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 5
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NEW JERSEY AND THE REBELLION.
shoulder, Lieutenant Shaw severely in the head, Lieutenant Wyn- koop fearfully in the foot. Lieutenant Bowne was the only officer of the first battalion on the field who was untouched, and he had several narrow escapes. Major Janeway also had a narrow escape, a ball passing so close to his forehead as to redden the skin. As Lieutenant Brooks was manœuvering the fifth squadron under fire, a ball fired close 'at hand struck him near his belt clasp, slightly penetrating the skin in two places, and, doubling him up, sent him rolling headlong for thirty feet across the road. A.s he recovered steadiness, he saw his whole squadron hurrying to pick him up, and, in the excitement, losing all sensation of pain, he ordered them again forward, and walked after them half-way to the front. There, he was obliged to drop upon the ground, and was carried from the field. Lieutenant Craig also, of the same squadron, was badly bruised by some missile that struck him in the breast, but, though suffering severely from the blow, did not leave the field. Still the men bravely held their own. And now, Custer coming up with his Michigan Brigade, charged down the road-the whole body of the First Jersey skirmishers simultaneous- ly springing from their cover and dashing upon the enemy, sweep- ing him from the field and pursuing him until the whole mass had melted into disordered rout.
Meanwhile the fighting on the left of the road had been of the severest character. Malsbury received a mortal wound; Dye was killed instantly ; Cox was hit in the back, but remained the only officer with the squadron till, towards the close of the action, he received a wound which disabled him. The total loss of the nine companies of the First New Jersey engaged, in killed and wounded was sixty-four, eleven being officers. The total loss of the division was two hundred and five.
The effort to check our advance had been vain. By the time that the cavalry engagement was ended, Grant had joined Sheridan on the field, and Meade was moving upon Old Church and Shady Grove. The flank movement had proved an entire success.
For a day Gregg's Division was at rest. Then it was moved for- ward to picket Warren's left near Shady Grove, being afterwards
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THE SIXTEENTH REGIMENT-(FIRST CAVALRY).
withdrawn to the left and rear, whence, on the 1st of June, it moved around the rebel right, marching to Bottom Bridge, and there picketing up and down the Chickahominy at every ford and crossing. On the 6th, being relieved by the Third Division, the rest of the cavalry marched to the rear, pausing at Newcastle, on the Pamunkey, whence, on the morrow, it again started on a perilous adventure.
XII-ANOTHER "RAID."
On the 7th of June, the First and Second Cavalry Divisions, leaving Newcastle, pushed rapidly towards Trevillian's Station, nine miles from Gordonsville, where, on the evening of the 10th, the enemy was attacked with great violence and driven out with seri- ous loss-General Custer, meanwhile, with his command, defeating the rebels at Louisa Court House, and capturing a supply and ammunition train, together with fifteen hundred horses. The rebel Hampton, however, soon after succeeded in recovering this prize, surrounding Custer on all sides, but the gallant Michigan men hero- ically fought their way out, a fortunate diversion in another direc- tion-by distracting the rebel attention-materially assisting their escape. The First New Jersey had not been engaged in the action, but were sent to scout and picket a road leading off to cur right around the enemy's position. Kester having advanced his main body as far as he thought advisable, well around to the left flank of Hampton, sent forward Major Janeway with the third squadron to examine the country more particularly in front. That officer, dis- persing the rebel pickets, arranged his men for an advance in pur- suit, and still pushing on, soon came upon a section of artillery supported by the Fifth Georgia Cavalry mounted, and the Ninth South Carolina dismounted. At once charging upon the line, the whole mounted force of the rebels broke and ran. The guns, how- ever, were still served, and the Carolinians covering themselves by some houses and fences, opened with small arms upon our troopers. IIad there been no obstructions, or had there been another battalion to follow up the charge, the guns and the dismounted men could have been taken ; but as it was, the Major saw that further advance
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would be useless, and withdrew his men undisturbed by any pur- suit. Lieutenant Craig was wounded in the ankle, Sergeant Cook, of Company K, was killed, Michael Gallagher, of the same company, was too severely wounded to be carried off, though he was afterwards recovered. With these, and two other casualties, this force of a hundred men had engaged two regiments and a section of artillery, and had so surprised the rebels in front, that Custer got through without further fighting, and the whole rebel line withdrew from its position.
