USA > New Jersey > Cumberland County > Historic days in Cumberland County, New Jersey, 1855-1865 : political and war time reminiscences > Part 12
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IN CUMBERLAND COUNTY, NEW JERSEY
numbering sixty men, and supporting regimental colors, and withdrew at the close of that fearful engagement with but thirty-one, the remainder having been killed, wounded or captured. At Manassas, two months after, two were killed and three captured. At South Mountain, during the first Maryland campaign, the company numbered twenty-two, two were killed and three wounded. At Antietam. three days later, five were wounded ; at Salem Heights, after the occupation of Fredericksburg, Va., May, 1863, one was killed and six wounded, and during the campaign under General Grant, inaugurated May 4, 1864. up to the time of their leaving the front. three were killed and died of their wounds, eight were wounded and four captured, the last mentioned were soon retaken by our cavalry and re- turned.
"The casualties attending the company have not been so great as many persons might suppose, from the amount of service rendered, having taken part in all the general en- gagements the Army of the Potomac ever participated in, with the exception of Williamsburg and Fair Oaks. It seems as if a special Providence watched over us and pre- served us, when we think of the danger and exposure we have been subjected to. Let us reverently hope that we are sufficiently thankful for the great mercies which have been extended to us.
"And now. my comrades, the most painful task of all devolves upon me. The hour of separation has nearly arrived, and we are in future to go forth into the world, each of us to follow that career in civil life to which choice. circumstances or inclinations may call us. For the last three years we have been co-laborers in one common cause, we have shared together the arduous and difficult duties of the camp. the bivouac, the battlefield. We have seen our comrades fall dead, dying and wounded, around and about us, have heard their groans, dying exclamations, and piercing. heartrending shrieks, have followed to their last resting-place beneath Virginia sod several of our number. but have ourselves been graciously spared to return to our
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happy homes and dear friends, whose familiar faces we see before us to-day. Never in all human probability will we be assembled together again after the exercises of to-day are concluded. Our duties we obligated ourselves to per- form have been executed, and our contract cancelled. You have been battling these many months with open enemies in your front, from whom you are now removed, but you will find it necessary still to be vigilant, or enemies will appear upon your front, your rear, and on both flanks, even here in your native State. Be wary, watchful, cautious. keep your outposts well guarded and supported, lest they take you by surprise. Repel them when attacked, force them either to evacuate or capitulate, and all will be well, but never surrender one inch to them. Remember the sacred cause you have so long been contending for. Remember the leaders you have followed, whose names are now his- toric-Kearney. Taylor, Slocum. Smith. Sedgwick and Wright, three of whom have sealed their devotion to their country with their lives. Remember the blood shed by your own comrades, and consider it as a solemn duty you owe to their memory to be true to your country now in the hour of her great peril, and let us hope that tyrants or usurpers may never point to the sepulchre of her liberty and mock her degraded and suffering children. Let us each rather once more lend a helping hand, if necessary, to as- sist in wresting back our land from those rebel hordes who would destroy the best government the world ever saw. Let us transmit it unimpaired to posterity, and though we may not be honored with the helm. let us be content to cheer- fully unfurl a sail, splice a rope, or clear the deck for action. Let us look back one year from to-day at the horrible field of Gettysburg, and as the memory of that spot and the scenes there enacted come visibly before us, and we contrast them with those we witness here, let us renew our obliga- tions to bear true and faithful allegiance to our Government. But I am warned that I have exceeded the time allowed me. and must conclude. In doing this let me assure each and every one of my unbounded friendship and interest in you.
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WAR TIME PICTURES-1-61.16 Group Company F ("Cumberland Greys)," Third N. J. Reg. Inf. Vols. Michael Swing W. Scott Williams Thomas M. Woodruft
William H. Negley
Jonathan Fadely
Eldorado H. Grosscup
John C. Garrison
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Wherever in the future your lots may be cast. remember you have no firmer friend, or no one who will always feel more interested in your welfare than he who lately had the honor of commanding you. That prosperity may attend you is my earnest desire, and while taking leave of our kind friends here, who have so kindly welcomed us home, I will also bid you adieu."
Franklin F. Westcott, Esq., then addressed the veterans in a brief, patriotic speech, laudatory of the service they had rendered the county and the nation.
The exercises closed with a feeling benediction by Rev. John W. Hickman, the beloved pastor of Commerce Street M. E. Church, after which the soldiers sang "Rally 'Round the Flag, Boys, Rally Once Again! Shouting the Battle Cry of Freedom!"
