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 15
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Although the regiment was not brought into close and actual conflict during this unfortunate battle, it was sufficiently exposed to test the bravery and trustworthiness of the officers and men ; and the rapidity with which they advanced when ordered forward to the assistance of their comrades, the celerity and regularity with which they fell into line under fire, and their eagerness to advance
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THE TWENTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT.
and attack, demonstrated conclusively that if they had met the foe, they would have done their duty steadily and bravely.
The regiment remained in camp without change, undergoing instruction in discipline and drill, until the 24th of January, 1863, when it was ordered to the front in support of Pettit's Battery of rifled guns, in position on the river, commanding Franklin's cross- ing. At this point the regiment had its camp on a commanding plain, immediately in rear of the battery and in full sight, not only of the rebel pickets on that front, but of the entire rebel army- only the narrow river, here but fifty yards wide, separating them from the foe. In this encampment, named "Camp E. V. Sumner," (in honor of the brave commander of the Right Grand Division, to which the Twenty-seventh was attached), the regiment remained for over a fortnight, daily going through the routine of parades, reviews, inspections and drills, but without receiving a single shot from the enemy. On the 11th of February, the regiment, with the remainder of the corps, proceeded to Aquia Creek, whence it was transferred by steamer to Newport News, disembarking at that point on the 13th, and at once occupying a camp about a mile from the landing. The object of this movement was not known to the troops, who speculated largely as to their probable destination; but whatever point it was designed they should assail in that quarter, the field of operations was never reached, the movements -of the rebel forces rendering the presence of the corps indispensably necessary in a far distant (and different) field. The Twenty- seventh, however, anticipating a perhaps protracted stay, estab- lished its camp with great care,4 and prepared to enjoy all the
4 For a fine description of this camp, we quote from a letter of Honorable John Hill, who, after visiting the regiment, wrote as follows to the Morristown Jerseyman of April 23, 1863: "There are some beautiful encampments here, which extend some three miles from the landing up along the banks of the James River. It is a fine sight : Camp Burnside, the camp of the Twenty-seventh Regiment, is one of the finest camps here. How to find it, I was told by a gentleman who had been there, to take the left
. , hand road from the landing, go up one and a half miles and 'the finest looking camp there was the Twenty-seventh New Jersey.' Another said, 'ask for the handsomest looking camp, and they will tell you it belongs to the Twenty-seventh New Jersey.' And so it turned out. It is beautifully laid out with cleven streets, fifty feet wide each, with sidewalks of six additional feet, the streets being graded and guttered on each side. The main street or avenue runs up through the center one hundred feet wide, at the head of which are the field officers' tents, with a street fifty feet wide in front of
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comforts possible to its position-meanwhile giving attention to drill, regimental and brigade-Colonel Mindil temporarily com- manding the brigade in the absence of the brigade commander. So proficient did it become in this respect, that it soon enjoyed the reputation of being the finest drilled regiment in the corps, leading the officers to recommend Colonel Mindil, in view of his labors in this behalf, to the Congressional delegation of the State for pro- motion to Brigadier-General. The President, as was afterwards ascertained, so far approved of the request as to place the Colonel's name on his list, and the appointment would, in all probability, have been made, had not the Senate, during the same month, limited the number of Generals.
On the 18th of March, orders were received to prepare at once for a movement. Longstreet, with a considerable rebel force, was threatening our lines at Suffolk, and the Third Division of the corps had already crossed over to Norfolk and passed to the front to resist him. The Twenty-seventh, informed of this movement, expected to follow; but it had a far different task before it, the real destination of the remainder of the corps being Kentucky, in which State the rebel partizan leaders, Morgan, Pegram, Duke and Forrest, were committing the most alarming depredations. General Burnside having been assigned to the command of the Department of the Ohio, with headquarters at Cincinnati, had asked for his old corps to operate with him in expelling the rebel marauders, and in the future (and then contemplated) movement into the mountains of East Tennessee, and this request had been promptly
them, and then came the line officers' streets and their tents. In the center of the encampment and in the middle of the avenue, a pole was erected and a beautiful arch of evergreens, over which waved the Star Spangled Banner. In front of each tent is placed a beautiful holly tree, about ten or twelve feet high ; the walks and streets being kept as clean and smooth as a floor. The tents were of the 'A' pattern, and being new, presented a fine appearance. The encampment was like a neat little village, the whole being planned and laid out under the superintendance of Colonel Mindil, who has an eye to the comfort of his men, and always makes it a point to select a good camp."
