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 37
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With characteristic modesty, Drake refused to take command of the company which he speedily organized, believing that a man of military knowledge should be appointed. He accepted the post of ensign of the regiment, and during the campaign gallantly carried the colors, being the first to unfurl our flag (at the head of the army of invasion) on Virginia soil, the Third New Jersey regiment being the second to cross the Long Bridge the night the lamented Ellsworth was killed.
At the expiration of their term of service, shortly after the battle of Bull Run, Drake and his comrades returned to their homes. But the
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NINTH NEW JERSEY VETERAN VOLS.
patriotism of the Trenton boys would not allow them to be idle when bleeding countrymen called for aid to resist the foe on ensanguined fields, and Drake hastened to join the Ninth New Jersey regiment, deservedly celebrated as sharpshooters.
While serving as first sergeant of Company K, and receiving only a sergeant's pay, Drake for a long time was in command. His knowledge of military matters enabled him to be decidedly useful, while his . acknowledged bravery inspired his comrades with courage. He par- ticipated in every engagement in which this famous regiment took part, displaying great gallantry and skill in leading his company.
In the terrible battle of Drewry's Bluff, Virginia, May sixteenth, 1864, in which but four out of nineteen officers attached to his regiment escaped unhurt, Drake was taken prisoner, and speedily introduced to the " Libby," where he had little to do except fast and reflect on the vicissitudes of a soldier's life. In common with hundreds of heroic nien, he endured hunger with fortitude, slept the sleep of the just on the soft side of a plank, and laughed to scorn the efforts of brutal jailers to dis- turb his tranquility. True, thoughts of anxious kindred would intrude into his dreams, and were ever present in his waking hours. He was eager to regain his freedom that he might hear tidings of the dear ones at home, and again engage in his country's service.
After enduring sore discomfort for a few weeks in Libby prison, Drake accompanied some hundreds of his fellow captives to Danville, that, in the language of a Confederate officer, he might have an oppor- tunity of observing the picturesque scenery of that portion of the country, and partake of the elegant hospitalities dispensed at the military prison at that salubrious spot.
Fearing, however, that the captives were enjoying too much happiness here, and desirous also that they should visit other interesting points in the sunny south, they were removed to Augusta. to Macon, to Savannah, to Charleston. On their arrival at Charleston things were decidedly lively in the beleagured city. With a patience that never wearied, and a skill that excited marvel, Foster rained shot and shell on the foe within reach of his batteries. While the heavens were lurid with fires of hell, the yellow fever seized on the vitals of many whom bomb and ball failed to injure. In this delectable spot, hundreds of men, whose only crime was that they loved their country, were sent to languish. Thanks to the protection of a gracious Providence, Drake suffered no harm in this hideous prison-pen.
Having passed a portion of the dog-days in the Charleston jail-yard. exposed to immment peril, Drake was admitted for a brief season to the - Marine hospital. But the Confederate authorities deciding to remove six hundred Union officers from the "accursed city of the sea " to Columbia, Drake was among the number ordered on the pleasant excursion.
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A DESPERATE LEAP FOR LIBERTY.
In the various military prisons in which he had endured misery in varied forms, he was indefatigable in planning means of escape. Taking his life in his hand, he was ever ready to engage in desperate undertakings to regain liberty. Powerless, however, to successfully engage their jailors in a hand to hand struggle, the captive officers sought to baffle their vigilance. What they could not hope to effect by force they resolved to accomplish by stratagem. To this end they organized a corps of sappers and miners, and attempted to dig their way to a change of scene. Tunnels requiring iminense labor were excavated by men whose energies were taxed to the limits of human endurance. But when their freedom seemed well nigh assured, trifling accidents or accursed treachery baffled every effort. Watched with sleepless vigilance, the prospect of escaping from an intolerable captivity seemed hopeless to the great majority of Drake's associates. But he never despaired.
After he had been a few months in Dixie, it occurring to him that his manner of life was becoming monotonous, he resolved to change it at the first convenient opportunity.
