Below is an After Action Report for the 2004 Spotsylvania Reenactment in the form of a diary entry. We thought it would be an interesting twist on the typical report.
Excerpt from the diary of Sgt. Walt Barger of the 2d New Jersey Infantry, 1st Battalion, 1st Division, 6th Corps, Army of the Potomac:
May 7, 1864
Pvt. Barry Hartnett and I traveled through Virginia returning to the
Army of the Potomac in the Spotsylvania area. We were on a reconacanse to
the scene of our defeat in December 1862 in Fredricksburg. As there was no
sign of the enemy in the area we were able to reach the Sunken Road where
the Confederates had been positioned those many months ago. To look down on
the town of Fredericksburg from that vantage point made us both glad that
General Burnside has been relieved from command of our Army. We climbed the
summit of Marye's Heights where the enemy artillery had been positioned.
Again, the ground was better than that which we held at Gettysburg. We bid
goodbye to our comrades who did not return from Burnside's blunder and
headed to Spotsylvania.
On arriving at Spotsylvania around 6 o'clock in the evening, we reported in to Major Buffington. He
informed us that as the rest of the 2d New Jersey was on detached duty, we
would be falling in with the color company from the 3d New Jersey commanded
by Captain James Pepe. As they had not arrived yet, Pvt. Hartnett and I made
camp in the color company street. Just as we finished erecting the shelter
halves, the sky grew black and the wind kicked up. We quickly stowed our
gear in the shelter. As the wind continued to escalate, we found ourselves
inside the tent holding the uprights to keep them from shaking loose. After
a short time we simply collapsed the shelter over us and our gear as the sky
opened up with a torrential downpour of rain. After the rain, we were soaked
but our gear and blankets were dry. We set up the shelter again and went to
help others who did not fare so well. Some of our comrades had their tents
blow away and the sutlers who had been following us had tents and
merchandise damaged.
After what we discovered later to be a tornado had subsided and we
got a fire going to dry out, the 3rd New Jersey color company arrived. We
took a good natured ribbing as they had remained dry in the wagons during
the onslaught of rain and wind. We greeted our brigade mates heartily and
all bedded down for the night.
May 8, 1864
Awoke to reveille and went about camp business. Roll call, Dress
parade, Drill, eat, Drill, rest. As we were aligning for evening parade we
received orders to march to the front and support Upton's division on an
assault of the enemy works. We came on the field in fine order and took some
rest by the woodline out of view of the enemy for about a half hour while
the commanders co-ordinated their plans. We were ordered to advance and
deploy as skirmishers in front of Upton's men. Our skirmish line was
approximately a 500 foot front of 120 men. We could hear the din of musketry
to our left and just made out the flags of our boys as they assaulted the
Confederate works. The infantry was supported by artillery on a ridge to our
left rear, but the works must have been strong at that point as our men were
driven back after some 45 minutes of close range fighting.
It was at this time that we were called to advance. The line was
impressive as we moved in leap frog fashion toward the entrenched positions.
After a few volleys our line went to the double quick and drove in the enemy
pickets. Some of the wounded Confederates told me that it was a very
impressive sight. Once the pickets were in we laid down as Upton's men were
formed up and marched right over us. We cheered them on from our prone
posture and they thanked us for clearing their way. As they cleared our
front we rallied round the flag carried by Sgt. Lowcher of the 3d New Jersey
and followed them in.
The trenches were relatively empty as we came upon them. I bayoneted
one reb who looked to do me harm then jumped into the six foot deep gorge
that they had held but a few moments ago. When I landed I felt my left ankle
give way and stumbled into the trench, catching myself with the butt of my
rifle on the rear wall. I turned and helped my comrades down into the works
and up the other side then followed them. It was mass confusion on the
Confederate side of the works as they were reinforcing. I could see Sgt.
Brennan of the 3d New Jersey taunting the rebs with our flag. Through the
smoke to the front I made out Pvt. Hartnett who had been wounded in the
fight. As he told me that he would be OK the Confederates rushed our
position and we were ordered back across the works. Sgt. Lowcher had the
standard again and we rallied on him. There was some more counter-attacking
lead by General Tony Daniels that I cannot describe here due to my fatigued
memory.
It was now after the cease fire that I felt the damage that had been
done to my ankle. Under the white flag Pvt. John Brennan and I went up to
the works to retrieve whatever wounded we could. We found Pvt. Brennan and
St Peter and were able to get them back to the Jersey Brigade. The 3d New
Jersey performed valiantly and I was proud to be detailed with them for this
attack. We all had dinner and are going to sleep, knowing that duty may call
tomorrow.
May 9, 1864
Awoken at four thirty to pack up and fall in. As I tried to move I
found that my ankle had swollen to the point of being useless. I informed
Captain Pepe that I would be reporting to the Surgeon for Sick Call. As Pvt.
Hartnett was also feeling the results of his wounds from yesterday's battle,
we helped each other to the medical tent. I could hear the men of the 3d New
Jersey marching off for what I imagine to be a dawn assault. We were loaded
onto the ambulance wagon and taken to the rear to recover from our wounds. I
cannot wait to be back with my pards from the 2d New Jersey again.
