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 7
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"Why do you cry ?" asked one of them.
"Oh, madam, if you will pull down the quilt a little you will see."
She did so, and found that he had no arms.
.
Poor boy ! The sympathy of silence and tears was all that could be bestowed upon his wounded spirit. The remembrance of sister and brother, of father and mother, of childish frolics and playmates loved of yore, was awakened to soothe the fancy of the little sufferer, and to wreath his young brow with the still tender beauty of resignation to the will of God.
April 1 .- An unusually early breakfast this morning, after which tents were "struck " and loaded upon wagons, when Companies B, C, D, F, I, K, L and M, marched to the wharf, and embarked on steam wheelbarrow "Union," (a vessel that had the reputation of being able to sail anywhere when the ground was covered with a single night's dew), which steamed down the really beautiful Neuse river. Companies A, E, G and H, remained in camp, much to the dislike of all concerned, as rumors prevailed that the Ninth was to assist in the reduction of Fort Macon, an impediment to the entrance of our vessels into Beaufort harbor, on the coast. It was along towards the middle of the afternoon when we reached the mouth of Slocum's creek, the point of our debarkation (previous to the battle), up which we proceeded for several miles, when disembarking, and laden with heavy knapsacks, under a scorching sun, we com- menced a fatiguing march. It was after nightfall when we reached the old Confederate barracks at Newport, and after posting guards, all retired to obtain much-needed rest.
April 2 .- The Fifth Rhode Island battalion, which we found in occupancy of the barracks, and who had remained over night, departed this morning for Carolina City, a city of one or two houses, some three miles down the railroad.
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April 3 .- Four companies went out on the road leading to Swansboro to do piquet duty-the other four remaining at the barracks.
April 4 .- Company F was sent up the railroad towards New- bern to guard the railroad bridge across the Newport river, at Havelock station ; Company D took station three miles this side, while Company K was sent off to guard a county road leading from Peltier's to Swansboro. It was after Company K had reached its destination along the railroad that a little incident occurred which the boys often afterwards heartily laughed at. Lieutenant Townley, a strict disciplinarian, was in command, when "Tom " McCormick, stubbing his toe as he marched away, used language that the lieutenant could not find authority for in the tactics, which he studied at every opportunity. "You are fined, McCormick," said the lieutenant. "Tom" had all the respect in the world for the lieutenant, but this provoked him, and again he used unparliamentary language. "I shall impose another fine," said the lieutenant. "Tom" took from his pocket a one dollar bill, and handing it to the officer, said : "In faith, I will take a dollar's worth while I'm at it, lootenint."
Company K's position was as pleasant as could be desired, and its members proceeded to make themselves comfortable. Tired of masticating government rations they feasted for some time upon mutton, chickens and pigs which were found running at large near the post, and for a time enjoyed the delicious fish caught in the sound convenient to camp. The capture of the first fish, weighing some five pounds, brought into camp by "Billy " Ross, was regarded with livelier joy than California miner ever manifested when his diligent search and severe toil were rewarded with the discovery of a yellow nugget of fabulous value. The fish were good, but the sweet potatoes and corn, which appeared early in the season, were considered far more palatable. When these first came, they were devoured with as much avidity as gaunt pigs swallow kernels scattered among the leaves in the forest.
April 5 .- The men of the Ninth, by their excellent behavior and generosity, speedily gained the esteem of the people living
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LOVE FOR THE OLD FLAG.
in their vicinity, who brought into the various camps hoe-cake, ham, eggs, pies, clams, oysters, potatoes, etc., which they either gave away or disposed of at very moderate prices. Many men in the regiment presented these poor people with blankets and such articles of wear as they could dispense with. It was because of such favors that the manor-born entertained an exalted opinion of the Ninth regiment. Nearly every family, especially the poorer classes ("white trash," as the planters called them,) possessed a love for the "old flag," and they joyfully hailed their deliverance from the bondage from which we had released them.
April 6 .- Company K, on piquet on Ogilvie's plantation, at the junction of two roads, summoned to the barracks, marched five miles in about an hour and reported to the lieutenant- colonel, who was in command of the post. Knapsacks were unslung, a gill of whisky given to those who liked it, and with an extra supply of ball-cartridges several companies were ordered out to support Company B, which expected an attack. For some reason or other the Confederates did not put in an appearance.
