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 8
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July 3 .- Company A, Captain Stearns, and Company C, Captain Jay, Third New York cavalry, and a section of artillery, with three rifled six-pounders, arrived from Newbern. Company F, of the Third cavalry, Captain MacNamara, stopped at Havelock.
July 4 .- A national salute was fired at sunrise, to the great delight of the troops and natives.
July 5 .- Confederates are reported advancing-great joy being evinced by the men of the Ninth.
July 7 .-- A private of Company C, on piquet six miles west of camp, was wounded in the leg to-day by a lurking bush- whacker.
July 8 .- Firing being heard in the direction of Company C's post, two companies of the Ninth, with two companies of cavalry, under Major Zabriskie, hastened away. Arriving at Company C's quarters, it was found that some men relieved from guard had discharged their rifles in order to clean them. Almost every day there were alarms at some point along the line, and as the Confederates became emboldened and more persistent, Colonel Heckman determined to punish them. Learning that a considerable force had gathered at Youngs' Cross-roads, he arranged to co-operate with a detachment which was to be sent out from Newbern.
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MAJOR ADDISON W. WOODHULL,
LIEUT. WM. E. TOWNLEY,
SURGEON.
COMPANY K
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A SENSELESS TRAMP.
July 17 .-- A contraband from up country having entered our lines and reported a force of Confederates encamped at Adams's creek, Companies E and H were despatched to that locality. A long march and careful search failing to reveal the enemy's presence, the companies bivouacked for the night, and next day returned to camp-many of the men, although footsore and weary, incensed enough to have cowhided 'the aforesaid contraband, could he have been found, for being the cause of the fatiguing tramp.
July 26 .- At four o'clock this morning, Companies B, C, D, H, I and M, with three companies of the Third New York cavalry, and two pieces of artillery, started from camp with elastic step, in high expectancy of again meeting the foe. The sun withered everything by the road-side, the men suffering a good deal from its piercing rays. By noon-time the command had attained a distance of over twenty miles, and as the horses needed rest and feed, a halt was ordered at Peltier's Mills for two hours, when the march was resumed to Davies' Mills, where Colonel Heckman had determined to spend the night. And an awful night it was, owing to the heavy showers and the blinding sheets of lightning and peals of thunder, which shook the earth.
July 27 .- Expedition moved at daylight. The apparel of the men being soaked with rain rendered traveling difficult and unpleasant, but under the genial sun rays the water speedily evaporated and locomotion became natural. Young's Cross-roads were reached just before noon, when Colonel Heckman, discovering evidences of the enemy's presence, ordered the three companies of cavalry to advance and make observations on the various roads leading from the junction. The colonel accompanied Captain MacNamara's company on its reconnoissance down the Onslow road, which led across the White Oak river-a deep, sluggish stream, emptying into Bogue sound. They had gone a mile, perhaps, when, upon turning a bend in the narrow road, the head of column received a volley, which wounded Colonel Heckman and Surgeon Woodhull and several cavalrymen. Although they had fallen into a clever ambuscade, the cavalrymen maintained composure,
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and quickly dismounting, took cover and opened with telling effect upon the Confederates, who, sinking spurs into their horses, dashed away and across the bridge over the river, promptly setting fire to the pine structure to prevent pursuit. The cavalry, without waiting for the Ninth to come up, cautiously followed the retreating Confederates, and while engaged near the burning bridge were joined by the infantry and a field-piece brought up by Captain Hufty, who started the moment he heard the volley. In a minute two companies were deployed along the left bank of the river, while Lieutenant Graham's gun opened in a manner that surprised the Confed- erates. Meanwhile Colonel Heckman was vainly endeavoring to find a ford in the river. The infantry, led by Company I, crossed on the bridge stringers, which remained intact, and making the woods resound with cheers, dashed up the bank on the opposite side, but too late, however, to surround the enemy, who precipitately fled on seeing the perilous feat performed by the Jerseymen. Eighteen prisoners, however, were taken, together with some small arms, horses, etc. The prisoners stated that their force numbered between two hundred and three hundred. The Union loss amounted to seven wounded, none mortally. Had the force from Newbern, which Colonel Heckman expected to meet him at this point, arrived, the Con- federates could not have escaped.
