USA > New Jersey > Historical sketch of Co. "D," 13th Regiment, N.J. Vols. Part of the 3d Brigade, 1st Division, 12th Army Corps, U.S.A., with the muster roll of the company > Part 2
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. At this time Burnside, in command of the Army of the Potomac, was opposite Fredericksburg on the Rappahannock, and preparing for a grand attack on the enemy, who were strongly posted on the heights behind the city. On the 10th the regiment, under orders, was moved in the direction of Harper's Ferry, 'crossing the Potomac at that point over a pontoon bridge on the morning of the 11th, and moved by way of Hillsborough, Leesburg, Fairfax Station, on
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the Orange and Alexandria Railroad, to and beyond Occoquan Creek, where, on the 16th, intelligence of Burnside's failure was received, and the regiment moved back to Fairfax Station.
The greater part of this march was over roads in the worst condition of the season, and the command suffered many privations and discomforts. On the 4th January, 1863, the regiment again moved to Wolf Run Shoals ; here, in connection with the Sec- ond Wisconsin, a post was established under command of Colonel Carman, Lieutenant-Colonel Swords being in command of the regiment.
On the 20th the command again broke camp and moved in the direction of Stafford Court House, pass- ing through Dumfries on the 21st, and crossing the Quantico Creek (whose waters had become swollen by a persistent rain), on trees which were felled so as to bridge the creek-at the time a rapid torrent. This crossing was tedious, and consumed the greater part of the day, so that the command was moved no further until the next day. The state of the weather and the fearful condition of the roads made this a memorable mnd march-the men pinning up the tails of their overcoats to keep them out of the mud. The command reached Stafford Court House on the 24th, and there went into winter quarters. While here, the command made itself quite comfortable, with light work, con- sisting of guard and picket duty, occasional drills, and the building of corduroy roads.
On the opening of spring, General Hooker being
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HISTORICAL SKETCH OF COMPANY D,
in command of the army, and having matured his plans for an offensive movement, on the 27th of April, at 5 o'clock A. M. the command broke camp, and moving forward rapidly, at daylight, on the 29th, crossed the Rappahannock at Kelly's Ford; thence moving to Germania Ford, on the Rapidan, crossed in four feet of water; about one mile southwest of the crossing the company went on picket duty for the night, with scarce a dry thread upon them. This dis- comfort was made light of, as "in the silent midnight watches " a calf was captured, slain and dressed, and soon cooked, making all glad in the refreshment of the inner man.
On the morning of the 30th the march was re- sumed, and the Chancellor House soon reached. On the following day (May 1st), the Twelfth Corps, to which the Thirteenth belonged, was pushed toward the United States Ford, to co operate in the crossing of the Third Corps, the command having engaged in sharp skirmishing with the enemy, and the object of the movement having been accomplished, returned to its former position.
On the morning of the 2d orders were received to build breastworks with abatis in front, which was speedily done. During the afternoon cannonading was heard on the left, and under the impression that the enemy was retreating, the whole brigade was ordered out of their works in pursuit, leaving knapsacks behind ; this impression was soon dispelled, by the sudden and continuous firing of musketry on
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the right, which proved to be from Stonewall Jack- son's command, which completely surprised the Eleventh Corps, posted on the right of the Twelfth, and drove them down the Chancellorville road in con- fusion, running in upon and over the Twelfth Corps. This stampede through the lines of the Twelfth, of men, horses, mules, wagons, etc., etc., was enough to demoralize any command ; but in the midst of all the confusion, Company D held its position unmoved, until ordered to fall back, when a new line was formed. Having left their haversacks and blankets in the breastworks vacated in the afternoon, some of the members of the company sought, in the dark- ness of the night, to recover them. On reaching the works, they found them occupied by soldiers whose character was not easily discernible in the darkness : a closer inspection, however, revealed the fact that they were of the Confederate army, and then it was run for the Union lines, which all succeeded in reach- ing save Charles N. Ritchie, who was taken prisoner.
On the morning of the 3d (Sunday) the regiment, with. the brigade, advanced and vigorously engaged the enemy, who was in strong force in front, the fight lasting until the ammunition was expended, when the Thirteenth was relieved by other troops. On the afternoon of the 2d the command of the regi- ment fell upon Captain Beardsley, who, says the historian, " here, as on subsequent fields, displayed the highest soldierly qualities, and won the cordial
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HISTORICAL SKETCH OF COMPANY D,
encomiums of both inferiors and superiors."* During this battle the company suffered severely-casualties as follows:
KILLED-William Bartlett, William Vickory, Andrew R. Whetsell.
