Skip to main content

Full text of "Historic days in Cumberland County, New Jersey, 1855-1865 : political and war time reminiscences"

See other formats 


Glass  __ 
Book  _  _ 


COPYRIGHT  DEPOSIT 


PRESIDENT     LINCOLN    AND     "TAD' 
READING  THE  SCRIPTURES-ISI.I 


HISTORIC  DAYS 


IN 


Cumberland  County,  New  Jersey 


1855-1865 


POLITICAL  AND  WAR  TIME 
REMINISCENCES 


BY 

ISAAC  T.  NICHOLS 


CjdV\T- 


c 


z 


LiSR/iRy  "•  OONeRESS 

COPYRIGHTKI).  ItKjT 


ISAAC  T.  NICHOLS 


The  story  of  the  Civil  War  and  the  early  days  of  a 
great  poHtical  movement  in  Cumberland  County  is  a  theme 
of  interest  to  the  descendants  of  the  noble  men  who  ga\e 
their  lives  for  the  Union  and  those  who  stood  at  the  cradle 
of  the  party  of  human  liberty  at  a  crucial  hour  in  our  Na- 
tional history.  It  appeared  to  tlie  writer  that  it  was  worthy 
of  preservation. 

To  the  memory  of  those  who  organized  the  Republican 
Party  in  Cumberland  County  in  1855,  and  the  heroic  sons 
of  old  Cumberland  who  volunteered  in  the  war  for  the  pres- 
ervation of  the  Federal  Union — 1861-1865 — manj'  of 
whom  lie  in  nameless  graves  on  battlefields  once  red  with 
patriotic  blood,  this  volume  is  affectionately  dedicated. 

Isaac  T.  Xichols. 
Bridgeton,  Xew  Jersey,  January  i.  1907. 


THE   PRIVATE. 

Here  is  a  song  for  the  private,  the  gallant  and  true; 
Though  others  may  plan,  he  is  the  one  that  must  do; 
The  world  may  the  deeds  of  the  leaders  proclaim. 
Here  is  a  wreath  fur  his  brow,  a  song  for  his  fame. 

I  learn  from  the  telegraph,  hear  by  the  train, 
Of  tlic  glory  some  general  by  valor  has  gained, 
Of  the  "wing  he's  outflanked,"  "the  fort  overthrown," 
And  the  poem  is  sung  to  the  leader  alone. 

But  tell  me,  oh,  tell  me,  where  would  he  have  been. 
Had  the  private  not  been  there  the  play  to  begin  ?_ 
Had  he  sheltered  his  breast  from  the  steel  or  tlie  fire, 
Or   dared   on   the  march   to   faint  or  to   tire? 

I  have  heard  the  debt  the  nation  will  owe 
The  heroes  that  over  the  despot  shall  throw, 
And  only  petition  that  this  be  its  care — 
The  private  shall  have  a  Benjamin's  share. 

Is  a  fort  to  be  stormed,  a  charge  to  be  made, 
A  mountain  to  climb,  a  river  to  wade, 
A   rampart   to  scale,   a  breach  to  repair, 
'Neath  the  blaze  of  artillery — the  private  is  there. 

He  might  tell  what  he  suffered  in  cold  and  in  pain, 
How  he  lay  all  night  with  the  wounded  and  slain. 
Or  left  with  his  blood  his  tracks  on  the  snow, 
But  never  from  him  the  story  you'll  know. 

He  fights  not  for  glory,   for  well  does  he  know 
The  road  to  promotion  is   weary  and   slow ; 
His  highest  ambition  is  for  freedom  to  fight. 
To  conquer  the   foe  or  die  for  the  right. 

Should  he  fall,  perchance,  to-day  and  to-morrow 
His  messmates  will  sigh  at  evening  in  sorrow; 
But  onward  they  march,  far,  far  from  the  spot. 
And  the  name  of  the  private  is  lost  or  forgot. 

But  oh !  on  his  struggle  the  pale  stars  of  even 
Look  down  from  the  glittering  pathways  of  heaven. 
And   angels  descend  to   take  his  death   sigh, 
.'\nd  the  name  of  the  brave  is  emblazoned  on  high. 

Then  here  is  a  song  for  the  brave  and  the  true ; 
Though  others  may  plan,  it  is  he  that  must  do ; 
The  world  may  the  deeds  of  the  leaders  proclaim, 
Here  is  a  wreath  for  the  private — a  song  for  his  fame. 

Found  on  a  dead  Confederate  officer  at  Hatcher's  Run.  Va.,  after 
the  battle,  l)v  J.  L.  Smith,  of  the  i  i8lh  Pa.  Inf.  'Vols. 


(F 


e^cij^ 


1  F.  Repuljlican  party  had  organized  in  New  York 
State.  Michigan  and  in  Pittsburg,  in  the  year 
:S3^.  hut  did  not  make  much  progress  in  New 
Jersev  ])riiir  u>  1S55.  In  the  Fall  of  the  latter 
)ear  a  number  of  citizens  who  had  made  the  slavery  ques- 
tion a  matter  of  conscience,  but  who  had  previously 
been  identified  with  the  Whig,  Democratic  and  Na- 
tive American  jjarties,  resolved  to  inaugurate  a  move- 
ment looking  toward  the  organization  of  a  new  political 
party  in  Cumberland  County.  They  met  at  the  courthouse 
in  Bridgeton,  as  near  as  can  be  ascertained,  some  time  dur- 
ing the  month  of  September.  The  gathering  was  informal. 
No  resolutions  were  passed  or  ticket  formed.  It  was  a 
conference  of  good  men  for  the  purpose  of  talking  n\er 
the  situation  of  the  country  with  a  view  to  future  action 
when  the  hour  should  be  ripe. 

The  following  were  present: — Dr.  William  Elmer, 
James  B.  Potter,  Jas.  ^I.  Riley,  Johnson  Reeves,  David  P. 
Mulford,  of  Bridgeton;  Isaac  B.  Mulford.  Aaron  W'estcott, 
of  Millville:  Dr.  Enoch  Fithian,  of  Greenwich:  Philip 
Fithian.  Lewis  Howell,  Lsaac  Elwell,  of  Stow  Creek:  Robert 
More,  George  W.  Moore,  Isaac  West,  Isaac  D.  Titsworth. 
Parnell  Raincar.  Jnlni  S.  Bonhani.  .Archibald  Minch,  of 
Hopewell:  Elwell  Nichols.  Philip  Souder,  of  Deerfield ;  Dr. 
B.  Rush  Bateman.  of  Fairfield. 

Dr.  Bateman  was  chosen  chairman  of  the  meeting,  after 
which  there  was  a  f|uiet.  but  firm  discussion  of  the  political 
situation  of  the  country  because  of  the  presence  under  our 
flag  of  the  growing  and  pernicious  system  of  human  slavery 
then  threatening  the  destruction  of  the  Union. 

Tliis  meeting  was  the  first  Republican  gathering  held 
in  Cumberland  County,  and  the  forerunner  of  that  which 
was  soon  to  follow  in  the  building  up  in  South  Jersey  of  a 
great  political  party  which  was  hereafter  to  become  famous 
as  the  party  of  humanity  and  the  peoi)le. 


JllSldUlt     1).\\S 

'I'lic  following-  year,  August  i6,  1856,  the  appended 
notice  appeared  in  the  Bridgeton  papers,  at  that  time  known 
as  the  "Chronicle"  and  the  "West  Jersey  Pioneer;" 

"We  are  re(iuested  to  say  that  there  will  he  a  meeting 
of  those  favorahle  to  the  Repuhlican  ])arty  at  the  Session 
Room  at  Shiloh.  on  Monday  next,  iSth  inst.  The  object 
of  the  meeting  is  tn  organize,  appoint  committees,  and  make 
arrangements  for  the  Presidency  campaign.  A  mass  meet- 
ing at  an  early  date  is  talked  of  by  the  partv." 

The  call  for  this  meeting  was  signed  by  thirty-five  per- 
sons of  Shiloh  and  \icinity.  As  the  papers  gave  no  pub- 
lication ni  the  names  of  those  jjresent  it  is  impdssible  to  learn 
who  were  there  beyond  the  fact  that  l.ewis  Howell  was 
elected  chairman,  and  Alljcrt  R.  Jones,  secretary,  with  a 
committee  on  resolutions  consisting  of  W.  B.  Davis,  G.  H. 
Leeds  and  A.  R.  Jones. 

Hon.  James  Hampton,  a  former  Representative  in  Con- 
gress on  the  Whig  ticket  from  the  First  District,  then  a  resi- 
dent of  Bridgeton,  was  present  and  made  a  powerful  speech. 
Mr.  Hampton  was  one  of  the  most  elocjuent  and  convincing 
speakers  of  his  day,  and  his  speech  to  the  heroic  men  at 
Shiloh  w^as  a  very  remarkable  presentation  of  the  evils  of 
liunirni  slavery  with  reasons  why  it  should  ])e  eradicated. 
His  remarks  aroused  the  meeting  to  a  high  plane  of  en- 
thusiasm and  were  the  opening  gun  of  Ihe  party  of  liberty 
in  Cumberland  County. 

The  committee  on  resolutions  reported  the  following 
which  were  adopted  as  the  views  of  the  meeting: 

"Whereas,  the  monster,  .slavery,  has  ever  been 
stealthily  coiling  its  slimy  i'olds  around  the  dearest  in.sti- 
lutions  of  oin-  country,  corrui)ting  the  \erv  fountain  head, 
and  rendering  every  stream  that  emanates  from  it  foul  and 
impure;  and  that  we  view  the  passage  of  the  Nebraska  bill, 
the  consequent  violation  of  ;i  sacred  compact — Missoiu-i 
C(imi)riimise — the  brutal,  biirb.iriau  and  cowardlv  act  of 
knocking  down  a  Senator  in  the  National  Legislature;  the 
border  ruffian  outrages  in  Kansas,  murdering  of  the  citi- 
zens,  violating   their   wives   and    daughters,   burning  their 

(fi) 


CUMBERLAND  COUNTY  COURT  HOUSE 

Bridgeton,  New  Jersey— I''^.')-!*^!'!.' 


(7) 


8  HISTORIC    HAYS 

he. lines  ami  printing  presses;  tiie  nnlawful  closing  up  of  a 
highway  (Missouri)  against  'the  citizens  of  the  United 
States ;  the  present  cruel  confinement  of  Free  State  men  near 
Lecompton,  each  so  many  aggressions  of  a  slave  oligarchy; 
therefore, 

"Resolved,  that  it  is  the  duty  of  every  good  citizen  to 
resist  by  all  just  means  the  further  extension  of  slavery. 

"Resolved,  that  intriguing,  unscrupulous  demagogues, 
among  wlioin  we  regard  Stephen  A.  Douglass  as  the  leader, 
have  bv  the  repeal  of  the  Alissduri  dimpromise,  in\ol\'ed 
the  I'ninn  in  dilliculty.  arrayed  one  section  against  the 
other,  and  they  thereby  have  rendered  themselves  unworthy 
the  confidence  of  honest  men. 

"Resolved,  that  the  affairs  of  our  country  are  approach- 
ing a  crisis  which  has  been  hastened  on  ])y  the  repeal  of  the 
Missouri  Compromise ;  that  the  fate  of  Kansas  and  millions 
of  unborn  freemen  must  be  decided  by  the  next  administra- 
tion it  behooves  every  lover  of  his  cnuntry  tn  be  on  the  alert, 
and  examine  witli  I'ealous  care  the  platfnrm  and  past  conduct 
of  the  candidates,  who  arc  now  before  us  for  the  highest 
office  in  the  gift  of  the  American  people. 

"Resolved,  that  the  candidate,  James  liucbanan,  in 
swallowing  the  abominable  platform  of  the  Cincinnati  Con- 
\cntinn.  thcrcbv  emlorsing  S(|uatter  sovereignty.  f"ili1)ustering 
and  in  fact  e\-ery  act  of  the  [jresent  adniinistralii>n.  has  for- 
feited the  sui)i)ort  of  every  true  jiatriot. 

"Resolved,  that  in  tlie  Ixepublican  platform  and  in  the 
people's  candidates  John  C.  Fremont  and  William  L.  Day- 
ton, we  have  tiie  guarantee  that  Freedom  shall  be  national 
and  Shucry  sectional,  and  as  the  evidence  is  clear  and  satis- 
factory that  it  was  the  design  of  the  framcrs  of  our  go\-ern- 
ment  that  Slavery  should  extend  no  farther,  but  they  suf- 
fered it  where  it  was  that  it  might  in  time  be  removed  with 
the  least  possible  disadvantage  to  all,  as  all  parties  admit  that 
Slax'erv  is  a  great  evil,  it  is  no  injustice  fur  tin  millions  of 
freemen  to  say  to  the  few  hundred  thousand  slave  holders. 
'you   may  come   and   possess   the   public   domain   on   equal 


IN    (  r.MliKKI.AM)    ColNTY,    NICW     JKKSKV  9 

terms  with  ourseKcs,  but  we  cannot  ailuw  you  to  curse  it 
with  Shuei'}'.' 

"Resolved,  tliat  we  pledtje  tlieni  our  hearty  support, 
belicxiuL;'  tiiat  thc\-  will  carr_\-  out  the  original  design  of  the 
Constitution,  ,'md  we  earnestly  ask  all  to  wisely  retlect  'ere 
they  cast  another  vote  for  a  Slavery  propagandist. 

"Resolved,  that  it  is  the  great  doctrine  of  Jefferson  that 
we  advocate  the  non-extension  of  Slavery.  We  wish  to 
be  understt)0(l.  that  we  do  not  interfere  with  Slavery  in  the 
States  where  it  already  exists,  but  we  do  firmly  insist  upon 
having  no  more  Slave  States  from  territory  now  free." 

These  resolutions  caused  considerable  debate  among  the 
voters  of  the  county  and  the  men  who  took  i)art  in  the 
meeting  were  denounced  as  "woolly  heads,"  "negro  lovers," 
etc.  During  the  ensuing  hiur  years  the  doings  of  the 
Abolitionists  at  Shiloh  attracted  great  attention  and  as  late 
as  the  Fall  of  i860  when  the  country  was  excited  because 
of  the  election  of  .\braliam  Lincoln  to  the  Presidency, 
Laleb  1  lenrv  .Shejipard,  of  .'^Itow  Ircck,  afterwards  a  Mem- 
ber of  Assembly  and  Senator  from  Cumberland  County,  en- 
gaged in  a  newspaper  controversy  with  several  advocates 
and  defenders  of  the  pro-slavery  contention  in  the  columns 
of  one  of  the  Bridgeton  papers.  Mr.  l^beppartl  was  a 
scholarly  writer  and  a  man  of  intensely  radical  views,  stand- 
ing w^ith  Wendell  Phillips.  William  Lloyd  Garrison  and 
other  early,  out-spoken  abolitionists.  His  pen  was  sharji  and 
he  stirred  up  his  opponents  to  the  point  of  rmger.  Far  in  ad- 
vance of  the  Republicans  ;is  a  jiarty  he  did  not  hesitate  to 
declare  his  opinion  that  they  were  timitl  in  the  presence 
of  the  great  overshadowing  jieril.  Slavcrv.  Jose])h  11.  C. 
Appelgate.  then  a  resident  of  the  I'riesburg  neighliorlK^od. 
near  Cohansey,  took  up  the  cudgel  and  lampooned  the 
Shiloh  man  with  a  sarcasm  that  tickled  the  Democrats  im- 
mensely, lie  was  a  gifted  writer  and  in  one  of  his  com- 
munications saitl :  "^'ou  jircach  the  abominable  doctrine 
of  amalgamation,  and  urge  free  negro  suffrage."  Finally, 
Mr.  Appelgate  declared  that  he  was  done  and  desired  no 
further  debate  as  he  believed  he  could  not  continue  "with- 


HISTORIC    DAYS 

out  suffering  further  contact  with  a  negro  worshipper," 
but  desired  in  conclusion  that  Mr.  Sheppard  should  answer 
one  question,  to  wit:  "Did  you,  last  Tuesday,  November  6, 
i860,  vote  for  Abraham  Lincoln?  Please  answer  yes  or 
no?" 

This  ended  the  writing,  all  of  which  grew  out  of  the 
fact  that  the  radicals  at  Shiloh  had  promulgated  certain 
doctrines  which  were  repugnant  to  the  Democrats  and  many 
Native  Americans.  Mr.  Appelgate  was  a  product  of  Salem 
County  and  up  to  the  election  of  Mr.  Lincoln  he  had  not 
got  away  from  his  earlier  training.  Strange  to  say,  how- 
ever, within  two  vears  afterward  he  took  his  gun.  enlisted 
in  the  24th  New  Jersey  Regiment  and  went  South,  taking 
])art  in  se\-eral  bloody  battles  for  the  preservation  of  the 
Union  and  the  freedom  of  the  slave.  He  Imre  an  honor- 
able part  in  his  country's  service. 

At  the  hour  of  10  o'clock,  Friday,  October  24,  1856, 
a  number  of  gentlemen  gathered  in  the  Court  House  at 
Bridgetoii.  ;ind  nominated  a  straight  Republican  ticket  to 
be  voted  for  in  November.  No  record  of  this  convention 
appears  in  the  BridgetDii  ])apers  (ither  than  a  paragraph 
stating  tliat  a  Republican  ticket  was  nominated  consisting 
of  the  following: 

For  Senator — Benjamin  Rush  Bateman,  of  Fairfield. 

For  .Assembly — First  District,  Robert  More,  of  Hope- 
well :  Second  District,  Philip  Souder,  of  Deerfield. 

For  Coroners — James  M.  Riley,  of  Bridgeton;  Syl- 
vanus  Tubman,  of  Downe :  Thomas  Corson,  of  Millville. 

I'lic  call  for  the  comention  was  signed  bv  Tames 
Hampton.  James  Al.  Riley,  G.  IL  Leeds.  It  is  presumed 
that  the  men  who  met  in  the  court  house  in  1835  and  those 
who  met  in  the  Sessions  Room  at  Shiloh,  .August  18.  1856, 
were  self-constituted  delegates  to  this  convention.  The 
editors  of  the  two  Bridgeton  papers  were  on  the  fence,  and 
for  fear  that  they  might  lose  a  little  advertising  or  other 
local  patronage  they  carefully  avoided  publication  of  the 
resolutions  or  proceedings  of  the  convention. 

In  the  afternoon  at  2  o'clock,  George  William  Curtis, 

(10) 


GROUP  OF  FOUNDERS  OF  THE   REPUBLICAN   PARTY 

IN   CUMBERLAND  COUNTY-l^v, 

Hon.  Benjamin   Rush   P.atcman  Dr.  William   Elmer  David   P.  Mulford 

Archibald  Minch  Isaac  Elwell  Dr.  Enoch  Fithiao 

John  S.  Bonham 
(11) 


12  lUSroUU     DAVS 

of  New  "^I'ork,  afterward  editor  of  Harper's  Weekly,  ad- 
dressed a  mass-meeting"  in  behalf  of  the  principles  of  the 
new  ly  organized  party.  He  was  an  able  speaker,  and  stirrec' 
tlie  hearts  of  his  iiearers  by  his  pungent  references  to  the 
sla\e  power. 

Tiie  campaign  was  short  but  enthusiastic,  and  tlie 
Democrats  were  at  their  wits'  end  to  circumvent  the  argu- 
ments of  the  "woolly  heads"  as  they  continued  to  term  the 
followers  (.)f  Fremont  anil  Dayton. 

On  the  day  the  nominations  were  made  a  parade  was 
formed  and  marched  thmugli  the  streets  of  Bridgeton.  It 
contained  a  large  wagon  in  which  were  thirty-two  young 
ladies  dressed  in  white,  one  for  each  State  of  the  Union  and 
one  for  the  territory  of  Kansas,  then  struggling  for  admis- 
sion and  over  which  so  much  l)itterness  had  appeared  in 
Congress. 

Hugh  Runyon  ]\Ierseilles,  a  man  of  note  and  ability  in 
Bridgeton,  later  on  surrogate  on  the  Republican  ticket, 
planted  a  pule  in  front  of  his  oftice  located  in  an  okl  frame 
building-  on  Commerce  street,  near  Pearl,  and  hoisted  a 
Fremont  and  Dayton  flag.  "Runynn"  as  he  was  termed, 
was  small  in  stature  but  a  fighter  for  principle.  The  Dein- 
ocrats  made  him  a  target,  so  much  so  that  even  the  small 
boy  u^hen  passing  his  place  would  yell.  "Woolly  head."  On 
the  night  of  the  election,  when  it  was  learned  that  James 
Buchanan  was  chosen  President,  a  pniminent  Democrat, 
cabinet-maker  by  trade,  manufactured  a  small  coffin  and 
hoisted  it  to  the  top  of  "Runyon's"  pole.  When  "Runyon" 
came  down  to  the  office  on  the  morning  after  election  he 
found  the  coflin  swinging  from  the  halyards,  and  of  course 
was  somewh.'it  chagrined,  but  he  h\cd  to  see  the  party  wliich 
the  coffin  was  supi)Osed  to  ha\e  1)uried  rise  to  splendid 
heights  of  national  supremacy. 

Meetings  to  forward  the  cause  of  Republicanism  in 
Cumberland  County  were  held  previous  to  election  at  the 
following  places:  Millville.  Port  Elizabeth,  Mauricetown, 
Dividing  Creek.  Cedarville,  addressed  by  E.  H.  Coates,  of 
Pennsylvania. 


I.N    CUMBEUI.AND    COLNTV,    NEW    J  KUSKV  I3 

Tlic  new  party  made  a  gallant  fight,  and  an  especially 
good  one,  when  it  is  remembered,  that  the  most  talented 
men  in  the  county  and  the  best  politicians  were  battling  in 
the  ranks  of  the  Democratic  and  Native  American  parties. 
jnhn  T.  Xixon.  in  a  few  brief  years  to  be  sent  to  Congress 
on  the  tidal  wave  of  the  L'nion-Republican  votes,  was  \-et 
a  Native  .\merican  antl  their  ablest  leader.  1  le  ad- 
dressed a  meeting  at  llcislerville,  for  Millard  Filmore. 
I'mvidence  Ludlam,  soon  to  be  the  beloved  Senator  and 
leader  of  the  Republican  part}-  in  Cumberland  County,  per- 
haps the  most  popular  man  of  his  day  in  Sotithern  Xew 
Jersey,  was  a  candidate  on  the  Native  .\merican  ticket  for 
Assembly  and  was  defeated  l)y  his  Denidcratic  oppduent. 

The  result  of  the  election  astounded  even  the  Republi- 
cans. By  a  fusion  of  the  Republicans  and  Native  .\mericans 
on  Governor  and  Congress,  William  .\.  Newell,  of  Mon- 
nii>utli,  and  Isaiah  D.  Clawson,  of  Salcni,  carried  the  cminty 
by  293  majority.  The  straight  Republican  ticket  for  Elec- 
tors and  the  Legislature  polled  a  vote  as  follow's : 

The  Presidential  electors,  of  whom  Hon.  Lewis  Ho- 
well, of  Stow  Creek,  was  one,  642;  Benj.  Rush  Bateman, 
for  State  Senator,  602 ;  Robert  More,  .Assembly,  First  Dis- 
trict, 471  ;  Philip  Souder,  Assembly,  Second  District,  216. 

Thus  did  the  youthful  Republicans,  like  David  of  old, 
sling  the  shot  which  e\  entually  felled  the  Goliath  of  Slavery. 

The  six  hundred  odd  voters  who  faced  the  torrent  of 
abuse  and  went  gallantly  to  the  polls  in  a  forlorn  hope  were 
men  of  high  character  and  principle.  They  were  not  par- 
ticipants for  the  spoils  of  ofifice  or  seekers  of  public  applause. 
On  the  contrary,  they  were  men  who  loved  their  country 
and  hatctl  hinnan  slavery.  \\"ith  Lincoln  they  believed  that 
this  nation  could  no  longer  remain  half  slave  and  half  free. 
It  must  either  be  all  slave  or  all  free.  And  they  faced  to  the 
front,  and  took  up  a  new  march  for  liberty. 


Previous  to  the  November  election  of  T857,  the  Re- 
publicans again  met  at  the  courthouse  in  Bridgeton  and 
nominated  a   ticket   which   was  elected.      Robert   More,  of 


IIISTOKK-    DAYS 

Hcipcwfll.  was  successful  for  Assembly  in  the  First  Dis- 
trict 1)\'  a  majority  of  219  o\er  Jonathan  Richman,  Dem- 
ocrat, lilwell  Xichols,  of  Deerheld,  was  chosen  over  Frank 
]'".  I'atterson.  then  editor  of  the  Bridgeton  Chronicle.  Dem- 
ocrat, Second  District,  by   14  majority. 

This  was  the  bes^inning'  of  Republican  x'ictory  in  Cum- 
berland ','oiuity.  which,  with  rare  intervals,  has  continued 
to  this  day. 

lion.  Robert  .More,  the  newly  elected  .\ssemblyman 
from  the  First  District,  served  li\e  terms  in  the  House  of 
As.sembly  at  Ti-enton.  He  was  present  when  Abraham  Lin- 
coln addressed  the  Legislature  in  1861,  when  that  great 
President  was  on  his  way  to  take  the  chair  as  the  nation's 
Chief  E.xecutive  in  Washington.  He  afterward  saw  Air. 
Lincoln  st.imling  in  the  presence  of  the  two  Houses.  Tall, 
homely  in  api)earance.  and  of  serious  countenance,  yet  when 
he  warmed  up  in  his  speech  Mr.  Lincoln's  eyes  slione  and  his 
face  appeared  positively  beautiful.  It  was  a  picttu'e  ne^-er  to 
be  forgotten.  .\t  the  death  of  Air.  Lincoln,  Mr.  More  was 
the  author  of  a  series  of  resolutions  where] )y  the  portrait 
of  .Abraham  Lincoln,  which  now  hangs  in  the  .Assembly 
Chambei"  at  Trenton,  became  the  jiropertv  of  the  State.  It 
was  purcha.sed.  and  he  was  one  of  the  committee  that  se- 
cured it.  On  the  ratification  of  the  constitutional  amend- 
ment prohi])iting  slavery  Mr.  Alore  delivered  an  able  and 
clo(|uent  address  in  the  .Assembly  in  reply  to  remarks  of 
Leon  .\l)bett.  afterward  Covernor  of  the  State,  and  other 
Democrats,  who  were  opposing  the  adoption  of  this  impor- 
tant measure. 

I^obert  More  came  of  distinguished  ancestrv.  His 
grandfather,  John  T.  More,  was  a  captain  in  the  Army  of 
the  American  Revolution  and  fought  in  the  battle  of  Red 
Bank.  His  brother,  Ca])t;iin  Enoch  More  ran  a  Government 
transport  during  the  Civil  War,  and  carried  the  ])rivate  dis- 
patches of  President  Lincoln.  Captain  More  brought  Tef- 
fer.son  Davis,  President  of  the  Confederacy,  and  .Alexander 
H.  Stevens,  Vice  President,  together  with  the  Confederate 
Cabinet   to   Fortress   Monroe  on  his   transport  after  their 

(U) 


CUMBERLAND  COUNTY   NOTABLES-lS-Vj-lsGo 

Hon.  Providence  Ludlam,  Firbt  Republican  Senator 
Hon.   Elwell   Nichols  Hon.   Robert   More 

First  Republican  Members  of  Assembly 
Hon.   Philip  Souder.  First  Republican  Assembly  Candidate 


l6  HIS'KlKU      IIAVS 

capture  at  the  close  of  tlie  war.  This  same  lirother  also 
served  under  Tolonel  John  C.  F"remiint  during-  his  journey- 
in.^s  throuiih  the  heart  of  the  Rocky  .Mountains  and  across 
the  continent  in  the  '50's.  His  <^reat  ancestor  John  More, 
came  tn  tins  country  with  Fenwick's  colony  from  England 
and  the  log-  house  in  which  he  lived  with  his  family  is  shown 
m  a  will  1(1  cut  in  Thomas  Shourd's  History  of  Lord  Fen- 
wick  and  the  families  which  accomifanied  him  tn  America. 

l-'rom  the  small  beginning  in  '55  he  li\ed  to  see  the 
magnificent  results  of  the  great  Republican  jjnlicy.  which 
emancipated  the  sla\e,  restored  the  L'liion.  and  made  of 
the  United  States  of  .\merica  the  most  enlightened  and 
prosperous   nation  of  the   earth. 

Hon.  Elwell  Nichols,  elected  on  the  Republican  ticket 
with  Mr.  More,  as  Assemblyman  from  the  Second  District, 
was  also  a  scion  of  Rexohitinnary  st(.)ck,  and  a  man  of  strong 
convictions  of  duty.  He  was  quiet  in  his  demeanor,  but  a 
man  of  ability.  At  the  election  in  1857  he  succeeded  in  se- 
curing a  majoritv  in  his  native  township  of  Deerfield,  a 
remarkable  feat  considering  the  rock-ribbed  Jacksonian 
IJeniocrac}'  of  that  coninimiitv.  Mr.  Nichols  was  a  Com- 
mon Pleas  Judge  of  the  Cumberland  Courts  one  tertii,  and 
for  years  previous  to  his  death  was  annually  chosen  Assessor 
of  his  township,  rmd  enjoyed  a  rare  jjnpularitv.  Judge 
Nichols  was  a  stalwart  Rcpul)lican  ti>  the  end.  and  as  one 
of  the  founders  of  the  party  in  Cumberland  County  his 
memory  is  highly  cherished  by  many  relatives,  among  whom 
is  the  writer. 

The  campaign  of  1857,  wdiich  closed  with  the  election 
of  Robert  More  and  Ehvell  Nichols  to  the  House  of  Assem- 
bly as  the  first  persons  ever  chosen  to  office  in  Cumberland 
County,  on  the  Repubhciui  ticket,  also  witnessed  the  election 
of  Providence  Ludlam  as  county  clerk,  H.  R.  Merseilles  as 
surrogate  and  Jonathan  Fithian  as  sheriff,  by  a  fusion  of 
the  Native  American  and  Republican  votes.  Ludlam  had 
336  majority  over  his  Democratic  opponent;  l'"ithiaii  had 
313  majority,  atid  Merseilles  3S  majority. 


IN     tTMIlICUI.AM)    (OINTV,     NICW    Jl-KSICV  1/ 

\\  licii  the  caiu-ass  of  1858  opeiieil  tlie  }'oung  Kepub- 
lican  part}'  IihukI  itself  practicalh-  in  possession  of  all  the 
county  offices  save  that  of  State  Senator.  'J"he  nati\'e  .Amer- 
icans were  still  in  existence  but  the  seeds  of  disintegration 
were  fast  decimating  their  numbers.  Few  persons  at  this 
day  are  aware  of  the  fact  that  the  .Xative  .American  party 
was  at  one  time  a  \ery  ])ciwei"ful  political  organization.  it 
carried  several  important  States  of  the  I'nion  and  was  a 
power  to  be  reckoned  witli.  Among  its  adherents  were 
many  of  the  best  and  most  intelHgent  citizens  of  the  country 
and  es[)ecially  was  this  true  of  Cumberland  C'ount\\  The 
party  stronghold  was  found  in  the  secret  meetings  of  lodges 
known  as  the  "Know  Nothings, '"  whose  members  were 
bound  by  solemn  oaths  to  support  only  native  l)orn  Amer- 
icans for  public  oftice.  ihe  \\  big  and  Temjjerance  i)arties 
in  the  tlecade  preceding  the  formation  of  the  Native  Amer- 
ican party  had  dissolved  into  chaos,  renniants  of  the  two 
going  back  to  the  Democratic  party,  others  halting  between 
opinions  waiting  for  the  dawn  of  that  dav  when  tluw  could 
unite  with  an  organization  which  should  take  up  the  fight 
against  the  fm-ther  extension  of  sla\ery  wliich  tlioughtful 
men  knew  nnist  soon  occup}'  the  held  of  i)olitical  conten- 
tion. Previous  to  its  demise,  however,  the  Native  .\merican 
party  made  a  final  efifort  for  success.  By  a  fusion  with  the 
Republicans  in  a  convention  held  at  the  Court  House  in 
Bridgeton,  October  jd,  1858,  Robert  More,  of  Hopewell, 
was  nominated  for  .Assembly  in  the  I'irst  District,  and 
.\aron  S.  W'estcott,  of  Millville,  for  Assembly  in  the  Second 
District.  Mr.  More  was  re-elected  .Assemblyman  In-  a  ma- 
jority of  ^'!>('i  over  D.  TI.  Hawkins,  Democrat.  Air.  We.st- 
cott  was  elected  Assemblyman  by  a  majority  of  157  over 
Benjamin  F.  Lee,  Democrat.  In  this  exciting  campaign 
John  T.  Ni.xon,  of  Bridgeton,  became  the  Republican  and 
.\merican  cruididate  for  Congress  in  the  I-'irst  District  aufl 
was  chosen  by  3300  majority.  Cumlierland  County  ga\-e 
Nixon  763  majority  over  George  .A.  \\'alkcr.  Democrat; 
John  H.  Jones,  of  Camden,  polling  414  votes  as  a  straight- 
out  Nati\e  .\merican  candidate  in  the  couiUv. 


l8  IIISTORK'    DAYS 

On  the  night  of  the  election  of  1858  a  great  crowd  of 
men  and  bo\s  paraded  Commerce  street  in  honor  of  tlieir 
fellow  citizen  whom  the  returns  had  decided  was  to  sit  in 
the  Congress  of  the  United  States.  The  procession  halted 
in  front  of  Mr.  Xixon's  residence  at  the  corner  of  Commerce 
and  Orange  streets,  and  sent  up  a  series  of  cheers  for  the 
Republican  part)-  and  its  successful  candidate  for  Congress. 
Barrels  of  tar  were  rolled  into  the  street  in  front  of  the 
house  which  lit  the  skies  with  lurid  flames,  while  the  air  was 
redolent  with  martial  music.  Mr.  Nixon  appeared  upon 
the  veranda  and  delivered  an  eloquent  speech  of  thanks  for 
the  honor  conferred  upmi  him.  He  defined  the  course  he 
should  pursue,  Providence  permitting,  in  the  troubled  arena 
of  legislation  at  Washington.  His  remarks  were  received 
with  tremendous  cheering.  The  new  Congressman  was  a 
man  of  remarkable  talents.  Of  distinguished  personal  ap- 
pearance, learned  and  cultured,  he  soon  attained  a  high  place 
in  the  hall  of  the  House  of  Representatives.  Before  him  was 
a  great  career  to  end  as  a  member  of  our  highest  judiciary. 
Judge  of  the  United  States  District  Court  in  Trenton  by 
appointment  of  President  Grant. 

The  smoldering  embers  of  Americanism  were  extin- 
guished by  the  rising  tide  of  popular  opinion  hostile  to  the 
encroachments  of  the  southern  slave  oligarchs,  so  that  when 
the  hour  for  action  in  the  campaign  of  1859  arrived  the  Re- 
publican party  pure  and  simple  began  its  work  with  an  ardor 
it  had  not  as  yet  exhibited  in  the  preceding-  incipient  years. 


Pursuant  to  call  the  Republicans  of  Cumberland 
County  met  at  the  Court  J  louse  in  Bridgeton,  Monday,  Oc- 
tober 17,  1859.  Forty  delegates  were  present.  Benjamin 
Ayars,  of  Greenwich,  was  made  chairman,  with  Ephraim 
Bateman,  of  Fairfield,  and  Charles  West,  of  Shiloh,  secre- 
taries. Hon.  Robert  More,  of  Hopewell,  who  had  served 
two  years  in  the  Plouse  of  Assembly,  was  unanimously 
nominated  for  State  Senator.  Ebenezer  Hall,  of  Greenwich, 
was  nominated  for  Assembly,  First  District,  and  Aaron  S. 
Westcott,  of  Millville,  for  Assembly,  Second  District.   Hon. 


IN  cumi!i:rl.\ni)  col'nty,  nkw  jkrsky  19 

James  Hampton  and  Hon.  Jolin  T.  Xixon  addressed  the 
convention,  their  speeches  being  enthusiastically  applauded. 

The  resolutions  were  a  bugle  call  for  action,  brief  and 
to  the  point,  and  are  the  first  planks  of  straightout  Republi- 
can doctrine  ever  promul^aetl  by  a  convention  in  Cumber- 
land County.     They  read  as  follows  : 

"Whereas,  the  time  has  now  arrived  for  the  friends  of 
America  to  take  a  decided  stand  upon  the  great  questions 
of  the  day ;  therefore 

"Resolved,  that  we  use  all  bfinnrable  means  to  carry 
out  our  principles  which  are,  I'rotection  to  .American  in- 
dustry, Free  Territory,  the  Bible  in  our  public  schools  and 
the  alteration  of  our  naturalization  laws." 

The  convention  appointed  what  was  in  all  probability 
the  first  Republican  Executive  Committee  ever  named  in 
Cumberland  County,  to  wit : 

Providence  Ludlam,  Bridgeton ;  Lawrence  Woodruff, 
Cohansey;  Elwell  Nichols,  Deerfield ;  Jonathan  Fithian, 
Hopewell;  Isaac  Elwell,  Stow  Creek;  Benjamin  Ayars, 
Greenwich ;  Richard  D.  Bateman,  Fairfield ;  Jefferson  Lore, 
Downe;  Asbury  Chester,  Millville;  Daniel  Loper,  Maurice 
River. 

Providence  Ludlam.  Bridgeton ;  .Assembly  candidate 
on  the  American  ticket  in  1856,  had  now  become  the  leader 
of  the  ivepublican  party  in  Cumberland.  ;nid  as  county  clerk 
exercised  a  large  influence  in  the  shaping  of  political  affairs. 
Flis  efTorts  told  in  the  canvass  of  '59.  not  so  much  in  the 
way  of  a  successful  result  for  the  entire  ticket,  but  in  welding 
and  perfecting  the  new  organization  for  the  work  which 
was  to  come.  Ludlam  was  a  born  leader,  a  man  of  fine  per- 
sonal appearance,  with  agreeable  manners.  Everybody  liked 
"Provie"  and  he  lived  to  become  a  great  power  not  only  in 
the  county  but  in  the  State.  He  became  State  Senator  for 
two  terms  dying  suddenly  on  the  last  year  of  the  second 
term,  his  funeral  being  attended  by  the  Legislature  in  a 
body  at  iiis  home  in  Bridgeton  amid  the  greatest  public 
demonstration  of  sympathy  in  crowded  streets  ever  given 
any  citizen  in  Cumberland  County.    Had  bis  life  been  spared 


HISTOKIC    DAYS 

it  is  generally  believed  that  he  would  have  been  Governor 
of  the  State. 

Charles  S.  Olden.  Republican  candidate  for  Governor, 
carried  the  county  by  1/2  majority  over  \\'right.  Democrat. 
Mr.  Olden  was  chosen  Governor  in  the  State  at  large  by 
aijuut  1600  m.ijority.  Hon.  l\(il)erl  More  who  had  ren- 
dered such  excellent  ser\ice  in  the  House  of  Assembly  was 
defeated  for  State  Senator  by  Nathaniel  Stratton,  of  Mill- 
ville,  Democrat.  Senator-elect  Stratton  had  previously 
been  .Sheriff  on  the  Temperance  ticket  and  was  a  \-ery  popu- 
lar man  in  the  county,  and  by  reason  of  his  wide  personal 
accjuaintance  succeeded  by  tlie  narrow  margin  of  16  votes. 
Ebenezer  Hall,  of  Greenwich,  Republican,  was  chosen  As- 
semblyman in  the  I'irst  District  o\-er  Sockwell.  Democrat, 
by  i()2  majorit}-.  John  Carter,  of  Bridgeton,  Democrat, 
defeated  Aaron  .S.  Westcott,  of  Millville,  one  of  the  original 
founders  of  the  Republican  party,  who  had  serx'ed  the  pre- 
vious year  as  a  member  of  the  House,  iiy  a  majority  of  84 
\-otes,  Mr.  Carter  was  popular  in  Bridgeton,  He  was  an 
honest  man  as  the  politicians  afterward  discovered  at 
Trenton,  and  with  one  term  of  serxi-ce  they  had  no  further 
use  lor  him. 


Congress  adjoiu^ned  in  the  spring  of  i860  when  Rep- 
resentative John  T.  Xi.xon  returning  from  Washington, 
took  the  steamer  "I'atuxenl"  from  Philadelphi;i  b\'  way  of 
the  Delaware  ri\er  for  his  home  in  Ih'idgeton.  I'y  invitation 
of  Cai)tain  Da\id  lilew  and  the  reipiest  of  the  passengers,  of 
whom  there  was  a  large  number  fin  the  boat,  Mr.  Nixon 
drew  a  striking  picture  of  ])o|itical  affairs  in  Washington 
and  the  attitude  of  Southern  representati\es  as  to  the  slave 
question  in  Congress,  His  speech  was  in  a  sense  the  open- 
ing gun  of  the  exciting  campaign  for  the  election  of  .\bra- 
ham  Lincoln  sn  f;ir  as  the  conntv  of  Cumberland  was  con- 
cerned. It  made  a  strong  impression  upon  those  who  heard 
it.  and  was  highly  complimented  by  Rev.  Isaiah  D.  King, 
then  pastor  of  Trinity  M.  ]\.  Chm-ch,  Bridgeton,  who  made 
the  concluding  remarks  to  the  passengers, 

(•JU) 


LEADERS  OF  PUBLIC  OPINION  IN  CUMBERLAND  COUNTY— isr.l-lstl". 

Hon.   Le%vis  HorA'ell 
Hon.  John  T.   Nixon  Hon.   Benjamin  F.   Lee 

Hon.   L.  Q.  C.  Elmer  Hon.  Charles  E.  Elmer 

(-1) 


22  IIISTOKIC    DAVS 

The  political  horizon  was  filled  with  clouds — clouds 
read}-  to  lireak  with  excitement — on  the  eve  of  that  ever 
memorable  election  in  the  year  i860.  Early  in  June  the 
Republicans  of  Bridgeton  began  to  organize,  and  on  Satur- 
day evening,  June  i6tli,  a  call  for  a  meeting  to  establish  a 
Lincoln  and  Hamlin  Club  was  responded  to  with  en- 
thusiasm. The  meeting  was  organized  1j_\'  the  election  of 
Providence  Ludlam  as  president,  with  the  following  officers: 
Vice-presidents,  Dr.  N.  R.  Xewkirk,  Robert  Jordan,  John 
Ware,  Jonathan  Davis,  Samuel  \\'ilson,  Richard  Burch, 
John  Lupton,  Dr.  Henr_\-  Xeff.  Secretaries,  John  S.  Mit- 
chell, H.  R.  Merseilles,  Daniel  B.  Ginenback :  treasurer, 
Joseph  H.  Elmer;  Committee  on  Resolutions,  Dr.  \.  R. 
Newkirk,   Robert  B.   Potter.  John  S.  Mitchell. 

Mr.  Ludlam,  on  taking  the  chair,  thanked  the  meeting 
for  the  honor  which  they  had  given  him,  and  proceeded 
to  explain  the  doings  of  the  Republican  National  Conven- 
tion at  Chicago  which  resulted  in  the  nomination  of  Abra- 
ham Lincoln  for  Presitlent,  and  Hannibal  Hamlin  for  Vice- 
President,  of  which  convention  he  was  a  delegate  from 
New  Jersey.  He  declared  that  the  prairies  of  the  West 
were  on  fire  for  Lincoln,  the  rail-splitter  of  Illinois.  This 
allusion  was  received  by  tlie  large  audience  present  with 
unbounded  applause.  ^^'hile  Mr.  Ludlam  was  speaking 
there  w-as  suddenly  seen  projecting  itself  through  the  open 
doorway  a  small  baimer  fastened  to  an  enormous  rail.  On 
this  banner  was  inscribed  the  names  of  the  candidates  and 
the  name  of  the  new  organization — "The  Rail  Splitters' 
Association."  This  was  followed  by  a  large  body  of  men 
bearing  rails,  broad  axes,  grulibing  hoes,  beetles,  wedges, 
etc.  .-\s  this  ])rocession  came  into  the  main  hall  the  applause 
w'as  long  and  loud.  At  the  conclusion  of  the  business  of 
the  evening  Major  James  Hampton  addressed  the  meet- 
ing in  a  very  entertaining  speech.  Thus  opened  the  great 
campaign  in  Bridgeton — a  campaign  W'hich  changed  the  cur- 
rent of  events  throughout  the  nation  and  brought  the  people 
face  to  face  with  a  civil  war  soon  to  shake  the  very  founda- 
tions of  the  repul>lic. 


IN    CUMBERLAND    COUNTY.    NEW    JERSEY  23 

On  tlie  brink  of  this  tremendous  revolution  how  many 
timid  souls  there  were  who  had  not  yet  sufficient  courage 
to  stand  for  the  right  as  against  the  grievous  wrong. 
The  Bridgeton  papers  were  yet  on  the  fence  fearful  as  to 
the  source  from  which  might  come  official  patronage.  Here 
is  a  specimen  paragraph  from  a  leading  editorial  of  the  issue 
of  one  of  them  under  date  of  June  30th,  i860.  After  al- 
lusion to  Mr.  Lincoln,  Air.  Douglass,  Mr.  Bell,  and  Mr. 
Breckinridge  as  Presidential  candidates,  the  editor  said : 
"W'iiich  of  the  candidates  will  be  elected  we  shall  not  under- 
take to  determine,  but  we  have  strong  reasons  for  believing 
that  some  of  them  will  be  defeated,  and  a  private  opinion 
that  one  of  the  abo\e  will  be  the  next  President  of  the 
United  States." 

There  were  manv.  howe\er,  who  had  the  courage  of 
their  convictions,  and  later  on  they  met  again  in  the  Session 
House  at  Shiloh,  to  consider  the  outrageous  treatment  which 
one  Robert  Halford,  a  fugitive  slave,  had  received  at  the 
hands  of  the  local  authorities.  Halford  had  fled  from  a 
cruel  master  in  the  South  and  was  struggling  for  life  and 
liberty.  He  made  his  way  into  South  Jersey  where  he  found 
friends,  only  to  be  discovered  by  the  minions  of  the  law  who 
wore  the  livery  of  slavery  in  the  free  north.  What  was 
then  known  as  the  fugitive  slave  law  was  an  act  of  Congress 
whereby  slaves  escaping  from  their  owners  should  be  re- 
turned to  their  masters  in  the  South.  Under  this  act  Jus- 
tice Taney,  of  the  Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States, 
rendered  the  famous  decision  in  the  case  of  Dred  Scott,  a 
colored  man  whose  liberty  was  in  danger,  that  "a  negro 
had  no  rights  which  a  white  man  was  bound  to  respect." 

Shiloh  was  the  home  of  a  cultured.  God-fearing  people, 
fathers  and  mothers  of  principle.  They  loved  liberty  and 
abhorred  slaverv.  AMien  they  met  on  the  evening  of  the 
2d  dav  of  September.  1860.  a  commfttee  was  appointed  to 
investigate  the  arrest  of  the  fugitive  slave,  Robert  Halford. 
and  report  what  information  they  could  obtain,  together 
with  some  appropriate  resolutions  at  a  meeting  to  be  held 
on  the  6th  day  of  September.     On  the  latter  date  the  ap- 


HISTORIC   DAYS 

peiuled  resolutions  were  rei^rted  by  the  committee,  unan- 
imously adopted  as  the  voice  of  the  meeting,  and  ordered 
published  in  the  Bridgeton  papers  : 

"\\  liereas.  the  fugitive  slave  law  is  an  infamous  en- 
actment and  diametrically  opposed  to  the  spirit  of  the  Dec- 
laration of  Independence;  therefore 

"Resolved,  that  we  consider  the  recent  capture  of  a 
fugitive  slave,  Robert  Halford,  in  our  vicinity,  as  an  out- 
rage upon  the  neighborhood  from  which  he  was  summarily 
dragged. 

"Resoh'ed,  that  in  proportion  as  we  sympathize  with 
the  indi\i(lual  who  was  deprived  of  his  God-given  liberty, 
and  thrust  back  into  the  hell  of  slavery,  in  the  same  pro- 
portion do  we  execrate  the  conduct  of  those  persons  who 
willingly  gave  their  aid  to  such  a  disgraceful  and  under- 
handed plot. 

"Resolved,  that  we  believe  the  County  jail  was  erected 
for  the  confinement  of  the  guilty  and  not  for  the  innocent, 
and  that  every  departure  from  that  rule,  similar  to  the  re- 
cent occurrence,  is  treachery  to  true  Democracy  and  Re- 
publicanism. 

"Resolved,  that  the  spectacle  of  four  or  five  men.  armed 
and  trembling  with  fear,  capturing  a  boy  who  has  no  riglits 
which  white  men  are  bound  to  respect,  shows  the  self-de- 
stroying tendency  of  slavery  and  furnishes  to  the  com- 
munity foofl  for  thought." 

Again  had  the  Shiloh  abolitionists  attacked  the  monster 
ini(|uity  of  the  century,  and  through  these  resolutions  con- 
cerning the  fugitive  slave  and  their  earlier  resolutions  to 
which  reference  has  been  made,  furnished  food  for  thought 
indeed.  The  "fugitive  slave  resolutions"  were  gall  and 
wormwood  to  the  many  who  still  bowed  down  to  the  god 
of  slavery,  so  much  so  that  one  writer  in  a  Bridgeton  paper 
the  following  week  after  their  publication  refers  to  them 
as  "the  consummation  of  folly,  yes.  T  mav  sav  ridiculous- 
ness, exhibited  in  last  week's  issue  in  the  form  of  some  fan-- 
atical  resolutions,  etc."  This  writer  signed  himself  "Con- 
servator," and  remains  incognito  tn  this  day. 

(24) 


FIRST   SHERIFFS    ELECTED    BY    THE    REPUBLICAN    PARTY    IN    CUMBERLAND   COUNTY 


Jonathan  Fithian  Le\vis  H.  Dowdney 

Charles  L.  Watson 
Samuel   Peacock  Enoch   Hanthorn 


(25) 


26  msroKic  days 

The  Reiniblican  County  Conxention  of  i860  met  in  the 
Court  House.  Bridgeton.  September  J9th.  There  was  much 
interest  manifested  in  the  proceedings.  The  following  ticket 
was  nominated:  Assembly.  First  District,  William  Bacon, 
of  Uowne;  Assembly,  Second  District,  Jonathan  F..  Shep- 
pard,  of  Maurice  River;  Sheriff,  Lewis  H.  Dowdney,  of 
Stow  Creek. 

This  was  the  beginning  of  the  wide-awake  campaign 
in  Cumberland  County,  and  in  the  e\'ening  of  convention 
day  the  Bridgeton  Wide-Awakes — some  sixty  strong — pa- 
raded to  the  end  of  Elmer"s  mill  dam  where  they  met  the 
Millville  W'ide-Awakes,  thirty  strong,  and  escorted  them  to 
Grosscup's  Hall,  when  Hon.  John  C.  Ten  Eyck,  United 
States  Senator,  addressed  the  assembled  multitude  «liich 
the  papers  said  "filled  the  hall  to  its  utmost  capacity."'  The 
Bridgeton  \\'idt;-.\wakes  were  commanded  by  Captain  Wil- 
liam Shull  and  Lieutenants  Charles  Hetzell  and  Samuel 
Wilson.  They  wore  red  caps  and  capes,  and  their  Millville 
guests  wore  black  ca])s  and  capes.  Each  carried  transpar- 
encies with  appropriate  mottoes  and  torches  which  poured 
forth  a  great  stream  of  light,  making  Commerce  street  as 
bright  as  daw  The  parade  was  led  by  a  marshal  and  a 
fine  band  of  music.  Hon.  John  T.  Nixon  also  addressed 
the  meeting  at  the  hall. 

l'\ullier  on  in  the  campaign  there  was  a  greater  parade 
of  the  Wide-Awakes  of  Bridgeton  and  surrounding  towns 
through  the  streets  of  Bridgeton.  In  this  procession  many 
transparencies  appeared  with  the  mottoes:  "Free  press, 
free  speech,  free  soil:"  "Hurrah  for  Old  Abe.  the  Rail  .Split- 
ter of  Illinois."  "Elect  (Jld  .\bc  who  is  six  foot  and  four, 
and  the  cry  of  hard  times  will  come  no  more."  (^ne  of  the 
great  attractions  was  a  large  wagon  on  which  stood  James 
Bright,  splitting"  rails  in  inn'tation  of  the  early  occujiation 
of  Mr.  Lincoln,  the  V-icpublican  candidate  for  President. 
Bright  was  a  muscular  _\-oung  man  and  a  picturesque  figure 
for  the  vast  throng  who  \iewed  his  de.xtrous  manipulation 
of  the  rails.  A  year  later  he  was  a  gallant  soldier  in  the 
l^nion  .\rmv.  fightiu"-  in  the  ranks  of  the  Third  Rcsjiment. 


IN    CU.MBERI.ANi:)    COUNTY,    NEW    JKRSi;\-  27 

New  Jersey  Infantry,  afterward  transferred  to  the  U.  S. 
Navy  wiiere  he  rendered  \alnal)le  service  thiring'  the  con- 
tinuance of  the  war.  Wliile  tiie  parade  was  moving  Demo- 
crats stood  upon  tlie  sidewalk  and  yelled  "woolly  heads," 
"nigger  lovers"  and  other  opprobrious  epithets.  Bricks 
were  thrown  and  some  of  the  trrmsparencies  mashed.  The 
Shiloh  Republicans  on  horseback  were  hissed  every  now  and 
then  by  persons  along  the  line  of  march,  who  seemed  to 
have  special  animosity  to  them,  perhaps  because  they  were 
the  nucleus  and  essence  of  the  anti-sla\-er_\-  nioxement  around 
which  the  Republican  i)arty  was  finally  organized  in  Cum- 
berland County. 

The  Wide-Awake  feature  of  the  i860  campaign  will 
ne\'er  be  forgotten  by  tliose  who  witnessed  the  parades  of 
that  year.  They  were  called  Wide-Awakes  in  contradis- 
tinction to  the  Douglass  Democratic  parading  clubs  who 
were  known  as  "Eye-Shutters,"  meaning  on  the  one  hand 
that  the  Republicans  were  ali\e  to  the  great  issue  while  the 
Democrats  of  the  Douglass  stripe  were  deceivers  and  com- 
promisers with  the  slave  pow-er. 

The  election  took  place  Xovcniber  3d.  and  the  entire 
Republican  ticket  was  chosen  in  Cumberland  County.  While 
the  returns  were  coming  in  an  immense  crowd  gathered  in 
front  of  the  County  Clerk's  Office.  It  was  addressed  by 
John  S.  Mitchell,  Esq.,  and  Hon.  James  Hampton. 
When  the  result  was  announced  the  cheering  could  be  heard 
two  miles  distant. 

The  Republican  Presidential  electors,  of  whom  Charles 
E.  Elmer,  of  Bridgeton,  was  one,  were  elected  by  608  ma- 
jority. Mr.  lilmer  had  the  honor  of  being  a  member  of  the 
Electoral  College  and  casting  his  vote  for  the  immortal 
Lincoln.  He  w^as  one  of  the  three  Republican  electors 
chosen  by  Xcw  Jerse)-.  the  other  three  .going  to  Mr.  Doug- 
lass on  a  fusion. 

Hon.  John  T.  Nixon  was  re-elected  to  a  seat  in  Con- 
gress from  the  First  District,  Cumberland  County  giving 
him  638  majority.  William  Bacon,  .\ssembly.  First  Dis- 
trict, had  4^2  luajority:  Jonathan  F.   Shcppard,  Assembly, 


28  HISTORIC    DAYS 

Second  District,  liad  i  13  majority.  Lewis  H.  Dowdney 
was  elected  the  first  straiglit-out  Republican  Sheriff  by  a 
majority  of  344  over  Benjamin  Keen,  Democrat.  ^Ir. 
Keen  was  a  highly-respected  citizen  of  Bridgeton,  un- 
married, remaining  a  baclielor  to  the  end  of  iiis  life.  Dur- 
ing the  campaign,  however,  a  statement  was  made  by  one 
of  his  political  opponents  that  while  he  was  a  good  man 
he  (Keen)  had  the  unfortunate  habit  of  beating  his  wife. 
This  varn  was  l)elie\ed  by  a  number  of  voters,  and  liad  the 
effect  of  decreasing  Air.  Keen's  vote.  The  Sheriff-elect^ 
Mr.  Dowdney.  was  also  a  popular  man,  and  brought  a  large 
personal  lolliiwing  to  the  support  of  the  Republican  ticket. 
He  made  a  good  Sheriff,  and  was  in  after  years  sent  to 
represent  tlie  First  Assemljly  District  of  Cumberland  County 
in  the  Legislature  two  successive  terms. 


'I'hc  year  1861  opened  in  gloom.  The  great  party 
which  was  to  sa\-c  tlie  Uni(_)n  was  about  to  c<;)nie  into  pos- 
session of  the  Government  at  Washington.  In  the  South 
there  was  derision  and  defiance  of  the  victors  in  the  cam- 
paign of  i860,  and  the  cry  went  u])  and  out  that  as  for 
them,  tiic  Southern  ])eoi)le.  ne\er  would  they  submit  to 
Black  Rei)ul)lican  rule.  Beginning  with  South  Carolina 
conventions  were  held  in  all  of  the  States,  south  of  Mason 
and  Dixon's  Hue.  and  ordinances  of  secession  passed.  There 
was  hurr\ing  to  and  fro,  a  gathering  of  men  and  material 
to  force  a  dissolution  of  the  Union.  Treason  reared  its 
odious  bead  in  high  ])laccs,  and  tlic  clouds  of  war  hung  low 
and  tbre.-ilcning.  The  i)atri(itic  North,  out  of  whose  homes 
had  come  the  freeman's  verdict  at  the  ballot-box,  was  torpid 
in  the  face  of  the  tempest  which  the  slaveocracy  had  pre- 
cipitated. Men  spoke  in  hurried  breath  and  in  whispers, 
saving:  "Can  it  be  that  nur  lirc-thren  of  the  Sonlli  are  so 
far  lost  to  reason  as  to  be  willing  and  determined  that  the 
Republic  of  Washington,  of  Jefferson  and  of  Jackson  shall  be 
destroyed?  Can  it  be  that  they  have  forgotten  the  glories 
of  the  Rc\'olution,  and  the  battles  won  at  .Sa\anna]i,  at 
Cowpens,  at  Yorktuwn,  wliere  .Southern  blood  and  South- 


IN    CUMBERLAND    CorNTV,    Ni:\\     J  I'.RSKY  29 

eni  \alnr  hroutjlit  \ict(irv  to  the  ohl  llajj;-  ami  lai<l  linn  and 
ileep  tlie  foundations  of  civil  and  religious  liberty  in  the  land 
of  the  free?  Can  it  be  that  because  of  the  traffic  in  Ininian 
flesh  and  the  love  of  power,  the  brave  men  of  the  South  are 
ready  td  make  j^ood  the  fear  of  Daniel  W'rhster,  that  the 
land  might  be  deluged  with  fraternal  blixid  and  the  I'nion 
rent  by  internecine  strife?" 

.\mid  such  uncertainties,  and  such  gloom,  all  who  loved 
the  Union  of  the  States,  turned  with  one  accord  to  the  colos- 
sal figure  of  the  coming  man  into  whose  hands  bad  been  com- 
mitted the  destinies  of  a  great  nation,  whose  very  existence 
was  dependent  upmi  the  proper  solution  of  the  tremendous 
problems  then  confronting  the  American  people.  Six  feet, 
four  inches  in  height,  of  slender  figure,  homely  countenance, 
with  firm  tread,  and  tender  eyes,  out  of  which  shone  the 
kiiidK'  disjiosition  of  a  braiiiv,  liniad-minded  man — such 
was  Abraham  Lincoln,  whose  like  the  world  had  not  liere- 
tofore  seen  ;  whose  equal  was  not  hereafter  to  appear. 


The  morning  of  the  b'ourth  of  March,  iSOi.  dawned  in 
darkness  and  mist.  The  light  of  the  opening  d;iy  was 
barely  discernible,  but  \\';ishington  awoke  nevertheless 
under  high  tension  and  with  fear  and  trembling.  It  was  an 
unpropitious  day,  yet  thousands  had  gathered  to  see  and 
hear  the  new  l'".\ecuti\c.  In  front  of  the  eastern  |)ortico  of 
the  National  Capitol,  under  the  shadow  of  the  dear  old  flag, 
Mr.  Lincoln  ajipeared,  accompaniefl  by  the  great  men  of 
the  hour.  .\t  the  hand  of  Roger  P>.  Taney,  Chief  Justice  of 
the  Supreme  Court,  he  took  the  Bible — his  mother's  Bible 
— and  the  oath  of  office  as  the  sixteenth  President  of  the 
L'nited  States  of  America.  Justice  Taney  was  he  who  liad 
but  recently  rendered  that  heartrending  opinion,  based  upon 
the  Constitution,  that  the  l"ugiti\e  .Slave  .Statute  was  legal 
and  binding  upon  e\ery  citizen  of  the  Republic.  Face  to 
face  tliev  stofid.  the  (Mie  the  representative  of  the  declining 
slave  ])owcr.  the  other  the  great  advocate  of  the  people,  soon 
to  be  the  emancipator  of  the  black  men  and  women  who  for 
two  centuries  had  lu-aved  "mid  blood  ,-uid  tears  for  the  com- 


30  HISTORIC    DAYS 

ing  of  tliat  (lay  whicli  God  in  liis  good  time  sliould  alone  re- 
veal. 

As  the  new  rrcsident  turned  his  face  toward  the  audi- 
ence which  stretched  away  in  the  long  distance  with  its 
thousands  of  upturned  faces,  many  of  them  covertly  treach- 
erous, others  openly  hostile,  his  countenance  assumed  a 
more  thoughtful  mood  than  was  his  wont,  and  his  eyes 
shown  with  a  gentle  radiance  which  penetrated  the  hearts  of 
those  who  listened  with  a  sentiment  which  seemed  to  say: 
■'Here  stands  a  man  the  Creator  has  sent  to  do  a  great  work 
f(jr  a  trouhled  pe(.)ple.'"  Out  of  obscurity,  out  of  po\'erty, 
he  has  been  called,  a  st.'ir  of  the  first  magnitude,  for  a  few 
lirief  years  to  be  abused,  to  be  misrepresented,  but  in  the 
end  to  be  lauded  and  loved  by  North  and  South  as  one  of  the 
few  immortal  names  that  were  not  born  to  die. 

\\'ith  the  introductory  sentence,  "Fellow  Citizens  of 
the  L'nited  States,"  the  vast  audience  stood  in  silence  while 
Mr.  Lincoln  argued  with  those  who  sought  to  destroy  the 
nation,  pleading  as  a  father  would  to  a  wayward  child  to 
refrain  and  return  to  the  Union  which  the  fathers  had  set 
up  at  such  costly  sacrifice.  Leaning  his  stalwart  form  and 
kindly  lineaments  into  the  faces  of  his  auditors  so  far  as  it 
were  possil)le  he  finished  his  splendid  inaugural  with  the  fol- 
lowiiio-  pathetic  paragra[)h  : 

"In  your  hands,  my  dissatisfied  fellow-countrymen, 
and  not  in  mine,  is  the  momentous  issue  of  civil  war.  The 
Go\ernment  w  ill  not  assail  you.  You  can  have  no  conllict 
without  being  yoin-seh'cs  the  aggressors.  You  have  no 
oath  registereil  in  heaven  to  destroy  the  Government,  while 
I  .shall  have  the  most  .solemn  one  to  preserve,  protect,  and 
defend  it.  I  am  loath  to  close.  We  are  not  enemies,  but 
friends.  We  must  not  be  enemies.  Though  passion  may 
have  strained  it  must  not  brerdx  our  bonds  of  affection." 

Tears  stood  in  the  eyes  of  many  in  the  solemn  hush 
which  rested  u])on  the  audience,  for  a  moment  transfi.xed, 
then  slowdy  (lis|iersing  to  wonder  and  to  marvel  on  the 
potent  truths  so  wonderfully  presented  by  the  great  Presi- 
dent. 


IN    CU.MHKRLAxVD    COl'NTV,    NhU     J  KKSliY  3I 

History  was  made  at  rapid  pace  during  the  notable 
year  of  '6i.  Fort  Sumter,  commanded  by  Major  Anderson, 
fell  April  14th.  That  insult  to  the  flag  woke  the  nation  to 
an  intense  excitement  and  patriotic  activity.  Governor 
Olden,  of  Xew  Jersey,  issued  a  proclamation  April  17th. 
calling  on  the  people  of  the  State  to  rally  to  the  support  of 
the  Union.    It  was  headed :    "To  arms,  to  arms,  ve  brave !" 


One  of  the  first  volunteers  from  Cumberland  County 
to  enlist  in  the  Union  Army  for  three  years  was  George 
W.  Shute.  of  Greenwich  Township.  The  fires  of  patriot- 
ism were  arousetl  witliin  him  bv  the  thunder  of  the  Con- 
federate guns  at  Sumter,  and  an  anxiety  to  enter  the  volun- 
teer service.  George  left  Cumberland  by  stagecoach,  reach- 
ing Philadelphia  and  from  thence  to  Trenton.  The  "Cum- 
berland Greys"  were  at  that  time  organizing  in  Bridgeton, 
but  he  tarried  not.  so  anxious  was  he  to  enlist.  Arriving 
in  Trenton,  he  was  mustered  in  the  First  Xew  Jersey  Regi- 
ment Infantry  \^olunteers.  Company  G.  Captain  Alexander 
M.  \\"a\-.  serving  with  great  credit  in  the  battles  of  the 
Army  of  the  Potomac  from  Bull  Run  to  Spotts\-lvania. 
June  23d,  1864.  he  re-enlisted  and  was  transferred  to  Gen- 
eral Hancock's  Veteran  Corps.  Company  .■\.  Third  Regi- 
ment \'eteran  \''olunteers.  From  then  on.  through  the  re- 
mainder of  the  war  he  gallantly  served  until  discharged. 
February  14.  1866,  at  Fort  Snelling.  Minnesota. 


Saturday  evening,  April  20th.  the  largest  and  most 
enthusiastic  meeting  ever  held  in  Bridgeton  took  place  at 
Grosscup's  Hall.  It  was  a  mass  meeting  of  all  citizens  who 
loved  their  country,  irrespective  of  party.  Hon.  John  T. 
Xixon  presided.  The  following  were  chosen  Vice  Presi- 
dents— Dr.  William  S.  Bowen.  Richard  Lott.  Robert  C. 
Xichols.  George  ^^^  Claypoolc.  Daniel  M.  Woodruff.  Mor- 
ton Mills,  Dr.  J.  P..  Potter.  Jonathan  F.lmer.  Charles  D. 
Burroughs.  Dayton  R.  Whitaker.  .Alexander  Stratton.  Rob- 
ert DuBois.  Jas.  Stiles.  John  Cheesman,  Sr.  Secretaries — 
Dr.  Joseph  Moore.  Eden  M.  Hood.  .Alexander  Robeson. 
lohn  S.  McGear.     Committee  on  Resolutions — Charles  E. 


WAR  TIME   PICTURES— iscj-l^i,:; 

Aaron  Terry,   Co.   K.   I2th   Reg.   N.  J.   Inf.  Vols. 

Albert  S.   Emnicll  Charles  Livingston 

Co.   H,   nth   Reg.   N.  J.  Inf.  Vols.  Co.   K,  nth   Reg.   N.  J.   Inf.  Vols. 

George  W.  Shute.   Co.  G,  ist  Reg.  N.  J.  Inf.  Vols. 

Charles  O.   Powell 
Co.   K,   ijth   Reg.   N.  J.   Inf.  Vols. 

Bloomfield  Holmes  Absalom  Jordan  Adam  Jordan 

Co.  K,l2th  Reg.  N.  J.  Inf.Vols.     Co.  K    I2th  Reg.  N.  J.  Inf. Vols.     Co.  G,  I2th   Reg.  N.  J.  Inf.VoIs. 

13J| 


John  J.   Boone 
Co.   A,   I2th   Reg.   N.  J.   Inf.Vols. 


HISTORIC    DAYS 

Elmer,  James  R.  Hoagland,  John  S.  Mitchell.  Dr.  Joseph 
C.  Kirby,  Col.  David  Potter.  The  committee  reported  a 
series  of  stirring"  resolutions  which  were  adopted  with 
enthusiasm.  Patriotic  speeches  were  made  by  Judge  L. 
Q.  C.  Elmer,  Dr.  William  S.  Bowen,  John  S.  .Mitciiell,  Rev. 
James  Brown,  pastor  P>aptist  Church;  Rev.  Joseph  Hub- 
bard, pastor  Second  Presbyterian  Clinrch.  and  I'aul  T. 
Jones.  Mr.  Jones  who  was  a  \ery  ter\ent  speaker,  aroused 
the  meeting  into  repeated  cheering  liy  his  denunciation  of 
treason  and  those  who  were  giving  the  Southern  leaders 
aid  and  sympathy. 

Tuesday  morning,  April  23d,  a  recruiting  station  for 
volunteers  was  opened  at  Sheppard's  Hall,  near  the  Com- 
merce street  bridge.  Within  two  days  a  company  of  loi 
men  were  enlisted,  and  organized  into  what  was  afterward 
known  as  the  "Cumberland  Greys."  The  company  officers 
were  as  follows:  Captain.  James  W.  II.  Stickney;  First 
Lieutenant,  Samuel  T.  DuBois;  Second  Lieutenant.  George 
Woodruff;  Orderly  Sergeant,  Charles  F.  Salkeld;  Second 
Sergeant,  David  W.  Fry;  Tiiird  Sergeant,  Sylvester  W. 
Randolph;  Fourth  Sergeant.  Michael  H.  Swing;  First 
Corporal,  Clarence  J.  Mulford;  Second  Corporal,  Samuel 
Harris;  Third  Corporal.  John  C.  Garrison;  Fourth  Cor- 
poral, Smith  Dalrymple;  Drummer,  Francis  Albin;  Fifer, 
Horace  E.  Loper.  Enlisted  men  as  follows :  James  Bright, 
Bowman  II.  Buck.  Daniel  Doyle.  Jonathan  Fadley.  James 
W.  Murphy,  b'urman  Cambloss.  Joseph  R.  Woodruff. 
David  ?..  Husted.  Thomas  M.  Woodruff.  Joseph  Clayton, 
Josiah  F.  Sheppard,  John  Royal.  Chas.  L.  Davis,  David 
Yearicks,  William  Painter,  .A.dolph  Bergen,  Reuben  Brooks. 
David  P.  Clark.  Thomas  Cottrell,  Jonathan  H.  Facemire. 
Robert  Gallaspie,  Levi  J.  Harker,  William  G.  Howell. 
Charles  T.  Jordan.  Davis  P..  Loder.  Henry  W.  Marts, 
Charles  McCallister,  John  Mowers,  William  H.  Naglee, 
Daniel  R.  Parvin,  Alexander  Sayre,  George  Sleit,  Walter  S. 
Williams.  William  IT.  Williams,  James  B.  Woodruff,  Dan- 
iel T.  Dillon.  Daniel  B.  Ginenback,  Barnett  Burdsall,  Aaron 
M.  Allen,  Reuben  F.  Barrett,  David  S.  Briod.  Robert  Burd- 


HISTORIC    DAYS 

sail,  Thomas  E.  Calverlcy,  Thomas  P.  Coles,  Edmund  B. 
Crozier,  James  Dailey,  Thomas  B.  Davis,  Eldorado  H- 
Grosscup,  Ethan  T.  Harris,  Charles  H.  Henderson,  John 
R.  Hill,  Josiah  Hunter,  William  Mulford,  Joshua  R.  Nich- 
ols, Rohert  Potts,  Philip  Ritner,  George  Robinson,  Ed- 
ward 1).  Stanley,  Mathias  Taylor,  William  A.  Thomas, 
John  Thompson,  Benjamin  V.  Tyler,  Alexander  H.  Webb, 
Samuel  W.  Wells,  James  G.  Westcott,  Joseph  S.  Layton, 
Alexander  'SI.  Parvin,  Joab  C.  Lore,  Richard  C.  Levick, 
^^'illiam  Aloncrict.  John  Ogden,  Samuel  Patchell.  Henry 
L.  Seymour.  Robert  AI.  Vansant.  Enoch  B.  Pew,  Charles 
H.  Bacon,  Elias  W.  Blackson,  Henry  Clark,  Raymond  D. 
Crandol,  Smith  J.  I""ogg.  Robert  Jackson,  Gideon  W.  John- 
son, Thomas  B.  Keen,  \\'illiam  E.  Nichols,  Josiah  B.  Shep- 
pard.  Henry  B.  Stockton,  Joseph  R.  Thompson,  John  F. 
Thornard,  John  M.  Tyler,  Geo.  Wolf,  Thomas  Andrews, 
George  Fauver,  John  J.  Matthews,  Levi  McDonald. 

