This is the transcription of a diary maintained by Oscar F. BLOOD.
He was a member of the 4th Regiment Iowa National Guard when the
entire regiment became the 52nd Iowa Volunteer Infantry for duty
during the Spanish American War.
It follows his journey from his home in Hull, Sioux County, Iowa,
to Camp McKinley in Des Moines, and the train ride to Chickamauga
Park, Georgia. The 52nd never did see any action, instead spending
their entire time in the camp in Georgia. While there he suffered
from malaria, typhoid fever, and yellow jaundice. He was then shipped
home on furlough in August, 1898.
In his later years he let it be known that he was greatly
disappointed about not being able to be an active part of the war.
Both his paternal grandfather and maternal grandfather fought in
the Civil War (Vermont and New Hampshire, respectively).
Oscar was raised on a farm near Hull, Iowa, and as you can see, many
of his entries reflect a life-long habit of monitoring the weather.
Oscar died at the Veterans Home in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1962
at the age of 83. He is buried in Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis.
-----Begin Transcription----
Wed. April 27, 1898
I telegraphed to Captain ODLE if ther was a place for me in Co.
He answered that there was. I booked the three oclock train for Sheldon.
There I met Joe MORTON and assisted him in getting fifteen new recruits
for Co. E. I drilled them in the Opera House that evening, principally
on marching through the different formations, and the manual of arms.
I staid with Mr. R. W. ALLEN during my stay in Sheldon.
Thursday 28
I again drilled the Volunteers twise during the forenoon. Then I
and the Recruits took the examination before Dr. CRAM. I passed all
O. K. and then Mr. MORTON and I selected the fifteen that took the
best examination counting myself. We then borded the three thirty train
for Britt where we were to change roads, arriving at about Six oclock.
The G. A. R. warmly received us and escorted us to the Opera House,
we remained until 12.30.
Fri. April 20, 1898
We borded the south train at Britt at twelve thirty, for Des Moines,
arriving in Des Moines about six oclock in the morning. We then left
our baggage at the Kirkwood Hotel and looked over the City a little,
we then went into a dining hall ate our breakfast. Then met Mr. E. C. DAVIDSON,
and he escorted us to the camp grounds, where we were warmly received,
and entered upon our camp life, in Camp McKinley.
Saturday 30
Rained nearly all the forenoon and laid in our quarters, which was in
No. 7, Horse Barn. Co. E. occupied the east side, and Co. F. occupied
the west side. I wrote a letter to Mother. We then went out on drill
in the afternoon, and dress parade in the evening. Roll call is at nine
oclock and bedtime from then until ten oclock when the lites go out.
Sun. May 1, 1898
I remained in Camp all day reading the papers, and visited different parts of the camp.
There was estimated to be about thirty thousand visitors in Camp.
We had dress parade in the evening at about five oclock.
After parade the crowd began to leave.
The weather is fair.
Monday 2
Batallion Riot drill in the forenoon, beginning at 9.30.
Regimental drill in the afternoon, begining at two and recall at four oclock.
Dress parade in the evening, begining at five thirty.
Fair weather all day.
Tues, May 3, 1898
Drilled in forenoon.
Drilled in afternoon.
Dress parade in evening.
Fair weather.
Wednesday 4
Rained during the night, and rained all day.
Troops staid in camp or went to the City.
The government issued us all new shoes.
Thursday, May 5, 1898
Drilled in forenoon.
Des Moines ladies presented the fourth regiment with a dinner of fruits,
chicken, jellies, vegetables, etc.
Drilled in afternoon.
Dress parade in evening.
Fair weather.
Friday 6
Drilled in forenoon.
Governers review of the four regiments in the afternoon.
Dress parade in the evening.
Officers were being examined at the Hospital all day.
Weather was fair.
Sat. May 7, 1898
Batallion drill in forenoon.
Regimental drill in afternoon.
Dress parade in evening.
Fair weather.
Sunday 8
Mother arrived in camp about ten oclock, and visited all day.
We visited a greater part of the Capitol Building and part of the City.
There were a number down from Hull.
I went to North Western depot with her and staid until ten oclock,
their train left at two A.M.
It was rather rainy all day.
Mon. May 9, 1898
I went on guard at eight oclock, on post No. 4 in front of headquarters.
second shift relief. I stopped five men without passes and reported them
to Corporal of the Guard.
The weather was fair and warm.
Tuesday 10
Came off of guard at eight oclock.
Slept the greater part of forenoon, and went to the bath-house and took a shour Bath.
Dress parade in evening.
