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 19
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On the 28th of November, Colonel Yorke, under special orders from General Washburne, started on an expedition into Arkansas, proceeding by steamer, with two hundred and fifty of the Second New Jersey, one hundred and fifty of the Fourth Iowa and a detachment of Iowa infantry, to Osceola, in that State. Disem- barking at that point on the 29th, the command crossed a swamp some eighteen miles in length, the mud and water reaching to the saddle-girths of the horses, to Big Lake, where, after some brisk firing, they succeeded in capturing a rebel train consisting of some eighteen wagons, loaded with over nine hundred stand of arms, of . approved pattern, together with eleven prisoners and two commis- sioned officers. Thence, on December 1st, the column proceeded to Randolph, and marching south, scouting the country, encamped that night at Cuba, where it was attacked by guerillas, who were, however, driven off with ease-Memphis being safely reached on the following day. This expedition was throughout managed with great tact, and was in every respect entirely successful.
599
THE THIRTY-SECOND REGIMENT-(SECOND CAVALRY).
On the morning of December 19th, a formidable movement against the enemy having been decided upon, the First Brigade, Colonel Karge commanding, was sent forward to make a demon- stration towards Bolivar, some sixty miles from Memphis, with instructions to move thence in a South-easterly direction and con- nect with the main column near Ripley, Mississippi. Owing to heavy rains, which had prevailed for some days and swollen the streams, it was found impossible to cross Wolf river, and the intended junction could not therefore be effected. Accordingly, the command returned to Memphis, whence, on the 21st, it again moved out with the main column, composed in all of three bri- gades, with a total of three thousand three hundred men, all under command of General Grierson.4 Taking the most direct route to Ripley, moving through Lamar and Salem, the column on the 24th reached the point in question-a detachment of one hundred men of the Tenth Missouri having meanwhile struck the railway at Grand Junction and effectually destroyed the telegraph lines, thus breaking the communications of the enemy. Upon reaching Rip- ley, a detachment of the Second New Jersey (three companies) under Major Van Renssalaer, was ordered to proceed to Boonville on the Ohio and Mobile railroad, destroy the track and whatever Confederate property might be within reach, and rejoin the com- mand at Ellistown, twenty miles south of Ripley. This service was most successfully performed, the detachment tearing up a mile of the railroad and burning two large buildings filled with quarter- master's and commissary stores, together with a "caboose" on the railway containing arms, ammunition and railroad implements. Moving thence south ward, they destroyed a bridge over "Twenty Mile Creek," with eight or ten culverts, and on the 26th rejoined the regiment, having made a distance of one hundred and thirteen miles. On reaching Tupelo, forty miles south of Ripley, on the evening
4 The First Brigade, under Colonel Karge, was composed of the Second New Jersey, Fourth Missouri, Seventh Indiana Cavalry and the First Mississippi Mounted Rifles ; the Second Brigade, under Colonel Winston, of the Third and Fourth Iowa and Eleventh Missouri Cavalry; and the Third Brigade of the Fourth and Eleventh Illinois, Second Wisconsin, Third United States Colored Cavalry and fifty men of the Pioneer Corps.
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NEW JERSEY AND THE REBELLION.
of the 25th, Colonel Karge was ordered with his whole brigade to move rapidly on Verona Station, seven miles south-information having been received that a force of seven hundred dismounted cavalry belonging to Forrest's command, was stationed at that point, guarding a large quantity of stores. Reaching the station, the command at once charged gallantly on the enemy, who, completely surprised, offered but a feeble resistance, most of them, under cover of the darkness, escaping into the timber, leaving in our hands as spoils, eight buildings filled with fixed ammunition, estimated at three hundred tons, five thousand stands of new carbines, eight thousand sacks of shelled corn, a large quantity of wheat, and an immense amount of quartermaster stores, clothing, camp and garri- son equipage, together with a train of cars and a large number of army weapons which had been captured by Forrest from General Sturgis during his disastrous expedition in June. All this property was effectually destroyed, the track being also torn up, after which the brigade proceeded to rejoin the command, leaving a "fire in the rear" which illuminated the country for miles around-the con- tinued explosions of ammunition at intervals during the night. adding much to the magnificence of the scene and to the enjoy- ment of the dashing riders who moved on swiftly to the perfor- mance of further exploits. Reaching Shannon on the evening of the 26th, they captured one hundred new army wagons, en route to Forrest's command, besides a quantity of commissary and other stores, which, with several government buildings, were promptly destroyed. On the morning of the 27th, the entire command moved out at an early hour, soon encountering the enemy, who gradually retired, exchanging shots with the advance, until the outskirts of Okolona were reached. Here a rebel courier was captured with a despatch to the commandant of the post, stating that he would be reinforced by one thousand and three hundred infantry by railway from Mobile, and a fight being anticipated, the squadrons were a: once formed and ordered to advance. Moving forward over the open ground, with flags gaily fluttering in the breeze, the column entered the town, making another haul of commissary stores and several thousand pounds of finished leather, all of which were a!