WOUNDED-George J. Van Arsdale, who died on the 8th. William Taylor, who died on the 18th.
First Lieutenant T. B. Smith, then adjutant of the regiment.
Second Lieutenant George G. Whitfield (pro- moted from the ranks), who soon after died of his wounds.
Moses Edgar, James Love. Anthony C. Rindell,
Slightly.
Washington R. Russell, j
The regiment was again ordered in on the extreme left, on the Rappahannock, where they took position and awaited the attack. The enemy, however, had re- tired to check General Sedgwick, who was advanc- ing from Fredericksburg with the Sixth Corps. While these movements were going on, and the op- portunity for the Union troops to attack was favor- able, for causes unknown to the command, they were ordered to recross the river, and they wearily moved through mud and water back to their old camp, near Stafford Court House, and the campaign was ended. Here the command found itself in a very destitute condition, having lost almost every thing during the
* Nue Jersey and the Rebellion. - Foster, p. 323.
.
.
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previous ten days' campaign ; but it was soon moved to a healthier location, where the men were re- clothed, and fell once more into the routine of camp duty.
In the mean while Lee had moved again to the upper Potomac, and threatened Maryland and Penn- sylvania. On the 13th June, Hooker put his army in motion ; the regiment moved in the same direction, by way of Dumfries, Fairfax Court House, Drains- ville, and Leesburg, crossing the Potomac at Edward's Ford ; thence to Poolville, Point of Rocks, Knox- ville, Frederick, Woodbury, and Tarrytown, to Little- ton, Pennsylvania, a distance of 200 miles, where the command arrived on the 30th June. On the morning of the 1st July, the command broke camp at five o'clock, and marched by way of two taverns in the direction of Gettysburg. Before reaching this place, the Eleventh Corps, which was in the advance, was attacked by the enemy, and pressed back through the town. The Thirteenth was hurried forward on the double-quick, and in an exhausted con- dition was deployed as skirmishers on the right of the Baltimore pike. At night the command was withdrawn, and lay in support of Battery M, First New York Artillery.
July 2d, the conimand moved to the left of Taney Spring, and assisted in building breastworks. Gen- eral Sickles being severely pres-ed on the left, at 6 P. M. the regiment was ordered to his assistance, but before reaching him the enemy had given way.
-
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HISTORICAL SKETCH OF COMPANY D,
Meanwhile, Early had assailed the right with superior numbers, and upon their return to their works the Thirteenth found a portion of them in the possession of the enemy. Some prisoners having been taken at this point, Company D was detailed to take charge of them; these, knowing the desperate effort that Lee would make on the morrow to dislodge the Union army, and, thinking he would succeed, desired to be taken further to the rear.
On the morning of the 3d, Company D took these prisoners to " Two Taverns," and handed them over to the provost-guard. On the return of Company D to the front, the impression of these prisoners as to Lee proved to be, in some respects, correct ; he had made a desperate attack, but at the close of day, with thinned ranks and disappointed hopes, he had retired from his position. In the evening of the 3d, the Thirteenth, with others, was sent to support a cavalry reconnoissance to the right, but no enemy could be found.
The dawning 4th, the nation's birth-day, was made more glorious by the declared victories to the Union armies. The enemy had retired, leaving the field in possession of the victors. The Thirteenth moved to its former position in the line.
July 5th, the march was resumed, and the command reached Frederick, Maryland, on the morning of the 7th, then proceeding to Middletown, Crampton Pass, Rohrersville, Keedysville, Smoketown, and Fair Play, to a point near St. James's College, where the enemy
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had fortified for their protection while making prepa- rations to cross the river. The Thirteenth were at once set to work building earthworks, and but for the religious scruples of the commanding general as to fighting on the Sabbath, the enemy would have been attacked the next day (Sunday). Early Mon- day morning an advance wasmade, but the enemy had made the most of the delay, and recrossed the Potomac, leaving one small brigade, which was captured. From this place the command moved to Harper's Ferry, where they remained among familiar scenes for three days, and then marched to Kelly's Ford, Virginia, via Snicker's, Askby's, and Manassas Gaps, Richtors- town, Thoroughfare Gap, Hay Market, Greenwich, Catlet Station, and Warrentown Junction.
