I've posted a new page to the 13th MA web narrative. The page outlines the forgotten Mine Run Campaign, November 26 - December 3, 1863. It has been called the dress rehearsal for General Grant's Battle of the Wilderness which followed in May, 1864. ( Grant's battle is a little more famous than Mine Run. )
My study focuses on the experiences of General John C. Robinson's 2nd Division of the 1st Corps during the campaign. Its a narrow focus, yet even so I did not have the time to dive as deeply into it as I would have liked. This campaign has always fascinated me, ever since I read Charles E. Davis, Jr.'s account of it in the 13th MA regimental history, many years ago in California. Today, I am able to visit some of the widely unknown locations of this largely ignored army maneuver.
An interesting detail in Davis's narrative, sourced from the diary of Sam Webster, Company D, is that the boys played a game of baseball, after a long slow night of stress, waiting for orders to charge a heavily defended enemy position, beyond a run they had to cross and then forward towards a fortified ridge lined with enemy batteries. Did I mention it was cold? No stress there.
This is the first instance in the regimental history that refers to the men pinning slips of paper to their uniforms for body identification in the event the worst fate should befall them.
When the anticipated attack was indefinitely post-poned, the boys launched into a game of ball to pass the time, while General Meade attempted to figure out what to do next.
This is just a short post, to announce the new page. Click on the What's New tab on the right of the home page to read more, and to follow the link to the Mine Run Page. This is the 65th detail page added to the website!
End of Year 1863 is to follow. But this will probably be a long while in the making.
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