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 3
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The company now remained comparatively idle until the 14th of January, 1865, when, with the regi- ment, it moved into the city on detached service, and was connected with a provisional brigade, acting as guard at the grand depot of supplies connected with the quartermaster's department.
To effect a junction with General Grant at Rich- mond was now the next object to be gained. To go by land or by water, was the question to be decided.
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HISTORICAL SKETCH OF COMPANY D, 1
Sherman, knowing what manner of men he com- manded, their ability and willingness to go where- ever he might lead, thought to march through the Carolinas would be as quick a way to transfer his army, and would result more disastrously to the enemy, as he could cut their lines of communica- tion, and thus compel them to evacuate the coast. To this plan no objection could be made, and about the 10th of January, 1865, the army was put in mo- tion, heading northward. On the 17th, the regi- inent crossed on pontoon bridges, to Hutchinson Isl- and, thence across the main channel of the Savannah river, to Palmnetto Island. The roads on these isl- ands were in very bad condition, and the command were ordered to remain behind and assist in getting the train over. Before this could be accomplished, a heavy rain-storm set in, which caused the river to rise to such a height as to compel the command to abandon their position and return to Savannah, which separated the regiment from the brigade. So great and rapid was the rise of water, that some of the teams were caught, and wagons and mules sunk beneath the flood, boxes of hard-tack and barrels of "salt junk " floating off rapidly down the stream.
The regiment remained in the city until the 27th, when, the water being still too high to cross at that point, the command marched up the right bank of the Savannah River, about forty miles, to Lower Sister's Ferry, where it crossed, on the 4th February, on a pontoon bridge, into South Carolina.
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THIRTEENTH REGIMENT, N. J. VOLS.
From thence the command marched to Roberts- ville and Lawtonville; on the 7th crossed the Coo- sawatchie swamp; on the 8th crossed the Salka- hatchie River; and on the 9th marched to within one mile of Blackville, a station on the Augusta and Carolina Railroad, where the command again joined the brigade, from which it had been separated since the 14th January preceding.
From this point the march was devious, for the purpose of misleading the enemy. On the 17th the command encamped within a few miles of the city of Columbia, which was occupied the same day by the Fourteenth Corps. Day after day the march was continued, passing through towns and villages, ford- ing rivers, etc., until the 27th, when, reaching Hang- ing Rock Creek, the command rested for a day, and the muster rolls were made out. From here the command moved in the direction of Chesterfield Court House, where, on the 1st of March, they had a skirmish with the enemy. From thence marched to Cheraw, and crossed the Great Pedee River ; thence to the Little Pedee and Lumber Rivers. In this section there was great difficulty, not only in getting the train through, but even in getting through the command itself. A great storm was upon them ; the rivers were swollen, and the roads in terrible con- dition. However, after great labor, and some suffer- ing, the command reached Fayetteville, North Caro- lina, on the 11th, at 10 o'clock, P. M. This place. just previously, had been evacuated by about 25,000
.
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HISTORICAL SKETCH OF COMPANY D,
Confederates, who, a week before, had declared their resolution to defend the city to the last; but they adhered to their established rule-to move when Sherman did.
March 13th, the command passed through the city; was reviewed by Generals Sherman and Slocum, and went into camp a short distance out. The 14th was spent in foraging and procuring corn.
On the 15th marched about 15 miles north, on the Raleigh plank road, and encamped near Cape Fear River; the command, while disposing them- selves here comfortably for the night, and while smoking their after-supper pipe, was ordered to strike tents and move. The brigade was moved rapidly forward about four miles to near Averys- borough, in the rain, over roads in which the inud was in places ten inches deep, to support Kilpatrick's cavalry, which had met the enemy's infantry at that point. The front was reached at about midnight, and the command spent the best part of the re- mainder of the night in drying their clothes and freeing themselves from the accumulated mud. At early dawn Kilpatrick brought his band to the front, and the strains of "Our Flag is There " was cheerily given, with tantalizing effect on the ear of the enemy.
The ground here was such as to preclude the operation of the cavalry, which was withdrawn, the freshly-arrived infantry taking its place. Soon the command was relieved by other troops, and moved
4
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THIRTEENTH REGIMENT, N. J. VOLS.
to the right, when a charge was made and the enemy driven to their strongly-fortified position ; this posi- tion was a good one for defense, for in their front the quicksands prevented the use of artillery ; and in advancing our men were, some of them, in water two feet in depth. At night the Thirteenth was re- lieved, and went into camp in the rear.