Counter-marching back to Grosscup's Hall, the "Greys" were received by the Ladies' Aid Society of Bridgeton, and tendered an elegant dinner prepared by E. Davis & Son, of the Davis House. It was a festive occasion around the feast of delicious viands, waited upon by the hands of Bridgeton's fairest young ladies, surrounded by a wealth of floral decorations, and in the presence of the best citizenship. Memories of the war. still fresh from the tented fields-the fallen comrades-the dreadful scenes of battles lost and won -the advance-the retreat-the defeat and final victory were before them. But home with its joyous environments was theirs at last! Victors of many well-fought fields, well clone ! well done !
Many were the interesting stories told of the days by- gone in march and bivouac, when the pigs and poultry of some rebel farmer were appropriated for the use of the boys of Company F. One of the best was that which concerned Comrade John C. Garrison. John was a Christian, and a strong believer in honesty, but once while the Third New Jersey lay encamped near Gaines' Mill. Virginia. it was dis- covered that the miller who ground the grist was very bitter in his talk against the Yankees. He furnished a good qual-
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DRUM CORPS " CUMBERLAND GREYS"
Company F, Third New Jersey Regiment Inf. Vols-146;1 Horace E. Loper, Fifer William Painter, Drummer
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ity of flour, but under General Mcclellan's orders neither the miller's property nor his flour could be touched. The boys were anxious for a little of that flour, nevertheless, and so it was arranged that while a squad of comrades en- gaged the rebel miller in conversation Garrison was to slip in back of the mill and get away with a bag. The scheme worked like a charm, and so it came to pass that while the boys talked with the "reb." John took the flour.
Among the first to enlist in the "Cumberland Greys" were Horace E. Loper, fifer ; Francis Albin ("Dart") and William ("Billy") Painter, drummers. No musician in the Army of the Potomac could handle a fife more melodi- ously than Horace, and none were more skillful with the drum sticks than "Frank" and "Billy." The former re- turned with his comrades at the end of his three-year term of enlistment with the honors of fife major. Horace Loper was one of three brothers who had local fame as "Crockett the First." Frank Loper was "Crockett the Second." Johnny Loper was "Crockett the Third." All were gifted as musicians. On his return from the war Fife Major Loper gave some vivid descriptions of scenes of service, but said he. "The saddest and most heartrending were those of the battle of Cold Harbor. fought just previous to the discharge of the three-year men, when so many of the Third Regi- ment were killed and wounded. Such sights were terrible to witness, and brought tears to many eyes." Drummer Francis Albin, who had gone into the Regimental Band. was discharged August 10, 1862. by an act of Congress which repealed the act under which the Third Regiment Band was organized. Drummer William Painter went in at the beginning and remained to the end. He re-enlisted December 30, 1863. and was honorably discharged June 29. 1865. The echoes of your martial notes have long since died away, noble drum corps of the sixties ; the last reveille has sounded-"No braying horn or screaming fife, at dawn shall call to arms."
IN CUMBERLAND COUNTY, NEW JERSEY
Fife Major Loper, of the "Greys," had talent as a poet. After the Third Regiment had arrived in Virginia he com- posed and printed a patriotic song, which he distributed among his comrades and sent to his friends at home. Ap- pended is the song as Horace wrote it :
THE NEW JERSEY THIRD. BY H. E. LOPER, COMPANY F.
Come all ye true Americans, 1 pray you lend an ear, I'll tell you as true a tale as ever you did hear : "Fis of the New Jersey Third, as you will understand, It is a famous regiment, Col. Taylor in command.
"Iwas in the year of sixty-one, and in the month of May, We left our wives and sweethearts, in a lamenting way; To go and fight Secession, and the traitor's flag pull down, And those we left may rest assured we'll strike it to the ground.
We struck our tents at Trenton on the 28th of June- The fields and flowery gardens and meadows were in bloom; Whilst on our way to Washington the pretty girls would say, There goes a gallant regiment from the State of New Jers-a.
When we arrived at Washington, the people looked amazed, To hear the yells of us Jerseymen-they really thought us crazed; Whilst jumping from the cars you could hear their voices loud, Crying "Vengeance to Secession," as we passed the eager crowd.
We had not been at Washington more than three weeks or four, When we received an order to cross to Virginia's sacred shore ; Through woods and mud we traveled, whilst hungry, tired and dry, We never shall forget that night until the day we die.
We arrived at Camp Trenton about ten o'clock that night- I'm sure t'would rend the hardest heart to witness such a sight; We lay upon the cold. damp ground until the break of day ; When we arose we found ourselves in a bed of mud and clay.
We pitched our tents, in short. on top of Roach's hill ; We soon had all things fixed, and then remained quite still, Until the 16th of July, a skirmish we heard say Hlad taken place at Springfield, and we must march that way.
