Report:
Tribbey in 2005

 
Once again he men of Frontier Brigade were called upon to vanquish the rebellious scourge from our sacred land.

Under the Command of Brevet Colonel Mike Kirk, Infantry Battalion Commanders Major Don Gross and Lt. Colonel Rob Sanders, Cavalry Commander Major Doug Kidd and Artillery commanded by Lt. Johnson of the 3^rd Kansas Battery the Brigade made camp on June 10^th near a small outpost at Tribbey I.T. as information of a nearby rebel camp was reported.

June 11^th after an early rise and a quick breakfast the Brigade marched out to deal business with the Johnnies. The Cavalry and Artillery opened up the battle while elements of the U.S. Signal corp. tangled with dismounted cavalry as skirmishers. Then Infantry Battalions maneuvered in a pincer movement to out fox the sech.

The  first Battalion under the command of Major Don Gross and Cavalry under Major Doug Kidd worked their way up to the top of the hill to arrive on the enemies right flank.

After the gray backs were pushed out of range of the artillery the combined efforts of the 3^rd Kansas Artillery and U.S. Signal Corp took up their muskets and pushed through the woods to meet the enemy. As the rebs wheeled to answer the volleys of this new threat the 2^nd Battalion under command of Lt. Colonel Rob Sanders toped the hill on the enemies left flank and caught them with fire from three sides. This action seemed to take the rebs by surprise and they were forced to fall back and for the time hostilities were ceased.

The Brigade having taken the field retired to rest and refit. But it was not long and the Johnnies were back for more having had their pride singed. The rebs came boldly on the field as if they were invincible. The Artillery again began to rain on them and the Infantry Battalions began to move down the left side of the hill while the Cavalry on the far right flank were joined by the U.S. Signal Corp as skirmishers and a new special detachment armed with Henry Rifles came up the center with the 3^rd Kansas Artillery.  As the Infantry Battalions advanced down the hill so did the Artillery right with them applying deadly and effective fire on the rebs. With each advance of the combined forces the rebs had to give ground. In a desperate attempt their Cavalry tried to push up the center but to their surprise they met up with the Henry Rifle unit and were sent running back down the hill faster than they came. Finally the sech could take no more and once again left the field of battle.

The Brigade having secured the field again retired to rest and refit.

June 12^th After a much needed nights rest the Brigade once again assembled after lunch and marched out to see if the rebs were intent to challenge again. Before the Brigade could be deployed the johnnies this time maneuvered around and came at us from top the hill and threatened our camp. Hastily the Battalions were again called out to do deadly business. This time the enemy having the high ground, surprise and momentum were more than we could deal with.

The Brigade was pushed down the hill but made the rebs earn every inch of ground. The left flank defended bravely by Brevet Major Erick Weiser and the U.S. Signal Corp were over run by Confederate Cavalry. Soon we were threatened on all sides and our formations began to disintegrate. Just when it could get no worse our commander Colonel Mike Kirk was seen hastily retreating for reinforcements and was last seen heading north to Kansas.

Special commendations should go to the 3^rd Kansas Artillery for their action on the field during the push down the hill June 11^th.

Special thanks should go to Lt. Colonel Rob Sanders and his staff for their efforts and cooperation in making all this come together.

The battle was over but the war rages on.

Captain Danny Hill

AAG Assistant

Frontier Brigade