Here is my Federal AAR for the October 1862 event held last weekend at Welbourne Plantation.

The event was organized by Todd Kerns, with Dave Pridgeon, Laura Anders, John Sweeney and I helping out.

This AAR is from the Federal point of view, and is limited in scope to those things we saw and witnessed.


Middleburg, VA
October 9, 1862


Captain Jones,


I have the honor to report of the successful operations of my platoon in the operations of the last few days, in the vicinity of Goose Creek Bridge and Welbourne Manor.

On last Friday the 4th, I was issued orders to take my platoon north and sweep the local countryside for rumored deserters, while also conducting a patrol of discovery in the vicinity of Welbourne Manor.

For this duty I assembled 22 men on Friday evening at Goose Creek Bridge.  Sgt Dangel, Sgt Farb, Corporals Jones, Anderson, Watters and Mason assisting.

We rose early on the 5th, and quietly assembled along the road that leads north across Panther Skin Creek Ford, near the Intersection with Goose Creek.

We inspected arms and knapsacks, and made sure the men were traveling lightly, for their comfort and our speed, which turned out very fortunate later.  We insisted the men pack lightly, and share blankets and other gear to lighten the load. At this point Cpl Jones became ill, and had to be excused and put on sick call.  It is my understanding that he is fine now, but he was sorely missed.

We loaded, and advanced towards the Ford, Sgt Dangel leading the advance party of 4 men, with flankers out and Cpl Mason heading the rear guard of 2 men.

As we neared the ford, through the trees we could see enemy cavalry in the fields across the Creek. Sgt Dangel informed me that they held the Ford, with 4 riders actually at it.  Not knowing there were other approaches to Welbourne at the time, I decided to force the Ford, and sent Sgt Dangel with the 1st section to do so, and then to draw the enemy to our right, so that Sgt Farb could lead the second section of the platoon across the short space of open ground, about 50 yards worth, my greatest fear was Sgt Farb being caught in the open and cut down.  His orders were to then seize the tall wooded hill across the creek, where the platoon was to reassemble.  This plan worked to a point, with Dangel drawing off the Cs cavalry, and Farb pushing up the heights.  I was advancing with the 2nd section when we ran into Cs infantry pickets along the edge of the hill on our right.  Sgt Farb was wounded, and the platoon pinned down on the slopes.  Cpl's Watters and Anderson pushed the men up the hill to gain the crest and advantage on the CS troops below us.  Both sides worked their way up the steep slope, each trying to get there first, but we were successful, due in part to Sgt Dangel's section, which after pushing off the CS mounted, turned and came on the rear of the troops in our front, who were forced to give ground and we alone controlled the Ford.

Once here we took a rest, sent out canteen details, and sent Cpl Anderson and 3 men to patrol north to see if the woods to our front continued and as such would give us cover to continue this avenue of advance.  They were gone for almost an hour, and we feared for their safety, and were preparing to move out ( as the enemy riders kept circling the hill, and we were quite sure that before long the enemy would find a way to force us off of our hard earned position) when our scouts returned with the information that the enemy was to our left front, but we could advance north along the tree lines, giving us cover against CS Cavalry.

This I decided, and we began to move north, deployed as before, when about  30 yards had passed, we encountered the enemy advance party on foot- I had waited too long to move.  One of then yelled for me to surrender, but instead I fired my drawn revolver at him at a space of less than 20 rods.  Four of the men also shot his way, and he left in quite a hurry.  Continuing down the hill and north, we found the enemy cavalry was on our right, and the infantry to our front and right.  We were in a V, and our only hope was to break out.  To our left, the enemy had only a token force of 6-8 pickets, so we volleyed and charged across the open field, driving them off and obtaining the next section of woods.  Arriving there, it was found the enemy was hot on our heels, and we had to keep moving, as this position was more precarious than the last.  It was decided we would run across the next open field (about 100 yards) and take shelter there, hoping we had eluded the enemy.  I reminded the men not to get caught in the open, and that when headed across that field, to do so as fast as you could, your life depends on it.  With a rush we headed toward the next tree line, and about 30 yards from it, I felt the ground begin to shake.  Looking back I could see the enemy at a full gallop, sabers drawn descending upon us...could we make it in time?

Grabbing the closest men to me, we gained the tree line and opened a covering fire to help the rest of the men make the trees.  I didn't think Cpls Anderson or Mason were going to make it, but they threw down their gear and leaped for the brush, the enemy riders sabering at them and slashing the brush, our men returning a scattered volley at them, which forced them to fall back.

