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

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1863-10-18

Sunday 18.  We started towards Clinton, having the advance this morning.  It seems that the enemy is non-get at ible, or that he is so heavily reinforced, that it is prudent for us to retire.  Reached Clinton about 2 P.M., heard cannonading on our route.  The town looks as it did when we saw it last, but seems to be deserted.  Took the road to Vicksburg, without entering Clinton.  Our soldiers are exceedingly expert in foraging, many a table, spread by the citizen ladies, with their best luxuries, is cleared by the soldiers.  The citizens look disapprobation, but do not express it in words.  It happened today that some of our men stepped into a house near the roadside and found a sumptuously prepared dinner, the people of the house had to wait on our men while these eat up all the victuals.  A few young ladies in attendance did not like the maneuver but had to submit to it.  We felt this day’s war very severely.  The distance which we travelled is at least twenty miles.  The men complain very much of being tired and foot sore.  Camped near Bolton, on our old camping ground.  Had a good supper, pitched my tent, and threw myself into the arms of Morpheus, where I sought sleep with pleasant dreams.

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Sunday 18. We started towards Clinton, having the advance this morning. It seems that the enemy is non-get at ible, or that he is so heavily reinforced, that it is prudent for us to retire. Reached Clinton about 2 P.M., heard cannonading on our route. The town looks as it did when we saw it last, but seems to be deserted. Took the road to Vicksburg, without entering Clinton. Our soldiers are exceedingly expert in foraging, many a table, spread by the citizen ladies, with their best luxuries, is cleared by the soldiers. The citizens look disapprobation, but do not express it in words. It happened today that some of our men stepped into a house near the roadside and found a sumptuously prepared dinner, the people of the house had to wait on our men while these eat up all the victuals. A few young ladies in attendance did not like the maneuver but had to submit to it. We felt this day’s war very severely. The distance which we travelled is at least twenty miles. The men complain very much of being tired and foot sore. Camped near Bolton, on our old camping ground. Had a good supper, pitched my tent, and threw myself into the arms of Morpheus, where I sought sleep with pleasant dreams.