“July 1, 1864: This campaign is coming down to a question of muscle and nerve. It is the 62d day for us, over 50 of which we have passed under fire.”

One of the earliest to enlist in the Union cause of the American Civil War upon Lincoln’s call for volunteers, Charles Wills kept a diary throughout his service beyond the end of the war. He also wrote frequent letters home, captured here as well.

He saw combat in many campaigns, including the fall of Atlanta and Sherman’s march to the sea.