This Page is for the After Action Reports of the Various events that the company, or members of the company, have attend over the year. As we do events an A.A.R. will be written for each and added to the webpage as well as the unit newsletter (The Riflemen's Standard). At the start of each year we will start afresh and these reports will be printed out and placed in the Company Records.
Tuesday, January 11th, 2011 (1861).
A great start to the beginning of the new year, is the best way to describe this event.
I left Columbia on Thursday to get down there for the event, and linked up with some of the folks that evening. Me and Brian Sharp (aka Artificer Henry Strandt) headed out to Ft. Moultrie on Friday afternoon and linked up with the other folks who were coming in for the event. Most of the early day was spent in shining belt plates, breast plates, cartridge box plates, and bayonet tips, as well as polishing the leathers, and once we got all of that done we helped load and unload a few truckloads of equipment that were sent on ahead to Ft. Sumter. Around dark sometime we formed up the two companies (E & H of the 1st Artillery) and marched into Ft. Moultrie where we took part in a candlelight tour that went fairly well I do believe. Brian and another fellow got posted to guard duty while the rest of the company stood out in the parade ground of Moultrie, rather cold but luckily our officer decided to put us through some drill to keep us warm in between tours, there were 5 groups in all that came through. Once that was done we marched out of Ft. Moultrie and back over to the parsonage house that was used for staging everything, and stacked arms and dropped packs. And began the work that would lead us to refer to ourselves as “Horse Company’ as we spent the rest of the time loading everything into the back of trucks that drove over to the boat for loading, which of course we were formed up and marched to that location to stack arms and drop packs again to help unload the trucks and then load everything onto the boat. Once everything was unloaded and loaded the command was marched onto the boat. Several men went below decks to where there was no wind, however I went to the upper deck where some others were and had a rather interesting ride over to Ft. Sumter. It was a truly unique experience to get to arrive at Ft. Sumter in the dead of night and see the walls of that fort and pull up and off load at that spot while a portion of Company E went in and secured the Fort. After disembarking we unloaded everything that was brought aboard the boat and carried it into the Fort, and once that was completed we moved to our Casemate that was to be our sleeping quarters, dropped and packs and then proceeded back outside of the fort to get supper that had been cooked for us. Once we finished eating we returned to the casemate and everyone was pretty much in the land of dreams shortly thereafter.
When morning came, not the sun of course but morning, we were woken up for Roll Call, and then proceeded to clean up our area and fall in for the raising of the colors. It was a site to see two companies all uniformed the same way presenting arms as Major Anderson (Brian Hicks) raised the colors over Fort Sumter. Afterwards we returned to the casemates dropped our equipment and were marched to breakfast, which I’m still not sure wasn’t just dirty water with some soap left in it. We then returned to the casemate and the day of guard duty was begun. Our company was split into three sections, ours the 1st Section, and 3rd Section were assigned to guard duty, rotating every hour, while 2nd Section was assigned to duty performing artillery drill. Company E as a whole did firing demonstrations, while everyone else who was in the fort, women, civilian contractors, officers, etc… all had some type of duty to perform, it was a very productive and busy day. Every time we were relieved from guard duty I would promptly fall asleep back in the casemate, with one exception being when I took the time to walk up to the Museum and then go back to the casemate to go to sleep. We were relieved for a short time for lunch, which was served and was a great improvement over breakfast. Our last guard mount was from 4 p. to 5 p. however we were held over after being relieved as a reserve for the guard. There was some firing off over towards Morris Island which turned out to be the Citadel guns firing on the “Star of the West” which resulted in the command being called out and held in readiness. After that we returned to our casemate and it was back to sleep for me until it was time for evening parade. We formed up on the Parade ground as the colors were lowered and then we were relieved from duty to go and get supper, which we formed up and went out to get. Afterwards it was alittle socializing around the fire and then off to bed until midnight when I had to pull guard over the fire pits that were burning on the parade ground, to make sure that nothing else caught fire. It was extremely cold, and I’m not to proud to write that after several folks went to go to the bathroom to seek warmth, that me, Brian, and another fellow officially became known as the “shit-house mess” since we went back to the casemate, got our blankets and such, and went to sleep in the restroom.
