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 39
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47
11 The entrenched line of battle was not advanced at any time during the campaign beyond the position held by the regiment in this engagement.
12 On the 27th Sebastian Duncan, Jr., was; mustered in as First Lieutenant of Com.
337
THE THIRTEENTH REGIMENT. .
Hood violently assailed the Army of the Tennessee, now com- manded by General Howard, but was repulsed with great loss, and on the 30th the Thirteenth was again advanced, capturing some sixty prisoners, and taking position close to the rebel works, where breastworks were thrown up, a portion of the men keeping up a steady fire on the enemy, while the entrenchments were being con- structed. After firmly establishing the new line, the regiment, being relieved, returned to its old position, where it remained until the 25th of August. During this time, it was constantly exposed to the fire of the rebel forts, but the loss was comparatively small. On the 16th of August, Captain Harris was commissioned as Major, Lieutenant Johnson taking command of Company E. Meanwhile, Sherman had gradually extended his right, and his entrenched line now reached nearly to East Point, commanding the railroads by which Atlanta must receive its supplies. Hood, not liking the look of things, early in August, dispatched his cavalry to our rear, where they broke the railroad, and did other damage, where- upon Sherman, glad of the opportunity, sent Kilpatrick on a " raid" south and east of Atlanta, the movement resulting in the complete destruction of the railroad at various points, and great consequent demoralization of the enemy, whose supplies were already running low. This done, Sherman ordered the seige to be abandoned, sending back the sick, wounded and surplus stores to his entrenched position on the Chattahoochee, which the Twentieth Corps was left to cover, while the rest of the army moved by the right south- ward-getting fairly behind Atlanta before Hood knew what was going on. The movement of the Twentieth Corps to the rear was commenced on the 25th of August, the Thirteenth Regiment on that day marching five miles, and on the day following, taking possession of some abandoned rebel works. Here it was expected that Hood would offer battle, and the works were strengthened as rapidly as possible, but that commander did not risk an assault. On the 1st of September, a reconnoissance by the Thirteenth and
pany E. About the same time, General Hooker having, at his own request, been relieved of the command of the corps, General Williams of the First Division was placed in command.
43
338
NEW JERSEY AND THE REBELLION.
two other regiments, all under command of Colonel Carman, in the direction of Atlanta, developed the fact that the rebels were still there, and a large force (some two brigades, with four pieces of artillery,) being sent out to menace the reconnoitering column, it returned without a collision. On the following morning, having destroyed his magazines and burned his stores, Hood hastily evac- uated the city, and about noon the Thirteenth again advanced, entering the town just before dark, with bands playing, colors flying, and a storm of cheers. Passing through the city, the regi- ment encamped near the breastworks of the rebels, on its east side. near the Georgia Railroad"3-moving next day a short distance to the left, where it discovered the debris of ninety car-loads of arms, ammunition, camp equipage and other valuable property, which had been destroyed by the rebels. The campaign was now at an end; for the first time in four months the regiment was out of the range of hostile batteries; and the men prepared eagerly to enjoy the rest to which they were so fairly entitled. The entire loss of the regiment in the campaign, was about one hundred killed and wounded.
During the month of September, the Thirteenth was chiefly en- gaged in picket duty, and in working on a new line of entrench- ments. Meanwhile, raiding parties of the enemy were operating in our rear; and on the 25th, Hood having pushed up with the bulk of his troops to Dallas, Sherman impelled the Fourth Corps in pursuit, the Fifteenth and other corps speedily following. During the following fortnight, various engagements were had, and Hood being checkmated at all points, finally moved into Tennessee. whither he was followed by the Fourth and Twenty-Third corps, while the rest of our army again turned its face southward, concen- trating finally about Atlanta, where Sherman at once began to prepare for the Great March to the Sea.
The Thirteenth had not been idle while these operations were in progress. On the 5th of October, moving to the left, it took posi- tion near the Sandtown road, whence it moved on the 11th.
13 At this time Lieutenant-Colonel Grimes resigned, and Major Harris and Lieutenant Johnson were mustered in from this date.
