Entrenching and Skirmishing with Rebels at Picket Post

Описание: Digging Union Civil War breastworks or rifle pits. Made practical use of the pickaxe, azada also called grub hoe, and shovel. Thick clay and tree roots made for slow progress - making us fight for every inch.

Completed entrenching just in time to fend off a rebel skirmishing attack at our front and both flanks.

HAZZZA to our event hosts: Hairy Nation Boys

Union: 11th Iowa, Co. G – Outside of Atlanta, 1864
Confederate: 2nd Arkansas Consolidated Infantry

From the Captain's journal

June 29, 1864

Ordered to outpost duty with the rest of the battalion. Scouted our front and made contact with our flanking companies. Battalion received word that there was enemy activity in the area, so I ordered work details to begin digging earthworks.

June 30, 1864

The morning dawned pleasant enough, but promised another hot Georgia day. The company cook issued rations, and the men set about cooking them.

At ten in the morning, we were set upon by an unknown number of the enemy. After some brisk firing, I deployed the company reserve, and the sesech were sent scurrying.

In the meantime, I sent several patrols to keep the sesech on their toes, as well as to gain an understanding of their size and strength. All returned without difficulty.

I deployed the company reserve at fifteen after five in the evening, and when the enemy did indeed hit our right flank, we were well prepared. Their courage was admirable, but even after rushing our lines, they were unable to match the steel of our Iowa lads. Those who rushed our lines were captured or killed, and the rest were swept up when I ordered first platoon in pursuit. In all we captured six prisoners, including a lieutenant and sergeant. All were questioned and marched to battalion headquarters.