July 28 .- Captain Stewart, with Company H of the Ninth, and two companies of cavalry, proceeded as far as Pollocksville, ten miles distant, to which point, it was ascertained, the co-operating force from Newbern had marched the previous day, but for some inexplicable reason had gone back to the city by the same route it had advanced. Captain Stewart, finding nothing of the enemy, retraced his steps and reported to Colonel Heckman shortly after noon. At three o'clock the entire force moved forward in the direction of Newbern-this being the nearest point to the Union lines-and early in the evening went into quarters at the Seminary building near Pollocksville.
July 29 .- Resumed the tramp as gray streaks illumined the eastern horizon, and at noon entered Newbern-returning to camp at Newport by cars late in the afternoon.
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A VISIT TO FORT MACON.
July 30 .- Artillery and cavalry came down by train from Newbern.
With several members of the Ninth, the writer to-day visited Fort Macon for the first time. There was but little within or without to remind one of the struggle that had taken place a few months before-happy contrabands having removed the debris and repaired the walls that had been breached by heavy missiles. Ninety-one guns grinned defiance from barbette and port-hole. The light-house that, like a giant sentinel, had borne high heavenward its brilliant torch, had been destroyed by the Confederates previous to their surrender, by which act of vandalism the tempest-tossed mariner is deprived of a beacon that, in happier days, welcomed him to a safe and pleasant anchorage in the beautiful harbor .. Beaufort and Morehead City are directly opposite the fort, while Carolina City (two or three houses) is situated two miles southwest, on Bogue sound. From either place the ocean scenery is enchanting. The constant roar of the sea, the shrill cry of each bird that wings its flight far above our heads, the fish leaping from their natural element to catch a glimpse of the brilliant landscape, the fleet clippers spreading their ample sails, the sparkling blue waters that leap skyward to receive the sunbeams' kisses, the sailors' strains that mingle with the murmur of the winds and waves at eventide-these things were enchanting to us who were only accustomed to inland life.
August 4 .- Company F left Havelock to-day (being relieved by Company I), and repaired to Beaufort, for provost duty- Captain Curlis having been appointed marshal of the place. Company G, Captain Ritter, was ordered to Morehead City.
August 14 .- A detachment of one hundred picked men from three companies of the Ninth, and three companies of cavalry, left the barracks early this evening, and before the sun made its appearance next morning, the command had halted on Edward Hill's plantation, Cedar Point, on the left bank of White Oak river, opposite Swansboro-twenty-six miles from our starting point. Colonel Heckman looked in vain for two " wheelbarrow " steamboats, that had started early the previous day, with small boats intended for our use in crossing the river
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to the town ; but unfortunately the steamers had run aground in the wide, but deceitful sound, and failed to get off in time to be of any use to the expedition. Determined not to be foiled, the colonel marched his forces down the bank of the wide river towards Bogue sound-searching all the creeks and bays for means of water transportation. He found nothing, however, except a yawl-boat and two or three small canoes, which were inadequate and illy adapted for the purpose. But in these frail crafts Captain McChesney of the Ninth, embarked with sixteen men, and rowed away towards Swansboro, which place they had nearly reached when the Confederates, stationed on the wharf at the lower end of the village, opened upon him with a small field-piece, and in a few minutes several hundred armed men rose up and delivered volley after volley. Captain McChesney's men dropped their oars and picking up their trusty rifles, returned the fire. The Confederates evidently looked upon the death or capture of the small attacking party as a foregone matter, but the men of the Ninth took a different view of the situation, and resolved to effect their retreat, especially as Confederates, in three large boats, were pulling towards them. When quite near, the Ninth's representatives poured a volley into the foremost boat, which put a stop to further pursuit, and returned in safety to the shore.
August 19 .- As the " wheelbarrow " steamers did not return to Beaufort, and nothing had been heard from them, Colonel Heckman despatched Companies L, F and K, on a schooner to go in search of them. The men enjoyed the sail up the sound, and about the middle of the afternoon, all hearts were gladdened by the discovery of the steamers, lying at anchor off Swansboro. The steamers had grounded on going up, which prevented them from aiding Colonel Heckman's force, but getting off next day, continued on to the town, where Colonel Stevenson of the Twenty-fourth Massachusetts, landed some of his men, who destroyed two large salt factories-a serious loss to the people of that section as well as the entire state. The three vessels then returned to Beaufort.
