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

Transcribe
Translate

1864-02-04

Thursday 4  I slept well in Lt. Kern’s tent.  We had our breakfast long before daybreak, and were on our march before sunrise.  O, what a grand morning this is one of the most beautiful I have ever seen, the glorious orb of day appeared to rise in his full glory over the world and all nature seemed to smile we marched over hill and vale, with martial music and flying colors, we felt the genial influence of the magnificent scenery, and the pure air around us, I for one admired the world and wished in my heart, people would learn to live in peace, and we would soon be home with our loved ones.  We reached our destination, Black River Bridge, about noon, and behold our sorrow and disappointment, when we were told we had come one day too late for Sherman’s grand expedition.  We must perhaps remain here for several weeks, while our old comrades in arms of former campaigns and glorious victories are marching against the enemies of our country, into the very life of the Confederacy, to add fresh laurels to their already bright chapters of fame.  I would have been pleased to have participated in this campaign, because I think it is destined to be a very important one, under the guidance of the heroic Sherman, one of the best Generals of modern times.  But this is our fate generally, to be too late.  We found no tents the other regiments did, we were too late.  Thus it is that we get the worst of everything, why?

Saving...

Thursday 4 I slept well in Lt. Kern’s tent. We had our breakfast long before daybreak, and were on our march before sunrise. O, what a grand morning this is one of the most beautiful I have ever seen, the glorious orb of day appeared to rise in his full glory over the world and all nature seemed to smile we marched over hill and vale, with martial music and flying colors, we felt the genial influence of the magnificent scenery, and the pure air around us, I for one admired the world and wished in my heart, people would learn to live in peace, and we would soon be home with our loved ones. We reached our destination, Black River Bridge, about noon, and behold our sorrow and disappointment, when we were told we had come one day too late for Sherman’s grand expedition. We must perhaps remain here for several weeks, while our old comrades in arms of former campaigns and glorious victories are marching against the enemies of our country, into the very life of the Confederacy, to add fresh laurels to their already bright chapters of fame. I would have been pleased to have participated in this campaign, because I think it is destined to be a very important one, under the guidance of the heroic Sherman, one of the best Generals of modern times. But this is our fate generally, to be too late. We found no tents the other regiments did, we were too late. Thus it is that we get the worst of everything, why?