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 THE JAMES VERNER SCAIFE 
 
 COLLECTION 
 
 CIVIL WAR LITERATURE 
 
 THE GIFT OP 
 
 JAMES VERNER SCAIFE 
 CLASS OF 1889 
 
 1919 
 
Cornell University Library 
 | E521.5 11th .M31 
 
 J History of the Eleventh New Jersey Volun 
 
 olin 
 
 3 1924 030 908 416 
 
Cornell University 
 Library 
 
 The original of this book is in 
 the Cornell University Library. 
 
 There are no known copyright restrictions in 
 the United States on the use of the text. 
 
 http://www.archive.org/details/cu31 92403090841 6 
 
^/h^y-t^ 
 
cZ^T 
 
HISTORY 
 
 ^rleoeiitl} )|<eu> Jersey Moluriteeps 
 
 Its Organization to Appomattox 
 
 TO WHICH IS ADDED 
 
 EXPERIENCES OF PRISON LIFE 
 
 AND 
 
 Sketches of Individual Members 
 
 By THOS..D. MARBAKER, SERC'T CO. E 
 
 Illustrated with Portraits from 
 War-time Photographs 
 
 TRENTON, N. J. : 
 MacCrellish & Quigley, Book and Job Printers. 
 
 1898. 
 
The regiment took part in the following engagements 
 
 Fredericksburg, Va., December 13th and 14th, '62. 
 Chancellorsville, Va., May 3d and 4th, '63. 
 Gettysburg, Pa., July 2d and 3d, *63. 
 Wapping Heights, Va., July 24th, '63. 
 Kelly's Ford, Va., November 8th, '63. 
 Locust Grove, Va., November 27th, '63. 
 Mine Run, Va., November 29th, "63. 
 Wilderness, Va., May 5th to 7th, '64. 
 Spottsylvania, Va., May 8th to 11th, '64. 
 Spottsylvania Court House, Va., May 12th to 18th, '64. 
 . North Anna River, Va., May 23d and 24th, 64. 
 Tolopotomoy Creek, Va., May 30th and 31st, '64. 
 Cold Harbor, Va., June 1st to 5th, '64. 
 Barker's Mills, Va., June 10th, '64. 
 Before Petersburg, Va., June 16th to 23d, '64. 
 Deep Bottom, Va., July 26th and 27th, *64. 
 Mine Explosion, Va., July 30th, '64. 
 
 North Bank of James River, Va., August 14th to 18th, '64. 
 Ream's Station, Va., August 25th, '64. 
 Fort Sedgwick, Va., September 10th, '64. 
 Poplar Spring Church, Va., October 2d, '64. 
 Boynton Plank-Road, Va., October 27th, '64. 
 Fort Morton, November 5th, '64. 
 Hatcher's Run, Va„ February 5th to 7th, '65. 
 Armstrong House, Va., March 25th, '65. 
 
 Boynton Plank-Road, Va. (capture of Petersburg), April 2d, '6f 
 Amelia Springs, Va., April 6th, '65. 
 Fartnville, Va., April 6th to 7th, '65. 
 Lee's Surrender (Appomattox, Va.), April 9th, '65. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 Y^hen I began the compilation of this work, it was with the 
 intention of making it (principally) a record of persona 
 incidents — those happenings, grave and gay, •which gave zest and 
 variety to a soldier's life and brought out the individual character- 
 istics of the members of the regiment. Upon stating my intention 
 (or rather hopes) to the comrades, it was predicted that there 
 would be such a plethora of material that I would not know what 
 to do with it. Unfortunately the reverse has been the case. So 
 few and tardy were the responses to solicitations for reminiscences 
 that I became almost discouraged and practically threw the work 
 aside. It is a strange fact that when comrades get together they 
 can relate incident after incident, but ask them to put their recol- 
 lections upon paper, then their army life seems to have been a 
 blank. My recollections of army life are still very vivid, but 
 memory is not infallible, and badly as this work is done, it would 
 have been worse had it not been for the valuable assistance ren- 
 dered by the late General McAllister, who gave me access to his 
 papers, and to Colonel John Schoonover, Major Loyd, Captain 
 John Oldershaw, Chaplain Cline, Captain William H. Meeker, 
 Captain E. S. E. Newberry, Brevet Captain U. B. Titus, Lieuten- 
 ants William Hand and E. R. Good, Quartermaster-Sergeant John 
 Stagg, Corporals Aaron Lines, of Company B, and Bishop W. 
 Mains, of Company E ; Privates Lambert Sharp, of Company E, 
 and John Goodman (alias Zuckswort), of Company B. One of my 
 most valuable assistants has been Alonzo B Searing, of Company 
 E, who, though but a boy at the time of his enlistment, seems to 
 
iv PREFACE. 
 
 have realized the importance of keeping a full and methodical 
 record of the happenings to himself and the regiment during 
 those trying days from '62 to '65. His contributions have been 
 voluminous and, in general, have well stood the test of investiga- 
 tion and comparison as to accuracy. One of the most important 
 things in preparing a record of this kind is accuracy as to time and 
 date. In some of the regimental histories that I have read, these 
 seem to have been ignored for the sake of continuity of narrative. 
 I may not in all cases be correct, but I have tried to be as nearly 
 so as possible. A number of incidents have been sent me which, 
 while they could have been made very readable and no doubt con- 
 tained some elements of truth, were found to be so variant from 
 well-known facts that I was compelled to throw them aside. The 
 comrades have been honest, but the mists of years have obscured 
 their memories and the recollections of the war have become so 
 jumbled that the incidents of different periods seem to them as 
 parts of one. I have also tried to avoid anything like bombast ; 
 I know that the Eleventh tried to do its duty ; that its contempo- 
 raries gave it credit for being brave and gallant, but it did not do 
 ■it all — there were a few other troops engaged in the various battles 
 in which it fought that rendered very efficient service. 
 
 T. D. Marbaker. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 Organization of the Regiment. 
 
 CHAPTER n. 
 
 On to "Washington — Camp Ellsworth — Guarding Convalescent 
 
 Camp. 
 
 CHAPTER III. 
 
 Joining Care's Brigade — The March to Falmouth — Battle of 
 Fredericksburg. 
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 Camp Fitzhugh — First Winter Quarters. 
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 Hooker Takes Command — Chancellorstille. 
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 The March to Gettysburg — Gettysburg. 
 
 CHAPTER VII. 
 
 Wapping Heights — March to Beverly Ford — Rappahannock. 
 
 CHAPTER VIH. 
 
 Locust Grove — Mine Run. 
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 Camp at Brandy Station. 
 
vi CONTENTS. 
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 Across the Rapidan and Southward — Wilderness — Spottsylvania 
 — Cold Harbor. 
 
 CHAPTER XI. 
 
 Across the James — Petersburg. 
 
 CHAPTER XIL 
 
 Mahone's Attack — Major Halsey and Others Captured. 
 
 CHAPTER XHI. 
 
 Across the James — Mine Explosion — Ream's Station. 
 
 CHAPTER XIV. 
 
 Fort Davis — Poplar Spring Church — Botnton' Plank Road. 
 
 CHAPTER XV. 
 
 Fort Morton. 
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 "With Warren to Hicksford — From December 7th to 12th, 1864. 
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 Hatcher's Run — Armstrong House. 
 
 CHAPTER XVIII. 
 
 Capture of Petersburg— Amelia Springs — Farmvtlle — Lee's 
 Surrender. 
 
 CHAPTER XIX. 
 
 Our Return March — Burksville — Washington — The Grand 
 Review — Trenton — Mustered Out. 
 
 CHAPTER XX. 
 
 Southern Prisons — Imprisonment of Corporal Lines. 
 
 CHAPTER XXL 
 
 Chaplain Cline's Letter — Lieutenant Baldwin's Headboard. 
 
 CHAPTER XXII. 
 
 Sketches. 
 
ILLUSTRATIONS. 
 
 Prom War-Time Photographs. 
 
 Brevet Major General Robert McAllister Frontispiece 
 
 Bretet Colonel John Schoonover 1 
 
 Major Thomas G. Halsey 10 
 
 Surgeon Edward L. Welling 18 
 
 Major Philip J. Kearny 26 
 
 Major John T. Hill 34 
 
 Brevet Major Charles F. Gage 42 
 
 Chaplain E. Clarke Cline 52 
 
 Captain Ira W. Cory 60 
 
 Major William H. Loyd 68 
 
 Captain Samuel T. Sleeper 76 
 
 Captain D. B. Logan 84 
 
 Captain A. H. Ackerman 92 
 
 Captain S. M. Layton 100 
 
 Adjutant Alexander Beach, Jr 108 
 
 Captain Charles A. Oliver . 116 
 
 Captain William H. Meeker 124 
 
 Lieutenant Joseph C. Baldwin 132 
 
 Lieutenant William Hand 140 
 
 Lieutenant John B. Faussett 148 
 
 Captain John Oldershaw 156 
 
 Lieutenant Titus Berry 164 
 
 Sergeant T. O'Doane 172 
 
 Sergeant Thomas D. Marbaker 182 
 
viii ILL USTBA TIONS. 
 
 PAGE. 
 
 Lieutenant C. H. Rossiter 194 
 
 Lieutenant William E. Axtell 204 
 
 Sergeant Eliphalet Sturdevant 214 
 
 Lieutenant Alpheus Ilifp 226 
 
 Sergeant James McDavitt ..... 240 
 
 Lieutenant Edwin R. Good 254 
 
 Private A. B. Searing 268 
 
 Corporal A. S Talmage 282 
 
 Lieutenant W. H. Egan 298 
 
 Sergeant Blackwood's Bible 312 
 
 Gettysburg Monument 326 
 
 Fag-Simile or Order to Captain Oliver 336 
 
 Lieutenant Baldwin's Headboard 344 
 
 General McAllister's Monument 348 
 
 Major Loyd's Bullet •. . . . 357 
 
Brevet-Colonel John Scboonover. 
 
The Eleventh Regiment 
 
 Chapter I. 
 
 Organization of the Regiment. 
 
 JT&he organization of the Eleventh Regiment, New Jersey 
 *- Volunteers, was begun in May, 1862, under the provisions 
 of an act of Congress, approved July 22d, 1861, and by 
 permission granted the Governor by the War Department to 
 commence the raising of a regiment, in anticipation of a call, 
 soon to be issued by the President, for more troops. 
 
