The biographical encyclopaedia of New Jersey of the nineteenth century, Part 29

Author: Robson, Charles, ed; Galaxy Publishing Company, publisher
Publication date: 1877
Publisher: Philadelphia, Galaxy publishing company
Number of Pages: 924

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AINBRIDGE, COMMODORE WILLIAM, of the United States Navy, was born, May 7th, 1774, at Princeton, New Jersey, and was the son of Dr. Absalom Bainbridge, a highly respected physician, who removed to New York while William was hut a child, leaving him under the 'care of his maternal grandfather, John Taylor, of Mon- mouth county, where he received his education. ] He

commencement of hostilities with the French (Directory) government. In September of that year, while cruising off Guadaloupe, the " Retaliation " was captured by a French squadron and carried into the port of Bassetene, where she was detained, and Bainbridge with his officers and men were held as prisoners of war until the month of December following, when she was given up. Upon his liberation he returned to the United States with his command, and on his arrival was promoted, first to the rank of Master, and then as Commander; and was thereupon appointed to the command of the brig-of-war " Norfolk," in which vessel he cruised very actively for the protection of our commerce in the West Indies during a large portion of our war with France. In the ycar 1800 he was commissioned a Post- Captain in the United States navy, and was appointed to the command of the frigate "George Washington," in which he was sent to Algiers with presents, which the gov- ernment of the United States had agreed to make to that power. While at Algiers the Dey demanded that he should convey his ambassador and retinue to Constantinople with his presents to the Grand Seignior. To this demand Cap- tain Bainbridge demurred, and protested against this ob- noxious request. But all remonstrances were in vain; he was under the batteries of Algiers, and a declaration of war against the United States was threatened by the Dey; if he did not comply with this outrageous demand, a valuable and unprotected trade in the Mediterranean was at the mercy of the Algerine cruisers if this threat was executed. After assenting to the demand of the Dey, the "George Washington " sailed with the motley embassy, and arrived in the harbor of Constantinople, November 12th, 1800. When the Turkish officers were informed that it was a United States ship, they replied that they knew of no such nation. Captain Bainbridge, by explaining that America was the new world, was enabled to give them some idea of the United States. Ile remained in Constantinople for two months, during which time he was treated with great dis- tinction by the Ottoman government, upon whom he made a most favorable impression. Early in January, 1801, he sailed for Algiers, and after fulfilling his mission there re- turned to the United States. The course he had adopted was fully sustained by the administration, and he was com- plimented by the President for his forbearing demeanor

entered the sea-service as an apprentice on board of a mer- | towards a semi-civilized power. He was next appointed to chant vessel from Philadelphia. When eighteen years old, the frigate " Essex," which was destined to the Mediter- ranean station ; and after the declaration of war by Algiers was transferred to the frigate " Philadelphia." He sailed for the Mediterranean in July, 1803, somewhat in advance of the rest of the squadron. On his arrival at Gibraltar he was informed that two Tripolitan cruisers were off Cape de Gatte, and he sailed at once in quest of them. On the night of August 26th, while under that cape, he fell in with the Moorish frigate " Meshboa," of twenty-two guns and 120 while mate of the ship " Hope," on her voyage to Holland, the crew, taking advantage of a violent gale of wind, rose against the officers, seized the captain, and had nearly suc- ceeded in throwing him overboard. Young Bainbridge, hearing the alarm, ran on deck with an old pistol, without a lock, and heing assisted by an apprentice boy, who was of Irish birth, rescued the captain, seized the ringleaders and quelled the mutiny. In July, 1798, he unexpectedly received the command of the United States schooner " Re- men, having an American brig in company. On examining taliation," of fourteen guns, that being the period of the the Moorish vessel he found that she had captured the brig

