USA > New Jersey > Essex County > Newark > The history of Newark, New Jersey : being a narrative of its rise and progress, from the settlement in May, 1666, by emigrants from Connecticut to the present time, including a sketch of the press of Newark, from 1791 to 1878 > Part 26
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Of the seventy-five thousand three months' troops called for by
249
FIRST CALL FOR TROOPS-NEWARK'S CONTINGENT.
President Lincoln in his proclamation of April 15, New Jersey's quota was four regiments of seven hundred and eighty men each, or three thousand one hundred and twenty-three in all, including the Brigadier-General, an Aid and the Brigade Inspector. A few months prior to this an inspection of the Newark Brigade was made " with much thoroughness " and with this numerical result :
First Reg.
Montgomery. Battalion.
Liberty Rifles.
City Battalion.
Steuben Bat.
Total.
Line. .
15
6
I
9
II
42
Sergeants.
20
4
18
15
67
Privates present.
15I
59
81
70
II8
479
Privates absent
85
13
14
-
12
124
Drummers
3
4
-
7
Non-Com .. Staff.
3
I
I
2
7
Commissioned do
3
I
I
5
277
92
100
I06
159
734
-
3
3
Field.
On the evening of the 15th of April Governor Olden received a dispatch from the Secretary of War notifying him that a call had been made on him for four regiments of militia "for immediate service." At once the Governor issued his proclamation directing all individuals or organizations willing to respond to the call thus made to report themselves within twenty days. In this city recruiting offices were immediately opened, and such was the alacrity of the popular response that enlistments for the three months' service had soon to be stopped. The Steuben Battalion, named in 'honor of the heroic Baron Steuben, of the Revolutionary War, composed entirely of Germans, and commanded by Major Hermann Schalk, "volunteered as a body." The Montgomery Battalion, named after the illustrious hero of Quebec, composed entirely of Irish-Americans, and commanded by Senior Captain John Toler, pledged themselves through their officers "to obey the commands of the legally constituted authorities." Similar action was taken by other military organizations. Within a week after Governor Olden's proclamation about eleven hundred men had enrolled them- selves ready for service. The delay now was in getting the troops properly armed, equipped and drilled. Energetic hands had hold, however, and by the end of the month the Newark contingent was en route for the menaced Federal capital. This contingent consisted of the First Regiment, ten full companies, forming a handsomely
250
ON TO WASHINGTON-THE FIRST REGIMENT.
uniformed and soldierly looking body of men. They left Newark for Trenton, the rendezvous of the Jersey Brigade, on the afternoon of Monday, April 30, and were escorted to the depot by the entire Fire Department, under command of Chief Engineer Henry C. Soden. Before starting for Trenton the regiment marched through the principal streets, and was the recipient of a grand popular ovation. "The streets, house-tops and windows along the route were filled with people, and the troops were constantly cheered. The display of enthusiasm by the populace was never so great on any previous occasion in Newark." While passing the High School, in Washington street, the troops were halted, and a handsome flag was presented to them by the ladies of the institution. Amid the chimes of church bells and the plaudits of the populace, the soldiers marched with gay hearts and springing steps down Broad street to Walnut, and thence to the Chestnut street station, where they embarked "amid the cheers of the vast multitude of people that assembled in that vicinity." The commander of this regiment was Adolphus J. Johnson, who, a few months before the war broke out, succeeded Colonel James Peckwell. Previous to this, Colonel John- son was Lieutenant Colonel of the regiment. He had long been connected with the Newark militia, and before that held a commission in a crack military corps in New York City. He was a military enthusiast, and, as will appear further on in our narrative, was something more than a mere martinet and holiday soldier. Lieu- tenant Colonel Barlow, who succeeded him on his promotion to the command of the regiment, resigned, and, upon the urgent solicitation of Colonel Johnson and others, the old commander of the regiment accepted the position of Lieutenant Colonel, and, as such, went to the front with it. The entire list of officers was :
Colonel-ADOLPHUS J. JOHNSON. Lieutenant-Colonel-JAMES PECKWELL. Major-WILLIAM W. MIKELS. Adjutant-JOSEPH TRAWIN.
Assistant Surgeon-E. A. PIERSON. Chaplain-REV. A. ST. JOHN CHAMBRE. Sergeant Major-GEORGE H. JOHNSON. Drum Major-NATHAN P. MORRIS.
Quartermaster-THEODORE F. KETCHUM. Surgeon-JOHN J. CRAVEN.
