Following the American Civil War Sesquicentennial with day by day writings of the time, currently 1863.

Post image for Downing’s Civil War Diary.–Alexander G. Downing.

Downing’s Civil War Diary.–Alexander G. Downing.

January 1, 2015

Diary of Alexander G. Downing; Company E, Eleventh Iowa Infantry

Sunday, 1st—This is New Year’s Day and my fourth in the army.1[1] We did not have to work on the fortifications today, and as the weather was cloudy and cool we remained close to our “ranches.” At 4 p. m. we had company inspection. We are still on two-thirds rations.


[1] The common belief among the men was that this would be the last New Year’s Day spent In the army. Everything pointed to an early end of the war.—A. G. D.

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