Pickett's Mill AARs

[LWhite64]

Well, I guess Im one of the first back from the Mill that has made it online, sometimes its good to live this close to an event. Anyway, I just wanted to set this up for the others who are more blessed with the gift of AAR gab than I, and also to say that it was a fine event, and a hearty thank you to all those than made the event worthwhile. Although I must admit I was rather surprised by the surprise of seeing me return from the dead, so to speak.

Back in Black,
Lee

[K Bartsch]

Re: Pickett's Mill AARs

Great time, well-organized and executed. I definitely got my twenty-five bucks worth! Nice to finally put faces to so many names. Weather could have been far uglier. Thanks to John, Coley,Tripp and all the organizers and every soul who contributed so generouosly to the fence rail drive. The fence is splendid. On behalf of all us and our horses, thanks to the CS infantry who put their shoulders to the wheels as we negotiated the hills and the creek.

Bottomline: Wouldn't change a thing! They just don't get any better than this one. IMHO, such a splendid event is due in no small measure to an air of cooperativeness and willingness of the participants to have a good time while performing countless selfless gestures to make sure everyone else did too. Perhaps the collegial attitude which prompted folks to leave their ego's locked-up safely in their vehicles in the parking lot had a little something to do with it too :wink_smil

Methinks such spirit is the key to good events.
Thanks to all.
Happy Memorial Day.

Finally, If you value your freedom, take a few minutes on Monday to go by a cemetery and reflect over the grave of a veteran. Doesn't matter whom. His war doesn't matter either. They're all worthy of our respect and remembrance. I also think he'll know you're there.
Cordially,

[Eric Tipton]

"One More Hill"

Briefly...

This was an incredible and memorable weekend. Above all, I really enjoyed the opportunity to meet so many who frequent the boards here and elsewhere. The genuine camaraderie was something that will stick with me for a long time.

There are many people I want to thank, but for now, I wanted to mention that Mr. John Cleaveland is quite possibly one of the classiest individuals I've ever met. There were many others this weekend, but something about John's quiet and humble passion really made an impression on me.

I'll offer up an AAR later, but just wanted to say... only one more hill... Captain Crabb and all you Federals will understand....

Has anyone seen the Mintons?

[OleMissRebel]

Re: Pickett's Mill AARs

ONE MORE HILL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"where are the Mintons??" That's classic stuff and will be for a long time.

Great event, and I'm very pleased that nobody blew a knee out or dislocated anything, even though we did have some minor injuries nothing major occurred which was splendid.

Thank you to the event organizers.

[PogueMahone]

Re: Pickett's Mill AARs

Poor little Kittens,
have lost their Mintons ...

Humidity sucks.

For the first time, as I advanced on the skirmish line, I was afraid of dying and my body never being recovered and rotting to nothing alone out there in the woods. Mind, it wasn't enemy fire that I feared. It was the heart attack I deserved.

glad to be home,

[Wild Rover]

Re: Pickett's Mill AARs

Glad to hear you all had a great event.


Pards,

[ChrisM(armyguy)]

Re: Pickett's Mill AARs

As ive seen,


One more hill, the federal minstrel show, the walking through the stream in sight of a bridge scorpy the scorpion and milly the milipede(sadly both have passed on) and a letter home that was more of a death wish then ive ever seen. Thanks to everyone in company f, thanks to Greg and for the last time no i am not going to mumford!!!


chris mattingly

[JimConley]

Re: Pickett's Mill AARs

Great event! Had a great time! Met great people! Great, great, great!!!
I loved one particular part where some other boys and I of CO.A 33rd ALA had to push a cannon up a hill after crossing a stream, that was awesome. The feds looked awesome! My pards looked good. Nothing else to say, but GREAT!
P.S. A special thanks to Aaron Schwieterman and Joe Hill for allowing me to tag along for the 8 hour trip down to the mill

[ButtermilkRanger]

Cavalry AARs

I'll wait around awhile and see if someone from the mounted arm wants to post an official AAR before I dive into it. However, I would like to say thanks, once again, to our brothers in the Critter Company for allowing us to ride with them one more time. As everyone already knows, they are a fine group of cavalry and always do a splendid job on the field. It helps that they are just as trashy as we are. :) Maybe that's why we get along so well.

The terrain was tough on some horses and some tack problems caused a few mishaps, some of which could have been serious, but that's just another day at the office for cavalry. I do know, however, that galloping to the top of a hill then stopping to look back down actually made me feel sorry for the federal infantry that I knew was behind us and would soon climb the same hill on foot.

