USA > New Jersey > The history of the Ninth New Jersey Veteran Vols. A record of its service from Sept. 13th, 1861, to July 12th, 1865, with a complete official roster, and sketches of prominent members > Part 21
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49
" For five long June days, the rebels had refused us any opportunities to bury our dead. To-day, the shifting wind had had brought to their noses the scent of corruption which they had compelled us to endure. *
* The little space between our works and the old, well-finished works of the enemy, was strewn with the dead. But-whose dead ? There were 110 colored troops charging us. Their faces are as black as ebony. Five long summer suns have changed our comrades to bloated Ethiops. The all-devouring worms are pouring forth in dis- gusting eruption, from mouth and nostril and ear. There was little chance for recognition."
The bugles sounded the "recall," and within fifteen minutes afterwards, men who had been handling the shovel and pick and stretcher, had laid aside their peaceful implements, and again stood ready to murder in the name of the constituted
1
221
HOW A VAMPIRE WAS TREATED.
authorities. Again was the air filled with missiles of death and destruction. Again did the men, who, a few minutes before had peaceably joined in a Christian undertaking, taunt one another, and loading their rifles, speed the deadly bullet to its destined human mark. As the Confederate missiles dropped in and around the hospital of the Eighteenth army corps, it was found necessary to remove the same, and as the field-hospital of the Ninth was in more danger from the enemy's fire some distance in the rear, it was brought up and established imme- diately in rear of the regiment. In the evening, a band at Eighteenth corps headquarters, doubtless with a view of causing the men to forget the awful scenes witnessed by them during the day, performed a national air which lulled the warriors to a relaxation of their fearful purposes. When " My Maryland " was rendered the " Johnnies" cheered, but when "Dixie" was given, they groaned and hooted, even venting their disapproval by firing their rifles in the direction of the musicians, who, despite the surroundings, had a bit of levity in their com- position.
June 8 and 9 .- The Ninth occupied the same position, con- tinuing its fire as opportunity offered, or as the nature of the occasion made it necessary. There was no such thing as sleep or rest-the constant sping of the bullet and explosion of the dreaded shell absolutely preventing any one on the front line from indulging in or enjoying sleep-tired nature's sweet restorer.
June 10 .- Still in the trenches. Some excitement was occa- sioned in the rear to-day by the arrival of a sutler, whose stock in trade consisted almost exclusively of chewing tobacco. This fellow showed commendable enterprise in venturing so near the front, and had he been content with receiving a liberal sum in exchange for his goods, all would have gone well with him, and instead of coming to grief, he might have returned to Whitehouse with a handsome competence. But no, this sordid creature wanted the earth, and instead of asking twenty-five cents for a piece of tobacco (the usual price), he had the brazen impudence to demand five dollars. This vampire was seized and escorted towards the front, in order that he might learn
.
222
NINTH NEW JERSEY VETERAN VOLS.
something of war's commotion, and on being left to himself, attempted to get back to the rear, but a Confederate sharp- shooter sent his compliments in the shape of a Minie bullet, and he sank to rise no more. It is scarcely necessary for me to add that his goods were distributed among those whom he had attempted to rob under the plea of a sale.
June II .- Tremendous firing by the artillery all day-mortars joining in the pandemonium. As the rifle-pits, under the increased fire, scarcely answered the purpose for which they were intended, the men exerted themselves in digging deeper into the ground, and in making the embankment in front more formidable and secure.
June 12 .- The joyful intelligence reached the Ninth in the afternoon that it must hold itself in readiness to march. As no particular preparation was necessary in order to comply with this order, the Ninth gave itself no uneasiness, except to anxiously await the supreme moment when it should be ordered to make the change it had long desired. The men did not believe it possible for them to get into a worse place, as nothing except hard work in digging and fighting had greeted them, while danger and death lurked at every step, and faced them every moment.
True enough, the Ninth moved quietly out of the deadly rifle-pits shortly after eight o'clock in the evening, and gladly marched along rough and dark roads some three miles, when it halted to await the passage of a column of troops converging at a junction of roads. The march was resumed at midnight, and Whitehouse Landing reached at eight o'clock the next morning.
General Stannard, in his report of the operations of the brigade, states that in the thirteen days' campaign he sustained a loss of thirty-one commissioned officers and four hundred and sixty-two enlisted men-which shows the nature of the work which the Ninth and the other regiments had been called upon to perform in assisting the Army of the Potomac in its great and successful effort to reach the south bank of the James river.
