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 23
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
.
11 The following official report gives the record of the regiment in this action, and a sketch also of its movements from the 25th of June to the 23d of July :
"June 27th, the day of the battle of Kenesaw, we moved out in line, driving the
635
THE THIRTY-THIRD REGIMENT.
The battle of Peach Tree Creek was the first of three tremendous dashing assaults by which Hood sought to retrieve the failing fortunes of the Confederacy. In all respects, it was a most desper- ate fight, and no regiment sustained a nobler part than the Thirty- third. Both Hooker and Geary again commended the bravery of the regiment. The loss of the regiment was over seventy in killed
enemy's skirmishers before us, and occupying without loss, the position to which we had been ordered on the right of the Fourth Corps.
"July 1st, we were transferred two miles further to the right, and on the 3d started in pursuit of the retiring enemy, following them some five miles.
" On the 5th, we again started in pursuit and puslied on until we came within sight of the enemy's fortifications on this side the river. From this date to the 17th, we remained in camp, refitting ourselves for a continuance of the campaign.
"On the 17th, we moved on and crossed the Chattahoochie at Pace's Ferry, and on the 19th fortified ourselves on the south bank of Peach-Tree Creek.
" About four o'clock p. m., on the 20th, I was ordered by General Geary to take my regiment to a hill at least five hundred yards in advance of our division and corps, to fortify and prepare it for the creation of a battery. The position was an isolated one, the ground intersected with deep ravines, running in all directions. I advanced and took the position as ordered, meeting with no opposition, and then pushed my skir- mish line well out on the front and both flanks. General Geary was with me, and from the feeble opposition our skirmishers had received, combined with the stories of some rebel prisoners, he was led to believe that the cnemy had no large force in close prox- imity. Scarcely had I completed my dispositions for the crection of the works, before the enemy advanced en masse, through the woods, pouring volley after volley into our skirmish line, forcing it back instantly, and rushed upon us with loud yells, delivering as they came a rapid and effective fire upon us. We held our ground, returning their fire with vim. Almost immediately another overwhelming foree, threc lines deep, came down upon our right flank. I swung two companies around to protect my flank, but we were too weak to check them, and down they all came upon us. At the same time column after column could be seen swarming down upon our left. Under thesc circumstances, with such an overwhelming force against, and on three sides of us, with a terrific fire front, right and left, the enemy rapidly gaining on our rear, to stand was madness, and I gave the order to retire, fighting. The enemy with his dense masses came rushing down close upon us, so close that they ordered us to surrender our colors ; this we would never do. As we passed down a ravine along which the fire was terrible, the air being literally full of bullets, the bearer of our State colors fell, one of the color-guard was killed and one or two captured. To recover the colors was impossible, and with feelings of the deepest sorrow I am compelled to report that our State Banner fell into the hands of the cuemy. At the same time we feel it to be no fault of ours; we fought as long as men could fight. With one regiment we received the first impetus of an attack, to repel which it took the entire foree of the corps, and even then for a moment the result seemed doubtful. Thic most desperate valor or heroic bravery could not balance those tremendous odds. Our Brigade Commander, Colonel Jones, and our Division Commander, General- Geary, both expressed them- selves as more than satisfied with my success in bringing off so many men as I did, and my national colors.
"General Hooker, who before complimented the regiment for its conduct under fire, was pleased to say to me, 'Colonel, it is no disgrace to lose a color under such cir- cumstances ; I only wonder that a man cseaped capture.' The regiment feels sad over the loss of its beautiful State flag, but with all we feel glad that not a taint of cowardice
.
636
NEW JERSEY AND THE REBELLION.
and wounded-Lieutenants Downes, Aspen and Warren being taken prisoners by the foe, Aspen being badly wounded.
The 21st was occupied in burying the dead, and on the 22d the regiment moved to within half a mile of the enemy's works sur- rounding Atlanta. Here heavy works were constructed, and the regiment was under constant fire for over a month, performing the heavy duty of the trenches and the dangerous one of picket. On the 2d of September, the Thirty-third, with the rest of the brigade, under Colonel Mindil, was among the first troops to enter Atlanta.
The Thirty-third left Chattanooga with over five hundred mus- kets, and entered Atlanta with a few over one hundred. Three hundred out of the five hundred men were either killed or wounded. It is believed that no regiment of that army can show a similar record.
THE MARCH TO THE SEA.