Another real treat was getting to ride with so many varying personalities from different parts of the country. Just in the cavalry company the states of Virginia, Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina, North Carolina, Texas and Louisiana were represented. That's no easy job considering the fatigue, logistics and expense that goes with hauling equines hundreds of miles cross-country.

It's always a treat to be riding through the woods and happen upon civilian refugees. It adds a sense of realism we often overlook, I think. My hat is off to those civilians who tough it out just like everyone else to portray a part of American History that so many overlook. Job well done.

The camp life was great, but I had no idea that the Critters had such an deep seated love for helicopter rides and Georgia Pop-Tarts. Especially that Calvin guy.

Thanks for a great event guys. I'll see you at my next last event.

Larry Morgan
Buttermilk Rangers LHC
Critter Company (Guilt by Association)

[Matt Prost]

Re: Pickett's Mill AARs

The Hoggs had a great time. We shared many a fine experience with company F.

The hills were challenging, but do-able. Watching others fording the streams ahead of me as I came down the hill was a image that will last. The fatigue and confusion of the battle on Saturday was a great experience. Roll call with men missing as well held the rail fence left an impression. Trying to dry items out by the fire Saturday night was impossible. Sleeping on the cornfield that was rockhard hurt, but the reward of driving the Confederates down the road at a full sprint with Lt. Commander Craddock leading was a rush.

Thanks again to the planners/hosts it was a great time.

Yours,
Matt Prost
Hogg Mess

[Enfilade]

Re: Pickett's Mill AARs

Gentlemen,

The rendezvous site for our guys from Ye Old North State was Kennesaw Battlefield. After supper, we made it to registration where we met Greg Pace. He checked us in and we parked at the same school lot as before and were shuttled back to the park's visitor center. We marched in and found our company already bedded down and asleep by the roadside. Slight spurts of rain didn't concern us as we anticipated a great event to follow.

We awakened to overcast skies and three companies of Confederates. Our Company Commander, Marlin Teat, gathered us together and we had issues of rations consisting of bacon fat(what I got) and cornmeal. That's it! I'm glad I brought some coffee. Marlin asked me if we had anyone as an experienced NCO. I volunteered and was designated Orderly Sgt for 3rd Company for the weekend. I hadn't prepared but made do with a substitute morning report and a pencil I found in my period wallet.

Our Captain and overall Commander for the weekend, Rick Joslyn, gave each company 30 minutes for inspection, drill, and a quick refresher course of Hardees Revised. We also saw two field pieces horse drawn and centered these artillery between 1st and 2nd Company in line of march.

We then came together as a battalion and marched downhill where we found a deep kneedeep creek and crossed. As Captain Teat so masterfully stated, "What goes down must eventually go up", the field pieces had to be unhitched and both sets of horses used to pull both field pieces uphill(mountain?) one at a time. 3rd Company set pickets to our rear where they encountered civilians. Some unique first person was discussed between our Captain Joslyn and the civilian spokesman. My company pickets brought me a piece of cornbread he received from the refugees. This was all I saw of the civilians that weekend as we seemed to be engaged in bloodshedding the rest of the weekend.

We marched and marched and the heat and humidity took it's toll. We had a good respite at a period reconstructed cabin where we set pickets and met real modern civilians and they were escorted through camp. Our cavalry was seen in the area as my picket at post #1 called out "Sgt of the guard!" and I responded that "it was nobody, just Coley Adair". It looked as if it was about to rain harder than a cow peeing on a flat rock, but that wasn't the case as we only received a sprinkle. We also picked up a soldier in Lee White who fell in with us.

Our battalion moved out at about 5:30pm on Saturday where we met the enemy at a cornfield and railed fence field. Our unit was put in line of battle and we could hear our artillery but could not see them as they were at some distance from us. Our infantry drove the enemy down a ravine and up a sharp incline and behind another set of fence rails where they entrenched stubbornly. After much discussion and several probes, our CO's decided that we would form a column of companies to punch through the enemy position. We did in splendid fashion at the double quick where we captured many of the enemy.

After a march back to a water well, we took time to re-hydrate and rest. We ended up camping there and cooked rations where we set camp for the night.

