July 4
Report by Veldcornet Johan De Covert
My Compliments to General Jerry Pitspitter and Staff and My Fellow Comrads in Arms:
Arrived at camp in the foothills of the Bohemian Alps on Thursday, 25 June, with my traveling companion Colonel Diamond of the U.S. Volunteers. I was struck by how the surrounding countryside reminded me of my homeland in Transvaal!
Ascended to the Laager at the top of Pitspitr Hill and made contact with the forces stationed there. All was astir with preparations for the coming Muster, so I got to work immediately and inspected the first of the latrines. An army may move on it's stomach, but the proper course of an army requires many movements. My unofficial mission was to ensure all was in order for the troops as to sanitation facilities.
I took the opportunity to spare five precious rounds to sight-in my newly issued short Mauser. Very pleased with it's performance, and very grateful for helpful tips received on sight adjustment from Col.'s Little and Drydock. Safe to say the rifle and load combination was capable of greater accuracy than were my poor efforts to operate it. It was apparent that 100 rounds was not sufficient to engage all targets planned what with misses, so next year I will know to bring more ammunition.
The four engagements were very challenging, fun and well thought out.
In fairness to myself, most of my costly misses were on the first skirmish of the day down in that infernal gully where the morning sun had not yet penetrated and the targets hidden in the foliage were shadowed, such that many carefully sighted rounds were expended removing the threat of what proved to be only a large, leafy plant. (It was a vicious looking plant, though!)
I was very impressed with all the efforts the General and Lt. Col. Neiderlander made in creating the many new improvements to the Muster, especially the newest stage below the camp in the valley, nicknamed "Fort Hell". A lot of work in building steps, bridging, ramparts and the palisades. Sadly, I was so footsore and exposed by the time we finished that run that Sgt. Bursovsky took pity on me and retrieved an ox-cart from camp to haul my sorry self back up to the Laager. It took some time afterwards, including eating the noon mess and drinking several tankards of your strange American concoction, "Gatorade", before feeling refreshed enough to push on to the fight at Fort Scottsman. The desire to man the Gatling gun once again was an inducement, to be sure! Thank you to all in the Division of Illinois who made this second appearance of the Gatling possible.
The Commissary Dept. outdid itself, and my vote for the best meals would be the roast turkey and rice, pork loin and 'taters, and of course the biscuits and sausage gravy. Capt. Delmonico is to be commended.
The weather added some interesting entertainment. A very hearty Thank You to all who provided rides up and down Pitspitr Hill to Col. Diamond and myself when our beast of burden could not negotiate the muddy track and that treacherous wallow.
My only lament is that we who had lengthy travel times ahead of them on Sunday and had to break camp in the morning caused us to miss Stu's memorial later that afternoon. It was a very respectful and fitting remembrance towards Stu for his family. I am proud of GAF for planning this.
Veldcornet Johan De Covert
(Edited for accuracy.)