HEADQUARTERS: ARMY IN THE FIELD
After-Action Report
The Battle of Williamsburg @ Endview Plantation
March 24th & 25th
HAVING BEEN CUTOFF and surrounded, Pvt. Mike Cecere and the yankee line tried to make a breakout through the woods. Busted!
FACING INTO THE onrushing tide of grey on Sunday's battle, the Billys got ready for the slaughter to come.
AND WHAT A slaughter it was. Almost surreal in its realism.
WHERE AMERICA WON its freedom. Pvt. Beaven gazed across the field from the British lines at Yorktown. (Photo by Pvt. Mike Cecere)
WITH THE FORMER Virginia capital in the background, Pvt. Beaven took in the ambiance of Williamsburg. (Photo by Pvt. Mike Cecere)
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PRESENT FOR DUTY
Military
Privates
Mike Cecere
Guy Beaven
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On the morning of the 24th of March the Grand Army of the Potomac once more began its drive up the York peninsula towards Richmond with a stop at Williamsburg (aka Endview Plantation)where the scream of the cannons and the roar of the musketry filled the air. And volunteering their services in this heroic struggle were two brave soldiers of the the 7th Maryland - Privates Mike Cecere and Guy Beaven.
The opening battle was a wooded affair with the blue and grey maneuvering through the thick forest on Saturday morning, each side attempting to gain the advantage of position. The grey won this by a large margin as the yankee force was completely enveloped ala Sailor's Creek last year.
Saturday afternoon, in front of a rather large civilian turnout as spectators, turned into the classic, showpiece event with blue lines in formation advancing in unison only to be mowed down by rebel entrenched positions and numerous cannons. This followed by the slogging of the rebel advance only to meet the same fate on the opposite end.
Having taken a severe wound in the first retreat, Pvt. Beaven witnessed the grey lines form and pass over. A very impressive affair.
Saturday evening, with a faint touch of drizzle in the air, saw a night assault by the rebel infantry on the intrepid bluecoats defending their entrenchments. Small bursts of yellow punctuated the blackness revealing the movement of both Union and Confederate soldiers. In the end, the numbers of grey were too overwhelming for the yanks to handle and they were compelled to retire from the field for the night.
Sunday's battle was a total Union victory with line after line of grey charging an entrenched yankee position. It was eerie to see the numbers of soldiers melt away in the sunshine with the end being a field littered with bodies.
In between all this action, there was time to take a trip to the Yorktown battlefield where freedom was won for the fledgeling United States. For those who have seen the movie "The Patriot," they would appreciate the view from the British trenches across no-man's land towards the French and American positions. It had to have been no more then 150 yards - 200 at the most. Much shorter then appeared in the movie.
Also seen were the redoubts taken by the Americans under Alexander Hamilton and the French forces on the night of Oct. 14th, 1781. The last formal military action of the war, these were bayonet charges and it brought the allies to point-blank range for their siege guns.
On the way home from the wars, the two soldiers of the 7th also made a stop at Williamsburg where they reconnoitered the area for a future engagement - the paying kind.
Much thanks go to Col. Wayne Wolf of the 2nd U.S. for his treatment of the assorted elements of Vincent's Brigade which made the trip. His deer stew on Saturday night, breakfast on Sunday morning and Sunday lunch were most hospitable. Compliments to the chef.
Oh, and the springwater tasted fine, too.