339
THE THIRTEENTH REGIMENT.
with three other regiments of the brigade, and one brigade of the Second Division, as a guard to a. train of six hundred wagons. In this movement, the brigade was commanded by Colonel Carman, the regiment by Major Harris, and the whole expeditionary force, which also included a battery of artillery and six hundred cavalry- men, by General Geary. The object of the expedition was to gather forage, of which there was great scarcity in the army. Pro- ceeding some twenty miles, the force, on the 12th, crossed South River at Clark's Mills, gathering, guarding and loading the train with corn, wheat and cotton, and on the 13th having filled all the wagons, set out on its return, having escaped all loss, though con- stantly surrounded by rebel cavalry. On the 22d, a report having reached camp that a supply train had been attacked, the Thirteenth was marched to its relief, but finding the rumor false, returned on the 24th, and resumed ordinary camp duties. On the 6th of No- vember, General Ruger was placed in command of a division in the Twenty-Third Corps, and Colonel Carman assigned to the command of the brigade-Major Harris, as senior, taking charge of the regiment. About this time, a considerable number of recruits were added to the regiment.
On the 15th of November, having two days previously torn up and destroyed the railroad between Atlanta and Chattahoochee River, the regiment cut loose from its base, and with the army started on the Savannah campaign-marching some nineteen miles, in an southeasterly direction, along the Atlanta and Augusta Rail- road, and encamping near the foot of Stone Mountain, in De Kalb County. The army, in this movement, was divided into two grand divisions, or wings, the left (Fourteenth and Twentieth Corps) under General Slocum, taking the most northerly route, and the right (Fifteenth and Seventeenth Corps,) under General Howard, with the cavalry under General Kilpatrick.14 Advancing day by day, the regiment reached Milledgeville, the Capital of the State, on the 22d, where, the members of the Legislature having fled, Union officers the next day organized a legislative body in the State
14 The Twentieth Corps was commanded by General Williams, the First Division by General Jackson, and the Second Brigade by Colonel Carman.
340
NEW JERSEY AND THE REBELLION.
House, and adopted resolutions declaring that the State had never been out of the Union, and that all ordinances to that effect were null and void. On the 24th, the march was resumed and con- tinued without serious interruption until the 26th. On that day the Thirteenth had the right of the division and the advance of the infantry, the Ninth Illinois Cavalry being the advance guard. During the forenoon, the cavalry were driven in by the enemy, when Major Harris deployed six companies of the Thirteenth as skirmishers, (four companies being held in reserve as supports,) and these rapidly moving forward, soon reached a creek, the bridge over which had been destroyed, and the creek, for a long distance either way, made unfordable for cavalry, by obstructions of timber felled for that purpose. The cavalry of the enemy, moreover, dis- mounting, had thrown up breastworks on a hill on the opposite bank, rendering their position in every respect a strong one. The men of the Thirteenth, however, promptly crossing the stream, charged up the hill, and although the firing was very rapid, soon drove the rebels from their works in splendid style, pursuing them for a considerable distance -- the whole regiment being now de- ployed-skirmishing heavily the whole distance, and entering the town of Sandersville in advance of the Fourteenth Corps. The regiment, which had three men wounded, one only slightly, was
very highly complimented for its action in this affair.15 Major Nichols, of General Sherman's Staff; in his "Story of the Great March," (pages 64 and 65,) refers to this action as follows: " The passage of Buffalo Creek, was also contested by the rebel cavalry, under Wheeler, and they fought our front all the way, and into
15 Colonel Carman's report of the action of the brigade in this affair says :
"November 26. The brigade had the advance, moved out of camp at half-past six o'clock, a. m., and after marching two miles, the Ninth Illinois Cavalry in our front encountered the enemy, who was posted on a small creek, the road through which had been obstructed by fallen trees; the enemy were soon dislodged and pursued to Sandersville, at which place they made a stand, driving back our cavalry. I then deployed six companies of the Thirteenth New Jersey as skirmishers, with four com- panies in reserve, and advanced on them, the Ninth Illinois being disposed on the flanks. The enemy gave way before my skirmishers, and I entered the town at the same time as did the Fourteenth Corps, who came in on another road to the left. Moving to the right, I followed the enemy through the town and one mile beyond, skirmishing a little. My loss was two men wounded, belonging to the Thirteenth New Jersey."
