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 5
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
The Third Regiment had as its Colonel, William Napton, of Trenton, who had also been identified with the militia organization.
The organization of the several regiments at this time was as follows:
FIRST REGIMENT .- Colonel, Adolphus J. Johnson; Lieutenant Colonel, James Peck- well; Major, William W. Michels; Adjutant, Joseph Trawin; Quartermaster, Theo- dore F. Ketchum; Surgeon, John J. Craven; Surgeon's Mate, Edward A. Pierson ; . Sergeant-Major, George H. Johnson; Drum-Major, Nathan P. Morris; Fife-Major, Elijah F. Lathrop; Musicians, 14. Company A-Captain, John Brintzinghoffer; First Lieutenant, John Ward; Ensign, Alfred J. Payne. Company B-Captain, William S. Tipson; First Lieutenant, George Sweeney; Ensign, Mark Sears. Company C-Cap- tain, Thomas L. Martin; First Lieutenant, William C. Davis; Ensign, George T. Woodbury. Company D-Captain, Henry O. Beach; First Lieutenant, John Glazrie ; Ensign, George Blair. Company E-Captain, Martin B. Provost; First Lieutenant, Alexander, Vreeland; Ensign, Garret Debow. Company F-Captain, Henry Bowden ; First Lieutenant, John E. Beam; Ensign, John B. Monroe. Company G-Captain, Henry V. Sanford; First Lieutenant, Jesse Keen; Ensign, John H. Arey. Company H-Captain, William H. Reynolds; First Lieutenant, Charles E. Maekey; Ensign, Stephen C. Fordham. Company I-Captain, John H. Higginson; First Lieutenant, William II. Thompson; Ensign, John MeIntee. Company K-Captain, Charles W. Johnson; First Lieutenant, James B. Baird; Ensign, Ephraim Hall.
SECOND REGIMENT .- Colonel, Henry M. Baker; Lieutenant-Colonel, Abraham Speer ; Major, -; Adjutant, Cornelius G. Van Reiper; Quartermaster, Henry H. Brinkerhoff; Surgeon, John C. Quidor; Surgeon's Mate, Jolm Longstaff; Sergeant- Major, Noah D. Taylor; Drum-Major, Edward C. Woodruff; Fife-Major, William K. Van Reiper; Musicians, 19. Company A-Captain, Garret D. Van Reiper; First Lieu- tenant, William D. W. C. Jones ; Ensign, Richard A. Vreeland. Company B-Captain, Edward C. Hopper; First Lieutenant, James C. Mayer; Ensign, John Hopper. Comt- pany C-Captain, Frederick Grain, Jr., First Lieutenant, James II. Hughes; Ensign, Frederick Cooper. Company D-Captain, Gustavns A. Lilliendahil; First Lieutenant, Frederick Bischof; Ensign, Charles Bauer. Company E-Captain, Jolin J. Van Bus- kirk; First Lieutenant, Hiram Van Buskirk ; Ensign, James M. Simonson. Company F-Captain, Laurent J. Tonnele; First Lieutenant, James McGuire: Ensign, John Dugan. Company G-Captain, John Ramsay; First Lieutenant, Benjamin Van Reiper ; Ensign, Frederick T. Farrier. Company HI-Captain, Edwin S. Babcock; First Lieu- tenant, George H. Gardner; Ensign, Jolin Wood. Company I-Captain, John A. Van- voorhees ; First Lieutenant, Edward Kelley; Ensign, Henry J. Westcott. Company K-Captain, William B. Dunning; First Lieutenant, Peter H. Hoyt; Ensign, John G. Langston.
THIRD REGIMENT .- Colonel, William Napton; Lieutenant-Colonel, Stephen Moore;
35
1764748
TROOPS SENT FORWARD.
results were soon achieved. The troops came gradually to under- stand the necessity of subordination, and when the order to move was at last given, the brigade was in all respects calculated to reflect honor upon the State.
