History of the Eleventh New Jersey Volunteers, from its organization to Appomattox; to which is added experiences of prison life and sketches of individual members

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THE JAMES VERNER SCAIFE

COLLECTION

CIVIL WAR LITERATURE

THE GIFT OP

JAMES VERNER SCAIFE
CLASS OF 1889

1919

Cornell University Library
| E521.5 11th .M31

J History of the Eleventh New Jersey Volun

olin

3 1924 030 908 416

Cornell University
Library

The original of this book is in
the Cornell University Library.

There are no known copyright restrictions in
the United States on the use of the text.

http://www.archive.org/details/cu31 92403090841 6

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HISTORY

^rleoeiitl} )|<eu> Jersey Moluriteeps

Its Organization to Appomattox

TO WHICH IS ADDED

EXPERIENCES OF PRISON LIFE

AND

Sketches of Individual Members

By THOS..D. MARBAKER, SERC'T CO. E

Illustrated with Portraits from
War-time Photographs

TRENTON, N. J. :
MacCrellish & Quigley, Book and Job Printers.

1898.

The regiment took part in the following engagements

Fredericksburg, Va., December 13th and 14th, '62.
Chancellorsville, Va., May 3d and 4th, '63.
Gettysburg, Pa., July 2d and 3d, *63.
Wapping Heights, Va., July 24th, '63.
Kelly's Ford, Va., November 8th, '63.
Locust Grove, Va., November 27th, '63.
Mine Run, Va., November 29th, "63.
Wilderness, Va., May 5th to 7th, '64.
Spottsylvania, Va., May 8th to 11th, '64.
Spottsylvania Court House, Va., May 12th to 18th, '64.
. North Anna River, Va., May 23d and 24th, 64.
Tolopotomoy Creek, Va., May 30th and 31st, '64.
Cold Harbor, Va., June 1st to 5th, '64.
Barker's Mills, Va., June 10th, '64.
Before Petersburg, Va., June 16th to 23d, '64.
Deep Bottom, Va., July 26th and 27th, *64.
Mine Explosion, Va., July 30th, '64.

North Bank of James River, Va., August 14th to 18th, '64.
Ream's Station, Va., August 25th, '64.
Fort Sedgwick, Va., September 10th, '64.
Poplar Spring Church, Va., October 2d, '64.
Boynton Plank-Road, Va., October 27th, '64.
Fort Morton, November 5th, '64.
Hatcher's Run, Va„ February 5th to 7th, '65.
Armstrong House, Va., March 25th, '65.

Boynton Plank-Road, Va. (capture of Petersburg), April 2d, '6f
Amelia Springs, Va., April 6th, '65.
Fartnville, Va., April 6th to 7th, '65.
Lee's Surrender (Appomattox, Va.), April 9th, '65.

PREFACE.

Y^hen I began the compilation of this work, it was with the
intention of making it (principally) a record of persona
incidents — those happenings, grave and gay, •which gave zest and
variety to a soldier's life and brought out the individual character-
istics of the members of the regiment. Upon stating my intention
(or rather hopes) to the comrades, it was predicted that there
would be such a plethora of material that I would not know what
to do with it. Unfortunately the reverse has been the case. So
few and tardy were the responses to solicitations for reminiscences
that I became almost discouraged and practically threw the work
aside. It is a strange fact that when comrades get together they
can relate incident after incident, but ask them to put their recol-
lections upon paper, then their army life seems to have been a
blank. My recollections of army life are still very vivid, but
memory is not infallible, and badly as this work is done, it would
have been worse had it not been for the valuable assistance ren-
dered by the late General McAllister, who gave me access to his
papers, and to Colonel John Schoonover, Major Loyd, Captain
John Oldershaw, Chaplain Cline, Captain William H. Meeker,
Captain E. S. E. Newberry, Brevet Captain U. B. Titus, Lieuten-
ants William Hand and E. R. Good, Quartermaster-Sergeant John
Stagg, Corporals Aaron Lines, of Company B, and Bishop W.
Mains, of Company E ; Privates Lambert Sharp, of Company E,
and John Goodman (alias Zuckswort), of Company B. One of my
most valuable assistants has been Alonzo B Searing, of Company
E, who, though but a boy at the time of his enlistment, seems to

iv PREFACE.

have realized the importance of keeping a full and methodical
record of the happenings to himself and the regiment during
those trying days from '62 to '65. His contributions have been
voluminous and, in general, have well stood the test of investiga-
tion and comparison as to accuracy. One of the most important
things in preparing a record of this kind is accuracy as to time and
date. In some of the regimental histories that I have read, these
seem to have been ignored for the sake of continuity of narrative.
I may not in all cases be correct, but I have tried to be as nearly
so as possible. A number of incidents have been sent me which,
while they could have been made very readable and no doubt con-
tained some elements of truth, were found to be so variant from
well-known facts that I was compelled to throw them aside. The
comrades have been honest, but the mists of years have obscured
their memories and the recollections of the war have become so
jumbled that the incidents of different periods seem to them as
parts of one. I have also tried to avoid anything like bombast ;
I know that the Eleventh tried to do its duty ; that its contempo-
raries gave it credit for being brave and gallant, but it did not do
■it all — there were a few other troops engaged in the various battles
in which it fought that rendered very efficient service.

T. D. Marbaker.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

Organization of the Regiment.

CHAPTER n.

On to "Washington — Camp Ellsworth — Guarding Convalescent

Camp.

CHAPTER III.

Joining Care's Brigade — The March to Falmouth — Battle of
Fredericksburg.

CHAPTER IV.

Camp Fitzhugh — First Winter Quarters.

CHAPTER V.

Hooker Takes Command — Chancellorstille.

CHAPTER VI.

The March to Gettysburg — Gettysburg.

CHAPTER VII.

Wapping Heights — March to Beverly Ford — Rappahannock.

CHAPTER VIH.

Locust Grove — Mine Run.

CHAPTER IX.
Camp at Brandy Station.

vi CONTENTS.

CHAPTER X.

Across the Rapidan and Southward — Wilderness — Spottsylvania
— Cold Harbor.

CHAPTER XI.

Across the James — Petersburg.

CHAPTER XIL

Mahone's Attack — Major Halsey and Others Captured.

CHAPTER XHI.

Across the James — Mine Explosion — Ream's Station.

CHAPTER XIV.

Fort Davis — Poplar Spring Church — Botnton' Plank Road.

CHAPTER XV.

Fort Morton.

CHAPTER XVI.

"With Warren to Hicksford — From December 7th to 12th, 1864.

CHAPTER XVII.

Hatcher's Run — Armstrong House.

CHAPTER XVIII.

Capture of Petersburg— Amelia Springs — Farmvtlle — Lee's
Surrender.

CHAPTER XIX.

Our Return March — Burksville — Washington — The Grand
Review — Trenton — Mustered Out.

CHAPTER XX.

Southern Prisons — Imprisonment of Corporal Lines.

CHAPTER XXL

Chaplain Cline's Letter — Lieutenant Baldwin's Headboard.

CHAPTER XXII.

Sketches.

ILLUSTRATIONS.

Prom War-Time Photographs.

Brevet Major General Robert McAllister Frontispiece

Bretet Colonel John Schoonover 1

Major Thomas G. Halsey 10

Surgeon Edward L. Welling 18

Major Philip J. Kearny 26

Major John T. Hill 34

Brevet Major Charles F. Gage 42

Chaplain E. Clarke Cline 52

Captain Ira W. Cory 60

Major William H. Loyd 68

Captain Samuel T. Sleeper 76

Captain D. B. Logan 84

Captain A. H. Ackerman 92

Captain S. M. Layton 100

Adjutant Alexander Beach, Jr 108

Captain Charles A. Oliver . 116

Captain William H. Meeker 124

Lieutenant Joseph C. Baldwin 132

Lieutenant William Hand 140

Lieutenant John B. Faussett 148

Captain John Oldershaw 156

Lieutenant Titus Berry 164

Sergeant T. O'Doane 172

Sergeant Thomas D. Marbaker 182

viii ILL USTBA TIONS.

PAGE.

Lieutenant C. H. Rossiter 194

Lieutenant William E. Axtell 204

Sergeant Eliphalet Sturdevant 214

Lieutenant Alpheus Ilifp 226

Sergeant James McDavitt ..... 240

Lieutenant Edwin R. Good 254

Private A. B. Searing 268

Corporal A. S Talmage 282

Lieutenant W. H. Egan 298

Sergeant Blackwood's Bible 312

Gettysburg Monument 326

Fag-Simile or Order to Captain Oliver 336

Lieutenant Baldwin's Headboard 344

General McAllister's Monument 348

Major Loyd's Bullet •. . . . 357

Brevet-Colonel John Scboonover.

The Eleventh Regiment

Chapter I.

Organization of the Regiment.

JT&he organization of the Eleventh Regiment, New Jersey
*- Volunteers, was begun in May, 1862, under the provisions
of an act of Congress, approved July 22d, 1861, and by
permission granted the Governor by the War Department to
commence the raising of a regiment, in anticipation of a call,
soon to be issued by the President, for more troops.

On July 7th, 1862, the President issued a call for three
hundred thousand additional volunteers to serve three years or
during the war. At this time about two hundred and fifty men
had been recruited, and were encamped at Camp Perrine,
Trenton. On the 8th of July, 1862, a telegram was received
from the War Department, Washington, D. C, calling for five
regiments of infantry from the State of New Jersey, and in
compliance with this telegram and the provisions of General
Order No. 75, Adjutant-General's office, War Department,
Washington, D. O, dated July 8th, 1862, the organization of
the regiment was completed. The regiment was organized,
officered and equipped by the 18th day of August, 1862, at
which time it was mustered into the United States service by
Major Lewellyn Jones, of the First U. S. Cavalry. The
strength of the regiment at time of muster was : officers, 39 ;
non-commissioned officers and privates, 940 ; total, 979. The
earliest enlistments in the regiment were in Company K, Charles
C. Eeiley, Wm. Amsden, Amon J. Foote, Jeremiah O'Brien and

2 TEE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

George H. Porter, who enlisted on April 30th, 1862, being
assigned to that company. They were followed in the same
company by Edward Berden, musician, on May 5th, Jeremiah
Demerest and Gershom Forate, on May 7th, and Joseph Hun-
ton, Nicholas Maure, May 12th. By the end of June, Company
K had enlisted upwards of thirty men, so it must be awarded
the credit of having been the pioneer company. Before the end
of June, over two hundred men had been enlisted, and camp
formed along the Trenton Branch of the Camden and Amboy
Railroad, opposite the New Jersey State Prison. The plot of
ground used was bounded on the east by what is now Adeline
street, on the south by Cass street, on the west by the railroad
and the Delaware and Raritan canal, and on the north by a
pond, caused by the overflow from the canal, which has since
been filled in and the site occupied by a sash and blind factory
and Wilson & Stokes' coal and wood yard. Across the Cass
street bridge, to the westward, stands the old State Prison, used
then as now for the State Arsenal. A part of the old camp-
ground is still vacant, but the surroundings have been so im-
proved that, without the prison and arsenal as landmarks, it
would be hard to recognize the site.

The camp was named Perrine, in honor of General Lewis Per-
rine, then Quartermaster-General of the State. Sibley tents were
pitched, cook-houses put up, and so fast as the recruits arrived
they were given quarters and inducted into the mysteries of
camp- life.

No one who was with the regiment in its earliest stage, before
the officers had reported to their commands, will have forgotten
the self-important, tyrannical Sergeant Nolan, of Company F,
who seemed for a time to have chief charge of the camp, under
Major Halstead. How he strutted around, with his belt strung
full of hand-cuffs, and what evident pleasure he felt when an
excuse offered to punish some ignorant offender or helplessly
drunken soldier! To buck-and-gag a man seemed to afford
him supreme satisfaction. But the old saying, that a " tyrant is
generally a coward," held good in that case, for the " noble "

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 3

sergeant deserted the regiment on its way to the front, and per-
haps it was well (for himself) that he did so.

The transition from the comforts of home to the comparative
discomforts of Camp Perrine were not too cheerfully borne by the
newly- made soldiers. We were yet to learn by experience how
utterly barren of real comfort a soldier's life could be.

Among the equipments drawn from the Quartermaster's De-
partment were small ticks, which, when well filled with straw,
made not bad substitutes for the beds at home, and they were
beds of down in comparison with some of our resting-places in
the years that followed. We also received a tin cup, and plate
of the same material. That constituted our table service, a ser-
vice that many of the boys were cheated out of by the mean
tricks of some of the cooks at Camp Perrine. They were told
that if they would leave their cup and plate with the cook and
pay twenty-five cents a week, in advance, he (the cook) would
keep them clean. Many of the men did so, but when they went
again for rations they were told that there was no cup and plate
there for them. The only alternative was to buy new ones.

We had not been long in camp before we learned that so far
as individual property was concerned each man would have to
look out for his own, and, if lost, replace it as best he could.

William Hand, of Company B, lost — or, rather, had stolen —
his gun, and having searched all over the camp without finding
it, finally reported the loss to Lieutenant Bloomfield. Bloom-
field asked why he came to him, and if he thought he had it.
" No," said Hand, " but I thought you could put me in the way
of finding it." The lieutenant told him that he would learn to
find another gun when he had lost his, or he would find it
charged against him. We soon learned that the only way for a
soldier to replace a lost article was to go and find a similar one.

One day the men of Company G: were overheard complaining
to Lieutenant Lawrence that their property kept disappearing.
" Well," said Lawrence, " here you are between Companies B
and E, and I have often told you that they were the worst

4 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

thieves in the regiment. Now you will either haye to look out
for your things, pay for them when lost, or steal others."

Colonel McAllister was a firm believer that " cleanliness was
next to godliness," and, after taking command of the regiment,
gave it ample opportunities for bathing. One evening the right
wing and the next evening the left would be marched to the
prison basin (then surrounded by a high board-fence). This
event was enjoyed by all, and particularly by the boys who
would get a daily swim by stealing out with some other company.

At first the camp was anything but a place of quietness. But
as it filled up and officers reported to their commands, order
began to appear, and drills, inspections, &c, became the daily
routine. With few exceptions the men submitted quietly to the
discipline that was to make them fit for the more responsible
duties of a soldier's life. Every effort was made to keep intoxi-
cating liquors out of camp, but in spite of every precaution it
would be often smuggled in, with the result that some poor slave
of appetite would find his way to the guard-house.

The camp was frequently visited by agents for bullet-proof
vests, which articles were at first looked upon with considerable
favor. A few of the men purchased, and thought they had
secured a protection against the bullets of the enemy. Some of
the shrewder ones suggested a practical test, to which an agent,
either ignorant of the quality of his goods or strong in his belief
of their invulnerability, consented. The vests were taken to the
sand-bank, at the eastern end of the camp, and stood against the
bank. A few well-directed shots proved their uselessness. They
were thoroughly riddled, and the agent, completely crest-fallen,
quietly disappeared.

At Camp Perrine Colonel McAllister inaugurated the Sunday
services, which were maintained until the close of the war when-
ever opportunity offered. Every pleasant Sunday the regiment
would be marched to the green, in front of the prison, where re-
ligious services would be held. As Chaplain Knighton did not
join the regiment until near the time of its departure for Vir-
ginia, "these services were conduoted by visiting clergymen. The

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 5

men were also allowed, under proper escort, to attend evening
services in the churches of the city.

Of the thirty-nine officers of the regiment, eighteen had seen
more or less service. The Colonel, Robert McAllister, had won
distinction as Lieutenant-Colonel of the First New Jersey Vol-
unteers. His fitness for command had been proven on the hard-
fought battle-fields of the Peninsula. Lieutenant-Colonel Stephen
Moore had held the same rank in the Third New Jersey (three
months) Volunteers. Major Valentine Mutchler had been pro-
moted from Captain of Company D, First New Jersey Volun-
teers. Adjutant John Schoonover was also a Peninsular veteran,
having served as private and Corporal in Company D, First
New Jersey, and been promoted to Commissary Sergeant of that
regiment, gaining his promotion by competitive examination.
Chief Surgeon E. L. Welling had been promoted from Assistant
Surgeon of the Third New Jersey. Captain Luther Martin had
held commission as Second Lieutenant of Company A, First
New Jersey Volunteers, and Captain William Meeker had been
promoted from Corporal of the same company. Captain William
B. Dunning had served as Captain of Company K, Second New
Jersey (three months) Volunteers.

Among the Lieutenants, Andrew Ackerman and John F.
Buckley, had been promoted from privates in Company I, Sec-
ond New Jersey Volunteers; Lott Bloomfield, from private in
the Twentieth Indiana ; Alexandre Beach, from private in Com-
pany K, Second New Jersey ; Sydney M. Lay ton. had held a
like commission in the President's Guard ; Milton S. Lawrence
had come from the Fourteenth Indiana, where he had held the,
rank of private; Ira W. Corey was promoted from Sergeant of
Company K, Se% T enth New Jersey Volunteers ; Wm. S. Provost
from Sergeant-Major of the First ; John Oldershaw had been
connected with the famous Seventh New York, and E. S. E.
Newberry had distinguished himself while a private in Company
D, Third New Jersey. In an encounter with a raiding party of
the enemy's cavalry he had been severely wounded in the left

6 THE ELEVENTH BEGIMENT,

side and arm, and when commissioned First Lieutenant of Com-
pany E, of the Eleventh, his left arm was practically useless.

Beside these, many of the non-commissioned officers and pri-
vates had been out with the various three-months organizations,
so that the regiment was not entirely lacking in knowledge
gained in the school of the soldier.

To be sure, the majority when they enlisted were practically
ignorant of military matters. They knew that soldiers were
expected to fight, and that infantry carried muskets, but they
had yet to learn how to handle them according to the rules
of the Manual. The majority were young and willing to learn,
and by the time the regiment left Trenton the awkwardness
peculiar to recruits had in a great measure disappeared.

Perhaps no regiment that ever left the State of New Jersey
presented greater physical contrasts than did the Eleventh.

In it was seen the strong, broad-shouldered man, whom years
of toil and endurance had hardened, and the slender, unformed
youth who had yet to feel the first weight of life's burden. Two-
thirds of those composing the regiment had not reached the age
of twenty-one, and many were under seventeen — in fact so
many were the youths that it was called a regiment of boys —
and many people laughed at the idea of such troops doing
efficient service. They did not stop to think that the spirit that
prompted those boys to leave the love and comfort of home
would sustain them through the weariness of the march and
the dangers of the battle better than the brawn and muscle of
their older comrades. It was a regiment of boys until Frede-
ricksburg and Chancellorsville made it a regiment of men.
After the desperate fighting at Chancellorsville there was no
more sneering at the youthful 'personnel of the Eleventh.

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS.

Chapter II.

On to Washington — Camp Ellsworth — Guarding
Convalescent Camp.

J\ pteb the final muster into the United States service, the
-*■*- regiment was in daily expectancy of being ordered to the
front. At last the order came to move on August 25th. Many
of the friends and relatives had learned the date of the regiment's
departure, and when the morning came they hastened to the
camp to bid the departing ones farewell.

The Trenton and Bordentswn Branch of the Camden and
Amboy Railroad ran along the southwestern side of the camp,
and there the cars were halted that were to bear the regiment
southward. About eleven o'clock the order was given to board
the cars, farewells were quickly spoken, and amid mingled
cheers and tears, the train moved toward Camden.

Philadelphia was reached about three o'clock. After an
abundant dinner at the Cooper refreshment saloon, the regiment
marched to the Philadelphia and Wilmington depot, where it
took train for Washington, followed by the cheers and well-
wishes of many patriotic citizens of Philadelphia.

It passed through Wilmington about six o'clock, crossed the
Susquehanna at eleven, and reached Baltimore at one o'clock on
the morning of the 26th. There the regiment left the cars, and
after being refreshed with very poor rations, the men made
themselves as comfortable as possible until seven o'clock, when
they once more took the cars for the last stage of their journey
to the capital, which was reached about eleven A. M.

After dining at the soldiers' retreat the regiment fell into line,
marched through the city and crossed the long bridge to Arling-
ton Heights. The streets of Washington being very dusty, and
the day extremely warm, this first march resulted in a number
of sun-strokes.

8 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

The regiment's first encampment: south of the Potomac over-
looked the capital, and, in honor of the Secretary of State, it was
named Camp Seward.

The stay at Arlington was not destined to be a very long one.
On August 27th the regiment received orders to be in readiness
for marching. Tents were struck, knapsacks packed, and all
things made ready; but the 28th found us still in the same
position. A heavy shower of rain coming up on the 28th, tents
were hastily pitched again. At three A. M. on the morning of the
29th marching orders were renewed, and by daylight the camp
had disappeared, breakfast had been eaten, and the regiment was
on the move. The line of march led down te and up the
Potomac to the aqueduct ; across the aqueduct to Georgetown ;
then up the Potomac to the chain bridge. There we found a
New York regiment on guard, who, in anticipation of an advance
of the enemy in that direction, had removed the flooring of the
bridge. The planks were temporarily relaid, and the regiment
quickly crossed to the Virginia side, where the march was resumed
in the direction of Leesburg. After marching some miles it filed
to the right of the road and stacked arms. The officers were
called to the front and center and addressed by the Colonel, who
gave some words of advice and caution, companies were inspected
and the ammunition equally distributed.

Far away on the famous field of Bull Run the two armies
were again struggling for the mastery. All day long we could
hear the boom of artillery. What would be the result ? And
why should we lie there inactive while comrades were being
swept away by the tide of the enemy ? Such were the questions
we asked each other. With the zeal of inexperience we were
anxious to measure strength with the foe. We did not stop to
think that perhaps it was as important to have us occupying the
position we then held as it would to have had us upon the battle-
field.

The next day Pope's shattered and defeated forces marched
by us, and as regiment after regiment filed past, with tattered
battle-flags and soiled and bloody clothing, the majority of us.

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 9

perhaps for the first time, began to realize what war really
meant.

Dejected by defeat, tired and footsore, hungry and dusty, the
heroes of the Peninsula and Bull Run soon dispelled any exalted
idealisms that we may have held in regard to the life of a
soldier.

Fresh from the comfort and plenty of home, possessing yet an
abundance of all things necessary for comfort and cleanliness, it
was hard to realize that we should in a short time be as destitute
of these things as were the shattered and tired troops then
marching past us.

While in this position along the Leesburg road the regiment
was made acquainted with the condition of army bacon after
long service in government store-houses. A quantity of it was
issued to the regiment, but it took a vigilant guard to keep it
from taking French leave and marching out of camp. I doubt
if much of it was used, for at that early period the boys had not
become accustomed to eating their meat alive.

At nine P. M. the regiment was ordered to move. It was an
all-night trip, for it was not until sunrise that it went into camp
near Fort Marcy. No particular name was given to that en-
campment. It was generally denominated " Camp near Fort
Marcy." While there the time was employed in drilling, guard,
picket and other duties. An occasional detail was sent to Fort
Ethan Allen, which lay some distance to the left.

Near the camp was a field of growing corn, which the boys
soon found was about right for roasting, and though orders were
given not to touch it and guards were placed to watch it, yet
many a mess of green corn found its way to camp. There the
old Austrian rifles that had been issued by the State were ex-
changed for the Harper's Ferry or Springfield musket, which
carried a ball and three buckshot.

One evening, while in the vicinity of Fort Marcy, a detail con-
sisting of a corporal and two privates was called for from Com-
pany B, and Corporal Aaron Lines and Privates William and
Henry Hand were sent. Their instrustions were to go up the

10

THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

Major Thomas J. Halsey.

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 11

road about one mile, where they were told they would find a
hay-stack, guard it through the night, and keep the horses of
the cavalry from eating the hay. They found the stack, and
near it a house where a woman was selling pies and cakes to the
passing soldiers. They informed her that they had been sent
there to guard her house and would like some supper, whereat she
furnished them an excellent meal. After eating they proceeded to
the hay-stack, climbed on top and went to sleep. The entire party
slept soundly and until long after daylight. When awakened
they had but little trouble in getting off the stack, as it had
diminished in height to about four feet and had spread out
amazingly. Around it stood about twenty horses busily engaged
in putting away the fodder, while a short, distance away lay the
riders on beds of hay. They returned to camp and reported no
hay-stack within four miles.

At two o'clock on the afternoon of September 7th the regiment
broke camp and marched to Alexandria; passing through the city
it took a position near Fort Lyons, on the heights beyond Hunt-
ing creek. On September 12th a member of Company H was
wounded in the foot by the accidental discharge of his gun.
From there it moved in the direction of Mount Vernon, and
established " Camp Advance," where it did picket duty in con-
nection with the Second New Jersey Brigade.

On September 14th it was moved to a point on the Alexandria
and Fairfax road near Fort Worth, where it established " Camp
Grover"; there, in addition to the ordinary routine of camp
duty, it was made acquainted with the pick and shovel as applied
to the building of fortifications. A mile or two out on the Fairfax
road stood an old cider-mill, which no doubt some of the boys
will call to mind from the fact that, having stolen from camp and
stolen some apples, they were caught, while busily engaged in
making cider, by Colonel McAllister, who happened to be passing
that way with a picket detail. He took their names and sent
them to camp, with the promise of punishment when he should
return ; but the offense was either forgotten or forgiven, for no
punishment followed.

12 TEE ELEVENTE REGIMENT,

On September 30th the regiment moved to near Fort Ells-
worth. The special duty to which it was assigned was that of
guarding the convalescent camp and camp of paroled prisoners.
An incident occurred here which served to indicate that fearless-
ness of danger and obedience to duty for which the regiment was
afterwards characterized. The camp of paroled prisoners con-
tained at that time between three and four thousand men — men
from many States and from many regiments — men of various
dispositions and temperaments. In a collection of this number
many can always be found who are impatient of restraint, and
who deem it an insult to be kept within bounds by troops who
have seen less service than themselves.

It occurred that, while Lieutenant John Oldershaw with a
detail of twenty-five men were on duty at the camp— the Colonel
commanding it being absent, and a young and inexperienced
officer had been left in charge — a large number of men had been
sent to Alexandria to be transported to their regiments, but by
some mistake no means of transportation was ready, and they
were ordered back to the camp. Without waiting for orders,
they broke ranks and scattered all over the country, yelling and
howling, the worst characters inciting the rest. As soon as the
old guard had been relieved and the reserve placed in position
in rear of the Colonel's tent, the commanding oflicer approached
Lieutenant Oldershaw and told him that they expected to have
trouble in the camp that night. Oldershaw then instructed his
men to rally with the reserve in case there should be a riot.

There were several chests of arms in the Colonel's tent, and
also a number of axes. The new sutler had just brought up a
quantity of stores and erected a new building in which to put
them.

It was learned that it was the intention of the men to set fire
to the store-house ; in fact, toward night the situation began to
look serious, and the guards were doubled around the store-house
and instructions given to shoot any one who showed a disposition
to commit depredations, and, in case of an alarm, all were to
rally on the reserve. Everything remained quiet until between

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 13

twelve and one o'clock, when two or three shots were fired, and
almost immediately the store-house was in a blaze. Oldershaw,
with some of his men, hurried quickly to the fire and tried to
save some of the goods, but the building burned so fiercely that
it was impossible to save anything.

By that time the camp was filled with a howling mob bent on
mischief. They began to press forward toward the Colonel's
tent, their object no doubt being to secure the arms and axes
stored there.

The guard in the meantime, according to instructions, had left
their post and rallied on the reserve.

Oldershaw posted his men in front of the Colonel's tent, then,
stepping out, addressed the mob, telling them that if they did not
disperse he would fire upon them. His words were met with
howls of derision. Stepping back he instructed the rear rauk to
reserve their fire, then gave the order, ready, aim. He waited,
thinking the mob would disperse, but they only pressed closer.
The order was then given to fire. Echoing the volley came a
cry of pain. The front rank began to re-load and the rear rank
was about to fire, when the mob broke and ran to their quarters.
The guards were posted again, and in a short time the regiment
was upon the scene, but its services were not needed, for the riot
was completely quelled.

While the regiment lay at Fort Ellsworth, it was sometimes
visited by an old colored woman who made apple-dumplings a
specialty, and carried them to the different camps for sale.
One day as Lambert Sharp, of Company E, familiarly known
" Bully," was sitting along the roadside under the shade of the
locusts, Auntie appeared with her dumplings. They looked very
tempting, and " Bully's " mouth fairly watered for a taste of
them. She asked him if he did not want to buy some. He
said " No " ; he had no money. She remarked that that seemed
to be the case with all the soldiers, but rather than take them
back to Alexandria she would trade them for clothing. He
asked her how many she would give for a pair of drawers.
She answered, " Four." Stepping back among the trees " Bully "

14 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

quickly divested himself of that article of underwear (the only
pair that he owned, by the way) and handed them over to
Aunty, who rolled them up and put them in the basket with
the dumplings. She prepared his dumplings, which he quickly
stored away, feeling well satisfied with the trade ; and they uo
doubt were the only apple-dumplings he had the pleasure of
eating while in Virginia.

On October 10th, while the regiment was encamped near Fort
Ellsworth, Company E was sent into Alexandria to do guard
duty over the commissary stores there collected. It was quartered
in a long two story brick building, formerly used for a cooper-
shop. The ground floor was used for a dining-room and the upper
floor for a sleeping apartment for the entire company, with the
exception of the commissioned officers, who were quartered on
the opposite side of the street. The company had no sinecure,
as it required a detail of thirty men each day to till all the posts.

One of the favorite places for doing duty was at the round-
house of the Orange and Alexandria Railroad, then used as
quarters for about three hundred contrabands who were em-
ployed around the docks. The quaint sayings and childish
actions of the simple-minded Africans were a source of endless
amusement to the guards.

Another post much sought after was the hay-yard. The for-
age stored there, by attracting the stray cows of the town, gave
the boys an opportunity to get milk for their coffee.

It happened that one day, while two Hibernians, Riley
O'Brian and James King, were on duty at the hay-yard, a dis-
pute arose between them over some trivial matter. Epithets
were hurled back and forth. At last they agreed to settle it
according to the rules of the code duello. Muskets were to be
the weapons — their positions were taken, and no doubt blood
would have been shed had not one of the officers of the company
opportunely arrived as the word to fire was about to be given.

Nearly opposite the quarters of Company E was a brick build-
ing occupied by a party of contrabands. Small-pox broke out

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 15

among them. Several of the members of Company E caught
the disease, and one of them, Gilbert Young, died of it.

On the evening of November 15th, Company E was ordered
to re-join the regiment at Fort Ellsworth. Its departure was
somewhat delayed, however, by the absence of a number of the
men on an expedition organized by Lieutenant Newberry earlier
in the evening. Some of the saloons in the city had been selling
liquor to soldiers in defiance of orders to the contrary. New-
berry had for a long time had his suspicions aroused in regard to
one or two, situated not far from the company's quarters, and on
the evening in question determined to investigate. Taking a
number of men from the company as guards, he marched them
to one of the suspected places and began a search. His efforts
were at last rewarded by finding, snugly concealed in the bottom
of a large ice-chest, a large quantity of whiskey conveniently
bottled. It was the intention to destroy it, but in spite of the
Lieutenant, a fair share of it found its way to the company's
quarters, and as a result some of the men were not in very good
shape for marching when the hour of departure came.

The regiment, in the meantime, had remained in camp near
Fort Ellsworth, doing guard duty at the parole and convalescent
camps, and sending escorts with troops to Washington and other
points.

On October 9th, Lieutenant E. R. Good was ordered, with a
detail, to escort thirteen hundred men to Harper's Ferry. He
remained there over night with the Thirteenth Regiment, whioh
was encamped on Maryland Heights, and returned to the regi-
ment by way of Baltimore.

On October 15th, President Lincoln and body-guard, accom-
panied by General Heintzleman and staff, inspected the
convalescent and parole camp.

On tjie 22d there was a review of the troops around
Alexandria by President Lincoln, Vice-President Hamlin and
other distinguished officers.

16 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

Chapter III.

Joining Carr's Brigade— The March to Falmouth— Battle
of Fredericksburg.

ON November 16th, the regiment was attached to the First
Brigade (General Carr's), Second Division, Third Corps*
and, strapping our shelter-tents on our backs for the first time,
we bid farewell to the capacious Sibleys and started on the way
to Falmouth. The first day's march took us to Fairfax Court
House, where we lay until the 18th, when, with another regiment
of infantry and a battery of artillery, we resumed our march as
guards to a large train of baggage-wagons and ambulances. We
were in heavy marching order, carrying three days' rations, forty
rounds of ammunition, and knapsacks well packed, not only with
the things necessary to a soldier's comfort, but with many
mementoes of home. How we clung to all the keepsakes that
loving friends had given us, fondly imagining at that stage of
our experience that we would be able to keep them with us as
reminders of those whom we had left behind ! But few of
those mementoes were ever seen again by those whose love
prompted the giving.

About one o'clock it began raining, and we soon learned how
contemptible the sacred soil could become when thoroughly
moistened and trodden by the feet of marching columns.

It was nine o'clock in the evening when the order was given
to halt for the night. Filing into a field, we soon turned field
to common by converting rebel rails into Union caloric

At half-past eight on the morning of the 19th the march was
resumed. About twelve o'clock we reached the Occoquan at
Wolf run shoals. The stream was about fifty or sixty yards
wide and from one to two feet deep, the bottom covered with

loose, slippery stones, making it somewhat difficult to ford

which was the only way to cross. The men took off their shoes
and stockings, and, rolling up their trousers, rather reluctantly

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 17

entered the nearly ice-cold water. After reaching the southern
shore the march was continued for about half a mile, when the
regiment went into camp and were told that they would remain
there for several days.

Near this place were a number of abandoned rebel camps ; the
stockades were left standing, which seemed to indicate either a
hurried departure or an intention to return and re-occupy them.
In searching among the debris several bowie-knives were found,
and numerous letters from their Southern friends which expressed
anything but sentiments of love for the trespassing Yankees.

The first night of the regiment's stay near Wolf run, Company
E spent upon picket.

The commissariat of the company showed a lack of meat, and
consequently there was considerable grumbling. To remedy
this deficiency Lieutenant Newberry took Corporal Ackerman
and private A. B. Searing and started on a foraging expedition.
After considerable hunting they succeeded in bagging quite a
fine porker. After removing the entrails they tied its feet together
and, running their guns through, carried it back to the picket-
line ; there it was hung to a sapling and skinned, as there were
no facilities for following the usual method of scalding. It was
cut up and divided among the pickets, and though not very fat
it made an acceptable addition to their bill of fare.

In speaking of a fine Southern hog, in those days, the word
was not applied as it would be in the North. Here it would
mean a plethora of fat. There the points to be considered were
much the same as those in a greyhound — length of leg, narrow-
ness of back, and an ability to run away from anything slower
than a minnie-ball or a streak of lightning.

There was one acquaintance we made while in the army who
clung "closer than a brother." He was not exactly a permanent
companion, yet his visits were so frequent and his stay at times
so long that he became a bore. His disposition was surly and
unappreciative, for, notwithstanding the fact that we furnished
him with comfortable quarters and an abundance of rations, even
at the expense of our own comfort, he would back- bite whenever

18

THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

he got an opportunity. He was universally known, as well by
the general on bis horse as the private tramping along through
the mud and dust ; but I can not truthfully say that he was uni-
versally respected, for he had but little respect for others. His
habits were very intrusive, and no hour nor place was too sacred

Surgeon Edward 1. Welling.

for his presence. He would startle the picket on his post and
waken the tired soldier from his much-needed slumbers. Neither
had he any regard for the personal property of others. If a sol-
dier drew a new suit of clothing, he would appropriate it with as
much nonchalance as if it had been procured for his especial
benefit. He was a close student of dermatology, and took

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 19

especial delight in poring over the pores of the human cuticle.
His inquiries sometimes became so pointed that there would be
bad blood between us. We would often try to shake him off
and leave him behind, but he would return with overtures so
pertinacious that we would have to come to the scratch — argu-
ment was in vain. All our efforts to turn him away proved
futile.

We first met him at Alexandria, where he was introduced to us
as the " old army greyback," and though not with us constantly
from that time to the expiration of our service, his visits were
too frequent to permit of warm friendship. He was very fond
of waltzing, and his movements were particularly lively after a
rain. I suppose he thought that exercise was the best prevent-
ive of colds.

The first night of our stay at Wolf run was damp and dis-
agreeable, and large fires were kept burning. At one of these
stood a member of Company E, familiarly known as " Bully."
As his wet clothing began to dry and the warmth to penetrate,
he was observed to gently slap one leg, and then the other,
varying the slap by scratching motions up and down the seams
of his trousers. This interesting pantomime was watched for some
time in silence. At last one of his comrades asked, " Bully, what's
the matter?" Turning upon the inquirer a look of supreme
scorn, while reaching over his shoulder and trying to grasp the
center of his spine, he answered, " Why, it's that confounded
tetter." Comment was unnecessary; he'd just begun to make
their acquaintance.

This same " Bully " (or Lambert Sharp)- became one of the
most notable foragers in the regiment. He became so expert that
he could catch anything that was edible, and ofttimes things that
were not. He began catching almost as soon as he struck Southern
soil. He caught a sun-stroke while marching through Wash-
ington, which left him unconscious, and was picked up and put
into a baggage-wagon, taken over the Potomac and dumped
out near camp, minus everything his pockets had contained
except a Testament ; but he came around all right in a few days.

20 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

When in camp near Fort Lyons, " Bully " caught the black
measles, which came very near ending his soldiering. While
stopping at Wolf run he, with a number of others belonging to
Company E, caught the varioloid, and was left there in charge
of a nurse. As they began to convalesce, provisions ran short,
and " Bully " started out to replenish the larder. Taking his
gun he sauntered toward the creek. After hunting around for
awhile he discovered a dog, and thinking it would suffice in the
absence of ooher provisions, was about to shoot, when a wagon
came in sight from the direction of Fairfax. It proved to be the
regimental sutler, who gathered the party up, and, in considera-
tion of their acting as guards to the front, fed them until they
reached the regiment.

One day, while the regiment was encamped near Fort Ells-
worth, a number of the men were discussing the difficulty of
getting liquor from Alexandria. Sergeant Smith, of Company
I, who was one of the party, volunteered the assertion that he
could go into the city in broad daylight, without any pass, and
bring out a dozen canteens full. Every one expressed a doubt
of his being able so to do. To prove its practicability, he got a
knapsack, placed the empty canteens inside, then taking an un-
armed man to carry the knapsack and a file of men to guard
him, he marched the man into the city as a prisoner to be
delivered to the Provost Marshal. Going to a saloon he had his
canteens filled, and marched back in the same manner, without
being disturbed by guard or provost.

While the regiment lay at Alexandria, it was honored by
having three of its officers placed on detached service. Captain
Kearney, of Company A, was detailed as engineer ; Grover, of
Company F, as inspector of fortifications, and Lieutenant John
Oldershaw as Aid to General Slough, then Military Governor
of the city.

Among those left in hospital at Alexandria when the regiment
started for Falmouth was William Hand and Aaron Lines, of
Company B. They were anxious to be with the regiment, and
though not fit for duty they deserted the hospital and started

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 21

after it. They were nearly exhausted, when a drove of mules,
on its way to the front, overtook them. Each mounted a mule
and rode to within a short distance of camp. The first intimation
that they had of nearness to the regiment was the voice of Dixon,
the Company Commissary, drawing rations.

On November 25th the regiment again broke camp, and after
a tiresome march of about twelve miles reached the village of
Dumphries, where it went into bivouac for the night.

Dumphries was situated on the Quantico creek, about two
and one-half miles from its mouth, and previous to the war had
been quite a thriving and prosperous place. It contained a
woolen factory, flour-mill, several stores, and two churches, and
carried on quite a trade with Baltimore and Washington. Bat
everything showed the marks of decay, scarce a hundred
inhabitants remaining, and they mostly women.

The march was resumed on the morning of the 26th, and con-
tinued past Stafford Court 'House to Aquia Creek, where the
regiment bivouacked for the night. Late in the afternoon, when
passing a farm near Stafford Court House, a number of fine sheep
had been noticed, quietly feeding, not far from the highway.

Lieutenant Newberry says : " The Government did not fur-
nish mutton as a part of our menu, and the vision of roast lamb
and mutton stew went and came to each one of us as we marched
on and on, two miles past that farm-house. To get some of that
mutton was easy enough, but from the fact that the General had
placed a safe- guard over that man's house, and especially on the
mutton. But mutton we must have, yet how to get it was the
question. So, after going into camp, I called a council of war
on mutton. Every commander knows his trusty men, and
knowing my men, I called to my tent ' Croppy ' George Zindle,
William Henderson, Bishop W. Mains and two others whose
names I have forgotten, and it was decided that if I would lead
the charge they would follow. But I was officer of the day,
and the police duty of that camp was solely in my hands until
nine o'clock next morning. But the desire for roast mutton
made it possible to plan for the emergency should any arise.

22 TEE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

Sending for Lieutenant Lawrence, I unfolded to him my plans
and got him to assume my duties, and in case I was called to-
headquarters he was to respond and report me sick in my quar-
ters. This very thing happened, but on Lieutenant Lawrence's
reporting me sick no suspicion arose. Well, we went to the field
where the sheep were quietly grazing. Henderson was sent to
fire a blank at the sheep in order to draw the safe-guard away
from the house, and as soon as the report was heard out came
the guard on double-quick to drive off the marauders. He came
up to Henderson and said to him : 'I am safe-guard here, and
you must not forage here.' One at a time we went up to where
the two men were, until the safeguard was quietly and unsus-
pectingly surrounded, six to one. Suddenly ' Croppy ' seized
the rifle of the safe-guard and I rammed the muzzle of my navy
revolver, unloaded, under his nose, at which he quickly surren-
dered. We left ' Croppy ' and Henderson to guard our prisoner
while we turned our attention to the mutton. I took ' Croppy's *
rifle while he took the rifle of the safe-guard to stand guard over
the latter. The four of us fired four shots and killed five sheep,
I running and cutting the throats of the five we had shot, when
to my horror I heard the voice of the Provost Marshal of our
corps ordering us to halt or he would fire on us,, with the three
guards he had with him. I well knew that the only chance I
had against Captain Bates (that was his name) was to bluff him,
and as he began to swear, I met him with his own language and
just as big oaths and just as many men, and when he asked my
regiment and corps, I told him I had orders from General New-
ton, of the Sixth Corps, to forage for headquarters mess, and
pulling out a folded official paper (which was nothing but my
guard detail for camp duty) and showing it to him in the dark-
ness, he begged my pardon for seeming interference with an
officer of another corps, and took his departure. Meanwhile
'Croppy' and Henderson had got out, leaving the safe -guard,
but taking the cap off his piece and squirting tobacco-juice in
the nipple of his rifle. We four returned to the dead sheep,
threw them over the fence and dragged them down into the edge

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 23

of a dark swamp, cut off the heads, took out the bowels, tied
and slung the sheep on our rifles — four men carrying five sheep.
While killing our sheep we heard some young pigs squealing as
though being smothered. On our way back to camp our two
guards, ' Croppy ' and Henderson, found us and our burden was
made lighter. Arriving at camp, I reported to Lieutenant
Lawrence and sent him one carcass of mutton, and in return he
sent me one fine pig for roasting. His men were killing the
pigs while we were getting the sheep. Next day a very fine
quarter of mutton was served on the table of our Colonel, the
lamented Robert McAllister, Eleventh New Jersey Volunteers.
But that noble commander went to his eternal reward never
knowing how or from whence that mutton came."

I have in mind another foraging expedition in which New-
berry participated — the particulars of which I cannot now recall
— but I know that among the spoil brought in were two old
geese, which he afterwards described as " being too tough to even
make soup."

On the morning of the 27th of November, after constructing
a temporary bridge on which to cross Aquia creek (the former
one having been destroyed), the march was again taken up
toward Falmouth. After a tiresome march, camp was formed
midway between Potomac creek and the Rappahannock river, and
not far from Brooke's station, on the Richmond and Potomac
Railroad.

Thinking their stay there would be a long one, the men began
to make themselves as comfortable as possible by erecting log
huts, &c.

Near this camp was an orchard and farm-house, which formed
a convenient aocessory to what then seemed a favorite manoeuvre
of the Colonel's when having the regiment on battalion drill.
Scarcely a day passed that it was not put through the manoeuvre
of breaking to the right and left to pass the obstacle, and, from
that circumstance, the camp came to be known as " Camp
Obstacle."

24 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

On the 4th of December the regiment participated in a review
of the Third Army Corps by General Hooker and others.
The review was held on the heights near Falmouth, and in full
view of the city of Fredericksburg.

Falmouth, the grand rendezvous of the Army of the Potomac,
was situated on the left bank of the Rappahannock river, nearly
opposite Fredericksburg. The land surrounding it was high,
with a gradual slope to the river. Previous to the war it had a
population of between four and five hundred, and contained
about eighty dwelling-houses, one church, six flour and grist
mills, stores, machine shops, &o.

Fredericksburg, which lay on the plain along the south bank
of the river, was a city of about five thousand inhabitants. It
contained numerous factories and mills, which, until the arrival
of the Union army on the opposite heights, had been kept busy
turning out clothing and subsistence for the rebel army.

On the 21st of November, General Sumner made a formal de-
mand for the surrender of the city, alleging as a reason that his
troops had been fired upon from the houses, and that the mills
and factories were employed in giving aid and comfort to the
rebel army.

Mayor Slaughter responded in behalf of the citizens, stating
that the firing had been done by soldiers of the rebel army hav-
ing no residence in the city ; that the mills and factories should
be stopped at once, but that the city could not be surrendered, as
the generals in command of the rebel forces had forbidden it ;
that they neither intended to occupy the city themselves, nor to
allow the Union army to do so.

On December 10th the monotony of the camp was broken by
the receipt of orders to prepare for marching — three days' rations
and sixty rounds of ammunition were issued — but it was not
until the morning of the 11th when the first gun was heard that
signaled the opening of the Fredericksburg slaughter, that the
order came to fall-in.

While standing in line, listening to the dull boom of the
cannon, and awaiting the order to march, Bishop W. Mains, of

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 25

Company E, began to sing the " Star Spangled Banner." One
by one the men caught up the words, and soon the morning air
was musical with the strains of that grand battle-hymn.

It was a scene suggestive of the martyr's ecstacy at the stake,
or the savage's indifference to the torture. Men pouring forth
their voices in song while awaiting orders that were to usher
them perhaps to bloody graves.

It was a beautiful morning, that morning of the first attack
upon Fredericksburg ; the sun rose bright in an almost unclouded
sky, the slight sprinkling of snow that covered the ground
sparkled like burnished silver, the air was clear and crisp — nature
gave an almost perfect morning to be the harbinger of scenes
that sent a thrill of horror through the nation and brought
tears and sorrow to thousands of households.

At eight A. M. the order was given to move. The line of
march was taken toward the river below the city. At half-past
ten the regiment halted on the high ground on the north bank
of the river, overlooking the field of operations.

On the 12th the regiment was marched by a circuitous route
to Franklin's Crossing and baited near the pontoon bridge.
The scenes there witnessed were terrible indeed to those not yet
inured to the horrors of the battle-field. From the field of
death beyond the river came a constant stream of wounded.
Ambulance after ambulance, loaded down with shattered hu-
manity, was driven hastily to the rear. Men with lesser wounds
limped by, some using muskets for crutches, others being helped
to a place of safety by comrades eager enough to leave the battle
behind them.

On the morning of the 14th the regiment was ordered to cross
the river and take position in the second line of battle, but it
was soon ordered to the front line to relieve the Twenty-sixth
Pennsylvania ; two companies, D and I, Captains Luther Martin
and John T; Hill commanding, being detailed to relieve the
pickets of the Twenty-sixth Pennsylvania. As they marched
out to take position, the enemy poured upon them a galling
picket-fire. Though it was their first experience, their " bap-

26 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

tism of fire," they did not falter, but as coolly and as steadily a»
veterans marched to their position, and even drove the enemy's
pickets a short distance. A brisk picket-fire was kept up by the
opposing lines.

Early in the morning the enemy had attempted to place a

Major Philip J. Kearney.

battery in front of their main line, so as to command the posi-
tion of our brigade, but a company of riflemen from the
Second New Hampshire, who had taken an advance position,
made it so warm for them that they quickly sought shelter.
About noon a suspension of hostilities was agreed upon, that the
wounded and dead of both sides might be collected.

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 27

Then occurred one of the strange sights of the war — one that
took from the battle-field a little of its horror, and seemed to
turn for a while the crimson robe of carnage to the white hue of
peace. From the picket-lines on either side the men advanced
and held friendly converse, seemingly forgetful of the fact that
but a few minutes before they had been endeavoring to take each
other's lives, and in a few minutes more they would again be
intent upon the same purpose. Papers and other articles that
could be spared were exchanged for Southern tobacco — an article
that was always in demand. In two or three instances friends
of ante- war days met and discussed the situation. But soon the
truce was ended and the work of death again began.

Near our skirmish line was the ruins of a house that had been
destroyed by fire. The chimney remained nearly intact. One
of our men, thinking it a favorable position, climbed to the second
story, and, safely hidden in the remains of a capacious fire-place,
picked off the enemy at leisure.

Companies D and I were relieved by other companies of the
regiment in the evening, but their numbers had been lessened —
Christopher Graham, of Company I, and Warren Green, of
Company D, had been killed ; John Williamson, of Company
D, mortally wounded. He died on the 15th. The wounded
were Peter Burk, George Davis, Edward B. Nelson and George
Barnett, of Company D.

After the shades of night had hidden us from the watchful
eyes of the enemy we took the bodies of our fallen comrades,
and, wrapping their blankets around them, laid them to rest in
soldiers' hastily-made graves. A few remarks, a brief prayer,
and the ceremony was ended ; but the solemnity of the occasion
will never be forgotten, for, though disease had made vacancies
in our ranks, and we had followed a number of our comrades to
the grave, these were the first to die in actual conflict, and,
despite any assumed carelessness, the question would arise;
"Who next?"

But little fighting occurred on December 15th, and about ten
o'clock P. M. the regiment received orders to quietly recross the
river, Burnside having determined to withdraw his army.

28 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

It was near midnight when the regiment went into bivouac on
a wooded hill some distance from the river. It had begun to
rain heavily, but despite the fact that but little rest was to be
obtained, the men were heartily glad to be once more upon the
north bank of the river, and away from the battle-field.

Previous to the truce at noon on the 14th, scarcely one of the
enemy could be seen, but as soon as the truce was declared the
woods seemed to swarm with rebels.

Among the members of Company B who were at that time
on the skirmish-line, and about to be relieved, was an Irishman
named John Smith. As the company rose to march back to
the regiment, Smith discharged his gun toward the enemy.
Captain Meeker grabbed him by the throat and asked him what
he meant by firing upon a flag of truce. His answer was:
" Begorra, Captain dear, haven't I been lying here this two
hours widout a shot at the ribs, and do you think I was going
back widout hitting one, if I could?" Fortunately, he did not
hit one, and the company had the pleasure of marching back
instead of crawling.

About noon on the 16th, the regiment resumed its march
toward the old camp, which was reached about sundown. The
17th was spent in resting from the fatigue of the campaign, and
in trying to restore to order the dilapidated camp.

On the 18th the regiment started on a three days' tour of
picket duty. Beturning to camp on the 21st, it took up the old
routine of duty — drilling, guard, etc. At dress-parade on the
23d the following order was read to the regiment :

'' Headquarters Eleventh N. J. Vols.

" Camp near Falmouth, Dec. 23d, 1862.

" It is with feelings of pride that I congratulate you on your
bearing on all the hard marches of the past campaign, and par-
ticularly on the bravery and gallantry you displayed on the field
of battle before the heights of Fredericksburg. I would say to
those of you who were under that galling picket-fire, when the
eyes of thousands of our comrades were upon you, and like old

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 29

veterans stood the raging storm of battle, not only holding, but
gaining ground — I would say you deserve _my warmest praise.

"We sorrow over the remains of our gallant dead who fell by
our side, and sympathize with their loved ones at home, trusting
that God will bear them up in their bereavement. We have before
us the consoling fact that they died as brave soldiers, fighting for
their country. And that those of our day and posterity will do
them justice.

" To the wounded I would say, bear up under your afflictions
with the cherished hope that in the providence of God you will
soon be able to join us, and assist in more successful encounters
to put down the rebellion and restore peace to our land.

"E. McAllisteb,

" John Schoonovee, " Col. Commanding.

"Adjt."

When the regiment crossed the river to the battle-field,
Thaddeus 0. Doane, of Company B, accompanied it, although he
was a very sick man at the time. His condition grew steadily
worse, yet he kept with his company. On the night of the
15th, when the regiment re-crossed the river, he was unable to
accompany it and was left on the field. Next day, however, he
in some way managed to get over and to the hospital, where he
spent weeks of suffering, battling with typhoid fever. He
eventually recovered, but never fully regained his health.

We settled down in the old camp with the intention of mak-
ing it a permanent winter quarters, and I think that few antici-
pated a change until the spring campaign should open. We
were situated near the center of the army, conveniently to be
sent either to the right or left, as the exigencies of the service
might demand, close to Brooke's Station, then a field depot of
supply for the army. In fact, thinking that our position would
remain unchanged for at least a few months, many of the men
began the construction of rather elaborate quarters. They forgot
that one of the greatest essentials to a soldier's comfort in winter
was day by day becoming more scarce — that was, an ample sup-
ply of fuel. It required from a hundred and fifty to two hun-

30 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

dred tires to a regiment for the purpose of warmth and cooking.
This number, multiplied by the number of regiments in a
brigade, division and corps, called for the const if a vast

quantity of wood, and forests near an encampr ppeared

as if by magic.

It was the intention of the Quartermaster to have the camps
supplied with fuel by the teams, but owing to the bad state of
the roads they were kept busy hauling other supplies, barely
enough being hauled to supply the cooks and officers. As a
consequence, the men had to carry the wood for their private
fires or suffer from the cold. That was no hardship so long as
the forests were near, but when all within easy reach had been
cut down, it became a heavy burden.

The stumps first left by the inexperienced soldiers presented
a comical appearance to the skilled woodsman. Many of the
boys had had but little experience in felling trees, and their first
attempt would result in leaving stumps standing from two to
three feet high, depending upon the height of the chopper.
But the high stumps formed a desirable aftermath, for when
standing trees began to grow scarce, they were subject to a second
chopping, so that by the time the soldiers were done with them
but little remained above ground.

As the forests would not move nearer the troops, it seemed
necessary to move the troops to the forests. So on January 3d,
1863, the division was moved to a wooded ridge on the Fitz-
hugh estate, three miles below Falmouth.

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 31

Chapter IV.

Camp Fitzhugh— First Winter Quarters.

JFEhe site selected for the new camp was on a timbered hill-
-*- side, admirably located for drainage, and also well adapted
to give the men a sufficiency of exercise in cleaning away the
growth that obstructed the company streets, which were laid out
up and down the hill, while the tents of the officers occupied the
top of the ridge.

With few tools, and less experience, the men endeavored to
construct habitations that would partially secure them from the
winds and storms of winter. The styles of architecture were
varied with the dispositions or skill of the builder. Some who
were skilled in the use of the axe builded for themselves log
cabins, which, if not sightly, were at least comparatively com-
fortable. Others, with either less skill or energy, dug square
pits, and placed a log or two around the top to retain an embank-
ment sufficient to throw off the water. In either case shelter-
tents formed the roof.

On January 5th, the division to which the Eleventh belonged
was reviewed by General Burnside and others. Nothing again
broke the routine of camp duties until the 20th of January,
when the regiment received marching orders. At one o'clock
P. M. it started in the direction of United States ford on the
Rappahannock. After marching about three miles it was ordered
to halt and await orders. About 9 P. M., in the midst of a
pouring rain, orders were received to return to camp.

Morning brought no abatement of the storm, but, notwith-
standing, eight o'clock found the division again in motion, fairly
started on what will ever be known as Burnside's " Mud March."
Ten miles were made that day over roads that were neither land
nor water, but the most contemptible conglomeration that it was
ever the fate of men to wade through. Seldom was it less than

32 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

shoe-top deep, and occasionally the men would sink nearly to
their knees. It was useless to seek for solid ground, for there
was none. The ten hours of rain that bad preceded the move-
ment had turned the ordinarily good roads into sluiceways of
mud, in which wagons and artillery became so deeply mired
that two and three times the usual number of animals could drag
them only at a snail's-pace, and in many instances they had to
be temporarily abandoned. The infantry took to the fields, but
they found them but little better than the highways. After
floundering along for ten miles, a comparatively firm spot was
found and bivouac made for the night.

The regiment rested until noon of the 22d, when it, with the
rest of the brigade, was ordered out to build corduroy roads,
that the artillery and pontoons might return to camp. That
work was continued on the 23d until noon, when orders were
received to return to camp, which was reached a little after
dark.

One of the results of the march was the replenishing of the
hospital fund from the fines imposed on the stragglers. Every
piece of woodland along the line of march was filled with those
who had become tired of trying to force their way along the
almost impassable roads, and had ordered a halt for themselves.
The Eleventh Regiment furnished its full share of those who
halted without orders, and after the movement had been
abandoned, and the regiment was once more reposing in its old
camp, the stragglers were called out in front of the regiment to
hear their punishment, which consisted of fines of from four to
ten dollars. No individual had need to feel lonesome — com-
panions enough were there to keep him in countenance.

As the experience of one straggler was perhaps typical of all
I will give that of myself. The writer was one of eight from
Company E who, when about seven miles out, became weary
and halted by the wayside. We had reached an attractive
piece of woodland, and concluded that it would be a good place
to rest. We, at first, had no thought of remaining away from
the regiment over night, but becoming convinced that the move-

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 33

merit must prove a failure, and that the return of the regiment
would be but a matter of a few hours, concluded to await it.

On the morning of the 22d it was proposed to follow on and
overtake the regiment, but rumors reached us that the army was
on its way back, and soon troops began to pass our bivouac.
All day long and far into the night we kept a sharp lookout for
the Second Division, but it did not come. In the meantime our
provisions had become exhausted, with the exception of a well-
filled haversack belonging to Lieutenant Newberry, which the
writer had been carrying. Some of the party proposed eating
what was in that, but the writer would not consent, dreading the
wrath of Newberry more than the punishment he was likely to
receive for straggling. So, with gnawings of hunger, we lay
down to sleep. In the night, however, Gilbert, who was one of
the party, helped himself to a portion of the Lieutenant's grub.
Finding in the morning that the haversack had been despoiled
of a portion of its contents, and the craving for something to eat
being pretty strong, scruples were thrown aside and the remains
shared and eaten.

About noon the head of the division came in sight. We
made inquiries and found that the regiment was but a short dis-
tance behind. Thinking to beat it into camp, we started on a
short cut. But, alas ! for human calculations. Scarcely had we
left the shelter of the wood when the mounted Provost captured
us and marched us to General Patrick's headquarters. There
our names and commands were taken, after which — the party
having been recruited to a respectable size — we were forwarded
under guard to the headquarters of General Sickles. He, with
a generous allowance for the weakness of human nature and the
trying circumstances, laughed at us and ordered us sent to our
camps, which we reached a day or two later than the regiment.
After a lecture from the Colonel and a promise of punishment,
we were dismissed to our companies. There, about the first man
met by the writer was Newberry, who greeted him with : " Oh
you rascal ! If I could have caught you that first night out, I

34

THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

would have almost killed you." He had cause to be angry, for
he had been compelled to go among the boys and beg his supper.
Though the mud-march led to no battle, and consequently to
no battle-losses, yet the loss of life that ultimately resulted was
as great as that brought about by many actions. The long eX-

Major John T. Hill.

posure to the severe storm, the wearing of wet clothing day
after day, and sleeping upon the sodden ground, laid the founda-
tion of diseases that carried off many and made physical wrecks
of many others.

Both men and officers were called upon to perform the most
severe labor in corduroying roads, prying guns, wagons and

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 35

pontoons out of the sloughs in which they were deeply mired.
But, despite every effort, much valuable material had to be
destroyed or abandoned ; scores of mules were so deeply mired
in the blue clay that it was impossible to extricate them, and
they were either shot or cruelly left to their fate. One writer,
speaking of the loss of animal life, says that " for months
afterward, when going that route on picket, the smell from the
decaying bodies was almost unendurable."

As has been stated, the regiment reached its old camp on the
evening of the 23d, but the men were so nearly exhausted that
they made no effort to put up tents that night, but wearily threw
themselves on their roofless bunks and slept the sleep of the ex-
hausted. On the 24th, tents were again stretched over the
stockades, and the boys set about repairing the damages that had
occurred during their absence.

The Adjutant, who enjoyed a little merriment occasionally,
did not even permit the somber environments of the " Mud
March " to stand in the way of perpetrating a joke upon the
medical staff of the regiment. It came to his knowledge that
the Hospital Steward, Geo. T. Kibble, afterward Assistant Sur-
geon of the regiment, had engineered, with the permission and
connivance of the two Assistant Surgeons, the capture and
slaughter of a fine young animal which had been discovered by
a forager somewhere in the vicinity of the camp. Schoonover,
who was somewhat of a penman, wrote the following order :

" Col. Robt. McAllister, " Headquabtees Case's Beigade.

" Commanding Eleventh N. J. Vols. ;
" Colonel — It has been reported to these headquarters that a
fine young cow, the property of a poor widow living near by, was
taken from an enclosure last evening by a party in charge of the
Hospital Steward of your regiment, driven into the woods and
slaughtered: As this was in violation of existing orders, you will
cause a thorough investigation to be made at once, and report the
facts in the case to these headquarters.

" By command of
" LeGband Benedict, Bbig.-Gen. Jos. B. Caee.

"A. A. Gen."

36 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

Repairing to the Surgeon's tent, he read the order with un-
ruffled countenance, and it is useless to add that it was listened
to with profound consternation. In their seeming sad plight,
they made an earnest appeal to the Adjutant to devise some
means of extrication from their dilemma. After roasting them
on the gridiron of anxiety for an hour or more, the " cat was
let out of the bag," and so great was their joy at the happy turn
of affairs that they offered no violence to the perpetrator of the
joke.

About this time candles had become a scarce article, and the
men had either to content themselves with the glare of pine
knots or, remembering the lessons learned at home, procure
tallow and make their own penny-dips; this many of them did.

Sunday, January 25th, brigade inspection was held ; the day
was clear, but very cold. The 27th brought rain, and what was
more welcome, a visit from the paymaster. Much of the money
was sent to families and friends in the north, by Colonel Cook,
but the sutler, as usual, profited immensely by the coming of
pay-day. The men becoming tired of the sameness of govern-
ment rations — pork, beef, beans, and bread without butter — for a
few days after receiving their money would live on sutler's
goods, regardless of the high prices charged for them. Butter
cost, then, 60 cents per pound; cheese, 40 cents; canned goods,
from $1.00 to $1.25 per quart can; condensed milk, 75 cents
for sizes that now sell for 10 cents, and other goods in propor-
tion. It can readily be seen that the small pay of the private
soldier did not allow a long indulgence in the luxuries of the
sutler's tent. The system of giving orders upon the sutler that
prevailed was a temptation to the men to spend more than they
otherwise would have done. Each man was allowed orders
upon the sutler for a certain amount per month. These were
countersigned by the First Sergeant or some line offieer. When
pay-day came, the sutler would repair to the paymaster's tent
and, as the men received their money, collect the amounts called
for by the orders. There was seldom any friction, the men pay-

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 37

ing up willingly, and thus establishing a credit unlil next pay-
day.

The weather became cold on the night of the 27th, and the
rain turned to snow, which continued to fall during the 28th
until the ground was covered to the depth of a foot. The 29th
brought sunshine and warmth, and the snow melted rapidly,
making the roads again almost impassable. At this period the
supplies for the army of the Potomac were landed, either at
Aquia Creek or Belle Plains. If at Aquia Creek, they could
be brought by rail over the Fredericksburg and Aquia Creek
Railroad to Brooke's Station. But from Belle Plains they had
to be teamed to their various destinations. And notwithstand-
ing the fact that an immense amount of corduroying was done,
during a great part of the winter the roads were in such bad
condition that the work of cartage was very heavy on both teams
and teamsters.

The monotony of camp was not to remain long unbroken.
On the evening of February 2d we received orders to be ready
to move in light marching order at six the next morning. We
were to carry three days' rations and sixty rounds of ammuni-
tion. The expedition consisted of six regiments of infantry, five
batteries of artillery and two regiments of cavalry. The object
of the expedition was to destroy bridges built by the enemy
across the upper Rappahannock. The march began at the ap-
pointed time in the midst of a blinding snowstorm. The move-
ment was attended with no fighting by us. But it tested
pretty sorely the endurance and discipline of the troops who
participated in it. Subjoined is a letter from " Quill," giving a
spirited account of the movement.

" Camp below Falmouth, February 9th, 1863.

" On Saturday afternoon the Eleventh Regiment returned to
camp from their second march above Falmouth, having experi-
enced greater hardships than often fall to the lot of soldiers on
similar expeditions.

' ' The order was received late on Wednesday night to provide
three days' cooked rations, and be ready at six the next morning
for special service.

38 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

"Accordingly, the cooks were aroused, and kept their fires
burning and meat boiling all night, while the camp was far from
being as quiet as usual.

"At six A. M. the regiment, in light marching trim, was formed
on the parade-ground, under command of Lieutenant- Colonel
Moore — Colonel McAllister being away on leave — and soon re-
ceived marching orders, when it proceeded to brigade head-
quarters, and, joining the brigade, marched off in the direction of
' up the river.' It was soon apparent that the whole division —
Sickles' — was included in the movement, and subsequently we were
joined by two crack regiments of cavalry and three batteries of
artillery, including Beam's Newark Battery.

" The air was exceedingly cold, and a light dry snow was fall-
ing.

" The troops marched rapidly forward until they reached the
extreme picket-line of our forces on the right, where our brigade
came to a halt and the Second New Jersey Brigade passed
through.

" Many friends were recognized and congratulations exchanged,
and the opportunity was soon after again afforded by oar passing
through the New Jersey Brigade.

" This movement was not understood, however, and our pro-
gress was rendered quite slow by its indulgence.

" The weather had now changed somewhat, and rain and sleet
took the place of snow, but was not so well received.

" During the halts, which were many, the soldiers sought repose
on the snow-covered ground, as the march had now become quite
severe, and the wet and icy garments and blankets were far from
adding comfort to ' the within.'

" About five P. M. the expedition came to a halt and camped
for the night in a wood on the Warrenton road, a little way be-
yond Hortwood church.

" A drizzling rain fell all night and rendered the condition of
the soaked and chilled men truly miserable.

"Huge fires were made, and such shelters as green boughs
could afford were erected, but little rest or sleep, however, could
be obtained, and a whiskey ration, which was given out at mid-
night, found all awake to receive it. The old regiments from the

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 3£

Peninsula admitted that they had never experienced so much
exposure.

" The roll-call showed that the Eleventh had only two stragglers
on this march, which was a highly gratifying circumstance to the
commanding officer, who, at the outset, had made a few remarks
in which he hoped that the men of the Eleventh would not be-
found lagging on the march. It is doubtful if any other regiment
could show so clean a record.

"At six the next morning the expedition was again on foot, and
after a march of about four miles the division was divided and
stationed a short distance from . the Rappahannock, in positions'
selected by Gen. Carr, who was in command of the reconnoissance.

"The Eleventh New Jersey and First Massachusetts were
placed in a wood on a hillside on the right, with instructions to-
make as little noise as possible, keep small fires and be ready for
service at a moment's notice.

" The First Massachusetts being in command of the Lieutenant-
Colonel who was out-ranked by Lieutenant-Colonel Moore, the
latter was in command of the movements in our vicinity until
relieved by the Colonel of the Massachusetts regiment, who ap-
peared during the day.

" The weather continued remarkably stormy until near night,
when it cleared off and became quite cold.

"Another uncomfortable night was passed near the camp-fires,,
the men vainly endeavoring to keep warm with their single
blankets. The roads froze up solid, and when the order came to
march on the return at early dawn, good progress was made for
some hours.

" No war music was heard, and though it was said that the
object of the expedition was accomplished, the men did not feel
that they had performed any great feat, save in the exhibition of
their powers of endurance.

" The march back to camp, so auspiciously begun, proved a very
exhaustive one. An hour was lost early in the day waiting for
another brigade, and so old ' Sol ' soon got to work on the roads,
rendering them very heavy. The loss of that golden hour was
severely felt.

" The regiments all reached their quarters about four o'clock in.
the afternoon, but there was little stamina left in the men, as they

40 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

were pushed through the mud at a pace awfully shocking to weak
muscles. Never did a camp seem so much like home than when
it was reached, after that tedious march and unusual exposure to
the pitiless storms of mid-winter.

" We were informed by an order from the General commanding
the division that the object of the movement was fully accom-
plished, and that the participators were entitled to the highest
praise for the uncomplaining manner in which they performed a
fatiguing march and suffered exposure to the severest storms of
winter."

The cause of the movement was an attempted crossing of the
river by a body of the enemy's cavalry. They had constructed
a bridge and were about to cross, when they were met and re-
pulsed by the Union cavalry. They made the second attempt,
reinforced by a column of infantry, but were met by such a de-
termined fire that they gave up the attempt. The bridge was
destroyed and the expedition returned to camp.

On the return to camp, a ration of whiskey and a loaf of soft
bread — making the third since November — revived somewhat
the drooping spirits of the men.

On the 13th the regiment was ordered on picket ten miles
away. Rations were issued before daylight, but when the " bard
tack " came to be examined beneath the searching light of day
they were found to be a curious but not very palatable combina-
tion of bread and meat, and the meat had not been killed. But
as the men could not afford to be fastidious, they made the best
of it, and picking out the larger " animals," shut their eyes to
the smaller.

February 25th, snow again to about a foot in depth, making
the roads almost impassable.

On Sunday, March 1st, a wagon loaded with boxes from home
became mired about a mile from camp, but the men, to make
sure of their delicacies, carried the boxes the rest of the distance.

On March 12th the regiment was again sent out on picket; it
reached the lines and relieved the old pickets about noon.
Those not on immediate duty busied themselves in building

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 41

shelters of brush and collecting wood for the camp-fires, for the
«ir was yet piercing enough to remind us that winter was still
lingering.

An alarm in the night called all to arms, and a report that a
large body of the enemy's cavalry was hovering near kept all
on the qui vive until daylight.

It was ascertained afterward that the alarm was not entirely a
groundless one, for a body of the rebel cavalry had passed
swiftly to the north of us, fallen upon Fairfax Court House,
captured Brigadier-General Stoughton and a portion of his
brigade, and esca, ed before the troops in that vicinity fully
realized what had occurred.

During the early part of the evening considerable excitement
was caused on the reserve post by a conflagration which for a
few minutes lit up the gloom of the forest.

Captain Halsey, of Company E, had caused to be erected a
rather commodious shelter of pine boughs, which was fronted
by a roaring fire of logs. Upon a bed of soft "Virginia
feathers " the Captain lay, drinking in large draughts of soldier's
comfort, when suddenly the resinous boughs around and above
him went up in a blaze of glory, and it was not without diffi-
culty that the Captain escaped a burning. Some mischievous
soldier had slyly touched a brand to the inflammable material,
and consequently tne Captain was left without a shelter.

Camp-life was not without its pleasures and its humors. The
days, although reasonably full of duties, left many idle hours to
be spent as the inclinations of the men might dictate and cir-
cumstances permit. Groups would form and talk over matters
current, or past, or speculate on. the probabilites of the future.

Gambling was contrary to orders, yet card-playing was a
favorite pastime with many, so much so that a pack of cards
became known as a " soldier's testament." Bluff or poker was
•the favorite game, and it was not always played for beans, for
the money-stakes were often sufficiently high to make the game
intensely interesting to the participants. Others spent their idle

42

THE ELEVENTH BEGIMENT,

hours with such literature as was obtainable in camp or con-
veniently forwarded by mail.

The readers, though perhaps not in the majority, constituted
a large proportion of the men of the Eleventh. Books and
periodicals would be passed from hand to hand until worn-out

Brevet Major Charles F. Gage.

with use or a move of the army compelled their abandonment.
During the winter of '63 and '64, when at Brandy Station,
Miss Anna Veghte, then of Stockton, Hunterdon county, N". J.,
among other things, sent the writer two years' numbers of
the old "Knickerbocker Magazine." They were kept in con-
stant circulation through the company and regiment until the

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 43

breaking of camp, on May 4th, 1864, compelled their abandon-
ment.

There were many convivial spirits among the brave men of
the Eleventh, and the magnet of congeniality drew them into
associations for pleasure and profit. One such was organized
among the line officers during the winter of '62 and '63. And
as they were largely a part of the regiment, the constitution and
by-laws of that organization (which is subjoined) becomes a part
of the regiment's history :

■" Constitution and By-Laws of the Independent Oedee of Tbumps.

" Preamble.

" We, the undersigned free-born citizens of the United States,
-and other villages, feeling that a necessity exists for the universal
development of mind, and muscle, hereby unite ourselves in a
'genial brotherhood, that is to say,

" ' We're a band of brothers,'
having for its and our object the physical and mental welfare of
man and woman, and circumstances at large, do bind ourselves
by the following constitution and by-laws, being resolved to acquit
■ourselves like men, and other things.

" Name.

" The name, style and title of this association is and shall be,
■* The Independent Order of Trumps.'

" Officers.

