USA > New Jersey > Reminiscences of the war, comprising a detailed account of the experiences of the Thirteenth regiment New Jersey volunteers in camp, on the march, and in battle > Part 2
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The stay of the Regiment on Arlington Heights, though short, was delightful. The scenes about us were historical. and full of interest. The view northward toward Wash- ington. where the stately Capitol building arose prominent above all its surroundings, was a pleasant picture. The Capitol presented a magnificent sight in the early morning when the sun gilded its front. and it was a special object of admiration when lit up at night. Those were the days of long sessions. The veterans of the Army of the Potomac were eneamped between us and Alexandria, and visits from friends in the old New Jersey Brigades were frequent. The death of Gen. Kearny occasioned deep regret among them and was the chef theme of conversation next to the desire for news from Newark.
The appearance of these old soldiers was in striking contrast to our own. We were enjoying the luxury of Sibley tent- : our clotting and equipments were new and in perfect order, and it was difficult to believe that we should ever present an appearance so devoid of soldierly bearing as the tien with whom we came in daily contact.
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The battle-scarred veteran, clothed in scanty raiment, un- encumbered with any of the "indispensable " articles we had brought with us. excited our pity and frequent disgust. We could not understand the cause of his cheerfulness as he gazed at our fine quarters and new clothes, nor the supreme satisfaction with which he inventoried everything we possessed, until he volunteered the information. in his laconic way,-" Well, boys, they're all very nice, but you'll wear the shine off, and be glad to do with less before you get through with this business."
All sorts of rumors were current as to the future move- ments of the army. All the information we could obtain con- cerning them came through old soldiers and we were in a sad condition, mentally, by putting too much confidence in the "reliable authorities" they quoted to support the con- tradictory stories we heard. At last, however, marching orders were received, and dropping the shovel and the pick we suspended all operations on the earthworks for the defence of Washington, on which we had been engaged, and prepared to take the field. On Saturday night, Sep. tember 6th, we broke camp and entered upon the Maryland campaign. Gen. McClellan had been re-assigned to the command of the Army of the Potomac, and the announce ment was received with enthusiasm by the veterans who had served with him on the Peninsula.
That first night's march-who will forget it? At the beginning everything went smoothly enough. The men kept well closed up until after we had crossed the Aqueduct Bridge at Georgetown, but as the night wore on and the prospect of a halt grew more and more uncertain. wearied men fell out of the ranks and followed on at their leisure. Finally, about midnight, the coliunn moved into a large field. guns were stacked and the men threw themselves down to catch a few hours sleep. Scarcely an hour had passed before we were aroused by the sharp tooting of horns and the beating of drums, calling every man to his feet. and we proceeded on some distance further when a
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halt was made for the remainder of the night. The next day, Sunday, our mettle was put to the test. It became generally known that we were to make Rockville, Md., a small town, about twenty-two miles from Washington. There remained about twelve or fourteen miles to march that day, and as we had not yet grown accustomed to the wearing of equipments and easily became fatigued. the march was entered upon with considerable reluctance by many. The sun poured down his fiercest rays and men fell out in squads. Rockville was reached toward evening, but only about two hundred men were present.
The Regiment went into camp about two miles north of the town, and during the night stragglers were continually coming in. The next day the wagons containing officer's baggage, Sibley tents and other camp equipage arrived. and visions of a permanent camp danced before our eyes ; but these were rudely dispelled the day following, when orders to move at once in light marching order were received. Our knapsacks were turned in : the sick were ordered to remain behind : a guard was detailed to protect the proper- ty. and about noon on Tuesday. September 9, we marched off, reaching Middlebrook at night where we joined Gor- don's Brigade, Williams's Division, Banks's Corps. The order from Gen. MeClellan assigning us to this command was received on the 6th, the day on which we left Arling- ton Heights. The troops with whom we were brigaded comprised the Second Massachusetts, Col. Andrews : Third Wisconsin, Col. Ruger : Twenty-seventh Indiana, Col. Colgrove, and they ranked among the best fighting regi- ments in the army. They had passed through numerous severe engagements and were prominent among those who fought so wouldy and persistently at Cedar Mountain. Gen. Gordon, coronabier the Brigade, was a former Colonel of the Second Massachusetts and a graduate of West Point : Col. Buger of the Third Wisconsin was also a West Point graduate. The commanding officers of the Second Massachusetts and Twenty-seventh Indiana regi-
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ments, Col. Andrews and Col. Colgrove, were men of distinguished merit and thorough soldiers. The Thir- teenth thus became associated with some of the bravest and best soldiers of the army-veterans all. The One Hundred and Seventh New York. Col. Van Valkenburgh, another new regiment, was also assigned to this Brigade at the same time.
