History of Union and Middlesex Counties, New Jersey with Biographical Sketches of many of their Pioneers and Prominent Men, Part 36

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 36
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 36

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).

Col. McAllister congratulated his command on the 23d of December upon their steadiness and bravery in the action, saying, " You who went in under the galling picket-fire, when the eyes of thousands of our comrades were upon you, and like veterans stood the raging storm of battle, not only holding bnt gaining ground, deserve my warmest praise." Speaking of the dead he said, " We have before ns the consoling fact that they died as brave soldiers fighting for their country, and that those of our day and posterity will do them justice."

It will be well to record here, in honor of the sturdy patriotism of the Eleventh Regiment, that they stood manfully for the vigorous prosecution of the war in those " dark days" of the winter and spring of 1862- 63 when a temporizing policy at the North was

150

HISTORY OF UNION AND MIDDLESEX COUNTIES, NEW JERSEY.

actively engaged in trying to bring about a dishonor- able peace. The regiment took a lively interest in the political questions then occupying the attention of the country, and at a meeting held early in March, at which the utmost enthusiasm was manifested, bon- fires being lighted and speeches made in honor of the event, a series of patriotie resolutions were adopted, and being signed by the officers, were forwarded to the Governor as expressing the hostility of the regiment to any attempt to distract publie sentiment by un- timely partisan clamors for a dishonorable peace. We give below these resolutions with the officers' names attached :

" Whereas, The Legislature of our native State-a State hallowed by the remembrance of the battles of Princeton, Trenton, and Monmouth, fields stained by the blood of our forefathers in the establishment of our government-has eonght to tarnish its high honor and bring upon it disgrace by the passage of resolutions tending to a dishonorable peace with armed rebels seeking to destroy our great and beneficent govern- ment, the best ever designed for the happiness of the many ; and,

" Whereas, We, her sons, members of the Eleventh Regiment New Jersey Volunteers, citizens representing every section of the State, have left our homes to endure the fatigues, privations, and dangers incident to a soldier's life in order to maintain our republic in its integrity, willing to sacrifice our lives to that object, fully recognizing the impro- priety of a soldier's discussion of the legislative functions of the State, yet deeming it due to ourselves that the voice of those who offer their all in their country's cause be heard when weak end wicked men seek its dishonor; therefore,

" Resolved, That the Union of the States is the only guarantee for the preservation of our liberties and independence, and that the war for the maintenance of that Union commands now, as it has done, our best efforts and our most heartfelt sympathy.

" Resolved, That we consider the passage, or even the introduction of the Ro-called ' Peace Resolutions'as wicked, weak, and cowardly, tending to eid by their sympathy the rebels seeking to destroy the republic.

" Resolved, That we regard as traitors alike the foe in arms and the secret enemies of our government who at home foment dissffection and strive to destroy confidence in our legally chosen rulers.

" Resolved, That the reports epresd broadcast throughout the North by sympathizing feinte and voices that the army of which we esteem it A high honor to form a part is demoralized and clamorous for peace on any terms are the lying utterances of traitorous tongues, and do base injustice to our noble comrades, who have never faltered in the great work, and are not only willing but anxious to follow the gallant end chivalric leader against the stronghold of the enemy.

" Resolved, That we put forth every effort, endure every fatigue, shrink from no danger until, under the gracious guidance of a kind Providence, every armed rebel shall be conquered, and traitors at home shall quake with fear as the grand emblem of our national independence chall assert its power from North to South, and crush beneath its powerful folds all whe dare to assail its henor, doubly hallowed by the memory of the patriot dead.

" ROBERT MCALLISTER, Colonel Eleventh New Jersey Volunteers.

"STEPHEN MounE, Lieutenant-Colonel Eleventh New Jersey Volun- teers.

"JUHN SCHOONOVER, Adjutant Eleventh New Jersey Volunteers.

"GARRET SCHENCK, QuarterDiaster Eleventh New Jersey Volunteers.

"E. BYINGTON, Assistant Surgeon Eleventh New Jersey Volunteers.

