21 November, 2023

Colonel Kearney and Captain Bocken,

I humbly submit this after action report from the recent action at Dade City, Florida.

I arrived in camp Friday morning to a rainy and very wet situation.  Pvt. Daniel McNally arrived ahead of me and was a great help in getting camp setup.  QM Sgt. Griffith arrived the prior day, but was out obtaining material and was not back until Friday evening.   All told, I had 5 rifles plus a first sergeant. QM Griffith assumed that role and did proper duty.  Cpl. Michael Bartholomew assumed the 2nd sergeant's duty and showed great potential and leadership by mentoring our young soldiers.  Ord. sergeant Sealing had trouble traveling to Dade City.  Through herculean efforts he managed to arrive Saturday morning with ordnance needed by our men.  Unfortunately, he was captured by the Federals and forced to galvanize to fight on their behalf.  He did manage to escape and was able to travel home safely.

Saturday, we fell in with the brigade commanded by Colonel Alan Turnbull (Bvt) as the 3rd company.  Around mid day, we marched for drill to the John Overstreet Farm.  I was called to meet with the Colonel and the Overstreet family on at their farm-house.  Within minutes of arrival, a Federal column was spotted marching up the street toward the house.  Colonel Turnbull, his adjutant and myself high-tailed it out and ran back to where the brigade was at rest.  We formed up, the order was given to load, and battle commenced.

There was a vary narrow alley between the Overstreet house and other farm buildings that the Federals marched through.  Colonel Turnbull took a stand at the gate to the fields, with the narrow alley beyond.  Our companies met the Federals at the gate and were rotated skillfully by the Colonel.  This minimized our casualties, and kept that alley a deadly kill zone for the unlucky Federals. We pushed them back to the road, where they attempted to make a breastwork, but did not have enough material to be effective. After a brief stand, we pushed them across the road and down into a low spot in the fields beyond.

The Federals fled south into the field and formed a line of battle.  Colonel Turnbull marched us slightly north, then we entered the field and formed for battle.  We pushed very hard into their lines, and they responded in kind.  On a Federal push, you will be very proud to learn that 3 solders plus myself captured a Federal company (8 or 9 soldiers) commanded by Captain Keith Van Louwen.  We were ordered to march them off the field and did so, holding them until after the battle when they were given parole. Battle honors to Pvts. Daniel McNally, Mauro Sullivan and Jaden Valentino for this feat.  I assure you, the Federals were not happy to find themselves in this situation and there was much grumbling on their part.

After the battle ended, we marched back to camp to clean weapons and cook for supper.

That evening just after sundown, the Federal Marine Corps attempted to raid the town.  We formed up and were joined by soldiers from the 37th Alabama and the 8th Florida.  A heavy artillery barrage was launched at the Federals and was quite a show.  The Marines were forced to defend an abandoned house at the south end of the battle field and we wend to root them out.  The Marines were divided with one group hiding in the bushes on the west side and one in the darkens on the east side of the battlefield.

The company was divided into 2 squads.  1st Sgt. Griffith took the first squad and I took the second.  We engaged with the corresponding hidden Marines.  There was an ugly situation where, due to the darkness we fired on our own troops.  Fortunately, this was realized before anyone was injured.  I ordered my squad to form up on the east side of the battlefield and fire towards the abandoned house where there were Federals spotted.  A squad of Marines crept up on my rear and their sergeant announced we were captured and the war was over for us.  Strangely, his men did not draw on us or attempt to flank us.  I swiftly ordered my squad to 'about face', then fired upon the Marines.  There were no survivors.  We reloaded and with a 'left face', then at the double quick we ran around to the back of the abandoned building and found another squad of Marines.  We opened fire and 1st. Sgt Griffith's squad pushed them from their rear.  They were trapped between our 2 squads.

The action concluded, we returned to camp and a warm fire. Several of our soldiers were allowed to attend a dance in town as a reward for gallantry on the battlefield.

Sunday morning was unusually quiet.  Word came down to me that the Federals had cleared out of the town.  In the midst of our packing for the homeward journey, rifle fire was heard nearby. 2nd Florida solders quickly 'cootered up and chased the combatants away.

Sirs, I cannot express my gratitude to our soldiers who attended this battle.  Sgt Wolf Griffith and Cpl Michael Bartholomew professionally ran day to day camp operations and demonstrated great proficiency in leadership on the battlefield.  Pvts Logan Davis, Daniel McNally, Mauro Sullivan and Jaden Valentino should be given honors as Heroes of Florida.

Sirs, it was my great honor to be allowed to lead these men.  You can be proud in the knowledge that there are no better soldiers anywhere in an American army.

Your Loyal and Obedient Servant,

Capt. Tom Dye (Bvt)