Graeagle 2009

After recovering sufficiently from my wounds, I was released from the fields hospital. I travelled to Graeagle, CA to join my unit in time to celebrate the birth of this great union, in which we were fighting to preserve.

Time was spent setting camp and duties of the camp were assigned by our new Corporal, Corporal Josh Giurlani.

The newly promoted Corporal had us drilling and maneuvering all day.


They say that revenge is a dish served cold. I say Corporal Giurlani had revenge on me for all the wise and unprompted remarks made from my mouth towards his being.

The Colonel received reports of Reb troops in the area. The Colonel ordered the artillery forward to protect our flank.

Captain Clark called the company to attention and gave us a speech about honor and bravery when defending the flag. As regular army infantry we had heard this speech a dozen times. We were professionals before the war started and we were trained and ready to battle all the time. We did not need a rousing speech daily. I think Captain Clark talks so much to make up for the missing eye. Doctors say that when one loses a sensory organ the other organs become more acute. I don't think the Captains brain knows that talking isn't a sensory organ.

A line of rebel infantry were seen at the treeline across the pasture. We formed up and marched toward our foe. The sun was falling out of the sky. The sharp shooters took to the field in a hurry. I never understood why they were in such a hurry to die.

The thunder of cannons roared ahead of us. The smoke of the cannons did not dissipate as usual. The smoke settled in to witness this coming battle.

We progressed forward and fired. Looking through the smoke was like looking through a misty window.


As the battle went on we moved forward. We found ourselves between the Louisiana Tigers and Texans. We were outnumbered and outgunned. The rebs had more artillery than we were expecting. The fight was hot and hurried. Our men were struck by grapeshot and ball.


Suddenly I knew I was gong to die. I did not want to. A great volley tore into our line and I found myself standing with only one other man. Captain Clark was screaming at us, commanding the two of us to charge forward. I fired and yelled retreat! I turned around and made for the rear of the field. "Where are you going, get back in line!" screamed the Captain. My reply was, "I am not going to die here, for you!"
As I continued to run I felt the sting to my low back and my legs buckled. Did the Captain just shoot me in the back?
"You will die as a coward," he screamed.
Corporal Giurlani limped up to me and I asked him to roll me over. He did so and leaned me on my knapsack. As I tried to make out the battle through the smoke. I could see Captain Clark fallen and lying in an unnatural posture.

The war was over for me. I could feel no pain. I could not feel anything. I couldn't move my legs. Corporal Giurlani tended to me and then went to tend to the other wounded.

I lay there for a time and then noticed some yellow eyes watching me through the smoke. The eyes got bigger and brighter. Was this what death looks like. My hear pounded in my chest. The eyes changed to lanterns and two you girls came to me offering water. They looked like angles. I was now hoping that death was pleasant, like the two girls tending to me in the dark.

The Surgeon walked up and wanted to inspect my back injury. A stretcher bearer helped him roll me over. He made a quick evaluation and said that the ball must not be deep and he would have to remove it. Fired coursed through my back as he probed into my back and then all went black.

Graeagle was a great venue. The scenery is fantastic and the fireworks following the night battle are really bright. I look forward to it every year!