company "K" 38th Indiana Volunteers Infantry: State if you know to what time the prisoner has received pay from the Government? He received to include the 30th of April 1862, he was paid in the month of June 1862 at Shelbyville, Tennessee. State what you know in reference to the whereabouts of the prisoner from the 1st day of October 1862 to the 9th day of September 1863? In November and December 1862 I saw him at New Albany, Indiana. The last that I saw of him was in hospital at that place. It was a military hospital. He was very sick. The next that I knew of him was I received a letter from him dated in Grantsburg, Indiana, it was in the Spring of 1863. I have not the letter, it was destroyed. I knew nothing further from him until he returned to the company on the 9th of September 1863. Under what circumstances did he return to the Company? I don't know. The first I saw of him he was present with the other boys. By Court: Was the Descriptive Roll of the prisoner sent to him during his absence? I sent one to the Provost Marshall of the 2nd District of Indiana. Has it been returned to you? No Sir, it has not.

October 8, 1862		The battle Perryville, Kentucky is considered a strategic Union victory, sometimes called the Battle for Kentucky, since Bragg withdrew to Tennessee soon thereafter. The Union retained control of the critical border state of Kentucky for the remainder of the war. Bragg, short of men and supplies, withdrew during the night, and continued the Confederate retreat by way of Cumberland Gap into East Tennessee. It was the largest battle fought in the state of Kentucky.	Perryville, Kentucky

October 16, 1862		March to Nashville, Tennessee, October 16-November 7, and duty there until December 26, 1862.

October 1862		38th Indiana, recorded John Yates as deserter October 1, 1862

December 26, 1862		Advance on Murfreesboro, Tennessee December 26-30, 1862

December 30, 1862		Battle of Stone's River: the Union Army's repulse of two Confederate attacks and the subsequent Confederate withdrawal were a much-needed boost to Union morale after the defeat at the Battle of Fredericksburg, and it dashed Confederate aspirations for control of Middle Tennessee. Fighting resumed on January 2, 1863, when Bragg ordered Breckinridge to assault the well-fortified Union position on a hill to the east of the Stones River. Faced with overwhelming artillery, the Confederates were repulsed with heavy losses. Bragg chose to withdraw his army on January 3 to Tullahoma, Tennessee.	Battle of Stone's River

January 4, 1863		Duty at Murfreesboro, Tennessee until June 1863.

January 7,1863	John permanently medically discharged out of military	Certificates of disability, approved by the Medical Director of this Department, for his discharge from the service of the United States, and by order of Brigadier General Hugh Boyle Ewing, Commanding Western Division of KY is permitted to go to his home at Grantsburg in the County of Crawford Sate of Indiana. And, there to remain until his discharge can be completed which will be duly transmitted to him through the mail. Subsistence has been furnished to the said John Yates to the 7th day January 1863 and transportation. Given under my hand at Louisville Kentucky, this 7th day of January 1863. Marcellus Mundy, Colonel 23rd Kentucky Volunteers, Commanding Post

June 10, 1863	Daniel M. Roberson is writing this letter to John Yates in Grantsburg, Indiana from Hospital #4 located in New Albany, IN. Daniel is responding to a letter from John inquiring about his special pay allowance which has not been paid. Daniel feels John will eventual get his pay as Dr. Sloan says he will certify when you were discharged and when you were admitted to Hospital #4 and John's certificate of disability is made out and on file in Colonel Mundy's office in Louisville. Daniel advises John to retain his discharge furlough and to wait with patience and that he will come out alright in the end.		Grantsburg, Indiana

June 24, 1863		Tullahoma, Tennessee campaign: Its success was to drive the Confederates out of Middle Tennessee and to threaten the strategic city of Chattanooga. The Confederate Army of Tennessee under General Braxton Bragg occupied a strong defensive position in the mountains. But through a series of well-rehearsed feints, Rosecrans captured the key passes, helped by the use of the new seven-shot Spencer repeating rifle. The Confederates were handicapped by dissension between generals, as well as a lack of supplies, and soon had to abandon their headquarters at Tullahoma. Confederate casualties had been few, and Bragg's army soon received reinforcements that enabled it to defeat Rosecrans at the Battle of Chickamauga two months later.

June 24, 1863		Battle of Hoover's Gap: was the principal battle in the Tullahoma Campaign of the American Civil War, in which Union General William S. Rosecrans drove General Braxton Bragg's Confederates out of Central Tennessee. Rosecrans' feigned move on the western end of the Confederate line had left the eastern mountain passes lightly defended, and Colonel John T. Wilder's mounted infantry achieved total surprise when they attacked Hoover's Gap. Success was attributed both to Rosecrans' brilliant deception tactics and the high morale of Wilder's "Lightning Brigade", equipped with the new Spencer repeating rifle.

