Wednesday, 26th–The weather is getting very warm. We have plenty of firewood near by for the cooking, and running water a short distance away where we do our washing once a week.

Tuesday, 25th–We had company drill twice today. We have a fine drill ground. Our water here is good, there being several springs a short distance to the east and to the west of our camp. The camp of the Thirteenth Iowa is on our left, while to our right are the Eighth and Eighteenth Illinois. [...]

Monday, 24th–We disembarked and marched out about a mile and a half from the landing, where we pitched our tents. Our camp is located in what is called Jones’ Field.

Sunday, 23d–The Eleventh Iowa received marching orders, and we struck our tents and got on board the “Westmoreland.” The quartermaster had all of the commissariat on the boat by noon and we left for Pittsburg Landing. We reached the landing at dark and remained on the boat for the night.

Saturday, 22d–It is disagreeable weather—a cold rain from the north. The Thirteenth Iowa started to Pittsburg Landing, about ten miles up the river. The Eleventh Iowa is expecting marching orders any time.

Friday, 21st–It is cloudy and cold. Captain Chambers’ battery of six guns arrived today. Orders came for us to embark at once, and we struck our tents and got ready to start. After waiting six hours for the order to fall in, the order was countermanded and we had to pitch our tents again.

Thursday, 20th–It is cloudy, chilly and very disagreeable weather. A great many of the boys are getting sick with the chills and fever, and the doctors are no account. We have no drill nor dress parade; we seem to be just stopping here in the mud. Troops are passing here every day going up the [...]

Wednesday, 19th–There are about ten thousand men of all arms in camp at this place. We are expecting marching orders every day. Our camp is on high ground, but there has been so much rain that the water stands on the surface. We cut brush and place it on the ground in our tents to [...]

Tuesday, 18th–We left the boats and marched out about two miles from Savannah. We pitched our tents near a big orchard. Details of men went to the timber with teams to get firewood for our camp.

Monday, 17th–We received orders to disembark in the morning and everybody is rejoicing, for it is getting very tiresome on the boats—we have been on the boats seven days now. Details of men worked nearly all day at unloading our commissariat. The landing place is nothing but a jelly of mud—there are so many mules, [...]

Sunday, 16th–We are still lying on the boats waiting for orders. Two gunboats came down from Pittsburg Landing. The weather is very disagreeable, with rain every day and rather cold besides.

Saturday, 15th–It rained all day. It seems so dark and gloomy. We lay on the boats all day, but we are expecting to receive orders to go on up the river. Boats loaded with troops are passing us and going on up to Pittsburg Landing, Tennessee.

Friday, 14th–We left Fort Henry at dark last night, going on up the river, and arrived at Savannah, Tennessee, this afternoon. The river seems to be lined with transports loaded with troops going up-stream. There are two gunboats in our fleet, also two tugboats and several barges.

Thursday, 13th–We stopped at Paducah, Kentucky, a short time and then early this morning came up the river to Fort Henry, arriving in the afternoon. There are about twenty transports at this place, loaded with troops. Fort Henry is a dilapidated place. The Tennessee river is very high, the water being out over the banks, [...]

Wednesday, 12th–We started again on our voyage at daylight. A high cold wind was blowing all day. We landed at Cape Girardeau, Missouri, remaining there for a short time, and then proceeded on our journey, arriving at Cairo, Illinois, at 2 p. m., where we waited for further orders. Late in the afternoon we received [...]

Tuesday, 11th–We lay at the wharf all night, loading the quartermaster’s supplies. At 8 a. m. we left St. Louis for Cairo, Illinois. Our entire regiment is on the one boat, a side-wheeler. Company E is quartered on the hurricane deck, and a cold wind blowing makes it rather disagreeable for us. We lay up [...]

Monday, 10th–We arrived at Jefferson City about daylight. Our regiment came together here this morning after being separated since the 22d of last December. We left for St. Louis about 8 a. m., our train being made up of almost every kind of car known, and arrived about 3 p. m. We went aboard the [...]

Sunday, 9th–Had a cold rain all day. There was no church for us today. The quartermaster with a detail of men loaded some of the supplies on open cars, the wagons being taken apart and loaded. The mules and horses were put in the stock cars. The cars came for us about 9 p. m. [...]

Saturday, 8th–The boys are in fine spirits because we have orders to leave. All are at work getting ready—some are mending their shirts, pants or coats, others their socks or shoes, or anything which needs fixing up before leaving for the South.

Friday, 7th–Orders came for us to get ready to leave for St. Louis, and everybody is happy. Drill was discontinued for the day.

Thursday, 6th–No news of importance.

Wednesday, 5th–Company E had prayer meeting this evening in a vacant room close by their quarters. It is reported that we are to leave for the South in two or three days. The war has certainly struck this place a hard blow. There are many vacant houses and most of the storerooms are standing empty. [...]

Tuesday, 4th–Nothing of importance.

Monday, 3d–It is turning a little warmer. There are just a few of the boys in the hospital here and they are well cared for; their bedding is kept nice and clean and their food is well cooked.