Wednesday, 29th—Our company has had a fine time while at Lookout Station and the men are all in good health with the exception of two or three who are suffering from varioloid as a result of vaccination.
Diary of Alexander G. Downing; Company E, Eleventh Iowa Infantry
Tuesday, 28th—One of the Missouri boys who enlisted in our company while at Jefferson City asked me to go with him to spend the evening with a family about two miles out, where there were three or four young ladies. One of the young women was his best girl and he wished to bid her goodby before we left for the South. He assured me that we would have plenty of good things to eat and that there would be no danger, and so I finally decided that it would be safe to go. We had a very enjoyable time and about midnight started for our quarters, running all the way.[1]
[1] We arrived safely at our quarters, but I made up my mind never again to take such a trip while in the enemy’s country.—A. O. D.
Monday, 27th—The regimental surgeon came down from California to look over the convalescents in our company; he revaccinated all on whom the vaccine had not worked.
Sunday, 26th—We had preaching in our quarters this forenoon and in the evening a few gathered for prayer meeting. Our quarters were not very inviting for a minister. There was no tuning fork for the music and we had no chairs, most of the boys standing during the preaching.
Saturday, 25th—The report came that we were to be brigaded today—the Eleventh, Thirteenth, Fifteenth and Sixteenth Iowa Regiments are in one brigade. Hurrah for Iowa! The four regiments are to form an Iowa brigade and the organization will date from today.
Friday, 24th—It snowed a very little today. Soldiers are marching past here for St. Louis. The roads are in a fearful condition. Our company would like to leave this place for more active service. Our picket and patrol duty is very light, though it is all-night duty. None of the men on the scouting expeditions have been hurt or wounded.
Thursday, 23d—It is warm today. Nothing of importance. The land around Lookout Station is heavily timbered and there are no large farms. Negroes are very scarce here. The war has put a blight on this part of the State.
Wednesday, 22d—Orderly Clark, Sergeants Spencer, Sweet and White went out on a scouting expedition and brought in a pair of ponies and some things to eat.
Tuesday, 21st—Nothing of importance. Everything is very quiet in this locality. We have nothing but the regular camp duty to perform. Mess number 7 have now used up all their cooked rice.
Monday, 20th—It snowed some today and turned colder; the weather is very changeable. I wrote a letter to father and enclosed $20.00 of the $26.00 I received from the Government on the 8th inst.
