From the Ranks
This young man spent his ‘leave at home’ with us at TR. He is stationed in Afgh.. Please keep him in your prayers until he comes home again to join us!
James Burnett: finally made it to the reenactment. already did one skirmish, its AWESOME!
James Burnett November 23 at 6:48am Report
Mr. Crowder, I wanted to say thank you again for your support and appreciation. I fly back today, well technically just ATL, and then from there back over to the ‘stan. I hope you have wonderful holidays soon to come, and look forward to seeing you again on the field.
James
Feb. 27, 1862
Captain M. Maurier
Assistant Inspector General
Camp near Collierville
Sir,
On the above date while performing as sentry while the main force was engaged and away from camp, Private Ritchie of the 10th. Missouri Cavalry U.S. detected and sounded the alarm on an approaching cavalry unit.
Although the unit proved to be a federal patrol, his quick action allowed a defense of the camp to be assembled.
His actions were commendable and soldierly and reflect well upon his command.
We would like to make his actions known and would ask that his appointed officers be apprised of his laudable behavior.
Report for Night Patrol for Nov. 12, 1862
Captain Robert Lineweber
14th. Regiment Mo. Vol. Inf.,
Birge’s Western Sharpshooters
On the night of Nov. 12 I led a night patrol to the rebel lines. My command consisted of 10 Sharpshooters including myself. We left our lines at approximately 7:30pm and reached the RC at approximately 8:00pm. We encountered no pickets or patrols and were able to enter the enemy camps and move about at our leisure. My advance guard/scouts consisted of Sgt. Todd Koster, Pvt. Andy __________, Pvt. Charle Dunn. They pushed into camp and approached the same tent fly where we had visited the officer’s call from the night before. I remained with my reserve waiting to move in and assist Sgt. Koster if needed. After a few moments Sgt. Koster returned with his command and notified me of the incident involving the ?? _of the pistol and the poor behavior of the other officers. I took my command to the crossroads for the rebel artillery camp and ordered my men to fire one volley and blow our whistles. We then returned to camp without being pursued.
Respectfully submitted
Captain Robert Lineweber
W.S.S.
Affidavit for Night Patrol
14th. Reg’t. Mo. Vol. Inf.
Birge’s Western Sharpshooters
Night patrol, Nov. 12,
Birge’s WSS
We made it to the CS camp. They had no pickets. Sgt. Kostor and I proceeded into their camp with Charlie along behind. We chose to “visit” the officers tent instead of proceeding into the main camp with port of arms we entered the officers fly. We were greeted by “get your asses out of here”. This was repeated several times. One of the “gentlemen” seated quickly stood and leveled a revolver directly at us at a distance of 3-4 feet. We were threatened with an hour in the stockade followed by the same “get your asses out of here”. Our response was to leave with port of arms. They turned on modern flashlights and the officers followed up continuing his rude comments. We left not wanting to cause any confrontation.
Sgt. Todd Koster
Pvt. Andrew _ Br___________
Pvt. Charlie Dunn
Generals Way and Crowder,
Gentlemen, I want to take this opportunity to send my heartfelt appreciation for all the both of you did to make the Twin Rivers Campaign a resounding success. Having been involved in hosting an event myself, I know what kind of effort is required in putting on a reenactment event. All to often those who work are not thanked. Personally, I believe Twin Rivers was one of the best if not the best event that I have ever done. All of the men of the 31st Tenn. Infantry that attended agreed that it was top notch. Again thank you and please forward my thanks to all that were involved.
Lt. Col. Rick Ragle
Subject: RE: Mayor’s experience
Thank you for both replies. The folks of Dover are eager for our next event. We will be a prescence at Wilson Creek. Many of the folks this past weekend want to attend, and I firmly believe the numbers will expand. I will be glad to assist you anyway I can. And again, great looking forces this weekend.
By the way, Nathan Stark and I had a moment of fun. We thought seriously about having Nathan take your Contraband as his property and into the woods. I do believe that if that had happened, the Federal might would have actually pulled down my town, not just virtually. My b@#$s are not as big as I thought.
Mayor Robt. Orrand
From: Donna Taylor
Just a few personal notes on the Twin Rivers Campaign.
For me it was an excellent adventure, fighting almost constantly, day and night Thursday through Sunday..
