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

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1864-04-13 -- 1864-04-14

will only return my journal, if they capture our transports, they are welcome to every other thing I have.  The river is falling rapidly and it is reported that a number of our gunboats can neither go up nor down the river.  We are certainly in a bad predicament and may suffer a great many hardships ere we are extricated.  Took Christian Merkel to the hospital at Grand Ecore today.  Bought some provisions there.

Wednesday 13  Great excitement in camp, the enemy is said to be advancing on us, we prepared for battle, but no enemy made his appearance.  Heavy cannonading is still heard in the direction of Compte.  Our boats have not arrived yet.  Last night the hearts of our men were made glad by the receipt of a very large mail.  I received twenty three letters, and as many papers.  The men did not retire to bed till very late tonight, reading their letters around their camp fires.  How glad all were.  What a delightful scene it was to see the men with smiling faces pouring over their letters.  O, you at home, if you could see us now reading the letters you wrote us you would feel amply repaid for your labor and write oftener.  A pontoon bridge was laid over the river and a heavy force crossed and marched towards the cannonading to assist in relieving our transports.

Thursday 14  Hurrah!  Some of our transports made their appearance this morning at our landing, a few are well riddled by bullets.  I took charge of a foraging party consisting of four co’s to go on the other side of the river.  As we reached the other side of the bayou we learned that the

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will only return my journal, if they capture our transports, they are welcome to every other thing I have. The river is falling rapidly and it is reported that a number of our gunboats can neither go up nor down the river. We are certainly in a bad predicament and may suffer a great many hardships ere we are extricated. Took Christian Merkel to the hospital at Grand Ecore today. Bought some provisions there. Wednesday 13 Great excitement in camp, the enemy is said to be advancing on us, we prepared for battle, but no enemy made his appearance. Heavy cannonading is still heard in the direction of Compte. Our boats have not arrived yet. Last night the hearts of our men were made glad by the receipt of a very large mail. I received twenty three letters, and as many papers. The men did not retire to bed till very late tonight, reading their letters around their camp fires. How glad all were. What a delightful scene it was to see the men with smiling faces pouring over their letters. O, you at home, if you could see us now reading the letters you wrote us you would feel amply repaid for your labor and write oftener. A pontoon bridge was laid over the river and a heavy force crossed and marched towards the cannonading to assist in relieving our transports. Thursday 14 Hurrah! Some of our transports made their appearance this morning at our landing, a few are well riddled by bullets. I took charge of a foraging party consisting of four co’s to go on the other side of the river. As we reached the other side of the bayou we learned that the