Iowa in the Civil War

Segment 4

B. F. McIntyre's Diary Continued
Segment 5

Camp on Sugar Creek Ark
Monday 20^th 1862

At 5 pm this evening received notice to take up the line of march within as short space of time as possible. This order came while the boys were cooking their suppers & nothing was prepared for any future necessity, and since our arrival here having been in a constant alarm had had no time for any preperation for a march.

Our train was soon ready and followed by cavalry and infantry soon unwound its immense coil. Our train itself seems a mile in length and it was very dark before we were in preperation for a final leave.

A few miles had been passed and while persuing a narrow thorough-fare on Pea Ridge we were met by the 11^th Kansas and a long train ladened with provisions for the extreme western army. So narrow was the defile where we met that it took several hours in passing them. We marched all night and the next day, not even allowing us time to a cup of coffee and very many of us had no rations in our haversacks of any kind.  At 5 oclock on Tuesday we halted on the Bank of White River not only footsore and weary but exausted and are informed that we shall have time sufficient allowed us to cook a hasty meal. I sometimes wonder if soldiers have souls or even sensibilities and feelings akin to human beings. Or are they driven like brutes at the caprice of the waster? A few days ago the enemy were near us and we were ready and willing even anxious for a trial of prowess. But the same great head who forced us on long marches and when a consumation of his grand scheme seemed clear to all and the foe within our grasp a new campaign is ordered. The enemy are far distant at some other point & a forced march with scant rations and no time.allowed for rest by night or day. We persue a seeming phantom.

I hope our march will be for the accomplishing of some good, our 1 ii I 1 rc is yet unwritten. Yet we might fare much worse, for nearly every company by some means have become the possessor of a team which is used for the conveying our Knapsacks. Our supper is scarce over when we are informed that we shall bivouac on the opposite of the river which must be crossed tonight and being near  waist deep were forced to strip to get over and save our clothes from being wet. This was a little uncomfortable, for the days were cool with frosty nights, rendered the water quite cold. But everyone was got over and by 9 pm we were enjoying the heat of a large fire. We must have twenty fours hours cooked rations to start with by 3 or 4 oclock in the morning. I fear this will fail, for none of us have slept since our departure from Sugar Creek and we need sleep too much to waste in cooking for tomorrow the time it will necessarily take to do it.

At 5 am Wednesday morning we were again on our march-Today we have traversed high ranges of the Boston mountains, had many views picturesque, grand and sublime. On some of the elevations the Scene was magnificent as we gazed far down upon fruitful valleys or winding streams. At 4 pm we rest for a short time to get a hasty supper for in a couple of hours we must on again. We are now 8 miles from Huntsville. And the probabilities are that a large force of rebels has assembled at that place and are making calculations for our reception.

Orders were given and again we were uncoiling our length again. But we were much surprised at not going toward Huntsville and much more so when we realized the fact that we were returning the same direction we had came only by a different road. I cannot surmise the meaning of this. Yet no doubt it is a part of the grand drama in which we are the actors, Gen Schofield⁴⁹the principle. We marched until the wee small hours of morn and halted a short distance from White river but a different point from where we had crossed a few days before.

Our train is far to our rear scattered along the road for miles. Mules like men need rest, and the darkness of the night, the roughness of the road, the steep rocky hills and other difficulties have been more than could be surmounted. We must remain here until they come up which may be by 8 oclock in the morning.

I now understand that a rebel force is at Bentonsville a town some 8 miles from the camp we left on Sugar Creek. I must acknowledge the most of us feel dispirited and discouraged, believing we have been making forced marches after rebels and when about to engage them fall back with the same rapidity with which we had been following after them. Soon after sunrise we were off again. Passed White river Thursday morning the 23^d. We had little or no breakfast but after proceeding a few miles we came to a rich country residence where a supply of green apples had been stored and our officers gave us an invitation to help ourselves which we did with no second invitation.

When within a few miles of Mud Townº- word was received that the new that the enemy were awaiting our approach-We were halted and each one o o lewd to load his rifle.

We were ordered on double quick which was kept up for several hours when we arrived at the town here we were drawn up in battle by the batteries planted, the Cavalry stationed, and the whole program of  an expected battle's preparation gone through.

