“The first day of camp life is past, and we had our first experience of a night in camp, sleeping on straw for a bed.”–Alexander G. Downing.

Wednesday, 21st—We drew our army cooking utensils this morning and one day’s rations, and then cleaned up our camp. Besides a part of the Eighth Iowa Infantry, there is a part of the Second Iowa Cavalry in camp. The first day of camp life is past, and we had our first experience of a night in camp, sleeping on straw for a bed.