Beautiful Weather - Storm
Company D - A - C - F.
Towards ten o'clock Marching Orders. The first two Divisions to take the lead. I am writing to Philipp and to my wife.
11:30 o'clock March begins.
1:45 o'clock arrival in Rose Hill, under the command of Major Semsey.
Adjutant Grassau collected $100.00 from the Lieutenants for the music.
Captain Doebke Company D remains in Rosehill.
Bickelhaupt Company H to Anandale.
Company C and part of Company A to the sawmill.
We do not find there either Sentry or Pickets and must return to the House where on the Second of December Sergeant Erhard, Picket Company A, was left there.
5 Sergeants, 7 Corporals, 1 tambour, (Drummer) Terret Junior, 3 Officers, 65 Privates (81)
Lieutant Grabner Company A.
Sergeant Korn Company D.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Monday, February 27, 2012
February. Thursday 27, 1862
On watch with Lieutenant Matthesins, Company C.
Officer's Meeting.
Immediate marching orders. To be ready at a moment's notice.
Blen Bank address submitted, however their signature was refused owing to regulations.
Company C is getting again Remington rifles, since the necessary tools for the Enfield rifles can not be obtained.
Lieutenant Hoefer orders his sabre. Captain Doebke receives same as present from his company.
Weather pleasant with a cold dry wind.
I receive regards through Postmaster Ruf from a member of the Berlin Craftsmen Guild: Kallenbach Lieutenant in the 52nd Regiment N.Y.V. Sumners-Division.
Sergeant Muller intends to take leave to go to New York (Illness)
I am giving him the photographs of our Officers and also my opera glasses from Paris to be repaired.
Corporal Krieger advanced to Sergeant. Acting Sergeant Clehsin feels slighted.
Officer's Meeting.
Immediate marching orders. To be ready at a moment's notice.
Blen Bank address submitted, however their signature was refused owing to regulations.
Company C is getting again Remington rifles, since the necessary tools for the Enfield rifles can not be obtained.
Lieutenant Hoefer orders his sabre. Captain Doebke receives same as present from his company.
Weather pleasant with a cold dry wind.
I receive regards through Postmaster Ruf from a member of the Berlin Craftsmen Guild: Kallenbach Lieutenant in the 52nd Regiment N.Y.V. Sumners-Division.
Sergeant Muller intends to take leave to go to New York (Illness)
I am giving him the photographs of our Officers and also my opera glasses from Paris to be repaired.
Corporal Krieger advanced to Sergeant. Acting Sergeant Clehsin feels slighted.
Sunday, February 26, 2012
February, Wednesday 26, 1862
Target practice with the revolver.
Lieutenant Tillbach has bought a sabre from Vienna. 20 M.
Announcement in the Guardhouse regarding the Power of Judgement in the Rules and Rights of Warfare.
Soldiers pack sandbags about 20-25 lbs.
Rumor of Marching Orders.
Sergeant Siebert from Company C Degraded for one month.
Lieutenant Tillbach has bought a sabre from Vienna. 20 M.
Announcement in the Guardhouse regarding the Power of Judgement in the Rules and Rights of Warfare.
Soldiers pack sandbags about 20-25 lbs.
Rumor of Marching Orders.
Sergeant Siebert from Company C Degraded for one month.
Saturday, February 25, 2012
February, Tuesday 25, 1862
My watch from Tuesday afternoon until Wednesday afternoon.
The weather was beautiful and the watch passed without any extra trouble.
My watch with Company A was exceptional since quite a number of Officers of same Company are on leave.
The weather was beautiful and the watch passed without any extra trouble.
My watch with Company A was exceptional since quite a number of Officers of same Company are on leave.
Friday, February 24, 2012
February, Sunday 23, 1862
Morning: Sunday watch until Monday afternoon.
Company C on watch. I am officer of the Guard.
Gronen finishes the pictures for the SON OF THE DUKE OF ANANDALE.
Company C on watch. I am officer of the Guard.
Gronen finishes the pictures for the SON OF THE DUKE OF ANANDALE.
February, Monday 24, 1862
Captain Woller is going on leave to New York. I am giving him, mine and Hoefer's sabre scabbard, to exchange same for a handsewn leather one.
$5.00 in advance.
Target practice with revolver. I lose the fulcrum to lead the gun, gun expert repairs it.
Morning 11 o'clock rain. After that we had an unheard of storm.
All Officers tents in danger.
Hospital tent and others completely blown down.
The storm lasts until 12 o'clock midnight.
