Monday, 16th–We reached Boonville at sunup, and landing, remained there about two hours, when we again boarded the boat and crossed to the other side of the river. We lay on the boat here till dark, when Company E and three other companies started for Boonesboro, seven or eight miles distant. Reaching the town we [...]

Sunday, 15th–We landed at the little town of Providence, Missouri, about sunup and experienced our first day’s march after the “secesh.” It was a delightful day. The few belated grasshoppers and crickets which escaped the cold spells were singing their farewell songs. We were all awake and keyed to the highest pitch, felt prepared to [...]

Saturday, 14th–We struck our tents early this morning and at sunup marched down to the landing on the Missouri river, where under the quartermaster a large detail of men worked nearly all day loading our commissariat on board the boats. At sundown our regiment, with a part of the Second Illinois Cavalry, started up the [...]

Friday, 13th–The Eleventh Iowa is at home now in wedge tents, with four men to a tent, and we are experiencing more changes in living. Irish potatoes have been dropped from our rations and we have no tables now at which to eat our meals. When the orderly sergeant draws the rations, the company cook [...]

Thursday, 12th–We received our first month’s pay today. Each man in Company E received pay for twenty-six days of service in the month of October, amounting to $11.25, a little less than a full month’s pay. I received my first Government pay as a soldier in the United States service, getting a ten-dollar gold piece[i] [...]

Wednesday, 11th–I am having my first experience of living in a tent. We are under the strictest military rules, and we are just beginning to realize that a soldier’s life is not all glory.

Tuesday, 10th–I was on camp-guard all last night, and until 9 o’clock this morning, when I was relieved. The order of the day was cleaning up camp and our clothes. Our camp is on high ground and we have plenty of wood for fires and for cooking. We also have good water, but have to [...]

Monday, 9th–We left the cars and marched up through town, where we were met by the Forty-seventh Illinois Infantry, who turned out to receive us, presenting arms. They took us into camp about a mile southwest of town. Here we pitched our tents and for the first time went into camp.[i] I went on guard. [...]

Sunday, 8th–Reveille sounded this morning at 2 o’clock. We jumped out of our bunks, packed our knapsacks, and got started for the railroad station by daylight. As we left the barracks and entered the main street leading down to the city, the sun away to the southeast, just above the hills, showed its face–a regular [...]

Saturday, 7th–The Eleventh Iowa received marching orders today, and we are to carry forty rounds of extra ammunition, besides our cartridge box of forty rounds. There was no drill or dress parade today on account of an all-day rain.

Friday, 6th–Very warm and pleasant. There are soldiers drilling almost all the time. Our drill ground is level but well drained, so that even after a heavy rain it is soon dry again.

Thursday, 5th–No news of importance. There are troops from all of the western states here in camp and working together in harmony.

Wednesday, 4th–Company drill in the forenoon and battalion drill in the afternoon. We get the St. Louis papers in camp every morning and keep posted on the movements of all parts of the army in the field.

Tuesday, 3d–Nothing of importance. It is quite noticeable that the men are now holding their heads erect without wearing the “dog collars” around their necks.

Monday, 2d–It turned warm today and the snow is all gone. I was on guard for the first time here at the barracks. We have to walk the beats with our overcoats on. A man on this, the west side, of the camp was engaged in cleaning his rifle today, when by some movement it [...]

Sunday, 1st–We had a big snowstorm last night. It came my turn to go on camp guard for the first time. It takes some five hundred men to go around the camp.

Saturday, 30th–We had our first general review today, including the infantry, cavalry and artillery. The parade ground was full of soldiers, most of them full-armed for active service. And thus ends the month of November at Benton Barracks, St. Louis, Missouri.

Friday, 29th–We had inspection for pay today, which includes inspection of knapsacks and equipments. After inspection and pay, I went down town on a pass and purchased a portfolio,[1] a paper weight and a pocket knife for army service.[i] [i] This portfolio, together with my Bible, I carried through my four years’ service.–A. G. D.

Thursday, 28th–The weather is very warm and pleasant. The regiment is becoming quite proficient in battalion drill, Colonel Hare seeming to understand the movements quite well. When the Colonel gives the orders to the different company officers, he usually simply says to Compton, “You know how to move your company.”

Wednesday, 27th–No news of importance. We enjoy our drilling under First Lieutenant Compton. He has the company under perfect control. The boys always make an effort to execute his commands and we are never ashamed of our drilling when other soldiers are standing by observing our movements.

Tuesday, 26th–Our drills now are, company drill at 10 a. m., battalion drill at 2 p. m. and dress parade at 5 p. m. We commenced battalion drill today.

Monday, 25th–Nothing of importance. Camp life is a big change from life at home. In the army, every man simply obeys orders; he knows his place and keeps it. Our officers generally are kind to the men, especially if a man tries to do his duty.

Sunday, 24th–We had our first regular company inspection this morning at to o’clock, and at 2 p.m. we had general review, then at 5 o’clock we were on dress parade, but as it is Sunday there was no regular drilling.

Saturday, 23d–We cleaned up today, preparing for our first inspection and review at Benton Barracks. I sent $10.00 home today, the surplus of my State pay.