Corinth with the AoP

[Tom Klas]

Hi gents,

Just getting the word out for those not on Dom's e-mails list that registration with the AoP is now open for Corinth.

Here is the Website for further information:

www.armyofthepacific.com/

Should be a great event and hope to see you there.

Tom

[Tom Klas]

Hey Boys,

Just a reminder this is the last week to register for Corinth. Registration is now at $40.00 if postmarked before Friday August 26th.

Should be another good time with the AoP.

Thanks and see most of you at Old World,

Tom

[Tom Klas]

Hi gents,

Just a brief AAR that the Wisconsin Company had a fine time at Corinth with the Army of the Pacific. Captain Gerow did an excellent job leading the Company as always and 1st Sgt. John Wedeward and 2nd Sgt. Brad Argue did a top rail job as well along with Rich Propp and others as Corporals. Our group of men were a mix of experienced pards and some new comers to the world of living history. I am proud of our efforts and look forward to see all of our members in Company "C" of the 7th Iowa soon.

It was great to be with the pards, meet some new ones in the AoP, and see some faces such as Mike Phineas that I never personally met before and was happy to chat with in person. Battalion drill with Dom and Steve Dunfee was refreshing and a much welcomed break from the constant battle offerings during this weekend. Looking forward to much more of this in the future. Rations were of course first rate and many thanks to John Crabb and his hard working staff for the event.

Thanks again to Dom, Steve Dunfee, Jason Bentley, Cal Kinzer, Jim Butler, Joe Blunt, Joe Smotherman, and all the AoP staff that put this effort together.

One of the highlights for the weekend for myself was being officer of the guard on Friday Night to find out Captain Kinzer was captured and then released. Cal is a fine man, and his release proves he can get himself out of almost any situation even in a predicament that was not of his making entirely.

After going up to the sentries to find out the status of the missing guard, I found a familiar voice across the picket line as one of the culprits behind the brief capture of Captain Kinzer. It was my fine comrade Steve Acker. We chatted for a little bit about the situation and the prior poor circumstances, which led us to implement a lantern for the relief. Needless to say, Mark Silas Tackett (Confederate AIG for the event) took care of the prior bonehead situation on the Confederate side in fine form! Basically we decided safety rather than a pitch dark picket post was essential after almost being shot while doing rounds with Silas (which at that time we were talking about the problems with the pickets and then being fired upon within 15 feet - not cool) . Many thanks to Mark for pulling the entire Confederate Picket Line at 8:15 p.m. on Friday night which almost nabbed Jason Bentley, Joe Blunt, our Sergeant and Corporal of the Guard, and myself from the ranks. Yikes! This was the reason why Captain Kinzer was using a lantern for his Company's term at guard. It was a matter of safety for the men on both sides of the picket lines. Unfortunately it made for a funny story at Mr. Kinzer's expense when his picket lines were being formed and the WIG nabbed him and his men at 9:10 p.m. The WIG had no idea what we had been through earlier that night and they replaced the cowboys on the Confederate side at 9:00 p.m. while at the same time Mr. Kinzer's company was doing the same across the picket lines. Just a perfect situation for some good picket interactions at its finest!

Overall I had a great weekend and will take many fond moments away from this event including the cock fight on Saturday morning between a member of each army (Federal and Confederate), the fine sharing of soft bread in the ranks of the Federal and Confederate forces, and Lt. Col. Dunfee tying a string to a loaf to see if he could persuade a Confederate soldier over the to Federal side.

Many thanks to the Wisconsin Company members whom supported this event! I look forward to seeing you all soon for the upcoming WC meeting this winter for 2006 events.

Above all thanks to my chums Brad Argue and Tyler Protz for the fun carpool there and back. What a whirlwind trip.

