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 24
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
October 25 .- Lieutenant-Colonel Curlis went to Newport bar- racks to take command of the post.
October 31 .- The Ninth was inspected and mustered to-day by Colonel Stewart.
November 14 .- Captain Atwill inspected the regiment, and
257
A SCENE OF THE NINTH'S GLORY.
after witnessing a drill expressed great pleasure at its appear- ance and condition.
November 27 .- Color-Sergeant Myers returned to-day, bring- ing a handsome stand of new silken colors and a very compli- mentary letter from Governor Parker, which was read to the regiment at dress parade in the evening, when the flags were unfurled for the first time.
Private John Newkirk of Company I, was united in mar- riage to Miss Susan Moyer of Beaufort, Squire Ward of Carolina City, performing the ceremony.
December 3 .- The Ninth received orders to prepare rations for three days, and be ready for a move, consequent upon which there was an old-time bustle, officers and men seeming glad of the proposed movement, as of late they had done nothing except drill and perform camp-guard.
December 5 .- Embarked on cars at seven o'clock, and two hours later the Ninth was bivouacking upon its old camping- ground on the south side of the Trent river, awaiting the arrival of a steamer to convey it to the scene of action, wherever that might be. Of late many recruits had reached the regiment, and with them the old members had much sport. At eight o'clock in the evening Companies A, C, D, E and I marched on board the gun-boat "Reno," Companies B, F, H and K embarking at the same time on the steamer "Massoit," and shortly afterwards both vessels were heading down the Neuse river.
December 6 .- Along towards noon the steamers passed Roanoke Island, on the southern shore of which a garrison flag could plainly be seen waving in the sun's bright rays. The recruits evinced much interest in the scene before them, and listened to the veteran members as they recited stories of the fray which had taken place there nearly three years pre- vious. Rumors prevailing on ship-board that the Ninth was to land at Plymouth and make a raid into the interior, caused intense joy among the men who had not had a chance to forage in a long time.
December 7 .- Anchored off Plymouth before daylight, and landed at seven o'clock, the companies occupying vacant
258
NINTH NEW JERSEY VETERAN VOLS.
houses and barracks, the latter being especially unpleasant owing to the prevalence of vermin-gray-backs-which roamed about the premises at their own sweet will. The hull of the ram "Albemarle," blown up by the intrepid Cushing of the navy, was an object of great curiosity to the men of the Ninth.
December 8 .- Rations for four days were issued the men this afternoon.
December 9 .- The " assembly " was sounded before daybreak, and at half-past five o'clock the Ninth was in line, as ready as ever for a march or a fight. After proceeding outside the town, it halted to await the arrival of the other commands detailed to form the expedition, which consisted of the Twenty-seventh Massachusetts, four companies of the Second Massachusetts heavy artillery, and detachments from the Eighty-fifth New York, Sixteenth Connecticut, One Hundred and First and One Hundred and Third Pennsylvania, two companies of cavalry from the Third and Twelfth New York, and Graham's North Carolina (Union) cavalry. Lieutenant Kille of Company I, Ninth, was placed in command of Company D, Second Massa- chusetts heavy artillery. The command of these troops had been given to Colonel Frankle of the "Second Heavy," whose limited experience in warfare illy fitted him for the responsible position.
The column finally moved forward-the Ninth, as usual, with the gallant Stewart at its head, in advance of the infantry. Captain Graham, in command of the cavalry, encountered the enemy's horse, at Gardner's bridge, and engaged them. Finding himself outnumbered and likely to be outflanked, Graham sent word to Colonel Stewart to "come up and brush the - butternuts out of the path !" This request was " nuts" for Stewart and his warriors, and with a wild cheer the Ninth rushed forward, dispersing the enemy like chaff before the wind, and capturing a number of prisoners and the bridge ere the disconcerted Confederates could apply the match to the turpentine-covered structure. The experience of the Ninth in taking positions of this character was invaluable on this occasion, and the means of preserving valuable lives, always lost by vexatious delays in attempting to dislodge the
1
259
THE "DUTCHMAN" MAKES A SPEECH.
enemy by " shooting them out." A skillful, impetuous charge is far preferable to a dilatory movement, and in this the Ninth could not be excelled.
