HHM event update, April 5-6 2003

[Brad]

Here is some information on the Hard Head Mess event we are planning. More info will be upcoming. This event is invititation only. Members of the HHM are invited as are the 33rd Wis.


The weekend of April 5-6, 2003, the Hard Head Mess will be hosting an event at the Wade House State Historical Site. The event will run 24 hours, from approximately 8:00am Saturday to 8:00am on Sunday.

The scenario is based on the actions of General Philip Sheridan's Division, 20th Army Corps that took place during the first week of March 1863. Under orders from General Rosecrans, Sheridan’s division was, supposed to work in conjunction with a reinforced brigade of infantry and cavalry under Col. John Coburn in keeping Confederate troops from the general vicinity of Murfreesboro as well as foraging duties. Coburn's forces were overwhelmed by a large contingent of rebel cavalry under General Earl VanDorn; approximately 1,300 of Coburn’s troops were captured. Sheridan’s troops were unable to force a major action with Van Dorn before the latter retreated across the Duck River. After VanDorn's retreat, Sheridan returned to Murfreesboro.

The Federal forces at this event will be portraying elements of the 24th Wisconsin Regiment, which was in Lytle's Brigade, Sherman’s division. The scenario will consist of the Federal forces trying to overtake Van Dorn's troops after the destruction of Coburn's ill-fated command. The Confederate forces at the event will portray troops in the vicinity of the march route, harassing and attempting to slow down the advance. The Federals will also actively engage in foraging, which was a major complaint filed against Sheridan as a reason why he did not reach Coburn's command before it was destroyed and why Van Dorn escaped. At the event, there may also be remnants of Coburn's forces placed in "no-man's land". These men, cut-off from their parent organizations, will attempt to reach friendly forces before meeting the same fate as their former comrades in arms.

At this event, there will be no "goals" for either side to reach. Rather, the focus will be to re-create what a small portion of this excursion in 1863 might have been like. The event will consist of marching, the use of advance guards and flankers, skirmishing, picket duty day and night, foraging and hopefully a few surprises. There are no plans for a general engagement between opposing forces. First person will be a focal point of this event and will be adhered to for the duration of the event.

If you're looking to experience some authentic re-enacting, a chance to cure the "cabin fever" of early spring, and knock some of the rust off that builds up on our enacting skills over the slow winter months, this invitation only event will be a great opportunity for you. There will be an event fee to cover the cost of rations, and the mess is hoping to raise money for the Port Gibson preservation fund, with proceeds from this event. We are attending the Port Gibson march in early May. Any other preservation donations would be welcome at registration as well.

Please contact Brad Argue at [e-mail] with any further questions

For more information on the 24th Wisconsin: www.geocities.com/wisconsin24th and William Beaudot’s new book “The 24th Wisconsin Infantry in the Civil War: The biography of a regiment”

[Tom Klas]

Hard Heads,

I just wanted to thank everyone for their efforts with our latest living history this past Saturday. Brad Argue did an excellent job planning and coordinating this event, Matt Smith aided Brad with planning/research and drove over 15 hours to attend, Mike John for several under the scenes contributions that made the event happen, and for all the brave Hard Heads who came out for the event.

Despite the cold, ice, snow, and throw in the wind for good measure, we had a great experience. The Hard Heads had some bully portrayals of "Plankinton Rangers" Co, "E" 24th Wisconsin from first person portrayals to roving the area as a patrol and much more.

Hopefully next year we can host this once again, but perhaps not in late March or early April as in the past.

Hard Heads,

Tom Klas

[Matt]

It was great to be back in the Badger State once again! It wouldn't of felt like home if it didn't snow, sleet or wasn't windy. Wish I could of seen more of the pards, but those I did get to see made the trip well worth it. Of course, seeing Lucas dance and sing was worth the trip in itself

Hard Heads!

Matt

[Brad]

Below is an AAR written by Matt Smith on our event of April 5-6. He asked me to post it for him.

Last Friday night, it was much to this soldiers chagrin that winter weather of the brutest sort assailed itself upon our general vacinity in Tennessee. The icy wind, snow and sleet lowered the moral of even the stoutest Union patriot, more so than any Rebel shot or shell. We boys of the bully 24th Regiment and the great Badger State were no strangers to harshness of winter and we made due the best we could. It was perhaps because of this fact that when we arose in the morning, news came that a detail from our regiment (and ultimately our company) was needed for a patrol scheduled to leave camp in only a short time.

