The Battle of Ezra Church and Women Soldiers

Part of the Atlanta campaign, the Battle of Ezra Church was a nasty affair fought on July 28th, 1864.  And I was excited to learn recently that a previously undocumented woman soldier fought in it.

Illinois Congressman Mentions Women Soldiers on the Floor of US Senate

William Richardson served in various political offices in Illinois beginning in 1836.  Ten years later, he enlisted in the military and fought in the Mexican War as a captain before earning a promotion to major.  After the war, he settled in Quincy, Illinois and then headed west to serve as governor of the Nebraska Territory in 1858.  Following his resignation, Richardson - a Democrat - went to Washington DC to serve in the US Congress.  In 1863, he was elected to fill the Senate seat previously held by Stephen Douglas.

William Richardson

The Battle of Peach Tree Creek: "They Fought Like Very Devils"

The Union soldier who uttered those words was referring to Brigadier General Winfield Scott Featherston's Mississippi Brigade of Major General William W. Loring's division, Lieutenant General Alexander P. Stewart's corps, at the Battle of Peach Tree Creek fought on this day in 1864.