Sunday, 11th—We left this morning according to orders and marched fifteen miles, when we stopped to eat dinner. We then continued our march about five miles farther, and at 4 o’clock we reached the Black river bridge, just ten miles out from Vicksburg, thus making a circuit of twenty miles to reach this important point.
Diary of Alexander G. Downing; Company E, Eleventh Iowa Infantry
Saturday, 10th—The Thirteenth came in and the Eleventh again went out on picket this morning. I was relieved from camp guard after two days’ steady duty, and accompanied my regiment on picket. About dark our brigade received orders to be prepared to march at 6 in the morning, with one day’s rations in haversacks and four days’ rations in the wagons.
Friday, 9th—The rebels have made no attempt at a raid into Vicksburg, but seem to be at their old trick of making our officers believe that they are in this vicinity in large force. Our officers, however, are on their guard, and are not to be caught napping. They continue a strong support of the pickets. The Eleventh and the Thirteenth again exchanged places, our boys coming from picket. A report came that Rosecrans had been whipped at Chattanooga, by Bragg’s army.[1]
[1] In fact, Rosecrans with his army in Chattanooga had been surrounded by Bragg, who had possession of the railroad, and Rosecrans’ army had to depend upon long hauls by wagon for their supplies.—A. G. D.
Thursday, 8th—The Eleventh Iowa went out again on picket this morning, relieving the Thirteenth. I did not accompany the regiment, because I was on camp guard. The weather is quite cool and there is no news of any importance.
Wednesday, 7th—Six regiments were stationed at the different roads last night to reinforce the regular pickets. But the rebels did not make their appearance as it was reported they would. Our regiment was relieved at 10 o’clock this morning by the Thirteenth Iowa. We were struck by a fearful rain and windstorm last night.
Tuesday, 6th—Our brigade went into Vicksburg this afternoon at 2 o’clock to be in the review, together with the entire army at this place. We were reviewed by Major General U. S. Grant. The report in camp is that General Grant has been ordered by the War Department to report at Louisville, Kentucky. All are sorry to see him leave. Just after dark, the Eleventh Iowa was ordered out on picket, it being expected that the rebel cavalry would make a dash into Vicksburg in the morning.
Monday, 5th—Everything is very quiet here, although as the health of the men is improving our duties become more laborious. Every regiment that can be taken from Vicksburg is being sent to reinforce the armies at other posts. General Sherman has been ordered to proceed to Chattanooga and thus all of the Fifteenth Army Corps will be taken from the vicinity of Vicksburg.
Sunday, 4th—Our brigade was reviewed this morning at 7 o’clock by General McPherson, major-general commanding the seventeenth Army Corps. The pickets were not relieved until about noon, and so we missed the inspection. The boys are in camp today reading or writing letters.
Saturday, 3d—Orders have been issued to fortify Vicksburg so that a small force can hold the place against one five times the number; the fortifications are to be on the highest ground in the city. I was on duty at a picket post three miles below Vicksburg, on the east bank of the Mississippi. There were four privates and two corporals at the post, the corporals taking their turns in standing out in front as vedettes.
Friday, 2d—The weather is quite cool for this time of year in the “Sunny South.” There is no news of any importance. Things are very quiet.
