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 16
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been enthusiastic for the Reunion Association of the Twelfth Regiment, New Jersey Volunteers, and always counts the day of its annual meeting as his particular day; he has been pre- vented from attending its meetings but once, and then on ac- count of illness. He has been the Treasurer of the Reunion Society for many years, and now holds that position. He also served one year as its President. Has devoted some time and attention to his college societies. Has been active for many years in the Alumni Association of the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy. Served one year as its President, and has been for the past eight years a member of the Board of Trustees of the College. Is also a member of Post No. 2, Grand Army of the Republic, Department of Pennsylvania. His life has moved on serenely, and at the present time is the possessor of a wife and five children. He is proud of the record of the Twelfth Regiment, New Jersey Volunteers, and esteems it the greatest honor of his life to have been associated with it.
ISAAC D. MAYHEW, CO. D.
This comrade was born in Millville, N. J., December 14, 1842, and spent the earlier years of his life as a farmer boy and attended the common country schools of that time, but this kind of life not being agreeable to his young and roving disposition, he ran away from home in the spring of 1856 and found employment as a cook on a vessel, and was in Virginia at the time that State seceded in 1861; in the autumn we find him at Perryville, Md., engaged as an army teamster, but in March, 1862, he was sent to Fortress Monroe, where he en- joyed the stirring sight of that set-to between the Monitor and Merrimac; but soon came the order that all teamsters must be enlisted men, so he relinquished his team at Big Bethel and returned to Fortress Monroe, where he secured a position as orderly to the quartermaster, and was sent to White House Landing with the trains, where they remained until Stonewall Jackson got in the rear of Little Mac, when he skedaddled with the rest to Harrison's Landing on the James river, where again came that formidable order that all employes must be
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enlisted men, so in July, after the Seven Days Battle he came home to Jersey, and on August 12th he came to Woodbury, where the Twelfth Regiment was being formed, to visit one of the new recruits, William R. Stewart, of Company G, with whom he spent the night; but that company being full, the next morning (August 13, 1862), he enlisted in Company D and participated in all our hardships and glories, our marches and battles, until in the spring of 1864, at Stony Mountain, where he was stricken with small-pox and spent several months in a Washington hospital, then to Convalescent Camp, at Al- exandria, Va., where he applied for a transfer to the navy under a recent proclamation of the President; but before the application was granted he was taken with a fever and sent to Fairfax Seminary, and on recovery was discharged May 26, 1864, to accept service in the navy, serving on the Starlight, a supply ship (or steamer) to the mortar boats on the James River, and the blockade squadron on the coast clear down to the Gulf of Mexico, and was discharged at Washington, D. C., in the summer of 1865. In November he came to Clayton and procured employment in the glass house of Moore Bros. as a packer, where he remained three years ; was then put in their store as clerk, where he remained until 1889, and in May of that year was appointed postmaster for four years, when he , was relieved by one of different political faith. He was mar- ried in 1869 to Annie M. Pierce, whose grandfather was a lieutenant in the War of i812, and her great-grandfather a sol- dier of the Revolution. Isaac's mother's ancestors also served in the War of the Revolution. Isaac was blessed with good health while in the service and fortunately escaped all serious wounds. His worse casualties were in having his gun knocked out of his hands by a rebel bullet at Chancellorsville, a slight wound on the left shoulder at Gettysburg, and being terribly scared at Bristoe. He still lives in Clayton, N. J., where he keeps a small store of notions, trimmings, etc., but his health is so poor as to be unable for much work, often being confined to his bed for months at a time with rheumatic gout, for which he receives a meagre pension.
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WILLIAM H. BROOKS, CO. E,
Was born at McCartyville, Burlington county, N. J., on Feb- ruary 4, 1845. His parents, William and Mary Brooks, were natives of that county. The principal business of the village was in a large paper mill, of which his father was superintend- ent, but a fire destroyed the mill, and the family removed to Medford and opened a general store, where his father soon died, leaving the mother to care for three small children. Wil- liam being the youngest (aged six years), was sent to live with his grandfather, Samuel Jones, then eighty years of age, and very fond of telling his grandchildren his recollections of Revo- lutionary times, particularly of the many raids of the British and Hessians through that county whilst occupying Phila- delphia.
