USA > New Jersey > History of the men of Co. F, with description of the marches and battles of the 12th New Jersey Vols. Dedicated to "our dead." > Part 11
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B. FRANK MATTSON
Was one of the youngest boys in Company F, having just passed his sixteenth year. He was living with his parents at Swedesboro, and, being large for his age, and his father will- ing, he succeeded in getting a place in the company. He was mustered in with the first squad at Woodbury on July 29, 1862, and entered into the labors and fun of our new life with all the keen enjoyment of a boy just out of school. He was well suited with our camp life at Woodbury and Ellicott's Mills, and endured that trying march through Maryland. He took his turn on guard or picket at Falmouth, and shrank from those shells on the plank road at Chancellorsville. He was in his pew when the services began in the woods on that fateful Sunday, May 3, 1863, where he received a wound in the hand and another in the side, at almost the same time. He was taken first to the field hospital, then to Washington, and from there to Wilmington, Del., where he spent several months. He was transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps on Decem- ber 16, 1863, and was discharged on July 29, 1865. He was clerk in the store at Ewansville for many years, but now lives
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The Men of Company F,
in Woodbury, with his health much broken by a stroke of par- alysis received two years ago.
LOUIS MUTA
Was from the old country, and worked on a farm near Glassboro, N. J. He was mustered into the company at Woodbury on August 11, 1862. He was eighteen years old, short of stature, with happy disposition and smiling face, that soon made him at home in the company. He carried that big knapsack, and never straggled, through all our marches and hardships, until that winter at Stony Mountain, when his usual rugged health began to fail under the influence of a heavy cold, which became chronic. He was sent to the hospital, and from there transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps on March 31, 1864, and discharged at Trenton on June 24, 1865. For sev- eral years he was a farm laborer near Glassboro, N. J., but in 1895 he was working as a mason's clerk at Torresdale, Pa.
ADAM MARSHALL
Was working on a farm near Glassboro, when caught by the patriotic excitement of the times. He began his career as a soldier by joining our company on August 9, 1862. He was a large stout young man, just entering his twentieth year, with pertect health and bright prospects in life. He was not very sociable in disposition, and did not care to make friends out- side of his own tent. He was a good soldier, prompt and faithful in every duty, and gave willing service in the ranks until caught in that fearful holocaust at Chancellorsville on May 3, 1863, where he was terribly wounded by a bullet, which passed through his chin and neck, so close to the large vein, that suppuration caused him to bleed to death at Carver Hos- pital, in Washington, on June 10, 1863, and his body now rests in the Military Asylum Cemetery, Washington, D. C.
CHARLES MILLER
Was another one of those patriotic Germans who left his fam-
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Twelfth Regiment New Jersey Volunteers.
ily, and all the comforts and endearments of home, to fight for. the flag and country of his adoption. He was thirty-three years old, and lived on a small farm near Swedesboro, N. J. Joined our company on August 4, 1862; was a good soldier, easy to control, and attentive to duty. His health not being very good, interfered with his enjoyment, often causing his re- tirement to the hospital for a few days. Yet he did his duties uncomplainingly and bravely, escaping all serious mishaps un- til that sharp little skirmish at Bristoe Station, October 14, 1863, when he was instantly killed by a bullet that passed through his body very near the heart. He was hastily buried by two of his comrades right where he fell; the darkness and hasty retreat gave no time to mark the grave, and his final resting place is unknown.
WILLIAM S. MOORE
Was a farmer boy from near Mullica Hill, and joined the com- pany August 22, 1862. He was only eighteen years old, but large and fully developed, so that he appeared much older. He came as the only representative of the loyalty and patriotism of a family of six stalwart sons; and earnestly and faithfully did he strive to maintain the honor and credit of this great re- sponsibility. Was staid and dignified in manner, and positive in his convictions, which often led to friendly disputes, but which did not hinder him from enjoying the love and respect of his comrades. He took his full share of pleasures or hard- ships until that terrible Sunday morning at Chancellorsville, May 3, 1863, where he was instantly killed, after the shortest term of service of any man in the company; as he was the last man to enlist, and almost the first to fall. A soldier, brave and true.
CHARLES T. NORRIS
Was the son of a Methodist minister stationed at Mantua, N. J., and was mustered into our company August 4, IS62, as a musician, or drummer boy; thereby filling a long-felt want, as
.
