USA > New Jersey > New Jersey troops in the Gettysburg campaign from June 5 to July 31, 1863 > Part 16
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21
Wounded-First Sergeant Henry P. Reed ; Privates William L. Carty, Joseph H. Danley, Michael C. Donegan, Samuel McCulloch, George H. Rhubart, Edward Thomas, Charles D. F. Wilkie.
Missing-Privates Clark S. Champion (returned and discharged), John Elliott (died at Annapolis, Maryland, December 9, 1863), William G. Leak (returned and discharged).
COMPANY C.
Killed-Second Lieutenant Richard H. Townsend.
Wounded-Privates Thomas Huttom, Charles Lex, George H. Wood, William S. Woodward.
COMPANY D.
Wounded - Captain James McComb; Privates George W. Crumback, Enos Garrison, Robert Gant
20
306
NEW JERSEY TROOPS
(died at Field Hospital, July 3, 1863), Samuel Green, Samuel L. Latcham.
COMPANY E.
Killed - Captain Charles K. Horsfall; Privates George Anderson, Isaac H. Copeland, James A. Riley.
Wounded-Second Lieutenant Stephen G. Eastwick ; Corporal Thomas E. Prickett; Privates Jacob Asay, Matthew Cavanagh, Francis Haggerty, Joseph Meyers, Seth C. Southard, Charles Sullivan, William Tozer.
COMPANY F.
Killed-Corporal William H. H. Stratton; Privates George W. Adams, John Albright, William H. Johnson.
Wounded-First Lieutenant John J. Trimble; Cor- poral Abel K. Shute (died at Hospital, Baltimore, Maryland, July 31, 1863); Privates Alfred Eastburn, Joseph T. Garwood, John Grice, Joseph Jones, Wil- liam H. Park, James K. Russell.
COMPANY G.
Killed-Privates John Conley, Thomas R. Middle- ton, Thomas J. Rudrow.
Wounded-Sergeant Hiram Smith ; Corporal Charles Mayhew; Privates Edward L. Brick, Isaiah Groff, Thomas M. Harrison, William Herring (died at home, May 20, 1864), Charles D. Husbands, Adam Jordan, John H. Lamar, Aaron Parker, Nathan Parker,
Richard F. Plum.
Missing- Privates Edward H. Pancoast (returned
307
IN THE GETTYSBURG CAMPAIGN.
and discharged April 5, 1865), John L. Severns (returned and transferred to V. R. C., March 31, 1864).
COMPANY H.
Killed-Privates William S. Harker, Daniel Kiernan. Wounded-Sergeants Alfred H. Brick, Clarkson Jen- nings ; Corporals George A. Cobb, Edmund C. Tier ; Privates David H. Atkinson, David Ballinger, Richard Barnes, Isaac A. Dubois, James Lippincott, James Magee, John Neusteal, Samuel L. Seran, James Stretch, Charles String.
Missing-Private William L. Seran (returned and commissioned in One Hundred and Twenty-first United States Colored Troops).
COMPANY I.
Wounded-Captain Henry F. Chew ; Privates Jacob Adams, Richard V. Fithian, John J. Hoffman, James Horner, John Miller (3rd), John W. Niblick.
COMPANY K.
Killed - Privates Simon W. Creamer, Henry S. Sockwell.
Wounded-Privates Daniel H. Carman (died at Field Hospital July 3, 1863), William H. Dickeson, Charles H. Simpkins, Bloomfield Spencer, Samuel Tomlinson.
Missing-Sergeant Aaron Terry (died at Anderson- ville, Georgia, March 24, 1864); Privates Thomas C. Galloway (died at Andersonville, Georgia, August 28, 1864), Theophilus Sutton (died at Andersonville, Georgia, October 28, 1864).
308
NEW JERSEY TROOPS
RECAPITULATION.
Killed. Wounded. Missing.
Total.
Officers
2
4
-
6
Enlisted Men
20
80
9
109
Total
22
84
9
II5
The following figures show the strength of the Twelfth New Jersey Infantry Volunteers on the dates named.
June 30, 1863 :
Officers.