April 7 .- This morning, everything being quiet, the rein- forcements returned to the barracks, which they had hardly reached ere news arrived that an hour or so after they had started upon the return the watchful enemy had swooped down upon Company B's advanced piquet post, mortally wounding one man-Private Warren W. Sweeny-and carrying away as prisoners Sergeant David C. Bradford, Corporal Theodore DeHart, Corporal Moses Blakely, and Privates Theodore Hughes, Daniel Cosgrove, Henry Teutenberg, James Murphy, William Danbury and William Morris. As these were the first men of the Ninth to be captured, we all naturally burned to march forth and rescue our comrades and exterminate the marauders.
April 8 .- The Confederates, displaying increased activity outside our lines, the companies at Camp Reno-A, E, H and G-left there and arrived at Newport late this afternoon. About one hundred of the sick and wounded, unable to make the journey, remained in care of Captain Castner. To-day
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Captain Samuel Hufty, with Companies B, C and I, burned the bridge across Broad river, to prevent sudden forays by the enemy.
April 9 .- Long-roll, calling the companies out of the barracks in short-metre in the middle of the night.
April 10 .- A detachment of mounted artillerymen from Belger's Rhode Island battery came into our camp, commanded by Lieutenant Pope.
April 11 .- The Ninth to-day gladly received pay for January and February, and the farmers who supply us with good things feel correspondingly happy.
April 12 .- Lieutenant Pope took his artillerymen outside our lines on a scout, but saw nothing of the enemy.
April 14 .- Colonel Heckman rejoiced our hearts by returning to-day. He was improved in health. With him in command, we knew that we should not long be annoyed by predatory bands of Confederates who hung on the outskirts of our lines.
April 15 .- Our piquets were somewhat agitated this forenoon on seeing a large force approaching, but on learning its true character extended a hearty welcome. It proved to be the One Hundred and Third New York regiment, with prisoners, negroes and much plunder, gathered en route from Newbern, from which place it had started three days previously. The raiders brought with them horses and every description of vehicles, but we were glad when they left camp.
April 16 .- Roused at midnight by the drummers, a shot or two having been fired by the piquets.
April 18 .- Long-roll again this evening, but no signs of the enemy.
April 21 .- Captain Stewart, wishing to give his men more exercise than was possible on post, started away on a scout, returning, however, before dark, without having seen anything of armed Confederates.
April 24 .- The sun came creeping out of the Atlantic ocean (as it seemed to the writer, who was standing on the mainland looking towards Fort Macon, ) when the reverberations of heavy guns were plainly heard among the sand hills on Bogue Island, upon the northern extremity of which the fort was located.
LT. COL. WM. B. CURLIS.
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CAPTURE OF FORT MACON.
The Confederates in the fort, for some reason unaccountable to the Unionists, had refrained from attempting to dislodge the besieging force, who were enabled to plant their guns and mortars without molestation, and in almost absolute security. But, everything being in readiness for the siege, with the opening of the bombardment, the enemy made a vigorous though ineffectual reply, steadily maintaining it until dark.
April 25 .- Firing was resumed at daylight, and by noon-time it became apparent that the Confederates would soon be compelled to surrender, which ceremony took place at four o'clock in the afternoon, when five hundred men, under Colonel White, marched out and lay down their arms. The Confed- erates, who were much dejected, no longer sung :
" If Lincoln wants to save his bacon, He'd better keep away from old Fort Macon ! Look away !"
April 29 .- Quartermaster Keys, a faithful and highly efficient officer, left the regiment to-day, greatly to the regret of officers and men, to act as commissary of Burnside's corps, with which he remained until the end of the war. Second Lieutenant Edward S. Carrell was appointed to act in his place.
May I .- The weather continues delightful-no rain having fallen in over three weeks.
May 2 .- Rumors prevail that owing to difficulty in obtaining recruits for the "fighting Ninth," which so far is the only regiment from New Jersey that has been engaged in battle, two companies will be disbanded and the men transferred to the ten remaining companies.
May 3 .- Firing by the piquets on the Swansboro road caused an alarm in camp.
May 13 .- Major Zabriskie, who had been home on sick leave, returned to-day, greatly improved in health and strength.
