USA > New Jersey > Essex County > History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. I > Part 15
USA > New Jersey > Hudson County > History of Essex and Hudson counties, New Jersey, Vol. I > Part 15
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 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121 | Part 122 | Part 123 | Part 124 | Part 125 | Part 126 | Part 127 | Part 128 | Part 129 | Part 130 | Part 131 | Part 132 | Part 133 | Part 134 | Part 135 | Part 136 | Part 137 | Part 138 | Part 139 | Part 140 | Part 141 | Part 142 | Part 143 | Part 144 | Part 145 | Part 146 | Part 147 | Part 148 | Part 149 | Part 150 | Part 151 | Part 152 | Part 153 | Part 154 | Part 155 | Part 156 | Part 157 | Part 158 | Part 159 | Part 160 | Part 161 | Part 162 | Part 163
On May 6, the arrival of the brigade was reported ta General Scott, and, no camps being provided, the troops went into such quarters as were available in
3 Mr. John G. Servons is wald to have first suggested the adoption of
to loving's " Civil War in America," vol. i. chup. IN.
56
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.
Washington. On all sides, the arrival of the troops was hailed with pleasure, and men felt that now the capital was safe.
These three thousand Jerseymen, thoroughly armed and equipped as no regiments previously arrived had been, could be relied upon to repel all assaults. New Jersey never stood higher in the esti- mation of the loyal people of the country than at that time, when she sent to the nation's defence the first full brigade of troops that reached the field. Two days after its arrival in Washington, the brigade paraded the city, and was everywhere hailed with the liveliest demonstration of enthusiasm by the people.
May 9, the Fourth Regiment was ordered to go into camp at Meridian Hill, and within a few days the entire brigade was encamped at that point; and on May 12 was honored by a visit from the President, who warmly complimented the appearance of the troops.
At this point, the army life of the volunteer com- menced in earnest, the utmost exactness being re- quired in all points of discipline. All the hard routine of camp duties was daily observed. The work of the soldier was found to be something more than mere festive employment, and demanded every energy, the fullest devotion, the loftiest self-sacrifice.
The brigade remained at Camp Monmouth, perfect- ing its drill and soldierly accomplishments, until May 22. when an order was received from General Mansfield, commanding the Department of Washing- ton, directing that immediate preparations be made for a movement. The day following, definite orders from the same authority supplied the needed informa- tion as to the objective of the proposed movement, and the camp was accordingly abandoned. There were then in and around Washington some thirteen thousand national troops, under command of General Mansfield, and May 22, orders were issued to him, to occupy the Virginia shore of the Potomac, and also the city of Alexandria, nine miles below the city of Washington.
1
It was to participate in this movement that the New Jersey brigade struck their tents on May 23, and abandoned their camp on Meridian Hill.
The order issued to General Runyon required him to have his brigade at Long Bridge at two o'clock on the morning of the 24th. Accordingly, at the even- ing parade, the Second, Third, and Fourth Regiments were paraded in heavy marching order, and being supplied with one day's rations, at about midnight took up the line of march in silence for Long Bridge, which was reached at the hour appointed.1 The bridge being crossed, the Second Regiment was posted at Roach's Spring, and the Third and Fourth, about half a mile beyond, on the Alexandria road, the Third being located near Abingdon House, the mansion of Bush- rod W. Hunter, formerly a lieutenant in the U. S.
Navy. Immediately upon the arrival of the brigade, details were made to construct a fortification which had been staked out by the Government engineers, at the junction of the Columbia and Alexandria roads, the remainder of the troops remaining under arms un- til daylight. The brigade head-quarters were estal- lished near Columbia Springs, and tents being supplied by the Government, the troops went into camp along the Heights, which had been by this movement saved from the rebel clutch.
Thus, at last, a secure lodgement of national troops was effected on the soil of Virginia. Alexandria had been captured, and the enemy for the time being was driven from the line of the Potomac. No point occu- pied by our troops was of greater strategetie import- ance than that held by the New Jersey Brigade ; and this fact, while illustrating the confidence of the Com- mander-in-chief in their trustworthiness, also imposed extraordinary responsibility as well as unexpected labors. Immediately upon the establishment of the lines on the 24th. details from all the regiments were put to work in constructing intrenchments and re- doubts," and it was, and is still, among the chief honors of this brigade, that the first regular work con- structed by the national troops at the beginning of the war, and the first over which the nation's flag was flung out was completed by the brawny arms of Jerseymen, many of whom were altogether unaccus- tomed to manual labor, but all of whom worked with unflagging vigor and industry with the tools at their command.4 During the whole period of the war these works stood as monuments of the muscular activity and vigor of our volunteers ; and it was only just that the principal fortification having been built exclu- sively by Jerseymen should be named, as it was. Fort Runyon, and so known ever after. This name was selected by the troops under authority of a letter from E. D. Townsend, Assistant-Adjutant-General of the army, directing that the troops employed on the in- trenchments be permitted to name them.
