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 9
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: Cornelius Fornet, who had been elected Colonel, did not go out with the regiment. and it was consequently for some time without a Colonel, greatly to its detriment.
499
THE TWENTY-SECOND REGIMENT.
whence, a few days subsequently, it proceeded to Centreville, and was released from service. Continuing its march to Washington, it departed thence by rail for Trenton, arriving there on the 22d of June, and a few days later being finally disbanded, having been nine months in the service. While its losses from the casualties of battle had been few, it had suffered largely from sickness and dis- ease, some fifty deaths in all occurring while it was in the field. That it did not achieve greater distinction was the result of circum- stances with which it had nothing to do; and if its record is brief, it is at least worthy a place in the history of New Jersey's part in the war for the Union.
CHAPTER. XVII. THE TWENTY-THIRD REGIMENT.
THE Twenty-third Regiment was raised in the summer and fall of 1862, and was mustered into the Federal service at Beverly ou the 13th of September-Company A, from the city and township of Burlington, being the first to reach the rendezvous, on the 25th of August-Company B of Bordentown mustering the same evening.1 Leaving Beverly September 24th, the regiment pro- ceeded to Washington, going into camp on East Capitol Hill, but in a few days after moving to Frederick City, Maryland. Here it
1 "Owing to the scarcity of mustering officers and the large number of troops ready to muster, we were detained at the rendezvous from the 1st, when we were ready, until the 13th day of September, when Captain Royal of the regular army made his appear. ance. Yet during the period of this detention for muster, to the honor of the organi- zation be it recorded, not one case of desertion marred its fair fame, and during the ten months the regiment remained in service but four cases of desertion are recorded against it ; these men it afterward appeared, were misled by the bad counsel of some men of older organizations in the brigade, and who accompanied them in their mad flight from duty. The whole party, undergoing incredible hardships and exposure. were finally captured and in punishment sent to the Dry Tortugas."-Notes of an officer.
The following were the original officers of the Twenty-third Regiment :
Colonel, John S. Cox; Lieutenant-Colonel, George C. Brown; Major, Alfred Thong- son ; Adjutant, William G. Winans; Surgeon, William Cook; Assistant-Surzco ;.. David G. Hetzel, Robert W. Elmer. Company A-Captain, Francis W. Milner: Fire Lieutenant, Charles Sibley ; Second Lieutenant, Edward Rigg. Company B-Captain. Francis H. Higgins; First Lieutenant, Samuel E. Brannin; Second Lieutenant, Lt.". .. Ayres. Company C-Captain, Samuel Carr; First Lieutenant, Henry C. Risden . Second Lieutenant, George W. Severs. Company D-Captain, Reading Newbold; Fir -. Lieutenant, David R. Newbold; Second Lieutenant, Charles H. McIntyre. Cong -! 2 E-Captain, Augustus Grober; First Lieutenant, Isaac Shinn; Second Lieutenat ::. Alfred C. Seeds. Company F-Captain, Samuel R. Smith ; First Lieutenant, Jamie- > Budd; Second Lieutenant, Elwood H. Kirkbride. Company G-Captain, Joseph I Ridgway ; First Lieutenant, Jacob Perkins; Second Lieutenant, William II. Stone Company H-Captain, Henry A. McCabe; First Lieutenant, David S. Root; Seus. Lieutenant, James Carter. Company I-Captain, John I. Burnett ; First Lieuten ...... Robert M. Ekius; Second Lieutenant, William Frazer. Company K-Captain, Will .. > J. Parmentier ; First Lieutenant, Leonard H. Ashley ; Second Lieutenant, Samuel V Downs.
501
THE TWENTY-THIRD REGIMENT. 1
remained until the 8th of October, when it started for Bakersville to join the First Jersey Brigade, with which it was ever after iden-
SKETCH OF THE OFFICERS.
COLONEL JOHN S. Cox, mustered September 13, 1862, as Colonel of the regiment aw no actual service. He resigned October 31st, and was succeeded by Lieutenant- Colonel Heary O. Ryerson, of the Second New Jersey, of whom a sketch is elsewhere given. Originally Captain of Company B, then Major and Lieutenant-Colonel of the Second Regiment, he was sent to command the Twenty-third on its arrival at Cramp- ton's Pass on the 31st of October, 1862, and commissioned its Colonel on the 12th of the month following. He commanded at the first battle of Fredericksburg, being under fre with the regiment exactly one month after the date of his commission. On account of the short time the Twenty-third had to serve, he applied for and received command of the Tenth New Jersey.