On the 13th, having accomplished its object in the destruction .of the railway and other property, the cavalry withdrew from the Station, and proceeded to White House, whence it guarded the passage of a wagon train to and across the James River, the First New Jersey being employed in picketing the rear, and afterwards in covering the retiring train to Charles City Court House. On the 27th of June, the most of the wagons having been transported across the river, the First Brigade of Gregg was transferred to the neighborhood of Fort Powhattan, where it enjoyed two days release from duty, after three weeks of incessant and harassing service.
XIII-OPERATIONS AROUND PETERSBURG.
On the evening of the 29th of June, leaving Fort Powhattan, the Cavalry Division -the First New Jersey being again in the advance -moved rapidly southward, ordered to afford relief to Wilson, who had been severely handled at Ream's Station, and was endeavoring to re-join our army. Reaching Lee's Mills on the extreme left of' our lines on the following day, the command bivouacked for the night, when, having picked up a number of Wilson's men, it fell back, moving into a camp on the road between City Point and the station of the dismounted cavalry, in which neighborhood it remained, except when on picket, until the 26th of July. On the evening of that day, the First and Second Cavalry Divisions, with the Second Corps of infantry, moved secretly and rapidly across the river at Deep Bottom-before morning surprising the command of the rebel General Pickett, and capturing four twenty-pound Parrott guns. On the 28th, the cavalry and a portion of the infantry,
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THE SIXTEENTH REGIMENT-(FIRST CAVALRY).
moving in flank and rear, advanced towards the Charles City road above Malvern Hill. Here, as Gregg moved around the enemy's left, threatening the flank and rear, his flankers were briskly attacked by rebel infantry skirmishers, who, however, were soon driven back. But the enemy speedily returning to the attack, a sharp fight ensued, in which the First New Jersey participated- the assailants again being repulsed with serious loss, but carrying with them one of our guns. During the evening the Second Divi- sion fell back to Strawberry Plains, whence, after various mancu- vers, it was pushed on to its old ground at Lee's Mills, where the rebels during our advance had established a picket-post. Having destroyed the narrow bridge across the mill-dam, their posi- tion was one of considerable strength, but there was no hesitation in its assault. Moving through the swampy ground below, a dis- mounted force of the First Massachusetts, with the third battalion of the First Jersey, pushed around the rebel right flank, while the Tenth New York skirmished in their front. Under cover of the artillery, the Second Pennsylvania prepared to charge across the mill-dam, while the First Jersey mounted was held ready to charge as soon as plank could be laid upon the bridge. At length, all being ready, simultaneously the Pennsylvanians charged in front, and the Massachusetts with the third Jersey battalion in the flank of the enemy, forcing them to run at full speed into the wood, abandoning their blankets and provisions. As those of them who had reached their horses started off at rapid pace, the First Jersey came thundering over the bridge, and dashed after them at a charge. The movement was splendidly executed, but the rebels did not wait for its importance. As the regiment went over and through their barricades, the horses breasting the fence rails and crashing among the trees, the enemy was seen in full gallop beyond them. After a tremendous race, in which a few prisoners were captured, the regiment returned, and the ground was held by an improved line of pickets.11
11 The following is the official report of the actions of the First New Jersey during the campaign which terminated with this engagement :
"On the 4th of May last, when the army crossed the Rapidan River on its march 59
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NEW JERSEY AND THE REBELLION.