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
February, Saturday 22, 1862
Washington's Birthday.
We are moving out with bag and baggage to Bailys Crossing and camp there. During our March we encounter a horrible muck (mire) which was especially bad on the way back, we had difficulty getting through. Notwithstanding all that, the men are in the best of humor and the march home was accomplished in one hour.
In the afternoon every Company received a barrel of beer.
Singing and cheers filled the air.
We are moving out with bag and baggage to Bailys Crossing and camp there. During our March we encounter a horrible muck (mire) which was especially bad on the way back, we had difficulty getting through. Notwithstanding all that, the men are in the best of humor and the march home was accomplished in one hour.
In the afternoon every Company received a barrel of beer.
Singing and cheers filled the air.
Monday, February 20, 2012
February, Monday 3, 1862
A.M. Officers meeting.
Captain Dessauer's Decline from Yesterday. (Beercaptain)
Idler and Doebke enlightenment. Made up. Tillbach, Dross and Spangenberg reconciliation.
Straw must be obtained for the people (men) who are practically without it in their tents and the Government is not sending any. No whiskey is to be poured anymore.
Court of inquiry in affairs Lieutenant Troth, Doebke and Lutz.
Watch shall, in the future, be only through one Company at a time as ordered.
In the evening delightful concert in room. Tent?*
*Editorial comment
Captain Dessauer's Decline from Yesterday. (Beercaptain)
Idler and Doebke enlightenment. Made up. Tillbach, Dross and Spangenberg reconciliation.
Straw must be obtained for the people (men) who are practically without it in their tents and the Government is not sending any. No whiskey is to be poured anymore.
Court of inquiry in affairs Lieutenant Troth, Doebke and Lutz.
Watch shall, in the future, be only through one Company at a time as ordered.
In the evening delightful concert in room. Tent?*
*Editorial comment
February, Thursday 20, 1862
General Courtmartial against Captain Schoenecker at Headquarters of the 27th Regiment P.V.
Presiding General Von Armsberg. Judge Advocate.
Fire arms bought.
Witnesses: Lieutenant Colonel Wratislaw, Major Semsey, Adjutant Michaelis, Captain Bickelhaupt, Lieutenants Heil, Grassau, Bisky, Sergeants Bronen and Elehsin.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
February, Wednesday 19, 1862
Rain during the entire day.
Gronen is copying the pictures for a biography of the Duke of Annadale.
Sergeant Siebers of Company C Regiment 16, courtmartialed on account of ill treatment and abuse against DeLeyer. He rejects Lieutenant Grassua as member of the court.
Gronen is copying the pictures for a biography of the Duke of Annadale.
Sergeant Siebers of Company C Regiment 16, courtmartialed on account of ill treatment and abuse against DeLeyer. He rejects Lieutenant Grassua as member of the court.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
February, Tuesday 18, 1862
Warm weather, no rain.
Morning: Fencing practice.
The Assemble House that was started for Company C has been abandoned instead a Kitchen is to be made out of it.
Afternoon: Hoefer and I are going to buy straw for the Company. During the entire time the regiment has received straw only once and same has now become unfit for further use.
Victory reports of the Kentucky Army.
Fort Donaldson taken. 15,000 prisoners.
Morning: Fencing practice.
The Assemble House that was started for Company C has been abandoned instead a Kitchen is to be made out of it.
Afternoon: Hoefer and I are going to buy straw for the Company. During the entire time the regiment has received straw only once and same has now become unfit for further use.
Victory reports of the Kentucky Army.
Fort Donaldson taken. 15,000 prisoners.
Friday, February 17, 2012
February, Monday 17, 1862
Rain alternately turning to ice.
Watch is taken over by Lieutenants Lutz and Tillbach, Company D.
Evening: Christening of Lieutenant Peter's Company J, nine month old son, in the name of God, Love and Freedom. After that, Birthday celebration of Landmanns's wife.
Toasts and unanimous merrymaking by all present.
Watch is taken over by Lieutenants Lutz and Tillbach, Company D.
Evening: Christening of Lieutenant Peter's Company J, nine month old son, in the name of God, Love and Freedom. After that, Birthday celebration of Landmanns's wife.
Toasts and unanimous merrymaking by all present.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
February, Sunday 16, 1862
Morning: Inspection of Arms by Company.
Afterwards Church Servce.
Afternoon: Beginning of our watch.
Countersign EASTON.
Weather dry and pleasant, Evening warmer.
During the night rain turning to ice.
Watch without extra trouble.
