History of Union and Middlesex Counties, New Jersey with Biographical Sketches of many of their Pioneers and Prominent Men, Part 34

Author: W. Woodford Clayton, Ed.
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Philadelphia: Everts
Number of Pages: 1224

USA > New Jersey > Middlesex County > History of Union and Middlesex Counties, New Jersey with Biographical Sketches of many of their Pioneers and Prominent Men > Part 34
USA > New Jersey > Union County > History of Union and Middlesex Counties, New Jersey with Biographical Sketches of many of their Pioneers and Prominent Men > Part 34

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He has always been temperate in his habits, and can say, what probably few other men can in these days, that he never was intoxicated in his life, and never used a blasphemous word, in the sense of pro- fanity, to his recollection. He has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church for nearly twenty- five years, and has held the office of trustee of the Second Methodist Episcopal Church of Rahway for several years. Being a lover of music he has always taken an interest in that direction, has been connected with church choirs from his early youth, and has been the leader of the choir of the above-named church nearly ever since he came to Rahway, and has a music- store connected with his business.

The Plainfield Gazette was established as a Dem- ocratic paper in 1849 by William M. Drake & Sons, and by them sold to - Osborn, who published it a few months, when it came back into the hands of the original proprietors, and the management of it was assumed by William Drake, Jr. He died a few months afterwards, and the office was purchased by Enos W. Runyon, Esq., in October, 1853, and E. W. & J. C. Runyon continued the publication until October, 1856, when J. C. Runyon, the junior partner, withdrew and removed to Illinois, and E. W. Runyon engaged in the practice of law, the paper being sold to Luther Martin, who conducted it till the breaking out of the war in 1861. Luther Martin sold to Charles J. Wilson, enlisted in the army, and was killed at the battle of Gettysburg. After a time Mr. Wilson re- moved the office to Somerville and changed the name to the Somerset Gazette.

The Central New Jersey Times was established by E. Dean Dow, in 1868. In 1869, Rev. Dr. Stock- bridge became its proprietor, and so remained for one

year. In July, 1871, he sold his interest to Niles & Runyon, who continued to publish it till April 1, 1875, when Mr. Niles sold his interest to Mr. W. J. Leonard, who, with Mr. J. C. Runyon, has conducted the paper to the present time (1882). It is a political, literary, and home newspaper, Republican in its principles, and is furnished at $2.50 per year in advance. There is a book and job printing establishment in connec- tion with it.

The Constitutionalist is a well-conducted journal, published at Plainfield, N. J. It has been in exist- enee about fourteen years, having been started in 1868. At that time it was twenty-three by thirty- eight inches in size; two years later it was enlarged to twenty-six by forty inches, and in 1876 to thirty by forty-five inches, its present size. It has a good circulation, and maintains a book and job office. The Constitutionalist is published by William L. and Al- bert L. Force, and is an official paper of the State, county, and city. Democratic in politics.

The Daily and Weekly Bulletin are published by E. O. Chamberlain, at Plainfield, and have a fair circulation. The weekly is a large sheet, full of in- teresting reading matter, and the daily is devoted to home news and the local interests of the city.

CHAPTER XXI.

UNION COUNTY IN THE WAR OF THE REBELLION.

THIS county was not represented by any organized body of troops in the first militia sent out for three months' service. The quota of New Jersey under that call was so speedily filled that thousands who were anxious to enter the service could not be re- ceived, and were obliged to wait until another call was issued for additional men to serve for three years or during the war. The magnitude of the Rebellion had by this time begun to reveal itself, and it was perceived that seventy-five thousand raw militia in a campaign of three months was a very inadequate force to cope with the formidable insurrection which had been organized against the life of the nation. Then it was that both the general and State govern- ments began to contemplate the necessity for organ- izing war on a more extended scale. The second call for troops was for three hundred thousand men, and was issued by the President of the United States May 3, 1861. On the 17th of May the Governor of New Jersey received a requisition from the War Depart- ment for three regiments of infantry (volunteers) to I serve three years or during the war, and also a gen- eral order detailing the plan of organization. A suf- ficient number of companies having already offered their services, Governor Olden informed the Secretary of War the following day (May 18th) that the three regiments called for were ready for muster. These

