The following is an account of Saturday's action. It is from my personal perspective. Other accounts can be found in the Forum AAR area.

Dear Brother,

I hope you are well and in good health. It has been several weeks since I have recieved a letter from you. I am anxious to hear how the farm is now that the long winter is over and spring is here.

I was in an action near Bowdoin recently that I will relate to you. Other than some scratches and cuts from fighting through the woods I am fine and no worse for wear.

Our battalion had an idea that we would see action and many were glad for it. The idle winter had left many itching for anything that didn't involve being encamped in the swamp.

We marched out by way of the South Road on the 14th. Colonel Burbank detached Major Ozelius and half the battalion to cover the bridges and deny them to the enemy. The rest of the command continued onward.

We arrived on Twisted Ridge and the Colonel set to work reconoitoring the area for a location to set up defenses. As plans were set in place and work was about to begin we could hear firing in the distance. The Rebs must have attempted the bridge and the Massachuesetts boys were putting up a fight.

Word arrived that the Major was facing the entire comfederate command. Colonel Burbank decided to attempt an overland march down the isthumus to relieve the pressure and appear in the Confederate rear.

I was put at the head of the colunm and began setting a path through the woods. It was slow going and the rest of the company got stretched out as they attempted to follow. We arrived at roughly the location we wanted to be and found a small federal force already in place. The rest of the company was closing up.

The company advanced and quickly pushed the rebs back across the bridge and off the isthumus. We poured fire acros the south bridge toward the enemy for a few minutes. Then a section rushed across in an effort to force a bridge head on the far side. But they could not hold and were withdrawn under fire.

A high rock outcrop over looking the bridge was fortified and other defensive positions were taken down below. Then the rebs counter-attacked across the bridge under a withering fire from the entire company. Only the lord knows how but not one of them was hit. They advanced up the shear rock face into our lines and still not one of them was falling.

A cease fire was called to allow both sides to withdraw their wounded.

The Colonel then recieved orders to take control of and hold an abandoned lookout tower. We were unclear about the location but began our march. Our scouts took possession of one abandoned lookout tower deep in the woods overlooking the North West Pond. The main body of the company then advanced upon a second tower and took control of it further to the north-west.

This tower being overlooked by higher ground, scouts were sent out to warn of the advancing enemy and defensive positions were set up. Will Farrington and I scouted a length of road and then returned with word of no enemey sighted. Then Mark Rohman and I advanced out a length of road. We went a long ways and took a peak at a field north of the bridges. No enemy was in sight.

A courier came and recalled us as the command was moving out. We were in line and marching as soon as we returned. New orders arrived to take and hold the bridges at all hazard. The company was counter marched and we worked our way out to the field Mark and I had seen earlier.

Skirmishers were deployed to scout the field. Finding no enemy we advanced on the North Bridge. It was un-defended but a small union force was discovered on the isthumus. The company rushed up to support them.

Firing from across the South Bridge increased. The 15th Alabama rushed the crossing under fire and took a few casualties. The firing kept up and they withdrew.

Half our company charged across the bridge after them. The rest of us were not far behind. We pushed away from the shore abit. The Rebs were in a good defensive position to our right but were taking enfilade fire from forces still on the isthumus. They abandoned their position and fell back.

A blistering fire developed from all sides. Up the trail, south of the bridge, the rebs were in good positions behind a stone wall. My section was moved to the left. We advanced up an undefended section of the bluff overlooking the South Bridge and discovered a flanking position on the Confederate right.

The 15th Alabama was there. We had a slight advantage in guns over them. They looked pretty spent as we advanced. Capt Hansen went willingly to our rear as a cease fire was called.