"The officers shall consist of a Grand Salaam, Right-Bower,
Left-Bower, Drink-All, Eat-All, Smoke-All, Judge-Advocate and
Door-Tender, who shall be elected at each meeting of the Order.

" Qualifications for Membership.

" Any white citizen who has risen above the scum of the earth,
by virtue of holding a piece of sheepskin parchment, be it com-
mission or warrant, shall be eligible to membership in this Order,

U THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

save always those of loose moral character, such as Chaplains,
Colonels, or senior Captains commanding. But no person shall
be admitted or initiated into the mysteries and unwritten customs-
of the Order unless he, she or them shall produce in the presence
of the Grand Salaam a box, or an authorized express certificate
that a box is on the way and near at hand.

"Duties of Officers.

" It will be the duty of the G. S. to preside at all meetings and
preserve order, if possible, in which he will be assisted by the
Bowers Right and Left, who will be habitually posted on the right
and left of the G. S. The duties of the Bowers will be to assist
the G. S. and mediate between him and the members of the
order. The duty of the Drink-All will be to test the quality and
take note of the quantity of fluids on their arrival in the boxes of
members and report to the Order, so that no swigging can take
place unbeknownst to the members at large. The duty of the
Eat-All will be in a like manner to test the solids contained in
said boxes and make a written report. The duty of the Smoke-
All will be to test all cigars, cheroots, Long Nines, Short Sixes,,
grape-vines, Three-for-a-Cent, Half Spanish and Principes ; like-
wise all Nail-Bod, Nigger-Head, Fine-Cut, Turkish, Cavendish,
Killikinnick, Mrs. Miller's Solace, American Boy, Benecia Boy,
Yankee Blade, and other tobaccos, smoking, chewing and snuffing,
together with hasheesh, opium and other somnolents, and report
in manner and form specified. The duty of Judge-Advocate will
be to act as general blower for the order, cuss in members, serve
as counsel, pro and con, on all cases, questions and candidates for
membership, render judgment as to the size, weight and proba-
bilities of boxes in the perspective, making full report at every
meeting. The duty of the Door-Tender will be to knock down
and drag out (when decided to be necessary by the G. S.) all re-
fractory and unruly members, and administer castigation to those
who offend by secreting boxes for private enjoyment, to keep out
all stragglers, Morganize all spies, informers, cowards and eaves-
droppers, and carry out the dead men and old soldiers.

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS 45-

" Meetings.

" Meetings shallbe held frequently, at such times as the arrival
of boxes shall warrant, and at such places as the G-. S. may indi-
cate.

"By-Laws.

" 1. The G. S. may be deposed on being prolonged in his refusal
to treat members to the ' ardent.'

" 1£. At all meetings strict order will be observed, and the mem-
bers will conduct themselves with decorum. Drinking, eating,
smoking and chewing will be considered decorum.

" 2. Each member is expected to wear his Sunday clothes, and
bring his own spoon

" 3. A student from an oyster cellar will be provided to open
crackers.

" 3£. Any member receiving a box will immediately notify the
E. A., D. A. and S. A., under pain of being hurt.

" 4. Three shutters and two tent-flies will be provided to carry
off members who may become weak in the knees.

" 5. Three cheers only will be given at one time.

"6. On no occasion of public ceremonies will music be allowed
other tban Dodsworth's brass band, sixty pieces, in white pants.

" 7. At all parades in public the purses found on the line of
March will be religiously appropriated towards paying the band
(sixty pieces).

" 8. On public occasions the band (sixty pieces) will provide its
own supper.

" 9. The hour for assemblage will be early candle-light.

" 10. At all public suppers of the order, the following bill of fare
will be provided :

" First Course — Soups.

" Clam Soup, Eazor Soup, Ham Soup, and small white bean soup
in which one bean, carefully mashed, will be placed.

" Second Course — Roasts.

" Roast Peanuts, Roast Pig-Tail, Roast Clams, Roast Ham, Roast
Potatoes, and Roast Cow.

46 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

" Third Course — Entrees.

" Clams, Eaked Apples, Alamode Mandrakes, Yams, Tarts, Tarry-
town Stew, Herring Point, Oat Meal Cakes, B. C. Crakers, Steamed
•Onions, Pickled Eels' Feet, Soldiers' Buttons, and Turtles' Eggs.

" Fourth Course — Fruits.
" Clams, Ground Apples, Persimmons, Strawberries, Duck Weed,
Eine-Cut, Greens.

"Fifth Course — Nuts.
"Clams, Hickory Nuts, Beach Nuts, Peanuts, Pig Nuts, Peacan
Nuts, Brazil Nuts, Peach Pits, Apple Seeds, Walnuts, Horse
-Chestnuts, and Amsterdam Nuts.

" Sixth Course — Pastry.
" Clam Pie, Shad Apple Pie Horse Radish Custard, Milk Pie,
"Union Buttered Sandwiches, Red Flannel and Turnip Pie a la
Mode Mince, and Mush and Milk.

" Seventh Course — Wines and Liquors.

" Clam Juice, Brandy and Water, Whiskey, Monongahela Rye,
Apple and Bourbon, Buttermilk Whey, Lemonade, Lime Juice,
■Claret, Champagne, Gin, Bock Beer, Mead, Vinegar (vintage 1810),
•Cider, Port, Rhine Wine, Lager Beer, Ale, White of Egg and
Molasses. No side dishes allowed.

"11. Fines will be imposed by the G. S. as follows: For being
absent from a regular meeting, 1 pint whiskey ; for non-reception
of box in one month, } gallon whiskey ; for disorder and diso-
bedience of G. S., 1 bunch cigars ; for refusing drink to brother
member, 1 bottle Otard ; for failing to divide contents of box, 10
kegs lager beer.

"11£. Under no circumstances shall there be any appeal from
the decision of the Grand Salaam.

" lit- Sutlers who are distinguished members when elected
shall do their duty in the matter of boxes, and shall not charge
three prices. This Society assumes to regulate all sutlers, and
though it takes no commission on sales, requires the recognition
■of its rights as a vast brotherhood.

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 47

" 12. No article of the above constitution or by-laws shall be
altered or repealed, unless a motion to that effect has been made
and carried."

As I have not a correct roll of the members of the above
association I will not append any names ; but I think the style
of composition will betray the author to nearly every old member
of the regiment.

Although much attention was paid to personal cleanliness and
the sanitary condition of the camp, yet much sickness prevailed
during the winter and early spring, and the regimental surgeons
found plenty of work in the field hospital. Bowel troubles and
typhoid fever were the most prevalent diseases, owing, no doubt,
not so much to unaccustomed exposure as to the contamination
of the water used for camp purposes. The source of water-
supply was generally running streams, and these, running close
to many camps, no doubt gathered up and spread the germs of
disease. The deaths from disease in the field hospital during the
winter and spring numbered nineteen, twelve of which were from
typhoid fever. The deaths from all causes from the time of
organization until the commencement of the Chancellorsville
campaign had been fifty-one. Three had been killed in battle.
Disease had, therefore, up to May 1st, 1863, taken forty-eight
of our number.

On March 30th, the Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Eighth and
Eleventh New Jersey Regiments were again sent to the picket-
line. About eleven o'clock that night it began snowing, and
continued until nine o'clock the next morning.

At that time our picket-line was about eight miles from camp,
and a tour of duty continued three days. The performance
of duty was pleasant enough in fine weather, but March of '63
was unusually stormy, snow falling at times to the depth of a
foot. Walking a picket-beat under such conditions was not very
agreeable. Fortunately there was an abundance of wood, so
that when not upon post, the men could make themselves quite
comfortable.

43 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

Near midnight on the 31st, an alarm called all to arms, and
during the remainder of the night the companies took turns in
standing to their guns. Soon after daylight the booming of
cannon to the right told that a brisk action was in progress — in
the direction of Dumphries. The enemy had attempted to
pierce the picket-line, but were driven back with the loss of
several prisoners.

On April 2d the regiment returned to camp and resumed
the old routine of drill. On the evening of the 3d, Colonel
McAllister was serenaded by the band of the Eleventh Massa-
chusetts.

Sunday, the 5tb, brought snow again to the depth of seven
inches. As a consequence, there was exemption from drill on
Monday.

Just at nightfall on the 7th, President Lincoln, accompanied '
by General Hooker and others, rode past the camp.

On April &th the Army of the Potomac was reviewed by
President Lincoln, Secretary Seward and the general officers of
the army. The review was held on the plain above Falmouth,
and special care had been taken to prepare the ground for it.
Stumps had been removed, gullies filled and the ground care-
fully staked out, so that no confusion might ensue. Nearly one
hundred thousand men passed in review. They looked able to
meet any emergency.

It was a magnificent sight. War at its best, in holiday attire
— glitter of guns in the sunlight, waving of flags in the breeze,
light, quick steps to the stirring music of bands, prancing of
horses and sparkle of buttons and lace. But it was an army
preparing for great deeds, nerving itself for heroic deaths.

The 9th of April ushered in a beautiful day, and also orders
for the regiment to proceed once more to the picket-line.

Several of the picket-posts were near a couple of farm-houses,
one of them occupied by a Union man, a former Pennsylvanian,
who had two daughters attending school in Philadelphia. The
surroundings looked comfortable and home- like. As the farmer
was busy threshing with the flail, some of the men, who had not

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 49

forgotten how to swing the " hungry club/' amused themselves
by helping him. The other house was occupied by a rebel, over
whom a strict watch was kept, as he had been detected making
signals to the enemy with lights.

A number of deserters came into the regimental picket-line,
one of whom said that he was tired of waiting for his breakfast
until he had gone to the river and caught it.

The river being not far away, some of the men went down to
the shore and held conversation with members of the Ninth
Alabama, doing duty on the other side.

The regiment returned to camp on the 12th, and instead of
drill on the 13th it had target practice.

The orders of the 14th clearly indicated an early move. Eight
days' rations were issued, three to be carried in haversacks and
five in knapsacks. Blankets and dress-coats were turned into
quartermaster's department, and each man received an extra pair
of shoes. In addition to all this, one hundred and twenty rounds
of ammunition were issued per man.

Another indication was the frequent reviews and inspections.
On the 16th General Carr made a personal inspection of the
brigade to see that each man had his supply of rations and am-
munition. The paymaster made a very welcome appearance the
following day and gave the regiment four months' pay, paying
up to March 1st, '63. A large amount of the money received
was sent to the homes of the soldiers, Colonel Cook, the State
agent, being on hand to receive it.

About this time considerable amusement was afforded by a
game of base-ball played between nines led by Captains Martin
and Logan, with Lieutenant J. C. Baldwin as umpire. Below
is the score :

50

THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

. Capt. Martin's Side.

1

• 1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1

2

'l
1
1
1
2
1
1
1

3

1
1

4

1
1
1

1
1
1

5

1
1
1

1

1

6

7

8

9

RUNS

OUTS.

Capt. L. Martin, . . .
Adj. J Schoonover,
Lieut. W. S Provost, . .
Lieut. A Beach,
Lieut. E. S. E. Newberry,
Lieut. S Leighton,
Capt. W. H Meeker,
Lieut. J. Souter,
Lieut. J. F. Buckley,

1

'l
1

1

1
1

1

1

'l

4
6
4
2
4
6
5
5
4

4
2
3
3
3
3
4
2
3

Totals, . . ....

9 1 9

2

6

5

4

4

1

40

27

Capt.

Logan's Side.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

RUNS.

OUTS.

Capt. D. B. Logan, . .
Lieut. J. H. Oldershaw, .
Capt. T. J. Halsey, . . .
Lieut. A. H. Ackerman, .

Sergt -Major Mount, . .
Drum Major Durant,

1
1

1

1
1

1

1

1

1

1
1

1
1
1

1

1

4
2
1

1
4
2

4
3
2
3
4
3
3
3
2

Totals, ...

2

3

1

2

3

4

15

27

During our early experience candidates for promotion as non-
commissioned officers were pat through an examination as to
their qualifications for the position. The custom afterwards fell
into disuse. At best, it was but a mere form, the examination
being very superficial, as the following report of one will show :

William Hand, of Company B, being awakened one night
from a sound sleep, was told to report immediately at the
Colonel's tent. He hastened to obey, wondering what he had
been doing, but could not think of any misdemeanor or breach
of discipline of which he had been guilty. Reaching the tent
he found it occupied by several staff and line officers. He was
told to be seated, and was then asked where he had received his
education. He answered, "At a common country school."

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 51

"Ever at college?" "No." "Can you read?" "Yes."
" Let us hear you read ? " He took a book and read a page or
two. " Can you write ? " " Yes." " Let's see you write."
He copied a page of the book from which he had been reading.
He was then asked if he knew anything of Geography. He
answered, "A little." " Grammar ? " " No." " What, never
studied grammar ! " " Oh, yes," he answered, " I studied it
for several years, and recited it to the satisfaction of the teacher,
but I never learned any of it." All the time he was wishing
they would tackle him on arithmetic — he was at home there — but
it was not mentioned. After a few more questions in regard to
military tactics he was dismissed. After returning to his
quarters he learned that he had been recommended for the
position of Fifth Sergeant, to which he was soon afterward
promoted.

Among the few who received furloughs during the winter was
a member of Company B, whom we will call " Joe." He was a
famous fisherman when at home, and whether longing for a mess
of fresh fish or not I do not know, but he was certainly very
anxious for a furlough. Captain Meeker made application for
him, but in the meantime orders came for the army to move,
and all such papers were held at headquarters. The move proved
to be the " mud- march." On returning to camp "Joe" became
very importunate about his furlough, questioning his officers so
continually that they became weary of it and forbade his saying
anything more about it. He got the impression that his com-
pany officers did not want him to go home. Finding little
sympathy in his own company, he made a confidant of " Cap.
Smith," of Company I. Smith was an incorrigible joker, and
was never so happy as, when opportunity offered, to get the
laugh on some one. He was very sympathetic, and advised
" Joe," as his Captain would take no interest in the matter,
to write direct to the President. As "Joe" could not write,
Smith volunteered to do it for him. Of course the letter never
reached President Lincoln. In course of time " Joe's " furlough
came, properly approved, and he started home, highly elated

62

THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

with the thought of having outwitted Captain Meeker. While
at home, and just before starting to rejoin his regiment, he went
fishing and caught a fine lot of smelts. He sorted out a basket
of the finest of them, and on reaching "Washington took them to
the White House. When relating the circumstance to the boys,

Chaplain K. Clarke Cline.

after his return, they asked him if he saw the President. He
said no ; he left the fish with a man at the door, and told him
the President would know whom they were from, for he had
granted him a furlough when his Captain refused it !

The wood kept getting farther and farther away from camp,
until at last it was necessary to carry it nearly a mile. As a con-

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 53

equence the men would sometimes allow their supply to get so
nearly exhausted that an extra cold snap would set them to
hustling for a fresh supply. This occurred one cold night to
" Bully " and his tentmates. They could not go to the distant for-
sest, and wood must be had for morning. Who should go on the
skirmish for a supply? They decided to draw cuts, and the lot
fell to " Bully." He knew that there was a plentiful supply
around the officers' tents, but the thing was to get it without
being caught. After some thought he decided to try the chap-
lain's pile, thinking no doubt that if caught there the chaplain
would be more lenient than the other officers. He found a large
white-oak log beside the chaplain's tent and proceeded to shoulder
it. Before he could do so, however, the chaplain appeared and
offered to assist him, thinking no doubt to shame him from
taking it. But as "Bully" wanted wood pretty badly, and
already had it partly on his shoulder, he accepted the chaplain's
assistance, and walked off with it. The chaplain must have been
completely paralyzed at the man's audacity, for he never men-
tioned the matter.

Governor Joel Parker being on a visit to the front, and five
regiments of New Jersey troops being in the Second division of
the Third Corps, a review of the division was held in his honor
on Sunday, the 26th. In the evening he visited the camp of
the Eleventh, which had been decorated with evergreens in
anticipation of his coming. He was greeted with three cheers,
and on leaving, at the instance of Captain Halsey, three were
given for little Jersey. The religious services in the evening
were enlivened by the singing of a young lady who visited the
camp with her father. A. B. Searing says " some of the boys
wished to see her safely home, but our good old Colonel was so
very gallant that he gave no one else a chance to play the agree-
able."

On April 27th the entire corps was reviewed by General
Sickles, Secretary Seward, Lord Lyons, and other distinguished
officers.

54 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

Before entering into an account of the stirring scenes that the
spring and summer of '63 ushered in it will be well to take a
retrospective glance.

The regiment's losses in battle up to this date had been but
three killed, and four wounded. But the change from the com-
forts of home to the roughness and exposure of camp- life had
brought its penalty, and disease had claimed many victims*
Twenty-one had died of typhoid fever alone.

Up to May 1st, '63, the deaths from all causes aggregated 51.
A hundred and ten had been discharged for disability and
other causes, three had been transferred to regiments from which
they had deserted, and a hundred and five had been dropped
from the rolls as deserters. In addition to this nearly two hun-
dred were absent sick and on detached service, so that at the
opening of the campaign the lighting strength of the regiment
could have been but little more than five hundred.

The losses were not confined exclusively to the rank and file.
A number of the officers had resigned during the fall and early
spring : Major Valentine Mutchler on April 4th ; Surgeon
Young on February 5th ; Surgeon Byington on March 20th ;
Captain Stagg, of Company G, December 28th, '62 ; Lieutenant
Anderson, Company F, on November 14th, '62 ; Captain Willis,
Lieutenants O. B. Fausett and Vancleve, of Company C, on
March 6th, '63. Company C was thus left entirely without
officers, and Colonel McAllister facetiously called them the lost
children. Captain Grover, of Company F, was discharged on
November 16th, '62.

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 55

Chapter V-

Hooker Takes Command — Chancellorsville.

JTEhe command of the Army of the Potomac had been given
*- to General Hooker on January 26th, 1863, and though
the change gave rise to some jealousies in high quarters, it was
looked upon with great favor by the men. His brilliant deeds
upon the Peninsula had won for him the sobriquet of " Fighting
Joe," and the rank and file had the utmost confidence in his
ability and skill.

" He assumed command with confidence, but with distrust in
the good will of Halleck, his superior at Washington," and I
. may here say that that distrust was not confined to Hooker alone,
but was entertained by the majority of the rank and file, who
looked upon Halleck as a jealous marplot and wholly unfitted
for the position he held. Hooker at once set about an energetic
reorganization of the army; he broke up the grand divisions
and restored corps organizations. As soon as possible he set
about the correction of the many abuses that had crept in, and
paid special attention to the commissary and quartermaster's de-
partments. He found the army in a demoralized condition.
Desertions were numerous ; it has been stated that as high as two
hundred a day occurred.

The deserters and absentees were sufficient to have made a
large army. The system of granting furloughs and leaves was
revised ; orders were issued that no leave should be granted to an
officer of high rank except from headquarters ; only one field
and two line officers could be absent from a regiment at one
time, and only two enlisted men out of a hundred, and they
from those who had the best records.

This change no doubt was necessary, and perhaps worked well
in general, but to some it seemed unjust, for some of the men
selected to receive this especial reward of merit thought it well

56 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

to close their records while they were yet good, and failed to
return.

That was the case in Company E, of which the writer was a
member. Daniel Talmadge, chosen by Captain Halsey as the
most deserving man, concluded that " discretion was the better
part of valor," and not only failed to return, but the place that
then knew him as a citizen has since known him no more. As
a consequence no more furloughs were granted from Company
E during the winter.

The men in the ranks well knew that the frequent reviews
and inspections that were held during the spring of '63, the
drawing of extra rations and ammunition, indicated stirring
times. They were therefore not surprised when, on April 28th
at four P. M., they received orders to strike tents and be ready
to move at a moment's notice.

At six P. M. the order came to move. The line of march
was towards Franklin's Crossing, below Fredericksburg. The
march was continued until ten at night, when bivouac was
formed in a wooded ravine not far from the river. The after-
noon had brought a storm which continued through the night,
but notwithstanding no tents were pitched the men rolled
themselves in their blankets and slept as best they could.

At daylight on the 29th the regiment was astir, with orders
to be ready to move at seven o'clock. A short march brought
the regiment to near Franklin's Crossing, where it wenc into
bivouac in a wood and remained the rest of the day and follow-
ing night. Tents were pitched at night, as the rain continued
without any sign of abatement.

About noon on the 30th the command again fell in and
marched by a circuitous route back toward the old camp, which
was passed at half-past one. Keeping well back from the river,
and taking advantage of ravines and by-ways to escape the
observation of the enemy, the march continued until twelve
o'clock at night, when a halt was made about four miles from
United States ford.

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 57

The march was resumed at eight A. M. on the morning of May
1st. After crossing the Rappahannock at United States ford a
halt was made for dinner, after which the regiment moved about
a mile and took position in a deserted rebel camp. At four
P. M. heavy firing was heard toward the left, and the brigade
was ordered to move in that direction. Soon the order came to
double-quick, and the men, supposing they were going into
action, kept the ranks well closed. A short halt was made to
load, and then — on again at a rapid pace. It was nearly dark
when we filed into the wood to the left of the road running from
the ford, and halted en masse a short distance from the Chancel-
lorsville house, where General Hooker had his headquarters. We
stacked arms and lay down to rest, with orders to be ready to
fall in at a moment's notice.

With the Eleventh at that time were three colored servants.
A solid shot that came from a rebel battery, perhaps a mile
away, struck one of the servants, taking off one leg and shatter-
ing the other. The occurrence so demoralized the other two
that they applied for passes and left for home the next day.

Chancellorsville, that was to give name to one of the fiercest
and most sanguinary battles of the war, and that was to be the
last halting-place of so many of the brave men of the Eleventh,
consisted of a large brick mansion, built in the usual Southern
style. Near by were a number of negro cabins, the indispensable
accompaniment of Southern mansions in those days. It stood
about eleven miles from Fredericksburg, near the junction of
several roads, one running northward, with its branches, to United
States ford and the fords of the Rapidan. The old turnpike-road
from Culpepper, which joins the Orange plank-road two miles
west of Chancellorsville, there diverges to the left, to meet it
again half-way to Fredericksburg. To the westward stretches
that desolate region of scrubs and brambles known as the
Wilderness.

When the stampede of the Eleventh Corps began, on the
afternoon of May 2d, Berry's division was still in reserve near
the Chancellorsville house. About half-past four an aid rode up

58 TEE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

with orders to move hastily forward. Knapsacks were thrown
in piles and left under guard, and the command was soon
double-quicking out the Gordonsville plank-road.

So dense was the mass of panic-stricken fugitives seeking
safety in flight that it was almost impossible to make our way
through them. One burly Teuton, making frantic efforts to
reach a place of safety, cries as he runs, " Me runs mit Howard,
me fights mit Sigel." Thereafter "Me fights mit Sigel"
became a catch-word in the army.

Sergeant McDavitt caught one of the flying Germans by the
shoulder, and pointing a revolver at him compelled him to enter
the ranks of Company E and go with it to the front.

Soon General Berry came galloping back and called out ex-
citedly : " Colonel McLaughlin, give me your regiment,
quick!" That was the First Massachusetts. With a wild
cheer they started on a dead-run down the road. It was nearly
dark when they filed into position on the right of the plank-
road ; the rest of the brigade soon formed in their rear. The
first position of the Eleventh was to the right of the plank-road
and some distance from it, but in perfecting the alignment dur-
ing the night the left of the regiment was brought to and rested
upon the road. The battle continued on the first line until after
dark. Then the volleys died away to fitful shots. The gloom
of the forest, the dreary cry of the " Whip-poor- Wills" that
came from every quarter seemed to exercise a depressing influ-
ence, and but little talk was indulged in. Suddenly, about
midnight, there came a crash and glare that opened every
drowsy eye. The guns posted in our rear opened a terrific fire,,
and for a while there was a very pandemonium of sound. The
vivid flashes of the guDS lighting up the gloom of the forest, the
shrieking and bursting of shells and the crash of falling limbs
combined to make a scene grand yet terrible. In regard to this
midnight battle, General Doubleday says : " It was Sickles
fighting his way home again." For a short time the battle
raged furiously, then slowly died away. Officers passed to and
fro, giving orders in low tones. General Berry rode along the

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 59

lines to see that all was well, and spoke words of cheer, little
thinking that it was to be his last battle-night.

Darkness gave opportunity for the coward to flee. I think,
however, few places were vacant in the Eleventh when the light
of Sunday morning, May 3d, broke upon it.

Quoting from Colonel McAllister's official report : " May 3d,
before the dawn of day, I was ordered to move my command
toward the plank-road, with the left resting on the road and at
right-angles with it, General Carr directing the formation. The
Eleventh Massachusetts, Colonel Blaisdell, came into the woods
and formed on our right, in the same line of battle. At 4:30 the
«nemy moved on our front line in heavy force, and the battle
raged furiously. The first line stood firm. After awhile the
left wing of the First Massachusetts gave way. Colonel
McLaughlin came back. I asked him what the matter was. He
replied that his left wing had given way, but the right was
standing firm, and that he was going back to rally the left wing.
I sent my Adjutant to General Carr to know whether E should
advance or remain in my position. I could not let my whole
regiment fire on account of the right wing of the First Massa-
chusetts being yet in place. I was ordered to throw the right of
my left wing forward, which I did, and continued firing. My
right wing held their fire until the enemy's volleys poured in on
them, when I ordered them to fire. Very soon we discovered
that the enemy was flanking us. I then ordered a right half-
wheel of my regiment and fired upon and drove the enemy back.
Captain Gamble, of the Eleventh Massachusetts, with eight men,
reported to me, and asked the privilege of joining us, which was
cheerfully granted. Both himself and his men fought bravely
and deserve great credit.

" In this position we continued for some time, our men fight-
ing bravely, holding our position in advance of the old line and
checking the enemy's advance, until at last the battery in the
road (a section of Dimick's) fell back, as well as the line in our
rear, and also the Second New Jersey Brigade, on the left of the
road. We then retreated slowly, keeping up a continual fire.

60

THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

After retreating across the road we joined the Second Brigade in
a charge upon the enemy, then in our cannon pits, and drove
them out, but the enemy being upon our flanks, we could not
hold them long and had to retreat toward the Chancellor house,
where we formed another line of battle, losing several men,

Captain Ira W. Cory.

after which we were ordered to fall back to a line of battle near
where we had lain en masse on the second. There we remained
a short time supporting a battery. We then fell back and joined
our own brigade. After shifting our position several times we
went into the afterward fortified camp, and fought no more that
day.

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 61

" Permit me to say that great credit is due to both officers and
men of our regiment — they stood well and fought well in every
position. To praise some might be doing injustice to others.
But I cannot pass on without favorably mentioning Lieutenant-
Colonel Moore, who acquitted himself with honor, and the
heroic conduct of Captain Kearney and Adjutant Schoonover,
who were of incalculable advantage in leading and urging the
men forward. And also A. Du Puget, the color-bearer. They
showed themselves every inch soldiers ; they all deserve great
credit, and promotion for meritorious conduct. Our loss in this
battle was 20 killed and 113 wounded.

" May 4th we lay in the woods until about the middle of the
day, when we marched out to the edge of the woods in front of
the breastworks, as a support to the pickets, the Berdan sharp-
shooters. My instructions were to lie down until the pickets
were driven in, then rise and resist the enemy's advance. I
did as directed. Soon the enemy came down and most of the
pickets came in. I went to the left to speak to the major in
command of the pickets and ask if all his men were out, so that
I could fire. He did not seem to hear me, but an order came
which I at first supposed to have been given by him, but I after-
ward learned that it was given by the lieutenant who had com-
mand of the picket on the right, to fall back. Almost at the same
time the enemy opened a battery with canister at short range,
which was immediately answered by our batteries opening upon
them with their guns at entirely too low a range, the shot
sweeping the surface of the ground. My men, taking the order
for mine, started back. Myself, Lieutenant-Colonel Moore and
Adjutant Schoonover tried in vain to rally them, but had we
succeeded we would have lost not less than a hundred men,
being in direct line between the two fires. Our right wing
halted in the ravine, the left went along the rifle-pits to the for-
tifications. We gathered the scattered forces and went back
with different orders — that if the enemy opened with their bat-
teries we should file into the rifle-pits, so that our batteries could
open on the enemy without injuring us.

€2 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

"The enemy did not again bring their artillery to bear upon
us, but advanced with uncertainty, and before the sharpshooters
were out of the woods our guns opened upon them and we
remained lying on the ground — had one man wounded by our
shells. Our shells ploughed the ground up where we lay.

" The ' rebs ' were driven back. Trees were cut off at the roots
by our shells in front of us. Between the sharpshooters and the
enemy, we had one officer and twenty-three men wounded."

The official report gives in outline only the positions and work
of the regiment during the memorable 3d and 4th of May. The
details must be sought for elsewhere.

The entrance of the Eleventh Regiment to the battle of Chan-
cellorsville was under circumstances well calculated to try the
nerves of the most experienced veterans. As it hurried up the
Gordonsville plank-road it was met by a disorganized and fright-
ened mass of fugitives, horses, artillery, wild-eyed, hatless and
unarmed men. Officers, forgetful of honor, intermingled, care-
less of the fate of others, thoughtless of what calamities their
defection might bring upon their comrades, each individual
frantically seeking a place of safety. Was it not a wonder that,
green as the Eleventh was and unused to such scenes, it was not
caught up by the tide of disorder and with it carried to the rear?
Yet, though the shot fell around it and the exultant yells of the
victorious enemy came from their advancing columns in the woods
beyond, steadily as veterans the regiment kept its place.

The example of the leaders has much to do with the conduct
of troops in battle. If they are fearful and timid, it is quickly
noticed by the men in the ranks, and their conduct is regulated
accordingly.

The conduct of the leader of the Third Corps, General Daniel
E. Sickles, and of Generals Berry and Carr, was such as to in-
spire the men under them to deeds of daring. They were to be
found at the extreme front, in the thickest of the battle, encour-
aging and directing the men. And the leaders of the Eleventh
Regiment, Colonel McAllister, Lieutenant-Colonel Moore, Act-
ing Major Kearney, Adjutant Schoonover, and their subordi-

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 63

nates, by their conspicuous gallantry inspired the men to heroic
deeds.

When the dawn of Sunday morning, May 3d, ushered in the
battle by an advance of the enemy, and the Eleventh was ordered
to advance and meet them, they did so eagerly. William Hor-
ton, of Company E, did not arise with the rest of the company,
and an examination showed that he was dead, having been shot
through the head by the first fire of the enemy.

The enemy advanced cautiously, the thick woods screening
the opposing forces. It was supposed that a part of the First
Massachusetts was still maintaining their position on the first
line. To ascertain if sueh was the case, Colonel McAllister
says : " I asked if any one would volunteer to go and find out
what was in our front. A young boy (Lanterman, of Company
H) stepped out of the ranks and advanced. Soon returning, he
reported that only the enemy was in our front. I immediately
gave the command to commence firing."

During a battle the soldier in the ranks has but little chance
of seeing what is occurring on other parts of the line, even if
the fighting is upon open ground. But in a wood like that of
Chancellorsville, where the view was obstructed by trees and
underbrush, his view is limited to the comrades immediately
around him and the enemy in his front. Comrades of his own
company may be shot down and he not see them fall. To those
on the right of the regiment it did not seem necessary that any
one should be sent out to reconnoitre, for the right wing did not
commence firing until the enemy were in view. James P.
Myres and the writer, both of Company E, had advanced some
paces in front of their company. The writer had just turned
and said, " Hold on, Jim ; we are getting too far ahead," when the
column of the enemy, advancing at a left oblique, came into
view. We raised our guns to fire. Captain Halsey called out,
" Don't shoot, they are our own men." We called back, " They
are rebs., Captain," and immediately began firing. The com-
pany, coming up at this instant, began firing, and soon it became
general.

64 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

The Eleventh Regiment maintained its position after the rest
of the brigade had fallen to the rear, and it was not until the
enemy began closiDg on its flanks that it fell back and joined the
Second New Jersey Brigade in a new alignment on the high
ground near the Chancellorsville house, to the left of the plank-
road. From that position it joined the Second Brigade in a
charge upon the enemy, who were then occupying the pits that
had been thrown up to protect the Union guns. The pits were
re-captured, but, as our flanks were wholly unprotected, we could
not hold them.

Daring the engagement the Second New Jersey Brigade
captured a number of battle-flags, but that result would hardly
have been possible had not the Eleventh maintained its position
on the flank of that brigade.

McAllister says : " Colonel Sewell informed me that he had
an opportunity to capture some flags, and asked me if I could
protect his flank while, so doing. I told him to go ahead and
take them, that the Eleventh would hold its ground. After-
ward, in conversation, he acknowledged his indebtedness to the
Eleventh for the assistance rendered during this exploit."

When the regiment was falling back across the plank-road, the
enemy kept up a terrific fire of shells. One of them struck in the
bank on the roadside, just as Company B was climbing up, end
exploded directly under the feet of Henry Hand, turning him
completely over. Though somewhat bruised and covered with
dirt, he escaped without serious injury. But he was less fortu-
nate on the following day, when the regiment was supporting the
sharpshooters. He then had the visor of his cap shot away, and
a piece of shell struck his gun, breaking it against his left side.
Though the skin was not broken, he received a severe internal
injury, from which he never fully recovered. Since the war he
has been an invalid and compelled to live in a Southern climate.

Shortly after the explosion of the shell under the feet of Henry
Hand, a ricochetting shot struck in the midst of Company F
killing Corporal James Hamilton, Francis B. Wilson and Pat.
Minton and wounding several others. It continued on its course

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 65

(nearly spent) until it reached Captain Meeker, where it stopped
against his left thigh, slightly bruising it.

The Eleventh Regiment never received the credit justly due it
for the prominent part it took in the battle of May 3d. It held
its position in the wood long after the troops upon its right had
given way, and after all the other regiments of the brigade had
fallen to the rear. And though at last outflanked and compelled
to slowly retire, it would not acknowledge defeat, but joined the
Second Jersey Brigade in holding the enemy in check while the
lines were re-forming in rear.

While the brigade was re-forming in rear, some one asked :
" Where is the Eleventh New Jersey ? " The reply was : " They
are out front, fighting on their own hook." The report was also
circulated that the Colonel was killed and the regiment taken
prisoners. But fortunately, though it passed through many nar-
row chances, it came out with organization still intact.

During all its after-experience the regiment never passed a
more trying half hour than that passed on the evening of the
4th, while supporting Berdan's Sharpshooters — a duty it per-
formed from the middle of the afternoon of the 4th until the
afternoon of the 5th. Its position was at the edge of a wood ;
in rear of it and across an open field were the Union entrench-
ments, filled with artillery. About midway across the open
field was a ravine, in which stood two large trees. In front of
the regiment was Berdan's Sharpshooters, facing the enemy's
sharpshooters. Back of the enemy's sharpshooters was high
ground, occupied by their batteries. Toward evening the enemy
ran a battery out to the edge of the wood and opened a sharp
fire of canister. Our batteries in the entrenchments responded,
but the guns were trained so low that their shot struck danger-
ously close to the regiment ; trees were cut off by shot from our
own guns, directly in front of it. The sharpshooters were ordered
to retire. The right wing of the Eleventh, mistaking the order,
also fell back, the left wing following. A part of the regiment
sought shelter in the ravine ; the rest continued to the breast-
works. The position of those in the ravine was terrible. Forty

66 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

Union guns were firing over them, and the air above and around
seemed thick with flying metal. The trees spoken of were struck
at least fifty times.

For a half hour that terrible fire continued, and then the
enemy withdrew, and the regiment went back to its former posi-
tion near the wood.

The next day (the 5th) the rebel sharpshooters kept up an
annoying fire, and several men of the Eleventh were wounded,
among them Lieutenant Beach. When Beach was struck, one
of Berdan's Sharpshooters asked " if that fellow hit any one."
When told that Beach was struck, he replied : " I have my eye

on the ." The next instant there was a report, and the

" reb " came tumbling out of a tree. During the 4th and 5th,
besides Lieutenant Beach, twenty-three men were wounded.
Had the regiment remained in position at the edge of the wood
during the entire artillery fire it would have been almost anni-
hilated.

The sun came out very warm on the 5th and a number of the
men were sunstruck, among them Captain Meeker. He was
taken to the hospital at Potomac Creek, and from there sent to
the General Hospital at Newark. He returned to the regiment
in July, but was taken very sick the night of bis arrival and had
to return to the hospital. Finding that he was not likely to be
fit for duty for a long time he resigned, August 12th, '63, the
regiment thus losing one of its most promising officers.

The regiment was almost constantly under fire from Saturday
evening, the 2d, until 2 P. M. on Tuesday, the 5th, when it was
relieved and sent to the rear of the breastworks and given an
opportunity to rest. At 1 o'clock on the morning of the 6th it
received orders to fall in, and the march back across the river
began. The old camp was reached just before dark. Though
the men were nearly worn-out they passed a dreary, uncomfort-
able night. It was cold and rainy and the men nearly destitute
the tents, overcoats, etc., having been burned with the knap-
sacks on the battle-field. More than this, the excitement of the
battle was over and they had time to think, and now began to

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 67

realize the losses the regiment had sustained. They missed the
tentmates that had become dear to them by the associations of
the winter, the cheery voices that they would hear no more. It
was like the return of the wanderer who finds the homestead
deserted and the loved ones scattered. But the next day, the
7th, tents and blankets were issued. New families of comrades
formed and the work of refitting and cleaning the camp com-
menced, and soon things began to appear more cheerful and
home-like.

Many incidents occurred upon the campaign, many acts of
bravery during the battle, that are worthy of being recorded, but,
unfortunately, at this late day, either the forgetfulness or apathy
of the surviving comrades renders it impossible.

The night of the 2d, though not cold, was chilly enough to
make one feel the need of a blanket, but the men were entirely
without protection, their blankets having been turned in previous
to leaving camp, and overcoats either thrown away or left with
the knapsacks in the rear. Lieutenant Bloomfield and Ser-
geant Hand, of Company B, were together, and, feeling the
need of some covering, Bloomfield said he would go and get a
blanket. He went back as far as Hooker's headquarters, where
a number of horses were standing under the care of orderlies.
A roll of blankets was strapped to the saddle of one. Going
up to it he unstrapped the roll of blankets, all the time keeping
up a conversation with the orderly in charge of it. On reaching
the regiment he found that they had more blankets than they
needed ; so, after taking out a good double one, he re-packed
the roll and returned it to the saddle. Next morning he looked
for the horse, that he might return the borrowed blanket, but
could not find it, and before he could do so the battle opened,
and shortly afterward Bloomfield met his death, being shot in
the middle of the forehead. Captain Meeker, who was near
and saw Bloomfield fall, turned to Kelly, his second lieutenant,
and said, "Ned, there goes poor Lot." "Eh?" said Kelly,
who turned his head to look; just then a ball struck him over
the left ear, and Kelly, too, fell dead — both killed within a

68 TEE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

minute. Meeker says : " The loss of both lieutenants (who were
dearly loved by the men) seemed to make the men wild, and
they fought as though they were determined to wipe out the
whole rebel army. Joe Frazer (who was killed at Locust
Grove) was determined to kill two rebel officers in retaliation,

Major William H. Loyd.

and he watched for them. Suddenly he ran up to me and said,
' Cap, there's a hen on.' I asked him where. He pointed to a
tree and told me to watch it. I did watch it for a moment and
saw the head of a rebel officer ; but the sight was a brief one, for
' Joe ' pulled and the officer dropped."

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 69

During the evening of the second, Lieutenant Oldershaw who
was a member of General Carr's staff, but temporarily assigned
to duty with General Berry, accompanied the General out
between the lines. They came to a deserted caisson, but saw
a rebel teamster approaching with two horses to take it off.
General Berry asked him who had sent him. He said, " the
General." They permitted him to attach the horses to the
caisson, and then sent him into the Union lines. During the
evening, when the firing occurred that resulted in the wound-
ing and subsequent death of. General Jackson, General Berry,
attended by Oldershaw, was again at the extreme front. When
returning they were accompanied by a rebel major, who in the
confusion mistook General Berry for his own chief. He rode a
splendid white horse, and Oldershaw, who ordered him to dis-
mount, thought that it should be his by right of capture ; but
much to his chagrin he was not allowed to keep it.

"So doubt, had Berry survived the battle, Oldershaw would
have been shown some mark of his favor, for while riding with
him through the shower of shot and shell, Berry turned to him
and asked his name. Oldershaw gave his name and regiment.
Berry replied, " Lieutenant, I shall not forget you." But, alas !
brave, generous, noble-hearted Berry fell during Sunday morn-
ing's fight.

Jn Company E were two brothers, John and Charles Mann,
both brave and gallant soldiers. During the Sunday morning's
battle John was mortally wounded through the breast. Charles,
laying down his gun, took him upon his back to carry him off the
field. While so doing, Charles was knocked down by a falling
limb, but not seriously injured. He succeeded in getting his
brother to a place of comparative safety, and stayed with him
until he died. By so doing, Charles became a prisoner, but was
shortly released on parole. In less than a year Charles, too, met
a soldier's death, being killed at Locust Grove.

A soldier sometimes has a premonition of coming death. Such
was the case with Sergeant Daniel Bender, of Company H. Just
previous to the battle, in a conversation with A. B. Searing, of

70 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

Company E, he said that he had a presentiment that he would
not live to see the end of the coming battle. His presentiment
proved too true, for a bullet, passing through the visor of his cap,
pierced his brain. One year afterward, when bivouacking upon
the battle-field of Chancellorsville, just before the battle of the
Wilderness, among many ghastly relics picked up was a skull,
the cap still upon it, and upon the visor was stamped " D.
Bender, Co. H, 11th N. J. Vols." A. B. Searing, of Company
E, cut the visor off and brought it home with him.

During or just after a battle many strange rumors find cur-
rency. I remember that after crossing the chain bridge, where
no enemy was near to cause the firing of a shot, a rumor reached
the North that the regiment had been hotly engaged and that a
number had been wounded, among them the writer.

At Chancellorsville, among the names of the killed published
in the Northern papers was that of Adjutant John Schoonover,
and a single line written by moonlight on the battle-field announc-
ing his safety, did not reach its destination until preparations
had been made to go after his body.

As a further evidence of the gallant part taken by the regi-
ment, and the esteem in which it was held by those who were in
a position to know of its work, I will quote the words of Generals
Hooker and Carr.

General Hooker, while visiting the wounded of the regiment,
said to Surgeon Welling : " This is a gallant regiment ; it fought
splendidly; officers and men alike deserve great credit."

General Carr, who temporarily succeeded to the command of
the division, after the death of General Berry, in a letter to the
Adjutant- General of the State, under date of May 15th, '63, said :
" The regiment greatly distinguished itself at the battle of Chan-
cellorsville. It is one of which the State of New Jersey has
reason to feel proud. Without a single exception the officers
and men of the regiment acted in the most gallant and heroic
manner." Again, in a letter dated May 18th, General Carr
repeats his words of commendation.

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 71

Previous to the battle of Chancellorsville the Eleventh had
been looked upon with something like contempt by the older
regiments from its own State, owing to its youthful personnel,
the average age being about seventeen. It was called "Mc-
Allister's boys," and arguing from that, they entertained the
opinion that the noise of the conflict and a sight of the
carnage would soon demoralize them. But its condnct at
Chancellorsville won the admiration of all, and thenceforth
" McAllister's boys " became a title of honor, and in the many
battles that it afterward passed through it maintained its repu-
tation and was always found ready and reliable, no matter how
desperate the enterprise. During the engagement the staff of the
flag carried by De Puget was shot away, and after the battle the
colors showed many signs of hard usage.

The regiment lost 2 officers and 17 enlisted men killed; 11
officers and 146 enlisted men wounded, and 8 missing — a total
of 184 out of the 500 taken into action.

The killed were Lieutenants Lot Bloomfield and Edward
Kelly, and private Michael Butler, of B ; Privates Hiram
Gress and George Watson, of D ; Sergeant James McDavitt and
privates William Horton, Peter Hann, John Cook and Riley
O'Brien, of E; Corporals James W. Hamilton, Pat. Minton
and Private Francis B. Wilson, of F ; Corporal William Mc-
Minn and Private Samuel Burk, of G • Sergeant Daniel Bender
and Levi P. Baird and Henry South, of H, and Josiah Van
Schoick, of I.

The officers wounded were : Captains Halsey and Myer, and
Lieutenant John B. Faussett, slightly, and Lieutenant New-
berry, severely ; Captains Logan, Martin and Ackerman, and
Lieutenants Volk, Cory, Provost and Beach, slightly. Many of
those reported wounded were so severely injured that they died
either upon the field or soon after reaching the hospital. Ser-
geant Guy P. Cox, of A, died at Washington, May 15th ;
Sergeant Emory Allenf of D, at Falmouth, June 11th ; Thomas
Murry, of E, at Washington, May 28th ; John Mann, of E,
at Chancellorsville, May 11th, and Daniel Palmer, of the same

72 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

company, at Washington, June 23d. First Sergeant Jacob
Myer, of Company G, reached his home at Allentown, N. J.,
where he died September 2d, '63. Joseph P. Eobare, of II,
died on the 3d of May, and William A. Decker, of the same
company, at Washington, May 30th ; William Baird, of I, died
at the Third Corps hospital, on the 18th of May, and William
H. Disbrow, also of I, at Stafford Court House, May 7 th.
William Fraley, of C, who was wounded on the 4th, while sup-
porting sharpshooters, died at Chancellors ville on the 6th of
May.

Fire added another horror to the battle-field of Chancellors-
ville. The exploding shells ignited the dead leaves and under-
brush, and many who were too severely injured to crawl from the
field perished in the flames. It is not positively known whether
any of the Eleventh perished in this manner or not, but it is
highly probable, for fire swept that part of the wood where its
severest fighting occurred, and no information was ever received
of some of those who were reported missing.

The regiment lost some of its most promising men, and it is
to be regretted that the data is not at hand to enable the giving
of such personal notices as their bravery and heroism deserve.

A correspondent to the " Paterson Guardian," under date of
May 30th, '63, says : "Among the brave men who gave their
lives to their country, at Chancellorsville, was Lieutenant Lot
Bloomfield. He is the second of the brothers of the family who
have fallen in defense of the flag in the present war, the elder
brother having been killed at Williamsburg."

From a private letter written by an officer of the Eleventh
just after the battle, we glean the following : " In the early part
of the battle and while the enemy's fire was very severe, Lieu-
tenant Lot Bloomfield turned to speak to me. Just as his
mouth was opened, and before he could speak a word, a minie
ball crashed through his brain and he fell at my feet, dead. The
shadow of death passed over his face as h#was falling, and I saw
it. It was terrible; but the rush and exoitement of the battle
left me no time to think of it until afterward."

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 73

Another private letter, written on May 20th, '63, says :
" Captain Ackerman was struck in the leg by a piece of shell,
but gallantly remained with his regiment until it was withdrawn
from the field, and has since continued on duty. He also had
his coat-tail adorned with a bullet-hole, while he received in his
left boot a bullet which passed through the leg of Lieutenant
Beach, of his company."

A letter written by a civilian, evidently a member of the
Sanitary Commission, to the " Paterson Guardian," May 21st,
'63, after giving a graphic account of the battle, says : " One
man whom I noticed quietly leaning on his rifle, his face
blackened with the smoke of powder and the perspiration
making streaks down his cheeks, told me, when I asked what
regiment, that he belonged to the Eleventh New Jersey. I very
naturally took an interest in the man and asked about his regi-
ment. He said that his regiment had been relieved ; that they
had ' fought like h — 1 ' ; that they had helped to capture four
stand of colors. I could not help exclaiming, ' Well done, Jer-
sey.' He asked if I was a Jerseyman, and, on my answering in
the affirmative, seized my hand with such violence as to nearly
drag me from my horse, and shook it for five minutes in a way
that would make any town-pump tremble all over."

Among the many who fell none gave promise of greater use-
fulness than Sergeant James McDavit, of Company E. He was
a young man of splendid physical development. His mental
qualifications were quickness of decision and determination in
execution. He was brave, but not foolhardy, and seemed to
possess all the qualifications that tend to the making of a good
soldier. When Captain Halsey was wounded, McDavit went to
his assistance. While binding up the Captain's wound, he was
struck in the head and died a few minutes afterward. The field
remaining in the hands of the enemy, it is not known what
became of his body. Like thousands of others, his resting-place
is unknown.

Lieutenant E. S. E. Newberry, who had been severely wounded
before being commissioned into the Eleventh, was wounded

74 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

through the l'eg at Chancellorsville so that thereafter he was
unable to perform the duties of a foot-soldier. After his recov-
ery he served as a staff officer until January 28th, 1864, when
he resigned and accepted a commission in the "Veteran Reserve
Corps.

Newberry was a North Carolinian by birth, and had two
brothers holding commissions in the Confederate service. He
was a born Abolitionist, and at the commencement of the war
entered the Union service. Though having the quick temper of
most Southerners, he was greatly liked by his men, for they knew
that he would render exact justice. When off duty he did not
stand upon dignity, but met the men on familiar terms. When
duty called for strict discipline, all knew that obedience would be
exacted. While lying en masse near the Chancellor house,
orders were issued to detail men from each company to fill the
canteens. Newberry ordered William Minton to take the can-
teens of E and fill them. For some reason — the proximity of the
enemy or the dropping of occasional shot — Minton refused.
Newberry drew his revolver and, taking out his watch, said t
" Now, Bill, if in three minutes you have not gathered up those
canteens and gone for water I will blow your brains out." Min-
ton knew the Lieutenant would keep his word and hesitated no-
longer. Whether this bit of insubordination was foreign to the
man's nature or the lesson taught was a lasting one, I do not
know, but Minton afterward proved himself a good soldier until
severely wounded in front of Petersburg.

To the northward of Chancellorsville was another clearing in
which stood a small white house. To the eastward of this, and
just within the timber between the Ely's Ford road and the road
to Uniten States ford, had been established the general field hos-
pital. Hundreds of wounded lay upon the ground. The force of
surgeons and hospital attendants was entirely inadequate, and be-
fore many of the injured had received the attention required, the
battle had drawn close and shot and shell began to drop among
them, resulting in death and additional wounds. Several of the
surgeons and attendants were killed or wounded. A panic con-

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 75

sequently ensued, and all who could possibly help themselves
sought places of safety. The writer, who was among the
wounded, after creeping for a distance through the wood, found
himself along the river road. It was crowded with ambulances,
but no one seemed to pay any attention to him, and he possibly
would have been left to become a captive had not Lieutenant
Morehouse, of Company F, who had been assisting a wounded
officer, and. was making his way to the front again, discovered
him, and secured him a place in an ambulance. The ambulance
was a part of the Eleventh Corps hospital train, and the writer
was taken to a field hospital of that corps, established on the
high ground on the north bank of the river. That hospital was
also shelled by the enemy. Tuesday evening a number of the
wounded were moved to a farm-house further back from the
river, but the house and all the outbuildings were crowded with
wounded, so that many were compelled to lie out in the heavy
rain of Tuesday night. The writer and a drummer by the name
of Henry (from the Fifth New Jersey, I think), who was
wounded in the leg, lay side and side, and together were loaded
into an ambulance, some time toward morning, and taken to
Potomac creek. It would have been a rough ride for a sound
man, for it was pitch dark, and the road led through forests,
over stumps and gullies. The wounded were tossed about like
chips upon the waves.

Lieutenant Beach, who was wounded at Chancellorsville, re-
lates the following interesting incident, which occurred on his
way to Washington :

" I was wounded early in the morning of the last day of the
fight, and was put in an ambulance with a wounded Confederate
belonging to an Alabama regiment. We were driven to the
steamer at Aquia Creek to be transported to Washington. The
Confederate was laid on a cot next to mine on the upper deck.
Before we left the dock, President Lincoln telegraphed he was
coming down to look after the wounded, and the vessel was de-
tained until he arrived. As he came on our deck, grasping the
hand and speaking a word of comfort to every one, the Ala-

76

THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

bamian asked me who it was coming. I told him it was Presi-
dent Lincoln. He then asked me if the President would speak
to him. I replied I thought so. When the President came to
his cot, he took his hand and asked about his comfort and if his
wound had been dressed, and showed as much interest in his

Captain Samuel T. Sleeper.

welfare as he did in any of our own soldiers. When he left, the
Confederate was in tears and was completely overcome by the
kindly interest of the man against whose authority he wasifight-
ing. He said he hoped to live to return to his home and tell
his people how the great heart of Abraham Lincoln had gone
out toward him — a rebel."

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 77

Chapter VI.

The March to Gettysburg — Gettysburg.

After the battle, what was left of the regiment soon settled
down to the old routine of camp-life. The daily round of
duties — the drill, the guard, the picket, the review, the recon-
struction of camp, and the many details connected with the
rehabilitating of a shattered army — occupied the time and thoughts
through the daylight hours. But when gathered in their tents
at night, or around the camp-fires on the reserve picket-post, the
thoughts went back to the battle-field, and many personal experi-
ences were related, hairbreadth escapes and deeds of daring,
known only to the relator.

The comrades who were gone were not forgotten, but a soldier
soon learns to realize that wounds and death are the inevitable
results of war, and learns to look upon them with an indifference
and seeming lack of feeling incomprehensible to those who never
experienced the sights and sounds of a battle-field. The loser
of a finger or a toe, or the possessor of a flesh-wound sufficiently
severe to temporarily disable, were looked upon with envy or
made a subject of merriment — it meant a respite from duty, and
possibly a twenty or thirty days' furlough.

I do not think that the American soldier gives much con-
sideration to the probable dangers of the future. He does not
let his spirits become depressed by brooding over what may
occur, consequently he rushes into danger with a carelessness,
even a cheerfulness, peculiarly his own. It is only the boom of
the cannon and the crack of the rifle that will scatter the cards
from his pocket upon the roadside.

On May 11th the regiment participated in a review of the
corps by General Daniel E. Sickles. Only its lack of numbers
told of the desperate fighting through which the corps had
passed. Its entire loss at Chancellorsville footed up 4,039. On
the 12th the brigade was sent on picket, the Eleventh Regiment

78 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

being held on reserve. While some of Company E were doing
guard-duty at General Carr's headquarters, who occupied a
country mansion in rear of the picket-line, a slave was brought
in under guard, who, in the absence of his mistress, had entered
the house, broken a portion of her furniture, stolen a gold and
a silver watch, ninety dollars in money, and decamped. I do
not know what disposition the General made of him.

A large number of our wounded had been left in the enemy's
hands ; they having scant facilities for caring for them, General
Lee, after taking their parole, allowed bridges to be laid, and on
the 13th the ambulances crossed and brought them within our
lines.

On the 14th the regiment was placed upon the front line of
pickets, where it remained until eight A. M. of the 15th, when it
was relieved and marched back to camp.

The 17th, being Sunday, brought its usual regimental inspec-
tion, its round of visits from the chaplain, who distributed tracts
and other reading-matter of a religious nature.

On the 18th a large detail was sent to Potomac creek, where
the corps hospital had been established, to assist in the erection
of tents and other work necessary to make the wounded com-
fortable. The Third Corps hospital lay along Potomac creek
and not far from the railroad running from Aquia Creek to
Falmouth, over which a large part of the supplies for the army
of the Potomac were taken. This short line of road was noted
for a very remarkable piece of engineering, material considered.
To cross the valley of Potomac creek required a bridge four
hundred feet in length and one hundred in height. When
General McDowell lay at Falmonth — the original bridge having
been destroyed — General Haupt caused a new one to be erected.
The material was poles cut from the adjacent woods, spliced and
braced together. "The bridge was finished about midnight.
Early next morning President Lincoln, with his cabinet, passed
over it to hold a conference with McDowell at Falmouth. On
his return he remarked to members of Congress that he had seen
the most remarkable structure that the human eye ever rested

NEW JEBSEY VOLUNTEERS. 79

upon. ' That man, General Haupt, has built a bridge over Poto-
mac creek, upon which the trains to supply the army are moving
«very hour ; and upon my word, gentlemen, there is nothing in it
but bean-poles and cornstalks.' The bridge was destroyed and
rebuilt several times." *

Surgeon E. L. Welling, of the Eleventh New Jersey, was in
charge of the Division Hospital, and connected with it as nurses
were Miss Helen L. Gilson and Mr. Fay, of Chelsea, Massa-
chusetts. Only those who were recipients of their care can
make a just estimate of their services. Did the capricious
appetite of the feverish soldier long for something not in the
army bill of fare, Miss Gilson's name would bring it. And
how many times her songs revived the drooping spirits ! The
war called forth many noble women. But Miss Gilson seemed
nearer to the white diamonds — more directly the representative
of that army of self-sacrificing, heroic spirits that were serving
wherever suffering was to be found, some of whom gave not
only time and comfort, but health and even life.

Nothing occurred to disturb the dullness of camp-life until
June 11th, when marching orders were again received. Lee
had concluded that an invasion of the North was practicable,
and his army was headed for the rich fields of Pennsylvania.
It has been said that the most positive information that General
Lee was moving northward with his army was obtained through
an old colored man who sold pies to the Confederate army.
Some time during the battle of Chancellorsville he had come to
the northern side of the river, and found himself away from
home when Lee again took possession of Fredericksburg. Gen-
eral Sharp, who was at that time in charge of the Secret Service
department, offered to send him back if he would establish a
clothes-line telegraph on the other side near the shore, where his
wife was accustomed to do her washing. The instructions were
that if General Lee moved his troops to the north, a red article
should be hung upon the northern end ; if to the south, on the

*From History of One Hundred and Eighteenth. Pennsylvania.

80 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

southern end ; if to the rear, the red article was to hang in the
center of the line, the number of articles appearing upon the
line to indicate the extent of the movement. Not many day&
elapsed before a red article appeared upon the extreme northern
end of the line. Day after day others were added, until the
entire northern end was covered with red. In the daily visits
of the old colored man to the army he had gained this import-
ant information and communicated it to General Sharp.

Hooker had learned, however, from his spies that an invasion
was talked of, and had written to President Lincoln, on the
28th, that the enemy was about to make a movement of some
kind. The movement of the rebel camps had also been noted by
the commander of the Army of the Potomac ; and yet, so skill-
ful had Lee managed his movements that it was probably not
until the taking of Winchester that his object was definitely
known.

The regiment broke camp on June 11th, and after marching
eight miles, bivouacked for the night at Harewood church. The
ground was not entirely unknown, for the hurried march of the
previous winter, through rain and sleet, had made the men
slightly acquainted with the locality. After a good night's rest
the troops were early astir, and six o'clock found them on the
move. The morning was beautifully clear, and a delightful
breeze tempered the heat. Morrisville, a point where four roads
met, was reached about noon. The Second Division took the
road to the river and reached Rappahannock Station at dark.
The First Brigade, however, continued to Beverly ford, which
it reached at ten P. M., making the march for the day twenty-
four miles.

Doubleday says : " It would seem that it was Lee's first in-
tention to march along the eastern base of the Blue Ridge,
directly toward Washington, trusting to his cavalry to conceal
his movements." The defeat of his cavalry at Brandy Station,
however, compelled him to take the valley route, where his
movements were entirely hidden by the mountains. In antici-
pation of a movement of that kind, however, Hooker had sent

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 81

the Third Corps to guard the fords opposite Culpepper, while
the Fifth Corps guarded those lower down.

The brigade remained at Beverly ford until the 14th, doing
picket-duty along the river. At dark on the 14th the pickets
were withdrawn and the march taken toward Bealton Station.
The march was continued along the railroad all night, and until
nine A. M. on the 15th, when a halt was made for breakfast one
mile east of Warrenton Junction. At one P. M. the troops
were again put in motion. The day was terribly close, and the
clouds of dust made marching almost unendurable. Hundreds
were compelled to fall out, and the ambulances were loaded with
those who had succumbed to the heat. Many were sun-struck,
some fatally. But still the march went on with few halts, until
eleven o'clock at night, when Manassas Junction was reached.
After rations were issued, the troops were allowed a much-needed
rest. The short march of only one mile on the 16 th was a God-
send to the still wearied men. The day's rest gave them renewed
vigor, and the march was resumed with cheerfulness on the
morning of the 17th. When Bull Run was reached the column
was halted and the men given an opportunity to take a much-
needed bath. At three P. M., thoroughly refreshed, the march
was resumed to Centerville, where bivouac was made for the
night. The 18th was an easy day. The regiment having been
detailed as guard to the wagon-train, only a half mile was
marched, but a heavy thunder-storm that came up made shelter
of any kind desirable.

The long march without adequate halts for rest, the extreme
heat and the stifling olouds of dust that were encountered on the
15th caused many good soldiers to straggle. However much
they may have desired to keep with their commands, they could
not do so, the work required being beyond their powers of
endurance.

Among the many who thus found themselves separated from
their regiments was a group of four belonging to Company B,
of the Eleventh New Jersey, namely, Wm. Hand, T. O'Doane
and Charles and John Vorhees ; and with them was a member

82 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

of the Eleventh Massachusetts. They were all good soldiers, as
was proven at Gettysburg, where all five were wounded. As
they were marching down the railroad, a train of freight cars
stopped near them. Thinking they would gain time, and also
a rest, they climbed aboard and rode to Fairfax Station, where
they were informed that only those having a surgeon's pass could
go any further in that direction. They climbed down and
bivouacked for the night near a spring. The next morning they
were told by a wagon-ma9ter that the Third Corps was on a road
twenty miles to the westward and was marcning northward.
They were then in a dilemma, as it might take them several
days to overtake their commands, and they were entirely out of
rations, and the surrounding country had been so often subject
to forays that nothing was left to reward the forager. But
Hand rose equal to the occasion. An officer of the Commissary
Department was at the station issuing rations to the teamsters.
Doane was already quite sick, but Hand told him to make him-
self look as ill as possible and he would see if he could not work
upon the sympathies of the Commissary. Taking Doane with
him, he proceeded to the station and told the officer that he was
in charge of four sick men, with orders to take them to Alex-
andria; that they had given out and were out of rations, and
could go no further without getting something to eat. The Com-
missary asked where the other three men were. Hand told him
down by the railroad, not able to come up. The officer seemed
to hesitate, but Doane at that moment wilted down to the
ground, and, placing his head between his hands, he so nearly
assumed the appearance of a man approaching dissolution that
he turned the scale, and the officer, with one more look at him,
ordered his Sergeant to weigh out three days' rations for five
men. After getting the rations, Hand thanked him and rejoined
his comrades at the spring. After getting breakfast they started
toward Center ville, which they reached just as the head of the
Third Corps was passing. Adjutant Schoonover was the first
one to discover them as they approached the regiment, but so
well did they explain their absence — I think Hand must have

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 83

remained spokesman for the party — that they escaped with a
light reprimand.

By a strange coincidence all five of these men were wounded
at Gettysburg, Charles A. Vorhees losing both eyes and the man
from the Eleventh Massachusetts a leg. Hand afterwards rose
to the rank of First Lieutenant and John Vorhees to Sergeant,
and both served until the close of the war. Doane became per-
manently disabled and was transferred to the Veteran Reserve
Corps, and was discharged from it as Sergeant.

At three o'clock on the afternoon of the 19th the march was
resumed and Gum Springs reached about dark. There, with
the exception of a change of camp and the excitement occasioned
by the cavalry fight at Aldie, the sound of which could be
plainly heard, the regiment rested quietly until the 25th.

The inhabitants - of Gum Springs and vicinity were intensely
rebel, all the able-bodied men being either in the regular Con-
federate service or with Mosby's band of guerillas; consequently
but little restraint was put upon foragers. A party who went
out from the Eleventh on the 24th returned with twenty cows
and a miscellaneous lot of sheep, geese and chickens. Two
Union soldiers were found hanging in a barn, where they had
been murdered by guerillas.

While lying at Gum Springs a number of those who had
been left on duty at the hospital re-joined their commands. It
will be remembered that the Third Corps hospital had been
located at Potomac creek, and in the event of the Union army
moving northward it would be exposed to capture. In view of
this fact it seems strange that ample time had not been given for
the removal of the wounded and the hospital stores to a place of
safety. But it was not until the 13th — two days after the Corps
had started on its northward march — that orders were issued to
send the wounded and stores to Aquia Creek for transportation'
to Alexandria. Then the movement was made hastily and a
large quantity of stores, such as tents, provisions, small arms,
cars, etc., were destroyed. It was supposed that no troops
remained between the hospital and the enemy, when in fact

84

TEE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

Sedgwick, who had been ordered to throw a portion of his corps
across the river at Franklin's crossing to ascertain if the enemy
still held their old position, did not re-cross until the night of
the 13th, and on the 15th was still between the Rappahannock
and Potomac creek.

Captain D. B. Logan.

As the experience of those left behind with the hospital may
be of interest, and as the experience of one is typical of all, I
will quote the account given by A. B. Searing, of Company E,
Eleventh New Jersey, who was one of the number :

" On the 13th we received orders to place all of the wounded
men in our corps hospital on board the cars and send them to

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 85

Aquia Creek. Those who were able rode to the cars in ambu-
lances, but some with fractured or amputated limbs had to be
tenderly carried there on stretchers. We did not get much
sleep or rest that night, as there were so many wounded to move.
The next day was Sunday, and we worked hard, taking down
the hospital tents and packing up. In the afternoon the sur-
geons left in a hurry, for there was no armed force of ours
known to be stationed between us and the rebels, and, having no
time to cart the hospital supplies to the cars, the Provost Mar-
shal gave us orders to destroy them. We burned up what tents
were left, and, going to the commissary building, we knocked in
the heads of the vinegar and molasses barrels and let their con-
tents run down the hill; set fire to the building containing
crackers, rice, sugar, and other eatables, and, taking a lot of
rifles stored near by, we broke their stocks off and threw them in
the creek, so that if the rebels found them they would be of no
use. In looking where the surgeons' tent had stood, one of our
number found a half-gallon jug of whiskey, which he con-
fiscated, and, noticing a box filled with sawdust, I put my hand
down in it and found several bottles of blackberry brandy, which
I divided among the soldiers, keeping one myself. We went
around the whole camp, making sure that everything was
destroyed or on fire, and about dark, not knowing how soon the
rebels would advance on us, our small detail of soldiers marched
down to the railroad station, and at nine F. M. left there on the
last train of cars for Aquia Creek, where the locomotives were
run on boats prepared for them. The cars and buildings were
burned, and at two A. M., on the 15th we took passage on board
a transport bound for Alexandria, Va., where we arrived about
sunrise.

" On the 16th, I was on duty day and night, guarding the
hospital supplies. The next day we were busy unloading the
cargo from the vessel upon which we came, which consisted
principally of supplies to be distributed among the various hos-
pitals in the city. On the 20th we were still on guard over the
supplies on the wharves and vessels at Alexandria.

86 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

" On the 21st, owing to the uncertainty as to where the different
regiments were, to which our detail of guards and nurses be-
longed, it was proposed to send us to Camp Distribution, there to
stay until we could be safely sent to our various commands. W e
numbered about forty men, and the majority were anxious to
rejoin their regiments without delay, and hearing that the army
was at Leesburg, we decided to try to find them. Filling our
haversacks with provisions, which the ladies of our hospital gave
us, we were placed in charge of a commissioned officer, who
formed one of our number, and at three P. M. Saturday we got
on the cars at Alexandria and rode fifteen miles over a very poor
railroad, which was as far as they could run, the bridges beyond
being destroyed and the country unsafe, owing to bushwhacker*
and guerillas. Leaving the cars behind us we struck out through
the country and marched to Johnson farm, where we bivouacked
for the night.

" Sunday morning found us again on the tramp, and after
marching through Drainesville, we orossed Broad run, and at
seven P. M. we arrived at Goose Creek, a small hamlet of about
half a dozen dwellings, where we camped for the night near a
house occupied by a widow lady, Mrs. Miller, son and a daughter
named Virginia. I did not see a single able-bodied man, all
being in the rebel army. But the ladies were very pleasant, and
none of our party was allowed to forage any, and paid a fair
price for everything they bought. In the evening a number of
our boys called upon Mrs. Miller and her family, and she ex-
pressed a desire to hear some good Union songs. Elias Blanchard
and several others complied with her request, and in return Miss
Virginia favored us with some Confederate songs. We had no
alarms during the night, and on Monday morning several of us
lightened our knapsacks by giving Mrs. Miller what we could
spare.

" The next thing was to provide some way to cross Goose
creek, which was quite a large stream of water. Finally we
found a scow, and a boy who ferried us across, six at a time.
After all had crossed over we fell in line and marched on until

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 87

ten A. M., when we reached Leesburg, which was quite a large
town, with fine, pleasantly- shaded streets. We had expected to
find the Third Corps there, and were very much disappointed
when told that they were at Gum Springs, fifteen miles
away. We procured three days' rations of hard-tack, coffee and
sugar, and at four P. M. we left there and marched a few miles
and encamped for the night. The early morning found us on
the move. We again crossed Goose creek, at a place where a
bridge had recently been built by the Eleventh Corps, and march-
ing on through a fine section of country, the fields of which were
covered with corn and wheat, we found our corps at noon, and
I re-joined my regiment, glad to be once more with my comrades."

At ten A. M., on June 25th, the corps was again set in motion.
The march led to the Potomac at Edwards Ferry, near the mouth
of Goose creek, where a pontoon bridge had been constructed-
After a brief halt upon the Maryland shore, the march was con-
tinued by way of the towpath of the Ohio and Chesapeake canal.
Rain was falling heavily, and soon the tramping of many feet
made the towpath very insecure footing. Darkness fell ; still the
tramp continued hour after hour, slipping, sliding — sometimes
cursing when a misstep caused some one to measure his length in
the mnd — the canal on one side, the steep river-bank upon the
other — no place for halting, nothing to do but worry on through
the darkness and dampness, hoping that the canal would soon be
crossed and a halt ordered. The division was stretched out like
a skirmish-line. At last the Monocacy was reached, the canal
crossed, and at two o'clock in the morning, after a march of
twenty-five miles, those who were with their commands had an
opportunity to lie down and rest upon the sodden ground. But
the division was well scattered, and up to eleven o'clock, the
time that the march was resumed, stragglers kept coming in.

The night of the 26th the bivouac was upon the Catoctin
mountain.

June 27th, the Eleventh Regiment was rear-guard to the
wagon-train, and were early on the move. We soon met evidence
that the old flag was still loved and cherished by many of the

88 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

inhabitants of Maryland. As we passed a farm-house standing
some distance back from the road, a group of ladies standing
upon the porch greeted us by waving the Stars and Stripes.
This evidence of loyalty and friendship, a thing to which we had
been strangers for some time, put new life into each lagging foot-
step, and, dressing-up the ranks, we passed as on review, saluting
the ladies with colors, music and three hearty cheers. Later in
the day we passed through the town of Jefferson, and there
received a very enthusiastic welcome. Flags were waving across
the streets, and from many windows white handkerchiefs held by
fair hands fluttered welcomes from porches, windows and door-
ways. But with a steady tramp we passed through and left the
town behind, and at nine P. M. reached Burkettsville, where we
bivouacked for the night. Burkettsville was a pleasant village,
beautifully situated at the foot of the South mountains. It con-
tained quite a number of dwellings and two churches, and as we
marched through it, Sunday morning, June 28th, bells were call-
ing the worshipers to assemble. The sweet tones, vibrating
upon the calm morning air, redolent with all the odors of queenly
June, and re-echoing from the green mountain-sides, seemed sadly
at variance with the marching columns, the glittering rifles and
frowning cannons around. They brought to our mental vision
scenes that we had left far behind us in our own loved North-
land — scenes that many were to look upon never again. For a
while we were oblivious to the instruments of death around us.
We heard not the tramping of horses, the rumble of guns and the
clanking of sabers. We saw not the dusty roadway filled with a
winding column of blue. No ! We were again wending our way
toward where the village spire peeped above the trees. We saw
from every road and footpath friends and loved ones hastening,
and we heard the pastor's opening prayer and the sweet tones of
the choir as they carried aloft the music of some old familiar
hymn. We saw the gray-haired father's reverent bow and the
mother's time-wrinkled yet tender hands closed in silent devo-
tion. We were awakened from our reverie by the command,

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 89

" Close up ! Close up ! " The vision had passed ; home was far
away and war's stern realities around us.

Later in the day we marched through Middletown, beyond
which we halted for dinner, then past a hamlet called Jerusalem,
and soon in the distance we saw the spires of Frederick. Before
reaching the town the ranks were closed up and flags unfurled,
and with bands playing and colors flying we marched through
the city that gave birth to the author of the " Star Spangled
Banner." The inhabitants greeted us with every demonstration
of delight, but they seemed to be surprised at our numbers.
One old gentleman who from an upper window was busily en-
gaged in waving a flag, as he gazed down the long street and
saw the blue-coated column come pouring steadily on, kept ex-
claiming, as if in wonder, " Still they come ! still they come ! "
As the boys passed beneath his window they greeted him with
hearty cheers. We marched through the city without a halt and
on beyond the Monocacy river, where a halt was made for the
night, after a march of nineteen miles.

The transition from the pine forests and desolated fields of
Virginia, from contact with a disloyal people, who meet you
with open defiance or ill-concealed dislike, to the fruitful fields
and overflowing loyalty of western Maryland was especially
grateful to the army. It gave new courage to the heart and life
to the lagging footstep.