Afterwards Church Servce.
Afternoon: Beginning of our watch.
Countersign EASTON.
Weather dry and pleasant, Evening warmer.
During the night rain turning to ice.
Watch without extra trouble.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
February, Saturday 15, 1862
Snowstorm and cold all day
I am writing a letter to Philipp Liedenberg. (sic)*
*Must be Philipp Lindenberg, his nephew.
I am writing a letter to Philipp Liedenberg. (sic)*
*Must be Philipp Lindenberg, his nephew.
February, Friday 14, 1862
Doubtful Weather.
I am taking a walk with Doctor Idler. The Murder Story is being painted into twelve pictures by painters of the Regiment. Lieutenant Hoefer as Ballad Singer, Lieutenant Wiegand as his wife, Captain Doebke as Royal Wet Nurse with a septre all rouged and dressed up. Also four to five musicians.
Evening: Nine o'clock, in honor of Woller's birthday, reciting in Officers Dining Room.
Lieutenant Tillback celebrated his 50th Birthday.
Later visit by Doctor Idler and Captain Korh until Two o'clock in the morning.
Lieutenant Wratislaw
I am taking a walk with Doctor Idler. The Murder Story is being painted into twelve pictures by painters of the Regiment. Lieutenant Hoefer as Ballad Singer, Lieutenant Wiegand as his wife, Captain Doebke as Royal Wet Nurse with a septre all rouged and dressed up. Also four to five musicians.
Evening: Nine o'clock, in honor of Woller's birthday, reciting in Officers Dining Room.
Lieutenant Tillback celebrated his 50th Birthday.
Later visit by Doctor Idler and Captain Korh until Two o'clock in the morning.
Lieutenant Wratislaw
February, Thursday 13, 1862
Morning:
Officers Meeting.
General Concilliation.
Withdrawal of resignations and charges.
Target practice with half the Company.
Evening:
Concert.
During the night from 11 o'clock P.M. To 2:30 A.M. composing the heroic deeds of the Duke of Annadale. Captain Woller in form of a Murder story.
Officers Meeting.
General Concilliation.
Withdrawal of resignations and charges.
Target practice with half the Company.
BEAUTIFUL SPRING WEATHER
Evening:
Concert.
During the night from 11 o'clock P.M. To 2:30 A.M. composing the heroic deeds of the Duke of Annadale. Captain Woller in form of a Murder story.
February, Wednesday 12, 1862
Morning: Company Drill.
Afternoon: Target Practice.
Evening: Moulding Bullets for Revolvers.
Report of the success of the Burnside Expedition.
Roanoke Island and Norfolk taken.
Afternoon: Target Practice.
Evening: Moulding Bullets for Revolvers.
Report of the success of the Burnside Expedition.
Roanoke Island and Norfolk taken.
February, Tuesday 11, 1862
Dedication of the flag of the 27th Regiments P.V. Flag presented by the German Women of Pennsylvania. First cheer for General Blenker, Second cheer for Col. Buschbeck, Third cheer for Col. Brigadier Bohlen of the 40th. Afterwards splendid dinner with wine and champagne. Later dance. (Col. Utassy Streis).
My toast for a General who is, from the highest Officer to the lowest Private, awaited with longing. He alone is capable to restore unity and harmony not only in the German Divisions but in the entire U.S.A. Army. I mean "General Marsch." Also called "Long Tall." May his iron command lead us ahead very soon.
My toast for a General who is, from the highest Officer to the lowest Private, awaited with longing. He alone is capable to restore unity and harmony not only in the German Divisions but in the entire U.S.A. Army. I mean "General Marsch." Also called "Long Tall." May his iron command lead us ahead very soon.
February, Monday 10, 1862
Morning: Target practice with revolver, Doctor Idler, Michaelis, Hoefer, Searles.
Company Drill
Afternoon:
Camp C Target practice with the new large target disk. I use my revolver. Private Nierweiler's gun explodes. He had loaded four cartridges into same.
Evening:
Concert in officers tent
Captain Barnell from the Mounted Rifles.
Report of the resignations of Major Semsey, Captain Hochleiter, Dessauer's, Maynard, Lieutenant Cyermely.
I receive letter from Columbus.
Company Drill
Afternoon:
Camp C Target practice with the new large target disk. I use my revolver. Private Nierweiler's gun explodes. He had loaded four cartridges into same.
Evening:
Concert in officers tent
Captain Barnell from the Mounted Rifles.
