2002

April 18-21: NATIONAL CAVALRY COMPETITION
sponsored by the U.S. CAVALRY ASSN.
at their 2002 Annual Bivouac
Fort Sill, Oklahoma

When I arrived at 3 pm on Thursday, Mr. Heitman had pitched a dozen tents in our camp area. When I approached him and advised him of the situation, he responded, "I changed it". You recall that Charlie Mount, Dennis Mount and Jim Wallenhaupt (4th Virginia) went out to Billie Creek 3 weeks ago at their request to lay out our camp and help with the logistics-since they had heard nothing from anyone. So I brought the village director into the meeting with Heitman . The village director pointed out that the camping coordinator appointed by Clay, Davis and Heitman had been out there on the Sunday before the event and told the village our camp was in the exact right place. He then drew up a map showing where everyone was camped. The village then created dozens of those maps. By not giving us our allotted spot, no one could find anyone. Heitman finally said we could have the space if we would move the tents. So, great effort was expended on Friday by the 38th Indiana and the 19th Indiana, co. k, moving their tents. At least 2 village employees told me they had been pitched on Wednesday-well before the time they were allowed on noon Thursday.

A guard unit showed up under the command of their 2nd sergeant and were told they were assigned by Heitman to the Indiana Brigade. By the time this was discovered, their camp was pitched and they did not want to get involved in controversy. They were even listed on the map as being in our battalion.

Later, Jim Dedman received a written order from Heitman advising him that since he had refused to provide Coggins Test papers for his horses, he would not be allowed to return next year. This was amazing since Jim had been carrying the papers since he arrived but NO ONE HAD ASKED FOR THEM.

We marched out for our 1 hour first person before the battle. We found the only place in the area with no modern items and had some great first person. But then, the commanding general got in my face. I had told him we would be going to the high meadow but when it was time to march out, it was full of vans, trailers, etc. Having advised the Confederate commander that if they marched by us that I would ignore them if they did the same, I felt the location we chose to be acceptable. Heitman did not-screaming at me in front of dozens of spectators. So, in an effort to cooperate, we marched over to the high meadow before the battle started. If I had received an order to be in the high meadow before the battle started, I would have complied. I did not receive any written orders during the entire weekend.

The next crisis involved the roosters. The park director had told me they were trying to get rid of them and if we could catch them, we could have them. I put a bounty on their heads and several soldiers decided to try to collect it-without success. Well, Heitman, Clay and Davis thought is was the next thing to taking the Lindbergh baby. I called it off but everyone at the meeting 3 weeks ago verified the discussion about the roosters.

Saturdays battle was pretty good since we rolled up everything in sight while the Indiana Brigade stood in the middle of the field watching us. Even the messenger Heitman sent to tell us to advance was aghast that they did not pitch in to help.

Sundays battle was, well, uh, er, hard to explain. It has been a long time since I have seen spectators walk away during the battle. We were held in reserve for a long time then ordered through a barnyard, across a fence and through the union artillery. The U.S. guns fired 5 rounds each during this battle. There was always someone in the way to fire safely. I later found out that the village director had specifically told Heitman not to send troops through the barnyard-exactly where he sent us. We were even directed by one of his staff officers as to the route to take. There were spectators all around us and it was very unsafe.

The rest was even worse. We were ordered to advance 20 yards. We did, but there were no rebs to fight. We were then ordered to "Advance 30 yards, take appalling casualties and retire to your camp". Looking behind me, I realized that a retirement would run us through the union batteries. I went back and contacted Bill Toney who readily agreed to shut down 3 guns to give us a safe path. That was really the army commander's job but the safety of the men was primary. As we are walking back to camp, another messenger said to stop at the crossroads, which we did. Standing there in the 92 degree heat, we watched as the Indiana Brigade and Western Brigade troops streamed by us and headed for their camp. Mike Zimmer, 9th Illinois, looked at me and said "Sorry Dave". It was obvious that Heitman had sent his men back to camp and was going to use the Guard for his review by the thinning crowd. We returned to camp.

