After Action Report from Frederick Md.

[1stSgt.Bleacher]

July 15th, 1865
Hagerstown, Maryland
B. & O. Canal System Office
12:30 Meridian

Dear Sir,
Please find enclosed my report from the action that took place in Frederick Maryland this pask week of July 9th, 10th and 11th. I apologize for it's lateness, but as you are aware we are giving chase to the enemy presently.

Col. Rorhbaugh,
Upon our arrival in Frederick we had found a suitable home for the Captain to place as his headquarters, however the populace inhabiting said structure didn't kindly like us taking over their home, so the Capt. had us make camp on the West end of the property under the shade of their trees. General Buford was camped as well as his staff, Signal and Medical Corps just East of us and within eyesight. Friday night passed quietly without any reports of activity. We awoke Saturday morning to rain. The foliage of the trees helped dampen the downpours and our daily activities could be held without much issue.

Mrs. Lincoln made a brief stop on her way from Philadelphia back to Washington, she was accompanied by a group of Observers from His Highness of Prussian, the President of Mexico and Her Royal Majesty's Royal Rifles. Cpl. McReynolds was acting guard for the occasion and special mention should be given.

Our Piquets reported activity to the East so our detached Company and that of the 93rd formed and marched out. We entrenched ourselves just North of the Manor House behind a fence and by a stone wall. The enemy moved through the front of the house and through the home itself forming up behind several stone walls and blooming flowerbeds. An exchange of fire was quickly commenced but the Rebels position offered them prime cover for movement. I can only imagine the terrible situation the poor civilians were having inside those walls. Our skirmishers fell back to our position and we continued to exchange shots. We fell back back around a barn to the North and down a slope in it's front. More fire was brought to bare on the advancing enemy and causalities were inflicted. As the enemy pushed we fell back across the small creek and with enemy in our front and our own supporting artillery a single howitzer at our rear, we had a very good chance to win the day. All of the sudden the Rebs uncovered a hidden mortar! Concealed by grass and straw they quickly commenced bringing shot and shell in conjunction with their own cannon down upon us. Several in the 93rd were down, either killed our wounded, one individual having a mortar round land directly on top of him and thus smashing him in two, twas a grisly sight. We quickly moved to the right, forcing the enemy to adjust their fire and continued to fire until the entirety of the 93 was down and several of my men were wounded including myself. The Capt. ordered the men the fall back into the field and thus from sight. The enemy did not advance and the about faced and retreated back over the hill. Our Medical Corps saw the the wounded, taking them back to the dressing station a then back to camp if capable. The men of the 45th were largely unscathed, however those of the 93rd were decimated, only a handful remaining.

The rest of the day and evening were spent seeing to those wounded and the chores. Upon inspection of arms, it was found that Sgt. Prices Spencer was inoperable and that a Springfield was to be used. My weapon was given to a Pvt. Dunston and Capt. Wolgemuth's extra Musket to Pvt. Sherman. This left me without a weapon, I quickly donned a piece of firewood and fashioned it into a crude club, hoping that it wouldn't be needed. Pay Call and Mail Call were given and those that were available to receive such were quite happy. We patrolled the Manor and its grounds always on the look out for the enemy, but none could be found, it was as if there were ghosts.

Sunday Morning the weather was clear and already warmer than the previous day. Again our Piquets sounded that they had enemy in their front.

2 Squads of my Company, myself leading one an the other Sgt. Price & the remnants of the 93rd ventured out in search of prey. Initially starting on the LEFT of the Property and Sgt. Price on the Middle Right, we converged on the site of the previous days battle; there we saw the enemy moving through the field and greenery that we had retreated through. Sgt. Price and his squad with the 93rd drew their attention while my squad consisting of Myself, Cpl. McReynolds, & Pvt. B. MacAvoy headed to the RIGHT around the Manor and into the low Cornfield beyond in an attempt to flank them in the rear. We moved through the corn at 20 pace intervals approaching a tree line a creek, we halted and saw movement. The sound of musketry was all around us to our front and left, we waited to see if it was the enemy and upon realizing it was we commenced firing. The initial volley caught them by surprise, killing 3 right out and sending 5 more running for cover. We fell back about 25 paces from the trees, obscuring us from their view, they moved LEFT and we moved forward. I was the first across the creek followed by Pvt. MacAvoy then Cpl. McReynolds, we were on an open flood plain musketry was to our left but none to our front, so we made our way around the back of the copse of trees and took cover behind some fallen logs. There we saw 3 Rebels in the open with 3 of our men prisoner. We quickly and quietly snuck forward well within range and opened fire, they surrendered without firing a shot. The firing died down and the enemy once again disappeared. We made our way back to camp and notified the Captain of our engagement.

The remainder of the day passed nicely, we visited the local Blacksmith, and I ordered a Flint Striker, bought a new Frock Coat and several Privates bought Iced Creme. Were were notified that the enemy was reforming in the fallow field to the North, close to where we had taken our prisoners.

We reformed the Company and ventured North. Our Artillery opened up, shelling their position, the civilian populace taking refuge in some pine trees; upon our advance we quickly questioned a few as to the enemies location, and were told on the ridge-line hidden from view. We moved through the crowd to the edge of the field and commenced firing. The enemy presented themselves though partially hidden from view. Our small Howitzer to our Right begun firing a fusillade of fire into them, we moved Right a begun firing again. The Provost along with his men, moved to our right and forward, in an attempt to get behind the enemy. We moved forward myself and Pvt. B. MacAvoy move the the right around a large Pine, the main body had them pinned down and when we appeared had them flanked. They fell back, an we moved forward Left Wheeling to show a full battle front. It was at this time the Provost and his men broke from the trees to our Right and Rear advancing and securing our Right Flank. We move forward in force pushing the Rebs back capturing their artillery piece in the wood line. We again Left Wheeled sweeping them from the field and into the open, like shooting fish in a barrel. I saw a Rebel officer clutching his head wearing 3 stars I ran over and asked him how he was, he didn't answer and thusly seeking revenge for that previous days slaughter I clubbed him ferociously till he stopped moving. Not gentlemanly no, but warranted considering the Secessionist buggers are to be back home and U.S. citizens. The remainder skedaddled back up the hill and out of sight. We rounded up the wounded and prisoners and went back to camp, exhausted and out of ammunition and have been since. We broke camp on Tuesday once the wounded and prisoners were secure enough to travel.

Per your request we are making our way back towards Washington City and the Depots there.

P.S.I have just been notified by your messenger that you have found the enemy and are in heavy pursuit. We will be at Funkstown Maryland within the hour.

Thus concludes my Report.

Best regards,
1st Sgt. Z.G. Bleacher
45th P.V.I. Company K

[Miss Pearl Dupree]

Dearest Sgt. Bleacher,

It is with deep regret I note an egregious omission in your battle report to Col. Rohrbaugh. In Frederick, on Saturday, the rebels were spotted sneaking up on the Union camp from the rear. I must add the camp was unguarded and only women were present. A number of those rebels were sent scurrying out of the camp by the women armed with wooden cooking utensils. What were we to do in the absence of our men! While brandishing a large wooden spoon yours truly heard one ragged marauder remark they were never coming back to this camp! Huzzah, Ladies!
Yours in The Union!
Pearl DuPree