Friday, 31st March, 2023 - Saturday, 1st April, 2023
This time, my adventures took me on a brief departure from the mainstream side of the hobby, over to what we call the Campaigner side. Here, authenticity is king, from uniform, to equipment, to application. Every aspect of this event was tailored to a specific immersive experience of greatest authenticity, and a full immersion into the period by the living historians participating.
I cannot express or put into words the caliber of this experience or how honored and humbled I was to be a part of it. I had a wonderful experience and am glad to share what I experienced as well as learned along the way!
Brief Event Background & Summation
Ft. Blakeley was one of the final actions of the American Civil War, fought on the same day that General Robert E. Lee surrendered the Army of Northern Virginia at Appomattox Court House. It was an action by the Union to strike out at the deep south and capture Mobile, AL which had become one of the most fortified cities in North America in the late war years. Considered a bastion of the deep south, it was a crucial port for the Confederacy and presented a valuable target for the Union’s effort to crush final resistance within the conflict.
Ft. Blakeley, located north of Spanish Fort, Alabama in Baldwin County, which rests along a portion of the northern eastern shore of the Mobile Bay, would be the key to opening up a route of attack upon the city of Mobile. A western approach would have been much too costly and had seen previous failures. An eastern approach presented a much more logistically viable option for an attack upon the city, and therefore necessitated action upon the defenses at Ft. Blakeley which protected access to a waterway leading into Mobile.
Equipment
Equipment:
For this event, I carried the following items:
Impression - Private - Company D - 83rd Ohio (Second Company)
U.S. Issue Uniform:
Federal Fatigue Blouse - Wambaugh & White Co.
Federal Contract Variant Issue Shirt (Wool) - Wambaugh & White Co.
Federal Issues Trousers - Wambaugh & White Co.
Federal Issue Domet Flannel Shirt - South Union Mills
White Cotton Socks - Regimental Quartermaster
Blue Wool Socks - Regimental Quartermaster
Federal Issue Style Contract Brogan - Sewn Sole - South Union Mills
Federal Bummer - Chase Timony
U.S. Issue Leather Accouterments:
Leather Belt, Springfield Bayonet Scabbard, Cap Pouch, Cartridge Box & Baldrick all Stamped “Springfield Armory” - Unknown Maker
Canteen & Mess Equipment:
Philadelphia Depot issue Canteen - S&S Sutlery
“Harrison Wiley” Haversack - Missouri Boot & Shoe
Canteen Half - Axel Ulrich
Tin Cup - Axel Ulrich
Tin Mucket - Axel Ulrich
1 Sanitary Ration Bag / 1 Salt Bag - 1 U.S. Issue Tobacco pouch- South Union Mills
Assorted home-made poke sacks
Weapon:
1864 “Bridesburg PA Contract” Rifled Musket (Original Item)
Springfield Style Leather Sling - Missouri Boot & Shoe
Springfield Bayonet - Dixie Gun Works
Other Items used:
Emergency Blanket - Family Heirloom Weavers
Ground Cloth / Rum Blanket - Home Made / Private Seller
Blanket Strap - S & S Sutlery
Assorted Poke Sacks - Mostly homemade, with food items and other necessities.
120 Rounds - 60 Grain / Black Powder Loads - Divided into Traditionally Prepared Arsenal Packs
What was in the haversack??
Though told to bring an empty haversack, I brought:
Potatoes (3),
Farm Raised Eggs (2),
1 pd. Rice,
1 pd. Coffee (unground)
1 pd. Beans (Black Eyed Peas)
Desiccated Apple Chips
Deer Jerky
Dried Salted Beef
Cherry Cavendish Tobacco (Corn Cob Pipe)
Lucifer’s (Matches)
Salt / Pepper
Plate / 3 Pronged Fork / Knife
Wood Carved Handle for Canteen Half
Event Arrival & Step Off
We arrived at the event site staging area at 11:45am ready for the weekend. The first task we undertook was to change clothes and check our gear. Everything we would have for the event would need to be carried into the event site on our backs, so a great deal of time had already gone into making sure that our items were period correct and that we didn’t have too much weight on us.
For this event, I was joined by Greg Morgan (1st Sgt.), Levi Jennings (QM Sgt.), and John Heintzelman (1st Cpl.) from the 31st AL / 20th KY. Co. F.