For some reason or other, the enemy retired during the night. A feigned pursuit was made the next day, to give the impression that Raleigh was Sherman's objective point. Soon, however, the com- mand retraced their steps, and pushed forward in the direction of Goldsborough, corduroying portions of the road as they advanced. On the 19th the regiment was ordered to move rapidly forward in the direction of Bentonville, near which place General Slocum's column had developed nearly the whole of Johnson's army.
The command hurried up, and halted in rear of the Fourteenth Corps, which was already engaged. While waiting for orders, a forager came rushing in, and reported that the enemy in large numbers was coming up a road on the extreme left. General Williams at once ordered the Third Brigade beyond the left of the Fourteenth Corps. The brigade had no sooner got into position than the Thirteenth was ordered to cross a ravine, and to put itself in as good a position as possible. This order was promptly obeyed, and temporary works constructed. While this work was going on, the left of the Fourteenth
42
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF COMPANY D,
Corps, which had been sorely pressed, gave way, and exposed the right of the Thirteenth. The regiment quickly changed front, and formed at right angles with the main line. This was scarce done ere the enemy appeared in front of the Thirteenth, moving forward at a double quick; being unconscious of the presence of the regiment, and thinking themselves on the extreme left of our line, they moved forward in good style into the jaws of disaster. Waiting until they had approached within easy range, the Thir- teenth opened upon them, their fire partly entilading their line, and instantly throwing them into disorder. Orders having been given to fall back, a part of the regiment retreated into and across the ravine; but Company D, with five other companies, seeing the demoralizing effect of their first fire, held fast where they stood, and kept up a brisk fire, causing the ene- my to seek shelter in the woods, and finally to dis- appear from the front.
The regiment won great praise on this occasion - and the achievement was deserving of it, for it had saved the army from disaster, and thrown the enemy into confusion-and that, too, without sustaining any loss itself. During the 20th and 21st the regiment remained in the same position. On the 22d the march was resumed, passing through Goldsborough on the 24th, which place had been previously occu- pied by General Schofield, and went into camp about two miles north of the town. The regiment re- mained here until the 10th of April, engaged in
0
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THIRTEENTH REGIMENT, N. J. VOLS.
various duties, and refitting for another campaign. The news of the fall of Richmond having been re- ceived, and Sherman having matured his plans for an offensive movement, on the 10th of April set his column in motion toward the enemy, who was then concentrated at Smithfield. The Third Brigade, being in the advance, soon came upon the enemy's outpost, and a lively skirmish ensued, in which Mar- tin V. B. Ingram, of Company D, who had been de- tailed as an orderly for General Slocum, received wounds from which he died two days after, and was buried at Smithfield. The enemy having retreated across the Neuse River, Smithfield was entered with- ont opposition. While here, the news of Lee's sur- render reached the command, and joy pervaded the entire army. Leaving the wagon train, Sherman now pushed forward rapidly in pursuit of Johnson, the command reaching Raleigh in the afternoon of the 13th, and going into camp south of the city.
The next day came the cheering news of General Sherman having received, by flag of truce, a commu- nication from General Johnson, requesting an armis- tice, and a statement of the best terms on which he would be permitted to surrender. Following this good news came the sad intelligence of the assassina- tion of the President, Abraham Lincoln, and sorrow tilled the hearts of all. While negotiations were go- ing on between the two commanders, the Thirteenth moved its camp to a beautiful young forest, where the tents were arranged with a view to health, com
1
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HISTORICAL SKETCH OF COMPANY D,
fort, and a short stay ; but, as the terms agreed upon between Sherman and Johnson were not approved by the authorities at Washington, an advance was ordered, and the regiment moved to the front. On the 26th, final terms having been concluded, the regiment moved back to its camp near Raleigh. Company D now began to realize that they had fought their last fight, and the exuberance of joy found expression in the explosion of canteens filled with powder, for which there now seemed no further use. The much-wished-for day, when the command should commence the homeward march, at last arrived, and on the 29th of April the regiment moved out of camp, heading the column toward Richmond, which place it reached on the 9th of May; thence the regiment proceeded to Fairfax Seminary, via Chancellorsville, where it had an opportunity of viewing the field over which they had fought two years before, and where some of their comrades were sleeping the sleep of death. The command re- mained at Fairfax Seminary until the 24th, when it marched to Washington, taking part in the grand review, and then went into camp at Bladensburg, about four miles from the city. Here the regiment remained until the 9th of June, when, transportation being secured, it took cars for Newark, where it arrived on the afternoon of the 10th, and was re- ceived by a crowd at the depot, and with an address of welcome by General Theodore Runyon, then the mayor of the city. The regiment was then taken to
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THIRTEENTH REGIMENT, N. J. VOLS.
the " Ward " U. S. Hospital, where the arms were stacked and the men dismissed, subject to a call for parade.
