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 28
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On the 12th of May, the battery was transferred from the Sixth Corps to the Artillery Reserve, remaining in camp until the 5th of June, when it moved to a new position near the Rappahannock, whence, however, it soon after marched to Fairfax Court House, where it remained until the army commenced its movement into Pennsylvania in pursuit of Lee. Reaching Edward's Ferry, on the Potomac, on the 24th (after a march of thirty-two miles on that day), the battery assisted in covering the crossing of our troops, when, on the 27th, it marched to Frederick, Maryland, and thence with the army to Gettysburg, where it arrived on the morning of July 2d, going into position on the turnpike, but not becoming engaged, although exposed to the shells of the enemy. On the 3d, changing position to the left center of the line of battle, upon which Lee was . concentrating all his artillery, the battery opened and maintained a heavy fire, fighting until evening. The contest on this part of the line was of the most desperate character, the enemy advancing to the very mouths of our guns, and strug- gling with the most stubborn intrepidity to gain possession of the elevation occupied by our troops. At one time during the engage- ment, the rebels, pressing impetuously forward, were within ten yards of Hexamer's pieces, but not a man flinched for a moment. Indeed, never before had these sturdy German artillerists exhibited a grander courage, or a sublimer indifference to danger, than on this occasion, when menaced, apparently, with utter destruction. So terrible was the rebel fire that one of their shots killed two men and wounded seven others serving one of Hexamer's pieces.
Upon the retreat of Lee, Battery A joined in the pursuit, and crossing the Potomac at Harper's Ferry, marched to Warrenton,
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BATTERY A-(FIRST ARTILLERY).
proceeding thence to Culpepper, where it encamped until October 11th. It then participated in the various movements of the army, finally encamping on November Sth, near the Rappahannock. Subsequently it participated in the Mine Run demonstration, returning to camp at Brandy Station, where it remained during the winter, receiving before the spring campaign some eighty . recruits.
On the 4th of May, 1864, General Grant having matured his plans for an advance against the enemy, Battery A marched to Chancellorsville, moving on the following morning to the right of that point, passing Robertson's Tavern. Thence it was moved on the 7th to Pine Grove Church, where it remained, in reserve, until the 10th, when it marched to Tabernacle Church, and thence to Fredericksburg, returning to the Sixth Corps. On the 18th, it again advanced, and on the 19th reached the river Po, where it participated in a heavy fight. In the advance from this point, the battery covered the rear of the Sixth Corps-passing the North Anna on the 24th, the Pamunkey on the 28th, and reaching Cold Harbor shortly after noon on June 1st. Here it was at once sent into position, taking part in the bloody engagement of that day- firing in all five hundred and ten rounds. In the evening it advanced some two hundred yards, and early on the following morning renewed its firing, keeping it up, though greatly annoyed by sharpshooters, for several hours. About noon, the rebels making an attack, the battery suffered the loss of Lieutenant Jaeckele wounded, Quartermaster-Sergeant Hagelber and another sergeant killed-several horses being also killed. Towards eve- ning, being ordered to report to the Eighteenth Army Corps, Hexamer withdrew his command, but on the following day was again engaged with that corps-the fighting being of the heaviest description. In this engagement, a division under General Brooks being driven out of the woods temporarily occupied by them, the rebels sharply followed, opening fire with canister. Hexamer was ordered to check the enemy's batteries, and did so, although exposed to a canister fire at a distance of only two hundred yards. During this day's fighting, five hundred and seventy-seven rounds
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were fired. Captain Hexamer had one of his shoulder-straps shot away, but escaped actual injury. During the evening, the camp of the battery was under the fire of the enemy, several horses being killed and two men wounded. On the 4th, the battery again moved to the front, being posted behind earthworks under the fire of the rebel sharpshooters, but was not again actively engaged until the night of the 5th, when the position being attacked, fire was opened and continued at intervals until the evening of the 9th, when the command retired to camp. Here it remained until the 12th, when, after a brief engagement, it marched with the army to the James River, crossing on the morning of the 15th, and reaching the front of Petersburg on the night of the 16th. On the 19th, going into position at a peculiarly exposed point, with rebel batteries on the right, left and front, and rebel sharp- shooters only one hundred yards distant, it became hotly engaged, three men being wounded and four horses killed. In this position the battery remained, firing from time to time, until the night of the 21st, when it marched to the left of Petersburg and went into camp. During the following week, though several times sent into position, the command was not called into action. On the 30th, it marched to Ream's Station, returning two days after and going into camp. Here it remained until July 9th, when it proceeded to City Point, remaining until the 26th. Upon returning to Peters- burg, Captain Hexamer was placed in command of the Sixth Corps Artillery Brigade-Lieutenant A. Parsons taking charge of Battery A. This, on the 31st, was ordered to return to Trenton for muster out, its term of service having expired. Lieutenant Parsons, however, remained with a portion of the men, and during the winter the battery was again filled up, but was not afterwards actively engaged. Upon the termination of hostilities it returned to the State and was finally dissolved ; but the record of its gallant services still remains, and while valor and constancy in duty are appreciated and esteemed, will deservedly be held in honor among men. Composed largely of adopted citizens-of Germans in whose breasts the love of Liberty amounted to a passion-it fought from first to last with a heroism, a loftiness of purpose, and
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BATTERY A-(FIRST ARTILLERY).
