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. 2 > Part 12
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CHAPTER XIX. THE TWENTY-FIFTH REGIMENT.
AMONG the nine months' regiments sent to the field from New Jersey, few performed more signal service, or made a finer record than the Twenty-fifth. The regiment, composed about equally of citizens of the northern and southern sections of the State, was fortunate in securing as its commander a man of thorough soldierly qualifications, combined with great energy and force of character, whose heart was in the work in which he was engaged, and who, enjoying the entire confidence of his command, was able to make it, in the highest degree, useful and efficient.1 The men, moreover, composing the regiment, were of the best class, whether as to intel- ligence or personal physique, and adapted themselves readily and cheerfully to all the requirements of the service.
The Twenty-fifth left its camp at Beverly on the 10th of Octo- ber, 1862, and arrived at Washington on the following day. Going into camp at Capitol Hill, it was assigned to the Second Brigade of Casey's Division, consisting of the Twenty-seventh New Jersey, Twelfth and Thirteenth Vermont and Twelfth Massachusetts Bat- tery-Colonel Derrom being placed in temporary command of the
1 Colonel Andrew Derrom was appointed Chairman of the War Committee of Pater- son, entrusted with the raising of troops under the call of 1862, and through his exertions, supported by those of the Committee, the first quota of Passaic County was filled in fourteen days after it was announced. In the call for nine months' men. he raised the quota of the county, five hundred men, in two days, being obliged to refuse many who offered in excess of the number desired. He then, desiring to see the five companies properly placed, proceeded with them to Trenton, and succeeded in having them consolidated with five companies from the southern part of the State. then in camp at Beverly. The officers of the regiment thereupon unanimously elected him Colonel, and although his business-that of an architeet and builder-needed hi- personal superintendence, he promptly accepted the position, joining the command of two days' notice, and addressing himself at onee with vigor and enthusiasm to the work of promoting its discipline and efficiency. Fortunately, he had for many year.
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THE TWENTY-FIFTH REGIMENT.
brigade. Early in November the regiment was dispatched to Fair- fax Seminary, Virginia, where it was for a short time engaged on picket-duty, but on the 30th of that month, receiving marching onlers, proceeded to Aquia Creek, a distance of eighty miles. The conduct of the command during this march, which was one of great difficulty, a snow-storm prevailing during a part of the time, was admirable, eliciting the special commendation of the Colonel. Aquia Creek was reached on the 8th, the regiment crossing the Potomac in transports from Liverpool Point, and on the following day proceeding directly to Falmouth, where it was assigned to the First Brigade, Third Division, Ninth Army Corps. Here, though wearied by a long march, the regiment was at once called into active service. On the morning of the 11th, General Burnside, having completed his plans for a demonstration, opened his bat- teries upon Fredericksburg, under cover of which pontoons were thrown across the river, and our troops pushed over and occupied the town, the enemy slowly retiring to his works on the Heights. The Ninth Corps lying immediately opposite Fredericksburg, was particularly exposed to the enemy's fire, but crossed with great gallantry, the First Brigade of the Third Division being the second to occupy the place, one of its regiments crossing some time before the bridges were laid. The Twenty-fifth immediately upon reach- ing the south bank, threw out pickets along the streets, and so remained until the morning of the 13th, when the Ninth Corps went into action. The duty before this corps was arduous and dan- gerous, being to attack the enemy advantageously posted in the woods and hills lying back of Fredericksburg, and where he had
enjoyed the benefit of the information and experience of his father, who was in the British service, and he was on this account peculiarly qualified, either as an organizer or disciplinarian, for the position to which he was chosen. During the whole period of service, he performed every duty laid upon him with marked efficiency and accept- ance, and returned from the field, at the expiration of the term of enlistment, only more esteemed by his men than when he first assumed command. As exhibiting the estimate in which he was held by his men, the following, from a Cape May paper, whose editor visited the regiment while it was lying at Suffolk, is here added : " The whole regiment is warmly attached to Colonel Derrom. We do not believe there is an "flicer in the service, in whom are combined, in a higher degree, the necessary quali- fhations for his position, then the Colonel of the Twenty-fifth. He is brave and efficient, an excellent disciplinarian, and commands his men by commanding their respect and esteem."