Men.
Total.
For duty
25
507
532
Total present
27
569
596
July 13, 1863 :
For duty
I8
383
401
Total present
22
44I
463
-
-
None of the other New Jersey regiments were engaged in this defense of Cemetery Ridge. The Eleventh with Carr's brigade had been ordered up to the support of the line, but their services were not called in requisition. The First New Jersey Brigade was in reserve occupying a commanding position watching the contest. They were under the orders of General Newton* of the First Corps to whom they
* General John Newton, commanding First Army Corps, to whom the First New Jersey Brigade was sent, reports as to the formation of the line :
" The dawn of day (July 3) found the position of the First Corps as follows : First Division on Culp's Hill; Second Division on Cemetery Hill to support the Eleventh or Second Army Corps ; the Third Division on the left centre adjoining Hancock. Between the left of the Third Division and Sykes on the left-an interval of half a mile-there
309
IN THE GETTYSBURG CAMPAIGN.
had been sent as a reinforcement and ready for any service.
The exhausted regiments of the Second New Jersey Brigade were in reserve in rear of Caldwell's division, and Clark's battery ("B" First New Jersey Artillery) did not become engaged. The Thirteenth Regiment lay in line of battle in McAllister's woods, and at five o'clock with the One Hundred and Seventh New York and two other regiments, all under command of Colonel Carman of the Thirteenth proceeded at a rapid pace to Rummel's farm to support Gregg's cavalry in the fierce conflict there going on. With the brilliant services of the First New Jersey Cavalry in the contest with Stuart's proud horsemen, New Jer- sey's record in the glories achieved on that historic field will be completed.
On the second of July Pleasonton so distributed his cavalry that Sickles was left dependent wholly upon his own skirmish line for a knowledge of what was going on upon his flank. Fortunately on the third Kilpatrick took up position on the Union left with the brigades of Farnsworth and Merritt, and moved
were no troops in position. I reported this fact to General Meade, who authorized me to go to General Sedgwick and obtain troops from him. While proceeding on this mission I encountered Caldwell's division of the Second Corps, which I put in position on the left of the Third Division, First Corps. General Sedgwick could only spare me the First New Jersey Brigade, General Torbert, which was placed in position on the left of Caldwell." General Newton also highly compliments Lieutenant H. W. Jackson of the Fourth New Jersey, who was acting aide-de-camp on his staff.
310
NEW JERSEY TROOPS
toward the Emmetsburg road, on which the Con- federate trains were moving. This demonstration commanded the attention of Law, who succeeded Hood in command of his division, and he despatched Robertson's brigade to intercept the movement. Farnsworth charged the rebel infantry with great bold-
BESTAN
NADILL
CARR
BARKSDALE'S BRIGADE AS SKIRMISHERS
-
--
DETROBRIAN
1
DANIELE
- IN .. 11
PERRY
WILCOX
il
BURLING ( 2)
CARR
BREW STER
TROSTLE
SNI
TOR BERT
LINGO
BUT
SENSI
MADIL
NEW JERSEY REGTS MARKED ZZS
1
BERON
JULY 3, 1863.
ness, but the nature of the country with its numerous fences furnished so many obstacles that he was driven to bay, and suffered heavy loss. Farnsworth was killed. Merritt on the Emmetsburg road encountered Anderson's brigade, and he was also repulsed. The cavalry was then re-united and posted to closely watch the further movements of the enemy. This by-play
100 0
. JUNJ.BRI
TANEYTOWN ROAD.
HUMPHREY S.
BUCK &BALL CALIBRE 69"
TWD CHARGES WERE MADE BY THIS REGIMENTION BUISS BARN
GAIMTUR
BUCK PB
2ND BRIG
MONUMENT 12TH REGT. N. J. VOLS., INF.
312
NEW JERSEY TROOPS
was productive of one good result. It called from Lee's army two brigades of infantry that otherwise could have been of service in strengthening Pickett when the attack upon the Union centre was ordered.