On the 14th, by the authority of the Municipal Council, a grand civic and military parade took place under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel R. S. Swords, the first Lieutenant-Colonel of the Regiment. Under this escort the Thirteenth paraded through the principal streets of the city, and subsequently partook of a dinner provided by the citizens. On the 26th the regiment was mustered out of the United States ser- vice, and every surviving member laid aside his arms to be kept only as souvenirs of days of trial, and passed from the soldier back to the private citizen, and to the vocations of such. And now was ended a term of service as full, perhaps, of privation and hardship as any during the war. Company D had marched and fought almost all the way from the Potomne to Rio-Grande. It had marched day and night, in sunshine and in storm, in mud and in snow ; it had assisted in building hundreds of miles of road, fought in many of the most hotly-contested battles of the war, in skirmishes almost innumerable, and had suffered every thing to which soldiers in an active and earnest campaign are subject.
To go through all this hardship, privation, and peril was not very agreeable; but to have gone through them is a pleasant thing to remember, and the members of the company feel proud in the con- sciousness of having done their part in conquering
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HISTORICAL SKETCH OF COMPANY D.
the Rebellion and maintaining the laws of their land.
To perpetuate the story of its work, the toils, and trials, and sufferings, as well as all the pleasant rem- iniscences of camp life and the friendship there begun, Company D has resolved itself into D Society ; and, when all the actors in the scenes of the preced- ing sketch have passed away, their sons, like the de- scendants of those who, in the month of May, 1783, at the Cantonment of the American Army on the Hudson, formed a similar society to "perpetuate as well the remembrance of the vast event " they had brought to pass, " as the mutual friendship which had been formed under the pressure of common danger," shall relate to each other this story as they had it from their sires.
Esto Perpetua.
A BRIEF RECORD
OF THE
MEMBERS OF COMPANY D.
To the surviving members of the late Company D, Thirteenth Regiment, New Jersey Volunteers, and to the relatives of those members who did not survive the war, the following record, no doubt, will be of interest, as it gives the date of enlistment or commission, the battles engaged in, when and where, killed or wounded, in what hospitals, and from what cause, when promoted, and to what rank, or any other change that took place during their term of service :
MAJOR GEORGE A. BEARDSLEY
Was born in Sussex County, New Jersey. He was commissioned second-lieutenant July 17, 1862, aged 26 years, and August 22d was promoted to captain of Company D, most of whose members were enlisted by him. He participated in the battles of Antietam, Md., Chancellorsville, Va., and Gettysburg, Pa. Dur. ing the evening of May 2, 1863, at Chancellorsville, being, in the confusion of the hour, separated from the regiment, he led a line of skirmishers, composed
1
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HISTORICAL SKETCH OF COMPANY D.
of men from General Knipe's brigade, into breast- works built by the regiment the day previous, but which were then occupied by the enemy, and just escaped capture. The following day, May 3d, he had command of the regiment (his superior officers being disabled), and his words of cheer and encouragement gave inspiration to the men, and they did all that human strength could do to stem and turn the tide of battle. While the regiment was encamped at Duck River Bridge, Tenn., Captain Beardsley was detailed to take command of six companies of the Thirteenth Regiment, New Jersey Volunteers, and One Hundred and Fiftieth Regiment, New York Vol- unteers, to collect an assessment of $30,000 in Lincoln County, Tenn., levied by General George H. Thomas, for the families of three soldiers who were killed in that county by bush-whackers. After his return to the regiment he was promoted to major, but he did not serve long in that capacity, for his business relations at home demanded his presence, and in April, 1864, he resigned.
CAPTAIN E. D. PIERSON
Was born in Orange, New Jersey, and was mustered into the United States service as first-lieutenant of Company E. in August, 1862, aged 29 years. On the 25th of July, at Hay Market. Va., while the regiment was on its march to Kelly's Ford, Va., he was detached, and sent to New Jersey to assist in forwarding drafted men and recruits, returning to
4
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THIRTEENTH REGIMENT, N. J. VOLS.
the regiment at Duck River, Tenn., November 6. 1863, where he was acting adjutant from November 18, 1863, to January 8, 1864, and was promoted to Captain of Company D on the 15th of March fol- lowing. He participated in all the battles in which the regiment was engaged except one of the charges made before Atlanta, which took place July 30, 1864. He was mustered out with the regiment.