The ardor of the men was somewhat dampened by a heavy fall of snow during the afternoon, which greatly added to their discomforts, while the atmosphere was colder than any they had experienced since leaving New Jersey, three years before. Despite this unpleasantness the Ninth resumed the march and before nightfall went into bivouac on a plantation near Foster's Mills. A heavy rain-storm had set in, and the men were thoroughly drenched. The heavy guns of the naval portion of the expedition, shelling the shores on Roanoke river, could be plainly heard in the early part of the night, during which the gunboat "Otsego " was blown up by a sunken torpedo.
December 10 .- The weather continued stormy, and despite a thick fog, the column advanced at seven o'clock, and two hours later the Ninth was engaged in a bitter contest with Confed- erates advantageously posted on the northern side of Foster's bridge. Colonel Stewart, seeing the futility of charging this position, deployed his regiment, whose sharpshooters speedily rendered it untenable, and when with his ever-watchful eye he saw the Confederates preparing to retreat, sounded his well- known battle-cry and dashed up the wet and soggy roadway, followed by his men, and in a moment was in possession of the coveted structure. Two Jerseymen only were wounded in the charge, so quickly had the act been performed. A number of Confederates were captured in the chase-one of whom was Lieutenant Treloir of the Sixty-eighth North Carolina reserves. Colonel Stewart, learning that the mill contained a supply of flour, and that there were a number of sheep, pigs and poultry on the premises, hinted the fact to the boys, and within ten minutes every man in the Ninth who had an appetite for that sort of provender, was busily engaged in roasting a piece of meat over fires hastily kindled. By the time the Jerseymen had got through with their feast, the commander of the expe- dition arrived with the remainder of the column. "I shust guess," said he to Colonel Stewart, "ef you fellows keeps on dis vay, and does all the fightin' and all the eatin', I may shust
260
NINTH NEW JERSEY VETERAN VOLS.
as vell let de rest of de troops go back home," and he laughed a broad laugh. In obedience to command, the men of the Ninth, with well-filled stomachs, moved forward in the direction of Williamston, and after marching three miles espied the enemy on Biggs's plantation. The Ninth and Twenty- seventh Massachusetts, under Colonel Stewart, made a dash for the Confederates, who, deemning discretion the better part of valor, took to their heels and ran away, so as to live and fight some other day. Colonel Stewart ordered two field pieces he had with him to shell the surrounding woods, which was promptly done, and as no reply was elicited, the troops went into camp-the Ninth well at the front, keeping the usual watch and ward.
December 11 .- The Jerseymen and their Massachusetts friends fared sumptuously while on the Biggs plantation, which recompensed them somewhat for the discomforts they were experiencing. Every man had a surfeit of fresh-roasted pork and poultry, and when in the middle of the afternoon the column moved forward, all felt equal to any emergency that might arise, for if there was anything else in the world the men of the Ninth enjoyed in preference to marching and fighting, it was a sufficiency of wholesome food and full stomachs. . The Ninth and Twenty-seventh had no difficulty in forcing back the daring Confederate horsemen who vainly labored to retard the march of the little column. A number of them were very ven- turesome, paying for their temerity with their lives-all that they could offer for the cause in which they were engaged. The fighting continued till darkness set in.
During the afternoon the Ninth's skirmishers found a colored man, who gave his name as "Mose," hidden in the woods. "Mose," overjoyed at the sight of "Lincum's jubilee sojers," as he called our men, was very communicative, and as he appeared to be unusually intelligent for one of his race, he was turned over to Colonel Stewart, to whom he gave much infor- mation, which, if true, would be of great value to that officer in his present movement.
The red December sun was still shining across the beautiful plantations when Colonel Stewart ordered a halt, and as it sank
251
CROSSING A FLOATING DAM.
in gorgeous splendor behind the distant purple hills in his front, and the sombre shades of night fell upon the earth, the various commanders gathered around a genial fire to decide upon future operations. "Mose" gladly offered himself as a guide, insisting that he was thoroughly conversant with the country, and the position occupied by the enemy. Colonel Stewart assured " Mose" of a handsome reward in case of success, and of certain death should he practice deception. At this conference (or council of war) it was decided that Colonel Stewart, with the Ninth New Jersey, Twenty-seventh Massachusetts and Battery A, Third New Jersey artillery, (acting as infantry), should endeavor to make his way to the enemy's rear, while Colonel Frankle, with the remainder of his force, was to advance upon and hold the Cross Roads, to prevent the retreat of the Confed- erates in case Colonel Stewart was successful in taking the bridge.
