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 38
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" No pent up Utica contracts our powers, For the whole boundless continent is ours."
It was a joyous gathering, and its rapturous delights can never be forgotten by those who participated in its pleasures. It was midnight ere " taps" were sounded, but all firmly resolved before departing that there should be an annual gathering so long as any are spared to attend it.
THE SECOND REUNION
Was held at Trenton on the thirteenth of September following-nearly two hundred survivors attending. A banquet was served by patriotic ladies of Trenton. The following officers were elected :
President -Brigadier-General Charles A. Heckman.
Vice-Presidents-Brigadier-General James Stewart, Jr., Lieutenant- Colonel William B. Curlis, Lieutenant-Colonel Samuel Hufty, Major
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WELCOMED BY OUR OLD ADJUTANT.
Thomas B. Appleget, Captain Benjamin W. Hopper, Captain Robert D. Swain, Lieutenant Henry B. Lanning, Lieutenant William Van Brunt, Lieutenant Richard J. Berdan, Corporal John V. M. Sutphin.
Secretary-Captain J. Madison Drake, Elizabeth, New Jersey.
Treasurer-Lieutenant William E. Townley, Elizabeth, New Jersey.
THE THIRD REUNION.
ENGLEWOOD, N. J., September 11, 1888.
Adjutant Frederick G. Coyte of the Ninth, an honored resident of Englewood, Bergen county, having been requested by his fellow-citizens to invite the regiment to hold its third reunion in that beautiful town, about one hundred survivors assembled there during the forenoon of to-day.
At noon line was formed by Captain J. Madison Drake, (who had been requested to act as adjutant), when, in the absence of Generals Heckman and Stewart and other superior officers, Major Thomas B. Appleget assumed command.
The Ninth, after exchanging courtesies with Dwight post, G. A. R., headed by Cass's fine band, was escorted through the principal streets to Dwight chapel, in front of which the men were photographed. The streets were lined with patriotic citizens, while many stores and private dwellings were handsomely decorated. Over the store-door of Mr. George W. Springer was a miniature canvas tent, surrounded with bunting, bearing the words : "Welcome, Ninth New Jersey Veteran Volunteers."
Entering the beautiful chapel the men seated themselves, when Rev. Dr. Booth offered prayer, after which Mr. S. M. Riker, ex-sergeant- major of the Eighth New Jersey volunteers, and a gallant soldier during the entire war, delivered the following address :
Fellow-Soldiers and Fellow-Citizens-It is hardly in the power of tongne or pen to suitably perform the duty that is imposed on me to- day. I cannot hope to fully express the welcome that is your due, veterans of the Ninth New Jersey volunteers. At the bidding of the grand army post of Englewood and the citizens' committee who ar- ranged for your entertainment, I will briefly express our appreciation of your presence among us. Many of us remember, when in the dark days of the civil war a regiment passed through a city or town of the north, the receptions which seemed so good to us. After the camp fare of our soldier life, what more eloquent than this bountiful provision. presided over by feminine grace and beauty, which seemed so plamily to say, "We cannot face with you the stern realities of war, but we will do our best to send you off in good heart." And they did. God bless
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them for it. Such "send offs" and such sympathy were sweet and helpful, and made us braver and stronger in hours of trial and danger. I suspect something of this kind will be the experience of our brave boys to-day, and this reunion will be memorable, not only for the meet- ing of old comrades, but for the good cheer that has attended it.
