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 28

Author: Drake, J. Madison (James Madison), 1837- cn
Publication date: 1889
Publisher: Elizabeth, Journal Printing House
Number of Pages: 1056


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 28


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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


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ROBBED OF HIS LAURELS.


small arms; four hundred thousand percussion-caps ; fourteen hundred pounds of powder; an immense quantity of sabres, cutlasses, etc., cartridge-boxes, and other equipments. Out of a large number of flags and trophies, taken from our forces during the whole of the war, Captain Runyon picked the state- colors of the Thirty-third New Jersey regiment, intending to forward the same to the adjutant-general of the state of New Jersey. The United States branch mint was found in good order, but no specie or other valuables could be seen. Specie was plenty in the hands of the citizens, and quantities of goods and arms were stored away, which, by this time, have been found and taken care of by the colonel who came to relieve us. As soon as Captain Runyon, commanding post, put guards where the archives of the so-called Confederacy (about eighty- four boxes) were stored, General Johnston, who still remained at Charlotte, communicated the facts to General Schofield, commanding the department of North Carolina, at Raleigh, and a staff-officer was immediately despatched, and arrived at Charlotte, to take charge of the valuable documents, and to forward the same to Raleigh. There was no opportunity left for Captain Runyon to earn laurels, and it is very doubtful if General Johnston would have reported as he did, if no guards had been posted, and chance had been left to him to burn or destroy the written and printed proofs of their shameful treachery and rebellion. Thus, we see, that to the gallant old Ninth is due the enviable credit of having captured and preserved from harm all the archives of the rebel government, their trophies, and many of their valuable stores. Too much credit cannot be accorded Captain Runyon for the manner in which he performed his peculiar duties, and it is doubtful if any one could more judiciously have comported himself, when, with only a small company of men, he was compelled to crowd his way through the thousands of rebel soldiers with whom he had, as it were, just been engaged in the fiercest fight. The records here obtained by Captain Runyon have been, are, and ever will be of so great value to the government of the United States, that it is almost impossible to magnify the importance of the capture thus made. In less careful and scrupulous hands they might


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have been mutilated or lost. But in spite of the wishes and schemes of rebel officers, who were present, Captain Runyon insisted that they should be 'severely let alone,' and in all their completeness succeeded in turning them over to the government he served."


May 16 .- Farmers bring in daily large quantities of berries, cherries, etc., which they readily dispose of at a profit-a long time having elapsed since they had such "golden opportunities."


May 17 .- As the trains run regularly, the troops are in reg- ular receipt of abundant rations.


May 18 .- Orders were received by Colonel Stewart to detail companies from the Ninth to proceed to certain towns to elect civil magistrates and act as police patrols.


May 20 .- In accordance with this order Lieutenant Bonham in command of Company A, proceeded to Yanceyville, Caswell county, which place he reached by rail and marching two days afterwards. Lieutenant Henry Hopper, with thirty men, marched to the same place-about fifty miles distant-and arrived there on the following day.


May 21 .- Colonel Stewart left for the North on leave of absence.


Muy 25 .- It was announced to the regiment, at the evening parade, that General Heckman had resigned from the army and returned to his home in New Jersey.


May 30 .- Lieutenants Bonham and Hopper, with their com- mands, returned to camp to-day, having accomplished the duty they were sent to perform. Orders for the discharge of men whose terms had expired, were received to-day, which gives them great joy.


June I .- To-day was observed in fasting and prayer, in accordance with the recommendation of the president of the United States.


June 2 .- The weather continues warm and pleasant. General Cox, with a number of ladies, witnessed the dress-parade of the Ninth this evening.


June 5 .- A tall and very handsome flag-staff was erected in front of Colonel Stewart's marquee to-day, for which courteous act on the part of the men who had so often followed him to


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SENDING A TROPHY HOME.


victory the genial division commander subsequently expressed his hearty thanks. The act showed him, that although absent from his regiment, the men had not forgotten him.


June 6 .- The boys of the Ninth gather large quantities of berries daily, blackberry puddings being all the rage in camp.


June 8 .- Lieutenant J. W. Green of Company D, with a detail of forty-five men, left for. Graham's station to perform police duty.


June 14 .- To-day, in compliance with general orders, two hundred and sixteen members of the Ninth, whose three-years' term of service would expire by the first of October, were mus- tered out-the six-years' men looking somewhat sadly at the ceremony.


