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 17
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" Very respectfully submitted, "FRANCIS PRICE, JR.,
"Major Seventh Regiment New Jersey Volunteers Commanding."
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NEW JERSEY AND THE REBELLION.
Hooker called upon them to follow him against the foe, and with a shout they swept on to the fray. At this time the firing had com- menced on the right, and was rapidly running down the line of the railroad upon which our troops advanced. Soon the enemy were found in a strip of woods close to the railroad, and going into position, both regiments were speedily engaged, having the Excel- sior Brigade on their right. The fight was a furious one, continuing for two hours and a half without a moment's abatement. The Jersey regiments, indomitable in their pluck, not only held their ground, but by a continuous deadly fire and charges with the bayo- net, inflicted terrible loss upon the rebel ranks. At length, deter- mined to strike a decisive blow, Hooker, again placing himself at the head of the gallant command, charged straight into and through the woods, breaking the rebel lines and driving the enemy in great confusion for a considerable distance, recovering all the ground lost by Casey's Division, and ending the fight for the day on that part of the line. In this conflict, the loss of the Fifth Regiment was four men killed, fifty-one wounded and two missing. The loss of the Sixth was seven killed and fourteen wounded. General Hooker in his report of this battle again testified in the most emphatic terms to the gallantry of both regiments, and adds that the service assigned to the Seventh and Eighth, in the rear, was also performed to his entire satisfaction.4
4 [Extracts from General Hooker's Report.]
" It gives me great pleasure to bear testimony to the continued good conduct of the Fifth and Sixth New Jersey Regiments. Their ranks have been greatly thinned by battle and sickness, and they had been encamped in the inimediate neighborhood of troops partially demoralized from the events of the preceding day, yet on the first in- dication of a renewal of the conflict, I found their lines formed, and they were as ready to meet it as though our arms had been crowned with success. This is also true of the regiments of the Second Brigade. Brigadier-General F. E. Patterson was prevented from participating in these operations on Sunday, by sickness, and his command de- volved on Colonel S. II. Starr, of the Fifth New Jersey Regiment, whose energy and courage were conspicuous on every part of the field. Especial mention is also due to Colonel G. Mott and Lieutenant-Colonel George C. Burling, of the Sixth New Jersey Regiment, for their distinguished services on this field. Here, as elsewhere, they have shown themselves to be officers of uncommon merit. To these bright names I must also add that of Chaplain Samuel T. Moore, of the Sixth New Jersey Regiment, whose care and devotion to the sick will endear him to the remembrance of every soldier. He was the last to quit the field."
The brigade report of this battle is as follows :
"SIR: I have the honor to report the part taken by this brigade in the affair with the
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THE SECOND BRIGADE.
The enemy having fled, the Fifth and Sixth went into camp for the night in their old position, but on the morrow advanced and
enemy on the 1st instant. Two regiments of the brigade (the Seventh and Eighth New Jersey) were sent back as a guard for the depot of supplies, at Bottom's Bridge, and took no part in the engagement. The other two, (the Fifth and Sixth New Jersey, ) under General Patterson, marched forward from our late camp, late on the afternoon of the 31st ultimo. General Patterson was very ill, and unable to take active command, but accompanied us in the advance.
