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 18
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22
Twelfth Regiment New Jersey Volunteers. 225
this he was taken sick, and sent to Emory Hospital, Washing- ton, but soon recovered and was sent to Convalescent Camp at Alexandria, where he soon became disgusted with the sur- roundings, and eagerly accepted a chance to return to the front; rejoining the regiment in time to participate in the mighty struggle at Gettysburg, where with his company he felt the thrill of that gallant charge on the "Barn," and gave full play to his old musket when Pickett's Virginians made that famous charge on our front, where the thickly strewn bodies of their dead gave evidence of the quality and quantity of our buck and ball. He passed safely through all our hard- ships and experiences at Bristoe Station, Mine Run and Mor- tons Ford, but was seriously wounded on May 6, 1864, in that fearful battle of the Wilderness. His older brother, Joseph A. Kille, of the same company, was instantly killed at the same time and place. John was sent to a Washington hospital, thence to Philadelphia, where, after months of suffering, he re- covered and rejoined the regiment in early winter, in the earth- works of Petersburg, where he cheerfully performed every duty of guard, picket and those exciting trips to Hatchers Run. He enjoyed that brief winter camp, and eagerly looked for- ward to the opening of what we all felt must be the final cam- paign, which came in March, when we broke through those formidable lines that had so long held us back, and started on that exciting race which ended at Appomattox, where the co- horts of Lee and secession were glad to accept the magnani- mous terms of "unconditional surrender," and admit that Grant and the Army of the Potomac were too much for them. John returned with the regiment, was discharged at Trenton in June, 1865, and returned to home and civil life, after a ser- vice of nearly thirty-four months. He now resides at Clayton, N. J., and looks after the peace and order of that town as a policeman, honored and respected by everybody. A brave soldier, a genial comrade, a good citizen, and of such was Company H, Twelfth New Jersey Volunteers.
,
15
226
Twelfth Regiment New Jersey Volunteers.
JOSEPH PAUL, CO. H.
This comrade was born in Millville, N. J., October 5, 1842. His father, Samuel P. Paul, was a noted blacksmith of that town, but in a few years he moved to Woodstown and set up a shop, where the boy, Joseph, attended the common schools of that place, until at a suitable age, when his father took him in the shop as apprentice, where he soon learned the mysteries of tempering steel and welding iron, and had just finished his apprenticeship when the war broke out. At the call for three hundred thousand more soldiers he plainly saw it his duty to help make up the number, enlisting August 13, 1862, in Com- pany H, Twelfth New Jersey Volunteers, where he continued in faithful performance of every duty, through our early life at Woodbury and the pleasant camp at Ellicott's Mills ; he va- liantly endured that muddy march through Maryland and the trials and exposures of the picket line at Falmouth, until March 20, 1863, when a bad attack of typhoid fever confined him to his tent, where his comrades tenderly cared for him, but growing worse, on March 24th he was taken to Division Hospital, where he survived the fever, and while yet in a very weak condition was sent to a Washington hospital, where he was attacked by gangrene in the feet, from which he suffered terribly, until on April 15th the surgeon amputated the toes of both feet ; but this not proving sufficient, on June 24th, the left foot was amputated at the ball, and on July 24th the right foot at the instep. This heroic treatment removed the gan- grene, but left him crippled for life, and after long and agoniz- ing sufferings he partially recovered and was discharged De- cember 9, 1863, since which time he has worked at various trades and places. One year in a jewelry store, making and repairing spectacles, fifteen years as painter and paperhanger, then seven and a half years at harness-making in Clayton, where he now resides, but poor health has rendered him unable for any labor, and at the present time he is a notary public and pension claim agent, in which capacity he enjoys the support of nearly all the old soldiers of the neighborhood. He is an enthusiastic Grand Army of the Republic man and has served
227
Twelfth Regiment New Jersey Volunteers.
as adjutant of Samuel Mills Post, No. 76, for many years, and is always a prominent worker in the services of Memorial Day.
