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 4
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1 The following are the amounts placed at the disposal of Governor Olden by the banks whose names appear :
Newark Banking Company
$50,000
State Bank at Newark
50,000
Mechanics' Bank 25,000
Newark City Bank 25,000
Essex County Bank
20,000
State Bank at Elizabeth
20,000
4
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NEW JERSEY AND THE REBELLION.
ing citizens proffered their assistance to the authorities; every fire- side shone with the lustre of patriotic feeling; and even the schools shared in the absorbing excitement. It was a carnival of patriot- ism, from . one end of the State to the other.2
Mechanies' and Traders' Bank, Jersey City
25,000
Bank of Jersey City
10,000
Hoboken City Bank
11,000
Sussex Bank
20,000
Union Bank at Dover
10,000
Farmers' Bank of Wantage.
8,000
State Bank at New Brunswick
25,000
Trenton Banking Company
35,000
Mechanies' and Manufacturers' Bank, Trenton
35,000
Bordentown Banking Company
5,000
Mechanics' Bank of Burlington.
5,000
Farmers' Bank of New Jersey, (Mount Holly,)
10,000
Burlington County Bank at Medford.
5,000
State Bank at Camden.
26,000
Farmers' and Mechanics' Bank, Camden
10,000
Gloucester County Bank, (Woodbury,)
5,000
Salem Banking Company.
10,000
Cumberland Bank, (Bridgeton,)
5,000
Total
$451,000
Among the earliest individual tenders of aid were those of Miss Sophia Stevens and Miss Esther Stevens, who, on April 29th, each placed $1,000 at the Governor's disposal.
" Lossing, in his "Civil War in America," page 403, says of the uprising in New Jer- sey, very justly as to the people but falsely as to the Governor: "The inhabitants of New Jersey were so full of enthusiasm that they became impatient of the seeming luke- warmness and tardiness of Governor Olden and others in authority. The Governor was so startled by the demonstrations of patriotism around him, that he ordered Com- pany A, of the City Battalion of Trenton, the capital of the State, to watch the arsenal, and see that the people did not run away with the arms." Nothing could be more un- just than this as to the State Executive. No man could possibly have been more prompt than Governor Olden in meeting every demand of duty. He did not need to be stimu- lated, by pressure from without, to the fulfilment of any obligation. As to the in- timation that lie was driven to place a guard at the State Arsenal by an apprehension that the populace, in their impetuous zeal, would seize its contents and march headlong to the field, no one who knows what the condition of that establishment was, and how worthless were the arms stored within its shattered and rambling walls, will need to be assured of its entire groundlessness. The statement, indeed, in view of the actual facts of the case, is too farcical to deserve serions comment. Mr. Lossing continues, with greater accuracy : "He (Governor Olden) isssned a proclamation, two days after the President's call, calling for the quota of New Jersey to assemble at the State Capital. The Trenton banks tendered a loan to the State of $25,000; and the authorities of the city of Newark appropriated $100,000 for the maintenance of the families of volunteers, and five thousand dollars for the equipment of the soldiers. The Legislature met on the 30th of April, in extraordinary session, * *
* *: and the movements of troops began." In another place, the writer says that "the people of the State nobly re- deemed" the pledge, made by the Legislature, of the faith and power of New Jersey in aid of the Goverment, in any required extent.
· Fitz James O'Brien, in a letter to the New York Times, describing the journey of the
27
TROOPS SENT FORWARD.
President Lincoln's first call for troops was made on the 15th day of April, 1861. Of the total number called for by that pro- clamation, New Jersey's quota was four regiments of seven hundred and eighty men each, or three thousand one hundred and twenty- three men in all.3 Governor Olden received the requisition of the War Department, of which he had been previously notified,' on the 17th, and instantly issued a proclamation, directing all individuals or organizations willing to respond to the call thus made, to report themselves within twenty days. On the same day, he notified the Government that its demand would be immediately complied with. The terms of the requisition required the troops furnished to be detached from the militia of the State, and accordingly, sim- ultaneously with the proclamation of the Governor, orders were issued to the Major-Generals of the several military divisions, four in number, to detail each one regiment of ten companies, and also to organize immediately the reserve militia in the respective brigades. In detailing, these officers were directed to accept the service of volunteers, but if the requisite number did not volunteer, they were required to draft from the reserve militia for the defi- ciency. No such necessity, however, was anticipated, and the result fully justified the confidence of the authorities. The people every. where responded with enthusiastic alacrity to the call for troops. The existing military organizations at once opened recruiting- stations ; public meetings were held in every town and city in aid
New York Seventh Regiment to Washington, gave this glimpse of the popular feeling in New Jersey: "Swift through New Jersey-against which no sneer be uttered ever- more. All along the track shouting crowds, hoarse and valorous, sent to us, as we passed, their hopes and wishes. When we stopped at the different stations, rough hands came in through the windows, apparently unconnected with any one in particular until you shook them, and then the subtle magnetic thrill told that there were bold hearts beating at the end. This continued until night closed, and, indeed, until after midnight."