Early in the spring of 1865 a band of paroled Andersonville prisoners reached Jackson, Mississippi, where the marks of Sherman's recent presence were all too plainly seen. Railroad communication with the Union lines at Vicksburg ended there, and a march of thirty-six miles through mud and rain, through swollen streams and forests, seemed a mighty undertaking to those half-starved, half-clothed, half-sick pris- oners of war. Some fatal experiences made memorable that journey : men whom the bullet had spared, whom the pestilence had left un- harmed, who had battled bravely with the dreary home longings of prison life, were swallowed up by the surging floods that rushed along the places where little streams used to run peacefully down. The second night was spent in an open field about six miles from the Union lines at the crossing of the river. Resuming their journey, stiffened and footsore, jaded and worn, these tired veterans tramped on with ligliter step and braver heart because the miles were few though long, as all southern miles were apt to be, to the Big Black river. Toward noon from the head of the line arose a cry, whether of joy or pain one could hardly know. As all eagerly hastened forward one after another took up the cry. It became a shout ; caps were tossed in air, strange anties were indulged in. All were looking at something visible over low land adjoining the river-our Nation's flag, whose inarticulate voice spake with authority of liberty, of rest and of home. It is not difficult for many of us here to-day to appreciate that overwhelming joy, that intense enthusiasm. It meant liberty to them because they were cap- tives : it meant home, for they had not where to lay their heads; it meant country, for they were long in a desolate land : it meant peace, for they were tossed with tempest and storm : it meant food, for they were hungry : it meant clothing. for they were naked ; it meant rest, for they were footsore and weary; it meant friends, for they were strangers in a strange land.
We in Englewood have these priceless treasures to-day, because you fought and suffered together with thousands who were true and loyal to their country, their homes and their sires. It seems almost nnneces- sary to say that your presence is welcome here, for every good we enjoy is in a sense yours as well as ours On this the day of your reunion we greet you kindly, with heartfelt gratitude to God who has given us such a goodly land ; and I would not be true to myself and my convictions of truth should I fail to suggest that these homes and these blessings and this goodly heritage are typical of an enduring home beyond,
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HEAVEN, REST AND HOME.
where God our Father dwells, and that we should think to-day of the larger and silent army of comrades who are in peaceful dwellings there, who one day not very far off will welcome every veteran who has been true to his God as you all have to your country. " His banner over us and over them is love." May its waving beckon us all on to heaven, rest and home.
Major Appleget, in reply, spoke substantially as follows :
Ladies and Gentlemen of Englewood, Comrades of the Grand Army of the Republic, Gentlemen of the Reception Committee, and Veterans of the Ninth-While I deeply regret the absence of our honored presi- dent, General Heckman, whose presence and eloquence would have charmed you, it gives me great pleasure to respond to an address of welcome on this occasion, and I congratulate the committee upon the selection of a representative so well qualified as Captain Riker has shown himself to touch our feelings and awaken our enthusiasm. Apparently the delightful experiences of this day have but just begun, and yet I assure you that the heartiness of our welcome and the gener- osity with which you have shown yourselves ready to extend to us the hospitalities of your beautiful village have already won our hearts. When we received notice that this reunion was to be held here, there was a universal inquiry " Where is Englewood and why should we go there ?" Already we have found many answers to our questions. Because it is one of the most delightful villages of the Palisade group ; because its citizens have hearts as big as their hands are ready ; because every heart in it beats with gratitude to the veteran and every home in it is decorated in his honor ; because it can display more flags, more bunting and more handsome ladies than any town of its size we ever saw ; and lastly because it is the home of a veteran whose influence here is shown to be as great as among his comrades, Adjutant Frederick G. Coyte. These are some of the reasons why we now agree that Engle- wood was just the place for the present meeting. We have important business before us, as well as a further investigation of your beneficence, and I will not longer detain you now than to say that the veterans of the Ninth will ever remember this reception as unsurpassed in any similar experience since the war. In sincerity and gratitude we shall ever pray God's best blessing upon the people of Englewood.
.
Comrades-It will be remembered that I was appointed at the last meeting to deliver to you an address upon this occasion. The little time that I intend to take for this purpose I will take before more important affairs claim your attention. I hold it a high houor to speak to and for New Jersey soldiers. I am proud of my record as connected with every one of you, and I am proud of our httle state. New Jersey was the first state to place a full and organized brigade at the capital
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when it was endangered. New Jersey sent to the front enough men to fill eighty-eight full regiments, ten thousand more men than were called for by the government on all calls. Her history and that of her soldiers and statesmen is the history of a firm, effective and self-sacrificing devotion to the flag and to the integrity of the Union. And I am proud of the regiment. To have carried a musket as a private soldier and to have been honored with a commission as a field officer of such a regiment as the old Ninth is glory enough for one lifetime. Iam proud of every name upon her rolls, and hold as sacred and holy the ties that bind me to the gallant ones who have gone before and the heroes who remain. Let me mention for the awakening of precious memories and deep regrets the names of those officers who were claimed by death during the war ; let us cast a simple flower at least upon the graves of comrades who have crossed the river on detached service.
