Chart of Buffalo Harbor (1856)

Yellow -- Existing sand and mud bars that require removal;

Orange -- Sand and mud bars that have been removed;

Purple -- Sand and mud bars that are building from prevailing wind and currents along the beaches.

Note 1 -- The last report of the condition of the harbor at Buffalo, NY and the lower Niagra River have been sent to Congress  for consideration of the further work needed to remove the abve indicated material , together with the additional slowly accumulating sand / mud banks deposited  by the natural wind and currentmdrift.

Drawn and Enhanced by Ian McKay, Captain, US Corps of Topographical Engineers.

Bauer Park Encampment, Sept. 27-29, 1863; #09272013

Notes:

Note 1 - Fallow fields, marked with a circled star (purple);

Note 2 - Bridge, suitable for artillery, freight wagons;

Note 3 - Covered bridge, suitable only for infantry and cavalry (limited);

Note 4 - Bridge, suitable for artillery and freight wagons;

Note 5 - All weather road.

"Intermediate Warfare"

Intermediate Warfare Operations in southwest Virginia and eastern Tennessee.

Intermediate Warfare being defined as: combat actions between an isolated skirmish, and / or a large
battle in a relatively small area, a sort of a mini-theatre of war between regiments and / or brigades,
rather than corps, divisions, or armies.

Officers Serving:

Major -General George Stoneman (1822 - 1894);
Basil Wilson Duke (1838 - 1916);
Major- General Stephan Gano Burbridge (1831 - 1894);
Brigadier-General Georg Gibbs Dubrell (1822 - 1888);
Brigadier-General John C. Vaughn;
Major-General John Breckinridge (1821 - 1875);
Major-General Alan C. Gillem (1830 - 1875);
Lieutenant-Colonel William H. Ingerton.

Private Samuel Trueheart (1843 - 1897), a slave in Kentucky before volunteering for the Union army in 1864.
It is believed that he took part in both Union raids on Saltville.

Reference: James B.  Jones, "Intermediate Warfare," North-South Magazine, May 2012, Vol. 14, #1, Pages 30-36. 

The Ponds Area at Bauer Park, Madison, CT

This was esentially the battle area for the skimishes.  The camps were just off the lower edge of the sketch, Confederates being just below the Main House (surrounded by a driveway), and the Union farther down the unimproved dirt road.  The Union artillery was sited at the corner of the barn, the Confederate artillery above the top of the drawing, centered behind the two sections of brush and the small walking bridge.  The center hill was fortified with cheveaux des frise, and frazees.  The Union attack was in three sections, one down the path by the lake, the second between the heavy brush and the hill, and the third from behind the barn.

Shadow Lakes, Oregon Territory, 1859

A.-- Deep cut, 30 ft., Road condition, thin gravel on dirt, inclined to be muddy when wet, 12 ft. wide;

B.--Wooden Bridge, heavy support timbers, suitable for field artillery, cavalry, and infantry, 10 feet wide, weak railings;

C.--Rocky, uneven road surface, will be problematic with artilery and heavy wagons (10 ft. wide);

D.--Fresh water, no detectable alkalines, shallow, deepening to (0-30 ft.), beyond the dotted line very deep (exceeds fifty ft. in depth);

E.--Shallow Lake, max. depth, 40 ft.;

F.-- Max grade 6 degrees;

G.--The walls of the lake are mostly Basaltic Rock with shale, and some brush.

Battlefield Tactics at Green Hill Park, #2

Battlefield Tactics at Green Hill Park, Sunday, 10/13/13

1:15 p.m.

--Confederate Army is positioned in the tree-line at right angle;

--Union Army is positioned along the water, Artillery on high ground;

1:30 -- 1:35

--US moves from waters edge in column past trees and turns left;

--CS Main Line advances from the trees, US Artillery opens fire;

--US deploys into battle line, with reserve held at tree-line out of sight;

1:35 -- 1:40

--CS attacks Union left from adjacent tree-line, US defends left flank;

1:40 -- 1:45

--US reserve strikes this attack on CS right flank, CS forms main battle line;

1:45 --1:50

--US obliques left to cut off CS from retreating through the tree-line, pushing the CS Line towards the spectators, US Artillery hits CS left;

1:50 --2:00

--CS gives ground methodically but moves off the soccer field;

--US Artillery ceases fire;

--Casualties of both armies stay in place on field;

--Truce is called to pick up viable wounded  and both are take to the respective hospitals;

--After wounded are removed, dead are to be be removed or tactically walked back.

Battlefield Tactics, Green Hill Park, #1

Battlefield  Tactics at Green Hill Park -- Saturday, Oct. 12, 1863 (2013)

1:45 p.m.