The 12th of August found the First Jersey again on the march for the north side of the James, where, being joined by the Second Corps, it advanced over the ground deserted the preceding fort- night. During the advance, there was considerable skirmishing between our own and the rebel cavalry, during which the First
through the Wilderness, the honor of leading the advance across at Ely's Ford wits conferred on this regiment by General Gregg, which resulted in an unimportant skir. mish and a dashi after the rebel pickets, who fled on our approach towards Chancellors- ville. Nothing occurred worthy of note until next day; at noon, we were ordered to move towards Orange Court House. When we arrived at a village called Todd's Tavern, we met the Third Cavalry Division, commanded by General Wilson, rapid- ly retreating before the enemy's cavalry in a very disordered state. General Davies' Brigade was immediately thrown forward, and having rapidly moved half a mile, we met the advanec of the enemy's cavalry pressing forward on the rear of General Wil- son ; Captain Hart, with the first squadron, was ordered to charge, which he did withi such impetuosity that the enemy in turn was routed, and the gallant first squadron pressed him back on his main body, until they in turn were met by the charge of a rebel regiment, which again turned the tide of battle. At this critical juncture I has- tened to his support with three squadrons of my regiment, (the remaining two having been sent on the flanks ; ) hastily forming these squadrons in line of battle, the whole line moved forward and gave the enemy such a sharp volley, followed by rapid firing at will, that he desisted from his charge, and endeavored to keep baek the advancing line of my regiment, but without success-forward we moved, as steady as on a parade, the rebels endeavoring to check us by showers of canister, but with no avail, when they hastily limbered their guns and fell back just in time to prevent their capture. In this manner we drove the enemy two miles, through the thick forest of the Wilderness, and halted only when we received positive orders from General Davies, we then being far on the flank of the enemy's infantry. We held the position until dark, when we were relieved by another regiment, who picketted the ground we had won. In this little affair thie regiment lost six men killed, two officers and forty-one men wounded. The next day my regiment was not engaged. On the 7th, the cavalry corps was hotly engaged, a part of the regiment being engaged on the left, but nothing of note tran- spired. On the 9th of May, when the cavalry turned the right of the rebelarmy on the "Sheridan Raid," my regiment had the rear of the column, and was engaged with the rebel cavalry during the latter part of the day. Captain Robbins had been sent with his squadron on a road running at right angles with our line of march to protect the flank - as the column passed, and the enemy charged a brigade of their troops on the rear- guard, driving it up on the rear of the column completely by the road on which thi- squadron was placed, and effectually cutting it off from the main body. As soon 2- Captain Robbins became aware of his situation he moved across the country toward- the road on which the main column was fighting, and was just in time to charge hi- whole squadron through the ranks of the rebels as they were endeavoring to rally after the repulse received from the charge they made on our rear-guard. This spirited charge made them more cautious, and night coming on they hovered on our rear. MI regiment being in the extreme rear, remained on picket until day-break next morning. when the rebels again assaulted our line, but were held in check until we were relieved and across the North Anna River. We then took our place in the advance of the column and continued our line of march. Next day we were sent to Ashland, my regiment being engaged in tearing up the railroad did not come in contact with the enemy. Nothing occurred during the remainder of the raid worthy of note, my rezi- ment fully participating in the fatigue and hardships of that celebrated movement. On the 25th of May, we again re-joined the army, and on the 28th, the enemy fiercely
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THE SIXTEENTH REGIMENT-(FIRST CAVALRY).
Jersey had one or two men killed, and several wounded-Lieutenant- Colonel Janeway lost a finger while using a pocket-handkerchief. The desired position, however, was taken and held, several lines of rebel earthworks being rendered useless. On the following morn- ing, the Second Cavalry Brigade attacked and routed the rebel cav.
attacked our pickets at Hawes' Shop, on the Richmond road, and my regiment was ordered to their support. One company having been sent on cach flank, mounted, Captain Robbins, with Companies A, B, G and I, dismounted, moved forward and occu- pied a position on the right of the road, and opened a rapid fire from their carbines on the line of the enemy which was forming for an attack. The remainder of the regiment was moved to the left of the road, and having been dismounted, was ordered to the support of the First Pennsylvania Cavalry, which was hotly engaged on the left of the road. Captain Robbins being hard pressed, I ordered Major Janeway to take Captain Brooks' squadron (Companies H and N) to his support, and to assume com- mand of that part of the line. The enemy directed his fire at this part of the line, and the severest cavalry fighting of the war raged for two hours in my front. The enemy was a new brigade from South Carolina, armed with Enfield rifles, and was very formidable. At this juncture, General Custer charged down the road with three regi- ments, and my men charged the whole line in their front, drove the enemy from his line, and pursued him so rapidly for a mile and a half that he left his dead and severely wounded on the field. The regiment in this engagement lost two officers killed and nine wounded, nine men killed and forty-four wounded. The enemy left one hundred and eighty dead on our front line. During the movement across the Pamunkey River, our duties were confined to picketing and an occasional skirmish, until the 7th of June, when the cavalry corps went to Trevillian's Station, nine miles from Gordonsville. At this place, while pieketing the country on the right of the command, Major Janeway, with the third battalion, made a very dashing charge on the enemy's rear, which was managed so cleverly that it excited the admiration of all who saw it. On the 13th of June, the cavalry left Trevillian's Station to return to the army, which was then crossing the James River. My regiment was assigned the im- portant dnty of rear-guard, and we skirmished with the enemy until that night, with no serious loss. On arriving at White House, we found the enemy endeavoring to capture a train of a thousand wagons, which had been left at that point, but after an unimportant skirmish the enemy allowed us to conduct it safely to the James River, the enemy being particularly engaged at St. Mary's Church. With a trifling loss we crossed the James River on the 20th of June, having suffered greatly from fatigue and scarcity of provisions. Nothing occurred to vary the usual round of duties until the recent movement at Deep Bottom, on the north side of the James River, in which the regiment participated, and making a forced mareh arrived at Lee's Mills on the extreme left of the army next day. Captain Brooks condneted a flank movement, which dislodged the rebels from their position, and Captain Hick, with six companies made a dashing mounted charge, driving the rebels three miles, who fled precipitately. kaving their personal effects strewn along the road. I cannot speak too highly of the conduct of the officers and men of my regiment, and I am happy to state that the rreruits received last winter have imbibed the spirit of the veterans, and this regiment will ever be an organization which will uphold the pride and honor of the State of New Jersey.
