Event Reports
Tom Speaks Out
Seven Days-----------------
July 2002
The Seven Days campaign started off bad from the get go. First of all we didn't leave South Boston until 4:00 p.m. Friday, which put us at the event around 7:00 p.m. By the time we found camp and setup, it was night time. Some of us were kinda frustrated that we had missed Beaver Dam Creek. We later learned that the battle had been canceled, due to the poor planning of the "almighty stitch counter" ANV. Word has it that when the sutlers showed up to set up shop, nobody was there to tell them where to set up! There was two good thing about camp. We were camped in woods, which kept the sun off, and there were two ponds on either side of camp with a small lake to our rear, in which there was a scaled Monitor ironclad ship. The two ponds made the sloping ground a beautiful site.
Not having a battle on Friday, we thought things could only get better, wrong! We formed up for Saturdays morning battle. We got on the field and found the yanks hidden in the treeline. We fired a few times, and was ordered to fall back. Our support went in and fell back. We were then again called into action. "This is it" we thought. We started toward the treeline, fired a shot, and was called to fall back again! What was that all about? Anyway, the battle was pretty much over after that--thanks again to the ANV.
The battle of Gaines' Mill went a little better. Two batteries of artillery dueled it out before we went in. We fought in between two rail fences. We were ordered to cross the fences and press on. After crossing the second fence, we were pushed back, where we took heavy casualties. We reformed our line and fought back, and finally won the day at Gaines' Mill, Lee's first victory during the Seven Days.
The battle of Malvern Hill was the best fight of them all! Once again the rolling thunder fired shot and shell across the lines. We moved out and marched toward the federal position. "Hole, hole, hole!!", everyone yelled out. Everyone missed it except our beloved captain! He stepped right in it, twisting his ankle, leaving yours truly in charge of the company! All I could do was keep the men in line, and keep those barrels hot! My moment of glory only lasted about ten minutes, however. Captain Stowe rejoined the unit and the battle went on. Little did we know what would happen next. With all the ground explosions, the ground caught fire! In the words of John Buford in "Gettysburg", "that gorgeous field afire!" With the field on fire, the order was give to forward march! And so we we did. We marched into immortality The local fire department had to come and put the fire out. Watching them at work, we realized what we had done, we had marched through smoke and fire with a cartridge box full of powder! "Not very smart" we thought.(But like I said, "immortality") It made the weekend worth while to see that field on fire. The day ended historically accurate, with us winning the day.
Among other things at the Seven Days were the good vittles we had! Travis, Kim, and David brought steaks, corn, eggs, sausage, gravy, snaps, potatoes, and whatever else I'm forgetting. It was some of the best eating I have had at a battle. David's son River was treated to going out on the field with us----the first time he got to see the elephant.
That's pretty much it for the Seven Days campaign. It started off a little rocky, but ended up not to bad. We all had a good time. And oh yea, by the way, we were our own company-------AGAIN! Lets keep it up!!!
Thanks for listening,
Lord let Glasgow flourish
1st Sgt/Reporter Tom Ward