The vacancy caused by the transfer of Colonel Ryersoni was filled by E. Burd Grubb, originally Second Lieutenant of Company C, then first Lieutenant of Company D, Third New Jersey. He served, not without distinction on the staff of General Taylor, being in all the engagements in the Peninsular campaign in which that officer participated. He was sent to the Twenty-third as Major on the 24th of November, 1:02, to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Major Thompson, and was pro- moted to the Lieutenant-Coloneley on December 26, 1862, on the resignation of Colonel Brown. Colonel Grubb was the most popular officer of the regiment; while being a strict disciplinarian, almost bordering in some particulars on the martinet, he still managed to so ingratiate himself in the affections of his command that duty soon be- rame with all a work of love. In both the battles in which the regiment bore a not undistinguished part, he showed conspicuous courage, not asking his men to face any dangers he was unwilling to share. It was due to him that the right of the regiment, when thrown into confusion by the terrible fire to which it was subjected, was rallied and led into the thickest of the combat at Fredericksburg. At Chancellorsville, always at the head of his regiment, mounted until his horse was shot from under him, then on foot, still animating the men and leading them on-himself the furthest in the front and the last to leave the field-seeming to bear a charmed life, he moved from point to point, calm and cool, the men nerved to daring by his example, until farther exertion no longer availed. His influence on the men of his regiment was unbounded, as will be fully shown in the history of the incident at White Oak Church, Virginia, on the 5th of June, 1863. After the return of the regiment, and their final muster-out, the' men came flocking back to Beverly, on account of a rumor that Colonel Grubb was raising the Thirty-fourth Regiment. He was appointed in command of Post No. 2, Beverly, and afterwards raised the Thirty-seventh New Jersey, served with it before Petersburg, and was rewarded by the commission of "Brigadier-General by Brevet" for gallant conduct.
The vacancies caused by the promotions of Colonel Grubb were snecessively filled" by Captain F. W. Milner, of Company A, these promotions being made by virtue of «niority, Captain Milner being the ranking officer of the line. This officer was unfor- tunately sick in the hospital at Washington during the battle of Chancellorsville.
The vacancy in the field caused by the promotion of Major Milner, was tilled by the appointment of Captain William J. Parmentier, of Company K, who received his com- mission shortly thereafter. This officer was of a genial temperament, and when off daty a leader in all the hilarity with which the tedious hours of camp life were eniiv- ched. He acted with great coolness under fire, and made a good reputation, especially ": Chancellorsville. His company was much exposed at Fredericksburg, and lost more heavily than any other in that action.
On the 22d of November, 1862, Adjutant Winans tendered his resignation, and Lieu- tenant Jacob Perkins, of Company G, was selected to fill his place. He did not remain # great while in the service, and was succeeded by First Lieutenant Samuel W. Downs,
502
NEW JERSEY AND THE REBELLION.
tified. Remaining at Bakersville until the 30th, the regiment marched with the brigade in the direction of Crampton's Pass.
then of Company G-originally of Company K. This officer secured the good feeling of all the officers of the regiment by his unfailing courtesy and good humor. He pos. sessed a good share of courage, and did not falter in his duty at Fredericksburg where his company was the most exposed. While at Chancellorsville he received honorable mention in dispatches for gallant conduct. He was afterwards a Captain in the Thirty- seventh-in which regiment he bore as good a reputation as he made in the Twenty. third.
The Quartermaster, Abel H. Nichols, was a good officer, and afterwards served in the same capacity in the Thirty-fourth New Jersey, with equal satisfaction to those with whom he came in contact.
Surgcon William Cook resigned early in October, 1862, and sometime thereafter his place was filled by the selection of Doctor Luther C. Bowlby, Assistant-Surgeon of the Fourth New Jersey. This proved fortunate for the regiment, for though young he showed much medical and executive ability, and added thereto an industry in the dis. charge of his duties seldom equalled by an army Surgeon. His assistants, Doctors Hetzel and Elmer, were bothi above the average of regimental medical staffs, and to this is doubtless attributable the fact that so few comparatively died-although sub- jeeted to very great exposure. Doctor Hetzel afterwards filled a similar position in the Thirty-fourth, where he gave general satisfaction to those who were unfortunate enough to necd the exercise of liis professional skill.
In closing the reference of the field and staff, mention should be made of the Sergeant- Major, John S. MeKee, This officer was the most genial spirit of the regiment, and a universal favorite. He was brave and fearless, and behaved well in the two engage- ments in which the regiment fought, after one of which he received a well-earned pro- motion as Second Lieutenant of Company C-afterwards being made the First Licute- nant of the same company. His promotion was followed by the appointment of Samuel Browne, Jr., as Sergeant-Major, who was also soon afterwards made Second Lieutenant of Company C. This officer behaved well at Chancellorsville, leading and rallying Lis company.