My mess was directly across from our CO staff and we got word early Sunday morning that the enemy was demonstrating. We could hear their bugle calls and formed companies again for the march. Our company was sent out to meet the enemy line in skirmish which checked the overwhelming force for only a short time as they entered the field of battle. We fell back behind a railed fence and woodline and the enemy approached by cover of a steep hill to just 40 rods. They charged our line and captured significant amounts of men. We also had many wounded. We fell back without our Captain as we assumed he was captured. We double-quicked to the very top of the hill which was daunting in every aspect. Winded, we formed a thin gray line to meet the onslaught from the blue juggernaught. They came in droves. Our wounded falling at a rapid rate, we retreated up a small road and set successive lines where we tried without much hope of stopping the enemy. We fired volleys to no avail. Our tired adjutant, Tripp Corbin, relunctantly pulled out a white handerchief and made his way to the yankees. We accepted surrender and watched the triumphant foe march past. We had no idea of their significant number.

I had a great time and my hat's off to all those who made this a memorable event! Thanks Marlin, Rick, Tripp, Greg, and 3rd Company.

Faithfully submitted,

Orderly Sgt of 3rd Company, 33rd AL
Mark Berrier
North State Rifles
combinations@northstate.net

[BrianHicks]

Re: Pickett's Mill AARs

Near Dalton Georgia. May, 1864.

AAR of Ordnance Sergeant, Co. K, 5th Regiment, Kentucky Volunteer Infantry.

The Company was initially formed on Friday night, but due to several men still being on detached duty, we did nothing more than move into the tree line, and bed down for the night. The warmth of the evening made the use of blankets or tentage unnecessary. It did however sprinkle with a light rain shower on us at one point during the night, but quick use of a gum blanket, and you could easily stay dry through out the night.

At sunrise, revelly was sounded, and a roll was taken. Due sickness and death, our Company now officially stood with 22 enlisted, and 2 Officers. As soon as the roll was signed by Capt. Duffer, we drew our rations. Perhaps because Gen. Sherman had moved us so far from the rail lines, our rations were some what lacking. Each man was issued a small portion of bacon, six hard tack crackers, a handful of beans, and as much of the cursed southern cornmeal as a man would want. We were all anxious to get back to the rail lines and once again draw proper rations that consisted of our beloved Coffee and proper white flour. The men would soon lament the lack of Coffee on our coming movement along Pumpkin Vine Creek.

After rations were drawn, we had very little time for the cooking of the Bacon, as were soon formed up for Battalion and Company Drill. At 10 O’clock the Battalion was formed and we began our movement into the woods.

In the column, we were third of the four companys as we moved. The thickness of undergrowth amongst the woods and the many of the steep hills forced us to move in two ranks. A very, very few of the entire column found the heat and the hills too much for them, and had to be sent back to the wagons. Given the challenge of those hills, it was a marvel that so few men had succumbed to the conditions. We were very fortunate that several wells were along our route, as we quickly drained our canteens. Details were often sent to replenish them, and at atleast one of the wells, we literally drained it dry.

It was at mid-day that we took a longer break than usual. At this stop, the men quickly had fires going, and several of us cooked what sparse issues of Bacon we had been given.

We crossed the Pumpkinvine Creek three or four times in our movement. On tow occasions, it was nothing more than a small stream, but on our final crossing, not a man stayed dried, and the water was over the top of our booties, and about as wide as the height of two men.

It was just after the crossing of this wide section that the Battalion took what was intended to be a short stop, however…. The company that was leading the column upon a taking of the roll, discovered that two of their privates, a father and son, their given name - Mitton, were not answering the call of their names.

Now… as w had been advancing through out the day, on a few occasions, the head of the column had been forced to deploy skirmishers, as a very light force o Southern Cavalry had been harassing our movement. But at no time had they actually posed a serious threat, or caused those of ius in the middle of the column to slow our progress, or have to be deployed for a fight. So… it was thought that perhaps these tow missing Mittons had been captured by the Confederates… but no… Col. Craddock was sure that he had seen them as we had crossed the last creek. A small search party was sent out to find our lost Mittons. After perhaps half an hour, word came down the line that they had been found…. Still in their place with the lead Company. How they went unnoticed in the ruckus that followed their failure to answer to their roll, we’ll never know. But found they were, and so we were once again on our feet, and soon climbing more of those damned North Georgia hills.

There was one creek we crossed, and had moved less than the distance of three or four rods, when we noticed that there was actually a bridge just out of sight of were we had forded the water! Once again we were amazed and amused at how close we had come to comfort, only to have passed it by just a few more steps. (the next morning, after the fighting, when the bridge was commented on, someone had ventured that their were trolls living underneath… and the big bugs had decided it best to avoid a ruckus with them lest the Southern Cavalry that had been in front of us take advantage of that, and swoop down on us while we were busy at the bridge).

