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 24
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The following is an extract from Colonel McAllister's congratulatory order to his brigade :
" It is with feelings of pleasure that I once more congratulate you on the brilliant achievements of the 5th inst. Your gallantry and bravery, thus displayed in rolling back the enemy's colunins, when he felt sure of success by superior numbers, is worthy of your former fame. While all are deserving of great praise in doing every- thing in their power to stay the tide of battle, the left regiments, and particularly the left wing of the Eighth New Jersey Volunteers, under command of Major Hartford, wholly unprotected by breastworks, and standing the shock of battle with a heroism worthy of the great cause in which we are enlisted, are deserving of special mention."
General Mott, in his report, says, after noticing the preliminary movements, in- eInding the establishment of his picket line in front of the enemy :
" Ramsey's Brigade, of the First Division, having been ordered to relieve McAllister,
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prisoners, and lost in the brigade one hundred and forty-seven men (including two officers) in killed, wounded and missing-some eighty of the whole number being captured. The loss of the Eleventh was fifty-four men. The corps captured in all some five hundred prisoners; but the hardest fighting of the day was done by Mott's Division, though it failed to receive credit therefor in the newspaper reports of the time.
Holding the position thus wrested from the enemy until the 29th, the brigade broke camp, and with the division, moved to the left. The grand final movement against the enemy was now in progress, and the Second Corps (now commanded by General Humphreys) was again to sustain the brunt of the fray. Cautiously advancing its lines, the division, on the 31st, took position near the Boydton plank road, where the enemy was found strongly entrenched, with three forts commanding the road. Here, at midday, an assault was made by the Eleventh and Eighth New Jersey, with two other
(holding the roads near the Tucker House, ) I sent him instructions that as soon as re- lieved to move to the left and extend towards, and, if possible, to make a connection with, the right of Smyth's Division. At about half-past three o'clock, I was somewhat surprised to receive word from General MeAllister, by his Adjutant-General, that, on being relieved, he had massed his command in the rear of his former position. I ordered him to hasten back and tell General McAllister to deploy immediately and fill the gap between General Ramsey's Brigade and Smyth's Division. Also, sent Captain Moore, A. D. C., to see the order executed. It was while going into this position that the skirmishers were driven in, and the attack was made on, and handsomely re- pulsed by, the brigade. As soon as the firing commenced, I sent a staff officer to General McAllister, to see how he was making out. The General was most gallantly encouraging his command, and sent me word that he was 'fighting with and without breastworks ; also, that he could whip them either way.' A little before five o'clock, two regiments of West's Brigade, (the One Hundred and Seventy-first Pennsylvania Volunteers and the First Massachusetts Heavy Artillery,) were sent to report to General McAllister. These regiments arrived in time to render efficient service in repulsing the last attack of the enemy, going into position under very heavy fire. At about five o'clock, p. m., the balance of the brigade, with the exception of the One Hundred and Fifth Pennsylvania Volunteers, were ordered to the support of MeAllis- ter. The enemy charged this line three distinct times, and each time he was signally repulsed. It now becoming dark, the enemy withdrew, leaving a portion of his dead on the field. The conduct of General Mc Allister and his troops deserves especial men- tion, having repulsed successfully the vigorous attacks of the enemy, who were in greatly superior numbers, (prisoners being taken from each division of Hill's and Gor- don's Corps,) parts of the command without any protection; yet all bravely stood firm and inflicted severe loss on their assailants, who were employed through the night in carrying off their wounded and dead. Yet my pioneers, who were sent out the next day, buried thirty-three, and found twenty-two newly-made graves, some of them large enough to contain five or six bodies."
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regiments, upon one of the rebel works, the men advancing through heavy slashings to the crest of a hill overlooking the enemy's position, and succeeding in occupying part of his rifle pits. The position, however, was found to be a most perilous one, the column being exposed to an enfilading artillery fire which swept its entire front, and, after a time, it was withdrawn, under a brisk fire of the enemy's sharpshooters, causing a considerable loss in killed, wounded and prisoners. Skirmishing was actively continued during the night and following day. On the 2d of April, a general attack on the enemy's line was ordered, and at eight o'clock, the Eighth New Jersey, advancing on the immediate front, in the midst of a fire of musketry, shell and canister, captured the entire picket line of the enemy-one hundred and sixty-five men, and two hundred muskets; whereupon, the Eleventh New Jersey and Eleventh Massachusetts were advanced, and a charge was at once made on the main works of the rebels, resulting in the capture of further prisoners and the occupation of the works. This charge, which was made with the utmost gallantry, the men frequently grappling hand to hand with the enemy,"7 opened Petersburg to assault at that part of the line, and the command at once moved forward towards the doomed city, intelligence being soon received, however, that the enemy, beaten also at all other points of the line, had evacuated both Petersburg and Richmond. The elation which this announcement caused among the men who had, to the last, so honorably shared in every important engagement, can, perhaps, be realized only by those who, that day standing on the captured entrenchments of the Confed- eracy, saw the End shining luminously through the battle-smoke.
