USA > New Jersey > Salem County > History of the counties of Gloucester, Salem, and Cumberland New Jersey, with biographical sketches of their prominent citizens, vol. 1 > Part 15
USA > New Jersey > Gloucester County > History of the counties of Gloucester, Salem, and Cumberland New Jersey, with biographical sketches of their prominent citizens, vol. 1 > Part 15
USA > New Jersey > Cumberland County > History of the counties of Gloucester, Salem, and Cumberland New Jersey, with biographical sketches of their prominent citizens, vol. 1 > Part 15
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beneath the hatches, where they soon became too sick to return. With the crew in this condition the captain sighted the tender, and with genuine Yaukee au- dacity gave chase. The tender crowded canvas and put to sea, though she could easily have taken the
At the annual meetings of the board of freeholders in the county of Salem, in May, 1813 and 1814, it was resolved :
" WHEREAS, there is at this time some apprehension of an invasion from the British, therefore it is ordered, by this board, that the clerk of the county of Salem to arrange the papers in los office in such a mall- ner that the speedy removal of thetu can be effecteri, in case of serious apprehensions of an invasion from the enemy. And it is recommended to the surrogate of the county to take like measures with the papers ntaler his charge, and that the clerk of this board serve a copy of this minute on the said county clerk and surrogate."
Mexican War .- In the office of the adjutant- general in Trenton are found the following names of volunteers in the Mexican war, all from Salem County :
! Early Settlement and Progress of Cumberland County, p. 70.
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GENERAL HISTORY.
COMPANY E, 10TH REGIMENT, U. S. INFANTRY. Jesse C. Moore, ent. July 23, 1847 ; disch Aug. 22, 1848. Edward Ryon, enl. Aug. 25, 1847; disch Ang 22, 1848.
COMPANY HI, 10TH REGIMENT, U. S. INFANTRY. William Bacon. ent. May 11, 1847; disch. Ang. 24, 1848. James Deal, enl. May 10, 1847 ; disch. Aug. 24, 1848. Charles Emory, enl. May 12, 1847 ; disch. Aug. 24, 1848. James W. Mayhew, enl. July 16, 1847: disch. Ang. 24, 1845. Simmuel F. Treadway, eul. May 11, 1847 ; disch Ang. 24, 1848. Lemuel Vabeman, enl. May 11, 1847 ; disch. Ang. 24, 1848. Joseph Smith, enl. June 29. 1847; disch. July 8, 1848.
CHAPTER XII.
GLOUCESTER, SALEM, AND CUMBERLAND COUNTIES IN THE WAR OF THE REBELLION.
Regimental Histories and Rosters.1-The part taken by the counties of Gloucester, Salem, and Cumberland in the war of 1861-65, for the suppres- sion of the Rebellion and the preservation of the Union, was, like that of the other counties in the State, highly creditable to the patriotism of the in- habitants. On the receipt of the intelligence of the attack on Fort Sumter, in April, 1861, there were in these counties the same outbursts of patriotism, the same demonstrations of loyalty to the Cuien, the same patriotic meetings, the same eagerness of young men to volunteer, and the same readiness of others to encourage and aid them in doing so, as were found everywhere in the other counties of the patriotic State of New Jersey. And when the Union armies melted away in the heat of battle, and call after call was made for men to take the place of those who had fallen, there was shown here the same determination to stand by the government at whatever cost; and the people and the local authorities, with the same alacrity, voted the sums of money which were called for to accomplish the desired end.
From the time when the first call for men was made till the time when the death of the great Rebellion made further calls unnecessary, the people of these counties responded to each appeal with a patriotic devotion not excelled in any part of the State or of the Union. The names of these soldiers are found on the rolls of a large number of regiments of this and other States, and such regiments ay were most
1 STATE OF NEW JERSEY, OFFICE OF ADJUTANT-GENERAL,
TRENTON, Nov. 22, 18-2.
I desire to state, for the information of all interested in the subject, that the roster of men credited to the counties of Gloucester, Salem, and Cumberland, N. J., in the civil war (1801-65) has been taken from the records of this office by Dr. Thomas Cushing, and I believe from the amount of care and patient labor which he has bestowed upon it that it will be found to be correct. I only refrain from certifying to its entire correctness by the simple fact that the work was not done by my own assistants, and so I am not called upou to make it official.
WILLIAM S. STRYKER, Adjutant-Gerrard of New Jersey.
noticeable for the number of Gloucester, Salem, and Cumberland County men who served in their ranks are especially mentioned in the following pages, in historical sketches of their organization and services in the great war for the Union.