The strom of the previous night had broken leaving us with several inches of snow, tremendous ice build ups on the trees and bushes and thankfully a little bit of sun peaking through the clouds. Sgt. Klas, in charge of the patrol, formed the unlucky squad, to which I belonged, for the task at hand. Soon, we were marching over the snow covered roads toward our first destination; that of a small community which has been suspected of giving great aid to the Rebels. Our goal was to determine if this was true and report our findings, but also not to engage any enemy in the village or along the way.

A short ways out from camp, Sgt. Klas set out flankers to protect the patrol from an ambush. We made good time to our destination and soon stopped near a saw mill on the outskirts of the village. The tiny community showed no signs of life; no smoke from the chimneys or footprints in the fresh snow. To make sure, Sgt Klas sent myself, and Pvts. Lucas Dietsche and Dave Gerow to scout the village. Cautiously we checked each building and although each was comfortably supplied with furniture, beds, linens and all the other luxuries of home life, no inhabitants were to be found. We even checked the small slave quarters and Pvt Dietsche, somewhat perplexed at his first possible encounter with Negroes, stated he would most likely run away if he saw a real one within it's premesis. Gerow and I, after promising him we would back him up, got Lucas to enter the building where, much to his relief, he found nothing.

Many of the building in the town were quite large, so it was taking us three men a fair amount of time to check them out. We finally only had on building left, a machine shop by the looks of it, when our other sgt., Mr. Argue called us back to the main body of the patrol. As there were many footprints around the building, the first sign of life we had seen, I thought it prudent to scout this last structure, but being a good soldier in Uncle Sam's Army, we obeyed and returned to the group. I reported all that we had found (nothing) to Sgt. Klas and also mentioned the last building we did not get to. He in turn, showed me a large supply of food stores that had been hidden in a hollowed out log near the saw mill the rest of the patrol had been searching. It included several loaves of bread, peanuts, a good sized ham and amazingly a bottle of whiskey (although I contained my enthusiasm over the last product in front of the sgt.). As we had no breakfast before leaving,these items very much appealed to the patrol, but Sgt. Klas was resolute to the given task, and while he ordered us to take as much as we could carry, led us on our way.

Convinced the village was empty, the Sgt. led into it where we stopped once again. Before leaving camp, Sgt. Klas had been warned that VanDorn's army was prowling in the area and to keep a sharp eye out. Ever the proficient drill instructor, Mr. Klas refreshed us on skirmishing, guard against cavalry and rallying by fours, just in case some of VanDorn's men tried to give us a hard time. Granted our small patrol would not take much to wipe out, but our determination and proficiency in defense would at least make us a difficult obstacle to overcome. After a short spell of drill and continuing absence of the townsfolk, Sgt. Klas began to march us out of the village, but not before searching the last building I had failed to get to before. Gerow and I were sent over the small bridge spanning a creek to the structure. After carefully examining it, we found it empty and with doors locked. Outside it's back entrance however, partially covered in snow was a pile of boxes and packages. Upon closer eamination, I saw that they were all addresed to soldiers of regiments in the Confederate army! I called Sgt. Klas over quickly to show him my find. After this, plus the hidden stores of food, he felt it safe to assume that this village was lending at least a little help to the Rebels.

Of course we were not going to just let the Confederate mail sit unmolested and soon the patrol, minus a couple men left as guards, were breaking open the crates and packages. It was another tremndous find, with a couple men finding new shirts, cigars, housewives, stationary, cookies and even fresh fruit smuggled throught he blockade. Not wanting to fall behind however, Sgt. Klas once agin ordered for us to load up with everything we could comfotably carry and to move on. Several of us were actually uncomfortably overburdened, but the thought of leaving so many goodies behind was unthinkable. Pvt. Dietsche even started off toting a lagre box, which the good sgt. allowed as long as he could keep up and promised to give up if we ran into trouble.

So off we started again toward our next objective hoping that we would stop soon for lunch to partake in some of our new found grub. We were heading toward a crossroads we needed to make sure was clear for the advancng army and to observe the traffic on it until relieved. Dave and I were in the lead, carefully examining each turn in the road and possible ambush sites before the rest of the patrol came upon it. The dangers were very evident and we took our time. I "allowed" Dave to take the lead as he is more careful and his senses are much sharper than mine.