Completely soaked with sweat and unnerved, we hustled down the tree line to our left, and then up the next to the west, to obtain a high hill just west of the ford, where we set out pickets and hid, trying to catch our breath and elude the enemy riders, who gave us no mercy at all.  We then looked to our wounded, a few bumps, bruises and in the case of Pvt Stevenson, a black eye.  Stevenson apparently hit it on his musket while leaping for the woods to avoid the enemy riders.

We lay low and quiet for about an hour, resting and hoping ht enemy would not locate us.  We were successful in this, and after a bit reassembled, and headed back down to the spring by the Ford to water up, and then crossed the Creek and continued East along its banks to the intersection of Goose Creek.  At this point we stopped and dropped all unnecessary gear, including knapsacks and blanket rolls, and  then proceeded to advance North in Goose Creek.  We had gone about 300 yards when we found a small wooded hill to our left, which gave us a good observation point, and I decided to advance and take advantage of its cover.  We had just done so, when we heard riders to our front, I made the men make ready, and prepared to receive the enemy with style.  Fortunately for the enemy, it turned out to be our cavalry, who had ridden about 6 miles south to join with us, it now being about 2 o'clock in the afternoon.  The inquired about the best approach to the Creek to water their horses, which we advised, and then said they would rejoin us in our advance towards Welbourne.  They had traveled only a short distance when a hare sprung up and ran down our line, prompting the boys to give it a cheer.  Our mounted men reached the stream and the lead rider seemingly lost control of his mount and they both plunged into the creek, head over hills.  This sent up hoots amongst his comrades, and general merriment commenced.  I decided that such a circus was sure to attract the enemy, that I moved my men north along an old road bed to find better cover.

Sgt Dangel, leading the advance gear, informed me that a section of the Secesh infantry was resting in the road, ear an old stone bridge only about 3 yards to our front.  It was decided that we would bag them, and Sgt Dangel and 6 men rushed them on the left, while Sgt Farb took the remainder of the platoon and rushed on the right.  Dangel had made about 6 strides when he started screaming "It's the main body" and then turned tail and headed back from whence he came...however our blood being up, we pushed our right, and drove the enemy from the bridge, and they scattered to our front, we firing at them as they ran.  We watered up at the nearby spring, and deciding that between our shooting and our cavalry's hooting, that the enemy cavalry had to know of our presence, so we headed west, towards a far wooded hill to lay low till dusk, giving our men a much needed rest.  After an uphill advance of approx 700 yards, through several fields, we obtained the hill, and setting out 2 pickets, we fell fast asleep, some men cooking their scant rations, or making coffee.  

We remained here for about 2 hours, when then men heard some voices and we quietly assembled and moved north along a hedgerow, hoping to avoid detection.  At this point, Pvt Sollars gave out, and we sent him with Pvt Norris (who volunteered to assist him) back to Goose Creek Bridge, to report our progress and for rest.

We moved north for about 1/2 mile, then west into a ravine, when we heard bugles to our front, and we advanced towards them, to find our cavalry falling back from Welbourne, having encountered the enemy riders yet again.  I was informed that the CS riders were in pursuit, so we set up an ambush for them, along a stone wall that ran parallel to the field.

The enemy cavalry, having had enough of us and our mounted comrades, did not pursue them, and we waited in vain for some time.  We then decided that we were too close to Welbourne Manor to not get a good view of it, so we moved north east, across several fields to attempt a proper patrol of the area, while still looking for the deserters, as we were tasked.  We had traveled about another 1/2 mile, through ravines and hills, when I realized we were not where I supposed on our map, and for all purposes, lost.  Consulting the maps, and sending out several patrols yielded no positive results, and as such I decided to head west, towards the setting sun, as at some point we had to encounter Goose Creek and thus we would be able to determine our position.  Pvt Buker had a compass; we consulted it, and headed west.  After about a mile, we found Goose Creek, and our location, and headed back to the Ford at Panther Skin Creek to water at the spring and retrieve our gear.


Arriving once again south of Panther Skin Creek, I consulted the NCO's, informed them we had not yet accomplished our mission, and that we would move north once again to camp for the night.   In the darkness we obtained the heights north of the Ford, and made our camp for the night.  Cpl Mason volunteered to lead a patrol of 6 men to determine if the enemy was in our vicinity, and they headed off in the darkness.  After about 45 minutes they returned, saying they had patrolled as far north as the little stone bridge and beyond, and had not met the enemy.  So at this point we allowed candles to be lit so the men could see to settle down properly.  After a short bit however, it was reported a candle was seen in the field to our West, so all candles were put out, and we settled into the dark, as only tired men can do.