Upon entering the city of Atlanta, the Thirty-third was assigned a permanent camp to the right of the McDonough road, about a mile and a-half from the court house. In this camp it remained, devoting the time to drills and parades, and receiving complete outfits of clothing and camp and garrison equipage, until Sherman had completed his preparations for the March to the Sea. Its experiences in that campaign are thus narrated in Colonel Mindil's report :
"HEADQUARTERS THIRTY-THIRD NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS, } SAVANNAHI, GEORGIA, December 26, 1864.
"CAPTAIN N. K. BRAY, Acting Assistant Adjutant-General, Second Brigade :
"CAPTAIN : I have the honor to submit the following official report of the move- ments of my regiment, from the 2d of September to the 21st of December, 1864:
"Upon entering the city of Atlanta, the regiment was assigned a permanent camp to the right of the McDonough road, about one and one-half miles from the court house.
or dishonor attends its loss. No regiment was more proud of its flag than the Thirty- third, none ever fought more desperately to preserve it-but it was impossible. After reaching our lines, I re-formed my line and joined the brigade. Soon after dark the enemy retired, repulsed, leaving his dead in our hands.
"My loss in this action was fifteen men killed, three. officers and seventeen men wounded, three officers and thirty-four men missing. The missing are probably all captured.
"On the 22d, we entered the enemy's works on our front, and pushed on to our present position very near the city of Atlanta, Georgia.
"ENOS FOURATT,
"Lieutenant-Colonel Commanding."
637
THE THIRTY-THIRD REGIMENT.
In this camp it remained, devoting the time to drills and parades, and receiving com- plete outfits of clothing and camp and garrison equipage.
"On the 5th of November, camp was broken, and the regiment moved with the bri. gade at three o'clock, p. m., out upon the MeDonough road, camping two and one half miles from the city. On the 6th of November we returned to our old quarters.
" November 15th. Broke camp at seven o'clock, a. m., moved out upon the Decatur road. Camped at twelve o'clock, p. m., near Stone Mountain.
"16th. Moved at eight o'clock, a. m. ; led the corps. Marched fifteen miles, cross- ing Yellow river at Rock Bridge, and halting for the night five miles beyond it on the Sheffield road.
"17th. Moved at half-past six o'clock, a. m., marching through Sheffield, over the Ulcofauhatchie, and encamped two miles from Social Circle.
"18th. Moved at half-past five o'clock, a. m., passing Rudden, and camped at half- past five o'clock, p. m., one mile from Madison.
" 19th. Moved at five o'clock, a. m., passing through Madison. Halted for dinner at Buckhead Station, and continuing the march to within one and one-half miles of Oconee river, on Georgia Railroad, tore up track afternoon and evening.
"20th. Moved at seven o'clock, a. m., towards Eatonton, passing Park's Bridge and Slade's Cross Roads. Camped near Dunning's tannery, at six o'clock, p. m.
"21st. Moved at six o'clock, a. m., towards Eatonton.
"22d. Struck Eatonton Braneli Railroad, and passing through Milledgeville and over the Oconee river, camped two miles beyond it.
"23d. In camp.
"24th. Moved at ten o'clock, a. m., on road to Hebron.
"25th. Passed through Hebron.
"26th. Entered Sandersville, and passed on to Tennille, on railroad, and camped three miles beyond it.
"27th. Moved at seven o'clock, a. m., and tore up seven miles of railroad, and marched to Davisborouglı.
"28th. Brigade detached to guard the corps headquarters train. Marched to Spear's Station on railroad.
"29th. Brigade again detached. Moved by by-road to Station Ten and a Half. Tore up railroad to bridge over Ogeechee river, and
"30th. Burned the bridge, and then marched to Louisville, via Watkin's Bridge, reaching camp of division at twelve o'clock, p. m.
" December 1st. Moved at eight o'clock, a. m., and camped beyond Birdsville.
"2d. Moved at six o'clock, a. m., toward Millen. Camped at Buckhead Creek.
"3d. Moved at ten o'clock, a. m., crossed Augusta and Millen Railroad; camped six miles beyond, on the Sylvania road.
"4th. Moved at half-past seven o'clock, a. m. ; camped at Horse Creck.
" 5th. Marched fourteen miles and camped, leaving Sylvania to our left.
"6th. Continued the march toward Springfield; roads very soft and marshy. Camped after a tedious march of six miles.
"7th. Still continued the march toward Springfield, and camped for the night near it.
" 8th. Passed Springfield and marched twelve miles, camping near Zion's Church.
"9th. Moved at ten o'clock, a. m., and struck Savannah road. First Division, Twentieth Army Corps, on our front, skirmished with the enemy, who had a battery in position covering the road. Camped for the night sixteen miles from Savannalı.