Well….. after a whole day of marching up and down this damn hills, it appeared that that Col. DeBello had gotten us to where he wanted us, and after a short break, and replenishment of water, we were formed into a column of Eights. It was at this time, that the only rainfall of the day came upon us. It wasn’t to heavy and only lasted for perhaps a quarter of an hour, but with the heat we already had, the additional water only made the air heavier, and the heat more oppressive. As Co. K. we were the lead Company of the left half of the column. The Command to load was given, and the front four men of each of the two leads Companies were sent forward as skirmishers, with our own Lt. Morris commanding them. We knew at this point that a fight was soon to be undertaken. The skirmishers soon engaged what was described as a thin line of dismounted Cavalry. After a quick push across a small field, and into the tree line, the Column of Eights followed. In the tree line, we went down a thickly covered slope, across a crick, and started back up on the other side. The tress and tangles had split our column of eights, and after a brief struggle with the hill side, we were reformed. Our skirmishers had slowed a little near the top of the hill. This allowed us to deploy form a column of eights, right into a Battalion on line as we approached the crest of the hill.

At the top of the Hill, a farmer had built a split rail fence around this edge of a small field. The Southern Cavalry had been using to fight form. We were pushed forward, and I think without the loss of a man, we forced them off the fence, and across the field. We didn’t hesitate, but kept after them. We had to take some the fence rails down, and reformed on the other side. Pushing across the small field, we advanced in the far tree line, and saw the southerners flee down into a ravine, and up the far side. Keeping our line as best we could, we tried to keep on their heels.

At the bottom of the ravine, we crossed yet another crick, and then faced one of the steepest hills of our journey. The Skirmishers pushed up ahead of us, and as we formed our lines to reach the top of the ravine, we finally started to lose a few men. Josiah Edwards of our Company went down with a glancing shot to his knee, The elder Smotherman was put out of the fight by a spent ball to the center of his chest. Out Lt. Morris, whom had done so well pushing the skirmishers, also fell.

As we finally reached the top of the ravine, we found an uneven corn field, about 12 rods across, and about 50 rods form out left to right. On the far side was another of those rail fences, edged against another tree line.

We paused to load, and advanced into a galling fire from the other side. We leaned into the heat, and pushed. Our line fired at about 20 paces from the rail fence and stopped to reload. The Southerners were knelt down behind the rails, and returned our fires. More of our Men went down. A fellow in the company to our Right must’ve been gut shot, because he lay in the field behind us, thrashing and hollering and screaming, but there was nothing we could do for the poor soul, as we were quit busy minding our own lives in this unexpectedly hot fight. We knelt and held on for some time having a heated exchange with the Rebels on the other side, but that damned rail fence they were using, might as well have been made of stone, as we just couldn’t push them off of it. We soon came to accept thath we were no longer facing mere dismaounted Cavalry, but te fellas on the far side were Infantry... and lots of them.

We would rise up as a Company and give them a Volley, and kneel back down. But to no avail. The smoke from our muskets, the steam rising from the men, and the fog which had started rise after the earlier rain, had all mixed together to make it difficult to make our distinct individuals on the other side of the fence. Their muzzle flashes however, marked them as serious… and deadly. Our line pulled back to some of the uneven ground and sought to reform our ranks. At our first start to move back, some of the men were anxious to leave the killing ground, and we had to keep them in line, and slow their retreat, forcing them to face the enemy, and continue the fight. Our discipline held, and no one from Co. K skiddadled to the rear. We continued to exchange fire with them, but our careful withdrawal must have excited the southerners, as they soon rose, and advanced into the field. We gave them some heat, and were drawn further back and into the ravine. Cpl. Skemp went down during this movement, as did Pvts Wilson and Waddel.

We struggled to get back up the far side, and finally withdrew to the first rail fence we had encountered. We had just enough time for a quick call of the roll. We had lost five men in that hot hour since we had first crossed the fence we now sought refuge behind. Three others in our ranks were wounded and still with us, though unable to fight.

It wasn’t long before the Confederates came out of the far tree line, and in good form, advanced towards us. We were determined to return the favor, and hold the rail fence, and make them pay, as they had done to us.

