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 6
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NEW JERSEY AND THE REBELLION.
regain his works-seemed to be quite as much puzzled as Watts ; at any rate, he altogether failed to improve his opportunity to cap- ture the surrounded troopers. Indeed, private Miles Downey, in the movement through the rebel lines, seized upon Captain Jones, one of the aids of General Young, and brought him in a prisoner without receiving a scratch. This achievement of Company C closed the conflict, and remaining on the field during the night and following day, the regiment on the 3d returned to its camp on the Jerusalem plank road.12 Its losses amounted to four killed, seven wounded and one missing.
XIV-CUTTING THE ENEMY'S COMMUNICATIONS.
Early in December, the cavalry was again called to perform important service.13 The enemy being known to be in receipt of large supplies by way of the Weldon Railroad to Stony Creek, whence they were wagoned to Petersburg, the Fifth Corps, with the Third Division of the Second Corps and Gregg's Cavalry, were detailed to operate upon and destroy the railroad as far as Hicks- ford. Accordingly, at daylight on the morning of December 7th,
13 Major Beaumont in his official report of this affair, says :
"Great credit is due to Lieutenant Hughes and Company C, as their gallant on- slaught upon General Young's rear doubtless saved us the day. We ascertained after the fight, from the enemy's pickets, that General Young, when Company C charged, sent word to General Hampton that he had been surrounded and would probably be captured. To Captains Hart, Hobensack and Hick, commanding battalions, I cannot give too much praise. I owe the coolness and firmness of my men to their gallant example.
"Sergeant Claney, Company C, killed General Danovin within ten yards of our lines, as he led his brigade in the first assault, and no doubt his death assisted in a great measure to demoralize the enemy.
"I cannot refrain from mentioning Captain Walter R. Robbins and Lieutenant Brown. Though they were detached from the regiment at the time upon General Davies' staff, they checred our men by their presence in the thickest of the fight, and Lieutenant Brown at a critical moment seized the colors, and himself bore them through a storm of bullets. In our repulse of the attack of General Young, Lieutenant Shaw and Sergeant-Major Dalzel rendered me efficient service in transmitting my orders and seeing them carried out.
"In this fight the regiment fully sustained their previous reputation for gallantry, and added new lustre to the reputation of New Jersey troops."
13 The following report to Governor Parker details the performance of the regiment in the expedition to Stony Creek, which preceded the movement now to be described : "I have the honor to report, that on the morning of the Ist instant, the First New Jersey Cavalry moved with the rest of the division towards Stony Creek Station, ou
THE SIXTEENTH REGIMENT-(FIRST CAVALRY). 473
the column started south on the Jerusalem plank road, the cav- alry in advance, and crossing the Nottoway River bivouacked for the night-the cavalry division encamping near Sussex Court House. At four o'clock on the following morning, the column moved towards Jarrett's Station, on the Weldon Railroad, some twenty-eight miles from Petersburg-the First New Jersey having the advance. Some two miles beyond Sussex Court House, the extreme advance, composed of the first and third squadrons, com- manded by Captain Hughes, of Company C, met with some resist- ance, but without loss drove the enemy until ordered to halt for the night at Jarrett's. During the night, the railroad at that point was torn up by the infantry of Warren's command. On the 9th, the march was resumed at daylight, the First Cavalry Brigade having the advance, but not becoming engaged until it had crossed a small stream called Three Creeks, where the First Jersey was again assigned to the post of honor. The command had now reached a point near Hicksford, where the enemy was posted in some force, having a battery in position with strong works on both sides of the Meherrin River. The First Regiment having come into position, Captain Brooks, with the fifth squadron, (Companies K and H,) was directed to charge a force of the enemy who obstructed our advance, which he did with great gallantry. Although obliged to move on a narrow road, through a thick wood, he charged resist- lessly for a distance of a mile, when, suddenly coming upon an abattis, which was perfectly impassable for horses, he halted, and, under a heavy fire from the enemy's rifle pits, held his position
the Weldon Railroad, which place the head of the column reached at about twelve o'clock, m., where a large quantity of stores were destroyed; two guns, and one hundred and eighty-five prisoners, and six wagons, were captured.
