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

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1863-11-01

companies of it were recruited in Muscatine County.  The governor hesitated at first, but upon being urged by some of his political friends to commission him as colonel, he did so.  Colonel Hill did not receive my support very freely; I wanted a man of some military experience,  in fact a soldier, who should make our regiment the proudest of our state, one which the people of Muscatine County, upon which they lavished so many favors, would feel proud to own, yet after I saw that Colonel Hill was to command us, I cheerfully gave him all my support and at first I felt glad to see him, so much interested in organizing the regiment.  He took a great deal of pains to perfect us in drill.  He did pretty well at Camp Strong, seemed amiable, and willing to be approached by the line officers, and to give advice.  After we had been at Cairo for a short time, his true nature appeared, he acted more like a petty tyrant, than like a generous soldier.  We began to dislike him since he became indolent, and apparently indifferent about the regiment.  We were very much neglected by him.  He did not attempt to listen to us when our men complained about not receiving pay and their rations & clothing properly.

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companies of it were recruited in Muscatine County. The governor hesitated at first, but upon being urged by some of his political friends to commission him as colonel, he did so. Colonel Hill did not receive my support very freely; I wanted a man of some military experience, in fact a soldier, who should make our regiment the proudest of our state, one which the people of Muscatine County, upon which they lavished so many favors, would feel proud to own, yet after I saw that Colonel Hill was to command us, I cheerfully gave him all my support and at first I felt glad to see him, so much interested in organizing the regiment. He took a great deal of pains to perfect us in drill. He did pretty well at Camp Strong, seemed amiable, and willing to be approached by the line officers, and to give advice. After we had been at Cairo for a short time, his true nature appeared, he acted more like a petty tyrant, than like a generous soldier. We began to dislike him since he became indolent, and apparently indifferent about the regiment. We were very much neglected by him. He did not attempt to listen to us when our men complained about not receiving pay and their rations & clothing properly.