His early life was spent here in attendance at the Quaker school at Medford, where the school year consisted of two terms of five months each, with six days every week, except- ing an occasional seventh-day afternoon off to play ball. At the age of twelve he got a situation as clerk in a store in Phila- delphia, living with his mother in Camden, until her death in 1860, then with his eldest sister, wife of Daniel L. Pine. The breaking out of the Rebellion, together with the memory of his grandfather's war stories, gave him a bad attack of war fever. So one Monday morning, in the fall of 1861, instead of going to the store, he joined some youthful companions in a trip to Trenton, where he enlisted in Company I, Sixth Regiment, New Jersey Volunteers. He was only sixteen and a half years old, but large and fully developed, so he easily passed. for eighteen, secured his blue clothes, and at 10 a. m. was out with the "awkward squad," learning to keep step. But his first campaign was very brief ; his sister learned of his inten- tions, and with her husband followed him to Trenton, in- terviewed the Governor, stated the fact of his youth, got an order of discharge, proceeded to camp, and took him prisoner, and returned to Camden on the 2 p. m. train. Next morning ( with a story of very sick yesterday ) he resumed his duties in the store. his employer being none the wiser for many weeks. But
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in 1862, came the call for three hundred thousand more, and his future brother-in-law, Charles K. Horsfall, opened a re- cruiting office in Camden, and William informed his sisters that he was going to enlist, either with this man, or go off among strangers ; as being without parents or wife, he felt that he was just the one to respond to his country's call. They finally consented, and on August 14, 1862, he enlisted in Com- pany E, Twelfth Regiment, New Jersey Volunteers. He was immediately appointed corporal, and in charge of eight men was the same day sent down to our camp at Woodbury. The conductor on the train neglected to secure from them the order for their transportation until after they left the train, they en- joying his run to overtake them. He enjoyed our camp life at Woodbury and Ellicott's Mills, and survived the trying march through Maryland ; but in marching from Acquia Creek to Falmouth he seriously sprained his ankle, which laid him up for two weeks, during which time he caught cold and com- pletely lost his voice, which returned with a snap some weeks later while he was playing foot-ball.
He gave faithful service at Falmouth through that long and trying winter, taking his full share of picket, drill and camp guard, and with his comrades looked anxiously forward to the active service, which came early in May, when we crossed the Rappahannock and were soon in the presence of the enemy at Chancellorsville, with that first thrilling experience of being under fire, whilst lying in the road, on Saturday evening, with the screeching shells passing over us in such close proximity to our heads. He was badly wounded on Sunday morning, quite early in the battle, having fired twice, and was just capping his gun for the third, when he received a bullet in his left side, breaking two ribs and passing around the spine, lodged in the flesh. This confined him in the hospital for many months, and deprived him of that thrilling experience at Gettysburg, which he much regrets. After recovery, he returned to Convalescent Camp at Alexandria, where the surgeons advised his transfer to the Veteran Reserve Corps ; but, preferring field service, he was given transportation, and rejoined the regiment at Brandy Station, enjoyed that pleasant camp at Stony Moun-
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tain, took his bath at Mortons Ford, and was fully ready for the annual spring campaign-this time, under General Grant, which meant advance, not retreat. He bravely kept his place and passed safely through all the dangers of the Wilderness, the many engagements of Spottsylvania, and enjoyed that grand charge at the North Anna, where we swept back the exultant rebels with the quickness and force of a cyclone, and with very little loss to us. Here he was promoted sergeant, and their orderly sergeant, John Sheahan, being wounded, he filled that position until his return. He remained on duty through the long siege of Petersburg, until about August 1, 1864, when a painful abcess formed on his broken ribs, and once more the hospital caused him to miss a battle ; this time, Reams Station, where his warm friend and comrade, Lieutenant John R. Rich, was shot in the mouth and died soon after. He returned to duty, but soon succumbed to that common enemy of the soldier, chronic diarrhoea. He was removed to a Wash- ington hospital, and from there discharged in June, 1865. He returned to Camden, unable to work for many months, but in 1866 he took up the trade of bricklayer, at which he worked ten years, during which another abcess formed in his wound, causing great suffering. In 1871 he was happily married to Hannah Gaskill, sister of Lieutenant Harry Gaskill, and in 1876 secured a position in the wholesale provision store of William J. Coxey, which he still holds.
FRANK M. ACTON, CO. F.
