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 9
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During the afternoon the cavalry and a section of artillery, with two companies of the Forty-fourth Massachusetts infantry, were sent out on a scout in the direction of Tarboro. The com- mand had not proceeded very far when it found itself confronted by the enemy, advantageously posted. But nothing daunted, our cavalry dismounted and attacked the Confederates-our artillery opening with splendid effect. Had the two companies of the Forty-fourth (nine months' men) given proper support the enemy could have been dislodged, but the cowardice shown by them compelled the cavalry and artillery to give up the unequal contest and fall back. The cavalry had two men killed and a number wounded.
November 5 .-- Daylight found the column in motion, escorted
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by the Ninth. Prisoners coming in at noon reported a large force of the enemy at Tarboro, strongly entrenched. The Ninth continued on until it reached a swamp within four miles of Tarboro, when it biouvacked for the night-one of the most unpleasant ever experienced by the men, owing to the prevalence of a cold storm from the northeast.
November 6 .- General Foster deeming it inadvisable to attack the Confederates in their stronghold, so far from his base of supplies, ordered his column to make a retrograde movement, which commenced at daylight-the Ninth covering the retreat. The night was passed at Hamilton-the troops gladly occu- pying such buildings as they could find, owing to a continuance of the storm. Company E took possession of a negro shanty, in which the boys found a cupboard well supplied with flour, molasses and lard. With these toothsome articles it was not long ere "flap-jacks" were being fried over a fire in the con- venient chimney-place. With this unexpected feast the boys speedily forgot their fatigues.
November 7 .- Heavy fall of snow, rendering the march difficult and fatiguing. Many of the men suffered greatly- especially from frost-bite. The town of Williamston was reached early in the evening, when the troops took possession of the buildings to escape the severity of the weather.
November 8 .- Storm prevented movement of column, but as it cleared away in the afternoon Colonel Heckman held a dress parade of the Ninth on the main street, to the great edification of the natives and the darkies, who had never before seen any ceremony of that kind.
November 9 .- Resumed the homeward tramp at an early hour, and when the sun had set, the wearied troops were boiling coffee and eating hard-tack in an open field near Plymouth, having marched more than twenty-five miles, not a very unusual thing, by any means, for the Ninth to do. The members of two companies in the Forty-fourth Massachusetts, after supper, indulged in singing patriotic songs, and if they could have marched and fought as well as they sung would be invincible.
November to .- Started on the " home-stretch " at ten o'clock, and reached Plymouth shortly after noon, when the Ninth
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AN EXCITING RIDE.
embarked on board the gun-boat "Lancer," and amid the cheers of the assembled troops, steamed away. At midnight the "Lancer " anchored off the northern extremity of Roanoke Island-the men not being able to sleep owing to hunger.
November 11 .- Steamed away at daylight, and as the bright sun sank behind the woods on the left bank of the river Neuse, the "Lancer" entered that stream, and at ten o'clock hove to seven miles below Newbern. The men had scarcely rolled themselves in their blankets when news arrived that the Con- federates were threatening the city, and that every man would be needed in its defence. At midnight the "Lancer" reached the wharf, when the Ninth disembarked and proceeded to Fort Totten, on the outskirts, where it lay under arms until morning.
November 12 .- Nothing having been heard of the enemy during the night, a force of cavalry was sent out at daylight to reconnoitre. Company K being ordered to Newbern, "double- quicked " from its post to the railroad, four miles, in thirty-five minutes, and reaching the city fell in its place in line, for the first time in many months. The Ninth remained in the fort till early evening, when it took cars and was transported rapidly to Morehead City. The old locomotive resembled a meteor as it rushed along through the heavy pine woods, throwing large burning cinders from its smoke-stack, to the danger and annoyance of the men who occupied open platform cars, and who were sorely troubled in keeping their clothing and blankets from burning. Never before nor since, I opine, was there a more exciting railroad ride.
Many men in the Ninth had captured valuables and curiosities. Some, however, were not so fortunate in what they got-especially those whose under-clothing were covered with gray-backs. A two weeks' tramp, without change of clothing, is apt to make a man of cleanly habits feel wretched.
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Report of Colonel Heckman to Governor Olden.
HEADQUARTERS NINTH REGIMENT, NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS, NEWPORT BARRACKS, NORTH CAROLINA, Nov. 13, 1862.
SIR-I have the honor to submit the following as the part taken by the Ninth Regiment of New Jersey Volunteers on the Tarborough expedition.
