Battle of Decatur AAR

Things got off to an early start Thursday on the trip to Decatur. Travis and I rolled out about 10:30 after I'd spent the early hours loading my car and preparing everything for the trip. First stop was actually Florence Alabama and a visit with my Dad, which was fairly uneventful and enjoyable. It was nice seeing him again and I made sure to get solid commitments for him to come down to watch me at Saturday's battle. After a night spent at Dad's, Travis and I set out for Decatur Friday Afternoon arriving at camp well before most of the 6th had made it in. Friday was then spent doing setup and getting acclimated to the campground. My sleep was interrupted by a Cicada bug flapping against my tent in its death throes, but after it finally settled down and died like a good giant insect, I nodded off to sleep. 
Saturday opened bright and early with breakfast and then Officer's Call. No surprises were in store for us as they were at Tannehill since it'd already been agreed upon that we'd portray 10th Indiana both days of the event. Decatur was one of the battles in which the 10th featured prominently, and we were going to give a good accounting for our unit namesake. The one problem we did have was that we were a bit shorthanded. We were filled with greenhorns and fresh fish in the dismounted section, and there were almost no other union capable units at the battle. Worse, we had none of our dismounted officers present, not even our Sargent. Lt. Higgins called to say he'd arrive Sunday, but till then we were on our own for a field commander for the battle. Corporal King was next in line to take command, so he bravely took up his responsibility and announced that he'd be taking out the unit at the battle.

Our commander decided upon, we then moved on to one of the more interesting moments of the day. The 10th detailed out to take a picture duplicating a period photo of the original 10th at the battle of Decatur. Major McWilliams enthusiastically made sure that every i was dotted and every t crossed as we were moved about so that every member of the 10th, mounted and dismounted was in the right spot. With all of that done, the photo was snapped and we were made immortal. Our places in the history books secure, we then moved on to time for the battle itself.

Our mission on Saturday was a simple one. Defend against an attack by an overwhelming number of Rebel troops and attempt to hold. If the opportunity presented itself, mount a counterattack and drive the enemy from the field. To facilitate our mission Major McWilliams formed the Battalion (consisting of our unit and the 79th Indiana Infantry) on a raised hill dominated by hay bales turned into an impromptu defended obstacle. To our left, a small mortar team commanded directly by Major McWilliams, to our right, a light artillery battery and to our rear our mounted section ready to defend our flanks. The Rebels pressed on us with three solid units of infantry, a unit of dismounted cavalry and their own artillery section. All in all things looked poor for our side.

The battle opened with an artillery duel which kept our heads firmly down. Explosions (demo charges set before the fight) went off to our front and rear, sending a hail of debris showering on our heads. Most importantly, the artillery allowed the Rebels to begin advancing their superior numbers across the open field in front of us. Once the Rebels were in place to begin their assault, the artillery lifted and the attack began.

The Confederates, led by their cavalry wasted no time in advancing towards us at the double quick. However, we'd weathered the opening barrage well and Major McWilliams readied us present the enemy with an unpleasant surprise once they got to within point blank range. We loaded our rifles and held till Major McWilliams, watching intently gave the order for the Battalion to rise and fire upon the enemy. We came up as one, seeing ahead us the enemy Cavalry advancing at the double quick. One solid volley later they were wiped out to a man, and we dropped back behind our obstacle before the infantry behind could return fire. Reloaded, we waited for the infantry to fix for a bayonet charge, and once they did, we again met them with a quick rise and volley, mauling their front ranks and causing them to hesitate. With the enemy wavering, Corporal King gave the order for close quarters and the 10th opened up with a catastrophic hail of pistol shots as our troopers pulled their sidearms. Our firepower quickly decimated the lead Rebel infantry unit and caused the second to waiver. The 79th took advantage of the situation and quickly poured out from the right side of the barricade and advanced, keeping up a steady fire. Corporal King took the 10th out to the left and ordered us to advance as well, stopping regularly to deliver volleys into the retreating Rebels. The 10th dressed on the 79th's flank and we quickly pressed forward, moving on the Rebel Artillery with the intention to wheel defilade the artillery from their right. However, our mounted section poured out from the reserve and mauled the Rebel Artillery with a quick rideby and volley of pistol fire. Unfortunately, this is where the battle met its end. One of the troopers in the Federal artillery section that had taken a hit earlier in the battle suffered extreme heat exhaustion and called medic. With that, we dropped rifles, ceased fire and immediately made sure that EMT's rushed to his side to insure that he was safe. Fortunately, he was just severely dehydrated and all was ok. Still, the incident caused the battle to be over a bit earlier than expected and robbed the 10th of its well deserved victory.

