Tuesday, 29th—We received orders this afternoon to march out towards Purdy, about twelve miles, to be in readiness as a supporting column to General Wallace in command of the right. He was expecting to be attacked by the rebels and sent for reinforcements. We went in light marching order without knapsacks, and we have to lie on our arms at night.
Diary of Alexander G. Downing; Company E, Eleventh Iowa Infantry
Monday, 28th—We had company drill at 9 a. m. The weather is getting very warm; the sun shines hot, and we are sweeping our camp with brush brooms. We are being kept quite active, the doctors, we hear, having told the officers that the men would have better health if kept at work.
Sunday, 27th—Today we had company inspection. We had to go to work and clean up our camp and parade ground. The camp is in the timber. The water is very scarce and poor at that.
Saturday, 26th—Our regiment is now brigaded with Iowa soldiers, the brigade being completed today. Our brigade is composed of the Eleventh, Thirteenth, Fifteenth and Sixteenth Iowa Infantries, with Colonel Crocker in command.[1] We were inspected today by the general inspector of the army, and had all our accouterments on.
[1] ‘The brigade dating from April 27, 1862, became known as “Crocker’s Iowa Brigade.” It remained together throughout the war and maintains an organization to this day.—A. G. D.
Friday, 25th—We struck our tents early this morning and marched about three miles to the southwest, and went into camp again, camp No. 2. We were brigaded over again. It rained all day.
Thursday, 24th—No news of importance.
Wednesday, 23d—We have company drill twice a day and more of the boys are getting out again for drill. The artillery men are receiving fresh horses to replace those killed in the battle. The weather is beginning to get very warm.
Tuesday, 22d—It is quite pleasant again after some rain— thunder showers. The wheat fields are looking fine.
Monday, 21st—Our camp is becoming more unhealthy all the time, and the odor from the battlefield at times is very disagreeable. This is the result of the heavy rains followed by warm weather.
Troops are arriving here every day and going on to the front. The army is advancing on Corinth, Mississippi, and we hear that there is almost continuous skirmishing between the outposts of the two armies.
Sunday, 20th—John T. Rice, a member of Company E, Eleventh Iowa, was buried this afternoon with military honors.[1] He died of his wound accompanied with fever. Three other men who died of disease were also buried today. We learned that Wilson Simmons of Company E died of lung fever on the 15th at Mound City, Illinois.
[1] Rice was buried in the Shiloh National Cemetery, Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee, his grave being 175, Section 9.—A. G. D.
