Myths exposed, lessons learned and other observations.

[SCTiger]

I have written three or four AAR's and junked them all. I had another long AAR that was destroyed when my notebook ran out of power. In hindsight that probably saved your eyeballs and the AC site a few gigs of memory.

I could entertain you with stories about my escape from the Federal Camp and the inside jokes with 2nd platoon, but I have decided against it. You had to be there and those stories are really the privilege of the people that actually hit the field and they will be told around camp fire for years to come. I would like to note that no trees attacked me in Louisiana, if you went to Rich Mountain as a Confederate, you would get that joke too.

BGR was an honest event. What do I mean by that? Unlike some living history or mainstream events, it was a true campaigner event. You took everything you needed or didn't to the field. There was no skulking back to the car for a second blanket, no sneak off trips to the restaurants, no fresh TP and flush toilet on the trail.
No big sutlers to resupply your losses. No savory food vendors either.

So this was a learning experience. Not so much on drill or material culture, more on cooperation between men and surviving in the field. The big key was the "mess." Hal Meritt said it best, "messes were necessary to the survival and well being of the Civil War soldier."

When we first arrived at the event, 80 percent of us acted as individuals, we may have shared a fire, but there were 10 frying pans, with everyone trying to cook their own meals, sleeping alone, "doing there own thing." It wasn't until the third day (Friday) that we started to get the idea that "going at it alone" sucked.

We started to share details, look out for each other, combined our food, shared tools and supplies, shared candles and pipe tobacco, and finally we slept as one mess under one lean-to near the fire.

Being hardcore and toughing it out isn't what campaigning is all about. It's really about a group of men taking a rough situation, and not just surviving it, but living well with very little. They had to, the combat and marching was dangerous enough. Staying warm or cool was a challenge, staying well fed and getting a good sleep was important element to surviving combat and the marches.

BGR killed the myth for me that the CW soldier was "hardcore", he was actually smart, sociable and he took care of his mess mates and himself. He had the best survival tool out there, ten other men with the same goal and genuine concern for each other. If it was loaning your coat to another mess mate for picket duty, or making coffee for the platoon, everyone had some skill to share or a duty to perform. One "outsider" would make life intolerable for the rest of the platoon. A good soldier was very valuable, when we lost people in battle, we noticed the difference in our quality of life.

Time was limited after the march, having everyone doing the same detail at once was inefficient, Details should be dispersed to take advantage of the remaining daylight. Having the entire platoon clean weapons, was an example. Cooking, gathering wood, constructing shebangs, repairing equipment, issuing rations, re-filling canteens, they all had to be done. There was very little "down time" for this event.

I could have well researched the event and packed accordingly, I could have left behind the writing kit and the shaving gear and the extra shirt, however; I decided against that and I packed according to what I thought a CW soldier needed, I didn't bring a lot of exotic or extra rations, no special ingredients etc. At one point I discarded a few things from my knapsack on the trail to include a very wet shirt, one pair of socks, a deck of cards, one very large bag of coffee (from rations) and a few other knick knacks. It probably only saved 4 pounds at the most, but it was the psychological factor of "lightning the load." The pack wasn't really heavy, I was just very tired. It could have been filled with feathers and the exhaustion would make it feel like an ox yoke.

In regards to the "first person" impressions, I was just myself, with a different background. I had no quarrel with the South, but once I was captured and witnessed my comrades dying, I was really mad at "Johnny" for killing those fine men. Now that sounds funny coming from the "SC Tiger", but that the way it was. I was a Union man from Illinois for those four days. The key is to forget your beliefs and be yourself with a different set of circumstances. (I am now back to being SC Tiger, it will take a lot more than four days of reenacting before I become a Yankee.)

The only safety concerns I had at BGR, were the following. The pace was sometimes too fast for the terrain we were in and resulted in one sprained ankle. The pace later slowed down over the rough areas and the injuries decreased. We were walking down the trails with loaded muskets, that were capped. While going down hill, if someone was in front of you at right shoulder shift , the muzzle that used to be above your head was now pointing at your head. Muzzle bad. Keep it out of my face.

During the battles, we should have stopped firing around 100 yards, anything closer with ramrods and cartridges and someone could have got seriously hurt. I am not against using a ramrod, considering the experience of the people around me, we should have put better safety measures in place to limit any possible accidents. The fact that both sides were armed with Enfields in 1864, I believe most of the shooting would have occurred before they reached the 200 yard mark, any closer and the casualty rate would have been high. These were not smooth bore muskets. The Union should have withdrawn once the gray ghosts emerged from the woods and we caught sight of them. In most cases we did, but beating a hasty retreat up a steep hill or across a creek was a desperate experience I will never forget.

