The Battle of Whitby 2022
Day 1
This skirmish report takes place at Whitby Abbey by the edge of the sea from the 27th to the 29th of August 2022. The 27th started with the 1st USSS doing firing and marching drills with the Union's 118th Pennsylvania Company F, 69th New York, and 19th Indiana Company A. Later, the Union showed their abilities to the citizens of Whitby with a firing display with volleys and firing by rank. Adding to the experience, were the cannons joining in the display. No battles were held on this day and the action ended.
Day 2
The 28th started with a big moment in the regiment as two officers received promotions of rank for previous demonstrations of skills and leadership. With these promotions, they were bestowed the honour of raising the Union camp’s flag. Here are the regiment's newly promoted Sergeant Ramsey and Corporal Hobson.
With their new responsibilities, Sergeant Ramsey and Corporal Hobson led the Union combatants in the morning drills, impressing the staff officers with their displays. Then, two privates held an inventory display on the camp lines showing the equipment and essentials used during the period. Private J Hobson headed up the display and taught Private Nightingale how to lead an inventory display.
However, this serene atmosphere did not last the day. In the afternoon, the Union and Confederates engaged in combat, commencing at 15:30 with a battle lasting 20 minutes. Meanwhile, the non-combatants of the regiment stayed in camp, waiting for the return of their loved ones. The 1st USSS started by taking the Confederate army by surprise, firing from both sides with a Corporal leading the left flank and the First Sergeant leading the right.
A Private ran with messages between the flanks to manoeuvre the battlefield, confusing the enemy with the regiment's location. An attempt by the 1st USSS to advance and push the enemy back was made but they received orders to retreat and reconvene with the Union army. With this action, the Confederates took control of the central trenches and Union’s cannons, causing the Union army to fall back further to the rear trenches for cover. With no stopping, the confederates fired on the Union’s left and centre ranks.
The 1st USSS would not stand for this and prepared to charge and attack the Confederate's right flank. However, the Confederates were more prepared for the attack than anticipated, firing on the sharpshooters. The 1st USSS retreated back to the trenches where they continued receiving fire. With the Sharpshooters surrounded and captured by the Confederates, one private refused to accept their defeat and attempted to escape. While running, his escape was thwarted when the Confederate’s rear flank fired on him. The remaining 1st USSS accepted their defeat and the victors of the battle were the Confederates. During the battle, the 1st USSS suffered 4 ‘casualties’ and 3 ‘captured’ combatants.
With the battle concluded, the fallen reenactors rose. The 1st USSS escorted the Union army from the battlefield to return to camp.
Day 3
The final day of the Battle of Whitby 2022, began with morning drills, while the regiment’s non-combatants held living history on camp. Today was the day that the Union would try to avenge their defeat.
The staff officers convened for the day's plan and the battle soon commenced. The 1st USSS hid in the rear trenches with 2 combatants further up the battlefield on lookout. The 2 combatants spotted the enemy and the battle began with the fire of the Confederates. The 1st USSS advanced to the right flank, and together they fired on the Confederates, taking multiple combatants out of battle.
So they could adapt their firing line, a Private was relaying orders between the Union’s Major to the 1st USSS. Suddenly, the enemy advanced, giving them the advantage of taking the Confederates by the side. The Confederates responded by advancing on the 1st USSS, causing them to fall back in line with the Union’s cannons, working in pods of two.
The Union artillery received orders to move the cannons to the rear. With the assistance of the 1st USSS, they managed to maintain cover and take the rear trenches. Seizing the opportunity, the Confederates took control of the unmanned central trenches. This would prove a monumental action and lead to their downfall. To their dismay, the central trench aligned with the Union’s cannons perfectly.
Bombarded with fire from Union artillery and infantry, they suffered many ‘casualties’. With the Confederates in disarray from the Union's attack, the 1st USSS took advantage and manoeuvred to the right flank to fire on the enemy from the rear. Some of the Confederates noticed the threat and retreated to their rear but the 1st USSS kept advancing, firing on the enemy. With a coordinated attack from Union infantry and artillery from all flanks, the Confederates were defeated. In a battle lasting 30 minutes, the Union avenged their own defeat with no ‘casualties’ within the 1st USSS.
After the immersion of the battle, the fallen Union and Confederate reenactors rose and saluted the crowds with a society volley to celebrate a successful weekend. With the final close, the 1st USSS escorted the Union army off the battlefield and back to camp.
Written and Photographed by Emily Hodgson