On the Isth of June an order was received fromt General MeDowell (who on May 27 had notified General Runyon that he had taken command of the department), directing that the head-quarters of the brigade be changed, and two regiments moved to a new position about three miles from Camp Prince- ton. Accordingly the First and Third Regiments were advanced to a point near Roach's Mill, on the line of the Arlington and London Railway, leaving
2 These defences extended from Roach's Spring, on the Washington and Alexandria road, actor Arlington Heights.
3 The whole of the New Jersey Brigade have been actively employed uwe the fortifications . their labors have twen unceasing from Aix A. M. till BeVen P. M., every day since the work began. The men work three hours at a time, and every company in the brigade has to du ite share uf the labor, lesider its other duties of guard, &c. There is very little, if any, complaint of the luthor ; as far as I can learn, the men du it cherr- fully. It is a work of considerable magnitude, and covers mammy avres uf ground. It will command all the approaches to Washington from this porter. - Extract from a letter dated June ], [8 ]
'The First Regiment did not cross until the next day.
ESSEX COUNTY IN THE WAR OF 1861-65.
the fortifications and Arlington Heights in the rear, and within five miles of the picket guard of the enemy. On the 20th a further order from General McDowell directed the command to be held in readi- ness to march. An engagement having occurred at Virnn, on the 17th, and the enemy known to be in considerable force in front, this order was generally accepted as indicating an advance of our army, and the excitement among the troops was consequently great, all manifesting the utmost eagerness to march. But this expectation was not immediately realized, as the brigade remained in its ohl position until July 16, when the First Regiment was advanced to a point three miles beyond Springfield, and detachments from other regiments were detailed for duty at other points in advance of the line then occupied.
It will thus be seen that while the enemy was marshalling his forces and preparing for some decisive movement, the Union forces were also being set in battle array, or at least preparing to meet any emer- geney that might arise. By the middle of July 18tl, at least fifty thousand troops had been gathered around the capital, but unfortunately most of them had been enlisted for only three months, and at that date had but a short time longer to serve. The exi- gencies of the case became pressing, the necessity of a movement became imperative, and on the 15th of July the order for an advance was given.
It is safe to say that no army ever marched afield with higher hopes, more patriotic devotion, or more courageously nor better backed by a nation's good wishes; yet all this availed not, for the young army was not qualified for the work before it. It lacked leadership, it lacked discipline, it lacked the experi- ence of service in the field; yet the Jersey brigade never faltered, never disobeyed an order, but per- formed every duty with soldierly obedience. The battle of Bull Run was fought and lost to the nation's troops, yet it was no fault of the First New Jersey Brigade or its commander, General Runyon. When all was disorder and dismay, when all others had left their posts of duty and skulked away under cover of the night that followed the battle, the Jersey brigade was found standing as a wall between the enemy and the capital.
When all the duties required of this brigade had been performed, and their term of enlistment had ex- pired, the brigade was ordered to report to General Mansfield, and on the 24th and 25th of July, 18Gl, was mustered out of service, and proceeded to Washington, where the troops delivered up all arms and equipments in their possession, belonging to the tiovernment.
The reception of these troops upon their return home was most cordial and enthusiastic; and hundreds of the men still eager to serve their country, at once re-enlisted in other regiments then being raised for three years or during the war.
The Colonel of the First Regiment was Adolphus
1. Johnson, who for some years had been connected with the militia of the city of Newark. He, -ubse- quently, served with distinction in the three years' service, and still wears honorable scars received in the country's defence. The organization of the First Regiment at this time was as follows:
DIHAT REGIMENT.
Colonel, Adolphus J. Johnson : Lieutenant-Colourl. James Perkur 1. Major, William W. Michele; Adjutant, Joseph Traw n; Quartermaster. Theodore F. Ketchum: surgeon, John J. C'raven, surgeon's Mat- Flward A Plerin, Sergeant Major, George H. Johnson; Drum- Major. Nathan F. Morris Fife-Major, Elijah F. Lathrop. Musiriune, 14.
