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

Wednesday, 9th—It rained all day. We are still on guard at the roundhouse. Troops are on the move, both up and down the river as fast as the transports can carry them. New troops are to garrison Vicksburg from now on. We are glad to leave the place, for we have been in and around Vicksburg for more than fifteen months, and have seen some very hard service in that time. But there is something about Vicksburg, the Gibraltar of the West, that is really fascinating.

Tuesday, 8th—I was detailed with six men from the Eleventh under me, as special guard at the roundhouse. We were detailed about midnight to relieve the Ninety-fifth Illinois, which will accompany a part of the Sixteenth Army Corps down the river, and then on an expedition up the Red river. The Seventeenth Army Corps is going home on veterans’ furlough.

Monday, 7th—The Thirteenth Regiment started for Iowa today on their thirty-day furlough. Our regiment received three months’ pay, and all who re-enlisted were given a part of their bounty money, $160.00 each. The bounty, with my regular pay, after settling for six months’ clothing, $8.00, gave me $207.00.

Sunday, 6th—The weather is quite pleasant today, and has been for several days. We had company inspection early this morning, and in the afternoon we had preaching in camp, followed by dress parade at 5 o’clock.

Friday, 4th—The army left bivouac at daylight this morning and the vanguard reached Vicksburg at 2 o’clock, while our rear did not get in till dark. We found our camps, clothing and all in good shape. The Sixteenth Army Corps went into camp out east of Vicksburg. We were relieved from the duty of headquarters’ guard this morning. The expedition was out thirty-two days, and marched three hundred and twenty-five miles; it destroyed an immense amount of property, thus inflicting a tremendous blow to the Confederacy, and foraged on the country the whole way.

Thursday, 3d—We got into motion early this morning and marched twenty miles. We bivouacked for the night within twenty-six miles of Vicksburg and not far from our forces at Big Black river bridge. The rebels ceased following us today. The weather and roads were fine for marching.

Wednesday, 2d—Orders were issued this morning for the army not to destroy any more property while on the march. We just learned that while we were in Canton, General Hurlbut levied a tax on the citizens, compelling them to furnish corn meal and other articles of food for the army. Today we marched fifteen miles, reaching Clinton Crossroads by night, where we went into bivouac. The rebels are still following us and there was some skirmishing in the rear, which at times made it necessary to bring the light artillery into action.

Tuesday, 1st—We left Canton at 8 o’clock this morning, our brigade taking up the rear. There was some skirmishing with the rebels’ cavalry, which began early in the morning before we got started. Bullets commenced to fly and the guards formed a line to protect the headquarters’ baggage. Finally, however, the rear guard opened a light battery on the rebels, who soon dropped back out of danger. The army, on account of an all day rain which made the roads very muddy, covered only eight miles, and went into bivouac, our rear not getting in, however, till 4 o’clock in the morning.

Sunday, 28th—The supply trains started on ahead for Vicksburg, taking with them about six thousand contrabands and refugees—men, women and children, both white and black, of all sorts and sizes. The rebels drove in our pickets today, but did not come any closer. The report is that it is Wheeler and his cavalry.

Monday, 29th—The rebels drove in our pickets again last night and there was some skirmishing, but when we commenced cannonading they fell back. General McPherson has his headquarters here in a fine residence, and I am one of three men who have to walk the beat in front of his headquarters; we had the same duty the entire expedition, when his headquarters was in a residence or in his tent in bivouac.