Major, James S. Yard; Adjutant, J. Dallas McIntosh ; Surgeon, Edward F. Taylor; Sur- geou's Mate, Elias J. Marsh; Quartermaster, Myron H. Beaumont; Sergeant-Major, James Anderson; Drum Major, Joseph M. Lewis ; Fife-Major, Charles A. Anderson ; Mu- sicians, 14. Company A-Captain, Joseph A. Yard; First Lieutenant, Robert S. Gould ; Ensign, Charles Ewing. Company B-Captain, David Pierson ; First Lieutenant, John J. Cladek; Ensign, Charles D. Mandeville. Company C-Captain, Isaac Paul Lykens ; First Lieutenant, John W. Neal; Ensign, John R. Beatty. Company D-Captain, Samuel Mulford; First Lieutenant, Franklin S. Mills; Ensign, Henry K. Zeliner. Company E-Captain, Ashbel:W. Angel; First Lieutenant, Aaron H. Slack; Ensign, Isaac M. Bunnell. Company F-Captain, John H. Smith ; First Lieutenant, George H. Green ; Ensign, Abram L. Bills. Company G-Captain, Vineent W. Mount; First Lieutenant, John W. Cottrell; Ensign, William Spain. Company H-Captain, George A. Allen; First Lieutenant, James Gordon; Ensign, Martin Wyckoff. Company I- Captain, Simcon R. Huselton; First Lieutenant, Theophilus Stout; Ensign, William W. Abbott. Company K-Captain, Cornelius W. Castner; First Lieutenant, Samuel Ross; Ensign, George M. Stelle.
FOURTH REGIMENT .- Colonel, Matthew Miller, Jr. ; Lieutenant-Colonel, Simpson R. Stroud; Major, Robert C. Johnson; Adjutant, William B. Hatch ; Quartermaster, John L. Linton; Surgeon, Elijah B. Woolston; Surgeon's Mate, Alvin Satterthwaite; Ser- geant-Major, Samuel Keys; Drum-Major, John V. Johnson; Fife-Major, David S. Ben- der; Musicians, 17. Company A-Captain, Henry A. Perrine; First Lieutenant, Silas M. Wampole; Ensign, Richard S. Moore. Company B-Captain, Joseph Gale; First Lieutenant, Samuel B. Gale : Ensign, William Nippins. Company C-Captain, Ed- mund G. Jackson; First Lieutenant, William H. Maxwell; Ensign, William H. Hem - sing. Company D-Captain, Joseph B. Stafford; First Lieutenant, John Cavenagh ; Ensign, Ferdinand Mc Williams. Company E-Captain, Isaac W. Miekle; First Lieu- tenant, Philip M. Armington ; Ensign, Timothy C. Moore. Company F-Captain, Ed- ward Price Hunt; First Lieutenant, Richard H. Lee ; Ensign, Theodore A. Zimmerman. Company G-Captain, John R. Cunningham ; First Lieutenant, Louis M. Morris ; Ensign, Joseph L. De La Cour. Company H-Captain, John F. VanLeer; First Lieu- tenant, George E. Wilson ; Ensign, John Willian. Company I-Captain, Clement H. Sinnickson; First Lieutenant, George T. Ingham; Eusign, Henry F. Chew. Company K-Captain, George C. Burling; First Lieutenant, Edward G. Keegan ; Ensign, Joseph Hays.
