DIY History | Transcribe | Civil War Diaries and Letters | George C. Burmeister diary, 1861

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1861-07-14 -- 1861-07-16

Sun. 14. 
I was appointed sentinel for not being in ranks at the time my name was called for inspection of arms.  An execution of a soldier took place in the 1st Reg’t K.V. who was found guilty of murdering a comrade, he was shot, pierced by five balls, he died boldly no one could have died more bravely yet he died ignominiously.  It rained very hard.

Mond. 15  
This is a miserable day for standing guard since it is almost constantly raining.  Our rations are on the decrease we are receiving about one half cracker pr. meal.  Soldiers steal from one another, I bought a chicken and, some one stole the meat while it was sitting on the fire and left the bones for me, this was exceedingly sharp.

Tues. 16 
Early this morning, I started on a foraging party in the country, I was pretty successful in buying pies and milk, and had a glorious time.  But as I returned to camp I was informed that I was on guard for the next twenty four hours for being absent from battalion drill, so what I gain on one side I lose on the other, yet such is a soldier's life and I am well contented to “stand still and to see the salvation of the Lord”.  Feel well.

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Sun. 14. I was appointed sentinel for not being in ranks at the time my name was called for inspection of arms. An execution of a soldier took place in the 1st Reg’t K.V. who was found guilty of murdering a comrade, he was shot, pierced by five balls, he died boldly no one could have died more bravely yet he died ignominiously. It rained very hard. Mond. 15 This is a miserable day for standing guard since it is almost constantly raining. Our rations are on the decrease we are receiving about one half cracker pr. meal. Soldiers steal from one another, I bought a chicken and, some one stole the meat while it was sitting on the fire and left the bones for me, this was exceedingly sharp. Tues. 16 Early this morning, I started on a foraging party in the country, I was pretty successful in buying pies and milk, and had a glorious time. But as I returned to camp I was informed that I was on guard for the next twenty four hours for being absent from battalion drill, so what I gain on one side I lose on the other, yet such is a soldier's life and I am well contented to “stand still and to see the salvation of the Lord”. Feel well.