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

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1864-03-21 Page 3

cavalry was scouring the country to find the enemy,  Co. “C” of our regiment was ordered from the rear of our regiment to the front on the double quick, to advance as skirmishers, the men were past care wet and weary but they went gladly to the front anxious to find the rebels.  They advanced half a mile in front of the column, when they were ordered to halt, to await further orders.  A short time afterwards our cavalry made its appearance and advanced as skirmishers and Co. “C.” was ordered back to the regiment.  By this time darkness was rapidly enveloping us, we were shivering with, cold and wet the rain was descending on us in large drops mixed with hail in almost streams of water, we had been wandering about in the pine forest for several hours, apparently lost, here we stood now, with wet feet and bodies, hungry and cold.  Some of the men attempted to kindle fires, but many a match and a considerable quantity of kindling wood were used before a sufficiently large flame was secured to withstand the pouring rain.  It was indeed a gloomy place to be in, dark, cold and stormy.  We dipped a few pints of water from the neighboring pools formed by the rain, and placed them on the fire congratulating ourselves on the fine coffee we would have to warm us, and strengthen us for further exertion.  Hark the bugle sounds, a forward, our coffee is just ready to be drank, but alas, it is poured into our cheerful fire, and mournfully we follow the steps of our comrades through mud and water, almost fainting and

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cavalry was scouring the country to find the enemy, Co. “C” of our regiment was ordered from the rear of our regiment to the front on the double quick, to advance as skirmishers, the men were past care wet and weary but they went gladly to the front anxious to find the rebels. They advanced half a mile in front of the column, when they were ordered to halt, to await further orders. A short time afterwards our cavalry made its appearance and advanced as skirmishers and Co. “C.” was ordered back to the regiment. By this time darkness was rapidly enveloping us, we were shivering with, cold and wet the rain was descending on us in large drops mixed with hail in almost streams of water, we had been wandering about in the pine forest for several hours, apparently lost, here we stood now, with wet feet and bodies, hungry and cold. Some of the men attempted to kindle fires, but many a match and a considerable quantity of kindling wood were used before a sufficiently large flame was secured to withstand the pouring rain. It was indeed a gloomy place to be in, dark, cold and stormy. We dipped a few pints of water from the neighboring pools formed by the rain, and placed them on the fire congratulating ourselves on the fine coffee we would have to warm us, and strengthen us for further exertion. Hark the bugle sounds, a forward, our coffee is just ready to be drank, but alas, it is poured into our cheerful fire, and mournfully we follow the steps of our comrades through mud and water, almost fainting and