When we arrived at Springfield, the rebels they had fled. Unto that sad, ill-fated field, where many brave hearts bled ; Then to building up the bridges we impatiently did go, That were torn down and burned by our rebel foe.
Then next to Fairfax Station, our steps we did repair, But little did we think how we were going to fare: Hard crackers, without water, we were obliged to eat. And to add to our misfortunes, we were ordered to retreat.
Those orders were obeyed, although against the grain, To leave them in possession, and go from whence we came; But we'll show them hereafter, we can stand before a gun, And they never shall experience another Bull Run.
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Although to them a victory, to us it has been more, Although many a true soldier lies in that field of gore; The time is fast approaching-how soon we do not care -- For the Third is waiting patiently to gain of praise her share.
Here's health to Col. Taylor and Lieut. Col. Brown, Also to Major Collett, for their betters can't be found ;
And to Capt. Stickney, and Company F success- For 'tis as brave a company as the regiment does possess.
Aly song cannot be ended until our hopes and fears are told; The time is fast approaching, which will a tale unfold ;
The final blow will soon be struck, and traitors get their due; And soon we will return to those, whose love for us is true.
We anticipate a glorious time, when again on Jersey shore, If God in Ilis boundless mercy should protect us through this war; But if it be His will that on the field we lie,
Our friends at home will full well know that at our post we die.
Among the gallant men in the ranks of the "Cumber- land Greys" was Smith Dalrymple, of Bridgeton. Tall in stature, of fine physique, patriarchal beard, and genial man- ners, intelligent soldier was comrade Dalrymple. A printer by trade, previous to the war compositor and editor of the Bridgeton Chronicle. He was a writer of more than ordi- nary ability. His life was replete with strange experiences and remarkable escapes from death. In 1856 he was one of the few who escaped with their lives from the decks of the burning ferryboat "New Jersey," destroyed by fire while crossing the Delaware River from Philadelphia to Camden. Serving throughout the Civil War meritoriously. he seemed to bear a charmed life, coming to the end after many close calls unscathed. Immediately on taking posses- sion of Petersburg, Virginia, by the Union Army, under General Grant, Smith Dalrymple discovered a printing office from which the Confederates had fled in great haste. Going into the composing room of the defunct sheet, Smith took to the case, and in a few hours after the Union occupa- tion of the city there issued from the Confederate press under date of April 8, 1865. a spirited Yankee newspaper, five columns in width, with the title "Grant's Progress." The type was set and the paper worked off in connection with Comrade Dalrymple by soldiers of different regiments
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IN CUMBERLAND COUNTY, NEW JERSEY
who had not forgotten their trade as printers. The lead- ing editorial in this novel journal said: "We believe in the United States, now and indivisible, in AAbraham Lincoln, our adopted father ; in U. S. Grant, Captain of the Host, and in ourselves as the principal sojourners in the Army of the Potomac, and the freedom of the contrabands, and the speedy extinction of the rebellion, and the perdition of Jeff. Davis here and hereafter."
The pastors of the Bridgeton churches were outspoken for the Union during the trying days of the great war. From every pulpit rang an appeal for loyalty, and many were the eloquent sermons delivered and stirring prayers offered to the God of battles that victory might crown the Union arms. Among this splendid corps of Christian ministers was Rev. James M. Challis. Dr. Challis was a retired Baptist clergy- man, resident of Bridgeton, who was an enthusiastic Union man and great admirer of President Lincoln. At one time during the war while the pulpit of the First Presbyterian Church in Bridgeton was vacant pending a successor to the Rev. Dr. Samuel Beach Jones, Dr. Callis preached several sermons. One Sunday morning when the national horizon was shadowed with gloom because of repeated re- verses to the Union arms, the doctor entered the pulpit brimful of patriotic earnestness, giving utterance to one of the most remarkable prayers ever heard in any church After praying for the success of the Union armies in the field and the navy upon the sea. he fervently exclaimed "God bless the soldiers and sailors. God bless the President of the United States," and here the doctor pansed. "And. Lord. I mean Abraham Lincoln."
