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REYNOLDS HISTORICAL GENEALOGY COLLECTION
Gc
ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY 3 1833 00823 5043
REMINISCENCES OF THE WAR,
Comprising a Detailed Account of the
Experiences of the
THIRTEENTH REGIMENT NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS
IN CAMP, ON THE MARCH, AND IN BATTLE.
BY SAMUEL TOOMBS.
W THE PERSONAL RECOLLECTIONS
OF THE AUTHOR.
THE NEWBERRY LIBRARY CHICAGO
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ORANGE, N. J. Printed at the journal Office.
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1764917
F 8349 . 4984
Toombs, Samuel.
Reminiscences of the war, comprising a detailed ac- count of the experiences of the Thirteenth regiment New Jersey volunteers in camp, on the march, and in battle. By Samuel Toombs. With the personal recollections of the author. Orange, Printed at the Journal office. 1878. 4 p. 1., 232, 47 p. 17}"".
SHARK CARO
1. New Jersey infantry. 13th regt., 1862-1865. 2. U. S .- Hist .- Civil war-Regimental histories-N. J. inf .- 13th.
2-14502
10421
Library of Congress
E521.5.13thT
F. 8349.498+
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Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1878. BY SAMUEL TOOMBS. In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.
ERR.IT.1. Page 131, twelfth line from top, for Major, read General. Page 142, tenth line from bottom, for Hood, read Johnston. Page 172, tenth line from bottom, for were, read was.
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Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2012
http://archive.org/details/reminiscencesofw00toom
,
TO
DR. J. A. CROSS. OF NEWARK, N. J.,
AS AN EXPRESSION OF APPRECIATION FOR HIS PROFESSIONAL SKILL, AND UNVARYING KINDNESS, ¿ Dedicate
THESE PERSONAL REMINISCENCES OF ARMY LIFE.
i
CONTENTS.
INTRODUCTORY. Page.
CHAPTER I.
Organization of the Thirteenth Regiment New Jersey Volun- teers-Life at Camp Frelinghuysen-Flag Presentation- Marching Orders-Encampment on Arlington Heights . 3
CHAPTER II.
Second Bull Run-Death of Gen. Kearny-Marching Or- ders-The Maryland Campaign-Battle of Antietam - " Baptism of Fire "-Encampment on Maryland Heights . . II
CHAPTER III.
Maryland Heights-Incidents of Camp Life-New Hard- ships-Gen. Slocum takes command of the Corps-Visit of President Lincoln to the Regiment-Marching Orders- The Camp at Sharpsburg 28
CHAPTER IV.
From Sharpsburg to Fairfax Station-A Mud March -Recon- noissance to Wolf Run Shoals-Narrow Escape of Knap- sacks from Burning-In Camp at Wolf Run Shoals- Arrival of the Paymaster-" Burnside Stuck in the Mud " -Another Change of Commanders . . 35
CHAPTER V.
Fighting Joe Hooker-Effect of his Appointment on the Army -- Camp Life at Stafford Court House-Second Visit of the President-The Red Star Badge-Marching Orders Again
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CHAPTER VI.
The Chancellorsville Campaign-Incidents on the March- Crossing the Rapidan-The Battle-Rout of the Eleventh Corps-The Thirteenth Engaged-Scenes on the Battle- field-The Army makes an "Orderly Retreat "-General Hooker's Prestige Dimmed-Back to Stafford, 46
CHAPTER VII.
After the Battle-A Regimental Order and What was Thought of It -- Flag Presentation by Gen. A. S. Williams-Change of Camp-Lee's Movement Northward and the Pursuit- Forced Marches-At Leesburg-Execution of Three Deserters 59
CHAPTER VIII.
The Gettysburg Campaign -- The Second March of the Regi- ment Through Maryland-Resignation of Hooker- Meade Appointed to Succeed Him-Crossing the Penn- sylvania Line-At Little-town-The Battle of Gettys- burg-On the Field of Battle-Defeat of Lee-A Recon- noisance with Kilpatrick's Cavalry 70
CHAPTER IX.
