USA > New Jersey > Cumberland County > Historic days in Cumberland County, New Jersey, 1855-1865 : political and war time reminiscences > Part 10
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17
144
HISTORIC DAYS
Ould, Confederate Agent for the Exchange of Prisoners of War, that if Captain H. W. Sawyer and Captain John M. Flinn, or any other officers or men in the service of the United States, not guilty of crimes punishable with death by the laws of war, shall be executed by the enemy, the afore- mentioned persons will be immediately hung in retaliation. It is also ordered that immediately on receiving official or other authoritative information of the execution of Captain Henry W. Sawyer and Captain John M. Flinn, you will proceed to hang General W. H. F. Lee and the other officer, designated as hereinabove directed, and that you notify Robert Ould, Esq., of said proceeding, and assure him that the Government of the United States will proceed to retal- iate for every similar barbarous violation of the laws of civilized war.
H. W. HALLECK, General-in-Chief.
Colonel Ludlow immediately communicated to Hon. Robert Ould, Confederate Agent for Exchange of Prisoners of War at Richmond, the order of President Lincoln in full, for the benefit of the Confederate authorities. As was ex- pected, the order produced great excitement in the Confed- erate Capital. It would never do to have the son of General Lee hung on the gallows, so the end came, as Mr. Lincoln thought it would, in the final release of Captains Sawyer and Flinn, and restoration to their families and homes.
Mrs. Sawyer was not permitted to land at City Point, and visit her husband in the prison at Richmond, as an order of the Confederate Agent, Robert Ould, prevented it. She returned to New Jersey in a sorrowful mood, but feeling sure that the Captain's life had been saved.
Pending the release of the prisoners, and while still in a state of suspense, Captain Sawyer wrote the appended letter to Hon. John T. Nixon, then at his home in Bridge- ton :
145
IN CUMBERLAND COUNTY, NEW JERSEY
"LIBBY PRISON, Richmond, Va., Nov. Ist. 1863. "HON. JOHN T. NIXON,
"Dear Sir: I am still about, and hope soon to be re- leased and restored to my family, friends and command. My health is good, my hopes for the future never higher, and my confidence unshaken. It is not worth while for me to speak of my experience as a prisoner, for you are fully posted ; but allow me to explain how I was captured, June 9th, at the cavalry action, Brandy Station. In a charge for the possession of an elevated position, and upon a Con- federate States battery, leading my squadron to the charge, I fell, with a ball through the back part of my head and one in the fleshy part of my leg. The charge was mutual on both sides, and was hand-to-hand; indeed, so close that my own face was blackened with the powder of my opponent's revolver, and is still remaining, to a considerable extent, in my face. The effect of this charge was dreadful on both sides, for here the gallant Lieutenant Colonel Virgil Broderick and brave Major John H. Shelmire fell dead from their horses, both gentlemen belonging to the First New Jersey Cavalry. There, too, were lying Confederate States officers and men, who one-half hour before were in the bloom of life.
"Notwithstanding this sad sight, I shall always remem- ber that action with pride, for nobly did our regiment push on. Here I fell wounded, senseless, and in this condition remained, cannot say how long. When I came to my senses, I was discovered. Our forces had pushed on. and I was picked up by three Confederate States soldiers, lifted on a horse, and taken to a hospital at Culpepper.
"Of the prize drawn by me. July 6th. I have at this time nothing to say, only that, as yet. I have not been released from the sentence; at least. I have not been notified that I have: yet it has always been my endeavor to show an un- flinching front under all circumstances, and even in that ex- treme case, I was determined to show no other.
"A soldier works not for gain: glory. and the welfare of his country is his aim; and. even in my situation, I
146
HISTORIC DAYS
found that pride was what upheld me, and that it was suffi- cient to nerve me for my fate. Still, I fervently hope it is past ; for, really, it was an awful situation to be in. 1 enjoy the same treatment as my unfortunate brother officers here at Libby : but let me assure you that we all hope for a speedy release. Several special exchanges have been made. Have I not as much right to expect this consideration as any one? I leave that question for my friends.