Stuart after receiving his instructions from Lee on the afternoon of July I, ordered the concentration of all his cavalry on the right of the Union army. Lee's confidence in a victorious assault upon Meade's line is clearly shown in the orders he gave to Stuart which were to get around the Federal right, and take posi- tion so as to strike their column in flank, in the event of their retiring by way of Westminster. Stuart's movement was discovered by General Howard who reported to Meade that the enemy's cavalry in strong force was moving to the right of the Federal line, and General Gregg started with his cavalry to meet him. The disposition by Stuart of his troopers was such that Gregg saw his intentions, and posting the First New Jersey Cavalry as mounted skirmishers to the right and front in a wood, near the Bonaughtown road, the Third Pennsylvania was deployed as dis- mounted skirmishers to the left and front in the open fields, and the First Maryland on the Hanover turnpike to protect the right of his line. Stuart's force was much larger than Gregg's, and he advanced in strong force upon the latter. The firing of the skirmishers grew in volume like that of a line of battle, and both sides brought their artillery into play. Finally the rebel horsemen mounted for the charge appeared, and they galloped briskly forward, being met by the
313
IN THE GETTYSBURG CAMPAIGN.
Seventh Michigan who were driven back. The First Michigan in turn charged the victorious enemy and drove them back to their original position. Charges and counter-charges were made the enemy in every instance being foiled, and as they withdrew from the field to their left, the First New Jersey, posted in the wood, gallantly and successfully charged the flank of the column, driving them from the field. Chaplain Pyne relates the following incident which occurred during the fight :
"Sent forward as a forlorn hope, to give time for the rest of the division to come up with unblown horses, this little band of one hundred and fifty men, by their undaunted bearing and steady fire, staggered the troops that by a single charge could have ridden over them. Refusing to dismount in spite of the storm of bullets constantly whistling over our men, Janeway rode from end to end of his line of skirmish- ers, encouraging, warning and directing its every portion-showing here as on many another field a coolness and bravery that made him a marked man among men. Advancing from point to point, heralding each charge by a cheer which shook the enemy worse than the bullets of their carbines, for more than a hun- dred yards the First Jersey pushed their little line ; and at last, with ammunition exhausted, they still held their ground facing the rebels with their revolvers. Then Janeway rode back to the reserve and reported to Major Beaumont the condition of his men, requesting ammunition and reinforcements. At
314
NEW JERSEY TROOPS
Major Beaumont's request, Colonel McIntosh ordered another regiment to take the place of the First Jersey. That regiment halted a hundred yards to the rear of the line where the Jerseymen were stationed, and would not advance any further, while the latter resisted every effort to move them back. Presently Colonel McIntosh rode up to Major Beaumont saying, ' Major, where is your regiment?' 'On the skirmish line, sir !' 'But I ordered them to be relieved.' 'The other regiment cannot be got to relieve them !' 'I will see about that,' said the Colonel; 'recall your men !' I have recalled them,' replied the Major, 'and they won't come.' Even Colonel McIntosh failed to get the relieving regiment up through the tremendous fire to the position of the First Jersey ; old soldiers as they were they could not calmly face it. At length, however, the Third Pennsylvania came upon the line, and the First Jersey was at liberty to retire from the action. But no! they sought every method to avoid falling back. Borrowing ammunition from the Penn- sylvanians, they kept their boldly won position, and cheering like mad, defied the efforts of the enemy- only a handful retiring, casting reluctant looks behind as they went."
The charge by the New Jersey Cavalry-which the historian of the regiment strangely omits all mention of-was one of the most brilliant and effective exploits during the day. General Gregg, commanding the division, and General Pleasanton, of the Cavalry Corps, both speak of it in their reports. There is no
315
IN THE GETTYSBURG CAMPAIGN.
official report from the officers of the regiment of its services at Gettysburg, and none by the commander of the brigade previous to July 4. The regiment sus- tained a loss of 7 men wounded during the battle.
About eleven o'clock at night the brigade of infantry from the Twelfth Corps under command of Colonel Carman, appeared on the Hanover road, but their aid was not required. The battle was over. Lee had been defeated at every point, and sorrowfully he pre- pared for the southward march, his men never more to appear on Northern soil, except as men of peace, and all American citizens under one flag and one govern- ment.