Although those who took their lives in their hands, and went forth to encounter the stern realities of grim- visaged war in defense of the institutions under which they had been prosperous and happy, to breathe the pestilential miasms of Southern swamps, to languish in sickness in distant hospitals, "with no band of kindred to smooth their lone pillows," to pour out their blood and yield up their lives on battle-fields, and to fill lonely graves, far from their homes, or to return, battle-scarred and shattered in health, are worthy of all the gratitude and honor that their countrymen have lavished on them, it must not be for- gotten that great sacrifices were made by others. The heroic fortitude with which parents, sisters, wives, and children bade adieu to their loved ones who thus went forth, and the patriotic zeal with which all labored for the comfort of those in the field should ever be remembered, and in the-e respects the people of Southern New Jersey were not excelled by those of any other region.
Three Months' Troops .- On the 17th of April. 1862, Governor Olden issued a proclamation calling for the quota of New Jersey under the first call for seventy-five thousand troops to serve three months. This quota was four regiments, aggregating three thousand one hundred and twenty-three men. Such was the alacrity with which the people responded to this call that the quota was filled and the regiments stood ready to march on the 30th of the same month.
These regiments, which included a just proportion of representatives from Gloucester, Salem, and Cum- berland Counties, were formed into a brigade, under the command of Brig .- Gen. Runyon, with Maj. Alex- ander V. Bonnel as brigade.inspector, and Capt. James B. Mulligan as aide-de-camp. Such was the embarrassment of the government at that time that the State was obliged to arm and equip these troops, and furnish the first supply of ammunition.
They were sent to Washington ria Annapolis, and the brigade was reported to Gen. Scott on the 6th of May. It went into eamp at Meridian Hill, where it remained till the 22d, when it was ordered to Alexandria. Here the troops remained for a time, engaged in fatigue duty. Just previous to the battle of Bull Run they were ordered forward, and they formed a portion of the reserve, which did not be- come engaged in that battle. During the stampede of the Union troops the regiments of the brigade did good service in arresting the flight of fugitives, and endeavoring to bring something like order out of the chaos that prevailed.
Soon after this battle the term of service of these regiments expired, and on the 24th and 25th of July they were ordered to Washington, where they were
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HISTORY OF GLOUCESTER, SALEM, AND CUMBERLAND COUNTIES.
formally discharged, and departed by rail for the State from which they went forth in the hour of the nation's sudden peril.
First Brigade, First, Second, Third, and Fourth Regiments .- On the 17th of April. 1861, Governor Olden issued a proclamation calling for troops to serve three months. Nearly ten thousand men re- sponded to this call, of which number only four regi- ments could be accepted. Of the large number that remained, many, being anxious to enter the service, proceeded to New York, Philadelphia, and other points outside the limits of New Jersey, and enlisted iu regiments of other States. Of the large number who eulisted in this manner-estimated by the ad- jutant-general at five thousand from the State-no record can be given.
It was not long before it became apparent to the anthorities at Washington that it would be necessary to eall into the field a larger number of regiments. to be made up of men enlisted for a longer term of ser- vice, and the President issued a call for thirty-nine additional regiments of infantry, and one of cavalry, to be enlisted for three years or during the continu- ance of the war. Under this eall the quota of New Jersey was fixed at three full regiments, and a requi- sition for these was received by Governor Olden on the 17th of May. No difficulty was experienced in furnishing them, for a sufficient number of com- panies had been already raised and organized, and were anxiously waiting to be mustered into the ser- vice. From these companies there were at onee organized the First, Second, and Third Regiments, which were mustered into the service of the United States for three years, being uniformed and furnished with eamp and garrison equipage by the State of New Jersey, but armed by the general government. Such was the alacrity of the response to this eall that Gov- ernor Olden was enabled to announce, on the day fol- lowing the receipt of the requisition, that the regi- ments were ready to be mustered into the service, and that twice as many more could be furnished, if neces- sary. The three regiments left Trenton on the 28th of June, and were reported to Gen. Scott, at Wash- ington, on the following day.
The Second Regiment was mustered under the fol- lowing field and staff officers :
Colonel, George W. McLean: Lieutenant-Colonel, Isaac M. Tucker: Major, Samuel L. Buck ; Adjutant, Joseph W. Plume: Quarter- master, William E. Sturges; Surgeon, Gabriel Grant ; Assistant sur- geon, Lewis W. Oakley; Chaplain, Robert R. Proudfit.
