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"By Seas, By Lands"

After Action Report
Battle of Ballast Point, Ft. De Soto, FL.
February 21st - 22nd, 2004

Compiled by Pvt. Steven Fowler

Observations:

  • This is a small event, but nice.  The Marines did not camp at this one.  Just a couple of Sutlers showed up.  Union out numbered the Confederates like 8 to 1.  Very lopsided.  Shawn Yeager and myself we there on Saturday to help represent the CSMC Co A.  We both manned the guns of Milton's Light Artillery.  Position 2/5 (Worm/Loader) on the guns. 

  • The Park Rangers were very impressed with the battle on Saturday.  They told Goodrich that folks were wondering where the Movie production crews were.  Very fun event.  Sean was yelling up a storm to make sure everyone heard his commands. I, being on Milton's guns, could hear him across the field.

  • Milton's group prompted four men on Saturday.  they were as follows:
    • Everette Jones to Quartermaster Sergeant
    • Brian Giddens to 2nd Sergeant
    • Mark Helms to Corporal
    • Tom Sanders to Corporal

Actions:

  • Action Saturday:  Union skirmishers started across the field and were met by the confederate Calvary (yes, one did show up and they were confederate).  Milton's took the field and shot into the right flank of the skirmishers.  Two companies of union came out.  Milton's moved forward to engage the main body. After moving the guns up the Union Marines and Navy came onto the field and started shooting into our left flank.  One gun turned on the Marines and the other stayed on the main body.  We took a couple of hits and moved back almost to the crowd line.  We started taking more hits and finally both guns were down.  The Union right wheeled onto the main Confederate army and pushed them to the left side of the field.  General Goodrich was not happy that he had to hide in a small bunch of trees to avoid being shot.  Overall a very good day and lots of fun.  Remember, this is supposed to be fun.

  • Action Sunday: Three Marines manned Milton's Guns, Steve, Krys and Mark.  Krys and Mark were on one Gun (positions 2/5) and I was on the other (position 2/5).  Battle started out similar to Saturday.  But this time the Marines and Navy came out with Artillery support to the right of the field.  Milton's came out and started engaging the skirmishers.  The main Confederate group came out and split in two and the right half went and routed to the Union forces on the right.  Another group of Union came out and the rest of the Confederates engaged them.  This group included the CS Marines.  Milton's guns split and one gun was at the spectator line engaging a company all by themselves.  The gun I was assigned to took the left side on the Confederates and provided support as we moved along.  We eventually surround the Union force that was left and they then surrendered. After we stopped the engagement for the surrender, we started hearing drummers and then saw another union unit coming onto the field and they fired on us.  The Marines engaged and then finally pushed them back into a surrender.  The day was ours.

Members (no particular order, *Fresh Fish):

  • Sean Wells
  • John & Krystyne Bateman
  • Shawn Yeager (Sat.)
  • Steve Fowler (Sat. & Sun.)
  • Zack
  • Michelle Crook
  • Rob
  • Richard Riston
  • Mark
  • Matt, *Breck (spelling?)

24 folks total: 14 troops, 1 runners, 9 in camp folks.

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