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 22
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carry it till dark. You Yankees kept the bargain that was made, and we shall do the same thing." Saying which he approached the Union works, picked up the rail, and returning with it to his own line, compelled the unfortunate fellow to shoulder it and march along on the breastwork till dark, he being the cynosure of all eyes.
It was during the night that Private Thomas McCormick of Company K, distinguished himself by capturing a Confederate major. "Tom," as he was called by all the boys, never shirked any kind of duty ; in fact, anxious to see all that was going on at the front, he oftentimes volunteered for the most dangerous work. And when we had guard-mounts, before squatting in front of Petersburg, Tom invariably received a mark of merit from the adjutant for presenting the tidiest appearance of any man in the detail. This entitled him to a pass for twenty-four hours after performing his tour of duty. Now, McCormick wasn't by any means the handsomest man in the regiment, (General Butler was a beauty in comparison), but he always managed to have his clothing, accoutrements and rifle as clean and as bright as they could be made. The night was a lovely one, and Tom, with two companions, was ordered to go out of. the works to a point about midway between the two lines. Reaching the coveted spot, which they did by crawling upon the ground, the three men halted, examined the surroundings as well as they were able by the pale moon's light, and secreted themselves behind a huge stump, whose conformation was admirably adapted for the purpose. This stump afforded them comparative security, for here McCormick and his comrades could readily listen to the "Johnnies," and make a timely dis- covery of any movement on their part. Tom often smiled at the ludicrous remarks made by the unsuspecting Confederates, and at times had all he could do to keep from laughing outright at their witty sallies. Shortly after midnight all sounds ceased, and the stillness soon became painful. This caused McCormick to increase his vigilance, which was at length rewarded by the discovery of certain signs which pointed to some movement on the part of the enemy. Lying close to the ground, Tom intently watched the enemy's massive works in his immediate front, and
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SERGT. SYMMES H. STILLWELL,
CAPT. J. P. RITTER.
Company G.
Company A.
LIEUT. RICHARD E. COGAN.
Company B.
PRIVATE GEORGE SMITH,
PRIVATE FRANCIS CAHILL,
Company B.
Company B
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"TOM" MCCORMICK'S CAPTURE. .
but a few yards away. With his usual foresight, sharpened by years of war and active service, he enjoined his companions not to move, nor fire a rifle without his command. The sky, thickly" studded with bright and beaming stars, (the moon having set), rendered objects more or less distinct, according to distance. Hark ! Discovering three figures emerging from an embrasure, McCormick's heart pulsates quickly as he sees them stealthily approach his covert. Keeping his two blue criss-cross eyes keenly fastened upon the party who continued slowly, yet not the less surely, advancing, Tom and his tried companions clasped their trusty rifles more firmly, determined to thwart the enemy or die in so doing. As Tom, actuated by motives of self- preservation, was about to halt the three Confederates, and demand their surrender, they stopped of their own accord, and talked in low monotones so long that the three Union piquets began to imagine that the stump behind which they were secreted was the objective point. Tom was at a loss for a plan of procedure. It would have been a very easy matter for him and his comrades to have dropped the unsuspecting Confederates in their tracks, but a disposition which ever characterized Tom to show fair play saved their lives. Directly, one of the Confederates is seen to move off to the right-his two comrades remaining standing where they had halted. The moment for action had at last arrived, and it remained to be seen which leader would outwit the other. Bidding his companions to remain and watch the two Confederates, McCormick followed the one who was making his way to the Union works, keeping as close as was consistent with the plan which he had in view. He knew every inch of the ground, which was of infinite advantage to him. The "Johnny," with the utmost wariness, halted frequently to satisfy himself that his path was clear, and to scan the Union earthworks, which he was the better enabled to do by means of a large glass. This action convinced McCormick that the game he was hunting was of no mean quality. Perhapsit was Longstreet ; maybe it was Lee himself. Whoever it should prove to me, it was worth risking a good deal to capture or-kill, and one or the other of these alternatives Tom was now fully determined upon. He crawled
