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

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1863-06-06 -- 1863-06-08

Saturday 6  Lt. Kranz and six of my men arrived from Duck Port La, with my company property.  I am glad they came for I need them.  Kranz brought me some magazines.  I was “Brigade Officer of the Day”, had considerable trouble in posting my pickets, got within a few yards of the rebel fort, watched nearly all night.  

Sunday  7  The musketry firing was quite brisk along our entire line.  In the evening I went out with the new officer of the day and assisted him in posting his pickets.  I sweat considerably, on account of having to climb the steep hills, in front of the rebel fort, I feel tired.  

Monday 8  I commenced writing some letters to my friends, when I was startled by one of my men with the report that private John Ernst from my company has been shot through the head by the rebel sharpshooters, while he was attempting to cross the road in front of our works, together with 20 other men, on a working party under the command of Lt. Evans, to whose incompetency I attribute his death.  He could have ordered him to the same place by a covered road, a short distance from the one where Ernst was shot.  I had him taken to the hospital where I expect him to die in a short time.  His brain appears injured, and he s insensible to surroundings.

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Saturday 6 Lt. Kranz and six of my men arrived from Duck Port La, with my company property. I am glad they came for I need them. Kranz brought me some magazines. I was “Brigade Officer of the Day”, had considerable trouble in posting my pickets, got within a few yards of the rebel fort, watched nearly all night. Sunday 7 The musketry firing was quite brisk along our entire line. In the evening I went out with the new officer of the day and assisted him in posting his pickets. I sweat considerably, on account of having to climb the steep hills, in front of the rebel fort, I feel tired. Monday 8 I commenced writing some letters to my friends, when I was startled by one of my men with the report that private John Ernst from my company has been shot through the head by the rebel sharpshooters, while he was attempting to cross the road in front of our works, together with 20 other men, on a working party under the command of Lt. Evans, to whose incompetency I attribute his death. He could have ordered him to the same place by a covered road, a short distance from the one where Ernst was shot. I had him taken to the hospital where I expect him to die in a short time. His brain appears injured, and he s insensible to surroundings.