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 22
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THE THIRTY-THIRD REGIMENT.
Lookout Mountain and the State line of Tennessee, and bivouacked for the night on Georgia soil, near Rossville Gap. On the 5th, the march was resumed, the Twentieth Corps forming the center of the army, and encamping on the 6th near Pea-Vine Creek. On the 7th, the Thirty-third crossed Taylor's Bridge, near Gordon's Springs, and at night occupied an advanced position on picket, on the Rome road, eight miles southwest of Dalton-moving on the day following in rear of the division as guard to the train. The Fourth and Twenty-third Corps being already engaged in demon- strating against the strong position of Tunnel Hill and Buzzard's Roost, General Geary was ordered to proceed to Dug Gap, about two miles south by west of Dalton, and demonstrate there by making a heavy assault. All these heavy demonstrations against impregnable mountain positions were designed by General Sher- man to deceive the enemy, and divert his attention and his forces from the main point at which it was intended to perform the first of the series of grand strategic flank movements. On arriving at Dug Gap, Geary discovered before him a huge mountain over which ran a narrow road through a gap in the very summit. The mountain was covered with a heavy growth of trees and under- brush, and its sides were filled with loose rocks and boulders. It was most difficult of access, and the task before him was vastly more formidable than the storming of Lookout Mountain, when our troops were able to advance in line or solid column. But it was Geary who captured Lookout, and although but ordered to demonstrate effectively, he determined to attack vigorously and seek to dislodge the foe from their Georgian Gibraltar. Accord- ingly, placing his rifled artillery in position, he at once commenced to shell the Gap, and under cover of this cannonade he advanced the First and Second of his brigades to direct assault. For nearly an hour and a half these men heroically attacked, only to be repelled by an unseen foe at every assault. The rebels were on the crest of the mountain, behind rocks, trees and rifle-pits, and poured a murderous fire into the ranks of Geary's men, who had boldly advanced up the steep sides to within ten paces of its crest. At length, the position being found impregnable, Geary retired his
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line a few hundred yards, in order to reconnoiter again and to make different dispositions for a final attempt. Up to this time, the Thirty-third had not been engaged; but on hearing the firing in his front, and fearing our force was inadequate to the task in hand, Colonel Mindil pushed forward with his regiment, without orders, feeling himself justified, especially as the train was in no danger, in doing so by all the circumstances of the case. Upon reporting to General Geary at the front, he was ordered to make a detour of half a mile, then scale the ridge, endeavor to reach its summit and turn the enemy's left flank, while the main force cccu- pied his attention in front. This order was at once obeyed, Mindil's force consisting, in addition to the Thirty-third, of the Twenty-seventh Pennsylvania and One Hundred and Thirty-fourth New York regiments. After toilsome effort, over and among rough, rolling boulders, the Thirty-third arrived near the top of the . ridge, driving the enemy's skirmishers before it, when its progress was impeded by a long series of palisades, rising abruptly from the mountain sides, and which could only be passed through two or three small gaps, capable of admitting but one man at a time. Through these gaps the regiment filed, and, almost exhausted, formed line upon the rocks on the extreme right of our position, the One Hundred and Thirty-fourth New York being next on the left. To flank the enemy was intpossible; his works extended along the crest of the mountain, which rose in a series of still higher palisades immediately in front. But one desperate hope of attain- ing the summit remained; that was seized, and Colonel Mindil, with the Thirty-third and One Hundred and Thirty-fourth New York, at once made disposition to carry the crest by direct assault. Heavy lines of skirmishers were thrown out, a storming column formed of the One Hundred and Thirty-fourth New York and four companies of the Thirty-third, the remainder of the Thirty-third going into position as a supporting line, to guard against pursuit by the enemy, if the charge should fail, or to dash forward to fol- low up its success. At length, all being ready, the storming party charged forward up the sides of the steep mountain, over treach- erous, moving boulders, and under heavy volleys of musketry, up
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THE THIRTY-THIRD REGIMENT.