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NEW JERSEY AND THE REBELLION.
constructed formidable earthworks which were defended by numer- ous batteries. The odds were fearful, but the brave troops of the Ninth pushed steadily forward, clearing their way to a plain at the foot of the first ridge. There the order was given to storm the enemy's works, and two divisions advanced to the perilous task, marching dauntlessly across the plain until within a dozen or twenty yards of the ridge. Then the rebel infantry, stationed behind a stone wall, opened a murderous fire. For a moment the bead of the column was thrown into confusion, but rallying, it was reinforced, and again moved forward. But the attempt to dislodge the enemy was vain. From the moment the brave columns left the shelter of the ravine where they had formed for the assault until they reached the foot of the hill, the rebel artillery and infan- try poured a terrific concentrated fire upon the advancing line ; and again it came to a halt, then broke and retired. But now, the situation growing desperate, Getty's Division, including the Twenty- fifth, was ordered up, and charged directly upon the entrenchments- the Jerseymen forming the center of the attacking force. Pushing steadily forward a distance of some eight hundred yards, over fences, ravines and swamps, the regiment, just at dusk, charged with a cheer to a plateau only fifty paces from the wall held by the enemy, exposed all the way to a murderous fire, but bravely press- ing on and holding their advanced position. But this was but for a little time. At length, the supports having fallen back, and the darkness rendering it impossible to manœuver longer with safety -the enemy, moreover, having perfect command of the position- the regiment was reluctantly withdrawn, still, however, fighting gallantly, and pouring in volleys of musketry, as it fell back. By this time, other parts of the line had also been finally driven back, and the enemy having re-occupied his advanced position, the Twenty-fifth, with its division, bivouacked on the ground from which it had moved to the assault. The loss of the regiment in this battle was nine killed, fifty-eight wounded and eighteen miss- ing. The conduct of the men was excellent throughout, being much more steady, indeed, than that of some other regiments. The following congratulatory order, dated "Bivouac, streets of
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THE TWENTY-FIFTH REGIMENT.
Fredericksburg," was issued by the Colonel commanding on the day after the engagement :
"I. The Colonel Commanding takes great pleasure in giving eredit to the officers and men in general of this regiment, engaged in the action of yesterday. Their cool- acs4. under the trying circumstances in which they were placed, stamps them as worthy comrades of the veterans of the army.
"II. The few who in the time of danger skulked from their duty to their country, will in due time receive their reward.
"III. The noble men whom we have lost (killed in action) we mourn for, and sym- puthize with their families in their affliction-while we hope that their and our loss will be the eternal gain of our late comrades.
"IV. In congratulating all on the bold front the regiment displayed, and for our preservation from greater loss under the terrific fire of the enemy, it is proper that we should render thanks unto God for His merciful providence.
"ANDREW DERROM, Colonel Commanding."
Going into camp after this sanguinary battle, at its old position near Falmouth, the regiment remained unemployed until carly in February, when it was transferred with its division to Newport News, whence, on the 13th of March, it proceeded to Suffolk, and encamped but a short distance from the Dismal Swamp, near Fort Jericho, a work commanding the railroad running to Portsmouth. Here detachments of the command were employed in picket-duty and in other duties until early in April, when, the enemy (some thirty thousand strong) having crossed the Blackwater and taken a position in our front, the regiment was put into the entrenchments, a portion manning the completed works while others constructed new defences, built bridges, and opened and established necessary roads. The position of our army at this time was extremely criti- cal. Longstreet's object clearly was to cross the Nansemond, over- whelm the garrison, seize the roads to Norfolk, and cut off our supplies. His success in this movement would have placed both Norfolk and Portsmouth at his mercy ; and it became, therefore, of the utmost consequence that our position on the Nansemond should be firmly and inflexibly held against all comers. Fortunately, General Peck was equal to the emergency. Fathoming the plans of the rebel commander, he, as we have seen, disposed his troops so as to command the Nansemond for a distance of eight miles. The banks of the river being of such a character that troops could not, without making long marches around ravines, creeks, and swamps, pass as reinforcements, General Getty, commanding the
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NEW JERSEY AND THE REBELLION.