And we raw troops looked on in fearful anticipation wondering  where the enemy could be.

We could see none from the level clearing where we were huddled together and if there had been thousands they might easily have hidden in the thickets of oak by which we were surrounded.  There was none however and I cannot but doubt that there was any reason for the farce acted today by our division under the command of Gen. Schofield. I shall not soon forget this day but shall believe our commander saw fit we should have a fight at Sugar Creek or Bentonsvile or by going on to Huntsville. And I think it is the general belief with both officers and soldiers of our entire division that an engagement could have been easily brought on had our general saw fit and  and our forced march has amounted to a sum total of nothing.  The wearing down of a few thousand men is nothing, they will
soon recruit their exausted energies or be discharged for unfitness or sent to hospitals.

\\'bile drawn up in battle line Gen Schofields staff passed by. I noticed little style about the great man and should think him a kind hearted genial companion. Herron passed soon after, he is a favorite and we believe him faithful, honest, brave and a great general.  Yet he is somewhat a fancy man and sports the latest style and no modern Hero can eclipse him in dress or its elegance. After they had passed, several fine charges were made by some of our troops on Smokehouses, bee palaces & brought away trophies of their prowess.  Remaining here about two hours we were ordered on and tonight camp ad Cross Hollows where we are to remain several days.

In winding up this narrative of our "Grand rounds" I will say the roads have been good and the weather pleasant.

The country has been rough and uneven but I noticed many valleys in which there was fine farms from which many a ration was taken. The law prohibiting jayhawking seems to have been repealed and whenever or wherever we found what we needed it was taken. All the dwellings we fund no men---they were without an exception in the southern army as volunteers or conscripts. Yet the utmost propriety was shown the families who seem to glory in the name of rebel.

In summing up the various distances I find from the time of our leaving Sugar  Creek on the night of the 20th of October until our arrival at Cross Hollows on the evening of the 23rd to have been 85 miles.

Camp at Cross Hollows Ark
Friday 24th

In camp,  it means rest to us rest to stiffened joints rest to blistered swollen feet rest for weary bodies in which every bone is sore and every sinew seems too short for its accustomed duties.

In camp my boys, lay your weary frame upon your blanket, pressure throbbing head up on your knapsack pillow and while the smoke pities its revolving clouds around you telling your attempts to almost to suffocation.

Stoves are furnished by the government but like rations they are among the things that remain to be accounted for.  Rest rest weary soldier -- -- while on either side rises for high ridges would all which almost excludes the sun from our camping ground and like grim spectreglants keep vigils over you.

Washing, mending and must be attended to and will keep us busy for days to come.

Today has been quite cool and a rail fence near us is growing miraculously short.

There is a fine gristmill a short distance from us which will soon be put under the charge of soldiers and from which we will receive rations of flour and meal ground from sesesh grain collected in this neighborhood.

I believe our boys cleaned out the vicinity for a mile or two, but tonight a roll call and order was read signed by Colonel Pinkney of the 20th Wisconsin now acting brigadier for our brigade that Jayhawking is strictly forbidden. .It seems to me this proclamation that seems to have come at a bad time -- -- for everything worth taking has already been taken.  I cannot but admit that there are some things which deserves the censure from officers on their man but if  full rations were supplied as there is but little doubt there would be much less theaving done.

Camp at Cross Hollow Arkansas 
October 1862 Saturday the 25th

A cold windy day with two or 3 inches of snow on the ground the first of the season we have seen.

Our tents -- And we are striving in various ways to make ourselves comfortable but do not accomplished at the boys are feeling pretty well and seem ready for another tramp.

Today all not able for a tramp had been sent to the hospital in Cassville. Quite a number arrived today from convalescent camps who had been left behind on our grand rounds.

Camp at Cross Hollows Arkansas
Sundays at 26

Sunday again in camp -- -- we are taking things easy as possible, the day is quite cold and fires are comfortable I think our camp an unpleasant one particularly at this time of the year, for the high hills around us seem to hide from every warm beam of the sun.

The first Iowa cavalry left this morning on a draconic touring expedition not far from a town where a force of rebels has been seen.