The total casualties in New Jersey Regiments during the two days they were engaged are given in the fol- lowing table :
OFFICERS.
ENLISTED MEN.
Killed.
Wounded.
Total.
Killed.
Wounded.
Misssing.
Aggregate.
Total present for duty June 30.
Per centage of loss,
First New Jersey Cavalry
7
7
7
234
3
First New Jersey Artillery Bat. A
2
7
9
9
II6
8
First New Jersey Artillery Bat. B.
2
I5
3
20
20
143
14
Fifth New Jersey Infantry
2
5
7
IO
61
I6
87
94
22I
42
Sixth New Jersey Infantry.
3
3
I
29
8
38
4I|
246
17
Seventh New Jersey Infantry
I
9
IO
14
77
I2
IO3
II3
331
34
Eighth New Jersey Infantry
7
7
8
33
I
42
49
198
24
Eleventh New Jersey Infantry
3
IO
I3
20
II3
7
140
I53
275
55
Twelfth New Jersey Infantry.
2
4
6
20
80
9
109
II5
532
2I
Thirteenth New Jersey Infantry
3
3
I
I7
I8
21
360
6
Total
8
4I
49
78
439
56
573
622
2656
22
Total.
The First New Jersey Brigade though not at any time engaged in the battle sustained a few losses from stray bullets and shells, and its detailed skirmishers
316
NEW JERSEY TROOPS
also suffered somewhat. On the march back to Virginia there were several skirmishes with the enemy, the total casualties in the several regiments being reported on July 18th as follows :
SECOND REGIMENT NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS.
Wounded-July 3d, 1863, at Gettysburg-Sergeant William Duffy, Company C; Charles Lenz, Gottfried Schraitman, William Krauss, Frederick Imhaff, Com- pany D; Wallingsen Van Houten, Company I. On skirmish line near Hagerstown, July 11, 1863-Second Lieutenant Johan J. G. Schmaltz, Corporal Ernest Fischer. Total 8 wounded.
THIRD REGIMENT NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS.
Killed-Corporal Daniel Schuh, Company H, July 5, 1863, near Fairfield, Pa.
Wounded-Captain John Frantz, Company B, July 12, 1863, near Funkstown, Md .; John C. Martin, Com- pany E, and Corporal Matthew H. Ivory, Company H, both on July 3, near Gettysburg.
Total-I killed, 3 wounded.
FIFTEENTH REGIMENT NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS.
Wounded-At Gettysburg, July 3-Isaac Cathrell, Company A (died July 13th) ; Jacob B. Hendershot, Company B; John C. Conklin, Company K; near Funkstown, July 12-Jacob O. Burdett and John Ackerson, Company D. Total, 5 wounded.
Total losses for the First New Jersey Brigade- killed, I ; wounded, 16.
CHAPTER XV.
AFTER THE BATTLE-SCENES ON THE FIELD-THE
CARE OF THE WOUNDED-EFFECT OF GENERAL MEADE'S ORDER SENDING ALL WAGONS TO THE REAR-PROMPT AND EFFECTIVE SERVICE AT THE TWELFTH CORPS HOSPITAL-RETREAT OF LEE'S ARMY AND THE PURSUIT.
T T HE battle of Gettysburg was a complete and decisive victory for the Federal army. The news of Lee's defeat was flashed across the con- tinent the next morning-July 4th -- and a few hours later a dispatch from General Grant announcing the capitulation of Vicksburg, filled the whole North with rejoicing. Bells were rung, salutes fired, enthusiastic greetings exchanged, public meetings held, and it is safe to say that never before was there such a cele- bration of the Nation's birthday as that of July 4th, 1863.
