Into The Piney Woods AAR

[Gallo de Cielo]

Re: Into The Piney Woods AAR

There is some stout work here among the many fine AAR's that have been posted. I've enjoyed "Del's", Axel via Del, Horace's account with sketches, the muleskinner's take, Larry Morgan, Charles Heath, and a score more who I am forgetting.

Was the event perfect- nope. But I think you boys got a taste of soldiering and that's what Tom and I were hoping folks would latch onto.

Regards,

[Auld Pelty]

Re: Into The Piney Woods AAR

Thanks Fred. I am thinking about posting the episode about the banjo and prisoner exchange, but it would be better if told from eyewitness accounts.


Fergus

[Mcouioui]

Re: Into The Piney Woods AAR

Les deux autres compagnies font face à l’endroit d’où devrait arriver l’ennemi. La compagnie D, refuse le flanc sur la droite de notre ligne, face à la route. Un peloton d’une de autres compagnies est envoyé en avant en tirailleur, ainsi que les cavaliers sur la route. Sans attendre beaucoup de temps, les premiers tirs se font entendre au loin. Peu à peu les détonations se font plus proches. Enfin, les tirailleurs et les cavaliers rejoignent la ligne… ils arrivent.

De ma position je ne vois que le dos de notre ligne principale ainsi que notre état-major qui a récupérer les tirailleurs pour former une réserve. Les gars ont l’air de tenir bon et de donner du fil à retordre aux yanks. Pour ce que j’entends et aperçois, ces derniers sont bloqués dans la petite ravine face à nous. Pourtant la réserve est engagée et notre 2e peloton sont envoyé pour renforcer la ligne qui reçoit le choc. Mon peloton est le seul à ne pas être engagé. Les bleus se retirent.

Victoire de courte durée. Un nouvel assaut se profile. Une compagnie se porte même sur la route à portée de mon fusil. Ils voulaient nous flanquer par la route… ils sont bien reçu. Cet engagement se termine encore plus vite que le précédent. La ligne est réorganisée. Notre peloton fini en réserve. Mais plus rien ne bouge. Je vois plusieurs victimes dans nos rangs et de nombreux uniformes bleus allongés dans la forêt. Quelques hommes partent à la recherche de nourriture et de munition sur les cadavres. Nous n’avons plus été ravitaillé depuis 2 jours et les sacs commencent à tous être vides. Seuls quelques tirailleurs font encore face.

Peu à peu, les hommes sont démobilisés de leur poste pour établir le camp et chercher de l’eau. Cette nuit, nous dormirons à l’abri car la pluie menace. Un chariot tiré par quatre boeufs arrive sur le chemin de sable. Dans la côte il s’ensable. Le colonel appelle des hommes pour aider à pousser. Nous y arrivons mais le chariot s’engage assez mal dans cette route incurvée. Il menace de basculer et une roue de casser. Une seule solution, le vider de son contenu : paille, munition, eau et nourriture. A peine la première botte de paille retirée, une tête apparaît ! Voilà notre brave Edouard découvert. Sans cette situation du chariot, il serait passé inaperçu. Pas de chance pour lui. Il est bien vite mis sous bonne garde et enchaîné à un arbre. Heureusement il n’est pas trop mal traité pour sa fuite. Le colonel est un homme clément.

Une fois le chariot dégagé, le colonel reforme le bataillon. Discrètement, la compagnie D et une autre sont reformées en arrière alors que la 3e compagnie ouvre le feu sur les tirailleurs. Le lieutenant-colonel semble vouloir écarter tout danger pour la nuit en prenant l’initiative sur les fédéraux en passant à l’attaque en les contournant. Nous devons respecter la consigne de silence pendant notre progression. Heureusement, les tirs sporadique partant de notre camps attire suffisamment l’attention de l’ennemi.