The 8th distinguished themselves under the leadership of Captain Wood. When on the field the dismounted cav,8th and 10th Ill and 2nd US placed under the command of Capt. Linewebers sharp shooters, worked together well. To the pride of the entire Union Army, one night Capt Lineweber and sharpshooters captured the entire Confederate Command. That really put a bee in their bonnet…. On the last 2 days I was placed in command of dismounted. On Sunday the dismounted cav force along with sharpshooters made a final assault on Fort Donelson. From our cover in the woods, the sharpshooters took out gun crews. After 2 attempts at taking the hill we prevailed and “took the dirt”. The 8th was the 1st into the trenches(The Schwartz) with 2 -16 year olds, Ian of the 10 Il. and Prvt. Roby. Looking back the rest of the command was dead or wounded on that hill. We 3 held the trenches in our sector and denied the enemy their use. At the end 3 guns were taken and many prisoners. For the entire campaign we took 6 guns many prisoners and many accolades and respect for the 8th Ill Cav. A highly regarded view of the 8th Il Cav. is a great thing to hear from other units, friend and foe alike.
On Sunday morning the memorial was held for the known and unknown soldiers buried under a large tree. Both armies were present and a group of slaves we had freed, while under fire, from Dover just 2 days prior were grouped near the officers and officials at the tree. One of former slave girls sang the Battle Hymn of the Republic. It was the finest rendition and understanding of that song I have ever heard. She sang like an angel, there were tears of pride among many strong men that day. It gave me a new perspective on what we do and why we were there. It will stay with me forever.
I would like to thank Rob for making us and the Horses comfortable.
Although our numbers were small we were mighty.
We few, We happy few. Everyone in the 8th take pride in those who represented you for you were represented well, very well.
Schwartz
P.S. Fortunately no wolverines were encountered.
Subject: Many Thanks to You, Sir
General Crowder:
My hat is off to you and your staff for a fine experience at Twin Rivers this past weekend. We cannot thank you enough for the hard work you put in to make the event fly, especially after the site change was necessitated. Having been impressed with the Collierville site last year, I find it hard to believe that the alternate site was actually head and shoulders above the original site in many, many ways.
Thank you for taking good care of my little battalion. Our needs were met, and we very much enjoyed supporting all the “real” Yankees. My only regret is that we weren’t there in the numbers I originally expected.
Though it was really unnecessary, you proved once again that you are a solid commander and a man of your word. It was an honor to support your efforts.
I want you to know that our little band had a fine time. My thanks and compliments to you and your devoted staff.
Y.O.S.,
Dave Neel
Bill Neikirk
Just a quick up date. This was one of the BEST event I have been to in a long
time. We never lacked for anything and have never fought as many battles in one
weekend as this. My hats off to the event people, Col Neal, and our pards in the
battalion. For those of you that didn’t go, You missed the best. You wont want
to miss any of the other big event in 2011. CH
PS. It was worth the trip just to see James Tittle, Moon the Confederates during
the battle
From: Ginger Ryals
Subject: Twin Rivers – Dayton Daily News – Ohio
Hi, Terry and Mike,
I’m sending this email to both of you because I need information on the battle asap for a story that will be printed in the Thanksgiving Day edition of the Dayton Daily News (DDN) here in Dayton, Ohio.
I got some good photos from the battles, and when I called the DDN they sent me to a local editor, as the paper runs special stories about local people in their parts/suburbs of Dayton. Today I got a call, they really like the photos and want to move the story to the holiday paper, but will need to know particulars about the battle. Our son being so young and a local boy, it’s a heartwarming story and they’re going to celebrate it by doing a feature story.
The editor wanted to know the meaning of the banner that Sam carried for the General and what the General’s name was. I don’t know how many photos they will use. The editor wants to print more than one, to show the larger picture, so I’m attaching for you the photos that they have chosen. Please can you let me know the names of the men in the photo and who they played, if there were civil war persons depicted?
Sam may be asked to give a presentation to his boy scout troop and to younger classroom students in our area and so he’ll need anything else you might think important, such as how many soldiers died in that battle, etc.
I took somewhere between 200-300 photos over the three days and can mail you a cd if you’d like.
Thank you for letting Sam be part of the Twin Rivers reenactment. The last thing he said before he fell asleep in his own bed when we got home was “Thanks for taking me, mom. It was as great as you said it was going to be, and even better.”
Ginger Ryals
From: Tom Thompson
Subject: Col Crofutt
Terry, great event!! I will be sending some pictures later. The one I’m enclosing is one of Col. Crofutt and I can’t remember the buglars name. They come and sat with us around our campfire for a while saturday night. Anyway I can’t find his e-mail. Thanks again for a wonderful weekend.
Tom
From: Jeff Finn
Subject: Twin Rivers Event
Terry,
This is Jeff Finn who was with Captain Cal Kinzers 24th Missouri (Union) under command of Colonel Don Gross of the Frontier Brigade. I just wanted to say I thought the Twin Rivers Event was excellent. I appreciate all the hard work you and your staff did to make it all happen. I thought the battles were great, camping sites were excellent and the weather was pretty good. I also would like to tell you that my Great Great Great Grandpa Private Sylvester Pea was in the 41st Illinois Infantry (McClerlands Division) and fought at Fort Donelson on the far right flank. Of course they were the ones who were first hit by the Confederates early on the morning of February 15th 1862. So the Twin Rivers Event was also more sentimental for me. Thank you very much.