 On July 7th, 1862, the President issued a call for three 
 hundred thousand additional volunteers to serve three years or 
 during the war. At this time about two hundred and fifty men 
 had been recruited, and were encamped at Camp Perrine, 
 Trenton. On the 8th of July, 1862, a telegram was received 
 from the War Department, Washington, D. C, calling for five 
 regiments of infantry from the State of New Jersey, and in 
 compliance with this telegram and the provisions of General 
 Order No. 75, Adjutant-General's office, War Department, 
 Washington, D. O, dated July 8th, 1862, the organization of 
 the regiment was completed. The regiment was organized, 
 officered and equipped by the 18th day of August, 1862, at 
 which time it was mustered into the United States service by 
 Major Lewellyn Jones, of the First U. S. Cavalry. The 
 strength of the regiment at time of muster was : officers, 39 ; 
 non-commissioned officers and privates, 940 ; total, 979. The 
 earliest enlistments in the regiment were in Company K, Charles 
 C. Eeiley, Wm. Amsden, Amon J. Foote, Jeremiah O'Brien and 
 
2 TEE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 George H. Porter, who enlisted on April 30th, 1862, being 
 assigned to that company. They were followed in the same 
 company by Edward Berden, musician, on May 5th, Jeremiah 
 Demerest and Gershom Forate, on May 7th, and Joseph Hun- 
 ton, Nicholas Maure, May 12th. By the end of June, Company 
 K had enlisted upwards of thirty men, so it must be awarded 
 the credit of having been the pioneer company. Before the end 
 of June, over two hundred men had been enlisted, and camp 
 formed along the Trenton Branch of the Camden and Amboy 
 Railroad, opposite the New Jersey State Prison. The plot of 
 ground used was bounded on the east by what is now Adeline 
 street, on the south by Cass street, on the west by the railroad 
 and the Delaware and Raritan canal, and on the north by a 
 pond, caused by the overflow from the canal, which has since 
 been filled in and the site occupied by a sash and blind factory 
 and Wilson & Stokes' coal and wood yard. Across the Cass 
 street bridge, to the westward, stands the old State Prison, used 
 then as now for the State Arsenal. A part of the old camp- 
 ground is still vacant, but the surroundings have been so im- 
 proved that, without the prison and arsenal as landmarks, it 
 would be hard to recognize the site. 
 
 The camp was named Perrine, in honor of General Lewis Per- 
 rine, then Quartermaster-General of the State. Sibley tents were 
 pitched, cook-houses put up, and so fast as the recruits arrived 
 they were given quarters and inducted into the mysteries of 
 camp- life. 
 
 No one who was with the regiment in its earliest stage, before 
 the officers had reported to their commands, will have forgotten 
 the self-important, tyrannical Sergeant Nolan, of Company F, 
 who seemed for a time to have chief charge of the camp, under 
 Major Halstead. How he strutted around, with his belt strung 
 full of hand-cuffs, and what evident pleasure he felt when an 
 excuse offered to punish some ignorant offender or helplessly 
 drunken soldier! To buck-and-gag a man seemed to afford 
 him supreme satisfaction. But the old saying, that a " tyrant is 
 generally a coward," held good in that case, for the " noble " 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 3 
 
 sergeant deserted the regiment on its way to the front, and per- 
 haps it was well (for himself) that he did so. 
 
 The transition from the comforts of home to the comparative 
 discomforts of Camp Perrine were not too cheerfully borne by the 
 newly- made soldiers. We were yet to learn by experience how 
 utterly barren of real comfort a soldier's life could be. 
 
 Among the equipments drawn from the Quartermaster's De- 
 partment were small ticks, which, when well filled with straw, 
 made not bad substitutes for the beds at home, and they were 
 beds of down in comparison with some of our resting-places in 
 the years that followed. We also received a tin cup, and plate 
 of the same material. That constituted our table service, a ser- 
 vice that many of the boys were cheated out of by the mean 
 tricks of some of the cooks at Camp Perrine. They were told 
 that if they would leave their cup and plate with the cook and 
 pay twenty-five cents a week, in advance, he (the cook) would 
 keep them clean. Many of the men did so, but when they went 
 again for rations they were told that there was no cup and plate 
 there for them. The only alternative was to buy new ones. 
 
 We had not been long in camp before we learned that so far 
 as individual property was concerned each man would have to 
 look out for his own, and, if lost, replace it as best he could. 
 
 William Hand, of Company B, lost — or, rather, had stolen — 
 his gun, and having searched all over the camp without finding 
 it, finally reported the loss to Lieutenant Bloomfield. Bloom- 
 field asked why he came to him, and if he thought he had it. 
 " No," said Hand, " but I thought you could put me in the way 
 of finding it." The lieutenant told him that he would learn to 
 find another gun when he had lost his, or he would find it 
 charged against him. We soon learned that the only way for a 
 soldier to replace a lost article was to go and find a similar one. 
 
 One day the men of Company G: were overheard complaining 
 to Lieutenant Lawrence that their property kept disappearing. 
 " Well," said Lawrence, " here you are between Companies B 
 and E, and I have often told you that they were the worst 
 
4 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 thieves in the regiment. Now you will either haye to look out 
 for your things, pay for them when lost, or steal others." 
 
 Colonel McAllister was a firm believer that " cleanliness was 
 next to godliness," and, after taking command of the regiment, 
 gave it ample opportunities for bathing. One evening the right 
 wing and the next evening the left would be marched to the 
 prison basin (then surrounded by a high board-fence). This 
 event was enjoyed by all, and particularly by the boys who 
 would get a daily swim by stealing out with some other company. 
 
 At first the camp was anything but a place of quietness. But 
 as it filled up and officers reported to their commands, order 
 began to appear, and drills, inspections, &c, became the daily 
 routine. With few exceptions the men submitted quietly to the 
 discipline that was to make them fit for the more responsible 
 duties of a soldier's life. Every effort was made to keep intoxi- 
 cating liquors out of camp, but in spite of every precaution it 
 would be often smuggled in, with the result that some poor slave 
 of appetite would find his way to the guard-house. 
 
 The camp was frequently visited by agents for bullet-proof 
 vests, which articles were at first looked upon with considerable 
 favor. A few of the men purchased, and thought they had 
 secured a protection against the bullets of the enemy. Some of 
 the shrewder ones suggested a practical test, to which an agent, 
 either ignorant of the quality of his goods or strong in his belief 
 of their invulnerability, consented. The vests were taken to the 
 sand-bank, at the eastern end of the camp, and stood against the 
 bank. A few well-directed shots proved their uselessness. They 
 were thoroughly riddled, and the agent, completely crest-fallen, 
 quietly disappeared. 
 
 At Camp Perrine Colonel McAllister inaugurated the Sunday 
 services, which were maintained until the close of the war when- 
 ever opportunity offered. Every pleasant Sunday the regiment 
 would be marched to the green, in front of the prison, where re- 
 ligious services would be held. As Chaplain Knighton did not 
 join the regiment until near the time of its departure for Vir- 
 ginia, "these services were conduoted by visiting clergymen. The 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 5 
 
 men were also allowed, under proper escort, to attend evening 
 services in the churches of the city. 
 
 Of the thirty-nine officers of the regiment, eighteen had seen 
 more or less service. The Colonel, Robert McAllister, had won 
 distinction as Lieutenant-Colonel of the First New Jersey Vol- 
 unteers. His fitness for command had been proven on the hard- 
 fought battle-fields of the Peninsula. Lieutenant-Colonel Stephen 
 Moore had held the same rank in the Third New Jersey (three 
 months) Volunteers. Major Valentine Mutchler had been pro- 
 moted from Captain of Company D, First New Jersey Volun- 
 teers. Adjutant John Schoonover was also a Peninsular veteran, 
 having served as private and Corporal in Company D, First 
 New Jersey, and been promoted to Commissary Sergeant of that 
 regiment, gaining his promotion by competitive examination. 
 Chief Surgeon E. L. Welling had been promoted from Assistant 
 Surgeon of the Third New Jersey. Captain Luther Martin had 
 held commission as Second Lieutenant of Company A, First 
 New Jersey Volunteers, and Captain William Meeker had been 
 promoted from Corporal of the same company. Captain William 
 B. Dunning had served as Captain of Company K, Second New 
 Jersey (three months) Volunteers. 
 
 Among the Lieutenants, Andrew Ackerman and John F. 
 Buckley, had been promoted from privates in Company I, Sec- 
 ond New Jersey Volunteers; Lott Bloomfield, from private in 
 the Twentieth Indiana ; Alexandre Beach, from private in Com- 
 pany K, Second New Jersey ; Sydney M. Lay ton. had held a 
 like commission in the President's Guard ; Milton S. Lawrence 
 had come from the Fourteenth Indiana, where he had held the, 
 rank of private; Ira W. Corey was promoted from Sergeant of 
 Company K, Se% T enth New Jersey Volunteers ; Wm. S. Provost 
 from Sergeant-Major of the First ; John Oldershaw had been 
 connected with the famous Seventh New York, and E. S. E. 
 Newberry had distinguished himself while a private in Company 
 D, Third New Jersey. In an encounter with a raiding party of 
 the enemy's cavalry he had been severely wounded in the left 
 
6 THE ELEVENTH BEGIMENT, 
 
 side and arm, and when commissioned First Lieutenant of Com- 
 pany E, of the Eleventh, his left arm was practically useless. 
 
 Beside these, many of the non-commissioned officers and pri- 
 vates had been out with the various three-months organizations, 
 so that the regiment was not entirely lacking in knowledge 
 gained in the school of the soldier. 
 
 To be sure, the majority when they enlisted were practically 
 ignorant of military matters. They knew that soldiers were 
 expected to fight, and that infantry carried muskets, but they 
 had yet to learn how to handle them according to the rules 
 of the Manual. The majority were young and willing to learn, 
 and by the time the regiment left Trenton the awkwardness 
 peculiar to recruits had in a great measure disappeared. 
 
 Perhaps no regiment that ever left the State of New Jersey 
 presented greater physical contrasts than did the Eleventh. 
 
 In it was seen the strong, broad-shouldered man, whom years 
 of toil and endurance had hardened, and the slender, unformed 
 youth who had yet to feel the first weight of life's burden. Two- 
 thirds of those composing the regiment had not reached the age 
 of twenty-one, and many were under seventeen — in fact so 
 many were the youths that it was called a regiment of boys — 
 and many people laughed at the idea of such troops doing 
 efficient service. They did not stop to think that the spirit that 
 prompted those boys to leave the love and comfort of home 
 would sustain them through the weariness of the march and 
 the dangers of the battle better than the brawn and muscle of 
 their older comrades. It was a regiment of boys until Frede- 
 ricksburg and Chancellorsville made it a regiment of men. 
 After the desperate fighting at Chancellorsville there was no 
 more sneering at the youthful 'personnel of the Eleventh. 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 
 
 Chapter II. 
 
 On to Washington — Camp Ellsworth — Guarding 
 Convalescent Camp. 
 
 J\ pteb the final muster into the United States service, the 
 -*■*- regiment was in daily expectancy of being ordered to the 
 front. At last the order came to move on August 25th. Many 
 of the friends and relatives had learned the date of the regiment's 
 departure, and when the morning came they hastened to the 
 camp to bid the departing ones farewell. 
 
 The Trenton and Bordentswn Branch of the Camden and 
 Amboy Railroad ran along the southwestern side of the camp, 
 and there the cars were halted that were to bear the regiment 
 southward. About eleven o'clock the order was given to board 
 the cars, farewells were quickly spoken, and amid mingled 
 cheers and tears, the train moved toward Camden. 
 