GEORGE A. BOWEN, CO. I,
The subject of this sketch, was born in Salem, N. J., Septem- ber 15, 1843. He spent the earlier years of his life in attend- ance at the Quaker school of that city, graduating with high honors in 1857. Immediately entered into business as an ap- prentice to the trade of a watchmaker and jeweler, at which he remained until President Lincoln's call for three hundred thousand more troops, which he plainly saw meant him. His name was soon on the rolls, having enlisted August 11, 1862, in Captain H. F. Chew's company (I), of the Twelfth Regi- ment, New Jersey Volunteers, as a private soldier. But his natural ability, combined with a fine appearance and genial disposition, soon won recognition, being promoted to fourth sergeant September 4, 1862; to orderly sergeant July 4, 1863, for good conduct at Gettysburg; to First Lieutenant of Com- pany C April 15, 1864; to Captain of Company C November 6, 1864; and in February, 1865, he was elected major of the regiment, but declined the promotion, preferring to remain with his company, the " C horses." That strong bond- of feel- ing and company pride remained unbroken till the close of the war, when he was discharged with the regiment at Trenton, June 19, 1865. He was particularly fortunate in never receiving a wound, though always in front whenever a battle was being fought. Was never sick enough to miss a meal or be off duty, and participated in every battle, march, or skirmish of the ·regiment, from Chancellorsville to Appomattox; so that the history of the Twelfth Regiment is his history. Was one of the fortunate few who retained his health and spirits, and who passed unscathed through all the vicissitudes and dangers of mud and dust, of rain and sun, of thrilling charge and flying bullets, firm and undaunted amidst the wildest scenes of excite- ment and danger. Always ready, always reliable, and faitli- ful in the performance of every duty. Took his full share in
228
Twelfth Regiment New Jersey Volunteers.
the joy and wild delirium of that happy day at Appomattox. After the war he resumed his occupation as a watchmaker and jeweler, and at the present time is living and conducting his business in Bridgeton, N. J.
CHARLES P. BROWN, CO. I,
Was born November 23, 1841, at Tullytown, a small village in Bucks county, Pa. While at an early age his father died, and the family, after disposing of the few acres of land upon which they lived, took up their residence in the city of Tren- ton, N. J., where the mother, by her needle in a very humble way, provided for herself and five small children. It was while watching his faithful mother ply her needle from early morn until late at night to provide for their necessities, that the little nine-year-old lad conceived the idea of relieving her of some of the burden by becoming self-supporting, and after much per- suasion gained her reluctant consent to leave home, and the next seven years of his life were spent with an excellent Quaker family on a farm in Bucks county, Pa., where he worked for his board and clothing, with the customary three months schooling in the winter. At the age of sixteen he returned to his mother's home in Trenton, entered the State Model School, and by close application to his studies secured a fair education at that institution. After leaving school, having an inclina- tion for mercantile life, he secured a position as clerk in the retail store of Mr. Jonathan Steward, at that time the most ex- tensive grocery and dry goods store in the city, where he re- mained until the breaking out of the war and his enlistment. During the exciting times that preceded the beginning of hos- tilities young Brown, while taking but little part in the dis- cussions that entered into the times, was from. the first fixed with a firm resolve that should the rebellious States attempt to carry out their oft-repeated threat, and resort to arms, he would not hesitate, but at once offer his services to do what he could to prevent a disruption of the Union he loved so well.
.
When the news was flashed over the wires that Fort Sumter had been attacked and our flag fired upon, and immediately
229
Twelfth Regiment New Jersey Volunteers.
following, the call for help from President Lincoln, young Brown, then a youth of but little more than nineteen years, without a moment's hesitation, enlisted in the first company of three months men that was formed in his city, commanded by Captain Joseph Yard, a veteran of the Mexican war, and was promptly sworn into the United States service as a private. This was all right so far as it went, but the mistake he made was in not securing his mother's consent beforehand; for when he, the next morning, told her what he had done, the shock was too much for her reason to bear, and she became tempor- arily insane. Much to his regret, there seemed to be but one thing for him to do to save his mother's reason, and that he did as quickly as possible: acquaint the captain with the cir- cumstances, and as he was a friend, another name was substi- tuted for Brown's, and he remained for the time at home, not daring for a long time to mention the subject of enlisting. But by the time the call for volunteers for three years was made, in the early part of 1862, a partial consent was secured, and he enlisted as a private in Company I, Twelfth Regiment, New Jersey Volunteers. Was promoted to regimental quarter- master sergeant September 4th, and served as such with dis- tinction, being much of a favorite with both officers and men of the entire regiment, until April 19, 1864, when he received a commission as Second Lieutenant of Company A. The com- pany not having at the time the requisite number of men, he could not be mustered; but, nevertheless, he reported to Cap- tain Phipps for duty, at the opening of the Wilderness cam- paign, determined, muster or no muster, to share with his com- rades in the perils and the glories of the battlefield.