Après cette balade en forêt où la progression est difficile, nous arrivons sur le flanc d’une compagnie fédérale qui n’a aucune idée de la surprise que nous lui réservons. Ils prennent conscience de notre présence au moment où la ligne est reformée. Ils n’ont pas le temps de faire face que deux feux de compagnie leurs sont assénés. Nos officiers veulent pousser l’avantage en avançant vers eux pour leur porter un coup fatal. Mais les hommes ne peuvent pas se contenir et bientôt toute la ligne charge dans leur direction. La compagnie fédérale se replie. J’arrive à terminer le chargement de mon fusil, et je remarque que je suis un peu près seul et que nos deux compagnies sont séparées… face à plusieurs compagnies fortifiées. La compagnie D fait face aux couleurs ennemies. Notre premier sergent nous pousse à profiter de la désorganisation ennemie et de capturer le drapeau. Mais la torpeur a disparue chez les fédéraux et les tirs font de nombreuses victimes. Je vois Régis tomber parmi d’autres. Je me replie avec d’autres hommes, environs la moitié de notre compagnie. Sur ma gauche, je vois notre autre compagnie et le colonel se faire charger. J’hésite à me joindre à eux dans une situation désespérée ou prendre la fuite… l’instinct de survie prend le dessus. Et puis, un soldat mort n’est plus utile à la confédération. En reculant face à l’ennemi, nous rassemblons les restes de notre compagnie. Le capitaine manque à l’appel, notre premier sergent également et plusieurs soldats parmi lesquels le caporal la Plume et le soldat Régis. Notre second sergent nous rassemble car les nordistes nous ont vu, et il faut sauver ce qu’il y a encore à sauver.

Sur le chemin menant au camp, nous retrouvons notre capitaine et le colonel. Pas de signe de l’autre compagnie avant de revoir quelques têtes connues au camp. Après un appel, il semble que 6 hommes manquent chez nous et une dizaine dans l’autre compagnie. Heureusement, les yankees ne poussent pas à leur avantage. Ils offrent même des pourparlers. Ils autorisent à ce que nous donnions aux prisonniers une couverture et leur gum blanket. Le colonel espérait obtenir leur libération. Mais les échanges de prisonniers sont devenus rares depuis qu’ils sont interdits dans le nord.

Les hommes qui reviennent d’avoir portés les effets des prisonniers sont porteurs de bonnes et de mauvaises nouvelles. Mes amis du French Mess sont en vie, mais les fédéraux sont nombreux.

De nouvelles rations sont distribuées. Nous apprenons, que malgré nos effectifs réduits, notre compagnie est de garde pour la nuit. Le « reste » du french mess a le shift de 2h30 heure à 5h30.
De plus je me porte volontaire pour un shift supplémentaire d’une heure en début de soirée pendant lequel je me fais sermonner car je m’étais couché à l’abri alors que la garde doit être effectuée debout, l’arme au bras pour éviter de s’endormir. Heureusement que William m’apporte un repas chaud.

La soirée est courte, il faut profiter de chaque minute pour récupérer car la nuit sera encore plus courte.

[Wagoneer]

Re: Into The Piney Woods AAR

Because it was of great distress to the Wagoneers for missing baggage, I would live to hear/read what actually happened to the Banjo.

[Gallo de Cielo]

Re: Into The Piney Woods AAR

Nathan,

To my knowledge, the banjo was taken by the CS troops and when the Federals refused to turn back over the 15 prisoners for the musical instrument, it was smashed against a tree.

Regards,

[Johnny Lloyd]

Re: Into The Piney Woods AAR

Nathan,

To my knowledge, the banjo was taken by the CS troops and when the Federals refused to turn back over the 15 prisoners for the musical instrument, it was smashed against a tree.

Regards,

Fred-

I distinctly remember a certain person looking quite upset at morning muster concerning said instrument and making mention to the group to find it if they could.

Was this part of the scenario or were said Confederates not lovers of such an instrument or the person that it might have belonged to?

;)

All the best- Johnny Lloyd:wink_smil

[PogueMahone]

Re: Into The Piney Woods AAR

Nathan,

It is my understanding that the banjo never made it on the wagon. It was stashed in a modern vehicle "for the duration". The owner was not made aware of it for a few days for the simple amusement of the scalawags that "misplaced" it.

That is the way I understood it to happen.

[Wagoneer]

Re: Into The Piney Woods AAR

So am I to understand the Banjo really was distroyed? That is harsh...

[Pvt_Sullivan]

Re: Into The Piney Woods AAR

Nathan, It was good to meet you in Kisatachi and having you and your team there added immeasurably to the event for me as a Federal Soldier.

I've heard the said Banjo was safely secured and recovered by the owner at the end of the event, although during the event several references to its whereabouts and condition (both good and bad) were made.

For us twisted souls, the saga of the banjo was another little story wrapped in Piney Woods that added color to a great event.