He did not wait long. On the journey to the state capital, Drake and three of his companions agreed to regain their freedom even at the peril of life. At a favorable point he led the way in a leap for liberty, his comrades jumping from the rapidly moving car directly after. The guards were so astounded by the extraordinary feat, that for a minute, they forgot to fire a parting salute with the rifles which were their inseparable companions. As soon, however, as their excitement allowed, they fired upon the fugitives, and let " slip the dogs of war" in the form of bloodhounds, swift of foot, keen of scent, and as ferocious and untiring as any animal on God's footstool.
Though the officers happily escaped injury in their terrible leap, and were graciously preserved from flying bullets and the awful fangs of the bloodhounds, they soon found themselves environed with formidable difficulties. Hunger, thirst, home-sickness were among the minor ills of their pilgrimage. They were several hundred miles from a place of refuge, in the midst of implacable enemies, without guide or compass. Extensive swamps noted for deadly miasmas, and thorns almost keen as razors, wide and deep streams and mountains whose summits kissed the clouds, lay directly in their path. As they emerged from swollen streams their shivering bodies often attested the coldness of the water. Mountain ravines were threaded by Drake's naked feet, while snow and ice in profusion made his progress inexpressibly painful. His condition here was truly pitiable, the situation one of manifold horrors.
The suffering's of the travelers, under the most favorable circum- stances calculated to cause strong men to despond, were greatly aggravated by the intense cold they encountered before they reached
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the Union lines. At this critical period of his history Drake's wardrobe consisted of a blouse, pants and red shirt, worn thin and ragged during_ a period of six months' constant service. While rambling over sunny plains his garments were neither ornamental nor comfortable, being travel-stained and dilapidated. On the bleak mountains they failed to protect his form from an atmosphere that pinched like a vise. He had long been shoeless, and so badly were his feet frozen in climbing one of the highest peaks of the continent that it was feared amputation would be necessary.
The limits allowed for this sketch will not permit us to record many interesting incidents attending Captain Drake's remarkable escape. We can only add that, after being exposed to serious hardships during a period of forty-nine days, he reached Knoxville, Tennessee, November sixteenth, 1864, and was soon surrounded by friends who ministered to his necessities while they listened eagerly to his exciting narrative.
The New York Tribune, in publishing the adventures here concisely stated, said : " This escape is considered the most daring and wonderful that has been effected since the commencement of the rebellion."
A brief period was allowed Drake to recover from the exhaustion caused by the miseries of his captivity, when he returned to his regi- ment, was promoted, doing faithful service until the surrender of the rebel armies.
On the recommendation of General Grant, the secretary of war pre- .sented Drake with a congressional medal of honor, which is more highly prized than any other of the cherished badges and decorations in his possession.
On being mustered out of service Drake settled in Elizabeth, New Jersey, where, in 1868, he started The Daily Monitor, which soon attained a large circulation and profitable advertising patronage.
For five years he commanded the Third regiment, National Guard, an organization in whose prosperity the patriotic people of New Jersey took warm interest, and which has been honored with ovations in Washington, Philadelphia, New York, Trenton, Cape May and other cities.
For " long and meritorious service " Drake was appointed brigadier- general by brevet, and the honor thus conferred on this gallant soldier greatly gratified his large circle of friends.
As a disciplinarian and drill-master General Drake possesses qualities of a high order. He was ever held in deserved respect by his men, and the excellent reputation of the Third regiment is in a large measure due to his eminent fitness to command. Few other officers have done as much as he to place the National Guard of New Jersey in its present creditable condition.
General Drake early learned to sympathize with all who suffer
.
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CROSSING THE CONTINENT.
adversity, and his captivity was so intolerable that he thoroughly hates oppressors. He honors his fellows for their sterling qualities, believing that worth makes the man. Few have more warm friends. He has the rare faculty of winning the good opinion of all with whom he asso- ciates. As the publisher of a live newspaper he exerts a wide influence, and ever seeks to do good as he has opportunity.
JAMES S. DRAKE.