Of  the  above  list,  all  save  six  enrolled  their  names  in 
Bridgeton,  the  lialance  being  added  on  as  recruits.  Eour 
members  of  this  magnificent  company  of  young  men,  after- 
ward known  as  Company  F,  Third  New  Jersey  Infantry 
\'nlunteers.  proved  derelict  and  basely  deserted,  a  very  small 
percentage  indeed.  The  rank  and  file  of  the  "Greys"  was 
composed  of  the  flower  of  the  county  of  Cumberland,  and 
nowhere  in  this  broad  land  was  a  finer  body  of  young  men 
enrolled  umlcr  the  flag.  It  became  the  company  to  whose 
custody  was  committed  the  stars  and  stripes  and  the  reg- 
imental standards.  As  the  color  company  of  the  gallant 
Third  New  Jersey  it  carried  the  national  flag  through 
forty-three  bloody  engagements.  Beginning  with  the  first 
Bull  Run,  its  service  ended  with  the  surrender  of  Lee  at 
Appomattox. 

Conipanv  I'  lost  the  following  members  on  Southern 
battlefields,  death  coming  by  bayonet  and  bullet :  Sylvester 
W.  Randolph,  killed  in  action  at  Gaines  Farm,  Va..  June 
27,  1862;  Enoch  B.  Pew,  died  of  wounds  received  in  action 
at  Spottsylvania,  Va.,  May  8,  1864:  Charles  H.  Bacon, 
killed   in  action  at  Cramj)ton's   Pass,   Md.,   September    14. 


WAR   TIME   PICTURES— lS(;i-lS<Vi 
Officers  "Cumberland  Greys."     Company  F.  Third   New  Jersey  RegilT.ent  Inf.  Vols. 


Major  James  W.   H.   Stickney    First  Capt.) 
Lieut.  Samuel  T.  DuBois 

(35) 


Capt.   Charles  F.   Salkeld 
Lieut.  George   Woodruff 


36  IIISIDRIC    DAYS 

r862;  Elias  Blackson,  died  of  wounds  received  in  action  at 
Gaines  farm,  Va.,  June  27,  1862;  Henry  Clark,  died  in 
action  at  Salem  Heights,  Va.,  May  3,  1863;  Gideon  W. 
Johnson,  killed  in  action  at  Gaines  farm,  Va.,  June  27. 
1862:  Thomas  B.  Keen,  killed  in  action  at  Crampton's  Pass, 
M(l..  September  14,  1862;  \Mlliam  F.  Nichols,  killed  in 
action  at  Gaines  farm.  \'a..  June  27,  1862;  Henry  B.  Stock- 
ton, killed  in  action  at  Six>ttsyl\ania,  Va.,  j\Iay  8,  1864; 
Josepli  R.  Thompson,  died  of  wounds  received  in  action  at 
Gaines  farm,  Va..  June  27.  1862;  John  M.  Tyler,  died  of 
w'^imds  recei\ed  in  action  at  Gaines  farm,  Va.,  June  27, 
1862. 

Besides  the  killed  many  members  died  from  the  effects 
of  disease  contracted  in  the  field,  and  a  large  number  were 
discharged  because  of  wounds  and  other  disabilities  so  that 
when  the  war  closed  a  bare  remnant  of  twenty  veterans 
returned  to  their  homes  in  Bridgeton  and  \icinity. 


j\Iay  27,  1861,  the  L'umlierland  Greys  left  for  the  seat 
of  war.  Business  was  suspended  in  Bridgeton.  The  side- 
walks on  Commerce  street  were  packed  with  hundreds  of 
people,  come  to  see  the  departing  soldiers.  This  company 
of  noble  young  men,  erect,  handsome,  in  the  first  and  best 
years  of  early  manhood,  in  double  file  stood  in  column  on 
the  sideualk  in  front  of  Elmer  &  Nixon's  law  office.  A 
farewell  meeting  which  packed  Grosscup's  Hall  had  just 
been  held,  of  which  Hon.  John  T.  Nixon  was  chairman. 
The  ladies  of  Bridgeton  had  prepared  with  their  own  hands 
a  set  of  colors  for  the  company,  of  the  finest  quality  of  red, 
white  and  blue  silk,  yy^  feet  in  length  by  4j4  feet  in  width, 
the  stars  set  in  the  field  being  gold.  Surmounting  the  staflf 
to  which  the  stars  and  stripes  were  attached  was  a  golden 
eagle  with  outstretched  wings.  It  was  a  handsome  flag  in 
every  respect,  and  drew  forth  great  applause  as  it  was  un- 
folded to  the  gaze  of  the  patriotic  audience.  Paul  T.  Jones, 
a  native  of  South  Carolina,  but  for  several  years  a  resident 
of  Bridgeton,  brother  to  Rev.  Samuel  Beach  Jones,  with 
whom  he  resided  in  the  home  on  Broad  street,  presented 


IX    CUMBERLAND    COLWrY.    NKW    J ICKSKY  37 

the  flag  to  the  company.  Paul  T.  Jones  was  the  antithesis  of 
his  brother  Samuel  Beach  in  his  views  of  the  impending 
national  crisis.  The  scholarly  pastor  of  the  First  Presby- 
terian Church  on  Laurel  street,  was  perhaps  the  ablest  min- 
ister who  ever  accepted  a  Bridgeton  pastorate.  Of  splen- 
did physique  and  magnetic  hearing,  with  resonant  voice, 
and  magnificent  delivery  his  reading  of  a  hymn  or  a  chap- 
ter of  the  Scripture  was  equal  to  a  sermon  at  the  hands  of 
most  other  speakers.  Doctor  Jones,  as  he  was  familiarly 
termed  by  the  community,  was  not  only  a  great  preacher, 
but  was  loved  b}'  all  who  had  the  pleasure  of  his  acquaint- 
ance. His  great  talent — his  popularity — his  winning 
presence — failed,  howe\er.  to  make  amends  for  that 
wherein  his  patriotic  congregation  and  the  people  thought 
him  lacking.  In  those  trying  days  the  masses  were  de- 
termined to  know  where  prominent  citizens  stood  on  the 
important  issue  then  before  the  country.  When  it  began 
to  be  whispered  that  there  was  fear  that  the  good  doctor 
was  not  loyal,  trouble  arose  in  the  society  over  which  he  had 
heretofore  been  the  beloved  pastor.  People  outside  said 
that  the  weather  vane  on  the  Laurel  street  church  pointed 
due  South,  and  so  between  the  differences  within  and  the 
talk  outside  the  doctor  resigned  and  retired  to  the  privacy 
of  his  home.  Directly  contrary  to  this  position  was  that  of 
his  brother  Paul  T.  Jones.  Loyal  to  the  core  his  delight  was 
found  in  denouncing  traitors  and  all  in  sympathy  with  them 
with  his  powerful  and  eloquent  tongue.  His  speech  to  the 
"(ireys"'  was  the  most  powerful  patriotic  address  ever  de- 
li\ered  in  Cumberland  County.  Tt  roused  the  war  feeling 
to  a  high  state  when  Mr.  Jones  taking  Hrni  bold  of  the  staff 
and  the  flag  struck  the  floor  of  the  hall  with  it  with  such 
tremendous  force  as  to  break  one  of  the  wings  of  the  beauti- 
ful eagle  which  adorned  it.  This  scene,  together  with  his 
splendid  apostrophe  to  the  flag,  in  a  peroration  which  was 
well  nigh  sublime,  raised  a  volume  of  cheers  from  the 
audience  which  has  not  died  out  to  this  day  in  the  memory 
of  those  who  heard  that  masterful  presentation  of  the  Union 
cause  and  what  its  rise  or  fall  in  victory  or  defeat  meant 
for  coming  generations. 


HISTORIC    DAYS 

I'riiir  to  tlie  start  fi>r  llie  old  wharf  and  the  steamer 
Patuxenl  which  was  to  convey  the  young-  soldiers  up  the 
Delaware  to  I'hiladelphia,  a  committee  of  ladies  gave  to 
each  meml>er  of  the  compaii}'  an  elegantly  hound  copy  of  the 
Xcw  Testament  and  I'salms  with  clasp  and  gilt  edge. 
Judge  Elmer,  austere  ami  noljle  looking,  then  addressed 
the  comjiany  on  their  duty  to  the  country  and  its  cause, 
which  he  said  was  just.  "Lay  to  heart  the  precepts  of  the 
Gospel.  Rememher  xour  dut\-  to  God  as  well  as  to  country. 
As  faithful  soldiers  act  according  to  the  Divine  Word  and 
perform  your  part  well.  The  duties  of  the  professional 
siildier  were  n(.it  inconsistent  with  those  of  the  true  Chris- 
tian." With  this  parting  admonition  from  the  upright 
Judge  the  comjiany  filed  into  the  street  and  proceeded  down 
Pearl  street  along  the  Fairton  road  to  the  steamboat  land- 
ing. Thousands  lined  the  sidewalks.  As  the  procession  ad- 
vanced headed  l)y  the  grayhaired  veteran  Marshal  of  the 
Day,  Daniel  M.  Woodruff,  a  salute  was  fired  in  honor  of 
the  departing  soldierA'.  The  scene  upon  the  wharf  was  he- 
\'on(l  descri])tioii.  \\'ee])ing  mothers,  wives  and  children 
were  hidding  farewell  to  lo\-ed  ones  many  of  whom  tliey 
were  ne\er  more  to  see.  Marched  upon  the  upper  deck  the 
lioys  sent  their  last  farewells  to  those  upon  the  shore,  an- 
swered in  tile  tears  and  cheers  of  those  on  the  wharf,  and 
amid  music  and  tlnuuler  of  cannon  the  staunch  oh]  steamer 
sailed  out  on  the  Cohansey  and  was  lost  to  \iew  in  the 
distance. 


Many  of  the  good  jieople  of  Cumberland  County  are 
not  aware  of  the  fact  that  in  the  ])atriotic  township  of  Fair- 
iicld  the  hell  of  the  steamer  I'atu.xenl.  which  swiuig  in  the 
I)ilot-house  in  1X61,  hangs  in  the  belfry  of  the  \illage  school- 
house  at  Fairton.  fi-om  which  position  it  rings  out  clear  anrl 
full  a  resonant  call  to  the  hoys  and  girls  that  school  is  abont 
to  begin,  tliereforc — bark,  and  hasten  thither!  Many  preci- 
ous memories  cluster  annmd  this  old-time  bcll--relic  of  his- 
toric (lays!  In  the  autumnal  twilight,  the  writer  meditates,  as 
(lid  his  .Scri]itural  ancestor  "at  eventide."     Fantastic  figures 


WAR  TIME  PICTURES-l^'.I 

Major  James    Hampton.   Ex-Member  Congress 

Paul  T.  Jones  Dr.  Samuel    Beach  Jones 

Daniel   M.  Woodruff 

Marshal  of  the  Day— Departure  of  the  "Cumberland  Greys."  May  "J7,  ISi'.l 


40  HISTORIC    DAYS 

flit  in  the  fire — coming  and  going  as  in  the  days  of  yore — 
moving  pictures  of  scenes  and  personages  of  the  long  ago! 
Kaleidoscopic — panoramic.  On  the  Patuxent's  deck  we  see 
the  forms  of  many  fainih'ar  faces,  long  since  numbered  with 
the  dead.  Dear  old  Captain  Blew,  with  kindly  countenance 
and  cheerful  address,  whose  shadow  lingers  still.  The  boat 
is  at  the  wharf,  steam  is  up,  the  last  bell  taps  to  warn  late 
comers  that  the  "Patuxent"  is  off  for  a  day  upon  the  Co- 
hansey  and  a  moonlight  return  on  the  Delaware  back  to 
Bridgeton  in  the  evening.  She  is  off — the  town  disappears 
to  view — the  promenade  begins  on  upper  and  lower  decks. 
The  saloon  is  cheerful  with  music  from  the  ancient  piano, 
and  chorus  of  lusty  voices  of  the  young  men  and  their  best 
girls.  The  old,  the  middle-aged,  the  young  men,  the  young 
women,  the  business  men  of  the  town,  the  boys  and  girls,  sit 
upon  the  chairs  and  stools,  drinking  in  the  soft  breezes  of  the 
summer  day,  or  parade  with  laughter  and  song  from  fore  to 
aft — happ)',  cheerful,  joyous!  Here  is  the  best  element 
of  the  town  and  country  out  for  a  day  of  relaxation  and  re- 
creation— here  are  the  rank  and  file  of  the  people,  all  on 
pleasure  bent.  The  centre  of  attraction  is  the  forward  deck, 
where  is  gathered  the  cream  of  society.  Overhead,  the  canvas 
flapping  gently  in  the  breeze  shields  the  gay  company  from 
the  sun.  Beneath  it,  the  fiddlers  take  position,  and  the  dance 
begins.  The  cotillion  is  on !  The  mellow  violin  sends  its 
strains  far  out,  and  the  passing  breeze  carries  the  music  to 
the  farmer  on  shore,  as  he  toils  with  the  plow,  causing  the 
lowing  kine  in  the  meadows  to  prick  up  their  ears  and  re- 
turn an  answer  in  the  gentle  tinkling  of  their  bells.  Many 
handsome  couples  appear,  the  young  men  in  cool  raiment 
and  straw  hats,  the  young  ladies  in  white  dress  and  elaborate 
hoops,  as  was  the  custom  then.  "Dart"  and  "Becky"  open 
the  dance  (and  in  all  the  country  'round  no  fairer  couple 
could  be  found),  while,  wooed  by  the  lively  music,  others 
follow  in  the  mazy  figures  of  the  "light  fantastic  toe." 
"Manners  around."  says  the  man  with  the  leading  fiddle. 
Away  they  go.  "Right  and  left,"  "Balance."  "Ladies 
change,"  "Promenade."  Then  the  intermission,  everybody 


IN    CUMUERLAND    COUNTY,    NEW    JERSEY  4I 

laugliiiig,  chatting.  Second  figure — "Forward,"  "Balance," 
"hinr  times  annuid."'  Third  figure — "Right  Hands  Across." 
"Balance."  ".Swing  opposite  lady,"  "Forward."  and  tour 
times  around  again.  Fourth  figure — "Balance  all,"  "Ladies 
to  the  right,"  "Swing  corners,"  ''Gents  to  the  right."  And 
all  went  merry  as  a  marriage  bell.  At  Tyndall's,  at  (Green- 
wich, at  Laning's,  the  "l'atuxent"s"  bell  tapped  at  intervals, 
while  country  man  and  country  maiden  passed  the  gang- 
plank to  become  part  of  the  happy  throng  in  the  festivities 
on  the  boat.  The  blue  waters  on  the  bay  appear  with  wliite 
capped  billows  rolling  far  and  near,  glistening  in  the  sun- 
shine of  a  perfect  day.  Hut  the  dance  goes  on.  Joy  is  un- 
confined.  How  beautiful  their  faces  are — the  dancers  of  that 
day,  which  seems  so  far  away,  and  yet  is  still  so  near!  The 
day  is  over;  the  moonlight  covers  the  waters  of  bay  and 
river  with  a  silver  sheen ;  the  boat  returns,  the  excursionists 
depart,  the  decks  are  silent.  Never  more  will  that  happy 
company  be  gathered  on  the  staunch  steamer.  Out  into  the 
great  world  they  have  gone — some  to  other  cities — some  to 
foreign  lands — some  to  the  unknown  future — home  with  the 
Master. 

Good  old  "Patuxent,"  from  whose  decks  C'umber- 
land's  first  volunteers,  the  noble  "Greys,"  waved  their  last 
farewells  to  weeping  kindred,  and  from  whose  pilot-house 
the  old  bell  rang  such  cheerful  notes,  reverberations  of 
which  are  full  of  pathos  now,  .Adieu!  .Xdieu! 


The  early  Spring  witnessed  many  flag  raisings 
throughout  the  county  to  emphasize  the  spirit  of  the  people 
that  the  preservation  of  the  Union  was  the  immediate  and 
pressing  emergency  to  be  .settled  at  the  cannon's  mouth  with 
all  the  means  and  power  of  the  Government.  The  largest 
gathering  of  people  was  in  the  centre  of  Broad  street, 
Bridgeton,  in  front  of  the  Court  House  where  a  pole  had 
been  erected  for  the  display  of  the  National  ensign.  Hon. 
John  T.  Nixon  addressed  the  assemliled  throng,  and  in 
his  speech  made  the  error  of  underestimating  the  strength 
of  the  enemy,  intimating  that  the  rebellion  could  easily  be 


HISTORIC    DAYS 

put  down  by  a  few  women  witli  broomsticks.  Mr.  Nixon, 
admiralile  ])atriot  tliat  be  was.  lived  to  see  tbe  great  sacri- 
fice of  1)1(11x1  and  money  tlirougb  four  long  years  of  terrible 
war.  and  to  acknowledge  bis  mistake  in  tbe  views  expressed 
in  bis  patriotic  speecb  on  tbe  Court  House  green.  Many 
otber  leading  men  cnnimitted  similar  errors  of  speecb  in 
tbe  opening  davs  of  tbe  war.  as  likewise  did  tbe  orators 
of  tbe  Soutb  wbo  were  tben  telling  tbeir  audiences  tbat  tbe 
war  would  be  o\er  in  tbirty  days  and  tbat  one  Soutbern 
man  could  wbip  twenty  Yankees. 


Tbe  Fourtb  of  July,  1861,  was  patriotically  celebrated  in 
Ibidgeton,  tbe  exercises  taking  place  in  a  grove  on  West 
Commerce  street.  Paul  T.  Jones  delivered  an  eloquent  ad- 
dress, patriotic  and  entbusiastic  in  cbaracter.  Tbe  Declara- 
tion of  Independence  was  read  by  Morton  Mills.  Tbe  clay 
opened  brigbt  and  beautiful.  Early  in  tbe  morning  the  old- 
time  drum  corps.  Lot  Loper,  fifer;  Le\  in  Pxnid,  kettle  drum- 
mer; Eddie  Crozier  with  tbe  ])ig  drum,  proceeded  ili>wn 
Laurel  bill  to  Edmund  Davis'  botel,  corner  Laurel  and  Com- 
merce, and  took  a  position  whicb  was  soon  surrounded  by 
a  crowd  of  men  and  boys.  Tbe  music  wbicb  tbese  veterans 
sent  fortb  roused  tbe  crowd,  tbe  reveille  was  beat,  and  tbe 
spirit  of  '76  beld  bigb  carnival.  Tbose  wbo  looked  on  can 
never  forget  tbe  appearance  and  entbusiasm  of  Lev.,  Lot 
and  Eddie  as  tbey  made  tbe  welkin  ring  witb  "Yankee 
Doodle,"  "Hail  Columbia,"  "Red,  Wbite  and  F.lue."  "Tbe 
(b'rl  T  Left  P.ebind  Me,"  and  an  Irisb  iig  or  two. 


Tbe  first  battle  of  tbe  Civil  War  was  fougbt  at  Bull 
Run,  \'a..  July  21,  1861.  Ceneral  McDowell  witb  60,000 
men,  led  tbe  L'nion  army  to  wbat  was  expected  to  be  certain 
victory,  so  ceK<'ain  tbat  many  members  of  Congress  on  borse- 
back  and  in  carriages  followed  tbe  army  to  tbe  scene  of  con- 
flict bclie\'ing  tbat  tlie  rebels  w'ould  run  at  tbe  lirst  sound  of 
tbe  battle.  Among  tbe  number  was  Hon.  Jobn  T.  Nixon, 
tben  serving  his  second  term  in  Congress.  In  company  with 
friends  be  took  carriage  for  Bull  Run  only  to  see  the  Union 

(42) 


DEPARTURE  OF  THE  "CUMBERLAND  GREYS   ' 

Company  F.  Third   New  Jersey  Regiment  Inf.  Vols.,  by  Steamer  "  Patuxent,' 
From  Bridgeton,  May  I'T.  l>^*'il. 
John  G.  Ke\  ser's  Paiiitinc. 


44  HISTORIC    DAYS 

armv  defeated,  and  join  in  tlie  disastrous  retreat  to  ^\'ash- 
ington. 

Men  of  all  political  parties  forgot  their  differences  of 
opinion  in  tliis  vear  of  tremendous  responsibility,  and  came 
together  for  the  saving  of  the  Union.  Political  parties,  how- 
e\cr,  still  went  through  the  motions  antl  made  nominations. 
Only  two  tickets  were  presented  for  the  \-oters.  the  Republi- 
can and  Democratic. 


Early  in  October,  1861,  the  patriotic  citizens  of  Shiloh 
began  the  organization  of  Company  D.  Tenth  Regiment. 
The  drum  beat  to  arms,  the  spirit  of  '76  was  aroused,  and 
the  home  of  the  anti-sla\ery  movement  in  Cumberland 
County  sent  to  the  front  the  best  blood  of  the  best  families. 
The  members  of  this  gallant  company  of  three-year  men 
were  largely  from  Hopewell.  .Stow  Creek  and  Deerfield.  as 
follows: 

CoMP.\NY  D. — Captains,  John  Evans,  William  H. 
SnoW'den ;  First  Lieutenants.  Isaac  T.  Thackera.  Benjamin 
A.  Pine.  James  Smith ;  Second  Lieutenants,  George  W. 
ITummell.  William  J.  Sutton;  First  Sergeant,  Charles  D. 
Shcppard :  Sergeants.  Adoniram  J.  Sheppard.  Helms  V. 
Linch,  John  B.  Hoffman.  Jacob  H.  Ott.  (leorge  X.  Subers ; 
Corporals,  Isaac  Kain,  John  G.  Bowen,  Henry  V.  Elwin. 
.Alexander  Linch.  Charles  Robinson.  Martin  Hanley.  Ed- 
ward Fuller.  John  D.  Avars,  Edward  Noble :  Musician. 
James  M.  West;  Wagoner,  Henrv  C.  Martin;  Privates, 
.•Mexandcr  Aitken.  William  H.  Allen.  Thomas  F.  Allen, 
George  \v]),  John  .Armstrong.  Theophilus  P.  Avres, 
Thomas  B.  Ayres.  William  Barry,  Ephraim  E.  Bnck. 
George  H.  Bergen,  Charles  Beibigheiser,  Baptist  Bernard, 
Michael  Blake.  Thomas  Benett,  Levi  Blakenstein.  Xavier 
Bovelier,  Edward  Brown.  William  T.  Browning.  John 
Corey,  James  Clafflin,  Thomas  Cohen.  John  Crater.  Jacob 
Conger,  Morris  Crater,  Henry  Corliss.  Michael  Crossin, 
Lorenzo  D.  Davis,  Lsaac  M.  Dare,  Augustus  H.  Dorland, 
Henry  H.  Disbrow.  John  Day.  George  Dowd,  Michael 
Driscoll.  William  II.  luiimons.  Lewis  Escoar.  Tonathan  B. 


IN    CUMBKKI.AND    COUNTV,    NICW    J  EKSliV  45 

Evans,  William  \V.  Ellston,  James  M.  Jiveretl,  Jonathan 
Fisher,  Joseph  Fisher,  William  Frank,  Antoniu  Flashen- 
drew,  Louis  Greenland,  Joseph  (iunther,  Thomas  Hadfield, 
Charles  Headley,  John  J.  Hamilton,  Nils  Herlin,  Herman 
Hoffman,  Horace  F.  Howell,  John  Hyer,  Frederick  Johns- 
tun,  Clement  H.  Irelantl,  Samuel  U.  Keen,  Frederick  B. 
Kauffman,  Charles  Lanian,  Charles  Lotl,  Georoe  W.  Loud, 
Samuel  A.  Alarryatt,  Charles  Miller,  Louis  Mixner,  Frank- 
lin S.  Moncrief,  Patrick  McGetrick,  Joseph  iNIcGraw,  Gar- 
ret -Minton,  James  McLaughlin,  Samuel  Minton,  James  Mil- 
ler. John  .Mc_)gtord,  John  Monahan,  Gabriel  Mossee,  Thomas 
Murphy,  Charles  Neisch,  Robert  R.  Noble,  Isaac  H. 
Nugent,  Christopher  Fersonic,  Edgar  C.  Fhilbrick,  Rhine- 
hart  Ragh,  Lewis  H.  Rerig,  John  Ricker,  John  Scarf,  Peter 
Sharp.  James  Strong,  Cornelius  Schellinger,  Joseph  Schel- 
linger.  Charles  Smith,  l""rancis  Smitli,  Henry  Steinland, 
William  Sulli\an,  Andrew  Stenun,  John  Stewart,  Frederick 
Strongmeyer,  James  FL  Turner,  James  Timons,  Charles 
Vallet,  .\rthur  Will,  James  Williams,  Charles  Wilson,  Wil- 
liam 11.  W  Oliver,  James  P.  Ward,  John  Williams. 

Died  in  the  service — John  C.  Perry,  of  disease,  at  Co- 
lumbia L'.  S.  .\rmy  General  Hospital,  Washington,  D.  C, 
June  4,  1865  ;  Samuel  P.  Garton,  at  Finley  U.  S.  Army  Gen- 
eral Hospital,  Washington,  D.  C,  June  22,  1864,  wounds  re- 
ceived in  action  at  ("old  Harbor,  Va.,  June  i,  1864;  James 
C.  Sutton,  of  fever,  at  U.  S.  Army  General  Hospital,  Wash- 
ington, D.  C,  March  7,  1862;  John  Casper,  Jr.,  of  fever,  at 
U.  S.  Army  General  Hospital,  Georgetown,  D.  C,  August 
12,  1862:  Thomas  J.  liivins.  of  fever,  at  LT.  S.  Army  Gen- 
eral Hospital,  Hampton,  Va.,  July  i,  1863,  buried  at 
National  Cemetery,  Hampton,  Va.,  Row  i,  Section  D,  grave 
14;  William  F.  Rockerman,  of  disease,  at  Greenwich,  N.  J., 
November  5,  1863;  George  W.  Bedford,  of  disease,  at  First 
Division,  Sixth  Corps  Hospital,  near  Bailey's  Cross  Roads, 
Va.,  June  23,  1865,  buried  at  National  Cemetery.  Arling- 
ton Heights,  Va. ;  William  Bergen,  of  disease,  at  Libby 
prison,  Richmond,  Va.,  February  21,  1865,  buried  at  Na- 
tional Cemetery,  Richmond,  Va. :  Benjamin  H.  Bitters,  of 


HISTHRIC    DAYS 


fe\er.  at  U.  S.  Army  General  Hospital.  W'asliington.  D.  C, 
June  I,  1862;  Benjamin  I*".  Bivins,  of  disease,  at  Washing- 
ton, D.  C,  September  8,  1862;  William  H.  Burr,  of  scurvy, 
at  prison,  Andersonville.  February  12.  1865,  buried  at  Na- 
tional Cemetery.  .Andersonville.  Ga.,  grave  12,640:  Edward 
Cook,  at  New  York  City,  July  31.  1864.  wounds  received 
in  action  at  Gait  House,  Va..  May  14,  1864;  Charles  Dan- 
ielly,  killed  in  action  at  Gait  House.  Va.,  May  14,  1864; 
Lewis  H.  Danzenbaker,  at  U.  S.  Army  General  Hospital, 
Tliird  Dixision,  Alexandria,  Va.,  wounds  received  in  action 
at  Cold  Harbor,  \'a.,  June  i,  1864,  buried  at  National  Ceme- 
tery, Alexandria,  Va.,  grave  2,102;  Jacob  E.  Essig,  of  dis- 
ease, at  prison,  Andersonville,  Ga..  July  29,  1864.  buried 
at  National  Cemetery,  Andersonville.  Ga.,  grave  4.303 ; 
Ebenezer  GrifYeth.  of  fever,  at  U.  S.  Army  General  Hos- 
pital, Frederick  City,  Maryland,  August  21,  1864;  Charles 
L.  Hofifman,  of  fever,  at  U.  S.  Army  General  Hospital, 
Washington,  D.  C.  Al.-iy  14.  1862;  Francis  Husted.  of  dis- 
ease, at  U.  S.  Army  General  Hospital,  Division  2,  Annapolis 
Maryland,  March  7,  1865,  buried  at  Annapolis,  Maryland; 
James  S.  Husted.  of  disease,  in  cjuarters  at  Washington.  D. 
C,  January  13.  1863:  Eemuel  A.  Randolph,  at  U.  S.  Army 
General  Hospital.  New  York  City,  June  17,  1864,  wounds 
received  in  action  at  Cold  Harbor,  Va.,  June  i,  1864,  buried 
in  Seventh  Day  Baptist  Cemetery,  Shiloh,  N.  J. ;  Jacob  So- 
den,  of  fever,  at  Beverly.  New  Jersey,  September  16,  1861 ; 
William  R.  Soley,  of  disease,  at  Danville.  Va.,  December  12, 
1864,  buried  at  National  Cemetery,  Danville.  Va. 


l''roni  Greenwich  Township  went.  also,  fifteen  young 
men,  brave,  patriotic,  to  join  the  Ninth  New  Jersey  Regi- 
ment in  its  rendezvous  at  Trenton,  October  23d,  1861.  En- 
rolled in  Company  F  were:  Reuben  H.  Leaming,  Samuel 
R.  Mills,  Lewis  D.  Slu-ppard.  Charles  M.  Preston,  Edward 
Carlaw.  James  Baner.  Robert  G.  Sheppard.  John  E.  French, 
Augustus  Aubick,  Franklin  Blizzard.  Michael  Boyle.  Jona- 
than Richman.  Enrolled  in  Company  I :  ALnrk  L.  Carney. 
Isaac  Reeves,  James  W.  Daniels.  Of  this  number,  Lewis  D. 


(41!) 


WAR  TIME    PICTURES— ISCMSlM 
Isaac  T.  Garton  Isaac  Kain 

Co.  K,  Sixth   N.J.  Reg.  Inf.  Vols.  Co.  D,  Tenth  N.J.  Reg.  Inf.  Vols. 

Samuel  Garton 
Co.  D,  Tenth  N.  J.  Reg.  Inf.  Vols. 
Smith  Bacon  Horace  B.  Garton 

Co.  K,  Tenth  N.  J.  Reg.  Inf.  Vols.  Co.  K,  Twelfth  N.  J.  Reg.  Inf.  Vols. 


HISTOKIC    DAYS 

Sheppard  was  promoted  successively  to  First  and  Second 
Lieutenancies,  and  finally  Captain  of  Company  F.  Robert  G. 
Sheppard  was  promoted  Second  Lieutenant.  Michael  Boyle 
died  at  Xew  Berne,  North  Carolina,  March  15th,  1862, 
wounds  received  in  action  at  Xew  Berne,  N.  C,  buried  at 
New  Berne  National  Cemeteiy,  N.  C,  Section  12,  grave  96; 
F"ranklin  Blizzard  died  at  U.  S.  Army  General  Hospital, 
Morehead  City,  North  Carolina,  November  29th,  1S64, 
buried  at  New  Berne  National  Cemetery,  N.  C,  Section  12, 
grave  38 ;  Jonathan  Richnian  died  of  fever  on  board  hos- 
pital transport  Dragon,  at  New  Berne,  N.  C,  March  23d, 
1862,  buried  at  New  Berne  National  Cemetery,  N.  C, 
Section  12.  grave  j^.  The  Ninth  Regiment,  in  which 
tlie  Greenwich  young  men  enlisted,  became  famous  in  the 
battles  at  Roanoke  Island  and  New  Berne,  North  Carolina ; 
also  before  Petersburg,  Virginia,  and  at  the  surrender  of 
the  Confederate  General  Joe  Johnston,  at  Goldsboro,  N,  C, 
March  21st,  1865.  In  this  regiment  were  such  gallant 
spirits  as  James  Stewart,  Jr.,  from  Northern  New  Jersey, 
who  rose  from  the  ranks  to  a  Brigadier  Generalship,  be- 
cause of  meritorious  conduct  on  the  battlefield,  when  only 
twenty-five  years  of  age,  and  Fidelio  B.  Gillette,  Assistant 
Regimental  Surgeon,  Shiloh,  one  of  the  most  popular  of- 
ficers in  the  army.  Also  Lucius  C.  Bonham,  Shiloh,  who 
was  promoted  from  the  ranks  for  bravery  until  he  arrived 
at  the  Captaincy  of  Company  A.  From  Downe  Township, 
there  also  enlisted  in  Company  I,  Ninth  Regiment,  John 
Johnson,  drummer:  Robert  Alcorn,  bugler;  George  Lott, 
Charles  Messic.  Iulm  W'arficld  and  F.dward  Cliance. 


In  addition  to  the  ten  companies  of  men  enlisting  in  the 
County  of  Cumberland  there  was  a  large  number  of  young 
men  desirous  of  service  in  the  Union  Army,  anxious  to  takfe 
active  part  in  the  war  for  the  suppression  of  the  rebellion, 
who  left  their  homes  early  in  1861  and  enlisted  in  other 
companies  from  other  sections  of  the  State  then  forming. 
Among  this  patriotic  number  were  a  group  of  five  young 
men  from  Cedarville,  Fairfield  Township.  They  enrolled 
themselves  in  Company  H,  Seventh  New  Jersey  Regiment 


Charles  M.  Preston 
Lieut.  Charles  M.  Pinkard 
Samuel  R.  Mills 


WAR   TIME    PICTURES— 1SG2-18(» 
Group  Ninth   New  Jersey  Reg.  Inf.  Vols. 

John  W.  Hilyard  Lieut    Lucius  Bonham 

Surgeon  Fidelio  B.  Gillette  Robert  B.  Craig 

Reuben  H.  Learning  Edward  Carlaw 


l49l 


50  HISTORIC    DAYS 

Infantry.  \'olunteers.  Septenilier  17,  1861,  for  the  term  of 
three  years.  They  were:  Lorenzo  D.  Paynter,  Benjamin 
F.  Ogden.  Joseph  Burt.  Josepli  H.  Diver.  Ehner  B.  Ogden. 
Two  of  tliem  gave  their  hves  for  the  country,  three  re- 
turned after  brave  service  in  many  battles  from  the  cam- 
paign in  tlie  swamps  of  the  Chickahominy  to  Boydton 
Plank  Road,  Va..  October,  1864.  Joseph  Burt  died  at 
camp  near  Falnioutli,  Virginia,  of  disease,  February  10, 
1S63.  Elmer  B.  Ogden,  killed  in  action  at  Williamsburg, 
Virginia,  May  5,  1862;  buried  upon  the  field  by  his  com- 
rades, one  of  whom  was  Benjamin  F.  Ogden. 


Tuesday,  October  22d,  the  County  Republican  Con- 
vention met  at  the  Court  House  at  2  o'clock  P.  iM.  Lewis 
Howell  was  made  chairman,  with  Benjamin  F.  Elmer  and 
Charles  West,  secretaries.  Alphonso  Woodruff,  of  Bridge- 
ton,  was  unanimously  nominated  for  Surrogate.  William 
Bacon,  of  Downe,  was  nominated  for  Assembly  in  the  First 
District;  J.  Edmund  Sheppard.  of  Maurice  River,  in  the 
Second  District.  For  Coroners:  Jdhn  \\'are.  of  Cohansey ; 
Alfred  Holmes,  of  Hopewell:  Charles  Madden,  of  Maurice 
River,  were  named. 

Resolutions  were  read  and  adopted  as  follows : 

"Whereas,  within  the  last  year  events  have  happened 
wliich  call  upon  all  tlie  patriots  to  rally  around  our  country's 
tlag.  and  to  defend  our  Constitution  from  destruction  by 
men  who  once  stood  high  in  the  confidence  of  the  people 
and  of  the  country,  but  who  are  ikiw  traitors  of  the  blackest 
dye — therefore,  be  it 

"Resolved,  That  we,  the  delegates  of  the  people  in  con- 
vention assembled,  regard  with  the  deepest  interest  and 
anxiety  the  present  condition  of  our  country,  and  that  we 
trace  it  to  the  continued  pernicious  teachings  on  tfie  part 
of  those  who  hold  that  the  sovereignty  of  the  State  is  be- 
yond Federal  control.  ;nid  to  the  tkigrant  neglect  of  the  late 
administration  in  the  \igorous  enforcement  of  the  laws. 

"Rcsril\-ed.  Tliat  we  do  pledge  otu'seh'es  to  sustain  tlic 


IN  cUMi;i;i<i.A.\i)  iinNiv,  .\i:\v  jkksky  31 

administration  <>{  Ahraliani  Lincoln — in  wliom  we  have 
full  confidence — in  all  measures  necessary  to  put  down  the 
causeless,  fratricidal  and  black-hearted  rebellion  and  all  't? 
aiders  and  abettors  wherever  found  either  at  home  or 
abroad,  tliough  it  may  cost  millions  of  money  and  oceans 
of  blood. 

"Resolved,  That  we  have  the  utmost  confidence  in  tlic 
[)atriotism  and  military  skill  of  (Jenerals  Scott  and  Mc- 
Clellan.  and  give  them  and  all  our  gallant  ofiicers  and  the 
armies  they  command  our  heartfelt  sympathy  and  support. 

"Resolved,  That  we  extend  to  the  volunteers  from  oui 
county,  many  of  whom  are  near  and  dear  friends,  our  best 
wishes  for  their  welfare  and  the  welfare  of  their  families, 
and  trust  they  may  win  for  themselves  a  name  that  shall 
be  a  praise  and  glory  to  them  and  their  children  after  them. 

"Resoh'ed,  That  we  ha\e  the  utmost  confidence  in  the 
candidates  for  Assembly  this  day  nominated  by  the  conven- 
tion, they  having  been  tried  in  the  last  session  of  the  Legis- 
lature, and  found  to  be  true  Union  men — also  in  our  candi- 
date for  Surrogate,  whom  we  know  to  be  a  true  and  loyal 
patriot. 

"Resolved,  That  we  have  the  utmost  confidence  in  our 
whole  ticket,  knowing  them  to  be  honest  men  capable  for 
the  respective  offices  for  which  they  are  presented,  and  citi- 
zens who  recognize  no  higher  allegiance  than  that  to  the 
General  Government,  and  pledge  ourselves  to  stand  by  the 
ticket  and  use  all  honorable  means  to  elect  it." 

-At  this  convention  the  party  took  upon  itself  the  name 
of  the  "Union  Republican  Party,"  and  the  ballot  \-otcd  at 
the  election  was  beaded  "The  Union  Ticket." 

The  election  was  devoid  of  excitement,  a  Hglit  vote  was 
polled,  and  the  returns  came  in  early,  .\lphonso  Woodruff 
was  elected  Surrogate  over  ]\Iorton  Mills.  I^emocrat,  by  212 
majority,  ^^'illianl  Racon  was  chosen  to  the  .Assembly  in 
the  First  District  by  321  majority  over  J.  O.  Lummis, 
Democrat.  In  the  Second  .'Assembly  District  there  was  a 
close  contest.  J.  Edmund  Sheppard  was  successful  by  the 
narrow  margin  of  three  votes  over  Rcniamin  F.  Lee.  Demo- 


lIlSTOklC    DAYS 

crat.  .Mr.  Lee  was  then  a  resident  of  Port  Elizabeth,  the 
home  of  his  ancestors,  and  a  very  popular  man  in  the  terri- 
tory bordering  on  the  Maurice  River.  Unlike  many  others, 
defeat  with  him  was  only  the  forerunner  of  future  victory. 
It  was  nut  his  fortune  to  he  electcil  by  the  Z'ox  j^opidi.  but 
in  later  years  because  of  his  great  capacity  for  leadership 
Governor  Joel  I'arker  took  him  out  of  the  store  at  the 
Port  and  made  him  Clerk  uf  the  Xew  Jersey  Supreme  Court. 
In  this  e.xalted  place  he  ser\ed  the  State  for  a  quarter  of  a 
centurv  with  great  satisfactifin  to  the  people. 


The  year  1862  was  perhaps  the  most  momentous,  the 
most  patriotic  in  the  history  of  the  nation.  The  clouds  which 
had  gathered  at  Sumter  in  "61  were  still  further  enlarged  by 
the  disasters  which  had  befell  the  Union  arms.  The  Presi- 
dent's first  call  of  75,000  had  been  quickly  responded  to — 
went  to  the  front  and  returned  to  their  home  by  reason  of 
the  expiration  of  their  three  months'  service.  .-\t  last  it  be- 
gan to  dawn  upon  the  minds  of  those  who  had  lieen  slow  to 
comprehend  the  magnitude  of  the  rebellion  that  it  was  to  be 
a  war  of  Titans  with  the  end  far  off.  Three  hundred  thou- 
sand men  were  summoned  to  the  colors,  another  and  another 
300.000.  until  the  song  went  up  to  the  skies  from  every 
vallev  and  from  every  hillside,  "We  are  coming,  father  .-\bra- 
ham.  300,000  more."  This  great  war  anthem  was  sung  upon 
the  streets,  in  the  schoolhouses.  in  the  churches,  in  the  public 
halls,  and  wherever  the  people  gathered. 

Then  it  began  to  appear  that  the  war  was  not  onlv  a  war 
for  the  preservation  of  the  Union,  but  a  war  for  the  preser- 
vation of  the  rights  of  man.  In  his  message  to  the  special 
session  of  Congress  Jtdy  4,  iS^i:,  ]\Ir,  Lincoln  had  said: 

"This  is  essentiallv  a  people's  contest.  On  the  side  of 
the  ITnion  it  is  a  struggle  for  maintaining  in  the  world  that 
form  and  substance  of  government  whose  leading  object  is 
to  elevate  the  condition  of  men.  I  am  most  happy  to  believe 
that  the  plain  people  understand  and  appreciate  this.  It  is 
worthv  of  note  that  while  in  this  the  Tiovernment's  hour  of 


WAR  TIME    PlCTURES-l-iin 

Group  Fairfield  Boys,  Co,  H,  Seventh  N,  J,  Reg.  Inf,  Vols, 

Joseph  H,  Diver  Benjamin  F.  Ogden 

Joseph  Burt  Elmer  B.  Ogden  Lorenzo  D,  Paynter 


(53) 


54  ILISIORIC    DAYS 

trial  larye  numbers  of  those  in  the  army  and  navy  who 
ha\e  been  favored  w  ith  the  offices  liave  resigned  and  proved 
false  to  the  hand  which  had  pampered  them,  not  one  common 
soldier  or  sailor  is  known  to  have  deserted  the  flag.  To  the 
last  man  so  far  as  known  they  have  successfully  resisted  the 
traitorous  efforts  of  those  whose  commands  but  an  hour  be- 
fore they  obeyed  as  absolute  law.  This  is  the  patriotic  in- 
stinct of  ])lain  people.  Thev  understand  without  an  argu- 
ment thai  the  destroving  of  the  Government  which  was  made 
b\-  ^^'ashington  means  no  good  to  thetii." 

The  illustrious  President  never  penned  a  greater  truth, 
it  was  essentiallv  the  people's  contest.  How  Mr.  Lincoln 
lo\-ed  the  plain  people,  as  he  was  wont  to  term  them.  Born 
in  a  log  cabin  he  knew  by  stern  adversity  what  the  destruc- 
tion of  a  repuljlican  form  of  government  meant  for  them. 
He  was  one  of  thein  by  birth,  by  association,  by  representa- 
tion. It  was  a  favorite  theme  for  him  to  dwell  upon,  for  said 
he,  "the  Lord  must  love  the  plain  people,  otherwise  he  would 
not  have  made  so  many  of  them." 

The  plain  people  were,  under  God,  to  save  the  republic. 
By  their  ballots,  by  their  bullets,  bv  their  strong  arms  the 
ark  of  the  covenant  of  liberty  was  to  be  kept  in  the  shekinah 
of  the  temple  whose  foundations  were  laid  in  the  blood  of 
the  Revohitionarv  fathers. 


Cumberland  County  rose  as  one  man  in  unison  with  the 
people  of  other  States  to  aid  the  Gox'ernment  to  the  last  man 
and  the  last  dollar  ft)r  the  suppression  of  the  relieilion.  No 
county  in  the  republic  fuiMiishcd  more  volunteers  for  the 
Union  .Army  in  ijroportion  to  its  population  than  did  this 
good  old  commonwealth  named  in  honor  of  the  Duke  of 
Cumberland  fur  Ins  heroic  conduct  on  Cullodon  field.  The 
county  was  on  fire  with  patriotic  zeal,  so  much  so  that  from 
the  opening  of  hostilities  to  the  close  of  the  war,  a  full  regi- 
ment of  a  thousand  men  had  vohmteered  and  been  sent  to 
Southern   battlefields. 

brnni  the  farm,  from  the  factorv.  fruni  tlie  store,  from 


IN    CUMBERLAND    COUNTY,    NEW    JERSEY  55 

tlie  village,  from  the  city,  from  the  hamlet  by  the  sea,  came 
the  greatest  armies  the  world  had  ever  seen.  Young  men  in 
the  bloom  of  manhood,  middle-aged  men  ripe  witli  maturity, 
a  vast  concourse  rank  upon  rank,  file  upon  file,  under  the 
shadow  of  the  flag  whose  stars  were  of  heaven  wiiose  stripes 
were  of  Ciod.  For  four  years  tliey  were  to  fight  ami  die. 
In  more  than  600  battles  and  skirmishes  blood  was  to  flow 
like  water.  Streaming  over  grassy  plain,  staining  the  rocks, 
making  red  the  undergrowth  of  the  forest,  so  the  blood  of 
patriots  ran  from  the  vitals  of  the  mighty  armv  which  with 
majestic  courage  marched  on  from  one  conflict  Id  another, 
knowing  that  they  were  fighting  the  battles  of  the  people  and 
of  liberty. 


Rumors  of  battles  fought  and  reports  of  the  killed  and 
wounded  began  to  appear  in  the  city  papers.  The  "Cumber- 
land dreys,"  now  in  the  thickest  of  the  fight  in  the  campaign 
on  the  Virginia  peninsula,  were  losing  some  of  the  bravest 
and  best,  news  of  which  brought  sadness  to  the  hearts  and 
homes  of  many  in  the  town  of  Bridgeton.  June  ist  in  the 
seven  days'  fight  in  the  Chickahominy  swamps,  Capt.  Ros- 
well  S.  Reynolds,  of  Co.  F,  5th  Regiment  of  N.  J.  Vols., 
Inf.,  was  badly  wounded.  A  minuie  ball  entered  and  passed 
thrnugh  his  thigh,  striking  the  bnne  and  glancing  off. 
Reynolds  was  brought  home  to  his  family  in  Bridgeton. 
The  captain  had  previously  been  principal  of  the  Bank  street 
jniblic  school  and  was  a  gentleman  of  ability  and  scholarly 
attainments.  Of  splendid  personal  appearance  and  charm- 
ing manners.,  he  made  an  excellent  impression  in  the  com- 
munity. He  was  intensely  loyal  to  the  Union  and  radical 
in  his  views  concerning  slavery. 

A  few  days  after  his  arrival  home  he  appeared  on 
crutches  near  the  corner  of  the  Davis  House.  Commerce  and 
Laurel  streets,  engaged  in  conversation  with  a  number  of 
friends,  when  a  citizen  whose  sympathies  were  said  to  be 
with  the  South,  appeared  and  accused  Capt.  Reynolds  of 
cowardice.     Quick  as  a  flash  the  Captain's  crutch  was  raised 


56  HISTORIC   DAYS 

in  the  air  to  strike  the  "secesh"  as  Reynolds  labeled  him,  hut 
his  accuser,  believing  discretion  the  better  part  of  valor,  dis- 
appeared before  the  crutch  had  done  its  work.  This  little 
episode  added  to  the  bitterness  already  existing  about  town 
and  gave  zest  to  the  zeal  of  those  who  favored  the  Union  in 
efforts  which  made  it  very  unpleasant  for  sundry  citizens 
who  were  suspected  of  disloyalty. 

So  high  did  the  wave  of  patriotism  run  that  several  per- 
sons were  compelled  to  send  communications  to  the  local 
papers  certifying  under  their  own  signatures,  that  they  were 
Union  men.  Schoolchildren  took  matters  up  in  the  yard  of 
Bank  street  school,  where  numerous  frst-fights  occurred 
whenever  the  Union  boys  suspected  other  lioys  of  lack  of 
lo\e  for  their  countr} .  The  flag  was  hoisted  over  the  school- 
house  with  cheers,  and  the  boys  and  girls  sang  patriotic 
songs  in  the  class  rooms  and  upon  the  streets.  One  of  the 
favorite  songs  contained  the  following  verse: 

"Brave  boys  are  they,  gone  at  their  Country's  call; 

And  yet.  and  yet,  we  cannot  forget. 
That  many  brave  boys  must  fall !" 

About  this  time  the  word  "copperhead,"  meaning 
"snake  in  the  grass,"  appeared,  and  was  placed  as  a  stigma 
upon  e\erv  male  or  female  who  failed  to  stand  up  for  the 
Union. 

In  the  battle  on  the  Chickahominy,  in  which  Capt. 
Reynolds  received  his  wound,  William  S.  Cobb,  of  Maurice- 
town,  this  county,  distinguished  himself  as  a  marksman,  kill- 
ins;  li\e  rebels,  on  one  of  whom  was  a  gold  watch  of  which 
he  took  possession. 

Samuel  Harris.  ])ri\-ate  in  Company  F,  Third  New  Jer- 
sey, the  company  known  as  "the  Greys,"  came  home  with  his 
throat  bandaged,  because  of  a  wound  received  in  one  of  the 
battles  under  (lencral  McClellan.  The  bullet  grazed  his  wind- 
])il)e  and  his  life  was  saved  as  by  miracle.  When  the  big  war 
meeting  was  held  a  few  days  later,  Samuel  Harris  went  upon 
the  ])lalform  in  Grosscup's  Hall,  wlicrc  he  made  a  few  re- 
marks as  to  his  experience  in  actual  warfare.     He  was  re- 


IX    CUMIiERLAND    COLNTV.    NKW    J  likSEY  37 

ceived  with  cheers,  and  afterward  honored  with  tlie  Cap- 
taincy of  Compan\-  I".  Twenty-fourth  Regiment  New  Jersey 
\'nhmteers.  and  returned  to  tlie  seat  of  war. 


One  of  the  most  pathetic  reports  from  the  battlefields 
in  \'irginia  came  later  in  shape  of  a  letter  from  Rev.  G.  R. 
Darrow,  chaplain  of  the  Third  New  Jersey  Regiment,  con- 
cerning the  death  of  one  of  Bridgeton's  best  young  men,  a 
member  of  the  famous  Cumberland  Greys,  the  first  defenders 
who  barely  a  year  previous  had  left  their  homes  for  the 
scene  of  war.  Comrade  Bacon,  a  gallant  soldier.  Christian 
gentleman,  left  a  wife  and  five  small  children  to  sorrow  be- 
cause of  his  untmiely  death.  Chaplain  Darrow  sent  the 
widow  the  appended  letter,  afterward  published  in  the 
Bridgeton  papers : 

"Mrs.  Charles  Bacon — The  papers,  'ere  you  receive  this, 
will  have  announced  to  you  the  sad  intelligence  of  the  death 
of  your  husband.  Amid  the  carnage  of  the  battlefield  he 
fell,  ha\ing  with  his  regiment  charged  on  the  enemy  and 
while  pursuing  them  in  hot  haste  and  pouring  a  deadly  fire 
upon  a  routed  foe.  He  went  into  the  fight  with  unusual 
vigor,  his  health  having  greatly  improved  recently,  faltering 
not  until  a  ball  passing  through  his  Testament  which  he  al- 
ways carried  with  him,  entered  his  abdomen  and  caused  his 
immediate  death.  His  captain  was  wounrled  at  the  same 
time  and  while  I  was  assisting  in  gettng  him  to  the  rear 
where  a  surgeon  could  be  found,  he  told  me  of  Bacon's  fall 
I  went  immediately  in  pursuit  of  him  and  found  him  dead. 
His  diary,  Testament  and  purse,  I  took  from  his  person  and 
handed  them  to  Lieutenant  Salkeld  who  will  forward  them 
to  vou  the  earliest  opportunity.  I  buried  him  with  eight  of 
his  cnnn-adcs  who  fell  in  the  same  fight,  under  an  elm  tree 
in  the  same  field  where  the  regiment  charged  on  the  enemy, 
on  the  estate  of  Jacob  Goodman,  north  of  the  village  of  Biir- 
kettsville,  about  half  a  mile  distant.  We  had  our  funeral  on 
Mondav  afternoon — he  was  killed  on  Sunday — the  drum 
corps  and  comrades  of  the  deceased  assisting  in  the  burial 


HISTORIC    DAYS 


of  our  bra\e  dead.  liro.  Bacon  was  a  good  man.  a  consist- 
ent Cliristian.  and  1  feel  that  his  loss  to  me  is  very  great. 
But  what  an  aHlicti(jn  to  you,  his  companion.  .May  the  God 
of  all  peace  abundantly  .sustain  you  in  your  loneliness  and 
sorrow.     Yours  truly. 

"G.  E.  Darrow." 

The  Lieut.  Salkeld,  to  whom  Chaplain  Uarrow  refers^ 
was  afterward  Captain  Charles  F.  Salkeld,  the  veteran  officer 
who  led  the  "Cumberland  Greys'"  in  many  engagements  and 
brought  the  remaining  members  of  the  company  safely  home 
to  Bridgeton  amid  the  plaudits  of  the  community. 


Renn'nders  of  the  sanguinary  conflict  at  the  front  com- 
ing to  Bridgeton  week  after  week  aroused  the  people  to 
great  heigbths  of  excitement  and  the  determination  to  put 
down  treason,  and  all  connected  with  it  became  more  fixed 
than  ever.  The  generation  of  to-day  cannot  realize  or 
imagine  the  intensity  of  public  feeling  at  that  time.  A  case 
in  point  will  illustrate  it,  however,  as  one  among  thousands 
North  and  South.  There  livetl  in  Bridgeton  the  newly 
elected  surrogate  of  Cumberland  County,  chosen  on  the 
Union  Republican  ticket  in  the  Autumn  of  '6i.  He  w-as  a 
stalwart  for  the  Union.  One  of  his  sons.  Joseph,  enlisted  in 
the  "Cumberland  Greys"'  and  served  bravely  throughout  the 
war.  Another  son,  living  in  the  South  went  into  the  Con- 
federate army.  This  so  enraged  Mr.  Woodruff,  the  father, 
that  he  wrote  to  his  boy  in  the  Third  New  Jersey,  and  said : 
"joe.  if  von  meet  your  brother,  shoot  him  on  the  spot."'  This 
was  the  spirit  of  General  Dix  wdio  had  advanced  the  same 
sentiment  in  connection  with  the  attempt  of  any  rebel  or 
sympathizer  to  haul  down  the  flag.  It  was  commended  to 
the  echo  throughout  the  loyal  North. 


The  ladies  f)f  Bridgeton  organized  for  the  patriotic 
work  of  furni.shing  articles  of  clothing  and  delicacies  for  the 
sick  and  wounded  soldiers  in  field  and  hospital.  With  a 
membership  of  T20  they  formed  a  "Soldiers"  Relief  Associa- 


(n») 


WAR  TIME   PICTURES— 1S(J1 
Group  Company   F  i  "  Cumberland  Greys"   .Third   N.J.  Inf.  Vols.,  who  Died  on  the  Field 

Joseph  R.  Thompson 


Charles  H.  Bacon 
Enoch  B.  Pew 


David  Yearicks 


(59) 


60  HISTORIC    DAYS 

tion"  meeting  ever}'  Thursday  in  Carll's  building  near  the 
Commerce  street  bridge.  The  noble  work  they  did  brought 
much  comfort  and  jov  to  the  sick  and  wounded  soldiers,  and 
it  is  recorded  in  heaven. 

One  of  the  significant  signs  of  this  eventful  period  was 
the  attitude  of  the  Bridgeton  papers.  W'hereas  heretofore 
they  had  hesitated  as  to  advocacy  of  the  new  political  party 
known  as  a  Republican,  they  now  came  boldly  to  the  front 
with  powerful  editorials  for  the  support  of  the  Union  cause. 
One  of  the  editors  of  the  Chronicle,  an  able  writer,  Robert 
B.  Potter,  not  only  expres.sed  his  opinions  vigorously  in  the 
columns  of  that  journal,  but  enlisted  as  a  soldier  in  the  24th 
New  Jersey  Regiment,  going  to  the  front  as  a  lieutenant. 


The  greatest  meeting  for  the  prosecution  of  the  war 
was  held  in  Grosscup's  Hall,  Bridgeton.  July  26th,  1862. 
Dr.  William  S.  Bowen  was  chairman,  with  a  long  list  of 
vice-presidents  and  secretaries,  made  up  principally  of  the 
men  who  had  served  in  similar  capacities  in  the  war  meeting 
of  1861. 

The  Committee  on  Resolutions,  consisting  of  Robert  B. 
Potter.  James  R.  Hoagland,  Joel  Fithian,  James  Horton 
and  James  B.  Ferguson,  reported  a  series  which  recom- 
mended financial  support  for  the  volunteers  of  the  country 
and  their  dependent  families,  and  declared  for  the  vigorous 
prosecution  of  the  war,  emphasizing  the  sentence  "that  there 
could  only  be  two  divisions  of  the  people — patriots  and  trait- 
ors with  their  sympathizers."  Eloquent  speeches  were  made 
at  this  meeting  by  Hon.  John  T.  Nixon.,  Rev.  Charles  H. 
Whitecar,  pastor  of  Commerce  Street  ]\I.  E.  Church :  Revs. 
Messrs.  IMargerum,  of  Trinity  M.  E.  Church;  Dr.  Challis.  of 
the  Baptist  Church,  and  Colhour,  of  the  Laurel  Street  M. 
P.  Church.  Rev.  Mr.  Whitecar  made  the  speech  of  the  meet- 
ing. He  urged  with  much  fervor  that  it  was  not  a  contest 
of  the  North  against  the  South,  but  a  struggle  of  the  gov- 
ernment against  armed  traitors  to  maintain  its  own  exis- 
tence.    It  was  important  that  every  man  do  his  whole  duty 


IN    CUMBERLAND    COINTV.    XKW    J  F.RSEV  6l 

in  tliis  crisis.  Doctor  Wliitecar  was  a  speaker  of  wonder- 
fully clear  enunciation  and  eloquent  periods.  He  roused  the 
immense  audience  to  a  furore  of  patriotism.  Judge  Elmer, 
who  was  present,  pronounced  it  one  of  the  ablest  and  most 
convincing  speeches  he  had  ever  heard.  On  this  occasion 
William  E.  Potter,  son  of  James  B.  Potter.  President  of  the 
Cumberland  Hank,  fresh  from  honors  at  Princeton  Col- 
lege, one  of  the  finest  looking  young  men  of  the  town,  of 
great  native  talent,  was  introduced  to  the  audience.  The 
summer  previous  he  had  received  the  colors  from  the  hand 
of  Paul  T.  Jones  on  the  i)art  of  the  "Cumberland  Greys"  the 
day  of  their  departure  in  a  brief  speech,  but  now  the  genius 
exhibited  itself  which  in  future  years  was  to  prove  him  one 
of  the  ablest  barristers  ever  heard  in  the  New  Jersey  Courts. 
"This  contest."  said  young  Mr.  Potter,  "is  a  contest  for 
constitutional  liberty.  If  a  republican  form  of  government 
failed  here,  as  it  had  everywhere  else,  it  would  be  a  death- 
blow to  our  own  lil)erties.  and  the  hopes  of  the  struggling 
millions  of  the  old  world."  He  closed  by  announcing  that  he 
was  ready  to  enlist  for  the  war.  and  urged  the  young  men  to 
do  likewise.  The  hall  rang  with  cheers  when  this  brave 
utterance  was  made,  the  beginning  as  it  were  of  his  dis- 
tinguished career  in  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  which  ter- 
minated at  the  close  of  the  war  in  the  great  honor  of  brevet- 
lieutenant  colonel,  for  gallant  and  meritorious  conduct  as  a 
staff  officer  on  many  battlefields. 

The  echoes  of  the  second  great  war  meeting  had  barely 
died  out  when  the  drum  began  to  beat  for  volunteers  for  a 
new  company  for  the  Twelfth  New  Jersey  Regiment  thai 
forming.  Recruiting  quarters  were  opened  in  Carll's  build- 
ing, first  floor,  near  the  bridge.  Within  a  week  the  quota  of 
the  company  was  full,  more  than  one  hundred  young  men 
having  enrolled  their  names.  It  was  a  magnificent  company, 
composed  of  the  best  material,  and  of  the  best  families.  Capt. 
Henry  Crooks,  who  had  seen  service  in  the  regailar  army,  a 
skillful  drill  master,  having  previously  drilled  the  "Cumber- 
land Greys."  and  organized  the  German  military  company 
w  liich  f<irmed  an  escort  for  the  former  the  day  of  its  depar- 


HISTORIC    DAYS 

lire  fniiii  llridgetiin,  enlisted  as  a  member  (if  the  new  contin- 
i;ent  and  becoming  its  first  sergeant,  gave  it  the  benefit  of 
his  experience.  In  a  few  days  it  was  ready  for  the  field 
under  the  command  of  Captain  Ricliard  S.  Thompson,  a 
"entieman  of  fine  militar\-  liearing. 


War  meetings  were  held  in  all  the  towns  and  villages 
of  Cumlierland  County  during  the  summer  of  i86j.  The 
piipulation  was  aroused  to  a  high  state  of  enthusiasm.  It  was 
a  wonderful  year,  and  one  never  to  be  forgotten.  Bridgeton, 
the  shire  town,  with  barely  4.000  inhabitants,  was  the  cen- 
tre of  interest.  Here  the  people  gathered  to  listen  to  patri- 
otic speeches :  here  they  stood  upon  street  corners  discussing 
the  latest  news  from  the  army  and  the  situation  of  the  coun- 
try. Boys  and  girls  paraded  the  streets  eager  to  hear  what 
was  to  be  learned  concerning  the  perilous  condition  of  the 
brave  boys  who  had  gone  to  the  front  to  do  battle  for  the 
homes  and  the  land  which  they  loved.  The  boys  wore  red, 
white  and  blue  neckties ;  the  girls  wore  dresses  and  ribbons 
of  the  same  materials.  Work  was  susjjended,  while  the 
tdwn  teemed  with  excitement. 


L)n  the  morning  of  August  uth,  1862.  Company  K  was 
ready  to  depart  for  the  war.  The  da_\-  was  bright  and  balmy ; 
the  stores  and  business  places  were  decorated  with  bunting; 
the  streets  were  lined  with  crowds  of  people.  The  company 
left  its  quarters  in  the  Carll  building,  and  was  drawn  up  in 
cohimn  on  the  sidew;ilk.  I'aul  T.  Junes.  Charles  E.  Elmer, 
Hon.  John  T.  Nixon.  Rev.  Jo.seph  Hubbard,  Lieutenant 
William  E.  1 'otter,  and  Captain  Richard  S.  Thomp.son  made 
patriotic  si)eeches.  .\  handsome  set  of  colors  was  presented 
to  the  company.  Tn  the  afternoon  Co.  K  tonk  train  ;U  the 
new  West  Jersey  Railroad  depot  on  Irving  avenue,  en  route 
to  Camp  Stockton,  Woodbury,  there  to  be  mustered  into  the 
Twelfth  New  Jersey  Regiment,  Infantry,  Volunteers.  Never 
did  a  finer  looking  body  of  men  pass  thnmgh  the  streets  of 


Dr.  William  S.  B^wen 
Edmund  R.  Elmer 
Eden  M.  Hoad 


PROMINENT    CITIZENS-lSiW-1^ 
Charles  Laning 
John  Cheesman,  Jr. 
John  R.  Graham 


Hiram  Harris 
Robert  M.  Seeley 
Hon.  John  Carter 


64  HISTORIC    DAYS 

Bridg-eton.  In  the  march  to  the  depot  several  thousand 
people  follinved  to  bid  them  God  speed  in  the  noble  cause  for 
whicii  they  were  to  give  the  last  full  measure  of  devotion. 
It  was  an  imposing  and  an  inspiring  scene.  At  the  depot 
weeping  wi\es.  mothers  and  children  bade  sad  farewells  to 
the  departing  young  men,  and  many  tears  were  shed.  The 
whistle  was  blown  and  the  locomotive  with  the  train  of  patri- 
ots slowly  receded  from  view,  while  the  cheers  of  those 
who  remained  made  the  air  resound  with  an  afifectionate 
adieu.  Three  years  later  this  noble  company  was  to  return 
with  thirty  men  under  a  battle  flag  whose  stars  were  riddled 
with  bullet  holes  and  whose  stripes  were  torn  by  shot  and  by 
shell.  A  handful  of  brave  hearts  like  Napoleon's  Old  Guard 
black  with  the  smoke  of  many  engagements  upon  their  faces 
they  marched  jjroudly  through  Commerce  street  'midst  the 
huzzahs  of  patriotic  Bridgeton. 

This  gallant  Company  K  took  part  in  triirty-one  engage- 
ments, entering  at  Chancellorsville,  Va.,  May  3d  and  4th, 
1863:  in  the  glorious  l)attle  of  Gettysburg,  Pa.,  July  ist, 
2d  and  3d,  1863 :  at  the  Wilderness,  Va.,  May  5th  to  7th, 
1864:  Spottsylvania,  Va.,  May  8th  to  i8th,  1864;  closing 
its  meritorious  service  at  the  capture  of  Petersburg,  Va.,  Ap- 
ril 2d.  1865,  and  witnessing  Lee's  surrender  at  Appomattox, 
Va.,  April  9th,  1865. 

The  following  is  the  roster  of  the  company :  Captain, 
Richard  S.  Thompson;  First  Lieutenant,  Daniel  Dare;  Sec- 
ond Lieutenant,  William  E.  Potter ;  Sergeants,  Edward  M. 
DuBois,  Henry  Crooks.  Moses  B'.  Holmes.,  Frank  M.  Riley, 
William  S.  Ayres,  Charles  S.  Padgett,  Timothy  Bateman, 
Aaron  Terry.  Edwin  .M.  Padgett,  Benjamin  F.  Howell, 
James  P.  Williams.  John  F.  Shuman.  William  B.  Hines; 
Corporals:  Charles  M.  Riley,  Albert  Walker.  William  F. 
Aloore.  George  Laws,  Joseph  B.  Husted,  William  H.  Ben- 
nett, Justus  H.  Livingston,  Horace  B.  Garton,  Amos  S. 
Burt,  Butler  Xewcomb,  George  McHem-y :  Privates :  Henry 
C.  Lore.  John  Evans,  Jonathan  Borden.  Henr\-  \\'.  Gaskill, 
Henry  H.  Bradford,  Henry  Campbell,  Albert  F.  Carll.  Rob- 
ert G.  Clark,  Reeves  Coulter,  Anderson  Davis,  William  H. 


IX    CUMIM-.Kl.A.M)    COrXTV,    NEW    J ICUSKV  65 

Dickesoii,  Abraham  l-aceniire,  Robert  P.  Fisher,  Edgar  M. 
Fithian,  John  Garrison,  Thomas  S.  Green,  Edward  C.  Hall, 
George  H.  Horner,  Jcremiali  Husted,  Absalom  Jordan,  John 
.Maxwell,  Thomas  H.  Pancoast,  Hiram  Pew,  Charles  O.  P. 
Riley,  James  R.  Rainear,  William  M.  Seeley,  Charles  L. 
Sockwell,  Edward  M.  Steward,  John  G.  Swinney,  Samuel 
Tomlinson,  Daniel  Tullis,  William  Jl.  I!,  Ward,  John  Yates, 
John  B.  Bonham,  Josiah  Garrison,  George  A.  Harris,  IMaritz 
Isell,  Isaac  F.  Jerrell,  Thomas  R.  Keni]),  Jacob  Keyport, 
Lorenzo  D.  Messic,  Simon  S.  Swing,  Samuel  R.  Payne, 
Daniel  Simpkins,  Josiah  F.  Smith,  Bloomfield  Spencer.  Wil- 
liam) H.  A'augtin.  Elmer  M.  West.  \\'illiam  H.  Berry.  Henry 
D.  Duffeld,  Varney  W.  Gaskill,  William  H.  Greenly,  Dan- 
iel R.  Harris,  Asa  A.  F.  Randolph,  Richard  F.  Randolph, 
Jeremiah  Roray,  George  S.  Tindall,  Henry  Walker. 

Company  K.  was  afterward  recruited  by  the  addition  of 
substitutes  during  its  term  of  service  to  take  the  place  of 
those  killed,  discharged  by  disease  and  because  of  amputa- 
tions and  other  serious  wounds.  Only  si.x  of  its  entire  mem- 
bership deserted,  one  of  whom  returned  to  duty  later  on. 