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UNION COUNTY IN THE WAR OF THE REBELLION.

organizations were designated respectively the First, Second, and Third Regiments. Under the provision of an act of Congress approved July 22, 1861, and an official letter from the President dated July 24, 1861, authority was issued for raising five additional regi- ments in the State. Under this call the Fourth Regi- ment and Battery A were organized and assigned with the three regiments already raised and in the field. These organizations constituted and were generally known as the First Brigade, New Jersey Volunteers.

In the First, Second, and Third Regiments of this brigade Union County had three companies, viz. : Companies A of the First and Second, respectively, and Company K of the Third Regiment, officered as follows: Company A, First Regiment, Captain, Da- vid Hatfield ; First Lieutenant, Thomas T. Tillon ; Second Lieutenant, Luther Martin. Company A, Second Regiment, Captain, James Wilson; First Lieutenant, Bradbury C. Chetwood ; Second Lieu- tenant, William J. Cree. Company K, Third Regi- ment, Captain, John H. Whelan ; First Lieutenant, John B. Lutz ; Second Lieutenant, David Fairly.1

The field- and staff-officers of the First Regi- ment were : Colonel, William K. Montgomery ; Lieu- tenant- Colonel, Robert McAllister ; Major, David Hatfield ; Adjutant, William Henry, Jr .; Quarter- master, Samuel Read ; Surgeon, Edward F. Taylor ; Assistant Surgeon, Charles C. Gordon ; Chaplain, Robert B. Yard. Of the Second Regiment the col- onel was George W. McLean ; Lieutenant-Colonel, Isaac M. Tucker ; Major, Samuel L. Buck ; Adju- tant, Joseph W. Plume ; Quartermaster, William E. Sturges ; Surgeon, Gabriel Grant ; Assistant Surgeon, Lewis W. Oakley; Chaplain, Robert R. Proudfit. Third Regiment, Colonel, George W. Taylor ; Lieu- tenant-Colonel, Henry W. Brown; Major, Mark W. Callett ; Adjutant, Robert T. Dunham; Quartermas- ter, Francis Sayre; Surgeon, Lorenzo Cox; Assistant Surgeon, Edward L. Welling; Chaplain, George R. Darrow.

Company A of the First Regiment (from Elizabeth) was the first company mustered into the United States service under the first call for volunteers to serve three years or during the war. It was mustered in May 21, 1861, at Camp Olden, near Trenton, where the vari- ous other companies encamped till the completion of the organization. The material of these regiments was excellent, being composed largely of men who had been identified with some of the best militia organizations of the State.

The First, Second, and Third Regiments left the State June 28, 1861, and immediately on their arrival in Virginia entered upon the active duties of the sol- dier. They formed part of Gen. Runyon's division of Reserves in the battle of Bull Run, and aided materi- ally in covering the retreat of our forces on that fatal day. Immediately after the battle the First and Sec-

ond Regiments went into camp near Alexandria, and were soon joined by the other regiments of the bri- gade.