After the promotion of Captain Milner, Lieutenant Paul R. Hambrick was selected to command Company A. He came from the same company of the First New Jersey, and was the best company clerk in either regiment. He led his men with courage at Chancellorsville, and was severely wounded in the onset by buck and ball in the abdo- men, from which he never fully recovered. He served afterwards in the Veteran Re- serve Corps, and for some time was Provost Marshal of the District of Columbia.
Captain Higgins, of Company B, resigned some time in Deeember, 1862, and was suc- ceeded by Samuel E. Brannin, the First Licutenant of the company. On his resigna- tion being accepted he was sueceeded by Edward E. Kirkbride who succeeded Brannin . as First Lieutenant-and who was selected to fill the vacancy in the Captaincy.
Captain Samuel Carr being severely wounded in the foot at Fredericksburg, resigned on account of the disability, and was succeeded by George W. Severs, at first Second, and afterwards First Lieutenant of the company.
Captain Reading Newbold, of Company D, was slightly wounded at Chanecllorsville, but re-joined the regiment in time to be mustered out at Beverly.
Captain Augustus Grobler, of Company E, resigned some time in January 1862, and was succeeded by Harry A. Coursen, a good officer. Captain Coursen came from the Sevent! New Jersey, in which regiment he was a First Lieutenant. Captain Grobler afterwards went out as Second Lieutenant of Company C, Thirty-fourth New Jersey, was ap- pointed First of Company HI, and held several commands of Post-Quartermaster while present with his regiment in Alabama.
Captain Samuel B. Smith was slightly wounded at Chancellorsville-re-joining the regiment at Beverly, New Jersey.
503
THE TWENTY-THIRD REGIMENT.
Here the Colonel (Cox,) was relieved from command, and Lieute- nant.Colonel H. O. Ryerson, of the Second, was placed in charge
Captain Joseph R. Ridgway was a brave and gallant officer, and lost his life at Fred- cricksburg December 13, 1862, just as his military life was commencing. He was wounded by a Minie ball which struck him above the temple, and probably killed him Instantly. He was succeeded by Henry C. Risdon of Company C.
Captain Henry A. McCabe resigned immediately after the battle of Fredericksburg. The vacancy eaused by his resignation was finally filled by Forrester L. Taylor, who was originally a private of Company A, and was the only instance of so rapid promo- tion to be found in the history of the regiment. He was appointed Second Sergeant of his company September 13, 1862, First Sergeant November 19th, Second Lieutenant of Company G, for services at Fredericksburg, December 13th, First Lieutenant of Company D, February 14, 1863, and Captain of Company H, for services at Chancellors- ville-in which action he was mentioned in dispatches for gallant conduct, and has since been awarded the rank of Major, by brevet, United States Volunteers. This officer after- wards was appointed Adjutant on Colonel Grubb's Staff at Post No. 2, Beverly, in August 1863, and was mustercd in as Captain of Company H, Thirty-fourth New Jer- sey Volunteers, serving in that organization until February, 1865.
Captain Burnett of Company I, retained the command of his company until it was. mustered out of the service.
Captain Parmentier being promoted to the Majority was succceded by Lieutenant L. HI. Ashley, and the vacancy was filled by First Sergeant George W. Arbuckle, who after. wards was commissioned in the Third Cavalry.
First Lieutenant Charles Sibley of Company A-and who justly merited promotion to the Captaincy of his company upon the removal of Captain Milner to the field-was one of the most brave and gallant officers in the regiment. His coolness was well dis - played at Fredericksburg where he well earned the promotion denied him. His cool- ness and bravery were equally displayed at Chancellorsville where he laid his life on the altar of his country-the country he loved with his whole heart. He was originally a private of Company B, of the old Fourthi (three monthis') Regiment.
First Lieutenant David R. Newbold of Company D, was taken sick in camp at White Oak Church, Virginia, after the return of the regiment from Fredericksburg, and soon afterwards his death was reported, the vacancy being filled by Second Lieutenant Tay- lor, of Company G.
First Lieutenant Isaac Shinn of Company D, resigned on account of disability, and was succeeded by Second Lieutenant Samuel L. Wright, of Company C.
First Lieutenant James S. Budd, of Company F, though not a superior officer, was a brave and honorable man, who was always prepared to do his duty as lie understoodit. He behaved well at Fredericksburg, in which action he was severely wounded in the foot. He also behaved with distinguished bravery at Chaneellorsville, in which action - he lost his life, at the head of his men. He was greatly liked as a man, and was very quiet and unpretending in his manners.