Fife Major-ELIJAH F. LATHROP. Quartermaster Sergeant-C. F. BOWERS.
Company A-Capt., John Brintzinghoffer ; First Lieut., John Ward ; Ensign, Alfred J. Payne. Company B-Capt., William B. Tipson ; First Lieut., George Sweeney; Ensign, Mark Sears. Company C-Capt., T. L. Martin ; First Lieut., Wm. C. Davis; Ensign, Geo. T. Woodbury. Company D-Capt., Henry O. Beach; First Lieut., John A. Blazier ; Ensign, George Blair. Company E-Capt., Martin B. Provost ; First Lieut., Alex. Vreeland; Ensign, Garret DeBow. Company F-Capt., Henry Bowden ; First Lieut., John E. Beam ; Ensign, John B. Monroe.
25I
A PROUD DAY FOR NEW JERSEY.
Company G-Capt., Henry V. Sanford; First Lieut., Jesse Keene ; Ensign, John H. Arey. Company /1-Capt., Wm. H. Reynolds ; First Lieut., C. E. Mackey ; Ensign, S. C. Fordham. Company I-Capt., John H. Higginson ; First Lieut., W'm. H. Thompson ; Ensign, J. McIntee. Company K-Capt., Chas. W. Johnson ; First Lieut., James H. Baird; Ensign, Ephraim Hall.
Owing to the impoverished condition of the Federal War Depart- ment, it was not until the morning of May 6th that the First Regiment, with portions of the Second and Third, arrived at the national capital. Organizations from other States had already reached there, but none that presented the completely uniformed, equipped, and in every way soldierly appearance of the Jersey troops, more especially the Newark regiment. The arrival of the Jersey boys was hailed with delight in Washington. It was now felt that real soldiers were on the ground, and that the capital was safe. Altogether it was a proud day for New Jersey; and not since Trenton, and Princeton, and Monmouth was she held in such high estimation by the people generally as she was now, thanks not alone to her patriotism, but to her efficiency and promptness. "For your prompt and patriotic response to the call of the General Govern- ment," wrote the Secretary of War to Governor Olden, " I tender to yourself and the people of New Jersey my sincere and heartfelt thanks." "This regiment," said the National Intelligencer, speaking of the First, "is composed of some of the best men in the State, and in athletic appearance, as well as general soldierly deportment, is a credit. to the country." A parade of the Brigade through the principal streets of Washington the day after their arrival "was everywhere hailed by the liveliest demonstrations of enthusiasm by the populace." " All along the route they were cheered by the citizens, who lined the streets to witness the spectacle "-the very unusual one of four full regiments, and all Jerseymen. The contrast with the other troops in Washington was so marked that the latter were described by an eye-witness as looking " more like a mob than like soldiers." Upon the raising of a United States flag on the Government buildings in Washington, the officers of the First Regiment were present by invitation of the President and Postmaster General Blair. Describing the reception given the Jersey soldiers by these distinguished officials, Chaplain A. St. John Chambre wrote at the time: "I notified the President that seven- eighths of the First Regiment were probably Democrats, and therefore opposed to his election, but now were ready and willing
252
LINCOLN'S AND SCOTT'S COMPLIMENTS-GEN. RUNYON.
to support him and the Constitution with their life's blood if necessary. He was greatly pleased, remarking that on "an arith- metical calculation so much was clear gain." He also complimented Newark especially, and the whole State-observing that New Jersey had the largest body of troops in the field of any State in the Union in comparison with her size." It was reliably reported, also, that both President Lincoln and General Scott stated that they (the First Regiment) "were the finest body of men they had yet seen among the military."
At the head, not alone of his old comrades of the Newark Brigade, but of the entire New Jersey Brigade, was a Newarker destined to figure conspicuously in military and civil history. On the 27th of April Governor Olden commissioned as Brigadier- General of the New Jersey forces Theodore Runyon, of Newark. General Runyon had long been prominently connected with the citizen soldiery. By word and action he had labored arduously for years to establish the militia system upon a sound, vigorous and efficient basis. Although he was without experience in the man- agement of troops in front of a real enemy, it was conceded, nevertheless, that "he possessed fine executive capacity, had marked firmness of character, understood the value of discipline, compre- hended the gravity of the situation, and was, by virtue of his identification with the military of the State, peculiarly entitled to the distinction of the supreme command of our volunteer contin- gent." "The Governor selected him from among all the aspirants for the honor as the fittest man for the place." He was a trained and rising lawyer by profession, then about thirty-eight years of age, and occupied the position of City Counsel in the municipal govern- ment of Newark. Upon the issuance of his commission he at once took command. Before him was a task, the extent of which can be appreciated only by those familiar with the work of transforming spirited, self-assertive, raw military material into drilled, efficient and obedient soldiers. How he succeeded will appear further on. His staff was as follows: Brigade Inspector and Major, Alex. V. Bonnell; Captain and A. A. G., C. W. Tolles; Captain and A. D. C., J. B. Mulligan ; Chaplain, Rev. George H. Doane.
