Sunday, 10th—We had company inspection this morning at 9 o’clock and preaching at 10. At 5 o’clock in the afternoon we had dress parade and then in the evening we had preaching again.
Diary of Alexander G. Downing; Company E, Eleventh Iowa Infantry
Saturday, 9th—We received our State pay today. I got $20.60 in paper money, thus losing only about twenty-five cents on the dollar. I served forty-five days under the State.
Friday, 8th—The Thirteenth Iowa received their uniforms and equipments today. Some of our boys are absent on sick leave, having caught severe colds on account of the changeable weather.
Thursday, 7th—Received orders to fix up for review. We packed our knapsacks, filled our haversacks and canteens, and with our arms formed in line, all as if we were going on a long march. At 10 o’clock we marched down through the streets of Davenport and were reviewed by Adjutant General Baker. Then we marched back to camp. Our regiment with the new uniforms was quite a drawing card, for it seemed as if all of the townspeople were out to see us pass by.
Wednesday, 6th—Drill twice a day: company drill in the forenoon and regimental drill in the afternoon. Colonel Hare for the first time commanded the regiment on the drill ground.
Tuesday, 5th—We received strict orders today to take care of our equipment, especially our clothes and guns. Then we have to wear brass epaulets on our shoulders, which makes a great deal of extra work as they have to be kept polished.[1]
[1] When we once got into active service, these epaulets were discarded, and the “dog collars” went with them.—A. G. D.
Monday, 4th—We had some visitors in camp today from Inland. Nothing of importance. The part of our uniform most talked about and criticised is the leather collar, which each man has to wear. It is a piece of stiff upper leather about two inches wide in the middle, tapering to one inch at the ends, which are fastened with a buckle. We wear it about our necks with the wide part under the chin to make us hold our heads erect. These collars the boys call “dog-collars.”
Sunday, 3d—We had company inspection for the first time, this morning at t10 o’clock, and we therefore had preaching in the afternoon only. Our entire regiment was out on dress parade in the new uniforms for the first time. Fully half of the people of Davenport were out to see us, for it was the first of the kind they had seen.
Saturday, 2d—Company E drew their uniforms today, each man receiving the following pieces: one dress coat, $6.71; one overcoat, $7.20; one pair of pants, $3.03; one pair of shoes, $1.96; two shirts, $1.76; one double woolen blanket, $2.96; one hat, $1.55; two pair of drawers, $1.00; two pair of socks, 52¢; one cap, 60¢; one leather collar, 14¢. The total cost for each man was $27.43.
Friday, 1st—Our uniforms were brought up to camp from town, and several companies drew theirs today. Every company drills four hours a day now. Some of the men have a hard time remembering the commands of the officers and some of the officers cannot remember the correct commands to give. Some of them make as big blunders as the men.[1]
[1] Upon one occasion a certain captain had his company out for a drill on the town commons. The company was marching “by platoon guide right,” and advancing toward a big open ditch full of water, when the captain, forgetting the correct command to give, “halt” or “right-about-face,” called out, “Look out for that ditch!” Now according to military tactics soldiers are not expected to move or change their course except on specific command, and so, to the chagrin of the captain, his men went right on, plunged into the water and crossed to the other bank. A few, however, did “look out for the ditch,” and the company was thrown into great confusion.—A. G. D.