We received a barrel of apples which Dr. COAD sent us.
Fair weather.
Wed. May 11, 1898
I went on guard police duty part of the forenoon.
Batallion out post drill in afternoon. Victor MARTIN's sister presented Co. E. with a fine supper.
Dress parade in evening.
Fair weather.
Tuesday 12
Batallion skirmish drill in forenoon. The four regiments drilled together in afternoon.
Dress parade in evening.
The troops were reviewed by Governor SHAW in afternoon.
Co. E. received a tub of butter in the afternoon.
Fair weather.
Fri. May 13, 1898
Troops drilled in afternoon.
Troops drilled in forenoon.
There was quite a crowd of spectators, to see the living flag, presented by
twenty five hundred school children, but it was stopped and put off until
another day, for the stand was condemed.
Dress parade in evening.
Began examination at noon.
Fair weather.
Saturday 14
Rained the greater part of last night.
Rained by showers all day.
Remained in quarters all day.
Eight rejected, but they took it over again and all passed but three.
Sun. May 15, 1898
Remained in camp the greater part of the day.
About twenty six visitors from Hull today.
Dress parade in evening.
Fair weather.
Monday 16
Batallion drill in forenoon.
Regimental drill in afternoon.
Received a letter from Stewart HAWKINS.
Fair weather.
Tues. May 17, 1898
Batallion drill in the forenoon.
Troops went on skirmish drill in the afternoon.
Rained in the evening.
Second regiment I.N.G. mustered into the U.S. service.
I wrote a letter to Estella STICKNEY at Cedar Falls Normal School.
Wednesday 18
I went down to the City and had my picture taken on seven buttons, in the forenoon.
In the afternoon I went through one of the Coal Mines.
I was about one half mile from the shaft under ground.
Dress parade in evening.
Rainy and muddy all day.
Thur. May 19, 1898
Batallion drill in the forenoon.
Regimental skirmish drill in the woods, during the afternoon.
Co. E. signed the U.S. muster roll today.
Dress parade in the evening.
Fair weather.
Friday 20
Batallion drill in the forenoon.
Living flag in the afternoon, formed by the school children of Des Moines,
as before put off.
Troops reviewed past the flag.
Rained lightly after the flag was over.
Dress parade in evening.
Sat. May 21, 1898
Rained all last night, and this forenoon.
We did not drill.
Co drill in the afternoon.
Dress parade in the evening.
Sunday 22
I went to the City with Clarence HOOK in the forenoon, and we visited the Police station.
Friends from Hull visited us.
I went to Highland Park Normal College with William DOAN, visiting the different Halls.
Fair weather.
Mon. May 23, 1898
Regimental drill in the forenoon.
Troops marched north of camp a few miles in the afternoon and back.
Dress parade in the evening.
Fair weather.
Tuesday 24
I went on guard, on post No. 7 of the first relief.
I halted a man at two forty five in the morning and he put in guard-house.
Wednesday morning.
Fair weather.
Wed. May 25, 1898
I came off of guard at eight oclock.
Co. E. were sworn into the U.S. service, also the whole regiment which is the fifty second now.
Troops drilled in the afternoon.
Another living flag presented by the same children.
Dress parade in evening.
Fair weather.
Thursday 26
Batallion drill in the forenoon.
Began to equip the fifty second regiment in afternoon.
Rained in evening.
Fri. May 27, 1898
Regiment turned over their old napsacks, dress belts and cartridge boxes, old rifles, etc.
Received the remainder of our equipment in afternoon.
Received our pay from the government in the evening.
I received pay for twenty nine days = $13.52.
Rainy in the evening.
Saturday 28
Packed up ready to move. We borded the four oclock train, one batallion on each
section, going over different roads, fitted with sleepers.
Arrived in Burlington at eleven oclock. Ladies treated us with fruit.
We changed off at Decator and went south during the night.
Fair weather.
Sun. May 29, 1898
We were going south through Ill. On the Illinois Central railroad.
We went through Cairo, crossing the Ohio river at about six thirty.
We arrived in the state of Tennessee then.
Fair weather.
Monday 30
We arrived in Nashville early Monday morning, and visited the city
until nine oclock when we again went on our way.
We arrived in Chattanooga about four thirty, and remained in our cars
until the next morning.
Fair weather.
Tues. May 31, 1898
We left Chattanooga for Chickamauga Park, a distance of nine miles.
We arrived on our camping ground at noon.
I went over to the Vt troops to find Herman JONES but he did not come.
There were about forty five thousand troops in the Park at this time.
Fair weather.
Wed. June 1
Company drill in the forenoon.