Until May 22d the New Jersey troops remained at Camp Monmouth, Meridian Hill, learning the duties of soldiers. On that day orders came from Washington directing that immediate prep-
253
PREPARING TO OCCUPY VIRGINIA.
arations be made for a movement. Next day definite instructions arrived, and the Brigade broke camp. This movement looked to the occupation of the Virginia shore of the Potomac, and also of the city of Alexandria, nine miles below Washington. Here it may be remarked that from the outset of the conflict the capture of Washington was regarded by the Confederate chiefs as of the utmost importance, and to that end they directed all their operations. The possession of the Federal capital, the national seat of the Government, together with the archives and property of the nation, would give them, it was argued, a prestige at home and abroad well calculated to make the wrong appear the right, at least in the eyes of those who accept the vulgar, short-sighted and superficial doctrine that " success is the only success." The power of the Federal Government, and of the millions sustaining it, would undoubtedly have been paralyzed in such a contingency, at least for a time, and there is no knowing but that the whole current of after events would have been changed-no knowing but that, dazed and bewildered by such a bold Confederate coup de maitre, the disorganized North might have agreed to "let the wayward sisters go in peace "; might have grudgingly but effectually conceded the right of Secession. Fortunately, however, the design on the national capital was discovered in time to prevent its consummation. Prompt steps were taken to effectually frustrate it. The Confeder- ates had already possessed themselves of Manassas Junction, a point of great strategic importance, commanding the Grand Southern railway route connecting Washington and Richmond, and also the road leading to the Shenandoah Valley, beyond the Blue Ridge. It was but thirty miles distant in a direct line from the Federal capital. The Confederates pushed even further. They moved their lines almost to the shore of the Potomac, " and even sought to fortify Arlington Heights, whence heavy guns could command the cities of Washington and Georgetown." It was therefore resolved by the Federal authorities to make an immediate military advance into Virginia. On May 22d General Mansfield, commanding the Department of Washington, received orders to occupy the Virginia shore of the Potomac, and also the city of Alexandria. It was to take part in this movement that the Jersey Brigade left Meridian Hill on the 23d, as already stated.
Pursuant to the orders given him, General Runyon had his
254
RUNYON'S BRIGADE AT THE LONG BRIDGE.
Brigade at the Long Bridge early on the morning of the 24th. The bridge was crossed in silence, and the regiments were assigned to posts, brigade headquarters being established near Columbia Springs. The troops went into camp along the Heights, and thus, at last, a secure lodgment of Federal troops was effected on the soil of Virginia. At once the soldiers were set to work building entrenchments and redoubts. The first regular work constructed by the national troops was here finished, and by the Jersey Brigade. The principal fortification, built exclusively by Jerseymen, was, under authority from the War Department, named by the troops "Fort Runyon '-in compliment to the General.
On May 27th General Runyon was notified by General Mc- Dowell that the latter had taken command of the department. On June 18th, under an order issued by McDowell, the Brigade head- quarters were changed, and the First and Third Regiments were advanced to a point near Roach's Mill, on the line of the Alexan- dria and Loudoun railway, and within five miles of the enemy, leaving the fortifications and Arlington Heights in the rear. Two days later the command was ordered to be in readiness to march, but it was not until July 16th that any movement took place. On that day the First Regiment was advanced to a point three miles beyond Springfield, and detachments from other regiments were detailed for duty at points in advance of the line these other regiments occupied. Thus, the first grand advance of the Army of the Potomac had commenced.