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"Celia," of Boston, and had her master and crew on board as prisoners. He immediately captured the frigate, and re- captured the brig and returned her to her proper master. The Moorish captain at first declined to show authority for his acts; but when Bainbridge threatened to treat him as a pirate, he produced an order from the Governor of Tangier for the capture of American vessels. Bainbridge carried his prize to Gibraltar, and went in search of another Moorish vessel, but failed to find her .- In the meantime Commodore Preble arrived, and the latter, after approving all that his subordinate had accomplished, found no diffi- culty in placing American relations with Morocco on a pacific footing. While cruising in the " Philadelphia " frigate before the harbor of Tripoli, having sighted an enemy's frigate, Bainbridge immediately ran for her, but, unfortunately, going into shoal water, the " Philadelphia " grounded, about three miles from the town. He was im- mediately surrounded by gunhoats, and seeing no hope of escape, and after consultation with his officers, surrendered the vessel. This was on the 13th of October, 1803, and the entire ship's company, numbering in all some 315 men, were captured and taken before the Bashaw, who conversed with Bainbridge through an interpreter. After intimating to him that the fortunes of war had brought him into this unpleasant situation, the whole party were ordered to be imprisoned, and were placed in charge of Sidi Mohammed D'Ghies. During their incarceration, which lasted for nineteen months, the Danish Consul, N. C. Nissen, paid them every attention, for which he subsequently received the thanks of Congress and a handsome testimonial from Captain Bainbridge and his officers. Shortly before their release Colonel Lear negotiated a treaty with Tripoli, when they were delivered up and returned to the United States. After reaching home a court of inquiry was called to in- quire into the loss of his ship, and he was honorably ac- quitted. Shortly after the declaration, by Congress, of war with Great Britain, Captain Bainbridge took command of the frigate " Constitution." On December 29th, 1812, while running down the coast of Brazil, he fell in with the British frigate "Java."- After an action of two hours the "Java's" fire was completely silenced, and her colors being down, Bainbridge supposed that she had struck. He there- fore shot ahead to repair his rigging, hut while hove-to for that purpose discovered that her colors were still flying, al- though her mainmast had gone by the board. He accord- ingly bore down again upon her, and having come close athwart her bows was on the point of raking her with a broadside, when she hauled down her colors, being com- pletely an unmanageable wreck, entirely dismantled, with- out a spar of any sort standing. On boarding her it was found that her commander, Captain Lambert, was mortally wounded (he died the next day), and that the " Java " was so much injured that it would be impossible to take her to the United States. Captain Bainbridge, himself seriously wounded, was assisted by two of his officers to the cot on

which Captain Lambert lay on his own quarter-deck, and a touching scene was witnessed when Bainbridge returned to him the sword he had surrendered. After the prisoners and baggage were removed the " Java" was blown up. She carried forty-nine guns of heavier calibre than the "Constitution," which carried fifty-four, and had a crew of 400 men, having, in addition to her own ship's company, upwards of 100 supernumerary officers and seamen for different ships on the East India station, among whom were a master and a commander in the navy, and also Lieutenant-General Hislop and his two aids, of the British army. General Hislop was a passenger, and had been appointed by the British government as the governor of the Bombay district, and was on his way thither when cap- tured. Between him and Captain Bainhridge a warm friendship was contracted, which continued through life without any interruption. The " Constitution " returned to the United States for repairs, her timbers being much de- cayed. Congress voted to Captain Bainbridge a gold medal, and medals of silver to each of the officers, and dis- tribute the sum of $50,000 to the crew as prize money. It should be stated that the " Java " lost sixty killed and over 100 men wounded ; while the " Constitution " had but nine killed and twenty-five wounded. Captain Bainbridge, having been detached from the " Constitution," was ordered to the command of the navy-yard at Boston, where he re- mained until peace was declared. Meanwhile he superin- tended the construction of the "Independence," of seventy- four guns, and after she was launched and equipped he was appointed to the command of a squadron of twenty sail, and had the honor of raising his broad pennant to the mast- head of the first line-of-battle-ship-the " Independence"- that ever adorned the United States navy. This force was intended to act against the Algerines, but peace was con- cluded before it reached the Mediterranean. Captain Bain- bridge, however, settled disputes with the Barbary powers satisfactorily, and then returned home. On his arrival he was named to the command of the vessels afloat at Boston, where he remained until 1819, when he was assigned to the " Columbus," ship-of-the-line, of eighty guns, once more to the Mediterranean station, from which he returned in 1821, this being his last cruise. From that time until his death he was variously employed on important shore duty, com- manding at different times the navy-yards at Boston and Philadelphia, and holding the position of President of the Board of Naval Commissioners. As an officer he had few superiors. Although ardent in temperament, he was cool in danger, and always possessed the confidence of those under his command. His system of discipline, though rigid, was always consistent and just ; and he was remark- able for paying the greatest attention to the training of his young officers. The whole of his long and arduous career was most useful to his country and honorahle to himself. He died in Philadelphia, July 28th, 1833, and was buried with all the honors of war.