"10th. Pushing on, passed Harrison's plantation and the Fourteenth Army Corps. Struck Savannah and Charleston Railroad nine and one-half miles from the city, and camped five and one-half miles from it that night.
" 11th. Placed in position as reserves, on banks of Savannah river, opposite Hutch- inson's Island, and confronting the enemy's right flank, being in rear of Third Brigade.
"12th-20th we remained in the same position.
"21st. Entered the city of Savannah at eight o'clock, a. m., and were assigned to camp on the parade of the city.
638
NEW JERSEY AND THE REBELLION.
"During the entire campaign, the troops have subsisted upon the country, and found food of all kinds in abundance; never suffering from scarcity of provisions. In front ot Savannah they were unprotected by breastworks, being in the reserve line, and sub- jeet to a heavy fire of shrapnel and shell from the opposing batteries of the enemy in our front, and to a heavy and provoking fire from a confederate gunboat in the far channel, round Hutchinson's Island. I am happy to state but one casualty occurred, namely, the slight wounding of private Terenee Sweeney, of Company D.
"Before leaving Atlanta, I received one hundred and thirty-six substitutes, nearly all being raw recruits, many of them foreigners and unable either to write or speak the English language; and, owing to physical disability caused by the exhaustion attendant upon so severe a campaign to new soldiers, many were compelled to leave the ranks at times, and by becoming separated from the regiment during its night marches, and being unable to intelligibly define their wants and ask the location of their regiment, have as yet failed to return, and are reported absent without leave. The larger part of them, it is to be hoped, are with some of the other corps, and will soon find their way into camp. The command needs a complete outfit of clothing, shoes, etc., and will then be ready for a new campaign, as both health and esprit are excellent.
"G. W. MINDIL,
"Colonel Commanding Thirty-third New Jersey Volunteers."
CAMPAIGN OF THE CAROLINAS.
The armies of Tennessee and Georgia, constituting the invading column of General Sherman, rested at Savannah for about one month, when the grand march through the Carolinas was com- menced. The Thirty-third Regiment was commanded by Colonel Fouratt, and was in the Second Brigade (Second Division, Twen- tieth Corps), commanded by General Mindil. After a campaign of six weeks Goldsborough was reached. The marching averaged fifteen miles per day, the troops subsisting entirely upon the coun- try, and being mostly employed in the destruction of bridges and railroads, manufactories, rebel storehouses, and cotton. The Army of Georgia, commanded by General Slocum, (with which the Thirty- third was identified,) was assigned the left flank of the column, being that in the direction of the enemy. The Thirty-third marched North from Savannah about forty miles, and then crossed over into South Carolina, at Sister's Ferry, moving via Robertville and Lowtonville (villages which the troops completely destroyed), to the Salkahatchie Swamp. Here, after many days labor in bridg- ing and corduroying and some skirmishing, a crossing was effected and the march resumed towards Blockville, a small village and sta- tion onthe Augusta and Charleston Railroad. Here, while Kilpatrick was fighting at Aiken on the left, and Howard on the crossing of the
639
THE THIRTY-THIRD REGIMENT.
Edisto on the right, Mindil's Brigade was employed in the destruc- · tion of about half a mile of railroad track. The ties and sleepers were burned to cinders, while the rails-after being intensely heated-were bent and broken or twisted into spiral coils, rendering them altogether useless. The most of February was very wet, and the troops were constantly employed in rendering passable for our immense trains, the miserable roads through the wet and damp Carolina swamps. The army was now approaching Columbia, the Thirty-third moving on the Lexington road. The country was full of swamps, and the rebel cavalry was constantly in our front, but the men toiled slowly forward both night and day. Finally, the North and South Forks of the Edisto were crossed after driving off the enemy, who made a stand with artillery and cavalry-the Thirty-third, however, sustaining no loss in these encounters. The army under General Howard having entered Columbia, just as the Second Brigade approached it from the left, the course of the latter was still further deflected, the commandant being ordered to pontoon the Saluda and Broad Rivers, and proceed up the railroad towards Salisbury, North Carolina. This movement was but a feint, de- signed to induce the rebels to mass on our left, while the right wing moved rapidly under this diversion, via Camden and Cheraw into Eastern North Carolina. The Second Brigade advanced to Winns- boro', South Carolina, destroying the railroad from there to White-oak Station, about five miles; other troops being engaged in a similar duty to the southward. The rebels had retired to a point behind Chesterville, and on demonstrating in that direction with cavalry, they crossed the Catawba determined there to impede our progress-Sherman having totally blinded the enemy respecting his intentions and destination. The army was now ordered to make a rapid right wheel, our left flank moving east and northeast. crossing the Catawba near Rocky Mount, and the Pedee near Che- raw. The Thirty-third then crossed the border into North Caro- lina and struck a coal railroad to Wilmington near Lumberton, where it destroyed about a mile of track. It now moved through a deserted country, hardly affording supplies for the men, and reached Fayetteville, where connection was formed after five weeks
»
1
640
1
NEW JERSEY AND THE REBELLION.
absence, with Terry at Wilmington, by means of light draught gun-boats, which had ascended the Cape-Fear.
