USA > New Jersey > New Jersey and the rebellion : a history of the service of the troops and people of New Jersey in aid of the Union cause, Pt. 1 > Part 15
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On the 19th of September, after some preliminary operations, looking to the development of the enemy's position, Sheridan proceeded to attack. The Sixth and Nineteenth Corps marching down a narrow ravine, winding among steep and thickly-wooded hills, debouched into an irregular valley, faced on the south by an amphitheater of stony heights. Sheridan's object was to amuse the enemy's right, attack his center vigorously, turn and force his left. The head of the Sixth Corps emerged from the ravine about ten o'clock, and speedily became engaged. The First Brigade, which was commanded by Colonel Campbell, after marching several miles, was advanced to the crest of a hill within easy range of the rebel batteries, where, exposed to a steady fire of shot and shell, it remained for some time. Presently, however, it was ordered to advance to an assault of the rebel position, and promptly at the word it moved forward-the fire of the enemy still continuing with undiminished fury. At this time the brigade was in the second line of battle, and unfortunately the first line, some seventy-five yards in advance, became confused and began to retreat. This made the situation a very critical one, and serious disaster seemed to be imminent. At the moment, Colonel Campbell was absent, having led the Fifteenth Regiment to reinforce another part of the line, leaving Major Boeman temporarily in command of the Fourth and Tenth. The latter, perceiving the crisis, promptly ordered his men to fix bayonets and sternly check the retreat of the first line. The order was obeyed as promptly as it was given. Then rushing forward, the commandant called upon the first line to halt and renew their advance. Seconded by their officers, his appeal was successful, and the Fourth and Tenth Regiments at that time advancing the first line joined them, and the whole pressing for- ward, swept up the opposite hill and forced the rebel line a con- siderable distance, obtaining permanent possession of the hill, and
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· holding it, though constantly exposed to a fire which inflicted severe loss. Our general line of battle was now everywhere gain- ing ground, and the enemy gradually falling back.39 Later in the day, the cavalry on the extreme right made a splendid charge, when the whole army advanced from one end of the line to the other, and almost instantly put the enemy to rout. In this movement, the First Brigade, with other portions of the corps, made a direct assault upon the rebel front, while another corps took their army on the left flank, and still further, the cavalry under Torbert, sweeping round with a sickle-shaped line, attacked the rebel rear, capturing a battery before it could be fired, with many battle-flags and prisoners, and sending the enemy, in a disorganized mass, " whirling through Winchester " up the valley of the Shenandoah. The day was gloriously won, and no troops had contributed more largely to the 'grand success than the gallant First Brigade. The loss of the Tenth Regiment in this battle was one killed, thirteen wounded, and one missing ; in the Fifteenth Regiment the loss was four killed, forty-one wounded, and twenty-two missing; the Fourth Regiment had two killed, eighteen wounded, and one missing.
Falling back rapidly, Early took position at Fisher's Hill, twenty- two miles south of Winchester. Sheridan followed sharply, and on the 22d again delivered battle. Advancing the Sixth Corps against the front, and the Nineteenth on the left of the rebel stronghold, he again sent the Eighth by a long circuit around on the right, striking heavily in flank and rear, while a vigorous attack in front broke the enemy's center. The victory here was even more deci- sive, as well as far more cheaply purchased, than that achieved at the Opequan. We took over one thousand prisoners, sixteen guns,
39 " At five p. m., a general advance was made. Both flanks were formed of cavalry. Previous to the charge, Sheridan rode along the whole front, speaking familiarly with the men, and telling what he expected to do. He roused the men to the greatest en- thusiasmi, and made them certain of victory. It was a beautiful sight when the charging army, four miles from wing to wing, moved over the plain. The spectacle, which roused us to confidence, struck terror to the hearts of the enemy ; offering but a slight resistance, they began falling back at the first onset, and when the cavalry were seen to capture the works on the right, the withdrawal of Early's troops became a flight, and the advance of Sheridan a hot pursuit."-Chaplain Haines' Notes.