Colonel Schoonover, writing of the march through Maryland,
says : " There was enthusiasm in the towns and hospitality in
the farm-houses. Cup after cup of water was passed to the
thirsty soldiers from the many springs bursting out along the
roadside. Up through the beautiful valleys and cozy towns we
were welcomed with bright smiles and waving handkerchiefs.
At one point on the roadside a number of big-hearted women
had provided a large quantity of sandwiches and handed them
to the men as they passed by. This act of generosity and kind-
ness brought forth repeated and hearty cheers from the ranks.
I do not know how far down the line the lunch reached, but I

90 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

am prepared to give my individual testimony in favor of Mary-
land sandwiches."

The beat of drums roused us from slumber at early dawn on
the morning of June 29th, and before we had time to prepare
any breakfast, the order came to fall in. So, with empty stom-
achs, we started in the direction of Taneytown, once the resi-
dence of Chief Justice Taney, whose "Dred Scott" decision was
one of the brands that helped to kindle the flame of rebellion.
We crossed Pipe creek on the way, and at five P. M. bivouacked
for the night one mile beyond Taneytown. During the day
General Daniel E. Sickles, commander of the Third Corps, who
had been absent on leave, re-joined it, and the wild cheering that
followed his passage through the ranks showed the great esteem
in which he was held by the men under him. And here let me
say that I do not believe any General of the war possessed in a
greater degree the love and confidence of his men.

The long marches had been hard upon the men, and doubly
hard upon their clothing. Shoes, especially, were in a very
dilapidated condition, some of the men being entirely barefoot.
The supply-trains being within reach, a rest was therefore taken
until noon of the 30th, and the much-needed shoes and stock-
ings issued. The halt gave the country people arsund an op-
portunity to indulge their curiosity. They came trooping from
every direotion to see the soldiers, never having seen such an
aggregation of men before. One old lady was overheard saying,
" Uriah, I must run right home and get the children, for they
will never get a chance to see such a sight again." The field-
pieces, especially, were objects of wonder and awe, such instru-
ments of death having perhaps been heard of, but never before
seen. No doubt in years to come, around many a winter fire-
side the aged will tell to eager-listening children how they saw
the grand Army of the Potomac sweeping up to the bloody yet
decisive battle of Gettysburg.

About one P. M. the command was again under way. The
march was back to Taneytown, and then headed toward Emmetts-
burg. After a march of about four miles a halt was made for

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 91

the night in a wheat-field. The grain had been cut and bound,
and the sheaves made luxurious beds for the soldiers.

Hooker, finding himself hampered, and his plans thwarted by
Halleck, had, on the 28th of June, tendered his resignation,
which was quickly accepted, and General George G. Meade, the
commander of the Fifth Corps, was given command of the army.
The immediate cause of Hooker's resignation was the refusal of
Halleck to permit him to withdraw the ten thousand men, held
as a useless garrison, at Harper's Ferry. With them he wished
to strengthen Slocum, who had been instructed to act directly
against Lee's communications (a movement countermanded by
Meade). That Halleck's refusal was the result of dislike for
Hooker was shown by the fact that Meade was permitted to
break up the post at Harper's Ferry, notwithstanding Hooker
had been refused permission to do so. The army knew Meade
only as the commander of the Fifth Corps, but it had become
accustomed to sudden changes, and it excited but little comment.

On the morning of July 1st, after the regiment was formed
for the march, the following order was read by Adjutant
Schoonover :

" Headquarters Army of the Potomac,

" June 30th, 1863.

"The commanding General requests that previous to the
engagement soon expected with the enemy, corps and all other
commanding officers will address their troops, explaining to them
briefly the immense issues involved in this struggle. The enemy
are on our soil, the whole country now looks anxiously to the
army to deliver it from the presence of the foe. Our failure to
do so will leave us no such welcome as the swelling of millions
of hearts with pride and joy at our success would give to every
soldier in the army. Homes,- friends and domestic altars are
involved. The army has fought well heretofore, it is believed that
it will fight more desperately and bravely than ever if it is
addressed in fitting terms. Corps and other commanders are
authorized to order the instant death of any soldier who fails in
his duty at this hour.

" By command of" Majoe-General Meade.

" S. Williams, A. A. G."

92 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

After the reading of the order from Geueral Meade, Colonel
McAllister addressed the Eleventh Regiment as follows :

" Sons of New Jersey, the hour of battle is at hand. The
soil of Pennsylvania is the contested field. We must stand
shoulder-to- shoulder with her sons and drive the enemy fiom

Captain A. H. Ackerman.

her borders, cost what it may. Your past bright record is a
guarantee to me that you will not falter. In the dark days of the
revolution, when the gallant Jersey Blues were fighting for liberty
upon their own soil, their Pennsylvania brothers rushed to their
assistance and helped them triumph. We are now called upon
to do for Pennsylvania what she did for us. Now with hearts

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 93

filled with love of country and a firm reliance on God, let us go
forward. Are you ready for the march and the fight ? "

" Yes, yes," was the answer, with three hearty cheers. It was
a scene never to be forgotten. The less than three hundred that
remained of the old regiment, formed in hollow square, although
footsore and weary from days of toilsome marching, listened,
eager to catch the words of the leader who always said, " Come."
And as his ringing words fell upon their ears, guns were grasped
tighter and faces, bronzed by a year's sun and storms, lit up with
the glow of the patriotic fires that glowed within their hearts,
revealing a stern determination to do all that men and patriots
could do to wipe away the stain that the contaminating touch of
treason's footsteps had placed upon the free soil of the loyal Key-
stone State.

With hearts warmed and weariness almost forgotten, the regi-
ment again pressed forward. Emmettsburg, a town that had been
partly destroyed by fire — the work, it was said, of a Southern
sympathizer — was reached about noon. Just beyond the town
the troops were halted, and as the impression prevailed that they
would remain there through the balance of the day and night,
and as provisions had become scarce, many of the men scattered
among the surrounding farmers in search of food. Here Hand,
of Company B, again became separated from his command. He
had gone out in search of something to eat, and visited house
after house only to find that some one had been before him. At
last, when about two miles from camp, he struck a house, near
the mountain, that had not been visited. He purchased a pan
of milk, two pies and a loaf of bread. While settling for his
purchases the farmer asked him if he had heard firing in the
direction of Gettysburg. Hand replied that he had not. The
farmer told him to listen and he would hear it. He did hear it
then, and on looking back toward Emmettsburg he saw that the
troops were in motion. Hastily filling his canteen, and drinking
as much of the milk as he could, he put the bread in his haver-
sack and the pies on a cabbage-leaf, which he took in his hands.
Starting back upon a run, soon the pies began to break and their

94 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

contents to ooze out between his fingers. To save them he was
compelled to stop and eat them. On reaching the place where
the regiment had been he found that all had left except Joseph
Decker of his company, who had remained to take care of his
things. Hand divided the bread and milk, and then they started
after the regiment, which they overtook near morning.

Not far from Emmettsburg we crossed Mason and Dixon's
line, and once more trod the soil of a Northern State. Just as
we crossed the line a German woman came out of a house with a
pail of water, saying : " Here's Pennsylvania water for you,
boys." The boys responded by giving three cheers for the old
Keystone State.

News had been received that the First Corps had met the
enemy at Gettysburg, and that General Reynolds, its commander,
had been killed. We had not gone far before we heard the dull
boom of cannon, and we knew that all haste would be made to
reach the scene of the conflict. Evening came, but there was no
time for eating. Darkness closed around us, but there was no
time for rest. Trains were left behind in the hurry, for we must
be in the enemy's front by the morning.

About midnight we took the wrong road, and only the fortu-
nate capture of the enemy's videttes, without giving an alarm,
saved us from marching into their lines. A farmer said they had
a battery planted commanding the road only a short distance
ahead. The order was passed down the line to about-face and
retrace our steps as quietly as possible. Soon we struck the right
road, and about two A. M. on the morning of July 2d we halted
near what was to become one of the most famous battle-fields of
modern times. Worn-out with rapid marching, we soon were
slumbering peacefully j nor did we dream that ere another sun
should set many of our number would be lying pulseless and
still but a short distance from where we were then resting.

Before entering into an account of the battle, it would be well
perhaps, to give the reader a faint idea of the general features of
the battle-field.

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 95

Gettysburg, the county seat of Adams, is situated near the
center of the county, and about ten miles south and east of the
range of hills known as the South Mountains. The surround-
ing country is rough, being broken by ridges of granite that in
some early geological period the internal fires had forced up
through the softer shale.

The town, previous to its rude awakening in 1863, was a
quiet, sleepy one, nestling peacefully in a pleasant hollow formed
by two ridges. The ridges are not continuous, but here and
there fall away to almost level stretches, but without, however,
entirely losing their outlines. Frequent rounded knolls also
mark their general course. Looking westward from the town,
at the distance of half a mile the eye rested upon a long wooded
crest, the center of which was crowned by the buildings of the
Lutheran Theological Seminary, from which fact the western
ridge took the name of Seminary Ridge. The eastern ridge —
which was occupied by the Union troops — was shaped somewhat
like a fish-hook, and began on the western side of Rock creek,
at a wooded knoll called Culp's hill, circling around to Cemetery
Hill — the site of the village burying-ground — and then bore
nearly due south and terminated at Big Roundtop, nearly three
miles away. Little Roundtop, a lower and less precipitous
eminence, lay to the north of Big Roundtop, and separated
from it by a rocky, wooded valley. Some distance north of
Little Roundtop the ridge almost entirely disappeared, leaving a
stretch of comparatively low ground.

A short distance to the west of Roundtop was a triangular-
shaped ridge, a portion of which was known as the Devil's Den.
The Devil's Den was a vast pile of irregular-shaped granite
blocks, separated here and there by deep fissures. Its face was
precipitous, and from beneath it flowed a spring of clear cold
water. The land between Roundtop and *the Devil's Den was
low and marshy, and was traversed by a sluggish stream.

Two roads ran from the town to the southward, the Taney-
town road on the west, and the Baltimore pike to the eastward.
The Emmettsburg road, however, entered the Baltimore pike a

G

96 TEE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

short distance from the town, near the base of Cemetery Hill.
It bore west of south, following a minor ridge. South of the
iunction of the Emmettsburg and Baltimore roads, the Taney-
town road crossed the Emmettsburg road and Cemetery Ridge
diagonally, and then took a course southward between the two,
keeping to the eastward of the Ridge and the Little Roundtop.
The principal cross-road was one connecting the Baltimore and
Taneytown roads, just south of Powers Hill, and another con-
necting the three ran just north of Little Roundtop and crossed!
the Emmettsburg road at the Peach Orchard, one mile from
Roundtop. Another left the Emmettsburg road still further
south and followed the valley between the Roundtops. These
were the roads that traversed the field, or were in the immediate
vicinity of the field of operations of the regiment. But various
other roads centered upon the village from the east, north and
westward — ten in all, I believe, entered the town. This alone
would make it a point of great strategic importance. The Han-
over road entered from the east ; from the northeast came the
road to York. Almost due north a road led to Carlisle, in the
Cumberland Valley, but between it and the York road was one
leading to Hunterstown and other points. To the northwest ran
the road to Chambersburg, but north of it, to join it again at
Cashtown, ran the road to Mummasburg. A -road leaving
further south and running southwest led to Fairfield and Mon-
terey.

The many roads centering at the village and the open farm-
land surrounding it afforded excellent facilities for moving and
manoeuvring troops.

The morning of July 2d dawned close and foggy, but with no
indication to those in the ranks that a tremendous struggle was
to take place within a few hours.

About ten o'clock we were moved forward and placed en masse.
We remained in position until nearly three, when the line was
advanced and deployed along the Emmettsburg road. The posi-
tion of the Eleventh New Jersey was to the left of what was
known as the Smith house. In the rear of the buildings was an

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 97

apple orchard, and south of that a young peach orchard. This

fact has led some to believe that our position was in the historic

peach orchard, which was still further to the left and beyond a

cross-road, or rather at the junction of the cross-road with the

Emmettsburg road. Our first position was with the right of the

regiment, resting near the buildings, and the regiment extending

down and nearly parallel with the road, but some twenty paces

to the east of it. The First Brigade occupied the right of the-

division and corps. The Eleventh New Jersey was upon the

left of the brigade, the Second New Hampshire, Twenty-sixth

Pennsylvania, Sixteenth and Eleventh Massachusetts extending

to the right. The First Massachusetts occupied an advanced

position across the road, near a house occupied by a family by

the name of Miller, the house, however, being known as the

Sogers house. The enemy had posted a long line of batteries on

the ridge to our left in a position to command Birney's front and

enfilade Graham's and Humphries' divisions. Scarcely had the

line taken position when they opened upon us a terrifio fire.

Our batteries responding, for half an hour the earth trembled

beneath the jar of guns. Seeley's Battery (K), Fourth United

States, which had been posted on our right, was ordered to our

left, and its place was taken by Turnbull's Battery, from the

artillery reserve. The air seemed thick with flying missiles.

Tons of metal hurtled over and fell around us, and it was only

by hugging the ground closely that we escaped serious loss.

Fortunately but few men in the regiment were struck, but there

were many narrow escapes.

There is nothing more trying to the nerves of soldiers than
lying unprotected under a galling artillery fire, and we were not
sorry when its cessation told us that the enemy were advancing
to the charge. We had not long to wait. On our right and front,
Wright, Perry and Wilcox, of ft. H. Anderson's Division, A.
P. Hill's Corps, led their veteran brigades; and to the left,
through the peach orchard, Barksdale led his Mississippians ;
Kershaw's Brigade was next on the enemy's right, and his
brigade, with Barksdale's left advancing at a right angle with our

98 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

line of battle, completely enfiladed Carr's Brigade and rendered
its position untenable.

Barksdale, as he led bis brigade, riding a white horse and
wearing upon his head a red fez, was perhaps the most con-
spicuous figure in the charge ; his example and enthusiasm were
equal to a brigade of men.

General Carr, our brigade commander, seeing that the most
effectual way of checking the charge of the enemy was by bring-
ing down their leader, sent Captain Benedict to the commander
of the Eleventh New Jersey with orders to bring down the
officer on the white horse. Captain Cory, whose company was
on the extreme left of the regiment, was instructed to direct the
entire fire of his Company (H) at this officer. He did so, with
the result that the officer fell. After the fighting for the day
had ceased his rank was ascertained, and he was carried to
General Carr's headquarters, where it was found that he was
fatally wounded, being pierced with five balls.

As has been seen, Barksdale's charge pushing back everything
from his front, struck our left flank, necessitating a change of
front. The movement successfully executed (though a difficult
one under fire), placed our regiment at an angle with the
Emmettsburg road and nearly parallel with the cross-roads belows
It also threw us back from the ridge along the Emmettsburg road
and placed us on the low ground in rear of the orchard. We were
then facing towards the peach orchard, but the position placed
us under a cross-fire from Anderson's troops. Our batteries
ploughed lanes through the living masses in front of them, yet
they pressed on. Here occurred our most desperate fighting and
our greatest loss. In a little less than half an hour we lost four
officers killed and ten wounded, and three-fifths of our enlisted
men. Quoting from Schoonover :

'As the enemy's line appeared in splendid order on the high
ground in our front, Major Kearney, overflowing with excite-
ment, exclaimed ' I tell you we are going to have a fight ! '
The words were hardly uttered when a ball crashed through his
knee. His hand dropped from my shoulder, where it was rest-

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 99

ing, and he spun like a top to the rear, landing at least ten feet
from me. Having sent two men to carry him to a place of
safety, I hurried to the right of the regiment to notify the
Colonel of the Major's absence and there learned that he had
been severly wounded and taken to the rear. I informed Cap-
tain Martin, the senior officer present, that he was in command
of the regiment. Returning to the left, an order was received
from General Carr to change front by bringing our left to the
rear, to meet General Barksdale's charge. During the execution
of this movement Captains Logan and Martin were wounded,
and both were killed before reaching a place of safety. A
moment later Captain Ackerman, the next senior, fell dead by
my side. This was the third commanding officer killed and the
second wounded in the space of ten or twelve minutes. After
maintaining this position for about half an hour, with ranks
sadly thinned and somewhat disorganized, the line fell back."

During the earlier part of the engagement Adjutant Schoon-
over was struck in the breast by a piece of shell, but not seriously
injured. Being again struck with a buckshot, he was forced to
go temporarily to the rear.

Some distance to the rear of our second position there grew a
hedge-row, or fringe of chaparral, near which the brigade finally
took position, and from which it made a charge and re-occupied
the ground held during the hottest part of the battle. During
this movement the remnant of the regiment was commanded by
Captain Loyd. This line was maintained during the greater
part of the night. Adjutant Schoonover's absence was a brief
one, as he re-joined the regiment during the early part of the
evening and, by request of Captain Sleeper, the senior officer
present, took command. Captain Loyd, being disabled, had
been compelled to seek surgical aid.

During the desperate fighting of the afternoon the regiment had
become somewhat disorganized and scattered, so that, perhaps,
not more than one-half of the survivors were present with the
colors during the forward movement in the evening. But little
sleep was obtained by those who remained on the front during

100

THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

the night, and, added to the want of sleep and that exhaustion
and feeling of depression which follow a desperate struggle,
were the pangs of hunger, as for two days past the rations had
been meager. The forced march of the 1st of July, lasting well
into the morning of the 2d, had taken us away from our trains,

Captain S. M. Layton.

and the movements and fighting of the 2d had prevented any
opportunity for drawing rations. So that the morning of the
3d found the survivors of the Eleventh weak for the want of
food. Men were seen turning their haversacks inside out, hoping
to find a few crumbs remaining, or wandering over the fields where
other troops had been, picking up the crumbs that had fallen.

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 101

The position of the Third Corps on the morning of July 3d
was to the left of the First Corps, and the Eleventh Regiment
found itself in a rocky woodland. Here a ration of hard bread
and coffee was issued in the morning, and somewhat later in the
day a ration of fresh meat was brought up, but before it could
be issued, orders came to fall in. Leaving a guard over the
meat — for that was too precious to lose — we started on a double-
quick to the right and front. After proceeding nearly a mile, a
halt was made in rear of a line of batteries, which occupied the
crest in front. This position was held during the heavy cannon-
ading that preceded Pickett's charge, and until the charge had
been repulsed. Then we marched back to our former position
in the wood. Pickett's charge had proved a failure, and the
battle of Gettysburg was practically ended.

During the heavy cannonading, when supporting the batteries,
the Adjutant had his horse shot from under him. Sergeant
Egan, of Company E, was struck on the leg by a glancing piece
of shell. Jumping to his feet and clapping his hand upon the
injured spot, he declared, very emphatically, that it would take
more than that to send him to the rear.

In all bodies of troops there are men to be found who, to put
it mildly, deem " discretion the better part of valor." We do
not claim that there was none such in the Eleventh, but the
number was few, and the reputation for bravery won by it in
the bloody woods of Chancellorsville was ably maintained at
Gettysburg. There were many individual acts of bravery per-
formed upon the battle-field, but the majority of them will have
to go unrecorded, because of the forgetfulness or reticence of the
survivors.

In concluding his report of the engagement of the 2d, Adjutant
Schoonover thus refers to the conduct of both officers and men :
" To mention some may seem to do gross injustice to others,
but I cannot pass by the untiring efforts of Lieutenant Buckley
to rally the men. Captains Loyd and Cory also deserve special
mention for their coolness and bravery. As an act of individual
bravery I desire to mention that of Corporal Thomas Johnson,

102 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

of Company I. When two color-bearers had been shot down I
ordered him to take the colors and advance twenty yards to the
front, as the regiment was wavering. He did so, and did not
leave his position until ordered to the rear. The services of
Lieutenant Joseph C. Baldwin, on the 3d, as Acting Adjutant,
were invaluable."

Corporal Thomas Johnson, of Company I, spoken of as
taking the colors at Gettysburg, was one of the most fearless of
the many brave men of the regiment, but unfortunately he was
wofully lacking in education, which unfitted him for the higher
positions that he otherwise might have attained and that his
courage deserved. He was promoted to Sergeant, September
1st, '63, and received the complimentary commission of Second
Lieutenant of Company A June 13th, '65. Such commissions
were issued to a number of non-commissioned officers about the
time of the regiment's discharge, but it was a very empty honor,
as none of the recipients were mustered into the positions to
which they were supposed to have been promoted.

Among the many brave men who fell on the afternoon of the
2d there was none whose loss was more deeply felt by his com-
rades than Sergeant Eliphalet Sturdevant, of Company E. He
was a man who bad reached middle life with stainless character,
unostentatious in manner, of a retiring yet kindly disposition,
having a pleasant word and a helping hand for all ; yet he was
firm and decided in duty, and, above all, a sincere Christian,
who became a soldier from pure love of country and deep sense
of duty. He was a good singer, and his musical voice was often
heard leading in some patriotic song to cheer the men on their
long and weary marches. He fell severely wounded and was
taken to the field hospital, where his left leg and right arm were
amputated, from the effects of which he died on July 13th.

Captain Luther Martin, who, at the time of his death, was
the senior Captain with the regiment, was a printer, and for a
long time was engaged in the " Fredonian " office, New Bruns-
wick. He afterward became proprietor of the "Plainfield
Gazette." He first joined the army June 7th, '61, as Second

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 103

Lieutenant of Company A, First New Jersey Volunteers. His
health becoming impaired, he was compelled to resign. Novem-
ber 28th, '61, when the Eleventh was being organized, having
thoroughly recovered, he accepted a commission as Captain, and
recruited Company D. He was a brave and conscientious
officer.

Captain Dorastus B. Logan was first wouuded in the foot.
Edward Kinney, from E, and a man from C, went to assist him
to the rear, but they had not gone far when the Company C
man was killed. Kinney then endeavored, unassisted, to get
the captain to a place of safety, but was himself knocked down
by a piece of shell and forced to abandon the Captain, who was
killed before he could be taken off the field.

In the death of Captain Andrew Ackerman the regiment lost
a gallent and promising officer.

Major Kearney, as before mentioned, was wounded in the
knee. He was taken from the field and sent to St. Luke's Hos-
pital, New York, where he died August 9th. Of him the
" Paterson Guardian," of August 12th, '63, says :

" We regret to learn of the death of Major Philip J. Kearney,
of the Eleventh Regiment, which occurred on Sunday night.
Major Kearney, who was but twenty-two years old, was a cousin
and namesake of General Phil. Kearney, and, like him, has
given his life for the cause of his country. He was brave, cool,
and daring, and greatly beloved by the regiment. He was on
engineering service in Mexico when the rebellion broke out, but
returned to this country, and, being commissioned Captain,
recruited in this city Company A, of the Eleventh. He was
subsequently promoted Major."

General Joseph B. Carr, Commander of the First Brigade,
in his report to General A. A. Humphries, Division Com-
mander, calls attention to the meritorious conduct of Colonel
Robert McAllister, Major Kearney and Adjutant John
Schoonover, and to Lieutenant John Oldershaw, of the
Eleventh, acting Aid-de-camp. He tenders his sincere thanks
for valuable services rendered during the battle. Lieutenant —

104 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

afterward Captain — Oldershaw seems to have been eminently
fitted for the position of staff officer. He served on the staff of
General Slough at Alexandria, afterward upon that of General
Berry at Chancellorsville, and again upon Carr's at Gettysburg,
and from each chief under whom he served he received the
highest commendation.

As an instance of how a man may sometimes pass through the
most imminent danger, and yet escape serious injury, we will
take the case of Adjutant Schoonover. After the battle of
Gettysburg was over, in taking an inventory of his clothing
six bullet-holes were found, and one rent made by a piece of
shell. Add to this the fact that his horse was shot from under
him on the 3d, and we have a chapter of miraculous escapes.

Company F, I think, had in its ranks the tallest man in the
regiment. He measured six feet four inches and wore a No.
14 shoe. The Government had made no provisions for feet of
that size, and it was necessary to send to Philadelphia for shoes
to fit them. During the battle this man was struck on the top
of the head — a mere scalp-wound, but sufficient to produce
temporary insensibility. He was left for dead upon the field,
but a few days afterward, much to the surprise of all, he came
walking into the regiment. Adjutant Schoonover meeting him,
remarked, " Why, I thought you were killed." He replied,
" So I was ; but only on top of the head." The Adjutant
dryly remarked, " Tou ought to be thankful that you are not
six-foot-five."

In this connection, as an evidence of rather more than ordinary
endurance, may be mentioned the case of Private Thomas D.
Marbecker, of Company E. At the battle of Chancellorsville
he received a severe wound and was taken to Potomac Creek
hospital, when it was ascertained that Lee was moving north-
ward. The hospital was broken up and the patients sent to
Washington and Alexandria. Marbecker was sent to the Man-
sion House, Alexandria. Not liking hospital life, he resolved to
rejoin his regiment at the first opportunity. The next morning,
after reaching the Mansion House, some baggage-wagons were

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 105

brought to the hospital to take a squad of convalescents to the
convalescent-camp. Watching his opportunity, he climbed into
one of the wagons with them, reaching the camp at noon. Soon
afterward the examining surgeon came along, and Marbecker,
without displaying his wound — though it was in an unhealed
condition — reported himself fit for duty. He started for the regi-
ment the next morning by way of the Ohio and Chesapeake
canal, and rejoined it at Gum Springs, Va., June 24th. All that
he possessed in the way of equipment was a haversack, canteen
and woolen blanket. But that night a member of his company,
Charles Kinney, who was on guard over the horses, received a
kick that rendered him unfit for duty. Marbecker took his gun
and equipments and next morning started with the boys for
Gettysburg, though compelled to go limping along with one hand
holding his clothing away from his unhealed wound. Adjutant
Schoonover, seeing his condition, wanted him placed in an
ambulance ; but he asked to be permitted to stay with his com-
pany. Like many others, he became nearly barefoot before
reaching Taneytown, where shoes were issued. He stayed with
the company, however, and fought with it through the battle of
Gettysburg ; but it was Hot until the rest afforded by the encamp-
ment at Beverly Ford that the wound entirely healed.

The battle of Gettysburg was a terribly destructive one to the
Eleventh Regiment. Few regiments engaged in it suffered as
great a percentage of loss. It went into the engagement with
255 muskets. Its losses aggregated 157 ; of these, 3 officers and
18 enlisted men were killed and 9 officers and 115 enlisted men
were wounded, and 12 missing. Of the wounded, Major Kear-
ney and nine enlisted men died of their wounds soon afterward.

The killed were : Captains Andrew Ackerman, of Company
C; Luther Martin, of Company D, and Dorastus B. Logan, of
Company H. Sergeant Corum Richter, Privates Joseph Ches-
ton and John Clark, of Company C ; Corporal Isaac Hender-
flhot and Private Randolph Merriman, of Company D ; Private
Thomas Tinney, of Company E ; Private John L. Cozzins, of
Company F; Privates George S. Bird, George H. Bunting,

106 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

Henry Elbertson, Michael Goff, Stewart Parent and Peter Rob-
bins, of Company G ; Private Edward Barber, of Company H ;
Corporals W. H. Morgan and Jeremiah O'Brien, and Privates
Henry Kring and Martin Bekie, of Company K.

The wounded were :

Field and Staff— Colonel Robert McAllister, severely; Major
Philip J. Kearney, severely; Adjutant John Schoonover,
slightly.

Company A — First Sergeant Joseph Burns, severely; Cor-
poral Tyler L. Haring, died July 4th, 1863, at field hospital ;
Corporal Emilie Wappenstein, Privates Emmet Burk, Christo-
pher Snyder, George H. Johnson and Isaac Harlow, slightly ;
Henry McMahon, Robert E. Mayo (arm amputated), William
H. Weaver, Archibald Patton, Daniel Snyder and Hiram Mar-
tin, severely.

Company B — First Lieutenant William S. Provost, severely ;
First Sergeant William Hand, slightly ; Corporals Charles A.
Vorhees and Thaddeus O'Doane, severely ; Privates John H.
Rue (died July 19th), James A. Louther, Albert Oas, William
Smith, Fidelle Hasse, Samuel Stacker, severely ; Benjamin F.
Jackson, died July 7th ; Jacob Van Pelt, died at Baltimore,
July 9th ; John Vorhees and Andrew Webster, slightly.

Company C — Second Lieutenant John B. Faussett, severely ;
Sergeant David Schaffer, slightly; Corporal Amos Rockhill
and Privates John Linsey, Franklin Armstrong, James K.
Webb, John Crane, Charles Stevenson and Peter Cougle,
severely, and Richard V. Howell, slightly.

Company D — Corporal Emanuel Runyon, Privates Richard
Burtrone, Edward Spellman and Theodore Beatty.

Company E — Sergeant Eliphalet Sturdevant, died July 13th ;
Sergeant William Egan, slightly ; Corporals Benjamin Joiner
and Absalom Talmadge, severely ; Elise F. Rose, slightly ;
Privates Charles Bowman, Samuel Morse, severely ; James F.
Gibson, Edward J. Kinney, James King, Thomas Scattergood,
John Wilson and Joseph Walton, slightly.

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 107

Company F— Captain^ William H. Lloyd, slightly; First
Lieutenant Edwin R. Good, severely ; First Sergeant Benjamin
F. Moorehouse, Sergeant Thomas S. White and James C. White,
slightly ; Corporals John F. Bartine, Edward White, Charles
Dilks and George Morton, severely ; Privates Edward Powers,
William H. Calhoun, Ephraim Robbins, severely; James Thom-
son, William Collins and Miller H. Lewis, slightly.

Company G — Sergeant F. W. King, severely ; O. F. Hollo-
way, slightly ; Corporals George Halloway and Israel Nixon,
severely ; Privates Charles Kcenig, Smith H. Eldridge, Thomas
Lowry, George A. McGuire, George F. Seaver, William Em-
mons, Abijah Thomson and John W. Lloyd, severely ; Chap-
man Marcellus, Thomas Foutch, Thomas Kelly and Joseph
Fowler, slightly.

Company H — Second Lieutenant William E. Axtell, severely ;
Sergeant John V. Lanterman, Privates William Halsey, Patrick
King, John J. Sites, John C. Nutt, Bartley Owen, Joseph L.
Decker, severely; Joshua Barber, Timothy K. Pruden, slightly.

Company I- — Sergeant Thomas J. Thompson, slightly ; Cor-
porals Richard J. Merrill and John W. Joline, severely; Cor-
porals E. W. Robinson and Michael Coony, slightly ; Privates
George Chamberlain, Jacob L. Chevalier, James Finnons,
Francis Wassimer, William H. Luce, John M. Errickson, Alfred
Barcalow, Henry L. Mollison and Daniel J. Buckley, severely ;
Stacy Babcock, slightly. Silas D. Clark died July 2d.

Company K — First Sergeant Charles C. Reilly, slightly ;
Corporal Edward Appleton, severely ; Privates Amnon J. Foote,
John Ardner, Gershom J. Forate, Frederick Soldner, William
Carson (leg amputated), severely ; John Labort, slightly.

I cannot vouch for the absolute correctness of the names in
the list of wounded herein given. It has been gleaned from
various sources, but principally from the reports on file at the
Adjutant-General's office. As these reports were generally
made soon after a battle, it was possible for mistakes to occur.
Men have been reported wounded — and even killed — who in a
few days turned up uninjured, having for one cause or another

108 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

wandered from their commands. But from the comparisons
that I have been enabled to make, I think the aggregate loss
will be found correct.

Adjutant Schoonover, in his report to Le Grand Benedict,
Assistant Adjutant-General of the brigade (a copy of which I

Adjutant Alexander Beach, Jr.

have before me), gives the loss as 18 killed, 130 wounded, and 6
missing, a total of 154. But as there were 18 enlisted men
and 3 commissioned officers killed, it seems evident that he has
failed to include the officers, which would make the killed 21
and the aggregate the same as that which I have given. The
only difference in the two estimates would then be that six of

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 109

those whom I have given as missing are included in the Adju-
tant's list of wounded.

General Carr's report, dated August 1st, '63, gives the losses
as 3 officers and 14 enlisted men killed, 9 officers and 115 en-
listed men wounded (he gives no missing), or an aggregate of
only 141. The official roster gives 3 officers and 18 men killed,
a total of 21. If that is correct, there must be a deficiency of 4
in General Carr's report of the killed. These, with the 12
missing added, would make the loss as I have given it — 157.

With the exception of a reconnoissance sent out by General
Birney, and an attack upon a battery by Crawford — who were
both cautioned by Meade not to bring on a battle — the army lay
inactive during the 4th. Lee showed no ■ disposition to renew
the conflict, and Meade did not care to jeopardize the laurels
already won.

It was not until the morning of the 5th that it was definitely
ascertained that Lee's army was retreating.

Burial parties were sent out, and those who could get away
from their commands went out to view the scene of carnage, and
surely it was a scene never to be forgotten. Upon the open
fields, like sheaves bound by the reaper, in crevices of the rocks,
behind fences, trees and buildings ; in thickets, where they had
crept for safety only to die in agony; by stream or wall or
hedge, wherever the battle had raged or their weakening steps
could carry them, lay the dead. Some, with faces bloated and
blackened beyond recognition, lay with glassy eyes staring up at
the blazing summer sun ; others, with faces downward and
clenched hands filled with grass or earth, which told of the
agony of the last moments. Here a headless trunk, there a
severed limb; in all the grotesque positions that unbearable
pain and intense suffering contorts the human form, they lay.
Upon the faces of some death had frozen a smile ; some showed
the trembling shadow of fear, while upon others was indelibly
set the grim stamp of determination. All around was the
wreck the battle-storm leaves in its wake — broken caissons, dis-
mounted guns, small arms bent and twisted by the storm or

110 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

dropped and scattered by disabled bands ; dead and bloated
borses, torn and ragged equipments, and all tbe sorrowful wreck
that the waves of battle leave at their ebb ; and over all, hugging
the earth like a fog, poisoning every breath, the pestilential
stench of decaying humanity.

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. Ill

Chapter VII.

Wapping Heights — March to Beverly Ford —
Rappahannock.

THE 4th, 5th and 6th of July passed without any change in
the position of the regiment or any incident to mar the
quietness of the bivouac. Toward evening on the 4th, however,
there began one of those severe storms of rain that seemed to
follow nearly every heavy battle. Shelter-tents were pitched,
but they were soon found insufficient for protection, for the rain
poured through and under them so that the boys obtained but
little rest during the night.

It will be well to take a look backward. Less than a year
had passed since the regiment left the State, 979 strong; yet
here at the end of its third battle it mustered less than a com-
pany. To be sure, all its losses were not battle losses. Many
had died of disease ; some had been discharged for disability ;
some were on detached service ; many had either grown tired of
the service or fearful of its dangers, and had " Folded their tents
like the Arabs and had silently stolen away " ; and a few, whose
patriotism when at home had named with the heat of a Vesuvian
eruption, finding that their stomachs were too weak to digest
hard bread when seasoned with burning powder, or their nerves
too delicate to stand the sight of bloodshed, were trying to live
a quiet and unostentatious life in the shadow of some hospital or
convalescent camp until discharge should come. However, the
proportion of desertions from the Eleventh up to this time was
not greater than that of many other regiments during their first
year's service, and no regiment was without its quota of the
second class — the weak-kneed and faint-hearted.

"We left the field of Gettysburg at daylight on the 7th and
reached Emmettsburg at noon. The afternoon's march led
through Franklinville to Mechanicsville, where we halted for
the night, having marched a distance of eighteen miles.

112 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

It rained continuously the night of the 7th, and rain was still
falling when we took up the line of march at six o'clock the
morning of the 8th. It cleared, however, during the day, but the
muddy roads made the march a very tiresome one. At Lewis-
town we halted for about two hours and then resumed the march
for Frederick City, the vicinity of which was reached about five
o'clock. After resting an hour we marched through the town,
and halted for the night about two miles beyond.

In Frederick City the famous Seventh New York were doing
guard duty, and their handsome suits, white collars, shining
boots and equipments, natty little cartridge-boxes and generally
neat appearance contrasted strangely with the mud-splattered,
smoke-grimed and generally tattered troops who marched by
them. Among the members of the Seventh we saw our old
Drum-Major, George F. Durant, who had been discharged by
order from the War Department which directed the discharge of
all chief musicians and superfluous bands. As his old comrades
filed by him they made him the subject of many good-natured
gibes, and jokingly invited him to share their mnddy march, but
he laughingly declined.

July 9th, General Carr took command of the division, General
Humphries having been appointed Chief of Staff to General
Meade. Lieutenant-Colonel Tripp, of the Sixteenth Massachu-
setts, being the senior regimental commander present, took com-
mand of the brigade. The casualties among the staff officers
of the brigade had been heavy, so that the majority of the regi-
ments were under the command of line officers, Captain Dunning,
of Company K, being in command of the Eleventh. General
French's division, formerly stationed at Harper's Ferry, here
ioined us, and General French took command of the Third Corps.

The march was resumed at six A. M. on the morning of the
9th, and as we left the valley of the Monocacy and climbed the
slopes of the mountains the backward view was a magnificent
one. In the distance Frederick City, with its spires and houses
glorified by the morning's golden sunlight ; in the far and mid-
dle distance, well-kept farm-buildings seemingly peeping from

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 113

groves of fruit or forest trees, and all around green pastures,
fields of moving corn and shocks of golden grain, and, through
it all, twisting here and there like a silver thread through a rich
arabesque, dividing the near from the far, flowed the quiet,
limpid stream. At noon we reached Middletown, peacefully
snuggled in the lap of the hills, and rested two hours. We
then marched to Turner's Gap and bivouacked for the night.

July 10th General Prince took command of the Second Divi-
sion and Carr resumed command of the brigade. We marched to
Keedysville, where we thought to remain for the night, but
after a rest of a couple of hours the march was resumed and
kept up until midnight, when a halt was made near Boonsboro.
There had been a cavalry brush at Boonsboro the day previous,
and the vicinity showed signs of the encounter.

We took an early start on the morning of the 11th, marching
a mile before breakfast to get up an appetite. After breakfast
we took the road to Funkstown, beyond which we halted and
remained for the night. Our bivouac was in a wheat-field, and
the sheaves made very comfortable beds.

Sunday, July 12th, was a beautiful summer day, but every-
thing seemed to indicate that its peacefulness would be broken
by the boom of cannon and the rattle of musketry. Orders had
been issued to be ready to move at a moment's notice, and couriers
riding to and fro seemed to point to an approaching conflict.
Yet notwithstanding these indications of battle a well-attended
religious service was held in a field near by.

About noon orders came to move, and the men obeyed with
alacrity. They believed that at last Meade had determined to
attack, and so enthusiastic were they, so anxious for the fight,
that they had no doubt the result would be the capture of
Lee's army. That had been the prevailing spirit from the time
that victory was declared at Gettysburg. Major-General David
B. Birney, when asked by the Committee on the Conduct of the
War as to the condition of the army after the battle, answered,
" I have never seen the army so confident of success, in more ad-
mirable spirits, and so anxious for a fight." But a quiet march

114 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

of about two miles, and then we again went into bivouac. It
soon came to be understood by the men that another grand op-
portunity was to pass unimproved ; that when the Potomac
should be fit to cross, Lee was to be permitted to retire unmolested.

No move was made on the 13th, but before we had time to
cook coffee on the morning of the 14th we were moving for-
ward. We soon came to a double line of breastworks, bnt their
former occupants were safe upon the Virginia shore. Sunrise of
the 15th found us packed up and on the way. We passed
through the villages of Fairplay and Sharpsburg, and, crossing
the Antietam creek, bivouacked for the night.

On the 16th we marched through Rohrersville and Browns-
ville and halted for the night, in the midst of a heavy rain, near
Burnsides' old camp in Pleasant Valley.

The rain was still falling on the morning of the 17th. We
lay in camp until 4 P. M., when we marched to the Potomac,
and, crossing a pontoon bridge, entered historic Harper's Ferry.
The town seemed to be entirely deserted. The stores were
empty and the houses desolate ; no fires sent their curling wreaths
of smoke from the chimneys ; no curious faces peered from win-
dows or doorways; the tramp of passing troops, the rumble
of baggage- wagons and artillery were the only sounds that echoed
through the silent streets. Crossing the Shenandoah bridge, we
wound beneath the overhanging cliffs of Bolivar Heights and
entered Loudon Valley. After marching about two miles on the
Leesburgh road, we bivouacked for the night.

Four o'clock A. M. of the 18th found us en route, and at
8.30 we reached the village of Hillsboro, whose inhabitants
were bitterly disloyal. The country through which we were
passing had been greatly favored by nature, and was one of
much natural beauty. Park-like forests of hardwood occurred
at intervals, while the fields were naturally fertile, but dis-
figured by squalid negro-cabins or the more squalid cabins of
the poorer whites, while even the more pretentious mansions of
the richer class showed the blighting touch of the indolence that
is one of the concomitants of slavery. The surface of the

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 115

country was rolling and watered by frequent streams, while
along the northwest horizon stretched nature's eternal wind-
break, the rugged Blue Ridge mountains.

Eight o'clock A. M. of the 19th found us again on the way,
but after a march of four miles we encamped in a delightful
piece of woodland near Woodford's grove. In that part of
Virginia, and on down to Warrenton, the blackberry seemed to
grow in wild luxuriance ; roadsides and hedges and fallow-fields
were thick with the brambles drooping with their loads of the
black, luscious fruit. As soon as a halt was ordered and arms
were stacked, the men would scatter to fill their stomachs and
caps with the rich, juicy berry. Nowhere in my wanderings
have I seen the Hubus fruticoms grow in greater luxuriance or
possess a richer flavor. Or is it only a memory ? Mutton, too,
seemed to thrive near Woodford, for some of the boys declared
that mutton and blackberry sauce was really an epicurean dish.
Notwithstanding the transient pleasures gathered by the way-
side, the men were out of spirits, and went about their duties in
a listless, uninterested manner. They recognized the fact that
the opportunity to deal a vital blow to the Confederacy had
been neglected, and that Lee, upon his own ground, would be
able to hold the army at bay for months, perhaps years. As
one of the men tersely wrote from this point, we were out of
clothing, and very tired.

On July 20th we were called up at three A. M., and at sun-
rise marched to Upperville, where an attack was expected. The
Eleventh was posted on a hill as support to the First New Jersey
battery. We remained in position during the 21st, but no
enemy appeared.

At two P. M. of the 22d we were again on the way, and at
night bivouacked near Piedmont.

At half- past four the following morning the march was resumed
in the direction of Manassas Gap, which was reached about nine
o'clock. The corps was immediately formed for action, with
battalions closed in mass. Keeping this formation, it advanced

116 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

up the mountain, the Excelsior Brigade in front. It was a
beautiful sight, the entire corps being in view as it advanced up
the steep hillside, a line of skirmishers leading. The enemy was
encountered near the summit, and for awhile the firing was
pretty sharp, but soon the rebels retreated down the farther side,

CaptainlCharles A. Oliver.

keeping up a severe shell-fire, however, from a battery posted on
a hill beyond. In this encounter the division lost about two
hundred men ; there were no casualties in the Eleventh. It was
the intention of Meade to intercept the march of Lee's army by
pushing through Manassas Gap, and for that purpose the Third
Corps was advanced. The other corps was to follow. General

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 117

Lee, leaving a small body to delay the Union advance, bad already
crossed the Shenandoah and was pushing on up the Valley.

On the morning of the 24th the advance was continued to
Front Royal. Finding no enemy, with the exception of about
one hundred wounded, we returned to Markham and encamped
for the night.

In connection with the battle of Manassas Gap, an incident
occurred which resulted in the dishonorable dismissal from the
service, without trial, of a lieutenant who was in command of
his company.

When the firing of the skirmishers had become quite brisk,
and the line of battle was about to advance to their support, it
was discovered that the commanding officer of the regiment was
nowhere to be found, and by request of Captain Sleeper, the only
captain present, the adjutant took command. At this juncture of
affairs the lieutenant spoken of above declared positively that
he would " not go into the fight." When asked for his reason he
replied that if he did he would " disgrace himself and his com-
pany." An appeal was made to his honor, as an officer in
command, with a warning of the result of such action. As the
line moved forward he went to the rear, and did not make his
appearance until the regiment returned and all danger for the
present had passed. Schoonover, who had no patience with
cowardice in any form, resolved to try an experiment and make
an example of this officer. He at once addressed a letter to the
commanding officer of the army, through the proper channels,

requesting that Lieutenant be dishonorably dismissed from

the service of the United States, for cowardice in the face of the
enemy. The next day he was so dismissed, by command of
Major-General Meade.

At five A. M. the next morning the march was resumed, and
Piedmont reached about nine, when a halt was made until noon.
The footsore and lame were then placed in ambulances, and
the march continued three miles beyond the village of Salem.
The village of Salem showed traces of former prosperity, but in

118 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

the absence of its able-bodied inhabitants, decay was creeping
upon it.

The march of the day had been a hot and dusty one, and
partly through a flat and uninteresting country. Springs and
running streams were few and the men suffered very much with
thirst. A well along the roadside, in the village, offered a cool-
ing draught, but so great was the crush around it that we
marched by without making an effort to obtain water. The
clear running stream, near the banks of which we bivouaced, was
therefore hailed with grateful delight. The Eleventh, however,
spent the night on picket.

The march of the 26th led us through Warrenton and to the
wooded banks of a running stream about three miles beyond.
There new clothing was issued, and the men enjoyed a luxury
they had been deprived of for weeks. With the exception of the
few days the regiment lay at Gum Springs, from the time it had
broken camp in front of Fredericksburg, on June 11th, to its halt
beyond Warrenton, on July 26th, the men had had no oppor-
tunity to thoroughly cleanse their persons or clothing. With the
exception of shoes, no clothing had been issued since before the
opening of the campaign, and a majority of those who had started
with a change in their knapsacks had been compelled to throw
them away, to lighten loads, during the hot and dusty marches
northward. Consequently, the majority of the men literally
carried their wardrobes on their backs.

A suit of clothing worn for six weeks without proper washing
is not only apt to become slightly soiled, but to furnish happy
hunting-grounds for the pediculus, a species of insect that is very
prolific in warm weather — and one that causes untold annoyance
to the person so unfortunate as to make its acquaintance. It was
not an uncommon thing, during the halts on the march to and
from Gettysburg, to see whole regiments with their under-gar-
ments off, intently examining the seams, as if they were inspect-
ors of clothing, concerned in the material and making. Even
field and staff officers might have been seen skirmishing desper-
ately with the common enemy. It was therefore with feelings

NEW JEBSEY VOLUNTEERS. 119

of great satisfaction that we received a new outfit of clothing
while lying along the swift-running stream beyond Warrenton.

The next problem was to make a transfer of clothing without
making a transfer of inhabitants. A happy idea suggested itself.
The new clothing was taken down to the stream and laid on the
bank. The men then waded across to the other side, where they
divested themselves of their old garments, and, after a thorough
wash, re-crossed to where the new clothing was left. Once in their
new habilaments they felt like new men. It may be an exaggera-
tion, but some of the men said that the cast-off clothing made
desperate efforts to re-cross the stream and follow them back to
camp.

A. B. Searing, of Company E, writing from this place, says :
"Both clothing and men are about worn-out. The Fifth
Corporal is acting Lieutenant, and one of the privates acting
First Sergeant. There are about nine well men in the com-
pany ; the rest are worn-out with overmarching — this makiDg
the forty-seventh day since breaking camp below Falmouth."

On the 27th, Lieutenant-Colonel Moore and two other officers
re-joined the regiment.

On the 31st the First Massachusetts left the brigade, having
been ordered to New York to assist in quelling the draft riots.
And let me say here that with the exception of a few demagogues,
whose sympathies were with slavery and disunion, those who
engaged in the riots were principally foreigners — men who had
come to this country to escape the tyranny of European govern-
ments. Ignorant of, or careless of, the fact that the issue was
one of slavery or freedom, they lent themselves as willing instru-
ments to rivet such fetters upon the limbs of others as they had
for ages been trying to break from their own, and notwithstand-
ing the fact that thousands of their own countrymen were laying
down their lives for the cause of freedom in their adopted
country, they committed the most atrocious acts through preju-
dice of race and color. But such are the inconsistencies of
human nature.

120 TEE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

The 31st being the day set apart as a day of national thanks-
giving for the success of the Union armies, religious services
were held near General Carr's headquarters. In the evening the
band of the Eighty-fourth Pennsylvania serenaded the regimental
officers, and Mr. Gridley, our regimental sutler, related his
experience as a runner from Mosby's Guerillas. He came very
near being captured. In his efforts to escape he killed two horses
by overdriving.

August 1st we moved to within two miles of Beverly ford
and laid out a new camp. Seventy men were detailed from the
regiment for picket. They marched to Fox's ford and from there
to Beverly ford, on the Rappahannock, and established a picket-
line along the river. The day was excessively warm and some
of the detail were sunstruck. A ny survivor of the old regiment
who did picket duty along this line, especially near the mouth of
the stream that emptied into the river near the old dam or lock,
will not have forgotten the Rappahannock mosquitoes. Jersey
has the reputation of being pre-eminent in the cultivation of this
agile little songster, but it is the experience of the writer that
for size, pertinacity, audacity and general cussedness, the " crit-
ter " that has its habitat along the banks of the beautiful Rap-
pahannock may well challenge the world. The boys insisted
that the enemy had them trained, not only to annoy the Union
pickets, but to commit depredations on the supplies of the Union
army. I will not vouch for the truth of the statement, but I
have it from the lips of an alleged eye-witness that two of them
were seen trying to carry a Union beef over to the enemy's lines.

We remained in camp near Beverly ford until September 15th,
undergoing the usual routine of camp and picket duty. The
weather was very warm, many cases of sunstroke occurred,
and bowel troubles were prevalent. But notwithstanding, the
regiment grew slowly in numbers by the return of those who
had been absent because of sickness or wounds.

There was a review of the division by General Prince on
August 12th, and one of the corps by General Meade on Sep-
tember 7th.

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 121

On the 21st of August Adjutant Schoonover received his com-
mission as Lieutenant-Colonel, an honor that he had gallantly
earned.

On the 29th of August quite a number of the Eleventh went
over to the Fifth Corps to witness the execution of five deserters
from the One Hundred and Eighteenth Pennsylvania. It was
a sad sight, yet the true soldier can feel but little sympathy for
men like these, who were guilty of repeated desertions. One of
them was said to have deserted twelve times and had taken the
thirteenth bounty when caught. Of the number, two were
Catholics, two Hebrews, and one a Protestant.

On September 15th we received orders to move at four P.M.,
but darkness came before we got, under way for the Rappahan-
nock. The march led through dense woods and miry swamps,
but at last, near morning, we struck an open field and lay down
to rest. Much to our surprise and disgust, wheu daylight came
we found ourselves within five hundred yards of our old camp.
Nearly all night long we had been circling around through the
woods, scarcely more than a mile from our starting-point at any
time. However, we made a new start on the morning of the
16th, the First Brigade in front, and, marching to Freeman's
ford, waded the river. After crossing we again lost our direction,
but upon reaching the McDown house a native was pressed into
service as guide, and without any further mishaps we reached
the road to Culpepper. On our route we also forded the
Aestham river, a swift and moderately deep stream, and toward
night encamped near Culpepper, after a wearisome march of
twenty miles. The march, however, had its compensations, for
the country was not quite so barren as the region we had left,
and apples, peaches, chickens and corn were gathered in on the
way.

On the ' morning of the 1 7th we took our position about one
mile to the right of the town, the First Brigade on our right,
the Second in our rear.

The morning of the 18th was very stormy, but about noon it
cleared and we moved to a new position on a hill beyond the
wood. Captain Halsey here received his commission as Major.

122 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

On the 19th we again changed position, company streets were
laid out, and everything seemed to indicate a permanent encamp-
ment.

We remained quietly in camp until October 8th, when the
division was ordered to James City to support Kilpatrick's cav-
alry. Leaving our knapsacks stored in the depot at Culpepper,
we started under light marching orders at 4:30. General Carr
having been assigned to the Third Division, McAllister com-
manded the brigade. It will be remembered that Colonel Mc-
Allister had been severely wounded at Gettysburg. His wounds
having healed, he re-joined the regiment on October 2d. The
night of his return he was serenaded by the band of the Eleventh
Massachusetts, and speeches were made by himself, Halsey and
others. We marched through Culpepper and at 11 A. M. went
into position near James City. Notwithstanding this section of
the country had been visited frequently by detachments from
both armies, there seemed to be plenty of forageable material
remaining, which the men were not backward in appropriating.

On the 10th, despatches received from the Signal Corps indi-
cated that Lee was again moving northward. A detachment of
his army had crossed the Rapidan in our front, capturing seventy
of our division pickets. At twelve o'clock we fell back to a
new position, and at 3 P. M. retired about three miles and took
position on the Culpepper road. The enemy, having crossed in
force, were pressing hard upon the cavalry in front. About nine
P. M. we were ordered to return to Culpepper. One of our
men having sprained his ankle, Chaplain Cline (but recently
joined, Knighton having resigned) placed him upon his horse,
and, taking the soldier's rifle, marched alongside. This little
incident, trifling as it may appear, served to indicate the character
of the man who henceforth was to be our moral and spiritual
teacher. It showed the unselfishness, the thoughtfulness for
others, the kindliness of heart, that characterized Chaplain Cline
throughout his entire connection with the regiment, and won for
him the love and esteem of both officers and men. We did not
reach Culpepper until after midnight. After getting our knap-

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 123

sacks and drawing eight days' rations, we lay down to rest until
morning.

Sunrise of the 11th found us again on the way, fairly entered
upon the race for Centerville, the enemy following closely. We
crossed the Aestham river on pontoons, and at midnight forded
the Rappahannock at Freeman's ford. Once over the river a
rapid pace was kept up until about three o'clock in the morning,
when we halted in the roadway. There were good rail-fences
along each side of the road when we halted, but they quickly
disappeared, and soon rows of camp-fires glowed along each
side. The genial warmth was welcome, for the night was
chilly and our clothing being wet from fording the river added
to our discomfort.

On the 12th the Second Division of the Third Corps, to
which we belonged, picketed the river from Beverly to Free-
man's ford. As we were marching aloDg on the following
morning the writer picked from the dust of the road a dried and
shriveled human hand, a relic, no doubt, of some former battle
or skirmish.

At eight o'clock the pickets re-joined the division at the De
Long house. The Eighty-fourth and Twenty-sixth Pennsyl-
vanias were thrown out as flankers, and the march resumed by
way of Warrenton Junction and Auburn to Greenwich, which
was reached at three o'clock on the morning of the 14th, march-
ing all night. During this march — as it was afterward ascer-
tained — we passed so close to two brigades of Stuart's cavalry
that they could hear the conversation of our men.

During the 13th the First Division of the Third Corps
(Birney's) had encountered Stuart's troopers near Auburn, and
after a sharp fight of half an hour, and a loss of about fifty men,
repulsed them. The Union troops engaged in this fight were
principally Collis' Brigade and the Tenth Massachusetts
Battery. Stuart, finding himself out off, was obliged to bivouac
within the Union lines, and while the Second Division was
passing, his troops lay concealed in a thick growth of pines

124

THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

between the Hues of march of the Second Corps and the Second
Division of the Third Corps.

As has been stated, the Second Division reached Greenwich
at 3 A. M. on the morning of the 14th. After a rest of an
hour the column pushed on, the Eleventh Regiment acting as

Captain William H. Meeker.

flankers. Heavy firing was heard in the direction of Bristow,
but the march was continued across the historic plains of
Manassas until half-past three, when we halted in columns of
regiments for an hour and a half's rest, upon the old battle-field
of Bull Run. At five P. M., after fording Bull Run creek,
the march was continued to near Centerville, when we again

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 125

formed in columns of regiments and lay down to the rest so
much needed, for the men were nearly exhausted by the long
marches and loss of sleep. The firing heard during the day was
occasioned by an attack of the enemy upon the Second and Fifth
Corps, near Bristow. They were repulsed, however, with the
loss of eleven pieces of artillery and five hundred prisoners.

Meade succeeded in concentrating his army around Center-
ville, and Lee, seeing that an attack would be'folly, began to
fall back, tearing up the railroad as he went.

On the 15th we marched to Union Mills. During the day
the enemy attempted to force a passage over Bull Run, at Ale-
Lean's ford, two miles above, but were handsomely repulsed by
the Second New Jersey Brigade, with a loss of sixty killed and
wounded. During this attaek we were momentarily expecting
to be called into action, and at one time were formed in line and
ordered to load, but the attack being repulsed, our services were
not needed.

The " race," as this retreat was familiarly called, was about
ended, but the prestige remained with Lee. With an inferior
force he had compelled the retreat of the Union army, caused
the destruction of considerable material, wrecked the railroad to
beyond the Rappahannock, and captured about two thousand
prisoners, the majority of whom, however, were stragglers.

On the 16th, the First Massachusetts, which had been to New
York to assist in quelling the draft riots, re-joined the brigade.
We also received a visit from General Daniel E. Sickles, our
old corps commander, who had lost a leg at Gettysburg. He
was received with every demonstration of joy. So great was
the enthusiasm, and so eager were the men to get near him, that
it was with the greatest difficulty that he could make his way
through the crowds that collected around him. At one point
he was completely surrounded, and the boys good-naturedly told
him that he could not go any further until he had given them a
speech. He laughingly replied that it should never be the fate
of a good general to get surrounded, but if such fate befell him,
the first thing he should do was to try to cut his way out. He

126 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

had become surrounded (fortunately by friends], and the only
way he saw to cut his way out was by a short speech ; and the
speech was given. Sickles, by his gallantry and soldierly
qualities, had endeared himself to nearly every man in the old
Third Corps, and especially was he the idol of the Second
Division.

We remained at Union Mills until the morning of the 19th,
when, in the midst of a heavy rain, we again started toward the
Rappahannock. We halted for the night at Bristow Station.
The enemy had completely destroyed the railroad, bridges were
burned, the road torn up, sleepers burned, and rails heated and
bent so as to be entirely useless.

We moved at six A. M. on the 20th, and encamped for the
night three miles beyond Greenwich. At Greenwich was a very
handsome property, owned by an alleged British subject. Men
from the Eleventh were detailed to guard it. The owner com-
plained very bitterly to Colonel Schoonover of his treatment by
the soldiers. His lawn, he said, had been destroyed by the
cavalry and artillery; the soldiers had killed and eaten his
Southdowns ; and, worst of all, he had no wine to offer to his
friends, as the government would not permit him to bring it
through the lines. Poor fellow ! we sympathized with him even
while greasing our jaws with a chop from his imported mutton ;
and I know that the chops tasted as good as if they had been cut
from dyed-in-the-wool American sheep. As for his wine — I do
not suppose we would have been classed as his friends; but
good, straight, forty-rod commissary would touch a spot, in the
average soldier, that the richest of imported wines coulJ not
reach.

The position of safe-guard, though often a sinecure, was not
eagerly sought after by the men. If they did their duty they
were very apt to get the ill-will of their comrades. Especially
was that the case if guarding anything edible. The soldier con-
sidered food, in any of its varieties, legitimate spoil of war, and
vigilant indeed would be the guard that could keep it from being
confiscated. Dry wood was also considered contraband. If an

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 127

encampment was near or a bivouac made for the night, a pile of
rails or line of fence offered temptation not to be resisted. How
often, when orders were given not to disturb a fence and guards
were put on to protect it, have we seen it steal away, rail by rail,
until, to the despair of the guard, he had no fence to protect !
The guard's sympathies were with his comrades, and, if possible,
he would shut his eyes to their depredations. This was illus-
trated by a case related by Colonel Schoonover. On one occasion
a guard was placed over a pile of dry rails near the house of the
proprietor. A coffee-cooler approached and asked for a rail.
" Can't have it," replied the guard, but added, " of course, if a
big crowd of you came I could not protect them." The big
crowd did come, and the pile soon disappeared.

October 21st we left Greenwich early in the morning and
marched to Catlett's Station, where it was rumored that we were
to make a permanent encampment. Three days' rations were
issued and company streets marked out, but the rumor proved to
be unfounded. The nights had begun to grow quite cold, and
the men, being destitute of blankets and overcoats— none having
been issued since the burning at Chancellorsville— suffered con-
siderably, the nights being passed in alternate freezing aud thaw-
ing. They would lie down until thoroughly chilled, then, by
walking around or standing by the camp-fires, get thawed out
sufficiently to try another nap.

On the 26th the regiment moved about one mile, and located
another camp. Some of the men began stockading their tents
and finished them in time to enjoy their shelter for one night
before another move was ordered. The few days that the troops
remained in this location the regimental pickets did duty in the
vicinity of Weaversville and along Cedar creek. The surround-
ing woodland seemed to be the favorite haunt of squirrels, both
gray and black often being seen upon the same tree. It was
hard for those in whose veins coursed sportsman blood to resist
the temptation to shoot, but they were compelled to refrain from
so doing by fear of alarming the army, and the tempting
game gamboled unmolested. The surrounding inhabitants pro-

128 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

fessed to be pure and unadulterated Unionists. They said that
they had helped to destroy the railroad, but under duress.
However, I think their Unionism lasted only so long as the boys
in blue remained with them.

On the 29th the much-longed-for and badly-needed woolen
blankets arrived.

At seven o'clock on the morning of the 30th we again broke
camp and marched three miles beyond Warrenton Junction,
where we remained until November 7th, doing guard and picket
duty, and sometimes taking a hand at railroad-building.

On the morning of the 7th we again advanced, and as we
approached the river the boom of guns told us that a battle was
in progress. We reached Kelly's ford about two o'clock. The
First Division being in the lead, it encountered the enemy at that
point, and, crossing the river, after some severe fighting drove
them from their position, capturing one battle-flag and a number
of prisoners. The loss to McAllister's brigade was twelve men.
The pontoons being laid, about sundown the Second Division-
crossed -the river and took position on the high ground beyond.
The few houses constituting the hamlet of Kellysville, or Kelly's
ford, showed marks of the engagement, and one standing on the
bluff near our position, which had been deserted, had been well
riddled by shells. The Sixth Corps, which had crossed some
miles to our right, at Rappahannock Station, had been more suc-
cessful, capturing sixteen hundred prisoners, six pieces of artil-
lery, four battle-flags and a pontoon bridge.

On the morning of the 8th a colored servant — supposed to be
General Ewell's — ignorantly rode into our lines with a breakfast
neatly packed in a basket. He rode a splendid animal, which,
with the negro and breakfast, was confiscated.

Early in the morning we again advanced, seeing troops in the
distance. Preparations for battle were made, but they proved to
be the Sixth Corps. Near the railroad we halted for a couple of
hours, and, being Sunday, Chaplain Cline took advantage of
the occasion to hold religious service. He spoke of how our
friends at home were worshiping in peace and quietness, and

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 129

contrasted our surroundings — armies marshaled in battle array,
the glitter of guns, the rattle of equipments, horsemen hurrying
to and fro, and now and then the dull boom of cannon ; one con-
dition safety, the other imminent danger. After a rest of a
couple of hours we took to the march again, and about half past
three reached Brandy Station, where we halted for the night.
Near Brandy Station we found that the enemy had made every
preparation for a winter encampment. Their log-cabins were
commodious and well built, roofed principally with boards.
They were far superior to any we had occupied, and I think we
learned from them something of the art of making ourselves com-
fortable for the winter. There was also evidence of a hasty
departure. In some places officers' swords were found hanging
in their quarters, fires were still burning, and in some instances
the meat was cooking for supper and the dough ready-mixed for
baking. No doubt the "Yankees" were heartily anathematized
for so summarily dispossessing them.

November 9th we lay at Brandy Station, closed in mass, until
just as night was approaching we deployed in line of battle and lay
down to rest. We held the same position until the morning of
the 11th, when we moved about one mile and took possession of
one of the enemy's deserted camps. The weather had become
cold enough to make some other shelter than simple tents desir-
able, and as soon as possible we set about preparing winter
quarters. As the position of the rebels' camp did not suit our
alignment, new streets were laid out, and the work of building
begun. As the enemy's camp furnished material, ready prepared,
it was not long before we had comfortable quarters erected. The
situation was all that could be desired. In front of us was
rolling farm-land, and but a few yards from camp a fine stream
of running water. To the rear, as far as the eye could reach, an
unbroken forest seemed to offer an inexhaustible supply of fire-
wood.

On the 12th we received a welcome visit from Major Webb,
the paymaster, and drew two months' pay.

130 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

On the 16th, General Sedgwick, accompanied by some Russian
officers, reviewed the Corps, and on the 18th brigade inspection
was held.

On the 20th, on behalf of the State, General Torbert presented
the Eleventh with a new stand of colors, to take the place of the
battle-worn ones that had been returned.

On November 23d, orders were received to be ready to march
in the morning.

Reveille was beaten at four A. M. on the 24th. We got our
breakfasts, packed up, and fell into line, but it was raining
heavily, and the order to march was countermanded.

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 131

Chapter VIII.

Locust Grove — Mine Run.

"C t arly morning of the 26th found us on the march. About
-*-* noon we halted in a wood near Jacob's ford, on the
Rapid an. Between the wood and the river was an open field
about three hundred yards wide. Not knowing what force of
the enemy might be concealed in the thickets beyond the river,
some precaution was necessary. A section of artillery was placed
in position at the edge of the wood to cover the advance of the
pontoons. The wagons containing the boats were then hurried
forward, the drivers lashing their teams to a run. The boats
were quickly placed in the water, and a detachment of the Elev-
enth New Jersey, under Captain Loyd, soon ferried across,
Colonel Schoonover going in the first boat and the first to jump
ashore as it struck the opposite side. The bluff on the southern
shore was so steep that a horseman could ascend only with diffi-
culty. The men quickly dashed to the top, and forming a
skirmish-line, advanced across the field. The rebel videttes fired
a few shots and then fell back.

A. B. Searing says : " I was climbing over a high rail-fence
when I saw, across the field, a rebel soldier rise out of a clump
of bushes, take aim, and fire. The bullet whistled overhead,
doing no harm, but the soldier's face, the sun glistening on his
rifle, seems indelibly impressed upon my mind. Passing on, I
examined the bushes where he had been, and found an empty
cartridge-paper stamped " Richmond, Va." At a farm-house
near by two rebel soldiers were captured who were home on
furlough. After the retreat of the enemy's pickets, a detach-
ment of cavalry crossed, and, forming in line, went forward at a
gallop. After we had crossed the field we halted for a few
minutes in front of a house occupied by an old widow lady.
She complained very bitterly because our line was placed in
front of her house, saying that her own men would shoot her.

132

THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

The old lady was talked to in a consoling manner and her fears
quieted, but she gave us to understand that she was a bitter
secessionist, and denounced our cause as wicked. Leaving the
old lady's house in the rear, we pressed forward through a narrow
wood-road. We had advanced about four miles when, from a

Lieutenant Joseph C. Baldwin.

mill in front, our column was again fired upon. The firing
resulted in the wounding of a dog. As it came yelping to the
rear it was followed by the doctors and other non-combatants,
who no doubt — like the dog — thought the rear the safest place.
Darkness had fallen, and it being ascertained that we were upon
the wrong road — one that would lead us in front of the enemy's

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 133

works instead of upon the flank — we fell back two or three
miles and bivouacked for the night."

We moved early on the morning of the 27th, taking the road
to Robertson's Tavern. The enemy formed across the road and
disputed our passage, but skirmishers were thrown forward and
we continued to advance. Colonel Blaisdell, commanding the
brigade, ordered the Eleventh New Jersey to relieve the First
Massachusetts, who were on the skirmish-line. We did so, and
continued to advance until we struck the enemy in strong line
of battle, posted along the edge of a clearing in which was a
house and other farm-buildings. Around these buildings the
enemy was strongly posted. Our skirmishers advanced under
the personal command of Colonel Schoonover to a line of fence
running along the edge of the field. Our line of battle was
formed just in the rear, near the edge of the wood. Soon the
firing became brisk, and the enemy advanced to the attack. The
Twenty-sixth Pennsylvania, on our left, at first gave way, car-
rying a portion of the Eleventh with them, but our men soon
rallied, and the Twenty-sixth rallying again, took position on
the line and fought splendidly. After awhile the Fifth Excel-
sior, on our right, gave way, and soon the troops upon our left
fell back, leaving both flanks of the Eleventh exposed, notwith-
standing which it held its ground. Just at this critical moment
an aid from Colonel Blaisdell came forward with orders for the
Eleventh New Jersey to advance. He did not come near enough
to deliver the order in person, but sent it forward with one of
our men. McAllister called back for him to deliver the order
in person, but the situation being uncomfortably warm just then,
he failed to do so. The smoke of battle lifting, revealed the
enemy overlaping each flank — a few minutes more and the line
of retreat would be closed and the regiment captured. The
order was given to fall back, which we did slowly. Keeping
our faces to the enemy, we fought our way back to where our
artillery was posted and lay down in the edge of the wood. Our
guns fired over us, and sent suoh a shower of canister in the
advancing ranks of the enemy that they soon fell back. As we

134 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

were falling back, and just as we readied the clearing at the
edge of the wood, Johnson, our color-bearer, unfurled the colors
and waved them defiantly in the face of the enemy.

The following graphic description was written by Captain
Hand, formerly Sergeant of Company B :

"At the battle of Locust Grove, November 27th, '63, most of
our regiment was armed with Harper's Ferry muskets, but some
of us had lost our muskets and fownd Springfield rifles. Mine
had been lost and I found a splendid rifle, which came very near
being the cause of my being lost. Colonel Schoonover went up
to the picket-line while we were in line of battle and discovered
the enemy's pickets just across an open field in the edge of the
wood about easy rifle range, but too far away for the muskets to
be effective. He called back for some one with a good rifle to
come up. I responded, leaving my knapsack and haversack,
expecting to return soon, but almost as soon as I had taken posi-
tion on the picket-line and had commenced firing the enemy
began to advance, and when they showed themselves in the open
field our line arose and began firing over our heads, so that if
we attempted to fall back we were in as much danger from
friends as foes. I was lying next to a man by the name of Val-
entine Greer. We had no protection whatever, so we lay as
close as we could and kept firing as fast as possible. On the
ground between us we had a package of cartridges open from
which we loaded. The enemy kept advancing, but our men
held their ground, and there seemed nothing for us skirmishers
to do except to continue firing. I was all the while hoping that
our men would advance to where we were, but the enemy did
the advancing. Finally, when they were very near, a Bhot
struck poor Greer in the head. He gave a short, quick groan
and turned on his back, and I thought he was dead, but I
learned afterward that he lived until the next morning. When
the enemy were almost near enough to reach me with their hands
I discovered that our line was retreating. I looked over my
shoulder and saw a ravine running in the direction our men were
going. 1 started for the same, taking Greer's gun with me as

NEW JERSEY VOLVNTEERS. 135

well as my own. Springfield rifles were scarce in those days,
and I was not willing to leave it for the enemy to use. I spent
the greater part of the night in looking over the battle-field for
the body of my friend Joe Frazee, who was killed there, but it
had been taken away and properly cared for by Sergeant Hew-
son, of oar company, who was in charge of an ambulance train."

On some parts of the skirmish-line the enemy actually did
reach our skirmishers. Joshua Beach, of Company E, was
literally pulled over the fence by them. Some time during the
early part of the night, Colonel McAllister asked for men to go
out over the field to see if any of our wounded remained there.
Sergeant William Hand, of Company B, Edward Kinney and
the writer, of Company E, and several others whose names I
have forgotten, volunteered for the service. The duty was not
a pleasant one, owing to the uncertainty as to where the enemy's
pickets were posted.

Our party started down the road leading through the wood,
but had not gone far when we heard groans and calls from the
right. Advancing in that direction, we found a wounded rebel
lying behind a log. He had been struck below the knee and his
leg was completely shattered. Finding that we were Yankees,
he said he did not expect us to do much for him, but would be
glad if we would fix him so that he could rest a little more com-
fortably. He told us he belonged to Johnson's division and
was from North Carolina, and had been only two weeks in the
service, leaving a wife and eight children at home. He said
that he had escaped conscription for a long while, but they caught
him at last, and this was the result. That he was speaking
truthfully was evidenced by his knapsack, which contained such
articles as only a new recruit would carry. We assured him that
we would take him to the rear, where his wound would be cared
for, and he seemed very grateful when we left him in charge of
some stretcher-bearers whom we met at the edge of the wood.
Poor fellow ! we heard he died next day, after undergoing ampu-
tation.

136 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

Returning to the wood after taking out the North Carolinian,
we soon found the body of James M. Woodruff, of Company H.
Woodruff was only a boy and had a great penchant for boots, and
just before breaking camp had bought a new pair of cavalry
boots. These were a tempting prize to the " Johnnies," and in
order to get them off they had pulled his body astride a tree.
Further to the left we found Einaldo Stevens, of Company A,
who was severely wounded. He was taken to the rear and suc-
ceeded in reaching Alexandria, where he died at the Mansion
House hospital on December 8th. While some of the party was
taking Stevens to the rear, the others moved forward to where
the skirmish-line had been posted. The members of Company
E were looking for their comrade, Charles Mann. Mann was a
soldier who never shirked a duty, and had volunteered to go for-
ward as a skirmisher. We knew that, if not a prisoner, he was
either dead or too badly wounded to get off the field. We found
him lying on his back, dead, near where he had been fighting.
He made the last of three brothers, all of whom gave their lives
for the preservation of the Union. When Charles Mann went
into the battle he had upon his person quite a sum of money,
besides a good watch. When found, he had been stripped of
everything of value. He was left lying where found and buried
next morning. Adam, of Company A, Fifth New Jersey, died
on board a hospital-ship at Fortress Monroe from wounds received
in one of the battles of the Peninsula. John, of Company £,
Eleventh, was mortally wounded at Chancellorsville, and died in
the hands of the enemy.