It may be remarked here, that all the regiments which passed through our State du. ring the first year of the war, received the same cordial welcomes at the hands of the people.
3 Including the Brigadier General, one Aid, and the Brigade Inspector.
4 " WASHINGTON, April 15, 1861-His Excellency Charles S. Olden, Governor of the State of New Jersey :- Call made on you by to-night's mail for four regiments of militia for immediate service. SIMON CAMERON, Secretary of War."
This despatch was received by Governor Olden, at Princeton, at half-past five o'clock, p. m., on the day sent.
28
NEW JERSEY AND THE REBELLION.
of enlistments; the churches entered cordially into the work, many sending full companies into the ranks; while everywhere the popular heart beat responsive to the spirit in which the call of the nation's head had been made. Within a few days over one hundred companies of volunteers, equal to ten thousand men, had offered their services, under the Governor's proclamation." And even this number would have been greatly increased but for the prevalent belief that the quota would be filled by the brigades already organized. The first regimental offer was made by the First Regi- ment of the Hunterdon brigade," on the day following the appear- ance of the Governor's proclamation. On the same day, Captain John R. Cunningham tendered the services of the Camden Zouaves, and these were rapidly followed by similar offers from all parts of the State. Individual offers were also immediate and numerous. On the 16th of April, that on which the President's proclamation was published, George D. Bayard, then first lieutenant of the First Regular Cavalry, at West Point, and afterwards one of the most distinguished cavalry leaders of the war, formally tendered his ser- vices, stating his desire to serve with the troops of his native State.7 Six days later, Judson Kilpatrick, then cadet lieutenant at . the United States Military Academy at West Point, also addressed an urgent appeal to the Governor to be permitted to share with our troops the dangers and honors of the field. About the same time,
5 This does not include the fragmentary organizations, numbering less than one hun- dred men, which tendered themselves to the State.
As exhibiting how the patriotic uprising of our people compared with that of another State of equal size, it may be mentioned that in Connecticut, up to the first of May, according to the message of Governor Buckingham, forty-one volunteer companies had been accepted.
6 The following is the letter in this case :
"LAMBERTVILLE, N. J., April 18, 1861.
"GOVERNOR CHARLES S. OLDEN : Dear Sir :- The First Regiment of the Hunterdon Brigade, at this time numbering about 200 men, rank and file, respectfully tender their services to the Government, to aid in putting down the present rebellion. We are ready to obey your command.
V. R. MATHEWS,
"Lieutenant Colonel of the First Regiment, Hunterdon Brigade."
7 The first individual offer, according to the records in possession of Governor Olden, was made by Joseph W. Revere, Brigadier General of the Morris Brigade, who as early as January, 1861, tendered his services in any capacity in which they might be required. This offer was renewed on April 17, and General Revere subsequently became Colonel of the Seventh Regiment.
29
TROOPS SENT FORWARD.
Wm. S. Truex, lieutenant-colonel of militia, who had seen many years service in the army, being a graduate of West Point, prof- fered his sword for the country's defence. Similar offers were made (April 24) by General Wm. Cook, then manager of an im- portant railway line, but formerly connected with the army ; by H. W. Sawyer, of Cape May, (May 1) then a member of a Pennsyl- vania volunteer company ;8 by J. H. Simpson, captain and chief of Topographical Engineers, then at Sandy Hook, near Harper's Ferry.