--Confederate Army is positioned  in the tree-line at a right angle;

--CS Artillery just beyond the swale at far end of battlefield;

--Union Army is positioned along the water; Artillery on high ground;

2:00 -- 2:10

--Union moves from waters edge in column past trees and turns left;

--CS guns open on US column;

--US deploys into battle line, with reserve near the trees;

--CS Line, behind artillery commences firing and moves forward past the artillery;

--US moves forward to engage;

--Both lines square off.

2:10 -- 2:15

--CS gun and infantry freeze US Line’s advance;

--US reserve is brought up to US left;

--When US reserve meets main line and after three rounds are fired by US;

--CS Line moves from tree line and assaults US left

2:15 -- 2:30

--US left flank is refused from attack;

--CS main body forward with gun support;

--CS drive on US right, US id driven back;

--US forms a “V” with apex to CS;

--US Artillery Battery opens covering the retrograde movement of US;

--US retreat is slow and deliberate;

--CS begins to advance but takes casualties from US Artillery;

--CS retreats 20 yards  and recovers from US Artillery;

--US retires from field back to the waters edge.

2:30

--US Artillery cease fire;

--Casualties from both armies stay in place on field;

--Truce is called to pick up viable wounded and both are take to respective hospitals;

--After wounded are removed, dead are to be removed or tactically walked back.

--End of battle

Bauer Park, Sheet 2

Bauer Park (see Caption Below)

Bauer Park NEB Encampment, Copse Road, Madison, Conn., Sept. 28th and 29th, 1863, #09292013 -- Major G. P. Webster, Commander, Northeast Topographical Engineers, U. S. Corps of Topographical Engineers.

Defensive Plan for Artillery (see caption below)

Engineers Defensive Plan for Battery B, 1st Rhode Island Light artillery, Woodbury, Conn. NEB Encampment -- Captain G. P. Webster, Northeast Topographical Engineers, U. S. Corps of Topographical Engineers.

Fort Knox (Black and White)

Bent's Fort (see caption below)

Bent's Fort, June 5th, 1845 -- Captain G. P. Webster, Northeast Topographical Engineers, U. S.  Corps of Topographical Engineers.

Fort St. Louis (see caption below)

Fort St. Louis protecting Marigot Bay, French Island of St. Martin, 1765 through 1820 -- Captain G.P. Webster, Northeast Topographical Engineers, U. S. Corps of Topographical Enginers, April 21, 1863.

Port Defences (see caption below)

Port Defences of the Port of Charlotte Amalie (Long and Rieter Bays), British Island of St. Thomas, Circa 1835 -- Captain G. P. Webster, Field Engineer, Northeast Topographical Engineers, U. S. Corps of Topographical Engineers, April 27th 1863

Construction of Batteries (see caption below)

Construction of Batteries, Basic Field or Earthen Siege Fortifications -- Captain G. P. Webster, Field Engineer, Northeast Topographical Engineers, U. S. Corps of Topographical Engineers, April 1, 1863.

Brown's Ferry (see caption below)

Brown's Ferry on the Tennessee River neat Chattanooga, Tennessee -- Captain G. P. Webster Northeast Topographical Engineers, U. S. Corps of Topographical Engineers, March20th, 1862

Fort Young (see caption below)

Fort Young, British Island of Dominica, Circa !800 -- Captain G. P. Webster, Northeast Topographical Engineers,
U. S. Corps of Topographical Engineers, April 25th, 1863

Brimstone Hill Fortress (see below caption)

Brimstone Hill Fortress protecting Sandy Bay and Harbour, British Island of Saint Christopher (St. Kitts), 1690 through 1852 -- Captain G. P. Webster, Northeast Topographical Engineers, U. S. Corps of Topographical Engineers.

Batteries Protecting Marigot Bay (see caption below)

Artillery Batteries protecting Marigot Bay, French Island of St. Martin, 1765 through 1820 -- Captain G. P. Webster,  Field Engineer, Northeast Topographical Engineers, Corps of U. S. Topographical Engineers, April 19th, 1863.