To illustrate how indifferent to danger or thoughtless of peril
a soldier may sometimes become, I will mention an incident that
occurred during this battle. A member of Company E, who at
that time was an inveterate smoker, took out his pipe, filled and
lit it, and resumed firing as coolly as if nothing unusual was
occurring. Another member of the same company, Ed. Kinney,
his Hibernian blood being pretty well warmed up, took a posi-
tion on a stump, and after exhausting the cartridges in the top
part of his cartridge-box, endeavored to draw the magazines so

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 137

as to get at the lower boxes, but he tugged and pulled in vain,
the damp weather having rusted them fast. Colonel Schoon-
over and the writer both went to his assistance, but with a like
result. I have heard profanity in many forms, and in various
languages, but never any to exceed that uttered by Kinney on
this occasion.

War has its humors, as well as pathos, and things sometimes
occur upon a battle-field, amidst the most imminent dangers that
excite the laughter of the spectators. On one occasion, at Locust
Grove, a wounded man, belonging to Company C, was being
carried out upon a stretcher. Before a place of safety was
reached, a solid shot came whizzing pretty close to the party.
The stretcher-bearers dropped the stretcher and ran for shelter,
but imagine their surprise when the wounded man, who
previously could not walk, hastily jumped up and outstripped
them in the race.

Colonel McAllister, in a letter dated December 14th, '63, thus
refers to some of the incidents of this engagement : " The dying
message of Corporal Joseph Frazee, of Company B, to his
mother, was : ' I die for my country.' He was a noble and brave
man. Sergeant Smith, who died on the field, shot through the
head, was no less brave, and was moreover a true Christian."

The battle of Locust Grove lasted but a few hours, but it was
fiercely fought, and the Eleventh New Jersey proved anew that
they were entitled to the name that by common consent had been
given them, " The fighting Eleventh." The aggregate loss of
the regiment was 31 — 7 killed, 16 wounded, 7 prisoners and 1
missing. To give a correct idea of the percentage of loss it will
be well to state that at the commencement of the battle of Locust
Grove the regiment numbered less than two hundred men. The
exact figures are not available. A. B. Searing, of Company E,
who was a close observer and who made it a point to write down
everything of importance that came to his notice, says that at the
close of the battle we had only 105 men remaining with the
regiment.

138 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

The killed were Sergeant Alfred Smith, of Company A; Cor-
poral Joseph H. Frazee and Valentine Greer, of Company B ;
Corporal Peter Burk and Private Jeremiah Dunham, of Company
D ; Privates Charles Mann, of Company E, and James Wood-
ruff, of Company H.

The wounded were Sergeant-Major William S. Rockhill, Ser-
geant Joseph Burns, Corporal William Colfer, and Private
Rinaldo Stevens (whe died December 8th), of Company A;
Corporal Thomas Blackwood and Private Ephraim Britton, of
Company C; Albert E. Lyons and George Zindle, of Company
E; William S. Pitman, of Company G; Sergeant Henry C.
Woodruff and Corporal John Fleming, of Company H ; Ser-
geant Thomas Johnson, Privates Christian Quod and Steven G.
Cronk, of Company I ; Sergeants Charles Repp and Ebenezer
Kennedy, of Company K.

The prisoners were Henry Hoffman and Patrick Brennan, of
Company D; Joshua Beech, Cyrus L. Talmadge and William
Hoffman, of Company E ; Daniel Smires, of Company G, and
Jacob Menner, of Company K. John Ardner, of Company K,
marked missing, was no doubt killed. Of the prisoners only
two, Daniel Smires and Patrick Brennan, lived to return from
the rebel prisons.

Among the seemingly miraculous escapes was that of Corporal
Thomas Blackwood, of Company C. He was what Colonel Mc-
Allister denominated "one of the praying members," a man to
be found in attendance at any of the religious services held in
the regiment and prominent in all efforts tending to the moral
welfare of the men. It was his invariable custom to carry a
copy of the New Testament in his blouse-pocket, and to that
habit he owed his preservation at Locust Grove. A bullet
striking him on the breast, penetrated the Testament and was
held by it, thereby saving him from what no doubt would have
been a severe, if not mortal, wound.

As letters written at any time during the regiment's service
relative to comrades who fell upon the field of battle may well
be considered a part of the regiment's history, I will here insert

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 139

a letter from Chaplain Cline to Mra. Elizabeth Dunham, who
was made a widow by the death of Jeremiah Dunham, at Locust
Grove. He says :

" Madam — The sad news of the death of your husband has already
been borne to you. Our Hospital Steward, Mr. Titsworth, told me
he would write to his father and request him to break to you the
sorrowful intelligence. Tour husband fell a martyr in his
country's cause in the battle near Jacob's mill-ford, Eapidan
river, Friday afternoon, November 27th. He was buried and his
grave marked. I know this is sorrowful tidings to tell you — that
he whom you dearly loved can see you no more on earth ; that
he can come to his home no more. Oh, this terrible war is break-
ing so many hearts, and making desolate so many happy homes !
But what a glorious death it is to die for one's country ! The
graves of such patriots as your husband are honored graves. Is
not this a consolation ? He rests now ; a Christian soldier, and,
thanks be to God, your husband not only fought the battles of
his country, but that better fight — the good fight of faith. He
had enlisted under the banner of Jesus Christ and was fighting
the battle of the Lord. But he has fought his last fight for his
country and his God, and hath conquered, and has gone to
receive his reward. He will be remembered by his country-
men as one who gave his life for their welfare, and, we humbly
trust and believe, will wear the victor's crown in heaven. As
you are aware, I have been in the regiment only since last Sep-
tember, but in my little acquaintance with Mr. Dunham, I learned
to love him. I have had many seaons of pleasant conversation
with him in his tent, and in my own, and have enjoyed his presence
and his assistance at our religious meetings. He was a frequent
attendant at our prayer-meetings, our Sabbath service, and our
Bible-class, and seemed deeply interested in the study of the
Scriptures, and by his remarks rendered the lessons more interest-
ing and instructive to us all. I already miss him — I, too, am mourn-
ing, and would not have you cease to weep over his sad and sudden
death. Oh, no ! Jesus wept at the grave of his friend Lazarus,
but when you weep, mourn not as those who have no hope ; re-
member who has afflicted you. God is too wise to err and too

140

THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

good to afflict us for our harm. He does all things well, all things
work together for good to thern that love God. ' Whom the Lord
loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every one whom he receiveth.*
God says concerning you and your children, 'A father of the
fatherless, and a judge of the widow is God in his holy habita-

Lleutenant William Hand.

tion.' — Psalm 68 : 5. Again, ' Leave thy fatherless children ; I
will preserve them, and let thy widows trust in me.' ' Trust in the
Lord, he will sustain thee.' ' He will never leave thee nor forsake
thee.' We all sympathize with you in your affliction, and you are
remembered at our prayer-meetings. H I can do anything for
you, I shall take great pleasure in doing it. Please write me. I

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 141

believe nothing was found on the person of your husband. If he
had anything, it was taken by the enemy, as they had possession
of the field for a time. May God bless you and yours.
" Eespectfully, &c,

"E. Clakk Cline,
" Chaplain Eleventh New Jersey Volunteers."

Colonel Schoonover, who was something of an expert with
the rifle, took delight in acting as a sharpshooter upon the ad-
vance line whenever occasion offered. He therefore could not
resist the temptation presented by the skirmish-line at Locust
Grove. It will be remembered that our skirmishers had been
posted along a fence at the edge of the wood. The enemy's line
was posted along a fence on the opposite side of the narrow field
which intervened. Some of them, however, had crept forward
and were hidden in the high grass. A constant fire was kept up
between the two lines. Schoonover crept forward to the fence
where our skirmishers were posted — to have advanced in an
erect position would have been to court death — and borrowing a
gun from one of the men, awaited a shot. He made two shots,
but without effect. The third shot was at a rebel who had been
lying in the grass a short distance from the fence. An occasional
puff of smoke revealed the positions of those who had had the
temerity to conceal themselves in the grass some distance beyond
their picket-line. He directed some of the men near him to fire
at the spot where the smoke was seen to rise, while others were
to hold their fire and take the game on the wing. He had a fair
open shot at one as he was scaling the fence. The shot must
have taken effect, for the man required assistance to reach a place
of safety. But the sharpshooting from that part of our line
elicited a sharp return, during which Valentine Greer, of Com-
pany B, was shot through the head.

Before daylight on the morning of November 28th we were
again on the move to join General Warren. Through torrents
of raiu, and mud ankle deep, we pushed forward. Late in the
afternoon we halted about three miles beyond Robertson's tavern.

142 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

Supposing that we were to remain all night, tents were put up
and preparations made to pass the night as comfortably as cir-
cumstances would permit; but at dark orders came to move
forward. The intense darkness, combined with the almost im-
passable condition of the roads, made marching very difficult.
After struggling along for four hours, making only that many
miles, we halted for the remainder of the night. It was bitterly
cold, but soon large fires were built, and the chilled and weary
men lay down to catch a few hours' rest.

Early on Sunday morning, the 29th, we were again on the
move, but seemingly in a purposeless manner. We would move
and halt, move on again and wait. It was very cold, a genuine
winter's day, and, as no fire was allowed, it was only by constant
walking or stamping that we could keep our feet from freezing.
We bivouacked for the night in a pine wood, and though it was
bitterly cold, ice forming an inch in thickness, no fires could be
built, owing to the proximity of the enemy ; so the best we could
do was to wrap our overcoats and blankets around us and shiver
and stamp the night away. Some of the men were even destitute
of overcoats, having only a single blanket to protect them.

On the morning of the 30th we marched up the plank-road
and massed just to the left of it. The Second and Third
Divisions of the Third Corps had been ordered to report to
General Warren, to join in a contemplated charge upon the
enemy, who were posted in strong works beyond Mine Run.
As we lay in position, with their works in plain view, there was
not a man, officer or private, who did not fully realize the
danger of the undertaking. I cannot better describe the posi-
tion and feelings of the men than by quoting the words of
Colonel Schoonover :

"At six o'clock in the morning Colonel McAllister, com-
manding the brigade, sent for the regimental commanders and
gave them, under the circumstances, this remarkable informa-
tion : At seven o'clock our artillery would open on the right
and continue firing without cessation for one hour, when a
simultaneous charge of thirty thousand men, under General

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 143

Warren, would be made upon the enemy's works. He wished
us to communicate these facts to the line officers, and they in
turn to their men, so that all, both officers and men, could fully
understand the importance and magnitude of the work before
them, and make whatever preparations they might desire.
Upon my return I called the officers together and repeated the
information given me, and endeavored to impress upon their
minds their duties as officers, and gave such general instructions
as I deemed proper. The officers seemed silent and thought-
ful. It was admitted that one- half, at least, would fall in
the assault, while to hold the works would cost many lives.
" Perhaps there never was an hour in the regiment's history
when both officers and men so thoroughly realized the great
danger of an undertaking as they did upon this occasion. The
scene was an unusual one. Many things combined to make it
so. The enemy's works, with their guns glistening in the sun-
light, three lines of abatis, and a swampy, difficult approach,
were all in plain sight. The morning was intensely cold. To
be wounded on a day like this was not a pleasant thing to con-
template. It is doubtful if the survivors of well-fought fields
anticipated the opening of such a tragedy as this bid fair to be
with any emotions of pleasure. And the eagerness which is
sometimes manifested by those who have never experienced the
realities of battle, has more of seriousness about it to the veteran
soldier. I doubt that if on any similar occasion in the experience
of the regiment so many valuables, addresses and messages to
friends were given to the chaplain as there were on that cold
winter morning at Mine Run. It was a strange, sad spectacle.
But as the morning wore on the rumor came that the charge had
been abandoned. It was reported that it did not meet the
approval of General Warren.* The cloud was lifted, and a

* Colonel Schoonover states that lie was recently informed by Colonel
Washington A. Roebling, of Trenton, who was on Warren's staff, that
the General and himself made a careful inspection of the enemy's works
from our picket-line— creeping out for that purpose. General Warren
believed the works were too formidable to make a successful charge upon
them.

144 TEE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

marked change was soon manifested along the line. Officers
and men breathed freely once more, and many were the expres-
sions of admiration for General Warren and his wise decision."

It was said that Warren, when asked if he could take the
position in his front, answered yes, but that he would lose
twenty thousand men in doing it.

I well remember the morning of the contemplated charge. I
had been in charge of a picket detail on the flank during the
night, with orders to assemble and follow at daylight. As I
came up to the regiment I was met by Bishop W. Mains, who
said, " Tom, you should have stayed back ; we are to make a
charge at eight o'clock." Together we went out beyond the
lines to view the position, and if I ever regretted being prompt
in the performance of duty it was that morning after viewing
the slashed timber which covered the slope up which our charge
would lead. We remained in position until night and then fell
back about three miles and bivouacked.

About ten A. M. on December 1st the brigade received orders
to report to General Gregg, commanding the cavalry, at Parker's
Store. We reached our position about three P. M., and were
formed in line of battle along the road, and remained until day-
light the next morning. There was no rest during the night, as
an attack was momentarily expected. Soon after daylight orders
came to move. The Eleventh New Jersey brought up the rear
of the brigade, only a troop of cavalry being in its rear. We
marched down the plank-road toward Chancellorsville until we
came to the road leading to Germania ford, and, turning to the
left, we followed it until the ford was reached, where we crossed
the river. After crossing the river we marched about four miles,
then encamped in a wood. A day's rations were issued, and for
the first time in several days we enjoyed a square meal.

On the evening of the 3d we reached our old camp at Brandy
Station.

The campaign had been a short but very severe one. Not only
had the men been compelled to undergo the hardship incident to-
cold and storm, but owing to the bad condition of the roads it

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 145

had been impossible to forward sufficient supplies, and many of
the men suffered the pangs of hunger. Some, being two or three
days without rations, tried to quiet the gnawings of huDger by
chewing hard corn. Just before re-crossing the Rapidan, a field
was passed in which a few small turnips remained. They were
eagerly seized and greedily devoured. How welcome, then, was
the day's ration received after reaching the north side of the river !
I know of one case, at least, where it made only one square meal.

On this campaign Chaplain Cline won the entire confidence of
the men by his active sympathy and many acts of kindness. He
could often be seen tramping through the mud while some tired
soldier was having a lift upon his horse. Soldiers were skep-
tical of professions. It took a practical demonstration to win
their belief and confidence. The Chaplain, by these practical
demonstrations of sympathy for the men, won their confidence
and thereby opened the way for the good work that the winter
brought forth.

It will be remembered that when Sergeant William Hand
went forward to the skirmish-line at Locust Grove, he left his
knapsack, with blanket and overcoat, on the main line of battle.
When the rapid advance of the enemy in strong force pushed
the regiment back, Hand was compelled to get out as best he
could, with no time to recover his knapsack. This left him with
no protection but a thin blouse, and during the bitter cold that
followed he suffered very much. The night that we left the
position beyond Robertson's tavern, a horseman came along and
inquired if there were any Plainfield men in the regiment.
Hand recognized him as Thomson Thorn, an old friend and
neighbor. While talking together, Thorn observed that Hand
was very cold and thinly clad, and asked him where his overcoat
and blanket were. The details of his . loss were told. Thorn
turned and rode away, saying, " I have something for you." He
soon returned with a blanket, a half-side of fresh pork and a
haversack of potatoes. As large fires were permitted that night,
Company B at least enjoyed a comfortable supper, for there was
enough to supply them all.

146 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

The Mine Run campaign ended the active operations for the
year 1863, and the army settled down to the quiet and rest of
winter quarters at Brandy Station.

Before entering into a description of our life at Brandy Sta-
tion, it might be well to take a glance backward and summarize
the losses, and note the changes that had occurred in the regi-
ment since the beginning of its career.

The roster gives the total strength of the regiment when
mustered at Trenton as 979 officers and men.

The losses, up to January 1st, '64, were as follows: Officers
killed, 6 ; died of wound, 1 ; enlisted men killed, 22 ; died of
wounds, 23; died from other causes, 57 ; missing in action, 13.
Discharged for disability and other causes — officers, 3 ; enlisted
men, 162. Deserted, 122; transferred, 60; officers resigned,
14; officers promoted to another regiment, 1. Making a total
loss of 484. In addition there had been 21 officers and 288
men wounded, making an apparent loss of 793, and a remaining
strength of 186. To be sure, many of the wounded had re-
turned to their commands, but it is a question if the absent, sick
and on detached service, would not counterbalance the accretions
made from that source. In the absence of the Adjutant's morn-
ing report I think it would be safe to say that the effective
strength of the regiment on January 1st, '64, did not exceed 200.
Searing, who was a close observer, places the strength of the
regiment, after the battle of Locust Grove, at 105. I do not
know from what source his information was obtained, but from
the figures I have been able to obtain, I must consider his esti-
mate too low. Of the 122 deserters, 82 had deserted before the
regiment left Trenton, and 19 more before its first battle .
making 101 in all before the regiment had fired a shot. Of the
sick, left behind at Trenton, one had died and 11 been dis-
charged before leaving the State. Deducting the deserters and
those left behind, sick, instead of the regiment leaving the State
979 strong, as the rolls would seem to indicate, it numbered 860
officers and men.

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEEBS. 147

As has been previously stated, when the regiment marched
from Alexandria 4 commissioned officers and 215 men were left
behind sick. So that it will be seen that the regiment never had
a fighting strength of more than 600. Of those left behind at
Alexandria a large proportion never reported back to the regi-
ment, being either transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps or
numbered with the discharged.

Following is the official report, by Colonel McAllister, of the
part taken by the Eleventh New Jersey Volunteers in the cam-
paign and battle of Mine Run, November 26th to December 3d,
1863:

"Headquarters 11th Reg., N. J. V., }

"Near Brandy Station, Va., >

" Dec. 4th, 1863. )

" Sir — I have the honor, in accordance with orders from Corps
Headquarters, to report, relative to the part my regiment took in
the late campaign and battle beyond the Bapidan river, as follows :

" Thursday morning, Nov. 26th, broke camp and moved toward
the river. 1 P. M., arrived at Jacobs' Ford ; Colonel Blaisdell,
commanding Brigade, ordered me to march down to the river,
close by the pontoons, and as soon as a boat was launched in the
water, man it with twenty-five (25) men and cross without delay.
We soon reached the opposite shore, deployed as skirmishers, and
marched up to the crest of the hill, when we discovered a few rebel
cavalrymen, who fired a few shots and disappeared. I then
advanced the line until ordered to halt for further orders. In
about 1£ hours the column moved forward, the rebels firing occa-
sionally and retreating. On arriving at a creek and mill, we
halted, countermarched, and bivouacked for the night in the
woods.

" Sep. 27th. Up early, and moved on a road leading towards
Bobertson's tavern. The enemy crossed our road and disputed
our passage. Skirmishers were thrown out, and we continued
our advance for a short time, when the enemy showed himself in
force. I was then ordered to support the skirmishers, which I
did for 1J hrs., as circumstances required, when I was ordered to
relieve Col. McLaughlin, which order I obeyed, with my right
resting on the road and advanced my pickets to the fence and the

148

THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

regiment close in their rear. The enemy fired rapidly. Lt. Col.
Schoonover went in person on the picket-line, directing opera-
tions, increasing our fire and driving the enemy back. The fire
now slackened, everything seemed to be working favorable. The
enemy now advanced in force. The 26th Penn. Eeg. on my left

Lieutenant John B. Faussett.

gave way, carrying with it some of our men. Major Halsey and
myself soon brought them back, the 26th Penn. Reg. rallied, and
all fought splendidly. In a short time the 5th Excelsior Regiment
broke, afterwards the line on my left gave way. My regiment
stood firm holding the enemy in check until the ground on my
flanks was occupied by the enemy in force ; three minutes more

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 149

and we would have been taken prisoners. I then ordered my
men to fall back. In doing so, Johnson, the color-bearer, on
reaching the open space at the cross-roads stopped, unfurled the
National flag and waved it in the face of the enemy. On arriving
at the battery, we re-formed and joined the brigade at Division
Headquarters, formed in line of battle and lay down to rest. Our
loss in this battle was (6) six killed, twenty (20) wounded, (2)
two missing, (2) two taken prisoner, in all (30) thirty. With
but few exceptions our officers and men did well. I cannot
refrain from mentioning the names of Lt. Col. Schoonover, Maj.
Halsey and Adjt. Beach. They acquitted themselves with honor.

"Nov. 28th, 1 A. M. Ordered to advance on the picket-line,
where we remained until early dawn, then moved with the
column toward and past Robertson's Tavern, bivouacked for the
night between the turnpike and plank-road toward Orange Court
House.

"Nov. 29th. Moved forward toward the plank-road, to sup-
port Gen. Warren. Bivouacked in the woods for the night.

" Nov. 30th. Ordered to report to Gen. Warren. Moved up
the plank-road, filed off to the left in line of battle — in front of
the enemy's works — preparatory to a charge, lay there until
evening, returned (3) three miles and bivouacked for the night.

" Dec. 1st, 12 A. M. Ordered with the Brigade to report to
Gen. Gregg, down the plank-road, at Parker's Store. Arrived at
3 P. M., formed line of battle along the road and remained there
until daylight next morning.

" December 2d. Early dawn, moved with and in rear of the
brigade. Nothing in rear of us but one regiment of cavalry.
Came down the plank-road towards Chancellorsville, then struck
off in the direction of Culpepper Ford. Crossed on pontoons,
then moved to Ely's Ford, turned in direction of the camp and
bivouacked for the night.

"December 3d, 8 A. M. Started at the head of our brigade
and reached camp early in the evening.

" Very respectfully,

"Tour obdt. servant,

"Robebt McAllister,

"Col. Gomdg. Regt."

150 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

Chapter IX.

Camp at Brandy Station.

The five months spent in quarters at Brandy Station, though
not a period of unalloyed pleasure, was yet perhaps the most
pleasant period in our army experience. Easy communication
with the North enabled us to receive many testimonials of love
from the friends left behind. Many boxes of delicacies, and
packages of books and papers found their way to the front.
Although drills, inspections, etc., were kept up, we found
leisure for reading, writing, and practicing the sccial amenities in
a manner peculiar to army life. Frequent reviews were held,
not so much to test the discipline and proficiency of the troops
as to exhibit them to the admiring eyes of the female friends and
relatives of the officers in command. Access to the army being
easy, and comparatively safe, and there being no indications of
another campaign during the winter, the wives of general and
staff officers took advantage of the opportunity offered to visit
the army. The boys learned to know them by sight and to read
the indications pretty closely. If a strange lady was seen issuing
from headquarters, a review of some kind was sure to follow
within a few days; and though they became somewhat irk-
some, from their frequency, the men were gallant enough to
submit without much grumbling.

The long rows of log cabins, with wide streets between, had
few claims to architectural beauty. Outwardly they presented
pretty much the same appearance — rough surfaces of logs, chinked
between and daubed plentifully with Virginia mud, and roofed
with canvas more or less weather-stained, according to its age of
service. At one end an uncouth projection, something like a
bay-window in its first stage of evolution, continued some feet
above the roof, and in some instances terminating in a headless
pork or sugar-barrel, constituted a fire-place and chimney. A
low opening, closed with a rubber blanket, or rough door made

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 151

of cracker- boxes, hung with leather hinges, served for an
entrance, and all around an embankment of dirt to keep the
water from entering. Inside, the general arrangements were
alike ; across one end, bunks, one above another, to accommodate
four persons, made of poles and filled with aromatic pine boughs
known as Virginia feathers ; hooks on each side, where the guns
and equipments were hung ; a floor of split logs, boards or hard-
ened earth, dependent upon opportunity or the energy of the
inmates. At one side a rude table, made of pieces of boxes or
any odd bits of board that could be obtained, and hung with
pieces of leather so as to be lowered when not in use ; above the
fire-place, perhaps a rude shelf. These were the general features,
but in the minor details there was as much difference as there
was diversity of tastes of the inmates. Some were so neat and
orderly that one would almost think that a woman's hand had
arranged them. The table would be covered with paper or a
piece of muslin, and in the center piled whatever reading-matter
the mess might possess, accompanied by the almost universal
package of Killikinnick, for it was a hard matter to get four
soldiers together without one or more smokers being of the party-
All had to be kept reasonably clean, as frequent inspections were
made and a few hours' extra drill or some other punishment
awaited the negligent.

The ordinary routine of camp duty was the same, day after day
— reveille and roll-call, sick-call, guard-mount, two hours' drill,
either company, battalion, or brigade — then dinner. Afternoon,
two hours' drill, dress- parade, roll-call at retreat, tattoo at nine,
and taps a quarter of an hour later, when all lights were supposed
to be extinguished. In many tents convivial parties would
frequently gather, who paid but little attention to taps. The
officer of the day, passing around, would call out, " Lights out
in there." "All right, Lieutenant," would be the answer, and
the lights would disappear, only to spring up again brightly
as soon as the sound of his footsteps had died away.
1 Some one has said, " Turn a sailor adrift upon a log in mid-
ocean and he will get whiskey." It might almost as well be

152 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

said, " Put a soldier in the center of an arid desert, and if he
has a love for the ardent he will manage some way to get it."
Certain it is that thongh every effort was made to prevent the
private soldier getting intoxicating liquors, he could at any time
during the winter encampment get as much as he had money
with which to pay. Sutlers and commissaries were under
orders not to sell it to enlisted men, but soldiers were full of
strategy, and if a forged order or pair of shoulder-straps assumed
for the occasion would not bring it, they would find some other
way.

About this time a question of seniority arose between Colonel
McAllister, of the Eleventh New Jersey, and Colonel Blaisdell,
of the Eleventh Massachusetts. Fending the settlement of the
question McAllister was in command of the brigade. He was
known as a sincere Christian, but of rather a puritanical bent,
and strongly opposed to the use of intoxicants in any form. It
was very rarely, and only upon extraordinary occasions, that he
would allow it to be issued to the men. And this recalls a
little incident of which he was the hero. At Gettysburg, after
he was wounded and taken to the rear, he was being cared for
by Dr. Welling. The doctor urged him to take a little whiskey
to stimulate his waning strength, but McAllister steadily refused.
Welling then, without his knowledge, prepared an appetizing
milk punch, which McAllister readily drank. He was heard
afterward speaking in terms of praise of the milk given by the
Gettysburg cows.

But to return : Blaisdell, on the other hand, was not partic-
ularly known as a teetotaler, and did not object to the men
having their regular ration of stimulants. Though both col-
onels were brave and gallant soldiers, they could not, because of
disparity of tastes and dispositions, become very warm friends.
It was a current rumor in the camp at the time that Blaisdell
had said if he regained command of the brigade by the holidays,
he would have the entire brigade drunk. I cannot vouch for
the truth of the rumor, but it is a matter of history that such an
occurrence transpired, and shortly after Blaisdell took command

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 153

an unusual quantity of "commissary " was issued, and the drink-
ing men, on one night at least, were pretty thoroughly intoxi-
cated. The over-indulgence came near bringing about a serious
riot. The camp of the Excelsior Brigade adjoined ours, and
visits back and forth were frequent. On the night in question
some of the members of the Fourth Excelsior were visiting
friends in Company K, of the Eleventh. Cards were brought
out and drink flowed freely. As a result a dispute arose, ending
in a fight. The visitors, getting the worst of it, ran to their
camp for assistance. A crowd came pouring over and the battle
spread. Other companies became involved, and even the Twenty-
sixth Pennsylvania, or rather members of it, who were always
our warmest friends, came with offers of assistance. It was not
until Colonel McAllister armed a part of the regiment and
charged the crowd that the trouble was ended.

It is almost impossible to collect a body of men without hav-
ing some who are inclined to cast off moral restraint. The
Eleventh contained some such men, but I think the moral tone
of the regiment was equal to, if not above, the average. That it
was so was owing to the earnest efforts of its colonel, and above
all to its chaplain, E. Clark Cline, who possessed in an eminent
degree those qualities that win the love of the thoughtful and
command the respect of the most reckless. Allied to a winning
kindliness of manner was an earnest Christianity that none could
question. He was ever ready to give aid to even the humblest,
and no circumstances, no matter how trying, were ever known to
extort from him any but the gentlest words. All who were with
the regiment while he was connected with it know how earnestly
he worked for the moral and spiritual welfare of its members.
As soon as we became settled in camp, therefore, a chapel was
erected and meetings were held regularly through the winter,
which resulted in a number of conversions. In addition, a tem-
perance society was organized and many induced to sign the
pledge.

On the evening of February 29th the Hon. John Hill, of
Boonton, addressed the temperance organization, and it also

154 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

received visits from Mr. Fay and Miss Helen L. Gilson, of
Chelsea, Mass. There is a great deal of truth in the old couplet :

"Wherever God erects a house of prayer,
The devil always builds a chapel there."

For no sooner had the temperance society been organized than
the liquor element organized an anti-temperance society, pledg-
ing themselves to destroy (by drinking) all the liquor they could
get. The badge that distinguished the members of this society
was a cent cut in two, and one-half suspended from the button-
hole by a narrow ribbon. This society consisted of enlisted
men. Another one, of like character, existed among the line
officers, whose badge consisted of a grain of corn, typical of the
source of commissary whiskey.

Among the amusements of the winter were balls and minstrel
. performances. A large hall, 40 by 70 feet, had been built for
the use of the brigade. The season was opened by a grand ball
held by the officers, and as there were many ladies visiting the
army, of course it was a very enjoyable affair. Afterward the
room was turned over to the use of enlisted men, and the regiments
would take turns in giving entertainments. But as the enlisted
men had no wives nor daughters visiting them, and a dance
without something resembling femininity not being very attract-
ive, the want was filled by dressing in female garb the youngest
and most effeminate of the soldiers. Some sent North for female
apparel, but as that was not always practicable, many ways were
resorted to and many varieties of material used to get up costumes.
Colonel McAllister, no doubt, would have been very indignant
had he known that one of his table- covers sometimes figured as a
skirt upon George W. Lindley, the writer's " steady company."
Said cover was procured through Charles Abers, of Company E,
employed at regimental headquarters. Hoops were fashionable
in those days, and grapevines being plenty in Virginia forests, a
little ingenuity produced a passable article of crinoline. Woolen
mufflers and handkerchiefs formed an important part of the dress-
goods, but the crowning mark of the whole costume was the

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 155

head-dress, glittering with crescents and silver stars, made of paste-
board and tin-foil. Some of the boys developed a great talent for
dressing, and the correctness of their costumes, with their slender
forms and almost girlish features, would have deceived any but
the most critical observer. When all were gathered beneath the
brilliant glow of the hundreds of penny-dips that shone from
bayonet-formed candelabra, the many-colored costumes and spark-
ling jewels formed an ensemble that was immense. Excellent
music was furnished, both string and brass, by the musicians of
the brigade, and at midnight an excellent supper was given. It
cost something, for sutlers' charges were high ; but oh ! the fun
we had !

Moralists might say, " You could have put your time to better
use." Perhaps ! But I do not think any who participated in
these diversions lost any of their soldierly qualities. They fought
just as desperately and died just as bravely as if they had spent the
time shivering in the shadows and brooding over possible death.
I do not think a man is any better or braver because he wears an
elongated countenance and continually mutters, "Memento mori."
Tiring of dances the hall was given up to a troupe of min-
strels who gave really good performances, for the members were
nearly all professionals. What profession or calling could you
not find represented in the army ?

The season closed with a grand conflagration. Some incen-
diary fired the building, and in spite of the heroic efforts of the
New York firemen, from the Excelsior Brigade, who quickly
had their machines on the spot — said machines consisting of the
running-gears of baggage- wagons with ropes attached — the build-
ing was entirely consumed. No insurance.

Several snow-storms occurred during the winter. At one time
snow fell to the depth of a foot. The camp was quickly cleared
of it by shoveling it into rubber blankets and carrying it away.
On the night of February 3d there was a very heavy hail-
storm, hail-stones as large as walnuts falling.

On the morning of February 6th we were aroused long before
daylight by the beating of drums. Orders were received to

156

THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

pack knapsacks, put three days' rations in our haversacks, and
be ready to move at seven o'clock, but it was not until five
P. M. that the bugle sounded for us to fall in. Cannonading
had been heard all day in the direction of the Rapidan, and
though the roads were in a miserable condition from the rain of

Captain John Oldershaw.

the previous night we pressed rapidly forward. About ten
P. M. we crossed Robertson's river and encamped for the bal-
ance of the night in the woods beyond. Large fires were
quickly kindled, and spreading our rubber blankets on the
ground and our woolen ones over us, we were soon sleeping us
only tired soldiers can.

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 157

The 7th was Sunday, and Chaplain Cline, as was his custom,
distributed papers and tracts. At one o'clock we gathered
around a large stump, which served as a pulpit, and listened to
an excellent sermon. The meeting was an impressive one and
many hearts were touched by the chaplain's earnest words.
The circumstances by which we were surrounded lent solemnity
to the occasion. The ground we were occupying had been the
scene of a conflict the day before, and while we were listening
the occasional boom of cannon could be heard not far away.
We did not know how soon we should be called into action. I
have no doubt many serious thoughts were evoked, for they will
at times come to the most thoughtless. At four P. M. we were
ordered to return to camp, which was reached a little after dark.

Near where our regiment did picket-duty lived two families.
One, by the name of Stuart, were bitter secessionists; the name
of the other family was Jackson, and consisted of an old man —
who called himself Hickory Jackson — wife and two daughters.
They were all profoundly loyal to the Union. At the time of
the retreat from Culpepper, General Buford's cavalry was
engaged in a skirmish on Jackson's farm, a number of men
being wounded on both sides. After the fighting was over,
Jackson and his daughters carried in and cared for the Union
wounded, which so enraged the Confederates, who shortly after-
ward occupied the ground, that they threatened to hang him,
and even went so far as to put the rope around his neck. That
his life was spared was no doubt due to consideration of his age.

On February 15th the division was reviewed by about thirty
of the wives and daughters of field and staff officers. General
Prince was ostensibly in command, but I think our real com-
manders in those days were the visiting ladies. The balance of
the month of February passed without anything of note occur-
ring. We went through the ordinary round of duties, and
having plenty to eat and comfortable quarters we really enjoyed
the passing hours.

The Sixth Corps having been advanced to Madison Court
House on the 28th to aid a cavalry movement under Custer, the
Third Corps occupied their picket-line during their absence.

158 TEE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

On March let the Eleventh occupied a part of the Sixth
Corps' old picket-line, near the residence of a Mr. Farner.

By an act of Congress, approved February 29th, '64, the
grade of Lieutenant-General had been revived. The act carried
with it the command of all the armies of the United States. On
March 9th, General U. S. Grant received his commission as
Lieutenant-General, and on the 10th visited the headquarters of
the Army of the Potomac, then at Brandy Station. Soon the
sounds of preparation for the opening of the spring campaign
were heard.

On March 4th General Meade had recommended to the War
Department the consolidation of the five infantry corps of the
army into three corps. An order from the War Department,
on March 25th, authorized the carrying-out of Meade's sugges-
tion. The Second, Fifth and Sixth were to be retained, but
consolidated into two divisions. The old First Corps, consoli-
dated into two divisions, made the Third and Fourth Divisions
of the Fifth Corps. French's Division, which had joined the
Third Corps after Gettysburg, was sent to the Sixth Corps, mak-
ing its Third Division. The old Third, that had won the proud
name of " Old Guard of the Potomac," made the Third and
Fourth Divisions of the Second Corps. The new arrangement
caused a great deal of dissatisfaction, especially among the
members of the old Second Division. They were proud of the
glorious record that the old White Diamonds had made. But
when it became known that it was to retain its distinctive badge,
and, though merged with other troops, would still be knows as
the White Diamonds, the voice of complaint ceased, and the day
came when they were just as proud to be known as " Hancock's
Foot Cavalry " as they had been of the title " Old Guard."

On April 8th, the regiment was detailed to do picket-duty
along the Rappahannock, below Kelly's Ford. Five of the
picket-posts were on a narrow strip of land between the river
and a ereek (or mill-race), the strip terminating at the upper
end in a swamp. The creek was crossed by a rude bridge of logs.
It had been raining more or less for several days, and after the

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 159

posts had been relieved on the 9th the rain came down again in
torrents, the river and creek began to rise, and before the men
between the creek and river were aware of any danger their fires
were drowned out and the bridge swept away. They started for
higher ground, but the creek was too deep and swift to ford.
The only alternative lay through the swamp. After floundering
about in it until eleven o'clock, sometimes in water up to the
armpits, they succeeded in reaching high ground near the ruins
of an old building. Here they built a large fire and remained
until morning, drying their clothing. When daylight came they
found that a man by the name of Smith, belonging to the
Twenty-sixth Pennsylvania, was missing, no doubt having been
carried away by the torrent while trying to ford the creek.

About the middle of April suttlers and civilians were ordered
to the rear, and the order was a warning to us that we had not
much longer to remain idle.

On the 22d the Second Corps, numbering about 25,000 men,
was reviewed by General Grant, and for the first time we saw
the man who was to lead us to ultimate victory.

On the 25th the division was consolidated into two brigades.
The First Brigade, consisting of the First and Sixteenth Massa-
chusetts, Twenty-sixth and One Hundred and Fifteenth Penn-
sylvania, the Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Eighth and Eleventh New
Jersey, was placed under the command of Colonel Robert
McAllister, of the Eleventh New Jersey. The Second Brigade,
consisting of the Eleventh Massachusetts, Seventieth, Seventy-
first, Seventy-second, Seventy-third, Seventy-fourth and One Hun-
dred and Twentieth New York and Eighty-fourth Pennsylvania,
was placed under command of Colonel William R. Brewster,
of the Seventy-third New York or Fourth Excelsior. General
Gersham Mott was assigned to the command of the division.

It was evident to every man in the army that active operations
were soon to begin. From the fact that General Grant was to make
his headquarters with the Army of the Potomac, and from what
we had heard of him as a fighter, we were satisfied that the inde-
cision that had marked previous campaigns would no longer exist.

160 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

Chapter X.

Across the Rapidan and Southward — Wilderness —
Spottsylvania — Cold Harbor.

ON the morning of May 4th, '64, between twelve and one
o'clock, came the long-expected order to move. It was
after daylight, however, when we bid farewell to the old encamp-
ment that for five months had been our home, and where we
had enjoyed more pleasures and more real comfort than during
any other period in our army-life. It was well that we could
not pierce the future and see the dreadful carnage through which
we were to pass ; that we could not know the hardships and
terrible losses that we were to meet. Could we have seen before
us our course from the Rapidau to the James, strewn as it
became with the bodies of dead men ; could we have heard the
groans of the thousands of mangled comrades that were to echo
along that bloody march, I doubt not but our hearts would have

Note. — At the battle of Chancellorsville Lieutenant John B. Faussett
was reported as slightly wounded. The injury was more serious than at
first supposed, and proved to be permanent. He had on at the time a
private's overcoat. The bullet, passing through it, struck a buckle on his
shoulder-belt, twisting that out of shape ; it struck a stud in his shirt-
front, crushed the stone, and, stopping against his breast, caused a severe
contusion. At the battle of Gettysburg he was wounded in the head, and
the New York papers reported him among the killed, but he recovered
and re-joined his regiment. On the march to the Wilderness he was sun-
struck ; he endeavored to keep up with his command, but he could not, and
fell unconscious on the top of the bluff on the south side of the Rapidan,
where he lay until evening, in imminent peril of rolling into the swift-
flowing stream. Regaining consciousness he endeavored, in a staggering,
uncertain way, to follow the line of march. While in this condition he
was seen by Colonel Gilkyson and others, who at first thought that he
was intoxicated, but an examination showed that he was suffering from
sun-stroke and scarcely conscious of what he was doing. He was cared
for and to sent to the hospital.

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 161

become faint. About noon we reached the Rapidan and crossed
upon pontoons at Ely's ford, and about five P. M. reached the
old battle- field of Chancellorsville. We were escorting the
trains and consequently did not reach the appointed stopping-
place until several hours after the main body of the corps. The
head of the corps had reached Chancellorsville at ten A. M.,
and the entire corps, with the exception of the trains and the
troops guarding them, was up by one P. M. We had marched
about twenty-five miles, the day had been unusually warm and
many officers and men were overcome with the heat, those show-
ing the least endurance who had indulged the most freely in
commissary whiskey during the winter. Thousands of blankets
and overcoats were left on the roadside. It was a veritable har-
vest for the darkies living along the line of march. One sable
female was observed " toting " off seven overcoats and two pairs
of boots. We bivouacked not far from the scene of our
desperate fighting of the year before, and many of the men took
the opportunity to visit our old battle-line to the right of the
plank-road, where we had first met the enemy's onslaught. The
scarred trees gave evidence of the fight, and all around lay the
wreckage of the battle. But saddest of all were the bleached
bones of the comrades who had fallen there. They had been
hastily buried in shallow graves and the winter's storms had in
places washed away the light soil and laid bare the fleshless
bones. Here an arm was seen protruding from the earth, and
there .the whitened skeleton of a foot peeped above the dead
leaves. Skulls lay around, and among those picked up was that
of Sergeant Daniel Bender, of Company H, with the cap still
upon it. He had been shot through the head, the bullet piercing
the visor of his cap. Upon the under side of the visor of his
cap was stamped "D. Bender, Co. H, 11th N. J. V." A. B.
Searing, of Company E, cut out the inscription and brought it
home.

Early on the 5th we were on the move, our destination being
Shady Grove church, on the Catharpin road. The head of the
column had reached a point two miles beyond Todd's tavern,

162 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

which is situated near the junction of the Brock and Catharpin
roads, when General Hancock received orders to halt the corps
at Todd's tavern and await developments, as the enemy had been
discovered in force on the pike. It soon became apparent that
the enemy were moving in force down the Orange plank-road
and pike. General Hancock was ordered to move up the Brock
road to its junction with the Orange plank-road, preparations to
be made to move forward to Parker's store.

No sooner had we taken position along the Brock road than
we began to throw up breastworks along the western side of the
road. We had no entrenching tools. Hastily throwing together
what rails and fallen timber we could find, we covered them as
best we could with dirt, using our bayonets to loosen the earth,
and cups, tin-plates and hands to throw it up. Quite a respect-
able line of defense against infantry was soon constructed, but it
would have been useless had it been possible for the enemy to
have brought artillery against it.

The corps was formed along the Brock road, Birney's division
to the right, Mott's division continuing the line to the south of
the road. Both divisions were under the command of General
Birney. At 4:15 the order was given to advance. We moved
forward by columns of companies to the front. Our front was
covered with a dense growth of bushes, matted and locked together
by green runners commonly called "cat briars." After great
difficulty we found our way through and formed line of battle in
the more open wood beyond. Firing began almost immediately
and raged with fury. General Hancock says : " The fight became
very fieice at once, the lines of battle were exceedingly close, the
musketry continuous and deadly along the entire line." After
advancing a distance, pressing the enemy back, the Excelsior
Brigade, on our left, gave way, the enemy having got upon their
flank. The First Brigade, however, held its position until the
enemy got upon its flank, when it, too, was compelled to fall
back to the line of works along the road, where it re-formed.

The fighting on the right by Birney's and Getty's divisions
continued until eight o'clock. Hill's lines were shattered, and

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 163

had there been an hour more of daylight, he would have been
driven from the field. General Alexander Hays, commanding
the Second Brigade of Birney's division, was killed at the head
of his command. Owing to the dense forests, little artillery
could be used. A section of Dow's battery, on the Orange plank-
road, did good service, this and the remainder of Dow's battery,
in the second line, on the left of Mott's division, being the only
artillery in position on that part of the field or along our division
front.

Daylight of the 6th found us under arms and ready to
advance. The line moved forward at 4:30, Mott's and Birney's
divisions being in the front line. The enemy was attacked with
vigor, and after a severe contest his lines were broken and pushed
back in confusion through the woods, with severe loss in killed,
wounded and prisoners. Mott's division had pushed beyond the
rest of Birney's line. So far in advance was it that its shots fell
in the rear of the enemy's batteries. We were now about one
mile in advance of our works upon the Brock road, but in fight-
ing our way forward through the thick undergrowth, our lines
had become broken and confused. While in this condition,
Longstreet made an attack upon our left, striking Frank's
Brigade, of Gibbons' Division — which had fought its way to a
junction with McAllister — on the left and rear, and quickly
swept it out of the way. MoAllister, who, at the first fire upon
Frank's Brigade, had in person ascertained the position of the
flanking force, changed the front of his brigade to meet the
attack, but the enemy overlapping and getting in its rear, it too
was forced back. The confusion extending to the right, the
line was ordered to withdraw to the breastworks on the Brock
road.

Longstreet made preparations to follow up his success, and at
four o'clock pushed forward to the attack. McAllister's Brigade
occupied the second line of works that had been built east of
the road, the Excelsiors occupying the line in front. As Long-
street's men came yelling through the woods the Excelsiors
wavered and seemed on the point of breaking, but the confusion

164

TEE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

was only momentary. Settling down to their work they fought
gallantly until their ammunition was exhausted. Just as their
fire slackened the enemy planted a flag upon the works and were
about to leap over when the word " Charge " was given to the
Eleventh JNew Jersey and Sixteenth Massachusetts, The men

Lieutenant Titus Berry.

rushed impetuously forward and quickly swept the enemy back
from the works. The Eleventh New Jersey, whose colors were
the first to be planted upon the front line, were eager to pursue ;
they swept over and beyond the line, but were ordered to return.
The musketry-fire maintained during this attack has seldom been
equaled. " It was like one continuous roll of thunder, long, deep

NEW JERSEY, VOLVNTEERS. 165

and heavy, grand, yet fearful to listen to. It was the music to
enliven and electrify a soldier, and cheer after cheer went up
from the Union lines, while out in the tangled jungle was heard
the peculiar ' ki yi ' of Longstreet's men."

During this attack Dow's battery, the Sixth Maine — one sec-
tion on the plank-road and one on the left of the division — did
effective service. During the fight of the morning the first line
of works, composed almost entirely of dry logs, took fire. They
were still burning when Longstreet made the attack in the after-
noon. The smoke and heat compelling the abandonment of
some parts of the line, Hancock's men being nearly out of am-
munition and the trains too far to the rear to replenish quickly,
all thought of following up Longstreet's repulse was abandoned,
and the day's fighting was ended. Our loss was comparatively
small, the heaviest loss falling upon Birney's and Getty's men, to
our right. Lieutenant Kennedy and a number of enlisted men
were wounded. David Alpaugh, of Company E, a recruit who
had joined the regiment on February 12th, received a ballet and
three buckshot in his thigh. George W. Lindley, of Company
K, one of the color-guard, had a very narrow escape. A bullet,
striking a daguerreotype that he carried in his breast-pocket, was
thereby deflected ; the daguerreotype was broken into pieces, but
his life was saved. I will say, in passing, that it was the picture
of a young lady who afterward became his wife.

Colonel McAllister, as usual, was in the thickest of the fray.
Two horses were shot from under him, one a new black that he
had bought during the winter, and Old Charlie, known to every
old member of the regiment. Charlie was a great favorite with
the Colonel, having accompanied him through nearly all of his
campaigns.

The night of the 6th we lay on our arms in rear of the second
line of works.

On the morning of the 7th we were early under arms, and
though we were moved from point to point, the day passed
without any engagement. During the afternoon Colonel Sohoon-
over was detailed as division officer of the day, and directed to

166 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

take the Eleventh New Jersey and Twenty-sixth Pennsylvania
and establish a picket-line through the battle-ground of the
previous day. Schoonover says : " The establishment of this
line in the darkness, the men stumbling over the dead bodies of
friends and foes, was a duty not altogether pleasant."

Though little that was startling occurred during this night's
picket-duty, the surroundings were such as to make a vivid and
lasting impression upon the minds of all who participated in it.
The stillness of the night, the gloom of the forest, so deep as to
be almost shadowless, making the forms of comrades only a pace
or two distant look like dim silhouettes against a darker back-
ground ; clumps of bushes, stumps and fallen limbs took weird
and threatening shapes; imagination played fantastic tricks, and
fallen logs became lurking foes and the harmless murmur of
each gentle breeze the voice of waiting enemies, and as we
moved slowly forward through the gloom our feet would come
in contact with some yielding substance, and, reaching down, our
hands perhaps would fall upon the clammy face of a corpse, for
the woods was filled with death's ghastly trophies. Everything
seemed shadowy and unreal. A volley from the enemy would
have given relief to the strained nerves. But hark ! A cheer
breaks from the right of the Union lines. Oh ! what a relief.
The strained nerves relax, the silence is broken ; down the line
it sweeps ; regiment after regiment takes it up and carries it
along until it dies away on the extreme left. The rebels, though
ignorant of the cause, send back yells of defiance, from left
to right. Keeping pace with the Union cheer sweeps the south-
ern yell. And what has caused this burst of enthusiasm from
Union throats ? Grant is riding along the lines.

Sunday morning, May 8th, we pushed our picket-line further
to the front, passing over portions of the battle-field thickly
strewn with the dead of both armies. In some places feeble
attempts had been made toward burying the dead ; no graves
were dug, only a little dirt thrown over the faces and bodies,
leaving the limbs exposed. But many were lying just as they
fell. A. B. Searing, says : " In one place I counted twenty-four

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 167

Confederates and twenty Union soldiers lying close together. In
another place I noticed a dead Confederate upon his knees, with
his face buried in the dirt. Still another I saw hanging dead
upon the top rail of a fence, his feet on one side and his head on
the other." In places the positions of the opposing forces were
marked by two lines of dead, lying almost as thickly as lines of
battle, and not over twenty yards apart.

During the night of the 7th, and morning of the 8th, the
army moved toward Spottsylvania Court House. The Eleventh
New Jersey was the last body of infantry to leave the field of
the Wilderness. The picket-line was withdrawn about ten o'clock
A. M. without interruption from the enemy. They fired a few
shots as we left the plank-road, upon a small body of cavalry
that was in our rear, but they gave us no further trouble.

During the morning of the 8th, while yet on the picket-line,
Sergeant Hand and Andrew Webster captured a rebel who had
two Union prisoners in charge, who were from an Ohio regiment.
He had started with them to the rear, but lost his bearings, and
came too close to the Union lines. The Ohio men were very
happy to find themselves again within the Union lines, and will-
ingly assumed the duty of taking their former guard to Union
headquarters. Soon afterward a man was seen running swiftly
toward our lines. He was ordered to halt, but was too much
excited to heed the command. As he was unarmed, and wore a
blue coat, he was not fired upon. Beaching our lines he fell,
completely exhausted. It was some minutes before he could tell
his story. He was a very young Ohio boy, and had been cap-
tured and sent under guard to the rear ; the guards becoming
careless, he made a break for liberty — two shots were fired after
him, but fortunately were badly aimed. He was very glad to
find himself again among friends.

" The impression among officers and men no doubt was pretty
general that a retreat of the army across the Rapidan would be
ordered, as it had been the custom in the past to fight a battle
and then retreat, and it was not unreasonable to suppose this
would be repeated. When the order came from General Grant

168 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

to move on toward Spottsylvania Court House, the boys made up
their minds that 'Meade's and Lee's express route,' ae they
called it, was to be abandoned, and that Grant proposed to estab-
lish an office nearer Richmond."

The march to Todd's Tavern, though not a long one, was a
very warm one, two officers and a number of men falling from
sunstroke. We reached the brigade in the afternoon and at once
went to work building a strong line of earthworks, many of the
men using their plates for want of shovels. The night the
regiment lay at Todd's Tavern its commanding officer, Colonel
Schoonover, enjoyed the luxury of a cellar-door for a resting-
place, being quite sick during the afternoon, and suffering with a
burning thirst and showing other symptoms of fever. Dr.
Welling prescribed for him "Commissary thick with ginger." I
do not know whether the whiskey and ginger or the cellar-door
was the more efficacious, but the symptoms abated and the colonel
was ready for duty in the morning.

On the morning of the 9th we moved to a position on the
Catharpin road, where we remained until three o'clock in the
morning, getting but little rest, however, for twice during the
night we were. called to arms by heavy picket- firing.

We marched at three A. M. the morning of the 10th, the
division having been ordered to report to General Wright, com-
manding the Sixth Corps. About nine o'clock we took position
to the left of the Sixth Corps, the left of the division resting
near the Brown house. We immediately threw up works and
remained in position until five P. M., when the division was
formed and ordered to advance. It went forward through the
woods, pressing the enemy's pickets back until near their breast-
works, when it was met by an enfilading fire from their batteries,
which caused it to fall back in some confusion. The Eleventh
was on the left of the division, and when Colonel Schoonover
observed the line breaking away from the right, he ordered the
regiment to lie down, and with the exception of a small portion
of his command, which was broken from the right and carried
back with the rest of the division, it was held in this advanced

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 169

position. After remaining there quietly for some time, word
was sent to General Mott that the Eleventh was still at the front
and awaiting orders. Instructions were soon received from the
commanding officer of the division to establish a picket-line,
which was done, the regiment remaining in this position during
the night and until dark the next day.

During the advance on the 5th, Lieutenant-Colonel Schoon-
over was slightly wounded ; Sergeant Iliff, Company E, was
taken prisoner, and Ellis F. Rose, of the same company, was
missing — no doubt killed, as he was not heard from afterward-
Sergeant Marbacher was struck on the haversack, which was
swinging on his hip, by a partially-spent canister, which did no
harm, however, further than to damage his rations and cause
iiim to fall into a ditch over which he was about to jump.

There was no apparent cause why the division should have
fallen back in confusion on this occasion, as the losses do not
indicate that the enemy's fire was very destructive. Grant in
his Memoirs says the movement failed because of the " feeble
action of Mott." Certainly it will be admitted that the
Eleventh Regiment is entitled to marked credit for remaining
in this advanced position after the entire division, with this
exception, had gone in confusion to the rear.

Daring the forenoon of the 11th, the picket-line was much
annoyed by sharpshooters who fired from the protection of the
Landron house, about one-fourth of a mile in front. In the
afternoon an order was received from General Mott to take what
men of the Eleventh were on the skirmish-line and the Twenty-
-sixth Regiment and charge upon this house. The advance was
made under a galling fire from the enemy, with considerable loss
until the fire of the enemy's artillery was drawn, when the line
was ordered to withdraw. This movement was under the com-
mand of Lieutenant Colonel Schoonover. Sergeant-Major John
Lanterman, one of the bravest and coolest soldiers, under all
circumstances, that we had in the regiment, was killed by a
sharpshooter from this house, and his loss was very much felt.
His name was soon to have been forwarded to the Governor for

170 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

a captain's commission. Lieutenant Savidge was also badly
wounded. It was supposed at the time that this movement was
merely intended to dislodge the enemy's sharpshooters, but it
was afterwards learned that it was for the more important pur-
pose of developing the enemy's position.

On page 225, volume second, "Grant's Memoirs," may be
found this statement :

"On the 11th there was no battle and but little firing; none
except by Mott, who made a reconnoissance to ascertain if there
was a weak point in the enemy's line."

At dark the regiment was ordered to re-join the brigade, which
was in position about one mile to the right, in rear of the Sixth
Corps ; but hardly had it reported when the division was ordered
to its old position near the Brown house. It will be remembered
that on the morning of the 10th Mott's Division, the Fourth of
the Second Corps, had been detached from the corps and ordered 1
to report to General Wright, commanding the Sixth Corps — the
position of the balance of the corps being on the right of the
Fifth Corps, holding the extreme right of the Union line. But
on the afternoon of the 11th General Meade received an order
from General Grant directing him to move the three divisions
of the Second Corps by the rear of the Fifth and Sixth, under
cover of the night, and place the entire Second Corps in position
between the Sixth and Ninth Corps, so as to join the Ninth in a
vigorous attack upon the enemy at four o'clock on the morning
of the 12th. Mott's Division was therefore moved to its old
position near the Brown house, where the remainder of the corps
joined it, and all took position between the Sixth and Ninth
Corps, ready for the assault as soon as there was sufficient light
to enable the troops to keep their direction. The formation for
attack was : Barlow's and Birney's Divisions in front, Birney on
the right, Mott in Birney's rear in one line ; Gibbon's Division
in reserve in rear of Barlow and Birney. At 4:35 the order was
given to advance. In moving forward a gap was formed to the
right of Birney, and McAllister's brigade was deflected to the
right to fill this gap, thereby becoming a part of the first line.

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 171

In order to understand the battle of May 12th it is necessary
to have some idea of the formation of the enemy's lines, at
least that part involved in the assault. I will make no attempt
to describe the entire course of the enemy's works, but, starting
at a point on the Brock road — that is, the road running from
Germania ford to Spottsylvania Court House — the line ran a
a little east of north for about two hundred yards, then east
for a short distance, then northeast for about a fourth of a
mile. That part of the line was held by Kershaw, whose left
extended beyond the right of the Fifth Corps. Then the line
ran east of north for about one-fourth of a mile through slashed
timber to a point where a re-entrant connected a short inner
parallel with the main line. Rhodes' Division of E well's Corps
held this part of the line, Dale's Brigade resting on the Bloody
Angle. Here a short angle looked southwest from this angle ;
for about half a mile the general course was northeast, with two
or three eastward-deflecting angles, until it reaohed the high
cleared ground of Landron's farm. Here it turned sharply and
ran southeastward for a fourth of a mile, having fairly open
ground in front and woods about the McCool house in the rear.
This part of the line was occupied by Johnson's Division, of
Ewell's Corps. Then the line looked east and northeast for
another fourth of a mile, and then bore a little west of south
until it reached a small stream, an affluent of the Ny, which ran
from the direction of the McCool house. Another small stream,
coming from the westward, passed through their lines about two
hundred yards to the south, and the two met just outside the
Union works. Between these streams their line was broken, but
the gap was protected by a detached work on the high ground .
A little to the rear from these detached works a line extended
about two-thirds of the way across to the westward line of de-
fense. From this second stream the line ran southeast until it
struck a third stream, which ran northeasterly and nearly due
east from the point where we took up the line on the Brock
road. About an eighth of a mile north of this point a line ran
across in rear of the Harrison house, and connected with the

172

THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

western salient a short distance north of the Brock road. We
will follow it no further, though the line was continued south-
ward for nearly three miles, to a point near Snell's bridge on
the river Po. The general contour of this portion of the enemy's
lines resembled a horse-shoe with the toe sharply bent. The por-

Sergeant T. O'Doane.

tion of the line running east and west from the toe or apex was
known as the east and west salients. Down the west salient, in
front of the inner parallel mentioned, was the part of the line-
known as the " death, or bloody angle."

We said that in moving forward McAllister's brigade was
pushed to the right and thereby became a part of the first line

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 173

but the troops, converging toward one common center, the apex
of the enemy's works became densely massed, which necessitated
further movements to the right and left. Barlow, therefore,
struck the enemy's line on the eastern salient and McAllister
well down on the western, just in front of the " death angle."

Stewart's Brigade, of Johnson's Division, held the east salient.
Captain McHenry Howard, of Stewart's staff, says : " Stewart's
Brigade broke first on the left at the angle ; the brigade was
taken flank and rear." This would indicate that Birney's and
McAllister's troops must have entered the works before Barlow
and Gibbons, whose troops had rushed forward and formed on
Barlow's left, they being in Stewart's front. Birney, entering at
the apex, would have struck Stewart on the flank, and McAllister,
being further down the west salient, the fire from his troops would
have struck Stewart's rear — the distance at this point from the
east to the west salients being not more than five hundred yards.

But to return : As we moved forward orders were given to
make as little noise as possible. The ground inclined up to the
enemy's works and in our front was wooded ; but to the left,
Barlow soon struck the open ground of the Landron farm. As
soon as they struck this open ground they gave voice to a cheer,
which was answered by a volley of musketry and two cannon
shots. The line now moved rapidly forward, and, before the
enemy could recover, had swept over the works, capturing four
thousand prisoners, twenty pieces of artillery, with their caissons
and horses, thirty colors, a quantity of small arms, together with
Major-General Edward Johnson and Brigadier- General George
H. Stewart. But the battle was not to be so easily won as this
initial success would seem to indicate. We pressed forward to
the second line of works, but they had been strongly manned,
and the advance was checked.

The position captured was of the utmost importance to Lee,
and he rapidly threw forward reinforcements. Gordon's troops,
who had been held to support both Johnson and Rhodes', and
Ramsecure's Brigade from the left of Rhodes', were soon on the
ground, and then ensued one of the most desperate struggles of

174 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

the war. The Union forces were pushed back and the enemy
again occupied the interior of the works, but the Union troops
clung desperately to their face and could not be dislodged. "At
the point occupied by the Eleventh Regiment, the reverse side of
the salient, offered but little protection from the fire of the
enemy's works on the hill, consequently our men moved a little
to the left where a sharp descent in the ground running from and
forming an acute angle with the salient offered some protection.
For some distance to the left of. where our line joined the works
the enemy occupied one side and we the other. Our line under
the brow of the hill opened fire over the top of the works so soon
as formed. This was our only safety, for when our fire slackened
for a moment the enemy would rise from behind the works and
pour a destructive fire into our ranks along the foot of the hill.
Our forces at this point was not less than ten ranks in depth.
The enemy brought up their re-inforcements under cover of the
woods in the rear. Many of them, either ignorant of our position
or over-anxious to single out an officer, would raise their heads
above the works and fall back dead. Our fire was mainly kept
up by those in the rear loading their pieces and passing them up
to the front ranks. A great portion of the enemy's fire was of
a random character, although many of our men were hit by shots
fired through the crevices of the logs and holes in the earth-
works. Frequently their muskets could be seen with the barrels
resting on top of the logs and the stock in a forked stick, the gun
was then fired without exposing the hand. No doubt many of
our men were struck by these shots, and invariably in the head.
Lieutenant-Colonel Schoonover was slightly wounded under the
ear by one of these shots. Occasionally during the day the
enemy would display a regimental flag above the works, but the
staff would be almost instantly cut off by our bullets. Their
works at this point were constructed with traverses a few yards
apart. Several times a white flag was shown above the works,
and as soon as our fire would slacken, the men, evidently between
two of these traverses, would jump-over and surrender. At one
time the men to the left of where the white flag was displayed

NEW JEBSEY VOLUNTEERS. 175

discovered the movement too soon for us, and for our own safety
we were compelled to open fire before all of them were safely
over, and a number fell back into their own lines pierced by the
bullets of friends and foes. The fire was kept up until nearly
midnight, when it ceased, and the entire line fell into our hands
after fourteen hours of constant fighting."

Colonel Schoonover says : " I went over the works at daylight
the next morning, and the sight was one not easily forgotten.
In the ditches between the traverses I counted two hundred and
fifty dead, mostly shot in the head, and in some places they lay
three and four deep. I only recollect finding one wounded man
there. He was sitting erect, his eyes completely closed, and seemed
in great agony. A short distance in the rear of the rebel works I
noticed two rebel colonels lying side by side, while their horses
lay near them. The evidence of the continued fire at this point
during the day and part of the night was everywhere apparent.
The trees near the works were stripped of their foliage, and
looked as though an army of locusts had passed during the
night. The brush between the lines was cut and torn into
shreds, and the fallen bodies of men and horses lay there with
the flesh shot and torn from the bones. The peculiar whirring
sound of a flying ramrod was frequently heard during the day.
I noticed two of these that had fastened themselves in the oak
trees near by. While the great number of the enemy's dead
and the terrible effects of our fire upon the logs composing the
breastworks attested the general accuracy of our fire, the absence
of the foliage from the top of the tallest trees made it evident
that during a battle there is much random firing. There is a
large percentage of men in actual battle who load carefully, aim
deliberately and shoot to kill. On the other hand, it is not an
uncommon thing for a soldier, amidst the excitement of battle,
to load his gun, shut his eyes and fire in the air straight over his
head."

General McGowan, of Wilcox's Division, Hill's Corps, says :
" Our men lay on one side of. the breastworks, the enemy on the
other, and in many instances men were pulled over. The

176 TEE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

trenches on the right of the ' bloody angle ' had to be cleared
more than once. An oak tree, twenty-two inches in diameter?
in the rear of the brigade, was cut down by musket-balls, and
fell about twelve o'clock Thursday night, injuring several men
in the First South Carolina Regiment."

Brigadier-General Lewis A. Grant, of the Sixth Corps, whose
brigade took position on our left during the forenoon, says : " I
was at the angle the next day. The sight was terrible and
shocking — much worse than at ' bloody lane,' Antietam. There
a great many men were lying in the road and across the rails of
torn-down fences and out in the corn-field, but they were not
piled several deep and their flesh was not so torn and mangled
as at the 'angle.'"

Among the many acts of heroism performed during the terrible
struggle of the 12th of May there is one that came under the
observation of members of the Eleventh that is particularly
worthy of note. A youthful soldier, belonging to one of the
Vermont regiments that had taken position on our left, leaped
upon the works, and, running a short distance along them, dis-
charged his gun into the ranks of the enemy, not more than a
foot away. This act he repeated several times, his comrades
passing loaded guns up to him. It was a splendid exhibition of
courage, and he paid for it with his life, for he soon fell back
among his comrades, shot through the neck.

The loss to the Eleventh was about 70 in killed and wounded.
That it was not greater was owing to its fortunate position at the
ravine before mentioned, and to the fact that such an incessant
fire was kept up that it was impossible for the enemy to fire with
any accuracy.

Tne officers killed were Captain Samuel T. Sleeper, of Com-
pany I, and Lieutenant William Egan, of Company E. Egan
was killed at the opening of the battle. As the regiment was
moving forward through the wood, Egan and the writer were
marching side by side, almost touching elbows, when a shot,
coming from an oblique direction, passed through the ranks of
Company I, killing Nathaniel Cole, then striking Egan in the

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 177

lower part of the breast it passed entirely through his body. He
fell without a groan.

Toward morning on the 13th Lee withdrew his troops from
the salient and took position in the line across its base in rear of
the Harrison house. Owing to the expiration of the terms of
service of several of the regiments belonging to Mott's Division,
and the losses in battle, its numbers had become so reduced that
on the 13th it was consolidated into one brigade under General
Mott and assigned to Birney's Division — the Third. McAllis-
ter, therefore, resumed command of the regiment. But little
change occurred in the position of the regiment on the 13th
other than was necessary to rectify the alignments and man the
works along our front. A brisk picket-fire, however, was kept
up throughout the day. In the evening orders were issued to
be ready to attack at four o'clock on the morning of the 14th,
but not to attack until further orders. The Fifth and Sixth
Corps had been ordered to move to the left and attack the
enemy's right on the morning of the 14th, and our attack was to
be made in connection with theirs. But, owing to the bad con-
dition of the roads and the intense darkness, they did not reach
their positions until too late to make the attack a successful one.
Consequently the day was a comparatively quiet one along the
main line. The pickets, however, kept up a brisk fire and
sharpshooters indulged in their usual diversion of trying to pick
off any exposed officer. Though the day was a quiet one it was
far from being a comfortable one to the army, for the rain fell
steadily.

At four A. M. on the 15th the Second Corps was moved to
the rear of the Ninth Corps. Our brigade, however, took posi-
tion in the front line of works to the right of the Ninth Corps.
This move of the brigade had been made necessary by an attack
upon the picket-line, and, as usual, the White Diamonds were
rushed to the point of danger, but the attack proved to be of
little force, and as the day wore on it promised to be undisturbed
except by the usual fire of pickets and sharpshooters. About
noon the rebels ran out a battery and began throwing shells,

178 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

more, I presume, as a matter of annoyance than with the expec-
tation of any great havoc, yet it resulted in a great loss to the
Eleventh Regiment by the killing of Lieutenant Joseph C.
Baldwin, one of our best and most promising officers.

Colonel Schoonover says : " He had been serving on the staff
of General McAllister, and had that morning joined the regiment,
bringing with him a presentiment that his death was very near
at baud. He was a general favorite, and his presence always
brought with it sunshine and cheer ; but on that day he was un-
usually depressed, and it seemed as if the shadow of his coming
doom preceded the fatal shot. There was quiet along the lines,
and not even a probability of danger that day. But Baldwin
could not relieve his mind of the belief that he was to die soon.
At this time the regiment, with the brigade, occupied the outer
line of works, the corps being massed in rear, preparatory to an
onward move. We were sitting side by side, leaning against
one of the traverses, which had been placed in the works as a
protection against a flank fire. His conversation was of home,
of the church he used to attend, and especially of the coming
marriage of his sister — cards having been received by him that
very day. In the midst of all this quiet, the rebel General
Rosser brought up a battery of artillery and commenced an
enfilade of our lines. Few shots had been fired when one forced
its way through between two of the logs composing the traverse,
crushed the head of poor Baldwin, causing instant death. He
had given his life for his country, and the blood which flowed
from his wound sealed the cards which had brought an invita-
tion to the marriage festivities of an only sister."

Baldwin was buried on the field, and his grave marked with
a board bearing his name, rank and command. His body was
recovered in January, 1866, and his funeral attended from St.
Paul's church, Newark, January 29th, 1866. His remains were
buried at Fairfield, N. J., by the side of his wife, who had died
just six months previous to his death. When killed he was
writing to his sister, and the last sentence was, " The rebs keep
throwing shells, but they are well spent, and from my position

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 179

I can't see that they do any harm." He was a ready writer and
corresponded for several papers, his best nom de plumes being
" Ned Carroll " and " Frank Greenwood." In one fictitious
dispatch from the seat of war he graphically described the death
of Comrade Ned Carroll, and signed it " Frank Greenwood." It
was a strange coincidence that it proved a faithful description of
the manner of his own death a few weeks later.

The 16th and 17th were passed in comparative quiet, but on
the night of the 17th, just as we had fallen asleep, orders came
to be ready to move at a moment's notice. We moved about half
a mile, stacked arms and lay down again. Meade, thinking the
concentration of our forces upon the enemy's right had induced
them to so weaken their left that a successful attack might be
made there, ordered the Sixth and Second Corps to move under
cover of the night to the position of May 12th, and attack on
the morning of the 18th. The assault was made at four A. M.,
by Barlow's and Gibbons' Divisions of the Second Corp, with
the Sixth Corp on their right. Birney's Division, being held in
reserve, took position in the works under a severe fire of shells.
The assault was without result, the enemy being found on the
alert and their works strongly manned.

On the evening of the 17th a strong picket detail was sent
out from the brigade to relieve those already posted. The
picket-line ran northward from the main line until it reached
two negro, cabins connected with the Landron estate and within
sight of the line of works that we had thrown up near the Brown
house. Then it turned eastward. Late in the afternoon of the
17th, Sergeant Marbaker, of Company E, with six men from
various companies, relieved a lieutenant and six men at the
angle-post, situated at one of the cabins. Explicit orders were
given not to fire unless the enemy made an attack, and not to
disturb them if they attempted to form a picket-line. Just
before dark it was noticed that they were collecting behind our
abandoned works near the Brown house. Thinking they were
only forming a few picket-posts no shots were fired at them.
Suddenly an attack was made upon our picket-line to the left,

180 TEE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

which attracted our attention. Upon turning again toward the
Brown house a heavy skirmish-line was found advancing from
behind the line of works. The pickets to the left were driven
in, and those in the vicinity of the cabins, seeing a strong force
advancing, fell back to the main line. Only Marbaker
remained, sheltered by the chimney. It was either the risk of
being shot or certain capture. To escape he must necessarily
run up hill, exposed to the fire of a hundred guns. Several
times he stepped out preparatory to a run, but the whizzing
bullets would quickly send him to cover again. At last, when
the enemy had advanced to within less than a hundred yards of
him, the dread of rebel prisons prevailed and he made a dash
for liberty. Immediately the rebel skirmish-line opened upon
him, and though the bullets whistled pretty lively, providentially,
he escaped injury. I will not say that he out ran the bullets,
but I do know that it would have taken a pretty fast horse to
have beaten him up the hill. Fortunately the ascent was not a
very long one, and the descent on the other side quite steep, so
that cover was soon reached. The enemy advanced to within
easy musket-shot of the main line, but soon withdrew. The
pickets that had fallen back were posted again that night in the
open ground in front of the works, -and on the morning of
the 18th were advanced to the woods beyond and westward of
the Brown house, where they remained until the morning of the
19th.

During the night of the 18th, or morning of the 19th, the
Second Corps was withdrawn from the right and marched to
Anderson's Mill, which point was reached a little after daylight.
Whether intentionally or through neglect, the pickets belonging
to Mott's brigade — about fifty men under command of a captain
from the Eighth New Jersey — were not called in. Two shots
from the left, just after daylight on the morning of the 19th,
warned the captain in command to look about him. In doing
so he found that his command was alone, no pickets being either
to his right or left. He gave the command to assemble on the
right, and started toward where the corps had been left on the

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 181

18th, but on reaching the open ground by the Brown house was
confronted by a rebel skirmish-line. The direction of march
was then changed for the Fredericksburg road, but it was only
by the sharpest of marching that the detail escaped capture, and
it was not until late in the afternoon that it re-joined the brigade
at Anderson's Mill. The report had been spread that the entire
detail had been made prisoners, and its appearance in camp
made quite a sensation.

Of the guns captured on the morning of the 12th, eight pieces
were brought into our lines by McAllister's men ; two, however,
were placed in position, when captured, and served with effect
against their former owners, the gunners being volunteers from
the infantry, among them being Sergeant William Hand, of
■Company B.

The loss of the regiment in the various conflicts around
Spottsylvania was 70 in killed, wounded and missing. In view
of the severity of the fighting that had occurred the loss does not
seem to be great. But when it is remembered that at the open-
ing of the campaign the regiment could have numbered but few
over two hundred, it will be seen that, taken in connection with
the loss at the Wilderness, it was relatively great.

