- Joined
- Feb 23, 2013
- Location
- East Texas
With Doug Garnett (@1863surgeon ) in our camp at the 145th Anniversary Reenactment of the Battle of Shiloh, photographed by Betsy Mills. Other photos in this thread were taken by Larry Mink, James (Jim) Langley, and myself.
Probably because the actual Shiloh anniversary weekend in 2007 also happened that year to be Easter weekend, the 145th Anniversary of the first great battle in Tennessee was held two three weeks earlier in the middle of March. Experience has taught that spring in Tennessee can be a time of unpredictable weather, but unlike the two previous events I attended here in 1987 and 1997 - the 125th and 135th respectively, about which I've posted here previously: https://civilwartalk.com/threads/with-u-s-grant-at-shilohs-125th-april-1987.111839/ and https://civilwartalk.com/threads/wi...the-135th-shiloh-mudlo-april-4-5-1997.123354/ - the 145th was cold and windy but dry overall, thankfully lacking either snow or torrential rain. This time, lacking anything like a field command or position on army or unit staff, I attended as part of the Union Medical Department along with friends of like interests like Doug Garnett of Paris, Texas, above.
Part I - The Union Camps at Pittsburg Landing
We were among the first to arrive and soon erected our large and roomy medical ward tent and a field hospital-like setting in case any visitors came to visit but unfortunately there were few. On reason we attended as Federal medical personnel was in hopes that would put us nearer the crowd during the event, knowing for example that the Union camps would be overrun but the scenarios chosen limited anything like that. Above, Surgeon Larry Mink (seated) and I warm ourselves beside our early morning campfire. The door placed on sawhorses seen in these photos served as our outdoor "operating table." Below, talking with one of the few visitors.
The camp grew steadily as more troops arrived as seen in these photos.
Above and below, a Union drill or reconnaissance party during morning exercises.
In addition to drill there's always time for a little of the 1862 National Pastime, even in the face of the Enemy!
Above, a rather blurry look at camp life and chores.
My humble abode in our ward tent shows my cot arranged with laid-out uniform and staff-and-field officer's sword for full-dress occasion like the Dress Parade; waiting for it below in full uniform. two surgeons strike a militant pose!
Next, Part II - Dress Parade
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