June 13 .- What a relief to again be out of danger -- out of sight of the enemy and away from the shock of battle, in which
223
THE NINTH ON ANOTHER RAID.
the Ninth had lived for twelve days, even though one be com- pelled to lie upon the ground by the dusty roadside suffering from the pangs of hunger. The "rest," as it was called, was enjoyed by both officers and men, all of whom were too fatigued to indulge in a much-needed bath, which the river near by, apparently smilingly invited. At three o'clock in the afternoon all the companies in the Ninth, excepting "I," which took passage on the "Claymont," embarked on the steamer "Albany," and before the sun, which had turned the veterans of the Ninth into a black and tan sort of color, sank behind the hill at the stern of the vessels, the latter were pressing down the Pamunkey. The "Albany," after the Stygian darkness had set in, anchored off West Point, Virginia, for the night.
June 14 .- After a most delightful sail, greatly refreshing the wearied men, they reached Bermuda Hundred at nine o'clock in the evening, and marched to General Butler's headquarters, four miles distant, where they went into bivouac for the remainder of the night. It was with feelings of genuine joy that the Ninth rejoiced over its return to a familiar locality, and tired as the men were, they tossed themselves upon the baked earth, and slept serenely until morning.
June 15 .- Daylight found every man engaged in boiling his coffee, which had hardly been swallowed, when an order arrived directing the Ninth to march to Point of Rocks, and report for duty to Brigadier-General Turner, commanding a division. The command had proceeded but a short distance, however, ere a courier came up with a countermanding order, and the Ninth made its way to the ground occupied by it on the twenty- eighth of May, where the men commenced making themselves as comfortable as circumstances would permit. Believing that no occasion would arise for their services, at least during the night, the men gathered boughs from young trees and long grass for bedding, and were in the act of cultivating sleep, when the clattering of a horse's hoofs were heard, and in another moment a staff officer dashed up and delivered an order to Captain Hufty, commanding regiment. It was about half- past nine o'clock, when, everything being in readiness, the Ninth and a portion of the Twenty-third Massachusetts (all
- 1
224
NINTH NEW JERSEY VETERAN VOLS.
that were present of the Star brigade, ) moved out in the direc- tion of Warebottom church, and were temporarily formed into a provisional brigade, commanded by Colonel Barton of the Forty-eighth New York.
June 16 .- At nine o'clock this morning the Ninth, with other troops, marched out of the Union breastworks into those just deserted by the enemy, continuing on until the turnpike road between Richmond and Petersburg was reached, where the Confederates were found in strong force. The Ninth destroyed two telegraph wires running from a large house, which had been occupied by General Beauregard and staff, and later in the day burned the building, together with those which surrounded it. The Ninth engaged the enemy, continuing the fight until nearly sun-down, a large part of the accompanying force mean- while uniting in again tearing up the railroad. This being accomplished, the division set out upon its return, the Confed- erates just reinforced, following close upon the rear and firing whenever within range. It had been a hard day's work, and although the men were thoroughly exhausted, they were detailed to do piquet duty for the night, which, owing to the proximity of a large force of the enemy, required the greatest vigilance. The Confederates kept up a fire at intervals, but the Jerseymen, familiar with their tactics, seldom replied. But along toward midnight, the enemy, emboldened by our silence, advanced a strong line and drove in Company H, which occu- pied an unprotected position. The Ninth, on its feet in a moment, stood like a rock, as it had a hundred times before, and by its well-directed fire, aided by a battery, sent the Con- federates reeling back to their lines, and all again became still. The general commanding being anxious to gain information as to the composition and strength of the enemy, Private Marshall Howell of Company H, whose skillful services had been frequen- tly sought for dangerous and difficult duty, was requested to' enter the Confederate lines for the purpose. He promptly complied, and reaching the vicinity of a well, from which the "Johnnies" continually drew water, he overheard conver- sations between unsuspecting Confederates that he knew would suffice the object of the Union commander. Howell did not
225
AGAIN IN THE PITS.
receive a pecuniary reward for this act, neither did he expect one, but the general promised to be " best inan " at his wedding. June 17 .- In the trenches, blazing away.
