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 5
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NINTH NEW JERSEY VETERAN VOLS.
And every eye flashed bright that day, And every heart beat strong ; For every manly soul kept time To the rifle-bullet's song.
"Brave men grew braver as they marked How Corporal Lorence fought, And ever while the contest waged The post of danger sought. Columbia's grand, inspiring voice Was sounding in his ear : 'Strike nobly now,' it seemed to say, 'And cast away all fear !'
" Alas ! before the day was won, While fiercer grew the fray, And John was rushing on, a shot Took both his legs away ! Oh, not a man that saw him fall, But wished it had been he ;
Each struggled, when they bore him off, His chief support to be.
" The hero lay insensible While knives and probes pierced deep ; God bless the noble art of war That caused that fallen sleep ! At last the surgeon's task was o'er, The sleeper wakes. What sound Has thrilled his soul, and made him glance So eagerly around ?
"' Victory !' is the thrilling cry Borne in upon the gale. The patriot rose upon his arm, His face, till now so pale, Flushed with new joy, he waved his cap, And gave three hearty cheers, For the Union and the glorious Ninth New Jersey Volunteers !
" And now he lies, unmurmuring, A cripple, thin and weak, Yet none mistake the patriot fire Who chance to hear him speak ; He longs to go, though on his stumps, And serve his country more. Brave Lorence ! well your country knows . Your fighting days are o'er."
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OFFICIAL REPORTS.
BURNSIDE'S HEADQUARTERS ON ROANOKE.
Reports of Lieutenant- Colonel Charles A. Heckman.
HEADQUARTERS NINTH NEW JERSEY REGIMENT, ROANOKE ISLAND, N. C., Feb. 9, 1862.
SIR-I hereby respectfully report that the regiment which I command took its position in the brigade about seven A. M. When we had approached near the field of action we passed, by order of Lieutenant Reno, the Fifty-first Regiment, New York volunteers, and when we had arrived on their right were met by General Foster, and ordered by him to enter the swamp to the left by company front. However, finding that our fire would be more effective, I formed them by division. At 9.30 A. M. the first division commenced an oblique fire upon the battery, and the fire was continued until 11.15 A. M., by the successive divisions, when the fire of the enemy slackening, I ordered the regiment to charge, and in company with the Twenty-first Massachusetts volunteers we entered the battery.
The officers of the regiment conducted themselves with courage and coolness, and I am perfectly satisfied with them. The ground was very swampy, and for the most time the men were up to their waists in water, though notwithstanding these discouraging circumstances they behaved themselves admirably.
The regiment sustained the following losses : One officer killed, six enlisted men killed, thirty enlisted men wounded-total, thirty-seven.
C. A. HECKMAN, Lieutenant-Colonel commanding.
BRIGADIER-GENERAL RENO.
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NINTH NEW JERSEY VETERAN VOLS. Colonel Heckman's Report to Governor Olden.
HEADQUARTERS NINTH REGIMENT, NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS,
ROANOKE ISLAND, Feb. 9th, 1862.
SIR-I have the honor to report the following as the part taken by New Jersey's Ninth regiment in yesterday's battle, and victory of the Union forces. About three P. M. on the seventh, under cover of the heavy cannonade of our navy, our little army, composed of three brigades, first, General John G. Foster ; second, General Jesse L. Reno ; third, General John G. Parke, effected an unopposed landing. It bivouacked in a cornfield, and under the beating of a piteously severe storm gained its first experience in practical field service. At six A. M. on the eighth the command "forward " was given. The advance (Foster's brigade) soon engaged the enemy, and notwithstanding the obstacles encountered steadily pushed forward, and finally forced the enemy behind his works, but could make no further progress. The foe was thoroughly intrenched in a fort (Defiance) located on the north side of a clearing, about four hundred yards square, on a point of land protected by water in its front and right and left flanks, which they believed to be impassable for troops. The only solid ground available to the Union troops was a narrow cart road, which led from our bivouac ground in a southerly direction for about two miles, when it changes direction to the eastward, and at about two hundred yards further on, again changes to the north for the same distance, when it is cut by the ditch of the fort, The nature of the ground prevented any proper formation for assault, and Foster's brigade was held in check by the well-directed artillery and small arms of the enemy. Meanwhile, the men of the second brigade, who remained inactive about a quarter of a mile from the forces engaged, waited eagerly for orders to advance to the relief of their comrades. Presently, in their stead, stretchers bearing the dead and wounded passed by them in the narrow road to the rear. I greatly feared its effect on my raw troops, but the tremor was only momentary. At eight o'clock an orderly appeared and delivered an order for the Ninth New Jersey to pass the Fifty-first New York (the Twenty-first Massachusetts men deployed on our left flank) and report at the front to General Foster, commanding the troops engaged. That order was executed in quick time, with files well closed up. The general ordered me to form regiment in column by company, enter the swamp on our left, and engage the enemy. Into the swamp, thigh deep in mud and water, the Ninth advanced to the edge of the timber, when it formed column by division at half distance, about one hundred yards from the right front of the fort, which com- pletely covered the cart road, and defied assault from that direction. Our first division opened a vigorous fire, which was returned with great vehemence. The part of the regiment not engaged were ordered to squat in the water, securing their amunition from damage. After a short time the first division was relieved by the second, and at length, the second by the third. Presently, their effective firing was visible
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DEATH OF BRAVE MEN.
