Diary of Alexander G. Downing; Company E, Eleventh Iowa Infantry

Thursday, 12th—The Eleventh Iowa received two months’ pay, I receiving $26.00. We commenced to cut the levee today, but shortly after we got started the order was countermanded.

Wednesday, 11th—All is quiet. The commissioned officers of our brigade had a meeting at brigade headquarters for the purpose of considering ways and means for arming the colored men, since they have been declared free. The plan is to put them under good officers for garrison service, thus relieving that number of men for the more important places in the front. They also passed resolutions calling upon the loyal people of the North to put down those at home who are opposing the prosecution of the war; if need be they would use force by calling for soldiers from the front. The men at the front feel that this opposition to war at home is helping to prolong the war, by encouraging the rebels.

Tuesday, 10th—We heard again that Port Hudson was taken, and also that Rosecrans had a battle, but can learn nothing definite. A squad from our regiment mounted on mules and horses had an exciting experience while out scouting, about twelve miles from camp. Seeing some chickens in the yard of a farm house, they thought they might as well get a few to take along with them. When some of the boys, dismounting, entered the yard to catch the chickens, they were met by the woman of the house with a bucket of scalding hot water and they had a hard time trying to keep out of her way. Some of the boys got a touch of the hot water, but they caught their chickens.

Monday, 9th—We were relieved from picket at 9 o’clock this morning. The Thirteenth Iowa had battalion drill this afternoon. Hear some heavy cannonading in the direction of Vicksburg.

Monday, 8th—The Third Brigade received their knapsacks this morning. The boys are at work building sheds of the canebrake which is so plentiful in this part of the State. Fighting is still kept up and reinforcements are arriving every day. Vicksburg must and shall fall this time!

Sunday, 8th—Company E went on picket this morning. Had a fearful hailstorm late this evening.

Saturday, 7th—It is quite showery and things are growing fine. Farmers throughout here are putting into corn most all the land that is not flooded. There are few white men here and most of the able-bodied negro men are forming companies and regiments for the army of the North, to be under white officers.

Friday, 6th—I was detailed to go on picket with Company D. Had quite a thunderstorm this evening.

Thursday, 5th—We had regimental and camp inspection this morning at 10 o’clock, conducted by a major of General McPherson’s staff. We came out in splendid order. The officers of the Eleventh Iowa met at 6 o’clock this evening to draw up resolutions demanding the hunting down of all Copperheads in the North. The steam tug was started on the lake today to inspect and make sure of the outlets from Providence Lake through the Tensas river to the Red river. These outlets must all be open before we let the water into the lake.