The scenes on the field of battle defy description. Beginning on the right of the Union line, the dead bodies of the enemy which lined Culp's Hill from its summit to the banks of Rock Creek presented a harrowing sight. They were so close together that it was impossible to walk over the ground without care- fully selecting a spot for each step, and the broken
318
NEW JERSEY TROOPS
muskets, straps, belts, clothing and implements of war- fare which go to make up the debris of a battle-field, presented a demoralizing spectacle. Behind the rocks and trees along the creek, and in the stone house from which the enemy's sharpshooters did such effective work in the ranks of the Thirteenth New Jersey and Twenty-seventh Indiana regiments, the dead bodies of several rebels were found, showing that the fire from these regiments had done severe execution. The rebel battery on Benner's Hill had met with disaster. The dead bodies of the horses which were killed by the fire of the batteries on Cemetery Hill, lay where they fell, while the newly-made graves to the rear marked the last resting places of the brave men who manned the guns. Two disabled caissons remained, further evidences of the destructive and accurate fire of the Union batteries. In front of the ridge which connects Culp with Cemetery Hill, where the Louisiana Tigers made their heroic but fatal charge similar scenes were witnessed, but across the open country in front of the line of the Second and Third Corps, the sights beggared description. Dead and bloated horses, the disfigured bodies of hundreds of brave soldiers, abandoned material of every kind con- ceivable met the eye in all directions. Along Sickles' angle, in the Peach Orchard and beyond, over the wheat-field and among the rocks of the Devil's Den, blue bodies and gray were intermingled. Under the porches-and even under the houses themselves- wounded men had crawled to escape the dreadful hail
3 NEW JERSEY VOLS
BARTLETT & CONY
320
NEW JERSEY TROOPS
of leaden missiles, only to die of neglect. It was such a sight as only the destroying angel could reproduce, and it told of the horrors of war, as only a battle-field can tell it. But these mortifying bodies could not be permitted to remain. Details of men, with shovels and picks were seen moving over the field. Wide trenches were at first dug and the dead placed side by side and covered up, a board with the number of bodies buried, being placed at the head of the mound. In the case of Union men who were buried by details from their own regiments, the board would be marked with the name and company of the dead soldier, but it happened in many cases that the dead of one regiment were buried by details from other regiments, and thus came about the long list of " Unknown" dead, whose bodies were afterward transferred to the National Cemetery. The number of bodies to be buried was so large that trenches could not be dug for all, and as a matter of sanitary policy, it became necessary to simply cover them where they lay with earth, and in that manner hundreds were disposed of.
The care of the wounded was however the most important duty. The Medical Director of the army had made ample and complete arrangements for the establishment of field hospitals, but the trains with the necessary supplies were not permitted to come nearer the battle-field than Taneytown, and on July 2d all trains were ordered by General Meade still farther to the rear-to Westminster-twenty-five miles from the
321
IN THE GETTYSBURG CAMPAIGN.
battle-field. * The effect of this order was to deprive the Medical Department of the means for taking proper care of the wounded until the result of the engagement of the second and third days of July was fully known. In most of the corps the wagons exclus- ively used for medicines moved with the ambulances, so that the medical officers had a sufficient supply of dressings, chloroform, and such articles until the wagons could come up, but the tents and other appli- ances were not available until July 5th, and though this was a disobedience of orders, yet it produced such excellent results that the Medical Director of the army quotes approvingly from the report of Medical Director McNulty of the Twelfth Corps, who says : "It is with extreme satisfaction that I can assure you that it enabled me to remove the wounded from the field, shelter, feed them, and dress their wounds within six hours after the battle ended, and to have every capital operation performed within twenty-four hours after the injury was received." Medical Director Letterman says of this: "I can, I think, safely say that such would have been the result in other corps had the same facilities been allowed-a result not to have been surpassed, if equaled, in any battle of magnitude that has ever taken place."
The following interesting account of the hospital work of the Twelfth Corps, is from one of the promi- nent surgeons of the First Division :
* Report of Jonathan A. Letterman, Medical Director.