" G. RIBBLE, Second Assistsot Surgeon Eleventh New Jersey Volun- teers.

" F. KNIGHTON, Chaplain Eleventh New Jersey Volunteers.

" LUTHER MARTIN, Captain Eleventh New Jersey Volunteers.

"JOHN T. HILL, Captain Eleventh New Jersey Volunteers.

" WILLIAMI H. MEEKER, Captain Eleventh New Jersey Volunteers. " THOMAS J. HALSEY, Captain Eleventh New Jersey Volunteers. " PHILIP J. KEARNEY, Captain Eleventh New Jersey Volunteers. " WILLIAM B. DUNNING, Captain Eleventh New Jersey Volunteers. " S. M. LAYTON, Lieutenant Eleventh New Jersey Volunteers. " Ina W. Coary, Lieutenant Eleventh New Jersey Volunteers. " LOTT BLOOMFIELD, Lieutenant Eleventh New Jersey Volunteers.

" A. H. ACKERMAN, Lientenant Eleventh New Jersey Volunteers.

"EDWARD S. E. NEWBURY, Lieutevent Eleventh New Jersey Volun- teers.

" JOHN OLDERSHAW, Lieutenant Eleventh New Jersey Volunteers.

" W. H. LLOYD, Lieutenant Eleventh New Jersey Volunteers.

" MILTON S. LAWRENCE, Lieutenant Eleventh New Jersey Volun- teers.

" E. T. KENNEDY, Lieutenant Eleventh New Jersey Volunteers. "S. W. VALK, Lieutenant Eleventh New Jersey Volunteers.

"SAMUEL T. SLEEPER, Lieutenant Eleventh New Jersey Volunteers.

" EDWIN K. Goon, Lieutenant Eleventh New Jersey Volunteers.

"JOHN SOWTEA, Lieutenant Eleventh New Jersey Volunteers.

" ALEXANDER BEACH, JR., Lieutenant Eleventh New Jersey Volun- teers."

These resolutions and signatures show of what sort of patriotie material the regimental officers were com- posed. And certainly few statesmen could do more intelligent justice to the situation than that which the resolutions embody and express. During the winter, in camp at Fitzhugh Farm, a school for the captains, lieutenants, and non-commissioned officers was organ- ized, taetics and deportment studied theoretically and practically, and every pains taken to promote the et- ficiency of the regiment. The result was an admir- able esprit de corps prevailing throughout the ranks. Hooker, relieving Burnside on the 21st of March, de- voted all his influence and authority for two months to improve the discipline, perfect the organization, and elevate the spirits of his men, and on the 27th inaugurated his movement for turning the flank of Lee, who still remained in position at Fredericks- burg. The result was the well-remembered battle of Chancellorsville. The casualties of the Eleventh in this action-twenty killed and one hundred and thir- teen wounded-show that they had by no means an easy position. "The corps had sustained the whole weight of 'Stonewall' Jackson's force, had repelled five fierce charges, mainly with the bayonet, had captured eight flags (all taken by the New Jersey troops), had taken many prisoners without losing any, and it was not without reason that the officers and men of the Eleventh, having shared in these achievements, felt that to them, in fact, belonged the honor of having saved the army in one of the most desperate and terrible battles of the war."

Col. McAllister, Adjt. Schoonover, and Lieut .- Col. Moore were among the last to leave the field, and at one time, fighting alone, were almost surrounded by the enemy. As to the general bearing and audacity of the regiment in the very face of disaster, a letter written at the time says, "When the regiments of our brigade were forming, away back in the rear, some officer asked for the Eleventh New Jersey ; another officer replied, 'Oh, they are fighting on their own hook, and still hard at it with the reb- els.'" The same letter refers to the fact that by holding its position and fighting desperately against odds the Eleventh saved the Second New Jersey Brigade from being flanked, and enabled the Fifth Regiment of that brigade to take the colors whose capture gave them so much distinction."1

1 New Jersey and the Rebellion, p. 253.

151

UNION COUNTY IN THE WAR OF THE REBELLION.

