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After Action Reports for Conner Prairie
WESTERN FEDERAL BLUES
ADJUTANTS REPORT
CONNER’S PRAIRIE
FISCHERSVILLE, IN
MAY 15-17, 2009
HEADQUARTERS OF 2ND BATTALION, 3RD BRIGADE, 2ND DIVISION, 20TH CORP
5TH KENTUCKY INF. LOUISVILLE LEGION
DECHARD, TN
MAY 18TH, 1863
Arrived around 5:30 in the evening on Friday along with Doctor Nelson to quickly make camp, find Colonel Greene and Captain Preston and head over to Division headquarters for a Division meeting. General Dunfee was quick to let us know that the town we were occupying was going to be heavily policed with guards at selected points throughout the town. Any soldier entering and/or leaving the town was to be given a countersign to use and any civilian of the town entering and/or leaving, were to have passes issued to them either by the Provost or by Battalion headquarters. We were told that 1st Battalion, under Colonel Moffet, would be on guard Friday evening through early Saturday, allowing 2nd Battalion to settle in, make camp, and rest. It was also stated that all Morning Reports and Weapons Reports were to be turned in before 10 o’clock the next morning so ration could be issued properly to the men.
Shortly after midnight a rain storm settled over camp for a few hours. It was enough to cool the temperature and make things wet and muddy. Many of the boys from the Battalion were up and about by 6 o’clock that morning. We were pleased to see that we had all Company Morning Reports and Weapons Reports in and consolidated before 7:30 and turned in to Division in hope for early rations. For some reason, communication lacked and therefore set back on receiving rations till almost Noon on Saturday. In the meantime, 2nd Battalion went on with Battalion drills in hopes that soon they would be fed. I made several trips to Division Commissary that morning trying to get answers. None were given. Despite no morning rations, the men’s moral stayed good.
After rations were issued and cooked, a report from Division came in telling 2nd Battalion to be prepared to move to the outskirts of town, due to enemy activity. I summoned the Company Commanders to have the men fall in and wait for further orders. Shortly after 2 o’clock we marched the men out to the outskirts of the town to find that 1st Battalion was heavily engaged with the enemy. Once called upon, we moved in on the enemies right pushing them back. The enemy pulled back and disengaged. We suffered little casualties unlike 1st Battalion. We returned to town to place 2nd Battalion on guard duty till further notice.
Throughout the evening our guards were put to the test as soldiers and civilians came and went. During the time I was approached by an angry Provost who had been challenged and tested on the outskirt of town by possible Confederate deserters. A letter was handed to me that had made its way through the lines. I was able to calm down the Provost and assured him no feelings should be ill had. Our guards were relieved early by Lt. Wilkinson only to be punished by Division ordering us to police the late night hours. I was ordered to Division by an aide where Colonel Hernbroth gave me the orders in the absence of Colonel Greene. I knew when given that questions would arise and advised the Colonel what could come of it. When reported, questions did arise as well as bitter feelings amongst the Battalion, but Colonel Greene was able to resolve the issue.
Sunday morning, reports were turned in again by 7:30 and we had our guards posted throughout the town. While majority of the Battalion went to their church service, I had six who chose to listen to the Articles of Wars instead. Shortly afterward, I was notified by Doctor Nelson that several men in Company B were being quarantines till further notice due to some sort of illness and that they would not be receiving any pay roll that morning. We were able to maintain order till around 1 o’clock in the afternoon when we were told that the enemy had returned once again on the outskirts of town. This time the 2nd Battalion was called to the front. We arrived on the field where there was much confusion. Colonel Greene had me to take the men off to a tree line in the shade until further orders were given. Once given, we hit the field hard driving the enemy to a fence line. Fighting was a close as 30 ft. or less on several occasions. The Colonel led a bully charge over the fence only to take a hit. While be tended to on the ground he summoned me to tell Captain Davis of Company A that he was now the officer in charge. I reported the news to Captain Davis. Though nervous and shocked at the order, he did a bully job as he led the men, pushing the enemy away once again from town. Unlike the day before we suffered heavy casualties this time. Though despite loses, we still controlled the town in the end. By 5 o’clock we were ordered by General Dunfee to pack up and move out. The tents were struck and headquarters packed away. We are now somewhere along the Duck River Line.
1ST Lieutenant MICAH TRENT, Adjutant
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Hospital Department, 5th Kentucky Regiment, Infantry
Decherd, TN, May 18, 1863
- Sir, in compliance with the request of the colonel commanding the battalion, I have the honor to submit a somewhat detailed report of the operations of the Hospital Department of the 5th Kentucky Infantry, assigned to the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, 20th Corps, occupying the town of Decherd, Tennessee, to include the action against the enemy infantry near said town of May 17, 1863.