a spirit of noble consecration which none, among all the volunteer organizations of the war, ever surpassed; and its survivors, in whatever spheres of action they may now be employed, may well wear their scars with pride, and rejoice in the memories of their service as in hid treasure.
The following is the register of the commissioned officers actually in service of Battery A:
Captain-William Hexamer, mustered in August 12, 1861; mustered out August 12, 1864.
First Lieutenants-John Fingerlin, mustered in August 12, 1861; resigned No- vember 30, 1861. Christian Woerner, mustered in August 12, 1861; resigned Oeto- ber 8, 1862. John I. Hoff, mustered in August 12, 1861; resigned November, 1862. George W. B. Wright, mustered in August 1, 1862; resigned March 28, 1863. Augus- tin Parsons, mustered in July 11, 1862; took the command August 12, 1864. William Yeagle, mustered in April 21, 1803.
Second Lieutenants-Herrman Lentz, mustered in August 12, 1861; resigned Septem- ber 4, 1861. Adolph Palois, mustered in May 15, 1862; resigned July 13, 1862. Wil- liam Hausemann, mustered in 1862; resigned July 30, 1862. Philip Phildius, mus- stered in 1863; resigned November 12, 1863. Samuel F. Wheeler, mustered in June 23, 1863; mustered out August 12, 1864. William O. Bonin, mustered in December 15, 1863; mustered out with the battery, 1865.
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CHAPTER XXXVI.
BATTERY B-(Second Artillery.)
BATTERY B, Second New Jersey Artillery, was organized in August, 1861, by Captain John E. Beam, and was composed prin- cipally of members of Company F, First (three months) Regiment, who had just been discharged. The company was mustered into the United States service September 3d, at Trenton, but owing to the want of quartermaster's stores, did not leave for Washington until the latter part of the month. Soon after reaching the capital, it received its guns and horses, and was ordered to report to Gen- eral Heintzelman, commanding the Third Corps, when it went into camp on the Mount Vernon road, two miles south of Alexandria, and prepared for winter quarters. The winter was spent in drill and preparations for the spring campaign, the monotony being occa- sionally broken by a reconnoissance in the direction of the enemy, then lying about Manassas.
In March, 1862, the battery embarked for Fortress Monroe, arriving on the 24th and moving with the army to Yorktown. Here it had its first opportunity to test its guns, being twice engaged, but without other casualties than the loss of three horses. The enemy evacuating Yorktown, the battery moved forward to Williamsburg, where it was again engaged. In the continued movement up the Peninsula, the battery suffered greatly, with the rest of the army, in the low grounds of the Chickahominy, one- third of the men being at one time in hospital. In the battle of Seven Pines, the battery did splendid service, and at Peach Orchard, where the left of the command was under Lieutenant A. J. Clark, it received special mention in orders for its gallantry, being directed to inscribe "Peach Orchard" upon its colors. In this engagement, several charges of the enemy were bloodily repulsed, and the men
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BATTERY B-(SECOND ARTILLERY).