to the foot of the steep palisades, which defied assault. But undaunted by the frowning walls, with cheers and yells the men gallantly endeavored to reach the summit, and despite the terrible obstacles, many actually reached the crest, only to fall beneath the murderous bullet, or to be thrust headlong on the rocks below. At length, finding the position invulnerable, reluctantly and still fighting, the men fell back to their position on the lower crest, where they remained until dark, resisting every effort of the enemy to dislodge them. After nightfall, it now being clear that the capture of the rebel position was impossible, orders were given to with- draw; and in good order, slowly and silently, Colonel Mindil brought off the regiments under his command. No regiment could have behaved with more splendid valor than did the Thirty- third on this occasion. It was their stubborn attack, mainly, which compelled the detention of the enemy, who thus left open Snake Creek Gap, through which McPherson pushed without opposition, and Dalton, being flanked, was evacuated. The regiment lost in all two officers and four enlisted men killed, and two officers and twenty-three men wounded-several of the wounded subsequently dying. Among the killed was Captain Bartlett, who fell at the head of his column, gallantly charging upon the foe. He was an experienced, veteran officer, and had established a high reputation for coolness and courage in the battles of the Peninsula and in the Thirty-third. Lieutenant Joseph L. Miller, who also fell, was new to the service, but with his heart in the cause, he promised to become an excellent soldier, as he was undoubtedly one of the bravest of the brave. The bodies of both these officers were buried by the foe-the Masonic emblems on Captain Bartlett's per- son gaining for him a respectful burial. Colonel Mindil promoted the brave and dashing Cochrane, of Company K, to fill Captain Bartlett's place, but before the Governor's commission reached him, he too joined the host of martyrs, bravely falling at Pine Knob a month afterwards. The heavy labors of Colonel Mindil in the charge, leading up the mountain on foot, caused an old wound to re-open, and against his wishes, he was ordered to hospital for treatment, For his part in the action, though overlooked at the
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NEW JERSEY AND THE REBELLION.
time, he was afterwards honored with the brevet rank of Major- General.6
The Thirty-third remained with the division encamped near the foot of the mountain until the morning of the 11th, when under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Fouratt, it moved to the left. The three following days were spent in marching, intrenching and picket-duty, when, early on the morning of the 15th, the battle of Resaca was commenced, the Thirty-third becoming actively engaged about ten o'clock, a. m., when it charged the enemy up a gentle slope, covered with thick pines, four or five feet high. Being, however, in the second line, the regiment was not able to fire, though exposed to the full force of the enemy's batteries. In this gallant charge, the Thirty-third planted its colors within ten paces of the enemy's fort, and effectually prevented his gunners using four pieces of artillery therein. But beyond this, the line could not advance without some destruction. A small ravine separated the Second Brigade, of Geary's Division, from Wood's Brigade, of Butterfield's, and this ravine was unoccupied, but was thoroughly commanded by the rifles of the left wing of the Thirty-third. About dusk the enemy assaulted Butterfield in force, and the regi- ment performed excellent service in pouring a destructive flank fire into the right of the enemy's crowded columns. Lieutenants Sut- ton and Cochrane, commanding Companies C and I, had charge of the advanced videttes of the regiment on that flank, and by their coolness and courage did much to encourage their men. As soon as it was dusk, it was determined to secure the guns which had been silenced, and accordingly the Thirty-third, with other regi- ments of the division, dug away the earth in front of the fort, and quietly fastening ropes to the coveted pieces dragged them into our
" While in Hospital at Chattanooga, undergoing treatment, Colonel Mindil was reported fit for light duty (not in the saddle), and was honored with the appointment of President of the Examining Board for Commissions in Colored Troops, for the Department of the Cumberland, by order of Major-General Thomas. He performed the responsible duties of this position for several weeks to the satisfaction of the Commander of the Army, but, deeming himself strong enough for the field, was at his own request permitted to resign this position for the purpose of returning to the front to lead his brigade in the final battle around Atlanta. In five years of service, this was the only period when Colonel Mindil was not actively engaged in the field.
THE THIRTY-THIRD REGIMENT. 629
lines-one being carried away by the Jerseymen who had shared the glory and danger of the charge. The loss of the regiment in this engagement was three men killed, one officer (Captain Bray,) and twenty-four enlisted men wounded. Lieutenant-Colonel Fou ratt fought the regiment with signal ability, and on this, his first fleld of battle with the Thirty-third, gained that reputation for coolness and intrepidity which he ever afterwards enjoyed."
