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George C. Burmeister diary, 1861
1861-08-09 -- 1861-08-10
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Frid 9. gathering in my knee pan. The boys left cheerfully anxious to try the enemy’s courage and show him some of northern steel. They marched about 10 miles (at night) and halted for rest within a few miles of the enemy’s pickets, where they rested. Sat 10. At sunrise I heard rapid cannonading which announced the commencement of the battle. News came in every moment stating the progress of the battle. Our troops drove the enemy from his camp and destroyed his teams, but were not strong enough to hold it, for the enemy was 35,000 men in number, our troops only 4,400. Gen. Lyon led the 1st Iowa to the charge, and spurred them on by his own heroic example, he was wounded, but still he rallied our boys, who fell like demons upon the rebels and spread terror and death in their ranks. Many a brave comrade fell a victim upon the altar of his country, yet nobly did the 1st Iowa redeem the confidence bestowed upon it by its friends, again and again did the heroic boys repulse the enemy with terrible loss, with Gen. Lyon at their head, (a braver soldier than whom never lived) while leading a charge he fell mortally wounded and soon expired uttering praises for the 1st Iowa. Honor to the brave warrior who so nobly died for his country. At every charge the enemy brought fresh troops in action whilst ours received no relief. The battle lasted till noon when our small army was compelled to retreat which was done in good order, the enemy leaving at the same time. I feel bad because I could not take a part.
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Frid 9. gathering in my knee pan. The boys left cheerfully anxious to try the enemy’s courage and show him some of northern steel. They marched about 10 miles (at night) and halted for rest within a few miles of the enemy’s pickets, where they rested. Sat 10. At sunrise I heard rapid cannonading which announced the commencement of the battle. News came in every moment stating the progress of the battle. Our troops drove the enemy from his camp and destroyed his teams, but were not strong enough to hold it, for the enemy was 35,000 men in number, our troops only 4,400. Gen. Lyon led the 1st Iowa to the charge, and spurred them on by his own heroic example, he was wounded, but still he rallied our boys, who fell like demons upon the rebels and spread terror and death in their ranks. Many a brave comrade fell a victim upon the altar of his country, yet nobly did the 1st Iowa redeem the confidence bestowed upon it by its friends, again and again did the heroic boys repulse the enemy with terrible loss, with Gen. Lyon at their head, (a braver soldier than whom never lived) while leading a charge he fell mortally wounded and soon expired uttering praises for the 1st Iowa. Honor to the brave warrior who so nobly died for his country. At every charge the enemy brought fresh troops in action whilst ours received no relief. The battle lasted till noon when our small army was compelled to retreat which was done in good order, the enemy leaving at the same time. I feel bad because I could not take a part.
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