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

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1861-12-23 -- 1861-12-25

Mon. 23.  The road to the school-house was [pretty?] hard to travel on account of the snow.  The weather is very pleasant.  My school is pretty noisy today, on account of the cough which has seized the majority of my pupils.
Tues. 24.  The weather is moderating to some extent.  My pupils are anxious not to have any school tomorrow, after questioning them closely they were told to spent Christmas profitably as a holiday.  I rec’d a letter from friend Judson.  This is Christmas eve, oh, how joyous this evening appeared to me in the days of my departed childhood, holy days, ever to be remembered by me.  But Santa Claus has no presents for me now.  
Wed. 25.  I did not have school today, stayed at home, part of the day, went hunting but did not shoot any thing.  In the evening I went to Oak Dale Chapel to see Mr. J. [Keaser?] married, he was married about two years ago to a woman, who was delivered of a fine boy three months after their marriage he disowned him, and obtained a divorce, I hope he is not deceived this time.  Shortly after the ceremony, the preacher read a hymn, the Congregation rose to sing, when an awful coughing seized them, a terrible confusion took place, and the meeting was broken up for a short time, all this fuss was occasioned by some cayenne pepper, which some one had put on the [stove?].

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Mon. 23. The road to the school-house was [pretty?] hard to travel on account of the snow. The weather is very pleasant. My school is pretty noisy today, on account of the cough which has seized the majority of my pupils. Tues. 24. The weather is moderating to some extent. My pupils are anxious not to have any school tomorrow, after questioning them closely they were told to spent Christmas profitably as a holiday. I rec’d a letter from friend Judson. This is Christmas eve, oh, how joyous this evening appeared to me in the days of my departed childhood, holy days, ever to be remembered by me. But Santa Claus has no presents for me now. Wed. 25. I did not have school today, stayed at home, part of the day, went hunting but did not shoot any thing. In the evening I went to Oak Dale Chapel to see Mr. J. [Keaser?] married, he was married about two years ago to a woman, who was delivered of a fine boy three months after their marriage he disowned him, and obtained a divorce, I hope he is not deceived this time. Shortly after the ceremony, the preacher read a hymn, the Congregation rose to sing, when an awful coughing seized them, a terrible confusion took place, and the meeting was broken up for a short time, all this fuss was occasioned by some cayenne pepper, which some one had put on the [stove?].