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The Men of Company F,
how could we be soldiers without the rat-tat-tat of the drum to keep us in step, recall us from drill, tell us when to go for dinner or quinine, and wake us up, oh, so gently, in the morn- ing for roll-call! Our dear little drummer boy, "Charlie," was only twenty-two years old, six feet high, sharp and angu- lar in appearance, with an impediment in his speech that im- paired his conversation but did not affect his drum, which he faithfully pounded with almost unceasing regularity, night and day, for three long years, and still led the procession when we were mustered out at Trenton, June 12, 1865. He secured a position on the police force in Philadelphia, which he held for many years; . then served as a private watchman, until his death in Philadelphia, in June, 1895.
JOSEPH PIERSON
Was born near Swedesboro, N. J., in 1842, and got his edu- cation by working on his father's farm in summer and attend- ing the country schools in winter. He early manifested an interest in military matters, and soon after the war broke out held a commission as Lieutenant of the Gloucester County Home Guards, and about the time of organizing Company F he was working for Ira Gibson at his nurseries near Mullica Hill. He assisted in the preliminary meetings, but did not join in the general scramble for position, but quietly enlisted as a private ; then labored faithfully to induce others to join, whilst his uncle, Senator John Pierson, made a flying trip to Trenton, got the ear of Governor Parker, and returned with a commission duly signed for Joseph Pierson, Second Lieutenant of Company F, much to the gratification of the company, who feared this position would go to another. Joseph was a quiet, modest youth, with a gentle, unassuming manner, without fuss or style, and calmly entered on his duties of helping to break in a lot of rough, careless farmer boys, self-willed and used to having their own way, and though full of zeal and patriotism, could not see the use of so much drill and disci- pline. They came for fight, not parade ; but Joseph was very patient, soon broke up talking in the ranks, discouraged swear-
Twelfth Regiment New Jersey Volunteers. 139
ing, and asked, rather than commanded, politeness and good . conduct until he won our love and respect, and faithfully per- formed his duties, clear up to the battle of Chancellorsville, May 3, 1863, where the rebels struck us with that terrible flanking fire, when almost the first man to fall was Lieutenant Pierson, instantly killed whilst firing his revolver at the advancing rebels, who pushed us back so quickly that his body was left where he fell, and now undoubtedly fills one of those unknown graves in the National Cemetery at Fredericksburg. He was in command of the company for several weeks at Camp Fal- mouth, while both of the senior officers were on sick-leave, and he filled the position with marked ability.
JAMES L. PLUMMER
Was a quick, bright young man, eighteen years old, living at Swedesboro, where his father was a noted hotel keeper, so patriotic as to be willing for his loved son to go with the others from that town, and his name stands near the head on the original roll. He was mustered in with the first squad at Woodbury, July 29, 1862, with the rank of corporal, but he never seemed to enjoy his military life. The food and clothing were rougher and coarser than what he was accustomed to, and the restraint and discipline, more rigid than at his father's house, seemed to chafe him, but did not prevent his doing good service in the quartermaster's department, where he spent several weeks, and as he grew more reconciled to his surroundings he did faithful service in drill or picket, in camp or march, until that awful Sunday at Chancellorsville, where he was severely wounded, and in the excitement of the battle was lost sight of entirely. His record is therefore closed by that trying word, missing.
WILLIAM H. PARK,
At the time of enlistment, was working in the grist mill at Mullica Hill. He was twenty years old, and so full of patriot- ism that he eagerly left that white position and enrolled himself
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The Men of Company F,
in our company on August 9, 1862. He was a sharp, bright young man, very ambitious, and much given to reading and the study of drill and tactics. At Ellicott's Mills he was very sick with yellow jaundice for several weeks, but recovered and gave faithful service in the company, until badly hurt at the stone wall at Gettysburg on July 3, 1863. After recovery he returned to duty, and through the influence of his friends se- cured a commission as First Lieutenant of Company F, One Hundred and Fifteenth Regiment United States Colored Troops, and was discharged from our company on December I, 1864. He entered into his new field of duty with so much zeal and earnestness, that he was promoted to Captain of Com- pany E, same regiment, and served in the Army of the James until after the fall of Petersburg and Richmond. Then he went with the regiment to Texas, and remained in the border service until discharged on February 11, 1866. He returned home and engaged in farming for a few years, then as clerk. and book-keeper in the lumber yard at Mantua, N. J., but is at present living in Hazelton, Pa., where he keeps a millinery and trimming store.