21
322
NEW JERSEY TROOPS
" The Twelfth Corps Field Hospital was first located in the rear of Power's Hill, but after being shelled out on the afternoon of July second was permanently located (by Surgeon J. McNulty, medical director of the corps, and Surgeon A. Chapel, chief medical officer of the First Division), on a farm owned, I think, by G. Bushman, situated or lying on Rock Creek, near a cross road running from the Baltimore pike to the Taneytown road, some two or two and one-half miles from the town of Gettysburg. The farm house was used as a dining place for the surgeons and attendants, and the female portion of the farmer's family were kept busy in the preparation and serving of food. The large barn was utilized for shelter for as many of the wounded as it would hold, and hospital tents were put up in rows on each side of an imaginary street running up in the field north from the barn. The tents on the west side of the street were alloted to the Second Division, and those on the east side to the First Division. Surgeon H. E. Goodman, Twenty- eighth Pennsylvania, was placed in charge of the Second Division, and Surgeon J: J. H. Love, Thir- teenth New Jersey Volunteers, had the care of the First Division. In the First Division the chief opera- tors were Surgeons W. C. Rodgers, Forty-sixth Penn- sylvania; W. C. Burnett, Fifth Connecticut, and W.
H. Twiford, Twenty-seventh Indiana. While in the Second Division Surgeons J. A. Ball, Fifth Ohio ; A. K. Fifield, Seventh Ohio, and E. L. Dunn, One Hun- dred and Ninth Pennsylvania, were assigned to similar
-
JOHN J. H. LOVE, Surgeon-in-Chief 3d Brigade, Ist Division, 12th Corps. Surgeon 13th Regiment, N. J. Vols., Inf. (From a War-Time Photograph.)
٠
325
IN THE GETTYSBURG CAMPAIGN.
duty. To keep the records, provide shelter and food was assigned to Surgeons R. T. Paine, Twenty-eighth New York; J. A. Freeman, Thirteenth New Jersey ; Geo. W. Burke, Forty-sixth Pennsylvania ; E. L. Bes- sell, Fifth Connecticut; W. T. Tibbals, Fifth Ohio, and C. H. Lord, One Hundred and Seventh New York.
" During the evening of July second the wounded began to arrive, and all that night and the next day until afternoon late the ambulances were constantly bringing in loads of wounded men. First Lieuten- ant George M. Hard, Thirteenth New Jersey Volun- teers, had charge of the ambulance train of the First Division. My records state that about six hun- dred (600) wounded were brought to the hospital. These were sheltered, their wounds dressed, all necessary operations performed, and everything fixed up in good condition by Sunday afternoon, July fourth. Then the army having left the vicinity, Surgeon H. E. Goodman with twelve assistant surgeons and the necessary number of hospital stew- ards and nurses were detailed to take charge of the hospital, and the balance of the surgeons mount- ing their horses took a hasty gallop over the battle- field and rejoined their respective commands late that night at Littlestown, Pennsylvania. Surgeon Freeman and Hospital Steward Albert Delano, of the Thirteenth New Jersey Volunteers, were among those left behind to assist in caring for the wounded.
"The facility and despatch shown by the surgeons of the Twelfth Corps in caring for their wounded at this
326
NEW JERSEY TROOPS
battle, was the result of a disobedience of or a neglect to obey an order issued by General Meade on July first, reducing the medical transportation and sending all trains, except ammunition wagons and ambulances, to the rear, somewhere between Union Mills and West- minster. The medical department of the Twelfth Corps had its full allowance of supplies on hand ready for use, and was the only corps in the Army of the Potomac that had.
"During the memorable cannonade on the afternoon of July third, the surgeons and attendants became so excited that all, for a time, left their work and crowded the top of a knoll in rear of the hospital, from which a view could be had toward our line of battle. The roar was terrific; the ground under us trembled; all knew that the great crisis in the history of the Army of the Potomac and that of Northern Virginia had come; that one or the other must conquer or be defeated, and all understood what the consequences would be in either event. The bursting shell comes nearer. Look! there falls one in the field across the road from us. The roar increases. The shell rain on that ploughed field, hurling its loose dirt in great masses skyward. The enemy must be driving our troops, or else secured a more favorable position for one of their batteries. See, there! the Second Corps Hospital, between us and Little Round Top, is under fire, and they must move, and that quickly. Men, wounded and otherwise, ambulances, hospital wagons, mules, led horses, servants, surgeons, all come hurrying
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.