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ANEWAY, COLONEL HUGH H., Soldier, late did not only that, but drove back the assailing columns. 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, Major Janeway rode from end to end of his skirmishers, encouraging, warning and directing its every portion, show- ing 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 hundred yards the Ist Jersey pushed their little line, and at last, with ammunition exhausted, they still held their ground, facing the rebels with their revolvers. Then Jane- way rode back to the reserve, and reported to Major Beau - mont the condition of his men, requesting ammunition and reinforcement. A regiment was ordered to their support, but failed to reach them. Finally the 3d Pennsylvania ap- peared, when the Ist Jersey were at liberty to retire, but the latter would not, and actually borrowed ammunition from the Pennsylvanians, kept their boldly won position, and cheering till they were hoarse, defied the efforts of the enemy. On the 4th day of July, after a brief repose on the battle-field, they were in the saddle again, chasing the re- treating columns of the foe, continuing to have daily skir- mishes until the 14th of July, when their horses' feet again trod the " sacred soil of Virginia." From that time forward, and for the three following months, Major Janeway was al- ternately engaged in scouting and on picket duty. On Oc- tober 12th the battle of White Sulphur Springs occurred, in which the Ist Jersey participated. Major Janeway had de- tached some of his command as skirmishers, and was left with only the second squadron as a reserve, when he re- ceived a message from Colonel Taylor, commanding the brigade, ordering him to fall back slowly, but the Major re- plied that "to fall back would expose our weakness and ensure our destruction by the overwhelming force of the enemy," and asked permission to hold his ground until dark, which being granted, he once more addressed him- self to the arduous task before him. It was indeed a diffi- cult work, and the hour one of great anxiety. He received word that the enemy were strengthening every minute, that many of his men had exhausted their ammunition, and that the next attack would surely force him back. Fortunately a reinforcement came up, when Janeway led Robbins' squadron into and through the woods, met the rebel charge, while those of his men who had expended their ammuni- tion were safely withdrawn. As the day waned the fighting grew fiercer, but the enemy could not dislodge the Jersey. men. When night came they withdrew, when the rebels made an effort to occupy the wood ; but the reserve which Janeway had persisted in retaining unbroken, in spite of of the Ist. Regiment New Jersey Cavalry, was born, 1842, at Jersey City. When but nineteen years old he joined the Ist Regiment of Cavalry, the 16th of the New Jersey line in the war of the rebellion, as Lieutenant of Company L. This regiment was raised by Colonel Halsted, who was super- seded six months after it was formed by Colonel Sir Percy Wyndham, a gallant soldier of the British and Italian ar- mies. It formed one of the Ist Brigade of Cavalry, and fought all through the war in the Army of the Potomac. During the winter of 1861-62 the regiment was employed in picket duty and scouting along the left of the line. In this duty Lieutenant Janeway, having at one time ridden in advance of his company, accompanied by a single orderly, was wounded by the enemy and left for dead. With great fortitude he rose and walked back to his command, and, though wounded in seven or eight places, was fit for duty again within a month. He was promoted to the rank of Captain, February 9th, 1862. In April of the same year the regiment joined General McDowell's corps, and was actively engaged thereafter, being attached to the brigade of General George D. Bayard, and doing picket duty until May 25th, when, as it was advancing to the battle of Hano- ver Courthouse, it was ordered to the valley of Virginia to oppose Stonewall Jackson, and three days later encountered the enemy under General Ashby, near Strasburg, and drove them off. The regiment, reaching Harrisonburg, sustained a defeat, and their colonel was captured by the enemy. Captain Janeway afterwards participated in the battle of Cedar Mountain, in August, 1862, and in the famous raid on Warrenton in October of that year, when sixteen hun- dred of the enemy were captured besides a large amount of stores. The winter of 1862-63 was passed near Brooks' Station, on the Acquia Railroad, and on the 27th of January, 1863, Captain Janeway was promoted to the rank of Major. On the 13th of the following April the spring campaign opened, when Major Janeway was engaged for some time in command of scouting parties, and afterwards participated in the struggle at Brandy Station, wherein Colonel Wyndham -who had rejoined his command-was wounded, the lieutenant-colonel and senior major killed; so that upon Major Janeway devolved the command of the regiment. In June, 1863, General Lee advanced into Pennsylvania, and the cavalry corps started for Gettysburg on the 27th of that month. The Ist New Jersey Cavalry reached that cele- brated battle-field, July 2d, on the second day of the con- test, and repulsed an attack made upon it. On the 3d, as the battle opened, the Ist New Jersey was advanced from the extreme rear to the very front, arriving just in time to see the rebel cavalry pouring upon our flank. Leaping from their horses, forming line as they touched the ground, and start- ing at once into a run in the very face of the enemy, they clashed at the nearest cover, where they prepared to check the progress of the entire force arrayed against them. They every apparent crisis, now justified the wisdom of his action.

