History of Union and Middlesex Counties, New Jersey with Biographical Sketches of many of their Pioneers and Prominent Men, Part 37

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 37
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 37

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Hanover Court-House and Cold Harbor road. Here | three days in further destroying the railroad, the on the 31st a general advance was made upon the rebels' position north of the Chickahominy, resulting in the capture of a good part of the advanced rifle- pits of the enemy. Our troops held and bivouacked on the ground they had gained. During this action the Fourteenth was in the skirmish-line, and lost se- verely in killed and wounded, Orderly Black, of Com- pany I, being shot through the heart and instantly killed, while Col. Truax was slightly wounded in the hand, but did not leave the field.

The next fighting of the division was on quite a

154

HISTORY OF UNION AND MIDDLESEX COUNTIES, NEW JERSEY.

different field. Hunter, with a large Union force, having abandoned the Shenandoah Valley, Lee sent Early northwards with all the force he could muster. Our force at Martinsburg retreating precipitately to IIarper's Ferry, and Grant deeming it necessary to send more forces into Maryland, on the 6th of July detached the Third Division of the Sixth Corps, and hurried it forward to Locust Point, near Baltimore, where it arrived under Gen. Ricketts on the morning of the 8th. From this point the division, numbering five thousand men, proceeded to Monocacy, the old familiar ground of the Fourteenth Regiment, which was now the first to arrive on the spot. By this time the rebels were in force at Frederick City, but were closely watched by Gen. Wallace, in command of our forces. On the night of the 8th Wallace had taken position on the left bank of the Monocacy, which afforded fair facilities for defense. His disposition for battle was completed on the 9th, Gen. Ricketts being placed with his division on the left, holding the road to Washington. In Foster's "New Jersey and the Rebellion" we find the following account of the battle :

"At nine o'clock the rebel skirmishers appeared in front and soun drove onr skirmish-line across the river, thereupon planting guns and opening the battle. The disparity of artillery was great, the euemy having sixteen Napoleons, while we had only eix emaller pieces, and the enperiority of his fire was soon apparent. Gradually the skirmish- iug grew warmer and more general, and soon the fighting became serious. At length a body of the rebel army, moving out of range of our guns and flanking our left, forced a passage of the Monocacy two miles below the bridge, on the Washington road, at once advancing in battle array upon Ricketts, who had changed front to the left to meet their advance on hisflank, his right resting on the river. Steadily the rebel columns advanced to the assanit, but they were met by a steadiness as inflexible as their own. The brave division, fighting with a desperation rarely matched, again and again repelled the rebel assaults, etrewing the ground with dead, for six hours maintaining the unequal contest, waiting in vain for reinforcements that did not come. At length the enemy, gathering all his strength for a final blow, again moved from our left iu two niassive linen to the charge, and gradnally enveloping our lines, nothing was left but to retreat. The Fourteenth being on the extreme left of the line had suffered severely, but it had stood manfully to ite work, and only retreated when Gen. Wallace, seeing that further fighting was nee- less, ordered it to do so. During the engagement Lieut .- Col. Hall, Adjt. Buckalew, and several officers had been wounded ; Capts. Stults, Kanine, and Conover were killed, while every remaining officer of the line was either killed or wonnded except Capt. J. J. Janeway, of Colo- paoy K "

Capt. Chauncey Harris, of Company C, was wounded through the left breast while in command of the regi- ment, and after being placed in an ambulance was shot through the right knee-joint by a rebel bullet. The command of the regiment then devolved upon Capt. Janeway, of Company K, the only officer left able to take charge of it. He bravely led the forlorn hope, but all further fighting was useless, and the line gradually fell back, disputing every inch of ground. Just before the close of the action the enemy press- ing in poured a destructive fire of grape and canister into the retiring ranks, cutting down the defiant vet- It is generally believed by historians of the war that but for the battle of Monocacy, which had the effect of retarding the march of the rebels until other erans by scores and fifties. Happily, however, the pursuit was not persistent, and the weary division, ex- tricating itself from its peril, found pause and safety , troops reached the capital, Early might have pushed

at New Market, six miles distant. A report of the battle says, " Several recruits had arrived after the bat- tle of Cold Harbor, and the regiment was partly filled, entering the fight with three hundred and fifty men, but ninety-five came out, two hundred and fifty-five being killed, wounded, and captured in that terrible battle. Of the nine hundred and fifty men that left New Jersey but ninety-five were left for duty on the night of July 9th, without an officer to command them." Capt. Janeway was wounded in the shoulder shortly after taking command, and was forced to leave.

