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.

July 14, 2012

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

Monday, 14th—The weather is very warm; it is sweltering. I was detailed with a squad of men from our regiment under command of the quartermaster to go out with the trains to get some corn and fodder for the mules and horses. The Government has adopted the policy of paying for all material taken on a foraging expedition. But this is upon one condition only, viz.; the quartermaster issues a requisition on the Secretary of War for all material taken, and then if the owner of the property can prove his loyalty to the Government, he will get his pay for the same; if he cannot prove it, he will be classed as a rebel and will get nothing.

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