We can never forget our first commander, Colonel Allen, who sank from our sight beneath the waves of Hatteras ; we can only remember his genial, tender care for us, and imagine what devotion he would have shown had not his career so suddenly and so early closed. He was a grand, good man, and when we lost him the Ninth lost a good father and friend. Nor will we ever know how much of help and usefulness was lost to us when our first surgeon, the lamented Weller, was engulf- ed in the same watery grave. And now I come to mention a name enshrined in every heart; yes, in the hearts of the people of New Jersey, a name honored in foreign lands as well as in Bergen county, the home of his ancestors-Zabriskie, the scholarly, the cultured, the tender, the daring young colonel, Abram Zabriskie. Who did not love him? What more comprehensive proof of his influence over us all can I mention than that well-worn incident ; how when the work of re-enlistment was lagging, his simple statement on the parade ground, "My men, Iintend to stay with you through the war" was enough to accomplish the result, and the roll of the Ninth regiment of veteran volunteers was filled be- fore the sun set ! What laurels withered prematurely when the modest but amiable and gallant Captain Henry sank to his death in the marshes of Roanoke; or when the brave and genial Lientenant Walker fell on the well-fought field of Newbern ! Who shall tell our sorrow when the dashing, intrepid Captain Harris, and the beloved and valiant Captain Carrell were left lying shrouded in the morning mists of Drewry's Bluff, where Zabriskie and the noble Captain Lawrence received their death wounds, and from which Heckman, Drake, Kissam, and Peters, with many another gallant soldier, went into captivity ! I do not forget the courteous and soldierly Springer, dying in hospital, nor the brave and amiable " Charlie " Hufty, shot through the heart at second Southwest Creek, nor the gallant McChesney, who carried from Newbern the wound that was to cause his death
1
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LETTER FROM GENERAL HECKMAN.
when peace had been secured. And since the war "how have the mighty fallen !" Woodhull, Ritter, Burnett, Bonham, Kissam, Brown, Rogers, Zimmerman and Edwards, all these have gone to join the ranks of the honored dead. When I think of them, and of the hundreds of gallant men who followed them to a soldier's death, the words of Colonel Hay seem most appropriate :
"No fear for them ! In our lower field Let us toil with arms unstained, That at last we be worthy to stand with them On the shining heights they've gained. We shall meet and greet in closing ranks, In Time's declining sun, When the bugles of God shall sound recall, And the battle of Life be won."
Major Appleget then reviewed the history of the regiment and showed that in all its engagements, from Roanoke to Raleigh, it had furnished chapters of history as exciting, and incidents of personal firmness, daring and strategy as thrilling as any of the more noted events of the war. He paid a glowing tribute to the bravery and gal- lantry of its commanders, Heckman, Zabriskie and Stewart, and related many incidents, awakening pleasant recollections and exciting the enthusiasm of his hearers. His tribute to the rank and file, their devotion, their bravery and their unflinching allegiance to their regi- ment and its commanders, as well as the affection which bound them to their officers, was heartly applauded. IIe closed . with a tender allusion to the comrades who had died and received a soldiers' burial or had been left on the field, and said : " These men have made the com- mon names of our country glorious on the pages of history, immortal on the roll of fame."
"Over them now, year following year, Over their graves the pine cones fall, And the whippoorwill chants his spectre call, But they stir not again; they raise no cheer ; They have ceased, but their glory will never cease, Nor their light be quenched in the light of Peace."
The following letters were read by the secretary :
PHILLIPSBURG, N. J., September 10, 18$8.
MY DEAR GENERAL DRAKE -- Instead of passing an enjoyable evening at your hospitable residence, with General Stewart and your gratefully remembered home circle, I am compelled to send my regrets. I will not be able to go with you to Englewood, but must forego the pleasures of meeting with our comrades at their third re-union. There are times in the experience of us all when our lives are more like birds with broken wings, and we have learned that we do not always attain the object sought ; nevertheless, I am greatly disappointed. While you are enjoying the hospitalities of the patriotic citizens of Englewood, your
.
