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After Action Report, Paxton
To Colonel Bradley Tyler Johnson
6th Regiment, 1st Division, Army of Northern Virginia, commanding
I herewith
submit my report on the actions of our combined company in the vicinity
of Paxton, this past June 6-8, 1865. The company consisted of elements
of Co.'s G and F of the 12th Georgia, Co. B, 35th Virginia, Co. H, 1st
Maryland, and Co. B, 4th Alabama.
Accompanied
by my wife, I arrived at the nearby train station, after a surprisingly
short journey. A short carriage ride later, we arrived at our camp at
about 3:45, PM. Camp had been well laid out, and we found our place
easily.
We were
joined by Major LaPointe and Capt. Perkins, who had already established
their camps. Soon after, Capt. Porteus, and Lt. Flye arrived, making
for a functional command staff.
Our own camp
was set up most smoothly, and we were able to make our way to the
tavern in the nearby town, where a reception was held in our honor! We
were well fed, and quite honored. However, weary from the trip,
we soon returned to our camp, and settled in under our fly for a most
pleasant evening in the company of good friends!
There was one
small adventure, at our sinks, some of our number encountered a small
black bear! It was as frightened of us as we might have been of him,
and he was not seen for the rest of the weekend. At length, we retired
to spend a most comfortable night.
Morning
broke, rather overcast and somewhat bleak. Nonetheless, we roused
ourselves to begin the day. At 8:30, Federal officers appeared,
under a flag of truce, for a parley. Accompanied by Capt.
Porteus, Lt. Flye, and Major LaPointe, we attempted to settle
peacefully, so as to avoid a bloody conflict, but to no avail! After
walking together awhile in the effort, we finally returned to our
respective camps.
On our
return, we discovered that the men had been at drill, relieving me of
the necessity. After a brief interlude, at about 10:00, we formed the
company and marched off to a nearby field. There, with the Federal
battalion nearby, we inspected weapons, and were observed by a
contingent of people from the nearby town, curious as to our
intentions.
One of our
number, a Pvt. Pincins of the 12th Georgia, had a small adventure. He
greatly resembles Capt. Pincins of the 12th, who was necessarily
absent. I imagine they are brothers. In any event, when capping
off after inspection, Pvt. Pincins neglected to return his rammer,
which fell out of the barrel, as I went to see if his weapon was clear!
Evidently, he has just joined the army, and is need of training.
I am sure his brother, the Captain, will instruct him.
A civilian, a
Mr. Marc Bassos, took to the bandstand, and tried to explain the
situation to them. I am not sure whether they understood or not,
but they gave him their attention.
After his
speech, we marched back to camp, and took our ease. I took out my
banjos, and played some of my favorite airs. As I played, townspeople
came by, evidently attracted by the sounds of the music. I greatly
enjoyed playing for them, and talking to them as they wandered by. I
ended up spending a couple of hours at it.
The time flew
by, and before I knew it, time arrived for our afternoon reconnaissance
in force. We formed the company and marched off down the
road. On encountering a fork, Capt. Porteus took a small
detachment across a small footbridge, while I took the bulk of the
company down the main road to the left.
We found nothing, and began our return to camp, when we encountered Federal pickets!
I
immediately, dispatched four skirmishers, under that command of
Corporal Vieira of the 12th GA, who, by strange coincidence, strongly
resembles the absent Capt. Vieira! Yet another brother I presume.
Cpl. Vieira,
obviously an experienced and very well trained soldier, took able
command, and forced the pickets back on a line of skirmishers. There he
was forced to stop. I quickly brought up the main body, and firing
several crisp volleys, forced the Federal skirmishers back. Our
skirmishers pursued, fighting along the road, as we followed in the way
they cleared for us.
After a time,
we encountered a larger body of Federals in line. I recalled the
skirmishers, and we fired several sharp volleys as a body, which caused
the Federal line to waver, and then begin to withdraw.
We fought our
way down the road, advancing rank by rank, as we began to approach the
fork. As we came closer, the Federals fell back behind a Chevaux de
Frise, and were reinforced by another body of troops. With
numbers now strongly against us, our advance was stalled. We fought
there for a while, withdrawing a short space when the fire became too
hot. After a time, we began to withdraw, again rank by rank, firing as
we went. It was a hot, fighting withdrawal, begrudging every step. We
were too badly outnumbered, however, and were forced to make a quick
retreat, covered once again by Cpl. Vieira's skirmishers, who fought
most valiantly!
I should
report at this juncture, that Pvt. Pincins, getting over his earlier
jitters, performed most ably and bravely in this action.
Still, our
losses left us with too small a number. I deployed the balance of
the company as skirmishers as we tried to withdraw. Ultimately, only a
small number of us escaped, the remainder being captured.
Taking our
way back to our camp via a circuitous route, we finally arrived.
I was most heartened to find after a short time that our men who had
been taken prisoner were soon paroled, and we were whole again in our
camp!
As a modern
aside, I would like to make note of Federal Captain Todd Bryda, in
command of Federal forces, who devised the core of the plan of battle.