Building obstacles and breast works aided the soldiers in delaying a pursuing enemy.
2nd platoon, "Beavers"" 81st Illinois, did just that. We got tired of seeing Johnny having a cake walk and matching our speed. So we began to throw logs, limbs, briars, rocks and anything lose on the trail, while we were the "rear guard." There was no order from the command to do this. We did it for the delays and to inconvenience the Rebs. It was also a psychological morale booster for us.

I am also relieved that there were no female soldiers in disguise (although we did suspect Chase) at this event. The only women were out in the civilian camp. Having any woman in camp would have seriously altered the social environment and freedom that we enjoyed. We went two days without seeing a female at all. That made it seem like a vacation in some respects. When we did meet the civilians, it was brief and most of us were respectful. It was great to be a free man, if only for a day I really enjoyed the humor and the banter between friends. Once you get a camp name, like Goose, you know you are accepted (everyone except Chase). Thanks to all my comrades in 2nd platoon.


There are a lot of myths about campaigning in this hobby. In the field it wasn't about jackets types or "material culture" it was more about cooperation and comradeship than anything. That's why we had a great time being miserable. I wish more people could have attended.

[ley74]

Gribble:

Great AAR. Here I am, green with envy.

[Moonshine]

Good read!

Having been to the first RR, you learn VERY QUICKLY that it takes a mess to accomplish anything. Makes you appreciate how those men survived the war and why they became so close after.

When you attend an event like this it makes every other event pale in comparison because for several days, you're not just a soldier marching and fighting, but you're a person of the 19th century having to do the same things the real people did to survive.

I only wished I could've gone to this one.

[DougCooper]

Greg hits upon the essential ingredients of this event - teamwork and comradeship. Every drop of water, every crumb of food, every piece of equipment, every duty or fatigue, every stint on guard was shared. Fires were kept going all night and everyone looked out for each other. One carried the skillet, another the coffee pot and the other the boiler. I never heard a single complaint from anyone that he got screwed or had less of this or that or whatever.

Coming out of the civilian camp one of us had filled a boiler with the potato/apple stew. He tied it on the back of his knapsack and I used a spoon to feed everyone in the platoon as we marched along without breaking stride. We passed the company spade around from man to man. We got used to the knowing where each of us was without looking. As 1st Sgt, I always walked to the left around the puddles and ponds in the road. For the rest of my life I may walk on the left side of the street. :)

We were truly all for each other.

Safety was modified as well - we quickly realized being primed was not the way to go as we stumbled and climbed and marched along. We were always loaded, because the bad guys were always close, but we removed caps. We got very good at quickly loading and priming on the move. We got very good at quickly clearing weapons when fouled. We got very good at maintaining a sense of dress and distance on the skirmish line, even when in the densest brush. Every private looked to his corporal, corporals to sergeants, seargeants to officers and vice versa. The chain of command worked extremely well, by second nature it seemed. "Take care of the men" was the watchword. The Colonel, Major and Sgt Major were always visible. First person was easy - it was the here and now of being a soldier.

It was easy to look at you guys as Pharoah's Army - with the burned over landscape, stories from the civilians, etc. We never thought of shooting at pickets however. We got damned tired of the cannon though. Our prevalent thought was - "wish the yankees would either go faster and get clean away back to Alexandria or go slower and let us finish the job." The last action on Sunday was the only really close-up fight and I remember hearing your shouts and thinking how foreign it was...never felt that before.

Some of this sounds corny to those who were not there...

This was a carefully scripted event - no hint of "tactical" at all. Everything was timed and controlled by Fred and Tom, and worked brilliantly. The beauty of it was that the men in the ranks did not see that. There was one strange skirmish with the wagons caught between the lines that was surreal, but that was a result of us having to stop for the night at an unplanned location. Most of these types of events tend to be a free-flowing almost cowboy and indian type deal, without the extension of lines of a picket post. This went according to plan, and even the improvisation just seemed part of the scenario. We were all too busy to notice Fred and Tom for the most part.

This event will go down as the closest most of us have ever gotten to the real deal. It's greatest value may be that it reenergizes the campaigners that it can work. It does not have to be 4-5 days long, it does have to be scripted and organized. But the 4-5 days molded us into units quickly...and that is priceless.