June 16 .- Lieutenant Richard E. Cogan received orders to-day to take command of those mustered out on the fourteenth, and proceed with the men to Trenton, New Jersey. The detachment went by cars via Raleigh, Goldsboro and Kinston to Newbern, where it embarked on the transport "Pilot Boy," which sailed for Fortress Monroe, where the men were trans- ferred to the steamer "Louisiana." At Baltimore they took cars, and on the twenty-second of June, at midnight, these heroes of many battles marched through the dark and silent streets of Trenton to the "Soldiers' Rest," where, a few hours later, they were welcomed by patriotic ladies, who entertained them at breakfast. At noon the men partook of a grand dinner -provided by the city authorities-at Bechtel's hall, where a speech of welcome was delivered by Mayor Mills-Lieutenant Cogan responding in a happy manner. Mr. Herman Evarts, a very efficient help in the hospital department, was in this party. He had been entrusted by Captain Runyon with the colors of the Thirty-third New Jersey volunteers (found in the collection at Charlotte) and instructed to deliver the same to the adjutant- general at Trenton. This duty he gracefully performed.


June 17 .- Colonel Stewart's division was reviewed to-day by Major-General Cox in front of the court-house-the spectacle attracting a large concourse of people, with a large sprinkling of paroled Confederates, who were quite complimentary in their comments.


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June 18 .- Every day, for a week past, regiments have been leaving this department for home-to be mustered out.


June 21 .- Surgeon Gillette of the Ninth, was to-day appointed acting surgeon of the Third division, Twenty-third army corps, and medical director of the post.


June 22 .- Lieutenant William E. Townley of Company K, returned to the command to-day, he having been relieved from the duties of A. C. S., Second brigade, Third division, Twenty- third corps, which he had performed for several days.


July 4 .- The boys of the Ninth, and some of the older ones, too, celebrated the day with patriotic fervor, most of the powder used having been found in the Confederate arsenal. The Ninth had had no such celebration since its muster-in, and as the "cruel war was over," with a good prospect of being speedily ordered to New Jersey for inuster-out, no noise was spared-the din being hideous from early morn till taps were sounded, when things resumed their normal condition.


- July 5 .- Unbounded satisfaction is caused to-day by the receipt of a telegram announcing that the Ninth New Jersey is to be mustered out of the service.


July 7 .- Weather intensely hot. Company officers busy pre- paring pay rolls for months of May and June.


July 8 .- Blank muster-out rolls were received to-day, and the officers set promptly to work to comply with instructions therein contained.


July 9 .- The anxiety of the men to return home is very great, and it is with difficulty that they manage to preserve their accustomed equilibrium. In fact, some of them, more especially those who recently joined the regiment as recruits, receiving large bounties therefor, and who have not been in the service long enough to know the duty of a soldier, fail to appre- ciate the goodness extended them by the officers, not one of whom ever took any delight in inflicting punishment for remiss- ness of duty. Surgeon Gillette and wife and child left for the north to-day, taking with them the body of their youngest daughter-Laura-who, to the grief of every man in the Ninth, had died a day or two previous. Dr. Gillette and his estimable wife had the sympathy of all who knew of their affliction. -


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COMPLIMENTING THE NINTH.


July 12 .- The Ninth was formally mustered out of the service to-day, and all surplus ordnance, together with the camp and garrison equipage, turned over to the proper government officers.


July 13 .- While the Ninth was waiting at the depot for cars to transport it north, General Carter, commanding the district, paid his respects to Colonel Stewart, to whom he handed the following letter :


HEADQUARTERS TWENTY-THIRD ARMY CORPS, DISTRICT OF GREENSBORO,


GREENSBORO, NORTH CAROLINA, July 13, 1865. Col. James Stewart, Jr., Ninth New Jersey Veteran Volunteer Infantry:


MY DEAR COLONEL-While it may be that I can add but little to the well-earned reputation of the gallant officers and men of your veteran regiment-a reputation made on many hard-fought fields, which have become matters of history -- still I cannot have you leave for your homes without joining my testimony to that of others, as to the discipline, drill, gallant conduct, soldierly bearing and efficiency of your noble regiment. On the march, in camp, under fire, and in the performance of all the duties of a soldier, the example of the Ninth New Jersey Vet- eran Volunteer Infantry has been worthy of imitation, and entitles it to all praise and commendation.


