Vern's Travels Thru Time and Other Places 

In the field, Owensboro, Kentucky

Wednesday, July 15^th, 1998

Colonel Reg Wirth, Chief of Staff

Army of the Potomac

135^th Gettysburg Reenactment

Sir,

It is my pleasure to submit for your review this after action report summarizing the activities of the company which I command, F Company, 1^st New York Volunteer Engineers, specific to the 135^th Gettysburg event. The company was involved in two activities, one being the preparation of a modern computer generated basemap for the use of General Heim and Federal command, and the other being design and construction supervision of the defensive works employed by Federal forces during the Culp’s Hill battle scenario.

Map Preparation

On the weekend of April 12-13, 1998, Privates Dave Broach, Ward Mack, Bob Koslosky and I traveled to the event site to perform a field reconnaissance to supplement information gathered via topographic map and areal photo evaluation. The reconnaissance included accurately mapping treelines in proximity to the Federal camp and the locations of the infantry actions, as well as identifying paths and trails within the area of the Federal camp. Subsequent to the data acquisition and field reconnaissance 2^nd Lieutenant David Lay and myself worked with a computer mapping specialist to create several computer generated maps of the event site. One map was a site wide basemap, and the other was a map specific to the Federal camp. These maps were provided to General Heim and his staff several months prior to the event. Additionally, a site wide map without identifying labels was provided General Heim for his use in preparing the battle scenarios which were widely distributed prior to and at the event. Lastly, copies of the modern computer maps were provided to Major Jim McElhinney for his use in preparing a period map which was employed on-site during the event.

Culp’s Hill Works Construction

In the early afternoon on Thursday, July 2^nd, 1998, I toured the Culp’s Hill battle location with General Heim. At this time I received his instructions for construction of two lines of breastworks to be built utilizing felled trees staged in many piles by the event organizers for that purpose. In my written report to you that evening I presented timing and manpower issues which were considered by you in your orders to the United States Volunteers and Western Brigades for detailing work parties for the following morning. Later that evening I met with Sergeant Gary Oswald and Corporal Bill Clickstine and formulated a plan for employing the work parties. The morning of Friday, July 3^rd, 1998 Sergeant Oswald and Privates Broach, Koslosky, and Bud Clickstine and myself toured the construction site and finalized plans for the construction efforts. At approximately 9:30 am a reported total of 1,200 men of the United States Volunteers Brigade came up to the Culp’s Hill location and placed themselfs at my company’s direction. This work force worked at the site for approximately one hour during which time a majority of the two lines, both approximately 400 yards in length, were completed. The first line was just within the treeline, and the second approximately 50 yards behind the first, with the right refused to the rear (as instructed by General Heim). At 10:00 am three of four battalions of the Western Brigade, approximately 400-500 men, were led to the works by Major McElhinney, and these troops were employed for nearly one hour fleshing out thin spots in the lines, and improving sally ports. The works were completed by 11:00 that morning, ready for use in the action planned for Saturday, July 4th.

I am proud to say that these men of the United States Volunteers Brigade (2nd^st Division) and Wester Brigade (1^st Division), under the direction of F Company, 1^st New York Volunteer Engineers, constructed what you described to me as "the best works you had seen which were not build using heavy equipment", and that, perhaps, they were "too strong" as the Rebels had an extremely difficult time breaching the position. In addition, for your information as well as General Heim’s, the men all seemed to enjoy the opportunity to perform this work, and took to it most heartedly.

I am, sir, as always, your servant,

Donald T. Bussey, 1^st Lieutenant

Brevet Captain, 2^nd Division Engineer, 135^th Gettysburg Reenactment

Commanding Company F, 1^st New York Volunteer Engineer Regiment

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