341
THE THIRTEENTH REGIMENT. .
the streets of Sandersville. The Twentieth Corps had the advance, deploying a regiment as skirmishers, and forming the remainder of a brigade in line of battle, on either side of the road. The move- ment was executed in the handsomest manner, and was so effectual as not to impede the march of the column in the slightest degree, although the roll of musketry was unceasing." After driving the rebels through the town, and pausing for two or three hours, the regiment moved some four miles in a southerly direction to Ten- nille Station, No. 13, of the Georgia Railroad, skirmishing as it advanced, and upon reaching the road, tearing up, burning and destroying two miles of the track. On the following day, (Novem- ber 27th,) it marched to Davisborourgh, (being thirteen miles by railroad, but eighteen by the route traveled,) where, after destroying the track for a distance of nine miles, the division pushed on to Spier's Station, No. 11. . From that point, it advanced, on the 29th, some nine miles further, tearing up the track as far as the Ogeechee River-the Thirteenth, in addition to destroying a portion of the track, burning an immense lumber-yard, filled with bridge timber. The stations on this road were small, and of little value, but the loss to the enemy was considerable. The country for the most part was swampy, flat and sandy, with many creeks, making marching difficult, but the men, in the elation of success, were not affected by any mere ordinary fatigue.' Crossing the Ogeechee on the 30th, the regiment on the 3d of December, marching as guard to a train, reaching a point beyond Millen,16 whence it moved forward, day by day, until on the 6th it reached a point fourteen miles northwest of Savannah. Here the rebels had stationed a small force, about three hundred men, with one piece of artillery, in a fort, with swamps on either side, which were considered a sure protection to the flanks of
16 " At Millen, about nine thousand of our men had been kept as prisoners, and seven hundred and fifty had died. The prison-pen (Camp Lawton) is a stockade of logs about twenty feet high, and enclosing some twenty-five aeres, with sentry-boxes around the whole about fifty yards apart. A small stream ran through the center of the enclosure, and a fort was built near commanding the ground. Here our men were turned loose without shelter (except the holes they were able to dig) from the scorching sun by day and the heavy dews at night, or the storms and cold of winter, and with only scanty provisions. The prisoners had all been removed a few days before our arrival."-Vote 'j' an officer.
342
NEW JERSEY AND THE REBELLION.
the position. The supposition, however, was by no means correct. Dispositions were at once made for an attack, the Second Brigade being sent to the right, and the First Brigade to the left. The Thirteenth formed in line in the swamp, in water from one to two feet deep, when, the order being given, the men advanced with a yell in face of a fire from the rebel guns-the enemy soon evac. uating the works, and escaping towards Savannah, only two or three prisoners falling into our hands. These were claimed by the com- manders of both brigades, the two having reached the fort sim- ultaneously, but the Second Brigade having them in possession, kept them, not altogether in defiance of the practice in such cases. On the following day, (10th,) the regiment resumed its march. proceeding along the Monteith Turnpike, until it struck the Charleston and Savannah Railroad. Having destroyed the track for some distance, it advanced some four miles further towards Savannah, encamping five miles from the city, and one mile from the rebel works-the regiment being posted in reserve, in the rear of the One Hundred and Fiftieth New York, but moving the next morning to the front line of battle, and with it (on the 12th,) mov- ing forward towards the rebel defences, taking position between the Monteith Pike and the Savannah River, near Pipemaker's Creek. where, on the 13th, breastworks were built along the entire regi- ยท mental front. On the 16th, the regiment, with the rest of the brigade, crossed the Savannah River in flat-boats to Argyle Island. where it threw up earthworks on the northeast side of the island. The object of this movement, in which two brigades in all partici- pated, was to secure certain property on the island, and also to make a reconnoissance of the South Carolina shore, with a view of effecting a lodgment thereon, and, if possible, securing the Savan- nah and Charleston pike, and thus cutting off the retreat of the rebel troops occupying the former city. The rebels, appreciating the importance of holding the pike, had posted a battery on the South Carolina shore, which promptly opened on our troops, and had also stationed two or three gunboats in the river. Immediately upon occupying the island, the Thirteenth set in operation a large rice-mill, which it found on a plantation belonging to the heirs of
343
THE THIRTEENTH REGIMENT.