On October thirty, some thirteen thousand troops, under General Foster, composed of three (provisional) brigades, viz .: First brigade, Colonel Amory, Eighth, Seventeenth, Twenty-third and Twenty-fifth Massachusetts ; Second brigade, Colonel T. Stevenson, Twenty-fourth and Forty-fourth Massachusetts, Tenth Connecticut and Fifth Rhode Island ; Third brigade, Colonel Horace Lee, Third, Fifth and Twenty- seventh Massachusetts, and Ninth New Jersey, with five hundred cavalry, five full batteries, and a section of boat howitzers, in command of Lieutenant-Colonel Manchester, of the Marine artillery, set out on an expedition to Tarborough ; the second and third brigades being transported by water to Washington, North Carolina, and the First marching overland. The tardy movement of the overland brigade, which did not reach the point of concentration until the morning of November second, had jeopardized the success of the enterprise. But notwithstanding this discouragement, at an early hour the column moved forward in the order of second, third and first brigades, en- countering only scattered rebel rangers as it advanced. About four P. M. firing at the front warned us of the enemy's presence. The column came to a halt. On the musketry being joined by artillery fire, with Captain Belger of the First Rhode Island artillery, I rode forward to learn something of the situation. We found that the advance was being held back by a lively fire of musketry and artillery from the opposite side of Deep creek, on which the enemy were posted to dispute the passage of the stream, having already fired the bridge. A part of Stevenson's brigade, with Manchester's boat howitzers, were engaged on the right of the road, with swamp ground between them and the creek. Captain Angel's battery of Napoleon's, Third New York artillery, were in position in a field on the left of the road; General Foster and staff, were in the rear of, and close to the centre section of the battery. The effect of our fire was unknown, as the enemy were protected by a breastwork of logs, and shrouded by heavy timber, in the shadow of a high bluff. Stevenson ordered forward the Forty-fourth Massachusetts, but they were soon retired with loss. He then sent his Twenty-fourth regiment in, but it, too, was forced to fall back before the galling fire. Manchester was nobly holding his ground. Perceiv- ing possible work for the rest of us, we rode rapidly back to our respective commands. Soon an order was received for the Ninth New Jersey to report to General Foster, at the front. On the double quick report was made, and an order given to cross the stream. On recon- noitering I found a little to the south of our end of the bridge a clay bank which would shield the regiment while forming for assault. At
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THE NINTH INDEPENDENT.
the command " Forward, double quick, march "" the Ninth rushed through the prostrate files of the Twenty-fourth and Forty-fourth Massachusetts, passed athwart the enemy's front, by the burning bridge, and halted under cover of the clay bank beyond the swamp, near Rowell's Mill. From this point details were sent to find a ford above and below the bridge, and another under Lieutenant Abel, to examine the condition of the bridge, while Lieutenant A. B. Brown was directed to start the mill near by for the purpose of drawing off the water from the dam. Captain Angel having responded to our request for a section of Napoleons, was placed in battery, facing the approach to the bridge, with his guns double-shotted with grape and canister. Lieutenant Abel reporting that the bridge could be crossed by infantry, Angel fired his pieces and followed it with a round of half-second shell, when the Ninth dashed upon and over the burning bridge, and into the intrenchments, as the enemy fled into the gloom of the forest. Dark- ness being upon us, it was deemed inexpedient to pursue the foe. This gallant charge over a burning bridge, seemed to have demoralized the "Johnnies," for we did not get a glimpse of them after having crossed the stream. But we found that Angel's last round had disabled a caisson, and riddled the house which had been the headquarters of the alert foe. The Ninth, with Angel's battery, bivouacked on the field. Early in the morning of the third the column was en route and during that and the next day moved steadily forward without serious hind- rance. On the night of the fourth we bivouacked at a point about four miles from Tarborough. Here a council of war was held which re- sulted in the issuing of an order to countermarch the column, and return to Newbern by way of Plymouth. The time lost at Washington waiting for the first brigade, had defeated the object sought, and the heavy storm now raging was fast making impassable the swamp which we had to recross. It is said that reason was the firstborn, but faith inherits the blessing. Well, if we could reasonably imply a doubt as to our expectations while on the advance, the retreat left none so unreasonable as to question its thoroughly dampen- ing effect. At daylight of the fifth, the column was moving on th back track. The Ninth covered the crossing of the swamp of the artillery, and then formed the rear guard. Our march to Plymouth was accomplished without mishap, other than that inflicted by the storm. The men were tired, wet and footsore, and I determined that they should sleep on board ship that night, if it could be effected. With this purpose in view, I stopped by the roadside until the coming of our chief. Pres- ently General Foster and staff made their appearance. He rode up to me and said : "Colonel Heckman, you have the best regiment in my command." "General, your appreciation of its merits is exceedingly gratifying, and I thank you most heartily. I hold that the Ninth New Jersey have done as much effective work as any brigade in the depart- ment." He replied : " You are right, and from this date you are an in- dependent command; you will report direct to my headquarters and re- ceive your orders thence." That night the Ninth, comfortably stowed
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aboard the steamer Convoy, accompanied by her consort, the Escort, with Belger's battery aboard, set sail for Newbern, where they arrived in time to quiet the alarm of its citizens, and relieve the garrison from the annoyance of the rebs, who had kept them stirring during the ab- sence of the expedition. The Ninth reached Newport the 12th.