The corps was withdrawn from the right on the morning of the
19th and marched to Anderson's Mill, where it went into
bivouac. The men were informed that they would remain there
until the following morning. After two weeks of almost contin-
uous fighting the prospect of having twenty-four hours' rest was
indeed a pleasant one. But rest is a very uncertain quantity in
campaigning, and as we were taking our supper, preparatory, as
we supposed, to a good night's sleep, the orders came to fall in and
move with all possible despatch. " Ewell had been directed by
General Lee to demonstrate on his front " to ascertain whether
Grant was moving to the left. The attack fell upon Tyler's
Division, which was composed of new troops, principally heavy
artillery, that had never before been engaged.

General Hancock says they "acquitted themselves well."
The firing becoming heavy, Hancock was directed to send a divi-

182

THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

sion to Tyler's assistance. Birney's Division was therefore
doubled-quicked to the scene of action and into line of battle.
Two of the brigades took position to the right of Tyler, but the
force of the attack was nearly spent and by ten o'clock all was
quiet again. Ewell, in this dash, captured a few wagons, but they
were re-taken.

Sergeant Thomas I). Marbaker.

On the morning of the 20th we returned to onr former posi-
tion at Anderson's Mill. McAllister, writing from here, says:
"Our losses in the brigade have been over 800. In the
Eleventh New Jersey there is only one line officer on duty."

The loss to the army in the battles of the Wilderness and
Spottsylvania Court House, including the Ninth Corps, had

NEW JEBSEY VOLUNTEEBS. 183

been — killed and wounded, 28,207 ; missing, 4,903 ; and there
had been 4,225 sick sent to Washington. Making a total loss to
the army in sixteen days of 37,335.

At midnight of the 20th the Second Corps left Anderson's
Mill. This was a movement of the Second Corps alone, the
object being to isolate it from the rest of the army, with the
expectation that Lee would follow and strike it, thus giving the
rest of the Army of the Potomac an opportunity to attack him
before he had time to intrench. Our course for a while ran
eastward until we struck the road leading to Guiney's Station.
There the few survivors of the old First Massachusetts, whose
time had expired, bid us good-bye. They turned their faces
northward toward home, friends and safety ; we ours southward,
toward future battles and greater hardships. We reached
Guiney's Station about daylight. Our route lay through a fer-
tile, well- cultivated country. Coming as we did from a region
where marching armies had tramped-out every sign of hus-
bandry, or swamp and tangled thickets had impeded every foot-
step, these fields, garnished with the green of growing crops and
dotted with well-kept homesteads, seemed an earthly paradise.
We passed through the village of Bowling Green, forty-five
miles from Richmond. Before the war it contained a free popu-
lation of about 250; now not an able-bodied man remained, and
the women, many of whom were clothed in mourning, took care to
let us know that they were bitterly disloyal, and many were the
prophecies of evil bestowed upon us. But the colored popula-
tion, both male and female, was very much in evidence, and
stood grouped along the roadway watching for every article that
a soldier might find too heavy to carry. One sable female was
noticed carrying off a dozen coats and as many shirts — but they
were self-propelling — and a pair or two of boots, and not for-
getting to turn around and show her ivories whenever the boys
would give her a " whoop."

About four P. M. we crossed the Mettapony river near Mil-
ford Station and halted about one mile beyond, having marched

184 THE ELEVENTH BEGIMENT,

a distance of about twenty miles. The day had been very
warm and several cases of sunstroke occurred.

On Sunday, the 22d, we worked all day throwing up earth-
works which we were to occupy only one night, for seven A. M.
Monday found us again on the march, headed for the North
Anna river, which we reached at four P. M. Colonel Schoon-
over was detailed to post the picket-line. Across the river the
enemy could be seen busily at work. After dark our picket-
line was relieved and the brigade moved four miles down the
river and again threw up earthworks. It was nearly morning
when they were completed, and the men got but little rest. We
had now been nineteen days upon the campaign. They had been
nineteen days of almost constant toil, marching, fighting or
working, and all were nearly exhausted. Yet the men worked
cheerfully, for they had learned by experience the value and
added strength of an earthwork. Though we had learned the
value of works and cheerfully built them, there were many
whose strength gave way to the constant strain.

General McAllister, writing from here, says : " Work, work 1
fight, fight, takes all our time ; we sleep only from two to four
hours a day. It is the hardest campaign I have ever seen, and
before its commencement would not have believed that I could
have gone through it; but God has given me health and strength
to bear up."

Soon after daylight on the 24th the enemy opened upon us
with artillery from beyond the river. Just above where we were
lying, at Chesterfield ford, the North Anna was spanned by a
light wooden bridge. The enemy had a battery planted so as to
command the bridge and its approaches ; it seemed impossible for
troops to cross without meeting with serious loss. About 7 A. M.
our skirmishers pushed across, followed closely by the Sixth New
Jersey, and they in turn by the brigade, led by McAllister, and
though the rebels kept up a constant fire of shot and shell the
crossing was effected without serious loss, which seemed miracu-
lous, for one fair shot striking the bridge would have been suffi-
cient to render it impassable. Though the rebel battery was

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 185

posted less than half a mile away, and was served at short inter-
vals throughout the day, not one shot struck the bridge. When
the sound of a passing shot is heard men will often involuntarily
<lodge. The action does not detract from their courage, but it
sometimes causes merriment. Several dodges had been made on
-the morning in question by the men behind the works, and
Colonel Schoonover had laughingly chided the men. As we
started to cross the bridge the enemy sent in their shots a little
faster, and one, passing pretty close to the Colonel, he unthink-
ingly made obeisance to it. That was one for the boys, and they
quickly called out, " Dodge the big ones, Colonel ! " After
crossing the river we took position in the enemy's abandoned
works. All day they kept up a fire of shell without, however,
doing much damage. After dark the line was advanced, and
another night was spent with pick and shovel.

We remained comparatively quiet until midnight on the 26th,
when we re-crossed the river, and, after marching about a mile,
halted in an open field and obtained what we then considered a
good rest. It continued until twelve o'clock on the 27th, when
the march was resumed and kept up until one o'clock on the
morning of the 28th, when we halted within a half mile of the
Pamunkey river. A little rest was obtained there, but at ten A.
M. we were again on the road, marching down the Pamunkey.
At five in the afternoon we crossed the river on pontoons at
Huntley's, four miles above Hanovertown. During this march
of more than thirty miles not more than one house' to the mile
could be seen. The Sixth Corps had crossed the river about
noon and had taken position across the Hanover Court House,
or River road, at Crump creek. The Second Corps formed line
on the left of the Sixth, completing the cover of the road from
Crump creek to Hawes' Shop. As usual, a good part of the
night was spent in throwing up earthworks. When the regi-
ment crossed at this place it went into line near a house occupied
by a lady and her children. The formation of the line so near
her house led her to believe that a battle was about to com-
mence. She was wild from fright; reason seemed almost de-

186 TEE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

throned, and her frantic screaming made her an object of pity..
She was finally pacified and persuaded to enter her house and
remain there.

On the 29th General Hancock was directed to make a recon-
noissance on the roads leading from Hawes' Shop to Atlees and
Richmond, but it was not until late in the afternoon that we
were put in motion. Barlow's Division was on the lead, and
struck the enemy in force near where the Richmond road crosses
the Totopotomy creek. The other two divisions of the corps
coming up, Gibbons' took position on Barlow's left and Birney's
on his right. This brought us near the road leading to Hanover
Court House. There was no rest again that night, for morning
was close at hand when our works were completed.

On the 30th the Eleventh New Jersey, Fifth New Jersey and
First Massachusetts Heavy Artillery, under the command of
Colonel McAllister, made a reconnoissance in connection with
Colonel Egan. Skirmishers were thrown forward and to the left
to connect with Colonel Egan. Egan*s line soon encountered
the enemy and were subjected to a heavy fire of musketry. At
dark the division moved forward and threw up a new line of
works.

Colonel Schoonover was division officer of the day, and as
such it was his duty to establish the picket-line for the night.
He says : " I had one of the toughest jobs I ever undertook —
that of establishing a picket-line with a regiment of heavy artil-
lery in a dense forest, through swamps and ravines, and momen-
tarily in danger of running into the enemy's lines. The line
was completed at half-past two in the morning. Once we drew
the enemy's fire and had one man wounded ; several were stuck
in the mud. On the morning of the 31st fifty men reported to
me with instructions that I should feel for the enemy. I did so
and, in conjunction with a party on the left, entered their works
on the opposite side of the valley. We lost one man killed and
took two prisoners. The enemy's flags and cannon were in plain
view before us. I took a hasty sketch of their works and re-
ported the situation to General Mott."

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 187

The brigade advanced at seven A. M., and, under a heavy fire
of shell, took possession of a line of works that the enemy had
abandoned. We soon moved forward again, and, under a fire
from the rebel batteries, built a new line of works. One man
was wounded in the regiment during the day. After dark we
■crossed the valley and began the construction of another line,
but about midnight re-crossed and occupied the line previously
built. We had become so accustomed to building works during
the night only to abandon them in the morning that it was no
surprise to us when the order came at seven o'clock on the
following morning, June 1st, to fall in. We moved to the right
and took position on the road leading to Hanover Court House.
There we hoped to have a little rest, but soon an aid came riding
up with orders for the Eleventh New Jersey to picket the roads
at the Overton house. Two men, of Company K, who had been
sent on a scout, were captured near the Butler house. In the
afternoon we were joined by the Twentieth Indiana, and the
picket-line was extended, the left resting at the Overtoils and
the right at Butler's. The Butler house was used as headquar-
ters for the picket-line, and it was from Miss Butler that we
obtained information of the capture of our two men. Miss
Butler's father had been arrested by our cavalry and was held a
prisoner within our lines. She seemed very much distressed,
and shed tears profusely when making known her troubles.
Schoonover says : " Visions of a good old-fashioned night's rest
loomed up before me, but just as Miss Butler came in with a
mattress and pillow, orders came to assemble the picket im-
mediately."

We re-joined the brigade and lay down until daylight of the
2d, when we took up the march for Cold Harbor, which we
reached about ten A. M. We rested until the afternoon, then
moved about one mile, and were formed in columns of regiments,
and bivouacked for the night. Late in the afternoon heavy firing
was heard upon the right. It was occasioned by Early's attack
upon Burnside. He succeeded in capturing a number of prisoners
from the skirmish-lines of the Ninth and Fifth Corps, but the

188 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

main object of the attack was not accomplished, which was to
sweep down, upon and turn our right flank. The night was a
stormy and disagreeable one. Rations had become scarce, and it
was necessary to send men back to carry up boxes of hard-tack,
as the wagons could not get to us. I think the labor of carrying
them was entirely superfluous, for, had they been unboxed, they
were sufficiently animated to have been driven up. But a
hungry soldier was seldom very fastidious in regard to food, in
fact they could not afford to be — the only alternative being eat
what was issued or go hungry; so the hard-tack was eaten and, in
the absence of meat, served for both rations.

The men passed an uncomfortable night and were but little
rested when, at four o'clock on the morning of the 3d, orders
came to fall in. A general attack had been ordered. The
formation of the Second Corps was Barlow's and Gibbons
Divisions in advance, Birney's supporting. As we moved into
position across an open field, outside the works, we were exposed
to a heavy fire of artillery and had four men wounded. The
line was formed back of a hill which afforded some protection
from a direct fire, but we were still exposed to an enfilading fire
from the enemy's salients. Two men (John H. Gilbert, of Com-
pany E, and White, of Company F,) were wounded while lying
in line of battle. " The line of the Fifth Corps being too much
extended to permit of offensive operations," at noon Birney's
Division was sent to strengthen it. We remained on the line of
the Fifth Corps until the afternoon of the 4th, when, being
relieved by Burnside's troops, we returned to the left and re-
joined the Second Corps.

There was very heavy firing along the line on the morning of
the 4th, and everything seemed to indicate a renewal of the effort
to take the enemy's position. But the welcome orders to suspend
offensive operations was given. After being relieved by Burn-
side's troops, and marched to the rear, we were massed in the
woods and given an opportunity to wash and rest.

One month had passed since leaving our comfortable quarters
at Brandy Station — a month of unprecedented hardships, of

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 189

desperate fighting, weary marches and long nights of exhausting
labor. We had had scarcely a night of unbroken slumber, our
little rest having been caught here and there as the exigencies of
the campaign permitted, going sometimes for days without cook-
ing a meal, but snatching a bite upon the line of battle, eating
as we marched along, and sometimes, perhaps in the short inter-
vals of labor, stealing time to cook a cup of the much-wished-
for and much-needed coffee. It had been a campaign scarcely
paralleled in the history of warfare. The line of march was
dotted with the graves of our best and bravest, the hospitals in
the rear filled with mangled humanity. And notwithstanding
all this, and nearly exhausted as we were, we did not lose heart
but looked forward cheerfully and hopefully, thinking that the
end could not be far.

It rained the night of the 4th, but in spite of the rain we
enjoyed our respite from the dangers and toils of the front.

At 5 P. M. on the 5th we moved a short distance to the left
and halted in rear of the second line of works. Just after dark,
as we were moving still further to the left and just as we had
reached an exposed position, the rebels opened upon us a terrific
fire of shot and shell, and notwithstanding it was intensely dark
they seemed to know our exact position. So fierce was the fire for
a few minutes that the men scattered for cover. No doubt some
will remember this incident from the malodorous pits into which
some of them tumbled when seeking shelter in the darkness
from the enemy's flying missiles. During this cannonading a
shell burst directly in front of the writer's eyes, which, for the
time, completely blinded him. The cannonading lasted only
a few minutes, then the column continued its movement to the
left and halted at Barker's Mills. This placed our division
upon the extreme left of the Union lines and about three-
quarters of a mile from the Chickahominy river. The lines
were formed and strongly intrenched. The position of the
Eleventh Regiment was on a hillside sloping down to the mill-
pond. The works ran along the crest of the hill. This pond
afforded splendid facilities for bathing and washing clothing,

190 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

and the men took advantage of this opportunity to scrub off the
grime and dust that bad been accumulating during the month,
for it was about the first opportunity that had been afforded for
making a thorough cleansing since breaking camp at Brandy
Station. But our pleasure was not entirely unalloyed, for our
friends on the other side, fearful that we would forget them,
occasionally kept sending us their iron compliments.

About five o'clock on the afternoon of the 9th a number of
officers, including General Mott and staff, were sitting near the
headquarters of the regiment, when the enemy opened a vigorous
fire of shell upon our line of works, which extended along the
crest, some twenty or thirty feet above the place occupied by the
officers. As they thought their position an entirely safe one, and
as an occasional shell fell into the pond among the bathers, who
did not seem at all disturbed by the intruders, the affair was very
keenly enjoyed. But soon a change came over the scene. A
conical ten-pound shell burst over the works, and a piece of the
missile, of about three pounds weight, shot directly down the
hill and struck Colonel Schoonover in the back. His first im-
pression was that he had been hit with a solid shot. In the
language of the lamented Baldwin, he was ready to exclaim,
" Life is in a nutshell, and I am shelled out." For a moment or
two he thought that he was fatally wounded, but it proved to be
only a bruise, which kept him from duty a day or two.

One of the most pleasant features of our stay at Barker's Mill
was the amicable relations that existed between the pickets of the
opposing armies. Along our front a mutual truce was agreed
upon, and many a friendly chat was held (paradoxical as it may
sound) with the enemy's pickets. The usual barter of tobacco,
papers, sugar and coffee was carried on, and they even permitted
our pickets to get water from a spring just within their lines.
This was one of the strange anomalies of the war between North
and South — in action bitterly intent upon taking each other's
lives, but, when opportunities like this occurred, meeting with
the friendly feeling of neighbors. This truce had one condition,
the ignorance of which led to the death of a member of the

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 191

Eleventl condition was, that either party should be per-

mitted to nre upon mounted officers. On the 10th Colonel
McAllister was division officer of the day, and, being ignorant
of the agreement between the pickets, took his orderly, Wilson
Snooks, of Company C, and rode directly to the front. He was
fired upon by a sharpshooter. The ball missed the Colonel but
struck and instantly killed the orderly. He was buried the same
day, near our works on the hill.

192 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

Chapter XI.

Across the James — Petersburg.

But Sunday night, June 12th, brought an end to the rest
and comparative quiet that we had been enjoying at Bar-
ker's Mill. After darkness had fallen we quietly withdrew from
our works, and, following the Fifth Corps, crossed the Chicka-
huminy river at Long's bridge. The Fifth Corps took position
covering the roads to the north and westward, while the Second
continued toward the James by way of St. Mary's church and
Charles City Court-House. About ten, bivouac was made for the
night, but march was resumed at five A. M. on the 13th. The
James river was reached at Wilcox landing about dark. The corps
began crossing on the morning of the 14th, but it was not until
after noon that we embarked upon the " James Powell " and were
ferried over to Windmill Point. As we steamed across the
beautiful river our hearts were filled with new hope, for we had
bidden farewell to the swamp and miasmata of the Chickahom-
iny, to the long line of graves that stretched not only across the
peninsula, but across the hills, and valleys, and streams, and
through the fertile fields and tangled swamps of Virginia up to
the Rapid an. We were bidding farewell to old battle-fields and
entering upon a new field of operations. It was well that the
future was to us as a " sealed book " — that we could not see the
hot, deadly trenches of Petersburg, the fierce assaults along the
line, the nine months of constant toil and danger that stretched
out between us and the end. Had we possessed that gift of pre-
science our hearts would have been less buoyant. We disem-
barked at Windmill Point and bivouacked for the night, and
remained there until 10.30 A. M. on the 15th. Hancock had
been ordered to wait for 60,000 rations that Butler was to send
him. But as the rations did not arrive, orders were given to
move forward. Had we moved directly to Petersburg after dis-
embarking at Windmill Point, we could have reached it early on

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 193

the 15th, before Lee would have had time to reinforce Beaure-
gard, and perhaps the history of the war would have been
different and thousands of lives and long months of toil saved.
For it was not until sunset on the 15th that the First Brigade
(Hogood's, of Hoke's Division) of reinforcements reached Beaure-
gard and took position south of the Appomattox. Humphries
says : " Had General Hancock's instructions merely directed him
to move his corps by the most direct route to the intrenchments of
Petersburg it would have arrived there by four o'clock — certainly
by six o'clock — and in time to attack with Smith's force. It
would have found no infantry and but little artillery on Smith's
left, and continuing to advance would have secured Petersburg."
But the fatal delay was caused by the order to wait for rations,
which in our case were not received, and we reached the defenses
of Petersburg early on the morning of the 16th, half famished,
and would have gone breakfastless had it not been that the
colored troops whom we relieved generously shared their rations
with us.

We were now near Petersburg, within sight of its church-
spires, and in the enemy's outer line of defenses captured
by Hinks' colored troop on the 15th. The day was spent in
maneuvering subject to a fire from the enemy's batteries. At five
P. M. the division was formed in three lines of battle, the right
resting upon the Petersburg road, the New Jersey regiments of
the Third Brigade being in the Second line, with the Eleventh
upon the extreme left. Soon after five the line moved out in
front of the works and advanced upon the enemy. The advance
was met with a severe fire, before which our first line disappeared.
The second line, under command of McAllister, however, re-
mained intact and advanced close to the enemy's works. Find-
ing them too strong to be carried by assault, efforts were put
forth to hold what ground had been gained, and though subject
to a deadly fire, the New Jersey troops held their position until
near morning, enabling other troops to fortify the ridge in their
rear. The position of the Eleventh was on a hillside, and with-

194

THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

out any covering to shield it from the fire from the enemy's
works which were situated just across the ravine. During the
night we ran out of ammunition, but were supplied by the First
Maine Heavy Artillery, who were throwing up works on the
ridge in ^our rear. We held this exposed position until two

Lieutenant C. H. Rossiter.

o'clock in the morning, when, the line in our rear being com-
pleted, we were ordered back.

The loss to the Eleventh was five killed and thirty-five
wounded. The killed were Captain Sydney M. Layton, of
Company D ; Private Thomas Twigg, of Company D ; Private
James Freeman, of Company G; Corporal James Fleming, of

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 195

Company H, and Private Stacy Babcock, of Company I. Of
the wounded their injuries proved fatal to five : Roderick B.
Nelson, of Company D, died August 31st, at New York ; Miller
H. Lewis, of Company F, died June 24th ; John Barry, of
Company G, died June 19th ; William Linsey, of Company I,
died June 28th ; Sergeant Daniel Adriance, of Company X, at
the field hospital, June 20th. Three others were so badly in-
jured as to be unfit for any further active service and were
discharged.

To many readers the word " regiment " signifies a body of one
thousand men. And to such the loss will not appear very large.
But when we take into consideration the fact that up to this time
we had received but few recruits, and the continued losses by
disease and battle had reduced our numbers to less than two
hundred, the proportion of loss will be fully realized.

Sergeant David McAllister, while lying on the hillside, was
struck in the foot, the bullet entering the heel, passing through
the entire length of the foot and coming out between the first
and second toes. As he raised up to go to the rear he was again
struck, the second time in the neck, disabling him for life. It is
natural for men to lie down when holding a line of battle ; in
fact, the order was generally given to do so ; but a recumbent
position in such a place as that occupied by the regiment on the
16th of June was one of the worst that could be taken, for the
enemy's shots, coming, as they did, from the opposite rise of
ground, would be apt to pass diagonally through the person
struck. The writer recognized that fact, and would not lie down,
though repeatedly importuned to do so by members of his com-
pany. Repeatedly some one would say : " Tom, get down ;
you'll get hit." But " Tom " steadily refused to do so.

Along toward midnight Hand, the writer and another got
possession of a shovel and began digging a pit. The enemy were
comparatively quiet while we were digging, but just as we got it
large enough to shelter the three they opened with a volley.
The pit was speedily occupied, and remained occupied until the
regiment fell back.

196 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

On the 17th Colonel McAllister was transferred to the com-
mand of the Second Brigade, its commander having been wounded.
Lieutenant-Colonel Schoonover was therefore left in command of
the regiment. Under the hill in rear of the line of works erected
the night before we lay quietly until dusk, when, the enemy
making an attack upon our line, we were moved to the right.
Some of the boys will remember this movement to the right
under fire, from the eagerness with which they took advantage of
the protection of the ditch that ran nearly parallel with our line
of mareh.

During the 17th the enemy abandoned the line of works on
our front that they had held so stubbornly on the 16th and took
position across a ravine, from five hundred to a thousand yards
further back.

On the night of the 17th Meade issued orders for an assault
to be made early on the morning of the 18th by the Second,
Ninth and Fifth Corps. The corps were formed in the order
named, with the Second on the right. In compliance with this
order the advance was made about daybreak, McAllister, with
the Second Brigade, leading. On advancing it was found that
the works on our immediate front had been abandoned. The
line pressed forward, however, until they encountered the enemy
in a new line of works. For a while the fighting was terrific,
but the enemy's works were found too strongly manned to be
carried, and our troops, being subject to an enfilading fire, were
forced to retire; not, however, until they had suffered severe
loss. Later in the day the Third Brigade made an assault over
the same ground, the First Maine Heavy Artillery leading.
This was one of the regiments that had been garrisoning the
fortifications at "Washington, and joined the Army of the Poto-
mac. After Spottsylvania it was about 1,800 strong. The First
Maine charged with vigor, and reached a point closer to the
rebel lines than had the troops which preceded them. They
struggled manfully for a while to hold their ground, but so ter-
rific was the fire to which they were exposed that they in turn
were compelled to fall back. Their loss in killed and wounded

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 197

in this assault was six hundred and thirty-two. Fortunately for
the Eleventh, it was not called upon to participate in this charge.
The regiment had two men wounded on the 17th and one on
the 18th.

General McAllister, writing of the operations of the 18th,
says : " This division lost in the battle of yesterday (the 18th)
more than a thousand men, and the greatest loss was in the
Second and Third Brigades during their charges. The conduct
of both brigades in these charges was highly creditable, but
owing to their repulse Viotory will never record their heroic
deeds— deeds worthy of the greatest victory of the war. After
the heavy artillery retired the ground was strewn with wounded,
dead and dying. The cry of the wounded is ' Water ! water !
water ! ' but no relief can be sent them. Hundreds of our
wounded thus died in sight. It was perfectly heartrending to
hear their cries and yet be unable to give them that relief which
we would so gladly have furnished."

On the 19th we moved to the right near the Hare house and
threw up works. This was the beginning of the work afterward
known us Fort Steadman. It will be remembered that Colonel
McAllister was in command of the Second Brigade. When
lying near the Hare house he had his headquarters in a little
earthwork just in rear of the main line, but within range of the
enemy's sharpshooters. One afternoon a major, just fresh from
the North, who had been appointed quartermaster, visited him
on business. It was about time for the evening meal, and the
Colonel invited him to share it. While they were enjoying
their coffee and hard-tack the sharpshooters began to send over
their leaden compliments. The major was noticed to look up
inquisitively as they went singing by. When about half
through their meal one came quite close. " What kind of birds
are those that sing so strangely ? " asked the major." " Minie
birds," says McAllister. " What birds ? " Before his question
could be answered again one struck close by and gave him the
desired information. The major hastily excused himself, saying

198 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

that he was not hungry, and rode away. We remained in the
vicinity of the Hare house until one o'clock on the morning of
the 21st, when we were relieved by a brigade of colored troops
from the Ninth Corps, and marched to the rear and bivouacked
in a field.

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 199

Chapter XII.

Mahone's Attack — Major Halsey and Others Captured.

JTThb movement of the Second aDd Sixth Corps to the left of
-*• the Jerusalem plank-road, to get possession of the Weldon
railroad, began on the 21st of June. In this advance the
Eleventh New Jersey constituted the skirmish-line of the
brigade. About dark it established the line along the edge of
a wood, the enemy's entrenched picket-line being about two
hundred yards to the front in an open field. This line the regi-
ment occupied during the night of the 21st and still held on the
22d. Some distance from the left of our picket-line there was a
large cleared space, across which the rebel videttes were in plain
view. Intersecting our line was a wood-road leading out to this
opening and back to a cleared field in front of our main line.
Frequently during the day Colonel Schoonover had gone up this
road, more through motives of curiosity than anything else.
The last trip he made in that direction he discovered a move-
ment of the enemy that saved the regiment from being captured
entire. It was late in the afternoon and he was approaching a
point from which he had a number of times taken a view of the
enemy's vidette line, when he was met with a volley from the
very spot that he had visited not half an hour before. The
Sixth Corps was upon our left, but by some mistake a gap had
been left between it and Barlow's Division of the Second Corps.
The rebel General Hill, who was moving down to check this
movement upon the Weldon road, had discovered this gap, and,
at the time Schoonover was making his reconnoissance, was
swinging through upon Barlow's flank and rear. Fortunately
the Colonel escaped and hastened back. As he was making his
way back he met the mail-carrier of Barlow's Division with a
mule and two well-filled pouches leisurely making his way to
the front. The situation of affairs was explained to him and he
changed his direction to the rear without any argument. Schoon-

200 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

over then hastened to inform Barlow of the situation of affairs
and found him washing his feet in a stream near by. His
division, which had just got into position, was taking things
very coolly, the shade of the forest being very grateful after their
hot and dusty march. Hill's troops soon struck Barlow's
Division on the flank and rear, which, as it invariably does, pro-
duced great confusion. Barlow's Division was rolled back upon
Mott's and both were compelled to retreat with heavy loss.
This exposed the flank of Gibbons' Division, and the enemy
swept quickly upon them. They, too, were thrown into disorder
and fell back with the loss of four guns and several regiments
with their colors. The position of the Eleventh, upon the ex-
treme front, was a particularly dangerous one, and but for the
timely discovery of the enemy's advance by Colonel Schoonover
the entire regiment would have been captured. As it was it was
compelled to run. a gauntlet of fire from front, flank and rear,
but it escaped with the loss of Major Halsey and forty men.

During the march on the 21st, Hand, Mulvey and Dixon, of
Company B, somehow captured a big turkey. They took turns
in carrying it, hoping to get a chance to cook it, but the regi-
ment was out on the skirmish-line all night, so that they had no
opportunity, and during the flank movement next day Dixon
and the turkey were both captured.

After the fiasco of the 22d, we strengthened our works and
encamped in their rear, where we lay undisturbed until July
12th. Though we had a respite from the dangers of the battle,
our rest was not a very enjoyable one. The heat was intense,
almost unbearable ; the roads and fields were but beds of dust,
that rose in clouds before every gentle breeze, and everything
was covered with the hue of earth. We would long for a breeze
to fan away the stifling heat, and, when the breeze came, for a
calm, that eyes, ears and nostrils might be freed from the smoth-
ering cloud. Vegetation almost disappeared. And to add
intensity to our discomfort, water was scarce and bad, and could
only be obtained by digging deep wells in the clay soil, and dip-
ping it from the bottom of these with cans tied to the end of

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 201

long poles. No rain had fallen since the 4th of June, and
the drought remained unbroken until the 21st of July, a period
of forty-seven days. Even here, amid all these discomforts,
our good chaplain had prepared a place for religious services.
A soldier's place of worship was necessarily a rude one. Above
him spring no graceful arches of carven stone ; no stained and
pictured windows tempered the sun's hot glare and turned the
brightness of day to a dim religious twilight ; no fluted columns
of polished stone reared their graceful shapes around him.
His eye saw no masterpiece of sculptor's art looking from veiled
niches ; no miracle pictures of saints in gorgeous robes fastened
the eye to panels or spandrels ; no richly-upholstered seats
wooed to reBt and forgetful n ess; no deep diapason of organ to
awaken the slumbering music of the soul ; no extraneous aids.
And yet, perhaps, the worship was as acceptable as that of those
who meet in temples made rich and gorgeous by the toil of the
artisan and the genius of the artist.

Often, like the fathers of old, we met beneath the emerald
arches of the forest, where God's voice could be heard whisper-
ing in the passing breeze and the voices of feathered songsters
mingled with the songs of praise, and even the squirrel would
cease his chattering as if to listen. Sometimes we sat among the
violets, upon the springy turf of the meadow, while the daisies
nodded to and fro as if in approval. Again it might be, as at
Spottsylvania, where the sod was stained with blood and the
crack of the rifle and the boom of the cannon gave emphasis to
every prayer. But here we gathered upon rude seats of logs,
cushioned with bark and moss and lichen ; did we look up, our
eyes rested upon a vaulted arch made dazzling with frescoes from
God's own hand — frescoes of clouds that pigments could not
imitate, sunshine beyond the painter's art; or night's jewels
peeping through the rifted branches ; columns too, had we, of
soldierly pines, whose branches were eternally sighing ; of sturdy
oaks, whose rounded boles climbed upward from gnarled and
knotted roots — truly, a " temple not made with hands." And

202 TEE ELEVENTE REGIMENT,

mingling with the tones of man's worship was the hum of insects-
worshiping in unison.

On June 25th Colonel McAllister resumed command of the
Third Brigade, and on the 28th again took command of the regi-
ment. On the 30th the regiment was paid, receiving four
months' pay.

On July 12th we moved out of the trenches and were massed
near the Jerusalem plank-road, and told to " fix up " camp, and
yet but little time was allowed us to do so, for we were employed
both day and night in tearing down old works and building
covered ways to enable our artillery and supplies to reach the-
front line of works. The Sixth Corps had been withdrawn from
our left and sent to Washington and the Shenandoah Valley.
Therefore it became necessary to contract our lines. Many of
the works that had been built on the left were torn down, so
that, should the enemy make an advance, there would be no lines
of empty works behind which they could find shelter.

On July 23d, General Birney having been assigned to the
command of the Tenth Corps, General Mott took command of
the division and Colonel McAllister was again placed in command
of the brigade. We were kept at work on the covered ways and-
other works constituting our line of defense. We were on fatigue
duly every other day, starting out as early as four in the morning
and remaining until seven in the evening. We worked in reliefs,
two hours at a time — still it made a long and tiresome day.

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 203

Chapter XIII.

Across the James — Mine Explosion — Ream's Station.

7f BOUT the 25th of July, General Grant determined to send
^*- a body of troops secretly to the north bank of the James.
The object was threefold : first, to destroy the railroads leading
northward ; secondly, if the chances seemed favorable, the
cavalry was to make a dash upon Richmond, infantry being
sent to support the cavalry if the movement should prove suc-
cessful ; thirdly, he thought this movement might induce Lee
to weaken the force holding Petersburg, so that there would be
a better promise of success in the assault attending the springing
of Burnside's mine. Accordingly, on the evening of the 26th,
the corps was put in motion. We broke camp at four P. M.,
crossed the Appomattox at Point of Rocks, and continued the
march by the light of fires that had been built to guide us. We
crossed the James river at daylight, at Deep Bottom. Bailey's
creek, which is twelve miles below Richmond, empties at Deep
Bottom. Two pontoons had been laid here, one above and one
below the mouth of the creek. They were held by General
Foster, of the Tenth Corps. Hancock determined to cross by
the lower bridge and attack the enemy's left flank, leaving Gen-
eral Foster to hold them in front.

After crossing the James, the line was formed with the cav-
alry on the right. The enemy was not in any strong force east
of the creek, and were driven away by our skirmishers, Barlow's
skirmishers capturing a battery of four twenty-pound Parrot
guns on the New Market road. The entire corps was advanced
through the woods, swinging on the left. The enemy could be
fleen in strong force, and working very busily, on a ridge west
of Bailey's creek, about a mile distant. A strong column could
also be seen marching to the left. A few shots from the gun-
boat " Saugus," dropped in the marching column, soon caused
a scattering, Hancock's orders not permitting an assault in front.

204

THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

We were withdrawn to the line of works previously captured,
where we remained until the night of the 28th. While lying:
here in line of battle we received what, under the circumstance,
was a very peculiar ration, namely, one of salt mackerel. Had
we been in camp, where such food could have been properly pre-

Lieutenant William E. Axtell.

pared, it would have made a very acceptable change ; but in-
line of battle the boys scarcely knew what to do with them,
and many of them were thrown away. This came near proving
a casus belli to two members of Company E, one contending
that the other should have given them away if he did not want
to use them, and the other, that he had a right to do as he

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 205

pleased with his own. Nations have met in shock of battle for
less cause, but fortunately in this case, though words waxed
plentiful, mediation brought about a peace ere blood was spilled.

At dark on the evening of the 28th, Mott's Division re crossed
the James, and after marching until near daylight, halted in
the woods in rear of the Eighteenth Corps, who were to join
Burnside at the mine. We remained under cover of the woods
until dark, when we marched silently into the works and re-
lieved the Eighteenth Corps. Our position was upon the bottom-
lands just to the south or southeast of the Appomattox river.
The suburbs of Petersburg could be plainly seen, whenever it
was possible to raise the head above the breastworks, but that
was a hazardous undertaking and seldom indulged in, for the
enemy's main works were not over four hundred yards distant,
and each showing of a blue cap above our works called forth a
volley from the rebel guns.

The writer's curiosity at this point came near costing him his
life ; hearing something drop on the outer edge of the parapet
he foolishly put his head above the works to see what it might
be. It happened to be a bomb, which, at the instant of looking,
exploded. It was a close shave, but close shaves were common
occurrences in the trenches in front of Petersburg.

Our works at this point were very strong and well supplied
with bomb-proofs and traverses for the protection of the men.
The mine was to have been sprung at daylight, but a defect in
the fuse delayed it until twenty minutes to five. At that time
a low, rumbling sound and the simultaneous discharge of eighty
heavy guns and mortars and as many field-pieces told us that the
work was accomplished. The explosion was a complete success,
causing an opening one hundred and fifty feet long and about
twenty deep. The enemy's redoubt was rendered a complete
ruin. Eight magazines, each charged with a thousand pounds
of powder, had been exploded ; but, unfortunately, the assault,
though at first promising success, proved a failure ; or, as Gen-
eral Grant termed it, "a miserable affair." Had the assault
been entrusted to leaders who would have led instead of hiding

206 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

in bomb-proofs in the rear there is no reason why Petersburg
should not have fallen at that time.

After the assault at the mine orders came to McAllister to
demonstrate on his front with the view of ascertaining whether
the enemy's line had been weakened enough to give hope of a
successful assault. To have sent men over the works would
have been sending them to almost certain death. So McAllister
adopted a novel yet effectual method of ascertaining the strength
of the forces occupying the works in our front. The brigade
was formed in two ranks and the men were instructed to place
their caps upon the muzzles of their guns and at the command
" March " the guns were to be raised so that they were visible.
The command was then given in a loud voice, " Fourth bat-
talion, battalion of direction, forward, guide center, march ! "
At the command " March " three cheers were given and the caps
were raised enough to give the enemy the idea that we were pre-
paring to move over the works. The fire that followed this
demonstration showed very plainly that the rebel works were
too strongly manned to make a successful assault possible. A
few caps may have been wounded, but the men being under
cover were not hurt. During the day, however, eight men
in the brigade were wounded by shells from the enemy's bat-
teries across the Appomattox ; one lost a leg and two had arms
shot off.

At dark we were relieved by the Ninth New Jersey, and, after
withdrawing, marched back to the camp occupied previous to
our march to the north bank of the James. We were ordered
to " fix up " camp, and there was a good prospect for a long
rest ;• but we knew that it could not last very long, for Han-
cock's Cavalry, as the Second Corps was facetiously called, was
seldom long at rest. It was thrown here and there, wherever a
point was threatened or an attack was to be made.

Thursday, August 4th, was set apart by the President as a
day of fasting. Accordingly, orders were issued that all work
not a military necessity should be suspended, and that religious
services should be held by the chaplains throughout the army.

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 207

In the morning Colonel McAllister had service at Brigade Head-
quarters, conducted by Mr. Sovereign, Chaplain of the One Hun-
dred and Twentieth New York, and in the evening services were
held at the regiment by Chaplain Cline.

On the evening of the 5th we were called out hurriedly and
marched in the direction of the Eighteenth Corps. The heavy
firing from the direction of their position indicated that an attack
was being made. But the firing soon ceased, and we were or-
dered to about face and return to camp.

The days passed, with nothing to break their quietness but the
usual routine of camp and fatigue duty, until half-past two on
August 12th, when we broke camp and marched to City Point,
reaching there at eight o'clock in the evening. The day had
'been very warm, and the dusty roads made the march a trying
one.

About noon on the 13th the corps began to embark upon
transports, and by four P. M. all were aboard and the trans-
ports steamed down the river. Speculation ran high — we were
going to be sent on some distant expedition — Washington and
the Valley perhaps ; anyway, we were to leave Petersburg and
vicinity. " The wish was father to the thought," for we were
anxious to be sent to a new field of action. A few miles down
the river, then anchors were dropped, and the boats lay to. As
the time passed the men's spirits went down — leaving did not
look so certain. It might be a ruse after all. But when ten
o'clock came all speculation was ended, for anchors were weighed
and the boats steamed up the river, past City Point and on to
Deep Bottom, where we arrived about one o'clock on the morn-
ing of the 14th. It was found necessary to construct a tem-
porary wharf before the troops could be landed. This was done
as speedily as possible, and at two o'clock we began to dis-
embark.

All were off" and massed upon the river bank at eight o'clock.
Two regiments were then thrown out as skirmishers, and
advanced across the plain, the troops following in line of battle.
A few small posts of the enemy were found in the edge of the

208 TEE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

woods, bat they were soon driven away, and we occupied the
works near what was called the Tavern and Pottery, on the New
Market or river road. The skirmishers were again advanced,
and drove the enemy across the field and through the woods te
the protection of their main line. The Second and Third Brigades
were massed near the gate-posts on the New Market road.
General Barlow, who was in command of the First and Second
Division, was to attack near Fussell's Mill with the greater part
of the two divisions. But owing to the length of his line he
took to the assault but one brigade, of Gibbons' Division, which
after repeated attempts failed to break the enemy's line. At five
P. M. McAllister was ordered to report with the Third Brigade
to General Barlow, but did not reach him until the fighting was
over for the day.

At daylight on the 15th the brigade re-joined the division on
the New Market road. During the afternoon it was advanced
up the road and massed in the edge of a wood from which the
enemy's camp could be plainly seen. At seven o'clock in the
evening Colonel Schoonover was ordered to take the Eleventh
New Jersey and post them in an oak grove near the bridge-head.
It was accordingly moved to that position and a strong picket
placed on the New Market road. During the night it was
joined by the One Hundred and Twentieth New York. At ten
A. M., 16th, it re-joined the brigade which was found occupying
the position of the previous day.

It is not within the province of the work to speak of the
doings of other regiments further than is necessary to illustrate
the position of our own. But when injustice has unwittingly
been done a brave and worthy officer, a short digression, intended
to place the oredit where it is due, may be pardoned. On the
16th the Eighth New Jersey, then numbering not more than a
hundred men, supported by the Eleventh Massachusetts, was
deployed and sent forward to develop the enemy's position.
They advanced under a terrific fire to within a short distance of
the enemy's main line, losing in the movement sixteen in killed
and wounded. Foster, on page 147 of " New Jersey and the

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 209

Rebellion," says, "The Gallant Eighth, under command of
Colonel Ramsey, advanced steadily under a deadly cross-fire from
the rebels, who opened all their guns and musketry," etc. This
charge was not led by Colonel Ramsey, but by Major Virgil M.
Healy, of the Eighth, to whom should be given the credit.

But to return to the Eleventh. No move was made on the
17th. At seven P. M. on the 18th the regiment returned to the
oak grove near the bridge-head, where it was soon after joined
by the rest of the brigade. About ten o'clock in the evening we
were relieved, and, re-crossing the James by the lower pontoon,
massed on the neck and waited for our pickets. At one o'clock
in the morning of the 19th the march was resumed and kept up
until after daylight, when we halted in rear of the Ninth Corps.
At eleven o'clock we moved into the works between Forts Mor-
ton and Mickle, relieving a brigade of colored troops.

We found the works in a filthy condition, and spent the 20th
in cleaning them up. Our division extended from the right of
the Petersburg and Norfolk Railroad to Fort Alexander Hays,
near the Strong house, having relieved nearly the entire Ninth
Corps. The Third Brigade was upon the right of the division.
At that point the lines were very close together, and safety
required that we should keep entirely under cover, as the least
exposure drew the fire of the rebel sharpshooters. One man was
wounded on the 20th while on fatigue duty. The fire of the
sharpshooters and pickets was maintained day and night, and
during each of the two nights that we lay in the trenches at that
point we were treated to a brilliant pyrotechnic display by the
artillery.

On the 21st an experiment was made to ascertain the strength
of the rebel line in our front. A few pieces of light artillery
were brought into the works and began firing, and at the same
time a demonstration was made similar to the one practiced on
July 30th. It proved a decided failure. The rebels crept into
their holes and did not fire an answering shot.

At two P. M. we were relieved by a portion of the Eighteenth
Corps and were ordered to the left of the Jerusalem plank-road

210 TEE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

to connect with the Ninth Corps. We reached our position
about dark, and spent the night in throwing up breastworks.
When daylight came we found that we were on familiar ground,
being just in rear of the position held during the latter part of
June and first of July.

It will be remembered that General Mott's Division left the
north bank of the James river on the night of the 18th. General
Hancock, with the First and Second Divisions, remained until
the evening of the 20th. They reached their old camp on the
morning of the 21st. After a brief rest they were ordered to the
" Strong " house, then to the " Gurley " house, in rear of War-
ren's position.

On the 22d, General Hancock, with the First and Second
Divisions and Gregg's cavalry, was charged with the destruction
of the Weldon Railroad as far south as Rowanty creek. It was
this movement that brought on the battle of Ream's Station.
The work had been accomplished as far as Malone's bridge road,
three miles south of Ream's Station, when, learning that a
large force of the enemy were advancing against him, he took
position behind the slight works at the station which had been
thrown up by the troops sent to the relief of General Wilson in
June.

About the time the attack began on Miles' Division at Ream's
Station (two P. M. on the 25th), Mott was ordered to send all
his available force to the help of Hancock. Accordingly the
Second and Third Brigades, with a battery of artillery and a
squadron of cavalry under McAllister (Mott remaining with the
First Brigade in the trenches), was ordered to march down the
plank-road to its intersection with the Ream's Station road and
there report to General Hancock. We reached the designated
point, which was about four miles from Ream's Station, at five
P. M. Aids were dispatched to notify Hancock of our arrival ;
but before orders could be received from him General Meade
came up in person and ordered McAllister to advance his force
(which had been increased by a regiment of cavalry) along the
plank-road towards the Blackwater — to take a good position

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 211

and throw cavalry pickets well out. By dark we were in posi-
tion and awaiting the attack of the enemy's force that was
supposed to be moving towards us. After dark, Hancock with-
drew and McAllister's command covered the rear. Had Mc-
Allister's command been sent direct to Hancock, no doubt the
result of the battle would have been different.

We returned to our old camp and resumed the round of picket
and fatigue.

The only loss sustained during the above-mentioned move-
ments was the capture of our First Assistant Surgeon, J. Down
Heritage. In a letter to Colonel Schoonover the Doctor has
related the event and what followed so graphically that I will
quote "it as written :

" Col. John Schoonover :

"My Dear Sir — You will remember that we — that is, our division
— were ordered out in the afternoon to guard a road leading to the
rear of Beam's Station, where the Second Division, I think, had
been engaged during the afternoon and had been defeated by the
rebels. This road led over the ' Blackwater * river, or creek, and
yourself and I rode out in front of where the regiment was posted
(directly across the road to the bridge) I suppose, a mile to the
front. We saw no enemy and returned to the command. The
cannonading was still going on on our right, and as we were off
the line of travel to the rear, and could get no tidings of how the
fight was going, and as there was no probability of an engagement
of our division, I suggested that I should go down and ascertain
whether we had been licked or not. You assented, and I started.
I rode back until I struck the returning ambulances, but could
ascertain nothing, and kept on until I went directly to the front
— Gregg's headquarters — and found that we had been most beau-
tifully whipped, and the infantry was being relieved by the cav-
alry. It was now becoming dark, and to make matters worse, a
thunder-shower came up, when it became as dark as Erebus. A
captain, who had been to Gregg's headquarters for something,
started with me to return, but, having forgotten something, re-
turned, saying to me that I was on the right road, to go on slowly,
and he would overtake me. I obeyed instructions, and heard

212 THE ELEVENTH BEGIMENT,

plainly, a short distance to my left, the artillery going to the rear.
The road I was on had been made that day for military purposes
only ; and I was going along moderately, when I was halted. It
being dark, I naturally thought I had struck our picket-line, as I
could distinctly see the forms of men lying on the ground like
pickets in a row. I began to explain that I had no intention to
desert, and had ridden up to the line by mistake, intending to go
to the rear, and turned my horse's head away with the intention
of going off, whereupon I heard several muskets cocked, and as
that always means business, I faced around again very suddenly,
and was again ordered to dismount, when about the following
conversation ensued :

" Reb. — ' Dismount.'

"Doctor — 'I'll be d if I do. I have only ridden up to

your line by mistake, and can explain thoroughly my intentions ;
I have, as I have told you, no intention of deserting, and if you
will send your officer here I will explain to him.'

"Reb. — ' Corporal of the guard, send Captain here ! '

" Captain puts in an appearance, when I go over the same rig-
marole to him. It being so dark as to make it impossible to see
anything more than a man's form, when he reiterated the order

for me to dismount, I told him, 'I'll be d if I would,' and

that I might have some cause, as I then thought, against a fellow
who seemed to me to be putting on airs, I asked, * What troop
are you ? '

" Captain—' Hill's Corps.

" I do not remember in my life to have had the starch taken
out of me quicker by two words than was done on that occasion.
I, of course, upon his solemn assurance that such was the case,
dismounted and walked back to headquarters, where I was turned
over by the Captain to the officer of the day or provost guard, I
believe. I, however, asked the Captain to let me have my
blankets and overcoat and French book which I had in my
saddlebags, to the latter of which he assented, and as I was study-
ing French, so that I could make myself understood to those
French recruits we received a short time before, and as I had
visions of Libby and Andersonville, and a prolonged stay before
me, thought that the books would be my best friends.

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 213

" The rebels soon gathered around and began to chaff us — for
there were several in the squad there that night — and after standing
it awhile I reminded them we were their prisoners and it was
hardly fair to blackguard us when they had our lives in their
hands and our mouths were consequently sealed. Whereupon
they said that I could help myself, and talk all I wanted, and
shouldn't be hurt. I said, ' I will take you at your word, boys,
and while waiting for the column to move on had about as spicy a
debate as I ever participated in, and gave them our views of the
-war and our perfect confidence of whipping them. They assured
me that they had beaten us to-day, and intended to storm the
works to-morrow and clean up the line from one end to the other
I reminded them that the commanding General hardly ever gave
such long notice of intended movements, but if he had done
so, and they tried it, they would pile themselves up in front of
them by thousands and then wouldn't get inside and I only hoped
they would try it. A great deal more was said and they got in
.good humor over my sallies and we had rather a good time. The
boys at the front on both sides were better than those at the rear.

" Well, we were marched off after awhile and bivouacked in a
field in the rain and mud, and after a long while I went to sleep.

" Was aroused in the morning and was marched off, as the guard
said, toward Petersburg. On the march, which was twenty-five
miles this day, we were halted ten minutes every hour for rest, as
were the troops accompanying us, and they informed me that it
was their custom on all marches to do so.

" Every hour I went to sleep regularly, and was aroused by the
guard. I found myself in a squad of twenty-five privates, with one
lieutenant of some New York regiment. I had no means of writing
down names, and so have forgotten all my companions on this
dreary march.

" We were taken to Mahone's headquarters, near Petersburg,
which the guards said was near the fort where the mine was
■exploded, which would bring it nearly opposite Fort Merton on our
line. There we lay on the ground the second night, I with two
blisters on each heel as big as an old-fashioned cent. Yon see, I
had a pair of high boots on for horseback-riding, and, not being
used to marching, it was more than I bargained for. I missed my

214 TEE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

mare sadly. In the morning I asked the guard if they were going
to give us anything to eat, for we had fasted since the day before
yesterday at noon then, and began to fell somewhat hollow^
He answered that he did not know anything about it, when I
asked permission to call an officer — for we were near headquarters-

sergeant Eliphalet Stnrdevant.

— he gave me permission, when I hailed one and asked the same
question, and was very coolly informed that no provisions had been
made for any issue of rations, and I asked if he couldn't give the
lieutenant and myself some ' grub.' He said he would, and soon
returned with two biscuits about the usual biscuit size. I gave
one to the lieutenant and kept one myself. It tasted very well
though it had been baked in the ashes. I saw their manner of

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 215

issuing rations the day before from their wagons. Their flour
and meal was dealt out of bags by the commissary to the troops
on the march. How the ' deuce ' they managed to cook it I
couldn't see, but I suppose by the ' ash-cake' method.

"About nine o'clock the next morning we were ordered to ' fall
in,' and marched over to Johnson's headquarters, in Petersburg,
and made a circuit of the town for the purpose of display. Just
as we entered, there was several of our flags, captured the day
before, waving, and as we passed them the lieutenant and myself
raised our caps, and the squad broke into a cheer. This made
the guard as mad as March hares, and they were going to bayonet
them if they didn't keep their mouths shut. The whole popula-
tion were along the streets, and we were jeered and chaffed un-
mercifully, and asked if we didn't ' want to go home to our mam-
mies,' ' how we liked it as far as we had got,' ' your army will be
all broke up now you fellows are gone.' One fellow said, 'Ain't
they the worst-looking pills you ever did see ? ' We were a per-
fect menagerie for them.

" Arrived at headquarters I asked to be sent to hospital. Upon
signing parole it was done and I was put in charge of a sergeant
and sent to Hill's Corps Hospital, reporting to the surgeon in
charge, to whom I gave my gold pen, assuring him that I did not
need it and could get another whenever I was exchanged. He
treated me very kindly and introduced me to the mess of surgeons,
asking them to take care of me, which they did very hospitably.
The first night in hospital, after the work of the day was done
and before supper, they brought out from under a bunk a very
curious old-fashioned stone jug, and poured therefrom a clear
liquid into a cup, and with their compliments presented it to me.
I recognized the 'critter' at once as 'old apple' by the smell,
and though nobody had, in my presence, imbibed any of the stuff
and visions of ' pizen ' floated through my brain, I was too dry
for one thing, and their hearty manner inspired me with confidence
for another, so with a 'here's to you' I proceeded to get outside
of it and felt better. They were a lot of ' jolly good fellows.'

"I was put in charge of our wounded when they arrived, to the
number of three hundred, and organized a nurse corps of the
slightly wounded. The rebel surgeons paid no attention to me
or our wounded after I was put in charge, and only furnished me

216 THE ELEVENTH BEGIMENT,

with instruments and a little morphia. I performed several very
important operations. Amputation of the thigh, arm, several of
hand and fingers, removed testicles from one, and many other
wounds were dressed. These men had been without attention for
three days when I took them, and lots of their wounds had mag-
gots in them. For this condition they gave me spirits of tur-
pentine and a syringe, and when this was injected into a wound
it was amusing to see those maggots boil out like a boiling spring.
It was a new experience to me then, and I have never seen the
like since.

" I was there three days, and the wounded were removed to
Richmond as fast as their wounds were dressed or operated upon.
At the expiration of this time I was ordered to report at Libby
Prison, and having given my parole and having taken the precau-
tion to have a copy for myself, I was sent alone from Petersburg.
I arrived in Richmond and having the greater part of the day
before me concluded to see what I could of the city before report-
ing, and wandered around to the cemetery and through it to the
hotel (I forget its name now) since burned. Saw Jeff. Davis
house, and all the time when any suspicious characters eyed me
inquired the way to Libby Prison. When I began to get tired I
managed to find it, and was sent to the officers' room where I
found about two hundred and fifty — for I did not count them —
officers confined, and went supperless to bed on the floor. I had
brought my blanket and overcoat with me and was warmly wel-
comed to a mess which was without these necessary articles of
comfort. A ' mess ' there consisted of three or four who were
together possessed of a plate and cup, which was used by turns ;
there were no spoons, knives or forks. I had a good knife and
was looked upon as a very fortunate individual, and with it I made
a spoon from a piece of pine board I cut from a shelf. I have it
to-day. It was not at all elegant, but I could eat bean soup with
it, which was the sine qua non. I gave my knife to one of the
boys when I came away. I carried two hundred and fifty dollars
through the Confederacy with me concealed in the patch of my
cavalry pantaloons. Good place, wasn't it? I put it there (except
a fifty-dollar note) the first night I was captured. I was never
searched and could have carried it in my pocket. Nor was any-

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 217

thing taken from me except my horse and equipments. I am not
sure Uncle Sam ought not to pay me for that horse.

'' I had a fifty-dollar note changed while in Libby by a colonel,
who seemed to have some underground way of getting such things
done, and bought ten dollars' worth of Confederate money — re-
ceiving ten for one — and with this hundred dollars sent, through
the colonel, for ten loaves of bread ($10.00), one paper of Killi-
kinick smoking tobacco ($1.00), one-half dozen pipes ($10.00),
and we had a feast and afterward a smoke, and I forgot a pack of
cards ($10.00, and they were second-hand at that). We had a
good time after that, but how the deuce the colonel managed it I
never knew. He had a commission, I think, on what he invested,
but I am not sure of details at this late day. Not knowing
how long I should have to stay in limbo, I began to economize,
and think I limited my expenses to ten dollars a day (Confederate).
I have been sorry ever since I didn't give the boys a regular blow-
out, but charity begins at home under those circumstances. But
when I left I loaned the boys all I had but a hundred dollars.
They were all " White Diamond " fellows and took their notes
with instructions who to send them to when I got safely
through the lines. And I am happy to say that I was repaid to
the last cent by their friends with many thanks, and had sent to
me the most expensive knife I have ever owned since by the
friends of the officer I gave mine to when I left.

" The rations in Libby were cornbread, about three inches by
two, a thin slice of bacon on it, twice a day, bean soup twice a
week " only this and nothing more." And the bean soup was
made on the plan of church fair soups nowadays — much soup to
few beans. It was just sufficient to keep the soul in the body and
that was about all it would do. But the boys seemed to be hav-
ing a good time, and as a rule took things philosophically, though
there were some notable exceptions.

" One day ' Turner,' I think it was, came to the head of the stair-
way and called out for sugeons and chaplains to report there, and
I assure you we were not long in getting ready. Money was soon
loaned, blankets given to the boys, farewells said and messages
received for those at home, many of them verbal and memorized-
Some addresses were given and whatever could be done in about
ten minutes was done. And we were marched down into the

218 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

hall, given a piece of cornbread, and away to the boat which
steamed down the river to Aikin's Landing, where we were taken
by a circuitous route about a mile out into country and around to
our vessel, and the old flag looked better than I had ever seen it
look before. I have never since lost my respects for the " Old
Gridiron" as the rebs called it. The boys cheered it and we had
a perfect reunion when we got on board, though half of us had
never seen each other before. I then met the boy, he couldn't
have been more than eighteen or nighteen years old, whose leg I
had amputated at the thigh, while at Petersburg, and he waa
doing splendidly. I never saw him after we got to Washington,
and do not know whether he pulled through or not, though I
would like very much to know.

" You remember that Colonel McAllister wanted to know why
I didn't stop off at City Point and join the regiment. I guess not
— not if the court knew itself — with a twenty- day leave of absence
ahead ! Well ! Well ! Though as a matter of fact the steamer
didn't stop.

"I had a sort of a row with a rebel colonel, going up to
Petersburg on the march. He was one of your peppery, hot-
headed, pompous individuals, and riding up to me, he said : ' I
understand you represent yourself as a Federal Surgeon.' I
answered, ' yes, sir ; I am one,' with a little emphasis on the am.
Says hot-head, 'How, sir, are we to know that?' I answered, 'By my
commission.' I always carried my commission in an inside pocket
of my vest, which I handed to him. It was signed by Joel Parker,
Governor of New Jersey, and it would have done you good to-

have heard that d n fool curse Joel. He just let himself loose

on Joel and swore he was an infernal renegade, and ought to be
the last man to sign such an infernal document as that, with many
' cuss ' words interlarded, and then gave me a dressing down for
coming down to the South, and burning their houses, and oppress-
ing men who were better than the scum of Northern States ; that
we ought to be ashamed of ourselves, &c. He got as mad as a
man can get over that commission ; there were some sentences in it
that rumpled him, I forget what now, but he did go on terribly for
abouf half an hour. I just told him that we were prisoners and it
was not best for us to discuss such matters unless we were
equally situated, and walked on in silence, and took his blasted

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 219

"billingsgate, and have been mad at myself ever since that I didn't
shoot some hot shot or words into him. But I verily believe that
if I had 'sassed back' he would have got off his horse and
' licked ' me, or cracked me over the head with his sword ; he was
a regular termagant, and as hot as pepper.

" Do you remember the Sergeant — I forget his name — who was
killed at Hatcher's Run, in a skirmish nearly in sight of our camp
there, a little to the left ? Poor boy, he was sick and I had ex-
cused him from duty that morning. But when the regiment went
out he went along and ' got left.' He need not have gone at all.
I forget his name, but you will remember him, no doubt.

"J. Down Heritage."

The Sergeant alluded to by Doctor Heritage was James
Roalefs, First Sergeant of Company K. The fight was at the
Armstrong house, March 25th, '65. Sergeant Samuel Kerr, of
Company G, was killed the same day. An account of the fight
will be found elsewhere.

On September 4th, the news of the capture of Atlanta reached
us, and in honor of Sherman's victory a salute of twenty rounds
was fired from every gun along our line.

220 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

Chapter XIV

Fort Davis— Poplar Spring Church— Boynton Plank-road.

ON the 5th of September the regiment moved into Fort
Davis (called by some Fort Crawford). This was the
largest earthworks along the line, giving accommodation to an
entire brigade. It was situated to the left of the Jerusalem
plank-road, and with Fort Sedgwick (better known as " Fort
Hell"), which was to the right of the road and about four
hundred yards nearer the enemy's works, commanded that
approach.

Soon after taking position in Fort Davis, a body of colored
troops marched up the road on their way to the front. Their
officers must certainly have been ignorant of the proximity of
the enemy's line and the position of their guns, but they did
not long remain so, for a moving column in plain sight, on an
unsheltered roadway, was too tempting a mark for the rebel
gunners to resist, and soon shot and shell began to fall around
them. They did not wait for orders to seek shelter, but, drop-
ping knapsacks and other impedimenta, soon became a dissolv-
ing cloud, many of them tumbling into the ditch of Fort Davis*
Their frantic efforts to get out of reach of the rebel guns caused
considerable amusement to the men in the fort who were watch-
them, but I doubt if the negroes considered it a laughing matter.

In front of Fort Sedgwick, also held by a part of McAllister's
Brigade, the enemy's entrenched picket-line ran along the crest,
a short distance from our main line of works. They were a little
too close for our comfort, consequently it was determined to
make an effort to capture their pits and compel them to seek a
position nearer their own line. Accordingly two regiments of
DeTrobriand's Brigade, supported by the Eleventh New Jersey
and Eleventh Massachusetts, of McAllister's Brigade, were
ordered to make the assault. Entrenching tools were to be
carried, so that if the pits were taken they could be turned

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 221

immediately. Preparations were made on the evening of the
9th of September, but it was not until one o'clock on the morn-
ing of the 10th, after the moon had set, that the line moved
forward. The enemy was taken completely by surprise, and the
pits and eighty prisoners were captured. They made several
attempts to recapture them, but their efforts were futile. One
mistake was made, however, that marred our success, which
otherwise would have been complete. Colonel Biles, in the
darkness, mistook the tree — a point to which he had been ordered
to advance — and pushed ahead too far, thus exposing his flank.
As soon as daylight enabled the enemy to see his position they
made an attack upon him, capturing about forty of his men and
re-taking some of the pits on our right. This resulted in placing
their pickets on a line with ours and bringing one of their pits
so close to ours that only the bank of dirt separated them. The
casualties in the Eleventh were the wounding of Lieutenant
Morehouse and three men.

On the morning succeeding the capture of the picket-line the
pickets of the contending forces agreed upon a truce. Some of
the rebels, in the confusion of the attack, had left their haver-
sacks in the captured pits. They asked if we would restore
them. This we readily agreed to do if they would meet us half
way between the lines, to which they assented, and their property
was restored. We were having a very sociable time, bartering
coffee for tobacco, exchanging papers and views of the war, when
an officer passed along their line. He talked for a few minutes
with some of our boys on the right, and then returned to their
main line of works. Nothing was said until the officer had
reached the shelter of their works. Then the pickets in our
front told us we would have to get under cover as they had orders
to commence firing. They acted very honorably, giving us all
ample time to get into our pits. Then began the fusillade, which
was kept up almost continuously until the end of the siege.
There was an exception to the honorable conduct of the rebels
in front of us. During the continuance of the truce some of their
troops, holding the line further to the right, kept picking away

222 TEE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

at us. When we asked who they were and why they did not
stop firing, we were told that they were some South Carolinians
who did not know any better.

For a few days after capturing these pits and until we got
covered ways built, relieving picket was an extremely hazardous
undertaking. It was generally done in the evening, but the
enemy would somehow ascertain when the relief was going out
and sweep the field over which it bad to pass with an unusually
hot fire, so that the relief and relieved bad to run a gauntlet of
bullets.

Among the men in the pit occupied by Sergeant William Hand
was a German who seemed to have had no experience in the use
of entrenching-tools. The Sergeant watched for a while his
awkward movements with the pick. At last, becoming impa-
tient, he told him to sit down and he would show him how to
use it. The German took the seat vacated by Hand, but scarcely
had he sat down before a bullet crashed through his head, killing
him instantly. His body was laid carefully outside the pit, and
when the picket was relieved his death was reported. Stretcher-
bearers were sent to bring it in, but as the way to the picket-line
was across a bullet-swept field, they failed to find it. His Ger-
man comrades lamented very much that the body was not brought
in. Andrew Webster, who had been in the same pit, asked why
they did not go after it, and offered to accompany them, but they
did not seem willing to go. It was finally brought in by Hand
and Webster, at the risk of their own lives.

During the truce along the picket-line, Sergeant Webster took
four canteens and a haversack and went back to Fort Davis for
rations. He had the canteens filled with coffee and the haver-
sack with crackers, then started for the front again. He bad
also procured a box of matches from the sutler for Robert Leo,
who was in the pit with Hand. These he put in his blouse
pocket. Upon reaching Fort Hill (or Sedgwick) he found that
the truce had been ended and that the enemy were again sweep-
ing the field with bullets. He did not know what to do. To
cross the open field seemed like sure death. At last he resolved

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 223

to risk it, and getting outside the works, crept about half the
distance, or to where the ground began to descend, then arose
and ran for the pits. As he arose he dropped the matches ; pick,
ing them up he continued and succeeded in reaching the pits
unharmed.

On the 11th of September John W. Trout, of Company F,
was shot in the head and killed while looking through a loop-
hole. He had been repeatedly warned against doing so, as the
enemy's telescopic rifles made the pastime a very dangerous one.

Even at this period of the siege the rank and file of the rebel
army began to realize that they were in Grant's toils. In a let-
ter written by one brother to another, which was found in a
knapsack in one of the captured pits, the writer says: "Grant
has Lee entangled. The cars are running right along the Union
camp, supplying their troops with everything they need, while
we are starving. The cause of the Confederacy has gone up ;
there is no use of fighting any longer."

Some idea of the extent of the picket-firing can be had from
the fact that during the three days succeeding the capture of the
picket-pits at Fort Sedgwick, the Third Brigade detail expended
60,000 rounds of ammunition.

On Sunday, the 11th, Chaplain Cline held service in Fort
Davis. During the progress of the service an artillery duel was
raging along the lines, and just over the heads of the worshipers
the bullets were whistling merrily.

The position in the fort was not altogether a safe one. Men
were in some instances struck while sleeping, and many narrow
escapes occurred. Colonel Schoonover, Chaplain Cline and
another officer sat down to dine, and while the Chaplain was ask-
ing a blessing, a bullet whistled over the table, passing between
them — rather an unpleasant memento mori at a feast. And
yet so accustomed had soldiers become to such interruptions that
they did not in the least disturb their equanimity.

Recruits now began to come in rapidly. On the 16th thirty-
eight joined the regiment, on the 17th, twenty-eight, and on the
18th, sixteen. But they were not of the best material of which

224 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

to make an army or fill up a depleted one. The majority of them
were substitutes, and a large proportion foreigners who had been
attracted by the high prices paid by those who had neither suf-
ficient courage or patriotism to give their personal services. Very
few of these substitutes ever intended coming to the front ; those
that did being so striotly guarded that they could not get an
opportunity to escape. A large proportion deserted to the enemy.
Of those accredited to the Eleventh New Jersey during the sum-
mer and autumn of '64, 247 deserted on the way, 54 to the enemy
and 40 managed to remain in the rear at hospitals, convalescent-
camps, etc., making during that period a total of 341 accredited to
the regiment that did not add a man to its strength.

On the 24th of September the Second Corps was extended to
relieve the Tenth. This move placed us in the line about one
mile to the right of Fort Davis. There we remained until the
first of October, when we were withdrawn and marched to the
railroad near the bridge crossing the Blackwater creek, where we
took the cars for the left. After reaching the end of the military
road,- we marched about two miles through the rain and over
very muddy roads to near Poplar Spring Church, where, about
dark, we went into bivouac for the night, under shelter of the
wood. We were now on the left of the Ninth Corps, having
been sent to its support and to extend its left — the First and
Second Divisions remaining in the entrenchments.

Early on the morning of the 2d of October the skirmishers
were advanced, the division following closely in line of battle.
Our skirmishers soon struck the enemy, but continued to
advance, pressing them back and capturing their advance line
of works. The forward movement was continued for about a
mile further to the enemy's main line, which was found well
manned with infantry and artillery, and which opened upon us a
heavy fire. As no orders were given to press the attack, we lay
down and held our position until four P. M., when we moved
back to the position occupied earlier in the day. During the
action a piece of shell killed one man in the Eleventh Massa-
chusetts and then struck a sergeant in the leg, tearing it almost

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 225

off — it hanging by a mere shred. With the utmost coolness the
sergeant took out his knife and cut it loose. As he was being
carried in a blanket to the rear, he said to Colonel McAllister :
" I have done my duty, Colonel, and have lost my leg in a good
cause." The colonel answered, " Yes, Sergeant, you have done
your duty." Then addressing those who were carrying him,
continued, " Boys, handle him tenderly ; he's a brave man ;
take good care of him." He was in good spirits and bore the
pain manfully, but he died that night in the field hospital.

The 3d and 4th of October were spent in building entrench-
ments. On the evening of the 3d the regiment received one
hundred and thirty-eight recruits, nearly all of them entirely
ignorant of soldiers' duties. One in Company E, on the morn-
ing after his arrival, was told by the First Sergeant that he was
detailed for fatigue duty. He wanted to know what fatigue
duty meant. When told that in that instance it meant to
chop down trees and shovel dirt, he replied that he did not
feel very well that morning, and guessed he would not go. He
soon learned that in the army it was not a matter of feeling or
desire, but of obedience.

At four P. M. on the 5th the regiment under command ot
Captain John Oldershaw, Acting Major, moved back to the
trenches between forts Davis and Alexandre Hays, and relieved
Bissel's brigade of colored troops. When Colonel McAllister
reported to the commander of the colored brigade that he was
ready to relieve him, he asked how many pickets they had out.
The Colonel commanding replied, " Five hundred, but as your
troops are a part of the Second Corps you will not need more
than half that number."

As we were passing the Yellow tavern on our return from
Poplar Spring Church a gentleman, hearing that we were the
Third Division of the Second Corps, exclaimed, " The old
Third Corps ! I must see those brave troops," and hastened out
in the storm to see us tramping along in the mud.

At one P. M. on the 6th of October we withdrew from the
trenches and formed camp in the pine woods in the rear, where

226

THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

Hancock's Cavalry rested until October 26th. The name
Hancock's Cavalry was given to the Second Corps by the other
troops, because of the frequency and rapidity of its movements.
It was thrown here, there, and everywhere — sometimes to the
extreme right, then hastily again to the left, and occasionally it

Lieutenant Alplieus Hill.

brought up in the center. On one of its hurried marches from
the left to the right, while it was enjoying a brief halt, a
byscander asked what troops we were. " Why," said a com-
rade in the ranks, " don't you know ? Hancock's Cavalry ! we
have just stopped to let the officers change horses." In a
conversation between one of our pickets and one of the rebel

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 227

pickets, the rebel asked why it was that wherever they went
they met the Second Corps. It was well to have a reputation
for bravery and reliability ; it was a high honor to be placed at
the point of danger and to be called upon at critical moments,
but it certainly was not always conducive to comfort.

On October 8th Lieutenant George C. Boice was killed upon
the picket- line. He had posted his pickets and stood warming
himself by a fire that some of the men had built — the night
being quite chilly — when a rebel sharpshooter picked him off.
He had been Quartermaster Sergeant from the organization of
the regiment until July 25th, '64, when he was commissioned
Second Lieutenant of Company G. He had fulfilled the duties
of his former position to the satisfaction of both officers and
men, and no doubt would have been as efficient as an officer of
the line.

Desertions from the rebel army had become very frequent.
Though the Richmond papers spoke of plenty of provisions in
store, yet, day by day, Lee's commissariat grew scantier; and
to men living in a state of semi-starvation the knowledge that
but a short distance away was plenty to be had for the asking
was a temptation that many could not resist. Two Floridians
who entered our picket-line at that time stated that a meal's
victuals cost in Petersburg thirty-six dollars in Confederate
money, and that the pay of a private soldier was eleven dollars
per month of the same kind of currency. Just think of work-
ing over three months for the price of one meal — that one dollar
in greenbacks would buy ten and in some places fifteen in their
scrip. That fact alone showed that the people of the South
had lost faith in the success of their cause and believed in the
ultimate triumph of the TJnion.

On the 19th of October Captain John Oldershaw was
ordered to report to the headquarters of the First Brigade, First
Division, and assume the duties of Brigade Inspector.

The Presidential election of 1864 caused considerable excite-
ment and discussion among the troops. Though New Jersey
had virtually disfranchised her soldiers they were none the less

228 TEE ELEVENTH BEOIMENT,

interested, and when commissioners from other States arrived
and began to take the vote of their troops in the field, New
Jersey troops were subjected to taunts that made them entertain
anything but kindly feelings for the Legislature that had
refused them the privilege. It was generally supposed that the
troops from New Jersey, especially the original members of the
old regiments, were largely in favor of McClellan. I have no
doubt that they were so until the adoption of the Chicago plat-
form with the nomination of Pendleton. After the action of the
convention became known and the platform had been read,
together with the utterances of such men as C. C. Burr, of
New Jersey; Judge Miller, of Ohio; Deane, of Iowa, and
others, McClellan lost friends rapidly among the soldiers.
Few soldiers in the field were in favor of a temporizing policy.
They wanted a vigorous prosecution of the war, realizing that
it was the quickest and surest way to peace.