Fort Knox, Maine (see caption below)

Fort Knox, Maine, on the Pebobscot River.  Garrisoned by the Maine Militia, Captain G. P, Webster, Northeast Topographical Engineers, U. S. Corps of  Topographical Engineers, May 9th, 1863

Siege of Fort Pulaski, Sheet # 2

Siege of Fort Pulaski (see caption below)

Siege of Fort Pulaski, Georgia, Federal Batteries on Goat Point of Big Tybee Island, March 12th, 1863 by Captain G. P. Webster, Field Engineer, Northeast Topographical Engineers, U. S. Topographical Engineers

Mouth of the Savannah River (see caption below)

Mouth of the Savannah River, Fort Jackson to Fort Pulaski, March 13th, 1863, Captain G. P. Webster, Field Engineer, Northeast Topographical Engineers, U. S. Topographical Engineers

Green Hill Park Elevation / Contour Map

The Battle of Chickamauga (2)

The Battle of Chickamauga

The battle of Chickamauga on the second day did not go at all as was planned
by General Braxton Bragg (See Sheet 1).  The "fog of war" rolled in and masked some of the planned aspects.  Bragg divided his army into two wings under Longstreet and Polk.  Polk, in his turn, only notified his subordinates
(Breckinridge, Cleburne) early the next day, and Hill not at all.  The result was a poorly coordinated attack by the Confederate Right Wing.  Only by the blessing of Lady Luck did Longstreet's Left Wing break through the Union Right and drove them back to Chattanooga.  Bragg also failed to order a pursuit of the Federal Forces.

General Braxton Bragg's Battle Plan at Chickamauga (Sheet 1)

General Braxton Bragg's Battle Plan at Chickamauga on Sept. 20, 1863.  On the second day of the fight, it fell to General L. Polk's Right Wing to attack early in the A. M. (5:30) and overwhelm the Union forces (Thomas, XIV Corps).
Then as Polk drove South the rest of the Confederate Forces on the battlefield were to attack their Union front in echelon as indicated above.

AAR, Oct. 11-13, 1863 Green Hill Park, #1011-132013

>>>> Chief Topographical Engineer's After Action Report, October 11-13, 1863, Green Hill Park, Worcester, Mass. ---- Battle of  Chickamauga Creek <<<<

General U. S. Grant 

Army Commander

Colonel Paul Kenworthy

Commander,

New England Brigade

Major Greg Webster

Commander,

Northeast Topographical Engineers (NETE)

Major Don Erickson

Commandant,

U. S. Corps of Topographical Engineers

Respected Sirs;

I beg your very kind indulgence to receive my Engineering Report for the above named encampment and battle.

My staff and I left Fort Trumbull by Coach early on the morning of October 11, after receiving orders from General U. S. Grant's headquarters to be present at Green Hill Park in the city of Worcester, Mass.  The trip was a long one and totally uneventful.  We arrived in the late afternoon to find Lt. General Grant's camp already pretty much set up.  Shortly after our arrival Major Webster arrived with the engineer's wagon and we immediately set to raising the Topographical Engineer's Field Office (Northeast Topographical Engineers, afterwards NETE).  Our purpose on this date was twofold, the first to serve as Gen. Grant's military staff, and to provide area maps, field reconnaissance of the area, and any and all further assistance to the New England Brigade that could be rendered.   The weather was warm and bright, and the grounds of the park were dry from a few days of good weather.  The Union camp was set up along the shoreline of Green Hill Pond, a medium sized pond, which divided the park between Crown Hill and the prospective skirmish grounds above and Eastward of the Union camp.   The skirmish field was newly mown and the production of the park's sketch maps by the NETE was further enhanced by the close ground survey conducted by Major Greg Webster, the NETE Commander.  Once the engineer's wagon was unloaded and the engineering display materials had been moved to the display tables under canvas where the display was to be laid out in the morning.

On Friday evening the Topographical Engineers were invited to attend a military ball in the Historical Society building on Elm St.  The ball was put on by the officials of the City of Worcester.  I was also asked by Lt. General Grant to attend as his Chief of Staff.  I arrived in the company of Lady and General Grant and Lady and Major Webster.  At the ball we found many of the Brigade Staff already there.  A lovely evening of light dining and dancing was enjoyed by all.  Period music was provided by a small band of three musicians, and was done very well.  Major Webster was able to procure two period maps of the Green Hill area, from a city official, one of which he presented to me for our use in this campaign and to add to our unit mapping portfolio and General Grant’s Headquarters archives.  I was entertained by a lengthy discussions with another engineer, and some military friends that I do not have the chance to very often discuss our efforts at length.  After the ball we returned to the camp where the carriage was waiting.  Lady Mathews and I then returned to the offered lodging in the city of Worcester. and there spent the evening.  Major Webster indicated that he intended to conduct a thorough field survey of the surrounding area in preparation for developing a sketch map of the grounds for the Brigade Commander on Saturday.