"The following is a list of the casualties among commissioned officers of the First New Jersey Cavalry since May 4, 1864: Killed 2; wounded 13.
"I have the honor to be, very respectfully,
" Your obedient servant,
"JOHN W. KESTER, Colonel Commanding."
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alry under General Chambliss, striking them near the junction of the Quaker Road and that to Charles City Court House, and pur- suing the broken column through White Oak Swamp to within a few miles of Richmond, picking up many prisoners; and then returning and taking position near the Swamp. During the next few days, the First Jersey was not engaged, but on the 18th, it acted as a support to some of our guns which were attacked with great violence by the enemy, enabling the cannoneers not only to repel the assault but to drive the rebels from the whole field. On the 19th, Warren having seized the Weldon Railroad, the cavalry re-crossed the river and hurried to his assistance, reaching his posi- tion on the 20th. Here on the 21st, while Gregg's First Brigade protected the engineers in their work, his Second aided in repelling an attack on the extreme left of Warren's line, and thus perma- nently securing the line of the railroad. But the First Jersey did not escape without loss-Phillips, of Company F, and one or two other gallant troopers, whose term of service had just expired, but who insisted, upon taking part in the fight, falling cither dead or severely wounded in the front of the line on that last day of mili- tary duty. During the engagement of the 23d, near Ream's Sta- tion, the regiment was on picket, but on the 24th, when the Second Corps was driven from the works it had erected in front of War- ren's position, the cavalry again became engaged, covering the withdrawal of the infantry.
With this engagement the First Cavalry terminated the period of its original enlistment. On the 1st of September, the men whose term of service had expired, embarked at City Point for home, reaching Trenton a week later, but leaving the regiment as an organization still in the field, its honors being duly inherited by the hundreds of re-enlisted men and supported by its numerous recruits. During the three years now expired it had lost six offi- cers and twenty-ninc enlisted men killed, and eighteen officers and seventy-six enlisted men wounded.
On the 29th of September, the First Jersey was once more put in motion. Breaking camp at Prince George Court House, it marched to the Jerusalem plank road, and at daylight on the
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THE SIXTEENTH REGIMENT-(FIRST CAVALRY).
morrow moved to the extreme left of the army, (Warren's Corps,) where it united, meeting the picket-line. Soon after the regiment was ordered to advance to the junction of the Ream's Station and Dinwiddie Court House roads, and to hold this position while a battalion was sent at a charge into Ream's Station to drive in the rebel pickets. This being done, Major Beaumont, commanding, was directed to hold the two roads, and bring on a fight if possible, General Gregg thinking the position a good one for an engagement. Beaumont, accordingly, advanced to the junction, and sent Captain Hart with two squadrons to charge through the Station. With a shout, the men dashed to the assault, driving the enemy, almost twice their number, from the works about the Station and three miles beyond, capturing a number of prisoners and several horses. Having accomplished this handsome feat, Hart, under orders, re- tired, and Hobensack at once established a picket-line with the second battalion on the Station road. While this was going on, Beaumont had thrown a picket-line across the junction, and sent Captain Hick with two squadrons up the road to Dinwiddie Court House, where, finding the rebels in about equal force, that gallant officer charged them vigorously, driving them from their position and capturing several prisoners. Returning, he established a strong picket-line on this road, and though repeatedly attacked, bravely held his position, as did also Captain Hobensack, who was simi- larly attacked. The enemy not advancing in formidable force the regiment remained on picket until the morning of the 30th, when, being relieved, it re-joined the brigade, but did not for some time become engaged, although under fire during a part of the day. At dark, however, it was again put in motion, being ordered by General Davies, commanding the brigade, to advance along the left of the Fifth Corps to the Armstrong House, and thence a mile to the right, and communicate with Parke's (Ninth) Corps at the Pegram House. The night being intensely dark and the road a strange one, with the enemy known to be on the left flank and in front, the advance was made with great caution, the men occasion- ally lighting a candle to discover their bearings, until at length the Armstrong House was reached. As the command rode slowly