 Philadelphia was reached about three o'clock. After an 
 abundant dinner at the Cooper refreshment saloon, the regiment 
 marched to the Philadelphia and Wilmington depot, where it 
 took train for Washington, followed by the cheers and well- 
 wishes of many patriotic citizens of Philadelphia. 
 
 It passed through Wilmington about six o'clock, crossed the 
 Susquehanna at eleven, and reached Baltimore at one o'clock on 
 the morning of the 26th. There the regiment left the cars, and 
 after being refreshed with very poor rations, the men made 
 themselves as comfortable as possible until seven o'clock, when 
 they once more took the cars for the last stage of their journey 
 to the capital, which was reached about eleven A. M. 
 
 After dining at the soldiers' retreat the regiment fell into line, 
 marched through the city and crossed the long bridge to Arling- 
 ton Heights. The streets of Washington being very dusty, and 
 the day extremely warm, this first march resulted in a number 
 of sun-strokes. 
 
8 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 The regiment's first encampment: south of the Potomac over- 
 looked the capital, and, in honor of the Secretary of State, it was 
 named Camp Seward. 
 
 The stay at Arlington was not destined to be a very long one. 
 On August 27th the regiment received orders to be in readiness 
 for marching. Tents were struck, knapsacks packed, and all 
 things made ready; but the 28th found us still in the same 
 position. A heavy shower of rain coming up on the 28th, tents 
 were hastily pitched again. At three A. M. on the morning of the 
 29th marching orders were renewed, and by daylight the camp 
 had disappeared, breakfast had been eaten, and the regiment was 
 on the move. The line of march led down te and up the 
 Potomac to the aqueduct ; across the aqueduct to Georgetown ; 
 then up the Potomac to the chain bridge. There we found a 
 New York regiment on guard, who, in anticipation of an advance 
 of the enemy in that direction, had removed the flooring of the 
 bridge. The planks were temporarily relaid, and the regiment 
 quickly crossed to the Virginia side, where the march was resumed 
 in the direction of Leesburg. After marching some miles it filed 
 to the right of the road and stacked arms. The officers were 
 called to the front and center and addressed by the Colonel, who 
 gave some words of advice and caution, companies were inspected 
 and the ammunition equally distributed. 
 
 Far away on the famous field of Bull Run the two armies 
 were again struggling for the mastery. All day long we could 
 hear the boom of artillery. What would be the result ? And 
 why should we lie there inactive while comrades were being 
 swept away by the tide of the enemy ? Such were the questions 
 we asked each other. With the zeal of inexperience we were 
 anxious to measure strength with the foe. We did not stop to 
 think that perhaps it was as important to have us occupying the 
 position we then held as it would to have had us upon the battle- 
 field. 
 
 The next day Pope's shattered and defeated forces marched 
 by us, and as regiment after regiment filed past, with tattered 
 battle-flags and soiled and bloody clothing, the majority of us. 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 9 
 
 perhaps for the first time, began to realize what war really 
 meant. 
 
 Dejected by defeat, tired and footsore, hungry and dusty, the 
 heroes of the Peninsula and Bull Run soon dispelled any exalted 
 idealisms that we may have held in regard to the life of a 
 soldier. 
 
 Fresh from the comfort and plenty of home, possessing yet an 
 abundance of all things necessary for comfort and cleanliness, it 
 was hard to realize that we should in a short time be as destitute 
 of these things as were the shattered and tired troops then 
 marching past us. 
 
 While in this position along the Leesburg road the regiment 
 was made acquainted with the condition of army bacon after 
 long service in government store-houses. A quantity of it was 
 issued to the regiment, but it took a vigilant guard to keep it 
 from taking French leave and marching out of camp. I doubt 
 if much of it was used, for at that early period the boys had not 
 become accustomed to eating their meat alive. 
 
 At nine P. M. the regiment was ordered to move. It was an 
 all-night trip, for it was not until sunrise that it went into camp 
 near Fort Marcy. No particular name was given to that en- 
 campment. It was generally denominated " Camp near Fort 
 Marcy." While there the time was employed in drilling, guard, 
 picket and other duties. An occasional detail was sent to Fort 
 Ethan Allen, which lay some distance to the left. 
 
 Near the camp was a field of growing corn, which the boys 
 soon found was about right for roasting, and though orders were 
 given not to touch it and guards were placed to watch it, yet 
 many a mess of green corn found its way to camp. There the 
 old Austrian rifles that had been issued by the State were ex- 
 changed for the Harper's Ferry or Springfield musket, which 
 carried a ball and three buckshot. 
 
 One evening, while in the vicinity of Fort Marcy, a detail con- 
 sisting of a corporal and two privates was called for from Com- 
 pany B, and Corporal Aaron Lines and Privates William and 
 Henry Hand were sent. Their instrustions were to go up the 
 
10 
 
 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 Major Thomas J. Halsey. 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 11 
 
 road about one mile, where they were told they would find a 
 hay-stack, guard it through the night, and keep the horses of 
 the cavalry from eating the hay. They found the stack, and 
 near it a house where a woman was selling pies and cakes to the 
 passing soldiers. They informed her that they had been sent 
 there to guard her house and would like some supper, whereat she 
 furnished them an excellent meal. After eating they proceeded to 
 the hay-stack, climbed on top and went to sleep. The entire party 
 slept soundly and until long after daylight. When awakened 
 they had but little trouble in getting off the stack, as it had 
 diminished in height to about four feet and had spread out 
 amazingly. Around it stood about twenty horses busily engaged 
 in putting away the fodder, while a short, distance away lay the 
 riders on beds of hay. They returned to camp and reported no 
 hay-stack within four miles. 
 
 At two o'clock on the afternoon of September 7th the regiment 
 broke camp and marched to Alexandria; passing through the city 
 it took a position near Fort Lyons, on the heights beyond Hunt- 
 ing creek. On September 12th a member of Company H was 
 wounded in the foot by the accidental discharge of his gun. 
 From there it moved in the direction of Mount Vernon, and 
 established " Camp Advance," where it did picket duty in con- 
 nection with the Second New Jersey Brigade. 
 
 On September 14th it was moved to a point on the Alexandria 
 and Fairfax road near Fort Worth, where it established " Camp 
 Grover"; there, in addition to the ordinary routine of camp 
 duty, it was made acquainted with the pick and shovel as applied 
 to the building of fortifications. A mile or two out on the Fairfax 
 road stood an old cider-mill, which no doubt some of the boys 
 will call to mind from the fact that, having stolen from camp and 
 stolen some apples, they were caught, while busily engaged in 
 making cider, by Colonel McAllister, who happened to be passing 
 that way with a picket detail. He took their names and sent 
 them to camp, with the promise of punishment when he should 
 return ; but the offense was either forgotten or forgiven, for no 
 punishment followed. 
 
12 TEE ELEVENTE REGIMENT, 
 
 On September 30th the regiment moved to near Fort Ells- 
 worth. The special duty to which it was assigned was that of 
 guarding the convalescent camp and camp of paroled prisoners. 
 An incident occurred here which served to indicate that fearless- 
 ness of danger and obedience to duty for which the regiment was 
 afterwards characterized. The camp of paroled prisoners con- 
 tained at that time between three and four thousand men — men 
 from many States and from many regiments — men of various 
 dispositions and temperaments. In a collection of this number 
 many can always be found who are impatient of restraint, and 
 who deem it an insult to be kept within bounds by troops who 
 have seen less service than themselves. 
 
 It occurred that, while Lieutenant John Oldershaw with a 
 detail of twenty-five men were on duty at the camp— the Colonel 
 commanding it being absent, and a young and inexperienced 
 officer had been left in charge — a large number of men had been 
 sent to Alexandria to be transported to their regiments, but by 
 some mistake no means of transportation was ready, and they 
 were ordered back to the camp. Without waiting for orders, 
 they broke ranks and scattered all over the country, yelling and 
 howling, the worst characters inciting the rest. As soon as the 
 old guard had been relieved and the reserve placed in position 
 in rear of the Colonel's tent, the commanding oflicer approached 
 Lieutenant Oldershaw and told him that they expected to have 
 trouble in the camp that night. Oldershaw then instructed his 
 men to rally with the reserve in case there should be a riot. 
 
 There were several chests of arms in the Colonel's tent, and 
 also a number of axes. The new sutler had just brought up a 
 quantity of stores and erected a new building in which to put 
 them. 
 
 It was learned that it was the intention of the men to set fire 
 to the store-house ; in fact, toward night the situation began to 
 look serious, and the guards were doubled around the store-house 
 and instructions given to shoot any one who showed a disposition 
 to commit depredations, and, in case of an alarm, all were to 
 rally on the reserve. Everything remained quiet until between 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 13 
 
 twelve and one o'clock, when two or three shots were fired, and 
 almost immediately the store-house was in a blaze. Oldershaw, 
 with some of his men, hurried quickly to the fire and tried to 
 save some of the goods, but the building burned so fiercely that 
 it was impossible to save anything. 
 
 By that time the camp was filled with a howling mob bent on 
 mischief. They began to press forward toward the Colonel's 
 tent, their object no doubt being to secure the arms and axes 
 stored there. 
 
 The guard in the meantime, according to instructions, had left 
 their post and rallied on the reserve. 
 
 Oldershaw posted his men in front of the Colonel's tent, then, 
 stepping out, addressed the mob, telling them that if they did not 
 disperse he would fire upon them. His words were met with 
 howls of derision. Stepping back he instructed the rear rauk to 
 reserve their fire, then gave the order, ready, aim. He waited, 
 thinking the mob would disperse, but they only pressed closer. 
 The order was then given to fire. Echoing the volley came a 
 cry of pain. The front rank began to re-load and the rear rank 
 was about to fire, when the mob broke and ran to their quarters. 
 The guards were posted again, and in a short time the regiment 
 was upon the scene, but its services were not needed, for the riot 
 was completely quelled. 
 
 While the regiment lay at Fort Ellsworth, it was sometimes 
 visited by an old colored woman who made apple-dumplings a 
 specialty, and carried them to the different camps for sale. 
 One day as Lambert Sharp, of Company E, familiarly known 
 " Bully," was sitting along the roadside under the shade of the 
 locusts, Auntie appeared with her dumplings. They looked very 
 tempting, and " Bully's " mouth fairly watered for a taste of 
 them. She asked him if he did not want to buy some. He 
 said " No " ; he had no money. She remarked that that seemed 
 to be the case with all the soldiers, but rather than take them 
 back to Alexandria she would trade them for clothing. He 
 asked her how many she would give for a pair of drawers. 
 She answered, " Four." Stepping back among the trees " Bully " 
 
14 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 quickly divested himself of that article of underwear (the only 
 pair that he owned, by the way) and handed them over to 
 Aunty, who rolled them up and put them in the basket with 
 the dumplings. She prepared his dumplings, which he quickly 
 stored away, feeling well satisfied with the trade ; and they uo 
 doubt were the only apple-dumplings he had the pleasure of 
 eating while in Virginia. 
 
