Company Action Reports

   

 

Dear James,

I received your letter of the 3rd instant and have now just found the time to write you a few lines in return, specifically I wanted to address a hot little engagement we found ourselves in just a few days ago near Olathe, Kansas. The Eighth Kansas Regiment of Volunteers arrived in the Olathe area on Friday last with the Frontier Brigade. We found the Muddy River Battalion already encamped in that area and it was quickly decided that the two bodies of infantry would work closely together to drive away the enemy reported to be lingering in the area. Early Saturday our cavalry scouts reported the enemy’s movements within ten miles of our camp. Major Don Gross ordered elements of the Frontier Brigade estimated at 75 strong to move out as skirmishers to probe the enemy’s lines and check his advance. This was done with success as the enemy was first discovered less than seven miles from our camp. The skirmishing lasted thirty minutes or less with the enemy’s advance guard being driven south of the railroad cut running northeasterly. The job completed our men held their ground and waited for the main body of the Muddy River Battalion to join the line upon which a far more aggressive attack would be made upon the enemy. Several hours later the Secesh feeling that they hadn’t quenched their appetite for hot lead hot powder and cold steel once again made an attack on our line but in this instance they placed their artillery in front. Our battery met their challenge shot for shot and a general engagement began. Our line was ordered to attack the Secesh line commanding a stout wooden fence. Several valiant charges were made to take the fence with no success and such would have been our lot that day had it not been for the courage of Sgt Tom Schmidt of the Eighth Kansas who hurled his rifle with bayonet attached at the Secesh flag bearer much like a hunter throws a spear at an unsuspecting wild boar. The flag bearer was taunting our own men saying not a man in our company could shoot straight enough to strike him and relinquish his firm grip upon the flag and such was the case for some time. But Sgt Schmidt having lived in a Brazilian rain forest with the inhabitants of that wild uncivilized land for the better part of three years learned the peculiar intricacies of spear throwing. The rifle must have traveled no less than fifty yards in a high menacing arc quivering as it flew and struck the Secech flag bearer in the foot pinning his foot and thus his entire person to the spot. Upon seeing this the entire Union line let out a mighty ‘huzzah’ and made one final charge for the fence. The Secech broke ranks and ran away like frightened rabbits less the flag bearer who was pinned to the ground and unable to dash away. Sgt Schmidt caught him a Secech flag bearer and flag in but the course of a few minutes. Our work done we returned to our original camp and prepared dinner that evening the major so impressed by the deeds of Sgt Schmidt that he ordered three drams per man and a first rate cigar of the finest Southern tobacco to recognize the sergeants deeds. I close with a photograph of Sgt Schmidt and his trusty rifle and the captured Rebel emblem. Tell father hello kiss mother for me and instruct Albert that the army is no place for a young man and that a career in law would better suit him.

J.P. Goering