Third Division, ordered the construction of. a military road several miles long, including several bridges and long spaces of corduroy. following the general course of the river-bank. This work, at once arduous and important, was largely performed by the Twenty-fifth New Jersey, while the bridges were in almost every instance con- structed under the direction of Colonel Derrom. Two of these bridges-one over Broer's Creek, near Suffolk, and the other over Jericho Creek-were not only built but designed by that officer, and were constructed almost entirely without tools, the workmen using only wood axes, one augur and one small chisel. Each bridge was built in from five to ten hours, and though subjected to the severest tests, columns of troops, trains of loaded wagons, and the heaviest field ordnance and siege pieces repeatedly crossing over them, they stood unshaken.2
We have seen that upon Longstreet appearing in our front, our troops promptly constructed new defences, and in other ways strengthened their position. These defences were for several days vigorously assailed, but without appreciable effect. At length, ou the 14th of April, our gunboats co-operating, our batteries on the Nansemond opened resistlessly on the enemy's position, bringing on a sharp engagement which resulted in the capture of several of the rebel guns and a number of prisoners. In this affair several companies of the Twenty-fifth were engaged as supports to our bat- teries, doing excellent service. On the 24th, another engagement occurred between an expeditionary force of our troops and the enemy, but the Twenty-fifth did not participate, being engaged in other duties.
? The bridge over Broer's Creek-over seventy feet in length, and the foundation resting on a muddy bottom in ten feet of water-was thrown across in five hours, the whole structure, including the cutting down of the timber and the corduroying of the approaches through a thick wood, being completed in less than a day with : detail of sixty men. Colonel Derrom appears to have suggested this whole system of roads and bridges, by means of which, mainly, Longstreet was checkmated. Aletter from General Getty to Colonel Derrom says : " More especially were your suggestions on the subject of military bridges of value. The bridges constructed by you, and after your own invention, over Broer's Creek, during the siege of Suffolk, in Apr:i last, were of the greatest importance. Thrown with great rapidity, and at a critical moment, by cutting off' a detour of five miles, and thus bringing the troops on the Nansemond River into close and rapid communication with each other and with Suffolk, they contributed essentially to the successful termination of the siege."
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533
THE TWENTY-FIFTH REGIMENT.
During the last week in April the rebels moved a considerable body of troops in front of our lines, and constructing rifle-pits, seriously annoyed those of our troops who occupied the outposts. General Peck, accordingly, determined to attack the enemy, drive him from one portion of the front, and also to ascertain whether Longstreet had reinforced the rebels near Richmond. To this end a reconnoissance in force was ordered, consisting of three brigades, embracing eleven regiments, (including the Twenty-fifth,) two bat- teries, and a detachment of mounted riflemen. To reach the route by which it was proposed to advance, it was necessary to cross the Nansemond River, which had been formerly spanned by a bridge now partially destroyed. During the night previous to the move- ment, the bridge was temporarily repaired, and at nine o'clock on the morning of May 3d, the One Hundred and Third New York, the advance guard, crossed the river, closely followed by the Twenty-fifth New Jersey, Thirteenth New Hampshire and Eighty- ninth New York, the cavalry and artillery bringing up the rear- the Union forts and gunboats meanwhile shelling the woods towards which our troops must advance, and in which the enemy was posted. Immediately upon reaching the opposite side of the river the advancing regiments were met by a galling fire from the rebel sharpshooters, but, making no reply to this fire, the brigade pressed firmly forward to the summit of a hill leading from the river, where it formed in line of battle parallel to the woods-the One Hundred and Third New York and Twenty-fifth New Jersey tak- ing position to the right of the road, and the Eighty-ninth and . Thirteenth New York on the left of it. Still the enemy poured in a steady fire, but the attacking column did not for a moment falter. Moving off at the word of command, they gradually pushed the enemy before them, driving him from his shelter, and at length obtaining position near the edge of the woods, where a continuous fire was kept up until one o'clock. At that hour, the Thirteenth New Hampshire and Eighty-ninth New York charged on the rifle- pits in the undergrowth, and after a stubborn contest, drove the enemy in great confusion. Meanwhile, the Twenty-fifth was steadily advancing, and reinforcements coming up shortly after, the field
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NEW JERSEY AND THE REBELLION.
at all points was won, the enemy's first line of rifle-pits being at all points in our possession. The behavior of the men of the Twenty- fifth during the whole day was most admirable, and to their indom- itable gallantry was largely due the success of the expedition. The loss of the regiment was two killed and nine wounded. Among the former was Chaplain Butler who was mortally wounded while moving about the field in efforts to alleviate the sufferings of the wounded, and who only four hours before had lifted his hands in prayer over the regiment as it marched to the field.
Longstreet now abandoning the siege, about a week subsequent to this last engagement the Twenty-fifth Regiment moved to a point near Norfolk, and not far from the Elizabeth River, where it con- structed a fort, which in compliment to the State, was named Fort New Jersey, by order of General Getty. This fort occupied some five acres of ground, with a parapet of two thousand and four hundred feet square, and was built under the superintendence of Lieutenant-Colonel Ayres. It stood throughout the war as a monu- ment of the industry and endurance of New Jersey troops, who, from first to last, proved themselves equal to every duty.
