Diary of Corporal Alexander G. Downing: Friday, September 30, 1864

The weather is quite pleasant. Nothing of any importance. I have made loans to the boys of my company as follows: Samuel Bain, $5.00; John Ford, $5.00; Samuel Metcalf, $5.00; Burtis Rumsey, $3.00; William Green, $3.00, and Monroe Blazer, $1.00. I also loaned $5.00 to John Hemphill of Company I of the Sixteenth Iowa. All loans are to be paid back on next pay day. I paid a debt of $5.00 to Thomas Armstrong. I bought a gold pen from Jason Sparks for $5.00. All is quiet on the post.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 218

Diary of Corporal Alexander G. Downing: Monday, April 25, 1864

And still it is raining! Reveille sounded at 5 o'clock this morning and we strapped on our knapsacks and all accouterments, and at 7 o'clock marched to the station, where we boarded the cars and started for Cairo.

We bade old Iowa farewell, perhaps never to return, for in the course of the coming events it is improbable that all will get back, but if the Lord is willing, I hope that we may be spared to return again. Crossing the Mississippi at 8 o'clock, we arrived at La Salle about noon and changed cars — exchanged fine coaches on the Rock Island for rather poor ones over the Illinois Central. Leaving La Salle at 3 o'clock we passed through Bloomington at dark, soon after which many of us took berths for the night. This morning just before leaving Davenport, I sent $50.00, my bounty money, to father by Solomon Lichtenwalter, who had come to Davenport to see us off. I then borrowed $5.00 of Thomas Armstrong, to run me till next pay day.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 182-3