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 23
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August 16 .- The Confederate sharpshooters were unusually active to-day. Colonel Stewart received a bullet in the skirt of his coat, and Major Hufty one in his left arm. The staff of the Ninth's state color, borne by Corporal John Donnelly of Company H, was cut in two by a piece of shell, although previously during the morning the color had been riddled by sharpshooters. After dark the Ninth was relieved and ordered back to the camp, which the men found in so sorry a plight that they could scarcely recognize it.
Colonel Stewart, commanding the brigade, issued the follow- ing circular to-day : "The attention of the colonel commanding has been called to the fact that a great many officers are found to remain in camp when their commands are at the front, and he instructs me to ask whether they are sick, or are they absent from the front without proper authority. The right is not acknowledged for an officer to report himself sick. He must be regularly excused by the surgeon. Regimental commanders are charged with the duty of seeing that this is strictly adhered to. At present we have but four (4) captains in the brigade for duty, aside from regimental commanders, and these four (4)
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officers are no doubt required to perform the duty of several others, who seize the slightest pretext for getting off duty. Regimental commanders will see that this evil, if any such exists in their commands, is at once checked."
August 17 .- The camp of the brigade was removed and established at a point half a mile further south-a more satis- factory place, although not void of danger. In the evening the Ninth went to the front line, relieving the Fifty-fifth Pennsylvania and Twenty-fifth Massachusetts regiments.
August 18 .- A tremendous artillery duel, lasting over four hours, occurred to-day.
August 19 .- In the trenches. Heavy firing.
August 20 .- Heavy fall of rain to-day, which, however, does not interfere with the artillery firing.
August 21 .- Struck tents this morning, and at four o'clock in the afternoon the brigade marched five miles, to support the Ninth corps, which, however, remained inactive. The Ninth relieved the Fifth, Seventh and Eleventh New Jersey regiments. This was the first time the men of the Ninth had ever met troops from our own state, but the exigencies of the occasion precluded any "socialities "-all being bent on business. The lines of the opposing armies were so close at this point-not exceeding twenty yards-that the piquets "stuck " their rifles up-end in the ground, and sitting down together, engaged in card-playing. There was no piquet-firing on our part of the line during the night, thanks to the card-players, who, if they had been permitted, would have ended the war right then and " thar."
August 22 .- Remained on duty with the Ninth corps.
August 23 .- The Ninth was moved two miles towards the right, to relieve a negro regiment, which put the men in no pleasant frame of mind.
Colonel Stewart to-day issued the following circular: "In pursuance of instructions from corps headquarters, regimental commanders will cause to be posted in trees at prominent points along the line, a few intelligent and reliable men, to observe any movement of troops on the part of the enemy. They will instruct these piquets to be on the look-out, and listen at night,
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and have the enemy's line of abattis carefully watched; to notice if it is taken away, or if their parapets are removed to make openings for assaulting. The look-outs above referred to will be made permanent, so that any one may ascend for the purpose of observation."
This was a tiresome and dangerous duty, and yet more men in the Ninth volunteered than could be accepted-love of adventure, perhaps, being the chief incitement.
August 24 .- The following circular . was issued to-day by Colonel Stewart : "It is expected that the Eighteenth corps will be relieved by the Tenth army corps this evening. Com- mandants of regiments will send small squads of men into camp for blankets, tents, etc., when they will return to the pits, and a like party will go in. This will be continued until the regiment is in marching order, that we may take up the march the moment we are relieved. The regimental teams will be ordered up, and everything in readiness to move by dark. The squads of men sent into camp will not be in such numbers as to materially weaken the line."
The Ninth was relieved in the afternoon, and just before midnight drew up in front of General Ames' headquarters, where it halted for several hours.
