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A Calm Before the Storm, Garrison of Ft. Blunt April 20-22

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  • A Calm Before the Storm, Garrison of Ft. Blunt April 20-22

    The 24th Missouri is Hosting Their Spring Muster!

    http://westernfederal.webs.com/

    Impression is as follows:

    2nd Colorado:

    The 2nd Regiment, Colorado Infantry was organized at Fort Garland, Canon City, Fort Lyon and Denver, Colorado, December, 1861. It was ordered to Springfield, Missouri, October, 1863, for consolidation with the 3rd Regiment Colorado Infantry to form the 2nd Regiment, Colorado Cavalry. On August 29, 1861, James Hobart Ford was authorized by Governor William Gilpin to organize volunteers as a company of infantry.[2] Theodore H. Dodd was appointed command of a second company of volunteers by Governor Gilpin on August 30.[2] Both companies were raised and initially drilled in Caņon City, but by mid-December both companies had marched to Fort Garland in the San Luis Valley.

    From Lt. James Burrough: "

    Our command crossed over Grand River on the 7th of July and went on duty at the post of Fort Gibson. The advance pickets of the enemy were established on the south bank of the Arkansas, about two miles from the post and ours were watching them from the north bank. Several days were passed in routine duty, only regular details for guard and outpost duty being required, when General Blunt arrived from the north with his staff and proceeded at once with preparations for an advance movement.

    Every thing being in readiness, the command crossed the Arkansas near the mouth of the Grand River, some two miles from Fort Gibson, on the 16th of July, the whole comprising the battalion of the Second Colorado Infantry, a portion of the Third Wisconsin Cavalry, parts of two regiments of Kansas Cavalry, the First Kansas Colored Infantry and a part of the First, Second and Third Indians (Cherokees and Loyal Creeks) numbering in all about 1400 rank and file. Our little army was commanded in person by Maj. Gen. James G. Blunt.

    On the following day the enemy was overtaken at Elk Creek, some twenty-five miles south of Gibson, and near Honey Springs, where a large amount of stores had been concentrated. The confederate forces numbered about 6,000 men, under command of Gen. Cooper. Gen. Blunt attacked him at once and after a hard-fought battle lasting some two hours succeeded in routing him, with a loss of 400 killed, wounded and missing, according to his own accounts, he having been so closely pressed as to compel him to abandon his dead and wounded, and to burn all his stores to prevent them falling into our hands. Gen. Blunt's total loss 14 killed and 30 wounded. About eighty prisoners were captured by us, most of them belonging to the Twentieth Texas Infantry. The prisoners captured were armed with new Enfield muskets, marked "Tower, 1862", showing that thus early in the fight old Mother England was patting the southern branch of her descendents upon the back to some purpose.

    Our little battalion of the Second bore a prominent part in the engagement, being drawn up in line of battle with the First Kansas Colored on their right, and an Indian regiment on their left, in front of a rebel battery, that was pouring its deadly missiles into their ranks, supported by a Texas regiment, when they charged and succeeded in capturing one of the guns and dispersing the Texans after a sharp fight, in which 4 of our men were killed and 4 wounded.

    General Blunt considering it impolitic and unwise to pursue the enemy with such an inferior force in point of numbers, fell back to Fort Gibson, when it had been ascertained that Cooper had been reinforced with three thousand troops under Gen. Cabell, thus swelling their numbers to over nine thousand."

    Headgear:

    Forage Cap
    Hardee Hat
    Civilian Hat

    Shirt:

    Contract Issue Flannel Shirt
    Domet Flannel Shirt
    Civilian Shirt

    Drawers:

    Army Issue Drawers of Canton Flannel
    Civilian Drawers
    US Sanitary Commission Drawers

    Jacket:

    Frock Coat
    Sack Coat
    Infantry Jacket

    Trousers:

    Skye Blue Foot Pattern Trousers

    Socks:

    Socks of 19th Century Pattern

    Braces:

    19th Century Pattern Suspenders
    Period Waist Belt

    Boot:

    Brogan
    Army Boots
    Civilian Boots

    Field Gear:

    1848-1861 Cartridge Box and Cap Box
    Two Rivet or Seven Gaylord Scabbard
    1857 Belt with Leather Keeper or no Keeper
    1858 Tarred Haversack
    1858 Smoothside Canteen with Leather or Linen Strap/ Hemp or string Keeper
    1855 Double Bag Knapsack or Blanket Roll
    US Issue Blanket
    Civilian Blanket or Coverlet
    Gum Blanket
    Extra Shirt, Socks, Personal Items of period documentation
    Type 2 Shelter Half

    Weapons:

    Import Smoothbore Muskets of .69 or .70
    1842 Springfield
    1861 Springfield and 1853 Enfield permitted

    Mess Furniture:

    Tin Plate or Canteen Half, Cup and Utensils required. This is a encampment event. Groups are encouraged to utilize a ‘Mess’ structure to cook over company fires, camp kettles and coffee pots. Further direction may come down from company leadership.

    Penknives, watches, jewelry, etc. must be of period style. "Comfort items," such as camp hats, balaclavas, scarves, mittens, gloves permitted. NO MODERN EYEWEAR. Period personal hygiene items permitted. Prescription medications/contact lens care items should be concealed in period containers. Smoking items permitted, except for modern cigarettes.
    Last edited by Eric Tipton; 01-15-2018, 07:13 PM.
    Jonathan Siltman
    24th Missouri Vol. Inf.
    Bully Boys Mess
    www.24thmissouri.org
    Ft. Sill Museum Gun Crew
    Good ol' Fashion Troublemaker
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