May 16 .- Complimentary orders were received to-day from General John G. Parke, thanking the Ninth "for the arduous and important services rendered by it in assisting in the reduction and capture of Fort Macon," and directing that "Roanoke Island, February 7-8," "Newbern, March 14,"
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and "Fort Macon, April 25, 1862," be inscribed on the regimental colors. The gratifying announcement was received with enthusiasm. The duties of the men in the various com- panies are light ; while they are contented the natives are delighted. While the Confederates, who were hurried from Fort Macon by a grand discharge of fireworks, keep at a respectful distance, we continue as wakeful to a sense of duty as a grimalkin after scenting a mouse. While many of us frisk about like school-boys when the teacher has slipped out to imbibe a julep, during tours of duty we are faithful and firm as when preparing to resist to the death a host advancing to the assault. And yet there is no telling what a day may bring forth. Occasionally we receive a day's notice before moving, and at other times are ordered to sling knapsacks and march at once, with no leisure to carve the date of our departure on the thick bark of the nearest turpentine tree.
May 18 .- The section of Belger's artillery returned to New- bern to-day, to the great regret of the men, who had become greatly attached to the Ninth. It being Sunday, a negro minister held forth. Before he concluded his sermon he got through from Genesis to Revelation.
May 20 .- Although the Ninth is delightfully located, with light duties, yet the men are dissatisfied and long for a change. So pleasant and profitable has our sojourn been in this section, that the inhabitants, who feel the greatest security in our protection, have petitioned General Burnside to retain the Ninth in the district, rumors prevailing for a few days past that the Ninth was to be ordered to Virginia.
May 21 .- Chaplain Thomas Drum, while riding, fell from his horse, sustaining a fracture of a leg.
May 25 .- A paymaster made glad our hearts by giving us two months salary. There are but few spendthrifts in the Ninth-most of the men feeling it a sacred duty to forward the bulk of their mneagre pay home. I am told that nearly every man sends at least ten dollars out of the thirteen to his family, while I know many that remit a larger per centage. He who does not exercise a prudent economy in the army, as in civil life, is often obliged to suffer in consequence of his indiscretion.
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A CLERGYMAN CARRIED OFF.
May 26 .- A terrible rain-storm prevailed to-day, the district being flooded. The old mill at Havelock (where Company F is stationed), was carried away by the flood.
May 27 .- A national salute was fired at Fort Macon to-day in honor of the arrival of Provisional Governor Edwin D. Stanley.
May 29 .- The officer of the day went out in the woods, in rear of his quarters, and discharged his revolver this forenoon, causing the companies to turn-out of the barracks. The captain received an admonition from Colonel Heckman for his indiscre- tion. A private of Company E was united in marriage to Miss Bell living near camp.
May 30 .- The last of the sick men left in camp at Newbern reached Newport to-day.
June II .- A party of Confederates (farmers by day and soldiers at night), eluded our piquets and reached the humble home of Rev. Thomas Mann, just inside our lines and carried off the inoffensive clergyman. He had refused to identify him- self with the cause of rebellion, and having committed the crime of addressing a Union meeting, composed of his neigh- bors, incurred the mortal hate of secessionists, who embraced this opportunity of wreaking vengeance upon him.
June 12 .- To-day a locomotive, with cars attached, came down from Newbern. It did us all good to once more heal the sound of a steam whistle. Companies A, B and H went outside the lines, hoping to run across parties interested in carrying off the clergyman, but were unable to gain any intelligence of his whereabouts. Infantrymen are illy adapted for a long stern chase.
June 13 .- A company of the Third New York Cavalry from Newbern, reached the Ninth's camp at six o'clock this evening to join in a scout towards Swansboro. Companies I and M, commanded by Captain Hufty, left the barracks soon after- the cavalrymen following at eleven o'clock.
June 14 .- The cavalry, unable to cross Broad creek, and being of no further use, returned to camp, while the two infantry companies, determined to destroy the cavalry barracks on the White Oak road, some four miles further on, crossed in
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"dug-outs," and accomplished their purpose, besides capturing three prisoners, returning to camp at Newport without mishap at a late hour in the afternoon.
June 15 .- The cavalry returned to Newbern.