Major-General O. B. Wilecx, commanding the division, wrote to Colonel Mindil about the same date as the above, as follows: "I am proud of your connection with my division, and from the fine appearance and good instruction of your present regi. ment, I am happy to observe your military talents are still employed with credit to yourself and to the advantage of the service."
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THE TWENTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT.
granted. On the morning of the 19th of March, the Twenty- seventh broke camp and marched to the landing, where it embarked on the 25th, on the steamer John A. Warner, and proceeded to Baltimore. Thence it was carried by rail to Parkersburg, West Virginia, where it was again transferred to a steamer and conveyed to Cincinnati, that city being reached on the morning of the 2ith. General Burnside had preceded his troops to that point, and the loyal people of the city, as regiment after regiment arrived, ex- tended to the weary men the most cordial and hospitable welcome. The large market-house, and even the adjoining streets, were filled with tables, heaped with edibles of every description, and day and night the most beautiful of the city's patriotic daughters were in attendance to serve the hungry soldiers. Shortly before noon on the 27th, the Twenty-seventh Regiment landed on the levee, and in column by companies, with arms bright and glistening, marched into the city, welcomed by the cheers of the populace, and reviewed by General Burnside from the balcony of the Burnet House, as it passed, the men cheering lustily for the commander whom they had already learned to love and trust. At the market-house, the troops stacked arms and partook of a most sumptuous meal, after which, returning to the river, they were ferried over to Covington, Kentucky, and the same evening took cars for Lexington, then threatened and in danger-being the first regiment from the East to move into central Kentucky in aid of our cavalry, who, weak in numbers, were heroically struggling against the advancing forces of the enemy.
As guerillas abounded in all parts of Kentucky at that time, the train conveying the Twenty-seventh was obliged to proceed very slowly, and it was morning before Lexington was reached. Here the corps was to assemble preparatory to assuming the defen- sive. The rebel General Pegram, who was advancing by the Dan- , ville turnpike, had, however, succeeded in driving our advanced forces beyond Kentucky River, and they had fallen back to a posi- tion at Heckman's Bridge, to await reinforcements. The Twenty- seventh was at once sent by train to Nicholasville, fourteen miles distant, arriving there at noon on the 28th, and proceeding imme-
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diately to Heckman's Bridge, thus relieving the Union cavalry, who went in pursuit of the rebels on another road. The regiment being ordered to continue in support, that evening reached " Camp Dick Robinson," having marched a distance of seventeen miles (loaded down with knapsack, canteen and haversack), in six hours. General Gilmore, commanding our cavalry, having overtaken and beaten the rebels near Monticello, the Twenty-seventh went into camp on the turnpike about half a mile from the Robinson House, picketing the road to Lancaster and keeping an advanced guard on the Danville Road near the crossing on Kentucky River, where the enemy had destroyed the bridge. The regiment soon arranged a handsome camp, and for a few days lived in luxurious style, being within reach of all the luxuries which "the blue grass region" afforded. Meanwhile, however, Burnside was pushing back the rebels on all the roads by which they had approached, and it soon became necessary for the Twenty seventh, in order to keep abreast of the advancing line, to move forward also along the road on which it had been placed. Accordingly, early on the morning of the 11th of April, the march was resumed, Stanford, twenty miles distant, being reached at sunset. Here the Twenty-seventh was joined by the regiments of the brigade with which it had acted at Fredericksburg and Newport News, and another period of rest and enjoyment was had, the community being intensely loyal and con- tributing in every possible way to the comfort of the men. But the rebels were still committing their characteristic depredations in the southern counties, and vigorous action was urgently demanded. Accordingly General S. P. Carter, a loyal Tennesseean, who com- manded the district in which the Twenty-seventh was serving, planned an expedition to drive the marauders beyond the limits of the State-for this purpose organizing a force consisting of five regiments of cavalry at Somerset, Kentucky (who were then picketing and holding the line of the Cumberland River, which formed the dividing line between the opposing forces), and a bri gade of infantry. The cavalry brigade, with a battery of moun- tain howitzers, was placed under command of Colonel Wolford of the First Kentucky Cavalry, a loyal and brave soldier defending
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THE TWENTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT.