The following from an officer narrates some of the experiences and incidents of the regiment subsequent to its arrival in the vicinity of Monocacy :

" Reaching Frederick July 8th, we formed linee west of the city fac- ing the Katodan Mountaine. Capt. John C. Patterson was placed in command of the picket line, abont two miles long. At eight o'clock io the morning the troops were ordered by Geo. Wallace to recross the Monocacy River by moving down the Baltimore pike and thence south, to take np a position on our old camp-ground (Camp Hooker). The pickets were left nntil a quarter past ten o'clock, when we were ordered to join the main colnou at Monocacy bridge. We had to move very ·quietly, owing to the closeness of the rebel pickets. The commandant cautioned the pickete (two were etatioued about fifteen stepe apart) to be very still, and to each move back some distance before assembling on the pike. One poor fellow overpowered by sleep remained ou the line, his post being in coro about knee-high. He remained asleep nntil daylight next morning ; as soon as it was light enough to discern objects at a distance he began to look around, rising to his feet. His rising was the signal for a hundred rebels to fire upon him. Strange to say he was nnhurt, and dashed away in the direction of Frederick. But three rebel cavalry- men at once started to cut him off. As he was running across the field he was joined by a citizen armed with a rifle. The latter told hin (Min- ton) to continue on and he would attend to the three cavalrymed. Then stepping behind a tree he leveled his rifle and fired ; one of the rebele reeled from his saddle, the other two dismounted, and the pursuit ended. Minton continued on, and rejoined the regiment just as the battle com- menced, and took part in the fight."

An officer of the Fourteenth furnishes also the fol- lowing incidents of the battle:

" When the enemy at Monocacy first struck ne, three lines deep against onr single line, the fire was terrific. Our color-sergeant (Wil- linm B. Cottrell), while bravely waving his colors in front of his regi- ment, received a ball which before striking bio passed through and severed the flag-staff just below his left hand. He fell forward and died upon the flag, his life hlood staining its folde. Our colors were inmedi- ately raised by one of the color-guards. lle also was almost instantly shot down. Then another raised it up; he was badly wounded and turned it over to the next corporal, who wae mortally wounded. These four were killed and disabled in almost the time it has taken me to write it, showing the terrible fire we were exposed to st the battle of Monoc- acy.

"Our lieutenant-colonel was at the first badly wounded, his arm being broken. Capt. Conover, of Company D, the next ranking officer, was mortally wounded. The command then devolved npon Capt. Harris, who was shot through the lungs and carried from the field. The next in rank, Capt. Stulte, Company H, was shot a few moments after, and died almost instantly. The next in rank, Capt. Janeway, Company K, was wounded and left the field, the command devolving on Capt. John C. Patterson. In the mean time Lient. Craig, Company D, was badly wounded, and Capt. Canine, Company A, was killed, leaving our regi- ment with only three officers,-the adjutant, Lemuel F. Buckalew, First Lieut. Samuel C. Bailey, Company F, and Capt. Patterson."

155

UNION COUNTY IN THE WAR OF THE REBELLION.

on and captured Washington, the undoubted objec- tive-point of the rebel general. This thought tinges the recollections of that bloody day with something like a halo of satisfaction, assuring us that the blood of onr brave soldiers was not shed in vain.

