DIY History | Transcribe | Civil War Diaries and Letters | George C. Burmeister diary, 1863

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1863-05-11 -- 1863-05-12

Monday 11  About sunrise I marched the picket guard to our camp.  I found our regiment already formed, and just about to leave, we started on the march in good spirits, but I without any breakfast.  Passed many a fine deserted place.  The colored people manifested great joy at our approach, and told us they prayed constantly for our success and had been praying for this time for many years, many a “God bless you”, was sent after us as we passed them.  We suffered a great deal from the heat and dust today.  A great number of our men were compelled to remain behind, my first sergeant F. S. Koehler, is quite unwell.

Tuesday 12.  Early this morning we proceeded on our conquering march, I placed Frank in an ambulance, poor man, he seems to feel very unwell.  We travelled along slowly, saw some of the effects of war in killed horses and wounded men, at a destroyed bridge on the road.  The enemy is reported in heavy force immediately before us camped in a cornfield in line of battle.  What a peculiar feeling seizes a man, just before he expects to enter into a deadly conflict!

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Monday 11 About sunrise I marched the picket guard to our camp. I found our regiment already formed, and just about to leave, we started on the march in good spirits, but I without any breakfast. Passed many a fine deserted place. The colored people manifested great joy at our approach, and told us they prayed constantly for our success and had been praying for this time for many years, many a “God bless you”, was sent after us as we passed them. We suffered a great deal from the heat and dust today. A great number of our men were compelled to remain behind, my first sergeant F. S. Koehler, is quite unwell. Tuesday 12. Early this morning we proceeded on our conquering march, I placed Frank in an ambulance, poor man, he seems to feel very unwell. We travelled along slowly, saw some of the effects of war in killed horses and wounded men, at a destroyed bridge on the road. The enemy is reported in heavy force immediately before us camped in a cornfield in line of battle. What a peculiar feeling seizes a man, just before he expects to enter into a deadly conflict!