I visited Co. C. of the Vt regiment.
Batallion drill in the afternoon.
Dress parade in the evening.
Fair weather.
Thur. June 2, 1898
Regiment marched through the woods awhile in the forenoon.
Batallion drill in the afternoon.
Fair weather.
Friday 3
Batallion drill in the forenoon.
Batallion drill in the afternoon.
Dress parade in the evening.
My birthday. Twenty years old. Did not let any of the boys know it.
Fair weather.
Sat. June 4, 1898
Batallion drill in the forenoon.
Batallion drill in the afternoon.
Went on gard at five P.M.
Received a boguet of artifical flowers from Nellie and Bertha and Alta [Oscar's sisters].
Fair weather.
Sunday 5
Came off guard at 9 oclock in the forenoon.
Slept the rest of the forenoon.
Visited Co. C. of the Vt regiment in the afternoon.
Dress parade in the evening.
Fair weather.
Mon. June 6, 1898
Went and reported for guard police duty at eight oclock, and was excused
until one oclock in the afternoon, and then went on police duty until four oclock.
Wrote a letter to Stewart HAWKINS.
Fair weather.
Tuesday 7
Outpost drill in the forenoon.
Regimental drill in the afternoon.
Dress parade in evening.
Fair weather.
Wed. June 8, 1898
Batallion drill in forenoon.
Co drill in afternoon.
Fair weather.
Thursday 9
Batallion marched out to crawfish springs in the forenoon, about three miles.
Co drill in afternoon.
Fair weather.
Fri. June 10, 1898
Batallion drill in forenoon.
Co drill in afternoon, the manual of arms.
Fair weather.
Saturday 11
Batallion drill in forenoon.
Co inspection in afternoon.
Read a letter from home.
Began vaccinating the 52nd Iowa.
Fair weather.
Sun. June 12, 1898
Church in the regiment at ten oclock A.M.
Wrote a letter to Mother.
Rained quite hard the later part of day and night.
Monday 13
Inspection of Co and quarters by General Inspecter in the morning.
Co and squad drill in the afternoon.
Dress parade in evening.
Recd letter from Tom TUCKER.
Recd letter from Jennie REED & photo.
Wrote a letter to Uncle Herman.
Wrote a letter to Grandma.
Fair weather.
Tues. June 14, 1898
Batallion marched to Snout Grass hill in forenoon, caught in rain before reaching camp.
Wrote a letter to D. W. WARREN about picture work.
Co drill in afternoon.
Wednesday 15
I went on guard at eight oclock, in first relief, on post No four.
Rained in the afternoon.
Went on four hours straight at night.
Thur. June 16, 1898
Came off of guard at nine oclock. Slept until noon.
Wrote a letter to Jennie REED.
Regimental drill in afternoon.
Light shower during night.
Friday 17
Batallion riot drill in forenoon.
Went on guard police at 2 P.M.
Batallion drill in afternoon.
Dress parade in evening.
Light showers.
Sat. June 18, 1898
Batallion drill in forenoon.
Co inspection at 4 oclock.
Went to Lytle in afternoon.
Cloudy.
Sunday 19
Regimental inspection of quarters by Colonel.
Dress parade in evening.
Fair weather.
Mon. June 20, 1898
Batallion skirmish drill in forenoon.
Co drill in afternoon.
Cloudy.
Tuesday 21
Batallion drill in forenoon.
Co drill in afternoon.
Dress parade in evening.
Fair weather.
Recd letter from Grandma BLOOD.
Wrote letter to R. W. ALLEN.
Wed. June 22, 1898
Batallion outpost drill in forenoon.
Sick from the effects of vaccination working inwardly, and sore arm.
Recd letter from Grandma JONES.
Recd letter from Uncle Herman.
Fair weather.
Thursday 23
Sick all day laid in camp.
Arm swelling.
Fair weather.
Fri. June 24, 1898
Felt a little better but quite weak.
Staid in quarters all day.
Fair weather.
Saturday 25
Felt better staid in camp all day.
Recd letter from Uncle Edgar.
Fair weather.
Sun. June 26, 1898
Staid in quarters all day.
Wrote a letter to Estella and Emma STICKNEY.
Fair weather.
Monday 27
Drilled us left guide of new recruits, both forenoon and afternoon, under Serg't FRISBY.
Wrote a letter to Mrs HERLEIN.
Fair weather.
Tues. June 28, 1898
Went on guard at eight oclock, on first relief, no 6 guarded hidrent.
Fair weather.
Wednesday 29
Came off gard at eight oclock in the forenoon.