in the sudden slacking of the enemy's musketry. Their battery still fired rapidly, but doing little damage to us. Particular attention was now directed to the cannoneers, and the result was soon apparent. So accurate was the aim of our men that all the guns were silenced except the one in the centre embrasure. Selecting three marksmen of company D, they, at a given signal, fired into that embrasure, and silenced the last gun fired in defence of Roanoke Island. The victory was ours, but the query, who shall be first to enter the fort was unanswered. Haw- kins' Zouaves (Ninth New York), " who had previously made a charge by the road, but were repulsed," were on solid ground. One hundred yards of water was between us and the fort. The order " charge " was given, and a rush (go-as-you-please) was made, and the Ninth New Jersey (a squad of them) won the prize. Simultaneously the colonel and major of the Twenty-first Massachusetts, and Major Kimball, of the Ninth New York (Hawkins' Zouaves) entered the works, at opposite points. Each of them mounted a gun, and gave us a short, impromptu speech, and each claimed to have captured the fort. And it must have been so, for those of us who were in the battery when they arrived declined to contradict them. On entering the fort we found but two living souls-one a negro (servant of Colonel Shaw), the other Lieutenant Seldon, of Wise's legion, who was mortally wounded by three rifle balls. This intrepid Confederate, had alone, as he told me, loaded and fired that centre gun three times, and as he fired his fourth and last round, received a message from those unerring rifles of Com- pany D, which ended his earthly career. On being driven from Fort Defiance, the enemy retreated to the north point of the Island, stacked their arms, and waited the approach of our troops, when an uncon- ditional surrender was made. The trophies are five forts, thirty-three pieces of artillery, two thousand eight hundred prisoners, with small arms, stores, etc. Fort Defiance was unquestionably the key to the rebel's position, and the occupation of the swamp on its right flank (by the Ninth New Jersey) secured the great success of the day. After the battle, the Confederates admitted that they believed it impossible for "troops to operate in that swamp." The loss of the Ninth is nine killed and twenty-five wounded, a full list of which will be sent to you at an early date. Captain Joseph J. Henry, of Company H, who was killed by a round shot, was an accomplished, genial gentleman, and a gallant officer of great promise. He fell as he would have chosen to fall, at the head of his division. Isaac V. D. Blackwell, of Company F, a Christian gentleman, and brave soldier, expired in his brother's arms. His last words were, " Remember thy God."
Among the wounded the brave corporal, John Lorence, and Jon- athan A. Bural of Company K, deserve special mention. They have performed their whole duty to their country, and their country should never forget their sacrifice for the preservation of the Union.
The gallant behavior of the officers and men of the regiment, in this its first engagement, prevents my making mention of individual bravery. But I cannot refrain from expressing my admiration for our
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NINTH NEW JERSEY VETERAN VOLS.
gallant young adjutant, Abram Zabriskie, who during the whole of the battle manifested the self-possession of a veteran. That the future of the Ninth will be replete with brilliant deeds, I fully believe; and that the honor of the country and our flag will not be tarnished by any act of hers. From first to last its conduct was, in the highest, courageous.
The value to the Union, in this conquest, will readily appear in a glance at a map of Virginia and North Carolina. It is the key to the rear of all the defences of Norfolk and Portsmouth.
