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

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1864-02-02 -- 1864-02-03

Tuesday 2.  Stopped at a landing near Lake Providence to take some wood on board.  Found some freedmen here who are engaged in cutting wood for steamboats, one of them has lost his right arm by a shot from his overseer, and marvelous as it may appear, he said he cut generally one cord of wood per day.  We landed at Vicksburg at 8 P.M., I went up town and took supper, after which I returned to the steamer an remained on board during the night.  The clerk of our boat wanted $3.50 for the bed I had been furnished during the trip.  I refused to pay him because I am and officers generally are entitled to beds on government transports, in accordance with Gen. Grants order.  The other officers also refused to pay for their beds, and we had quite a lively discussion about it, yet the clerk did not get his money, he threatened to report us.

Wednesday 3  We commenced disembarking quite early this morning, we were ready at 9 o’clock, but did not move till 2 P.M., when we took up our line of march towards Big Black River Bridge.  We camped four miles from Vicksburg.  While we were in the city, Lt. Magoon of the 11th Iowa Inf., Major John, capt Dill and I took dinner at Schroeder’s where we spent a pleasant hour together.  The march today wearied me very much because I am not accustomed to marching, having been in camp for several months, yet I think I will soon be able to stand marching.

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Tuesday 2. Stopped at a landing near Lake Providence to take some wood on board. Found some freedmen here who are engaged in cutting wood for steamboats, one of them has lost his right arm by a shot from his overseer, and marvelous as it may appear, he said he cut generally one cord of wood per day. We landed at Vicksburg at 8 P.M., I went up town and took supper, after which I returned to the steamer an remained on board during the night. The clerk of our boat wanted $3.50 for the bed I had been furnished during the trip. I refused to pay him because I am and officers generally are entitled to beds on government transports, in accordance with Gen. Grants order. The other officers also refused to pay for their beds, and we had quite a lively discussion about it, yet the clerk did not get his money, he threatened to report us. Wednesday 3 We commenced disembarking quite early this morning, we were ready at 9 o’clock, but did not move till 2 P.M., when we took up our line of march towards Big Black River Bridge. We camped four miles from Vicksburg. While we were in the city, Lt. Magoon of the 11th Iowa Inf., Major John, capt Dill and I took dinner at Schroeder’s where we spent a pleasant hour together. The march today wearied me very much because I am not accustomed to marching, having been in camp for several months, yet I think I will soon be able to stand marching.