THE THIRTY-SECOND REGIMENT-(SECOND CAVALRY). 601
once committed to the flames. While here, the telegraph was tapped and dispatches intercepted from General Dick Taylor, Gen- eral Gardner and others, directing the commanding officer at Egypt, some fifteen miles below, to hold that place at all hazards, and stating that large reinforcements would as speedily as possible be sent from Mobile. The reinforcements promised to the Okolona commandant soon made their appearance, a long train of cars com- ing into view from the South. When within two miles, however, of the town, warned by the glare of the burning buildings, the enemy concluded to retire, which they did, returning with all pos- sible expedition to Egypt Station-whereupon the command at once resumed its march, and at night went into camp only five miles from the station, against which, early the next morning, Col- onel Yorke was ordered to advance. Selecting forty men from Captain Gallagher's squadron as an advance-guard, the Colonel ordered the remainder of the regiment to move forward in columns of fours-himself accompanying the advance. Passing through a dense woods, the latter struck the open prairie and encountered the enemy's skirmish line of infantry. This was at once charged and captured. The enemy could now be seen just ahead in possession of the village and stockade. Captain Gallagher forthwith charged them with the intention of piercing their center, but at this moment they opened a murderous fire. from their artillery, cavalry and infantry, which killed Captain Gallagher, Lieutenant Burns and several men and horses. This caused the advance to hesitate and then slowly retire, but in the meantime Colonel Yorke had ordered Captain Mitchell with his squadron to charge the artillery. This he did gallantly and forced them to retire down the railroad, when, returning, he advanced on the left flank of the infantry and cavalry. Ordering another squadron to the assistance of Captain Mitchell, Colonel Yorke deployed the other force in line of battle in front of the stockade. Then at the word, the regiment charged gallantly, their brave commander leading the attack in person-the whole column moving right up to the stockade in the face of a murderous fire, so that they could fire directly into the garrison. The latter taken at the same time in flank, speedily surrendered, and the day
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NEW JERSEY AND THE REBELLION.
was ours. The prisoners numbered in all some five hundred and fifty. But the victory was a costly one ; seventy-four men and over eighty horses of the Second Jersey were killed and wounded. Lieutenant Burd was killed while urging forward his men, and when only ten paces from the stockade. Colonel Harris, command- ing the rebel camp, was captured, as was also General Gholson; commanding the post, the latter being shot in two places. The gallantry of the officers and men was never more conspicuous than in this action. Their charge was made with the battle-flag presented by the ladies of Salem, New Jersey, in the center, and none who witnessed the steadiness of their advance will ever for- get it.5
" The following account of this action was published in the New York Sunday Mercury :
"In the late extensive raid of the force commanded by General Grierson, the Second New Jersey Cavalry bore a conspicuous part-conspicuous not only for great gallantry, but also for most complete and glorious success. It was led by its gallant commander, Lieutenant-Colonel Yorke, to whom the regiment was fortunate in having its command transferred. Ever since Colonel Yorke resumed the command, the regiment has been most efficient, and has won for itself and him an imperishable name for steady, unflinching courage and gallantry, as well as the most thorough and efficient disciplinc.
