Saturday, 24th—We had some rain early this morning, followed by a heavy fog which lasted all day. Boats loaded with troops are constantly arriving and landing at different points along the river where the men are going into camp. Some of our boys are quite sick, the result of using the river water on the way down. Accidents are not common here considering the large number of men crowding as they do, but today a private of the First Kansas Infantry fell from the boat and was drowned before help could reach him.
Diary of Alexander G. Downing; Company E, Eleventh Iowa Infantry
Friday, 23d—We continued our journey again at daylight and by evening reached a point about ten miles above Vicksburg, where we drove our fleet ashore and remained on the boats all night. Fully seventy-five boats loaded with troops are assembled here, while the fleet of gunboats is lying in the river two miles below us. The country is very low here, the land on either side of the river being about twenty feet below the water in the river, which is kept within its banks by levees. The river is rising, and about three miles below us the levee on the Louisiana side has broken, and the land is being flooded.
Thursday, 22d—Today we enjoyed the first warm, clear day for more than two weeks, the snow having entirely disappeared. Our fleet continued all day without a stop. We met the White river expedition returning to Memphis from Napoleon, Arkansas. We tied up for the night about one hundred miles above Vicksburg.
Wednesday, 21st—The weather continues cold. At daylight our fleet started on down the river, reaching Helena, Arkansas, at 10 o’clock. We left Helena at noon with thirteen transports loaded with troops and tied up for the night sixty miles below. The transports dare not run at night on account of being fired upon by the rebels from the banks of the river. They fire on us even on the day run, but before we can get our boats to the banks to give them chase, they are gone and out of sight.
Tuesday, 20th—Another cold, wet day. We completed loading our regimental supplies about noon, and at 4 o’clock started for Vicksburg. We tied up for the night about forty miles below Memphis. The boats are overcrowded, and because of the cold weather there is much suffering.1
1 Starting on this trip ended seventy-nine days of campaigning; in northern Mississippi and western Tennessee. For suffering from exposure, part of the time no tents at night, nearly all the time on half rations or less, for forty-nine days no change of clothing, and more than sixty cloudy days with rain or snow, this campaign proved to be one of the most laborious campaigns during our four years’ service.— A. G. D.
Monday, 19th—We worked all day loading our supplies on the transports. The Ninety-fifth Illinois finished their loading today and are now lying in waiting. The river is quite wide here, one and one-half miles, and is fast rising. There are four mortar boats and one gunboat here, besides a large fleet of transports, some of which are loaded with troops to go down the river, while others are coming from the North with fresh troops. The rebel gunboat, “General Bragg,” has just been captured here.
Sunday, 18th—Bright sunshine, with cold northwest wind blowing. We struck our tents early this morning, loaded the wagons, and started for the river. Upon reaching the city commons, on a high bluff overlooking the landing, we stacked arms and remained there in the mud all day. About dark we were ordered to go aboard the transports. Our regiment with two others, the Eighteenth Wisconsin and the Ninety-fifth Illinois, together with a part of the Second Iowa Battery, embarked on the Marie Deming, where we bunk tonight.
Saturday, 17th—It was cold and stormy all day. I spent the day down in the city, and bought a few more necessary articles —spent $1.25. Five hundred rebel prisoners passed up the river today, being taken to a Northern prison. This evening we got orders to be ready to leave.
Friday, 16th—The snow continued today with a high wind. I loaned Lieutenant Spencer $15.00.1 I went to the city today to purchase some supplies, spending in all $1.00. This evening we received our long-looked-for knapsacks with our extra underwear, which was quite welcome. Those of us who were not fortunate enough to secure extra underclothes when at Holly Springs, as some did, were obliged to wear one undersuit for forty-nine days without changing. When we now cast them aside, some of the boys declared that there was almost enough life in their clothes to walk.
1 Mr. Downing informs me that, as was the common practice, this loan was evidenced only by a verbal contract.—Ed.
Thursday, 15th—It turned cold during the night and the rain of yesterday turned into snow which continued all day. Our camp is in a frightful condition, there being six inches of snow on mud a foot deep. Half the men of the Sixth Division go into town over night. The Eleventh Iowa received two months’ pay this afternoon, and now only a few of us remain in camp, the most of the boys putting up in the city instead. We are expecting any moment to receive orders to break camp here.