This brave soldier and loved commander was born in Salem. N. J., May 18, 1843. His parents were Benjamin and Jane C. Acton, who stood high in the social ranks of that city, where they brought up a large family of children, all of whom have now passed away, leaving no issue. Among them was Frank, who passed his boyhood years in happy contentment, surrounded by all the luxuries of that happy home, safe in the loving care of a gentle mother, strengthened and encouraged by the wise counsel and example of that honored father, he quickly passed from babyhood to a school boy. He was regular in at-
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tendance at the Salem Academy, attentive to studies, quick to learn ; neat in appearance, polite in manners, sociable in dis- position, he grew to early manhood, quiet, happy and con- tented. In 1862 a change comes over the scene ; the alarms of war are upon us, traitor hands try to dissever our coun-
try ; they fire on and insult the grand old flag. Our President calls for help, the fires of patriotism burn brightly in every loyal heart, and the brave sons of New Jersey are quick to respond, and among them we soon find Frank M. Acton, who entered into the work of enlistment with such zeal and earnestness that we find him commissioned as First Lieuten- ant of Company I on August 16, 1862, in the new regiment, (Twelfth) then being formed at Woodbury, N. J., where he entered on his new duties with all the strength of his forceful character, and gave willing service in every duty of camp and picket, march or battle, the snow and storms of Falmouth, the fire and blood of Chancellorsville, the trying march to Pennsyl- vania and the thrilling charge of Gettysburg, all endured with the serene bravery of a hero, which soon won recognition and promotion to Captain of Company F (vice E. L. Stratton, dis- abled by wounds), January 25, 1864, but was immediately put in command of the First Delaware Regiment, while their old men were home on veteran furlough, and bravely led them in that winter engagement at Mortons Ford, returning to the command of Company F about March Ist. Himself of Quaker stock, he took kindly to the Quaker company (F) and ably commanded them through all that "fighting month " of May, 1864, where battle, skirmish, march, and fight, followed each other in quick succession, through the dangerous thickets of the Wilderness, the awful scenes of Spottsylvania, the gallant charge of North Anna, and the terrible slaughter of Cold Har- bor. Calm and unruffled amidst all this danger and excite- ment he seemed to bear a charmed life, escaping all serious wounds, whilst his company was reaping a harvest of death, first one, then another falling before the deadly bullets. Al- most every night our line was shorter, our company smaller, until at Cold Harbor only eleven were left. His health nat- urally not very good, he soon began to feel the effects of this try-
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ing campaign, and about July Ist he was granted a leave of absence for twenty days, returning to his company in im- proved health, and gallantly led them in the skirmishes of Deep Bottom and that exciting day at Reams Station, where his company and regiment covered themselves with glory and suffered their usual heavy losses. But soon again his health failed and he retired to the hospitals, where his disability proved so serious as to necessitate his discharge from the ser- vice December 21, 1864. He was of a pleasant, genial disposi- tion, always conscious of the dangers of battle, yet able to con- trol his feelings and appear calm and unmoved amid the flash- ing fires of war. Always a soldier, always a comrade, thought- ful of the feelings and comfort of his men, and his services in Company F were greatly appreciated. With recovered health after the war he filled a position in the Custom House, of Phil- adelphia, until in 1867, when he returned to Salem to accept a position in the Salem National Bank, where he served honest and faithfully until his last fatal illness. His sickness was prolonged and he suffered much during those hot summer nights, and longed for the end, looking forward to death with the calm heroism that was his characteristic through life ; gentle, patient, uncomplaining, with a cheerful smile and kind word for all who came near him. He died August 15, 1895, and was buried in Friends' graveyard at Salem, beneath the spreading branches of that grand old oak, which waves a re- quiem to the last of that large family, the last of his race. "The last leaf on the tree." Farewell, thou genial comrade, thou brave soldier, a last farewell ! Thy comrades miss thy happy smile and genial hand-clasp, and hope for enlistment in thy company in the world to come.
FRANK M. RILEY, CO. F.
Frank M. Riley, of whom the following is a brief sketch, was, for meritorious services, promoted Captain of Com- pany F, January 30, 1865, in lieu of Captain Frank M. Acton, who was discharged on account of physical disability. Young Riley was one of the original members of the regiment;
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he was elected sergeant of Company K August 22, 1862, and mustered into the United States service September 4, 1862, for three years, at the age of nineteen. During his service, he received the following promotions. from the rank of sergeant to orderly sergeant, to sergeant major of the regiment, to First Lieutenant of Company G, and finally to the Captaincy of Company F, of which company this book is a history. While Captain of Company F, he was, upon special orders, detached for a short period from the company, and served upon the staff of the brigade commander as captain and acting assistant adju- tant general, which latter position he held until mustered out at the close of the war.