[Wagoneer]

Re: Into The Piney Woods AAR

Great, I am very glad it was not on the wagons Friday AM during the Biblical downpour. It would likely been as wet as we were.

[Charles Heath]

Re: Into The Piney Woods AAR

It is my understanding that the banjo never made it on the wagon. It was stashed in a modern vehicle "for the duration". The owner was not made aware of it for a few days for the simple amusement of the scalawags that "misplaced" it.

Joe,

That's close, but no cigar. Silas was told twice in no uncertain terms not to bring the banjo as excess personal luxury baggage. Silas didn't listen. Silas brought the banjo anyway for the express purpose for us to waste a heck of a lot of time babysitting. Said banjo wasn't even in a case, but wrapped in a couple of layers of a tent fly (also excess personal luxury baggage), so we did him a huge favor by securing the banjo "the little green barn" aka Will's Subaru wagon for the duration of the event. Huge favor.

It takes a heck of a lot of gall to bring something totally useless and cumbersome like a loose, uncased, fragile, homemade banjo to an event and expect others to care for it all week -- especially after being told not to do so. We nipped that time wasting problem in the bud, and most likely kept the banjo from becoming a little sack of waste material coated with rooster dung. Maybe we should have put it on the wagon as dunnage for company boxes (5o pounds gross), hardtack boxes (50 pounds net), a case of canned goods (40 pounds gross), chicken crates (got lighter every day!), ammunition boxes, axes, shovels, pails, kettles, etc. Maybe we could have used it to wedge in a few loose cases of company property or rations. Nope. We are better than that.

People who are not accustomed to campaign (or higher level) events just don't have the slightest idea what transpires at campaign (or higher level) events. You just can't get that experience hanging out on sutler row with the kewl kids.

[Mgreer]

Re: Into The Piney Woods AAR

Ive been off the forum for a while but here is the latest translation for Axel's AAR:

The two other companies face the place from where the enemy should arrive. The company D, refuses the side on the line of our line, vis-a-vis the road. A group of one of other companies is sent ahead as a rifleman, as well as the riders on the road. Without awaiting much time, the first shootings are made hear with far. Little by little the detonations are done closer. Lastly, the riflemen and the riders join the line… they arrive. Of my position I see only the back of our principal line as our staff which has to recover the riflemen to form a reserve. The guy seem to hold good and to give wire to retordre to the yanks. For what I hear and see, the latter are blocked in the small gully vis-a-vis us. However the reserve is engaged and our 2nd group are sent to reinforce the line which receives the shock. My group is the only one not to be committed. The blue ones are withdrawn. Victoire of short duration. A new attack is profiled. A company goes even on the road to range of my rifle. They wanted to flank us by the road… they are received. This engagement finishes even more quickly than the precedent. The line is reorganized. Our group finished in reserve. But nothing any more moves. I see several victims in our rows and of many blue uniforms lengthened in the forest. Some men leave to research food and ammunition on the corpses. We have not been supplied any more for 2 days and the bags start with all to be empty. Only some riflemen still face. Little by little, the men are demobilized of their station to establish the camp and to seek water. This night, we will sleep with the shelter because the rain threatens. A carriage drawn by four oxen arrives on the sand way. In the coast it ensable. The colonel calls men to help to push. We arrive there but the carriage engages rather badly in this curved road. He threatens to rock and a wheel to break. Only one solution, to empty it of its contents: straw, ammunition, water and food. Hardly the first withdrawn bale of straw, a head appears! Here is our Edouard brave man discovered. Without this situation of the carriage, it would be unperceived past. No the chance for him. It well quickly is put under good guard and connected at a tree. Fortunately it is not too badly treated for its escape. The colonel is a lenient man. Once the released carriage, the colonel reforms the battalion. Discreetly, the company D and another are reformed behind whereas the 3rd company opens fire on the riflemen. The lieutenant-colonel seems to want to draw aside any danger to the night by taking the initiative on the federal ones while passing to the attack by circumventing them. We must respect the instruction of silence during our progression. Fortunately, the shootings sporadic on the basis of our camps draws sufficiently the attention of the enemy. After this strolls in forest where the progression is difficult, we arrive on the side of a federal company which does not have any idea of the surprise that we reserve to him. They become aware of our presence at the time when the line is reformed. They do not have time to face which two fires of company theirs are struck. Our officers want to push the advantage while advancing towards them to carry a fatal blow to them. But the men cannot be contained and soon all the line charges in their direction. The federal company is folded up. I manage to finish the loading of my rifle, and I notice that I am a little close only and that our two companies are separate… vis-a-vis several strengthened companies. The company D faces the enemy colors. Our first sergeant pushes us to benefit from the enemy disorganization and to capture the flag. But the torpor disappeared at the federal ones and the shootings make many victims. I see Régis falling among the different one. I fold up myself with other men, surroundings half of our company. On my left, I see our other company and the colonel to be made charge. I hesitate to join to me to them in a desperate plight or to escape… the instinct of survival takes the top. And then, a dead soldier is not useful any more for the confederation. While moving back vis-a-vis the enemy, we gather the remainders of our company. The captain misses with the call, our first sergeant also and several soldiers among whom the corporal the Feather and the Régis soldier. Our second sergeant gathers us because the northerners saw us, and it is necessary to save what there is still to save. On the driving way with the camp, we find our captain and the colonel. No the sign of the other company before re-examining some heads known with the camp After a call, it seems that 6 men miss on our premises and ten in the other company. Fortunately, the Yankees do not push with their advantage. They offer even talks. They authorize so that we give to the prisoners a cover and them gum blanket. The colonel hoped to obtain their release. But the prisoner exchanges became rare since they are prohibited in north. The men who return to have carried the effects of the prisoners are carrying good and bad news. My friends of French Mess are in life, but the federal ones are numerous. New rations are distributed. We learn, that in spite of our reduced manpower, our company is of guard for the night. The “remainder” of the french mess has the shift of 2:30 hour to 5:30. Moreover I go voluntary for one hour an additional shift at the beginning of evening during which I am made sermonize because I had lain down with the shelter whereas the guard must be carried out upright, the weapon with the arm to avoid falling asleep. Fortunately that William brings an hot meal to me. The evening is short, it is necessary to benefit from each minute to recover because the night will be even shorter.

