Following the American Civil War Sesquicentennial with day by day writings of the time, currently 1863.

Post image for Benton Barracks, St. Louis.–Alexander G. Downing.

Benton Barracks, St. Louis.–Alexander G. Downing.

November 19, 2011

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

Tuesday, 19th—We started down the river again at daylight and reached St. Louis at 3 p. m. We landed and marched to Benton Barracks, where we were to be at home. Just as we left the boat it commenced to rain and we marched the whole way in a downpour of rain which soaked our clothes through and through. Reaching the barracks we built fires to dry our clothes before retiring for the night.

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