The  following  members  of  this  company  died  on  the 
field  and  in  hospital :  Aaron  Terry,  at  Andersonville,  Ga. 
prison,  March  24.  1864,  of  disease  and  hunger,  buried  at 
National  Cemetery,  Andersonville,  grave  133:  Aloses  B. 
Holmes,  died  at  Field  Hospital,  June  4,  1864,  wounds  re- 
ceived in  action  at  Cold  Harbor,  Va.,  June  3d,  1864;  Hor- 
ace B.  Garton  died  at  U.  S.  General  Hospital,  in  Washing- 
ton, D.  C,  June  3d.  1864,  wounds  received  in  action  at 
Spottsylvania  Courthouse,  Va.,  buried  at  National  Cemetery. 
Arlington,  Va. ;  Charles  E.  Smith  killed  in  action  at  Nortli 
Anna  River.  Va.,  May  26  1864:  Samuel  Carey,  died  at  Field 
Hospital,  May  5th.  1864,  wounds  received  in  action  at  Wil- 
derness, Va. ;  Daniel  H.  Carman,  died  at  Field  Plospital,  July 
3d,  1864,  of  wounds  received  in  action  at  Gettysburg,  Pa. ; 
Jacob  W.  Carter,  killed  in  action  at  Chancellorsville,  Va. 
May  3d,  1863;  Simon  \\'.  Creamer,  killed  in  action  at  Get- 
tysburg, Pa,,  July  3d,  1863,  buried  at  National  Cemetery, 
Gettysburg.  Pa..  Section  .\,  Grave  20;  Thomas  C,  Galloway, 


HISTORIC    DAYS 


died  of  scurvy  at  Andersonville  prison,  Ga..  August  28th, 
1864,  buried  in  National  Cemetery,  Andersonville,  Grave 
7.039;  Joseph  H.  Gaunt,  died  of  disease,  at  Ward  U.  S. 
General  Hospital,  Newark,  N.  J..  April  20th,  1865,  buried 
at  Fairmount  Cemetery,  Newark;  William  D.  Hendrickson, 
died  of  fever,  at  Regular  Hospital,  Camp  near  Falmouth, 
Va.,  January  23d,  1863,  buried  at  National  Cemetery,  Fred- 
ericksburg, Va.,  Division  A.  Section  A.  grave  137;  Samuel 
Hollenback,  died  of  wounds  received  in  action  at  Boydton 
Plank  Road,  Va.,  Oct.  27th,  1864,  buried  at  Poplar  Grove 
National  Cemetery,  Va.,  Division  D,  Section  C.  grave  164; 
Nathaniel  H.  Horner,  died  June  4th,  1864.  of  wounds  re- 
ceived in  action  at  Cold  Harbor,  Va. ;  Henry  Howell,  died  of 
disease  at  Regular  Hospital  Camp  near  Falmouth,  Va., 
March  23d,  1863 ;  Francis  Husted,  died  of  fever,  at  Patent 
Office,  U.  S.  General  Hospital,  Washington,  D.  C,  Decem- 
ber 19th,  1863,  buried  at  Military  Asylum  Cemetery,  Wash- 
ington; Charles  Livingston,  died  at  Field  Hospital,  Spotts- 
sylvania  Courthouse,  Va.,  May  14th,  1864,  of  wounds  re- 
ceived in  action  at  Spottsylvania ;  Matthias  Maloney,  killed 
in  action,  at  Boydton  Plank  Road,  Va.,  October  27th,  1864; 
John  H.  Mullica,  died  of  disease,  at  U.  S.  General  Hospital, 
City  Point.  Va.,  June  30th,  1864;  Charles  O.  Powell,  killed 
in  action,  at  Chancellorsville,  Va.,  May  3d,  1863 ;  Charles  H. 
Simpkins,  killed  in  action,  at  Wilderness,  May  5th,  1864; 
Henry  S.  Sockwell,  killed  in  action  at  Gettysburg.  Pa.,  July 
3d,  1863 ;  Samuel  S.  Sutton,  died  at  Field  Hospital,  White 
House,  Va.,  June  8th,  1864,  of  wounds  received  in  action 
at  Cold  Harbor,  Va. ;  Theophilus  Sutton,  died  of  scurvy,  at 
Andersonville  prison,  Ga.,  October  28,  i8r>4.  buried  at 
National  Cemetery,  .Andersonville.  gra\e  i  1.615. 


Such  is  the  record  of  this  splendid  body  of  volunteers. 
Of  its  oftkers — Lieut. -Colonel  Edward  M.  DuBois,  rose 
from  the  ranks  to  high  honors,  a  Bridgeton  boy  whose  brav- 
ery on  many  fields  was  nobly  attested ;  Captain  I-'rank  M. 
Riley,  wlm  enlisted  is  second  sergeant  of  Compain-  K.  but 

((•.6) 


Henry  Campbell 
William  F.   Moore 


WAR   TIME   PICTURES— 18i;2-IS*V> 

Group  Company  K,  Twelfth   N.  J.   Reg.   Inf.   Vols, 

Daniel  B.   Harris 

Capt.   Henry  Crooks 

Edwin  C.   Hall 


Butler  Newcomb 
Justus  H.  Livingston 


68  HlSTdKll'    DAVS 

returned  as  Captain  of  Co.  F.,  was  a  brave  and  efficient 
officer.  In  one  of  the  battles  around  Petersburg,  Va.,  Cap- 
tain Riley  was  seriously  wounded  in  the  face,  a  niinnie  ball 
passing-  through  it  and  dropping  into  his  mouth.  He  was 
taken  prisoner  by  the  Confederates,  and  during  his  confin*- 
ment  his  line  India  rubber  blanket  and  other  \aluables  disap- 
peared as  he  supposed  at  the  time,  by  command  of  the  Con- 
federate General,  M.  C.  Butler,  of  South  Carolina.  The  theft 
of  Captain  Riley's  blanket  afterwards  figured  in  the  evidence 
before  the  Committee  on  Privileges  and  Elections  of  the 
United  States  Senate  several  years  after  the  war,  when  the 
seat  of  M.  C.  Butler  was  contested  as  a  Senator  from  that 
Sftate.  It  finally  turned  out  that  General  Butler  had  no 
knowledge  of  the  theft.  In  1904,  to  Captain  Riley's  sur- 
prise, he  received  a  telegram  from  the  ex-Confederate,  to 
meet  him  at  the  Hotel  Walton,  in  Philadelphia.  He  did  so 
and  there  met  a  handsome,  dignified  Southern  gentleman, 
who  apologized  for  the  robbery  of  forty  years  previous,  say- 
ing that  he  had  no  knowledge  of  it  and  that  it  was  done  by 
one  of  his  subDrdinatcs  withuut  authority,  and  would  never 
have  occurred  had  he  had  the  slightest  intimation  that  such 
an  ungentlemanly  act  was  contemplated.  General  Butler  en- 
tertained Captain  Riley  with  old-time  Southern  hospitality, 
and  in\  ited  him  to  \isit  his  home  and  become  his  guest.  Cap- 
tain Riley  participated  in  the  three  days'  fight  at  Gettysburg, 
July  1st,  2d,  and  3d,  1863,  the  bloodiest  engagement  of  the 
war,  where  with  liuck  and  ball  the  Twelfth  Regiment  took 
part  in  the  charge  upon  the  Bliss  barn,  and  from  behind  a 
stone  fence,  sent  death  and  destruction  into  Pickett's  men  in 
the  historic  advance  of  the  Confederates  on  that  eventful 
third  (lav. 


The  commander  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment  was  Colonel 
J.  Howard  Willetts,  of  Port  Elizabeth,  Cumberland  County. 
Colonel  Willetts  had  been  transferred  from  the  Seventh 
Regiment,  in  which  he  had  held  command  as  captain  of 
Company  II.     Enlisting  October  3,   1861,  he  had  rendered 


IN    CUMBERLAND    COUNTY,    NEW    JERSEY  69 

\aluable  service  in  General  McCIellan's  campaigns  on  the 
peninsula  and  in  Maryland.  Promoted  to  lieutenant  colonel 
August  12,  1862.  for  gallant  and  meritorious  conduct  in 
the  field,  he  entered  upon  a  distinguished  career  as  colonel 
of    the   regiment   soon   after   its    formation,    February   27, 

1863.  At  the  battle  of  Chancellorsville,  .May  3,  1862, 
Colonel  W'illetts  was  badly  wounded,  several  balls  enter- 
ing his  body.  He  remained  in  the  service  until  December 
19,  1864,  when  he  was  discharged  with  high  honors  as  a 
patriotic  ofiicer  and  soldier. 

Company  K  also  furnished  other  notable  men.  auKJUg 
the  most  prominent  of  whom  is  Benjamin  !■'.  Howell  who 
served  in  Congress  from  the  New  Brunswick  district  for 
many  years.  Congressman  Howell  was  born  in  Fairfield 
township,  Cumberland  Cdunty,  serving  his  country  faith- 
fully as  a  soldier  until  July  Toth,  1865.  Returning  home  he 
changed  his  residence  to  .Middlesex  County,  whose  citizens 
repeatedly  honored  him  with  exalted  position.  Captain 
Richard  S.  Thompson  closed  a  distinguished  career  in  the 
i_'tli  Regiment  with  the  honors  of  Lieut. -Colonel.  Charles 
S.  Padgett,  so  long  a  prominent  citizen  of  ]5ridgeton,  was 
another  member  of  Company  K,  wiio  distinguished  himself 
;uid  left  a  limb  on  the  field  of  battle;  likewise  William  F. 
Moore,  one  of  the  color  guard  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment,  who 
took  active  part  in  the  assault  upon  the  P>liss  barn,  when 
ninetv  rebels  were  caiiluroil  liy  our  boys;  afterwards  seri- 
ously wounded  in  action  at  Spottsylvania;  also  William  H. 
Bennett,  who  bore  an  honoralile  part  as  one  of  the  color 
bearers  of  this  heroic  regiment. 

F.dwanl  C.  Hall,  of  l-'airfield  township,  private  in  Com- 
paiiv  I\.  Twelfth  Regiment,  was  a  soldier  of  heroic  mould. 
Serving  from  1862  to  1863,  he  was  twice  seriously  wounded 
at  the  battle  of  Chancellorsville.  Va..  May  3rd.  1863.  gim- 
shot  woiuids  of  the  head  and  left  leg.  Xot withstanding  his 
wounds,  when  the  regiment  was  ordered  to  fall  back  he  re- 
fused, and.  joining  the  io8th  Xew  York  \'ols..  fired  four- 
teen rounds  at  the  enemy,     .^t  Cold  Harbor.  Va..  June  3d, 

1864.  he  was  again  hit,  gunshot  wound  tln'ongh  the  left 


HISTORIC    DAYS 


shoulder.  Caplured  at  Hatclier's  Run,  Va.,  October  27th, 
1864,  lie  was  taken  1)\-  the  Confederates  to  Castle  Thunder 
and  then  to  Lihbv  prison.  While  in  Libby  he  was  ordered 
by  Alajor  Turner,  commander  of  the  prison,  to  do  some 
blacksniithino-  for  the  Confederacy,  as  Hall  was  known  to 
be  a  blacksmith  by  trade.  Turner  said  he  would  allow  him 
extra  rations,  and  extra  liberties  if  he  would  do  the  work. 
Private  Hall  said  "No,"  with  a  loud  emphasis,  thereby  tak- 
ing- his  life  in  his  hand.  But  Turner  rather  admired  his 
spunk,  and  left  him  unmolested.  Once  the  Confederates 
offered  him  a  discharge  on  parole,  but  his  answer  was — "not 
while  rebels  remain  in  arms!"  \\'hen  captured  he  w^eighed 
185  pounds :  when  exchanged,  such  w  ere  the  rigors  of  starv- 
ation in  Libb\-.  he  had  become  reduced  to  a  skeleton  of  92 
jiounds.  I'rixate  Hall  was  in  the  famous  charge  on  the 
Bliss  barn  at  (iettysburg.  Pa.,  July  3d,  1863,  and  during 
his  entire  soldier  career  participated  in  twenty-seven  battles. 


But  this  remarkable  year  was  to  witness  still  further 
excitement.  No  sooner  had  Company  K  departed  than  the 
work  of  filling  Cumberland  County's  quota  was  resumed. 
Just  here  it  may  be  well  to  make  the  statement,  which  is 
indisputable,  that  no  town  in  the  country,  save  one — the  town 
of  Haverhill,  Mass.,  furnished  so  many  volunteers  for  the 
Union  army  as  the  town  of  Bridgeton,  New  Jersey.  The 
patriotic  blood  which  led  the  fathers  at  Greenwich  to  destroy 
the  cargo  of  British  tea  on  the  public  common,  after  it  had 
I)een  taken  from  the  deck  of  the  Greyhound,  in  the  mouth 
of  the  Cohansey,  November,  1774.  had  been  transmitted  to 
the  sons  of  those  illustrious  sires,  and  they  rushed  to  the 
defense  of  constitutional  government  and  tlie  saving  of  the 
Union. 

The  \crandas  of  the  Davis  House  on  Commerce  street, 
and  the  pavements  in  front,  were  daily  crowded  with  patri- 
otic citizens  discussing  the  subject  of  enlistments.  Jerry 
Maul,  with  his  fife:  Charles  W'oodruff,  with  his  kettle-drum; 
Lou  Clark  with  the  big  drum,  appeared  day  by  day  and  en- 
livened the  scene  with  m.irtial  music.     Excitement  reached 

(70) 


WAR  TIME    PICTURES-lSV.'-lSlVi 

Group  Company  K.  Twelfth  N.  J.  Reg.  Inf.  Vols. 

William  H.  Bennett  William  B.  Mines  Charles  M.  Riley 

Benjamin  F.  Howell 
I  Now  Member  Congress  Fourth  N.J.  District  > 
Charles  O.  P.  Riley  Henry  Howell  Abram  Facemire 

(71) 


HISTORIC    DAYS 

its  greatest  Iieig'Iit  about  September  ist,  when  quarters  were 
opened  in  the  old  Iirick  store  known  as  the  J.  B.  Potter  store, 
at  the  corner  of  Commerce  and  Cohansey  streets.  In  two 
days  three  hundred  men  liad  enlisted  for  the  nine  months' 
service,  under  the  new  call  of  the  President.  The  new  com- 
panies, three  in  number,  were  enrolled  in  the  Twenty-fourm 
New  Jersey  Regiment.    The  following  is  a  roster: 

Company  F. :  Captain,  Samuel  Harris ;  First  Lieuten- 
ant, Elijah  Husted;  Second  Lieutenant.  William  B.  Pepper; 
First   Sergeant.    Benjamin  JHlancock ;   Sergeant. 'Joseph   S. 
Glaspey,  Isaac  L.  Moore,  David  Garrison ;  Corporals,  Wil- 
iam  F.   Demaris,   Theodore   F.   Buck,   Alphonso  Dunham, 
Charles  Haley,  Joseph  Shimp,  Benjamin  S.  Avars,  Charles 
X.  Woodruff,  David  D.  Sheppard;  Musician.  Samuel  Hum- 
phries ;  Privates,  Jesse  S.  Adams,  Charles  F.  Ackley,  Charles 
M.   Alkire.   \\"illiain   S.    .Ackley.   Josejjh    H.   C.   Appelgate. 
Judsdii   liateman,  jcmathan   W.   Pinnhani.   Isaiah   F.   Boody, 
David     M.     Bnwen,     Daniel     Brooks,     David     G.     Brooks, 
Charles  Brown,  Edgar  S.  Brown.  Thomas  Campbell,  Louis 
G.  Clark,  Charles  R.  Coulter,  James  Craig,  John  D.  Craig, 
Roger  S.  Crosier,  Albert  Davis,  William  F.  Duffield,  Joseph 
P.  Fithian,  Theodore  A.  Felmy,  John  h^inley,  Enos  Glaspell, 
Simon  J.   Garrison,   Samuel  Colder,  Jr.,  Christopher  Get- 
singer,  Jeremiah  Hann,  James  Harding,  Allen  N.  Harris, 
Edward  R.  H'usted,  Francis  Husted,  William  M.  Husted, 
Henry  F.   Hutchinson,   Samuel   H.  Jones,  Joseph  Jeffries, 
Benjamin  1-".  Ladow.  Peter  Ladow.  Isaac  Laning,  Jr.,  Aaron 
Leaming,  Edwin  J.  Lee,  James  E.  Logue,  Andrew  Maynes, 
Clarence  D.  Mayhew,  John  Murphy,  Jesse  B.  McBride.  Ma- 
jor McDaniels,   Daniel  'McHenry,  Jesse  McKee,   Thomas 
McKuen,  Isaac  McPherson.  John   N.   Middleton,  John   S. 
Miller.    Clement    C.   Moore.   William  Moore,   Charles   H. 
Newcomb.  John  II.  Orr.  Oswald  Patchell,  Elihu  R.  Peter- 
son, George  Pierson,  William  Reddon,  George  G.  Richmon, 
Edgar  J.  Riley,  James  Stewart,  Edgar  Shute,  Samuel  P. 
Trout,  WMlliam  B.  Trout,  Il'enrv  Vogel,  Henry  W.  Warful. 
Isaiah  P.  Warren.  Tlmnias  C.  Weldon,  John  F.  Wlieaton, 
Tini(ilb\-  Wo'uhnlT.  jnlm  L.  Wilfong. 

(72) 


WAR-TIME    I'lL  1  LIRES— IWVJ-lWiS 
Group  Company  F.  Twenty-fourth  N.J.  Reg.  Inf.  Vols. 

Benjamin  S.  Ayres  Charles  M.  Alkire  Joseph  P.  Fithian 

Judson  Bateman  Samuel  Humphries  Benjamin  Hancock 

Isaac  McPhersin  David   D.  Sheppard  Isaac  Laning 

Major  McDaniels  Theodore  A.  Felmy  Joseph  S.  Glaspey 

(73) 


74 


IIISIDKIC    DAYS 


Died  in  the  service :  Cliarles  F.  Garrison,  at  Division 
Hospital,  near  Falmoutli,  Va.,  Dec.  21.  1862,  wounds  re- 
ceived in  action  at  Fredericksburg,  Va..  Dec.  13,  1862  ;  Peter 
German,  missing  in  action  at  Fredericksburg,  Va.,  Dec.  13, 
1862,  never  heard  of  afterward ;  David  A.  Long,  of  fever  at 
U.  S.  Army  Gen.  Hospital,  Newark,  N.  J.,  Jan.  11,  1863; 
John  McNichols,  missing  in  action  at  Fredericksburg,  Va., 
Dec.  13.  1862.  never  heard  of  afterward;  William  J.  Orr. 
missing  in  action  at  Fredericksburg,  Va.,  Dec.  13,  1862, 
never  heard  of  afterward ;  William  F.  Richards,  of  fever  at 
Regimental  Hospital,  near  Falmouth,  Va..  Jan.  15.  1863. 
btu'ied  at  Xat.  Cemetery,  Fredericksburg,  Va..  Div.  A,  Sec- 
tion A,  grave  407 ;  William  R.  Vanmeter,  missing  in  action 
at  Fredericksburg,  Va.,  Dec.  13,  1862,  never  heard  of  after- 
ward. 

Company  G :  Captain,  James  R.  Hoagland ;  First  Lieu- 
tenant, Charles  M.  Pease;  Second  Lieutenant,  Robert  B. 
Potter;  First  Sergeants,  Francis  M.  DuBois,  Henry  R.  Pier- 
son;  Sergeants,  Jesse  C.  Davis,  George  M.  Chester,  William 
F.  Brown.  Thomas  A.  Harris;  Corporals,  John  DuBois, 
Japhet  Hann.  Israel  L.  Fish.  Charles  McDaniels,  Dallas  T. 
Haley ;  Musician,  Benson  Smith ;  Privates,  \\'illiam  Ackley, 
Charles  P.  Bacon,  Thomas  IVL  Barracliff,  James  Boyle, 
Aaron  R.  Broadway,  \\'illiam  S.  Brown,  John  W.  Blizzard. 
David  AL  Carman,  Ephraim  Carman,  Joshua  Clark,  Caleb 
Cobb,  Joseph  W.  Cobb.  John  W.  Cobb,  James  Cornell. 
Jacob  P.  Cobb.  William  C.  Dare.  Charles  H.  Dare,  Jere- 
miah .\.  Davis,  I'^rancis  W.  Gallagher.  Samuel  Gallagher. 
W  illiam  Garrow,  Jonathan  C.  Garrison.  James  H.  Gaudy, 
Xclson  Haley,  I-'ranklin  F.  If  and,  Henry  Huster.  Henry 
Harris.  Alfred  Harris.  Frederick  Heintz,  John  F.  Heintz. 
Mathias  Fox.  Charles  R.  Hopkins,  Isaac  Hunter,  Lorenzo 
D.  Hutton.  Daniel  Jaggers,  Joseph  L.  Kincaid,  Levi  J. 
Loper.  Walter  S.  Leach,  John  AlcConnell.  Jeremiah 
P.  Mills.  Isaac  Newcomb,  Daniel  K.  'Pearson,  Xathan 
Pennington,  Jr.,  David  F.  Randolph.  Benjamin  R.  Ra- 
singer,  William  H.  Rawley,  Robert  Robinson.  William 
Seaman,  Levi  Sharp.   Isaac  Sheppard.   .\ndrew  B.   Shimp. 


IN    CUMBERLAND    COl'NTV.    NKW    JICK.SICY  75 

Stacy  Sloan.  Albert  Smith,  George  Steelman,  Smith 
Stites.  Job  T.  Trout,  Hiram  Trueland,  Daniel  Turner,  Wil- 
liam H.  H.  West,  Sheppard  Wescott,  ^^■illiam  H.  White, 
George  E.  Wills,  John  Wines,  Wallace  Wriggins. 

Died  in  the  sevice :  .\lbert  B.  Jones,  at  hospital  near 
Fredericksburg,  Va.,  Dec.  22,  1862,  wounds  received  in  ac- 
tion at  Fredericksburg,  Dec.  13,  1862  ;  Lot  Bacon,  of  disease, 
at  Finley  U.  S.  Army  Gen.  Hospital,  Washington,  D.  C., 
Jan.  2,  1863;  Lorenzo  Bailey,  at  hospital  near  Fredericks- 
burg, Va.,  Dec.  22,  1862,  wounds  received  in  action  at  Fred- 
ericksburg, Dec.  13,  1862;  Alfred  S.  Cobb,  of  fever,  at 
Camp  near  Chain  Bridge.  Va.,  Nov.  14,  1862;  William  S. 
Corson,  at  hospital  near  Fredericksburg,  Va.,  Dec.  22,  1862, 
wounds  received  in  action  at  Fredericksburg,  Va.,  Dec.  13, 
1862:  John  Danelbeck,  missing  in  action  at  Fredericksburg, 
Va.,  Dec.  13,  1862.  never  heard  of  afterward;  Nathan  P. 
derls,  at  Hospital,  at  Fredericksburg,  Va..  Dec.  14,  1862, 
wounds  received  in  action  at  Fredericksburg.  Va.,  Dec.  13, 
1862:  William  C.  Husted.  killed  in  action  at  I'redericksburg. 
Va.,  Dec.  13,  1862;  Valentine  Maxner,  killed  in  action  at 
l'"re(lericksburg.  Va..  Dec.  13.  1862:  Jacob  C.  Shinn.  missing 
in  action  at  Fredericksburg,  Va.,  Dec.  13,  1862.  never  heard 
of  afterward. 

Company  H:  Captain.  Henry  Xet^';  P'irst  Lieutenant. 
Alexander  L.  Robeson ;  Second  Lieutenant,  James  J. 
Reeves;  First  Sergeant,  John  H.  Schreiner ;  Sergeants,  Sam- 
uel ]\r.  McCall.  James  IMcCowan.  William  B.  Smith.  David 
S.  Pedrick;  Corporals,  Benjamin  T.  Bright,  Daniel  H.  Xeip- 
lin.  James  Ewing,  Charles  H.  Atmore,  Alexander  McGraw, 
Jesse  D.  Claypoole,  Jacob  Ernest,  James  R.  Sellers;  Musi- 
cian. Ephraim  R.  Ayars;  Privates.  Edward  Ayars.  Richard 
R.  Ayars,  Samuel  Ayars,  William  IM.  Barnes,  Thomas  Bo- 
dine,  William  Howard  Blew,  William  Bowers.  William  Bo- 
dine,  John  D.  Boone,  Darius  Bowen,  Frederick  Bowen,  Isaac 
H.  Bowen.  Harris  Brooks.  Joseph  C.  Brooks.  Richard  H. 
Brooks,  William  E.  Brooks.  Ephraim  E.  Buck.  John  Cake. 
Williami  Campbell,  George  Cawman.  Samuel  B.  Carter.  Wil- 
liam S.  Conklin.  Tames  R.  Cheesman.  Henry  C.  Dare.  Henry 


HISTORIC    DAYS 

C.  Deenier.  Albert  Dolton,  David  Edwards,  Martin  Ed- 
wards., Jacob  Elwell,  John  S.  Ernest,  Benjamin  Ford,  Am- 
brose Fox,  Jacob  Garton,  Benjamin  N.  Gibson.  James  Gil- 
len,  WiHiam  B.  Gilman,  Henry  Griner,  Francis  AI.  Harris, 
Robert  V.  Hnntsinger,  William  G.  Harris,  Daniel  Ireland, 
William  Ireland,  John  G.  Keyser,  Christoph  Laich.  Martin 
Loder.  Reuben  ^larryott,  Edward  Alixner,  Joseph  L.  Mul- 
ford,  Robert  Moncrief,  Allen  Mulford,  Jacob  Naglee,  James 
Norton,  John  B.  Nieukirk,  Solomon  Overdorf,  William  A. 
Parvin.  Charles  Ouicksell,  John  Lenhart  Rice,  William 
Riley,  William  E.  Schuyler,  Francis  Seaman,  Charles  S. 
Sellers,  Elmer  Sheppard,  John  Sheppard.  Thomas  W.  Shep- 
pard.  Stephen  Shimp.  Edward  B.  Simpkins,  Enos  D.  Simp- 
kins.  William  Smith,  James  L.  Stiles,  Jehu  Tumey,  Charles 
S.  Wallen.  George  H.  Whipple,  George  M.  D.  Woodruff. 
William  Harrison  Woodruff,  Abram  \\"oodruff". 

Died  in  the  service:  William  B.  Elmer,  at  Division  Hos- 
pital, near  Falmouth,  Va.,  Dec.  21.  1862.  wounds  received 
in  action  at  Fredericksburg.  Va.,  Dec.  13,  1862;  Joseph  M. 
Elwell,  of  fever,  at  hospital.  Windmill  Point,  Va..  Jan.  27, 
1863;  George  Fox,  at  Stanton  U.  S.  Army  Gen.  Hospital, 
Washington,  D.  C,  Jan.  7,  1863.  wounds  received  in  action 
at  Fredericksburg,  Va.,  Dec.  13,  1862;  George  W.  Burch, 
of  consumption  at  Newton  University  Hospital,  Baltimore, 
Maryland.  April  2,  1863;  Charles  Dayton,  niissing  in  action 
at  Chancellorsville,  Va.,  May  3,  1863,  never  heard  of  after- 
ward ;  Edward  R.  Gilman,  of  fever  at  Camp  Kearney,  Va., 
Oct.  24,  1862;  David  McGear,  of  fever  at  Regimental  Hos- 
])it;d.  near  l'"almouth,  Va.,  Feb.  22,  1863  ;  Alexander  Riggan, 
of  fever  at  L;.  S.  .'Xrniy  Gen.  Ho.spital,  Windmill  Point,  Va., 
Jan.  25,  1S63;  Richard  H.  Rittig,  at  Harewood  U.  S.  Army 
Gen.  Flospital,  Washington,  D.  C,  Dec.  28,  1862,  wounds 
received  in  action  at  Fredericksburg.  Va.,  Dec.  13.  1862; 
First  Lieutenant,  Alexander  L.  Robeson,  killed  in  action  at 
Fredericksburg,  Va.,  Dec.  13,  1862. 


.Among   the   distinguished    men    in    the   Twenty-fourth 
Regiment     was    Major   Joel    A.    iMtbian.   of   Bridgeton.   a 


(7(i) 


WAR-TIME   PICTURES-1-^iVJ-lMi;. 
Group  Company  G,  Twenty-fourth  N.  J.  Reg.  Inf.  Vols. 
Sergeant  Francis  Marion  DuBois  William  M.  Husted 

Sergeant  Jesse  C.  Davis 
Samuel  Joslin  Lieut.  Henry  R.  Pierson 

Thomas  M.  Barracliff" 


HISTORIC    DAYS 

native  of  Cumberland  County,  descendant  of  one  of  the 
best  families,  his  ancestors  being  long  resident  of  the  fine 
agricultural  region  known  as  Hopewell  and  Stow  Creek 
Townships.  Major  Fithian  was  a  very  handsome  man.  a 
commanding  figure,  and  fine  looking  soldier.  He  made  an 
admirable  record  as  an  ofticer.  Once  during  his  term  of 
service  he  was  detailed  to  pay  certain  troops  in  the  capacity 
of  paymaster,  said  contingent  not  having  received  compen- 
sation for  several  months  owing  to  the  exposed  position 
they  were  occupying  at  the  front.  The  Confederate  Cav- 
alryman Mosby  was  scouring  the  country  making  havoc 
on  all  sides.  It  was  dangerous  work  for  the  Major,  but  he 
started  with  the  money  chest  full  of  greenbacks.  When  his 
journey  was  well  nigh  finished  Mosby  suddenly  appeared, 
captured  his  escort,  and  compelled  Major  Fithian  to  canter 
for  his  life.  He  succeeded,  however,  to  the  great  chagrin 
of  the  Confederate,  for  the  money  was  what  Mosby  was 
after.  The  war  closed,  and  years  later  Colonel  Mosby  and 
Major  Fithian  met  in  a  hotel  in  Los  Angeles,  California, 
by  accident.  Recognizing  the  Confederate,  as  he  had  never 
forgotten  his  appearance,  the  Major  said :  "Colonel  I  met 
you  before  under  very  difYerent  circumstances."  Mosby 
repeated  the  Major's  name  several  times,  and  finally  replied, 
"O,  you  are  the  fellow  that  got  away  from  me,  in  that  raid 
in  Virginia."  Colonel  Mosby  had  captured  the  roster  of 
the  Major's  escort,  and  had  kept  it.  He  said  that  "Fithian" 
was  a  singular  name,  and  he  had  never  forgotten  it.  He 
also  thought  that  Fithian  was  a  very  slick  as  well  as  singular 
fellow  to  get  away  so  cleverly,  when  he  (Mosby)  thought 
he  had  him.  The  recognition  was  mutual,  and  a  pleasant 
chat  was  had  between  the  erstwhile  enemies.  After  the  as- 
sassination of  President  Lincoln.  Major  Fithian  was  one  of 
the  ])arty  that  buried  John  Wilkes  Booth,  a  secret  that  he 
kept  to  the  end.  The  closing  years  of  Major  Fithian's  life 
were  spent  in  Southern  California. 


Another    distinguished    Bridgetonian    in    the   Twenty- 
fourth    Regiment   was   Lieutenant    Henry    R.    Pierson,    of 

(78) 


WAR  TIME     PICTURES— 1SC.2 
Group  Company  H.  Twenty-fourth  N.  J.  Reg.  Inf.  Vols. 

John  Lenhart  Rice  Joseph  G.  Brooks  Joseph  M.  Elwell 

William  M.  Barnes  Henry  C.  Dare  William  Smith 

Christoph  Laich  William  B.  Gilman  Allen  Mulford 

Martin  Loder  Jehu  Tumey  George  H.  Whipple 

(791 


HISTORIC  DAYS 

Company  D,  afterward  assistant  quartermaster,  with  the 
rank  of  captain,  United  States  Volunteers.  Captain  Pier- 
son  was  very  proud  of  a  commission  he  held,  dated  Alay 
i8,  1864.  which  bore  the  signature  of  Abraham  Lincoln, 
President;  and  Edwin  'SI.  Stanton,  Secretary  of  War.  Cum- 
mission  was  signed  May  24,  1864,  approved  by  E.  D.  Town- 
send,  Assistant  Adjutant  General,  and  was  handsomely  en- 
graved with  the  heading  "The  President  of  the  United 
States  of  America  to  Henry  R.  Pierson,  Greeting."' 


When  the  wa\e  of  patriotism  was  at  its  height  in 
Bridgeton  and  the  townships  adjacent  thereto,  the  town  of 
Millville,  ten  miles  away,  was  girding  itself  for  the  war. 
Flag-raisings  were  attended  by  large  crowds  of  citizens, 
patriotic  speeches  by  Hon.  Edward  Maylin,  Dr.  W'm.  L. 
Newell,  and  other  prominent  citizens,  stirred  the  hearts  of 
all  who  loved  the  Union  and  the  Flag.  Company  B,  com- 
posed of  young  business  men  and  glassworkers,  was  quickly 
formed  for  the  Twenty-fourth  Regiment.  Following  is  a 
list  of  its  officers  and  men : 

Company  B. — Captains,  George  E.  Dunlap,  James 
Smith ;  First  Lieutenant,  B.  Reed  Brown ;  Second  Lieuten- 
ant, John  Springer;  First  Sergeants,  Henry  S.  Spalding, 
Hiram  B.  Shaw;  Sergeants,  William  H.  Wills,  Gilbert  K. 
Heritage,  Francis  Hankins,  Thomas  S.  Simmons :  Coi'por- 
als,  Richard  W.  VanSant,  George  IMadden,  Jacob  B.  Kates, 
Joseph  Gerard,  William  D.  Jackson,  Franklin  Appleby, 
Enoch  Laird,  Jabez  Scholes,  Joshua  Corson ;  Musicians, 
Henry  H.  Meyhew,  Isaiah  E.  Johnson ;  Privates,  Alexander 
Anderson,  Samuel  F.  Bard,  Francis  L  Batcheldor,  Isaac  H. 
Beakley,  Frederick  Blint,  John  H.  Boody,  Edward  C. 
Champion.  Jacob  F.  Cake,  Joseph  Camp,  William  J.  Carlisle, 
John  W.  Cawman,  Benjamin  Cossaboon,  Jesse  Cossaboon, 
David  Crawford,  Isaac  W.  Downs,  Oscar  B.  Eastlack,  Ru- 
dolph Edwards,  Jesse  Ford,  Thomas  H.  Gifford,  Allen  S. 
Garrison,  John  Gilliland.  John  Garrison,  Jr.,  John  M.  Hen- 
derson, Job  Hess,  John  Hess,  Samuel  Hess,  James  Headley, 
Nicholas  Griner,  George  F.  Headley,  William  F.  Hogbin, 

(80) 


Capt.  Samuel  Harris 
Company  F 
Capt.   Henry  Neff 
Company  H 


WAR  TIME  PICTURES-l*^i-' 

Cumberland  County  Officers 

L;4th  New  Jersey  Regiment  Inf.  Vols. 

Dr.  AVilliam   L.   Newell.  Surgeon 

Major  Joel  A.   Fithian 

Quarter-Master  Samuel  R.   Fithian 

(SI) 


Capt.  George  E.  Dunlap 

Company    B 
Capt.  James  R.  Hoagland 

Company  G 


HISTORIC    DAYS 


Joseph  E.  James,  Samuel  Kears,  George  B.  Langley,  Sam- 
uel Maines,  John  Alatticks,  John  McGill,  Calvin  J.  McMa- 
han,  George  W.  Messeck,  John  S.  Orr,  William  W.  Rob- 
inson, John  R.  Sapp,  William  C.  Shaw,  Isaac  S.  Sheldon, 
Job  Sheppard,  Harvey  T.  Shaw,  John  Sheppard,  Albert  L. 
Singers,  Jeremiah  B.  Shull,  John  W.  Simmons,  Edward 
Spence,  Lewis  S.  Sockwell,  David  D.  Stites,  Samuel 
Stokley,  John  Stout,  John  D.  Stout,  Thomas  C.  Stout.  Dare 
Thompson.  Andrew  H.  Tomlin,  Zingles  VanHook,  John 
Webb,  William  W'eiser.  Lemuel  G.  \\'elch,  Levi  \\'ilson, 
William  Young. 

Died  in  the  service — John  Rounds,  fever,  at  camp  near 
Falmouth,  \'a.,  January  20,  1863,  buried  at  National  Ceme- 
tery, Fredericksburg,  Va.,  Division  A,  Section  A,  grave 
411:  Loren  Russ,  at  Fredericksburg,  Va.,  December  14, 
1862,  wounds  received  in  action  at  Fredericksburg,  Va., 
December  13,  1862;  Henry  Adler,  at  Ascension  U.  S.  Army 
General  Hospital,  Washington,  D.  C,  January  13,  1863, 
wounds  received  in  action  at  Fredericksburg,  Va.,  December 
13,  1862,  buried  at  Military  Hospital  Cemetery,  D.  C. ; 
George  Donnelly,  of  fever,  at  Division  Hospital,  near  Fal- 
mouth, Va.,  March  15,  1863,  buried  at  National  Cemetery, 
Fredericksburg,  Va.,  Division  D,  Section  C,  grave  16;  James 
Gibson,  killed  in  action  at  Fredericksburg,  Va.,  December 
13,  1862;  Samuel  H.  Jones,  of  fever,  at  Hospital,  Windmill 
Point,  Va.,  February  9,  1863 ;  Henry  Reeves,  killed  in  action 
at  Chancellorsville,  Va.,  May  3,  1S63;  Ezekiel  Simmons, 
killed  in  action  at  Fredericksburg,  Va.,  December  13.  1862; 
Anson  Thompson,  at  Washington.  D.  C,  December  18, 
1862,  wounds  recei\'ed  in  action  at  Fredericksburg,  Va., 
December  13,  1862;  Benajah  Thompson,  killed  in  action  at 
Fredericksburg,  Va.,  December  13,  1862;  William  Tinker, 
of  disease,  at  camp  near  Falmouth,  Va.,  February  8,  1863, 
buried  at  National  Cemetery,  Fredericksburg,  Va..  Division 
D.  Section  C,  grave  66;  Benjamin  F.  Vannaman.  of  disease. 
at  Emory  U.  S.  Army  General  Hospital,  Washington,  D. 
C,  October  3,  1862. 

(S2) 


WAR  TIME    PICTURES-iNi-' 
Group  Company  B.  Twenty-fourth  N.J.  Inf.  Vols. 
Nicholas  Griner  Isaiah  E.  Johnson 

John  W.  Simmons  Thomas  S.  Simmons  Ezekiel  Simmons 

Samuel  F.  Bard  George  B.  Langlcy 

(83) 


84  IIISIdKU     DAVS 

While  \olunteers  were  forming  the  three  Bridgetoii 
companies  for  the  Twenty-fourtli  Regiment,  tiie  young  men 
of  Fairfield  and  Downe  Townships  were,  with  patriotic 
ardor,  rallying  for  the  organization  of  Company  D,  of  the 
Twenty-fifth  Regiment.  This  company  was  composed 
largely  of  oystermen  and  farmers,  young  men  of  brain  and 
muscle.  Amid  the  boom  of  cannon,  the  music  of  a  ch-uni 
corps,  and  presentation  of  a  beautiful  flag  at  the  hands  of  a 
local  committee,  the  company  left  its  rendezvous  in  Fair- 
field for  the  seat  of  war.  Appended  is  a  roster  of  its  officers 
and  men : 

Company  D. — Captain.  Ethan  T.  Garretson ;  First 
Lieutenant,  Samuel  Peacock ;  Second  Lieutenants,  Joseph 
Bateman,  Charles  J.  Field,  B.  Frank  Williams;  First  Ser- 
geant, Nathaniel  Westcott ;  Sergeants,  William  \\'.  Mes- 
sick,  James  W^  Trenchard,  James  B.  Russell,  Henry  Jess; 
Corporals,  Rufus  E.  Bennett.  George  Crosier,  Frank 
Gandy,  Francis  P.  Riley,  James  H.  Stevens,  Charles  H. 
Turner,  David  S.  W.  Steelman,  Charles  R.  Conover;  Musi- 
cian, William  P.  Sink ;  Privates,  Wesley  D.  Barton,  David 
E.  Bateman,  John  P.  Applegate.  Henry  H.  Beakley,  Robert 
M.  Bennett,  Charles  Biddle,  John  Blizzard,  Joseph  C.  Brad- 
ford, Archibald  Campbell.  Philip  Clark,  Peter  Campbell. 
William  IM.  Carter,  Joseph  L.  Cassidy,  William  Cobb.  John 
Coleman,  James  G.  D.  Craig,  David  ]\T.  Craner,  John 
Dowdridgc,  Job  Dilks,  James  Duuthaclav.  Svlvanus  Dough- 
erty, Fli  Far],  Peter  Felts.  TTugh  Fowler,  Benjanu'n  F. 
Gaskill,  Horatio  I\L  Gates,  William  L.  Gray,  Charles  Gas- 
kill,  F.ldriflge  Hand.  John  H;nies.  George  Harlev,  Charles 
Henry,  lleiir\-  \).  Hines.  George  W.  Hall,  l-llmer  V..  Hog- 
bin,  Lewis  1'..  Tbilnics.  Daniel  \\'.  Hustcd,  Joseph  E.  Hus- 
ted,  John  P.  Jerrell,  John  V>.  Jones.  Jr..  \\'illiam  T.  C. 
Jordan.  Robert  J.  Kell.  Charles  Lloyd.  Cliarles  S.  Lore, 
Dallas  Lore,  George  D.  O.gden,  John  M.  Nicholson.  John  E. 
Ogden,  Willis  A.  Ogden.  James  W.  Pettit.  Benjamin  Pine, 
Martin  V.  B.  Powell,  Thomas  B.  Shaw,  \\'illiam  P.'.  Shaw, 
William  H.  Sheppard.  Charles  P.  Stewart,  Thomas  Sutton, 
Edward  H.  Sheppard.  Charles  Swing,  Leonard  R.  Swing, 


IN    CUMBERLAND    COfNTY.    NECW    JERSEY  85 

Elijah  Thompson,  John  Tliompson,  William  Tullis,  Samuel 
V'anaman,  Robert  O.  Wallen,  John  B.  Westcott,  Henry  H. 
Whitecar,  Isaac  S.  W'hitecar,  William  T.  Whitecar,  Benja- 
min F.  Williams,  Inirman  R.  Willis,  Henry  Wallen. 

Died  in  the  service — Ephraim  F.  Bateman,  of  fever, 
at  Armory  Square,  United  States  Army  General  Hospital, 
Washington,  D.  C,  February  19,  1863;  Hiram  B.  Whitecar, 
of  fever,  at  camp  near  Julian's  Creek,  Va.,  May  21,  1863; 
James  P.  Calloway,  of  disease,  at  Chesapeake  U.  S.  Army 
General  Hospital,  Fortress  JMonroe,  Va.,  May  25,  1863; 
Henry  Craven,  of  fever,  at  camp,  near  Falmouth,  Va.,  Jan- 
uary 22,  1863;  Lewis  M.  Kates,  killed  in  action  at  Freder- 
icksburg, Va.,  December  13,  1862;  James  Nicholson,  of 
disease,  at  Emory  U.  S.  Army  General  Hospital,  Wash- 
ington, D.  C,  November  5,  1862,  buried  at  Military  Asylum 
Cemetery,  D.  C. ;  Daniel  B.  Powell,  at  camp  near  Falmouth, 
Va.,  December  22,  1862,  wounds  received  in  action  at  Fred- 
ericksburg, Va.,  December  13,  1862;  David  Simpkins,  of 
disease,  at  camp  near  Fairfax  Seminary,  Va.,  November  19, 
1862,  buried  at  National  Cemetery,  Alexandria,  Va..  grave 
1,600;  Benjamin  F.  Sockwell,  at  Stanton  U.  S.  Army  Gen- 
eral Hospital,  Washington,  D.  C,  February  5,  1863, 
wounds  received  in  action  at  Fredericksburg,  Va.,  Decem- 
ber 13.  T862;  Ephraim  L.  Young,  killed  in  action  at  Fred- 
ericksburg, Va.,  December  13,  1862. 


Job  Dilks,  of  Company  D,  of  Cedarville,  because  of 
wounds  received  in  action  at  Fredericksburg,  had  a  leg  am- 
putated, and  to  the  day  of  his  death  walked  on  crutches. 
Second  Lieutenant  Joseph  Bateman,  of  Company  D,  had  a 
remarkable  experience  at  the  battle  of  Fredericksburg.  Vir- 
ginia. December  13,  1862.  About  dusk  the  regiment  was 
ordered  to  take  an  advanced  position  in  front  of  the  fortifi- 
cations on  Marie's  Heights.  While  lying  on  a  little  knoll 
near  the  rebel  works,  in  the  midst  of  a  heavy  artillery  fire 
which  opened  on  the  Union  troops  very  suddenly.  Lieuten- 
ant Bateman  found  that  the  two  comrades  who  were  with 
liim.  Lewis  Kates  and  Ephraim  "N^oung,  had  been  killed  by 


I1IST(JK1C    IIAVS 


his  side,  tiieir  bodies  torn  and  mutilated  by  the  Confederate 
shot  and  shell.  The  slauiihter  was  terrific,  the  surrounding 
field  being  coxered  with  wounded  and  dying  men. 


From  Downe  Township  then  extending  from  the  Fair- 
field line  to  JNIaurice  River  and  the  Cove,  came  First  Lieu- 
tenant Charles  M.  Pease  with  a  delegation  of  stalwart  young 
men  from   Port  Norris,  Mauricetown  and   vicinity.     They 
enlisted  in  Company  G,  24th  New  Jersey,  Captain  Hoag- 
land  and  among  the  number  was  a  fighting  family  of  five 
brothers   known   as  the   Cobbs.   as   follows:      Caleb   Cobb. 
Joseph  W.  Cobb,  Jolm  \V.  Cobb,  Jacob  F.  Cobb,  Alfred  S. 
Cobb,  the  latter  dying  of  fever  at  camp,  near  Chain  Bridge, 
Va..  November  14th.   1862.     The  two  McDaniels  brothers 
came  with  them.  Charles  McDaniels  enlisting  in  Company 
G.  and  Major  McDaniels  in  Company  F.     Jacob  C.  Shinn, 
of  Company  G,  one  of  Port  Norris's  best  citizens,  after  whom 
"Shinn  Post,"  Grand  Army  of  the  Republic  was  named, 
was  another  patriot  whom  fate  had  willed  should  sleep  in 
an  unknown  grave.     Missing  in  action  at  Fredericksburg, 
Va.,  December  13th,  1862,  is  the  record.     Perhaps,  in  that 
great  cemetery  on  the  heights  of  Marie  by  the  side  of  the 
Rappahannock,    where   the  silent    forms   of    17,000   Union 
soldiers  slumber, 

"On  his  grave  the  sunlig'nt  lingers. 

And  the  silvery  moonbeams  fall. 
There  he  sleeps  far,  far  from  kindred 

Sleeps  until  the  last  great  call." 

From  the  eastern  section  of  Downe  came  the  Garrisons, 
the  Ladows.  the  Husteds.  the  Hines.  the  Orrs.  the  Trouts, 
the  Newcombs.  the  Gandys.  the  Blizzards,  the  Baileys,  the 
Corsons,  and  a  host  of  others  with  brave  Lieutenant  William 
B.  Pepper.  Several  of  these  gallant  sons  of  Downe  left 
their  bones  on  Soutlu-rn  battlefields  and  returned  not  to 
the  families  and  the  homes  in  which  for  many  years  there- 
after loving  hearts  iiave  waited  and  longed  for  a  \-ision  of 
the  departed. 

(SB) 


WAR  TIME    PICTURES— 1-i.J 
Group  Company  D,  Twenty-fifth  N.  J.  Reg.  Inf.  Vols. 
Second  Lieut.  Joseph  Bateman         James  ^A/.  Trenchard  Henry  Watlen 

George  A.  Ogden  Capt.  Ethan  T.  Garretson  Leonard  R.  Swing 

Francis  P.  Riley  William  P.  Sink  Archibald  Campbell 


HISTORIC    DAYS 

Great  days  had  preceded  it  in  Eridgeton,  but  Monday, 
September  3d,  1862,  surpassed  all  other  days  before  or  since 
in  the  history  of  tlie  town.  Never  had  such  a  patriotic  out- 
pouring of  the  people  or  such  tremendous  enthusiasm  been 
witnessed.  It  seemed  as  though  every  member  of  every  fam- 
ily was  interested.  The  stars  and  stripes  appeared  on  every 
side,  while  the  melody  of  the  fife,  stirring  airs  of  the  drums, 
and  the  firing  of  cannon,  woke  Bridgeton  at  early  dawn. 
Stores  were  closed  and  business  suspended  while  the  volun- 
teers were  preparing  for  departure.  Drawn  up  in  double 
column  on  the  sidewalk  in  front  of  the  famous  old  Da\is 
House,  the  companies  presented  a  picture  which  it  is  un- 
fortunate for  posterity  that  the  photographer's  art  has  not 
preserved.  Splendidly  officered  were  these  bodies  of  fine 
young  men  about  to  reinforce  their  fighting  brothers  in  the 
field.  On  the  one  hand  was  Lieutenant  Robeson,  handsome 
and  erect,  a  modest  patriot,  a  model  citizen,  in  a  few 
short  weeks  killed  in  action  at  Fredericksburg.  Virginia,  his 
bones  to  be  numbered  among  the  unknown  dead.  On  the 
Other  hand  stood  stalwart  Captain  Hoagland,  afterward  to 
be  Judge  of  the  Cumberland  Courts ;  lawyer  Lieutenant 
James  J.  Reeves ;  editor  Lieutenant  Robert  B.  Potter ;  Cap- 
tain .'"ianiuel  Harris  fresh  from  the  battle  of  Gaines'  farm, 
Virginia :  Gajjlain  Henry  Xeff,  scholar  and  patriot.  Stand- 
ing at  rest  each  company  received  a  stand  of  colors.  Again 
the  tall  form  of  Paul  T.  Jones  arose  and  made  a  telling  ad- 
dress to  the  departing  soldiery.  Rev.  James  F.  Brown,  of 
the  First  Baptist  Church,  and  Hon.  John  T.  Ni.xon  made 
earnest  remarks,  the  latter  presenting  the  flags.  Responsive 
speeches  were  made  by  Joel  A.  Fithian.  in  a  short  period  to 
be  Major  of  the  Twenty-fourth;  also  by  Captain  James  R. 
Hoagland  and  Lieutenant  James  J.  Reeves.  How  youthful 
did  the  officers  and  men  appear,  mere  boys  as  it  were,  going 
at  their  country's  call,  brave  and  courageous.  Especially  did 
this  seem  to  be  true  of  Lieutenant  Alexander  L.  Robeson. 
Mr.  Robeson  at  the  time  of  enlistment  was  a  member  of  the 
firm  of  Whitaker  &  Robeson,  druggists,  located  on  Com- 
merce street,  near  T>aurel,  in  an  old-time  brick  building.    He 

(SS) 


WAR  TIME  PICTURES— ISa 

Five  Patriotic  Cobb  Brothers— Company  G,  -Ith   N.  J.  Reg.  Inf.  Vols. 

John  W.  Cobb 

Joseph  W.    Cobb  Jacob  P.  Cobb 

Caleb  Cobb  Alfred  S.  Cobb 

(>9) 


HISTORIC    DAYS 

was  a  rising-  young  business  man,  with  a  large  circle  of 
friends,  and  much  esteemed  by  his  fellow-citizens.  In  a 
w(  )rd  he  was  a  gentleman  "sans  peur,  et  sans  reproche,"  and 
his  untimely  death  at  Fredericksburg  brought  sorrow  to 
many  homes  in  Bridgeton. 

The  marcli  from  the  Davis  Flouse  to  the  West  Jersey 
Railroad  depot  on  Irving  avenue  was  an  ovation,  and  yet  a 
parade  in  sorrow.  Wrapped  in  the  arms  of  a  mother,  a 
wife,  a  sister,  it  seemed  as  though  the  ties  of  affection  would 
not  be  severed  from  the  forms  of  those  who  were  taking 
tlieir  last  farewell  of  those  so  near  and  dear.  The 
scenes  witnessed  at  the  departure  of  the  "Cumberland  Greys" 
and  of  "Company  K"  were  being  repeated,  only  on  a  larger 
scale.  Forebodings  of  disease,  of  wounds^  of  death,  were  in 
the  minds  of  loved  ones  because  of  what  had  happened  to 
many  of  Cumberland  County's  sons  in  the  battles  so  far 
fought.  Thus  was  the  parting  the  more  solemn,  the  more 
tender,  the  more  pathetic. 


Time  went  on.  The  Twenty-fourth  Regiment  was 
equipped,  uniformed,  and  in  the  presence  of  the  enemy  be- 
fore the  heights  of  Marie  on  the  Rappahannock.  The  battle 
of  Fredericksburg,  Virginia,  was  fought  December  13th  and 
14th,  1862.  The  weather  was  disagreeable.  Early  winter 
had  set  in  in  gloom.  General  Ambrose  E.  Burnside,  brave, 
modest,  but  incompetent  for  great  command  was  at  the  head 
of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac.  Crossing  the  river  on  pon- 
toons in  the  face  of  a  murderous  fire  the  three  Bridgeton 
companies  advanced  with  their  comrades  and  entered  the 
village  of  Fredericksburg.  Inexperienced  but  heroic  to  the 
core  they  fought  from  beginning  to  end.  The  roar  of 
cannon,  the  whistle  of  shell,  the  crash  of  musketi-j',  the  bay- 
onet charge  deterred  them  not.  Through  the  blinding 
smoke  and  the  carnage  of  battle  they  followed  the  flag,  bul- 
let to  bullet,  steel  against  steel.  Comrades  fell  around  them 
some  dying  instantly,  others  suffering  with  terrible  wounds 
while  the  life  l)lood  slowly  ebbed  away.  In  the  lull  of  battle 
the  early  moon  hid  its  face  behind  the  cloudy  night  as  if 

(90) 


THE  DAVIS  HOUSE,   BRIDGETON 

l\V.— l>il.'> 

Edmund  Davis,  Proprietor 

(91) 


IIISTDKU'    DAYS 

fearful  of  the  bloody  scenes  on  the  earth  below.  Here  and 
there  a  soldier  was  praying  for  succor  and  help,  and  yet  no 
help  save  that  alone  which  came  from  the  Master  whose  pity- 
ing eye  and  loving  heart  was  ready  to  receive.  If,  per- 
chance, some  comrade  'mid  the  storm  of  grape  and  cannister 
sought  to  rest  the  head  of  a  dying  friend  upon  his  breast, 
the  forward,  ever  forward  command  prevented.  The  burial 
of  Sir  Thomas  Moore  was  re-enacted  a  thousand  times  on 
Fredericksburg's  fatal  field. 

"Slowly  and  sadly  we  laid  them  down ; 

From  the  field  of  their  fame  fresh  and  gory, 
We  carved  not  a  line;  we  raised  not  a  stone — 
But  left  them  alone  in  their  glory." 

From  the  field  of  death  with  its  bloody  repulse  came 
the  retreat  across  the  turbulent  river.  Safe  on  the  other  shore 
the  terrific  cost  of  this  unfortunate  conflict  was  counted.  The 
aftermath  of  this  and  other  battles  is  found  in  the  cemetery 
on  Marie's  heig"hts  where  repose  the  bones  of  seventeen 
thousand  Union  soldiers  and  among  the  known  and  un- 
known dead  are  many  members  of  the  gallant  companies 
who  left  the  dear  old  town  of  Bridgeton  on  that  fair  Sep- 
tember morning. 

Immediately  after  the  battle  on  the  Rappahannock  Rob- 
ert DuBois  and  Charles  R.  Elmer,  together  with  Jeremiah 
Dubois,  full  of  interest  and  charity  for  those  who  were 
baring  their  bosoms  to  the  storm  of  death  on  Southern 
fields,  began  inquiries  in  Washington  and  Virginia  as  to 
the  casualties  occurring  to  our  home  companies.  December 
27,  1862,  Robert  DuBois  and  Charles  R.  Elmer  returned  to 
Bridgeton  with  very  sad  news  and  a  list  of  those  killed  and 
wounded.     In  its  issue  of  that  date,  the  Chronicle  said: 

"At  the  time  of  going  to  press  no  news  has  been  re- 
ceived of  Lieutenant  Robeson  who  has  been  missing  since 
the  battle  of  Fredericksburg.  There  is  reason  to  suppose 
that  he  has  been  taken  prisoner  and  is  now  in  the  hands 
of  the  rebels.  The  wound  received  by  Lieutenant  Reeves 
is  a  flesh  wound  upon  the  left  arm,  painful  though  not  dan- 

(9'J) 


LIEUTENANTS  IN   BRIDGETON   COMPANIES 

Twenty- fourth   New  Jersey   Inf.  Vols. —  iMiJ 

Second   Lieut.  James  J.   Reeves,  Co.  H.  First    Lieut.  Charles    M.    Pease,  Co.  G. 

First  Lieut.  Alexander  L.  Robeson.  Co.  H. 
Second   Lieut.  William   B.   Pepper.  Co.   F.  Second   Lieut.   Robert   B.    Potter,  Co.   G. 

(W.l 


94  HISTDUU     DAYS 

gerous.  Ca])tain  Samuel  Harris  was  severely  shocked  by 
a  sliell.  Lieutenant  Robert  B.  Potter  had  a  very  narrow 
escape.  A  ball  striking  his  watch  glanced  off  and  wadded 
itself  in  a  glo\e  in  his  pocket.  He  was  also  knocked  down 
bv  a  shell.     Captain  Hi^agland  is  unhurt." 

The  town  went  wild  im  the  receipt  of  this  news, 
(ireat  crowds  gathered  in  front  of  the  Post  Office,  George 
W.  Johnson.^  Postmaster,  office  then  located  on  Commerce 
street,  near  the  southeast  corner  of  Laurel,  listened  to  tele- 
grams from  Washington,  clamored  for  letters  from  the  ab- 
sent soldiers,  and  packed  the  sidewalks,  while  some  person 
stood  upon  a  dry  goods  box  and  read  the  lists  of  killed  and 
wounded  from  the  columns  of  the  Philadelphia  Inquirer,  the 
popular  newspaper  of  war  days. 

The  "Copperheads"  were  plentiful  about  this  time  with 
their  sneers  and  "I  told  you  so's."  but  the  patriotic  senti- 
ment of  the  people  soon  asserted  itself  from  bruised  but 
loyal  hearts,  and  the  war  went  on. 

Then  it  was  that  the  good  President  on  his  knees  be- 
fore Ciod  appealed  for  guidance  in  the  nation's  hour  of  bitter 
trouble. 

.Mr.  Lincoln  issued  and  concluded  the  lunancipation 
Proclamation  with  the  following  eloquent  passages: 

"I  do  order  and  declare  that  all  persons  held  as  slaves 
within  said  designated  States  and  parts  of  States  are  and 
henceforth  shall  be  free. 

".\nd  upon  this  act,  sincerelv  believed  to  be  an  act  of 
justice,  warranted  by  the  (Constitution,  upon  military  neces- 
sity, I  invoke  the  considerate  judgment  of  mankind  and  the 
gracious  fa\or  of  Alniigbtv  God." 

The  world  wondered,  and  the  black  man  went  free. 
Xo  more  auction  block,  no  more  separation  of  husband  from 
wife,  parent  from  child,  at  the  command  of  the  brutal  mas- 
ter. The  prayers  of  centuries  which  had  gone  up  from  the 
humble  cabins  of  the  South  were  answered  at  last.  "Halle- 
lujah!" cried  the  manumitted  freemen.  "It  is  God  and 
^Lassa  Lincoln,  Bress  de  Lord." 


IN    CUMBERLAND    COLNTY.    NliW    JERSEY  95 

The  Republican  Congressional  Convention  met  at 
.May"s  Landing.  Atlantic  County,  and  nominated  John  K. 
Starr,  of  Camden,  Hon.  John  T.  Nixon,  declining  a  re- 
nomination. 

Governor  Charles  S.  Olden,  who  had  endeared  him- 
self to  the  people  of  the  State  and  the  soldiers  in  the  field, 
was  about  to  retire  from  office.  The  Republican  State  Con- 
vention met  at  Trenton  and  named  Marcus  L.  Ward  as  his 
successor.  The  Democratic  State  Convention  nominated 
Joel  Parker.  The  latter  convention  adopted  a  platform 
which  Governor  Parker  afterward  told  the  writer,  had  two 
meanings.  Part  of  it  read  for  a  vigorous  prosecution  of 
the  war.  the  other  portion  read  for  peace.  This  was  a  di- 
lemma, but  "I  straddled  it,"  said  the  Governor,  "and  so 
managed  to  please  both  the  War  and  Peace  Democrats  that 
I  was  elected  all  right."  .\nd  as  he  said  this  there  was  a 
twinkle  in  his  eye  and  a  broad  smile  on  his  handsome  coun- 
tenance. Joel  Parker  was  elected,  and  proved  an  efficient 
and  loyal  Governor  for  w-hom  President  Lincoln  had  great 
respect. 


Thursday,  October  9,  1862,  the  Republican  County 
Convention  met  at  the  Court  House,  Bridgeton.  Isaac 
Sharpless  was  chosen  chairman.  Dr.  Ephraim  Bateman  and 
J.  Edmund  Sheppard  were  made  secretaries.  The  conven- 
tion proceeded  immediately  to  business.  Nominations  being 
declared  in  order.  Providence  Ludlam.  of  Bridgeton.  was 
unanimously  chosen  as  the  candidate  for  State  Senator.  A 
contest  for  the  county  clerkship  which  Mr.  Ludlam  w^as 
about  to  vacate,  developed.  Theophilus  G.  Compton  and  J. 
Edmund  Sheppard  were  proposed.  The  ballot  resulted  in 
35  votes  for  Compton.  14  votes  for  Sheppard.  Mr.  Comp- 
ton was  declared  the  unanimous  choice  of  the  convention 
amid  some  excitement  on  the  floor.  Dr.  B.  Rush  Bateman. 
of  Fairfield,  was  nominated  for  Assembly,  First  District; 
Edward  W.  Maylin,  of  ^lillville.  for  .Assembly.  Second 
District.      For    Coroners:     Tames     AL     Riley.     Cohansey: 


insTouic  DAVs 

George  Woolford,  j\]ill\ille :  Charles  Madden,  Maurice 
River. 

Providence  Ludlani,  then  in  the  prime  of  life,  of  fine 
personal  appearance,  accepted  the  nomination  in  a  brief 
speech.  He  was  received  with  applause.  Mr.  Compton 
also  appeared  and  accepted  the  nomination  for  County 
Clerk,  as  did  Dr.  F.atcman  and  Mr.  Maylin  for  Assembly. 

The  Democratic  County  Convention  nominated 
Richard  Lott,  of  Bridg'eton,  for  Senator,  and  Dr.  Joseph 
C.  Kirby,  of  Bridgeton,  for  County  Clerk.  The  canvass 
was  Cjuiet.  owing  to  the  great  interest  in  the  war,  hut  there 
was  an  occasional  scrap  between  "Provie"  and  the  Demo- 
cratic leaders.  These  debates  generally  occurred  in  front 
of  the  Davis  House,  and  every  now  and  then  were  finished 
before  Edmund's  bar  where  the  "jack"  went  'round,  lend- 
ing a  mellow  radiance  to  the  asperities  of  the  day. 

The  removal  of  General  George  B.  McClellan  from 
the  command  of  the  .\rmv  of  the  Potomac  occurred  No- 
vember lo,  a  few  days  after  election,  but  the  contemplation 
of  this  act  inade  the  Democrats  a  little  snappy,  for  they 
loved  "Little  Mac"  and  lnoked  upon  him  as  the  great 
soldier  of  the  war  of  whom  the  Republican  administration 
was  jealous.  Ludlam  was  always  around  to  take  up  the 
cudgel  when  Mr.  Lincoln's  conduct  was  attacked,  and  in 
the  verbal  encounters  with  Ephraim  Shepfjard  and  'Squire 
Hughes  which  ensued,  "Pro\ie"  usually  came  out  on  tup. 


The  ])olls  closed  with  the  following  result  in  the 
county:  I"or  Governor,  Marcus  L.  Ward,  Republican,  322 
majority  over  Jdcl  Parker,  Democrat;  for  Congress,  John 
F.  Starr,  Republican,  273  majority  over  Xathaniel  Strat- 
ton.  Democrat ;  for  State  Senator,  Providence  Ludlam, 
Republican,  213  majority  over  Richard  Lott,  Democrat; 
for  County  Clerk,  Theophilus  Compton,  Republican,  299 
majority  over  Joseph  C.  Kirby.  Democrat;  for  Assembly 
First  District,  Dr.  B.  Rush  Bateman,  Republican,  180  ma- 
jority over  Ezekiel    .Mayhew,    Democrat;   Secnnd    District, 


PROMINKNT    CITIZENS— I8GI-I8G0 
Hon.  Nathaniel  Stratton  Sherraid  Sockwell  Artis  E.  Hughes 

Dr.  Joseph  C.  Kirby  Richard  Lott 

0J-) 


98  HISTORIC    DAYS 

Edward  \V.  Maylin,  Republican,  74  majority  over  Andrew 
H.  McNeil,  Democrat.  The  Republican  Coroners  were 
elected  by  about  300  majority. 

The  victory  was  celebrated  at  the  County  Clerk's  office 
en  Commerce  street.  "Provie"  made  a  good  speech,  and 
the  boys  tumbled  over  each  other  in  the  apple  barrel  and 
made  sad  havoc  with  the  crackers  and  cheese. 

This  was  the  campaign  in  which  Richard  Lott,  the 
Democratic  candidate  for  State  Senator,  who  kept  the  grist 
mill  near  the  Cumberlajiid  Iron  Works,  got  rid  of  several 
barrels  of  extra  quality  of  flour  famous  as  "Lett's  Best." 
Richard  Lott  was  one  of  the  leading  citizens  of  Bridgeton, 
and  one  of  the  best  of  men.  He  was  a  man  of  genial  quali- 
ties and  good  appearance,  but  had  no  knowledge  of  politics 
and  was  completely  outgeneraled  by  Ludlam  from  start 
to  finisli.  Air.  Lott  in  after  years  was  wont  to  refer  to  the 
contest  with  "Provie"  as  a  campaign  in  which  he  seemed  to 
be  doing  well  in  his  own  neighborhood,  but  said  he,  "When 
we  got  into  Downe  township  it  appeared  as  though  every 
other  slump  was  a  Republican." 

In  this  canvass  Nathaniel  Strattnu,  of  ]\IillviIIe.  the 
Democratic  candidate  for  Congress,  met  his  first  defeat. 
He  had  been  Sheriff  of  Cumberland  County  and  State  Sena- 
tor, filling  both  positions  with  credit.  "Natty,"  as  his  fol- 
lowers delighted  to  term  him,  was  a  man  of  impressive 
appearance,  dignified  in  bearing,  and  of  genial  manners. 
His  face  smoothly  shaven,  he  was  a  type  of  the  good  citizen 
who  fifty  years  ago  was  the  salt  of  the  earth.  The  tem- 
perance men  made  him  Sheriff  because  of  his  ardent  views 
upon  that  great  moral  question,  to  which  he  adhered 
through  a  long  and  useful  life,  his  last  honors  terminating 
with  his  career  as  a  Judge  of  the  Court  of  Common  Pleas. 

With  the  advent  of  Providence  Ludlam  to  a  seat  in  the 
Senate  of  New  Jersey,  a  great  force  was  given  to  the  leader- 
ship of  the  Republican  party  in  the  Southern  section  of 
the  State.  He  rose  rapidly,  and  by  the  end  of  his  first  ses- 
sion was  more  influential  than  any  member  of  the  State 
Senate  previously  sent  from  Cumberland  County. 


IN"  ciMRicRi-Axn  cnrxTV,  Ni:\v  .n-.usi:Y  oo 

Tlie  elections  of  1862  were  not  encouraging  to  tlie 
L'nion  cause  and  the  Republican  Administration.  New 
York  had  elected  Ilnratio  Seymour,  (ioxernor;  Ohio  and 
Indiana  had  gone  back  to  the  minority  party  which,  through 
its  press  and  its  public  speakers,  was  ridiculing  the  party 
in  power  and  openly  sympathizing  with  the  enemy  in  the 
field.  The  Vallandighams  of  the  North  were  apparently 
in  the  saddle.  To  crown  the  miseries  of  the  situation  Gen- 
eral Burnside  had  fought  and  lost  the  battle  of  Fredericks- 
burg. Not  a  rift  appeared  in  the  pall  of  darkness  which 
seemed  to  have  settled  over  the  country.  In  this  hour  of 
national  grief  and  depression,  Mr.  Lincoln,  the  devout 
President,  leaning  upon  the  Higher  Power,  issued  a  procla- 
mation setting  apart  Thursday,  the  30th  day  of  April,  1863, 
as  a  day  of  national  humiliation,  fasting  and  prayer.  How 
humble  and  yet  how  tender  were  the  petitions  set  out  in 
that  remarkable  document.  Never  before  in  all  history 
had  a  great  ruler  so  penitently  placed  himself  and  the  fu- 
ture of  his  country  in  the  hands  of  his  Lord  and  Master.  It 
rested  upon  the  hearts  of  his  countrymen  with  a  gentle  in- 
fluence like  imto  the  soft  wind  which,  blowing  upon  the 
land  from  the  Pacific  Ocean,  is  known  as  the  "chinook" — a 
breath  from  God.    Said  he : 

"And  inasmuch  as  we  know  that  by  His  divine  law 
nations,  like  individuals,  are  subjected  to  punishments  and 
chastisements  in  this  world,  may  we  not  justly  fear  that 
the  awful  calamity  of  civil  war  which  now  desolates  the  land 
may  be  but  a  punishment  upon  us  for  our  presumptuous 
sins,  to  the  needful  end  of  our  national  reformation  as  a 
whole  people?  W't  have  been  the  recipients  of  the  choicest 
bounties  of  heaven ;  we  have  licen  preserved  these  many 
years  in  peace  and  prosperity ;  we  have  grown  in  numbers, 
wealth  and  power  as  no  other  nation  has  ever  grown.  But 
we  have  forgotten  God.  We  have  forgotten  the  gracious 
hand  which  preserved  us  in  peace  and  multiplied  and  en- 
riched and  strengthened  us,  and  we  have  vainly  imagined, 
in  the  deceitfulness  of  our  hearts  that  all  these  blessings 
were  produced  by  some  superior  wisdom  and  virtue  of  our 


lOO  HISTURIC   n.ws 

own.  Intoxicated  with  unbroken  success,  we  have  become 
too  self-sufficient  to  feel  the  necessity  of  redeeming  and 
preserving  grace,  too  proud  to  pray  to  the  God  that 
made  us. 

"Tt  behooves  us,  then,  to  humble  ourselves  before  the 
offended  power,  to  confess  our  national  sins,  and  pray  for 
clemency  and  forgiveness." 

The  nation  on  its  knees  before  God — such  was  Mr. 
Lincoln's  wish.  It  was  answered  from  every  hearth  and 
home  in  the  land.  The  pulpit  was  eloquent  with  fervency — 
the  people  prayed  with  tears,  and  as  did  Jacob  of  old,  wres- 
tled with  the  Lord  until  the  break  of  day. 

It  was  Peniel  over  again.  Verily,  the  nation  had  seen 
God  face  to  face,  and  its  life  was  preserved. 


Just  a  little  more  darkness,  then  there  was  to  be  light. 
General  Joe  Hooker,  successor  to  Burnside,  fought  the  bat- 
tle of  Chancellorsville,  May  3  and  4,  1863,  and  was  re- 
pulsed. The  Confederates  suffered  a  serious  loss,  however, 
in  the  death  of  Stonewall  Jackson,  one  of  their  best  and 
most  skillful  leaders. 

The  result  at  Chancellorsville  so  encouraged  General 
Robert  E.  Lee.  the  Confederate  commander,  that  he  began 
an  advance  through  Maryland  into  Pennsylvania  with  the 
object  of  carrying  the  war  into  the  North. 

Early  in  June  the  Bridgeton  companies  enlisted  in  the 
nine  months  regiments  returned  home  because  of  expiration 
of  their  tenu  of  service.  They  had  bravely  fought  in  the 
two  great  battles  of  Fredericksburg  and  Chancellorsville. 
With  depleted  ranks  they  received  a  royal  welcome  and 
the  plaudits  of  the  people. 


July  I,  2  and  3  the  great  decisive  battle  of  Gettysburg, 
Pa.,  was  fought.  For  three  days  160,000  men  were  en- 
gaged in  mortal  combat.  When  the  sun  went  down  on  the 
evening  of  the  third  day  57,000  men  lay  upon  the  field, 
killed  and  wounded,  39  per  cent,  of  the  two  armies  whose 


IN    CUMBERLAND    COUNTY,    NEW    JERSEY  lOI 

Utmost  Strength  had  been  fully  tested  in  that  awful  en- 
counter. Six  hundred  cannon  on  the  Union  side  alone  vol- 
lied  and  thundered.  Caniphell's  description  of  Huhenlinden 
was  eclipsed — 

"Then  shook  the  hills  with  thunder  riven. 
Then  rushed  the  steed  to  battle  driven, 
And  louder  than  the  bolts  of  heaven 
Far  flashed  the  red  artillery." 

