CIVIL WAR REENACTMENT AND UNITED

CIVIL WAR REENACTMENT AND UNITED STATES COLORED TROOPS COMMEMORATION
Delaware, Ohio

TO: Captain, 6th Ohio Cavalry

After Action Report:

May 12, 2008

Captain Church: Wanted to brief you on this past weekends events held in the small village of Sunbury, Ohio. The weekend started on Friday morning, with Lieutenant Vance (a member of the 20th VA) and myself (a member of the 6th OH) trying to recruit some 500 to 600 students from the local schools. We presented a very convincing case for the cavalry, but were most unfortunate, as we just couldn't pry them away from their momma's. We were able to provide them with a step back in time and a look at how life in the field would have been as a Union and Confederate soldier. The horses were a great draw and the boys especially liked the weapons (they learned the difference between a sword and a saber and a pistol and a revolver). Hopefully, they all left with a better understanding of the cavalry and the CIVIL WAR. In addition to the cavalry, they were introduced to the artillery, infantry, campfire cooking, music of the times, the stagecoach stop, among several other period items. Later in the day on Friday, the village began to take on a look of , north side of the square, Union Blue and south side of the square, Confederate Gray.

Early Saturday morning, General William S. Rosecrans, a native son of Sunbury (who just so happens to have been born a little over a mile from my home), was seen to be escorting President Abraham Lincoln into town. The President was in the village on a recruiting tour. Near noon, the President was seen on the second floor balcony of the newly renovated Myers Inn (the old stagecoach stop), along with General Rosecrans and future president, Rutherford B. Hayes. The President gave a very compelling speech on why one should join the ranks of the Union. A ruckus was caused by a local drunk, who was shot while trying to be contained. In all, about a half a dozen local citizens were recruited and passed their physicals and were marched off to Camp Delaware to learn to become a soldier.

Later in the day, a mixed group of soldiers - artillery, infantry and cavalry (me), met up with a company of US Colored Troops in the town of Delaware. Lead by President Abraham Lincoln, Rutherford B. Hayes, General Rosecrans, and the great black orator, Frederick Douglass, we marched the streets of Delaware, stopping to recognize the site of President Rutherford B. Hayes birth site (where now a BP station sits), placing a flag and the honor guard shooting a volley in his honor. We then proceeded a short distance to the site, where in 1864, Frederick Douglass, gave an inspirational speech on freedom. He was accompanied on his original visit to Delaware, with another native son of Ohio, General Willam T. Sherman. With the assistance of all, 2 plaques were unveiled to be permanently affixed to several of the buildings memorializing the event. From here, the group marched to the cemetery (I now know why I joined the cavalry and ride a horse, this marching stuff is ............., pardon me) where we were to recognize several of our fallen heroes, 15 unknown U.S. Colored Troopers. The eulogy was given by Private Mel Reed of 54th MA (a former resident of Delaware), who traveled from our nations capital, Washington, D.C., to be with us for this special event. He spoke from the heart and gave a very eloquent and moving eulogy. A volley was shot and a prayer was given. From here, we proceeded back to Sunbury (in a motorized carriage). Later that evening, my lady and I watched as the artillery performed a night fire. With the use of 7 pieces of artillery, they entertained quite a crowd of on lookers. Most impressive!! Then it began to rain, and rain, and rain.......

Sunday Morning - more rain, and more rain, and then after a church service it was decided that the afternoon battle, the reenactment of The Battle of Rich Mountain, should be postponed. This turned out to be a very good decision, as about the time of the planned engagement, the local tornado sirens were going off, as the area was experiencing a tornado warning and more rain, wind, and more rain. By Sunday evening, the little village of Sunbury was back to its quiet little self. All and all, the weekend was considered a success.

If you get a chance, the following website has some photos and information on the weekends event. http://www.lwfaam.net/cw/event/delaware.htm

Signed: Wild Bill Comisford, Trooper, 6th Ohio Volunteer Cavalry