June 27, 1863		Occupation of Middle Tennessee until August 16, 1863

July 3, 1863		Battle of Gettysburg Success

July 4, 1863		Siege of Vicksburg Success

August 10, 1863		Crawford County, Indiana, Deputy Provost Marshal's Office, Crawford County, Indiana: This certifies that John Yates Private of Company K, 38th Indiana Regiment Indiana Volunteers has filed with me his discharge furlough date of January 7, 1863 and duly signed by Colonel Marcellus Mundy Commanding post at Louisville, KY. Horatio Woodbury, Deputy Provost Marshal, Crawford County, Indiana

August 16, 1863		Passage of the Cumberland Mountains, Tennessee River and Chickamauga, GA

August 29, 1863	Arrested by Provost Marshal, Grantsburg, Indiana

September 2, 1863	John is writing this letter from Nashville, Tennessee. John was arrested in Crawford County and is traveling in custody of the Army. He is in a Company of 60 men traveling to the same location but they have been detained in Nashville because of railroad car scheduling issues. They expect to board their rail at 4 AM and it will take them 2 days to travel the distance to Chattanooga. John sounds confident and upbeat and says he is well. He says he doesn't know what he will be doing yet but will write again once he connects with the Company K boys. He tells Samantha that she needs to learn to write. He signs "I remain your loving father".		Nashville, Tennessee

September 8, 1863		Confederate forces evacuate Chattanooga to avoid a siege by Union forces. They continue to occupy the surrounding high ground.

September 9, 1863	John Yates is present, under arrest pending a court martial, but with the 38th Indiana soldiers.	Captain George W. Windell confirms that John Yates, on the 9th day of September 1863, was present with the other boys at Johnson's Creek, Georgia.

September 11, 1863		The Battle of Davis's Cross Roads-Dug Gap, GA, was fought September 10-11, 1863, in northwestern Georgia, as part of the Chickamauga Campaign. The 14th Corps under Gen. Thomas, which moved just across the border to Trenton, Georgia, and prepared to move on to Lafayette in pursuit of Bragg. Lafayette was the present location of Bragg's army. Once CSA Gen. Bragg realized that the Union forces had separated and were vulnerable, Bragg intended to attack Thomas, halt his advance, and defeat him

September 14, 1863	John is writing this letter from Walker County, Georgia; this is just 5 days before the battle of Chickamauga. John explains he has gotten to the 38th Regiment and has been told he will need to stand trial which can not take place until the current action has been settled. He says he has no choice but to stay there so they will have to do without him for the next 12 months. He says that she no doubt will hear that he is under arrest which is so but he has all the privileges he wants and he is not being confined in any manner; he has nothing to do except cook to eat. Once he stands trial he will then return to Company K again. He indicated he had a hard time of it traveling to his current location; he did not have a blanket over the 12 days of travel; the last three days he had to walk. He is telling Samantha that if she will be a good girl by learning to write then she will get a nice dress as a reward. He says Dan Yates is with him and is well and hardy.

September 19-20, 1863.		Chickamauga, GA: fought on September 18-20, 1863, It was the first major battle of the war fought in Georgia, the most significant Union defeat in the Western Theater, and involved the second-highest number of casualties after the Battle of Gettysburg.	Battle of Chickamauga

September 1863.		The Chattanooga campaign was a series of maneuvers and battles in October and November 1863. Following the defeat of Maj. Gen. William S. Rosecrans's Union Army of the Cumberland at the Battle of Chickamauga in September, the Confederate Army of Tennessee under Gen. Braxton Bragg besieged Rosecrans and his men by occupying key high terrain around Chattanooga, Tennessee. Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant was given command of Union forces in the West. Significant reinforcements also began to arrive with him in Chattanooga from Mississippi and the Eastern Theater. On October 18, Grant removed Rosecrans from command of the Army of the Cumberland and replaced him with Major General George Henry Thomas.	The Chattanooga campaign

September 21, 1863		Rossville Gap, GA Because the Gap at Rossville provided easy passage through the barrier of Missionary Ridge, it took on a great significance during the campaigns of Chickamauga and Chattanooga in the fall of 1863.	Rossville, GA Gap

September 29, 1863	John is writing from Chattanooga, TN. He says he was not in the Battle of Chickamauga but he was so close he could see and hear all that was going on there and a few stray shots and artillery shells came as close as he wanted them to. The 38th Regiment has 121 men left; their entire brigade lost 821 men out of about 1,800. John said he stood in the rear of the Army all day Saturday [19th] and Sunday [20th] and saw the men brought off the field by wagon loads and there were some walking and some carrying the wounded in all directions; the sight was truly horrible to look upon. John explains he has not had his trial yet nor can he until things get a little settled. He would like to see them all but he shall stay his time out if his health holds out for all the men are needed that can be had.

	October 5, 1863.	Moccasin Bend, TN. In early October 1863, the defeated Union Army trudged into Chattanooga, frustrated at their recent defeat at Chickamauga. Meanwhile, the victorious Confederates claimed the heights of Lookout Mountain over the city, and prepared to lay siege. From this vantage point, Confederate artillerists could control the flow of Union supplies on the roads at the foot of Lookout Mountain, the rail lines, and the Tennessee River. From Moccasin Bend Union gunners could cover the face of Lookout Mountain and keep the Confederates at arms-length away from their comrades in the city. The roads on Lookout Mountain became traps for any Confederates attempting to move across them.	Key to Chattanooga

October 22, 1863	John Yates General Court Martial	Proceedings of a General Court Martial convened by virtue of the following order to wit: Headquarters 1st Division, 14th Army Corps, Chattanooga, Tenn October 22, 1863

October 27, 1863.		The Battle of Brown's Ferry was an engagement of the took place on October 27, 1863 in Hamilton County, Tennessee. During the battle, two Union brigades drove Confederate sharpshooters from the Tennessee River, which allowed supplies to start arriving to the Union army at Chattanooga relieving the "cracker line".	Brown's Ferry