The rebels had now comprehended our purpose, and as Schofield was advancing from Newbern they determined by a desperate blow to prevent the fatal junction. Goldsborough was the objective both of Sherman and Schofield, and after the former left Fayetteville to resume his march, Johnson rapidly massed his troops at Averys- borough and Bentonville, determined to make a last effort for the defence of the tottering Confederacy. At Averysborough a few divisions of the rebel army engaged the First and Third Divisions of our Twentieth Corps, but after a brilliant fight were compelled to retire, when the army was advanced cautiously, on near and parallel roads, and the trains heavily guarded. The weather was wet and stormy, and the marches through the swamps and bogs most exhausting. Mindil frequently marched his troops both night and day in constant rain, felling and splitting timber most of the time, so as to build roads upon which the trains might pass in safety. At times, leaving camp at four o'clock in the morning, working and toiling all day, midnight found the regiment but six miles in advance. But the troops maintained cheerful spirits, determined to overcome all obstacles. At Bentonville, Joe Johntson struck Slocum, while on the march, when a desperate and unde- cided battle ensued, lasting all day. Sherman ordered the right wing of the army to Slocum's support, and after gallant fighting they made the necessary connection, when Johnston, without wait- ing for the dawn of day, retreated during the night in the direction of Raleigh. During the engagement, the Second Brigade was assigned to the hazardous duty of convoying to a place of safety the immense trains of the army; a service which was highly appreciated by the superior officers. The army reached Golds- borough in safety, having traversed the entire length of the State of South Carolina, destroying all the principal railroads connecting Lee's army with its base, and consuming the greater part of the provisions, means of subsistence and forage in that hitherto inac- cessible region of the South. Besides this, Sherman was within easy marches of Grant, and the theater of war became narrowed to
641
THE THIRTY-THIRD REGIMENT.
a district but a few hundred miles in extent. The campaign of Georgia and the Carolinas virtually decided the fate of the Con- federacy.
At length, Grant being ready for his final move, the campaign of Raleigh, the last of the war, was opened. Moving in rapid pursuit of Johnston, Sherman's veterans, at Smithfield, North Caro- lina, received the gratifying intelligence of Lee's surrender, hailing it with jubilant demonstrations. Near Smithfield, and for an entire afternoon, the Thirty-third regiment successfully fought the retreat- ing rebel cavalry, and there fired the last shots of the war. John- stou's surrender soon followed, and about a week after the home- ward march was resumed, by way of Weldon, Five Forks, Rich- mond and Fredericksburg, the Thirty-third reaching Washington in time to participate in the grand review of the Armies of the Republic. The Thirty-third was retained in service until August 2d, lying near Alexandria, when it was ordered to be mustered out, and proceeded to Newark.
This regiment, in a little less than two years, traversed a distance of two thousand five hundred miles, over one thousand seven hundred of which were accomplished by marching. It fought in eight battles, and engaged in over a dozen skirmishes. Although but two years in service, the losses of battle and campaign were such that the regiment was twice filled. That the Government highly appreciated the services of the regiment, the number of brevets conferred upon its officers clearly shows.
81
CHAPTER XXVIII.
THE THIRTY - FOURTH REGIMENT.