The Pursuit of Lee-A Long March-In Battle Array at Williamsport, Md .- The Retreat of the Enemy into Virginia-The March to Kelly's Ford S5
CHAPTER X.
A New Departure-Movements in the West-The Battle of Chickamauga-Meade's Advance to the Rapidan River- The Eleventh and Twelfth Corps Ordered to Reinforce Rosencrans -- Details of the Journey from Bealton Station, Va., to Tullahoma, Tenn
CHAPTER XI.
Temy Movements-General Grant Appointed Commander of the Military Division of the Mississippi-Prompt Action for the Relief of Chattanooga-Marching Orders -- Mud- Bound on the Cumberland Mountains-Another Ram- bling March along the Railroad-The " Battle Among the Cloud. "-At Duck River Bridge
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CHAPTER XII.
Tullahoma-Objects of Interest-Influx of " Contrabands " -- A Problem Solved-Forming a New Acquaintance-A " Well-to-do " Family-Abundance of Game-A Genuine Plantation " Hoe Down " 113
CHAPTER XIII.
Camp Scenes-Guerrilla Warfare-Atrocious Murders .of Sol- diers-An Important Order by Gen. Thomas-An Ex- pedition into Lincoln County, Tenn .- Two men of the One Hundred and Fiftieth New York Regiment Killed- A Military Commission Ordered to try Bushwackers-A Big Scare
CHAPTER XIV.
Changes in the Regiment-Re-organization of the Army- Marching Orders-From Duck River to Chattanooga- The Battle of Resaca-Advance to Cassville 125
CHAPTER AV.
Continuation of the Campaign-Battle of Pumpkin Vine Creek-A Charge of the Enemy at Kulp's Farm Repulsed -Advance to the Chattahoocheer-Battle of Peach Tree Creek-Before Atlanta-A Successful Charge by the Regiment-The Capture of the Gate City 137
CHAPTER XVI.
Summary of Events-Life in Atlanta-Sherman's Order to the Citizens-Hood's Campaign Northward-Burning of Atlanta 166
CHAPTER XVII.
The March to the Sea-Incidents of the Raid -- Milledgeville -Investment of Savannah-Why Hardee Evacuated the City-Entry into Savannah 174
CHAPTER XVILL
Savannah -Scones in the City-An Old Slave's Story- Marching Orders -. \ Southern Rain Storm-Return to Savannah
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CHAPTER XIX.
The Carolina Campaign-Crossing the Savannah River-The March to Blackville. S. C .- The Burning of Columbia- An Unimpeded March Through South Carolina-The Battle of Averysboro, N. C .- Our Last Fight-Heroic Conduct of the Thirteenth at Bentonville-Gen. Hawley Compliments the Regiment-Arrival at Goldsboro, N. C.
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CHAPTER XX.
Reorganization of Sherman's Army-The Capture of Rich- mond-Marching Orders-" Pushing Johnston "-The Surrender of Ice and his Army-Entering Raleigh- Death of President Lincoln-Surrender of General. John- ston and his Army to General Sherman-The March to Richmond-Grand Review of Sherman's Army in Wash- ington 219
CHAPTER XXI.
Mustered Out-Arrival of the Regiment in Newark-Our last Parade and Formal Reception-Disbandment of the Regiment. 220
INTRODUCTORY.
The history of the Thirteenth Regiment New Jersey Volunteers still remains to be written. The present vol- ume is in no sense a history, but simply a detailed account of the doings of the Regiment as witnessed by the author. Of course many things of interest to individual members are omitted, events which failed to come within the writer's observation or to his knowledge.