On the 3d, the brigade joined in the pursuit of the retreating enemy, and moving towards Jetersville, on the morning of the 6th, found the enemy's line in its front. The brigade was at once formed in line of battle, and steadily advancing, at three o'clock charged upon the enemy, driving his line and capturing a part of his wagon train, with a number of prisoners. During these opera- tions, General Mott was shot in the right leg by a rifle-ball. On the
37 In this charge, the brave Major Hartford, of the Eighth, was the first man to plant our flag on the enemy's redoubts, at half-past nine o'clock.
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7th, crossing the Appomattox, at High Bridge, the brigade advanced towards Turnville, where the enemy again made a stand, and skir- mishing was sustained during the greater part of the day. During the night, the enemy was pushed steadily towards Appomattox Court House, where, at three o'clock on the following afternoon, intelligence was received that General Lee had surrendered the Army of Northern Virginia, and the march was ended. 38
5& General MeAllister's official report of this campaign eloses as follows :
"During this short and eventful campaign all officers and men of this command have exhibited such commendable bravery and endurance that it is almost impossible to make a distinction. I cannot, however, omit to mention particularly the brave and gallant conduet of the following officers, and to recommend them for brevet pro- motion : Lieutenant-Colonel John Schoonover, Eleventhi New Jersey Volunteers ; Captain Jolin P. Finkelmeier, A. A. G. of this Brigade, to date from the 21st of January-on which date both officers have been recommended for brevet promotion- in just appreciation of their valuable services during the last summer's campaign. They have since, on the 5th of February, near Hatcher's Run, as well as throughout this campaign, fully sustained their previous reputation, and are so well known throughout the corps for their gallant and efficient conduct in the field, that I deem it my duty to renew the application for their well-earned promotion.
Major Hartford, Eightlı New Jersey Volunteers, for his gallantry exhibited on the morning of the 2d of April.
Colonel Franeis Price, commanding Seventh New Jersey Volunteers, and Captain Charles F. Gage, Eleventh New Jersey Volunteers, for bravery exhibited on all occasions during this campaign.
Lieutenant W. Plimley, A. A. D. C. on my staff, for his brave conduct during the morning of the 2d of April with Major Hartford."
The following is the order of General McAllister, issued upon the termination of this campaign :
" General Order, No 7. 1
" To the officers and men of this Brigade :
"It is a pleasure for me again to congratulate you on the brilliant success of this campaign, and the noble manner in which you have acquitted yourselves in the different affairs in which you have participated.
" I must favorably mention the One Hundred and Twentieth New York Volunteers, temporarily commanded by Major Seott, and the Eleventh New Jersey Volunteers, temporarily commanded by Captain Gage-all under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Schoonover-for their gallantry in taking and re-taking the enemy's picket line with a large number of prisoners, on the 25th of March, under a severe fire of artillery and musketry.
" The Seventh New Jersey Volunteers, Colonel Price, for timely assistance, rendered late in the evening, in establishing the broken line and making the connections under the fire of the enemy.
"The Eighth New Jersey Volunteers, Major Hartford; Eleventh Massachusetts Volunteers, Major Dunliam ; and the One Hundred and Twentieth New York Volun- teers, Lieutenant-Colonel Loekwood-all under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Rivers -- for gallantry in developing the enemy's force on the Boydton plank road, on the 31st.
" The Eighth New Jersey Volunteers, Major Hartford, for the capture of the picket line on the 2d of April, and a large number of prisoners and arms, under a galling fire of shell and musketry, and planting our flag ou the enemy's redoubts.
