Cavalry Regiment Federal Volunteer Brigade | Civil War Reenacting

(MDL AAR 10/24/09)
>
> FEDERAL VOLUNTEER BRIGADE
>
> FIRST CAVALRY REGIMENT
>
> After Action Report - Cedar Creek, Virginia
> 17th Pennsylvania Volunteer Cavalry, Company F
>
> On or about the 16th of October, members of the company gathered and
> reported as ordered to command at camp near Middletown, Virginia. We
> had been told that the current Shenandoah Valley Campaign was going
> well, but rumor had it that the Southern Army of the Shenandoah was
> poised in the upper valley to give affront to our army laying waste to
> the “bread basket” of the Confederacy. As so many times before, Company
> F was afoot, but rallied to the side our Mounted Ohio comrades.
>
> During our first morning in the field, we incorporated a few new
> recruits into the ranks and performed our customary morning drill afoot
> and coordinated with mounted troopers, acclimating the new men to horse.
> The day was brisk, but fair. The men were ready for whatever beast the
> Rebs should throw at them. In the afternoon of Saturday the 17th, with
> the battalion we marched onto the field with the intent and orders to
> maintain a rearguard for the main Federal Volunteer battalion. For some
> time, we stayed near and held control of a bridge crossing a small
> tributary of Buffalo Marsh Run. Regiments and standards passed through
> our position, but for more than a half hour we kept our line concealed
> in a tree line adjoining the run. We could observe light skirmishing to
> our front, but the main engagement ensued.
>
> In short order, commands were given for the company to shift to the
> right of the battlefield and cover the rear of the Infantry, against the
> desires of our Major. Heavy infantry and Confederate horse were
> developing to the right and threatening to envelope the right flank.
> Another battalion of infantry shifted and skirmished right. As the
> Federal Volunteers clashed directly to our front the men began to
> despair that we would be flanked and we would be routed without a worthy
> chance to repay the enemy. Horse and orders, officers ran hither and
> thither and the action we dreaded, ensued. The Union infantry to our
> right was routed and the bridge lost to a heavy flanking motion of the
> enemy. By this time my command had been split into two squads a fair
> distance apart. It was not possible for me to maintain control of both
> wings due to the distance involved. Confusing orders were flying in all
> directions. And then all Hellfire and damnation flew into our faces.
>
> Our contingent was rear-guarding a creek crossing for the infantry and
> without shedding a hair they made a quick and hasty retreat “from the
> burning bush,” leaving my two squads to face over four brigades,
> numbering more than 400 men. The iron-clad greybacks advanced on us
> quick time. I tried to pull one squad across the creek at a time,
> however the Sargent of the first squad became confused with the orders
> and also pulled his squad across the creek. However, had we not
> expeditiously vacated the premises, there is no doubt in my mind that we
> would have been lost, to the main. As it was, we left several dead and
> wounded to the enemy, in what became an unscrupulous route. Needless to
> say I was much disappointed, however, the winds of war often blow
> against the gallant. When the remnant of our folly managed to fall back
> across the creek, we realized the main force was 50 to 60 yards to the
> rear and is was a mad scramble up the hill and through what gaps we
> could find before I could reform company and assess the damages.
> However, be it the lateness of the day, the slaughter of the day, both
> armies decided to quit the field before any more disaster could befall
> our rag-tag bunch. With the battalion, we returned to camp to refit as
> best we could.
>
> Then we settled in for a fitful night of cold, rain, wind, and general
> discomfort. The camaraderie was reserved but true and fierce of heard.
> During the night some of our troopers were found unfit for further duty
> and sent to hospitals in the rear. A few troopers that had been on
> detached service managed to find us, and yet our numbers did not fully
> recover. But the men were chomping at the bit for another chance to
> redeem their honor from this days debacle.
>
> Come the morning of the 18th, the men were set to servicing their
> weapons and gear. By mid-morning, we were fit and trim, weapons
> inspected and participated in Battalion Parade in support of the
> General. Afterwards I had words with the remaining non-coms and we
> “discussed” the necessity for stripers to remain vigilant and patient to
> command, not becoming caught up in the front line, but orchestrating
> what that line was to do.
>
> By one o’clock in the afternoon, we found ourselves again on the rocky
> fields of Middletown. Just south of the town, the regrouping federal
> army was in array along a low lying ridge top. The artillery was drawing
> in grand array, pikes, ramrods and worms at rest on the axels, awaiting
> the command to lean-to and pull the lanyard. Suddenly from our left
> sprang a small group of horse, among them, loftily waiving his hat was
> none other than lil’ Phil himself. The troops started with a lowing
> cheer, but it soon swelled with the beating of the drums and the
> trumpeting of bugles, the ranks went into column formations, flags
> unfurled and the guns began to roar. After a healthy barrage, the
> troops began to advance in columns through the guns. We fell in behind
> our battalion, once again the rear guard. The men began their cruel
> banter, when I finally told them to buck up, they’d soon have more lead
> coming their way, than they’d ever have a chance to chew.
>
> As the battalion moved forward in companies to front, the Confederate
> line began to wrap around our left. Our platoon swung left into line
> and marched off to the corner and into skirmishing, doing our best to
> force back the enveloping gray line. Soon, the Rebel cavalry was pushed
> back and our mounted troops were to the infantry rear, forcing them to
> retire back on their line, a section of our infantry brigade
> double-quicked from the right and replaced us on the line. Just as we
> quickly reformed, we were thrown back on the left flank as we passed and
> flowed around comely white house, which I learned was owned by the
> Heater family. Hopefully, they had already vacated, but we found out
> later that as ours and other bullets peppered the walls, some of the
> family was quaking in the cellar house.
> The men acquitted themselves grandly. A pat on the back for everyone,
> even those we lost along the way. As the Federal battalions were not
> soon to quit, they redoubled their push up from the Heater ravine and
> onto the adjoining hills. As the battle shifted to the right, we were
> double quicked to the right and placed directly in the front line in a
> gap between 3rd and 2nd battalions, there we finished our push for the
> day amidst cheers and taunting chants.
>
> This day’s action was much different from the previous. Although we
> were run ragged, we were not plagued so by confusion of command. As the
> regiment and battalion learn and flexes it’s muscle, it continues to
> prove itself in the school of war.
>
> Respectfully submitted,
> Marcus D. Lemasters, Capt.
> 17th Pa Vol. Cavalry, Co. F
> Camp Russell, Newtown, Virginia