the soil of his native State, while the infantry brigade, consisting of the Twenty-seventh New Jersey, Second Tennessee, and One Hundred and Third Ohio, with six rifled Rodman ten pounders of Wildrick's Indiana Battery, was put under command of Colonel Mindil-General Carter having command of the whole. The cav alry being some twenty-five miles in advance, it was necessary for the infantry to join them before the real movement could com- mence, and accordingly, on the afternoon of April 25th, the Twenty-seventh, with the other regiments assigned for the expedi- tion, moved out from its camp, and on the evening of the 26th, reached Somerset. On the following morning, the expedition started, the cavalry moving on different roads, intending to cross at some shallow fords above and below Stigold's Ferry. The infantry being ordered to cross at a point some six or seven miles below the ferry, marched briskly forward during the entire day, encamping at night in line of battle, and the next morning fording Fishing Creek, pushed on to Mill Springs on the Cumberland. Here it was found that the current was too strong and the river too deep to admit of fording, and there being no boats, the com- mand, on the morning of the 29th, returning towards Somerset, moved to a position on the Monticello road, about a mile and a half from the Stigold Ferry, where it encamped. Meanwhile, the cav- alry had effected a passage, and only awaited the arrival of the infantry to attack the enemy. On the 30th, Mindil's Brigade, crossing the river in barges, pushed forward some ten miles, with the cavalry in advance, and on May 1st reached Monticello, the cavalry driving the enemy from the village after a stubborn resistance. Here preparations were made for a further engagement, should the enemy return to the assault, but the latter, being badly whipped, hastily crossed the line and sought cover in the mountains of East Tennessee. The expedition having thus accomplished its object, it was decided to return, and the cavalry having joined the infantry af- ter pursuing the enemy to a point beyond Travisville, Tennessee, the whole command set out for Somerset. On reaching Stigold's Ferry, on the morning of the 6th, it was found that the small boats had been removed, but in their place were two large, open flats, which
71
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NEW JERSEY AND THE REBELLION.
could be pulled across by means of ropes stretching from shore to shore. The Second Tennessee and One Hundred and Third Ohio crossed in safety, as did also the greater portion of the Twenty- seventh ; but three companies of the latter were less fortunate. After the crossing of that portion of the command already named, the artillery and horses were placed in the larger flat to be ferricd over on the lower rope, leaving the upper cable for the smaller boat, containing portions of Companies L. B and C, with a few men from other companies of the Twenty-seventh. These flats were pulled across the stream, the current of which was at the rate of six miles an hour, by four men standing in the bow of each boat, who passed one hand over the other on the rope, taking care never to loosen the grasp of one hand until the other was firmly placed. As the flat containing almost the last detachment of the Twenty-seventh, some fifty men, had reached the middle of the stream, the men who were pulling it across (and who were experts), suddenly and unaccountably loosened their hold on the rope, and the boat swinging around, broadside to the current, drifted rapidly down the stream towards the lower rope, by means of which the artillery was crossing. The situation was a perilous one, but had the men remained cool, and carefully and quickly passed the lower rope over their heads, the danger might still have been escaped, since the boat would either have drifted ashore, or the occupants been relieved by means of other boats. Unfortunately, however, many of the men became excited, and as they neared the lower ropc, a number leaped up suddenly to grasp it, thinking thereby to stay the progress of the flat. But this movement had directly the contrary effect, the sudden rush to the one side, and the abrupt check to the progress of the boat, causing it to dip, fill with water, and precipitate the men headlong into the river. The men were heavily loaded with their marching accoutrements, rendering swim- . ming impossible, while to add to their peril, many, as they fell in together, instinctively grasped their comrades for support, and so both the supporters and the supported were only carried down the sooner. A few managed to reach the shore, while others clung to the rope until relieved; but the gallant and veteran officer, Captain
-4
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THE TWENTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT.
