Two tacticals highlighted the Black River raid, but the enemy rode home in our hides. The S.C. Battleground Preservation Trust held the first Black River Raid at Beneventum Plantation, near Georgetown from July 8 through 1, 1994
The Plantation Lawn of live oaks and grass was turned into a comfortable company street by about thirty reenactors on Friday evening. 1st. Sergeant Manning Williams and others served up endless frying pans of fresh catfish as the hungry troops moved in and settled down. Bill Dean also prepared a nourishing stew that was available as people pitched tents. Wood, water and Porta Potties were conveniently located behind a dilapidated house which made a convincing period headquarters.
Friday night had a light breeze and the welcome arrival of the Mosquito spray truck made the night about as comfortable for sleeping as July can be in Georgetown County.
Saturday began early with pan baked fresh cornbread, perfect Cantaloupe melons and liberally shared camp fare of the highest quality.
After breakfast, units formed up for the morning tactical. Though some federals were present, about ten men galvanized to even the sides. The Confederates moved into the woods first, following roads and cow paths to a large clearing where 1st. Sergeant Manning Williams and Randy Burbage put men into concealed positions to await the arrival of the enemy, which was drawn in by two, retreating pickets.
The arrival of the Blue Squad was greeted by enfilade fire from around the clearing, each retreat placing the hapless blue bellies across the sights of another loaded, but as yet undetected Enfield. Gradually all troops present were engaged and the clearing rang with the reports of guns. The unenterprising Yankees, given a head start, made no effort to molest the Rebels on their return march to camp, preferring to attack lunch instead.
Considerable excitement was generated by the presence of a North Carolina Naval Unit and their canon bearing patrol boat, but that Navy sailed away Saturday morning and was never heard from again. A number of Saturday arrivals fattened the ranks to about 50 men at arms, the erstwhile North Carolina navy excluded.
About 225 spectators arrived to view the afternoon battle, staged in a lightly forested field hemmed in by a fence and large dike, where 1st. South Carolina Artillary was placed. The Confederates took up position in the trees while the Yankees advanced in skirmish order. The battle was lively and active. The Grey finally retreated to the earthwork dike while the artillery laid the blue unit down in the grass. The Artillary's ran out of ammo however, and the Yankees began advancing again, aware possibly that the Confederates had their back to the water and were cut off from any retreat.
Commander Burbage called for a charge and had the Confederates put a final round down the barrel. Which a vicious yell, the sons of the South charged down the earthwork, emptied their rifles in a final volley at its base and surged forward to annihilate the yankees in a brutal hand to hand contest, much to the delight of the cheering crowd, many of which had travelled from Charleston and Columbia for the event.
The afternoon featured an execution. Ray Miller sacrifice a shirt to the violence of an electrically triggered exploding blood packet when he was shot by a squad of five for deserting his pards. Finding his heart was still beating, the provost dispatched him with a pistol round.
After a dinner of chicken bog and corn bread provided by the Trust, the camp scattered to various pursuits. A contingent went swimming while Terry Gollier offered a box of live ammo for live fire target practice, which was conducted down on the riverbank with a large fallen tree as a backstop. For many participants, it was the first time they had put lead down the barrel. Both minis and round balls were fired with a sheet of white paper as the target at 50 yards. Julia Hamilton fired a rifle for the first time in her life, enjoying the experience. Frank Abadon got off the best round, nailing the paper squarely after swinging the gun up swiftly and taking no appreciable time to aim.
At nightfall, Julia Hamilton serenaded the camp with fiddle music, closing with Dixie which was well received. While the sound of the violin was welcome in camp, it carried across the distance and when heard among the Oaks outside the fire lite, was magical.
Randy Burbage lead a campfire program of readings about the war which included a memorable account of the Confederacy's struggle with greyback lice.
The mosquito truck was missed on Saturday night, but most present managed some sleep despite the relentless whine of the insects. Sunday began with another fine breakfast but religious devotions were unfortunately only private on the lord's day. We must not be bashful about providing religious services for those desiring them at our events and remember little more than a Bible is essential.
The Sunday Morning tactical took place near the same clearing fought over Saturday, but the lead squad took up its position on the periphery, again drawing the enemy with a retreating picket. All troops fought in light order, without jackets, so it is impossible to say who the Yankees were Sunday. The tactical was very dynamic, with clear, aimed shots precious and few. The return to camp became a running tactical when the second squad, led by Manning Williams ambushed the first squad, led by Randy Burbage. George Nauman was brevetted Sergeant and conducted the troops home with a stop to examine the Plantations syrip cooker.
The event ended with a review on Sunday before the Plantation House with all troops in full uniform. The Gadsden "Don't Tread on Me" flag was raised and the troops began to pack for home.
While it was hot and insects were plentiful, most participants enjoyed the event which had a perfect setting. Everyone took home plenty of redbugs and memories.
Plans are being made to hold another event at Beneventum, possibly in a cooler season. The Trust did a fine job on logistics and great efforts to make participants comfortable were evident. A clear need was felt for another public battle on Sunday, however, though none of the Sunday visitors turned around when they were informed no battle was planned.
Bill Dean is welcoming comments and suggestions on future events held by the S.C. Battleground Preservation Trust. For information call (803) 764-2851 or write Bill Dean, 13 Guadalcanal Street, Goose Creek, SC 29445.