Then came the first important engagement of the war-the disastrous and paralyzing battle of Bull Run -- which was fought on Sunday, July 21st. McDowell's army, numbering in all about 36,000 troops, had previously been organized in five divisions-the first, under General Daniel Tyler; second, under Colonel David Hunter; third, under Colonel Heintzelman-the other two consti- tuting the reserve. The first of these (Fourth Division) consisted, originally, of the four New Jersey three-months' regiments, and of the First, Second and Third three-years' regiments, which had reached the field a few days before the movement. General Runyon was in command. The Fifth Division (reserve) was commanded by Colonel Dixon S. Miles. On the 18th, three days before the battle, General Runyon formally assumed command of all the troops not on the march to the front-some thirteen
BULL RUN-JERSEYMEN AND AN INGLORIOUS STAMPEDE. 255
regiments, comprising about ten thousand men. His duties and responsibilities were thereby greatly enlarged. His command being in reserve was not expected to participate in the fight, but the duties assigned it-those of guarding and keeping open lines of communication, and guarding provision and ammunition trains- were of the highest importance, and almost as hazardous as engaging in battle. On the day of the Bull Run disaster, in obedience to orders from General McDowell, some of the New Jersey troops, together with the De Kalb Regiment-including in its ranks many Jerseymen-and the First, Second and Third (three years') New Jersey Regiments advanced to Centreville, a point beyond Germantown, in the direction of Bull Run. By this time the field was lost and won-the stars and bars had achieved a victory over the stars and stripes-Beauregard's and Johnston's Confederate troops had sorely worsted and even routed the Federal force under McDowell. And now, in the agony and mortification of defeat on the part of their fellow-soldiers engaged in the fight, and as the blushing sun sank in the west, came the opportunity of those Newark and other New Jersey volunteers to display their soldierly qualities. Meanwhile, as to the battle, "the repulse was - complete. With some regiments, when the decisive blow had been struck, the retreat was not an orderly flight, but a reckless, uncon- trollable rout. Arms, ammunition, baggage, everything was abandoned in this mad flight to a place of safety. Frightened teamsters cut loose their horses, mounted them, and rode affrighted away, leaving their wagons to obstruct the roads. Carriages, in which civilians had gone out to witness the fight, as men flock to a race-course on féte days, became entangled in the flying mass of men and added to the confusion. It was, for a time, a saturnalia of panic, fright and disorder." To stop the inglorious stampede and reduce chaos. to order-this was the task imposed upon the Jersey troops.
The regiments ordered to Centreville had not yet quite reached that point when the roar of the cannonry which had filled the day ominously ceased. The battle was fought, the battle was won-but by whom? Soon the answer to this terribly anxious query came in the form of the retreating Federal hosts. At once the commanders of the Jersey regiments realized the grave situation and determined to arrest the flight. Throwing their columns across the road, they
256
FORCING ORDER OUT OF CHAOS-RUNYON'S RESERVE.
begged, pleaded and implored the fugitives to stop and reform. Appeals to patriotism, honor, duty, were all in vain, and then it was resolved to employ more vigorous persuasives. With charged bayonets the flight was finally stayed, officers in some cases drawing swords and pistols upon officers and men who refused to turn back in response to milder appeals. Order had been forced out of chaos " solely through the efforts of the New Jersey regiments." But Bull Run was lost, irretrievably lost.
What of General Runyon all this time? Greeley, in his " Ameri- can Conflict," and other historians of the war, have intimated that Runyon might have changed the fortunes of the day if he had hurried with his reserve to the relief of McDowell, as Johnston did to Beauregard. Why, it has been asked, were ten thousand efficient men, eager for the fray, held inactive far in the rear, when their presence on the field might have turned the tide of disaster? As a New Jersey historian says, " The answer to this inquiry, so repeat- edly and often so offensively made, is simple and conclusive. General Runyon obeyed and fully carried out the orders of the Commander-in-chief. He did more. Quick as a report came of the · rout at Bull Run, he anticipated the probable orders of his superior officer, and ordered to the front all the force he could spare from vitally important guard duty." "After the mischief was done,"" wrote Greeley, " Runyon's Division was ordered forward from Fair- fax-of course to no purpose. But it should at least have been promptly employed to block completely with its bayonets the roads leading to Washington, sternly arresting the panic-stricken fugitives and gathering them into something which would once more bear the semblance of an army"-exactly what Runyon's Division did, as proven both by Federal and Confederate testimony. What McDowell thought of Runyon's conduct is shown by the following official document :
HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT N. E. VIRGINIA, Arlington, July 28, 1861.
