DIY History | Transcribe | Civil War Diaries and Letters | George C. Burmeister diary, 1864

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1864-01-07

Thursday 7.  Colonel S.G. Hill started home on a leave of absence this morning. I was on duty today as officer of the day, I get on duty oftener I think than any other officer on our brigade, why it is, I cannot tell, wonder whether it is because they think I am such an excellent officer and they love me? Well, I will not murmur as long as i enjoy good health, I am willing to go on duty quite often, for i think exercise is necessary to aid me in keeping in good health. I had a long ride today with Lt. Kern. We stopped at several houses outside of the lines, where we became acquainted with some of the denizens. The majority of the people living in this vicinity are poor, their wealthy neighbors do not love the sight of a Union soldier, and have fled at our approach with the more congenial parts of Secession, where they will soon be overtaken by the swift footed Yankees, and forced to acknowledge the flag we honor, as the true emblem of national power and unity of our Republican government. I also found that some union soldiers who came here before we did, have married some of the numerous widows here, who have become widows again by the soldiers' leaving with their commands. I think the return of some of their husbands is rather doubtful. I have heard of a marriage in their neighborhood recently that was contracted for "three years or during the war." Surely this is a fast age & we are a fast people.

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Thursday 7. Colonel S.G. Hill started home on a leave of absence this morning. I was on duty today as officer of the day, I get on duty oftener I think than any other officer on our brigade, why it is, I cannot tell, wonder whether it is because they think I am such an excellent officer and they love me? Well, I will not murmur as long as i enjoy good health, I am willing to go on duty quite often, for i think exercise is necessary to aid me in keeping in good health. I had a long ride today with Lt. Kern. We stopped at several houses outside of the lines, where we became acquainted with some of the denizens. The majority of the people living in this vicinity are poor, their wealthy neighbors do not love the sight of a Union soldier, and have fled at our approach with the more congenial parts of Secession, where they will soon be overtaken by the swift footed Yankees, and forced to acknowledge the flag we honor, as the true emblem of national power and unity of our Republican government. I also found that some union soldiers who came here before we did, have married some of the numerous widows here, who have become widows again by the soldiers' leaving with their commands. I think the return of some of their husbands is rather doubtful. I have heard of a marriage in their neighborhood recently that was contracted for "three years or during the war." Surely this is a fast age & we are a fast people.