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 21
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From this time forward until the 21st, the contest raged with more or less fury all along the lines, the belligerents being so close at times that conversation, in the pauses of the strife, could be easily carried on. On the night of the 19th, McAllister ad- vanced his line and gained some advantage, (including the recovery of most of the wounded and many of the dead,) two regiments of sharpshooters in his command so annoying the enemy as to pre- vent his firing with any regularity or precision. This brigade was under fire continuously, losing some four hundred up to the 20th, that is, in three days. On the 23d, Grant having determined upon an attempt to turn the enemy's right, the corps was ordered
24 In this movement, and until the 25th, Colonel MeAllister commanded the Second Brigade of the division to which he was attached.
25 " After the Maine Artillery retired the ground was strewn with dead, wounded and dying; the latter crying, 'water, water,' but no relief could be sent them. I have been told that a flag of truce was asked of General Lee, and that he refused it on the ground that he lost no men. Hundreds of our wounded thus died in our sight, to whose pitiful cries we would have most gladly responded, could we have done so."- Letter of Colonel McAllister, June 19, 1864.
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THE SECOND BRIGADE.
to again advance, which it did through a difficult and wooded country. The Second Brigade had General Barlow on its left ; on his left the Sixth Corps was to take position, but failing to make the connection, the rebels about noon fell with great force upon Barlow's Division, and throwing it into confusion, pushed in on the flanks of the Second and Third Brigades, rolling them up and forcing them back with a loss of four guns and many prisoners- one brigade alone losing over three hundred in killed, wounded and prisoners, besides a large quantity of entrenching tools abandoned to the enemy. The loss of the Eleventh Regiment was twenty-six in all-Major Halsey being captured. Later in the evening, Mc- Allister was ordered to advance, with a view of recovering the lost ground, which he did very handsomely, driving the enemy out of the works he had constructed after his success in the morning, and holding the position. Next morning, it was found that the rebels had fallen back to their original line, and our forces advanced to the works which had been temporarily wrested from them.
Up to this time, the brigade had been constantly employed, with scarcely a day's relief, either in fighting, marching, or working in the trenches. For nearly two months it had participated in the heaviest and most arduous labors of a campaign of unprecedented severity ; it had lost largely in officers and men, had suffered from exposure and often from want of food; but it was still animated by the same heroic spirit, the same unfailing confidence which characterized it when it first marched against the enemy. Remem- bering the dead who had fallen with their faces to the foe, the wounded it had left behind, it meant to hold firmly on its way-to "fight it out on that line"-at whatever cost, and so at once to avenge the fallen and secure the plaudits of the living. The total losses of the brigade, during the months of May and June, amounted to one thousand six hundred and thirty-two men in killed, wounded and missing, the casualties in the New Jersey regiments numbering seven hundred and fifty, as follows : Fifth Regiment, one hundred and sixteen killed, one hundred and nineteen wounded, twenty-two missing; Sixth Regiment, sixteen killed, ninety-nine wounded, eight missing; Seventh Regiment, thirteen killed, eighty-six
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NEW JERSEY AND THE REBELLION.
wounded, fifty-nine missing; Eighth Regiment, fifteen killed, one hundred and forty wounded, twenty-five missing; Eleventh Regi- ment, fifteen killed, ninety-seven wounded, twenty missing. Of the killed, eight were officers, while of the wounded thirty-five were officers.
The brigade remained in the trenches until the 12th of July, when it was moved out, and after various unimportant movements, went into reserve camp, the men being employed in various duties, pending Burnside's mining operations before Petersburg. On the 26th, the corps was quietly transferred from the extreme left to the extreme right, across the James River, at Deep Bottom, where it attacked the enemy, and drove him some distance, capturing four guns and six caissons. It was then as quietly returned to its former position before Petersburg, holding the front line of works on our right when, on the morning of the 30th, Burnside's mine, some three miles distant, was exploded. During this day, the Third Brigade, which rested on the Appommatox River, was exposed to a heavy fire from the rebel batteries posted opposite, but the men were so well protected that only eight casualties occurred, three of which were in the Eleventh. Here it remained until August 12th, when the corps moved to City Point, embarked and proceeded once more to Deep Bottom, where on the 14th, Barlow's Division assailed the rebel works, but without success. On the 16th, another assault was delivered, General Mott sending in two regiments of the Second Brigade against the eastern front of the enemy's defences. Of these regiments, the Eighth New Jersey and Eleventh Massachusetts, both under direction of Colonel McAllister, the latter was stationed as a reserve, covered by the crest of a hill, while the former moved forward as a forlorn hope, the object being to develope the enemy's strength.26 The gallant Eighth, under command of Colonel Ramsey, advanced steadily under a deadly cross-fire from the rebels, who opened all their guns and musketry, but it was soon found that it would be impossible to reach the works, and the command
26 Colonel McAllister says of this affair : "Colonel Ramsey did much to urge his men forward under that terrific fire, and great credit is due him and his gallant little regiment for the bravery thus displayed."