Sgt Dangel was severely distressed by all the marching, and Pvt McLaughlin offered him some powder to comfort him and his ailments.  Dangel was much obliged and liberally used the powder, which turned out to be quite powerful, as the good sgt's dancing leads us to believe.  After an episode of 10 minutes, the sgt fell to the ground beside me, spent and sweaty and virtually passed out.

The night proved to be colder than the previous, and the men, being soaked with sweat and having no change of clothing, suffered a bit, but we survived.  Two incidents stand out, one of which occurred at about 2 am, when one of the pvts started screaming "here they come, there are 3 of them"- at which point, we having slept on our arms, jumped up in various states of undress to receive the enemy.  It turns out the Private was dreaming, having being unnerved by the enemy riders.

Laughing we laid back down to sleep, only to hear cries coming form the fields below us.  We lay low as these yells and calls went on for some time, with one voice yelling "send the hounds after them"

Needless to say, I slept little that night.
At around 5am I awoke, lit a cigar, and considered our options.  We had not yet accomplished our goal, and as such, I woke the men quietly, and formed them in light order, to move out and try one last time to locate any deserters.  Pvt McLaughlin had given out, and asked to be excused, so we left him on the hill guarding our gear, as we headed out in the fog and mist of the morning.

We crossed over several fields, advanced close to a mile, when our advanced guard saw 3 civilians to our front and attempted to catch them.  The strangers had a 200 yard head start on us, and evaded our men once again.

Resting there, we found we had the enemy infantry between us and our advance guard, and as they attempted to escape north, we volleyed into them several times, speeding their gait.

Realizing we had advanced to the far north end of the area, and were now out of rations, I determined t was time to report back, and admit our failure.

Forming the men, we marched south on the road leading to the Ford, the men in good spirits, though I was not, having failed in my mission.

Within 50 yards of our campsite on the wooded knoll, I was called to by Pvt McLaughlin, who was standing armed, with no shirt or hat, but a mean look on his face.  Looking around him I saw three civilians on the ground, two men and a woman, and I sent Sgt Dangel and four men forward to inquire of Pvt Mclaughlin the circumstances.  Apparently the good pvt was watching the Ford, when he noticed these three headed that way, and ordered them to halt.  The lady pretended to be injured, and as the Pvt tried to help her, the one "gentlemen" with shifty eyes, leaped upon the Pvt and tried to grab his musket.  The Pvt then forced the man to the ground, and held a bayonet to his back.

Sgt Dangel questioned the man about this, and the fact he had on government trousers and a haversack.  He said that he never attacked Pvt Mclaughlin, and that he had bought the trousers and haversack off of a deserter he had met a few days before.

Within 50 yards of our campsite on the wooded knoll, I was called to by Pvt McLaughlin, who was standing armed, with no shirt or hat, but a mean look on his face.  Looking around him I saw three civilians on the ground, two men and a woman, and I sent Sgt Dangel and four men forward to inquire of Pvt Mclaughlin the circumstances.  Apparently the good pvt was watching the Ford, when he noticed these three headed that way, and ordered them to halt.  The lady pretended to be injured, and as the Pvt tried to help her, the one "gentlemen" with shifty eyes, leaped upon the Pvt and tried to grab his musket.  The Pvt then forced the man to the ground, and held a bayonet to his back.

Sgt Dangel questioned the man about this, and the fact he had on government trousers and a haversack.  He said that he never attacked Pvt Mclaughlin, and that he had bought the trousers and haversack off of a deserter he had met a few days before.

Either way, the man was suspicious, and as such, we determined to take him and his companions with us, and turn them into the provost marshal, who could question them to his satisfaction.

As we were preparing to move, our Cavalry rode up from the south, and inquired the situations which I explained to them.  The Good Lt Commanding suggested I such just string up the man with the shifty eyes, but I declined, saying that it was beyond my authority to do so, and also that any information he might have about deserters in the area would then be lost.

The Lt wished us the best of luck, and headed north to once again probe the enemy, leaving us to our final march back to Goose Creek Bridge.

We arrived at the bridge, turned over our prisoners, and rested.

Sincerely,

S. Chris Anders
1st Lt, Command'g
2nd Platoon, Company B
7th Indiana Infantry

Overall I had a great time.  We really enjoyed working with the mounted forces of both sides, and Tom Craig and Todd Kern's did an excellent job, along with Kevin Meyers who led the CS infantry on site.

The Civilians, led by Hank and Linda Trent, did a superb job, and led us on many a goose chase, if you will.

This is a great event to end the year on, and one that gave many a magic moment.  

I hope to work with these folks again, to put on another event like it next year, and for those who look for a period immersion moment, this past weekend rewarded those in attendance with many.  

--Last edited by Anders on 2007-10-09 11:15:29 --