USA > New Jersey > New Jersey troops in the Gettysburg campaign from June 5 to July 31, 1863 > Part 19
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On being mustered out of the service he retired to his home in Milford, Del., but had been scarcely three years in private life when President Grant appointed him United States Minister to the Central American States. Two years later he was sent to Havana as consul-general, and thence to Paris in the same capacity. He entered upon his duties in the French capital in the latter part of 1873, and held the office till May, 1878. On August 25, 1880, General Torbert sailed from New York city in the Havana steamship "City of Vera Cruz," and was drowned in the foundering of that vessel off the Florida coast on Sunday morning following (29th). His body was washed ashore, and recovered and reverently buried by some of the saved seamen who were attracted by his handsome appearance and stalwart figure. It was subsequently disinterred and and brought north under a military escort detailed by the Secretary of War.
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COLONEL SAMUEL L. BUCK.
Colonel Samuel L. Buck, who commanded the Second Regiment New Jersey Volunteers at Gettysburg, was born of revolutionary stock at Bethel, Vt., June 8, 1820. In infancy he was taken to Montreal, Province of Quebec, and at the breaking out of the first Canadian rebellion enlisted in the Montreal Rifle Battalion which was detailed for garrison duty during the absence of the regular troops. A short time after this he was living in the city of New York, and in the year 1838 enlisted in the Sixth Regiment National Guard of New York. From there Colonel Buck removed to Newark, N. J., and his love of military life caused him in 1850 to join the "Union Blues," which was afterward incorporated with the Newark City Battalion, New Jersey State Militia, and was com- missioned first lieutenant and adjutant.
In response to the call for seventy-five thousand three months' men about sixty or seventy men of the City Battalion organized at once and elected Adjutant Buck captain. Active measures were taken to organize a regi- ment, which was speedily effected, and at the election for field officers Captain Buck was elected major. Mustered in the United States service at Trenton as the Second Regiment New Jersey Volunteers, it was ordered to Wash- ington, D. C. After a week or more delay in Washington the regiment was ordered to report to General Runyon at Alexandria, Va. Shortly after the first Bull Run battle the regiment was brigaded with the First and Third regi- ments under General Kearny as the First New Jersey Brigade. On the 3Ist of December, 1861, Colonel McLean resigned and Major Buck was promoted lieutenant-colo- nel. At the battle of Gaines' Mills (or Farms) Colonel Tucker was killed and Major Ryerson wounded and
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captured. From that time up to and after the battle of Antietam Lieutenant-Colonel Buck was the only field officer in the regiment. At New Baltimore, Md., July 1, 1862, he received his commission as colonel. At the battle of Salem Heights, while in command of the brigade, Colonel Buck had his shoulder dislocated by his horse falling under him, and being ordered to Washington for medical treatment was placed on court-martial duty, where the second invasion of Maryland found him. By special order of the Secretary of War Colonel Buck was granted leave to join his regiment, which he did and con- tinued with it to the close of the campaign, when he returned to Washington for medical treatment. During the Wilderness campaign under General Grant until the regiment reached White House Colonel Buck commanded the regiment. As the three years for which it enlisted had expired some time previous to this the regiment was ordered home for muster out, and on July 21, 1864, Colonel Buck received his honorable discharge.
COLONEL HENRY W. BROWN.
Colonel Henry W. Brown of the Third Regiment, is a native of Boston, Mass., and at the beginning of the Civil War, resided in Philadelphia. He was engaged in recruit- ing a company in that city and was invited to take charge of a full company in Woodbury, N. J., which he accepted, turning over his Philadelphia men to H. G. Sickell, who was at that time organizing a company in Philadelphia. On the 29th day of April he received his commission as captain of Company A, Third New Jersey Regiment and was mustered in May 22, 1861. On the 3Ist of the same month he was promoted lieutenant-colonel of the regiment and on May 15, 1862, was promoted colonel to succeed Colonel Taylor, who had been promoted brigadier-gen-
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eral. Colonel Brown served faithfully with his regiment and performed distinguished and gallant services. At Salem Heights, Va., on May 3, 1863, he was wounded, while commanding the brigade, and again at Spottsyl- vania, Va., on May 12, 1864, he was severely injured by a shot from the enemy. Colonel Brown remained in the service until the close of the war and was mustered out at Trenton, June 23, 1864.
LIEUTENANT-COLONEL CHARLES EWING.
Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Ewing was born in the city of Trenton, N. J., Sunday, June 6, 1841. He was the son of Francis A. Ewing, M. D., and grandson of the Chief Justice of New Jersey whose name he bore. In August, 1859, he sailed as master's mate in the United States Steamer Sumter for the African Coast, and on that station was transferred to the United States Frigate San Jacinto. He was sent home (to Norfolk, Va.) as one of the officers in charge of a slaver captured by the latter vessel, arriving in January, 1861, just before the outbreak of the rebellion. In April of that year he went out as ensign of Company A, Third Regiment, under the President's call for three months' troops, being then not quite twenty years of age. On their return in July he went to recruiting for the Sixth Regiment New Jersey Volunteers, three years' troops, and on September 9, 1861, was commissioned captain of Company B. He served with this regiment until January 8, 1863, when he was promoted major and transferred to the Fourth Regiment New Jersey Volunteers. He was in command of this regiment during the Gettysburg campaign and on Sep- tember 11, 1863, was commissioned lieutenant-colonel. Colonel Ewing was constantly in service in the field, and was several times wounded, once at Second Bull Run,
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again at Fredericksburg Heights, and again while on picket duty. At the expiration of the term of service of the regiment, they reënlisted for the war and Colonel Ewing went with them. At Spottsylvania Court House he received a serious and nearly fatal wound, being shot through the body, which kept him an invalid for a long time and finally caused his honorable discharge. He regained ordinary health, but never fully recovered from the effects of his wound. Colonel Ewing died in Trenton March 14, 1872, in the thirty-first year of his age.
BREVET MAJOR-GENERAL WILLIAM J. SEWELL.
In the list of casualties at Gettysburg, every field officer of the five New Jersey regiments engaged on the second of July-except in the case of Lieutenant-Colonel Gilkyson of the Sixth Regiment-was wounded, some of them mortally. On this roll of honor appears the name of Colonel William J. Sewell, of the Fifth New Jersey. Colonel Sewell was born in Ireland in 1835, and coming to the United States at an early age, developed a strong love for his adopted country as he advanced in years. When the call for troops to serve for three years was issued, Sewell recruited a company for the Fifth New Jersey Volunteers, and on the 28th of August, 1861, received his commission as Captain of Company C. On the 7th of July, 1862, he was promoted to be lieutenant-colonel of the regiment, and on the recalling of Colonel Starr, to his post in the regular army, Sewell was on October 21, 1862, com- missioned Colonel of the Fifth Regiment. In all the trying emergencies of army life Sewell was never found wanting. Always watchful for the interests of his men he exacted from them a faithful performance of duty, and so well did each come to know the other that the regiment was noted for its steadiness and bravery under the most
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trying circumstances. This faculty, possessed by few men, exhibited itself most conspicuously at the battle of Chancellorsville, when Sewell led the whole brigade into a charge, and accomplished a signal and valuable service. The brigade, under General Mott, had heroically defended its position on the Plank road against superior numbers of the enemy. General Mott was wounded, and Colonel Sewell assumed command. The men were exhausted from their severe labors, and had expended almost all their ammunition. As no relief came to them they withdrew. The enemy at this time grew bold in the prospect of victory, and taking possession of some works which had been thrown up for the protection of artillery, they defiantly opened fire upon the Federal lines. Colonel Sewell seeing the importance of retaking the position gallantly led the brigade to the charge and drove the rebels from the works. But that fatality which seemed to accompany every daring movement at Chancellorsville, was experienced by Sewell -- the brigade was not supported and the brave Jerseymen were compelled to fall back exposed to a terrible fire and suffering great loss.
Colonel Sewell's wounds at Gettysburg were severe, and prevented his doing active service in the field for some time. He recovered, however, but during the Wilderness campaign he was prostrated by exposure. On the second of July, 1864, he resigned owing to ill-health, but in September following he accepted the colonelcy of the Thirty-eighth Regiment and remained with it until its term of service expired-October, 1864. He was brevetted brigadier-general for gallantry and distinguished services at Chancellorsville, and major-general of United States Volunteers, for meritorious services during the war.
At the time of the railroad strikes in 1877 General Sewell was appointed by Governor Parker provisional commander
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of the State forces at Phillipsburg, and to his well-known reputation for military ability and personal bravery, is largely due the subsidence of the trouble.
In public affairs General Sewell has occupied a promi- nent place. He represented Camden county in the State Senate for three successive terms, and in 1880 was president of that body. He was elected to the United States Senate in 1881, succeeding ex-Governor Theodore F. Randolph, and served until March 4, 1887, when his term expired.