October 29, 1863.		The Battle of Wauhatchie was fought October 28-29, 1863, in Hamilton and Marion counties, Tennessee, and Dade County, Georgia. A Union force had seized Brown's Ferry on the Tennessee River, opening a supply line to the Union army in Chattanooga. Confederate forces attempted to dislodge the Union force defending the ferry and again close this supply line but were defeated. Wauhatchie was one of the few night battles of the Civil War.	Wauhatchie

October 31, 1863	There being no further testimony to offer and the statements of the parties being thus in the possession of the Court, the Court was cleared for deliberation and having maturely considered the evidence adduced do find the accused Private John Yates Company "K" 38th Indiana Volunteers Infantry as follows: of the SPECIFICATION--NOT GUILTY, of the CHARGE--NOT GUILTY, And the Court does therefore acquit him the said John Yates Private of Company "K" 38th Indiana Volunteers Infantry. Headquarters, 1st Division, 14th Army Corps, Chattanooga, TN October 31, 1863. The proceedings and findings of the Court in the foregoing case are approved. Private John Yates Company "K" 38th Indiana Volunteers Infantry will be immediately released from arrest and returned to duty with his Company.

November 16, 1863	John is writing this letter to his wife on November 16, 1863 from Chattanooga, TN. This is a poignant letter from a husband to his wife explaining that he has waited to write her until he had final details for her regarding his situation. He explains that he has been found NOT GUILTY on all charges and will be returning to his Company. He thinks there is a possibility of him receiving a significant amount of back pay as a result. His most recent meal was his first full meal he has had in 5 weeks. He describes his shirt, one pair of pants and reasonable shoes and is hopeful that he will be issued new gear in the new future when the supply chain is improved. It is important that he mentions that he is concerned with a report he received from a neighbor as to the health of the family. "The Baby" has some kind of affliction and had to have something lanced. This is the only report in the inventory of letters we have of a sick child. We know Evaline Yates will die January 17, 1864 while John and the balance of the 38th Regiment are home on a re-enlistment furlough.

November 23, 1863.		Orchard Knob, TN: Around 1:30 P.M. approximately 14,000 troops began marching toward the Confederate positions. Only 634 Confederates held the line around Orchard Knob. The Union soldiers closed in on the knob, exchanging fire with the Confederates and pushing them back to the base of Missionary Ridge. A few minutes before 3:00 P.M., General Thomas J. Wood galloped to the summit and signaled to General Thomas: "I have taken the first line of the enemy's entrenchments." Although Orchard Knob was a minor engagement, it showed Grant that Bragg's army was still a capable fighting force and aided Bragg in realizing he should be concerned about the possibility of a Union attack upon his lines. On November 25 Orchard Knob became General Grant's forward observation post as he watched the Union assault upon Missionary Ridge.	Orchard Knob

November 24, 1863.		The Battle of Lookout Mountain was fought November 24, 1863, as part of the Chattanooga Campaign of the American Civil War. Union forces under Maj. Gen. Joseph Hooker assaulted Lookout Mountain, Chattanooga, Tennessee, and defeated Confederate forces commanded by Maj. Gen. Carter L. Stevenson. Lookout Mountain was one engagement in the Chattanooga battles between Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant's Military Division of the Mississippi and the Confederate Army of Tennessee, commanded by Gen. Braxton Bragg. It drove in the Confederate left flank and allowed Hooker's men to assist in the Battle of Missionary Ridge the following day, which routed Bragg's army, lifting the siege of Union forces in Chattanooga, and opening the gateway into the Deep South.	1. Lookout Mountain
		The Battle of Lookout Mountain	2. Craven House
		The Battle of Lookout Mountain	3. History Traveler

November 25, 1863.		The Battle of Missionary Ridge was part of the Chattanooga Campaign of the American Civil War. Following the Union victory in the Battle of Lookout Mountain on November 24, Grant assaulted Missionary Ridge and defeated the Confederates forcing them to retreat to Georgia. In the morning, elements of the Union Sherman attempted to capture the northern end of Missionary Ridge, Tunnel Hill, but were stopped by fierce resistance from the Confederates. In the afternoon, Grant was concerned that Bragg was reinforcing his right flank at Sherman's expense. He ordered General Thomas, to move forward and seize the Confederate line of rifle pits on the valley floor and stop there to await further orders. The Union soldiers moved forward and quickly pushed the Confederates from the first line of rifle pits but were then subjected to a punishing fire from the Confederate lines up the ridge. At this point, the Union soldiers continued the attack against the remaining lines, seeking refuge near the crest of the ridge. This second advance was taken up by the commanders on the spot, but also by some of the soldiers who, on their own, sought shelter from the fire further up the slope. The Union advance was finally overwhelmed and scattered what was thought to be an impregnable Confederate line. The Union Army routed Bragg's army, which retreated to Dalton, Georgia, ending the siege of Union forces in Chattanooga, Tennessee.	Missionary Ridge

November 26, 1863		PeaVine Creek and Graysville, GA: Peavine Creek is a stream in Catoosa County and Walker County, Georgia and is a tributary of Chickamauga Creek. Graysville is located about one mile south of the Georgia-Tennessee border. South Chickamauga Creek flows past the southwest side of the community.	Chattanooga to Atlanta Campaign Map

November, 27, 1863		Taylor's Ridge Ringgold's Gap, GA: Following the Union victory at Missionary Ridge, Yankee troops set out in pursuit of the Confederates retreating toward Dalton, Georgia. Intending to delay the Federal pursuit, Major General Patrick Cleburne's command fell back and established a blocking position at Ringgold Gap where the Western & Atlantic Railroad passed through Taylor's Ridge.	Chattanooga to Atlanta Campaign Map