 On October 10th, while the regiment was encamped near Fort 
 Ellsworth, Company E was sent into Alexandria to do guard 
 duty over the commissary stores there collected. It was quartered 
 in a long two story brick building, formerly used for a cooper- 
 shop. The ground floor was used for a dining-room and the upper 
 floor for a sleeping apartment for the entire company, with the 
 exception of the commissioned officers, who were quartered on 
 the opposite side of the street. The company had no sinecure, 
 as it required a detail of thirty men each day to till all the posts. 
 
 One of the favorite places for doing duty was at the round- 
 house of the Orange and Alexandria Railroad, then used as 
 quarters for about three hundred contrabands who were em- 
 ployed around the docks. The quaint sayings and childish 
 actions of the simple-minded Africans were a source of endless 
 amusement to the guards. 
 
 Another post much sought after was the hay-yard. The for- 
 age stored there, by attracting the stray cows of the town, gave 
 the boys an opportunity to get milk for their coffee. 
 
 It happened that one day, while two Hibernians, Riley 
 O'Brian and James King, were on duty at the hay-yard, a dis- 
 pute arose between them over some trivial matter. Epithets 
 were hurled back and forth. At last they agreed to settle it 
 according to the rules of the code duello. Muskets were to be 
 the weapons — their positions were taken, and no doubt blood 
 would have been shed had not one of the officers of the company 
 opportunely arrived as the word to fire was about to be given. 
 
 Nearly opposite the quarters of Company E was a brick build- 
 ing occupied by a party of contrabands. Small-pox broke out 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 15 
 
 among them. Several of the members of Company E caught 
 the disease, and one of them, Gilbert Young, died of it. 
 
 On the evening of November 15th, Company E was ordered 
 to re-join the regiment at Fort Ellsworth. Its departure was 
 somewhat delayed, however, by the absence of a number of the 
 men on an expedition organized by Lieutenant Newberry earlier 
 in the evening. Some of the saloons in the city had been selling 
 liquor to soldiers in defiance of orders to the contrary. New- 
 berry had for a long time had his suspicions aroused in regard to 
 one or two, situated not far from the company's quarters, and on 
 the evening in question determined to investigate. Taking a 
 number of men from the company as guards, he marched them 
 to one of the suspected places and began a search. His efforts 
 were at last rewarded by finding, snugly concealed in the bottom 
 of a large ice-chest, a large quantity of whiskey conveniently 
 bottled. It was the intention to destroy it, but in spite of the 
 Lieutenant, a fair share of it found its way to the company's 
 quarters, and as a result some of the men were not in very good 
 shape for marching when the hour of departure came. 
 
 The regiment, in the meantime, had remained in camp near 
 Fort Ellsworth, doing guard duty at the parole and convalescent 
 camps, and sending escorts with troops to Washington and other 
 points. 
 
 On October 9th, Lieutenant E. R. Good was ordered, with a 
 detail, to escort thirteen hundred men to Harper's Ferry. He 
 remained there over night with the Thirteenth Regiment, whioh 
 was encamped on Maryland Heights, and returned to the regi- 
 ment by way of Baltimore. 
 
 On October 15th, President Lincoln and body-guard, accom- 
 panied by General Heintzleman and staff, inspected the 
 convalescent and parole camp. 
 
 On tjie 22d there was a review of the troops around 
 Alexandria by President Lincoln, Vice-President Hamlin and 
 other distinguished officers. 
 
16 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 Chapter III. 
 
 Joining Carr's Brigade— The March to Falmouth— Battle 
 of Fredericksburg. 
 
 ON November 16th, the regiment was attached to the First 
 Brigade (General Carr's), Second Division, Third Corps* 
 and, strapping our shelter-tents on our backs for the first time, 
 we bid farewell to the capacious Sibleys and started on the way 
 to Falmouth. The first day's march took us to Fairfax Court 
 House, where we lay until the 18th, when, with another regiment 
 of infantry and a battery of artillery, we resumed our march as 
 guards to a large train of baggage-wagons and ambulances. We 
 were in heavy marching order, carrying three days' rations, forty 
 rounds of ammunition, and knapsacks well packed, not only with 
 the things necessary to a soldier's comfort, but with many 
 mementoes of home. How we clung to all the keepsakes that 
 loving friends had given us, fondly imagining at that stage of 
 our experience that we would be able to keep them with us as 
 reminders of those whom we had left behind ! But few of 
 those mementoes were ever seen again by those whose love 
 prompted the giving. 
 
 About one o'clock it began raining, and we soon learned how 
 contemptible the sacred soil could become when thoroughly 
 moistened and trodden by the feet of marching columns. 
 
 It was nine o'clock in the evening when the order was given 
 to halt for the night. Filing into a field, we soon turned field 
 to common by converting rebel rails into Union caloric 
 
 At half-past eight on the morning of the 19th the march was 
 resumed. About twelve o'clock we reached the Occoquan at 
 Wolf run shoals. The stream was about fifty or sixty yards 
 wide and from one to two feet deep, the bottom covered with 
 
 loose, slippery stones, making it somewhat difficult to ford 
 
 which was the only way to cross. The men took off their shoes 
 and stockings, and, rolling up their trousers, rather reluctantly 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 17 
 
 entered the nearly ice-cold water. After reaching the southern 
 shore the march was continued for about half a mile, when the 
 regiment went into camp and were told that they would remain 
 there for several days. 
 
 Near this place were a number of abandoned rebel camps ; the 
 stockades were left standing, which seemed to indicate either a 
 hurried departure or an intention to return and re-occupy them. 
 In searching among the debris several bowie-knives were found, 
 and numerous letters from their Southern friends which expressed 
 anything but sentiments of love for the trespassing Yankees. 
 
 The first night of the regiment's stay near Wolf run, Company 
 E spent upon picket. 
 
 The commissariat of the company showed a lack of meat, and 
 consequently there was considerable grumbling. To remedy 
 this deficiency Lieutenant Newberry took Corporal Ackerman 
 and private A. B. Searing and started on a foraging expedition. 
 After considerable hunting they succeeded in bagging quite a 
 fine porker. After removing the entrails they tied its feet together 
 and, running their guns through, carried it back to the picket- 
 line ; there it was hung to a sapling and skinned, as there were 
 no facilities for following the usual method of scalding. It was 
 cut up and divided among the pickets, and though not very fat 
 it made an acceptable addition to their bill of fare. 
 
 In speaking of a fine Southern hog, in those days, the word 
 was not applied as it would be in the North. Here it would 
 mean a plethora of fat. There the points to be considered were 
 much the same as those in a greyhound — length of leg, narrow- 
 ness of back, and an ability to run away from anything slower 
 than a minnie-ball or a streak of lightning. 
 
 There was one acquaintance we made while in the army who 
 clung "closer than a brother." He was not exactly a permanent 
 companion, yet his visits were so frequent and his stay at times 
 so long that he became a bore. His disposition was surly and 
 unappreciative, for, notwithstanding the fact that we furnished 
 him with comfortable quarters and an abundance of rations, even 
 at the expense of our own comfort, he would back- bite whenever 
 
18 
 
 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 he got an opportunity. He was universally known, as well by 
 the general on bis horse as the private tramping along through 
 the mud and dust ; but I can not truthfully say that he was uni- 
 versally respected, for he had but little respect for others. His 
 habits were very intrusive, and no hour nor place was too sacred 
 
 Surgeon Edward 1. Welling. 
 
 for his presence. He would startle the picket on his post and 
 waken the tired soldier from his much-needed slumbers. Neither 
 had he any regard for the personal property of others. If a sol- 
 dier drew a new suit of clothing, he would appropriate it with as 
 much nonchalance as if it had been procured for his especial 
 benefit. He was a close student of dermatology, and took 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 19 
 
 especial delight in poring over the pores of the human cuticle. 
 His inquiries sometimes became so pointed that there would be 
 bad blood between us. We would often try to shake him off 
 and leave him behind, but he would return with overtures so 
 pertinacious that we would have to come to the scratch — argu- 
 ment was in vain. All our efforts to turn him away proved 
 futile. 
 
 We first met him at Alexandria, where he was introduced to us 
 as the " old army greyback," and though not with us constantly 
 from that time to the expiration of our service, his visits were 
 too frequent to permit of warm friendship. He was very fond 
 of waltzing, and his movements were particularly lively after a 
 rain. I suppose he thought that exercise was the best prevent- 
 ive of colds. 
 
 The first night of our stay at Wolf run was damp and dis- 
 agreeable, and large fires were kept burning. At one of these 
 stood a member of Company E, familiarly known as " Bully." 
 As his wet clothing began to dry and the warmth to penetrate, 
 he was observed to gently slap one leg, and then the other, 
 varying the slap by scratching motions up and down the seams 
 of his trousers. This interesting pantomime was watched for some 
 time in silence. At last one of his comrades asked, " Bully, what's 
 the matter?" Turning upon the inquirer a look of supreme 
 scorn, while reaching over his shoulder and trying to grasp the 
 center of his spine, he answered, " Why, it's that confounded 
 tetter." Comment was unnecessary; he'd just begun to make 
 their acquaintance. 
 
 This same " Bully " (or Lambert Sharp)- became one of the 
 most notable foragers in the regiment. He became so expert that 
 he could catch anything that was edible, and ofttimes things that 
 were not. He began catching almost as soon as he struck Southern 
 soil. He caught a sun-stroke while marching through Wash- 
 ington, which left him unconscious, and was picked up and put 
 into a baggage-wagon, taken over the Potomac and dumped 
 out near camp, minus everything his pockets had contained 
 except a Testament ; but he came around all right in a few days. 
 
20 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 When in camp near Fort Lyons, " Bully " caught the black 
 measles, which came very near ending his soldiering. While 
 stopping at Wolf run he, with a number of others belonging to 
 Company E, caught the varioloid, and was left there in charge 
 of a nurse. As they began to convalesce, provisions ran short, 
 and " Bully " started out to replenish the larder. Taking his 
 gun he sauntered toward the creek. After hunting around for 
 awhile he discovered a dog, and thinking it would suffice in the 
 absence of ooher provisions, was about to shoot, when a wagon 
 came in sight from the direction of Fairfax. It proved to be the 
 regimental sutler, who gathered the party up, and, in considera- 
 tion of their acting as guards to the front, fed them until they 
 reached the regiment. 
 
 One day, while the regiment was encamped near Fort Ells- 
 worth, a number of the men were discussing the difficulty of 
 getting liquor from Alexandria. Sergeant Smith, of Company 
 I, who was one of the party, volunteered the assertion that he 
 could go into the city in broad daylight, without any pass, and 
 bring out a dozen canteens full. Every one expressed a doubt 
 of his being able so to do. To prove its practicability, he got a 
 knapsack, placed the empty canteens inside, then taking an un- 
 armed man to carry the knapsack and a file of men to guard 
 him, he marched the man into the city as a prisoner to be 
 delivered to the Provost Marshal. Going to a saloon he had his 
 canteens filled, and marched back in the same manner, without 
 being disturbed by guard or provost. 
 