June 18 .- Intelligence reaches the Ninth that Company I, which embarked on "Claymont" at Whitehouse Landing on the thirteenth, and for whose safety much apprehension had been felt, was acting as provost-guard for General Stannard's brigade. Very heavy artillery firing near Petersburg heard this afternoon. Officers and men suffering greatly for want of food. Lieutenant Coyte saw one of the men dig a piece of fat meat out of the ground and eat it, which, he thinks, decidedly "rough" for men who are doing all they can to preserve the government.
June 19 .- According to our calendar-Sunday. It may be a holy day in some portions of the land, but in this latitude there is no semblance of holiness, sanctity or rest. Along toward noon, a "Johnny " in front of the Ninth, sung out : "Say, Yanks, let's take a rest till night-it's Sunday."
"All right, 'Johnny,' " responded a pious Jerseyman, " we shall all feel the better for it."
The word was quietly passed along, and in a few minutes absolute quiet prevailed on that part of the line. Both parties strictly observed the unwritten agreement, and a feeling of personal security was enjoyed that had long been a stranger to the men of the Star brigade. If the men on both sides, who did the fighting, had been permitted, the war would have ended much sooner, and a satisfactory settlement of the difficulty agreed upon.
June 20 .- Rumored this morning that the Ninth, which has much celebrity as a sharp-shooting regiment, is to be sent off to a more dangerous part of the line-just as if it had not already enough of this sort of work to do. True enough. With the arrival of the midnight hour, came an order to march, and away the Jerseymen started, their cartridge-boxes and haver- sacks carrying a plentiful supply of ammunition. Crossing the Appomattox river on pontoons, the Ninth was headed up the Broadway pike, which was followed for a distance of five miles, when a divergement was made.
226
NINTH NEW JERSEY VETERAN VOLS.
June 21 .- Just before noon-time, after having crossed the Petersburg and City Point railroad, the Ninth halted within plain sight of the city, in front of which there was heavy cannonading. The bombardment continued without inter- ruption during the afternoon. When darkness had set in, veiling the movement of troops, the Ninth marched into the advanced rifle-pits, and did its full share of the work in hand.
June 22 .- The works of the opposing armies were so con- tiguous that it was worth a man's life to expose for an instant, any portion of the person above the works, and not unfrequently hand-grenades were thrown from one work into the other, rendering life very insecure-necessitating the utmost care and vigilance on the part of all the contestants. It was along toward eleven o'clock at night, when the enemy, under cover of a tremendous artillery fire, charged the works occupied by the Ninth, but the scorching, effective volleys of the Jerseymen caused the column to stagger, and ultimately to withdraw, leav- ing many killed and wounded in the narrow space between the lines.
June 23 .- The Star brigade was reunited to-day. It consisted of the Ninth New Jersey, Twenty-third, Twenty-fifth and Twenty-seventh Massachusetts, Eighty-ninth New York, Fifty- fifth Pennsylvania and Fifth Maryland regiments, and occupied a long line of pits. The firing to-day was incessant, many gallant fellows being summoned, crossed the river to settle their final account. After dark the Star brigade was relieved by another command, but it was found to be too small in numbers to cover the entire line, whereupon the men of the Ninth, who were getting used to the position, and its manifold dangers, volunteered to remain. The commanding general, admiring the proposition, thanked the Ninth for its devotion to duty, and ordered .up an abundant supply of ammunition for its use. Ball cartridges had never been served to the Ninth in a begrudging manner.
June 24 .- A sudden resumption of heavy artillery firing on the part of the enemy warned the Ninth, which seldom misun- derstood such signs, that an attack was intended, and it prepared for the encounter. The Confederates, believing it within their
227
TAKEN AT HIS WORD. .
power to dislodge the Union line holding the rifle-pits, gave vent to their peculiar yell, and boldly advanced, but were assailed by a terribly destructive fire from the riflemen and the batteries in the rear. At one moment it seemed as if nothing could withstand the onslaught which the enemy made with heroic persistency, but the resistance of the Unionists at length disheartened the Confederates, after a two hours' struggle, and they slowly retired, losing a number of prisoners and many dead. Firing was continued without intermission throughout the day, and far into the night. Our lines at this point were in such close proximity to Petersburg that the-men of the Ninth could see the church-spires, and hear the public clocks strike the hours. The habitations of the men were caves-excava- tions in the earth-for protection against the fire of the enemy, which was more or less constant. From these deep trenches extended, and only along the subterranean passages, could the men travel with any sort of safety from whistling bullets and fragmentary shell. The Ninth inhabited these caves-off and on-for several weeks, the recollections of which can never fade from the memory of those who participated in the campaign.