A lesson was indeed destined to be learned however, as I certainly had too much in the way of items that would not be of use for this event. After securing our gear and equipment, we made a very short walk to our staging point besides the stables, where our “squad” took ample time to relax on the ground after having stacked arms. And as any good group of yankees would, we did employ the Casey Manual’s procedure for stacking arms, otherwise known as Casey’s Stack. You may wish to learn more about this task which is exclusively practiced by my company of living historians; thus, I have included a link for your optional review from the Civil War Digital Digest, which has numerous segments regarding period topics Casey's Stack - Vol IV, Episode 16.
Step off commenced shortly after 2:00pm and consisted of five companies formed and marched to the position of the 83rd Ohio, adjacent to that of the Confederate Redoubt # 4.
Once underway, we would march some distance utilizing two different trails at the park as well as a paved road that ran between the two. The trail, quite scenic as it is, follows along the original positions of various companies and regiments present at the siege of the fort. These regiments were elements of the 26th and 28th Corps under the command of Major General Edward R. S. Canby. They were a portion of the 16,000 Federals engaged at Blakeley for the siege. Our march took us along the positions of first, the 34th Iowa, followed by the 37th Illinois, then the 20th Iowa, the 114th Ohio, before arriving at the position of the 83rd Ohio, whom was on their right, under the command of Moore.
Position of the 83rd Ohio along the Union Line facing Redoubt # 4 along the Confederate Fortifications at Ft. Blakeley (about 700 - 800 yards away).
Setting Camp along the Union Lines
We reached the lines of the Union position and immediately set to work with instructions being made to us from our company commanders. Our instructions mostly revolved around the line and our duty to make improvements as possible and in fashion with our mission to preserve the grounds. We would be asked to raise the head logs upon the earthworks by a measurement of 8" Inches. This was to be done without digging and to be accomplished throughout the course of the event prior to the assault on Redoubt # 4.
Initially upon our arrival, Greg and I were tasked to Canteen Detail. We gathered up the canteens of those within our company and went to draw water to fill them. While we tended to the task at-hand, John and Levi were instructed to post along the earthworks and set guard at the line. Shortly after having performed our tasks and returning with filled canteens, we were instructed to begin setting up our camp. At first we took two dog tents, being that of Greg and my own and buttoned them longways together to make a large ground covering. Though I had concerns about the effectiveness of this and instead opted to deploy the fly I had brought, which proved to be a much more comfortable option for us.
The fly was tied from a single pine tree just off the line to an upright pole belonging to Greg and secured by rope we had carried in with us. We fashioned loops as tie-offs and secured the ends of the fly on the corners and each of the two centers to steaks driven securely into the ground.
Greg and myself had memories of our last visit to Blakeley and the quite violent storm that befell all of us at 3:00 in the morning resulting in our ruined camp and figurative washing out. We were determined to avoid a similar fate should such a situation present itself to us on this occasion. We took the now unused dog tents consisting of two shelter halves each and draped one over the end of the fly enclosing it from the elements.
We then set out our ground cloths and determined that the four of us would sleep in a line arranged by the width of the canvas as opposed to length, underneath the fly.
Of our expectations, this arrangement worked quite well and I would add that I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of room with which we had for ourselves and our implements. Another benefit to the location of the fly is that we were established just off of the line and therefore, never had need to venture far from the earthworks or our post.
Night Fight
Our company was ordered off the line and to the front shortly after 12:00am. We moved forward as quietly as possible with the objective of harassing the Confederate advance rifle pit positions and taking prisoners. Our company should here be given some credit as we numbered 14 total and engaged the very well manned rifle pits positioned to the left front of the Confederate Redoubt Works. Initially, we met little resistance in our task. We were divided into two separate squads and engaged with assigned targets having been identified and designated for each squad. We concealed ourselves and numbers rather well with credit being given to the Federal Blue of our uniforms which was not as visible in the pale light of the evening's mostly full moon.
The purpose behind the simulated night tactical was to represent the probing of the Confederate Garrison's defenses for strength and to identify the best point of attack. Our action was also representative of the many exchanges that took places between the forces employed in this contest between the main lines of each army.
To our surprise, and given the unpredictable nature of a tactical scenario, our Confederate Foes, inclusive of the "Shuster's Tigers," and others, deployed from the Confederate earthworks and with haste and presented themselves to our front. They outnumbered us greatly and immediately put us to flight. What followed was a long-drawn out rolling battle across some 500 or so yards of darkened and broken forest, which was more than not polluted with the flashes from rifled-muskets.
