Wednesday, February 3, 2016

Diary of 5th Sergeant Alexander G. Downing: Wednesday, March 15, 1865

We were on the move at 7 a. m. and marched ten miles today. Went into bivouac near the Black river. The section of the country through which we passed today is almost one continuous swamp and heavily timbered. There is a small farm now and then. The corps took different roads and so we all got into bivouac earlier. Our division, the Fourth, had the center. When the road was wide enough the infantry would march at one side, allowing the artillery and teams to occupy the roadway. This made it equal to a double column, and we could move faster and save time.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 261-2

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