With your regiment my relations have never been other than the most pleasant, and I shall always cherish with the liveliest feelings of pleasure the fact that I have had the honor to command such men.


You return to your homes only after the rebellion has been crushed and peace restored, with the proud consciousness that you, as a regi- ment, did your part nobly and fully towards re-establishing the National authority, and securing the blessings which I trust you may, under God's good providence, long live to enjoy. While I regret much the severence of the ties which have existed between us, I heartily con- gratulate you on a speedy return to the loved ones at home, who are, even now, so anxiously waiting to greet and crown you with the victor's wreath, and shower upon you the plaudits which are justly your due. With the best and kindest wishes for yourself, your officers, and men, and a "God-speed" you on your "homeward-bound" journey, I am, my dear colonel, with feelings of attachment and respect, very truly, your friend,


S. J. CARTER, Brigadier-General Commanding.


At five o'clock in the afternoon the Ninth left Greensboro- hundreds of citizens uniting in wishing the men a safe journey and long life.


July 14 .- At noon the regiment reached Burkeville, Virginia, where considerable delay occurred.


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July 15 .- 'Transferred to other cars and started for City Point at two o'clock this afternoon, and before dark were sailing down the majestic James river, with thoughts and feelings far different from those which had agitated the minds of the men on previous occasions. There were now on either bank none to molest or make us afraid-no sound save the wheels of the vessel, and songs and cheery laughter of light-hearted men.


July 17 .- The vessel reached Baltimore at an early hour this morning, but railroad transportation was not furnished until nearly noon, when the train started for Philadelphia, which patriotic city was reached at a late hour in the evening. As the men were covered with the dust of travel and more or less hungry, the regiment was invited to visit the Cooper refresh- ment saloon, where an elegant collation was partaken of-the veterans doing the fullest justice to the good things so liberally · spread before them.


July 18 .- As Colonel Stewart was as anxious as the youngest man in the regiment to once again tread the sacred soil of New Jersey, he marched the Ninth to the ferry, and at half-past two o'clock in the morning embarked on a train of cars in waiting, - and a little after sunrise landed in Trenton. The State Gazette, noticing the arrival of the Ninth, said next day :


"The Ninth regiment, New Jersey Veteran Volunteers, Col- onel James Stewart, Jr., arrived here yesterday morning, and were handsomely entertained at the 'Soldiers' Rest'-the ladies having made abundant provision for their reception.


"The Ninth regiment was recruited in the fall of 1861, as a rifle regiment, consisting of twelve companies. The uniform differed from that ordinarily worn by infantry, the cords, stripes, shoulder straps, etc., being of green instead of light blue. * * We ought to state that the Ninth, armed with Springfield rifles, had been frequently exercised in target-firing and were expert marksmen. While encamped at Meridian Hill some of the crack shots of the Berdan sharpshooters chal- lenged the Ninth. This was accepted, and the match to a trial of skill took place, resulting in a victory for the Ninth. It is remarkable that of the officers returning with the regi- ment, all except the colonel and lieutenant-colonel originally


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COLONEL STEWART REMEMBERED.


joined the regiment as enlisted men. This not only shows that the Ninth has seen hard service, and lost many officers, but that it was composed of a good class of men."


The Ninth, after breakfast, proceeded to the arsenal, where the arms and accoutrements were stored away, when the men were granted furloughs until the twenty-eighth instant, on which date they were instructed to return to Trenton for their discharge papers and final pay.


July 28 .- The men of Companies A, B and C were paid by Major S. C. Harbert this afternoon, when they departed for their homes.


July 29 .- Companies D, E, F, G, H, I and K received their pay and discharges to-day. At noon the commissioned officers of the Ninth assembled at the Trenton House to present their beloved colonel-Stewart-with a testimonial, in the shape of a magnificent gold badge, richly enameled-uniting the following emblems: The four-leafed clover cross of the Eighteenth army corps, in white enamel; the bastioned fort of the Tenth corps, in red enamel ; the shield of gold with silver cannon and anchor of the Ninth corps, and the blue enameled shield of the Twenty-third corps, with the red star of Heck- man's brigade, hung pendant from a broad silver eagle. The following inscription told the whole story of its gift: "Pre- sented to Colonel James Stewart, Jr., by the officers of the New Jersey Ninth, as a token of respect and affection."