Down  the  declivity  from  Seminary  Ridge,  through  the 
open  fields,  came  Pickett's  splendid  division  of  brave  Con- 
federates. By  double  platoons,  column  upon  column,  as 
nuiTierous  as  the  leaves  of  the  forest.  The  glistening  bay- 
onets of  the  Confederate  host  shone  brightly  in  the  Summer 
sun.  Flags  Hying,  bands  iilaying.  bravely  forward  they 
marched.  Xot  a  sound  stirred  the  air.  while  the  column  ad- 
vanced nearer  and  nearer.  Face  to  face  with  the  Union 
position,  tlie  solemn  stillness  was  Ijroken  l\v  the  sound  of 
battle.  Frnni  liehind  the  stone  wall  rose  the  Union  line, 
and  poured  a  deadly  lire  into  the  .gray  breasts  of  the  oncom- 
ing foe.  Infantry  antl  cavalry  joined  in  the  o;;slauglit 
— musketry  and  sabre  crashed.  lunged  and  parried,  while 
"furious  every  charger  neighed  to  join  the  dreadful  revelry." 

The  gallant  columns  melted  away  again  and  again, 
immediately  to  return  the  charge,  only  to  at  last  disappear 
in  the  debris  and  carnage  of  that  Satanic  field. 

With  Schiller— 

X'earer  they  close — foes  upon  foes. 

■'Ready" — from  square  to  square  it  goes. 

Down  on  the  knee  they  sank. 

.\nd  the  fire  comes  shar])  fnini  the  foremost  rank — 

Many  a  man  to  the  earth  it  sent. 

Many  a  gap  by  the  balls  is  rent — 

O'er  the  corpse  before  springs  the  hinder-man. 

That  the  line  mav  not  fail  to  the  fearless  van. 

Tn  the  right,  to  the  left,  and  wherever  ye  gaze. 

Goes  the  Dance  of  Death  in  its  whirling  maze 

Cod's  sunlight  is  quenched  in  the  fiery  fight. 

Over  the  hosts  falls  a  broading  Xight ! 


HISTORIC    DAYS 

'l"\\  ili.<;ht  (leei)ened.  Tlie  rain  came  iluwii  in  a  pitiless 
sliower  upon  tlie  upturned  faces  of  tlie  countless  dead  and 
their  wounded  comrades.  Darkness  fell  with  the  Union 
Araiy  resting  upon  its  arms,  uncertain  as  to  with  whose 
eagles  the  victory  rested,  waiting  patiently  for  the  coming 
day. 


The  morning  dawns — it  was  the  glorious  Fourth  of 
July.  Far  away  in  the  distance  Lee's  mutilated  regiments 
were  disappearing  through  the  mists  of  the  South  Moun- 
tains. The  Confederate  prestige  was  broken,  never  to  be 
restored — the  war  for  the  Union  was  not  a  failure. 

"The  charge,  the  dreadful  cannonade, 
The  din  and  shout  are  passed — " 

The  wheat  field,  the  peach  orchard.  Cemetery  Hill  and 
Round  Top  are  red  with  the  blood  of  patriots.  Precious 
blood!  Glorious  victory!  Historic  field — Mecca  for  the  com- 
ing generations. 


On  a  sunny  slope  of  the  great  battlefield  at  Gettys- 
burg, Pa.,  stands  a  granite  monument  in  memory  of  the 
heroic  deeds  performed  there  on  the  2d  and  3d  days  of  July, 
1863,  by  the  Twelfth  New  Jersey  Regiment,  Infantry,  Vol- 
unteers. This  monument,  located  on  the  Gettysburg  Road, 
now  called  Round  Top  Avenue,  is  of  durable  stone,  twelve 
feet.  si.K  inches  in  height.  It  is  in  the  centre  of  the  position 
of  the  regiment  as  occupied  on  those  eventful  days.  The 
base  of  the  monument  is  four  feet,  eight  inches  square,  and 
two  feet  high.  The  sub-base  is  three  feet,  eight  inches 
square  and  eighteen  inches  high,  and  contains  this  inscrip- 
tion :  "Second  Brigade,  Third  Division.  Second  Corps,"  on 
three  sides.  The  die  is  two  feet,  eight  inches  square,  by  four 
feet,  ten  inches,  in  height,  jiolished  on  the  two  faces  fronting 
Round  Top  .'\ venue,  inscribed  as  follows : 

'In  memory  of  the  men  of  the  Twelfth  Regiment  New 
Jersey  Infantry,  ^'llluntecrs,  who  fell  uiion  this  field,  July 

(10^) 


WAR  TIME  PICTURES— IS62-1S65 

Officers  Twelfth  Regiment  New  Jersey  Inf.  Vo's. 

Col    J    Howard  Willetts 

Lieut  -Col.  Richard  S    Thompson  Major  William  E.  Potter 

Lieut  -Col    Edward  M     Duliois  Capt    Frank   M    Riley 

Regimental  Monument  at  Gettysburg,  Pa, 

(U«) 


I04  HISTORIC    DAYS 

2d  and  3,  1863.  and  who  elsewhere  died  under  the  flag,  this 
monument  is  dedicated  by  their  surviving  comrades  as  an 
example  to  future  generations."     On  the  second  face: 

"Buck  and  Ball, 
Calibre  .69." 

"This  regiment  made  two  separate  charges  on  the  Bliss 
Barn,  and  captured  it." 

On  the  base  there  is  also  a  picture  in  bronze  of  the 
charge  upon  the  Bliss  Barn.  The  capstone  is  surmounted 
by  a  pedestal,  upon  which  is  a  representation  of  the  missiles 
so  effectively  used  by  the  regiment  in  repelling  the  charge  of 
the  enemy — buck  and  ball. 

In  addition  to  this  beautiful  monument,  the  Twelfth 
New  Jersey  Regiment  also  has  a  marker  near  the  site  of  the 
Bliss  Barn.  This  marker  is  a  massive  piece  of  granite,  ten 
feet,  three  inches  in  height :  three  feet,  nine  inches  wide, 
and  two  feet  thick,  extending  into  the  ground  five  feet,  and 
weig'hing  about  eight  tons.  On  the  top  of  this  marker  are 
two  carved  crossed  bayonets  and  corps  badge,  and  "12th  N. 
J.  Vols."  in  raised  letters.  On  the  front  is  the  following  in- 
scription : 

"Erected  by  the  State  of  New  Jersey,  1888.  in  honor 
of  the  Twelfth  Regiment  of  Volunteers,  a  detachment  of 
which,  in  the  afternoon  of  July  2,  1863,  charged  the  Bliss 
house  and  barn  here,  capturing  the  enemy's  reserve  of  seven 
officers  and  eighty-five  men  stationed  therein." 

On  the  rear  of  the  tablet  is  the  following: 

"On  the  morning  of  July  3d,  another  detachment  of 
the  regiment  charged,  capturing  the  buildings,  one  officer 
and  one  man,  and  driving  back  the  skimiish  reserve.  The 
regiment  lost  in  their  charges  sixty  officers  and  men." 


Thus,  in  enduring  granite,  is  told  the  story  of  the  gal- 
lant work  of  one  of  the  best  New  Jersey  regiments,  in  the 
most  tremendous  struggle  of  the  Civil  War.  It  was  here 
that  it  met  the  Confederate  General  Pettigrew's  onslaui,dit 
in  the  advance  known  as  Pickett's  charge,  and  stood  like 


IN    CUMBKKLAND    COU.XTV,    NEW    J  liKSEY  IO5 

a  solid  rock— a  barrier  for  the  Union.  The  strength  of  the 
retjinient,  on  the  2d  day  of  July,  was  about  four  hundred 
men.  It  was  armed  with  the  Spring-field  smooth-bore  mus- 
ket, calibre  .69,  a  terrible  weapon  at  close  range.  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  William  E.  Potter,  in  his  address  at  Gettysburg, 
on  the  dedication  of  the  monument,  May  26th,  1886,  said 
that :  "The  men  were  young,  well  disciplined,  of  respectable 
parentage,  in  comfortable  circumstances,  and  almost  solely 
of  native  birth.  In  the  entire  regiment,  as  originally  mus- 
tered— one  thousand  strong — there  were  but  seventy-two 
men  of  foreign  nati\ity,  and  these  were,  almost  without  ex- 
ception, faithful  soldiers.  The  men  had  the  confidence  of 
their  officers,  who  were,  in  turn,  very  generally  trusted  and 
respected  by  their  men.  The  usual  cartridge  of  the  isprmg- 
field  musket  carried  a  large  ball  and  three  buckshot,  but 
many  of  the  men.  while  awaiting  the  enemy's  advance,  had 
opened  their  boxes  and  prepared  special  cartridges  of  from 
ten  to  twenty-five  buckshot  alone.  It  was  the  only  regiment 
in  the  division  bearing  the  arms  mentioned,  and  I  doubt 
whether  anywhere  upon  that  field  a  more  destructive  fire 
was  encountered  than  blazed  forth  from  its  front." 


Part  of  this  regiment,  composed  of  such  splendid  native 
fighting  material,  was  Company  K,  enlisted  at  Bridgeton, 
the  shire  town  of  Cumberland  County,  New  Jersey.  Be- 
hind a  stone  wall,  which  in  the  Gettysburg  country  sepa- 
rated the  farms  from  the  road,  which  ran  a  distance  of  about 
three  hundred  and  fifty  yards,  serving  as  a  line  fence,  Gen- 
eral .Smyth's  Brigade  of  the  Second  Corps  lay.  with  the 
Twelfth  New  Jersey  on  the  right,  the  First  Delaware  to  the 
left,  the  Fourteenth  Connecticut  next.  As  Generals  Petti- 
grew  and  Armistead,  of  Pickett's  Division,  moved  upon 
the  Union  line  with  magnificent  front.  Company  K.  made 
up  of  the  honest  yoemanry  of  Cumberland  County,  of  whose 
brilliant  action  on  the  historic  field  at  Gettysburg  history 
has  made  no  mistake,  waited  upon  the  ground  for  the  word 
of  command  to  fire.  When  the  order  rang  out.  the  boys 
from  Cumberland  joined  with  their  comrades  in  withering 


Io6  HISTORIC    DAYS 

volleys  of  buck  and  ball  into  the  faces  of  the  advancing  foe. 
Three  times  did  Pickett's  Division  advance,  only  to  recede 
with  decimated  ranks.  Column  on  column  of  Confederates 
had  gone  to  their  death  before  the  deadly  fusilade  of  shot 
and  shell  from  the  Union  line;  the  field  ran  red  with  blood, 
the  dead  and  dying. lay  in  row  upon  row,  as  far  as  the  eye 
could  reach  when  the  lifted  smoke  gave  opportunity  to  ob- 
serve the  dreadful  scene.  As  the  assault  continued,  one  gal- 
lant Confederate  in  the  van  of  the  assaulting  column  placed 
his  foot  upon  the  stone  wall,  bravely  carrying  the  Confeder- 
ate colors.  He  was  a  member  of  General  Pettigrew's  Divi- 
sion, and  a  stalwart  North  Carolinian,  and  it  is  the  testimony 
of  the  living  remnant  of  Company  K  to-day — about  thirty  in 
number,  now,  with  whom  the  writer  has  long  had  personal 
acquaintance — that  to  the  soldiers  of  North  Carolina,  under 
the  gallant  Pettigrew,  belongs  the  honor  and  glory  of  hav- 
ing gone  farthest  into  the  Union  lines  at  Gettysburg — a 
credit  that  has  often  been  denied  them  by  writers  whose 
hasty  productions  have  done  gross  injustice  to  the  brave  men 
from  the  old  North  State,  who  in  many  battles  of  the  Civil 
War  brought  victory  to  the  Confederate  arms  on  fields  which 
might  otherwise  have  lieen  lost.  The  New  Jersey  soldiers 
who  met  the  soldiers  of  North  Carolina  on  that  bloody 
field,  face  to  face,  remember  their  sterling  qualities  as 
American  soldiers  on  the  wrong  side  of  a  great  issue ;  Init, 
nevertheless.  Americans  still. 


The  afternoon  of  July  2d,  1863,  at  Gettysburg,  brought 
still  greater  honors  to  the  Twelfth  Regiment.  The  five 
centre  comjjanies  were  ordered  to  charge  the  Bliss  barr., 
wliich  stood  in  the  open  field,  some  distance  from  the  stone 
wall.  The  barn  was  occupied  by  Confederate  sharpshoot- 
ers, who  were  picking  off  the  Union  soldiers  wherever  a 
head  appeared.  In  this  charge.  Captain  Frank  M.  Riley, 
of  P.ridgelon,  then  in  command  of  Company  F,  took  an  im- 
portant part,  braxely  leading  his  men  to  the  attack.  The 
assault  was  successful,  the  barn  captured,  and  a  large 
number  nf    prisoners    taken.     The    companies    were  soon 


IN    CUMBERLAND    COUNTY,    NEW    JERSEY  IO7 

obliged  to  abandon  the  barn,  and  fall  back  witli  their  prison- 
ers to  the  stone  wall  again,  owing  to  a  heavy  Confederate 
fire.    On  the  morning  of  July  3d,  a  second  charge  of  the  re- 
maining five  companies  of  the  regiment  was  ordered.    This 
charge  was  gallantly  led  by  Captain  Richard  S.  Thompson, 
of  Company  K,  Bridgeton.     The  barn  was  again  captured, 
and  a  few  more  prisoners  taken.     The  Confederates  rallied 
and  began  to  surround  the  barn,  when  the  companies  fell 
back  to  the  stone  wall.     W'iien  the  order  to  retire  rang  out. 
Sergeant  Aaron  Terry,  of  Company  K,  a  native  of  Downe 
Township,  Cumberland  County,  a  noble  fellow,  and  Private 
John  J.  Boone,  of  Company  A,  were  engaged  in  firing  from' 
the  main  floor  above  the  basement,  in  which  they  had  got 
comfortably  fixed.    They  immediately  returned  to  the  base- 
ment of  the  barn  to  rejoin  their  comrades,  when  they  found 
themselves  alone.     Their  fellow-soldiers  were  nearly  back 
to  their  old  position  on  the  Emmettsburg  Road.  A  line  of 
Confederates  perhaps  seventy-five  yards  long  could  be  seen 
behind   a   fence  on   each  side   of  the   field   through   which 
Terry  and  Boone  must  pass  to  reach  safety  in  the  Union 
lines.     A  glance  disclosed  the  fact  that  they  must  run  for 
their  lives  or  submit  to  capture.     .Accordingly,  they  started 
for  the  Union  position  on  a  double-quick.     The  attention 
of  the  Confederates  being  on  the  main  body  of  Federals 
which  had  just  escaped  them,  they  did  not  discover  the  two 
Jerseymen   until   they   were  about   two-thirds   of  the   way 
through   their  lines.      Then  suddenly   came  the   challenge, 
sharp  and  short:  "Halt,  you  Yankees!"  But  the  command 
was  not  obeyed.     It  only  added   flcetness  to  the  sprinters. 
Bullets  flew  like  hail  'roimd  and  about  the  runners,  whist- 
ling about  their  ears,  striking  the  ground  in  every  direction, 
but  neither  Terry  nor  Boone  were  hit.    Fortune  had  favored 
them,  and  they  arrived  safely  at  the  position  occupied  by 
their  comrades  at  the   stone  wall,   very   happy   over  their 
close  escape  from  death.     That  night,  however.   Sergeant 
Terry  was  captured  on  the  picket  line,  and  his  heroic  soul 
departed  tliis  life  of  disease  and  starvation  at  the  Confeder- 
ate prison.  Andersonville,  Georgia.     The  casualties  in  Com- 


HISTORIC    DAYS 

]);my  K  during  tlie  two  sanguinary  days  at  Gettysburg 
were :  Killed — Simon  W.  Creamer,  Henry  S.  Sockwell ; 
wounded — Daniel  H.  Carman  (who  afterwards  died  at  Field 
Hospital).  William  H.  Dickson,  Charles  H.  Simpkins, 
Bloomfield  Spencer,  Samuel  Tomlinson;  missing — Aaron 
Terry,  Thomas  C.  Galloway,  Theophilus  Sutton. 

Many  were  the  gallant  deeds  performed  by  members 
of  Company  K  at  Gettysburg,  and  many  were  the  hair- 
breadth escapes  from  instant  death.  Each  member  took  meri- 
tin-ious  part  in  that  fiercest  contest  of  the  war.  and  to  each 
and  all  belongs  the  meed  of  praise  for  patriotic  service  well 
dune — a  record  of  which  the  County  of  Cumberland  will  be 
ver}-  [irnud  throughout  the  generations  which  are  tci  come. 


Late  telegrams  brought  to  the  good  people  of  the  town 
of  Bridgeton  great  news  in  the  early  afternoon  and  even- 
ing of  July  4th,  1H63.  The  telegrams  posted  in  front  of 
the  Post  Office  said  that  the  rebel  General  Pemberton  had 
surrendered  the  fortress  at  Vick.sburg,  Mississippi,  to  Gen- 
eral Grant,  with  32,000  prisoners  and  200  cannon,  and  that 
General  Robert  E.  Lee,  with  the  Confederate  Ariny  of 
Northern  Virginia,  bad  been  disastrously  defeated  in  a  three 
da_\-s'  fight  at  Gettysburg,  Pa.,  and  was  on  the  retreat. 
General  George  G.  Meade,  with  the  Army  of  the  Potomac, 
having  killed,  wounded  and  taken  prisoners  35.000  of  the 
Confederates. 

The  first  telegram  read  as  follows: 

"War  Di:i'artment. 
Washington,  July  4,  1863,  10  A.  M. 
The  President  announces  to  the  country  that  news  from 
the  .Army  of  the  Potomac,  up  to  10  o'clock  P.  M.  of  the  3d, 
is  such  as  to  cover  that  army  with  the  highest  honor,  to 
promise  a  great  success  in  the  cause  of  the  Union,  and  to 
claim  tlie  condolence  of  all  for  the  many  gallant  fallen;  and 
that  for  this  he  specially  desires  that  on  this  day  He  whose 
will,  not  ours,  should  ever  be  done,  be  everywhere  remem- 
bered and  c\er  rc\crcnced  with  profoundcst  gratitude. 

ABRAHAM  LINCOLN." 

(108) 


WAR  TIME    PICTURES— I«i;j-l«i'.^ 
Group  Company  K.  Twelfth  Reg.  N.  J.  Inf.  Vols. 
Thomas  S.  Green  Thomas  H.  Conover 

Serg.  Charles  S.  Padgett 
George   Laws  George  McHenry  Samuel  H.  Tomlinson 


(109) 


no  HISTORIC    DAYS 

No  so.oner  had  the  news  arrived  than  the  beU  on  Gross- 
cup's  Hall  began  to  ring  vigorously.     The  melodious  bells 
on  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  Session  House,  the  Second 
Presbyterian  Church,  the  West  Jersey  Academy,  joined  in 
the  tumult,  and  far  and  near  rang  out  peals  of  victory.    Ihe 
old  six-pounder,  which  had  done  good  service  in  celebra- 
tions of  by-gone  years,  was  brought  out  and  fired  a  salute 
on  the  banks  of  the  Cohansey.     The  fire  engines  "Alinerva" 
and  "Bridgeton."  old-time  hand  vehicles,  appeared  from  the 
hose  house  on  the     Cumberland     Nail     and     Iron  Works 
grounds,  near  Lott's  Mill,  and,  with  a  long  line  of  men  and 
boys  attached  to  the  ropes,  ran  through  Commerce  Street 
with  a  clatter  of  fire  bells  and  a  rattle  of    cheers    which 
set    the    town    wild.    The    local    brass    band   came    out, 
and    added    to    the    hurrah    by    discoursing    patriotic    mu- 
sic.     The     old-time     drum     corps,     Lot     Loper,     Jerry 
^laul,  Jerry  Rora_\-.  with  the  fife ;  and  Lev.   Bond,  Eddie 
Crozier,    Crockett    Loper,    and    every    man    of    the    town 
who  could  handle  drum  sticks,   came    down  Laurel   Hill 
with  a  "Yankee  Doodle"  and  "Hail  Columbia"  that  made 
other  forms  of  music  pale  into  insignificance.  Whistles  and 
horns  screamed  and  tooted.    Bands  of  citizens  sang  upon  the 
streets  all  the  patriotic  airs  of  the  war  time,  chief  among 
which   was  the   familiar   "Rally   'Round   the   Flag,   Boys, 
Rally  Once  Again,  Shouting  the  Battle  Cry  of  Freedom !" 
Thousands  of  men,  women  and  children,  paraded  the  streets 
until  the  small  hours.     Stirring  speeches  were  made  from 
dry  goods  boxes  at  the  corner  of  Commerce  and  Laurel 
streets  by  excited  patriots.  In  front  of  the  old  Davis  House 
the  sidewalk  was  impassable.    From  the  great  crowds,  aug- 
mented every  moment  by  large  numbers  of  farmers  from 
the  adjacent  townships,  who,  having  heard  rumors  of  the 
good  news,  hastened  by  horseback  and  every  form  of  vehicle 
to  join  in  the  festivities  at  the  county  seat,  cheer  upon  cheer 
went  up  to  the  heavens.     At  Edmund's  bar  the  health  of 
Generals  Grant  and  Meade  was  repeatedly  drunk  I'mm  brim- 
ming glasses,  and  the  bravery  of  the  soldiers  in  the  field 
lauded  in  excited  huzzahs.    Flags  and  red  fire  decorated  and 


IX    L  I'M  IMCKI-A.M)    COINTV.    NKW    .1  KRSF.Y  III 

illuminated  the  residences  on  every  hand.  He  who  did  not 
produce  tiie  Stars  and  Stripes  was  looked  upon  as  a  traitor. 
Glorious  night !    Happy  people ! 


Ne.xt  day  the  Philadelphia  papers  arrived,  with  start- 
ling headlines  and  graphic  accounts  of  the  great  victories 
secured  on  the  anniversary  of  the  American  Fourth  of  July, 
Gettysburg  and  X'icksburg,  both  on  the  same  day.  The  par- 
ticulars of  the  Vicksburg  surrender,  however,  seemed  to 
cheer  the  nation  even  more  than  that  at  Gettysburg.  One 
of  the  papers — tlie  Phila.  Inquirer,  which  was  the  journal 
tliat  had  a  wide  circulation  in  Eridgeton — gave  pen-picture 
sketches  of  the  scenes  attending  the  surrender  of  the  rebels. 
Among  other  things,  it  said  that  before  noon  of  the  preced- 
ing day  Grant  and  Sherman's  armies,  about  70,000  strong, 
filed  into  the  streets  of  tlie  city  and  hoisted  the  Stars  and 
Stripes  over  the  Court  House.  The  soldiers  made  the  wel- 
kin ring  with  shouts  and  cheers,  singing  the  battle  cry  of 
freedom.  One  of  the  Wisconsin  regiments,  the  Eighth, 
famous  for  its  fighting  (lualities,  carried  with  it  an  eagle 
wliicli  had  been  with  the  regiment  in  the  thickest  of  the  fight, 
in  many  battles.  The  war-eagle  was  known  as  "01d-.\be." 
Seated  on  the  staff-head  of  the  old  flag,  borne  by  the  color 
guard,  in  advance  of  Grant's  columns,  into  the  captured 
city,  "Old  Abe"  flapped  his  wings  and  screamed  his  joy  to 
the  great  delight  of  the  marching  soldiers. 


July  15th,  in  the  midst  of  the  national  rejoicing,  the 
great  President,  whose  faith  always  rested  in  God,  again 
appealed  to  the  nation,  setting  apart  Thursday,  the  6th  day 
of  August,  1863,  as  a  day  for  national  thanksgiving,  praise 
and  prayer  "to  the  Divine  IMajesty,  for  the  wonderful  things 
He  has  done  in  the  nation's  behalf,  and  invoke  the  influence 
of  His  Holy  Spirit  to  subdue  the  anger  which  has  produced 
and  so  long  sustained  a  needless  and  cruel  rebellion,  to 
change  the  hearts  of  the  insurgents,  to  guide  the  counsels 
of  the  Government  with  wisdom  adequate  to  so  great  a 


HISTORIC    DAYS 

national  emergency,  and  to  visit  with  tender  care  and  con- 
solation, throughout  the  length  and  breadth  of  our  land,  all 
those  who,  through  the  vicissitudes  of  marches,  voyages, 
battles  and  sieges,  have  been  brought  to  suffer,  in  mind, 
body  or  estate,  and  finally  to  lead  the  whole  nation  through 
the  paths  of  repentance  and  submission  to  the  divine  will 
back  to  the  perfect  enjoyment  of  union  and  fraternal  peace." 
The  puissant  arm  of  the  nation  had  won  great  victories 
on  land  and  sea:  the  eagles  of  the  army  shone  with  the  re- 
fulgence of  the  triumphs  achieved  on  the  soil  of  Pennsyl- 
vania, red  with  the  blood  of  heroes;  by  the  banks  of  the 
Mississippi,  and  on  the  waters  of  the  rivers  which  ran  to 
the  sea.  Peans  of  earthly  victories  filled  the  air.  Then,  with 
meekness  and  humility,  Abraham  Lincoln,  colossal  figure, 
called  the  nation  from  festivity  to  duty.  He  pointed  them  to 
God — that  God  without  whose  help  nations  must  fall,  with 
whose  favor  nations  stand,  prosperous,  victorious. 


The  Democratic  majority  in  the  New  Jersey  Legis- 
lature, during  the  month  of  January,  1863,  at  a  time  when 
the  national  horizon  was  depressed  and  disturbed  because  of 
the  failure  of  the  Union  commanders  to  bring  the  Confed- 
erate armies  to  defeat,  set  on  foot  a  scheme  which  they  im- 
agined would  secure  peace  between  the  sections.  Accord- 
ingly, the  Senator  from  Hudson  County,  Mr.  Randolph, 
introduced  a  document  for  the  consideration  of  the  State 
Senate,  afterward  known  as  the  "Peace  Resolutions."  The 
substance  of  this  treasonable  proposition  was:  "That  the 
Legislature  should  appoint  a  Commission  to  go  to  Richmond 
to  see  upon  what  terms  the  rebels  will  make  peace,  and  ask- 
ing President  Lincoln  to  furnish  them  safeguards  for  the 
journey." 

Mr.  Scudder.  Chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Federal 
Relations,  reported  the  resolutions  favorably. 

Mr.  Ludlam,  Senator  from  Cumberland  County,  of- 
fered a  substitute,  the  third  section  of  which  read  as  fol- 
lows: 

(n2) 


PROMINENT   CITIZENS— INIil-lHli:. 
George  B.  Cooper  Hon.  Charles  C.  Grosscup 

Hon.  C.  Henry  Sheppard 
Thomas  Corson  Joseph  H.  C.  Appelgate 

1  IKii 


114  HISTORIC    DAYS 

"Be  it  Resolved,  That  we  are  opposed  to  all  proposi- 
tions for  peace  as  a  cessation  of  hostilities  or  to  compromise, 
unless  the  rebels  lay  down  their  arms,  and  acknowledge  the 
rightful  gfovernment  of  the  United  States,  and  return  to  an 
obedience  of  the  laws,  on  a  common  level  with  all  the  States 
under  the  Constitution  as  our  forefathers  made  it. 

"That  we  extend  to  our  brave  Jerseymen  who  have  left 
their  homes  to  battle  for  the  Go\'ernment,  all  praise  and 
honor  for  the  noble  manner  in  which  they  have  upheld  the 
old  flag,  and  promise  that  by  no  act  of  ours  shall  the  blush 
of  shame  be  made  to  mantle  their  cheeks." 


In  tlie  House  of  Assembly,  Dr.  Benjamin  Rusli  Bate- 
man,  of  Cumberland,  offered  a  resolution  bearing  upon  the 
peace  propositions  and  the  objections  which  the  Democrats 
were  then  making  to  the  use  of  colored  men  as  volunteers 
in  the  army  and  navy,  to  wit. : 

"That,  as  General  Washington  did  never  disdain  the 
services  of  persons  of  color  in  the  War  of  the  Revolution, 
and  as  Andrew  Jackson,  at  the  defence  of  New  Orleans,  like- 
wise invited  them  to  his  standard,  and  after  the  battle  had 
been  won  did  issue  to  them  a  splendid  address,  in  which  he 
thanked  them  for  their  efficient  services,  therefore,  the  Presi- 
dent has  done  well  to  fdllnw  the  precedent  established  by 
the  Father  of  his  Country,  and  by  the  idol  of  the  Democracy, 
in  summoning  to  the  help  of  the  Union  all  who  love  their 
country." 

Mr.  Ludlam's  substitute  was  rejected  by  the  Senate,  as 
was  Dr.  Bateman's  resolutions  in  the  House,  by  strict  party 
votes,  the  Democrats  having  majorities  in  both  Houses. 


Wednesday,  the  25th  day  of  February,  1S63,  the  reso- 
lutions were  discussed  by  Mr.  Randolph,  Senator  from  Hud- 
son ;  Mr.  Chandler,  Senator  from  Morris;  Mr.  Buckley,  Sen- 
ator from  I'assaic:  Mr.  Ludlam.  Senator  from  Cumberland. 

In  his  remarks,  among  other  excellent  things.  Senator 
Ludlam  said : 


IN'    CUMliKKr.AND    COfXTV,    NKW    J  KRSKY  11, 

"For  nineteen  months  after  tlieir  attack  on  Fort  Sumter 
we  protected  their  slaves  and  other  property.  I  am  person- 
ally acquainted  with  volunteers  from  my  own  county,  who 
went  at  the  first  call  for  three  years'  men,  who  stood  in  the 
winter  of  1862  shoe-top  deep  in  mud  night  after  night,  pro- 
tecting rebel  property,  and  to  keep  their  slaves  from  running 
into  our  lines :  and  all  the  thanks  they  got  for  it  was  to  be 
insulted  in  tlie  morning  as  a  return,  or  by  information  sent 
by  these  scoumlrels  to  the  rebel  pickets  of  their  whereabouts, 
then  to  be  shot  like  dogs  as  they  stood  at  their  posts;  and 
this,  as  I  said  before,  for  nineteen  months,  through  summer's 
lieat  and  winter's  cold,  through  hunger  and  thirst,  sickness, 
and  the  death  of  many  a  noble  heart.     *     *     *     * 

"The  object  of  the  war  is  the  maintenance  of  the  Gov- 
ernment, the  object  of  these  resolutions  is  the  restoration  of 
a  party  to  power  and  to  efifect  that  object,  it  exposes  the 
Government  to  destruction,  and  declares  that  they  prefer  the 
supremacy  of  a  party  to  the  supremacy  of  the  Government. 

"I  expect  to  stand  by  the  Government,  let  who  will  ad- 
minister it,  until  this  war  is  over,  and  all  such  resolutions  as 
these  are  illtimed  and  out  of  place.  Our  business  now  as 
loyal  citizens  is  the  putting  down  armed  rebellion,  and  giv- 
ing the  Government  all  the  support  in  our  power — not  to  as- 
sist our  enemies  in  striking  it  down  by  showing  up  every 
aspect  and  gloating  over  every  mishap  or  mistake  in  judg- 
ment which  the  Government  or  the  commanders  of  our 
armies  may  make.  That  is  not  the  way  we  want  a  true  and 
trustful  friend  to  act  towards  us  and  it  is  not  the  way  he 
would  act.  if  he  was  a  true  friend,  and  had  our  welfare  at 
lie;irt.  1  cannot  vote  for  these  resolutions  offered  by  the 
(Democratic")  majority  of  the  committee;  and  I  hope,  for 
tlie  credit  of  the  State  of  Xew  Jcrscv  and  her  30.000  .sons 
who  are  now  on  the  liattllield,  that  no  Senator  will  vote  for 
them." 

Brave  Senator  Ludlam  !  Words  fitly  spoken  at  a  proper 
time,  yet  of  no  avail!  The  resolutions  passed,  all  the  Demo- 
crats votinsf  for  them. 


I  l6  IIISTIJUIC    DAYS 

When  the  news  of  the  passage  of  the  traitorous  Peace 
Resolutions  reached  the  Army  of  the  Potomac,  the  soldiers 
of  Xew  Jersey  were  indignant.  The  Twenty-fourth  New 
Jersey  Regiment,  encamped  not  tar  from  the  recent  battle 
field  of  Fredericksburg,  prepared  a  protest.  At  a  meeting 
held  Thursday,  April  2d,  the  regiment,  without  arms,  was 
formed  in  h<illii\\  s(|uare  fin  the  plaza  in  front  of  the 
Colonel's  mar(|ue.  After  an  appropriate  pra}er  ])y  the  good 
chaplain,  ^\'illiam  Stockton,  the  meeting  organized  by  call- 
ing Colonel  William  B.  Robertson  to  the  chair.  Surgeon 
Dr.  William  L.  Newell  was  made  secretary.  On  motion,  the 
following  officers  were  named  a  committee  to  draft  a  set 
of  resolutions  expressing  the  sense  of  the  meeting:  Captain 
Augustus  Sailer,  Surgeon  William  L.  Newell,  Lieutenant 
Robert  B.  Potter,  Lieutenant  James  J,  Reeves,  Lieutenant- 
Colonel  Frank  L.  Knight.  This  committee  reported  a  series 
of  patriotic  and  denunciatory  resolutions  of  the  action  of  the 
New  Jersey  Legislature. 

Surgeon  Newell,  Lieutenants  Wilkins,  Reeves.  Potter 
and  Bartine,  of  the  Twenty-fourth  Regiment,  addressed  the 
meeting  in  favor  of  the  adoption  of  the  resolutions.  Captain 
Richard  S.  Thompson,  of  Company  K.  Twelfth  New  Jersey 
Regiment,  and  Lieutenant  William  E.  Potter,  of  the  same 
company  and  regiment,  then  Ordnance  Officer  on  the  staff 
of  General  French,  also  spoke.  Colonel  Robertson  ad- 
dressed the  meeting  in  an  excellent  speech.  Chaplain  Stock- 
ton in  his  remarks  touched  the  hearts  of  all  present  by  an  elo- 
quent allusion  to  "the  old  Independence  Bell"  in  Philadel- 
phia, sending  its  voice  as  to  these  resolutions,  to  all  the 
land  and  the  inhabitants  thereof. 

The  speeches  were  patriotic  and  eloquent  expressions 
from  the  hearts  of  the  loyal  Jerseymen  who  wore  the  blue. 


Doctor  William  L.  Newell,  surgeon  of  the  regiment,  of 
Miliviile.  Cumberland  County,  a  man  of  distinguished  per- 
sonal appearance.  Democratic  by  birth  and  training,  deliv- 
ered one  of  the  most  impressive  speeches  made  on  that  mem- 
orable day.     Standing  on  the  soil  of  Virginia,  made  sacred 


IN    CUMIilCRLANO    COUNTY,    NEW    .IKRSKV  11/ 

hy  tilt"  bl(i()(l  of  Lieutenant  Robeson  ami  thousands  of  his 
comrades,  who  iiad  come  to  early  graves  because  of  armed 
treason  now  confronting  them,  with  uncovered  head,  in  the 
presence  of  this  splendid  regiment,  with  the  starry  heavens 
as  a  canopy,  the  Doctor  said : 

"It  is  an  old  story,  and  a  true  one,  and  1  here  re{)€at 
it,  that  this  is  the  best  Government  on  God's  earth;  and,  as 
such,  who  is  not  proud  of  such  a  structure?  But  her  flag 
has  been  assailed,  and  we  are  here  to  avenge  her  honor. 
This  country  is  writhing  in  civil  war,  a  condition  greatly  to 
be  dejilnred.  But  what  is  it  to  be,  the  inheritance  of  a  free 
and  independent  nation  we  are,  or  are  not  to  leave  our  chil- 
dren? If  we  are  to  lie  a  free,  united  and  happy  people,  there 
is  but  one  single,  plain  and  comprehensive  course  to  pursue, 
and  that  is  to  stand  by  the  Government  in  her  offorts  to 
overthrow  the  most  gigantic  rebellion  the  world  ever  knew. 
There  is  one  effectual  way  to  support  the  Government,  and 
I  heartily  recommend  it  to  the  misguided  State  from  whence 
we  come.  There  is  a  doctrine,  or  maxim,  rather,  to  which 
the  lamented  Douglass  gave  force,  that  'who  is  not  for  the 
Government  is  against  us.'  and  I  now  declare  that  such  men 
as  are  against  us  in  this  struggle  have  no  business  in  our 
midst,  and  were  I  a  member  of  a  legalized  body,  I  would 
vote  for  a  law  which  would  send  every  Southern  sympathizer 
inside  the  Southern  lines,  and  appropriate  their  property  for 
Government  use." 

This,  the  substance  of  the  Doctor's  speech,  was  received 
with  great  applause. 


The  youthful  Lieutenant  William  E.  Potter  (to  be 
known  later  on  as  Colonel),  with  serious  countenance  and 
impressive  gestures,  then  addressed  the  regiment,  a  few  brief 
sentences  of  which  are  here  appended : 

"You  wish,  fellow-soldiers,  if  I  understand  the  object 
of  this  meeting,  to  stigmatize  as  traitors  those  men  at  home 
who,  while  pretending  to  represent  the  sentiments  of  the 
people,  are  endeavoring  to  commit  our  State  to  some  act  of 
sympathy  towards  the  rebellion  which  is  striving  to  over- 


Il8  IIISTOKIC    DAYS 

throw  the  republic.  And,  standing  where  you  do  to-day, 
bv  your  voices  and  your  votes,  you  proclaim,  as  with  tones 
of  a  clarion,  unto  the  people  of  New  Jersey  that  it  is  to  you 
a  matter  of  regret  and  shame  that,  while  you  are  enduring 
the  perils  and  sufferings  of  war,  and  while,  alas!  the  ac- 
cursed soil  of  Virginia  is  even  now  dotted  with  the  nameless 
graves  of  Jerseymen  who  have  already  fallen  in  defence  of 
our  national  life,  that  these  traitors  at  home  should  be  striv- 
ing to  outstrip  each  other  in  their  haste  to  throw  themselves 
at  the  feet  of  the  slave  power,  and  to  kiss  the  hands  which 
are  stained  with  the  blood  of  their  brethren." 

Enthusiastic  was  the  applause  at  the  conclusion  of  Lieu- 
tenant Potter's  eloquent  periods. 


Lieutenant  James  J.  Reeves  was  loudly  applauded  in 
the  sentiment  expressed  in  the  following  paragraph : 

"I  cannot  let  the  occasion  pass  without  saying  a  word 
in  favor  of  the  resolutions.  I  think  they  will  accomplish  a 
two-fold  purpose  in  awakening  a  stronger  sentiment  of 
loyalty  among  the  friends  of  the  Government  at  home,  and 
of  striking  terror  to  the  hearts  of  the  secret  enemies  who, 
from  partisan  motives,  are  doing  all  that  lies  in  their  power 
to  embarrass  and  resist  its  efforts  to  suppress  the  rebellion 
and  restore  the  Union.  The  lips  could  not  give  utterance  to 
language  too  strong  in  denunciation  of  these  contemptible 
'Peace  Resolutions'  of  our  notorious  Legislature.  Though 
they  purported  to  be  the  voice  and  view  of  the  people,  they 
were  but  the  exponents  of  the  sentiments  of  men  in  open 
sympathy  with  traitors,  and  it  is  our  duty  as  Jerseymen  and 
Jersey  soldiers  openly  to  rebuke  such  a  spirit  of  disloyalty." 

The  resolutions  were  unanimously  adopted  by  a  chorus 
of  ayes,  and  amid  the  cheers  of  the  entire  regiment. 


April  25th,  1863,  the  attached  item  appeared  in  the  col- 
umns of  the  Bridgeton  Chronicle: 

"Charge  of  Kimball's  Brigade  at  the  Battle  of  Fred- 
ericksburg," is  the  title  <if  a  handsome  lithograph  from  a 


IN    CUMBERLAND    COUNTY,    NI£\V    JERSliY  I  IQ 

sketch  by  John  G.  Keyser,  of  the  Twenty-fourth  New  Jer- 
sey Regiment,  wliich  took  such  an  active  part  in  the  en- 
gagement. This  regiment  being  composed  principally  of 
men  from  this  section  of  the  State  will  give  additional  in- 
terest to  the  handsomely  gotten  up  scene.  Mr.  G.  W.  John- 
son, at  the  Bridgeton  Post  Office,  and  Mr.  Jacob  Kienzle 
have  copies  of  it  for  sale." 

Artist  John  G.  Keyser  was  a  private  in  the  Twenty- 
fourth  New  Jersey  Regiment,  and  made  several  sketches  of 
camp  and  battle  scenes  during  his  term  of  service.  Born  in 
Germany,  he  was  a  typical  son  of  the  Rhine  country,  loving 
his  pipe  and  glass  of  Bock.  Two  of  his  sketches  have  be- 
come historical.  One,  a  painting  of  the  "Departure  of  the 
Cumlicrland  Greys  on  the  Steamer  I'atuxent,"  the  other 
known  as  "Campaign  Sketches  of  the  Twenty-fourth  Regi- 
ment, New  Jersey  Volunteers,  1862."  Keyser  was  a  brave 
comrade  and  a  good  fellow.  After  fifty  years  of  residence  in 
the  United  States,  he  returned  to  Germany,  at  the  request  of 
a  sister,  and  resided  with  her  until  his  death.  He  deceased 
at  an  advanced  age.  and,  until  within  a  few  montiis  of  his 
end,  wrote  to  friends  in  Bridgeton,  among  whom  was  the 
writer.  His  last  letter  breathed  a  prayer  for  America,  which 
he  said  he  loved  above  all  other  lands,  and  he  longed  to  re- 
turn to  it  previous  to  death.  His  wish  was  not  gratified,  but 
on  the  margin  of  the  letter  he  said :  "Isaac,  my  friend,  here 
is  to  the  Star  Spangled  Banner;  long  may  it  wave,"  a  pa- 
thetic, patriotic  farewell. 


The  Union  men  of  the  North  began  to  organize  them- 
selves into  societies  for  the  promotion  of  the  cause  which 
tliey  had  so  much  at  heart.  In  all  the  large  cities  the  move- 
ment had  made  rapid  progress.  New  York  and  Philadel- 
phia organized  Union  Leagues,  which  survive  to  this  day. 
They  did,  and  are  still  doing,  a  great  work  for  the  nation 
whenever  in  moments  of  depression  and  peril  the  national 
life  and  honor  are  assailed. 

The  Union  League  was  a  secret  organization,  which  the 
Democrats  denounced  as  contrary  to  the  spirit  of  our  insti- 


HISTORIC    DAYS 

tutions,  and  the  public  speakers  of  that  party  made  the 
League  the  object  of  very  bitter  attacks,  as  did  also  the 
Democratic  press. 

Tiie  initiatory  ceremunies  of  tiie  Union  League  were  de- 
void of  rituahsni,  modest  in  form,  and  of  a  beautiful,  patri- 
otic character.  Candidates  were  conducted  to  the  altar,  upon 
which  was  dra]>ed  the  folds  (A  the  American  Hag,  antl,  with 
the  crimson  incense  of  red  fire  surrounding  them,  allegiance 
to  the  Government  was  sworn  in  a  simple  oath  dedicatory  of 
the  life,  honor  and  means  of  the  candidate  to  the  great  work 
of  saving  and  preserving  the  Union — just  such  an  obliga- 
tion as  the  Revolutionary  Fathers  took  when  they  attached 
their  signatures  to  the  Declaration  of  Independence. 

Saturday  evening,  March  2ist,  1863,  a  meeting  of 
Union  men  was  held  in  Grosscup's  Hall,  Bridgeton,  and  the 
first  League  organized  in  Cumberland  County.  Adrian  Bate- 
man  called  the  assemblage  to  order.  Hon.  John  T.  Nixon 
was  made  President ;  Charles  E.  Elmer,  Adrian  Bate- 
man,  Vice  Presidents;  John  S.  Mitchell,  Secretary.  David 
McBride,  Stephen  G.  Porch,  Charles  E.  Elmer,  Alphonso 
Woodruff,  Adrain  Bateman  were  appointed  by  the  chair  a 
committee  to  draft  a  constitution  for  the  League. 

The  Committee  reported  a  constitution  setting  forth 
the  objects  of  the  League,  providing  for  the  manner  of  or- 
ganization, etc.  Second  section  of  the  constitution  read: 
"The  primary  object  of  this  League  is,  and  shall  be,  to  bind 
together  all  loyal  men,  of  all  trades  and  professions,  in  a 
common  union,  to  maintain  the  power,  glory  and  integrity 
of  the  nation,  and  to  discountenance  and  relmke  1)\'  moral  and 
social  influences  all  disloyalty." 

Two  hundred  persons  signed  the  roll  of  membership 
at  this  meeting.  Hon.  John  T.  Nixon  and  Paul  T. 
Jones  spoke  eloquently  on  the  merits  and  purposes  of  the  or- 
ganization, but  the  speech  of  the  evening  was  made  by  Chas. 
E.  Elmer.  Then  in  the  prime  of  life,  Mr.  Elmer  was  a  com- 
manding figure,  and  few  pos.sessed  the  attractive  personality 
and  gifts  which  nature  had  given  him.  In  the  presence  of 
the  best  element  of  the  town,  men  in  every  department  of 


/    - 

■>-•  . 

t^  < 

A^ 

^ 

w 

m 

PROMINENT   CITIZENS— lJ5ti:-16i.'> 
Charles  S.  Fithian  Clement  J.  Lee 

Horatio  J.  Mulford  James  M.  Riley 

Dayton  B.  Whitaker  Stephen  G.  Porch 

(I'-'l) 


William  Dare 
Dr.  Joseph  Moore 
Isaac  B.  Mulford 


122  HISTORIC    DAYS 

iTfe,  who  had  come  together  because  of  love  of  their  country, 
he  exhibited  traits  of  character  which  stamped  his  loyalty 
on  the  hearts  of  all  present.  With  flashing  eye  and  erect 
carriage,  he  drove  conviction  home  with  stalwart  blows  for 
the  flag  and  the  Union.  Said  he :  "I  advocate  the  formation 
of  Union  Leagues  everywhere,  and  by  this  means  strength- 
ening the  Government  by  every  method  within  our  power, 
thereby  making  clear  and  distinct  the  line  between  the  loyal 
and  the  disloyal,  so  that  the  sheep  may  be  distinguished  from 
the  goats.  Let  those  who  are  sincere  in  their  devotion  to 
the  disunion  and  destruction  cause  take  their  guns  and  go 
South — let  us  have  an  end  to  this  mock  devotion,  both 
among  the  loyal  and  disloyal,  and  when  we  have  rid  our- 
selves, or  have  been  rid,  of  the  enervating  influence  of  the 
disloyal  and  semi-loyal,  and  the  true  and  patriotic  see  and 
understand  that  they  must  depend  alone  upon  their  own 
strong  arms  and  brave  hearts,  then  there  will  be  a  blow 
struck  to  treason  and  the  foes  of  democratic  institutions 
that  will  hurl  from  power  the  traitors  who  have  first  de- 
luded, and  then  trampled  upon,  the  rights  and  liberties  of  the 
Southern  people.  The  perjured  traitors  now  wielding  such 
unlimited  sway  over  the  South  have  elevated  themselves 
to  place  and  dominion  upon  the  suffering,  tears,  human  sac- 
rifices and  miseries  of  their  downtrodden  subjects.  Let  us 
all  unite,  all  who  feel  that  they  have  a  Government  to  love 
and  admire — all  who  feel  that  the  institutions  of  their  fathers 
are  worth  preserving,  and  then  with  unbroken  front  and 
'serried  shields  in  thick  array,'  devote  ourselves  by  words 
and  acts  to  the  work  that  is  given  us  of  God  to  perform — 
to  the  overthrowing  and  destroying  this  monstrous  and 
wicked  rebellion." 

The  Union  League  of  Bridgeton  continued  in  existence 
long  after  the  close  of  the  Civil  War,  and  rendered  valuable 
sen'ice  to  the  Union  cause  and  Mr.  Lincoln's  administra- 
tion. 


The  Chronicle,  in  its  issue  of  April  25th,  1863,  had  this 
to  say  of  the  beautiful   silk   flag  presented   to  the  "Cum- 


IX    CU.MBERI.AND    COUXTY,    XKW    .1 KKSEY  I23 

berland  Greys"'  the  day  of  their  departure,  in  1861,  by  tlie 
ladies  of  Bridgeton : 

"W'c  have  been  asked  wliat  has  become  of  the  flag 
presented  to  tlie  'Cumberland  Greys,'  (Company  F,  Third 
New  Jersey  Regiment,  Volunteers).  We  would  here  state, 
for  the  benefit  of  all  who  may  feel  an  interest  in  the  matter, 
that  it  has  been  deposited  in  the  County  Clerk's  Office  of  this 
county,  according  to  the  following  request : 

'Camp,  Near  Fredericksburg,  December  22,  1862. 

Please  deliver  to  Robert  DuBois,  Esq.,  the  "Cumber- 
land Greys"  colors,  to  be  deposited  in  the  Clerk's  Office. 

JAMES  W.  H.  STICKNEY, 
Major,  late  Captain,  Co.  P.,  3c/  A''.  /.  Vols. 

SAMUEL  T.  Dubois, 

Captain  Co.  C,  late  1st  Lieutenant  Co.  F,  ^d  N.  J.  Vols. 

CHARLES  F.  SALKELD, 
Captain  Co.  F,  2>d  N.  J.  Vols. 

MICHAEL  H.  SWING.  BOWALVN  il.  BUCK,  DANIEL 
B.  GINENBACK,  CLARENCE  MULFORD, 

Sergeants  Co.  F.,  yl  N.  J.  Vols.'  " 

Robert  DuBois,  together  with  his  brother  Jeremiah, 
were  paying  visits  to  the  army  every  now  and  then,  convey- 
ing clothing  and  delicacies  to  the  soldiers  from  Cumberland. 
They  were  good  Samaritans  engaged  in  a  work  which  will 
long  redound  to  the  credit  of  themselves  and  their  posterity. 
Robert  brought  the  flag  to  Bridgeton,  and  carried  out  the 
instructions  as  per  the  request. 

The  "Cumberland  Greys"  did  not  carry  this  flag  in 
battle,  because  by  the  United  States  Anny  Regulations  they 
were  enrolled  under  their  own  regimental  colors,  now  en- 
closed in  one  of  the  glass  cases  in  the  corridors  of  the  State 
House,  riddled  with  bullet  holes,  torn  and  tattered  by  the 
battle  and  the  breeze. 


HISTORIC    DAYS 


The  appended  notice  appeared  in  the  Bridgeton  papers 
the  last  week  in  June  : 

"To  the  Returned  Volunteers  of  the  County  of  Cum- 
berland. 

"Reception  and  Dinner  at  the  Elmer  Grove,  near  the 
West  Jersey  Academy,  July  g,  1863,  at  2  o'clock.  This  in- 
vitation includes  not  only  the  officers  and  privates  of  the 
nine  months'  volunteers,  but  all  soldiers  now  in  the  county 
belonging  to  the  three  years'  regiments  who  have  been  hon- 
orably discharged  from  the  service. 

"By  order  of  Ladies'  Aid  Society  of  Bridgeton." 

The  day  of  the  reception,  July  9th,  dawned  bright  and 
beautiful.  The  streets  were  alive  with  people.  Rain  the 
previous  day  had  laid  the  dust  nicely,  and  the  ground  was 
in  fine  marching  order.  The  returned  volunteers  formed  in 
front  of  the  Davis  House  on  Commerce  Street,  and,  under 
command  of  Major  Joel  A.  Fithian,  of  the  Twenty-Fourth 
Regiment,  marched  to  the  grove  in  perfect  order  and  disci- 
pline, wliich  marked  them  as  well-drilled  soldiers  and  elicited 
the  applause  of  the  people.  At  the  Elmer  Grove  the  ladies 
had  spread  a  magnificent  repast  under  the  large  tent  of  the 
Cumberland  County  Agricultural  Society.  The  table 
abounded  with  roast  beef,  chicken  potpie,  baked  pig,  vege- 
tables of  every  kind,  fruit,  cake,  pie,  cream,  and  all  the  deli- 
cacies of  the  season.  The  boys  made  merry  'round  the 
festive  board,  and  in  the  intervals  between  eat  and  drink 
fought  the  battles  of  the  past  over  again,  without  fear  of  bul- 
let or  shell. 

Hon.  John  T.  .Vixon  addressed  the  veterans  on  behalf 
of  the  ladies,  and  eulogize(l  the  eminent  scr\'ices  they 
had  rendered  the  country  in  the  campaigns  in  Virginia. 
Franklin  F.  Westcott,  a  rising  young  attorney,  of  Bridge- 
ton,  was  also  present,  and  in  a  rousing  speech  stirred  the 
hearts  of  the  returned  soldiers  to  cheers.  Lieutenant  James 
J.  Reeves  replied  for  the  companies  of  the  Twenty-Fourth 
Regiment  and  the  boys  in  blue  generally,  thanking  the 
ladies  and  citizens  for  the  splendid  reception.  The  festivi- 
ties closed  with  cheers  for  the  ladies  and  the  singing  of  the 
■'Star  .Spangled  Banner"  and  other  patriotic  airs. 


t 

^m^  , 

^4^ 

BmLmk 

^ 

PROMINENT    CITIZENS-l'-r.l-lSio 
Hon.  Uriah  D.  Woodruff  Daniel  Bacon 

Hon.  James  H.  Trenchard 
Hon.  Morton  Mills  Theophilus  G.  Compton 


126  HISTORIC    DAYS 

On  the  28tli  day  of  June,  1863,  the  first  colored  volun- 
teers arri\-ed  in  Bridgeton  from  the  Townships  of  Hopewell 
and  Greenwich.  They  numbered  29  stout,  healthy  young 
men,  and  among  the  number  was  Robert  Gould,  who  did 
good  service  in  Company  I,  Third  Regiment  U.  S.  Colored 
Troops.  Accompanying  him  were  Alexander  Manley,  John 
W.  Miller,  Perry  Sawyer,  John  Sewell,  John  Coursey,  Jos- 
eph R.  Walker  and  others.  They  were  taken  to  Philadel- 
phia and  enrolled  there  after  their  names  had  been  registered 
in  the  County  Clerk's  office.  The  regiment  to  which  they 
were  attached  took  part  in  the  engagements  at  Fort  Wagner, 
in  the  siege  of  Charleston,  South  Carolina,  August  26th, 
1863;  Bryant's  Plantation,  Fla.,  October  21st,  1864;  Marion 
County.  Fla.,  ^larch  loth,  1865:  Jacksonville,  Fla.,  April 
4th.  1865.  A  large  number  of  colored  men  from  Cumljer- 
land  County  enlisti-d  in  United  States  regiments  later  on  in 
the  war. 

At  this  time  prejudice  against  the  colored  man  both 
as  a  soldier  and  citizen,  was  very  bitter ;  but  the  men  for 
whom  "John  Brown's  body  lay  mouldering  in  the  grave" 
went  marching  on,  standing  shoulder  to  shoukrer,  with 
their  white  brothers,  leaving  their  bodies  and  blood  on  the 
field  where  death  held  high  carnival  amid  the  clash  of 
armies  and  the  fearful  onslaught  of  embittered  foes. 

Honor  to  the  black  man  for  bis  brave  work  and  gallant 
conduct  in  the  service  of  the  nation  under  whose  flag  for 
more  than  a  century  he  had  toiled  by  command  of  the  lash 
of  his  Southern  master,  beaten  and  bruised  until  Abraham, 
the  gentle,  liberty-loving  Fxecutive  came.  Then,  sorrow 
ceased — the  humble  cabin  echoed  with  songs  of  jubilee  and 
the  light  of  freedom  streamed  through  the  crevice  in  the 
thatch,  beneath  which  the  humble  prayer  of  the  berea\-ed 
slave  had  so  often  gone  up  to  God. 

New  York  City,  having  failed  to  secure  the  quota  of 
volunteers  which  the  Government  required  at  her  hands, 
the  draft  was  resorted  to.  When  the  Provost-Marshal  at- 
tempted to  put  the  draft  in  force  rioting  began  in  the  city 
streets  and  .several  men  were  killed.  Only  through  the 
presence  of  troops  was  the  mob  at  last  quelled  into  sub- 


IN'    CUMr.ERLANI)    COUNTV,    NEW    JF.RSF.V  12/ 

niission.  What  a  contrast  in  the  conduct  of  certain  citizens 
of  Xew  York  as  compared  with  the  vohinteer  service  of  the 
patriotic  colored  men  North  and  Soutii  offered  the  Govern- 
ment so  quickly,  so  generously. 


Xews  came  from  the  front  at  several  periods  during 
the  summer  of  1863,  to  the  effect  that  William  E.  Potter, 
(Bridgeton)  of  Company  K,  12th  New  Jersey,  had  been 
promoted  to  a  First  Lieutenancy,  and  made  Judge  Advo- 
cate of  the  3d  Division,  Second  Army  Corps,  Army  of  the 
Potomac,  aid  to  Division  General  in  action ;  that  Lieutenant 
Daniel  Dare,  (Bridgeton,)  Company  K,  had  been  trans- 
ferred to  and  made  Captain  of  Company  E,  12th  New  Jer- 
sey; that  First  Lieutenant  Josiah  Shaw,  Millville,  had  been 
honored  with  the  captaincy  of  Company  C,  4th  New  Jer- 
sey, (and  just  here  we  note  that  at  the  close  of  hostilities 
Major  Shaw,  which  latter  honor  he  attained  for  gallant 
service  in  the  field,  was  appointed  to  an  important  position 
in  the  Bureau  of  Pensions,  Washington,  D.  C,  where  for 
forty  years  he  rendered  valuable  service  to  the  Government, 
in  the  adjustment  of  thousands  of  pension  cases  whicli 
came  under  his  supervision  in  that  great  department)  ;  that 
Sergeant-Major  Edward  J\L  DuBois,  of  Bridgeton,  had 
been  advanced  to  First  Lieutenant,  then  captain  of  Com- 
pany C,  1 2th  New  Jersey,  concerning  which  gentleman  the 
Chronicle  of  August  15th,  1863.  said:  "Our  townsman, 
Sergeant-Major  Edward  M.  DuBois,  of  the  12th  Regiment, 
New  Jersey  Volunteers,  has  been  promoted  to  Lieutenant 
and  still  later  to  a  captaincy  in  Company  C,  of  the  same 
regiment.  The  appointment  is  well  deserved  and  popular. 
Mr.  DuBois  was  commended  for  gallantry  in  tlie  battles  of 
Chanccllorsville  and  Gettysburg,  and  we  are  glad  to  know 
that  this  braverv  has  been  suitablv  rewarded." 


The  Republican  County  Convention  met  at  the  Court 
House,  in  Bridgeton,  Monday.  October  12,  1863,  at  2 
o'clock  in  the  afternoon.     Senator  Providence  Ludlam  wras 


HISTORIC    DAYS 

elected  chairman,  and  George  B.  Cooper,  of  Alillville,  sec- 
retary. 

The  following  persons  were  preseiited  as  candidates 
for  the  Sheriffalty  nomination:  Lucius  Moore,  of  Deer- 
field:  Ebenezer  Hall  and  Charles  L.  Watson,  of  Green- 
wich. Eden  Hood  and  Daniel  B.  Ginenback  were  ap- 
pointed tellers. 

Charles  L.  Watson  was  nominated  for  the  office  of 
Sheriff  on  the  second  ballot,  and  his  nomination  was  im- 
mediately made  unanimous. 

Hon.  B.  Rush  Bateman.  of  Fairfield,  was  renominated 
for  As.sembly,  First  District;  Hon.  Edward  W.  Maylin,  of 
Millville.  for  Assembly,  Second  District. 

James  M.  Riley,  of  Cohansey ;  Charles  P.  ^Madden,  of 
Maurice  River;  Alfred  Holmes,  of  Hopewell,  were  nomi- 
nated for  Coroners. 

During  the  absence  of  the  Committee  on  Resolutions 
Hon.  John  T.  Nixon  addressed  the  convention  in  a  patriotic 
speech. 

Resolutions  were  adopted  as  follows : 

"Resohed,  That  we  pledge  ourselves  anew  to  an  un- 
wavering and  unconditional  support  of  the  National  Gov- 
ernment, in  its  efforts  to  suppress  the  wicked  rebellion 
against  its  autlu)rity. 

"Resolved.  That  we  return  our  hearty  thanks  to  the 
soldiers  and  sailors  of  the  Union  for  their  services :  we  con- 
gratulate them  on  their  successes;  rejoice  with  them  in  their 
victories,  and  promise  tliem  our  sympathy,  encouragement 
and  support  in  their  heroic  hardships  and  sufferings. 

"Resolved,  That  we  are  for  the  prosecution  of  the  war 
until  the  power  and  authority  of  the  Government  are  estab- 
lished :  and.  to  this  end,  we  greet  as  brothers  the  loyal  men 
of  all  parties  who  join  heart  and  hand  with  us  in  this  cause ; 
and  we  recognize  as  political  enemies  all  who  make  this 
paramount  issue  subordinate  to  personal  interests  or  par- 
tisan dogmas. 

"Resolved.  That  we  will  sustain  the  Government  in 
the  exercise   of  all   measures   which   thev  mav  deem   wise 


r     -^  m^'^ 

^  -.  ' 

^L^^ 
W^^  V 

f     t9  1Sl, 

%.  ^^ 


Richard  Laning 
Joel  Fithian 
Daniel  Sharp 


PROMINENT   CITIZENS— 18fil-1865 
Lucius  Moore 
Ethan  Lore 
Albert  R.  Jones 


Robert   1    Fithian 
Robert  Jordan 
John  L.  Sharp 


I30 


HISTORIC    DAYS 


and  necessary  for  the  overthrow  of  the  rebelHon,  the  sup- 
pression of  the  conspiracy,  and  the  extermination  or  com- 
plete submission  of  the  conspirators,  whether  it  be  by  the 
overthrow  of  tiieir  armies,  the  issuing  of  proclamations 
of  freedom,  the  arrest  of  sympathizers,  aiders  and  abettors 
of  treason,  tiie  use  of  Greek  tire  or  the  hanging  of  traitors." 
j\lr.  Watson,  in  accepting  the  nomination  for  Sheriff, 
after  his  introduction  to  the  conxention  tiianked  the  dele- 
gates for  the  honor,  and  "declared  his  purpose  to  so  act,  if 
elected,  that  none  should  ever  feel  that  tlieir  confidence  in 
him  had  been  misplaced." 


The  Democratic  County  Convention  met  about  a  week 
later.  Richard  Langley,  of  Millville,  was  named  for 
Sheriff.  L.  \\'.  Probasco,  of  Hopewell,  was  nominated  for 
Assembly,  First  District ;  Charles  Laning,  of  Deerfield,  for 
Assembly,   Second  District. 

In  its  fifth  resolution  the  convention  said:  "That  the 
total  lack  of  sound  policy  and  the  sole  reliance  on  i)hysical 
force  by  the  Administration  is  calculated  to  prolong  the 
war  and  defeat  the  object  for  which  it  was  waged."  This 
resolution  was  a  re-echo  of  the  famous  Peace  policy  en- 
dorsed by  the  Democrats  in  the  Legislature  at  Trenton  the 
winter  previous. 

John  L.  Sharp,  of  Millville,  former  State  Senator, 
urged  the  convention  to  "stand  by  their  vested  rights  as 
Democrats,  and  knowing  them  to  be  right  to  maintain  them 
at  the  sacrifice  of  life  if  necessary." 

The  convention  was  in  bitter  mood  because  of  Mc- 
Clellan's  removal  and  Burnside's  suspension  of  the  writ 
of  habeas  corpus  in  the  arrest  of  the  Ohio  copperhead.  Mr. 
Vallandigham.  which  action  was  sustained  by  the  Admin- 
istration. Vallandigham  was  a  secessionist  pure  and  simple, 
and  his  treacherous  conduct  was  very  properly  punished. 


The  canvass  w^as  warm  and  the  result  narrow  majori- 
ties.    Wat,son  was  chosen  Sheriff  by   156  majority.     Bate- 


IN    CUMBERI-AND    COUNTY,    NEW    JERSEY  131 

man.  Assembly,  First  District.  292  majority:  Maylin,  As- 
sembly, Second  District.   173  majority. 

Charles  Laning,  Democratic  candidate  for  Assembly- 
man, Second  District,  was  the  father  of  Samuel  A.  Laning, 
a  former  postmaster  of  Bridgeton.  Laning,  pere.  was  a 
man  of  earnest  conviction,  a  Democrat  of  the  Jeffersonian 
type.  Quiet  in  demeanor,  nevertheless  firm.  Apparently 
not  popular,  yet  at  every  test  a  vote-getter.  When  the  polls 
closed  the  first  Tuesday  in  November,  '63,  the  vote  at  the 
county  seat  stood :  "Maylin,  301 ;  Laning,  264.  Majority 
for  Maylin,  37  votes.  In  Cohansey  township,  now  the  Third 
Ward  of  Bridgeton,  Maylin's  vote  was  138;  Laning's,  106. 
Majority  for  Maylin.  32  votes.  Big  nni  in  war  times  for  a 
Democrat  in  Cumberland  County! 

Election  night  the  boys  went  wild.  The  Clerk's  Office 
was  crowded  with  shouting  Republicans.  Senator  Ludlam 
occupied  the  chair  and  read  the  returns,  now  and  then  in- 
terjecting some  witty  remark  which  convulsed  the  assem- 
bly with  laughter.  Langley,  Democratic  candidate  for 
Sheriff,  was  popular,  and  ran  well  in  his  Millville  home. 
Not  until  a  late  hour  was  the  result  definitely  known.  News 
came  by  carriage  and  horseback.  The  last  township  heard 
from  was  Maurice  River  in  the  "wee  sma'  hours."  Charles 
L.  \\'atson  had  won.  Then  the  enthusiastic  crowds  outside 
attempted  to  get  into  the  office.  Amid  the  tumult  of  strug- 
gling Republicans  the  apple  barrel  upset  and  "Roman 
stem"  and  "Turn-the-Lane"  were  trampled  into  mush  upon 
the  floor. 


The  election  proved  a  general  Republican  victory. 
New  York  State,  which  had  elected  Seymour,  Democrat, 
Governor  in  1862,  by  10.000  majority,  reversed  itself  with 
20,000  majority  for  the  Republican  ticket.  New  Jersey 
remained  Democratic,  but  there  was  a  Republican  gain  of 
10,000  on  the  popular  vote  in  the  State. 

One  of  the  Bridgeton  papers  announced  November  21 
that   "The   oath   of  office   was  administered   to    our    new- 


1^2  HISTORIC    DAYS 

Sheriff,  Uy.  C.  L.  Watson,  on  Tuesday,  the  loth  inst.  ^Slr. 
Watson  will  doubtless  make  a  very  acceptable  and  efficient 
officer.  He  is  polite,  gentlemanly  and  honorable,  with  all 
with  whom  he  has  dealings.  The  profits  of  the  office  are 
not  sufficient  to  pay  a  man  for  his  entire  services." 


The  echoes  of  the  election  had  barely  died  out  when 
the  attention  of  the  nation  was  directed  to  the  dedicatory 
ceremonies  soon  to  be  held  on  the  historic  battlefield  of 
Gettysburg,  Pa.  By  act  of  Congress  the  village  cemetery 
of  Gettysburg  was  purchased  and  prepared  as  a  National 
cemetery  for  the  gallant  men  who  fell  in  that  bloody  conflict. 
Gettysburg  was  one  of  the  five  decisive  battles  that  have  set- 
tled the  fate  of  nations,  and  throttled  the  enemies  of  Chris- 
tian civilization.  It  is  a  magnificent  field  of  hill  and  valley, 
the  scenery  connected  therewith  being  one  of  nature's  mas- 
terpieces. The  cemetery  located  on  a  rising  knoll  or  knob 
of  the  foothills  which  a  little  further  to  -the  east  and  south 
rise  into  mountain  ridges,  overlooked  the  field  upon  which 
but  a  few  brief  months  preceding 

"The  battle  shout  and  waving  plume. 
The  drum's  heart-stirring  beat 
The  glittering  pomp  of  war. 
The  rush  of  million  feet," 

had  roused  the  passions  of  men  to  fever  heat  in  a  supreme 
efYort  for  and  against  the  supremacy  of  the  Union,  was  sur- 
rounded by  the  debris  of  the  great  struggle  not  yet  re- 
moved. Fresh  graves  appeared  on  every  hand;  marks  of 
the  battle  were  everywhere  visible.  The  mountains  and 
hills  still  retained  a  portion  of  the  autumnal  beauty  which 
was  tlTeir  heritage  at  this,  the  closing  of  the  year.  The  foli- 
age of  many  trees  tinted  the  landscape  with  sombre  colors, 
and  the  cedar  and  pine  were  green  and  bright  in  the  midst 
of  the  picturesque  scenery  which,  like  a  great  panorama, 
opened  to  the  ey<:  from  Round  Top  to  Seminary  Ridge, 
from  the  clump  ef  '.rees  on  the  north  where  gallant  Rey- 


IN    CUMnKRLAXD    COUNTY,    NEW    JERSEY  I3J 

nolds  fell  to  the  distant  hills  in  the  south  through  which  the 
shattered  army  of  the  Confederates  vani?lied  in  despon- 
dency and  in  gloom.  The  hush  of  the  dyi.ig.year  Had  set 
its  imprint  on  the  field,  on  the  forest,  on  the  mountain. 
It  was  the  19th  day  of  November,  1863.  Propitious  season 
for  such  solemn,  touching  and  impressive  ceremonies.  Presi- 
dent Lincoln  and  his  Cabinet,  Governors  of  States,  officers 
of  the  army  and  navy,  foreign  officials,  soldiers  upon  whose 
bodies  scars  of  the  conflict  were  visible,  together  with  a 
vast  concourse  of  citizens,  had  gathered  to  witness  the  pro- 
ceedings. Edward  Everett,  Senator  from  the  State  of 
Massachusetts,  a  polished  orator,  who  ranked  second  only 
to  Webster  in  the  forum  of  the  world's  great  debates,  had 
been  selected  to  deliver  the  oration.  The  theme  was  great; 
and  it  was  in  worthy  hands.  Mr.  Everett's  speech  was  one 
of  the  finest  specimens  of  oratorical  skill  a  great  audience 
had  ever  listened  to.  It  had  been  carefully  prepared  and 
memorized,  and  may  be  classed  with  the  productions  of 
Demosthenes  or  Cicero  on  great  State  occasions.  At  its 
conclusion  it  was  encored  by  repeated  cheers,  so  great  was 
the  admiration  of  Senator  Everett's  gifts  as  a  classical 
speaker.  W'hile  in  the  cars  on  his  way  from  the  White 
House  to  the  battlefield.  President  Lincoln  was  notified  that 
he  would  be  expected  to  make  some  remarks  at  the  con- 
clusion of  Mr.  Everett's  oration.  He  had  made  no  prepara- 
tion, but  asking  for  some  paper,  a  sheet  of  foolscap  was 
handed  to  him,  and  in  a  seat  by  himself  he  took  a  pencil  and 
wrote  the  address,  which  Arnold  has  said  "for  appropriate- 
ness and  eloquence,  for  pathos  and  beauty,  for  sublimity  in 
sentiment  and  expression,  has  hardly  its  equal  in  English 
or  American  literature."  Mr.  Everett  had  finished  and 
turned  aside  to  take  his  seat,  when  an  earnest  call  for  Lin- 
coln was  heard  through  the  vast  crowd.  Then  rose  the  tall, 
homely  form  of  Abraham  Lincoln.  His  careworn  face 
glowed  with  intense  feeling.  Slowly  and  deliberately  he 
adjusted  his  spectacles,  and  began  to  read.  With  the  utter- 
ance of  the  first  sentence  he  appeared  to  be  unconscious  of 
himself,  absorbed  onlv  with  recollections  of  the  heroic  dead. 