displayed throughout the most obstinate intrepidity. While in front of Richmond, the battery performed almost constant picket duty. During the retreat, it was engaged at Malvern Hill, suffer- ing the loss of Captain Beam killed and two men wounded. Cap- tain Beam was a brave and efficient officer, and his loss was sin- cerely mourned by the command. While at Harrison's Landing, the battery suffered the loss of many of its best men from scurvy and camp disease, and all were rejoiced when the army was ordered . to Washington. The vessel on which the battery was embarked . getting aground in the Potomac, it did not reach Alexandria in time to move up to the assistance of General Pope, then fighting desperately with Lee's veterans, nor, being left in the defences of Washington, did it take part in the battle of Antietam. This, however, was the only battle of the Third Corps in which it did not participate.
While at Harrison's Landing, Lieutenant A. J. Clark succeeded to the command of the battery, and under his vigorous direction, it was speedily brought to as high a state of efficiency as before the Peninsula campaign, being now rated among the very best batte- ries in the service. The Fall of 1862 was spent in marching and reconnoissances without any decided results until December, when the command was again brought into action at Fredericksburg. During the winter it was employed in marching, participating in several cavalry reconnoisances, which tested the endurance of the men, if they did not result in any marked gains to the cause. In May, 1863, when Hooker moved against the enemy, the battery was desperately engaged at Chancellorsville-Captain Clark here commanding the First Division Artillery. Perhaps the command never fought more magificently than on this occasion. At one period in the engagement, the enemy advancing in heavy column, succeeded in seizing all the caissons, the forge and battery wagon, but the men stood bravely to their work and repulsed the assail- ants, though not without loss. When the Eleventh Corps broke, and the enemy pressed forward exultantly into the breach, Battery B, with two others-one being Bramhall's, composed of Jerseymen -held the column in check, pouring canister right into their faces
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NEW JERSEY AND THE REBELLION.
at short range, and piling the dead in heaps. The Battery lost four men killed, five wounded, and two taken prisoners. One of its caissons was blown up, and one captured, while thirteen horses were killed. It again received special mention for its efficiency, and its celebrity throughout the army was from this day perma- nently established.
Being again repaired and recruited, the battery marched with the army into Pennsylvania, doing picket duty at night at the various gaps in the Blue Ridge on the left of the line of march, and moving rapidly, in order to keep up with the main column, in the daytime. This severe duty told heavily on the men and the condition of the horses, but the command pushed steadily forward, reaching Gettys- burg late on the night of July 1st, and taking position on the left of our line. At ten o'clock on the following morning it was thrown forward with the First Brigade, Second Division, Third Corps, to feel the enemy, and for some six hours vigorously shelled bodies of the enemy forming on our front and left. At four o'clock, p. m., the rebels, annoyed by the fire, opened four full batteries on the Jerseymen, at the same time advancing a large force of infantry. The reserve artillery, however, promptly moved to the assistance of Battery B, and the action became general, the cannonade of the enemy being for a time of the most fearful character, one hundred and sixty guns pouring their storm of missiles over and around our position. At six o'clock, p. m., the enemy advanced in columns of Division, forty thousand strong, meaning to crush and sweep away the Third Corps, then only nine thousand strong. Their ranks swept by canister, they still firmly advanced, fighting desperately and bravely, at last compelling the corps to give way and retire, the center withdrawing nearly a mile. Battery B, in withdrawing, left several of its caissons, being unable, before the headlong . advance of the rebels, to draw them off, but none of its guns were lost, being thus more fortunate than the batteries on its left, which lost everything, all their horses being killed. The entire loss of the command was five killed and twenty-two wounded, forty-seven of its horses being also killed. During the day it fired in all one thousand three hundred and twenty rounds of ammunition, and so
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BATTERY B-(SECOND ARTILLERY).
rapid was the firing that the iron vent-plugs of the guns (ten- pounder Parrott's) were burnt out. During this engagement, Cap- tain Clark commanded the Corps Artillery, after the wounding of the officer in command (Captain Randolph) at the commencement of the action, a position which he retained until the latter had re- covered. The enemy being subsequently forced back to his old lines, the battery recovered its caissons, and the disabled guns dur- ing the night being exchanged for others, and supplies of ammuni- tion obtained, at ten o'clock on the morning of the 3d, Lieutenant Tuers reported the battery again ready for duty. No further loss, however, was sustained in this day's fight, and the enemy having withdrawn, the command was ordered to Crampton's Pass, by way of Fredericktown, where it remained until Lee had re-crossed the Potomac, when it joined the army in the return march to the Rap- pahannock. In December, it accompanied the army to Mine Run, having participated in three skirmishes, at Auburn, Kelley's Ford and Thoroughfare Mountain.
