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George C. Burmeister diary, 1864
1864-01-19
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Sunday 19. The habit of gambling is very prevalent, some of the men are extremely fond of it, and may be found nearly at all hours of the day, with the fatal cards in their hands. I looked upon card playing for amusement as a very innocent affair, but I have come to the conclusion that it is also a bad practice, for three reasons: Firstly, it is the means of robbing men of valuable time which might be far more profitably employed, Secondly, it makes them neglect their other duties, and their person. 3dly, it offers them great inducement to lie, cheat and use profane language. I have determined to play no more cards. I shall endeavor to employ my time more profitably. It is better for young men to read instructive works to elevate their moral and intellectual faculties than to play games of chance & thus vitiate their natures. I am not going to play any more cards. An interesting incident occurred in my office today. Miss Yocum who had enticed our men outside of the lines to have them captured by guerrillas came in. I asked her her whether she was present at the time our men were taken. She replied she was. I told her never to come inside of our lines again. She attempted to to explain, I requested her to say no more. I told her I knew all about it, if she ever came in again, I would have her transported. She looked very bad about it. Some of the officers do not seem to like it, but I feel as if I have done my duty, in this case.
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Sunday 19. The habit of gambling is very prevalent, some of the men are extremely fond of it, and may be found nearly at all hours of the day, with the fatal cards in their hands. I looked upon card playing for amusement as a very innocent affair, but I have come to the conclusion that it is also a bad practice, for three reasons: Firstly, it is the means of robbing men of valuable time which might be far more profitably employed, Secondly, it makes them neglect their other duties, and their person. 3dly, it offers them great inducement to lie, cheat and use profane language. I have determined to play no more cards. I shall endeavor to employ my time more profitably. It is better for young men to read instructive works to elevate their moral and intellectual faculties than to play games of chance & thus vitiate their natures. I am not going to play any more cards. An interesting incident occurred in my office today. Miss Yocum who had enticed our men outside of the lines to have them captured by guerrillas came in. I asked her her whether she was present at the time our men were taken. She replied she was. I told her never to come inside of our lines again. She attempted to to explain, I requested her to say no more. I told her I knew all about it, if she ever came in again, I would have her transported. She looked very bad about it. Some of the officers do not seem to like it, but I feel as if I have done my duty, in this case.
Civil War Diaries and Letters
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