Sunday, 20th–John T. Rice, a member of Company E, Eleventh Iowa, was buried this afternoon with military honors.[1] He died of his wound accompanied with fever. Three other men who died of disease were also buried today. We learned that Wilson Simmons of Company E died of lung fever on the 15th at Mound City, [...]

Saturday, 19th–Nothing of importance. Everything appears to be so lonesome.

Friday, 18th–No news of importance.[1] [1] While the battle of Shiloh was a Union victory, nevertheless it was dearly won and could easily have been a defeat. Even at that time the men in discussing it, pointed out some of the mistakes made by the Union forces. I wish to point out how the day [...]

Thursday, 17th–The day is fair. Had battalion drill again.

Wednesday, 16th–No news of importance.[1] [1] There was much discussion among the men over the great battle we had just been through, the battle of Shiloh. The question why the Confederates lost the battle, I should answer as follows: First, they were four hours late in making the general attack on that Sunday morning. The [...]

Tuesday, 15th–There’s nothing of importance.

Monday, 14th–We had inspection of arms this forenoon. Most of the boys in our company picked up rifles from the battlefield and got better rifles than they had. But it makes it quite difficult for the quartermaster to supply the extra ammunition required for the different kinds of rifles. The weather is quite warm.

Sunday, 13th–It is clear and warm today. We had battalion drill again, twice today. Not more than two hundred of the regiment are fit for duty. Major Abercrombie, who drilled us, gave us a lecture about getting out to drill. He assured us that the battle we just had would be classed as a skirmish [...]

Saturday, 12th–It is still raining every hour and the floors of our tents are very wet. Our camp has become very muddy, which, with constant rain and the braying of mules day and night, makes it a very gloomy time.

Friday, 11th–It rained all day. Troops have been arriving by the thousands every day since Sunday.

Thursday, 10th–We are still burying the dead. The lieutenant of Company F was buried today. Nearly all of the dead have been buried now, but there are some of the wounded still dying. I was detailed with two others to bury three of the rebels’ dead. We went out about a half mile north of [...]

Wednesday, 9th–Fifteen hundred more of our troops arrived. We are still burying the dead. It rained again today. The ground is so thoroughly soaked that it is difficult to dig the graves deep enough and keep out the water. We bury our dead by companies, all of one company in one grave, and if only [...]

Tuesday, 8th–We formed a line of battle early this morning and remained in line about two hours.[1] So many men throughout the camp were firing off their loaded rifles, preparing to clean them, that the officers thought a battle was in progress out in front. About 9 o’clock word came in from the front that [...]

Monday, 7th–It rained all night. The battle was renewed this morning at 6 o’clock, by our forces under General Buell. The Eleventh Iowa formed and marched forward with parts of broken regiments, in support of the left center of Buell’s army, whenever needed. It was very trying for us thus to stand in line of [...]

Sunday, 6th–The long roll sounded about half-past seven in the morning, and at once we formed a line of battle on the regimental parade ground. At about 8 o’clock we were ordered to the front, and marching out in battle line, about one-half mile, we met the rebels at Water Oaks Pond. Dresser’s battery was [...]

Saturday, 5th–We had company drill this morning as usual. Lieutenant Compton took the company out on the drill ground this afternoon for company drill, and he said: “Now, boys, we drill in earnest for an hour, then return to our quarters, put away our rifles, and then to the branch for bathing.” It was warm, [...]

Friday, 4th–It rained and hailed this afternoon, and by night it got very warm. We were ordered under arms at 6 p. m., and we formed a hollow square on the parade ground. We remained in line until 10 o’clock, when we were ordered back to our tents. It was reported out in front that [...]

Thursday, 3d–We had drill as usual today and also general review, by General McClernand. We have no guard duty at this camp, but the troops of the front camps have to keep out a strong picket line.

Wednesday, 2d–It rained all day and we had no drill. The men remained in the tents, reading the Bible, magazines and papers, or writing letters home.

Tuesday, 1st–Our Division, the First, was reviewed this forenoon by General Grant and Maj. Gen. J. A. McClernand. While the review was in progress three men were seen on the roofs of two small log houses at the southern end of Jones’ Field, taking notes on our maneuvers, the number of men in line, etc. [...]

Monday, 31st–Our regular drills are: Company drill from 10 to 11 a. m., battalion drill from 3 to 5 p. m., and dress parade at 5 p. m. We have a splendid drill ground in a large field. Received orders to get ready for review by General Grant tomorrow morning at 10 o’clock. The country [...]

Sunday, 30th–This is our first Sunday in camp in the “Sunny South.” We had company inspection with all accouterments on, by the colonel of our regiment, Colonel Hare.

Saturday, 29th–A large detail from the brigade was sent to cut and clear away some timber between Jones’ Field and a small field just to the south, so as to throw the two fields together, making it possible for the First Division to form a continuous line to be reviewed by the commanding general of [...]

Friday, 28th–It is warm and dry—it is delightful. There is nothing of importance going on. Our camp is well protected on the left by the Tennessee river and by Owl creek on our right flank. Most of the camp ground lies high and just rolling enough to keep the ground dry. Our camp—the First Brigade [...]