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

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1863-11-24

The town of Pocahontas numbered about 200 people, is situated on the north and south side of the M&C. Railroad, near the confluence of the Hatchie and Tuscumbia rivers.  The town is deserted by its former citizens, its present inhabitants are union soldiers, and families of refugees.  The surrounding country is hilly but the ground on which the town is built is level, this place had a hotel, which is now turned into the provost marshal’s office, a barber shop news depot &co., some frame houses are still standing on the south side of the Railroad, which were formerly occupied by small merchants, but now they are used by quartermasters and sutlers.  It has a church building which is used by our surgeon as a hospital.  My company and I were detailed to act as grand guard today, a number of people especially women and children were admitted into our lines.  In the evening we were relieved.  We went to our reg’t which is camp on the south side of the town, near the fort, where we prepared our quarters, by pitching our tents.  I found some difficulty in obtaining my baggage.  Since my quarters were not in order I stayed with Lt. Kern at the fort tonight.  Weather cold.

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The town of Pocahontas numbered about 200 people, is situated on the north and south side of the M&C. Railroad, near the confluence of the Hatchie and Tuscumbia rivers. The town is deserted by its former citizens, its present inhabitants are union soldiers, and families of refugees. The surrounding country is hilly but the ground on which the town is built is level, this place had a hotel, which is now turned into the provost marshal’s office, a barber shop news depot &co., some frame houses are still standing on the south side of the Railroad, which were formerly occupied by small merchants, but now they are used by quartermasters and sutlers. It has a church building which is used by our surgeon as a hospital. My company and I were detailed to act as grand guard today, a number of people especially women and children were admitted into our lines. In the evening we were relieved. We went to our reg’t which is camp on the south side of the town, near the fort, where we prepared our quarters, by pitching our tents. I found some difficulty in obtaining my baggage. Since my quarters were not in order I stayed with Lt. Kern at the fort tonight. Weather cold.