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

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1864-02-18 -- 1864-02-19

Thursday 18. In speaking of our Colonel, I desire further that I consider him a most excellent man as far as moral excellence is  concerned, and believe it is his intention to do right, but he is not a soldier and I fear never will be, he has not the material of which a good commander should be composed. A great many rumors reach me concerning general Smiths command of cavalry which should ere this have made a [illegible] with general Sherman, but on account of the delay of some Pennsylvania and New York troops, the enemy concentrated his cavalry forces under Generals Lee, Forrest, and Chalmers, and is reported to have defeated Gen. Smith and compelled him to fall back toward Memphis, and it is believed this will force General Sherman to return at once, he is said to be tearing up the R.R. at meridian.
Friday 19. A great stir is being made by politicians to nominate, or to bring certain influences to bear upon certain prominent men of our country which will nominate and elevate them to the highest positions which the people of our country can bestow on its citizens, the majority of the people and the soldiers are in favor of continuing the present president in office, our honest old Abraham; he is my first choice. S. P. Ohare our worthy secretary of the treasury, is favorably spoken of for the distinguished position of president of the United States. I think we should have a man at the helm of the ship of state, who can guide her steadily without compromise.

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Thursday 18. In speaking of our Colonel, I desire further that I consider him a most excellent man as far as moral excellence is concerned, and believe it is his intention to do right, but he is not a soldier and I fear never will be, he has not the material of which a good commander should be composed. A great many rumors reach me concerning general Smiths command of cavalry which should ere this have made a [illegible] with general Sherman, but on account of the delay of some Pennsylvania and New York troops, the enemy concentrated his cavalry forces under Generals Lee, Forrest, and Chalmers, and is reported to have defeated Gen. Smith and compelled him to fall back toward Memphis, and it is believed this will force General Sherman to return at once, he is said to be tearing up the R.R. at meridian. Friday 19. A great stir is being made by politicians to nominate, or to bring certain influences to bear upon certain prominent men of our country which will nominate and elevate them to the highest positions which the people of our country can bestow on its citizens, the majority of the people and the soldiers are in favor of continuing the present president in office, our honest old Abraham; he is my first choice. S. P. Ohare our worthy secretary of the treasury, is favorably spoken of for the distinguished position of president of the United States. I think we should have a man at the helm of the ship of state, who can guide her steadily without compromise.