Went on Batallion drill in afternoon.
Dress parade in evening.
Recd letter from Mother.
Recd letter from Inshurance.
Recd letter from Mr ALLEN.
Fair weather.
Thur. June 30, 1898
Batallion drill in forenoon.
Regimental inspection by Colonel HUMPHRY at two P.M.
Drilled in afternoon.
Dress parade in evening.
Fair weather.
Fri. July 1
Co drill in forenoon.
Helped carry ten days rations to Co quarters in forenoon.
Wrote a letter to Grandma BLOOD.
Fair weather.
Sat. July 2, 1898
I went on extra police duty in forenoon.
Co inspection at 4 oclock.
Co drew haver sacks and dishes.
Dress parade in evening.
Fair weather.
Sunday 3
Regimental inspection at 8 oclock in forenoon.
Inspection by general inspector at 2 oclock in heavey marching order.
Fair weather.
Mon. July 4, 1898
I went on gard at Division Headquarters at 8 oclock in the forenoon,
on post no one, second relief.
Fair weather.
Tuesday 5
Came off Division gard at 8 in forenoon.
Recd letter from S. A. HAWKINS in Seattle Washington.
Recd camera at noon and took a picture of my tent and bunkmates.
Drilled in evening at 6.
Fair weather.
Wed. July 6, 1898
Drilled in forenoon from 6 to 8 oclock.
Staid in camp all day.
Drilled in afternoon from 6 to 7.30 oclock.
Fair weather.
Thursday 7
Drilled in forenoon.
Staid in camp all day.
Received a letter from Mother and Nellie.
Drilled in afternoon.
Fair weather.
Fri. July 8, 1898
Drilled in morning.
Went over to Lytle in P.M.
Drilled in evening.
Received letter from Ida JAMES.
Rec'd Government pay.
$18.72.
Fair weather.
Saturday 9
Drilled in morning.
Staid in camp all day.
Co inspection in afternoon.
Wrote letter to Nellie, and sent her $10.00.
Fair weather.
Sun. July 10, 1898
Regimental inspection at 8 oclock in forenoon.
Staid in camp all day.
Wrote letter to Uncle Edgar.
Fair weather.
Monday 11
Drilled in morning.
Staid in camp all day.
Wrote a letter to Mrs. Ida JAMES.
Did not feel well.
Fair weather.
Tues. July 12, 1898
Staid in quarters all day.
Sick of stomach trouble. Lieutenant CHURCHEL visited me from the 1st Vermont.
Fair weather.
Wednesday 13
Remained in quarters.
Still sick.
Received letter from Miss Jennie REED.
Received letter from Mother and Nellie.
Rained lightly off and on.
Thur. July 14, 1898
Rained greater part of night.
Remained in quarters.
Still sick.
Rained greater part of day.
Friday 15
Rained lightly in forenoon.
Co arranged a Co hospital.
Staid in hospital all day.
Received a letter from Vine Camera Co. and bill of plates, $3.75 and also rec'd plates.
Rainy weather.
Sat. July 16, 1898
Remained in hospital all day.
Damp weather.
Sunday 17
Remained in hospital all day.
Received letter from Miss Estella STICKNEY.
Damp weather.
Mon. July 18, 1898
Remained in hospital all day.
Damp weather.
Tuesday 19
Remained in hospital all day.
Fair weather.
Wed. July 20, 1898
Remained in Co hospital all day.
Recd letter from Nellie.
Wrote letter to Nellie.
Fair weather.
Tuesday 21
Remained in Co hospital all day.
We were visited by three of H. E. HARRINGTON's lady friends.
Fair weather.
Fri. July 22, 1898
Staid in hospital all day.
Fair weather.
Saturday 23
Staid in Co hospital all day, felt some better.
Fair weather.
Sun. July 24, 1898
Staid in Co hospital all day. Felt some better.
Light rain.
Monday 25
Remained in hospital all day.
Felt some better.
Light rains.
Tues. July 26, 1898
Remained in hospital all day. Felt some better.
Light rains.
Wednesday 27
Remained in hospital all day. Took a few large doses of salts to clean
my stomach out. Doctors medacine of no use.
Damp weather.
Thur. July 28, 1898
Remained in hospital all day. Felt quite a great deal better.
Recd letter from Mrs. HERLEIN.
Damp weather.
Friday 29
Remained in hospital all day. Felt quite well. Moved from hospital to my tent.
Cloudy weather.
Sat. July 30, 1898
Remained in my quarters all day. Did not feel quite so well.
