Sunday, 27th–We had regular preaching today, both morning and afternoon, by the chaplain. There was a large attendance from outside the camp at the meetings. The mornings are becoming quite frosty.

Saturday, 26th–We drilled with our new arms this morning for the first time. Some of the men are awfully awkward in shouldering arms and using the ramrod and returning it to its place. It is also quite amusing to hear some of the officers give orders when we are going through the manual of arms.

Friday, 25th–We got our equipments today. Our guns are the old-fashioned muskets made by working over the old flintlock gun, so as to use a cap in place of the flint. The musket is loaded with a cartridge containing powder, ball, and three buckshot in front of the ball. Each man is to carry forty [...]

Thursday, 24th–The flag was run up at half mast today, in honor of the death of Colonel Wentz, of the Second Iowa Infantry. Clothing and arms for our regiment have arrived at Davenport. The boys are glad to know that our regiment is to be equipped before leaving the State–ours is to be the first [...]

Wednesday, 23d–There was a large fire in town today. New companies for the Thirteenth and Fourteenth Regiments are arriving in camp nearly every day; also new troops for the Second Iowa Cavalry in camp at the Fair Grounds.

Tuesday, 22d–There were quite a number of visitors from Tipton today–friends of the boys from that place. The weather is cloudy and disagreeable.

Monday, 21st–We received orders to keep the camp clean–have to clean up every morning. The men must all keep their clothes brushed and their shoes polished.

Sunday, 20th–We had preaching twice today, morning and evening, by the chaplain of our regiment, John S. Whittlesey, a Congregational minister from Davenport. A number of people from town were out again to attend the services.

Saturday, 19th–The Eleventh Iowa Infantry was completed today. All the companies now have their full quotas.

Friday, 18th–Nothing of importance. At the sound of reveille every man has to get up, fall in line, and answer to his name. We then march down over the bluff to the river to wash for breakfast, going by companies, each under the command of an officer.

Thursday, 17th–Our daily routine in camp is as follows: Reveille at 4 a. m., breakfast call at 5, drill at 9 and dinner call at noon; drill call at 2 p. m., dress parade at 5, supper at 5:30, tattoo at 8 and taps at 9, when every man not on duty must be in [...]

Wednesday, 16th–Colonel A. M. Hare, who arrived today, is in command of our regiment, the Eleventh Iowa. His home is at Muscatine. More visitors in camp today, and they are usually invited to take dinner or supper with us, as the case may be.

Tuesday, 15th–We moved into our new barracks today, and the boys are all pleased with the new quarters. We had some visitors. Our camp is becoming quite a place for visitors–parents and friends of the boys coming in to bid them the last goodbye.

Monday, 14th–We completed building our new barracks today. Each company has its own building, built of good one-inch lumber, with just enough room between the buildings for our long stationary company tables, where we eat. In front of the building, extending the entire length, is our parade ground.

Sunday, 13th–We had preaching in camp this morning by the chaplain, and he gave us a good sermon. A great many people came out from town to attend the meeting, and still more came this afternoon to see us on dress parade at 5 o’clock.

Saturday, 12th–A number of new recruits are arriving, and the Fourteenth Iowa Infantry is being made up. Drill this afternoon. Five of the boys of my company got passes to go home for two or three days.

Friday, 11th–My company, E, has ninety-seven men. They are of several different nationalities, as follows: Three from Canada, four from Ireland, two from England, two from Germany, and one from France; the rest are American-born, as follows: Twenty-three from Ohio, twenty-one from Pennsylvania, sixteen from New York, eight from Indiana, six from Iowa, two each [...]

Thursday, 10th–The Thirteenth Iowa are building their new barracks just north of ours. The weather is getting quite cool, especially at night.

Wednesday, 9th–Drill twice a day and dress parade at 5 p. m. New recruits are daily coming into camp.

Tuesday, 8th–Regular drill morning and afternoon. All men are supposed to be on the drill ground regularly every day, unless they are marked not fit for duty by the surgeon of the regiment.

Monday, 7th–I left for Davenport early this morning, riding to town with a farmer, and got back to camp at 2 o’clock. Quite a number of the boys around Allen’s Grove are in camp here as members of the Second Iowa Cavalry.

Sunday, 6th–I remained all day at Mr. Moore’s. Mr. Moore is a Mexican War veteran.[i] [i] Mr. Moore was an uncle of my friend and schoolmate, John Moore. –A. G. D.

Saturday, 5th–Our company was sworn into the United States service today, by Captain Alexander Chambers of the regular army. Four men were rejected, which left ninety in the company. Fisher was rejected because he was too short–less than five feet,[i] and Lowe was rejected because he was pigeon-toed.[ii] I got a pass and went to [...]

Friday, 4th–The third all-day rain. Our regiment, the Eleventh Iowa, commenced to build their new barracks, located on the east side of the camp ground. Lieutenant Durbin arrived today.