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 2
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
431
THE SIXTEENTH REGIMENT-(FIRST CAVALRY).
across the field, and was relied upon by the Colonel to assist the reserve in their charge. Many of the exhausted horses fell as they strove to leap it, and headlong above them rolled the chasing rebels. As he drew near it-the last man of the Jersey-Lieu- tenant Robbins' horse fell dead beneath him. Robbins kept his feet, and actually sprang across the ditch on foot, but he was soon seized.by his pursuers, dragged to the rear and cut down while a prisoner, though fortunately saved from death by a metal plate in the center of his cap. Meanwhile, the reserve had drawn back to the woods, and there was nothing left for our retreating men but to dash on through the timber, still pursued. But at the moment when their rear seemed in the hands of the rebels, Broderick rushed with some fifty men upon the flank of the enemy, while Lucas sim- ultaneously wheeled his company upon them on the other side. The unexpected charge cut the rebels in two and drove back the mass of them with loss. At the same time, Falls, with his Penn- sylvanians, charging upon all who passed the wood, dispersed and cut them down. Karge with his Adjutant charged unsupported upon a party of fifteen and drove them before him, but a bullet took effect in his leg, and forced him to give up the chase. The fighting was over, but of the two hundred and fifty Jerseymen engaged, forty did not answer to their names. Karge was disabled, Hick hurt and unhorsed, Robbins and Stuart in the enemy's hands. Many others had been captured, but were cut out by the well-timed charge of Broderick, Lucas and their comrades.
The few rebels who had penetrated the woods had time only to see the last of our army crossing the Rappahannock bridge, and forming in safety on the opposite shore-so that, in spite of the reverses, the object for which the men had fought was gained, and the rebels had nothing but the barren field of battle.
V-MANASSAS PLAINS AND ALDIE.
Fortunately, about this time Colonel Wyndham re-appeared in the field, and resumed command of the regiment, which now became constantly engaged in marching and skirmishing. Finally, after Jackson had made his famous march by the flank into the rear of
432
ยท NEW JERSEY AND THE REBELLION.
our forces, the brigade was sent to hold Thoroughfare Gap, upon the maintenance of which depended the safety of our army-where it remained one day, taking one hundred and fifty prisoners, and blockading the Gap by felling trees across it. Sergeant Brooks, of Company K, alone brought in seven armed prisoners. Towards evening, as the advance of the enemy was pressing towards the Gap, General Ricketts with four brigades came up, and planting his artillery, swept the entire defile with canister, driving back the head of the rebel column with heavy loss. But all this time our subor- dinate commanders were without instructions to direct their move- ments in combination with other parts of the army-were utterly ignorant indeed of the situation of affairs at other points in the field. So far as Bayard and Ricketts were concerned, they had to decide absolutely for themselves, prove the study of their own situ- ation, with Jackson barring the roads to the Capital, and Lee thun-
dering upon their rear. Rightly, therefore, they yielded the posses- sion of the Gap, and fell back towards the railroad at Manassas and Bristow Stations, the only path which opened to them a retreat. In the battles of the 30th and 31st, which terminated so disastrously, the brigade did not actively participate. During the period of the rout, it was deployed over the field, checking stragglers and forcing them back to their ranks, and all through the disastrous night of our retreat, the men did faithful and exhausting duty. On Monday, the 1st of September, the brigade supported the left in the fight from Centerville to Fairfax Court House, only skirmishers, how- ever, having any work to do. During the night, it covered the right flank of the retreating column from Centerville to Fairfax, after which, utterly exhausted, the First Jersey went into camp at Bailey's Cross Roads.
During the months of September and October, the brigade. although not accompanying the Army of the Potomac in the Maryland campaign, was kept constantly employed, detachments patrolling and reconnoitering the whole country about the late battle-fields. Lieutenant-Colonel Karge, who had returned to duty before his wounds were healed, took command of a force composed of detachments from several regiments, and swept the country near
433
THE SIXTEENTH REGIMENT-(FIRST CAVALRY).