Two officers-Lieuts. Bloomfield and Kelley, Com- pany B-were killed and ten wounded. The con- duct of Lieut .- Col. Moore, Capt. Kearney, and Adjt. Schoonover 'is spoken of by the colonel command- ing as especially meritorious. "Lieut. Lott Bloom- field," says the report, "a young officer of great promise, was killed in the early part of this battle while nobly performing his duty in encouraging his men to stand firm, and again urging them forward in the storm of battle, rendering valuable assistance in the great struggle of that day."

Gen. Hooker, while visiting the hospital of the Eleventh, some days after the battle, said to Dr. Welling, the surgeon, "This is a gallant regiment ; it fought splendidly ; officers and men alike deserve credit."

The reputation of the regiment for fighting quali- ties thus early acquired was maintained through all the campaigns to the surrender of Lee and the close of the war, the regiment participating in the follow- ing engagements : Fredericksburg, Va., Dec. 13 and 14, 1862; Chancellorsville, Va., May 3 and 4, 1863 ; Gettysburg, Pa., July 2 and 3, 1863; Wapping Heights, Va., July 24, 1863 ; Kelly's Ford, Va., Nov. 8, 1863; Locust Grove, Va., Nov. 27, 1863; Mine Run, Va., Nov. 29, 1863; Wilderness, Va., May 5 to 7, 1864; Spottsylvania, Va., May 8 to 11, 1864; Spott- sylvania C .- H., Va., May 12 to 18, 1864; North Anna River, Va., May 23 and 24, 1864; Tolopotomy, Va., May 30 and 31, 1864; Cold Harbor, Va., June 1 to 5, 1864; before Petersburg, Va., June 16 to 23, 1864; Deep Bottom, Va., July 26 and 27, 1864; mine ex- plosion, Va., July 30, 1864; Barker's Mills, Va., June 10, 1864; north bank of the James, Va., Aug. 14 to 18, 1864; Ream's Station, Va., Aug. 25, 1864; Fort Sedgwick, Va., Sept. 10, 1864 ; Poplar Spring Church, Va., Oct. 2, 1864; Boydton Plank-road, Va., Oct. 27, 1864; Fort Morton, Va., Nov. 5, 1864; Hatcher's Run, Va., Feb. 5 to 7, 1865 ; Armstrong House, Va., March 25, 1865; Boydton Plank-road, Va. (capture of Petersburg), April 2, 1865 ; Amelia Springs, Va., April 6, 1865; Farmville, Va., April 6 to 7, 1865; Lee's surrender (Appomattox, Va.), April 9, 1865.

We append a few notices of the regiment at differ- eut times. In concluding his report of the two days' fighting at Gettysburg, Adjt. Schoonover re- marks, " In the action of the 2d the regiment suf- fered very heavy loss. Out of the two hundred and seventy-five officers and men taken into the fight, eighteen were killed, one hundred and thirty wounded, and six missing, making a total of one hundred and fifty-four" In this action Col. McAl- lister was severely wounded. This officer was distin- guished for cool bravery, and was always at the post of danger. In the battle of the Wilderness he had two horses shot under him.

CHAPTER XXIII.

UNION COUNTY IN THE WAR OF THE REBELLION. ( Continued).

Fourteenth Regiment .- Companies C and E of this regiment were from the county of Union, the former being under the command of Capt. Chauncey Harris, with Ebenezer Muddell as first lieutenant, and Jo- seph W. Walker as second lieutenant ; and the latter commanded by Capt. James L. Bodwell, with First Lieut. Isaac S. Tingley, and Second Lieut. James O. Bedell. William S. Truax was colonel ; Caldwell K. Hall, lieutenant-colonel ; Peter Vredenburgh, Jr., major; F. Lemuel Buckalew, adjutant; Enoch L. Cowart, quartermaster; Ambrose Treganowan, sur- geon ; Joseph B. Martin, Herbert B. Chambers, as- sistant surgeons ; Frank B. Rose, chaplain.

