Yorktown 225th - Day 2: Second Battle

The second battle on Saturday was the attack on Redoubts 9 and 10. These redoubts anchored Cornwallis' left flank In order for trenches to be close enough for the artillery to really have an effect, these redoubts had to be taken.

Since the 23rd, during the actual siege of Yorktown, was not part of the defense of those redoubts, during the recreated battle we were stationed in some woods behind the fortifications as a reserve force.

Other Crown forces, including some German mercenaries (Hessians as they are commonly called) took positions in the redoubts. With hardly a warning, the American and French forces attacked and within a few minutes had taken control of both redoubts.

With the redoubts taken, officers rushed around getting the reserve forces ready for battle. The 23rd quickly formed up and marched out of the woods, deploying in line. We met the attackers with a strong couple of volleys.

Desiring to take the field from the enemy, the commander of the 23rd ordered bayonets. The 23rd then began to advance with muskets and bayonets leveled. The sight of the thin red line advancing was extraordinary!

Unfortunately, the rebels didn't feel and instead met the bayonet advance with a smashing volley that took down many of the Fusiliers, myself included. Lying on the field, I was not able to see all that took place, but I do know that the Americans drove the British from the field.

As soon as the battle finished, the 23rd had to quickly get back to the Fusilier Redoubt for the next event.

Ich Dien!