When Gen. McClellan took command again of the Army of the Potomac he set vigorously to work reorganizing his forces. Gen. Banks was placed in charge of the fortifica- tions around Washington, Gen. Mansfield being assigned to the command of his troops in the field. Hooker re- lieved McDowell, while Burnside, Summer, Franklin, and Fitz-John Porter were retained in command of their old troops. McClellan thus had nearly 100.000 men to oper- ate against Lee, who had about 60,000 effective men. On the 7th of September Gen. McClellan took the field in person and the pursuit of Lee at once begun. The army moved in three columns. The right wing under Burnside, comprised his own corps and Gen. Hooker's. The centre. under Summer. comprised his own corps and that of Mans- field's. Franklin in command of his corps, and Couch's Division had the left, while Fitz-John Porter's troops brought up the rear. .
Wednesday, September 10th. the Thirteenth, with the Corps to which it was assigned, moved off in the position above indicated, following the direction of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. The marching was comparatively easy for a few days and the command kept well together. On the 12th we forded the Monocacy River and on the morning of the 13th reached Frederick City. The main body of the enemy had left the city the day previous. but there was skirmishing between our advance forces and the rear guard of Lee's army on the outskirts when we arrived, which was the first sound of battle we heard and filled each of us with strange emotions difficult indeed. to describe. The march of the Regiment through
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Frederick City, on the afternoon of the 13th of September, -the rebel occupation of which Whittier has made memor- able by his exquisite poem. "Barbara Freitchie "-was replete with pleasing incidents. A halt was made in the Main street of the city for some time, and there was an eager rush by the boys for fresh bread, biscuits, pies and other home luxuries, for which the experiences of the past few days had developed a wonderful appetite, and any price asked for them was paid. Citizens were interviewed as to the strength of the rebel army, how the troops con- ducted themselves when in the city, what they said of their campaign and of their destination. Company "D" sang their popular hymn, "Then let the Hurricane Roar," which the citizens received with many manifestations of delight. The march through Frederick was a frequent topic of conversation in after years, when, seated around the camp fires at night, we rehearsed the pleasant scenes of army life.
Sunday, September 14th, was a memorable day. The Regiment moved, with the rest of the Corps, about eight o'clock in the morning. It was a beautiful day and we passed through a delightful country. Leaving the main road the command passed through cornfields, across mead- ows and over fields of full grown wheat,-trampling down acre after acre of bountiful crops .- over the Catoctin Mountains, never stopping until long after midnight, when the Corps bivouacked in a field. fragrant with pennyroyal, near South Mountain, where a desperate conflict had raged during the day. This was a tedious and trying march, and our powers of endurance were put to a severe test .. Officers and men fell out of the ranks in squads, and only twenty-seven muskets were stacked when the Regiment, under command of Lieutenant Colonel Swords, halted for the night. The experiences of that day were little under- stood then, and there was an incessant grumbling and complaining among the men. The writer was one of a squad of seven who were obliged from sheer exhaustion to
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stop by the wayside. We trudged along leisurely, stopping at will to rest, and finally, reaching a large field, we threw off our equipments, built a fire, gathered some green corn from a lot near by, and proceeded to cook dinner. We were all tired, hungry, and in a complaining humor. Re- cruit like, we expressed dissatisfaction with a great many things we knew very little about, and three of the party, who experienced decided pangs of home-sickness, recklessly gave utterance to some very unpatriotic sentiments. Un- der any other circumstances they would have been ashamed of their language. After we had disposed of our coffee and roasted corn the party arose refreshed and that night joined the Regiment. Of that party of seven one was severely wounded at Antietam. from the effects of which he died, and two others died of sickness shortly after.