I arrived in the park, early the next morning.  The weather was clear and cool.  No clouds in the sky with a slight breeze over the parkland.  There was a light dew over the landscape, but nothing very heavy.  I met in the morning hours with all the engineers and we laid out our plans for the day.  Major Webster and I would both set out, in display, the few items brought with us for the explanation of all the tasks and responsibilities of the Topographical Engineers in a field situation.  It was agreed that I would maintain the main engineering office, instrumentation and models, with the assistance of Lady Webster.  Major Webster, would undertake all required field and ground surveys, produce a set of sketches as required by the Brigade Commander.  He would be joined in this by Lady Webster, a contracted military artist, in producing some vertical sketches of the surrounding area.     

My first action of the day was to fill out and send in the Topographical Engineers Morning Report, together with Major Websters two rough battlefield sketches for the Brigade Commanders use, which I had reviewed and approved.  Lt. Colonel James Duarte is released from duty to the Union Hospital in New Haven, CT to undergo a medical examination and both Corporal Thevenet and 2nd Lt. F. K. Goodhue are detached to the pontoon train commander, to perform mapping duties in other areas of Connecticut by the Chief Engineer of the 25th Corps.  Officers Call was sounded and Major Webster attended for the engineers.  This was followed by my putting together a proposed defensive project for the union camp as necessary, and to finish a large map drawing for Gen. Grant's map portfolio.  

Major Webster, in company with Colonel Kenworthy and Colonel Ozelius, conducted a reconnaissance of the battlefield to gain a better understanding of the terrain and the tactics which might be employed thereon.  Once Major Webster had a better understanding of how they planned to conduct their operations, he conducted a further reconnaissance of the terrain and trails on the right flank of the Confederate forces area along the Northeast side of Green Hill Pond.  A finished field sketch of this area was completed and given to the Brigade Commander prior to Saturdays skirmish / battle.  Lt. General U. S. Grant and I sat down together and went over the additions to his map archives that I had brought to him.  Gen. Grant was pleased with the map copies and they will be added to the Federal mapping archives at his headquarters.  The remainder of the day was spent in drawing up the map sketches that were due to General Grant's Headquarters and conversing with our visitors.  All during the day there was a steady arrival of spectators wishing to talk with the engineers and review the detailed engineering displays.  The items of the display which seemed to attract the most attention were the field fortification and bridging models.  Late in the afternoon my staff arrived with transportation and we went into the city to the Inn where we had acquired some nice accommodations.    

On Sunday morning we got into camp, again at an early hour, and found that Major and Lady Webster were already awake and had preceded us in removing the dew covers from the displays.  We again settled in to greet and serve as docents for the engineering displays laid out on the display tables.   Later in the morning Major Webster brought 2nd Lt. Goodhue to the tent and I told him that I was glad to see him.  We talked for a few moments and then Major Webster and Lt. Goodhue were off on a mapping project to Crown Hill, on the other side of the pond. He was just fresh from his previous field assignment and joined the Topogs for the day.  He would be involved in a ground survey assignment with Major Webster.  

Colonel Ozelius, the Brigade Executive Officer had requested that Major Webster conduct a further reconnaissance and field survey of the property surrounding the old armory for a possible future campsite for the Federal Army.  This survey was conducted with the assistance of Lieutenant Goodhue.  The site was found to be somewhat small with uneven terrain.  However, it was our feeling that if the camp were thoroughly organized, laid out and set-up, it could be used for a moderate sized force.  This information was reported to Colonel Ozelius, and a detailed survey map will be prepared for him.

The remainder of the morning I spent in completing my sketch maps for the above indicated various map portfolios.  Following the Sunday afternoon skirmish, in which the Union prevailed, the crowds again began to filter through camps for the last hour or so.  During that period, Colonel Ozelius again approached Major Webster and requested that he conduct a further reconnaissance of the intricate and confusing trail system to the South and East of Green Hill Pond.  This reconnaissance was conducted and the trail system within a half mile of the Federal camp was mapped.  A finished detailed map will be completed for Colonel Ozelius in case of future skirmishing in that sector. In the afternoon of Sunday a tribute to General McKay’s birthday was fired using the Topographical Engineer’s Thunder-mug to honor this auspicious occasion.

When the last of the spectators had left the Federal camp, General Grant, the Federal Brigade, and the Engineers broke camp and prepared the transport wagons to move to Winter Quarters, which was planned and scheduled with the departure of the last of the spectators.  I must also mention that Ladies Webster and Mathews were a very important part of the engineering activity.  Lady Webster did an excellent job of explaining the features of Major Websters engineering displays when the engineers were otherwise engaged.  Both ladies worked very hard in laying out the engineering displays, and in breaking camp and loading the wagons.  Lt. Goodhue was a big help in assisting the engineers break camp and getting all the engineering equipment packed in the wagons.  From this point the wagons began the long trek back to New London, CT and Fort Trumbull.