" The Second Brigade being in the advance, this regiment was not engaged until the division commeneed to retire, when we had the honor of covering the rear. The regi- ment was heavily pressed by the enemy, but the men and officers behaved with their accustomed gallantry and coolness. They were successfully repulsed in every attack. Our loss was small. Lieutenant Dalzel, commanding the extreme rear-guard, was wounded in the thigh, but was not obliged to relinquish his command. First Sergeant John Williams, of Company A, and Private W. Townley, of Company E, also received flesh wounds.
"I neglected to state that at Duvall's Station the regiment was ordered to destroy a large quantity of railroad iron, and to burn a number of rebel workshops, which was accordingly donc.
"HUGH HI. JANEWAY, Colonel Commanding."
60
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NEW JERSEY AND THE REBELLION.
until the rest of the regiment came up. Colonel Janeway, obtain- ing permission to dismount his command, at once formed a heavy skirmish line on the edge of the woods, and then, with a cheer, in the face of a severe fire, dashed upon the rifle pits in front, speedily driving out the enemy in disorder and occupying the position.14 That position, however, was one of great hazard, the men being exposed to the fire of guns served with murderous accuracy. But the brave troopers did not flinch, firmly holding the pits for three hours, suffering terribly from cold, and exposed to a heavy rain, which froze as it fell.
Meanwhile, the work of destroying the railroad and other property made rapid progress, and the object of the expedition having been accomplished, on the 10th the command retired, reach- ing the position from which it started on the following day. Few " raids " of the war inflicted greater damage on the enemy than this. The casualties in the First New Jersey during the move- ment were comparatively small, amounting only to four killed, eleven wounded and four missing. Major Robbins, who acted on the staff of the brigade commander, and was continually with the advance, received a bullet in his hat, and Captain Craig, who participated in the charge of Captain Brooks, had his horse shot under him. Only one officer was injured, namely, Lieutenant Reed, who received a severe shell wound on the shoulder, from the effects of which he died before the regiment reached its camp. Lieutenant Reed was one of the most promising officers in the regiment, and his loss was universally regretted.
14 Colonel Janeway's report says of this charge and its result :
" At the command "charge," every officer and man sprang forward with a wild cheer, each seeming to vie with the other in the effort to be the first to reach the rifle pits, from which the enemy was pouring a destructive fire. Alinost in less time than it takes to write it, the rifle pits were ours, the rebels retreating in rapid disorder across the railroad bridge. The charge was made under the heaviest fire of artillery to which it has ever been my fortune to be exposed, and that from strong forts not five hundred yards distant from the line we took. As our superior thought it best not to advance further, the regiment was obliged to remain in the rifle pits for three hours of daylight still left us, exposed to the fire of guns served with the most murderous accuracy. Made to move about to keep the blood in circulation, although entirely unprotected from a heavy rain, which froze as it fell. During the whole period of my service with the regiment, I have never seen officers or men display greater gallantry or more soldierly endurance of hardships."
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THE SIXTEENTH REGIMENT-(FIRST CAVALRY).
XV-THE FINAL CAMPAIGN.
At last, the hour struck when the First New Jersey was to move out for the last time against the columns of the enemy. As it had shared in the perils and trials of three years of deadly combat, so now it was to share in the glory of striking the final and decisive blow, from which the long-defiant rebellion could never recover. The story of that campaign, and of the services this regiment per- formed, is thus told in the report of the Major commanding :
"On the morning of March 20th, the regiment broke camp near Petersburg, and in connection with the brigade, moved out on the Ream's Station and Dinwiddie Court House road, crossing Rowanty Creek at Malon's bridge. The cavalry arrived at and occupied Dinwiddie Court House that night. Colonel Janeway was ordered to move out on the Flatfoot road and hold it for the night, which he did. On the 30th, the brigade moved up on the Five Forks road to the support of General Merritt, but did not become engaged. On the morning of the 31st, Captain Craig, Company A, com- manding first squadron, who was pieketing on the Mill road leading to Chamberlain's Creek, took a portion of his reserve and cleverly passed through the rebel cavalry vidette line, surprised and captured an infantry picket-reserve of the enemy, and brought them into our lines without any loss to his command. For this bold and skillful act Captain Craig is deserving of great praise. From these prisoners it was learned that the divisions of the rebel Generals Pickett and Bushrod Johnson were in our front. After receiving this information Colonel Janeway directed Major Hart to strengthen and extend the picket-line. Colonel Janeway then ordered me to move out with my battalion and make a reconnoissanee on the left, and ascertain if the enemy was moving around in that direction. In doing this I found the old Seott road leading across Chamberlain's Creek to be entirely open, thus giving