December 7, 1863	John is writing this letter from Rossville, GA. This is an area just south of Chattanooga and north of Chickamauga. He is just now writing as they have been busy building their shanty which they finished last night. He says the shanty is 8X10 and has a good chimney and keeps them warm. He has a new blanket which keeps all three of them as warm as pigs; he says they are short on rations but they get along without suffering. He was not able for duty for a few days after the last battle as the march was too hard for him but it is again alright. He has written the particulars of the fight in an earlier letter which she will get in due time; he describes that they have moved their camp to Rossville as an outpost doing picket duty. He says their Major was wounded but has rejoined the regiment. He says George Riggle is on picket duty. He says to tell Little Johnny that Big Rebels shoot mighty close to the Pap but they did not hit me.

December 19, 1863	John re-enlisted as Veteran Volunteer under GO #191 earning $100 bounty.	Rossville, GA: It is hereby ordered that volunteers now in service reenlisting as veteran volunteers under General Orders No. 191 from this office, shall have a furlough for at least thirty days previous to the expiration of their original enlistment.

February 15, 1864	John is writing from New Albany, Indiana. He is trying to get all he can for he is getting James M. [Lemond] to get some land for Elizabeth as it can be bought at $300 for three lots and $400 for a half track. He says he also made arrangements with Benham to see to it that Elizabeth is to have the deed in her name and all will be right. He tells Elizabeth that they are under marching orders at any time and will not be able to come home again as they thought so she must do the best she can. If she gets the land he will try to send all he can. John says she wanted to him to send his likeness. He says he is a Corporal now and must stay close to the Company.

February 28, 1864	John is writing this letter from Chattanooga, TN. [His Regiment has returned to the battle front after a 30-day Regimental furlough after re-enlisting.] He seems to be saying he doesn't want Elizabeth to get downhearted because he thinks all will come out well in the end and the end can't be very far away. He thinks they will be moving soon likely going up the Knoxville Rail Road as guards; there has been some hard fighting at Dalton and Tunnel Hill but they have not heard the results of the battle yet.
March 17, 1864	John is writing this letter on from Tyner's Station. [ Tyner is located within Chattanooga's present city limits] He has just returned from guard duty and has completed his breakfast and had his coffee which all has placed him in good spirits. He is asking again about if Elizabeth has received a deed for the land in her name and would like some of the details. For some reason Elizabeth is reluctant to get her photo to him but says that if John was to ask for it again she would try to do so. John is responding that if she can state a good reason why not then she doesn't have to do so but if not he would like her to send it. In a closing note he tells Samantha that it is so cold he can't write much more.

March 27, 1864	John is writing this letter from Graysville, GA. He says he is in good health and has not had any sickness at all since returning from home; he says he as fleshy as he ever was in his life. He explains that they are having very severe weather, the worst since he joined the service; on the 21st they received 10 inches of snow in one night. They are running into bad luck with disease with their new recruits which is very disheartening. He has inspection in a few minutes he will now close. In a PS he mentions that all those men who did not re-enlist must now return to their respective units and serve their remaining time.

April 1, 1864	John is writing this letter from Graysville, GA. They are waiting for the "Eastern Army" to make some moves down the Potomac River. Most of the men in his unit are well and hardy and many believe that the rebellion will be dying this year. He says he received a letter where he learned the Uncle Ben was talking about coming out and fighting with the Regiment. He says it is "Tomfoolery" for him to try soldiering. John says he knows too much about that and he shouldn't do it. He says let others that can stand it come; they have lost enough men already by taking old broken down men into the service.

April 27, 1864	John is writing this letter from Graysville, GA. He joined about 200 men on patrol responding to word that a group of rebels were working in their general area but the scouting party did not locate them. He says her letter has found him truly in the best of health. Apparently James Seaton [1836-1904] is returning from a trip to visit Grantsburg and John is looking hard for him because he expects that he is carrying a photo of Elizabeth and he would very much like to see her but that he can not do so the photo will provide him some comfort. He says that George Riggle and Dan Yates are both in good health. John wants Elizabeth or the boys to go visit James Breeden and retrieve his canteen.

May 2, 1864	John is writing this letter on from Graysville, GA. John received the "miniature photo" of Elizabeth; it makes him think of home where he hopes to be within 12 months. She just needs to do the best she can and we will all hope that better times will come once the war is over. The 38th has been changed from the 1st to the 3rd Brigade and Colonel Scribner has command. He expects they will be moving camp soon out to Ringgold, GA which is about 8 miles south of their current location. George Riggle is assigned out to Chickamauga Battlefield to assist in transferring the dead for internment.

May 6, 1864	John is writing this letter from Ringgold, GA. He says he is well. Apparently in reference to a new policy, he says it is good that the men who have been heretofore part of the Home Guard are now to come out and relieve some of the older troops who do not do well in a fight which will allow for a much stronger fighting force. Their group has moved to Ringgold, GA but he doesn't think they will stay long as there is an expectation that they will begin moving now through Dixie. He says they think they will be able to make the Rebels "Get" once they start their movements. Daniel Yates has a continuous backache but healthy otherwise as is George Riggle and all the other boys of interest. His unit has marching orders for tomorrow.