It was ten o'clock when a bright silvery moon rose to cheer the "bloody invaders," as they started on their hazardous enterprise. From " Mose," who was acting as pilot, and who was admonished to keep conveniently near to Colonel Stewart, had been ascertained that the only crossing was at a point three miles away, and near where Butler's creek empties itself into the majestic Roanoke river. This crossing, "Mose " said, was a mill-dam, constantly guarded by sentries from Fort Branch, located but five hundred yards distant. Colonel Stewart, who had had considerable experience in flanking the enemy by crossing mill-dams, feeling the utmost wariness to be necessary, cautioned his men to muffle their canteens, cups and accoutre- ments and move as silently as possible. On reaching a point quite near the dam, Colonel Stewart halted his column, and taking with him Sergeant Jacob L. Yeomans and Private George A. Stout of Company H, he made his way to the dam, which he carefully reconnoitered. Finding no sentries where "Mose" had said they were always posted, Colonel Stewart and his plucky companions emerged from the deep shadow in which they had been standing, and crossed the dam, which consisted mainly of logs floating about in the water.
Satisfied that the guards had been withdrawn, and that the
262
NINTH NEW JERSEY VETERAN VOLS.
dam could be crossed by his column without discovery, Colonel Stewart retraced his steps over the treacherous and dangerous floating bridge (for it was but little better), and again urging the utmost prudence, commanded the column to follow him. However perilous the proceeding, the men of the Ninth and Twenty-seventh Massachusetts, with the batterymen, hesitated not-they had never shrunk from the performance of any duty- they would not, did not, falter now. With the stealthiness of Indians, the little band of heroes grasped their rifles more firmly, and moving out of the woods, were the next moment cautiously yet fearlessly, crossing the dam. Gaining the opposite side of the creek the men were quickly and noiselessly formed in line, when Colonel Stewart, his face radiant with pleasurable excitement, revealed the enemy's situation, and issued his instructions. He now knew that in order to gain the road upon which the enemy were posted, it would be necessary to move along inside the outer line of works which had been constructed for the defence of Fort Branch, whose frowning guns could be plainly seen a short distance away, and within easy rifle range.
Colonel Stewart had meantime discovered a very strong abattis, which it would be necessary to pass before the works could be entered. He had no orders to assault the fort, and nothing but the most pronounced success would justify his departing from the orders he had received. If, however, the enemy should discover their presence and open upon them, the Unionists were to face to the right and make a rush for the works. It was a picturesque sight-one calculated to inspire every actor in the drama-as this little column in the awful stillness of this bright, yet intensely cold night, hurried its way towards the grim yet still silent iron-tongued monsters which had long maintained watch over the river-its human defenders little dreaming of the close proximity of men determined to effect their capture, or die in the attempt.
On, on, the brave little band went, and as the spectral procession glided noiselessly by the fortress, unnoticed by the heavily muffled sentries who were distinctly seen slowly pacing upon the ramparts, the cold, biting wind rendering them insen-
263
SURPRISED IN THEIR QUARTERS.
sible to other scenes, each inan felt that Providence was kindly watching over him. That the heart-beats of the men quickened as they passed along under those monsters, ready to belch forth death and destruction, goes without saying.
Colonel Stewart, who thus skillfully led his men beyond the fort, and through a labyrinth of brushwood, only breathed freely on reaching the main road. In an instant he sent Company A, Captain Appleget, and Company I, Captain Charles Hufty, over the road towards Butler's Bridge, following them closely with the remainder of his command. The boys of Com- panies A and I had lots of sport in surprising and capturing squads of the enemy, who were passing between the bridge and the fort.
The Sixty-eighth North Carolina regiment was found to be encamped on the road, and as its heroes were slumbering soundly, unmindful of affairs on this terrestrial, the boys made a rush for their quarters. So quietly and quickly was this done that not a shot was fired, and before the drowsy North Carolinians could realize the nature of the disturbance each was told to consider himself a prisoner. Colonel Hinton, the com- mandant, accompanied by his adjutant, returning to camp, was captured by Colonel Bartholomew of the Twenty-seventh, while the adjutant graciously surrendered himself and his blooded horse to Colonel Stewart, who was glad to find in the animal a match for his horse "Dandy Jim," which he regarded as a valuable acquisition to his stable. Alas! his term of service in the Union army was exceedingly brief-being riddled with bullets by his Confederate friends half an hour later.