"In this late expedition, the regiment particularly distinguished itself. During the raid it was selected for the accomplishment of a most difficult and dangerous duty ; the capture of a fort and stockade at Egypt Station, on the Mobile and Ohio Railroad. The regiment, led by its commander, drove the rebels before them, charging gallantly forward on and up to the very works and the muzzles of the enemy's guns, and there pouring into the fort a destructive fire with carbines, while a portion of the regiment dismounted and fought on foot. The fighting was most desperate and sanguinary, and the loss of life to us, as well as to the enemy, very severe. The garrison nearly, if not quite, equalled the regiment in numbers, and were protected by strong defensive works. Yet, disregarding the strength of the enemy, all the disparity of position and advantages, thinking of and caring for nothing but its own glorious name and obedience to the orders of its honored leader, it dashed splendidly on. It was a glorious sight-the long line of men and horses, the glitter and clash of arms, the ery of onset, the flying rebels, the pursuing, relentless foc. All movements were ordered by the bugle, and it is a remarkable fact that not a single instance of mistake or disobedience occurred during the whole affair. During the most rapid firing, while cach man was wholly occupied in charging and discharging his picce, comrades falling around, horses rearing and plunging, amid general uproar and confusion, the bugle suddenly sounded 'cease tiring.' At once the order was obeyed, not a piece was discharged, not a soldier moved in his place until the bugle was again heard sounding the 'charge;' then over shoulder was slung the carbine, out-flashed the glittering steel, and on like an avalanche rushed the heroic Second.
" The fort was taken, and with it over eight hundred rebels, with a large number of officers, including one General. The loss of the Second was very heavy. Conspicuous gallantry was displayed. The officers who were shot fell at the head of their squad-
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THE THIRTY-SECOND REGIMENT-(SECOND CAVALRY).
After destroying the captured arms and ammunition, the regi- ment resumed its march, reaching Houston on the 29th, and thence, on the 31st, moving to Winona Station, on the Mississippi Central Railroad. Here the depot, telegraph, railroad, several bridges, a number of buildings filled with stores, were destroyed, after which the command proceeded in a southwesterly direction to Vicksburg, which place was reached on the 6th of January. From this point, the Second Jersey returned by steamer to Memphis, having lost, during the entire expedition, nineteen men killed, sixty-nine wounded, and two missing, with one hundred and fifty-five horses and mules killed and disabled. No expedition of the war was nore completely successful, and in none did the Second Jersey exhibit greater gallantry and soldierly endurance than in this dash through the very heart of Mississippi.6
rons. One gallant officer, Lieutenant Phillips, of Company D, promoted from the ranks, was shot through the thigh, but refused to retire until an officer was sent by . the Colonel to relieve him. Lieutenant Burd, of Company A, was shot through the head and instantly killed. Captain Gallagher, of Company H, a fine officer, who had served in the Army of the Potomac for some time previous to the formation of the regiment, was killed. Lieutenant Hoffman, late of the First New Jersey Cavalry, was wounded in the head.
"After the fort was captured and the prisoners were being marched out, General Grierson and Colonel Karge rode up and congratulated Colonel Yorke on his valiant achievement. The expedition was in every way a success. Forty miles of the Mobile and Ohio Railroad, a large number of cars and engines, large quantities of arms and ammunition, three hundred and fifty wagons that Sturgis lost last spring, and large quantities of quartermaster and commissary stores, were destroyed."
" The following is Colonel Yorke's report of this expedition :
"HEADQUARTERS SECOND NEW JERSEY CAVALRY, ) January 12, 1865.
"GENERAL R. F. STOCKTON, Adjutant-General State of New Jersey :
"GENERAL: In accordance with orders received from brigade headquarters, I march - rå with seven hundred and forty of my regiment, at half-past seven o'clock, a. m., on Wednesday, December 21st, and that day reached a point twenty-seven miles from Memphis.
"On the 22d, marched at half-past six o'clock, a. m., and made fifteen miles; bivou- acked.
" December 23d. Marched at seven o'clock, a. m., passed through Lemarr and Salem ; and camped in a swamp at half-past eight o'clock, p. m., on the Ripley road, ten miles Borthwest of Ripley. Distance marched, twenty-five miles; roads good.
"December 24th. Marched at six o'clock, a. m., on the Salem and Ripley road ; passed through Ripley at twelve a. m. At this point Major Van Rensselaer, with Com- Fanies B, C and K, were ordered to strike the Mobile and Ohio Railroad and destroy it ": Boonville. This they did on the morning of the 25th, at half-past three o'clock, le wring up a mile of railroad, burning two large houses filled with quartermaster and commissary stores, and a caboose on the railroad, containing arms, ammunition and
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NEW JERSEY AND THE REBELLION.
Four days after the return of the expedition to Memphis, the Sec- ond Jersey was ordered to embark on steamers and report to Gen- eral Davidson at Natchez, Mississippi, and on the 19th, the regiment,
railroad implements. Ten miles south of Boonville, they destroyed a bridge across "Twenty Mile Creek," which was one hundred and fifty fect long; also eight or ten culverts. The entire distance marched by this portion of my command was one hun- dred and thirteen miles. They joined the regiment on the 26th. After detaching Van Rensselaer at Ripley, I moved forward, crossing the Tallahatchie river at Kelly's Mills, and encamped on the east side at five o'clock, p. m., having marched twenty-five miles that day.