May 7, 1864.		Tunnel Hill, GA: To pry the Confederates out of their position on Missionary Ridge, General Ulysses S. Grant planned to attack the Confederate line on both flanks. General Joseph Hooker would strike the southern end of Missionary Ridge while General William T. Sherman's troops attacked the northern end of the Confederate line at Tunnel Hill. On the morning of November 25, 1863, Sherman launched a series of piecemeal attacks against General Patrick R. Cleburne's division on Tunnel Hill, with no success.	Tunnel Hill, GA

		The Atlanta Campaign goes Live: Sherman was to attack Gen. Joseph Johnston's army in the South and capture Atlanta and the railroads, effectively cutting the Confederacy in two. Grant was to pummel Gen. Robert E. Lee in Richmond, Virginia. Sherman summed up their strategy: "We finally settled on a plan. He was to go for Lee, and I was to go for Joe Johnston. That was his plan. No routes prescribed ... It was the beginning of the end as Grant and I foresaw it here ..."	Chattanooga to Atlanta Campaign Map

May 7, 1864.		Rocky Face Ridge, GA: General Johnston had entrenched his army on the long, steep Rocky Face Ridge and eastward across Crow Valley. When Sherman approached, he demonstrated against this position with two columns while he sent a third one through Snake Creek Gap, to the south, to hit the Western & Atlantic Railroad at Resaca. The first two columns engaged the enemy at Buzzard Roost and at Dug Gap while the third column, under Maj. Gen. James B. McPherson, passed through Snake Creek Gap and on the May 9 advanced to the outskirts of Resaca, where it found Confederates entrenched. Fearing the strength of the enemy, McPherson pulled his column back to Snake Creek Gap. On May 10, Sherman decided to join McPherson in an effort to take Resaca. The next morning, Sherman's army withdrew from in front of Rocky Face Ridge. Discovering Sherman's movement, Johnston retired south towards Resaca on May 12.	Rocky Face Ridge

May 13, 1864.		Resaca, GA: Johnston had withdrawn his forces from Rocky Face Ridge to the hills around Resaca. On May 13, the Union troops tested the Confederate lines to pinpoint their whereabouts. The next day full-scale fighting occurred, and the Union troops were generally repulsed except on the Confederate right flank where Sherman did not fully exploit his advantage. On May 15, the battle continued with no advantage to either side until Sherman sent a force across the Oostanaula River, at Lay's Ferry, using newly delivered Cumberland pontoon bridges and advanced towards Johnston's railroad supply line.	Battle of Resaca, GA

May 17, 1864	John is writing this letter on from Resaca, GA; this is about 32 miles south of Ringgold, GA. John says he is in good health but he is only able to write this letter through the providence of God; it has been a hard fight. He says the fight has required the Rebels to evacuate their strongholds, retreat back towards Atlanta leaving their dead where they fell; some of these dead are laying within his camp as he writes this letter. He says they started the current fight on May 7, 1864 and did not stop until May 16, 1864. His group has not lost any men since leaving Buzzard Roost Gap where they had 6-8 wounded and 2 killed from their group. They have had 2 wounded including their Captain. He says they have seen some hard fighting over the last ten days having driven the Rebels some 25 miles into TN and they are still in Pursuit. They have stopped currently where they are so they can complete crossing the river on a bridge which is still burning from the Rebels retreat actions. It is raining just now John says and he has his tent all stretched out for use. He and Elias Yates [his cousin 1829-1893] are under the tent both writing home to their families. Elias has returned from home but his leg is crooked and he can't march. Daniel Yates is in Chattanooga at the moment Harvey Roberson and all the boys of the 81st Indiana have all gotten through safely so far. He asked that she tell Uncle Silas Yates that John Yates [John C.B. Yates 1836-1910] has come out to the battlefield with the 58th Indiana and they are assigned to the Pioneer Brigade. He indicates he doesn't have much more to add except perhaps a little about the last battle; basically he is saying the best thing to say about it is suffice it to say he never wants to see the like again if I can be so.		Chattanooga to Atlanta Campaign Map

May 21-June 5, 1864		Operations on Pumpkin Vine Creek and battles about Dallas, New Hope Church and Allatoona Hills. Sherman set about devising a new ten-day strategy which would carry his army directly southward through the tangled wilderness countryside. The Union soldiers in this battle *would come to call the crossroads at New Hope Church the "Hell Hole.*"

May 21, 1864	John is writing this letter from Kingston, GA; this is about 32 miles south of Resaca, GA. They left Ringgold, GA on May 7th and have had to fight there way every day until they stopped yesterday. They are currently lying behind the Union Breastworks and says this is the most rest they have had since they started the campaign south. To describe what he has seen and done since this campaign started would be in vain. All the boys have come through without harm even though they have been under the Rebel guns all the way. He explains that he has been hit by a bullet only once so far; it was done by someone in his own unit who allowed his gun to go off at the wrong time and hit him. He says it hit him hard enough to smart but did not hurt him; he says however that is as close as he desires to be to getting shot. They have driven the Rebels back now about 60 miles and they keep falling back; the thinking around camp is the Rebels will not make a stand unless they get reinforcements but if they do they think it will likely be in the neighborhood of Atlanta.		Chattanooga to Atlanta Campaign Map