The writer has relied mainly upon facts as related in private letters written home during the war, and to a con- siderable extent upon memory for a number of events herein described ; but, in order to add to the interest of the book, considerable space is devoted to a general de- scriptior of the several battles and marches in which the Regiment participated. as described in Swinton's "Army of the Potomac." " Harper's Illustrated History of the Great Rebellion," " Sherman's Memoirs " and Van Horne's. " History of the Army of the Cumberland." The author is largely indebted also to Garrett S. Byrne, Esq , of Newark. Quartermaster of the Thirteenth Regiment, for important details.
The publication of this book grew out of a request made of the writer in the year 1877 to prepare a paper to be read at the Reunion of " D " Society. Thirteenth Regiment, held in Newark in January, 1878. Subsequently a series of sketches, comprising eight papers in all, were printed in the ORANGE JOURNAL, which were favorably received, though.
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condensed very much in details. The writer then deter- mined to revise these sketches, add from his numerous letters a great deal of interesting matter that might other- wise perish, and publish the whole in book form. The result is before you, and though the experiences related are those of a private soldier, he believes they will prove none the less interesting and acceptable to those interested in the Regiment. S. T.
ORANGE, N. J., August 1878.
CHAPTER I.
Organization of the Thirteenth Regiment New Jersey Volunteers- Life at Camp Frelinghuysen-Flag Presentation-Marching Orders-Encampment on Arlington Heights.
T he call for volunteers under which the Thirteenth Regiment was formed was issued by President Lincoln in July 1862. Ezra A. Carman. Lieut. Col. Seventh Regiment New Jersey Volunteers, was commissioned Col. onel by Gov. Charles S. Olden, and the work of recruiting was at once begun.
This was the most critical period of the war. The Army of the Potomac had fallen back from before Richmond to Harrison's Landing on the James River. and Gen. Lee, who had been assigned to the command of the Confederate forces-Gen. Johnston having been seriously wounded at the battle of Fair Oaks. June 1st-determined to continue the offensive by attacking the Army of Virginia, which had recently been formed by consolidating the troops of Mc- Dowell, Banks and Fremont. under the command of Major- Gen. John Pope. This campaign, so disastrous to the Union arms, was at its height while the Thirteenth Regi- ment was being organized. On the 9th of August the battle of Cedar Mountain was fought between the troops of Gen. Banks's command and Stonewall Jackson, in which the latter was driven back in great confusion, sustaining severe losses. The arrival of reinforcements enabled Jack-
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son to check Banks's advance and finally forced him back. Jackson held his position in front of Banks until the night. of the 11th, when he retreated to Gordonsville. The des -- perate nature of this engagement may be judged from the losses sustained by both sides. The Confederate loss was estimated to be about thirteen hundred and the Union loss about eighteen hundred men. This battle raised so great an apprehension in the mind of Gen. Halleck, the General in Chief, that he ordered Gen. McClellan to hasten the removal of his army to Alexandria. Then began Pope's retrograde movement which culminated in the defeat of our army at the second battle of Manassas or Bull Run, and the death of the gallant Kearny a few days later at Chantilly.
The positions of the contending armies in Virginia were changed. McClellan no longer menaced Richmond : Lee. was threatening Washington, and every available man was being hurried forward to the defence of the National Capital.
The pressing need of troops at the front. stimulated those who were raising companies for the Thirteenth Reg- ment to active work, and as rapidly as enlistments were made the recruits were taken to Camp Frelinghuysen and assigned to their respective quarters. Camp Frelinghuy -- sen was located on what is now called Roseville avenue, a delightful situation, convenient to the city of Newark and the surrounding towns of Orange, Belleville, Bloomfield. Montclair, Caldwell, Millburn and South Orange, each of which place was represented in the Regiment. The cities of Paterson and Jersey City also contributed a number of men-two companies each. I believe. The camp became a. very attractive place, and was visited daily by large num- bers of the friends of the Regiment. and others who wished to gratify their curiosity. In the rear of the camp proper was a large field where the recruits were drilled in field movements, and still further back ran the Morris canal
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where the men were permitted to bathe at an early hour each morning. Besides the regular daily drills and attend- ance at roll-calls, the duties consisted of guard-mounting, patrol duty in the city, and at night doing "picket " at the railroad bridge on Orange street.