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and other valuable trophies. In this engagement the First Brigade displayed its usual gallantry. Some of the Tenth Regiment were foremost in entering the rebel works ; one man capturing the Cap- tain of three hundred sharpshooters, posted in support of a rebel battery, shooting down the rebel flag-bearer, and then, without stopping to capture the flag, pushing on to take another gun.40 Another private named Beach, a member of the Fourth Regiment, compelled a rebel Lieutenant-Colonel to surrender his sword; and there were other instances of daring, no less noteworthy. The pursuit of the enemy from this point was characterized by all the energy and celerity for which Sheridan was distinguished. Pushing down through New Market, Harrisonburg and other points, to Staunton, beating and dispersing the enemy at all points, he com- menced, October 6th, a retrograde movement down the valley. In this movement, he was followed by a large body of rebel cavalry, under a new leader, who, becoming annoying, were attacked on the 9th, at Strasburg by Torbert, and soundly beaten, with a loss of many guns, wagons and prisoners. The retreat was no further molested, but having halted near Fisher's Hill, Early attempted to steal upon us unawares, but found us ready, and, after a short struggle, the enemy drew off, badly worsted-our army taken posi- tion behind Cedar Creek. The total loss of the brigade in this series of operations was about one hundred and fifty men-eighty- eight being wounded, nine killed, and the remainder missing.
But beaten as he had been, Early determined upon cne more effort to redeem his battered reputation, and, on the 18th of October, undertook one of the most daring operations of the war. With his force well in hand, he rapidly crossed the mountains which separate the forks of the river, forded the North Fork, came upon our left flank, which was not properly protected; crept along the front of Crook's Corps, and, favored by darkness and fog, came
40 "One battery was captured by our brigade, who carried the work which contained it, but the guns were dragged off by troops who came up when the fighting was over. We were marching most of the night, the men in fine spirits and regardless of fatigue, capturing prisoners till morning. Captain Cornish commanded the Fifteenth Regi- ment on this occasion, and acquitted himself with honor, and without the loss of a man."-Chaplain Haines' Notes.
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into position unobserved, so that just before dawn of the 19th, his men were lying in battle order not six hundred yards distant from our unsuspecting lines. Sheridan at this time was absent, and Early was not ignorant of the fact. The rebels also believed that the Sixth Corps had been withdrawn from the valley and sent to Grant. Their real advantages were great, while their supposed advantages strengthened their morale. At length, when fairly in position, they sprang forward with a startling yell, poured upon our sleeping troops, seized batteries which they turned upon us, enfilading our lines, and rolled back our left. Staggered and stunned, our men soon began to retreat, and, for a time, Early's star was everywhere in the ascendant. But presently Sheridan, lured by the ominous rumble of artillery, dashed upon the scene, encountering as he came up the ebbing tide. In an instant he com- prehended the situation, and acted upon the suggestions of the scene. Rallying the stragglers, consulting with his officers, cheering and encouraging all by promises of victory, he brought order out of chaos-not, indeed, in a moment or in an hour, but effectually and completely. Arranging and strengthening his lines while the enemy had paused to plunder our camps, he was just in readiness to move forward, when the rebels came to a new and overwhelming assault. Resisting this manfully, he caught its surge and hurled it back; then, assuming the offensive, attacked again in two columns, employing his cavalry in vigorous charges on both flanks, succeeding, with one division, in turning and rolling up their left, and again routing them at all points of the line, with a serious loss of men and material, including the guns and camps taken from us in the morning.
In this magnificent battle, the First Jersey Brigade added freshi laurels to those already achieved. When the army was surprised by Early's assault, it was lying on the right. Ordered to the left, it formed its line in the face of the rebel fire in rear of the position lost, fighting steadily to maintain its ground, but being finally overwhelmed and forced to retire." Here fell Major Lambert
" "Bewildered and disordered by the sudden assault, the troops yet gained their com- pure very quickly, after being pushed back some distance from their camps. Major
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Boeman, of the Fifteenth, a brave and worthy officer, who, on many other fields, had displayed conspicuous gallantry. Major Boeman was a native of Hunterdon County, of a highly respected family, and was universally esteemed, possessing all the highest traits of manly Christian character. In the final charge, after the re-formation of the line, the brigade suffered severely, its entire losses during the day being seventeen killed, one hundred and twenty-eight wounded, and nineteen missing.43 Among the wounded were Colonels Penrose and Campbell, and other officers ; indeed, not a field officer was left.