Leesburg to the base of the Blue Ridge, while Wyndham, in com- mand of the cavalry of Sigel, dashed through Thoroughfare Gap, and harassed the communications of Lee. On one occasion, in the face of infantry, cavalry and artillery, he fought his way through the Gap, with a number of prisoners and wagons, previously taken, and while the rebels continued a vigorous fire at the position which they supposed him to occupy, he had coolly moved off by echelon, and was five miles on his homeward road. In the early part of October, Karge received an order to go into Warrenton. So well was the movement executed that our troops were dashing into the town, by three roads, before the enemy had an intimation of his approach. Those who could, mounted their horses and fled towards Sulphur Springs, leaving their Colonel and many of their comrades in our hands. A lot of stores and one thousand six hundred pris- oners constituted the full fruits of the expedition.
On the 29th and 30th of October, Bayard's Brigade, fifteen hun- dred strong, starting from Chantilly, scouted through Aldie and Middleburg up to Upperville. On the 31st, it lay at Aldie. On that day, Stuart with a large force of cavalry, came upon a portion of Stoneman's picket on the Snickerville road, capturing all but a dozen or so, who retreated in great confusion and alarm, carrying the news to the First Jersey. Captain Kester at once gathered his men together, and forming in the village street, awaited the onset of the rebels. Down the hill they came with a headlong dash, expecting to carry everything before them, and wheeling into the village rode at our little squadron. But the little band never wavered at their approach, and instinctively the leading files of the Virginians began to lessen their speed. At the moment when their ranks were thus thickened and confused, Captain Kester poured into them a volley from his carbines, and then with sabers drawn and a ringing cheer, our troops charged the startled enemy. Back rushed the rebels to escape the shock, and after them went the Captain, while close upon his heels followed the rest of the First New Jersey, eager to press the advantage. As the regiment rose the hill, Kester made his squadron swing off to the left, and led them on as skirmishers, the regiment keeping to the turnpike and
55
434
NEW JERSEY AND THE REBELLION.
in close column of fours, seeking to ride the rebels down before there should be a necessity for deploying. Only a quarter of a mile beyond the ground dipped with a rapid descent to the level of the valley, and if the rebels could be driven over the brow of the hill they would be exposed helplessly to a plunging fire of artillery. Already the advanced party of the pursued had scattered wildly over the fields, and but a single turn of the road intervened between the head of the column and the desired position, when around that bend came a column like our own charging to meet the charge of our own men. Even the blown and exhausted horses of the pur- suers had sufficient vigor to meet their assault, and as the columns approached, the head of the rebel regiment broke and turned away. But then, as the chase commenced, a squadron in single rank crossed the summit of the hill and opened a flanking fire upon the close column of the First New Jersey. Men and horses went down beneath the volley to which but a feeble and scattering return could be made. The rush for the position had failed, and now in turn our men had to run for shelter that would allow of due deployment and a regular engagement. As the column wheeled by fours, Saw- yer. who was last in the retreat, was struck by a bullet in the loins, and though he retained his seat on horseback, he was disabled for further present duty. The horses of two or three men sank under them, and they became prisoners of the quickly-pursuing foe. By this time Karge had brought up the Second New York as a support to the force engaged, and their appearance, with the steady fire of our skirmishers, relieved the flanks of the First New Jersey from the annoyance of pursuit, so that it was easy to form in line under cover of the undulating ground. And now each side had taken its position, from which the other was to seek to drive it. The whole force engaged of the National troops consisted of the First New Jersey, Second New York and a section of a horse battery, all under command of Colonel Karge-General Bayard holding the remainder of the brigade in reserve, ready to meet the contingency of a flank attack. The rebels had two or more of their mos: distinguished cavalry regiments, and a battery of four guns, all under the immediate command of General Stuart ; so there was a
435
THE SIXTEENTH REGIMENT-(FIRST CAVALRY).
fair opportunity of testing the ability of the famous rebel, under circumstances very favorable to him. Several times the rebels formed to charge and came forward from the wood against the skirmish line, but each time they were driven back by the rapid fire of the skirmishers alone ; and while they were vigorously stri- ving to break through that apparently slight obstruction, Lucas returning from a scout to Middleburg swept from behind their line and formed threateningly upon their right flank, Karge also had sent a squadron of the Second New York to proceed by a blind road about a mile and a half around the rebel left, and then turn in and attack them ; and while waiting for their operation, nothing was attempted on our part but resistance. Unfortunately, the offi- cer commanding the flanking party failed fully to comprehend his orders, and after going the distance ordered, instead of pressing the enemy, halted, and made no further movement. Thus the after- noon passed away with no perceptible advantage to either side, and after a continuous artillery combat, which seemed to damage nobody, the first signs of approaching night were gladly welcomed by both parties as an excuse for a dignified retirement. Scarcely had the two separated when the sound of troops approaching was heard on the road behind the First New Jersey, and followed by a long line of quickly-moving cavalry, Wyndham came riding towards the Gap. He had heard the guns from his quarters at Chantilly, and his instinct led him to the support of his gallant troopers. As the brigade retired to prepare for the serious opera- tions which were approaching, he pushed after the retreating enemy ; and picking up stragglers, and sweeping over the country, he har- assed their flanks and rear during the night.
