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| Official newsletter of the 14th Tennessee Co. B Volunteers | ||||
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| Official newsletter of the 14th Tennessee Co. B Volunteers | ||||
Headquarters Company B, 14th Tennessee Vol. Inf'y. Lenhardt's Brigade Army of Northern Virginia
Sir: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by this regiment in the recent short campaign:
This past week found most members of the 14th preparing their gear and themselves for the largest annual campaign on the West Coast. 1st Sgt. Dve Lund arrived on Friday, October 6, securing a good camp site in a small grove of pine trees tha offered ample shade and bedding. Friday evening libations soon followed, and when your Commanding Officer arrived on Saturday morning, he found the command in good order. Our first order from Brigade HQ was to consolidate our company with members of the 3rd Arkansas and several other commands that were generally made up of good soldiers and good fellows. Your CO offered command of the combined company to Captain Terry Handy, long known to members of the 14th as a good pard. After our first battalion drill, Capt. Handy and myself took the initiative to match pards up within two platoons in the Company. It was then found that the 14th had enough rifles on line (about 12) to take the field as an independent company within the First Battalion, posted on the right inside, next to the 5th Texas.
Our battalion was held in reserve during the opening phases of the first battle on Saturday, and we were soon sent up to relieve a hardpressed main battle line. Though the battalion made a valiant advance and retook hard won ground, we soon found ourselves unsupported, and the fire soon tore into our ranks from front, left and right. The battlion made an orderly withdrawl by right of companies to the rear, and reformed again and offered battle, but was soon outflanked by superior numbers and driven out of position again. Twice more the battalion tried to reform and hold back the advancing blue tide, but there was little that could be done and a general retreat was soon underway. The flood of casualties supplied to the3 field hospital by the 14th and our sister companies in the battalion attests to the valiant effort made to hold back the mudsills. Reformed and reorganized in the rear area, the Brigade then came back across the creek and gave the Yankees some of what we had gotten in the morning. The fight was hot, and the 1st battalion was in the thick of it right away. We pushed back a Yankee battalion, covered the withdrawl of our forward deployed artillery when it was threatened, and continued to maintain presure on the Federal left throughout the fight. We completely pushed the Federals from the field, capturing many men and officers, a cannon and a stand of colors. The price of victory was high though, as the battalion more resembled a company due to the thinning of the ranks by casualties.
Saturday night was spent in and around the camp area. Plenty of libation was supplied by Sgt Lund, and while your CO attended to old freinds from Frazier's Legion, all had a good time to the tune of the 97th Regimental String Band. A double cross by the site hosts out a quash on the planned performances of "Allouette" and "The Legend of the One Goober Pea" at the Lyceum, but we will bring those out with a vengence at Ardenwood Station next year. During the night Pvt. Ryan Downs was granted an overnight pass, but was AWOL on Sunday morning.
In Memoriam - Tom CulrossSunday morning was begun with a consfused effort to find the grave of Tom Culross. After some errors in navigation, the site was found. Though a solemn visit was planned, the spirit of Tom and Bobby Lloyds chewing gum soon took control, and everybody got to have one more great laugh with Ol' Tom. God Bless, Tom - you are not forgotten. This all made the Colonel late for officers call, but everyone made it back from breakfast in time for the first formation.
After battalion drill and a road march which took us past the Yankee Camp, we all gave three cheers for the Sons of Confederate Veterans right in front of Frederick Douglas, and paid a salute to Col. Lenhardt. The first fight on Sunday was a good one, but sharp and hot. We were once again forced back across Asphalt Creek, and since your Commander found himself traped between the opposing lines, he had to eat dirt and wait for the lines to advance to see whether he would be rescued or taken prisoner. The Yanks pressed forward, and I was captured. Surrendering my arms, I was paroled to tend to our wounded, and was able to bring several off the field while waiting for the ambulances.
I was exchanged in time to reach the company before the expected counter attack, but the company was exhausted by its efforts, and those stalwart souls who had stood so long evaporated before my eyes in a quest to find a location to watch some sort game played by pirates and gold miners from California. Only myself and Pvt. Scott Downs remained when Pvt. Ryan Downs returned to the camp, much to our relief. This made for a three man color guard, which bore the 14th's Regimental colors on behalf of the First Battalion in the final battle of the weekend.
True grit and determination are rarely unrewarded, and ours in remaining to the end was rewarded with a new addition to the 14th Tennessee. John Essex, an 18 year Army veteran originally from Chatanooga, Tennessee, entered our camp with Major Bufford, and after a short discussion about the 14th, he filled out enlistment forms, was mustered in, and was in a complete uniform and kit in time to form up with the 14th's Color Guard for the final battle. As the battle got underway, I turned to John Essex in my rear and told him that he was about to "See the Elephant".
This battle saw a terrific advance by the Confederates, and the Federals were driven all the way back across the field, though once again at a terrible cost to the First Battalion, including the mortal wounding of a gallant color bearer named Claytor. After the battle, I asked John Essex what he thought of "The Elephant", and he replied, "I think it was blue and hairy!" He is gonna do just fine, so be sure and look him up at Vacaville. Many members have voiced their intention of attending the next muster at Vacaville, and I hope that all of you will show to help pay back an old debt owed to Col. Gay and the Yankees on behalf of our former Brigade Commander, Col. Frazier. One loaner musket (belonging to me) was damaged at Fresno, so we need to get organized early on loaners for Vacaville. If you are attending, or if you are not, let me know early. Also, bring gear if you have extra, we may need it.
All of Which is Respectfully Submitted, Bvt. Capt. K.S. Claytor Commanding, Co. B, 14th Tennessee Inf'y.