Virginia;" by Wm. B. Hatch, of Camden, who had been in the years 1859 and 1860 in the Russian cavalry, at St. Petersburg ; 10 by Mark W. Collet, then a resident of Germantown, Pennsylvania ;11 by Mrs. Kitty K. Painter, of Camden, who desired to serve as an army nurse;12 and by many others whose names afterwards shone in the bulletins of many a well-fought field.
The first company actually received and mustered into service (April 23) under the requisition of the authorities, was the " Olden Guard," a militia organization of Trenton.13 On the 30th of April, so rapidly had volunteers come forward, that the quota of the State was complete, and the regiments stood ready to march.
Simultaneously with these movements for the recruitment and organization of troops, the State authorities were engaged in other and almost equally important labors. Realizing the necessity of means of prompt and constant communication with all parts of the
8 Mr. Sawyer was so pertinacious in his appeals for a position in a New Jersey regi- ment, that, being found meritorious, he was, on the 19th of February, 1862, commis- sioned as second lieutenant in Company K, First New Jersey Cavalry, in which position he served with marked credit, and had an experience of most romantic interest, as is recorded in another part of this work.
9 Afterwards Colonel of the Fourth Regiment, in the three years' service.
10 Mr. Hatch was commissioned as Adjutant of the Fourth Regiment, three monthis' service, and subsequently made Major of the Fourth (three years') Regiment.
11 This gentleman afterwards applied for a surgeon's commission, but being found to possess high soldierly qualifications, and especially the most undaunted courage, was made Major of the Third Regiment, raised under the second call.
12 Mrs. Painter was afterwards widely known as one of the most efficient and humane nurses of the Army of the Potomac. Thousands of scarred veterans, scattered abroad through the country, remember with gratitude her tender ministrations to their comfort in hospital and camp.
13 This Company should not be confounded with Company_1, (National Guard, ) which was detailed for special service at the State Arsenal, under orders of the Quartermaster- General.
30
NEW JERSEY AND THE REBELLION.
State, the telegraph line to Cape May, which had been abandoned by the Company, was at once ordered to be put in working order, at the expense of the State ;"4 and, as a further means of defence, a maritime guard was established along the line of the coast, consisting of patriotic citizens living adjacent thereto. Other measures looking to coast defence were also promptly adopted, including the estab- lishment of a patrol of the shore line by armed vessels.15 Steps,
14 The following despatches refer to this matter :
"PHILADELPHIA, April 21, 1861.
"GOVERNOR OLDEN :- The telegraph line to Cape Island has not been in operation for several months. The Company, it is said, have abandoned it. The line should be put in working order to communicate with Government vessels off the Capes. It will cost about $500. Shall I have it put in order? W. B. MILLER, of Cape May." Upon the original copy of this despatch, are endorsed the words, in Governor Olden's hand : "Answered April 21. Ordered line put in order immediately, at the expense of the State."
15 The following correspondence, as part of the history of the times, is interesting in this connexion :
" TRENTON, May 15, 1861.
"HON. HIRAM BARNEY, Collector of New York :- Dear Sir :- I am satisfied the New Jersey coast should receive the attention of the General Government without delay, and that your port is deeply interested in the action. There are along our shore several in- lets, namely : Barnegat, Little Egg Harbor, Absecum, Great Egg Harbor, and others. Vessels entering these inlets can sail for nearly one hundred miles through inland bays, extending up and down the coast, and separated from it by a narrow neck of land, and are there secure from storms and observation. Privateers may lurk here in the imme- diate vicinity of the commeree entering and leaving your port, near the open sea, and ready to prey upon the unprotected. In some of these inlets suspicious looking craft have been observed recently. One, a fast-sailing schooner, which avoided all inspection, and another, a small steamer, whose crew gave contradictory accounts of her lading and destination.
I have written to the Secretary of the Navy, recommending that a steamer carrying two or more guns, under an active officer, should cruise for a short time on the coast and in the bays and inlets of this State, and think the matter of sufficient importance to deserve your attention and support. Volunteer companies have been formed in the counties bordering on our coast, but while adequate to the protection of the main land, they cannot prevent privateering. Your obedient servant,
"CHARLES S. OLDEN."
To the above, the following reply was returned:
COLLECTOR'S OFFICE, CUSTOM HOUSE, } NEW YORK, May 16, 1861.