After various expeditions under Gen. Wright, through Leesburg, Snicker's Gap, Harper's Ferry, and Bolivar Heights, the object being to watch and inter- cept the movements of Early, the forces were ordered back to Frederick City and thence to Monocacy, where a conference was held by Gen. Grant with Gens. Wright and Hunter on the 4th of August, and it was determined to concentrate a large force under Gen. Sheridan at Harper's Ferry, for the purpose of a campaign in the Shenandoah Valley. On the 6th of August, Gen. Sheridan, arriving at Harper's Ferry, took command, the force now numbering nearly thirty thousand men, including two divisions of cavalry. On the 10th the column moved against the enemy, coming up with his rear-guard on the 12th at Cedar Creek, the main body being strongly intrenched at Fisher's Hill. No general action was brought on till the 19th, when the battle of Opequan Creek was fought. In the mean time recruits had reached the Fourteenth Regiment, augmenting its numbers to about three hundred men. The position of the rebels was natur- ally a strong one, and had been thoroughly fortified. To assail it our army had to advance through a nar- row ravine shut in by steep, thickly-wooded hills, to form in an irregular, undulating valley in the enemy's front, and then advancing through a wood, attack desperately his centre, while flanking and crushing in his left. We need not give the details of the battle, but say simply that the victory was complete, although attained at serious loss. The Third Division of the Sixth Corps lost heavily, the Fourteenth Regiment alone losing seven killed and sixty-two wounded and missing. Among the killed was Maj. Vredenburgh, who was struck by a shell in the breast while at the head of his regiment ordering a charge upon a rebel battery. He expired in a few moments. A brave and faithful officer, he was widely esteemed and his deatlı lamented by the whole command. Lieut. Green, commanding Company I, was also killed, and Capt. Bodwell, of Company E, wounded. Three thousand prisoners and five guns were taken from the rebels. At Fisher's Hill, on the 22d of September, our arms were equally victorious. The battle lasted some three hours, when the rebels were driven from their fortifi- cations in great disorder, losing one thousand one hundred prisoners, sixteen pieces of artillery, and fifteen stands of colors taken by our soldiers. The Third Division captured six pieces of artillery, two of which were taken by the Fourteenth Regiment. The casualties in the Fourteenth numbered but ten killed and thirty wounded.

But the great battle of the campaign was yet to be fought, that of Cedar Creek. After the battle above described our forces held the line of this creek, and

Sheridan, deeming them secure, had gone to Wash- ington on business. Early, more wily than was deemed by his antagonist, on the 18th of October moved his entire army across the mountain sepa- rating the branches of the Shenandoah, forded the north fork, and under cover of fog and darkness early on the next morning surprised our camps, turn- ing both flanks, and crushing back our astonished troops with terrible loss, including twelve hundred prisoners, twenty-four guns, and all our equipage. So silently did the enemy advance, and so suddenly did he pounce upon our sleeping camp, that the men were in many cases prisoners before they were awakened. The Eighth Corps, which met the first onset of the enemy, was able to make little resist- ance; but the Sixth Corps, which had more oppor- tunity to rally, held the rebels in check for a time. It soon became apparent, however, that it was impos- sible to hold our positions, and a general retreat was accordingly ordered. Our forces had fallen back five miles, and Gen. Wright had succeeded in partially reforming them in line of battle, when Sheridan ap- peared upon the scene, having made his famous ride from Winchester. "He saw only too soon the wreck and disaster of the day, and instantly set about the work of repairing the mischief. Riding along the lines and speaking inspiringly to the men, he stimu- lated them to new endeavor, revived their hopes, and prepared them for a fresh encounter, meanwhile also strengthening his formations, studying the ground, and gathering every item of information necessary to his purpose. At length everything was complete. ' We are going to lick them out of their boots,' said Sheridan, and the men with the words ringing in their ears once more assumed the offensive. After considerable manœuvring a charge was ordered, and soon the enemy in turn was driven back with great slaughter, with the loss of his trains and artillery and all the trophies captured from us in the morning, our cavalry pursuing rapidly and cutting down the fugitives without mercy." The inspiring genius of Sheridan had converted defeat into victory, all the more grand and surprising from the helpless condi- tion which had preceded it. This was an exploit which for daring rapidity and brilliancy of execu- tion is rarely equaled in the annals of war. The Fourteenth Regiment, which took an active part, lost heavily, Adjt. Ross, who had been promoted from the ranks for gallant conduct, being killed. The rebel loss included one thousand five hundred prisoners, twenty-three guns (exclusive of the twenty-four lost by us in the morning and recovered at night), one thousand five hundred small-arms, besides most of their caissons, wagons, etc.