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THE SECOND BRIGADE.
slowly retired. Under all the circumstances, the advance was one of the finest of the campaign, the regiment numbering at the time only one hundred men, of whom sixteen were lost in this charge."
37 Extracts from General Mott's Division Report : "In compliance with orders from Headquarters Second Army Corps, the division broke camp at three o'clock, p. m., and marched to City Point, arriving at nine o'clock, p. m. The heat was excessive and the road very dusty. Although I made frequent halts and marched very leisurely, the command suffered very much, and several cases of sunstroke was reported to me. At half-past nine o'clock, p. m., of the 13th, commeneed to embark on board of trans- ports which occupied until dark, (part of the wharf being occupied by other troops which were embarking to proceed to Washington.) As the transports were loaded they proceeded down the river rendezvousing near Light House Point. At ten o'clock, p. m., the fleet started up the river for Deep Bottom, arriving at one o'clock, a. m., of the 14th. After having a wharf built, part of which was a canal boat and part trestle work, commeneed to disembark at two o'clock, a. m., of the 14th, and finished at eight o'clock, a. m. Massing the division on the bank of the river, having previously thrown some pickets well out, immediately deployed two (2) regiments as skirmishers to advance across Strawberry Plain, to see if the enemy occupied the woods in front and old rifle pits, from which we drove him on a former expedition. We found some small posts of the enemy in the edge of the woods, but had no difficulty in driving them back to the woods and occupying the works near what is called the Tavern and Pottery, on the New Market and Malvern Hill road, followed by the First Brigade of this division, commanded by General De Trobriand. My skirmish line was again advanced, under the able command of Colonel E. R. Biles, Ninety-ninth Pennsylvania Volunteers, who had already led the advance, driving the enemy across the open field and woods to his main position, under the protection of his main line of works. Here some considerable skirmishing and demonstrations were carried on until my skirmishers reached a crest running along a corn-field between the enemy's main line and the New Market road, the left resting on an impenetrable swamp, and the right connecting with General Miles' Brigade, of General Barlow's Division. The Second and Third Brigades massed near the Gate Posts, on the New Market and Malvern Hill road. About five o'clock, p. m., I received orders to send a brigade to report to General Barlow. The Third Brigade, Colonel McAllister commanding, was sent in accordance with said order. Was relieved and returned to my command about daylight on the morning of the 15th inst. On Monday, 15th, according to instructions from Head- quarters Second Army Corps, I ordered the Second Brigade, Colonel Craig, to report to Major-General Birney to form a part of his force during the operations of the day. I would respecfully call the attention of the Major-General commanding to the report of Colonel Pulford, (who assumed command of the brigade after the wounding of Colonel Craig,) and partienlarly to the part where he claims to have taken three (3) commissioned officers and one hundred (100) privates prisoners, although I understand there is none to his credit; also that, during the time it was absent, it was ordered to report to no less than three different general officers, and again to the order of Major- General Birney, when said brigade was relieved from his command. I also relieved the picket line of General Miles' First Division, and moved the Third and First Brigades, with the exception of the Twentieth Indiana and Fortieth New York, which were left to hold the breast-works and to protect the extreme left to near the junction of the cross roads in rear of the line, at the intersection of the New Market and Long Bridge road. During the day I made several demonstrations so as to draw the enemy's attention to my front, and prevent his sending reinforcements to his left, where an attack was to be made by the First Division, (General Barlow.) At seven o'clock, p. m., an order was received to send a regiment, under a good commander, to the piece of woods nearest the bridge head, with pickets well out on the Malvern Hill road. The Eleventh New
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NEW JERSEY AND THE REBELLION.
