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George C. Burmeister diary, 1861
1861-08-14 -- 1861-08-15
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Wed. 14. Today our term of service for U.S. expires and the boys feel like doing just as they please. a great many refused to march in ranks and to do any kind of duty. I marched in ranks and at times we had about a dozen of our company in ranks the rest having absented themselves at pleasure. Our fare is very poor, having lost 1 wagon with all our cooking utensils, we cannot prepare our food as desired. Well we'll endure it a little longer. Thurs. 15. Numerous reports are circulating concerning the enemy's nearness to us, yet none are reliable. It is stated by prisoners who were released by the enemy, that they have lost 4,985 killed and wounded, we lost 783, or regiment 182 our company had 1 killed (P. Hoyt) and 10 wounded. It is acknowledged to be the hardest fought battle on this continent considering the numbers engaged. Some, blame Gen. Lyon for engaging the enemy with such awful odds against us, yet I admire his policy, if Lyon was now living I would call it a splendid victory on our side, as it is we gained decidedly more than we would have done by any other policy, a timid retreat from Springfield would not only have put our little army in jeopardy of entire annihilation, but would have sacrificed the town and thousands of union families to the merciless enemy. this would have been cowardly from us. Probably have opened the way to St. Louis to the enemy. The rebels have about 1500 Indians with them. We learned that good care is taken of our sick and wounded
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Wed. 14. Today our term of service for U.S. expires and the boys feel like doing just as they please. a great many refused to march in ranks and to do any kind of duty. I marched in ranks and at times we had about a dozen of our company in ranks the rest having absented themselves at pleasure. Our fare is very poor, having lost 1 wagon with all our cooking utensils, we cannot prepare our food as desired. Well we'll endure it a little longer. Thurs. 15. Numerous reports are circulating concerning the enemy's nearness to us, yet none are reliable. It is stated by prisoners who were released by the enemy, that they have lost 4,985 killed and wounded, we lost 783, or regiment 182 our company had 1 killed (P. Hoyt) and 10 wounded. It is acknowledged to be the hardest fought battle on this continent considering the numbers engaged. Some, blame Gen. Lyon for engaging the enemy with such awful odds against us, yet I admire his policy, if Lyon was now living I would call it a splendid victory on our side, as it is we gained decidedly more than we would have done by any other policy, a timid retreat from Springfield would not only have put our little army in jeopardy of entire annihilation, but would have sacrificed the town and thousands of union families to the merciless enemy. this would have been cowardly from us. Probably have opened the way to St. Louis to the enemy. The rebels have about 1500 Indians with them. We learned that good care is taken of our sick and wounded
Civil War Diaries and Letters
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