Self Hibernation Campaign - Iowan Heroes

By Hardy Kenwright

Once more unto the breach:  

Brigadier General Paul De Krackere and his Iowa Ten Dollars Brigade boldly spearheaded the attack of 3^rd Division on the Rebel’s Right wing. Although the Division was in the second echelon, the Iowans set off early to give close support to B.G. Russell’s Brigade, (Brook’s Division), in the preceding wave. 

Outnumbered and having had their ranks decimated by close fire, Russell’s Brigade understandably melted away in the face of Green’s experienced ‘Heck’s’ Virginians in their prepared positions. Happily, the Iowans were already in place to step in.

By noon There were echoes of the ‘Bloody Wood’ of Antietam as the Iowa Brigade once again went toe to toe with the Virginians. Facing four regiments supported by two batteries and a company of sharpshooters this would be a challenge indeed, but one which the Iowans rose to with relish. 

Once in close range the Iowan’s proved their metal and before long Virginians were seen streaming to the rear. Soon after 3pm, Private Stan Dupp of the 5^th Iowa Chasseurs planted a Divisional ‘Blue Crescent flag’ in the centre of the former 20^th Virgina positions to a rousing cheer of approval from his comrades and a wave of his hat by nearby Paul De Krackere. 

By 4pm, half the Rebel brigade had pulled out and the Sharpshooters eliminated. Seeing the danger to

5^th Iowa Chasseurs

his flank, Clayton committed four of his reserve regiments, (a fifth would follow later), to shore up his Right. 

Though now outnumbered 3:2 in regiments, the Iowans pressed on, forcing the last of the Virginians to pull out. By 6pm, exhaustion, loses and rebel numbers made their mark and our brave Iowans were compelled to reluctantly give ground. 

The arrival of Bank’s Massachusetts’ Brigade to pick up the baton gave renewed hope of a breakthrough. The 3^rd Iowans stayed in the line until near 7pm when they too fell back to re-join the rest of the Brigade.

With the Army Command opting not to re-new the attack on 14^th, the field was disappointingly conceded to the Rebels. The 5^th Iowa Chasseurs could at least look forward to putting $1000 behind Sutler Scott Chansodar’s bar, courtesy of Major General Holt-Oglethorpe.