Into The Piney Woods AAR

[Pvt_Sullivan]

Well, the event ended a day earlier due to impending rain and cold of biblical proportions and after having to evacuate what I was told were 5 casualties during the night of 12-13 March. Good Call Fred and Tom.

From my spot in the front rank, next to the colors...

This was a great event and everything it was billed to be. We were hot, sweaty, hungry, angry, dirty, tired, foot-sore, wet, cold and happy. All of this in four days of precious memories we'll have for the rest of our lives.

More to follow...

[lthull3rdla]

Re: Into The Piney Woods AAR

I was feeling bad for you fellers.. I live here in shreveport and was well aware of what March can do weather-wise. Glad y'all had some fun though and wish I was healthy enough to have tried to be with you.

Ronnie - Shreveport

[LindaTrent]

Re: Into The Piney Woods AAR

It'll be Wednesday before Hank gets home. He took Amtrak which comes into our depot three times a week, which means he'll be home Wednesday, so... I'll just say that when he called today he asked me to report that he had a great time! He may dictate something to me over the weekend, when he calls, if not it will be Wednesday before he'll be able to post an AAR. Of course, he went civilian. :)

Linda.

[tmdreb]

Re: Into The Piney Woods AAR

He certainly had some fun at our expense!

Former Major, 28th Louisiana recreated

[AndrewGrim]

Re: Into The Piney Woods AAR

The Cart Crew had some disasters, and had to self evacuate, with the cart. At some point the photos of what we overcame will get posted.
As of now I'm tired, finally warm, sore, and ready to go back.

[Johnny Lloyd]

Re: Into The Piney Woods AAR

As I write this, I'm still here in Alexandria at a Quality Inn waiting for my flight at 0615 tomorrow back to LaGuardia. I'm worn-out, but the strength is returning. I'm cleaning/drying gear here in the hotel room.

The rain got harder here last night and it got colder but it is a bit warmer this morning. By 'warm' I mean no windchill factor, but the same temperature. I definitely agree with the closing of the event a day early- we would have had more very sick people had it not been done in this weather. Kudos to the event organizers there- making a command decision and sticking with it.

I had fun... plain-and-simple. I met more new people that I have wanted to meet in-persone instead of over the keyboard. We laughed, cried, got bored, froze and helped one-another... sometimes with people that we had never even met up until that week and sometimes with old friends.

Guys, the "Disney Magic" happened again because we as a community came-together in love for the hobby and personal caring for each other as we always do... did ya'll feel it this week? I sure did.

Wow, I love this hobby! Ain't nothin' like it in the world... :D

I'll write a more descriptive AAR later when I'm back at home. -Johnny Lloyd

[Michael Comer]

To Company F

I wanted to take a moment and compliment the men of Company F. Boys, I was incredibly impressed with all of you. As 1st Lt., I had a lot of opportunity to just observe the workings of the company and it was really something to see. You probably didn't notice it because you were in the middle of it but for someone on the outside so to speak, there was a lot to observe.

My hat is off to the NCO's. You guys were, without a doubt, the most professional group I have ever had the chance to work with and I can not compliment you enough. Orderly Sergeant Will Eichler,2nd Sergeant Perry Schofield, 3rd Sergeant Andy Roscoe, Corporal Charles Mathis, Corporal Eric Selwig, Corporal Gus Wimmer-Brown and Corporal Christian Jebb - you boys are on my permanent roll of honor.

To the privates - you were very impressive. The discipline, esprit and cohesiveness you displayed made me proud to be tagging along with you. I never heard anyone complain about an assigned duty, shirk a responsibility or fail to do and be where they were needed.

My thanks to each of you. Because of you fellows, I will have excellent memories of this event.

[LindaTrent]

Re: Into The Piney Woods AAR

He may dictate something to me over the weekend when he calls. :)

The following is from Hank:

"When I heard that the civilians were supposed to be fleeing ahead of the retreating army, I asked for and received permission to head a group of civilians to do exactly that, travel on foot the whole 31 miles carrying their food and everything from the start, fleeing from "Cloutierville" to "Nachitoches." Our group of five started Monday evening from Cane Camp and camped a mile or two down the trail. Tuesday night we camped a few hundred yards beyond the creek where the army camped, and all went well till the Colonel's servant came to see if we had any milk. No, but while talking to him we found he might want to run away and we offered to help, while I secretly planned to sell him in Shreveport and keep the money. He turned us in to the colonel and we had to talk our way out of that with the end result that we were told not to be caught inside the lines again or we'd be shot.

"So we increased our pace and after that, camped a mile or so ahead. One of our group dropped out overnight with sore feet but rejoined us the next day with the news that the slave had finally run away, so we looked for him on the way unsuccessfully. After a couple days walking in the empty woods we met another group with a handcart that had gone several miles but finally were stranded with one member with a broken finger, another with a hurt knee, and a confederate straggler with sore feet. They said they'd been headed to meet a Mrs. Lawson.

"A little further on, we met another group camped in a log lean-to, who'd been run out of their home like us. We planned to camp a half mile or so from them but when two of them suspiciously followed us, we decided to go on further and met Mrs. Lawson camped along the roadside. Knowing the handcart folks wouldn't make it to her and seeing she was alone, we decided to camp with her and she shared some delicious meat pies and other goodies.