On the 16th, the march was resumed, the Thirty-third crossing the Ostanaula and Connasauga rivers, and thence moving through Cassville, across the Etowah river towards Burnt Hickory. On the 25th, after crossing Pumpkin Vine Creek, the enemy was dis- covered in force near Dallas, or New Hope Church, and about five o'clock, p. m., with the rest of Hooker's Corps, the Thirty-third became engaged, driving in the enemy's skirmishers and advancing until dark, when they reached a strong position of the rebels, defended by artillery. Here, for half an hour, the enemy's fire was very hot, and in this position the Thirty-third remained during the night, exposed to a drenching rain. On the morning of the 26th, finding further progress impossible, the regiment constructed for itself without much opposition from the enemy, a small line of logs and earth, behind which to rest with security. During the night, these intrenchments were enlarged and strengthened ; and Hooker's Corps for seven days was compelled to remain in this position, during the hottest of weather, whilst Sherman was oper- ating elsewhere. The only duty was that of picket, and this was unusually dangerous and arduous, every night producing a list of killed and wounded as the videttes were relieved. The two lines were here so close that no one upon either side dared to show his head above the breastworks. All change of pickets and guards took place after dark. Here the brave and talented Captain Field received the mortal wound from which he died ten days afterwards
" All this time the Major, D. A. Peloubet, was absent sick, and subsequently resigned. Lieutenant-Colonel Fouratt commanded in all the four battles of Resaca, Dallas, Pine Knob and Peach Tree. The loss of the regiment at Resaca was greater than that of any other in the brigade.
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NEW JERSEY AND THE REBELLION.
at Chattanooga.8 Probably the most wretched week of the " one hundred days' campaign" was that spent here; the opposing lines being within one hundred and fifty yards of each other, the firing was incessant; the stench from the dead bodies which could not be removed, was sickening and their sight discouraging; maggots covered the ground in thousands, and each succeeding day only added to the strength of the enemy's works. Each night's rest was disturbed by the call to arms half a dozen times in as many hours, and the men were completely broken down with excitement and want of rest, when, at length, Logan's Corps, after repulsing the enemy at Dallas, arrived to relieve Hooker's troops from this uncomfortable position. During the first day's engagement, and the subsequent seven days from May 25th to 31st, the 'Thirty- third lost one officer and five men killed and twenty-seven men wounded.'
8 "HEADQUARTERS THIRTY-THIRD NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS, }
IN THE FIELD NEAR ACKWORTH, GEORGIA, June 12, 1804. 5 "GENERAL : I regret to notify you of the death of Captain Charles J. Field, Com- pany E, from wounds received in the action before Dallas, May 28th, 1864. He died in the hospital at Lookout Mountain, June 5, 1864.
"His character as an officer and gentleman was without blemish. Brave, fearless and cool in action, lie won the respeet of his superiors and the confidence and love of his men. His memory will ever be fresh in the minds of the officers and soldiers of the Thirty-third New Jersey.
"ENOS FOURATT,
Lieutenant-Colonel Commanding Regiment."
9 The following is the official report of this campaign, dated " In the field near Dal- las, Georgia, May 31, 1864," and addressed to Adjutant-General Stockton :
"I have the honor to submit the following report of the services performed by this regiment during the present campaign up to this date, together with a list of the casu- altics.
" We left Lookout Valley May 4th, Colonel Mindil commanding. We first went into action at Rocky-faced Ridge, on Sunday, May 8, 1864, taking part in the assault. The regiment did well, winning for itself a good name for steadiness and bravery. The attack only failed because the position was naturally impregnable. Our losses for the short time were severe, particularly in officers. Captain Sandford, Company B, fell, shot · through the knee, while leading on the skirmishers. Captain Bartlett, of Company G, and Lieutenant Miller, Company E, were instantly killed while cheering on their men, and Lieutenant Smith wounded at the same time. At night we withdrew to the base of the hill. Colonel Mindil, by his great exertions, again rendered himself unfit for duty, and the next day was sent to the rear.
" Moving through Snake Gap, we again became engaged, about one o'clock, p. m., of the following Sunday, May 15, 1864. With the division we charged the enemy, and with cheers drove them baek some distance, effectually silencing four of their guns, our colors being the furthest in advance of any regiment. Here we lost another valu-
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THE THIRTY-THIRD REGIMENT.
