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

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1864-05-05 -- 1864-05-06

Thursday 5.  This morning we saw the rebels in our front very distinctly in squads.  Their advance picket fired on my men, we prepared for action but the rebels did not advance.  At 8 A.M. we returned to Moore’s plantation.  Cavalry is now going to the front.  It is said we will (illegible) a number of days.  Heavy cannonading and musketry were heard towards the river this morning.  Gov. Moore’s residence is plundered, and his out buildings, flour house and garden almost destroyed .  The rebels are shelling our cavalry, which returned in haste.  The enemy advanced again and came quite close this evening but was eventually repulsed.  We lost the “City Belle” says rumor, a transport loaded with 130th Ohio which regt was nearly annihilated.

Friday 6th  Have orders to leave at 6 A.M. whither we are going, I know not , but suppose we will travel towards the enemy.  Did not leave till 1 P.M. about half a mile from our camp we formed in line of battle and skirmished with the enemy, driving him before us.  We advanced in line over very rough ground for four miles, the enemy finally made a stand, and used his artillery on us.  We advanced on the double quick step to the bayou, our skirmishers engaged the enemy fiercely, and compelled him to move.  He left with his artillery in a hurry when we arrived.  He attempted to flank, but we soon discovered his movement, and compelled him to fall back.  We bivouacked in line of battle near the bayou, and my company went on picket.  We had a chain of pickets in front of our command.

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Thursday 5. This morning we saw the rebels in our front very distinctly in squads. Their advance picket fired on my men, we prepared for action but the rebels did not advance. At 8 A.M. we returned to Moore’s plantation. Cavalry is now going to the front. It is said we will (illegible) a number of days. Heavy cannonading and musketry were heard towards the river this morning. Gov. Moore’s residence is plundered, and his out buildings, flour house and garden almost destroyed . The rebels are shelling our cavalry, which returned in haste. The enemy advanced again and came quite close this evening but was eventually repulsed. We lost the “City Belle” says rumor, a transport loaded with 130th Ohio which regt was nearly annihilated. Friday 6th Have orders to leave at 6 A.M. whither we are going, I know not , but suppose we will travel towards the enemy. Did not leave till 1 P.M. about half a mile from our camp we formed in line of battle and skirmished with the enemy, driving him before us. We advanced in line over very rough ground for four miles, the enemy finally made a stand, and used his artillery on us. We advanced on the double quick step to the bayou, our skirmishers engaged the enemy fiercely, and compelled him to move. He left with his artillery in a hurry when we arrived. He attempted to flank, but we soon discovered his movement, and compelled him to fall back. We bivouacked in line of battle near the bayou, and my company went on picket. We had a chain of pickets in front of our command.