The further operations of the Fourteenth till the close of the war were performed in another field. The campaign having rescued the Shenandoah Val- ley and insured the safety of the national capital, the main body of the army, except the cavalry scouts

156

HISTORY OF UNION AND MIDDLESEX COUNTIES, NEW JERSEY.

left to complete the driving of the fugitives, was transferred to the theatre of operations against Rich- mond. The officers of the Fourteenth were now mostly enlisted men risen from the ranks, who had won for themselves a lasting reputation. Capt. Jane- way for brave and meritorious conduct was promoted to the colonelcy of the regiment. Besides this vet- eran officer there were Capts. Wanser, Manning, and Marsh and Lieuts. Foster, Buckalew, Fletcher, Han- ning, White, and Mandeville, noted for conspicuous gallantry, who had entered the ranks as privates. Col. Truax was still in command of the brigade as acting brigadier-general. The regiment had been re- cruited to the number of two hundred. It was trans- ferred to City Point, whence it advanced and occu- pied a position on the Weldon Railroad which had been seized and held by the Fifth Corps. Feb. 5, 1865, the regiment participated in the engagement at Hatcher's Run; the assault on Fort Steadman fol- lowed on the 25th of March, resulting in the speedy downfall of Petersburg, and the surrender of Lee two weeks later at Appomattox. Col. Truax in his re- port of the capture of Fort Steadman makes tbe fol- lowing statement :

"The brigade was formed in column of regiment, aud advancing on the left flank of the fort compelled its surrender. Without halting we advanced on the next fort, which was evacuated almost without a strug- gle, lesving in our possession four guns, caissons, and horses. . . . I have every reason to be proud of the regiments composing my brigade."

Another report says,-

" From first to last the Fourteenth fought with the greatest bravery, and to it equally with the most efficient regiment of the corps belongs the credit of the magnificent success of that glorious day."

Early on the 3d of April, being informed that Petersburg was evacuated, and that the pickets of the Twenty-fourth Corps had advanced into the city, the Fourteenth joined in the pursuit of the enemy, pushing forward to Sailor's Creek, where it assailed the enemy's flank, doubling it up and driving the rebels for the distance of a mile. Here reaching the hill directly in front of the creek, where the rebels were found strongly posted in the rear of some works, a charge was made by the brigade across the stream, some seventy-five yards in width, the soldiers advanc- ing through water up to their hips and under a gall- ing fire from the enemy. Immediately reforming on the other side of the stream the brigade charged over the crest of the hill, driving and completely routing the enemy. Wheeling to the left and pushing his column against the left flank of the enemy, a few moments of vigorous fighting were crowned with the" trophy of the surrender of Ewell's command. Maj. Pegram, inspector-general on Ewell's staff, at this point rode up to Col. Truax, bearing a flag of truce, and said, "1 surrender Lieut .- Gen. Ewell and staff and his command." This was a glorious termination of the long and weary campaigns in which our brave soldiers had been engaged. The Fourteenth, now re- duced to about one hundred men, proceeded to Barks- dale, where the command remained in camp till the

24th, and then proceeded to Danville with a view of co-operating with Sherman against Johnston. But on their arrival news of Johnston's surrender was re- ceived. The war was ended. The Fourteenth Regi- ment was mustered out of the United States service at Washington, D. C., on the 18th of June, 1865, hav- ing been in the service nearly three years. It left New Jersey nine hundred and fifty strong; the rem- nant that returned was two hundred and thirty, not- withstanding the many recruits which had strength- ened its ranks from time to time. During that time the regiment had been distinguished in many battles and skirmishes for its uniform gallantry and courage. It had traveled by rail one thousand and fifty-one miles, by water six hundred and twenty-eight miles, and on foot two thousand and fifteen miles.1

