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 12
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He shared in our joys and sorrows, and never got lost but once (at Falmouth), when the provost brought him back,
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The Men of Company F,
amidst our sympathies, for we knew just how it was ourselves. He caught one of his men asleep on picket, right in the pres- ence of the enemy, and never threatened to report him, or even allowed anyone else to know it, for if he had, the penalty was death, and these lines would never have been written. Was a good nurse, very kind and sympathetic to his men in camp or on march, and fully realized the terrible dangers of battle by a steady, lasting, all-day bravery, without rashness. He came home at the close of the war, married his "best girl," and lived at Swedesboro for several years; then bought a small farm at Beesley's Point, and settled down to raising vegetables, chickens and-boys.
May his happy home long continue to dispense its genial hospitality to the ministers and comrades who proudly seek companionship with our old comrade.
CHARLES C. STRATTON
Was the fourth and youngest of the famous Stratton boys, just sixteen years old, living with his parents on the farm at Swedesboro ; and it was a sore trial to that fond mother's heart to part with this, her youngest son. But finally amidst prayers and tears her patriotism triumphed over mother love and Charlie was given the parting kiss and blessing, and with his brothers joined our company July 29, 1862. He was of stout, rugged build, with fully developed body, so that he ap- peared much older than he really was, and his good health and strength enabled him to enjoy our camp-life and stand his full share of duty and hardships until that fateful day at Spott- sylvania, May 12, 1864, where in that grand charge, just after crossing their earthworks, he was instantly killed by a bullet passing through his head, and his body was left on the field. That fond mother's heart was so broken that she vainly watched and waited for his return until the day of her death, many years after. Thou grand old Spartan mother, brave and loyal ! Was it any wonder that your boys were good soldiers ?
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Twelfth Regiment New Jersey Volunteers.
ELISHA STEWART
Was born in 1835, and lived and worked on a farm near Al- loway's Creek with his father, John Stewart, who was a fine old Quaker gentleman, and trained up his children in plain- ness of speech, behavior and apparel ; but the feeling of pa- triotism and love of country was so strong in his heart that he forsook the ways of peace and love, bid adieu to family and friends and enlisted in the company at Woodbury, August 11, 1862. He was a modest, quiet young man and gave strict at- tention to drill and duty. He was promoted corporal July 20, 1863 ; sergeant, October 31, 1864, and first sergeant Febru- ary 6, 1865. He took part in all our battles ; his bravery and courage were of the highest order; he seemed to bear a charmed life and escaped without any serious wounds ; he was seldom sick. He was discharged with the company at the close of the war and returned to his old home, but was soon stricken down with consumption and died Feb- ruary 8, 1867. He is buried in Friends' cemetery, near Han- cock's Bridge. He was never known to swear, growl or com- plain, and was our model soldier.
JACOB K. SHOEMAKER
Was a farmer boy of Mullica Hill when stricken with the war fever, and, along with the others he joined our company August 11, 1862, having just passed his twentieth year. He was a strong, positive man, well liked in the company, but in times of necessity he was often known to use vigorous language, especially when his new soldier clothes did not fit him, or the cook gave us burned bean soup and scorched rice, or some one stepped on his heels in the drill; then he spoke his mind plainly ; he often contributed to the "butter fund," and his clear, melodious voice singing "The Old Grapevine Swing" or that parody on " Ben Bolt," often cheered our long winter evenings at Camp Falmouth. He took his full share of dan- ger or duty through all our battles and marches to Cold Har- bor, June 4, 1864, and just before the charge, whilst the com- pany was lying behind a slight earthwork with the bullets
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The Men of Company F,
whistling over our heads, Jake, in a spirit of fun, held up a finger with the remark : "If I could only get one of them to hit this finger, then I might go to the hospital and escape this battle." But a few minutes later in the grand charge, with Jake right up in the front line, he got the bullet through his wrist, and was seen in the company no more, but after months of sufferings in many hospitals he was discharged at Bristol, December 13, 1864, and is now a successful farmer at Eaton- town, Monmouth county, N. J., and still retains his plainness of speech and crippled hand.