" The road and fields, on both sides of the road, were thronged with flying regiments from the battle-ground, two or three miles in front, through whose routed and dis- orderly masses I was compelled to foree my way with bayonet and sabre. At seven a. m., on the 1st instant, the Fifth and Sixth New Jersey marched forward, (General Patterson still being very ill,) and were actively engaged from about quarter past seven u. m. until a quarter to ten a. m., two and a half hours, with the enemy; the Fifth Regiment losing four privates killed, three officers and fifty-one men, commissioned officers and privates wounded, and two privates missing. Total, sixty. I have the honor of transmitting herewith a list of their names. The loss of the Sixth Regiment has not yet been reported to me, but is considerable less. General Hooker was himself a witness a part of the time of the behavior of the two regiments under my command, and to him I leave the comments thercon. Credit being but reluctantly recorded this brigade for its services, its members look inwards and upwards for their reward. The Fifth and Sixth Regiments have been for four days and nights under arms-in bat- tle, reconnoissance, and in holding the most advanced position on this flank of the army. They are still under arms and see no prospect of an hour's rest for days to come. They have been exposed night and day to deluges of rain, and have suffered every species of privation incident to an army in an enemy's country. But among the greatest of their sufferings may be ranked the intolerable stench to which they have been and are exposed, arising from the unburied dead bodies of men and horses that were and are thickly seattered over the ground for hundreds of acres around. I have caused to be buried all my men's strength and time enabled them to bury, but I suffered many to lie unburied not many hundred yards distant. The following named officers deserve particular mention for their coolness under fire; Major Jolin Ramsey ; Captains W. J. Sewell, E. C. Hopper and Roswell S. Reynolds; Lieutenants T. Kelly, E. P. Berry, T. P. Large and others, of the Fifth Regiment; Colonel G. Mott, Lient. - Colonel Bushing and Lieutenant Crawford of the Sixthi Regiment. All these came under my personal observation. For want of information I am unable to name any others of the Sixth Regiment. Lieutenant G. S. Russell (Fifth), my Adjutant, was com- illed to retire from the field during action on account of illness ; while in action his twaring met my approval. Captain Gould (Fifth), also, from the same eause, withdrew by my permission, but bore himself well during the engagement. First Sergeant Wil- hain Newman, Fifth New Jersey Volunteers, commanded the company after Captain Gould withdrew from the field, and deserves high commendation.
"S. H. STARR, "Colonel Fifth New Jersey Volunteers, "Commanding Brigade."
In a private note to Governor Olden, dated "Seven Pines, June 6th," Colonel Starr
"I lwg leave to refer to the telegram, purporting to be from General MeClellan, pub- inLed In the New York Herald, of the 2d instant. That article gives the credit to a Nament of Sickles' Brigade of driving back the enemy in a bayonet charge in the Afait of the Ist. The facts are these: The Fifth and Sixth New Jersey marched upon The field of battle at seven a. m., and remained upon the field as long as there was an arany within musket-range, in sight or within reach. The enemy was entirely re-
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NEW JERSEY AND THE REBELLION.
occupied the ground recovered from the enemy, where they re- mained, being joined by the Seventh and Eighth," until the 25th of June, being almost constantly on duty at the front. At this time the position was about as follows : Immediately in front of Hooker there was a wide field and entanglement, which was commanded by our troops. Beyond this, there was a belt of timber and thicket, perhaps five hundred yards wide, which had been bloodily debated
pulsed along my whole front. The Eighth Alabama Regiment, a crack and pet regi- ment of the enemy, numbering thirteen Inundred men, were the troops with which my men were engaged. The enemy were so careful to preserve this regiment. in the best order for action, that it was not permitted to march upon the field like other regi- ments, but was brought forward by rail. The Colonel of the regiment was killed; I have his horse now in my possession. The enemy having fled from before us, and my men lying idle, upon their arms, * *
* two or three regiments of the Sickles' Bri- gade came up in a loose manner and formed in my rear, and, after I had left under orders, occupied my ground; but there was no enemy there, nor within their reach. The bayonet charge with which the regiment of Sickles' Brigade is credited, if made at all, was made upon an empty forest, in which was not an enemy. * * It is re- pugnant to me to ' fight my battles o'er again.' I am no writer; only a soldier. But as the Jersey troops are not mentioned in General Mcclellan's telegram, and credit is given by him where it is not due, my duty to my brave men-to the dead as well as the living-requires of me this explanation."
