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

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1861-08-16 -- 1861-08-17

Frid. 16.  
Marched a long distance, crossed the Gasconade river, which is a very rapid stream of water came up to my breast, being stripped off, I held gun, clothes and accoutrements above my head, and was nearly given out as I stepped upon the opposite shore, some of the soldiers were not so fortunate being carried away by the swift current, they were rescued by horsemen, the horse being compelled to drag two or three of the poor fellows by its tail. The teams and artillery also had some difficulty crossing, but the passage was accomplished without losing a single life. We proceeded within 7 miles of Rolla, were we took supper and then took up our march for that place which we reached at 11 o'clock P.M. nearly tired out with fatigue. We knew we were going home and therefore we could endure it.

Sat. 17.  
We were overjoyed because our new new uniforms were presented to us, having followed us for seven weeks they remained here for us, coming at a very appropriate moment, most of us being clothed in rags at present. Our uniforms consist of coat pants and shoes, they are the best I have ever seen on any troops, bring gray trimmed with blue. I took a wash and threw my rags away and put on my new clothes. Got on board the cars at 10 [1/2?] A.M. and after an interesting trip arrived in St. Louis at the house of my friend H.E. Schuster, where I rec'd a hearty welcome.

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Frid. 16. Marched a long distance, crossed the Gasconade river, which is a very rapid stream of water came up to my breast, being stripped off, I held gun, clothes and accoutrements above my head, and was nearly given out as I stepped upon the opposite shore, some of the soldiers were not so fortunate being carried away by the swift current, they were rescued by horsemen, the horse being compelled to drag two or three of the poor fellows by its tail. The teams and artillery also had some difficulty crossing, but the passage was accomplished without losing a single life. We proceeded within 7 miles of Rolla, were we took supper and then took up our march for that place which we reached at 11 o'clock P.M. nearly tired out with fatigue. We knew we were going home and therefore we could endure it. Sat. 17. We were overjoyed because our new new uniforms were presented to us, having followed us for seven weeks they remained here for us, coming at a very appropriate moment, most of us being clothed in rags at present. Our uniforms consist of coat pants and shoes, they are the best I have ever seen on any troops, bring gray trimmed with blue. I took a wash and threw my rags away and put on my new clothes. Got on board the cars at 10 [1/2?] A.M. and after an interesting trip arrived in St. Louis at the house of my friend H.E. Schuster, where I rec'd a hearty welcome.