DIY History | Transcribe | Civil War Diaries and Letters | George C. Burmeister diary, 1861

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1861-08-11 -- 1861-08-13

Sun. 11. Early this morning our army commenced to retreat from Springfield, leaving most of its wounded and sick here, I could not walk without excessive pain, yet rather than fall into the hands of the enemy I was willing to endure this and so I managed to limp out of town, and as I was utterly unable to walk any longer, I got into a wagon and rode a short distance. No one can imagine how miserably the sick and wounded fare on a retreat, every one must take care of himself a very low value is placed on a man's life at such a time. The march was continued till after dark, we expected the enemy to pursue us, and [hardly?] supposed that any one would be so fortunate as to reach Rolla alive, since it was reported that Hardy was ahead of us with 1000 troops to cut us off. It rained, I left in a wagon.

Mon. 12. 
We suffered much from heat and thirst, and never before did I suppose man capable of enduring as much. Many teams gave out and had to be left. The road is very rough, the country a barren waste. I had scarcely anything to eat since Saturday and the stomach is beginning to make it's wants known. I joined my comp. again from which I had been absent for several days.
 
Tues. 13. 
Many of the Home Guards accompanied us, these would make pretty effective troops if they were thoroughly organized, and had a good leader, but as they are, they are rather a drawback than a benefit to the army. Passed through a small town called Lebanon where I was fortunate enough to buy something to eat to satisfy my hunger.

Saving...

Sun. 11. Early this morning our army commenced to retreat from Springfield, leaving most of its wounded and sick here, I could not walk without excessive pain, yet rather than fall into the hands of the enemy I was willing to endure this and so I managed to limp out of town, and as I was utterly unable to walk any longer, I got into a wagon and rode a short distance. No one can imagine how miserably the sick and wounded fare on a retreat, every one must take care of himself a very low value is placed on a man's life at such a time. The march was continued till after dark, we expected the enemy to pursue us, and [hardly?] supposed that any one would be so fortunate as to reach Rolla alive, since it was reported that Hardy was ahead of us with 1000 troops to cut us off. It rained, I left in a wagon. Mon. 12. We suffered much from heat and thirst, and never before did I suppose man capable of enduring as much. Many teams gave out and had to be left. The road is very rough, the country a barren waste. I had scarcely anything to eat since Saturday and the stomach is beginning to make it's wants known. I joined my comp. again from which I had been absent for several days. Tues. 13. Many of the Home Guards accompanied us, these would make pretty effective troops if they were thoroughly organized, and had a good leader, but as they are, they are rather a drawback than a benefit to the army. Passed through a small town called Lebanon where I was fortunate enough to buy something to eat to satisfy my hunger.