On the first of December, the Sixth Corps rejoined the army of the Potomac, and settled down for the winter before Petersburg. Two expeditions to Hatcher's Run were participated in by the men of the First Brigade, but nothing of special moment occurred until the 1st of April, 1865, when a fierce cannonading was opened along the entire line at night, and at ten o'clock, p. m., the com- mand moved out of camp and marched to Fort Fisher. On the morning of April 2d, the Sixth Corps assaulted, sweeping every- thing before them. Turning to the left the brigade marched within the captured works a considerable distance, capturing prisoners and artillery, and, having met the Twenty-fourth Corps, which had also broken through, advanced in an opposite direction along the Boydton plank road to within a mile of Petersburg. Our troops were eager to enter the town at once, but were re- strained from the useless risk. The casualties were comparatively few. Night settled upon the camp with all in the highest
Boeman was almost instantly killed by a bullet that struck him in the lower part of the breast. Colonel Penrose sought to bring back the brigade to the top of a hill, and had his horse shot under him. He attempted to lead them on foot, when a bullet shat - tered his right arm. He went to the rear, and Colonel Campbell took command of the brigade. The men quickly formed on the hill, and behaved most gallantly. Though pressed by superior numbers, in the main, they held their ground. At one time, a battery near them was assailed, and two guns captured, a rebel regiment planting their flag over one of the pieces. The Colonel directed the men to cease firing, and for a moment there was a lull on our side. Then we charged, regained the ground lost, and drove the enemy far enough to allow the artillery men to drag away their pieces and capture the rebel colors."-Chaplain Haines' Notes.
42 Fourth Regiment, killed 1; wounded 29; missing 4. Tenth Regiment, killed 3; wounded 42; missing none. Fifteenth Regiment, killed 13; wounded 57; missing 15; Total, killed 17; wounded 128; missing 19.
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spirits, but while our troops rested, the rebels were active in evacuating Petersburg and Richmond, and when the morning dawned, were some fifteen miles away to the westward. Peters- burg was evacuated, but not yet were the Jerseymen permitted to enter it. With something of disappointment, the column was headed, on the morning of the 3d of April, in the opposite direc- tion, and following the Cox road passed Sutherland Station. There was something exciting in this pursuit, but it ended at last, on the 9th, by the surrender of Lee and his army at Appomattox Court House. The First Brigade was not far from the place, when it was halted, and at three p. m., the announcement was made-being received with demonstrations of the wildest enthu- siasm all along the lines.
The fighting was ended, our cause victorious, and now all looked eagerly for a speedy discharge. But long and weary marches were still before the brigade, it being sent to Danville instead of Washington. Not until the 24th of May did it march through Richmond on its way northward. On the 2d of June, it went into camp four miles from Georgetown, District of Columbia .. In a short time, being mustered out, the regiments proceeded to Trenton, where, all formalities having been had, they were dis- solved, and the First New Jersey Brigade ceased to exist.
But the memory of this scarred and storied command still remains. On a score of fields, it had exhibited the rarest heroism. In discipline, in sturdy, faultless courage, in unwavering and sub- lime devotion, it justified, down to the latest field, the high expectations of that knightly soldier who made it what it was. Tried in many a fierce and pitiless fire, it had never faltered. Exposed, sometimes, to peculiar hardships, thinned by disease, weakened by heavy loss, it never for an hour lost its faith in the Cause. The hospital devoured and the trench swallowed up many of its bravest and best, but the First Brigade, even when but a remnant of its strength remained, was still undaunted. No danger appalled, no privation dismayed, no losses disheartened the veterans who with a lofty pride fought and died for Freedom's sake. When at last with torn standards and lean ranks, it marched from the
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field where it had helped to achieve an honorable peace, it was welcomed home with right royal greeting ; the people hailing it with glad acclaim, and with it rejoicing that the sound of war had ceased from the land. To-day, scattered in all the walks of life, those of its members who yet survive, perform the old duties and bear the old burdens, familiar before they ever marched a-field; but their proudest boast is that once they fought with Kearney and the grand old Army of the Potomac, for the flag which to him and to them was dearer than all things else.