This was the last work in which the Twenty-fifth was engaged. On the 4th of June, it was ordered to proceed to Portsmouth and take transportation for New Jersey, and four days later reached Camp Cadwallader, at Beverly, where on the 20th of June it was mustered out of the service. Upon quitting the field, the regiment was complimented in a special order by General Getty, in the course of which he said : "Since the regiment joined this division last November, they have improved as soldiers with great rapidity ; · from the most inexperienced they have become worthy to be ranked as veterans. Everything required of them has been performed cheerfully and well, and they return home with the proud con- sciousness of having done their duty." Colonel Derrom, on the muster-out of the regiment, issued the following order :
[“ Regimental Order, No. 97.] "After an honorable term of military service, the officers and men of the Twenty-
: Chaplain Butler was a man of the most exalted character and the very pure-t patriotism, and was universally beloved by the men, in whose service he so bravely died.
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THE TWENTY-FIFTH REGIMENT.
EAh Regiment New Jersey Volunteers, are assembled to be mustered out of the service of the United States. During the time the regiment has been in the service, very duty, whether in training routine or in action, has been performed with cheer. fulness and alacrity. The conduet of the regiment has been most exemplary, both in a moral and military view. Let the good name of the regiment be ever held in remembrance by the officers and men, and in after life let us all look back with pleasure apon the honorable connection cach officer and man has had in building up and sus - taining this good namc. Let us so aet in all our future conduct that we may ever broast that we have been members of the Twenty-fifth New Jersey Volunteers.
" We will, at the close of our service, offer up unto Almighty God our thanksgiving and praise for His infinite mercy and loving kindness unto us, in supporting, guiding and protecting us through many dangers and temptations, and bringing us safely back to our homes."
While the casualties of the Twenty-fifth, as compared with those of many other regiments, were few, and its achievements were not celebrated, as were those of some other commands, in bulletins from the battle-field, its services were none the less important, and its labors none the less arduous and severe. No regiment ever performed, in the same period of time, more exhausting labors, and few have a brighter record of duty always cheerfully and faithfully done. During the siege of Suffolk, as has been seen, it was con- spicuous in the construction of breastworks, rifle-pits and military roads and bridges, as well as in the performance of arduous military duties, in supporting batteries, manning rifle-pits and doing picket- duty in the face of the enemy-while in the field its courage shone out lustrously in every contest in which it was engaged. Shrinking from no peril, halting at no obstacles, maintaining the honor-of the nation's flag, it deserved the plaudits which welcomed it home, and followed those who had served in its ranks into the retirement of private life.1
" The following statisties furnish details as to the composition of the regiment, the localities in which it was raised, the names of officers and men, and their several ocen. pations :
Colonel, Andrew Derrom, architect and builder, Paterson, Passaic County. Lieutenant-Colonel, E. J. Ayres, grocer, Paterson, Passaie County. Major, J. Kelly Brown, nurseryman, Camden, Camden County. Adjutant, Daniel B. Murphy, mechanic, Camden, Camden County. Quartermaster, James Inglis, Jr., stationer, Paterson, Passaic County. Surgeon, James Reiley, M. D., Morristown.
First Assistant-Surgeon, Robert M. Bateman, M. D., Bridgeton. Second Assistant-Surgeon, Seffrine Daily, M. D., Newark. Chaplain, Francis E. Butler, Presbyterian, Paterson, Passaic County. Sergeant-Major, Charles J. Field, tobacconist, Camden, Camden County. Quartermaster-Sergeant, John Murchamp, clerk, Camden, Camden County.
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NEW JERSEY AND THE REBELLION.
Commissary-Sergeant, J. R. Putnam, lawyer, Paterson, Passaic County. Hospital-Steward, D. McAuslan, clerk, Paterson, Passaic County. Ward-Master, George Gravelius, barber, Paterson, Passaic County. Drill-Sergeant, William MeDonough, huekster, Camden, Camden County. Drum-Major, A. J. Williams, cigar-maker, West Milford.
Colonel's Orderly, E. L. Townsend, farmer, Cape May.
COMPANY A.
This company was raised in Paterson, Passaie County. Total strength, 101. Com- missioned Officers-Captain, John McKiernan, eoppersmith; First Lieutenant, Andrew Rogers, eoppersmith ; Seeond Lieutenant, T. B. Richards, machinist.