ISAAC SICKLER
Came from Sicklertown, where he was working on a farm, and enlisted as private in Company F, August 22, 1862, being the ninety-ninth man on the roll. He had been a member of a local brass band and his experience in that line soon caused him to be detailed into the regimental band, after which we knew but little of him in the company, only as we saw him on dress parade or experienced his gentle ministrations at the hos- pitals, after some unlucky contact with shell or bullet. He continued with the regiment until after Gettysburg, when a slow fever and chronic sent him to the hospital, and on August 22, 1863, he was transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps, and was discharged therefrom October 8, 1864, but immediately re-enlisted in the independent regiment, Veteran Reserve Corps, August 13, 1864, for three years, and was discharged at Al- bany, N. Y., August 20, 1866. He has been living at Clay- ton, N. J., for the past twenty years, working at his trade as carpenter. He has fairly good health, although somewhat troubled by deafness, caused by those bursting shells at Get- tysburg.
ISAAC H. SAUL
Was a farmer, living near Mullica Hill, and entered our com- pany on August 11, 1862. He was older than most of the boys (35), yet still retained his boyishness and love. of fun,
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Twelfth Regiment New Jersey Volunteers.
though unable to stand the hardships and exposure quite as well as his youthful comrades. He was often called "ground hog." owing to his stiff, brushy hair and beard, and his ability, in times of provocation, to growl at the orderly sergeant about the weather, rations, and his turn to go on guard ; all of which was done in fun, although with great show of seriousness, so that he was well liked in the company. He was badly wounded at Chancellorsville on May 3, 1863, by a bullet through his shoulder, and served time in the hospitals at Washington and Wilmington, Del. He returned in time to participate in all that great Wilderness campaign, getting a slight wound at Cold Harbor on one of his sensitive parts, that lacked but lit- tle of seriousness. He was discharged with the company in Trenton at the close of the war, and now lives in Glassboro, N. J., where he is employed as farmer, wood-chopper and workingman.
WILLIAM H. STONE,
At the time of enlistment, was working on a farm in the neighborhood of Repaupo, N. J., and joined our company at Woodbury on August 9, 1862. He was twenty-three years old, of strong bodily appearance, happy disposition, good health, and enjoyed our life in camp, march or picket. He was always ready for rations or duty, and passed safely through all our battles and skirmishes, until we reached Elk Run, where he was detailed in the hospital train as driver of anbu- lance, and in the skirmish at Auburn Mills a shell killed one of his horses and tore off a front wheel, but he replaced both from a nearby house, and escaped unhurt with two wounded men in the ambulance. He held this place until the close of the war. He was discharged with the company at Trenton on June 12, IS65, and resumed his farm duties at Repaupo, but in a few years removed to Philadelphia, where he drove an express wagon. His fate is shown by this letter :
HEADQUARTERS GREBLE POST, NO. 10, G. A. R., PHILADELPHIA, Pa., March 2d, IS97. William P. Haines, Dear Comrade :- In reply to your letter of in-
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The Men of Company F,
quiry, just received, regarding William H. Stone, Company F, Twelfth Regiment, New Jersey Volunteers, will state he was a comrade in good standing in this Post, but I am sorry to have to tell you that he died March 18, 1895, and we gave him a soldier's burial.
Yours in F., C. and L., FRANK W. CARPENTER, Commander of Post No. 10, G. A. R.
Attest :- ALEXANDER GARDINER,
Adjutant.
WARREN H. SOMERS
Was a bright young farmer boy from near Woodstown, just entering his nineteenth year. He was of fine appearance, kindly disposition and rugged health. He joined our company on August 11, 1862, and entered on his soldier duties with a firm resolve to do his full share of the unknown work before us. He stood guard at Woodbury, went on drill at Ellicott's Mills, and on picket at Falmouth, with patriotic regularity ; but when his brother Alfred was taken sick in February, 1863, and sent to the division hospital, Warren incurred the dis- pleasure of the company officers by following him there, but through the kindly intervention of Dr. Satterthwait he re- mained and tenderly nursed that dear brother until his death on March 13, 1863. This sorrowful event cast a gloom over Warren, and not being permitted to accompany his brother's body home, worry and grief so affected his health, that he was a patient in the same hospital, with the same disease (typhoid fever), in ten days after the death of his brother. He was re- moved to the hospital at Acquia Creek, and recovered suffi- ciently to be of great service to the wounded from Chancellors- ville. After which he was sent to Washington hospitals, and thence to Convalescent Camp, where he was discharged July 25, 1863.
He is now a farmer at Mantua, N. J., but the ill treatment and sad death of his dear brother in that dreary hospital at Fal- mouth, has shadowed his whole life, and will even yet bring up the sympathetic tear.