The original plan had been to fight on a ball field, flanked by
diamonds and backstops. The alternative of the fight along the
road proved most satisfying to us as reenactors, though the spectators
visibility was limited. Personally, I have just a few too many "Battle
of the Ball Field" engagements, and was most glad for an alternative.
After rest
and refreshment, I once again took out my banjos, and played some merry
airs. My lovely wife took out her guitar, and we played and sang
through the late afternoon. Our good friends from the 1st Maryland came
and listened, and we were happy to renew the old acquaintance.
As the sun
recessed, we stopped, and my lovely wife Liz prepared a most delicious
repast. We took our ease. After a while, we could hear the sounds of
music emanating from the nearby town. We went up the hill to have
a look, and discovered a dance taking place in the same tavern where we
were feted the previous evening. Not being dancers, we sat and enjoyed
the music and the display for a time, before retuning to camp.
Night fell
quickly, but our lamps gave us light. The clear sky, while lovely, made
for a much chillier evening the the one before. After a time, I
light our brazier to add a little warmth. We were joined by Lt. Flye
and his friend Betty, and the Porteus', as well as some others, and we
spent a very pleasant, though chilly evening in the company of good
friends.
At length, we
retired to our tents. Once in our bedding, the chill of the evening
seemed to abate, and we spent a most comfortable night.
Morning broke
Sunday, bright and beautiful. The soldiers went about their morning
routine. It being my turn to lead divine services, I studied the Prayer
Book for a time, then relaxed by playing some airs on the the banjo. At
length, we went back up the hill to the small chapel in the town where
the townspeople had kindly allowed us to have our service.
Indeed, many of them chose to join us, and we were very happy to have
them join with is in worship.
On returning
to camp, it was soon time to make another reconnaissance. We formed the
company, and marched back down the road, again finding nothing.
Once again,
on our return, we encountered Federal resistance. We advanced, fighting
every step, causing a Federal withdrawal, again aided by Cpl. Vieira's
skirmishers. We came close to the fork, where fierce Federal resistance
slowed the advance.
We wheeled to
direct our fire, and had a firefight there for a while. I
dispatched another set of skirmishers to try to force a Federal
withdrawal. The Federals were having none of it, however, and I was
about to recall them, when a miraculous event occurred.
One of the
skirmishers was Pvt. Flye, who bears a distinct resemblance to our
ordnance officer, Lt. Flye. Yet another brother, I suppose.
Pvt. Flye
produced a revolver, and began to fire. The weight of his fire alone
cause the Federal line to break and withdraw! A miracle indeed.
I recalled
the skirmishers and continued the advance. Slowly but surely we gained
ground, the Federals taking cover behind a breastwork. I quickly
dispatched the trusty Cpl. Vieira to force them out, and, while it was
a hard go, he succeeded!
The remaining
Federals withdrew across the footbridge, with Cpl. Vieira's men
contesting their withdrawal. I placed the rest of the company behind a
breastwork, and fired withering volleys!
The Federals
could not resist, and those that remained ultimately surrendered. I
stood across the footbridge and watched the Federal soldiers come
across, their muskets inverted in the sign of surrender. I was
surprised to see a Zouave private who bore the most striking
resemblance to Colonel Paul Kenworthy! It is truly a conflict of
brothers!
As another
modern aside, we stood there in sight of the spectators, as I wondered,
how the heck do we get out of this? I hit on a plan. I told the company
we would break ranks, and shake hands with our Federal brethren! I
think the spectators really appreciated that touch.
We paroled
the prisoners, and marched back to our camp. On our arrival, we were
delighted to discover that the townspeople had invited us to the tavern
for a luncheon! Up the hill we went, where we were fed most
sumptuously, and. wonder of wonders, given ice cream for a dessert!
After this
lovely lunch, we returned to camp. The time had come, as it
always does, to strike the tents, the campaign being at a close. Camp
broken, we boarded the carriage, then the train, and made our way home.
To sum up the
weekend, this was a small event, and a one timer. Yet I had as good a
time as I have had in quite a while. It serves as a reminder that
great times can be had at the small events as at the larger ones. Yet,
I am always happy to see more of our friends, I hope we can build
on this, and continue to have a great season.
While I
hesitate to give out thank you's, for fear of forgetting too may names,
I would be remiss in not mentioning the hard work of Marc Bassos, the
event coordinator, who has give2n us so much in these last few years. I
would also like to thank Capt. Tom Higgins, who commanded Federal
forces on Sunday, for playing the game in the best possible manner.
Special
mention and thanks should also go to the 12th Georgia. Without
their strong support of this event, the great success we had could not
have taken place.
On to Norlands this weekend, and then Old Mystic Village!
Respectfully submitted this 10th day of June, 1865,
Captain Thomas Armstrong Jones (aka Leonidas Jones) commanding
Amalgamated Company, 6th Regiment, 1st Division, Army of Northern Virginia
The Liberty Greys
Any Fate But Submission