I have the honor to be, Governor, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
C. A. HECKMAN,
.. Colonel Commanding.
To CHARLES S. OLDEN, Governor of New Jersey.
[On the eighth instant, Company K, Lieutenant Jonathan Townley, Jr., Captain Lee's Rocket battery, a company of the Third New York cavalry, and two companies of the Third Massachusetts (nine months) regiment, under Captain Lee, made a raid to Peltier's Mills, near the White Oak river, but the Confederates retreated without giving the advancing force an opportunity to show its mettle. Several splendid horses, a spy- glass and a number of shot-guns in the houses of farmers were brought back as trophies.]
November 17 .- Lieutenant-Colonel James Wilson left the department to-day, having resigned by request.
November 18 .- To-day, by orders from the secretary of war, the Ninth was consolidated into ten commands-the one hundred and seventy-one members of A and L (Germans) being assigned among the other companies. Twenty-seven enlisted men and the following-named officers were mustered out : Captains Charles Hayes and Charles Erb, and Lieuten- ants Felger, Mueller, Muller and Moll.
For eight months the Ninth New Jersey had guarded a wide extent of country, keeping back Confederate bushwhackers, and by its energy and vigilance, said to be the price of liberty, giving complete protection to the inhabitants within the Union lines, who held its services in highest esteem.
November 28 .- Thanksgiving Day. Visions of old-time family gatherings and the rapid disappearance of turkey and "fixins " come up before us vividly, but they are only memories of the past, and surrounding realities rapidly dispel them. Loved ones at home cluster around well-laden boards, as has been their wont in other and happier days, but many family
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MAJOR FIDELIO BUCKINGHAM GILLETTE,
SURGEON.
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PREPARING FOR A MARCH.
circles have been broken since last they met on a similar occa- sion. Instead of turkey the men of the Ninth are content with beef soup, although many received boxes well filled, the delicacies being distributed among various messes. General Fos- ter had issued an order excusing all commands from drill to-day.
November 29 .- Rumors prevail that a large contingent of nine months' troops has arrived at Newbern, and that a general forward movement is about to be ordered. The Ninth is always ready, and if the nine months' men are to make any return to the government for its outlay in getting them together, the sooner the order comes the better. But I very much doubt whether General Foster will give them any opportunity to fight after his experience with them at Rowell's Mills, where the Forty-fourth Massachusetts "flunked."
December 1 .- Nine months' men from Massachusetts relieved the Ninth to-day, when the latter packed up preparatory to leaving.
December 4 .- The Ninth, with the exception of Company K, was transferred on cars to its old camping-ground opposite Newbern to-day.
December 6 .- Company K, having been relieved at Bogue sound, rejoined the regiment at Camp Reno. The magnificent block-house which it had built under the superintendence of Corporal "Sam" Dilks, was shortly afterwards captured by the Confederates and destroyed-its garrison, nine months' men, being carried off as prisoners-of-war. The enemy never neglected any opportunities of that kind.
December 7 .- Cooks set to work to prepare ten days' rations, which encouraged the men to indulge in a thousand and one prophecies regarding the movement which the troops had been assembled to make.
December 8 .- Colonel Heckman to-day, by order of General Foster, assumed command of a battalion of the Third New York cavalry, Major Cole, and Captain James Belger's First Rhode Island battery, which in addition to his regiment, made his force quite formidable. The cavalrymen and artillerymen, as well as the Ninth, were highly pleased with the assignment -each feeling the utmost confidence in the other.
