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

Transcribe
Translate

1864-03-27

Sunday 27.  A soldier on a march must necessarily be an early riser, I must remark here that I am not in favor of this practice so earnestly commended to youth by some philosophers, I do love to indulge in that beautiful enjoyment sleep, but when it is necessary to rise early I can forsake my bed as early as any one.  This morning we were not in a great haste to move, for long after sunrise we were still waiting for orders to move.  Our force consists of Gen. A.J. Smith’s command, but is accompanied by considerable eastern cavalry.  This is one of the grandest mornings I ever beheld, the source of light sends his beams to us to cheer and strengthen us, all nature smiles, and reminds us in its vernal beauty, that it is again assuming its most gorgeous robe, a fit type of Christ’s resurrection which this day Easter Sunday should recall to our minds.  Why is not mortal man at peace with his fellows?  All things are so calm so peaceful around us this morning, and were it not for the war like habiliments worn by the men around me, I could almost forget that I too am a warrior engaged in martial combat for the preservation of the rights of man.  But to resume my thoughts of nature, let me ask: “Is war the normal condition of man”?  When I commune with nature, it tells me in my soul’s deep chambers, NO.  We permitted the main force of our column to precede us playing some national airs on brass instruments, which heightened our enthusiasm.  We reached Cotile Bayou, and crossed it on a bridge which the rebels attempted but failed to destroy.  We camped a few hundred yards from Red River, on Judge Boyce’s plantation about noon, in good spirts.

Saving...

Sunday 27. A soldier on a march must necessarily be an early riser, I must remark here that I am not in favor of this practice so earnestly commended to youth by some philosophers, I do love to indulge in that beautiful enjoyment sleep, but when it is necessary to rise early I can forsake my bed as early as any one. This morning we were not in a great haste to move, for long after sunrise we were still waiting for orders to move. Our force consists of Gen. A.J. Smith’s command, but is accompanied by considerable eastern cavalry. This is one of the grandest mornings I ever beheld, the source of light sends his beams to us to cheer and strengthen us, all nature smiles, and reminds us in its vernal beauty, that it is again assuming its most gorgeous robe, a fit type of Christ’s resurrection which this day Easter Sunday should recall to our minds. Why is not mortal man at peace with his fellows? All things are so calm so peaceful around us this morning, and were it not for the war like habiliments worn by the men around me, I could almost forget that I too am a warrior engaged in martial combat for the preservation of the rights of man. But to resume my thoughts of nature, let me ask: “Is war the normal condition of man”? When I commune with nature, it tells me in my soul’s deep chambers, NO. We permitted the main force of our column to precede us playing some national airs on brass instruments, which heightened our enthusiasm. We reached Cotile Bayou, and crossed it on a bridge which the rebels attempted but failed to destroy. We camped a few hundred yards from Red River, on Judge Boyce’s plantation about noon, in good spirts.