The Squirrel

[Artyman]

At the Fremont event there were squirrels in every tree. The small battlefield in front of the Harrison House is covered with countless old giant trees. The battle began with the usual artillery barrage and several guns were overloaded to the extent that even the guys who love artillery grimaced as the louder than required loads cracked sharply back and forth. Somewhere during that barrage one of those terrified squirrels became disoriented by the concussions and found himself trapped between the two advancing lines of infantry. Some say it fell from the tree it was quaking in. As the lines got closer we all soon noticed this squirrel running in circles in the middle of the space between us. These circles were more like pinwheels actually. The volleys of musketry crashed on and on, and when the two lines were at their closest, and casualties began to litter the field, the squirrel suddenly fell over "dead" too. We watched it lay there for a moment, then it revived, and began to slowly walk about the area, often climbing up upon the Yankee dead. When these guys, feeling the animal climbed up on them, would move, the squirrel would freak out and run to another spot, often upon yet another dead guy. At this point the Yanks surrendered, the lines formed for "Taps" and as I stood there the squirrel staggered up to about 4 feet from where I stood, looking up at me, head tilted sideways and it's eyes bugged out like it just saw a picture of my mother-in-law. Then, as the dead began to rise the poor thing trundled off toward and through the spectator line and on to where we all hope it eventually recovered. The other squirrels didn't pay much notice, but this one, as "Brookie" commented, "had it's bell rung!"

This squirrel will need treatment for PTSD.

Harry

[Colonel Dave]

A decade ago, I was leading a large U.S. infantry battalion across the grassy fields of the Perryville, Kentucky battlefield.
Suddenly, men began to notice disturbances in the grass, then more and more.
After a few minutes of the steady advance, we saw there were hundreds of mice being driven ahead of us. By the time we reached the Confederate lines, they spewed out of the grass and into their works like water...and disappeared into higher grass. It was erie and the thought we all had was how many times did that really happen but no one ever wrote it down. These mice did not have their bells rung but they were scared beyond belief...scared enough to go into a Confederate line...lol

[Tiger_rifles]

Franklin Tn. 2004, Saturday morning battle, we were on the far left of the CS line. As we moved forward it was clear there were no Union Infantry to our front, but there was one US 12 pounder that kept up a good fire on us as we advanced. We fired a volley or two, then we advanced about as far as was felt safe. One of our group, (there was a dozen or more of us), said "Next time they fire... lets all take the hit!" We did and got a big cheer from the Gun Crew. I fell face first into this recently cut field. Same guy now says, "don't sit up or take pictures, etc..... lets just lay here". Soon my eyes adjusted and I could focus in on the ground 2 inches away. It looked like a great forest w/fallen trees, broken logs, etc..... I then noticed ants making thier way as if nothing was out of the ordinary in any form. Some carried seeds, others carried what looked like aphids and chiggers.

Then it hit me...... how many men fell just this way, unable to get up or move..... this was thier last sight here on earth?

[jda3rd]

At least they didn't have to worry about fire ants!

[indguard]

Billie Creek sometime around 2003 or 2004, I took my battalion tru that back woods on the other side of the creek from the event. We were running thru the tall rushes beside the creek looking for a good place to splash across. I was running beside the main column and as I took a jump into a thick area of tall grass I trounced on the leg of a young fawn hiding in the grass. I didn't see it until it jumped up to run away. Scared the crap outta me. They ended up having to take the thing into the vets to have its leg set.

[VaGent]

I was in charge of the Honor Guard firing the salute at Hollywood Cemetary following one of the big SCV marches about a decade ago. After the speeches and ceremony, we were to fire our three volleys, maybe 30 muskets involved. This was near the gazebo and the huge oak tree...when we fired our first volley, pretty much right into the treetop, danged if a squirrel didnt come plummeting out of the tree. (He survived the fall, and took off quickly). It got quite a laugh out of the crowd!

Have also seen the wave of mice in the field as well, most recently at the 145th Gettysburg...very eerie looking!

[1stSgt45PVI]

It was my very 1st event, we were @ Neshaminy we were heading up one of the trails in column going into battle, and to my right were 4 deer or so you could almost touch them w/ your musket. I remember it was so quiet and peaceful and vivid green foliage, the "calm before the storm" I suppose, really a great indoctrination into the hobby!

I look forward to more of these incidents as time goes on.
Cheers,
Zach

[Culpeper]

The historical markers at Chancellorsville reference accounts from Federal soldiers that the first clue they had of the quietly advancing Confederates in Jackson's famous Flank March was the wave of critters scurrying through the Federal camp, on (I think) May 2, 1863.

What an omen.

John Orr
44th Va, Co H
Longstreet's Corps

[Scooby_308]

Ever jumped a grouse? I used to hunt them when on leave with my dad (kinda our time thing). I know what it is like to step on one and was rarely surprised when one took flight.

On a tactical I was moving through the bush looking for (and anticipating) the Rebs to our front. Then whoosh, flutter, drum beats, (you know if you have ever jumped one the noise they make) I jumped three. I about pee’ed my pants. It scared the living snot out of me. Many have had a good laugh over my front roll and aiming at the flying birds. Little buggers, I watch more for them now, than I do Rebs when at events in Eastern KY.

On another tactical three of us stalked a deer through a thicket; sure we had taken the Reb skirmishers by the flank. Slowest moving deer I have ever seen. We never saw it till we pushed nearly half a mile to a clearing.

[IrishRifles]

Anyone here ever had Squirrel bits and gravy? Mmmm.... Now that's the stuff! ;)

[hiplainsyank]

Witnessed a rabbit scurrying ahead of the Federal advance during the Sunday battle at Perryville '06.

Felt like a very period moment...

[marylandreb]

Witnessed a rabbit scurrying ahead of the Federal advance during the Sunday battle at Perryville '06.

Felt like a very period moment...



Did a couple of guys jump out of line and chase the rabbit?

[Artyman]

Hey, I just noticed that in the initial post I referred to the Hayes house as the Harrison house. Opps! Sorry

Harry

[hiplainsyank]

Mark, no, no one chased the rabbit.

And that would have made it even more of a period moment, wouldn't it?

[marylandreb]

Mark, no, no one chased the rabbit.

And that would have made it even more of a period moment, wouldn't it?


Most definately! :D