And here is another installment from the battle.
I asked the players to write a report as if they were there or a commander.
Excerpt from the oral history of Edward M. Fornmar of Worchester, Mass.
Interview conducted June 18, 1912 by C. L. Hardwough, Sandsbury Historic Museum.
CLH: Good morning Mr. Fornmar. I thought today you might tell me about your experience at
the Battle of New Market, Virginia.
Fornmar: Virginia? I don't think I have ever been to Virginia.
CLH: I see.
Fornmar: You look puzzled, young man.
CLH: I apologize, Mr. Fornmar. Last week after our conversation about the participation of your
regiment, the 34th Massachusetts, in the action in Charleston, you said that wanted to tell me
about New Market and the battle there in May of 1864. You mentioned the wheat fields.
Fornmar: Right you are. I did mention it and I was there with the 34th Massachusetts. You know I
get a little forgetful from time to time.
CLH: That is understandable, Mr. Fornmar. Anything that you can recall from that day would be
of considerable interest to anyone reading this account.
Fornmar: I recall everything from that day. Our brigade was split up three ways the day before
and we hadn't seen the 54th Pennsylvania or the 12th West Virginia all day, though we were told
they were expected by noon to come south on the Valley Pike. Colonel Wells had us form near
the Bushong House, late in the morning.
The roads were muddy and slick and I almost lost my boots a few times. It was soggy, standing
in the wet wheat field. We were too far and behind the hill to be in sight of what was about to
erupt near the church, where the 1st West Virginia was advanced to early on. We never saw
their colors again. Around noon our batteries opened up and the rebels' howitzers fired down
from a hill just behind the town. Shortly though we only heard the artillery of the rebs and
none of our own in reply, except for once or twice in the course of an hour or more. This was
the concern of all us and we could see in Wells' eyes when he paced back and forth in front of
our line that he couldn't make sense of it either. We heard musketry fire from the church area
the whole time. Eventually it picked up sharply and thick grey smoke fog rose up from the far
end of Manor's Hill.
Moments later we could see some riderless horses coming down the back side of that same hill.
They were cutting back and forth, looking for a way around the fences, their stirrups flapping
around. We reckoned Wynkoop's regiments had taken deadly fire. We saw many union troops
streaming back from the front, and some mounted cavalry too, and the walking wounded.
Around then, a messenger rode from the front and spoke hurriedly with Colonel Wells, and next
we were marching forward through the wheat again. We lined up behind a split rail fence to the
left of the 123rd Ohio, who were looking considerably disorganized. On our left, Snow's limbered
batteries were struggling to get back through the muddy open fields. There was no union line to
speak of. The rebels were advancing toward us, three regiments, a quarter mile to our front.
Wells was a solid and steady man and we weren't green, so we held tight, despite the rebel
assault that withered the 123rd on our right and nearly swept them away like dust.
Am I going too fast for you?
With our musket fire and the rebs's fire at a couple hundred yards, many went down on both
sides. The first volley is always the best – or worst, I suppose, depending on how you view it. We
were able to load and fire once more, but were hard pressed in a bit, facing double or triple our
regiment in numbers and fell back. Back and back, once or twice more rallying well enough for a
concerted musket volley at Johnny Reb, but taking more lead than we sent their way. We were
back past the Bushong House finally and then close to the cedar forest I remembered from early
in the morning.
Then I saw the general riding towards us from our right, maybe from where we last saw the
123rd, or maybe it was from the Valley Pike. He was -
CLH: Pardon me, Mr. Fornmar. Can you tell me, what was the general's name?
Fornmar: Sigel. The rebs kept coming and firing. General Sigel was close to me now in all the
mayhem. I could see his eyes, big and white. He was shouting in German, words I couldn't
understand, but I think he said "My God". Then suddenly he just wobbled and slumped off the
saddle. Three of us ran to him and saw that he had been shot through the neck, perishing in an
instant. We got him back on his horse and the aide-de-camp quickly led him away. I know many
soldiers called him a poor commander, which always bothered me to some degree. He gave all
he had.
Our regiment left the field. We were lucky, I suppose, having lost 40 or so, killed or missing,
wounded. The 1st West Virginia and 123rd Ohio suffered great loss.
After that, we saw the 54th Pennsylvania, fresh and ready, four abreast, marching over the stone
bridge, passing the cedars and towards the rebs.
I remember helping Sergeant Palmers who had been shot in the leg. He made it, though it was
the last of his fighting.
Well, that's all, I think. Did you get it all down, young man?
CLH: Yes, Mr. Fornmar, I believe so. Anything in particular you want to talk about at out next
interview?
Fornmar: I'll tell you about the Winchester battle, where Colonel Wells led our brigade.
Those are some fine reports from your dedicated players! A testament to the entertainment your game provided them, no doubt, that they were moved to write such long and characterful despatches. Appreciated.