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along upon his hands and knees, never removing his eyes from ,the figure which preceded him. But things could not continue thus much longer ; in fact, the crisis was reached much sooner than Tom had anticipated. When he saw that the Confederate had suddenly stopped but a few yards in advance, and was gazing at him with basilisk eyes, he felt that the tug-of-war was at hand. But McCormick, who had often found himself in tight places, did not allow this incident to disturb the serenity of his mind. While the danger of his situation encouraged him to exhibit the utmost sang froid, he kept his forefinger on the trigger of his deadly rifle, and, Micawber- like, awaited for something to turn up. He, for a moment, failed to comprehend the singular movement of the Confederate, and it was only when the latter, in a low yet firm tone of voice, said : "Didn't I tell you not to follow me ? Go back and wait !" that he became convinced that he had been mistaken for one of the Confederate's companions. The Yankee piquet looked upon this revelation as a timely interposition of Providence, and governed himself accordingly. But he did not budge in obedience to the command given him ; on the contrary, he replied that he was doing well enough, and that he, too, was anxious to "take a peep at the Yankee breast- works." This downright insolence enraged the Confederate, who came near betraying himself, as he fairly hissed between his teeth : "You -- hound ! Go back, or I'll shoot you !" McCormick, with imperturbability, and with supreme indiffer- ence to this formidable injunction, merely raised himself upon his feet, and stood like a statue, which greatly added to the exasperation of the "Johnny," whose indignation knew no bounds, and who now vowed that he would tie him up on the breastworks by the thumbs as soon as he returned. Tom, thinking it time to bring the farce or tragedy, whichever it might prove to be, to a termination, told the Confederate to go on and mind his own business, which unasked-for advice had the effect of bringing matters to an immediate head. Totally forgetting, or not caring for the surroundings, the enraged Confederate sprang towards McCormick, with leveled revolver, hissing : "- your infernal impudence-I'll see if I can't
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"WHO COMES THERE?"
shut up your ugly mouth !' Tom, anticipating something of this kind, leveled his rifle, and said : "Stir another inch, and I'll blow your rebel head off. Now, you just put your face where the back part of your head is, and follow your nose into those works, which you can see to greater advantage inside, after which I will take great pleasure in introducing you to General Butler! Go!" The Confederate's revolver dropped from his hand, a ghastly hue overspreading his hitherto hand- some countenance. He had lost all heart and ambition, and words for a reply failed him. He saw his utter helplessness, and the next moment accepted the situation with all the grace possible under the circumstances, and moved as directed towards and into the works, which a few minutes before he had been so anxious to examine. He proved to be a major of engineers on the staff of General Lee, and his capture was regarded as a very clever bit of work, as a reward for which McCormick received from General Butler a ten-dollar green- back, and a furlough for a week. Tom McCormick was a lion for a time, but he bore his honors modestly. He served in the Ninth New Jersey nearly four years, and I am glad to say that he still lives, with no shadow of the old peril on his face.
July 9 .- The Ninth again took position in the second line of works, and quietness prevailing during the day and night, it had but little to do, save keep awake and be prepared for any unforseen emergency.
July 10 .-- Religious services were held in many of the camps this afternoon, and in the evening there was prayer-meeting in a house near corps headquarters. At about midnight "Jerry" Decker of Company K, distinguished himself by capturing a Virginian, who, tired of the war, had taken this occasion to desert to the Union lines. "Jerry " was keeping a lonely vigil in his "gopher" when he heard the approach of some one from the direction of the Confederate works, but a few yards away. Directly he saw a white object-a newspaper-waving gently before him, while a short snort, in imitation of a horse, was given. "Jerry," thinking that the time for action had arrived, called out, loud enough to be heard, "Who comes there ?" "A friend !" was the quick response in a modulated voice,
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followed the next instant by a man raising his body up and holding high his hands, to show that he was unarmed. "Come in, quick !" said "Jerry," who escorted the F. F. V. to head- quarters, where he volunteered information that the Confed- erates were arranging for a charge at daybreak. But as no charge took place, we concluded that the poor fellow made the statement as a sort of thank offering for the kindnesses he experienced at the hands of his captors.
July II .- The Ninth held the third line of works during to-day, and in the evening returned to camp. A shower refreshed the earth, making it more habitable.
July 12 .- The Ninth, and the remainder of the brigade, was inspected to-day-very few of the companies averaging forty men each.
July 13 .- Things remarkably quiet along the whole line all the forenoon, but shortly after midday the enemy opened its heavy guns and dropped fifteen solid shot in such close proximity to the Ninth's field hospital that some of the " sick " felt able temporarily to seek other quarters. In the evening the Ninth moved into the third line of works.
