Petersburg to Moorefield
Marching orders - Without baggage - three rations. The rubber and woolen blankets are to be taken along. The packs from the entire regiment are put into a house. Nachtmann takes, aside from my sash, other little incidentals in his pack. Lieutenant Dietz who during the past night was very ill decides to go to the New Creek Hospital with a sick transport under the direction of Lieutenant Dietsch from the Garibaldis who are going to New Creek.
I give my woolen blanket to Jakob Pehl for safekeeping since I have a chance to get a ride for my buffalo hide. We are marching to Moorefield. On our way the most magnificently grotesque rock formations. We have to cross the southern arm of the Potomac close by Moorefield and right after that another stream which right below the ferry flows into the Potomac. We are wading through. In the Potomac the water reaches up to the middle of my thighs, since I am wearing my high boots and they fill with water and the current is very strong I am compelled to hold fast onto the rope which has been spanned across the river. In order for my breadsack not to get wet I threw same over my shoulder and held onto the strap with my right hand, in the course it slipped out of my hand and was carried far away by the current. Lieutenant Colonel Wratislaw who on his horse was in the water tries in vain to catch it, but later rode in again and retrieved it, after it had been carried far away and I had given it up as being hopelessly lost. Aside from the Notebook (diary) it contained my dagger, bullet mould and other indispensable items. A package of tea a bottle with a little rum. A pouch containing bread and crackers, three day allotment, apparently kept same afloat. Everything was throughly soaked * and strictly speaking ruined.
Second Lieutenant Hoferberth from Company K has been assigned to our company.
*This incident accounts for the water stained diary which in parts is almost illegible. (This comment by the translator)
No comments:
Post a Comment