DAR, during action report

[csabugler]

The putrid smell of flesh singed by black powder permeates my nostrils as I lie here at the regimental hospital in Kennesaw. My thoughts however are at New Hope Church, wondering the fate of my comrads. The surgeon is fairly certain that I shall recover completely from the wound which has placed me here.

Little did I know that after 18 years of fighting a 4 year war, the only wound I was yet to receive would be inflicted by my own self. I cannot even imagine how many times I have placed a revolver in the half cock mode in order to check the movement of its mechanisms and safely returned it to its holster. Nor can I imagine how it is that the hammer fell upon the cap unleashing a point blank shot into my lower abdomin.

Prior to this unfortunate occurance the event was progressing splendidly as the Mill always goes. Regretfully I can offer no more insight into the battle as I was evacuated after having fired almost the first shot.

It is somewhat appropriate that in the confusion that is my life, this should occur. I have ridden insane horses carrying pistols, rifles, sabers and side knives through many hazardous actions and come out unharmed. And then I accidently shot myself as an infantry bugler, with nary a horse around.

I anxiously await more news of the battle.... which others will doubtless provide.

(as I dictate this, I am lying on a hospital bed, awaiting final treatment- while my girlfriend types away on the laptop.)

[trippcor]

Pete,
I was shocked to hear about your accident. I am glad you will make a complete recovery. You missed some good fights.

[C.R. Henderson]

Glad to hear you're still ornery and kickin', buddy. We were all worried about you. Sgt. Jowers took good care of you till the meat wagon got there!

[plankholder]

Glad to hear that you are well enough, everyone was worried about you.

[Steve Acker]

Miss having you out there but glad you're okay. Take care.

Steve Acker

[MercyAngel62]

Glad to hear you are doing okay. The civilians at the cabin really freaked when we saw and heard the fire trucks and ambulance drive through the park. Not having the military around at that point in the day and being a good walk from the visitors center, we had to wait it out to see what all had happened! :eek:

[Dale Beasley]

Pete,
Glad you are doing ok, has anyone heard anything about the guy who had a snake bite?

[Mike Nickerson]

See Pete it was safer riding my crazy horse! Hope you have a full recovery! The other Critter's said you have a habit of going off half-cocked, but I thought it was all talk!

Mike Nickerson

[tenfed1861]

Dale,
I talked to Art yesterday morning.From what he said,the snake bite guy is doing fine.He is getting out of the hospital today,with a few months of theropy.

Pat,sorry about your crotch.Glad to hear you'll be ok.

I want to say good job for everyone when it came to the snake bite.Those who knew what to do moved fast and worked hard.It is very reassuring to know that if anything happens in the future,y'all will be there to take care of it and make sure the person will be ok.And I can assure you the fellow with the snake bite will be thanking y'all.

[Reb13thva]

Glad to hear everyone is going to make it, both Patrick and “the snake bite guy” have been in my thoughts since Saturday. You scared some of us Patrick we thought you might have blown off something important.

Oh ya, and Tripp next time you may want to leave the red shirt at home it makes a really pretty target.

James Sturckler
Mess #1

[trippcor]

I was fairly certain I was killed several times over. I am not sure the red shirt would have made any difference or not.

[Micah Trent]

I was fairly certain I was killed several times over. I am not sure the red shirt would have made any difference or not.

LOL...from the Federal side it was toss up between you and Hicks' blue cap. Both of you were great open targets on several occasions for those on picket.

[Dale Beasley]

Dont worry Tripp,
We had a Red Shirt walking around our camp, so there would have been two of you...by the way Tripp, great show!

[CSchneider]

Fellas,

A bunch of us visited Phil (the snake bite guy) at the hospital on Sunday, and he was very appreciative of the guys who helped him up the hill the day before. He was pretty high on morphine, and asked us to tell Sam Watkins something for him, but I'm sure he was sincere with his thanks. He's on his way home if not there already, but I figured I'd pass along his message and let you know that he's OK if he's not able to get on a computer right away.

-Craig Schneider

[csabugler]

In spite of what Guy Musgrove told everyone, I did not actually shoot off any parts!!! :p The wound was in the lower abdomin right of center just below modern belt line.
It was an intersting case. The surgeon on duty was not able to find any references on any of his medical website dealing with gsw's from black powder blanks that actually penetrated the skin. When he opened the wound he found an area about the size of a golf ball that was vacant. The tissue was gone. In it's place was the cream of wheat that was on top of the powder in the pistol, which was swelling up with the bodily fluids. It hurts a lot, but not as bad as you would think.

I am very grateful to Buddy Jowers for staying with me till the "meat wagon" carried me off, and for the excellent job of getting my gear to the car.

I have gone over the thing in my head at least a hundred times and still don't know how it happened. From the angle of trajectory I know that I was moving the barrell toward the holster and would not have had my finger on the trigger.

Coley told me about Phil on saturday evening, but he must have gone to a different hospital. I hope he is ok, and doesn't catch as much crap from it as I know I will! ( and already have)

I greatly regret having let you all down by missing the event.

[C.R. Henderson]

Pat, I think the hammer somehow got caught up on your jacket and just snapped down on a nearby cap. Pure accident with no carelessness.