  

After breaking camp, packing up the engineering displays and leaving the Green Hill Park area, we (The Topogs) settled on a dinner at a local inn which we knew.  After a sumptuous supper at the "Inn of the 99," Major Webster proclaimed another engineer encampment and reenactment season to be fully successful and thanked all who were in attendance.  This encampment from my view was very successful and not only were we able to learn from our attendance, but we again carried away from the encampment not only our memories of a very good time but we have also increased our map files and our proposals to the Brigade as well as the replies to the needs of General Grant and his future planned campaigns.  Were I and my staff invited again to be a part of the encampment planned and carried out by the Event Coordinator of this event and his staff, we should be pleased to attend and do whatever possible to make such an encampment as pleasant and interesting as this years encampment at Green Hill Park.  From my aspect the weekend was well planned and carried out.  Well Done, to all who made the event as much fun as it was.  

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Shortly after arriving back at Fort Trumbull, the following message was received from General Grant's Headquarters: 

>>> Letter Contents <<<

General McKay,

   You are hereby ordered forthwith to plan and construct a semi-permanent artillery field fortification system atop Crown Hill within the border of Green Hill Park.   As we are expected to be engaged in a lengthy and potentially costly battle to take the Town of Worcester, use whatever materials available to construct fortified artillery emplacements from log revetments to earthen works.

  The elevation of this hill is 750 feet and commands a wide view of not only the Green Hill Park battlefield and water approaches from the North, but also from the surrounding town.  

 You will have one day to prepare the artillery plan and five days to prepare such positions. Two companies of Pioneers will be at your disposal to accomplish this task.

 Co-ordinate with the Chief of Artillery as to what you believe to be required for artillery pieces, based on the terrain available.

 Counterattacks should be expected from any direction.

U.S. Grant

General of the Army

War Department

Washington City, Sept. 28, 1863

Recieved by telegraph, October 15th, 1863 at 7:30 AM;  LT. Jeremy G. Jackson, U. S. Signal Corps

This letter was delivered by Major Webster, Commander, (NETE) to Brig. General of Engineers, Ian McKay, CE, 25th Corps, October 15th, 1863 at 8:25 AM, #10082013

 My response to Major General Grant's order was to immediately lay out on paper the rough sketch of a gun emplacement on the present sketch-map that I have of Crown Hill in Green Hill Park.  That done I have sent out messages to the 9th Mass. Artillery requesting four three inch rifles with at least a 100 rounds of ammunition for each together with one 6 pdr smoothbore and 100 rounds of canister for that gun.  The two companies of pioneers have arrived and they were immediately put to work trenching in the front and sides of the proposed gun emplacement, constructing and filling gabions for the main defensive rampart and parapet.  In addition they have been instructed to begin working on chevaux de frise to place in the ditch detached from the inner  scarp.  They have also been instructed to begin working up anchored abatis  20 yards ahead of the ditch and all to be covered with brush in order to develop a well-masked battery.

Access to Green Hill Park is accommodated by two roads.  I should suggest that both roads be blocked with earthen barriers and two guns at each road approach in small double temporary gun emplacements.  The larger Crown Hill gun emplacement will be able to back up these further armaments.   

The above response was sent by telegraph to Gen. Grant's headquarters. A copy of the map of Crown Hill and the drawing of the gun emplacement will be provided to General Grant's Headquarters by military courier as soon as the smoother drawings are finished and the emplacement is complete. I then turned to drawing a sketch-map of the whole of Crown Hill, both for the unit (NETE) mapping files, and the files of the 25th Corps, as well as the map archives at General Grants headquarters.

Very Respectfully;

Ian McKay, BG, CE, TE

Corps Engineer, 25th Corps,

Chief Engineer

Chief of Staff (acting)

Lt, General U. S. Grants Personal and Military Staffs

Ford Map-Sketch, Nonewaug River, Woodbury, CT, Major G. Webster

Proposed Artillery Emplacements, Bauer Park

Bauer Park Encampment
Proposed Artillery Emplacements to cover the "boardwalk":

1. One 12 lb. Napoleon & 100 rounds of Cannister;
2.  One Gatlig Gun or 6 lb. Howitzer & 100 rounds of Cannister;
3. ne 12 lb. Naoleon & 100 rounds of Cannister. 

