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

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1862-10-05 -- 1862-10-07

Sun. 5.  Early this morning the Governor, S.J. Kirkwood made his appearance, he visited the kitchens and barracks and was well satisfied with them, he praised mine specially and thinks it is best in camp.  The Gov. looks like a very plain farmer, he intends to stay and give us a speech tomorrow.  A good many people are here today.  The weather is very fine.
Mon. 6.  Company drill this forenoon and battalion drill this afternoon which the Gov. witnessed.  After which he addressed us, and told us to remember we had not only to fight nobly to gain laurels, but we had the hard task of upholding the bright fame of the Iowa soldiers.  He also touched the president’s proclamation which all the slaves of rebels free after the 1st day of January 1863.  He made us a very fair speech, at its close some of our officers followed who made some appropriate remarks.  
Tues. 7.  Last week we had a glorious old supper at the Colonel’s.  This evening we had a splendid one at the Major’s, which we enjoyed very much.  But after supper it commenced raining, and Capt. Doran and I sought shelter in the Pennsylvania House, where we were exceedingly troubled by musquitoes, so that we waged a continual war and got very little sleep, felt very little rested in the morning.

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Sun. 5. Early this morning the Governor, S.J. Kirkwood made his appearance, he visited the kitchens and barracks and was well satisfied with them, he praised mine specially and thinks it is best in camp. The Gov. looks like a very plain farmer, he intends to stay and give us a speech tomorrow. A good many people are here today. The weather is very fine. Mon. 6. Company drill this forenoon and battalion drill this afternoon which the Gov. witnessed. After which he addressed us, and told us to remember we had not only to fight nobly to gain laurels, but we had the hard task of upholding the bright fame of the Iowa soldiers. He also touched the president’s proclamation which all the slaves of rebels free after the 1st day of January 1863. He made us a very fair speech, at its close some of our officers followed who made some appropriate remarks. Tues. 7. Last week we had a glorious old supper at the Colonel’s. This evening we had a splendid one at the Major’s, which we enjoyed very much. But after supper it commenced raining, and Capt. Doran and I sought shelter in the Pennsylvania House, where we were exceedingly troubled by musquitoes, so that we waged a continual war and got very little sleep, felt very little rested in the morning.