Wednesday, 21st—Our orders came and we left this morning at 6 o’clock for Vicksburg. We arrived in camp at noon, twelve miles from where we started. All is quiet here and no news of any importance.
Diary of Alexander G. Downing; Company E, Eleventh Iowa Infantry
Tuesday, 20th—General Logan’s Division returned to Vicksburg today. Our brigade pickets were called in and we were expecting also to return to Vicksburg, but had to remain here in bivouac all day. The health of our regiment is quite good now, and most of those away on sick furlough have returned to the regiment.
Monday, 19th—We were out this morning for our skirmish drill. The scouting expedition returned from Jackson this afternoon and occupied their old camp, while we had to go into open bivouac for the night. The expedition had little difficulty in routing the rebels at Jackson, but lost five or six men killed and quite a number wounded.
Sunday, 18th—The Thirteenth went up to Messenger’s ford on picket. We had our regular company inspection this morning. In the afternoon I went to the refugees’ camp to hear a colored man preach. There was a large number of negroes and they had a joyful time; their singing and shouting beat all that I have ever listened to. They were so happy that they did not cease shouting until after sundown.
Saturday, 17th—We had regimental dress parade this evening, after which an order was read to us giving us our drilling program while stationed here. Beginning tomorrow the Eleventh and the Thirteenth are to have skirmish drill in the afternoon of every other day, and the Fifteenth and Sixteenth are to practice battalion drill on the alternating days.
Friday, 16th—I went on picket this morning. We have to keep a strong picket line for fear of the rebels’ cavalry making a dash into this place and burning the provisions stored here. The large camp of refugees is still maintained here by the Government. The cars are running back and forth through here from Vicksburg, coming out at 11 a. m. and returning to Vicksburg at 3 p. m.
Thursday, 15th—The weather is quite cool and pleasant and we are enjoying the rest afforded us, for the duties here are not laborious; all we have to do is to keep the camp clean and serve on picket. We had regimental inspection this afternoon.
Wednesday, 14th—General Tuttle’s division left early this morning on their expedition, carrying eight days’ rations. General Logan’s Division is also in the command, and there is a total of about ten thousand men—infantry, artillery and cavalry. Our brigade moved into the tents of the Third Brigade of Tuttle’s Division, the Eleventh Iowa occupying those of the Fifth Minnesota.
Tuesday, 13th—This is election day for the soldiers of Iowa, they having been given the right to vote while in the army. No one is permitted to electioneer for his favorite candidate and those who persisted in doing so were arrested and put in the guardhouse. General Tuttle, the commander of a division, is from Iowa and is the candidate for governor of the State on the Democratic ticket, against Colonel Stone, formerly of the Twenty-second Iowa Regiment, who is the Republican candidate for governor.[1]
[1] Stone was elected, even without the soldier vote, by a large majority. Mr. Downing has the distinction of having cast his first vote while in the service.—Ed.
Monday, 12th—We remained here in bivouac all day, and shall probably continue at this place several days. Our brigade was sent here to relieve the Third Brigade of General Tuttle’s expedition toward Jackson, Mississippi. It turned very warm today. It is raining this evening, and we have no tents in which to stay.
