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

Monday, 18th—It cleared off and turned quite cool. Nothing—nothing new; still lying in camp. The men are becoming restless and anxious to move on to another place, and to accomplish something.

Sunday, 17th—We had an all day rain. Company inspection early this morning. The Eleventh Iowa received their muster rolls and the boys are anxious to be sworn into the service and start for home on their thirty-day furloughs.

Saturday, 16th—The weather has been warm and pleasant for a week. We have our regular daily drills and dress parade. It came my turn to go on the picket line again. The Thirteenth Iowa received their muster rolls, and when they are filled out, the regiment will be sworn into the United States service as a veteran regiment.

Friday, 15th—Camp and picket duty are becoming very light as compared to one month ago. Some of the regiments sent to Minnesota and western Iowa to drive back the Indians, are returning to camp. It is reported that the Sixteenth Army Corps will soon return from Chattanooga. We hear also that General Sherman will command an expedition from Vicksburg across the state to Meridian, Mississippi.

Thursday, 14th—There is a rumor that our army has taken Charleston, South Carolina. Some of our guard early this morning stole a big fish from a fisherman who was taking a load to market. It weighed forty pounds and was divided among the boys. I took a piece to my tent and cooked it, but I might as well have eaten a piece of crow, for it was tasteless and tough. It proved to be a channel cat.

Wednesday, 13th—I was on patrol down town. Things are quiet there, but the streets are quite muddy. The patrols have strict orders to arrest all soldiers found down town without passes, as well as citizens who are caught on the streets without passes. It is not a very pleasant duty, this thing of stopping everyone on the street and requiring him to give an account of himself.1

Tuesday, 12th—It is cloudy but warm, and the ice is still coming down the river. Our duties here in camp are lightening up some. All is quiet and there is nothing of importance.

Monday, 11th—The weather has been very warm for several days and there was a heavy thunderstorm last night. All is quiet in camp, but the men in the old regiments, having re-enlisted, are becoming restless and want to move, for remaining in camp will never bring the war to a close.

Sunday, 10th—We had company inspection this morning. A brigade from here was sent up the river on transports to Greenville, to rout the rebels who have set up a battery there, blockading the river and stopping navigation.