August 20 .- A number of " contrabands " came down Bogue sound in boats to-day, and were halted by Company K's
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A SINGULAR ADVENTURE.
piquets, who provided them with quarters in an old building on the Ogilvie plantation. The men-folk were subsequently employed in cutting timber for the erection of Company K's block-house, in process of construction, while the females made themselves useful in washing for the men. Lieutenant Edwin Stevens Harris is acting as adjutant, vice Abel, who is north on leave of absence.
August 21 .- Company B relieved Company A at Havelock. The disappearance of Captain Boudinot of Company K, a day or two ago, gave distress to his men. The captain had sailed down to Carolina City, a few miles below the post, in a small boat, but on returning up the sound in the evening, missed the piquet post, and passed the night on the water. Next morning being unable to locate himself, he sailed away at hap-hazard, and, by-and-by, when nearing the shore, and hearing shots, from his own piquets (which, however, he mistook for those of the enemy), he turned his craft about and sailed away across the sound. The piquets, not recognizing the boat, and be- lieving that some one was "spying the land," went in pursuit. When nearly to Bogue Island they saw the craft they were in pursuit of turn directly over, but on reaching it, discovered no trace of the man who had a minute or two before occupied it. An examination of the boat revealed the fact that it was the one the captain had sailed away in, and after a fruitless search, they took it in tow, and returned to the mainland with hearts burdened with grief. Next day a prolonged search was made along the sound, but no trace of the missing captain or his body could be found. In the evening, however, Major Zabriskie sent word to Company K that Captain Boudinot had "turned up " at Fort Macon. Supposing himself pursued by enemies, and being a clever swimmer, he sprang out of his boat, he afterwards said, and swam to shore, which he reached in safety and then made his way down the lonely island, to the fort.
August 31 .- Piquet station of Company B at Havelock, two miles from railroad, attacked by several hundred Confederates, who were held at bay until Lieutenant Ben. W. Hopper, with Companies B and E, reached the scene, when the enemy retreated. A corporal of Company E-the only man injured
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on our side-was shot through the hand. Lieutenants Hopper and Burnett captured two guerrillas and some fifty stand of arms of every conceivable make.
September 1 .- Captain James Stewart, Jr., and Adjutant Abel returned to the regiment to-day from their visit north. After dress parade in the afternoon Company H marched over to Captain Stewart's quarters, and on the appearance of that officer, Corporal J. E. Matthews stepped forward, and said :
CAPTAIN-I am deputed by the members of Company H to present you with this sword, belt and sash-not so much as a token of the respect and love we all feel for you as our commander-for we believe that feeling would be but feebly expressed indeed, were we to demon- strate it by so meagre an offering-but we give you this emblem of your present profession, that in after years, when our association is broken up, you may recall, through it, the brave deeds performed by yourself in this dark period of our country's struggle, as well as to remind you of the men who have so gallantly followed you through manifold dan- gers, and the confidence those men felt in their leader and captain. May the reflection that you have our full respect and confidence give you the same satisfaction it does us in presenting to you a weapon which, while in your hands, we know will only be drawn in the cause of justice and right.
Captain Stewart replied :
CORPORAL AND MEN OF COMPANY H-But scarcely returned from an absence of over a month, I find myself taken completely by surprise- an agreeable one, I confess-and one that any soldier, no matter how punctillious he may be regarding his duties, should be proud of.
It has ever been a boast of mine, and one that our leader has fre- quently endorsed, that I have a company second to none in the service, in point of discipline, drill and efficiency : and for me to know that in the difficult task of moulding a body of citizens into a company of sol- diers I have not only succeeded, but at the same time, retained the respect and confidence of these men, is of itself a triumph one may be justly proud of. My interests and feelings have been identified with you from the organization of our regiment to the present time, and, God willing, that association shall continue until the mighty work which called us together shall be successfully accomplished.
You have already, during your brief connection with the service, been called upon, on more than one occasion, to test your patriotism and valor on the battle field, and many of our comrades who started with us from our native state, full of life and hope, are now numbered among the dead-their bones left to bleach on Carolina's shore, far away from their kindred and friends. Nevertheless, their brave deeds are remembered by all, and while we drop a tear to their memory, let us try and emulate their heroism, and prove to all our determination to defend to the last,
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A SPLENDID APPOINTMENT.
and sacrifice life itself, it may be, to protect that government which has nurtured and cherished us in the past.
