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

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1864-04-09

upon them, again and again we poured volley after volley into the wavering ranks of the rebels, now the enemy falls back gradually, he rallies once more his batteries open on us with shot, shell and canister, but our men press him until he runs totally routed, we pursue him and capture at least 150 prisoners, on, on we go into the forest, where we come upon their dismounted guns near which dead rebels lie in all directions.  We return to the main road since no rebels are visible on our front, after waiting here a short time a few rebels are again seen but we soon drove them back.  By the time it was dark, we returned to our brigade.  Cheer after cheer ascended from our men because we are the victors and hold the battlefield.  The bloodiest portion of the field was near a ditch which we had to pass, where rebels and federals lay dead, and wounded near each other.  We have saved the army of the Gulf, and have demonstrated to Banks that Sherman’s guerrillas can fight, a few of the eastern regiments in our vicinity did not fight well while a number of them displayed a great deal of bravery.  We rested from our work and looked up our dead and wounded.  My company lost one man killed, Franz Peterka, who was one of my best soldiers he always did his duty nobly without complaint, he fought like a hero and died like a patriot, in defense of his country and flag which he loved as an adopted citizen should love.  May his conduct inspire others to do as nobly.  Three of my men were wounded: Christian Merkel, below the knee severely; Fred Schmoker, in the left upper arm slightly and [Vanorman?] attached to my company from

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upon them, again and again we poured volley after volley into the wavering ranks of the rebels, now the enemy falls back gradually, he rallies once more his batteries open on us with shot, shell and canister, but our men press him until he runs totally routed, we pursue him and capture at least 150 prisoners, on, on we go into the forest, where we come upon their dismounted guns near which dead rebels lie in all directions. We return to the main road since no rebels are visible on our front, after waiting here a short time a few rebels are again seen but we soon drove them back. By the time it was dark, we returned to our brigade. Cheer after cheer ascended from our men because we are the victors and hold the battlefield. The bloodiest portion of the field was near a ditch which we had to pass, where rebels and federals lay dead, and wounded near each other. We have saved the army of the Gulf, and have demonstrated to Banks that Sherman’s guerrillas can fight, a few of the eastern regiments in our vicinity did not fight well while a number of them displayed a great deal of bravery. We rested from our work and looked up our dead and wounded. My company lost one man killed, Franz Peterka, who was one of my best soldiers he always did his duty nobly without complaint, he fought like a hero and died like a patriot, in defense of his country and flag which he loved as an adopted citizen should love. May his conduct inspire others to do as nobly. Three of my men were wounded: Christian Merkel, below the knee severely; Fred Schmoker, in the left upper arm slightly and [Vanorman?] attached to my company from