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Here, too, ends the campaigning of the Second Brigade. March- ing to Burkesville Station, it remained at that point until May 2d, when it set its face homewards, marching through Richmond on the 6th, and arriving at Arlington on the 15th. On the 23d, it partici- pated in the grand review of our victorious armies, and early in June the various regiments reached Trenton, whence the men scattered to their homes." They had done their duty bravely, steadily, un- complainingly ; had helped, in many of the severest battles of the war, to maintain the Union and the prowess of our arms ; and they deserved, now that peace had come, to sit down in calm content at their own dear firesides, honored of all men-there, in all coming years to cherish the proud memorials of their service, and treasure
"The Eleventh Massachusetts Volunteers, Lieutenant-Colonel Rivers, for their gallant advance with the division skirmishers on the 6th.
"The Eleventh Massachusetts Volunteers, Lieutenant-Colonel Rivers, and the One Hundred and Twentieth New York Volunteers, Lieutenant-Colonel Lockwood, for the carly connection with the Second Brigade in the advance on the evening of the 6th, and the balance of the regiments for their promptness in throwing out skirmishers, and their handsome advance which drove back the enemy and assisted in capturing his wagon train.
" While all were not engaged at once, each did his share in helping to secure these results-of which you may all feel proud and can now rejoice over the greatest victory of the war. But in our rejoicing, let us not forget the gallant dead, that our prayers may go up daily for the widows and orphans, and our hearts open to their wants in sympathy and benevolence."
39 General McAllister's farewell order to the brigade, issued on June 2d, was as follows :
" General Order, No 10.
' To the officers and soldiers of the Third Brigade :
"As we are about to separate, allow me once more to congratulate yon on your past and brilliant career-which now becomes a matter of history. The war is over, the contest ended, and the glorious old flag of our country-consecrated by the blood of our fallen heroes, under the folds of which you have so often, so long and so gallantly fought and bled, and to defend which your comrades have died-now floats in triumph all over the land. The war brought us to the field. Peace returns us to our honies. Our work is done, and we go to enjoy with our friends in the several States represented in this command, the fruits of our victories. New Jersey, New York and Massachusetts have an interest in yon as their representatives, and will do justice to the old Third Brigade.
"In parting with you, I feel more than I can express or language convey. We shared each others' dangers, toils and fatignes-on the march, in battle, in the charge, whether attended with victory or defeat. Ties of more than an ordinary kind bind us together. Good-bye, comrades in arms. Good bless you and the widows and orphans of those of our number who have fallen by our side; and if we never meet again on carth, may we meet in a brighter and better world.
"ROBERT MCALLISTER,
"Brevet Brigadier-General."
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the memories of their dead and heroic comrades whose eyes were not permitted to see the purple dawn of the day of peace, but whose feet walked unfalteringly, always, the path of duty.
As illustrating the part performed by the New Jersey regiments in this last cam- paign, the following letter, kindly furnished by General McAllister, is here appended :
" March 29th. As ordered, we broke camp at the Tucker House and moved by the left flank, across Hatcher's Run on the Vaughn road, about two miles. All this corps (the Second) was here. Our conncetion was kept up with the old works by some of the ' Army of the James.' The Second Brigade of this division, General Pierce, was on my right; First Brigade on the reserve; First Division of our corps on my left. Ten o'clock, a. m., halted, faced to the right, and built breastworks. No enemy ap- pearing, we moved forward in line of battle, with our skirmishers in the advance, passing over some old rebel breastworks. When darkness set in, we moved by the left flank, as we did in the morning, and passed a deserted rebel camp. It now com- menced raining, and to the darkness of the night was added another obstacle, in the thick underbrush of the forest through which we had to pass, rendering it almost im- possible to march. We now halted in line of battle, threw out our piekets for the night, and laid down to sleep.
" March 30th, six o'clock, a. m. All up, and breakfast over, we advaneed forward in line of battle, through a very heavy forest, encountering the difficulties of swamps. We soon crossed the old plank road leading from Dabney's saw mill to the Boydt on plank road, about equal distance from the two places. The rain-storm grew harder, pouring down in torrents, making it exceedingly bad for the troops. Our skirmishers now encountered the enemy and drove him back. We advaneed to the Grow House, and in great haste threw up a long line of breastworks. At dark, bivouacked for the night, as we supposed. Although the storm continued, all, except those on duty, were soon asleep.