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Ga'led for hours by a fire which it had been unable to re- | that month, while on picket duty, the regiment charged turn, it now opened upon the advancing enemy with such vindictive energy, as to force him back behind the cover, incapable of another movement to the front. For half an hour after the retreat the ground was left unoccupied by the enemy, and even then he advanced against the deserted po- sition with skirmishers deployed and a long line of battle formed. In an hour from that time the whole of Ewell's corps was camped upon the field of battle, having been de- tained by the Ist New Jersey until it was too late to close upon the flanks of the Union army. Major Janeway having made his report of the operations of his command, it was thus indorsed : "This report having been referred to me, I take great pleasure in bringing to your notice the gallantry of both officers and men of this command. The conduct of Major Hugh H. Janeway upon three several occasions was commendable in the highest degree, and reflected great credit upon himself and the regiment. John W. Kester, Licutenant-Colonel commanding." Rejoining the brigade, the regiment proceeded to Fayetteville, where it encamped for the night, and subsequently, while on the march to Auburn, it had another brush with the enemy. While forming a part of the rear-guard of the army still in retreat before the enemy, Major Janeway was directed to remain with his regiment, in order to hold a hill. Taking com- mand in person of the line of skirmishers, lie strengthened it by seven companies of his own regiment, turning over the rest to Captain Gray, and then proceeded to make the best disposition of the sixteen companies placed at his disposal. The rebels, however, made no assault, and the force was finally withdrawn. From that time forward until the close of November the regiment was employed only on picket duty. On the 27th of that month occurred a struggle in the Wilderness, in which Major Janeway participated, and he was favorably noticed in the official report. During the winter of 1863-64 the regiment was engaged in picket duty, scouting, and occasionally picking up a few guerillas. On the 4th of May, 1864, the regiment crossed the Rapidan, and was for several days engaged in a series of battles with the enemy in the Wilderness, in which the rebels were worsted ; and from the 9th of the same month until the 25th was with Sheridan in his raid towards Richmond. Major Janeway also did noble service in the manœuvres which re- sulted in turning Lee's right, and had a narrow escape from being wounded, the ball merely reddening the skin of his forchead. He was promoted, July 6th, 1864, to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel, and afterwards took up the line of march for the north bank of the James river to aid in the operations around Petersburg. On August 12th, during a skirmish, he was wounded, having lost a finger while using a pocket-handkerchief. On September Ist, 1864, the period of original cnlistment of the Ist New Jersey expired, but the regiment was still left as an organization in the field, its honors being duly inherited by hundreds of re-enlisted men and supported by its numerous recruits. At the close of