I have the honor to be, governor, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
C. A. HECKMAN,
Lieutenant-Colonel Commanding.
To CHARLES S. OLDEN, Governor of New Jersey.
The first news of our splendid achievement reached New Jersey February eleventh, three days after the battle, and occasioned great rejoicing throughout the state. The Trenton Gazette, in speaking of the victory, said :
"Yesterday (Tuesday) at noon the Trenton artillery fired a salute of one hundred guns. The guns were stationed on the river bank, in rear of the state house, and were loaded and fired in a manner which showed the discipline and proficiency of the company. The discharge of the first gun was the signal for the commencement of the bell-ringing, and at once the bells on the churches and on the city hall commenced to ring out a joyous peal of rejoicing for the glorious victory achieved under the stars and stripes.
"In the assembly Mr. Hill of Morris offered a resolution to have a national flag placed over the chair of the speaker, which was adopted unanimously, and the house adjourned with three cheers for the victors and the Union. .
"All over the town, in every public place and in every street, men were shaking hands and congratulating each other over the brightening prospects, and everywhere we saw the signs of rejoicing, patriotism and devotion to the Union. If there were any persons who did not join heartily in these rejoicings they had the prudence and good sense to keep themselves out of sight.
"In the evening several of our citizens illuminated their buildings. In one place was a large transparency, with the
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"WAIT FOR THE WAGON."
following mottoes : 'Burnside and Goldsborough,' 'Grant and Foote,' 'The Ninth New Jersey Volunteers.'
"The boys contributed to the general display by bonfires, and about eight o'clock fifes and drums added to the general din."
The following literary effusion was picked up in the barracks by a member of Company D:
Come all ye sons of Freedom and join our Southern band, We are going to fight the enemy, and drive them from the land. Justice is our motto, and Providence our guide,
So jump into the wagon, and we'll all take a ride.
CHORUS :
Wait for the wagon, dissolution wagon, The south is our wagon, and all take a ride.
Secession is our watchword, our rights we all demand, And to defend our firesides we pledge our hearts and hands ; Jeff Davis is our president, with Stevens by his side,
Brave Lee has joined us in our ride.
CHORUS-Wait for the wagon.
Our wagon is plenty big enough, the running gear is good, It's stuffed with cotton 'round the sides, and made of southern wood; Carolina is the driver, Georgia by her side,
Virginia holds our flag up, and we'll all take a ride.
CHORUS-Wait for the wagon.
There is Tennessee and Texas are also in the ring, They wouldn't have a government where cotton wasn't king ; Alabama and Florida have long ago replied,
Mississippi in the wagon-all anxious for a ride.
CHORUS-Wait for the wagon.
There is Missouri, North Carolina and Arkansas, slow they go, They must hurry or we will leave them, then where would they go ; Old Kentuck and Maryland each will make up their mind, So I reckon after all we will have to take them up behind.
CHORUS-Wait for the wagon.
Our cause is a just and holy one, our men are brave and true, To whip the Lincoln cut-throats is all we have to do ; God bless our noble army, in Him we all confide, So jump into our wagon, and we'll all take a ride.
CHORUS- Wait for the wagon.
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NINTH NEW JERSEY VETERAN VOLS.
February 12 .- A beautiful day. Five companies on duty guarding the Confederates, the remainder of the regiment marched to the wharf to procure the knapsacks which had been left on ship-board before the battle. The men were over- joyed in getting possession of the knapsacks, as they badly needed a change of underclothing, especially as the log- hut barracks occupied by them were filthy and filled with vermin. Bugler Walmsley of Company E, while walking along the shore to-day, found a singular looking bottle in the water, and upon examining it, discovered a piece of paper, upon which was written: "On board C. S. S. Sumter, January 25th, 1862. The Sumter is on fire, and we all expect to go to hell." The bottle and laconic missive were subsequently handed to General Burnside, who thanked Walmsley, and recommended him for promotion. Colonel Heckman made him chief bugler.
February 13 .- Every man off duty that knows how to wash apparel, (and some that never before did such a thing,) is busily engaged to-day in that occupation, the scene being quite spirited and worthy of a painter. Commodore Goldsborough visited the camps to-day, and was enthusiastically cheered.
February 17 .- Our supply of fresh beef having been ex- hausted, and as there is none to be obtained within the circumscribed limits of this island, we are again compelled to feed upon hard tack and very salt pork.