On June 1st, the regiment was moved with the corps towards the left of the army, then forward towards "Big-shanty," then across Alatoona Creek to within three and a half miles of Acworth where on the 6th of June a camp was established, and a week's rest afforded to the men. All this time the Confederates were slowly retreating, fighting our army every step of the way. On the 14th of June the march was resumed, and a position taken up near the Fourth Corps, fronting the rebel position on Pine-Knob. On the afternoon of the 15th of June, Hooker advanced against the enemy, the Thirty-third at first being in the second or support- ing line. The enemy slowly and deliberately retreating towards his works, the first line charged forward under a heavy fire, when the second line, in which was the Thirty-third, was also ordered to pass to the front and engage the foe. Again, as on other fields, the Thirty-third advanced in splendid order, as if on parade, though under a murderous fire, and soon gained an advanced position within seventy-five yards of the enemy's breastworks. This posi- tion they held with tenacity, despite the enemy's attempt to dis- lodge them, but at nightfall orders were received to be in readiness to fall back to a moresecure position. Accordingly, Colonel Fouratt ordered but a slight work constructed of such logs and stones as were convenient. Much to his surprise, and to the misfortune of- the regiments of the first line, the expected order did not come, and the morning found them inadequately protected, when the night
able officer, Captain Bray, Company A, who received a musket ball in his thigh, inflict- ing a very severe flesh wound.
"We next went into action at this place on the evening of May 25th, again charging and driving the enemy back some distance, until darkness put an end to our opera- tions. On the following day, we remained in position, but on the night began to skir- mish, and to the present time have been constantly at the front, under fire from the enemy's skirmishers.
" The officers and men in this campaign have all done well. To Captain O'Connor, who has acted as field officer sinee we started, and to my Adjutant, upon whom I was obliged to depend in the battle of Resaca, Captain O'Connor having been sick for some days, I am much indebted for efficient aid on the field and on the march. As the sub- Joined list shows, the regiment has lost since the opening of the campaign two officers killed, four wounded, ten enlisted men killed, seventy-five wounded and four missing, making a total loss of ninety-five killed, wounded and missing.
" ENOS FOURATT,
"Lieutenant-Colonel Commanding."
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NEW JERSEY AND THE REBELLION.
might have been employed in defence. The enemy was very strongly posted above our men, and well protected, and at once availed himself of our exposed position to slaughter our troops by a system of most accurate sharp-shooting. The losses were fright- ful. The enemy's line of battle overlapping ours, he gradually worked it around more and more, and commenced to enfilade the Union line. While standing up and reconnoitering this enfilading flank movement, Adjutant Pierson was wounded, happily but slightly, so that the regiment did not lose his valuable services. A company of the One Hundred and Thirty-fourth New York was now ordered forward to check this movement, but were driven back with heavy loss after a gallant effort. Another force met a similar fate, when at last Company I, of the Thirty-third, Lieuten- ant John C. Smith commanding, was ordered forward, driving off the enemy's advance and checking his progress-Lieutenant Smith receiving a severe wound in the arm, which caused his transfer to hospital. But the work of death did not cease. Many of our men were killed lying behind the works by rebel sharp- shooters, whom we found it impossible to dislodge. The brave and chivalrous Captain Cochrane, so distinguished in every fight, in attempting, with rifle in hand, to silence one of the more accurate of the rebel marksmen, was himself instantly killed. So passed the 16th of June, a day of anxiety and inaction, with its long list of killed and wounded. Throughout the Thirty-third acted nobly, and was highly commended by Generals Hooker and Geary for its bravery. It lost in this battle of Pine Knop, June 15th and 16th, one officer and thirteen men killed, and one officer and forty-three men wounded, the total casualties of the regiment during the campaign thus far being eight officers and one hundred and thirty- nine enlisted men. The heavy loss in officers best shows how gal- lantly the shoulder-straps of the regiment behaved.10
10 The following is the official report of the regimental action, dated June 21, 1964 : "GENERAL: I have the honor to report that my regiment participated severely in the action of Pine Knob, Georgia, on the 15th instant. The conduct of the men under fire was excellent ; the line advanced under withering volleys from the enemy without a waver, as steadily as if on a battalion drill. No body of men could have_done bet-
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THE THIRTY-THIRD REGIMENT.
