Transcribe
Translate
George C. Burmeister diary, 1861
1861-06-14 -- 1861-06-15
More information
digital collection
archival collection guide
transcription tips
Frid. 14 board the H. & St. J. R.R. train, and met many people on the road who manifested their approbation by many signs. We relieved a company from Bloomfield Ia. at the bridge which went on with our regiment. We had hardly sufficient time to get our supper when we were sent out as guards for the bridge. shortly after we had taken our respective positions, one of my messmates, Johnston, fired his gun, and thus set the Camp in alarm. He ran toward me and I caught him, he told me, he had fired at a horseman, and supposed he had wounded him. After this we expected to be attacked, every now and then, one of our picket sentinels would fire, and sometimes three or four shots could be heard at a time. I thought if each shot was aimed at an enemy the woods must be filled with them, but most of them were shot at imaginary objects, as was afterward ascertained. No one slept scarcely a wink all night, fearing an attack. Satur. 15. Many suspicious looking strangers thronged to our camp during the day, we were also informed that an attack upon us was planned for to night, by over 300 secessionists with 80 men of cavalry, our captain sent for reinforcements, but it is rather doubtful, that they will arrive in time, as soon as at it grew dark we took a protected position in a neighboring forest, and slept, or rather lay on our arms
Saving...
prev
next
Frid. 14 board the H. & St. J. R.R. train, and met many people on the road who manifested their approbation by many signs. We relieved a company from Bloomfield Ia. at the bridge which went on with our regiment. We had hardly sufficient time to get our supper when we were sent out as guards for the bridge. shortly after we had taken our respective positions, one of my messmates, Johnston, fired his gun, and thus set the Camp in alarm. He ran toward me and I caught him, he told me, he had fired at a horseman, and supposed he had wounded him. After this we expected to be attacked, every now and then, one of our picket sentinels would fire, and sometimes three or four shots could be heard at a time. I thought if each shot was aimed at an enemy the woods must be filled with them, but most of them were shot at imaginary objects, as was afterward ascertained. No one slept scarcely a wink all night, fearing an attack. Satur. 15. Many suspicious looking strangers thronged to our camp during the day, we were also informed that an attack upon us was planned for to night, by over 300 secessionists with 80 men of cavalry, our captain sent for reinforcements, but it is rather doubtful, that they will arrive in time, as soon as at it grew dark we took a protected position in a neighboring forest, and slept, or rather lay on our arms
Civil War Diaries and Letters
sidebar