The Third Regiment was officered as follows :
Colonel, George W. Tayior; Lieutenant-Colonel, Henry W. Brown : Ma- jor, Mark W. Collitt; Adjutant, Robert T. Dunham ; Quartermas- ter, Francis Sayre : Surgeou, Lorenzo Lewis Cox; Assistant Sur- geon, Edward L. Welling; Chaplain, George R. Darrow.
The field and staff officers of the Fourth Regiment were :
Colonel, James H. Simpson ; Lieutenant-Colonel, J. L. Kirby Smith ; Major, Williato B. Hatch ; Adjutant, Joseph S. Studdiford; Qnat-
termaster, Samuel C. Harbert : Surgeon, Alexander N. Dougherty ; Assistant Surgeon, Joseph D. Osborne : Chaplain. Norman W. Can , D.D.
The Fourth Regiment reached Washington on the 21st of August, and, with the First, Second, and Third. constituted the First Brigade of New Jersey Volunteers.
Soon after their arrival in Washington, the First. Second, and Third Regiments were ordered acro -- the Potomac, and assigned to duty in the New Jer- sey brigade, under command of Gen. Runyon. A few days before the commencement of the first advance toward Manassas, but after the movement had been determined on, the Third was ordered forward to per- form the duty of gnarding and repairing the railroad to Fairfax Station, at which point the regiment was stationed as a part of the reserve force during the progress of the battle of Bull Run, therefore taking no part in that engagement, but doing good service, nevertheless, in rallying fugitives from the field, and helping to restore something like order among a part, at least, of the flying and panie-stricken troops that were pressing on in disorder and rout towards Wash- ington in the evening of that disastrous day, the 21st of July. Immediately after the battle the Third was moved to the neighborhood of Alexandria, and there encamped, with the other regiments of the New Jer- sey brigade, which, early in August, received as its commander Brig. Gen. Philip Kearney, one of the bravest and best soldiers that ever drew a sabre, and one whom the veterans of New Jersey will ever re- member with love and admiration.
The Third Regiment was first under hostile fire on the 29th of August, when, in making a reconnois- sance in the vicinity of Cloud's Mills, it fell into an ambuseade of the enemy, and in the skirmish which followed lost two men killed and four wounded. Ou the same day a skirmish took place between a body of the enemy and a company of the Second Regiment. resulting in a loss to the rebels of twelve men. 1 month later (September 29th) a reconnoissanee in force was made by Gen. Kearney, with his entire brigade, one company of Kentucky cavalry, and a light battery under the command of Capt. Hexamer. the object of the expedition being to ascertain the strength and position of the enemy at Mason's Hill,-a point which he was reported to be fortify- ing, in front of the Union lines. The object was accomplished without loss. After a summer and autumn spent in camp and picket duty, varied by the events above mentioned, and some other ininor affairs of similar nature, the brigade went into winter quarters near Alexandria.
On the 7th of March, 1862, the brigade left camp, and moved forward to Burke's Station, on the Orange and Alexandria Railroad, as a guard to a working- party, and on the Sth made an extended reconnois- sance of the country, which developed the fact that the Confederate forces were preparing to evacuate
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GENERAL HISTORY.
their strong position at Manassas. Upon this. Gen. , the greatest desperation and ferocity, handling their Kearney, without further orders from the division artillery especially in the most effective manner, and doing fearful execution in our ranks. The gallant Third, however, bravely stood its ground, opening a galling fire on the enemy, and remaining in the woods until the close of the action." commander, pressed on with vigor, driving the seat- tered pickets of the enemy before him, and on the 9th reached Sangster's Station, where the Second and Third Regiments surprised a detachment of rebel cavalry, killing several, and taking twelve pris- oners. On the 10th the brigade occupied the aban- doned position at Manassas, eight companies of the Third Regiment being the first force to enter and hoist the Union flag on the works.
On the opening of the spring campaign in 1862 the brigade, which then formed part of the First Division ' dred and thirty-six wounded, and forty-five missing. of the First Army Corps, moved forward to Catlett's The Fourth lost, besides prisoners, thirty-eight killed, and one hundred and eleven wounded. The loss of the Third Regiment in the battle of Gaines' Mill was one hundred and seventy killed and wounded, and forty-five missing. Station, two miles from Warrenton, on the Orange and Alexandria Railroad; the object of the move- ment being to divert the attention of the Confederate commander while Gen. MeClellan was moving the Army of the Potomac to Fortress Monroe and New- port News for the commencement of the movement towards Richmond by way of the Virginia peninsula. It does not appear that Gen. Lee was greatly deceived by this movement to Catlett's, and on the 11th of April (six days after the army had arrived in front of Yorktown), the division moved back to Alexandria, where, on the 17th, the brigade was embarked ou steamers bound for the peninsula. to join the army. It landed at York Point on the York River, whence, on the 5th of May (the day of the battle of Williams- burg), it was moved by steamer up the river to West Point. It was then under the command of Col. Tay- lor, Gen. Kearney having been advanced to the com- mand of the division.
