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Horse Landing 2003
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"By Seas, By Lands"

After Action Report
Battle of Horse Landing outside Palatka, FL.
November 21st - 23rd, 2003

Compiled by Pvt. Steven Fowler

Observations:

  • First part of detachment arrived at Horse Landing around 1:30 pm and started camp setup. Some of the women started arriving around 5:30 pm and started getting things together to serve dinner. Chili was the meal of order for the evening. List of those dispatched to Horse Landing is below.

  • Setup included 2 NCO Tents, 2 Officer Tent, 5 Large A Frames and 1 medium A Frame (mine). The balance arrived shortly before the action on Saturday afternoon. Co. A was attached to Milton's Light Artillery for the duration of the battle.

  • Food was excellent as usual. Pork on Saturday night was very good and turned out well being cooked in Dutch ovens over the camp fire. With the actions starting at 1:00 pm, having a snack before the action and lunch after and then dinner soon after caused a problem. Lunch in the form of fruit and light snacks would be much better before and just after the action would help in getting us food, but not enough that would make us sick on the field during or after the action.

  • Weather, what can I say, Perfect!! Friday night was a little cool, but nothing like was experienced in the past. Action times were warm and actions were fought without jackets except for officers.

  • Setup was ok, but the food tent ended up being in a spot that made it difficult to get food and then to an area for sitting. Lesson learned on this. However, on an up beat. This Pvt. had been told on a number of occasions during the weekend that our site was one of the best they have seen.

  • Tear down went very well. Lots of hands helping and tear took only about 2 hours. Excellent!!
  • The evening ball was very well attended. The floor was sawdust so the air was filled with dust. Sean cut a rug and Victoria was the Belle of the Ball!!

Actions:

  • Action Saturday allowed three of our troops to man the guns of Milton's Light Artillery. I was lanyard on one gun, the heavy one and Pvt. J. Burke and Pvt. K. Bateman were on position 2/5 on the second gun. After action started with engagement of Calvary from both sides and a small detachment of Confederate troops, Milton's was sent to attack the Union forces moving on the fort. Both guns were eventually destroyed by Union cannon fire (pyrotechnics added realism). Cannon fire eventually took out all the Co. A troops. The union soon afterwards over took the fort and the battle ceased.
  • Action Sunday found us waiting for action in the woods. Point of interest. 5 brothers, all African American, joined with Milton's unit to help with action on the guns. These gentleman, are direct descendants of Blacks that fought with Milton's Light Artillery at Horse Landing. Very cool!! A Calvary patrol came by our position and were soon engaged by Confederate pickets. Calvary soon dismounted and Confederate companies soon appeared from the encampments. Calvary was soon pushed back and Milton's was called to the field. CSMC Co. A took the field and fired upon the mounted Calvary and drove them off. The un-mounted Calvary soon pulled back and Milton's entire unit finally took the field. Once the bulk of the troops moved by, Milton's unit could move on the fort. Co. A continued to push back the Calvary and eventually took out the unit. We then swept to the left flank of the Union troops in the fort and the battle was won.

    Note: On Sunday's action where the unit was called to the field to drive off the mounted Calvary, after firing a volley and driving off the mounted Calvary, we were crossing the road when 2nd Lt. Moss started complaining of something. First reaction was that we said he was hot, but later we found out he said he was shot. Of course everyone was concerned. Moss was fine. He had some minor welting on his back and folks applied ice to help it out. Discussions after the action, it was determined that he was struck by a piece of Wonder Wadding which is used to pack loaded pistols that the Calvary uses. His back was to the Calvary as we crossed the road and that is where it took place. Not this was not added for the shear matter that it happened, but as a constant reminder of safety on the field, that even though we are not using live rounds, folks can still be hurt by the weapons we are carrying. Always use caution when using your firearm. 

Members:

  • Sean Wells
  • John & Krystyne Bateman
  • Will Bateman
  • Jim & Annette Burke
  • Roger & Patsy Scott
  • Steve Fowler
  • Ted & Marty Moss
  • James & Victoria Moss
  • Ira Fogg & Zack
  • Michelle Crook
  • Denice Weigand
  • Jeffery Frazier
  • Jamey Creel & Chris
  • Frank Strott

21 Total people, 16 troops and 5 women.

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