In its report of the presentation the Trenton Monitor said :


" This testimonial, coming as it does from the men who are best qualified to judge of the merits of the recipient, must be exceedingly gratifying to General Stewart-a better officer and more thorough soldier than whom does not exist. His record is an exemplary one. Entering the service in the lower grades of office, he has, by a faithful discharge of duty in every position assigned him, worked his way upward step by step, winning (not stealing) his promotion as he advanced. During his last few months of service prior to the final struggle, General Stewart was placed in command of a brigade, and displayed an eminent degree of generalship that should have gained for him the silver stars he so nobly earned. New Jersey has reason to be, and is proud of the old Ninth regiment and its gallant commander, and the noblest tribute that a grateful people can pay to both (that of a lasting remembrance of their deeds and valor) is and will ever be _ theirs."


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July 31 .- To-day Company K, with all the officers of the regiment, were mustered out of the service of the United States: There is nothing now left of the Ninth New Jersey, except its brilliant history and its glorious record of four years service.


New Jersey has abundant reason to be proud of her Ninth regiment, which was under fire more than one hundred days, from 1861 to 1865. A long history of patient endurance and blood heroically shed to preserve intact against the assaults of traitors the best government the world ever beheld, is the Ninth's proud record in the crusade against treason and dis- union. New Jerseymen will never forget its countless deeds of valor. May new and fadeless laurels be added to New Jersey's glorious wreath, and may the valor of her sons live in the tide of song and on the historic page. Right valiantly did they fight the battle of right, imitating the daring acts of their illustrious sires of the revolution, who gave liberty to man- kind.


But there will be no more pomp and circumstance of war for the survivors of New Jersey's Ninth regiment. Never again will loud-mouthed cannon confront or speak to us. Never again will the rattle of musketry or clang of sabre urge us to deadly conflict-no blast of bugle nor drum-beat summon us to ensanguined fields. No more shall the heroes of the Ninth hear the screaming shell-no more feel the surgeon's knife, for sweet peace smiles on the land we assisted in saving, and over all the fields torn by battle kind nature long ago threw a robe of emerald, flecked here and there, from Roanoke to Goldsboro, with buttercup and daisy. From towns and cities shattered by shot and shell, gentle time long since removed every scar, and into desolated homes content quickly came again-the Angel of Peace hovering over the once broken but now happy fire- sides.


Industry flourishes as never before, while the resentments engendered by the contest are forever hushed. Let us, then, continue to give thanks to God for His goodness and mercy, and for having smoothied our pathway ; and while remembering


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FINIS.


our comrades, who died for the faith, let us, casting our eyes across the dreary waste of the war, stretch out our hands in kindly brotherhood to all who acknowledge that flag as their own, resolved that henceforth and forever there shall be no sec- tion, but one indivisible country, around which are entwined the best and brightest hopes of humanity.


Let us continue the happiest model of a government which enlightened man in the fullest fruition of his most cultivated powers ever erected to the genius of civilization. Let us main- tain the blessed asylum to which liberty-loving victims of oppression, as they look up from beneath the grinding despot- ism of the old world, may turn their eyes with a new hope, as the one bright clime where Freedom rears her crest in full, clear and cloudless majesty, brilliant and beautiful as when first they beamned their morning splendor to illumine the world with a daybeam from on high.


The memory. of those who poured out their blood in resisting their country's foes, will be cherished as the noblest legacy which they bequeathed their families ; and generations to come will delight to review the record which narrates their glorious deeds.


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A COMPARISON OF LOSSES.


The following is the official record of losses by death and desertion in the various New Jersey regiments during the war :


1st regiment-10 officers ; 224 enlisted men ; 124 deserters. 2d regiment -- 9 officers ; 151 enlisted men ; 204 deserters. 3d regiment-10 officers ; 203 enlisted men ; 111 deserters. 4th regiment-7 officers ; 250 enlisted men ; 371 deserters. 5th regiment -- 13 officers ; 201 enlisted men ; 251 deserters. 6th regiment-4 officers ; 176 enlisted men ; 209 deserters.


7th regiment-13 officers ; 247 enlisted men ; 656 deserters. 8th regiment-10 officers ; 274 enlisted men ; 416 deserters. 9th regiment-11 officers ; 243 enlisted men ; 167 deserters. 10th regiment-5 officers ; 269 enlisted men ; 748 deserters. 11th regiment-11 officers ; 222 enlisted men ; 451 deserters. 12th regiment-9 officers ; 252 enlisted men : 216 deserters. 13th regiment-3 officers ; 103 enlisted men ; 178 deserters. 14th regiment-8 officers ; 240 enlisted mien ; 97 deserters. 15th regiment-9 officers ; 352 enlisted men ; 108 deserters. 16th (1st cav.) regiment-16 officers ; 282 enlisted men ; 452 deserters.