CHAPTER VI. THE SECOND BRIGADE.
The Fifth, Sixth, Seventh and Eighth Regiments, as we have already seen, were raised under a requisition made by President Lincoln on the 24th of July, 1861, and reported at Washington during the months of August, September and October of that year, going into camp at Meridian Hill.1 Early in December, the regi-
' The regiments of the brigade were officered as follows :
FIFTH REGIMENT .- Colonel, Samuel H. Starr; Lieutenant-Colonel, Gershom Mott ; Major, William S. Truex; Adjutant, Caldwell K. Hall ; Surgeon, James C. Fisher; Assistant Surgeon, Addison W. Woodhull; Quartermaster, James F. Rusling; Chap- Jain, Thomas Sovereign. Company A-Captain, Ashbel W. Angel; First Lieutenant, Charles A. Angel; Second Lieutenant, Theodore P. Large. Company B-Captain, Jolin Ramsey ; First Lieutenant, Edward Kelly; Second Lieutenant, Virgil M. Healey. Company C-Captain, William J. Sewell; First Lieutenant, George S. Russell; Second Lieutenant, William H. Hill. Company D-Captain, Hiram Cook; First Lieutenant, James R. Sandford; Second Lieutenant, John L. Pierson. Company E-Captain, Robert S. Gould; First Lieutenant, DeKlyn Lalor; Second Lieutenant, Henry H. Woolsey. Company F-Captain, Roswell S. Reynolds; First Lieutenant, Edward A. Acton; Second Lieutenant, Thomas C. Godfrey. Company G-Captain, Edward C. Hopper ; First Lieutenant, John Gamble; Second Lieutenant, Simon P. Whitty. Company H-Captain, John J. Cladek; First Lieutenant, William C. Berry; Second Lieutenant, John H. Moore. Company I-Captain, Guy Bryan; First Lieutenant, T. W. Eayre; Second Lieutenant, W. H. Champion. Company K-Captain, Vincent W. Mount ; First Lieutenant, Jolin T. Cottrell; Second Lieutenant, Theodore Young.
This regiment left Camp Olden on the 29th of August, and reached Washington and reported for duty on the 30th of that month.
SIXTH REGIMENT .- Colonel, James T. Hatfield; Lieutenant-Colonel, Simpson R. Strond; Major, John P. Van Leer; Adjutant, Leonard J. Gordon; Quartermaster, Joseph Woodward; Surgeon, John Wiley; Assistant Surgeon, Redford Sharpe; Chap- lain, Samuel T. Moore. Company A-Captain, Stephen R. Gilkyson; First Lientenant, -; Second Lientenant, Charles C. MeMichael. Company B-Captain, Charles Ewing; First Lieutenant, William C. McCall; Second Lieutenant, Aaron Wilks. Company C-Captain, James Hughes; First Lieutenant, Jacob J. Van Riper ; Second Lieutenant, John Howeth. Company D-Captain, George E. Wilson; First Lieutenant, Jolin Willian; Second Lieutenant, William H. Kinly. Company E- Captain, Edward G. Jackson; First Lieutenant, William H. Hemsing ; Second Lieu- Tenant, Frederick Homer. Company F-Captain, George C. Burling; First Lieutenant, Jeneph Hays; Second Lieutenant, William F. Wilson. Company G-Captain, Theo- dore W. Baker; First Lieutenant, Louis M. Morris; Second Lieutenant, John K. Brown. Company H-Captain, James Bird; First Lieutenant, Samuel G. Stockton ;
17
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ments were ordered to report, under Colonel Starr, the senior officer, to General Hooker near Budd's Ferry, Maryland, some forty-five miles from Washington, being there brigaded and known as the Third Brigade, Hooker's Division, afterwards as the Third Brigade, Second Division, Third Corps. Here the brigade remained for several
Second Lieutenant, Jonas T. Hull. Company I-Captain, Richard H. Lee; First Lieutenant, Thomas M. K. Lee; Second Lieutenant, Theodore F. Fields. Company K-Captain, Timothy C. Moore; First Lieutenant, Thomas Goodman; Second Licu- tenant, Benjamin D. Coley.
