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George C. Burmeister diary, 1864
1864-01-02
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Saturday 2. The eighth and twelfth Iowa regiments have enlisted as veterans, and will soon go home. The government is paying an enormous bounty not for veterans, but after the 5th inst. no bounty will be paid, and a draft be made in all their districts which have not followed promptly with their quotas of volunteers under the recent call of the president. I wish that some of those blatant opposition Democrats at home may be forced to shoulder the musket and strap the knapsacks on their backs, and march against the rebels, I think many of them would be changed in their views in a short time, and when they return to their homes would be better men and more dutiful citizens. Nothing of special note occurred in this vicinity today. Received a letter from my parents, it was not the most encouraging, father seems to be quite unwell, and permits many troubles to weigh on his mind heavily. My parents are in continual dread of hearing of our death, they feel as though Henry and I are half dead now, no persuasion will take away this melancholy idea. Besides they have been rather unfortunate in their work, the last year, have sustained some losses and heavy sickness, which have disheartened them to some extent. Sometime ago they wrote that Henry should not come home on a furlough because they could not bear to have him go away again. Well, I know that this war will soon be ended then we may go home and comfort them.
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Saturday 2. The eighth and twelfth Iowa regiments have enlisted as veterans, and will soon go home. The government is paying an enormous bounty not for veterans, but after the 5th inst. no bounty will be paid, and a draft be made in all their districts which have not followed promptly with their quotas of volunteers under the recent call of the president. I wish that some of those blatant opposition Democrats at home may be forced to shoulder the musket and strap the knapsacks on their backs, and march against the rebels, I think many of them would be changed in their views in a short time, and when they return to their homes would be better men and more dutiful citizens. Nothing of special note occurred in this vicinity today. Received a letter from my parents, it was not the most encouraging, father seems to be quite unwell, and permits many troubles to weigh on his mind heavily. My parents are in continual dread of hearing of our death, they feel as though Henry and I are half dead now, no persuasion will take away this melancholy idea. Besides they have been rather unfortunate in their work, the last year, have sustained some losses and heavy sickness, which have disheartened them to some extent. Sometime ago they wrote that Henry should not come home on a furlough because they could not bear to have him go away again. Well, I know that this war will soon be ended then we may go home and comfort them.
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