Robert M. Magill, a Ringgold soldier in the Civil War, left behind a remarkable account of his war experiences.
The previously published diary spans the four years of the year, which is remarkable that it was kept up and survived considering all the constant fighting that Magill was engaged in while a member of the 39th Georgia Infantry.
Miraculously, he survived the war in one piece, though all around him his fellow soldiers were killed or suffered terrible injuries. His war intinerary included Vicksburg, the battles for Chattanooga, winter camp at Dalton, battles at Dalton, Resaca, New Hope Church, Kolb's Farm, Peachtree Creek, Jonesboro, Columbia and Nashville. Toward the end of the war, he was heading for Tupelo when he and others disgusted and weary of the long war finally "headed home."
The Magill diary has now been greatly amplified by Chattanoogan Dale Wykoff, who has long had an interest in the Civil War, especially the Ringgold area.
His new book includes the complete diary, and he intersperses interesting background on the Magill text.
He also has researched the backgrounds of soldiers mentioned by Magill, and that is an appendix to the book as well as what happened later to Magill, his two brothers and others prominently mentioned in the dairy.
There is also a chapter on the first and second regimental battle flags of the 39th.
Dale Wykoff can be reached at dalewykoff@gmail.com