February 18 .- The brier-wood pipe fever has broken out, and every man who has a knife is cutting and carving. Some of the pipes are unique, and they bring good prices.
February 19 .- For a week past the regiment has been kept busy drilling several hours each day. It keeps our hands, legs and minds employed-this drilling does.
February 22 .- Anniversary of the birth of Washington, but the regiment is kept drilling all the same. Rained hard in the afternoon, affording the men a chance to write letters.
February 24 .- Long expected mail arrived to-day, bringing northern papers, which, however, gave the Ninth very little credit for its active participation in the recent battle. One paper went so far as to say that the " Ninth was held in reserve at Hatteras," a flattering bit of news to a command which ren-
.
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LEAVING THE ISLAND.
dered such signal service, and whose loss was nearly as great as any which took part in the struggle.
February 26 .- New shoes, pants and underclothing were issued the men to-day, greatly to their joy.
February 28 .- An order was issued to-day, directing the en- listed men to turn over to the quartermaster the revolvers and dirk-knives in their possession, as accidents from the handling of these weapons were becoming frequent. As the men in the recent battle saw they had no opportunity to use these articles, which were a burden to carry along, they cheerfully complied with the request of the colonel. Before the regiment left Washington the men thought it necessary to load themselves down with such weapons, but they quickly tired of lugging them along. Their rifle, accoutrements, ammunition, haver- sack, canteen, blanket and overcoat were quite heavy enough to "tote " on a march, as a "tar-heeler " would say.
March 3 .- Early this morning the Ninth packed up and marched to the wharf, when seven companies went on board the steamer "Peabody," the remaining five embarking on the brig "Dragoon," as formerly. With a prospect of again meeting the foe and adding to their laurels, the men were in buoyant spirits, especially as Lieutenant-Colonel Heckman had received a commission as colonel. There had been rumors that a regular army officer was likely to get the place, but the gov- ernor of the state, being remonstrated with, this act of injustice was not performed. No regular army officer could have ever made the Ninth what it became, and none could have led it to as great glory.
March 8 .- Companies C, E and H were transferred to schooner "H. F. Brown," and Companies A, D, I and M to propeller "Albany."
March 9 .- Private George Myer of Company E, was appointed color-bearer -- a position held by him until the close of the war-and no man in the regiment was better qualified for the important trust.
March 11 .- We arose early this morning in consequence of active preparations noticed throughout the fleet the previous day, and at eight o'clock the two sailing vessels containing the
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NINTH NEW JERSEY VETERAN VOLS.
Ninth were taken in tow by the steamer "Albany," which, heading direct east, soon left Roanoke Island far behind. There was much speculation as to our probable destination, but the rumor which gained most credence was that the city of New- bern would be our " fresh field and pastures new." The sail down the sound was very pleasant. At sunset we cast anchor at Hatteras, the bleakest spot I had ever visited.
March 12 .- Weighed anchor at seven o'clock, and promptly moved off in a southwesterly direction. About the middle of the afternoon our fleet entered the wide mouth of the river Neuse, where it hove to for an hour or so, while the gunboats continued on, with a view of discovering any enemy that might be lurking along the shore. An hour before sunset, a small sail-boat was seen some distance away on the port bow, and towards it the gun-boat "Piquet " darted like an arrow shot from a bow. This was the only enlivening scene of the day. The fleet anchored near the mouth of Slocum's Creek at eight o'clock, when the men retired to obtain needed sleep and other- wise prepare for the work of the morrow. We had no misgivings as to the result of the contest, whatever or where- ever it might be, for we had absolute faith in our leaders and in ourselves.
March 13 .- Cannonading awakening us at daylight, we hastened on deck to see the cause, which was occasioned by our gunners, who were shelling the woods on the right bank of the river, above and below the creek's opening. As no reply was made, we presumed no enemy was in that vicinity. If Confederates were there they showed good sense in remaining quiet. At all events, the men of the First brigade approached the shore in a cautious manner, and effected a landing without seeing anything to alarm or molest them. Our brigade, in readiness to move, in small boats, followed, and before noon all the troops of the expedition were upon shore. With the sultry weather, a heavy rain and the wet and sandy condition of the road, our tramp was far from pleasant, but we cheerfully trudged along, some of the men occasionally breaking out with
" Through the rebel states we'll ramble, And we'll hang Jeff Davis, O !"
