Diary of Corporal Alexander G. Downing: Tuesday, April 5, 1864

I took dinner at Mr. Curtis's today, and had a fine dinner. Two other soldier boys were there, Mr. Curtis's son, Homer and Thomas Fossett, both of the Twenty-fourth Iowa Infantry. The citizens in and around Inland are very loyal, and the vicinity is well represented in the Eleventh and Twenty-fourth Regiments.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 177

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Tuesday, October 1, 1861

We drew our cooking utensils and rations for five days. John Batderf, Joseph Tomlinson and I were put in as cooks for the company. We have company drill four hours a day. It seems that we are in camp this time for business. My bunk-mate is James M. Fossett, a brother of Thomas Fossett. James enlisted this time instead of his brother. He's a fine fellow for a bunk-mate.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 12

Diary of Alexander G. Downing: Wednesday, September 4, 1861

Very fine weather. No news of importance. The Government has issued to each man a good, double, woolen blanket, which we use for covers at night in our bunks of wheat straw. There are two men to each bunk, my bunk-mate being Thomas Fossett. He is a good, conscientious fellow.

Source: Alexander G, Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 7