5 The Seventh and Eighth Regiments were ordered to occupy the entrenehments which held the roads leading to the main bridges of the Chiekahominy, the bridges over which all the supplies from the White House reached the army, and over which the retreat would take place if there should be a retreat. The post was, therefore, one of the greatest importance. There were three entrenchments. In one was a battalion of the Seventh Regiment, under Major Priec; in another, detachments from the Sev- enth and Eighth Regiments, under Major Henry, of the Eighth Regiment ; and in the center was the greater part of the Eighth Regiment, under Lieutenant-Colonel Martin. who commanded the post. The troops rested on their arms during Saturday night, and through the day were on the qui vive. But the battle did not reach this point. The design of the enemy was to drive back the Union army, and then to cut a dam they had constructed so as to flood the swamp and swell the river, and thus destroy our army cither by cutting it to pieces or drowning it. They did succeed in cutting the dam, de- signing to at least prevent supplies reaching our forees. The swamp was flooded, and the bridges of the Chickahominy were carried away. This was on Sunday. For a time there was great danger, as all the supplies were beyond the river, as also all camp furni- ture and a great portion of the ammunition. Lieutenant-Colonel Martin at once sent large details from the troops under his command, weakening the post to obviate, if possible, a greater disaster than even the loss of the position he held. These details were relieved at regular intervals. Under the charge of competent engineers, they re- paired the bridges, though at the expense of severe labor and great fatigue-working nearly all the time in the water. Not in vain, therefore, were the Seventh and Eighth Regiments on the field. But for their labors very serious trouble would, in all proba- bility, have ensued. They did another good work. A large number of stragelers, especially from the unfortunate division commanded by General Casey, attempted to reach the rear. They were arrested at the entrenchments, which, at one time, consisted of quite an army of these fugitives. A large number of the wounded also found refuge here, whose wants were kindly attended to by the regimental surgeons.
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THE SECOND BRIGADE.
for three weeks or more, while still further beyond was another broad field, intersected by a stage road and railroad, and commanded by rifle-pits and a redoubt. For reasons known to himself, General Mcclellan desired to advance his lines so as to secure the woods, and obtain command of the rifle-pits beyond, and General Heint- zelman was accordingly ordered to push Hooker's Division into the disputed territory, and hold a line near the enemy's esplanade. On the 25th, at seven o'clock in the morning, Hooker advanced two brigades-Grover's and Sickles'-into the woods, and the enemy's pickets being pushed back on the picket-reserve, the engagement soon became general and severe. The enemy having the advantage of position, and fighting with great obstinacy, Sickles, after a struggle of an hour and a half was brought to a stand still. At this juncture the New Jersey Brigade was sent in as a support, and the fight became yet more severe and desperate. At length, charg- ing with Sickles' men, the brigade drove the enemy entirely through the woods, capturing the camp of their reserve pickets, and holding the position until Kearney, coming upon the scene with Birney's Brigade, finished the work of the day. The con- duct of the New Jersey troops in this engagement, known as the "affair" of Fair Oaks Farm, was no less admirable than on pre- vious occasions, and elicited warm expressions of approval from Hooker and his subordinates." The losses of the brigade were as follows: Fifth Regiment, two killed, thirteen wounded, two mis- xing; Seventh Regiment, one killed, five wounded, one missing; Eighth Regiment, one killed and six wounded.
From this time the brigade remained in camp until the 29th, when it was ordered to the rear, McClellan having determined on a flank movement-or more properly, a retreat-through the White Oak Swamp to the James River. On the following morning, having marched until ten o'clock the previous right, the enemy cautiously porsuing, the brigade was ordered into position as a second line of Battle to support Generals Kearney and McCall, who had made a *Lind at Glendale. During the afternoon of that day, McCall's
' General MeClellan said of the affair in his report, "Hooker's Division has behaved w. usual ; that is, most handsomely."
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Division was attacked with great violence by the enemy, and after an ineffectual attempt to resist the assault his lines gave way, and the entire division fled from the field, some of the fugitives rushing through Hooker's lines, while others rushed down the road on which his right was resting. Close upon the heels of these demoral- ized troops, came the broken masses of the enemy, pressing furiously on towards Hooker's ranks, under cover of a woods in front. But the veterans of Williamsburg and Seven Pines were ready for the exultant columns. Opening a rapid fire, they speedily checked the pursuit and then advancing, the enemy were rolled back through a part of McCall's camp, where they were assailed vigorously by Kearney and so severely crippled as to abandon, for the time, all operations upon our flank. In this combat, the New Jersey Brigade was not directly engaged, but the Sixth Regiment had two men wounded by the shells of the enemy. The brigade remained in position until the following day, July 1st, when it fell back to Malvern Hill and halted under shelter of a bluff, where it was en- gaged as a support to our batteries, being exposed all day to a heavy fire of shot and shell, and losing eighteen men in killed, wounded and missing." On the 2d, it resumed its march towards Harrison's Landing, reaching that point on the 3d, and going at once into camp. On the 20th of August, the brigade was again ordered on duty, proceeding (with its division) on a reconnoissance to Malvern Hill, where the enemy were found in small force and an engagement resulted, during which the brigade made a charge and carried the opposing works, capturing also a number of prisoners. This was the last engagement in which the New Jersey regiments participated during the Peninsula campaign, and they gladly wel- comed the fortnight of rest which now followed.
