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 31
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where they arrived on the 22d, being welcomed by the city authori- ties, and also entertained by the ladies of the town at the "Soldiers' Welcome Home." On the 12th of July, the regiment, as an organization, was mustered out at Greensborough, and the next day proceeded by rail to Danville, Virginia. Just before leaving Greens- borough, the following congratulatory order from General Carter, commanding that post, was read at the head of the regiment :
" HEADQUARTERS TWENTY-THIRD ARMY CORPS, DISTRICT OF GREENSBOROUGH, } GREENSBOROUGH, NORTH CAROLINA, July 13, 1865. "Colonel James Stewart, Jr., Ninth New Jersey Veteran Volunteer Infantry :
"MY DEAR COLONEL :- While it may be that I can add but little to the well-carned reputation of the gallant officers and men of your veteran regiment-a reputation made on many hard-fought fields, which have become matters of history-still I cannot have you leave for your homes without joining my testimony to that of others, as to the discipline, drill, gallant conduct, soldierly-bearing and efficiency of your noble regiment. On the march, in camp, under fire and in the performance of all the duties of a soldier, the example of the Ninth New Jersey Veteran Volunteer Infantry has been worthy of imitation, and entitles it to all praise and commendation.
" With your regiment, my relations have never been other than the most pleasant, and I shall always cherish with the liveliest feelings of pleasure the fact that I have had the honor to command such men.
"You return to your homes only after the rebellion has been crushed and peace restored, with the proud consciousness that you, as a regiment, did your part nobly and fully towards re-establishing the national authority, and securing the blessings · which I trust you may, under God's good Providenec, long live to enjoy. While I regret much the severance of the ties which have existed between us, I heartily congrat- ulate you on a speedy return to the loved ones at home, who are, even now, so anxiously waiting to greet and erown you with the victor's wreath, and shower upon you the plaudits which are justly your due.
With the best and kindest wishes for yourself, your officers and men, and a ' God- speed' you on your ' homeward-bound' journey, I am, my dear Colonel, with feeling's of attachment and respect, very truly, your friend, "(Signed,)
S. J. CARTER, "Brigadier-General Commanding."
Leaving Danville on the 14th, the regiment reached City Point on the following day, and at once embarked for Baltimore, were it arrived on the 17th. Reaching Philadelphia the same evening, it proceeded, after a brief delay, to Trenton, arriving at half-past six o'clock on the following morning." The men were at once fur-
27 The Trenton State Gazette, noticing the arrival of the regiment, said :
" The Ninth, armed with Springfield rifles, had been frequently exercised in target- firing, and were expert marksmen. While encamped at Meridian Hill, some of the 'crack shots' of the Berdan Sharpshooters challenged the Ninth. This was accepted, and a match to a trial of skill took place, resulting in the victory of the Ninth. It is remarkable that of the officers returning with the regiment, all except the Colonel and Lieutenant-Colonel originally joined the regiment as privates. This not only shows that the Ninth has seen hard service, and lost many officers, but that it was com- posed of a good class of men."
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loughed until the 28th, when the final discharge-papers were issued, and on the day following, after nearly four years of service, the Ninth Regiment ceased to exist. Before the final separation, the officers of the regiment presented Colonel Stewart a beautiful and costly badge-being of gold, richly enameled-as an evidence of "their respect and affection." Subsequently, upon the strong recommendation of the various commanders under whom he had served, Colonel Stewart received a commission as Brigadier-General, to date from March 10, 1865, the day of the battle of Wise's Forks, North Carolina, in which he handled a brigade with distinguished skill and efficiency.
New Jersey will ever be proud of the record of the regiment which thus, having helped to achieve a just and honorable peace, folded its standards and passed into history."" Its story is the story of the war-its eulogy is its own great deeds. During its term of service it participated in forty-two battles and engagements,
