After Action Report
Thunder on the Bay, Dauphin Island, AL.
May 14th - 17th, 2004

Compiled by Pvt. Steven Fowler

From Paige Creel:

Photos

On May 14th, we traveled to Dauphin Island, Alabama to be a part of the 140th anniversary of Thunder on the Bay. When we got there, we were greeted by Major Brien McWilliams of the 6th Alabama Cavalry. We quickly set up camp and toured the Fort. What a site! It was amazing to see all the tents set up, as we looked back down into the Fort from the outer walls. After looking around we finished setting up our campsite and took off to try some of the local cuisine.

At 12:30pm, our group was joined by the Irvin family. We now consisted of Jamey, Paige and Huston Creel, Heather Jacaway (Chris’ fiancée), Jim & Mary Ellen Irvin. As the night continued, I must admit, I worried about the Sibley falling. The wind was really blowing hard and we all know the history. But to my relief, we were just fine. It now has been thoroughly tested!

May 15th - Saturday morning was pretty typical, Call to Colors, Ladies Tea but then the most interesting thing happened…. Jamey became a turn coat. He changed sides and joined up with the Rio Grande River Detachment out of New Mexico.

At 2:00pm the battle began, what an awesome site to see the three schooner gunboats sailing in and then BOMB the battle began. The waters were too choppy that day so the Navy was unable to bring their barks out so I sat on the walls of the fort with Bruce Smith, director of The National Civil War Naval Museum in Columbus, Georgia. Bruce and I had a great time watching Jamey getting into his character as a Union Marine (for the first time). We also enjoyed the show put on by a local black lab who decided to join the battle. He was totally amazed that with all that shooting not one duck fell to the ground. But I believe he was very surprised when the Confederate Marines started throwing Ketchum grenades. I believe he really thought they were ducks until they exploded. T hat is when he determined that he would turn coat too. He then stayed with the Union Marines for a while. He seemed to get very board with them. You could really see the confusion on the poor dogs face... with all that gunfire there should have been at least one duck to fall, so he returned to his owner. After the battle, we were invited by Lynn Irving, the owner of the Caddy Shack, to have dinner at her restaurant. We had a wonderful time talking with Lynn and her boyfriend over dinner. Come to find out the building was a Frank Lloyd Wright (architect that Jamey really admires). That evening we went back to the fort and enjoyed the music as the ball commenced.

May 16th – Sunday morning the water looked promising, the Union barks were being prepared for battle and so were the Union Marines. It was very interesting watching them drill. It was very different from what our group has always done... (They were practicing jumping off the boats and the type of line firing I saw them use was much different that any we had ever drilled with before. It was quit interesting).

At 2:00 pm the battle began. The Union Marines and Army were rowed to shore by the Navy and they were able to jump out and storm the beaches. It was very cool to say the least. I believe this was the most US Marines vs. Conf. Marines that I have ever seen at one event. They all looked so good out there fighting one another. Thank goodness there were not too many casualties. Jamey happened to be one of them. He hurt his hand pretty bad. Funny thing is I was taking pictures on the Fort wall and saw him go down. At first I could not see who it was and told Heather wow you know that had to hurt…. And then come to find out it was Jamey. I finally spotted him and saw his hand all wrapped up but it did not stop him, he continued on.

We just wanted to share our fun with the rest of the group and let you know that we really missed you all being there. See you next season.

Paige Creel

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