The battle of South Mountain was a brilliant achieve- ment, and resulted from an accident which disclosed to Gen. McClellan the plans of Lee. On the 13th. Lee's order directing Jackson to proceed to Harper's Ferry by way of Sharpsburg, where he was ordered to cross the Potomac, and invest it in the rear and ordering McLaws to move by way of Middletown on the direct route to the Ferry and seize Maryland Heights. while Walker was to cross the Potomac below the Ferry and occupy Loudon Heights, fell into Gen. MeClellan's hands. The information was also given that the remainder of Lee's army would be at Boonesborough or Hagerstown and there remain until rejoined by the troops above detached for the capture of Harper's Ferry. McClel- lan, thus informed of the danger menacing the troops at Harper's Ferry, proceeded to follow up the advantage he had so providentially gained. The army was put in motion for South Mountain. and MeClellan's desire to put his forces be- tween Lee's divided army, whereby he might inflict severe injury upon him and also relieve the threatened garrison,
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was the cause of that long, tedious and exhaustive march- ing we endured that memorable Sunday.
Those of the Regiment who had fallen out of the ranks exhausted came in during the night, and the next morning when the orders for the column to move was received. the ranks were well filled. About noon on Monday the march was resumed, our route being through Crampton's Gap (where Franklin's corps had fought the day previous, cap- turing four hundred prisoners, seven hundred stand of arms, one piece of artillery and three colors) into and through Pleasant Valley, encamping on the night of the 15th in the vicinity of Boonesborough. The churches, barns and dwellings of this place were converted into hos- pitals, filled with the wounded of Reno's and Hooker's corps, who were engaged at Turners' Gap, where Gen. Reno was killed. The Confederate loss in this action was about three thousand men, including fifteen hundred prisoners.
The capture of the South Mountain passes gave McClel- lan the opportunity he sought to relieve the garrison at Harper's Ferry, but the disgraceful surrender of that place to " Stonewall " Jackson by Gen. Miles, with 12,000 men, 73 pieces of artillery, 13,000 small arms and a large quan- tity of military stores, nullified all movements in that di- rection, and MeClellan at once turned his whole attention to Lee who had taken up a strong position on the west side of Antietam Creek. (Gen. Miles was instantly killed by a cannon shot. after hoisting a white flag in token of surrender.) The advance troops of the Union army ar- rived in front of the Confederate position late in the after- noon of the 15th. and preparations to engage the enemy on the morrow Were made. The next day the Thirteenth Regiment, with Manstell's Corps, moved to the vicinity of Keedysville, where we remained during the day. Late at night orders were received to move. When the column started special instructions were passed down the line to move as quietly as possible ; all loud talking. the rattling
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of tins, and even the lighting of a match. was prohibited, We crossed Antietam Creek and moved into position on the extreme right of the line in supporting distance of Hooker's corps, to whom had been assigned the important duty of turning the Confederate left. When we reached the position the Corps was directed to take, lively skir- mishing was in progress between Hooker's troops and the enemy in their front-Jackson's forces, who had made a rapid march from Harper's Ferry and joined Lee during the day. It was a trying situation for us. Though we had become in a measure accustomed to the sound of con- fict, and impatiently awaited the orders that should send us into action, we could not drive away the thoughts which vainly strived to picture the hidden dangers that menaced us. The certainty of death never before seemed so near. The approach of dawn was dreaded as though it was to witness our last day upon earth, and our thoughts wan- dered back to home and the loved ones there. But no one flinched from danger ; none sought to escape the perils which were sure to come on the morrow. Each felt the danger at hand but determined to meet it like a man. There was no mock heroism there. The braggarts, those who were bravest when danger was afar off, were silenced, and in their places stood a body of resolute men who had gauged the danger and were prepared for it.
The Regiment was formed "close column by division " in a piece of thick woods, and in this position, with equip- ments on, we lay down to catch what sleep was possible. Shortly before daylight the command was aroused and ra- tions of fresh meat were issued. Fires were lighted and preparations made to get some breakfast. The firing of the pickets increased in volume and the sound of artillery gave evidence of the opening of the battle. There was no time to prepare food. Gen. Gordon came in person and ordered the Regiment forward. Promptly and cheer- fully the Regiment moved, deploying into line as we advanced. Halting in the edge of a piece of woods.