28 We append the following sketches of some of the officers of the Ninth Regiment : BRIGADIER-GENERAL JAMES STEWART, JR.
James Stewart, Jr., was born in Warren county, in the year 1840. Before the war he was engaged in a lucrative mercantile business in the city of New York. Coming, however, from patriotic stock, he promptly forsook his business at the call for troops, and entered the service as a First-Lieutenant in the Ninth Regiment. At the battle of Newberne, he distinguished himself by silencing a rebel battery which had greatly annoyed the Union forces. He took an active part in the Goldsborough expedition in 1863, losing some thirty men of his company in killed and wounded, and displaying the utmost gallantry in every engagement. After his promotion to the Coloneley of the Ninth, he commanded, during a large part of the time, a brigade, and at one time a division-being frequently complimented by his superiors for his ability and courage. In his regiment he was higlily estcemed, the men having the most implicit confidence in his efficiency and skill as an officer. In many respects, he was peculiarly qualified for the life of the soldier, possessing largely that element of good nature which reconciles its owner to any fate, however perilons or unpleasant, and having, withal, a heartiness of manner, and a gennine kindness of disposition which secured him friends in such nmnbers as to make even the camp something of a home to him. He had, moreover, the love of adventure, and the fondness for hazardons enterprises which constitute invariable characteristics of the true soldier. In the hottest battle, he was as serene as upon parade; in the face of death, his laugh was as cheery and buoyant, his smile as natural and nuconstrained as in the drawing-room, or around the camp-fire. But under all this smiling exterior, there was a character as sturdy, a nature as thoughful and earnest as ever grew-just as under the tree in blossom there are the solid, massive trunk and the great roots clasping the immovable rocks far down below.
Upon the return of peace, General Stewart marelied home at the head of his com- mand, receiving a hearty welcome from the people of the State, who rejoiced to do honor to one who had so honored them.
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and traveled by rail and on foot a distance of seven thousand six hundred and fifty-two miles, making, while in North Carolina, some of the most remarkable marches on record. Entering the
COLONEL ABRAM ZABRISKIE
Was the third son of Honorable A. O. Zabriskie, now Chancellor of this State, and was born at Hackensack, New Jersey, on the 18th of February, 1841. He entered the Col- lege of New Jersey in 1855, and graduated with honors in 1859, immediately commene- ing the study of the law, which he prosecuted until he entered the army. From his earliest childhood, he had been distinguished by vigor and clearness of intelleet, no less than by great intrepidity of character, and those characteristics made him a man of mark from the moment he enlisted in the nation's service. At the time when the rebellion flowered into open hostilities, Zabriskie had just completed his preparations for a tour in Europe; his state-room had been engaged, and he confidently expected to sail with Honorable William L. Dayton, our Minister to France. But he was not one to consult his own pleasure when the country was in peril, and instantly upon hearing of the fall of Sumter, he decided to abandon the trip to which he had looked forward with so much satisfaction." Soon after, having deliberately determined upon his course, he entered the service as Adjutant of the Ninth Regiment, with which he was identified until he fell upon the field. Although only nineteen years of age, he commanded from the first the profoundest esteem of his comrades, among whom his influence was unbounded. Ability, courage, the most sterling patriotism were all his, and wherever placed, these high qualities found conspicuous manifestation. As Colonel of the Ninth Regiment, his record was not merely spotless ; it was lustrous. Even in his last hours, when the shadow of death lay upon his face, and life's beauty and joy faded like a pleasant picture from his darkened vision, his thoughts were of his country and of the comrades who were still, with heroic endurance, braving the perils of a doubtful field.
The high estimate placed by the public upon Colonel Zabriskie's services, was clearly exhibited in the expression of the press, as well as the action of publie bodies, imme- diately upon his death. The Common Council of Jersey City, at a special meeting called for the purpose, adopted a series of resolutions warmly applauding his patriotic course and lamenting his deecase as a loss to the country at large. The members of the bar of Hudson County issued a memorial commemorative of his virtues, while all the leading journals pronounced glowing culogies upon his character. His remains were interred at Greenwood Cemetery, May, 23, 1864, four days after death, and twelve after receiving the fatal wound.
LIEUTENANT-COLONEL WILLIAM B. CURLIS
Raised a company, and was commissioned a Captain of the Ninth Regiment by Governor Olden on the 23d of September, 1861. Although he held a commission from President Lincoln as Postmaster, he cheerfully forsook the emoluments and comforts of civil life for the dangers and honors of the battle-field. Captain Curlis aeted with great gallantry in the various battles in which the regiment was engaged, and February 13, 1963, was commissioned Major for gallant services. He was appointed Lieutenant- Colonel June 20, 1864. In April, 1863, he was appointed Provost-Marshal of the sub- district of Beaufort, North Carolina, and remained until the September following, when he was relieved at his own request, and returned to the regiment. On the 1st of October, 1SC4, he was ordered to take command of the Twenty-third New York Cavalry, Seventeenth Massachusetts Infantry, one detached company of the First North Carolina Cavalry, one company of the First North Carolina Infantry, and one company of the Second Massachusetts Heavy Artillery, and ocenpy a nine-gun fort near his quarters, which he did, holding the command until the 1st of February, 1865. He was mustered out of the service on the 19th of the same month on his own application.
