Thursday, 31st—The new uniforms for the Eleventh Iowa were received today by our quartermaster. We are the first to receive uniforms before leaving the State. This is the last of October—and we are still at old Camp McClellan, Davenport, Iowa.
Diary of Alexander G. Downing; Company E, Eleventh Iowa Infantry
Wednesday, 30th—Nothing of importance. We now have a quartermaster for our regiment, Richard Cadle of Muscatine. All think that he is a good man for the place, and will see that every man is cared for. We draw rations every five days.
Tuesday, 29th—Several new companies of the Thirteenth Iowa Infantry were sworn into the United States service today. Marcellus M. Crocker of Des Moines is to be their colonel.
Monday, 28th—Nothing of importance today. All the boys of the company like to drill under Compton, our first lieutenant, for he can give the correct commands in the manual of arms, and he makes us toe the chalk line. He is not at all overbearing, as some of the officers are, but is kind to the men, especially to those who try to execute the commands.
Sunday, 27th—We had regular preaching today, both morning and afternoon, by the chaplain. There was a large attendance from outside the camp at the meetings. The mornings are becoming quite frosty.
Saturday, 26th—We drilled with our new arms this morning for the first time. Some of the men are awfully awkward in shouldering arms and using the ramrod and returning it to its place. It is also quite amusing to hear some of the officers give orders when we are going through the manual of arms.
Friday, 25th—We got our equipments today. Our guns are the old-fashioned muskets made by working over the old flintlock gun, so as to use a cap in place of the flint. The musket is loaded with a cartridge containing powder, ball, and three buckshot in front of the ball. Each man is to carry forty rounds or more of ammunition all the time.
Thursday, 24th—The flag was run up at half mast today, in honor of the death of Colonel Wentz, of the Second Iowa Infantry. Clothing and arms for our regiment have arrived at Davenport. The boys are glad to know that our regiment is to be equipped before leaving the State—ours is to be the first so equipped.
Wednesday, 23d—There was a large fire in town today. New companies for the Thirteenth and Fourteenth Regiments are arriving in camp nearly every day; also new troops for the Second Iowa Cavalry in camp at the Fair Grounds.
Tuesday, 22d—There were quite a number of visitors from Tipton today—friends of the boys from that place. The weather is cloudy and disagreeable.
