Pictures from the 5th (when there’s a class) Battle of Beverly Hill held on Wednesday, May 20.  We were blessed with beautiful weather that day.  The Union soldiers wielded the water cannon (thanks, Chad K.) very effectively by taking Emily out and coming pretty close on several other occasions.  They also planted a few balloons way beyond the hill. 

      

However, as 140+ years ago, the Union was led by inexperienced or foolish commanders who could not see that frontal assaults were pointless against the Confederate positions on higher ground.  Despite the bravery of the valiant attempts to capture the summit of Beverly Hill, the Union forces soon realized that they were running short on precious ammunition.  So a small squadron was sent back to the watering hole (at the bathroom) to gain more supplies. 

       

While the numbers were more even, instead of 11 to 7 when hostilities began, the Confederates chose to strike while the Union squadron was gone.  Taking a page out the Battle of Little Round Top, the Confederates of the 1st Franklin Rifles charged down the hill (warily at first b/c there was still a loaded cannon w/ one or two shots left).  Eventually, the Yankees fled the field like at the first battle of Bull Run, or Manassas as the rebs might say. 

The rebels were well supplied, but had lost three soldiers in repelling the Union’s earlier assaults, so they were still understaffed.  The injured rebels stayed at the top of the hill to guard the remaining supplies but were no match when two wily Yankees snuck up and stole several balloons during the melee. 

  

  

In all, the students learned a great deal about the advantage of topography in small skirmishes as well as the need for coordinated attacks, communication, discipline (you gotta do what you’re gonna say you’re gonna do and not improvise, otherwise, your teammates get blasted!), and the importance of prior preparation. 

    

Once again, the rebel flag flies over Beverly Hill.