the enemy a splendid oppor- tunity to move his troops between the brigades of General Davies and Smith. Feeling the importance of this road, I left Captain Hick with Companies K, M and L to cover it, while I pushed further to the left with Company H, Lieutenant Killy commanding ; communicated with General Smith and ascertained from him that the enemy were quiet in his front. I then returned to the old Seott road, and moved my battalion down to the ford on Chamberlain's Creek, dismounted, sent my horses to the rear, caused a breastwork of rails to be made, and communicated the importance of the road and what I was doing to Colonel Janeway. The Colonel came down and approved of the course I had taken, and ordered me to remain and hold the ford. About this time the enemy made a spirited attack on the lines of Generals Gregg and Smith and vainly endeavored to drive them from their position. Meanwhile they pushed two brigades of infantry down to the ford and engaged my command, which was holding it. The firing soon became sharp and vigorous. We had great advantage in position, being behind works and on much lower ground than the enemy, who was without any cover- ing and at casy range. Many of the enemy fell before our withering fire. Among the number was General Ransom. Secing that we were not to be forced from our position in this manner, they passed one brigade to our right (which met Major Hart's battalion) and one to our left enveloped our flanks, and charged a third brigade in our front. The battalions, I am proud to say, remained at their post and kept up the firing until the enemy was within fifteen yards of them ; hopes of longer holding the ford could not be entertained. The order was then given to fall back, which was done first in a broken and confused line, but was quickly formed and placed in position to cover the left flank ot the Tenth New York Cavalry, which had been ordered to our support some time before. This regiment, after delivering two or three volleys went rapidly to the rear, leaving my battalion to cover their shameful retreat. The enemy was in strong
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NEW JERSEY AND THE REBELLION.
force and moved rapidly against us, and my men could do nothing but keep up a run- ning fight until we passed through Colonel Janeway's line, who, with the first and second battalions and a Michigan regiment, was gallantly holding the enemy in check. Major Hart, with the first battalion, had been sent out to my support, but meeting the brigade of the enemy which had moved on my right, was unable to get to me. Major Hart fought his command as he always did, with signal courage, great skill and telling effeet upon the enemy. It was his last fight. He was shot dead in his saddle. The bullet entered his right check and passed through the spinal column. Colonel Jane- way, with his own and a Michigan regiment, with detachments from other regiments, retired before the overwhelming force of the enemy to the road leading from Dinwid- die Court House to Five Forks, where he connected his left with the remainder of the brigade. The casualties of this day were as follows : Major James H. Hart, killed; First Lieutenant and Acting Commissary-Sergeant, C. W. Camp, captured; three en- listed men killed, six wounded and four captured. Early the next morning the enemy was pushed back, his force routed and many prisoners taken. On the 1st and 2d of April our brigade remained in camp near Dinwiddie Court House, guarding the trains of the corps. On the night of the 2d we moved from Dinwiddie Court House in rear of the train to the Claubourne road, in the vicinity of Hatcher's Run, bivouacked for a few hours, and then (on the morning of the 3d) pushed on. Crossing the Southside Railroad at Sutherland Station, we marched that day to Wilson's plantation, on the Namozord road, where we encamped for the night. The line of march was resumed early on the next morning (the 4th) on a road running parallel to the one Lee was retreat- ing on. We arrived at Jettersville, on the south side of the railroad, about four o'clock, p. m. It was expected that the enemy would be found in force at this place. Noth- ing, however, was found and the cavalry was ordered to bivouac for the night. Per- suant to orders from brigade headquarters, Captain Craig, with Companies A and B, reported to General Davies, who instructed him to push down the Amelia Spring road and ascertain if any force of the enemy was there. Captain Craig obeyed his instruc- tions to the letter, returned and reported, having captured twenty-two infantry sol- diers, thirty-eight horses and a number of mules, all of which he brought into camp. From these prisoners it was learned that Lee, with his army, was at Amelia Court House. At three o'clock on the following morning, our brigade was moving towards that plaec. Arriving at Paines' Cross Roads, General Davies learned that the enemy's wagon train was but a short distance off. Pushing rapidly on, we soon struck the advance guard, consisting of one brigade of cavalry and one regiment of infantry and a battery of artillery. General Davies at once charged and routed this force, captured a large number of prisoners, five pieces of artillery, one hundred and eighty wagons and three. hundred and forty horses and mules. The wagons were all burned. The prison- ers, artillery and animals were all brought off. In this charge five battle flags were captured by the following named officers and men of the regiment: Captain Samuel Craig, Company A; First Sergeant George W. Stewart, Company E; Private Lewis Locke, Company A; and Private Christian Straele, Company I.