Alexander, with thirty two men, were carried to the bottom and drowned. Such a calamity, while the men were yet exultant over the success of their expedition, was indeed distressing, and fell with a most saddening effect upon the regiment. To perish thus after having escaped the bullets of the foe, and with but a single month lying between them and their homes, was lamentable, indeed; but these thirty-three unfortunates were patriots none the less because they went down under the river's tides, with their armor on, rather than in the din and smoke of battle. They died in the Nation's cause, and left the martyr's heritage to all who hold them dear. Of the whole number who perished, nineteen were from Rockaway township, seven from Roxbury, and three from Randolph, in Morris County, while three were from Walpack and one from Stillwater, in Sussex County. Lieutenant Pierson, afterwards the gallant Adjutant of the Thirty-third regiment, was among those precipitated into the water, but his presence of mind saved him-clinging to the upturned boat until relief was sent him. Some of the bodies of the drowned were afterwards recovered, floating on the surface, and decently interred, being subsequently, in some cases, removed to New Jersey. The following are the names of those who perished, with the companies to which they were attached :
COMPANY A-Cornelius Derrom, George Emory, Andrew Dickson, George A. Ligafus. COMPANY B-Captain John T. Alexander, First Sergeant Albert D. Wiggins, Eras. tus Brant.
COMPANY C-Corporal Charles Stephens, Jobn B. McPeak, Benjamin Stoney, Edward Dolen, Amos G. Stephens, Andrew J. Willets, Andrew J. Young.
COMPANY L-Joseph Closs, Jesse Demouth, Lemuel Degraw, James H. Fuller, Lewis O. Green, B. K. Miller, John McCloskey, Edward Nichols, William Ockabock, William Weaver, Thomas Odell, James O'Neill, Gideon Bosledo, Rolson Peer, Wilson Pettinger, George Shawger, Eliakim Sanders, Samuel S. Smith, James Shaw.
On the 8th of May, the regiment re-occupied its old camp near Somerset, after an eventful campaign of ten days, in which it had marched one hundred and fifty-six miles, making on an average, deducting rests, twenty-five miles a day. Indeed, but for the deplorable incident on the Cumberland, the career of the Twenty- seventh, up to this time, would have been, not merely in all things successful, but a pleasant one as well. It had travelled over a
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NEW JERSEY AND THE REBELLION.
thousand miles from home, had performed splended service, and had gained a most enviable reputation. Its crowning service, however, was yet to be performed ; its chief honor, and one which will attach always to its history, was yet to be won.
Late in the month of May, General Grant, who was vigorously pressing the siege of Vicksburg, and who needed reinforcements to enable him to complete the brilliant campaign which terminated in the capture of that stronghold, called upon General Burnside for aid, and the latter at once took measures to send to him the greater part of the Ninth Corps. The term of service of the Twenty-seventh ended on the 3d of June, but notwithstanding this, the regimeut on the 4th took up the line of march with the rest of the brigade, who were ordered to Louisville and Covington, for embarkation down the Mississippi. Reaching a point near Heck- man's Bridge, however, the regiment was stopped by orders of General Burnside-that officer needing their services in Kentucky (now largely stripped of troops), for a few days longer, and not deeming it proper, in view of the expiration of their term of ser- vice, to send them to the Mississippi. At this point the regiment remained until the 15th, when orders were received to march to Nicholasville and take the cars for Cincinnati, homeward bound, as soon as possible. Immediately upon the receipt of these instruc- tions, Colonel Mindil issued his last official order to the regiment as follows :
" HEADQUARTERS TWENTY-SEVENTH NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS, } "CAMP FAREWELL," NEAR NICHOLASVILLE, KENTUCKY, June 15, 1863. 1 "I. In compliance with instructions received from Department Headquarters, this regiment will be in readiness to march to the railroad depot at Nicholasville at daylight in the morning.
"II. The troops will be clad in their best uniforms, the knapsacks must be neatly and squarely packed and the overcoats carefully folded and strapped on the knapsack.
"III. No straggling will be permitted, nor must the men leave the ranks for any cause whilst passing through cities and towns.
"IV. The Colonel commanding sincerely trusts that on this, their homeward trip, the officers and soldiers of the Twenty-seventh Regiment will conduct themselves in the orderly and soldierly manner which has heretofore characterized them, and which has gained for them so bright a record,
"By order of
" R. W. SIMPSON, A. A."
Colonel GEORGE W. MINDIL.
