Sunday, 20th—It is quite cool today. We ran all day, but we have a big load, crowding every nook and corner of the boat; we are more crowded than before reaching Memphis. The sergeant in charge of us six guards had our haversacks replenished at Memphis.
Diary of Alexander G. Downing; Company E, Eleventh Iowa Infantry
Saturday, 19th—It is quite cool. We reached Memphis at 4 o’clock this morning and remained all day, not starting on our trip till late this evening. The supply train of the Sixteenth Army Corps was unloaded here from our boat, and we took on the Thirty-fifth New York Infantry.
Friday, 18th—It is quite cool today with a rather sharp wind blowing, which with our crowded condition makes it very uncomfortable. The Thirty-second Illinois received their pay on board today, and no doubt the gamblers will get their hands in before we land.
Thursday, 17th—Our boat has been running steadily since starting, it having stopped but once, and that was to take on wood for the boilers of the engine. The time has passed without incident.
Wednesday, 16th—This is a beautiful day. I left for home on my thirty-day furlough. I embarked with the Fifteenth Iowa and the Thirty-second Illinois, on board the “Olive Branch.” We left for Cairo, Illinois, at 3 p. m. We say adieu to thee, Vicksburg, the Gibraltar of the West! We leave thee with some pleasant memories, notwithstanding the many hardships we had to endure while with thee! Before we left Vicksburg the railroad station caught fire and was completely consumed with two thousand bushels of oats stored there.
Tuesday, 15th—We were relieved from guard at the roundhouse, and I received my transportation papers from the provost marshal. I was promoted today from “high private in the rear rank” to sixth corporal in the front rank, my commission to date from March 1, 1864.[1]
[1] This was indeed a surprise to me, as I had never asked for any office. The expression in quotations was a war-time saying, a joke of the privates.—A. G. D.
Monday, 14th—It is quite cool today, after three days of warm weather. We are still on guard at the roundhouse. The contrabands are all being put to some kind of work, or enrolled in the army. As the Government has to feed them, they will partially pay their way by working.
Sunday, 13th—The Eleventh and the Fifteenth Iowa, together with the Twelfth Wisconsin, all veterans, went aboard the “Continental” this afternoon and about dark left for the North. I could not go with my regiment, as I have not yet been relieved from guard duty at the roundhouse.
Saturday, 12th—All the men of the Iowa Brigade who did not re-enlist have been formed into a battalion until the veterans return. Major Pomutz of the Fifteenth Iowa is in command. All the non-veterans of the old regiments are to remain at Cairo, Illinois, until the veterans return from their furloughs.
Friday, 11th—The Iowa Brigade turned over their tents and camp equippage to the general quartermaster, preparatory to going up the river. General Grant is now at the head of all the armies of the United States, just where we have wanted him ever since the surrender of Vicksburg.[1]
[1] After Vicksburg, General Grant was sent to Chattanooga, Tennessee, and succeeded in raising the siege there, and then at Knoxville, defeating two Confederate armies all in the space of a few days. That covered Grant with glory in the estimation of us Western men, and we then declared that he was the man to send to Washington, D. C, and to take command of the Eastern as well as the Western army.—A. G. D.
