Wednesday, 30th—The veterans of the Eleventh Iowa were sworn into the United States service today. There were ten from Company E, as follows: Nathan Chase, George Cush, Leroy Douglas, Frank Johnson, James Martin, James Newcom, Henry Newans, James Rankin, Burtis Rumsey, and Orlando Stout.
Diary of Alexander G. Downing; Company E, Eleventh Iowa Infantry
Tuesday, 29th—I was on camp guard today. The weather is quite pleasant. News came that General Schofield is to be removed from the Department of the Missouri and that Rosecrans is to be placed in command. People are rejoicing over the change. Schofield is in command of a corps with Grant.
Monday, 28th—The commanding officers of our post here are “conscripting” every able-bodied citizen for military duty. The order applies to blacks as well as to whites, and aims to provide artisans for labor in connection with the army and army posts.
Sunday. 27th—I was again on provost patrol in the city, and with two others was assigned to the mule corral, the meanest place one could possibly be stationed at; for all we had to do was to see that the four mules penned up there did not kick down the fence.
Saturday, 26th—The Eleventh and the Fifteenth Iowa returned from Redstone, and they report that there was no sign of the rebels out there. The rebels being out there was all a humbug. The regiments were sent out there so that the officers in town could have a spree on Christmas.[1]
[1] Many thought at the time that it was a put-up job to give the boys a march—and I still believe it.—A. O. D.
Friday, 25th—It was a false alarm. The rebel attack did not materialize and we came in from picket at the usual time. The extra force from the other two regiments returned late in the afternoon. The camp is a lonely place with so many out at Redstone, and it is Christmas Day, too. I went to the regimental hospital and purchased from the steward a nice mince pie for my Christmas dinner, costing me fifty cents.
Thursday, 24th—I went on picket again this morning. Late in the evening the Eleventh and the Fifteenth Regiments were ordered out to a little town called Redstone, as it was reported that a strong force of the rebels was there. At 10 o’clock at night a detail of sixty men from the Thirteenth and Sixteenth Regiments was sent out to reinforce our pickets, as it was feared the rebels’ cavalry would make an attack upon Vicksburg in the early morning.
Wednesday. 23d—The weather continues quite pleasant. There is no news. All is quiet here. There has been no foraging for two months now, for the reason that there is nothing left to forage. I often wonder what the farmers in this section live on; whatever they have certainly cannot be in abundance. The citizens of Vicksburg are a little more fortunate; that is, if they have the greenbacks, for since July 4th, last. Confederate scrip is no longer legal tender. Some people still have a little gold and silver, which comes from its hiding place when their larders run low.
Tuesday, 22d—Relieved from picket this morning. It was quite cold last night. I was on an outpost and our detail consisted of a sergeant, a corporal and twelve privates. We took turns standing on vedette, one hour at a time.
Monday, 21st—The Eleventh Iowa furnished the provost guard for the city, though I had to go with a picket squad.