the Gibbons family, formerly of Morristown, New Jersey ; but on the 19th, it was again ordered to move, crossing to the South Caro- lina shore at daybreak, and effecting a landing near Izard's Mills, whence it advanced, having the right of the line, and skirmishing briskly to Beach Hill, where breastworks were thrown up. During the afternoon, the other regiments of the brigade crossed to the point occupied by the Thirteenth. The position now occupied by the brigade was strong for defense, but, according to the report of Colonel Carman, " the nature of the ground was such that an ad- vance was difficult. It was a rice plantation, cut up by numerous dykes and canals, and the enemy had burned all the bridges over the latter, and overflowed the whole plantation to a depth of from eight to eighteen inches of water, thus necessitating all movements by the flank up these dykes, while they stood well prepared, at these places, to resist our advance." During the night, two pieces of artillery were brought across the river, and placed in position in the center of the line, which, as then formed and held by the Second Brigade, was two and a quarter miles long. Earthworks were also thrown up at all the prominent points, with a view of strengthen- ing the position as much as possible. On the morning of the 20th, twelve companies from the brigade, including three from the Thir- teenth, were detailed to make a reconnoissance with a view of deter- mining the position of Clysedale Creek with reference to our line. The force succeeded in reaching the creek, with the loss of one man killed, and after erecting works for one regiment, and posting therein two companies of the Thirteenth, an effort was made to strike the Savannah and Hardeesvile Road, but the enemy, antici- pating the movement, had thrown a force in front, whereupon Colonel Carman ordered the detachment to withdraw. It is believed by some that had a resolute advance been made, the road could have been seized and held, but the Colonel commanding was of opinion that nothing less than a division could hold the position, even if once seized, and his determination, of course, was final. During the day, a great number of vehicles of all descriptions were sven passing the front, but a short distance from the brigade line, moving from Savannah to Hardeesville, and from shortly after dark
344
NEW JERSEY AND THE REBELLION.
until three o'clock, a. m., of the 21st, the retreating army could plainly be heard as they crossed the bridges from Savannah to the South Carolina shorc. The evacuation of the city was no doubt hastened by the movement under Colonel Carman's command, but it is still a question among those participating in it, whether the results of the demonstration might not, under some circumstances, have been much more complete and satisfactory. On the 21st, the enemy in increased force, still holding his position in our front, the brigade, under orders from the division commander, was re-crossed to Argyle Island, and thence, on the following day, to the Georgia shore, the Thirteenth at once marching to a point within the limits of Savan- nah, near which, on the 23d, it encamped in a live-oak grove-thus terminating a march of over three hundred miles, and one of the most remarkable campaigns on record, during which it had only lost six men, three wounded, and three captured.
The regiment now remained comparatively idle, until the 14th of January, 1865, when it was moved into the city for detached service" and connected with a Provisional Brigade, under command of Colonel Lockman, of the One Hundred and Nineteenth New York Regiment-acting as guard at the grand depot of supplies connected with the Quartermaster's Department. Four days after, the regiment rejoined the brigade, and with the army turned its face northward. After performing duty as a train-guard, it moved out (on the 27th,) on the Augusta pike, pushing forward day by day, detached from its brigade, until February 10th, when it rejoined its proper command. On the 17th, Columbia, South Carolina, was reached, and on March 1st the regiment had its first skirmish with the enemy near Chesterfield Court-House. On the 11th, the com- mand reached Fayetteville, North Carolina, whence, after a day's rest, it again moved forward, reaching Averysborough on the 15th."
17 About this time, Colonel Carman obtained leave of absenec, and Colonel Hawley, of the Third Wisconsin Regiment, assumed command of the brigade-Major Harris still commanding the Thirteenthi.
18 The details of the march from Savannah northward are supplied in the following notes, made at the time by an officer of the regiment :
"January 17th. The regiment joined the brigade, according to General Orders. No. S, passed through the city at nine o'clock, a. In., crossed over the pontoon bridge
345
THE THIRTEENTHI REGIMENT.
