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

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1864-04-25

artillery occupied this bluff and commanded the approaches to the crossing, but Gen. Bank’s parrott guns made the rebels leave the position.  Three miles from the bridge we rested nearly an hour.  Gen. Banks and staff passed us here, going to the front, he looks care worn.  Skirmishing was very heavy in our rear, our artillery opened on the rebels who deemed it prudent to keep a respectable distance.  While marching along the road I noticed some old negroes and their spouses who were scarcely able to walk, they were toddling along with us to enjoy their liberty, but I fear some will find it brief on earth.  Some were lying on the road side tired out.  One old man and woman were specially noticed, the woman was so old and feeble that it was exceedingly difficult for her to walk, she sat down frequently and rested, we went on very unwillingly finally the coaxing and threatening to leave her of her old man, seemed to be of no avail to make her go farther.  She moaned and protested she could go no farther.  The old man took hold of her and pulled her along.  Other women and men were carrying heavy loads or children, and had a number of small children running beside them, it was a sorry sight indeed to see these negroes suffering so much.  It was eleven P.M. when we reached Catitle Landing; camped on judge Boyce’s plantation very tired from this day’s march.

Monday 25.  The soldiers made a charge on Judge Boyce’s smoke house and store house, and carried off in triumph a considerable quantity of meat sugar &co.  Gen. Banks Hd. Qrs. is here, his guard could not control the soldiers.  I would like to know what he thinks of Smith’s guerillas now?  At ten A.M. we left our camp and headed towards Henderson Hill, near which our troops were skirmishing with the enemy, who was trying to obtain the Hill to place his batteries on, but we passed the place in safety, and camped  16 m. from town.

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artillery occupied this bluff and commanded the approaches to the crossing, but Gen. Bank’s parrott guns made the rebels leave the position. Three miles from the bridge we rested nearly an hour. Gen. Banks and staff passed us here, going to the front, he looks care worn. Skirmishing was very heavy in our rear, our artillery opened on the rebels who deemed it prudent to keep a respectable distance. While marching along the road I noticed some old negroes and their spouses who were scarcely able to walk, they were toddling along with us to enjoy their liberty, but I fear some will find it brief on earth. Some were lying on the road side tired out. One old man and woman were specially noticed, the woman was so old and feeble that it was exceedingly difficult for her to walk, she sat down frequently and rested, we went on very unwillingly finally the coaxing and threatening to leave her of her old man, seemed to be of no avail to make her go farther. She moaned and protested she could go no farther. The old man took hold of her and pulled her along. Other women and men were carrying heavy loads or children, and had a number of small children running beside them, it was a sorry sight indeed to see these negroes suffering so much. It was eleven P.M. when we reached Catitle Landing; camped on judge Boyce’s plantation very tired from this day’s march. Monday 25. The soldiers made a charge on Judge Boyce’s smoke house and store house, and carried off in triumph a considerable quantity of meat sugar &co. Gen. Banks Hd. Qrs. is here, his guard could not control the soldiers. I would like to know what he thinks of Smith’s guerillas now? At ten A.M. we left our camp and headed towards Henderson Hill, near which our troops were skirmishing with the enemy, who was trying to obtain the Hill to place his batteries on, but we passed the place in safety, and camped 16 m. from town.