July 14 .- Both armies were inactive to-day, but at night the usual drill of the artillerists took place.
July 15 .- Heavy cannonading for two hours this morning, causing the boys to lie low.
July 16 .- Very heavy musketry fire to our left, and towards night "practice " by the artillery.
July 17 .- Sunday and everything unusually still. Ninth went out in the evening to the outer line of works.
July 18 .- Portentious quiet. As a dense fog enveloped the earth it was feared the Confederates would make an attempt to advance under its protecting cover, but as they did nothing of the kind, we relapsed into inertia, keeping, however, a bright though silent lookout.
July 19 .- Heavy rain-storm all day, adding to the discomforts of the men. As the bomb-proofs were far from water-tight, some of the men presented a ridiculous appearance, especially those upon whose faces and apparel the streaks of clay had become dry. During the night, after the usual bombardment,
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EXPLOSION OF THE MINE.
the piquets indulged in their old pastime, rendering it unsafe to leave cover. The front line of works were occupied by the Ninth to-day, and after dark it marched to the ravine to clean rifles and perform other necessary chores.
July 20 .- General cleaning day.
July 21 .- Anniversary of "Bull Run." Three pieces of Confederate artillery, fired with great precision, cause much trouble. The Ninth was ordered into the first line of works.
July 22 .- Regiment moved back to third line.
July 23 .- There was unbounded joy to-day upon the return of Colonel James Stewart, Jr., who has been absent two months, suffering from terrible wounds received at Drewry's Bluff. He received a hearty welcome from all, but looked sad as he gazed upon the thinned ranks before him.
July 25 .- General orders, dated headquarters department of Virginia and North Carolina, announcing that the redoubt on Cobb's Hill, near Point of Rocks, had been named "Fort Zabriskie," in honor of the late colonel of the Ninth, were read to the regiment. Colonel Stewart was to-day placed in com- mand of the First brigade, Second division, Eighteenth army corps, which position he held until the fifteenth of September, when he was ordered to take the Red Star brigade to North Carolina. The Ninth this evening occupied the advanced works.
July 26 .- In the trenches. Colonel Stewart issued an order assuming command of the First brigade, Second division, Eighteenth army corps, appointing Lieutenant Edward W. Welsted as his adjutant-general.
July 27 .- Still in the trenches.
July 28 .- The usual artillery firing in the afternoon. Large fire in Petersburg, the flames being plainly observable. Cooked three days' rations to-day.
July 29 .- Under arms at midnight. Movement of troops commenced at eight o'clock, requiring five hours for the column to pass a given point. Colonel Stewart's brigade moved in the following order: Tenth New York heavy artillery, Fifty-fifth Pennsylvania, Twenty-seventh, Twenty-fifth and Twenty-third Massachusetts, and Ninth New Jersey, and reaching the desig-
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nated point, formed line of battle in rear of and as a support to the Ninth corps, which had been charged with exploding the mine.
July 30 .- At four o'clock this morning the " mine explosion " took place, startling, yet not surprising, the Union troops. The sound was dull and heavy, not what we had been led to expect, considering the quantity of powder used. This was followed by a terrible cannonading, heavier than anything we had heard in Virginia, and very much resembling that at the bombardment of Fort Sumter in April, 1863. As the Confed- erates made but a feeble reply, it was thought they had retreated, and this encouraged a charge by the colored troops, who went along well enough until they reached the third line of Confederate works, where they were desperately assailed by the enemy and driven back in confusion. When the affair ended, most of the Union troops were satisfied that the Con- federates had reaped the greatest advantage. The failure was caused by a lack of harmonious action on the part of the Union generals, some of whom had opposed the selection of colored troops for the duty to which they were assigned.
July 31 .- The Ninth returned to its old camp this evening- the men being footsore, weary and hungry.
August 1 .- Ninth exempted from duty to-day.
August 2 .- Quartermaster Samuel Keys, who was detailed to accompany General Burnside when he left with his corps to join the army of the Potomac in IS62, visited the Ninth to-day for the first time. There had been so many changes in the regiment (nearly two thousand), that few, except the officers, recognized his ever genial face. General Burnside found Quartermaster Keys so efficient and useful that he would never allow him to leave.
