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The event features three days of civilian and military camp demonstrations, battle train action, parade, followed by a street battle. everything is close-up and personal.
Our company has been assigned escort for the Union silver coming out of the mining camps in the Nevada territory. We boarded the train. As the train leaves the station the cloud of steam and smoke that bathes us is a reminder of the true danger that may lay ahead. Surveying the countryside I made the remark to our captain, "Where are all the animals? It's a little too quiet Captain."
Ambush! Canon fire signals ambush and the train came to a halt. Our artillery returned fire from canons loaded on flat cars of the train. Then our company peeled out of the cars to protect the civilians and the silver.We were met with stiff resistance. We formed three lines along the length of the train and returned musket volleys.
We made forward progress and repelled the rebels to their rear positions.
The battle is chaotic and harsh! As we closed in on the shaken rebel lines I saw the canons too late and they fired upon us.We were ordered back to form up with what is left of our decimated company. The rebels appeared like apparitions and somehow we were totally surrounded. Our captain told us to, "Give it up boys." I gave up my rifle. They ordered us to go to our knees and pray to God.
A man next to me screamed, jumped to his feet and ran like a deer. The reb next to me raised his rifle and shot him in the back. I tried to grab the Johnny Rebs arm but it was too late. We all knew that we were going to die. The captain sent word to make a run for it on his command. "Long live the Union!" shouted the captain. I was up and running as hard as I ever had in my life. We all screamed and it sounded like a horrible howl. I heard the boom of the infantry rifles and then the hot poker to my back. Instantly I could not feel my legs. I fell hard to my side and front. My battle was over.
Recall was ordered. We returned to the train.
Recall was ordered. We returned to the train.
The next morning we marched into Virginia City to occupy the town. The towns folk were displeased with our presence. The Colonel sent word that if any woman showed us disrespect by dumping chamber pots on us as we marched or exclaimed any hostile words, he would allow us to exact our own justice on the offending woman. Fortunately as we paraded into town we experience no ill manners.
Cries came out from down the street. The 14th Virginia advanced on the town. "Brigade, on me!" shouted the Colonel. I hastily got into formation. We moved toward the rebs.
Just as I thought we might be dominant in our pursuit. Like jack rabbits there numbers doubled. We were forced back until...I fired my rifle as fast as I could. It sounded like angry bees flying around my head until I realized that those sounds were not angry bees but deadly Mine' ball...
After recall I was told that only a private and the Colonel were spared all the rest were slaughtered.
I am not sure if it was the close up battle or the outcome of the battle that caused such a joyous cheer in the town. In response made a final salute. 
A soldiers life consists of long periods of boredom punctuated by short periods of extreme terror.
"private, are you looking at my bad eye?"
With a face like this, I don't think I can wait 362 days until the next Virginia City event.
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