As we marched back together I began talking to a Corporal in the 81st who was on both RR1 and RR2. He had left the hobby altogether back then but got back in for this event. He is a superb soldier - the type the hobby really needs right now. In the ranks of the Lazy Jacks was Adam Hammersley, 18 years old. In our company was Robbie Fischer, 17 years old. Robbie went from fresh fish to veteran in 4 days. Can't beat that.

Thanks Fred and Tom, for not only living up to the promise, but exceeding all expectations...and perhaps turning the corner for the hobby. Don't get much better than that.

[nrandolph]

Mr. Deese,

You sir, may count your AAR as honest to read as the event comes through to me over these reports. Both you and Mrs. Lawson have provided some enjoyable reading time, and as Ley said earlier, envy, at having not been to such a fine event. I can always tell the best events I've been to by my memory of the men that were there with me! To all of you that attended BGR, I must salute you (especially that four day bare-foot man)!

Neil Randolph
1st WV

[SCTiger]

And I forgot to thank Frank, Tom, Fred and all the "behind the scenes" people that made the event happen. The event was excellent and it met our exceeded my wildest expectations. A lot of people made heavy sacrifices to make this happen. It's also good to see some of the same dedicated people show up again and again. I have seen Brian Hicks in South Carolina , Georgia, West Virginia and now Louisiana. I forget to get his autograph for my CW Historian magazine. Oh well I am sure I will see him again.

You just can't get this sort of experience at a two day event, three would be the minimum. This is one area that we know about, that book historians will never grasp. The "mess" was the atomic nucleus of the Civil War military unit. Not even modern military units are like this, except for small, elite forces like SEAL's, Special Forces or Marine Recon Units. In my opinion, all CW campaigners would be "elite" troops today in comparison.

You can belong to a unit, even if it has 1,000 members, but if you are not organized as mess on the section level, you are going to live miserably on the campaign. This happens quite often at "national" events, you will have 2,000 men on the field, but they are all individuals taking care of themselves, no shelter, no combined mess, no cooperation. This is viewed as being hardcore. It's pathetically wrong. A motivated platoon can erect a fine shebang in about 30 minutes. Send that same group to an event like BGR and things would change quickly, there would be no re-supply trips to sutler row or sleeping in the RV. Same deal for the weekend living historian, let's see how that fancy "museum grade" equipment looks covered in mud, blood, ash and sweat, plus can you work as a team member? Can you follow instead of leading?

In summation, this event taught me a lot of new field skills and gave me a new appreciation of those soldiers. My biggest suggestion, get your mess organized and communicating before you hit the field. It will make all the difference.

[CSchneider]

It was great to see the companies break up into messes in the evening and during breaks on the march. Its something that's not seen often enough at events. Each night our mess had one fire, one skillet, one boiler, one cup, one plate, one knife, one spoon, and in the end, one shared meal. Anything more than that wasn't needed, and would have been a superfluous burden on the march.

-Craig Schneider

[Gallo de Cielo]

Greg,

A salute to you. You have said things in a way that I've not seen written before. There are many AAR's posted and likely many more to come but yours drifts away from the more detailed stuff to a narative description of what it was like to soldier in general.

Clearly, our five days in the Kisatchie together made for memories we won't let go of. Nonetheless, your two posts in this thread are excellent. Really fine stuff. You put things into words that I hadn't even realized I felt but, from my humble perspective, you nailed it. I would like to see them posted in the FAQ section somehow or preserved. They should be required reading for a beginner wondering what he is getting into and what they might get from our little hobby.

Kind regards,

[41stVa]

Goose!

I had a blast being your file partner in 2nd Platoon!! I enjoyed our conversations while on the march. Great AAR. It was truly amazing how everybody came together and worked towards a common goal in our mess. By the way..I think somebody picked up your tossed shirt and coffee :tounge_sm

Hope to see you again in the field!

Ryan Protz
aka Little Mac ...... 2nd Platoon!!