This regiment left Camp Olden on the 10th of September, and arrived in Washington and reported for duty on the 11th.
SEVENTH REGIMENT .- Colonel, Joseph W. Revere ; Lieutenant-Colonel, Ezra A. Carman; Major, J. Dallas McIntosh ; Adjutant, Francis Price, Jr. ; Quartermaster, Thomas P. Johnston; Surgeon, D. W. C. Hough; Assistant Surgeon, Alvin Satter- thwaite; Chaplain, Julius D. Rose. Company A-Captain, Louis R. Francine; First Lieutenant, Thomas C. Thompson; Second Lieutenant, Michacl G. Bauer. Company B-Captain, John Craven; First Lieutenant, William N. Fitzgerald; Second Lieutenant, Gardner E. Greene. Company C-Captain, Henry C. Bartlett; First Lieutenant, War- ren McChesney ; Second Lieutenant, William J. Harrison. Company D-Captain, John J. Fritschy; First Lieutenant, Angust Mueller ; Second Lieutenant, Henry Newhouse. Company E -- Captain, Henry C. Cooper; First Lieutenant, Joseph Abbott, Jr. ; Second Lieutenant, Daniel Hart. Company F-Captain, Frederick Cooper; First Lieutenant, Alpheus Wetherell ; Sceond Lieutenant, Adolphus Charzotte. Company G-Captain, James MeKiernan; First Lieutenant, Thomas R. Agnew; Second Lieutenant, William Evans. Company HI-Captain, John M. Clark ; First Lieutenant, Francis M. Duboise : Second Lieutenant, Joseph HI. Johnson; Company I-Captain, Lindsey D. Simmes ; First Lieutenant, Daniel R. Burrell; Second Lieutenant, Henry A. Coursin. Company. K-Captain, James M. Brown ; First Licutenant, William R. Hillyer; Second Lieu- tenant, Michael Mullery.
Seven companies of this regiment left Camp Olden September 19th; the remaining three companies left October 3d for Washington.
EIGHTH REGIMENT .- Colonel, Adolphus J. Johnson; Lieutenant-Colonel, Thomas L. Martin ; Major, Joseph Trawin; Adjutant, Charles W. Johnson; Quartermaster. Ralph Jefferson; Surgeon, Alexander J. McKelway; Assistant Surgeon, II. Genet Tay- lor; Chaplain, A. St. John Chambre. Company A-Captain, Peter M. Ryerson; First Lieutenant, Abraham M. Freeland ; Second Lieutenant, William J. Roberts. Company B -Captain, William A. Henry ; , First Lieutenant, Andrew S. Davis; Second Lieutenant, Jolin A. Brice. Company C-Captain, John Tuite ; First Lieutenant, Oliver S. John- son ; Second Lieutenant, Charles W. Kennedy. Company D-Captain, William Ward : First Lieutenant, John D. Buckley : Second Lieutenant, John B. Sinc. Company E- Captain, William S. Tipson ; First Lieutenant, James Long ; Second Lieutenant, Wil- liam Lackey. Company F-Captain, James B. Baird; First Lieutenant, William A. Jackson ; Second Lieutenant, Andrew F. Fuller. Company G-Captain, John H. Arcy ; First Lieutenant, William G. Cunningham; Second Lieutenant, David B. Ward. Com- pany II-Captain, George Hoffinan ; First Lieutenant, Andrew J. Mutehler; Second Lieutenant, Frederick Longer. Company I-Captain, David Pierson; First Lieu- tenant, George M. Stelle; Second Lieutenant, Daniel Blauvelt, Jr. Company K-Cap- tain, Jolm G. Langston; First Lieutenant, William Todd; Second Lieutenant, James M. Simonson.