 While the regiment lay at Alexandria, it was honored by 
 having three of its officers placed on detached service. Captain 
 Kearney, of Company A, was detailed as engineer ; Grover, of 
 Company F, as inspector of fortifications, and Lieutenant John 
 Oldershaw as Aid to General Slough, then Military Governor 
 of the city. 
 
 Among those left in hospital at Alexandria when the regiment 
 started for Falmouth was William Hand and Aaron Lines, of 
 Company B. They were anxious to be with the regiment, and 
 though not fit for duty they deserted the hospital and started 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 21 
 
 after it. They were nearly exhausted, when a drove of mules, 
 on its way to the front, overtook them. Each mounted a mule 
 and rode to within a short distance of camp. The first intimation 
 that they had of nearness to the regiment was the voice of Dixon, 
 the Company Commissary, drawing rations. 
 
 On November 25th the regiment again broke camp, and after 
 a tiresome march of about twelve miles reached the village of 
 Dumphries, where it went into bivouac for the night. 
 
 Dumphries was situated on the Quantico creek, about two 
 and one-half miles from its mouth, and previous to the war had 
 been quite a thriving and prosperous place. It contained a 
 woolen factory, flour-mill, several stores, and two churches, and 
 carried on quite a trade with Baltimore and Washington. Bat 
 everything showed the marks of decay, scarce a hundred 
 inhabitants remaining, and they mostly women. 
 
 The march was resumed on the morning of the 26th, and con- 
 tinued past Stafford Court 'House to Aquia Creek, where the 
 regiment bivouacked for the night. Late in the afternoon, when 
 passing a farm near Stafford Court House, a number of fine sheep 
 had been noticed, quietly feeding, not far from the highway. 
 
 Lieutenant Newberry says : " The Government did not fur- 
 nish mutton as a part of our menu, and the vision of roast lamb 
 and mutton stew went and came to each one of us as we marched 
 on and on, two miles past that farm-house. To get some of that 
 mutton was easy enough, but from the fact that the General had 
 placed a safe- guard over that man's house, and especially on the 
 mutton. But mutton we must have, yet how to get it was the 
 question. So, after going into camp, I called a council of war 
 on mutton. Every commander knows his trusty men, and 
 knowing my men, I called to my tent ' Croppy ' George Zindle, 
 William Henderson, Bishop W. Mains and two others whose 
 names I have forgotten, and it was decided that if I would lead 
 the charge they would follow. But I was officer of the day, 
 and the police duty of that camp was solely in my hands until 
 nine o'clock next morning. But the desire for roast mutton 
 made it possible to plan for the emergency should any arise. 
 
22 TEE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 Sending for Lieutenant Lawrence, I unfolded to him my plans 
 and got him to assume my duties, and in case I was called to- 
 headquarters he was to respond and report me sick in my quar- 
 ters. This very thing happened, but on Lieutenant Lawrence's 
 reporting me sick no suspicion arose. Well, we went to the field 
 where the sheep were quietly grazing. Henderson was sent to 
 fire a blank at the sheep in order to draw the safe-guard away 
 from the house, and as soon as the report was heard out came 
 the guard on double-quick to drive off the marauders. He came 
 up to Henderson and said to him : 'I am safe-guard here, and 
 you must not forage here.' One at a time we went up to where 
 the two men were, until the safeguard was quietly and unsus- 
 pectingly surrounded, six to one. Suddenly ' Croppy ' seized 
 the rifle of the safe-guard and I rammed the muzzle of my navy 
 revolver, unloaded, under his nose, at which he quickly surren- 
 dered. We left ' Croppy ' and Henderson to guard our prisoner 
 while we turned our attention to the mutton. I took ' Croppy's * 
 rifle while he took the rifle of the safe-guard to stand guard over 
 the latter. The four of us fired four shots and killed five sheep, 
 I running and cutting the throats of the five we had shot, when 
 to my horror I heard the voice of the Provost Marshal of our 
 corps ordering us to halt or he would fire on us,, with the three 
 guards he had with him. I well knew that the only chance I 
 had against Captain Bates (that was his name) was to bluff him, 
 and as he began to swear, I met him with his own language and 
 just as big oaths and just as many men, and when he asked my 
 regiment and corps, I told him I had orders from General New- 
 ton, of the Sixth Corps, to forage for headquarters mess, and 
 pulling out a folded official paper (which was nothing but my 
 guard detail for camp duty) and showing it to him in the dark- 
 ness, he begged my pardon for seeming interference with an 
 officer of another corps, and took his departure. Meanwhile 
 'Croppy' and Henderson had got out, leaving the safe -guard, 
 but taking the cap off his piece and squirting tobacco-juice in 
 the nipple of his rifle. We four returned to the dead sheep, 
 threw them over the fence and dragged them down into the edge 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 23 
 
 of a dark swamp, cut off the heads, took out the bowels, tied 
 and slung the sheep on our rifles — four men carrying five sheep. 
 While killing our sheep we heard some young pigs squealing as 
 though being smothered. On our way back to camp our two 
 guards, ' Croppy ' and Henderson, found us and our burden was 
 made lighter. Arriving at camp, I reported to Lieutenant 
 Lawrence and sent him one carcass of mutton, and in return he 
 sent me one fine pig for roasting. His men were killing the 
 pigs while we were getting the sheep. Next day a very fine 
 quarter of mutton was served on the table of our Colonel, the 
 lamented Robert McAllister, Eleventh New Jersey Volunteers. 
 But that noble commander went to his eternal reward never 
 knowing how or from whence that mutton came." 
 
 I have in mind another foraging expedition in which New- 
 berry participated — the particulars of which I cannot now recall 
 — but I know that among the spoil brought in were two old 
 geese, which he afterwards described as " being too tough to even 
 make soup." 
 
 On the morning of the 27th of November, after constructing 
 a temporary bridge on which to cross Aquia creek (the former 
 one having been destroyed), the march was again taken up 
 toward Falmouth. After a tiresome march, camp was formed 
 midway between Potomac creek and the Rappahannock river, and 
 not far from Brooke's station, on the Richmond and Potomac 
 Railroad. 
 
 Thinking their stay there would be a long one, the men began 
 to make themselves as comfortable as possible by erecting log 
 huts, &c. 
 
 Near this camp was an orchard and farm-house, which formed 
 a convenient aocessory to what then seemed a favorite manoeuvre 
 of the Colonel's when having the regiment on battalion drill. 
 Scarcely a day passed that it was not put through the manoeuvre 
 of breaking to the right and left to pass the obstacle, and, from 
 that circumstance, the camp came to be known as " Camp 
 Obstacle." 
 
24 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 On the 4th of December the regiment participated in a review 
 of the Third Army Corps by General Hooker and others. 
 The review was held on the heights near Falmouth, and in full 
 view of the city of Fredericksburg. 
 
 Falmouth, the grand rendezvous of the Army of the Potomac, 
 was situated on the left bank of the Rappahannock river, nearly 
 opposite Fredericksburg. The land surrounding it was high, 
 with a gradual slope to the river. Previous to the war it had a 
 population of between four and five hundred, and contained 
 about eighty dwelling-houses, one church, six flour and grist 
 mills, stores, machine shops, &o. 
 
 Fredericksburg, which lay on the plain along the south bank 
 of the river, was a city of about five thousand inhabitants. It 
 contained numerous factories and mills, which, until the arrival 
 of the Union army on the opposite heights, had been kept busy 
 turning out clothing and subsistence for the rebel army. 
 
 On the 21st of November, General Sumner made a formal de- 
 mand for the surrender of the city, alleging as a reason that his 
 troops had been fired upon from the houses, and that the mills 
 and factories were employed in giving aid and comfort to the 
 rebel army. 
 
 Mayor Slaughter responded in behalf of the citizens, stating 
 that the firing had been done by soldiers of the rebel army hav- 
 ing no residence in the city ; that the mills and factories should 
 be stopped at once, but that the city could not be surrendered, as 
 the generals in command of the rebel forces had forbidden it ; 
 that they neither intended to occupy the city themselves, nor to 
 allow the Union army to do so. 
 
 On December 10th the monotony of the camp was broken by 
 the receipt of orders to prepare for marching — three days' rations 
 and sixty rounds of ammunition were issued — but it was not 
 until the morning of the 11th when the first gun was heard that 
 signaled the opening of the Fredericksburg slaughter, that the 
 order came to fall-in. 
 
 While standing in line, listening to the dull boom of the 
 cannon, and awaiting the order to march, Bishop W. Mains, of 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 25 
 
 Company E, began to sing the " Star Spangled Banner." One 
 by one the men caught up the words, and soon the morning air 
 was musical with the strains of that grand battle-hymn. 
 
 It was a scene suggestive of the martyr's ecstacy at the stake, 
 or the savage's indifference to the torture. Men pouring forth 
 their voices in song while awaiting orders that were to usher 
 them perhaps to bloody graves. 
 
 It was a beautiful morning, that morning of the first attack 
 upon Fredericksburg ; the sun rose bright in an almost unclouded 
 sky, the slight sprinkling of snow that covered the ground 
 sparkled like burnished silver, the air was clear and crisp — nature 
 gave an almost perfect morning to be the harbinger of scenes 
 that sent a thrill of horror through the nation and brought 
 tears and sorrow to thousands of households. 
 
 At eight A. M. the order was given to move. The line of 
 march was taken toward the river below the city. At half-past 
 ten the regiment halted on the high ground on the north bank 
 of the river, overlooking the field of operations. 
 
 On the 12th the regiment was marched by a circuitous route 
 to Franklin's Crossing and baited near the pontoon bridge. 
 The scenes there witnessed were terrible indeed to those not yet 
 inured to the horrors of the battle-field. From the field of 
 death beyond the river came a constant stream of wounded. 
 Ambulance after ambulance, loaded down with shattered hu- 
 manity, was driven hastily to the rear. Men with lesser wounds 
 limped by, some using muskets for crutches, others being helped 
 to a place of safety by comrades eager enough to leave the battle 
 behind them. 
 
 On the morning of the 14th the regiment was ordered to cross 
 the river and take position in the second line of battle, but it 
 was soon ordered to the front line to relieve the Twenty-sixth 
 Pennsylvania ; two companies, D and I, Captains Luther Martin 
 and John T; Hill commanding, being detailed to relieve the 
 pickets of the Twenty-sixth Pennsylvania. As they marched 
 out to take position, the enemy poured upon them a galling 
 picket-fire. Though it was their first experience, their " bap- 
 
26 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 tism of fire," they did not falter, but as coolly and as steadily a» 
 veterans marched to their position, and even drove the enemy's 
 pickets a short distance. A brisk picket-fire was kept up by the 
 opposing lines. 
 