1^4  HISTORIC    DAYS 

As  he  proceeded  his  countenance  seemed  touched  with  the 
sunshine  of  heaven,  and  his  voice  rang-  far  out  upon  the  field 
"with  bloody  corpses  strewn"  with  a  resonance  and  a 
rhythm  which  bound  the  assemblage  with  a  magician's  spell. 
With  bated  breath,  listening  ear  and  eager  eye,  they  waited 
upon  the  sentences  which  fell  from  the  great  man's  lips. 

In  the  newly  erected  rostrum,  upon  the  historic  field 
hereafter  to  be  celebrated  in  song  and  story,  there  he  stood — 
that  able,  lovable,  tender-hearted,  illustrious  President. 
Listen ! 

"Fourscore  and  seven  years  ago  our  fathers  brought 
forth  upon  this  continent  a  new  nation,  conceived  in  liberty 
and  dedicated  to  the  proposition  tliat  all  men  are  created 
equal. 

"Now  we  are  engaged  in  a  great  civil  war,  testing 
whether  that  nation,  or  any  nation  so  conceived  and  so  dedi- 
cated, can  long  endure.  We  are  met  on  a  great  battlefield 
of  that  war.  We  are  met  to  deihcate  a  portion  of  it  as  the 
final  resting-place  of  those  who  here  ga\e  their  lives  that 
that  nation  might  live.  It  is  altogether  fitting  and  proper 
that  we  should  do  this. 

"But  in  a  larger  sense  we  cannot  dedicate — we  cannot 
consecrate — we  cannot  hallow  this  ground.  The  brave  men. 
living  and  dead,  who  struggled  here,  liave  consecrated  it 
far  above  our  power  to  add  or  detract.  The  world  will  little 
note,  nor  long  remember,  what  we  say  here,  but  it  can  never 
forget  what  they  did  here.  It  is  for  us,  the  living,  rather  to 
be  dedicated  here  to  the  unfinished  work  that  they  have  thus 
far  so  nobly  carried  on.  It  is  rather  for  us  to  be  here  dedi- 
cated to  the  great  task  remaining  before  us,  that  from  these 
honored  dead  we  take  increased  devotion  to  the  cause  for 
which  they  here  gave  the  last  full  measure  of  devotion,  that 
we  here  highly  resolve  that  the  dead  shall  not  have  died 
in  vain  :  that  the  nation  shall,  under  God,  have  a  new  birth  of 
freedom ;  and  that  government  of  the  people,  bv  the  people 
and  for  the  people  shall  not  peri.sh  from  the  earth." 

'i'hc  audience  seemed  to  realize  that  tlie  greatest  actor 
in  the  world's  greatest  drama  was  before  it.     \\'hen  the  last 


IN    CUMBERLAND    COUNTY,    NKW    JERSEY  I35 

sentence  was  uttered  and  the  magnificent  address  ended, 
silence,  deep  and  intense,  rested  upon  all  present,  while  their 
hearts  were  wonderfully  stirred.  Tiiere  was  no  api)lause ; 
no  cheers.  Afterward  Mr.  Lincoln  in  an  hour  of  medita- 
tion thought  his  speech  was  a  failure,  inasmuch  as  there  was 
no  applause.  Later  on  he  lived  to  learn  that  the  highest 
honors  ever  paid  a  public  speaker  were  his — the  "silence 
which  is  golden"  had  placed  the  stamp  of  commendation 
upon  its  immortal  sentences,  henceforth  to  be  the  precious 
heirloom  of  posterity  to  remotest  history. 

Turning  to  President  Lincoln,  Mr.  Everett  said :  "Mr. 
President,  your  speech  will  live  when  mine  is  forgotten." 
Prophetic  sentence!  Edward  Everett's  polished  periods 
were  lonsf  since  forgotten — Mr.  Lincoln's  will  live  forever! 


'i'he  nation  was  stirred  with  an  intense  excitement  in 
July,  1863,  because  of  the  news  from  Richmond,  the  Con- 
federate Capital,  that  death  sentence  had  been  imposed  u[K)n 
Captain  Henry  W.  Sawyer,  a  resident  of  Cape  May,  New 
Jersey.  The  Captain  was  well  known  in  Cumberland 
County,  and  especially  in  Bridgeton,  the  county  seat,  where 
he  had  a  number  of  personal  friends,  among  whom  was  the 
Hon.  John  T.  Nixon,  Representative  in  Congress  from  the 
First  New  Jersey  District.  Many  hearts  were  made  sorrow- 
ful by  the  news  of  the  sad  position  in  which  the  gallant 
soldier  was  placed.  Captain  Henry  W.  Sawyer,  afterwards 
Major,  and  Colonel  by  brevet,  on  account  of  meritorious 
conduct  on  the  battlefield,  then  in  command  of  Company  K, 
First  Regiment  New  Jersey  Cavalry,  was  badly  wounded 
in  the  first  great  ca\alry  action  of  the  war.  which  occurred 
at  Brandy  Station,  Virginia,  June  9th.  1863.  Captain  Saw- 
yer was  gallantly  leading  his  company  when  he  fell,  and  was 
left  on  the  field,  being  overlooked  when  his  regiment  retired. 
He  was  captured  by  the  Confederates  and  taken  to  Lihby 
Prison.  General  William  Hemy  Fitzhugh  Lee,  a  son  of  Gen- 
eral Robert  E.  Lee,  commander  of  the  Army  of  Northern 
Virginia,  was  seriously  wounded  in  the  same  engagement. 
He  was  conveved  bv  his  Confederate  friends  to  a  farm  house 


HISTORIC   DAYS 


in  Hanover  County,  within  a  few  miles  of  Riclmiond.  Here 
a  Federal  raiding  party  under  Colonel  Spears,  found  young 
Lee.  and  carried  him  off  as  a  prisoner  of  war  to  Fortress 
Monroe. 


Among  the  officers  confine,]  in  Libby  Prison  was  Cap- 
tain John  W.  Flinn,  of  an  Indiana  regiment.  The  two  cap- 
tains became  great  friends,  little  thinking  that  they  were  to 
figure  so  conspicuously  in  Civil  War  history.  Sawyer  was 
a  large,  handsome  man,  w'hile  Flinn  was  spare  and  of  me- 
dium stature.  Prison  fare  dealt  hard  with  Sawyer,  and  he 
grew  thinner  day  by  day.  Likewise  Flinn.  whose  flesh  with- 
ered away  until  he  was  a  skeleton.  Both  were  in  rags,  both 
despondent,  hoping  against  hope  for  release  from  their  un- 
fortunate condition.  What  was  their  surprise  when,  on  the 
morning  of  July  6th,  all  the  Federal  captains  in  the  prison 
were  summoned  to  appear  before  Captain  T.  P.  Turner, 
commander  of  Libby.  All  appeared  on  the  lower  floor  in 
good  humor,  supposing  they  were  to  be  exchanged.  Instead 
of  receiving  the  news  of  their  release  they  were  informed 
that  a  special  order  had  been  issued  from  the  Confederate 
War  Department,  directing  that  two  captains  should  be 
selected  by  lot  to  be  executed,  in  retaliation  for  the  execu- 
tion of  two  Confederate  officers  by  General  Burnside. 

The  order  created  great  excitement  in  the  prison.  The 
Confederate  commander  desired  to  know  how  he  should 
make  the  selection,  when  Captain  Sawyer  suggested  that  a 
number  of  white  and  black  beans  should  be  placed  in  a  hat, 
while  the  captains  advanced  and  drew  out  a  bean.  The  first 
black  bean  was  to  be  the  first  death  prize,  and  the  second 
black  bean  the  second  death  prize.  Captain  Sawyer  stepped 
forward,  put  his  hand  in  the  hat,  and  drew  the  first  black 
bean.  Captain  Flinn  then  came  up,  thrust  his  hand  in  the 
hat,  and  drew  the  second  black  bean.  Deathly  stillness  pre- 
vailed during  the  drawing.  In  a  few  moments  the  matter 
of  life  and  death  had  been  decided,  and  Sawyer  and  Flinn 
were  marked  for  execution. 


WAR  TIME   PICTURES-lH'.l-IMwi 
Major  Henry  W.  Sawyer,  First  Reg.  N.  J.  Cav.  Vols 
Libby  Prison  Fame 
Capt.  Roswill  S.  Reynolds 


Co.  F,  Fifth  Rc!;N.J.  Inf.  Vols. 
First  Lieut.  Henry  VJ.  Gaskill 
Co.  K,  Twelfth  Reg.  N.  J.  Inf.  Vols. 


Major  Josiah  Shaw 
Fourth  Reg.  N.J.  Inf.  Vols. 
Dr.  John  B.  Bowen 
Surgeon  Thirty-fourth  Reg.  N.  J.  Inf.  Vols. 


138  HISTORIC    DAYS 

Lieutenant  James  W.  Stradling,  a  comrade  of  Captain 
Sawyer.  ser\-ing  in  the  same  company  with  him,  in  an  article 
written  for  McClure's  Magazine,  in  1905.  gives  tlie  state- 
ment of  what  fuUowed,  as  he  afterward  received  it 
from  Sawyer's  Hps.  The  captain  was  of  Gennan  descent,  and 
his  speech  retained  the  quaint  expression  which  he  had  in- 
herited from  his  ancestors,  known  as  "Pennsylvania 
Dutch :" 

"Mine  fiott !  Jim,  I  never  felt  so  weak  in  all  my  life  as 
I  did  when  I  found  I  had  drawn  a  'death  prize.'  My  kind 
friend,  Captain  Flinn,  was  very  pale  and  much  weaker  than 
I;  but  we  did  not  have  much  time  to  think  about  it,  for  a 
Confederate  officer  told  us  that  his  verbal  instructions  were 
to  have  us  executed  before  noon,  and  that  he  would  return 
in  an  hour,  so  we  asked  permission  to  have  a  few  moments 
to  write  letters  to  our  homes  and  to  our  friends  before  being 
executed.  We  were  removed  to  a  room  by  ourselves,  and 
furnished  with  writing  material,  but  we  could  not  compose 
our  nerves  or  our  thoughts  sufficiently  to  write.  The  Con- 
federate ofificer  was  as  humane  as  he  could  be  under  the 
circumstances,  and,  instead  of  returning  in  an  hour,  did  not 
return  for  two  hours.  In  the  meantime,  we  bade  our  com- 
panions farewell,  and  distriljuted  a  few  trinkets  we  had  on 
nur  persons,  and  then,  after  confiding  to  our  warmest  friends 
a  few  messages  for  our  families,  we  waited  as  tjuietly  as  we 
could  for  the  coming  of  the  death  summons.  We  did  not 
have  loiit;-  to  w.-tit.  for  soon  a  Confederate  officer  appeared 
with  a  guard,  and  Flinn  and  I  were  marched  to  the  street, 
where  we  found  a  cart  waiting  for  us.  ^\'e  took  our  seats 
in  the  cart,  and  the  Confederate  officer  and  the  guard  of 
cavalry  escorted  us  through  the  streets  of  Richmond.  The 
cart,  if  I  remember  rightly,  was  drawn  by  oxen,  and  it  did 
not  move  very  fast,  but  a  thousand  times  too  fast  for  us. 
We  had  almost  reached  the  city  limits,  when  we  met  a  prom- 
inent Roman  Catholic  Bishop,  who  stopped  to  incpiire  the 
cause  of  the  intended  execution.  WHiile  the  Bishop  was  in- 
(|uiring  of  the  Confederate  officer  about  us.  Captain  Flinn, 
who  was  a  Catholic,  said  he  was  being  executed  without  the 
'rites  of  clergy.'     The  Bishop,  who  was  a  great  friend  and 


IX    ClMlilCKI-AND    COLNTV,    X1£\V    .1 KUSICV  I39 

admirer  of  Jefferson  Davis,  President  of  the  Southern  Con- 
federacy, exclaimed,  'that  would  never  do,'  and  he  re- 
quested the  Confederate  ofticer  to  move  slowly  and  he 
would  hasten  to  see  President  Davis,  and,  if  possible,  get 
a  delay  for  a  short  time.  The  cart  moved  on,  and  the 
Bishop  hurried  at  a  rapid  pace  to  interview  President  Davis. 
The  Bishop  was  mounted  on  a  full-blooded  and  a  very 
spirited  horse,  and  he  seemed  to  us  to  go  like  the  wind  when 
he  started  for  the  residence  of  his  friend.  We  moved  on  to 
a  small  hill  on  which  was  a  single  tree,  and  to  this  tree  the 
cart  took  its  way.  When  the  tree  was  reached,  ropes  were 
placed  around  our  necks,  and  we  were  doomed  to  be  hanged. 
This  would  have  been  an  ignominious  death,  if  we  had 
been  guilty  of  any  crime  punishable  by  death ;  but  we  had 
committed  no  crime,  and  yet  we  did  not  want  to  die  in  that 
way.  We  had  a  slight  ray  of  hope  in  the  Bishop's  interces- 
sion for  us,  but  it  was  too  slight  to  allay  our  fears  for  the 
worst.  1  was  very  weak.  Mine  Gott!  Jim,  I  had  never  felt 
so  badly  in  all  my  life  before.  I  was  so  weak  that  the  tree 
and  the  guards  seemed  to  be  moving  in  a  circle  around  me. 
We  stood  up  in  the  cart,  so  when  it  moved  we  would  dangle 
between  the  earth  and  sky.  and  in  this  way  our  existence  was 
to  end.  Xo  courier  from  the  Bishop  was  in  sight,  and.  Mine 
Gott!  Jim,  the  suspense  was  terrible  for  us  to  bear.  The 
Confederate  officer  took  out  his  watch,  and  informed  us  that, 
while  his  instructions  were  to  have  us  executed  before  noon, 
he  would  wait  until  one  minute  of  twelve,  and  then,  if  there 
was  no  sign  of  a  courier,  the  cart  would  be  driven  away,  and 
the  arbitrary  orders  of  the  War  Department  of  the  Southern 
Confederacy  would  be  obeyed. 

"Half-past  eleven  arrived,  and  yet  no  signs  of  any 
courier  from  the  Bishop.  Mine  Ciott!  Jim.  our  legs  became 
so  weak  that  we  could  not  stand  any  longer,  so  we  re- 
quested that  we  might  be  permitted  to  sit  down  in  the  cart 
until  the  time  for  us  to  be  executed  arrived.  Then  we  would 
stand  up  and  the  ropes  could  be  adjusted  to  our  necks  and 
the  execution  concluded.  The  ropes  were  tlicn  untied,  and 
we  were  permitted  to  sit  down  on  the  side  of  the  cart.  Ten 


I40  HISTORIC   DAYS 

minutes  more  passed  in  dead  silence,  and  yet  no  eye  could 
detect  any  signs  of  a  courier.  At  the  end  of  another  ten 
mintites  we  stood  up  and  the  ropes  were  adjusted  to  our 
necks,  and  tlie  Confederate  officer  was  raising  his  sword 
as  a  sign  to  tlie  driver  to  move  away,  when  a  cloud  of  dust 
was  observed  in  tiie  distance.  The  Confederate  ol^cer  hesi- 
tated for  a  few  moments,  when  a  horseman  covered  with 
dust  and  iiis  horse  covered  with  foam,  dashed  up,  and 
handed  him  a  dispatch.  He  opened  it  quickly,  and  read: 
'Captains  Sawyer  and  Flinn  are  reprieved  for  ten  days.' 
Mine  Gott!  Jim.  I  never  felt  so  happy  in  my  life;  and  Flinn 
and  I  embraced  each  other,  and  cried  like  babies.  The  ropes 
were  untied,  and  the  cart  started  slowly  back  for  Libby 
Prison.  We  never  learned  the  name  of  the  officer  who  was 
detailed  to  execute  us.  Our  comrades  were  greatly  rejoiced 
to  see  us  return  alive,  and  made  many  inquiries  concern- 
ing the  postponement  of  the  execution. 

"On  our  return,  we  were  taken  to  the  headquarters  of 
General  Winder,  where  we  were  warned  not  to  delude  our- 
selves with  any  hope  of  escape,  as  retaliation  must  and 
would  be  inflicted ;  and  it  was  added  that  the  execution 
would  positively  take  place  on  the  i6th,  ten  days  hence.  We 
were  then  conducted  back  to  Libby  Prison,  and  taken  to  the 
second  story,  to  our  old  place  on  the  floor.  We  were  not 
permitted  to  remain  there  very  long,  when  we  were  taken 
to  the  cellar  and  placed  in  a  dungeon  and  isolated  from  the 
world  and  our  companions :  and  the  only  company  we  now 
had  were  the  rats  and  \-erniin.  which  swarmed  over  us  in 
great  numbers. 

"After  resting  for  a  short  time  to  compose  my  thoughts, 
I  asked  for  writing  material,  which  was  furnished  me.  with 
a  candle,  and  then  on  an  old  board  for  a  writing  desk.  I 
wrote  the  following  letter  to  my  wife,  which  I  started  on 
July  6th.  but  did  not  finish  until  the  next  day : 

"Provost  Gener.vl's  Office. 
"Libby  Prlsox.  Richmond.  \'a.,  July  6th.   1863. 
"My  Dear  Wife:— 

"I  am  under  the  necessity  of  informing  you  that  my 


IX    CCMEERLAND    COINTV.    NEW    TERSIIV  I4I 

prospects  look  dark.  This  moniini^,  all  tlie  caplains  in 
I-ibby  Prison  drew  lots,  for  two  to  be  executed.  It  fell  to 
my  lot  and  Captain  Flinn's  to  be  executed,  in  retaliation 
for  two  captains  executed  by  General  Burnside.  in  Tennes- 
see. The  Provost  General  assures  me  that  the  Secretary  of 
War  will  permit  you  and  my  dear  children  to  visit  me  before 
I  am  executed.  Captain  Whilden  or  Uncle  \V.  W.  Ware, 
or  Brother  Dan.  had  better  come  with  you;  you  will  be  al- 
lowed to  return  without  molestation  to  your  home.  I  am 
resigned  to  whatever  is  in  store  for  me,  with  the  consola- 
tion that  I  die  without  having  committed  any  crime.  My 
situation  is  hard  to  be  borne,  and  I  cannot  think  of  dying 
without  seeing  you  and  the  children. 

"I  have  no  trial,  no  jury,  nor  am  1  charged  with  any 
crime,  but  it  fell  to  my  lot.  Proceed  at  once  to  Washing- 
ton, Government  will  give  you  transportation  to  Fortress 
Monroe,  and  come  here  by  flag  of  truce,  and  return  same 
way.  Bring  with  you  a  shirt  and  some  clothing  for  me.  It 
will  be  necessary  for  you  to  bring  evidence  of  my  condi- 
tion, at  Washington.     This  letter  is  sufficient. 

"My  pay  is  due  from  March  the  ist,  which  you  are  en- 
titled to.  Captain  B.  owes  me  fifty  dollars,  loaned  him 
when  we  went  on  leave  of  absence:  write  him.  and  he  will 
send  it  to  you. 

"Aly  dear  wife,  the  fortunes  of  war  have  put  me  in 
this  position.  If  I  must  die  a  sacrifice  to  my  country,  being 
God's  will,  I  must  submit;  I  will  die  becoming  a  man  and 
an  officer.  Write  me  as  soon  as  you  get  this,  and  go  to 
Captain  Whilden ;  he  will  advise  you  what  to  do.  I  have 
done  nothing  to  deserve  this  penalty.  But  you  must  submit 
to  your  fate.  It  will  be  no  disgrace  to  me,  to  you,  or  to  my 
children ;  but  you  may  point  with  pride  and  say,  'I  give  my 
husband.'  My  children  will  have  the  consolation  to  say, 
'I  have  been  made  an  orphan  for  my  country.'  God  will 
provide  for  you,  never  fear.  Oh !  it  is  hard  to  leave  you 
thus.  I  wish  that  the  ball  that  pierced  through  the  back  part 
of  my  head  in  this  last  battle  had  done  its  work ;  but  it  was 


!42  HISTORIC    DAYS 

not  to  be  so.      '\\y  mind   is   somewhat   influenced,   for  this 
has  come  so  suddenly  upon  me. 

"Write  me  as  soon  as  you  get  this.     Lea\e  your  letter 
o])en  :  I  w  ill  get  it.     Direct  name  and  rank,  \ia  h'ort  Monroe. 
"Farewell!  h'arewell !  Let  us  Imiie  it  is  all  for  the  best. 
"I  remain  yours  until  death, 

H.  \V.  S.WVYER, 
Captain  1st  N.  J.  Cav. 

"The  Confederate  ofificer  read  it  through,  and  then  sent 
it  through  the  lines  under  a  flag  of  truce,  with  a  lot  of  other 
mail  from  my  fellow-officers. 

"I  calculated  that  it  would  rer[uire  some  four  or  fi\e 
days  for  the  letter  to  reach  its  destination,  and  then  I  knew 
that  my  wife  would  make  superhuman  efiforts  to  save  me ; 
and  this  was  the  only  bright  ray  of  hope  that  lighted  up  that 
dark  dungeon  cell  in  which  I  was  placed.  The  letter  reached 
my  wife  on  the  13th,  and  slie  was  greatly  shocked  and 
almost  overcome,  and  when  she  read  it  again  and  compre- 
hended the  full  meaning  of  it,  she  collapsed;  but.  realizing 
that  any  delay  might  prove  fatal  to  me,  she  rallied,  and  a^ 
soon  as  she  could  make  the  necessary  preparations,  she, 
in  conipanv  with  Captain  Wliilden.  started  for  Washing- 
ton, where  she  arrived  on  the  night  of  the  14th  of  July. 
After  eating  a  lunch,  they  proceeded  to  the  White  House, 
and  secured  an  interview  with  President  Lincoln,  before- 
ten  o'clock.  The  President  was  greatly  startled,  as  well  as 
shocked  and  agitated,  by  the  recital  of  the  way  I,  her 
husband,  was  treated  in  the  Confederate  prison  at  Rich- 
mond, and.  after  encouraging  her  to  be  brave,  he  said: 
'Mrs.  Sawyer,  I  do  not  know  whether  I  can  save  your 
husband  and  Captain  Flinn  from  the  gallows,  but  I  will  do 
all  that  is  in  my  power.  Thev  are  two  brave  men,  and  I 
will  make  extraordinary  efiforts  to  save  them.  If  you  and 
your  friend  will  call  before  noon  to-morrow,  I  will  be 
pleased  to  inform  you  what  action  I  have  taken.'  " 


IX    CC.MlUIKi  AM)    tOlNI^V,    NKW    .1 KKSKV  14,^ 

Tlie  tender  lieart  of  I'lesideiU  Lincoln  was  deeply 
luuched  when  Mrs.  Sawyer  had  finished  her  recital  of  her 
husband's  condiiion.  and  he  immediately  set  about  finding 
a  wa\'  by  which  the  lives  of  Minn  and  Sawyer  might  be 
savetl.  lie  sat  up  late  that  night  conferring  with  Genera! 
llalleck  and  Secretary  Stanton  as  to  what  was  the  best 
course  10  pursue.  It  was  a  delicate  C[uestion,  which  must 
be  settled  in  such  a  manner  as  would  not  establish  a  prece- 
dent. Retaliation  for  the  two  spies  whom  General  Burnside 
had  executed  was  not  justifiable,  in  any  view  of  the  case, 
and  Mr.  Lincoln  was  loath  to  believe  that  the  Confederate 
Government  could  approve  such  summary  action  in  dealing 
with  prisoners  of  war.  Such  a  course  was  dishonorable  in 
the  extreme,  and  he  felt  that  the  Confederates  must  recede 
from  the  position  taken  after  the  matter  had  had  due  reflec- 
tion. In  the  meantime,  the  day  of  execution  was  approach- 
ing, and  action  must  be  prompt  and  decisive  if  Captains 
Sawyer  and  Flinn  were  to  be  saved. 

The  next  morning,  when  Mrs.  Sawyer  again  called. 
the  President  said:  "I  did  not  make  up  my  mind,  and  d:d 
not  arrive  at  a  final  decision  in  the  case  until  three  o'clock 
this  morning.  After  that  time  I  slept  peacefully  and  felt 
greatly  refreshed,  for  I  believed  my  plan  would  save  the  two 
gallant  men  who  were  at  that  moment  fighting  the  rats  and 
vermin  in  Libby  Prison." 

This  is  the  way  in  which  Mr.  Lincoln  solved  the  per- 
plexing question:  General  William  Henry  Fitzhugh  Lee 
was  still  a  prisoner,  subject  to  the  commands  of  the  Presi- 
dent. If  Sawyer  and  Flinn  were  to  die  for  no  cause,  why 
should  not  the  son  of  Robert  E.  Lee  die  in  retaliation?  Ac- 
cordingly, he  issued  the  following  order : 

Washington,  July  15th,  1863. 
Colonel  W.  H.  Ludlow.  Agent  for  the  Exchange  of  Prison- 
ers of  War : 

The  President  directs  that  you  immediately  place  Gen- 
eral W.  H.  F.  Lee.  and  another  officer  selected  by  you,  not 
below  the  rank  of  captain,  prisoners  of  war.  in  close  confine- 
ment, and  under  guard,  and  that  you  notify  Mr.   Robert 


J44  HISTORIC    D.WS 

Ould,  Confederate  Agent  for  the  Exchange  of  Prisoners  of 
War,  that  if  Captain  H.  W.  Sawyer  and  Captain  John  M. 
Flinn,  or  any  other  otticers  or  men  in  the  service  of  the 
United  States,  not  guilty  of  crimes  punishable  with  death 
by  the  laws  of  war,  shall  be  executed  by  the  enemy,  the  afore- 
mentioned persons  will  be  immediately  hung  in  retaliation. 
It  is  also  ordered  that  immetliately  on  receiving  official  or 
other  authoritative  information  of  the  execution  of  Captain 
Henry  W.  Sawyer  and  Captain  John  M.  Flinn,  you  will 
proceed  to  hang  General  W.  H.  F.  Lee  and  the  other  officer, 
designated  as  hereinabove  directed,  and  that  you  notify 
Robert  Ould,  Esq.,  of  said  proceeding,  and  assure  him  that 
the  Government  of  the  United  States  will  proceed  to  retal- 
iate for  every  similar  barbarous  violation  of  the  laws  of 
civilized  war. 

H.  W.  HALLECK, 
General-hi-Chief. 

Colonel  Ludlow  immediately  communicated  to  Hon. 
Robert  Ould,  Confederate  Agent  for  Exchange  of  Prisoners 
of  War  at  Richmond,  the  order  of  President  Lincoln  in  full, 
for  the  benefit  of  the  Confederate  authorities.  As  was  ex- 
pected, the  order  produced  great  excitement  in  the  Confed- 
erate Capital.  It  would  never  do  to  have  the  son  of  General 
Lee  hung  on  the  gallows,  so  the  end  came,  as  Mr.  Lincoln 
thought  it  would,  in  the  final  release  of  Captains  Sawyer 
and  Flinn,  and  restoration  to  their  families  and  homes. 

Mrs.  Sawyer  was  not  permitted  to  land  at  City  Point, 
and  visit  her  husband  in  the  prison  at  Richmond,  as  an  order 
of  the  Confederate  Agent,  Robert  Ould,  prevented  it.  She 
returned  to  New  Jersey  in  a  sorrowful  mood,  but  feeling 
sure  that  the  Captain's  life  had  been  saved. 


Pending  the  release  of  the  prisoners,  and  while  still 
in  a  state  of  suspense,  Captain  Sawyer  wrote  the  appended 
letter  to  Hon.  John  T.  Nixon,  then  at  his  home  in  Bridge- 
ton: 


IN  cr.\ii'.i;RL.\xi)  couNTV,  m:\v  .n:usEV  145 

"LiBBV  Prison,  Richmond,  Va.,  Nov.  ist,  1863. 

"Hon.  John  T.  Nixon, 

"Dear  Sir:  I  am  still  ahoul,  and  hope  iooii  to  be  re- 
leased and  restored  to  my  family,  friends  and  command. 
My  health  is  good,  my  hopes  for  the  future  never  higher, 
and  my  confidence  unshaken.  It  is  not  worth  while  for  rr<; 
to  speak  of  my  experience  as  a  prisoner,  for  you  are  fully 
posted ;  but  allow  me  to  explain  how  I  was  captured,  June 
9th,  at  the  cavalry  action.  Brandy  Station.  In  a  charge 
for  the  possession  of  an  elevated  position,  and  upon  a  Con- 
federate States  battery,  leading  my  squadron  to  the  charge, 
I  fell,  with  a  ball  through  the  back  part  of  my  head  and 
one  in  the  fleshy  part  of  my  leg.  The  charge  was  mutual  on 
both  sides,  and  was  hand-to-hand ;  indeed,  so  close  that  my 
own  face  was  blackened  with  the  powder  of  my  opi>onent's 
revolver,  and  is  still  remaining,  to  a  considerable  extent,  in 
my  face.  The  effect  of  this  charge  was  dreadful  on  both 
sides,  for  here  the  gallant  Lieutenant  Colonel  Virgil 
Broderick  and  brave  Major  John  H.  Shelmire  fell  dead  from 
their  horses,  both  gentlemen  belonging  to  the  First  New 
Jersey  Cavalry.  There,  too,  were  lying  Confederate  States 
ofificers  and  men,  who  one-half  hour  before  were  in  the 
bloom  of  life. 

"Notwithstanding  this  sad  sight,  I  shall  always  remem- 
ber that  action  with  pride,  for  nobly  did  our  regiment  push 
on.  Here  I  fell  wounded,  senseless,  and  in  this  condition 
remained,  cannot  say  liow  long.  When  I  came  to  my  senses, 
I  was  discovered.  Our  forces  had  pushed  on,  and  I  was 
picked  up  by  three  Confederate  States  soldiers,  lifted  on  a 
horse,  and  taken  to  a  hospital  at  Culpepper. 

"Of  the  prize  drawn  by  me.  July  6th.  I  have  at  this  time 
nothing  to  say.  only  that,  as  yet.  I  have  not  been  released 
from  the  sentence ;  at  least,  I  have  not  been  notified  that  I 
have ;  yet  it  has  always  been  my  endeavor  to  show  an  un- 
flinching front  under  all  circumstances,  and  even  in  that  ex- 
treme case.  I  was  determined  to  show  no  other. 

"A  soldier  works  not  for  gain:  glory,  and  the  welfare 
of  his  countrv    is  his    aim;    and,  even  in  my  situation,  T 


146  HISTORIC    DAYS 

found  tliat  pride  was  what  upheld  me,  and  that  it  was  suffi- 
cient to  nerve  me  for  my  fate.  Still,  I  fervently  hope  it  is 
past:  for,  really,  it  was  an  awful  situation  to  be  in.  I  enjoy 
the  same  treatment  as  my  unfortunate  brother  officers  here 
at  Libb_\- :  but  let  me  assure  }ou  that  we  all  hope  for  a  speedy 
release.  Several  special  exchanges  have  been  made.  Have 
I  not  as  much  right  to  expect  this  consideration  as  any 
one ?       I  lea\e  that  question  for  my  friends. 

"Can  you  not  do  something  to  effect  an  exchange?  I 
do  not  think  there  is  any  grand  principle  in  the  way ;  nothing 
but  policy.  But,  sir,  here  are  twelve  thousand  men  and  nine 
hundred  officers.  Have  they  not  the  right  to  expect  that 
their  own  Government  will  release  them  from  this  imprison- 
ment, if  they  can  without  detriment  to  their  country?  Really, 
sir.  we  think  it  is  hard  if  it  don't.  We  all  have  great  hopes 
that  an  exchange  will  be  effected  before  a  great  while.  We 
do  not  think  (at  least,  we  drive  the  thought  from  us)  that 
we  shall  remain  here  all  winter. 

"I  hope  you  will  not  think  me  a  fault  finder.  If  you  can 
imagine  your  situation  as  prisoner,  it  will  certainly  be  an 
excuse  for  using  the  above  language. 

"I  hope  you  and  your  family  are  well,  and  in  the  en- 
joyment of  a  peaceful  home  with  happv  surroundings,  and, 
with  my  best  wishes,  I  sincerely  remain, 

"Your  most  obedient  ser\-ant, 

"H.  W.  SAWYER, 
"Capt.  First  New  Jersey  Cavalry.  U.  S.  A. 


\\'hile  the  movements,  leading  up  to  freedom  for  the 
heroic  men  in  Libby  Prison  were  being  made.  Captains 
Sawyer  and  I'dinn  were  confined  in  the  dungeon,  fed  upon 
corn-bread  and  water.  The  cell  was  so  damp  that  their 
clothes  mildewed.  They  remained  twenty  days  in  the  dun- 
geon. The  day  of  their  supposed  execution  came  at  last, 
July  iTith.  The  long  day  ])assed  in  terrible  suspense,  as  they 
waited  each  moment  for  the  coming  of  the  executioners. 
But  they  came  not.  Finally,  an  order  arrived  restoring  them 
to  their  comrades  on  the  upper  floor  of  the  prison,  where 


IN    CUMBERLAND    COUNTY,    NKW     I KRSIIV  I47 

they  remained  until  March,  1864,  when  the  prison  doors 
opened,  and  the)-  were  conducted  by  wagon  to  a  boat  on  the 
James  River.  Tlie  boat  steamed  to  City  Point,  and,  as  they 
passed  down  the  river,  they  rejoiced  to  discover  that  tliey 
were  on  the  way  to  be  exchanged,  fearful  wlien  starting  that 
tliey  were  going  to  a  place  of  execution.  Junaciated  and  too 
weak  to  walk,  tliey  were  assisted  from  the  boat,  as  General 
William  Henry  Fitzhugh  Lee  and  Captain  Robert  H.  Tyler. 
the  two  Confederates  for  whom  they  were  exchanged, 
stepped  on  board,  ."^^s  the  Federals  and  Confederates  met 
face  to  face,  General  Lee  and  Captain  Sawyer  exchanged 
greetings,  congratulating  each  other  on  their  escape  from 
ignominious  death.  President  Lincoln's  plan  had  worked 
si)lendidly.  and.  as  Sawyer  and  Flinn  passed  from  boat  to 
shore,  never  had  liberty  seemed  so  precimis:  never  had  the 
old  flag  appeared  so  beautiful,  to  the  returning  veterans  lust 
out  of  the  jaws  of  death. 


Early  in  the  autumn  of  1863  Ethan  T.  Harris,  of 
Bridgeton,  who  rendered  sjjlendid  service  in  the  "Cumber- 
land Greys."  returned  from  Virginia  with  authority  to  or- 
ganize a  company  of  volunteer  cavalry.  Quarters  were 
opened  on  Commerce  Street  in  the  old  Potter  store,  and 
in  the  course  of  a  few  weeks  a  hundred  young  men  were 
enrolled  in  what  was  afterward  to  be  known  in  the  military 
roster,  as  Company  H,  Third  Regiment,  New  Jersey  Cav- 
alry. Ethan  T.  Harris  was  made  captain,  with  Barnet  Burd- 
sall,  of  the  "Greys,"  as  first  lieutenant.  Previous  to  the 
company's  departure  both  Captain  Flarris  and  Lieutenant 
Btirdsall  were  presented  with  handsome  swords,  gifts  of 
admiring  friends.  This  company  was  sometimes  called 
"the  Hussars,"  but  its  members  were  nicknamed  by  the 
boys  around  town  as  "the  butterflies."  and  it  stuck  to  them 
until  long  after  the  war.  The  uniform  of  the  company  was 
modeled  after  a  troop  of  Austrian  army  hussars,  very  gay 
colors,  hence  "the  butterfly."  Privates  wore  pantaloons  of 
sky-blue  cloth,  with  yellow  stripes.  Jackets  were  of  dark 
blue,  with  a  profusion  of  yellow  cords  across  the  breast  and 


HISTflRIC    MAYS 

on  the  front  of  the  collar  on  an  orange-colored  ground. 
Three  rows  of  large,  burnished  bell  buttons  adorned  the 
breast  with  a  braiding  of  cord.  On  the  seams  of  the  back 
and  on  the  sleeves  there  was  an  elegant  braiding  of  cord. 
Officers'  uniforms  were  still  gayer  with  gold  cord  and  trap- 
pings. The  boys  were  handsome  in  their  gorgeous  uniforms 
and  many  a  maiden  looked  after  them  from  afar.  Leaving 
home  amid  the  plaudits  of  the  people,  many  of  them  returned 
no  more  to  the  homes  of  their  boyhood,  dying  in  the  valley 
of  the  Shenandoah  at  Five  Forks,  at  Sailor's  Creek,  at  Win- 
chester, and  in  the  closing  battles  around  Petersburg  and 
Richmond.  Gallant  company  of  splendid  soldiers,  forty 
years  has  not  yet  dimmed  the  lustre  of  your  achievements. 

Following  is  a  roster  of  its  officers  and  men: 
Company  H. — Captain,  Ethan  T.  Harris;  First  Lieu- 
tenants, Barnet  Birdsall.  John  liamford,  William  M.  Xnr- 
ton;  Second  Lieutenant,  Sylvanus  Murphy;  First  Sergeant, 
Charles  S.  Wallen ;  Sergeants,  Joseph  H.  Fithian,  Lewis 
Schaible,  Theodore  A.  Dare,  Richard  J.  Herring,  William  C. 
Lore,  Jacob  Spahr,  William  E.  Schuyler,  Burris  Plummer, 
Sheppard  F.  Stewart ;  Corporals,  Howard  Minot,  Charles 
Clark,  Robert  Potts,  Franklin  W.  Buzby,  Andrew  R.  Sny- 
der, John  L.  Smith,  Theodore  F.  Sheppard,  Elam  Crozier, 
Lewis  R.  Finley;  Buglers,  John  Louderman,  Theodore  F. 
Strang;  Farriers,  John  E.  Carton,  Jacob  H.  Brown,  Robert 
Bell ;  Privates,  Flenry  Allinson.  Levi  B.  Ayars,  George  F. 
Baker,  George  R.  Baker,  Benjamin  F.  Barracliff,  Henry  C. 
Beebe,  Jonathan  Berger,  Caleb  Blake,  Peter  Boyle,  Enoch 
Brooks,  William  E.  Brooks,  Charles  B.  Buck,  George  S. 
Buck,  William  Clark,  Robert  G.  Clymer,  Charles  H. 
Coombs,  James  M.  Clark,  Benjamin  Cousins,  Edward  Cun- 
ningham, Charles  F.  Doran,  John  G.  Davis,  James  Drum- 
mond,  Charles  G.  Edwards,  George  Edwards,  Ed- 
ward Flynn,  Jacob  Fritz,  Enoch  B.  Garrison,  Thomas 
Grady,  James  Garrison,  Lewis  T.  Helmbold,  Levi 
J.  Harker,  Samuel  Harris,  Gustavus  Hartman,  Helms 
Heritage.  Francis  Onnhoff.  James  Jobes,  Alexander 
K.      Johnson.     John     B.     Johnson,      Elias     M.      Keller, 

(US) 


WAR  TIME  PICTURES— ISW-l-^Wi 
Group  Company  H.  ;'.d  N.  J.  Reg.  Cav.  Vols. 
John  G.  Davis  Capt.  Ethan  T.  Harris  First-Lieut.  Barnet  Birdsall 

Samuel  T.  Strang  Louis  D.   Schaible  Enoch   Brooks 

Jonathan  McCowan  Leonard   Roray  Benjamin   F.   Barraclifl 

Howard  Minot  Charles  S.  Wallen  Theodore  F.  Strang 

ilW) 


HISTORIC   DAYS 

William  Keller,  Alfred  Lamarie,  John  L.  Longcore, 
William  C.  Loder,  George  ]\Iaster.  John  AIcAdoo, 
Franklin  McCandless,  Samuel  A.  McClintock,  Jona- 
than McCowan,  John  Miller,  Edward  McGuire,  Harrison 
McNeely,  Edward  McQuillan,  Joseph  McWilliams,  Bar- 
tholomew Meder,  Joseph  Mills,  Matthias  Murphy,  Daniel 
Newcombe,  Isaiah  Palmer,  John  Phillips,  George  E.  Par- 
rish,  Daniel  Robinson,  George  W.  Robinson,  Leonard  L. 
Roray,  Aaron  Schellenger,  Henry  Schneider,  George  Scott, 
Daniel  R.  Seeds,  John  Sharp,  Samuel  T.  Strang,  James 
Sherin,  Michael  Sligar,  William  Stetson,  Andrew  Sullivan. 
James  L.  Stiles,  John  Sulli\an,  Isaac  Swing,  James 
Rynear,  John  Trimble,  Frederick  Thresh,  William 
Tullis,  John  Valentine,  John  Walker,  Walter  G.  West, 
William  A.  Wright,  William  W^irts;  Colored  Cooks, 
Thomas  Herbert,  Henry  Johnson,   William  Nichols. 

Died  in  the  service. — Barnet  Birdsall,  killed  in  skirmish 
with  guerrillas  at  Warwick  Bridge,  Virginia,  July  5,  1864, 
buried  in  Seventh  Day  Baptist  Cemetery,  Shiloh,  Xew  Jer- 
sey; Azor  E.  Swinney,  killed  in  action  at  Winchester,  Vir- 
ginia. September  19,  1864;  Isaiah  Weeks,  killed  in  action 
at  Winchester,  Virginia,  September  19,  1864;  Theodore  W^ 
Elmer,  died  at  Salisbury  prison.  North  Carolina,  January 
13.  1865;  James  Bradford,  killed  in  action  at  Winchester. 
Virginia,  September  19,  1864;  Samuel  V.  Davis,  of  fever, 
at  Camp  Bayard,  Trenton,  New  Jersey,  February  10,  1864; 
Daniel  Heaton,  of  fever,  at  U.  S.  Army  General  Hospital. 
Cumberland,  Maryland.  April  30.  1865,  buried  in  National 
Cemetery,  Antietam,  Maryland,  Section  11,  Lot  C,  grave 
69 ;  Edward  Jones,  of  disease,  at  Salisbury  prison.  North 
Carolina.  January  10,  1865,  buried  at  National  Cemetery, 
Salisbury,  N.  C. ;  Samuel  H.  Jones,  missing  in  action  at 
Fisher's  Hill.  \'irginia.  September  22.  1864,  died  of  dis- 
ease, at  Danville.  Va.,  January  20.  1865.  buried  at  National 
Cemetery.  Danville.  Va. ;  Stephen  Monroe,  of  consumption, 
at  Hoboken.  New  Jersey,  April  6,  1865:  Charles  Morris, 
killed  in  action  at  Cupp's  Mills.  Virginia.  October  13,  1864; 
Henry  Peterson,  of  disease,  at  Andersonville  prison.  Geor- 

(150) 


WAR  TIME    PICTURES— lSi;3-1Si;:, 
Group  Company  G.  Third  N.J.  Reg.  Cav.  Vols. 
Charles  Bartlett  Charles  Clunn  Captain  Thomas  G.  McClong 

Avery  S.  Messec  William  E.  Clunn  Levi  Messec 

Jacob  Adams  Joseph  Messec  Benjamin  F.  Buck 

Charles  Webb  John  Lutes  Thomas  Sharp 


I  l.'.l  I 


152 


HISTORIC    DAYS 


gia,  September  lo,  1864,  buried  at  National  Cemetery,  An- 
dersonville,  Ga.,  grave  5,206. 

The  "butterfly"  regiment  was  the  favorite  of  tlie  hour, 
and  in  quici<  succession  came  another  gallant  company  from 
Millville  to  become  a  part  of  the  Third  Cavalry.  The  roster 
follows : 

Company  G. — Captains,  Thomas  G.  McClong,  Henry 
C.  Warner;  First  Lieutenants,  William  M.  Scott,  Michael 
T.  Dwyer;  Second  Lieutenants.  Gilbert  Tice,  James  D. 
Comstock;  First  Sergeants.  James  F.  Long.  William 
F.  Rocap;  Quartermaster-Sergeants,  Henry  Lippincott, 
Joseph  T.  Rose;  Commissary  Sergeant,  William  E.  Clunn; 
Sergeants,  Charles  P.  Clunn,  Avery  S.  Messic,  William 
Baitzell,  David  Key;  Corporals,  Irvin  Marts,  Lemuel  G. 
Welch,  James  Beebe,  Alfred  J.  Brooke,  Henry  R.  Grif- 
feth,  William  Carey,  Thaddeus  W.  Oxford;  Saddler,  Hosea 
Sithens;  Farrier,  Jonathan  "SI.  Davis;  Privates,  Jacob  Ad- 
ams, William  M.  Andrews,  Ervin  Armstrong,  Charles  Bart- 
lett,  Joseph  Bareford,  William  H.  Beebe,  Samuel  F.  Ben- 
nett. William  Bercan.  George  Biggs,  John  H.  Boody,  Cor- 
nelius Brannin,  Benjamin  P.  Buck.  Jonathan  D.  Buck, 
Nathan  Buck,  John  W.  Cawman,  James  M.  Chamberlain, 
Ezra  Champion,  Richard  Cummings,  Joseph  T.  Donnelly, 
William  F.  Finley,  Elwood  Fisher,  George  Fitzpatrick,  An- 
drew J.  h^ox,  John  S.  Gardner,  Charles  P.  Garrison,  William 
Garrison.  Israel  Garran,  Samuel  Getsinger,  Clement  Grand- 
ingham,  John  Griner,  William  Hand,  James  Harper,  James 
Hindley,  David  Harris,  Charles  Hankins,  Amos  T.  Hub- 
bard, John  Headley,  Benjamin  F.  Hewlings,  Andrew  Hiles, 
George  Hillman,  George  Hogan,  John  W.  Horn.  Joshua 
C.  Howell,  James  P.  Hughes,  John  Impsson,  William  Jones, 
Mark  C.  Jordan,  James  D.  Kendle,  Lewis  Kramer,  Henry 
M.  Lee,  Joel  Madden,  William  Morse,  Joseph  Martin,  Ed- 
ward McGloan.  Henry  H.  Mead,  Joseph  A.  Messic,  Andrew 
Mosher,  Joseph  B.  Meyers,  Charles  F.  Miller,  Tilghann  W. 
Mills,  Lewis  Mixsell,  Thomas  Morgan,  Henry  Morris, 
Samuel  Morris,  Jacob  Neiplin,  John  Owens,  Thomas  W. 
Pcttit.  Lewis  R.  Payne.  Charles  R.PIiillips.  Andrew  TT.  Post. 


IX    CU.MnERr.AND    COUNTY,    NEW    JERSEY  I53 

William  V.  B.  Pierce,  Rufus  Rand,  Joseph  D.  Richardson, 
Edward  B.  Shaw,  Ohver  Smith,  William  E.  Smith,  Thomas 
B.  Sneathen,  John  G.  Stout,  George  W.  Strong,  William  H. 
Sutton,  Lawrence  V.  Toy,  Josiah  H.  Tice,  Charles  P.  Tyler, 
Thomas  Tyler,  Henry  Ward,  Ciiarles  A.  Webb,  Joseph 
Weiner,  William  Wilfong,  Joseph  Williams,  Levi  Woolston, 
George  Wright,  John  F.  Redding,  colored  cook. 

Died  in  the  service — Gideon  Biggs,  killed  in  action  on 
Berryville  Turnpike,  near  Winchester,  Va.,  September  13, 
1864;  John  Lutes,  of  smallpox,  at  U.  S.  Army  General  Hos- 
pital, White  House,  Va.,  June  iith,  1864;  George  J.  Bard, 
of  smallpox,  at  L'.  S.  Army  General  Hospital,  Fortress 
Monroe,  \'a.,  August  31.  1864,  buried  at  National 
Cemetery,  Hampton,  Va.,  Row  21,  Section  A,  grave  24; 
James  B.  Kerlin,  of  disease,  at  Camp  Parole,  An- 
napolis, Maryland,  March  7,  1865,  buried  at  Annapolis, 
Maryland;  Alexander  Anderson,  of  disease,  at  U.  S.  .Army 
General  Hospital,  Division  No.  i,  Camp  Parole,  Annapo- 
lis, Maryland,  December  24,  1864,  buried  at  .AnnajKilis, 
Md. ;  George  K.  Bennett,  missing  in  action  at  Wayneshore, 
Virginia.  September  28,  1864,  died  of  disease  at  Salisbury, 
North  Carolina,  January  19,  1865,  buried  at  National  Ceme- 
tery, Salisbury,  N.  C. ;  William  M.  Corson,  of  fever,  at  U.  S. 
Army  General  Hospital,  Alexandria,  Virginia,  August  23, 
1864.  buried  at  National  Cemetery,  Alexandria,  Va.,  grave 
2,607 :  Enoch  F.  Doughty,  killed  in  action  at  Summit  Point, 
Virginia,  August  21,  1864;  John  L.  Doughty,  of  smallpox, 
at  Camp  Bayard,  Trenton,  New  Jersey,  February  26,  1864; 
Abraham  T.  Kean,  missing  in  action  at  Bridgewater,  Vir- 
ginia, October  2,  1864,  died  of  disease  at  Salisbury  prison. 
North  Carolina,  January  13,  1865,  buried  at  National  Ceme- 
tery, Salisbury,  N.  C. ;  Samuel  B.  Lewis,  of  disease,  at 
prison,  Andersonville,  Georgia.  July  20,  1864;  buried  at 
National  Cemetery,  Andersonville,  Ga.,  grave  3.622; 
Charles  Loder,  of  fever,  at  Jarvis  U.  S.  Army  General  Hos- 
pital, Baltimore,  Maryland,  October  19,  1864,  buried  at 
Louden  Park  National  Cemetery.  Baltimore,  Md. :  James 
AlcGill,  of  disease,  at  Mower  U.  S.  General  Hospital.  Phila- 
(k'lpliia.    V:i..    December   28th.    1864.    buried    at    Philadel- 


154  HISTORIC    DAYS 

phid,  Pa. ;  Levi  S.  Messic,  died  at  Sandy  Hook,  Maryland, 
August  31,  1864,  of  wounds  received  in  action  at  Summit 
Point,  Virginia,  buried  at  National  Cemetery,  Antietam, 
Maryland,  Section  25,  Lot  E,  grave  504;  George  W.  Penn, 
killed  in  action  at  Summit  Point,  Virginia,  August  21, 
1864;  Benjamin  C.  Robbins,  of  fever,  at  Giesboro  Point. 
Maryland,  September  16,  1864,  buried  at  National  Ceme- 
tery, Arlington  Heights,  Virginia;  Thomas  Sharp,  killed  in 
action  at  Winchester,  Virginia,  August  17,  1864;  John 
Sheppard,  of  disease,  at  Division  No.  i,  U.  S.  Army  Gen- 
eral Hospital,  Annapolis,  Maryland,  March  21,  1865. 


Never  was  a  day  of  thanksgiving  and  praise  more  de- 
voutly or  more  joyously  observed  than  was  the  last  Thurs- 
day in  November,  A.  D.  1863.  Victories  on  land  and  sea 
had  cheered  the  heart  of  the  nation  and  given  it  renewed  con- 
fidence in  the  final  triumph  of  a  just  and  righteous  cause. 
The  crops  were  bountiful,  prosperity  appeared  on  e\ery 
hand,  and  but  for  the  scourge  of  war  the  people  would  have 
been  in  the  full  enjoyment  of  happiness  and  contentment. 
How  beautiful  then,  and  how  appropriate,  were  the  appended 
paragraphs  from  Mr.  Lincoln's  proclamation  of  that  ever 
memorable  year : 

"The  year  that  is  drawing  toward  its  close  has  been 
filled  with  the  blessings  of  fruitful  fields  and  healthful  skies. 
To  these  bounties,  which  are  so  constantly  enjoyed  that  we 
are  prone  to  forget  the  source  from  which  they  come,  others 
have  been  added  which  are  of  so  extraordinary  a  nature  that 
they  cannot  fail  to  penetrate  and  soften  the  heart  which  is 
habitually  insensible  to  the  ever-watchful  providence  of  Al- 
mighty God. 

"No  human  counsel  hath  devised,  nor  hath  any  mortal 
hand  worked  out  these  great  things.  They  are  the  gracious 
gifts  of  the  Most  High  God,  who,  while  dealing  with  us  in 
anger  for  our  sins,  hath  nevertheless  remembered  mercy." 

And  so  the  curtain  fell  on  the  old  vear.  as  the  incense 
from  the  altar  went  up  to  the  Throne. 


IN    CUMBERLAND    COUNTV,    NEW    JERSEY  1 55 

The  year  1864  opened  auspiciously  for  the  Union  cause. 
It  was  the  year  of  the  Presidential  election,  and  both  great 
political  parties  were  soon  to  engage  in  an  exciting  struggle 
for  the  control  of  the  National  Government.  During  the 
campaign  of  i860  Mr.  Lincoln  had  said  that  he  was  a  be- 
liever in  one  term  in  tlie  Presidency,  and  that  he  would 
not  be  a  candidate  for  re-election.  As  time  went  on,  how- 
ever, a  great  demand  for  the  renomination  of  tiie  President 
began  on  the  part  of  the  people  and  the  Union  press.  Dis- 
cerning men  in  all  sections  of  the  country  who  sought  the 
success  of  the  National  arms  and  the  preservation  of  the 
Union  were  strongly  of  opinion  that  it  would  be  extremely 
unfortunate  for  the  nation  were  Mr.  Lincoln  refused  a  re- 
nomination.  In  the  homely  language  of  that  great  man  "it 
was  no  time  to  swap  horses  in  crossing  a  stream."  How 
to  get  over  the  difficulties  of  the  situation  was  a  serious 
problem  to  honest  Abraham,  who  believed  in  the  good,  old- 
fashioned  doctrine  that  a  man's  word  should  be  equal  to 
his  bond.  Personally  the  good  President  would  have  been 
glad  to  have  been  relieved  of  the  cares  and  responsibilities 
of  the  great  office,  but  in  his  heart  there  was  a  wish  that 
he  niiglit  be  allowed  to  finish  the  work  wdiich  the  American 
people  liad  entrusted  to  his  hands.  In  the  dilemma  as  to  what 
course  he  should  pursue,  Mr.  Lincoln  sent  for  Simon  Cam- 
eron, Senator  of  tlie  United  States  from  Pennsylvania.  Cam- 
eron went  to  the  White  House  and  in  a  lengthy  conference 
with  the  President  he  suggested  a  plan  whereby  Mr.  Lin- 
coln's compunctions  of  conscience  as  to  the  propriety  of  his 
candidacy  for  re-election  might  be  overcome.  Senator  Cam- 
eron's plan  was,  first,  that  the  Pennsylvania  Legislature, 
then  in  session,  should  pass  complimentary  resolutions  of  the 
Lincoln  administration,  and  the  necessity  for  its  continuance 
in  office  with  the  request  th.it  the  President  waive  liis 
objections  because  the  people  demanded  his  renomina- 
tion. Cameron  controlled  the  Legislature,  and  in 
the  course  of  a  few  days  the  resolutions  were  passed,  pub- 
lished in  the  newspapers  and  telegraphed  to  the  National 
Capital.     Everv  loyal  State  Legislature  followed  with  simi- 


156  HISTORIC   DAYS 

lar  resolutions,  until  the  call  for  another  term  was  heard  in; 
the  home  of  every  lover  of  his  country  throughout  the  land. 
Mr.  Lincoln  took  great  delight  in  the  action  of  the  several 
States  as  cleverly  brought  about  by  Senator  Cameron's  gen- 
eralship, and  was  inclined  to  joke  over  the  success  of  the 
scheme.  One  day  at  a  White  House  reception,  in  the  midst 
of  the  celebrities  of  the  day,  generals,  admirals,  cabinet 
ministers,  senators,  representatives  and  foreign  ambassa- 
dors, their  wives  and  many  of  the  fairest  women  of  the  land,  ■ 
who  had  come  to  the  East  Room  to  do  honor  to  the  Nation's 
Chief,  tlie  President's  jocularity  broke  out  unexpectedly  to 
the  great  astonishment  of  the  creme  de  la  creme.  It  seem? 
that  during  the  day  of  the  reception  the  President  had  re- 
ceived a  telegram  announcing  that  the  Ohio  Legislature  had 
passed  a  resolution  calling  on  him  to  again  become  a  candi' 
date  for  the  office  which  he  had  so  highly  honored.  When 
the  festivities  were  at  their  height  Senator  Cameron  ap- 
peared at  the  end  of  the  line  of  callers  with  whom  Mr.  Lin- 
coln was  busily  shaking  hands.  As  soon  as  the  President 
discovered  Cameron's  presence  he  addressed  him  in  a  voice 
that  was  audible  to  the  extreme  end  of  the  chamber,  with  a 
merry  twinkle  in  his  eye.  exclaiming:  "Simon,  another 
State  heard  from  to-day!"  This  remarkable  sentence  was 
not  understood  by  the  majority  of  the  guests,  but  to  those 
who  knew  what  it  meant  it  was  a  source  of  merriment  for 
many  years  thereafter.  The  resolutions  accomplished  the 
purpose  for  which  they  were  intended.  The  country  be- 
came wildly  enthusiastic  for  the  nomination  of  the  President 
at  the  hands  of  the  National  Republican  Convention  to  meet 
in  tile  city  of  Baltimore  in  the  month  of  June,  at  which  con- 
vention he  was  renominated  unanimously  with  tremendous 
cheers. 


In  New  Jersey  the  Legislature  was  controlled  by  the 
Democratic  party,  so  that  the  only  way  to  formulate  a  re- 
quest to  the  President  that  he  again  consent  to  be  a  candi- 
date was  for  the  Republicnn  members  to  write  him  a  letter. 


IX  cl"mbi;rl.\xd  county,  new  jicrsev  157 

Accordingly  at  Trenton,  February  18.  1864,  twenty-one 
members  signed  a  communication  on  tlie  subject  addressed 
^'To  Abraham  Lincohi,  President  of  the  United  States." 
Among  the  signers  was  Providence  Ludlam,  the  patriotic 
Senator  from  Cumberland  County.  The  letter  concluded 
with  the  following  paragraph  : 

"With  feelings  akin  to  affection  we  regard  the  patience 
with  which  you  have  endured  the  anxieties  and  burdens  of 
your  position ;  the  courage  which  has  always  risen  w'ith 
every  danger  that  threatened  us.  We  admire  the  fidelity 
with  which  you  have  sustained  and  proclaimed  those  princi- 
ples which  underlie  every  free  government,  and  which  alone 
can  make  this  nation  again  what  it  was  but  now  the  admira- 
tion of  men  and  wonder  of  the  world.  Without  any 
disparagement  of  the  true  men  who  surround  you  and  whose 
counsel  you  have  shared;  believing  that  you  are  the  choice 
of  the  people  whose  servants  we  are;  and  firmly  satisfied 
that  they  desire  and  intend  to  give  you  four  years  for  a 
policy  of  peace,  we  present  your  name  as  the  man  for  Presi- 
dent of  the  American  people  of  1864." 


Upon  the  convening  of  our  State  Legislature  early  in 
January,  Hon.  Edward  Maylin,  of  Millville,  was  honored 
with  the  vote  of  the  Republican  members  of  the  House  of 
Assembly  as  their  candidate  for  Speaker.  The  House  was 
strongly  Democratic,  consequently  tlic  numination  was 
merely  complimentary.  It  was  given,  however,  to  a  worthy 
man,  for  Edward  Maylin  was  an  able,  patriotic,  representa- 
tive citizen,  an  honor  to  his  party,  to  Cumberland  County, 
and  his  country. 

Early  in  March,  after  extended  debate,  the  Democratic 
majority  in  the  Legislature  passed  a  concurrent  resolution 
to  the  effect  that  the  soldiers  of  New  Jersey  then  in  the 
service  of  their  country  fighting  on  Southern  battlefields 
should  have  the  privilege  of  the  elective  franchise  only  in 
case  they  were  permitted  to  return  home  on  furlough  at 
the  time  of  the    coming    Presidential  election.     This,    of 


HISTORIC    DAYS 

course,  prevented  the  New  Jersey  soldiers  from  voting  in 
the  field,  as  it  was  impossible  for  them  to  be  furloughed  as 
a  body  to  go  to  their  respective  voting  precincts  at  home. 
To  save  themselves  from  too  much  criticism  of  their  dis- 
graceful action  in  the  passage  of  these  resolutions,  they  pre- 
fixed them  with  a  preamble  declaring  it  to  be  unconstitu- 
tional to  allow  an  absent  elector  to  cast  his  vote.  And  thus 
it  came  to  pass  that  while  the  soldiers  of  other  States  were 
casting  their  ballots  in  the  field  at  the  Presidential  election, 
the  50.000  sons  of  New  Jersey  who  were  baring  their 
breasts  to  the  shot  and  shell  of  the  Confederates  were  denied 
the  privilege  of  a  choice  as  to  who  should  govern  the  land 
for  which  they  were  offering  their  blood  and  their  lives. 

An  illustration  of  the  notorious  character  of  the  Legis- 
lature of  1864  was  given  the  very  day  of  its  organization 
when  William  Kelley,  of  Essex  County,  a  pot-house  Demo- 
cratic politician,  was  chosen  doorkeeper  of  the  Ladies'  Gal- 
lery of  the  House  of  Assembly  over  John  Lawrence,  of 
Gloucester  County,  by  a  strict  party  vote  of  39  to  20.  Law- 
rence was  a  brave  New  Jersey  soldier  who  had  lost  both  legs 
at  the  battle  of  Roanoke  Island.  North  Carolina,  in  1862, 
while  a  private  in  Company  B,  Ninth  New  Jersey.  He 
had  borne  his  sufferings  heroically,  this  good  Union  soldier 
and  Jersey  Blue,  but  the  Democrats  had  no  use  for  him. 
So  on  his  two  artificial  limbs  he  hobbled  back  to  his  home 
in  Gloucester  County,  to  tell  the  story  of  the  unpatriotic 
conduct  of  the  partisans  at  Trenton,  who,  out  of  love  for 
the  spoils  of  office,  refused  the  paltry  place  of  doorkeeper 
to  a  man  who  had  periled  life  and  limbs  in  order  that  they 
might  enjoy  the  blessings  of  liberty. 


The  first  number  of  a  straight-out  Republican  news- 
paper in  the  town  of  Alillville  was  issued  January  9,  1864. 
In  speaking  of  the  new  journal  the  Bridgeton  Chronicle 
said :  "We  have  received  the  first  number  of  the  Millville 
Republican,  published  at  Millville  by  John  W.  Newlin  & 
Co.    It  is  a  very  neat  paper,  especially  devoted  to  the  advo- 

(I;.8) 


PROMINENT   CITIZENS— ls-i;l-lvil'> 

Percival  Nichols  Adrian  Bateman 

Charles  R.  Elmer  Hon.  Edward  Maylin  Robert  DuBois 

Dr.  Robert  W.  Elmer  Hon.  Ebenczer  Hall  David  McBride 

Henry  B.  Lupton  James  B.  Ferguson 

1 159) 


HISTORIC    DAYS 

cacy  of  the  Union  cause.    We  wish  it  abundant  success  and 
welcome  its  editors  into  the  fraternity." 

Mr.  Nevvlin  had  come  to  Cumberland  County  from 
West  Chester,  Pennsylvania,  to  edit  the  new  paper,  which 
was  to  thereafter  strike  sturdy  blows  for  the  Union  cause, 
and  the  Republican  party.  In  the  vigor  of  early  manhood, 
with  fine  personal  appearance,  and  unusual  talent  as  a  writer 
and  public  speaker,  Mr.  Newlin  at  once  took  a  leading  part 
in  the  political  movements  of  the  Republicans  of  Cumberland 
County.  His  editorials  were  crisp;  his  speeches  went  to 
the  core  of  the  opposition,  so  much  so  that  his  services  on 
the  stump  were  in  demand  at  each  recurring  election  for 
many  years. 


About  the  middle  of  June  a  letter  was  received  in 
Bridgeton  from  the  pen  of  Lieutenant  Edward  M.  DuEois. 
with  particulars  of  the  death  of  M.  Bloomfield  Holmes,  be- 
loved son  of  Alfred  Holmes,  of  Hopewell  Township.  The 
letter  said:  "He  was  gallantly  leading  his  company  (K, 
Twelfth  New  Jersey),  in  the  crossing  of  the  Chickahominy 
at  Mcchanicsville  by  our  army  on  the  third  day  of  June, 
when  he  was  struck  on  the  leg  by  a  shell.  L'pon  consulta- 
tion by  the  surgeons  amputation  was  pronounced  impracti- 
cable. He  lingered  until  next  day,  being  able  in  an  interval 
of  consciousness  to  give  direction  as  to  his  effects,  and  send 
messages  of  love  to  his  family.  The  boys  of  the  company 
buried  him  with  more  care  than  any  colonel  has  received 
who  has  died  here.  Sergeant  Holmes  commanded  Company 
K  since  the  6th  of  May  and  led  it  into  all  tlie  fights  with  the 
greatest  coolness  and  bravery.  In  one  thing  he  was  con- 
spicuous, that  amid  all  the  temptations  of  camp  life  he  never 
swerved  from  the  strict  path  of  a  consistent  Christianity." 

The  crowning  glory  of  the  soldier's  life  was  told  in  the 
last  sentence  of  tlie  letter,  and  it  is  to  tiiis  day  a  precious 
legacy  to  the  relatives  and  friends  who  remember  the  splen- 
did Christian  soldier,  the  young,  manly,  brave  oflicer,  Bloom- 
field  Holmes,  whose  early  death  brought  sorrow  and  tears 

(100) 


PROMINENT  CITIZENS— lSr.I-l.Hi,.- 


George  F.   Nixon 
Franklin   F.  Westcott 


John  W.   Ncwlin 


Hon.  James  H.  Nixon  ,,  ,^u.ii 

John  S.  Mitchell 


(i.;i) 


l62  HISTORIC    UAVS 

to  the  country  folk  of  his  boyhood  home,  in  the  loyal  town- 
ship of  Hopewell. 


The  body  of  David  Yearicks,  Corporal  Company  F, 
Third  New  Jersey  (Cumberland  Greys),  was  brought  to 
Bridgeton,  June  13,  and  buried  the  next  day.  Corporal 
Yearicks  was  wounded  on  the  8th  day  of  May  in  action 
near  Spottsylvania.  His  arm  was  amputated,  but  he  died 
a  few  days  later,  only  a  brief  season  previous  to  the  ex- 
piration of  his  term  of  enlistment.  Mr.  Yearicks  was  a 
young  man  highly  esteemed,  with  a  large  circle  of  friends. 
He  was  a  good  soldier.  His  death  brought  great  grief  to 
a  devoted  wife,  i\'Irs.  Kate  Yearicks,  and  many  relatives 
and  friends. 


Great  preparations  were  on  foot  in  Bridgeton  early 
in  May  with  a  view  of  furnishing  articles  and  supplies 
for  a  fair  to  be  held  in  Philadelphia  in  June,  the  proceeds 
of  which  were  for  the  aid  of  the  soldiers  and  sailors,  the 
wounded  and  suffering  of  the  army  and  navy.  Governor 
Parker  appointed  the  following  as  a  committee  to  look  after 
the  representation  of  Cumberland  County  at  the  fair:  Dr. 
William  S.  Bowen,  Robert  C.  Nichols,  Miss  Harriet  F. 
Stratton  and  Miss  Anna  Brewster. 

The  committee  met  and  selected  the  following  as  aids: 
Dr.  Joseph  C.  Kirby,  Captain  James  R.  Hoagland,  Lieuten- 
ant James  J.  Reeves,  Miss  Hannah  S.  Elmer,  Miss  Belle 
Howey,  Miss  Carrie  Buck,  Miss  Sallie  H.  Buck. 

Later  the  homes  of  the  ladies  whose  names  are  attached 
were  selected  as  depositories  for  articles  to  be  sent  to  the 
fair  from  Bridgeton  and  other  towns  of  the  county:  Miss 
Harriet  F.  Stratton.  Commerce  and  Atlantic  streets ;  Miss 
Anna  Brew.ster,  West  Commerce  street :  Miss  Carrie  Buck. 
foot  Laurel  street;  Miss  Sallie  H.  Buck.  West  Commerce 
street;  Miss  Belle  Howey.  Commerce  and  Atlantic  streets. 

Aids  to  these  committees  were  appointed  in  Millville 
and  the  townslii])s.  and  when  May  25th  had  arrived,  the  date 


IN    CUMBERLAND    COUNTY,    NEW    JERSEY  163 

when  contributions  should  be  all  in,  Cumberland  County 
had  made  a  great  record  for  patriotism,  which  the  United 
States  Sanitary  Commission  in  Philadelphia  acknowledged 
with  thanks. 

Fair  hands  indeed  were  those  wiiich  gathered  Cum- 
berland's offerings  for  the  relief  of  the  heroic  soldiery  at 
the  front.  Notable  in  this  good  work  with  her  patriotic 
sisters  was  Miss  Belle  Howey,  stately,  beautiful,  with  a 
soul  replete  with  tentlerness  for  the  work  to  which  she  gave 
a  willing  heart  and  hand.  Miss  Howey  came  of  one  of 
the  best  New  Jersey  families.  Captain  Frank  Howey,  a 
brother,  served  in  the  war  for  the  ITnion,  and  was  after- 
ward elected  to  Congress. 


During  the  year  "64  two  drafts  for  soldiers  were  made 
to  fill  tlie  county's  quota  under  tiie  President's  last  call  of 
500,000  men  to  close  the  gaps  in  the  depleted  columns  of 
the  Army  of  tlie  Potomac  and  the  other  national  armies 
because  of  the  death,  wounds,  disability  and  termination  of 
enlistments  of  many  three-year  regiments.  The  men  who 
were  drafted,  as  a  rule,  either  went  themselves  or  promptly 
furnishd  substitutes.  Persons  who  desired  to  escape  army 
service  all  at  once  became  decrepit  and  unfit,  putting  up  all 
sorts  of  physical  ailments  for  exemptions.  Among  the 
drafted  men  were  several  persons  of  prominence  in  the 
community,  notably  Hon.  John  T.  Nixon.  Charles  C.  Gross- 
cup,  of  Grosscup  Hall  fame:  Dr.  Oliver  S.  Belden  and 
others. 


Previous  to  the  adjournment  of  the  Legislature  in  the 
spring  of  1864  an  act  for  the  incorporation  of  the  townships 
of  Bridgeton  and  Cohansey  into  a  municipality  to  be  known 
as  the  city  of  Bridgeton,  passed  both  Houses  of  the  Legis- 
lature, was  signed  by  Governor  Parker  and  became  a  law. 
The  enacting  clause  of  the  bill  declared  that  it  should  take 
effect  the  following  year,  March  i,  1865.  This  was  a  great 
forward  movement  for  the  people  of  the  town  of  Bridgeton,. 


164  HISTORIC    DAYS 

but  it  was  accomplished  in  the  face  of  much  prejudice,  even 
so  good  a  citizen  as  Judge  Ehner  deeming  it  unnecessary 
and  unwise.  The  Judge's  opinion  was  that  it  would  be  bet- 
ter to  keep  the  town  in  borough  form  rather  than  take  a 
step  which  in  the  end  meant  increased  expenditures  and 
increased  taxes.  Public  sentiment,  however,  was  favorable 
to  the  act  of  incorporation  on  the  ground  that  the  separate 
township  government  on  the  two  banks  of  the  Cohansey 
was  not  up  to  the  spirit  of  the  times,  and  that  consolidation 
and  a  greater  Eridgeton  was  needed. 