Second Lieutenant Edward Rigg, of Company A, was promoted to be First Licute- nant of Company G in the latter part of November 1862, the vaeaney in Company A being filled by the appointment of Howard H. Goldsmith, a private of Company B, Third New Jersey, then on duty as clerk at Brigade Headquarters. He did not join the regiment, but was appointed on the staff of General Torbert, and continued on duty at Brigade Headquarters. He was afterwards promoted to First Lieutenancy in the Tenth New Jersey, still filling the position of Staff Officer.
On the resignation of Charles H. McIntyre, Second Lieutenant of Company D, the vacancy was filled by the appointment of Sydney H. MeCarter, a Sergeant of Company B, Second New Jersey. This young officer lost his life and gained an enviable reputa- tion for bravery and daring at Chancellorsville. He was killed while leading his com- pany, after his Captain had been wounded slightly and left the field.
504
NEW JERSEY AND THE REBELLION.
of the regiment. While halting here, and during the week follow- ing, the regiment was weakened by sickness and other causes. Resuming the march on November 1st, the command two days after crossed the Potomac, and pushing forward, on the 9th en- camped near New Baltimore, having during the march suffered greatly from exposure. Here the regiment remained for some time, and was for the most part quite comfortable. While here Major Thompson and Adjutant Winans left the regiment-Lieutenant Perkins, of Company G, being promoted to the place of the latter. General Burnside having assumed command of the army, the brigade on the 16th broke camp and proceeded to Catlett's Station, thence moving to Stafford Court House, where it remained a fort- night, drilling actively in preparation for the struggle which was felt to be imminent. While here, Lieutenant E. Burd Grubb was commissioned Major and joined the regiment, moving with it on the 3d of December in the direction of Falmouth. As the com-
Second Lieutenant Richard J. Wilson, of Company H, was appointed from Compaor B, Second New Jersey, in which regiment he had attraeted the attention of his command- ing officer, then Lieutenant-Colonel Ryerson. He was a quiet, unostentatious, steady officer, and behaved with more than ordinary bravery at Cbaneellorsville, in which action he was wounded three times, twice before he attempted to leave the field. The third time he was struck, he had his leg broken just above the ankle, and was found by lis comrades and carried off the field during the retreat. His company sustained heavier loss than any other in the regiment in this action. He received honorable mention 12 dispatches for gallant conduet, and though he never fully recovered from his-wounds. afterwards served in the Veteran Reserve Corps.
Second Lieutenant Edward L. Dobbins, of Company I, appointed from Quartermaster- Sergeant, and filled that position until the regiment was mustered out. He was appointe ! to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Second Lieutenant William Frazer.
PROMOTIONS FROM THE ENLISTED MEN.
Private F. L. Taylor, of Company A, to be Major by brevet in United States Volunteers. Private Samuel Browne, Jr., of Company A, to be First Lieutenant.
Sergeants George W. Arbuckle, of Company HI, Edward L. Dobbins, of Company 1. William Holernan, of Company I, Benjamin R. Haines, of Company E, Charles II. Southwick, of Company B, Michael F. Smith, of Company B, William C. Stokes, of Company G, to be Second Lieutenants.
Sergeants John F. MeKee, of Company A, Samuel L. Wright, of Company C, ?. be First Lieutenants.
PROMOTIONS FROM OTHER REGIMENTS.
Private II. H. Goldsmith, Company B, Third Regiment, to be Second Lieutenant. Corporal R. J. Wilson, Company B, Second Regiment, to be Second Lieutenant. Sergeant S. H. McCarter, Company B, Second Regiment, to be Seeond Lieutenant. Second Lieutenant E. Burd Grubb, Company C, Third Regiment, to be Colonel. Lieutenant II. A. Coursen, Company I, Seventh Regiment, to be Captain.
First Lieutenant P. R. Hambriek, Company A, First Regiment, to be Captain. Captain Henry O. Ryerson, Company B, Second Regiment, to be Colonel.