May 23, 1864		New Hope Church: After the Confederates retreated to Allatoona Pass on May 19-20, 1864, Sherman determined to move around Johnston's left flank rather than attack the strong defenses in his front. On May 23, Sherman set in motion Maj. Gen. George H. Thomas's Army of the Cumberland toward Dallas, a small crossroads town 30 miles northwest of Atlanta. Johnston anticipated Sherman's move and blocked the Federals at New Hope Church. Believing the Confederates were merely a token force, Sherman ordered Hooker's XX Corps to attack on May 25. Advancing over rough terrain, later dubbed the "Hell Hole" by Hooker's men, the Federal soldiers were severely mauled in front of the Confederate earthworks by infantry and artillery fire. Both sides dug in, and skirmishing continued throughout May 26. The next day, Sherman ordered a withdrawal and concentrated his efforts toward the Confederate right flank, resulting in the Battle of Pickett's Mill.	1. The Battle of New Hope Church
		New Hope Church	2. The Battle of New Hope Church

May 27, 1864		Pickett's Mill: The Battle of Pickett's Mill involved 24,000 troops and resulted in a Confederate victory. The Union forces under Maj. Gen. Oliver O. Howard suffered 1,600 casualties, while the Confederates under Maj. Gen. Patrick R. Cleburne suffered only 500.	The Battle of Pickett's Mill

May 28, 1864		Dallas, GA: CSA Hardee's corps probed the Union defenses, both entrenched near Dallas on Sherman's right. Light skirmishing devolved into heavy fighting, with each side pouring more men into the fight. The Rebels were eventually repulsed, though both sides suffered heavy casualties. Both armies remained around Dallas and skirmished heavily for three days.	The Battle of Dallas, GA

May 29, 1864	John is writing this letter from Allatoona Mountains, GA; this is about 25 miles southeast of Kingston, GA. He says he is in tolerable health as a result of a heated long march but he is recovering well. The current campaign is now in its 22nd day where they have had engagement with the Rebels each day; the fight is still on as he writes this letter and so far neither side has been able to establish an advantage. The whole group has had heavy casualties but the 38th has been relatively light in comparison with 2 wounded; Grif Froman [Griffin D. Froman 1833-1913] and John W. King [1839-1914], neither one seriously. He is expressing that those who live through this campaign hopefully will see the prospect of the Rebellion put down. He received a letter from his Uncle Ben Yates and from Daniel Yates who is now in Hospital #8 in Chattanooga with his back problem. Harvey Roberson came by last night, like everyone who gets to see it, thinks it is a wonderful miniature photo of your likeness. He says while writing this letter bullets continue to fall around him but they are no stranger to them and they only get concern if they start to get too close. The battle is now getting hotter and the bullets are now flying closely; his unit is in the second line behind the first line of Union troops so the Rebel fireworks is starting to reach into their ranks. The volume now is starting to make him uneasy so he will now close.	The Confederates had a secure defensive position aided by nature. Sherman was familiar with the area, having served a tour of duty in northwest Georgia in the 1840s, and concluded that General Joseph E. Johnston would have a strong defensive position prepared south of the Etowah River, where the railroad passed through the Allatoona Mountains. The assumption was correct, and Sherman determined to take his entire force on a wide flanking move around the Confederate right.	(preferred burial location for Ron Yates b 1947)

June 5, 1864	John is writing this letter on from Dallas, GA; about 25 miles southwest of Allatoona Mountains, GA. John is taking a serious tone and it saying that it is only through the mercy of God that he now is alive and has the opportunity to write this letter to his family. This battle began 10 days ago when they made this attack on the Rebels and the battle stopped at 9 AM this morning. He says they have not been out of range of the Rebel guns over the last 9 days straight and the last 4 days they have been directly in front of his line. John says that he, John seems to be saying that he doesn't have an idea when this campaign might end even though it has been a month in progress; he says the hotter the fighting the better as the old saying is that peace will come sooner that way. John is expressing a thought that he says he will just say he saw a sight this morning he hopes to never see again in his life. He saw men who have been dead for 8 days lying out in the sun and he seems to be describing body gases of decomposition and maggots; he describes them as being full of creepers. The ones that he saw were lying so close to his own lines that he was consumed with the smell of rotting flesh. He hasn't had a chew of tobacco for a week but found some old trash tobacco this morning and a good side of bacon; the Rebels had buried the bacon in the ground but they found it. Please excuse the hand writing as he has been lying on the ground in the mud and water for the last 48 hours and it was not safe to raise his head during the writing of the letter.		Chattanooga to Atlanta Campaign Map

June 7, 1864		Sherman's cavalry had occupied Allatoona Pass and points farther south, and the side trip to Dallas was abandoned. By June 7, Sherman had his army group back on the railroad and south of the Etowah River

June 11, 1864		Pine Mountain is the site where Confederate Lt. Gen. Leonidas Polk was killed on June 14, 1864. Pine Mountain was the highest point between Kennesaw Mountain and Lost Mountain, Confederate forces fortified and held Pine Mountain as an outpost of the main Confederate line 1.2 miles south of the line that extended from Lost Mountain to Brushy Mountain. The Confederates positioned artillery atop Pine Mountain. On June 10, the Union XIV and XX Corps Artilleries redeployed from Mars Hill Church to a position facing south towards Pine Mountain. The XIV Corps Artillery occupied the left flank; the XX the right.