While at Kelly's Ford the company, in common with the entire brigade, was employed in picket and guard duty, with occasional drills. On the 15th September. General Meade having determined to attack at Culpepper Court House, the army crossed the Rappahannock ; the Thirteenth crossing at Kelly's Ford and marching to Racoon Ford, on the Rapidan. While here orders were received to detach the Eleventh and Twelfth Corps for service in Ten- nessee, under General Hooker. The Thirteenth then took farewell of the Army of the Potomac, in which it had seen so much hard service, and received its baptism of fire and blood. On the 24th Septem- ber the regiment started for Bealton Station, where, on the 29th, taking cars, it passed through Washing-
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HISTORICAL SKETCH OF COMPANY D,
ton City, Maryland, West Virginia, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee, to Stevenson, Alabama, where it arrived on the 4th day of October, having in seven days traveled 1,100 miles. From the latter place the regiment returned to Wartrace, Tennessee ; thence moved to Tullahoma, where it remained ten days, during which time Company D built them- selves comfortable houses, the materials for which were supplied by an unfinished church and vacated houses. On the 23d October the regiment was again moved, to take part in the battle of Lookout Moun- tain ; but their withdrawal from the railroad gave opportunity to the rebels to tear it up, which they did; and, on arriving at Anderson, Alabama, the regiment was ordered back to Wartrace bridge, Ten- nessee, reaching there on the 27th. Expecting to have rest here, the company set about making for themselves comfortable quarters ; when these were nearly completed, 'as usual, marching orders came, and on the 3d November tents were struck, and the regiment moved to Duck River Bridge, on the Nash- ville and Chattanooga Railroad. There being good hope of remaining here during the winter, the com- pany again went to work building quarters, and suc- ceeded in making themselves very comfortable. The time here was occupied in a variety of work ; build- ing forts, cutting railroad ties, patroling the railroad, guard and picket duty, with occasional drills.
Captain George A. Beardsley having received pro- motion as major of the regiment, on the Sth January,
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1864, 1st Lieutenant E. D. Pierson, of Company E, was assigned to the command of Company D, by regimental order No. 3, and was mustered as captain on the 13th March following. The variety of duty, and the liberty allowed while at Duck River, broke the monotony of camp life, and the winter passed by quickly and pleasantly. Fish were taken in the stream and rabbits from the fields. The privilege of visiting among the farmers of the vicinity was freely accorded to the members of the command, and the society of their families and fair daughters added greatly to the comforts and amenities of the soldier's life. If ever the boys were happy in their experience of army life, they were so during this camp at Duck River. With April came orders to prepare for a spring campaign. On the 26th April the regiment broke camp and marched to Tullahoma, a distance of nine miles; thence to Dechard, about 13 miles ; thence to University Place, on a spur of the Cumber- land Mountains. April 30th the command marched about 14 miles, and encamped for the night in Cumberland Valley, near Battle Creek; thence it proceeded to Bridgeport, Alabama ; thence to Shell Mound and Lookout Valley; thence to Roseville, Georgia, Lee, and Gordon's Mills, and Pea Vine Church, to the foot of Taylor's Ridge; thence, on the 13th May, through Snake Creek Gap to Resaca, where an attempt was made to dislodge the enemy. The brigade here held in reserve until the afternoon of the 14th, when, as a part of the line of the 14th
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HISTORICAL SKETCH OF COMPANY D,
corps having given way, it was sent to their support. General Knipes being in the advance, the enemy was by him driven from the field.
On the following day (Sunday, 15th) the 13th took a position on a ridge in an open field, and commenced making a breastwork of rails; but before this was completed the enemy made desperate and continuous charges upon them. The position, however, of the Thirteenth being a commanding one, and partially protected by the rails, the regiment suffered but little, while the enemy's loss was so great that he was com- pelled to retreat to Dallas, the 13th following him by way of Casseville, where the command partici- pated in a lively skirmish, which resulted in driving the enemy from the town. The command again came in contact with the enemy at Pumpkin Vine Creek, where Moses H. Garabrant * received wounds from which he afterward died. A vigorous pursuit of the enemy was now kept up, and skirmishes were of daily occurrence. On the 17th of June, in a skirmish near Kenesaw Mountain, Sergeant Edward Patterson was killed, and on the 22d, at Kulps Farm, near Marietta, Washington Lyon was wounded. Here the enemy made a desperate effort to drive back the brigade, which had taken position across the Sandtown road, over which a part of their army was to retreat if dislodged from Kenesaw.