CHARGE OF THE NINTH NEW JERSEY AT NEWBERN, N. C. From the Original Sketch by Mr. Schell.
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DESERTED EARTHWORKS.
We pitied the jack-tars who had a difficult task in dragging their boat howitzers, but in the afternoon, Company D of the Ninth, and the Fifty-first Pennsylvania regiment were detailed to assist, when they got along with more facility and ease. As all were anxious to have the guns up when the enemy should be met, no one hesitated to lend a helping hand.
The first evidences of civilization seen after landing were some barracks which had the previous night been occupied by cavalry, who, however, had made good their escape. We wondered, as we continued to march along, where the Con- federates could be, but late in the afternoon, on reaching the railroad at Otter Creek, between Newbern and Beaufort, we saw a strong earthwork which had every evidence of having been hastily deserted ; our spirits revived, and our steps became lighter and brisker. It was the work of a few minutes to obstruct the railroad, when the column turned to the right- the first and third brigades proceeding along the county road -our brigade taking the railroad, always execrable for marching purposes. Many colored people joined our column during the march, but took the precaution to keep well at the rear, as they said the enemy was strongly posted not very far away. The rain continued to fall, and although we wore heavy great-coats, with blankets stretched over our shoulders, we were drenched to the skin. The walk over the railroad ties fatigued us greatly, and any diversion, even to an engage- ment with the Confederates, would have been gladly hailed. It was after dusk when we first saw the enemy's piquets and came to a halt. The first and third brigades went into bivouac at a right angle to the county road, while our brigade occupied a corresponding position on the left of the railroad, about one mile this side of what proved next morning to be the battle- field. The storm continued, and this, with the absence of hot coffee, and the intense darkness of the night, rendered our position highly uncomfortable. Nobody at home would have envied us. All fared alike-officers and men.
As sleep was out of the question, the men huddled about the small fires they had been permitted to kindle, and speculated on the chances of to-morrow's battle. We gained considerable
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NINTH NEW JERSEY VETERAN VOLS.
knowledge of the enemy's position from the darkies, who told us that the Confederates were posted behind entrenchments, reaching in a semi-circle from the Neuse river-their extreme left-across the railroad, to a dense morass on the right bank of the Trent river-a mile and more in length. It was nearly daybreak when the sailors and Fifty-first Pennsylvania regi- ment came up with the guns-their duties having been arduous in the extreme. We felt a breath of relief on seeing the guns with their hardy crews arrive, but owing to the proximity of the enemy, welcomed them in silence.
March 14 .- At daybreak we wrung the water from our blankets and greatcoats, withdrew the loads from our rifles, wiped our rifles carefully, reloaded, partook of a cold and hasty meal, and at seven o'clock moved back to the railroad track and commenced our march towards the city of Newbern-two miles distant. We had gone but a few hundred yards when we heard heavy firing on our right, and knew that the battle had been opened. This caused our brigade to move more briskly. General Reno, our commander, observing the Confederates getting a gun in position to sweep the railroad, directed the skirmishers of the Twenty-first Massachusetts to open upon them, and as soon as that regiment could form line he ordered it to charge upon and take the brick-kiln, which those in advance could plainly see. The Twenty-first charged gallantly, but meeting an overwhelming force were compelled to retreat, leaving behind them several guns which they had taken. The Fifty-first New York regiment and Ninth New Jersey, with the Fifty-first Pennsylvania supporting the latter, formed line of battle to the left of the railroad, and promptly engaging the enemy, the fire became general. Colonel Heckman, finding that the Ninth was overlapped on the left by the enemy, care- fully watched that flank, and at one time reversed several companies to repel an attack which the Confederates were preparing. Colonel Hartranft of the Fifty-first Pennsylvania, also seeing the new danger, promptly placed his regiment upon the prolongation of this line, when all the companies of the Ninth renewed the direct attack, speedily silencing the enemy's cannon in the works across a ravine, about one hundred yards
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"CHARGE, NINTH, CHARGE !"
distant. General Reno, in his report, said : "In the meantime the Ninth New Jersey also came into line, and opened a well- . directed fire upon a two-gun battery directly in front of them, and so accurate was their fire that the enemy could only occasionally fire their guns."
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