June 12, 1864	John is writing this letter on near Acworth, GA; about 6 miles north of Marietta, GA. John says his unit is lying in a line of battle behind another line of union troops fortifying their position against the Rebels. He thinks they will be on the move again soon with Atlanta about 25 miles away before they stop for any length of time. They have already driven the Rebels southward 100 miles since May 6, 1864. He thinks if they don't make a stand in Marietta they will not make a stand until Atlanta. He says he can't write much now as it is raining and very bad. He says he has been in the Camp of the 81st Indiana and all is well there; he also got to see the "Ole" 23rd and 66th Indiana and all those boys are in good health and spirits. Dan Yates remains in Chattanooga on last account. He says he does not want her to fail to write every week as they are on the march with fighting every day. I have seen enough of the horrors of this war and have been in so many narrow escapes that if this war could be stopped it would give me the greatest pleasure of any that could come to pass if it could be settled without giving the Rebels any advantage. The news came to camp last night that Abraham Lincoln had been nominated for President and Andrew Johnson for Vice-President. There are some men in the Army so ignorant that they would rather see the South gain the Independence rather than see Old Abe President again. George Riggle says he won't talk about it for it does no good.		Chattanooga to Atlanta Campaign Map

June 15, 1864	John is writing this letter near Lost Mountain, GA; about 6 miles south of Acworth, GA. While he is writing the Union forces are lobbing artillery shells onto Rebel position in the higher elevations. He says they are preparing to cross the Chattahoochee River and expects when that happens they will be in camp for a while and they can draw new clothing. He says they don't expect nor want a long rest period as long as supplies can keep up with them; they want to keep at it and try to get this thing over by November 1864 if possible. The news is good from all parts of the Army; they think they can put the Rebels into their strongholds based around Atlanta. Then they will wait for "Ole Dad" Thomas and Sherman to knock heads together and then go on again if the Rebels don't conclude to quit which he hears from the North side of Atlanta that is what the populace wants. He says "Well Elizabeth, I haven't had a chew of tobacco in 3 days; you don't know how bad I feel. I have worked hard this morning building Breastworks and can not write as I am so trembly." We have been on this campaign 40 days as of today and can't say when it will stop. The fight is getting hotter; General Bird is moving his lines in front of us, we are in the 3rd line so no more for now. He is hoping to hear from them soon. Shelling is going on with considerable rapidity.	On May 23-24, 1864, Lt. Gen. Leonidas Polk's Corps (CS) marched from Allatoona, Bartow Co., to Dallas, Paulding Co., passing Lost Mountain Post Office. On June 4-5, Polk's Corps withdrew from the Dallas-New Hope front to Lost Mtn., the position here being the Left Flank of Johnston's first Kennesaw Line. On the 9th, Polk's corps was shifted eastward to the vicinity of New Salem Church north of the Burnt Hickory Rd., where it formed the center of the line. This shift was a necessary move in the extension of Johnston's Line eastward of the State R.R., because of the arrival of the Federal 17th Corps on his right flank.	Chattanooga to Atlanta Campaign Map

June 26, 1864	John is writing this letter on at Kennesaw Mountain, GA. *His current location is in the line of battle one hundred yards from the Rebel works on the front line.* He is answering her letter of June 16, 1864 but the situation was such that he couldn't write because the shots and shells were so thick that they had to remain flat in a ditch to safeguard their heads. He is so glad to hear from her that he doesn't know what to do; she has no idea what he and the other men have been through since they left Ringgold on this campaign. It has now been 52 straight days on the move with intense fighting going on each day. They have driven the Rebels south now about 100 miles to their current location which turns out to be a strong hold where they want to make stubborn resistance to the Union ordinance. Walter Lee Seacat was slightly wounded while lying in their trench. Apparently a 10 pound shell hit the breastwork in front of him but turned out to be a dud; this 10 pound dud proceeded to bounce up and land on his knee causing an injury. He is bruised but will be able to walk again soon. All the other boys are well at this time; we pass the time by taking shots at individual Rebels but basically we are too far away to do much damage. He asks to excuse his writing as he has had to get out of the works to write this letter and the Rebels take aim at him 4 to 5 feet above his head every few minutes and each time he hears the whiz he can't help but dodge and jerk a little.

June 27, 1864.		The Battle of Kennesaw Mountain was fought on June 27, 1864, during the Atlanta Campaign of the American Civil War. It was the most significant frontal assault launched by Union Maj. Gen. William T. Sherman against the Confederate Army of Tennessee under Gen. Joseph E. Johnston, ending in a tactical defeat for the Union forces. Strategically, however, the battle failed to deliver the result that the Confederacy desperately needed—namely a halt to Sherman's advance on Atlanta.	Battle of Kennesaw Mountain, GA

June 28, 1864	John is writing this letter on the line near Marietta, GA. John explains his situation as just saying that he is setting behind some breastworks under a shield made by stretching rubber blankets on sticks. He says they *have been in this location for 6 days under gunshot range of the Rebel works*; they have shot three holes in the rubber since I started writing this letter but our breastworks are 10 feet thick; they have even tried to penetrate these works with cannon without hurting it. He says they have had the hottest times that he has seen. He has had his satisfaction of shooting the rebels; the hardest work I have ever done in this Army was done yesterday. He and others were ordered to shoot at the Rebel Batteries while our batteries fired on theirs; he says he had to dodge the shells from the Rebels and then shoot at the Rebels doing the firing. I fired some forty or fifty shots into them; I have not been hurt yet; I caught a small piece of shrapnel in my coat by a shell but not a single man in our unit has been hurt. We can't tell when this campaign will end as we have had the hardest fighting yet here in this location. He closes with the point that they all need to vote for Old Abe and Johnson.		Chattanooga to Atlanta Campaign Map

