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Thursday, May 07, 05:15:08am [ Login ] [ Contact Forum Admin ] [ Main index ] [ Post a new message ] [ Search | Check update time | Archives: 1, [2], 3, 4 ]

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Date Posted: 01/22/05 5:32:38am
Author: Doug Cooper
Subject: LFR Update

You will likely be getting this in e-mail form from Danny and Jon, but thought I would post here as well:

18th Battalion Georgia Infantry, the "Savannah Volunteer Guard."

An old line Georgia militia artillery unit with quite a pedigree, they did indeed serve as infantry after arriving in Virginia in summer 1864 and were the 18th Georgia Battalion Infantry (wartime designation - SVG is the militia formation name). In fact they were to be merged with the 60th Georgia Infantry (letter from commander William Basinger) but the evacuation and retreat superseded that. Before Virginia they served in coastal forts in Georgia and Charleston (even Wagner), likely as both infantry and arty.

After arriving in Virginia in early June 64, they served in the lines at Chaffin's Bluff east of Richmond on the James River. Major William Basinger was their commander and there is a new link on him with much excellent info including letters and field reports. He was likely wearing a frock coat based on photos and a letter he wrote after the battle - see the link here on the Basinger family (scroll down to William's CW info near the bottom): http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Fields/2077/B/Basinger.htm

Col Crutchfield was their Brigade commander, an artillery officer who would be killed leading the brigade in the charge at Sailor's Creek. http://www.saylerscreek.org/tour/cs_account01.html

This is an account by a 10th Virginia Battalion Arty soldier but is representative of what it was like for our boys http://www.mdgorman.com/Written%20Accounts/Periodicals/retreat.htm

Supposedly there is a body of more info resident with a descendent in Florida and I am waiting on that now. I am trying also to correspond with Jon Basinger, who established the website on the family above.

There is some excellent information available on what they did at Sailor's Creek, and that can be found in an account in the Richmond Dispatch of April 12, 1896 here: http://www.saylerscreek.org/tour/cs_account04.html

One must take the above with a bit of skepticism. The actual Union casualties caused by the Guard were likely much lower as the number cited here (275) is over half that suffered by Seymour's entire Division. They probably did capture a color as Basinger relates in several letters on the Basinger site. Neither did 2250 Confederates cause 5000 Union casualties. The Guard did have 85 men that day and acquitted themselves nobly, and thus are emblematic of the brave remnants of the army that gave their all in a last stand. They were all killed (25), wounded (27) or captured (33).

Here is a Sailor's Creek Order of Battle: http://www.nps.gov/apco/anvcav.htm Note that you are the only unit in the event not actually part of DuBose Georgia Brigade during the battle.

Uniforms

Except for some references to "charcoal gray with red trim" uniforms and red caps, there is precious little available on what they looked liked in 64-65. Due to their old line artillery militia history and Georgia's affinity with being able to clothe their units well, we have settled on the Tait and RD 3 (English Army cloth) or RD 2 (in that order) as the best choices. Kepi's and slouch hats are fine. Enfield or 61-63 Springfield's for long arms. Keith Rocco did some extensive research on the unit and his depiction of them in the painting reflects the mixture of infantry service with artillery trim, something not unusual in the ANV and especially Crutchfield's Brigade of former coastal defense battalions. See the painting here (available for purchase as well) - http://www.saylerscreek.org/store/

Special cool uniform and equipment link (in case you need more info on the unit's uniform and equipment - I think they got this pretty close!): http://www.tfaw.com/toys/profile.html?&DB=C&SKU=TFAW747720203570&qt=cjdj&AID=10284619&PID=1308077

Our Recreated Unit

On the company so far, Danny says he is bringing 8-10. Eric Fair of the CHAPs is going with you (red trimmed Tait jacket and kepi) and will bring his bugle. Jon has at least 10 LJ's signed up already as well. Danny is also checking with the boys in the Georgia State Line who I think might be overjoyed to do a famous old Georgia unit.

Event Update

As for the event, I am happy to learn that the shallow trenches that DuBose's Brigade occupied are still there on the battlefield and we will be allowed to build light breastworks of rails, etc, just as they did. The area is being cleared of brush that has accumulated for years, so we are actually returning part of the battlefield closer to it's actual appearance. This will truly be special.

The commanders are working hard on ensuring that the scenario's and flow will replicate the nature of the fighting retreat. We now have a wagon and at least one horse drawn gun, as well as some cav. We will also be bringing along with us some of the very best civilian reenactors in the hobby as refugees, black and white. We have secured permission from all the private landowners to cross their property as well as skirmish, keeping us to the unimproved roads and fields for the most part.

The 18th Georgia Battalion will be busy both days and I am working on some interesting vignettes that will feature you guys, both because you are the best soldiers and can handle it but also because the unit you represent was special.

Standby for more - we are 3 months out.

If anyone finds more links and info, chime in!

All the best,
Doug Cooper

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