WILLIAM PRESS
Was a workingman from Glassboro, who enlisted in our com- pany on August 7, 1862. He was thirty years old, very quiet and reserved in his manners, gave close attention to duties, but did not seem to enjoy very good health, though on duty most of the time until we reached Falmouth. Here he was sent to the regimental hospital, and then to Alexandria, where he was discharged on July 30, 1863. He came back to Glassboro and worked as a packer for several years, and met death by apo- plexy in 1878. He is buried in Glassboro Cemetery.
WILLIAM F. PIERSON,
At the time of enlistment, was working on a farm near Swedes- boro, and was a strong and earnest worker in the early forma- tion of Company F, being one of the first batch of green young
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Twelfth Regiment New Jersey Volunteers. 141
volunteers, who were ready for examination and muster on July 29, 1862. He was twenty years of age with a strong, healthy body, and positive temperament; inclined to be aggressive, so that he was not particularly well liked in the company. He was appointed second sergeant, immediately, and when Or- derly Williams got his promotion on December 11, 1862, Pier- son was advanced to that position, which he held until at Chancellorsville, where he was slightly wounded in the knee with a buckshot, and landed in Carver Hospital, where he freely expressed his chagrin at not getting a commission to take the vacant place of Joseph Pierson. He stoutly affirmed his intention of never returning to the company, and he never did, but was transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps on April 1, 1865, and discharged in June, 1865. His career after this was not very creditable, and he landed in the Soldiers' Home at Newark, N. J., but was dismissed for indiscretions, and soon admitted to the Home at Hampton, Va., where he yet remains.
JAMES K. RUSSELL
Was a farm hand, working about Clarksboro, N. J., and joined the company July 31, 1862. He was thirty-five years old, of large, angular body, quiet disposition, and not very good health, which prevented his enjoyment of our life and duties, though he gave his best efforts, until badly wounded at Gettys- burg, July 3, 1863, while assisting his brother-in-law, William H. Johnson (mortally wounded in the charge on Bliss barn) from that dangerous field. After some months in the hospital he returned to duty, and was discharged with the company at the close of the war. Worked around Clarksboro for a year or more; then moved to Gloucester, where he worked at day's work until about 1870, when all trace of him seems to have been lost; and the report that he had died in Philadelphia a few months later seems to have been correct.
EDWARD L. STRATTON
Was a clerk and general manager of his father's store at Mullica Hill, N. J., for several years previous to the war. He
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The Men of Company F,
had a fondness for military duty, and some little experience as lieutenant of the Home Guards. His father, Hon. Nathan T. Stratton, was a man of great force of character and ability, who had just completed his term in the House of Congress, and having a strong influence with State authorities he either started the movement, or at least strongly assisted in the for- mation of our company, under the call for " 300,000 more," and at one of the preliminary meetings Edward L. Stratton was unanimously elected captain, and entered into the duties of that trying position with all the vigor and earnestness of his patriotic nature, and he quickly gathered about him those staunch young patriots, most all of them fresh from the field and truck patch, accustomed to think for themselves, to argue, dispute, talk back and stop to rest when tired ; and the task of making soldiers out of this raw clay now confronted our captain with all its complications. He was very patient, over- looking our many mistakes and faults until order and disci- pline displaced confusion. One great source of trouble was the advent of a foreign officer, who gained admission to our company on the good name of his father, and proved to be a worthless upstart, totally incompetent to command even him- self, which was soon seen by the boys, and aroused a spirit of contempt and insubordination which was very hard for our captain to eliminate, as he must support this officer, and thus arrayed himself against the men, and being a very religious man, he used every effort to bring the company up to a Sun- day-school standard. He imposed a ten-cent fine for swearing, known as the "butter fund," and the proceeds kept the com- pany supplied with butter. He issued an edict against card- playing, which the boys fully and faithfully observed in his presence, but conscientiously broke at all other times.
But even in the face of all this friction he maintained good authority, and brought his company up to a high standard of drill and efficiency, and won the love and respect of his men by his patience and thoughtful care, and proved his courage at Chancellorsville, where he was so badly wounded in the leg as to require amputation at the knee, and after months of ter- rible suffering and tender nursing he recovered and accepted a
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Twelfth Regiment New Jersey Volunteers.
commission in the Veteran Reserve Corps, where he did faithful' service until the close of the war, when he returned to his store, and has since held many positions of trust-lay judge, postmaster, accountant, and is a conspicuous figure in reunions and on Memorial Day. He has the warm love and affection of his friends and comrades.
