Huzzah for the 10th! John Dupryting has entered a Special Commendation in the Brigade Log, praising the 10th Iowa Volunteer Infantry Regiment for the disciplined way they reinforced and boosted the Brigade’s flagging attack on 21st July and for the heroic way they covered the withdrawal.
Fullsome Praise for our Surgeons: Surgeon Andy Wiversaw and Assistant Surgeon Dickie Tumey have been widely and rightlypraised for their skilled and timely work during and following the Battle of Bull Run. But fortheir actions, fatalities would have been far more numerous. Many an Iowan family must bless the day these lifesavers joined our Brigade.
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| Surgeon Andy Wiversaw at work |
We were particularly pleased to be able to welcome back our wounded comrades so soon afterwards.
Our Surgeon’s expertise is further shown by the diligent and efficient way they ran the Medical Services over the succeeding months and especially throughout the winter. Their initiatives in cleanliness and hygiene have made an obvious impression, while the soldiers have been quick to learn to listen to the Surgeon’s instructions and advice. Consequently, levels of disease and sickness have been kept remarkably low throughout the Brigade Camp.
Quiet Confidence Returns:The shock of the first battle at Bull Run last year informed any that still doubted it that this could turn out to be a long war.
The boys had thought themselves to be ready for anything last July, but our experiences reminded us all that we all still have a lot to learn.
Confidence has been heartily boosted by the arrival over the winter of new and experienced officers and troops. With relatively few raw recruits added, the quality and experience of our existing formations has been kept high
With the end of winter, the Brigade has returned to training with a renewed enthusiasm.
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| Men of the 3rd Iowa, incl. 'Big Bellied' Ben McTavock |
Artillery Boost: We are fortunate indeed to have acquired the services of an experienced Brigade Artillery Officer in Bernard I.G. Gunn. He has made his mark immediately by providing extra personal tuition to Cpt. Lou Scannon’s Gun Section Commanders, Lieutenants Trigger Knometry, Chuck Shottwell and Izzy Inreinge. Standardisation has been made by exchanging our Howitzer with a Gun from the Massachutsetts Coluored Brigade. We anticipate rapid improvement of the Battery’s speed of manoeuvre and accuracy of shot in the coming seasons.
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| Iowa Artillery Battery in training |
Regimental and Brigade Drill improvements: Our Regiments have gained much from the input and tactical expertise of new arrival Col. Buck Schott who has integrated quickly into the team.
Brigade Drill has been adjusted accordingly and we look forward to the oft practiced drills, currently being practices, being reflected in slick manoeuvre in the field this year
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| Iowans at Drill |
