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 34
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Major Kearney, who was mortally wounded in this battle, and afterwards died at Saint Luke's Hospital, New York, was a young officer of more than ordinary daring. A more patriotic, brave and gallant soldier never drew a sword in defence of a noble
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The night passed, and on the morning of the 3d, the battle was renewed, the fighting being for a time chiefly on the right. Adju- tant Schoonover, though suffering from his wounds, rejoined the Eleventh, and by request of the senior officer present for duty, (Captain Sleeper,) again took command. Several officers and a number of men, who had been collected during the night, also appeared for duty. Moving a short distance to the front, the regi- ment halted until three o'clock, when it was ordered cn a. " double- quick," with the remainder of the brigade, on the road towards Gettysburg. Proceeding nearly a mile, it was again halted and formed in line of battle, in rear of the batteries occupying the crest of the hill in front-the brigade being in column by regi- ments. The regiment remained in this position for nearly two hours under a heavy fire of shot and shell, having, however, but one man wounded.12 About five o'clock, the regiment returned to its former position, where it remained until the morning of the 7th, when, the enemy having retreated, it joined in the pursuit.1"
On the 17th, the regiment re-crossed the Potomac at Harper's Ferry, and on the 24th, took part in the engagement at Manassas Gap, but suffered no casualties. Continuing the march from that point, it arrived at Beverly Ford, on the Rappahannock, August 1st. On the 17th of September, it marched to Culpepper, where Colonel Mc Allister, who had recovered from his wounds, rejoined it, and took command of the brigade, General Carr having been
cause. No danger was too great for him to brave, no obstacle too difficult for him to overcome, if it was for the good of the cause and country.
12 The Adjutant commanding had his horse killed under him by a spherical case-shot. during this engagement of the batteries.
13 In concluding his report of the two days' engagement, Adjutant Schoonover thus refers to the conduct of both officers and men :
" To mention some may seem to do gross injustice to others, but I cannot pass by the untiring efforts of Lieutenant Buckley to rally the men. Captain Lloyd and Lieutenant Corey also deserve special mention for their coolness and bravery. As an individual act of bravery I desire to mention Corporal Thomas Johnson, of Company I, who, when two color-bearers had been shot down, I ordered to take the colors and advance twenty yards to the front, as the regiment was then wavering. He did so, and did not leave his position until ordered to the rear. The services of Lieutenant Joseph C. Baldwin, on the 3d, as Acting-Adjutant were invaluable. In the action of the 2d, the regiment sustained a very heavy loss. Out of the two hundred and seventy- five officers and men taken into the tight, eighteen were killed, one hundred and thirty wounded, and six missing, making a total of one hundred and fifty-four."
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ـسبة الجسعد بالجباء ميسياد بي
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THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT.
assigned to the Third Division of the corps. At that time, the brigade was composed of five regiments, two of Pennsylvania and two of Massachusetts troops, in addition to the Eleventh-number- ing in all some two thousand men. From this time forward until the beginning of November, the regiment was engaged in the marching and countermarching incident to the movement of the two armies-denominated by the rebels, "The Races ;" camping in various places but participating in no important fight. On the 8th of November, the corps crossed the river at Kelly's Ford, and engaged the enemy, who had there taken possession, taking a con- siderable number of prisoners. In this engagement, McAllister's Brigade lost twelve men, and took three hundred prisoners. Ad- vancing to Brandy Station, where Colonel McAllister relinquished the command of the brigade, preparations were made for the Rapi- dan campaign, and on the 26th, the Eleventh moved with the division to the river, which was crossed at Jacob's Ford, twenty- five men of this regiment being the first to reach the opposite shore, under a feeble fire from a few rebel cavalrymen. The next day, the corps advanced towards Robertson's Tavern, on the Orange Turnpike, encountering on. the way a force of the enemy, who offered battle. The Eleventh was advanced to the front in face of a rapid fire, and bravely held its position until the supports on both the right and left gave way. Even then, the men stood firmly, holding the enemy in check until they had occupied the ground on both flanks in force, when the order to retire was reluctantly given.14 The loss of the regiment in this engagement, (known as Locust Grove,) was six killed, twenty wounded, two missing and two taken prisoners. Lieutenant-Colonel Schoonover, Major Halsey and Adjutant Beach were especially mentioned for their gallant behavior during the fight, and the entire regiment carried itself with great steadiness.15 On the 28th, the regiment remained inac-
"In falling back, Johnson, the color-bearer, who distinguished himself at Gettys- burg, on reaching an open space at a cross-roads, stopped, unfurled the flag, and waved it for some time, defiantly, in the face of the enemy.