Come morning we were formed up for Roll Call and a breakfast of bread, and then gathered up all of our personal equipment, packed our knapsacks, and marched to the parade ground where we stacked arms and waited on the boat to take us from Sumter to Moultrie. Once the boats arrived “Horse Company” went back into action loading the boat with the equipment, luckily E company did some work this time as well, so it was much easier on us. We then marched out of Fort Sumter and boarded the boat back to Moultrie. This time I didn’t sit on the upper deck but went below and was very pleased to be able to obtain a cup of warm coffee. Upon arriving at Fort Moultrie we marched off the boat, stacked arms and once more began the work of unloading the boat. Once this was all completed the command was formed up and dismissed, thanks being given to those that attended.
Over all this was a fantastic event and a great way to start the new year. If the April Fort Sumter event promises the same degree of reenacting I am looking forward to our company being able to come together and go out there as part of the 1st S.C. Artillery and occupy the post. I hope that all who are members will be able to come out.
Kenneth Robison (aka Robert Roe), Lately a Private in Battery H, 1st U.S. Artillery
Batteries E & H, 1st U.S. Artillery, at Fort Sumter, Saturday, January 8th, 2011.Col. William H.T. Walker mustered his ragtag militia and put them through their paces before issuing his final instruction.
"We are Southern gentlemen," he said, his breath steaming in the cold January morning. "No running amok or hooting and hollering."
Walker's call for civility was returned by federal troops on Saturday during a re-enactment of the surrender of the Augusta Arsenal to the state of Georgia on Jan. 24, 1861.
The entire drama staged at the Augusta Museum of History was typical of the bloodless surrenders that occurred all over the South at the start of the Civil War, explained Kenneth Robison, who was playing the role of U.S. Army Capt. Arnold Elzey.
"It was the calm before the storm," he said.
Civil War re-enactments have been held for decades in the United States, but 2011 marks an important year as the 150th anniversary of the start of the war between the states.
In these early stages of the war, there was no Confederacy or Union and major figures such as General Robert E. Lee still had a commission with the U.S. Army.
On Saturday, Walker, played by Kenneth Truesdale, boldly walked up to the federal guards, identified himself and requested to speak with the garrison commander.
He was escorted to a corner of the museum lobby, where some old wooden chairs were pushed up to a table covered with a ragged gray blanket. Robison stood and greeted Truesdale warmly; their characters both graduated from West Point in 1837.
Robison politely but firmly declared he was there to reclaim the arsenal for the state of Georgia.
Truesdale smiled and declined, saying he had orders to the contrary from the War Department in Washington.
Despite his orders, it was only a token resistance.
Ordering his 85 men to fight off 1,000 members of the local militia "seems insane," Truesdale conceded. The captain had already drawn up the terms of agreement, which included a 33-gun salute to the American flag, safe passage to Savannah (where they would depart for New York) and to keep all federal property, including rifles and cannons.
Truesdale allowed him the first two terms of surrender, but he firmly denied the third condition. It was a useless request anyway, Robison later said, because there's no way 85 men could cart away 24,000 rifles.
"Even Rambo would be hard pressed with that one," Robison said.
With the terms settled, the two officers shook hands, doffed their hats and bid each other good day.
After the surrender in 1861, the soldiers were given a day to pack up and leave town, at which time 600 members of the Augusta Independent Battalion volunteer militia took their place and raised the flag of the Republic of Georgia.
Lt. Colonel A. Cumming (P. Truesdale), Ga. Militia, and Captain A. Elzey (K. Robison), 2nd U.S. Artillery, discussing the terms of surrender, January 22nd, 2011.Wednesday, March 23rd, 2011.
First off, I hope this finds you all in good health and spirits. Secondly for those of you who made it out to the Battle of Aiken, thank you very much for making the effort to attend and making it a great weekend. I would also like to thank the men of 3rd New Hampshire for joining us, it was a pleasure to meet you all and I look forward to serving with you in the future. For those of you who didn't make it, ya'll certainly missed out on a great time.
We started out Saturday morning with the usual routine of morning parade and company drill along with battalion drill. Colonel Dawson of the 79th New York did an excellent job as battalion commander and made drill and enjoyable experience. After being dismissed from drill the men were allowed some free time to visit the sutlers and grab lunch. We formed up for weapons inspection and battle around 1pm and marched off to await the start of the battle, we rested for a time on a roadway before being given the order to fall in and march on to the field. The Confederates put up a moderate resistance to our advances but at the end of the day the field was ours and we forced them to retreat behind the protection of their guns.