(to be continued)

[Brad]

Matt's AAR continued:

Our long and slow patrol finally neared our intersection; the only happening along the way was the startling of two ducks we came across in the river we were paralleling. I think the ducks frightened us more than it did them. We also came across a very large farm that appeared to have been in the horse business, but it too was deserted. The road we were on was mostly enclosed by trees and bushes, but at the intersection, it opened up into a large field. In preparing to clear it, Sgt. Klas ordered us into a skirmish line. After emerging into the open, one half of the squad followed the wood line all the way around the field while the other half went the other way, the two halves meeting on the other side and successfully avoiding being caught out in the open field.

After finding the area in the general vacinity of the intersection clear of the enemy and no sign of recent traffic, two picket posts were laid out with a man assigned to each to watch the roads and keep an eye open for rebels. The rest of the patrol found a nice spot in the woods a short ways behind the sentinals. Thanks to the efforts of Pvt. John, a fire was quickly started and we were able to begin warming ourselves and digging into the grub we had found. Pvt. Dietsche soon had coffee boiling which he graciously shared and started another cup full when the first was gone.

A guard rotation was set up by Sgt. Klas and pickets were relieved every half hour due to the cold. Those not on guard thoroughly enjoyed the "foraged" vitals and reading the mail of those to whom part of our lunch was intended for. One letter was composed by a near illiterate southern girl named Martha. She seemed like a pleasant girl from what we could get from her letter and all of us boys agreed that we should send her a thank you letter for the fine cookies we were eating and some advice to practice up on her grammar.

My turn for guard soon came and Sgt. Argue marched me off to my post, which was at a wood pile from which one could observe a large field through which two roads passed. I kneeled down behind the wood pile, but soon found that this was too cold and stood up so I could stomp my feet. For half an hour I stood there, smoked my pipe and saw nothing of consequence. Outside of my feet, the rest of my body was quite warm and my half hour watch passed comfortably and quickly.

At its end, Sgts. Klas and Argue approached with several men of our patrol, taking them on a short reconaissance of the area past the field I was keeping watch over. I was ordered to fall in and took my place in line instead of back at the toasty fire. Soon we formed a skirmish line and crossed the field, over a road and into a swampy area at it's edge. Alongside the swamp, which was actually snow covered and partially frozen, ran another road- this genral area was indeed an important conjuncture of several large roads leading to all points of the compass. After travelling up this new road a ways and scanning the swampy area for any signs of life, Sgt. Klas led us back to our picket area. Once we returned, Sgts. Klas and Argue sat down with Pvt. Gerow, who is quite a skilled topographer, and mapped out all we had seen so far on our patrol including farms, roads, and major features of the land. Gerow's map was very concise and we all admited that he could do a great service in the Corps of Engineers.

After this, most of the boys were feeling quite bully for we had a warm fire, plenty to eat and there had been no sign of the Johnnies. In a minor celebration of our day's success up to that point in time, we all convinced Lucas to treat us to his famous song and dance routine of a couple popular tunes. His antics and crazed girations made us all laugh heartily, with Sgt. Argue and myself nearly on the ground in tears. Then it was Sgt. Klas' turn to lead us in a couple patriotic songs which we also enjoyed to the fullest extent. Our singing was so jubilant, but lacking in talent that anyone listening from a distance must have thought a husking bee was in progress rather than our impromtu concert.

Our not so melodious undertakings must have been the signal to some unseen staff officer that we had been on patrol long enough, for soon after word came to Sgt. Klas that we were to return to the regiment. Although enjoying our lark as it were, our patrol was certainly in no safe position should an even minor force of Rebels come across us, so we were happy to get the news. We quickly put out the fire and formed up. Once again we gathered up our finds of the day, although considerably diminished now, as souvenirs to show our comrades at camp what good luck we had stumbled upon. Sgt. Klas led us back the way we came, more quickly this time, but still vigilant. We happily made it back to camp in no time and before breaking ranks, Sgt. Klas gave us a pat on the back for a good job. We certainly took pride in the fact that we had successfully completed our assignment which only furthered the glory of the Plankinton Rangers and the 24th Wisconsin. Bully for us!