Report of the resignations of Major Semsey, Captain Hochleiter, Dessauer's, Maynard, Lieutenant Cyermely.
I receive letter from Columbus.
February, Sunday 9, 1862
Cold weather.
I am buying myself a pair of high boots from shoe Schaefer with Landmanns assignment. $9.00---
In the evening fire in Camp C. One tent burns down.
I am buying myself a pair of high boots from shoe Schaefer with Landmanns assignment. $9.00---
In the evening fire in Camp C. One tent burns down.
February, Thursday 6, 1862
Morning: Rain.
Fencing Practice.
Afternoon: Company C on watch.
February 7th and 8th Blank.
Fencing Practice.
Afternoon: Company C on watch.
February 7th and 8th Blank.
February, Wednesday 5, 1862
Hoefer and I to the Black Hunters.
Afternoon: Revolver practice alone.
Company B on Watch.
Captain Hochleiter under camp arrest on account of refusal of recognition of the Court f Inquiry and now in member of same.
Evening: Concert in officer's dining room.
Letter from Kunz and my wife. Wine for Schaefer.
Afternoon: Revolver practice alone.
Company B on Watch.
Captain Hochleiter under camp arrest on account of refusal of recognition of the Court f Inquiry and now in member of same.
Evening: Concert in officer's dining room.
Letter from Kunz and my wife. Wine for Schaefer.
Undated but surely Feb. Tuesday 4, 1862
A.M.
Continuation of Court Inquiry.
P.M.
Revolver cleaned and shooting.
Continuation of Court Inquiry.
P.M.
Revolver cleaned and shooting.
February, Sunday 2, 1862
Inspection of arms.
Arrival of box from New York with 6 bottles of wine, one lantern from Waibel and notebook, Bayrum from Schulze.
Wine for Idler-2, Michaels-2, Schaefer-1, Night Watch-1.
Visit from Idler.
Afternoon shooting practice with revolver.
Towards evening riotous noise in Company B (Captain Dessauer's)
Lieutenant Spangenberg Officer of the Day.
Wiegand Officer of the Guard.
Twenty-five prisoners.
Company A on Watch.
Februrary 3rd is posted Feb. 20, 2012, Please read that next. I have been unable to move it.
Arrival of box from New York with 6 bottles of wine, one lantern from Waibel and notebook, Bayrum from Schulze.
Wine for Idler-2, Michaels-2, Schaefer-1, Night Watch-1.
Visit from Idler.
Afternoon shooting practice with revolver.
Towards evening riotous noise in Company B (Captain Dessauer's)
Lieutenant Spangenberg Officer of the Day.
Wiegand Officer of the Guard.
Twenty-five prisoners.
Company A on Watch.
Februrary 3rd is posted Feb. 20, 2012, Please read that next. I have been unable to move it.
My comments on posting this blog
It is my intention to to get the daily entries posted up to date as quickly as possible. Thereafter I will post the daily entries on the actual date they were written 150 years ago. There are days that no entries were made in the diary. On those days there will either be no post or I will post random information about Bisky and his family.
February, Saturday 1, 1862
My relief from the watch through Lieutenant Rath and Captain Birkel.
Hauptmann, Officer of the Day.
Four prisoners from Company J under charge. The fifth (by W.A. BR.) has been set free by Captain Birkel. Because of an existing conflict between Birkel and Hochleiter, who is getting support in his action by Major Semsey, (Chief and Superiors in Washington.) Birkel, Hauptmann turn in their sabres.
CHARGES FROM ALL SIDES
Hauptmann, Officer of the Day.
Four prisoners from Company J under charge. The fifth (by W.A. BR.) has been set free by Captain Birkel. Because of an existing conflict between Birkel and Hochleiter, who is getting support in his action by Major Semsey, (Chief and Superiors in Washington.) Birkel, Hauptmann turn in their sabres.
CHARGES FROM ALL SIDES
January, Friday 31, 1862
Morning: Fencing practice.
Afternoon:Shooting practice with revolver at twenty paces with Captain Korh.
My watch with Lieutenant Heil, Officer of the Day.
During the night noise and drunkenness in Company J. The entire Watch had to move out. Five men in Company J arrested. Two men had delirium tremens. Major in command and Doctor in guardhouse to investigate the situation. In the morning strict orders no whiskey to be poured in the future by the Sutler.
During the night snow fell.
Countersign Louisville.
During the night one of the delirium patients is taken to the hospital. Nevertheless the following day Captain Hochleiter was sent into the guardhouse with a four day Watch sentence.