His maiden battle was at Chancellorsville, May 2 and 3, 1863, during the onslaught made by the rebels under Stone- wall Jackson on Sunday morning, May 3d, where the regiment lost so heavily, especially Company F. His overcoat, in a roll on his back, was struck by a passing shell, torn from its fasten- ings, and dashed to the ground; the back of his other coat was torn and he badly shocked, but otherwise uninjured. Also, a drinking cup hanging by his side was pierced by a rebel bullet, rendering it unfit for further service. He was with his regiment in all its various battles and marches, helped to stem the tide of the rebel success at Gettysburg, July 2d and 3d, taking part in the charge on Bliss Barn on the morning of the 3d, and continued with the regiment after Lee in his retreat back into Virginia.
In Grant's memorable campaign of "On to Richmond," in the spring of 1864, at the battle of the Wilderness on the after- noon of May 5th, he was severely and dangerously wounded in the head by a rebel bullet, the ball entering his face just below. the right eye, passing above the roof of his mouth, lodging in his head, falling therefrom the following day into his throat, was coughed up, and the "gentle reminder " that he had seen active service is now in his possession. He came home on leave of absence immediately thereafter to recuperate; after spending some six weeks at home, he so far recovered as to be able to rejoin his regiment, then in front of Petersburg. Reach- ing Washington on his return, was on general orders, detached
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for special duty, placed in charge of a hundred men returning from furloughs and convalescents from the city hospitals, and sent out, with other like organizations, to the fortifications about the city of Washington, to assist in checking Early's rebel advance made into Maryland and the Capitol. Before the arrival of the Sixth Corps from the Army of the Potomac by the way of Baltimore, his temporary command was engaged with the advance of the rebel soldiers in front of the fortifica- tions, losing six men wounded. He, narrowly escaped another shot in close proximity to his head from a rebel sharpshooter, it striking, only a few inches above his hat, a tree against which he was leaning. On arrival of the Sixth Corps, Early was driven back. Captain Riley returned to Washington, re- joined his regiment the latter part of June, and participated with the boys in their several battles up to and including the battle of Reams Station, where the Twelfth Regiment lost severely in killed and wounded, as well as in prisoners. It was here he was taken prisoner, August 24, 1864, and landed the following day, with twenty-two other fellow-officers of the corps, in the then famous hostelry, "Libby Prison." His re- markable experience while there was full of interest and depri- vations which cannot be given in this short narrative. He was fortunate, among a few, to be released on parole after some ten weeks' confinement, reaching home in time to cast his first ballot for the re-election of Abraham Lincoln. Was duly exchanged in December, rejoining his regiment the latter part of the month. The history of his confinement, with its trials and discomforts, and manner of release, while too long to narrate here, is full of interest, but an everlasting disgrace to the so-called "Southern Confederacy." Soon after his re- turn he was promoted to the Captaincy of Company F, and continued with his company during the remainder of the war- to the surrender of Lee at Appomattox-save the short period while at brigade headquarters on staff duty as adjutant general.
It was on April 7, 1865, in front of Farmville, two days be- fore Lee's surrender and the last time Company F was under fire, when General Smythe, commanding the brigade, rode up to Company F, requesting Captain Riley to move forward his
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company, deploy as skirmishers, closing up the gap on the skirmish line in front, made vacant by the excessive firing of . the rebels. This they gallantly did, at great exposure. He . subsequently stated that no order he ever received he obeyed so reluctantly; believing the end of the bitter strife so near, lie did not, at this late date, desire his "light put out." This was the last order ever given by General Smythe. A man we all loved, honored and respected. He stepped his horse for- ward to enable him to see over the brow of the hill and witness the charge, and there received a wound that proved fatal. He lived until the 9th, but death claimed its own ere he knew that Lee had surrendered and the war was over.
Returning home at the close of the war, he took a position, which had been previously offered and held for him, in the Cumberland National Bank, where he has served continuously for thirty-two years. Is now its cashier, as well as a member of its board of directors. Has also been for nearly twenty con- secutive years treasurer of his native city, thereby showing in his private walks of life to be as good a citizen as his record proves him to have been a soldier.
