Monday, March 2, 2015

Diary of Corporal Alexander G. Downing: Monday, May 2, 1864

We left Cairo at 1 o'clock in the night and arrived at Paducah, Kentucky, at 10 o'clock today. We were sent here to reinforce the troops at this place, as it was reported that the rebels, thought to be Forrest's command, would make a raid into Paducah for the purpose of destroying our supplies. We went ashore while the transports with large details of men were sent back to Cairo for ammunition and provisions. I was detailed this morning for the first time as corporal of the guard. We have a force of about five thousand men at this place, with but one fort.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 185

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