Diary of Private Alexander G. Downing: Monday, January 25, 1864

The Eleventh Iowa Regiment was today sworn into the United States service for three years or during the war, and now we are a veteran regiment. Our company had an election of officers, but it did not amount to anything, as it was vetoed by the colonel, and men of his own choice were put into the offices. The role of officers as elected is as follows:¹

Captain S. S. McLoney

First Lieutenant William Spencer

Second Lieutenant Joseph Tomlinson

First Sergeant Lewis Elseffer

Second Sergeant David Huff

Third Sergeant Hiram Frank

Fourth Sergeant John A. White

Fifth Sergeant Alexander G. Downing

_______________

¹ The men had been promised the right to elect their own officers if they re-enlisted. — A. G. D.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 163-4

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Tuesday, September 8, 1863

Captain McLoney is going home for thirty days and there are still others from our regiment going on furloughs. We have no drilling, dress parade, camp guard or picket duty to perform, nor yet fatigue duty — our whole duty at present is to help care for the sick boys.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 141

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Wednesday, July 1, 1863

A detail of the Seventeenth Iowa came out this morning to relieve us, and a team came this afternoon to haul our baggage, but we have not yet received orders to leave. Captain McLoney went down to the headquarters of the picket officers to get an order to move. The report is that our men blew up another rebel fort. It is said that a man on one of our mortar boats made a wager that he could pull the lanyard longer and fire a larger number of shells than any of his comrades, but he was overcome by the concussion and dropped dead just as he stepped from the boat. He gave up his life for a vain wish.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 125

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Tuesday, June 30, 1863

Our company was mustered at 9 o'clock this morning by Captain McLoney. Major Foster came in today and made a demand upon the general picket officers that our company be relieved from picket duty at this place. We had a fine time at this place. Our work here has not been laborious, but we had to be on constant duty and ready with all accouterments on, for any emergency. The abundance of canebrakes here fortunately made it unnecessary for us to sleep on the ground.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 125

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Sunday, June 29, 1862

We had inspection this morning at 8 o'clock by the general inspector. Colonel Hall and Captain McLoney arrived from home this morning. The Colonel had been wounded at Shiloh and went home to let the wound heal. Mrs. Hall is with the Colonel in camp and the men of the regiment have great respect for her; she is so kind to the sick in the regimental hospital.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 55

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Saturday, September 28, 1861

We had regular drill this morning and in the afternoon our election of officers. The election resulted as follows: Captain, Samuel S. McLoney; First Lieutenant, John F. Compton; Second Lieutenant, Lorenzo D. Durbin; Orderly Sergeant, Joel H. Clark. I went home this evening for the last time before leaving for Camp McClellan.¹

¹ It proved to be the last time for two years and six months. — A. G. D.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 10

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Friday, September 13, 1861

We made the entire trip of thirty miles from Davenport last night and reached home by daylight. I went up to Tipton this afternoon and was sworn into the State service, my service dating back to August 20th. Our former captain, Mr. McLoney, and some of the other Inland boys are here, besides four of the Le Claire boys. We are trying to form a new company and everything looks good for a new company in a short time, quite a number of the boys having already enrolled. We are boarding at the hotel.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 9

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Monday, September 9, 1861

Our company was disbanded this morning, since we could not get men enough to fill it up. Some of our boys enlisted in other companies of the Eighth Iowa. Captain Foster of Le Claire sent word to our captain, McLoney, that he would raise an entire company at Le Claire.¹

¹At the time some of us were greatly disappointed in not getting Captain Foster for our company, but I believe now that in the long run it was a good thing.—A. G. D.

Source: Alexander G, Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 8

Scott County Soldiers Killed

We have heard from the 2d, 11th, and 13th regiments, in which there were three deaths of Scott county men. George Crooks and John R. Buckman, of Co. E, 11th regt. And Corporal John Melton, Co. E, 13th Regt. Geo. Crooks is a native of Pennsylvania, and about 21 years of age. After his enlistment last fall, his father died, leaving some younger children in their care of their brother George. He was a sober, industrious and exemplary young man, and his loss is a sad blow to those who depended on him. John R. Buckman was born in Illinois, and was hardly 18 when he enlisted, and was probably the youngest member of his company. We have known him a long time, and always appreciated him as a good, brave, warm-hearted boy, who could not fail to make a good and useful man, and we feel assured there was none more heroic on that fatal battle field than little Johnny Buckman. Both Crooks and Buckman lived in Le Claire, and enlisted in Capt. McLoney’s company, 11th regiment last fall. John Melton was born in Indiana, and was 24 years old when he enlisted in Capt. VanHosen’s company last fall, holding therein the position of first corporal.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Friday Morning, April 18, 1862, p. 1