Battle Report For Saturday's Battle at Bellmead TX

[texascavcadet]

To all it may concern,

Battle of Lake Bellmead, Texas, May, 1863


Our unit marched in to the outskirts of Bellmead Texas at around 9:00 PM and stragglers arriving through out the night. We set up camp and of word of a small host of federal "rabble", posted pickets to patrol the area. We awoke to the usual sound of the bugle and began to start cooking breakfast with what little we had for the near by town had little to offer. At 10.00 AM we began to drill and combined with 7th and 15th and us the 11th Texas Dismounted Cavalry. We prepared for the worst because the rumors were true, Federal infantry, cavalry; artillery and cursed "red legs" were combining to form a mighty foe. At around 12.00 PM the sound of enemy cannons was heard as they fired on our troops. Our artillery quickly responded by bringing up 20 guns to silence theirs. Our artillery could have blasted the enemy out of their entrenchments if they had not run out of ammunition. We marched (the combined 7th, 15th, and 11th) to face our foe which were well entrenched with a new gun to our sight which they call a "gatling gun". Our mounted Cavalry and their Cavalry battled it out with both sides loosing many a horse and man. The plan was to advance on the enemy and use "sheer" numbers to drive the enemy out but the courier sent to deliver the message to the infantry was shot and killed by an enemy sniper. As we marched forward firing deadly volleys in to their lines they turned the "gatling gun" on us and we began falling like flies. Are brave Lit. Bunch was savagely wounded at the hands of the enemy who showed no mercy! Our command of dismounted Cavalry was being murdered in front of my eyes and I saw some charge the enemies lines but to be all shot down! I loaded and fired as fast as I could but when an enemy volley was heard I felt a horrible pain in my side and looked down to see a gashing wound in my side. I quickly saw no reason to be there anymore and one of the surviving Sergeants (Eric Johnson) helped me to my feet and he and I made our selves to the rear. To my relief Confederate infantry was arriving on the field. So the worry of enemy Cavalry left my mind. Eric and I limped to a tree and were ready to snipe at any enemy that came our way. The terrible battle ahead was horrible, we saw our brave infantry being shot at in the front and flanked by enemy Cavalry. The sound of a bugle sounding retreat was heard but Sgt. Eric Johnson and I were determined to hold our ground. Then they came, the mounted Cavalry was chasing down retreating infantry. Eric fired a well aimed shot with his Springfield and I discharged my pistol. We felled some of the mounted but we saw little chance of hope and began to withdraw. I found out later that my wound was not fatal and I would live and still have both legs. Our Army was later reinforced by other brave boys from Texas and we doubled our strength from yesterdays fight. We settled in to camp and had a Patriotic Dance at 8:00 PM.
We went to sleep tired and worried about the next day’s fight. For the Federals had also been reinforced.

YOS
Pvt. Garrett Estey
11th Texas Cavalry
May, 1863

It turned out to be a pretty good event!!!

[ole]

Thanks for the report, Garrett. Sounds like a good time was had by all.
Ole

[Rad2duhbone53]

Good work private; you held your ground. Commendable!!