Vol. IX. November/December, 2010 Issue 6.

Captain’s Column

Gentlemen,

I want to open by thanking Wes Catlett and Matthew Guillen for helping out with the Fort Harrison Living History on Saturday, September 25^th. There were only three of us from F Company there on that Saturday. Luckily, Ed Sanders had also invited the 23^rd Virginia Infantry to the event so we were able to muster a respectable infantry presence. Matthew and Wes could not return for Sunday so I fell in with the 23^rd as a private.

Cedar Creek was the weekend of October 16^th and 17^th. Present from F Company were the 1^st and 2^nd Sergeants, Gammon and Firth, Lt. Stafford and Privates Catlett, Clements, Guillen, and Ward. To reduce the numbers of “chiefs” Lt. Stafford and myself fell in as Privates for the weekend. The weather was gorgeous and the battles were interesting. We formed up with colonel Bill Russell and his 46^th Virginia Infantry. So as not to steal his thunder please see private Guillen’s write up of the event else where in the newsletter. This was Matthew’s first battle reenactment.

Now coming up in November the 6^th and 7^th, is the Walkerton reenactment, the status of F Company’s participation in the event is somewhat uncertain as of this writing. The 1^st Sergeant and the Captain have family obligations and/or health issues that may prevent us from attending. Watch your e-mails for updates. Of course, even if we can not be there the unit can still attend. Just hook up with another Company. I think some units from Longstreet are usually there.

Also in November, on the 20^th and 21^st, is the Civil War Show at the Raceway Complex. Anyone that can or wants to help out with this, please let us know. This is a great recruiting opportunity.

In December, on the 5^th, is the Mechanicsville Christmas Parade. F Company will be there provided we can muster enough bodies to have a legitimate presence. December 12^th is the Museum of the Confederacy’s Open House for Christmas. We were invited last year and I expect we will be again this year. But as of yet we have not been. It’s still a little early. We will keep you informed.

The reenactment season is rapidly drawing to a close. For a lot of us this has been a very difficult and trying year on several fronts, economically, family matters and relationships, and health and sickness issues. I want to thank everyone who has supported the unit in your behind the scenes work and effort that keeps the unit functioning. That work is so important. We would not be the unit we are without it. But I especially want to thank those who support us with your presence. We can have the best looking brochures, the coolest website, the only unit with it’s own fort, but without soldiers in the field we are only a unit on paper. So thanks to those of you who make F Company come to life with your presence on the field.

Respectfully Submitted,

Captain Turley

1st Sergeant’s Report

Gentlemen,

The Walkerton event is going to be this weekend. (Nov. 6th and 7th) There are only six of us planning to attend. (Gammon [Sun. only], Firth, Hughes, Catlett, Clements, and Guillen). Captain Turley will not be able to attend, so anyone still wishing to go will have to fall in with one of the other units. There is usually one of Longstreet's units there. Directions are in the newsletter.

We have the Civil War show on November 20th and 21st at the Raceway Complex. Please plan to help the unit out with some recruiting. We must get busy recruiting with the 150th anniversary events getting closer. Times will be sent out when the event nears.

Your Obedient Servant,

1^st SGT. Gammon

THE ELEPHANT

Early in the afternoon of October 15, F Company went into battle along the banks of Cedar Creek near Strasburg in the Shenandoah Valley. This was to be my first engagement.

Falling in with Longstreet’s Corps, our brave Southern men formed the left of the line, just below the crest of the hill overlooking the creek. Following a brief cannonade, our part of the line advanced, moving through our guns. Down the slope and on our left flank, a battery of Yankee artillery with cavalry in support guarded the tiny bridge across the creek. Seeing this, our line halted and wheeled left to put fire on the battery. After firing several volleys into the seemingly invincible Yankees, our own cavalry charged on the left and carried the guns.

The main Federal force had taken positions on the hill opposite ours across the creek. Their artillery, like ours was placed cresting the hill with their infantry hidden by the reserve slope. It was an imposing position and it now became apparent that it was our intended target. We resumed our advance down the slope, halting periodically to deliver a volley or two. We stopped along the bank of the creek, which cut a ravine several feet deep and that combined with thick brush made the creek a significant obstacle. After another volley, we splashed pell-mell through the creek and hastily reformed our line on the opposite bank, all the while under combined musket and artillery fire. The Federal infantry had since advanced down the hill below their artillery and were pouring an murderous fire into our disorganized mass. As we began to return the Federal fire, we realized to our horror that the enemy cavalry had gotten into our rear and was now raking us with pistol and carbine fire. Entirely surrounded, we could but press forward, or we would all be killed.

Our officers ordered the advance and “then arose that do-or-die expression,” as Keller Anderson of the Kentucky Orphan Brigade once wrote. We advanced on the Yankees with a penetrating shriek, sounding like a band of Comanche braves. Sadly, however, ferocity does not equate to ability. The Federals counter attacked and they, having the advantage of moving down the hill, forced us to redeploy in the direction from whence we’d come.

The Yankees pressed on across the creek, I myself nearly getting captured in the confusion, and moved to engage our right flank which was now exposed. Now scattered, our men fell in with different units. However, once order was restored, our newly formed regiment advanced on the Yankee rear. The Yankees were already committed in a fire fight with our right flank and therefore were unable to turn to meet our threat. Completely enveloped, the Yankees had no choice but to surrender, and thus we carried the day.

Matthew Guillen

Ode to Joe