Company 4-C'aptain, John Brintzinghoffer ; First laentenant, John Wand Ensign, Alfred J. Payne.
Company B-Captain, William S. Tijmen ; Fir-t Lieutenant, leurgr Sweeney: Euriga, Mark Sam.
Company (Captain, Thomas L. Martin, First Lieutenant, William C. Davis; Ensign, George T Wimalbury.
Company D-Captain, Heury 0, Beach ; First Lieutenant. . ihn Clazrie ; Ensign, George Blair
Company E-Captain, Martin B. Prosent ; Fort Lieutenant, Alexander Vreeland ; Enmign, Garret Delos.
Company Captain, Heury Bowlen, First Lieutenant, John F. Brum ; Eusign, John B. Motorve.
Company (-E'aptain, Henry V. Sanford; First Lieutenant, Jen. Korn; Ensign, John II, Arvs.
Company H-Captain, William H. Hoyilds; First Lieutenant. Charles E. Mackey , Ensign, Stephen C' Fordham.
opony /-Captain, John 1. Higginson ; Fint Tarutenant, William H. Thomson, Ensign, John M. Inter
Company K-Captain. Charles W. Juhion ; First Lieutenant. J. niep B. Barred ; Ensign, Ephraim Itall.
The Position of Newark at the beginning of the War.'-Through more than one crisis, at widely distant periods, we have witnessed how the people of Newark bore themselves. In the early days, when fierce contentions with the Proprietors stirred the public passions, we have seen how the inhabitants ever maintained a manly bearing. Again, with just and natural local pride, we have borne witness to the fact that during the long and terrible crucial experience of the Revolution the men of Newark maintained them- selves throughout with fortitude, courage and patriot- ism, leaving to posterity the proud bequeathment of a manhood sans peur and a reputation sinx reproche. Yet again, in the periods of peace, crowned as they have been with "victories no less renowned than war"-in times of business and financial tribulation- we have seen that the citizens of Newark continuously held aloft, free from blut or stain, the pure white ban- ner of probity and publie virtue. Now we are on the threshold of another crisis, one which, in the enormity of the consequences involved, dwarfed into littleness all other American epochs, even that of the Revolu- tion. We approach the awful crisis of SIXTY-ONE ! -the portentous question of National unity and exist- ence or the severance of that great American sister- hood of sovereignties, the UNITED STATES! We are about to see the curtain lifted on the great tragedy of the Civil War-about to witness the part Newark sustained in the thrilling scenes precipitated upon the Republic by the memorable firing upon Fort Sumter.
1 Fren Atkitron's History of Newark.
58
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, NEW JERSEY.
The better to reach a just judgment, let us examine for a moment the true position of Newark towards the two great geographical sections of the nation pre- vious to the opening of the conflict.
Newark, though situated at the North, was essen- tially a Southern work-shop. For about two-thirds of a century the shoemakers of Newark shod the South. its planters and its plantation hands, to a large extent. For generations the bulk of the carriages, saddlery, harness and clothing manufactured in New- ark, found a ready and profitable market south of Mason and Dixon's line. And so it was to a greater or lesser extent with all our other industries. Newark, therefore, was substantially interested in the South. Indeed, the defeat of Governor William Pennington for Congress in November, 1860, was attributed to that interest by some of his partisans. A publicist of the day, who sorely felt the Governor's defeat-he was then Speaker of the National House of Represen- tative --- went so far as to declare that "his (Governor Pennington's) friends wish to express their thorough and hearty contempt for that band of mercenary and unprincipled men, engaged in Southern trade, who have been foremost in producing this result." "If," continued the same writer, with the emphasis of italics, "they had been slaves themselves, and every morn- ing had been lashed into humility, they could not have worked more heartily to carry out the wishes of their Southern masters." While this decidedly vigorous language had for a basis, doubtless, more partisan chagrin and disappointment than fact, it is not un- likely, nevertheless, that bread and butter, like blood, proved thicker than water, and that Newark's interest in the South cost Mr. Pennington the comparatively few votes which defeated him. Be that as it may, the undoubted fact remains that Newark had material reasons for being kindly prejudiced towards the Sonth. When called upon to act her part in the dreadful drama then about to be enacted, did she allow these kindly prejudices to warp her judgment and enervate her patriotism? We shall see pre- sently.
