The Iowa ‘Ten Dollars’ Brigade - The Quiet before the storm
Brigadier General De Krackere reported today that Dr.
Andy Wiversaw has completed setup the Brigade Hospital ahead of today’s action.
The A large yellow flag marked with a two foot green letter H in the centre
marks out its significance to all.
A
number of light carts and ambulances have been assembled ready to transport patients
to the Hospital. Further vehicles are available to take stabilised wounded up
the track to the Warrenton Turnpike and from there to Centreville.
Meanwhile,
on ground to the west of the Hospital a number of long pits have been prepared
by a team of men led by brothers Doug and Phil Graves.
Brigadier General De Krackere added that Assistant Surgeon, Dr. Dickie Tumey, together with spare members of the
Regimental Bands has positioned themselves, behind the Infantry Regiments, to
be ready for when called forward. Each man wears a yellow armband.
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| Union Hospital Flag |
Whilst
the men grabbed an early breakfast and hot coffee, Chaplins, Rev. Evan Ellpus
and Rev. Neil B. Formey went amongst them to give words of comfort and solace.
They expect to be busy today, both in the field and in the Hospital.
The
men are formed up, with food in their belly and extra ammunition issued they
are keen for the off. The waiting is getting unnerving, they wonder to
themselves how they will cope under fire, all praying that they won’t be the
one to crack and let the boys down. All that drill, all that training, learning
repetitive actions that they feel that they can now do in their sleep, all
those blisters and bruises, all the preparation has led them to this morning.
The
Guns are loaded, the crews working together like clockwork. All is quiet, the
peace occasionally broken by bird song or the whinny of a horse.
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| The Iowans in Line of Battle |
Brigadier
General Paul De Krackere has returned for the morning Staff briefing and taken
position with the Brigade.
Secretary, John Dupryting is alongside ready, to take down further instructions as
required, whilst Aide-de-camps Howard Kenitby and Frank Lee Ewesless stand
poised by their fresh mounts ready to deliver them.
We
await the signal to begin.