In the latter part of the winter of 1863-4, the Third Corps was broken up, and as one division united with the Second Corps. In the last grand campaign against Richmond, commenced in May 1864, Battery B was engaged in the battles around Spottsylvania, with the troops of the Second Corps, and at North Anna, Tolo- potomy, and Cold Harbor, at the latter place being under fire for ten days. The losses in these several engagements were nine men in killed, wounded and prisoners. From Cold Harbor, the battery marched by way of Charles City Court House to Jones' Landing, on the James River, being with the rear guard nearly all the way to that river. From the James, it marched with the leading division to Petersburg, arriving there on the morning of the 16th of June, and being the first battery of the Army of the Potomac to take position. Here the command was engaged on the 16th, 17th and 18th, marching four days later to the left of the line, and on the 23d, being sharply engaged at Jerusalem plank road, with the loss of one man killed (Corporal Nash) and two wounded- several horses being also killed. At Deep Bottom and Ream's Station, subsequently, it again showed its excellent fighting quali-
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NEW JERSEY AND THE REBELLION.
ties-Captain Clark at both places commanding the Corps Artil- lery. At Sutherland's Station, it was the only battery mentioned for gallantry and efficiency in the report of General Humphreys, the corps commander.
In all the closing actions of the war, in which Battery B partici- pated, it displayed the same conspicuous courage which secured it recognition in earlier engagements. Always vigilant, steady, brave, it won on every field fresh honors for our New Jersey troops, and, when at length the last gun had been fired, turned its face homeward, sure of a proud and hearty welcome from the State and people it had so nobly represented. Captain Clark, subsequent to his return, was given a highly honorable and responsible position under the municipal administration of Newark, for which his military experi- ence had peculiarly qualified him.
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CHAPTER XXXVII.
BATTERY C-(Third Artillery).
BATTERY C, Third New Jersey Artillery, was mustered into service on the 11th of September, 1863, with Christian Woerner as Captain, John I. Bargfield as First Lieutenant, and Peter Ludwig as Second Lieutenant. Captain Woerner had served with marked gallantry and efficiency in connection with Hexamer's Battery, and was eminently qualified for the responsibilities of command. Proceeding to Washington, the battery went into camp, where it remained until May 11, 1864, when it was transferred by steam transports to Belle Plain Landing, where it arrived on the 12th. At this time, Grant was still fighting Lee's army in the Wilderness, and large numbers of prisoners were being daily sent to the rear, On the 13th, seven thousand five hundred rebels, mostly captured in Hancock's brilliant charge at Spottsylvania the day previous, reached the Landing, and no provision having. been made for their transportation to Washington, were placed under guard of Abercrombie's Provisional Brigade, to which the Third Battery was attached. In this important service, the men of the battery proved themselves at once vigilant and efficient-being well supported by the Forty-sixth New York and two Pennsyl- vania regiments of infantry. On the 24th of May, the brigade was ordered to Port Royal, and thence to White House Landing, on the York river, where it arrived June 4th. About this time the army moved up to invest Petersburg, having White House as its depot of supplies. It was therefore of the highest importance that the place should be held, but the force left in occupation was singularly insignificant, consisting of some four hundred infantry, a few invalids and dismounted cavalry, and Woerner's Battery. The enemy, appreciating the value of the post, and covetous per-
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A
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NEW JERSEY AND THE REBELLION.
