DIY History | Transcribe | Civil War Diaries and Letters | George C. Burmeister diary, 1864

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1864-04-21

our camp and moved after some waiting through Grand Ecore to Natchitoches, where we arrived at four P.M. after five mile’s hard marching through dust and heat.  Our brigade was in the advance or nearly so.  We formed a line of battle on a hill near town and our cavalry went to the front, we heard the crack of rifles from which I supposed that they were skirmishing with the enemy.  Which I learned afterwards was the case.  We faced by the rear rank and stacked arms.  Smith’s command passed us and went into camp, a short distance a head of us.  My company was placed on picket half of it went to the right of Mons. Bride’s plantation and the other half went with me to said plantation, where I spent a pleasant evening, his sons all rebels paroled.  Had a nice bed to sleep in this night.

Thursday 21.  A cool cloudy morning this.  My men complain that they could not sleep last night on account of the numerous fleas in the place.  This is a great country for vermin of all kinds injurious to man and beast.  I was engaged in conversation with my men  and noticed John Huber of my company without his accoutrements standing at the fire.  He ordered me under arrest for permitting him to be without them.  I have told my men to keep their accoutrements on yet this John Huber is always very disobedient,  I have a great deal of trouble with him.  Col. Hill and Lt. Col. Keeler said they would see that I am released.  I had a most excellent time with Mons. Bride’s family.  Lt. Clark took command of my co.

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our camp and moved after some waiting through Grand Ecore to Natchitoches, where we arrived at four P.M. after five mile’s hard marching through dust and heat. Our brigade was in the advance or nearly so. We formed a line of battle on a hill near town and our cavalry went to the front, we heard the crack of rifles from which I supposed that they were skirmishing with the enemy. Which I learned afterwards was the case. We faced by the rear rank and stacked arms. Smith’s command passed us and went into camp, a short distance a head of us. My company was placed on picket half of it went to the right of Mons. Bride’s plantation and the other half went with me to said plantation, where I spent a pleasant evening, his sons all rebels paroled. Had a nice bed to sleep in this night. Thursday 21. A cool cloudy morning this. My men complain that they could not sleep last night on account of the numerous fleas in the place. This is a great country for vermin of all kinds injurious to man and beast. I was engaged in conversation with my men and noticed John Huber of my company without his accoutrements standing at the fire. He ordered me under arrest for permitting him to be without them. I have told my men to keep their accoutrements on yet this John Huber is always very disobedient, I have a great deal of trouble with him. Col. Hill and Lt. Col. Keeler said they would see that I am released. I had a most excellent time with Mons. Bride’s family. Lt. Clark took command of my co.