Trevillian Station Reenactment After Action Report
/June 12, 2024
Dragoons,
On the exact day that the Battle of Trevilian Station ended 160 years ago (June 11-12, 1864), I felt compelled to send out the After Action Review of the living history/skirmish event that took place this past weekend (June 7-9, 2024). In attendance were the 2nd US, which included Sergeant Barry, Trooper Dave Childs, USV Bugler Kevin (who didn't get his last name), and myself. We camped in between McNeill's Rangers/1st New Jersey Cavalry and the 4th Virginia (Black Horse) Cavalry, proving that YES, Blue and Grey can camp together and still get some sleep.
Well, sleep is relative. Camping beside a railroad track - duh Trevilian Station - can be stressful on new horses to the hobby. Trains come at any hour of the day or night. And when these 220 car locomotives come clicky clackity through before the break of dawn, it can scare some mounts entirely out of their hides and off the picket line, breaking camp chairs in the consuming confusion along the way! This was the scene that became our 0454 hour Saturday morning wake-up call. No bugles needed here. The four horses in the 2nd US all prevailed with a calm and cool demeanor on the line, but looked at the other equines in surprise as if to say, "WHAT THE HAY?!"
After the morning's excitement, the event proved not to be done with its fair share of a few more glitches. The 16 mounts that made up the whole entourage of Federals and Confederates rode hard and long on Saturday and Sunday, including three separate scenarios. The first was for the Federals to find and engage the enemy along an approximate four - five-mile completely wooded trail leading to a final skirmish in a field at the trailhead parking lot, which was to have spectators in attendance. Well, the Federals never found their foe until at the parking lot. It seems the rebels misunderstood the orders and thought they were to go straight to the parking lot to wait for us there. They waited about an hour while we were painstakingly looking for them in the woods. But all's well in the end as the two combatants finally did meet to give a rousing array of gunfire and saber play to an estimated 100 in attendance.
Saturday evening's scenario was a fun one. To make both sides on more of an even scale in numbers, Trooper Childs, Bugler Kevin, and myself galvanized to the South while Sergeant Barry remained in blue. A running fight through the woods did prove successful as the Federals pushed the Confederates all the way back to Netherland Tavern (the original tavern on the battlefield in 1864, now refurbished). A final stance by the riders in gray proved to be in vain as the blue-clad troopers dismounted and stormed the tavern to the surprise of a dinner gathering already in progress. The Yankees helped themselves to the guest's chicken and ham. One guest was reported to eat faster as the troopers came in so as not to have his dinner taken as well. Sergeant Barry said, "I only shot 12 pistol rounds during the running fight, but it was the funnest rounds I ever fired. When we got inside the tavern, I went for the ham instead of the chicken, which was really good eatin' ".
Sunday's scenario was the same as Saturday morning, but this time, the rebels had to find us, which they did in surprise when we ambushed them along the trail. The fighting concluded at the trailhead parking lot with a slightly less but just as enthusiastic crowd looking on.
I wish to thank Dave Childs and the other members of the Trevilian Station Battlefield Foundation for organizing this event. I also want to say that on behalf of the 2nd US, it was a pleasure riding with our Confederate counterparts, and camping with them helped me get to know them a little better and appreciate all of the units that continue and keep alive this hobby we call re-enacting.
Your most humble and obedient servant,
Brad E. Thomas
Captain, Commanding
2 nd U.S. Cavalry Company A/9 th Virginia Cavalry Company D