A flank movement of Sherman at this time caused
* Booth wounded also.
3
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the enemy to retreat, who was followed until the regiment reached the Cattahoochie river, where it remained several days. While on picket at this place, July 14th, James Dobson, a recruit who en- listed August 21, 1863, received wounds from which he died, August 24th. July 17th, the command crossed the river, and on the 18th made a reconnois- sance, and came in contact with the enemy at Nancy's Creek, and drove them to near Buck Head, then returned again to the brigade. July 20th, the com- mand took part in the battle of Peach-tree Creek.
July 22d, the enemy having withdrawn, an advance was made toward Atlanta, and, after a brief skirmish, the command entrenched itself within a few hundred yards of the fortifications of the city. The enemy, not liking the close proximity to their works, occa- sionally sent in very unwelcome messengers, by one of which, on the 23d, Washington I. Romer was wounded.
On the 27th the regiment was selected for impor- tant special duty. There being irregularity in the line, which it was desirable to straighten, it was ordered that one regiment from each division in the Twentieth Corps should unite in a demonstration on the enemy's works, under cover of which the neces- sary work should be done, and the position of his forts at the same time be developed. The Thirteenth was selected from the First Division for this duty. being ordered at the same time to burn several houses in their front, from which the enemy's sharp-
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HISTORICAL SKETCH OF COMPANY D,
shooters had kept up an annoying fire. This work was accomplished with some loss to the regiment, but none to Company D.
On the morning of the 30th the regiment again advanced, taking about sixty prisoners, and taking position near the enemy's forts, threw up breast- works, a part of the men keeping up a steady fire while these were being constructed. After establish- ing this new line, the Thirteenth was relieved, and fell back to our line of works in the rear. In this short encounter, William H. Van Iderstine had his hand so badly shattered by a fragment of an explod- ing shell as to render amputation necessary ; Joseph Colver was also wounded in the shoulder and side by the same shell. On the 5th of August, while arranging his tent, George Kinsey was slightly wounded by a rifle-ball, and on the 18th Oba Sher- man was struck by a piece of shell while cooking his breakfast.
General Sherman not being able to take the city by direct assault, except at too great an expense of life, concluded to try his favorite plan of " serewing " them out; so the siege was raised, and the Twenti- eth Corps, on the 25th August, was marched back to the Cattahoochie River to guard the bridge and stores that had accumulated there; while the balance of the army, by a cirenitous route, marched to the south of the city. Great was the rejoicing in Atlanta over what was supposed to be the retreat of Sherman. The city was illuminated, the bells were rung, and
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other demonstrations of joy exhibited by citizens and soldiery.
While thus unconscious of the true state of affairs, Sherman struck the enemy's line of communi- cation, south of the city, and he was thus, when too late to help himself, forced to realize his condition. Hood, who was in command of the Confederate army, sent out his force to clear the way, but failing in this, and knowing that it was madness to attempt longer to hold the city, he ordered the destruction of locomo- tives, cars, munitions of war, and immense quantities of other property which he could not move, and abandoned the city to her fate.
The bursting of shells, and the conflagration which ensued, attracted the attention of the Twentieth Corps eight miles to the northward. And the following day, September 2d, the command entered the city. and could truthfully say " Atlanta's ours, and fairly won." On occupying the city, the Thirteenth en- camped temporarily on the easterly side, but, as or- ders had been issued indicating a few weeks of rest, the command moved to a pleasanter location, and built houses after the most approved style. While here, the following account, in verse, of the startling events of the few preceding days was written by a member of Company D.
Atlanta, the stronghold of treason, rebellion,
Has fallen at last in the hands of the brave; And now, let the voice of the North's twenty million Proclaim that its army the nation can save.
-
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HISTORICAL SKETCH OF COMPANY D,
At Ringold, Joe Johnson had, just where he wanted, The mudsills and vandals of Sherman's command, And the rebs, in their trenches, felt secure and undaunted, And thought themselves able all charges to stand.
But strategy, by " old Sherman," the hero, Drew from their entrenchments the deluded host, And on the small hills at a place called Resaca, They found that they their position had lost.
