May 19

Hello! My name is Aaron Olson, a Private in the 7th Wisconsin Vol. Inf. of
the Army of the Columbia in Washington State.  We are associated with the
Washington Civil War Association, which boasts 800-900 members.  There is an
event that is coming up in Willamette Mission, Oregon that is going to have
all members of all regiments of the Iron Brigade present.  The 7th
Wisconsin(30-40 soldiers), the 19th Indiana from Oregon's Association(20-30
soldiers), and the rest from all the way back east and from California (2nd
Wisconsin, 6th Wisconsin, 24th Michigan--each bringing up to a dozen or
so!).  Also, a new Artillery Battery,  "Bloody " Battery B is being started
up and hopefully this will be their first event!  This is truly turning into
a heavy "Black Hats Everywhere" event and I thought that I would get the
word out.  It takes place over the 4th of July weekend at Willamette Mission
in Oregon.  If anybody needs info, contact myself or go to the WCWA's Web
page at (use EXACT format)
www.halcyon.com/strandjr/WCWA/

Thanks and Peace!

May 17

Hey lads and lassies!  Check out the newest unit in California!  We really
should try to get our act together and focus on at least one "Official Iron
Brigade Event" on the West Coast every year.  Perhaps, we could rotate it
between the four real geographic locations, Washington, Oregon, Northern
California (where they truly are Giants Bill!) and of course Southern
California.  I know that if we want to cut it down to just three locations,
that Fresno isn't really too far for our sister 6th.

Anyway, the site is   www.angelfire.com/ca3/24thmich/index.html   it has a
few links to get more out of the 24th.  The site is being built up and is
really quite nice with lots of info.  'Specially that which backs our
(Second's) use of Scott's Manual of Arms, thanks Col. Morrow!

For a little background, Dave Massively, one of the founders of the group
had relatives in the 42d Wisconsin, and they served with the 24th Mich.
when the 24th was pulled out of line and sent West (or Northwest more
appropriately).  They were together in Illinois when the Lincoln Funeral
Train came through.  It was only natural for them to pick up the portrayal.
I am just ecstatic that all the units are now properly represented out
here.  All for Greenbush, Wisconsin next year, for Scott Wallick promises
that we will be considering a "Brawler's Farm" event!

My compliments and at your service,

Lt. Steven Bechtold (a.k.a Nathan Rollins),
Commanding, Company H, 2d W.V.I.
The Randall Guards.

May 1

(This is for everyone who has helped with the site)

Hi 2nd Wis,
Just a short one to say what an outstanding site you have put together.
It was a while since I had looked in and I was going through my bookmark
list - Hooah, what a find.
I  joined the Iron Bde Assoc 3 - 4 years ago through Carroll College so I
have some more than passing interest in you all.
PS. As a subject of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, I got a kick hearing "
British Grenadiers " and " Land of Hope and Glory " in your accompanying
soundtracks.
Cheers,
Allistair McCoy
Ballarat, Victoria, Australia

April 30

Gentlemen,
I would like to share some information that I picked up recently regarding Casey's Manual.

Although the manual may have been in the hands of many officers from 1863 onwards, there is little evidence that Eastern troops actually implemented it - rather it was used as a reference guide. A possible reason for this non-use was that Silas Casey had been very discredited in the eyes of the Army of the Potomac after his debacle at Fair Oaks during the Peninsula Campaign. Another point to consider is that if you have a regiment of drilled veterans, are you really going to waste the time and effort to convert them over to a new style of drill (hence the reference use)?

Troops in the Western theater of operations did follow the manual more closely than did anyone.
BTW, a letter written home by one of the 2nd's men in the aftermath of Bull Run describes them as learning Hardee's drill to replace Scott's/Chandler's drill; did the 2nd actually transition to Hardee's?
Jason Kritikos
Co.C

MORE EVIDENCE
I have been surfing and found this General Order as written below.
As I read it, the drill according to Scotts had been in practice and this order makes it clear that the unit should convert to the official Casey's.
But as I read this order, the Col. is only enforcing the Casey version of "Parade Rest; fixing and unfixing bayonets". It then leads one to believe that the rest of the drill is to remain as it had been with Scott.
By the way, this is an order that was issued by Comd. Henry A. Morrow, 24th Michigan Infantry Vol. (Iron Brigade).
It would appear logically that the Iron Brigade used Scott's throughout it's entire existence.
First Sgt. D.Masitelli
42d Wisconsin (Thanks to the 42d for the information) editor
(Notice the Date....)
(Notice the Date....)

Head Quarters Ist Brigade 1st Div 1st A.C.
January 28th 1864
General Orders No. 8 ...............
There is a want of uniformity in the practice of the several Regiments of this Brig. in the manner of executing the following movements: Coming to a "Parade Rest; fixing and bayonets. Some of the troops execute these movements according to Scott while others execute them according to Casey. The latter having been recognized by the War Department as authority of course it is not optional with officers which system is to be adopted.
The only correct system because the only recognized one is Casey
Page 226, Ist Vol. Casey will be found the instructions for Parade Rest.
Page 50 Ist Vol. Casey will be found the instructions for fixing bayonets and on page 63. the instructions for unfixing bayonets.
Thereafter on Grand Guard Mounting and on Inspections the troops will be required to execute the above movements according to the instructions prescribed by Casey.

By Comd. of Henry A. Morrow
Col. Comdg Brigade

J.D. Wood
A.A.G.