"Can you not do something to effect an exchange? I do not think there is any grand principle in the way ; nothing but policy. But, sir, here are twelve thousand men and nine hundred officers. Have they not the right to expect that their own Government will release them from this imprison- ment, if they can without detriment to their country ? Really, sir, we think it is hard if it don't. We all have great hopes that an exchange will be effected before a great while. We do not think (at least, we drive the thought from us) that we shall remain here all winter.
"I hope you will not think me a fault finder. If you can imagine your situation as prisoner, it will certainly be an excuse for using the above language.
"I hope you and your family are well, and in the en- joyment of a peaceful home with happy surroundings, and. with my best wishes, I sincerely remain,
"Your most obedient servant. "H. W. SAWYER, "Capt. First New Jersey Cavalry, U. S. A.
While the movements, leading up to freedom for the heroic men in Libby Prison were being made, Captains Sawyer and Flinn were confined in the dungeon, fed upon corn-bread and water. The cell was so damp that their clothes mildewed. They remained twenty days in the dun- geon. The day of their supposed execution came at last, July 16th. The long day passed in terrible suspense, as they waited each moment for the coming of the executioners. But they came not. Finally, an order arrived restoring them to their comrades on the upper floor of the prison, where
147
IN CUMBERLAND COUNTY, NEW JERSEY
they remained until March, 1864, when the prison doors opened. and they were conducted by wagon to a boat on the James River. The boat steamed to City Point, and, as they passed down the river, they rejoiced to discover that they were on the way to be exchanged, fearful when starting that they were going to a place of execution. Emnaciated and too weak to walk, they were assisted from the boat, as General William Henry Fitzhugh Lee and Captain Robert H. Tyler. the two Confederates for whom they were exchanged. stepped on board. As the Federals and Confederates met face to face, General Lee and Captain Sawyer exchanged greetings, congratulating each other on their escape from ignominious death. President Lincoln's plan had worked splendidly, and, as Sawyer and Flinn passed from boat to shore, never had liberty seemed so precious ; never had the old flag appeared so beautiful, to the returning veterans just out of the jaws of death.
Early in the autumn of 1863 Ethan T. Harris, of Bridgeton, who rendered splendid service in the "Cumber- land Greys," returned from Virginia with authority to or- ganize a company of volunteer cavalry. Quarters were opened on Commerce Street in the old Potter store, and in the course of a few weeks a hundred young men were enrolled in what was afterward to be known in the military roster, as Company H. Third Regiment, New Jersey Cav- alry. Ethan T. Harris was made captain, with Barnet Burd- sall, of the "Greys," as first lieutenant. Previous to the company's departure both Captain Harris and Lieutenant Burdsall were presented with handsome swords, gifts of admiring friends. This company was sometimes called "the Hussars," but its members were nicknamed by the boys around town as "the butterflies." and it stuck to them until long after the war. The uniform of the company was modeled after a troop of Austrian army hussars, very gay colors, hence "the butterfly." Privates wore pantaloons of sky-blue cloth, with yellow stripes. Jackets were of dark blue, with a profusion of yellow cords across the breast and
111STORIC DAYS
on the front of the collar on an orange-colored ground. Three rows of large, burnished bell buttons adorned the breast with a braiding of cord. On the seams of the back and on the sleeves there was an elegant braiding of cord. Officers' uniforms were still gayer with gold cord and trap- pings. The boys were handsome in their gorgeous uniforms and many a maiden looked after them from afar. Leaving home amid the plaudits of the people, many of them returned no more to the homes of their boyhood, dying in the valley of the Shenandoah at Five Forks, at Sailor's Creek, at Win- chester, and in the closing battles around Petersburg and Richmond. Gallant company of splendid soldiers, forty years has not yet dimmed the lustre of your achievements.