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we came in sight of the Union line of battle. Shot and shell were doing their dreadful work. The roar of mus- ketry grew louder and more loud. We lay under a severe artillery fire for some time. and the hissing, screeching sounds which accompanied the deadly missiles in their flight produced anything but a pleasant sensation. An Irish brigade of Boston. belonging to Sumner's corps. passed by us on the double-quick and disappeared in a piece of woods on our right when there arose a deafening roar of musketry and cheer upon cheer rent the air. Or- ders came for the Thirteenth to advance. We moved for- ward to the post and rail fence which skirted the Hagers- town pike and leaped over it into the road. Some of the men leaped the other fence across the road and thus drew the fire of the enemy, who lay concealed behind a ledge of rocks at the edge of the field. The Regiment reformed in the road and at once began firing. Soon orders passed down the line to cease firing that the men in front were Union troops. Considerable excitement was thus occa- sioned, some of the officers insisting upon firing while others as strenuously endeavored to stop it. The advance of the enemy put all doubts at rest. and the firing became general along the line. A good many rifles were found to be worthless and they were thrown away, being replaced by guns picked up on the field. The advance of the enemy was persistent and in strong force, and they poured a fierce and destructive fire into us. Captain H. C. Irish, of Co. K, was instantly killed, and the first man wounded was private Isaac Crawford of Co. F. The Regiment was or- dered back into the woods, and had no sooner reached its new position than the enemy appeared in full force. At sight of them our artillery opened fire with terrible effect and repulsed the attack. After this engagement the Regi- ment was very much scattered and some time was occupied in rallying them. This having been accomplished an order came from Gen. Gordon that the Regiment should report to Gen. Green, who was in need of reinforcements. We
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at once started, Gen. Green leading us in person, and en- countered the enemy a second time. This engagement took place near the Dunker Church, and the enemy sought by a clever ruse to capture us. They advanced with their guns to a "trail," and the impression was that they were without arms and on the point of surrendering. Adjutant Hopkins, with another officer whose name I cannot recall. went forward to ascertain more definitely what the move- ment meant. The enemy advanced beyond the right of. the Regiment and then, facing us, sought to get in the rear, thus putting us between two fires and thereby com- pelling us to surrender. Their object was at once discov- ered ; the company on the right changed front. and the firing of the enemy was vigorously replied to. This engage- ment lasted about an hour when the Regiment was com- pelled to fall back before the strong fire of the enemy who were in superior force.
The losses of the Regiment were quite severe. amount- ing to 9 killed and 60 wounded. Twenty-one were re- ported missing, but of these a large number afterwards re- turned, some deserted, and one. Michael McDonnell of Co. H, was believed to have been killed. The casualties in this battle, as recorded in the published State Records are incomplete, no mention being made of any of the wounded except where a man has been discharged or died, and in many of these instances the word " Disability " covers cases where discharges have been granted from disability re- sulting from wounds received in action. The following names of the killed and wounded have been taken from the State Records :
Co. A-Killed-James M. Taylor Wounded-William A. Ball, Charles M. Oughletree, Samuel Question (died Sept. 20th).
Co. B-Killed-William Casey.
Co. C- Wounded-Peter Arlington. John M. Sheperd. George Meyers (died Oct. 26th).
Co. D-Killed-James C. Armstrong, Jesse R .. Coles.
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George R. Harrison, Alexander Osborne. Wounded- George Whitfield, Ira W. Conselyea, Abram Atkins, John H. Egbert, Abram M. Harris. Byron C. Hopper (died Oct. 12th), David S. Milburn (died Oct. 2d), Stephen Freeman.
Co. E- Wounded-Albert Bradley, Frederick Walter. Amzi P. Williams.
Co. F-Killed-John T. Brant. Wounded-Edwin D. Callen, Isaac Crawford, John Campbell (died Oct. 1), Har- vey W. Dobbins, Samuel C. Shippen, Emanuel Shirdon, John E. Wilson.
Co. I- Wounded-William Pell.
Co. K-Killed-Captain H. C. Irish, Abraham Mar- groff. Wounded-Curtis Bowne (died March 13th, '63), John H. Doremus (died Dec. 9th, '62), Robert Gammall (died Dec. 11th, '62), Frederick C. King, (died Sept. 30th, '62).
There being no record of the wounded who afterwards returned to the Regiment, I am unable to mention by name all the casualties which occurred. Color Sergeant James Kilroy, of Co. G, was among these, also David Mack of Co. E, and how many others there were I do not know.