 Early in the morning the enemy had attempted to place a 
 
 Major Philip J. Kearney. 
 
 battery in front of their main line, so as to command the posi- 
 tion of our brigade, but a company of riflemen from the 
 Second New Hampshire, who had taken an advance position, 
 made it so warm for them that they quickly sought shelter. 
 About noon a suspension of hostilities was agreed upon, that the 
 wounded and dead of both sides might be collected. 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 27 
 
 Then occurred one of the strange sights of the war — one that 
 took from the battle-field a little of its horror, and seemed to 
 turn for a while the crimson robe of carnage to the white hue of 
 peace. From the picket-lines on either side the men advanced 
 and held friendly converse, seemingly forgetful of the fact that 
 but a few minutes before they had been endeavoring to take each 
 other's lives, and in a few minutes more they would again be 
 intent upon the same purpose. Papers and other articles that 
 could be spared were exchanged for Southern tobacco — an article 
 that was always in demand. In two or three instances friends 
 of ante- war days met and discussed the situation. But soon the 
 truce was ended and the work of death again began. 
 
 Near our skirmish line was the ruins of a house that had been 
 destroyed by fire. The chimney remained nearly intact. One 
 of our men, thinking it a favorable position, climbed to the second 
 story, and, safely hidden in the remains of a capacious fire-place, 
 picked off the enemy at leisure. 
 
 Companies D and I were relieved by other companies of the 
 regiment in the evening, but their numbers had been lessened — 
 Christopher Graham, of Company I, and Warren Green, of 
 Company D, had been killed ; John Williamson, of Company 
 D, mortally wounded. He died on the 15th. The wounded 
 were Peter Burk, George Davis, Edward B. Nelson and George 
 Barnett, of Company D. 
 
 After the shades of night had hidden us from the watchful 
 eyes of the enemy we took the bodies of our fallen comrades, 
 and, wrapping their blankets around them, laid them to rest in 
 soldiers' hastily-made graves. A few remarks, a brief prayer, 
 and the ceremony was ended ; but the solemnity of the occasion 
 will never be forgotten, for, though disease had made vacancies 
 in our ranks, and we had followed a number of our comrades to 
 the grave, these were the first to die in actual conflict, and, 
 despite any assumed carelessness, the question would arise; 
 "Who next?" 
 
 But little fighting occurred on December 15th, and about ten 
 o'clock P. M. the regiment received orders to quietly recross the 
 river, Burnside having determined to withdraw his army. 
 
28 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 It was near midnight when the regiment went into bivouac on 
 a wooded hill some distance from the river. It had begun to 
 rain heavily, but despite the fact that but little rest was to be 
 obtained, the men were heartily glad to be once more upon the 
 north bank of the river, and away from the battle-field. 
 
 Previous to the truce at noon on the 14th, scarcely one of the 
 enemy could be seen, but as soon as the truce was declared the 
 woods seemed to swarm with rebels. 
 
 Among the members of Company B who were at that time 
 on the skirmish-line, and about to be relieved, was an Irishman 
 named John Smith. As the company rose to march back to 
 the regiment, Smith discharged his gun toward the enemy. 
 Captain Meeker grabbed him by the throat and asked him what 
 he meant by firing upon a flag of truce. His answer was: 
 " Begorra, Captain dear, haven't I been lying here this two 
 hours widout a shot at the ribs, and do you think I was going 
 back widout hitting one, if I could?" Fortunately, he did not 
 hit one, and the company had the pleasure of marching back 
 instead of crawling. 
 
 About noon on the 16th, the regiment resumed its march 
 toward the old camp, which was reached about sundown. The 
 17th was spent in resting from the fatigue of the campaign, and 
 in trying to restore to order the dilapidated camp. 
 
 On the 18th the regiment started on a three days' tour of 
 picket duty. Beturning to camp on the 21st, it took up the old 
 routine of duty — drilling, guard, etc. At dress-parade on the 
 23d the following order was read to the regiment : 
 
 '' Headquarters Eleventh N. J. Vols. 
 
 " Camp near Falmouth, Dec. 23d, 1862. 
 
 " It is with feelings of pride that I congratulate you on your 
 bearing on all the hard marches of the past campaign, and par- 
 ticularly on the bravery and gallantry you displayed on the field 
 of battle before the heights of Fredericksburg. I would say to 
 those of you who were under that galling picket-fire, when the 
 eyes of thousands of our comrades were upon you, and like old 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 29 
 
 veterans stood the raging storm of battle, not only holding, but 
 gaining ground — I would say you deserve _my warmest praise. 
 
 "We sorrow over the remains of our gallant dead who fell by 
 our side, and sympathize with their loved ones at home, trusting 
 that God will bear them up in their bereavement. We have before 
 us the consoling fact that they died as brave soldiers, fighting for 
 their country. And that those of our day and posterity will do 
 them justice. 
 
 " To the wounded I would say, bear up under your afflictions 
 with the cherished hope that in the providence of God you will 
 soon be able to join us, and assist in more successful encounters 
 to put down the rebellion and restore peace to our land. 
 
 "E. McAllisteb, 
 
 " John Schoonovee, " Col. Commanding. 
 
 "Adjt." 
 
 When the regiment crossed the river to the battle-field, 
 Thaddeus 0. Doane, of Company B, accompanied it, although he 
 was a very sick man at the time. His condition grew steadily 
 worse, yet he kept with his company. On the night of the 
 15th, when the regiment re-crossed the river, he was unable to 
 accompany it and was left on the field. Next day, however, he 
 in some way managed to get over and to the hospital, where he 
 spent weeks of suffering, battling with typhoid fever. He 
 eventually recovered, but never fully regained his health. 
 
 We settled down in the old camp with the intention of mak- 
 ing it a permanent winter quarters, and I think that few antici- 
 pated a change until the spring campaign should open. We 
 were situated near the center of the army, conveniently to be 
 sent either to the right or left, as the exigencies of the service 
 might demand, close to Brooke's Station, then a field depot of 
 supply for the army. In fact, thinking that our position would 
 remain unchanged for at least a few months, many of the men 
 began the construction of rather elaborate quarters. They forgot 
 that one of the greatest essentials to a soldier's comfort in winter 
 was day by day becoming more scarce — that was, an ample sup- 
 ply of fuel. It required from a hundred and fifty to two hun- 
 
30 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 dred tires to a regiment for the purpose of warmth and cooking. 
 This number, multiplied by the number of regiments in a 
 brigade, division and corps, called for the const if a vast 
 
 quantity of wood, and forests near an encampr ppeared 
 
 as if by magic. 
 
 It was the intention of the Quartermaster to have the camps 
 supplied with fuel by the teams, but owing to the bad state of 
 the roads they were kept busy hauling other supplies, barely 
 enough being hauled to supply the cooks and officers. As a 
 consequence, the men had to carry the wood for their private 
 fires or suffer from the cold. That was no hardship so long as 
 the forests were near, but when all within easy reach had been 
 cut down, it became a heavy burden. 
 
 The stumps first left by the inexperienced soldiers presented 
 a comical appearance to the skilled woodsman. Many of the 
 boys had had but little experience in felling trees, and their first 
 attempt would result in leaving stumps standing from two to 
 three feet high, depending upon the height of the chopper. 
 But the high stumps formed a desirable aftermath, for when 
 standing trees began to grow scarce, they were subject to a second 
 chopping, so that by the time the soldiers were done with them 
 but little remained above ground. 
 
 As the forests would not move nearer the troops, it seemed 
 necessary to move the troops to the forests. So on January 3d, 
 1863, the division was moved to a wooded ridge on the Fitz- 
 hugh estate, three miles below Falmouth. 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 31 
 
 Chapter IV. 
 
 Camp Fitzhugh— First Winter Quarters. 
 
 JFEhe site selected for the new camp was on a timbered hill- 
 -*- side, admirably located for drainage, and also well adapted 
 to give the men a sufficiency of exercise in cleaning away the 
 growth that obstructed the company streets, which were laid out 
 up and down the hill, while the tents of the officers occupied the 
 top of the ridge. 
 
 With few tools, and less experience, the men endeavored to 
 construct habitations that would partially secure them from the 
 winds and storms of winter. The styles of architecture were 
 varied with the dispositions or skill of the builder. Some who 
 were skilled in the use of the axe builded for themselves log 
 cabins, which, if not sightly, were at least comparatively com- 
 fortable. Others, with either less skill or energy, dug square 
 pits, and placed a log or two around the top to retain an embank- 
 ment sufficient to throw off the water. In either case shelter- 
 tents formed the roof. 
 
 On January 5th, the division to which the Eleventh belonged 
 was reviewed by General Burnside and others. Nothing again 
 broke the routine of camp duties until the 20th of January, 
 when the regiment received marching orders. At one o'clock 
 P. M. it started in the direction of United States ford on the 
 Rappahannock. After marching about three miles it was ordered 
 to halt and await orders. About 9 P. M., in the midst of a 
 pouring rain, orders were received to return to camp. 
 
 Morning brought no abatement of the storm, but, notwith- 
 standing, eight o'clock found the division again in motion, fairly 
 started on what will ever be known as Burnside's " Mud March." 
 Ten miles were made that day over roads that were neither land 
 nor water, but the most contemptible conglomeration that it was 
 ever the fate of men to wade through. Seldom was it less than 
 
32 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 shoe-top deep, and occasionally the men would sink nearly to 
 their knees. It was useless to seek for solid ground, for there 
 was none. The ten hours of rain that bad preceded the move- 
 ment had turned the ordinarily good roads into sluiceways of 
 mud, in which wagons and artillery became so deeply mired 
 that two and three times the usual number of animals could drag 
 them only at a snail's-pace, and in many instances they had to 
 be temporarily abandoned. The infantry took to the fields, but 
 they found them but little better than the highways. After 
 floundering along for ten miles, a comparatively firm spot was 
 found and bivouac made for the night. 
 
 The regiment rested until noon of the 22d, when it, with the 
 rest of the brigade, was ordered out to build corduroy roads, 
 that the artillery and pontoons might return to camp. That 
 work was continued on the 23d until noon, when orders were 
 received to return to camp, which was reached a little after 
 dark. 
 
 One of the results of the march was the replenishing of the 
 hospital fund from the fines imposed on the stragglers. Every 
 piece of woodland along the line of march was filled with those 
 who had become tired of trying to force their way along the 
 almost impassable roads, and had ordered a halt for themselves. 
 The Eleventh Regiment furnished its full share of those who 
 halted without orders, and after the movement had been 
 abandoned, and the regiment was once more reposing in its old 
 camp, the stragglers were called out in front of the regiment to 
 hear their punishment, which consisted of fines of from four to 
 ten dollars. No individual had need to feel lonesome — com- 
 panions enough were there to keep him in countenance. 
 