Stuart had designed to make a reconnoissance in force of the whole Piedmont region, and to interfere with any advance on the part of Sigel's troops. Could he destroy the bridges and interrupt railway communication, a fatal obstacle might be opposed to the advance of the Army of the Potomac ; while at the same time the line of Lee's retreat might be covered and kept secure. By the skirmish at Aldie not only was this prevented, but his own retreat was delayed until it was endangered. Caught in the vicinity of
436
NEW JERSEY AND THE REBELLION.
Union by Pleasonton, all day on Sunday Stuart fought at a disad- vantage; and it was only by the sacrifice of two guns and many men that he was enabled to make his way by Ashby's Gap to the shelter of the rebel infantry. Thus, though not twenty men were lost on both sides in the action, its results were such as to entitle it to mention in the regimental history.
On Monday, the 3d of November, Bayard's Brigade united finally with the Army of the Potomac, joining it in the vicinity of Upper- ville, as it pressed down towards Warrenton, turning the flank of General Lee. With the operations which threatened the destruc. tion of General Hill at Culpepper, while Lee was at Gordonsville, and Jackson had not left the Valley, the First New Jersey Cavalry had nothing to do, for it was entrusted with the delicate and ardu- ous duty of protecting the long line of army wagons which moved in its rear along the different roads and passes of the country. Under Major Beaumont the regiment was kept incessantly in motion, picking up guerrillas, watching dangerous defiles, scouting down the artillery, forever on the alert against attack or surprise. It is not to be wondered at, that such harassing duty quickly began to tell upon the horses, and that every available animal in the country was needed and sought for to re-mount the men. The seizure of such horses, therefore, was entered upon with energy, and in most cases accomplished with success.
As the regiment started on its return from Berlin to re-join the army, a squad of men from Company D happened to get separated from the main body, and ignorant of the direction which it had taken, took by chance the road to Snicker's Gap. A couple of pieces of artillery, which had been sent forward to supply the place of disabled guns, had also wandered off in the same direction, and with a sutler's wagon or two were about to fall a prey to the swarm of guerrillas who swept over the country in our rear. Just as the rebels were rushing out upon the vehicles, our men appeared in sight, accompanied by a few infantry stragglers. In a moment, the infantry sprang behind a stone wall and opened a steady fire upon the crowd of thieves, while the Jerseymen, with a yell, rode in upon them, pistol in hand. Down went two or three of the rebels.
7
437
THE SIXTEENTH REGIMENT-(FIRST CAVALRY).
and over went several of their horses. Into the woods darted the rest, pursued by our few troopers. In ten minutes there was not an enemy to be seen, except the few left dying on the ground. Extricating the guns from their awkward position, and partaking of the sutler's gratitude, the Jerseymen turned about for Leesburg, and in an hour or two were in the lines of Wyndham, who had again come out into the Valley from Chantilly. The rebel cavalry, hearing of the unprotected condition of the guns and wagons, were not long in following their trail; and seeing the advanced guard of Wyndham, rushed upon it, mistaking it for the few troopers who had before rescued the desired booty. Never were men more sadly mistaken. Wyndham let them through his advance, and then, wheeling his flankers inwards, enveloped the Southern cavalry with six hundred men. Hopelessly surrounded, they yielded to his force, and the partisan troops of Loudon County were at night- fall a hundred and fifty weaker than in the morning.
VI-SCOUTING-BRANDY STATION.
While the army was preparing to move upon Fredericksburg, Bayard was employed in scouting on the Northern Neck. For three weeks after this, the First New Jersey was encamped at Brook's Station, on the Aquia Railroad, doing picket-duty, which it abandoned to cross the Rappahannock with Franklin's Grand Division, not, however, becoming actively engaged. Bayard being killed, the brigade next day re-crossed the river, Colonel Gregg, of the Eighth Pennsylvania, assuming command, and the weary troopers, going into winter-quarters, found the rest and strength so long needed and so long denied.