Twelfth Regiment New Jersey Volunteers. 153
ALFRED J. SOMERS
Lived with his parents on a farm near Harrisonville, and en- listed in our company at Woodbury on August 11, 1862. He was a tall, slender farmer boy, just entering his twenty-first year ; of a gentle, loving disposition, and smiling face, he quickly made friends, and entered heartily into our joys and sports. He did his duties cheerfully and stood his turn on guard or picket without complaint. He was well liked in the company, and kept his clothing and accoutrements bright and clean. He took a heavy cold at Falmouth, which soon turned to typhoid fever, and after several days of careful nursing by comrades in his tent, he was removed to the division hospital early in March, where his devoted brother watched and nursed him tenderly until death released him, March 13, 1863. We buried him on the 14th, but his father, Jacob Somers, came down a few days later, and on the 20th the body was exhumed and taken back to Jersey, where the funeral was attended by a vast crowd of neighbors and loving friends, and the body was laid to rest in the Friends' cemetery at Woodstown, N. J.
CHARLES H. SCOTT
Was a shoemaker at Beverly, N. J., who came down with the other patriotic sons from that town, and was mustered into the company August 9, 1862. He was twenty-five years old, of a quiet, retiring disposition, and did not seem to want to make many friends, outside of his own tent. Taken sick at Fal- mouth, and sent to the hospital. From there he was removed to Philadelphia, where he was discharged for disability Octo- ber 13, 1863, and died in Camden, N. J., 1894.
ABEL K. SHUTE
Was another one of our fine young farmer boys living near Mullica Hill, who took a very active part in the preliminary meetings and first organization of our company, and was one of that first batch of green recruits ready for muster July 29, 1862. He was twenty-one years old, of fine personal appear-
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The Men of Company F,
ance, and very staid and correct in his habits and manners, with a strong religious feeling, that often led him to chide and check the wild exuberance of some of his comrades. Was immediately appointed corporal, performing his duties with conscientious care, and was very particular to do no wrong. Took his turn on duty at Ellicott's Mills and Falmouth, and escaped the dangers at Chancellorsville. Was with the com-
pany in that famous charge at Gettysburg, and mortally wounded while crossing an open doorway in the Bliss Barn. He was carried back by some of his comrades, but his suffer- ings were so intense that they had to stop and give him a rest right in the midst of bullets and bursting shells. Was tenderly cared for at the field hospital, and then removed to Baltimore, where he died July 31, 1863. Another good soldier gone.
LEONARD L. STILES
Was a farmer boy from near Asbury, N. J., and was mustered into the company July 30, 1862. He was twenty-one years old, of medium height, dark complexion, slender build, and not very rugged health. Was friendly and sociable in disposi- tion, and well liked in the company. Seemed to enjoy our camp life and participated in all our amusements and sports. Was seldom sick, and took part in all our hardships and trials, our battles and skirmishes, until that grand charge at Spott- sylvania, May 12, 1864. Just after crossing the earthworks, whilst in the very front of the charging column, he was in- stantly killed by a bullet through his head, and his body was left on the field.
EDWIN F. SWEETEN
Came from near Bridgeport, where he lived and worked on a farm until that call of the President's for three hundred thou- sand more, when he quickly left farm, home and loving friends, came to our camp at Woodbury, where the doctors pronounced him fit for the service, and became a member of our company August 11, 1862, and took up his board and
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Twelfth Regiment New Jersey Volunteers.
lodging in Sibley No. 4, along with the Beverly squad. He was nineteen years old, slim in body, very quiet and reserved in his habits; took but little part in the conversation or sports, and did not seem to have very good health, nor to enjoy our military life. He was often on the sick list, and continued to grow pale and weak, until removed to the hospital at Fal- mouth, where his (citizen) brother nursed him tenderly until relieved by death, March 8, 1863. His body was then taken back to Jersey, where it lies in the cemetery at Bridgeport.
JOSEPH A. TEST,
At the time of enlistment, was working for Edward Clark on a farm near Mickleton, N. J., and was known as an industrious and well-behaved boy, very trusty and careful with his words and work. He joined our company at Woodbury on the 11th of August, 1862, and his gentle manners and hearty laugh soon made him a favorite with the whole company. He en- tered into our sports and fun with the boyish earnestness of his twenty years, and gave prompt attention to drill and duty ; he stood guard at Woodbury and Ellicott's Mills, and kept in his place on that first long march through Maryland ; he went on picket at Falmouth, braved the dangers of Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, and through joy and sorrow, sun and rain, he kept that hearty laugh right with him, until May 6, 1864, in the Wilderness, where he was seriously wounded by a bul- let in his knee, and was sent from one hospital to another until discharged at Philadelphia, June 10, 1865, and he is now a groceryman at Lancaster, Pa., and draws a small pension.
