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.

May 18, 2013

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

Monday, 18th — A despatch from the front informs us that General Grant has taken the railroad bridge across the Big Black river in the rear of Vicksburg. The troops also took some prisoners. The Eleventh Iowa, accompanied by a gunboat, went on a scout up the Big Black river to destroy a bridge which the rebels had built in the last few days. This river empties into the Mississippi a short distance above our camp.

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