After this engagement, the Thirty-third participated in the skirmishes of Nances Creek and Muddy Creek, and in protecting the flank of the assaulting columns of the Fourth Corps at Kene- saw. Moving in pursuit of the enemy by way of Marietta, the 7th of July found the Thirty-third in camp near the Chattahoochie River, and in sight of the steeples of Atlanta, where they enjoyed a ten days' rest, whilst new supplies were hurried to the front. On the afternoon of the 17th of July, the brigade crossed the Chatta- hoochie, and on the 18th passed over Nances Creek, advancing through the woods in line of battle towards Atlanta. On the 19th, Peach Tree Creek was crossed and a small line of defensive works constructed for the night. On the next day, the memorable 20th of July, the Thirty-third was ordered to advance with the rest of the division, the enemy having fallen back and offering no oppo- sition. No one seemed to be aware of the approaching storm of battle. Brigades and divisions were massed in columns, without reference to aligument or strategic position, and even the necessary connections were not made, The ground in front was densely wooded and traversed with deep ravines, intersecting each other in every direction. The advance had not been explored, and the whole rebel army might easily have laid concealed, as indeed events eventually proved. Johnson had now been superceded by Hood, a bold and reckless fighter, but still no match for Sherman.
About two o'clock, p. m., orders from General Geary directed Colonel Fouratt to occupy with the Thirty-third a knoll about five hundred yards in advance of a small temporary line of rifle-pits, which had been hastily thrown up by the First Brigade, and only long enough to cover a single battalion. The regiment at once
ter: well did the Thirty-third sustain the proud name the New Jersey soldiers ever have borne. With deep regret and sorrow I announce to you the death of the gallant and brave Lieutenant Cochrane, Company K. He fell upon the 16th instant; brave, cool and ready, possessed in no small degree of talent, a glorious career was opening before him ; his only fault was too much bravery. For his gallantry at Dug Gap, his name was suggested to His Excellency the Governor for promotion, and on the day subsequent to his fall, his commission as Captain arrived. He is the third officer killed while in command of Company G, during this campaign.
"In the action my losses were fourteen killed and forty-nine wounded; among the last, my Adjutant Stephen Pierson, and Captain Charles Courtois, both slight wounds. Lieutenant Pierson still remains on duty. ENOS FOURATT,
"Lieutenant-Colonel Commanding."
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marched over these works and formed line of battle in the road beyond, a line of skirmishers being deployed in front before the advance was made. Then came the command to "forward," and the movement began. Everything was still and ominous, so unusually so, indeed, that 'Colonel Fouratt, an old campaigner, expressed himself as sure of trouble ahead; and he was right. The knoll was reached, arms were stacked, the skirmishers told to advance a little further, and rails obtained to commence the con- struction of a little redoubt for the division artillery. Just then a tremendous volley saluted the skirmishers, passing over into the regiment, wounding Lieutenant Childs and others. For fifteen minutes the enemy continued to fire rapidly, but the Thirty-third replied as well, and held its position. That defence was of infinite value ; it gave our army in the rear time to prepare, and so pre- vented, perhaps, great disaster. But now the enemy, discovering that but a single regiment replied to his fire, made a flank move- ment towards the regimental right, coming down a ravine, at the same time attacking the left with a rush and a yell. Column after column was closing in on the right and left and front of the Thirty- third, when, deeming further resistance useless, and fearing capture if too long delayed, Colonel Fouratt reluctantly issued the order for retreat. But the enemy had already occupied most of the ravine in the rear of the regiment, and every soldier was com- pelled to escape for himself, the rebels in overwhelming numbers rushing onward, destroying the color guard and capturing the State flag, the color-bearer being shot dead. But there was no disgrace in this repulse, for the same force which succeeded in driving the Thirty-third, soon drove the entire division, and almost annihilated the Twentieth Corps. In fact, Hood's whole army had attacked the Thirty-third, and it was the spirited resistance of that regiment which gave our army time to form and repel the savage and unexpected assault. The Thirty-third was soon rallied again, around its national flag, and once more did admirable service in repelling the last onset of the enemy.11
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