DIY History | Transcribe | Civil War Diaries and Letters | George C. Burmeister diary, 1864

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1864-02-15

Monday 15  I commenced to erect a small building for myself, the building will be 12 X 12 ft ten feet high with two feet slope two windows and a good floor.  The furniture will consist of two bunks one above another, each 2 ½ feet wide and 7 ft. long, one large table, two small benches one old chair, some pins nailed to the side of the house to hang clothes on,  one small tin stove and a piece of carpet.  Also not to be forgotten is the library which I confiscated at doctor Philip’s plantation.  Now don’t you think this is a very grand residence fo a captain?  Why not build a house like this in this country when building material is so cheap here?  We hear from General Sherman occasionally, the report from him still continues favorable he is pressing the rebels back, the rebels cannot comprehend his movement and fear he will move in some direction they least anticipate.  Negroes and deserters continue to come into our lines the latter appear to be very much dissatisfied with the Confederacy, and say they are fully convinced the rebels cannot hold out much longer, their army is demoralized on account of the promises which their government has made them and broken, and the small wages and the short rations they receive, also their poor and insufficient clothing.  They say they cannot fight for their principles any longer since their leaders are not true to them, and why should they sacrifice their lives in a cause which cannot succeed!

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Monday 15 I commenced to erect a small building for myself, the building will be 12 X 12 ft ten feet high with two feet slope two windows and a good floor. The furniture will consist of two bunks one above another, each 2 ½ feet wide and 7 ft. long, one large table, two small benches one old chair, some pins nailed to the side of the house to hang clothes on, one small tin stove and a piece of carpet. Also not to be forgotten is the library which I confiscated at doctor Philip’s plantation. Now don’t you think this is a very grand residence fo a captain? Why not build a house like this in this country when building material is so cheap here? We hear from General Sherman occasionally, the report from him still continues favorable he is pressing the rebels back, the rebels cannot comprehend his movement and fear he will move in some direction they least anticipate. Negroes and deserters continue to come into our lines the latter appear to be very much dissatisfied with the Confederacy, and say they are fully convinced the rebels cannot hold out much longer, their army is demoralized on account of the promises which their government has made them and broken, and the small wages and the short rations they receive, also their poor and insufficient clothing. They say they cannot fight for their principles any longer since their leaders are not true to them, and why should they sacrifice their lives in a cause which cannot succeed!