The 19th Iowa charges the Borden House
Our Maximum Effort event for the Fall of 2012 could not have been any better! Two companies of over 20 fielded in fine fashion and a great many students training in the best traditions of the hobby by veteran reenactors at the largest event of it's kind in Prairie Grove history.
The highlight of the weekend was clearly the charge of the 19th Iowa on the Borden House ridge! More than one member of the Battalion was both excited and tired by this exercise in rugged assault, easily one of the most demanding things the program has accomplished physically. Many experienced commanders remarked afterwards that it was doubtful that their commands could have taken the hill with such speed and ferocity! Confederate officers were heard to say that seeing Fightin' Jim and his "Crazed Iowans" was quite the shock as they were not expecting such at the front of the first Federal assault of the hill. This impressive scenario combined with a fun camp life experience and better than ever expected weather made for a memorable event that will be long remembered in Territorial Battalion history as one of the "great ones".
As our largest turnout to date the event afforded the Battalion to drill and perform as an independent element for the first time this season and the experience was not wasted, although struggling at first the Battalion showed a grasp of higher evolutions by event's end and maneuvered admirably on Sunday holding a strong line and reacting well to the movements of the Brigade and the flow of battle. Many thanks go out to the Muddy River Battalion who we worked with in the Provisional Brigade at the event. Once again good comrades to work with.
The highlight of the weekend was clearly the charge of the 19th Iowa on the Borden House ridge! More than one member of the Battalion was both excited and tired by this exercise in rugged assault, easily one of the most demanding things the program has accomplished physically. Many experienced commanders remarked afterwards that it was doubtful that their commands could have taken the hill with such speed and ferocity! Confederate officers were heard to say that seeing Fightin' Jim and his "Crazed Iowans" was quite the shock as they were not expecting such at the front of the first Federal assault of the hill. This impressive scenario combined with a fun camp life experience and better than ever expected weather made for a memorable event that will be long remembered in Territorial Battalion history as one of the "great ones".
As our largest turnout to date the event afforded the Battalion to drill and perform as an independent element for the first time this season and the experience was not wasted, although struggling at first the Battalion showed a grasp of higher evolutions by event's end and maneuvered admirably on Sunday holding a strong line and reacting well to the movements of the Brigade and the flow of battle. Many thanks go out to the Muddy River Battalion who we worked with in the Provisional Brigade at the event. Once again good comrades to work with.