Rec'd letter from S. A. HAWKINS.
Fair weather until evening light shower.
Sunday 31
Remained in quarters all day. Felt better.
Recd letter from Nellie.
Recd letter from D. W. WARREN.
Wrote letter to S. A. HAWKINS.
Rainy weather.
Mon. Aug 1, 1898
Remained in quarters all day. Felt better.
Wrote letter to Grandma BLOOD.
Wrote letter to R. W. ALLEN.
Recd letter from Aunt Elsie.
Fair weather.
Tuesday 2
Remained in quarters all day. Felt better.
Co went on range.
Helped take care of sick.
Fair weather.
Wed. Aug. 3, 1898
Remained in camp all day. Felt quite well.
Helped take care of those in hospital.
Fair weather.
Wrote letter to Grandma JONES.
Wrote letter to Frank GEICH.
Thursday 4
Remained in camp all day. Felt quite well until the afternoon, taken with
a severe cramp in stomach. Sick all day.
Recd letter from home.
Fair weather.
Fri. Aug. 5, 1898
Remained in camp all day. Felt quite well.
Co returned from range about noon.
Recd letter from Aunt Carlie.
Fair weather.
Saturday 6
Remained in camp all day. Felt quite well except weak.
Fair weather.
Went and visited Vt troops. Lieut CHURCHEL.
Sun. Aug. 7, 1898
Remained in camp all day. Felt quite well.
Wrote letter to Mother and Nellie.
Fair weather.
Monday 8
Remained in quarters all day. Felt quite well.
Rumor arose that we were going to porto riev[?].
Fair weather.
Tues. Aug. 9, 1898
Felt quite well.
Went on the review of the whole troops. Near Snoudgrass hill.
The fifty second Iowa was claimed to be the best.
Light shower.
Wednesday 10
Felt quite well.
Went to Lytle and left twenty plates to be developed.
Fair weather.
Drew pants, blows, and leggins.
Thur. Aug. 11, 1898
Took twenty plates from Lytle photographer that I had developed,
and got supplies, price $1.00.
Drilled in afternoon on Batallion drill.
Wrote letter to Aunt Elsie.
Fair weather.
Friday 12
Regiment was inspected in the forenoon, by Minn Colonel.
Went to Lytle in afternoon and got negatives, price 90� and began to print a few proofs.
Light shower in evening.
Sat. Aug. 13, 1898
Did not feel well all day.
Went on dress parade in evening, reviewed by Minn. Col.
Fair weather.
Sunday 14
Felt some worse. Stay in my tent all day.
Fair weather.
Mon. Aug. 15, 1898
Felt quite dissagreeable with Terrible head-ache.
Remained about tent all day.
Fair weather.
Tuesday 16
Felt too sick and weak to get out. Lay on cott all day.
In evening Dr. MURPHY examined me and brought some medicine.
Tempeture 105. moved to Co hospital in evening.
Fair weather.
Wed. Aug. 17, 1898
Lay in Co hospital all day.
Regiment mooved camp in afternoon.
Was mooved to Co. H's cook tent (a hospital) in evening.
Fair weather.
Thursday 18
Was mooved to division Hospital in morning, where I remained all day.
Fair weather.
Fri. Aug. 19, 1898
Remained in Division Hospital all day.
Fair weather.
Saturday 20
Remained in Division Hospital all day.
Applied for furlough.
Fair weather.
Sun. Aug. 21, 1898
Remained in Division Hospital all day.
Fair weather.
Monday 22
Remained in Division Hospital all day.
Fair weather.
Tues. Aug. 23, 1898
Remained in division hospital all day. Felt quite sick.
Fair weather.
Wednesday 24
Staid in division hospital all day.
In evening we were loaded into the ambulance train, and taken to the train to start for home.
Fair weather.
Thur. Aug. 25, 1898
Wrode on train all day and was not very tired.
Fair weather.
Friday 26
Reached Hull in evening. Was taken to Mr. JENSENs with Jim, till the next day.
Fair weather.
--Memoranda--
Cure for Small Pox - One ounce of cream of tartar dissolved in a pint of boiling water,
to be drank when cold, at short intervals. It can be taken at any time, and is a
preventive as well as a cureative.
It is known to have cured in thousands of cases without a failure. It never leaves
a mark; never causes blindness, and always prevents tedious lingering.
Cure and preventative for Scarlet Fever.
Wear pulverized sulphur in the bottom of socks.
-----End Transcription----
If you would like more information,
please contact Randy Lane
The banner below has been added by the website host, and does not reflect any promotion by the author of these pages.
