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 20, 2013

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

Tuesday, 20th—Another cold, wet day. We completed loading our regimental supplies about noon, and at 4 o’clock started for Vicksburg. We tied up for the night about forty miles below Memphis. The boats are overcrowded, and because of the cold weather there is much suffering.1


1 Starting on this trip ended seventy-nine days of campaigning; in northern Mississippi and western Tennessee. For suffering from exposure, part of the time no tents at night, nearly all the time on half rations or less, for forty-nine days no change of clothing, and more than sixty cloudy days with rain or snow, this campaign proved to be one of the most laborious campaigns during our four years’ service.— A. G. D.

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