15 In a letter dated December 14, 1863, Colonel Me Allister thus refers to some of the incidents of this engagement : "The dying message of Corporal Joseph H. Frazer, of Newark, to his mother, was, 'I die for my country.' He was a noble and brave
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tive, merely advancing its position beyond Robertson's Tavern. Here it was found that the enemy had taken position along the west bank of Mine Run, facing eastward, and late in the evening our forces were brought into line confronting him. The two follow- ing days were spent in reconnoissances and preparing for an assault, when, it being concluded that the enemy's defences were too for- midable to justify a general demonstration against them, a retreat was ordered, and on the morning of the 2d of December, the regiment moved with its division to Culpepper Ford, crossed on pontoons, and on the 3d, went into camp near Brandy Station, where it remained until May following.
During the winter, a deep religious feeling was awakened in the regiment ; prayer-meetings were held nightly, and as a result of the interest, a little church was erected, in which to worship relieved from the annoyances sometimes experienced in camp life. A tem- perance society was also formed ; and there were many cases of con- version. This was at the time when a revival spirit seemed to per- vade the army, and when even the most reckless and abandoned, strongly moved by the silent influence of Gospel truth, found peace and refuge in the consolations of that faith which strengthens the stoutest arm, and makes even the weak invincible. The Chaplain of the Eleventh, Rev. E. Clarke Cline, was peculiarly fitted for the du- ties of his position, and, as was not unfortunately always the case, was cordially seconded by the regimental commander in all his efforts for the improvement of the moral life of the command; from which it followed that no regiment was, perhaps, more thoroughly perme- ated by religious feeling than this. Its.religion, too, had a patriotic element ; one or more of the prayer-meetings, every week, being set apart for special prayer for the country, and for the triumph of the cause in the coming campaign. Nor were the families of the fallen forgotten by those brave men at the front. The Corps established a " Union," for the benevolent purpose of aiding the widows of those
man. Sergeant Smith, of Newark, who died on the field, shot through the head, was no less brave, and was, moreover, a true Christian. Sergeant Smith's bosom com- panion, Corporal Blackwell, one of our praying members, was only saved by a Testa- ment in his pocket, which arrested and held the ball."
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THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT.
who perished in the country's service, and hundreds of dollars were raised and appropriated for the benefit of needy families which had thus lost their natural protectors.
During the winter, the Third Corps was broken up, and the Eleventh became identified with the First Brigade, Fourth Division, Second Corps ; the brigade consisting of the First and Sixteenth Massachusetts and the Twenty-sixth Pennsylvania Regiment, with the Second New Jersey Brigade and the Eleventh Regiment. General Mott was placed in charge of the division late in April, and Colonel McAllister assumed command of the brigade, which he re- tained, with the exception of a brief period, until the close of the war.
From this time forward, the history of the Eleventh is the history of the Second New Jersey Brigade. It shared in all the engage- ments in which that brigade participated, fully maintaining the high reputation it had already achieved. In the terrible battle of Spottsyl- vania, and in the operations before Petersburg, it was ever conspic- uous for bravery and all eminent soldierly qualities, never turning its back from the foe, eager always to vindicate the honor of the flag under which it fought. Upon the termination of hostilities, it marched to Washington, and on the 15th of June, 1865, reached Trenton, and there, as an organization, ceased to exist. Its ranks on that fair summer day, as it marched down the beautiful streets of the Capital, were thinned and lean, indeed, and many eyes looked in vain for faces that once shone along its line; but the missing ones had died for liberty and law, and the nation will keep their memories green, since by the heroic deeds of these, and all the tawny home-coming host, the flag that on that day fluttered welcomes, is still the symbol of a nationality unimpaired.
The following official report exhibits the part taken by the Eleventh Regiment in the campaign from the Rapidan to Peters- burg :
"FIRST EPOCII.
