Monday, 13th—Our nice weather was broken today by an all day rain. A large number of transports loaded with troops went down the river; the Twenty-fourth Iowa was on board. I went down to the sutler in the Fifteenth Iowa camp and bought a bushel of potatoes, paying $2.50.
Diary of Alexander G. Downing; Company E, Eleventh Iowa Infantry
Sunday, 12th—Eight gunboats went down the river today. The boys feel quite lively and are anxious to get into action again. We had company inspection in the morning and regimental inspection in the afternoon, with dress parade at 5 o’clock. Some of the men of our regiment were caught in a trap today. They went up into a pigeon house a short distance from camp and were having a game of “chuck luck” when someone informed the officer of the day, who took some guards, surrounded the house, entered and made a quick dive for the rubber poncho, taking all the money lying on the figures, almost $200, and arresting all the participants. He put the fellows in the guardhouse and turned over the money to the hospital steward.
Saturday,11th—The Eighth Iowa passed down the river today. We had no drill this afternoon, but were ordered to clean up for inspection. April has been warm and pleasant every day, but today we had a high wind.
Friday, 10th—William Mills, secretary to the president of the Sanitary Commission of Iowa, visited our regiment today. He is down here among the different Iowa regiments distributing the sanitary goods donated by the loyal people of the State. The health of the Eleventh Iowa is very good, and the boys are feeling fine. Our regiment reports five hundred and twenty men for duty.
Thursday, 9th—The Eleventh Iowa received four months’ pay today, I receiving $3.00 a month here and father drawing $10.00 a month at home. The boys of our regiment send a large amount of their money home every pay day.
Wednesday, 8th—General Townsend, of General Halleck’s staff, from Washington, D. C., made a speech to the Sixth Division of the Seventeenth Army Corps today, on the question of arming the colored men. He urged loyal men to accept commissions as officers in colored regiments. General McArthur, commander of our division, spoke also, and the boys cheered them a great deal. Steps were taken to raise two regiments of colored troops at this place and give them arms. The Fifteenth Iowa received their pay today.
Tuesday, 7th—The sanitary goods were issued to the different companies of the regiment today; the boys are pleased with the many good things that came from Iowa. Received orders to clean up for inspection.
Monday, 6th—Four loads of sanitary goods from Iowa were landed today for the Eleventh Iowa. Colonel Hall arrived this morning from home and the boys were glad to see him. One year ago today he commanded the Eleventh Iowa at the battle of Shiloh. The boys are all in fine spirits. The Sixteenth Iowa received their pay today. It is reported that our cutting of the levee at Lake Providence will prove of no avail, as the channel of the Tensas river is so narrow, and it is impossible to cut out the big overhanging trees, so as to make it wide enough for a fleet to pass through. The project will have to be given up as impracticable.
Sunday, 5th—We had company inspection at 10 o’clock this morning and regimental inspection at 5 p. m. I did not go out on inspection, having to prepare an elaborate dinner (some of that codfish), and after dinner I had a good many dishes to wash —tin plates, cups and knives and forks. I read the following chapters today: Isaiah, ninth chapter, second to the eighth verse; Psalms, twenty-second chapter.
Saturday, 4th—Nothing of importance. The weather is getting very warm, but it is pleasant. I wrote another letter to Jason Sparks.
