This compelling diary provides a firsthand account of life as a soldier in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Downing, who served in the Iowa Infantry throughout the conflict, documents the daily realities of army life, from battles and skirmishes to the mundane tasks of camp life. His honest, unvarnished account offers a unique perspective on the war and the experiences of the soldiers who fought in it, making this book essential reading for anyone interested in this pivotal period in American history. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.