NOTE .- In 1878 General Drake organized the Veteran Zouaves, a command that quickly sprung to the front rank, and within ten years became famous throughout the United States-for dash, drill and deportment-a number of the Ninthi's survivors attaching themselves to it. The Zouaves crossed the American continent in 1886, receiving ovations in all principal places from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Their journey of eight thousand miles consumed one month. At Philadelphia on their way home, the Zouaves were stopped for a day by General James Stewart, junior, then chief of police, and entertained by him in princely style. General Stewart was presented with the Zouave bronze badge-a decoration much prized, of which the following is a representation :
Gen. J. M.Drake
1861
1865
ELIZABETH
VETERAN
relle
ZOUAVES
N.J.
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NINTH NEW JERSEY VETERAN VOLS.
IN CAMP ACROSS THE SILENT RIVER.
"On Fame's immortal camping-ground, the shadowy tents are spread, And honor guards with ceaseless round the bivouac of the dead."
FIELD AND STAFF.
Colonel Joseph W. Allen, Colonel Abram Zabriskie, Surgeon Fred- erick S. Weller, Adjutant Edward S. Carrell-4.
LINE.
Captain Joseph T. Henry, Captain Edwin Stevens Harris, Captain Joseph B. Lawrence, Captain Joseph M. McChesney, Captain Charles Hufty, Lieutenant William Z. Walker, Lieutenant Charles B. Springer, Lieutenant Jesse L. Bennett-S.
NON-COMMISSIONED STAFF.
Hospital Steward John W. Lewis -- 1.
SERGEANTS.
Robert R. Phillips, Dilwyn R. Cowperthwaite, Silas P. Strong, Eugene M. Hayes, Edward P. Smith, Austin E. Armstrong-6.
CORPORALS.
John W. Hudnut, John R. Scherf, William L. Cisco, Adam Weinrich, Benjamin V. Gale, Benjamin L. Homan, Anthony Rang, Simon Lauter- back, William M. Smith, John Hirt, Charles Hoffman, George W. Cawman, Levi Depue, Edward Zorn, Charles P. Smith-15.
MUSICIANS.
Johann Muller, John Albert-2.
PRIVATES.
COMPANY A-John Bader, Andreas Bauer, William Clayton, August Dreher, Thomas Dugan, John J. Eckel, Henry Fredericks, John G. Heilman, Richard Hendrickson, Caleb Hultish, Rudolph Kuhn, Francis Macker, George Marsh, Thomas McLaren. Albert Meiss, Franz Muller, William Muller, Edward C. Neary, William H. Newbern. Herman Noll, John Reamer, Joseph Reiger, John Scully, Charles Schmalstick, Edward Shortell, William H. Silvers, Salter S. Stults, Henry Trilk, Charles Turschman, William W. Webb, John G. Weitzel -- 31.
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OUR DEAD HEROES.
COMPANY B-Jacob Bonnett, Charles Bough, Alfred Cook, Ferdinand Disbrow, Charles Dennis, Gustavus Groff, Samuel A. Ewing, James Lidgett, Martin Moore, Thomas B. Moore, Thomas J. Putnam, Christo- pher Reis, Edward Roe, John Scheible, Charles D. Soper-15.
COMPANY C-John Atkinson, John Bradley, John R. Burton, Louis Chappins, Axel Chiwitz, John M. Clark, James Dougherty, William Fisher, Benjamin B. Garrison, Frederick Gertner, Asa Giles, George Hanno, James Herbert, James Hoffman, Israel Johnson, John O. Kane, Charles Koch, Theodore F. Martin, Thomas McGinn, Reading B. Mitchell, Theodore Myers, Morris Shannon, Peter Taylor, Joseph L. Watson-24.
COMPANY D-Edward G. Ashton, Joseph Atterson, Michael Babst, Ezra Cranmer, Joel H. Gant, Joel Hulse, Abraham T. Johnson, Thomas P. Johnson, Jonathan E. Johnson, Henry Lachat, Caleb H. Mount, Albert S. Nutt, Samuel Osborne, Henry H. Phillips, Herbert W. Pol- hemus, Alexander Reed, James H. Robinson, William HI. Rodgers, Oscar J. Rulay, Ferdinand Schilling, John B. Steelman, John J. Street, Elilu Tindle, Martin Ulrich, John Vantilburg-25.