Spring came at last, and on the 13th of April, 1863, the cavalry division of General Gregg left its camp near Belle Plain Landing, and uniting with the rest of the cavalry corps, moved towards Bealton Station, on the Orange and Alexandria Railroad. After some days of marching to and fro, the First New Jersey encamped at Warrenton Junction, whence, on the 29th, it moved down to Kelley's Ford, on the Rappahannock, crossing on the following day and moving on to Mountain Run, and thence across the Rapidan
438
NEW JERSEY AND THE REBELLION.
at Raccoon Ford. The next morning, the New Jersey regiment, still leading the division, on the road to Orange Springs, Major Beaumont surprised and charged a small party of the enemy, capturing their Major and several other prisoners. Still pushing on, the command on the following morning reached Louisa Court House, where several hours were occupied in tearing up the track and burning the sleepers of the railroad for several miles on either side of the village. Arrived at Thompson's Cross Roads, Wynd- ham was ordered, with his own regiment and some auxiliary forces, to proceed to Columbia, on the James River, where he arrived in due time, destroying the canal bridges, the boats loaded with com- missary stores, a commissary storehouse, and a warehouse of Government tobacco. Major Beaumont and a party of fifty men set out to destroy the aqueduct over the James River, but were unfortunately ordered back before the work could be completed. Meanwhile, Fitzhugh Lee had collected all his available cavalry, and was pushing down to intercept our returning column and re- capture the valuable train of horses and supplies gathered during the advance; but by a forced march the detachment arrived in safety, the next day, at Thompson's Cross Roads, rejoining there the force of the Commanding General. The day after, having collected all the parties not finally detached, Stoneman began his retreat, and two or three days after, the entire force reached the neighborhood of its starting place, where, with occasional changes of encampment, it remained until circumstances again called it to actual encounter with the foe.
The battle of Chancellorsville having been lost, and Hooker's army retired to its old position, Lee had promptly put his columns in motion and concentrated, early in June, on Culpepper Court House-thence operating on our right. Hooker accordingly massed his cavalry near Catlett's Station, giving its command to Pleasanton, who at once prepared to move across the Rappahannock. On the 8th, Gregg's Division broke camp at Warrenton Junction and marched to Kelley's Ford, where it bivouacked for the night, cross. ing the following morning. Capturing or cutting off the videttes. Captain Yorke led the advance around the position of the rebel
439
THE SIXTEENTH REGIMENT-(FIRST CAVALRY).
cavalry, and debouched through the woods beyond Brandy Station, while the enemy was still between that place and the Rappahannock River, occupying an elevation. Our artillery promptly opened, the rebels replying vigorously, but without effect. Meanwhile, Jones' rebel brigade hastily formed to receive our advance, but almost before they knew it the First New Jersey had charged upon and among them. So impetuous was the assault, that without even an attempt to charge, the rebel line broke in confusion ; and driving them back pell-mell, the regiment pressed upon their rear, and then, with one hundred and fifty prisoners, rallied and re-formed for the greater work before them. Leaving the First Pennsylvania to support his battery, Wyndham at once ordered the New Jersey Regiment to charge, and with Lieutenant-Colonel Broderick at its head, and in column of battalions, it again advanced with a steady trot against the enemy. Without a pause, Hobensack led the left squadron of the first line down the steep bank of the railroad cutting and up the other side, a steep descent and rise of nine feet either way, taken by the whole body without a waver or moment's hesitation. While the right squadrons of the other battalions followed Broderick against Stuart's headquarters, located on an eminence facing the right of our line, the left wings, under Lucas and Malsbury, accompanied Hobensack, dashing at a hill on which stood a battery, about half a mile from the headquarters. So rapid was the advance of both columns, that the batteries of the enemy endeavored in vain to get range upon them ; while our own guns, admirably directed by Martin and his officers, played with terrible effect upon the stationary rebel line. With a ringing cheer, Broderick rode up the gentle ascent that led to Stuart's headquarters, the men gripping hard their sabers, and the horses taking ravines and ditches in their stride. As the rebels poured in a random and ineffectual volley, the troopers of the First Jersey were among them, riding over one gun, breaking to pieces the brigade in front of them, and forcing the enemy in confusion down the opposite slope of the hill. Stuart's headquarters were in our hands, and his favorite regiments in flight before the sabers of our troops. By the same orderly who carried off Stuart's official
440
NEW JERSEY AND THE REBELLION.
