Iowa in the Civil War
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B. F. McIntyre Diary
Segment Six

Camp near Cassville
November 1862 
Wednesday the 5th

Left Pea Ridge at eight o'clock -- at 9 a.m. again pass the state line and was in Missouri again as I have before written concerning this router when I passed over at some weeks ago. It is at present unnecessary to add a little more than I've already written.  In the little town of Keitsville has been nearly destroyed. It has been for some time a rendezvous in or hiding place for small gangs of guerrilla or bushwhackers who have repeatedly fired upon our mail carriers and dispatch bearers and others passing unattended by a guard our man had bourn these outrages until forbearance could not longer be indulged and our soldiers burned nearly the entire place.

Not only had keep still suffered but along the entire distance we've came today nearly every building has been destroyed.  The inmates had claimed strong proclivities for the Union yet had harbored rebels who practice their murders warfare.  Distance came today 23 miles

Camp on Crane Creek Missouri
November 1962 Thursday 6^th

Got a late start this morning but with the expectation of a short march we hastened forward.  We had expected to have been halted at McDowell Springs at which place we arrived at one clock being a distance of 17 miles but were kindly informed we might fill our  canteens with flat Creek water and then on again.  This seemed a little hard but we were pretty well used up and had already made a longer March then regulations generally requires soldiers, but cursing amounted to nothing and we trudged along arriving at this camp about nine o'clock tonight. It has been a long and tedious march and we feel it most sensibly and not more than half of our regiment came in with us. They are laying by the roadside for miles in our rear and are unable to bear the fatigues of some longer March, but after night's rest without supper they will on again to join us.  Distance came today 32 miles

Cross Creek Missouri
Friday 7th

We are resting today -- -- and feasting on hard bread and sow belly and in our enjoyment to forget our long march of yesterday or that it causes many a throb of agony to accomplish it yet many of our boys have not yet arrived. Our camp is a rather pleasant one.

Saturday  8th

Several of our company were sent to the hospital at Springfield today

Camp at Crane Creek, Mo.
November 1862 Sunday 9th

I shall long remember this day for we have followed to their grave two of our great  regiment -- one from from Co.  "F"  the other from Co G.

Editor's Note: "The one from Co. F was Samuel Delzell, of Morning Sun, Louisa County, Iowa, who died of  lung fever at Crane Creek, Mo. Nov 9th and was buried in the National Cemetery at Springfield, Mo. in Section 16, Grave 20, Thomas A. Ogden, Co. G, of Wapello, Louisa County, Iowa died of measles Nov. 8 1862 and was buried in the same cemetery, Section 16, Grave 3.  From Guy Logan's Official Record of the Iowa Volunteers Rosters."

They were buried on a gentle rise above our camp, a lonely secluded spot.  Yet they will rest as easy as if enfolded tomb in till the last blast of the bugle shall call them forth upon the resurrection morn.  Unmoved hearts may follow them to their resting place, no tear of sympathy may be dropped to their memory.  Yet far distant there are those who cannot soon forget you and will remember you with tenderest regard while life shall last I can then add farewell to those who've shared with me my forced marches, my fatigues and trials.  Your resting place will be a quiet one naught will disturb your last sleep.  The Winds will sigh its dirge as on Zephyr, murmur of lullaby, and flowers waft their perfume over your grave while birds carroll their sweetest songs.  The 20th Wisconsin buried one of their men today.  Sunday- no preaching.  General Gen. Herron left today for St. Louis.  We leave tomorrow

Camp on James River Mo
Monday 10^th

Until 3 p.m. today we have passed over the same road over which we had passed before.

Forage  is plenty and the country is shown a thrift in fine form such as I have not seen before.  This portion of the country is well adapted for grazing but it kind of role and must follow in the wake of an army and many a fine farm is left in the condition different from what it was originally.

Camp at Ozark, Mo
Tuesday 11th

We have had a lovely day after a night of heavy rain in which we were all pretty well soaked.

Tonight we camp on Finley River over which there is an ice covered bridge.  On the elevation some one fourth of a  mile distant is the town of Ozark containing some very pretty little residences and one very large and splendid building owned by a physician now in the sesesh army. His family are here occupying one of the nicest little cottages in the place while his noble structure is occupied as headquarters for the Union army officers.

There is also fine mill on the stream.  The principal buildings in the place are being used for sutler stores and hospital purposes.

There is a blockhouse on a rocky eminence in which there are several Canon and a small garrison.  It presents a very formidable appearance and could hardly be approached if defended, for it has many natural advantages as to strength and position.  Our acting brigadier is still Colonel Pinckney of the 20th Wisconsin who has made himself anything but popular with our regiment. Lieutenant Powelll of our company is very ill.

Campaign Ozark Missouri 
Wednesday 12th

I met with the 18th Iowa today they are a mere skeleton of a regiment and they seem dejected and dispirited. General Totten, their commander, from what I hear has no pity and is religiously informed they night might go to h--ll. or Iowa he did not care a d--mn and which he would not have them any longer with him.

I notice amoung the troops today the 37^th & 94^th Ill., 18^th, 19^th  and 20^th Iowa, 26^th Indiana, 20^th Wisconsin, the 1^st Iowa cavalry, and 7^th & 8^th Mo mounted militia Co "L" and he 1^st Missouri light artillery.  Our boys are feeling pretty well and seem anxious to remain under Gen Herron.   I understand that on the march to this place Gen Totten had a number of his man tied with cords and tied to the canon and then was forced along for falling from ranks.  Kind man up by the thumbs are a common occurrence with him.  Such things will rule the reputation of any commander with his men.

November 1862 
Thursday 13th

For the past two days we been put through the manual drills in the way of drills.  We look for this if a camp of 24 hours is made.

Colonel Crabb returned to us today.  He looks well.  I hope he will remain with us.  We need a commander who can rank with other regiments officers.  On dress parade this evening and order was read with a notice that hereafter the 19^th Iowa, 94^th Illinois infantry, 1^st Iowa and 8^th Missouri cavalry company E. and L. first Missouri light artillery will form 2^nd brigade 3^d division of the Army of the frontier.

It news of Burnsides superseding General McClellan is received with delight for this entire Army.

At roll call we were informed that we must take the line of March at 10 o'clock tomorrow.

Campus at White Oak Springs Mo 
Friday 14th.

Arrived at this camp at 5 p.m. this evening. The country through which we have passed today has been good farming land but yet much a stony soil and I have also noticed limestone ridges similar to those mentioned in the western part of the state.

Our camp is a mile from the main road were we've found a considerable quantity of hay.  We shall have downy bids to rest on tonight while rail fires warm the chill wind air.

The supposition seems to be that our destination is Hartsville, but our future remains a mystery.  Distance came today 12 miles.

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