River Survey Map of Ford on Nonewaug River, Ian McKay, BG,CE,TE

River Survey Map of the Ford on the Nonewaug River
This map=sketch was enclosed with the report of the Battle of  Chickamauga Creek
as sent to Lt. General U. S. Grant.
Contributors to the map-sketch were:
--Major Greg Webster, Commander of the Northeast Topog. Engrs.;
--2nd Lieutenant J. K. Goodhue, Asst. Field Supervisor.

Village & Harbor of Madison, CT

Village and Harbor, Madison , CT
Sketch is redrawn and enhancedfrom an original sketch drawn by Lt. Col. James Duarte at the request of Lt. Gen. U. S. Grant. A copy of this sketch has been made availableto Gen. Granttogether with the answer to his questions about the harbor facilities (please see the Bauer Park Chief Engineer's AAR). 

Bauer Park - Union Attack

The Ponds at Bauer Park, Madison CT, Sept. 12, 1863 (#08122013)

Key to Confederate Flank Attack at Stones River

Confederate Flank Attack at Stones River

The Attack

General Smith divided his force into four battalions and launched his attack as seen above in the purple arrows.  His forces had breached the "Dimmock Line" and due to the scarity of Confederate troops on his front  it was said that once past the fortifications, " He held the city's fate in his hands."  However, instread of  moving ahead to take the city of Petersburg,  he dug in for the night, affording the Confederate forces sufficient time to arrive and spoil his opportunity. 

The Move

General William Farrar "Baldy" Smith's movement with his army (two veteran 18th Corps Divisions,
General August V. Kautz's cavalry division and one infantry division commanded by Brig. Gen.
Hinks of untested black troops from Bermuda Hundred) with orders from Lt. Gen. U. S. Grant to breach
 the famous "Dimmock Line" of fortifications, take the city of Petersburg, and then sever the
supply lines supporting the city of  Richmond and the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia.

Chief Topographical Engineer's After Action Report, September 30, 1863, Madison, CT, "Battle of Bauer Park."

General McKay,

   Thank you very much for your informative AAR.  Well done!

   I would like to add one visit to our Engineer's Field Office that I had not had the opportunity to brief you on.

   On Sunday, just prior to the noonday meal, I had the very distinct pleasure to receive a visit by President Lincoln.  After making the introductions of Lady Webster and Lt. Goodhue, I set to the task of demonstrating the process of map making and map reproduction,and explaining in detail what our job is as Topographical Engineers and how we may be an asset to the commanding staff.  I was able to use numerous map displays to make my points for the President which I believed was very well received.  I then also explained our numerous "infernal devices" to him, to which he was especially interested, as well as our engineering field fortification displays.   

  After about a forty minute visit, the President thanked us collectively as Engineers for our hard work and went about his rounds of the camp.  

  It was a very pleasurable visit from our Commander in Chief.

Respectfully,

Major Greg Webster (by brevet)

Commander, NETE

---

From: James Mathews <JLMTopog@comcast.net>
To: TopogEng@yahoogroups.com; unicorn628@comcast.net; USNLP <email@usnlp.org>; Ulysses Grant <samgrantusa@yahoo.com>; NECW_Federals@yahoogroups.com; CivilWarEvents@yahoogroups.com; marc Bassos <Marc183@comcast.net> 
Sent: Tuesday, October 1, 2013 6:48 AM
Subject: [TopogEng] Topographical Engineers, AAR, Madison, CT, Sept, 2013

>>>> Chief Topographical Engineer's After Action Report, September 30, 1863, Madison, CT ---- “Battle of Bauer Park.” <<<<

General U. S. Grant 

Army Commander

Colonel Paul Kenworthy

Commander,

New England Brigade

Major Greg Webster

Commander,

Northeast Topographical Engineers (NETE)

Major Don Erickson

Commandant,

U. S. Corps of Topographical Engineers

Respected Sirs;

I beg your very kind indulgence to receive my Engineering Report for the above named encampment and battle.