June 25 .- A desperate charge upon our breastworks early this morning by the Confederates resulted in their discomfiture. As the Ninth New Jersey had suffered many discomforts for five days, and the rifles needed cleaning, the command was relieved this forenoon, and while proceeding to the rear a fierce attack was made on the right-center, where the works were manned by the negro division in the Ninth corps, who had been brought up to hold the position while their white brethren constructed a new line of earthworks. The unlooked-for sortie demoralized the darkies, who, in firing, killed as many friends as enemies. The Ninth, on hearing the old-time yell, halted in the third line of works, and facing about, stood ready to answer any call that might be made upon it. In this position the regiment was" really in more danger than if closer to the front, as the enemy's shells, misdirected in the excitement which prevailed, exploded in their midst. After waiting an hour or so, and receiving no order to march to the scene of turmoil, the Ninth continued its way to the rear, where it rejoined the brigade, receiving a
228
NINTH NEW JERSEY VETERAN VOLS.
hearty greeting as it passed along to the spot designated as its resting-place.
It was on this day that Private Hiram Gray of Company E, met his fate. Extemporizing a dish of scouse, having had much difficulty in obtaining the necessary condiments, he sat down to enjoy it. Finishing his repast he rose to his feet, and walking towards Captain Hopper, patronizingly patting his stomach, said to that officer : "If I die now I will die with a full belly." The words were scarcely uttered when he fell dead at the captain's feet-a bullet from an argus-eyed and unerring sharpshooter having passed through his heart. Gray was a brave man and generally cautious, but on this occasion his self-satisfaction led him into an indiscretion which cost him his life.
June 26 .- The Ninth, from its camping-ground on Frane's plantation, had a fine view of Petersburg-two miles distant. The men hugely enjoyed the rest, which a relief from duty afforded them, some, doubtless, being selfish enough to wish that their inaction might continue for an indefinite period.
June 27 .- Quite a number of men belonging to other regi- ments in the brigade (bounty-jumpers chiefly) distinguished themselves by shooting off the trigger-finger to-day, hoping thereby to procure a discharge from the service. Late in the afternoon the Ninth, feeling much refreshed by the relaxation which it had enjoyed, marched to the battle-line and occupied the first line of earth-works-the position, of course, being one of great peril. The brigade commander ordered a detail of fourteen sharpshooters from the Ninth for "hazardous duty."
June 28 .- During to-day a number of shells, thrown by mortars, exploded within the ranks of the Ninth, and so accurate was the range obtained by the Confederates, that it was found necessary to remove the hospital some distance to the rear. During the night our lines were advanced over fifty yards.
June 29 .- When the "Johnnies" at daybreak this morning saw what we had been at during the night they opened a furious fire of all arms, making our new position exceedingly undesirable and dangerous. Their fire was heavier and more
229
HOW BOUNTY JUMPERS FOUGHT.
spiteful than any we had thus far experienced. At an early hour a fragment of shell struck Lieutenant Pullen, commanding Company H, while a short distance away, an exploding shell severely wounded five men belonging to the Fifty-fifth Penn- sylvania regiment. The Ninth, in the afternoon, took position within the second line of works, and being relieved after dark went out and occupied the rifle-pits, where it was kept exceed- ingly busy till daylight.
Upon an elevation in our rear had been mounted a monster gun, to which the army had given by common accord, the cog- nomen of "Petersburg Express." The terrible flight of its ponderous missiles, with their peculiar hissing, burning sound, as they rushed through the air on errands of destruction and dismay, caused the blood of all, both friend and foe, to course more quickly ; but the "Johnnies," of course, hunted their holes more closely.
June 30 .- The regiment, being relieved, proceeded to the rear and enjoyed another rest in the ravine. Intelligence reached the Ninth to-day that commissions had been issued to Lieutenant-Colonel Stewart, as colonel, and Mjaor Curlis and Captain Hufty, as lieutenant-colonel and major respectively. In the afternoon the Star brigade marched towards the Union left to support an attack made on the enemy's works at that point by the Eighty-ninth and Ninty-eighth New York, Fifth Maryland and One Hundred and Twelfth Pennsylvania regiments. The fight was a hot one, lasting two hours. Just before sunset the Ninth was inspected and mustered.