At the charge on the 12th of May, of Hancock's Corps at Spottsylvania, he was severely wounded in the thigh by a minnie ball, and disabled for further duty for three months; during which time he received a commission of First Lieuten- ant of Company I, May 20, 1864, for bravery on the field at Spottsylvania, On January 30, 1865, he was further promoted to be Captain of Company I, which position he held at the mustering out of the regiment, taking part in all the battles in which the regiment was engaged. Since the war he has re-
3
230
Twelfth Regiment New Jersey Volunteers.
sided at his present pleasant home in Trenton, N. J., and been engaged most of the time in the grocery business. For four years he held the position of chief of police, and later, for the same length of time, that of city treasurer.
WILLIAM E. POTTER, CO. K,
The subject of this sketch, was born in Bridgeton, N. J., June 13, 1840. His grandfather, Colonel David Potter, was a soldier of the Revolution, and saw considerable service in the battles of Brandywine and Germantown. The grandson, Wil- liam, having chosen the law as a profession, entered the office of Hon. John T. Nixon as a student in October, 1857, where he remained two years, then becoming a student at the law school of Harvard University, graduating in January, 1861, and in September of the same year entered the junior class of Princeton College. Under the spur of patriotic ardor he aban- doned his collegiate studies and accepted a commission as Second Lieutenant of Company K, Twelfth New Jersey Vol- unteers, August 14, 1862. He was promoted to first lieuten- ant of the same company August 6, 1863, and Captain of Company G, February 4, 1864. Most of his military service was on staff duty, for which he was well fitted, being of hand- some figure, a good horseman, prompt and alert in service, al- ways ready, nor thought of danger where duty called. He was first detailed as Ordnance Officer of the Third Division, Second Corps, and acted as such in the campaigns of Chancellorsville and Gettysburg on the staff of Generals French and Alex- ander Hays. In October, 1863, he was appointed Judge Ad- vocate on the staff of General Alexander Hays, serving until March, 1864, when he rejoined the regiment at Stony Moun- tain, and was in command of his company when painfully wounded in the Wilderness, May 4, 1864 ; but, after a few weeks at the hospital, he rejoined the regiment at Cold Harbor, June 4. 1864, and in July was detailed as aide-de-camp on the staff of Colonel Thomas A. Smythe, and in August Judge Ad- vocate on staff of General Gibbon, commanding Second Divis- ion, Second Corps. In January, 1865, General Gibbon was
Twelfth Regiment New Jersey Volunteers. 231
assigned to the command of the Twenty-fourth Corps, Army of the James, and he took Comrade Potter with him as Judge Advocate of that Corps, where he remained until the close of the war, and was mustered out with the regiment, June 4, 1865-
By an order from headquarters he was one of the five offi- cers detailed to deliver the colors surrendered by Lee's army to the War Department at Washington, which ceremony oc- curred May 1, 1865, he being the only New Jersey officer pres- ent on that occasion. On his return home he resumed his law studies, was admitted as an attorney in 1865, and as a coun- sellor in 1869. He was a shrewd, sharp lawyer, and his ser- vices were in great demand. A polished speaker, gifted orator, genial comrade; one of the brightest lights of our reunion society went out in the death of this loved and honored com- rade, who received his final discharge and was mustered out November 9, 1896, leaving a widow and six children, with a host of comrades and friends to shed with them the sympa- thetic tear. His funeral took place at Bridgeton, November 13, 1896. Dust to dust, but his memory still lives.
EDWARD M. DUBOIS, CO. K,
Was born in Bridgeton, N. J., on January 12, 1837. His early life was passed in the happy manner of boys of that day, at- tending the schools of that town, according to usual custom. First, the primary, under control of Miss Eliza Sheppard ; then the public school, under Lucius Barrows, and later, the Bank Street Academy. At the age of fifteen years, he went to Philadelphia and learned the trade of a jeweler and watch maker, and at completion, removed to Cincinnati, remaining two years, then accepted a situation at Danville, Ky., where he remained in business till 1861. During the presidential elec- tion of 1860, the strong ticket in that State was Bell and Ever- ett, whose platform was, "Let things remain as they are;" but being very ill with fever young DuBois did not vote. Abraham Lincoln, that greatest man of the century, was how- ever elected, and trouble at once commenced, and in that bor- der State " fever heat" was soon reached. Most of the young
232
Twelfth Regiment New Jersey Volunteers.