[Alamo Guard]

Logistics Side of Life; I was mainly the gopher for alot of running back and forth. I hauled sore footed men from the field to where ever. Picked up nurses and such to sick men in the field. Ran about 75 yards uphill with 6 gallons of water on my shoulder to reach a fallen comrade.
One of my thoughts for after actions is to have another guy. one for animals and another for those two legged animals :).
I was about worn out trying to find hay dumps hidden in the woods. Hauling water for horses cause their owners didnt want to let them drink unpurified water and of course keep up with the men in the field. Hauling feed for the animals as well. Picking up water cans thrown up the side of the road.
I think the tone was set the first night with your change of campsite. I learned always have water in the truck (which i did after that), know where all the haydrops are, even if it requires 4 wheel drive to get, and the ability to read sandscript, Know where the extra rations are for the civilians, and oh yeah know where the men in the field are at all time to come to your rescue for emergencies.
Someone asked why I was always popping up as the preacher and begging from you, well If you also remember me at Mansfield checking on you, making sure you were not too footsore to admit it, and pushing water on you to drink, drink, drink.
There was more than a few of you that I baptisted with the water and I hauled a few pails for you. Just kinda figured it was easier to give ya cup of water than try to haul your ugly butt off the trail due to heat stroke :).
Finally for anyone you who desire a RRIV remember we need stronger radios something with a range over 2 miles.
There was alot of talk about comrades in this post. Please, please, for the sake of your comrades check on them as well. if they look weak or sick let someone know. if you see someone who needs medical attention let someone know. its darn hard for alot of men to admit to another "Ive had enough, or Icannot go on". Put your pride aside and think of your health. We had a darn sick possum there with heat exhustion. He was very luck, first trained personnel were nearby, second we had the resources to be first responders and finally some local emergency folks were there as second responders. It could have been really ugly. So possums when taking care of your possums, take care of your possum :)....

[SCTiger]

I appreciated "spring water" after that one march Dusty. Again thanks from everyone and you especially Fred. It was a real water shed event.

[Charles Heath]

Gribble,

It is good to see young grasshopper finally take pebble from Master's hand.

[Spinster]

Dusty,

Gerry and I are already having some long discussions on those sorts of logistical points. My greatest struggle was dealing with civilians who weren't in the general geographic areas they belonged, and having to play catch up with my assigned tasks because of it.

Then, when water challenges arose, being in a static camp, I was the one most handy to step to the plate----the reality was, I had the poorest equipment for the task, as I had planned to water only folks up and down a 3-4 mile stretch of flat road. Larry Bretton was hollering into my phone with every breath about how not to overload that light duty trailer I was hauling behind my 'soccer mom' van.

And, one of the many reasons I heard in original event discussions dealing with cavalry had to do with some men insisting on their horses getting specific water and feed quality--and us sadly discarding the idea when we knew we could not logistically support them. Not that we didn't want them--we just knew our limitations.

Imagine my surprise when I dropped everything, hiked myself out, to go on what was suppossed to be an emergency run to get water to men-----only to find that I was hauling water to horses that should have been stream watered-----and that I could hear the stream.

Charles marveled at how few support folks were being used---I know it sure took more of my time than anticipated, and sucked the marrow right out of the day light hours------and my folks were being very very conservative on water useage.

[Alamo Guard]

Ms Lawson,
We al know the tales of water hauling. Kinda leaves a bad taste in our mouths doesnt it? hehehhe

[Spinster]

Dusty,

Yessir.

Especially since I had to step up to the plate to give the quick turn around and a whole lot of things didn't happen that were planned, including a good bit of the bucket and yoke hauling for civilians, because I had to get a quick turn around on those containers and trailer on multiple occassions to move rescources to remote sites for folks other than the civilians scattered in the woods between Oak, Corral, and the Deer Check.

[JDR]

The plan was for the cavalry to support itself.


Darryl Robertson

[boozie]

I was also a member of Company A 2nd Platoon. I am a little more rested and thought I would try my hand at relaying my BGR experiance. Yours was awsome Goose!

Starting out this event was strange. Two pards and I walked into a camp not knowing another soul in Company A. As we sat down, there was the feeling of, was this a good idea?

The first morning at roll call the ice began to break, as mens names were called, there were snickers at last names like mine and the nicknames began to be heard. I thought to myself that this journey might just work out. But I could still only trust the two guys I came with, we would help each other survive. As time would tell, I was mistaken in thinking that I could not put my friendship and trust in guys from California, Iowa, Wisconsion and South Carolina.

After being about half way through the first days march, the 1st person conversation really started, it was not just, i'm bla bla, from bla bl, there was alot of funny stuff being talked about, and this only grew throught the event. The first night things started to click, making sure everything was done and that everybody was comfortable. We were dead tired and I had the thought of, there's three more days of this.

The next morning at roll call, I knew we were in for a good time, everyone was wearing a smile and in a playful mood. Somehow my name became "Boozer", there was also "Goose", "Holler", "Native", "Little Mac", "Gobful" and "Corporal Talks Alot". What we had yet to learn was our fighting power, over four days we came to know that we were a small but powerful force within the Battalion. We were often called upon by the Battalion Commander as the rear guard or as the boys to draw the "Johnnies" to the Battalion's battleline. I won't bore you with fighting details, there was alot of good action and it was a good time for us. Although by getting the chance to do these "details", each and every man in 2nd Platoon became even closer. I'm glad we had those opportunity's for "quality time".