" The Crossing of the Rapidan and the Battles of the Wilderness.
"At one o'clock, a. m., May 4th, the regiment left its winter-quarters near Brandy Station, Virginia, and with the remainder of the brigade, made a rapid march to Ely's Ford, on the Rapidan, which was crossed at eleven o'clock the same forenoon.
"At this point the regiment was detailed to guard the ammunition train, and con-
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tinued in this duty until it reached the Chancellorsville battle-ground, where it joined the brigade at a quarter-past three o'eloek, p. m.
" Continued the march on the morning of May 5th, at five o'clock, a. m. ; reached the Broek road carly in the afternoon, and at once threw up a temporary breastwork. At four o'clock, p. m., the command was passed along the line, 'By the right of companies to the front,' which was repeated, and the regiment moved forward as directed. After proceeding a very short distance through the dense underbrush, I was directed by the Brigade Commander to form in line of battle, which I did, so far as circumstances would permit. With the regiments on the right and left erowding, and in the midst of an almost impassable underbrush, it was found impossible to form a line of battle, in the space I occupied on the road. There was much confusion in the ranks till the regiment reached the crest of the hill, when, by detailing the three left com- panies, I succeeded in placing the remainder of the regiment in proper line. As yet, we had received no fire from the enemy, except an occasional shot from the skirmish line, which was returned. We had been in this position but a short time, when a few volleys of musketry were heard to the extreme left and rear, and immediately the line on the left, as far as I could see, commeneed falling baek in confusion. This was rapidly carried on to the right, and when the Sixteenth Massachusetts, which was on my immediate left, took up the movement, my regiment followed, and all efforts to rally the men were fruitless. The troops seemed panie-stricken, and for what reason I was never able to imagine. They acted as if their only safety was the works which they had so hastily erceted. I desire to mention one exception. The Color Company and color-guard, under command of Captain Kennedy, retained its position for some time after the troops on my right and left had disappeared, and until he received a direet order from me to fall back. The officers upon this occasion, so far as I could sec, made every effort to keep their men in line. The regiment was re-formed on the road, and the report showed a list of twelve wounded.
" At half-past four o'clock, on the morning on the 6th, we again advaneed in line of battle through the woods. We continued to advance slowly until seven o'clock, a. m., when a heavy fire was opened by the regiments on my right and left, which was taken up for a short time by my regiment. I soon, however, succeeded in stopping it, as I considered it perfectly useless, as we were at that time reeciving no fire from the enemy-neither was he in sight. The regiment continued to advance, with frequent halts, until about nine o'clock, a. m., when we received a heavy volley from the enemy. Advancing some distance further, the line was halted, a skirmish line thrown out, and the regiment remained in this position until shots were received from our left and rear, when a change of front was ordered by Colonel Sewell, then in command of the Fifth, Sixth and Eleventh Regiments. This change of front took place about half-past ten o'clock, a. m. At eleven, the enemy was heard advancing in our front, with heavy firing and cheering ; soon after, the troops composing the front line passed over us in much confusion. I then passed along the whole length of my regiment, and directed them to reserve their fire until they received orders. At this time there were but few of the enemy's shots passing over us.
The approaching yell and loud firing gave us sufficient warning of the advance and position of the enemy. In a few minutes, I directed the regiment to commence firing. The regiment, with scarcely an exception, acted with perfect coolness. Not a man flinehed. There seemed to be a determination to retrieve what they had lost the day previous. This fire was continued for some time, when the regiment on my immediate left fell back. The one on my right followed. I turned to ask Colonel Sewell for instructions, and I was told by one of my officers that he had gone to the rear with the remainder of the line. At this time, an officer from the left of the regiment came to me and said that Colonel Sewell had left orders for me to fall back. As no troops were to be seen on either my right or left, I deemed it proper to do so. The regiment retired to the Brock road, where it took position in rear of the second line of works on the left of the Sixteenth Massachusetts. It remained in this position during the afternoon, assisting in the repulse of the enemy at four o'clock, and also took part in
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THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT.
· the charge upon the first line of works which had been captured by the enemy, and from which they were driven. At half-past four o'clock, p. m., May 7th, the regiment, after moving to the right of the plank road, with the brigade, was detailed for picket, where it remained until ten o'clock, a. m., the next day."