At West Point, during the night and day following the disembarkation of the troops, a brisk skirmish, amounting almost to a battle, was fought with the Fifth Alabama and other Confederate regiments, but the New Jersey brigade, being held in reserve, sus- tained no loss. On the 15th the First Division joined the main body of the Army of the Potomac at White House, and marched thence, with the grand column, to the Chiekahominy River.
In the fighting which subsequently occurred along the shores of that ill-omened stream. the brigade took no active part until, in the afternoon of the 27th of June, it moved from the camp on the south side of the Chickahominy across that river to its north bank, and there plunged into the fire and carnage of the battle of Gaines' Mill.
Foster, in his " New Jersey and the Rebellion," says, "The brigade was at once formed into two lines, the Third and Fourth Regiments in front, and the First and Second in the second line, and in this order advanced to the brow of a hill in front, where the Third Regiment, under Lieut .- Col. Brown, was or- dered into the woods to relieve Newton's brigade, which was sorely pressed by the enemy. At this point the woods, some four hundred yards in front of our line of battle, swarmed with rebels, who fought with
The Second and Fourth Regiments were sent into a belt of woods on the right of the Third, and thus the three were in the action in dangerous parts of the field. The loss in four companies of the Second was fifteen killed, forty-eight wounded, and forty-one missing. The Third had thirty-four killed, one hun-
At eleven o'eloek in the night succeeding the battle the New Jersey regiments reerossed to the south side of the Chickahominy, and remained quietly there, in the woods, until midnight of the 28th, when they moved silently out, taking the road to Savage Station, and thence to White Oak Swamp, on the retreat to the James River. A brisk engagement took place near the crossing of White Oak Creek, but the brigade did not take part in it, though it occupied a position of peril between the batteries of the contending forces, where the shells of both passed over the men as they lay on the ground for comparative security. From this point the brigade moved on by way of Malvern Hill (passing that position on the 1st of July, but taking no part in the bloody battle of that day) to Harrison's Landing, which it reached on the morning of the 2d, in the midst of a drenching rain, and en- camped in a wheat-field of several hundred acres in extent.
The regiment remained in the vicinity of the land- ing for about six weeks, at the end of which time it marched with the army down the Peninsula, and was transported thence by steamer up the Chesapeake Bay and Potomac River to Alexandria, where it arrived on the 24th, and was moved from that place to Cloud's Mills, on its way to reinforce the army of Gen. Pope, who was in the neighborhood of Manassas, and sorely pressed by the Confederates under "Stone- wall" Jackson. On the 27th it moved forward by rail from Cloud's Mills to Bull Run bridge, and from there moved to the old battle-field, where it became engaged with the enemy's infantry and fought bravely for more than an hour, sustaining severe loss from the musketry and artillery fire. It was at last com- pelled to give way before the overwhelming force of the Confederates, but retreated in good order to Fair- fax Station and thence to Cloud's Mills, which latter point was reached at noon on the 28th. In the en- gagement at Bull Run Gen. Taylor was severely wounded in the leg, and died at Alexandria, on the 1st of September, from the effects of amputation.
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HISTORY OF GLOUCESTER, SALEM, AND CUMBERLAND COUNTIES.
After defeating Pope's army in Virginia, the Con- federate forces moved rapidly to the Potomac at Ed- wards' Ferry and other points, and crossed into Mary- | Pennsylvania, the First Brigade (then in Wright's land. The Union army pursued and overtook them at South Mountain, where a severe battle was fought on the 14th of September. In that battle the First New Jersey Brigade (then under command of Col. Tor- bert) was engaged at the point known as Crampton's Gap, and fought with its usual gallantry. In the great battle of Antietam, which occurred three days later, the brigade stood in po-ition for forty-two hours, and during six hours of the time was under a very severe artillery fire, but was not ordered into action. After the battle it remained in Maryland more than two weeks, and finally, on the 2d of Octo- ber, crossed the Potomae at Berlin, and after a num- ber of tedious movements in Virginia reached Staf- ford Court-House on the 18th, and remained there in camp ontil Gen. Burnside ordered the forward move- ment against Fredericksburg.