And then, further south, at a place known as Dallas, And at Kenesaw Mountain they made a bold stand, But still we went on, sweeping all from before us Who dared to insult the fair flag of our land.
By this time Joe Johnson was of opinion, That he and his army no longer could stand Before the defenders of liberty, union,
And so he gave over his weakened command.
Then Hood, the succes-or of General Johnson, Thought that he his superior skill would show, By massing his troops in a covered position, And drive back the Yankees by one sudden blow.
But when he advanced in strong lines of battle, He found that the Yankees would never retreat, And it did not take long him the question to settle, Whether he or "old Sherman " had suffered defeat.
Having thus failed in his first grand endeavor To drive back the loyal, the true, and the brave, Then came the question of importance, whether He the city of Atlanta could save ?
So, in the defenses he rallied his forces, The Georgia militia and veterans combined. But soon, to his sorrow, he received leaden doses From right, then from left, and then from behind.
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Now the hope of the rebels gave way to depression, And they burned up munitions of war there in store, And soon the gate city was in the possession
Of Joe Hooker's veterans, the Twentieth Corps.
Written in Atlanta Ga., Sept., 1864. 1758065
The enemy having moved to Sherman's rear, with a view to operate on his line of communication, a force was sent to oppose him, and on the 5th October the regiment was moved to the westerly side of the city, and occupied the works built and held by the enemy before their evacuation of the city. While here the regiment assisted in building an interior line of defense, and occasionally went out from 15 to 20 miles on foraging expeditions. General Hood, with his army, being now far in our rear, and General Thomas having sufficient force at Chattanooga to prevent him (Hood) from going too far, the sublime thought of marching from "Atlanta to the sea" presented itself to Sherman's mind. Preparations were at once made to carry out this great move. The railroads in and around the city were destroyed ; depots and public buildings were burned, and every thing which could be of use to the enemy destroyed. All being ready, on the 13th the column was put in motion, forward to the sea, passing through Decatur, Social Circle, Madison, and Miledgeville. Before reaching the latter place the Georgia Legislature was in session ; but, as Sherman's column headed that way, Governor Brown very wisely suggested an adjourn- ment, which they immediately proceeded to do, each
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HISTORICAL SKETCH OF COMPANY D,
one looking out for himself, and standing " not upon the order of his going." On the arrival of the Twentieth Corps, the American flag was raised over the State House, and some of the officers, organizing in the Assembly Chamber, passed resolutions to the tune of "Where, oh, where! have the legislators gone ?" November 26th, as the colunm approached Saundersville, some of the enemy's cavalry showing a disposition to dispute the passage, the regiment was deployed in skirmish line, and drove the enemy through the town. Here the Georgia Central Rail- road was struck and destroyed as the column ad- vanced. December 9th, when within fifteen miles of Savannah, the command came upon some carth- works occupied by the enemy; after taking their dinners, the Thirteenth, with others of the brigade, got upon their flank by wading through a rice- field, covered by two feet of water. This move, through a field which they had looked upon as a sure defense, so surprised the enemy that they fled in haste to the city. On the following day the march was continued unmolested, the column reach- ing the city of Savannah in the afternoon.
During all this march from Atlanta, the men had lived almost entirely, and well, too, off the country; but now that the barren wastes that bound the city of Savannah on the west were reached, and there being no supplies, there was not a little suffering for food in the command ; to such an extent, indeed, that some refused, through weakness, to work upon the de-
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fences which were being thrown up. Three spoon- fuls of rice, and a small piece of tough beef, were the rations of a day. This term of starvation, however, was of short duration, for on the 16th the command crossed to Argyle Island, in the Savannah River, where any quantity of rice was to be had, and at almost any price, as the negroes did not know a ten- cent stamp from a five-dollar bill. Earthworks were thrown up here as a defense against the guns of the enemy in position on the South Carolina shore; but as soon as the command crossed to that side the en- emy fell back from the river. This move threatening to close his last line of retreat from Savannah, the enemy was compelled to evacuate the city, which was done during the night of the 19th December, General Geary's division occupying it on the 20th, and the Thirteenth recrossing to the Georgia shore, where, on the 23d, it went into camp in a live-oak grove, thus terminating a march of over three hun- dred miles, and one of the most remarkable campaigns on record.
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