Colonel Stewart, after capturing the camp of the Sixty-eighth regiment, lost no time in reforming his column, at the head of which he proceeded down the road in the direction of the cov- eted bridge. Up to this moment no alarm had been given, and everything augured well for the accomplishment of the end in view. The works constructed for the defence of the bridge were but a quarter of a mile distant, and towards them Colonel Stewart's command was proceeding when a party of horsemen were heard approaching. Dispositions were promptly made to give them a warm reception, but one of their number, riding
264
NINTH NEW JERSEY VETERAN VOLS.
some distance in advance, discovering our column, shouted . " Blue Bellies, by ---! " and quickly turning about, put spurs to his horse, dashed back to his companions, who retreated in haste.
Companies A and I of the Ninth, again in advance, pushed forward in pursuit as rapidly as possible, keeping a close watch ahead lest they fall into ambush-the main column keeping well up with it to afford such support as might suddenly be found to be necessary.
Owing to a lack of information, and in ignorance of the country, the movement of Colonel Stewart's force was now necessarily slow. This gave the frightened Confederates time to make good their escape, which they lost no time in doing, by way of the Tarboro road. Colonel Stewart, feeling that Frankle was on hand at the Cross Roads to intercept the flight of the fugitives, kept his column well closed up, expect- ing momentarily to hear firing, and thus satisfy himself that the Confederates had readily fallen into the trap so skillfully prepared for them. But no sound, other than the clattering of retreating horses' hoofs upon the frozen ground, reached him. A horrible suspicion came upon him -- Frankle's force was not where it ought to have been, and the bird had flown.
The works, covering the bridge, found to be deserted, were quickly occupied by the Ninth, under Major Hufty, who was ordered to hold the position, while Companies A and I were directed to cross over and move forward and endeavor to open communication with Colonel Frankle, or ascertain where he was.
Colonel Stewart, disgusted at the escape of the Confederates, whose capture he had regarded as certain, (and which would have been certain had Frankle kept his appointment), then marched away with the Twenty-seventh Massachusetts, Third New Jersey battery and Captain Graham's cavalry, in pursuit of the fleeing enemy. Finding it impossible to overtake the Confederates, and fearing that the Ninth might be attacked by forces front Fort Branch, he directed Colonel Bartholomew to take a position and hold the road at all hazards, and galloped back to the bridge. He was impatient to learn what had become of Frankle, but still no tidings reached him. No
CAPTAIN J. PETER RITTER.
LIEUT. FREDERICK G COYTE,
Company G.
Company E.
CAPTAIN JOSEPH SCHUETZER.
Company G
LIEUT HENRY B. LANNING,
PRIVATE ROBERT G GERTH,
Company K
Company F.
----
265
"ALAS ! THAT'S THE MUSIC !".
wonder that he chafed at the delay, for he saw his brilliant work thereby brought to naught. Notwithstanding the dangers he had incurred, the fatigue and exposure his gallant followers had been subjected to for many hours, his tiresome efforts were rendered almost fruitless through the lack of a hearty co-oper- ation on the part of the commandaut of the expedition.
But the stealthy approach through the woods of a strong regiment of Confederates from the fort being promptly reported to him, Colonel Stewart sent Company K, Captain Jonathan Townley, as skirmishers to engage it, the colonel following with the Ninth as a support. Company K had advanced nearly across the open space, separating the Ninth from the woods in which the enemy was believed to be posted, when it was assailed by a terrific shower of bullets.
" Aha ! That's the music !" joyously exclaimed Colonel Stewart, and away he bounded on the horse he had so recently taken from the Confederate adjutant, followed on the run by the Ninth. Seeing the valor of the approaching command, the Confederates fired another volley, which killed Colonel Stewart's horse, and then facing about, retreated towards the fort, behind which they had nothing to fear so long as the little Union band was not reinforced, as it should have been long since. Despite the strength of the enemy, and absence of the Twenty-seventh Massachusetts, the Ninth dashed into the woods and pursued the Confederates almost to the inner line of earthworks fronting Fort Branch, killing a number and bringing back several prisoners.