Everything within the battalion was positive. We ran pickets the entire weekend (but not all night) and we were the only ones doing so. The men of the battalion performed magnificently. The company commanders were great and proficient. The battalion staff, Bruce Kolb, Rick Keating, Steve Boldin, Adam Bender, Jim Dedman and Jim Williamson were great-I could not have done the event without them.

It is obvious that we have to reexamine our involvement with any event wherein Heitman is in command. This will be a topic for discussion in the future. Remember that Billie Creek does not know anything about reenacting. If you have information you think they should know, call them at 765-569-3430. Their email address is on our web page.

Colonel -David Shackelford
Lt. Colonel - Bruce Kolb
Major - Rick Keating
Adjutant - Lt. Steve Boldin
Sgt. Major - Jim Williamson
Aide - Adam Bender
Chief of Mounted Aides -Major Jim Dedman
Principal Musician - Tom Emerick
Provost - Dave Downing

1st Co.    49th Indiana
2nd Co.    19th Indiana Co. A
3rd Co. 104th Illinois - color company
4th Co.   19th Indiana Co. K
5th Co. 9th Indiana
6th Co. 38th Indiana

Headquarters Co. - All other Guard & Black Hat units
& 1st Michigan Engineers

Dana Heims did us in again, although, he did everyone one in, not just us. There was a very unfortunate accident involving a runaway horse on Sunday morning. It hit a car (you know, one of those cars not allowed in camp). He broke a leg and had to be destroyed. Well, General Omnipotent All-knowing Heim ruled that no horses would be allowed for the Sunday battle. That left the Dedman's unemployed and nothing to do. Our excellent bugler, R.J.Samp was mounted also. He ended up walking along with the rest of us. The real insult was that the confederates used their horses. I guess Heim thinks that horses simply cannot stay on their feet if it rains a little bit. I suppose it is a sad sight in Kentucky when it rains with all of those horses slipping and falling.

Our brigade was outstanding. We had two good sized battalions that were the cream of the Army. Our performance in the battles was exemplary. For example, on Fridays battle, we advanced and captured a battery, twice. We turned the rebel flank and only withdrew because we were ordered. As we headed back to camp, another CS Division appeared. So, in we went to rough them up. Sadly, the rebs did their Indian style, single file attack again. It could not have looked more stupid.

For the cornfield, we did a "By the right of companies to the front" to move through the union guns. It drew oohs and aahhs from the rest of the union forces who were trying to figure out how to get through them. We did an excellent job of staying together and whipped up on everything we found, blue and grey. I observed a rebel battle line moving past our left flank and it was obvious they did not see us. So, by moving to our left, then another left face, forward march and we came into their rear. The first time they knew we were there was when we tapped on their shoulder. DOH!

The sunken road battle deserves a place on our battle flag (if we had one). First, we engaged the rebs behind the 5 rail fence along the road. Then, our Division commander, General Valuska, advised me his left was under attack by a Division of confederates approaching in a column of brigades and could I stop them. The Black Hats advanced in line and hit the leading brigade squarely in the flank. The Guard battalion advanced in a column of companies. Losing the first company to fire, the rest crashed into the right oblique flank of the Division and brought it to a halt. When it retired, the brigade returned to the original line where I was asked if I thought we could carry the sunken road by assault. You know my answer-so we charged the depleted rebs in the sunken road and was the only union brigade to cross the fence into the road. As the rebs retreated, we were then in the rear of a brigade that had turned to face their right flank as it was being turned by another union force. They were saved by the sounding of taps just as we were about to hit their backsides.

Sundays battle found us charging the reb line twice to force it back. When the rebs retreated from our front, it opened up huge gaps in the rebel line that led to its retreat. But then, AP Hill arrived and that was all she wrote. Our retreat turned into a footrace to stop their attempts to flank us. A funny incident-I watched as a young reb ran into a yank and the fed went down. He crashes into another bluebelly and he goes down. By now, the reb realizes he is alone and with no pards within 50 feet. He started looking around trying to find someone to shoot him but the lines were faced away from him. He makes eye contact with me so your fearless leader formed a gun with his thumb and forefinger and went "bang". Down went the dirty secessionist. I suspect I can use this as part of my war record to get me elected to Congress after the war.

