Our company was recovering from the last engagement. Our Captain was still in the Hospital recovering from a musket ball wound to his hip. Many of our force were convalescing. We awaited permanent replacements to replenish our force.
I was summoned to the Colonel's HQ. There I received a battle field commission to Captain to
lead the company. I was surprised and concerned. Would I have the knowledge, skills, and honor to lead this company?
To my surprise and delight, a platoon of 2nd Wisconsin Black Hats reported in for duty. They had been sent to strengthen our force. They had a reputation and history of incredible bravery
in battle. But they also had a reputation for ruckus and rowdy behavior.
Pinkerton deputies reported to the Colonel on the rebel army. The confederates were spotted in the area and were planning to commandeer a train to transport the stolen union silver. Our force was rushed to an open area to the south of Virginia City. We planned to ambush the train and take back our silver.
The boys waited and some prepared for the coming engagement.
The Colonel gave a final order to the Berdan 1st Sergeant. He and a few volunteers were ordered to board the train to take our silver back.
The artillery prepared for the upcoming ambush.
Civilians on the train feared the invading reb army who had taken over the train
As the confederate train, holding the stolen union silver, rounded the bend the rebs only saw covered wagons until suddenly our artillery revealed their true power.
After our canons fired on the engine of the train we jumped up and came at the double to ambush the rebs as they tried to protect "our" silver.
At 100 yards we formed our firing line with two flanks.
Not having a rifle was a bad feeling. Firing my pistol did not make up for a lack of a real rifle.
The rebs poured lead into our ranks. We held our positions and prepared to counter charge.
The boys stayed in rank and we progressed forward.
A canon ball blasted the field to my right and I was momentarily knocked unconscious.
"Forward, March!" My men were falling and we kept moving. We had to meet our objective.
Our boys pushed the confederates back and we found ourselves without cover.
Heat penetrated my chest and I was pushed back. I fell and felt nothing more.
After facing stiff resistance from women and cowardly rebs our boarding force secured the silver.
The coward rebs refused to take the open field and hid behind the innocent civilians.
The canons traded volleys in a thundering exchange.
The coward rebs refused to take the open field and hid behind the innocent civilians.
The canons traded volleys in a thundering exchange.
Finally, the confederate artillery hit their mark.
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