Fort Pocahontas 2004:  "The Crucible"

 

Gentlemen soldiers of the 28^th Virginia Infantry,

           It is with great honor and pleasure that I write the after action report for our recent engagement at Ft. Pocahontas, Charles City, Virginia upon the James.  Having received marching orders from Captain Gallion, he soon informed me of the malady which had befallen him sometime in the previous weeks; an illness of the throat, rendering his voice quite ineffective on the line of fire.  Captain Gallion therefore, ordered me to take command of the company under his guidance and tutelage for the campaign.  I accepted with honor and not a little nervousness at so great a task before me.

          Arriving at our ordered station upon the James River, we were indeed chagrinned to learn that there must have been some Union activity along our lines of communication as only six of our gallant and steady compatriots joined us on the field (Pvts. Will Perkinson, Alex Perkinson, accompanied by Mrs. Noel Perkinson, our gallant 2nd Sgt Junior Switzer, Captain Gallion, and myself).  I must believe that the great majority of our lads either were captured along the route of march to join the battalion or had failed to receive orders due to Union mischief in our rear.  Nevertheless, the 28^th made a “good show” as they say and  in  true 28^th fashion, “made it work.”

           Friday night began with the pitching of camp and the campfire speculation of which of our other compatriots would join us upon the morrow.  Sadly as mentioned above, this speculation was in vain.  As we lounged around a good hot fire, sweating in the oppressive humidity that is the James, forming what we have now termed “gelatinous mass”, (not to be confused with Easter or Black Mass),  we managed to enjoy the camaraderie that can only come at a camp amidst our friends too long parted.  As we wiled away the evening with tall tales, “cheeky” impressions, and our old friends and brothers the 1^st Texicans (all two of them), a fierce gale blew in from the west bringing much sought after breeze and cooling rain to sing us to sleep.

           The morning dawned hot and humid as the last and the 28^th prepared for its daily duties and the coming engagement.  At morning parade Col. Smith of the 1^st Texas combined the 28^th with the 6^th and 49^th VA Regiments along with the small contingent of the 1^st Texas to form a working company of which I was to take command.  Indeed the other units of the line were as hard pressed as we for numbers on the field as the combined heavy infantry numbered roughly a mere thirty men. 

I would like to pass along my sincerest thanks to the Captains of the 6^th and 49^th Virginia Infantries and Col. Smith, as the captains of the company conglomerate had rank and seniority over me, but Captain Gallion had previously requested I be given as much trigger time as possible for the campaign so as to further my military skills and experience.  The gentlemen of these units were kind in their concurrence.

           The “Battalion” took the field on Saturday amid withering heat and grueling enemy fire as our forces worked a desperate picket line driving the Federals down the road towards Charles City.  The cavalry action was fierce on our flanks and the Union artillery did nasty business upon our force until by God’s grace we were able to force the retiring of the guns.  Though our lads proved themselves Mars’ equal every one, we nevertheless were forced to withdraw in the face of superior numbers.

           Having weathered the fray and regrouped ourselves Saturday afternoon and night, we spent the hours cleaning gear and weapons and cooking our rations for the coming day’s deadly work.  Passing a cooler night, we awoke fresh and eager to again test the mettle of our foes and avenge our fallen.  The afternoon of Sunday burned hotter than the previous and we steeled ourselves for the work ahead.  With thinner ranks than Saturday, we pressed on under the good Colonel and proceeded to drive in the Federal pickets before the works of Ft. Pocahontas, all the while comforting and ensuring Captain Gallion (who shouldered a musket right manfully) each time his eager request was heard, “get to shoot the gun now boss?”   Having driven in the pickets we proceeded to probe the works in line, sustaining casualties but pressing ever forward.

A lull in the engagement produced an offer of surrender to the foemen manning the fort ahead but was heartily refused.  Realizing negotiations were of no avail the tiny “battalion” pushed its way belligerently to the face of the ramparts themselves whereupon a galling and destructive fire was received by our ranks.  It is here the reaper worked his worse and our men lay scattered beneath the trees of the mote below the fortress walls.  Few it was indeed who made their way back across the bloody field to the safety of the trees. 

Following the grizzly spectacle, we combined forces as “Americans” with our previous foes, formed ranks, and saluted with present arms the men of the United States Colored Troops who were manning the works that day in a gesture of good will and friendship.  Our hearts being full of good will and satisfaction of a job well done, we broke ranks in the shade of the old fort, shook hands, said our goodbyes, and proceeded to break camp for the long journey to our homes and families.  I can only hope that in coming engagements, our lines may be secure and our phalanx strong in the face of the foe.  Until we again take the field together under the banner of our country, may God bless and keep you and your families.

I remain your obedient servant,

Sonny Bishop

1^st Lieutenant, 28^th Virginia Infantry Company C.