Friday, April 17, 2015

Diary of Corporal Alexander G. Downing: Friday, June 17, 1864

Our brigade was moved out to the left of the Fourth Division during the night, and General Logan's Division occupied our former position. The Eleventh was at work nearly all night throwing up a new line of rifle pits, while the other regiments of our brigade occupied pits previously made by other troops. During the night Logan's Division was twice charged upon, but both times repulsed the attack. Skirmishing began early this morning and continued throughout the day. Our entire left wing was ordered to fall in all along the line and make a demonstration, by cheering and by opening our batteries. This was done to compel them to draw reinforcements from their left, while our right would then charge their weakened left.1 During these demonstrations and skirmishing the captain of Company C was wounded by a sharpshooter, as was also a private in Company G.
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1 This is strategy of war. — A. G. D.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 198

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