After Action Report
Battle at Andersonville in Andersonville, Georgia.
October 1st - 2nd, 2005

I have the honor to report the glorious South swept the field on both days!

Jim and Sylvia Darby, Chris Hatcher, Paige, Huston and I arrived Friday evening (just before dark) and met up with Mike Harrison from Kilcrease Light Artillery, whom we registered under and had saved us spots to set up camp.

Friday, after arriving later than planned and after setting up camp we went to Americas about 9 miles away to eat, sit and cool off at Ryan's buffet.

The Irvin's, Jim, ME, Melissa Patterson, and baby Deseray, arrived later that evening.

We had the Sibley, NCO and two A’s in camp. Andersonville is pretty lax at the top of hill away from the public, so we even had Grandpa and Grandma Irvin’s granddaughter in camp and all that baby paraphernalia. Daddy Adam is away in “real” military.

It was “warm” but at night a nice shower helps a lot. Sleep is a lot better when you’re clean.

Saturday we ate Paige’s great deer chili and Sylvia brought the crackers. Except Jim Irvin, who ate his MRE’s which Chris ate part of also.

Tom Riley, the other hopeful recruit, arrived Saturday morning but since he arrived so late and we couldn’t find Matt and since we had already drilled earlier that morning it was just really too late for him to take the field. Next time Tom!

Cpl Harrison “talked” us into bringing gun since the rest of KLA couldn’t make it. We fell in to battery as #3 gun with Capt Brien Tolbert’s two howitzers. Nice guy. I’d also met him at Natural Bridge, very knowledgeable fellow.

(He was also the inspector at Crystal River last year that wanted me to put the bolts thru the cheeks. Gun has now passed! – with some more minor adjustments)

On Saturday, Jim Irvin was conscripted and took the 2 position and was cool under fire. Chris held number 1 and worked the loads with precision. At one point during battle Chris was about to “ram” the charge home when the FULL bore howitzer next to ours FIRED. Brevetted CPL Hatcher quickly removed his hand, checked it (to make sure it was still there!), looked at rammer (still in barrel!) and while the rest of us grinned he proceeded to finish his task.

(At next event be sure to ask conscript Irvin to show you the hand signals showing the motions that occur during this procedure)

Jim Darby, now a veteran infantrymen, step up to cannoneer and took over the lanyard. He preformed as if he’d been doing the job all his life. We had no misfires at all during two days of battle with 47 shots fired! (We would have fired more, but were told to slow down). We have been informed by Sylvia, that I just don’t know how much money I am going to cost her!

Cpl Harrison from KLA work the box with precision while Pvt Ray (another fresh fish from KLA) ran the 5 position without a slip. She fit in very well with the crew, even taking a “sip” for initiation. She also loves “powdered coffee.”

Our battery held the left flank while the infantry attacked the Federal works. There were 6 mini assaults from center and different angles. We had several battery fires at the Federal right with their one cannon against our three. One battery fire with such exactness sounded as one shot!

After battle we passed around the bucket to our new fish who thoroughly enjoyed a cup of “joe” or what ever you call it. Afterwards Jim Darby asked to make sure this was the LAST initiation process since he had his face blackened a few weeks before and had to drink at this event.

Saturday, around midnight, we finally found long lost Matt. With some “girl” at a camp fire with music, singing and ….. He had deserted his Confederate marines and was reported seen at a ‘yankee’ gun on both days!

Sunday’s battle federal troops charged early across the creek to the previous days Confederate works. But were pushed back by our advancing infantry, which outnumbered them on both days.

(Chris, concerned of previous day firing, most always ‘checked’ other gun before inserting rammer into barrel)

One minor adjustment that was made, I filed down vent, per Capt, and not having a round rasp friction primers, after firing would stick. We had to pull nearly ever one with pliers after each shot. We still fired more than next gun, who didn’t even dry sponge their barrel (they didn’t use a dry sponge, didn’t even have one).

After a short battle the Confederates again took the Yankee works, killing, wounding or capturing all.

The pyrotechnic effects were in good form and not “too” close to us with only a little dirt falling.

Camp fire was great at night. Everyone enjoyed playing with “newest member.” She’s a red head just like her mom AND dad. Camp was struck at about 3:30-4:00 and was loaded efficiently in a few minutes and the caravan headed back to Tally all safe.

Your servant,
Jamey B Creel
Sgt 3rd gun commander
CSMC Pensacola Co A
 

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