COMPANY E-George E. Cooper, Tinton Delaney, George B. Dickson, Hiram Gray, Benjamin W. Hunt, George Love, John Lyons, Israel O. Maxwell, John Monsch, Theodore Predmore, Conrad Ribble, Andrew Scheidemantel, James E. Sickles, Lucas Tierce, Ambrosius Weilhardt, Hampton Whitehead, James Williams-17.
COMPANY F-Edward Acton, Isaac V. D. Blackwell, Samuel L. Blake, Franklin Blizzard, Michael Boyle, Wesley Buckalew, John Craig, Robert M. Hall, William Harman, William H. Housell, Isaac Johnson, John Kennedy, Peter T. Lowe, David B. McCready, Harrison R. Nelson, John D. Nymaster, John Osborn, Jonathan Richman, Thomas Sales, Job Seals, John N. Smith, Napoleon G. Smith, William Suydam-23.
COMPANY G-Philip Beck, John J. Corin, Patrick Commeford, Ed- ward Dillon, Michael Dolan, Jefferson L. Deemer, William Frey, Adam Grienich, Joseph Heck, Christian Huber, Henry Loetz, Timothy Mulvey, Henry W. Nutt, Henry Ott, Frederick G. Peach, Charles Schmidt, Rob- ert J. Sloan, Philip Schweitzer, Thomas Thompson, Cornelius Vannest, John J. Waters, John Welsher-22.
COMPANY H-Witham P. Barron, John Brown, Samuel C. Brown, Timothy Callahan, John E. Cook, Nelson R. Cramer, Ammadee De Forrest, William D. Forgus, Spencer A. Hagerman, Daniel Hollowell, Henry Losey, Joseph Losey, John Miller, John Myers, John W. Osborne, Mulford B. Phillips, Andrew D. Staples, Mahlon Van Gordon, Joseph Warner, William C. Winter -- 20.
COMPANY I-Charles Brown, William B. Davis, Leo Eckert, Andrew J. Hanley, William G. Hartline, Magnus Hepburn, William H. Hughes,
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NINTH NEW JERSEY VETERAN VOLS.
John E. Johnson, Charles H. Miller, Stephen M. Mosure, Daniel Parr, Augustus Remming, Reuben Segraves, John Sparks, Samuel F. Staulcup, Aaron Vanculen, Josiah Wensell, George G. White, Isaac Zanes-19.
COMPANY K-Luther Davis, Theodore Denman, Isaac Fisher, Elvy Foster, John G. Klotz, Adam Kunder, John S. Parkhurst, Tunis Peer, Henry P. Purcell, Alexander Shreve, John Simmonds, George H. Smith, Henry Space, Moses E. Townley, Jolm Trumbull, John Weder -- 16.
COMPANY L-Henry Ensle, Charles Green, Michael A. Karl, John Merz-4.
COMPANY M-Ridgway S. Ingling, Alfred Perrine, Stafford Perrine-3.
CAPTAIN JOSEPH SCHNETZER,
Born at Orterreich, Vovarlberg, Germany, March fourteenth, 1825, came to this country in 1854, settling at Boonton, New Jersey. He removed to Trenton in 1856, and when the war broke out was con- ducting a restaurant known as " Winter Garden." He joined Company G, and was made a sergeant ; being wounded in the thigh by a shot at Newbern, he was sent home on recruiting service, and soon after promoted to a lieutenancy. Upon the organization of the Fortieth regiment, he was made a captain. After the war he removed to Newark, where he served on the police force for a while, when he engaged in the hotel business, which he was still conducting in 1889.
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REUNITED AFTER A QUARTER OF A CENTURY.
REUNIONS.
The first reunion of the Ninth's survivors after the war was held at the armory of the Veteran Zouaves, Elizabeth, New Jersey, February eighth, 1887, every company being represented-over one hundred of the Ninth's heroes present, including Generals Heckman and Stewart. A constitution and by-laws were adopted, and after the election of the following officers, the happy company repaired to the banqueting hall, where a rich repast was partaken of :
President-Brigadier-General Charles A. Heckman.
