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

Transcribe
Translate

1862-11-22 -- 1862-11-23

Sat. 22 cry of anguish still rings in my ears, the many kind wishes of friends, hoping that we might speedily return safe to our homes. Such a day of parting I never seen before nor do I desire ever to witness it again. I kept a cheerful tone of mind during this parting ceremony, though many persons came to wish me farewell with tearful eyes, the thought that I was going out to do battle for my adopted father land, cheers me, and I hope that if I should fall in its defense, that others may be benefited by my sacrifice. Similar scenes on a smaller scale were enacted at the different stations until we got out of Muscatine County. We did not stop very long at any place, until we got to Lasalle, where we arrived late this evening, this seems to be a very poor place indeed, I do not like it. 
Sun. 23 Very early this morning the train started along our journey at pretty good speed. I soon discovered that seven of my men had been left behind in the various stations. We passed through some very fine country, and a few pleasantly situated towns I noticed the further south we got, the lower the country became. The men although crowded seen to enjoy the ride very much. Some of the men got very drunk in order to drown sorrow at leaving their families, but they are all sobering off nicely. I slept in the baggage car to night, had a nice sleep.

Saving...

Sat. 22 cry of anguish still rings in my ears, the many kind wishes of friends, hoping that we might speedily return safe to our homes. Such a day of parting I never seen before nor do I desire ever to witness it again. I kept a cheerful tone of mind during this parting ceremony, though many persons came to wish me farewell with tearful eyes, the thought that I was going out to do battle for my adopted father land, cheers me, and I hope that if I should fall in its defense, that others may be benefited by my sacrifice. Similar scenes on a smaller scale were enacted at the different stations until we got out of Muscatine County. We did not stop very long at any place, until we got to Lasalle, where we arrived late this evening, this seems to be a very poor place indeed, I do not like it. Sun. 23 Very early this morning the train started along our journey at pretty good speed. I soon discovered that seven of my men had been left behind in the various stations. We passed through some very fine country, and a few pleasantly situated towns I noticed the further south we got, the lower the country became. The men although crowded seen to enjoy the ride very much. Some of the men got very drunk in order to drown sorrow at leaving their families, but they are all sobering off nicely. I slept in the baggage car to night, had a nice sleep.