On the 25th of July, Maj. Philip Kearney, of New Jersey, who had greatly distinguished himself in the Mexican war, was appointed a brigadier-general of volunteers, and early in August was assigned to the command of the New Jersey troops. These troops were attached to Franklin's division, and the brigade headquarters were established at Fairfax Seminary, three miles distant from Alexandria. The experience of the brigade during the fall and winter months was marked by but few important incidents, the time being mainly occupied in drill and the ordi- nary camp duties. Gen. Kearney devoted himself to raising his command to the highest possible state of efficiency. His popularity with the command became greater probably than that of any other general officer in the service. While he was wary and cautions, he was also bold and resolute, and chafed exceedingly under the policy of inaction which characterized the War Department at this period. At length an op- portunity came for him to show the government an example of an opposite kind. On the 7th of March, 1862, his brigade was ordered to Burke's Station, on the Orange and Alexandria Railroad, for the purpose of guarding a party of laborers, and reaching there on the following day, he made an extended reconnois- sance of the country for several miles around. Sub- sequently he was notified by some negroes that the enemy was preparing to leave Manassas. He was not slow to act upon this hint. Apprising Gen. Franklin of the information he had received, but without awaiting orders, he at once pushed on with his troops, throwing ont skirmishers over a wide extent of coun- try, and driving steadily before him the scattered pickets of the enemy. On the 9th the Second and Third Regiments, with a squadron of the Lincoln Cavalry, occupied Sangster's Station, a point on the Orange and Alexandria Railroad, about five miles from Bull Run and nine from Manassas Junction, the Fourth Regiment acting as a support to the advance. Here they surprised a detachment of rebel cavalry, killing three and capturing a lieutenant and eleven men, and losing one officer of the cavalry, killed at the first fire. The First Regiment had meanwhile advanced to Fairfax Court-House, whence, on the morning of the 10th, a detachment under Maj. Hat- field and Capt. Vansickle was sent forward to Cen- treville, which place was entered about noon, the remainder of the regiment coming up shortly after under Lieut .- Col. McAllister. Thus this regiment, which was the last to leave Centreville at the first Bull Run, had the honor of being the first to occupy the place in the second advance.2 On the same day the remainder of the brigade pushed cautiously for- ward, reached, and at ten o'clock in the morning en-

! See alphabetical records in Chapter XXIV.

2 New Jersey in the Rebellion, p. 71.

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HISTORY OF UNION AND MIDDLESEX COUNTIES, NEW JERSEY.

tered the abandoned works at Manassas Junetion, eight companies of the Third being the first to take possession and hoist the regimental flag. The with- drawal of the enemy at this point had evidently been precipitated, and an immense amount of hospital and commissary stores was found, together with eighty baggage-wagons, several locomotives, four or five cars, two hundred tents, and other property of value. Among the trophies also were seven flags, one of white silk, with the motto, "Carolinians in the Field : Traitors Beware," and another bordered with heavy silver fringe, with the inscription, "State Rights : Sic semper tyrannis."

Thus at all points the advance had been successful. It had demonstrated the feasibility of a forward move- ment, and discovered to the country the indefensi- bility of the policy of "masterly inactivity."

Early in April the brigade was attached to the First Division of the First Army Corps, and on the 7th of that month proceeded to Bristow Station, and thence to Catlett's Station, two miles from Warren- ton Junction. The object of this movement was to engage the attention of the enemy while Gen. Me- Clellan transferred the main body of the army by transports to the Peninsula. Having discharged this duty the brigade joined the main army at the mouth of the York River on the 17th. At this time Gen. Kearney, having been assigned to the command of the Third Division, Third Army Corps, Col. Taylor, of the Third Regiment, took charge of the brigade, Yorktown having been evacuated.

Franklin's division was sent forward on the 5th of May, and disembarking at West Point, on the York River, pickets were immediately thrown out into the woods in front to guard against a surprise by the rebel forces in that vicinity. During the night skir- mishing was briskly carried on between the opposing pickets, and at daylight the whole division was put under arms. Soon after the enemy advanced and a sharp engagement ensued, but the New Jersey Bri- gade being held in reserve suffered no loss. Later in the evening, however, the First Regiment, led by Lieut .- Col. McAllister, while making a charge in the woods had four men slightly wounded. In the charge the First Regiment took and held a position which two New York regiments had been unable to main- tain. A correspondent of the New York Times said of this charge, " The line was as firm as a division in its columns at a review. Not a man flinched. Lieut .- Col. McAllister, when the enemy broke, bravely pursued them some distance, when he received orders to return and hold the fence which ran across the forest. This firm and determined movement decided the result. The rebels made good their retreat."