Sunday morning we were given the opportunity to rest a while before we were ordered to stand picket duty around midday. While on picket duty the Rebs sent a company out in skirmish line to draw us into a fight which we more than happy to oblige. Once the Rebs engaged 2nd(us) and 4th companies they decided to send several more companies on the field and push us hard. 1st and 3rd companies moved forward to offer us support but it seemed the Rebs had been reinforced overnight and they continued to push the entire battalion hard. We made several attempts to push back but were unable to force them any further. Eventually we had no other choice but to fall back to the wood line in order to avoid a route at which point we withdrew from the field.
All in all we had a great time, my thanks go to Corporal Wilbanks and Corporal Lewandowski of the 3rd NH. Ya'll did an excellent job of maintaining order and discipline both on the field and in camp. On a personal note for those of you who are unaware Saturday April 2nd, 2011 I will have the honor of making Miss Jessica Fuchs my wife. Please feel free to send your condolences.... I mean "congratulations" to the future Mrs. First Sergeant.
I am your faithful servant,
1st Sergeant A.J. Lamb, Company H, 17th N.Y. Veteran Volunteers.
Monday, March 21st, 2011.
This past Sunday myself, Lieutenant Hanson of the 3rd New Hampshire, and Miss Elizabeth Fogle attended the memorial service at Trinity Cathedral for Wade Hampton III, Confederate Lieutenant General and Governor of South Carolina. We arrived and were surprised to be asked to assist in carrying the flags for the service, I carried the United States Colors, Lieutenant Hanson carried the South Carolina State Flag, and another fellow whose name I forget carried the SCV camp colors. The service was well conducted and was much better than some of the other SCV services I have attended in the past, the speaker was Mr. Joe Long of the S.C. Confederate Relic Room & Military Museum who gave a talk on the Legacy of General Hampton which was very interesting and informative and I greatly enjoyed. Afterwards we were called upon to carry the colors and lead the group to the gravesite in the church cemetery, which we did, afterwards we returned the colors to the chapel and then went across to the Statehouse where a salute was fired to General Hampton.
The service went very well and as I have said was very much unlike other SCV services I have attended in the past. I believe it is a shame that the event was not more properly supported by the units in the Columbia area and next year will be encouraging any of our members who are able to and wish to do so to come and support this event, as such proper services as this should receive as much support as they can be given.
Captain Kenneth H. Robison II, Company H, 17th N.Y. Veteran Volunteers.
Corporal Wilbanks and Privates Ferguson & Robison at Armies Thru Time.Friends and Members of the Company,
I hope everyone is doing well, and enjoying the warm summer weather. This summer seems to be shaping up to be warmer than suits my taste, but I suppose it goes through cycles.
Those that didn’t attend missed a very splendid event in Camden at the Armies Through Time event. It was a very informative event, and personally, I was introduced to some very interesting weapons and uniforms that I didn’t even know existed. Our neighbors were the Revolutionary War reenactors, which numbered about three companies worth. They were friendly and hospitable – easy to get along with too. We were, for the most part, the Civil War setup. There was one detachment of Confederate Artillery, but they left early in the evening Saturday. Beyond that, there were guys doing the Zulu Wars from around the 1870’s, which was a very interesting impression to look at. Going past that, you moved into what I’d consider the more Modern Era impressions. I know there was at least one World War 1 doughboy reenactor, and a man doing Black Jack Pershing (Dane Corfman). There was a small group of World War 2 Americans and another group doing Nazis. Then there was a Vietnam setup with men doing those impressions, as well. Our own Bryan Allen was they’re doing a Modern military impressions which I found very interesting. On Sunday I saw one man come by in a War of 1812 era uniform. Aside from that, there were others in small numbers, but I didn’t catch exactly what they were doing, enough to describe it here.
Friday night, was just like a Friday night at any regular event. We got there, set up, and had a good time catching up and running our mouths. Saturday, morning, we arose and pretty much just hung around and played ‘living mannequin’ all day. Ours wound up being a very small display, and sort of off to the side, so we didn’t draw any large crowds. Saturday afternoon, all groups that wanted to participate, did so, in what was called “The Battle of the Ages.” (Oooooohhh … Aaaaahhh) I enjoyed it. It’s interesting to try and out-maneuver someone knowing their weapons fire at a much superior rate of fire than yours. Makes you think twice about open field tactics. And we wound up carrying the day, which personally, I consider that something to gloat about. “We fought the Nazis, and we whipped the Nazis!” Then we sat around and watched the Rev War guys play the Rev War version of baseball.
