Self Hibernation Campaign - Iowans go Hunting!

By Hardy Kenwright

Rappahannock Big Game Hunt

Iowan Sharpshooter Thaddeus J. King,
Hero of Chancellorsville

There are a number of big cat species native to the America’s but none as unusual or dangerous as the target prey for the Iowan Sharpshooter’s on this May day hunt.

M.G. Paul De Kackere’s veteran Iowan Brigade were to join their former partners of 3rd Division, the New York Italians 
and the Vermont Vanguard Brigade, in leading the XI Corps attack on the Rebels south of Fredericksburg.

Working with and around the heroic Iowa Infantry Regiments, were the light footed and keen-eyed Iowan Sharpshooter Company, led by Capt. Esau U. Myles away. As a change from their perennial Virginian opposition, today the target was the renowned Louisiana Tigers Brigade.

The Louisiana Tigers

As expected, the Tigers put up a good fight and they certainly don’t like to let go once they get their claws in.

In their brightly coloured Spring uniforms, the Tigers are a fearsome sight to behold, but it is also one that rather stands out in the rifle-sights of an Iowan Sharpshooter. 

Many a brave Tiger Officer and NCO was picked off during the seven hours battle and by 14.00 the last of the Tigers were retiring back to their lairs to lick their wounds. Happily, Tigers had become an endangered species on this battlefield.

That evening, M.G. De Krackere, whilst visiting all his units to thank and congratulate them on their achievements, spent time too with the Sharpshooters. They were all in good spirits as they exchanged stories and showed off souvenirs picked up from the field. 

A good many fresh notches could be seen carved in the stocks of the hunter’s rifles. I commented to one that he would now need to re-sharpen his knife.

This was certainly not a day when the cat got the cream!