Here Kilpatrick, having met the enemy's infantry, was awaiting support, and promptly at daylight on the 16th the Second Brigade
to Hutchinson Island; thence across that island, which is about half a mile wide; thence aeross the main channel of the river on a pontoon bridge, one thousand eight hundred feet, to Palmetto Island. The trains found it difficult to cross that island, the recent rains making the roads in very bad condition, and being the last regiment of the brigade, an order was received from Colonel Hawley that we should remain with the brigade train, assist them over, and then come forward and join the brigade; to do which it was necessary to corduroy the whole road. Before this train had passed, General Jackson, commanding division, and General Williams, commanding corps, while passing, ordered the regiment to remain at that point and assist the division and corps supply and headquarter trains over the same point. These were expected the next day, and the regiment was placed in camp on the South Carolina shore on the 18th; the Fifteenth Corps train took the road first, but before they had passed this point the storm had commenced, and it was impossible to move a train through the rice swamp on these islands. The attempt was, therefore, abandoned.
"January 19th. Remained in camp on South Carolina shore, the storm unabated.
"January 20th. Storm continucd-the freshet in the river is increasing-the embankments on the South Carolina shore have given way in several places, and there is doubt about the pontoon from Palmetto Island to the shore being able to stand. Word was sent to General Slocum, commanding this army, of the situation, and he ordered the regiment to return to the city and await orders, which it did on the after- noon of that day, and occupied its old camp in the city. Remained in camp on Warren Square, the continued storm making it impossible to move the trains until
"January 27th. Marched on Augusta pike, twelve miles, in a northwesterly direction, on the right bank of the Savannah River, as train-guard, and bivouacked for the night.
"January 28th. Marched at seven o'clock, a. m .- roads very bad-guarding train for seventeen miles on Augusta pike, parallel to Savannah River, then turned to the left and took a middle ground road, on which we marched eight miles in a north- westerly direction, and bivouacked at eight o'clock, p. m., within three miles of Springfield.
"January 29th. Marehed twelve miles, to within four miles of Sister's Ferry, ou the Savannah River, and bivouacked for the night, having passed through Springfield. The roads are almost impassable. We remained at this point until
"February 3d, when orders came to move, and we formed line and marched to the road; but it was found to be impossible to move the train, and we returned to our old camp.
"February 4th. Marched four miles to Lower Sister's Ferry, crossed the river on a pontoon bridge into South Carolina; then marched seven miles northcast, to within one mile of Robertsville, and bivouacked for the night.
"February 5th. Marched seven miles northwest, passing through Robertsville.
"February 6th. Marched fourteen miles northwest, passing through Lawtonvillc.
"February 7th. Marched five miles northwest, crossed Coosawatchie Swamp.
"February 8th. Marched thirteen miles northwest to Salkahatchie River, which we crossed at Beaufort Bridge, and passed through evacuated works of the enemy.
"February 9th. Marched eighteen miles northwest, to within one mile of Black- ville, a station on the Augusta and Carolina Railroad. At this point we found Corps Headquarters. The Major, commanding regiment, reported to General Williams, and requested to be returned to our own brigade and division. During the march from Savannah to this point, we have been assisting the Second Division in guarding trains, picket and guard duty.
"February 10th. Received orders from General Williams, commanding corps, to rejoin our own brigade. Marched to Blackville, thence six miles west along the
44
346
NEW JERSEY AND THE REBELLION.
was moved up in line of battle on the right and left of the Raleigh road, cavalry protecting both flanks. The skirmishers soon became
Augusta and Charleston Railroad to Ninety-six Mile Turnout, where we found our brigade, and we are once more at our military home in the Second Brigade, First Division, still commanded by Colonel Hawley. General Kilpatrick, with his cavalry command, is on our left, threatening Augusta, Georgia. The whole movement of the army has been from the city of Savannah, on both sides of the river, to Sister's Ferry, and thence on the north side of the river, threatening Augusta on the left, Charleston on the right, destroying the railroad between. We leave the enemy concentrated in each place, and now turn to the north, moving in the direction of Columbia, South Carolina-having moved the trains in safety to this point.
"February 11th. Crossed south fork of the Edisto River at Duncan's Bridge, marching fifteen miles in a direction first east and then northwest.
"February 12th. Marched cleven miles north to within one and a half miles of the north fork of the Edisto River.
"February 13th. Crossed the north fork of the Edisto River at Jeplicoates Bridge, marching ten miles north.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.