Following is a roster of its officers and men :
COMPANY H .- Captain, Ethan T. Harris; First Lieu- tenants, Barnet Birdsall, John Bamford, William M. Nor- ton; Second Lieutenant, Sylvanus Murphy ; First Sergeant, Charles S. Wallen ; Sergeants, Joseph H. Fithian, Lewis Schaible, Theodore A. Dare. Richard J. Herring, William C. Lore, Jacob Spahr, William E. Schuyler, Burris Plummer, Sheppard F. Stewart ; Corporals, Howard Minot, Charles Clark, Robert Potts. Franklin W. Buzby, Andrew R. Suy- der. John L. Smith. Theodore F. Sheppard, Elam Crozier, Lewis R. Finley ; Buglers, John Louderman, Theodore F. Strang ; Farriers, John E. Garton, Jacob H. Brown, Robert Bell; Privates, Henry Allinson, Levi B. Ayars, George F. Baker, George R. Baker, Benjamin F. Barracliff, Henry C. Beebe, Jonathan Berger, Caleb Blake, Peter Boyle, Enoch Brooks, William E. Brooks, Charles B. Buck, George S. Buck, William Clark, Robert G. Clymer, Charles H. Coombs, James M. Clark. Benjamin Cousins, Edward Cun- ningham, Charles F. Doran, Jolin G. Davis, James Druni- mond. Charles G. Edwards, George Edwards, Ed- ward Flynn, Jacob Fritz, Enoch B. Garrison, Thomas Grady, James Garrison, Lewis T. Helmbold, Levi J. Harker, Samuel Harris, Gustavus Hartman, Helms Ileritage, Francis Ounhoff, James Jobes, Alexander K. Johnson, John B. Johnson, Elias M. Keller,
(115)
WAR TIME PICTURES-1-63-1-665 Group Company H, 3d N. J. Reg. Cav. Vols.
John G. Davis Samuel T. Strang Jonathan McCowan Howard Minot
Capt. Ethan T. Harris Louis D. Schaible Leonard Roray Charles S. Wallen (119)
First - Lieut. Barnet Birdsall Enoch Brooks Benjamin F. Barracliff Theodore F. Strang
HISTORIC DAYS
William Keller, Alfred Lamarie, John L. Longcore, William C. Loder, George Master, John McAdoo, Franklin McCandless, Samuel A. McClintock, Jona- than McCowan, John Miller, Edward McGuire, Harrison McNeely, Edward McQuillan, Joseph McWilliams, Bar- tholomew Meder, Joseph Mills, Matthias Murphy, Daniel Newcombe, Isaialı Palmer, John Phillips, George E. Par- rish. Daniel Robinson, George W. Robinson, Leonard L. Roray, Aaron Schellenger. Henry Schneider, George Scott, Daniel R. Seeds, John Sharp, Samuel T. Strang, James Sherin, Michael Sligar, William Stetson, Andrew Sullivan, James L. Stiles, John Sullivan, Isaac Swing, James Rynear, John Trimble, Frederick Thresh, William Tullis, John Valentine, John Walker, Walter G. West, William A. Wright, William Wirts; Colored Cooks, Thomas Herbert, Henry Johnson, William Nichols.
Died in the service .- Barnet Birdsall, killed in skirmish with guerrillas at Warwick Bridge, Virginia, July 5, 1864. buried in Seventh Day Baptist Cemetery, Shiloh, New Jer- sey : Azor E. Swinney, killed in action at Winchester, Vir- ginia, September 19, 1864; Isaiah Weeks, killed in action at Winchester, Virginia, September 19, 1864; Theodore W. Elmer, died at Salisbury prison, North Carolina, January 13. 1865; James Bradford, killed in action at Winchester, Virginia, September 19, 1864; Samuel V. Davis, of fever. at Camp Bayard, Trenton, New Jersey, February 10, 1864: Daniel Heaton, of fever, at U. S. Army General Hospital. Cumberland, Maryland, April 30, 1865, buried in National Cemetery, Antietam, Maryland, Section 11, Lot C, grave 69; Edward Jones, of disease, at Salisbury prison, North Carolina, January 10, 1865, buried at National Cemetery. Salisbury, N. C .; Samuel H. Jones, missing in action at Fisher's Hill. Virginia, September 22, 1864, died of dis- ease, at Danville, Va., January 20, 1865, buried at National Cemetery, Danville, Va. ; Steplien Monroe, of consumption, at Hoboken, New Jersey, April 6, 1865: Charles Morris, killed in action at Cupp's Mills, Virginia, October 13, 1864 : Ilenry Peterson, of disease, at Andersonville prison, Geor-
(150)
Charles Bartlett Avery S. Messec Jacob Adams Charles Webb
WAR TIME PICTURES 1563-1865 Group Company G, Third N. J. Reg. Cav. Vols. Charles Clunn William E. Clunn Joseph Messec John Lutes (151 )
Captain Thomas G. McClong Levi Messec Benjamin F. Buck Thomas Sharp
152
HISTORIC DAYS
gia, September 10, 1864, buried at National Cemetery, An- dersonville, Ga., grave 5,206.