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old comrade will, probably, be sitting in his antique rocker (heirloom of his sainted mother), living a more real life within his thoughts than amid the environments of the home. The evolutions of the parade, the march, the bivouac, the tumult of battle, with its ever-succeeding shout of victory, the flourish of old heroic music, heard a quarter of a century ago, such scenes and sounds, perhaps, will be alive before his senses. You will please say to those who are present, that the ties of affection that bind nie to the noble heroes of the grand old Ninth regiment, are indissoluble ; and while I hold them in highest admiration for the noble part they performed in the preserving of the Union of the states, they have still before them the noblest work of all-a something within the reach of all. All can help. We stand here, in a grand age, as citizens of the most important country on earth, undeveloped empires within the borders of our vast domain. All manner of giants of evil influence are in possession or taking possession. We are to implant lofty principles of patriotism, instil a love of truth and righteousness, teach habits of sobriety and virtue. Dr. Strong in his great book "Our Country," says truthfully, "Few suppose that these years of peaceful prosperity, in which we are quietly developing a continent, are the pivot years in which is turning the nation's future. And a fewer still imagine that the destinies of mankind, for centuries to come, can be seriously affected, much less determined, by the meu of this generation in the United States." But no generation appreciates its place in history.
" Here the tread of princes, Of nations yet to be ; The first low wash of waves, Where soon shall roll a human sea. The rudiments of empire here Are plastic yet, and warm ; The chaos of a mighty world Is rounding into form."
And every man who casts his vote in the fear of God, expresses a pure and patriotic sentiment, founds a school or teaches a little child, gives bent and shape to this empire for which ages have waited.
With kind regards and best wishes for many pleasant reunions of our gallant comrades,
Your comrade in F., C. and L., CHARLES A. HECKMAN.
2001 DIAMOND STREET, PHILADELPHIA, September 10, 1898.
GENERAL J. MADISON DRAKE, Secretary-My dear General-Circun- stances have arisen which render it utterly impossible for me to be with you to-morrow. I cannot push them aside ; I cannot overcome them, and am perforce compelled to accept the situation.
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ELECTION OF OFFICERS.
In common with many of our associates I have looked forward to this reunion, and my being deprived from joining you is a sore disappoint- ment to me. Please convey to the boys my fraternal regards, and rest assured I will be with you in thought and feeling, if not in person.
Cordially yours,
JAMES STEWART, JR.
The minutes of the reunion at Trenton having been approved, Lieutenant Wilham E. Townley, treasurer, presented his report, which showed that he had received during the year $161.75 ; expenditures, $77.49 ; balance in his hands, including balance September thirteenth, 1887, $10.98, $93.24. The report was certified by the finance committee, Surgeon Gillette, Captain B. W. Hopper and Lieutenant Oscar Van Houten.
The following-named were then chosen as officers :
President-Brigadier-General Charles A. Heckman.
Vice-Presidents-Brigadier-General James Stewart, Jr., Lieutenant- Colonel William B. Curlis, Major Thomas B. Appleget, Captain Benjamin W. Hopper, Captain Robert D. Swain, Captain W. B. S. Boudinot, Adjutant Frederick G. Coyte, Lieutenant Richard E. Cogan, Lieutenant Richard J. Berdan, Private Francis Cahill.
Secretary-Captain J. Madison Drake, Elizabeth.
Treasurer-Lieutenant William E. Townley, Elizabeth.
Private John R. Jurgens of Company B, on behalf of Lincoln Circle of Jersey City, extended a cordial invitation to the regiment to hold its next reunion in that city. As it was deemed best to meet in the lower part of the state next year, the invitation, while fully appreciated, was declined with thanks.
Sergeant Preston of Company F', moved that the executive committee be empowered to select the next place of meeting. Agreed to.
Hospital-steward William S. Wade offered a resolution, annonneing the death during the year of Lieutenant A. E. Edwards of Company A, and Colonel Charles Scranton, an honorary member of the association, to whose memory he paid tribute.
Captain Hopper moved that the thanks of the association are hereby tendered to our comrade, Adjutant Frederick G. Coyte, to the com- mander and comrades of Dwight post, G. A. R. in tendering us the honor of an escort, to Cass's band, to the patriotie citizens, and to the ladies who have done so much for our entertainment and pleasure. Adopted by a unanimous vote-the men rising and cheering.
