'Charge, Bayonets'

One of the most feared ways of being wounded during the Civil War was being "cut" by an edged weapon such as a cavalry saber or bowie knife in hand-to-hand combat or worst of all being "run through by a bayonet. According to "Mr. Webster" a bayonet is " a detachable daggerlike blade put on the end of a rifle for hand-to-hand fighting." A sharply pointed bayonet attached to the end of a rifle was and is used today to stab the body of an enemy soldier with one or more fierce thrusts! Normally, during the Civil War bayonets were used by the "Infantry Soldiers" (or "walk-a-heaps": American Indian nickname for Infantry) attached to the end of their long muskets or rifles. However, there were times, when volunteer cavalry regiments were in fact "Mounted Infantry Regiments" and were armed not with a carbine, but with a short rifle and bayonet in addition to the standard issue revolver and saber. Therefore, such an armed regiment or company could be used as either cavalry or infantry in battle. To be on the receiving end of a successful bayonet charge was most unpleasant, especially if one did not have bayonets to initiate a "counter-charge"!

The following After Action Report is located on pages 139 and 140 in Volume 13 of the Official Records of the War of the Rebellion and describes a successful bayonet charge.

Headquarters 13th Cav. Mo. State Militia, Waynesville, Mo. July 9, 1862

Colonel: In pursuance of special Orders, No. 12 from these headquarters, dated July 6, 1862, I started with 30 men of Companies B and F to Wayman's Mill, on Spring Creek, 12 miles from here, where I was informed that a company of Coleman's men (guerrillas) were encamped, about 20 miles from that place on the Big Piney (Creek). Reports of the whereabouts and strength (from 100-400) of Coleman's men was so contradictory, that I did not know how to operate until I came to Johnson's Mill on the big Piney where I succeeded in arresting one of Coleman's men who told me that he had left camp an hour previous and was on his way home. His father, who is also a rebel and belongs to the same gang, lives about 10 miles farther on. I compelled him by threats to go with me as guide to the camp, which I certainly could not have found without his assistance!

I started from Johnson's Mill at sundown on the 7th inst. and at 8:30 p.m. arrived at another mill, where I ordered my men to dismount, (now they become Infantry soldiers), leaving the horses in charge of 10 men as guards. From that place I marched with the balance of my force (20 men and officers) about a -- of a mile up the road, thence through a dry creek, following the same for about 300 yards. -- an hour was lost in trying to ascertain the exact whereabouts of the camp, until I suddenly hailed to halt. I made no reply to the sentinel, but pushed slowly forward until I came to a shallow place, we crossed. On climbing up the rock on the other side we found the enemy alarmed and formed in line 12 yards in front of us! I ordered them to surrender, but was greeted by several volleys of musketry. It was only then that my men commenced firing, having previously been instructed by me to save their ammunition and after a few rounds (shots) I ordered them to "charge bayonets," which was immediately and gallantly executed! The enemy could not stand the charge and broke in every direction in their shirt-tails, leaving behind their coats, pants, boots and hats. Owing to the darkness of the night and the thickness of the brush I could not pursue them and hearing of the proximity of another force of Coleman's men, was apprehensive of the safety of my little force and after having reconnoitered the ground. I found four dead bodies, I wounded man, several horses killed, and a lot of clothing and camp equipage strewn in every direction. Considering the proximity of our firing, I judge that many more rebels were wounded, but succeeded in escaping.

Bradford, the prisoner and Guide, tried to escape during our charge, but was run through with a bayonet. He was left wounded on the field, but I ordered a neighbor to his assistance.

But one of our men was slightly wounded by a buck-shot, as volleys of the enemy over our heads!

I captured three prisoners, 10 horses, eight saddles and five guns.

The camp equipage was destroyed, as we had no means to take it along. The names of the prisoners are William Hamilton, George Logan and James Ormsby, all of Co. A., Coleman's Battalion.

Joseph A. Eppstein, Lieut. Colonel, 13th Cav. Mo. State Militia.

Bayonet charges were and are a nasty business, but so was and is war!