Further assault at this point-other parts of the line having also been repulsed-being considered impracticable, though the enemy
Jersey Volunteers, Lieutenant-Colonel Schoonover, was accordingly sent. On Tuesday. the 16th, I strengthened my pieket line with two more regiments, before daylight, with instructions to be very watchful, and to make frequent demonstrations to prevent the enemy reinforcing his left, while an attack was made at that point by Major-General Birney with the Tenth Corps and a brigade from each division of the Second Corps. These demonstrations were made frequently during the day. At three o'clock, p. m., I advanced ; the Eighth New Jersey deployed, supported by the Eleventh Massachusetts, through the woods and into a corn-field on my right, to feel the enemy. They were received with a hot musketry and shell from the enemy's works. After skirmishing for some forty minutes they were withdrawn with a loss in the Eighth New Jersey of fifteen (15) killed and wounded. I made a similar demonstration on my left with the Twentieth Indiana Volunteers, driving in the enemy's piekets, but were soon checked by the fire from the breast-works of infantry and artillery. Pending this, Captain Ford, ordnance officer of the division, with a detachment of the Fortieth New York, secured and brought away one eight (8) inch howitzer and three (3) wagon loads of ammunition, for which I enclose copy of receipts. These demonstrations were materially assisted by a steady shelling of the enemy's position by Riekett's Penn- sylvania Battery and one of the gunboats on the river. During the day the regiment sent to the woods, near the bridge-head, was withdrawn. Remained quiet during the night. August 17th, at eight o'clock, received word that the brigade sent on the 15th to form part of Major-General Birney's force could be spared from his line. I immediately dispatched a staff officer to bring it back to the division, where it arrived about eleven o'clock, a. m. No active operations during the day, the enemy, however, showing considerable force along the breast-works, and rein- forcing his pieket line. Thursday, the 18th, the day had been quiet along my line, until about five o'clock, p. m., when the enemy opened with artillery on my picket line, (throwing an occasional shot into the woods where the troops were massed, ) and at the same time making an attempt to advance his pickets. These demonstrations. twice repeated, were repulsed without difficulty, and were evidently made to keep us where we were, and to create a diversion while making an attack on the extreme right. Finding out this, I deployed the balance of the First Brigade near the junetion of the cross-roads of the New Market, Malvern Hill and Long Bridge roads, where the at- tack was the most persistent. The other two brigades were held in readiness for any emergency. At twenty minutes past six o'clock, orders were received from Major. General Hancock to immediately send a regiment to the woods, near the bridge-head, with piekets well out on the Malvern Hill road. The Eleventh New Jersey was sent in accordance. Soon after, orders were received from the same source to send the balance of the brigade to reinforce and hold the position at all hazards. The Third Brigade, Colonel MeAllister, immediately started and took up the position, as ordered. At twenty minutes before nine o'clock, p. m., received orders from Headquarters Second Corps that on being relieved I should proceed with iny division to the vicinity of Petersburg, and report to the Major-General Commanding the Army of the Poto- mac. At ten o'clock, p. m., crossed the James River on the lower pontoon bridge ; massed on the neck, waiting for my pickets. Resumed the march at one o'clock, a. m., of the 19th. Crossed the Appomattox at 3 o'clock, a. m., and reported to Major- General Humphreys at seven o'clock, a. m. There received orders to relieve the Ninth Corps in the entrenchinents, which was accomplished at eleven o'clock, a. m., the right resting on the Eighteenth Corps, near and across the Petersburg and Norfolk Railroad, the left connecting with the piekets of the Fifth Corps, at the Strong House. I beg respectfully to state that all my officers and men behaved in a commendable manner. My brigade commanders were active and attentive in carrying out orders. particularly Brigadier-General De Trobriand, and Colonel McAllister, who deserve
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THE SECOND BRIGADE. .
vainly endeavored to turn our right, the corps on the 18th returned to the entrenchments before Petersburg, whence two divisions moved towards the Weldon Railroad. Here, severe fighting ensued, and on the 25th, Hancock being hard pressed, Colonel Mc Allister, with his command-numbering some seven hundred men, with six pieces and a few cavalry-was advanced up the plank road towards Ream's Station, where Hancock was still engaged. From this point, the brigade moved to the Blackwater, under orders from General Meade, and formed in line of battle. Hancock, meanwhile, had been beaten with heavy loss, and compelled to retreat, abandon- ing the station and a number of guns. Reaching the point occu- pied by McAllister, Hancock ordered the relieving forces to cover the retreat, which was done, the corps returning to its old position, where they engaged in the erection of a new line of works.