This engagement or battle of West Point was fought on the 7th of May, 1862. On the 15th Franklin's entire division effected a junetion with Mcclellan's army near the White House, whence it advanced to the Chickahominy, and remained in camp about a

fortnight. In the mean time the fighting about Rich- mond had commenced, and the first collision on the Chiekahominy had occurred on the 24th of May. This was followed by a battle near Hanover Court- House, in which the Fifth Corps repulsed the rebels with heavy loss. On the 6th of June Franklin's division was ordered forward to Mechanicsville, on the extreme right of our lines, where MeClellan was holding his position awaiting reinforcements. Here the division remained several days. On the 18th the eorps took possession at Fair Oaks, near the battle- field of May 31st and June 1st, where the First Regi- ment on the night of May 21st was detailed to guard a party of workmen. Little of interest occurred in the history of our regiments till the battle of Gaines' Farm, which occurred on the 27th of June. On the 26th, " Stonewall" Jackson having engaged our forces at Mechanicsville, was repulsed, but did not abandon the field. The battle was savagely renewed on the following morning, the rebels pursuing our troops to Gaines' Mill, whither they had been ordered to with- draw by Gen. MeClellan. Here the onslaught was terrific, the rebels charging again and again upon our lines, and at length compelling them to give way. Up to this time the New Jersey Brigade had not par- ticipated in the engagement. But on the afternoon of the 27th, leaving its intrenched camp on the Chickahominy, it crossed the river and moved down to Woodbury's Bridge, where it found Gens. Fitz John Porter and McCall sorely pressed. What fol- lowed can be better given in the language of Gen. Taylor's official report of this battle, which is as follows :

"My command, by order, left our intreached camp on the right bank of the Chickahominy on Friday afternoon, the 27th of June, and crossed the said stream by the Woodbury bridge.

"The battle begun the day previous bad been renewed neer Gaines' Farm, where we arrived about four o'clock PM. I immediately formed my brigade in two lines, the Third and Fourth Regiments in front, and the First and Second Regiments in the second line.

" My line was ecnicely formed when the Third Regiment under the command of Lieut .- Col. Brown was ordered to advance forward into the woods, where a fierce conibat was raging.

"Col. Brown immediately formed his regiment in line of battle, led it into the woods, and began a rapid fire upon the enemy. As thie was the first of my regiments engaged, I will complete my report of it hy saying that they cuntinned the fight in the woods nutil the close of the action. They were all this time nuder a galling fire, often a cross-fire, but maintained their ground until near sunset, when the whole line fell back. They had at this time expended (a large majority of the meu) their last cartridge, sixty rounds to the man. It is but justice to say that this regiment bore itself most heroically throughout the entire ac- tion. Their conduct was all that could be dreired. With their com- rudes falling around, they stood up like a wall of iron, losing over one- third of their number, and gave not an inch of ground until their ammunition was expended and the retrograde movement became gen- eral ; they were under this fire one hour and a half.

" The First Regiment entered the woods about half an hour after the Third and remained until the close of the action. Cul. Torbert being unwell, the regiment was led by Lieut .- Col. McAllister, and well sus- tained by his presence and courage. I shall, however, say that Col. Torbert, though suffering from low fever, followed us to the field ond was present.

" 1 take great pleasure in saying, for both theee regiments fought under my own eye, that the First Regiment showed the same indumit- able courage as the Third Regiment, exposing themselves to the leadeu

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UNION COUNTY IN THE WAR OF THE REBELLION.

hail of an often unseen foe, advancing with the Third Regiment, and stood steadily under a most galling fire until the close of the action. Their loss was: enlisted men killed, twenty ; wounded, eighty ; missing, fifty-seven. The loss of commissioned officers was one killed, four wounded, and one missing, making a total of one hundred and sixty- three.