The "butterfly" regiment was the favorite of the hour, and in quick succession came another gallant company frou Millville to become a part of the Third Cavalry. The roster follows :
COMPANY G .- Captains, Thomas G. McClong, Henry C. Warner; First Lieutenants, William M. Scott, Michael T. Dwyer; Second Lieutenants, Gilbert Tice, James D. Comstock; First Sergeants, James F. Long, William F. Rocap: Quartermaster-Sergeants, Henry Lippincott. Joseph T. Rose: Commissary Sergeant, William E. Clunn ; Sergeants, Charles P. Clunn, Avery S. Messic, William Baitzell, David Key; Corporals, Irvin Marts, Lemuel G. Welch, James Beebe, Alfred J. Brooke, Henry R. Grif- feth, William Carey, Thaddeus W. Oxford ; Saddler, Hosea Sithens: Farrier, Jonathan M. Davis; Privates, Jacob Ad- ams, William M. Andrews, Ervin Armstrong, Charles Bart- lett, Joseph Bareford, William H. Beebe, Samuel F. Ben- nett, William Bercan, George Biggs, Jolin H. Boody, Cor- nelius Brannin, Benjamin P. Buck. Jonathan D. Buck, Nathan Buck, John W. Cawman, James M. Chamberlain, Ezra Champion. Richard Cummings, Joseph T. Donnelly, William F. Finley, Elwood Fisher, George Fitzpatrick, An- drew J. Fox, John S. Gardner, Charles P. Garrison, William Garrison, Israel Garran, Samuel Getsinger, Clement Grand- ingham, John Griner, William Hand, James Harper, James Hindley, David Harris, Charles Hankins, Amos T. Hub- bard, John Headley, Benjamin F. Hewlings, Andrew Hiles, George Hillman, George Hogan, John W. Horn, Joshua C. Howell, James P. Hughes, Jolin Impsson, William Jones, Mark C. Jordan, James D. Kendle, Lewis Kramer, Henry M. Lee, Joel Madden, William Morse, Joseph Martin, Ed- ward McGloan, Henry II. Mead, Joseph A. Messic, Andrew Mosher, Joseph B. Meyers, Charles F. Miller, Tilghann W. Mills, Lewis Mixsell, Thomas Morgan, Henry Morris, Samuel Morris, Jacob Neiplin, John Owens, Thomas W. Pettit. Lewis R. Payne, Charles R. Phillips, Andrew HI. Post.
153
IN CUMBERLAND COUNTY, NEW JERSEY
William V. B. Pierce, Rufus Rand, Joseph D. Richardson, Edward B. Shaw, Oliver Smith, William E. Smith, Thomas B. Sneathen, Jolın G. Stout, George WV. Strong, William H. Sutton, Lawrence V. Toy, Josiah H. Tice, Charles P. Tyler, Thomas Tyler, Henry Ward, Charles .\. Webb, Joseph Weiner, William Wilfong. Joseph Williams, Levi Woolston, George Wright, John F. Redding, colored cook.