As I have said, the feeling of indignation among the New
Jersey troops was great, owing to the action of the State Legis-
lature denying to its soldiers the right to vote in the field. Nat-
withstanding this unjust and unpatriotic action, it was decided
by the officers and men of the Eleventh R egimen t to poll the
vote of the men present and forward the result thereof to the
press of the State as an expression of its choice as to who should
be President. " About this time we were receiving many re-
cruits to fill our broken ranks, the most of whom enlisted for the
large bounties then being paid, and many of whom were profes-
sional 'bounty-jumpers.' It is but just to add that a small per-
centage of these recruits were truly loyal and made excellent sol-
diers. In order that it might not be said they were controlled
or influenced in their choice, the commanding officer of each
company selected a non-commissioned officer, who was requested
to approach each man separately and ascertain from him his
choice, using no persuasion whatever." Unfortunately, but one
of the company poll-lists is now available, that of Company E.
That is in the possession of Bishop W. Mains, who was the non-
commissioned officer selected by Captain Gage to canvass the

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 229

oompany. Though the document is stained with blood from a
wound he received through the left lung at the battle of Boyn-
ton plank-road, it is still legible, and shows the result to have
been :

Old members of the company for Lincoln, 14

" " " " McClellan, 6 ..

Eecruits for Lincoln, 15

"McClellan, 20 ..

26 29

Total 55

Lincoln's majority, 3

The document has a further value in that it shows the strength
of the company at that time and the number of recruits then
with it.

On the 1 7th of October occurred one of those pathetic incidents
inseparable from war. At the house where our division com-
mander had his headquarters lived an old gentleman, his daughter-
in-law, and two grand-daughters. When our army first occupied
the territory around Petersburg, the son had been found with
rebel arms in his hands and was held as a prisoner of war. The
family had been very wealthy, but the war had so impoverished
them that they were dependent upon our government and the
generosity of the division staff for the necessaries of life. The
youngest of the daughters, a young lady of about sixteen,
became sick, and though our surgeons gave her every attention,
died. There they were, surrounded by the enemy, cut off from
all sympathizing friends, the father a prisoner, wealthy yet in
want. The officers of the division staff showed their sympathy
for the bereaved family by furnishing a handsome coffin and
bearing the body to the family burying-ground. The band
played the funeral march, and though the idea of having a
* l Yankee " chaplain officiate seemed repugnant, yet they consented
and Mr. Stevenson, of the American Tract Society, conducted
the services at the grave.

230 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

On the evening of October 24th we were relieved by Miles r
First Division, and marching back joined our Second Division
and massed in rear of the lines. At five o'clock on the after-
noon of the 26th we marched to the Weldon railroad, near the
Globe tavern, and bivouacked for the night.

At half past three on the morning of the 27th the column
was put in motion. The morning was dark and stormy and the
country thickly wooded, so that progress was necessarily slow.
A little after daylight we crossed Hatcher's run at the Vaugn
road crossing. The enemy disputed the crossing, and Smythe's
Brigade, of the Second Division, which was on the lead, forded
the run waist-deep and captured the enemy's works on the oppo-
site side. The march was continued by way of the Dabney mill
road — a narrow wood-road, illy adapted for the movement of
troops — to its intersection with the Boynton plank-road, about
one mile south of Burgess' mill, which point was reached about
noon. The brigade was about massing with the rest of the
division, when General Meade sent an aid with orders that we
should defend the road, as the enemy were coming in that direc-
tion. Gibbons' Division, commanded by General Egan in the
absence of Gibbons, had advanced up the Boynton road toward
Hatcher's run.

The enemy had a battery posted near Burgess' tavern, and
another up the White-oak road, which joins the Boynton road at
the tavern. These batteries began to play as soon as the head of
the corps came out on the open ground, near the junction of the
Dabney mill and Boynton roads. Beck's Battery, however, soon
silenced the one near the tavern, and Egan's Division, advancing,
took position across the Boynton road, near the White-oak road.
Two brigades were to the right and one to the left of the plank-
road, resting on the White-oak road. McAllister's Brigade had
now been sent up to strengthen Egan, and Beck's Battery had
moved up so as to command the enemy's guns north of Hatcher's
run. One section, however, under Metcalf, was stationed on the
ridge in the rear and on the east side of the Boynton road. Thi»
section was supported by Pierce's Brigade of Mott's Division.

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 231

Their position was about midway between Egan and the brigade
of De Trobriand, which was posted near the junction of the Dab-
ney mill and Boynton roads. It being determined that Egan,
supported by McAllister, should occupy the high ground north
of the run, Egan's Division was advanced in that direction. The
Tenth Massachusetts Battery, which had taken the place of Beck's
(whose ammunition was exhausted), was posted so as to command
the White-oak road. One section, however, was placed north of
the barn, to cover the advance of Egan's troops. Egan moved
forward without much opposition, and had secured the bridge and
captured one gun, when a volley was heard from the right and
rear, which left no doubt that the enemy had entered the gap
between the Second and Fifth Corps and were attacking in the
rear.

A brief description of the field will give a better understanding
of the condition of affairs at the time of the attack. The ground
occupied by Egan's and McAllister's troops, with the Tenth
Massachusetts Battery, was a high, cleared field. Through this
clearing, running north by east, passed the Boynton plank-road.
The clearing extended north and south about one-half mile.
About one third of the distance across from the southern edge of
the clearing the Boynton road was entered by the White-oak road
from the west, up which the enemy had a battery posted. The
cleared ground extended up the White-oak road. At the north-
west junction of the roads stood an unpainted wooden building
known as Burgess' tavern, and nearly opposite to the east of the
Boynton road a barn. Northward the ground fell away to
Hatcher's run and a mill-pond, and eastward to a dense wood.
To the south the ground descended to a swampy thicket, perhaps
forty or fifty yards wide, south of which was another high, cleared
field ; commencing nearly opposite the swamp and running south
and southwest was another strip of woodland.

Metcalf's section of Beck's Battery, supported by Pierce's
Brigade, occupied positions in the last-mentioned clearing, or the
ridge south of the swamp. Two regiments of Pierce's Brigade,
accompanied by Captain Lloyd, of the Eleventh New Jersey,

232 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

who was upon Pierce's staff, had entered the wood to the right
of Metcalf 's guns. These were struck by Mahone's Division,
which was advancing through the wood toward the Boynton
road, and quickly swept out of the way. The enemy came out
on Metcalf 's right, who only had time to turn his guns and fire
a couple of rounds when they were upon him. They captured
the guns and continued advancing until they had crossed the
Boynton road.

In the meantime Egan had sent word to McAllister to change
front and charge the enemy in our rear. McAllister replied
that he had not time to change front, but would about-face and
charge left in front. The order was quickly given, and the
charge gallantly made down the hill, through the morass, and
up the opposite slope. The Eleventh .New Jersey reached the
crest and re-captured Metcalf 's guns. It will be remembered
that we had come to an about-face, and consequently were left
in front — the troops upon our left failed to reach the crest.
This threw the flank of our regiment in the air, so to speak, or
rather with the flank unprotected. In fact, both flanks were
unprotected, as the Eleventh New Jersey was the only regiment
that reached the crest south of the swamp when Metcalf s guns
were in position. This subjected us to a flank fire from Mahone's
troops in the woods to our left, and from the guns on the White-
oak road on our right and from the enemy's infantry in our
front. Besides, we were under the fire of De Trobriand's
brigade, which had changed front and taken position parallel
with the Dabney mill road, facing toward us.

The enemy, finding themselves between two fires, moved off
to the right and made an attack upon our left, or more properly
our right, for we were still left in front. To meet this attack
we re-crossed the swamp and formed, facing east. Darkness
following, the attacks of the enemy ceased. About ten o'clock
in the evening orders came to move back, and though the night
was pitch-dark it was obeyed with alacrity, for we had begun
to think that Richmond would be our involuntary destination.
A number of our wounded had been collected in the tavern and

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 233

barn, near the plank-road, but as the ambulance-train was
nearly a mile away many of them had to be left behind, and fell
into the hands of the enemy. Among those fortunate enough
to reach the rear was Bishop W. Mains and Joseph Walton, of
Company E, both wounded through the left lung. Their
wounds were severe, and had they fallen into the enemy's hands
no doubt both would have died. Many wounded were left
lying upon the field. No opportunity having occurred to
collect them, they were picked up by the enemy the next
morning. Among them was George W. Lindley, of Company
K, one of the color-guard, who had received two wounds in the
leg.

Before leaving the field Colonel McAllister visited the
wounded that had been collected in the buildings near the road,
and speaking of it he says : "But one surgeon made his appear-
ance at these hospital-houses — no nurse, no chaplain, hardly a
candle to light up the room. Captain Granger, a veteran
captain and brave and gallant officer, commanding the Eleventh
Massachusetts, that day fell, mortally wounded. He lay upon
the floor suffering intense pain. He was so anxious to be taken
to the ambulance I ordered his regiment to carry him, and as
many others as they could, down to the ambulances, about a
mile distant. We had no stretchers, it was pitch dark, and
raining. Some were carried down, some left behind, and some
died while being carried. On arriving at the place the
ambulances were gone, and they had to be left. Captain
Granger died. I had the greatest regard for him, he was so
brave and gallant. He always did his duty. He belonged to
the Eleventh Massachusetts."

Men lacking courage sometimes resort to queer methods to
escape the dangers of the battle. Among the recruits in
Company E was a substitute named Eeiley. He seemed to
have a great aversion to participating in the charge across the
morass, and made many excuses for stopping. But Lieutenant
Hand, who was in command of the company that day, noticed
the man's lack of nerve and determined to keep him in. As a

234 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

last resort TLeiley loosened his clothing so that they dropped
about his feet, thinking, no doubt, that he would be allowed to
stop and arrange them, and by that time the line would be so
far advanced that he could slip away without being observed.
But the Lieutenant saw through his scheme and, becoming
angry at the man's cowardice, gave him a stroke with the flat of
his sword, then called Corporal Mains (afterward wounded) to
take charge of him and bring him to the front, which the
corporal quickly did. But in spite of these precautions the
fellow managed to get away and allowed himself to be captured.

Lieutenant William Hand, who was in command of Company
E during the battle, says : " Company E and Company H, then
under command of Lieutenant Cummings, did some desperate
fighting. They tried to capture two black pieces of light artil-
lery. We had possession of them two or three times, and
fought hand-to-hand for them, long after the brigade and regi-
ment had fallen back across the swamp. But we were over-
powered and driven back before we could get them off. Men
never tried harder, nor did braver fighting, than the two corn-
companies did for those two pieces. They deserved success, but
it was not in human nature to withstand the odds that were
against them."

In reading the account of this battle by Billings, historian of
the Tenth Massachusetts Battery, it would seem that the infantry
upon the field — and McAllister's Brigade especially — were of
no practical use ; that the battle was fought almost exclusively
by the Tenth Battery. But his statement is so at variance with
the accounts of other participants in the battle and with the
reports of the officers in immediate command of the troops
engaged that it is hardly necessary to notice his account. We
do so only because justice to the brave men who fought and the
heroes who died upon that hotly-contested field demands it.
No one who knew anything about the Tenth Battery would
doubt their fighting qualities, and surely they won renown
enough to make it unnecessary for their historian to try to exag-
gerate their merits by disparaging the work of other equally

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 235

brave and meritorious troops. That he has done so there can
be no question, for he says in effect that Mott's troops (McAl-
lister's Brigade was the only troops of Mott's on that part of the
field) "came running back through their guns like frightened
sheep, and refused to halt though repeatedly urged to do so."
Thus leaving it to be inferred that McAllister's entire brigade
acted the part of poltroons. He charges General Hancock with
ignorance of facts, and completely ignores the account of General
Egan, who was in immediate command, and under whose eye
each movement was executed. Strange, is it not, that the man
in the ranks (if doing his duty) should have advantages for
observation and knowledge superior to the general in command,
whose duty and interest require that he be cognizant of the
operations over the entire field ? But let us see what General
Egan says :

"October 29th, 1864.
"General — Through you I beg to thank Colonel McAllister,
commanding your Third Brigade, for indispensable services ren-
dered to myself and command during recent operations. Colonel
McAllister brought up his command at a critical moment, when I
was almost surrounded by a force of vast disparity of strength.
The defiant bearing of the enemy showed that they regarded their
combinations as undoubtedly successful and waiting only final
execution. My command had done everything possible when
Colonel McAllister saved them. I cannot sufficiently thank him.
The recounting the particulars of his service is unnecessary, as
they were too brilliant not to have been made public ere this.
But I beg that you will, if consistent, commend them at large to
the Major-General commanding the corps, as I shall take great

pleasure in doing.

" Your most obt. servant,

"T. W. Egan,

" Brig. -Gen. Gomdg. 2d Division.

" To Bvt. Maj.-Gen. Mott, Comdg. 3d Div."

General Egan's words of commendation should put to rest
any doubts of the courage and efficiency of the Third Brigade at

236 THE ELEVEN1H REGIMENT,

the battle of Boyn ton plank-road. But bis words are confirmed
by General McAllister, whose veracity was never questioned by
anyone who knew him. In a letter to his family, written just
after the battle, he says : " I shall never forget that day nor
that battle. Surrounded on all sides, cut off from the rest of the
corps, no connection with the Fifth Corps, the victorious yells of
the enemy sounding in our ears — our fate seemed to be sealed.
There seemed no hope of escape. It was a time of suspense and
doubt. Add to all, and what was still worse, some of Egau's
men were out of ammunition and none could be had. Not a
spade nor shovel to throw up breastworks. But God put it into
our hearts to fight on. Trusting to Him, we charged down the
hill. The enemy became panic-stricken and gave way. We
rushed on, and received not only the enemy's front and flank
fire, but from our line in front."

He also commends the brigade in the following general order :

" Headquarters Third Brigade, Third Division, )

" Second Army Corps, >

" General Order, No. 5. " October 31st, 1864 )

" The Colonel commanding brigade congratulates the officers
and men of the command for the manner in which they marched
to the Boynton plank-road, and the gallantry displayed by them
on the 27th instant, reflecting great credit on the old brigade.
Your bravery and determination, as exhibited when surrounded
by the enemy, is a new wreath added to the laurels of honor won
by this command in the days that are past. May this, and the
gallant deeds of those battles, stimulate us to do or die for onr
country in the great cause in which we are engaged. Let each of
us resolve to do our duty, and, by the blessing of God, victory will
perch upon our banners, peace will crown our exertions, and
millions will do honor to those who have so nobly borne our ban-
ners through the trying scenes of this rebellion. As we shed tears
for the lost comrades who have fallen by our sides, let our prayers
go up to God for protection to the widows and the orphans, and
our sympathies be with them.

"Robert McAllister,

" Thos. H. Dunham, " Gol. Gomdg. Third Brigade.

"A. A. A. G."

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 237

There is no need to multiply witnesses. These should be
sufficient to refute the unworthy insinuations made by Mr. Bil-
lings. That some stragglers, such as are found hanging on the
rear of every battle, may have gone back through the guns of
the Tenth Battery we do not doubt, but that any organization
acted in the manner described is entirely contrary to facts.

As has been stated, about ten o'clock we reported back to
General Mott, and after marching several miles over the
Dabney Mill road, went into bivouac. We rested until noon on
the 28th, when we resumed the march to the breastworks, and
re- occupied them at Fort Morton.

During one of the operations to the left, and after the troops
had been withdrawn from the entrenchments preparatory to
marching, we received what, under the circumstances, was a very
peculiar ration and the only one of the kind that I remember to
have seen issued during our term of service, namely, a ration of
dried codfish. The brigade commissary must have had a large
supply on hand and been very anxious to get rid of it, for each
man received either an entire fish or a very large half. Had we
been remaining in camp, where they could have been properly
prepared, they would have made an acceptable addition to our
menu, for soaked, boiled, and minced with potatoes and made
into cakes or balls, they are not at all bad eating. But what should
we do with them on a march, and perhaps in battle ? A column
of men, each with a codfish strapped to his knapsack, would
make a ludicrous spectacle. They might have been worn on the
breast as bullet-protectors, but the odor was so strong that unless
we had kept well to the windward of the enemy it would have
warned them of our approach, and anyway, who wanted to be
found dead with a deader codfish clasped to his bosom? Had
we belonged to the artillery we might have used them as missiles
of war, and I have no doubt that in the half-starved condition
of the enemy there would have been a regular stampede from all
parts of their line as soon as they found that we were using cod-
fish for cannon-balls (patent applied for). Take it all in all,
those immigrants from Newfoundland caused us considerable

238 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

perplexity, until one comrade with mischief prepense quietly
swiped another over the head with one. The question was solved.
The blow had been struck, war was declared. From man to
man, from company to company, from regiment to regiment, the
wave of battle swept. None thought of saving ammunition ;
the air was thick with " flying fish," and so the historic battle of
the cod raged until the order came to march, and the troops
moved off leaving the field covered with dead (codfish).

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 239

Chapter XV.

Fort Morton.

X7okt Morton occupied a position on the line about one
-*- thousand yards to the left of Fort Haskell, and almost
directly opposite Elliot's salient, the scene of Burnside's mine
«xplosion on July 30th. It was a part of the main line of
works, which here occupied a ridge, the ground sloping rather
abruptly to a small stream which ran northward and emptied
into the Appomattox, to the eastward of Blandford, a suburb of
Petersburg. Eastward of the stream was the roadbed of the
Norfolk and Petersburg Railroad. The armament of the fort
oonsisted of four thirty two-pound siege guns, four braBs how-
itzers, and several large mortars. A bomb-proof magazine, and
another large bomb-proof for the accommodation of troops, also
occupied the interior. Bunks for the accommodation of the
occupants were arranged along the southern side of the bomb-
proof. A wide shelf or bench, formed of timbers and earth,
ran along the north side, leaving a narrow passage. Upon the
shelf were piled boxes of ammunition for small arms and a num-
ber of boxes containing chloride of lime for disinfecting pur-
poses. The odor of the latter may have been wholesome, but it
certainly was not very pleasant to those occupying the bomb-
proof. Company E and, I think, a part or whole of another
company, which I cannot remember, occupied the bomb-proof in
the fort. The rest of the regiment held the connecting lines.
The headquarters were in bomb proofs, a short distanoe in
the rear, on the eastward slope. The picket-line which here
ran nearer the enemy's works than at any other point along the
line, in fact so close to their main works at one point that they
could not establish a picket-line, was strongly entrenched and
well protected by traverses. The part of the line directly in
front of Fort Morton was on the crest beyond the stream. To
the north it circled eastward until it re-crossed the stream. A

240

THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

like formation prevailed toward the south. So that the contour
of the line directly in front of thejfort was nearly that of a half

circle.

I have said that the line was well protected by traverses; there
was an exception, however. A'part of the line to the left, which

Sergeant; James;McDavitt.

ran down the slope to the stream, turned sharply to the south-
west, and was exposed to the fire of the enemy's sharpshooters,
which rendered it untenable or at least extremely dangerous
during the daytime. This the writer knows from personal
experience. He was at](that time acting First Sergeant of the
company (the First Sergeant, Augustus Tucker, having been

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 241

detailed to Trenton on recruiting service the previous winter),
and bad no call upon the picket-line. But one afternoon, being
a little tired of the fort and bomb-proof, he thought he would
like to pay a visit to the boys on the outer line. He, in company
witn Corporal Leonard Gillen, reached the line without drawing
the enemy's fire, and passed the exposed part leading down to
the stream. Some men from his own company were posted
south of the stream, and among them Sharp, who had constructed
a miniature mortar out of a section of ride-barrel, and was
amusing himself by shelling the enemy, using minie-balls for
bombs. After a few minutes conversation with the men, we
started to return, but had forgotten the danger of the exposed
position, and as a consequence, were walking erect, perfectly un-
concerned. Corporal Gillen had just passed through the traverse,
he being ahead, when a ball from a rebel sharpshooter's rifle
nipped the top of the writer's cap. It was a good line-shot, but
a little too high. The approach to the picket-line was protected
by a covered way, and with the exception of where it crossed
the stream was exposed to the enemy's fire, and men were
frequently wounded at that point.

On the night of November 5th, or rather the morning of the
6th, the enemy made a desperate effort to wrest from our pos-
session that part of the picket-line spoken of as occupying the
crest beyond the stream. They succeeded in capturing a number
of posts, but before they could turn them to their use, they were
driven out with great loss. For the successful accomplishment
of this re-capture, credit is chiefly due to Captain Charles F.
Gage, of the Eleventh New Jersey, who was in charge of the
picket. He made a reconnoissance in the darkness, and person-
ally located the right of the enemy's force and led the attack
upon them, fighting his way from pit to pit until the line was
re- captured.

Colonel Schoonover says : " Immediately in front of the fort
our pickets occupied an old line of field-works, which was within
seventy-five yards of the fort held by a portion of General
Hill's Corps, and in the immediate command of General Gracie,

242 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

formerly of Elizabeth, N. J. The nearness of our picket-line
was a great annoyance to the enemy, who kept up a constant fire
upon our men who held the coveted position on the brow of the
bill. Some distance in rear of the fort (Morton) a platform had
been erected in the top of a tall tree, where a number of men
were stationed to detect, if possible, any movement on the part
of the enemy.

" On the afternoon of November 5th, it was discovered from
this lookout that the enemy were busy in carrying some kind of
material from the rear into the fort. From this movement the
inference was correctly drawn that an attack was contemplated
upon our exposed picket-line. The men were instructed to be
on the alert that night, as the enemy would in all probability
attempt to capture the position.

"As had been predicted, the attack was made shortly after
midnight, and the picket-line, composed of men from the One
Hundred and Twentieth New York and the Eleventh New
Jersey, were driven from their position, leaving the enemy in
possession of about forty posts. The officers on duty from the
Eleventh New Jersey were Lieutenants Oliver and Schoonover.
While every man engaged displayed great bravery, to the cool-
ness and skill of Captain Charles F. Cage, who was in command
of the picket-line, must be largely attributed the successful re-
capture of the lost works. He went in person, under cover of
darkness, to within a few feet of the picket-post occupied by the
right of the enemy's line, and, having located their position,
placed his men in an angle of the works and opened fire, which,
fortunately, enfiladed the entire line occupied by the enemy.
There was no escape from the deadly bullets which came from
that angle. The rails which they had brought to the fort and
carried with them when the charge was made, gave them but
little protection. The fire of our men was effective and the loss
of the enemy heavy.

" The following day General Gracie requested, under flag of
truce, permission to remove his dead, which was granted. It was
a remarkable and impressive sight that met my eyes as I went

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 243

upon the scene of the previous night's conflict. A large number
of their dead lay along the most exposed portion of the line.
Many of them had attempted to dig with their hands into the
hard, baked soil, and instant death had left their bodies in almost
lifelike positions. The fingers were still bent, the muscles unre-
laxed, and their faces, cold in death, still bore the stamp of
desperation."

McAllister says: " The dash was so sudden that about forty
picket-posts gave way, but our brave boys turned on the enemy
and re-captured about one-half of the number and turned the
enemy's flank. A desperate fight ensued — a hand-to-hand con-
test over the breastworks; bullets, bayonets and butts of muskets
were used. The battle raged fearfully. I sent fifty more men
to the assistance of our gallant boys. After a struggle of a short
time we re-captured some more of our pits, but in the balance
the enemy fought with stubbornness unparalleled. I sent fifty
more men to their assistance, and on the battle raged. It was now
near the dawn of morning, and I knew the necessity of re-captur-
ing these works before daylight. I sent fifty more men, but
before they reached the scene of action the day was ours, and
resulted in nearly fifty rebel prisoners for us, among them one
lieutenant. The slaughter of the enemy, this lieutenant said,
was terrific. They lost terribly from our enfilade fire. They
carried their wounded and dead back, but some lay on the ground
where they fought. They had brought shovels and picks with
them, and also a cross-cut saw to cut through the timbers in the
breastworks. The lieutenant said they designed turning our
works and holding them. The prisoners we took were all South
Carolinians, and they fought desperately and long before they
would give up. The bravery, gallantry and determination of
my officers and men in this contest merit my warmest praise.
My loss in killed, wounded and missing is only twenty-nine. A
prisoner who came into headquarters told General Hancock that
they had lost two hundred."

Following are the general orders issued relative to the fight :

244 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

" Headquarters 2d Army Coeps, \
" November 6th, 1864. j

" My Dear General — I was highly gratified to hear of the brave
conduct of your troops this morning and of the ability and deter-
mination displayed by Colonel McAllister, commanding brigade,
in re-taking the picket-line wrested from our picket-line last night.
"I am very truly your obedient servant,

"W. S. Hancock,
" Maj.-Gen. Commanding.

'• To Bvt. Maj.-Gen. Mott, Commanding 2d Div., 2d Corps."

" Headquarters 3d Division, 2d Army Corps, )

"Nov. 7th, '64. J
" Gen. Order 671.

" The Brevet Major-General commanding takes great pleasure
in expressing to the command his gratification with the good con-
duct of the troops engaged in the affair of the night of the 5th
instant, resulting in the re-taking of that portion of the picket-
line wrested from us by an overwhelming force of the enemy, the
capture of forty-two prisoners, including one commissioned officer,
the forcing of the enemy to leave in our hands a number of their
dead, and a quantity of small arms and entrenching tools. Special
mention is due to Colonel McAllister, commanding Third Brigade,
who gave his personal superintendence to the operations, and to
the officers on his staff who rendered him such efficient service.
The conduct of the officers and men of the One Hundred and
Twentieth New York and Eleventh New Jersey Volunteers, who
were directly engaged, is worthy of emulation. Such gallantry
always displayed would soon bring the rebellion to a close.
" By command of

" Brevet Maj.-Gen. Mott,

"J. P. Finklemier, A. A. Gen."

" Headquarters Third Brigade, Third Drv. 2d A. Corps, 1

"Nov. 8th, 1864. )

"Officers and Soldiers of the Third Brigade:

" The Colonel commanding brigade returns his thanks to the
soldiers of his command for their noble bearing and gallant con-
duct in the affair of the evening of the 5th inst. Special praise

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 245

and credit is due the three companies of the One Hundred and
Twentieth New York Volunteers, and one company of the Eleventh
New Jersey Volunteers, and staff and line officers, who so nobly
led these gallant bands of brave soldiers to a successful re-capture
of the lost works against an overwhelming force of the enemy.
The skill, bravery and determination of the officers and men thus
■engaged, representing these, and nearly all the regiments in this
brigade, are worthy of note, and should be placed side by side
with the heroic deeds and gallantry displayed in other and greater
battles. By a firm reliance in God, and by His blessing and a
determination to do our duty, this conflict for our glorious Union
will soon be ended in favor of its restoration.

" Robert McAllister,

"Col. Commanding.

" Thos. H. Dunham, A. A. A.-Gen."

As soon as the loss of the pits became known, Captain Gage
hastened forward with a company of the Eleventh New Jersey,
and placed them in position in the angle to the enemy's right,
where their fire would enfilade the captured pits. General
McAllister's language would seem to indicate that a portion of
the pits had been re-captured before the re-enforcement of fifty
had been sent forward. If this is so — and we know from per-
sonal recollection and the testimony of participants that it is —
it would seem that great credit should have been given to Cap-
tain Gage and Lieutenant Charles A. Oliver. And yet, in none
of the general orders do we find any recognition of the great
services rendered by them on that occasion. It is not ours to
discuss the whys or wherefores, but simply to state a fact.

During our occupancy of Fort Morton and the connecting
works, artillery duels were of almost nightly occurrence. There
was but little danger to be apprehended from the flight of solid
shot or rifled shells, as the works were amply strong to resist
their penetrating power, but the shriek and scream of the
missiles as they passed swiftly just above the heads of the men
was enough to set weak nerves in a tremble. But the noise of
their flight and explosion, with the roar and jar of the guns,

246 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

was a necessary element to the grandeur of the scene presented
by the flight of scores of bombs circling through the air. The
course of the bombs could be followed by the light of the burn-
ing fuse, and their flight would be watched with fearless interest
until the downward curve would seem to indicate a near ap-
proach, when a hurried rush would be made for the bomb-proof,
where, under cover, the men would eagerly listen for the jar of
the explosion that told that the danger was past. But the men
Would not remain long under shelter ; the fireworks were too
grand to be missed, and dodging the " big ones " was an ex-
hilarating sport. Enough bombs were thrown to have caused
great loss to the opposing armies had they all been effective. I
do not know what damage ours may have done to the enemy,
but the damage from theirs was comparatively slight.

During the month that we lay in Fort Morton I think but
one bomb exploded within the fort — that was during a night
duel, when an attack was anticipated and the garrison was nnder
arms. It resulted in the wounding, and subsequent death, of
Ferdinand Martin, of Company H. His left leg was so badly
shattered that amputation was necessary. He died in the corps
hospital, at City Point, December 4th. He was a foolishly brave
man, often exposing himself unnecessarily. He was so tall that
when standing up on the entrenched picket-line his head would
show above the works. Yet so great was his contempt for danger
that he often made himself a mark for the enemy's sharpshooters.
At the time he was wounded a piece of the bursted bomb struck
his gun, cutting the barrel completely in two pieces. The stock-
end was not found, but the other end of the severed barrel is now
in the possession of Colonel Schoonover, and is regarded as a
great curiosity.

A short distance to the rear of the main line of works was a
grove of pine trees. There the officers had rigged up a game of
General Logan's ten-pins. A cross-piece was put from one tree
to another, as high as possible from the ground. From it was
suspended a rope, to the lower end of which was fastened a
spherical case or shell. Pins were stood up at a given distance.

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 247

The game consisted in knocking down the pins by the returning
swing of the shell. Occasionally, when the game was at its height,
the enemy would take a hand in it by trying to knock down the
players with shell not fastened to a rope.

There was little relaxation for the men, however, while occu-
pying this position on the line. The picket details were so heavy
that the men were on duty every alternate day. This led to the
only desertion to the enemy that occurred in Company E, although
there were many among the substitutes in other companies — six-
teen from Company I alone.

On November 10th a substitute by the name of Thomas Jones
reported for duty to Company E. On the same evening an
unusually large detail was called for from the company, which
could not be filled except by giving one man a double tour of
duty. Jones, who seemed a modest, well-meaning young man,
volunteered to go in the man's place, saying that he had had an
easy time of it back at the hospital and might as well get used
to his duties at once. The sergeant hesitated for awhile, for
there was an order against sending substitutes on picket, but,
thinking the man was trustworthy, at last accepted his services,
and fitted him out with a borrowed gun and equipments and
sent him out with the detail. The gun and equipments were in
the pit next morning, but Jones had disappeared.

Quite a scare was gotten up one day by some of the men in
the bomb-proof starting the report that the enemy could be
heard mining underneath the fort. We listened. Sure enoughj
sounds like the stroke of a pick seemed to come from below.
The magazine was opened and ears laid to the ground ; the
same pick-strokes were heard. There were some grave faces
and anticipations of an aerial flight. But the gravity turned to
laughter when it was discovered that the alarm was caused by a
soldier leaning against a gun-carriage and idly tapping the
wheel with a spike. To those in the bomb-proof the sound
seemed subterranean.

Thanksgiving Day found us still in Fort Morton, but it
brought us remembrances from the North in the shape of

248 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

boxes of turkeys for a Thanksgiving dinner, a treat that was
highly appreciated by the boys in the trenches.

It was not often that a case occurred where one bullet caused
three separate and distinct wounds, but such a case occurred upon
the picket-line in front of Port Morton. One day one of our
men (whose name I cannot now ascertain) came in with a wound
through the hand. After the surgeon had dressed the
wounded hand, the man complained of a soreness in the upper
part of the arm. An examination showed that the bullet had
also passed through the arm above the elbow. The surgeon
attended to that wound, and a further examination revealed the
fact that the bullet had also entered the back, where it was found
lodged against the shoulder-blade.

Another illustration of the curious course sometimes taken by
bullets was furnished at the battle of Chancellorsville. A bullet
struck a limb of a tree almost directly over the head of Lieuten-
ant Kennedy, and, being deflected downward, wounded him in
the foot.

A party of young men in Plainfleld, who were neighbors and
schoolmates, had often talked of enlisting, but some of them were
too young for the service. In August, '62, they resolved to make
the effort. The names of the party were Aaron Fatout, Henry
Hand, T. O'Doane, Aaron Lines, Joseph Frazee, William Smith,
Peter Cook, Andrew Webster, William Hand and John Good-
win. Aaron Fatout, at the last moment, yielded to the entreaties
of his young wife and resolved to stay at home. He was killed
the next day by falling from a building upon which he was at
work. The rest of the party proceeded to Elizabeth, where they
met Captain Meeker, under whom they all enlisted, with the
exception of John Goodwin, who was rejected on account of age.
The history of the eight will be found in the history of the regi-
ment, for they each made a record worthy of mention. Goodwin
was not content, however, until he became a soldier, and joined
the regiment in September, '64, under the name of John A.
Zuckswort.

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 249

There was an order existing in the army in those days against
the wearing of boots by infantrymen ; first, because they destroyed
the uniformity of the troops, and, secondly, because they were
uncomfortable on long marches, causing blistered feet and ankles,
and consequently being the cause of straggling. John, like many
another young soldier, had a strong penchant for boots, and,
being either ignorant of the order or forgetful of it, had provided
himself with a fine pair of cavalry boots. While on picket one
day to the left of Petersburg he felt the need of tobacco, and
having a surplus of coffee, struck up a trade with the enemy's
picket opposite. He got some tobacco and also a Richmond
paper. While the trade was being consummated the officer in
command of the picket appeared. After a few questions the
matter was apparently dropped. Upon returning to camp, how-
ever, he was ordered to report to Colonel Schoonover. On enter-
ing the Colonel's tent and saluting, the Colonel asked what he
had in his hand. He replied, "A rebel paper." "Let me see
it." The Colonel took the paper and began reading, leaving
Zuckswort standing— a badly frightened boy, dreaming of court-
martial, punishment, etc. After keeping him in suspense for
several minutes, the Colonel looked up from the paper and said :
" Young man, you must take off those boots and wear shoes.
That's all ; go to your quarters." He left the Colonel's tent as
happy as a young boy released from school, for he had been badly
frightened. But he lost his paper and boots.

In one of the minor engagements in front of Petersburg,
Zuckswort (Goodwin) was severely wounded in the left hip and
right thigh by the bursting of a shell. He was taken from the
field by Andrew Webster and William Hand. A piece of shell
was taken from the left hip, he was sent to the field hospital and
from there given a furlough home. He could walk only upon
crutches, so that it was a difficult matter for him to get off the
cars to procure food, and as he had started upon the journey with
only six hard-tack, he was nearly starved when he reached Plain-
field. Upon the expiration of his furlough he was sent to the
hospital in Newark, N. J., where an operation was performed.

250 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

Continuing to grow worse, he was allowed to be taken home,
where he received his discharge January 25th, 1865. He finally
regained his health, but was left permanently crippled.

Among a group of men from Company B cooking around a
camp fire one day was Tom Terry, the drummer, Zuckswort,
and a green Irishman, who, in common with most of his country-
men from the snakeless isle, stood in deadly terror of a serpent.
After the Irishman had put his pan upon the fire, he asked hi&
comrades if they would attend to it while he went after water
for coffee. In his absence Terry and Zuckswort substituted
another pan, in which they had coiled a dead snake. On his
return he lifted the cover to see how his cooking was progress-
ing. One glance and he dropped it in terror and started hurriedly
away with the exclamation, " Holy Moses ! Oh, Lord, save my
soul ! the devil and the snakes are in the pan ! " Nor could he
be prevailed upon to go near it again.

Among the recruits who came to the regiment during the
summer of '64 was a substitute by the name of Daniel Popovitz,
who was assigned to Company K. He claimed to have been a
major on Louis Kossuth's staff during the Hungarian revolu-
tion ; an officer in the English army during the Crimean war ;
to have been in the service of the Sultan of Turkey — in fact, to
to have held commissions under nearly every government of
Europe. He was a good linguist and a showy drillmaster, an
art that could have been learned entirely outside of armies. On
the strength of his proficiency in drill he was warranted a Ser-
geant over the heads of men who had been doing their duty from
the first organization of the regiment, and it was reported and
generally believed that a commission was about to be given him.
In the meantime, notwithstanding orders existed that no "sub"
should receive a furlough, through the influence of the regi-
mental commander he was permitted to return to New York,
ostensibly to meet his wife on her arrival from Hungary. If
such a being existed he probably met her in Hungary, for Popo-
vitz returned no more — only a letter stating that he had gone to
his native country.

NEW JEBSEY VOLUNTEERS. 251

Chapter XVI.

With Warren to Hicksford— From December 7th
to 12th, '64.

JTEhe element of uncertainty entered so largely into the life
■*- of a soldier that he could never, even for the shortest
period, claim a fixed habitation. One day a camp would be
laid out, perhaps in a strip of woodland. Immediately, with
bee-like industry, the soldiers would set about clearing away the
underbrush and felling the giants of the forest. It would be
fell and chop, split and hew, and in a few days the forest would
have disappeared and in its stead would stand a city of log huts,
whose intervening streets, well graded and drained, would seem
to have been the labor of weeks or months. Such comforts as
were accessible were gathered around, and in spite of past ex-
perience the boys would begin to congratulate themselves upon
having at last gone into permanent winter quarters. The duties
of the day have been performed, and night, with its promise of
rest, has come; fires have been fixed for the night, taps have
beaten, and the drowsy soldier is about to sink into forgetfulness
of the privations around him, or a slumber filled with dreams of
scenes left far behind and the faces of the loved ones far away in
the Northland. But hark ! Upon the winter's frosty air, ring-
ing sharp and clear, is borne the sound of hurried hoof-beats.
A belated officer, perhaps, who has been to visit friends in some
distant camp, or a courier with orders to or from the outposts.
But no — they turn into headquarters. Every one is quickly on
the alert, and comrade says to comrade, "Marching orders."
The hoof-beats begin again and are soon lost in the distance. A
few minutes of suspense and then comes the voices of company
commanders : " Have tents struck and be ready to march at
daylight." Then speculation runs wild. " I wonder where we
are to be sent now ? " One says we are to make an attack on

252 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

the right ; another, on the left, while some have decided that we
are to be sent far away. To some the balance of the night brings
little rest ; the thoughtful ones spend a portion of it in writing
letters to those at home, while others, either careless or wise, as
you may consider them, get all the rest they can. Ah! that
element of uncertainty as to what the hour was to bring forth —
was it not one of the fascinations of a soldier's life ?

We had just become comfortably fixed in camp, when Decem-
ber 6th brought us one of these sudden changes. Half- past six
o'clock ou the morning of December 7th found our division in
motion, with our faces turned southward, following Gregg's
Cavalry and the Fifth Corps, the Third Brigade in the rear.
Just as we were about to move, Colonel McAllister received his
well-earned promotion as Brevet Brigadier-General for gallant
and distinguished services at Boynton plank-road, on October
27th. We soon struck the Jerusalem plank-road, and turned
toward North Carolina. We had not marched many miles
before it began to rain heavily, making the marching extremely
tiresome. The march was a very rapid one, and the halts few
and short. Heavily-loaded as the troops were with blankets,
overcoats and the extra clothing necessary in winter, the rapid
marching told heavily upon them, and the roadway was soon
lined with stragglers. Others, in their efforts to keep up with
their comrades, lightened their loads by throwing away over-
coats and blankets, articles which they could illy spare. At one
point in particular it seemed to me that for hundreds of yards
the roadsides were covered with such impedimenta thrown away
by the troops in our front. It was surely a rich harvest for the
ill-clad Southern bushwhackers, who were skulking in swamps
and thickets awaiting our passage and an opportunity to shoot
down and rob some foot-sore straggler.

Just after dark we crossed the Nottaway river on pontoons
and bivouacked on the southern bank. We had matched a dis-
tance of twenty miles through rain and mud, and the order to
bivouac was a welcome one. The evening brought a cessation
of the rain, the clouds broke away and the stars began to look

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 253

down upon a weary and wet lot of soldiers. Camp-fires were
lit and soon the fragrant aroma of coffee — that panacea for
many a soldier's ills — perfumed the evening air. Then pipes
for those who smoked, and rest upon the sodden ground.

After the enjoyment of so many years of comfort since the
war, it seems incredible that a soldier could have rested under
the circumstances that oftentimes surrounded him. Sometimes
he slept in line of battle, while the shot and shell were
whistling and shrieking over him and the jar of guns made
the earth tremble; sometimes upon the sodden ground, while
rain-drops washed his upturned face ; again, upon the hardened
earth, while frost was binding the streamlets or the snow-flakes
weaving for him an extra covering. Under conditions that to
the civilian would seem the most improbable, the soldier rested.

On the morning of December 8th the roll was called long
before the break of day, and at half-past six the column was
again in motion. All the troops comprising the expedition had
crossed the evening previous, except the stragglers, who were
picked up by the cavalry that had followed to the river, and by
them taken back to camp to prevent their being captured by the
enemy. The day turned out warm and pleasant, overcoats were
at a discount, and, as before, many thoughtlessly threw them
away — an act which they very much regretted before the expedi-
tion reached camp again.

The country through which we were then passing seemed to
be fertile and well tilled, but the same condition prevailed that
was found in so many parts of the South through which Union
troops passed. It seemed to be populated only by women,
children and negroes. If a white man was seen, it was a speci-
men too old and decrepit to take to the shelter of the swamp
and thickets. This condition did not prevail because there were
no able bodied white men in the country (as many of our poor
stragglers found to their sorrow), but because with guns in their
hands they were lying in hiding, waiting until the column
should pass beyond hearing, that they might pick off unwary

254

THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

stragglers and rob the bodies even to nakedness. Many mur-
ders of this kind were perpetrated, of which we knew nothing
until the return-march revealed them. In the meantime the
women were clamoring for safe-guards to protect their property,
which in many cases, on the outward march, were provided.

Lieutenant Edwin K. Good.

After a long, hard march we neared Jewett's Station, on the
Weldon railroad, where we learned that our cavalry had already
burned the station, cut the telegraph and were busy tearing up
the railroad. We bivouacked for the night to be ready for a
hard day's work on the morrow. The weather had changed
again and the north wind was bringing with it frost and ice.

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 255

Large camp-fires were lit and the night passed as comfortably as
the circumstances would permit.

The boys were astir very early on the morning of the ninth,
for the weather had grown so cold during the night that it was
impossible to obtain much sleep, the only comfort to be had
being around the camp-fires. Daylight was awaited with
impatience, but with its coming we fell in line and marched
down the railroad until we reached the track not yet destroyed.
The cavalry had been at the work of destruction on the after-
noon of the 8tb, but, owing to their method of working, their
progress had not been very rapid. Their plan was to pry the
rails loose from the sleepers (which, owing to a lack of proper
tools, was rather difficult), then lift the sleepers from their beds
and put them in piles to be burned. General McAllister
introduced a quicker (and what may be called the Western)
method of accomplishing the same result. Although his
business had been that of building railroads, he yet seemed to
be well versed in the art of destroying them. The
brigade was deployed in single file on one side of the road, a man
to each tie ; then commands were given not known in military
tactics, and not taught at West Point. First, the command was,
" Take hold," when every man would bend over and grasp the
«nd of a tie ; then would follow the command, " Lift up," and
in a few moments the railroad would be lying upside down.
The strain incident to the turning would so loosen the spikes that
the removal of the rails became much easier. After the separa-
tion of rails and sleepers the latter would be piled up and set on
fire. The rails would then be placed across the burning sleepers,
with the ends projecting. As the center became heated the ends
would bend to the ground, thus making it impossible to use them
again without being sent to the mill to be straightened. Often-
times the heated rails would be taken and twisted around trees
and telegraph poles. It was heavy work, but was thoroughly
enjoyed by most of the men, and sometimes quite a rivalry would
exist as to who could put the most crooks in a heated rail. When
the destruction of one section was completed we would move to

256 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

another, and so the work went on until nine o'clock in the even-
ing, when we were ordered to bivouac for the night, and were
told that the object of the expedition had been accomplished and
that at daylight we would begin our return march.

Our advance at this time was near the North Carolina line,,
and for many miles the railroad was utterly destroyed. During
the day our pickets brought in a booty of one prisoner, nineteen
head of cattle and two mules. On the outward march the right*
of private property had been respected, at least by the officers
and men of our division. That there was some plundering I
have no doubt, for among large bodies of men there will always
be found some who recognize no law but the law of might, and
who, despite orders and the strictest discipline, will find ways of
appropriating anything they think will be useful to themselves.
Safe-guards were granted whenever the women asked for themy
for the men, if not honest, were at least nan est. But so peculiar
was the moral bias of these people that they could unblushingly
ask protection for their property while knowing that their friends
and relations were lying in wait to treacherously take the lives
of the friends and comrades of their protectors.

Near where we were working at one time on the 9th stood
a neat farm-house, occupied, as usual, by a Southern lady. She
complained that the cavalry had plundered her place and stolen
seven thousand dollars in gold. She wanted a safe-guard, which
General McAllister granted her. Soon afterward one of her
out-buildings was found to be on fire. As the flames progressed
a fusillade of small arms was heard which caused us for the
moment to think that the enemy was upon us, but it was found
to proceed from the burning building, in which had been con-
cealed a number of loaded guns. For what purpose? A
peaceable farmer would not need so many arms for his own pro-
tection. After that occurrence but little attention was paid ta
the request for safe-guards.

The night of the 9th came cold and wet — rain, snow and sleet
made sleep almost impossible, and, as on the previous night, the
boys spent most of their time around the blazing camp-fires.

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. ' 257

We were bivouacked in a woods, and morning revealed the
trees decked in crystals of ice. Early morning of the 10th
found us in motion, with our faces once more turned northward,
Crawford's Division, of the Fifth Corps, in rear of the infantry,
Gregg's cavalry following. We were quite a distance in the
enemy's country, cut loose from all communication with the
main army, and it was expected that the enemy would try to
prevent our return and that we would have to fight our way
through. Preparations were made accordingly; flankers were
thrown well out and every precaution taken to prevent a
surprise.

It was a fine, crisp winter morning and the rising sun revealed
nature in royal robes. From every twig hung pendants of
crystals, and the fields and meadows that yesterday were clothed
in the brown hues of decay were now decked with diamonds
which sparkled with iridescent lustre beneath each sunbeam.
But, oh, what miserable marching ! The same sun that irradiated
the twigs and grasses turned the roads to liquid mud, except
where here and there an ice-coated pool lay in wait for the unwary
footstep. But we had to press on, with few and short halts.

We had not marched many miles before the booming of cannon
told us that the enemy was hanging on our rear, but Gregg
repulsed them with his cavalry and the column pushed on.

The night of the 10th was bitterly cold, and it was the fortune
of the Eleventh to bivouac on the crest of a wind-swept hill ; but
the writer does not remember any cold winter's night during his
term of service when he slept more snugly and comfortably than
he did on that same cold night of December 10th, '64. He,
with four or five comrades, was fortunate enough to secure the
lee side of a log for a bed-chamber. After scraping together
what leaves we could (we did not pitch any tents), we pooled our
blankets, overcoats and tents and made a family bed. It was the
writer's good luck to get a central position, where (with the
possible exception of the tip of his nose) the cold could not reach
him. Judging from the restlessness of those on the outer sides
of the bed, they were not quite so comfortable.

258 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

Early on the morning of the 11th we were again on the
move toward Sussex Court House. The roads were solid in the
early morning, but the heightening sun soon brought about the
same conditions that had prevailed the day before. During the
previous day we had heard frequent rumors of Union soldiers
being found murdered and stripped along the way, but we, as a
regiment, had had no ocular proof of their truth. We had
not gone far on the way on the morning of the 11th, when word
was brought that six or seven dead bodies were lying close to-
gether in the woods, not far from the line of march. General
McAllister and a number of others went to view them. It was
a pitiful sight; from all appearances they had been stripped and
made to kneel in a circle, then shot — murdered in cold blood.
What else could it be called but murder ? When we who par-
ticipated in the great conflict shall have passed away, and the
historian shall weigh with impartial scales the acts and motives
of the contestants, giving due weight to such barbarous acts
as these and the more barbarous acts perpetrated in the prison-
pens of the South, how shallow then will appear the boast of
chivalry !

After proof of such murders, committed not by the regular
soldiery of the South, but by the so-called home-guards, who,
hidden in swamp and thicket, like beasts of prey, lay in wait
for the unsuspecting straggler, and whose wives all along the
line of march had been clamoring for protection for their
property, is it any wonder that the remainder of our home-
ward march should have been lit by the flames of burning
stacks and barns !

Toward night we reached the Nottaway river, where we halted.
Two regiments were thrown out as flankers, and the balance of
the brigade was ordered back to meet General Crawford, relieve
him and protect the crossing. After Crawford's men had reached
the north side, McAllister's Brigade were assembled and followed.
Thirty men, however, of the Eleventh, who, under Lieutenant
Hand, had been sent back to guard the roads, came near being
left. They reached the bridge only in time to walk across on

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 259

the string-pieces, the planking having been removed. After
marching a few miles on the north side, bivouac was made for
the night.

At seven o'clock on the morning of the 12th we resumed the
march along the Jerusalem plank-road, and in the afternoon
reached our lines and went into camp. If there was any one among
us who still entertained the idea that the Southern blacks were
perfectly contented with the conditions of slavery, this Weldon
railroad raid was well calculated to dispel it. From nearly every
plantation passed they came in squads to join the line of march.
Willingly turning their backs upon the only homes their lives
had kuown, joyfully cutting loose from all the associations that
under other conditions humanity is so loth to sever, they came
with smiling faces and cheerful shouts to take refuge beneath the
folds of our flag, recognizing, as if by intuition, that its broad
stripes and glittering stars were the symbols of liberty and
equality. Ignorant as they were of the world's ways and of all
knowledge of political ethics, they seemed to have learned that
the blue-clad columns trudging so sturdily along the Southern
highways had not sprung to arms for sectional supremacy ; had
not taken their lives in their hands because of hate to persons or
people, but for love of the grand principle of individual liberty
and national unity.

It may be well to note in detail a few of the many incidents
that occurred in this connection during our five days' campaign

During the 8th, on our way out, a group came hastening
from a distant farm-house. It consisted of father, mother and
a number of children. As they took their places along the
highway, ready to join the column that was to lead them to the
land of promise, they discovered that one daughter had been
left behind. The father, fearful that he would be detained if
he returned for her, tearfully implored some one to go. One of
General McAllister's aids rode up to the house, and, getting
the child, brought it to the father. His thankfulness was un-
bounded, and the happy family, now united, gave voice to many
expressions of gratitude. Colonel Price, of the Seventh New

260 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

Jersey, with the kindness that ever distinguished him, interested
himself in their welfare and had them placed in a baggage-
wagon.

Again, on the 10th, on our return march, when passing a
plantation, owned, I think, by a Mr. Level (who, however, was
not visible, though his wife assured us that he was a first-rate
Union man — I suppose he and his sons were kindly protecting
our flanks to warn us of the approach of the enemy), a group of
seventeen came hastening across the fields to join the Union
column. They had heard of our approach, and upon seeing the
stars and stripes floating in the breeze they gathered their
household goods and hastened to its protecting folds. They
were of all sizes and almost every hue. One, a girl of about
sixteen, was very pretty and showed but little trace of negro
blood ; another, a year or so older, was very dark, but each
called the same woman mother. Although the weather was
cold enough to make the need of heavy clothing felt, these poor
people were very thinly clad, the girls having on light summer
clothing and only a threadbare shawl to add its protection.
There were also two small children, but in the excitement of
flight one had been forgotten. The older and darker of the
two girls mentioned dropped her bundle and started back,
saying that she would carry the child herself rather than it
should be left behind. She soon returned, bearing it with her,
but in an almost nude condition, its bare legs being exposed to
the biting winter air. The mother carried the youngest, the
daughter mentioned the next, and, though some of the party were
barefooted, with smiling faces they trudged along the half-
frozen highway beside the Union soldiers. A stream was
reached which had to be forded. This caused a dilemma, but
members of McAllister's staff, taking the youngest upon their
horses in front, carried them safely over, and the happy party
went on rejoicing. It was a laughable sight to see those men of
many battles carrying in their arms those woolly-headed
pickaninnies, but it was an act that did credit to their humanity.

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 261

Shortly after crossing the stream we went into bivouac for
the night. A tent was put up for the contrabands, supper
given them, and blankets with which to make themselves
■comfortable for the night. But the family was not com-
plete and they could not be content. A week or two
previous to our coming, one of the daughters had been tied
to a whippingpost and given one hundred lashes by her mis-
tress, after which she had fled to the woods and yet remained in
hiding. Her brother had carried her food at night. The father
and brother seeing the rest of the family safe with the Union
troops and comfortably fixed for the night, resolved to devote the
night to finding the missing one. It was a dangerous under-
taking, for the enemy hung upon our rear, and if captured, the
least that would have been done would have been to remand
them to captivity, followed by punishment for attempting to
escape. But much to the joy of all, long before dawn they
returned, bringing the missing one with them.

The winter of '64 and '65 was a very cold one in Virginia,
and good winter quarters were things to be desired. It was not,
therefore, very agreeable, after becoming pleasantly located, with
stockades well built and all things comfortably fixed to guard
against the cold, to be ordered out upon some expedition or flank
movement ; and still less agreeable to be compelled, on return-
ing, to locate a new position and begin again the construction of
quarters, knowing that other troops who, perhaps, had not been
upon any extended service, were enjoying the fruits of our labor
in the camp left behind. But such seemed to be our fate during
the winter of '64 and '65. Perhaps the exigencies of the service
called for it, but it was disagreeable, nevertheless.

After returning from the Weldon railroad expedition, we
located near the Globe tavern, or Yellow house, as it was more
generally known, and attempted once more to make ourselves
comfortable.

In this connection I will relate the tale of Oliver's horse, as
given me by Lieutenant Hand. Lieutenant Oliver had a
brother attached to one of the cavalry regiments, who, in the

262 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

course of bis wanderings, had become possessed of a superfluous
horse. Knowing that Charles A., who belonged to the Eleventh
foot regiment, must often become weary with much tramping,
he made him a present of the extra steed. The Lieutenant was
highly* elated with his acquisition, and indulged in many a secret
smile when he thought of his brother officers tramping along
through mud and slush, while he, above such discomforts, rode
by. Just before we started with Warren on the Weldon rail-
road raid Oliver obtained leave of absence. He was anxious to
see home, but reluctant to leave the horse. Upon leaving, he
placed it (with many admonitions) in the care of Proctor, the
cook. Proctor was generally known as " Kate," and being
cook for many line officers he had a generous supply of pots,
pans and other cooking paraphernalia, which, when the regi-
ment moved, he strapped upon Oliver's horse. That would not
have made an overload, but the officers soon began to grow
weary and piled their blankets and other impedimenta on the
horse until he looked like an animated furniture van. " Kate n
frequently expostulated, saying the horse was overloaded, but they
either laughed at him or met his expostulations with threats of
getting another cook if he could not get the horse along. That
would generally silence him, for he was very partial to good
living and not very fond of fighting. Sometimes the horse
would tumble into a ditch, then "Kate'' would have to unload
to get him out; then would come all the trouble of re-packing.
With many hard words, and much tugging and hauling, "Kate"
managed to get the horse back to camp. Judge of his surprise
and grief when, on going out the following morning to attend
to its wants, he found it dead. I doubt if Oliver ever learned
the real cause of his horse's demise.

For several weeks we were allowed to remain near the Yellow
house, doing picket-duty, and every third day sending out heavy
working details to help in the construction of Fort Fisher and
its connecting lines. It was near Fort Fisher that the famous
signal tower that afterward stood as a landmark for miles around
was erected. All who were with the regiment will remember it

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 263

— and the signal station perched like an enormous crow's nest in
the top of a giant pine tree.

On the 23d of December the regiment, with the rest of the
division, was called out to witness the execution of a deserter. I
do not remember to what command he belonged, but he had
deserted to the enemy, and, passing northward through the lines,
had been caught, tried by court-martial, and condemned to be
shot. Had he manifested the same courage upon the battle-field
that he did at the place of execution he would have won the
encomiums of his comrades. He met his fate undaunted, and
even removed the bandage when placed over his eyes. Courage
is a variable quality, present at times when death seems immi-
nent and absent when danger is remote.

Between our picket-lines at this point was a large field of un-
husked corn, but the pickets on each side were so watchful that
for a time neither party could harvest it. On January 16th,
however, the enemy came out with the intention of having a
corn-husking frolic, and as our pickets were not invited to par-
ticipate, they naturally took offense at such a lack of courtesy,
and drove them away with a hot picket-fire. The firing caused
a general alarm and soon the whole command was under arms
and in line of battle. The next day the bone of contention was
removed by our brigade going out in force with wagons and
harvesting the entire crop.

Although it was always uncertain how long we would remain
tenants of any one camp while on the siege of Petersburg, when-
ever opportunity offered some place was prepared for religious
services. At the Yellow house a brigade chapel had been
erected, which was dedicated on Sunday, January 15th. The
services were very interesting — four chaplains participating. A
melodeon had been procured, the music of which, added to that
of the choir of male voices, carried us in fancy back to the peace-
ful Sabbath services that we had enjoyed at our far-away
Northern homes.

Chaplain Cline, in a letter written on December 23d, '64,
speaking of the state of the regiment at that time, says : " Con-

264 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

valescents had joined us, so that on leaving Brandy Station we
set out with 256 enlisted men and 21 commissioned officers. I
cannot give you the exact number, but I think about 60 are
still absent, wounded. Many of these, everyone knows, will
never be fit for duty again ; 24 are reported prisoners or missing
in action ; as near as I can tell, 30 have been killed upon the
field of battle, or died of wounds received there, 5 of whom
were commissioned officers — Captains Sleeper and Lay ton, Lieu-
tenants Baldwin, Egan and Boice. Four other officers were dis-
charged on the ground of disability, and two, I am sorry to say,
were dismissed. This may give you some idea of the changes
in our regiment since last spring. Of our Christian brother-
hood — our regimental church — numbering forty-seven in May,
but sixteen are with us. Five of our little band lost their lives
in their country's service, fifteen are absent in hospitals or
among our suffering heroes in rebel prisons, and the remaining
eleven are on detached duty at Trenton, Brigade Headquarters,
or elsewhere. These are the facts. The figures as I give them
are full of meaning, and as I write them down my thoughts run
back to last winter, and I contrast the scene as it was then with
what it is to-day. How striking and how sad the contrast is !

" To-day at twelve o'clock John E. Dixon, First Maine Heavy
Artillery, was shot for desertion. According to order, our
division was present to witness the execution. As Chaplain Hop-
kins and I, with a party of men, were very busy cutting and haul-
ing logs to complete our chapel, we were excused."

On January 17th the division was reviewed by Generals
Humphries, Mott and McAllister.

On the afternoon of the 28th a party of seven contrabands,
five males and two females, came in through the picket detail of
the Eleventh. Their clothing was a fitting illustration of the
scarcity of such articles in the Confederacy, being composed of
many pieces held to their persons with bands of tar-string, and
would have. excelled Joseph's in the variety of colors. They
had come from Dinwiddie Court House, and having had to ford
many small streams, their clothing was stiff with ice and their

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 265

feet nearly frozen. Strange, what hardships and privations
humanity will suffer for love of freedom, even when it confers
but a doubtful boon !

Just at evening on February 4th orders came to be ready to
march at daylight the next morning. That night services were
held in the chapel for the last time, and then the men lay
down to get what rest they could, for marching orders brought
with them an uncertainty as to when another opportunity would
be had ; and under the conditions existing in the army at that
time they were almost equivalent to orders to fight.

266 THE ELEVEN1H REGIMENT,

Chapter XVII.

Hatcher's Run — Armstrong House.

The movement inaugurated on the morning of the 5th was
another attempt to grasp with the left hand of the army
some of Lee's lines of communication with the South. It was
supposed that the Boynton plank-road was being used by the
enemy's wagon-trains in conveying supplies to their army from
the lower stations on the Weldon railroad. Gregg was there-
fore ordered to move with the cavalry to Dinwiddie Court
House by way of Ream's Station, and from there up and down
the Boynton road, capturing whatever trains he could. Warren,
with the Fifth Corps, was to take position on the Vaughn
road, midway between Hatcher's run and the court-house, so as
to be within supporting distance of the cavalry under Gregg.
Humphries, with his two reserve divisions, was to take position
at the crossing of the Vaughn road over Hatcher's run and at
Armstrong's mill, keep up communication with General
Warren, and also with the left of the entrenchments held by
General Miles' First Division of the Second Corps.

By seven o'clock on the morning of the 5th the regiment was
on the move. After a march of about three miles we crossed a
branch of Hatcher's run and went into position near the Thomp-
son* house. General McAllister's official report will perhaps
give the best idea of the position and work of the regiment
during the day :

" Headquarters 3d Bsi., 3 Div., 2d A. C, 1
" February 14th, 1865. j

"Major — In compliance with orders from Division Headquarters,
I have the honor to report the part taken in the operations of the
5th and 6th insts. According to orders received, we broke camp
and left on the morning of the 5th, the brigade following the

* McAllister called it the Tucker house.

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 267

Second, commanded by General West. On passing the Armstrong
house we were halted, and I was ordered by General Mott to
place my brigade in line of battle near the Tucker house, across
the road leading past it, and to throw out pickets well to the
front, connecting them with the Second Division pickets on my
left. Also to guard well my right. This was accomplished in a
very short time, giving my personal supervision to the placing of
the pickets and connecting them with the Second Division pickets,
on the road leading through the left center of my line, as directed.
After taking a survey of the whole field, and making myself ac-
quainted with the swamp on my front and right, I returned to my
command. At twelve-thirty I received orders from General
Humphries to build breastworks. My men went at it with a will
and soon had the works well under way. I, at the same time,
extended them toward the swamp on my right to prevent being
flanked. Meanwhile an order was received from General Mott to
throw a regiment across the road a considerable distance from
my left. This road led down towards the Armstrong mill. I
placed the Seventh New Jersey, commanded by Colonel Price,
and had my brigade connect with him by taking distance to the
left. The works were now nearly completed.

"At 3:30 P. M. a staff officer from Brevet Brigadier-General
Bamsey presented a telegram from General Humphries, directing
General Kamsey to relieve me in my position. At the same time
the head of General Bamsey's brigade appeared upon the ground
with the General leading it. I obeyed the order, and sent my
Adjutant-General, Captain Finklemaier, to division headquarters
for orders, in the meantime massing my brigade in the rear.

"At four P. M. I received orders to form on the left of General
Bamsey. I at once commenced the movement. My right regi-
ments were just filing in when the attack commenced on the
picket-line. I then ordered double-quick, and the men moved in
rapidly. Lieutenant-Colonel Willian, of General Humphries'
staff, then informed me that there was a gap in the line, between
myself and Bamsey, caused by General Bamsey closing to the
right. My rear regiment, the Eleventh New Jersey, Colonel
Schoonover, intended for the left of the line, was taken off and
hurried into this gap. They received a fire from the enemy, and
returned it, causing the left of the enemy's line of battle to falter

268

THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

and lie down. The fire was taken up all along the line as fast as
my troops were formed. The pickets on my new front having
run in without firing a shot, left the enemy right on us before I
had my line completed. Eegiment after regiment, as fast as they
wheeled into position, opened on the rebels, causing their line to

Private A. B. Sealing.

halt and lie down.* The left regiment, the Eighth New Jersey,
under Major Hartford, had no works, and were exposed to a
terrible fire in their exposed position, but they stood nobly and
fought splendidly. Not a man of this regiment, nor indeed of the
whole brigade, left for the rear.

sion

* The pickets on our front at this time belonged to the Second Divi-

NEW JJEBSEY VOLUNTEERS. 269

" Major Hartford and his regiment deserve especial credit for
the gallantry they displayed in getting into position under the
severe fire and holding it, without -works, while two regiments of
the Second Division, that had been lying for hours a little to my
left, on the approach of the enemy gave way without firing a gun,
leaving a still larger space between my left and the Second Divi-
sion. After completing the line on my left I rode along the line
with my Adjutant-General, Captain Finklemaier, encouraging the
men to stand firm and the day would be ours. The One Hundred
and Twentieth New York, Colonel Lockwood, was on the right of
the Eighth New Jersey, and he and all his officers were on their
feet doing the same. The Seventh New Jersey, Colonel Price,
came next. This regiment was formed at a different angle so as to
enable them to pour an enfilading fire on the enemy's lines, and
prevent them from advancing into the gap. I gave the order and
it was executed handsomely, and added very much to the repulse
of the enemy. Had it not been for this and the aid of the artillery
of the Tenth Massachusetts, commanded by Lieutenants Green
and Adams, which was throwing its fire across the swamp at right
angles with the enfilading fire, all would have been lost. Those
artillery officers deserve great credit, and I have the pleasure of
mentioning them favorably.

" The enemy advanced with the yell so well known to all, and
fell back ; again they advanced with a determination to break my
line, but my line stood firm and rolled back the tide of battle in a
highly creditable manner. Prisoners said they advanced in three
fines of battle. From all I could see and learn, I think that was
the case, though the woods prevented our seeing their movements.

"In riding along the line I found Chaplain Hopkins, of the
Eleventh Massachusetts, using a gun and firing constantly, and
encouraging the men to stand firm. He is deserving of mention.

" Before the battle ended General Humphries and a part of his
staff came upon the line and was an eye-witness to the scene. It
was pleasing to see how the appearance of the corps commander
inspired our men to new effort.

" The third attack of the enemy then attempted ended in a com-
plete route, and, night closing in, they fell back to the woods,
leaving their dead behind them. During the latter part of the
engagement two regiments of the Second Division came up to the

270 TEE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

support of the left of my line, and at the close the whole of the
Second Brigade formed on my left. A number of prisoners came
in during the evening and were forwarded. During the night our
pickets were thrown out, and, tired and exhausted as the men were,
most part of the night was spent in building breastworks on the
left of the gap ; the rest laid on their arms during the night.

"On the 6th the strengthening of the line was continued : our
picket-line was advanced, and details were sent out to slash the
timber and bury the enemy's dead. During the afternoon part of
my command was sent out on a reconnoissance toward the enemy's
line, which they discovered to be about one and a half miles from
our own.

" February 7th, packed up and remained under arms until dark ;
one-fourth of the men remained under arms all night.

" In conclusion, permit me to say my officers and men did all that
could be desired of them ; the former, regardless of their own per-
sonal safety, encouraging the men to stand firm, the latter firing
low, as directed. To mention some would be doing injustice to
others. I must, however, not omit to mention Captain J. P.
Finklemaier, who fully sustained his previous reputation for
bravery and gallantry in action, advancing and encouraging officers
and men everywhere under the most terrific fire. Also my aids,
Captains Charles F. Bowers, A. A. D. C, and Lewis M. Morris,
Brigade Inspector, and Lieutenant W. Plimley, who went with a
will into the thickest of the fight whenever ordered. Subjoined I
have the honor to submit a list of casualties :

" Seventh New Jersey, 1 man wounded. Eighth New Jersey, 11
enlisted men killed, 2 officers and 35 enlisted men wounded.
Eleventh New Jersey, 1 enlisted man killed and 1 wounded. One
Hundred and Twentieth New York, 2 enlisted men wounded.
Total killed, 12 enlisted men. Wounded, 2 officers and 39 enlisted
men ; total, 53.

"B. McAllister.

" To Major E. Driver, A. A. G. 2d Div. 2d A. C."

As will be seen from General McAllister's official report, it
was one of the fortunate chances of war that saved the Eleventh
from taking position in the open ground on tne left of the line.

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 271

Had not Ramsey's closing to the right left a vacancy that the
Eleventh was hurried in to fill, its roll of casualties no doubt
would have grown to greater proportions. The difference be-
tween the loss sustained by the Eighth New Jersey (which was
on open ground without breastworks) and the other regiments of
the brigade shows the great benefit to be derived from even a
slight line of works when troops are acting on the defensive.

Although General McAllister's report gives only general com-
mendation to the officers and men of the brigade, except in the
case of Major Hartford and the immediate members of his staff,
I think as much could be said for all the officers of the brigade.
I am certain that no officer or man belonging to the Eleventh
shirked a duty. Conspicuous among them for coolness of bear-
ing and seeming disregard of danger was Colonel John Schoon-
over and Captain Charles F. Gage. We know that it was
impossible to have mentioned by name all enlisted men who
bore themselves gallantly through battle, but we of the ranks
sometimes felt that unnecessary praise was lavished upon those
in office, who, after all, did only their duty and what their
superior position gave them opportunity to do. A good leader
no doubt is a prime essential to a good army, but no matter how
brave and capable a leader might be, he would be helpless with-
out brave and trusty men to follow. We, know that the morale
of a regiment or brigade was often lowered by hearing (in gen-
eral orders) extravagant praise given to some favorite officer, who
at best did nothing but his duty, while the soldier in the ranks
was spoken of in vague and general terms. The American sol-
dier in the war of the rebellion was not a machine, as are the
majority of the soldiers in European armies, but a man who had
volunteered for a specific purpose, and who, though obeying
orders, would not subordinate his thinking and reasoning facul-
ties to authority, and he was apt at times to listen with disgust
to the extravagant praise lavished upon those who had been
fortunate enough (through political or other influences) to secure
a pair of shoulder straps. He recognized the fact that without a
union of parts there could be no perfect whole, and that the

272 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

humblest man in the ranks who did bis whole duty deserved as
much as he who commanded and directed — for each did only as
much as circumstances or ability enabled him to do.

In the attempt to break through our lines at this point, three
of the enemy's divisions, parts of Hill's and Gordon's Corps,
under General Gordon, were engaged. They were confident of
success, and General Gordon, in conversation after the war,
expressed surprise that his repeated attempts had been foiled by
only one brigade and a battery of artillery.

During the battle, while the enemy's lines were pressing hard
upon us, Chaplain Hopkins, of the One Hundred and Twentieth
New York, began to sing the " Battle-cry of Freedom." The
song was taken up by the brigade, and there is no doubt that as
the strains of music rose above the battle's din many hearts
resolved anew to " rally 'round the flag " whenever danger
menaced it.

Just before the opening of the battle, and while General
McAllister was directing the formation of the Seventh New
Jersey, a horseman in the uniform of a Union major approached
him with the remark : " General, I almost took a rebel officer."
The General replied, "Why did not you altogether do it? ,r
" He was well armed," said the major. "So are you," said Mc-
Allister, " and who are you ? " "I have charge of the picket-
line in front," he replied. "Then you belong to the Second
Division," answered the General, and gave no further thought to
the major at the time. On looking around for him some time
afterwards, for the purpose of making some inquiries in regard
to the pickets, he found that he had disappeared. Then it
occurred to the General that he might have been a rebel spy.
Events that occurred after the war had ended proved the sur-
mise a correct one. In a conversation between the Generals,.
after the war, speaking of this battle, McAllister asked Gordon
if he had sent an officer in the uniform of a Union major to
ascertain our position. Gordon replied, " Most likely I did."

Another interesting incident in connection with the battle of
February 5th was disolosed after the war had ended. Lieutenant

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 273

U. B. Titus, ordnance officer of the Third Division, Second Corps,
learned from Lieutenant Jones, who had held a position on Gen-
eral Gordon's staff, that when McAllister and staff rode out to
inspect the picket-line they passed near a number of Gordon's
men, under Lieutenant Jones, who were lying in ambush. They
had their guns leveled, when Lieutenant Jones ordered them not
to fire, remarking, " That man looks too honest to be shot down
like a dog." Had they fired, probably not one of the party
would have escaped. General Gordon, in conversation with
McAllister afterward, corroborated Lieutenant Jones' story.

Lieutenant U. B. Titus, the ordnance officer of the Third
Division, Second Corps, says : " Daring the fight I received an
order from General McAllister for ammunition, with the accom-
panying request to hasten it with all speed, as his regiments had
nearly exhausted their supply. I at once advanced with a load
of powder-coated Yankee pills to a spot as close as practicable in
the rear. In the course of issuing the ammunition and upon the
line I met with the General. Taking me by the hand, he ex-
claimed, ' Lieutenant, you have brought us just what we want;
we are giving it to them to day.' "

I will here say, by way of explanation, that wagons contain-
ing ammunition were seldom hauled to the extreme front. They
were taken as close as was consistent with safety, and from that
point the ammunition was distributed by hand. On this occa-
sion Lieutenant Titus, realizing the urgency of the case, did not
wait for ordinary details to do the work, but personally assisted
in carrying the ammunition to the line of battle.

Discouraged with the failure of their third attempt to pierce
our lines, the enemy retired behind their works. It was then
night, but it brought little rest to the tired soldiers, for most of
the night was spent in strengthening the works, not knowing
but the morrow might bring a renewal of the conflict.

On the 6th, our pickets were pushed farther to the front, but
no material change was made in the position of the regiment,
the work upon the lines being continued. Details were sent oat
to bury the dead, and others to slash the timber on our front.

274 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

During the afternoon a part of the brigade went on a reconnois-
sance toward the enemy's line. Their main works were found
to be over a mile from us.

On the 7th of February we packed up and stood under arms
until night, and a part of the regiment was kept under arms
aH night. This order of thus spending the nights became more
and more frequent as the time approached for the final move-
ment. Some part of the command would be on duty constantly
during the hours of darkness, and an hour or two before day-
break the entire regiment would be called out. It was a wise
precaution, no doubt, but it was not very pleasant to be awakened
at a time when slumber was soundest and sweetest.

During the succeeding days we built a second line of works,
and made ourselves as comfortable as circumstances would
permit.

On February 21st a salute of a hundred guns was fired in
honor of the fall of Charleston and Columbia, South Carolina.

Desertions from the enemy's ranks had been very frequent,
an average of about ten a day coming in on our brigade picket-
line alone.

On the 24th another salute was fired in honor of the capture
of Wilmington, North Carolina.