" I have now to speak of the Second and Fourth Regiments, the first of which, under Col. Tucker, numbered only four companies, the other six being on duty in the field-work at Camp Lincoln, and left behind under Lieut .- Col. Buck. While absent to the front these four compa- nies, by order of Gen. Porter, without my knowledge, were sent into the woods, suffering a most galliog bre. Their loss was : enlisted men killed, twelve; wounded, forty-five; missing, forty; making a total of ninety-seven enlisted men. I also regret to record the death of Col. I. M. Tucker, and probably Maj. Ryerson, both of whom were lett upon the field; also Capt. Danforth, mortally wounded, and Lieuts. Blewitt, Root, and Bogert, severely wounded, and Lient. Callan, missing. They, however, sustained themselves most gallantly, and proved their courage against superior numbers. The fate of the Fourth Reginient, one of the most efficient regiments as regards officers and men, was most painful.

" At the moment when victory seemed wavering in the balance an aide of Gen. Mcclellan took them from my command and ordered them into the woods. All the account I can give of them is that but one officer (wounded) and eighty-two men have joined my command; all the rest, if living, are believed to be prisoners of war.

"1 learn from those who have come in that up to the time the regi- ment was surrounded they had received from and returned the enemy a most galling fire. 1 annsx a report of the casualties of the day, show- ing the total loss of my brigade.

" In conclusion, I would say that, so far as I am nt present informed, my officers, commissioned and non-commissioned, nobly performed their duties, and it might therefore be invidious to particularize. Still, in justice to the gallant dead, who have devoted their lives to their country, I minst record the names of Captain Brewster, of the First Regiment, and Captain Buckley, of the Third ; also Second Lieutenant Howell, of the Third, all officers of distinguished merit. These officers fought under my eye. As regards the conduct of the Second and Fourth Regiment officers, I am told that it was all that could be de- sired, but these regiments having been taken from me I did not see them during the action.

" It is due to my staff-officers to say that they carried out 'my orders intelligently and promptly, and did not hesitate, and were often exposed to the hottest fire of the day."

Company A of the Second Regiment, from this county, was not engaged in the action, being one of the six companies left behind and engaged on the work at Fort Lincoln. Col. Tucker brought with him into the action Companies D, H, I, and K. The ab- sence of Company A at the time of the action will account for the lack of casualties in the record of the company at this period, which we give at the close of these regimental sketches.

It will be impossible, owing to the lack of space, to give anything like a detailed history of all the move- ments of these companies, including the regiments and brigade to which they belonged. Some idea of the extent of the service which they rendered from the beginning to the close of the war may be gained from a list of the battles in which they were engaged.

These companies, with their regiments and bri- gade, participated in the following engagements : · Bull Run, Va., July 21, 1861 ; Benson's Tavern, Va., Oct. 15, 1861 ; West Point, Va., May 7, 1862; Gaines' Farm, Va., June 27, 1862; Charles City Cross-Roads, Va., June 30, 1862; Malvern Hill, Va., July 1, 1862; Manassas, Va., Aug. 27, 1862; Chantilly, Va., Sept. 1, 1862; Crampton Pass, Md., Sept. 14, 1862; An- tietam, Md., Sept. 17, 1862; Fredericksburg, Va.,

