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

Transcribe
Translate

1864-04-09

the same to the train which was in their immediate rear and several batteries also all of which became an easy prey to the rebels, our infantry was hurried up the 13th corps first, but it was sent in by small details a brigade at a time, and though our men fought nobly, they were terribly cut up and compelled to fall back before superior numbers, the 19th corps was several hours behind when it should have been up with the 13th, the 19th is commanded by general Emery who is very much censured as is general Lee for permitting himself to be thus surprised.  It is said we lost one hundred and fifty wagons of subsistence, seventeen of ammunition and twenty cannons.  The number of killed wounded and prisoners is not known but must be quite large.  The 24th and 28th Iowa regts. are reported badly cut to pieces.  It was a poorly managed affair and general Banks has lost the confidence of his troops.  We waited till 3 P.M. when we left our camp and moved towards the enemy near the town of Pleasant Hill, firing was kept up vey briskly till five P.M. when it commenced very heavily; we are now, five P.M. in line of battle waiting for the enemy.  We did not wait long, our men are coming running, driven back by the victorious enemy, in great disorder.  The rebels are coming charging after our men, the shells and balls are striking around us fearfully.  Now our batteries on our right and left open on the cheering rebels, but scarcely had they fired when the rebels charge on them, but our line consisting of the 35th Iowa 33d Mo. and the 58th Ill. led by general Mower in person, gives the rebels a tremendous volley of musketry and rushes

Saving...

the same to the train which was in their immediate rear and several batteries also all of which became an easy prey to the rebels, our infantry was hurried up the 13th corps first, but it was sent in by small details a brigade at a time, and though our men fought nobly, they were terribly cut up and compelled to fall back before superior numbers, the 19th corps was several hours behind when it should have been up with the 13th, the 19th is commanded by general Emery who is very much censured as is general Lee for permitting himself to be thus surprised. It is said we lost one hundred and fifty wagons of subsistence, seventeen of ammunition and twenty cannons. The number of killed wounded and prisoners is not known but must be quite large. The 24th and 28th Iowa regts. are reported badly cut to pieces. It was a poorly managed affair and general Banks has lost the confidence of his troops. We waited till 3 P.M. when we left our camp and moved towards the enemy near the town of Pleasant Hill, firing was kept up vey briskly till five P.M. when it commenced very heavily; we are now, five P.M. in line of battle waiting for the enemy. We did not wait long, our men are coming running, driven back by the victorious enemy, in great disorder. The rebels are coming charging after our men, the shells and balls are striking around us fearfully. Now our batteries on our right and left open on the cheering rebels, but scarcely had they fired when the rebels charge on them, but our line consisting of the 35th Iowa 33d Mo. and the 58th Ill. led by general Mower in person, gives the rebels a tremendous volley of musketry and rushes