Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Friday, October 24, 1862

I went to wash clothes today. Company washing squads are sent out daily, except Sundays. A squad consists of eight men with a captain, a lieutenant and two sergeants. This method is necessary because we have to go so far, two miles, and a smaller group could easily be taken by the rebels' cavalry.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 78

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Tuesday, October 14, 1862

No news of importance. We washed our clothes today. We have to haul our water about two miles, and it is poor at that. The horses and mules are taken by the men to water.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 76

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Tuesday, September 16, 1862

We drew some clothing today; I got a rubber poncho, which cost $2.50. It is about three by six feet, with eyelets every six inches all around the edges, so by four men going together in bivouac and putting their ponchos over a pole resting on two forks, they will have a roof that will turn rain better than any canvas roof. They are good, heavy rubber cloth.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 69

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Monday, September 15, 1862

We pitched our tents and built our bunks today. It had rained all night and rained some more this afternoon. The men are not pleased with this camp ground, as it is low and level. There will be a great many on the sick list if we remain here. On account of the dry weather all summer, the springs no longer furnish the branch with running water, and we are compelled to get our drinking water from a stagnant pool. Our former camp here in Corinth, which we left in July, was on high ground and all had hoped that we would be permitted to occupy that spot, but we were disappointed in that — such is the life of a soldier.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 69

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Tuesday, July 22, 1862

We removed our tents and had a general cleanup of the camp. We made brush brooms, took down all tents, swept the ground, then pitched our tents again.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 58

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Monday, June 23, 1862

Nothing of importance. I went out to the branch a mile from camp to do my washing. Burtis Rumsey of our company has been sick for about two weeks and he begged me to take two of his shirts along and wash them for him, so I did.  I used a small camp kettle which the company cook has set aside for boiling clothes. Some of the boys in the company hire colored women to wash their clothes. I prefer to do my own washing.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 54-5

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Saturday, June 7, 1862

I stood out on picket all day. We were relieved from picket this evening about dark. We were posted in a heavy timber about two miles out, on one of the main roads leading to town. Water is very scarce and poor at that. We have to go a mile from camp for our drinking water, and to a branch the same distance to do our washing.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 52

A Good Hint

The Springfield (Mass.) Republican makes the following suggestion to soldiers and their friends, which may prove of far more value than much advice of greater length and pretensions:

The Republican has already recommended as a relief from thirst, for the soldier, a clove taken in the mouth, to promote the flow of saliva and relieve the irritation, without the evil effects of bad water, and worse whiskey. Many other substances are almost equally useful, not including tobacco, for with that the saliva cannot be swallowed. A soldier said that on a long and fatiguing march, tea was a great refreshment. Granted, but in the desert fields of Virginia, a man is not at his own tea table. Doubtless a cup of Mocha coffee would be equally acceptable. No, he said, a comrade had a little box filled with tea, and each day merely took a few leaves in his mouth. We might believe it, or not, but it was as good as a cup of tea. It is worth trying. Let those who are putting up a box for [pet] soldiers put in a few cloves and some tea with these suggestions.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, April 24, 1862, p. 2