"SECOND EPOCH.
" The March to Spottsylvania Court House, and the Operations in Front of that Placc.
On Monday, May 8th, at ten o'clock, a. m., the regiment was drawn in from the picket-line, and composed a portion of the rear-guard from the Wilderness to a point near Todd's Tavern, where it joined the brigade carly in the afternoon, and at once commenced putting up breastworks. This work was continued until the afternoon of the 9th, when we moved a short distance, and the regiment went into position near Todd's Tavern.
" Moved forward the next morning at daylight, and about ciglit o'clock, a. m., reached a point near the Brown House, where we remained until five o'clock, p. m., when the regiment took position on the extreme left of the division, preparatory to an advance. At half-past five o'clock, the regiment moved forward and was repulsed when it reached the erest, commanded by the enemy's canister. I rallied a portion of the regiment and with men from different regiments established a picket line. On the afternoon of the 11th, an attempt was made to take a house occupied by the enemy's 'pickets, but failed, as it was under the direct fire of the enemy's batteries. The regi- ment was relieved abont six o'clock p. m., and joined the brigade about a mile to the riglit. At nine and a half o'clock the same night moved back to a point near the Brown House and went into position.
"May 12th. In line at daylight. Soon after, the regiment having position on the extreme right, advanced with the brigade to the front. At the moment of entering the woods, Lieutenant Egan was killed by an unexploded shell.
" The regiment advanced steadily, crossed the first line of the enemy's works, and reached our front line, then engaged with the enemy who occupied his second line. The fire at this point was maintained but a short time, our whole line falling back to tlie enemy's first line of works. The fire from these works was kept up for an hour or more, wlien all that portion of the line on the right of the crest, where the heavy fire continued during the day, fell back, and the enemy took possession of the works. A portion of my regiment was carried back with this line. I remained with what men I could collect, on the left of the line, which had been formed at right angles to the breastworks. I continued in this position all day and part of the night, when I moved a short distance to the rear with a few men and remained until the following morning, when the regiment moved a short distance to the right and received ammunition. Colonel MeAllister assumed command to-day. During the forenoon moved up with the brigade to the breastwork, and took position near the fighting point of the day previous, where we remained during the night.
"May 15th. Moved off at daylight, and massed in the woods a mile to the left. At ten o'clock a. m., the regiment inoved up and took position in the breastworks, under a severe fire from the enemy's sharpshooters. The same forenoon, between the hours of eleven and twelve o'clock, the enemy completely enfiladed our line with one of his batteries, killing Lieutenant Baldwin, who was struck on the head with an unexploded shell.
" The regiment remained in this position until five o'clock, a. m., on the morning of the 17th, when it moved half a mile to the rear and massed in the woods. At nine o'clock, p. m., the same day, moved half a mile to the right and bivouacked.
" May 18th. Moved to the front at daylight this morning, and again entered the works under a heavy shell fire. Nine o'clock p. in., moved to the left and took posi- tion in the works near the place occupied on the 15th.
" May 19th. Marched off hurriedly at two and a half o'clock, p. n., and reached the Anderson Honse carly in the morning, where we remained until nearly dark, when we marched rapidly to the right about two miles, and went into line of battle.
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"May 20th. Four o'clock, a. m. Moved a short distance to the right and advanced through the woods in line of battle, and at seven o'clock, a. m., reached our camp on the Anderson Farm."
" THIRD EPOCH.
" The march to the North Anna, and the Operations on that River.
" May 21st. Resumed the march at twelve o'clock, midnight, moved rapidly and crossed the Mattapony at four and a half o'clock, p. m., and bivouacked.
"May 22d. Moved a mile to the front at half past seven o'clock, a. m., and was engaged the remaining portion of the day in putting up a secure breastwork.
" May 23d. Moved off at six o'clock, and reached Chesterfield Ford at four p. m., where, in accordance with orders from General Mott, I established a strong picket-line covering this point. The regiment, with the remainder of the brigade picket was relicved at dark, joined the brigade soon after, and marched to the left, reaching a point above the railroad bridge at nine o'clock, p. m., where works were thrown up during the night.