July r .- At daylight the Ninth occupied the first line of breastworks. The bombardment of Petersburg, which had been going on throughout the night, doing immense destruction to buildings, continued to-day, and ended in a hotly-contested engagement between the Star brigade and the Confederates in line opposite to it. Private Robert J. Sloan of Company G, who was instantly killed, had been severely wounded on two previous occasions. In the evening the Ninth, thoroughly fatigued, moved to the rear, and laid down to obtain necessary rest within the works of the third line.
July 2 .- No unusual event occurred to-day, except that a
---
1
230
NINTH NEW JERSEY VETERAN VOLS.
number of the Ninth embraced the opportunity afforded, and indulged in a wash in a brook near by. So great was the metamorphosis that they were recognized with difficulty on returning to camp.
July 3 .- Sunday. Religious service in a house near " Baldy " Smith's headquarters on Frane's plantation. During the afternoon some of our heavy guns sent monster shells howling over into the beleagured city. Considerable sport was created by the "drumming " out of camp of three men of the Eleventh Connecticut, who had straggled on a recent march. They had joined the army for the liberal bounty offered by wealthy patriots at home, who, to escape a draft, were allowed to purchase substitutes. After dusk the Confederates opened their batteries, and for a couple of hours things were very interesting, although a trifle dangerous for promenading pur- poses.
July 4 .- Independence Day, so-called, but no independence for those in the tented field. Rumors had prevailed for several days that a charge along the whole line would be made on this day, but as the hours passed by, and no unusual preparations could anywhere be seen, the men in the Union army, at least, became satisfied that the day would be a quiet one, and it was, to the joy, no doubt, of both armies.
July 5 .- After dark, the Ninth moved into the second line of works, relieving the Nineteenth Wisconsin regiment. The position assigned to us was a bad place for shells.
July 6 .- The Confederates were remarkably active to-day, but contented themselves with shelling our lines without inter- mission.
July 7 .- Owing to the large number of men in the Ninth who had been killed and maimed, or were down with the fever, the command was relieved, and ordered back to the old camp, or resting-place in the ravine ; out of an aggregate of ninety odd men in each company none of the commands at this time reported over half that number "present for duty."
An incident occurred this afternoon that illustrates some of the dangers attending the life of a soldier, participating in a great siege. W. J. Doran, George Townley and Jeremiah C.
r
23I
CARRYING A RAIL.
Decker, of Company K, were partaking of their evening repast on a spot they deemed secure for the purpose, when the Confederates resumed fire from some of their heavy guns. The three young men, as brave as any in the command, did not at first allow themselves to be disturbed, and continued eating, but as the shells came creeping nearer and nearer, they concluded to move into the trench and finish their repast. This they had just accomplished, when a large shell exploded in front of the works, a fragment thereof striking the ground and tearing a large hole upon the very spot they had but a moment before occupied.
July 8 .- The Confederates attempted to capture the works in the night, but were repulsed with great loss. During the afternoon, a Christian-spirited "Johnny " raised a portion of his shirt over the works in front of the Second corps, and finding it respected, sprang upon the embankment, and said : "We uns won't fire, if you uns won't !"' and then he bobbed down into liis "gopher " hole. The word was quickly passed along the line to the three corps-Second, Fifth and Eighteenth -and peace reigned for the time being. Whether the high officers were parties to this arrangement or not, the men did not know nor care. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. There was no doubt about the honesty of purpose on the part of the Confederates, as the moment the firing stopped, they stacked their rifles, removed their equipments and laid down to obtain sleep-of which all stood so much in need. There was now absolute, even painful quiet, and some imagined that the millenium had arrived, that the time had come when the lion and lamb could lie down together. A single shot, and how changed the scene. All was animation and intense excitement. In a moment twenty thousand rifles were leveled -the two armies, a moment ago so peaceful and happy-now glaring upon each other. But hold ! What is that? A white flag, borne along upon the enemy's earthworks. "Was any one hurt by that shot?" inquired the gallant Confederate. " No !" shouted a dozen voices from the Union side ; "the bullet struck this rail." "Throw that rail this way," shouted the officer, "and I'll make the - fool who fired the shot
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.