June 16 .- Two beautiful locomotives from New Hampshire passed over the railroad to-day, going as far as Morehead City.
June 18 .- Trains coming down from Newbern were protected by men within what we called "Monitor" (iron-clad) cars. Two small cannon were mounted upon the platform cars, plated with iron.
To-day a party of Company K's boys sailed across Bogue sound, landing near the house of an islander named Lewis, whose sixteen-year-old son agreed to pilot the party over to the beach, which he succeeded in doing after pursuing a most intri- cate pathway. The boys had a delightful ramble along the shore, and viewed with great interest the spots where huge- throated mortars and monster cannon a short time previous had hurled shrieking death-dealing missiles against the unwelcome occupants of one of Uncle Sam's forts. After examining various localities of interest, and contrasting the present calm with the tempest of fire that recently swept over the lower end of the island, the adventurers suddenly grew thirsty. "Water!" "water!" was the cry, but Sahara's desert is not more arid than the scorching sands over which they rambled. Readers of narratives of shipwrecked mariners may oftimes imagine that their descriptions of sufferings endured for want of water exaggerated, but with this brief experience of the torture caused by thirst, none in that little party were disposed to doubt stories told by the sailors.
June 21 .- This was a memorable day for the Ninth. As the weather was charming, many people from the surrounding country visited camp to witness the afternoon drill and the dress-parade at sunset, especially as it was generally understood that a magnificent sword was to be presented by the line officers to the esteemed regimental commander. At the conclusion of dress-parade Captain Boudinot of Company K, stepped forward from the line of officers and said :
1
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PRESENTATION OF A SWORD.
COLONEL HECKMAN-I am deputed by the line officers of the Ninth regiment to present you with this sword and belt, as a small token of our appreciation of your merits as our commander, as well as our esteem of you as a brother officer. The uniform impartiality with which you have administered the offices of our now famous regiment, the courtesy you have always extended towards us in our social inter- course with you, and the intrepidity you have displayed in leading the command on to victory, have endeared you to us in an eminent degree. We thank you, sir, for the proud name you have won for us as officers of the glorious Ninth. As Jerseymen, we thank you for the lustre you have added to the name of our state. Mounted on this blade are the emblems of our national greatness, and of the impious rebellion-not yet fully crushed, although doomed to a certain and ignominious death. We have still our parts to act, and shall doubtless pass through other struggles before returning to our homes. The scenes of Roanoke and Newbern may again be enacted ; but rest assured, sir, that wherever you may lead, we will follow, confident that we are on the road to victory and honor. In conclusion, permit me to wish you every success in your military career, and that when this unhappy war is ended, you may long enjoy the blessings of prosperity in the happy consciousness of having in your country's service won for yourself a lasting and an honored name.
Colonel Heckman, on receiving the sword, spoke substantially as follows :
CAPTAIN BOUDINOT-I beg, through you, to thank the gallant line officers of the Ninth New Jersey volunteers for this elegant weapon, presented by them in appreciation of Roanoke and Newbern. However well I may have performed my duties on those memorable fields, yet I would have been debarred the proud satisfaction of receiving this beautiful sword had it not been for the indomitable energy, obstinate bravery, courage, skill and fortitude of those brave boys standing in vonder ranks [pointing to the men in line]. Without them I would not be what I am : and to them I owe a debt that never can be cancelled. New Jersey has just cause to feel proud of her sons-her historie fame has not been tarnished in the slightest ; on the contrary, we have ably maintained the honor and the reputation of the "Jersey Blues" of the revolutionary age. The regiment which I have the honor to command has within its ranks as brave and hardy a band as ever shouldered a rifle, and marching with them to meet the enemy is but to vietory, honor and success. It is an honor to be connected with any of the New Jersey regiments in the field, but especially so is it when associated with the Ninth-whose famed deeds will ever shine on the brightest pages of history. My greatest ambition in the future, as heretofore, will be to serve my command to the extent of my ability, and strive to merit the continued respect and confidence of officers and men.
To the inspiring strains of "Hail to the Chief" by the band. Captain Boudinot buckled the sword to Colonel Heckman's
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belt, the men making the welkin ring with cheers. Everybody felt happy, so Major Zabriskie assumed command without orders, and passed the regiment in review before its idolized chieftain, who subsequently invited ali present to partake of his hospitality. Occasions of this character cheer the spirits, sharpen the appetite and promote the health of all who participate in them.