Another great experiance was being part of the advance guard entering the civilian camp. Rounding up men with guns, women and children who were screaming and crying. The civilians were great, and a big thank you goes to Mrs. Lawson who made sure I did not leave without a twist of tobacco, it was put to good use in 2nd Platoon as well. Then we started going through the cabin for food and anything else we could use. I unbuttoned my frock coat and was shoving bags of food, coffee, and sugar inside of it. It was not just for me, all of the spoils were shared with my "brothers" in 2nd platoon. Not only had we become close, we were looking out for one another. The shirt "Goose" threw out on the trail, was picked up by us and traded to the teamsters for some rice and beans. This was to be shared with the platoon also, although some of us were going to give up our share to another soldier who was having trouble keeping the rations down. Not everyone was aware of this, it was just another way of looking out for each other.

The terrain was a little more rugged than I thought it would be. Just when you were at the end of your rope, someone would start a conversation, and 2nd Platoon could be seen marching with a smile and heard laughing in the ranks. We would feed off of one another, thats where we gained our energy and strength. We even thought that we could hold the whole Confederate Battalion with our small number. We soon learned on day 3 that was not so, as the "Johnnies" came upon us at a full sprint up a steep hill that we thought we could hold. One shot from our rifles and we were on the run to the Battalion line. You know your in trouble when the Sergeant Major is running with you saying "they are coming fast, get back to the Battalion line". To the "Rebs", thanks for that experiance, I will always remember that moment, and you boys looked great!

Our last night, as "Goose" stated, we all pitched in and built a platoon sized shabang, we spooned by platoon that night. We were all sore and tired, but still we worked for the good of one another. We even got in a line and gave each other a platoon massage, it sounds weird I know, but it was nice on the shoulders. On Sunday afternoon, when it was time to part ways with 2nd Platoon, we knew a good thing was coming to an end. It was alot harder to say farwell than I could have ever imagined on day 1.

BGR was something really special for me, I learned alot of new things, and made some friends you can count on for life. I also think that we "walked a mile in their shoes", at least as close to it as you can get in this lifetime. I will certainly go again, if there is ever another, but it won't be as good as this one for myself. Most good things happen by chance, I believe that this is one of those times. To expect this great experiance again will probably end in disappointment, it would not be the same.

Thanks 2nd Platoon, it was an honor and privilage to have served with you.

Brothers Forever,
"Boozer"

[Hairy Nation Boys]

Besides my pards in the Nation, I have never felt so close to a group as I did with the boys of 2nd platoon. I look forward to seeing those of you who are going to the Landing. We should get our images struck.


Boozie it was great to have you as a file partner!


Please feel free to e-mail me hheadlog@aol.com or call 319-341-5885. I would like to hear from you boys.

[boozie]

Besides my pards in the Nation, I have never felt so close to a group as I did with the boys of 2nd platoon. I look forward to seeing those of you who are going to the Landing. We should get our images struck.


Boozie it was great to have you as a file partner!


Please feel free to e-mail me hheadlog@aol.com or call 319-341-5885. I would like to hear from you boys.

Holler,

It was alot of fun, I enjoyed it also. On the way home we were talking about a BGR image for those of 2nd Platoon attending at Shiloh. "Little Mac" can be our platoon mascot.

Boozie

[Terry Sorchy]

To All the Men that served in First Battalion 81st Illinois.
Gentlemen a strange thing happened to me after the event. For the past week I can hardly think of you boys in the battalion without a lump in my throat and a huge welling of pride in my chest. All of you are men of the finest caliber. You are truly iron men as Tom Yearby stated. I have never experienced such pride before except when my three children were born. Tears well up in my eyes now as I remember your faces and your deeds in the campaign just past. I have never felt such a yearning to be back with comrades as I have this week. Almost to a painful feeling.
I thank You for an experience I have been waiting 27 years for.
You are truly a Band of Brothers.
Your Most Humble Servant
Terry Sorchy

[Bob 125th NYSVI]

Being a teamster I'm a little intrigued by the horse problems hinted at.

Just to start off I'm all for making sure our 4 footed friends are properly cared for, it isn't their idea to reenact being an 1860s era horse, so they deserve the best.