THOMAS B. SMITH
Was born in Erie County, New York. He was com- missioned first-lieutenant August 22, 1862, aged 29 years. On the 14th of September, while on the march after General Lee, in Maryland, he became unfit, by sickness, for further marching, and was left in command of an invalid corps, near Frederick, com- posed of sick men of the regiment, rejoining the company on the 20th, at Sandy Hook, Md. On the 30th of October, while on the march up the Potomac, to opposite Shepherdstown, Va., he was detailed to take command of the provost guard in the town of Sharpsburg, Md., where he remained until November 11th, when he rejoined the company. January 18. 1863, at Wolf Run Shoals, Va., he was promoted to adjutant of the regiment. At the battle of Chancel- lorsville, Va., May 3, 1863, he was wounded in the left arm near the shoulder, and sent to field hospital at the U. S. Ford on the Rappahannock, and then to Aquia Creek, Va., from which place he received leave of absence, and went to Newark, N. J., where he re-
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HISTORICAL SKETCH OF COMPANY D,
ported to Ward Hospital. He rejoined the regi- ment, July 8th, at Frederick, Md. Continuing to suffer from sickness which threatened to prove fatal, while at Kelley's Ford, Va., he offered his resignation, which was accepted August 10th, and he returned to his home, where his health was finally restored.
JAMES L. CARMAN,
Who was second-lieutenant of Company E, was pro- moted to first-lieutenant of Company D, January 18, 1863, and participated in all the battles in which the regiment was engaged, except the battle of Dallas, Ga. He was wounded before Atlanta, Ga., August 18, 1864, and sent to Division Hospital, where he remained until October 29th, when he returned to his company. He was detailed as aid-de-camp to Colonel E. A. Carman, while the colonel commanded the brigade. January 31, 1865, he was promoted to captain of Company G, and was mustered out with the regiment.
CHARLES H. CANFIELD
Was born in Orange, N. J. He enlisted as a private in Company G, Second Regiment, New Jersey Vol- unteers, and was promoted to second-lieutenant of Company D, Thirteenth Regiment, New Jersey Vol- unteers, August 11, 1862, aged 21 years. He par- ticipated in all the battles in which the company was engaged, except the battle of Antietam, which oc- curred before he joined the company for duty. De- cember 25, 1864, he was promoted to first-lieu-
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THIRTEENTH REGIMENT, N. J. VOLS.
tenant, and at the same time adjutant of the regiment. Mustered out of service with the regi- ment.
FRANKLIN MURPHY
Was born in Jersey City, N. J., enlisted about the 20th of July, 1862, aged 16 years, and was mustered in the United States service as corporal. He was pro- moted from corporal of Company A, to second- lieutenant of Company D, March 2, 1863, and on the 26th of July following was assigned to ambulance corps. March 17, 1864, he was promoted to first-lieu- tenant of Company A. Mustered out with the regi- ment.
JOHN P. DECKER
Was born in Newfoundland, N. J., enlisted July 29, 1862, aged 21 years, and was mustered into the United States service as third-sergeant. January 18, 1863, he was promoted to first-sergeant. He was detailed as acting sergeant-major August 13, 1864, and promoted to that office on the 31st of the same month. April 24, 1865, he was promoted to second-lieutenant of Company I, and was mustered out with the regiment.
GEORGE G. WHITFIELD
Was born in Belleville, N. J., enlisted July 30th, 1862, aged 30 years, and was mustered into the United States service as first-sergeant. At the battle of Antietam, Md., September 17, 1862, he was wounded
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HISTORICAL SKETCH OF COMPANY D,
in the thigh, and sent to hospital at Frederick, Md., and from there to Kingssessing Hospital, Philadelphia, Pa. November 1st, while in hospital, he was pro- moted to second-lieutenant of Company A, and re- ported for duty, February 23, 1863, at Stafford Court House, Va., where the regiment was quartered. At the battle of Chancellorsville, Va., May 3, 1863, he was wounded in right lung and sent to hospital at Georgetown, D. C., where he died May Sth. His body was sent to Newark, N. J., and buried in Fair- mount Cemetery.