A- may be imagined from the relationship existing between Newark and the South, as above set forth, nowhere was there taken a deeper interest in the political campaign of 1860, resulting in the election of Abraham Lincoln to the Presidency, than here. The same is true as regards the events quickly follow- ing. Every breeze from the feverish South was felt in Newark. On Thursday, December 20th, 1860, South Carolina passed her Ordinance of Secession. Two weeks later, on January 8th, the anniversary of Jackson's victory over Packenham at New Orleans, the Mayor of Newark closed his annual message to the Common t'ouneil with the following patriotic and statesmanlike references to "the present crisis:"
In closing this conunaulcation, I frel it to be my duty to refer to the importance and solemnity of the present crisis in the political affairs of our Country, the first effect of which has Iweu a general prostration of Its
industrial interests, and, unless soon adjusted, will cause unprecedented deprivation and suffering. I regard the I'nin of these States us iadis- peasable to the liberty, pence and prosperity of our people, and the great source of happiness at home and honor and respect abroad. When com- pared with the question of its preservation, the transitory issues of party should be regarded as mere " dust In the balance." The great problem is now before us : How can it be preserved ? Our Constitution was formed to jerfect and perpetuate it, establish domestic tranquillity nad promote the general welfare, and its noble and patriotic framers laid its foundu- tion in the spirit and principles of compromise and concession, political and social comity, and fraternal forlwarance ;- and if, in the conflicta of party strife, or amid the excitements of party passion, we have departed from this spirit, we should husten to retrare our steps-for if we are to live under one Constitution, with one country and of destiny, we must be one people, not in form and name, but one in affertion, and one brotherhood loyal to the rights and institutions of all, and with a union of hearts and hands, sustaining in a sincere and generous spirit the com- promises of the Constitution as the only means of prearrving the great Ark of our safety-the I'nion.
Without a prospect of continued and permanent peace there cau be ao permaneat happiness and prosperity ; and shall our denrest interests be sacrificed or put in jeopardy by contests aluit abstractions which the laws of climate, production and immigration, together with territorial posi- tion, will prartienlly settle under the Constitution and Supreme Judiciary of the country, to which all are bound to submit ? As citizens of New Jersey, and the representatives of her most flourishing and important rity, I congratulate you upon her record as a State faithful to the C'on- stitution and loyal to the rights and institutions of all her sisters in the Confederacy. Let us endeavor to extend and perpetuate this spirit within her borders, and in emulation of the teachings and example of Him who 'spake as never man sprake,' continue to 'render unto C'æsar the things that are Cawar's,' firmly trusting that under Provalence our great and powerful I'niou of States will ever romain like the mighty waters which bound its eastern aund western shores-" though distinct as the billows, yet one as the sea."
Mosts BIGELOW.
Coming, as did these wise and noble sentiments, from one whose political training and business inter- ests would be apt to lean him toward the South and its views of States' Rights, and who spoke not for him- sell'alone, but for those affiliated with him politically, we are enabled to estimate the general opinion of the community on the same subject. That it was thoroughly loyal to the Union and the Constitution, admits of no question. The evidence thereof is beyond measure. Let us produce some of it.
Soon the opportunity and the necessity arrived for putting to the severest test the patriotism of these " fair women," and the mettle of these " brave men." Within another month the second "shot heard round the world " boomed over the water of Charleston har- bor. The Civil War had begun! Four days after the memorable twelfth of April, Horace Greeley said in the great journal founded by him: "We have lost Fort Sumter, but we have united the North." It Was even so. It was eminently so here. When, upon the fifteenth of April President Lincoln issued his first call for troops, there were many who sincerely and honestly questioned the wisdom of the policy of "evercion " foreshadowed by the Administration ; but nowhere among the great majority masses of the Northern people was there any doubt as to the right and duty of the General Government to maintain at all hazards, and at all cost, the indissolubility of the Union. "The Union must and shall be preserved !" was the sentiment which wholly possessed every free- man's mind. With the men of Newark, when the
ESSEX COUNTY IN THE WAR OF 1861-65.
call "To arms! to arms"" was sounded, it was the same as it was with the six hundred heroes of the madly impetuous charge at Balaklava-
" Theirs not to make reply.
Their hạt to do and die
Smunter fell on the thirteenth. Six days later, on Friday evening. April 19th-it was the anniversary of the battle of Lexington -- the t'ommon Council met, it- pol tical complexion being nearly a two-thirds Democratie majority, and unanimously passed the fol- lawing resolutions, offered by Mr. Henry A. Whitney. a Democrat, of the Sixth ward :
l' ad ad, That it is the high loty of every citizen to ignore all past political bones mind promptly and heartits to rally maler the Inner of the Stars and stripes for the defense of the Union and the constitution of our fathers against all enemies and oppure whatever.