Afternoon:Shooting practice with revolver at twenty paces with Captain Korh.
My watch with Lieutenant Heil, Officer of the Day.
During the night noise and drunkenness in Company J. The entire Watch had to move out. Five men in Company J arrested. Two men had delirium tremens. Major in command and Doctor in guardhouse to investigate the situation. In the morning strict orders no whiskey to be poured in the future by the Sutler.
During the night snow fell.
Countersign Louisville.
During the night one of the delirium patients is taken to the hospital. Nevertheless the following day Captain Hochleiter was sent into the guardhouse with a four day Watch sentence.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
January, Thursday 30, 1872
January, Thursday 30, 1862
Rainy weather
These notes can, according to their nature, serve only as a guiding thread for the personal remembrances of the writer.
Rainy weather
These notes can, according to their nature, serve only as a guiding thread for the personal remembrances of the writer.
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Opening comments to the Civil War Diary of Louis Bisky, NY 45th Volunteers
Ludwig Friedrich Bisky emigrated to the US from Berlin, Prussia arriving at NY 9 May 1850. from Hamburg on the British Queen, age 32, goldsmith, Berlin, Prussia.
("Germans to America" Lists of Passengers Arriving in U.S. Ports,
1850-1855, Vol. 1 Jan 1850-May 1851, Glazier & Filby, Wilmington,
DE)
Traveling with him were his sister, Charlotte Lindenberg, and her children: Heinrich, 12; Charlotte 11; George, 10; Carl, 9; Philipp , 8; Louise, 6; Mina, 5. Charlotte's husband Theodore Lindenberg, had preceded them and settled in Columbus, Ohio.While his birth name was Ludwig, he is on the ship passenger list as Louis.
He was active as a silversmith in Columbus, OH until 1859.
Louis was born 17 or 18 Oct 1817 in Genthin, Prussia, son of Carl Gustav Bisky and Wilhelmine Ehrenreich. He married, 26 Feb 1859, Philadelphia, PA, Henriette Kurtz, daughter of Frederic Kurtz and Katherine Berman of Mulhausen, Alsace-Lorraine. She arrived 1 Sept 1855 in NY on the George Williams from Bremen, Germany, age 26, occupation unknown, from Lengenfeld, GR, destination USA. "Germans to America" Vol. 9. Dec 1854-Dec 1855. (Lengenfeld is in Hessen)
Louis and Henriette settled in College Point, Queens, NY where their two children were born. Son, Julius August was born 16 Oct 1860. He attended a College of Pharmacy, but I do not know which one. He became a well recognized amateur botanist, he died young. Daughter, Emma Frances was born seven months after her father's death, on 5 Dec 1863. It is not known if Louis was aware his wife was pregnant at the time of his death. Louis and Henriette are the gg grandparents of my husband. I intend to add more personal information about Louis and his family as I post his diary. My hope is that descendants of people named in this diary find it and contact me with more information.
The first post is of the comments made by the person who translated the two diaries, one Mrs. Migdol. Note that asks rhetorically if Louis Bisky may have left his homeland due to involvement in the Revolution of 1848-49 and indeed that was the case. He may have gotten out one step ahead of the authorities.
(translated 1963)
Evaluation-Mrs, Migdol
Louis Bisky a native of Prussia was naturalized September 1855 in Columbus Ohio. He joined the New York Volunteers October 7th 1861 at the age of forty-five, as Lieutenant. in March 1863 he was elevated to Captaincy at Aquia Creek Virginia. He was killed on May second 1863 by a musket ball passing through his head, in the battle of Chancellorsville, Virginia. he was made a Major Posthumously.
He left, as far as it is known, two diaries written in Gothic German. It was difficult at times to decipher the writing for one must remember that they were written over one hundred years ago, under extreme hardships.
In the very beginning I felt like a trespassor (sic), as one may, when invading another person's innermost thoughts. There are times when one feels wholly inadequate and at a loss for words, when one feels deeply about something or someone. This is how I feel about Louis Bisky and his diaries. I will try and put into words a few of my impressions and hope I can do it justice.
His command of the German language, his knowledge of English, with here and there a word of French thrown in, leaves no doubt in my mind that Louis Bisky was a person of education and background. His entry into the army as Lieutenant, his military terminology, his self discipline, cool evaluation of situations and his entire makeup leads one to surmise that he was a military man, perhaps a military academy graduate. It would be, I am certain, extremely interesting and informative, to find out what motivated this man to coma to America. In his first diary he made special mention of the anniversary of the "Berlin Revolution" which took place in 1848. It is known fact that this revolution was started by the better educated classes. Is it possible that Louis Bisky participated in that revolution and, because of it failing, had to leave his homeland? One cannot help but wonder, for his idealism, fairness, love of country, equality for all and willingness to die for his beliefs certainly brings up this supposition.