SIR :- I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 15th instant, in relation to the exposed situation, under our present exigencies, of the coast of New Jersey.
I beg leave to assure you that every attention in my power will be given, in the dis- charge of my official fimctions, to counteract the designs of evil-disposed persons towards the United States Goverment and the loyal citizens thereof.
A copy of your letter has been forwarded to Commodore Breese, United States Naval Commander on this station. Captain Howard of the United States Revenue service, who is charged with supervision of these matters, informs me that the cutter Jackson
31
TROOPS SENT FORWARD.
too, were taken to secure a more adequate and efficient garrison for Fort Delaware, lying in Delaware Bay, about midway between the shores of New Jersey and Delaware, it being feared that hostile bodies from the latter State might undertake to seize that work, with a view of closing communication with Philadelphia from the sea.16 A company of New Jersey troops, tendered for garrison duty, was accepted by Major-General Wool, then in command at New York, but the general Government subsequently provided for the safety of the Fort, and their services were not required. It was, however, undoubtedly owing to the vigilance of our authorities and citizens that this fortification was so promptly and vigorously manned as to render all hope of capture by surprise vain and futile.
These operations, here rehearsed, may seem at this distance from
will be here to-morrow, in all probability, when the cutter Bibb will be relieved at Kill von Kull, and be despatched to the coast of New Jersey on the service you suggest, with directions to lier captain to report himself to the Collector at Perth Amboy.
I remain, with much respect, your obedient servant, HIRAM BARNEY, Collector.
His Exeelleney, Charles S. Olden, Governor, &e."
16 The correspondence on this subject embraces the following :
SALEM, N. J., April 22, 1861.
"His Excellency, Governor and Commander-in-Chief :- Fort Delaware is in reality defenceless, having only a garrison of twenty raw recruits, under the command of a Marylander. A party from Salem visited it at midnight on Saturday, landed, and shouted and hammered with stones upon the door for nearly an hour before they could arouse a sentry. The interview with the commandant was unsatisfactory-he flying from subject to subject, now suggesting signal guns, then withdrawing the suggestion ; then requesting a response to any firing, and withdrawing this also; and closing with the remark that any engagement would very soon be ended, one way or the other. The bridges and derricks without the walls render access to the Fort easy ; and it is alleged by the visitors above referred to, that forty men could have taken the Fort without difficulty, and can, under its present auspices, take it at any time. The exposed condi- tion of West Jersey, as well as Philadelphia, demands immediate action to secure this position. This will be realized upon a moment's notice. ROBERT JOHNSON, J. INGHAM."
On April 22d, General Wool communicated to Governor Olden a request that he would, "with the least delay practicable, send two companies of militia or volunteers to Fort Delaware for its protection. Should but one company be prepared to move at onee, you will send it forward, to be followed by the other as soon as possible." Accom. panying this communication were instructions to the commanding officer of the Fort (Captain A. A. Gibson, Second Artillery, ) to receive and provide for the troops.
On the 24th of April, the following dispatch was received from the Mayor of Phila- delphia :
" PHILADELPHIA, April 24, 1862.
"GOVERNOR OLDEN :- Major-General Patterson has detailed a Company of Artillery for Fort Delaware. Your companies, as requested by General Wool, will not be needed "ALEXANDER HENRY, Mayor."
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NEW JERSEY AND THE REBELLION.