Having just returned from the north, and from the homes of many of you, I can give you the assurance that your conduct is closely watched by those who in '61 bade you God-speed on your mission, and that their prayers ascend daily for your safety and success. They are justly proud of your record thus far, and have no fear of the future. I, too, am well satisfied with the readiness with which you have obeyed all my orders, and the diligence you have displayed in acquiring a knowledge of your duties. Let the confidence which has heretofore existed between the officers of this company and the men continue, and I pledge you that the handsome gift handed me this day, while I shall ever cherish it as an expression of your good feeling toward myself, both as your captain and friend, I shall do all in my power to preserve, untarnished in any cause of injustice, but bright and glittering in the defence of right.
Hearty cheers greeted Captain Stewart at the conclusion of his speech, most of the men and officers in camp having been attracted to the spot by the unusual spectacle.
September 2 .- Second Lieutenant Edward S. Moffat of Company K, a worthy son of Professor Moffat of Princeton, and one of the brightest young officers in the army, was to-day detailed to report to the chief signal officer at Newbern. He remained on the signal corps until the end of the war, serving with distinguished gallantry and fidelity. Company M relieved Company B at Havelock-not a desirable post, by any means, hence the frequent changes.
September 10 .- Two false alarms to-day, which greatly pro- voked Lieutenant Hopper.
September 11 .- Company E left the barracks for Morehead City. Dr. Fidelio B. Gillette, a New Jersey man by birth, joined the Ninth as its assistant surgeon, and was assigned to the troops at Morehead and Carolina City. He instantly became popular with officers and men.
September 14 .- Company B left for Morehead City, while Companies C and L were ordered to duty at Beaufort.
September 15 .- Company M gladly left the wilderness at Havelock for Carolina City, having been relieved by a company of the Twenty-seventh Massachusetts.
September 17 .- Colonel Heckman, with Companies E and H of the Ninth, and two companies of the Third New York
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cavalry, left Beaufort at an early hour this morning for Adams' creek, which point was reached next morning, after a fatiguing tramp. "The object of the expedition having been accom- plished," the command retraced its steps and arrived at Beaufort at midnight on the 18th.
September 19 .- Company E returned to its pleasant quarters at Morehead.
September 24 .- Company E, this afternoon, presented Lieu- tenant William H. Able with a handsome sword and belt, Quartermaster-Sergeant Oscar Van Houten making the speech on behalf of his comrades. Lieutenant Able, in accepting the gifts, responded in appropriate terms, and concluded by inviting the "boys" to partake of refreshments in the dining-room of the hotel at Beaufort.
October 2 .- Surgeon Woodhull was appointed surgeon-in- chief of Hammond general hospital at Beaufort.
October 20 .- Captain Hufty departed from camp this morning with his company I, each man carrying three days' rations and one hundred and twenty rounds of ammunition. Although accompanied by a Confederate named Robinson, whom it was desirable to exchange, the real object of the expedition was to ascertain the whereabouts of Lieutenant Cushing of the U. S. navy, who had been sent up to Swansboro to capture a Con- federate schooner and effect the destruction of the salt manufactories near that place, but from whom no tidings had been learned. Captain Hufty was instructed to continue his march until he obtained definite information concerning the lieutenant and his command. Fortunately, he ascertained at Swansboro, where he delivered his prisoner, that Lieutenant Cushing had met with success in his undertaking, and returned down the sound to Beaufort the day previous. There being nothing further for him to do, Captain Hufty recrossed White Oak river, lowered his white flag and marched back to camp.
October 29 .- Companies B, C, E, G, H, I, M and a portion of Company F, left Morehead City at midnight on cars for New- bern, with three days' cooked rations in haversacks, each man carrying sixty rounds of ball cartridges, and before daylight .were on board steamer "Patuxent."
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" BRING UP THE MUSKRATS!"
October 30 .- This afternoon the Ninth was transferred to gun-boat "Huzzar." Steamed away in the evening-the men. wondering where the scene of their next triumph would be, but not allowing the mystery to interfere with their appetite or their slumbers.
October 31 .- Arrived at the town of Little Washington at noon and debarked, going into quarters on the outskirts of the place. Before night two brigades, under General Foster, had landed.
November 1 .- A brigade, which had marched from Newbern, reached our camp this afternoon and bivouacked.
