Outpost III - AAR Thread

[Eric Tipton]

Just returned from Tennessee. Had a blast. Thanks to the Tarwater Mess and Liberty Rifles for helping us create an awesome Company "B". We were run ragged all weekend and enjoyed every minute of it. Special Thanks to Steve Ewing for agreeing to be Captain of the company. You did a good job Steve and it was refreshing to see our captain just as excited as the rank & file. We had an energetic company with an energetic Captain.

Thanks to all you boys in the WIG for putting on another quality event. We have found that events with you boys are consistent and interesting. We had a lot of fun crossing sabres on the field. Oh, and it is always nice to have the Critters on your side. ;)

I will write a more specific AAR later as I am still unpacking the car. Is anyone writing an article for the Historian? I hope so.

So, what did everyone think?

[CSARebel54]

Re: Outpost III - AAR Thread

I definitely had a blast. Tripp was a great commander and you feds ran us ragged from 4:00am saturday morning til we were done today. Looking forward to reading the AAR from someone. Thanks Art for a great weekend!

[C.R. Henderson]

Re: Outpost III - AAR Thread

As soon as I transcribe it, I will post my journal entries from the weekend. I went Federal and my buddy, Ricky Jones, went Confederate. We each kept a journal this weekend so each could read about what the other experienced (much the same as the article in the latest issue of the CWH). I'm sure he will do the same. Both were written in first person and turned out well. I'll get started ASAP.

As for me, I made a lot of new friends this weekend and our C company "Cleared the Tracks!" Thanks to the HCB for having us and thanks to Capt. Butler for the smooth consolidation. Thanks also to all the staff and and Col. Sorchy for a fantastic job. It was great how our company gelled as the weekend went along. I can't wait to see everyone again.

[Matt Woodburn]

Re: Outpost III - AAR Thread

Chris,

Contact Benjamin at Civil War Historian. I'm sure he'd love to have a chance to publish your first person account and Ricky's too. Good seeing you there.

[Charles Heath]

Re: Outpost III - AAR Thread

I had fun. How 'bout you?

[John "Gianni" Shoptaw]

Re: Outpost III - AAR Thread

We should have taken that ridge we could have taken that ridge before the yankees gained position and a strong foothold on the high ground.

[Pat.Lewis]

Re: Outpost III - AAR Thread

All in all, I found this to be a very "Army of Tennessee" (if that can be an adjective) weekend. It had many of the elements that one must consider fundamental to the Western Confederate experience. For one, CS troops held their own for the majority of the time only to be driven at the end. Golden opportunities earlier in the weekend slipped away, and it seemed to me for a time, laying on the ground captured after US troops had passed us over, that all of our hard work had come to nothing. Though a frustrating feeling, it was enlightening.

On a personal level there was the shortage of warm clothing (alright, that's my fault, but still), going through our rations too quickly (1st platoon Co. D may remember breakfast canteens), frustration with officers (in a firper sense only -- you all did a heckuva job), etc. that hit on all those things we read about so often.

Bully for Bragg! Bully for Outpost!

[DougCooper]

Re: Outpost III - AAR Thread

I was federal with the ONV (Co A) this weekend - wow. Not sure my brain is up to a real AAR yet but as I told Brian Hicks yesterday in the parking area, the strength of this event to me was the fact that was run in a completely period military manner, organization, logistics and using fixed posts and pickets and all the things you would have seen with two armies in close contact. No capture the flag, no cowboy stuff (except the CS cav at one hsyterical moment on Sunday AM), and in my company, 100% first person throughout. Even the night fighting, which could have disolved into a mess, was handled very well - but it also reminded us of why it was so difficult. There was close cooperation between cav and infantry...and the Critters were absolutely superb, as usual. Buglers were outstanding, communications and tactics ditto. Battalion leadership was consistenly ahead of the curve, inspired the troops and maintained an 1862 Ilinois regiment up and down the chain of command.

The ground does not get any better - and it made us sad to think much of it will be cleared for development.

In short, that is how it is done, and it was great to be part of it. The WIG does it again!

Thanks yous later.

[Greg Barnett]

Re: Outpost III - AAR Thread

The whole weekend was a true challenge for me personally. Having spent many months awaiting the event, only to have my fourteen year old black lab disappear Thursday, I had to depart Friday not having time to locate my old friend. He still has not been found. I spent the weekend with that on my mind. I would think many a man left in situations unresolved. I also really struggled with chronic back pain all weekend. I must be getting old for sure. There is nothing like a real challenge on a personal level.

I really enjoyed meeting many for the first time and seeing old friends as well. Everyone in 20th Tenn, Co A did their part and no one complained as much as I did. The NCOs and the officers were top notch. Thanks to all for a great weekend.

