Private Corner:




The Independant Advance to the Rear.


Thoughts on Skinnin Out.


by Marcells' Cousin



I can't say I've ever seen a Yankee officer pointing his side arm at me. But I can remember a number of times when Grey clad officers have aimed their revolvers my way. Kinda makes you think. Now I consider myself as brave as the next man and no less dedicated to the cause, but sometimes I just disagree with those men tellin me what to do. Sometimes the urge to skin out is just too strong to ignore. I know we all have these moments of clerity from time to time, so I would like to offer my reflections on skinnin out, or, as I like to think of it, the independent advance to the rear.

The independent advance to the rear is the most dangerous of maneuvers. You've a good chance of having boys from both sides trying to shoot you down. So, when thinking on this maneuver there are things you should keep on your mind. Like anything else there is a right and a wrong, a good and a bad way of doing it. I've never seen a Captain drilling his men for this formation so its up to each of us to prepare and be able to exercise it on our own.

Most of the time the urge to execute this maneuver comes on you all of a sudden. Planning is usually scarse, so, taking simple precautions like removing the caps from your captains revolver is not likely, although, I would never pass up that opportunity. You'll have to make due with the tools that are at your command. Running fast is good, but often is not enough. Sometimes you need to think quick on your feet, and the proper timing can save your skin.

It's helpful to know how good a shot each each of the officers is with his revolver. I try to pay attention to camp talk about officers shooting skills. I wouldn't encourage them to practice with their pistols though. No sense in upping the odds they might actually hit what their aiming at which ain't likely anyhow. Those pistols aren't terrible accurate shooting from a horse at a moving target a bobing and a weaving. Don't run in a straight line nohow.

I found my independance once when I was fighting and all of sudden looked up and there was a lot of horses with blue riders around me. I figured this wasn't a sign that the officers was making good decisions on my account. It brought the urge on something fierce. Another time all my pards was on the ground and I was pretty much alone there in the line. I figured it meant something bad was happening right about where I was standing. Before it happened to me too, I decided to go independent. Not proud of it, not ashamed neither.

Now, when you're skinnin and you get to the rear, you'll usually find an officer back there trying to stop those boys who have found their independence. Officers don't like us to find such a unpredictable thing as independance. So those officers are going to be none to happy with you. It's important to convince them you are on a urgent mission. Usually you won't be the only one skinnin, cause it's catchey, so you can aim your musket at those other boys and act as if it misfired. You can try " Sir, I need a nipple pick. Them yellow bellies was skinnin out and I was sent to stop em. I best be getting back to the line right now." If they ask for you name and unit, this is a good time to lie. Rastus Wiley from the eighth, or something then just head back. Don't stop to jaw with anyone.

When you head back to the line for pity sake don't go back to where anyone will recognize you. Head toward one side or the other. Stay well behind the fighting and face to the side. This gives the enemy a smaller target. They won't be shootin at you anyway. Look official, stand at attention. If anyone asks, just tell em the captain put you there an told you to refuse the flank. Just don't tell em you refuse to fight. That could get you in the sites of one of those revolvers that never seem to be pointed at the enemy.

Thanks for listening.



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