August 3 .- The Ninth entered the breastworks this evening, taking position, with its right resting on Appomattox river.
August 4 .- In the trenches, with but little to do, however, save exercise vigilance.
August 5 .- Fears of an eruption of our works having been entertained for some days, the men were cautioned to listen for noises under ground, it being strongly surmised that the Con-
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AFFAIRS IN THE COCKADE CITY.
federates were hard at work mining along our front. Colonel Stewart, however, and his brigade were prepared, although it must be confessed, somewhat surprised, when a vast volume of earth, directly between our line and that of the enemy, was sent skyward at five o'clock this afternoon. The Confederates, in readiness to charge across the intervening space, opened a combined infantry and artillery. fire, and yelled like demons, but the Ninth New Jersey and the men of Stewart's well-tried brigade drowned the old yell, which they had heard so often, with wild cheers of derision, and delivered volley after volley that nothing could withstand. The Confederates in their haste, had made a miscalculation, and were rewarded with failure for their pains. The dirt, thrown several hundred feet into the air, made a terrible dust for a few minutes, and was quite as disagreeable to the Confederates, as to ourselves. The firing was kept up until after dark, when both armies, fatigued with excitement and the manifold labors of the day, rested for the night upon their arms.
August 6 .- Notwithstanding its arduous labors and continued losses, the Ninth is kept within the works-its members having plenty of work to do. During the afternoon Sergeant Samuel B. Moore of Company K, made his way nearly to the Con- federate entrenchments, and succeeded in exchanging a Philadelphia paper-never newsy by any means-for a copy of the Petersburg Express of the previous day. Among the most interesting items in it, I find the following :
FROM THE FRONT.
On Wednesday night after our article of yesterday had been prepared and put in type, the enemy's mortar batteries opened on those Chester- field pieces (which the Yankees confess have given them more annoyance than all others combined), and blazed away at a furious rate. We are pleased to learn that they did no damage. Our boys over there are now so well protected that they regard the enemy's fire with as much indifference as they would the explosion of a pack of Canton firecrackers. The enemy boast very much of a seven-ton mortar battery, which they have recently erected for the especial benefit of the Archer battery, as they term it, in Chesterfield. This monster piece of Yankee ordnance has been tried, but so far, it has done no injury on our side. Its shells sometimes fail to explode, and then our ordnance department comes in for a good big lump of metal, which is very
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NINTH NEW JERSEY VETERAN VOLS. .
POSITION OF EIGHTEENTH CORPS AT COLD HARBOR.
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COLONEL STEWART VISITS GENERAL BUTLER.
acceptable. When they do explode, it is generally in the ground, creating a cavity which greatly facilitates excavation for our bomb proofs ; but occasionally they strike a tree and our soldiers procure a small amount of fuel with the expenditure of but little labor.
To ADVERTISERS .- Advertisements must be handed in before 3 P. M. to insure insertion in next succeeding issue of the Express. This rule will be rigidly adhered to. Our reasons are obvious, but need not be specified.
CASH .- Many of our advertising patrons seem to have overlooked the fact that the credit system, like Grant's campaign, has nearly " played out." Such, however, is the fact, and we wish it distinctly understood that we do not keep any books; and further, that the cash must invariably accompany all advertisements. We arerequired to pay cash for every article we purchase, and we must insist upon it that all others do unto us as they would have us do unto them.
August 7 .- Sunday. Regiment maintained in its position during the day, but is relieved in the evening, to the great joy of officers and men, having been in a perilous position four days. Company I, which had been absent from the regiment since June thirteenth, performing provost duty for the division, rejoined the regiment to-night.
August 8 .- Branches of trees were placed upon cross-poles in the company streets and over company kitchens, for the pro- tection of men against the broiling sun.
August 9 .- The Ninth occupied the advanced works by way of variety (?), which is said to be the spice of life.
August 10 .- It is worth a man's life to expose any part of the person to the view of sharpshooters-on either side. Regiment learns that General Heckman has been exchanged and is on his way north.
August tr .- The Ninth this evening returned to its camp-if it could thus be called.
Colonel Stewart visited headquarters during the evening, and was heartily greeted by General Butler, who held him and his command in high esteem, neither having ever failed him. The general, in excellent humor, was quite talkative, which greatly pleased the colonel, as he had a big axe to grind-so to speak. His opportunity came when the general, stretching himself at full length in his easy chair, said :
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, "Do you know, Colonel Stewart, what the Ninth New Jersey did at Drewry's Bluff?"
