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

Monday, 27th—There was a general line of battle formed this morning and orders given to make a charge all along the lines. The center charged in full force, but as the flanks failed to charge, soon had to fall back. The Eleventh and Sixteenth Iowa furnished the skirmishers for our brigade and charged the rebels’ skirmish line, but were driven back to their old line. Our side lost several in killed and wounded, and what little was gained did not pay for the loss of life. Company A of our regiment was in the charge and had one man killed; so close was he to the rebel works that our men had to raise the white flag in order to get his body. The Fifty-third Indiana made a charge on the rebel rifle pits and lost about forty men, taken as prisoners. When they made the charge, the rebels lay down in their pits, allowing them to come close up, when they rose up with their rifles drawn and said: “Come on, boys, we won’t hurt you,” and took them prisoners.

Sunday, 26th—There was very little cannonading and skirmishing today. We drew two days’ rations with orders to be ready to march at a moment’s warning. Several brigades of the Fifteenth Army Corps are moving out to the rear, but we do not know their destination. The health of the troops is fine, although they are much fatigued. We have a great many wounded at the hospital, but it is reported that they are getting along fine.

May God hasten the day when this cruel war will be brought to a close, so that our nation may enjoy peace once more. May He hasten the day when the rebels will lay down their arms and return again to their homes. But we must remember that there may be many men yet who will fall for their country before it is free from this accursed secession. May God be with us and help us as we stand in need, for He is a God of battles.

Saturday, 25th—We remained out in the rifle pits till this evening, when we were relieved by the Fifteenth Iowa. John Esher was shot through the face this afternoon by a rebel sharpshooter. The shot was fired through one of the “portholes” under the head log of our defenses, where he was at the time loading his gun. The ball struck his jaw bone, knocking out some of his teeth, but it is thought that he will recover.[1] There is no news from Richmond.

[1] Esher said to me, “I’m going to see what I’m shooting at,” and walked up to peer through the porthole, when all of a sudden a ball crashed in, knocking him down, and as he fell back his heels kicked up. He was right by my side when he was struck and as he fell he cried out. “Oh, boys, I’m killed!” After he recovered, we laughed a great deal over it, at his expense, for he thought that now he was really killed. But although Esher recovered from the wound, yet he was deformed for life. His head was drawn down on the side of the wound, since the cords of the neck were shorter than on the other side.—A. G. D.

Friday, 24th—Our skirmish line was advanced late yesterday evening and the men worked all night building rifle pits to protect themselves today; I was on a detail that worked till 1 o’clock. The Fifteenth and Sixteenth furnished the skirmishers for the brigade, and the Fifteenth had two men killed. There was some skirmishing with heavy cannonading today. Our company with Companies F and G went out this evening after sundown to relieve the skirmishers, and we worked again most of the night throwing up rifle pits. Things are usually very quiet after night, though now and then skirmishing breaks out and arouses a little excitement.

Thursday, 23d—We were up all night throwing up breastworks, finishing them about noon today. The rebels opened up their battery on Little Kenesaw mountain, but did no harm. General Leggett on the right made a demonstration before the rebel lines, but was not engaged and soon fell back again.[1] All is quiet on the right. The Sixteenth Corps was ordered out on an expedition with fifteen days’ rations, but we do not know their destination. We received orders to be ready to march at a moment’s warning, with two days’ rations. William Cross of Company E returned from the hospital after an absence of ten months.

[1] I remember quite distinctly seeing General Sherman with his staff officers riding along our lines, taking in the lay of the country. They had just passed by where I was stationed, when they halted near one of our batteries and began using their field glasses, taking a view of the enemy’s lines. At that same time a Confederate general with his staff rode out of the timber upon an open knoll to take a view of our lines with their glasses. This was too good a chance for our battery, so the gunners, taking good aim, fired five or six shots at the mark, and one of them hit and killed the Confederate general, who the signal corps reported was a General Pope. Our signal corps had learned the signs of the Confederate signal service and at once reported the facts. The Confederates claimed that General Sherman himself had aimed the shot which killed their general, but such is not the case.—A. G. D.

Wednesday, 22d—It has cleared off and is quite warm today. The rebels commenced shelling us this morning, but did little damage, as their shells fell short of our lines, on account of their insufficient charges of powder, we suppose, and because their guns are too small to stand heavier charges. Our batteries opened up and exchanged shots with them for about two hours. Our men commenced throwing up heavy earthworks this evening. Company C went out on picket this evening. There have been no trains coming in to Big Shanty for the last two days on account of the rebels’ destroying the railroad on this side of Chattanooga; but it will be repaired in a few days. Our army draws full rations with the exception of meat, of which we are allowed but three-fifths rations.

Tuesday, 21st—Another all day rain and things were very still all along the lines until late in the afternoon when there was some brisk skirmishing. General Hooker made two charges on the rebel works yesterday; the first time he was repulsed, but the second time he carried them and took several hundred prisoners. General Osterhaus at the same time made a charge and took about two hundred prisoners. There is no news from Richmond.

Monday, 20th—It has been quite warm today with rain this evening. Things were quiet all along the line until in the afternoon, when there was heavy fighting in the center, and all our artillery opened upon the rebels, without response from their guns. The heaviest cannonading that we have had yet was from our center, and it lasted for two hours. The rebels have fallen back, but still hold Kenesaw mountain and have their heavy batteries planted on the very top, while our men are along the north side of the mountain, slowly ascending it. Our regiment moved to the front again this evening and two companies, I and H, are out on picket.

Sunday, 19th—It rained hard all day. Cannonading commenced early this morning and was kept up all day, being very heavy in the center. We have outflanked the rebels’ right and they have fallen back from their first line of rifle pits and have placed their heavy guns on high points of ground. It is supposed that they are on the retreat towards Atlanta, as it is reported that they have fallen back from two to four miles and are building strong earthworks. The First Brigade of our Fourth Division has now formed a line of battle beyond their former first line of rifle pits. The Thirteenth and the Fifteenth Iowa Regiments moved out in the front this afternoon.

The rain today has been a great benefit to those who are wounded. May God help them and stand by them, and may they return thanks unto Him! May they ever look unto Him for their support and help.