The organization of the regiment was completed, and it was mustered into the United States service at Freehold, N. J., Aug. 26, 1862. It left the State on the 2d of September, and on its arrival at Baltimore, the rebels being expected to invade Maryland, was sent forward to Frederick Junction, on the Baltimore and Olio Railroad, for the purpose of guarding the bridge across the Monocacy River. Almost imme- diately upon its arrival information was received that the advance of Lee's army had crossed into Maryland and was moving upon Frederick. "The Fourteenth was at once ordered to fall back, and a coal train being seized, the command was transferred to Elysville, twenty-one miles from Baltimore, where it remained for ten days doing guard and picket duty." The rebels reached Monocacy only an hour after the departure of the regiment, burnt the bridge, and laid waste the country. But they were overtaken and beaten at South Mountain and Antietam, and on the night of the 18th compelled to retreat across the Potomac. The Fourteenth Regiment having been ordered to return to Monocacy and rebuild the bridge, reached that place on the 17th, when the work was begun and vigorously prosecuted to its completion, the troops remaining all winter in that vicinity, doing little except guard duty and the active drill and discipline of the camp. During the early portion of this time there was much sickness in the regiment, which, however, diminished as the men became ac- customed to the rigors and hardships of the soldier's life. In January, 1863, Companies E and K were de- tailed for guard duty along the railroad, the former being stationed at Monrovia, seven miles from camp, and the latter at Mount Airy, fourteen miles distant. " About this time Col. Truax was appointed acting brigadier-general, with headquarters at Frederick City, and the Third Delaware Regiment and Purnell Legion being temporarily brigaded with the Four- teenth, all were placed under his command, Lieut .- Col. Hall commanding the latter. Early in the spring six companies were detached from the regiment

152

HISTORY OF UNION AND MIDDLESEX COUNTIES, NEW JERSEY.

(Companies B and G being left at Monocacy) and sent to Martinsburg, for the purpose of reinforcing Gen. Milroy, who was threatened by the enemy, but no attack being made the detachment six weeks later returned to camp." 1

After the battle of Chancellorsville Lee's army again moved towards the Potomac, and the Fourteenth was ordered to Harper's Ferry. It took position on Mary- land Heights, where it was engaged upon the forti- fications and in other duties for about a fortnight. On the 30th June, Gen. Meade having ordered the evacuation of the Heights, French's division (in- cluding the Fourteenth Regiment) proceeded to- wards Frederick City, and after several unimportant movements was ordered to the relief of Meade's army engaged with the army at Gettysburg. The Four- teenth at this time was brigaded with the One Hun- dred and Fifty-first New York, Sixth New York Heavy Artillery, and Tenth Vermont, commanded by Brig .- Gen. Morris. It being supposed that the rebels would retreat by the way of Boonsborough Gap, the division was ordered to that point, where it formed in line of battle, but Lee having pursued another route no en- gagement occurred. Leaving the Gap on the 9th of July, the division, now assigned to the Third Army Corps and designated the Third Division, marched to the front and joined the main army, whose for- tunes it shared from that time to the close of the war.

Lee having retreated into Virginia pursued by the Union army, the Fourteenth with its division crossed the Potomac at Edwards' Ferry on the 17th, and with- out taking part in any of the conflicts which attended the pursuit of the enemy went into camp near Beal- ton Station, where, and at other points along the Rappahannock, it remained encamped for five weeks, the rebels in the mean time lying quietly at Cul- peper. On the 15th of September, the rebels advanc- ing from Madison Court-House on our right, Meade fell back across the Rappahannock, and the rebels still advancing, the retrograde movement was kept up to Centreville Heights. During this march the Four- teenth lost forty men taken prisoners. Lee failing in his movements retreated to the Rappahannock, followed leisurely by the Union forces. While the rebels were engaged in constructing formidable works our army effected a crossing, driving the enemy from the river with considerable loss. "After a halt of a few days at Brandy Station the corps again advanced, crossing the Rapidan and overtaking the enemy at Locust Grove, a dense forest of pine-trees, where he was strongly posted. At this time the brigade to which the Fourteenth was attached (the First of the Third Division) had the advance, and, skirmishers being sent ont, it soon became engaged, the men fighting bravely for four hours, at one time charging with great gallantry and driving the rebels from their position with a loss of several prisoners."

