The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1863-04-02

......... rs.. ~. ~.
P.S. Letters are frequently misscnt and
delayed on account Of improper direction =
For letters TO this command, the direction
should he as follows, to-wit: .,
John Smith, =.
Co. A 18th Iowa Infantry. r .srf.
McArthur's Div sion, f.
Sd. Brigade
.. .aas!s... In the Field.
"Crockers Iowa Brigade"
-.u HEADouR's. Urn Army CoRP,)
LAKE Providence La,
March 10th 1868.
Col. N. NJ. CRocKER ..2a-sf
Commanding Sd Brigade. ~. st,
9th Division 18th Army Corps.
have the honor to herewith enclose en-
close to you an ''extract" from my Tnspec.
ton Report of the 9th Division 80 FAR As it
relates to your command.
Iowa may well be proud of the Sd Brig
ade Of the 9Th Division, Col. Croker Com.
manding, 1t is composed of the following
troops viz:
18th Iowa Infy.' It. Col. Abercombia Com.
18th, Lieut.. Col. John Shane.
18th, Col. Hugh r. Reed.
10th, Alex. Chambers.
I Itturced out for inspection 1885 rank
and Ale it was sight to see, and sight
seldom seen. have no desire n,r is it
proper to pronounce an eulogy upon the Sd
brigade, but it would not be doing the Sd
brigade and its gallant commander justice,
did | fail in giving them the credit and
praise which is justly and honestly due
them, did I fail in expressing so far Is I
am capable my satisfaction ard my admira-
ton at the manner in which the brigade c.
Quilted itself throughout the emit re inspec-
ton.
Since I have been soldier It has 50 hap.
pened that have seen many br,gades Of
many different army corps, both in the
Eastern and Western armies, but never
have seen brigade, that could complete
| With the Iowa brigade.
am not prejudicial In the slightest de-
gree. never saw any of the officers or
soldiers Of the command until the day when
| saw them in line Of battle prepared for in
spection. It made my heart swell with
honest pride, and envied the Col com.
handing the brigade. and the commanding
ers of these four Iowa Regiments. when
stood on the right Of their lines ore after
another. and saw them drill and 60 throug h
through their different evolutions, in the
manual Of arms, every rifle flashed in the
sunlight, and moved as one, when they or
dered arms 1t Das ordered arms. end moth.
ing else, one sound and no more, when they
charged bayonets in line of b tile the point
Of every bayonet was At the highth Of the
eye, and the small Of the stock resting
agsnst the hip. at exactly the same in.
stance when they broke into column oil
companies, wheeling upon fixed pivots, it
was ike clock work, perfect.
cannot say that any one regiment Of
the brigade appeared better than another.
they oil appeared so we'll. The llth was
the strongest, is had 52s enlisted roen, and
20 officers present for duty w. g.
The 18th lad 470 enlisted men, and %
commissioned officers. The 18th ha,. 42S
enlisted men, and 70 commissioned o:Iicers
The 10th had 405 enlisted men. and 80
commissioned officers. In the entire brig.
ade there was not to exceed dozen mer
unable to be present for inspection. In the
different hospital tents Of the brigade
counted ] men and not one Of these was
confined TO his cot, but appeared to be hav.
ing holiday, in short were convalescents.
In this connection there Is one thing |
wish to mention. and that is the inte!l.
eence and ability Of the live officers Of the
Sd brigade, every one of them was fully,
posted, knew al about his company, the
number Of men present for duty, tie mum.
Der absent and where they we're. the NUN.
Der sick and those on detached service. |
speak of this f,r the reason that many Of
the commanding officers Of companies
whom have heretofore met on inspection
are not the slightest degree acquainted With
Their companies, knowing nothing about
their commands, and cannot account for
their men without referring to their Order.
ly Serseants Of the camps, the hospitals, tho
Commissary, and Quarternnasters' depart.
ments, the company and regimentaI books
the transportation &c. it il useless for me
! to say anything. ne
Look at the army regulations and see
what instructions are laid down, and what
is required Of troops in the field, and then
YOU will exactly know how found the Sd
Brigade Of the 9Th Division of the l7th
Army Corps.
Once more say that the Sd brigad.
commanded by Col Croker is an honor to
the division and corps to which il is attach.
ed. An honor to the army of the Tennes.
see, an honor to their friends at home, to
their State aud to their ccuntry. And I
know from their record in the field that
they must he ste ror to the foe."
am Col. very Respt'y.
Your obedient servant
WV. e. Sraox0
YnanActoy C5enavai l1th Avry Nnrn.