JOSEPH TOMPKINS
Worked on a farm near Woodbury and was taken into our company August 2, 1862. He was older than most of the boys (thirty years) and entered into his new duties with quiet, thoughtful earnestness, and for many months gave faithful service in the ranks, but his health was not very strong and the severe duties and exposure of our life at Falmouth soon
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The Men of Company F,
carried him to our hospital, where he drooped and faded until his life was almost despaired of, but after a time he began to improve, and about the middle of April he was sent to corps hospital, where he remained during the battle at Chancellors- ville, but returned to duty at our new camp, and kept his place through that long and dusty march to Gettysburg ; passed safely through the great charge on the barn, and was shot in the leg at the wall, just at the repulse of Pickett's charge. He was taken to the hospital at Baltimore, Md., thence to New- ark, N. J., and transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps, De- cember 15, 1863, and did service in the defences of Washing- ton until his discharge, June 29, 1865, and now he lives at 350 Sycamore street, Camden, N. J., and gets a small pension.
JOHN TONKIN
Spent his boyhood years on a farm near Mickleton, N. J., where his services were so much appreciated that his father was loathe to part with him, but at last patriotism triumphed and John joined our company at Woodbury, Au- gust 11. 1862. He was nineteen years old, of fine personal appearance, rugged health and a genial, sunny disposition that soon made him a favorite with the whole company, where he entered into our sports with school-boy eagerness and gave strict attention to drill and duty. He was promoted to cor- poral December 13, 1862, and sergeant, February 6, 1865. His bravery and good conduct caused him to be detailed in the color-guard, May 7, 1864, and at Spottsylvania, May 10th, he was severely wounded in the right hand, which caused his re- tirement to the hospital for a few weeks, but on July Ist he re- sumed his place in the company, and gave faithful service until that trying day at Reams Station, August 25, 1864, where he was again badly wounded in the right leg and retired to the hospital at Washington, D. C., and Newark, N. J., where he received an eight-day furlough to his home, where he cast his first vote for Lincoln and Johnson. He returned to the com- pany December 1, 1864, and gave faithful service through that long siege of Petersburg, that hot chase after Lee and his
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Twelfth Regiment New Jersey Volunteers.
fleet-footed army, and was there to throw up his hat and whoop and yell at Appomattox.
He retained his health and good spirits through all the try- ing vicissitudes of mud and dust, of rain and sun, of hunger, snow and greybacks, without ever being off duty or missing a meal on account of sickness.
He was discharged with the regiment in Trenton, N. J., at the close of the war and immediately set out to complete his education. He spent two years in school at Concordville and Kennett Square, Pa., after which he taught school for eigh- teen years in the public schools of Gloucester county. He is now living with his wife and three children on a farm at Aura, N. J., a good citizen and loving father, prominent in church and the Grand Army of the Republic.
MILES S. TURNER
Came from Glassboro, where he was working as an apprentice at tin-smithing, and entered our company on August 5, 1862. He was eighteen years old, with slender body, pale face, and not very good health. He did not take kindly to our camp life, nor display much interest in drill or duties, though he kept with the company until after the battle of Chancellorsville, when he appeared at the hospital (May 4, 1863) with his thumb shot off. He was transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps on September 30, 1863, and discharged on June 29, 1865. He lived at Glassboro a few years, then drifted to the West, where he was frozen to death in the great blizzard of March 12, 1888.
JOHN J. TRIMBLE
Was a sergeant in the Ninety. first Pennsylvania, but through the influence of his father he was discharged to accept a com- mission as First Lieutenant of Company F. He was wounded in the boot-leg at Gettysburg, and permitted to resign for the good of the service on October 31, 1863. He was a clerk in Chicago in 1892.
158
The Men of Company F, JAMES WHITE
Was a quiet, unassuming young man, of fine personal appear- ance, and good health. His early life was spent upon his fa- ther's farm near Mullica Hill, where --
'Midst waving grain and corn-blades' rattle, He little thought of march or battle ;
but in his eighteenth year accepted a position in the store of Stratton Brothers, at Swedesboro, N. J., where he was em- ployed at the time of the organization of our company. He was among the first to sign the roll, and was ready for muster with that first squad at Woodbury on July 29, 1862, with the rank of corporal.