BRIGADIER-GENERAL GEORGE C. BURLING.
General George C. Burling, the commander of the Second New Jersey Brigade, which did such heroic service on the second day of July at Gettysburg, was born on the 17th day of February, 1834, in Burlington county, New Jersey, a few miles from the city of Burlington. He was reared on his father's farm and educated at a private school conducted by Mr. Aaron at Norristown, Mont- gomery county, Pa. He entered into business life in Burlington at an early age, and at the breaking out of the war was engaged in the retail coal business. He was a public-spirited young man and identified himself with various measures in which his neighbors and friends were interested, being at this time captain of the "Marion Rifles" of Burlington-Company K, Fourth New Jersey Militia. He promptly offered his services with his com- pany to Governor Olden, and was accepted and mustered in for three months' service on the 27th of April, 1861. On their return home and muster out in July, 1861, Captain Burling immediately recruited his original command, and with it, a company of over one hundred men, was mustered in for three years' service on September 9, 1861, and was designated as Company F, Sixth Regiment New Jersey
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Volunteers. On March 19, 1862, he was promoted major and on May 7, 1862, received his commission as lieutenant- colonel. On the promotion of Colonel Mott to brigadier- general of United States Volunteers, Burling was promoted colonel of the Sixth Regiment, and, as the senior officer, commanded the brigade at Gettysburg, a position he held until October of the same year, when ill-health caused him to relinquish it, and compelled him to resign on March 4, 1864. . He was brevetted brigadier-general on March 13, 1865.
On the 15th of October, 1862, while colonel commanding the Sixth New Jersey Volunteers, Colonel Burling married Miss' J. T. Reckless of Abingdon township, Montgomery county, Pa. (formerly of Philadelphia), and their wedding tour extended to Colonel Burling's headquarters at Alex- andria, Va., where the bride remained until the command was ordered away. After the close of the war, with his health greatly broken he went with his family to reside on a farm near Byberry (Twenty-third ward of Philadelphia). Subsequently he became connected with the Pennsylvania Railroad, at their main office, Fourth street below Walnut, Philadelphia. General Burling died at his residence 1842 North Eighteenth street, Philadelphia, on December 24, 1885, from a pulmonary cancer, the result of a contused wound received at the battle of Chancellorsville. He had been wounded twice previous to this-at Williamsburg, May 5, 1863, and at Second Bull Run, August 29-30.
COLONEL LOUIS R. FRANCINE.
Colonel Louis R. Francine, of the Seventh Regiment New Jersey Volunteers, was born, one account says, at Dillerville, Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, March 26, 1838. Another account says he was born in Philadelphia in 1839. He was by profession a civil engineer, graduated
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from the Polytechnic College at Philadelphia in 1855, then went to Europe in 1856 and was graduated from the L'Ecole Polytechnique at Paris. At the outbreak of hostilities Francine was about entering upon the prac- tice of his profession, but when the call for three year troops was issued he recruited Company A of the Seventh Regiment and was commissioned its captain on September 18, 1861. He was senior captain and acted as field officer during the greater part of the Peninsula campaign. July 8, 1862, he was promoted lieutenant-colonel, and on December 9th of the same year was commissioned colonel, succeeding Colonel Revere who had been promoted brigadier-general United States Volunteers. Colonel Francine was a brave and fearless officer and was engaged in rallying his men when he received the wound at Gettys- burg from the effects of which he died on July 16, 1863. He was buried from one of the churches in Philadelphia with military honors, Major-General A. A. Pleasonton commanding the funeral escort. His remains are interred at Laurel Hill Cemetery. For his gallant services at Gettysburg Colonel Francine was brevetted brigadier- general of volunteers on July 2, 1863.
BREVET MAJOR-GENERAL JOHN RAMSEY.
General John Ramsey, who commanded the Eighth Regiment New Jersey Volunteers at Gettysburg and was wounded there, was one of the young soldiers of the army, and became noted for his daring and energy. He was born in the city of New York October 7, 1838, and was in his twenty-third year when hostilities began. On the 17th of April, 1861, he enlisted in Company G, Second Regi- ment New Jersey Volunteers for three months, as a private, and was subsequently elected first-lieutenant by his com- pany, being mustered in April 25th. . On the election
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of Captain H. M. Baker to the colonelcy Ramsey was made captain on May 1, 1861. He was mustered out with his regiment at the expiration of its term of service, July 31, 1861. The command participated in no battles and Ramsey, who had little relish for that sort of soldiering, reentered the service on August 17, 1861, as captain of Company B, Fifth Regiment New Jersey Volunteers, and remained in the army until the war was fought out, being mustered out July 17, 1865. On the 7th of May, 1862, he was promoted major of the Fifth for distinguished gal- lantry at the battle of Williamsburg, and on October 21, 1862, was commissioned lieutenant-colonel of his regiment. In April, 1863, he was promoted Colonel of the Eighth Regiment.