haps of its ample supplies, determined to capture it if possible, and accordingly on the 20th of June impelled a large force of infantry and cavalry against it, the whole under command of Generals Fitz-Hugh Lee and Pemberton. In the assault, the enemy's cavalry appeared in advance, shortly after six o'clock in the morning, but Captain Woerner, who had been ordered to hold his position at all hazards, proved fully equal to the emergency. Opening promptly with solid shot, he soon checked the advancing cavalry, who, finding their welcome much warmer than they had anticipated, after receiving four or five shots, withdrew in con- fusion. The assault, however, was not abandoned. Two hours later, the enemy, having gained a better knowledge of the ground, posted a battery on the left of our position, and opened a vigorous fire on Woerner's command. At the same time, under protection of the rebel cavalry, another battery was placed in position in front, and joined in the assault. Woerner's position, thus vehe- mently assailed, was one of extreme danger, the shell and solid shot of the assailants falling thickly among his men, but there was no sign of faltering or fear. His guns, served accurately and rapidly, replied defiantly to the rebel challenge, and the gunboats lying in the river presently joining in the action, the enemy was again speedily repulsed. Just before the rebel fire was silenced, one of Woerner's shots-about the last fired-exploded one of the enemy's limbers, shattering it into splinters, and killing thirty-four men, some of whom were so mutilated that their clothing, when found on the following day, was torn in shreds. The repulse was complete, and that the position was securely held was mainly due to the obstinate courage of Woerner and his men. The battery had two horses killed, but suffered no other casualties.
On the night of the 20th, General Sheridan reached White . House with a large cavalry force, whereupon the Third Battery was ordered to march with his command to Charles City Court · House, where a severe engagement was had with the rebels, Sheri- dan losing one battery and several hundred men. Woerner being stationed in the center of the line, was not in the action, though prepared to open fire at any moment. On the night following the
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BATTERY C-(THIRD ARTILLERY).
engagement, the battery was ordered into position in front of Sheridan's headquarters, where it remained until the march was resumed. On the 24th the column reached White Oak Landing, where it crossed the James to Windmill Point, and was ordered to join the Second Corps-the battery on the 29th reporting to the Corps Chief of Artillery. A month later, on the 27th of July, the Third Battery proceeded with two divisions of the Second Corps to Deep Bottom, where it participated in an assault upon the enemy. Captain Woerner, reporting to General Mott, was at first posted on the right of a wood occupied by our infantry, but sub- sequently, the enemy having got two batteries in position, he moved forward his battery some four hundred yards, and opening fire, quickly silenced all the hostile guns, which, the infantry now advancing, were captured. This exploit of the battery elicited warm commendations, and was fortunately accomplished without any loss whatever. Returning to Petersburg, the command remained encamped for some days in the breastworks on the left, being subsequently moved to and fro, occupying various positions, until the 23d of August, when it participated in the expedition to Ream's Station, and two days later was vigorously engaged. On the morning of that day, the battery was in position in the breast- works near the Station, on the right wing of our position, having on its right McKnight's Twelfth New York Battery-where it remained until three o'clock in the afternoon. At that hour, says Captain Woerner, in his report, " I was ordered to move the bat- tery through a little grove to an open field of some twenty acres, on our center. Here the first section, under command of First Lieutenant Bargfield, was brought in position in front of the woods, and towards the left. The second section was brought in position in the center of the open field towards the left from where the enemy was expected to appear. At about four o'clock, p. m., a rebel battery opened a heavy concentrated fire on the second sec- tion of my battery, in position in the field, which I returned, silencing some of their pieces. The rebel infantry attacking and approaching very near to our position, I changed it about one hun- dred yards to the rear, and fired with canister against them. When
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NEW JERSEY AND THE REBELLION.
near dark, I changed my position again to the front of the woods, where I kept up firing until night, when the troops were with- drawn, it being impossible to hold the place during the night. During the engagement, I fired forty-eight shell, one hundred and eighty-four spherical case, one hundred and sixteen solid shot, seventy-four canister, making a total of four hundred and twenty- two rounds, of which three hundred and eighteen rounds were of my own ammunition, and the rest from ammunition abandoned by some other battery. I had four men killed, left on the field, seven men wounded, five horses killed and six wounded. I also lost a caisson body, which it was impossible to bring off the field. When returning from the battle-field, I was informed that some of the pieces and caissons abandoned by the batteries might be saved, when, at a favorable place, I brought my battery to a halt, returned with my horses and brought off in safety several pieces and caissons of the Twelfth New York Battery."
This report of Captain Woerner, characteristically brief and modest, scarcely portrays with the emphasis and clearness it deserves, the magnificent action of his whole command during this severe engagement. Cotemporaneous accounts1 all concurred in
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