Among the deserters who came in our line on March 1st
was an old man who said he had served three years and was
tired of it, and as his home was near Wilmington, and as that
place was now in possession of the Union troops, he would try
to make his way home again. Another, a young man, had been
enrolled since '61 but had escaped the army until that winter,
when they had hunted him with bloodhounds from the moun-
tains, where he had fled for safety, and to keep from taking up
arms against the Union. Many of the deserters who came in
on this part of the line were from Cook's Brigade of North
Carolinians. On the second of March, between the hours of
one A. M. and ten P. M. seventy-three came in through our
brigade picket-line. Even to the dullest mind the fact was plain
that the Confederacy was falling to pieces.

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 275

An unusually bright and intelligent-looking man was brought
to headquarters one morning by the picket-guard. Colonel
Schoonover inquired of him if General Picket was not becom-
ing alarmed at the frequent desertions from his division and
whether any steps had been taken to prevent desertions from his
line. He replied that " the usual number of men on a picket-
post was three, but it had recently been increased to four by
addiDg a man who was known to be reliable." " How, then," it
was asked " did you get away ? " " Oh," he answered, " I was
the reliable man on my post last night."

On the evening of March 4th the Rev. Dr. Hale, of Penning-
ton, N. J., arrived at brigade headquarters, as the guest of
General McAllister. Some extracts from the Reverend Doctor's
account of this visit may be of interest to the reader as showing
the impression our mode of living made upon the mind of a
civilian. He says :

" I left Pennington on Friday, March 3d, for the seat of war
in Virginia, Dr. Welling acting as escort ; passed through Tren-
ton and Philadelphia to Baltimore, going thence by steamer via
Fortress Monroe, and arrived early on March 4th at City Point,
the headquarters of the Army of the Potomac. In a freight-car,
on rough boards supported by boxes, we were conveyed slowly
to our destination, the Tucker house, near Hatcher's run, on the
railway built by the government for the transportation of troops,
provisions and ammunition. This was a distance of about thirty
miles in a southerly direction. Arriving about sunset, we were
cordially welcomed by General McAllister and assigned quarters
in the spacious parlor of the Tucker house, with the General and
his surgeon. A large open fireplace, well filled with logs and
sticks of pine, furnished a bright fire to cheer us and keep off
the cold. Window- sash and window glass had long since disap-
peared, and the places of doors and windows were supplied with
canvas. The next day, being the Sabbath, I preached morning
and evening in the chapel of the brigade. This was a structure
unique and attractive, tastefully put together throughout with
unhewn pine logs, poles and branches, with fixed seats and pulpit

276 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

of the same, and carpeted with small green branches, all so well
arranged as to make a comfortable house of worship. This was
the handiwork of the soldiers of the brigade, by order of their
sympathetic, upright Christian commander.

" If there were any church- members who entered the army
leaving their religion behind them, General McAllister was not
one of them. He was nowhere and at no time ashamed of
Christ. He was equally firm in the practice of abstinence from
all intoxicating liquors, and he neither used alcohol himself nor
offered it to others. Although his rigid temperance principles
were not agreeable to some, yet they could not withhold their
respect from one who, in so manly a way, acted according to the
dictates of his conscience. No efforts were spared by him during
his four years' service as an officer in the army to persuade his
men to be habitually and thoroughly sober. Had all the officers
and men of the Union army indulged less in stimulating
beverages we would have had fewer defeats and a shorter war,
with a smaller expenditure of money and an immensely less
■sacrifice of precious lives.

" One of the most painful scenes witnessed was the military
execution of a private, who had been tried by court-martial for
desertion, convicted and sentenced to be shot. A hollow square
was occupied on three sides by the regiments of the division in
command of General Miles. To the middle of the fourth side
was led the prisoner, an Irishman, attended by a priest. After
a short religious ceremony the condemned man was seated on
his coffin, then, at a signal by an officer, the fatal shot was
fired and instantly he fell dead. As soon as the surgeon pro-
nounced him dead he was placed in his coffin and buried in a
grave already opened near by. The penalty for desertion is just
and essential to the safety of the army, but some of these poor
ignorant men are too stupid to know when they are breaking
the law.

" Among the heroic ladies to whom the nation owes a debt of
lasting gratitude is Miss Helen Louise Gilson, who came into the
army under the protection of her uncle, Mr. Fay, of Boston,

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 277

Mass. She was a fine representative of those Christian women
of high intellectual culture, energy of character and patriotic
devotion, who helped to carry our nation through the war and
at the same time infused a more elevated moral tone through the
army. Upon the close of the war Miss Gilson returned home
and was married to Mr. Hamilton Osgood.

" The severe labors, exposure, cares and anxieties of her army
life had broken down a naturally strong constitution, so that she
lived only about one year. A handsome monument has been
erected over her grave in Mount Auburn cemetery by the Third
Corps Uniqn, under the direction of Dr. E. L. Welling, chairman
of the committee appointed for that purpose."

On March 11th there was a review of the corps by Generals
Meade and Humphries. The 25th of March brought the prelude
to the campaign of '65, which ended with the surrender of Lee
at Appomattox. A little after four A. M., while Company E, of
the Eleventh, was taking their turn at standing under arms in
the breastworks, heavy firing began upon the right. Soon the
entire brigade was under arms and orders were issued to pack up
and be ready to move at once. The enemy had made an attack
upon the Ninth Corps at Fort Steadman, broken through our
lines and captured the works. The capture of the picket-line
at that point was made easy because of the existing order to per-
mit deserters from the enemy's lines to bring their arms with
them. Groups of men, representing themselves as deserters,
entered the Ninth Corps' picket-line in front of Port Steadman
and captured the pits, thus opening the way for the assaulting
column.

Our camp was soon stripped of canvas, knapsacks packed and
the men ready for further orders. No movement, however, was
made until about ten o'clock, when the Eleventh Regiment was
ordered to demonstrate against the enemy's picket-line to the left
of the Armstrong house. We marched out in front of the works
and entered the woods to the left of the open space. Skirmishers
were thrown out and advanced to within two hundred and fifty
yards of the enemy's pits.

278 TEE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

Colonel Schoonover, thinking the enemy's position too strong
to be assaulted with only one regiment, so reported to General
McAllister, who then sent the One Hundred and Twentieth
New York to his assistance, which was placed in position to the
right of the Eleventh. Three companies, however, of the One
Hundred and Twentieth were ordered to the left to protect the-
flank.

General McAllister, who had up to this time remained with
the front line, received orders from General Mott to place the
two regiments under command of Colonel Schoonover and
return to his headquarters, where he (General Mott) was waiting
to see him. The line was soon pushed forward to the edge of
the wood, from where the enemy's picket could be plainly seen
across an open field. Schoonover gave the order to charge, and
the line, led by its commander, sprang forward at a double-
quick, and although the advancing line was subject to an
artillery fire from the left and a severe musketry fire from the
front, the pits were quickly reached and captured, with about
one hundred prisoners.

As some of our men reached one of the pits still held by the
enemy, one of them placed his gun nearly against the breast of
one of our men and pulled the trigger, but fortunately the cap
failed to explode. Our Union soldier attempted to retaliate, but
his gun, too, played him false. Captain Thompson (who was
never far from the front) then appeared upon the scene, and
with a blow from his sword laid the rebel stunned and bleeding
at his feet.

The enemy kept up a rapid artillery fire for some time, and a
continuous musketry fire from their main line of works, less than
six hundred yards distant. The fire from one of the enemy's
redoubts to our left so enfiladed the line of picket-pits as to
render them untenable while the fire continued, while everyone
who showed himself was subject to a fire from their main line of
works. In front of their main line at this point was a strong
palisade, and in front of that nearly four hundred yards of
slashing.

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 27£

General Smythe's Division should have connected with our
left, but at three in the afternoon had not yet done so, con-
sequently our left flank was unprotected. About that hour the
enemy advanced under cover of the woods and by a sudden
dash succeeded in capturing a portion of the line on our left.

It will be remembered that three companies of the One
Hundred and Twentieth New York had been sent to the left
flank. Upon these companies fell the weight of the flank attack,,
with the inevitable result that some were captured and others
driven from the field. This is written intending no disparagement
to the gallant men of the One Hundred and Twentieth, for no
other troops could have acted better when taken on flank and
rear. The result of this attack, however, left the left flank of
the Eleventh exposed and the presence of the enemy there in
temporary confusion. But the men- were quickly rallied, and,
advancing again, recaptured the part of the line lost. Lieutenant-
Colonel Lockwood, of the One Hundred and Twentieth New
York, who was division officer of the day, displayed great
gallantry in rallying and advancing his regiment during this
movement. Soon after the re-establishment of the line th&
Eleventh Massachusetts reported to the front, and was placed by
Colonel Schoonover in the wood upon the left. We also madfr
connection with General Smythe by taking distance to the left.
As the distance to be covered was about six hundred yards, it
left our line very weak.

About six o'clock in the evening the enemy again advanced
with a strong force, through the wood, upon our left. They
moved with great rapidity, and with a rush and a yell were upon-
us and, capturing pit after pit, succeeded in re-taking the entire
line, with about eighty prisoners. General McAllister coming up
with the Seventh and Eighth New Jersey the lines were re-
formed, but General Smythe having withdrawn his front no
further advance was made. The firing continued brisk all along
the line until long after dark. The shells shrieked through the-
woods, cutting away branches of trees and scattering the frag-
ments around us, but at last the noise of the battle ceased.

-280 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

We remained in position until one o'clock on the morning of
the 26tb, when we were ordered to return to camp, leaving a
strong picket-line to hold the position.

The Eleventh New Jersey and the One Hundred and Twentieth
New York captured during the day one hundred and fifty pris-
oners, and lost in killed, wounded and missing one hundred and
forty-five enlisted men and two officers. The loss to the Eleventh
was sixty-four. The killed were Sergeant James Koalefs, of
•Company K, and Sergeant Samuel Kerr, of Company G. The
body of Sergeant Eoalefs was left between the lines. The next
<lay Chaplain Cline went, under a flag of truce, to recover it, but
the enemy had buried it. Sergeant Kerr had but recently rejoined
the regiment as an exchanged prisoner. lie had one of the main
arteries severed by a ballet and bled to death before surgical
assistance could be reached.

Daring the advance through the wood Company E was upon
the skirmish-line. Among its men there was one who, though
he had been with the regiment from the date of its muster into
the service, I think had never passed through a battle. By some
hook or crook he would always manage to escape the eyes of the
officers and get out, but would invariably turn up smiling when
the danger was over. 1 believe he had a genuine desire to pass
through an engagement, but timidity was so ingrained in his con-
stitution that whenever the opportunity offered he could not
pluck up courage to do so.

On the day in question Captain Gage, of Company E, was
acting Major, and the command of the company devolved upon
Sergeant Marbaker. He resolved that, if possible, he would
keep an especial watch upon the man mentioned. Daring a
halt that occurred in the wood, the Sergeant passed to the right
of the company. While there the line advanced again. Mak-
ing his way back towards the left, he found his man absent ; no
one seemed to know what had become of him. The Sergeant,
determined to find him, went back to where the line had been
halted. He was found in company with another, huddled
behind a big pine tree. When asked what they were doing

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 281

■there, they expressed the utmost surprise that the line should
have advanced without their knowledge. They were escorted
to their places again, and though one managed to slip away
afterward, the one who was under especial charge was kept in
place until the fighting was over and the company returned to
camp. After finding himself safely in camp he came to the
Sergeant and thanked him for having kept him in line, saying,
" I can now honestly say that I have been through one battle."
I have related this incident to show that some who shirked did
so not because they chose to be cowards, but because nature had
endowed them with an excess of timidity they could not over-
come. I believe the man mentioned had a desire to become a
good soldier, but he simply could not.

As opposed to this, I noticed among the recruits in the same
company who were passing through their first battle experience
a man (Richard Porter by name) whose face was blanched and
whose limbs were trembling with fear. He evidently realized
to its full extent the danger that surrounded him, and yet,
paradoxical as it may seem, though terribly afraid, he had the
-courage to face the danger.

The New York papers in their reports of this engagement —
for probably the first time — gave the Eleventh the credit it
deserved, the " Herald " being especially commendatory. Just
previous to the action of the 25th, for some breach of discipline,
Lieutenant Alonzo Merritt had been placed under arrest. When
the fighting began he was in camp with Lieutenant William
Hand, then acting quartermaster. Hand asked him how he
would like to go out and help the boys. Merritt was ready in a
moment, and he and Hand both came to the front and took part
in the battle. Merritt conducted himself so gallantly that he was
released from arrest, and no charge made against him.

On returning to camp, after the fighting of the 25th, we again
put up tents and took up the routine of camp duty. But we
knew that our quiet could not long remain unbroken. Every
one felt that the operations of the 25th were really the initial
movements of the campaign — that the subsequent days of rest

282 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

were but the inhalation of breath before the final struggle — for
" final " we felt that it would be. The frequent desertions from-
Lee's army during the winter told us that many of his veterans-
had lost all hope for the success of the cause for which they had
fought so long and gallantly. We knew that he still had a

Corporal A. S. Talmage.

formidable army of tried veterans, behind works that were unusu-
ally strong, and that the sacrifice of many lives would yet be
called for before the end should come. Yet we were anxious
for the commencement of the campaign, that it might be sooner
ended. Consequently there was but little grumbling when the
order to pack up and move came on the morning of the 29th.

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 283

" Headquarters 11th Regiment, New Jersey Vols. 7
"Camp near Hatcher's Run, Va., March 27, 1865. j

" Captain — In accordance with circular from Brigade Head-
quarters of this date, I have the honor to report the operations of
my command on the 25th inst. aB follows :

"About 10 A. M. I was directed by the Brevet Brigadier-
■General commanding to take my regiment and make such
demonstrations against the enemy's picket-line on the left of the
4 Armstrong House ' as would develop the strength in his main
works.

"I entered the woods on the left of the open space and
advanced a skirmish-line to within about 250 yards of the enemy's
picket-line, when I determined, after viewing the ground, that one
Tegiment was insufficient to make a successful attack. The One
■Hundred and Twentieth New York was accordingly sent forward
and placed on the - right of the Eleventh New Jersey. Three
companies of the latter regiment I deployed to the left in the
woods to protect my flank. The line was then advanced quickly
to the edge of the woods, when a charge was ordered and the
men went handsomely forward under a raking fire of artillery
from the woods, capturing the enemy's picket-pits with nearly 100
prisoners. The enemy kept up a rapid fire of artillery for some
time and a continued fire of musketry from the main works,
"which were less than 600 yards distant. I do not think there was
more than a thin single rank behind the works at the time. The
redoubt on the extreme right of the enemy's line so completely
enfiladed the line of picket-pits that it would have been untenable
had the fire been continued, while every man who showed himself
received a volley from their line of works. At this point the
enemy .have about 400 yards of slashing and a palisade 30 yards
in advance of the works.

" About three P. M. a force of the enemy advanced under cover
of the woods on the left of the line and succeeded in capturing a
portion of the line. The men were rallied a short distance in the
rear, the line advanced and the pits re-taken with a few prisoners.
Much credit is due to Lieutenant-Colonel Lockwood, of the One
Hundred and Twentieth New York Volunteers, then Division
Officer of the Day, for the gallant manner in which he assisted to
advance his regiment at this time. A short time after the line was

284 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

re-established, the Eleventh Massachusetts reported to me and
was placed upon the left, in the woods. About this time I saw
General Smythe, who desired me to connect with his right and
protect his flank, as he was about to make a charge upon the enemy.

" As I had previously received orders from General McAllister
to make this connection, I attended to it in person. I was obliged
to extend my lines at least 600 yards to accomplish this, leaving it
weak through the woods.

"About six o'clock in the afternoon the enemy again advanced
through the woods on the left with a strong force and rushed upon
the hue with a yell, capturing pit after pit toward the right, and
finally succeeded in re-taking the entire line and about eighty pris-
oners. The men were re-formed along the pits occupied at present
by the picket-line, where they remained until withdrawn, about one
A. M. on the morning of the 26th. The Eleventh Massachusetts- •
was withdrawn, as directed, with the same division. I deem the
conduct of the regiments engaged in the capture and re-capture of
the enemy's line during the day was all that could be expected.
Too much praise cannot be given them for the manner in which
they first charged and captured the line. The officers, without
exception, behaved nobly. I desire to mention particularly Major
Scott, Captains Holmes and Newkirk, and Adjutant Russell, of the
One Hundred and Twentieth New York ; Captains Gage, More-
house and Thompson, and First Lieutenant Oliver, of the Eleventh
New Jersey. These officers deserve much credit for their personal
bravery and efficiency. A more cordial and earnest-working officer
than Major Scott I have never met. The reports of Lieutenant-
Colonel Rivers, Major Scott and Captain Gage are enclosed.
" Very respectfully,

"Your obdt. servant,
"(Sd.) John Schoononer,

" Lieut- Col. Comdg.

" To Capt. J. P. Finklemaier, A. A G., 3d Brigade, 3d Division, Ind.
Corps."

Following is the official report of the part taken by the Third
Brigade, Third Division, Second Army Corps, from March 29th
to April 14th, 1865 :

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 285-

" Headquarters 3d B., 3d D., 2d A. C, ")
"April 15th, 1865. J
"Captain A. W. Keene, A. A. G. Sd Div., Id A. 0.:

" In compliance with orders from Div. H. Q., I have the honor
to submit the report of operations of this command from Mar.
the 28th to date. Pursuant to orders, the brigade broke camp
on the morning of the 29th, and with the rest of the division
moved to the left. Our movements on the 29th and 30th con-
sisted in advancing our lines cautiously, the enemy's skirmishers-
falling back before us. On the 31st we moved further toward the
left to relieve the division near Boynton plank-road, where the
enemy was found strongly entrenched, three of their forts com-
, manding the road. An assault on one of these having been
ordered at 12 M., the 11th Mass., Lt.-Col. C. C. Eivers, and the.
120th N. T., Lt.-Col. Lockwood, supported by the left wing of the
8th N. J., Maj. Hartford, and the 11th N. J., Li-Col. Schoonover,
advanced. The regiments charged through heavy slashing to
crest of the hill overlooking the eneniy's works, and succeeded
in driving the enemy from and occupying a part of their rifle-pits
capturing some fifteen of their pickets. The attack was made-
under a severe fire from the enemy's batteries and sharp musketry
from their pits. After remaining there under the enfilading fire,
the enemy's artillery sweeping the entire front, for one hour,
orders were received to withdraw, which was a more difficult task,
than the advance. The men were drawn off almost one by one
under a severe fire from the enemy's sharpshooters, not, however,,
without the loss of many men killed, wounded and captured.
At dark the brigade was ordered to the left of the Boynton plank-
road, and took a position near a run in the woods.

"April 1st, at 5 A. M., the brigade was ordered to occupy the
line held on the afternoon of March 31st. After dark we again,
returned to the line in the woods held the previous night. Heavy
skirmishing was sustained all night, and when on the 2d of April,,
at 3 A. M., orders were received to withdraw to the position occu-
pied the day previous, the enemy opened a most galling fire of
artillery and musketry on our line. A general attack on the enemy's
line having been ordered on the 2d of April, Gen. Mott directed
me to send out and attack the enemy's picket-line in our immediate
front. The 8th N. J. was selected accordingly, accompanied by

286 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

myself and staff. On reaching our picket-line, the enemy opened
a terrific fire of musketry, shell and canister upon us. The regi-
ment steadily advanced and succeeded in capturing the enemy's
whole picket-line in our front, 165 prisoners and 200 muskets.
The enemy's artillery fire still continued, which, however, was soon
-silenced by our men pouring a well-directed musketry fire into
their main line. The 11th Mass. and 11th N. J., whom I had
ordered for support, advanced. The enemy was observed to with-
draw their guns and leave. In the subsequent charge on the
enemy's main works, another lot of prisoners were captured.
Major Hartford succeeded in first planting our flag on the enemy's
redoubt at 9 :30 A. M. The whole command behaved most gallantly
in this charge and our men were seen grappling with the enemy,
who in some places offered the most stubborn resistance.

" This over the command moved, with the rest of the division,
toward Petersburg, in front of which the enemy bivouacked for
the night, and where news was received of the evacuation of
Petersburg and Eichmond. April the 3d, orders having been
received to pursue the enemy, we left, in connection with the
•division, the front of Petersburg, taking the river road toward the
Danville railroad, which we crossed on the morning of the 5th,
marching on the left of said road. We passed Jettersville on the
morning of the 6th, where the enemy's line was discovered in our
front. The 11th Massachusetts, on the left of the Division skir-
mish line, rendered valuable service. The balance of the brigade
was formed at once in line of battle and marched forward for
several miles, the 2d Brigade, Gen. Pierce, on the right, the 6th
•Corps on the left.

" At 3 P. M. a charge was ordered, which was executed in very
handsome style. "We succeeded in driving the enemy from our
front, and the 120th New York and 11th Massachusetts, with the
balance of the brigade, materially assisted in capturing the
enemy's wagon train and quite a number of prisoners.

"On the morning of the 7th we crossed the Appomattox at
High Bridge about two miles from Farmville. The enemy again
made a stand, and skirmishing was sustained all day. During the
night of the 7th the enemy left our front. We rapidly pushed
him toward Piedmont coal mine, New Store and Lynchburg road,
toward Appomattox Court House, where, at 3 P. M. of the 9th,

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 287

official intelligence was received of the surrender of General Lee.
The troops were then consigned to three camps, and remained so
until the 10th. The 8th New Jersey was then ordered to escort
the ammunition train back to Burksville. The rest of the brigade,
having followed the division toward Farmville, on the 11th, was
ordered to act as rear guard to the artillery train, with which it
arrived near Burksville on 14th, about 4 P. M.

" During this short and eventful campaign all the officers and
men of this command have exhibited such commendable bravery
and endurance that it is almost impossible to make a distinction.
I cannot, however, omit to mention particularly the brave and
gallant conduct of the following officers, and to recommend them
for brevet promotion : Lt. Col. John Schoonover, 11th N. J., and
Capt. John P. Pinklemaier, A. A. G., to date from the 21st of
Jan., on which date both officers have been recommended for
brevet promotion, in just appreciation of their valuable services
during last summer's oampaign. They have since, on the 5th of
February, near Hatcher's Bun, as well as throughout this cam-
paign, fully sustained their previous reputation, and are so well
known throughout the corps for their gallant and efficient conduct
in the field, that I deem it my duty to renew the application for
their well-earned promotion. Maj. Hartford, 8th N. J., for
gallantry exhibited on the 2d of April ; Col. Francis Price, 7th N.
J.; Lt. Col. Lockwood, 120th N. Y.; Maj. Scott, 1st Lt. and
Adjt. ; E. McRussell, 120th N. York; Capt. Chas. F. Gage, 11th
N. J., have exhibited commendable bravery on all occasions
during the campaign. Lt. "Win. Plunley, A. A. D. C, on my
staff, for his brave conduct on the 2d of April with Maj.

Hartford.

"Bobert McAllister,

" J. P. Finklemaier, "Brig. Gen. Gomdg.

"A. A G."

" Headquarters 3d Brig., 3d Div., 2d A. C. )
"Gen. Order No. 7. "April 12th, 1865. J

"To the Officers and Men of this Brigade:

" It is a pleasure for me to again congratulate you on the bril-
liant success of this campaign, and the noble manner in which
you have acquitted yourselves in the different affairs in which you

288 THE ELEVENTH BEGIMENT,

have participated. I must favorably mention the One Hundred
and Twentieth New York, temporarily commanded by Major
Scott, and the Eleventh New Jersey, commanded by Captain
Charles F. Gage, all under command of Lieutenant-Colonel
Schoonover, for their gallantry in taking and re-taking the
enemy's picket-line, with a large number of prisoners, on the
25th of March, under a severe fire of artillery and musketry.
The Seventh New Jersey, Colonel Price, for timely assistance
rendered late in the evening, in establishing the broken line and
making connection, under fire of the enemy.

" The Eighth New Jersey, Major Hartford ; Eleventh Massa-
chusetts, Major Dunham, and One Hundred and Twentieth New
York, Lieutenant-Colonel Lockwood, all under command of
Colonel C. C. Eivers, for gallantry in developing the enemy's
forces on the Boynton plank-road on March 31st.

" The Eighth New Jersey, Major Hartford, for the capture of
the picket-line, on the 2d of April, with a large number of prisoners
and arms, under a galling fire of shell and musketry, and planting
our flag on the enemy's redoubt. The Eleventh Massachusetts,
for their gallant advance with the division skirmishers on the
6th. The Eleventh Massachusetts and One Hundred and Twen-
tieth New York for their early connection with the Second
Brigade in the advance on the evening of the 6th, and the balance
of the regiments for their promptness in throwing out skirmishers
and their handsome advance which drove back the enemy and
assisted in capturing the wagon-train. While all were not engaged
at once, each did its share in helping to secure the great result,
of which you may all feel proud, and can now rejoice over the
greatest victory of the war. But in our rejoicing let us not forget
the gallant dead, that our prayers may go out daily for the widows
and orphans, and our hearts open to their wants in sympathy and
benevolence.

"Robert McAllister,

" J. P. Finklemaier, Brig.-Gen. Gomm'd'g.

"A. A. G."

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 289

Chapter XVIII.

Capture of Petersburg— Amelia Springs— Farmville—
Lee's Surrender.

After waiting until the Army of the James had taken our
places in the entrenchments, we moved by the left flank
down the Vaughn road, across Hatcher's run. Marching two or
three miles, we halted, faced to right and threw up a line of
works. Soon the order came to advance, and with skirmishers
thrown well out we moved slowly and cautiously toward the
enemy's lines, passing in the meantime an old line of rebel
works. This movement continued until dark, when we were
again ordered to move by the left flank. A heavy rain-storm
had set in, which, with the darkness and heavy undergrowth in
the forest, rendered marching very difficult. After passing a
deserted rebel camp we were halted, and lay in line of battle the
remainder of the night. A night's rest, obtained under such
conditions, is not a very pleasant one, nor conducive to sleep ; at
least, it would not be to a civilian. But neither mud nor rain
was sufficient to keep a tired soldier from sleeping. They
would catch a few winks under the most unfavorable of circum-
stances and on the most unpromising of beds. I remember
having obtained a passable night's rest upon a wagon-tongue,
with head and shoulders crowded upon the hounds and legs
twisted around the pole.

The rain was still falling heavily on the morning of March
30th. A hasty breakfast over, we again moved forward in line
of battle. Our advance led through woods and swamps and
across the Dabney mill road, about midway between Dabney's
mill and the junction of the road with the Boynton plank-road.
Soon after crossing the Dabney mill road our skirmishers struck
the enemy's pickets, but pressed them back, and we continued
advancing until we reached the vicinity of the Crow house, where
we halted and hastily threw up a line of works. We remained

290 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

in that position until near two o'clock on the morning of March
31st, when we were ordered to fall in, and the movement by the
left flank was again taken up. The rain had ceased, but the
mud made marching wearisome work. Daylight found us at
the Boynton plank-road and near the enemy's works, which had
been built on our old battle ground of October 27th. Just to
the left of our brigade stood the white-oak tree under which
Hancock had his headquarters at the commencement of that
battle and from which the enemy had driven him.

The old battle-ground was hardly recognizable. From each
side of the Boynton road frowned a formidable battery — one
occupying the field upon which we had been so nearly captured
and from which we made the charge on October 27th — while
stretching westward along the White-oak road, now a heavy line
of earthworks, to the right and left the timber had been slashed
so that the features of the entire field had been changed. I think
but few at first recognized it as the place which a former visit
had cost us so dearly.

About 12 M., an assault having been ordered upon the enemy's
works at this point, the Eleventh Massachusetts and One Hun-
dred and Twentieth New York, supported by the Eleventh and
Eighth New Jersey, were formed under cover of the wood and
ordered forward. They charged through the slashing and reached
the crest overlooking the enemy's main line, capturing a portion
of their picket-line and a few prisoners. Daring the advance a
terrific artillery fire had been poured upon them, one spherical
case wounding fifteen men in Companies B and I of the Eleventh
New Jersey. Among the wounded was Sergeant Owens. Owing
to an enfilading fire from the enemy's batteries, the position
attained was found to be untenable, and after holding it for about
an hour the line was ordered to fall back to their former position.
This was found to be a more dangerous undertaking than the
forward movement had been. From some parts of the line the
men had to return one at a time, running the gauntlet of the
enemy's fire until they had regained the shelter of the woods.

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 291

Sometime after this assault the Eleventh Regiment was moved
by the left flank to the open ground near the Boynton plank-
road, and in direct range of the enemy's batteries. There it lay
for some time with no other protection than that afforded by a
few rails. The enemy opened upon it a severe artillery fire,
but fortunately no one was injured, though there were some very
narrow escapes. The writer, while standing in rear of his
company issuing ammunition, was splattered with dirt by a
bursting shell.*

About dark we were moved still farther to the left and took
position in the woods, to the left of the Boynton plank- road.
Some parts of the line occupied that night by the Eleventh was
very swampy, so much so that the men had to cut brush with
which to build a staging to keep themselves out of the water.

About five o'clock on the morning of April 1st the regiment was
moved back to the position occupied on the previous afternoon.
At dark, we again returned to the position in the woods held the
night before. Heavy skirmishing continued through the night,
and when, at three o'clock on the morning of the 2d, we were
again ordered to re-occupy our line on the right of the road, the
enemy opened on us a severe musketry and artillery fire.

At 7:30 an assault upon the enemy's lines was ordered. The
Eighth New Jersey leading, captured the enemy's picket-line
and a number of prisoners. It was followed closely by the
Eleventh New Jersey and Eleventh Massachusetts. As the line
advanced the enemy was observed to withdraw their guns ; the

* While the regiment was lying in this exposed position under the
heavy shell-fire from the enemy's batteries, General Grant and staff rode
along the lines within easy range of the enemy's guns. Evidently
inferring from the large escort that it was an officer of high rank, at
least thirty guns were trained upon the cavalcade as long as it was in
sight. This may seem like a needless exposure on the part of the
commanding general of an army, but it is a notorious fact, and the
history of the war will bear me out in the assertion, that no officer, no
matter what his rank, -who never came near enough to the enemy to hear
the whistling of a bullet or feel the jar of a bursting shell, made a record
for himself which is looked upon by posterity as especially brilliant.

292 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

line then pushed rapidly forward and soon their main works
and a number of prisoners were in our hands.

Near where we entered the enemy's works stood a small, un-
painted house. It was tightly closed and showed no signs of
occupancy. James P. Myers, of Company E, then serving as a
stretcher-bearer, knocked at the door and, receiving no answer
and supposing the house to be empty, delivered a blow with the
end of his stretcher which burst the door open. The room
seemed to be unfurnished and untenanted, bat from the semi-
darkness a voice cried, " Young man, don't come in here."
Peering through the gloom he discovered a figure clothed in
bed-ticking — the figure of a woman, so old and bent and
wrinkled that she seemed more like a wraith than a human
being. Startled by the ghost-like appearance, Myers beat a
hasty retreat, saying, " Don't be afraid, old woman ; I won't
hurt you."

Others may have investigated the premises, but Myers was
satisfied with one glimpse of its uncanny occupant.

Leaving the works in our rear, and the old battle field of the
" Bull- ring" to our right, we crossed Hatcher's run and passed
up to the Boynton plank-road, which we followed towards
Petersburg, the enemy flying before us.

The Sixth Corps, having entered the enemy's works opposite
Fort Fisher, swept to the left as far as Hatcher's run, then facing
about marched in the direction of Petersburg. The Second and
Third Divisions of the Second Corps (Miles with the First
Division having followed the enemy out the Claiborne road
toward Sunderland Station) were ordered to continue in the same
direction, and connect with the left of the Sixth Corps. The
Third Division consequently continued up the Boynton road for
several miles until connection was made. It was then late in
the day and it was ordered to bivouac for the night.

On the morning of the 3d of April, it having been ascer-
tained that Lee had retreated during the night, we were ordered
to take up the pursuit. By eight o'clock A. M. we were on the
march by way of the river road. The march was kept up as

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 293

rapidly as the state of the roads would permit uuti! half past
eleven in the evening, when a halt was ordered for the night.
At six o'clock on the morning of the 4th we were again in
motion, following the Fifth Corps towards Jettersville. Merritt's
cavalry, coming in from our right, interrupted our march.
After the passage of the cavalry the column was again pushed
rapidly forward until near night, when it went into bivouac.

The men were then entirely out of rations and the trains were
eagerly looked for, but at two o'clock on the morning of the 5th,
when the march was resumed, they had not yet reached us.
Shortly after crossing Deep creek, Merritt's cavalry, which had
been near Bevel's bridge, on the Appomattox, again interrupted
the march. The infantry filed out of the road to allow the
cavalry to pass, and remained at that point to await the coming
of rations. About 8:15 the trains came up and rations were
issued. The men were given time to get breakfast, but at ten
o'clock orders came to move forward. Toward evening we
reached the vicinity of Jettersville, where we found the Fifth
Corps entrenched. It was supposed that Lee was concentrating
his army near Amelia Court. House; dispositions were therefore
made to attack him at that point.

On the morning of the 6th the Second Corps, in conjunction
with the Fifth and Sixth, was ordered to advance toward Amelia
Court House. Our division was to the left of the Richmond
and Danville railroad. After proceeding a few miles it was
found that Lee was in full retreat toward Lynchburg, having
passed our left during the night. The line of march was there-
fore changed, the Second Corps taking the direction of Deatons-
ville. The enemy's rear guard was found posted on high ground
beyond Flat creek, near Amelia Springs. After a sharp brush,
during which General Mott was wounded, they were dislodged,
and the advance continued. A running fire was kept up until
near dark, when they again made a stand on the high ground
eastward of Sailor's creek. The First Brigade, which had been
leading, was then placed upon the reserve, and the Second, under
General Price, and Third, under General McAllister, formed in

294 THE ELEVENTH BEGIMENT,

line of battle and pushed forward. The enemy made a spirited
resistance, but were soon driven from their position.

On reaching the high ground overlooking Sailor's creek the
cause of the enemy's stand at that point was discovered. Parked
on low ground, east of the creek, was a train of one hundred and
fifty wagons. The drivers had just begun to pull out, but, our
line pressing swiftly down the slope, they escaped only with their
teams, leaving wagons and contents in our hands. The wagons
were loaded with miscellaneous stores, some even containing
female clothing. Many of the boys secured trophies of this cap-
ture, such as books, surgical instruments, and other pieces of
portable property. The writer obtained a military map of Vir-
ginia (since lost), and a Signal Corps glass which he gave to
Lieutenant Berry, from whom it was stolen. By the time these
movements were completed darkness had fallen, and the troops
bivouacked for the night. Beside the train mentioned the corps
gained, during its day's operations, three pieces of artillery, thir-
teen flags, and about seventeen hundred prisoners.

On the morning of the 7th we pushed forward to the Appo-
mattox, which we crossed at High -bridge. The enemy had set
fire to the railroad bridge at that point, and were making an
effort to destroy the wagon bridge, when Barlow's Second Divi-
sion reached the ground. Barlow's men advanced at a double-
quick and drove the enemy away, saving the wagon bridge.
Four spans at the north end of the railroad bridge were burned,
but the balance was saved, General Humphries says, " chiefly
by the efforts of Colonel Livermore and his party, who put out
the fire while the enemy were skirmishing under their feet."

After crossing the Appomattox we took a road leading to the
northwest, and which runs into the old Lynchburg stage-road
about four miles north of Farmville, thus leaving Farmville to
our left. Barlow's Division, however, continued up the rail-
road toward that place.

About one o'clock we struck a large force of the enemy
entrenched near the old stage-road. It was afterward ascertained
that nearly all that remained of Lee's army was concentrated

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 295

there. Our lines were kept pressed up close to the enemy, and
heavy skirmishing continued through the afternoon and into the
night.

One Southern writer, speaking of how closely they were pressed
on this occasion, says : " The enemy seemed to be ubiquitous -
the firing increased in rapidity and extent, until three sides were
at once set upon by the enemy. I never was so bewildered as on
this occasion."

Preparations were made for an attack in the morning, but
when the morning of the 8th dawned it was found that Lee had
again retreated.

About 6:30 we again took up the pursuit by way of the Lynch-
burg stage-road. We passed New Store about sundown. About
two miles beyond we halted for a rest. After a rest of a couple
of hours the column was again put in motion and continued the
march until after midnight, when we bivouacked. Having
marched in all about twenty-six miles, being without food, the
men were nearly exhausted.

Negotiations for the surrender of Lee's army had been pend-
ing since the evening of the 7th, when Grant's first letter was-
sent by General Humphries through the lines near Farmville.

When we halted at midnight on the 8th, Longstreet's troops
were less than three miles in advance of us.

The supply- trains reached us on the morning of the 9th, and
after rations were issued the column was again put in motion.
The head of the corps soon came within sight of the enemy, and
preparations for an attack were being made when a truce was
called. It was then about eleven o'clock.

The hours dragged slowly along ; anxiety was intense. Every
man knew that the truce indicated a continuance of the negotia-
tions for surrender and that the end could not be long delayed.
Every man was on the qui vive for news. If an officer came
galloping from the direction of the enemy, the men would say
excitedly, " Here comes news ; now we'll know ! " and when he-
passed by with no announcement of surrender, every countenance-
would drop.

296 THE ELEVENTH SEGMENT,

Torn with hopes and fears, the hours passed slowly away until
four o'clock came. Then from the direction of Lee's army came,
at a rapid gallop, a group of officers. As they drew near, Meade,
bare-headed, with his hair streaming in the wind and wildly
waving his cap, was seen in advance. Every man was quickly
on his feet. As the commander of the Army of the Potomac
dashed past, he cried out: "Lee has surrendered! Lee has
surrendered ! "

Instantly the wildest excitement prevailed. The feelings that
had been so long suppressed burst forth in the wildest cheers.
Guns were fired and caps darkened the air. Officers were called
upon and compelled to speak, but could scarcely be heard, for
every patriotic sentiment elicited the wildest applause. The
artillery began to boom as if a battle were raging ; but soon its
voice was silenced for fear its tones, sounding of joy instead of
carnage, would lacerate the sensitive feelings of the conquered.

It was late in the night when the camp settled down to quiet-
ness, and calmer thought brought a full realization of what the
surrender of Lee's army meant to us. It meant an end to the
bitter struggle that had sown our land with the graves of our
noblest and best; that had brought sorrow to thousands of home-
circles and clothed tens of thousands in the habilaments of mourn-
ing ; that had bent the proud head of the father and silvered the
dark tresses of the mother ; that had ravished the roses from the
■cheek of the maiden and stifled the joyous laughter of children ;
that had filled the country and towns with men maimed and
crippled by the stroke of the weapon or broken and shattered by
disease; that had left desolate ruins where once stood happy
•homes. It meant peace — peace in its full, broad significance;
peaceful nights, with no shot of picket or shriek of shell to break
our slumber ; no bray of bugle or rattle of drum to call us hur-
riedly to arms ; days undisturbed by the roll of musketry or the
thunder of cannon, with no dread of assault or enemy in ambush ;
no more long marches through dust or mud — through stifling
heat or pinching cold, with blistered feet and aching limbs. It
meant rest, and finally — home !

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 297

Two days previous to breaking camp for the final campaign
men were detailed from the regiment to accompany the supply-
train. The men detailed from Company E were A. B. SeariDg
and Lambert Sharp, better known as " Bully." " Bully " was
one of the most incorrigible foragers in the regiment, and he did
not always confine his operations to property belonging to the
enemy. After his first night's duty at brigade headquarters he
returned to camp bringing three canteens of whiskey. It was
not until the boys had drank freely of it that they asked how he
obtained it, well knowing that it was not by any usual method.
The answer, if true, was not very assuring to sensitive stomachs.
He told them that he had bored a hole in the barrel, sucked it
out with a straw, and then transferred it to the canteen.

Molasses, when it could be procured, was thought to add a
desirable flavor to hard-tack. When passing New Store a
barrel with its head knocked out stood on the roadside.
" Molasses, molasses," ran along the line, and tin-cups were
■quickly loosened from haversacks. As the barrel was reached
cups made a hurried dip, but you can imagine the strength of
the language used when, instead of Porto Rico, it was found to
be tar !

Any lover of tobacco who passed through Farmville had no
need to want, for it was found there in abundance, and in
almost every form then known to the manufacturers of the
weed. Our trains passed through the town, and some of the
wagons being empty, Sharp, with his usual enterprise, loaded on
a goodly supply of tobacco, which he generously distributed
among his comrades in the company as soon as he met with
them.

Before resuming the account of our return from Appomattox
to Burksville Junction, and from Burksville Junction to Wash-
ington and on to Trenton, we will take up Lieutenant William
Hand's narrative of his service with the supply-trains during
this last and memorable campaign of the Army of the Potomac.

On February 1st, '65, Lieutenant William Hand, then of
■Company I, was detailed as Acting- quartermaster of the

298

THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

Eleventh New Jersey, which position he retained until the regi-
ment was mustered out of service. After receiving this appoint-
ment, however, Lieutenant Hand participated in two of the bat-
tles in which the regiment was engaged — at Hatcher's run Feb-
ruary 5th, and the Armstrong house, already noted, March 25th,.
'65.

Lieutenant W. H. Egan.

Lieutenant Hand says : " From April 3d to the 9th we were
constantly on the move. We started with six good fat mules to-
each wagon, but before the surrender of Lee they were nearly
all worn-out. We used all kinds of devices to keep them going.
Every day we would make the loads of two or three wagons as
light as possible and send them on ahead to issue rations to the

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 299

men. Then they would have a chance to rest until the train
«ame up, when those teams would be put to heavy loads and
the tired mules to the lighter wagons and sent forward again.
We did the best we could to keep the men in rations, but it was
very difficult, as the men were marching day and night and our
mules were fast giving out with constant work and no rest. We
threw out everything that we could do without, and pressed into
service everything in the shape of a horse or mule that we could
find. It was a common thing to see quartermasters and ser-
geants and wagon-masters tugging at wheels or unloading and
loading wagons to get them out of the mud. Sometimes we
would put two or three teams to one wagon, pull it out of a
mud-hole or over a hill, and then go for another.

" I was sent to the front one day with rations. We loaded
wagons as light as we could, and, putting six of our best mules
to each, started on the jump to overtake the men. We reached
them about sundown and issued the rations. They were then
ordered to make themselves comfortable for the night, but before
they had time to make their coffee, another order was received
directing every one to press forward at once, and engage the
enemy wherever and whenever he was found, without waiting
for additional orders. ' For,' the order stated, ' General Lee
will surely surrender to-morrow if he is pressed.' He was
pressed, and surrendered.

" Our train was at Farmville when the surrender took place.
We were ordered immediately back to Burksville Junction.

" Our train started on the morning of the 10th of April, but
I was detailed to remain in Farmville in charge of a large
quantity of ammunition that was taken from the wagons to
make them lighter. I was to wait for some empty wagons that
were at the front issuing rations ; on their return I was to bring
the ammunition in them. We expected them about ten o'clock
in the morning, so I kept no rations for myself, nor horse. I
waited all day until dark, then I saw army headquarters come
into Farmville, and I reported to the Quartermaster-General.
He referred me to Major Johns, who told me that all the wagons

300 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

were loaded heavily with captured guns and equipments, and
that there was no possibility of taking our ammunition. So I
left it there and started for Burksville. It was very dark, the
road was as bad as a road can get, and I had never been that
way before, but I thought my horse would naturally follow the
road the wagons had gone.

" It was a dreary, dismal ride, and I was entirely alone. Several
times I had to get down and feel for the tracks of the wagons to
make sure that I was on the right road. At last I reached
Burksville and found our wagons. Under one of them, asleep
on the ground, were my two Sergeants, Crisp and Titsworth. It
was about daylight, and knowing that ' Ed ' would soon be up
to take care of my horse I left him standing and crawled in
between the two sergeants, and, although I was very hungry,
was soon fast asleep. It was the first time in eleven days that I
had had an opportunity to take off my shoes and go to sleep
right. Even then I was not allowed to sleep long — I was called up
at eight o'clock for breakfast, my sergeants having invited me to
breakfast with them. And how I did eat ! They had some good
steak and coffee ; I thought it was the best that I had ever tasted.
After breakfast I went to sleep and slept the remainder of the
day.

" That evening the regiment came and the line officers with
whom I usually messed set ' Kate ' to work cooking a big:
kettle of beans. As they were cooking, each officer began to
season them to suit his own taste, until at last, with so many
bosses, the beans were about spoiled. Then Captain Smith
capped the climax, as he usually did, by stirring them with a
big bar of soap. So we had no beans that night. Then, to
change the program, we sat down and played euchre for sutler's
goods. We soon had Lieutenant Kockhill elected for twenty-
seven dollars' worth, and we voted that he should purchase that
amount for supper, which he did, and we had a royal supper —
without beans.

"Among other things that had beeu thrown out to lighten the
wagons was a Dutch oven belonging to Colonel Schoonover.

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 301

He felt very badly over the loss of it, and scolded me for throw-
ing it oat. I promised to get him another, and rode out in the
country to look for one. I found some colored people using
one in a large farm-house — there were no white people on the
plantation. I offered to buy the oven, but the boss darkey said
they ' couldn't spar it no how.' I offered a dollar, then two,
and so on up to five, but he would not sell. I thought Colonel
Schoonover's comfort was of more importance to me than theirs,
especially as I was only acting quartermaster and we had a long
march before us to Washington. If the Colonel appointed'
another Quartermaster I would have to march. If I retained
my position I would have a horse to ride, so I must have that
oven ; and, as I could not buy it, I confiscated it. I just
dumped the contents on the table and took it to camp and pre-
sented it to the Colonel.

"About this time we met an intelligent contraband who wanted
to come North. We engaged him to assist our cook, black our
shoes, keep our tents in order and make himself generally
useful. He wanted to know what we were willing to pay for
his services. Captain Smith suggested that if we fed and
clothed him $100 per week would be about the right figure,
and as no one objected, he thought that he was properly
installed into a good job at a pretty fair income. After a while
he began to look around for some money, but he never could
seem to meet the particular omcer whose duty it was to pay the
assistant cook for that particular week. There was a good
many of us, and somehow he always tackled the wrong one.
The one he wanted to see always happened to be absent when he
wanted to see him ; or, if he found him, it was not his week for
paying the assistant cook. We brought him along to Trenton
and left him there, but he never could learn the proper method
of collecting an assistant cook's salary.

" While we were in camp at Burksville a new horse was drawn
for the use of the adjutant. He was a beautiful dappled- gray,,
but he was a bad one, and the adjutant could not ride him.

302 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

" One day Adjutant Berry was sick and Lieutenant Alonzo
Merritt was acting. He had about enough commissary aboard
to make him feel very brave, so he brought out the gray horse
•' to show him,' as he said, ' who was adjutant.' Then we had
a circus. Merritt was very sorry that he happened to be adjutant
before he got through. It was great amusement for the men, but
hard on Merritt and his clothing. He received many a fall before
he gave it up, but he failed to convince the horse that he really
was adjutant.

" Captain Gage afterward trained him and made him quite gen-
tle. Then I exchanged with Adjutant Berry, he taking my
black horse and I the gray. I was very proud of him, but on
the road from Richmond to Fredericksburg he suddenly became
very lame and I was obliged to leave him. I took my saddle
and bridle on my back and for about half a day trudged along
on foot, being a subject for laughter from every quartermaster
and sergeant on the road. At last I met a sergeant who had
captured a bony-looking specimen, apparently about twenty or
thirty years old and weighing about five hundred pounds. I
thought he might carry me until I could get something better,
so I bought him for thirty dollars. I found out afterward that
he was only four years old, and after he had been fed awhile and
got strong he could outrun any horse in the regiment. I brought
him home and sold him for ninety dollars, and he was afterward
«old for two hundred and fifty.

" In passing through Richmond on our way back to Washington,
I, in company with other quartermasters, rode about the city,
visited Belle Isle, Libby Prison and other places of interest, and
talked with many people along the streets. Most of the people
with whom we talked told us that at the time General McClellan
first appeared before Richmond there was nothing in the world
to prevent his taking the city; that everything was prepared
for evacuating it and that the Confederate army and the people
were greatly surprised when it was learned that he was falling
back.

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 303

" On our way we crossed the old battle-field of Fredericksburg,
and we then saw how very difficult it would have been for Gen-
eral Burnside to have taken the heights. In looking down
from the position occupied by the Confederates, the wonder
seemed to be how the Union army got so far as they did without
losing more men — though God knows it lost enough.

" When we left Washington for Trenton an opportunity pre-
sented itself — and I could not resist the temptation — to get even
with a wagonmaster who had refused me a ride nearly three years
before, when I was very sick. I was in charge of the transpor-
tation and I had provided a car for the officers, one for the non-
commissioned officers, and the remainder of the train for the
private soldiers.

" Our wagonmaster was making himself comfortable with the
non-com's, when 1 ordered him out and told him to go with the
soldiers. I would have liked to have made him walk had I had
the authority.

"When we reached Trenton we did not meet with as enthusiastic
a reception as some other regiments had received, and the men
felt somewhat disappointed. One day, as I was passing from
camp to my boarding-house, I saw Jimmie Butler, of Company
B, throwing water from the canal to the bank as fast as he could
with his cap. I asked him what he was doing. He said he was
going to flood the city and drown them all because they had not
entertained us as they should. But, fortunately, before we left
the city the ladies gave us a handsome collation and saved the
■city from destruction by flood."

304 THE ELEVENTH BEGIMENT,

Chapter XIX.

Our Return March— Burksville— Washington — The Grand
Review — Trenton — Mustered Out.

ON April 10th we began our return March, acting as rear-
guard to the artillery. We reached Burksville Junction
at four P. M. on the 14th. Many members of the late Army
of Northern Virginia accompanied us on the march, and while
many expressed delight at the termination of the war, others
were extremely bitter and made many foolish boasts of what
they would yet do.

At Burksville camps were laid out and preparations made for
a few weeks' rest or a march southward to meet Sherman's army y
as circumstances might dictate.

The spirit of content and satisfaction that follows a conscious-
ness of duty well done, a task faithfully performed, pervaded
the entire army. The glow of joy and hope beamed from every
face, when suddenly the news came that President Lincoln had
been assassinated, and the army was plunged into mourning.
Each felt as if he had lost a personal friend, one in whom he
had reposed the supremest confidence — and, indeed, such was
Lincoln to every true soldier of the Union. The humblest
private in the ranks, had he a grievance, had he met with in-
justice, felt that if the matter could be brought to "Uncle
Abe's" attention he would meet with justice; but justice tem-
pered with mercy. The news at first engendered bitter feelings
toward our conquered foe. But calmer thought and the evidently
sincere regrets expressed by many of our late antagonists, con-
vinced us that the death of our noble chief was looked upon by
the better class of Southern people as a new calamity.

On the 19th the entire brigade assembled to hear an obituary
sermon upon the late President. The brigade flags at half-mast r
the regimental standards draped, the muffled drums and low
booming of minute-guns told of an army in mourning.

NEW JEBSEY VOLUNTEERS. 305

While in camp at Burksville, a number of our old members,
who had been absent sick or as prisoners, re-joined the regiment.
Among them was Sergeant Alpheus Iliff, of Company E, who
had been captured on the 10th of May, '64, at Spottsylvania.
He had been reported missing, and his family mourned him as
one dead. It was therefore a surprise to his comrades to learn
that for seven months he had been suffering the tortures of
Andersonville and Florence. He was the only prisoner from
Company E who was taken as far south as Andersonville who
returned to tell of his sufferings.

On Tuesday, May 2d, we broke camp at Burksville and
turned our faces northward. After a march of about eleven
miles we encamped for the night between Jettersville and
Amelia Court House.

After an early breakfast on the morning of the 3d, we resumed
our journey. Passing Amelia Court House, we marched to the
Appomattox river, which we crossed on pontoons, and halted
for the night a short distance beyond.

The extreme heat on the 4th made the march a very fatiguing
one, and quite a number were overcome by the heat. The line
of march led through a fine agricultural country, which showed
comparatively few marks of war's devastation. White inhabitants
were not so scarce as they had been along the lines of some of
our previous marches, but could often be seen curiously watching
the passage of the columns of blue. One old gentleman gave
expression to his amazement by exclaiming,-" You Yanks must
have a right smart heap of men." At sundown we halted for
the night.

The rain was falling heavily on the morning of the 5th, but
notwithstanding we were early on the way, and at noon reached
Manchester, opposite Bichmond. Here Major Halsey re-joined
us, having been absent sick, and took command of the regiment,
Colonel Schoonover being absent on leave.

We lay near Manchester until Saturday, the 6th, when we
marched through the town and down to the James river, which
we crossed on pontoons, the bridges having been burned by the

306 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

enemy when they evacuated the city. The line of inarch led by
Libby Prison, the scene of so much suffering and cruelty, also
by " Castle Thunder," almost as notorious, and through some of
the principal streets and past the capitol, on the steps of which
stood Generals Meade and Halleck. The colored population
gave us a joyous welcome, but the whites looked sullen and
disappointed. We soon left the city behind and encamped for
the night near Mechanicsville.

We were off again at an early hour next day, crossed the
Chickahominy, passed Hanover Court House and did not stop
for the night until the Pamunkey had been left two miles
behind us.

The night of the 8th we bivouacked on a plantation owned
by James Lucknow, and the evening of the 9th found us on
the border of Spottsylvania oounty.

Early dawn of May 10th found us again on the march.
Crossing the Ta river we marched through the village of Thorn-
burg and continued the route by way of the Massaponax church
to near Fredericksburg. Our march led us across the rivers Ta,
Po and Ny, which with the southern branch, the Mat, united
form the Mattapony river.

At eight A. M. on the 11th we again fell into line. Marching
through Fredericksburg we crossed the Rappahannock on pon-
toons to Falmouth, and took the road to Hartwood church, near
which well-remembered locality we halted for the night.

Our route on May 12th was over a very rough road to Cedar
run, over which we were ferried in a pontoon boat, thence to
Broad run, which we forded. The march was kept up until
near midnight, when we halted near the Orange and Alexandria
railroad.

On the 13th we marched to three miles beyond Fairfax Court
House, by way of Manassas Junction and Centerville, fording,
on the way, Silver run, Kettle run and Bull Run river.

The 14th, being the Sabbath, we were given a day's rest.
Chaplain Cline held service under the shade of a large apple

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 307

tree. Colonel Schoonover returned and resumed command of
the regiment.

At two o'clock on the afternoon of the 15th we moved on
again, and after a march of about eight miles went into camp
near Four-mile run, where we remained until orders came to
start for home.

Though the war was over, and no enemy menaced us, yet for
some inexplicable reason the march from Burksville Junction to
near Washington had been pushed with as much vigor as if the
fate of the nation depended upon our reaching a certain point at
a given hour. Through rain and mud, dust and heat, early and
late, the march was kept up, to the extreme limit of endurance
and beyond, for, in fact, men who had escaped the deadly missiles
of the enemy on hard -fought fields, met death from sun-stroke
on this homeward march, over roads where no enemy lurked in
ambush or disputed our way from well-manned earthworks.

Who was to blame I cannot say. Certainly the government
was not so penurious as to hasten, in this manner, the discharge
of the men who had served it so long and faithfully.

A rumor was current at the time that a wager existed between
the staff officers of the Second and Fifth Corps as to which should
first reach its place of destination. If the rumor was true those
responsible should have been severely punished.

Both corps left Richmond on May 6th, and from there to
Fredericksburg their routes were nearly identical. But from
there on the Fifth had much the shortest route, it going direct to
the Occoquan at Wolf Run Shoals, and thence to their place of
encampment, while the Second Corps, as has been shown,
diverged northward by way of the Hartwood Church to the
Orange and Alexandria Railroad, and then by way of Centerville
and Fairfax Court House.

On Sunday, May 21st, Chaplain Cline delivered a very
touching sermon. He recalled with much feeling our long
association, the difficulties under which we had often met to
worship God — sometimes in the trenches, where the deep voice
of the cannon and the sharp crack of the rifle mingled with the

308 TEE ELEVENTE REGIMENT,

voice of prayer and praise. He exhorted all to " become as
faithful soldiers for Christ as they had been for country."

The 22d was spent in polishing-up for the grand review.

On the 23d occurred the grand review of the Army of the
Potomac. At seven A. M. we left camp and marched across
the long bridge and up through the city to the east of the
capitol, where we remained until nine o'clock, when the signal
for the column to move was given. The line of march led up
Pennsylvania avenue. The sidewalks were thronged with
citizens, whose enthusiasm knew no bounds. All along the line
of march the heartiest cheers greeted us, while from nearly
every window flags and handkerchiefs were waving; flowers
were scattered in profusion, so that nearly every soldier carried
a bouquet in the muzzle of his musket. On the steps of public
buildings were grouped the children of the public schools, who
sang patriotic songs as we marched by. Theirs were the first
childish voices that many of us had heard for nearly three years,
and the sweet tones of their voices echoing above the strains of
martial music seemed to us a guarantee of peace and home. As
we passed the reviewing stand occupied by President Johnson,
Generals Grant, Meade and others, someone proposed three
cheers for the officers and men of the Eleventh New Jersey, and
they were given with a will. In many places banners were
displayed bearing the motto, " The public schools of Washing-
ton welcome the heroes of the Republic. The only National
debt we can never pay is the debt we owe to the victorious
Union soldiers."

After passing the reviewing stand the march was continued to
Georgetown, where we re-orossed the Potomac on a pontoon
bridge laid just below the aqueduct; then through Arlington to
camp, which we reached thoroughly tired-out with the day's
march and excitement.

On May 25th the camp was visited by Mrs. General McAllis-
ter and daughter, Mrs. Dr. Welling, Dr. Kirk and wife, Hon.
Marcus L. Ward, Hon. John Hill and others. In the evening

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 309

the camp of the Fifth and Second Corps, occupying opposite
positions, were brilliantly illuminated.

On the 30th we marched to Bailey's cross-roads, where the
corps was reviewed by many distinguished officers, both civil and
military, among whom were President Johnson, Secretary Stan-
ton, Generals Meade, Hancock and Humphries, Admiral
Farragut and others.

We had not been many days in camp near Washington before
the knowledge of our presence reached the camp of the con-
valescents, situated near by, and the various hospitals in and
-contiguous to Washington, and men who had been absent for
months, some because of wounds and sickness and others for
unexplained reasons, began to report back to their commands, all
anxious to accompany the regiment and be with it when it should
report back to the State.

Every regiment had a class of men who, while apparently
healthy, would manage in some way to get back to hospitals or
convalescent camps and remain there for months, or eventually
get transferred to the veteran reserve corps. Only those skilled
in that system of soldiering knew of the methods employed to
win the favor of the surgeons in charge so as to be reported
month after month as unfit for duty. Doubtless they made
themselves useful in some capacity, but a capacity that could
have been filled by those less fitted to stand the rigors of cam-
paigning. The aggregate of this class of men would have made
a respectable army as to size, but hardly as to courage, and per-
haps it was a wise provision to keep them in the rear, as they
would have been only a detriment to the brave boys in front.
Some of this class, who had been absent so long that they had
been dropped from the rolls, came walking into camp as smil-
ingly and as self-conscious as if their individual exertions had
brought about the final end of the war, and only that the war
was ended, and no good purpose could be served by their punish-
ment, were they allowed to escape.

One afternoon during our march northward from Fredericks-
burg we encountered one of the most terrific thunder-storms

310 THE ELEVENTH BEGIMENT,

that we had met during all our experience as soldiers. The
thunder rolled like volleys of artillery, and the vivid electrie
sparks leaped from gun to gun till the regiment at times seemed
to be marching through sheets of flame. To add to the con-
sternation, a team attached to one of our baggage-wagons was
struck, and, I think, the entire team killed. While the storm
was still raging we were ordered to go into bivouac. We
managed to put up tents, but they were almost useless, for the
beating rain came through them as though they were sieves, and
streams poured underneath. To lie down was impossible, so we
huddled beneath our rubber blankets as best we could and
waited for the storm to pass.

As we approached Washington, and long before we came in
sight of the dome of the capitol, venders of pies, cakes, bread*
and the various luxuries to which we had long been strangers,
began to meet us. They scented the prey from afar, and know-
ing how lavish soldiers were with money, calculated to return
with empty wagons but well-filled pocket-books. If so, one
who pulled out along the road as the Eleventh was passing,
returned to Washington a sadly disappointed man. Peering
into the wagon one of our men discovered that it was loaded
with what the boys denominated soft bread, in contradistinction
to hard- tack. As usual, it was in sheets of eight or twelve
loaves. To fix bayonet was but the work of a moment — a rapid
oharge and a sheet was captured. The movement was quickly
followed up, and soon the entire load was marching with the
column, and the vender turned his face homeward with a lighter
wagon, but not much heavier purse.

Again, while lying in camp, we were visited by another with
a load of radishes and onions. He drove into camp, halted,
and turned his back to his horse and made ready to deal out
green groceries to purchasers. Some one slyly gave the horse a
prod with a bayonet which started it off at a double-quick. The
huckster, who was leaning against the tail of the wagon, turned
one somersault and the wagon, colliding with a stump, another,.

NEW JEBSEY VOLUNTEERS. 311

while radishes and onions flew about promiscuously, to the profit
of the boys, who quickly gathered them up.

On the 2d of June General McAllister issued the following
farewell order to the officers and men of the old Third Brigade :

1

5.)

" Headquarters Third Brigade, Third Division, ]
" Second Army Corps,
" General Order, No. 10. June 2d, 1865.

" To the Officers and Soldiers of the Third Brigade :

" As we are about to separate, allow me once more to congratu-
late you upon your past and brilliant career, which now becomes
a matter of history. The war is over, the contest ended. The
glorious old flag of our country, consecrated by the blood of our
fallen heroes — under the folds of which you have so often, so long
and so gallantly fought and bled — now floats in triumph all over
our land. The war brought us to the field — peace returns us to
our homes. Our work is done, and we go to enjoy with our
friends in the several States represented in this command the
fruits of our victory. New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts-
have an interest in you as their representatives, and will do full
justice to the old Third Brigade. In parting with you I feel more
than I can express or language convey. We shared each other's
dangers, toils and fatigues on the march, in the battle, in the
charge, with victory or defeat. Ties of more than an ordinary
kind bind us together. Good-bye, comrades in arms ; God bless
you and the widows and orphans of those who have fallen by our
sides, and if we never meet again on earth may we meet in a
brighter and better world.

"Robert McAllister,
" J. P. Finklemaier, Brig. Genl.

"A. A. G."

On Sunday, June 4th, Chaplain Cline preached his last sermon-
to the Eleventh Regiment south of the Potomac. It was, in
fact, his farewell talk to the men with whom he had been identi-
fied for nearly two years and for whose welfare he had worked so-
earnestly. It was a touching effort, eloquent with reminiscences-
of the camp and the march, the battle and hospital.

312 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

Between twelve and one o'clock on the morning of the 7th of
June we were notified that transportation had been procured and
that we would start for home at four A. M. There was no more
sleep that night, and tents were struck and knapsacks packed
long before morning. The recruits who had served but a short
time were notified that they had been transferred to and con-
solidated with the new men of the Twelfth, and would have to
report to that regiment. The most of them received the news
oalmly, for they knew that the war was over and at the farthest
itheir stay would be for only a few weeks. But one Joseph Lee,

The above cut shows the effects of a bnUet from the rebel lines upon a
Testament in the pocket of Sergeant Thomas Blackwood, of Company C.
Sergeant Blackwood now resides in Trenton, New Jersey, and still has in his
possession this highly-prized book.

a drafted man belonging to Company E, was very anxious to get
home, and could not believe that he was to be left behind. He
was assured by his comrades that he would have to remain, but
he would not believe them. Going to Sergeant Marbaker he
asked if it was true that he could not go home with the regiment.
The Sergeant told him that it was, but assured him that he would
not have to remain long ; that, as the war was ended, the remain-
der of his stay would be only a picnic. But he could not become
reconciled to the idea, and exclaimed : " I'll never get home ! I

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 313

know I'll never get home ! I'll die, I'll be d— d if I don't ! I'll
die, I'll be d — d if I don't ! " Though the man's distress was
evidently real and his determination to die pathetic, the men
could not help but laugh at his manner of expressing it. He
did get home, however, in spite of his expressed determination
not to do so, being mustered out with the rest of those transferred
to the Twelfth on July 15th. Besides the enlisted men trans-
ferred to the Twelfth were several commissioned officers of the
Eleventh : Captain T. J. Thompson and Lieutenant U. B. Titus
to Company A of that regiment ; Lieutenant E. White to Com-
pany C ; Lieutenant George H. Johnson to Company D, pro-
moted to first lieutenant of Company B June 24th, and Second
Lieutenant Watson P. Tuttle to Company I of the Twelfth.

At four o'clock on the morning of the 7th of June, '65, we
turned our backs upon our last encampment south of the Poto-
mac, crossed the long bridge for the last time as soldiers,
marched past the capitol and to the Soldiers' Best, where we
breakfasted. A train of box-cars stood ready to reeeive us.
We climbed on board and waited. Slowly the hours dragged
away, and no movement. "Are we never going to start?" is the
cry. At last, about two o'clock in the afternoon, we pulled out
for the North. The box-cars were stifling, and all who could
climbed on top. At Baltimore there was a long delay, but at
last we were again under way. We passed through Wilmington
and reached Philadelphia about two o'clock on the morning of
the 8th, stacked arms on Otsego street and breakfasted at
the Volunteer refreshment saloon. Stretched across the street
near the saloon was a large flag bearing the motto, " The
City of Brotherly Love Welcomes with Hearty Cheer the
Eeturning Braves." And here let me say that during the
long years of war no city in the Union did more — if as
much — for the soldier than did the City of Brotherly Love.
No worthy Union soldier had need to go hungry upon her
streets or want for a place to lay his head. The hands of her
inhabitants seemed never to grow weary of ministering to his
■comfort, and their purses were ever open to supply his wants.

314 TEE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

After daylight we marched to the ferry and crossed to Cam-
den, where our feet pressed again the soil of our native State.
After some delay we again boarded the cars for Trenton, which
was reached about nine A. M. We left the cars on East Canal
street, below State, and forming into line were marched up State
street to the capitol, where we very impatiently listened to
speeches by Governor Parker and General McAllister, after
which we were marched down to Camp Bayard.

Camp Bayard was situated on Coleman street, Chambersburg,
(now a part of the city of Trenton). It contained a large brick-
building, then used as a barracks (now as a cracker bakery). The
building and parade-ground were inclosed with a high board-
fence, with the gates or " sally-port " on Coleman street. Guards-
were placed all around the camp and orders issued to permit no
one to go out without a pass. The men paid but little attention
to the order. For nearly three years they had been amenable to
discipline, had submitted to orders that they had sometimes
thought unjust, and all without grumbling or a sign of insubor-
dination, but now that they were practically at home, the war over,
and no real necessity existing for such strict orders, they looked
upon them as an unwarranted stretch of authority. Many of
them lived in the city, but a few minutes' walk from camp ;
others had homes but an hour or two's ride away, and they did
not feel like submitting quietly to being penned-up day after day.
As a consequence, though no demonstration was made, the camp
was deserted by all who lived within easy reach of home. Some
of the guards had even placed their guns in their quarters and
wandered off. The writer had charge of the guard on the sally-
port. Home was only sixteen miles away — he had not seen it for
three years — should he stay in camp over night ? No ; the temp-
tation was too strong. Turning the guard over to a friend
(Sergeant George W. Lindley) he reported to Captain Gage that
he was going home. The captain suggested that he had better
have a pass and gave him one ; but, pass or no pass, home would
have been reached that night. That was the feeling of the-
majority, and guards were practically useless. On returning to-

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 315

camp, Lindley informed the writer that his guards had nearly all
left him before morning. Those who remained in camp on the
9th were treated to a fine collation by the ladies of the city.
The next day the following card appeared in the "State
■Gazette " :

" Camp Bayard, June 10th, 1865.
"Editor State Gazette:

"Dear Sib — I desire, through the columns of your paper, to
return the thanks of the members of the Eleventh and Twelfth
Kegiments to Mrs. M. Whittaker, Mrs. Wauf old, Mrs. Willet Dunn,
Mrs. Robert S. Johnson, Mrs. Captain Corey, Miss Martha Young,
the Misses Buckman, and Mr. George James, for the splendid
repast given us at camp on Friday evening. This act of kindness
is duly appreciated and will be long remembered.

" John Schoonovbk,
" Bvt. Gol. Commanding."

On the 13th a dinner was given to the Eleventh and Twelfth
Begiments in Bechtel's Hall on Front street. Speeches were
made by Governor Parker, Hon. Marcus L. Ward, General Mc-
Allister, Colonel Schoonover, Mayor Mills and others.

We lay in Camp Bayard a week, awaiting our pay. Though
our discharges had not been given us, they had been made out
and dated the 6th, on which date we were mustered out of the
service of the United States. We were no longer under pay and
the men were anxious to reach their homes and again take up
the duties of citizenship. The delay may have been necessary,
but the men could not understand it and grew very impatient.
Several times a date had been set for payment, but the time would
pass by without any sign of receiving it. On the afternoon of
the 14th, without consulting with officers, nearly two hundred
men of the Eleventh and Twelfth formed in line and marched
up to the State House to ascertain just when they were to be paid
Being assured that it would not be later than the next afternoon,
they quietly marched back to camp. On the afternoon of the
15th, at 2 o'clock, we marched up Broad street, signed the rolls,
received pay and discharges and once more became citizens of the
State of New Jersey.

316 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

Chapter XX.

Account of the Imprisonment of Corporal Aaron Lines, of
Company B.

Aaeon Lines, of Company B, was captured by E well's men on
October 14th, 1863, during the retreat from Culpepper — the
movement familiarly known as " the race." A short time pre-
vious to this movement he had made application to be transferred
to the cavalry — as a weakness of the chest made him fear that he
would not be able to bear the strain of long marches. But his
application was refused, the Adjutant saying that such men as
he could not be spared from the regiment. His fears proved
true, for during the hurried movement back to Centerville heights
he was compelled to fall out, and, as stated, was picked up by
Ewell. He was taken to the rear, as Ewell was forming for the
attack upon Warren at Bristow. As he was passing through the
rebel lines Ewell, who was sitting on his horse near by, asked
him how many corps we had in there. Lines answered, " I do
not know." He was turned over to a lieutenant in command of
the rebel provost-guard and put with a squad of other prisoners
who had been picked up on the march. As the rebel lines
advanced the prisoners were also moved forward and kept but a
short distance in rear of their line of battle, so close that during
the engagement they were under fire from the Union guns.
During the temporary absence of the lieutenant in command, a
major, with an Irish orderly, rode up and dismounted. They
were followed by about fifty dilapidated " Johnnies " on foot.
The major, with foul oaths, commanded the prisoners to take off"
their shoes. The order was very reluctantly obeyed. Lines,
who had on a very good pair, hesitated until the major in person
approached him and ordered him to take them off. He asked if
that was the way they treated prisoners of war. " Yes," replied
the major, "this is the way we treat you d — Yankees, who
come down here to rob us and burn oar homes." Lines answered,

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 317

" Perhaps I may some time see you a prisoner." That made the
representative of chivalry so angry that he reached for his revolver.
Lines, without further hesitation, took off the shoes and handed
them over. About that time the lieutenant returned, and was
seemingly very indignant at the major's treatment of the prison-
ers, and threatened to have him placed under arrest. But the
major expressed his willingness to assume all responsibility, and
the dialogue ended. The shoes were quickly appropriated by
the waiting crowd, who in turn threw their old ones to the
prisoners ; but many of them were left on the ground, as they
were not worth picking up.

When Lee's army turned "to retrace their steps the prisoners,,
now barefooted, were marched ahead, through woods and ravines,
over stones, briars and bushes. Their feet soon became so-
lacerated and swollen that it was almost impossible to rest their
weight upon them. But still they had to press on, keeping pace
with the mounted guard. Some gave out and died by the way-
side. They were nearly starved, but no rations were given them
until they reached the Rappahannock. They forded the river
and were hurried on through our old camp to Culpepper and the
Eapidan.

Lines says : " I cannot find words to describe my feelings,
either mental or physical. I am no longer craving something to
eat. I reel as I go ; the bottoms of my feet are scoured with the-
mud and gravel until they are perfectly raw; my legs seem para-
lyzed ! When I get warmed up I experience the most excru-
ciating pains from the ends of my toes to the hip-joints ! How
can I endure it? I seize a stick from the roadside to help hold
myself up, and, by grasping it with both hands, I relieve some-
what the weight from my feet ! "

They reached the Rapidan after dark and were placed on board
of cars and taken to Richmond, where they arrived in the day-
time. As they were marched up to Libby, men called from the
upper stories, " You have come to h — 1 ; if you have any money
hide it ! " They were packed in so closely that when they lay
down they had to lie partly across each other. After three or

318 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

four days had passed, and after clothing and persons were
thoroughly searched for money, Lines, with a number of others,
was sent to Belle Isle. The lower part of the island, toward
Richmond, was nearly covered with dilapidated Sibley tents.
These were crowded full of prisoners, but were not sufficient to
accommodate near the numbers that were collected there. Those
unfortunate enough to be crowded out had to stand the inclem-
encies of the weather as best they could. Autumn passed and the
icy-blasts of winter began to sweep over the island, chilling to the
bone the half-clad, unprotected men. No wood was given to those
in tents, and not until some had died from exposure to the cold
was any given to those who were without shelter, and then it
was issued in such small quantities that it was practically
useless. Had it been equally divided among the whole number
it would have amounted to a stick about the size of a man's
fore-arm per capita esch day. The rations were ferried over
from Richmond, and consisted of about four or five ounces of
bread, a microscopic piece of pork, a pint of water colored with
about a tablespoonful of boiled peas (called soup), and occasion-
ally a little molasses or sorghum. So hungry would the
prisoners become that they would stand for hours upon the
river-bank straining their eyes to catch a glimpse of the boat
that was to bring them temporary relief. Many were without
blankets — Lines was fortunate enough to have kept his — but
there was none to spare to put under them, and they were com-
pelled to lie upon the frozen earth. After a few minutes of
such repose the side next the ground would be nearly paralyzed
with cold. All night long men could be heard double-quicking
up and down through the camp to keep from freezing. Upon
one occasion it was so cold that a cup of water that Lines had
placed near him froze solid and cracked open on the top during
the night. Many had their hands and feet frozen. Clothing
-was sent through the lines by the United States Government,
but those that received it almost immediately traded it to the
guards for food, being better able to stand the piercing stings of
frost than the gnawing pangs of hunger.