While the Brigade was absent from the State, Major A. V. Bonnell, Brigade-Inspector, tendered his resignation, which was accepted; C. W. Tolles, Esq., was appointed Assistant Adjutant-General for the brigade, and the following changes occurred in the officers of the regiments : Captain Laurent J. Tonnele, Company F, Second Regiment, resigned, and Robert Gilchrist, Jr., was elected to fill the vacancy, at Washington, May 18, 1861; Second Lieutenant Charles Bauer, of Company D, Second Regiment, also re- signed, and George Knapple was elected at Beltsville, June 3, 1861, to fill the vacancy thus occasioned. The office or Major in the Second Regiment having been vacant when the Regiment left Trenton, Captain John J. VanBuskirk, Company E, Second Regi- ment, was promoted to that position June 15, 1861, at Arlington, Virginia. The vacan- ey thus occasioned in Company E, was filled July, 1861, at Camp Princeton, Bladens- burg, Md., by the promotions of First Lieutenant Hiram VanBuskirk, Second Lieuten- ant James M. Simonton, and Andrew VanBuskirk, all of that Company, to the positions, respectively, of Captain, First and Second Lieutenants.
36
NEW JERSEY AND THE REBELLION.
We have said that the Government was, at this time, lamentably unprepared for war. Of this fact, a conclusive evidence was given in connexion with the equipment of the First New Jersey Brigade. On the 26th of April, Secretary Cameron notified the State authori- ties that the Government could not furnish accoutrements for the troops, and that consequently they would be attached for the present to the military district commanded by Major-General Pat- terson ; that is, they must not be moved, owing to the inability of the Government to furnish arms or ammunition. In the same com- munication, the Secretary declined the offer of a volunteer battery made by Major Hexamer, through the Governor. Yet, at this very moment, the enemy was drilling within sight of the capital, and the whole North stood in apprehension of an assault upon it! Our State authorities, after this notification from the War Department, would probably have been justified in abstaining from further efforts to hasten our volunteers to the field, or at least awaiting indifferently further orders from the Government; but appreciating as they did the exigencies of the case, they determined at once to furnish at the expense of the State all the necessary accoutrements. This having been determined upon, Governor Olden on the 1st of May, despatched a special messenger to Annapolis, to communicate with General Butler, then in command at that point, informing him. that our regiments were preparing to move, and requesting him to make the necessary arrangements for their reception ; and at the same time another messenger was sent to Washington with des- patches for the Secretary of War, informing him of the decision of the authorities. On the same day Secretary Cameron was apprised by telegraph that our troops would move on the 1st, 2d and 3d of May; and was urged to make immediate arrangements to promote their comfort and their efficiency. All this done, one difficulty still remained to be overcome. The State was able to equip and arm the troops, but they were utterly destitute of ammunition, without which all other accoutrements would be useless. Efforts were made to procure the requisite supply from Major-General Patterson, com- manding this department, and from Major-General Wool, then in command at New York, but neither could afford any relief. Am-
37
TROOPS SENT FORWARD.
munition was not to be had from any source over which the Govern- ment had control.19 Finally, application having been made to Mr. Simeon Draper, of the Union Defence Committee of New York, without success, the State messenger going to Mr. Blunt, of that city, succeeded, after long importunity, in procuring (on the 3d of May,) three thousand five hundred musket ball cartridges of the Government standard, and one hundred thousand percussion caps which were at once shipped. Thus, at last, all obstacles were sur-
19 " Captain Charles P. Smithi was dispatched to New York to procure it (thic ammu- nition). It was shipped from New York to Camden, after the brigade had left Trenton, and one of the vessels carrying the troops being detailed to receive it at Camden, it was taken on board and distributed to the troops on the other vessels as they passed down the bay. The State also furnished rifles, with which the flank companies of the several regiments were armed."-Report of Adjutant-General.