There were notes of items to be purchased on the last page of the second diary, among them, one for a notebook as Louis Bisky called his diaries. Was ther another diary? If so, was it lost?, or perhaps gathering dust in some dark corner.
In translating these diaries I have tried very hard to convey the sensitivity, the human touch and sometimes the droll humor with which it was written.
I have neither added nor omitted anything in the translating.
It was a very fascinating and enjoyable task and since it is an authentic part of American history I am sure others will enjoy it and find it as interesting as I did.
He was active as a silversmith in Columbus, OH until 1859.
Louis was born 17 or 18 Oct 1817 in Genthin, Prussia, son of Carl Gustav Bisky and Wilhelmine Ehrenreich. He married, 26 Feb 1859, Philadelphia, PA, Henriette Kurtz, daughter of Frederic Kurtz and Katherine Berman of Mulhausen, Alsace-Lorraine. She arrived 1 Sept 1855 in NY on the George Williams from Bremen, Germany, age 26, occupation unknown, from Lengenfeld, GR, destination USA. "Germans to America" Vol. 9. Dec 1854-Dec 1855. (Lengenfeld is in Hessen)
Louis and Henriette settled in College Point, Queens, NY where their two children were born. Son, Julius August was born 16 Oct 1860. He attended a College of Pharmacy, but I do not know which one. He became a well recognized amateur botanist, he died young. Daughter, Emma Frances was born seven months after her father's death, on 5 Dec 1863. It is not known if Louis was aware his wife was pregnant at the time of his death. Louis and Henriette are the gg grandparents of my husband. I intend to add more personal information about Louis and his family as I post his diary. My hope is that descendants of people named in this diary find it and contact me with more information.
The first post is of the comments made by the person who translated the two diaries, one Mrs. Migdol. Note that asks rhetorically if Louis Bisky may have left his homeland due to involvement in the Revolution of 1848-49 and indeed that was the case. He may have gotten out one step ahead of the authorities.
*******CIVIL WAR DIARY OF LOUIS BISKY 1816 -1863*******
Evaluation-Mrs, Migdol
Louis Bisky a native of Prussia was naturalized September 1855 in Columbus Ohio. He joined the New York Volunteers October 7th 1861 at the age of forty-five, as Lieutenant. in March 1863 he was elevated to Captaincy at Aquia Creek Virginia. He was killed on May second 1863 by a musket ball passing through his head, in the battle of Chancellorsville, Virginia. he was made a Major Posthumously.
He left, as far as it is known, two diaries written in Gothic German. It was difficult at times to decipher the writing for one must remember that they were written over one hundred years ago, under extreme hardships.
In the very beginning I felt like a trespassor (sic), as one may, when invading another person's innermost thoughts. There are times when one feels wholly inadequate and at a loss for words, when one feels deeply about something or someone. This is how I feel about Louis Bisky and his diaries. I will try and put into words a few of my impressions and hope I can do it justice.
His command of the German language, his knowledge of English, with here and there a word of French thrown in, leaves no doubt in my mind that Louis Bisky was a person of education and background. His entry into the army as Lieutenant, his military terminology, his self discipline, cool evaluation of situations and his entire makeup leads one to surmise that he was a military man, perhaps a military academy graduate. It would be, I am certain, extremely interesting and informative, to find out what motivated this man to coma to America. In his first diary he made special mention of the anniversary of the "Berlin Revolution" which took place in 1848. It is known fact that this revolution was started by the better educated classes. Is it possible that Louis Bisky participated in that revolution and, because of it failing, had to leave his homeland? One cannot help but wonder, for his idealism, fairness, love of country, equality for all and willingness to die for his beliefs certainly brings up this supposition.
There were notes of items to be purchased on the last page of the second diary, among them, one for a notebook as Louis Bisky called his diaries. Was ther another diary? If so, was it lost?, or perhaps gathering dust in some dark corner.
In translating these diaries I have tried very hard to convey the sensitivity, the human touch and sometimes the droll humor with which it was written.
I have neither added nor omitted anything in the translating.
It was a very fascinating and enjoyable task and since it is an authentic part of American history I am sure others will enjoy it and find it as interesting as I did.
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