Not long after settling in with my company, we received an order to go out and stall the enemy. Our company was to go out and hold the enemy back while the brigade formed up for battle.
The 2nd Wisconsin moved forward into the field. The confederates waited for us to get within 100 yards before they fired on us. Suddenly, a grey line stood and fired into our ranks.
The enemy volley was ineffective. They must have been firing smooth bore muskets. Our return volley hit their line hard and a number of confederates fell. Knowing that we had an advantage of range we continued to fire and repel the enemy host.
As our lead balls did the work of death, confederate cavalry attacked our right flank. 1st Sergeant maneuvered our line into a box to defend against the cavalry.
We rallied into sections and prepared for the confederate cavalry charge. Hot and accurate firing deterred the mounted assault.
As the main confederate force entered the field, our own force arrived.
Seeing our force coming to our rear, our hearts were lifted and we made a charge towards the confederate line.
In response to our charge 2nd Battalion made a charge up the field to protect our right flank.
The 1st Battalion took up a position to our left flank. What was left of our company was holding the union center.
The union quickly took advantage of a lull in confederate cannon fire and the whole line pushed forward.
The right wing of our line retreated and our company spread out to help hold the line.
The fire was hot and the smoke thickened and we were glad to that the right wing had returned.
1st Sergeant Hinton yelled out encouragement as the reb lines swept toward us.
The confederate lines fell upon us and we again found ourselves alone. The right wing had retreated.
The Colonel ordered us hold the line to give the main army time to retreat.
We continued to fire in retreat. We evacuated as many wounded as possible.
It was a long and hot day. We lost many men. When we assembled back at camp our numbers were pathetic.
Early the next morning we lined up for an attack.
The Colonel was impressed with the bravery of company and decided to send us out to repeat the heroic deed.
We advanced as skirmishers and pressed forward.
The grey coats appeared on the field in great numbers. The whole line charged towards us. We fired and loaded and fired again. The confederate line poured over our company. I felt a ball tear into my right shoulder and I fell.
After the battle ended I felt my wounds heal and strength returned to my bones. I was healed and happy to be alive.
Fresno is a larger event with a lot of speeches, crafts, booths, educational demonstrations, and civilian displays. Presidents, Generals, slaves, freemen, and interesting people teach the throngs of spectators. I will be back next year.