 As the experience of one straggler was perhaps typical of all 
 I will give that of myself. The writer was one of eight from 
 Company E who, when about seven miles out, became weary 
 and halted by the wayside. We had reached an attractive 
 piece of woodland, and concluded that it would be a good place 
 to rest. We, at first, had no thought of remaining away from 
 the regiment over night, but becoming convinced that the move- 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 33 
 
 merit must prove a failure, and that the return of the regiment 
 would be but a matter of a few hours, concluded to await it. 
 
 On the morning of the 22d it was proposed to follow on and 
 overtake the regiment, but rumors reached us that the army was 
 on its way back, and soon troops began to pass our bivouac. 
 All day long and far into the night we kept a sharp lookout for 
 the Second Division, but it did not come. In the meantime our 
 provisions had become exhausted, with the exception of a well- 
 filled haversack belonging to Lieutenant Newberry, which the 
 writer had been carrying. Some of the party proposed eating 
 what was in that, but the writer would not consent, dreading the 
 wrath of Newberry more than the punishment he was likely to 
 receive for straggling. So, with gnawings of hunger, we lay 
 down to sleep. In the night, however, Gilbert, who was one of 
 the party, helped himself to a portion of the Lieutenant's grub. 
 Finding in the morning that the haversack had been despoiled 
 of a portion of its contents, and the craving for something to eat 
 being pretty strong, scruples were thrown aside and the remains 
 shared and eaten. 
 
 About noon the head of the division came in sight. We 
 made inquiries and found that the regiment was but a short dis- 
 tance behind. Thinking to beat it into camp, we started on a 
 short cut. But, alas ! for human calculations. Scarcely had we 
 left the shelter of the wood when the mounted Provost captured 
 us and marched us to General Patrick's headquarters. There 
 our names and commands were taken, after which — the party 
 having been recruited to a respectable size — we were forwarded 
 under guard to the headquarters of General Sickles. He, with 
 a generous allowance for the weakness of human nature and the 
 trying circumstances, laughed at us and ordered us sent to our 
 camps, which we reached a day or two later than the regiment. 
 After a lecture from the Colonel and a promise of punishment, 
 we were dismissed to our companies. There, about the first man 
 met by the writer was Newberry, who greeted him with : " Oh 
 you rascal ! If I could have caught you that first night out, I 
 
34 
 
 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 would have almost killed you." He had cause to be angry, for 
 he had been compelled to go among the boys and beg his supper. 
 Though the mud-march led to no battle, and consequently to 
 no battle-losses, yet the loss of life that ultimately resulted was 
 as great as that brought about by many actions. The long eX- 
 
 Major John T. Hill. 
 
 posure to the severe storm, the wearing of wet clothing day 
 after day, and sleeping upon the sodden ground, laid the founda- 
 tion of diseases that carried off many and made physical wrecks 
 of many others. 
 
 Both men and officers were called upon to perform the most 
 severe labor in corduroying roads, prying guns, wagons and 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 35 
 
 pontoons out of the sloughs in which they were deeply mired. 
 But, despite every effort, much valuable material had to be 
 destroyed or abandoned ; scores of mules were so deeply mired 
 in the blue clay that it was impossible to extricate them, and 
 they were either shot or cruelly left to their fate. One writer, 
 speaking of the loss of animal life, says that " for months 
 afterward, when going that route on picket, the smell from the 
 decaying bodies was almost unendurable." 
 
 As has been stated, the regiment reached its old camp on the 
 evening of the 23d, but the men were so nearly exhausted that 
 they made no effort to put up tents that night, but wearily threw 
 themselves on their roofless bunks and slept the sleep of the ex- 
 hausted. On the 24th, tents were again stretched over the 
 stockades, and the boys set about repairing the damages that had 
 occurred during their absence. 
 
 The Adjutant, who enjoyed a little merriment occasionally, 
 did not even permit the somber environments of the " Mud 
 March " to stand in the way of perpetrating a joke upon the 
 medical staff of the regiment. It came to his knowledge that 
 the Hospital Steward, Geo. T. Kibble, afterward Assistant Sur- 
 geon of the regiment, had engineered, with the permission and 
 connivance of the two Assistant Surgeons, the capture and 
 slaughter of a fine young animal which had been discovered by 
 a forager somewhere in the vicinity of the camp. Schoonover, 
 who was somewhat of a penman, wrote the following order : 
 
 " Col. Robt. McAllister, " Headquabtees Case's Beigade. 
 
 " Commanding Eleventh N. J. Vols. ; 
 " Colonel — It has been reported to these headquarters that a 
 fine young cow, the property of a poor widow living near by, was 
 taken from an enclosure last evening by a party in charge of the 
 Hospital Steward of your regiment, driven into the woods and 
 slaughtered: As this was in violation of existing orders, you will 
 cause a thorough investigation to be made at once, and report the 
 facts in the case to these headquarters. 
 
 " By command of 
 " LeGband Benedict, Bbig.-Gen. Jos. B. Caee. 
 
 "A. A. Gen." 
 
36 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 Repairing to the Surgeon's tent, he read the order with un- 
 ruffled countenance, and it is useless to add that it was listened 
 to with profound consternation. In their seeming sad plight, 
 they made an earnest appeal to the Adjutant to devise some 
 means of extrication from their dilemma. After roasting them 
 on the gridiron of anxiety for an hour or more, the " cat was 
 let out of the bag," and so great was their joy at the happy turn 
 of affairs that they offered no violence to the perpetrator of the 
 joke. 
 
 About this time candles had become a scarce article, and the 
 men had either to content themselves with the glare of pine 
 knots or, remembering the lessons learned at home, procure 
 tallow and make their own penny-dips; this many of them did. 
 
 Sunday, January 25th, brigade inspection was held ; the day 
 was clear, but very cold. The 27th brought rain, and what was 
 more welcome, a visit from the paymaster. Much of the money 
 was sent to families and friends in the north, by Colonel Cook, 
 but the sutler, as usual, profited immensely by the coming of 
 pay-day. The men becoming tired of the sameness of govern- 
 ment rations — pork, beef, beans, and bread without butter — for a 
 few days after receiving their money would live on sutler's 
 goods, regardless of the high prices charged for them. Butter 
 cost, then, 60 cents per pound; cheese, 40 cents; canned goods, 
 from $1.00 to $1.25 per quart can; condensed milk, 75 cents 
 for sizes that now sell for 10 cents, and other goods in propor- 
 tion. It can readily be seen that the small pay of the private 
 soldier did not allow a long indulgence in the luxuries of the 
 sutler's tent. The system of giving orders upon the sutler that 
 prevailed was a temptation to the men to spend more than they 
 otherwise would have done. Each man was allowed orders 
 upon the sutler for a certain amount per month. These were 
 countersigned by the First Sergeant or some line offieer. When 
 pay-day came, the sutler would repair to the paymaster's tent 
 and, as the men received their money, collect the amounts called 
 for by the orders. There was seldom any friction, the men pay- 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 37 
 
 ing up willingly, and thus establishing a credit unlil next pay- 
 day. 
 
 The weather became cold on the night of the 27th, and the 
 rain turned to snow, which continued to fall during the 28th 
 until the ground was covered to the depth of a foot. The 29th 
 brought sunshine and warmth, and the snow melted rapidly, 
 making the roads again almost impassable. At this period the 
 supplies for the army of the Potomac were landed, either at 
 Aquia Creek or Belle Plains. If at Aquia Creek, they could 
 be brought by rail over the Fredericksburg and Aquia Creek 
 Railroad to Brooke's Station. But from Belle Plains they had 
 to be teamed to their various destinations. And notwithstand- 
 ing the fact that an immense amount of corduroying was done, 
 during a great part of the winter the roads were in such bad 
 condition that the work of cartage was very heavy on both teams 
 and teamsters. 
 
 The monotony of camp was not to remain long unbroken. 
 On the evening of February 2d we received orders to be ready 
 to move in light marching order at six the next morning. We 
 were to carry three days' rations and sixty rounds of ammuni- 
 tion. The expedition consisted of six regiments of infantry, five 
 batteries of artillery and two regiments of cavalry. The object 
 of the expedition was to destroy bridges built by the enemy 
 across the upper Rappahannock. The march began at the ap- 
 pointed time in the midst of a blinding snowstorm. The move- 
 ment was attended with no fighting by us. But it tested 
 pretty sorely the endurance and discipline of the troops who 
 participated in it. Subjoined is a letter from " Quill," giving a 
 spirited account of the movement. 
 
 " Camp below Falmouth, February 9th, 1863. 
 
 " On Saturday afternoon the Eleventh Regiment returned to 
 camp from their second march above Falmouth, having experi- 
 enced greater hardships than often fall to the lot of soldiers on 
 similar expeditions. 
 
 ' ' The order was received late on Wednesday night to provide 
 three days' cooked rations, and be ready at six the next morning 
 for special service. 
 
38 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 "Accordingly, the cooks were aroused, and kept their fires 
 burning and meat boiling all night, while the camp was far from 
 being as quiet as usual. 
 
 "At six A. M. the regiment, in light marching trim, was formed 
 on the parade-ground, under command of Lieutenant- Colonel 
 Moore — Colonel McAllister being away on leave — and soon re- 
 ceived marching orders, when it proceeded to brigade head- 
 quarters, and, joining the brigade, marched off in the direction of 
 ' up the river.' It was soon apparent that the whole division — 
 Sickles' — was included in the movement, and subsequently we were 
 joined by two crack regiments of cavalry and three batteries of 
 artillery, including Beam's Newark Battery. 
 
 " The air was exceedingly cold, and a light dry snow was fall- 
 ing. 
 
 " The troops marched rapidly forward until they reached the 
 extreme picket-line of our forces on the right, where our brigade 
 came to a halt and the Second New Jersey Brigade passed 
 through. 
 
 " Many friends were recognized and congratulations exchanged, 
 and the opportunity was soon after again afforded by oar passing 
 through the New Jersey Brigade. 
 
 " This movement was not understood, however, and our pro- 
 gress was rendered quite slow by its indulgence. 
 
 " The weather had now changed somewhat, and rain and sleet 
 took the place of snow, but was not so well received. 
 
 " During the halts, which were many, the soldiers sought repose 
 on the snow-covered ground, as the march had now become quite 
 severe, and the wet and icy garments and blankets were far from 
 adding comfort to ' the within.' 
 
 " About five P. M. the expedition came to a halt and camped 
 for the night in a wood on the Warrenton road, a little way be- 
 yond Hortwood church. 
 
 " A drizzling rain fell all night and rendered the condition of 
 the soaked and chilled men truly miserable. 
 
 "Huge fires were made, and such shelters as green boughs 
 could afford were erected, but little rest or sleep, however, could 
 be obtained, and a whiskey ration, which was given out at mid- 
 night, found all awake to receive it. The old regiments from the 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 3£ 
 
 Peninsula admitted that they had never experienced so much 
 exposure. 
 