August 25 .- Resumed march at daybreak, shortly afterwards crossing the pontoon bridge over the Appomattox river, and climbing Cobb's Hill, formed line near General Butler's head- . quarters, where a most joyous surprise awaited the dirt-begrimed and bronze-faced veterans, being no less than the sudden and unlooked for appearance of General Heckman, who had just arrived from prison-pens in Dixie. General Butler, who accom- panied the idolized commander of the old Star brigade-but a remnant of which now remained-was deeply affected at the manifestations of the war-worn veterans, whose love for their old commander was passing strange. Many an eye was dedimmed on this occasion that had known no such feeling since the regiment left New Jersey in 1861. Cheer after cheer rent the air as he reined up in front of the Ninth to address it, and it was no wonder that his eye filled and his voice failed as he looked along the thinned ranks before him. The com-
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A PATHETIC SCENE.
manding form of the noble Zabriskie was no longer seen at the head of the Ninth; the faces of Lawrence, Harris and Carrell no longer shone along the line ; Brown, Townley, Hawk, Burnett, and many others, equally brave and true, of the rank and file, were disabled by wounds, while Kissam, Peters, Drake, Hulsart, Bennett, Fadde, Hill, Gale, and other comrades whose voices would have swelled that . day's welcome, were still lingering in vile prison-pens. General Heckman would have been other than he was had he not wept at the pathos of the scene and the memories it evoked. But finding his voice at last, he pledged himself, as the best evidence he could furnish of his appreciation of their kindly reception, to use his best endeavors to secure the return of the brigade to its old tramping-ground in North Carolina; and with that, as a fresh gust of cheers swept along the line, he waved his hat, and, sinking spurs into his horse, dashed away-never again being permitted, by the exigencies of the campaign, to look upon the Ninth in line.
The Ninth then proceeded on and halted near Redoubt Zabriskie, and arms had scarcely been stacked when an order arrived to hold itself in readiness to move. During the night there was a heavy rain-storm.
August 26 .- Captain Appleget of Company A, received an order to report at brigade headquarters as A. A. A. G. The Ninth passed the night in the advanced works, where it was kept busy.
August 27 .- The regiment marched back to camp this forenoon.
August 28 .- Colonel Stewart held a brigade dress parade this afternoon-many soldiers witnessing the ceremony.
August 29 .- In order to diversify the entertainment, the Ninth was sent out on piquet in the evening.
August 30 .- In the trenches-time passing heavily.
August 31 .- The Ninth returned to camp this morning. In the afternoon there was an inspection and muster, after which the regiment went on piquet.
It was during this month that heavy rains fell alinost con- tinually, rendering the condition of the men very uncomfortable. At times some of our piquets stood in water knee deep, and
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although it greatly added to their discomforts, not a murmur was heard. On the contrary, every one appeared in the best of humor, making the most out of the unpleasant and dangerous situation.
September 1 .- Regiment made its way back to camp this morning. Colonel Stewart saddened the hearts of many officers in his brigade to-day by issuing the following order : " Here- after officers' certificates for whisky will be approved at these headquarters-not to exceed one gallon per month to each officer reported 'present for duty,' or 'on duty.' Regimental commanders will act in accordance with this order in giving their approval. The quantity required on each certificate must be stated in 'gallons,' 'quarts,' etc."
September 2 .- The Ninth remained in camp to-day-the men spending most of the time in "skirmishing " about their underwear and cleaning their rifles. Inspection in the afternoon by Colonel Stewart.
September 3 .-- The Ninth marched out this evening, and occupied the outer works.
September 4 .- The Ninth this evening returned to camp. During the night the Twenty-third and Twenty-fifth Massa- chusetts regiments left and marched off towards Bermuda Hundred, en route, it was said, for happier hunting-grounds in North Carolina.
September 5 .- Captain Thompson of Company F, with a detail of one man from each company in the Ninth, departed for Norfolk, to obtain the knapsacks belonging to the men, most of whom had been five months without a proper change of apparel. Terrible lightning during the evening ; many declared they had never seen it approximated to. At times the lightning was blinding, turning night into day.
September 6 .- The Ninth was kept in the trenches until the ninth.
September 9 .- Captain Thompson and detail returned from Norfolk, bringing all the regimental property that was obtainable, Many trunks belonging to the officers, as well as hundreds of the men's knapsacks had been plundered of every- thing valuable. The men were in no enviable mood on learning
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VISIONS OF THE OLD NORTH STATE.
of the outrage, which, perhaps, accounts for the fact that they were ordered out next day to listen to a dull sermon by a member of the Christian commission.
September 11 .- The Ninth was inspected to-day by Lieu- tenant Edgett of the Twenty-third Massachusetts, and in the evening religious service was held in camp by a member of the Christian commission.