[ohpkirk]

Re: Into The Piney Woods AAR

During the parlais after the Federals gained a significant amount of Confederate pow's, Fred Baker told me that they had removed Silas' banjo and hid it and for me to mess with Silas about it.

So when the Major and I were in the process of taking blankets and groundsheets to our men that had been taken prisoner I casually asked aloud to a company of men if anyone there had been missing a banjo. A enthusiastic reply of 'Yes!' was the answer. Silas then came to me and asked if I had his banjo...I replied that I had 'a' banjo and it belonged to none of the Lousisiana troops atop of the hill.

He described his banjo, and I said that it may be the one we have...but I would start piecing it out and sending it over a piece at a time in trade for prisoners.

"Your banjo has five pegs and five strings.....each is worth something."

He scoffed at the idea of a trade for the POW's so I told him that if we did not start recieving our men back it would be pieces of the head that he got as proof that we had it.

That night I told Col. Walker (Frank Aufmuth) that of of the Federal officer's thinks that we have his banjo and that we may be able to use it for leverage.

At 6am the next morning the sargent of the guard came and got the Major (Phil Graf) and informed him that there was an officer being held at the lines that wished to speak about a prisoner exchange. The Major then went and spoke to the officer...who turned out to be Silas. Silas asked for his banjo in trade for the prisoners, the major informed him that we didn't have a banjo. Silas and his guard then returned to their lines. 15-30 minutes later Silas and his guard returned and again asked for the banjo in trade. This time Col. Walker and I decided to have some fun at Silas' expense. We filled a burlap bag full of tinder with one long piece sticking out to be the neck of the banjo. As we went to speak to Silas about his terms I stood back some in the shadows so that he couldn't tell it was a bag of wood. The Col. asked if he had our prisoners for exchange and when Silas said that he didn't, the Col. nodded to me and I grabbed the 'banjo' by its 'neck' and beat the hell out of it against a tree and threw it on the ground. Silas claimed later that he knew it wasn't his banjo...but his face said otherwise. I picked up the bag and he looked in it and said 'Just what I thought...firewood.'

We then told him that it had been taken from his camp and was secured.

Thats the banjo story from the CS perspective.

[NewHopeChurch]

Re: Into The Piney Woods AAR

That's equal parts dastardly and hilarious.

[Michael Comer]

Re: Into The Piney Woods AAR

Frank told me the banjo story on the ride home. I thought it was a pretty good trick. Just glad I wasn't on the receiving end of such duplicity.