Life at Camp Frelinghuysen, during our brief stay there, was very enjoyable. The food furnished, with a few excep- tions, was good, but the friends of those who had enlisted brought in daily supplies of home-cooked food, so that the greater number of the men seldom used the government rations. When not on duty the men engaged in various sports, and some indulged their propensity for playing jokes of a very practical kind. It was deemed excellent sport for a party of four men to walk quietly up to an un- suspecting man, and while two of them would drop a woolen blanket on the ground behind him-each holding a corner firmly in his hand-the other two would step in front of him and by a gentle push cause him to fall in the middle of the blanket: then, before the astonished victim could recover from his surprise, they would each grasp a lower corner of the blanket and, raising it from the ground, con- fine him as snug and sure as though bound with cords. It was useless for him to attempt to escape, for. no matter how hard he struggled. whenever the signal. "one, two, three" was given, his tormentors would draw their corners taut and the unhappy victim would be " bounced " high in the air. Sometimes six and eight men would seize hold of the blanket : then he was most unfortunate who became the victim of their sport.
On the 25th of August the Regiment was mustered into the service of the United States by Louis D. Watkins, First Lieutenant Fifth United States Cavalry, having a full rouiplement of men. as follows (these figures are from the State record of the "Officers and Men of New Jersey in the War of the Rebellion"): Officers, 38: Non-com- missioned officers and Privates, 899. Total 937.
On Thursday the 28th marching orders were received,
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and the Regiment was commanded to move without un- necessary delay. Orders were at once issued forbidding the granting of passes to the men and the camp was closed to the public. During the day the men discussed the sit uation among themselves and it was deemed very unjust that they should not be given an opportunity to bid their families and friends good-by before the departure of the Regiment, and that night a stampede from camp took place, even the guards throwing down their guns and going home. The camp presented a very desolate appear- ance the next morning, but during the day the men began to return and before night the camp had resumed its us- ual activity. The Regiment was supplied with clothing, blankets, knapsacks and haversacks on Thursday, and on Friday and Saturday the arms and accoutrements were distributed.
A pleasant incident occurred in camp on Friday the 29th of August. when the Regiment was presented with a large and handsome bunting flag by several ladies of Newark. The presentation was made by Rev. Dr. Levy .. then pastor of the South Baptist Church of Newark. The following account of this interesting event appeared in the Neark Daily Advertiser the next day :
At 6 P. M., the Regiment was ordered out for dress parade, and after the usual evolutions, was formed into a hollow square with a view to a flag presentation. Kev. Mr. Levy, of the South Baptist Church, ac- companied by a number of ladies, one of whom bore an elegant stand- ard, then advanced to the centre and made the presentation substantially as follows :
COL. CARMAN : In behalf of Miss Landell, it is my agreeable duty to present to your Regiment this flag. It is not made for holiday uses,. nor to float in the quiet breezes of home. It is intended for the smoke of battle. the rallying object in the hour when you and the enemy shalt. meet face to face. Wogot's hind has wrought it; it remains now for you and your men to follow and defend it. There has always been, in times of national danger, a strong uientive to heroic action. It is. found in the participation of the soldier's toils by that sex, whose deli -- cate nature might well shrink from the tempest of war-in their sympa --
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thy with the sufferings of the brave, and aversion and contempt for the timid and wavering. The women of Sparta carried their jewels into the public treasury and gave up their lovers, husbands and sons to their country, and the narrative of our Revolution is alternately ornamented with female constancy and manly achievement.
