Thursday, 29th—There was heavy cannonading today off on the left flank and the pickets are still fighting. General Pope cut the railroad and with the aid of the Second Iowa Cavalry burned a train of cars and took one thousand stand of arms.
Diary of Alexander G. Downing; Company E, Eleventh Iowa Infantry
Wednesday, 28th—Some very hard fighting out on the right flank. Our men were driven back from their line, but rallied and regained the ground lost. In the mix-up we took some prisoners and there were some killed and wounded on both sides.
Tuesday, 27th—Things are quiet all along the lines today. Our supplies and ammunition are hauled by team from Pittsburg Landing. We still draw our full army rations every five days.
Monday, 26th—It is very warm. Had company drill twice again today. There was very heavy cannonading off on the left flank.
Sunday, 25th—We stood in line of battle out on picket all night, and were relieved at 9 o’clock this morning. There’s a report in camp to the effect that General Pope is desirous of moving his command around by the left flank to get into the rear of Corinth and cut off the retreat of the rebels. General Halleck, however, would not give him permission, as he did not want to take any chances in allowing his army to be divided, thereby giving the rebels the opportunity of attacking and defeating each part separately. It is estimated that Halleck has about one hundred thousand men in his command here about Corinth, and we hear that Beauregard has about the same number.[1]
[1] Beauregard had been reinforced and now had a force of 50.000. See Rhodes Vol. III. page 628.—Ed.
Saturday, 24th—The Eleventh Iowa went out on picket at 5 o’clock this evening. It was reported in camp that General Beauregard is moving all of his heavy ordnance and his entire army to the south with a view of evacuating Corinth. The report says that teams loaded with munitions of war are leaving Corinth every day.
Friday, 23d—We formed a line of battle at 4 o’clock this morning, but the rebels did not make their expected attack. The army generally now forms a line of battle every morning at 4 and remains in line until about 6 o’clock. It rained some today, and on account of the wet weather it was only at times that there was activity along the lines.
Thursday, 22d—Things were a little more quiet this forenoon, but there was some very heavy cannonading off on the left flank this afternoon. Skirmishing is still going on between the pickets. There are not many men being killed on either side, since they are well protected by their respective fortifications; it is when they have to advance on skirmish in the open that they suffer losses.
Wednesday, 21st—The right wing moved up closer upon the fortifications of the rebels and although they tried to drive our men back, they failed in the attempt. There is very heavy cannonading and skirmishing. The left wing of our army is under command of General Pope. The earthworks between the two armies are getting very close to each other.
Tuesday, 20th—Things are a little more quiet today, the cannonading not being so brisk, although the skirmishers are keeping up a lively firing all along the line.