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 319

Lines, when captured, had a pair of home-made stockings
which had been sent him by his mother but a short time before.
These, with leather sewed upon the bottoms, constituted the
only foot-covering he had for nearly a year. It was rumored
that thousands of rations had been sent through the lines for the
prisoners by the United States Government, but if so the only
portion of it received by Lines was a piece of pork about half
an inch thick and two and a half inches square and a few
crackers, about one-half a ration as issued to the Union soldier.

Around the upper part of the camp at Belle Isle was built a
breastwork about four feet high ; the guards were placed outside
of that, and, as at Andersonville and other places of confinement
for Union prisoners, they appeared to take delight in shooting
anyone who went anywhere near the so-called dead-line ; they
seemed to shoot through mere wantonness or love of bloodshed.

No people of modern times, and no civilized people of any
time, have exhibited more brutality in their treatment of helpless
prisoners of war than did those of the South in charge of the
various prison-pens during the late war of the rebellion. That
prisoners should sometimes have gone without a sufficient supply
of food in a land that was taxed to its utmost to furnish food
«nough for its armies and inhabitants could be excused, but that
they should have gone shelterless and fireless in a land rich in
timber cannot be overlooked. There was no excuse for their
being deprived of proper facilities for cleanliness and being com-
pelled to use water poisoned by the fetid drainage of cesspools,
in a land ribboned with pure streamlets and deep-flowing rivers.

It is the right of all prisoners of war to escape if possible,
and for their captors to re- take them if they can, but it is not the
right of any civilized people to hunt men with bloodhounds,
like beasts of prey, and stand by rejoicing while the savage brutes
tear and lacerate unarmed and emaciated captives. It was not
their right to punish men — who were only flying from almost
certain death by starvation — with the stocks, beneath a burning
sun, until over-burdened nature gave way and death came to their
relief, nor to place iron collars around the necks of honorable

320 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

soldiers and cords upon their thumbs and tie them up so that
only their toes touched the earth, and leave them for twelve
hours to suffer the most excruciating tortures, so that when cut
down they fell a mass of helpless quivering flesh upon the
ground. Words cannot describe the various tortures, the untold
and untellable miseries that Union soldiers were subjected to in
the prison hells of the South, commanded as they were by mon-
sters and guarded by brutes. Time will not erase the blot from
Southern honor, nor eternity be any too long to bleach out the
stains made by the flow of the blood of the helpless.

On the 22d of February, '64, a number of prisoners, among
whom was Lines, were given three days' rations, which consisted
of a cake about nine inches in diameter and two and a half inches-
thick, made of corn meal. They were then taken from Belle
Isle and marched to the railroad, where they were loaded in box-
cars, about sixty to a car. They were told that they were to be
taken to a point of exchange. But day after day passed and they
knew, by the rising temperature, that they were journeying
southward. Through the day the doors of the cars were kept
slightly open so that the air inside was comparatively pure ; but
at night they were tightly closed and locked, and the air, breathed
over and over, soon became foul and suffocating. The prisoners
begged that the doors might be opened only a few inches, but
the guards were deaf to entreaties, and though a number died of
suffocation before the journey was ended, no change was made
in the condition of things.

The journey seemed interminable, suffering as they were from
hunger, thirst and want of air. But at last, after being a week
upon the way, they reached that inferno of Southern contriving,
Andersonviile prison-pen.

Andersonville is situated in Sumter county, Georgia, on the
Georgia Central railroad, and about sixty miles southwest of
Macon. The prison-pen, which, at its largest, contained about
twenty-five acres, was surrounded by a stockade of pine logs
sixteen feet high, the lower ends firmly imbedded in the ground.
The inner fence or dead-line consisted of narrow pine board*

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 321

nailed to posts. Along the stockade at intervals platforms were
built for the guards. Another stockade about six feet high
extended around outside, to be used as breastworks in case of an
attempted rescue. At the corners earthworks containing cannons
were so constructed as to enfilade the sides. Through the center
ran a stream, bordered by swamps, toward which the ground
pitched from either end. Upstream, outside the stockade, was
situated the cook-house, the refuse from which and washings of
utensils were thrown into the stream from which the prisoners
were compelled to get their water-supply. The water was often
coated with a greasy scum so nauseating that only the greatest
thirst could induce men to drink it. But this was not the worst.
For a long time no conveniences for the men's necessities were
provided, and the swamp on either side of the stream became
the depositories for human excrement through which the pris-
oners had to wade to reach the water.

One writer says : " No provision was made until very near the
close of our incarceration towards carrying off the refuse or
sewage. The filth that accummulated through the long summer
months can neither be described nor imagined. Most of it col-
lected in and about the three acres of swamp, and I have seen
that three acres one animated mass of maggots, from one to two
feet deep, the whole swamp moving and rolling like waves of
the sea." (A causeway was afterwards built to the stream.)

At one time near thirty-five thousand men were confined
within the inclosure. Some few had tents. Some fortunate
enough to have kept their blankets, made shelters of them;
some ripped up whatever clothing they could spare and sewed the
pieces together to make shelters from the intense heat of
the eun. A number of prisoners were sent out to work
during the day. On returning they would sometimes bring in
slabs of pine from four to five feet long and about eight inches
wide. Some of the men would buy or trade for these slabs and
with them would construct huts by digging a hole in the ground.
A crotched stick would be set up at each end, a ridge-pole laid
on and one end of the slabs rested upon the pole and the other

322 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

on the ground ; the slabs would then be covered with earth and
one end walled up with mud. This style of building, in the
dialect of the prison, would be called a shebang. Others built
huts of mud, into which they would crawl like burrowing beasts.
But the pen became so crowded that there ceased to be room in
the higher part of the ground for even these primitive shelters,
and the island in the swamp was also occupied. But there were
thousands who were absolutely without shelter from the burning
heat of the sun and the beating of the rain (and during the
month of June, '64, it rained nearly every day,) and the heavy
dews at night. These unfortunates lay around in the little shade
cast by the rude structures of their more fortunate comrades.
The ground became so impregnated with filth that, after every
heavy rain, maggots would issue from it and crawl over the sur-
face. It was impossible to keep clean, as soap was seldom issued ;
during the ten months only about one-quarter of a pound per
man was given, and there was only the greasy water of the run
in which to cleanse clothing and persons, consequently the most
lothesome of vermin preyed upon their bodies.

The rations consisted of meat and mush, alternated with meat
and meal, occasionally stock peas. Sometimes sorghum molasses,
one tablespoonful for a ration. It took a week of saving to
accumulate enough for a taste. The meat was what was called
corned beef, or rancid bacon, a day's ration weighing from two
to four ounces. It was often issued so spoiled as to be unfit for
food, yet it was greedily devoured by the famishing prisoners.
The mush was thrown loosely into wagons and carted to the
prisoners, who received it on their blankets, they being about the
only receptacles of sufficient size that they possessed. The meal
was in sacks, and one pint of meal, or its equivalent in mush,
was given for a day's ration. It was a nice point to issue the
rations equally and impartially. To facilitate the work there was
a commissary appointed for every three hundred men, who drew
the rations for that number. They in turn issued them to
commissaries representing squads of twenty-five, who issued
them to the men. Even then dissensions would arise, for the

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 323

starving men would quarrel over a crumb and fight for a bone.
And, indeed, a bone, even when meatless, was an acquisition.

Lines says he used to start out early every morning hunting
bones. After he had found enough to fill the small fruit-can
that was his only cooking-utensil, he would break them up andi
by boiling, extract what little substance they might contain, thus
making a dish of bone-soup ; but he was not always successful
in getting enough, for many others were engaged in the hunt.

Up to July 1st, '64, the rations were issued raw, and though
the surrounding country was heavily timbered, little wood was
supplied for cooking purposes. To be sure, squads were sent out,
but they returned with little more than enough to supply their
personal wants, and any surplus could only be procured by pur-
chase or barter. The stumps that had been left standing when
the inclosure was built were hacked entirely away by the knives
of the prisoners, and even the roots were dug up and utilized.

Words cannot describe the appearance of the thousands who
were compelled to inhabit that place of torment. Men, hollow-
eyed and cadaverous with starvation, bearing but little semblance
to human beings, dragged their tottering limbs around day after
day. Others, too feeble for self-help, with limbs swollen and
distorted, and covered with scurvy sores, or rotten with gangrene,
worms eating them long ere the breath had left their bodies, lay
apathetic, waiting for the end. Did they pray, it was only for
speedy death.

But let me turn again to the account given by Lines. " Look
any direction and our eyes would meet distressing sights. Men
dead and dying, and we could render them no assistance, for it
was all that we could do to care for ourselves. Words cannot
describe it, as it was during the summer months. From one to
three hundred died daily, diarrhoea and scurvy being the prevalent
diseases. Scurvy would first appear in the gums, then would fol-
low pains in the legs and arms, the calves of the legs would swell,
turn yellow, then black and blue spots would appear, which
finally became running sores. The cords of the legs would be-
come so contracted that it was impossible to stand without the

324 TEE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

aid of a crutch, and then only upon the tips of the toes. I have
seen fly-blows in the corners of the eyes and mouths of men
before the breath had left their bodies, and the sores upon their
persons were filled with maggots. I have helped to take off
their clothing and try to wash them when the smell was too
horrible to be endured. Under these terrible sufferings the
minds of many gave way and they became as groveling idiots.

" One day a man passed me entirely nude ; he turned to pass
between two brush arbors ; a stick passed from one arbor to the
other about a foot from the ground ; he could easily have stepped
over it, but instead he lay down and with great difficulty crept
under it. Another, who had lost a leg at Chickamauga, delib-
erately walked across the dead-line and sat down ; his comrades
tried to call him back, but he did not heed them, and they dared
not go after him ; as soon as the guard saw him he took deliber-
ate aim and blew out his brains.

" I did not receive any soap during the thirteen months that
I was at Andersonville. Our mothers would not have known
us, so dirty were we. It was impossible to keep clean. We
were nearly eaten up by vermin — they were in the sand, in the
blankets, in fact everywhere; two or three times a day I would
strip myself and search every inch of clothing, but it was in
vain.

" During the month of August a sudden and terrible thunder-
storm arose. It was like a cloud-burst. So heavy a body of
water fell that it swelled the small stream until it covered the
swamp and swept away a part of the stockade. As the storm
began to cease the guards opened with their batteries and sent
the shot screaming over our heads. They no doubt thought
that we would endeavor to escape through the breach and fired
to frighten us. The stockade was quickly repaired. During
the height of the storm the lightning, which was incessant,
struck in several places, at one place killing a number of men.
At one place where it struck — on the east side, between the dead-
line and the stockade — a stream of clear water issued from the

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 325

ground, and continued to run, affording thereafter a plentiful
supply of pure water.

" I will leave the scenes of horror within the stockade and
turn to those in the so-called hospital. The hospital was an
inclosure of about three or four acres, surrounded by a high
board-fence. One side rested upon a swamp. Within the
inclosure was erected a few tents. The death-rate there was
something terrible. I, with twenty-three others, was placed
under a strip of canvas stretched over a ridge-pole. In two
weeks I was the only one left out of the original twenty-four.
But as fast as one would die the vacant place would be filled.
The patients all lay upon the ground, except those in the gan-
grene ward. The stench from that ward was horrible, and could
be smelled fifty yards away. The suffering of the patients was
beyond my powers of description, and the sights so pitiful that
they have remained indelibly impressed upon my memory.
Would to God that I had never witnessed them, or that forget-
fulness would come and blot out the memory of the many hor-
rible scenes of suffering that I had to look upon while powerless
to relieve. I saw one man with gangrene on the side of the
neck, the bone and muscles exposed ; at last the arteries were
■eaten off, and death ensued from bleeding. I saw another, with
his thigh swollen to the size of a nail-keg, with a hole eaten in
it in which I could lay my head. Another, naked while the
nurse was treating his sores with nitrate of silver, who seemed to
be but a mass of putrid flesh from the crown of his head to the
soles of his feet. These are but three cases, and perhaps not the
worst that could have been found among the many hundreds of
Union soldiers who suffered and died of that terrible malady at
Andersonville.

" Out under the stately pines stood the operating tables where
day after day the knife and saw were kept busy cutting off
decaying members. This method was generally successful, for
death followed and brought a permanent cure. I was suffering
with scurvy ; no sores broke out upon me, but I was racked with
•excruciating pains and could scarcely move. When but two of

326

THE ELEVENTH BEGIMENT,

Gettysburg Monument.

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 327

us were left of the twenty-four, my comrade and I would crawl
down to the edge of the swamp and rub each other with sand,
which afforded temporary lelief. I found that he was fast sink-
ing, and one morning I found him dead by my side, under the
blanket that we had occupied together. I helped to lay him out
in the street ready for the dead-wagon. I took from his pocket
a knife and tuning-fork, which I still possess, but would gladly
return to his friends did I know where to find them. His name
has passed from my memory, but I know that he was a member
of a Connecticut regiment, and had been captured at Plymouth,
North Carolina.

" With the exception that we in the hospital were a little
better sheltered we had but few advantages over those in the
stockade or pen, for medicines were either not to be had or were
given in such small quantities as to be useless. The doctors
would pass around mornings to ascertain the nature of the disease.
If it was diarrhoea, he would advise the drinking of oak-bark
tea, a remedy hard to get in a pine forest. If scurvy, he would
prescribe Irish potatoes, if we could get them. Fortunately, I
had one dollar and fifty cents which I had obtained by the sale
of a bucket. With that I bought one dozen potatoes and ate
one a day, raw, and soon got better. As soon as I was able I
did what I could to help those who were helpless. Among them
was a boy of sixteen who lay dying upon the cold, damp ground.
He was entirely helpless, and at his request I would frequently
turn him over that, by a change of position, he might get a little
ease ; but so sore was his body that he would cry like a little
child when touched.

" Oh, what pitiful sights ! And though years have passed and
my eyes fill with tears when I recall them, I still seem to see
the death-dews gathering upon the brows of the dying and hear
the vain but pitiful cries for mother, sister, wife and loved ones.

" There were times when every tent and substitute for a tent
in the hospital inclosure was full, and the new patients would
have to lie out in the streets until death made a vacancy for
them — entirely helpless. The flies would gather upon festering

:328 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

sores and the maggots held revel in their yet living bodies. The
grim reaper daily gathered in his scores, and the dead-wagon on
its rounds never wanted for a load. They were piled into the
wagon, one upon another, like sticks of wood, and hurried to the
graves, which were long trenches about seven feet wide and two
feet deep, in which they were laid side by side.

" I will relate one or two more acts of uncalled for cruelty
that I witnessed before I close. The prisoners were in the habit
of trading to the guards for food whatever they could spare
from their scant stores. One day I saw a comrade with a pair
of shoes bartering with a guard, who, at that point, was sta-
tioned within the enclosure near the swamp. While in the act
a rebel officer and detective came along. The detective seized
the shoes and threw them on the ground, at the same time
applying the most abusive epithets to the prisoner. The pris-
oner remonstrated, whereupon the detective seized the officer's
sword and dealt him a severe blow across the temple and
again upon the thigh and then drew back as if to thrust him
through the heart, but after cursing for a while he returned the
saber to the officer and passed on. How my blood boiled at
the indignity and how earnestly I wished that I could be upon
equal footing, if only for a minute, with the cowardly dastard ;
but I was helpless.

"Again, one day, I heard the sharp crack of a rifle, and has-
tened in the direction from which the sound came. I saw lying
about ten or twelve yards from the board-fence (this was within
the hospital enclosure) the dead body of a comrade ; his crutches
lay on each side where they had fallen from his hands. No one
was near him ; they did not dare to go. I asked of a comrade
standing near the cause of the shot, and was told that the dead
comrade had asked the guard outside something relative to trad-
ing for food. The answer was a minie-ball. There were large
spaces between the boards of the fence at this point, but 1
noticed that the ball had passed through the board and entered
the left breast of the crippled soldier, causing almost instant
death. You can imagine my feelings as I gazed upon the fast-

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 329

■stiffening body of my comrade, and then upon the murderer of
a helpless invalid as he walked unconcernedly up and down
outside the palisade."

There were several hundred prisoners outside of the prison-
pen on parole of honor, some engaged in the cook-house, others
chopping wood, digging graves or burying the dead. For three
months previous to leaving Andersonville, Lines was engaged
in this outside work.

330 TEE ELEVENTE REGIMENT,

Chapter XXI.

Letter from Rev. E. Clark Cline, Chaplain Eleventh New-
Jersey Volunteers — Lieutenant Baldwin's Head-board.

MY story, if I should tell it, I should have to say, does
not begin as early as I have often wished it had. I seemed
to be so hindered in getting to the front by a series of provi-
dences that it was not till August, 1863, that my commission-
came and I hurried to join you. I can never forget the warm
welcome given me by both officers and men and the respect
always shown me and, I think, the work I came among them to
do, from the beginning of my regimental life till I, with all my
comrades, was mustered out. I am fully conscious how far I
failed in doing for the noble fellows all they needed and
deserved, but with the knowledge I then and since gained I feel
I could serve them better if we were to go out to service again-
Let them try me and see. I don't know whether there were
more Christian men in the Eleventh than in other regiments —
my personal acquaintance with other regiments was not sufficient
to enable me to say — but I do know we had many noble, godly
men among us. Some of these came to the army thinking it was
nigh impossible to lead a religious life there — and we who were
there well know that it was not an easy thing — but they found
that God's grace was as present in the army, and as mighty to
help, as at home. And not a few who had been hiding their
colors came out bold and bright, standing up for Christ and
doing Him faithful service.

I wish you could get a picture of a prayer-meeting around a
camp-fire, smoked on one side, frozen on the other, yet as enjoy-
able a meeting and as fruitful of good as any ever held in the
finest churches at home, if we dare be the judge. And if you
could put the General and other officers of various ranks among
the attendants and participants in the service of the meeting, the
picture would be truer. I would like to recall the revivals in

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 331

the army in the winter of '63 and '64, and much of a like
-work in the subsequent year also, but it is a difficult task to
describe such an experience, especially after the lapse of more
than a quarter of a century and amid surroundings so different
from those that are now our lot.

My little tent, when in camp, would be crowded with the boys
through the day when not on duty — and at night as well, want-
ing to know the way to be saved. Our meetings, either around
an out- door fire or in our log chapels, were largely attended, and
many of the boys at that time enlisted again — now as soldiers of
the Lord — and were better soldiers of their country for it.
Officers, too, took up the cross and professed Christ, and became
happy Christians and valuable helpers to me. I can't give you
their names — I had better not try to do so. I couldn't mention
them all, and I ought not to omit one worthy a place in this dis-
tinguished roll. Some are still living ; I thank them for their
help. Some are dead ; their memory is sweet to this day. And
some who did not take an active part in this religious work, yet
aided me much in their hearty recognition of its value and in
doing what they could to make it as easy for me as possible.
Perhaps I ought to name as such helper the Colonel who was
so much of the time in command of the regiment.

A regimental temperance society was organized on December
15th, '63, with Dr. Welling as its first president. He delivered
an address before the society and a large audience assembled with
it. The address was published. This temperance society was
quite a feature in army life. I guess I had better not tell you
who were members of the society, for in publishing them you
might draw special attention to those who did not join, and then
the readers into whose hands the history might fall would draw
their inferences ; that would not be fair. This society was the
means of good. I find that twenty-six signed the pledge on
one day, sixteen on another, fourteen on another, and it kept
growing.

Only a few days after I joined the regiment I found that there
were some deserters of the Union army in our division guard-

332 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

house. Daily visits to them, and oftener sometimes, under such
circumstances — knowing their guilt and seeing the possible
penally of their crime staring them in the face — you can imagine
my experience, just on the field, was sad and trying. Personal
interviews, and occasionally a public religious service, were not
without their profit, I trust, to these men. Efforts made in their
behalf with the authorities resulted, at first, in a stay of execu-
tion, and, finally, in their pardon. But the experience of those
days, with the terrible strain on my feelings, I shall never forget.
I have referred to my work that lay directly in the line of th&
religious and spiritual welfare of the regiment. Any one familiar
with army life, looking back on work of this kind, must recall
the hindrances in its way. With no place of worship except an
occasional log-chapel when in winter quarters, and this often
vacated by a move of the army almost as soon as built, and so
almost always obliged to bold our meetings in the open air, and 1
this when we were lying quiet for any length of time ; when it
was cold and uncomfortable, the men often engaged so as not to-
be at leisure to attend ; the restraints of home and home influences
taken away; the temptations many and strong — some would
think the fruit of Christian work would be small. But I dare
say that the attendance at our religious services, with all the
discomfort often connected with it, and other difficulties in other
respects in the way, compared favorably with the attendance of
Sabbath services and prayer-meetings at home, with all the
attractions and comforts and social helps that at home are in its
favor — and the results of religious services were very much, and
circumstances considered, in the measure, what we find them at
home. They encouraged the men, gave them stimulus and
strength for the hard service in camp, and the stern ordeal of
faoing the enemy and bravely fighting him on the battle-field,
and of resisting the trying temptations of army life, and led them,
in more cases than we shall ever know till we shall meet them in
heaven, from sin to the Saviour, and from a wild, reckless, way-
ward life, to that of a humble, happy, useful Christian. Of
course in such things we cannot use figures — that is God's

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 33$

province alone — but we can speak of the great interest shown in
their own personal salvation, and in the salvation of others, by
both officers and men, especially in the winter of '63 and '64,
and even up to the abandonment of our camp near Brandy Sta-
tion in May, '64, and on the march, and in the battles of the
campaign that followed.

I have referred to the visits of the men to my little tent to
ask the way into the new life, their avowal there and in the
public meetings of their enlistment in the Christian army, and
of the new Captain under whom they intended to fight. And
that they held out in the new life, was in most cases true of our
soldiers as of the citizen Christian at home, with the experience
of over a quarter of a century now in the quiet and helpful
success of church life at home. I think as many maintained
their Christian characters, with all the disadvantages of their
army surroundings, as I have found men doing here. Some of
them deserve a story to be written of their Christian soldier-
life, as has been written of Havelock and Headly, Vicars and
Adjutant Stearns, and many others, whose memory thus re-
hearsed will not soon be forgotten.

I seem yet to hear the dear boys singing and praying, and
testifying their love for Christ, and of the help they felt He
gave them in the hardships and dangers of the army. Even on
the march, when possible, we used to gather for a prayer-meet-
ing, and we separated to take up the march again or go into
battle.

I find in diary of May 10th, '64 : " Resting on march after
dark; went to right of the regiment, sat down with Captain
Sleeper and Sergeant-Major Lanterman on a blanket and began
to sing ; the boys gathered around and we had a good prayer-
meeting; closed with singing 'Oh, that will be joyful, joyful
to meet to part np more,' " etc. Little did I think it would be a
parting meeting with Captain Sleeper, Lieutenant Egan, Ser*
geant-Major Lanterman and many others.

Another means of good to the soldiers during the war was thfr
religious reading-matter so generously furnished by the Christian.

334 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

-Commission — for which our gratitude is ever due — and distri-
buted by the Chaplains. Thousands of religious papers and
tracts and Testaments and hymn-books — they did more than
help while away leisure hours; they made the little tent more
like home, gave food for the mind, stimulus to their hearts and
fresh courage for their wearing work, and led many to Christ
and built up for these a strong Christian life.

How shall I tell you of my experience in the hospital with
the sick and wounded — the times we shall never forget, when
we sat down by the little hard bunks on which the dear men
were breathing out their lives, with no wife or mother or s ; ster
to care for them when they felt their need so much — doing what
we could for them, but not able to take the place of their loved
ones, whom they longed so to see, but dying without it. Then,
too, gathering the wounded after the battles, the rows lying on
some hillside till the hospital could be reared ; or, they cared for
and often from necessity hurriedly to be sent for further treat-
ment ; some, no help for them ; some crying for water ; others
groaning from pain ; others, in their delirium, and though near-
ing death, thinking they were on the battle-field and fighting as
bravely as ever. Oh, those were dreadful days! I can't tell
you of them as they were.

Then the burying of the dead ; that, too, hastily, if they were
to be buried at all — still, always taking time for a prayer and
the burial service. In the hurried movements of the army and
many to bury after battle, no material from which to make a
coffin, we had to be content to wrap them in their blanket or
overcoat and lay them thus in the grave, and always, even then,
if possible, marking the spot with their name, regiment and
oompany. When in camp and dying from disease more care
could be taken, and if nothing better could be found, empty
hard-tack boxes taken apart and put together would make a
coffin. I think it was only one, perhaps two, that was not
buried of our regiment from September, '63, to our mustering-
out at the close of the war, and this one or two could not be

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 335

found after the battle. All oredit to the noble fellows who
helped in this work.

The dead were removed in the winter of '65 from along the
lines of battle to more permanent spots, which were fenced, in
the rear. I wish they all could have been sent home and buried
with their kindred — how many more thousand graves would
there have been to decorate then — but of course this could not
be ; still, the dear boys and their friends who gave them to their
country deserved it. But they will be found at the resurrection.

I received from Titsworth, who brought it from brigade or
division headquarters, the mail and distributed it in the
regiment. This daily pleasurable event — and still more
pleasurable if we weren't so situated as to get it daily — you can
recall as vividly as I. "Yes, we can hear again the joyous cry,
" Here comes the mail ! " as the Chaplain was seen with loaded
arms wending his way from company to company. We can see
his look of pleasure as some comrade with smile-lit face received
from his bands the looked-for and welcome letter, and hear his
words of condolence when forced to reply to eager questioning,
"No, nothing for you to day." We can see the eager opening
of envelopes and the smile broaden to a laugh as the record of
some simple doing at the home far away was read. We can
see the envious look, or the shadow of grief and disappointment
that seemed to say, " Well, they have forgotten me, they don't
care for me any more," creep over the faces of those who were
so unfortunate as to receive no token from home. We cau see
those selfish in their pleasure, or too proud to publicly give .way
to emotion, steal quickly away to the privacy of their tents or
some secluded place to read and re-read the loving messages.

Oh ! those loving messages received in the days when we were
soldiering, written, as they often were, in irregular characters,
for the mother's hand would tremble and her tears blot out the
lines as she tried to pen words of love and encouragement to
her boy so far away. But youth sometimes forgets that mother's
love is best, and even her loving words are for the time for-
gotten, and the heart throbs to the ever new but "old, old

— '*!

1

AJ#. //'"A.i' t/*< .

V/istt, <jc:>'/jy? 3.

X-/-,:

7 ;

-/

a ■

/

Fac-siniile of the last communication sent by the Regimental Commander to the
skirrnlsh-line. Captain C. A. Oliver was In command.

NEW JEBSEY VOLUNTEERS. 337

story." Father's, mother's or sister's letters may be passed to
comrades, boyhood's friends, but hers, never. They were read
in secret, conned over upon the picket-post, and just before the
clash of battle the hand would instinctively go to the blouse
pocket to learn if the precious missive was yet safe. And after
the red tide had swept to its full, and ebbed away, leaving its
human wreckage cast upon the battle-shore, how often those
loving missives were found clasped by stiffened fingers and
stared at by glassy eyes. The writers could not tell, they could
not know, the joy that came with those messages from home
But there was some that brought no message of joy ; that told
of loved ones lying on beds of pain, or with eyes closed and
hands stilled forever. How strong then the temptation to brave
all authority and court dishonorable death for one sight of the
loved one's face. But all honor to the soldier that so few in
selfish grief forgot honor and duty.

I will relate an incident illustrating the grand patriotism of
the boys, and, occuring among the first experiences of my army
life, it impressed me very much. Corporal Joseph Frazer, of
Company B, was mortally wounded at Locust Grove. He was
taken to the division hospital, and seeing he was not to live he sent
this dying message to his mother, " Tell my mother I die for my
country." I

I have spoken of a chaplain's work, and it often came to him
with the wounded on the battle-field, binding up their wounds
as well as we could do it with the appliances at hand, giving
them drink, loading them in ambulances, or getting them on
stretchers, or anything else that was handy, to be carried to the
rear, to the temporary field-hospital. A good sample of this
work was on the day of the battle of Spottsylvania Court
House. Let me tell it just as I jotted it down at the time:

" What wounded I saw — the dead and dying all around —
Captain Goodfellow, Judge-Advocate, wounded ; got an ambu-
lance for him, and helped carry him down the hill ; Captain
Warren, First Massachusetts, mortally wounded; had a few
words with him ; Captain Ayres, killed j Colonel Schoonover

338 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

and Captain Sleeper, both reported killed ; hunted for the bodies
at the front ; carried back wounded soldiers ; at one time left all
alone with the dead and dying; a wounded man from the
Twelfth New Jersey praying for the blessing of Christ, and re-
joicing in His presence with Him. Went to the field-hospital
to look after our wounded ; found that the report of Colonel
Schoonover's death had reached there and that preparations had
been made to send his body home ! went back to the front again,
determined to have his body, if possible ; went to the extreme
front ; bullets whistling among the trees ; not finding the
Colonel's body, came back. I met Captain Starboard, who said
the Colonel was alive — he had seen him five minutes before.
Oh, how glad I felt ! Hastened again to the hospital with the
joyful news. Early next morning (Friday) — too late that night
to do anything more — went to the front again ; found the bodies
of Captain Sleeper and Lieutenant Egan, and brought them to
the hospital ; buried Cole and Castner. I was detailed to go to
Belle Plain with the bodies of Captain Sleeper, Lieutenant Egan
and Captain Evans, Seventh New Jersey ; the wagons were all
in use taking off the wounded. Near midnight I went to the
division hospital to see if I could get a wagon there, but all were
in use. I was sorry — I so much wanted to get the bodies home.
Early Saturday morning had to bury them, as we were about to
move."

Such was the fate of war. How trying it was !

We all remember Lieutenant Baldwin. What a bright fel-
low he was, a genial, warm-hearted man and good, brave soldier.
The winter we lay at Brandy Station his wife died. I saw him
quite frequently after his return from her funeral. But the
best and most satisfactory talk was on the afternoon of May 3d.
He called to see me at my tent and we had a good time together ;
talked about his brother — then a missionary to China— of a
possibility of his going there sometime to assist his brother in
the printing work of the missionary station ; of our Regi-
mental Temperance Sooiety, which he joined, signing the pledge
that afternoon. Then we turned to the subject of personal

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 339

religion, in which I thought he seemed unusually interested.
But we were soon interrupted by a call of an orderly from
Brigade Headquarters, where he was serving as Acting- Adjutant,
and soon after we broke camp and were on the march. As
he was at the head of the brigade and engaged in his pressing
duties I did not get to see him again till the 10th, when, as the
brigade was forming to make a charge on the enemy, he rode up
to my side and said, " I want a good long talk with you the
first chance that we have." I never saw him again to have the
talk ; the hard, continuous fighting kept us apart, and on Sab-
bath, the 15th, he was instantly killed.

We had an experience at the field-hospital after the battle of
the Wilderness. After that awful fight we had many wounded
on our hands. Was attending to some men when orders came
to send all wounded men away. Carried them down to the road
and began to load them in ambulances when an orderly came
riding up and saying : " Captain — ; — said that the wounded
should be unloaded and the teams sent off, the enemy was in
possession of Ely's ford." Some said " the man is a spy," and
began to question him ; others were in favor of listening to him ;
and others still said, " go on with the loading." There was
great excitement there for a while, with all those poor fellows
to care for and not knowing what we were- to do. But we did
what our hearts prompted us to do — load them in the ambulances
and do the best we could to get them to the rear where they
could be kindly cared for — and it proved to be the right thing.

I often think of that charge the army was put in line to make
at Mine Run. I recall it here, not to go into particulars, but to
remind you of the sober faces on us all that November morning.
How fearfully cold it was ! I find that I have a record that it
was reported that men had frozen on the picket-line Sunday
night or Monday morning. Well, when the order came, and we
got in line and knew what we were to do, a gloom fell on us all-
Hardly one, I dare say, as he thought where and into what he
was going, expected to come back alive. Money, pocket-books,
watches and messages were brought by the men until I did not

340 ' THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

know what to do with them all. Ah ! it was a time of terrible
suspense and serious thought. I understood that on another
part of the line the men wrote their names and addresses on
strips of paper and put them in their pockets, that they who
found them dead might identify them. And the fearful strain
and trial lasted all day, even to our brave men — and they were
brave — ready at any time to die for the country and the cause of
the Union. What a relief it was when the order was counter-
manded and we moved back. If that charge had been made,
what a chapter in history somebody would have had to write !
I believe to-day, as I believed then, from what everyone said,
that men thanked God for deliverance that day who had never
prayed before.

That whole campaign — less than a week in length — was a
hard one. We left our camp on Thanksgiving day. It was a
beautiful day. We marched all day, crossing the Rapidan, and
skirmished nearly all the time. Our Thanksgiving dinner was
eaten at eight o'clock that night — nothing since five o'clock that
morning. After a sort of sleep and rest, advanced and soon
found the enemy, and the battle of Locust Grove was the result.

I was with the regiment awhile, then, as the wounded needed
care, assisted in carrying them to the hospital — I remember we
had to remove this once during the fight— on stretchers, on
boards, on doors they were borne back. The fighting did not
last so long, but the wounded seemed a good many for the time.
I tried to get some one to help me back with a poor fellow, but
as all were engaged, I helped him on my horse, and while I led
the old black, saw to the carrying of another. That night with
the wounded was a sample of our battle-field experience. The
field was covered with wounded men. We built a fire and made
them as comfortable as we could ; but what comfort ! The air
cold and damp, and many of the poor fellows without blankets
and lying on the cold ground. As I passed from place to place
I met the continued cry, " Can't you dress my wound ? " " Can't
you give me some water ? " while all around was heard groan-
ings and cries of pain. A good part of the time I was with

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 341

one of our boys. How he suffered all that long night— not a
wink of sleep. Though the doctors gave him repeated doses of
morphine, he could not lie down, but sat up and cried and cried
with pain. But this was not the only one ; the field was covered
•with them.

Next morning we found another of our men wounded in the
head and nearly dead ; we could scarcely see him breathe, yet
thought he might recover if something was done for him. So
we got a stretcher, laid him on it and covered him with blankets,
expecting to take him to the hospital, but on the way saw some
ambulances and had him put in one ; but the poor fellow died.
So it went.

These few incidents are but samples of many of like nature
that occurred. They serve to show the scope of a chaplain's
work, and prove that the position was far from being a sinecure
when filled by such a man as E. Clark Cline. I do not know
whether other chaplains were as conscientious as he. I do know
■that none could have been more so. His heart was in his work.
He did not wait for duty to drag him from personal comfort and
prod him onward. He sought for duties — often made them—
and then performed with heartiness and earnest patriotism ; and
■all in a manner so unostentatious that the veriest scoffer could
not help but say, " Truly he is a Christian."

Quoting further from his letter, he says : " I find in one of
my monthly reports the following : ' We have been much cheered
by an order from these headquarters confiscating all moneys
found in the hands of gambling parties, and appropriating the
same for the use of the sick ; and the energetic efforts of the
commanding officer of the regiment have been used to the carry-
ing-out of the same.' "

In another report reference is made to the work of grace in the
regiment in the winter of '63 and '64, as follows : " With a rest
of some months, with nothing to disturb the attention save a
light picket duty on the picket-line, and an occasional reconnois-
sance, our chapel, after it was built, was crowded every night

342 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

with eager worshipers and earnest seekers after truth. We
believe many found the ' pearl of great price,' and learned of
that wisdom which is more precious than rubies. Their cour-
ageous fight against sin proved in whose service they had enlisted,
and their valiant testimony for Christ showed that they were
contending for the crown of eternal life. A singing-class, and
frequent gatherings of staff and line officers for this interesting:
service, I find noted in my diary. Lieutenant- Colonel Schoon-
over, Adjutant Beach, Captain Sleeper, Captain Kennedy, Dr.
Heritage and Sergeant-Major Mount were among the singers.
This not only helped to while away the time of camp-life, but
proved in many ways helpful to all who shared in it.

" In speaking of our religious work I hesitate to mention the
names of those who were earnest helpers in it for fear that some
deserving ones will be omitted. Still, some of the dead I can
name ; chief among them was Captain Sleeper, of Company I.
In a slip cut from a lied Bank paper, after his death, I find I
was reported saying this about him : ' I have learned to love him
as a brother. How he did help me in winning souls to Christ ;
how brave he was for his Saviour, as well as for his country'
Everybody loved him — all mourn his loss.'

"I remember Lieutenant Egan was just beginning to take
hold of Christian work when he was removed from us by death.
Lieutenant Boice, on duty as Commissary Sergeant so long, was
not privileged to be with us in our religious meeting in the regi-
ment, but I remember one night he stood up among his comrades
and confessed Christ, and began then a faithful service for Him,
and kept it up till his sad, sudden death on the picket-line.

" Then there was Jeremiah Dunham, of Company D, killed at
Locust Grove. The Sabbath before, he was at our prayer- meet-
ing and gave us some very interesting statements in relation to
Bible history, which he had heard made by a missionary from
Palestine. We talked of our plans for conducting our Bible-class
in the future, and expected he would be spared to tell us more.

" Occasionally a visitor in camp gave us help. Prominently
among these was the Rev. George Hale, D. D., then pastor of the
Presbyterian church of Pennington, N. J. How the men lis-

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 34£

tened to his stirring sermons and his temperance addresses and
talks at oar prayer- meetings, and profited by them ! Hon. John
Hill, of Boonton — what a friend to the soldier, and how we
enjoyed his visits to the camp ! Mr. Titswortb, the father of our
Titsworth boys, came down and helped us ; Rev. Dr. Duryea
preached in our chapel ; Rev. Mr. Smith, brother of Captain-
Smith of the Eleventh Massachusetts, did the same; Rev. Mr.
Renker, of New Jersey, did also. And who does not remember
Uncle John Vassar and his grand work in the army ! Human
panegyric is too feeble to pay the tribute which is his due. I
never knew another like him.

"My brother chaplains with whom it was my privilege to
work I remember clearly: Rev. Mr. Sovereign, Fifth New
Jersey ; Rev. Mr. Moore, Sixth New Jersey ; Rev. Mr. Hamil-
ton, Seventh New Jersey ; Rev. Mr. Hopkins, One Hundred
and Twentieth New York ; Rev. Mr. Twichell, Second
Excelsior; Rev. Mr. Eastman, Third Excelsior; Rev. Mr.
Beck, Twenty-sixth Pennsylvania ; Rev. Mr. Watson, Eleventh
Massachusetts.

" It is not easy to tell of the work done in saving souls,
lightening burdened hearts, making men happy, comforting the
sorrowing, helping the weary to rest, making their life in the
army, so humble and hard, often as much like home as possible.
These are things which the Lord does, and in which we feeble
men are but little instruments. To tell how many meetings
were held, and sermon3 preached, and talks made in prayer-
meetings, and visits made to the boys and visits received from
them, and papers and tracts and Testaments and other books
given to the men, all this were easy ; but to tell the fruit of all
tbis in souls brought to Christ, and joy filling human hearts,,
and better lives and nobler service for the country, and
triumphant deaths, is not my portion to do. This is the history
of the Eleventh New Jersey that is to be read in the better
world. I would like to tell you of my correspondence with the
mothers, or wives, or sisters, as the case would be, of deceased
soldiers. What letters these broken-hearted ones did write I
Ah ! there were patriots at home as well as in the field."

344

THE ELEVENTH SEGMENT,

k^\*V\c

—

The above cut brings to mind an interesting incident in the
'life of a soldier when surrounded by the dangers and vicissitudes
^f actual warfare.

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 345

The successful charge by the Second Army Corps upon the
enemy's works at the Bloody Angle, near Spottsylvania Court
House, took place May 12th, 1864. On the Sunday following,
May 15th, the brigade to which the Eleventh Regiment was
attached ocoupied a line of works in the extreme front, as an
advance guard, the army being massed some distance to the rear
preparatory to another advance in the direction of Richmond.
Some time during the day, General Rosser, commanding a brigade
of rebel cavalry in our immediate front, brought up a battery
and commenced an enfilade fire upon our line.

The works which we occupied were constructed of small pine
logs and earth, with an occasional traverse. Lieutenant-Colonel
Schoonover and his Adjutant, Lieutenant J. C. Baldwin, were
sitting side by side and leaning against one of these traverses.

Several shells had dropped into the Twenty-sixth Pennsyl-
vania, on the right of the Brigade, killing a number of men,
when suddenly one forced its way through between two of the
logs composing the traverse, crushing Baldwin's head and caus-
ing instant death. The shell rolled ten or twelve feet away, but
fortunately the fuse went out and no explosion took place.

Colonel Schoonover, fearing that the enemy might gain pos-
session of the works, had Baldwin's body hastily rolled into an
army blanket and directed that it be buried in a grove of pines
a short distance to the rear of the line. A board from a cracker-
•box was secured upon which he cut the name, rank and date of
death. This was placed at the head of Baldwin's grave, and
when his body was brought to New Jersey the board was brought
with it. It is still in the possession of Lieutenant Baldwin's
sister, Mrs. Martin, widow of the late Senator Martin, of this
State. She has kindly furnished the plate for this work.

346 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

Chapter XXII.

Sketches.

Brevet Major-General Robert McAllister, the sub-
ject of this sketch, was born on a farm situated in Lost
Creek Valley, Juniata county, Pa. Previous to the War of the
Rebellion he took great interest in military matters, and rose
through the various grades to the rank of Brigadier-General,
and had command of the Brady Brigade of the uniformed militia
of Pennsylvania. When the rebellion broke out he was in New
Jersey, building a tunnel through the Oxford hills, at Oxford,
Warren county, for the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western
Railroad Company. When Sumter was fired on, his partner
was left in charge of the heavy contract, and McAllister raised
a company at Oxford, went to Trenton, was commissioned by
Governor Olden as Lieutenant-Colonel in the First New Jersey
Regiment, serving in that capacity until July 28th, 1862, when
he was appointed Colonel of the Eleventh Regiment. He was
temporarily in command of the First Brigade, Second Division,.
Third Corps, also of the Second Brigade, Second Division of
the same Corps. On the 24th of June, 1864, he took command
of the Third Brigade, Third Division, Second Corps (Second
New Jersey Brigade), filling that position during the remainder
of the war. On the 27th of October, 1864, he was appointed
Brigadier- General, by brevet, for gallant and distinguished
services at the Boynton Plank- road, and on the 13th of March,
1865, was brevetted Major-General for meritorious services dur-
ing the war. He was mustered out of the service on the 6th of
June, 1865.

He was present at the first Bull Run, rendering efficient
service in arresting the retreat of our forces. He participated in
the battles of West Point, Gaines' Mill, Charles City Cross-
roads, White Oak Swamp and Malvern Hill. At Gaines'
Mill he was in command, the regiment suffering severely in that

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 347

-engagement. His bravery was conspicuous at Fredericksburg,
and be was specially mentioned for bis gallantry at Chancellors-
ville and Gettysburg, being severely wounded in the latter
engagement. After an absence of ninety days he returned to
the field and participated in all the engagements of his brigade
from that time until the close at Appomattox.
. In the engagements of Hatcher's Run and Boynton Plank-
road General McAllister, by his coolness and intrepidity, won
the special commendations of his superiors. Foster, in his
History of New Jersey and the Rebellion, truthfully says :
41 General McAllister was not merely conspicuous for courage on
the field in the hour of battle, he was hardly less distinguished
for the blamelessness of his life in camp and his conscientious
devotion to his duties as a Christian. He was one of those who
carried their religion with them to the field, and illustrated in
the midst of all its jostling vices, all its clamorous temptations,
the virtues which religion nourishes and enriches."

The following extract is copied from the report of the fourth
annual reunion of the Second New Jersey Brigade Society, held
at Camden, New Jersey, April 9th, 1891 :

" And hardly had the badge of mourning been removed from
our flag before the angel of death came in our midst and took
from us that splendid soldier, our old Commander, our late
President, Major-General Robert McAllister. No braver soldier
went a -field. He was the bravest among the brave. No one
performed the duties to the letter as he. No duty unperformed."

"We pause to shed a soldier's tear upoD his grave. He died
as he had lived, the Christian General and the gentleman,
beloved and respected by all who knew him.

Chaplain Cline says of General McAllister: "He was a
self-denying, laborious officer, often performing duties which
men in the same position generally placed upon subordinate
officers, doing this for fear all might not be done rjght. And
he knew no danger — always in the extreme front, never asking
anybody to go where he had not been first himself. I could
give many instances of great bravery and devotion to his work,

348

TEE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

but will mention only one. During those fearful battles of the
wilderness, he worked so hard and was so careful and anxious,
both day and night (as he always was in time of special danger),

General McAllister's Monument at Belvidere. 17. J.

that he was entirely exhausted, but would not give up. Two-
horses had been shot under him, he had received a blow on an
old wound sustained at Gettysburg, and was suffering jfrom this,

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 349-

but he would not listen to his friends and take the rest he
absolutely needed.

"After the enemy had retired from our immediate front, he
did go back to the hospital to get a quiet night's sleep, but
next morning, early, he was at his post again. His conduct was
regulated by a pure love of country and 8trict[conscientiousness.
There was no affectation in his fervid patriotism ; no absorbing
ambition for military renown in his desire to meet the foe, but
a quiet determination and an inflexible firmness which were not
always seen. He brought to the service a character mellowed
by religious culture, and was throughout a Christian officer;
loving the approval of conscience more than the plaudits of
men."

He died February 23d, 1891, and was buried at Belvidere,
New Jersey, where, through the generosity of his fellow-citizens,
a handsome monument has been erected to his memory. It was
dedicated May 30th, 1894.

John Schoonovjer, Brevet- Colonel Eleventh New Jersey
Volunteers, was born at Bushkill, Pa., August 12th, 1839. He
received his education from the common schools of his native
place and the instructions of the Bev. J. K. Davis, of Smith-
field, Pa. At the age of sixteen he began the work of teaching
and preparation for college. The outbreak of the rebellion found
. him thus employed at Oxford, Warren county, N. J. Soon
after the proclamation of President Lincoln calling for seventy-
five thousand men to serve for three months, Schoonover joined
a company raised by Captain Campbell at Belvidere. The com-
pany reported at Trenton, but so quickly had the State's quota
been filled — the four regiments being completed in seven days —
that they reached the capital too late for acceptance. As the
company was about to return to Belvidere, Captain Campbell
stepped to the front and asked all who were willing to go with
him for three years to do likewise. But seven responded, Schoon-
over being one of the seven. The number of three-year patriots
being so small, all returned to their homes. But Schoonover's

350 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

patriotism was not of the kind that could rest content with the
acquisition of such laurels as these, and we soon find him again
at Trenton as a private in Company D (Captain Valentine Mutch-
ler), First New Jersey Regiment, for three years. This regi-
ment left the State June 28th, 1861. The following September
Schoonover was made corporal. The ensuing winter, Colonel
Torbert, then commanding the First Regiment, issued an order
directing each captain to select a sergeant to prepare for examina-
tion, the one standing the highest to receive a commission as Second
Lieutenant. No Sergeant of Company D being willing to stand
the trial, the subject of this sketch was selected to represent that
company. Four only appeared for examination, the successful
one being Commissary Sergeant S. G. Blythe. Schoonover,
standing second, was promoted Commissary Sergeant, dating
from March 24th, 1862. He served in that position until
August 2d, 1862, when he received a commission as Adjutant
of the Eleventh New Jersey Volunteers, then organizing at
Trenton. The Eleventh left the State on August 25th, 1862,
and was first engaged in Burnside's attack upon Fredericksburg.
The first engagement proved to the men of the Eleventh that
their Adjutant was one on whom they could depend. During
the desperate fighting of- the regiment in the woods at Chan-
cellorsville, on May 3d and 4th, 1862, Adjutant Schoonover
was conspicuous for his bravery and coolness, and received
honorable mention therefor. On the 2d of July, at Gettysburg,
he received two wounds and six bullet-holes through his cloth-
ing, and on the 3d his horse was shot under him. He again
received slight wounds at Spottsylvania and at Barker's Mills,
but he never thought his wounds sufficiently severe to necessitate
going to the rear. He was commissioned Lieutenant-Colonel in
1863, and brevetted Colonel March 13tb, 1865, for conspicuous
gallantry.

Chaplain Cline says of Colonel Sohoonover: "He ever
showed himself to be a man of rare excellence, of great firmness
and energy, of a dauntless courage which never calculated
danger when a duty was to be performed, a high sense of right

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 351

and unflinching adherence to its obligations, with intellectual
endowments of a superior order and social qualities which won
the affection and admiration of all his associates. Kind-hearted
to his command, never exacting from them any unnecessary
work and always ready to do everything in his power for their
comfort and happiness, he was universally beloved and honored,
and there was scarcely one who would not have given his life, if
needs be, to save his. Brave himself and ever in the front of
the battle, he took them there ; and in camp his regiment was in
the highest state of discipline and order."

Major Thomas J. Halsey entered the service as Captain
of Company E, Eleventh New Jersey Volunteers, a company
that was largely made up of citizens of Morris county. He
was severely wounded in the battle of Chancellors ville, and for
a time was absent from his command. Soon after re-joining the
regiment he was commissioned Major, to date September 14th,
1863. June 23d, 1864, in Mahone's successful attack upon our
lines, Major Halsey and twenty-six men were made prisoners.
With the exception of Gettysburg and Wapping Heights, when
he was absent on account of wounds received at Chancellorsville,
Major Halsey had been present with the regiment in all its
engagements, and received special mention for his gallant be-
havior at the battle of Locust Grove.

After being confined for eight months in the Andersonville
prison, enduring all its hardships and privations, he again re-
ported for duty.

Major Halsey was a man of sterling worth and irreproach-
able character. He was patriotic in the fullest sense of the
word, and by his manly bearing and genial disposition won
many friends.

At the close of the rebellion he resumed business in his native
State, but later on he removed to Missouri, where he died
January 20th, 1893.

Db. E. L. Welling, of Pennington, New Jersey, entered
the service as Assistant Surgeon of the Third Regiment, New

352 TEE ELEVENTE REGIMENT,

Jersey Volunteers, June 25th, 1861. He was made Surgeon of
the Eleventh New Jersey Volunteers July 19th, 1862. After
the battle of Fredericksburg, he took charge of the Corps Hos-
pital, and rendered distinguished services while in the perform-
ance of this duty. He developed exceptional ability as an
organizer and manager of hospitals on a large scale, and was
more or less on this duty until the close of the war. He was
Secretary of the Third Army Corps Union from its organization
to the day of his death ; served for some time as Surgeon-in-
Chief in the National Guard, on the staff of General W. J,
Sewell, and, on the death of Dr. W. W. L. Phillips, he was
appointed to succeed him as Medical Director of the National
Soldiers' Home, at Hampton, Virginia. Owing to failing health,
he was compelled to resign and retire to his home at Penning-
ton. His army comrades held him in high esteem, and he gave
his country over four years of valuable and patriotic service.
He died November 29th, 1897.

Philip J. Kearny possessed many of the characteristics of his
distinguished cousin, General Philip Kearny. He was brave,
ambitious, and a thorough soldier. Entering the service as
Captain of Company A, he was commissioned Major of the
regiment May 3d, 1863.

Major Kearny received special mention for his bravery at the
battle of Chancellorsville.

He was seriously wounded, July 2d, at the battle of Gettys-
burg, a ball crushing through his knee joint, from the effects of
which he died at St. Luke's U. S. Army General Hospital, New
York city, August 9th, 1863. In the death of Major Kearny
the regiment lost one of its best officers.

Chaplain E. C. Cline was born in Warren county, New
Jersey. He graduated at Lafayette College in 1857 and at
Princeton Theological Seminary in 1862, and was ordained for
the army July 6th, 1863, entering at once the service of the
Christian Commission. From this duty he was called to the

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 353

Chaplaincy of the Eleventh New Jersey. He was mustered into
the regiment September 11th, 1863, and was constantly on duty
from that time until the close of the war, when he was mustered
out with the regiment, June 6th, 1865.

The position of Chaplain was one of great responsibility.
Not only was it his office to preach and to pray — he was the
soldier's counselor. When sickness came his duties found him
at the bedside in camp and hospital ; on the long and weary
march he gave them cheer and sometimes bore their burdens ;
with tireless hand and sleepless eye he assisted in the care of the
wounded and was their support in the hour of death ; he wrote
letters for the living and looked after the burial of the dead, and
communicated the sad news to their friends.

In all the varied and self-denying duties which the earnest and
devoted Chaplain performed, no one in all the service was better
fitted, or served more faithfully, than Chaplain Cline. The whiz
of a bullet or the shriek of a shell was not an unfamiliar sound
to his ears. He went wherever duty called him, and his services
in camp and hospital, on the march and battle-field, are gratefully
remembered by the regiment.

At the close of the war he became pastor of the church at
Oxford, New Jersey, and in 1887 he was called to his present
charge at Phillipsburg, New Jersey. In the church at the latter
place, a handsome memorial window, in commemoration of the
regiment's dead, has been erected by its members and friends.
It was dedicated June 6th, 1891.

Iea W. Coey entered the service as a Sergeant in Company
K, Seventh New Jersey Volunteers, September 15th, 1861.
When the Eleventh was organized, he was commissioned First
Lieutenant of Company H. He was promoted to the Captaincy
of this company in July, 1863, taking the place of Captain D.
B. Logan, who was killed in the battle of Gettysburg. After
Logan's death, Cory took command of his company, which, at
that time, was on the extreme left of the regiment. When Gen-
eral Barksdale, commanding a Mississippi brigade, was charging

354 THE ELEVENTH BEGIMENT,

down through the open fields in our front, word was received
from General Carr by the commanding officer of the regiment to
have some one bring down the mounted officer who was leading
the charge in our front. Captain Cory was instructed to have
his entire company execute this order, and the gallant Barksdale
fell that afternoon. When asked that night where he was
wounded, he replied, " All over." He was absent for a time on
detached service at Draft Rendezvous, at Trenton, N. J., but
was present with the regiment, with this exception, during its
entire term of service. Captain Cory was a brave, thoroughly
reliable and conscientious officer.

Joseph C. Baldwin entered the service as Sergeant of Com-
pany K, Eleventh New Jersey Volunteers, August 11th, 1862;
Second Lieutenant, Company K, February 18th, 1868 ; First
Lieutenant, Company C, August 26th, 1863. Baldwin was a
man of rare intelligence, and his genial and happy disposition
made him a host of friends. He was killed at Spottsylvania
Court House, Va., May 15th, 1864. A short time previous to
his death he was made acting Adjutant of the regiment, and
while leaning against one of the traverses in the line of works
occupied by our troops, a shell forced its way through between
the logs composing the traverse, crushing his head and causing
instant death. A career which undoubtedly would have proved
brilliant was suddenly cut off, and his death was a great loss to
the regiment and deeply felt by his comrades.

Captain W. H. Meeker was born in Rochester, N. Y.,
May 9th, 1842, but has lived in Elizabeth, N. J., since 1848.
He enlisted as Corporal May 21st, 1861, in Company A, First
Regiment, New Jersey Volunteers ; promoted to Sergeant, and
was discharged at Meohanicsville, Va., June 12th, 1862, to
enable him to accept a commission as Captain of Company B,
Eleventh New Jersey Volunteers. He had command of his com-
pany in the battles of Frederioksburg and Chancellorsville, but
was prostrated with sunstroke soon after the latter engagement.

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 355

He re-joined the regiment at Warrenton, Va., July 31st, 1863 ;
was honorably discharged for disability September 3d, 1863,
Special Order No. 396, War Department, the regiment losing
the services of a brave and valuable officer. The following testi-
monial, signed by the members of his company, was handed him
upon his departure from the regiment :

"Captain Meeker:

" Sir — In view of your contemplated departure from the field,
we, the few remaining members of your company, would take this
occasion to testify to your bravery and worth, regretting our
inability to offer at this time a more substantial token of our regard
and esteem.

" Tour bearing on the field of Chancellorsville we are proud to
emulate, and in your retirement to the circle of civil life we hope
for you a speedy restoration to health, and at home you will bear
with you our heart's best wishes for your happiness and future
welfare."

Thomas D. Marbakee, the Regimental Historian, was born
August 23d, 1846, on the Musconetcong Mountains, Hunterdon
county, New Jersey. He left school at eleven years of age,
commencing at that date to earn his own living. He entered
the service July 19th, 1862, as a private in Company E, before
be was sixteen years of age. Marbaker was a type of hundreds
of young men whose exceedingly youthful appearance frequently
stood in the way of that advancement to which their bravery,
efficiency and endurance entitled them. He was made Corporal
August 20th, 1863, and Sergeant November 1st, 1863. Sergeant
Marbaker was severely wounded at Chancellorsville, but left the
hospital and rejoined the regiment on its march to Gettysburg.
The Adjutant, discovering that he was in the ranks marching
with a running wound, advised him to at once get in an ambu-
lance, but Marbaker, with a pluck and endurance that was sur-
prising, remained with his company and stood shoulder to shoulder
with his comrades in the great conflict at Gettysburg. He was
mustered out with the regiment June 6th, 1865.

356 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

William E. Axtell commenced his military service as Second
Lieutenant in Company H. He was present with the regiment
in all its marches and engagements up to and including the battle
of Gettysburg, where he was severely wounded, on account of
which he resigned September 29th, 1863. He was commissioned
First Lieutenant July 2d, 1863, but not mustered. In the resigna-
tion of Lieutenant Axtell, the regiment was deprived of the
services of a brave and efficient officer.

Sergeant Euphalet Sturdevant entered the service
August 18th, 1862, in Company E, Eleventh New Jersey Vol-
unteers. From the start he was a soldier in whom reliance
could be placed in whatever duty he was called upon to perform.
He was not only a good soldier in the camp and on the march,
but he filled well his part upon the field of battle. He fell
severely wounded at the battle of Gettysburg ; was taken to the
field-hospital, where his left leg and right arm were amputated,
from the effects of which he died July 13th. There was no one
whose loss was more deeply felt by his comrades than Sergeant
Sturdevant. A man of irreproachable character, modest and
retiring in his disposition, and an earnest and devoted Christian.
In his death the regiment lost one of its bravest and most efficient
men. His body was taken to his native village — Bockaway,
New Jersey — where he was buried with military honors.

Major W. H. Loyd was born in Philadelphia, Pa.,
January 27th, 1839, and at outbreak of the war was engaged in
the stock brokerage business. He joined the First Pennsylvania
Reserve Militia April, 1861, as private ; Second Lieutenant
Eleventh New Jersey Volunteers, August 12th, 1862 ; First
Lieutenant, November 17th, 1862 ; Captain, March 16th,
1863 ; commissioned Major Seventh New Jersey Volunteers,
October 13th, 1864, and while awaiting muster was severely
wounded, October 27th, 1864, at the battle of Boynton Plank
road, while serving as Brigade Inspector, Second Brigade,
Third Division, Second Army Corps. During winter of 1863-4

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS.

357

was detached from regiment and assigned to staff duty, first as
A. A. I. General, First Division, Third Corps. Upon
consolidation of Third and Second Corps was appointed Brigade
Inspector and assigned to Second Brigade, Third Division,
Second Corps; was honorably discharged for disability from
wounds, January 13th, 1865.

That Major Loyd enjoyed the confidence of his superior
officers is evidenced by his frequent promotions. Upon leaving
the service he re-entered the banking business, in Philadelphia,
in which he is still engaged.

Portion of a minie-ball received at the battle of Bojnton Road, Va., October
27th, 1864, by Major William H. Loyd, Eleventh New Jersey Volunteers.
Extracted by Or. K. M. Girvin, May 16th, 1896, at the Presbyterian Hospital,
Philadelphia. The other part was extracted by Dr. John Neil, Surgeon,
TJ. S. A., December, 1864. This photograph is exact size. Weight of bullet,
-one ounce. The 'wound has never healed from the first, and is still open.

Majok John T. Hill was born in New Brunswick, N/J.,
July, 1836. He entered the service as a Captain in Company I,
Eleventh New Jersey Volunteers, at its organization, and bore a
-conspicuous part in its first battle, Deoember 13th, 1862, at
Fredericksburg, Va. The following April he received a com-
mission as Major of the Twelfth New Jersey Inftmtry, and joined

358 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

that regiment a short time before the Chancellorsville campaign.
After the rout of the Eleventh Corps, Colonel Willets beiDg
badly wounded in the early part of the fight, the command de-
volved upon Major Hill. At Gettysburg the regiment was also-
under his command, and its splendid achievements on that battle-
field have been fully recorded in history. He remained in com-
mand until the latter part of the summer of 1863, when he was
stricken down with inflammatory rheumatism, and, much against
his will, he was honorably discharged for disability early in
1864. His enforced withdrawal from the service was regretted
by all his comrades in arms. His record throughout was that of
a brave and faithful officer, a trusted and honored commander.

T. O. Doane enlisted as a private in Company B, August
16th, 1862 ; promoted to Corporal, October 1st, 1862 ; was
present with the regiment at the battles of Fredericksburg and
Chancellorsville, where he was slightly wounded. At Gettys-
burg he was wounded in the head, and remained in the hospital
at Baltimore until December, 1863, when he was transferred to
Company B, Twentieth Veteran Reserve Corps ; was promoted
to Sergeant, and was on special duty as detective on the staff of
Mayor A. G. Brady, Provost Marshal, at Point Lookout;
mustered out, July 29th, 1865. He now resides in Plainfield,
New Jersey.

Cyprian H. Rossitbr entered the service as Corporal, in-
Company K, June 13th, 1862 ; Sergeant, July 1st, 1863 ; First
Sergeant, August 1st, 1 864 ; Second Lieutenant, Company B,
September 18th, 1864; First Lieutenant, Company E, October
23d, 1864; Captain, Company F, June 13th, 1865, not mustered.
Captain Rossiter was a brave and efficient officer. He was
mustered out with the regiment, June 6th, 1865.

John B. Faussett first entered the service as Sergeant in
Company A, three-months militia. Served in that capacity
from April 27th, 1861, to July 31st, 1861. He was made First

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 359"

Sergeant of Company C, Eleventh New Jersey "Volunteers,
August 15th, 1862; Second Lieutenant, March 6th, 1863;
First Lieutenant, September 29th, 1863. Lieutenant Faussett
received wounds both at Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. He
was sunstruck while the regiment was on the March from its
winter camp at Brandy Station to the Wilderness, and was dis-
charged for disability, July 19th, 1864. He has resided since
that time in Trenton, New Jersey.

Charles A. Oliver was born in New Brunswick, New
Jersey, September 8th, 1843. He enlisted as a private in Com-
pany I, Eleventh New Jersey Volunteers, August llth^ 1862;
Corporal, September 7th, 1862 ; Sergeant, December 28th, 1862 ;.
Second Lieutenant, Company E, June 26th, 1863 ; First Lieu-
tenant, Company A, October 23d, 1864 ; Captain, Company A,
June 13th, 1865. Not mustered.

Captain Oliver was wounded at the battles of Gettysburg and
the Wilderness. He was present with the regiment in all its
battles, marches and skirmishes, and was, under all circumstances,
a brave and efficient officer. In the night attack and re-capture
of the picket-line at Fort Morton he bore a very prominent part.:
He now resides at New Brunswick, New Jersey.

Lieutenant Edwin R. Good was mustered into the service
as Second Lieutenant of Company F, August 13th, 1862; pro-
moted to First Lieutenant, February 18th, 1863. Lieutenant
Good was almost continuously in command of his company from
the time of its entrance into active service. He was slightly
wounded in the foot at the battle of Chancellorsville, but remained
on the field, having been temporarily placed in command of
Company B— Lieutenants Bloomfield and Beilly both having;
been killed and Captain Meeker prostrated by sunstroke soon
after the battle. After the return to camp, he again took com-
mand of his own company. He received three wounds in the
battle of Gettysburg — in the left arm and in the shoulder and
elbow of his right arm. The bullet which entered his shoulder

360 TEE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

he still has in his possession. After an absence of sixty days,'
Lieutenant Good re-joined the regiment, but as his wounds were
still unhealed, he was sent to Georgetown Seminary Hospital, and
after remaining there some time was discharged for disability by
order of the War Department. Lieutenant Good was a brave
and valuable officer, and his loss was keenly felt both by his
company and regiment. He now resides at Hamilton Square,
New Jersey.

Alonzo B. Searing enlisted in Company E, Eleventh New
Jersey Volunteers, August 18th, 1862, and was, at the time of
his entrance into the service, eighteen years of age. He was
with the regiment during its entire term of service, being present
at its muster-out, June 6th, 1865. Searing, like many others in
the regiment, became a soldier when quite young, and the effect-
ive fighting element of the army was composed of just such
men, the great bulk of them serving in the three-years volun-
teers of 1861 and 1862. At Gettysburg the two men on his
immediate right were mortally wounded, while he escaped with
a slight ankle wound. Searing was a faithful, brave and effi-
cient soldier. Since the close of the war he has served five years
in the National Guard of New Jersey. He now resides at
Dover, New Jersey.

Alphbus Iliff, entered the service as a Corporal in Com-
pany E, June 15th, 1862 ; Sergeant, July 1st, 1863 ; commis-
sioned Second Lieutenant Company B, May 22d, 1865; not
mustered; commissioned First Lieutenant Company A, June
13th, 1865; not mustered. Lieutenant Iliff was captured on
the 10th of May, 1864, and for a time endured the sufferings
and hardships of prison life. He rejoined the regiment before
the close of the war, and was present when it was mustered out
of the service June 6th, 1865. He rendered his country faith-
ful, patriotic and conscientious service.

James McDavitt, the subject of this sketch, was a member
of Company E, and, previous to his enlistment, lived at Dover,

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 361

New Jersey. A man of splendid physique and fine soldierly
bearing, be gave every evidence of rapid advancement and a
brilliant future, but like many others he was taken soon after
his enlistment, and the regiment lost the services of one of its
bravest and most promising men. At the battle of Chancellors-
ville, when Captain Halsey was wounded, McDavitt went to
his assistance, and while binding up the Captain's wound he
was struck in the head and died a few minutes afterward. Like
thousands of others, the place of his burial is unknown.

Alexander Beach, Jr., enlisted May 30th, 1861, as a pri-
vate in Company K, Second New Jersey Volunteers ; was com-
missioned Second Lieutenant, Company B, Eleventh New Jersey
Volunteers, August 16th, 1862; First Lieutenant, March 6th,
1863; Adjutant, August 26th, 1863; Captain, Company I,
June 13th, 1865 ; wounded at Chancellorsville, May 4, 1863.
Adjutant Beach was, under all circumstances, a thorough and
reliable officer, and during his term of service, by his upright
and manly bearing as a soldier, he commanded? the respect and
-confidence of his superior officers. He received special mention
for his gallant behavior at the battle of Locust Grove. He now
resides in Newark, N. J.

Andrew H. Ackerman enlisted in the Second Regiment,
New Jersey Volunteers, May 30th, 1861, as a private. Pro-
moted First Lieutenant Company A, Eleventh Regiment, July
21st, 1862; Captain Company C, March 6th, 1863. He was
killed while in command of his company, July 2d, 1863, at
■Gettysburg, Pa. He had won the respect and confidence of his
superior officers by his coolness and bravery at Fredericksburg
und Chancellorsville, and to be taken thus early in his military
career deprived the regiment of the services of one of its most
valuable and promising officers.

Captain Dorastus B. Logan, the subject of this sketch,
was a man of strong character and sterling worth. Of remark-

362 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

able self-control and dignified presence, he was universally
respected by bis comrades in arms. He entered the service as
Captain of Company H, August 14th, 1862; proved his value
as an officer by his brave and efficient services at Fredericksburg
and Chancellorsville. He was killed while in command of his
company at Gettysburg, Pa., July 2d, 1863.

Lieutenant William H. Egan entered the service as
First Sergeant of Company E, July 22d, 1862, and was pro-
moted First Lieutenant of Company H, October 5th, 1863.
He was killed at Spottsylvania Court House, Virginia, May
12th, 1864. The circumstances under which Lieutenant Egan
was killed were most remarkable. The Second Corps in its
successful charge on the enemy's line of entrenchments on the
morning of May 12th was formed in three lines, the Eleventh
Regiment being in the third line. A few minutes previous to
the advance, Lieutenant Egan went to the Chaplain, handed
him his watch and other articles, gave him his address and said
that he would be killed by the first shot fired by the enemy.
According to rebel history, on the day previous General Lee
had sent away from the Angle twenty pieces of artillery, with
positive instructions that they should return and be in position
by daylight next morning. As the corps advanced at daylight
on the morning of the 12th the artillery was galloping into posi-
tion, but only had time to unlimber and fire two shots. The
first one passed through the body of Egan, causing instant
death. His loss was deeply felt. He was brave, reliable, and
possessed the characteristics which combine to make a good
officer.

The record of Captain Samuel T. Sleeper, the subject of
this sketch, was that of a brave, conscientious and upright sol-
dier. Entering the service as First Lieutenant of Company I,
August 6th, 1862, he was made the Captain of his company
June 2d, 1863. He rendered valuable and distinguished ser-
vices both at Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. He was killed-

NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 363

in the great charge of the Second Corps at Spottsylvania Court
House, Va., May 12th, 1864. Of a quiet and unassuming dis-
position and irreproachable character, his early death was
greatly regretted by his comrades, and took from the regiment
one of its most valuable officers.

Captain John Oldebshaw, the subject of this sketch,
began his military life as First Lieutenant in Company X,
August 19th, 1862. He was commissioned Captain of his
company October 23d, 1863, and was mustered out with the
regiment June 6th, 1865. Throughout his entire service
•Captain Oldershaw was conspicuous as a brave, reliable and
efficient officer. He was much of the time on staff duty, both
at Brigade and Division headquarters, and while occupying
these positions frequently received mention and commendation
ibr his bravery and efficiency.

"William Hand enlisted as a private in Company B, August
11th, 1862; Sergeant, February 1st, 1863; First Sergeant,
July 1st, 1863 ; Second Lieutenant, Company I, October 13th,
1864; Acting Regimental Quartermaster, February 1st, 1865;
First Lieutenant, Company E, June 13th, 1865. He was
wounded in the right foot, at Gettysburg, July 2d, 1863 ; was
present for duty in every engagement of the regiment, and
was a brave, thoroughly capable and reliable officer. His
present residence is in Plainfield, New Jersey.

Sidney M. Layton began his military life as First Lieu-
tenant of Company D. He served faithfully in this position
until July 3d, 1863, when he was promoted to the Captaincy of
his company, vice Martin, killed. Captain Layton was killed in
action near Petersburg, Va., June 16th, 1864. He was buried
at City Point National Cemetery, Va.; section C, division 4,
grave 73.

Chables F. Gage, whose services are fully recorded else-
where in this history, enlisted as a Sergeant in Company F, Fifth

364 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT.

Eegiment, New Jersey Volunteers, August 22d, 1861. He was
early transferred to the Signal Service Department, and while
serving in that capacity received a commission as First Lieutenant
of Company G, Eleventh New Jersey Volunteers, dated Decem-
ber 5th, 1863. He was promoted to the Captaincy of Company
E, June 26th, 1864, and brevetted Major for conspicuous gal-
lantry April 9th, 1865. For coolness and intrepidity, Captain
Gage had few equals. No duty was too hazardous for him to
undertake, and his personal service in locating the rebel line after
its night capture of our picket-line in front of Fort Morton, Va.,
has become a matter of history. He was mustered out with the
regiment June 6th, 1865.

Titus Berry, Jr., the subject of this sketch, entered the
service as a Corporal in Company E, August 9th, 1862 ; Ser-
geant, September 1st, 1863; Second Lieutenant, October 23d r
1864. He was commissioned Adjutant June 13th, 1865, but
not mustered. Lieutenant Berry was a brave, faithful and deserv-
ing officer. He was mustered out with the regiment, June 6th,
1865.

Corporal Absalom S. Talmadge was mustered in with the
regiment August 18th, 1862. He was present with his com-
pany in all its marches and battles up to the battle of Gettys-
burg, where he was severely wounded in the head. He remained
in the hospital until February, 1864, when he rejoined the regi-
ment at Brandy Station, Va. He was again wounded at the
battle of the Wilderness and sent to the hospital at Washington,
D. C. After his recovery he was detailed for duty in the Com-
missary Department, at Washington, where he remained until
the close of the war, when he was mustered out with the regi-
ment. Talmage was a brave and efficient soldier, and always
had the confidence of his superior officers.

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