Major Pete Stoddard, Chief of Artillery

Subject: After Action Report — Twin Rivers campaign — 16 November 2010

This past weekend, artillery units of the first federal division were deployed for use to support combined federal forces attacking the confederate Fort Donelson. Federal units deployed included the 2nd Illinois Light, the Chicago Light, Taylor’s battery-Illinois, Battery I – Minnesota Light, the Muddy River battery, the 1st Missouri Light, and the 3rd Kansas Light. Guns included Parrott rifles, 6# and 12# Napoleons, Ordinance rifle, and mountain howitzers — the howitzers being mobile units.

Most of the units were in camp and ready for action for Friday’s battles — (2) tactical battles were planned. Unfortunately, the use of static artillery in tactical battles is very hard to pull off and the battles quickly moved away from the artillery line established earlier Friday morning. Units were only able to fire (3) rounds at distant targets and the Rebel guns/infantry were never seen. The use of artillery in static battles in future events will have to be reviewed and planned more carefully — or just not include them in the highly mobile tactical battles………

On Saturday, the guns were deployed in the Federal center and the guns were able to support combined forces’ attacks on both the right flank and left flanks as numerous assaults were made on the fort. During the scripted battle, reb forces left the planned scenario and came out of the fort and enveloped the federal left flank at which time my position with the guns was open and the guns were overrun by reb infantry and cavalry. Very close cooperation between the federal and reb commanders made the overrun events safe and the spectators — a mere 10–20 yards away — got quite a show as the union and confederate forces went at it from both flanks. Before being overrun, the federal static guns put out a withering fire supporting union troops and most guns fired about 25-30+ rounds during the battle. The (2) mobile guns support the Frontier Brigade troops on the left flank throughout the battle — staying with the infantry assaults on the fort……

On Sunday, the guns were deployed to support the final assault and ultimate capture of the fort. The (2) guns of the Frontier Brigade — the 1st Missouri and the 3rd Kansas, were deployed to directly support the Frontier Brigade infantry and to thwart the upcoming confederate breakout from the fort. Although not directly in the line of fire as Saturday, the federal guns were able to once again get off their shots — again averaging 20-25 rounds during the hour-long battle……..

Many thanks to Terry Crowder and his staff who worked very hard to make this a good event and overall it was a good event to have been part of. My thanks also to all the men and ladies of the artillery units who did all they were asked to do and I feel did a very good job doing what artillery is supposed to do in supporting the infantry and cav units on the field. Though outnumbered 3-to-1 overall, our artillery units held their own against the Confederate artillery units. I would take our folks to any battle on any field and not be outdone by anyone!!!!!!

Overall a good event and one well worth the 600 mile trek that my Kansas/Missouri guys did. Good practice with combined forces (feds and rebs) on the field which will pay dividends for future 150-yr events coming up over the next couple of years!!!!!!! Big Huzzah !!! to Terry and all the organizers of the Twin Rivers event this past weekend!!!!

Humbly submitted……

Peter Stoddard — Major, Chief of Artillery — Army of the Frontier, and 3rd Kansas Light Artillery……