Kindred, That deeply impressed with the elements of our worn alle- Kinie · to the star nel its un-titutional affigati us, we bertare our de. termination at every hazard and with all our power to sustain the Laws of entr ('ity. wor state and Nation, and otte ly reprobuste all mob violence, and follow themto, wherever found, and however and whenever is-
Five days later the same bady, on motion of Alderman Thomas MeGrath, of the Seventh ward, unanimously voted an appropriation of $100,000 " for the support of the families of our citizens who shall enter the military service." An additional sum of $5,000 was also appropriated " toward the purchase of suitable clothing for the volunteers, in addition to their regular equipments." Nor was that all. More grandly and eloquently still was the mighty voice of the people of Newark raised at a great open-air mass- meeting held in front of the Court House, on the after- noon of Monday, April 22. It was called " without respect to previous political opinions or associations, to express their sentiments in the present crisis of our national affairs, and their determination to uphohl the Government of the country, and maintain the authority of its Constitution and the laws." "The whole population seemed to be on the street," and " the greatest enthusiasm prevailed." Mayor Bigelow presided. " All classes, professions, sexes and condi- tions were numerously tepresented." Among the clergy present were Rev. J. F. Stearns, D. D., Pres- byterian ; Rev. H. C. Fish, D. D., Baptist; Rev. B. F. McQuaid (now Bishop of Rochester) and Rev. George HI. Doane, Roman Catholic. The venerable Judge Haines was also present, and the long list of vice-presidente and secretaries included representative citizens from each of the eleven wards then composing the city. The first speaker was Hon. C. L. C. Gifford. " Whatever may have been our past differences," said he, "we now stand together as one peopde to take council together in the present extraordinary crisis which finds us arrayed against those whose duty it was to stand by us. But when, misled by fanaticism, they seek to overthrow that Government which is cemented by the blood of heroes and of martyr -- when they attempt to strike out a single star from
that glorious flag, we say to them, 'Sand back ! thus far thou shalt go, but no farther !"" William Pen- nington, who but six weeks before had ended his term as Speaker of the House of Representatives, spoke next. " It was his lot," he said, "to stand before his friends in Newark on former occasions, but he never remembered to appear before them on an occasion -o momentous as the present. It was no time now to talk about patriotism, but to act it out. They had now either to stand by the country or against the l'on- stitution. He was glad to see the unanimity that pre- vailed among them all in reference to the interesting questions that now agitate us. There were now no Democrats, Republicans or Americans: the question was-are we for our country or against it? [ We are for it '-cheers. ] He always believed it to be a happy sign that when some foe-a Confederate State or an enemy abroad-attempted to destroy the Government, that our people were willing, as one man, to fight shoulder to shoulder, in defense of the institutions of the country." The appearance of Rev. Father McQuaid as the third speaker " was the signal for an enthusiastic outburst of applause, which was kept up for several minutes." He spoke impassionedly in favor of the I'nion and the Constitution-one flag and one country. " We hold," said he, "a common creed -obedience to the laws and Constitution of the land. Some of you might, in the past, have supposed that because we stood aloof we were not good American citizens; that our hopes were not where our bodies are. But when danger threatened our Country, we have ever been found standing side by side with the defenders of the country ; you may call us traitors -- you may proscribe us-that moment has come, and we are true. It was not his place to be here, but he felt that his duty obliged him to come-a strong conviction of duty as an American citizen. His religion (meaning the Roman C'atholic) commanded him to give to his Country all he had ; it commanded him to stand faith- ful to this great, free and independent Government. He knew of no other country like this on the face of God's earth. We had lived and prospered under its Consti- tution, and hoped we all might go on prospering, and be true to ourselves, to the law-, and to the tiovern- ment. If we hesitate now and permit the powers of mischief to prevail, anarchy will ensue ; then comes a military despotism, and the American people will never submit to such an iron heel. There were others here whose place it was to tell them about the causes of the present difficulties, but the speaker delared emphatically that this glorious Union would be sus- tained against any enemy, whether in our own land or from a foreign country." " Party spirit, " said the next speaker, Joseph P. Bradley, (now a United States Supreme Court Justice), "is buried deep in the ground. There are no Republicans, no Democrats; we are to-day American citizens, and nothing else. We do not regard the opinions of our leader-his polities or his religion-all we ask is, is he a patriot ?
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.