JAMES SHERWIN STRATTON
Was the fourth and youngest child of Nathan T. and Sarah M. Stratton, born at Mullica Hill, N. J., on the 1 1th day of De- cember, 1843. At intervals, while his father was in Congress, from 1850 to 1854, he was at Washington and allowed the free- dom of the floor, almost equal with the pages, and was thus afforded an opportunity of gaining a great deal of information as to public affairs and parliamentary proceedings, which stood him in great favor in the debating societies later on. Books were his delight. He passed through the various branches as taught in our common schools. Was a very prominent mem- ber in the Literary and Debating Society of the town, and on September 4, 1861, he entered the West Jersey Academy, at Bridgeton, N. J., as a pupil, where he advanced rapidly in all his studies, and was looking anxiously forward to the time when he would enter Princeton College. His letters and es- says while at the academy teemed with patriotismi, and the tide kept rising, so that, actuated by a sense of duty and pa- triotism, he left all the endearments of home, gave up the op- portunity of a classical education, to take the position of a soldier; enlisted in Company F, Twelfth Regiment, New Jer- sey Volunteers, August 14, 1862, thien organizing at Wood- bury, N. J., being then eighteen years and eight months of age. He was a young man of great promise, possessing an amiable, gentle and forgiving disposition, with a stern deter- mination to uphold truth and the right. He was appointed fifth sergeant and made commissary of the company. The ex- posure and trials of camp life told upon many of our youths, among them being James, who contracted a cold at Ellicott's Mills that laid him off duty for several days; and when the
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The Men of Company F,
regiment left Washington to join the Army of the Potomac, James, with the other sick, were left in the hospital. The doctors wanted to give him his discharge, but this James op- posed, and shortly after joined his company, December 28, 1862.
He was with his company in action at Chancellorsville on May 3rd, 1863, and accompanied his captain (brother) from the Brick House Hospital to Potomac Creek Hospital, and then re- joining his company, was promoted to Second Lieutenant of Company F, on June 3, 1863, vice Lieutenant Joseph Pierson, killed at Chancellorsville. He was with his command on the chase after Lee to Pennsylvania, and upon arrival at the Poto- mac, on June 26th, he took the benefit of a five days' leave, from the War Department, to visit his brother (captain), who was lying critically ill in Washington. The leave was ex- tended ten days, and then he rejoined his command at Falling Waters, on July 14, 1863, and continued with it until January 21, 1864, when he was sent to New Jersey on recruiting serv- ice until May 10, 1864-ten days at Newton, Sussex county, and the remaining period at Trenton. He then proceeded to rejoin his regiment by way of Camp Distribution, and was at- tached to the Sixth Provisional Brigade. After many days of hard marching, some privations and dangers, he rejoined his regiment on June 6, 1864, at Cold Harbor, Va. He was pro- moted First Lieutenant Company K on February 4, 1864, and mustered as such on June 11, 1864.
He participated with credit to himself and company in all the marches and skirmishes of that long and trying siege of Petersburg, up to the action at Reams Station on August 25, 1864, where he fell as a soldier, in the front rank, bravely leading his men, and was hastily buried on the field by his comrades of Company. F. His father and brother obtained permission of the War Department, and visited General Grant at City Point in September, 1864, with the hope of securing his remains, but had to return without them, as the ground was held by the enemy ; but in the following summer (1865, and the war over) they again went down in company with Lieutenant James White, (who was present at the hasty burial
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السلطة
Twelfth Regiment New Jersey Volunteers. 145
one year before) and found the grave and body just as we left it, and with the remains fully identified, by marks and cloth- ing, returned home. The funeral was largely attended by sympathetic friends and comrades, who tenderly bore him to a soldier's grave, beside his loved mother, in the Baptist Church yard at Mullica Hill. Farewell, dutiful son ! Farewell, brother; loyal friend, and brave soldier ! May you rest in peace, and rise again to receive a Christian's reward in the arms of a Heavenly Father !
"We tell thy doom with many tears, How rose thy morning sun, How quickly, too, alas! it set. Thou noble warrior, work is done."
" There's a battle to-day and perchance I may happen to fall. If I'm not at the call of the roll, you may say A good-bye to the boys in my name, for I may Have said 'aye' to an angel's call !"
The love and estimation he bore in the regiment was shown by the many letters of condolence and sympathy received by his father, one of which, expressing the general feeling, is given here.
PETERSBURG, VA., August 26, IS64.
