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 31, 2012

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

Thursday, 31st—We started at 8 o’clock this morning and arrived at Bolivar at 12 o’clock noon. We went into camp two miles east of town on the banks of the Hatchie river. Our camp is in a fine piece of timber, well shaded. I was almost played out when we arrived in camp; the weather being so hot, it was hard work to carry knapsack and accouterments and keep up with the company. Our officers are expecting to be attacked at this place and have put three or four hundred negroes to work throwing up breastworks. There is some very pretty land in this part of old Tennessee and there are some very nice farms. The timber here is chiefly of white oak, but there is some poplar and beech. Bolivar is a fine town and has one railroad.

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