Saturday concluded with a visit by my Dad to camp (he'd come to see the battle) and the arrival of Lt. Higgins. Everyone seemed fairly pleased with how the battle had gone, especially with how the Confederates had been broken trying to assault a defended obstacle. No one seemed to play "bullet proof vest" this time, meaning that when we delivered point blank volleys, large gaps were blasted in the enemy lines just as they would've been. It was a very solid battle only marred by the medical emergency at the end. We concluded the day with a free trip to the Decatur Water Park, where we had free tickets. This was of course a very typical way to end a battle during the civil war, and I engaged in such historically accurate events as the Water Slide and "Toilet Bowl".

After a quick breakfast and quicker officer's call, the scenario was set for the Sunday battle. The 10th would open in the same situation, defending the hay bales on the hill, but this time we were going to get overwhelmed by superior Confederate numbers and driven from the field. After an extensive drill we set up at our previous positions. Again the 79th Indiana was our companion unit, but we also received support from the 13th Ohio Infantry and a small contingent of unaffiliated Federal Infantry. The battle opened with our small unit of Infantry attempting to kidnap a poor confederate child from the crowd (all prearranged) and then fleeing back to the main body after the Confederate Cavalry rescued the child and drove the Federals away. After that, there was another artillery engagement that mirrored Saturday's, followed by a similar Confederate advance. This time however, we decided to come out from our obstacles and go on the counterattack immediately. Lt. Higgins gave the order for us to roll out of the obstacle with a fast right about followed by a right into line, placing our right flank firmly on the obstacle which was now defended by the 79th. The 79th and 13th engaged the Confederate Infantry while we pushed outwards, advancing by sections in a classy rolling thunder maneuver and pressing the Rebel Cavalry back. However, our success was very short lived as our casualties mounted from the fire by superior numbers. Major McWilliams came forward and ordered all units to fall back to the works and defend the obstacle again. We withdrew slowly, displacing to a small rise in the terrain to the right of the hay bales. Lt. Higgins chose this ground as a perfect place for us to make our last stand and gave the order for the 10th to go prone behind the crest of the rise and fire at will on the enemy. There we stood for several minutes, expending ammo and trying desperately to keep the Rebels at bay, but our efforts were in vain. The infantry began to break and run, causing panic to run through the ranks of the 10th. Two of our troopers immediately broke and ran, threatening to trigger an all out rout. Seeing this collapse, Major McWilliams decided to order the Battalion to fall back, but his order quickly lost control and most of the troops started running all out. Lt. Higgins tried to rally the 10th but was shot down by Rebel troops as he tried to draw his saber. Seeing our commander dead, the 10th fled haphazardly in every direction. At this point I was on my own, so I began to backpedal, using my Sharps to breechload round after round as I tried to keep my retreat in good order. No question, I wasn't quitting the field without a fight. Corporal King and I tried to rally a skirmish line of troops, but for the most part everyone was already either dead or fleeing. The Color guard, ran all out and managed at least to save the colors by getting to the safety of the treeline. Corporal King and I, along with several other infantrymen from various units, decided to spend our lives in an effort to keep the enemy from capturing our fleeing color guard and thereby preserve the honor of the regiment. My end came just as the rebels had completely seized the hill and hay bales that we had so desperately defended. One of the Rebel soldiers took dead aim on me and fired, and I seeing that took my obligatory hit and went down. Sadly, Corporal King didn't see me fall and then tripped over my "corpse" as he fell back, causing him no injury but bending his saber scabbard. With that, our entire regiment had either fled or been killed and the battle was firmly in the hands of the Confederates.

After the battle there was not much else to do but pack up and leave, so that's what was done. Decatur was in the books and I logged it down as quite a fun event. I especially enjoyed using my new rifle the first time and was very much enthused with the rate of fire and cool factor of the Sharps. It was something else to be the envy of veteran reenactors. It was also cool to see Travis get his first taste of reenacting. Hopefully he will get the bug and be at more events. Regardless, all is done and now it's time to look forward to Buckhorn Tavern. 

( Decatur Pictures )