Company Action Reports
Captain Goering,
I hope you are doing well sir and keeping good order of our regiment. This is my Official Report of the activities of our 8th Kansas detachment at Fort Washita, Oklahoma Territory, February 5th through February 7th 1864. We are doing well and are still in good spirits and look forward to the arrival of the rest the 8th Kansas Regiment here at Fort Washita.
We have had a good time at Fort Washita this past weekend and I think since I am the most Senior Private in our detachment I would keep you informed of what has been going on since we have been here. Pvt. Dugan Shoemaker, Private Jacob Anderegg and I left the area of South East Kansas on Friday February the 5th at 4:30pm. We did not arrive down here at Fort Washita until 10:15pm of that same date. We had no problems during our march with snow or bad weather but it is very cold.
When we first arrived we thought the Fort had been abandoned because we saw no signs of anyone here, as we proceeded east we saw there were soldiers there so we were relieved. We checked in with Lieutenant Luke Garrett of the 2nd Colorado Infantry who is our commanding officer until your arrival. Lieutenant Garrett had me report to Sergeant Major Vlahos to fill out a roll call sheet for the 8th Kansas. Even though I am the most Senior Private here for our detachment I did write your name at the top of the roll sheet since you are in charge of the company. I believe on Friday night there were 32 men total here for garrison duty. As of Saturday morning there were only two companies present for duty. The 1st US had a rather large 2nd company detailing 16 men total. Our Company, the 1st company was mixture of the 2nd Colorado Infantry, 77th Pennsylvania Infantry and of course our detachment of the 8th Kansas. Our company has a detail of 16 men as well. I also found out that night that no Cavalry or Artillery had yet arrived so we are the only force here. We made up our beds and socialized with the other men there around the fire place attempting to keep warm. We turned in rather early that night.
On Saturday revile was sounded at 7:00 am. We all formed up after first call was sounded without rifles or accoutrements for roll call. After that at 730 am breakfast call was sounded. We all went downstairs and were fed eggs, sausage, rolls and hot coffee. At 830 am we assembled as a Battalion and Lieutenant Colonel Don Gross who is in charge of the Fort Washita Garrison briefed us on the day’s activities. After that we were dismissed for company drill which started at 8:45 am. After company drill we formed the battalion and went through standard infantry drills and marching with the battalion. At about 9:30 am battalion drill ended and we were given a short break. We were advised to go upstairs and drop our gear and to warm ourselves by the fire due to the cold. I have to say I have never seen men move up stairs so quickly due to cold weather.
At about 9:45 am the bugle sounded again and we were told to reform the battalion. We were then told by the Principal Musician Sergeant Neal Rudy that we would be going into the dining area for a class on Bugle Calls. So we went inside and attended the class. At the end of the class four teams were formed and we were given a test on bugle calls. Unfortunately our team did not win. Team one answered most of the questions right and received a bottle of whiskey for their achievement. After class we reformed the battalion and went through drill again. This time we responded to the bugle calls and not to orders from Lieutenant Colonel Gross. It was difficult but fun. At 10:20 am we were again dismissed for another break
At about 10:30 am we were ordered by the bugle to meet for another class. We all went inside and Lieutenant Colonel Gross put a class on about Street Fighting. If you remember Sir we did street fighting at the Battle of Westport Missouri during the Saturday morning battle. It was a very informative class but I could tell by the questions there was some confusion. At 10:50 am we were again ordered to the parade ground for drill on Street Fighting. It did not go so well and there was some confusion on what we were supposed to do. Finally at 11:55 am we were released from drill and told to get our eating utensils for lunch.
At 12:00 pm the bugle sounded for lunch call and we went downstairs and ate rice that was covered with vegetables and beans, rolls along with hot coffee or lemonade. We talked and enjoyed our lunch.
At 1:00 pm when lunch was over we were given until 1:30 pm before we had to form up again. We stayed upstairs near the fire where it was warm. At 1:30 pm the bugle sounded for another class. We all went downstairs and a class was given on medical technology of the time. Private Anderegg was used as a decoy and the doctor who I believe was a Major simulated how to remove a leg. At the end of the surgical procedure Private Anderegg was given a shot of a drug that would not make him feel any pain. The doctor then asked him if that was enough pain medication, Private Anderegg stated it was not and he wanted another one. The doctor then said, “Boy they are going to have some problems with you.” Everyone at that time began to laugh, it was funny.