Vice-Presidents-Brigadier-General James Stewart, Jr., Lientenant- Colonel William B. Curlis, Major Thomas B. Appleget, Captain Ben- jamin W. Hopper, Captain Robert D. Swain, Captain C. W. Castner, Lieutenant Richard J. Berdan, Lieutenant Joseph C. Bowker, Lieutenant William Van Brunt, Private Frederick Scholl, Color-Sergeant George Myers.
Secretary-Captain J. Madison Drake, Elizabeth, New Jersey.
Treasurer-Lieutenant William E. Townley, Elizabeth, New Jersey.
Soul-stirring addresses were delivered by General Heckman, General Stewart, Captain J. Madison Drake and Colonel Charles Scranton. The latter said :
Mr. President, Officers and Men-Survivors of the Glorious Old Ninth-It gives me very great pleasure to be present with you to-day. When I came in here I had a train of thoughts in my mind for a speech, but the seeing of so many men I had not met to shake hands with for nearly a quarter of a century, have knocked that speech all out of me, and your president has told me I may talk just what I like. To begin then, comrades, I want to say that New Jersey was not behind any of her sister states in rallying for the defense of that flag and the union of these states, "The Jersey blue was always true." New Jersey, glorious little state, sent to the front the very first brigade of four regiments that went from any state, under General Runyon. Other states were sending a regiment at a time. Never shall I forget the work done in a little over two weeks' time. Two of the four regiments had the regulu- tion blue overcout. The cloth was dyed, cut, and made up inside of two weeks. Why, sir, we did what was never done in the world before or since. On the east side of that old arsenal at Trenton wo armed and equipped the entire brigade in a single day.
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As this first (three months) brigade marched down Pennsylvania avenue, making near a mile in length, they were really the admiration of everybody. We soon got further calls for more men, and the First and Second brigades of four regiments each -- eight thousand men- were quickly fitted out and sent to the front, under the gallant Kearny, McAllister, Torbet and other brave commanders. Had I time, I would like to read one or two letters from Governor Olden and General Kearny. I had told the governor I was about to build a barn, but I thought we ought to have a school of instruction formed, and be taking in and drilling more companies for more calls. He said, "Colonel, go home and build your barn," or words to that effect. Here is the letter. And that he didn't think we need to send another soldier. This talk, however, was before the first Bull Run, for by act of congress, approved July twenty-second, 1861, we got an order from the War department, September fifth, 1861, to get up another regiment. This was our glorious Ninth, in whose memory we meet to-day. The regiment was to be a rifle regiment of twelve companies. It was quickly raised. The first company mustered in September thirteenth, and the last October fifteenth, 1861. The regiment began drilling at once at Camp Olden (mainly squad and company drills), perfecting its organization, until December fourth, 1861, when it left the state with forty-four officers and one thousand one hundred and fifteen non-commissioned officers and privates ; and during its existence as a regiment, there were for- warded to it one thousand four hundred and thirty-one men as recruits, besides twenty-eight men who started, but never got there. [A voice-" What became of them ?"] The colonel replied : "Probably they may have dropped into the Delaware, between Camden and Phila- delphia." They are lost to memory. They have no record like the rest of you. Thus it is seen that the total number of officers and men from first to last belonging to this glorious oldl Ninth, was two thousand seven hundred and one. An army in itself-almost, if not quite, equal to the army under Washington at the battles of Treaton, Princeton and Monmouth. The regiment took part in thirty important engagements, in many of which their losses of killed and wounded were heavy. The roster was a grand one. I recall to mind of the field, staff and line- Heckman, Gillette, Curlis, Infty, Appleget, Hopper, Abel, Carrell, Coyte, Wel-ted, Keys, Berdan, Stewart, Castner, Brown, Ritter, Drake, Erb, McChesney, and many other officers. Time to-day will not allow of calling the roll of the brave in full-the living and the dead.