Thirtieth Regiment .- The Thirtieth Regiment, which contained one company, viz., Company B, from this county, was organized under the provisions of an act of Congress approved July 22, 1861, and under existing orders governing the enrollment of troops. A draft for ten thousand four hundred and seventy-eight men to serve for nine months unless sooner discharged had been made upon the Governor of this State by the President of the United States, Aug. 4, 1862, and soon after full instructions for conducting it were received from the War Depart- ment. The draft so ordered was not to interfere with orders governing recruiting, and all enlistments up to Sept. 1, 1862, would be placed to the credit of the State. A general desire manifested and expressed by the State authorities, as well as by prominent citi- zens throughout the State, to avoid the draft gave an enthusiasm to recruiting which caused the entire quota to be raised by voluntary enlistments and in camp by the 3d of September, 1862, the time ap- pointed for commencing the draft. The organization of the regiment was fully completed, officered, and equipped by the 17th of September, 1862, at which time the command was duly mustered into the United States service for nine months at Flemington, N. J. The regiment was raised in different parts of the State, and placed under command of Col. Alexander E. Donaldson, who resigned March 4, 1863, and the command of the regiment devolved upon Lieut .- Col. John J. Cladek, who served till the regiment was mustered out, June 27, 1863. The officers of Com- pany B from this county were: Captain, John N. Lewis; first lieutenant, James D. Vanderveer ; sec- ond lieutenant, Thomas Moore. Capt. Lewis re- signed Dec. 26, 1862, and Lieut. Vanderveer took his place, serving as captain till June 27, 1863, when the regiment was mustered out. James H. Ogden, who entered the company as first sergeant Aug. 25, 1862, became first lieutenant March 16, 1863, rice Elias W. Brant, resigned, and resigned April 27, 1863, when John M. Case became first lieutenant in

1 Sergeant Terrell's History.

157

RECORD OF UNION COUNTY SOLDIERS. 1861-65.

his stead. Oscar Conklin, first sergeant of Company I, became second lieutenant upon the resignation of Thomas Moore, February, 1863.'

The regiment left the State Sept. 30, 1862, num- bering one thousand and eleven, officers and enlisted men. It was assigned soon after arriving in Wash- ington to the Provisional Brigade, Casey's division, defenses of Washington, and participated in but one battle, that of Chancellorsville, May 2 and 3, 1863.

CHAPTER XXIV.

RECORD OF UNION COUNTY SOLDIERS, 1861-65.

COMPANY A, FIRST REGIMENT.

Allen, William W., corp., May 16, 1861 ; died of fever at U. S. A. Gen. Hoap., West Philadelphia, Pa., Sept. 7, 1862.

Allen, John J., private, Muy 16, 1861; corp. Feb. 4, 1862 ; disch, at the U. S. A. Gen. Hosp., Washington, D. C., Oct. 1, 1862, dia.

Baker, Ralph P., private, May 16, 1861; corp. May 21, 1861 ; aergt. Aug. 21, 1862 ; re-enl. Dec. 28, 1864; 2d lieut. Co. A, Ist Ratt., Feb. 2, 1865; pro. to lat lieut. Co. C, Ist Batt., June 4, 1865; served in 4th Regt .; must. out June 29, 1865.

Blythe, Smith G., com, sergt .; 2d lieut. vice Luther Martin; res. March 24, 1862; pro. to lat fient. Co. F, Oct. 7, 1862; capt. Nov. 29, 1862; must. out June 23, 1864.

Baquet, Camille, aergt. Co. I, 16th Peno. Cav .; 2d lieut. Co. A, lat N. J. Regt., vice Phineas B. Provost; res. April 1, 1863 ; must. out June 23, 1864.

