After Action Report
Battle of Tunnel Hill in Tunnel Hill, Georgia.
September 9th - 11th 2005

Jim Darby and I fell in with the 28th Alabama Infantry (host unit of the event). They were “laid” back group. As I understand it their cpl was promoted to Major of 1st Battalion and a pvt was promoted 2nd LT over our company. Great guys.

We left early Friday morning and arrived at T.H. about 3:30 pm. Set up A frame in 28th’s camp and had a look around. Loafers Glory was there which would greatly helped out Saturday.

Friday night a small group was filming a mini movie in the Tunnel. Jim and I tagged along – since one guy was using my rifle (rest were stacked in camp). Above 12:00 pm we all headed back to camp and were about halfway down tunnel when lights went out. We had no candles or flashlights. Besides the old tunnel is the modern one. About the time the lights went out a train about 3-4 feet away in the modern tunnel started going thru.

Then, as we approached tunnel entrance a truck on the road almost straight-in-line with tunnel, had it’s very bright lights shinning in the tunnel directly at us. Talk about an eerie feeling!

It was chiiilly Friday night, glad we had the great coats.

Saturday:

We had a battalion drill about 10:00 am and both my rifles past inspection. Just before the battle we went thru a 2nd inspection. Jim’s rifle failed because safety would not engage and he used one of the 28th’s weapons. Mine failed, the sear would not properly lock at the fire position, but since the safety would engage the 1 Sgt let me on field with it. After 3 rounds I pulled myself off and became “wounded” and retreated to shade. 89-95 degrees that day! Jim also fell and I thought he saw me leave. I later went back to find Jim and we both left field.

And, the great Southern army swept the yanks from the field under the protection of the forts guns. The center was carried by the “jackass battery.” Two complete mountain howitzers pulled by mules with their accompanying ammo boxes carried by a third animal. Impressive to watch. (CSMC Co A We NEED some mules!)

The screws in Jims rifle had become loose under lock plate, we tightened them up and it was fine. I borrowed a hand file from Loafers Glory, a pair of pliers from 1st sgt and filed the sear on my trigger mechanism and had no problems the next day.

Check and double check your weapons. Then check again! And take you tools with you to every event.

Lessons learned!

Sunday
Our company, 28th AL, along with the 35th TN and a dismounted cavalry group were assigned to protect the field hospital as an advance skirmish line for the main body of the army.

The Blue battery opened up and we were assaulted from the front by skirmishers, in which Jim and part of the group captured one. He jumped that fence like he knew what he doing. Looked great and realistic!

The yank cavalry right flanked us and was repelled. Jim, being a very practical soldier, laid his cartridges on the fence and fired in rapid succession.

And then our small company was left flanked by an entire battalion (as in the original battle), which overran us.

Jim and I ‘died’ valiantly. Jim in the shade of the outhouse, and I in the sun, which immediately was remedied.

All Confederate units were out numbered and were broken piecemeal as the brigades of the Union leviathan joined mid field and went on to take fort.

To those who have not experienced than can participate or gather to watch and support, you should see an event. Our Southern ancestors fought overwhelming odds for our beliefs and defense of their families and their northern counterparts fought for what they believed theirs.

Words cannot express what I felt when I put on a CS marine uniform, as my ggg-grandfather, for the first time.

To experience and/or see what these men and women endured is a moving experience, imho.

Your servant,

Jamey B Creel
Sgt CSMC Pensacola Co A
CSS Tallahassee Guard

 

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