That being said I've never had a riding or driving horse that wouldn't drink out of a stream or pond and in 20+ years of ownership never had a problem so were the owners concerned about the natural water sources being polluted or something?

As to fodder for the horses. I'm a foot soldier so I've never researched being a cavalryman but wasn't it standard practice during the CW for a cavalryman to carry so many days fodder with him on his horse? That fodder to be supplement by whatever grazing was available?

So were the supply of haydrops/etc supposed to be a recreation of the efforts of the cavarly supply train or done for horse safety purposes?

I'm curious because I've toyed with the idea of recreating a supply wagon or bringing my mule to simulate bringing ammo up to the troops and I'd like to avoid any pitfalls if the knowledge is available out there.

[Charles Heath]

Charles marveled at how few support folks were being used---I know it sure took more of my time than anticipated, and sucked the marrow right out of the day light hours------and my folks were being very very conservative on water useage.

Terre,

Yes, I did. The official pre-game program had precisely two kabuki listed, and that's a small number of warm bodies for an event with the square mileage of a BGR; however, folks like Fred and Uncle Tom imbedded with the forces in the field, yourself, Gerry the oxhandler, the teamsters, and the rangers all added up to a larger support cell. I enjoyed getting a few glimpses of the folks in the rear with the gear, having been there myself many times. As with any site, the Kisatchie land offered some good advantages and disadvantages, as the usual trade offs. The road network was impressive, and so was that handy spring down towards Kisatchie Bayou Camp. Nice bay leaves down there, too.

At one point when Dusty was showing us the Mappe of the Worlde out in the "Corral Camp Motor Pool & Spring" away from the rest of the participants, I asked him how he was doing for food, rest, water, etc., and he said "Well, I had steak and eggs for breakfast, and keep a good store of Natchez Spring Water handy. How'd you do for breakfast this morning?" Our morning meal of hardtack, smoked salted herring, boiled beef, and dried peaches just couldn't compare.

Ah, who wouldn't want to be a soldier!! :)

[Gallo de Cielo]

Bob,

I personally never saw the teamsters refuse natural water points. I know our two mule-skinners led their teams of draft mules down to the water points every night when I was around them.

Hay had been pre-dropped at what we believed would be our nightly bivouac points. However, on day one when we lost men and the time-table had to be shifted, it required repositioning drop points. The wagons were loaded with ammunition boxes, officer's equipment, and two days rations. The first day, we started by issuing two days rations and the wagons moved 60 gallons of water each. In pounds that was roughly 500lbs in each, plus the other items I've mentioned. This area was also very rugged and hilly, often cut by streams and sharp washouts. Even without a load, it was physically demanding on the four-legged (and two-legged) stock. Toward the end, as the second set of two-days rations was issued and that space and weight was freed up, the skinners loaded and moved hay that way. There was almost zero grazing land in the area as well. That meant hay and grain had to be schlepped around or pre-set. The only lamed horses were those of the artillery battery which traveled via gravel roads far more than the mule teams and they also often used routes that put them on the two long sides of the triangle to reach spots we needed them.

All parties involved, particularly our head skinner, are extremely experienced folks with great know-how. They never once failed us and crossed any obstacle we encountered. Indeed, our final morning on the trail involved pioneering through fallen trees in numerous places and driving over others. The skinner can run his rig over trees the size of telephone poles with no worries. Bottom line, these were tough men and tough mules and the event wouldn't have been the same without them.

I don't think I see any critical tone in your writing but as you weren't there and didn't see these things first-hand, it's somewhat tough to explain without summoning more keystrokes than I care to use.

Regards,

[41stVa]

Holler & Boozie,

I'm up for being the mascot for the platoon! :) I still can't get over how much fun I had down in Louisiana. It's still hard for me getting back into modern day things again. I was serioulsy getting use to living out in those woods.

Looking forward to seeing yall at Shiloh in a few weeks!

Your Pard,
Little Mac

Ryan Protz
Granville Mess
ONV

[Bob 125th NYSVI]

I don't think I see any critical tone in your writing but as you weren't there and didn't see these things first-hand, it's somewhat tough to explain without summoning more keystrokes than I care to use.

Regards,

That's why I asked I wasn't there.

My horses are heavy work horses used to living and working outdoors year round so they take care of watering themselves from streams and ponds (when unfrozen) where I work them that's why I was curious on the water issue.

The mule he just sort of tags along where ever the big guys go and does what they do.

