Tales of Events - Page 6

scone · #51 11-20-2003, 04:15 AM

I couldnt have said it better my self Neil. They were truly Amazing and Gallant Men and Women. Getting off topic here My love for history has taken over lol..

For me its not only during that time period but from the first settlers till past the Indian Wars..

All the settlers going west of the Mississippi and then on to California. How many familys parished in freak storms such like the one that traped the Donner Party.

I'm in AWE of them all..

Steven

unionblue · #52 11-26-2003, 05:35 AM

Tommy,

Another event I have spoken of on the Mason-Dixion Gazette thread was the first Raymond event and my visit to the Vicksburg National Park.

The event was in 2000 and was to recreate Grant's maneuvers and marches before he began his siege at Vicksburg. It was an event that was going to involve a lot of marching and was billed as a 'campaigner' event.

About 8 of us from our unit in Ohio decided to take a van down to the event. When we first got there, we toured Vicksburg National Park and got to see where 'our' unit, the 76th OVI, fought in and around the works.

We then went to the event site, registered, changed into our uniforms and blanket rolls, shouldered our muskets and marched off into 1863. We came up the Union camp in the woods whereupon we reported to the commander of the Western Brigade. We were assigned to the color guard for duty the next day, so we bedded down on our gum blankets with no shelter tents, just sleeping under the canopy of the trees and stars, trying like heck not to sleep in poison ivy patches.

Dawn came real early the next day, and after having pulled a shift as camp guard, I felt that I had been cheated of much needed rest. I groaned and complained, but still had to roll out of the sack, pack my blanket roll and take my place in the ranks. Breakfast consisted of some water from my canteen and a hardtack cracker and dreams of ham, eggs and bacon washed down with cold milk. Oh, well.

Today we reenacted the battle for Jackson, Mississippi. The Confederate forces were mainly in retreat, heading back for Vicksburg. There were many signs of the rebels as they left many items along side the trail such as playing cards and the like. Some of the boys even found some of them lewd carte de vistes, pictures on paste board of women in their under clothes! At one cross roads we found a quickly dug grave and wooden head board. A grim reminder that this was not just a walk in the woods.

Then firing was heard ahead! "Come on, boys!" our colonel yelled, "we have them napping in an open field!" We quick timed up to the front and formed our battle ranks on the near side of a small, but deep embanked stream, with a sole wooden foot bridge across it's width. A small rebel company of skirmishers were doing their best to hold us up while their comrades made good their escape. Firing was heavy and smoke from the powder of the guns hung low and blinded us at times.

Men began to fall, some with a grunt, some with a scream, some with out a sound. One of my company, Mike Rush was hit in the chest and staggered to the edge of the steep creek side and then pitched over and fell from sight down its bank. I and his pards rushed up and peered over the edge to see the terrible sight of Mike's body, suspended by a small tree, just above the waters of the creek bed. A sight I will not soon forget.

At last, a company of Union infantry fights its way across the bridge, killing and capturing the remaining rebels in a sharp fight. The rest of us are back in formation, marching across the bridge in relentless pursuit of our enemies. We march for about an hour until we must give way for the artillery cassions, so we fall out on the sides of the road until they pass, and fall in once more, soaked in sweat and heavy with exhaustion.

Men are throwing away items from their knap sacks and blanket rolls. Some canned goods are heaved into the woods from the column, shelter halfs and extra clothing are also sacrificed to lighten the load. Then more firing ahead in a densely wooded area to the right of the road we have been marching on. Our colonel calls halt and then peers into the woods for a moment, turns and yells at the men to "LOAD!" Men fumble with their cartridge boxes and pull the paper rounds from their places, tear the ends with their teeth and pour powder and ball into the barrels of their rifles. Then then pull their ram rods and tamp the deadly loads home and then return them to the channel beneath their muskets. All is ready for the work of death to begin.

The colonel yells, "FRONT!" and the men turn to their right and form their battle ranks of two, facing the thick woods. It is just now dawning on me that the colonel means to march us directly through this thick patch of tight-knit trees, brush and thorns! "FORWARD!" comes the cry and we have no choice but to put our muskets to the front of us and smash through the growth, branches whipping at our faces and thorns sticking into our hands and tearing our clothes.

But as quickly as we enter, we are through! The woods are clear and we have surprised the rebels who thought we would enter at a point more to their liking. An entire regiment is before us and our colonel quickly begins the deadly work of war. "READY! AIM! FIRE!" We are up and at them, getting off the first volley with deadly effect. We are told to reload and fire at will, which we all do with a vengeance. It is victory to the swiftest, as we load and fire as fast as we can. The crash of rifle fire is terrible and the smoke hangs like a thick fog in the trees. One unexpected casualty of our firing is a poor squirrel, knocked out of the trees by the concussion of our guns and then running frantically back and forth between the lines of rebels and yankees, looking desperately for a way out of this smokey hell.