"The next morning with about 5-6 miles to go, the other four in my group decided to quit due to the cold, wet, sore muscles, etc, and take a shortcut out with Mrs. Lawson. We'd agreed beforehand that if any of our group needed to drop out, after arrangements were made to safely get them out, the rest would continue, to take advantage of this unique chance to finish the 31 mile loop. I never expected everyone would drop out but me, but I was still fine, so there was no reason for me to deviate from the original plan. Mrs. Lawson and I still thought a squad of soldiers at least were continuing. I toyed with the idea of waiting at Friday's campsite a couple of miles on and getting conscripted, but wasn't sure who would arrive and what they'd want to do, so decided just to finish the last 5-6 miles all at once and complete the loop a day early. I arranged to check in at the Friday campsite with Mrs. Lawson and then meet the rest of my civilian group at Cane Camp, and started on the trail. The fords were only ankle deep despite the drizzle, and the storm hit after I was on the last ridge so it just made some annoying mud but no problems. I arrived at Cane Camp a little before noon, surprised to learn the event was cancelled and I was the only participant to have the chance to do the whole 31 miles, thanks to the luck of being ahead of the army.

"From my view, this was almost a perfect event, well organized, challenging but doable. No cameras or the usual farbisms, everyone in character, just an excellent experience of life fleeing from the army in the piney woods."

Hank Trent

[Amos]

Re: Into The Piney Woods AAR

Dear Henry,
I will take pen in hand to tell you of the trials of the last week. We got word Sunday last that Banks and his horde were moving north. The Martins decided to head for Arkansas where Mr Martin has kin. I set out for Natchitoches but hadn't gone very far when a couple of men set upon me and robbed me of my shotgun and Fathers pepperbox pistol. I should be thankful thats all they took I'm guessing.
Monday I met some locals that I know and as they were as pooly equiped as I we decided to travel together. It was Willy Sheahan (sp) (Hank) his sister Mrs Crouch ( Janet) and their landlady Mrs Mathias ( Nicolette). Later in the day we met up with a fellow who said he was from Wisconsin who was looking for his folks that lived in Cloutierville. His name was Woodson ( Kyle) and Willy knew his folks so he joined with us. We camped along the road and started early Tuesday morning. The road wasn't too hard but we took our time in deference to the ladies and found a place to camp with good water. Mr Woodson had gone down to the creek and came back rather quickly saying he saw some men down there. Willy and I went down to check and found our soldiers coming in to make camp at the creek. We went and talked to the officer in charge and told him we had a couple of ladies in camp and he assured us we'd have no trouble with his men. We visited with some of the men, some of whom spoke only French and some were Englishmen can you believe. They seemed a hardy bunch of men and I keep one hand on my wallet at all times having heard how soldiers steal but didn't have any problems with them.
We returned to camp to eat and were sitting talking when the Col's servant came into camp asking for milk which we found amusing as we didn't have a cow. Then he asked for canned milk! We laughed and told him this was Louisiana and if there was any canned milk about, it was with the yankees. Then Willy started talking to him about him running off and coming with us. He even tried to get Mrs Mathias to go down and say he was one of her slaves that run off but she refused. I told Willy that if he continued with his plan that I'd go my own way in the morning. I thought it was over so I went to bed. I was finally drifting off to a good place when a commotion at the ladies bedding woke me. I went to see what was going on and found armed soldiers there and it was all noise and confusion. When I asked what was happening, I was placed under arrest. I asked what for and they said the slave said that I was trying to get him to run away. ME!? I was hot I tell you. We were all taken to the soldiers camp. Mrs Mathias was protesting when some big fellow jumped up and yelled at her to shut her mouth. That was too much for me so I came to her defense. Well the big fellow start talking about having me shot and twirling his knife in my face. He didn't know a couple of things about me though. A man my age don't have much to fear at my time in life and I had my belt knife in my hand hid in my belt. It would have been the end of me but he would have found out about the knife when he got 6 inches of blade in the belly. It didn't come to that as they found the knife when they tied my hands sad to say. There was much jawing going on and I told some of them soldiers if I ever got loose I was going to gut that slave like a deer and hang him by his heels from a tree limb. Luck would have it that the Sheriff from Natchitoches was there and he knew Mrs Mathias and her family. They finally let us go and the Col. told us he didn't want to see us ever again.
I'm tired so I'll finish the tale in the morning.

Your Brother
Amos Porter

[BrianHicks]

Re: Into The Piney Woods AAR

To the 12 Prisoners we hosted on the Federal side of the lines on Wed. Night, I hope you enjoyed the hot meal, and the pleasant rest all of you got. The offer still stands if any of you would like to take the oath of allegiance to the Federal Govt.

[Old Reb]

Re: Into The Piney Woods AAR

Being that I was friends with some of the officers in the Federal ranks due to the fact I had delt with them in the trade of cotton and had just a month earlier enjoyed a fine cigar and whiskey at one of the gentleman's clubs in New Orleans with them, I could freely visit their camp. I saw one of the captured rebs and knew him to be the son of a friend of mine and asked him if I could do anything for him and he replied that his whiskey and pipe were back in the reb camp. I arranged that these items be brought to him and I trust he faired well.