" March 31st, one o'clock, a. m. Ordered to fall in, and about two o'clock, a. m., we found ourselves moving slowly along by the left flank, in rear of this new line of works. The rain had stopped, but the mud was so deep that it was almost impossible to travel; but on moved our cohimn-the whole army in the same direction. - When my left touched the Boydton plank road it was daylight and we halted-faced the enemy, whose works were frowning upon us, telling us by shot and shell, 'Thus far shalt thou come, and no farther.' At the left of my brigade stood the old white oak tree, known as General Hancock's Headquarters; he having stood under this tree on the 27th of October last, when we fought the Boydton plank road battle. The enemy's guns now playing upon us, are concealed from our view by redoubts and breastworks. built by the enemy upon the very grond on which I fought that day, and where my brigade so nobly drove back the rebels, saving us from destruction. Ten o'clock, a. m., the Fifth Corps, and First Division of our corps, now became hotly engaged, and it was necessary that we should demonstrate against these works, develop the enemy's force and draw him off from these points of attack. I was ordered to send out one company to demonstrate against their pickets, which I did, and found the enemy strongly picketed in our front, and that nothing but a heavy fire could drive them away. I was then ordered to take out one or more regiments and attack at another point. I took the One Hundred and Twentieth New York Volunteers, Eleventh Massa- chusetts Volunteers, Eleventh New Jersey Volunteers, and Eighth New Jersey Volun- teers, four regiments ; took them under cover of the woods, and deployed in line of battle; the One Hundred and Twentieth New York, Eleventh Massachusetts and one wing of the Eighth New Jersey Volunteers, retaining the balance as a support, Went forward under. a terrific fire of musketry, canister and shell; drove the enemy from their rifle pits and occupied them for abont half an hour, when we found them antena-
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ble from the enemy's concentrated fire, and had to abandon these pits the best way we could-as it was more dangerous to get out than to go in; on some parts of the line one man at a time made good his escape; others were eut down in their attempts to get back and quite a number were taken prisoners. Our loss was considerable. It was not the intention to capture the works, but merely to demonstrate, and we did more than was expected or desired. It had the desired effect in drawing the enemy towards this point, which enabled General Miles to swing around on the enemy's right (our left). My men and officers acted bravely. Lieutenant-Colonel Schoonover, although on the reserve, had no less than fifteen men wounded by one shell. This was very remarkable. Four o'clock, p. m., I moved to the left with the corps, and creeted more works. You sce that as we could not attack the enemy's works with success we pursued Grant's old plan of moving to the left to weaken their lines-which, at last, caused the downfall of General Lee. We remained in this position all night.
" April 1st. At daylight we moved back to our old works on the plank road, and re- mained all day. There was no firing; all was quiet, and late in the evening we went into the same position we had left in the morning, and demonstrated on the enemy's lines until daylight Sunday morning. This first night of April I shall never forget; it seemed as though all the demons of war had been let loose. The roar of artillery and musketry all night long-from the Appomattox River, below Petersburg, to our extreme left-was the most terrifie I have ever heard. Not one moment's rest did we get that night. No language can give you even a faint idea of the noise of musketry and cannon on that battle night. The enemy weakened their left in order to strengthen their right, and we expected the great attack would take place on our front. While their troops were massing on our left, to defend their right, we were massing on our right, to break their left. This General Lee did not expect.