Died in the service-Gideon Biggs, killed in action on Berryville Turnpike, near Winchester, Va., September 13, 1864; John Lutes, of smallpox, at U. S. Army General Hos- pital, White House, Va., June 11th, 1864; George J. Bard, of smallpox, at U. S. Army General Hospital, Fortress Monroe, Va., August 31. 1864, buried at National Cemetery, Hampton, Va .. Row 21, Section A, grave 24: James B. Kerlin, of disease, at Camp Parole, An- napolis, Maryland, March 7, 1865, buried at Annapolis, Maryland: Alexander Anderson, of disease, at U. S. Army General Hospital, Division No. 1, Camp Parole, Annapo- lis, Maryland, December 24, 1864, buried at Annapolis, Md. ; George K. Bennett, missing in action at Wayneshore, Virginia, September 28, 1864, died of disease at Salisbury, North Carolina, January 19, 1865, buried at National Ceme- tery, Salisbury, N. C. ; William M. Corson, of fever, at U. S. Army General Hospital, Alexandria, Virginia, August 23. 1864, buried at National Cemetery, Alexandria, Va., grave 2,607 ; Enoch F. Doughty, killed in action at Summit Point, Virginia, August 21, 1864: John L. Doughty, of smallpox, at Camp Bayard, Trenton, New Jersey, February 26, 1864; Abraham T. Kean, missing in action at Bridgewater, Vir- ginia, October 2, 1864, died of disease at Salisbury prison, North Carolina, January 13, 1865, buried at National Ceme- tery, Salisbury, N. C .; Samuel B. Lewis, of disease, at prison, Andersonville, Georgia, July 20, 1864; buried at National Cemetery. Andersonville, Ga., grave 3,622; Charles Loder, of fever, at Jarvis U. S. Army General Hos- pital, Baltimore, Maryland, October 19, 1864, buried at Londen Park National Cemetery, Baltimore, Md. : James McGill, of disease, at Mower U. S. General Hospital. Phila- delphia, Pa .. December 28th, 1864, buried at Philadel-
15.4
11ISTORIC DAYS
phia, Pa .; Levi S. Messic, died at Sandy Hook, Maryland, August 31, 1864. of wounds received in action at Summit Point, Virginia, buried at National Cemetery, Antietam, Maryland, Section 25, Lot E, grave 504; George W. Penn, killed in action at Summit Point, Virginia, August 21, 1864; Benjamin C. Robbins, of fever, at Giesboro Point. Maryland, September 16, 1864, buried at National Ceme- tery, Arlington Heights, Virginia ; Thomas Sharp, killed in action at Winchester, Virginia, August 17, 1864; John Sheppard, of disease, at Division No. 1, U. S. Army Gen- eral Hospital, Annapolis, Maryland, March 21, 1865.
Never was a day of thanksgiving and praise more de- voutly or more joyously observed than was the last Thurs- day in November, A. D. 1863. Victories on land and sea had cheered the heart of the nation and given it renewed con- fidence in the final triumph of a just and righteous cause. The crops were bountiful, prosperity appeared on every hand, and but for the scourge of war the people would have been in the full enjoyment of happiness and contentment. How beautiful then, and how appropriate, were the appended paragraphs from Mr. Lincoln's proclamation of that ever memorable year :
"The year that is drawing toward its close has been filled with the blessings of fruitful fields and healthful skies. To these bounties, which are so constantly enjoyed that we are prone to forget the source from which they come, others have been added which are of so extraordinary a nature that they cannot fail to penetrate and soften the heart which is habitually insensible to the ever-watchful providence of Al- mighty God.
"No human counsel hath devised, nor hath any mortal hand worked out these great things. They are the gracious gifts of the Most High God, who, while dealing with us in anger for our sins, hath nevertheless remembered mercy."
And so the curtain fell on the old year, as the incense from the altar went up to the Throne.