My staff and I left Fort Trumbull by dispatch schooner early on the morning of September 27, after receiving orders from General U. S. Grant's headquarters to be present at Bauer Park near the seacoast village of Madison, CT.  There to set up a complete Topographical Engineering Office together with the Northeast Topographical Engineers (afterwards NETE) to provide area maps, field re-con. of the area, and any and all further assistance to the New England Brigade that could be rendered.  In addition, a special request from the event coordinator for a complete engineering display in the farmhouse at Bauer Park to acquaint all interested in the tactical aspects of Topographical Engineering.  This private request was approved by Gen. U. S. Grant's Headquarters.  The dispatch craft was loaded, early that morning and we got underway immediately, following closely the coastline westward until reaching the Port of Madison, CT  where we were met by an army wagon.  We transferred our cargo at that point into the provided wagon and after the short trip North to Bauer Park we arrived in the mid afternoon and met the NETE, and immediately set up the requested display field office in the farmhouse there. The weather was warm and bright, and the grounds of the park were dry from a few days of good weather.  The lower rooms of the farmhouse had been cleared for the use of the Engineering Staff.  The Union encampment was down the road and behind the farmhouse in a mown field.  Bauer Park contains two extensive ponds joining closely to each other and surrounding by a lush deciduous forest.  The skirmish field was newly mown and the event coordinator Marc Bassos was kind enough to take me for a short wagon ride around the park showing me all of the fields and aspects of the park, including the access roads and the Union Camp.  This wheeled survey helped greatly in producing a sketch map of the area for the New England Brigade Commander to make his battle plans.  The production of the park's sketch maps was further enhanced by the close ground survey conducted by Major Gregg Webster, Commander of the NETE.  Once the army wagon was unloaded and the engineering display materials had been moved to the farmhouse where the display was to be laid out in the morning, Lady Mathews and I then returned to the offered lodging a few miles East of Madison and there spent the evening.

I arrived in the park, early the next morning.  The weather was clear and cool.  No clouds in the sky with a slight breeze over the parkland.  I met in the morning hours with all the engineers and we laid out our plans for the day.  Lt. Col. Duarte would assist me with the layout and management of the weapons display, and I would maintain the main engineering office, instrumentation and models.  Major Webster, would undertake all required field and ground surveys, produce a set of sketches as required by the Brigade Commander, and maintain his own office under canvas nearby.  He was joined in this by Lady Webster, a contracted artist who would join him in producing some sketches of the surrounding area.     

My first action of the day was to fill out and send in the Topographical Engineers Morning Report, together with Major Websters two battlefield sketches for the Brigade Commander’s use, which I had reviewed and approved.  Officer’s Call was sounded and Major Webster attended for the engineers.  This was followed by my putting together a proposed project which would protect the small passage bridge across the shallow marsh that divided the skirmish field.  This proposal consisted of a small two gun redoubt in front of the bridge with a single gun emplacement fifty yards to either side of the redoubt.  These guns would be placed so as to have a crossing fire in the middle of the small bridge (see the sketches provided).   At this point, a letter was delivered by a dispatch member from Gen. U. S. Grant's Headquarters:

>>> Letter Contents <<<

War Department

Washington City, Sept. 28, 1863

Major Webster, Commander, (NETE)

Brig. General of Engineers, Ian McKay, CE, 25th Corps

Lt. Col. J. Duarte, Adj. (NETE)

Sirs:

When you are in Madison, CT, I would like you to check if we could use the Port facilities, in town, as a depot for our supplies for New England.  

We are currently using Boston, Mass., Newport, RI, and New York City.  It would be nice if we had a place in the middle.

I would like to have a map and draft of the harbor.  Can we put a ship in at low tide?  Will this be a safe port from southern raiders?

General U. S. Grant's Headquarters

General U. S. Grant  

 My response to the General's questions was that;  based on a map of the Madison Harbor produced by Lt. Col. Duarte, the depth of water at low tide around the Madison pier was only 15 feet, which in my estimation would only be suitable for a small to medium sized vessel.  However, the water depth around the Tuxis Island in Madison harbor was 24-25 feet in depth.  In considering the island as a possible landing site for larger vessels, the engineers would be required to build a pier and stowage facilities on the island, as none are currently available.  In answer to his last question; is the Madison Harbor open to possible rebel attack from the sea, in my estimation, such an attack from a Confederate Raider vessel was very possible, and that in order to be able to use the harbor with confidence, I would strongly suggest a two to three gun battery on the island, and a similar battery along the coastline with the ability to cover both piers and the main channel into the Madison Harbor Facilities.   The above response was sent by telegraph to Gen. Grant's headquarters. A copy of the chart of Madison Harbor was sent by military courier to the General's Headquarters as well. I then turned to drawing a map of the whole of Bauer Park, both for the unit (NETE) mapping files of the 25th Corps as well as the map files of  of General Grant.  

I then returned to the task of designing, a sketch map of the proposed defenses of the Southern portion of the Bauer Park skirmish field. In the afternoon Major Webster reported to me that the approved field fortifications had been set up on the skirmish field, two "Cheveau Des Frise", a set of baseless Frazee, and a line of "tulips."  He also reported that a letter had been found on the battlefield obviously lost by a Confederate soldier.  The letter contained both a rough map of a past battle and some valuable descriptions of the Confederate's field tactics.  He asked what should be done with the information, and I suggested that perhaps the information that the letter yielded could be used by the Brigade Commander in possible future engagements with the Confederates.  I further suggested that he should provide the Brigade Commander, not only with the information, but also a plan by which the information could be used in the foreseeable future. 