Hon. N. F. Stratton :
DEAR SIR :- The mournful duty has fallen to me to inform you of the death of your son, Lieutenant James S. Stratton, of my regiment. He fell in action yesterday, 25th inst., while gallantly leading his company against the enemy. Our corps, which had pushed out to Reams Station, on the line of the Weldon Railroad, for the purpose of more effectually destroying the track, was attacked about 3 p. m. by the enemy in force. In the action which followed, and during a successful charge made by the regiment to retake some works in which the enemy had gained a foothold, Lieutenant Stratton was hit in the right side of the head by a ball that passed down into his body. He fell within a few yards of the works. Private Amos S. Burt, of his company, who carried him a little way to the rear, out of the thickest of the fight, tells me that he was in - sensible from the first and died in a few minutes. He pointed out to me where the body lay, and upon my sending word, Lieutenant C. D. Lip- pincott and other friends buried him on the field. His grave is about one hundred and fifty yards northeast of the church, still standing at Reams Station, on the right of the road leading to the Jerusalem plank road
10
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The Men of Company F,
which runs to Petersburg. The action did not close till after dark, and there was no way of transferring his body during that hasty night march of nine miles to our lines. Lieutenant Stratton was esteemed through- out the regiment as an efficient, conscientious and accomplished officer. His gentle, courteous disposition, with thorough knowledge of his du - ties, made him a favorite in his company, and his loss will be greatly felt in the whole regiment. The example of loyalty, of bravery, of an in. telligent and dignified manhood which he has left will not be forgotten.
Sympathizing with you in this sad bereavement,
I remain very truly your friend,
WILLIAM E. POTTER, Captain Twelfth Regiment, New Jersey.
EMANUEL STRATTON, JR.,
Who was the eldest of the famous Stratton quartette, enlisted from his home in Swedesboro, August 11, 1862. His three brothers had joined the company two weeks previously, and, not wishing to spoil the patriotic record of the family, he cast his lot in with the others. Being the tallest man in the com- pany he took the right of the line, and gave faithful service under all circumstances, until caught in that whirlwind of death at Chancellorsville, May 3, 1863, when a bullet entered his shoul- der, passing down near his spine, paralyzing him, and causing intense suffering for many months. He was discharged March 14, 1864, and was a policeman and night watchman in Phila- delphia (where he now resides) for many years. He draws a small pension, which is poor compensation for that terrible wound, from which he has never recovered.
WILLIAM H. H. STRATTON
Was the second eldest brother in that famous Stratton quar- tette, and enlisted with the others in that first squad at Wood- bury, July 29, 1862. He was twenty-six years old, of medium height, rugged health, and most intensely patriotic. Had just left a happy home, with a loving wife and two dear little chil- dren, and the thoughts of these seemed to fill his mind at all times. Gave a serious earnestness to his conversation and duty, and his Bible and hymn-book were his joy and consola-
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Twelfth Regiment New Jersey Volunteers.
tion. Was prompt and faithful in the discharge of his duties, and very careful of the feelings of others. Was always ready for his turn on guard or picket, or his share of danger or duty. He yielded up his life in that famous charge on the Bliss Barn at Gettysburg, July 3, 1863, leaving a sad vacancy in both company and family.
AZARIAH STRATTON
Came from Swedesboro, and was an earnest worker in the pre- liminary meetings and early formation of our company. He was one of the first to enroll his name in Company F, and one of the last to get a discharge. Was mustered in July 29, 1862, and discharged July 15, 1865, after a longer term of service in the company than any other man. Was never sick, never wounded enough to be off duty, though his clothing was pierced by bullets many times; never away from the company, participated in every battle and skirmish of the company, never missing drill, roll or mess; filled every office in the coni- pany, from private to captain, without making an enemy, and came home with the love and respect of every man who ever served with, or under him. He had that peculiarly bright, cheerful disposition that enabled him to make the best of all circumstances; to always see the bright and humorous side of everything, and to impart this genial cheerfulness to all around him. As orderly sergeant, he could call the roll, make a de- tail for police or picket, and give orders for drill, with all the haughty sternness of an old regular, whilst the slight twitch- ing of his mouth, and the twinkle of his eye, spoke sorrow and sympathy for you, yet you must do it. He was never a believer in that favorite military axiom, that "familiarity breeds contempt," but associated with the boys after he got his commission with the same freedom and sociability as when he was a private on the sunny side of a tree skirmishing for greybacks; yet he never lost his authority, or ability to pre- serve order and command respect.
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