Brigadier-General RUNYON, Commanding Fourth Division, Reserves-Sir: The General commanding directs me to express his approbation of the industry, zeal and efficiency manifested by you in commanding the Fourth Division Reserves, during the late advance towards Manassas Junction.
The promptness with which troops and supplies were thrown forward on demand, and your efforts in collecting, controlling and providing for the stragglers after the retreat, were of great service to the army and the people. I am, sir, very respectfully,
JAMES B. FRY, Adjutant General.
-
257
RUNYON AT THE LONG BRIDGE-HOME AGAIN.
Several years later, General Joseph E. Johnston, one of the victorious Confederate commanders at Bull Run, more than corroborated General McDowell. He frankly admitted that Runyon's reserve gave the Confederates effectual pause in the pursuit of the Federals. Furthermore, in October, 1861, when the corrected facts were fresh in the public mind, the then Attorney- General of New Jersey, Hon. F. T. Frelinghuysen, bore witness in a speech before a great Union mass-meeting on Military Park, as follows: "Your gallant Brigadier-General from this city, when on the eventful 2Ist of July last he stood alone in the intrenchments beyond Washington, and when telegraphed to stop the panic- stricken troops, he replied-standing there alone, 'Take the draw off the Long Bridge, and place cannon on the Chain Bridge.' His calmness there was an example which aided the cause of peace."
A few days subsequent to the battle, the term of enlistment of the New Jersey three-months' troops expired, and the regiments, having faithfully performed all the duties assigned them, were mustered out of service and returned to their respective homes. The First Regiment arrived in Newark about six o'clock on the evening of Saturday, July 27th. Owing to the fact that their departure from Washington had not been announced, and the time afforded not being sufficient, the arrangements for a grand formal reception, designed in honor of the troops, were not completed. Nevertheless, the welcome home was in the nature of a magnificent popular ovation. During the afternoon it began to be whispered about that the soldiers were rapidly whirling towards Newark. . Soon the tower-bell tocsin was sounded, mustering the Fire Depart- ment and the people into a great Reception Committee. It was announced that the troops would reach the Chestnut street station about six o'clock. Flags were thrown to the midsummer breeze in all directions : " the streets became very animated," and throughout the city there was "great joy and excitement." The appearance of the train having the soldiers on board " was the signal for an outburst of enthusiasm never before witnessed in our midst." Men cheered until they were hoarse, and until they were blind with perspiration. Women-mothers, wives and sweethearts-waved their handkerchiefs and otherwise displayed the ecstasy of their delight, until they almost sank exhausted ; and the soldiers felt that in that one welcome they were more than repaid for their three
25
SIMPLE JUSTICE FOR THE JERSEY TROOPS.
months of hard labor, suffering and hardship. As they marched up Broad street to Military Park, they were greeted with "the plaudits of the vast multitude," and so great was the crowd of people at the Park, that it could not be moved back by the police, and the regiment had to be dismissed to the armories by companies. In a word, a whole city paid homage to its valorous citizen soldiery, who, not in obedience to any " factious voice,"
"But the pure consecrated love of home,"
had, three months before, bravely hastened "to the field of generous fame."
It is the remotest from our purpose to indulge in fulsome eulogy of those who left their Jersey hearths and homes in response to the urgent call of country, but it is simple justice to them and to their gallant commander to say that twice during their brief term of servitude they rendered services to the nation which have never been fittingly recognized, if even appreciated, either by the nation or ambitious national historians. To the prompt appearance at the national capital of the four well-equipped New Jersey regiments was due, at least in a very large degree, the safety of the seat of Government from the clutches of the Confederates in those latter May and early June days; and to the courage and judgment displayed by officers and men at the first Bull Run is due the fact that it was not infinitely more disastrous. Whatever of honor there was in the occurrences of that day, was rightly borne away by the Jersey troops and their Newark commander. The latter, before quitting the field, received the thanks of President Lincoln, tendered him in the presence of the Cabinet. As a memorial of the services rendered the country by General Runyon and his brigade, the action of our State government stands on record for all time. The Journal of the Senate, 1862 (page 321), contains the following minute :
HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY, January 23, 1862.
WHEREAS, The alacrity, courage, patriotism and self-sacrifice of the four regiments of volunteers from this State, who in April last so promptly went forward at the call of the Nation for the preservation of the national capital, then imminently threatened by beleaguring bands of armed traitors, and remained in the service of the country to the end of their enlistment and until their places were filled by the volunteers for three years from this State, deserve honorable acknowledgment ; therefore,
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