In researching Perkins Battalion in 1864 and the Centralia battle, following the bread crumbs led me back to 1862 where I've uncovered a memoir by a veteran of the Purcell Scouts. Further research indicates this was likely Company F, 1st Northeast Missouri Cavalry (Jo Porter's command).

The memoir, thousands of words long, perhaps even book-length, self-chronicles the experiences of a 16-year-old from the Centralia area who later went on to become highly educated. It's very well written, and very detailed. It relates how the company was equipped and armed, how they hid, how they ate, camp life, whose farms they stayed on, the engagements they were involved in, and the raids they made. And it doesn't sugar-coat the helter-skelter mass desertions after battle that eliminated Jo Porter's hopes of bringing a large force south.

There is also a listing of names of the Purcell Scouts (which I provided elsewhere on this board) which may not be complete, but is very near to being so I think. The memoir also provides high detail on conditions in north Missouri both before and after.

I think once I whip this thing into shape it has the potential of being the finest personal account of life in an 1862 north Missouri Confederate small unit bar none, and Confederate activities in 1862 north Missouri second only to Mudd's "With Porter in North Missouri."