[Stephen Johns]

Re: Into The Piney Woods AAR

I enjoyed the event and only wish that we could have finished it. Our mess stayed pretty dry and even managed to get some sleepThursday evening. My thanks goes out to Tom and Fred and the rest of the Hornets for hosting such a fine event.

Regards,

[Old Reb]

Re: Into The Piney Woods AAR

Stephen,
I know that the rebs, and the Texians in particular, were living and eating better than they did at home, and had no concern for their ability to tolerate a little spit of rain. In truth, I could not bare hearing the French fellows sing one more night.

[Amos]

Re: Into The Piney Woods AAR

I'll finish my story now, though I won't do it in a letter to my brother like before. I'm still not with it after the 16 hour suicide run from Texarkana to Pittsburgh.

After our dust up with the Army we decided we'd better pull out early Wednesday morning. We were waiting for the ladies to get packed when the cav came by, which rushed us quite a bit. The cav had stopped a short way past our camp and we started by but were held up by one trooper whom army chow or too much oh be joyful didn't sit well with. He was leaning against a tree doing the hurrah without the h. We finally got by and set off. We didn't waste any time wanting to stay as far in front of the soldiers as possible. We finally decided we were far enough ahead and took a break at a creek with good water. After a short while the cav showed up and were very pleasent and helpful. Then the soldiers came into view. Well, we packed up quick and crossed the creek and started up this long,long sand hill. Ever so often one of us would ask "are they coming?" Yes was always the answer. That hill was a killer! :baring_te
Somewhere going up the hill I twisted my back, and I had put thinner socks on in the morning and my feet were getting badly blistered. When we came to the hard road, I told everyone that I was slowing them down and to go on without me. I don't think I've ever been so sad at an event as when I saw my little group going on without me.
When the soldiers showed up, I talked to Tom and he said that I could be brought back out in the morning if I wanted. I got a ride back to Cane with Hank ( thanks Hank, Phil and Nita!!!!!!). I lanced my blisters before going to bed and Phil brought me back in the morning.
Looking at the trail I didn't see any sign that my group had come down it, so I left some sign for them and waited. After about 20-30 minutes they came around the bend. Man was I happy :D For a cover story I told them I had meet up with a straggler who told me that the Col's man had run off and later I caught sight of him and had been tracking him. Well, that got Willy to scheming again :wink_smil
As the day went on we saw we were catching up with the hand cart people and finally saw them at a hard road. My hats off to them for taking that cart over those trails. We spent some time with them, but couldn't help so we moved off.
Later we ran into another group of civilians who seemed set up well. As it had started raining we moved on and came to the bridge over a large creek. Hank and Kyle saw the men from the last group had followed us, so we moved up the road being unsure of their intent. That's when we got lucky. We found Mrs Lawson camped on the side of the road and made our camp with her. Because of Mrs Lawson's kindness and hospitality Thursday night Nicolette called her an Angel. That she was, the Angel of Kisatchie.
Hank, Kyle and I made up a fly out of a painted cloth and a strip of canvas and the ladies were under Mrs Lawson's setup. During the hard rain overnight the seam between the painted cloth and canvas kept coming open and dumping about a quart of cool refreshing rainwater on me from my ankles to my shoulders about every hour. By morning I was a mess. I thought I'd be fine but everyone else thought otherwise. They wrapped me in a dry blanket and Mrs Lawson, Kyle and I walked to her car, and went back and got Janet and Nicolette. Hank continued on as we didn't know the event was over. Hank made it back to Cane, so alls well that ends well.

Great event! Thanks to Tom and Fred for letting us do the entire loop. Janet, Nicolette, Kyle and Hank were great. We seemed to jell on Monday night and hit the ground running on Tuesday. I'd love a chance to do another event with all of them.
The dustup with Del on Tuesday night threw a new twist on everything and changed the way we looked at the CS troops. I know I didn't want to give Frank a chance to have me shot!
Adam, I hope the ankle is doing better. Wish I could have talked to you under better circumstances.
I know when I woke up this morning, I'd had dreams about being chased up endless sandhills and getting waterboarded by the Bayou Yeti. When can we do it again?

Chuck "Amos" Reynolds
Amos Porter

[Old Reb]

Re: Into The Piney Woods AAR

Chuck,
As I read various reports from the civilians I have almost pieced together where everyone was at various times. The large bridge over the rather large bayou pinpointed it pretty well. When I hiked through there prior to BGR it was after a rather heavy rain the day before. That bridge was sitting on dry land having been washed there by high waters. As you can vouch, that is a rather hefty bridge and that indicates it took some mighty high water with force behind it to move it. I was worried that if the water got high that bridge might be moved again and the bottoms would be impassable. Well, everything worked out right. It was good having the interaction with your civilian group. Wish there could have been more. Wish I could have delivered that letter to Nicollete. Maybe some other time. Remember, vote for me in the next election.