I too, have firper journal entries that I will share after transcribing this evening. It will be interesting to see notes comparatively.

Regards

[ButtermilkRanger]

Re: Outpost III - AAR Thread

No capture the flag, no cowboy stuff (except the CS cav at one hsyterical moment on Sunday AM), .

Which moment would that be, Doug? Inquiring minds want to know.

[Michael Comer]

Re: Outpost III - AAR Thread

I found it to be a most excellent weekend. I have briar scratches all over both hands and my legs - those things cut through jean cloth and winter drawers!

My thanks to the men and NCO's of Co. F and Capt. Aufmuth and Lt. Kupsch. I hope I served you well as your 1st Sgt. We were the smallest CS company but I think we showed ourselves quite well. We got in trouble several times and always got out of it to the credit of the men and the way they handled themselves, followed orders and held together with an esprit de corps. Missourians (and honorary Missourians) did honor to the Missouri Brigade who found themselves in the same situations time and time again during their service.

I was impressed by the maneuvering of the Federals. They were quick to react and pretty aggressive which kept us on our toes and made the event more fun. My hat is off to our opposition. You did well boys.

I don't really get charged up at battles but must admit the adrenalin got going this weekend a couple times. Capt. Landrums's company was engaged heavily on the left and the thought was we might have an opportunity to relieve the pressure on him and occupy the Federal ground in their rear at the same time. So we charged. As we gained the top of the ridge during our Sat. charge, the view that met us was rather disturbing as we could see a couple Federal companies there and one coming down on our rear and flank. We fell back to the tree line on top of the enemy ridge and were in deep trouble until some boys from Capt. Corbin's company showed up with Sgt. Mitchell to reinforce us. I don't know why you were there or where you came from but it was sure good to see you. When we charged out of the treeline I felt the rush, as the Federal line broke and began to retreat, I felt a bigger rush only to have it sucked out of me when I saw another enemy company coming onto the field and then some cavalry. We had no choice but to fall back demoralized and frustrated. It then became a fight for our lives and to prevent a trip to Camp Douglas or death.

The Sunday morning fight brought the rush back as we were pushed. We were holding the center but were very spread out and had just pushed back a company that came across the valley and felt pretty good about it. They had been probing Capt. Corbin's company for some time and when they tried our area they seemed surprised and confused when we opened up on them. Little did they know that it was myself and four men who stalled their attack and forced them to retreat. We were even bringing in a wounded, stunned Federal sergeant as prisoner when all chaos sounded on the field above us and the order came to fall back. We had to leave our prisoner on the field and when we hit the top of the ridge I was much surprised to see a Federal company in the place where Corbin's company had been. Evidently they had fallen back without our knowledge. It all went downhill from there and the rush returned with the confusion of the retreat, the yelling of orders, trying to access the situation and keep a firing line in place as losses mounted.

As I left, I was exhilirated from the experience and saddened as I thought this might be the last time we ever get to do such a thing on that land. It sickens me to see it go for development.

But, this was a great event to end the year on. All in all I think 2007 has been a fantastic year for good quality events and the future looks bright. Despite a lot of gloom and doom about the hobby, I'm optimistic about the future and think we will fare well.

Thanks to all those who put this one together. It's definitely locked away in the memory bank.

[coastaltrash]

Re: Outpost III - AAR Thread

Larry,
Take what Doug says with a grain of salt and ignore it. You guys are the only thing that kept Co D from being completely exposed and the only real protection on Saturday evening. Good job by the mounted men.

[Craig L Barry]

Re: Outpost III - AAR Thread

Mea Culpa: When wrong, I can admit it. And I was wrong about the EBUFU concept and what to expect from Outpost III. Not sure I am worthy of offering commentary as it was a short campaign for me. I slipped in the woods and blew out my right knee, had to limp on out of there. Nothing a knee brace and one week in the tropics won't cure, though. Know what? It was worth it.

The Watchdog will have see how we can work this into our business plan.

[Dale Beasley]

Re: Outpost III - AAR Thread

To all of my AOTish Pards,

-Was this land and country-side not beautiful?
-The WIG Staff did what they do best...putting together a great event.
-The Yanks came to fight...they had the rabbits running as well.
-"The Battle of the Hedge Row" saw as much fighting, well...Bragg would have been proud.
-It doesn't take a weather man to tell you which way the wind blows.

I had a chance to visit Franklin and the Carter House for the first time. Just makes me want to go back. Read something that sticks out in my mind ...

"We did what we was told and boy did we pay the price"

[Fiddlebum]

Re: Outpost III - AAR Thread

I was stuck down at the cabin with the Critters all weekend, hoping someone would come rescue us, but they never did. :cry_smile

I didn't get to see/meet everyone I wanted to, but it was a good time. Got a lot of knitting done, too.


Kim Caudell