September 12 .- In the trenches.
September 13 .- Colonel Stewart held a brigade dress-parade, after which he gave instructions for " the bands to play all they wish !" The evening being lovely, the men walked about camp, enjoying the season of rest, as they had not done before in many long months. The waters of the Appomattox sparkled like silver in the mellow rays of the bright full moon, affording the more sedative ample food for reflection.
September 14 .- In the trenches.
September 15 .- Religious services by members of the Christian commission. The following circular-order was issued by Colonel Stewart to-day : " In pursuance of instructions from corps headquarters, in case the enemy open fire with artillery along this line to-day, the troops of this command will imme- diately form line: The Ninth New Jersey Volunteers, will, without further orders take position in the trenches, with its right resting on Battery number five. The Fifty-fifth Penn- sylvania will form with its right resting on the Ninth New Jersey, and the Twenty-seventh Massachusetts will form in line of battle to the left and rear of the Ninth New Jersey, and be ready to support either the infantry line or Redoubt Dutton as necessity may demand.
September 16 .- The Ninth received orders to prepare two days' cooked rations, and hold itself in readiness to proceed to the old North State, which announcement at dress-parade, was received with hearty cheers. It is consoling to know that the Twenty-seventh Massachusetts regiment, is to go along, and that ere the lapse of many days the old Star brigade will again be united, even though its old commander is not permitted to be present.
September 17 .- The men of the Ninth were aroused at day-
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WORKS CONSTRUCTED BY THE NINTH AT BERMUDA HUNDRED.
ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-FOUR DAYS FIGHTING. 251
break, and after a hasty meal of coffee, hard-tack and salt junk, it formed line and marched to Bermuda Hundred, where at nine o'clock it embarked in the following order : Companies B, D, F and I on steamer "Utica," and Companies A, C, E, G, H and K on transport "Convoy." Steamed away at ten o'clock, and reached Norfolk early in the evening.
May I not say here that the fighting of the Ninth New Jersey and the Star brigade in Virginia is ended ? For one hundred and twenty-four days the regiment had been almost con- stantly under fire. Half that time it had occupied rifle-pits, which it was death to leave or enter during the light of day. The men had suffered from thirst, hunger, disease and wounds, but had uncomplainingly performed every duty required of them.
After loading certain supplies belonging to the Ninth at Portsmouth and Norfolk, the two steamers proceeded to Fort Monroe, where all the companies were transferred to the steamer "United States."
September 19 .- Sailed for North Carolina this evening, the men being in joyous spirits. Colonel Stewart had been ordered by General Butler to proceed to Newbern, via Hatteras, but as the vessels could not cross the bar and enter the sound, and as we had learned that yellow fever was epidemic at Newbern, he took upon himself the responsibility of proceeding to Morehead City. Before leaving Hatteras, however, Colonel Stewart gave permission to Lieutenant Chapin Hunt of his staff, and an orderly, to go to Newbern. Upon reaching Morehead City he learned that both had been stricken with the fever, and that the orderly had already died-Lieutenant Chapin's strong constitu- tion alone saving his life.
September 20 .- Arrived off Fort Macon during the night.
September 21 .- It would be difficult to describe the joy of the officers and men on arising from their crowded berths and going on deck this morning. How familiar the scene-how pleasant the surroundings. No booming of guns, save the sunrise gun at Fort Macon, over whose walls floated in the gentle morning breeze the beautiful flag which the Ninth aided in putting there more than two years since. Beaufort lay quiet and apparently
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smiling on our right, while across the beautiful bay rested Morehead City, the termini of the railroad, and its great steam- boat wharf. How quickly ran through the minds of the men countless scenes they had witnessed since leaving this hospitable locality, and how pleasurable was the anticipation of a landing and commingling with a people who had held them in esteem, and who had regretfully witnessed their departure nearly a year ago. Only one year ago-and yet this brief time seeined an eternity to the living, as it had in reality proved to many who had gone to that bourne from which no soldier ever returns.
