DIY History | Transcribe | Civil War Diaries and Letters | George C. Burmeister diary, 1862

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1862-02-22 -- 1862-02-24

Sat. 22 This is our Washington birthday, glorious day, that gave life to the father of his country.  Could this great man look down from heaven upon his country now, oh how must it grieve him to behold the people of his beloved land engaged in internecine strife.  I went to town, where the people were jubilant over the good news which came from the South recently viz: the capture of forts Henry and Donnelson, where thousands of stands of arms, ammunition, &co. over 15,000 men were made prisoners, of the rebels.  This great victory which breaks the very backbone of rebeldom, was achieved by our heroic Western boys, the honor belongs to them entirely.  I purchased several pictures at the auction room, some very fine ones.  I intend to offer them as prizes to the school.
Sun. 23. I scarcely went out of doors today, but spent my time in reading and lounging, not spending it as profitably as I might have done.  Still when a person has worked hard mentally he wants a little repose.
Mon. 24. I gave a new impetus to my school by offering premiums of the large pictures to the one who would excel in the following viz: 1st to the one who makes the least number of mistakes in the recitations for the coming two weeks.  2nd Best Essay. 3rd Best Declamation 4th Best Declamation (2d Class) 5th Most Improvement in Penmanship. 6th Best One in Dialogue.  It pleases the scholars much.

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Sat. 22 This is our Washington birthday, glorious day, that gave life to the father of his country. Could this great man look down from heaven upon his country now, oh how must it grieve him to behold the people of his beloved land engaged in internecine strife. I went to town, where the people were jubilant over the good news which came from the South recently viz: the capture of forts Henry and Donnelson, where thousands of stands of arms, ammunition, &co. over 15,000 men were made prisoners, of the rebels. This great victory which breaks the very backbone of rebeldom, was achieved by our heroic Western boys, the honor belongs to them entirely. I purchased several pictures at the auction room, some very fine ones. I intend to offer them as prizes to the school. Sun. 23. I scarcely went out of doors today, but spent my time in reading and lounging, not spending it as profitably as I might have done. Still when a person has worked hard mentally he wants a little repose. Mon. 24. I gave a new impetus to my school by offering premiums of the large pictures to the one who would excel in the following viz: 1st to the one who makes the least number of mistakes in the recitations for the coming two weeks. 2nd Best Essay. 3rd Best Declamation 4th Best Declamation (2d Class) 5th Most Improvement in Penmanship. 6th Best One in Dialogue. It pleases the scholars much.