A call went out for reinforcements. Col. Bispo was calling for able bodied men in the region to come to the aid of the union. I was on furlough with my family and decided to heed the call. The union was assembling in the hills of the Sierra Nevadas in a gold mining town called Nevada City.
I found the camp and was mustered into service with 1st company.
I had seen the Colonel in action on previous occasions and knew him to be a good officer and a great tactician. He addressed our ranks and relayed the order given. "Find and remove the enemy!"
The nurse passed out pickles as a last treat for the soldiers.
I was pressed into a platoon of skirmishers and we headed in advance of the union army. I was going to find the enemy and remove it, or die trying.
We came upon a clearing and found that the rebs had set up barricades along the field. We charged toward the barricade and found no one.
We deployed into skirmish lines.
Confederate cannons rolled out of the trees at the end of the field. We had found the enemy or had they found us?
We commenced firing and pressed the reb skirmishers back toward their canons.
In response to seeing the cannons, Col. Bispo sent union canon forward. The union artillery fired upon the reb guns.
The confederate cannons opened up in response. Shells started falling to our front. As we our way back the reb skirmishers advanced toward us. A fast and furious battle ensued.
I stood and fired and continued firing with my file partner. Suddenly, someone swept my right leg out from under me.
A Minnie ball had struck the outside of my gaiters. The ball had scratched my leg, but I kept on firing.
A company of CS marines came out of the woods on our left flank and we were forced to return to the main skirmish line.
We assembled as a skirmish platoon and fired en mass at the marines. Just as quickly as they appeared the marines fled the field.
Again, we deployed out in lines to advance on the enemy canons.
Cannon s ripped into our lines and I was sent to support the left flank. As I loaded my rifle, a lead ball struck me in the left chest. It knocked me over and I rolled away from the line.
I couldn't breath and it felt like someone was standing on my chest. I expected that this was the end. I looked around and the Colonel was standing out in the open. I tried to call to him to tell him to get to the rear, but no breath would come. Then all went dark.
I awoke in the field. Remembering what had happened I pressed my hands to my chest. It felt like fire. Expecting blood to fill my tunic I looked at my hands. No blood. I ripped open my tunic and felt around. No blood. My scriptures! The bullet struck my Book Of Mormon and Bible. I always kept a Bible and Book of Mormon in my tunic pockets. My chest hurt but I survived. I got back up and started firing.
Captain Hess ran up to me and said you're dead! I saw you die! I showed him my book and he sent me to the Surgeon anyway. Not wanting to disobey orders I headed to the rear.
I found the main body or men lined up and formed for battle. I decided to fall in with some of my old company.
The main force was sent out to push the rebs off the field. With the help of superior numbers of cannons the rebs had advanced to our lines.
Keeping tight and together we marched toward the grey line.
"Pour it into them boys!"
The battle field became clouded by smoke from our muskets.
A shell ripped in a struck to my right. I felt immortal! I knew I would not die.
A good friend Pvt. Ed Randall came turned and ran to me. As Pvt. Randall assisted me to my feet he was struck by a ball in his lower leg.
I tried to help him, but he couldn't stand.
He handed me his ammo and told me to get back in line.
The battle raged on and me were falling on both sides.
I continued to fire. My rifle was heating up.
The command was given to charge and so I did. I reached for my bayonet.
I jumped the barricade and was able to detain a reb captain.
Seeing their captain in trouble, a company of rebs made a counter charge.
I was forced back to my lines to continue the fight.
A second charge was made. We took the enemy cannons. The rest of the reb force was captured or rounded up. Feeling exhausted, bruised, and lucky to be alive I headed back to the rear for water and laudanum.
As I reached the rear of our lines my body collapsed. My right leg throbbed. My chest felt like knives were stabbed into it and my head felt like it was going to burst.
The confederates were in good spirits. They were not happy being prisoners, but they were happy eating union food.
As I lay there weak and in pain, Pvt. Frank (Gramps) came to check on me.
I told him I just needed a little rest. I sent him to look for our friend Pvt. Ed Randall.
I told him I just needed a little rest. I sent him to look for our friend Pvt. Ed Randall.
The Surgeon came by to check on me.
The confederates were in good spirits. They were not happy being prisoners, but they were happy eating union food.
Nevada City was a fun event. Although the battle field is smaller, the battles are still a "blast."