505
THE TWENTY-THIRD REGIMENT.
mand approached, on the 10th, the banks of the Rappahannock, the booming of cannon announced the proximity of the enemy; and soon the order came to halt and prepare for action. It was not, however, until the morning of the 12th, that the regiment crossed the river below Fredericksburg, and, forming on the plain, in front of the enemy, moved forward to assail his position. . Ad- vancing in good order, and bravely surmounting the obstacles in its way, the regiment, as it became exposed to the fire of the rebels, was ordered to seek shelter, but this could not easily be obtained, and accordingly, some two hours later, the position was changed, the men finally finding protection for the night in a deep ravine." On the morning of the 13th, after climbing the sides of the protecting bluff, and re-forming on the open plain, the regi- ment was advanced with the brigade, taking position in a corn- field, where it remained until three o'clock in the afternoon, exposed to the fire of the enemy's batteries, but fortunately escaping loss. Towards evening, under orders of General Brooks, the regiment again changed position, with a view of supporting the line already in action, and the left wing soon became engaged. The battle at other parts of the field had now raged furiously for hours. General Bayard had fallen ; Colonel Hatch, of the Fourth Regiment, had been killed; the Fifteenth Regiment had suffered heavy loss, and the wounded in large numbers drifted back from the field ; the Fourth and Fifteenth were being driven-the enemy pressing confidently forward. The six companies of the Twenty- third advancing, lost heavily at every step; but still the right wing was inactive. Where were the officers? Supine, listless, or worse, they left the men to huddle helplessly together, until Major (afterwards Colonel) Grubb, appearing upon the scene, rallied and led them forward to meet the enemy. The latter, however, was
: "Before the desired shelter was reached a piece of shell took effect in the arm of a member of Company A, inflicting a serious wound from which he never fully recor- fred. In this little affair we had an instance of the coolness of Colonel Ryerson. While seated on his horse a solid shot that had nearly spent its force, passed in a line with him, so close that his life was saved only by his throwing himself flat on his horse's neck, and fell with a dull thump in the bluff behind him. He reached down from his saddle without dismounting, recovered his cap, and then sat composedly in his saddle awaiting further orders."-Notes of an officer.
64
506
NEW JERSEY AND THE REBELLION.
prepared for the movement, and at once poured a withering fire into the ranks of the Jerseymen. Presently, as the fight deepened in intensity and spirit, a battery moved up to the left of the line, and opening fire with grape, swept great gaps in the ranks, at first staggering, and then compelling the precipitate withdrawal of the regiment to the original line. The enemy still keeping up his cannonade. the command marched back in the dusk of the evening to its old position in the corn-field, where it remained until relieved on the following day. The total loss of the regiment, in this engagement, was three officers and fifty-seven men killed and wounded. Among the killed was Captain Joseph R. Ridgway, of Company G, and among the wounded Captain Samuel Carr, of Company C, and Lieutenant James S. Budd, of Company F. The regiment was highly commended for its steadiness in action, and the elan with which it advanced, under a heavy fire, to the position assigned it. In fact, it gave proof in this engagement that its materiel was as good as that of any of the regiments with which it was associated, and from that day forward the Twenty-third was admitted into the fullest confidence of the already battle- beaten men of the First Brigade. Two promotions from the ranks date from this action, namely, Sergeant-Major John F. McKee to be Second Licutenant of Company C, and First Sergeant Forrester L. Taylor, the junior First Sergeant of the regiment, to be Second Lieutenant of Company G.
The regiment slept soundly on the field of battle, until relieved. as already stated, on the following morning, when the men were relieved in platoons, and fell back to the shelter of the bluff, where the line was re-formed and marched to the old place of bivouac. Here the command remained until the night of the 15th, when. with the brigade, it re-crossed the river, and on the 16th encampe.i out of reach of the rebel fire-on the 20th reaching White O. Church, and going into winter-quarters.
The winter passed without any event of interest, beyond :: participation in the "Mud March." The hardships of ti. . famous march occasioned the loss of a number of men in this. : " in other regiments, and its effect in other respects was for a tiene
507
THE TWENTY-THIRD REGIMENT.
most depressing.3 But with the accession of General Hooker 10 the supreme command, and the introduction of needed reforms in Te sanitary and commissary departments of the army, confidence was gradually restored, and with the dawn of spring, the Grand Army of the Potomac was again prepared, if not eager, for active operations. Hooker, no less eager to grapple with the foe, late in April ordered a forward movement, and the Twenty-third, with the rest of the brigade, at once moved out from its camp-on the 29th crossing the Rappahannock,4 three miles below Fredericksburg, and taking position in the line of rifle-pits. Here it remained until the morning of the 3d of May, when, the remainder of the corps having crossed, and Sedgwick being urged to advance to the relief of Hooker at Chancellorsville, the whole force advanced to the assault of the Heights held by the enemy. Moving up to the front, the men of the Twenty-third at first lay down on the ground. the artillery playing over their heads, but in a short time, led by the Colonel, moved by the left flank to the extreme left of the position, where they were stationed as a support to the Fifteenth Regiment, which was ordered to deploy as skirmishers on the extreme front. Here, says one who participated in the engagement, the mnen at once became exposed to a shower of missiles, and all
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