" May 24th. The regiment was employed this morning in strengthening the works, and at half past eight o'clock, a. m., accompanied the brigade in a charge over the North Auna, under a fearful fire from the enemy's batteries. The regiment went into position on the crest of the hill beyond, and at once strengthened the works evacuated by the enemy. New works were thrown up during the day and the following night, a short distance further to the front. In the afternoon, moved forward to the front works, where we remained until the night of the 26th, when we re-crossed the river at half past twelve o'clock, a. m. Halted on the right of the railroad at half past one o'clock, a. m., and bivouacked.
"FOURTH EPOCH.
" The March Across the Pamunkey, Including the Operations on the Tolopatomy and at Coal Harbor.
"Friday, 27th. The regiment left its bivouac, near the railroad, carly in the afternoon, and marched rapidly until nine o'clock, when a halt was made until cleven o'clock, when we again moved forward and bivouacked at one o'clock for the night.
"Saturday, 2Sth. Moved off early this morning, marched rapidly, and crossed the Pamunkey, near Hanover town at five o'clock, p. m. Continued the march a mile beyond, went into position, and threw up a sceure line of work before ten o'clock at night.
"Sunday, 29th. Resumed the march at five o'clock, a. m., reached the Tinsel House at dark, threw up a rifle pit and bivouacked.
"Monday, 30th. The regiment formed part of a reconnoitering force sent out to develop the enemy's lines, and went into position on an eminence near a branch of the Tolopatomy.
Tuesday, 31st. The regiment, with a portion of the brigade, moved to the front in the forenoon, crossed the valley and took position on the opposite height, and during the day threw up three lines of works.
"June 1st. Re-crossed the valley at three o'clock, a. m., and went into position in the works near the Overton House. The regiment was soon thereafter sent by General Mott to picket the roads to the front and right. Continued in this position until half- past nine o'clock, p. m., when the picket was assembled and the regiment joined the brigadc.
"June 2d. Marched shortly after daylight, and reached Coal Harbor at half-past nine o'clock, a. m. In the afternoon moved three-quarters of a mile to the left and massed.
"June 3d. In motion at half-past four o'clock, a. m. ; at five o'clock moved forward on double-quick, and passed off by the right flank, having three men wounded by the enemy's shell. In a few moments moved to the rear and massed. At this point the regiment remained for a short time, when it moved with the brigade to the right,
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THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT.
taking position on the left of General Crawford's Division, of the Ninth Corps, where a heavy line of breastworks was thrown up during the day.
"June 4th. Moved back to the left in the afternoon, and massed in the woods, where we remained until four o'clock, p. m., on the 5th, when the regiment accom- panied the brigade to the left. Halted near our first line of works, where the regi- ment lay under a severe shell fire for half an hour or more. Resumed the march through the woods at midnight, and went into position at two o'clock, a. m., at Barker's Mills, and put up breastworks as usual. The regiment remained in this position until the night of June 12th, nothing unusual occurring."
" FIFTH EPOCH.
" The March across the Chickahominy and the James, and the Operations in front of Peters- burg up to the Assault on the Enemy's Position, July 30, 1864.
"Sunday, June 12th. The regiment left its position at Barker's Mills at ten o'clock, p. m., and marching a short distance, halted for an hour or more, after which the march was continued, the Chiekahominy erossed at eleven o'clock, and a point near Charles City Court House reached just before sunset.
"June 14th. Moved to the James River in the morning and crossed carly in the afternoon and bivouacked.
"June 15th. Moved off at eleven o'clock, a. m. The heat was extreme, and the men suffered very much. A rapid march brought us to the outer defences of Petersburg after midnight.
"June 16th. The regiment was engaged in throwing up a line of breastworks until five o'clock, p. m., when it took its position on the extreme left of the second line, pre- paratory to an advance upon the enemy's works. Moved forward at half-past five o'clock. Before the regiment got near the enemy's works, the first line disappeared and the advance was continued until the enemy's line was in plain view and a heavy fire received. The regiment at onee commenced a rapid fire, which was kept up, with intervals, until midnight. This I considered necessary, as the moment the fire ecased the enemy would pour in a heavy volley and attempt an advance. The ammunition became exhausted a number of times, many of the men firing over a hundred rounds. Our wants were promptly supplied by the First Maine Heavy Artillery, which was in line a short distanec in our rear.
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