Diary of Alexander G. Downing; Company E, Eleventh Iowa Infantry

Tuesday, 26th—It is very warm. Still lying on my old cot. The hospital is one of the hardest places that I have found since I have been in the service; but when a soldier gets sick, he has to go there so that he can be taken care of. I have been in the United States service three years now, and this is the first time for me in the hospital. I hope that it may be the last time.

Monday, 25th—It is hot and sultry. Lieutenant Carey died this morning here in the hospital, from his wounds, after suffering thirty-five days, he having been wounded on the skirmish line on the 15th of June. He was shot in the left thigh, the minie ball glancing from his hip and lodging near the spine. But the doctors were not able to locate it until after his death, when they removed it. I had not seen Lieutenant Carey from the time he was wounded until after he had died, being present when his body was dressed for burial. John Zitler came over to my ward and we went down together. We saw his clothing and other articles packed by the chaplain, who has charge of all the effects of the deceased soldiers, and they will be forwarded to Mrs. Carey at their home in Cedar County, Iowa. Lieutenant Carey’s body was buried in his uniform here at Rome, Georgia.

Sunday, 24th—The weather is sultry. All is quiet, and no news from the front. I am gaining every day and can be up and around in the ward, but have not yet been out of doors.

Saturday, 23d—All is quiet. No news from the front. A great many sick and wounded are coming in from the front. Deaths occur here at the hospital every day.

Friday, 22d—The citizens remaining in town, after so long a time, have become quite reconciled. Nothing new from the front.[1]

[1] In the battle of this day the Iowa Brigade was on the extreme left of the Seventeenth Corps, and all four regiments suffered in the number killed and wounded, besides losing many as prisoners of war. George Sweet of Company E was killed and Aaron Pierce was missing. The Sixteenth Iowa lost over two hundred and thirty, who were taken prisoners. This battle, known as the battle of Atlanta, proved to be the hardest fought battle for our brigade during the siege of Atlanta. Major General McPherson was killed in this battle, and the loss of our beloved McPherson was a great blow to the Army of the Tennessee. He was a noble man and kind to all under his command.—A. G. D.

Thursday, 21st—The same thing over and over, again and again.[1] All the available rooms in town have now been turned into hospital wards. We have single, iron cots with good mattresses, and the sheets and pillows are kept nice and clean.

[1] On this day the Iowa Brigade made a charge on Bald Hill, in front of Atlanta.—A. G. D.

Wednesday, 20th—Have had pleasant weather for a week now. Most of the citizens remaining here have been moved out of town, for the purpose of using their homes for hospitals. No news.[1]

[1] On this day David Hobaugh of my company was killed on the skirmish line. Our entire army moved forward making an advance on Atlanta.—A. G. D.

Tuesday, 19th—It is the same thing over and over. My fever is broken now and I am getting better. I just learned that there are three others of my company here in the hospital, all in different wards. They are Lieutenant Alfred Carey, Thomas R. McConnoll and John Zitler, all wounded on the skirmish line on June 15th at Noon-day creek at the foot of Kenesaw mountain.

Monday, 18th—The weather is quite pleasant. There is nothing of any importance. All is quiet.