The Southerners pushed once, twice, and then stalled in the middle of the corn field. We held our line. After some minutes of exchanging fires with them, they withdrew to the far side of the field. I once again took the roll, and marked the names of our missing and wounded. I got a count of rounds, and found that we averaged less than 30 rounds per man now. We had marched out that morning with full cartridge boxes, and additional rounds in our knapsacks and blanket rolls. In all, each man had fired perhaps 30 rounds or more. I told the Captain that if we were going to hold that line, or push again, we needed a replenishment of ammunition.

After a short respite in the fighting, the Southerners formed into a column, and made a dash to break the far left of our line. They had a brief success, but then, for whatever reason, withdrew. Perhaps they were realized that they had broke our lines, only to find themselves unsupported, and with another federal regiment on the far side of them, they thought it best not stay amongst us. With that short ft of excitement, the fighting for the day was over for us.

Co. F was left n that fence as Picketts, while the rest of the Battalion wearily withdrew a few hundred yards into the tree line for the night.

Just as darkness closed in, tow of our Wounded, and presumed dead, made I back to our Lines. Cpl. Skemp had taken a round to the skull, but it had only dazed him for a few hours, and after the Southerners had passed him by, he made his way out of the ravine, and was able to make it back to out lines.

Just at Dark, Capt. Duffer allowed Pvts. Leach, White and three others to leave the area in search of forage. We had heard rumors of a few civilians being in the area, and were hopeful that they could find some forage to supplement the meager government issue that we were trying to live on. After perhaps tow hours, they returned with only a handful of fod items, hardly enough to have made the effort worthwhile.

The men of Co. K, quickly stripped off their soaking clothes. I think we had more men near nakedness, than we had clad. They first saw to their weapons, which greatly leased me, as I knew that with the morning, we would renew the fight.

Two fires were started by our men, and attempts were made to dry socks and trousers. What bacon had not been cooked earlier was quickly cooked.

Soon after full darkness, we heard some firing from the Skirmishers, but it wasn’t heavy enough to cause us to form back up.

The Big Bugs had camped near our company, and I could see that a few of them had also stripped out of their outer garments as well. It would have been quite a hoot if the skirmishers had gotten heavily engaged, and the Colonels would have been forced to form the Battalion, them and us still in our undergarments!

At first light, we quickly dressed, and formed for roll call. It was my sad duty to record the names of five men as missing, and presumed dead. Lt. Morris, Cpl. Skemp and Pvt. Edwards had recovered through out the night, and were ready to fight once again.

We soon formed in our battle lines, and sought to give as good as we had taken the day before.

We advanced across the first fence and field unopposed. We dropped into the ravine, and began to climb the slope towards the second field ad fence. As we gained the field, the Confederates were just moving into place. It appeared as thought we had cought them at their morning cook fires, and had surprised them with our attack!

We hardly paused as we made for the fence. We gave them two good volleys and charged. Unlike the previous day, we made it to the fence, and pulled several of them across as prisoners. Unfortunately, Capt. Duffer fell as we made the fence line. Three others in our company were wounded, but struggled to stay with the line. Lt. Morris now took charge of Company. As the Confeds fell back into the trees, I struggled to get another roll called.

The Southerners reformed and charged. We were ready for them though. We had loaded, and were crouched behind the fence that had served them so well the evening previous. Now the fence served us well. As they came to within 10 paces, we rose as a Company and unleashed a horrendous volley into their faces. Their line to our immediate front vanished in a wall of smoke and fire. We knelt back down ad reloaded. To our front, barely out of reach, several southern lads lay dead or dying. Their line once again fell back to reform. And once again they came at us. We rose and fired, with the same results as before.

After their second failed attempt to charge us, they must have lost faith, as they soon began to shift to our right.

The fight moved down our line, and the right wing of the Battalion became the focus of the southern fury.. With our front clear, we were ordered to go into Companies into line, wheeled to our right into the woods, stepping over the freshly killed southerners, and began to move to our right, keeping the tree line and rail fence just several paces of our far right ranks. We soon came upon the Southerners flank, and assailed it. With our Right wing to their front, and our left wing taking their flank, the Confederates finally lost all hope and either fled the field or surrendered.

With this last fight early in Sunday Morning, our adventure came to an end.

Respectfully,

Brian Hicks
Ordnance Sergeant, Co. K, 5th Regiment, Kentucky Volunteer Infantry.

-----------------------------

With all of that having been written, I’d like to say that Pickett’s Mill was a great success. The Federal Infantry was Commanded extremely well. The Companies performed in unison, and the Men in the ranks were all their with the same purpose in mind. We were all serious about the week end, and willing to endure the challenges of the heat, the Humidity and the Terrain.

