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Oliver Boardman correspondence and journals, 1861-1863

11_1863-05-17 Page 03

a show as we could by forming across the field and marching towards them with bayonets fixed and arms at right shoulder shift   We advanced to a small ridge less than half mile from where they were forming  we were in an open field and could see each other maneuvering very plain, but I think Col Hatch -- of 2nd Iowa -- out Generald them   They couldnt well come on to us on account of a creek only in front and that was too open.  The 2nd Iowa with the exception of the flanking Companies fight as infantry.  They are armed with Colts revolving rifles -- five shooters -- Then each one has an extra cylander that can be put in as soon as the first five is fired.  Then a great many of them have revolvers besides and they had cartridges for their little cannons for firing at short range that contained one hundred musket balls each.  So you see no force of cavalry could come on to us from across an open field without out flanking us   But Col Hatch says it was the bayonets and flag of our Regt that saved us.  Then we never

Saving...

a show as we could by forming across the field and marching towards them with bayonets fixed and arms at right shoulder shift We advanced to a small ridge less than half mile from where they were forming we were in an open field and could see each other maneuvering very plain, but I think Col Hatch -- of 2nd Iowa -- out Generald them They couldnt well come on to us on account of a creek only in front and that was too open. The 2nd Iowa with the exception of the flanking Companies fight as infantry. They are armed with Colts revolving rifles -- five shooters -- Then each one has an extra cylander that can be put in as soon as the first five is fired. Then a great many of them have revolvers besides and they had cartridges for their little cannons for firing at short range that contained one hundred musket balls each. So you see no force of cavalry could come on to us from across an open field without out flanking us But Col Hatch says it was the bayonets and flag of our Regt that saved us. Then we never