Thursday, 19th—All is quiet and there is nothing of importance. The report in camp is that the Sixth Division will remain at Vicksburg all winter; we are thankful if that is the case, as we are comfortably fixed for winter.
Diary of Alexander G. Downing; Company E, Eleventh Iowa Infantry
Wednesday, 18th—The weather is still warm. Our fatigue duty is not so laborious now, but the picket duty is becoming more strenuous if anything on account of the activity of the rebels’ cavalry. The Eleventh Iowa signed the payrolls today.
Tuesday, 17th—The report in camp this morning was that General Sherman had been killed and his force captured on a railroad train east from Memphis. Another report this afternoon says that the train was attacked by the rebel cavalry, but that the troops formed a skirmish line and routed the rebels, and that Sherman is safe; but men were killed and wounded on both sides.
Monday, 16th—On picket today. The weather is warm and pleasant, though the cool nights give warning of approaching winter. With our high picket post and the beautiful landscape, finer than an artist could paint, picket duty in the daytime is a delight.
Sunday, 15th—We had the regular Sunday inspections, company at 10 o’clock and regimental at 4. It is pretty strict discipline to call us out on the Lord’s Day for two inspections, when our daily duty is so laborious.
Saturday, 14th—The weather is quite warm, but windy and smoky. Wild grapes are still growing. There is no change; all is quiet and no news. We still maintain our regular picket of two thousand men.
Friday, 13th—My same old duty again—picket. There was no fatigue detail today, as the fortifications are almost completed. Two or three forts, however, are yet to be built just outside of the rifle pits.
Thursday, 12th—The two brigades of General Crocker’s Division were at his request ordered back to Natchez today, because of a threatened attack of the rebels at that place.
Wednesday, 11th—It is very pleasant after four or five days of quite warm weather. I was on picket again, the first time for a week. Two brigades of General Crocker’s Division arrived from Natchez to reinforce the troops here at Vicksburg. Two negroes entering an old vacant Confederate magazine today were blown to pieces. They were smoking and it is supposed that the loose powder on the floor in some way became ignited. The explosion was heard for miles around. So much again for the filthy habit of smoking.
Tuesday, 10th—I was on a detail of two hundred men with one hundred teams to haul the commissary supplies and ammunition from the transports to the storehouses and magazines constructed near the new forts. It is heavy work, and as to handling the ammunition, quite dangerous. General Grant has given orders that Vicksburg must be well fortified and supplied with munitions and provisions, and that it must be held against all possible attack, for it cost too much to obtain it, besides its being a point of the greatest strategic importance.