The occupations of the non-commissioned officers and privates were as follows : Bridge builder, 1; boiler makers, 6; blacksmiths, 4; baker, 1; bleachers, 2; carpenters, 5; cotton spinners, 2; clerk, 1; eoppersmith, 1; farmers, 14; mason, 1; machinists, 15; moulders, 3; millwrights, 4 ; engineer, 1; mineral water men, 4; silkmaker, 1; shoe- makers, 5; sailor, 1; laborers, 24; pattern makers, 1; tin and sheet iron worker, 1.
First Lieutenant Andrew Rogers, of this company, was promoted to Captain and transferred to Company F, same regiment, and Fourth Sergeant Samuel G. MeKiernan was promoted First Lieutenant, to fill the vaeaney. First Sergeant Gibson, reported wounded at Fredericksburg, was appointed Second Lieutenant. This company had five privates killed in the battle of Fredericksburg, December 13, 1862-also nine wounded; two men wounded at Suffolk, May 3, 1863.
COMPANY B.
This company was raised in the following places in Atlantic County: Egg Harbor, 76 men ; Hamillton, 17 men; Atlantic City, 4 men ; Mullica township, 2 men; Galloway township, 1 man, and 1 from Salem County. Total, 101. Commissioned Officers- Captain, Somers T. Champion, artist; First Lieutenant, Jethre V. Albertson, ship builder; Second Lieutenant, D. Somers Risley, ship builder.
Non-commissioned Officers and Privates-Ambrotypist, 1; blacksmith, 1; carpenters, 4; farmers, 20; laborers, 25; moulder, 1; oystermen, 32; school teacher, 1; shoemaker, 1; watermen, 8; wheelright, 1; teamsters 3.
The company had five men wounded and two men missing at the battle before Fredericksburg, December 13, 1862.
COMPANY C.
This company was raised in Paterson, Passaic County. Commissioned Officers-Cap. tain, Archibald Graham, machinist; First Lieutenant, Columbus Force, machinist ; Second Lieutenant, R. Parmley, machinist.
Non-commissioned Officers and Privates-Boiler makers, 7; butcher, 1; elerks, 3; car: penters, 9; engineers, 3; farmers, 15; laborers, 33; machinists, 13; masons, 2; sheet and iron workers, 2; silk worker, 1; moulders, 3; shoemakers, 2; tailor, 1; weaver, 1: wagon trimmer, 2.
This company had 4 men. wounded and 1 man killed at the battle of Fredericksburg. December 13, 1862. Also, 1 Sergeant killed at the battle of Suffolk, Virginia, May 3. 1863.
COMPANY D.
This company was raised in Fairfield township, Cumberland county. Commissioned Officers-Captain, E. F. Garretson, ship captain ; First Lieutenant, Samuel Peacock. hotel keeper; Second Lieutenant, Joseph Bateman, carpenter.
Non-commissioned Officers and Privates-Artists, 1; elerks, 3; carpenters, 2; farmer .. 17; glass blowers, 3; masons, 2; watermen, 37; laborers, 30; shoemakers, 2; spar maker, 1; total, 101.
This company had nine men wounded and two men killed at the battle of Freder- icksburg, Deeember 13, 1862.
COMPANY E.
This company was raised in West Milford, Passaie County. Commissioned Officers-
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THE TWENTY-FIFTH REGIMENT.
Captain, Alexander Holmes, machinist ; First Lieutenant, George P. Freeman, farmer ; ¿rond Lieutenant, Charles M. Marsh, lawyer.
Non-commissioned Officers and Privates-Artists, 5; boiler maker, 1; blacksmith, 3; butcher, 1; carpenter, 1; clerk, 1; engineer, 1; barber, 1; farmers, 26; merchant, 1; Laborers, 32; lawyer, 1; machinists, 4; masons, 2; painter, 1; shoemakers, 2; sheet iron workers, 3; weavers, 2; total 91.
This company had three men wounded and one man missing in action at the battle of Fredericksburg, December 13, 1862.
COMPANY F.
This company was raised in Dennis and Lower townships, Cape May County. Com- missioned Officers-Captain, David Blenkon, shoe dealer; First Lieutenant, Nicholas W. Godfrey, carpenter ; Second Lieutenant Henry Y. Willets, carpenter.
Non-commissioned Officers and Privates-Artists, 2; carpenters, 8; elerks, 2; farmers, 4); laborers, 33; shoemaker, 1; watermen, S; seaman, 1; miller, 1; printers, 2; total, 98.
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