Osborn, Henry M. [Diary of Henry M. Osborn of the 14th Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry]

[excerpts:]
18 September 1863 (Battle of Chickamauga): "The enemy then got their cannon in position and opened on us with grape & canister shot which fell around us as thick as hail we then lay down in line of battle and in a few minutes the enemy's infantry began pouring their volleys of minnie balls at us but we lay flat to the ground awaiting orders but by some means we received no orders and by this time the enemy were within twenty paces of us."

His forces "were compelled to fall back and as we were falling back I received a musket ball in my right arm which ended any further Resistance to the enemy. I left the field and went to the field hospital where I remained over night."

21 November 1863 (Battle of Missionary Ridge): "Volley after volley of the missiles of death was poured into our ranks and still but still our brave men pushed on charge after charge was made on the enemy which had to gradually fall back in this manner."

25 November 1863 (Battle of Missionary Ridge): Our generals were planning the destruction of the Rebel army and about 8 O clock AM dropping musketry began to be heard along the left of the line & soon volley after volley began to be fired & artillery began to work and nothing could be heard save the clash of arms. The field presented a scene of grandeur. Awful to behold dead and wounded covered the field in every direction. The shot & shell from the enemy guns on top of the ridge was constantly hurled at our ranks and many were cut down but our men pushed boldly on.

19 July 1864 (Siege of Atlanta): Wm. H. Brown of my company was shot. [...] We all felt that we had lost one more noble Patriot and soldier who left his friends and all that was dear to him to assist in putting down Rebellion. And while nobly engaged in the discharge of his duty he was killed. But we trust his spirit now rests peacefully with him who gave it. In that blissful home above where war and carnage is not known & parting is no more.
About one oclock PM we commenced intrenching & had got about half done when the Enemy charged our line on the left but were repulsed and fell back and formed anew their lines and again charged us but were again repulsed & still another time they rallied and came forward but after three desperate and unsuccessful attempts they abandoned their Idea and fell back leaving their dead and wounded on the field & 500 prisoners in our hands.

24 July 1864 (Siege of Atlanta): We learned through official source the result of the hard fight on our left on the 22nd. The withdrawal of the Rebels from their works was done on the night of the 21st for the purpose of drawing us into a trap. Gen. Hood, The successor of Joseph Johnston The Rebel commander had, his forces divided and drawn up in line with a view to let us pass him and then attack us in the rear but By the shrewd ingenuity of Maj Gen Thomas their plan was partly foiled. Gen McPherson was attacked by the Rebels while on the march and at the first assault of the Rebels they took Six of our batteries but Our men were soon formed and the battle raged furiously. Every Battery save one that was lost was recaptured. The battle lasted until near dark when the last & most desperate charge of the Rebels was repulsed and they fell back in disorder leaving their dead & wounded on the field. The Enemy's loss in the days fight in Killed & wounded is said to be 6,000. Our loss Estimated at 2,000. Nine hundred of the Enemy's dead was found in front of our Division of the 17th Corps. Gen McPherson was killed.