Dec. 13, 14, 1862 ; Fredericksburg, Va., May 3, 1863; Salem Heights, Va .. May 3, 4, 1863 ; Gettysburg, Pa., July 2, 3, 1863; Fairfield, Pa., July 5, 1863; Wil- liamsport, Md., July 6, 1863 ; Funktown, Md., July 12, 1863 ; Rappahannock Station, Va., Oct. 12, 1863; Rappahannock Station, Va., Nov. 7, 1863 ; Mine Run, Va., Nov. 30, 1863; Wilderness, Va., May 5 to 7, 1864; Spottsylvania, Va., May 8 to 10, 1864; Spott- sylvania Court-house, May 12 to 16, 1864 ; North and South Anna River, Va., May 24, 1864; Hanover Court-House, Va., May 29, 1864 ; Tolopotomy Creek, Va., May 30, 31, 1864; Cold Harbor, Va., June 1 to 3, 1864 ; before Petersburg, Va. (Weldon Railroad), June 23, 1864; Snicker's Gap, Va., July 18, 1864; Strasburg, Va., Aug. 15, 1864 ; Winchester, Va., Aug. 17, 1864 ; Charlestown, Va., Aug. 21, 1864 ; Opequan, Va., Sept. 19, 1864; Fisher's Hill, Va., Sept. 21, 22, 1864; New Market, Va., Sept. 24, 1864 ; Mount Jack- son, Va., Sept. 25, 1864; Cedar Creek and Middle- town, Va., Oct. 19, 1864; Hatcher's Run, Va., Feb. 5, 1865; Fort Steedman, Va., March 25, 1865; cap- ture of Petersburg, Va., April 2, 1865; Sailor's Creek, Va., April 6, 1865; Farmville, Va., April 7, 1865 ; Lee's surrender (Appomattox, Va.), April 9, 1865.

In all these engagements the regiments and com- panies of the brigade made for themselves an honor- able record. After the battle of Crampton's Pass, Sept. 15, 1862, Col. Torbert, commanding, promul- gated the following general order :

" SOLDIERS OF THE FIRST NEW JERSEY BRIGADE,-The 14th day of September, 1862, is one long to be remembered, for on that day you dashingly met and drove the enemy at every point. Your advance in the line of battle under a galling artillery fire and final bayonet charge was a feat seldom if ever surpassed. The heights you took ahow plainly what determined and disciplined soldiers can do.

"You have sustained the reputation of your State, and done great credit to your officers and yourselves. While ws lament the death of our brave comrades who have fallen so gloriously, we can only commit their souls to God and their sorrowing friends to His sure protection. May you go from victory to victory is the hope and wish of the colonel commanding the brigade."

From Col. Torbert's official report of this brilliant affair, dated September 16th, we extract the following :

" It being decided to attack the enemy posted in the Pass, the division was ordered to advance in six lines, two regiments froot, the First Brigade in the rear. About three o'clock I marched my brigads in two lines by the right flank, under cover till we gained the open ground, when the advance was made in line of battle as follows: First line, First and Second Regiments. They advanced about half a mile with great regularity through clover- and corn-fields, intersected by high wood and stone fences, being exposed the greater part of the time to the enemy's artillery fire. Arriving within supporting distance of Col- onel Bartlett's brigade, which was engaging the enemy, I halted, Soon after I ordered the Second Regiment forward to relieve one of Bartlett's regiments which was out of ammunition, which they did with prompt- ness. The enemy was posted behind a stone wall at the base of the mountain, with a wood just behind them. At this time the distance between the contending parties was between three and four hundred yards, an open field intervening. Thinking the distance too great, Gen. Newton ordered me to charge forward to the woods. Accordingly I ordered forward my second line, Third and Fourth Regiments, to charge across the open field into the woods. The first line was ordered to cease firing. A cheer, and the men went forward at double-quick in a most gallant manner, leaping the fence on the way behind which our men had been fighting. When they had advanced abont a hundred and fifty yards, I ordered the second line, First and Second Regiments, to

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History of Union and Middlesex Counties, New Jersey with Biographical Sketches of many of their Pioneers and Prominent Men, Part 34

Author: W. Woodford Clayton, Ed. Publication date: 1882 Publisher: Philadelphia: Everts Number of Pages: 1224

Author: W. Woodford Clayton, Ed.
Publication date: 1882
Publisher: Philadelphia: Everts
Number of Pages: 1224