Skirmish at Wolcott Mill

2008

Original Sketch of the Shepherd's Town Battlefield circa 1862

author unknown

October 17th through the 19th 2008

Sponsored by

Multi - Lakes Association for Civil War Studies

(The 4th Texas Company E, & the Citizen's for Independence)

&

Wolcott Mill Metro Park

Please visit the photos page to view pictures of the 2007 event

The 4th Michigan Infantry at Miners Hill, Va. October 1861

  2008

Thanks one and all for making 2008 a stellar event!

   Antietam, the Army of the Potomac victorious at last. Lincoln implores McClellan to pursue Lee. The 5th Corps unscathed by Antietam is ordered to pursue Lee. Shepherd's Town a sleepy town with a nearby ford. Once again the forces of the East will meet. 

    Join us on the weekend of October 17th through the 19th 2008 to answer these questions.

5th Corps Troops  crossing the Potomac at Boteler's Ford circa 1862

by unknown artist

2008 Event Information

  "The Skirmish at the Mill" is featuring the actions in and around Shepherd's Town, Va. ( Today it is Shepherdstown, Wv. ) These actions were conducted immediately after the devastation of the Battle of Antietam.  The units we are recreating are: The "4th Michigan Volunteer Infantry" & 14th South Carolina Infantry, Both of these units were actively involved in the actions in and around Shepherd's Town.

Shepherd's Town Eye Witness Accounts

Fall 1862

The farm where A. P. Hill's Light Division made contact with 5th Corp Units

by S.B.P.G.

 The following accounts are from personal journals, diaries, newspapers, official reports and letters written by individuals who participated in the actions in and around Shepherd's Town, Va. during the Army of Northern Virginia's movement South after the Battle of Antietam. A. P. Hill's Light Division rushed from Harpers Ferry to check the attack of the Army of the Potomac at Antietam. The Army of Northern Virginia was then able to disengage itself . Lee would now have the opportunity to fight another day.

    After taking time for his supplies and the Corps of the Army of the Potomac to reorganize themselves, McClellan ordered the 5th Corp to purse the Confederates and attack them if the opportunity arose. The following are eye witness accounts of these movements and actions. (any use of these accounts other then for personal historical research is strictly prohibited without written permission from owners and achievers of the materials.)

Eye - witness accounts from the soldiers of the 4th Michigan

Sept - 19

    "Advance through Sharpsburg. Nearly every house struck with solid shot or shell. Things look rough. Rebels have stripped houses of everything. Union sentiment is strong. As we go through women point out the houses of those who have given the Rebels shelter and where rebel flags are concealed. Children swear vengeance. Go out beyond the town. Rebels are on opposite side of the river. Two companies are ordered out as sharpshooters. Toward night the regiment is ordered to cross the river and take a battery which is disputing the passage. Sharpshooters along the bank. Capt. Gordon is wounded. While going down to the river a fragment of a shell strikes the man in front of me taking the top of his head and killing him instantly. We lose but few men in crossing. The river is some 500 feet wide and is not very warm. After driving away the Rebels we return and try to dry ourselves and get some coffee."

Sgt./Lt. John Milton Bancroft

4th Michigan Infantry

From;