A gentleman familiar with the facts on this point, has supplied the following :
" The fleet which was to convey the three thousand three months' mnen to the seat of war, consisted of fourteen propellers. They had reached Bordentown, en route, at the time Baltimore was in the hands of disloyal authorities, when it was ascertained that not a pound of powder or lead had been provided. An officer had been dispatched to New York, but failed to report. The afternoon of the day the fleet left Bordentown, Captain Charles P. Smith was hastily sent to New York to procure ammunition, but at such brief notice that he had scarcely time to reach the cars, or obtain necessary ere- dentials. After encountering and overcoming obstacles growing out of a lack of know- ledge of the whereabouts of officials, he at last succeeded in securing an interview with Simcon Draper, Chairman of the Union Safety Committee. Mr. Draper could render no assistance. IIe said there was not a sufficient amount of ammunition for New York troops ; besides, the city authorities, in view of the large quantity reported to have been sent to the rebels, had strictly prohibited any from leaving the city. In vain were the necessities of the case set forth. Finally the messenger was advised to call upon Mr. Blunt, on Broadway. He acknowledged having control of thirty-six thousand rounds of ball cartridges, and a large amount of percussion caps, but they were engaged to other parties-a ship-of-war required them-the order of the city authorities was in the way, &c. Besides, whoever got them, he must have the price paid down. It was urged that three thousand men were even then on their way to Washington to defend the Union, without the means of defending themselves; that a tug was waiting at Camden upon which the messenger was to follow them to their des- tination, if necessary ; that it was then four o'clock, and the last train by which he could possibly overtake them would leave in the course of a few hours, &c., &c. To all of which Mr. Blunt replied: 'That may be very true, but who are you, and where are your vouchers ?' But after almost every argument and entreaty seemed exhausted, Mr. Blunt called some one in for consultation, and they proceeded to subject the mes- senger to a critical examination. Finally, the matter resulted in Mr. Blunt's saying : ' We will take your face for security, upon signing an instrument making yourself per- sonally responsible.' This, of course, was gladly assented to. The ammunition was piled upon a dray-entirely exposed to view-each box conspicuously marked on the end with the number of rounds of musket cartridges. As Captain Smith marched off, opposite the horses' licads, 'keeping step to the music of the Union,' Mr. Blunt called after him that he 'would be arrested before reaching the foot of Cortland street!' However, the journey was accomplished without encountering a single police officer, and the dray was driven on the ferry boat and conveyed to Jersey City. Here the railroad officials refused to take it in charge, alleging that it was against the rules of the Company to carry such freight on passenger trains. They also insisted that the
38
NEW JERSEY AND THE REBELLION.
mounted, and the way was clear for the departure of our impatient volunteers.20
freight, if taken, must be paid in advance. After considerable delay, and by dint of importunity, the first objection was overcome, and the second met by the messenger again signing an instrument rendering himself personally responsible. The precious freight was safely locked in an iron crate, to be towed a long way astern, and then, for the first time, feeling sure of success, a despatch was sent to the Governor announcing the result. Soon after the train started a severe thunder storm came up; the night was intensely dark, except when illumined with vivid lightning, and as the train sped through the country to its destination, the passengers were in blissful ignorance of the terrible secret towing astern. At Trenton, the Governor's Aid was waiting with de- spatches for General Runyon. The train reached Cainden at half-past ten o'clock, the storm still raging, and so intensely dark that it was impossible to ascertain whether the flotilla had passed or not. One thing was certain-the messenger's open tug was waiting for him. It was determined to experiment by swinging a lantern at the end of the long wharf in the dark night and drenching rain. Fortunately the signal was ob- served, as the propellers were passing down the western channel, opposite the city, and tle dispatch boat 'Elizabeth' came across and received on board the ammunition. So severe was the storm that the fleet was obliged to come to anchor somne miles below the city."
20 " The First Regiment was clothed at Newark, at the expense of the State. The Second Regiment was mostly clothed by a committee of liberal and patriotic gentlemen of Jersey City, at their own expense, without any instructions or authority from the State, and have not as yet made any claim for repayment of the expenditure. The Third and Fourth Regiments were clothed entirely by the State."-Quartermaster- General's Report, January 14, 1862.
The whole expenditure made in organizing, equipping and transporting the four regi- ments of three months' men, amounted to $167,128.46, of which $63,508.50 was for clothing, $27,120.42 for subsistence, and $27,047.64 for transportation to Annapolis.
It may be stated here that the total expense of organizing and equipping four regi- ments of three months' militia, five regiments of infantry, one regiment of riflemen, one regiment of cavalry, and two companies of artillery, from their organization to January 1st, 1862, was $902,027.20.