ARTHUR STANLEY, CO. G,
The comrade of this sketch, was born in Leicester, England, on February 11, IS45, but at an early age came to this coun- try, and received a liberal education in the common schools of Philadelphia. In his sixteenth year he was bound as an ap- prentice to the trade of brushmaking, but on the breaking out of the Rebellion he desired to enlist, and asked that his ap- prentice papers be cancelled. This was granted, and in April. 1861, he volunteered in Captain Jackson's company, known as the "Stockton Cadets," of Camden ; but, when the com- pany reached Trenton. they found the four regiments com- pleted, the quota full, so they could not be accepted, but were dismissed, and sent home in sorrow, disappointment, and-the cars. But the course of events, during the next year, made the Government willing to accept the services of a few more (three hundred thousand) soldiers, and lie again promptly en-
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listed. This time (July 28, 1862) as a corporal in Company G, Twelfth New Jersey Volunteers, for three years or during the war, and received his fine suit of United States clothing, with the double-barred chevrons on the sleeves of his blouse.
He was of neat appearance, good habits, social disposition, and prompt in discharge of duty. When the set of colors was presented to the regiment by Hon. John F. Starr, he was as- signed a place in the color guard, which he proudly held until that fierce struggle in the woods of Chancellorsville on May 3, 1863, where he was seriously wounded by a bullet through his thigh, and another under his right eye, causing him to retire to the hospital for repairs, where he suffered for many months; but finally recovered and resumed his place in the company, and color guard, in time for the Mine Run excursion. Took his bath with the rest of us at Mortons Ford, and stopped an- other bullet with his right leg at Spottsylvania on May 10, 1864, requiring another trip to the hospital, with pain and suf- fering for many months. But he pluckily returned to his com- pany, was promoted to sergeant on October 30, 1864, and held his position through that long and trying siege of Petersburg; those many excursions to Deep Bottom and Hatchers Run, passed safely through the dangers of Reanis Station and Fort Hell, and enjoyed every pleasure of that thrilling race which ended at Appomattox. He was discharged with the regiment at the close of the war, came home to Camden, where he learned the trade of printing oilcloth, at which he worked fourteen years, then bought a paper route and ran it success- fully for many years. He now resides at 428 Line street, Camden, in fairly good health, though still a sufferer from his many wounds. He is proud of his army service and the con- sciousness of duty well performed. Prominent in reunions and the Grand Army of the Republic ; a comrade brave and true, for of such was the Twelfth Regiment, New Jersey Volunteers.
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JOHN B. CARY, CO. G,
The subject of this sketch, was born in Camden, N. J., in IS39, and the earlier years of his life were spent on a near-by
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farm, where hard work and plenty of it prevailed, to the ex- clusion of nearly all educational advantages, his whole term at school being comprised in less than ten months, divided in short periods of a few weeks each winter, when work was slack. But by perseverance and night studies he acquired a fair knowledge of reading, writing and arithmetic, and these combined with great natural ability, gave him a practical if not a collegiate education. In his seventeenth year he learned the trade of shoemaker, at which he was working " when war's alarms rang shrill and clear in every patriot breast." He left his trade, his home and widowed mother, walked to Wood- bury, and on the 12th of August, 1862, enlisted in Company G, Twelfth New Jersey Volunteers, for three years or during the war. The story is told of him that on Saturday, Septem- ber 6, 1862, when it became known that we would leave for the front next morning, John desired a pass to visit his dear old mother, who was living near Bridgeport and unable to come up and see him before departure. All passes were re- fused, yet the attraction of mother's love and filial duty were so strong that he quietly waited till after dark, then "ran the guards," and on foot and alone took that long walk (over eleven miles) to her home and enjoyed her pleasant surprise at this midnight visit. She prepared him an early breakfast and with tearful eyes bestowed the parting kiss and blessing, and with lightened heart he made the return trip to camp, suc- ceeded in passing the sentinels just at break of day and was ready for morning roll-call, and every duty or danger of a soldier, strong and secure in the love and blessing of mother. He was a strong, well-built man, of happy disposition, friendly and social amongst his comrades, prompt in discharge of every duty. He fortunately escaped serious wounds, though partici- pating in all our battles and skirmishes. One of the lucky few who came out unscathed, with a proud record of courage. bravery and duty well performed, but no hospital record. He was discharged at close of the war and for a few years managed his brother's farm in Maryland, but for the past twenty-eight years has been living in Bridgeport, N. J., farming and shoe- making, when not engaged in his duties of preserving peace
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