That evening, we a fierce hail storm hit, which cost me a ridgepole, so we all took refuge in the tavern that is on the grounds and is still in operation. We were eventually expelled from the tavern, and after assessing the hailstorm damage, we went to sleep. Sunday went very much like Saturday, only there was no battle.
Personally, I left the event with a very good feeling, and it would please me greatly to go back next year with a full company and show all of those people how much better a Zouave looks and acts. Plus, they give out awards for that sort of thing. i.e. most period camp, etc., etc. I think we should put this event on the events calendar for next year. I think everyone would enjoy it. So everyone consider it, and if you’ve any question, or comments, as always, feel free to call or email.
Thanks to everyone,
Corp. Matthew E. Wilbanks, Co. H, 17th N.Y.V.V.
Saturday, May 14th, 2011,
Comrades,
The company living history as the part of the Sparkleberry Country Fair has come and gone, hopefully we had some impact on the folks who came and attended, however only time will tell.
I arrived and established our small encampment around noon on Friday, April 29th, and was joined later that evening by Miss Elizabeth. Most of Friday was spent in making the necessary arrangements and getting everything in order.
The balance of the group arrived early on Saturday the 30th, and the only trouble had was an issue regarding parking passes, however it was quickly taken care of. Those present were Pearce Truesdale (1st Independent Brigade), Chris Hansen (3rd New Hampshire), Sandy Sharp (PSRS), Miss Elizabeth Fogle, Gabby Faust, Brian Sharp, Carl Sharp, and Matt P. (sorry Matt still can’t spell your last name). Throughout the day we talked with a great many people and had a very good display of arms, equipment, etc.., not too much but just the right amount. We had several good questions asked during the course of the day, and several ones that made you want to smack the person upside the head. I stayed in the area until lunch when the fire-pit was dug, and after lunch we took a short stroll to where you could ride the camel, yes a camel, below you will find the picture of Miss Elizabeth riding the camel, well worth the $5 to be certain.
We returned to camp after looking over some more of the displays, and continued talking with folks throughout the day. It was interesting to all those of us present that for some reason folks were more interested in the fact that we had dug a hole and cooked in it, then the upwards of $25,000 worth of equipment on display, but as they say, to each their own.
I believe it is safe to say that a nice time was had by all those who were present, and it was a very enjoyable living history, we handed out over 40 of our unit brochures and over 150 of the brochures from the Confederate Relic Room & Military Museum.
Kenneth H. Robison II, “Palmetto Riflemen & New York Zouaves.”
A portion of the camp of the 17th NYVV & 3rd NHSMSunday, May 22nd, 2011.
Captain,
It is my pleasure to submit to you, the following report of the actions of this company, in and around Columbia, SC, during the month of May.
We arrived in camp, and set up on Friday, with the intention of staying for several days. We also made a large show of retiring our colors Friday night, and displaying the proper respect to our company banners.
Saturday began my tenure as ‘acting First Sergeant.’ We all arose and after taking roll call, we were at leisure until morning parade. After parade the majority of the army left to do a remembrance ceremony in the city. We however, did not attend. Instead we used this time to brush up on our skirmish drill and tactics. When the majority of the army returned, a small fortification garrisoned by the Rebels, was discovered, and we were included in a force sent to drive them from their earthworks.
Our company was thrown out first, and pressed the fortification in open skirmish order. We pressed hard, getting close to the works, but it was found that their obnoxious little fort was a match for the minimal force sent to deal with them. So we retired to ready ourselves to renew the attack again. We returned to camp and occupied ourselves, until time to rise again the next day.
Sunday passed much more quickly than Saturday, as it always seems to. Again, we arose with roll call, and morning parade, with the usual times in between. We did not drill on Sunday, with several of the men attending worship services. Soon the order was handed out that the attack be renewed on the little fortification, and we were once again part of the attacking force. We were held in reserve for the first part of the battle, playing a minimal role in the fighting. Then we were moved up on our force’s right flank, to support the company there, which had been cut up badly. We assaulted the fort directly, and got within 20 yards of the fort walls, before a cannon and some Rebel infantry support caused us to fall back. Our lines had managed to succeed on our left, however, and our troops began pouring into the Rebel position. Our company also entered the fort, however I was not among them, having been wounded.
I have since recovered from my wounds, and am currently able to fulfill my duties. A numerical listing of the killed and wounded will be included.
Kindest Regards,
Matthew E. Wilbanks, Acting 1st Sergeant, Co. H, 17th N.Y. Veterans.