June  7,  1864.  at  Baltimore,  Abraham  Lincoln,  of  Illi- 
nois, was  renominated  for  President  of  the  United  States, 
with  Andrew  Johnson,  of  Tennessee,  as  Vice-President. 
The  National  Republican  Convention  did  wisely  in  again 
selecting  Air.  Lincoln  as  its  Presidential  candidate,  but  the 
nomination  of  Andrew  Johnson  for  the  Vice-Presidency  was 
a  political  error  which  the  lamented  death  of  the  President 
brought  prominentlv  to  view.  Johnson  retarded  the  work 
of  reconstruction  and  was  a  failure  at  a  critical  period  of  the 
nation's  history. 

The  Democratic  National  Conxention  met  in  Chicago, 
and  nominated  General  George  B.  McClellan.  of  New  York, 
for  President,  with  George  H.  Pendleton,  of  Ohio,  for  Vice- 
President. 

With  tiie  making  of  the  nominations  the  great  Presi- 
dential campaign  of  1864,  the  most  exciting,  momentous 
and  decisive  political  campaign  in  American  history,  opened 
— a  canvass  of  bitterness  unparalleled,  fought  with  that 
"weapon  firmer  set,  and  better  than  the  bayonet,  the  bal- 
lot!" While  the  contest  waged  the  battalions  in  the  field 
rested  on  their  arms — the  Confederates  hoping  for  a  re- 
versal of  Mr.  Lincoln's  policy — the  Federals  trusting  in 
the  patriotic  North  for  a  reindorsement  of  the  administra- 
tion at  Washington  and  a  vote  of  confidence  in  the  officers 
and  soldiers  of  the  republic  who  had  by  their  heroism  and 
sufferings  brought  victory  to  the  flag  on  many  bloody  fields. 


IN    CfMIiKKI.AND    COrXTV.    NEW    JKRSKV  ift^ 

At  a  ineetiiiif  of  citizens  of  Bridgeton  great  prepara- 
lions  were  niatle  U>v  tlie  celehratinn  (if  tlie  iMiurtli  of  [uly. 
1864.  An  eial)orate  program  was  mapped  out,  and  tiie 
following  gentlemen  appointed  a  committee  of  arrange- 
ments :  Joseph  H.  Elmer.  Robert  DuBois.  James  R.  Hoag- 
land,  Edmund  1\.  l''.lmer.  l-"den  .M.  Hood.  Charles  D.  Bur- 
rouglis,  Providence  Ludlam.  Robert  W.  Elmer,  Charles  E. 
Mulford.  Edwin  Ware,  Rol)ert  P..  Potter. 

The  members  of  Compan\-  F.  "Cumberland  Greys," 
Third  New  Jersey,  who  had  served  three  years,  but  did  not 
re-enlist,  had  returned  home  a  few  days  previous  to  the 
Fourth,  so  it  was  decided  that  in  addition  to  the  other  pa- 
triotic exercises  a  reception  antl  dinner  should  be  given  to 
tile  returned  soldiers. 

At  sunrise  on  the  morning  of  the  Fourth  the  old  cannon 
which  had  figured  in  so  many  previous  celebrations  was 
brought  out  and  a  National  .salute  fired.  The  day  was  fair 
— the  sun  slione  brightly — the  sidewalks  were  packed  with 
thousands  of  men,  women  and  children.  Farmers  from  the 
country  districts  came  to  town  in  large  numbers  to  take 
part  in  the  festivities.  lUisiness  places  and  private  resi- 
dences were  gav  witli  Imntiiig.  The  old  wnoden  bridge 
over  the  Cohansev  River  at  Commerce  Street,  was  beauti- 
fully decorated  with  evergreen.  A  triumphal  arch  erected 
above  the  roadway  of  the  structure  was  adorned  with  flags 
and  flowers,  forming  a  beautiful  design  in  the  words  "Wel- 
come Home." 

At  10  o'clock  a  parade  formed  in  front  of  the  Davis 
House  on  Commerce  Street,  headed  by  Lewis  H.  Dowdney, 
marsli.il :  James  R.  Hoagland  and  Samuel  T.  DuBois,  as- 
sistant marshals.  The  Bridgeton  Cornet  Band  and  the 
Laurel  Hill  bife  and  Drum  Corps  furnished  nuisic,  patriotic 
and  inspiring.  A  remn.uu  of  tlie  "Greys."  two  officers  and 
twenty-eight  muskets  strong,  occupied  the  place  of  honor 
in  the  procession,  under  command  of  Captain  Charles  F. 
Salkeld.  The  veterans  marched  splendidlv  to  the  great  ad- 
nu'ration  of  the  vast  crowds  of  onlookers.  Preceding  the 
"Greys"  was  an  omniljus  containing  members  of  the  com- 


HISTORIC    DAYS 

pany   who   were  unable  to  march  liecause  of  wounds   and 
other  disabilities. 

Corporal  John  Royal,  at  the  head  of  the  veteran  sol- 
diers, stood  erect  and  manly,  holding  with  a  firm  grip  the 
beautiful  silk  colors  which  the  ladies  of  Bridgeton  had  pre- 
sented to  the  "Greys"  that  bright  May  day  in  '6l  the  eve 
of  tlieir  departure  for  tlie  seat  of  war.  John  Royal  was 
the  senior  color  corporal  of  the  gallant  Third  New  Jersey. 
He  had  carried  the  regimental  colors  through  many  bloody 
engagements,  and  was  a  proud  man  that  glorious  Fourth  of 
July,  1864.  when  the  original  flag  of  the  "Cumberland 
Greys"  was  given  to  his  hands.  It  was  a  splendid  flag, 
bright  with  the  tri-colors,  glorious  with  its  canopy  of  stars. 
On  its  broad  stripes  the  names  of  the  principal  battles  in 
which  the  company  had  been  engaged  from  Bull  Run  to 
Cold  Harbor  were  emblazoned  in  letters  of  shining  gold. 
As  the  returned  soldiers  passed,  the  fair  sex,  of  whom  the 
local  papers  said  there  had  never  before  been  such  a  turn- 
out, waved  their  handkerchiefs  in  salute,  while  the  citizens 
rent  the  air  with  round  after  round  of  cheers. 

-Appended  is  a  list  of  the  brave  soldiers  who  partici- 
pated in  the  celebration  and  reception  that  day : 

Charles  F.  Salkeld,  captain ;  former  Lieutenant  Samuel 
T.  DuBois.  then  a  captain ;  Joseph  R.  Woodruflf,  Michael 
H.  Swing,  James  W'.  Murphy.  Thomas  M.  W'oodruff, 
James  B.  Woodruff,  John  Royal,  Charles  L.  Davis,  William 
H.  Williams,  Clarence  J.  Mulford,  Jonathan  H.  Facemire. 
David  W.  Fry.  Robert  Glaspey,  John  C.  Garrison,  Horace 
E.  Loper,  Reuben  Brooks,  Charles  T.  Jordan,  Davis  B. 
Loder,  Daniel  R.  Parvin,  Alexander  Sayre,  Walter  S.  Wil- 
liams. Robert  M.  Vansant,  Levi  J.  Harker,  Furman  Cam- 
bloss,  Joab  C.  Lore,  Daniel  Doyle,  David  P.  Clark,  Charles 
McAllister,  Henry  Marts. 

The  following  members  of  the  "Greys"  were  not  pres- 
ent at  the  reception  because  of  their  having  re-enlisted  for 
another  term  of  three  years.  They  served  the  country  with 
great  loyalty,  returning  after  the  surrender  at  Appomattox, 
in  1865 : 

(166) 


FLAG  OF  THE    •  CUMBERLAND  GREYS 
Company  F.  Third  New  Jersey  Regiment  Inf.  Vols. 
John  Royal,  Color  Bearer 
isr.l— LSiVI 
(It") 


HISTUUU;    UAVS 

Bowman  H.  Buck,  David  B'.  Husted,  .\lexander  M. 
Parvin.  Joseph  Clayton,  William  Painter,  Adolph  Bergen, 
Thomas  Cottrell,  William  H.  Nagle,  Jonathan  Fadely.  Rich- 
ard C.  Levick.  Henry  L.  Seymour,  Henry  B.  Stockton.  The 
latter.  Comrade  Stockton,  was  killed  in  action  near  Spott- 
syhania,  \'a..  after  re-enlistment. 

Twelve  members  had  been  transferred  to  Hancock's 
Veteran  Reserve  Corps  and  to  other  regiments,  in  which 
they  finished  their  three  years"  enlistment.  Thirty-two  mem- 
bers were  discharged  from  service  prior  to  the  termination 
of  their  enlistment  period,  owing  to  wounds  and  disabilities. 
Seventeen  members  were  killed  on  the  field,  and  died  of 
wounds  and  disease. 

Captain  James  W.  H.  Stickney,  who  commanded  the 
company  at  its  organization  in  Bridgeton,  was  later  pro- 
moted to  the  position  of  major,  which  he  filled  with  distin- 
guished ability. 

Magnificent  record  of  a  gallant  hundred  who,  going 
at  the  first  call  of  an  imperiled  country,  rendered  invalu- 
able service,  to  the  great  honor  of  the  patriotic  county  of 
Cumberland. 

As  the  veterans  marched  anud  applause  and  cheers 
the  vacant  places  in  the  depleted  ranks  of  the  splendid  com- 
pany were  more  and  more  apparent.  The  erect  forms  of 
Randolph,  Pew.  Bacon,  Clark,  Crandol,  Fogg,  Jackson, 
Johnson,  Keen,  Nichols,  Sheppard,  Stockton,  Thompson, 
Thornard,  Tyler,  Yearicks  and  Wolf,  were  not  in  the  visible 
line.  They  had  joined  the  invisible.  The  blood  and  tears 
of  earthly  suffering  had  been  e.xchanged  for  the  peace  of 
that  glorious  land  in  the  house  not  made  with  hands  eternal 
in  the  heavens. 

"Nor  wreck,  nor  change,  nor  winter's  blight. 
Nor  time's  remorseless  doom. 
Can  dim  one  ray  of  holv  light 
That  gilds  your  glm-ious  tomb." 

At  the  Crove  on  West  Commerce  street  the  exercises 
were  opened  b\-  an  elocpient  ])ra\er  from  the  lips  of  Rev. 

(lOh) 


WAR  TIME    PICTURES-lslil-lMi.'. 

Group  Company  F  i "  Cumberland  Greys  "  .  Third  N.  J.  Reg.  Inf.  Vols. 

Francis  Albin  Reuben  Brooks  Joab  C.  Lore 

Bowman  H.  Buck 

William  G.  Howell  Levi  J.  Marker 

David  B.  Husted  Thomas  P.  Coles 


ili'.'.'i 


l/C  HISTORIC    DAYS 

Henry  M.  Stuart,  rector  of  St.  Andrew's  Episcopal  Church. 

Hon.  John  T.  Nixon  addressed  the  large  assemblage 
which  had  gathered  in  his  usual  magnetic  manner.  The 
oration  by  Paul  T.  Jones  was  a  masterpiece.  He  welcomed 
the  braves  to  whom  he  had  presented  the  flag  in  the  early 
spring  of  '6i,  in  one  of  the  most  patriotic,  pathetic  and 
eloquent  speeches  ever  delivered  in  South  Jersey.  At  one 
moment  the  eyes  of  his  auditors  would  be  dim  with  tears; 
at  another  the  trees  of  the  grove  reverberated  with  the 
plaudits  of  his  hearers,  to  whom  he  recounted  the  story  of 
the  heroic  deeds  of  the  veterans  who  had  added  new  glory 
to  the  flag  and  the  republican  institutions  which  treason  had 
sought  to  destroy. 

Captain  Charles  F.  Salkeld.  of  stalwart,  soldierly  ap- 
pearance, whose  bravery  had  been  tested  on  many  hotly 
contested  fields,  whom  the  men  loved  as  they  loved  their 
own  souls,  addressed  the  audience  in  an  exhaustive  and  elo- 
quent review  of  the  company's  history  as  follows : 

Fcllozv  Citizens.  Ladies  and  Gentlemen  : 

"In  the  name  and  on  the  behalf  of  tiiis  organization, 
lately  designated  as  Company  F,  Third  New  Jersey  Regi- 
ment Volunteers,  but  more  familiarly  known  to  you  as  the 
'Cumberland  Greys."  I  return  you  their  sincere  and  heart- 
felt thanks  for  this  welcome  greeting,  which  you  have  this 
day  extended  them,  upon  their  arrival  among  you  after  an 
absence  of  over  three  years  at  the  seat  (^f  war,  most  of  which 
time  has  been  spent  'mid  scenes  of  danger,  toil,  hardship  and 
privation. 

"Your  efforts,  ladies  of  tlie  .Aid  Society,  to  conduce  to 
our  comfort,  pleasure  and  gratification,  upon  this  memorable 
occasion,  previous  to  our  departure  from  home,  and  during 
our  absence,  are  deeply  and  thoroughly  appreciated,  and  will 
ever  be  gratefully  remembered  and  cherished  by  the  recipi- 
ents; never  for  an  instant  have  the  many  favors  so  grate- 
fully bestowed  u])on  us  by  you  been  forgotten,  even  amid 
scenes  of  the  utmost  peril.  On  the  contrary.  \ve  know  from 
our  own  observation  that  many  an  arm  has  been  nerved  to 
strike  a  hcaxier  bliw  in  defence  of  tliose  rights  and  privi- 


IN    CUMHKE<LAXD    COUNTY,    NEW    JERSEY  \Jl 

leges  bequested  us  by  our  ancestors  and  for  which  we  liave 
been  battling  when  thoughts  of  home,  friends  and  all  those 
who  were  there  laboring  to  minister  to  our  comfort  while 
in  camp,  upon  the  battlefield,  or  in  the  hospitals — would  rise 
prominently  before  us. 

"The  soldier,  when  about  to  engage  in  a  hand-to-hand 
conflict  with  the  enemy,  very  naturally  reverts  his  thoughts 
to  scenes  far  distant,  and  very  liift'erent  from  those  by  which 
he  is  at  tlie  moment  surrounded,  and  as  visions  of  the  happy 
home,  and  the  dear  ones  he  has  left  behind,  present  them- 
selves before  him,  he  is  animated  to  more  daring  and  valor- 
ous deeds,  that  lie  may  perform  his  part  in  subduing  the 
enemy,  so  that  he  may  sooner  be  enabled  to  return  to  enjoy 
those  benefits  and  blessings  so  dearly  prized  by  him.  While 
in  active  campaign  he  is  peculiarly  situated.  }Iis  lot  compels 
him  for  tiie  time  to  withdraw  him.scif  from  all  gentle  society, 
or  from  all  that  tends  to  refine  or  elevate  him  in  the  social 
scale.  His  constant  and  daily  comrades  are  the  rougher, 
sterner  sex,  therefore  some  degree  of  allowance  should  be 
made  if  his  manners  are  not  as  cultivated  or  poli.shed  as  some 
of  the  male  devotees  of  fashion,  who  enamour  cities  and 
towns.  His  heart  is  warm,  impulsive,  generous  and  easily 
imjiressed  liy  kindness:  a  letter,  a  gift,  or  a  kind  message 
makes  a  deep  and  sensible  effect  upon  him,  and  if  his  emula- 
tion be  excited  and  his  ambition  rewarded,  lie  will  smile  at 
danger,  and  shrink  from  no  foe. 

"During  the  prevalence  of  this  present  unhappy  Civil 
War  the  Federal  soldier  has  established  a  reputation  which 
is  world-wide.  No  troops  have  ever  been  compelled  to  make 
greater  sacrifices,  undergo  more  severe  and  trying  efforts, 
than  those  composing  the  rank  and  file  of  the  Army  of  the 
Potomac.  Yet  they  willingly,  gladly,  aye  cheerfully  sub- 
mit to  all  these  discomforts,  face  danger  and  death  in  every 
form,  for  the  preservation  of  our  Union  and  Constitution, 
as  they  were  handed  down  to  them  by  their  forefathers. 
You  ladies  have  done  much  to  ameliorate  their  condition, 
and  you  have  a  powerful  influence,  which,  if  rightly  exer- 
cised, tends  greatlv  towards  developing  those  characteristics 


which  shiiukl.  and  if  }ou  will  hut  foster,  cherish  and  assist  to 
develoi)  these  traits,  you  will  learn  of  still  more  glorious 
achievements  being  performed  by  our  armies. 

"All  of  us  from  the  day  of  leaving  this  place,  followed 
by  }'our  pra_\'ers  and  blessings.  ha\'e  been  looking  forward, 
eagerly  and  anxiously,  to  the  time  when  we  should  be  per- 
mitted, if  spared,  to  return  again  to  the  county  which  sent 
us  forth  as  her  first  representatives  in  the  Army  of  our  Na- 
tion. Many  of  us  this  day  see  our  fond  wishes  consum- 
mated, but  alas,  these  sable  Ijadges  we  see.  remind  us  that 
our  circle  has  been  narrowed,  and  that  death  has  been  busy 
among  us.  We  would  that  all  our  comrades,  who,  three 
years  since,  left  their  homes  and  friends  to  obey  their  coun- 
try's call,  were  with  us  to  participate  in  the  festivities  of 
to-day,  but  an  all-wise  Providence  has  deemed  proper  that 
it  should  be  otherwise,  and  while  we  have  been  preserved, 
we  must  not  forget  the  fact  that  the  remains  of  nearly  a 
score  of  our  former  companions  in  arms  lie  mouldering 
near  the  banks  of  the  Potomac,  the  Chickahominy,  the 
James,  the  Antietam,  the  Rappahannock  and  the  Po.  The 
so-called  sacred  soil  of  Virginia  should  seem  doubly  sacred 
now  by  reason  of  the  blood  of  our  heroes,  who  rest  in  their 
silent  graves  beneath  it. 

"The  record  described  on  this  banner  will  tell  you  how 
well,  how  nobly,  those  departed  ones,  as  well  as  their  sur- 
vivors, performed  their  obligations  to  their  country;  upon 
all  those  bloody  fields  have  they  faithfully  defended  the  flag 
of  their  nation,  never  once  allowing  it  to  fall  into  the  enemy's 
hands.  A  sacred  and  important  trust  assigned  to  thern. 
but  one  honestly  and  truly  performed. 

"Attired  in  these  same  soiled  and  tattered  uniforms  in 
which  you  behold  them,  with  the  others  of  their  regiment, 
have  they  gallantly  confronted  their  foes  face  to  face,  caus- 
ing them  during  the  last  three  days  even  of  their  service 
to  fiy  from  their  cold  and  glistening  bayonets,  and  though 
the  air  was  hot  and  thick  with  screaming  .shells,  and  whist- 
ling bullets,  bravely  did  they  ascend  the  heights  of  Cold 
Harbor,  the  enemy  retreating    from  their    steady  firm  ad- 


Group  Company  F 
James  B.  Woodruff 

James  G.  Westcott 


WAR  TIME    PICTURES-l>^il-l-itVl 

Cumberland  Greys  "   .  Third  N.  J.  Reg.  Inr.  Vols. 

Joseph  R.  Woodruff  William  Mulford 

Charles  T.  Jordan 
Clarence  J.  Mulford  Aaron  Allen 


174  HISTORIC   DAYS 

vance;  and  in  all  the  engagements  now  recorded  as  a  portion 
of  our  national  history  have  they  courageously  performed 
their  part,  as  the  transcripts  of  the  company  will  readily 
show.  The  fields  of  Gaines'  Hill.  Bull  Run,  Fredericksburg, 
Salem  Heights,  South  Mountain.  Antietam,  Gettysburg. 
Mine  Run,  Wilderness.  Spottsylvania  and  others  will  attest 
to  their  coolness,  bra\ery  and  intrepidity.  Many  of  them 
bear  about  their  persons  the  best  and  most  convincing  proofs 
confirming  a  soldier's  undaunted  courage,  scars  recei\cd  in 
battle  while  in  line  of  their  duty.  Proud,  indeed,  should  you 
be,  my  comrades,  of  these  wounds,  those  maimed,  disfigured 
limbs :  you  came  by  them  honorably  and  risked  your  life 
for  them,  and  they  will  be  the  boast  and  pride  of  your  chil- 
dren and  your  children's  children,  in  after  years,  when  re- 
ferring to  you,  mentioning  the  services  you  rendered  in 
endeavoring  to  suppress  this  gigantic  rebellion.  And  it  will 
be  your  own  boast  as  time  shall  come  upon  you  apace  to 
exhibit  those  blemishes  and  relate  portions  of  your  own 
experience,  which  occurred  while  yi>u  were  connected  with 
the  Army  of  the  Potomac. 

"It  may  not  be  inappropriate  at  this  time  to  give  a  sum- 
mary of  the  history  of  this  company  from  the  date  of  its 
muster  into  the  United  States  service,  three  years  ago, 
to  the  present  time.  It  left  this  place  May  27th,  1861,  fully 
officered  and  with  ninety-eight  enlisted  men.  Two  other 
officers  and  four  recruits  were  afterwards  added,  making 
the  total  number  belonging  to  the  company  one  hundred 
and  se\-en  :  i>i  that  number,  two  officers  have  been  [)ronioted 
to  other  commands,  two  discharged  and  one  mustered  out 
with  the  company.  Eighteen  men  have  died  and  been  killed 
in  action,  lliirty-two  have  been  discharged,  the  majority 
from  wounds,  the  others  from  disability.  Eighteen  have 
been  transferred,  a  portion  to  the  Veteran  Reserve  Corps, 
others  to  the  Navy,  some  to  other  regiments  from  New  Jer- 
sey, by  reason  of  re-enlistments.  Four  have  been  dropped 
from  the  company  rolls  as  deserters,  and  thirty  mustered 
out  on  account  of  expiration  of  their  term  of  service.  At 
Gaines'  Hill,  two  years  since,  the  company  went  into  action 


IX  clmi!i:ri.axd  county,  new  jersey  175 

numbering  sixty  men.  and  supporting  regimental  colors,  and 
withdrew  at  the  close  of  that  fearful  engagement  with  but 
thirty-one,  the  remainder  having  been  killed,  wounded  or 
captured.  At  Manassas,  two  months  after,  two  were  killed 
and  three  captured.  At  South  Mountain,  during  the  first 
Maryland  campaign,  the  company  numbered  twenty-two, 
two  were  killed  and  three  wounded.  At  Antietam,  three 
days  later,  five  were  wounded ;  at  Salem  Heights,  after  the 
occupation  of  Fredericksburg,  Va.,  May,  1863,  one  was 
killed  and  six  wounded,  and  during  the  campaign  under 
General  Grant,  inaugurated  May  4,  1864,  up  to  the  time 
of  their  leaving  the  front,  three  were  killed  and  died  of 
their  wounds,  eight  were  wounded  and  four  captured,  the 
last  mentioned  were  soon  retaken  by  our  cavalry  and  re- 
turned. 

"The  casualties  attentling  the  company  have  not  been 
so  great  as  many  persons  might  suppose,  from  the  amount 
of  service  rendered,  having  taken  part  in  all  the  general  en- 
gagements the  Army  of  the  Potomac  ever  participated  in, 
with  the  exception  of  Williamsburg  and  Fair  Oaks.  It 
seems  as  if  a  special  Providence  watched  over  us  and  pre- 
served us,  when  we  think  of  the  danger  and  exposure  we 
have  been  subjected  to.  Let  us  reverently  iiope  that  we  are 
sufficiently  thankful  for  the  great  mercies  which  have  been 
extended  to  us. 

■"And  now.  my  comrades,  tiic  most  painful  task  of  all 
devolves  upon  nie.  The  hour  of  separation  has  nearly 
arri\ed,  and  we  are  in  future  to  go  forth  into  the  world, 
each  of  us  to  follow  that  career  in  civil  life  to  which  choice, 
circumstances  or  inclinations  may  call  us.  For  the  last 
three  years  we  have  been  co-laborers  in  one  common  cause, 
we  have  shared  togetiier  the  arduous  and  difficult  duties 
of  the  camp,  the  bivouac,  ttie  battlefield.  We  have  seen 
our  comrades  fall  dead,  dying  and  wounded,  around  and 
about  us,  have  heard  their  groans,  dying  exclamations,  and 
piercing,  heartrending  slirieks,  have  followed  to  their  last 
resting-place  beneath  Virginia  sod  several  of  our  number. 
but  liavc  ourselves  been  graciously  spared  to  return  to  our 


HISKlKIC    DAYS 

happy  homes  and  dear  friends,  whose  familiar  faces  we  see 
ijefore  ns  to-day.  Never  in  all  human  probability  will  we 
be  assembled  together  again  after  the  exercises  of  to-day 
are  concluded.  Our  duties  we  obligated  ourselves  to  per- 
form have  been  executed,  and  our  contract  cancelled.  You 
ha\e  lieen  battling  these  many  months  with  open  enemies 
in  your  front,  from  whom  you  are  now  remo\'ed,  but  you 
will  find  it  necessary  still  to  be  vigilant,  or  enemies  will 
appear  upon  your  front,  your  rear,  and  on  both  flanks,  even 
here  in  your  native  State.  Be  wary,  watchful,  cautious, 
keep  vour  outposts  well  guarded  and  supported,  lest  they 
take  you  by  surprise.  Repel  them  when  attacked,  force 
them  either  to  evacuate  or  capitulate,  and  all  will  be  well, 
but  ne\  er  surrender  one  inch  to  them.  Remember  the  sacred 
cause  you  have  so  long  been  contending  for.  Remember 
the  leaders  you  have  followed,  whose  names  are  now  his- 
toric— Kearney,  Taylor,  Slocum.  Smith.  Sedgwick  and 
Wright,  three  of  whom  have  sealed  their  devotion  to  their 
country  with  their  lives.  Remember  the  blood  shed  by 
your  own  comrades,  and  consider  it  as  a  solemn  duty  you 
owe  to  their  memory  to  be  true  to  your  country  now  in 
the  hour  of  her  great  peril,  and  let  us  hope  that  tyrants  or 
usurpers  may  never  point  to  the  sepulchre  of  her  liberty  and 
mock  her  degraded  and  sufifering  children.  Let  us  each 
rather  once  more  lend  a  helping  hand,  if  necessary,  to  as- 
sist in  wresting  back  our  land  from  those  rebel  hordes  who 
would  destroy  the  best  government  the  world  ever  saw. 
Let  us  transmit  it  unimpaired  to  posterity,  and  though  we 
may  not  be  lionored  with  the  helm,  let  us  be  content  to  cheer- 
fully unfurl  a  sail,  splice  a  rope,  or  clear  the  deck  for  action. 
Let  us  look  back  one  year  from  to-day  at  the  horrible  field 
of  Gettysburg,  and  as  the  memory  of  that  spot  and  the 
scenes  there  enacted  come  visibly  before  us.  and  we  contrast 
them  with  those  we  witness  here,  let  us  renew  our  obliga- 
tions to  bear  true  and  faithful  allegiance  to  our  Government. 
But  I  am  warned  that  I  have  exceeded  the  time  allow^ed  me, 
and  must  conclude.  Tn  doing  this  let  me  assure  each  and 
every  one  of  mv  unbounded  friendship  and  interest  in  you. 

(176) 


WAR  TIME    PICTURES— 1M(U. 1st;-) 
Group  Company  F  ,,"  Cumberland  Greys."  Third   N.  J.   Reg.   Inf.  Vols. 
Michael  Swing  ^V.  Scott  ^ViUiams  William  H.  Negley 

Thomas  M.   Woodruft 
Jonathan   Fadely  Eldorado  H.  Grosscup 

John  C.  Garrison 
(1771 


HISTORIC    DAYS 

Wherever  in  the  future  your  lots  may  be  cast,  remember 
you  have  no  firmer  friend,  or  no  one  who  will  always  feel 
more  interested  in  your  welfare  than  he  who  lately  had  the 
honor  of  commanding  you.  That  prosperity  may  attend 
you  is  my  earnest  desire,  and  while  taking  leave  of  our  kind 
friends  here,  who  have  so  kindly  welcomed  us  home,  I  will 
also  bid  you  adieu." 

Franklin  F.  Westcott,  Esq.,  then  addressed  the  veterans 
in  a  brief,  patriotic  speech,  laudatory  of  the  service  they 
had  rendered  the  county  and  the  nation. 

The  exercises  closed  with  a  feeling  benediction  by  Rev. 
John  W.  Hickman,  the  beloved  pastor  of  Commerce  Street 
M.  E.  Church,  after  which  the  soldiers  sang  "Rally  'Round 
the  Flag.  Boys,  Rallv  Once  Again !  Shouting  the  Battle  Cry 
of  Freedom !" 

Counter-marching  back  to  Grosscup's  Hall,  the  "Greys" 
were  received  by  the  Ladies'  Aid  Society  of  Bridgeton,  and 
tendered  an  elegant  dinner  prepared  by  E.  Davis  &  Son, 
of  the  Davis  House.  It  was  a  festive  occasion  around  the 
feast  of  delicious  viands,  waited  upon  by  the  hands  of 
Bridgeton's  fairest  young  ladies,  surrounded  by  a  wealth  of 
floral  decorations,  and  in  the  presence  of  the  best  citizenship. 
Memories  of  the  war,  still  fresh  from  the  tented  fields — the 
fallen  comrades — the  dreadful  scenes  of  battles  lost  and  won 
— the  advance — the  retreat — the  defeat  and  final  victory 
were  before  them.  But  home  with  its  joyous  environments 
was  theirs  at  last!  Victors  of  many  well-fought  fields,  well 
done !  well  done ! 


Manv  were  the  interesting  stories  told  of  the  days  by- 
gone in  march  and  bixnuac.  when  the  jiigs  and  poultry  of 
some  rebel  farmer  were  appropriated  for  the  use  of  the  boys 
of  Company  F.  One  of  the  best  was  that  which  concerned 
Comrade  John  C.  Garrison.  John  was  a  Christian,  and  a 
strong  believer  in  honesty,  lint  (Uioe  while  the  Third  New 
Jersey  lay  encamped  near  Gaines'  Mill,  Virginia,  it  was  dis- 
covered that  the  miller  who  ground  the  grist  was  very  bitter 
in  his  talk  against  tlic  Yankees.     He  furnished  a  good  qual- 

(17.S) 


DRUM  CORPS  "CUMBERLAND  GREYS" 
Company  F,  Third   New  Jersey   Regiment  Inf.  Vols— l^^JlI 
Horace  E.   Loper.  Fifer 
William   Painter,  Drummer 

(179) 


l8o  HISTORIC    DAYS 

ity  of  tlour,  but  under  General  ^IcClellan's  orders  neither 
the  miller's  property  nor  his  Hour  could  be  touched.  The 
boys  were  anxious  for  a  little  of  that  Hour,  nevertheless, 
and  so  it  was  arranged  that  while  a  squad  of  comrades  en- 
gaged the  rebel  miller  in  conversation  Garrison  was  to  slip 
in  back  of  the  mill  and  get  away  with  a  bag.  The  scheme 
worked  like  a  charm,  and  so  it  came  to  pass  that  wiiile  the 
bovs  talked  witli  the  "■rcb."   lohn  took  tlie  tlour. 


Among  the  first  to  enlist  in  the  "Cumberland  Greys" 
were  Horace  E.  Loper,  fifer;  l<"rancis  .Mbin  ("Dart")  and 
William  ("Billy")  Painter,  tlrummers.  No  musician  in 
the  Army  of  the  Potomac  could  handle  a  fife  more  melodi- 
ously than  Horace,  and  none  were  more  skillful  with  the 
drum  sticks  than  "Frank"  and  "Billy."  The  former  re- 
turned with  his  comrades  at  the  end  of  his  three-year  term 
of  enlistment  with  the  honors  of  fife  major.  Horace  Loper 
was  one  of  three  breathers  who  had  local  fame  as  "Crockett 
the  First."  Frank  Loper  was  "Crockett  the  Second." 
Johnny  Loper  was  "Crockett  the  Third."  All  were  gifted 
as  musicians.  On  his  return  from  the  war  Fife  Major  Loper 
gave  some  vivid  descriptions  of  scenes  of  service,  but  said 
he,  "The  saddest  and  most  heartrending  were  those  of  the 
battle  of  Cold  Harbor,  fought  just  i)revious  to  the  discharge 
of  the  three-year  men.  when  so  many  of  the  Third  Regi- 
ment were  killed  and  wounded.  Such  sights  were  terrible 
to  witness,  and  brought  tears  to  many  eyes."  Drummer 
Francis  .\lbin.  who  had  gone  into  the  i\egimental  Band, 
was  discharged  .August  lo,  i86j,  by  an  act  of  Congress 
which  re])ealed  the  act  under  which  the  Third  Regiment 
Band  was  organized.  1  )rummer  William  Painter  went  in 
at  the  beginning  and  remained  to  the  end.  He  re-enlisted 
December  30,  1863,  and  was  honorably  discharged  June  29. 
1865.  The  echoes  of  your  martial  notes  have  long  since 
died  away,  noble  drum  corps  of  the  sixties:  the  last  re\eille 
has  sounded — "Xo  liraving  horn  or  screaming  fife,  at  dawn 
shall  call  to  arms." 


IN    CUMBKRLAND    COLNTV,    XKW    J  KUSKV  l8l 

Fife  Major  Loper,  of  the  "Greys,"  had  talent  as  a  poet. 
After  the  Third  Regiment  had  arrived  in  Virginia  he  coni- 
poseti  and  printed  a  patriotic  song,  which  he  distributed 
among  liis  comrades  and  sent  to  his  friends  at  home.  Ap- 
pended is  tlie  song  as  Horace  wrote  it : 

THE  NEW  JERSEY  THIRD. 

BY  H.  E.  I.OPF.R,  COMPANY  F. 

Conic  all  yc  true  .-Vmcricaus,  I  pray  you  It-iid  an  ear, 
I'll  tell  you  as  true  a  talc  as  ever  you  did  hear ; 
'Tis  of  the  New  Jersey  Third,  as  you  will  understand. 
It  is  a   famous  regiment.   Col.  Taylor  in  command. 

'Twas  in  the  year  of  si.xty-one,  and  in  the  month  of  May, 

We  left  our  wives  and  sweethearts,  in  a  lamenting  way ; 

To  go  and  tight  Secession,  and  the  traitor's  flag  pull  down, 

.•\nd  those   we   left  may  rest  assured   we'll   strike   it  to  the  ground. 

We  struck  our  tents  at  Trenton  on  the  28th  of  June— 
The   fields   and   flowery  gardens   and   meadow?  were   in   bloom; 
Whilst  on  our  way  to  Washington  the  pretty  girls  would  say, 
There  goes  a  gallant  regiment  from  the  State  of  Xew  Jers-a. 

When  we  arrived  at  Washington,  the  people  looked  amazed. 
To  hear  the  yells  of  us  Jerseymen— they  really  thought  us  crazed; 
Whilst  jumping  from  the  cars  you  could  hear  their  voices  loud. 
Crying  "Vengeance  to  Secession,"  as  we  passed  the  eager  crowd. 

We  had  not  been  at  Washington  more  than  three  weeks  or  four. 
When  we  received  an  order  to  cross  to  Virginia's  sacred  shore ; 
Through  woods  and  mud  we  traveled,  whilst  hungry,  tired  and  dry. 
We  never  shall  forget  that  night  until  the  day  we  die. 

We  arrived  at  Camp  Trenton  about  ten  o'clock  that  night^ 
I'lrt  sure  t' would  rend  the  hardest  heart  to  witness  such  a  sight ; 
We  lay  upon  the  cold,  damp  ground  until  the  lire.ik  of  day ; 
When  we  arose  we  found  ourselves  in  a  bed  of  mud  and  clay. 

We  pitched  our  tents,  in  short,  on  top  of  Roach's  hill ; 
We  soon  had  all  things  fixed.  ;ind  then  remained  quite  still. 
I'ntil  the  ifith  of  July,  a  skirmish  we  heard  say 
Had  taken  place  at  Springfield,  and  we  must  march  that  way. 

When  we  arrived  at  SpringReld.  the  rebels  they  had  fled. 
Unto  that  sad.  ill-fated  field,  where  many  brave  hearts  bled; 
Then  to  building  up  the  bridges  we  impatiently  did  go. 
That  were  torn  down  and  burned  by  our  rebel  foe. 

Then  next  tn  Fairfax  Station,  our  steps  we  did  repair, 
But  little  did  we  think  how  we  were  going  to  fare: 
Hard   crackers,   without  water,   we   were  obliged   to   eat. 
And  to  add  to  our  misfortunes,  we  were  ordered  to  retreat. 

Those  orders  were  obeyed,  although  against  the  grain. 

To  leave  them  in  possession,  and  go  from  whence  we  came ; 

Rut  we'll   show  them   hereafter,  we  can  stand  before  a  gun. 

.\nd  they  never  shall  experience  another  Bull   Run. 


i82  msToRK'  UA^.s 

Although  to  theni  a  victory,  to  us  it  has  been  more, 
Akhougli  many  a  true  soldier  lies  in  that  field  of  gore; 
The  time  is  fast  approaching — how  soon  we  do  not  care — 
For  the  Third  is  waiting  patiently  to  gain  of  praise  her  share. 

Here's  health  to  Col.  Taylor  and  Lieut.  Col.  Brown, 
Also  to  Major  Collett,  for  their  betters  can't  be  found; 
And  to  Capt.  Stickney,  and  Company  F  success — 
For  'tis  as  brave  a  company  as  the  regiment  does  possess. 

My  song  cannot  be  ended  until  our  hopes  and  fears  are  told ; 
The  time  is  fast  approaching,  which  will  a  tale  unfold ; 
The  final  blow  will  soon  be  struck,  and  traitors  get  their  due; 
And  soon  we  will  return  to  those,  whose  love  for  us  is  true. 

We  anticipate  a  glorious  time,  when  again  on  Jersey  shore. 

If  God  in  His  boundless  mercy  should  protect  us  through  this  war; 

But  if  it  be  His  will  that  on  the  field  we  lie, 

Our  friends  at  home  will  full  well  know  that  at  our  post  we  die. 


Among  the  gallant  men  in  the  ranks  of  the  "Cumber- 
land Greys"  was  Smith  Dalrymple,  of  Bridgeton.  Tall  in 
stature,  of  fine  physique,  patriarchal  beard,  and  genial  man- 
ners, intelligent  soldier  was  comrade  Dalrymple.  A  printer 
by  trade,  previous  to  the  war  compositor  and  editor  of  the 
Bridgeton  Chronicle.  He  was  a  writer  of  more  than  ordi- 
nary ability.  His  life  was  replete  with  strange  experiences 
and  remarkable  escapes  from  death.  In  1856  he  was  one 
of  the  few  who  escaped  with  their  lives  from  the  decks 
of  the  burning  ferryboat  "New  Jersey,"  destroyed  by  fire 
while  crossing  the  Delaware  River  from  Philadelphia  to 
Camden.  Serving  throughout  the  Civil  War  meritoriously. 
he  seemed  to  bear  a  charmed  life,  coming  to  the  end  after 
many  close  calls  unscathed.  Immediately  on  taking  posses- 
sion of  Petersburg,  Virginia,  by  the  Union  Army,  under 
General  (irant.  Smith  Dalryni])le  discovered  a  printing 
ofifice  from  which  the  Confederates  had  fled  in  great  haste. 
Going  into  the  composing  room  of  the  defunct  sheet,  Smith 
took  to  the  case,  and  in  a  few  hours  after  the  Union  occupa- 
tion of  the  city  there  issued  from  the  Confederate  press 
under  date  of  April  8,  1865,  a  spirited  Yankee  newspaper, 
five  columns  in  width,  with  the  title  "Grant's  Progress." 
The  type  was  set  and  the  paper  worked  off  in  connection 
with  Comrade  Dalrymple  by  soldiers  of  different  regiments 


IN'    CUMBERLAND    COUNTY,    NEW    JERSEY  183 

who  had  not  forgotten  their  trade  as  printers.  The  lead- 
ing editorial  in  this  novel  journal  said:  "W'e  believe  in  the 
United  States,  now  and  indivisible,  in  Abraham  Lincoln, 
our  adopted  father;  in  IJ.  S.  Grant,  Captain  of  the  Host, 
and  in  ourselves  as  the  principal  sojourners  in  the  Army  of 
the  Potomac,  and  the  freedom  of  the  contrabands,  and  the 
speed}'  extinction  of  the  rebellion,  and  the  perdition  of 
Teff.  Davis  here  and  hereafter." 


The  pastors  of  the  Bridgeton  churches  were  outspoken 
for  the  Union  during  the  trying  days  of  the  great  war.  From 
every  pulpit  rang  an  appeal  for  loyalty,  and  many  were  the 
eloquent  sermons  delivered  and  stirring  prayers  offered  to 
the  God  of  battles  that  victory  might  crown  the  Union  arms. 
Among  this  splendid  corps  of  Christian  ministers  was  Rev. 
James  M.  Challis.  Dr.  Challis  was  a  retired  Baptist  clergy- 
man, resident  of  Bridgeton,  who  was  an  enthusiastic  Union 
man  and  great  admirer  of  President  Lincoln.  At  one  time 
during  the  war  while  the  pulpit  of  the  First  Presbyterian 
Church  in  Bridgeton  was  vacant  pending  a  successor  to 
the  Rev.  Dr.  Samuel  Beach  Jones.  Dr.  Callis  preached 
several  sermons.  One  Sunday  morning  when  the  national 
horizon  was  shadowed  with  gloom  because  of  repeated  re- 
verses to  the  Union  arms,  the  doctor  entered  the  pulpit 
brimful  of  patriotic  earnestness,  giving  utterance  to  one 
of  the  most  remarkable  prayers  ever  heard  in  any  church 
After  praying  for  the  success  of  the  Union  armies  in  the 
field  and  the  navy  upon  the  sea.  he  fervently  exclaimed 
"God  bless  the  soldiers  and  sailors.  God  bless  the  President 
of  the  United  States,"  and  here  the  doctor  paused.  "And, 
T-ord.  T  mean  Abraham  Lincoln." 


Congress  adjourned  in  the  spring  of  1863.  when  the 
term  of  Hon.  John  T.  Nixon  expired  and  that  gentleman 
returned  to  his  home  in  Bridgeton.  A  service  of  four  years 
in  the  exciting  days  immediately  preceding,  and  the  open- 
ing days  of  the  great  civil  conflict  in  the  Congress  of  the 


HISTORIC    DAYS 

United  States,  had  ripened  Mr.  Nixon's  great  abili- 
ties. Going  to  Washington  a  novice,  so  far  as  national 
affairs  were  concerned,  he  returned  a  statesman.  Those 
who  knew  him  will  never  forget  him.  The  author  of  this 
volume  can  see  him  even  now,  standing  in  the  forum  of  the 
Cumberland  Court  House,  addressing  the  jury  as  to  the 
merits  of  the  cause  entrusted  to  his  hands  by  plaintiff  or 
defendant.  And  the  cause  which  he  defended  or  argued 
was  always  meritorious,  because  it  was  a  cardinal  principle 
of  Mr.  Nixon's  life  that  he  would  not  appear  as  an  advocate 
of  any  acti(jn  which  he  knew  to  be  wrong.  The  client  who 
desired  his  service  must  first  give  him  a  truthful  statement 
of  the  case,  otherwise  he  would  not  agree  even  to  listen  to 
it.  If  the  client  was  in  the  right,  then  he  was  sure  that 
the  great  talent  of  the  former  Congressman  would  be  ex- 
erted to  its  utmost  limit.  John  T.  Nixon's  sole  and  only 
standard  was  "thrice  armed  is  he  whose  cause  is  just." 
Discouraging  litigation  instead  of  creating  it,  as  is  too  often 
the  rule  by  lawyers  of  modern  days,  he  lived  to  the  end  a 
goodly  and  upright  life.  His  silver  gray  head  and  flowing 
side  whiskers  could  say  yes  or  no,  with  significant  em- 
phasis, while  his  sincere  argument  and  eloquent  sentences 
touched  tlie  hearts  of  many  juries  for  the  righteous  verdict 
whicli  he  desired  should  be  based  upon  the  truth  and  the 
evidence.  The  sterling  principles  of  his  life  were  exem- 
plified not  only  before  the  bar  of  the  Court,  but  upon  the 
stump,  when  in  hot  campaigns  of  excited  partisans  he  was 
always  the  same  courteous,  argunientive,  polished  speaker. 
The  Nixon  family  of  which  the  illustrious  jurist- 
statesman  came  was  of  Fairfield  growth.  On  a  small  farm 
near  the  village  of  Cedarville,  in  what  was  then  a  part  of 
the  good  old  township  of  Fairfield,  named  after  a  county 
which  the  early  settlers  had  left  in  Connecticut  for  a  home 
in  New  Jersey,  Jeremiah  Nixon  reared  a  remarkable  fam- 
ily. Besides  Judge  Nixon,  he  had  other  distinguished  sons, 
none  of  whom  arc  now  li\ing.  Rev.  J.  Howard  Nixon 
became  a  minister  of  the  Gospel  of  the  Presbyterian  faith, 
at  one  time  pastor  of  the  church  in  Tndianapolis,  Tnd.,  of 


WAR  TIME    PICTURES— IS);2-IH)15 
Group  Tenth  New  Jersey  Regiment  Inf.  Vols. 
Lieut.  John  B.  Hoffman  Capt.  George  W.  Hummell 

Lieut.  William  J.  Sutton  Capt    Isaac  T.  Thackara  John   Faw/nsbury 

Lieut.  James  Nieukirk  Joseph  Simkins  C.  Henry  Seelcy 


1 86  HISTORIC    DAYS 

which  President  Benjamin  Harrison  was  an  elder.  An- 
other son.  James  Nixon,  went  South,  became  editor  of  the 
New  Orleans  Crescent,  and  led  a  regiment  as  colonel  in  the 
Confederate  Army.  The  remaining  brother,  William  G. 
Nixon,  long  president  of  the  Cumberland  National  Bank, 
Bridgeton's  oldest  financial  institution,  a  financier  of  great 
ability,  amassed  a  fortune  in  the  keen  pursuit  of  wealth. 
Two  sisters  became  the  wives  of  leading  men — one  the  wife 
of  David  P.  Elmer,  the  other  the  wife  of  General  John  H- 
Sanborn,  of  the  United  States  Army.  Two  other  sisters 
became  wives  of  Samuel  Bodine,  a  Philadelphia  manufac- 
turer, and  Henry  Sheppard,  of  Missouri. 


During  Governor  Olden's  administration  Cumberland 
County  had  furnished  a  thousand  men  for  military  service. 
In  addition  to  the  "Cumberland  Greys,"  of  the  Third  New 
Jersey ;  Company  K,  of  the  Twelfth  New  Jersey,  and  Com- 
panies F,  G  and  H  of  the  Twenty-fourth  New  Jersey,  two 
companies  of  volunteers  had  gone  from  Millville,  Maurice 
River.  Fairfield  and  other  townships.  Company  B,  of  Mill- 
ville, Captain  George  E.  Dunlap.  Lieutenants  James  Smith 
and  B.  Reed  Brown,  joined  the  Twenty-fourth.  Company 
D.  Captain  Ethan  T.  Garretson.  of  Fairfield;  Lieutenants 
Samuel  Peacock  and  Joseph  Bateman,  joined  the  Twenty- 
fifth  Regiment.  Company  D,  Tenth  New  Jersey,  Captain 
John  Evans.  Lieutenants  Isaac  T.  Thackara  and  George  \\'. 
Hummell.  William  J.  Sutton.  Sergeant,  was  largely  re- 
cruited at  Shiloh  and  in  the  western  section  of  the  county. 
Lieutenant  Hummell  afterwards  became  captain,  for  gallant 
concfn^fin  ihe  field.  Sergeant  ^^'illiam  J.  Sutton  was  pro- 
moted to  a  first  lieutenancy  because  of  meritorious  conduct. 
This  company  of  the  Tenth  Regiment  did  valorous  .service 
tin-oughout  the  war,  manv  of  its  members  serving  the  full 
three  vears  and  re-enlisting.  The  Third  New  Jersey  Cav- 
alry also  contained  a  large  number  of  volunteers  from  Cum- 
berland County.  Companv  G.  Captain  Thomas  G.  Mc- 
Clong,  of  Millville.  coming  from  eastern  parts  of  the  county, 


IN    CU.MltliKI.AXr)    COUNTY,    NEW    JERSEV  187 

and  Company  H,  Captain  Ethan  T.  Harris,  of  Bridgeton, 
from  the  county  seat  and  the  townships  immediately  sur- 
rounding it.  First  Lieutenant  Barnet  Burdsall.  of  Company 
H,  a  splendid  officer,  whose  remains  rest  in  the  Shiloh  Bap- 
tist Cemetery,  was  killed  in  a  skirmish  with  guerrillas  at 
Warwick  Bridge,  Virginia,  July  5,  1864.  The  men  who 
went  into  the  Third,  Tenth  and  Twelfth  Regiments  en- 
listed for  three  years,  as  did  those  who  enlisted  in  the  Third 
Cavalr\-,  hut  those  who  ser\ed  in  the  Twenty-fourth  and 
Twenty-fifth  Regiments  were  enrolled  for  nine  months  only. 


There  were  two  families  in  Bridgeton  of  humble  origin 
whose  patriotism  sent  them  into  the  ranks  of  the  Union 
army  almost  in  their  entirety.  Elizabeth  Ayars,  widow,  re- 
sided on  Laurel  street.  Of  her  six  sons,  four  of  them 
enlisted  in  Company  H,  Twenty-fourth  Regiment,  as  fol- 
lows :  Edward  Ayars,  Samuel  Ayars,  Richard  B.  Ayars, 
Ephraim  R.  Ayars.  Jeremiah  Ayars  enlisted  in  the  First 
Delaware  Regiment.  Beside  her  five  volunteer  soldier  sons 
Mrs.  Ayars  had  a  son-in-law,  Bowman  H.  Buck,  in  the 
"Cumberland  Greys."  He  had  a  remarkable  career  as  a 
soldier.  \\'hen  a  young  man  Mr.  Buck  served  with  Gen- 
eral Zachary  Taylor  in  the  IMexican  War,  and  was  present 
at  the  battles  of  Palo  Alto,  Resaca  de  la  Palma.  Cerro 
Gorda.  Vera  Cruz.  Cherubusco,  and  witnessed  the  surren- 
der of  Santa  Anna  in  the  city  of  Mexico.  During  the  War 
of  the  Rebellion  he  fought  from  1861  to  the  close  of  hos- 
tilities in  1865.  This  veteran  of  two  wars  was  enrolled  as 
sergeant  and  came  out  a  sergeant.  By  reason  of  his  heroic 
conduct  on  manv  battlefields  Hon.  John  T.  Nixon  secured 
a  lieutenant's  commission  for  Mr.  Buck,  but  he  would  not 
have  it,  preferring  to  remain  in  the  ranks  with  the  hoys. 
Few  men  have  such  a  splendid  record  as  Bowman  IL  Buck 
and  few  were  so  modest  when  epaulets  were  to  be  had. 
Robert  G.  Clark.  Company  K.  Twelfth  Regiment,  was  also 
a  son-in-law  of  Mrs.  Avars,  who  served  his  country  honor- 
ably.    \\'idow  Ayars  could  well  be  proud  of  her  sons  and 


HISTORIC    DAYS 

her  sons-in-law,  for  in  the  hands  of  faniihes  hke  hers  tiie 
priceless  jewel  of  our  liberties  was  doubly  safe  from  the  foe- 
man's  treacherous  steel. 

Another  Icjyal  family  was  that  of  Richard  D.  Penn, 
resident  of  North  Bridgeton.  Four  sons  enlisted  for  the 
war :  Isaac  and  Jesse  Penn  in  Company  B,  Tenth  Regi- 
ment ;  Amos  Penn  in  Company  G.  Thirty-eighth  Regiment ; 
George  Penn  in  Company  G,  Third  New  Jersey  Regiment, 
Cavalry,  the  latter  killed  in  action  at  Sunnnit  Point,  \'a.. 
August  21,  1864. 


Then  there  was  the  Nieukirk  family,  which  sent  three 
brothers :  William  R.  Nieukirk,  United  States  Navy ; 
James  P.  Nieukirk,  first  lieutenant.  Company  H,  Tenth 
New  Jersey  Regiment;  John  B.  Nieukirk,  Compan\-  H, 
Twenty-fourth  New  Jersey  Regiment. 

And  the  Croziers,  consisting  of  three  brothers :  Ed- 
mund Crozier,  Company  F,  Third  New  Jersey  Regiment; 
Elam  Crozier.  Company  F,  Third  New  Jersey  Regiment,. 
Cavalry ;  Roger  Crozier,  Company  F,  Twenty-fourth  New 
Jersey  Regiment. 

Also  the  three  sons  of  Phebe  Robinson :  George  W. 
Robinson,  Company  H,  Third  New  Jersey  Regiment,  Cav- 
alry; Hosea  Robinson,  Company  F,  Thirty-seventh  New 
Jersey  Regiment,  who  died  in  the  service  and  was  buried 
at  City  Point,  Virginia,  September  10,  1864;  William  Rob- 
inson, United  States  Navy. 

In  Company  H.  of  the  Twenty-fourth  New  Jersey 
Regiment,  there  was  also  enlisted  a  Bridgeton  family  of 
three  brothers,  Thomas  W.  Shc|)i)ard.  Elmer  Sheppard. 
John  Sheppard. 

The  Swinneys,  of  Shiloh.  were  another  family  who 
did  much  for  the  land  they  loved.  .\zor  E.  Swinnev  enlisted 
in  Company  H,  Third  New  Jersey  Cavalry,  and  was  killed 
in  action  at  Winchester,  Virginia,  September  19,  1864, 
while  gallantly  fighting  under  the  command  of  General 
Phil.    Sheridan,    in   the    famous    Shenandoah    ^^^llev   cam- 

(ISS) 


Ephraim   R.  Ayars 
Musician  Co.  H.  JIth   N.  J. 
Reg.   Inf.  Vols. 
Richard   R.  Ayars 
Co.  H,  JIth   N.J.  Reg.  Inf.  Vols 


FIVE   PATRIOTIC  AYARS   BROTHERS     :- J 

Edward  Ayars 

Co.  H,  Jlth  N    J.  Reg 

Inf.  Vols. 


Jeremiah  Ayars 
st  Del.  Reg.  Inf.  Vols.  Samuel  Ayars 

Co.  H,  JIth  N.  J.  Reg.  Inf.  Vols 
(IS9) 


HISTORIC   DAYS 

paigii.  John  G.  Swinney,  a  brother,  served  a  term  of  three 
years  in  Company  K,  Twelfth  New  Jersey,  with  merit  and 
honors. 

The  Brooks  family,  of  Bridgeton,  was  another  loyal 
contingent  for  the  Union  cause.  Reuben  Brooks  went 
among  the  first  defenders  in  Company  F,  Third  New  Jersey 
Infantry  (Cumberland  Greys)  ;  Joseph  C.  Brooks,  enrolled 
in  Company  H,  Twenty-fourth  New  Jersey,  afterward  serv- 
ing in  tlie  United  States  Navy;  Enoch  Brooks  enlisted  in 
Company  H,  Third  New  Jersey  Cavalry. 

Still  another  Cumberland  County  family  of  three 
brothers  gave  much  and  suffered  much  for  the  land  and  na- 
tion. Horace  Garton,  Company  K,  Twelfth  New  Jersey 
Regiment,  died  June  3,  1864.  of  wounds  received  in  action 
at  Spottsylvania  Court  House,  \'irginia :  Samuel  P.  Gar- 
ton,  Company  D,  Tenth  New  Jersey  Regiment,  died  of 
wounds  received  in  action  at  Cold  Harbor,  Virginia,  June 
I,  1864;  Isaac  T.  Garton,  Company  K,  Sixth  Regiment, 
transferred  to  Company  G,  Eighth  Regiment,  re-enlisted 
June  4,   1864,  served  throughout  the  war. 


Patriotic  records  indeed.,  yet  there  was  another  family 
in  Cumberland  County,  which  gave  more  than  any  other  to 
the  Government  which  they  loved.  Near  the  village  of 
Shiloh  there  resided  a  family  of  sterling  qualities  of  mind 
and  body.  Born  upon  a  farm  in  one  of  the  most  productive 
and  peaceful  sections  of  the  State,  rising  with  the  birds  at 
the  early  dawn,  laboring  in  the  fields  by  day,  in  the  evening 
participating  with  the  good  men  and  women  of  the  neigh- 
borhood in  the  intellectual  and  religious  work  of  the  noble 
Seventh  Day  Baptist  communion  at  Shiloh,  of  such  were 
the  Randolphs.  The  young  men  had  heard  the  story  of 
Robert  Halford,  the  fugitive  slave,  and  listened  to  the 
resolutions  of  protest  passed  by  the  earnest  company  as- 
sembled in  the  Session  House.  In  tlie  night  time  they  drew 
inspiration  from  the  starry  heavens,  and,  believing  in  the 
great  Architect  who  rules  and  overrules,  they  became  stal- 
warts for  the  righteous  cau.se  of  the  down-trodden  and  op- 

(190) 


WAR  TIME  PICTURES— 1n;1-1WJ 

The  Brave  Randolph  and  Swinney  Brothers 

Azor  E.  Swinney 


Co.  H,  ;id  N    J.  Reg.  Cav.  Vols. 
Alfred  T.  Randolph  Sylvester  W.  F.  Randolph 

-      -  ■  Co.   F.  ;;d   N.  J.   Reg. 

Inf.  Vols. 
Lemuel  A.  Randolph 
Co.   D.  loth   N.  J.  Reg    Inf.  Vols. 

(I'-'l) 


Second-Lieut.    Co.  B.  lith 
N.J.  Reg.   Inf.  Vols 


John  G.  Swinney 
Co.   K.  l-th  N.  J.   Reg. 
Inf.  Vols. 


I(j2  HISTORIC    DAYS 

pressed.  At  the  first  sound  of  the  cannon  they  came  for- 
ward witli  the  spirit  of  the  Greeks  at  Thermopylae.  First 
went  Sylvester  W.  F.  Randolph  with  the  "Cumberland 
Greys."  in  a  few-  brief  months  to  die  in  action  at  Gaines 
Farm.  \'a.,  June  2'j,  1862.  Torn  by  shut  and  shell,  his  life 
blood  quickly  ebbed  away,  and  when  comrades  sought 
to  carry  him  from  the  field  he  protested  that  they 
should  leave  him  to  his  fate  and  succor  those  for  whom 
there  was  yet  hope.  With  streaming  eyes  and  bruised 
hearts  they  buried  him  where  he  fell.  Then  went  x\lfred 
T.  Randolph  in  Company  D,  Tenth  Regiment,  to  leave  his 
good  right  arm  on  the  amputation  table,  the  result  of  a 
rebel  bullet  in  the  final  struggle  before  Petersburg.  Then 
followed  Lemuel  A.  Randolph  in  the  same  com[)anv  and 
same  regiment.  The  record  says :  "Died  of  wounds  re- 
ceived in  action  at  Cold  Harbor,  Va.,  June  i,  1864.  Buried 
at  Baptist  Cemetery.,  Shiloh,  New  Jersey."  Three  noble 
brothers — two  gave  their  lives  that  the  nation  might  live, 
falling  with  their  faces  to  the  foe.  The  other  gave  an  arm, 
and  returned  to  tell  the  story  of  the  battles  fought  and  vic- 
tories won  on  Southern  fields.  What  more  could  one  family 
do?     What  greater  service  has  any  family  rendered? 


Of  such  material  were  the  soldiers  of  Cumberland 
County.  The  boys  in  our  public  schools  may  read  the  his- 
toric page  from  remote  ages,  but  they  will  never  find  the 
superiors  of  the  young  manhood  who  fought  under  our 
flag  in  the  potential  armies  that  saved  the  Union  in  the 
tremendous  conflict  of  '61.  '62,  '63.  '64,  '65.  They  did  not 
fight  for  aggrandizement  of  territory,  for  glory,  or  for  the 
perpetuation  of  monarchy.  Neither  were  they  forced  to 
fight  because  of  the  mailed  hand  of  arbitrary  rulers.  Vol- 
unteers, not  conscripts,  they  fought  for  humanity  and  the 
preservation  of  civil  and  religious  liberty.  Caesar  or  Char- 
lemagne, Hannibal  or  Henry  of  Navarre,  Napoleon  or 
Wellington  never  commanded  such  intrepid,  such  brave, 
such  invincible  legions.  The  nation  looked  on  and  won- 
dered while  patriotic  Americans  changed  the  course  of  his- 


IN    CUMI'.EUI.ANl)    COUNTY,    M:\V    J  KUSIIV  l<;3 

tdiy  and  out  <if  the  carnage  of  many  bloody  fields  brought 
forth  a  new  nation  dedicated  to  Inmianity  and  a  new  birth 
of  h!)erty.  Xo  more  was  the  starry  banner  to  be  called  a 
flaunting  lie.  The  brave  volunteers  were  to  put  a  new 
brightness  to  its  stripes  and  add  a  new  glory  to  its  stars. 


It  may  have  been  forgotten  by  even  the  oldest  citizen, 
but  it  is  a  fact,  that  Bridgeton  was  represented  in  the  famous 
sea  fight  in  Hampton  Roads,  Virginia,  fought  Saturday  and 
Sunday,  March  8th  and  9th,  1862.  This  battle  changed  the 
character  of  naval  architecture,  and  from  it  dates  the  era  of 
armor-plated  ships  of  war.  The  IMerrimac  was  a  wooden 
vessel,  built  at  the  Norfolk  Navy  Yard,  not  yet  completed  by 
the  United  States  Government,  when  the  Confederates 
seized  the  yard  and  naval  stores  at  that  port.  The  latter 
utilized  the  ship  by  plating  her  with  railroad  iron,  thereby 
making  a  sheath  impenetrable  by  shot  or  shell  from  the  small 
calibre  guns  with  which  war  vessels  of  the  day  were  armed. 
In  the  roadstead,  March  8th,  lay  the  U.  S.  war  vessels  Cum- 
berland, Congress  and  Minnesota,  old-time  frigates,  with 
deck  upon  deck,  and  row  upon  row  of  cannon — formidable, 
as  naval  warfare  had  heretofore  been  conducted,  but  there- 
after to  become  obsolete  through  and  by  the  appearance  of 
armored  ships.  They  were  noble-looking  craft,  of  the  type 
of  those  upon  whose  decks  John  Paul  Jones  carried  the  first 
American  flag  to  victory  off  Flamborough  Head,  in  the 
North  Sea.  in  the  autumn  of  1779,  during  the  memorable  en- 
gagement with  the  Serapis,  the  finest  ship  in  the  service  of 
his  Britannic  Majesty,  George  III. 

But  with  the  advent  of  the  Monitor  and  the  jMerriniac, 
the  days  of  wooden  ships  were  over.  On  the  morning  of 
March  8th,  the  Merrimac  appeared  and,  making  direct  for 
the  Cumberland,  opened  a  terrific  hail  of  iron  on  that  ves- 
sel. The  crew  of  the  Cumberland,  loyal,  brave,  worked  the 
ship's  batteries  with  rapidity,  sending  broadside  after  broad- 
side into  the  iron  monster  before  them.  Blood  ran  down 
the  decks  in  torrents,  and  hundreds  of  gallant  tars  fell  to 
rise  no  more.    The  defence  was  unequal  to  the  attack;  so,  in 


194  HISTORIC    DAYS 

blood  and  carnage,  the  Cumberland  went  down  to  a  watery 
grave.  On  the  deck  of  the  doomed  ship  were  two  former 
citizens  of  Bridgeton.  One  of  them,  Rev.  John  L.  Lenhart, 
Chaplain  in  the  Navy,  pastor  of  the  Commerce  Street  ]\Ieth- 
odist  Episcopal  Church,  1840-1841,  was  last  seen  going  into 
the  cabin.  Who  knows  but  what  his  feet  were  turned  thence 
because  of  the  habit  of  prayer  which  had  been  his  custom 
from  early  childhood?  While  the  beloved  Lenhart  prayed, 
the  Master  took  him  home.  The  gate  of  heaven,  to  which 
he  had  so  often  pointed  the  fathers  and  mothers  in  good,  olil 
Commerce  Street  Church,  had  ushered  in  his  gentle  spirit. 
With  him  it — 

'"Twere  sweet,  indeed,  to  close  our  eyes,  with  those  we  cher- 
ish near. 

And,  wafted  upwards  by  their  sighs,  soar  to  some  calmer 
sphere ; 

But,  whether-  on  the  scaffold  high  or  in  the  battle's  van. 

The  fittest  place  where  man  can  die  is  where  he  dies  for 
man !" 

The  blood-dyed  waters  of  Hampton  Roads  were  his 

winding  slieet,  and  there  he  sleeps,  waiting  the  Resurrection 
of  the  dead. 

Some  there  were  of  the  crew  of  the  Cumberland  who 
escaped  death  when  the  ship  went  down.  Among  the  few 
in  a  crew  of  more  than  300  men,  was  William  Clark,  of 
Bridgeton,  who  jumped  overboard,  was  picked  up  by  a  boat 
and  saved.  He  lived  to  serve  in  1S64-65  as  a  private 
soldier  in  Co.  H,  Third  New  Jersey  Cavalry,  and  was 
honorably  discharged.  The  great  conflict  of  the  Monitor, 
with  the  Merrimac,  occurred  the  following  da\'  after  tne 
wreck  of  the  Cumberland.  Sunday  morning,  March  9th, 
1862,  a  puff  of  smoke  seaward,  announced  the  coming  of 
John  Erricsson's  battery  knmvn  as  the  "Monitor."  The 
latter  looked  like  a  cheese-box  mounted  on  a  raft — the  deck 
being  freeboard  and  almost  level  with  the  sea,  upon  which 
was  an  iron-clad  turret  containing  two  cannon  from  which 
could  be  hurled  20o-poun(l  projectiles.     The  Merrimac  came 


IN    CUMBERLAND    COIN  TV,    NICW    JERSEY  105 

gayly  out  to  meet  the  stranger  seeming  to  say  witli  jaunty 
air.  "I  have  destroyed  the  Cumberland,  rammed  the  Con- 
gress and  sent  the  Minnesota  high  and  dry  upon  the  shore, 
who  are  you  to  dispute  with  me  the  supremacy  of  the  sea?" 
The  battle  opened  wiih  fierce  attack  on  either  side — it  ended 
in  victory  for  the  little  Monitor,  which  at  an  opportune 
moment  had  appeared  and  restored  the  prestige  of  the  old 
flag  never  previously  lost  on  land  or  sea. 


The  Bridgeton  ladies  having  organized  early  in  1861 
their  Millville  sisters  took  up  the  work  of  assistance  Sep- 
tember 14th,  1862.  Most  of  their  efforts  were  devoted  to 
the  needy  and  suffering  soldiers  in  the  various  hospitals. 
Six  pieces  of  muslin  were  given  by  the  Millville  merchants 
for  this  purpose.  One  hundred  yards  of  muslin  and  twelve 
pounds  of  yarn  were  contributed  by  Richard  D.  Wood,  cot- 
ton goods  manufacturer.  The  yarn  was  speedily  fashioned 
by  the  ladies  into  substantial  socks.  One  good  mother  in 
Israel,  in  her  72d  year,  whose  health  would  not  permit  her 
to  attend  the  meetings  of  the  society,  knit  si.xteen  pairs  of 
socks,  besides  making  eighteen  shirts.  Pity  'tis  that  her 
name  has  been  lost,  the  local  papers  failing  to  chronicle  it. 
While  the  Millville  ladies  were  industriously  engaged  in 
this  manner,  the  Bridgeton  ladies  were  sending  bo,K  after 
bo.x  of  clothing  and  eatables  to  the  front.  The  dying 
soldier  upon  the  cot  in  hospital  or  on  the  battlefield  wet 
with  tears  the  pillow  which  the  patriotic  mothers  and  sisters 
had  shaped  in  the  sewing  societies  at  home.  Visions  of 
angelic  faces  were  his  as  he  passed  from  time  to  eternity. 
Who  can  measure  the  value  of  the  noble  service  rendered 
by  the  splendid  women  of  Cumberland  County  in  that  great 
epoch  of  the  war  for  the  Union?  In  that  accounting  day 
before  the  Throne  the  stor}'  will  he  fully  told.  Then  and 
not  till  then  will  their  glorious  work  and  its  glorious  re- 
sults receive  the  reward  of  those  who  "in  His  Name  gave 
the  cup  of  water,  and  who  visited  Him  when  sick  and  in 
prison." 


HISTORIC   DAYS 

The  Bridgeton  ])apers  editorially  were  speaking  out 
strong  and  emphatic  for  the  Union  in  the  year  1863.  The 
Chronicle,  puhKshed  by  George  F.  Xixon.  and  Robert  F>. 
Potter,  was  dealing  sturdy  blows  each  and  every  week  in 
behalf  of  the  L'nion  cause,  and  was  ably  edited.  Its  com- 
ments on  the  actions  of  New  Jersey  Regiments  in  the  field 
and  the  individual  bravery  of  the  soldiers  from  Cumberland 
County,  were  especially  reliable  because  editors  Nixon  and 
I'otter  had  official  knowledge  of  the  movements  (editor 
Potter  being  a  lieutenant  in  the  24th  Regiment)  and  per- 
sonal acquaintance  with  most  of  the  men  who  had  gone  from 
our  midst  to  face  the  perils  of  death  on  ensanguined  fields. 
The  Chronicle,  just  after  the  battle  at  Cbancellors\'ille.  had 
this  to  say  concerning  the  conduct  of  two  of  the  Jersey 
Regiments  which  were  more  largely  than  otliers  composed 
of  sons  of  the  county  of  Cumberland  : 

"At  Chancellors\-ille  the  24th  New  Jersey  did  not 
lose  as  heavily  as  some  other  regiments.  It  behaved  beauti- 
fully, led  by  Colonel  Robertson.  Major  I-"itliian,  acting  as 
aid  to  General  French,  l)ehave(]  in  a  most  gallant  and 
soldierly  manner  through  the  whole  fight." 

"The  conduct  of  the  25th  New  Jersey  in  the  recent 
conflict  on  the  Xansemond,  near  Sufi^olk,  \^irginia,  is 
spoken  of  in  high  terms  of  praise.  They  formed  in  con- 
nection with  the  103d  Xcw  York,  the  right  wing  of  the  at- 
tack, and  are  described  as  doing  their  work  splendidly, 
driving  the  enemy  back  slowly  but  surely. 

"It  gi\es  us  special  pleasure  to  make  this  statement, 
inrismuch  as  the  b'airfield  Company  from  this  county.  Cap- 
tain (iarretson's,  belongs  to  this  regiment.  There  are  many 
other  Cumberland  and  Cape  May  boys  in  the  25th." 


While  the  town  of  Bridgeton  and  the  western  town- 
siiii)s  of  Cumberland  County  produced  remarkable  families 
of  citizen-soldiers  to  whom  reference  has  been  already 
made,  the  Townships  of  Fairfield  and  Downe  to  the  south 
along  the  Cohansey  and  by  the  Delaware  Bay  were  pro- 

(190) 


WAR  TIME  PICTURES-lSSl-lKS) 

Five  Brave  Young  Men  from  Fairfield  Killed  in  Battle 

William   B.   Elmer  Benjamin  Sockwell 

Co.   H,  Jlth   N.  J.   Reg.   Inf.  Vols.  Co.   D.  J.th   N.  J.   Reg.  Inf.  Vols. 