men belonging to the old slave-holding families, his associates, became his enemies; friendships were broken, Northern men were under the ban, their business was boycotted, their lives threatened. But that strong Union feeling induced "Ned," with many others, to secretly form a company of Union men, with nightly drills, where, fully realizing the dangers of the movement, they became very proficient in drill and school of the soldier. The company was commanded by Captain Fry, who afterwards rose to the rank of major-general, and won his first battle at Mill Springs, Ky., by defeating that old rebel, General Zollikoffer, who was killed in a hand to hand fight, the company being attached to the Fourth Kentucky Volun- teers. But before this time he received a letter from his fan- ily in Bridgeton strongly advising him to return home and en- list from his own State, and upon consultation with his cap- tain. "Ned" received an honorable discharge, settled up his business, and returned to Bridgeton, just at the time Lieuten- ant Daniel Dare returned from Trenton with permission to raise a company for the Twelfth New Jersey Volunteers, and his was the first name on the roll of Company K, on June 24. IS62. The required number of men was soon obtained, and they proceeded to Woodbury, where the regiment was being organized, and were mustered into the United States service on September 4, 1862, and three days later started to the "Front." as fine a body of men as ever marched from any State-young, brave and overflowing with patriotism.
DuBois was sworn in as first duty sergeant on September 4, 1862. promoted to sergeant-major on February 14, 1863, and second lieutenant of Company C on July IS, 1863. The mus- ter-in papers, though long delayed, were finally received in the night ou October 12th, while the regiment lay in the field at Rappahannock, after our return from Culpeper, and while Lee was passing around our right flank. With the papers was an order for him to report to Colonel Smythe (commanding the brigade, at once, which he did. He found him wrapped in slum- ber-and a blanket-from which he roused up, warmly wel- comed our young lieutenant, and told him, " You are now my personal aide," and he remained a staff officer in various posi-
233
Twelfth Regiment New Jersey Volunteers.
tions until the close of the war. His first battle as a staff offi- cer was that busy day at Auburn and Bristoe, where the whole brigade was firmily convinced that Smythe had not erred in the selection. He was promoted First Lieutenant of Company I on April 11, 1864; first lieutenant and quartermaster on April 26, 1864; major on February 23, 1865, and lieutenant-colonel on June 16, 1865, (but not mustered) .
In the re-organization of the army, after Grant took com- mand, the brigades of Carroll and Smythe were consolidated, with Carroll in command ; while Smythe was sent to the Irish Brigade of the First Division, BuBois going with him, and when in the Wilderness the assistant adjutant-general was killed by the first volley, he took the position and acted as ad- jutant-general until that sharp reconnoisance at Spottsylvania, May 18, 1864, where Carroll was badly wounded, and Smythe returned to his old brigade. DuBois was made brigade quarter- master, with the rank of brevet-captain, and retained this po- sition until after the surrender of Lee at Appomattox. On June 4, 1865, the veterans of the regiment were mustered out of service, all but a few old officers, who, with the recruits. substitutes and conscripts, were formed into a provisional bri- gade, and DuBois placed in command; but soon all the rebellious States accepted the peaceful situation, and the regiment bear- ing the name of the Twelfth New Jersey Volunteers, but very far from being the old regiment in the character of its mem- bers, was finally mustered out on July 15, 1865. His service, therefore, from first to last, was with the regiment, or near it, and he took an active part in all its movements, either in line of battle or ready to bring up needed supplies under all cir- cumstances. After the war he was appointed to a position in the Internal Revenue service in the State of Pennsylvania, serving from 1875 to ISS4, but when the change of administra- tion took place, he discovered that he had fought on the wrong side, as the man who relieved him was a rebel soldier, one of the " Louisiana Tigers," and he was requested to instruct this man in the art of guaging. Since that time he has been in the employ of the West Jersey Ferry Company, in Camden, N. J., Where he now resides. He was only once wounded ( Wilder-
234
Twelfth Regiment New Jersey Volunteers.
ness), but had two horses shot under him. He was appointed by Governor Ward to represent New Jersey in the commission for the Gettysburg monument, and faithfully fulfilled the trust.
