Tuesday, 1st—We drew our cooking utensils and rations for five days. John Batderf, Joseph Tomlinson and I were put in as cooks for the company. We have company drill four hours a day. It seems that we are in camp this time for business. My bunk-mate is James M. Fossett, a brother of Thomas Fossett. James enlisted this time instead of his brother. He’s a fine fellow for a bunk-mate.
Diary of Alexander G. Downing; Company E, Eleventh Iowa Infantry
Monday, 30th—I left home early this morning for Tipton, where at 10 o’clock about one hundred of us, with a band, left Tipton in farm wagons for Wilton, which place we reached at 4 o’clock, all covered with mud. At 5 o’clock we took the train for Davenport and arrived there at 8 o’clock. We formed in double line at the station and marched through town past the Burtis Hotel, on up to Camp McClellan, where we went into the barracks. As we passed the hotel every other man was handed a good wool blanket.
Company B of the Eleventh Iowa had supper prepared for us, consisting of boiled potatoes, fried bacon, boiled beef, baker’s bread and coffee. On the way down from Wilton, Governor Kirkwood passed through the train and shook each man by the hand.
Sunday, 29th—I went to meeting once more before leaving for camp. After preaching I went to Mr. Moore’s, remaining there the rest of the day and stayed over night with John Moore. John presented me with a pocket Bible which he asked me to carry with me.[1]
[1] I carried this Bible during my four years’ service and read it through four times.—A. G. D.
Saturday, 28th—We had regular drill this morning and in the afternoon our election of officers. The election resulted as follows: Captain, Samuel S. McLoney; First Lieutenant, John F. Compton; Second Lieutenant, Lorenzo D. Durbin; Orderly Sergeant, Joel H. Clark. I went home this evening for the last time before leaving for Camp McClellan.[1]
[1] It proved to be the last time for two years and six months.—A. G. D
Friday, 27th—Fine weather again. Our company was completed today and we have arranged for election of officers tomorrow.
Thursday, 26th—We had no drill today. Instead of drilling all went to meeting. President Lincoln issued a proclamation asking that the day be observed as a day of fasting and prayer, and our company attended service twice today, in a body. The war has cast a gloom over the whole country; people are beginning to believe that it will be a long siege before it is over with.
Wednesday, 25th—It rained all day and we had to drill in a big barn on the edge of town. We drilled in the barn on the “double quick.” On account of the rain, business of all kinds is almost at a standstill.
Tuesday, 24th—More enrolled today than any day yet. Most of the boys are from the surrounding farms, though there are a number of Tipton boys in our company. Our drillmaster keeps us on the drill ground most of the time.
Monday, 23d—The boys are beginning to enlist quite fast. A goodly number enrolled today, and we now have our company almost full. We drill twice a day. We drilled today in “double quick” through the streets of Tipton.
Sunday, 22d—I remained in Tipton all day, going to preaching this morning and to Sunday school in the afternoon.