Albert  Jones.  Co.  G.  Jlth   N.  J.  Reg.  Inf.  Vols. 

Lewis  S.  Elmer  Theodore  W.   Elmer 

Co.  G.   IJth   N.  J.   Reg.  Inf.  Vols.  Co.   H,  3d   N.  J.   Reg.   Cav.  Vols. 

(197) 


igS 


HISTORIC    DAYS 


portionatelv  patriotic.  \\  hen  the  flag  at  Sumter  was  in- 
sulted the  farmer  boys  and  oystermen  came  boldy,  bravely 
forward. 

In  the  gallant  contingent  from  Fairfield  came  the  Elmer 
family  to  take  a  leading  part  in  the  great  battles  for  human 
liberty.  Theodore  and  Ann  Elmer  gave  three  sons,  as  fol- 
lows: To  Company  E,  I2lh  Regiment,  Lucius  O.  C.  Elmer, 
who  served  honorably  and  was  transferred  to  Hancock's 
X'eteran  Reserve  Corps — to  Company  H,  24th  New  Jersey, 
William  B.  Elmer,  Corporal,  who  died  at  Division  Hospital, 
near  Falmouth.  Virginia,  of  wounds  received  in  action  at 
Fredericksburg,  December  13th,  1862 — to  Company  H, 
3d  New  Jersey  Cavalry,  Theodore  W.  Elmer,  Corporal, 
died  in  the  prison  at  Salisbury,  North  Carolina,  January 
13th,  1865,  a  prisoner  of  war.  To  this  list  of  loyal  Elmers 
may  be  added  the  name  of  Lewis  S.  Elmer,  son  of  Owen 
Elmer,  Company  G,  12th  New  Jersey,  killed  in  action  at 
Chancellorsville,  Virginia,  May  3,   1863. 

Then  came  the  Williams  family!  Daniel  W^illiams  was 
a  leading  farmer  and  business  man  of  the  county.  He  re- 
sided on  a  farm  just  below  Herring  Row  schoolhouse,  upon 
which  he  raised  a  large  and  interesting  family.  For  several 
years  he  was  President  of  the  Bridgeton  and  Philadelphia 
Steamboat  Company,  the  corporation  which  built  the  swift, 
beautiful  steamer  City  of  Bridgeton,  placing  that  boat  upon 
the  Cohansey  River  in  tri-weekly  trips  to  and  from  Phila- 
delphia. Mr.  Williams  was  a  robust  defender  of  the  Union, 
and  his  heart  beat  strong  for  the  success  of  the  great  cause. 
Erecting  a  tall  pole  on  his  farm  he  hoisted  the  Stars  and 
Stripes,  declaring  that  the  colors  should  never  come  down 
from  that  pole  until  his  three  boys,  who  had  enlisted  for 
the  war,  returned  to  him  dead  or  alive.  His  was  the  spirit 
of  the  Spartan  mother  when  she  said:  "My  son  (handing 
him  the  shield),  return  with  it  or  upon  it."  First,  went 
William  H.  Williams  in  Company  F.  3d  New  Jersey,  the 
favorite  Cumberland  Greys,  early  in  '61,  participating  in 
the  many  battles  in  which  that  company  and  regiment  took 
heroic  part.    James  P.  Williams  followed,  enlisting  in  Com- 


IN    CUMBERLAND    COUNTY,    NEW    JERSEY  I99 

pany  K,  12th  Xew  Jersey,  becoming  Corporal,  Sergeant 
and  First  Lieutenant  by  rapid  promotion.  James  was  on 
the  firing  line  at  Gettysburg  and  served  meritoriously  until 
the  close  of  the  war.  Later  Benjamin  Frank  Williams 
joined  Company  D,  25th  New  Jersey,  rising  from  Sergeant 
to  Second  Lieutenant  pre\ious  to  the  expiration  of  his  term 
of  enlistment. 

From  Fairfield  also  went  a  son  of  Sherrard  Sockwell. 
veteran  Democrat,  who  loved  his  country  above  and  beyond 
his  party.  Benjamin  F.  Sockwell,  Company  D,  25th  New 
Jersey,  died  at  Stanton  United  States  Army  General 
Hospital,  Washington.  D.  C,  February  5th,  1863,  wounds 
received  in  action  at  Fredericksburg.  Va. ;  leg  amputated. 
Many  were  the  patriotic  addresses  made  on  Decoration 
Days  in  later  years  by  Mr.  Sockwell.  in  remembrance  of 
his  soldier  son. 

Albert  B.  Jones.  Company  G,  24th  New  Jersey,  another 
Fairfield  boy,  sealed  his  devotion  to  his  country,  dying  at 
the  hospital  near  Fredericksburg,  \'a..  of  wounds  received  in 
action  at  Fredericksburg.  December  13th,  1862. 


The  Union  fleet  fought  the  battle  of  Mobile  Bay,  Au- 
gust 5,  1864.  Admiral  David  Farragut.  a  naval  hero  of 
the  John  Paul  Jones  stripe,  captured  the  fortifications  in  the 
harbor  of  Mobile  known  as  Morgan.  Powell  and  Gaines, 
after  running  through  a  field  of  torpedoes  and  a  terrific 
storm  of  shot  and  shell.  During  the  height  of  the  battle 
Farragut  directed  operations  of  the  fleet  from  the  masthead 
of  his  llagship,  the  "Hartford,"  to  which  he  had  been  lashed. 
The  night  previous  to  the  engagement  the  Admiral  sent  a 
telegram  to  the  authorities  at  Washington  which  read :  "I 
am  going  into  Mobile  in  the  morning,  if  God  is  my  leader, 
as  T  hope  He  is."  Early  the  following  day  he  appeared  upon 
the  quarter-deck  and  said  to  his  flag  officer:  "What  direc- 
tion is  the  wind  blowing?"  The  officer  answered  by  saying 
that  it  was  from  a  favorable  quarter.  "Will  it  blow  our 
smoke  in  the  face  of  the  enemy?"  The  reply  was:  "It  will." 
"Then,"  said  .Admiral  Farragut.  "T  think  we  had  better  go 


lUSTUlUC    DAYS 

in."  This  was  the  word  of  command  from  the  veteran  leader 
and  the  fleet  went  in,  its  decks  sHppery  with  tlie  blood  of 
patriots,  bnt  with  colors  flying  to  the  great  glory  of  the 
American  Navy  and  the  crushing  defeat  of  the  Confederates. 
The  news  of  the  successful  issue  of  the  conflict  in  Mo- 
bile Ba_\-  roused  the  loyal  North  with  a  great  wave  of  en- 
thusiasm, and  Farragut  and  his  men  were  the  heroes  of  the 
'hour.  Two  families  in  the  town  of  Bridgeton  were  repre- 
sented in  that  great  naval  battle,  and  intensely  interested  in 
the  news  which  might  bring  joy  or  sadness  to  their  homes. 
Ezbon  C.  Lambert,  son  of  William  Lambert,  was  an  ofificer 
on  the  gunboat  "Itasca"  of  the  West  Gulf  Squadron.  Wil- 
liam T.  DuBois  was  aboard  the  dispatch  boat  "Glasgow." 
Fortunately  both  were  alive  anl  unscathed.  Ezbon  was 
enrolled  in  1861  with  his  brother,  William  S.  Lambert,  as 
a  musician  in  the  regimental  band  of  the  Third  New  Jer- 
sey, serving  in  that  position  until  1863.  Re-enlisting  in 
the  United  States  Navy,  he  remained  to  the  close  of  the  war. 
While  the  fleet  lay  in  Mobile  Bay,  one  day  the  Admiral's 
gig  came  alongside  the  "Itasca,"  and  up  the  ladder  came 
Farragut.  A  man  of  medium  stature,  with  round,  smooth 
face,  fatherly  in  appearance,  he  stepped  upon  the  ship's 
deck  with  a  familiarity  which  made  him  a  favorite  with 
both  officers  and  men.  With  a  glance  at  the  twenty-pounder 
on  the  forward  deck,  he  turned  to  the  commander  of  the 
"Itasca"  and  said :  "Captain  Brown,  don't  you  think  that 
gun  is  a  little  too  light,  and  hadn't  you  better  go  over  to 
Pensacola  and  get  a  thirty-pounder?"  The  kindly  question 
was  a  command  which  Captain  Brown  acted  upon  promptly. 
How  beautifully  the  dear  old  Admiral  put  the  orders  of  the 
dav  and  the  hour  none  but  those  who  served  under  him  can 
ever  knmv.  Ever  mindful  nf  the  wants  of  his  subordinates, 
ever  solicitous  for  their  proper  care  and  treatment,  the  men 
loved  him.  Modest,  unassuming,  all  heart,  all  soul,  was 
David  Farragut.  The  Russian  .Xdmiral  who  thirty  years 
later  dcpf>sited  a  wreath  of  flowers  on  Farragut's  tomb  in 
Greenwood   C"cmetery,  said  while  standing  o'er  his  grax'e : 

(200) 


B.  Frank  Williams 
Second-Lieut.  Co.  D,  -"'th  N.J. 
Reg.  Inf.  Vols 
James 


WAR  TIME  PICTURES-lN.l-IflV. 
Daniel  Will.ams.  Ka.rfield.  and  His  Soldier  Sons__^_^    „^.„..„, 


Daniel  Williams^   ^  ^_,  Cumberland  Greys 


P  Williams.  First-Lieut.  Co.  G.  IJth  N.  J.  Reg 

■.VI) 


Reg.  Inf.  Vols. 
.  InTVols. 


;d  N.J. 


202  HISTORIC    DAYS 

"Admiral  Farragut  was  the  noblest,  the  bravest,  the  best 
naval  commander  the  world  has  known." 

The  memory  of  that  noble  commander  is  a  sweet  fra- 
grance which  will  linger  with  the  American  people  so  long 
as  the  Republic  shall  endure  or  the  historic  page  shall  remain 
to  tell  the  story  of  the  victory  won  on  the  waters  of  Mobile 
Bav. 


The  Union  League  remo\ed  its  quarters  from  Gross- 
cup's  Hal!  and  took  rooms  in  Sheppard's  building,  just 
beyond  the  Commerce  street  bridge.  An  executive  commit- 
tee composed  of  the  following  members  was  named :  Alex- 
ander Stratton,  Providence  Ludlam,  Robert  C.  Nichols, 
Stephen  G.  Porch,  Alphonso  Woodrufif.  Theophilus  G. 
Compton,  Paul  T.  Jones.  Hon.  John  T.  Nixon,  president; 
Morton  Mills,  vice-president,  with  Charles  D.  Burroughs  as 
treasurer. 

The  rooms  were  very  comfortably  furnished  and  in 
them  much  zealous  work  was  done  during  the  campaign 
of  1864  for  the  sti"engthening  of  the  Union  cause — and  the 
re-election  of  Mr.  Lincoln  so  far  as  Cumberland  County 
was  concerned.  The  efforts  of  that  patriotic  body  of  citi- 
zens, irrespective  of  political  party,  brought  splendid  re- 
sults. 


Bridgeton  was  the  pivot  on  which  great  political  move- 
ments revolved  in  the  autumn  of  '64.  The  first  to  open  the 
ball  were  the  Democrats  of  the  First  Congressional  District. 
Delegates  from  every  county  in  the  district  came  to  the 
county  seat  on  the  morning  of  Wednesday,  September  14, 
to  take  part  in  the  proceedings  of  a  convention  to  be  held  at 
the  Court  House.  Samuel  J.  Bayard,  of  Gloucester  County, 
was  selected  chairman.  I.  V.  Dickinson,  of  Salem  County, 
was  unanimously  nominated  for  Congress,  M.  R.  Hamilton 
and  Abram  Browning,  of  Camden,  declining. 

Mr.  Dickinson  addressed  the  convention  in  a  very  radi- 


IN    CUMBERLAND    COUNTY,    NEW    JERSEV  203 

cal  speech,  which  was  loudly  applauded.  One  of  his  para- 
graphs was  as  follows : 

"But  let  us  patiently  wait  a  little  longer;  a  change  will 
surely  come.  Our  chosen  chief,  the  great  and  good  Mc- 
Clellan,  will  soon  be  President,  and  directed  by  Him  whose 
aid  he  has  invoked,  establish  peace,  restore  the  Union,  and 
give  each  State  a  full  guarantee  of  all  its  constitutional 
rights.  Let  us  not  be  deceived  by  those  who  would  stir  up 
strife  and  create  divisions.  There  is  but  one  issue  before 
the  people,  and  this  is  distinct  and  clear.  The  Democratic 
party  is  in  favor  of  a  speedy  peace,  the  condition  of  which 
is  the  restoration  of  the  Union.  This  is  clearly  expressed  in 
the  Chicago  platform.  General  McClellan  in  his  letter  of 
acceptance  endorses  this  doctrine  in  most  emphatic  lan- 
guage. Mr.  Lincoln  in  his  letter  'to  all  to  whom  it  may 
concern,'  makes  tlie  abandonment  of  slavery  the  doctrine 
of  peace.  This  is  the  issue  before  the  people,  and  there  can 
be  no  other.  If  we  triumph  there  will  be  peace;  if  we  are 
defeated  this  war  will  still  continue." 

In  the  same  issue  of  the  local  paper  which  published 
the  action  of  the  Democratic  Convention  the  following  edi- 
torial appeared: 

"General  Sheridan  has  won  a  great  victory  in  the 
Shenandoah  Valley  over  Early,  the  rebel  general.  Win- 
chester is  in  our  possession ;  2,500  prisoners,  five  guns,  and 
nine  battle  flags  were  captured;  5,000  rebel  dead  and 
wounded  left  on  the  field.  Truly  the  God  of  battles  is  smil- 
ing upon  us.  IMobile,  Atlanta  and  Winchester  are  on  all 
tongues  and  gladden  all  loyal  hearts." 

And  yet  in  the  face  of  these  great  Union  victories  the 
Democratic  party  of  1864  was  ready  to  make  peace  with 
rebels  in  the  field  with  the  assurance  that  slavery  should  be 
retained. 

In  contradiction  of  the  ignominious  peace  proposals  of 
the  Democrats  were  the  noble  sentiments  expressed  by  Mr. 
Lincoln  in  the  closing  sentences  of  his  message  to  Congress, 
December  6,  1864.    The  magnificent  character  of  Abraham 


HISTORIC    DAYS 

Lincoln  was  never  more  beautifully  illustrated  than  when 
he  said : 

"In  presenting  the  abandonment  of  armed  resistance 
to  the  national  authority  on  the  part  of  the  insurgents  as 
the  only  indispensable  condition  to  ending  the  war  on  the 
part  of  the  Government,  I  retract  nothing  heretofore  said 
as  to  slavery.  I  repeat  the  declaration  made  a  year  ago,  that 
while  I  remain  in  my  present  position  I  shall  not  attempt 
to  retract  or  modify  the  emancipation  proclamation,  nor 
shall  I  return  to  sla\er\-  anv  person  w ho  is  free  by  the  terms 
of  that  proclamation  or  by  any  of  the  acts  of  Congress.  If 
the  people  shall  by  whatever  mode  or  means,  make  it  an 
executive  duty  to  re-enslave  such  persons,  another,  and  not 
I,  must  be  their  instrument  to  perform  it. 

"In  stating  a  single  condition  of  peace  I  mean  simply 
to  say  that  the  war  will  cease  on  the  part  of  the  Govern- 
ment whenever  it  shall  have  ceased  on  the  part  of  those  who 
began  it." 


The  Republicans  of  the  First  Congressional  District 
met  in  convention  at  tlie  Court  House  in  Bridgeton,  Tues- 
day, October  5,  1S64.  It  was  the  most  enthusiastic  political 
convention  ever  held  in  South  Jersey.  None  of  its  prede- 
cessors could  hold  a  candle  to  it — none  of  its  successors  have 
equaled  it.  At  half-past  9  o'clock  in  the  morning  a  pro- 
cession formed  in  front  of  the  National  Union  Repttblican 
headquarters  in  Sheppard's  Hall,  Commerce  Street,  headed 
by  the  Bridgeton  Brass  Band.  It  marched  by  way  of  Com- 
merce and  Laurel  Streets  to  the  West  Jersey  Railroad  depot 
on  Irxing  .\venue  to  meet  the  delegations  from  .\tlantic. 
Camden,  Salem.  Cape  May  and  Gloucester  Counties,  then 
en  route  for  the  convention.  Special  trains  from  Camden, 
Salem  and  Cape  May  arrived  at  the  depot  about  twenty  min- 
utes past  TO  o'clock,  with  some  three  thousand  shouting  Re- 
publicans, consisting  largely  of  marching  clubs.  With  a 
dozen  bands  of  music,  flags  and  I)anners  flying,  the  proces- 
sion began  a  trinmplial  march  out  Church   Street  to  Com- 


Rev.  Isaiah  D.  King 
Pastor  Trinity  M.  E.  Church 

Rev.  Joseph  Hubbard 
Pastor  Second  Pres.  Church 

Rev.  Charles  H.  Whitecar 
Presiding  Elder  M.  E.  Church 

Rev.  Henry  M.  Stuart 
Recto    St.  Andrews  P.  E.  Church 


PATRIOTIC    PREACHERS   OF    BRIDGETON— '.H  ;'.l.-.i.:. 

Rev.  James  M.  Challis  Rev.  James  Brown 

Retired- Baptist  Church  Pastor  First  Baptist  Church 

Rev.  Charles  E.  Hill  Rev.  Gasper  R.  Gregory 

Pastor    Commerce    Street  Pastor  First  Prcs.  Church 

M.  E.  Church  Rev.  John  W.  Hickman 

Fastor  Commerce  St.  M.  E.  Church 

Rev.  Richard  Thorn 

Pastor  Trinity  M.  E.  Church 


.Mo) 


206  HISTORIC    DAYS 

merce  Street,  down  Commerce  to  the  bridge,  up  Commerce 
Street  hill  to  Franklin,  and  thence  to  tlie  Court  House. 
Paraders  from  Bridgeton  joined  the  visiting  delegations,  to- 
gether with  hundreds  of  persons  from  the  townships  of 
Deertield.  Hopewell,  Stow  Creek,  Downe,  Fairfield,  farmers 
in  wagons  wreathed  with  evergreens  and  bearing  banners 
with  inscriptions.  One  of  the  transparencies  from  Stow 
Creek  bore  the  following  bit  of  rural  poetry: 

"Stow  Creek  is  all  right. 
You  need  not  be  afraid ; 
We  will  all  go  down  to  Jericho, 
And  vote  for  Uncle  Abe." 

The  march  of  the  cheering  Repubhcans  was  an  ova- 
tion. From  balcony  and  every  window  along  the  route 
ladies  signaled  and  waved  it  onward  with  handkerchiefs  and 
flags.  The  Chronicle,  in  referring  to  the  enthusiasm  of  the 
ladies,  said :  "Especially  pleasing  was  the  greeting  extended 
at  the  Female  Seminary,  known  as  Ivy  Hall,  e\ery  window 
of  whose  ample  front  literally  burst  with  patriotic  beauty." 
When  the  parade  arrived  at  Commerce  Street  bridge  the 
rear  was  yet  at  the  depot  on  Ir\ing  Avenue  :  and  so  long  was 
the  line  that  it  took  one  hour  for  it  to  pass  the  Davis  House. 
It  was  acknowledged  that  no  such  spectacle  of  popular  en- 
thusiasm had  ever  before  been  witnessed  in  Bridgeton.  As 
the  marching  column  passed,  the  various  clubs  sang  war- 
time songs,  placing  especial  stress  on  the  clause  of  "Rally 
'Round  the  Flag,"  which  ended  in  the  lines — "Down  with 
the  Copperheads,  up  with  the  Stars."  This  particularly 
irritated  the  Democrats,  who  now  and  then  appeared  on  the 
sidewalks  to  watch  the  procession,  and  the  result  was  that 
several  hand-to-hand  fights  and  scrimmages  took  place,  in 
which  the  local  Democrats  were  badly  used  up  by  the  rough- 
and-ready  element  from  Camden.  Whisky  from  Edmund'.s- 
bar  added  to  the  hilarity,  and  a  land  office  business  was  done 
at  the  hotel.  By  evening  the  Republicans  had  cleared  up 
the  town  and  not  a  Democrat  was  in  sight.  The  town  mar- 
shal and  his  specials  were  powerless,  and  in  an  attempt  ta 


IN    ClMliKKI.AND    COL' NT V,    NEW    JKRSKY  207 

restore  order  llie  marshal  himself  was  rolled  in  the  "gutter. 
It  was  a  day  of  tremendous  excitement.  To  crown  the  tur- 
moil of  excited  partisans  Uncle  Eph's  omnibus  was  seized 
and  packed  full  of  cheering  Republicans  who  made  a  tour  of 
the  town  without  compensation,  by  sheer  force  of  numbers. 

While  the  convention  was  in  session  James  M.  Scovel, 
then  a  prominent  leader  in  the  Republican  politics  of  West 
Jersey  addressed  a  great  mass  meeting  in  the  open  lot  in 
the  rear  nf  Grosscup's  Hall.  It  was  a  tiery  speech,  replete 
to  the  brim  witli  satire  of  the  Democrats  and  eulogy  of  Mr. 
Lincoln  and  his  Administration.  Scovel  was  of  impressive 
ap]5earaticc  and  splendid  voice.  Then  in  his  prime,  he  com- 
manded the  applause  of  his  audience  with  encore  after  en- 
core. As  a  member  of  the  New  Jersey  Senate  he  had  be- 
come unusually  prominent  with  men  of  affairs,  and  was 
personally  acquainted  with  President  Lincoln  and  a  frequent 
visitor  to  the  White  House.  It  was  said  that  the  President 
had  ;;reaL  respect  for  Colonel  Scovel,  because  of  his  zeal  and 
loyalty  for  the  L'nion  when  so  many  others  from  Jersey 
were  lacking  in  those  qv:alities.  Of  this  friendship  on  the 
part  of  the  immortal  Lincoln,  Scovel  was  always  very 
proud. 

The  evening  of  the  convention  was  a  gala  night.  An 
immense  torchlight  parade,  led  by  the  Fort  Delaware  Band 
made  the  streets  over  which  it  passed  as  light  as  day.  Com- 
merce Street  was  on  fire  with  Roman  candles,  rockets  and 
glittering  torches.  Transparencies  carried  in  this  proces- 
sion stared  the  onlookers  in  the  face  with  sentences  like  the 
following:  "We  are  Coming,  Father  Abraham!"  "The 
Rebellion  can  only  be  ended  by  a  hard  fight,  and  we  will 
make  it!"  "Ballots  for  Union  men,  bullets  for  traitors!" 
"We  do  not  belong  to  the  Left  Wing  of  Jeff  Davis'  Army!" 
"McClellan  is  tough,  but  who  can  stand  Pendleton  ?"  On 
the  sides  of  one  of  the  transparencies  were  pictures  of  Mc- 
Clellan on  horseback,  smoking  the  pipe  of  peace,  and  Pen- 
dleton alongside  of  him.  riding  a  donkey.  It  was  the  Wide- 
Awake  campaign  of  i860  over  again,  more  spectacular, 
more  demonstrative  because  of  the  critical  national  situa- 


2o8  IIISIOKIC    UA^■S 

tion  pending  the  settlement  of  the  great  issue  of  compromise 
v.itli  reliellion.  or  tlie  continuance  of  the  war  and  the  ulti- 
mate triumph  of  the  I'nion  cause. 

Hon.  Frederic  T.  I'relint^huysen,  the  most  gifted  public 
speaker  New  Jersey  had  produced  since  the  days  of  Samuel 
L.  Southard,  delivered  one  cf  the  most  charming,  eloquent 
and  convincing  speeches  to  the  multitude  in  Grosscup's 
Hall  that  had  ever  been  heard  in  Cumberland  County. 
The  audience  listened  spell-bound,  to  lireak  into  patriotic 
cheers  at  its  conclusion.  Freylinghuysen  was  afterward 
United  States  Senator,  and  Secretary  of  State  in  President 
Arthur's  Cabinet. 

Hon.  John  T.  Xixon  was  given  an  ovation  at  the  con- 
vention when  he  rose  to  speak.  Alexander  G.  Cattell,  of 
Salem,  later  United  States  Senator  from  New  Jersey,  and 
Colonel  .\.  B.  \\'oodruff.  of  Paterson,  also  addressed  the 
people  during  the  day  and  evening. 

The  Congressional  Cunvention  met  at  the  Court  House 
about  noon.  Rev.  Charles  E.  Hill,  of  Salem,  late  chaplain 
of  the  Corn  Exchange  Regiment  of  Pennsylvania,  and  a 
former  pastor  of  Commerce  Street  ]\I.  E.  Church,  offered 
an  intensely  loyal  and  soul-stirring  prayer. 

General  George  M.  Robeson,  of  Camden,  was  elected 
chairman  of  the  convention,  with  George  B.  Cooper,  of 
Millville,  and  J(.ihn  S.  ^litcliell,  of  Bridgeton,  secretaries. 
General  Robeson,  a  very  able  and  eloquent  speaker,  aroused 
the  convention  to  a  high  pitch  of  enthusiasm  in  a  memorable 
speech.  Then  at  the  beginning  of  a  distinguished  career  he 
was  afterward  Secretary  of  the  Navy  in  General  Grant's 
Cabinet,  and  for  four  vears  the  ablest  Representative  in 
Congress  ever  sent  from  the  First  District. 

John  F.  Starr,  James  M.  Scovel  and  Paul  C.  Brinck, 
of  Camden :  William  Moore,  of  Atlantic,  were  presented 
as  candidates  for  the  Congressional  nomination.  The  vote 
by  counties  resulted  as  follows :  Starr,  39 ;  Scovel.  7 ; 
Moore,  7:  Brinck,  i. 

lohn  !■".  Starr's  nominaliou  was  then  made  unanimous 


IX    Cr.\llli;i<l. AM)    COUNTY,    NF.W    .IF.RSKV  2O9 

amid  cheers.  Starr  was  a  successful  iron  master  of  Cam- 
den, who  served  the  district  two  terms  with  credit. 

Committee  on  Resohitions  reported  the  following, 
which  were  unanimously  adopted.  Vastly  different  in  senti- 
ment were  the  utterances  of  this  convention  in  comparison 
with  those  adopted  by  the  Democratic  Convention  when  I. 
V.  Dickinson  was  nominated  for  Congress  a  few  days  pre- 
vious : 

"Resolved,  That  the  friends  of  Union  ami  Liberty  of 
the  First  Congressional  District  of  New  Jersey,  in  conven- 
tion assembled,  do  cordially  endorse  the  nomination  of  those 
true  and  tried  patriots  and  statesmen,  Abraham  Lincoln  and 
Andrew  Johnson,  for  President  and  Vice-President  of  the 
United  States :  tliat  we  accept  the  resolutions  adopted  by  the 
Convention  which  nominated  those  candidates  as  our  plat- 
form of  principles,  and  as  an  earnest  enunciation  of  patri- 
otic sentiments  of  no  doubtful  meaning. 

"Resolved,  That  we  recognize  as  the  only  true  basis  of 
a  speedy  and  permanent  peace,  no  compromise  with  traitors 
until  they  shall  first  lay  down  their  arms  and  submit  to  the 
Constitution  and  laws  of  the  Union;  that  we  have  implicit 
reliance  in  our  Peace  Commissioners,  Grant,  Sherman,  Sher- 
idan. Farragut.  and  their  brave  CDUuades,  to  command  nego- 
tiations for  a  permanent  peace. 

"Resolved,  That  an  armistice  at  this  time  means,  as  it 
was  intended  bv  the  Chicago  Convention,  a  cowardly  and 
disgraceful  surrender  to  a  beaten  foe :  an  insult  to  the  heroic 
dead  who  have  fallen  in  defence  of  our  cimntry,  and  a 
slander  upon  those  still  battling  for  its  prosperity  and  in- 
tegrity. 

"Resolved,  That  wc  have  no  luuueaning  words  of 
'sympathv'  for  the  brave  heroes  lighting  our  battles  at  the 
front,  but  tender  them  our  heartfelt  thanks  for  what  they 
have  done  in  behalf  of  the  Union,  and  our  prayers  for  their 
continued  success." 


The  Republicans  of  Cumberland  County  completed  the 
ticket    at    a   con\ention   held   in   the   court   house,   October 


HISTORIC    DAYS 

loth,  at  lo  o'clock.  Hon.  Providence  Ludlam  called  the 
convention  to  order.  On  motion.  Seeley  Sliute,  of  Green- 
wich, was  made  chairman,  and  John  Kandle,  of  Landis, 
secretary.  Rev.  James  J\I.  Challis,  an  ardent  patriot,  ofifered 
a  feeling  prayer  in  behalf  of  the  Union,  appealing  to  God 
for  succor  and  help  with  heartfelt  thanks  to  Him  for  vic- 
tories won. 

John  S.  Mitchell,  chairman  of  the  Committee  on  Reso- 
lutions, reported  a  series  of  resolutions  which  were  signifi- 
cant of  the  political  situation  of  the  hour  largely  upon  the 
lines  of  those  adopted  at  the  Congressional  Convention, 
which  were  adopted  amid  applause. 

Nominations  being  in  order,  Hon.  Robert  More,  a 
former  Assemblyman,  was  nominated  by  a  unanimous  vote 
as  the  Republican  candidate  for  Assembly  in  the  First  Dis- 
trict. In  the  Second  District  Convention  James  H.  Nixon, 
a  rising  young  lawyer,  was  selected  as  the  nominee  on  the 
first  ballot.  The  vote  stood— Nixon,  21;  Dr.  Samuel  G. 
Cattell,  of  Deerfield,  9.  Mr.  Nixon  was  then  a  citizen  of 
Bridgeton.  He  was  four  times  elected  a  member  of  the 
House  of  Assembly,  and  with  this,  his  first  nomination,  be- 
gan a  distinguished  career  which  ended  as  a  Circuit  Judge 
of  the  New  Jersey  courts. 

James  M.  Riley,  of  Cohansey;  Jeremiah  F.  Zane,  of 
Maurice  River;  Levi  K.  Moore,  of  Hopewell,  were  nomi- 
nated for  Coroners. 

Charles  L.  Watson  was  renominated  for  Sherifif,  it 
being  the  custom  then  to  give  the  Sherif¥  three  annual  elec- 
tions after  his  first  success,  without  opposition  from  either 
political  party. 

The  Democ-ats  of  Cumberland  County  convened  at  the 
Court  House,  October  igth.  at  10  o'clock.  Thomas  Ware, 
of  Stow  Creek,  was  made  chairman,  and  John  S.  McGear, 
of  Bridgeton,  secretary. 

Jonathan  Wood,  of  Fairfield,  was  nominated  for  As- 
sembly. First  District ;  Samuel  Foster,  Maurice  River,  for 
Assembly,  Second  District. 

The  Convention  was  perfunctory   in   its   proceedings, 

1210) 


WARTIME    PICTURES -In.;-. 

William  T.  DuBois  Elias  P.  Sec\cy 

Band,  Third  N.  J.   Reg.  Inf.  Vols.  U.  S.   Navy  Co.  F.  Fifth  Reg. 


Isaac  Edwin  ^Vest 


as  P.  Seeley 
Reg.  Inf.  Vols 


Ezbon  C.   Lambert  and  William  S.  Lambert 
U.    S.    Navy-Band.    Third    N.    J.    Reg.    Inf.    Vols 


■William  V.  Robinson 
Co.  G.   Eighth   N.  J.   Reg.   Inf.  Vols. 

Elbert  Bradford 
Co.   F.  Thirty-seventh   N.  J.   Reg.  Inf.  Vols. 


Jonathan  Hustcd 
Co.  F.  Fifth   N.  J.  Reg.  Inf.  Vols. 
Joseph  \V.  Henderson 

Co.  G.   Eighth  N.  J.  Reg.  Inf.  Vols. 


212  IIlSldKir    DAYS 

and  little  enthusiasm  manifested  itself  save  when  the  name 
of  General  McClellan  was  mentioned. 


One  of  the  local  papers  under  date  of  October  15th. 
said: 

"The  numerous  friends  of  Lieutenant  Frank  M.  Riley, 
of  this  town,  will  be  gratified  to  learn  that  he  has  returned 
home  after  imprisonment  in  Richmond.  He  was  fortunate 
in  being  exchanged  so  soon.  The  fare  there  was  very  hard, 
but  by  sending  out  bv  'contral)ands'  engaged  in  the  prison, 
he  was  enabled  to  procure  several  dollars  in  Confederate 
money  for  every  one  in  greenbacks,  and  thus  procure  some 
of  the  necessaries  and  luxuries  of  life.  Lieutenant  Riley 
handed  us  a  copy  of  the  Richmond  En(|uirer  of  the  .V'd  inst., 
which  cost  fifty  cents.  It  is  printed  on  a  half-sheet  of  poor 
paper  and  makes  a  miserable  appearance." 


The  Richmond  \\"hig,  of  October  24th,  contained  the 
following  paragraph :  "A  Yankee  raiding  partv  visited  Fort 
Gibson.  JNIiss..  last  week,  and  carried  off  some  of  the  prom- 
inent citizens,  among  the  number  the  Hon.  Henry  T.  Ellett." 

This  was  delightful  reading  for  Bridgetonians,  who 
were  conversant  with  Ellett's  life  and  character.  .\  native 
of  South  Jersey,  Henry  T.  Ellett  came  to  Bridgeton  in 
early  life  and  took  up  the  study  of  law  with  ex-Governor 
Elias  P.  Seelew  a  noted  lawyer  of  this  State  who  had  won 
high  honors  in  politics  and  at  the  bar,  Ellett  was  a  man  of 
ability,  and  Bridgeton  was  too  small  a  field  for  him.  He 
married  Miss  Rebecca  Seeley,  daughter  of  his  preceptor 
Governor  Seeley,  and  went  South.  The  people  of  his 
adopted  State  honored  him  with  a  seat  in  the  Legislature 
and  other  important  places.  .\  believer  in  human  slavery 
and  an  extremist  as  converts  from  one  faith  to  another  are 
apt  to  be,  it  is  said  of  Ellett  that  he  made  a  speech  in  the  city 
of  New  Orleans  in  i86t.  in  which  he  declared  that  "the 
North  would  not  fight,  and  he  (Ellett')  would  take  a  con- 
tract to  drink  all  the  blood  that  would  be  spilt." 


IN    CUMBERLAND    COUNTY,    NKW    .1  KRSIiY  _M ,? 

He  lived  to  see  the  land  drenched  with  fraternal  blood, 

and  leamed  that  tiie  North  would  not  only  fight,  but  that  it 
would  fight  to  the  end  no  matter  what  the  cost  or  what  the 
sacrifice.  Two  of  Ellett's  sons  enlisted  in  the  Confederate 
army,  one  of  them  being  severely  wounded  by  a  Northern 
bullet,  the  family  suffering  much  at  the  hands  of  the  North- 
ern men  whom  the  father  had  so  boastfully  denounced  as 
cowards. 


Wednesday  night,  Xovenibcr  2d.  the  Demncrais  of 
Cumberland  County  joined  in  a  torciilight  parade  through 
tJie  streets  of  Bridgeton.  A  large  number  of  men  and  boys 
took  part,  but  there  was  a  noticeable  lack  of  enthusiasm.  It 
was  declared  by  the  local  press  to  have  been  "a  sad  affair." 
Several  inscri])tions  on  transparencies  read :  "No  Nigger  in 
our  Woodpile!"  "Little  Mac's  the  boy!"  "Do  you  want 
your  daughter  to  Marry  a  Nigger?"  "Give  us  Back  our  Old 
Commander!" 

When  the  procession  passed  beneath  the  large  flag 
stretched  across  Commerce  street  from  Slieppard's  build- 
ing, containing  the  names  of  ".Abraham  Lincoln,  Andrew 
Joluison  .ind  X'ictory,"  it  hooted  and  bowled,  which  salu- 
tation was  answered  from  the  windows  of  the  Republican 
headquarters  with  cries  of  "Copperheads,"  "Traitors." 

It  was  a  night  of  political  bitterness  rarely,  if  ever,  sur- 
passed in  any  Presidential  campaign  in  the  history  of  the 
country.  The  generation  of  to-day  cannot  in  the  remotest 
degree  realize  the  feeling  which  pervaded  all  ranks  of  so- 
ciety from  the  highest  to  the  lowest  during  the  contest  for 
tlie  re-election  of  .^Kbraham  Lincoln  in  the  year  1864.  Look- 
ing hack  to  that  historic  election,  even  the  men  who  still 
survive,  who  were  a  part  of  the  McClellan  contingent,  must 
regret  that  they  ever  allowed  themselves  to  advocate  and 
sustain  a  ])olicy  wliich,  had  it  prevailed  at  the  polls,  would 
have  restored  slavery  and  destroyed  the  Union. 


214  HISTORIC    DAYS 

Cumberland  County  was  thoroughly  canvassed  by  the 
Republicans  of  1864.  Meetings  and  parades  were  held 
nightly  during  the  month  of  October  at  every  town-hall  and 
every  schoolhouse  and  in  every  township.  Able  speakers 
were  brought  from  a  distance  to  enlighten  the  voters  as  to 
the  political  duty  of  the  day.  The  bulk  of  the  speaking, 
however,  was  placed  upon  local  talent.  Assembly  candi- 
dates More  and  Nixon  addressed  meetings  in  every  section 
of  their  districts,  but  there  was  no  better  or  more  effective 
speaker  in  the  county  than  John  S.  Mitchell,  a  young  law- 
yer then  but  recently  graduated  from  the  law  office  of  Elmer 
&  Nixon.  Tutored  by  the  learned  Jurist  Hon.  L.  Q.  C. 
Elmer,  Mr.  Mitchell  had  a  knowledge  of  law  rarely  pos- 
sessed. In  addition  he  had  the  gift  of  oratory,  and  was  a 
power  in  the  courts  and  upon  the  stump.  His  polished 
sentences  rang  with  unswerving  loyalty  for  the  Union  and 
made  a  lasting  impression  upon  the  electorate  who  gathered 
to  hear  him  in  the  various  meetings  which  he  addressed. 
For  his  excellent  work  in  this  and  other  campaigns  Mr.  Mit- 
chel  could  have  had  high  honors  had  he  so  aspired,  but  he 
never  sought  office,  being  content  with  the  practice  of  law. 
Strong  in  his  likes  and  dislikes,  he  was  an  ardent  friend  or 
an  unrelenting  opponent.  Intensely  loyal  to  his  client  he 
prepared  his  cases  with  great  care  and  fought  them  to  a  suc- 
cessful finish.  Few  lawyers  were  so  strong  with  a  jury, 
and  few  so  argumentative  or  so  eloquent. 


The  Bridgeton  Chronicle  was  in  the  height  of  its  power 
and  inllucnce  in  the  campaign  of  1864.  For  forty-seven 
years  it  had  flourished  as  a  weekly  newspaper,  going  into 
the  homes  of  the  best  families  of  Cumberland  and  adjacent 
counties.  It  had  existed  under  Whig  and  Democratic  leader- 
ship, it  was  now  the  leading  exponent  of  Republicanism  in 
Southern  New  Jersey.  During  this  eventful  campaign  it 
rendered  splendid  ser\-ice  in  support  of  the  Lincoln  adminis- 
tration, and  the  war  for  the  preservation  of  the  Union.  Its 
editorial  pages  bristled  with  keen  yet  eloquent  paragraphs 


IN    CUMBERLAND    COUNTY,    NKW    J  ERSliY  215 

for  llie  cause  on  wiiose  success  depended  tlie  tuturc  of  uur 
republican  form  of  government  and  civilization  in  the  United 
States.  Its  shibboleth  was — "The  war  must  continue  until 
traitors  are  made  to  bite  the  dust,  and  victory  rests  upon  the 
Union  arms  in  a  permanent  peace."  The  war  for  the  Union 
must  not  be  a  failure,  and  so  believing  the  Chronicle  held  up 
the  hands  of  the  great  leader  in  the  day  of  battle,  adding 
strength  and  courage  to  the  voters  in  the  county  of  Cumber- 
land. Cieorge  F.  Nixon,  was  editor  and  proprietor.  The 
writer,  who  was  an  apprentice  in  his  employ,  learning  the 
art  preservative  in  early  life,  will  always  remember  his  kind 
disposition,  quiet  demeanor,  and  inflexible  integrity  for  right. 
Mr.  Nixon  was  the  offspring  of  one  of  the  best  families  in 
Cumberland  County,  a  cousin  to  Hon.  John  T.  Nixon,  mem- 
ber of  Congress  and  Federal  Judge.  He  was  a  native  of 
Fairfield  township. 


The  National  election  excited  the  country  from  length 
to  breadth.  \\  hen  the  voters  went  to  the  ballot-box,  Tues- 
day, November  8th,  1864,  the  nation  seemed  almost  in  the 
throes  of  dissolution  so  deep  was  the  chasm  between  the 
opposing  political  forces.  As  the  shades  of  night  gathered, 
and  the  last  ballot  had  been  deposited,  the  people  waited 
with  bated  breath  for  the  great  result  which  was  to  follow. 

The  count  in  Cumberland  County  gave  the  Union  Re- 
publican Electors  for  President  636  majority.  John  F 
Starr,  for  Congress,  631  majority;  Robert  More,  Assembly, 
First  District,  331  majority;  James  H.  Nixon.  Assembly, 
Second  District,  318  majority. 

The  returns  from  the  First  Congressional  District 
gave  Starr.  Union-Republican,  1S49  majority,  but  the  other 
three  Congressional  districts  elected  Democratic  Congress- 
men, famous  among  whom  was  the  notorious  Copperhead 
Jack  Rogers,  of  the  Third  District,  by  887  majority. 

General  McClellan  carried  the  New  Jersey  Electors  by 
a  little  over  5,000  majority,  and  also  succeeded  in  Delaware 
and  Kcntuckv  bv  small  margins. 


2l6  HISTOStIC    DAYS 

Had  tlie  soldiers  in  tlie  field  from  New  Jersey  been  al- 
lowed to  vote  the  result  would  have  been  different,  but  while 
their  comrades  on  either  hand  were  casting  their  ballots,  the 
Jersev  Blues  looked  on  disfranchised  by  act  of  a  Democratic 
Legislature. 

The  balance  of  the  Union,  Eiist  and  West,  New  York, 
Pennsylvania  and  Ohio  inclusive,  gave  Mr.  Lincoln  hand- 
some majorities. 

Election  niglit  was  turned  into  a  carnival  of  joy.  Dis- 
patches from  every  section  of  the  countrv  kept  the  wires  hot, 
and  the  crowded  rooms  of  the  Union  League  in  Sheppard's 
Hall  and  the  shouting  hundreds  upon  the  sidewalks,  added 
to  the  flash  of  red  lights,  the  music  of  bands,  the  boom  of 
cannon,  the  lilowing  of  horns,  and  rattle  of  musketry,  kept 
the  old  town  in  a  cjuiNer  of  excitement  until  early  (hiwn  of 
the  following  morning. 

The  Union  armies  on  distant  battlefields  listened  for 
the  good  news  of  the  election.  To  them  it  was  the  incentive 
to  triumphant  results,  and  so  beneath  the  folds  of  the  old 
flag  they  took  up  a  new  march  to  victory. 

Confederates  in  arms  heard  the  news  in  the  \alle_\s  of 
the  South  and  trembled.  It  was  the  Omega  of  their  strug- 
gles and  their  hopes  for  the  preservation  of  human  slavery 
through  long  years  of  blood  and  tears — the  edict  by  the 
hand  of  God  in  punishment  of  their  sins  and  their  treason. 

To  the  black  man  it  was  the  \-oice  of  liberty  calling  him 
from  centuries  of  bondage.  Standing  in  his  cabin  door  he 
heard  the  news  and  rejoiced. 


The  year  1865  opened  gloriously.  The  Presidential 
election  of  1864  had  settled  the  question  as  to  who  should 
control  and  what  policy  was  to  be  piu'sued  in  the  adminis- 
tration of  the  Government.  Victory  was  in  the  air — the 
national  skies  were  propitious.  On  the  4th  of  March  Mr. 
Lincoln  again  assumed  the  sceptre  in  the  presence  of  a 
vast  concourse  of  .Xmerican  citizens.  Escorted  down  Penn- 
sylvania avenue  by  a  mas^nificent  civic  and  nu'litarv  pageant 


IN    CL'MinCKLAND    CdlNTY,    XKW    JKRSEY  21J 

he  again  faced  the  people  from  the  eastern  portico  of  the  Na- 
tional Capitol.  But,  under  what  vastly  different  conditions 
from  those  that  existed  in  '61-2.  Then,  all  was  doubt  and 
gloom — now  all  was  sunshine  and  presage  of  coming  success 
in  tiie  final  surrender  of  the  Confederate  armies.  Amid  the 
enthusiastic  greetings  of  thousands,  the  beauty  and  wealth  of 
Washington,  and  the  loyal  support  of  every  true  American 
in  tiie  land,  he  stood  with  bared  head  at  the  hour  of  noon  on 
that  early  March  day.  a  picture  in  silhouette  with  the  land- 
scape and  sky  as  a  background,  the  cynosure  of  all  eyes, 
the  beloved  President  of  a  great  nation.  The  echoes  of  the 
Presidential  oath  were  yet  whispers  on  the  passing  breeze 
wlicn  w  ith  great  impressiveness  he  proceeded  to  deliver  the 
following  address,  acknowledged  by  the  greatest  scholars 
to  be  the  most  chaste,  tender,  humble  and  convincing  in- 
augural that  ever  fell  from  the  lips  of  prince,  potentate,  or 
statesinan  in  anv  cduntry  or  anv  clime; 

"Fellow  CouiUrymen:  At  this  second  appearing  to- 
take  tlie  oath  of  the  Presidential  office  there  is  less  occasion 
for  an  extended  address  than  there  was  at  the  first.  Then  a 
statement  somewhat  in  detail  of  a  course  to  be  pursued 
seemed  fitting  and  proper.  Now  at  the  expiration  of  four 
years,  during  wliich  public  declarations  have  been  constantly 
called  forth  on  every  point  and  phase  of  the  great  contest 
which  still  absorbs  the  attention  and  engrosses  the  energies 
of  the  nation,  little  that  is  new  could  be  presented.  The  prog- 
ress of  our  arms,  upon  which  all  else  chiefly  depends,  is  as 
well  known  to  the  public  as  to  myself,  and  it  is,  I  trust  rea- 
sonably satisfactory  and  encouraging  to  all.  With  hope  for 
the  future,  no  prediction  in  regard  to  it  is  ventured. 

"On  the  occasion  corresponding  to  this  four  years  ago 
all  thoughts  were  anxiously  directed  to  an  impending  civil 
war.  All  dreaded  it,  all  sought  to  avert  it.  A\'hile  the  in- 
augural address  was  being  delixered  from  this  place,  de- 
voted altogether  to  saving  the  Union  without  war,  insurgent 
agents  were  in  the  city  seeking  to  destroy  it  without  war — 
seeking  to  dissolve  the  Union  and  divide  effects  by  negotia- 
tion.    Roth  parties  deprecated  war.  but  one  of  them  would 


2i8  HISTORIC    DAYS 

make  war  rather  than  let  the  nation  sunuve,  and  the  other 
would  accept  war  rather  than  let  it  perish,  and  the  war  came. 
'"One  eighth  of  the  whole  populati(.in  were  colored  slaves 
not  distributed  generally  over  the  Union,  but  localized  in 
the  southern  part  of  it.     These  slaves  constituted  a  peculiar 
and  powerful  interest.    All  knew  that  this  interest  was  some- 
how the  cause  of  the  war.     To  strengthen,  perpetuate  and 
extend  this  interest  was  the  object  for  which  the  insurgents 
would  rend  the  Union  even  by  war,  while  the  Government 
claimed  no  right  to  do  more  than  to  restrict  the  territorial 
enlargement  of  it.     Neither  party  expected  for  the  war  the 
magnitude  or  the  duration  which  it  has  already  attained. 
Neither  anticipated  that  the  cause  of  the  conflict  might  cease 
with  or  even  before  the  conflict  itself  should  cease.     Each 
looked  for  an  easier  triumph,  and  a  result  less  fundamental 
and  astounding.     Both  read  the  same  Bible  and  pray  to  the 
same  God,  and  each  invokes  His  aid  against  the  other.     It 
may  seem  strange  that  any  men  should  dare  to  ask  a  just 
God's  assistance  in  wringing  their  bread  from  the  sweat  of 
other  men's   faces,  but  let  us  judge  not.  that  we  be  not 
judged.    The  prayers  of  both  could  not  be  answered.    That 
of  neither  has  been  answered  fully.    The  Almighty  has  His 
own  purposes.    'Woe  unto  the  world  because  of  offenses ;  for 
it  must  needs  be  that  offenses  come,  but  woe  to  that  man  by 
whom  the  offense  cometh.'    If  we  shall  suppose  that  Ameri- 
can slavery  is  one  of  those  offenses  which  in  the  providence 
of   God   must   needs   come,   but   which,   having   continued 
through  His  appointed  time,  He  now  wills  to  remove,  and  . 
that  He  gives  to  both  North  and  South  this  terrible  war  as 
the  woe  due  to  those  by  whom  the  offense  came,  shall  we 
discern  tlierein  any  departure  from  those  divine  attributes 
which  the  believers  in  a  living  God  always  ascribe  to  Him? 
Fondly  do  we  hope,  fervently  do  we  pray,  that  this  mighty 
scourge  of  war  may  speedily  pass  away.    Yet.  if  God  wills 
that  it  continue  until  all  the  wealth  piled  by  the  bondsman's 
two  hundred  and  fifty  years  of  unrequited  toil  shall  be  sunk, 
and  imtil  every  drop  of  blood  drawn  with  the  lash  shall  be 
paid  by  another  drawn  with  the  sword,  as  was  said  three 


IN    CUMBERLAND    COUNTV,    NEW    JEKSKV  2I9 

thousand  years  ago,  so  still  it  must  be  said   'the  Judgments 
of  the  Lord  are  true  and  righteous  altogether.' 

"With  malice  toward  none,  with  charity  for  all,  with 
firmness  in  the  right  as  God  gives  us  to  see  tlie  right,  let 
us  strive  on  to  finish  the  work  we  are  in,  to  bind  up  the  na- 
tion's wounds,  to  care  for  him  who  shall  have  borne  the  bat- 
tle and  for  his  widow  and  his  orphan,  to  do  all  which  may 
achieve  and  cherish  a  just  and  lasting  peace  among  ourselves 
and  with  all  nations. 

"ABRAHAM  LINCOLN. 

"March  4.  1865." 


Few  in  that  vast  multitude  would  have  believed  it, 
had  the  statement  been  then  and  there  made,  that  within  a 
few  weeks  hence,  the  form  of  Abraham  Lincoln  suicken  by 
the  hand  of  an  assassin,  would  lie  cold  and  silent  on  a  cata- 
falque in  the  rotunda  of  the  building  from  the  marble  por- 
tico of  which  he  had  just  enunciated  that  memorable  address. 
Yet  so  it  was  to  be.  The  curtain  of  the  new  administration 
lifted  in  brightness  and  joy  was  soon  to  be  drawn  in  sorrow 
and  tears. 

Strange  indeed  is  the  web  of  human  life.  Fate  had 
willed  that  "General  Orders  No.  50"  should  be  Mr.  Lin- 
coln's last  ofScial  act.  In  the  stormy  days  of  his  first  ad- 
ministration the  stars  and  stripes  were  lowered  at  Sumter 
by  the  hand  of  Major  Anderson  because  of  overpowering 
force.  With  the  beginning  of  his  second  administration  the 
tide  of  war  had  restored  the  fortress  to  its  rightful  owner- 
ship, and  in  the  hour  of  his  departure  he  submitted  to  the 
nation  the  appended  document  for  tlie  unfurling  of  the  flag 
in  the  honored  place  it  had  occupied  just  four  years  previous. 
Then,  that  very  day,  like  Enoch  he  walked  with  God,  and 
was  not,  for  the  Lord  took  him. 

"War  Department. 
Adjutant-General's  Office, 
Washington,  March  27,  1865. 

Ordered,  first.  That  at  the  hour  of  noon  on  the  14th 


HISTORIC    DAYS 

day  of  April.  1865,  Brevet  Major-Geueral  Anderson  will' 
raise  and  plant  upon  tlie  ruins  of  Fort  Sumter,  in  Charles- 
ton Harbor,  the  same  United  States  flag  which  floated  over 
the  battlements  of  that  fort  during  the  rebel  assault,  and 
which  was  lowered  and  saluted  by  him  and  the  small  force 
of  his  command  when  the  works  were  e\'acuated  on  the  14th 
day  of  April,  1861. 

Second.  That  the  flag,  when  raised,  be  saluted  by  one 
hundred  guns  from  Fort  Sumter  and  by  a  national  salute 
from  every  fort  and  rebel  battery  that  fired  upon  Fort  Sum- 
ter. 

Third.  That  suitable  ceremonies  be  had  upon  the  oc- 
casion, under  the  direction  of  Major-General  William  T. 
Sherman  whose  military  operations  compelled  the  rebels 
to  evacuate  Charleston,  or.  in  his  absence,  under  the  charge 
of  Major-General  O.  A.  Gilmore.  commanding  the  depart- 
ment. Among  the  ceremonies  will  be  the  delivery  of  a 
puljlic  address  by  the  Re\'.  Henry  Ward  Beecher. 

Fourth.  That  the  naval  forces  at  Charleston  and  their 
commander  on  that  station  be  united  to  participate  in  the 
ceremonies  of  the  occasion. 

By  order  of  tlic  Prcsi.le;!!  i.f  t::e  Tnit-d  States. 

F.DWi.v  M.  St.vxto.v. 

Secretary  of  War." 


L'nder  the  pnixi^iims  of  an  act  of  the  Legislature 
passed  in  1864  the  first  municipal  election  was  held  on 
Tuesday,  March  nth.  1865.  The  act  divided  tlie  town  into 
three  wards,  with  a  IMayor,  City  Recorder,  Treasurer.  ^lar- 
shal.  Solicitor,  School  Superintendent,  and  a  Common 
Council  c<impose(l  of  two  members  from  each  ward,  and  the 
usual  ward  officers.  The  community  had  been  ver\'  much 
divided  as  to  the  question  of  incorporation,  so  mucli  so  that 
voters  were  not  enthused  over  the  election.  .\  fair  vote 
was.  however,  polled,  the  result  being  a  Republican  victory. 
In  the  division  of  the  city.  Commerce  street  was  made  the 
line  between  the  First  and  Second  wards,  all  north  and  ea.st 

C-'.'M 


\  ^ 


-%— r-y 


EARLY    MAYORS,    CITY    OF    BRIDGETON 
James  Hood 
Isaac  B.  Dare  Ephraim  E.  Shcppard 


(Sin 


222  HISTORIC    DAYS 


being  the  First  ward,  all  south  and  east  being  the  Second 
ward,  taking  tlie  Cohansey  river  for  tlie  western  boundary. 
The  two  wards  were  composed  exactly  of  the  territory  in- 
cluded in  the  old  Township  of  Bridgeton.  The  Third  ward 
occupied  the  territorial  limits  of  the  former  Township  of 
Cohansey  bounded  on  the  east  by  the  Cohansey,  the  west 
and  south,  by  Hopewell  Township. 

James  Hood,  Republican,  was  elected  the  first  mayor 
by  a  majority  of  29  votes  over  Adrian  Bateman,  Democrat. 
Daniel  Bacon  was  chosen  City  Recorder  by  55  majority; 
Uriah  D.  Woodruff,  City  Treasurer,  by  61  majority;  Dr. 
James  M.  Chaliss,  City  School  Superintendent,  by  58  ma- 
jority. Wallace  Taylor  was  elected  Marshal  without  op- 
position, as  was  John  T.  Nixon,  to  the  office  of  City  Soli- 
citor. 

Members  of  City  Council  selected  at  this  election  were 
all  Republicans.  First  ward — Thomas  U.  Harris,  Charles 
S.  Fithian;  Second  ward — David  P.  Mulford,  Samuel  Ap- 
plegit;  Third  ward — Robert  C.  Nichols,  Robert  J.  Fithian, 
the  two  latter  having  no  opposition. 

The  Mayor.  James  Hood,  was  a  man  of  considerable 
ability,  strong  in  his  opinions  of  right  and  wrong.  Be- 
cause of  the  latter  quality  his  adnu'nistration  was  not  as 
popular  as  it  nu'ght  have  been.  When  the  new  municipal 
government  was  inaugurated  the  Mayor  by  a  provision  of 
the  city  charter  became  the  President  of  Council.  Iti  that 
position  as  Executive  and  President  of  the  city  local  legis- 
lature Mayor  Hood  pursued  a  courageous  course,  which  had 
a  salutary  effect  upon  evil  doers  in  the  municipality  of  the 
city  of  Bridgeton  during  its  early  days. 

WitJT  the  passing  of  the  Township  system,  the  char- 
acter of  municipal  elections  was  entirely  changed.  The 
town  meeting  which  had  existed  since  Colonial  days  was  no 
more.  Thereafter  the  old-time  gatherings  at  the  taverns 
in  the  respective  townships  of  Bridgeton  and  Cohansey 
in  the  spring  of  the  year  were  to  become  a  matter  of  history 
onlv.     For  the  viva  voce  vote  was  substituted  the  l)allot. 


IN    CUMBERLAND    COINTY,    NEW    JERSEY  ^23 

Epliiaiiii  Sheppard,  Democrat,  wlio  because  of  his  fitness 
for  the  place,  was  generally  selected  hy  the  iinaniinous  con- 
sent of  all  parties  was  to  act  as  Mr.  Moderator  no  more. 
John    Cheesman.    Democrat,    whose   clerical   abilities   were 
recognized  by  the  public  in  repeated  elections,  would  no 
longer  act  as  Township  Clerk,  and  record  the  suffrages  of 
the  citizens  of  the  good  old  town  of  Bridgeton.     Town 
Meeting  days,  how  they  loom  up  in  the  shadows  of  the 
past!     The  long  line  of  good  citizens — here  they  come  to 
tell  the  Clerk  by  voice  what  their  judgment  is  as  to  the  ap- 
propriation for  roads,  for  police,  for  light,  for  salaries,  and 
for  township  officers.     Memory  pictures  the  faces  as  they 
pass  in  the  long  ago.    First  the  Moderator,  Uncle  Ephraim, 
declares  in  the  shrill  voice  and  clearing  of  the  throat  once 
so  familiar:  "(ientlenien.  we  are  ready  to  vote!  and  on  the 
motion  just  made  1  vote  "Xo"!  as  it  appears  to  me  that  if 
there  was  a  little  less  extravagance  in  our  town  affairs  it 
would  be  considerable  better  for  the  tax-payers."     Then 
the  Clerk  votes — then  the  rank  and  file  pass.    Reader,  note 
these  worthies  of  the  good  old  days :  Providence  Ludlam, 
James  B.  Potter,  James  Stiles.  Ephraim  Sheppard.Jr..  Lot 
Loper.    Edmund   Crozier,   John   Carter.    L.    Q.    C.    Elmer, 
John    T.    Nixon.    Fxlmund    Roork.    David    Potter,    James 
Hood,  Nathaniel  l-'ish.  William  McCear.  Sr.,  John  S.  Mc- 
Gear,  Hugh  McGear.  Nathan  McGear.  John  Salkeld.  .Alfred 
Maul,  Henry  Knerr.  Joseph  Gibson.   Sr..   Franklin   Dare, 
Isaac  Pedrick,   Daniel   B.   Thompson,  David   P.   Mulford, 
Elam  Quicksell,   Allen   Mulford,   Moses   Mulford,   Joseph 
Allen,  Robert  Jordan.  Charles  S.  Fithian,  Nathaniel  Strat- 
ton,    Alexander   Stratton,   Samuel   Ward   Seeley,   William 
Alkire,  Johnson  Reeves,  Joseph  Reeves,  Elmer  Camm,  Isaac 
Nichols,  Isaac  Laning,  Jonathan  Loper,  Ner  .Allen,  John 
R.  Graham.  Dayton  B.  Whitaker.  John  Cheesman.  H.  R. 
Mer.seilles.  Henry  B.  Lupton.   Lewis  M'Bride.  J.   Barron 
Potter.    Samuel    Hider,     Henry     Nordyke,    Joel    Fithian, 
Joseph   Borden,   Artis  E.   Hughes.   Charles   C.   Grosscup. 
Robert  Poole.  Samuel  B.  Poole.  William  Pogue.  Richard 


UISTOUIC    DAYS 

Burch.  Levi  Wood,  Charles  Hetzell,  Jeremiah  DuBois, 
Jonathan  Ehner,  William  S.  DuBois.  James  Whitaker, 
Samuel  L.  Fithian,  Jonathan  Paynter,  James  B.  Ferguson. 
Thomas  Comae.  Francis  G.  Brewster,  Alexander  Robeson, 
Lot  Harris,  Thomas  U.  Harris,  James  Woodruff,  Abram 
Woodruff,  Charles  Laning,  Daniel  Fithian,  and  a  host  of 
others. 

Honest  citizens  of  the  past  were  tliey — good  men  and 
true.  The  world  has  not  yet  seen  their  superiors  in  qual- 
ities of  head  and  heart. 

Commenting  upon  the  result  of  the  first  election  under 
the  new  charter,  the  "Chronicle"  said  :  "Let  it  be  handed 
down  to  posterity  and  recorded  in  letters  of  gold  on  the 
pages  of  history  that  the  first  election  for  city  officers  in 
Bridgeton  resulted  in  electing  candidates  favorable  to  the 
Constitution,  the  Union,  the  Administration,  Liberty,  Free- 
dom and   Sound  Democracv." 


Early  in  ;\ larch  the  announcement  came  from  Wash- 
ington that  Joseph  S.  Miner  had  Ijeen  named  by  President 
Lincoln  for  the  Postmastership  of  Bridgeton,  vice  George 
W.  Jolmson  resigned. 

Quite  a  lively  contest  developed  previous  tf)  the  mak- 
ing of  this  appointment.  Daniel  B.  Thompson  announced 
himself  a  candidate,  and  made  an  earnest  effort  to  secure 
the  office.  Mr.  Thompson  had  been  postmaster  of  Bridge- 
ton  under  the  administration  of  President  Tames  K.  Polk, 
1845  to  1849,  being  then  identified  with  the  Democratic 
party.  When  the  war  for  the  Union  opened  Daniel  B. 
Thompson  became  a  War  Democi'at,  and  finally  a  Rei)ubli- 
■can.  .\  man  of  strong  convictions,  prominent  in  tlie 
Methodist  Episcopal  Churcli,  he  had  many  warm  friends 
who  zealously  contributed  time  and  influence  toward  his  suc- 
cess. Among  his  friends  was  Charles  E.  Elmer,  at  that  time 
one  of  the  mo.st  influential  citizens  of  Bridgeton.  Joseph  S. 
Miner  was  a  young  man  of  fine  business  capacity,  and  an  ac- 
tive advocate  of  Republican  principles  and  the  Union  cause. 


Daniel  B.  Thompson 
Jeremiah  DuBois 


PROMINENT   CITIZENS-I«(U-1SC5 

Joseph  S.  Miner  Robert  C.  Nichols 

Benjamin  T.  Bright  Jonathan  Elmer 

Joseph  H.  Elmer 


226  HISTORIC   DAYS 

He  also  had  many  friends  who  labored  earnestly  for  him.  His 
petition  addressed  to  "His  Excellency,  Abraham  Lincoln. 
President  of  the  United  States,"  was  headed  by  the  names 
of  Providence  Ludlam,  Lewis  H.  Dowdney,  Jonathan  El- 
mer, Robert  C.  Nichols,  George  W.  Johnson,  Henry  B. 
Lupton.  Jeremiah  DuBois  and  many  other  leading  citizens, 
to  the  number  of  283.     It  was  a  powerful  petition  and  car- 
ried much  weight,  composed  as  it  was  of  representatives  of 
the   manufacturing   and   business    interests   of   Bridgeton. 
But,  the  influence  of  Hon.  Providence  Ludlam,  Senator 
froni  Cumberland  County,  was  paramount  in  the  fight,  and 
through  his  efforts  largely  Mr.  Miner  became  postmaster. 
The  appointment  was  one  of  Mr.  Lincoln's  last  official 
acts ;  and  had  not  been  sent  to  the  Senate  at  the  hour  of  his 
assassination,  but  Mr.  Miner  took  possession  of  the  office 
by  authority  of  Postmaster  General  Dennison.     Andrew 
Johnson,  on  becoming  President,  refused  to  issue  a  com- 
mission to  him,  and  for  two  years  there  was  a  prolonged 
contention  over  the  place.     Pending  the  difficulties  which 
arose  between  President  Johnson  and  the  Republican  ma- 
jority in  Congress,  Johnson  appointed  Samuel  R.  Fithian, 
postmaster.     Mr.  Fithian  was  not  confirmed,  and  did  not 
get  possession  oi  the  nf+ice.     Time   went  on,   the   contro- 
versy lietween  Executive  and  Congress  grew  so  bitter  that 
the  Republican  majority  passed  a  measure  known  as  the 
"Tenure  of  office  act,"  which  the  President  vetoed.    Passed 
over  his  veto  it  became  a  law.     Under  that  statute  there 
was  therefore  notliing  for  Mr.  Johnson  to  do  but  issue  com- 
missions to  Mr.  Lincoln's  appointees.     The  commission  was 
issued  to  Mr.  Miner,  March  28th,  1867,  for  four  years.    At 
one  time  during  the  long  contest  for  the  Bridgeton  post- 
office,  Mr.  Miner  received  a  letter  from  Hon.  Henry  Wil- 
son.  Senator  from  Massachusetts,   in  which  that  famous 
statesman  said  :     "Yon  will  either  be  appointed  by  Presi- 
dent Johnson  or  no  other  man  will  ever  be  confirmed  by 
the   United    .Stales    .Senate."      Re-appnintcd   by    President 
Grant.  March    13th,   1871,  and  February  2r)th,   1875,  also 
by   President    Hayes.   March   3(1,    1879,    Postmaster   Miner 


IX    CUMUEULANU    COUNTY,    NEW    J  liRSEY  22/ 

served  tlie  long  period  of  nearly  eighteen  years.  Joseph  S. 
Miner  proved  a  model  officer,  and  brought  the  postal  ser- 
vice in  Bridgeton  to  a  higli  state  of  efficiency.  It  was  a  max- 
im of  Thomas  Jefferson  tliat  in  tlie  line  of  office  holding, 
"few  die.  and  none  resign."  In  Mr.  Miner's  case  it  was 
slightly  different.  The  Johnsonites  wanted  him  to  either 
die  or  resign  out  of  spite,  but  he  did  neither.  After  almost 
a  score  of  years  of  honorable  service  he  could  have  con- 
tinued in  office,  but  did  what  few  others  have  done,  volun- 
tarily announced  through  the  press,  under  date  of  February 
I,  1S83,  in  a  card  to  the  public  that:  "Whereas  my  commis- 
sion will  soon  expire,  I  deem  it  proper  to  give  public  notice 
that  I  am  not  an  api)licant  for  reappointment.  With  many 
thanks  to  the  citizens  of  Bridgeton  and  vicinity  for  their 
courtesy  and  kindness  to  myself,  as  an  official  during  my 
years  of  public  sen-ice.  I  remain,  yours  truly." 

Appointed  five  times,  always  the  free-will  offering  of 
his  party  and  fellow  citizens,  Mr.  Miner  left  a  record 
which  is  parallel  to  that  of  the  good  and  faithful  servant 
who  received  the  highest  compliment  ever  paid  to  man  in 
the  Biblical  'AVell  Done!" 


March  i8th,  1S65,  Captain  Ethan  T.  Harris,  a  Bridge- 
ton  boy,  who  had  served  in  the  "Cumberland  Greys,"  been 
wounded  in  the  seven  days'  fight  before  Richmond.  Mc- 
Clellan's  peninsula  campaign,  afterward  organizing  Com- 
pany H. Third  New  Jersey  Cavalry, "the  Butterflies."  and  re- 
turning to  the  seat  of  war,  again  found  himself  in  his  na- 
tive town.  He  was  now  a  paroled  prisoner  of  war,  after 
seven  months  of  torture,  privations,  and  imprisonment  in 
the  prisons  of  the  Confederacy.  Incidents  connected  with 
his  capture  were  interesting.  Out  w'ith  a  scouting  party  of 
his  regiment  on  the  29th  of  September,  1864,  he  was  cap- 
tured by  a  large  force  of  guerrillas  coming  upon  him  sud- 
denly. The  Captain  was  separated  from  his  command  in 
the  excitement  of  the  rush  and  endeavored  to  escape. 
Meeting  a  farmer  on  a  road  which  he  had  turned  into  he 


228  HISTORIC   DAYS 

inquired  the  road  to  Staunton.  The  man  gave  him  the 
wrong  direction,  which  soon  led  him  in  sight  of  a  body  of 
the  eneni}'.  A  young  girl  informed  him  that  they  were 
Confederates.  He  then  spurred  his  horse  in  another  di- 
rection. A  shot  was  soon  fired  at  him  which  whizzed  close 
to  his  head.  He  was  finally  surrounded  and  taken  prisoner. 
His  captors  robbed  liim  of  his  watch,  boots  and  other  valu- 
ables. They  told  him  that  they  had  followed  him  three 
miles,  and  one  of  them  said  he  had  raised  his  rifle  several 
times  to  shoot  the  captain,  but  feeling  certain  of  his  capture 
he  refrained.  Captain  Harris  was  taken  to  Libby  prison, 
thence  to  Danville,  Virginia,  then  to  Salisbury,  North 
Carolina.  Eight  thousand  Union  soldiers  were  at  Salis- 
bury, three  thousand  of  whom  perished  miserably  between 
the  middle  of  October  and  the  first  of  January.  Deaths 
still  continued  after  the  latter  date  at  the  rate  of  thirty  a 
day.  Poor  fellows  without  blankets  or  shelter  were  com- 
pelled to  burrow  lioles  in  the  ground,  and  from  the  holes 
numerous  bodies  were  taken  every  morning.  Terrible  trials, 
terrible  scenes  did  the  brave  boys  in  blue  pass  through  and 
witness  in  the  Inferno  at  Salisbury. 

Captain  Harris  was  fortunate  in  retaining  a  fair  meas- 
ure of  health,  and  returned  to  receive  the  congratulations 
of  his  family  and  friends.  He  was  a  stern  disciplinarian 
some  of  his  men  thought,  but  a  good,  true,  patriotic  soldier. 
During  his  terms  of  service  he  was  three  times  severely 
wounded  and  was  breveted  major  for  meritorious  conduct. 