At ten o'clock the good ship " United States" steamed safely over the bar and into the harbor-the boys in the fort on the left, and citizens of Beaufort on the right, saluting us merrily as our vessel continued ou to Morehead, where a disembarkation was promptly made. Several companies at once marched to the old camp-ground above Carolina City, while the three remaining companies remained to unload the stores. The One Hundred and Fifty-eighth regiment New York volunteers, who had been enjoying themselves at this post, were ordered to leave the camp and proceed to the trenches around Petersburg, which they had no relish for, but as a heavy rain-storm came up suddenly, their debarkation was postponed for a day or two. Although the men of the Ninth got a thorough drenching, being compelled for want of shelter to stand in the open air, they had not one word of fault to find, as they deemed any little discomfort of this nature far more desirable than the occupancy of the bomb- proofs and rifle-pits in front of Petersburg.
September 22 .- The news of the Ninth's arrival spread like wildfire, and this morning the camp was overrun by citizens, who came in from the surrounding country, bringing produce and all sorts of good things, for which they could not be induced, poor as they were, to accept pay. The men hailed the Ninth with extravagant expressions of delight, while many of the fair ones, who had ever been treated with great respect and politeness by the Ninth, did not consider it rudeness on the part of the more venturesome Jerseymen if they indulged in a salute with the lips. It was a happy reunion, but difficult to decide who were the happiest-the men of the Ninth or the
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WHY HE COULDN'T SLEEP. .
good people who had long ago put their trust in the Jerseymen. In fact, it was too good to last very long.
September 23 .- Colonel Stewart rejoined the regiment to-day and assumed command, to the entire satisfaction of officers and men, who, now that Heckman and Zabriskie had been lost to them, were dissatisfied when he was absent. He was as popular as either of his predecessors, and fully as devoted to the interests of the command, which never suffered under his mag- nificent management.
September 24 .-- The One Hundred and Fifty-eighth New York regiment "vamosed the ranch " to-day, when the Ninth took possession of its admirable quarters.
September 25 .- It looked like old times to see the companies of the Ninth engaged in drill, which, after the lapse of many months, were resumed to-day. Company G was ordered to do piquet duty on Bogue sound-a very agreeable occupation, because, when not sleeping, the men could engage in pisca- torial pleasures-the waters of the sound abounding in all kinds of delicious fish. The regiment was inspected to-day.
September 26 .-- Our camp, located on a level plantation, occupied the highest ground in the vicinity of Carolina City. Bogue sound is completely overlooked, while the ocean, but three miles away, is separated only by Bogue island, a desolate place, inhabited by one or two poor families and thousands of alligators and venomous snakes. Rattlers and mocassins were not uncommon even in the vicinity of the camp, and almost daily one or more were killed. The writer remembers visiting a piquet post along the sound early one morning and finding the corporal in command asleep, awakened him. He arose, but not in the best of humor, and was muttering something about not having been able to obtain sleep, when he drew his over- coat from within the bough house, under which he had passed the night, and giving it a shake turned out a rattler over three feet long. Corporal Craig, that was his name, planted his "governments" upon his snakeship and flattening out its head said : "So you are the - thing that kept ine awake all night, are you?" The writer has, on more than one occasion, seen villainous looking moccassins under the floor-boarded
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tent in camp, but never regarded them as pleasant com- panions.
September 28 .- Lieutenant-Colonel Curlis, whose leg had sustained severe injury by his horse falling upon him, while on piquet on the night of May twelfth, from the effects of which he had not yet recovered, returned to the regiment to-day, not being able to walk without the aid of crutches.
September 29 .- Yellow-fever having broken out at Newbern, great alarm was manifested. Although the authorities took every precaution and used every preventative that sanitary science could suggest, the scourge continued to rage with violence. Many of the troops were attacked by it, but the great majority of deaths occurred among the natives, nearly two thousand of whom fell. The surgeons were unremitting in their exertions, and faithful in the extreme, as is evidenced by the sorrowful fact that no less than thirteen of their number fell victims to the dread disease. All business in the city was suspended-those who were able having left the place for a healthier region. It was a season of gloom for all. Several members of the Ninth, whose term of service had expired, and who had stopped in the city to await the arrival of a steamer to convey them to "God's country," as the north was then called by soldiers, died of the disease-Corporal John S. Parkhurst of Company K, and Sergeant Pulaski Hines of Company G, being among the number. Young Parkhurst received a ghastly wound in the head at the battle of Newbern, and as he never recovered full articulation of speech, he was detailed as bookkeeper in the general hospital at Newbern, which position he held until the end of his three years' enlist- ment, his services being considered very valuable to the department. He often expressed his sympathy for his comrades in his regiment, who had to march and fight and suffer, while he had a position that was free from danger. The thought that he would die while thus pleasantly situated, and that many companions of his boyhood days, who were constantly exposed to manifold dangers, would survive him, never entered his mind. Sergeant Hines, one of the handsomest and brainiest fellows in the regiment, had served two years in the signal corps -
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DEPARTURE OF BRAVE MEN ..
