Self Hibernation Campaign - The Great Contest: North of the Orange Plank Road

By Robert Hope

“Young Guns” dish it out to Yankee’s

Readers will recall that a certain northern newspaper recently ran a “little” story about us rebels “running short of volunteers”.  The photogenic drawing accompanying the article implied that our new recruits had a lot of growing up to do. 

Well it appears that this was just the spur that these southern boys required. Being young and small in stature does not appear to be a handicap when it comes to firing a rife as the young cadets of Innes brigade proved during the first two day of the Battle of the Wilderness: North of the Orange Plank Road.

On day one of the battle, in a one hour period just after mid-day, they dished out some 9 casualties against the heavy steps of the newly formed “Dutch” Brigade. In so doing they succeeded in blunting the Union advance. On day two of the Great Contest, as the battle continued to rage with immense severity and obstinacy they repeated this feat twice during an uninterrupted two hour period in mid afternoon. 

Most of the casualties being inflicted against the Vermont Brigade who decided to remain in column.  We have no hesitation in reporting the innumerable acts of heroism that these "young guns" performed within the “Marine Redoubt” and their strong devotion to their inspirational brigadier: Horatio Innes and their divisional commander: General Green. Such “esprit de corps” will be studied and written about by countless historians for many years to come.

After day two of the Great Contest, General Green said to our reporter:

“Boys like these are definitely short in supply. We are proud to have them fighting alongside our campaign hardened troops of Green’s Division. They have proven themselves in the harshest of conditions. True, most of the boys in Innes brigade are so short they can swing their legs when sitting on a stool. However, revenge is a dish best served cold. They may be young but they sure know how to load and fire a gun.”

Self Hibernation Campaign - The Great Contest: South of the Orange Plank Road

A letter home to Mother and Father

May the 6th 1864 

Dear Mother and Father 

I trust that you are both well. Once more I have permitted to seat myself down for the intention of writing you a few lines. Whether I will be able to send it through or not, I cannot tell. We have been out of our winter quarters some weeks and I have been in battle for two days. I expect that you will read all about it in the papers: that the result of the Great Contest has so far been in Southern Favour.

Today is the end of 6^th and was one of the hardest fights ever was known on this continent.  It beats Gettysburg or Sharpsburg or Manassas or anything else that Green’s Division have been involved in. Once again, our brigade has been very lucky. For two days running we have repelled the Yankee assaults. On both days we have held the southern redoubt without a single regiment retiring.

Though I am without injury, our General William Pickton has gone to his earths bath. Our cousin Dec is wounded very bad. The boys don’t think Dec will live.   He had the flesh shot off of his hip and he has also lost one of his toes. I inquired after our neighbour’s boy: Peter Gordon.  One of the men in his company told me he was wounded through the right arm and foot on the first day of battle repulsing the Union 3^rd Brigade. After amputation they sent him to Richmond in the big wagons that General Green’s divisional cavalry borrowed from these Yankee’s.  

Until the next time, your loving son, Johnathan”