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

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1863-07-07

found a few rebel pickets whom our battery shelled back, got ready for action but met no enemy.  Crossed the river, saw signs that the enemy had been there only a short time ago marched till late at night through heavy timber.  We got wet by a rain storm.  Encamped just outside of the timber.  Went to rest as soon as we had stacked arms.  About midnight a panic was raised in our brigade, by a few horses getting lose and a few men making a hideous noise.  Everything was in confusion for a few seconds, a number of the men took to their heels.  The 35th stood firm.  We supposed at first that the rebel cavalry had made a charge on us.  It was soon quieted however.  

Tuesday 7  We lay here till 7 A. M.  Marched slowly at first but increased our speed rapidly, and so did the heat, we rested very little; the men stood the march bravely as long as they could, but finally they dropped out of ranks very fast and at one time I did not have more than six men besides myself in my Company.  Reached Camp at 7 P. M. very tired, rested on our arms, during the night we suffered a great deal from a terrible rain storm.  We had but little protection, most of the men lay in the water, oh it was an awful night, and never while memory lasts will I forget its suffering.  Woe, thrice woe! to the enemies of our beloved country.

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found a few rebel pickets whom our battery shelled back, got ready for action but met no enemy. Crossed the river, saw signs that the enemy had been there only a short time ago marched till late at night through heavy timber. We got wet by a rain storm. Encamped just outside of the timber. Went to rest as soon as we had stacked arms. About midnight a panic was raised in our brigade, by a few horses getting lose and a few men making a hideous noise. Everything was in confusion for a few seconds, a number of the men took to their heels. The 35th stood firm. We supposed at first that the rebel cavalry had made a charge on us. It was soon quieted however. Tuesday 7 We lay here till 7 A. M. Marched slowly at first but increased our speed rapidly, and so did the heat, we rested very little; the men stood the march bravely as long as they could, but finally they dropped out of ranks very fast and at one time I did not have more than six men besides myself in my Company. Reached Camp at 7 P. M. very tired, rested on our arms, during the night we suffered a great deal from a terrible rain storm. We had but little protection, most of the men lay in the water, oh it was an awful night, and never while memory lasts will I forget its suffering. Woe, thrice woe! to the enemies of our beloved country.