June 23 .- An alarm at midnight roused the regiment, which formed line with its usual celerity, and Colonel Heckman took advantage of the circumstance to drill the command for half an hour by moonlight:
June 24 .- At nine o'clock this morning, while a train of cars were at Newport barracks, news was received from Captain Curlis, at Havelock, that the enemy had appeared near the station the previous night, and attacked and driven in his piquets. Within five minutes Colonel Heckman, with Com- panies E, H and I, were on board the cars and proceeding hastily to the relief of the little garrison at Havelock, reaching which point Companies E and I disembarked, while the train proceeded on to Newbern, carrying Company H as a guard for its protection. A reconnoisance was made towards Lewis' plantation, where it was found a large force of cavalry had been during the night, but on hearing the approach of troops had withdrawn. Major Zabriskie and Surgeon Woodhull were temporarily absent from camp when the train started, but on returning and learning the condition of things, placed a hand- car on the track, and with half a dozen men started up the railroad, reaching Havelock at noon-time, their appearance being greeted with cheers by Company F's boys. Company I remained at Havelock to assist in building the block-house, while Companies E and H returned to camp late in the after- noon by train.
Company F commenced and completed the block-house at Havelock, and remained on duty there most of the summer, which was passed in an agreeable manner-the duties being far from irksome. The members lived "high" so long as their money lasted, but a time came when they felt that fresh meat . would be more palatable than the "salt hoss " regularly issued
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A CRACK SHOT DISAPPOINTED.
by the quartermaster. The death of a large black hog which had been running at large on the Lewis plantation, and which had been fed by the boys, was finally decided upon. As Hiram G. Voorhees had been boasting of his ability as a marksman (and not without cause), he was selected to kill the animal. Carefully loading his rifle, Voorhees went in search of the porker, leaving his weapon resting against an old building while he drove the hog to the block-house, where it was pro- posed to have it die. During his brief absence one of the practical jokers of Company F withdrew the bullet from Voorhees' rifle. When Voorhees had driven the hog to the appointed place, he picked up his rifle and taking deliberate aim at the unsuspecting animal, not more than ten yards distant, blazed away. The report of course startled the hog, which looked up and grunted. Voorhees, greatly amazed, looked at the hog, then towards the men, who, unable to restrain themselves, nearly exploded with laughter. Voorhees reloaded and ended the days of Mr. Lewis' fattest hog, but so long as he remained in the army he never heard the last about his "poor shooting."
June 25 .- About noon to-day Colonel Heckman marched from the barracks with Companies B, E, H and M, headed by a squadron of the Third New York cavalry, commanded by Major Lewis, with the expectation of capturing a party of Con- federate horsemen who were committing depredations on the White Oak road. A Mr. Roberts, a farmer living outside our lines, acted as guide. After a toilsome march of twelve miles the command halted and bivouacked for the night near where it was thought the enemy might be. A strong guard was posted, but the guerrillas failed to appear.
June 26 .- The command, at daylight, hurried its march into the interior for a considerable distance, but failing to overtake the enemy, who fled before it, set out upon its return to camp, which it reached without mishap at a late hour on the night of the twenty-eighth-the cavalry returning next day to Newbern.
June 30 .-- After inspection and muster, Company E, Lieu- tenant Ben. W. Hopper, commanding, was sent off to do piquet duty at Evans' Mills. Mr. P. G. Evans, the owner of
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the place, was not at home to dispense any hospitalities or to welcome the company, which proceeded to make itself as com- fortable as circumstances would permit. Mr. Evans found it convenient to be in command of a cavalry company some miles away. The old saw-mill on the place was used to furnish timber for the block-house, which the command proceeded to construct. Blackberries were abundant-so were mosquitoes, gnats, wood-ticks and the ever-to-be-dreaded moccasin snakes, some of which measured three feet in length and four inches in diameter-not pleasant fellows to meet with, by any means.
July 1 .- Lieutenant Edward S. Carrell, who had been acting as regimental quartermaster, returned to his company-H- having been relieved at his own request-Lieutenant Thomas B. Appleget of Company M, assuming the duties of the position.
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