Saturday, 27th—We remained here in camp all day. A number of foraging parties were sent out and some of them were captured by the rebels, and so did not have the privilege of enjoying their booty with their comrades. Canton is a very nice little place, and our army did not destroy the town because so many of the citizens remained in their homes.
Diary of Alexander G. Downing; Company E, Eleventh Iowa Infantry
Friday, 26th—General McPherson with the main part of the army left camp at 8 o’clock in the morning and after an all day march arrived at Canton after dark. They crossed the Pearl river at 10 a. m. and then reloaded the pontoons and destroyed what remained of the bridge. Just before going into camp two men were shot dead by the accidental discharge of a gun which they were pulling out from the back end of the wagon.
Thursday, 25th—The main army moved only eight miles today, when it went into camp for the remainder of the day and night. This is to give the Sixteenth Corps time to cross the river. Our brigade was the first to cross the river, and we went on as far as Canton, about fifteen miles north of Jackson. Here we went into camp and are waiting for the army to catch up. All is quiet. The weather is quite warm. Peach trees are in bloom and the wild grapes are getting green.
Wednesday, 24th—The army left the Hillsborough bivouac over different roads. Our brigade went in advance of the Sixteenth Corps to assist the engineers in laying the pontoons across the Pearl river. This is a good section of the country for forage. We selected twelve men from our entire headquarters’ guard of twenty-eight to go out on forage, and they brought in six hundred pounds of bacon, twenty-five live chickens, one hundred pounds of honey and other articles. Several of us are up tonight cooking the chickens, which with the other things will fill our haversacks. We shall live well now. We are camping on a large plantation.
Tuesday, 23d—We left at 8 o’clock and by noon had reached Hillsborough, where we were ordered to go into bivouac for the night. We caught up with the supply trains here and getting a fresh supply of provisions we are to lie over to give them a start again. All is quiet on the return.
Monday, 22d—We had a long hard day’s march, with our brigade leading the corps. There were some wide swamps to cross and we had to build corduroy roads of rails and pine trees, over which to move the artillery. It was late before we went into bivouac.
Sunday, 21st—The weather is fine for marching. After a night’s rest, we started early this morning and reaching Decatur, went into bivouac. The provision trains aim now to keep one day’s march in advance of the army.
Saturday, 20th—The weather is quite cool and has been for several days. We left Meridian early this morning for Vicksburg, followed by large numbers of contrabands and refugees. Some of the negro women have their bedding tied up in quilts, carrying them on their heads, each with a bundle of clothing in one hand and in the other a corn pone and pieces of bacon tied up in a red handkerchief.
Friday, 19th—The quartermaster is sending out large foraging parties today, while the army is preparing to start back toward Vicksburg tomorrow, after destroying everything within our lines. There are no more rebels to be found in this vicinity.
Thursday, 18th—Our provision trains came in from the rear today and we are thankful for the hardtack which we have been without for three days.