155
IN CUMBERLAND COUNTY, NEW JERSEY
The year 1864 opened auspiciously for the Union cause. It was the year of the Presidential election, and both great political parties were soon to engage in an exciting struggle for the control of the National Government. During the campaign of 1860 Mr. Lincoln had said that he was a be- liever in one term in the Presidency, and that he would not be a candidate for re-election. As time went on, how- ever, a great demand for the renomination of the President began on the part of the people and the Union press. Dis- cerning men in all sections of the country who sought the success of the National arms and the preservation of the Union were strongly of opinion that it would be extremely unfortunate for the nation were Mr. Lincoln refused a re- nomination. In the homely language of that great man "it was no time to swap horses in crossing a stream." How to get over the difficulties of the situation was a serious problem to honest Abraham, who believed in the good, old- fashioned doctrine that a man's word should be equal to his bond. Personally the good President would have been glad to have been relieved of the cares and responsibilities of the great office, but in his heart there was a wish that he might be allowed to finish the work which the American people had entrusted to his hands. In the dilemma as to what course he should pursue, Mr. Lincoln sent for Simon Cam- eron, Senator of the United States from Pennsylvania. Cam- eron went to the White House and in a lengthy conference with the President he suggested a plan whereby Mr. Lin- coln's compunctions of conscience as to the propriety of his candidacy for re-election might be overcome. Senator Cam- eron's plan was, first, that the Pennsylvania Legislature, then in session, should pass complimentary resolutions of the Lincoln administration, and the necessity for its continuance in office with the request that the President waive his objections because the people demanded his renomina- tion. Cameron controlled the Legislature, and in the course of a few days the resolutions were passed, pub- lished in the newspapers and telegraphed to the National Capital. Every loyal State Legislature followed with simi-
156
HISTORIC DAYS
lar resolutions, until the call for another term was heard in the home of every lover of his country throughout the land. Mr. Lincoln took great delight in the action of the several States as cleverly brought about by Senator Cameron's gen- eralship, and was inclined to joke over the success of the scheme. One day at a White House reception, in the midst of the celebrities of the day, generals, admirals, cabinet ministers, senators, representatives and foreign ambassa- dors, their wives and many of the fairest women of the land, . who had come to the East Room to do honor to the Nation's Chief, the President's jocularity broke out unexpectedly to the great astonishunent of the creme de la creme. It seems that during the day of the reception the President had re- ceived a telegram announcing that the Ohio Legislature had passed a resolution calling on him to again become a candi- date for the office which he had so highly honored. When the festivities were at their height Senator Cameron ap- peared at the end of the line of callers with whom Mr. Lin- coln was busily shaking hands. As soon as the President discovered Cameron's presence he addressed him in a voice that was audible to the extreme end of the chamber, with a merry twinkle in his eye, exclaiming: "Simon, another State heard from to-day!" This remarkable sentence was not understood by the majority of the guests, but to those who knew what it meant it was a source of merriment for many years thereafter. The resolutions accomplished the purpose for which they were intended. The country be- came wildly enthusiastic for the nomination of the President at the hands of the National Republican Convention to meet in the city of Baltimore in the month of June, at which con- vention he was renominated unanimously with tremendous cheers.
In New Jersey the Legislature was controlled by the Democratic party, so that the only way to formulate a re- quest to the President that he again consent to be a candi- date was for the Republican members to write him a letter ..
157
IN CUMBERLAND COUNTY, NEW JERSEY
Accordingly at Trenton, February 18. 1864, twenty-one members signed a communication on the subject addressed "To Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States." Among the signers was Providence Ludlam, the patriotic Senator from Cumberland County. The letter concluded with the following paragraph :
"With feelings akin to affection we regard the patience with which you have endured the anxieties and burdens of your position : the courage which has always risen with every danger that threatened us. We admire the fidelity with which you have sustained and proclaimed those princi- ples which underlie every free government, and which alone can make this nation again what it was but now the admira- tion of men and wonder of the world. Without any disparagement of the true men who surround you and whose counsel you have shared : believing that you are the choice of the people whose servants we are; and firmly satisfied that they desire and intend to give you four years for a policy of peace, we present your name as the man for Presi- dent of the American people of 1864."
Upon the convening of our State Legislature early in January, Hon. Edward Maylin, of Millville, was honored with the vote of the Republican members of the House of Assembly as their candidate for Speaker. The House was strongly Democratic, consequently the nomination was merely complimentary. It was given, however, to a worthy man, for Edward Maylin was an able, patriotic. representa- tive citizen, an honor to his party, to Cumberland County, and his country.
Early in March. after extended debate, the Democratic majority in the Legislature passed a concurrent resolution to the effect that the soldiers of New Jersey then in the service of their country fighting on Southern battlefields should have the privilege of the elective franchise only in case they were permitted to return home on furlough at the time of the coming Presidential election. This, of
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.