The march to Nicholasville was made in fine order, and on the same evening the regiment reached Covington. On the following morn-
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THE TWENTY-SEVENTH REGIMENT.
ing, while in Cincinnati, whither he had gone to report to General Burnside, Colonel Mindil learned of the movement of Lee's Army into Pennsylvania, and that the Pennsylvania Central Railroad was probably in rebel hands. This being the route by which the Twenty-seventh was to return, Colonel Mindil at once deter- mined to hasten forward (instead of taking a more circuitous route), hoping to be able to render some important service, and possibly to unite with the army of General Meade at some point on the way. General Burnside regarding that as the crisis of the war, and knowing that the Government was sadly in need of troops-many of the regiments of the Potomac Army having availed themselves of the expiration of their terms of ser- vice to return home-expressed the hope that the Twenty-seventh would fall in with the views of its Colonel; and the men needed no second appeal. On the same day, the following complimentary general order was printed and distributed to the men of the regi- ment :
"HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE OHIO, Į CINCINNATI, OHIO, June 15, 1863. 1 " General Order, No. 102.
"In withdrawing the Twenty-seventh Regiment New Jersey Volunteers from the front, in order that they may return to their homes at the expiration of their term of enlistment, the commanding General desires to express his regret at parting from them. In every position in which the requirements of the service have placed them, they have proved themselves brave, efficient and reliable soldiers, and have made for themselves in this command a clear record, worthy of the gallant State whose name they bear.
"Should this regiment, in the event of a continuance of the war, again take the field, the commanding General will be glad to receive them as tried soldiers once more under his command.
"By order of
"LEWIS RICHMOND, A. A. G.5
Major-General BURNSIDE.
5 About the same time General S. S. Carter, learning that the regiment was home- ward bound, addressed a complimentary letter to Colonel Mindil, of which the follow- ing is an extract :
"For yourself personally, Colonel, I entertain the highest esteem, as I do for your noble regiment, which has gained a most enviable reputation in Kentucky from the soldierly bearing and correct deportment of both officers and men.
" Will you be pleased to give to the officers and men my appreciation of their worth, and the regret I feel at parting with them. It is a matter of pride with me that I have had the honor to command, for even a time, troops who have won for them- selves such imperishable fame."
In another letter, addressed to Governor Parker, commending Colonel Mindil for his valuable services, General Carter said of the regiment; "In them your noble State has been well represented, her dignity and reputation well maintained. It affords me much pleasure to give this testimony in their favor."
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NEW JERSEY AND THE REBELLION.
On the afternoon of the 17th, the regiment crossed to Cincin- nati, where, being formed in close column in mass, Colonel Mindil in a stirring address explained to them the situation, and asked if they were willing to follow to the help of the army on the soil of Pennsylvania. The regiment responded with cheer upon cheer of approval, declaring their readiness to proceed to any point where they might be wanted, whereupon the Colonel at once telegraphed President Lincoln as follows:
" CINCINNATI, OHIO, June 17, 1863-2 p. m.
"ABRAHAM LINCOLN, President of the United States :
"My regiment, eight hundred strong, whose term of service has expired, is on its way home for muster-out. I hereby offer the services of the command for any service in Pennsylvania during the emergency. Please advise me of your intentions.
"GEORGE W. MINDIL, Colonel Twenty-seventh New Jersey Volunteers."
Marching from the levee to the Soldier's Home, the regiment partook of a bounteous repast, and after a speech from General Burnside, in which he heartily thanked them for their patriotism, took the cars of the Columbus Railroad for Pittsburg, that being deemed the most important point. Columbus was reached at half- past nine o'clock the same evening, the men being there also hand- somely entertained by the citizens. While there, the following telegram was received:
" WASHINGTON, June 17, 1863-10.50 p. m.
"COLONEL GEORGE W. MINDIL, Twenty-seventh New Jersey Volunteers :
" You will accept for yourself and express to your gallant regiment the thanks of the government for your patriotie offer, which is cordially acecpted. You will please proceed with your regiment as rapidly as possible to Pittsburg, via the Ohio Central Railroad, in order that you may stop at Wheeling, if your services should be required there by General Brooks, who will communicate with you on the road, and you can reach Pittsburg by that line, if he should prefer to have you there.
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