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December 11 .- On to Goldsboro. After a very early break- fast the Ninth crossed the Trent river into Newbern, where a considerable force-perhaps fifteen thousand men-were drawn · up in line. As it was well known that Colonel Heckman's (independent) brigade had been honored with the post of danger, as usual, the troops who had recently witnessed the prowess of the Jerseymen gave them a hearty cheer as they moved through the streets, with their cadenced step, to the outskirts of the city, where a brief halt was made, when, everything being in readiness, the column proceeded on its long and dangerous march. Along toward the middle of the afternoon, at a point some fourteen miles from New- bern, the enemy were first discovered, behind some large trees, which had been cut down and thrown across the road, forming a strong barricade. Colonel Heckman, ever at the front, despite the remonstrances of his officers and men, ordered Major Zabriskie, in immediate command of the Ninth, to charge through the obstruction, which was promptly done- the men leaping from tree to tree, sometimes climbing over, at other times crawling under, occasionally wading in water, and oftener in mire, until with a cheer, they emerged into an open space just at dusk. Strong piquet posts were established, and during the night a venturesome Confederate cavalryman on a white horse was captured. The Ninth spent the night alone, none of the other regiments being able to make their way through the abattis, which, however, was entirely removed by the pioneers before daylight-a herculean task.
December 12 .- Moved forward at eight o'clock, and shortly afterwards encountered a small force of the enemy, who made an effort to delay our progress into the interior, but the Third cavalry rushed upon them as often as they attempted to check the column, and invariably compelled them to retreat to a more advantageous position. It was highly exciting to witness their charges, which were cleverly made-Colonel Heckman, Captain Abel and Lieutenant Graham, a volunteer aide and a perfect "daredevil," generally participating in the dash and pursuit. As darkness set in, the Ninth established piquets and bivouacked for the night, about ten miles from Kingston.
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A CLEVER MOVEMENT.
December 13 .- Made an early start, and after a tramp of six miles, found the Confederates occupying strong entrenchments on the opposite side of Southwest Creek, the bridge over which had been destroyed the day previous. Colonel Heckman, who took in the situation at a glance, directed Major Cole to dis- mount his cavalry and advance, which he promptly did. Cap- tain Schenck then brought forward two of his Napoleons, and opened with telling effect-the enemy answering with two guns, posted near the roadway. This revelation decided Colonel Heckman to change the movement he had at first adopted, and instead of making a direct attack, as at Rowell's Mills, endeavor to flank the enemy and get in his rear. With this in view, he ordered Morrison's New York battery to the front and to open fire. Meanwhile, he deployed three companies of the Ninth along the left bank of the creek, towards the enemy's right. One of the Ninth's "bummers " having discovered a mill-dam in this direction, Colonel Heckman led the remainder of the regiment cautiously across the same, continuing noiselessly on until within a few yards of the Confederates' works, when, with their old-time cheer, the Jerseymen dashed over the entrench- ments, almost paralyzing their defenders, who had been in total ignorance of the movement. "There comes that damn Dutch Heckman !" exclaimed a Confederate officer, who lost no time in vacating the fort with his men. Thus was the position taken, and by a mere handful of men-two thousand men, with artil- lery, being put to ignominious flight. The exultant shouts of the "Muskrats " were instantly answered by the army on the opposite side of the creek. The three companies of the Ninth which had previously been deployed, having no further service to perform, and hearing the buglers sound the "assembly," speedily crossed the dam and rejoined the regiment, which, without support of any kind, started in pursuit of the fleeing foe. The Ninth, however, did not advance very far without molestation, as the Confederates, recovering from their fright, had taken a new position,-a thousand yards away-when they reopened with musketry and artillery. But those in front gave a yell, which was taken up by the entire regiment, and starting up the narrow roadway, on a dead run, the Ninth
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quickly reached the guns, clubbing its defenders with the butts of their rifles. In the confusion incident to an affray of this character, the Confederates succeeded in getting away with one piece, but the other, bespattered with blood, remained in pos- session of the Ninth New Jersey, together with a caisson and an artillery guidon. Had the cavalry been able to cross the creek and join in the pursuit, most of the Confederates would have been cut down or captured. As it was, the Ninth, com- pelled to do all the fighting and chasing, captured quite a number of prisoners, while every few yards a dying or dead Confederate was discovered lying along the roadside, having been picked off by the unerring aim of our sharpshooters. The Ninth vigorously continued the chase for some distance, when, recollecting that the army with which it had started out was far behind, Colonel Heckman, flushed with excitement and suc- cess, concluded to halt and await the arrival of the major-general commanding and his forces. "You have done splendidly, Colonel Heckman," said General Foster, smilingly, as he rode up, "but if you keep on this way, you will leave very little for my other troops to do." "We'll get a star for him this time, sure, general," said 'Jake Ralfe, amid the hearty laughter of the boys, who stood near.
