Tuesday, 16th—There was a heavy rain this afternoon. All is quiet and there is no train in today from the front. I sold my American lever watch today for $33.50, which is $4.50 more than I paid for it in Davenport, Iowa.
Diary of Alexander G. Downing; Company E, Eleventh Iowa Infantry
Monday, 15th—It is quite warm. All is quiet. There is nothing new from the front. A large number of men left the hospital this morning for the front. I would like to go, too, but the doctor tells me that I can do more good by staying here and caring for the sick. This is my birthday—twenty-two years old today.
Sunday, 14th—A hot, sultry day. There is no news of any importance. We are giving close attention to the very sick and the severely wounded, some of whom are dying every day.
A Set of Resolutions.
Resolved, That I may from this day learn something new from the Scriptures every day, and that I may obey the laws of God as near as I can, in entreating my fellow men, and in doing good for the Master’s sake.
Resolved, That I may once a day or more offer thanks to my Savior for his help; and, above all, that I may try to live a true Christian until death. May God help me so to live, is my prayer.
Saturday, 13th—This is general scrub-day, and we are cleaning up the wards of the hospital. We have good food for the sick served to them on their cots. The convalescents go out to the dining room for their meals. No news from General Grant’s army.
Friday, 12th—It rained nearly all day. I received a letter today from William Green, my bunk-mate out in the front. He reports that the loss of our company in the battles of July 21st and 22d before Atlanta was four men: George Sweet and David Hobaugh killed, and H. Newans wounded, and Aaron Pearce is missing. I wrote a letter to Albert Downing this afternoon.
Thursday, 11th—A train loaded with sick and wounded came in this afternoon from the front. Some of our convalescents had to give up their cots to the sick, and go out to the field hospital, where they will occupy tents.
Wednesday, 10th—No news from the front. The sick in my ward are all getting along well, with the exception of two men who are suffering severely with inflammatory rheumatism. Some of the men are returning to the front, while others are going home on furloughs.
Tuesday, 9th—A train loaded with wounded came in last night from Marietta, Georgia, and they were sent out to the field hospital east of town.
Monday, 8th—This morning I was put in as head nurse of ward D, hospital number 4. My duty is to direct the nurses in dealing out medicine and attending to the needs of the sick.
Sunday, 7th—A train came in this evening from the front loaded with the wounded from the Seventeenth Army Corps. They were wounded in the battles of July 21st, 22d and 28th around Atlanta. There is still no news from Grant’s army.
