Thursday, 6th–The Sixth Division remained in bivouac here at Grand Junction, while a part of the army moved on to Holly Springs. We have roll call now every hour during the day.

Wednesday, 5th–It was cold last night to lie in open bivouac. A cold northwest wind was blowing, and although we built fires to sleep by, yet the night was very uncomfortable, for while one was warm on the side next to the fire he was freezing on the other. We lay still all day to [...]

Tuesday, 4th–We started rather early this morning and arrived at Grand Junction at 9 o’clock in the evening. The army has burned the fences along the road and set fire to many deserted houses.[1] [1] Our march these two days was marred by the disgraceful spectacle of the waste and destruction of property. Some men [...]

Monday, 3d–We started at 8 this morning, and marched eighteen miles. We cannot get much sleep at night because the army is so large; it is about 10 o’clock every night before we get into camp. But the weather is quite cool and the roads are good for marching. We went into bivouac for the [...]

Sunday, 2d–We struck our tents, packed our knapsacks and sent them into Corinth for storage. The sick were all left in the hospital at Corinth. We started at 2 p. m. and marched fourteen miles, when we bivouacked for the night. The roads are very dusty and the weather is quite cool, but we are [...]

Saturday, 1st–I was on guard today. The Sixth Division received orders to march in the morning.[1] We are to go in light equipment, leaving here our knapsacks and tents, which are to be put in storage. [1] The Eleventh Iowa regiment was within fifty miles of Corinth for two hundred and thirty-four days, and in [...]

Friday, 31st–This was general muster day, and we were reviewed this afternoon by the commanding officer, General McArthur. The general says our division is hard to beat, declaring that it would be difficult to find a better-looking number of men armed for active service than the Sixth Division. After the review we were mustered for [...]

Thursday, 30th–The weather is quite warm again. We were at work getting ready for general inspection, cleaning camping ground, clothing and accouterments. Our camp is now in fine shape and the men are well rested. Some of the sick and wounded who have been absent for some weeks are returning to camp.

Wednesday, 29th–The Eleventh Iowa was detailed to clean up and smooth a tract of ground for inspection. We are to have general inspection of the army here at Corinth, and it is to be made by General Grant.

Tuesday, 28th–The regiment worked on the fortifications today for the third day in succession. I was not with my company though, being on other fatigue duty. The forts under construction are arranged so that if one fort should be captured, the guns of two other forts could be turned upon the enemy in that one. [...]

Monday, 27th–Our entire regiment was at work on the fortifications. Nathan Chase and William Cross of my company had a fight today, all over some trivial matter. It seems that it is enough to have to fight the rebels without the men fighting among themselves. They were put into the guardhouse.

Sunday, 26th–The Eleventh Iowa was detailed to work on the fortifications under construction down in town. It was quite cold all day, and disagreeable, as the snow is still on the ground.

Saturday, 25th–It is very cold today. It snowed about two inches this afternoon. We are well fixed for a mild winter in camp, with plenty of wood for fires in our Sibley tents.

Friday, 24th–I went to wash clothes today. Company washing squads are sent out daily, except Sundays. A squad consists of eight men with a captain, a lieutenant and two sergeants. This method is necessary because we have to go so far, two miles, and a smaller group could easily be taken by the rebels’ cavalry.

Thursday, 23d–No news of importance. The roads are quite dusty.

Wednesday, 22d–We had brigade inspection today with all accouterments on. There is a report in camp that the army is soon to make an important move south into Mississippi. It is rumored that there are soon to be some changes of brigade and division commanders.[1] [1] There was a sentiment even then among the rank [...]

Tuesday, 21st–Some very fine weather. We have received orders to have company drill twice a day now, and dress parade every day at 5 p. m. We are getting over the effects of our hard service of the past two months.

Monday, 20th–No news of importance. We are again drawing regular army rations, having a railroad to our base of supplies. There is little to be secured by foraging around Corinth, as the rebels’ attempt to retake the place has resulted in keeping a large force of our men here and food and feed has been [...]

Sunday, 19th–Nothing of importance. This is our first Sunday in a quiet camp for more than two months. We had company inspection this morning and dress parade at 5 o’clock in the evening.

Saturday, 18th–It is reported that General Bragg is marching on this place.[1] Colonel Hare has not been with us for some time and will not be with us again. We have just learned that he resigned his commission on August 31st, on account of the wound which he received at the battle of Shiloh. He [...]

Friday, 17th–Everybody is now busy in the routine duties of camp life. The Government is having some deep wells drilled here in our camp; one of them is now completed and we are enjoying plenty of good water, although it is quite a job to draw it. We draw the water by means of a [...]

Thursday, 16th–We have a beautiful camping ground; it is well situated on high ground which affords good drainage and in case of rain will dry off quickly. The weather is very warm and pleasant, with signs of autumn on every hand, and a northern autumn at that. We have warm days and cool nights, and [...]

Wednesday, 15th–We are once more getting settled in camp. Our duties are not as laborious as they were at Bolivar and Iuka. We have begun the building of forts and rifle-pits, close in, all around Corinth, so that a small force can hold the place. We are pulling down some of the vacant houses to [...]

Tuesday, 14th–No news of importance. We washed our clothes today. We have to haul our water about two miles, and it is poor at that. The horses and mules are taken by the men to water.