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service with one thousand one hundred and forty-two men, and at various times strengthened by recruits, the mean strength of the regiment when mustered out was only six hundred men. Eight officers offered their lives a sacrifice on the nation's altar, while twenty-three received wounds in battle-most of them of a serious nature. Sixty-one enlisted men were killed in battle, and four hundred wounded. Forty-three men died from wounds, and one hundred from disease. The total loss of the regiment from all causes was one thousand six hundred and forty-six men. No fact could more strikingly exhibit the consuming nature of the campaigns in which the regiment participated than this, clearly authenticated by official reports. The entire number of men and officers taken prisoners was about one hundred and thirty, forty- .
CAPTAIN BENJAMIN W. HOPPER .
Entered the regiment as a Sergeant. His bravery at Roanoke and Newberne attracted the attention of General Heckman, who promoted him to a Lieutenantey and sub- sequently to be a Captain. In this position he showed superior ability. His company was soon brought to a high state of efficiency ; while his men, seeking to emulate his example, performed prodigies of valor. Captain Hopper on the return of the regiment was senior officer of the line. No officer enjoyed a better reputation for bravery and skill, while few equaled him in those qualities which go so far to make up a perfect soldier. Captain Hopper was repeatedly complimented for bravery.
CAPTAIN THOMAS BURNETT
Was also a fine soldier. At one time he acted as drill-sergeant, and in performing the "manual," his rifle seemed to be part of himself; in its use none could excel him. Whenever an important and dangerous duty was to be performed, this gallant officer was sure to be selected. He never knew failure where success was possible. At the close of the war, he participated in the attack on Canada-holding a com- mission as Lieutenant-Colonel in the New Jersey (Fenian) Regiment.
LIEUTENANT J. MADISON DRAKE,
at the time the war broke out, was a citizen of Trenton, where he had been for some years connected with journalism. He was among the first to enlist, and within three days after the fall of Sumter, recruited seventy-seven men. Being chosen Captain, he declined the position, and served with the Third Regiment (three months' men) as color-bearer. Upon his return, he organized another company for the war, but troops not being at that time received, he returned to his business. When, however, the Ninth Regiment was formed, he joined it as a Sergeant of Company K, in which posi- tion he served for eighteen months, when he was made Second Lieutenant of Company K, having meanwhile declined a Captainey in another regiment. After commanding Company D for nearly a year, he was made First Lieutenant of Company K. In the battle of Bermuda Hundred, May 16, 1864, he was captured while in the advance, and after being confined for some time in Libby Prison, was carried to Macon, Georgia, thence to Savannah and thenee to Charleston, suffering all the horrors which rebel malignity could inflict, but finally, in October, effecting his escape, and after forty-seven days wandering in the mountains, reaching the Union lines in safety.
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NEW JERSEY AND THE REBELLION.
seven of this number dying while in the hands of the enemy. The principal battles and engagements of the regiment were as follows:
Roanoke Island, North Carolina, February 8, 1862; Newberne, North Carolina, March 14, 1862; Fort Macon, North Carolina, April 25, 1862; Young's Cross-road, North Carolina, July 27, 1862; Rowell's Mill, November, 2, 1862; Deep Creek, North Carolina, December 12, 1862; Southwest Creek, North Carolina, December, 13, 1862; before Kinston, North Carolina, December 13, 1862; Kinston, North Carolina, December 14, 1862; Whiteliall, North Carolina, December 16, 1862; Goldsborough, North Carolina, December 17, 1862; Comfort, North Carolina, July 6, 1863; near Winton, North Carolina, July, 26, 1863; Deep Creek, North Carolina, February 7, 1864: Cherry Grove, North Carolina, April 14, 1864; Port Walthall, Virginia, May 6 and 7, 1864; Swift Creek, Virginia, May 9 and 10, 1864; Drury's Bluff, Virgina, May 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16, 1864, five days in succession; Cold Harbor, Virginia, June 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12, 1864, ten days in succession; Petersburg, Virginia, from June 20 to August 24, 1864; Gardner's Bridge, North Carolina, December 9, 1864; Foster's Bridge, North Carolina, December 10, 1864; Butler's Bridge, North Carolina, December 11, 1864; near Southwest Creek, North Carolina, March 7, 1865; Wise's Fork, North Caolina, March 8, 9 and 10, 1865; Goldsborough, North Carolina, March, 21, 1865.
