Wednesday, 30th—I remained at home all day. Times appear to be very dull and lonesome. My brothers are having a siege of the measles. I am thankful that I have had them, for measles in the army causes more soldiers to be discharged for disability than anything else. I long to see this cruel war come to a close.
Diary of Alexander G. Downing; Company E, Eleventh Iowa Infantry
Tuesday, 29th—I attended a supper this evening given for the veterans of my company, at the home of Mr. J. W. Stanton on York Prairie. On account of the bad weather, dark night and muddy roads, there were not many there, but we had a fine supper and a pleasant evening with friends.
Monday, 28th—I went to Tipton on horseback today, accompanied by John D. Moore, who enlisted in Company E of the Eleventh Iowa Infantry. All of the Inland boys who went before have re-enlisted as veterans, and four or five others besides John Moore are going to enlist in our company and go to the front when we return. I saw several of the boys of my company today, who live at Tipton.
Sunday, 27th—I went with father to meeting today, in our old church at Inland, and attended the Communion of the Lord’s Supper with the Disciples. They have no minister at present, but meet every Lord’s Day to break bread. It rained nearly all day.
Saturday, 26th—The friends of the boys in our company gave a dinner for us today at Mr. Ray’s, and father took me over. It was a cold, cloudy day and the roads were muddy, but all the friends came out and gave the boys a warm greeting—and a fine dinner we had. We all enjoyed ourselves and are thankful to those who got up this dinner for the returned soldiers. It would be fine soldiering if one could have such dinners in the army. May this war soon come to a close that all may enjoy home, and help where we are needed.
Friday, 25th—I remained at home all day visiting and talking over some of my experiences. One change I find in myself, and that is the discomfort in sleeping in a warm room, as the custom in the homes is, for it is more than two and a half years since I have slept that way.
Thursday, 24th—I went to Mr. Elseffer’s and spent most of the day there, taking dinner with them. Lewis Elseffer is a member of my company and was detailed as clerk in corps headquarters, thus could not return with us.
Wednesday, 23d—I left all my accouterments and clothing at the hotel. Before starting for home, I purchased some clothing and other articles, all amounting to $46.50. Among other things, I bought a blouse and vest, a hat, shirts, boots, pen, and my first watch, for which I paid $17.00. I started for home at 10 o’clock, and as it is seeding time and the roads are muddy, there were no teams in town from my neighborhood, so I had to walk the entire distance, all alone. I reached home at 8 o’clock and found all well, and getting along fine.
Tuesday, 22d—We reached La Salle at 2 o’clock this afternoon and changed cars for Davenport, arriving at our destination at dark. I took lodging at the Davis House. The taverns are all crowded, because of so many soldiers coming home on their furloughs.
Monday, 21st—We reached Cairo at 4 o’clock this morning and I went ashore with my comrades to the Soldiers’ Home for breakfast. We then went to the provost marshal’s office for our railroad transportation from Cairo to Davenport. We boarded the train at noon and arrived at Centralia at 5 o’clock. We had to lie here until after midnight when we took the Illinois Central for La Salle, Illinois. The train was so crowded that in order to get a comfortable place, we bought sleeping berths. The weather is cold here, and we saw snowbanks for the first time in two years.