"After the capture of the wagon train, &c., General Davies directed Colonel Jane- way to move up on a road to the left and hold it until he got well to the rear all cap- tured property, prisoners, &c. Through some mistake, no orders were received by Colonel Janeway to retire, but ascertaining that everything had re-crossed the stream, he wisely withdrew, but upon arriving at the bridge he found it in possession of the enemy. Captain Brooks, with Companies HI and K, made an elegant charge and dri- ving the enemy from the bridge, held the road leading to it, while the remainder of the regiment crossed. Captain Hick, with Companies L and M, now formed the rear- guard. Arriving at Painesville, the regiment was ordered to remain there one halt hour and hold the roads while the captured property was being taken off. The enemy now began to show himself in large numbers in our front and on both flanks. I was directed by Colonel Janeway to take Company HI, strengthen and assume command of the rear-guard. The enemy pressed us vigorously, making several charges, which were, with one exception, (the last,) handsomely repulsed. The enemy routed us in
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THE SIXTEENTH REGIMENT-(FIRST CAVALRY).
his last charge and drove us back to a detachment of the regiment which had been formed for our support. This detachment made a splendid charge and checked the enemy, whichi enabled us to withdraw to where the remainder of the brigade was formed. In this charge, the gallant Captain Brooks, of Company K, was taken prisoner and sabered by General Geary after he had surrendered. A number of the men were also wounded. The enemy here displayed a much larger force than our own. They lapped both our flanks and engaged us sharply in our front, but the regiment, with brave, skillful Janeway in command, unflinchingly stood their ground and used their Speneer carbines with telling effect upon the enemy. It would be useless for me to particular- ize the actions of any officer or man-they all performed their duty in their usual man- ner as soldiers. The conduct of Surgeon Willes was so different from that of medical officers generally, that I cannot pass it by without notice. He was in the thickest of the fight and was of great service to Colonel Janeway in conveying orders and rallying men from different regiments, taking them to the skirmish line, remaining there him- self and encouraging them on. We were finally relieved by the Second Brigade of our division, when we retired to a point near Amelia Springs, and remained at that place till two o'clock, p. m., when we were again ordered into action. Colonel Janeway was ordered by General Davies to support two other regiments in a charge. These regi- ments were repulsed in the charge and driven back to their support. Colonel Janeway immediately ordered a charge, in leading which our brave, gallant Colonel was shot through the head and died almost instantly. This cast a gloom over the whole regi- ment. His superior we never knew ; a brave, skillful officer, a courteous gentleman, a true, earnest patriot-qualities which have endeared him to every officer and man of the regiment.
"We held the line until after dark, when we were relieved and ordered back to Jettersville. The casualties of the day were as follows : Colonel Hugh H. Janeway, killed ; Captain Joseph Brooks, Company K, wounded and prisoner; Second Lieute- nant James S. Metler, Company D, prisoner ; Second Lieutenant William Wilson, Com- pany G, prisoner; First Lieutenant and Adjutant James F. Clancy, wounded ; twenty- one prisoners.
