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George C. Burmeister diary, 1864
1864-02-05
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Friday 5. we learned today that Sherman's expedition is still going on towards Meridian, it has to fight the rebels from day to day the hundreds fighting was done between Black River and Jackson Mis, Which latter place is now in our possession, it appears that the rebels overestimate Gen Sherman's frce and are therefor unwilling to risk a pitched battle. The weather is very good, if it were not we poor fellows would be in a very pitiable condition indeed, lying as we do on the bear ground with nothing but our blankets to cover us. You ought to see us rolling our tired bodies in the dust, we look quite dark to say the least. I try to read a paper or book during the day, but suddenly dextrous horsemen will dash close by me and behold make enough dust to prevent me from seeing the letters of my book or paper I am reading, or perhaps the bright sun will be so generous as to peep exactly into my face or on the print, and then again I can not succeed very well in deciphering it. What a powerful quantity of patience and endurance a soldier must have! I must confess that I sometimes get a little irritated when so many obstacles crowd upon me, and the inconveniences of my position are so glaringly presented. I wish I could view many things with a stoic indifference perhaps it would make me and others happier, but I can not do it.
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Friday 5. we learned today that Sherman's expedition is still going on towards Meridian, it has to fight the rebels from day to day the hundreds fighting was done between Black River and Jackson Mis, Which latter place is now in our possession, it appears that the rebels overestimate Gen Sherman's frce and are therefor unwilling to risk a pitched battle. The weather is very good, if it were not we poor fellows would be in a very pitiable condition indeed, lying as we do on the bear ground with nothing but our blankets to cover us. You ought to see us rolling our tired bodies in the dust, we look quite dark to say the least. I try to read a paper or book during the day, but suddenly dextrous horsemen will dash close by me and behold make enough dust to prevent me from seeing the letters of my book or paper I am reading, or perhaps the bright sun will be so generous as to peep exactly into my face or on the print, and then again I can not succeed very well in deciphering it. What a powerful quantity of patience and endurance a soldier must have! I must confess that I sometimes get a little irritated when so many obstacles crowd upon me, and the inconveniences of my position are so glaringly presented. I wish I could view many things with a stoic indifference perhaps it would make me and others happier, but I can not do it.
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