He was of a genial, smiling disposition, and very anxious to do right under all circumstances. He entered on his new du- ties with a careful earnestness and determination that spoke well of his early training, and boded well for the future. He took but little part in the rough athletic sports of the com- pany, but enjoyed reading, and writing letters for himself and comrades, and took great interest in his diary, which he faith- fully kept through his whole term of service. He was a good nurse, and took delight in ministering to the wants of his sick comrades. He was quick to learn the drill, obeyed orders promptly, was always in his place in the company, kept in good health, clean clothing, bright gun, and took his rations of tough beef without contributing to the " butter fund."
He participated in all our battles and skirmishies, and es- caped serious wounds. One bullet cut through his trousers at Gettysburg, and another struck his canteen. He proved his bravery by carrying Abel K. Shute away from that dangerous open door-way in the Bliss Barn, where he had just received a death wound, and with the help of other comrades, brought him back to our lines, amid a shower of bullets. He was pro- moted to sergeant on May 11, 1863, and second lieutenant of our company on February 6, 1865, and still retains the sword then presented to him by his comrades. He came home with the company at the close of the war, and lived at Pennsgrove for several years; then bought a farm near Mullica Hill, where
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hte now resides. He is prominent in the church, the grange and the Grand Army of the Republic, and still retains that happy, smiling face.
JOSEPH L. WHITE
Was another one of those fine young specimens of staunch loyalty and patriotic American manhood. Young, brave, bright and earnest, he left a happy home, kind friends and lov- ing parents; though, from all accounts, he had hard work to leave his parents, as that gentle mother clung to him with all the love and devotion of her heart, and the father was deter- mined to go with him. Only by reason of his age, and much persuasion, was he left at home to manage the farm at Mullica Hill, and watch and wait for news of his two soldier boys, the other son, James, having already enlisted.
Joseph was mustered into the company August 11, 1862, and was soon inside of a very fine suit of blue clothes; the pants were only about six inches too long, and the sleeves of his blouse about the same for shortness. His dear little cap was perched on his head with a jaunty air; his shirt was full of cotton splinters and patriotism, and his shoes were not tooth- picks. He was eighteen years old, with dark hair, and of strong physical development. He entered on his new duties with school-boy eagerness, and soon won the love and respect of his comrades and tent-mates. Was foremost in our sports and fun, enjoyed dancing, wrestling and pitching quoits, and promptly paid his dues in the "butter fund." Gave strict at- tention to drill and duty, and was appointed corporal March 1, 1864, and sergeant February IS, 1865. He enjoyed good health and kept his place in march or battle, where his bravery was unquestioned. Was slightly wounded at Gettysburg dur- ing that heavy cannonading of July 3, 1863, but did not leave the company. Was much more seriously wounded in the charge at North Anna, May 24, 1864; but after a few months in the hospital, he returned and took a faithful part in the siege and battles of Petersburg, and took his full share of en- joyment at Appomattox. Was mustered out with the regi-
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ment at Trenton, June 12, 1865, and is now a prosperous farmer at Mullica Hill, N. J. Is prominent in church, grange and the Grand Army of the Republic. He was the boss checker player of the company.
SAMUEL E. WILLIAMS
Was born on the 21st day of October, 1836, at Sugartown, Chester county, Pa. He lived with his parents on the farm until he was sixteen years old, when, at his earnest request, he went to learn the trade of cabinet-making and undertaking; he served four years' apprenticeship, and remained one year thereafter with his master. He then went to Chicago, Ill., where he remained one year, when he was compelled to return on account of the chills and fever. On his return home he went to Woodstown, N. J., to visit his only brother, Dr. Alban Williams, who was practicing at that place. While there the war broke out and he enlisted in Company I, Fourth Regi- ment, New Jersey Volunteers, for three months. He after- wards enlisted in Company F, Twelfth Regiment, New Jersey Volunteers; was made first sergeant, where he remained about three months, when he was made Second Lieutenant of Com- pany H, and placed in command of the company, both the captain and first lieutenant being sick. He commanded Con- pany H thirteen months, when he was made Captain of Com- pany B, which he commanded until May 12, 1864, when he was wounded through the left lung, and was discharged by a General Order from the War Department September 4, 1864, on account of disability for further service. He was unani- mously elected Captain of Company F by the members thereof. in the same month, and solicited by Major H. F. Chew, "then in command of the regiment," to accept the offer if possible. This offer he was compelled to decline on account of not being able to take command in person. His wound did not heal un- til April, 1865. He was compelled to get some occupation which did not require any manual labor, and succeeded in get- ting an engagement as traveling salesman, which he held for nine years; at present he is clerking. He now lives in West
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