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up a hill in front of the house, in utter silence, those in advance suddenly detected a clattering of sabers, mingled with words of command. "Who goes there?" rang out sharply on the air. " Butler's South Carolina Brigade," was the startling reply. " Who . are you?" "First New Jersey Cavalry, charge!" was the only reply, as, with a yell, the regiment dashed through the thick dark- ness upon the invisible foe. One sharp volley was given, and then the rapid and continuous clatter of hoofs on the gravel road in front, gave notice that, even in that blind charge, the First Jersey had won the field. One prisoner only was taken-Captain Butler, brother of General Butler, of the rebel army. The regiment was now collected and a line formed, and the enemy being found to be on each flank, as well as in front, General Davies ordered a return as far as Davis' House on the Vaughn road to Petersburg, where General Gregg had his headquarters, and here the command lay in bivouac for the remainder of the night.
At daylight on the 1st of October, in a drizzling rain, the bri- gade started for the Hawks' House, just in front of the left of the Ninth Corps. Before that point, however, was reached, it was learned that Hampton's (rebel) Cavalry had occupied the Davis' House, and the command was ordered to return, which it did, reaching and occupying the farm about the house, from which the rebels had retired, shortly after noon. Disposition was then imme- diately made to meet any emergency, the Sixth Ohio being thrown out dismounted, with the First Massachusetts on the right also dis- mounted-the First New Jersey being held in reserve. The wis- dom of thus holding the best troops in hand for the critical exigency was soon apparent. The Ohio and Massachusetts regiments were suddenly attacked with great fury by Danovin and Mahone's Brigades, dismounted, and rapidly driven in. Notwithstanding a stubborn resistance on the part of the Massachusetts men, the line soon broke and ran, rallying only in rear of the First Jersey. And now an ominous silence for a moment ensued. Then suddenly the dense woods in front of our position became alive with rebels, who rushed forth on a double-quick, shouting and firing as they advanced. Still the Jersey boys stood cool and calm, though ex-
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posed to a fire from the whole rebel line, as well as a yet more terrible fire from six guns which had now been brought up to within three hundred yards of our position. The spiteful buzz of bullets, the shriek of solid shot and shell, and the fierce, rushing whine of canister, all combined to affright the waiting line; but with the colors planted in the center, the brave men stood unshaken, and without firing a shot, until, with the enemy only twenty-four paces in front, Beaumont gave the order to open. Then, what a sheet of flame burst all along the line! Veterans of some of the bloodiest fights of the war unite in declaring that the rapidity and vigor of the fire which then flashed to and fro had never been sur- passed ; but however this may be, it is certain that it had its effect. Thrice the enemy returned to the assault, and as often was bloodily repulsed by the Jerseymen, assisted by the First Massachusetts, which had rallied on their right during the combat. At length, ceasing firing altogether, the rebels left the front, apparently beaten, whereupon a charge was immediately ordered, and the men dashed eagerly forward. In the rush, Sergeant Johnson, of Company G, was the first man to cross the enemy's works; the color-guard closely followed, and the regiment with a wild shout dashed into the woods and charged full two hundred yards in advance of our most advanced position, being then re-called to repel an attack on the left flank, where Young's Brigade of Georgia Cavalry were offering menace. While these events were occurring, our left flank was picketted by Lieutenant Hughes with Company C, which, dur- ing the last assault of the enemy in front, had become hotly en- gaged. Hughes, however, soon found that he was surrounded, but not by any means dismayed, he at once ordered a charge and suc- ceeded in cutting his way out and re-joining his regiment in time to give notice of the flank attack. While surrounded, Sergeant Watts, of Company C, seeing a group of men dressed apparently like our own, rode up to one who proved to be General Young, and with some excitement, asked, "How in thunder are we going to get out of here?" The General, who had mistaken the charge of Hughes for the advance of a mounted brigade, and had delayed his own attack upon our flank long enough to enable Beaumont to
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