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

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1864-03-02 -- 1864-03-03

Wednesday 2.  This morning a part of Sherman’s troops came in, they report that the object of their expedition has been accomplished, they went a short distance below Meridian destroyed part of the railroad there tore up nearly all the bridges, so effectually  that if the Confederacy had all the material to rebuild them, it would last at least six months labor.  They also state that the line of their march is marked with ruins, and destruction of all kinds of property they marched through the Eden of the Confederacy, and laid it waste as they passed thru it.  Some horrid tales are told of direful outrages committed by our troops, some of which act more like fiends and brutes than like Christian Union Soldiers, but of course one knows some bad ones are found everywhere.  
Thursday 3.  I am engaged now (and have been devoting some time every day for this) in drilling my men in the skirmish drill, my company as a flanking company must understand this peculiar and very important drill.  My men are very much interested in it and are exceedingly anxious to learn it.  The rumor is now that we will soon leave here, some report that we are going to Red River others that we are to report at Memphis, the general impression is however that we are going to Red River, and general impressions in the army are generally correct.  I am getting my things in such a shape so to be able to leave at a moment warning.  A great many negroes have been brought into our lives with the returning expedition, they were claimed by the 17th Army Corps.

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Wednesday 2. This morning a part of Sherman’s troops came in, they report that the object of their expedition has been accomplished, they went a short distance below Meridian destroyed part of the railroad there tore up nearly all the bridges, so effectually that if the Confederacy had all the material to rebuild them, it would last at least six months labor. They also state that the line of their march is marked with ruins, and destruction of all kinds of property they marched through the Eden of the Confederacy, and laid it waste as they passed thru it. Some horrid tales are told of direful outrages committed by our troops, some of which act more like fiends and brutes than like Christian Union Soldiers, but of course one knows some bad ones are found everywhere. Thursday 3. I am engaged now (and have been devoting some time every day for this) in drilling my men in the skirmish drill, my company as a flanking company must understand this peculiar and very important drill. My men are very much interested in it and are exceedingly anxious to learn it. The rumor is now that we will soon leave here, some report that we are going to Red River others that we are to report at Memphis, the general impression is however that we are going to Red River, and general impressions in the army are generally correct. I am getting my things in such a shape so to be able to leave at a moment warning. A great many negroes have been brought into our lives with the returning expedition, they were claimed by the 17th Army Corps.