Well done to everyone involved! Especially those responsible for the orginisation and execution of the event. i.e. John Cleveland, etal.

[Jersey Devil]

Scorpion - 1 Senks - 0

For those of you who know Senks, he was hit by a scorpion on the pinky at Picketts Mill. 10 hours later he had two thumbs on his right hand.

I am assuming that it was a Southern Devil Scorpion (how fitting). He is making his way to the ER up here in Jersey. I can imagine their reaction when he tells them what did it.

His pinky is rather swollen and discolored and it wont bend. I am sure it is just a allergic reaction. The Southern Devil is not deadly.

Anyone else get hit? Any reactions?

Thanks to Captain Jerram for allowing us to grace his company and thanks to the men of Co. B for making life easy on Sgt. Bacon and myself. I hope everyone found their way home safe.



John, Coley, Tripp, etc., - It was a great event as usual!! I would expect nothing less.

[john duffer]

Re: Pickett's Mill AARs

Dear Friend,

I write to tell you of our action of May 27th, near Acworth, Georgia, while the events are fresh in my mind. This letter is intended for your eyes alone, for to be perfectly candid never did men more valiantly follow an order and seldom were there an order more foolishly given. Some oracle of wisdom divining that we must certainly be near Johnston’s extreme flank and could shift to our left a very short way and get beyond it entirely, it was our great luck to be a part of this grand adventure. From mid-morning on we toiled through some of the worst terrain we have encountered to date, not so much as a hog path to go on, as no creature but man would want to traverse the area, the head of the column making their way by compass. This country is oppressively hot, the men suffering much and making but slow progress. Despite the pace there was a sense of urgency and we were under order not to allow the men to take off their shoes at creek crossings, which caused some grumbling and more than once thought I saw a black look directed my way notwithstanding my lack of guilt. Throughout most of the day enemy cavalry had hovered in our front, occasionally putting up a slight resistance, doing little damage but making me personally uneasy as our expedition would seem to assume some element of surprise in order to succeed. In late afternoon this resistance stiffened enough that the skirmish line couldn’t drive them, we paused to let the men catch their breath and make their coffee and moved forward by wings of regiments through wood and ravine, our mass enabling the line to move once again. We drove them across a wheat field, another creek, climbed a hill that six months ago I would have thought not scaleable, and halted before a fence being used as works. We formed line of battle, went over the fence and crossed a cornfield down to another ravine were we came under much heavier fire, from artillery and small arms. No body of men could behave more gallantly than my company, sliding down one side and scaling the other, quickly reforming the line and plunging up the steepest hill yet with loud shouts of “Hurrah !” “Hurrah !” towards another fence at the treeline. We came within a few paces of the fence, close enough to shoot down the led horses behind the lines, when we were stopped by massed infantry volleys moving from our right across our front, a perfect hail of shot tearing through our line and we were quickly driven back to the lip of the hill. They moved along the fence to our left which uncovered our line and forced us to leave the field entirely, back down through the ravine. Here our cohesion left us, the least winded and the most frightened leaving the others in their haste to gain the first fence we had encountered, now looking quite the fortress to our eyes, where we could reform and await our supports. And wait we did, I have not seen them yet in fact. The enemy now tried their hand assaulting our fence with even less success than we had enjoyed, making several attempts with waning enthusiasm. As darkness approached we were withdrawn. It would seem we were not as far beyond their flank as might be hoped and the whole sad affair took less time than has been needed to write of it. James Aulds was killed outright, we had four wounded, one severely, and three still missing. The brigade as a whole suffered horribly and for what gain I could not tell you. I will close this mournful tale for now. Were the need not great I would not impose but if you could send a package of foodstuffs you can not imagine the joy with which it would be received. The men’s rations are poor at best and not plentiful enough to share, there is almost nothing in this region to buy, and I have begun to fear we will have the remarkable sight of an officer in more danger of starving to death than being slain by hostile fire.

Commanding Company K
5th Kentucky Volunteer Infantry
your servant and loyal friend
John M. Duffer

[BigMike]

Re: Pickett's Mill AARs

Just at Dark, Capt. Duffer allowed Pvts. Leach, White and three others to leave the area in search of forage. We had heard rumors of a few civilians being in the area, and were hopeful that they could find some forage to supplement the meager government issue that we were trying to live on. After perhaps tow hours, they returned with only a handful of fod items, hardly enough to have made the effort worthwhile.

I don’t know Sergeant, I think the rest of the guys will agree with me when I say that the bread we confiscated made the trip well worth it.