1 New Jersey and the Rebellion, p. 357.

This was the first active engagement in which the Fourteenth Regiment participated. It is recorded that "they fought with great steadiness throughout." Companies B and K, being on the extreme left, be- came separated from the regiment, so that they did not get the order to fall back, and remained in the tight for an hour longer than the rest of the command, retiring only when their ammunition was exhausted. The regiment lost in this action sixteen killed and fifty-eight wounded. "Gen. Morris rode to the front, congratulating the men for their bravery. In a few words he told them that as new troops a brigade never fought better; that they had accomplished all that was desired of them."2 On the 1st of December Gen. Morris issued the following congratulatory order :

" The brigade commander deems it hie gratifying dnty to express to the officers and men of the Fourteenth New Jersey Volunteers, com- manded by Col. William S. Truax, his appreciation of their bravery and endurance throughout the engagement on the 27th of November.

"The occasion was one which pre-enled the perils of the battle-field in the most discouraging form It was necessary to form the line of battle in a dense woods and at the base of a hill, with the enemy in po- sition on its crest protected by breastworks. The regiment was under fire for three hours, and for a portion of that time the cross-fire of the enemy's rifles made rapid and terrible bavoc in our ranks. Its duty being to hold the line without advancing beyond a limited distance, the regiment performed its entire mi-sion, drove the enemy from the crest, and held it until their ammunition was exhausted and the vet- erans of the First Division arrived to relieve them.

"Our distinguished division and corps commanders have spoken of the regiment in terms of high commendation.

" The brigade commander is prond to lend ench gallant and patriotic hearts.

" By command of Brig .- Gen. Morris."

The darkness of night coming on, the enemy re- tired from the battle, and withdrew to their strong position on Mine Run. The formidable character of these works prevented Gen. Meade from making an assault upon them, as was contemplated, and on the Ist of December he ordered a withdrawal of his forces across the Rapidan. This was effected without mo- lestation on the part of the enemy, and the Four- teenth went into winter-quarters in an old rebel camp at Brandy Station. At this time the regiment num- bered but six hundred men fit for duty, three hundred and fifty less than when it entered the field. Nearly one hundred had died, sixteen had been killed in battle, some were on detached service, some in hospi- tals, some had been discharged for disability, while a few had deserted.

During the winter a deep religious interest was awakened in the regiment through the earnest labors of Chaplain Rose. Regimental churches were built of logs, covered with tents furnished hy the Sanitary Commission. Tracts, books, and papers were freely distributed among the soldiers. The 6th of Febru- ary came and found the corps under marching orders, moving out to engage the enemy at Culpeper Ford, in order to effect a crossing of the river. But the enemy being found in force, with his line extending

2 Sergt. Terrell's History of the Fourteenth Regiment.

153

UNION COUNTY IN THE WAR OF THE REBELLION.

from the Rapidan to Orange Court-House, the object was abandoned. Gen. Grant assumed command, and the army was reorganized, preparatory to the grand forward movement begun in May, 1864, in the ad- vance upon the Wilderness. In this reorganization the Third Corps was broken up, and the Third Di- vision, containing the Fourteenth Regiment, was placed in the Sixth Corps, now reduced to two bri- gades instead of three. The Fourteenth still re- mained in the First Brigade, consisting of the Tenth Vermont, One Hundred and Sixth and One Hun- dred and Fifty-first New York, and Eighty-seventh Pennsylvania.