Yours in accurate portrayals,

Tom
Formally 1st Lieutenant
Company “C” 7th Iowa Volunteer Infantry

[Dave Gerow]

Actions near Corinth
September 30 to October 2


Dear Colonel Dal Bello:

If it pleases you, I submit this report for your record.
Company C "composite" formed early Friday afternoon and received rations for a march planned that day. When enough men had reported to camp a short company drill was conducted. It became apparent we had the full spectrum of experience in our ranks. From the life long soldiers to the 1st timers fell in. We attempted to tailor the lesson to what we might need to do in the near future.

I was pleased throughout the next three days that we were able to form and move with good order and without much delay. This was owing to the attention paid by the men and their cooperation in all aspects. I found there was good enthusiasm for the goal we set for this type of endeavor.

We were able to provide fire on the confederates later that same day in a safe and efficient manor. There came a point when we formed on a grass lane in the face of dismounted cavalry who were guarding a crossroads. Behind them I could see a company of mounted confederate cavalry moving back and forth. Co. C kept steady fire and order. By sending one platoon forward under the cover-fire of the other we tried to advance and push the enemy from his position. Even with the help of Lieutenant Butler's company they were not to be moved however. The confederates later used the position to deploy part of their brigades. Co. C was ordered to fall back on the battalion and was pushed back with the rest into a large field in our rear. By the time we were in line behind our cannon there were but 3 rifles left firing.

The company was able to reform and set bivouac that night in a near by woods. Our position was on the eastern flank of the camp. Early that night the sentinels were overwhelmed and the sergeant major used some of our men to double the guards. Orderly Wedeward informed me at retreat roll call we had seven men missing from the ranks. Because of the confusion arising with the exigent forming of the guard I spent considerable time to determine if these men were captured or not. Eventually I found the corporal of the guard who had made a list of the men on his post. This allowed us to account for everyone in spite of the extreme darkness.

Our Sentinels were successful in capturing a Confederate Lt. Colonel who was trying to move about near our lines. He was turned over for questioning. Later while near head quarters the guard there came to me and said he had been captured. It was very dark but I still felt much concern about our planning which allowed this to happen and no one had noticed.

At 3 AM Co. C. took its post on guard of the wood lined trail at the eastern approach to our camp. Confederate fires and enemy presence was reported all the while. A recon patrol after sunrise found four abandon fire pits still hot. They were about 30 yards from our lines. This patrol also observed a camp of displaced civilians with a small camp 60 yards from our line in the same direction. During the night an unarmed civilian was captured near headquarters. He was held for a while but managed to run off into the dark woods. During his run he made much noise and we new he had stopped moving while near our camp. It was not practicable to mount a search at that time because we could not even see to our own feet. Shortly after sunrise the man jumped up less than 20 feet from our pickets and run off. When Co. C's shift was done we maintained early warning guards on this flank and prepared to break camp.

Soon 10 confederates came down that way and were sent back by fire. An hour or so later two companies came up the same way and were held to the bottom of a creek bed where we had slept that night. We then pulled back to a position behind a works housing a battery. We set camp for the night and braced against some calming rain. The men were able to dry out by fires and rest all that night.

We had in our ranks a young soldier who was away from home in this type of environment for the first time. He did fall under the spell of the sutler and after numerous trips to the display of goods had spent all the money he had in his pockets. I think if the merchant would have allowed it he would have traded his next months pay as well. I was much amused, and that without any intentions on his part to do so, he reacted just like a new soldier would have. (priceless)

We did find our 1st sergeant was utterly inconsolable throughout with an old soldiers lament for bygone days with his pards from the mudsills. Sunday morning the orderly was able to give instruction and additional drill to bolster the company's skill level. The men were attentive and gained for their work.

It was also a pleasure expressed by the ranks to have done evolutions of battalion drill. I thought the men were encouraged by their instruction and they felt they were doing something worthwhile because of its focus on detail and higher order soldiering. The men answered the call that same day to help defend battery Robinette and seeming drive the confederates away from this place for good.

It was by pleasure to have benefited from efforts put forth by each man that shared the field we us. I hope that the logistical staff knows that they where a gem in the whole operation adding so much so well.

Respectfully submitted
David Gerow
Capt. Com'dng. Co. C. 7th Iowa