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

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1864-02-27 -- 1864-02-28

Saturday 27.  Finally today colonel Hill gave notice to the officers on parade that “hereafter the regiment would be formed in accordance with the rank of the captains, because the other regimens of our brigade had done so”.  I hoped he would say because it is in accordance with regulations, but he did not do so.  I had concluded to leave the regiment if I did not obtain my proper position.  I feel a little better now, still I wish this war would speedily, terminate, I am sick of it, there are so many things that annoy me in the army.  Some of our men are catching some very nice fish in the river, some soldiers attempted to dig out a pond, to lead the water into the river, this pond is full of fish, but they can not be easily obtained, I would love to have a dish of fish myself I have not had any for sometime.  
Sunday 28.  How foolishly I spend my time, here I sit and lie about not engaged in any particular thing sometimes sleeping for hours, I could employ it more profitably I know, but what a tremendous power habit will have over a person, I should leave off being so idle but many a time I make a resolution and break it as often as I make it.  I must be more diligent in the future for a man’s life is very short here and it is his duty to improve himself while he does live, only the thoroughly educated man can enjoy life properly.

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Saturday 27. Finally today colonel Hill gave notice to the officers on parade that “hereafter the regiment would be formed in accordance with the rank of the captains, because the other regimens of our brigade had done so”. I hoped he would say because it is in accordance with regulations, but he did not do so. I had concluded to leave the regiment if I did not obtain my proper position. I feel a little better now, still I wish this war would speedily, terminate, I am sick of it, there are so many things that annoy me in the army. Some of our men are catching some very nice fish in the river, some soldiers attempted to dig out a pond, to lead the water into the river, this pond is full of fish, but they can not be easily obtained, I would love to have a dish of fish myself I have not had any for sometime. Sunday 28. How foolishly I spend my time, here I sit and lie about not engaged in any particular thing sometimes sleeping for hours, I could employ it more profitably I know, but what a tremendous power habit will have over a person, I should leave off being so idle but many a time I make a resolution and break it as often as I make it. I must be more diligent in the future for a man’s life is very short here and it is his duty to improve himself while he does live, only the thoroughly educated man can enjoy life properly.