papers, Wyndham ordered up a section of his battery, and the regiment of Pennsylvanians-the latter, leaving the artillery to the support of the First Maryland, moving at once to the attack, just as a fresh brigade of rebels charged the hundred men of Broder ick. But that gallant officer did not shrink. As the enemy ad- vanced, down against him rode our men-Broderick and his Adju- tant in front; Hart, Wynkoop, Cox, Jamison, Harper, Sawyer, Brooks and Hughes all in their places, leading their respective men. With a crash, in went the little band of Jerseymen, sweeping through the leading rebel regiment-the impetus of the attack scattering the faltering enemy in confusion, right and left. Then through the proud Twelfth Virginia they rode on, with no check to their headlong onset; and, with dripping sabers and panting steeds, emerged into the field beyond. There, no longer in line of battle, but fighting hand-to-hand with small parties of the enemy, they met a third regiment of the rebels, firm and unshaken, eager to rush upon the scattered groups of the assailants. But even in this emergency, the confidence of the men in their leaders was not shaken. Against that swarm of opposers each indi- vidual officer opposed himself with such men as gathered around him, and slowly fighting, breaking the enemy with themselves into bands of independent combatants, the First New Jersey fell back up the bloody hillside. Not a man was there who had not his own story of the fight to tell. Kitchen, left alone for a moment, was ridden at by two of the rebels. As one was disabled by his saber, he spurred his horse against the other. But just at that moment, a ball penetrated the brain of the faithful animal, and throwing his rider twenty feet beyond him, he plunged headlong to the earth. Trembling from the fall, the Adjutant slowly re- covered his senses, but only to see another rebel riding upon him. Creeping behind the body of his dead horse, he rested his revolver on the carcass to give steadiness to the aim, and frightening off his enemy, managed to escape to the neighborhood of the guns, and catch a riderless horse to carry him from the field. In the midd !.. of the fight, Broderick's horse fell dead beneath him. Instantly his young orderly, (bugler,) James Wood, sprang to the carth and
441
THE SIXTEENTH REGIMENT-(FIRST CAVALRY).
re-mounted him-seeking himself for another horse. As he did so he was captured. Moving to the rear, he came upon a carbine lying upon the ground. Seizing it and leveling it at his captor, he forced the man to change places with him, and thus, with an empty weapon, re-possessed himself of arms and equipments, together with a prisoner. Jamison, on foot and alone, was chased around a house upon the hill, when he saw Broderick again unhorsed in the midst of a crowd of rebels, and Sawyer riding to his rescue. At the moment when Jamison was giving himself up for lost, he saw his pursuers stop, wheel and hurry away, and running himself around the corner, he beheld Taylor, sword in hand, leading the charge of the Pennsylvanians. Around the base of the hill, the sturdy regiment swept resistlessly on, driving the enemy before it; and making a complete circuit of the position, returned again towards Brandy Station.
In the meantime, the left wing of the regiment had directed its efforts against the other battery of the rebels. Keeping to the trot, their unbroken ranks moved steadily against the hill, on whose summit stood the cannoneers and a few horsemen observing their approach. As they came nearer, all these men disappeared except one, who maintained his position, and who, as they came within two hundred yards of the summit, lifted his hat, beckoning with it to those in the rear. In one moment the whole hillside was black with rebel cavalry charging down as foragers, pistol and carbine in hand. Hobensack glanced along his squadron. Not a man was out of place, and every horse was taking the gallop without a blunder or over-rush of speed. At the sight of this united band of enemies, the confused rebel crowd hesitated and shook. With an ill-directed, futile volley they began to break away ; and the next moment, a shrieking mass of fugitives, they were flying before the sabers of our men. The rebel battery of four guns was left with but two men near it, and with their eyes fixed upon it our officers pressed upon the fugitives. When within a hundred yards of the guns, and while looking over the hill, Lucas could see yet another brigade coming in the distance to reinforce the broken enemy ; an cjeculation from Hobensack caused him to turn his eye
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.