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
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
AAR: Argus Park - Canfield, Ohio
Friday, after setting up camp, the rains came with a vengeance. We thought it may not be a good weekend to fight. Saturday morning dawned damp and foggy but not too scary. After breakfast, provided by Argus Lodge,the officers met to plan the day's activities.Dress Parade went off with some minor glitches but no real problems. At this time Lt Col Smith was presented with Col Nash's Civil War sword.
The battle was opened by the 19th O.L.A. who performed very well the entire weekend. The Infantry,commanded by Lt Col Chris Smith, waited in the woods to start their attack. Skirmishers were sent out and immediately taken out by the Reb artillery. As the Union guns returned fire, the wounded troops were removed from the field. The Union right wing, commanded by Maj Don Van Meter, advanced one company and was quickly driven off by the Reb guns.
The right wing advanced and met with heavy resistance so the left wing,commanded by Capt Mark Gaynor, came to their support. Suddenly,from our rear, Reb bushwhackers opened fire. Capt Gaynor sent the 5th Ohio Sharp Shooters to drive them off and they captured one pitiful looking johnny by the name of Eli.
Not wanting to waste men to guard him, Lt Col Smith ordered him shot on the spot. The Union Army drove the Rebs back over a rise and into The Crater where they took advantage of cover behind a stone wall ever after referred to as "Stonehenge". At this spot the Union troops took massive casualties and could inflict little damage on the Rebs.
The Union troops retreated slowly out of there and,still firing,left the field to the Rebs who were ably commanded by Col Ron Johnson.
Saturday evening supper was again provided by Argus Lodge and worth the price of admission.The Armies cleaned their weapons and relaxed in camp or attended a dance with music by the Anonymous Strings.
Sunday dawned sunny, humid and hot. We knew it would be a typical late July day and the troops would suffer during the battle.
After a tasty breakfast, the officers met on the field to plan another day's battle
Dress Parade and presentation of Col Nash's sword entertained the onlookers but the C.O. and his staff were pondering the coming fight.The Union Army,now with fresh replacements,formed Battalion behind camp to inspect weapons and insure each" sojer" had water and plenty of ammunition.
Once more the 19th O.L.A. opened the "Ball" and IT was on. Capt Gaynor's left wing advanced into the field with a skirmish Company and were decimated by Reb Artillery. Again the Union guns covered the removal of wounded from the field. The left wing advanced enforce and lost another Company to the massive artillery fire. Our big guns temporarily silenced the Southern guns giving Maj Van Meter time to deploy his right wing. Both wings advanced on the Southern dis-loyalists driving them from their first line of breastworks back to their reserve line. Both Armies took dreadful casualties but neither would "cry quit". With one final push the Yankees drove the Gray Army from the field and TAPS was played signaling the close of another great weekend.
Many thanks must be given to Argus Lodge for their hard work in providing us a place to camp, play and relax with our friends and families. And my hat goes off to Brother Don Van Meter for his "frettin" over all the Military details. I'm looking forward to next year and hope even more reenactors discover this most excellent event.
Your most obedient servant,
1st Lt Bob Penix, Adj.
2d Bn, Birney's Div.
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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