- I have recently been assigned as chief medical officer of this regiment. Upon arriving to Decherd on May 15th, 1863, I reported to the headquarters of the 5th Kentucky, to receive orders from the commander of the battalion. After meeting with battalion staff, I headed over to ensure the hospital was adequate. At about a half past seven o’clock in the evening, I was asked to accompany battalion staff to meet with the brigadier general in command of our brigade, BG Steve Dumfee. We were briefed by the AAG, Colonel Mark Hernbroth, as to our current situation and, were informed that, elements of the rebel infantry have been reported in the region, and to expect possible contact with rebel units. At about one fourth past nine o’clock, I reported to the brigade surgeon, to receive my orders. I returned to the battalion hospital and, ensured everything was in order. At about one fourth till twelve-midnight, I bedded down for the night. A short time later, the sky opened upon us and, it seemed as if we were going to be drowned. The rain seemed to go on for only a few hours. I was able to finally get some sleep.
- The next morning, I found myself up at reveille. I enjoyed a brief breakfast, only to get to work. Sick call was not busy at all. Captain Robert Preston, Field & Staff, had reported to me with a severe headache. I prescribe Pilulae Opii to ease his pain (1 grain every fours hours or, until the pain subsided). Private Chris Sumner of “A” company complained of sore feet. I had him remove his shoes and socks. Then his feet cleaned and, a salve applied to ease the pain and, wrapped accordingly with a bandage and fresh socks worn. Private Caleb Young of “B” company complained of sore feet also. I also had him remove his shoes and socks. Then his feet cleaned and, a salve applied to ease the pain and, wrapped accordingly with a bandage and fresh socks worn. Private Jake Salley, colonel’s aide, had rope burn to his right hand. I applied a salve to sooth the pain and wrapped with a bandage, gave him Pilulae Opii to ease his pain (1 grain every fours hours or, until the pain subsided). After sick call, I set about the camp, inspecting sanitary conditions of the various areas. Finding all in good order. Sometime before 2 o’clock in the afternoon, the bugler sounded assembly. Reports came in that a battalion of our infantry had engaged enemy elements just outside of town. We quickly formed, and began heading out with the rest of the brigade, to support our infantry engaged. As we hit the field, we found first battalion heavily engaged with the enemy infantry about three-fourths mile from our position. We marched quickly to aid them, finding ourselves in the thick of things. We began pushing the enemy’s right flank. Eventually, along with the entire brigade, supported by cavalry and artillery, we were able to force rebel elements from the field. We looked about the field for wounded and killed, rendering aid where needed. At about 4 o’clock, we were able to remove all wounded and killed from the field and return to town. At about one half passed 5 o’clock, I was summoned by the battalion adjutant, Lieutenant Micah Trent. He advised me that some of the men of “B” company were complaining that, they were too sick to come to the hospital. Upon my examination, I found these men were experiencing fever and generalized malaise. They had developed transient red lesions and had diminishing mental function. Some had diarrhea, while others constipation. I ordered them quarantined until I could properly determine what the cause was. These men, 12 in all, I believe to have Typhoid Fever. I prescribed these men Pilulę Quinię Sulphatis for the fever and Pilulae Opii for pain relief and, ordered a diet of fresh vegetables and fruit. After a long day, I bedded down for the night. Finding it difficult to sleep. The temperature was very cold. I felt I was going to freeze.
After finally getting a nights rest. I was awaken by reveille. I rose to find something to eat. After breakfast, sick call was very light, thank goodness. I set upon the camp, to inspect sanitary conditions of battalion areas. Finding all in good order. I arrived at battalion headquarters to report such. The battalion was formed for knapsack inspection a short time after eleven in the morning. Quite a few found themselves with stoppages during inspection. The men with stoppages were disappointed at pay call, as their monthly pay was deducted for said stoppages.
Sometime around after one o’clock in the afternoon, the bugler sounded assembly. We then heard reports of Federal reconnaissance in force had engaged a larger Confederate force. Our battalion was formed and, marched out to meet the enemy along with the remainder of the brigade. As we approached the scene of the action, the fight had been well under way now for about an hour. As our boys engaged the enemy, casualties were very light at first, only two killed and one wounded. About one hour into the action, we found ourselves extremely busy rendering aid to the wounded. The rebel infantry tried to flank our brigade on the right. However, our first battalion was able to swing around and repel the attack on our right. Those rebel elements then moved back into position with their main body for a frontal assault. We continued pushing the rebel infantry back and, finding ourselves amongst rail fencing, we sustained quite a few casualties, including our major, who was killed. After reforming on the other side of the fences, our brigade moved forward, pushing the rebel infantry back across the main road that lead into Decherd. Upon reaching the other side of the road, the general ordered a bayonet charge and, sent the rebs running to hide. We were able to route them and we won the day.
