Duncans Mills 2009

Leaving furlough I heard reports of the union going on the offensive. I had to get back to my 2nd Wisconsin Volunteer Company. I travelled to the west coast, west of Santa Rosa to the hamlet of Duncans Mills. The union encampment was tucked in a pasture back up in the hills. Red woods and California Bay trees lined the pastures.

The confederate army was camped not far away and we were going to attack in the morning. We assembled in battalion and the skirmishers went out in front of our line. The skirmish fire became continuous and the cavalry entered the fight. Southern artillery opened fire and the northern guns returned in kind.

As we marched toward the battle the column was commanded to halt. We were in sight of the reb infantry. The column counter marched to the rear and we headed back in the direction we had just marched. I'm sure the rebs thought we were running like cowards. A few miles up the road the column halted. Colonel Bispo made a difficult decision to divide his forces. He sent half his force on a circuitous march around to the flank of the enemy. The remainder of us halted and just waited.

After some time had passed we could hear the battle increase in fury and sound. Col Bispo turned the column back into the original direction and we made a rapid march back to the battle. As we came closer to the battle we could see the right flank of the enemy artillery. They had pulled there cannons forward and were firing on the other half of the union force. The other union force was engaged off to our right front. The reb artillery did not see our rapid advance until it was too late for them to react. We quickly overtook their guns and turned a few of reb guns on the other reb positions.

Although we had a tactical advantage the rebs fought like veterans. Men were hit and bleeding on both sides. I felt a ball tear into my left arm. The black hats stood strong but many were injured and killed.

Our line pressed forward and kept moving with intense fire.

After recovering from the initial shock of my wound I joined the line,

The firing was reduced to sporadic fire and the reb line fell apart.

The reb army was pushed back until they were at the outskirts of their camp. The 2nd South Caroline fled the field and ran through their camp. Finally, Col Bispo called cease fire and allowed the remaining confederates to withdraw from the field and tend to their wounded.

The Field was covered with the dead and wounded.

Sadly Corporal Vranicar was found among the dead.

Duncans Mills is set in the hills close to the coast. The fog rolls in the morning and it is blazing hot by the afternoon. The setting is beautiful and rustic. I liked the event. I think I will go next year.