Diary of Private Alexander G. Downing: Thursday, November 26, 1863

I returned from picket and all is quiet. I loaned $5.00 to Corporal Daniel E. Sweet, until next payday. All of the furloughed men are back now.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 154

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Sunday, August 2, 1863

The teams went to the wharf down in Vicksburg for our tents. The three boys from our company drawing furloughs were Sylvester Daniels, Daniel E. Sweet and Major Christmas, and they left for home today on a thirty-day furlough.¹ I sent $1.00 with Sweet to buy postage stamps for me and $2.00 to buy me a gold pen.² I also sent $5.00 to father by Daniels.

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¹ In drawing lots for furlough, our diarist tells me, the officers favored the married men. Mr. Downing himself did not care about a furlough. — Ed.

² I am using this pen in re-writing the manuscript of my war diary fifty years later, and in my seventy-second year. — A. G. D.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 133

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Wednesday, January 22, 1862

Orderly Clark, Sergeants Spencer, Sweet and White went out on a scouting expedition and brought in a pair of ponies and some things to eat.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 30