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CHAPTER VIII. THE TENTH REGIMENT.
THE Tenth Regiment had a history peculiar to itself. Being recruited under authority from the War Department, without the consent and against the wishes of the Governor of New Jersey,1 its earlier experience was very similar to that of the First Cavalry, which was raised under like circumstances. The organization was first known as the " Olden Legion." It was recruited by William Bryan, of Beverly, (at which place it had its headquarters,) who was its first Colonel, John M. Wright being Lieutenant-Colonel, and Matthew Berryman, Major; Captain Henry A. Perrine, of Company K, afterwards Major of the regiment, was also one of the original officers.
The regiment proceeded to Washington in December, 1861, but for a time was of little service, falling almost immediately, indeed, into disrepute, owing to its defective organization and the absence of all proper discipline. In January, 1862, the Secretary of War applied to Governor Olden to take charge of the organization as part of the quota of New Jersey and place it on a proper footing for service, but this the latter declined to do, being unwilling to become responsible for the character of an organization raised and officered in contravention of all the rules he had established and observed in organizing other regiments. Later in the same month, however, the Governor was again appealed to by the Secretary of
1 On the first roster of the regiment, after being placed in State service, is this endorsement :
"This regiment was raised by individuals, not authorized by the State, and accepted by the War Department as an independent organization, some time in the fall of 1861, and was not known by the State authorities until it was placed under their care, January 20, 1862."
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War, who stated, among other things, that it would be necessary to disband the regiment unless the State would assume control of and properly arrange it. Thus appealed to, Governor Olden sent for Colonel William R. Murphy, in whose discretion he had confidence, and after referring to his uniform opposition to the regiment on account of the manner in which it was raised, proposed to accede to the request of the War Department, provided that Colonel Murphy would accept the command, and address himself to the task of rescuing the regiment from the demoralization into which it had fallen. After a full and free conference, Colonel Murphy acquiesced in the proposition of the Governor on condition that the Quartermaster of the State should be directed to equip and supply the regiment like the others, and that he (the Colonel) should be permitted to select its officers. These conditions being assented to, Colonel Murphy at once prepared to accept the command, and on the 19th of February, 1862, reported to Brigadier General Casey at Washington, was mustered in and ordered to join the regiment.
At this time the command was in an almost hopeless condition. One of the radical defects of its organization consisted in the fact that it included a company enlisted and equipped as cavalry, thus impairing its unity and necessitating a diversity of drill and disci- pline eminently prejudicial to its regimental character. Many, if not all the men, attached to this company, were in arrest for refusing to do infantry duty, and chaos prevailed in all directions. The matter was at once brought to the notice of the Commanding General, who, sceing that a wrong had been done to these men either through ignorance or by design, issued an order to muster them out, while at the same time authority was given to the Governor by the War Department to recruit a company of infantry to com- plete the regimental organization. This being done, followed by the discharge of a considerable number on account of physical dis- ability, and the commissioning and mustering of field and company officers, the prospect of regimental usefulness became more encour- aging. But before this was completed, the Army of the Potomac had gone to the Peninsula, leaving the regiment attached to the
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THE TENTH REGIMENT.
command of Brigadier-General Wadsworth. The morale of the regiment continued to improve rapidly, and this, together with its superior soldier-like appearance, as compared with others, soon attracted attention, and early in the summer of 1862, it was ordered into Washington and placed upon provost-duty. The command, however, soon became anxious for more active service, and the Colonel, who fully shared this feeling, accordingly remonstrated with the authorities against the detention of the regiment at that post, when, as it seemed to him, it could be more usefully employed elsewhere. To all his entreaties, however, but one reply was made, namely, that his was the only regiment that could be trusted, and with this gratifying, but unsatisfactory compliment, he was obliged to be content. The regiment continued doing provost-duty during the entire remainder of the year-Major Charles H. Tay, of the Second Regiment, being in September appointed. Lieutenant Col- onel-and in the early part of 1863 permanent barracks were erected for its occupation. This seeming to indicate that no change in the character of its duties was to be expected, Colonel Murphy, who had hoped for active service, on the 12th of March resigned his commission as Colonel, and Colonel H. O. Ryerson, formerly of the Second Regiment and more recently of the Twenty-third, was appointed in his place.
