So Im Back, And Yes I survived! We arrived early saturday morning, and right away we set up camp. Most of my men had arrived 15 to 20 mins earlier. The sky was over cast , but regardless of rain we're always ready to go! Being the 1st Sgt. I over saw, the camp set up while our captain was off with the rest of the brass, calculating our next disaster! lol About 10:45 am we recieved our marching orders and recall was sounded by our bugler. I formed my men on, the street with the rest of the battalion.
Of course like normal military procedure we hurry up and wait. The major marched us up the road a piece and we were put on stand down, near a rural farm. My boys and I leaned on a fence messing with all the cows and various farm animals. Finally after being on stand down we heard "Pepper" off in the distance. ("Pepper" is speratic gun fire.) Just then cavalry came riding up at full galop, requesting infantry support. The major called us up, and we reformed on the street and marched out to battle. Its typical, the cavalry always needs the infantry, it always seems like we are saving the cavalry's asses!! (no pun intended) We arrived on the outskirts of town, and sent out skirmishers in advance, just as the dismounted cav was falling back. Only one company of confederates could be seen. The skirmishers were recalled and the two companies were sent in to the town square. The 119th New York, went off to the right and my company the 14th Brooklyn E.Company went off to the left. We pushed the Rebs out of town. Our captain sent me off with four men to chase down the rebs and do a little recon for the major. Needless to say I chased them down and mowed them down before they could escape. We reformed just as the 119th was being flanked and assaulted by two fronts. We came in support and pushed the rebs back!
As we pulled out of town, the mayor thanked us for all of our hard work in the days action. But being seasoned commanders, myself and the staff knew that it was only the begining. Reports came in from our picketts that a nice sized force of confeds were off the northern outskirts of town near the schenck residence. So we marched off after seeing to the wounded civilians and our fallen boys, both sides at that! Once we reached the field, we came under heavy infantry fire from the tree line, They were waiting for us, and it was a trap! We fought valatly for an hour or so, but the fray was to vicious. It was best to fall back and fight another day. We set up sentries and set up camp. The night was filled with ale and lamentations of fallen comrades and old war stories from years before.
The next morning, we found our major was mortally wounded and would not make it through the day. His last order was for our captain to take command of the army and push the rebels out of the town and out of maryland. So I was appointed acting Lieutenant of the company. I recieved my orders and moved out with the battalion. We arrived on the in town and stopped for water and a rest from a hard march from the south. When towns people said our sentries were under fire in the north field again near the schenck house. The order was given and we moved out at the double quick. We moved like the devil himself was on our heels. When we arrived on the scene our sentries were pretty much desimated, and our beloved stubbs was struck down. The surgeon and I tried our best to save him, but the bullets were like buzzing bees over our heads so we were forced to withdraw.
I took command of my company and marched along side of the 119th. The colors fell many times that day, but everytime they were brought back up. My men loaded and fired faster than any soldier has or had done before! My men had a fire in there eyes, because of the snipers hidden in the surrounding farm buildings kept taking poc shots at our wounded. At first it seemed as though it was a small force but we were then hit by two companies of the Northern Virginian milita. Hard fighters, many a young man lost his life on that field. I moved my company forward only to get pushed back , but the boys kept begging us to push again, this was revenge for the earlier days fighting. We moved up as fast as possible, I ordered the front rank to fire. This unleashed a deadly barrage of fire on the rebs slowing them down only a little. Then my rear rank fired upon them, and pushed them back further slowing them down even more. This went on for a good hour or so. With the help of the 119th New York we successfully destroyed two companies of confed soldiers after a valant charge! I was struck down just as the charge commenced, luckily the lord didn't deem it my time, for the bullet hit my shoulder. I fell but I urged my boys to go on! It brought a tear to my eye, to see the hard training and experince of my boys driving the traitors off of the field. After we pushed them back the cavalry decided to chase the rest off. The surgeon saw to my wounds and gave me laudnum, I felt it was only right that I march back with my men after such a victorious display!
My men made me so proud this weekend. The skill, they posses and how awesome they looked made me proud like a dad. The boys did splendid, and were by far the best on the field. Our volleys and drill was superb and always got comments and applause from the crowd. I would personally like to thank the captain and the men for letting me lead them into battle on sunday! I hope I did right by you all!! And thanks again for showing up and staying through the thick rain and lightening! This event will prove to be one of those times that will have stories that will last for ever!! RABLE RABLE RABLE!!!! Especially when justin ate the WHOLE SLICE OF WATERMELON EVEN THE GREEN SKIN!!! HAHA SICK MAN SICK!!! And Jesse and I scaring the shit out of Justin and Sal on saturday night BOOO IM A GHOST!!!
Sgt. J.B. Tomsey
14th Brooklyn NYSM E.Company