Captain Drake having read a letter from General James Stewart, Junior, in reference to the former's preparation of a history of the Ninth regiment, and the secretary reporting that he had been at work upon the history for over a year, and that his task was nearly completed, Captain W. B. S. Boudinot moved that Captain Drake continue his
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"labor of love," and that one thousand copies of the volume be printed. The motion was adopted with enthusiasm, and the following- named appointed a committee on publication :
Surgeon Gillette, Major Appleget and Captain Hopper.
The business having been completed, the survivors repaired to an adjoining hall, where bounteous tables, prepared by the ladies of the place, greeted them.
The Englewood Times said of the banquet: "Upon the completion of the business the regiment repaired to the 'armory,' where a fine col- lation was served, the entertainers and guests together who sat down to the rows of tables, which reached the entire length of the building, numbering not less than two hundred and fifty. Caterer Magner had charge of these preparations, which, with the efficient aid he received from a corps of ladies, the wives, daughters, sisters and cousins of the Englewood grand army men, who waited upon the tables, and whose magic touches were descernible everywhere in the large hall, culmi- nated in successfully carrying out every detail. The praises of the ladies were sounded by every one who enjoyed their painstaking attention, and at the conclusion of the bounteous repast the pent-up appreciation of the partakers of their hospitality relieved itself by rounds of cheers for the fair entertainers. The means which made possible this grand reception were contributed by the generous citizens of Englewood, a fund of over two hundred dollars having been sub- scribed for the purpose. The prime mover in the whole matter, however, was Lieutenant F. G. Coyte, who is deserving of great credit for his indefatigable labors. Mr. Coyte is the only member of the regiment in Englewood, and early last fall he conceived the idea of bringing his comrades to our town for their next reunion. When the proper time came he unfolded his plan to some of our public-spirited citizens, and the encouragement he received was sufficient to assure its satisfactory fulfillment. Thereupon an invitation was extended his regiment to ' camp' here this year, and then Mr. Coyte's work began. This was some time in July, and since then he has been busy in making arrangements for, and interesting others in the event. How well he has succeeded has been already told, but the committee from Dwight Post, who have aeted with him in this matter, are also deserving of mention, namely, Commander W. C. Davies, William Frederick and James H. Detnarest. The other members of the post have also done their part in making ready to receive their comrades. Much regret was expressed by many of the veterans at the absence of General Charles A. Heckman, of Phillipsburg, who is president of the organization. General Heckman is very popular with the old members of his regiment. The first vice-president, General James Stewart, present chief of police of Philadelphia, was also absent.
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CARRYING AWAY MEMENTOES.
" There was no speech-making in the armory. After the tables had been relieved of some of their burden and all appetites had been satisfied, an effort was made to get some remarks from General J. Madison Drake, of Elizabeth, the secretary of the organization, but he got no further than proposing three cheers for the ladies, which were several times repeated with decided heartiness. Indeed, it would have been impossible amid the confusion of mingled voices for the general or anybody else to have made himself heard had speech-making been attempted, and upon the whole it was perhaps just as well that it was not. Reunions afford old veterans better ways of passing the time by meeting each other and talking over old times, and in the interchange of experiences in the field ; and from the general buzz going on it was evident that the opportunity was taken advantage of to the fullest extent. At intervals Cass's band played familiar airs, rendered in a very creditable manner, and between music and social chat the after- noon went by all too quickly for the visitors, according to their own professions. It may here be remarked that all the ladies in the hall wore aprons made of bunting, the stars and stripes, and before leaving to take the 4.52 train for the city, each old veteran used his persuasive powers to carry an apron home with him as a memento of the occasion, and most of them succeeded. Thus was the third reunion of the Ninth New Jersey volunteers celebrated, and Englewood may well feel proud of the leaf which it has just added to the regiment's history."
A CARD.
The undersigned, representing Dwight post, G. A. R., desire to extend their sincere thanks to the people of Englewood for the hearty and generous support they received in the reception to the Ninth New Jersey volunteers on Tuesday last. We are impressed by the fact that the old soldiers have not yet lost their hold on the affections of the masses.
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