Be assured, Colonel, female patriotism still survives; and while your Regiment is far away from home and loved ones, tender hearts will be praying for your success, and gentle hands will be preparing to wreathe your brows with honor, or strew your graves with flowers. After an allusion to the new era in the history of the war, to be marked with greater energy and boldness, the speaker committed the flag into the keeping of the Colonel and the Thirteenth Regiment, as an emblem of our institutions, dear to every patriot. He called upon them to let its past renown stimulate them to deeds of heroism, and concluded by in- voking the God of Battles to prosper them as they adhere to the sacred cause of Liberty.
Col. Carman received the standard with the following remarks :
KIND SIR : In behalf of my fellow officers and the soldiers of my command, I receive at your hands this elegant standard, prepared by- the ladies of this city. We shall look upon this beautiful flag as no holiday thing. to be borne merely on parade, but shall follow it to the- battle-field, fight under it, and, if need be, die beneath its folds, shed- ding our blood for the glorious cause in which we are engaged. We go forth as Jerseymen, to sustain the honor of our State, which is already noted for the bravery of its soldiers, the noble deeds of its citizens, and I may add, the beauty and patriotism of its women. Rest assured, Sir, that though we may be called upon to endure hardships and privations. the memory of the kind friendsat home will ever cheer us and stimulate us to renewed exertions in this sacred cause. Again, Sir, I return you my thanks.
The Regiment responded to these speeches by loud and repeated cheers, The standard is made of bunting, handsomely trimmed. and has for its field the State arms.
On Friday night a patrol was sent into the city for the purpose of gathering up those of the Regiment who had not returned from the stampede of the night previous, and on Saturday there was reported absent only about one hundred men. a large portion of whom came in during the day. The announcement that the Regiment would move on Sunday. or early Monday morning, brought crowds of visitors to camp, mostly ladies, friends of those
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who had enlisted. The scene at Camp Frelinghuysen on Sunday morning was very affecting. When the hour for departure arrived, the parting with mothers, wives, sisters, daughters and other dear ones, proved a severe trial. There were, indeed
"Sudden partings
Such as press the life from out young hearts, And choking sighs, that ne'er might be repeated."
Strong men said their last good-bye and "God bless you " with tears coursing down their cheeks : and to many it was indeed a final parting. At last the order to " Fall in " was given and about eleven o'clock the column moved out to Orange street followed by a great throng, thence to Broad street, halting for a short time at the head of Wash- ington Park. The march through the city down Broad street to the Chestnut street depot. though unaccompanied with music, was an imposing sight. The marching of the men was far from perfect, and there was considerable diffi- culty in maintaining the alignment and keeping proper distance. The minds of the men were for the time busy with other thoughts. This was not a holiday parade full of unmeaning ceremony. Affairs were in a critical condi- tion at Washington. A great battle was even then in pro- gress. Pope had suffered defeat at Manassas and the victorious Confederates were closely pursuing the retreat- ing Union armies. The air was filled with dismal forebod- ings, which were intensified by the urgent orders received to hasten the command to Washington. It was this knowl- edge of the critical situation through which the army was passing that called forth ahnost the entire populace to wit- ness the departure of the Regiment. Amid the pealing of bells. the shouts and cheers of friends, the waving of hand- kerchiefs and flags innumerable by fair hands. and the hear- ty applause of the firemen who had drawn their engines to the corners of the streets as a mark of honor to those of their comrades who were members of the Regiment, we proceeded on our way. The crowd became more and
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more dense as we marched down the street, being con- tinually augmented by accessions from the throngs of worshippers who were coming from the various churches -it being the close of morning service. It was a proud day for all who participated in that march, and the recol- lection of that memorable occasion sends a thrill of pride and gratification through their hearts to-day. An immense crowd of people were assembled at the Chestnut street depot when the Regiment arrived there. The cars were in readiness to convey us to our destination. Hurried good- byes were spoken. the farewell grasp of the hand was given to friends about us, and the train of cars with its precious freight sped swiftly southward.