At 3 p.m. we had preaching.  Our chaplains not very popular with his regiment in his congregations are small ones.

At p.m. we had an inspection of arms and accoutrements by Lt. Col. McFarlane.  Had a mailing this evening.

Camp at Cross Hollows Arkansas 
October 1862 Monday the 27th

We have plenty of exercise -- -- drills twice a day and was one our other duties they fill the time so that we do not have many idle hours.  Our campus cleaned up daily and we have a kind of city with its regular rows of dwellings, its streets and alleys, and we carry on a kind of city business on a small scale among ourselves and we often have the crowds and confusion so often seen in the city.  John T. Chambers received a promotion as a corporal in company "A"  today by Vice E.. A. Dickey resigned.

He loaded 2500 pounds of flour came into our commissary tonight ground at sesesh mill by Union soldiers from wheat confiscated in this vicinity.

Camp Cross Hollows Arkansas 
Tuesday the 28th

Had notice earlier this morning to be ready to leave at a moments warning with one days rations in our haversack. Up to 6 p.m. have received nothing additional.  A couple of the Iowa 1^st cavalry boys were killed the day or two ago by rebels.  A man representing himself as a union man hired these soldiers to take their team and move his family to a certain place which was a mere ruse to inveigle them, for an ambuscade had been made and which they unawares ran into and both were killed. The health of the regiment seems good and yet a large number are reported unable for duty.

General Herron and staff left last evening at 10 o'clock -- -- where is not known.

Camp Cross Hollows Arkansas 
October 1862 Wednesday the 29th

Dr. Sloanaker our surgeon is dangerously ill in camp.

The camp diarrhea is prevailing among the troops and one third of our entire number seems to did with it.

The cavalry came in today having had a skirmish near Fayetteville they brought in 16 prisoners.  Among them I noticed Ten Texas Rangers -- -- they were ugly looking devils.

Several Arkansas ladies disturb our camp today for the purpose of trading with our Sutler.  I cannot say I fancied them.  Yet they were women and were a show worth seeing.

General Sharon returned to his quarters today, he puts up and dwelling some half-mile from us.

At Cross Hollow's Arkansas 
Thursday the 30th

At three o'clock this morning our entire force was called out fully equipped we shivered over our guns until daylight when we were permitted to stack arms and returned to our tents with the caution to be ready at a moment's warning to fall in. the mules belonging to the teams and horses belonging to the battery have been under harnesses or the entire day.

One of the first style of tickets was shot last night.  Their wagon master into privates was killed a few days ago while foraging.

Cross Hollows Friday the 31st

Mustard for the first time for pay by Lt. Colonel Samuel McFarlane.

Camp that the Ridge Arkansas Tuesday the fourth

At 10 a.m. we broke up our line of march.  It's been an ugly day for us.  The dust seems have been several inches deep at every step and an occasional gusts of wind would raise clouds of it but to shower it over us.  We are a sweet looking set of lands tonight edge to edge our wives and mothers could scarcely  recognize us.

Our commander Pinckney made a slight mistake and took us beyond Elkhorn where no water could be found and we were forced to retrace our steps some 2 miles to this place

Pea Ridge is worthy of description is noted as the place where for days General Curtis contended against the forces of Price and McCullough; who were determined to again overrun Missouri with the rebels hordes and they fought with the determination worthy  a better cause but they were defeated and General McCullough was killed. The battle ranged over several miles in extent that the main engagement extended along the ridge for miles directly in front of Elkhorn and bears unmistakable marks of the three days conflict. The woods present a scene as if a tornado had passed through it yet or spent its vengeance and snapping lambs and twisting huge trees from the main trunk.  I noticed many cannon balls still remaining in the trees -- day some had passed entirely through.

Many ball and quantities of small shot was picked up in our camp.

Near us are the graves of many of Iowa's Sons perished in defending their country's rights.  We knew many of them in days gone by and memory is pregnant with instance of the past in which with us they were associated.  We can to drop a tear over their lonely grave and more for their departure.  We have found one in some lone spot -- -- if soulmate some friend perform for me the dictates of love that I have for them.

Distance today 16 miles.

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