The rebs give ground, little by little, leaving bodies everywhere as we advance. Then the command "CEASE FIRE!" is given, and I lean tiredly against my rifle, thankful I have lasted through one more battle. A quick pull at my canteen and I thank God for the simple goodness of warm water. Then the orders come ringing down the column. "Attention, BATALLION! SHOULDER, ARMS! LEFT, FACE! FORWARD, MARCH!" And off we go again, not knowing when the day will end or where it will end.

To be continued...

YMOS,
Unionblue

johan_steele · #53 11-26-2003, 08:15 AM

Neil, in your Vicksburg experiances did you discover any fire ants? Two men from my unit unknowingly pitched a pup tent directly over a nest... they didn't discover it until the sacked out for the eve... Heck, between the heat, Mosquitos & fire ants... even nature was against us Yanks! Though I daresay the Secesh fully appreciated the efforts of the Mosquitos as well.

unionblue · #54 11-26-2003, 01:48 PM

Shane,

Now that you mention it, I had occasion to take a hit during our next days march. I fell down, doing my best 'in the chest' hit, and fell face down onto a fire ant hill! When I saw the little critters, I 'rose up' and ran six feet and took another hit and died in a safer place!

Unionblue

(Message edited by Unionblue on November 26, 2003)

(Message edited by Unionblue on November 26, 2003)

unionblue · #55 12-02-2003, 02:50 AM

Vicksbug 2000 continued,

After our big fight, word was we was pushing the rebs real hard, not giving them a chance to make a stand. That was fine by me as where ever they made one, they fought hard. But now we were on the outskirts of Raymond, Mississippi, and I kept hearing a loud series of noises up ahead of the column.

Now, I knew the town, being Southern and all, would really cheer the Rebels as they marched through town on their retreat towards Vicksburg. But what happened next made me a complete convert in the fact and legend of Southern hospitality. When we, the Union forces, came marching through the town of Raymond, the entire route of our march was lined, on both sides of the main street, with cheering towns people. People kept thrusting water and food into our hands and cheering us! Ladies would come up with home-made fried chicken and give us as much as we could carry! Cakes and cookies were also offered, without charge, without prejudice, with smiles and words of welcome. Call Southerners stubborn, call them prideful, but never call them unfriendly or spiteful. This reception just floored me!

We marched through the town and then set up our camp to rest from the day's march, about 12 miles all told. We set up a series of shebangs for overhead cover from the hot sun, and then rolled out our blankets so we could get some much needed sleep. What a day this had been!

To be continued...
Unionblue

thea_447 · #56 12-05-2003, 11:36 AM

<grin> You tell a "great" tale, Catherine. Perhaps you should register as Catherine the Great!

Hope to hear more from you!

One more thing: In retrospect, do you think you missed a great opportunity to "ride with Forrest"?

YMOS,

unionblue · #57 12-10-2003, 04:57 AM

Another reenacting tale;

My dear friend Ron Goodwin, known as 'Old Reb' on this board, told me this little story concerning the 130th Antietam reenactment.

Ron was attending the reenactment as a lowly rebel private, joining with the elements of the 6th battalion of the ANV organization. I am not exactly sure what day of the event this incident happened, but the telling is worth it.

It seems it was about mid-day and the rebel forces were drawn up at the top of a slight rise on one side of the battlefield while Union forces were just out of sight behind the far rise across the field.

Ron was in the front ranks standing at ease, when one of the officers of the battalion called him over. The officer had spotted a Yankee officer on the far rise studying the Confederate ranks with a pair of binoculars. The rebel officer looked at Ron and ordered, "Silas, shoot me that Yankee officer!"

Ron immediately went into character and went through a marvelous routine of preparing to shoot the curious yankee. He loaded his musket carefully, wet his thumb and touched it to his front sight, adjusted the range of his Enfield rear sights, raised the rifle to his shoulder and took steady aim at his far away target.

Now all this time, the Union officer on the far ridge had seen Ron making his elaborate preparations to shoot him. He kept his glasses exactly on Ron watching his every move. When Ron finally felt he had his range, he pulled the trigger of his rifle, felt the recoil and heard the loud report of the round (blank, of course!) leaving the barrel.

What happened next Ron later explained to me was something he would never forget. After a two-count (one, two) the Yankee officer threw up his hands and fell backwards out of site, looking exactly as Ron's shot had taken him out! (Ron later told me he could have kissed the man for his actions!) There was a thunderstruck silence from the assembled rebel ranks as Ron cooly took his place back in line. The officer who had ordered Ron to shoot the inquisitive Yankee in the first place slowly walked up to Ron and whispered, "Silas, do you have real bullets in your cartridge box?"

Ron just looked at the man with a cool stare, leaning on his musket and replied, "He's dead, ain't he?"

