Conner Prairie "After Action Report"

Sir, in compliance with the request of the colonel commanding the battalion, I have the honor to submit a somewhat detailed report of the operations of the Hospital Department of the 5th Kentucky Infantry, assigned to the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Division, 20th Corps, occupying the town of Decherd, Tennessee, to include the action against the enemy infantry near said town of May 16 & 17, 1863.

I have recently been assigned as chief medical officer of this regiment. Upon arriving to Decherd on May 15th, 1863, I reported to the headquarters of the 5th Kentucky, to receive orders from the commander of the battalion. After meeting with battalion staff, I headed over to ensure the hospital was adequate. At about a half past seven o'clock in the evening, I was asked to accompany battalion staff to meet with the brigadier general in command of our brigade, brigadier general Steve Dunfee. We were briefed by the general's chief of staff, colonel Mark Hernbroth, as to our current situation and, were informed that, elements of the rebel infantry have been reported in the region, and to expect possible contact with rebel units. At about one fourth past nine o'clock, I reported to the brigade surgeon, to receive my orders. I returned to the battalion hospital and, ensured everything was in order. At about one fourth till twelve-midnight, I bedded down for the night. A short time later, the sky opened upon us and, it seemed as if we were going to be drowned. The rain seemed to go on for only a few hours. I was able to finally get some sleep.

The next morning, I found myself up at reveille. I enjoyed a brief breakfast, only to get to work. Sick call was not busy at all. Captain Robert Preston, Field & Staff, had reported to me with a severe headache. I prescribe Pilulae Opii to ease his pain (3 grains every fours hours or, until the pain subsided). Private Chris Sumner of "A" company complained of sore feet. I had him remove his shoes and socks. Then his feet cleaned and, a salve applied to ease the pain and, wrapped accordingly with a bandage and fresh socks worn. Private Caleb Young of "B" company complained of sore feet also. I also had him remove his shoes and socks. Then his feet cleaned and, a salve applied to ease the pain and, wrapped accordingly with a bandage and fresh socks worn. Private Jake Salley, colonel's aide, had rope burn to his right hand. I applied a salve to sooth the pain and wrapped with a bandage, gave him Pilulae Opii to ease his pain (2 grains every fours hours or, until the pain subsided). After sick call, I set about the camp, inspecting sanitary conditions of the various areas. Finding all in good order. Sometime before 2 o'clock in the afternoon, the bugler sounded assembly. Reports came in that a battalion of our infantry had engaged enemy elements just outside of town. We quickly formed, and began heading out with the rest of the brigade, to support our infantry engaged. As we hit the field, we found first battalion heavily engaged with the enemy infantry about three-fourths mile from our position. We marched quickly to aid them, finding ourselves in the thick of things. We began pushing the enemy’s right flank. Eventually, along with the entire brigade, supported by cavalry and artillery, we were able to force rebel elements from the field. We looked about the field for wounded and killed, rendering aid where needed. At about 4 o,clock, we were able to remove all wounded and killed from the field and return to town. At about one half passed 5 o'clock, I was summoned by the battalion adjutant, Lieutenant Micah Trent. He advised me that some of the men of "B" company were complaining that, they were too sick to come to the hospital. Upon my examination, I found these men were experiencing fever and generalized malaise. They had developed transient red lesions and had diminishing mental function. Some had diarrhea, while others constipation. I ordered them quarantined until I could properly determine what the cause was. These men, 12 in all, I believe to have Typhoid Fever. I prescribed these men Pilulę Quinię Sulphatis for the fever and Pilulae Opii for pain relief and, ordered a diet of fresh vegetables and fruit. After a long day, I bedded down for the night. Finding it difficult to sleep. The temperature was very cold. I felt I was going to freeze.

After finally getting a nights rest. I was awaken by reveille. I rose to find something to eat. After breakfast, sick call was very light, thank goodness. I set upon the camp, to inspect sanitary conditions of battalion areas. Finding all in good order. I arrived at battalion headquarters to report such. The battalion was formed for knapsack inspection a short time after eleven in the morning. Quite a few found themselves with stoppages during inspection. The men with stoppages were disappointed at pay call, as their monthly pay was deducted for said stoppages.

Sometime around after one o'clock in the afternoon, the bugler sounded assembly. We then heard reports of Federal reconnaissance in force had engaged a larger Confederate force. Our battalion was formed and, marched out to meet the enemy along with the remainder of the brigade. As we approached the scene of the action, the fight had been well under way now for about an hour. As our boys engaged the enemy, casualties were very light at first, only two killed and one wounded. About one hour into the action, we found ourselves extremely busy rendering aid to the wounded. The rebel infantry tried to flank our brigade on the right. However, our first battalion was able to swing around and repel the attack on our right. Those rebel elements then moved back into position with their main body for a frontal assault. We continued pushing the rebel infantry back and, finding ourselves amongst rail fencing, we sustained quite a few casualties, including our major, who was killed. After reforming on the other side of the fences, our brigade moved forward, pushing the rebel infantry back across the main road that lead into Decherd. Upon reaching the other side of the road, the general ordered a bayonet charge and, sent the rebs running to hide. We were able to route them and we won the day.

Our battalion losses for both days’ action were: 32 killed; 9 wounded; 11 missing. Casualties per section are as follows:

Field & Staff:

Colonel Chad Greene - KIA
Captain Robert Preston - KIA
Sergeant Major Thad Gallagher - KIA

Company "A":

1st Lieut. Ron Wilkins - Gut shot
1st Sgt. Joe Lichty - KIA
Sgt. Andrew Potter - Ball to right leg
Sgt. Patrick Skeese - KIA
Cpl. Eric Grothause - Shot through mouth, exiting out right cheek
Cpl. Tom Reckner - KIA
Cpl. Tim Pieper - Ball to right knee
Cpl. Terry Winders - KIA
Pvt. Dave Wellerding - Ball to left shoulder
Pvt. Steven Hesson - KIA
Pvt. Stewart Zaharek - KIA
Pvt. Bill Horn - KIA
Pvt. Clay Pendleton - KIA
Pvt. Caleb Blouse - KIA
Pvt. Kevin Cain - KIA
Pvt. Tom Venner - Ball to groin
Pvt. Terry Fishel - Ball to left leg, near groin
Pvt. Jim North - KIA
Pvt. John Schriner - KIA
Pvt. Chris Sumner - KIA
Pvt. John Easley - KIA

Company "B":

1st Sgt. Ian Fulford - KIA
Sgt. Andrew King - KIA
Cpl. Greg Swank - Ball to right shoulder
Pvt. Mike Boyd - KIA
Pvt. Phil Adelman - KIA
Pvt. Steve Galfious - KIA
Pvt. Dwight Mullens - KIA
Pvt. Macy Reno - KIA
Pvt. Dennis Curtis, Sr. - KIA
Pvt. Dennis Curtis, Jr. - KIA
Pvt. Michael King - Broke left leg
Pvt. Joe Sharp - KIA
Pvt. Dave Walker - KIA
Pvt. Russ Gilliam - KIA
Pvt. Rich Best - KIA
Pvt. Scott Lawalin - KIA
Pvt. Allen Smith - KIA

Jas. Nelson
Surgeon, Chief Medical Officer, 5th Kentucky Infantry