At 1:45 pm we were dismissed from class and everyone was told to get there gear on, bring their rifles and make sure they had rounds and caps. We got our gear on and reformed the battalion at 2:15 pm. We had a battalion gear and weapons inspection and I am happy to say us three Privates of the 8th did fine. They then marched us north of our quarters down a hill and we started working on street fighting again. After a while of drilling we were fired on from the forest by a small band of Confederate Skirmishers. At that time we loaded our rifles and moved into a forest on a narrow road. At that time the Lieutenant Colonel ordered us to perform Street Fighting Techniques that we had learned. I have to say we did very well and only had one man wounded. When he was firing his rifle he aspirated black powder into his lungs and began to cough heavily and went to the ground. He was assisted and moved to the rear. We continued our skirmish, even though very small until the enemy disappeared. We then again moved out of the forest and took a short break. We then worked on maneuvers until we finally arrived back in front of our barracks at about 4:40 pm. Lieutenant Colonel Gross advised us this was still drill time but he was releasing us from drill. He told us to be ready to be called at a moment’s notice though. Private Shoemaker and I cleaned our rifles immediately before we returned to the barracks. I shot off around forty rounds during the small skirmish. Once we were done we went upstairs and relaxed.
At 5:30 pm Private Anderegg was ordered to help with KP duty so he left. At 6:00 pm dinner call was sounded. We went downstairs and ate beef stew, rolls, hot coffee or tea and we shared a delicious apple pie. It was a treat. After that Private Shoemaker wanted to see the grounds of our past battle in September, so Private Anderegg and I took him to the area we were camped in and explained the day’s action. It was dark but we could see where we were going. We arrived back at the barracks at about 7:00 pm. The Officers from our Garrison came upstairs and we had a battalion meeting and spoke about the things I mentioned in the last letter I sent to you. After that things became very relaxed.
Since we have been here our Lieutenant Colonel and Officers have been very relaxed with our consumption of whiskey and scotch. In fact they join us when we drink. Saturday night was very fun. We sat upstairs and consumed large amounts of alcohol with all who were in attendance. I became inebriated myself and Private Shoemaker became very inebriated. We had quite the social gathering. There was music being played, singing of patriotic songs and lots of talking and laughter. It makes me very proud to be a part of such a fine Army. I believe if we continue on our course we will be victorious and win this terrible war. Of course our social gathering ended pretty early. I turned in myself at 12:38 am and there was only one man still up.
On Sunday morning revile sounded at 7:00 am. Roll call was not taken but at 7:30 am we were called to breakfast. Not feeling up to eating I stayed upstairs and straightened my gear and cleaned up my bunk. After breakfast was over everyone returned upstairs and a Sergeant came in the door and said Garrison Staff was right behind him and they were going to do a barracks inspection. Everyone straightened their gear and stood at the end of their bunks. Shoemaker, Anderegg and I were in the bunks right next to the door. As Lieutenant Colonel Gross and his staff came in the door they immediately went to my bunk and made sure everything was in order. As they walked around the end of our bunks where we were standing Sergeant Major Vlahos came over to me and told me,” step out of the way lad.” I moved to the right and he picked up my rifle and looked it over. At that time he placed my rifle back in the rifle rack located at the end of our bunks and moved on. The inspection went well and when they were finished they left.
At 9:30 am the bugle sounded to form the battalion. We formed up and preformed wheels, company into line, facing and marching under the command of the new Officers in the battalion. Drill went pretty well and at 10:55 am Lieutenant Colonel Gross realized that we were all tired. At that time he dismissed us for the rest of the afternoon.
This is my Official Report on this past weekend. Our small detachment has very high spirits and responded to every request in good quick order. Private Shoemaker having been sick for quite some time is fitting in with the men and remembering how to drill and conducting himself as a soldier. Private Anderegg is still doing well and was very helpful to our detachment and to the battalion during our weekend of arrival.
Your Obedient Servant,
Private Jeff Finn
Private in Command of 8th Kansas Detachment A
Fort Washita, Oklahoma Territory, February 1864