Braot, William, Jr., corp., March 21, 1861 ; sergt. Feb. 4, 1862; lat sergt. Sept. 1, 1862 ; re-eul. Dec. 28, 1863; pro. to Ist lieut. Co. B, lat Batt., Feb. 2, 1865; served in 4th Regt .; capt. Co. B, Ist Batt .; brevet capt. April 2, 1865; capt. May 11, 1865 ; must. out June 29, 1865.

Bonuell, Edward, private, May 16, 1861; corp. March 1, 1863 ; re-enl. Dec. 28, 1863; served in 4th Regt. ; muet. out June 29, 1865.

Beel, Samuel J., private, May 16, 1861; corp. Nov. 1, 1862; muet, out Juue 23, 1864.

Barton, Robert E., private, May 16, 1861 ; must. out June 23, 1864. Bunghton, Stephen E., private, May 16, 1861 ; must, out June 23, 1864. Beatty, James, private, May 16, 1861 ; disch. at U. S. A. Gen. Hosp., Philadelphia, Pa., Jao. 26, 1863, dia.

Brant, Joseph, Jr., private, May 16, 1861; disch. at U. S. A. Geo. Hosp., Philadelphia, Pa., Jan. 28, 1863, dia.

Brobaou, Peter, private, May 16, 1861 ; corp. Sept. 1, 1862; killed in activo at Wilderness, Va., May 6, 1864.

Brower, Daniel H., musician ; died of typhoid fever at Camp Seminary, Va., Sept. 6, 1861.

Belmer, Ithamer M., private, May 16, 1861 ; killed in action at Gainee' Farm, Va , June 27, 1862.

Brown, John W., 1st lieut., May 21, 1861 ; capt. vice David Hatfield ; pro. May 28, 1861 ; disch. Sept. 17, 1862, by order War Dept.

Carr, Thomas, private, Sept. 30, 1862; diachi. near Brandy Station, Va., March 18, 1864.

Cavavangh,2 Merty W., private, May 16, 1861 ; killed in action at Gaines' Farm, Va., June 27, 1862.

Clum, William H., private, May 16, 1861 ; deserted Sept. 17, 1862, at Crampton's Pass, Md.

Cluni, Chauncey, private, May 16, 1861; must. out June 23, 1864.

Creighton, Hugh T., private, May 16, 1861; re-en1. Dec. 28, 1863 ; served in 4th Regt .; must. out June 29, 1865.

Crossan, Cornelina, recruit, Aug. 13, 1861; disch. at Camp Banks, Va., Jan. 22, 1863, dis.

Carly, James, recruit, Aug. 13, 1861; served in 4th Regt. ; muat, out Sept. 6, 1864.

Curran, Thomas, privata, May 16, 1861 ; mnat. out June 23, 1864.

Debo, Charles, Jr., private, May 16, 1861 ; corp. Aug. 1, 1862; muat. ont June 23, 1864.

Donnelly, James, private, May 16, 1861 ; disch. at Convalescent Camp,

Alexandria, Va., Feb. 28, 1863, on account of wouoda received in action at Benson's Tavern, Va.

Danbrier, John, private, May 16, 1861; corp. July 1, 1861 ; Bergt. Aug. 1, 1862 ; di-ch. at hosp., Antietam, Md., April 14, 1863, d'8.

Devine, Patrick, recruit, Dec. 11, 1863; deserted Dec. 24, 1863, en route to regt.

Denton, James, 1st aergt Co. F, Sept. 25, 1862; lat lieut. Co. A, 1st Batt., Feb. 2, 1865 ; must. ont June 29, 1865.

Dunhanı, Samuel H., aergt., May 16, 1861 ; 1st aergt. Aug. 1, 1861 ; diach. at Geo. Hosp., Fairfax, Va., July 9, 1862, dis.

Ellwood, James, private, May 16, 1861; disch, At Convalescent Camp, Alexandria, Va., Jan. 20, 1863, dis.

Eckard, John, private, May 16, 1861 ; killed in action at Guinea' Farm, Va., June 27, 1862.

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History of Union and Middlesex Counties, New Jersey with Biographical Sketches of many of their Pioneers and Prominent Men, Part 37

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