Butler's South Carolina Brigade, and captured Captain But- ler, brother of General Butler, of the rebel army. During the operations of the first three days of October, in which the enemy were repulsed, Janeway was present in an en- gagement where the heaviest firing of the war occurred, and subsequently assaulted the enemy, inflicting upon him a terrible loss. At this time he was only twenty-two years of age, and the Colonelcy being vacant, he was appointed to it October 11th, 1864, at the written request of every officer of the regiment. Early in December, 1864, it was found that the enemy were receiving large supplies by the way of the Weldon Railroad, and the 3d Division of the 2d Corps, together with Gregg's Cavalry, were detailed to operate upon and destroy the railroad as far as Hicksford. Colonel Jane- way, in his report to Governor Parker, stated that his com- mand, though not actually engaged in the struggle at Stony Creek Station, yet did the enemy much damage by destroy ing large quantities of railroad iron and burning the rebel workshops. On the 9th of December Colonel Janeway near Hicksford dismounted his cominand and formed a heavy skirmish line on the edge of the woods, near which a large body of the enemy were known to be, and then, with a cheer, dashed upon the rifle-pits in front, and speed- ily drove the enemy in disorder, occupying their position. In his report he remarks : " During the whole period of my service with the regiment I have never seen officers or men display greater gallantry or more soldierly endurance of hardships." The brave troopers held the pits for three hours, suffering terribly from cold and exposed to a heavy rain, which froze as it fell. Meanwhile the railroad in that neighborhood was being destroyed, and the object of the expedition being accomplished, the forces were withdrawn .; For three months thereafter the regiment was in winter quar- ters near Petersburg, and on the 29th of March, 1865, it broke camp and started on the final campaign. Colonel Janeway held the Flatfoot road on that night with his regi- ment. The next day nothing was done, but on the 3Ist, from information received from a captured infantry picket, it was found that the rebel Generals Pickett and Bushrod Johnson were in front. Colonel Janeway immediately strengthened and extended his picket lines, and ordered Major Robbins to make a reconnoissance on the left, to ascer- tain if the rebels were moving around in that direction. Shortly after an engagement commenced, in which the enemy were repulsed and their general (Ransom) fell ; but as they were largely reinforced, Colonel Janeway deemed it prudent to retire. On April 1st and 2d the regiment re- mained in camp at Dinwiddie Courthouse, and on the 3d pushed on to Wilson's plantation, having crossed the Soutlı- side Railroad, where they encamped, and on the 4th marched to Jetersville, which they reached on that after- noon and where they expected to find the enemy. Having bivouacked for the night, on the following day they pushed on after Lee, who was then on the retreat from Richmond, and

Detharker De

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reached Paines Cross Roads, where they came up with the the State library was under the care and jurisdiction of the advance guard of the rebel army, which General Davies captured. The latter officer then detailed Colonel Janeway to hold a certain road until the captured enemy, property, etc., were properly disposed of, which he did, and this hav- ing been effected, the regiment marched to Painesville, where it halted for one half-hour. In the meantime the enemy appeared in immense numbers, and made several charges, which were repulsed ; but finally they were obliged to give way before a superior force of the foe, when they fell back, and were finally relieved by the 2d Brigade. Re- tiring to a point near Amelia Springs, they rested until 2 P. M., when General Davies ordered Colonel Janeway to support two other regiments in a charge. These regiments were repulsed and driven back. Colonel Janeway imme- diately ordered a charge, and seized the colors of his regi- ment, and was in the act of carrying them forward, when a bullet entered his brain and he died instantly. This fatal event cast a gloom over the whole regiment. Major Rob- bins, in his report, says : " Ilis superior we never knew ; a " brave, skilful officer, a courteous gentleman, a true, earnest patriot-qualities which endeared him to every officer and man of the regiment." Thus fell Colonel Janeway, at the early age of twenty-three years, April 5th, 1865.

ARKER, IION. JOEL, of Freehold, Lawyer, Sol- dier and ex Governor of New Jersey, was born, November 24th, 1816, in Monmouth county, in the immediate neighborhood of the old battle ground, and is a son of Charles Jarker, one of the leading men of the State, who filled many responsible pub- lic positions of trust and emolument. Both his father and mother were also natives of Monmouth county. Ilis mater- nal grandfather, at the very commencement of the revolu- tionary contest, entered the army as a private, an I continued therein until the close of the war, either in the ranks, or as a company officer, distinguishing himself in many battles. His father served a term as sheriff of Monmouth county, and was subsequently elected to the Assembly for five suc- cessive years. During his fifth term he was chosen State treasurer by the Democrats on joint hallot of the two branches of the Legislature, and held this position for six. teen successive years, under different administrations of various parties, being thus retained solely on account of his great financial ability and the faithful discharge of his du- tie; When he was first elected treasurer, in 1821, he re- moved to Trenton, where his son Joel was educated, not only in the formal routine of the best schools of that city, but in the more essential branch, practical experience in his father's office. Ile there received his first lessons of politi cal economy and State wisdom, and from a master than whom the State has never known a better. At that time ! dier General of the Monmouth and Ocean Brigade, and

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The biographical encyclopaedia of New Jersey of the nineteenth century, Part 29

Author: Robson, Charles, ed; Galaxy Publishing Company, publisher Publication date: 1877 Publisher: Philadelphia, Galaxy publishing company Number of Pages: 924

Author: Robson, Charles, ed; Galaxy Publishing Company, publisher
Publication date: 1877
Publisher: Philadelphia, Galaxy publishing company
Number of Pages: 924