Diary of 5th Sergeant Alexander G. Downing: Tuesday, February 14, 1865

We started to move forward at 9 a. m. and after an easy march of twelve miles¹ went into camp for the night. The rebels are still retreating before us.

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¹ It will be recalled that in the campaign through Georgia we went in extra light marching orders. Just before we began our raid through the Carolinas, at Pocotaligo, we received further orders which stripped us of all unnecessary articles. General Sherman himself had only a fly-tent at night.

Now I never could stand to carry a heavy knapsack, generally not carrying enough to make it keep its shape. Before we left Pocotallgo, therefore. In order to make it keep its shape and thus carry easier, I made a frame out of a cracker box, eighteen inches square by four inches in depth, and placed it in my knapsack, then rolling my fly-tent, four by seven feet, and around it my rubber poncho, making a roll about eighteen or twenty Inches long, I strapped it on my knapsack and I was ready for the march. With this outfit, when I was well, I could easily march thirty to thirty-five miles a day. This I did without becoming fatigued, carrying besides, my rifle, cartridge-box, haversack with five days' rations, and my canteen filled with water. — A. G. D

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 253

Diary of Corporal Alexander G. Downing: Sunday, June 12, 1864

It rained steadily all day. Our forces did not advance any today, but they are still throwing up earthworks and planting batteries. There was some shelling at a few points today by our men and the skirmishing at times was quite lively on both sides. But because of so much rain the last two days, and since we have worked so hard building rifle pits, we are glad to remain quiet and get some rest. As we have no tents, the men have built “ranches” out of their rubber ponchos, for shelter and for resting places in which to get snatches of sleep. There are no tents except the hospital tents, and some of the officers have “fly tents” in order to keep their papers and books dry. Our wagon trains are kept in the rear for fear of our being suddenly shelled and compelled to fall back. The earthworks of both sides are in plain view of each other, all the timber between having been cut down, and the pickets are close enough together at night to engage in conversation.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 196