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

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1863-10-16

a short distance from here.  May our heavenly Father give us the victory, that our blessed country may soon have peace, and may we lose but few men.- - -  God I pray thee to protect me and my men, lead us safely through the battle, uphold us in the same by thy omnipotent hand, bless us, and finally save us for Christ’s sake; amen.  Remained in Brownsville a few hours; during our stay, the soldiers plundered the houses, and stores of the inhabitants.  One Israelite and family lives there, making his livelihood by selling all kinds of goods, as is common with his people; they care very little under what government they live so they make money.  The soldiers took most of his goods, which made him feel very bad, he declared himself a union man &co. but the men did not believe him, and helped themselves to his goods.  He is a German.  Three miles from here, we encountered the enemy in force in a strong position, on the opposite side of a creek, over which he had destroyed the bridge to prevent our men from crossing.  He was also shelling our advance.  We engaged him till 3 P.M. when our division took another course and outflanked the rebels.  Did some good marching.  Camped at 9 P.M.

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a short distance from here. May our heavenly Father give us the victory, that our blessed country may soon have peace, and may we lose but few men.- - - God I pray thee to protect me and my men, lead us safely through the battle, uphold us in the same by thy omnipotent hand, bless us, and finally save us for Christ’s sake; amen. Remained in Brownsville a few hours; during our stay, the soldiers plundered the houses, and stores of the inhabitants. One Israelite and family lives there, making his livelihood by selling all kinds of goods, as is common with his people; they care very little under what government they live so they make money. The soldiers took most of his goods, which made him feel very bad, he declared himself a union man &co. but the men did not believe him, and helped themselves to his goods. He is a German. Three miles from here, we encountered the enemy in force in a strong position, on the opposite side of a creek, over which he had destroyed the bridge to prevent our men from crossing. He was also shelling our advance. We engaged him till 3 P.M. when our division took another course and outflanked the rebels. Did some good marching. Camped at 9 P.M.