Event Reports
2006 Review
The Battle of Liberty in Bedford, Virginia- April 28th-30th.
February 2007
This would be the author’s first time seeing the elephant and I remember it as if it were yesterday. It was a beautiful weekend and Captain Stowe, Major Snyder, and I were traveling to this fairly new (but growing!!) event in the scenic foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Upon arriving we found the registration table at the local middle school and got squared away and were off to find the Confederate camp which was located on a hill overlooking a portion of downtown Bedford. With it being only the three of us the Captain and Major would be donning Private’s uniforms this weekend as we fell in with the 59th Virginia. We decided to bivouac on a strategic knoll (actually a 3 ft bank) overlooking the road that ran alongside our camp. Not long after settling in we were called out to form up for Saturday’s battle. It was here that I would find out what everyone had been so hush, hush about at the past few local drills I had been to. Before marching off to battle I was called out front by Captain (temp private) Stowe and was administered the “black face” (you know what I’m talking about!!). I was washing powder out of my newly grown beard for a week until finally I had to bid it farewell. On to the battle!!!
We were marched to the Elks National Home where we were joined in route by Corporal Duffer before halting for a brief rest in the front lawn. The sound of a signal gun opened the ball and we dashed off in column to the fields behind the Elk’s Home. Marching up the reverse slope of a hill we formed into line of battle and as we crested the top, the federal forces lay before us in line of battle with dismounted cavalry deployed as skirmishers and supported by one artillery piece. All I remember is how beautiful a sight it was and I couldn’t wait to drop a few of them!! We pitched right into them pressing them hard down the road and over a bridge. We took to the front of the advance as the artillerymen tried to man handle their piece to safety. We closed to within about thirty yards when we realized they were not retreating but preparing to fire, directly into us!!! Ordered to kneel we braced for what was certain to be a dreadful day for many of Southside Virginia’s mothers, wives, and sweethearts (well, it coulda been!!) and with a pull of the lanyard the artillery piece sprayed forth phantom projectiles that knocked the company to the ground. Losing Privates Stowe and Snyder, Corporal Duffer and I pressed on with what was left of the company across the bridge and into a small field where I was hit halfway across (in a very timely manner, considering I was out of cartridges). As the sound of battle moved away I noticed Corporal Duffer limping towards me apparently wounded. As I searched over myself I found that I was apparently hit by a spent bullet and so I decided to join Corporal Duffer in retrieving the remains of Privates Stowe and Snyder to carry off the field and return them to their homes.
Sunday’s street battle was beyond description. Reinforced by 1st Sergeant Beau Stowe and Private Ryan Stowe we took to the streets of downtown Bedford. Temp Private/Captain Stowe was posted in the second floor window of one of the downtown buildings as a sharpshooter while we contested every inch of that road, falling back to the intersection where we hit them with crossfire and sharpshooters posted in the windows of the surrounding buildings. It was truly amazing at how supportive the town was to this event and it is sure to be as amazing this year!!
145th Manassas at Cedar Creek Battlefield July 21st-23rd.
The BIG ONE for the 2006 season!! I would have to say the highlight for me was being able to fight as our own unit. Present for this massive event was Captain Robert Stowe, 1st Sergeant Beau Stowe, Corporal Kyle Duffer, Privates Ryan Stowe, Tim and Mark Hutcherson, Justin Stowe, Mike Hicks and a group of fellows from out west that fit right in with us and it was a pleasure to have them along. Also accompanying us this weekend was Kyle’s girlfriend, Stephanie. Arriving Friday evening we were able to set up camp and take stock of our surroundings before night set in. It was amazing to see this massive canvas city forming as the sun set which gave way to the glimmering campfires of the various units surrounding us. Saturday morning we stepped out of the tent into a haze and for awhile there it looked as if we were going to get wet. Privates Justin Stowe and I being the new guys or as Major Snyder likes to refer to us as the FNG’s were dispatched to fill the canteens at the nearest stream (water spicket beside the big blue latrines) for breakfast. Luckily we were up early and got there before there was a long line. When we got back to camp Stephanie and Kyle were up preparing breakfast and everyone was full, fit, and ready to fight. I myself ate light, having a few strips of bacon (I believe I may have filled up on crickets while I slept because the camp was full of them!!).
When we were formed for battle it was nice to see all the units in their various early war gear. We were attached to the 3rd Battalion and would fall in line beside Wheat’s Tigers (grrrr!). Longstreet’s Corps were portraying Evans brigade so we would be the first on the field and would be pushed back to Henry (or Heater, whichever you prefer) House Hill where the Stonewall Brigade would take the fight from there and we would retire back to camp. Saturday’s battle went right along with the scenario with the exception of very light casualties on both sides. The hazy omen from the morning rang true right in the middle of the battle as the clouds let loose with a pouring rain that seemed more like a tropical monsoon than your typical Virginia thunder clapper, but the fight went on until as quickly as it came the rain and clouds disappeared and the sun beat down on us heavier than before!! Sunday’s battle went pretty much the same as Saturdays except after being pushed back the 3rd Battalion went back in behind the Stonewall Brigade to help drive the yankee-dooodles from the field. It was a good event with good battles, plenty of sutlers, and adequate time to walk around and take a look at everything.
Respectfully,
- Pvt. Gary Elliott