Congress adjourned in the spring of 1863. when the term of Hon. John T. Nixon expired and that gentleman returned to his home in Bridgeton. A service of four years in the exciting days immediately preceding, and the open- ing days of the great civil conflict in the Congress of the
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United States, had ripened Mr. Nixon's great abili- ties. Going to Washington a novice, so far as national affairs were concerned. he returned a statesman. Those who knew him will never forget him. The author of this volume can see him even now, standing in the forum of the Cumberland Court House, addressing the jury as to the merits of the cause entrusted to his hands by plaintiff or defendant. And the cause which he defended or argued was always meritorious, because it was a cardinal principle of Mr. Nixon's life that he would not appear as an advocate of any action which he knew to be wrong. The client who desired his service must first give him a truthful statement of the case, otherwise he would not agree even to listen to it. If the client was in the right, then he was sure that the great talent of the former Congressman would be ex- erted to its utmost limit. John T. Nixon's sole and only standard was "thrice armed is he whose cause is just." Discouraging litigation instead of creating it, as is too often the rule by lawyers of modern days, he lived to the end a goodly and upright life. His silver gray head and flowing side whiskers could say yes or no, with significant em- phasis, while his sincere argument and eloquent sentences touched the hearts of many juries for the righteous verdict which he desired should be based upon the truth and the evidence. The sterling principles of his life were exem- plified not only before the bar of the Court, but upon the stump, when in hot campaigns of excited partisans he was always the same courteons, argumentive, polished speaker.
The Nixon family of which the illustrious jurist- statesman came was of Fairfield growth. On a small farm near the village of Cedarville, in what was then a part of the good old township of Fairfield, named after a county which the early settlers had left in Connecticut for a home in New Jersey, Jeremiah Nixon reared a remarkable fam- ily. Besides Judge Nixon, he had other distinguished sons, none of whom are now living. Rev. J. Howard Nixon became a minister of the Gospel of the Presbyterian faith, at one time pastor of the church in Indianapolis, Ind., of
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WAR TIME PICTURES-1-62-1>65 Group Tenth New Jersey Regiment Inf. Vols. Lieut. John B. Hoffman Capt. George W. Hummell
Lieut. William J. Sutton
Capt Isaac T. Thackara
Lieut. James Nieukirk
Joseph Simkins
John Fawnsbury C. Henry Seeley
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which President Benjamin Harrison was an elder. An- other son, James Nixon, went South, became editor of the New Orleans Crescent, and led a regiment as colonel in the Confederate Army. The remaining brother, William G. Nixon, long president of the Cumberland National Bank. Bridgeton's oldest financial institution, a financier of great ability, amassed a fortune in the keen pursuit of wealth. Two sisters became the wives of leading men-one the wife of David P. Elmer, the other the wife of General John H. Sanborn, of the United States Army. Two other sisters became wives of Samuel Bodine, a Philadelphia manufac- turer, and Henry Sheppard, of Missouri.
During Governor Olden's administration Cumberland County had furnished a thousand men for military service. In addition to the "Cumberland Greys." of the Third New Jersey ; Company K, of the Twelfth New Jersey, and Com- panies F. G and H of the Twenty-fourth New Jersey, two companies of volunteers had gone from Millville, Maurice River. Fairfield and other townships. Company B, of Mill- ville, Captain George E. Dunlap, Lieutenants James Smith and B. Reed Brown, joined the Twenty-fourth. Company D. Captain Ethan T. Garretson, of Fairfield: Lieutenants Samuel Peacock and Joseph Bateman, joined the Twenty- fifth Regiment. Company D, Tenth New Jersey, Captain John Evans, Lieutenants Isaac T. Thackara and George W. Hummell, William J. Sutton, Sergeant, was largely re- cruited at Shiloh and in the western section of the county. Lieutenant Hummell afterwards became captain, for gallant condtiet in the field. Sergeant William J. Sutton was pro- moted to a first lieutenancy because of meritorious conduct. This company of the Tenth Regiment did valorous service throughout the war. many of its members serving the full three years and re-enlisting. The Third New Jersey Cav- alry also contained a large number of volunteers from Cum- berland County. Company G. Captain Thomas G. Mc- Clong, of Millville, coming from eastern parts of the county,
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IN CUMBERLAND COUNTY, NEW JERSEY
and Company H, Captain Ethan T. Harris, of Bridgeton, from the county seat and the townships immediately sur- rounding it. First Lieutenant Barnet Burdsall, of Company H, a splendid officer, whose remains rest in the Shiloh Bap- tist Cemetery, was killed in a skirmish with guerrillas at Warwick Bridge. Virginia, July 5, 1864. The men who went into the Third, Tenth and Twelfth Regiments en- listed for three years. as did those who enlisted in the Third Cavalry, but those who served in the Twenty-fourth and Twenty-fifth Regiments were enrolled for nine months only.
