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

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1864-03-26

Saturday 26  Contrary to my expectations I am permitted to write into my journal after a few day’s marching.  At moonlight this morning, we rose, took our baggage which we did not intend to take with us on the march, on board the steamer “Baltic”.  Attended to all the business preparatory to a march, and moved out of town as late as 8 o’clock, when we were ready at six.  I brought a large wine bottle full of whiskey for the benefit of some of my men who might get sick on the tramp, for which I paid the respectable sum of five dollars U.S. currency at the bar on board the steamer “Black Hawk”, just from New Orleans, the head qrs boat of Gen Banks.  A bar is found on nearly every steamer that comes from the crescent city, and they are piling money into their drawers as fast as they can take it.  A number of sutler stores are already opened in town, by some enterprising Yankees who are "coining" money very fast.  It is remarkable how rapidly commerce is again established in a city conquered by our army.  We marched quite moderately for several hours with frequent rests, we left the Eastern troops in camp at Alexandria, they lined the road for some distance from town anxious to see the Western troops, who passed them with their accustomed nonchalance.  In the afternoon we pushed on with considerable speed, and at sun set we bivouacked for the night near Rapides Bayou, a few miles this side of the memorable Henderson’s Hill, having marched eighteen miles today; my boots are a little too tight for me and from this cause I have my right toe beautifully adorned by a very large water blister.

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Saturday 26 Contrary to my expectations I am permitted to write into my journal after a few day’s marching. At moonlight this morning, we rose, took our baggage which we did not intend to take with us on the march, on board the steamer “Baltic”. Attended to all the business preparatory to a march, and moved out of town as late as 8 o’clock, when we were ready at six. I brought a large wine bottle full of whiskey for the benefit of some of my men who might get sick on the tramp, for which I paid the respectable sum of five dollars U.S. currency at the bar on board the steamer “Black Hawk”, just from New Orleans, the head qrs boat of Gen Banks. A bar is found on nearly every steamer that comes from the crescent city, and they are piling money into their drawers as fast as they can take it. A number of sutler stores are already opened in town, by some enterprising Yankees who are "coining" money very fast. It is remarkable how rapidly commerce is again established in a city conquered by our army. We marched quite moderately for several hours with frequent rests, we left the Eastern troops in camp at Alexandria, they lined the road for some distance from town anxious to see the Western troops, who passed them with their accustomed nonchalance. In the afternoon we pushed on with considerable speed, and at sun set we bivouacked for the night near Rapides Bayou, a few miles this side of the memorable Henderson’s Hill, having marched eighteen miles today; my boots are a little too tight for me and from this cause I have my right toe beautifully adorned by a very large water blister.