The next affair in which the brigade was engaged occurred on the night of the 9th of September. At that time, the Second Bri- gade guarded the Jerusalem plank road running into Petersburg, seven hundred men of the command occupying Fort Crawford on the left of the road. The enemy's picket line occupied the crest of a hill in front of this and another fort. This line it was deemed desirable to push back, and accordingly on the 9th, or rather early on the morning of the 10th, three regiments of General De Tro- briand's Brigade moved forward, McAllister's men being held in reserve, and without firing a shot drove the enemy from his positions with a loss of one hundred prisoners. McAllister then advanced his picket line, and hastily constructing rifle pits, held
honorable mention as brave and efficient officers. The officers composing my staff rendered me great assistance, by their promptness and efficiency in carrying out my orders. Conspicuous among them were Major J. Hancock, Assistant-Adjutant-Gen- eral, Major J. William, Assistant-Inspector-General, and Captain Beoman, Provost- Marshal. A nominal list of casualties has been forwarded, consisting of one com- missioned officer and eighteen enlisted men killed, nine commissioned officers and one hundred and forty-five enlisted men wounded, and two commissioned officers and eighty-two enlisted men missing, making an aggregate of two hundred and fifty-seven. I regret to have to record among this, Colonel C. A. Craig, One Hundred and Fifth Pennsylvania Volunteers, commanding Second Brigade, and Colonel D. Chaplin, First Maine Heavy Artillery, both mortally wounded, and have since died.
"Very respectfully,
"G. MOTT."
23
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NEW JERSEY AND THE REBELLION.
the ground, though repeatedly assailed, and losing some ten men. During the day the enemy continued his fire, causing twelve additional casualties. Among the wounded was Captain Moore- house, of the Eleventh. During the following day, the casualties numbered only two, notwithstanding the fire was almost continuous -the picket line of the Second Brigade alone firing seventeen thousand rounds of cartridges. For several days picket-firing was steadily kept up, but without appreciable results on either side.29
During the ensuing fortnight the New Jersey regiments were strengthened by considerable accessions of recruits. On September
28 A correspondent of the Washington Chronicle gave the following account of this brilliant affair :
"For a long time previous to last Friday night, the 9th instant, the rebel picket line ocenpied a very unnsnal and improper position in front of the Third Division of the Second Corps, now commanded with much ability and popularity by Brigadier-General Mott. Their line was within a stone's throw of our works, much nearer ours than their own, while our pickets were forced to remain close under our own lines. In addition to this, their line ran along the erest of a hill, enabling their pickets to over- look our works and keep the rebel authorities well advised of all that transpired behind them. In their line were also several chimneys, that could be used as observa- tories and shields for their sharpshooters.
" Many general officers, including General Hancock, had remarked on the impro- priety of the rebel pickets holding this advantageons position, but, as it was held by a strong picket force and swept by rebel batteries, how to prevent it was a question by no means easy of solution.
"General Mott and General De Trobriand, who commands the First Brigade, con- ceived and matured the bold idea of not only getting the coveted position, but also of capturing their piekets. One o'clock at night was fixed on as the time to excente the desperate enterprise. General Mott gave it his personal attention and presence, as usual, assisted by General De Trobriand. It was a complete surprise to the enemy. and a perfect success to us, reflecting much credit on all concerned. We captured nearly one hundred men, and still hold the line."
General Mott's report of this affair says :
"I have the honor to report that the officers and men engaged in the operation most gallantly did their duty, and performed the work entrusted to them in a manner worthy of their old services and well-earned reputation. Thanks are due to Brigadier-General De Trobriand, commanding First Brigade, who had a general supervision of this delicate movement, and gave it his undivided attention ; and to my other brigade and regimental commanders, who performed their parts to my entire satisfaction. Also, to the different battery commanders on the line, who fully carried out instructions, and effectively silenced the guns of the enemy that opened on us. It is with deep regret I have to report the death of Lieutenant-Colonel George W. Mickel, Twentieth Indiana Volunteers. He fell on Saturday morning, on the ground wrested by him from the enemy with marked ability and his usual gallantry, and died with the consoling feeling of a victory-the most arduous and important part of which was due to his generous efforts."
