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Event Reports
A Corporal's Observation
December 2007
145th Fredericksburg Dec. 2007
Arising early, we found that the Yankees had finished there bridges
across the river and where advancing in force. Our little company along with the
others of the Regiment was ordered forward to meet them. The Yankees
pushed our pickets out of the way and advanced over a hill into town, where
they were met with fierce resistance, as each company split by platoon after
firing, and moved to the rear of the column of companies to reload and
advance to the front again. This went on for some time, us getting off more shots
than the fresh fish group of Yankees we faced. We depleted there ranks, but they
kept up the fight. We retired in good order, taking a few prisoners. We had a
few of our own left in the street and still fighting from windows and doorways as
the Yankees moved forward. We sent a few prisoners to the rear under guard. It
took awhile for us and those sent back with the prisoners to meet back up. They
had been holding down a whole Yankee platoon on a side road while our main
force retired. We halted behind some quickly prepared fortifications for
awhile, as the Yankee advance slowed to a halt. The main body moved back
toward the heights behind the town, leaving a small picket from other units.
That after noon, we moved out to find the Yankees still in the town and we met
them head on. They were slow to start, but then hit back real hard, pushing us
back to the stone wall. It was then that they came straight at us, right across an
open field, into waiting canister and muskets. Those people sure got there
gumption up, charging at us like that. It was the most intense musketry many had
ever heard. We were four deep behind the wall, so thick the only man firing
was on the wall, the other three were reloading muskets. After the cannons
went off the first time and the musketry started, many in the line never heard the
cannon fire again. Our officers later told us the cannons were in action the whole
time; we just couldn't hear them over our own firing. Young Ryan was mortally
wounded, almost falling to the front of the wall, but was pulled back. Yours
truly had received a small ankle wound earlier in the day, so stayed in the rear of
the line reloading as fast as possible for the lads up front. I saw a nice line of
Yankees coming at us, and then a cloud of smoke as the whole line opened on
them. When the smoke cleared only a few Yankees were moving off the field
to the rear. They were piled in great heaps and lines in front of the wall. Not
a one made it closer than 10 rods. After the battle, our little band hobbled away
back to a house upon the hill that was the home of Pvt. Gormley, who fought
with us. Or merry little band headed home, exhausted from the hard days
fight. We will always remember this Battle of Fredericksburg.
J.E.B. Stuart Event Oct. 2007
Arriving in the pleasant valley, Stephanie, Gary, and I selected a nice camping spot in the middle of the camp. We set up while and waited for the others to arrive. A few trickled in, but yours truly had to attend the officer’s call." Where is everyone" was the cry of the weekend, as some who were going to show didn't, and others got sick or had things crop up. Forward we went into the fray anyhow. We licked the Yankees on every front, even pushing them off that little round top this time after a long hike around their flank. We were even scrounging things from there dead and wounded on top of that little hill. On Saturday evening, some one found out a chem-light can be fired from a .69 cal musket most effectively. We had fireworks, until one landed where it should not have, and the show was canceled. All in all, this was the least farby JEB Stuart event ever put on, leaving a good taste in the mouths of all who attended. I know I will be trying to attend again in the future. The only down side was yours truly left my cherished coat with a certain seamstress to sew on another stripe, per the Captains orders. The coat is now M.I.A presumed stolen from the sutler tent. I am still dismayed at the result of this unfortunate incident.
Respectfully Yours,
- Cpl./Reporter Kyle Duffer
J.E.B. Stuart Event Oct. 2007
Arriving in the pleasant valley, Stephanie, Gary, and I selected a nice camping spot in the middle of the camp. We set up while and waited for the others to arrive. A few trickled in, but yours truly had to attend the officer’s call." Where is everyone" was the cry of the weekend, as some who were going to show didn't, and others got sick or had things crop up. Forward we went into the fray anyhow. We licked the Yankees on every front, even pushing them off that little round top this time after a long hike around their flank. We were even scrounging things from there dead and wounded on top of that little hill. On Saturday evening, some one found out a chem-light can be fired from a .69 cal musket most effectively. We had fireworks, until one landed where it should not have, and the show was canceled. All in all, this was the least farby JEB Stuart event ever put on, leaving a good taste in the mouths of all who attended. I know I will be trying to attend again in the future. The only down side was yours truly left my cherished coat with a certain seamstress to sew on another stripe, per the Captains orders. The coat is now M.I.A presumed stolen from the sutler tent. I am still dismayed at the result of this unfortunate incident.
Respectfully Yours,
- Cpl./Reporter Kyle Duffer