At length, on the 12th of April, the desire of the regiment for service elsewhere was gratified, orders being received directing it to proceed at once to Suffolk, then menaced by the enemy in force under Longstreet. Suffolk being an important railroad junction, lying at the head of the Nansemond, twelve miles from its con- fluence with the James River, covering the landward approaches to Norfolk, and virtually commanding that part of North Carolina east of the Chowan River, its occupation by our troops was of the greatest importance, and it had, therefore, early been seized and fortified. No serious demonstration, however, had been made against it until April 10th, when Longstreet suddenly advanced with a force of some forty thousand men, designing to cross the Nansemond, and seize the roads to Norfolk, upon which he might
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then march unmolested. General Peck, however, penetrating his designs, prepared promptly to defeat them, and it was to aid in the execution of his plans that the Tenth, with other regiments, was hurried to his department. Reaching its destination, the regiment, being attached to Corcoran's Brigade, was placed in the works at the front, extending across the Edenton road, active operations meanwhile going on at other points of the line. " At length, on the 24th of April, it was sent out on a reconnoissance on the Edenton road, with a view of ascertaining the location, strength and plans of the enemy, the movement resulting in a lively skirmish, in which the enemy's outposts were driven back. The loss of the Tenth was only one or two men wounded. The regiment was not again engaged until the 4th of May, when Longstreet having raised the siege, General Peck sent out a column of some seven thousand men, including Corcoran's Brigade, in pursuit. Coming up with the enemy at Carsville, near the Blackwater, the Tenth speedily became engaged, capturing some prisoners and inflicting consider- able loss on the retreating foe. 'This was the first severe engage- ment in which the regiment had participated, but the men behaved with marked steadiness, showing that the discipline to which they had been subjected had not been without influence in maturing their soldierly character. The regiment lost several men killed and wounded.
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Longstreet having abandoned the siege, many of the troops under General Peck were withdrawn for service elsewhere, the Tenth being ordered to join the Army of the Potomac during the month of July. Upon arriving at Washington, it was sent to Philadelphia, where it was feared the enforcement of the conscription would lead to disturbances of the peace. Here the regiment remained for two months on provost-duty, becoming very popular with the citizens, who flocked in crowds to witness its dress-parades. The discipline of the regiment at this time was equal, perhaps, to that of any regiment in the service, and elicited cordial commendation from all who visited the camp. In the month of September, the regiment was sent to Pottsville, Pennsylvania, where there were indications of riots among the miners, and thence was ordered to the
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fords of the Potomac near Shepherdstown, were it remained about a month, doing picket duty with other troops, the rebels under Imboden threatening a raid into that part of Maryland. In November, riots having broken out in other parts of the mining regions of Pennsylvania, it was ordered to Mauch Chunk, where it was placed in charge of the sub-military district of Carbon, com- posed of the County of Carbon and part of Luzerne, one company remaining at Mauch Chunk, and the others placed at various points-the right and left companies being stationed seventeen miles distant from each other. Here the regiment remained all winter. During much of this time, Colonel Ryerson was President of a Commission which tried many of the semi-rebels of that region, who were encouraging desertions, interfering with recruiting, inter- rupting mining operations and murdering loyalists conspicuous for their devotion to the national cause. Lieutenant-Colonel Tay was also engaged for a time on court-martial duty. During the winter, the regiment re-enlisted and was otherwise recruited, but to such an extent were desertions instigated by the tories of that section, that the Colonel, who was also anxious to be united with the Army of the Potomac, urged the Department to place his command in the field. This request was finally granted, and in the month of April, the regiment proceeded to Brandy Station, where it was attached to the First New Jersey Brigade, only a short time before the army crossed the Rapidan in the grand movement against Richmond.
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