WILLIAM G. BOGGS
Was born in Paterson, N. J., enlisted July 17, 1862, aged 30 years, and was mustered into the United States service as second-sergeant. November 1st, he was promoted to first-sergeant, and on the 18th of June, 1863, he was promoted to sergeant- major. He participated in the battles of AAntietam and Chancellorsville with Company D, and was dis- charged June 12, 1863, while on the march to Gettysburg, Pa., to accept a commission. On the 13th of August he was commissioned captain of Company A, Thirty-third Regiment, New Jersey Vol- unteers. While leading his company at the battle of Chattanooga, Tenn., November 23d, he was wounded in the arm and sent to hospital, where he died on the 14th of December. His body was sent home to his friends, and buried in Fairmount Cemetery, Newark, N. J.
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THIRTEENTH REGIMENT, N. J. VOLS.
GEORGE H. FIELDS
Was born in Lowell, Mass., enlisted July 23, 1862, aged 20 years. Promoted to the position of com- missary-sergeant, August 25, 1862, which position he held until the company was discharged.
JOHN R. MILLER
Was born in Rahway, N. J., enlisted July 29, 1862, aged 20 years, and was mustered in the United States service as fourth-sergeant. He participated in all the battles in which the company was engaged. January 1, 1865, he was promoted to first-sergeant, and discharged with the company.
EDWARD PATERSON
Was born in New York City, enlisted July 18, 1862, aged 26 years, and was mustered in as sergeant. He participated in the battles of Antietam, Chancellors- ville, Gettysburg, Resaca, and Dallas, and was killed in a skirmish near Kenasaw Mountain, Ga., June 17, 1864, and is buried in the National Cemetery, at Marietta, Ga., Section C, grave 1,025.
JAMES C. PAIGE
Was born in Herkimer Co., N. Y., enlisted August 1, 1862, aged 33 years, and was mustered in as cor- poral. November 1, 1862, he was promoted to ser- geant. He participated in the battles of Antietam. Md., Gettysburg, Pa., and Chancellorsville, Va. In July, 1863, he was sent to hospital at Alexandria, Va., sick, and on the 28th of December, 1864, was trans-
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HISTORICAL SKETCH OF COMPANY D,
ferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps, and discharged therefrom June 27, 1865.
GEORGE W. LAWRENCE
Was born in Newark, N. J., enlisted August 13, 1862, aged 23 years, and was mustered into the United States service as corporal. May 1, 1863, he was promoted to sergeant. ' He participated in all the battles in which the company was engaged, ex- cept the battles of Peachtree Creek, and before At- lanta, Ga. He was slightly wounded at the battle of Chancellorsville, Va., May 3, 1863. July 4th, he was sent to hospital sick, and returned to duty at Kelley's Ford, Va., August 1st. He was again sent to hospital at Lookout Mountain, Tenn., on the 22d of June, 1864, and rejoined the company on the 15th of October. Was discharged with the company.
EDWIN HOYT
Was born at Silvermine, Conn., enlisted August 6, 1862, aged 26 years, and was mustered in as corporal. He participated in all the battles in which the com- pany was engaged, and was promoted to sergeant July 30, 1564. Discharged with the company.
THOMAS R. DEVOR
Was born in Dover, N. J., enlisted August 14, 1862, aged 27 years. He participated in all the battles in which the company was engaged, and was promoted to corporal November 1, 1862. Novem- ber 11th he was detailed as provost guard at Sharps-
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THIRTEENTH REGIMENT, N. J. VOLS.
burg, Md., and returned to the company December 10th. April 1, 1865, he was promoted to sergeant, and was discharged with the company.
SAMUEL MILBURN
Was born in Morris County, New Jersey, enlisted August 5, 1862, aged 36 years, and was mustered into service as corporal. He participated in all the battles in which the company was engaged. In the spring of 1863 he was detailed as color-guard, and in May, 1865, was promoted to sergeant. Discharged with the company.
ANDREW W. LEFURGE
Was born , N. J., enlisted August 7, 1862, aged 30 years, and was mustered into the United States service as corporal. He participated in the battle of Antietam, Md., September 17, 1862. In January, 1863, he became disabled by an accident, and was sent to hospital at Washington, D. C., and from there to Camp Convalescent at Alexandria, Va., where he was transferred to the invalid corps, Sep- tember 3, 1863, and discharged therefrom April 18, 1864.
JOHN A. SPENCE
Was born at Little Falls, N. J., enlisted August 6, 1862, aged 25 years, and was mustered into the ser- vice as corporal. He participated in the battles of Antietam, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, and Resaca. In August, 1863, he was sent to the hospital at Wash-
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