the early events of the war, to be of inconsiderable importance, and scarcely worth the prominence we have given them. Con- trasted with the stupendous operations of a later time they are, indeed, insignificant-mere specks on the page which records colossal labors and achievements. But it is to be remembered that in that early stage of the struggle, the magnitude of our task had not been developed; the theatre of action upon which we look now with unobstructed vision, was then obscured, neither its immensity nor the events which have marked it being even con- ceived of. Moreover, these first steps, trivial as they seem, were as necessary as any later action ; they constituted the foundation upon which was afterwards reared the magnificent structure of patriotic sacrifice and labor which, to the latest throb of time, will challenge the homage of the nations. In addition to all this, it should not be forgotten that, with all the abounding patriotism of the people, that was a period of inexperience and alarm ; the enemy was of our own household, and had matured his plans in silence and secrecy ; none could tell how far those plans extended, or what incidental objects they contemplated. As a consequence a measure of uncertainty and indefiniteness characterized all our operations; we could only-the Future being a shut book-adopt . such precautions and take such steps as were obviously demanded, and leave the issue with the Almighty Disposer of events.17
17 There is no injustice, no aspersion of the popular feeling, in this statement. Everywhere men looked with fear and trembling upon the lowering prospect. Even the bravest felt their weakness and littleness in presence of the perils seen, and still more in anticipation of dangers lurking in the shadows of the Future. All this was consistent with the highest loyalty and with the loftiest faith in the wisdom and justice of that Providence which is over all. No man, at this day, will dispute the loyalty or conscientious reetitude of purpose of Vice President Hamlin. Amid all the outeries of faction which, at times during the war, filled the land with a Babel of tumult, his name was never tarnished. Yet in the days of which we speak, even he trembled with apprehension. Understanding better than many others the situation at the national capital, he felt keenly the danger of delay in the work of defence, and shrunk with dread from contemplating the possibility of its capture. Influenced by this feeling, on the 24th of April he summoned Governor Olden to meet him at the Astor House, New York, for the purpose of consulting as to the best means of hastening the work of defence. New Jersey being the only State that had a full brigade of troops ready to march, Mr. Hamlin manifested the utmost anxiety for their immediate departure, urging that they be sent to Harrisburg. He was also disturbed by the fact that arms could not be procured to arm the volunteers so rapidly coming in, and in this be but shared the feelings of others. It is to be added that his interview with Governor Olden tended greatly to re-inspire him with confidence as to the issue of our troubles.
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TROOPS SENT FORWARD.
Meanwhile the four regiments called for, having been mustered in, awaited orders to move. The brigade organization had been completed by the appointment of Theodore Runyon, of the Newark Brigade, as Brigadier General, with Major Alexander V. Bonnel as Brigade Inspector, and Captain James B. Mulligan as Aid. de-Camp. General Runyon was a prominent lawyer of Newark, about thirty-eight years of age, and had for some years manifested a deep interest in military affairs, laboring earnestly to establish the militia system upon a vigorous and efficient basis. He was, how- ever, without experience in the marshalling of troops, having never "set a squadron a-field," or participated in active service. But he possessed fine executive capacity, had marked firmness of character, understood the value of discipline, comprehended the gravity of the situation, and was, by virtue of his identification with the military of the State, peculiarly entitled to the distinction of the supreme command of our volunteer contingent. Other can- didates applied for the position and were strenuously supported by their partizans; but among them all, Governor Olden esteemed General Runyon the fittest man for the place. His commission was issued on the 27th of April, and he at once took command. · The task before him was by no means an easy one. That task in- volved the whole business of organizing, disciplining and equip- ping three thousand troops, many of whom had never handled a musket, most of whom were totally ignorant of drill, and none of whom knew anything practically of the rigors and discomforts of service in the field. Coming into camp with mere holiday soldiering experience, they were likely to be restive under their new restraints, and to resent as invasions of personal independence many necessary exactions of camp discipline.1s The difficulties of
18 It is to be said, however, to the credit of these early volunteers, that for the most part they adapted themselves with marked readiness to the demands of their new situa- tion. Upon this point, the Diary of Major James S. Yard, of the Third Regiment, under date of May 2d, says : "It is remarkable, considering the undisciplined condition of the volunteers, that there has been so little disorderly conduct. Of all troops, the volunteer is the most difficult to manage, and in censuring those who are here now, let great allowance be made. For the most part they are men who have been accustomed to the largest liberty of speech and action up to the moment of their enlistment. It will take weeks of drilling to reduce them to a proper degree of subordination to their officers."
5
)
34
NEW JERSEY AND THE REBELLION.
reducing this large body of raw and undisciplined men, each of whom had his own theory as to every subject which arose, were very great and formidable, but General Runyon did not shrink from the task. The volunteers, although inexperienced, had the spirit of soldiers, and to the development of this he promptly di- rected all his energies. Fortunately his efforts were warmly and ably seconded by the regimental commandants,19 and palpable
19 " The Colonel of the First Regiment was Adolphus J. Johnson, who for some years had been connected with the militia of the city of Newark. He, subsequently, served with distinetion in the three years' service, and still wears honorable scars achieved in the country's defence.
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