CHARLES S. PADGETT, CO. K,
Was born August 22, 1840, in Deerfield, Cumberland county, N. J. His father was a farmer and had a family of ten chil- dren, five boys and five girls. Charles was the second son, and like all farmer boys of that period, lived at home and at- tended the district school in the winter and worked on the farm in summer until he was about eighteen years old. He then attended school at the West Jersey Academy in Bridgeton, for three winters, still working on the farm in summer. Dur- ing the winter of 1861-62 he taught a district school near Shi- loh, N. J., and resumed work again on the farm till the call for three hundred thousand three years men was made, when, on the 11th day of August, he enlisted in Company K, of the Twelfth Regiment, New Jersey Volunteers, Captain Richard Thompson's company, and in a few days went into camp at Woodbury, N. J., and was sworn into the United States service on September 4th with the regiment, which soon left for the front.
He participated in the following battles: Chancellorsville. Gettysburg, Falling Waters, Bristoe Station, Mine Run, Rob- ertson's Tavern, Mortons. Ford, Wilderness, Spottsylvania, North and South Anna, Tolopotomy, and Cold Harbor, where he was wounded in a charge on the rebel works, early on the morning of June 3, 1864, and laid on the field between the lines all day. He was wounded in the right leg, just below the knee, by a connoidal ball, causing a comminuted fracture of the right tibia and fibula: also, fracture of left radius while lying on the field. Was taken off of the field about 8 o'clock at night by members of his own company. The leg was am- putated the next morning, and he was then sent to Washing- ton, D. C., via White House Landing, and was a patient in Carver Hospital during June, July, August and September. He was then sent home on furlough for sixty days and thus
·
235
Twelfth Regiment New Jersey Volunteers.
had an opportunity to vote for Abraham Lincoln in November, 1864. He was then returned to the hospital in Washington, and was soon transferred to Philadelphia, where he was in a hospital at Broad and Cherry streets; also, at Christian street. Then at Chester, Pa., where he was discharged July 13, 1865, on a surgeon's certificate of disability. He was mustered as corporal September 4, 1862, and as sergeant April 1, 1864. After being discharged he spent a few days with his father's family, and on the 15th of August, 1865, he entered the em- ploy of the Cumberland Nail and Iron Company at Bridgeton, N. J., as a clerk in their office, where he remained till August, 1895, a period of thirty years. In September, 1895, he re- moved, with his family, a wife and one daughter, to Bethle- hem, Pa., where he now resides. At the present time he is engaged in the custom shirtmaking business, and is secretary and treasurer of the Bethlehem Custom Shirt Company. Is a member of A. L. Robeson Post, Grand Army of the Republic, and was commander of the Post in 1886. Has worn an arti- ficial leg since 1865, is quite active and in good health.
DANIEL B. HARRIS, CO. K,
Was born in Cedarville, Cumberland county, N. J., June 30, 1839. In his boyhood he worked on a farm in summer, at- tending the old-fashioned district school in winter. During this time he spent one year in Philadelphia, attending the Jef- ferson Grammar School, at Fifth and Poplar streets. When in his sixteenth year he went to Millville to learn the trade of a blacksmith, serving an apprenticeship of five years. After his term expired he worked at his trade in Tuckahoe, Whig Lane and Millville. He was married in the spring of 1861 to Miss Martha A. Stathams, of Millville. When the call for three hundred thousand nien was made in the summer of 1862. he enlisted in Company K, of the Twelfth New Jersey. While the regiment was at Woodbury he was detailed as a member of the regimental band and did such duties as the position required in the campaign of 1863, and in camp life at Fal- mouth and Stony Mountain. Feeling that the services in that
n
£
236
Twelfth Regiment New Jersey Volunteers.
position were not such as he enlisted for, he made several at- tempts to secure a return to the ranks of his company, but without success, as the officers would not consent to any va- cancies being made in the band. A favorable opportunity oc- curred in March, 1864, to secure a transfer to the United States Signal Corps, and he quickly availed himself of it, and served in that organization until the close of the war. He served on the Avery House Station and also near Fort Howard in front of Petersburg during the siege of that city. He was honorably dis- charged June 26, 1865, at Washington, D. C. Returning to Mill- ville he followed his trade for four years, in the employ of Whit- all, Tatum & Co., glass manufacturers, and was also in their em- ploy for four years more as bookkeeper. In 1873 he felt called to the work of the ministry, and joined the New Jersey Confer- ence of the M. E. Church. He has served several appoint- ments in the Conference, and for the last four years has been Presiding Elder of the Camden District, entering upon his fifth year at the last session of the Conference in Trenton.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.