Commander
Lt Col Christopher Smith
Adjutant
Capt Bob Penix
Staff
1Lt Grant Kirkwood
Sergeant Major
Sgt Maj Paul Freeman
CLICK HERE to view the 2009 Events
Thursday, June 01, 2006
After Action Report: Burton
During the weekend of 26-28 April 2006, 52 soldiers from the 2d Battalion of Birney's Division assembled at the Civil War weekend at Century Village in Burton, OH. The units represented were the 5th OVI, 61st OVI, 105th OVI, and 83rd PVI with elements of the 69th PVI.Upon arrival I reported to the event's Federal Commander, Col Waffler, and gave him some initial numbers. Birney's essentially comprised 50% of the Federal force at the event and I was additionally assigned as the deputy commander for the Federals.
The usual Friday night setup proceeded and the volume of rain from the first part of the day clearing off.
Saturday morning saw the beginning of our first real hot weather in Ohio for the season. Temps would be in the 80s over the next couple of days. Abbreviated activities were the rule for the day. Col Waffler called me up to meet with him and the Confederate Commander Col Perry. The Rebs were very "thin" that weekend and if not for the galvanized Feds, they might have had a hard time even pulling off a bridge club meeting let alone a battle. The three of us decided on a scenario and then conducted an officer's call.
The entire battalion assembled in the town green before the high heat of the day. A short dress parade was followed by individual company drill.
The early afternoon was spent getting some food, staying in the shade, and starting to juice-up with water and Gatorade. The battalion went on-line at 1:30. After weapons inspection, Birney's 2d Battalion (the right wing) moved out and deployed skirmishers. Our job was to draw the main Reb force into the corner of the battle field so the left wing could come in behind them from the town. That is exactly what happened though the Rebs retreated in good order.
After the event sponsored meal Saturday night with my pards from the 5th, I spent time with a few of our other units. The 105th Ohio has a very entertaining camp and the 83rd likewise. I thank you all ladies and gentlemen for making me feel at home!
Sunday morning saw the heat set in early. I visited with the 61st (who really know how to lay out the food). Sunday's battle was just the same as Saturday. However, one ConFederal unit thought they would flank us as we drew them back into the lower corner. They ALMOST got their clocks cleaned as the other wing came out of the town. Had it not been for a safety issue with the artillery, the 83rd/69th/5th would have pinned then into the upper corner along with a company of the left wing. I won't play games when it comes to the business end of a canon.
As I promised 2d Battalion, though the Burton battles are "soccer field fights", we would burn powder and create a hot fight just giving and taking with our enemy. It's all in the attitude you take on the field. I was told by many afterward that they were very hot fights for Burton and no one every remembered clearing out most of their cartridge box at this event before.
All companies withdrew in good order and all made the trip home safely.
Submitted 1 JUN 06
Lt Col Christopher L. Smith, Commanding
2d Battalion, Birney's Division
2009 2d Battalion Events Schedule
May
– 22- 24 – Civil War Days
Burton Ohio (& - Lt Col Smith)
CLICK HERE for more information.
July
– 25- 26 – Beaver Creek
Canfield,
OH (& - Lt Col Smith)
Contact Col Unger for registration
for registration.
August
– 8-9 – Hale Farm
Bath, OH (& - Lt Col Smith)
CLICK
HERE for registration.
September
18-20 – Battle on the Ohio-Erie Canal
Zoar, OH (& - Lt Col Smith)
CLICK
HERE for registration.
CLICK HERE to view the entire Birney's Division 2009 schedule.
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