And a reenacting legend was born!

Sincerely,
Unionblue

#58 12-10-2003, 06:13 AM

Neil,
I regret not being able to post much but these are great. That was indeed a classic moment. Ron had an excellent reply as well. I am positive he realized just how lucky he was.

I would for nothing put a sour note on this thread, but is anyone a watcher of the sci fi program "Outer Limits?" I watched one Sunday night, obviously a repeat. It was called "Gettysburg." It was about reenactors who go back in time. Rarely have I seen a show I absolutely loathed as that one. And I'm a big fan of Outer Limits. But now I have a sour taste in my mouth. The Cop show "The District" recently did a murder during a reenactment that was vile as well. Anyway, since these two programs were about reenacting, I thought I'd ask here.

Regarding fire ants. All I can say is if you see a mound of dirt a foot or so high. Stomp when you walk. At least they can't fly like yellow jackets. Stir up a nest of them you get to do a no so happy dance. Only problem is, they lead. grin

How are the brogans for comfort? Walking 12 miles a day and fighting, especially in the heat of the south.....Do you line your woolen clothes with satin, silk etc? Do the camps sing at night? Ever do winter events?
I realise I am asking stupid questions....what are best worst questions you have been asked? How bad are mine?

Anyway, sorry for rambling but I am not quite at what I would laughingly call my best right now. For that you have my most unreserved apology. I absolutely LOVE these stories. Every one.

YMOS
tommy

johan_steele · #59 12-10-2003, 09:08 AM

Neil,

Another tale I've heard was a Union man at Chickamaugua one year doing a Sharpshooter impression... he had made an agreement w/ the 4th Alabama... they were going to do a skit of the 4th hunting a Sharpshooter. They told noone else of their skit. But a Louisiana unit got involved. The Yank saw a CSA unit in line (I think he thought they were the 4th) going through a quick safety inspection, he was at better than five hundred yards, he decided to let go w/ a round. The CSA Captain decided to go along w/ the shooting (I was told he wasn't feeling good and decided to sit out the main battle.) At the first shot he looked up as though in reaction to a bullet gone high. The rest of his unit hadn't really noticed this crazy lone yank at such a distance, who in their right mind would shoot at that range. At the second shot he looked to his right and made the loud comment: "Lookie thar boys, some Yank fancies he can shoot!" His unit laughed heartily at the comment... then the captain took a dramatic hit screaming on his way to the ground and groaning loudly "Dear God, I'm killed!" The rest of the unit looked on in momentary shock as their Sgt Major ran to the Captains aid, at the next shot he screamed clutched his head and fell. The Lt ordered his men to "Load in nine times load!" as he drew his sword he took a hit to the arm. "Give that blue belly a volley then get into cover!" The Louisiana boys complied then skedadled for the trees.

Aphillbilly,

You would be suprised how comfortable the wool clothes really are. I've been wearing wool socks since they were first issued to me in USAF basic... I won't go back. The wool wicks moisture away from the body and does a marvelous job of keeping you dry. I know a re-enactor who decided to wear a pair of silken drawers... his idea was that after our 5 mile route march he would be "...too ****ed happy to want to kill anybody." WELLLLLL, lets just say after the second mile or so he was doing a squirm dance that had the amusement of the entire company. Most of us stick w/ cotton drawers, though on second thought I do know quite a few who wear wool.

I confess that I've never done a "winter" event though I understand that their are plans for the 140th Franklin next November. The latest I've actually been in the field is late October and I did have frost on my poncho and the water in my canteen was better than half ice. I happened to be sharing a wedge tent w/ my wife and daughter so I had put a old heavy down sleeping bacg down under our blankets and w/ three woll blankets (two have shrunk dramitically after being rained on) I had gotten up about 0400 for pickett duty and was quite warm... though I admit to having put my extra sack coat on the snug bundle that was wife & daughter.

Ironically the only sacrifice to the modern era I make is a cooler (for the two year old) and occasionaly that old down sleeping bag.

This May there are four units in my region planning to get together to do a "muster weekend" From the time we arrive until tear down we are to be in character. There should be enough present to form close to a full Company. Our Captain recently copied an original song book and issued them to us, so expect the 3rd to sing... of coarse I can't carry a tune in a bucket. Drill could be quite interesting as the 3rd used Hardee's drill & the three Iowa units used Casey'••••••• looks like our Captain may well be the ranking officer as well... gonna be interesting to see how those Iowa boys react to Hardee's drill...
Now after having seen a man pass out from an attack of fire ants (he was rushed to the hospital and was in serious condition from having stood at attention for several minutes while standing ontop of a fire ant hill) I give those little buggers a wide berth.

hoosier · #60 12-10-2003, 02:07 PM

Neil, I don't believe I've seen Old Reb on this website in quite a while.

Did you hear this story from him recently, or is it something he told you some time ago?