Other great things include the first person conversations, the bugling of RJ Samp, the sight of thousands of yanks, the efficient organization and administration of the brigade by some very dedicated fellows and the sight of the Western fellows meandering along with the strut and stride of the Eastern fellows beside them. Wow, what a contrast.

As much as I would like to name everyone that deserves a mention, it is impossible. Everyone pitched in and did their job...and more. Briefly, mention does go Terry Giffin, Jim McKinnan, Jim Dedman, Kurt Loewe, Will Eichler and Ted Barber. Those fellows were the battalion commander and the brigade staff. Nothing could have been done with out them. Thank you men.

It is my pleasure to submit the AAR for the 3rd Brigade.
The Brigade marched out of camp at the proscribed time at dawn of Saturday
morning. A position was taken in rear of a large group of skirmishers
belonging to a different command. Upon recieving your tactical advice, the
Brigade fell back to a small hill so as to gain the tactical advantage,
should it be assaulted. A large body of enemy cavalry soon appeared in the
morning mist and attacked the skirmish line. The infantry repulsed several
attacks then made their way to my right, leaving the field and crossing over
a hedgerow into another adjoining field. At this time, a single artillery
piece appeared and began to fire at confederate infantry that could be seen
in the distance. After a few rounds, the gun limbered off and moved to a
different area, never to be seen again in my area. A large force of enemy
infantry appeared marching in a column of Brigades. Commencing fire at 200
yards, our fire had a telling effect. The first enemy brigade broke up and
the second closed to the base of the hill you had so wisely counseled me to
control. Our fire devastated the confederate line and a gap began to appear
on their right. At this time, I recieved a message from you via mounted
courier stating that I was to hold the left of the Army. Advancing at the
left oblique, my two battalions began to push back the rebels. They launced
a furious attack that was rapidly repulsed by the Brigade. I then launched a
counter-attack and the grey forces rapidly retreated.
Returning to my origional position, the confederates quickly rallied and
launched another assault. Our deadly fire halted their attack and they began
to waver. Sending my second Battalion under Colonel Keating at the double
quick, their right was again turned. Pressed on their front by the first
Battalion under Colonel Kolb, the rebel invaders broke and fell back in
disorder.

Advancing into a cornfield, the 1st Wisconsin was posted on the left and the
21st Wisconsin on the right. The 21st took advantage of a rail fence that
circled the field of very poor corn. A huge force of confederates appeared
and several Union units to our front retreated in haste. One unit, broke
down the cover of the fence and literally ran through the 21st in their
efforts to flee. My attempts to rally the poor lads had no affect.
I withdrew the 1st to a hill to our rear in order to gain the protection of
two batteries that were actively engaging the enemy. The 21st, sadly were
overran by an enemy Brigade that struck the fence line with a fury and
overlapped the flanks of the 21st. They withdrew to the previously mentioned
hill and rallied beside the 1st, now in an advantageous position and
peppering the rebels with musketry.
Gathering their forces and courage, the enemy launched a ferocious attack,
led by the 1st Tennessee. The hand to hand combat was a near run thing but
the 1st Wisconsin prevailed and captured the colors of the Tennesseans.
Before the men could think about celebrating, though, a Confederate Brigade
launched a furious attack and drove the 1st and supporting 21st from the
field. The colors of the rebel regiment managed to escape in the confusion.