Foster's "New Jersey and the Rebellion" says of the engagements at the Wilderness :

" At length on the 3d of May, 1864, orders were issued for a forward moveoient, and on the following morning the whole army commenced ite grand sdvance against the enemy now concentrated st the Wilder- ness. llere, early on the 5th, our advance under Warren met and en- gaged the enemy, the battle raging furiously all day. Sedgwick's corps, reaching the field, went into action shortly after noon, the Third Bri- gade of the Third Division being sent to reinforce the centre. Here the Fourteenth was engaged for several hours, fighting gallantly and losiog heavily. On the following day, the enemy attempting to turn our right flank, the battle was renewed, and continued with great fury, the First Brigade still holding its position near the centre, but losing few men. During the night the enemy retired, when Grant advanced his columns with a view of concentrating around Spottsylvania Court-llouse. Upon emerging from the Wilderness, Warren's corps became actively engaged on the 8th with Longstreet's veterans, who sought to delay his progress, and the Sixth Corps going to his relief late in the afternoon, the Four- teenth again weot into action, the enemy being driven back with a loss of one thousand five hundred men."

Gen. Morris was wounded in this action, and Col. Truax was placed in temporary command of the bri- gade. Fighting continued on the 11th and 12th, re- sulting greatly to the loss of the enemy; the six following days were occupied in manœuvring and skirmishing at various points, up to the night of the 21st, when Gen. Grant ordered a flanking advance to the North Anna, and on the 24th the Fourteenth crossed with its corps at Jericho Ford. Thence the brigade proceeded to Nole's Station, thirty miles from Richmond, where it destroyed the Virginia Central Railroad for a distance of eight miles, and returned to its corps without the loss of a man. In the next grand flanking movement of Gen. Grant, whereby he avoided the enemy's invulnerable position in front by a movement to the eastward and then southward npon the Richmond road, the Sixth Corps led the ad- vance, crossing the Pamunkey, and skirmishing to

On the morning of June Ist the march began to Cold Harbor, the Sixth Corps in the rear. The dis- tance was about fifteen miles to the enemy's position, which was reached in the afternoon, and at five o'clock an assault was made, with the Third Division in advance, and the Fourteenth in the front line. "The enemy at this point was posted in a wood, which concealed his strength, facing a level, open field. Across this field our men advanced with great spirit under a heavy fire, and a terrific battle ensued, the losses on both sides being very heavy. The Fourteenth suffered severely, losing in two hours two hundred and forty in killed and wounded, Lieut. Stults, of Company H, and Lieut. Tingley, of Com- pany E, being among the former. The enemy being in overwhelming force, our lines were obliged to fall back a short distance, intrenching strongly during the night. Other corps held in readiness now came up, getting in position for an attack on the 3d. At sunrise on that morning the enemy's works were again assaulted, but with no other substantial result than the loss of some thousands of men who had in vain dashed themselves heroically against an impregnable position. In this assault the Fourteenth again lost several men. Gen. Grant, now satisfied that the rebel works could not be carried, wisely decided to pass the Chickahominy far to Lee's right, and thence move across the James to demonstrate against Richmond from the south."

Not to enter into the particulars of the transporta- tion of the army to Bermuda Hundred, whence Grant's forces united with Butler's army, then investing Pe- tersburg, the corps, on the 21st of June, was placed in position on the left, with the view of finding and turning the right of the enemy, holding or cutting the Weldon Railroad. The Third Division was again in the advance. The road was reached on the 23d, and the track torn up for some distance. A large force of the enemy, however, suddenly appeared, struck the corps a heavy blow on the flank, inflicting considerable loss, that of the Fourteenth being forty men killed and made prisoners. After that, on the 29th, the corps was moved to the support of Gen. Wil- son, who, with two divisions of cavalry, had torn up many miles hoth of the Weldon and Lynchburg Rail- roads, and was hotly pressed in attempting to effect his junction with the main army. The rebels, how- ever, retired upon their advance, and after spending Fourteenth New Jersey and One Hundred and Sixth New York returned to their old position. Up to this time the actual loss of the Fourteenth had been twenty-nine killed, one hundred and seven wounded, and fifteen missing, as reported June 27th. Many of those who had been slightly wounded in the earlier battles of the campaign are not included in this re- port, as they had previously recovered and returned to duty.

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.

History of Union and Middlesex Counties, New Jersey with Biographical Sketches of many of their Pioneers and Prominent Men, Part 36

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