Thank you Company G.

[Rob Murray]

Men of Company G,

You are the best! You came together during the first day. A rare feat. That is a testament to you and your NCO's. In trying circumstances, you sucked it up and
showed the rest of the hobby what being a company is all about.

Not everything was perfect or went accrording to plan, but I was left with a
small understanding of what a CW soldier went through in his daily life. I
think this is what the organizers wanted us to take away from the event.

Now, for some specicial thanks. To Joe Smotherman for the company letters and
numbers as well as pre event commo. To Charles Heath for the pre event commo and stuff that he purchased for the company that was never issed because the event
was rained out. Todd Bemis for his work on the maill call. And last but not
least to Bobo, for taking the lead in the Medical Dept. I salute you. You took
some good natured ribbing and squabbling BUT you were the reason some folks were able to stay in the game. I count myself as one of them.

I thank each and everyone of you for the sacrifices you made in your lives to be
a member of Company G, and I look forward to seeing each and everyone of you on
the field at some later date.

I now publish the Roster of Company G, 24th Iowa, so that people may know the names of the hardy souls that revised it for 4 days. I hope we made right by them.
1st Lt. Kiev Thomason
1st Serg't Joe Smotherman
2nd Serg't Joe Beedle
3rd Serg't Johnny Lloydd
Corp'l Herb Coats
Corp'l Kevin Ganz
Corp'l Tim Kirk
Corp'l Dan "Bobo" Williams
and Nathan Willar when one of the Corp'ls went to the hospital.
Privates
Todd Bemis
James Cassell
Caleb Horton
Bob Hutton
Tom "Cornbread" Key
Keith Kosek
Robert Martin
Joshua Mason
Clint McKissack
Dave Peterson
Lewis Robinson
Jordan Roberts
Max Whittley
Grant Wilson
Shelly Wright
Charles Heath Commisary
Will Tatum Commisary
Rob Carter Color Serg't
Pete Berezuk Color Corp'l

Rob Murray
late Captain
Co. G, 24th Iowa

[LibertyHallVols]

Re: Thank you Company G.

Gents of Company G:
It was a pleasure to get to know you last week! You all carried yourselves well, serving above and beyond with your duties as pickets and prison guards on Wednesday night. I know you were all short of sleep, but you did a great job.

It was great to meet you, Mr. Murray! You are the very picture of a company commander from the upper midwest! My thanks to Kiev for your comradery and help finding "The Lost Patrol". Johnny Lloyd, it was great to finally meet you and I really enjoyed your singing! I'm sorry it had to end so soon.

Bobo, a special thanks to you for your work as EMT for the battalion. Your expertise was invaluable on Thursday night with the hypothermia cases. I know we all felt a lot better once you had the situation in-hand.

Well done, fellers!

[Charles Heath]

Re: Thank you Company G.

Boys,

Now that the dust has settled, the mud has dried, and the fire ant bites on Rob Carter's leg have subsided somewhat, this may be a good time to reflect for a moment on the actual original cast of Company G, 24th Iowa. Although posted elsewhere on forums, and sent as part of the excellent company level pre-event communications, this is worth reading again:

Company G, 24th Iowa Volunteer Infantry

Company was raised in August, 1862. A total of 112 officers and men served in the Company. Only 52 were mustered out.

The men of Company G, were born in 17 different states and 5 foreign countries. The top five states of birth were Ohio, 30 (27%); Pennsylvania, 26 (23%); New York 12 (11%); Indiana and Iowa 6 each (5%). The age of the men at enlistment ranged from 15 -49; 20% in their teens, 51% in their 20’s, 24% in their 30’s and 5% over 40.

The war time fate of the men of Company G as follows:
Killed in Action: 10 (9%)
Died of Disease or wounds: 23 (20%)
Wounded: 24 (20%)
POW: 9 (8%)
Died while POW: 2
Discharged for Disability: 11 (10%)
Transferred to VRC: 5
Promoted out of Company: 2

Worst single day for the company and regiment was May 16, 1863 the Battle of Champion’s Hill, Mississippi during the Vicksburg Campaign. The regiment lost 43 Killed in Action, 104 Wounded and 7 POW. At Mansfield, Louisiana on April 8, 1864 the five company battalion of the 24th Iowa lost 1 killed, 17 wounded and 19 POW’s.

Company Officers:

Captain William W. Smith 10.1.1862
1st Lieutenant Jared M. Hord 7.28.1863
2nd Lieutenant James H. Smouse 12.29.1862

1st Sgt. John Lynes 5.23.1863
1st Sgt. Loren Boggs 4.5.1864

2nd Sgt. Elijah Upton 7.1.1863
2nd Sgt. Loren Boggs 10.13.1863
2nd Sgt. Willis Vance 4.5.1864

3rd Sgt. Charles F. Phares 7.1.1863
4th Sgt. James Morrison 7.1.1863

Drummer William W. Byan
Fifer Charles W. Rickard

Just a snapshot, and something by which we can remember the original cast. A few of us dropped by the Iowa monument at Vicksburg whilst on our way home to pay our respects.

Joe, I hope this doesn't fall into the realm of those dreaded DSPs.