" April 2d. This Sabbath morning dawned beautifully, but its gray light disclosed to view two powerful armies arrayed in their full strength for the last time, in the great and final struggle of the war. The sacredness of the day was not a barrier to the con- tinuance of the contest, for the battle had already begun, and the dark clouds of war were bursting here and there all along our lines. It was necessary that another demon- stration should be made on my front. At eight o'clock, a. m., according to orders to attack, I sent out one regiment, the Eighth New Jersey Volunteers, Major Hartford, and went out to superintend it; advanced on the enemy's pieket line, amidst a terrific fire of musketry, canister and shell. Though the wounded and dead fell around us, the regiment advanced, and captured the whole pieket line in our front-one hundred and sixty-five prisoners, and over two hundred muskets. The enemy still continued their fire upon us, and we, in return, poured a raking fire into the redoubt in front, and silenced their guns. I now sent back for two more regiments, (Eleventh Massa- chusetts and Eleventh New Jersey Volunteers,) and was preparing to charge their main line of works, when the enemy run back their guns and commeneed a retreat. Wo advanced rapidly, and as I rode up to the works I found quite a number of white flags hung out for protection by those who remained behind when the enemy left. We took possession of the redoubt and a long line of works, and gathered up a large number of prisoners. Besides being thus successful ourselves, we received splendid news from all quarters that the day was ours, not only here but all along the lines. Major Hartford had the honor of planting the Star Spangled Banner on the redoubt we captured; and well he merited that honor. He evinced bravery and gallantry worthy of the great cause in which he was engaged. It was yet very early in the day, and what a glorious triumph had crowned our arms ! For nine long months we had been battling to accomplish this end, and the ground for miles along this line had been consecrated by the best blood of our army. Thousands of our brave comrades had fallen on this battle-field and were mouldering to dust beneath this ground; thousands more were here maimed for life-to say nothing of the vast number who had been here slightly wounded, nor of those who here died by disease. What a subject for reflection ! What a change had come over us; our stubborn enemy was now fast retreating. We occupied their long line of works, and every soldier well knew that
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Petersburg was virtually ours. Half-past nine o'clock, p. m., we moved forward along the Boydton plank road, crossed over Hatcher's Run, and passed the battle- ground of the 27th of October last to our right. After traveling a few miles we found that the Sixth Corps had come to their left and our front and were driving the enemy, who had gone in that direction. A number of prisoners and cannon were captured, the enemy still making some resistance. We soon reached Petersburg, or rather elosc on it. I remained in reserve with my brigade. The troops in our front threw up works and all bivouacked for the night.
April 3d. There was little or no firing during the night, and the next morning, by dawn of day, the mayor of the town came out and surrendered the plaec to the Sixth Corps. Our boys cheered heartily. It was now ascertaincd that Lee was retreating southward, and at eight o'clock, a. m., we were on the march after him-taking the river road. * * * * * **
April 9th, half-past three o'clock, p. m. IT WAS OFFICIALLY ANNOUNCED THAL LEE HAD SURRENDERED. What a secne followed. The excitement was beyond deseription. Officers and men were perfectly wild. There were greetings, congratulations and cheering; shoes and hats flew high in the air, speeches were called for loudly and made, but could not be heard, the boys checring at every sentence. The old flag waved in triumph high and low, back and forth over a sea of up-turned faces. No picture can portray, no language can describe that scene. * * * *
The following is General Humphrey's farewell order to the Second Corps : "HEADQUARTERS, SECOND ARMY CORPS, { April 10, 1865.
" Officers and Soldiers of the Second Army Corps:
"I congratulate you on the glorious success that has attended the operations just closed. While awaiting the expressions of approbation from the country, from the Commander of the Armics, and of the Army of the Potomac, for the manner in which you have performed your part in the general plan, I cannot refrain from expressions of admiration at the noble spirit that has animated you throughout, at the brilliant ex- hibition of the soldierly qualities for which the Second Corps has been conspicuous. The rapid manner in which you pressed the pursuit, from the moment the enemy was discovered in retreat, driving him before you by constant combat, over an unknown country, through dense undergrowth and swamp, from positions which his advanced troops had entrenched, has, I believe, been unexampled. Being in direet pursuit, the opportunities for large captures were not yours; but spite the disadvantages you labored under, the results to the corps have been the capture of thirty-five guns, fifteen flags and five thousand prisoners, and the capture or destruction of four hundred wagons, with their contents, besides tents, baggage and other material, with which the road was strewn for miles. In addition, you have contributed eminently to the general success, and to the captures made by other corps, by hemining in the enemy and pre- venting his escape, and have done your full share in the grand closing scene. In the operations before Petersburg, your success was brilliant. General Miles, with the First Division, was ordered to advance and attack the enemy, flushed with success over two divisions of another eorys, which they were pressing baek; this was done in the promptest and most spirited manner. The enemy was driven back rapidly into his entrenehments, with severe loss, in killed, wounded, and prisoners. In the plan of general assault upon the enemy's lines, on the morning of the 2d of April, this corps was not to attack; but, nevertheless, the Second Division, under General Hays, eap- tured one of the enemy's redoubts, with two guns, and the Third Division, under General Mott, less favorably placed, captured and held the entrenched rifle pits of the pickets, under the fire of the main entrenchments. During the night of the 1st in- stant, General Miles, First Division, had been detached, under orders of Major-General Sheridan, and, in the pursuit of the following day, attacked the enemy, entrenched in a strong position, which was finally carried in the handsomest manner, with the eap- ture of two guns, one flag and six hundred prisoners. These great successes have
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