Colonel Ramsey took an active part in all the campaigns of the Army of the Potomac, from the Peninsula, under McClellan, to the surrender of Lee at Appomattox on April 9, 1865-on which day his command formed part of the advance line. The only important battle in which he was not a participant was Antietam, caused by the deten- tion of the Third Corps in the vicinity of Washington after the defeat of Pope at the second battle of Bull Run This corps had been sent from Harrison's Landing to join Pope at Warrenton with all possible despatch, and reached there only to be ordered back. On the way back to Centreville they engaged the enemy in numerous skirm- ishes, and receiving orders to proceed to the front again encountered Jackson at Bristoe, whom they compelled to retire, and reached Pope a day or two before the second battle of Bull Run, in which Ramsey's command took part, as also in the battle of Chantilly. The Third Corps- then proceeded to Alexandria, and the Second New Jersey Brigade was ordered to move, in light marching order. To make all possible speed in reaching their destination, their
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effects were put on board the cars, and these being burned, all was lost. The men were used up, many of them with- out shoes, and other articles of clothing, and were in no condition for the Maryland campaign, which they were thus prevented participating in. For distinguished services in the campaign before Richmond, Colonel Ram- sey was brevetted brigadier-general and by a special order of President Lincoln, he was assigned to duty with that rank. On June 5, 1864, General Ramsey was assigned to the command of the Second Brigade, Second Division, Second Army Corps, known as the Corcoran Legion, and was one of the commands that was ordered to attack Petersburg on the night of June 16, 1864, in which engage- ment General Ramsey was wounded. When able for duty he was given the command of the First Brigade, First Division, Second Army Corps, and remained with it until he assumed command of the First Division, Second Army Corps. General Ramsey was five times wounded- at Second Bull Run, Chancellorsville, Wilderness, Gettys- burg and Petersburg. On March 13, 1865, he was brevetted major-general of United States Volunteers for gallant and meritorious services during the war ..
MAJOR-GENERAL ROBERT McALLISTER.
The subject of this sketch was born in Juniata county, Pennsylvania, on June 1, 18:3, in which State he spent the early years of his life, but his war record belongs to New Jersey, with whose troops he served during the con-' tinuance of the conflict. He was one of the very first to take up arms in defence of the Union, and he was present in the field when General Lee surrendered at Appomattox. When the First Regiment, three years' volunteers, was being recruited, McAllister was, on May 21, 1861, com- missioned its lieutenant-colonel, and with it proceeded to
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the Capital. He was a quiet, steady, fearless man, of even temperament and thoroughly self-possessed. Lieu- tenant-Colonel McAllister remained with the First New Jersey Regiment until June 30, 1862, when he was com- missioned colonel of the Eleventh New Jersey Regiment, then being recruited. This regiment was mustered into the United States service August 18, 1862, and was assigned to the First Brigade, Second Division, Third Army Corps. At Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville Colonel McAllister displayed marked heroism. At Gettys- burg he was wounded during the second day's fighting in the left leg with a minié ball, and in the right foot with a fragment of shell. For three months he was unable to take, the field, but with this exception he served continu- ously through the war, from the first battle of Bull Run to the surrender of Lee at Appomattox. Colonel McAllister was brevetted brigadier-general for his glorious behavior at the first " Bull Pen," as the tremendous fight on Boyd- ton Plank road, October 27, 1864, was styled, and major- general for meritorious conduct throughout the war. Since the war he has been engaged as general manager of the Ironton Railroad Company, in mining and shipping ore to the furnaces in Lehigh Valley.
LIEUTENANT-COLONEL JOHN SCHOONOVER.