There were two families in Bridgeton of humble origin whose patriotism sent them into the ranks of the Union army almost in their entirety. Elizabeth Ayars, widow. re- sided on Laurel street. Of her six sons, four of them enlisted in Company H. Twenty-fourth Regiment, as fol- lows: Edward Ayars, Samuel Ayars. Richard B. Ayars. Ephraim R. Ayars. Jeremiah Ayars enlisted in the First Delaware Regiment. Beside her five volunteer soldier sons Mrs. Ayars had a son-in-law. Bowman H. Buck, in the "Cumberland Greys." He had a remarkable career as a soldier. When a young man Mr. Buck served with Gen- eral Zachary Taylor in the Mexican War, and was present at the battles of Palo Alto. Resaca de la Palma, Cerro Gorda. Vera Cruz. Cherubusco, and witnessed the surren- der of Santa Anna in the city of Mexico. During the War of the Rebellion he fought from 1861 to the close of hos- tilities in 1865. This veteran of two wars was enrolled as sergeant and came out a sergeant. By reason of his heroic conduct on many battlefields Hon. John T. Nixon secured a lieutenant's commission for Mr. Buck, but he would not have it, preferring to remain in the ranks with the boys. Few men have such a splendid record as Bowman HI. Buck and few were so modest when epaulets were to be had. Robert G. Clark, Company K. Twelfth Regiment, was also a son-in-law of Mrs. . Avars, who served his country honor- ably. Widow Ayars could well be proud of her sons and
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her sons-in-law. for in the hands of families like hers the priceless jewel of our liberties was doubly safe from the foe- man's treacherous steel.
Another loyal family was that of Richard D. Penn. resident of North Bridgeton. Four sons enlisted for the war: Isaac and Jesse Penn in Company B. Tenth Regi- ment : Amos Penn in Company G, Thirty-eighth Regiment ; George Penn in Company G. Third New Jersey Regiment. Cavalry, the latter killed in action at Summit Point. Va .. August 21, 1864.
Then there was the Nieukirk family, which sent three brothers: William R. Nieukirk. United States Navy ; James P. Nieukirk, first lieutenant, Company H, Tenth New Jersey Regiment: John B. Nieukirk, Company H. Twenty-fourth New Jersey Regiment.
And the Croziers, consisting of three brothers: Ed- mund Crozier, Company F. Third New Jersey Regiment ; Elam Crozier. Company F. Third New Jersey Regiment, Cavalry : Roger Crozier. Company F. Twenty-fourth New Jersey Regiment.
Also the three sons of Phebe Robinson: George W. Robinson, Company H. Third New Jersey Regiment. Cav- alry; Hosea Robinson, Company F. Thirty-seventh New Jersey Regiment, who died in the service and was buried at City Point. Virginia, September 10, 1864; William Rob- inson, United States Navy.
In Company H. of the Twenty-fourth New Jersey Regiment, there was also enlisted a Bridgeton family of three brothers, Thomas W. Sheppard. Elmer Sheppard. John Sheppard.
The Swinneys, of Shiloh, were another family who did much for the land they loved. Azor E. Swinney enlisted in Company H, Third New Jersey Cavalry, and was killed in action at Winchester, Virginia, September 19, 1864, while gallantly fighting under the command of General Phil. Sheridan, in the famous Shenandoah Valley cam-
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FIVE PATRIOTIC AYARS BROTHERS-192
Ephraim R. Ayars Musician Co. H. 21th N. J. Reg. Inf. Vols. Richard R. Ayars Co. H, 21th N. J. Reg. Inf. Vols.
Jeremiah Ayars Ist Del. Reg. Inf. Vols. (1)
Edward Ayars Co. H, 21th N. J. Reg. Inf. Vols.
Samuel Ayars Co. H, 11th N. J. Reg. Inf. Vols.
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paign. John G. Swinney, a brother, served a term of three years in Company K, Twelfth New Jersey, with merit and honors.
The Brooks family, of Bridgeton, was another loyal contingent for the Union cause. Reuben Brooks went among the first defenders in Company F. Third New Jersey Infantry (Cumberland Greys) ; Joseph C. Brooks, enrolled in Company H, Twenty-fourth New Jersey, afterward serv- ing in the United States Navy; Enoch Brooks enlisted in Company H. Third New Jersey Cavalry.
Still another Cumberland County family of three brothers gave much and suffered much for the land and na- tion. Horace Garton, Company K, Twelfth New Jersey Regiment, died June 3. 1864, of wounds received in action at Spottsylvania Court House, Virginia: Samuel P. Gar- ton, Company D, Tenth New Jersey Regiment. died of wounds received in action at Cold Harbor, Virginia, June 1, 1864; Isaac T. Garton, Company K, Sixth Regiment, transferred to Company G, Eighth Regiment, re-enlisted June 4, 1864, served throughout the war.
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