Had Colonel Frankle been in position at the Cross Roads, as he had promised to be, the entire Confederate force, with its guns, would have fallen into our hands. I dislike to criticise his conduct, as his regiment-the Second Massachusetts heavy artillery, from Lieutenant-Colonel Sprague to the humblest private-was composed of excellent material, and as Colonel Stewart said, "no better could be wanted by any competent commander." Under a soldier like Lieutenant-Colonel Sprague the "Second heavy" would have found many opportunities of distinguishing itself.
Had Colonel Stewart been entrusted with the command of
266
NINTH NEW JERSEY VETERAN VOLS.
the expedition, as all thought he should have been, Rainbow Bluff, with its garrison and guns, would have fallen an easy prey. But Frankle had an older commission, and rank in the army invariably takes precedence, unless the ranking officer acknowledges his incompetence, and resigns the command to his junior, who was often his superior in all that goes to make a soldier.
December 12 .- The march being resumed at an early hour, it was not long before the Ninth's skirmishers again confronted the enemy, quite a body of whom, some little distance ahead, were acting in a strange manner. Under the belief that they wished to give themselves up as prisoners, Major Hufty and Captain Graham, a perfect dare-devil at all times and under all circumstances, raised a kerchief, that had originally been white in color, and went forward to meet them. The Confederates not only declined the proffered invitation, but informed the Union officers that they themselves would never again reach the Union lines, as a large force under Longstreet would speedily intercept them. This intelligence, in which there was not one word of truth, so frightened the doughty Massachusetts colonel that he immediately ordered the column to halt, and after a brief rest, led it back over the same road on which it had advanced. The men rejoiced at this, as they had no hope of accomplishing anything under the commander of the expedition. The Ninth, in the retrograde movement, covered the rear, and was more or less harrassed by the enemy, who had suddenly become quite emboldened.
December 13 .- Started at daylight, and after a very dis- agreeable and fatiguing day's march over wet and rough roads, reached Jameston at sunset, where the Ninth bivouacked on a plantation.
December 14 .- Colonel Frankle, realizing that his expedition was an inglorious failure, suddenly took it into his head to attempt something in another direction, and with this in view, called the various commandants together. One and all plainly told him that nothing could now be accomplished, owing to the severe weather and terrible condition of the roads. Besides, more than six hundred men, who had started out with the
267
ON HALF RATIONS.
expedition, were now incapacitated from service, owing to wounds, frost-bite and blistered feet. This caused the com- mander to again change his plans.
December 15 .- The Ninth, at noon, embarked on the steamer "John Faron," which during the afternoon, landed them at Plymouth, where the command occupied the quarters it had vacated a week previous.
December 16 .- Many of the horses and mules, captured at much risk, were returned to parties who entered the town and claimed them-the heart of the Massachusetts colonel being more solicitous for the interests of strangers than for the comfort and well-being of the brave men who had been compelled to follow his incompetent lead.
December 17 .- Some little excitement in the town consequent upon rumors that a large force of the enemy is advancing from the direction of Foster's bridge, which had been rebuilt. A multitude of orders from the colonel commanding created much fun, notwithstanding which the various commands held them- selves in readiness to repel attack.
December 18 .- Although this is set down on the calendar as the Lord's Day, there is no rest or religious service for the men, - who continue to manifest discontent at the impotency of affairs. During the evening, several houses were consumed by fire, and as the veterans of the Ninth New Jersey and Twenty-seventh Massachusetts were suspected of being dissatisfied with matters, and 'somewhat hostile to the commandant, the latter did not hesitate to declare that members in these commands were guilty of destroying the property.
December 19 .- The men, supplied with half the usual quantity of rations this morning, manifest their dissatisfaction in a man- ner quite uncomplimentary to the chief of the expedition, who, in his fear directs. the guards to be doubled to prevent men from leaving the town to forage. As but little or nothing palatable was issued for the mid-day meal, and as many of the men were suffering for the want of proper food, which should have been at hand, Colonel Stewart and other commanders threatened to give them permission to obtain needed supplies outside the lines. This had the effect of bringing Frankle to a
268
NINTH NEW JERSEY VETERAN VOLS.
realizing sense of his condition, and, fearing for his personal safety, he sent his quartermaster to the gun-boat "Shamrock," where coffee and hard-tack were readily obtained.
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.