John Schoonover was born at Bushkill, Pa., August 12, 1839. He received his education from the common schools of his native place, and the instructions of the Rev. J. K. Davis, of Smithville, Pa. At the age of sixteen he began the work of teaching and preparation for college. The outbreak of the rebellion found him thus employed at Oxford, Warren county, N. J. Soon after the proclama- tion of President Lincoln calling for seventy-five thousand men to serve for three months, Schoonover joined a com-
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pany raised by Captain Campbell at Belvidere. The company reported at Trenton, but so quickly had the State's quota been filled-the four regiments being com- pleted in seven days- that they reached the Capital too late for acceptance. As the company was about to return to Belvidere, Captain Campbell stepped to the front and asked all who were willing to go with him for three years to do likewise; but seven responded-Schoonover being one of the seven-the number of three year patriots being so small all returned to their homes. But Schoonover's patriotism was not of the kind that could rest content with the acquisition of such laurels as these, and we soon find him again at Trenton as a private in Company D (Captain Valentine Mutchler) First New Jersey Regiment for three years. This regiment left the State June 28, 1861. The following September Schoonover was made corporal. The ensuing winter, Colonel Torbert, then commanding the First Regiment, issued an order directing each captain to select a sergeant to prepare for examina- tion, the one standing the highest to receive a commission as second-lieutenant of Company D. No sergeant of D being willing to stand the trial, the subject of this sketch was selected to represent that company. Four only appeared for examination, the successful one being Com- missary Sergeant S. G. Blythe. Schoonover, standing second, was promoted commissary sergeant, dating from March 24, 1862. He served in that position until August 2, 1862, when he received a commission as adjutant of the Eleventh New Jersey Volunteers, then organizing at Trenton. The Eleventh left the State on August 25, 1862, and was first engaged in Burnside's attack upon Freder- icksburg. This first engagement proved to the men of the Eleventh that their adjutant was one on whom they could depend. During the desperate fighting of the regiment
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in the woods at Chancellorsville on May 3 and 4, 1862, Adjutant Schoonover was conspicuous for his bravery and coolness, and received honorable mention therefor. On the second of July at Gettysburg he received two wounds and six bullet holes through his clothing, and on the third his horse was shot under him. He again received slight wounds at Spottsylvania and at Barker's Mills, but he never thought his wounds sufficiently severe to necessitate going to the rear. He was commissioned lieutenant-colonel in 1863 and brevetted colonel March 13, 1865, for conspicuous gallantry.
MAJOR JOHN T. HILL.
Major John T. Hill was born in New Brunswick, N. J., July, 1836, and he was therefore twenty-five years of age when the war broke out, at which time he was a clerk in the Park Bank of New York City. He had no previous military training and took but little interest in military affairs, but his patriotism was of the most practical sort. When hostilities opened he joined a militia company in his native city, passing through all the grades from a private in the ranks to captain of the company. When recruiting began for the Eleventh New Jersey Volunteers Major Charles Herbert, private secretary for Governor Olden, sought to obtain for Captain Hill the adjutancy, but recruiting for the command was so slow that the officers became very much discouraged. Company "I" had enrolled about thirty men, and it seemed impossible to rise beyond that number. Major Herbert sent word to Captain Hill that if he would take the company as it was and fill it up to the required number he should have the captaincy. Notwithstanding the discouragements which had operated against enlistments Captain Hill consented, resigning his position in the bank, and at once began the
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work of recruiting, in a comparatively short time securing the enrollment of one hundred and three names. He was at once commissioned and became second in order of seniority, Captain Martin having been mustered in one week before. The Eleventh Regiment, under Colonel McAllister, went to Washington in August, 1862, and just before the battle of Fredericksburg was assigned to the Third Army Corps, taking part in that desperate engage- ment. The following April Captain Hill received a com- mission as major of the Twelfth New Jersey Infantry, and joined that command in the latter part of the same month, a short time before the beginning of the Chancel- lorsville campaign. The Twelfth Regiment was in the Second Brigade, Third Division, Second Army Corps, and was closely engaged with the enemy. After the rout of the Eleventh Corps, Colonel Willets being badly wounded in the early part of the fight, the command devolved upon Major Hill, owing to the absence of the lieutenant-colonel, who was sick. The Twelfth sustained severe losses in this engagement, and did heroic work under the command of Major Hill. At Gettysburg the regiment was also under his command, and its splendid achievements on that battle-field are fully recorded in the preceding pages. After the battle Major Hill remained in command. until the return of Lieutenant- Colonel Davis the latter part of the Summer of 1863, and was soon after stricken down with inflammatory rheuma- tism, which prostrated him for two years. He was discharged from the hospital at Annapolis in 1864, much against his will, but the board of army surgeons exercised the arbitrary power conferred upon them and compelled him to take an involuntary, though honorable discharge. Major Hill's military record throughout was that of a brave and faithful officer, a trusted and honored com-
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