Monday.  April  3d,  1865,  Bridgeton  became  wildly  en- 
thusiastic over  the  news  received  by  telegraph  from  Wash- 
ington that  the  Union  Army  had  captured  Richmond. 
When  the  full  particulars  were  confirmed  by  the  evening 
papers,  business  was  at  once  suspended.  Professor  Dor- 
ville's  Band  appeared  upon  the  streets,  and  began  a  sere- 
nade of  city  officials  and  the  people  generally  with  the 
finest  band  music  that  had  ever  been  furnished  by  local 
musicians.     Prof.   Dorville  was  a  gifted  band  master — a 


IN    CUMBERLAND    COUNTY,    NEW    JERSEY  229 

Frenclimaii  by  birth,  full  to  the  brim  with  the  musical  en- 
dowments of  his  native  land.  The  way  he  handled  the  ba- 
ton that  famous  night,  won  the  patriotic  admiration  of  the 
town.  The  cannon  fired,  flags  flung  to  the  breeze,  windows 
and  residences  decorated,  torchlight  parades,  streets  filled 
with  people,  deafening  cheers  was  the  order  of  the  night. 
''Richmond  is  Ours!"  was  the  shout  from  every  throat,  and 
each  citizen  appeared  to  be  trying  to  outdo  his  neighbor 
with  noise.  I^he  procession  passed  the  Female  Seminary 
in  a  blaze  of  red  light.  Halting  there  the  young  lady 
students  appeared  upon  the  veranda,  sat  upon  the  window 
sills  of  the  building  to  the  topmost  story,  singing  the  great 
National  st)ng — the  "Star  Sjjangled  Banner."  One  young 
lady  of  spendid  voice  led  the  singing,  and  as  she  rang  out 
the  verse — 

"What  is  that  which  the  breeze  o'er  the  towering  steep. 
As  it  fitfully  blows,  half  conceals,  half  discloses? 
Now  it  catches  the  gleam  of  the  morning's  first  beam. 
In  full  glory  reflected,  now  shines  in  the  stream ! 
'Tis  the  Star  Spangled  Banner,  long  may  it  wave. 
O'er  the  land  of  the  free,  and  the  home  of  the  brave — " 

the  procession  jniued  in  the  song  with  such  a  vim  that  it  set 
the  old  courthouse  bell  on  edge  to  join  in  the  general  re- 
joicing over  the  downfall  of  the  Confederate  Capital. 

April  9th,  1865.  again  the  news  of  victory  electrified 
the  patriotic  North.  General  Robert  E.  Lee  had  surren- 
dered the  Army  of  Northern  Virginia  to  General  Grant 
with  20.000  stands  of  arms,  many  guns,  and  many  battle 
flags.  When  the  news  arrived  in  Bridgeton  there  was 
another  season  of  rejoicing,  and  the  town  went  wild  again 
in  prei^aration  for  a  great  celebration. 

But  this  very  day.  when  all  was  so  bright  for  the 
Union  cause,  the  assassin  Booth  was  to  destroy  the  gentle 
life  of  the  sweetest  and  best  ruler  the  nation  had  had. 
And.  so  the  festivities  were  brought  to  a  sudden  end  by  tlie 
telegrams  from  Washington  that  President  Lincoln  had 
been  assassinated  while  in  attendance  at  the  opera  house 
on  the  night  of  .April  14th. 


230  HISTORIC    DAYS 

Bridgeton  was  never  so  sad  and  solemn  as  on  Wednes- 
day, the  19th  day  of  April,  1865,  the  day  of  President  Lin- 
coln's funeral  obsequies.  Mayor  Hood  had  issued  a 
proclamation  calling  upon  the  people  to  assemble  in  due 
observance  of  the  memory  of  the  illustrious  Lincoln,  ask- 
ing that  business  be  suspended,  and  the  day  set  apart  as  a 
day  of  sermon  and  prayer.  In  accordance  therewith  the 
churches  were  filled  to  overflowing  with  citizens  who  had 
come  to  pay  their  last  respects  to  a  great  man,  the  nation's 
fallen  chief.  While  the  church  bells  tolled  hundreds  of 
people  joined  in  procession,  marching  from  Sheppard's  Hall 
to  the  First  Presbyterian  Church,  where  obsequial  services 
were  held,  the  band  playing  funeral  dirges.  At  the  church 
a  feeling  invocation  was  offered  by  Rev.  James  M.  Chaliss. 
The  Scriptures  were  read  by  Rev.  John  W.  Hickman,  pas- 
tiir  (^f  Commerce  Street  ^I.  E.  Church,  followed  by  a  solemn 
hymn  by  the  choir.  Prayer  was  again  offered  by  Dr.  C.  R. 
Gregory.  Hon.  John  T.  Nixon  delivered  a  splendid  eulogy 
of  the  dead  President  to  the  immense  audience  which  filled 
the  church.  Rev.  Richard  Thorn,  pastor  of  Trinity  M.  E. 
Church,  read  an  appropriate  selection  in  his  usual  eloquent 
manner;  Dr.  James  Brown,  of  the  Baptist  Church,  closing 
the  exercises  with  a  fervent  prayer. 

The  Sunday  previous  the  pulpits  of  all  the  churches  of 
Bridgeton  rang  with  heroic  utterances  denunciative  of  the 
treacherous  act  which  had  brought  the  nation  to  such  in- 
tense grief.  Especially  strong  was  the  sermon  of  Rew 
Richard  Thorn,  in  the  Trinity  M.  E.  Church,  who  declared 
those  who  sympathized  with  rebellion  in  the  North  to  be 
equally  guilty  of  the  foul  crime  of  assassination  with  the 
wretch  who  did  it — John  Wilkes  Booth. 

Great  excitement  prevailed  in  Bridgeton  during  the 
days  immediately  following  the  President's  assassination. 
Several  persons  were  accused  of  sympathy  with  Mr.  Lin- 
coln's murderers,  because  of  their  indiscreet  talk.  To  add 
to  the  bad  feeling  some  unkn(  i\\  n  person  carried  off  the  drap- 
ery  from  the  altar  nf  the  Rapti.st  church,  which  had.  like 


IN    CUMBERLAND   COUNTY,    NKW    .1 1'.RSICV  23 1 

the  Other  houses  of  worship,  been  placed  in  mourning  habili- 
ments. Who  the  person  was,  was  never  accurately  ascer- 
tained, but  many  were  the  suspicions  which  for  a  long  time 
filled  tlie  pul)lic  nn'nd. 


A  few  days  previous  to  the  assassination  a  gentleman, 
so  said  one  of  tlie  Bridgeton  papers,  visited  Washington  on 
business  witli  President  Lincoln.  Previous  to  leaving  home 
a  friend  requested  him  to  ask  Mr.  Lincoln  whether  he  (Lin- 
coln) loved  Jesus.  The  business  being  completed,  tlie  ques- 
tion was  kindly  asked,  whereupon  the  good  President  buried 
his  face  in  iiis  handkerchief,  turned  away  and  wept.  He 
then  turned  to  his  visitor,  and  said :  "When  I  left  home  to 
take  the  chair  of  State  I  requested  my  countrymen  to  pray 
for  nie.  I  was  not  then  a  Christian.  Wlien  my  son  died, 
(Willie  Lincoln  who  deceased  at  the  White  House,)  the 
severest  trial  of  my  life,  f  was  not  a  Christian.  But.  when 
I  went  to  Gettysburg,  and  looked  upon  the  graves  of  our 
dead  heroes  who  had  fallen  in  defence  of  their  country  I 
then  and  there,  consecrated  myself  to  Christ;  /  do  love 
Jcsits!"     Like  F.dwanl  ^Motc  he  was  ready  to  e.xclaim: 

His  oath,  his  covenant  and  blood. 
Support  me  in  the  whelming  flood ; 
AMicn  all  around  my  soul  gives  way, 
He  then  is  all  my  hope  and  stay. 
On  Christ  the  solid  rock  I  stand. 
All  other  ground  is  sinking  sand. 

]\LTrtyred  President!  Noble  spirit!  Tiie  bugles  of  the 
Union  had  not  yet  ceased  their  victorious  notes  in  the  Shen- 
andoah and  on  the  .Appomattox  when  the  gates  of  Heaven 
opened  wide  for  the  soul  of  .Abraham  Lincoln. 


Saturday.  May  6th.  1865,  the  Bridgeton  Chronicle 
said : 

"The  war  is  virtually  ended."  But  it  seems  to  the 
writer  that  tlie  final  chapter  in  the  great  drama  of  the  civil 


HISTORIC   DAYS 

war  was  enacted  in  the  closing  hours  of  Mr.  Lincoln's  Presi- 
dency. X'ictory  was  in  the  air,  and  the  flag  floated  in 
triumph  o'er  all  the  Southern  country  so  lately  in  rebellion. 
The  soft  winds  of  the  early  Spring  bore  tidings  of  great  joy 
to  the  mansion  and  the  tenement  in  imperial  cities;  to  the 
humble  home  in  the  forest,  on  the  prairie,  on  broad  acres 
throughout  the  national  domain ;  to  the  sailor  upon  the  sea, 
to  the  American  in  foreign  lands.  They  also  brought  tidings 
of  sorrow  to  the  citizens  of  the  great  Republic  everywhere 
because  of  the  death  of  the  great  man,  who  under  God  iiad 
accomplished  so  much  for  the  American  people.  He  had 
lived  to  the  hour  of  triumph,  but  he  was  not  to  see  the 
columns  of  veterans  who  had  won  the  fight  in  the  grand 
march  they  were  to  soon  take  up  on  Pennsylvania  avenue. 
God  had  willed  otherwise.  That  great  statesman  Charles 
Sumner,  of  Massachusetts,  knew  the  dead  President  well 
and  loved  him.  He  voiced  the  sentiment  of  the  nation  when 
he  presented  the  following  resolutions  in  the  Senate  of  the 
United  States : 

T.  That  in  testimony  of  their  veneration  and  affection 
for  the  illustrious  dead,  who  has  been  permitted,  under 
Providence,  to  do  so  much  for  his  country  and  for  libert\-. 
the  Congress  of  the  United  States  will  unite  in  the  funeral 
services  and  by  an  appropriate  committee  accompany  his 
remains  to  their  place  of  burial  in  the  State  from  which  he 
was  taken  for  the  national  service. 

2.  That  in  the  life  of  Abraham  Lincoln,  who  by  the 
benignant  favor  of  republican  institutions  rose  from  humble 
beginnings  to  the  heights  of  power  and  fame  they  recognize 
an  example  of  purity,  simplicity,  and  virtue  which  should  be 
a  lesson  to  mankind,  while  in  his  death  they  recognize  a 
martyr  whose  memory  will  become  more  precious  as  men 
learn  to  prize  those  principles  of  constitutional  order  and 
those  rights — civil,  political,  and  human — for  which  he  was 
made  a  sacrifice. 


It  is  remarkable  how  many  sons  of  Cumberland  county 
distinguished  themselves  in  the  course  of  the  civil  war.  Cap- 


(2:t2) 


PROMINENT    CITIZENS— iJ^lMMi*. 
David   P.   Elmer  Alphonso  Woodruft 

Capt.   Enoch   More 
Robert  S.   Buck  Charles  D.   Burroughs 


234  HISTORIC    DAYS 

tin  Enoch  More,  of  Bridgeton.  was  one  of  our  citizens  who 
took  an  important  part  in  the  final  scenes  connected  with  the 
capture  of  Jefferson  Davis,  President  of  the  Southern  Con- 
federacy. As  commander  of  the  steamer  William  P.  Clyde, 
by  orders  of  the  War  Department,  he  brought  "Jeff"  and 
his  Cabinet  from  Hilton  Head,  South  Carolina,  to  Fortress 
Monroe,  at  Hampton  Roads,  Virginia.  The  following  let- 
ter from  Captain  More  to  a  relative  in  Cumberland  County, 
at  that  time,  explains  itself: 

'Fortress  Monroe,  IMay  19.  1865. 
'\\'e  arrixed  here  fitty-twn  hnurs  from  Hilton  Head, 
having  been  expressly  detailed  by  General  Gilmore  to  be 
the  bearer  of  Cresar  and  his  fortunes,  under  convey  of  the 
U.  S.  S.  Tuscarora,  and  carrying-  the  following  valuable 
freight:  Jeft'  Davis  and  family,  consisting  of  his  wife,  four 
children  and  four  servants,  with  part  of  his  late  Cabinet, 
composed  of  Alexander  H.  Stephens.  Vice  President,  Con- 
federacy :  Postmaster  General  Reagan,  Colonels  Johnston 
and  Lulibick.  Aids-de-Cani]) :  Colonel  Harrison.  Private 
Secretary ;  Lieutenant  Hathway,  Major  Maurand,  Captain 
Moody,  Major  Howell  and  sister,  the  latter  brother  and  sis- 
ter to  Mrs.  Davis;  General  Wheeler  and  staff;  Clement  C. 
Clav  and  wife,  with  all  their  plunder,  all  under  the  care  of 
their  gentlemanly  captor  (Colonel  D.  B.  Pritchard,  of  the 
Fourth  Michigan  Cavalry)  and  guard  consisting  of  seventy 
men  of  the  party  who  surprised  and  captured  the  last  re- 
mains of  the  bogus  Confederacy.  They  were  encamped  in 
the  bushes  when  captured,  and  finding  themselves  beset  by 
the  cavalry,  the  indomitable  "Jeff"  dressed  himself  in 
woman's  clothes,  and  taking  a  bucket  on  his  arm,  accom- 
panied l)y  his  wife  attempted  to  skedaddle  a  la  Richmond. 
At  this  time  Corporal  Munger,  of  the  Fourth  Michigan 
Cavalry,  appeared  at  the  tent  door  and  inquired  of  a  lady 
standing  at  the  entrance  who  those  persons  were  that  he 
saw  nioxing  off.  He  was  informed  that  the  lady  with  tlie 
bucket  was  her  mother  going  to  the  creek  after  a  pail  of 
water :  I)Ut  the  uncommon  tallness  of  the  figure  attracted 


I.N"    CUMBlikLAND    COUNTV,    NEW    JliUSi:\-  J35 

Corporal  ]\ lunger's  attention,  and  as  Mr.  Davis  was  step- 
ping off  pretty  lively  through  the  long  grass,  and  his  dress 
being  ratlier  short,  tlie  sliarp  eye  of  the  corpora!  discovered 
what  he  thought  were  boots  instead  of  slippers  on  the  bogus 
lady's  feet.  Spurring  his  horse,  he  came  up  with  the  pair, 
and  lowering  the  point  of  his  sabre,  it  must  be  confessed 
very  indelicately,  raised  slightly  the  back  part  of  the  pre- 
tended tall  woman's  dress,  when  the  previous  suspicions  of 
the  corpora!  were  fully  confirmed,  for  instead  of  ladies' 
slippers,  lo !  and  behold,  he  saw  a  pair  of  cavalry  boots,  and 
leveling  his  carbine,  he  demanded  the  party  to  halt.  At 
this  time,  "Jeff"  seeing  tliat  further  disguise  was  useless, 
threw  t!ie  shawl  which  covered  his  head  to  the  ground,  and 
turning  to  tlie  corporal  told  !iim  to  "fire  as  he  was  ready 
to  die,"  but  Mrs.  Davis  tlirew  her  arms  around  him  and 
begged  him  to  be  quiet,  at  tlie  same  time  putting  her  Iiand 
over  his  mouth  to  stop  him  and  prevent  him  from  speaking. 
Here  was  "the  last  ditch,  the  last  man.  and  the  last  dollar.'' 
We  have  them  fast  and  allow  them  no  communication 
with  tlie  outside  world.  Some  of  tlicm  on  the  voyage  have 
been  badly  seasick.  Mr.  Stepliens  is  very  feeble,  and  I  think 
failing,  'Jeff'  is  terri!)!y  down,  and  Clement  C.  Clay  is  on 
the  anxious  stool.  On  the  passage  up  they  scanned  the  hori- 
zon with  anxious  eyes  in  the  hopes  of  seeing  the  rebel  ram 
"Stonewall."  It  was  reported  at  Hilton  Head  that  she  was 
in  the  offing  watching  for  us,  but  they  looked  in  vain. 

ENOCH  MORE.' 


Tuesday,  May  23,  1865,  was  the  greatest  day  in  tlie 
history  of  the  National  Capital.  The  war  was  over  and  the 
returning  soldiers  were  to  pass  in  review  before  the  Presi- 
dent of  the  United  States,  and  the  generals  of  the  army. 

The  morning  broke  bright  and  beautiful — the  city  of 
Washington  was  in  gala  dress — thousands  of  visitors  were 
in  attendance  from  every  section  of  the  country  to  witness 
the  great  parade  of  veterans  'ere  their  departure  for  their 
homes  and  the  peaceful  avocations  of  life.    Just  a  few  days 


236  HISTORIC    DAYS 

previous  to  his  death.  Mr.  Lincoln  had  discussed  the  question 
of  llie  disbandment  of  tlie  troops  witl:  Mr.  Stanton,  Secre- 
tary of  War.  Alarmists  had  predicted  that  the  injection  of 
such  large  bodies  of  men  so  long  used  to  war  into  the  indus- 
trial centres  would  prove  a  menace  to  the  public  safety. 
President  Lincoln  and  Secretary  Stanton  both  agreed  that 
there  need  be  no  alarm  and  no  trouble,  because,  said  the 
President,  "the  men  who  saved  the  Union  are  patriotic  and 
law-abiding — they  love  their  homes  and  families,  and  in 
their  hands,  whether  at  home  or  upon  the  field  of  battle, 
our  liberties  will  be  preserved."  Lincoln  did  not  live  to 
see  the  magnificent  procession  of  veterans — he  did  not  sur- 
vive to  the  hour  when  they  should  return  to  peaceful  pur- 
suits, but  his  view  of  the  American  soldier  was  correct. 
Secretary  Stanton  when  requested  by  several  leading  men  to 
provide  troops  to  maintain  order,  because  nf  the  apjirehen- 
sion  that  so  great  a  force  suddenly  released  from  military 
restraint  would  become  turbulent,  replied  that  "if  we  could 
not  trust  the  soldiers  who  had  subdued  the  rebelliijn  we 
might  as  well  yield  the  life  of  the  Republic."  He  also  was 
right.  When  the  war  closed  the  volunteer  army  of  the 
United  States  numbered  a  total  of  1.045.064  men.  Lord 
Macaulay  said  that  the  English  people  were  fearful  that 
Oliver  Cromwell's  army  when  disbanded  would  produce 
much  misery  and  crime  when  once  thrown  on  the  world 
after  being  so  long  accustomed  to  the  profession  of  arms. 
No  such  result  followed.  But,  while  alarm  was  felt  over  the 
discharge  of  Cromwell's  soldiery  nuniliering  barely  50,000, 
what  the  feeling  of  the  timid  was  as  to  our  own  great  forces 
is  not  difficult  to  imagine. 

Battles  and  skirmishes  to  the  number  of  625  had  been 
fought.  Blood  had  flowed  as  water — the  land  was  full  of 
sorrow.  The  people  were  tired  of  war ;  the  soldiers  were 
tired  of  war:  and  happy  dav  it  was  for  them  when  they 
should  begin  the  homeward  march. 

See  them  as  they  proudly  mark  time  on  the  stately 
Pennsylvania  a\'enue!  Notice  that  serious  gentleman,  with 
the  quiet  face,  on  his  charger  at  the  head  of  the  Army  of 


IN    CUMBERLAND    COCXTY,    NEW    JERSEY  237 

the  Potomac?"  It  is  General  George  G.  Meade,  the  victor- 
ious leader  of  Gettysburg!  The  bugle  sounds,  and  as  it 
echoes  on  the  air  of  that  balmy  May  day,  the  command 
"Forward"  is  heard  along  the  long  line  of  veteran  soldiers 
as  they  begin  a  parade  of  victor}'  compared  with  which  that 
of  Napoleon  and  his  legions  beneath  the  "Arc  de  Triomphe" 
pales  into  insignificance.  "Tramp,  tramp,  the  boys  are 
marching"  by  platoons,  sixty  abreast,  100,000  strong.  How 
splendidly  they  line  up,  gallant  veterans  of  Malvern  Hill,  of 
Fredericksburg,  of  Antietam,  of  Gettysburg,  of  Spottsyl- 
vania,  of  the  \\'ilderness,  of  Petersburg,  of  Appomattox! 
How  the  sunlight  glistens  on  the  hundred  thousand  bayonets 
Lt  the  command  of  "right  shoulder,  shift!"  How  the  mu- 
sic floats  upon  the  breeze  with  the  good  old  strains  of  the 
National  airs  that  so  often  revived  tlie  drooping  spirits  in 
days  when  despondency  and  gloom  seemed  to  permeate  the 
very  marrow  of  the  soldiers'  bones — and  so  often  spurred 
the  boys  in  blue  to  triumphant  victory!  How  the  great 
populace  cheered  the  passing  soldiers!  How  the  ladies 
tossed  their  handkerchiefs  and  waved  salutes  from  eyes  and 
lips !  How  the  old  flag  scarred  by  the  liattle  and  the  breeze 
floated  its  folds  o'er  the  heads  of  the  marching  columns  as 
much  as  to  say — "This  is  the  stars  and  strips  under  which 
Washington  and  Jackson  fought — it  is  the  flag  of  Lincoln 
— it  is  the  flag  which  through  four  long  years  of  bloody 
civil  strife  maintained  its  proud  position — the  representa- 
tive svmbol  of  liuman  liberty.  No  longer  stained  with  the 
blemish  of  slaverv  it  has  come  from  out  the  fire  and  smoke 
of  many  battles  without  spot,  without  wrinkle — the  flag  of 
hope  to  all  posterity !" 

The  grand  old  .Army  of  the  Potomac  was  seven  hours 
in  passing  the  reviewing  stand,  and  its  line  extended  a  dis- 
tance of  twenty-one  miles.  In  that  splendid  line  coines  the 
gallant  Second  Corps  under  command  of  that  great  soldier, 
General  Winfield  Scott  Hancock.  Superb  officer — see  him 
as  he  sits  his  horse,  erect,  stalwart — a  handsome  figure  with 
his  noble  face  and  huge  mustache.  The  boys  rend  the  air 
with  cheers,  and  among  the  number  are  the  remnants  of  the 


238  HISTORIC    DAYS 

Jersey  Blues,  proudly  ach'ancing  by  the  double  platoon  in 
the  shadow  of  the  tattered,  bullet-ridden  colors  under  which 
they  fought  so  bravely  on  many  bloody  fields.  Looming  up 
in  the  distance  appears  Sheridan  with  the  Army  of  the  Shen- 
andoah. Clatter-clatter  go  the  hoofs  on  the  pavement,  thou- 
sands of  horses,  thousands  of  cavalrymen.  Steeds  tightly 
reined,  sabres  at  shoulder,  this  is  the  division  which  swept 
Early  out  of  Winchester — that  ended  the  Rebellion  at  Five 
Forks  and  Sailor's  Creek.  Philip  Sheridan,  hero  of  many 
battles,  look  at  him  as  he  takes  his  place  on  the  reviewing 
stand.  Typical  American  soldier!  Magnificent  leader!  Who 
is  that  that  follows?  It  is  Custer — -dashing,  heroic  Custer, 
with  his  long  hair,  flowing  backward,  falling  upon  his 
shiuilders  like  a  lion's  mane,  riallanl  ca\alry  coniniander. 
his  like  we  shall  not  see  again !  Little  thought  the  cheering 
multitude  that  in  a  few  brief  years  that  splendid  leader  of 
the  Nation's  Horse  should  fall  by  the  hand  of  the  American 
Indian  in  the  duel  to  the  death  on  the  Little-Big  Horn  in  the 
far-away  wilds  of  the  great  West. 


The  second  day — May  24th — came  Sherman's  army 
fresh  from  its  famous  tour  through  the  South  singing  as  it 
marched — "Hurrah!  hurrah!  tlie  flag  that  made  you  free! 
Hurrah!  hurrah!  we'll  sing  the  Jubilee!  So  we  sang  the 
chorus  from  Atlanta  to  the  .Sea,  as  we  were  Marching 
Through  Georgia !"  What  a  remarkable  exhibition  of  the 
spoils  of  war  did  LTncle  Billy's  soldiers  present  to  the  massed 
thousands  on  the  sidewalks.  First  appeared  a  regiment 
with  a  live  coon  at  the  head  of  the  column- — then  another 
with  a  corps  of  pickaninnies  dancing  in  bare  feet — then  a 
donkey  upon  which  was  mounted  an  octogenarian  darkey 
singing  "Massa's  gone  away — don't  know  how  long  he 
stay.  Throwed  the  key  down  de  smoke  house  cellar — 'den 
I  run  away!"  Martial  music — colors  flying,  the  steady 
tramp  went  on  one  hundred  thousand  more,  until  the  shades 
of  evening  closed  the  scenes  of  the  two  days'  march  of  the 
invincible  legions  to  which  the  soldiers  of  neither  Crosar 


IN    CUMBERLAND    COINTY,    NEW    JERSEY  239 

nor  Napoleon  could  compare  in  the  days  of  Roman  glory 
or  France's  imperial  conquest  of  continental  Europe. 

On  the  reviewing  stand  at  the  White  House  were  Presi- 
dent Johnson,  Generals  Grant,  Sherman,  Sheridan,  and 
Admiral  Farragut.  But  the  colossus  of  American  history 
— the  great,  the  gentle,  the  true  heart,  Ahraham  Lincoln, 
who  had  home  the  National  burden  of  secession  and  of  war 
— wept  because  of  defeats  which  filled  the  land  with  widows 
and  orphans,  and  rejoiced  in  humility  o'er  victories  won, 
was  no  more.  His  place  on  the  grand  stand,  in  the  presence 
of  the  soldiers  whom  he  loved,  was  vacant.  The  veteran 
as  he  marched  looked  in  vain  for  the  homely  President,  and 
as  he  glanced  upward  at  the  flag,  still  in  crepe,  his  hat  was 
unconsciously  lifted  to  heaven,  in  memory  of  the  fallen  Chief 
no  longer  in  the  quick,  but  present  with  the  Lord.  "Why 
Should  the  Spirit  of  Mortal  Be  Proud"  was  the  favorite 
poem  of  the  deceased  President,  and  lie  was  wont  to  quote: 

"The  hand  of  the  king  that  the  sceptre  hath  borne; 
The  brow  of  the  priest  that  tiie  mitre  hath  worn ; 
The  eye  of  the  sage  and  the  heart  of  the  brave. 
Are  hidden  and  lost  in  the  depths  of  tlie  grave." 

Yet.  not  lost!  Vanquished  by  the  assassin's  bullet! 
Victor  bv  the  Master's  crown ! 


The  review  was  ended.  The  boys  iiad  recrossed  the 
long  bridge  into  Virginia  to  await  the  general  mustering 
out.  Washington  had  resumed  its  accustomed  quiet.  The 
war  was  over — peace  had  come.  No  more  bloodshed ;  no 
more  widows'  tears;  no  more  wounds;  no  more  disease; 
no  more  sorrow  borne  of  the  battlefield.  The  trumpet 
sounds — Taps!  Lights  out.  The  soldier  sleeps  and  dreams 
of  home. 


Regiments  of  the  Army  of  the  Potomac  commenced 
leaving,  1 61.851  officers  and  men,  present  and  absent  from 
the  camp  near  Washington  on  May  29th,  and  by  July  19th, 


240  HISTORIC    DAYS 

1865,  the  last  regiment  had  started  for  home.  Regiments  of 
Sherman's  Army  in  camp  near  Washington,  numbering 
present  and  absent,  116,183  officers  and  men,  began  leav- 
ing May  29th,  and  August  ist,  1865,  the  last  regiment  had 
left  for  home.  Rapid  was  the  discharge!  Of  the  entire 
armies  of  the  Union  640,806  officers  and  men  had  been 
mustered  out  by  August  7th;  by  November  15th,  800,963: 
by  January  20th,  1866,  918,733;  by  May  ist,  986,782;  by 
June  30th,  I.  010,670;  by  November  ist,  1866,  1,023,021  — 
the  entire  volunteer  fnrce  leaving  in  service  only  11,043 
soldiers,  colored  and  white,  to  guard  the  National  interests 
after  the  most  stupendous  war  in  history. 

The  world  had  never  looked  upon  such  a  spectacle — 
it  never  will  again!  From  the  rough  life  of  the  soldier, 
hardened  by  scenes  of  blood  and  death,  the  soldiers  of  the 
Union  went  back  to  industrial  paths  to  take  up  the  avoca- 
tions and  professions  which  they  had  left  off  at  the  com- 
mand of  an  ini]ierile(l  government.  It  \vas  to  the  everlast- 
ing credit  of  the  noble  men  who  made  up  the  rank  and  file 
of  the  National  armies  that  they  came  back  to  civil  life,  the 
great  majority  l)etter  citizens  than  when  at  the  first  call 
they  pledged  their  li\es,  their  all.  that  the  nation  might  live. 
Peace  with  her  gentle  influence  melted  the  cohorts  of  liberty 
like  the  snow  before  the  sunshine.  Clasped  in  the  arms  of 
loved  ones  the  tired  soldier  was  home  at  last! 

With  his  peaceful  advent  entered  also  the  shadow  of 
death  to  other  homes.  Victory  was  tinged  with  sadness, 
for— 

"Many  hearts  ami  blades  were  broken. 
Thousands  of  the  noblest  'braves'. 

Wrapped  in  jackets  blue  were  sleeping 
Coldlv   in  their  unknown  graves." 


& 


Monday,  June  19th,  1865,  news  came  to  the  town  of 
Bridgeton.  very  unexpectedly  that  the  heroic  remnant  of 
Company  K,  gallant  12th  New  Jersey  Regiment,  would  ar- 
rive home  that  day.     Great  preparations  were  matle  at  short 


IX    Cl'.\U!l-.KI.A.M)    ((IINTV,    MOW     Il-.KSICV  2^1 

notice.  Every  bell  in  Bridgeton  began  to  ring ;  whistles 
blew  an  enthusiastic  toot-toot-toot !  Flags  appeared  from 
every  loyal  window.  Dorville's  band,  at  the  head  of  a  pro- 
cession of  citizens,  (the  Union  League  starting  from  Shep- 
pard's  Hall  in  a  bodv  )  marched  to  tiie  West  Jersey  Rail- 
road depot  on  Irving  avenue. 

.\s  the  train  passed  into  the  station,  what  a  hurrah  went 
up — what  vociferous  cheers  rent  the  air — how  wives  and 
mothers,  relatives  and  friends,  crowded  the  station !  The 
car  doors  open;  out  they  step  to  receive  the  greeting  "Wel- 
come Home!"  Sergeant  William  B.  Hines  in  command. 
"Fall  in  boys,"  and  line  up  for  your  last  parade.  "File 
Right."  "Halt,"  •■Ris^iit  Dress."  "I'ront  Face,"  "By 
Fours,"    (platoon);  "Forward!"     Do  you  see  them? 

William  B.  Hines,  George  Laws,  Timothy  Bateman, 
\\'illiam  H.  Bennett,  Edwin  M.  Padgett,  Justus  H.  Living- 
ston, Amos  S.  Burt,  Butler  Xewcomb,  George  McHenry, 
John  Evans,  Henry  Clay  Lore.  Jonathan  Borden,  Henry 
Bradford,  Flenry  Campbell,  Robert  G.  Clark,  Reeves 
Coulter,  Abraham  Facemire,  Edward  C.  Hall,  Thomas  S. 
Green,  Absalom  Jordan,  Thomas  H.  Pancoast,  John  Max- 
well. Hiram  Pew,  Charles  O.  P.  Riley,  James  R.  Rainear. 
William  M.  Seeley,  Edward  M.  Steward,  Samuel  Tomlin- 
son.  Daniel  Tullis,  William  F.  Moore,  Cliarles  M.  i\iley, 
William  S.  Ayars,  Anderson  Davis,  William  H.  Dickeson, 
Edgar  M.  Fithian,  Jeremiah  Husted.  Simon  S.  Swing, 
William  H.  B.  Ward. 

From  one  hundred  strong  men  the  company  had 
dwindled  to  thirty-eight  muskets,  several  of  those  in  line 
meeting  their  conn-ades  at  the  depot  joined  them  there,  hav- 
ing arri\ed  home  pre\'iously  because  of  wounds.  Green- 
horns in  T)j.  they  were  veterans  now.  bronzed  by  the  sum- 
mers and  winters  of  many  campaigns ! 

Chancellorsville  to  .Appomattox  was  a  long  way — can- 
non to  the  right  of  them  :  cannon  to  the  left  of  them ! 

Conn-ades  Terry.  Holmes.  Garton.  Smith.  Carey.  Car- 
man, Carter.  Creamer.  Galloway,  Gaunt.  Hendrickson.  Hol- 
lenback,    Horner,   Howell.   Husted.   Livingston    (Charles)  ; 


2^2  HISTORIC   DAYS 

Maloney,  ilullica,  Powell,  Sutton  (Theophilus)  ;  Simp- 
kins,  Sockwell,  Sutton  (Samuel  S.),  had  answered  the  last 
roll-call,  by  disease  and  the  bullet. 

Eighteen  had  been  discharged  by  reason  of  disability 
and  wounds.  Sixteen  had  been  transferred  to  the  Veteran 
Reserve  Corps  and  other  departments  of  the  service. 

Few  officers  of  the  company  were  present  on  this 
propitious  day,  owing  to  the  failure  of  accounting  officials 
in  Trenton  to  adjust  the  settlement  with  line  and  staiT. 

The  brave  men  who  had  survived  the  storms  of  war 
and  the  privations  of  army  life  still  in  the  \'igor  of  early 
manhood,  bearing  the  muskets  with  which  they  had  rendered 
the  country  such  efficient  service,  were  in  line  to  recei\'e  the 
plaudits  of  their  fellow-citizens. 

Marching  down  Pearl  to  Commerce  street  the  comrades 
proceeded  to  Sheppard's  Hall,  near  the  bridge  ( West  Side) 
where  Hon.  John  T.  Nixon  received  them  on  behalf  of  the 
people  of  Cumberland  in  a  speech  eulogistic  of  their  pa- 
triotic service,  warm  with  congratulations  on  their  safe  re- 
turn to  the  old  home.  Major  William  E.  Potter  returned 
the  thanks  of  the  members  of  Company  K,  to  the  good 
people  of  Bridgeton,  for  the  sympathy  extended  to  the 
soldiers  in  the  field  and  for  the  earnest  welcome  this  hour 
extended. 

An  elaborate  dinner  prepared  by  E.  Davis  &  Son.  was 
given  the  returned  soldiers  at  the  expense  of  the  Ladies' 
Aid  Society.  Fair  hands  decorated  the  tables  and  presided 
over  the  repast  which  was  one  of  the  finest  ever  spread  in 
Bridgeton.     And,  so  ended  another  historic  day. 


The  victorious  conclusion  of  the  civil  war,  and  the  re- 
turn of  the  veteran  soldiers  of  Cumberland  county  after  four 
years  of  patriotic  service,  called  for  a  great  celebration  of 
the  glorious  Fourth  of  July.  Accordingly  at  a  preliminary 
meeting  of  citizens  the  following  were  selected  a  committee 
to  prepare  a  program  and  make  the  necessary  arrange- 
ments:    Providence  Ludlam,  James  M.   Challis,  Jeremiah 


IX    CUMBERLAND    COUiNTY,    NEW    .1  ERSI-.V  _'4_^ 

DuBois.  Ri)bcrt  R.  Potter,  Edmund  R.  Elmer.  Maskell  \V. 
Applegate,  Robert  DuBois,  George  W.  P'inlaw,  Joseph  H. 
Elmer,  Percival  Nichols. 

The  committee  went  about  the  matter  vigorously,  and 
prepared  an  elaborate  celebration  which  should  have  a 
double  purpose,  to  wit :  A  rousing  celebration  and  en- 
thusiastic reception  to  all  the  soldiers  of  whatever  company 
or  regiment  who  had  had  a  part  in  the  suppression  of  the 
rebellion  and  restoration  of  the  L'nion.  The  program  was 
carried  out  with  an  enthusiasm  never  previously  manifestcil 
on  a  Fourth  of  July,  in  Bridgeton. 

At  daybreak,  a  National  salute  was  fired — at  9  o'clock 
thirteen  guns  announced  the  number  of  States  forming  the 
original  Union,  followed  by  the  ringing  of  all  the  bells  of 
the  town. 

The  procession  formed  in  front  of  the  Davis  House 
on  Commerce  street.  My,  what  a  crowd  was  there  to  see 
it  start!  The  population  of  Cumberland  County,  in  its  en- 
tirety appeared  to  have  turned  out  to  take  a  hand  in  the 
glorious  festivities.  Never  liad  the  sun  shone  brighter — 
never  had  the  good  old  town  looked  hantlsomcr,  than  this 
splendid  Fourth  of  July  morning. 

The  parade  moves !  Who  is  that  at  the  head  of  the 
column  on  the  black  horse?  It  is  the  veteran  marshal, 
Daniel  M.  Woodruff,  the  same  who  led  the  farewell  march 
in  honor  of  the  departing  "Cumberland  Greys"  in  '61.  See 
him  as  he  sits  on  his  horse  as  straight  as  an  arrow,  patting 
the  mane  and  talking  in  his  old-time  way  to  the  good  steed 
— "Haw,  there!  be  careful  Billy!  do  you  hear,  old  fellow?" 
What  a  portrait  is  that  of  the  ancient  landmark,  typical 
American  with  his  silver  hair,  tall  silk  hat  marked  with  the 
word  "Marshal ;"  the  "red,  white  and  blue  sash"  around  his 
waist,  with  the  gaily  caparisoned  horse  on  which  he  sits 
so  proudly!  Reminiscent  of  the  olden  time  indeed,  was 
Uncle  Dan.  once  sheriff,  once  clerk  of  Cumberland  County, 
quaintest  and  best  auctioneer  since  the  Revolution,  pic- 
turesque and  patriotic. 

Then  came  the  assistant  marshals.  Uncle  Dan's  staff — 


244  HISTORIC    DAYS 

Ex-Sheriff  Lewis  H.  Dovvdney;  Colonel  Edward  M.  Du- 
Bois;  Major  William  E.  Potter;  Captain  Samuel  T.  Du- 
Bois. 

With  a  large  body  of  veterans  in  line,  an  ambulance 
with  crippled  soldiers,  section  of  artillery  and  great  con- 
course of  citizens  with  bands  of  music  and  drum  corps,  the 
procession  moved  to  the  Grove  on  West  Commerce  street, 
where  the  exercises  of  the  day  occurred.  At  the  grove  Rev. 
Casper  R.  Gregory,  pastor  of  the  First  Presbyterian 
Church,  invoked  the  divine  blessing.  The  Declaration  of 
Independence  was  read  by  James  J-  Reeves,  Esq.,  followed 
by  prayer  by  Re\'.  James  M.  Chaliss,  of  the  Baptist  Church. 
A  choir  of  young  ladies  and  gentlemen  sang  very  patrioti- 
cally the  "Battle  Hymn  of  the  Republic,"  and  the  "Battle 
Cry  of  Freedom."  Robert  B.  Potter  read  "Our  Martyred 
President's  Last  Inaugural."  Hon.  .Alexander  G.  Cattell 
then  delivered  an  eloquent  oration  which  enthused  the  great 
audience  with  patriotic  applause,  many  times  repeated  as 
he  told  the  story  of  the  war  and  the  sacrifice  of  blood  and 
money  in  order  that  the  L'nion  of  the  Fathers  might  endure. 
After  music  by  the  l)and.  the  singing  of  the  doxology,  and 
benediction  by  Rev.  John  W.  Hickman,  former  pastor  of 
Commerce  Street  M.  E.  Churcli.  the  exercises  ended  and  the 
procession  reformed  and  proceeded  to  Grosscup's  Hall. 

The  Ladies'  Aid  Society  had  charge  of  the  program 
at  the  hall,  and  many  were  the  fair  faces  that  greeted  the 
returned  soldiers  as  they  took  their  places  at  the  well-filled 
table  which  e.xtended  from  one  end  of  the  floor  to  the  other. 
Tlie  word  "Peace"  in  e\ergreen  apjieared  over  the  rostrum 
of  the  hall,  with  "  '76 — Fourth  of  July — '65"  encircling  it — 
\\''ashinglon  and  Lincoln's  portraits  on  either  side.  On  the 
centre  panel  of  the  gallery  a  picture  of  General  Grant — 
over  the  entrance  to  the  hall  the  sentence  "Welcome  Vet- 
erans"— at  the  western  end  of  the  gallery  "X'ictory  at  Last!" 
Rev.  James  I'rown,  of  the  Baptist  Church,  offererl  in- 
vocation. Music  followed  while  the  soldiers  enjoyed  the 
sumptuous  dinner.  Hon.  Inhn  T.  Nixon,  announced  toasts 
as   follows: 


IK    CU.MBERLAMJ    COUNTY,    NEW    JERSEY  245 

"Our  Returned  Soldiers,"  responded  to  by  Major 
William  E.  Potter. 

"Washington  and  Lincoln."  by  I\e\ .  James  M.  Chaliss. 

"The  Spirit  of  Slavery,"  by  Lieutenant  James  J. 
Reeves. 

"The  M.ni  W  iio  Stood  by  the  Soldiers,"  by  Hon.  A.  G. 
Cattell. 

"J'he  Clergy,"  by  Rev.  C.  R.  Gregory. 

"The  City  of  Bridgeton,"  by  George  W.  Finlaw. 

"The  Women  of  America,"  by  Rev.  Henry  M.  Stuart. 

Complimentary  toast  to  Hon.  John  T.  Nixon,  "who 
had  done  more  with  voice  and  means  to  suppress  the  re- 
bellion tJian  any  other  man  in  the  First  District,"  was  of- 
fered by  Mr.  Cattell.  Mr.  Nixon  responded  in  a  very 
felicitous  speech. 

.\fter  benediction  by  Rev.  Hammill  Davis,  of  Deer- 
held,  the  celebration  and  reception  ended  with  cheers  for 
the  nation  and  the  old  soldiers. 

Fourth  of  July  night  the  town  was  brilliantly  illumi- 
nated. The  word  "Victory"  appeared  in  blazing  letters  on 
the  front  of  the  L'nion  League  room  in  Sheppard's  Hall.  No- 
table among  the  decorations  were  the  handsome  windows 
of  the  stores  of  Robert  J.  Fithian,  West  Bridgeton,  and' 
Mrs.  Caroline  Dare,  Commerce  street.  Captain  Joseph- 
Wescott's  residence  on  the  Fairton  road,  attracted  great  at- 
tention by  its  decoration  and  display  of  light. 

The  illumination  was  so  extensive  and  so  bright  that 
it  lit  the  heavens  with  a  lurid  glare,  and  could  be  seen  for  a 
long  distance.  A  great  torch-light  parade  with  ascending 
rockets,  red,  white  and  blue  lights,  was  the  spectacular 
feature  of  the  closing  day. 


The  L'nion  Republicans  of  New  Jersey  gathered  in 
State  convention  in  Trenton,  July  20th,  1865.  Hon.  John 
T.  Nixon,  of  Bridgeton,  was  unanimously  elected  chair- 
man. It  was  an  enthusiastic  body  of  delegates,  among 
whom   were   many    returned   soldiers   the   most   prominent 


246  HISTORIC    DAYS 

being  the    famous    Cavalry   Commander    General   Judson 
Kilpatrick,   of   Sussex   County.      There  was   good-natured 
rivalry   over   the  nomination,  and   several  prominent   men 
were  anxious    because  it  was    generally    believed  that  the 
choice  of  the  convention    would    prove  the  choice  of  the 
people.     South  Jersey  presented  a  candidate  in  Alexander 
G.  Cattell,  one  of  the  leading  business  men  of  Philadelphia, 
but  a  Jerseyman  by  birth  and  residence.     Mr.  Cattell  had 
done  much  for  the  Union  cause,  and  was  largely  instru- 
mental in  the  enlistment  and  equipment  of  the  118th  Penn- 
sylvania Regiment,  known  as  the  Corn  Exchange  Regiment. 
Pie  was  earnestly  supported  by  his  South  Jersey  friends. 
General  Kilpatrick  was  named  as  the  choice  of  his  soldier 
friends.      Marcus  L.   Ward,  who,  as  the   Republican  can- 
didate for  Governor  in  1862,  had  met  defeat,  his  opponent 
being  Governor  Joel  Parker,  was  again  presented  by  dele- 
gations, from    various    sections  of  the  State.     He  was  a 
business  man  of  the  city  of  Newark,  who  had  done  much 
for  the  Union  soldiers  and  their  families  during  the  war 
just  closed.     Making  repeated  trips  to  the  camps  in  Vir- 
ginia, and  the  hospitals  where  the  sick  and  wounded  lay. 
his  generous  hand  and  kindly  disposition  earned  him  the 
title  of  the  "Soldiers'  Friend."    There  was  a  well  developed 
sentiment  in  the  State  that  Marcus  L.  Ward  would  prove 
the  strongest  candidate  the  convention  could  name.     It  was 
also  felt  that  his  splendid  character  and  upright  life  would 
strengthen  the  ticket,  and  those  who  look  at  his  benevolent 
face  in  the  portrait  gallery  of  Governor?  in  the  State  House 
at  Trenton,  will  see  at  a  glance  that  the  record  of  such  a 
man  was  a  tower  of  strength  for  the  party  as  it  proved  to 
be  in  the  strenuous  campaign  which  followed  his  nomina- 
tion.    In  the  long  line  of  Governors  Xew  Jersey  has  had 
no  purer  or  better  Executive. 

The  nomination  was  made  on  the  fourth  ballot,  the 
vote  standing:  Ward,  349;  Kilpatrick,  173;  Cattell,  148. 
It  was  made  unanimous  amid  tremendous  cheering,  Mr. 
Cattell  and  General  Kilpatrick  seconding  and  heartily  en- 
dorsing the  selection. 


IX    CUMBERLAND    COUNTY,    NEW    JERSEY  247 

The  convention  adjourned  after  adopting  a  platform 
of  thanks  to  the  soldiers  who  had  saved  the  Union,  advoca- 
ting the  ratification  of  the  amendment  abolishing  slavery 
in  the  United  States,  and  declaring  the  National  debt  in- 
curred by  the  Government  in  suppression  of  the  rebellion 
a  sacred  contract  never  to  be  repudiated. 


July  26th,  1865,  the  Third  Xew  Jersey  Cavalry  re- 
turned to  Trenton  and  was  mustered  out.  Recruited  early 
in  January,  it  left  the  State  April  5th,  1864,  and  marched 
overland  to  Annapolis,  Maryland,  where  it  was  assigned 
to  the  Ninth  Army  Corps.  It  remained  at  this  point  but  a 
short  time  when  under  orders  it  proceeded  to  Alexandria, 
Virginia,  where  it  joined  the  Army  of  the  Potomac.  On 
leaving  Trenton,  the  strength  of  the  regiment  was  47  of- 
ficers, 1,131  non-commissioned  officers  and  privates,  a 
total  of  1,178  men,  under  command  of  Colonel  Andrew  J. 
Morrison.  It  was  designated  by  the  authorities  as  the  "First 
Regiment  United  States  Hussars."  On  account  of  its  hand- 
some uniform  it  attracted  general  attention  and  admiration, 
wherever  it  appeared.  It  was  a  patriotic  regiment  and  in 
the  remaining  months  of  the  war  it  did  gallant  service  for 
the  Union,  participating  in  nearly  all  the  cavalry  engage- 
ments under  General  Phil.  Sheridan  in  the  brilliant  cam- 
paign in  the  Shenandoah  valley. 

Company  H,  composed  principally  of  Cumberland 
County  boys,  returned  to  Bridgeton,  quietly  August  ist, 
and  was  given  a  warm  welcome  by  families  and  friends. 

Eleven  of  this  splendid  company  either  died  of  disease 
or  were  killed  in  action.  Seven  were  transferred  to  other 
companies,  and  seven  discharged  because  of  wounds  and 
disability. 

The  following  is  a  list  of  those  who  arrived  in  Bridge- 
ton  safe  and  sound :  Sylvanus  Murphy.  William  M.  Nor- 
ton. Charles  S.  Wallen.  Joseph  H.  Fithian,  Louis  Schaible, 
Theodore  A.  Dare.  William  C.  Lore,  Howard  Minot, 
Charles  Clark,  Robert  Potts,  Franklin  W.   Buzby,  Benja- 


24.S  HISTORIC   DAYS 

mill  Barraclift'.  Andrew  R.  Snyder.  John  L.  Smith,  Theo- 
dore F.  Sheppard.  Elam  Crozier.  Theodore  F.  Strang,  John 
E.  Garton,  Henry  AlHson,  George  F.  Baker.  Henry  C. 
Beebe.  Jonathan  Berger.  George  P.  Baker,  Peter  Boyle, 
Enoch  Brooks.  WiUiam  E.  Brooks,  Charles  B.  Buck,  George 
S.  Buck.  \\'illiam  Clark.  Ri)l)ert  G.  Clymer,  Charles  G.  Ed- 
wards, Edward  Flynn.  Jacob  Fritz.  James  Garrison,  Enoch 
B.  Garrison.  Thomas  Herbert,  Levi  J.  Harker,  Samuel 
Harris.  Joseph  Johnson,  Henry  Johnson,  Elias  M.  Keeler, 
William  Keeler,  George  Master,  Jonathan  McCowan,  Har- 
rison AlcXeeley,  Edward  McQuillan,  Joseph  Mills,  Matthias 
Murphy,  Daniel  Newcomb,  William  Nichols,  Isaiah  Palmer, 
Daniel  Robinson,  George  W.  Robinson,  Leonard  L.  Roray, 
Aaron  Schellenger.  Samuel  Strang,  Henry  Snyder,  Daniel 
R.  Seeds,  Michael  Sliger,  W'illiam  Stetson,  James  Sheerin, 
Isaac  Swing,  James  Rynear,  John  Trimble,  William  Tullis, 
John  Valentine,  Walter  G.  West.  Several  other  members 
of  Company  H,  returned  at  a  later  date  being  detained  in 
Washington  and  Trenton,  on  special  duties. 

Company  H  took  part  in  thirty-four  engagements  all 
in  the  space  of  one  year.  Few  organizations  had  done  bet- 
ter in  the  entire  course  of  the  war. 

Captain  Ethan  T.  Harris,  the  company's  first  com- 
mander, returned  with  the  honors  of  Major. 


The  Union  Republican  County  Convention  met  in  the 
Town  Hall,  Millville,  at  lo  o'clock  A.  M.,  October  4th, 
1865.  Charles  K.  Landis,  founder  of  Vineland,  was  elected 
chairman,  with  John  S.  Mitchell,  of  Bridgeton.  and  John 
W.  Newdin.  editor  of  the  Millville  Republican,  as  secretaries. 

Hon.  John  T.  Nixon  and  Colonel  Hawkins,  of  Tennes- 
see, the  latter  having  commanded  a  regiment  in  the  civil 
war,  addressed  the  convention,  and  were  loudly  applauded. 

For  the  first  time  in  the  history  of  the  Republican  party 
in  Cumberland  County,  tlie  names  of  all  the  delegates  were 
read  and  printed  in  the  papers.  The  follow-ing  is  a  com- 
plete list  of  the  delegates: 


IN    Cr.Ml'.KKI.AND    <()r.\TY,    MCW    JERSF.V  24O 

Bridgeton — First  ward — Robert  M.  Secley,  George 
W.  Johnson.  John  R.  Graliam.  Edward  R.  Broomall, 
George  W.  Finlaw.  Second  ward — Isaac  B.  Dare,  Samuel 
B.  Poole,  Wallace  Taylor,  Henry  B.  Marker,  Samuel  S. 
Sparks.  Third  ward — Daniel  M.  Woodruff,  Enoch  Han- 
thorn.  John  S.  Mitchell,  David  Sithens,  Lawrence  Wood- 
ruff. 

Millville— Lewis  Mulford,  Isaac  B.  Mulford,  E.  G. 
-McClong,  Samuel  F.  Freas,  John  W.  Newlin. 

Downe — Allen  Sheppard,  Jefferson  Lore,  Charles 
Sharp,  Fithian  S.  Parvin.  George  Sloan. 

Deerfield — -Elwell  Nichols,  Enoch  Riley,  John  Han- 
non,  Lucius  Moore,  Jesse  Finley. 

Fairfield — Richard  Stanton,  Richard  D.  Bateman. 
Theophilus  Trencliard.  James  Campbell,  Jr..  Richard  Lan- 
ing. 

Greenwich — Charles  L.  Watson,  Morri.>  r)acon.  Job 
Bacon,  Seeley  Shute,  Elmer  Ogden. 

Hopewell — Richard  Minch.  C.  Henry  Sheppard, 
Theophilus  P.  Davis,  John  S.  Bonham,  Ellis  A.  Davis. 

Stow  Creek — Lewis  Howell,  Isaac  W.  Elwell,  William 
Ogden,  Richard  West.  George  Bonham. 

Landis — Charles  K.  Landis,  John  Kandle,  J.  S.  Hoard, 
John  Tompkins,  William  A.  House. 

Maurice  River — Daniel  Harris,  Theodore  Rogers, 
Ephraim  Sharp,  Nathan  Baner,  Franklin  .Allen. 

The  personnel  of  this  convention  was  high.  Among 
the  number  were  many  of  the  most  prominent  citizens  of 
the  county,  men  of  character  and  standing  in  the  com- 
munities they  had  come  to  represent.  The  Republican  party 
had  been  in  existence  barely  a  decade,  yet  under  its  banner 
a  large  portion  of  the  best  element  had  enlisted  in  behalf  of 
political  principles  the  success  of  which  they  deemed  to  be 
of  the  highest  importance  for  the  welfare  of  the  nation. 
There  was  no  taint  of  corruption  in  that  remarkable  con- 
vention of  the  early  days.  Each  delegate  expressed  his 
choice  free  and  untrammeled. 

Editor  John  \\'.  Newlin  from  the  Committee  on  Res- 


250  HISTORIC   DAYS 

olutions,  reported  the  following  which  were  unanimously 
adopted : 

Resolved.  That  we  rejoice  over  the  successful  issue 
which  has  crowned  the  efiforts  of  the  Union  arms;  that  an 
honorable  peace  has  been  established;  that  the  authority  of 
the  Government  has  been  vindicated,  and  the  stability  and 
permanency  of  our  institutions  forever  assured. 

Resolved,  That  we  tender  our  thanks  to  the  brave 
soldiers  and  sailors  of  the  Republic,  who  have  proved  the 
ability  of  the  Government,  to  meet  domestic  foes  with  as 
much  success  as  it  has  met  foreign  enemies,  and  that  we 
of¥er  them  not  merely  "lip  service"  to  catch  votes,  but  the 
warm  affection  of  grateful  hearts. 

Resolved,  That  we  endorse  the  policy  inaugurated  by 
our  late  lamented  President,  and  which  has  been  so  faith- 
fully and  successfully  carried  out  by  his  successor. 

Resoh'ed,  That  we  endorse  the  nomination  of  Marcus 
L.  Ward,  for  Governor  of  New  Jersey,  and  pledge  our  most 
earnest  efiforts  for  his  election;  that  we  also  endorse  the 
nominations  this  day  made  by  this  convention,  and  hereby 
pledge  all  honorable  means  to  secure  the  election  of  the  en- 
tire ticket. 

Convention  proceeded  to  nominations.  The  names  of 
Hon.  Providence  Ludlam,  Hon.  B.  Rush  Bateman  and 
Jonathan  Elmer  were  presented.  A  ballot  w-as  taken  with 
the  following  result:  Ludlam,  46;  Bateman  7;  Elmer,  7; 
Senator  Ludlam's  renomination  was  then  made  unanimous 
amid  cheers. 

Hon.  Robert  More,  was  unanimously  renominated  for 
Assembly,  First  District ;  Hon.  James  H.  Nixon  for  As- 
sembly, Second  District. 

Dayton  Wallen,  of  Millville;  James  M.  Riley,  of 
Bridgeton ;  Elmer  Y.  Robinson,  of  Maurice  River,  were 
nominated  for  Coroners. 


The  Democrats  of  Cumberland  County,  met  in  con- 
vention at  the  Court  House  in  Bridgeton,  October   19th, 


IN"    CUMBliULANU    COLNTV,    NEW    JllKSliY  ^5 1 

1865,  and  made  out  a  strong  ticket  in  opposition  to  tliat 
presented  by  the  Union-Republican  Convention.  Siierrard 
Sockwell,  of  Fairfield  township,  was  nominated  for  State 
Senator,  Samuel  Rammell,  of  Deerfield,  was  named  for 
Assembly,  First  District ;  George  W.  Dummett,  of  Millville. 
Second  District;  Ephraim  E.  Johnson,  of  Bridgeton ; 
Charles  L.  Parker,  of  ^laurice  River,  and  Benoni  M. 
Chance,  of  Downe,  were  selected  as  candidates  for  Coroner. 
The  resolutions  were  patterned  after  those  adopted  in  the 
State  Democratic  Convention  and  were  strongly  Bourbon 
Sherrard  Sockwell,  the  nominee  for  Senator,  was  a  Union 
man,  strong  in  his  convictions  of  duty,  but  warmly  attached 
to  the  Democratic  party  as  the  faith  of  his  fathers.  He  was 
a  man  of  considerable  ability,  could  make  a  good  speech, 
being  forcible  and  vigorous  in  the  expression  of  his  opinions. 
He  was  one  of  a  type  of  good  men  who  have  long  since 
disappeared  from  local  politics — quaint,  honest  characters, 
whom  all  respected,  though  widely  divergent  in  political 
views.  "Uncle  Sherrard"  had  lost  a  son  in  one  of  the  great 
battles  in  Virginia,  an  only  son,  whose  maimed  body  he 
had  personally  brought  from  the  South  to  be  interred  in  the 
cemetery  at  the  old  home.  His  heart  was  sore  because  of 
the  loss  of  the  boy  whom  he  loved,  and  he  made  an  affecting 
appeal  to  the  voters  of  the  county  from  the  stump,  specially 
effective  for  its  sorrowful  patriotism.  One  of  the  common 
people  all  his  life  his  candidacy  strongly  appealed  to  the 
farmer  and  oysterman.  Added  to  this  was  the  rumor  of 
friction  in  the  Republican  ranks  over  the  renomination  of 
Senator  Ludlam.  "Provie"  had  made  an  excellent  Senator; 
his  course  had  been  patriotic  and  creditable.  But,  as  the 
special  advocate  of  labor,  introducing  bills  for  the  abolition 
of  orders  on  factory  stores,  he  had  incurred  the  enmity  of 
certain  manufacturers.  For  this  reason  the  Democrats 
thought  him  weak  and  had  hopes.  Labor,  however,  rallied 
to  his  support  both  in  the  primaries  and  at  the  election,  and 
he  won  by  a  large  plurality,  the  heaviest  up  to  that  day,  that 
had  been  given  a  Republican  candidate  for  Senator  in 
Cumberland  County,  and  returned  to  Trenton  with  flying 
colors. 


2:;2  IIISTIIKIC    DAYS 

In  the  series  of  gatherings  held  throughout  the  State, 
in  the  famous  Kilpatrick-Rogers  debate,  the  greatest  po- 
htical  colloquy  ever  heard  in  New  Jersey,  the  meeting  for 
Cumberland  County  was  set  down  for  October  ii,  1865. 
In  the  early  evening  thousands  of  people  blocked  Laurel 
street  and  the  vacant  square  l)ack  of  Grosscup's  Hall. 
A  large  platform  had  been  erected  immediately  in 
the  rear  of  the  hall  from  which  the  speakers  had  a  splen- 
did view  of  the  audience  and  an  excellent  reach  of  voice. 
It  was  decided  by  the  local  leaders  of  the  two  great  political 
parties  that  each  should  be  represented  in  the  government 
of  the  meeting.  Hon.  John  T.  Nixon  was  selected  to  rep- 
resent the  Republicans,  and  Doctor  Joseph  C.  Kirby,  the 
Democrats,  both  representative  gentlemen  of  their  respec- 
tive parties. 

The  two  orators  stepped  upon  the  platform  on  time. 
The  band  discoursed  several  lively  airs,  and  the  gladiators 
prepared  for  the  struggle.  Andrew  Jackson  Rogers,  who 
was  to  open  the  debate  in  the  first  half  hour,  was  a  man  of 
stalwart  frame,  able,  affable  and  splendid  voice.  As  a  mem- 
ber of  Congress  from  the  Fourth  Congressional  District  of 
the  State,  he  had  distinguished  hiiuself  in  the  House  of 
Representatives  as  an  exponent  of  Northern  Democracy.  A 
fiery  talker  was  "Jack"  and  at  times  bitter,  the  latter  at- 
tribute obtaining  for  him  the  label  "Copperhead"  at  the 
mouths  and  pens  of  his  political  opponents.  Democratic 
chairman  Kirby  arose,  introduced  the  Honorable  "Jack," 
and  the  fun  began.  His  theme  was  "equal  taxation,"  with  a 
vindictive  attack  on  what  he  believed  to  be  an  outrage  and 
a  crime,  the  exemption  from  tax  of  the  income  from  gov- 
ernment bonds.  Congress  had  a  right,  in  his  judgment,  to 
rejieal  the  act  exempting  government  bonds  from  taxa- 
tion. There  is  "nothing  in  the  Federal  Constitution,"  said 
"Jack,"  "to  prevent  repudiation  of  the  National  debt  saddled 
upon  the  people  by  an  unjust  ;uid  inicalled  for  war."  Dur- 
ing the  second  half-hour  allotted  him  in  the  closing  of  the 
debate  Rogers  attacked  the  proposition  looking  toward 
negro  suffrage,  ridiculed  its  advocates  and  exalted  the  vir- 


IX    CLMHERI.AND    C(UNTY.    XICW    JKRSKY  253 

tues  of  tlie  Democratic  party,  w  hicli  lie  claimed  was  the  party 
of  the  people,  and  the  party  wiiich  believed  in  a  white 
man's  government. 

Congressman  Rogers  was  loudly  cheered  by  his  friends 
in  the  audience  at  the  conclusion  of  his  opening  and  closing 
argument.  Many  persons  present  while  disagreeing  with 
the  speaker's  sentiments,  warmly  complimented  the  delivery 
and  diction  of  tiie  orator. 


One  hour  was  given  to  Kilpatrick  to  present  the  Re- 
publican view  of  the  political  situation.  General  Judson 
Kilpatrick  w'as  one  of  the  heroic  figures  of  the  great  civil 
war.  Of  medium  height,  good  face,  and  long  flowing  side 
whiskers  pla3'ing  havoc  in  the  breeze  as  he  excitedly  tra- 
versed the  platform,  General  Kilpatrick  was  a  picture  which 
the  rostrum  has  rarely  produced  in  our  great  national  dis- 
cussions of  political  questions  and  issues.  Fresh  from  vic- 
tories won  by  the  army  of  the  Potomac  and  the  glories  of 
Sherman's  march  from  Atlanta  to  the  sea,  the  form  of  the 
doughty  General  loomed  in  the  eye  of  the  patriotic  Ameri- 
can in  a  halo  of  splendor  reflecti\e  of  many  bloody  fields. 
Hence,  his  soldier  history  carried  much  weight  with  the 
audience,  and  "Little  Kil"  was  the  hero  of  the  hour  in  the 
many  debates  of  the  Marcus  L.  Ward  campaign. 

Republican  chairman  Xixnn  introduced  the  General 
in  a  few  well-timed  remarks,  and  the  reply  began  which 
never  ceased  in  volume  until  the  umpires  announced  "time." 
and  then  it  seemed  as  though  the  orator  had  just  cleverly 
touched  his  subject. 

"There  are  other  things  more  important  than  the  sub- 
ject of  equal  taxation,"  said  the  General.  "The  Demo- 
cratic party  is  responsible  for  the  war,  and  the  taxes  of 
which  niv  learned  friend  Rogers  complains.  Last  Fall — 
1864 — we  were  trying  to  prove  the  war  not  a  failure,  and 
to  hand  down  the  Government  as  it  was  received  from  the 
Fathers.  Had  McClellan  been  elected,  the  fourth  of  ]\L-ircii 
would  have  brought  a  cessation  of  hostilities,  and  a  dis- 


254  UISTOUIC    UAVS 

graceful  peace.  All  this  to  be  brought  about  at  a  time  when 
victory  was  crowning  our  arms.  We  are  trying  this  Fall 
— 1865 — to  reap  the  rich  fruits  of  victory  over  rebellion,  to 
unite  the  Union,  and  to  vindicate  the  principles  for  which 
the  soldiers  fought,  and  in  whose  behalf  we  are  willing  to 
again  draw  the  sword.  In  regard  to  equal  taxation  the 
Democratic  platform  says  that  tliat  party  is  in  favor  of  tax- 
ing government  bonds.  Does  it  say  anything  about  taxing 
State  and  railroad  bonds?  Do  you  know,  hearer,  that  there 
are  nearly  four  millions  of  dollars'  worth  of  State  bonds 
untaxed  by  a  "Copperhead  Legislature,"  and  fifty-six  mil- 
lion ddllars  of  railroad  bonds  untaxed  by  the  State?  If 
the  latter  were  reached  by  taxation  the  people  of  New  Jer- 
sey would  have  no  other  taxes  to  pay.  Government  bonds 
cannot  be  taxed,  because  it  would  be  unconstitutional.  The 
Constitution  of  the  United  States  expressly  declares  that 
Congress  shall  pass  no  law  impairing  the  validity  of  con- 
tracts. The  Democrats  are  dishonest  in  their  statements 
as  they  know  it  cannot  be  done." 

In  a  brilliant  peroration  General  Kilpatrick  declared 
that  he  favored  the  emancipation  of  the  black  man,  but  that 
he  was  opposed  to  negro  suffrage.  Paying  a  glowing  trib- 
ute to  the  valor  and  sacrifices  of  the  soldiers  of  New  Jer- 
sey now  returned  from  the  war,  he  appealed  to  them  to  aid 
by  their  votes  the  restoration  of  the  grand  old  State  to  the 
hands  of  the  party  which  saved  the  Union. 

Enthusiastic  were  the  cheers  that  went  upward  from 
a  thousand  throats  when  Kilpatrick  had  concluded,  an  au- 
gury of  coming  victory  at  the  polls  in  Cumberland  County. 

In  his  conclusive  remarks  "Jack"  Rogers  was  fre- 
quently interrupted  by  General  Kilpatrick,  with  pertinent 
questions,  all  of  which  the  former  answered  with  courtesy. 
As  Rogers  finished  i\il])alrick  brought  out  a  furore  of  ap- 
plause from  the  audience  by  the  ironical  exclamation : 
"Jack,  meet  me  at  the  depot  in  the  morning!" 

Thus  ended  the  great  debate — the  next  morning  Kil- 
patrick  and   Rogers   went   to  the    depot    arm-in-arm.    ap- 


IN    CUMBICRLANU    COLMV,    NKW    .1  KKSIiV  J-,-, 

parently  the  best  of  friends,  to  tlie  great  astonishment  of 
fierce  partisans  who  presumed  that  they  were  personal 
enemies,  because  perchance  they  had  politically  differed. 


The  canvass  for  the  election  of  a  Republican  Gov- 
ernor in  New  Jersey  was  productive  of  great  excitement 
and  efYort  in  Cumberland  County.  Political  meetings  were 
held  in  every  school  district  of  the  county,  a  majority  of 
them  being  addressed  by  fonuer  Congressman  John  T. 
Nixon.  One  of  the  greatest  rallies  was  held  in  the  school- 
house  at  Dividing  Creek,  where  Mr.  Nixon  delivered  the 
closing  speech  of  the  campaign  on  the  night  of  November 
5th.  It  was  a  fruitful  year  for  orators  and  public  speakers, 
as  the  State  was  turned  upside  down  and  inside  out  by  both 
political  parties.  Among  the  youthful  speakers  was  the 
writer  of  this  work,  and  the  place  was  the  Baptist  Ses- 
sion House  on  the  main  street  of  the  village  of  Green- 
wich, where  the  boys  and  men  of  that  staid  old  borough, 
whooped  things  up  for  Marcus  L.  Ward,  and  the  whole 
Republican  ticket.  It  was  a  delightful  meeting.  The 
young  ladies  had  formed  a  patriotic  singing  club  and  they 
sang  war  songs  with  a  vim.  It  was  the  occasion  of  our 
first  political  speech,  a  never  to  be  forgotten  year  with  sev- 
eral of  us  who  are  still  in  Cumberland  County,  and  remem- 
ber the  good,  old-fashioned  politics  which  prevailed  when 
men,  not  money,  won  seats  in  Congress  and  the  Legisla- 
ture. 


A  rousing  result  was  that  of  the  glorious  campaign 
of  1865.  The  State  House  passed  from  the  control  of  the 
Democrats,  both  Executive  and  Legislative  departments  be- 
coming Republican.  Marcus  L.  Ward  was  elected  Governor 
by  a  luajority  of  2.789  votes  in  the  State  over  General 
Theodore  Runyon.  the  Democratic  candidate.  The  Legis- 
lature stood  eleven  Republicans  and  ten  Democrats  in  the 
Senate:  the  House  had  twelve  Republican  niajority.  a  Re- 


256  HISTORIC    DAYS 

publican  niajurily  of  thirteen  \-otes  on  joint  ballot.  In  Cum- 
berland County.  Ward  had  887  majority.  Providence  Lud- 
1am  was  re-elected  Senator  by  870  majority:  Robert  More, 
Assembly,  First  District,  369  majority:  James  H.  Xixon, 
Second  District,  493  majority. 

The  Union  League  headquarters  in  Shepparfl's  Hall, 
election  night,  November  6th,  was  the  centre  of  excitement. 
Great  crowds  gathered  in  front  of  the  building  on  \\^est 
Commerce  street,  and  as  the  results  came  pouring  in  of 
Union  Republican  majorities  in  the  townships  tremendous 
was  the  cheering.  Telegrams  from  up  State  at  a  late  hour 
brought  the  final  good  news  that  New  Jersey  had  reversed 
her  Democratic  allegiance,  when  with  cheers  for  the  success- 
ful candidates  the  elated  Republicans  departed  for  their 
homes. 

In  its  issue  following  the  election  an  editorial  appeared 
in  the  Chronicle,  and  it  read  : 

"The  result  is  mainly  due  to  the  soldiers.  Being  denied 
the  privilege  of  voting  while  in  the  field,  when  they  were 
battling  for  the  life  of  the  nation,  they  promised  themselves 
that  as  soon  as  the  rebels  were  subdued  and  concjuered,  they 
would  return  and  x'indicate  their  rights  at  Imme.  Brave 
boys — they  have  noblv  done  so — they  ha\'e  openly  rebuked 
the  wrongs  done  them,  and  proved  in  overwhelming  num- 
bers their  gratitude  and  esteem  for  the  soldiers"  friend — 
Marcus  T..   Ward." 


From  Robert  Halford  to  the  close  of  the  Civil  War 
was  only  a  decade,  but  what  wonders  had  God  wrought! 

No  more  would  black  "Tom"  and  black  "Joe"  bare 
their  backs  to  the  s]a\e  driver's  whi]") !  No  more  would 
"Chloe"  and  "Phvllis"  be  separated  from  bone  of  their  bone, 
flesh  of  their  llcsh.  From  the  new  made  graves  of  a  half 
million  human  si  nils  that  had  perishecl  in  the  blood  and  car- 
nage of  the  greatest  w.ar  in  historv  the  smoke  nf  holocaust 
went  up  to  Heaven.  Like  the  gentle  dew  upon  the  sum- 
mit of  Hermon  it  sparkled  and  scintillated  before  the  Throne 
in  the  crucible  of  the  Master's  refining  fire! 


IX  rrMRF.Rl..\\o  ((iiNTV,   xi:\v    IKRSKV  257 

Two  hundred  years  of  oppression  had  sped  its  course, 
and  the  end  liad  come.  Before  tlie  omniscient  eye  the  pano- 
rama of  cruelties  and  its  gory  finish  was  curtained  forever, 
and  they  wlio  liad  defied  tlie  laws  of  God  had  paid  the  pen- 
alty in  ruined  homes,  bloody  graves,  and  wrecked  hopes. 


4ik. 


LIBRARY  OF  CONGRESS 


0  014  224  914  5      •]