Sincerely,
Pvt. Jeff Finn
8th Kansas Vol. Inf
US Frontier Brigade
Hi Col. Crowder,
Just wanted to say how much we appreciated working with you at the Twin Rivers Campaign two weeks ago. I personally appreciate the kind words and actions extended to me in camp and on the battlefield.
We all know of much of the work that you put into that event to make it work but I am certain that no one will ever know all of it. We had plenty of all that we needed in camp and there was certainly no shortage of action and fighting!
Again, thank you for everything and the respect that you showed to us and all reenactors.
Mark Choate
7th TN. Cav. Co. D
Terry.
Stepped up, filled a very messy vacuum, redefined a new direction for the FFD and western theater reenacting, organized and led an exciting, well supplied and run event despite, ah… site setbacks.
Gave the officers the latitude and support to use their skills and such tools as were at hand to solve their own problems.
And not only that, simultaneously managed to get a schedule for the 150th defined and, to large measure, implemented.
I dunno how many guys realize what an accomplishment that last one really is.
I clearly remember Mark Dolive telling me, and repeating it over and over in different ways in his departing communiques, “Its all about schedule, schedule, schedule.”
I didn’t quite understand that at the time…but it is sure as hell getting clearer and clearer to me as we go along.
My sincere compliments to you.
-Maurier
I had a great time. Even the rain, sprained ankle and knee and broken foot did not ruin it for me.
I agree that the tacticals were the highlight. It was nice to have cavalry used correctly. We acted as scouts, flankers and rear guard for the infantry. We sought out the enemy and worked to lore them in. We worked on the flanks to protect the artillery and infantry. We plugged the holes and pursued the enemy.
The rations were great. Yes, we did get our apples! We made some great stew over the fire. We just had to add meat.
It was nice to have an event where we did not just drill, sit in camp and wait for the one battle a day. I hope this new format continues.
My hat’s off to the whole team that put this together. I appreciate all the hard work they put into making it a good event. I could not even complain about the provost, he was too nice a guy and the rules were reasonable.
Regards,
Barry Smithson
Ok, My spin. This was my first “National” event. I traveled there with 3 other members of our unit. We were all very impressed with the numbers and activities at the event. There were more than plentiful rations, and the setting was just great along with the tacticals that were done. I only had one regret, I did not bring my mount Gracie, Her and Jack will make the rest of the national events.
It was also really great to hook up with the main unit of the 3rd Tn Cavalry. We re kindled some old friend ships and made some new ones too. We are looking to Wilson’s Creek next summer. It was a great event.
Kevin Wright
I would like to give a hearty thanks to all the personnel who made this event a success, expecially the volunteers who were instrumental in making sure all of us “out of towners” were settleled in and when we were ready to leave got us out with little trouble. We are already looking forward to the next time we can come to another event here.
The plentiful stockpiles of cabbage, taters, onions, carrots, apples and oranges made for some tasty camp stews that kept us warm during the rainy nights. Much apprecieated by all.
Perhaps a night battle during a future event would be a option to cosider for public attention/draw, specifically in defense of the Fort.
Would have been nice to have gotten a powder ration for the amount of rounds that were expended, but not a show stopper just means I shall plan ahead……
All in all, it was a major success from my limited point of view. Thanks again/
Roby Evans
46th Mississppi Infantry
12th Louisiana Infantry
From our somewhat limited field of vision from behind the cavalry line between us and the town, the only infantry we saw were Confederates forming, unmolested, outside the treeline opposite the town. Granted, we did see some Federals enter the town on foot on the right, but they appeared to be dismounted cavalry, as they had yellow rank stripes on their NCO’s. That ain’t infantry.
What has puzzled the bejesus out of a number of us infantry pukes is that, with the Reb infantry obviously assembling a fully functional line of battle on the other side of the town, why did the cavalry continue to sit, motionless, between us and them, until they poured through the town, instead of moving off to the flanks of the infantry line, as we have been led to believe is proper for such a situation, so that we could contend with them.
Not only did the delay in movement of the cavalry prevent us from occupying the town and denying it to the enemy, but when they finally did move, it was not until the Confederate line was nearly reformed on the near side of the town, preventing the Federal infantry from taking advantage of their disorganized state to safely put fire on them before they could return fire en-masse.
We won’t even begin to discuss the utter silliness of the following order for the entire Federal infantry line to do a march by the right flank off the field with an organized Confederate line of battle pouring volley after volley into our exposed left flank from less than 30 yards away.
I may have been only a lowly private in the ranks, but I was not a stupid one.
Bernard Biederman
Stand to Horse by David Wright