Col. Carman was obliged to retire to a hospital during the day and the command of the Regiment devolved upon Lieutenant-Colonel Robert S. Swords, by whom we were conducted to the Brigade. On the night of the battle the Color Sergeant, Kilroy, was obliged to relinquish the col- ors on account of his wound and Lient .- Col. Swords passed down the line asking for a volunteer to carry the flag. Private George W. Hanienbeck, of Co. F, promptly re- sponded, and though he did not come up to the standard either in build or height -- he was small of stature and ap parently not very strong-the colors were given to him for a trial. That night the Regiment was posted in the front line of battle, anticipating a renewal of hostilities on the 18th. Gen. Gordon, in his official report to Gen. A. S. Williams, who commanded the Corps after the death of Gen. Mansfield, gives a detailed account of the part borne
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by each of the regiments of his Brigade in the fight of the 17th. The following is an extract from his report :
" The Corps was moved on the night of the 16th and morning of September 17th to the right of our line, to strengthen Gen. Hooker who had, at noon of the 16th, crossed Antietam Creek and engaged the enemy. Just after break of day we were aroused from a brief slumber by sharp firing of musketry in front of Hooker's position. The Corps, then commanded by the late Gen. Mansfield, was by that officer immediately put in motion. My Bri- gade, formed in columns of battalions closed in mass, I directed towards a battery which I was ordered to support ; but before reaching the same I received a counter-march- ing order to move forward with all possible despatch to the support of Gen. Hooker, then sorely pressed. I moved accordingly my deployed masses by the flank at double- quick, gradually gaining deployment distance, thus throw- ing forward, in line of battle, on the right the Second Massachusetts, Col. Andrews ; on the centre the Third Wisconsin, Col. Ruger ; on the left the Twenty-seventh Indiana, Col. Colgrove. The One Hundred and Seventh New York, Col. Van Valkenburgh, I held in reserve, throw- ing them into the edge of a piece of woods on the left, which I was informed by an aid of Gen. Hooker was to be held at all hazards. The only remaining Regiment of my Brigade, the Thirteenth Regiment New Jersey Volunteers, I had by direction of Gen. Mansfield thrown into the edge of a piece of woods behind my first position as a reserve. This Regiment remained as posted during the deployment of my line and posting of the One Hundred and Seventh New York. While moving forward the third regiment referred to, an aid of Gen. Hooker's galloping rapid- ly towards my command begged me to hurry forward. It was apparent from the steady approach of the sounds of innsketry that the enemy were advancing. Their shouts of exultation could be distinctly heard on the line of my de-
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ployed battalions, sustained on the right by Crawford's brigade, and on the left by Green's division both of our corps, advanced boldly to the front. Before the impetuous charge and withering fire of our lines the enemy halted, wavered, fled in confusion and sought the shelter of the woods opposite from where they had emerged. I immedi- ately ordered the One Hundred and Seventh New York to support the movement of my advance lines, at the same time sending Captain Wheaton to bring me up the Thir- teenth New Jersey Volunteers. We now held possession. of the field, had driven the enemy into the concealment of the woods, and by a partial change of front forward on our left were advancing towards the centre of the general line of battle. Gen. Mansfield had been mortally wounded at- the commencement of the action while making a bold re- connoissance of the woods through which we had just dashed. The command of the Corps here devolved upon you (Gen. Williams). My Brigade was now drawn up in two lines, in the front the Second Massachusetts. One Hun- dred and Seventh New York Volunteers, in the rear the Third Wisconsin and Twenty-seventh Indiana. These lat- ter regiments had suffered severely. In the others the casu- alties were unusually light. We were now at this time rein- forced by Gen. Sumner's corps, which coming with shouts to the field pushed across into the woods containing the enemy, and engaged them with ardor. By your direction I formed my Brigade in line of battle in the edge of the. woods through which we had charged. Sumner's corps soon became warmly engaged. It was apparent the enemy had received very strong reinforcements. The tide of bat- tle again turned. Our forces were compelled to fall slowly back behind batteries posted in front of the woods the enemy had tried vainly to enter. More than driving our forces from the woods the enemy did not essay, or. if he. did, was feeble in the attempt. The next movement of my Brigade I am called upon to report was ordered by Sum ner through you. It was a move up towards the woods in:
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