In the early afternoon, my Brigade was ordered to a high hill overlooking a
large sinkhole. Supported by a very active battery, we engaged small forces
of the enemy with long range small arms fire. The rebels did not seem to
keen to attack this position until a larger force arrived.
Directly, a larger force arrived and the confederates launched a determined
attack up the steep hillside.
We first advanced in order to maintain our fire as the rebels advanced into
the sinkhole. The left wing of the second battalion was moved to a location
that afforded them enfilade fire on the rebel lines. Nonetheless, the rebs
seemed determined to take my position and attacked like demons. Observing
the supporting troops to our right were in disorder and retreating, we were
obliged to fall back. It should be noted that we slowly fell back by
marching backward-we never turned our backs to the foe. Forcing the rebs to
pay dearly, we contested every inch of ground. Finally, we reached a
ridgeline that discouraged further advances by the rebs and we held that
position when the action ceased.

The 3rd Brigade suffered mightily. The actual casualty figures will be
forwarded via a separate communication. The men fought valiantly and with
spirited determination. The loss of the field can be attributed to the
failure of the right flank of the Army to assist us, not in any failings on
the part of the men.
Respectfully submitted,

Colonel David Shackelford
3rd Brigade, commanding

This is a difficult event to summarize. Not because so much was wrong-because so much was right. It all came together the way it was supposed to and everything "clicked". The weather on Friday certainly caused some significant problems. My tent went down 3 times and was ripped when an upright went through the canvas. Thanks to the help of the 4th Michigan, repairs were prompt and your Colonel stayed dry and snug-well, dry, the rest of the weekend. There were minor problems with the organization-a parade downtown at the time most folks were arriving and searching for the elusive registration point, a truck that finally got out of camp late Saturday morning, a golf cart racing across the front of both armies during Saturdays afternoon battle, to name a couple. But, and I want to emphasis this, the problems were so few and far between that they did not detract from the event. Firewood was more than sufficient, water was reasonably close and space was simply not a problem. The battles were excellent with no scenario busting or stupid reenactor tricks that detracted from the near-sacred atmosphere on the original ground.

The Guard Brigade-We have rarely had a brigade that functioned so smoothly and with such proficiency. It is difficult to even begin to name the great things we did and even more difficult to name the individuals that contributed to it's proficiency. Briefly, though, battalion commanders Bruce Kolb and Rick Keating performed above and beyond the call of duty. Their staffs also gave great service to the Brigade. Major Dave Dellenger received his Brigade experience baptism and conducted his men incredibly well. The men of the Brigade demonstrated the élan and solidarity for which the Cumberland Guard is known. Brigade Chief of Staff Jim Dedman and aide Billie were vital to the success of the Brigade. I would mention the other Brigade staff members----but there were none. Jim and Billie did it all.

The men gave every effort that was requested and performed their dull camp duties without fail or complaint. The men cannot be given too much recognition for the efforts they expended walking up and down some mighty steep hills and boxing the ears of every reb they encountered.

WARNING...WARNING....HOW TO RUIN AN EVENT BEFORE IT EVEN HAPPENS!!!!!!
You may recall that we were approached to participate in an event to be held in Indianapolis in May of 2002. Well, the event has been taken over by none other than Jean Davis and Jerry Clay-the same people that pestered, emailed and out-righted lied to Billie Creek about my fitness to command.. They have downgraded the "event" to a living history only format. I received a call from Jean Davis to inquire as to my attendance. When I expressed my concern that I have heard nothing about the event for months, she responded with "Oh, me and Jerry Clay have been meeting with the powers to be and have everything all worked out. " I suggested that they have the troops they command to attend the event (obviously, that would be zero.) Ms Davis assured me "Oh, we are just the coordinators. " When I objected and reminded her that she did not speak for the Cumberland Guard, she hung up.

Gentlemen, I rarely speak out against an event but this situation warrants an exception. You will be promised the moon but given little. You will be acting out Ms Davis's and Mr. Clay's fantasies about how the event should unfold. I would imagine the bulk of the Union troops will be the Indiana Brigade under Heitman. You saw them at Hartford City in the non-guard battalion. Ms. Davis tells me the celebration in a year-long event. I suggest you sit out the first round on May 11. If it is the overwhelming success they are trying to make you believe it will be, I will retract these comments and urge you to attend.

Feel free to contact me directly if you need or want any additional information about these scally-wags .