This regiment never surrendered and was never conquered. But alas, to prevent it, many a bravo man fell with his face to the foo. Time to-day will also fail me to call the roll of the honored and patriotic dead; yet I cannot look over the names in my mind of Allen, Weller, Henry, Zabriskie, Armstrong and two hundred and fifty others who were killed
4II
HOW HE GOT HIS "DOUBLE-BREASTED COAT."
in battles, a part of the quarter of a million of men who died in defense of that dear old flag and our Union, besides four hundred and forty- four officers and enlisted men who were wounded, that liberty- civil and religious, and our country might live. Armstrong, who was killed twenty-five years ago to-day, was the first man that I enrolled for the regiment, and was killed shortly after Captain Henry met his death. This regiment should be proud to know that Captain Henry, the first officer from New Jersey to fall in battle was also the first volunteer from New Jersey for the defense of Washington. After Sumter was fired on the eighteenth day of April, 1861, he was an enlisted private in Captain James H. Lane's command to defend the arsenal and government property in and around Washington. This company, and that of Cassius M. Clay's, held Washington secure till the arrival of troops from the Keystone state and Massachusetts, when they were honorably discharged. Here is the honorable discharge, signed by Abraham Lincoln, Simon Cameron, and the officers of the company, expressing the thanks of the nation. I prize this document very highly.
I now come to matters more personal. I know our general is modest, but when I began I asked him if I might do about as I pleased. Many of you do not know how you got hold of your beloved commander. I'll tell you. The regiment was full, strong, powerful. composed of some of the best men from nearly every town in the state. The roster was completed, with the exception of major. You know our first regiments had cleaned the state pretty thoroughly of our home guard drilled men. It seemed as if there were not many left to select from. Governor Olden was anxious. Colonel Allen was diffident and doubtful of his own ability. Both said to me one day. " Colonel, do you think of any one who would make a good major for the Ninth?" I said " Yes, I know a man who as a boy went to Mexico : he has been three months' in this service. I'll bring him down, and I'll guarantee he can put the regiment through any needed evolution." I was ou my way home to spend Sabbath with my family. I sent word ahead to Phillips- burg to Captain Heckman to meet me at the depot. Told him what I wanted, and to be ready to go back with me Monday. " If you can do what I have promised you will have a double-breasted coat at once." On the following day; many of you may remember how the captain put you through. At night, Colonel Allen said, " Captain, get your double- breasted ready," and the Governor commissioned him at once. In all this there was a Providence. "There is a divinity which shapes our end." How fortunate Colonel Allen was drowned; and your gallant major was left your commander, and twenty-five years ago to-day he by his cool, intrepid bearing, led you to victory, which gave your regiment a name for gallantry not surpassed by any regunent in the service. I
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had intended to refer to the muskets you had for a few days-almost producing mutiny. You were right to rebel. You were raised as a . rifle regiment, and finally to settle the matter we got an order from the war department for the Springfield armory to turn out twelve hundred rifled muskets for you. It took just twelve days to fill the order, and your faces presented a different cast. If time allowed, I could read Governor Olden's letters to me in regard to-India rubber blankets for you. You had but four hundred, and wanted eight hundred more. How we sent the ladies out to raise the money to buy them. They got it, for nobody could get rid of them so easily as to give. But I am reminded I must stop. Men of the old Ninth-good privates make good officers, and I say here, as I have often said before, that the soldier, corporal or private, who does his duty fully when on the piquet line, or where duty or danger calls, is the peer of a Czar, Napoleon, General Grant, or the greatest captain that ever lived. The one orders, the other executes. But war is costly in money, lives, and morals. Let us cultivate peace, love our homes, do good in every way we can to each other in our own country and elsewhere. If as a nation of people we do this, Canada and Mexico will both gravitate to us by self-interest, without any war for conquest, so that in time we have as many as one hundred States, each governing themselves internally, "as distinct as the billows, but one as the sea," when danger threatens either. Our fathers planned well for any extensions that have or may ever occur, and I fully believe that within less than half a century our flag will be the flag of all the states from the Arctic Ocean to the Panama. The true interests of science, art, religion, education and of mankind will effect it by diplomacy, without war, and then will be realized the poet's dream of the future.
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