"December 25th. Marched at six o'clock, a. m., on the Ellistown road ; passed that place at twelve o'clock; then moved on the road to Tupelo. At Oldtown Creek, two brigades were halted, while we pushed on; passing through Harrisburg, arrived at Verona Station at half-past nine o'clock, p. m. At this place Lieutenant Charles May- berry destroyed the depot, nineteen box cars, three flat ears, two caissons and four ambulances. Four of these cars were loaded with eorn, one car with quartermaster's books, blanks and stationery, one ear of horse shoes and quartermaster stores, one car containing articles for hospital use, and six cars of commissary goods. Left Verona at half-past twelve o'clock, p. m., and reached Harrisburg at half-past five o'clock, a. m., of the 26th instant ; distance marched, fifty miles. Marched again at twelve o'clock, m. ; crossed the Tombigbee river and bivouacked at nine o'clock, p. m., on the Okalona road, having marched twenty miles; roads very bad.
"December 27th. Marched at eight o'clock, a. m., on the Okolona road. The advance skirmished with the enemy and entered Okalona at twelve o'clock, m., where I destroyed a large quantity of finished leather, one thousand five hundred horse shoes, fifty thousand Ely's English caps, for pistols and muskets, and a large amount of tent eloth. Leaving Okolona at two o'clock, p. m., we marched on the West Point road and at five o'clock bivouacked six miles from Okolona, having marehed fifteen miles ; roads poor. Our bivouack was about four miles from Egypt Station, which we ascer- tained was held by the enemy.
"December 28th. Clear and pleasant. Marched at seven o'clock, a. m .- my regi- ment being in advance of the brigade and the brigade in advance of the division. I formed my extreme advance of thirty good men, with Spencer carbines, under Captain Vandergrift, assisted by Lieutenant John Burns, Company I. Captain Gallagher, Company HI, with the rest of Companies H and F, followed as a support, with drawn sabers. As my orders were to allow nothing to stop me, I gave the same to the offi- cers commanding the advance. ' At cight o'clock we struck the enemy's skirmish line, which consisted of infantry, and was deployed about an eighth of a mile from town. Driving these rapidly before them, they approached the enemy's line of battle, which consisted of infantry, artillery and cavalry, the infantry holding the center. The firing then being very heavy, I ordered a charge on the enemy's center, along the main road that ran through the village. Immediately after their advance, fire was opened from a stockade on their right, that had hitherto been unperceived by me. The effeet of this fire was very disastrous, for it was here that I lost many men, including the senior Captain of my regiment, Michael Gallagher, Company H, who fell dead while gallantly leading his men forward, and Lieutenant John Burns, Company I, who was mortally wounded. After the death of these officers, the men became disheartened, and turned in orderly retreat. Seeing this, I led Captain Fernald's squadron, at a gallop, to the right, and took possession of some fodder stacks and buildings on the enemy's left center, and which was the key of his position. From behind these, I poured such a volley into the enemy, who were massed in column of division, that they were foreed to retreat into the stockade. This movement of theirs was hastened by seeing Cap-
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THE THIRTY-SECOND REGIMENT-(SECOND CAVALRY).
mustering one thousand and one hundred enlisted men and thirty- four officers, reached that place, where sixty men, under Lieuten- ants Johnson and Hoffman, were soon after detached as provost
tain Mitchell's squadron advancing on their left. By this time the rest of the regi- ment had formed in the field on the left of the road. They advanced in line of battle, and opened upon the stockade, which was continued with varying success for about an hour. Company G, under command of Lieutenant Phillips, during this part of the action was deployed on the extreme left as skirmishers, and did considerable exeeu- tion. It was here that Lieutenant Phillips was wounded. Seeing the necessity of pressing upon the left center and following up the advantage gained, I ordered Com- panies L and E to support Companies A and M, and to advance upon the stockade. Having dismounted, they with great determination and bravery advanced under a heavy fire to within ten paces of the fortification, where they found temporary shelter behind a fence. I then sounded the bugle for a general advance, and the squadrons on the left of the road, moving forward, charged directly through the village and swept round in rear of the fortification. At the same moment, the dismounted troops burst from their cover, and breaking down the door, dashed within the enclosure, which im- mediately surrendered. The victory was not a bloodless one, for here Lieutenant Stryker Burd, Company A, while springing forward for the rebel flag, was instantly killed, with seven of his brave followers. The prisoners taken in the stockade num- bered five hundred, under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Beek. They were all armed with Springfield muskets of the latest pattern. In addition to these, fifty men were captured on the skirmish line. . In this action, I lost three officers killed and two officers and sixty-nine men wounded, and eighty-four horses killed and wounded. Lieutenant Phillips and thirty-nine men were so seriously wounded that I was forced to place them in houses and leave them under the care of Assistant-Surgeon Krauter. After destroying the arms and ammunition, and leaving the dead to be buried by the Pioneer Corps of the brigade, we took up our line of march towards Piketown, and passing through Buena Vista, camped at sundown, having made fifteen miles.