THE Thirty-fourth Regiment was raised during the summer and autumn of 1863, principally from the counties of Mercer, Salem, Burlington and Camden, with numerous recruits from all parts of the State, and a plentiful addition, from the neighboring cities of New York and Philadelphia, of men attracted by the large boun- ties then being paid. The term of enlistment was for three years. The first place of rendezvous was Beverly, where the regiment was under the command of Colonel E. B. Grubb, formerly of the Twenty-third. About the 25th of October, the regiment was removed to Camp Parker, near Trenton, where the complement of men was obtained and mustered in. The Colonel was William Hudson Lawrence, a Captain in the Fourteenth Regular Infantry, who had obtained leave of absence from the Secretary of War, to take a volunteer command. The Lieutenant-Colonel was Timothy C. Moore, formerly of the Fifth New Jersey Volunteers. The Major was Gustavus N. Abeel, of the First New Jersey Infantry, and who had been serving for a year before on the staff of General Torbert, then commanding the First Brigade. The staff and line officers were as follows :
Adjutant, James Graham; Quartermaster, Abel H. Nichols ; Surgeon, J. B. Bowen ; Assistant-Surgeons, Charles H. Suydam, David G. Hetzell; Chaplain, Archibald Beatty. Company A-Captain, Edmund G. Jackson; First Lieutenant, Elisha V. Glover, Jr; Second Lieutenant, Richard Moore. Company B-Captain, Jesse Cogswell; First Lieutenant, Charles II. Scamen; Second Lieutenant, Isaac T. Agar. Company C- Captain, Robert M. Ekings ; First Lientenant, Martin L. Haines ; Second Lieutenant, Augustus W. Grobler. Company D-Captain, William Nippins; First Lieutenant, Thomas T. Taylor; Secopd Lieutenant, Daniel Buckley. Company E-Captain, Joseph R. Horner; First Lieutenant, William H. Gibson; Second Lieutenant, John Schwartz. Company F-Captain, Henry P. Reed; First Lieutenant, Alexander L. Cullin ; Second Lieutenant, Smith Bilderback. Company G-Captain, James S. Hugg; First Lieu- tenant, William H. Myers; Second Lieutenant, Julian P. Wright. Company HI-Cap- tain, Forrester L. Taylor; First Lieutenant, Arthur II. Smith ; Second Lieutenant, William Stanley. Company I-Captain, William O. Blood ; First Lieutenant, Albert C. Fuller; Second Lieutenant, Isaac Hugg. Company K-Captain, Samuel Bolton ; First Lieutenant, William P. Jolinston ; Second Lieutenant, John B. Wright.
€
.
643
THE THIRTY-FOURTH REGIMENT.
After unavailing efforts on the part of Colonel Lawrence to have the regiment attached to the Army of the Potomac, it was ordered to Eastport, Mississippi, to report to General W. T. Sherman, and in pursuance of this order, left Trenton on the morning of the 16th of November, 1863, for Philadelphia, its strength for duty being eight hundred. Passing through Philadelphia, by way of the Pennsylvania Railroad to Pittsburg, and thence to Jeffersonville, Indiana, it there took steam-transports down the Ohio River to Paducah. During this trip about seventy men, who belonged to a class with which all the later regiments were embarrassed, were lost by desertion. They enlisted for the bounty, and having obtained it, left at the first opportunity. The main material of the regiment was good, and had it been permitted to take a more active part in field operations, it certainly would not have failed to sustain the high standard of New Jersey troops.
On the way down the Ohio, on the 21st of November, 1863, Lieutenant-Colonel Moore was placed in arrest, from which he was not released until the 3d of July, 1864. After remaining at Padu- cah a day, the same transports conveyed the Thirty-fourth, in com- pany with the Second New Jersey Cavalry and the Thirty-fifth New Jersey Infantry, three hundred miles up the Tennessee River to Eastport, Mississippi. About five thousand troops had been col- lected there for the purpose of keeping open communications .and to co-operate with forces in the interior, but a change of plans gave rise to an order involving the removal of the whole force from Eastport to Columbus, Kentucky, and in pursuance of this order the 12th of December found the regiment on its way down the Tennessee. It arrived at Columbus, a town situated about thirty miles below Cairo on the Mississippi, on the 20th day of December, and immediately proceeded to Union City, Tennessee. Here it became part of the command of Colonel Waring. General A. J. Smith was in command of the district, with his headquarters at Columbus. At Union City, the Thirty-fourth and Thirty-fifth New Jersey were encamped side by side.
On the 20th of December, General Smith arrived from Columbus, organized his command of about six thousand men into brigades,
644
NEW JERSEY AND THE REBELLION.
and on the 22d of the same month took up his line of march towards a town in the interior of Tennessee, for the purpose of meeting Forrest, who had advanced across the Hatchie River with a large force. After a march of several days, the expedition reached Huntingdon, Tennessee. The cavalry was sent forward to Jackson, but with no better result than to see the heels of Forrest's flying troops, who retreated southward more rapidly than General Smith cared to follow. Forrest being out of the country, the com- mand retraced its steps, by way of Paris, Tennessee, and the State line road. The march was a severe one. At one time the Thirty- fourth, officers and men, slept upon the snow, which was several inches deep, without blankets or tents to shelter them, the ther- mometer registering ten degrees below zero.
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.