Was Iverson Drunk at Gettysburg?

The widely held belief that Iverson was drunk at Gettysburg appears to have no basis in fact. The only story to support that claim came several decades later from a soldier in Ramseur's Brigade. "General Ivison, who was a drunk, I think, and a coward besides, was off hiding somewhere, while his brigade . . . was being beaten by the Yankees," he wrote in his reminiscences for a small college magazine.

I have looked at dozens if not hundreds of letters and diaries from Iverson's brigade. Aside from that comment, not a single contemporary account indicated that Iverson was intoxicated at Gettysburg--or indeed at any time during the war. Iverson was so badly disliked that there certainly would have been some mention of his drinking if there was even a kernel of truth to the story. In fact, during their stay along the Cape Fear early in the war, Iverson even threatened to have some of the officers from his regiment for their drunkenness. It's time to put this speculation to rest for good.

Attack on the Wagon Train

I have recently obtained some copies of the court of inquiry for the capture of the quartermaster train for Col. Edward O'Neal's Brigade during the retreat from Gettysburg. This material is contained in the compiled serve record for the brigade quartermaster. There are some interesting details, especially regarding the loss of much of the brigade's payroll during the attack. So, not only did O'Neal's men get torn to shreds right before Iverson's attack, but they did not even get paid on time.

Major James C. Bryan, who served as the brigade quartermaster, reported that the enemy seized 10 of his wagons and two ambulances along the road that night. The toll included his headquarters wagon and a large part of the money for the brigade's payroll. Only some quick action on Bryan's part prevented a much worse outcome. The quartermaster noted that the Federal horsemen "in all probability would have captured the whole of my train" had he not succeeded in rallying a lieutenant and 16 men, who "made a charge upon the enemy driving them back."

New Award

I have recently added the Distinguished Book Award from the Gettysburg Civil War Round Table to the list of awards. This one is especially meaningful coming from such a knowledgeable group located in Gettsyburg itself. I am beginning planning for a trip to Gettysburg to accept the award this fall. I look forward to meeting some new friends there. I will post further details of the trip as it gets closer.