The ride to Philadelphia was enlivened by the singing of the popular songs of the day, telling anecdotes. cracking jokes, etc., and speculation was rife concerning the future career of the Regiment. whether it would be assigned to active service in the field or take the place of some regi- ment on duty in Washington. About dusk the train arrived at Camden. We at once disembarked and took passage on the ferry boats in waiting to convey the Regi- ment across the Delaware to Philadelphia. Our reception in the "City of Brotherly Love " was a repetition of the scenes through which we had just passed. The streets through which we marched were densely thronged; the people were enthusiastic and greeted us with great cordi- ality, and we were hospitably entertained at " The Soldier's Rest" with a bountiful supply of wholesome food. Phila- delphia hospitality became proverbial among soldiers, and no body of men better appreciated the liberality and pa- triotism of the people of that city than those who composed the Thirteenth Regiment New Jersey Volunteers.
On Monday night, September 1st, the Regiment arrived in Washington. The trip there from Philadelphia was a slow and tedious one. There was a delay of three hours before the train was ferried across the river at Havre de Grace, and on arriving at Baltimore we left the cars and
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halted for several hours in the city. The ride from Balti- more to Washington was a severe trial to our patience. We were huddled into baggage cars fitted up with rough board seats ; the air was stifling, but ventilation was se- cured by breaking holes through the sides of the cars. The train moved alternately slow and fast. and frequently, by sudden stoppages, would throw men off the seats or send them spinning against the sides of the car. It was late at night when the train arrived at the depot, where we disembarked. stacked arms, and laid down to sleep off the fatigues of the day.
After partaking of breakfast at " The Soldier's Retreat " -which consisted chiefly of salt " junk " and strong black coffee-and rambling through the streets of Washington, the Regiment was ordered, on the 2d, to Fort Ward. About midday we started. crossing the famous Long Bridge, and after a short though tiresome march the Regiment went into camp near Fort Richardson on Ar- lington Heights.
CHAPTER II.
Second Bull Run-Death of Gen. Kearny-Marching Orders-The Maryland Campaign-Battle of Antietam-"Baptism of Fire"- Encampment on Maryland Heights.
T he second battle of Bull Run was fought on the 29th and 30th days of August 1862, and resulted in the de- feat of the Union army. On Monday night, Septem- tember 1st, the manœuvering of the armies brought on a conflict between Hill's and Ewell's Divisions of "Stone- wall" Jackson's troops and the commands of Reno. Hooker and Kearny, at Chantilly. One of Reno's Divisions was forced back in disorder, and Kearny, with his usual prompt- ness, sent forward Birney's Brigade to repair the break thus made in the line. A gap still remained on Birney's right, and Kearny dashed forward to reconnoitre the ground. Unknowingly he penetrated the enemy's lines and was killed. Swinton, in his "Campaigns of the Army of the Potomac," says of Kearny : "In his death, the army lost the living ideal of a soldier-a preux chevalier, in whom there were mixed the qualities of chivalry and gal- lantry as strong as ever beat beneath the mailed coat of an olden knight. Like Desaix, whom Napoleon characterized as the man most worthy to be his lieutenant.'Kearny died opposing a heroic breast to disaster."
On the 2d of September the Army of the Potomac fell back within the fortifications of Washington, and Lee
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turned his face northward in search of new fields to con. quer. The body of the gallant Kearny was recovered and sent home for burial.
This was the situation when the Thirteenth Regiment arrived at Arlington Heights. Long trains of wounded men were constantly coming in from the battle-field, and we looked shudderingly upon the dreadful mutilations of body and limb of the poor fellows who were being con- veyed to the hospitals in Washington. The horrors of war, thus partially foreshadowed, carried with them a full consciousness of the dangers we should soon become fa- miliar with. Those who had treated their journey to the Capital as a holiday excursion and contemplated their three years enlistment as a season of pleasure and victorious conquest, began to realize the stubborn fact that they were to endure severe hardships and engage a foe whose prowess we were too apt to underrate.
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