 |
The
Living History Engineer's
Brevet Recommendation |
Below
are the correspondence forms for a brevet recommendation to an issuing
authority. Such is derived from research into the National Archives.
I have provided some information to be used as a reason for the recommendation
in case that you may not be fully cognizant of them :
Robert Burbank, Colonel;
Commanding
New England
Federal Brigade
Subject: Recommendation for a Brevet Assignment
Enclosure (1);--Proposed Letter Of Brevet Assignment
Esteemed Sir:
I beg your leave to place before you Enclosure (1) as recommended by myself for:
Ian McKay, substantive Captain / Brevet-Major of Topographical Engineers and
presently appointed as Chief Engineer to the New England Brigade.
My reasons for this recommendation are indicated below:
1.--Major McKay has undertaken to design and supervise the building of
battlefield fortifications in New England Brigade Events as long as he has been
involved with this Brigade. He has also, wherever possible, been and
wherever presented with the wherewithal has been energetic in establishing,
designing and constructing field obstructions for display use which much
enhances these aspects at events where they are displayed. He has
undertaken an Enlisted Pioneer Training and Appointment Program within the
Brigade with your approval ;
2. Major McKay has undertaken a task of Narration for all skirmishes at
events commanded by New England Brigade Staff, and for many other Civil War
Events as well, and has on virtually every occasion been asked to evaluate
the battle appearance / success from the aspect of the visitors and spectators,
that such activities may be steadily improved and maintain a high standard of
both excitement and authenticity. He has also undertaken narration in a
variety of different areas of historical significance and military usage such as
Artillery considerations, Formal Dinner Procedures, Fortress Policies and Usage,
Mapping, Engineer Training, and when needed has assumed on occasion such duties
as Provost, Signal Officer, and Artillery Gun Commander. He has lectured
before Civil War Roundtables in
Rhode Island
and
Connecticut
, as well to some thirty or forty other schools,
Historical Societies / Organizations, Libraries, Book Stores and Veterans /
Brotherhood organizations. Major McKay currently serves as the Chief
Engineer on General Grant's Military Staff;
3. Major McKay has routinely laid out the Federal Camp at virtually all
New England Brigade encampments in a wide variety of locations and in a wide
variety of topographical situations. In this layout task he has been asked
to meet the particular needs of the Artillery, Cavalry, Naval, Recruiting, as
well as the Infantry, and Hospital groups and their placement in the Federal
Camp, without further authority or assistance except in the actual physical
layout work. He has faithfully walked the proposed battlefields of many,
many skirmishes, taken measurements, and then produced colored maps from
scratch, supplying those maps to the New England Brigade Commander and copies to
his Senior Staff as required. Generally he has also provided these colored
maps to the Confederate Commander as well, with permission, so that both Federal
and Confederate Commanders may plan from like comparisons. Since he has
begun to produce these maps it is not unknown to plan a skirmish from the maps
provided instead of the laborious "walking of the field, something
impossible prior to this map production;"
4. Major McKay has established an extensive Civil War Table Display which he
adds to each year, and which is oriented to a large degree around the
Engineering aspects of that war. This display has been used in many New
England Brigade Events, and has been very well received by hundreds of
spectators and those interested Civil War reenactment. This display has
received honors at three Civil War Exposition, the last one being last year, for
the Best Educational Display.
5. Major McKay has received the coveted "Honorable Order of Saint
Barbara" for his service to the Field Artillery Association. He
serves as the Fort Engineer for Fort Nathan Hale in New Haven, CT, and has for
the last two years designed and worked at the maintenance and upkeep of said
fort with his Engineering Unit Staff, and has designed and built extensive
furnishings, displayed the use of materials from the Civil War Period and bunker
components for that Restoration Committee. These improvements include the
straightening of two main
Rolling
Bridge
axles. designing and building a large mapping
table for the Engineering Bunker, designing and building three sets of window
shutters and locking bars, and a large set of shelving, excavating the gun
carriage from a dirt parapet, and has produced monthly engineering reports to
the restoration Committee leading to a clear understanding of the extent and
priority of those repairs and new construction items that must be addressed.
He has established a standing Engineering Committee within the Fort Restoration
Committee, and has been appointed to take charge of all aspects of that
committee which includes fortress research as well a maintenance and repair/
restoration. He has been allowed a budget of $2200 per year with which to
purchase needed supplies and services. Further he has been
pleased to turn that bombproof with the aid of his unit, into a Civil War Period
Engineering Office Display which has attracted many spectators and visitors to
the fort. He has been deeply involved in organization of Civil War Events
and Activities at Fort Nathan Hale for the last four years providing
fort
Tours
,
Fort
Sketches
and Maps, in up to four events / activities per
year and last year serving as the Fort Nathan Hale Civil War Event Coordinator.
He also serves on the Committees of three other Historical Event planning groups
in addition to Fort Nathan Hale.
In conclusion, sir, it is for the above reasons that I submit to you this
recommendation for Brevet-Advancement to Lt. Col. for Brevet-Major Ian McKay.
Very Respectfully;
Your Most Humble and Obedient Servant;
Matthew Burbank, Lt. Colonel;
Asst. Brigade Commander and Wing Commander;
New England
Federal Brigade
---------------------------------------------------------------
Enclosure
(1)
APPOINTMENT TO BREVET RANK
To all who shall see these presents, Greeting;
Know Ye that reposing special Trust and Confidence in the Patriotism, Valor,
Fidelity, and Attributes of --{Ian McKay}-- I do appoint him
--(Brevet-Lieutenant Colonel}-- for continued service in the New England Federal
Brigade (reenactment).
He is therefore to diligently and carefully discharge all of his assigned duties
as --{Chief Engineer, and Senior Staff Officer}—within said brigade.
Further, he is to obey the Orders and Directions which he shall receive from
time to time from the New England Federal Brigade Commander and / or his
superiors according to the rates and disciplines recognized in the U.S. Army of
the Civil War Era.
This warrant is to continue in force at the pleasure of the New England Federal
Brigade Commander or until the end of the present Civil War conflict.
Given under my hand in the city of
______________________________________
on this _______ day of the month of
___________________ in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred
and Sixty Two.
_____________________________________
Colonel
Robert Burbank, Commanding;
New England
Federal Brigade
Very
Respectfully Submitted,
Ian McKay, Brevet-Major
Chief Engineer
New England
Federal Brigade
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