with Lieutenant Moffat, and was likewise esteemed for many sterling qualities. Both were from Elizabeth.
"Yellow Jack," owing to the prompt action of Colonel Stewart, gained no foothold in camp-there being but one case reported, but as misfortunes never come singly, anxiety was further increased by the breaking out of small-pox in a negro regiment, encamped a short distance from the Ninth. This loathsome disease was fortunately confined to that command, a cordon of guards being posted between the camps, and it would have been worth a darky's life had he dared venture to break that barrier.
October 11 .- The Ninth received its pay to-day-the first it had had from the government in ten months. A paymaster had attempted to pay the regiment in the trenches before Petersburg, but he took a sudden departure, on hearing bullets whiz about his ears, saying there was so much noise it disturbed his "calculations."
October 12 .- Companies I and K, under Captain Townley, went up to the old barracks at Newport, to guard against a threatened attack of the enemy.
October 14 .- Captain Burnett, with Companies B and C, relieved the two commands at Newport.
October 21 .- One hundred and eight men, whose original term of enlistment had expired, left for New Jersey to-day under command of four officers, to be mustered out. Colonel Stewart, deeming it a fitting occasion to return the tattered colors to the state, sent Color-Sergeant George Myers along to present the relics of the Ninth's prowess to the governor, together with the following letter :
"HEADQUARTERS NINTH NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS, "CAROLINA CITY, N. C., Oct. 15, 1864.
" To His Excellency, JOEL PARKER, Governor of New Jersey.
" SIR :- I herewith have the honor to forward to you for safe keeping in the archives of New Jersey, the national and state colors of the Ninth regiment, New Jersey volunteer infantry. Three years ago they were entrusted to our hands. How well we have performed that trust, our past record will show. In every engagement they have been with us, and battle-worn and bullet-riddled as they are, we can proudly look upon them with the consciousness that not upon a single thread is there the least speck of dishonor or shame.
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" At the expiration of original term of enlistment we now return them to the authorities of the state, well assured that they will sacredly cherish them as priceless relics of the brave men who have fallen, as well as the most precious deposit of those who remain.
"Corporals Delaney, Company K; Hand, Company C; Hubner, Com- pany A ; Garthwaite, Company G; Smith, Company D, the bearers of the state colors, were severely wounded while bearing it at the battles of Newbern and Goldsboro, North Carolina, and Drewry's Bluff, Cold Harbor and Petersburg, Virginia.
" Color-Sergeant George Myers has carried the national colors for three years, and by singular good fortune his life has been spared, and doubtless he has known no prouder day than that in which he safely placed it in the capital of our state. Understanding it to be your inten- tion to furnish the regiment with new national and state emblems, we can only say we shall be gratified to receive them, and it shall ever be our utmost endeavor to preserve them as unsullied as are those we now place in your hands.
" I have the honor to remain, your excellency's obedient servant,
" JAMES STEWART, JR., " Colonel commanding."
The departure of the solid three years' men, whom no bounty could induce to re-enlist, was the occasion of quite a demon- stration. When drawn up in line, Colonel Stewart delivered an eloquent address, paying them a high tribute for the faithful services rendered by them on many fields of battle. As they moved away towards the waiting train hearty cheers were given by both parties-by those who were going home, as well as by those who remained to see the war ended. The regiment parted with these brave fellows with great regret, and well it might, for no braver or better men ever belonged to the organization. They had faithfully kept the agreement made with the govern- ment in 1861, when "bounty " was an unheard-of thing. They loved the country well enough to devote three of the best years of their lives in its defence, and they had every right to return home and receive the meed of praise from all true men of- "Well done, good and faithful soldier, your patriotic services entitle you to rest and the gratitude of all good citizens."
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