As to forage, well I don't know when the grass starts up where you guys were. At that time mine were still standing on a foot or two of snow so 'foraging' for mine consisted of looking back at the house wondering when I was going to bring them their hay. LOL

Thanks

[Old Reb]

The wagon fellows were indeed hardy men and their mules and the oxen up to the task of navigating some very rugged country. My hat is off to them for a job well done.

[Silas]

We even thought that we could hold the whole Confederate Battalion with our small number. We soon learned on day 3 that was not so, as the "Johnnies" came upon us at a full sprint up a steep hill that we thought we could hold. One shot from our rifles and we were on the run to the Battalion line. You know your in trouble when the Sergeant Major is running with you saying "they are coming fast, get back to the Battalion line". To the "Rebs", thanks for that experiance, I will always remember that moment, and you boys looked great!
I figured y'all would be able to hold us at bay if we went up the hill in the usual skirmish order. That's why I had my platoon consolidate into a strong mass and run like hell over a ridge, to the base of your hill, and as far up as we could go without first passing out. In so doing, we seized momentum by catching y'all off guard. The appearance of first platoon, Co. B, just behind us added to the effect. Worked pretty well as y'all ran. You couldn't stay because y'all would have been flanked. As it was, my platoon went up the hill where y'all were. Then we followed y'all down the side. At the base of the side of the hill, we saw the entire Federal battalion scampering for cover. I saw first platoon seize the cannon to our left. We could have hurried y'all along, but one little old platoon isn't going to take on an entire battalion and come out alive. Best to let you go.

The third day had Co. B in the vanguard of the CS battalion. Our two platoons did much faking right with a show of force, but hitting left.with the real blow. Did it several times that day with much effect. Saw some great team work that day by the platoons of my company and by my company with the battalion. Prince Frank Magruder's battalion worked really well by the third day.

Although our battalion's flanking manoeuver on the second day was a thing of beauty....

[Hairy Nation Boys]

Of course if this was for "real" you wouldn't have gotten up that hill so fast. 2nd platoon Co.A men are all crack shots.:)

It was impressive though. We got only one shot off and had to run.

[DougCooper]

Lt Tackitt and his crack platoon of skirmishers made a big difference in a couple of places. My favorite was the Saturday fight around noon, when the cannon was on the road next the burned forest. Our company was on skirmish and we moved through the thick woods, drawing fire from your main body. While we in the 1st platoon maintained a stationary line behind big trees keeping you occupied, the second platoon under Silas moved around to the left through the brambles and suddenly broke out to your right at the road. We saw the cannoneers turn the gun and fire on just those 6 men in skirmish order. That was our chance to move the whole battalion forward quickly and cut off your line of retreat, but that was not in the plan. In any case, you guys would have likely extricated yourselves quickly once again, as you were truly experts by then. Slippery, we called you.

Vision was key at this event. We had a number of us with vision better than 20/20 (one guy was 20/7!) who were used to being in the woods, hunting, etc. Being able to see the enemy before they saw you was key. Having had Lasik surgery a few years ago made a world of difference to me as my vision is 20/10, to say nothing of not having to deal with contacts at an event any more!

Many of us were expert skirmishers and were used to moving long distances in skirmish order through all types of terrain. I think it was probably the most enjoyable tactical part of the event.

[BrianHicks]

Well... I can tell you of one incident were vision was lacking on the Gray Side. I believe it was Friday, at a deep creek crossing. The two advance scouts for the forward skirmish line came to the creek. The lead fella, in a blue sack coat, finally crossed the creek, and was in a bit of revile which led up out of the creek to the trail. We had men to the left and right, and a platoon directly ahead of him, 20 yards in the trees.

He came up out of the creek, hesitated, then moved forward, At about 15 paces (a safe distance, when musket is elevated to fire blanks at) he was told to halt! His eyes grew as big as saucers, and he turned and skedaddled back through the crick. At least three, may be four muskets were discharged into him as he turned and ran (yet.. miraculously... he was untouched... hmm!!!!!).

When the Bn. finally came up, it was one of those forlorn hope charges across the water. When they touched the waters edge, the platoon directly facing the ford rose up, and let a deadly volley onto their ranks!

Although we didn't stay around to see the effects, I understand one Reb actually did a face plant into the water.

[DougCooper]

Well... I can tell you of one incident were vision was lacking on the Gray Side. I believe it was Friday, at a deep creek crossing. The two advance scouts for the forward skirmish line came to the creek. The lead fella, in a blue sack coat, finally crossed the creek, and was in a bit of revile which led up out of the creek to the trail. We had men to the left and right, and a platoon directly ahead of him, 20 yards in the trees.