.[The 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th regiments composed the three months' brigade. ]


[The 21st, 22d, 23d, 24th, 25th, 26th, 27tl1, 28th, 29th, 30th and 31st were nine months' regiments. The total loss of the eleven regiments being 609.]


32d (2d cav.) regiment-2 officers ; 231 enlisted men : 724 deserters. 33d regiment-6 officers ; 141 enlisted men ; 582 deserters. 34th regiment-3 officers ; 152 enlisted men ; 728 deserters. 35th regiment-9 officers : 144 enlisted men ; 450 deserters. 36th (3d cav.) regiment-5 officers ; 140 enlisted men ; 626 deserters.


But three regiments lost more officers than the Ninth, and but six commands lost a larger number of men by death, while sixteen out of the twenty-one three years' regiments had a larger number of desertions.


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OVER FLOOD AND MOUNTAIN.


CAPTAIN DRAKE'S REMARKABLE ESCAPE.


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A PERILOUS TRAMP THROUGH THREE STATES.


" Stone walls do not a prison make, Nor iron bars a cage."


Captured in the terrible conflict at Drewry's Bluff, Virginia, at an early hour on the morning of May 16, 1864, by a brigade of Alabamians, commanded by General " Archie" Gracie, whom I had known in boyhood, I was promptly escorted to the wharf under the frowning battlements of Fort Darling, which over- looked the water at a height of nearly two hundred feet. A gun-boat ran to the dock, and I was invited with officers of the Twenty-third, Twenty-fifth and Twenty-seventh Massachusetts regiments of our (Heckman's star) brigade, to go on board. On reaching midship I was greatly surprised to discover my heroic commander-Brigadier-General Charles A. Heckman-seated there, with his head bowed in grief. I did not at once disturb his painful reverie, and it was only when I jocosely said : " Well, general, you know I was always anxious to follow you into Richmond," that he looked up. Grasping my hand, he replied, " Drake, you are in a fair way of doing so."


On landing at "Rocketts," we were greeted by a mob gathered at that point to witness the debarkation of " Yankee prisoners." The tumultuous crowd had evidently gained courage from hearing the sounds of the battle in progress all the forenoon seven miles below the Confederate capital. A short walk brought us to a large brick building, in rear of which flowed the James river and the placid Kanawha canal. Over a low door in the northeastern corner of this carefully- guarded structure, I read the ominous sign-" Libby & Son, ship chandlers and grocers," and my heart became sorely disquieted within me, as I knew that thousands of patriotic Union soldiers


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who entered the yawning portal, left hope behind them when the iron-clad door swung to with an alarming clang at their heels. But it is not my purpose to dwell on the wretched condition of our prisoners during their captivity. Their sad fate is the theme of story and of song, and none but callous- hearted mortals refuse to drop a tear to their memory.


At an early hour one morning in June, when the music of Grant's guns could be plainly heard, we were rudely awakened by the monster in charge of "Libby," hustled into the street, surrounded by guards, and hurried across the Mayo bridge to Manchester, where we embarked on a long train of filthy cattle cars. The journey to Macon, Georgia, was long and fatiguing. Soon after my incarceration there plans to escape were formed- the consideration of which relieved us of ennui. I can truly say that I never lost an opportunity to enlist in any enterprise which had for its object a chance to regain my liberty. At Macon and Savannah, tunneling projects requiring indomitable resolution and painful labor were cheerfully entered upon, and tireless efforts put forth to achieve success ; but our heroic labors proved futile. Mountains of difficulty were overcome by men whose souls aspired to breathe the air of freedom ; but treachery accomplished the ruin of promising projects, and adverse fate paralyzed the strong arms which were ever ready to execute noble purposes. If our keepers failed in their · vigilance to detect our enterprising excavations, some detestable comrade (?) with a greed for gold and a desire to better his condition, would convey to them an account of our operations. More than once did I work through the night in digging tunnels, and skulk to my quarters just as daybreak came peeping in, with my hands bleeding and my strength exhausted, only to find that some contemptible poltroon had treacherously defeated our plans.




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