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SKETCH of the ENTRENCHED LINE S in the IMMEDIATE FRONT of PETERSBURG Surveyed under the direction of N. Michler Major of Engrs. Bvt. Col. U.S.A.
SCALE 1'4
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U. S. Lines. Enemy's Lines.
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THE SECOND BRIGADE.
30th, the brigade joined the remainder of the division, under General Mott, at Poplar Grove Church, in the vicinity of which two or three small works of the enemy were carried on the following day. His main line, however, defied assault, and our men withdrew with some loss, the Second Brigade losing twenty-three men in all." Here the corps remained until October 6th, assisting in the con- struction of earthworks, when it returned to its old position, and steadily advanced its lines from day to day toward the Southside Railroad, fortifying both front and rear.30
: "In this fight one of my New Jersey sergeants was struck by a cannon ball, which nearly severed his leg, leaving it united by only a shred of skin. Pulling out his knife, he coolly cut it off with his own hand! Then, asking if he had not done his duty, lie was carried to the rear, where he died in the evening."-Letter of Colonel McAllister. October 3d, 1864.
30 "The frequent marches and countermarches secured to the brigade the name of 'Hancock's Cavalry.' On one of the marches of the Third Division, a spectator asked, 'What troops are these ?' One of the 'boys' replied: 'Why, don't you know, ' Hancock's Cavalry. We have just stopped for the officers to change horses.'"
General Mott's report of the movements of the division at this tinie is as follows :
"HEADQUARTERS, THIRD DIVISION, SECOND ARMY CORPS, October 8, 1864.
"I have the honor to forward the report of the movements of this division from the 1st to the 5th inst., inclusive. Having been relieved from the forts and rifle pits, extending from Fort Morton to Fort Alexander Hays, during the night before, the division was massed near trestle bridge, and in the woods in the rear of the Avery House. About twelve o'clock, m., ou the 1st inst., I received orders from the Major- General commanding the Second Corps, that I, with my division, would take the cars to the Yellow House, or General Warren's Headquarters, there procuring a guide, would march to the vicinity of the Ninth Corps, reporting to Major-General Parke. At one o'clock, p. m., the cars being ready, I commenced to embark, at two points, viz: Hancock's Station, and near the trestle bridge. There were three trains, and each train made three trips. The head of the column reported to General Parke at half-past two o'clock, p. m. ; the rear was up at five o'clock, p. m. I, with my staff, reported at four o'clock, p. m., having remained to superintend the embarkation. The march from the railroad terminus to the headquarters of the Ninth Corps was severe, owing to its raining very hard and the muddy condition of the roads.
" My division was massed in the rear of the Peeble's House, and remained until next morning. On Sunday, the 2d, having received orders from the Major-General com- manding the Ninth Corps, to be in readiness to move at half-past six o'clock, a. ni., and to report in person at six o'clock, a. m., to his headquarters, my command was ready at that time, and I reported accordingly.
" The orders I received were to form on the left of General Wilcox's Division of the Ninth Corps, and to advance with the said division, keeping up the connection on my right, and to keep a good look out for my left flank. At eight o'clock, a. m., I deployed the Second Brigade, General Pierce, on the left of General Wilcox's Division, with skirmishers well thrown out, followed closely by the Third Brigade, Colonel McAllister, with instructions to deploy as soon as the movement commenced and the nature of the ground would admit. First Brigade, General De Trobriand, in reserve,
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180
NEW JERSEY AND THE REBELLION.
On the 27th, the Army of the Potomac, leaving only sufficient men to hold its works before Petersburg, marched suddenly by the left against the enemy's works covering Hatcher's Run and the Boydton plank road. The Second Corps, advancing on the left, and finding but a small force to dispute its passage at Hatcher's Run, pushed forward to the plank road, reaching a point within a mile of the Southside Railroad. Here the enemy showed himself in strong force, and, owing to the failure of General Crawford to
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