Shoal Creek Encampment Weekend

The truck was loaded and ready to go on Thursday except for a few things I did not wish to leave in it over night. I traded my 8th hour with another teacher on Friday so I could leave school at 12:00 noon on May 20th.

Finished loading the truck. Purchased more bungee straps so I could strap the cooler on top of there strawbale I carry on the front carrier of the truck. Left home at 12:45 p.m. after filling the cooler with bottled water and ice.

The truck was running fine until I crossed over I-70 on I-435. The top radiator hose exploded with a loud pop. I lost all coolant within 100 ft of the explosion. Pulled to the side of the road, called "AAA" for a tow. It was dangerous, to be on the shoulder of I-435. The tow arrived within 35 minutes, hooked the truck up and towed it home... Went to the auto parts store and purchased coolant, a top radiator hose and a new screwdriver. The replacement went well and I was loading coolant and water within 45 minutes. Margaret was home from work by then. Jumped into the shower, as I was covered with sweat and grime. Changed clothes and asked Margaret to drive the Explorer behind me with the cooler. I think the cooler blocked the airflow thro the radiator.

Arrived at the eventsite at 6:15 p.m. registered. Found the civilian camp and said "hello" Drove over the the campsite of the Irish Brigade. My camp was set within one hour with the help of my 'pards' and Margaret. Covered with sweat again. Margaret and I decided to go eat at Ryan's Steakhouse in Gladstone. We had a great dinner. I cooled off and rehydraded myself with water and lemonade.

We returned to the camp at 9:30 p.m. Margaret left for home. I took the meteorological readings for the evening and went to bed after Margaret called to say she had made it home safely.. It had been a long day by that time.

Slept well. The first call was at 6:00 a.m. by Pvt.. Lumpy of the 8th. Kansas. Jo can really bugle. Sick call followed morning report. The typical complaints were noted. The boys of the 7th. and 30th. went to drill after breakfast. It was very hot and humid. I took a canvas bucket of ice to them and encouraged the boys to drink water liberally. Maj.. Patty, the Brigade's Asst.. Surgeon, was in attendance and had made several gallons of lemonade from the lemonade powder packets he received from the supply train.

A 45 minute rest time followed the drill. Another drill session was held. Lunch was prepared by the Major and his nurses for the men. After lunch the calvary scouts found rebels with contraband rifles and munitions had taked over the hamlet of Shoal Creek Village. We were mustered and ordered to retake the town and the weapons. Capt.. Crofutt was overall commander of the Infantry.

The boys pushed the sessionists back into town but were repelled and pushed back into the fields outside of the village. Our forces retired and regrouped. After a brief rest the units reformed and moved back into the village and took the town in street fighting. We held the town into the next afternoon (Sunday). The sessionsist regrouped and pushed into the town about 1:00 p.m. with the support of cannon fire. Our lads repulsed the attack and pushed the rebels out. The 7th held the bridge over Shoal Creek.

Saturday night was hot but the threat of rain was apparent with lightning in the east. Distant cannon fire was heard and seen from the general direction of the village of Birmingham, a small river town on the Missouri River.

After I wrote Margaret I was retiring when some of the lads ask the Steward if he would like to play poker. The Steward never refuses a game of poker. The Texas boys had taught us a game of poker called holdem. An interesting game.

The Steward won a total of 90 dollars from the lads. I fear I took all their money as 90 dollars would be almost right months pay combined. But they wanted to play...

Sunday morning dawned 16 degrees hotter than Saturday.. The Captain let the men rest, That was a good idea. Little did we know the rebels would try to retake the town that afternoon. Two photographers detailed from Brady's photography came and took pictures.

I treated camp cough, a scalding of the right arm and hand of a son of our Pioneer. A cut to the left thumb from a knife and a bayonet to the hand. One Pvt. was dizzy and was restricted to the hospital on Saturday. We needed him on Sunday and he rejoined the ranks Sunday afternoon.

Maj.. Patty removed several "ticks" from the lads. God, May is a bad month for ticks in this area. Last week one lad had ten removed at Mine Creek, KS..

Some of us have been ordered to the Town of Memphis, Missouri. It will be a long March as Memphis is 218 miles from our present location near Liberty, Missouri. We'll travel by rail the on foot and wagon arriving on Friday evening.

All pictures can be viewed in The Community Faces section of the electronic Kansas City Star.. Just open the section entitled Community Faces under the Entertainment Heading on the left side of the screen.

YOS Steward Bair