July 4, 1864		Battle of Ruff's Mill was fought along Concord Road during Johnston's retreat towards Atlanta. After Sherman's failed direct assault on Kennesaw Mountain, he reverted to his standard flanking maneuvers, directing a massive army down the Sandtown road under cover of night toward what his maps indicated was Ruff's Mills on the Nickajack Creek. This flanking operation had the desired effect, forcing Johnston to evacuate the stronghold of Kennesaw Mountain. Sherman anticipated that Johnston would be retreating all the way across the Chattahoochee Rive. Sherman pressed his commanders to advance forward as quickly as they could to catch Confederate armies in the chaos of a retreat. What Sherman encountered next surprised him: Johnston had previously prepared two major defensive lines north of the Chattahoochee River. The first of these works extended from Smyrna Campground westward along Concord Road toward Ruff's Mill, curving south to follow Nickajack Creek and its natural defenses. The Battle of Ruff's Mill, also referred to as the Battle of Nickajack Creek, took place along the western section of this line.	Battle of Ruff's Mill

July 10, 1864	John is writing this letter near the Chattahoochee River, 7 miles from Atlanta, GA. John explains he will just say that she found him in the best of health. He has been on the field of battle almost every day for two months and yesterday was the hottest place I have been in on the campaign. It only lasted about 40 minutes; we were supporting the 21st Ohio Volunteers Infantry while they advanced the skirmish line; we lost 10 wounded but none killed in Company K; last move we had one man killed June 29, 1864 name of William H. Percell. [William H. Purcell]. G.W. Goodson and William [Unsure] was slightly wounded at the same time. John explains that he will just say that the Rebels have again left their works and have gone across the Chattahoochee River; we have driven them 131 miles from Chattanooga and have taken a great many prisoners. Were I to tell you the amount of hardship I have undergone you could not believe it and yet I can say of a truth that my health is the best it has been for several years. We stayed in one place for ten days in plain view of the Rebel works. As to Harvey Roberson, I saw him on the 5th of this month; he is not very well, I can't tell you what the problem is as it is of a private nature. I hope it doesn't turn out dangerous, although it is troublesome to him he is still doing his duty by fighting the Rebels and talking for Old Abe and Johnson. He says he is in good heart about all. John is bragging that Old Sherman has outflanked CSA General Johnson every time and can do so again. He says he has been having some arguments with the Democrats but to no use; be sure to vote for Johnson and Lincoln.

July 14, 1864.	John is writing this letter on Thursday July 14, 1864 near the Chattahoochee River, 7 miles from Atlanta, GA. He says he can say and tell the truth that he is in the best health that he has had for several years. He says they have been in this camp now for 4 days which is the longest stop in over 65 days. He says the report this very morning is that the Rebels have once again left their positions or perhaps all but a few. John seems to be trying to explain that regardless of what the Confederacy might say the soldiers have worked hard and will continue to fight until there is an unconditional surrender to preserve the Union. John states that to make any other proposal constitutes being a traitor to your country and a willingness to sell out one's principles. He leaves off with what seems to be a hurrah! for Abe and Andy. John Yates Dies about 5 PM	John Yates killed by falling tree along with 25 others during a sudden and significant storm.	John's death & first burial location
		John Yates killed along with 25 others during a storm.	Killed during storm

July 15, 1864	George W. Riggle to Sarah Elizabeth Yates: Company K, 38 Regt Indiana Volunteers, July 15, 1864, My Dear Sister, It is with a sad heart and burdened mind that *I have to write to you of the death of your dear friend. He wanted you to think he was well and hardy and had just lain down to take his rest and there was a tree fell down.* The poor fellow soldier never spoke a word; he never knew what hurt him. Dear Sister, he had just gotten a letter two hours before his death and had received the tobacco that you had sent to him. Dear sister he was killed [at and around the mouth]. Dear Sister, I haven't time to write much for we have to move from here. This leaves me well and I hope this will find you and your dear children well and hardy. Dear Sister, I want you to take it as easy as possible as he is at rest and died over a good cause. Dear Sister, I will collect all of his debts and pay what little he owes here and send the money home when I send mine. The tobacco you sent, I and/or we will chew it and pay you; you can write to me how much it cost and I will pay for it. This is a hard thing to come to you, this is three of my Brothers that I have had to write the death at there home. Dear Sister, I will need to close this short letter. Yours truly until death

July 19, 1864	George W. Riggle to Sarah Elizabeth Yates: He says Dear Sister, I wrote to you on the 15th of the month about your husband and how he got killed and there was a letter delivered for him from you and I thought I would answer you and let you know how his business stands. He provides a summary of his efforts by telling Elizabeth he has gotten his notes and accounts; John had two thirty dollars notes, one eight dollar note and a thirteen dollar note and some accounts. George says he can't say how much all of the accounts amount to but as soon as payday comes he will collect them and send it by Laban Gregory and sooner if I can. George says he will do the best he can for her as Daniel Yates (this statement gives credence to Dan being his brother) was not here to attend to it for her but maybe he will get here before payday, but if he doesn't, George will do the best he can do. He says he does not want her to grieve herself to death. He says, Dear Sister, I will tell you I felt he was the best friend I had. John had a pocket knife and I will send it by Laban along with your likeness and also his blankets that I found over him and that tobacco you sent to him I will pay for it myself. Please write and tell me whatever it cost. George seems to be trying to articulate a sense of loss but also encouraging everyone to pull together.

1866	John Yates reinterred at Marietta National Cemetery.		Marietta National Cemetery