No troops who fought in that terrible campaign made a more brilliant record than these. From the hour when, footsore and worn, they closed with the enemy at Williamsburg, meeting bravely all the fury of his attack, until the new base on the James was
" The casualties were as follows: Fifth Regiment, killed 2; missing 1. Sixth Regi- ment, wounded 1. Seventh Regiment, wounded 4; missing 9. Eighth Regiment, wounded 1.
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THE SECOND BRIGADE.
reached, they were almost continuously engaged, their ranks growing thinner with every battle; even in the retreat, while other com- mands marched unmolested, they were kept night and day on the alert, now wading painfully through the swamps and forests, now halting to fight and repulse the pursuing enemy, but through all maintaining a serene and lofty courage, their hearts and their arms nerved unfailingly by the thought that, whatever might be the disaster of to-day, the sun would shine to-morrow, and the Cause surely triumph in the End. It was no wonder that such men, displaying such a spirit, as they marched grandly on in that campaign, came at last to challenge universal homage, and that, in the crisis of every sore and critical conflict, Hooker was wont to cry out for his old brigade, and when its standards came fluttering into view, grew hopeful in the very midst of disaster.
The losses of the brigade in this consuming campaign are alone sufficient to illustrate its bravery and the estimate placed upon it by those in command. When it reached Yorktown, early in April, it numbered some two thousand seven hundred men. When it went into camp at Harrison's Landing, it had been reduced by one- third; its losses in killed and wounded alone amounting to six hundred and thirty-four. Of the killed, nine were commissioned officers, while of the wounded, thirty-nine were officers mainly of the higher ranks.
On the 21st of July, General McClellan having been ordered to transfer his army to Alexandria, the brigade marched to Yorktown, and there embarking on transports, proceeded to the point desig- nated. Immediately upon its arrival, it was ordered to Warrenton Junction, whither it proceeded by rail on the 25th. At this time, General Pope had already been engaged with the enemy, who had hurried up from the Peninsula in strong force, and on the very day on which the . Third Corps reached Warrenton, Stonewall Jackson had moved around our army so as to strike the railroad in its rear, which he did at dusk on the following day, taking position at Bristow Station (on the Alexandria Railroad), whence he com-
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NEW JERSEY AND THE REBELLION.
menced at once to operate on our communications. Information of this movement reaching Hooker, he at once ordered the destruc- tion of the property at Warrenton Junction not needed for his use, and advanced to meet the enemy. At Bristow Station, on the 27th, he found Ewell's Division, of Jackson's command, and immediately delivered battle. Here, once more, the Jerscy Brigade was called to the most dangerous service. Being ordered to charge, the men rushed upon the foe with eager impetuosity, putting them to speedy flight, and pursuing them for a long distance with unspar- ing vigor and determination. In this engagement, Ewell lost a part of his baggage, and was decidedly worsted. Night coming on, he escaped total rout. On the following morning, (28th) Hooker and Kearney again opened the ball, the enemy falling back towards Bull Run, in the vicinity of which a severe battle ensued on the following day, lasting until dark, with heavy losses on both sides. Several charges were made by the New Jersey Brigade during the day, but the enemy, having a strong position, were not dislodged, and night came down with both armies resting on the field. During this engagement Colonel Mott, of the Sixth Regiment, was badly wounded in the fore-arm, and Lieutenant-Colonel Ward, of the Eighth, in the arm and side, while Captain J. Tuite, of the Eighth, and Captain Abbott of the Seventh, were killed, and a considerable number wounded. At one time during the struggle, the rebels, seeing that our columns were wavering, charged upon them, break- ing the lines both on the right and left of the brigade, and creating a momentary panic. But the brigade, standing firmly, marched out of the woods in which it had been stationed, in solid column, and formed another line of battle as coolly as on dress-parade. The steadiness of the men in this emergency was invaluable, its example alone having prevented a stampede. The fighting was continued on the 30th, the brigade again participating, as also on September 1st, but the enemy being largely reinforced, Pope's army slowly fell back to its entrenchments, and there was a pause in the tumult of battle. In this series of engagements, the brigade suffered severely, losing at Bristow Station forty-four men in killed, wounded, and missing; at Bull Run, one hundred and ninety-nine
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THE SECOND BRIGADE.