Our battalion losses for both days’ action were: 32 killed; 9 wounded; 11 missing. Casualties per section are as follows:
Field & Staff:
Major Chad Greene - KIA
Captain Robert Preston - KIA
Sgt.Maj. Thad Gallagher - KIA
“A” Company:
1st Lieut. Ron Wilkins - Gut shot
1st Sgt. Joe Lichty - KIA
Sgt. Andrew Potter - Ball to right leg
Sgt. Patrick Skeese - KIA
Cpl. Eric Grothause - Shot through mouth, exiting out right cheek
Cpl. Tom Reckner - KIA
Cpl. Tim Pieper - Ball to right knee
Cpl. Terry Winders - KIA
Pvt. Dave Wellerding - Ball to left shoulder
Pvt. Steven Hesson - KIA
Pvt. Stewart Zaharek - KIA
Pvt. Bill Horn - KIA
Pvt. Clay Pendleton - KIA
Pvt. Caleb Blouse - KIA
Pvt. Kevin Cain - KIA
Pvt. Tom Venner - Ball to groin
Pvt. Terry Fishel - Ball to left leg, near groin
Pvt. Jim North - KIA
Pvt. John Schriner - KIA
Pvt. Chris Sumner - KIA
Pvt. John Easley - KIA
“B” Company:
1st Sgt. Ian Fulford - KIA
Sgt. Andrew King - KIA
Cpl. Greg Swank - Ball to right shoulder
Pvt. Mike Boyd - KIA
Pvt. Phil Adelman - KIA
Pvt. Steve Galfious - KIA
Pvt. Dwight Mullens - KIA
Pvt. Macy Reno - KIA
Pvt. Dennis Curtis, Sr. - KIA
Pvt. Dennis Curtis, Jr. - KIA
Pvt. Michael King - Broke left leg
Pvt. Joe Sharp - KIA
Pvt. Dave Walker - KIA
Pvt. Russ Gilliam - KIA
Pvt. Rich Best - KIA
Pvt. Scott Lawalin - KIA
Pvt. Allen Smith - KIA
Jas. Nelson
Surgeon, Chief Medical Officer, 5th Kentucky Infantry
To the leadership and members of the Western Federal Blues,
A note of thanks for our recent event with you at Connor Prairie Indiana, May 15th through the 17th. The 6th fielded 24 officers and men for the event and formed the WFB battalion along with a Cumberland Guard company under the leadership of the First Federal Division. It was our first trip to the site and was a first for many of us under the WFB's command. All in all we had a first rate time. The event itself was fairly well run, decent site, fairly decent battle scenarios allowing all to participate, along with the obligatory lapses in communication from above and somewhat excessive guard mounts, all in all it was a good time for the 6th and myself.
It was my first time as the official Captain of the 6th in a battalion setting and my thanks to Chad Greene, Robert Preston, Micah Trent, and the other staff members of the Blues for their patience with me and their treatment of the 6th while under their wing. We had a few very good battalion drill sessions and I wish we had time for more. We learned a lot and we all know there is much to learn. Perhaps the Blues could hold a battalion drill weekend sometime in the future?
The scenarios which were done were first rate. One of the best ration issues I have seen at an event. The amount of work put into it must have been great. Period fare all the way and the Blues made sure we always had rations. If you went hungry it was your own fault!A very well done and informative knapsack inspection and paycall were performed and rather than just doing them, the boys were instructed into the whys and wherefores of them so it was a true learning experience. As stated earlier there were the usual event goings on that prohibited us from getting to spend more time getting to know one another, but to a man the 6th all felt very comfortable and "safe" when we were with the Blues. Thanks to Chad for his "NFW" response to that 1:00am to reveille guard suggestion. We will remember that! The structure was kept in an appropriate military fashion, but was also relaxed enough to feel comfortable learning.
Once again our thanks to all of the efforts put forth by the Blues to make the weekend a success. Well done! We are looking forward to seeing you all again at Perryville this October!
Regards,
Captain Mike Davis commanding
Company A, 6th Ohio Volunteers
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