"We bivouacked at Jettersville that night, and moved out at ten o'clock, a. m., the following day. Generals Merritt and Custer had captured and burned a large number of wagons near Sailor's Creek, and were heavily engaged with the enemy when we came up. The cavalry corps was formed to charge the enemy-this regiment forming the connection on the extreme right of the Second Division with General Custer's Division (Third). In front of our regiment was a plain, open field, where the enemy had a good line of rifle pits. I received orders from General Davies to charge this line of works. I expected the whole line would charge at the same time, and moved on his line of works at once. The troops on my right, however, instead of charging the enemy, were being pushed back. The regiment acted splendidly, but it was impossible for us to make any impression on the enemy's line. General Custer's division on my right, and a portion of our brigade on my left, was giving way. The fire from the enemy was terrible. Lieutenants Ford and Metier, and many of the men, were wounded; horses were dropping fast. I was forced to retire, which I did by moving the regiment to the right, in order to place them under cover of a rising piece of ground. Major-General Crooke and others complimented the regiment highly for the gallant manner in which they conducted themselves. I then received orders from General Davies to form the regiment in its original place in line. I understood after- wards that the order given the regiment to charge was rather premature. Some two hours later, a simultaneous charge was made by the Sixth Corps and the cavalry. This was probably the grandest cavalry charge of the war. General Ewell, with nearly all his corps, was captured, besides a large number of cannon. In this charge I suffered the temporary loss of Captain Hughes, Company C, commanding the second battalion. He fell from his horse, wounded through the head. Captain Hughes is a brave officer, and I could illy spare him. In going to the rear he discovered two pieces of artillery, which the enemy, unable to move off, had secreted in the woods; he collceted some
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NEW JERSEY AND THE REBELLION.
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dismounted men, and with a team of mules broughit them off. First Lieutenants Johnson, commanding Company M, and Carty, commanding Company L, charged and captured two light field pieces from the enemy. Captain Craig, as usual, had liis horse shot. We encamped on the battle-field that night. The casualties of the day were as follows : Captain William Hughes, Company C, wounded and prisoner; First Licu- tenant Thomas H. Ford, Company D, wounded ; Second Lieutenant James Metler, Company D, wounded; seven enlisted men wounded and two missing.
" The line of march was taken up early on the morning of the 7th, and the enemy pushed rapidly to Farmsville and across the Appomattox River; here they made a stand, and enticed the Second Brigade of our division into a beautifully-laid trap, which resulted in their complete rout. This brigade came back in great confusion, and but for the timely order of General Davies would have swept a portion of this regiment along with them. The General, seeing the state of affairs, directed me, through Captain Lebo, of his staff, to move rapidly to the left of the road, and there form and check the enemy, which order was executed to his entire satisfaction. The action of my regiment upon this occasion gave great confidence to the troops in the rear who were following us in the line of march. The brigade was formed in line, and the enemy held by us until dark, when we were relieved by the infantry. Lieu- tenants Watts and Fay were wounded during the day. That night we marched to and cncamped at Prospect Station, on tlic Lynchburg Railroad. The list of casualties of this day were as follows : Second Lieutenant Charles Watts, Company A, wounded ; Second Lieutenant Laurence Fay, Company F, wounded; and four prisoners. On the 8th, we marehed to Appomattox Depot, on the Lynchburg Railroad. The regiment was not engaged that day. Four trains of cars, loaded with supplies for Lee's army, were captured at the depot. On the morning of the 9th, our hearts were gladdened by the intelligence that the enemy was now lieaded off, we being in possession of the road on which Lee was retreating, and that if we could hold this road until our infan- try came Lee and liis army could not possibly escape. The bright smiling faces which could be seen in the regiment told plainly that for their share of the work we could depend upon them. General Davies was covering a road on the right of Lee's army. The remainder of our division was fighting on our right. The General learning that the enemy was driving them, ordered me through his very efficient Aid de Camp, Lieutenant Robert Henry, Company A, of this regiment, to find and engage the enemy's flank, favoring as much as possible the. brigades of Gregg and Smith, who were being so vigorously pushed.
"Captain Craig, who had the advance in this movement, reported a rebel cavalry brigade moving towards us in an oblique dircetion, and apparently coming from General Davies' front, and with intentions of cutting us off. I immediately sent Captain Beck- man, with the remainder of liis battalion, Companies G and I, to strengthen Craig and throw out a strong skirmish line; at the same time Captain Hick, commanding third battalion, was directed to move to the left and rear and remain there as a support. Taking Captain Brown, with his battalion, I manœuvered until I succeeded in getting between the enemy and the remainder of the brigade. Captain Beekman at the same time changed direction to the left, keeping his skirmishers between Bowen and the enemy. Hick was then brought down to Bowen's position. The ever ready Henry, of General Davies' staff coming down, I requested him to inform the General what I was doing and what was opposing me; leaving it he sent the Twenty-fourth New York Cav- alry down to report to me, and orders to fall slowly back and councet my skirmish line with that of the infantry on my right and rear. All this was performed with the loss of one man killed, Lemuel O. Smith, private, Company I.
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