After a luncheon the Ninth again led the way-two or three companies deployed as skirmishers preceding the command. Just before nightfall the Confederates were observed in the woods, with a strong skirmish line in front. The Ninth's skirmishers promptly opened fire when within easy range, the "Johnnies " replying with equal vigor, and as they showed no disposition to give way, Colonel Heckman strengthened his line, which had the desired effect, the Confederates slowly retiring to their main force, now concealed by the shadows of night in the deep recesses of the woods in their immediate rear. The two lines of skirmishers-one slowly advancing, the other sullenly retreating-maintained a constant fire, the flashes of the rifles more resembling to those some distance in the rear the flitting fire-flies of an August evening than the discharge of deadly weapons. Owing to the mathematical precision with which the Ninth's veterans discharged their trusty rifles, and
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ANOTHER BATTLE OPENED.
the ready response of the Confederates, it seemed as if there were two walls of fire in that field. It was only when the enemy had been pushed back to the woods in our front that the Ninth halted and went into bivouac-the remainder of the column fol- lowing its example on reaching the spots prescribed. The weather was cold and cheerless, but the excitements and fatigues of the day had so exhausted the men that they no sooner threw their weary bodies upon the frozen ground than sleep-tired nature's restorer-came to bless and invigorate. And as the gloom of that long night settled down our camp-fires illuminated the scene with unearthly glow.
During the long and dreary night, which, to the Union army passed with the stillness of death, the shrill shrieks of locomo- tives could be heard in the dim distance. Were the enemy evacuating Kingston, or were reinforcements sufficient to encompass our defeat arriving for the defence of the town? Daylight and the inevitable advance alone would solve the mystery.
December 14 .- The usual early start was made by the Ninth, as the foe in front tauntingly invited it to advance. The skirmishers engaged at once, but the precise firing of the New Jerseymen cooled the ardor of the Confederates, and compelled them to fall back for half a mile or so, when, without a warning of any kind, the enemy unmasked a battery near the main road on which the Ninth was marching, and opened a heavy fire. Colonel Heckman, however, quickly guided the Ninth out of immediate range, and sent word to General Foster of the con- dition of affairs. The general directed Colonel Heckman to call for such aid as he needed, and act according to his own judgment. Meanwhile the Ninth's skirmishers had become hotly engaged with a superior force of the enemy, but their duties were greatly lightened when Morrison's battery went into "action-front," and poured grape and canister into the ranks of the obstinate Confederates. A brigade of infantry also came up at this moment and deployed across the road, extending the line towards the enemy's right. Seeing the road safe, Colonel Heckman moved off to the right with the Ninth and Seventeenth Massachusetts, with a view of turning the enemy's left flank,
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NINTH NEW JERSEY VETERAN VOLS.
but, unfortunately, did not go far enough to accomplish that purpose, and entering a dense swamp was assailed by two Confederate regiments, which he was about charging upon when he learned that a considerable force was at that moment making its way around his right and rear. The Ninth gladly retraced its steps out of the swamp,. where it was constantly assailed by a rattling shower of grape and leaden hail, but it had hardly reached high and dry ground when artillery opened with fearful effect. The Ninth, formed in column by company, rested on the brow of the hill for a few minutes, while the ubiquitous Heckman reconnoitered towards the enemy's left flank. He had been absent from us but a minute or two when a man behind a fence, directly in front of the first company, rose up and fired at Color-Sergeant Myers, who was standing in his place on the left of Company F (color company). Sergeant Myers, who had never been known to dodge or sit down while fighting was going on, and whose black eyes gleamed with fire, supported his treasured silken banner against his left shoulder and seizing a rifle from one of his guard, was in the act of leveling the piece when Major Zabriskie commanded him to "put down that piece and be quiet !" The whole regiment saw the act performed and knew a Confederate did it, and a hundred rifles were instantly aimed in that direction. "Put down those guns," again commanded the major, who was near- sighted and could not distinguish the color of a uniform at so great a distance. Again did the fellow fire, and again did the imperturbable major command the men to lower their rifles and "be quiet." The men of the Ninth obeyed their major, but they had hardly done so ere a regiment rose up along the fence in our front, and leveling their rifles delivered a volley into our very faces. In less time than it requires to narrate the fact, the Ninth sprang forward and formed line, and with bayonets leveled, rushed upon the unexpected and hidden foe, who fled precipitately through the open fields in the direction of the Neuse river, along whose banks we now could plainly see entrenchments. Many a Confederate fell while fleeing from the wrath of the sharpshooters of the Ninthi, who had great glee in punishing them for their covert attack. It was at this
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