" December 29th. Marched at seven o'clock, a. m., and on reaching Houston sent a force, under Major Van Rensselaer, six miles on the West Point road. On their return, marched and bivouacked at half-past five o'clock, p. m. ; twenty-eight miles.
"December 30th. Marched at seven o'clock, a. m., made twenty miles, and bivou- acked near Lodi.
"December 31st. Clear and cold. Marched at seven o'clock, a. m., and reached Winona Station, on the Central Mississippi Railroad, at two o'clock, p. m., and destroyed the depot, telegraph, railroad, three small bridges, one box and one flat car, and ten buildings full of commissary and quartermaster stores. Marched to Middle- town and encamped.
"January 1st. Marched at six o'olock, a. m. ; good roads ; made twenty-six miles.
"January 2d. Marched at half-past six o'clock through Lexington to Benton, forty miles, and bivouacked at six o'clock, p. m.
"January 3d. Marched thirty-eight miles.
"January 4th. Camped at Chear Creek, nine miles from Vicksburg, having marched twenty miles.
" January 5th. Rainy. Passed through Vicksburg, and camped at Four Mile Bridge ; marched thirteen miles.
"On the 6th, I embarked my command on the steamers Pauline, Carroll and Emma, and one squadron on a barge in tow of the Fairchild. By the 11th, my entire com- mand had returned to this point. My total loss of horses and mules on the expe- dition was one hundred and fifty-five. In accordance with orders I turned in to Bri- gade Quartermaster, at Vicksburg, eighty-four unserviceable horses and ten unser-
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guard. While at this post, one battalion was ordered on picket daily by the General commanding. On the 21st of February, Orderly Sergeant Patrick, of Company H, was killed by the acci- dental discharge of a Spencer carbine, in the hands of a Corporal of Company E. He was a brave soldier, and his death was much regretted in the command. On the first of March, Colonel Karge, who had been absent on leave, returned and took command of the regiment, which on the 4th was ordered to report to General Grierson at New Orleans, and on the 8th, to encamp at Carrolton, Louisiana. On the 19th Colonel Karge was placed in command of
viceable mules. During the expedition my regiment captured fifty-nine horses and ninety-six mules. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
"P. JONES YORKE,
"Lieutenant-Colonel Commanding Regiment."
The following is Colonel Karge's congratulatory order : "HEADQUARTERS FIRST BRIGADE CAVALRY DIVISION, M. D. M., MEMPHIS, Tennessee, January 14, 1865.
[" Circular No. 1.]
"The Colonel commanding takes this opportunity to congratulate the officers and men of the First Brigade for the brave and gallant manner in which they conducted themselves during the late expedition into Mississippi, under Brigadier-General B. H. Grierson.
"In the heart of an enemy's country, and subject to circumstances having a demora- lizing tendency, you have displayed a courage and discipline that cannot be surpassed.
"In the face of the enemy, when deploying under a heavy and galling fire, or when charging his lines and intrenchments, you exhibited sueh firmness and ready obedi- ence to the orders of your superiors, that victory crowned your efforts, and the foe, disheartened, appalled, by such determination and bravery, was compelled to surrender.
"But however sweet are the fruits of victory, they were not gained without the Joss of brave and gallant soldiers ; and it is with feelings of sorrow, that the Colonel commanding has to record the loss of three brave officers of the Second New Jersey Cavalry, and many good and brave men. Captain Gallagher fell shot through the heart, at the head of his men, while leading them. His Second Lieutenant, John Burns, fell mortally wounded at the head of his company, in the same charge. Lieu- tenant Stryker Burd was shot while leading his men against a stockade, in an endeavor to secure the enemy's colors.
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