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.

September 2, 2013

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

Wednesday, 2d—We left Bayou Mason at midnight and marched through to the river, eighteen miles, without stopping, reaching Goodrich’s Landing at 7 o’clock this morning. General Stephenson planned our march so that we should pass through that terrible ten miles of hemp at night, thus avoiding the heat.[1] Our brigade led in the march all the way. The day is very hot and sultry. General Logan’s Division has taken the boats down the river for Vicksburg.


[1] All were thankful to him for it; for, if there is such a place as hell, this piece of road is a sample of the road leading to Satan’s residence. —A. G. D.

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