Saturday, 9th—I was on picket guard down town and all is quiet. The ice floe is running quite strong in the Mississippi and has been for some days, which is rather a new thing to the people of Vicksburg. They say the like has never been known, at least in such large quantities, and that this is the coldest winter they have had for fifty years, although there is no snow as yet.
Diary of Alexander G. Downing; Company E, Eleventh Iowa Infantry
Friday, 8th—I was on fatigue duty, hauling wood for the picket post out in an open field. General Hunter reviewed our brigade today and inspected Company E. It is reported that he is to take command of the Seventeenth Army Corps. All of us hope that it is a false report, for we do not wish to lose General McPherson.
Thursday, 7th—Pleasant weather again after several days of cold. Our brigade now provides the provost guard for the city, which takes each regiment down town every fourth day. The work is thus becoming heavier for our brigade. All is quiet in camp.
Wednesday, 6th—The time for re-enlisting with the bounty expired last night at midnight. The boys who re-enlisted are now looking forward to going home on a thirty-day furlough in the spring.
Tuesday, 5th—The Eleventh Iowa went in today as a veteran regiment, for three years more if needed. Our brigade will also go in as a veteran brigade. It is quite stormy, with a wind from the northwest. I went on picket again, down on the river bottom, two miles below.
Monday, 4th—An order was issued by the War Department cancelling the previous order giving the large bounties to soldiers for re-enlisting, but it is not to go into effect until midnight of the 5th inst. Re-enlisting is going on at a lively rate. Company E today secured the necessary number entitling it to be a veteran company—the first one in the regiment, Company K being the second. General McPherson delivered a speech before the Iowa Brigade, expressing his desire that the entire Seventeenth Army Corps might become a corps of veterans, and I think there is no doubt but that it will.
Sunday, 3d—It cleared off this morning and it got quite cool. I was at my post this morning, standing in water a foot deep. When our relief came they had to go back almost to town before they could cross the swollen creek to reach our post. The “Veteran” excitement was raging when we got back to camp. This afternoon we had a meeting of our regiment, when Major Foster made a speech on the subject of re-enlisting, and I re-enlisted. A large number in our brigade and throughout the Seventeenth Army Corps have re-enlisted. Abraham Brown of our company died yesterday, here in the Vicksburg hospital. He was a good man.
Saturday, 2d—I was detailed for picket again this morning, and the post I drew stationed me on the bottom land. It began to rain late in the afternoon and continued into the night and I was soon standing in water. I tell you, it is poor comfort on picket. The commanding officer banished three women from our lines today. The case against them grew out of a meeting on last Thanksgiving Day. They attended the meeting held in the Presbyterian church and when the minister prayed for the President of the United States, for the success of our arms, and for the Stars and Stripes, saying, “May they continue to float over the land of the free and the home of the brave,” the three women got up and indignantly walked out. They were banished for disloyal conduct.
Friday, 1st—This is a cold New Year’s Day, but things are quite lively in camp, the boys being in fine spirits. I got a pass to go down town this afternoon and found the stores all closed for the day. This is the beginning of the year 1864, and this cruel war still continues to rage in the land. I pray to God that it may come to a close before this year does; but, if not, may all things be done to the glory and praise of God, for He is a God of battles. May this war come to a close and our nation be at peace once more, and may slavery be wiped out so that there shall be no more slaves in America.
Thursday, 31st—The weather has been generally mild this month, though changeable, but today it capped the climax. There was a strong gale from the northwest, accompanied by rain and snow. This is regular muster day. The Eleventh Iowa was mustered at 10 o’clock, and we all had to fall in line by companies, and march to the colonel’s tent, where we answered to our names as they were called. This is a poor day for “Veterans;” the re-enlisting is not progressing very fast.
