Just days after arriving in camp, Iowan philanthropist and later day defender of the Union has been using his wide knowledge of military matters to help drive efficiencies in all aspects of the Army's organisation.When interviewed by this august reported, Brigadier General De Krackre explained,
"I have been in camp for 5 days now and accessed the situation. I advised my superior officer of some of the short comings of how the military machine is currently working and I have set my staff to work to improve everyone's lot.
I see the focus areas as being Poor communications, lack of Training at Brigade and Regimental levels, the need to build reconnaissance capabilities, shortages in supplies and the explainable diversion of recruits to other formation."
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| 7th Iowa in Square Formation |
Major Jump, of 7th Iowa Volunteers, continues to supervise inter-regimental
brigade drill using the new field manual by General Warren Peece. This includes
work on improving cooperation between Infantry and Artillery.
Additionally, Major Jump is ably assisted in recruit training by our Drill Sergeants -
Hartley
Moothing, Jim
Nastic, Wallis
Twohigh, Randy
Marrafon and Mark
Thyme
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| Scouts DeVue, Cowt and Astermap with their Man Servants in attendance. |
In a separate initiative,
Just yesterday, Brigadier General De Krackre had his Provost
Captain, Duncan Disordally write to Mr. Noah Moormen at
the Iowa State Recruitment Headquarters at Des Moines and his superior
Congressman Will Getmore in the State Government regarding the company of
recruits, expected last month, but who have failed to arrive at camp. As it is
our understanding that these men had all been paid their sign-on bounty, we are
sure that Messrs Moormen & Getmore would wish to follow this up with some
urgency.
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| The new model De Krackre Supply Wagon, being purchased by the Army, made in Des Moines, Iowa. |
The letter stated that we ‘hope’ that this is merely an administration error due to the rapid
expansion of the department, however the alternative explanations of desertions
by the recruits or even fraud and embezzlement within the department must be
thoroughly investigated. At this early stage in the struggle such behaviour behind
the lines cannot be tolerated and if discovered must be properly punished.
Turning to supply issues Brigadier General De Krackre set the Brigade Train officer Orson Kart, and assisted by my personal Banker Titus Canby,
to liaise with two of the main Sutler contractors, Scott Chansodar &
Bruce Dapples to ensure a priority supply contract for their services to our
Brigade.
Orson Kart and Titus Canby are both also working on our man in the
Commissariat, Ivor Gunthar
Evrimann, to lubricate the wheels of the military
equipment and ammunition supply line.
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| The mysteriously missing Coy I of the 10th Iowa Infantry |
Finally Brigadier General De Krackre stated that he had set his Stableman, Don Keigh, is supervising the selection of suitable calm
but swift mounts for my two aides-de-camp, Howard Kenitby and Frank Lee
Ewesless.
They are also introducing themselves to the staff at Division and those
of the other Brigades within it as well as ensuring they know all the
Regimental and Battery officers of our Brigade.
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| Brig Gen. De Krackre |
Brigadier General De Krackre said "My Secretary, John Dupryting, is in discussion with his counterparts at
Regiment, Brigade and Division to agree a standard of short-hand / abbreviation
that they can utilise to speed up regular used phrases when writing messages".
A fine and impressive start to Brigadier General De Krackre's no doubt stellar military career, its hard to beieve that just 21 days ago the then Mr De Krackre first donned his uniform.