November 2 .- All the troops having arrived the column was put in motion at daybreak, and an hour or so afterwards the skirmishers encountered the enemy, who were compelled to give way before our superior forces. The enemy, however, became more active and aggressive as the day wore on, and in the middle of the afternoon made a determined stand at a creek two miles this side of Rowell's Mills. The Forty-fourth Massa- chusetts-a very pretty (nine months') regiment on dress parade-had the advance, but on finding it necessary to wade through a heavy swamp, and having one man killed and several men wounded, declined to proceed farther-the rebels on the opposite side of the creek having frightened them, besides setting the bridge on fire. The Twenty-fourth Massachusetts was then ordered to dislodge the enemy, but notwithstanding its valor, it, too, was compelled to retire. General Foster was irritated when he exclaimed : "I know I have one regiment here that can cross that swamp, and that is the Ninth New Jersey," and then turning to an aide he said : "Bring up the 'Muskrats !'" Colonel Heckman, who had been anticipating this command, was at the head of his column when the order reached him. In an instant the Ninth moved at a quick step, and as it passed along the narrow roadway the men of the other commands stepped one side and vociferously cheered, for they knew the Ninth had never failed in any undertaking, however arduous or dangerous. In another minute -- with Companies I and B deployed as skirmishers-the Ninth entered the swamp, through which it dashed, and despite a heavy fire
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from the enemy, who were eligibly posted, it gained the bank and gave the Confederates "tit for tat." Colonel Heckman then directed Lieutenant A. Benson Brown of Company C, to start the mill, which that officer successfully accomplished, for the purpose of drawing off the water from the stream, and although frequently fired upon he raised every gate, letting out a flood of water. Lieutenant Abel crawled up to the burning bridge and examined that structure, and on reporting that it might yet be saved, Colonel Heckman placed a number of sharpshooters from Company G, among whom were Frederick Rosenbauer, Corporals William Zimmerman, Philip Eckerson and Sergeant John H. Fadde, immediately at its entrance to protect himself, the adjutant and others, who then set to work to extinguish the flames and make the bridge passable. As the Confederates were vacating their position on the opposite side, Colonel Heckman did not wait for the planks to cool but gave his well-known battle-cry, "Charge, Ninth, charge !" In an instant Company I sprang upon the smoking structure, and despite a well-directed fire, succeeded in gaining the opposite side, when it again extended itself, and hurrying for- ward, drove the Confederates half a mile, when, finding that the enemy could not be overtaken, the Ninth halted, posted piquets and went into bivouac for the night. Belger's Rhode Island battery meanwhile had poured shot, shell and canister across. the swamp and creek with splendid effect. The Ninth's brilliant achievement was the theme of prolonged and pleasant. converse among the various commands that night, for every man in it was esteemed a hero.
Shortly after noon, while resting, Christopher Reese of Company B, was accidentally shot throught the right breast by a sergeant who was carelessly handling his rifle. The unfor- tunate man died in great agony two hours afterwards-his death causing profound sorrow.
November 3 .- The Ninth was up and doing before daybreak. Anticipating that it would be retained as the leading regiment, the colonel ordered the men to boil their coffee and partake of their morning repast. They never needed a repetition of an order of that character, and in a few minutes several hundred
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A TERRIBLE SCENE.
tin cups were steaming over small fires, which had burned brightly during the night. The Ninth reached Williamston at ten o'clock, after an uninteresting tramp of nine miles-nothing of the enemy being anywhere observed, and halted till noon, to allow the other regiments to "catch up," as General Foster smilingly called it, then continued on in the direction of Tarboro until sundown, when it went into camp for the night on a large plantation.
November 4 .- Another early breakfast and a start at daylight, the Ninth, as usual, leading the way, marching into the town of Hamilton at two o'clock in the afternoon, having attained a distance of fifteen miles. The troops having "caught up," the Ninth proceeded three miles farther on, and fixed itself for the night. A number of regiments remained in the quaint old town. Late in the afternoon a fire broke out, and a number of houses were consumed, despite the efforts of many soldiers, who labored to prevent the flames from spreading. The great line of fire was swept by the northwesterly wind, which fanned the flames till they roared and crackled and twisted like fiery ophidians, attempting to rise but beaten down by some invisible power. The spectacle was grand, not to be forgotten by those who witnessed it. The surrounding country was turned to crimson-the forms of the moving column of men resembling phantoms, as they marched along under the heavy smoke clouds which hung over them like a blood-tinged pall.
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