In reference to the clothing and equipment of the Second Regiment of militia, re- ferred to above, we have been supplied with the following statement, which shows also how it was raised : "On the 16th of April a meeting was called at the Hudson House in Jersey City for the purpose of raising men for the war. Isaac W. Scudder, Esq., was chosen President of the meeting. Mr. Potter moved that a roll be opened for volunteers, which was agreed to amid warm applanse. James M. Weart, a student at law, was the first to come forward and put down his name. In a few minutes the names of thirty ardent and true men were enrolled: This meeting gave such an impulse to the war movement that the volunteering of the Second Regiment speedily resulted. At a meeting of citizens held on April 22d, the Mayor (Cornelins Van Vorst) in the chair, a war committee of five was appointed, consisting of Mayor Van Vorst, Henry Traphagen, John Griffith, Benjamin G. Clark and David Smith. This committee equipped the Second Regiment and sent it to the field. Upon volunteering, the men were without uniforms or equipments, and the city was without money, but the emer- gency was promptly met by Messrs. Griffith and Clark, who came forward and in the most noble manner purchased all the necessary clothing and equipments, making theni- selves personally liable for some $30,000, trusting that the people would ultimately raise the money and pay the bills incurred. This the citizens, through their represen- tatives, cheerfully did, and the gentlemen named were reimbursed. The regiment was equipped and in camp at Trenton on April 26th, less than a week after the general meeting of citizens was held.
"The war committee above named, after the departure of the regiment, cared for the families of the men, the citizens subscribing a large sum of money for that purpose."
CHAPTER IV.
HOSTILITIES COMMENCED-BULL RUN.
AT the time of which we write, communication with Washington by way of Baltimore had been cut off by the burning of bridges and the destruction of sections of the railway running through Maryland, and it became necessary, therefore, that the New Jersey troops should proceed thither by way of Annapolis. After consul- tation it. was determined to employ the propellers plying on the Delaware and Raritan Canal in their transportation by this route, no other means of conveyance being available. Accordingly, on the 2d of May, an order was issued to General Runyon directing the embarkation of the troops "as soon as possible," and on the same day, final instructions were issued to the commandant,2 for his government while en route to the field. The day following, the fleet (Captain R. F. Loper in command,) left Trenton, and on the night of the 4th, arrived off Annapolis, having been greeted at all points along the route with manifestations of pleasure.3 The ar- rival of the Brigade was at once reported to General Butler, who, after some ceremony, ordered its advance to Washington,4 and on
1 Mr. John G. Stevens is said to have first suggested the adoption of this route and method of transportation.
? In these instructions General Runyon was directed to proceed by way of the Dela- ware and Chesapeake Canal to Annapolis, and there report to the officer commanding for further orders. As soon as possible, he was directed to ascertain by careful inspec - tion any deficiencies which might exist in the arms, equipments and hospital stores of the brigade, and to notify the State as to what was needed, if the deficiency could not be supplied by the government. The instructions closed with this injunction : "The honor of New Jersey is in your keeping."
3 At almost every farm-house along the route the stars and stripes were displayed, and the ladies appeared at the doors and windows, waving handkerchiefs as we passed. They were repeatedly cheered by the troops."-Major Yard's Journal.
+ A very full and accurate account of the events which had preceded the arrival of our troops at Annapolis, including the particulars of its seizure and occupation by Butler, is given in the 18th chapter (vol. 1) of Lossing's "Civil War in America."