In that movement the brigade marched from its eamp to the Rappahannock, which it reached on the İlth of December, and crossed to the south shore at daylight of the following morning. It remained at rest until two o'clock in the afternoon, when it ad- vaneed rapidly aeross a plateau, under a heavy fire of artillery, until it reached the shelter of a ravine. : through which flow the waters of Deep Run, and in this ravine it remained until the morning of the 13th, It was not till three in the afternoon that the brigade was ordered forward into the fight. The loss of the brigade was one hundred and seventy-two killed, wounded, and missing. After the battle the army recrossed to the north side of the river, and the First New Jersey Brigade went into winter quarters near White Oak Church.
In the movement across the Rappahannock, in the spring of 1863, known a- the campaign of Chancel- lorsville, the First Brigade, then commanded by Col. Brown in place of Col. Torbert, who was sick, crossed the river, with the Sixth Corps, at Franklin's Cross- ing, below Fredericksburg, on the 20th of April, but remained occupying the old rifle-pits until morning
force, and advantageously posted in thick woods, with earthworks on both sides of the road. The ; brigade advanced and attacked this position, and the battle raged with great fury till night, the enemy being driven a short distance, with severe loss, until he occupied another line of rifle-pits. The loss of the New Jersey brigade was heavy, but its reputa- tion for bravery was fully sustained. It remained on the field during the following day, but was not again engaged, except as a support to the batteries. In the early morning of the 5th of May it marched back to its old camp-ground at White Oak Church. | Hill, Va.
Moving northward with the Army of the Potomac in pursuit of Lee, who was then marching towards
division of the Sixth Corps crossed the Potomae at Edwards' Ferry on the 27th of June, and reached Gettysburg on the 2d of July, its last day's march being thirty -- ix miles. It immediately went into position, and remained without change until the fol- lowing morning, when it was advanced to the front line, but it did not become engaged, except slightly on the picket-line, where it lost eleven men wounded. In the pursuit of Lee's army it was again slightly en- gaged at Fairfield. Pa .. and at Hagerstown, MId. It crossed the Potomac on the 19th at Berlin, and on the 25th of July reached Warrenton, where it re- mained till the 15th of September. During the re- mainder of the fall it participated in a number of minor movements, and early in December eneamped near Brandy Station, where it remained in winter quarters till the latter part of April, 1864.
The First Brigade commenced its last campaign on the 4th of May, when it crossed the Rapidan at Ger- mania Ford, and moved southward into the labyrinths of the Virginia wilderness. In the month which suc- ceeded, its movements, battles, and skirmishes were too numerous to be recorded in detail. On the day following the ero-sing it became heavily engaged with the enemy, fighting stubbornly till its ammunition was exhausted, and losing severely. On the 6th it was again fighting, and suffered heavy loss. On the Sth, at the Po River, it took part in an assault on strong earthworks, but was compelled to retire from the overpowering numbers and impregnable position of the enemy. It was briskly engaged in skirmishing on the 9th, and at Spottsylvania, on the 10th, it again formed part of an assaulting party, which carried one of the Confederate works and took a number of pris- oners. Still again, at Spottsylvania, on the 12th of May, it took part in the battle, and charged the enemy's position with great bravery.
In the advance beyond Spottsylvania, the brigade was engaged in heavy skirmishing along the North Anna River and at Tolopotomy, until it finally stood of the 3d of May, when it was put in motion, and, ; on its last battle-field, at Cold Harbor, where, through moving up the river through Fredericksburg, about three miles on the road to Chancellorsville, came to
two days of blood and terror, it fought as bravely as ever. But the term of service had expired, and on Salem Church, where the enemy was found in -trong . the 3d of June the First and Third New Jersey Regi- ments (both together numbering only two hundred meu) left the front, and proceeded by way of Wash- i ington to Trenton, where they arrived on the 7th, and were soon afterward disbanded.
Some of the men had re-enlisted, and their terms had not expired. These were transferred to the Fourth and Fifteenth Regiment-, but afterward, with those of the same class from the Second Regiment, were consolidated into the First, Second, and Third Battalions. The Fourth was mustered out on the 9th and the Second on the 11th of July, 1865, at Hall's
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GENERAL HISTORY.
FIRST REGIMENT. GLOUCESTER COUNTY.
Band.
George D. Puthield, ent. July 8, 1861; must. out Aug. 9, 1862. Andrew Scheivley, enl. July &, Istil ; mmist. out Aug. 9, 1862.
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