To this regiment was attached a battery of six pieces, commanded by Captain John E. Beam. This regiment left Camp Olden on the 1st day of October, and arrived in Washington and reported for duty on the 2d.
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months, occupying the time in drill and in other duties incident to camp-life, General Hooker laboring with unceasing fidelity and zeal to promote its efficiency and prepare it for active campaigning. The winter was not marked by any extraordinary incidents, but the early spring saw the troops eager and ready for actual service.
The first affair of importance in which the brigade was engaged, occurred on the 10th of March, 1862. During the winter the. rebels had erected formidable batteries at Cockpit, Shipping and other Points, on the opposite side of the Potomac, by means of which they had effectually blockaded that important water approach to the Capital. They had also concentrated at Cockpit Point a considerable number of troops, as a support to the batteries in case of a land attack, and the position was generally one of much importance to them. When, however, Beauregard determined to withdraw from Manassas, it became unnecessary to hold these batteries longer, and accordingly, on the 9th of March, they were abandoned, the enemy destroying a portion of his guns and so much of his stores as could not be conveniently removed. Acting with his usual promptitude, General Hooker determined at once to occupy the abandoned position, and in obedience to his orders, Lieutenant-Colonel Mott, on the 10th, crossed the Potomac with a detail of five hundred men of the Fifth Regiment, and seized the deserted works, capturing four guns, together with a large quantity of shells, grape and canister and round shot, and other material of war. Three of the captured guns were loaded and spiked, and the other bursted and rendered worthless. Lieutenant-Colonel Mott promptly destroyed the remaining batteries, together with all other property not available for our use, and returned to his camp without any accident whatever-having been completely successful at all points in his untertaking. The cnemy had evidently left the position in great haste, leaving behind a large quantity of fresh beef, and other property, as well as the war material destroyed by our troops. The evacuation had, undoubtedly, been hastened by the advance of General Kearney towards Manassas, as detailed in the history of the First Brigade.
During the month of April, General Mcclellan having determined
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his plans for an offensive movement, the brigade was transferred (with its division) to the Peninsula, General F. E. Patterson being placed in command shortly after its arrival. On the night of the 3d of May, Yorktown was evacuated by the enemy, and on the following morning, the army was promptly ordered forward in pur- suit, Stoneman leading the advance with four regiments and a squadron of cavalry. About noon, Hooker's Division advanced on the Yorktown › Williamsburg, where the enemy was ex- pected to make a stand, having a strong fort in front of that place, at the junction of several roads, which commanded, with some thirteen connecting works, all the roads leading further up the Peninsula. The Jersey Brigade, leaving Yorktown at two o'clock, pushed forward with all possible rapidity until eleven o'clock, when it bivouacked in a swamp some five miles from Williamsburg. The night was intensely dark and rainy, the roads were muddy and difficult, and the men were sorely exhausted by labor in the trenches and want of sleep; but notwithstanding all obstacles and discour- agements the troops pressed eagerly forward, all anxious to partici- pate in the struggle which was felt to be imminent. At two o'clock on the morning of the 5th, the brigade, being in the advance, re- sumed its march, and three hours after, emerging from a forest, came in sight of the enemy's works. The position of the enemy, as de- scribed in General Hooker's report, was one of great strength. The main work, Fort Magruder, occupied the centre, at the junction of the Yorktown and Hampton roads, with a cordon of redoubts on either side, extending as far as the eye could reach. For a dis- tance of half a mile in front of these works, the forest had been felled to obstruct the advance of our infantry, while a belt of clear open land, six hundred or seven hundred yards in width, dotted all over with rifle-pits, stretched between the tangled abattis and the fort and redoubts. In the immediate front of the redoubts, the plain was furrowed by winding ravines, which were swept by the guns of the enemy. After a careful survey of the position, Hooker decided to attack at once, and at half-past seven o'clock, advanced his skirmishers on both sides of the road by which he had come up, at the same time throwing forward two batteries on
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