men ; and at Chantilly, five; making a total of two hundred and forty-eight, as follows: Fifth Regiment, fifty one; Sixth, one hundred and four; Seventh, thirty-six; Eighth, twenty-five.8
Going into camp at Alexandria, the brigade remained undisturbed until the 1st of November, when Lee having been driven from Maryland, it proceeded towards Bristow Station, where it arrived on the 4th, the Fifth and Sixth Regiments being in advance. Thence, on the following day, it moved on a reconnoissance to Catlett Station, but, having accomplished its object, at once returned to. its old camp, whence, shortly after, it withdrew to Manassas Junction. This last march was made in the midst of a snow storm, and the men suffered severely. On the 20th, General Burnside having meanwhile been appointed to the command of the army,
. The following is the report of the part taken by the Sixth Regiment in the battles of the 27th, 29th and 30th of August :
" On Tuesday, August 26th, in compliance with orders from headquarters, the Sixth Regiment left Camp near Alexandria, and embarked on the cars. Arriving at Warren- ton Junction, we disembarked and encamped for the night.
" Wednesday morning, August 27th, received orders to march, with three days' ra- tions ; left camp near seven o'clock, a. m., and marched in the direction of Manassas, and when near Bristow's Station found the enemy in force. After crossing a stream, the Sixth and Seventh Regiments were temporarily detached from the brigade by General Hooker in person. We then marched forward, deploying skirmishers on our left. In a short time we met the piekets and drove them in. We were then ordered to take an advanced position on a hill, to the right in front of us, which position we gained without loss, under a terrible fire of shell from the enemy. We were then ordered to relieve the Second New York, Eighth New Jersey, and One Hundred and Fifteenth Pennsylvania Regiments, who were engaged on the right. Immediately on reaching our new position, the enemy fled in great confusion, leaving their dead and wounded in great numbers on the field. We pursued them for two miles, and eneamped for the night.
"Thursday, August 2Sth, pursued the enemy through the day and encamped near Blackburn's Ford (Bull Run) that night.
"Friday, August 29th, left camp at 3 o'clock, a. m., pursuing the enemy through Centreville, down the Warrenton road. Crossing Bull Run at ten o'clock, a. m., we forned a line of battle and advanced in the woods to relieve one of General Sigel's mrziments, where we found the enemy in force behind the embankment of an old rail- nad. After delivering and receiving several volleys, we charged and drove them from forir position, when he received reinforcements, and we were compelled to fall back early fifty yards, which position we held until we were relieved by the Second Mary- land Regiment. During this engagement, Colonel G. Mott and Major S. R. Gilkyson, « hille gallantly encouraging their men, were wounded. We encamped in the open field for the night.
** Saturday, August 30th, formed a line of battle about four o'clock, p. m., and were untered to support batteries to the right and rear of the position we had held the day '* fore. Through some misunderstanding, my regiment being on the right, the other regiments composing the brigade were withdrawn without my knowledge, leaving me
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NEW JERSEY AND THE REBELLION.
the brigade took up its line of march for Falmouth, where it arrived, after various experiences, on the night of the 28th-many of the men being without shoes and all short of rations. During this march, while lying at Fairfax Station, on the morning of the 22d, General Patterson, commanding the brigade, died suddenly in his tent, and Colonel Revere, of the Seventh Regiment, succeeded to the command. General Pa. on was a brave and efficient soldier, and was highly esteeme by his command. He was appointed from civil life into the ~ ond Artillery on June 24, 1847, serving as a second lieutenant . . 'il March, 1855, when he was made a captain in the Ninth Infan - remaining until 1857, when he resigned and retired from the serv. Upon the outbreak of the rebellion, he was among the first to enter the field, serving as colonel of a three months' regiment, and subsequently enlisting
in a very critical position. The enemy makinga charge upon the batteries in front, compelling them to fall back, I determined to resist their advance, when to my aston- ishment I found we were flanked right and left; I then ordered the regiment to fall back in the woods, which was done in order, and thus checked the advance of the enemy in front.
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