[tenfed1861]

Glad both Pat and Phil are ok.They are now on the level of Super-hardcores.

[BrianHicks]

LOL...from the Federal side it was toss up between you and Hicks' blue cap. Both of you were great open targets on several occasions for those on picket.

Well.. it looks as though I'm fortunate that all of you fellas were such horrid shots!

By the way... I was the fellow on the Confederate side that was was yelling out when a Federal Officer walked the line "Officer, 120 yards, ready, aim fire!" It was great fun watching ya'll yell for him to get down, an seeing him crouch for a few minutes.

[csabugler]

Chris, I believe you are correct, The hammer must have been raised and dropped on the cap by some external element. Maybe a disgruntled spirit, who never did like buglers....

And Cullen, the rank of "super hardcore" has been achieved by both Phil and I at a great cost. I strongly suggest that nobody try to join that "mess":D

[springkeeper]

Mr. Pete, I am glad to hear you and the other gentleman are doing well. Thoughts and prayers for both of you for a complete recovery.

Hope you liked your scarf.

Cheers,
Miss Carrie

[Kiev Thomason]

I hope ya get better ...didn't yo momma tell you never play with da guns?:wink_smil

[Cornfed]

Gentlemen,

I just got back home here in Va. this afternoon and want to drop this short note to say that I'm doing well and have already scheduled an appointment with a specialist for tomorrow afternoon. I was quite lucky on so many counts. The snake, identified as a Copperhead, only got one fang in my finger and I'm sure that made the situation better. The guys who carried me for quite some distance in record time to a waiting pickup truck were unbelievable and I sincerely thank each and every one of them for their trouble. The ones who kept speaking to me and keeping my mind off what really seemed like a pretty scary time helped make an unbearable situation a lot less so. My pards from the Stonewall Brigade who came to visit me in the hospital are the best. Charles Winchester of the park for calling me and letting me know that he was there to help in any way possible meant a lot. Thanks again guys. I'm going to make a donation to the ACPP in your honor.

[trippcor]

Phil,
I am very glad and relieved you have made it home safely. We were all very concerned about you.

When I told everyone about using "TAPS" as the something very bad has happened call, I never thought we would actually have to use it. I am glad it was in place and worked. Everyone one reacted quickly and handled the situtation. It pays to have trained folks in the ranks.

[tenfed1861]

Phil,next time I'm at the woodpile,I'll kill a copperhead in your honor.Any names you have in mind to call it ;) ?

[Steve Acker]

Hey Phil,

I was one of the guys talking to you, the one asking if you were a butt man or not. I figured female body parts would keep you mind occupied. Crude but that's what my mind thinks on a lot.

Glad you're okay. Will you be at Antietam? If so I'll see ya there.

Steve Acker

[Bushrod Carter]

Phil,

I am glad you are on the mend, but sorry you had such a "memorable" trim to Gawga. Anyway, as one of the boys carrying you up the hill, I think it only goes to show that our community is close knit. Although I don't think we have ever had the pleasure of being introduced, it was the need of a fellow "soldier" that caused us to forget the event and make sure you were taken care of. None of us thought a thing about it or expected to get mentioned in dispatches, and I only hope if it were me with a d@*n copperhead attached to the end of my finger, that someone would do the same for me.

Take care, get better, and I hope to see you under better circumstances again soon.

[GWHall]

When I told everyone about using "TAPS" as the something very bad has happened call, I never thought we would actually have to use it. I am glad it was in place and worked. Everyone one reacted quickly and handled the situtation. It pays to have trained folks in the ranks.

Tripp,

That was an excellent plan, and a great way to quickly get everyone to know something was up. When the bugle sounded I saw several officers on the Federal side instantly call a halt to everything, have everyone stay put, give a shout to our own bugler to play taps, and run up the hill to help. I don't know if that signal has been used before at events to notify that there is a real emergency going on, but it certainly was effective this time and should be remembered.

[pipthelimey]

I'm glad both Pete and Phil are ok. I was standing next to Pete when his pistol went off. Now that you're ok, I think it's safe for me to menton the fact that you were telling Bugler Jowers the reason that you were carrying the pistol was so the Critters didn't get you. As Guy Musgrove so eloquently put it, "The Critters got Pete by Proxy."

I'm glad you're both ok. Pete, we missed you over the rest of the weekend. I hope to see you out in the field soon.

Your Pard,
AJ

Andrew Jerram

[csabugler]

Mrs. Craddock, I did in fact get the magnificent scarf. Thank you so much! I had planned to search you out today while I'm back at work to thank you for it. It looks dashing with my new Kiev jacket!
Pip, Guy has already laid claim to "getting me by proxy". They all took great joy in that, sinse other people's displeasure has always been a great source of fun to them. I had hoped you were going to shed some light on how this happened, as I have settled into the "The hammer hung up on my jacket button hole and dropped down on the cap" explanation. I don't think I'm smart enough to give it up after this, so you will see me again.

[springkeeper]

You are most welcome! I am glad you like it. I am sure you are the most dashing figure in your new jacket and scarf.

Cheers,
Carrie

[paulcalloway]

First Aid / Emergency Responder discussion moved to a new thread (http://www.authentic-campaigner.com/forum/showthread.php?t=18028).