Wednesday, 9th—Another twenty-four hours duty on picket, which with the time occupied in going out and returning makes about twenty-six hours each time.
Diary of Alexander G. Downing; Company E, Eleventh Iowa Infantry
Monday, 9th—An order was read at dress parade today announcing that ten men from each regiment would be detailed to go home to their respective states to solicit recruits for their regiments. Lieutenant Alfred Carey has been selected to represent Company E of the Eleventh Iowa.
Sunday, 8th—No work today, only picket duty, and all is very quiet here. General Tuttle’s division left Vicksburg this morning for Memphis.
Saturday, 7th—I was on fatigue duty again today. Two brigades of General Logan’s Division went out to the Black river post to relieve General Tuttle’s Division, which came in and is to take boat for points up the Mississippi river.
Friday, 6th—I was on fatigue again, but on account of rain last night the detail did not go to work until 1 o’clock this afternoon. Some of the heaviest siege guns obtainable are being mounted on raised platforms in the forts.
Thursday, 5th—It rained all day and on account of it the fatigue party did not work on the fortifications. Our camp number 3 is located on the town commons, and because of no timber near by the northwest wind has a full sweep over the camp. No news of importance.
Wednesday, 4th—It is still quite warm. I was on fatigue at the fortifications. The men are pulling down some fine residences and using the material in building the forts. It is pretty harsh and severe business to order a family, brave enough to stay all through the siege, out of their home and tear down their house before their eyes, to build into fortifications, but this is war. We are fortifying the place so that ten thousand men can hold it against any force that has a mind to come.
Tuesday, 3d—Though the weather has been warm for two days, we are fixing up our tent for any cold snap that may come later on, for the report now is that we will remain here at Vicksburg all winter. I finished building the fireplace in my tent. The quartermaster has a detail of men with teams cutting and hauling wood from the timber for the winter.
Monday, 2d—It was my turn on the picket line today. Our picket post is three miles below Vicksburg on the main road to Warrington, and I was stationed right on the bank of the Mississippi. Our reserve post has one lieutenant, one sergeant, two corporals and thirty privates. Six men under a sergeant go out on the public highway from four to six miles, twice a day, to see that there are no rebels advancing.
Sunday, 1st—We moved our camp about a half mile onto higher ground this morning. The quartermaster had our lumber and wood hauled from the old camp and we worked all day pitching our tents and rebuilding the bunks, fireplaces and chimneys. It has been a busy day with us, although it is the Lord’s Day, but a true soldier cannot halt when duty calls. I was very thankful that I did not have to be on the picket line, so that I could have a hand in fixing up our tent.