I did experience confusion and concern as our only directive was to refrain from capture. As oddly ridiculous at it may sound, I feared greatly for my most prized possession being taken from me, that being my 1864 Bridesburg Contract Rifle, as it is an original implement and was used in the actual war. (Why did I have that with me? Why not, it's in perfect operable condition and I have since completely disassembled and have cleaned it).
As we neared our own lines, we were ordered to make a faint assault upon the enemy's right flank while loudly projecting our voices to give the impression that we were much larger than we actually were. This was to be undertaken in the hopes of slowing their advance as they were about to overrun our center's position. To our surprise, we later learned post event, that they confused us with another company at our event whom actually responded to the "noise taking place" and gave us much needed relief as we retired to a position within our own lines and earthworks.
As for our foes, they advanced to the Union Earthworks, made a brief assault upon them and then promptly retired from the field for the remainder of the night. We were ordered to return to our portion of the line and to there, take rest. The whole of the company promptly retired for the night.
The Morning began with Pickett Duty within the Rifle Pits
The morning came quite quickly and we rose from our bedding with some excitement regarding the possibility of a day full of fighting and action as great as that of the night before. We began our day's work with posted sentry duties, alternating between the wall and the rifle pits beyond. At distance, I cannot give an accurate measurement of how far beyond the main line they are; however, as positioned they give a defensible advantage to the overall position of each forces main line and provided a vantage point for the exchange of the occasional discharge between each sides forces forward deployed.
We were assigned hour long rotations in the rifle pits, and while not there, small tasks such as eating or resting along our earthworks were undertaken, with some of our boys giving care to their riffles with a quick field cleaning. I committed to cleaning my rifle as my first action of the day and would be tasked with a rifle pit assignment in the second rotation. While in the rifle pit, I committed to undertaking some small improvement as instructed by our leadership. This was done by removing soil along the sides of the pit walls, and moving such to the front berm of the pit. Each pit is about three to four feet deep and is the original pit that was constructed by forces during the action at Blakeley.
For much of the morning, we spent time along our line in a defensive position, with only one assault undertaken against our position from the Confederate forces.
The Assault on Redoubt # 4
We commenced an assault on Redoubt # 4 around 3:00 in the afternoon. This action required us to move some 700 yards across uneven terrain that was littered with fallen debris and holes in the soil as well as small marsh, and then impediments created outside of the Confederate Lines, inclusive of stacked brush, and then an abatis with pikes. We covered the ground rather quickly at the double quick march, and picked up speed considerably as we neared the Confederate position. I must admit that I was rather winded by the time I had neared the first of the fortifications obstacles and am very amazed that I managed to cross into the redoubt.
As we swept forward, we came into some resistance at the front of the Confederate Camp to the rear of the works. Here we poured fire into their ranks while sweeping down upon them, breaking them and scattering them into their camp. I did decide that I had found the appropriate time to take a hit and found an officer in gray who gladly obliged me when looking my direction. I was quite glad to be down and off of my feet for a short time before being called back into line. As soon as the whole thing had begun, it was now over. The position was captured in a period of 10 to 15 minutes and the prisoners were detailed to the responsibility of another of the companies in our regiment. As for our company, we were to return to our own lines for rest and relaxation.
Breaking Camp and Retiring from the Field
After returning to our own lines, we broke our camp, having made the decision to leave the event that evening. I must admit, I was more exhausted following this event than just about any other I have ever attended. I am proud that I was this tired, as we worked hard to obtain it and learned a great deal along the way.
In doing so we were surprised by our dear friend and a fellow member of the 31st AL Co. F, Pvt. Cameron Holden, who had attended this event and gone with a Confederate Company. We were awfully glad to see him, considering the last time was in November at Tallassee.
The Possum Skinners
For Greg and I, this was our second event with the Possum Skinners, and marked our official addition to the groups ranks as full members. I am especially thankful to both Caleb Benefield and Paul Goudeau for their leadership and guidance at this event. We had a great experience as part of a great company of living historians and are looking forward to many more opportunities to attend full immersion events of this caliber in the future.
Highlights from Ft. Blakeley, 2023
We survived Ft. Blakeley, 2023 and all we got was a lousey eight inches of fuss!
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