He came up out of the creek, hesitated, then moved forward, At about 15 paces (a safe distance, when musket is elevated to fire blanks at) he was told to halt! His eyes grew as big as saucers, and he turned and skedaddled back through the crick. At least three, may be four muskets were discharged into him as he turned and ran (yet.. miraculously... he was untouched... hmm!!!!!).

When the Bn. finally came up, it was one of those forlorn hope charges across the water. When they touched the waters edge, the platoon directly facing the ford rose up, and let a deadly volley onto their ranks!

Although we didn't stay around to see the effects, I understand one Reb actually did a face plant into the water.

Brian - we knew we were "had" that time. The only way out was to splash across the deep part of the creek on the rocks and hope you would pull out - was actually a bit dangerous and I was amazed we did not have any injuries as we were on the dead run. Had you decided to stay (not part of the plan), we would all be floating down the creek still :eek:

[Rob Murray]

This is the one spot I really feel we bloodied the CS noses and made them a little more cautious. We watched you probe both sides of the crossing and when you found you could not out flank us, had to charge straight accross. Very defensible position. Natural breastworks and clear, interlocking fields of fire.

Rob Murray

[BrianHicks]

Our plan was to make the Confederate Bn. stop, deploy, get wet, then have to stop, reorganize and move forward with wet feet and trousers, thus making you burn time while we gained distance between us as we all as hoping that it would add to the misery, and aid in slowing your rate of your March for the next few hours.

It was nothing more than a quick delaying tactic from our point of view.

We only had about 10 rifles in the platoon line, and another six rifles in the deep trail cut paralleling the creek. Although we were giving Company Commands form three different locations, hoping it would hide our low numbers.

It was a good defensive position.

We felt as though we had done what we intended rather well.

[DougCooper]

Our plan was to make the Confederate Bn. stop, deploy, get wet, then have to stop, reorganize and move forward with wet feet and trousers, thus making you burn time while we gained distance between us as we all as hoping that it would add to the misery, and aid in slowing your rate of your March for the next few hours.

It was nothing more than a quick delaying tactic from our point of view.

We only had about 10 rifles in the platoon line, and another six rifles in the deep trail cut paralleling the creek. Although we were giving Company Commands form three different locations, hoping it would hide our low numbers.

It was a good defensive position.

We felt as though we had done what we intended rather well.

Worked perfectly!!

We were wet indeed and of course, since that was where the water was and our canteens were empty, we needed to stop and fill canteens, which gave time to change socks for those of a mind. We in the ranks assumed it was a fight for the water more than anything else, and so needed to be across the creek to secure it. Hence our headlong rush across had a dual purpose.

I still marvel at how well this whole event was choreographed and how little of that was apparent to the men in the ranks.

[Charles Heath]

The wagon fellows were indeed hardy men and their mules and the oxen up to the task of navigating some very rugged country.

Uncle Tom,

Learning the little red oxen earn their keep as modern select cut loggers was an added bonus. Having dabbled with oxen in pairs in living history museum settings, the presence of genuine working steers was of more than just a passing interest. It was good to see them underway (no haze gray, Bugs), if only once. My late Father in law worked oxen in and around the rice paddies when he was a youngster, well before his own generation's big war. Of course, we Occidentals would call those beasts of burden by another name, which is "water buffalo." It's my guess that Mun would have enjoyed seeing Gerry's animals in action.

[BrianHicks]

We had watered there for quite a while, and knew that you'd use it for the same purpose.

It annoyed your fellas, got 'em wet, and bought us time.

And you are right, the orchestration of the events went without detracting from the soldiers experience.

Well done indeed!

[hooyahmicah]

That was one of the more frustrating times. I had been out of water since 6pm the night before and everyone else in my company was out by nightfall. That was later on in the morning when we NEEDED that water. It was frustrating to have to fight over it. It really gave some excellent insight into the real guy's trials and tribulations. Going days at times without water seems unimaginable after 18 hours marching and fighting without water.

I had gone ahead to scout out the water source with Boot and our 1st Sgt while the rest of the column was cleaning up after Mr. Harla's conspiratorical misfire. We located the source and I went back to the column to tell them. Just as I got there (running), I heard the fire. I alerted them, and ran back to the creek. I was ready for a nice cool drink then :-D And even after the fight, I had to wait thirty minutes! haha good times, good times! I sure thought it was a whole company up there, maybe two. Y'all did an outstanding job masking your numbers.