Sunday, 1st—We had our first preaching in camp today, both morning and evening, by the chaplain of the Eleventh Iowa Infantry. Quite a number of folks came out from town to attend the meeting. At 5 o’clock we had dress parade with the Eighth Iowa.
Diary of Alexander G. Downing; Company E, Eleventh Iowa Infantry
Saturday, 31st—Our men arrived from Keokuk this morning. They did not get into action with the “secesh” while at Keokuk as reported. The companies for the Eighth Iowa Infantry are almost completed and the regiment will be ready to leave for the South at a moment’s notice. They are to receive the clothing and arms at St. Louis.
Friday, 30th—No news of importance. There are still some companies arriving in camp for the Eighth Iowa, and they are still adding new recruits to the Second Iowa Cavalry, which is in camp at the Fair Grounds.
Wednesday, 28th—There is nothing of importance. The camp looks as if it were deserted. There are just a few convalescents here, who were not able to go with the boys to Keokuk; there are also a few recruits coming in.
Tuesday, 27th—I went to Davenport today and returned to Camp McClellan. A force of about five hundred men was sent down the river by boat to Keokuk, for the purpose of reinforcing the troops at that place. It is expected that they will have a fight there. I was too late in returning to camp to go with them.
Monday, 26th—There was a heavy rainstorm last night. I worked all day, picking onion seed, and in the evening went down to Inland to make arrangements to go back to Davenport in the morning to join the camp.
Sunday, 25th—I stayed over night at Sparks’ and attended meeting at the grove again this morning. We had a basket dinner at noon. At the afternoon service the Lord’s Supper was observed. After the meeting we started for home, a distance of eleven miles.
Saturday, 24th—I reached home this morning at daylight, having left Davenport late yesterday afternoon, riding out with a farmer to “the forks” of the Hickory Grove and the Allen’s Grove roads, and from there walked the twenty-one miles home, after night, all alone.
This is a fine day. I went over to Mr. Sparks’ and accompanied him to the grove out southwest of Tipton, to a camp meeting which is being conducted by the Christian church. We got there in time for the meeting.
Friday, 23d—There is so much delay in completing the company that the boys are beginning to think there is no hope of getting our company full. Some of the boys are joining other companies. While waiting, those who wish may leave camp on passes. I got a pass to go home for two or three days.