Г
40
NEW JERSEY AND THE REBELLION.
the 5th, the First Regiment, with six companies of the Second, and nine companies of the Third, started forward in two trains of cars. The first of these trains reached Washington about midnight, and the second at eight o'clock the following morning. The same evening, the Fourth Regiment, and the remaining company of the Third, reached the capital. The four companies of the Second, left at Annapolis, were detailed, by order of General Scott, to the service of guarding the telegraph and railroad track between Wash- ington and Annapolis Junction.5
On the 6th of May, the arrival of the Brigade was reported to General Scott, and no camps being provided, the troops went into „such quarters as were available in Washington. On all sides the arrival of the troops was hailed with pleasure. Men felt that now the capital was safe." These three thousand Jerseymen, thorough-
5 Captain W. B. Dunning, of the Third Regiment, furnishes the following outline of the experience of the detacliment which was assigned for service in Maryland :
" Upon arriving at Annapolis, companies D, E, I and K were detailed for guard duty at the Naval School, while the other six companies made themselves comfortable in the mansions formerly occupied by the Professors. The Regiment was ordered to pro- ceed to Washington on the night of its arrival, and the companies on guard, not being relieved in time, were left behind. The next day, Captain Mulligan, of General Run- yon's staff, arrived from Washington, and arranging for the relief of the remaining companies, they took cars for the Washington branch of the Baltimore and Ohio Rail- road; companies D and K were put off at Beltsville, thirteen miles from Washington, and E and I at Hyattsville, six miles from Washington, with orders to guard the rail- road from Laurel to the city of Washington, a distance of abont seventeen miles. And here these four companies remained three months-the first month without tents, and nearly the same period of time without rations. Thanks to General Butler, however, these wants were soon supplied when brought to his notice. Occasional alarms, some real and others faneied, relieved the monotony of the lonely pickets as they patrolled their beats ; but nothing occurred of a serious nature during the term. Lieutenant- Colonel Speer was in command of the detachment, with his headquarters at the resi- dence of Mr. Hyatt (a Jerseyman), at Hyattsville, near Bladensburg."
A letter from a member of this detachment, dated at Beltsville, Maryland (12 miles from Washington), May 8, gives the following glimpse of the impoverished commis- sariat: "Our first meal here-supper-consisted of smoked beef and crackers; our next-breakfast-of only coffee and crackers, or sea-bread. There was salt pork for dinner, and a pound and a-half of rice for twenty-five men. For breakfast this morn- ing we had a cup of coffee and three small crackers each. All this time we are doing hard duty. * * * The population about here is nearly equally divided between Unionists and secessionists. The latter don't like the presence of troops. It is said -that two bridges which we guard would have been destroyed but for our timely ar- rival."
6 The National Intelligencer (Washington) thus referred to the brigade upon its arrival in that city :
" The whole brigade, with its four picees of artillery, arrived at Annapolis on Sun-
*
41
HOSTILITIES COMMENCED-BULL RUN.
ly armed and equipped, as no regiments previously arrived had been, could be relied upon to repel all assaults. New Jersey never stood higher in the estimation of the loyal people of the country than at that juncture, when she sent to the nation's defence the first full brigade of troops that reached the field. The Government was especially cordial in its expression of satisfaction. Two days after its arrival, the Brigade paraded the city, and was everywhere hailed with the liveliest demonstrations of enthusiasm by the populace.8 As was, perhaps, to be expected, great difficuly was at first experi- enced in the commissariat, no adequate provision having been made by the Government for supplying the wants of the troops, and some days were required to produce system in the issue of rations, and remove all cause for complaint.9 Some dissatisfaction also existed
day, May 5th, in twenty eight hours from Trenton, and proceeded dircet for Washing- ton. It is stated that the fourteen transports, with a strong convoy, commander F. R. Loper, made a splendid appearance, steaming in two lines down the Chesapeake. They had been greeted by a great Union demonstration as they passed along the Chesa- peake and Delaware Canal. They are armed with the Minie musket, but are to have the Minie rifle and sword-bayonet. The splendid stand of colors brought with them was presented to the (First) Regiment by the High School in Washington street, Newark, just prior to their departure for Washington. This regiment is composed of some of the best men in the State, and in athletic appearance, as well as general sol- dierly deportment, are a credit to the country."
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.