"I ought to, general, I was there," replied Colonel Stewart.
"Well, I will tell you. It killed more men than it num- bered," continued General Butler.
"I am glad, general, that you are familiar with the Ninth's long term of service, and as you know what it has undergone, how faithfully it has been kept at the front, and what its losses are, I hope you will give my command an opportunity to recruit itself. After a little rest, very inuch needed by all, we shall be able to render much better service," said Colonel Stewart.
"Just so, so you would. Where could a spot be found for you to rest ? " inquired General Butler.
Colonel Stewart, who had not forgotten the pleasures and comforts enjoyed by the men in North Carolina, suggested that locality.
"Yes," said General Butler, " there are troops down there who have done nothing except draw rations and pay. They must have a little glory, too. As soon as your command finishes the works you are now constructing you may take their place."
Colonel Stewart having "accomplished the object of his expedition," returned to camp with a face beaming with joy, and a day or two afterwards issued an order announcing the glad tidings.
August 12 .- A terrible duel between the artillerists com- menced at seven o'clock this morning and continued until noon -- the Confederates being anxious to prevent the construction of new and more advanced works by the Union forces.
August 13 .- Early this morning the Ninth again entered the trenches-to dig and fight.
Colonel Stewart had the following circular promulgated to-day :
" The colonel commanding directs me to say that General Butler has promised the Eighteenth corps will be relieved from duty at the front in a few days. In the meantime it will be necessary to finish the two forts now in construction near the Hare house ; and owing to the limited
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A CLOUD BURST.
number of men in the command he calls upon regimental commanders to bring out every available man, in order to keep up the strength of the line, and also to complete the works now in course of construction. This work we are called upon to finish before we will be relieved, as a less force than what we muster is expected to occupy the works we now hold. The men will have some hard work to perform, but we trust it will be done cheerfully, in view of our soon being relieved and sent to camp for rest.
" Yours very truly, "E. W. WELSTED, Lieutenant and A. A. A. G."
August 14 .- Very little firing to-day, for which the wearied veterans of the Ninth are devoutly thankful.
August 15 .-- The Tenth New York heavy artillery departed for Washington, to do duty in the fortifications, with which it was familiar until General Grant took command of the Army of the Potomac, when he caused all the " heavies," who had had a soft thing of it around the national capital for years, to march to the front, where they could be more useful. This morning Color-Corporal Charles P. Smith of Company D, while making his way a short distance to the rear of the works for a necessary purpose, was instantly killed. The slightest exposure of person was certain to invite wounds or death at the hands of the ever-vigilant Confederate sharpshooters, who never lost an opportunity to make us feel war in all its terrors. Notwithstanding the imminent dangers surrounding the troops of both armies in the front lines, men became careless and indifferent, to which many owe their injuries and death. Others, on both sides, often offered themselves as "shining marks," defying the unerring marksmen.
This afternoon Jupiter Pluvius reigned. It seemed as if all the gates above had been opened at the same moment, so great was the resistless flood which swamped everybody and every- thing. Safety could only be found in the open, and on high ground. The excavations which the men occupied for safety from the enemy's missiles were inundated, almost before the occupants could effect their escape, and a number lost both haversack and blanket. But it was at the rear, in the ravine, or so-called camp, that the most damage was done to the Union forces. The regiments, whose shelter tents were pitched away
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up on the hillsides, had all they could do to keep from being washed into the bottom, where a torrent of foaming water rushed towards the Appomattox. The sutlers and wagoners, together with a negro regiment, who occupied the low land, escaped to the hill-top in bare time, although a score and more of the tardy ones found death before leaving their tents-so sudden was the rise of the water. Portable houses, tents, barrels, wagons, trees, furniture, even barrels of whisky, floated down with the torrent, which for a width of nearly two hundred feet, was fully nine feet deep, and in some places much deeper. The negro soldiers had a lively time fishing their arms, accoutrements, etc., out of the mud, after the water had receded. So violent a rain-storm had not been seen in Virginia since the war opened. There were many ludicrous incidents in connection with it - more especially among those who engaged in the pastime of catching commissary and sutler stores as they were borne along on the water. Many sutlers lost heavily, but the men were unsympathetic.
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