In the early afternoon Master Marc Bassos, the encampment master came by to take me by wagon to the skirmish field.  In a previously made agreement I had indicated that I was willing to narrate the battle scene at the skirmish field for the expected spectators, the skirmish battle scheduled to take place on Saturday.  I replied that I should be pleased and honored to do so, and carried out the effort with dispatch on both occasions.

The skirmishes both followed a usual plan or pattern:

--Skirmishers (trained and experienced infantry) advanced from both ends of the battlefield.  Their purpose was to locate the enemy force if possible and estimate the enemy strength to be provided to the brigade commander;

--The skirmish was followed by an Artillery barrage which attempted to “soften up” the enemy and to break up the enemy guns and wagons on the field.  Two union guns were available for this activity;

--The Union infantry force was divided into three wings, each of which approached the skirmish field using the three access roads / trails to the area.  Each wing engaged the Confederate forces in turn and then withdrawing to regroup and form an attack posture again as needed.,  The skirmishers rejoined their individual forces.  Both volley firing and independent firing are used against the enemy forces following a stiff artillery barrage directed against the Confederate Artillery Line..  The Confederate artillery replied in force.  The battlefield was smothered in both gun and pyrotechnic smoke.  The Confederate forces often split their battalion into smaller groups in order to try to flank the enemy and force him to direct his fire in more than one direction;

--Both sides pushed each other back and forth and finally the Union force, outnumbering the Confederates significantly, finally forced them back against the forest line and limits of the skirmish area and received the Confederate Surrender.

During the day there was a steady arrival of spectators wishing to talk with the engineers and review both detailed engineering displays.  The items of the display which seemed to attract the most attention were the period pistol display and the field fortification and bridging models.   

On Sunday morning we got into camp, again at an early hour, and found that Lt. Col. James Duarte had preceded us and we again settled in to greet and serve as docents for the engineering displays laid out in the farmhouse.  I was again asked to narrate the Sunday skirmish and was pleased to do so.  Later in the morning Major Webster brought 2nd Lt. Goodhue to the farmhouse. He was just fresh from his previous field assignment and joined the Topogs for the day.  He would be involved in a ground survey assignment with Major Webster and would then assist with the field fortifications as needed.  The remainder of the morning I spent in completing my sketch maps of Bauer Park and Environs.  Following the afternoon skirmish, in which the Confederates prevailed, the crowds again began to filter through camps for the last hour or so, and when the last of them had left the park,  the Brigade and the Engineers broke camp and prepared the transport wagons to move to the next scheduled encampment (Worcester, Mass.) which was planned and scheduled to end with the departure of the last of the spectators.  I must also mention that Ladies Webster and Mathews were a very important part of the engineering activity.  Lady Webster did an excellent job of explaining the features of Major Websters engineering displays when the engineers were otherwise engaged, and she also showed me two rough sketches she had made of the surrounding area.  I approved both of them and am eager to see the finished copies of each.  Both ladies worked very hard in laying out the engineering displays, and in breaking camp and loading the wagons.  Lt. Col, Duarte was extremely valuable in his management of the engineering weapons display and Lt. Goodhue was a big help in assisting the engineers break camp and get all the engineering equipment packed in the wagons.  FRom this point the dispatch boat crew took over the wagons and drove them back to the schooner, loaded the materials aboard and set sail for New London, CT. and Fort Trumbull. 

After breaking camp and packing up the engineering displays and leaving the Bauer Park area, we (The Topogs) settled on a dinner at a local inn which we knew.  After a sumptuous supper at a new hotel adjacent to the Madison Port Facilities, Major Webster proclaimed another engineer encampment to be fully successful and thanked all who were in attendance.  This encampment from my view  was very successful and not only were we able to learn from our attendance, but we again carried away from the encampment not only our memories of a very good time but we have also increased our map files and our proposals to the Brigade as well as the replies to the needs of General Grant and his future planned campaigns.  Were I and my staff invited again to be a part of the encampment planned and carried out by Marc Bassos and his staff, we should be pleased to attend and do whatever possible to make such an encampment as pleasant and interesting as this years encampment at Bauer Park.  From my aspect the weekend was well planned and carried out.  Well Done to all who made the event as much fun as it was.  

Very Respectfully;

Ian McKay, BG, CE, TE

Corps Engineer, 25th Corps,

Chief Engineer

Chief of Staff (acting)

Lt. General U. S. Grant’s Personal and Military Staffs

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