 " The roll-call showed that the Eleventh had only two stragglers 
 on this march, which was a highly gratifying circumstance to the 
 commanding officer, who, at the outset, had made a few remarks 
 in which he hoped that the men of the Eleventh would not be- 
 found lagging on the march. It is doubtful if any other regiment 
 could show so clean a record. 
 
 "At six the next morning the expedition was again on foot, and 
 after a march of about four miles the division was divided and 
 stationed a short distance from . the Rappahannock, in positions' 
 selected by Gen. Carr, who was in command of the reconnoissance. 
 
 "The Eleventh New Jersey and First Massachusetts were 
 placed in a wood on a hillside on the right, with instructions to- 
 make as little noise as possible, keep small fires and be ready for 
 service at a moment's notice. 
 
 " The First Massachusetts being in command of the Lieutenant- 
 Colonel who was out-ranked by Lieutenant-Colonel Moore, the 
 latter was in command of the movements in our vicinity until 
 relieved by the Colonel of the Massachusetts regiment, who ap- 
 peared during the day. 
 
 " The weather continued remarkably stormy until near night, 
 when it cleared off and became quite cold. 
 
 "Another uncomfortable night was passed near the camp-fires,, 
 the men vainly endeavoring to keep warm with their single 
 blankets. The roads froze up solid, and when the order came to 
 march on the return at early dawn, good progress was made for 
 some hours. 
 
 " No war music was heard, and though it was said that the 
 object of the expedition was accomplished, the men did not feel 
 that they had performed any great feat, save in the exhibition of 
 their powers of endurance. 
 
 " The march back to camp, so auspiciously begun, proved a very 
 exhaustive one. An hour was lost early in the day waiting for 
 another brigade, and so old ' Sol ' soon got to work on the roads, 
 rendering them very heavy. The loss of that golden hour was 
 severely felt. 
 
 " The regiments all reached their quarters about four o'clock in. 
 the afternoon, but there was little stamina left in the men, as they 
 
40 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 were pushed through the mud at a pace awfully shocking to weak 
 muscles. Never did a camp seem so much like home than when 
 it was reached, after that tedious march and unusual exposure to 
 the pitiless storms of mid-winter. 
 
 " We were informed by an order from the General commanding 
 the division that the object of the movement was fully accom- 
 plished, and that the participators were entitled to the highest 
 praise for the uncomplaining manner in which they performed a 
 fatiguing march and suffered exposure to the severest storms of 
 winter." 
 
 The cause of the movement was an attempted crossing of the 
 river by a body of the enemy's cavalry. They had constructed 
 a bridge and were about to cross, when they were met and re- 
 pulsed by the Union cavalry. They made the second attempt, 
 reinforced by a column of infantry, but were met by such a de- 
 termined fire that they gave up the attempt. The bridge was 
 destroyed and the expedition returned to camp. 
 
 On the return to camp, a ration of whiskey and a loaf of soft 
 bread — making the third since November — revived somewhat 
 the drooping spirits of the men. 
 
 On the 13th the regiment was ordered on picket ten miles 
 away. Rations were issued before daylight, but when the " bard 
 tack " came to be examined beneath the searching light of day 
 they were found to be a curious but not very palatable combina- 
 tion of bread and meat, and the meat had not been killed. But 
 as the men could not afford to be fastidious, they made the best 
 of it, and picking out the larger " animals," shut their eyes to 
 the smaller. 
 
 February 25th, snow again to about a foot in depth, making 
 the roads almost impassable. 
 
 On Sunday, March 1st, a wagon loaded with boxes from home 
 became mired about a mile from camp, but the men, to make 
 sure of their delicacies, carried the boxes the rest of the distance. 
 
 On March 12th the regiment was again sent out on picket; it 
 reached the lines and relieved the old pickets about noon. 
 Those not on immediate duty busied themselves in building 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 41 
 
 shelters of brush and collecting wood for the camp-fires, for the 
 «ir was yet piercing enough to remind us that winter was still 
 lingering. 
 
 An alarm in the night called all to arms, and a report that a 
 large body of the enemy's cavalry was hovering near kept all 
 on the qui vive until daylight. 
 
 It was ascertained afterward that the alarm was not entirely a 
 groundless one, for a body of the rebel cavalry had passed 
 swiftly to the north of us, fallen upon Fairfax Court House, 
 captured Brigadier-General Stoughton and a portion of his 
 brigade, and esca, ed before the troops in that vicinity fully 
 realized what had occurred. 
 
 During the early part of the evening considerable excitement 
 was caused on the reserve post by a conflagration which for a 
 few minutes lit up the gloom of the forest. 
 
 Captain Halsey, of Company E, had caused to be erected a 
 rather commodious shelter of pine boughs, which was fronted 
 by a roaring fire of logs. Upon a bed of soft "Virginia 
 feathers " the Captain lay, drinking in large draughts of soldier's 
 comfort, when suddenly the resinous boughs around and above 
 him went up in a blaze of glory, and it was not without diffi- 
 culty that the Captain escaped a burning. Some mischievous 
 soldier had slyly touched a brand to the inflammable material, 
 and consequently tne Captain was left without a shelter. 
 
 Camp-life was not without its pleasures and its humors. The 
 days, although reasonably full of duties, left many idle hours to 
 be spent as the inclinations of the men might dictate and cir- 
 cumstances permit. Groups would form and talk over matters 
 current, or past, or speculate on. the probabilites of the future. 
 
 Gambling was contrary to orders, yet card-playing was a 
 favorite pastime with many, so much so that a pack of cards 
 became known as a " soldier's testament." Bluff or poker was 
 •the favorite game, and it was not always played for beans, for 
 the money-stakes were often sufficiently high to make the game 
 intensely interesting to the participants. Others spent their idle 
 
42 
 
 THE ELEVENTH BEGIMENT, 
 
 hours with such literature as was obtainable in camp or con- 
 veniently forwarded by mail. 
 
 The readers, though perhaps not in the majority, constituted 
 a large proportion of the men of the Eleventh. Books and 
 periodicals would be passed from hand to hand until worn-out 
 
 Brevet Major Charles F. Gage. 
 
 with use or a move of the army compelled their abandonment. 
 During the winter of '63 and '64, when at Brandy Station, 
 Miss Anna Veghte, then of Stockton, Hunterdon county, N". J., 
 among other things, sent the writer two years' numbers of 
 the old "Knickerbocker Magazine." They were kept in con- 
 stant circulation through the company and regiment until the 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 43 
 
 breaking of camp, on May 4th, 1864, compelled their abandon- 
 ment. 
 
 There were many convivial spirits among the brave men of 
 the Eleventh, and the magnet of congeniality drew them into 
 associations for pleasure and profit. One such was organized 
 among the line officers during the winter of '62 and '63. And 
 as they were largely a part of the regiment, the constitution and 
 by-laws of that organization (which is subjoined) becomes a part 
 of the regiment's history : 
 
 ■" Constitution and By-Laws of the Independent Oedee of Tbumps. 
 
 " Preamble. 
 
 " We, the undersigned free-born citizens of the United States, 
 -and other villages, feeling that a necessity exists for the universal 
 development of mind, and muscle, hereby unite ourselves in a 
 'genial brotherhood, that is to say, 
 
 " ' We're a band of brothers,' 
 having for its and our object the physical and mental welfare of 
 man and woman, and circumstances at large, do bind ourselves 
 by the following constitution and by-laws, being resolved to acquit 
 ■ourselves like men, and other things. 
 
 " Name. 
 
 " The name, style and title of this association is and shall be, 
 ■* The Independent Order of Trumps.' 
 
 " Officers. 
 
 "The officers shall consist of a Grand Salaam, Right-Bower, 
 Left-Bower, Drink-All, Eat-All, Smoke-All, Judge-Advocate and 
 Door-Tender, who shall be elected at each meeting of the Order. 
 
 " Qualifications for Membership. 
 
 " Any white citizen who has risen above the scum of the earth, 
 by virtue of holding a piece of sheepskin parchment, be it com- 
 mission or warrant, shall be eligible to membership in this Order, 
 
U THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 save always those of loose moral character, such as Chaplains, 
 Colonels, or senior Captains commanding. But no person shall 
 be admitted or initiated into the mysteries and unwritten customs- 
 of the Order unless he, she or them shall produce in the presence 
 of the Grand Salaam a box, or an authorized express certificate 
 that a box is on the way and near at hand. 
 
 "Duties of Officers. 
 
 " It will be the duty of the G. S. to preside at all meetings and 
 preserve order, if possible, in which he will be assisted by the 
 Bowers Right and Left, who will be habitually posted on the right 
 and left of the G. S. The duties of the Bowers will be to assist 
 the G. S. and mediate between him and the members of the 
 order. The duty of the Drink-All will be to test the quality and 
 take note of the quantity of fluids on their arrival in the boxes of 
 members and report to the Order, so that no swigging can take 
 place unbeknownst to the members at large. The duty of the 
 Eat-All will be in a like manner to test the solids contained in 
 said boxes and make a written report. The duty of the Smoke- 
 All will be to test all cigars, cheroots, Long Nines, Short Sixes,, 
 grape-vines, Three-for-a-Cent, Half Spanish and Principes ; like- 
 wise all Nail-Bod, Nigger-Head, Fine-Cut, Turkish, Cavendish, 
 Killikinnick, Mrs. Miller's Solace, American Boy, Benecia Boy, 
 Yankee Blade, and other tobaccos, smoking, chewing and snuffing, 
 together with hasheesh, opium and other somnolents, and report 
 in manner and form specified. The duty of Judge-Advocate will 
 be to act as general blower for the order, cuss in members, serve 
 as counsel, pro and con, on all cases, questions and candidates for 
 membership, render judgment as to the size, weight and proba- 
 bilities of boxes in the perspective, making full report at every 
 meeting. The duty of the Door-Tender will be to knock down 
 and drag out (when decided to be necessary by the G. S.) all re- 
 fractory and unruly members, and administer castigation to those 
 who offend by secreting boxes for private enjoyment, to keep out 
 all stragglers, Morganize all spies, informers, cowards and eaves- 
 droppers, and carry out the dead men and old soldiers. 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS 45- 
 
 " Meetings. 
 
 " Meetings shallbe held frequently, at such times as the arrival 
 of boxes shall warrant, and at such places as the G-. S. may indi- 
 cate. 
 
 "By-Laws. 
 
 " 1. The G. S. may be deposed on being prolonged in his refusal 
 to treat members to the ' ardent.' 
 
 " 1£. At all meetings strict order will be observed, and the mem- 
 bers will conduct themselves with decorum. Drinking, eating, 
 smoking and chewing will be considered decorum. 
 
 " 2. Each member is expected to wear his Sunday clothes, and 
 bring his own spoon 
 
 " 3. A student from an oyster cellar will be provided to open 
 crackers. 
 
 " 3£. Any member receiving a box will immediately notify the 
 E. A., D. A. and S. A., under pain of being hurt. 
 
 " 4. Three shutters and two tent-flies will be provided to carry 
 off members who may become weak in the knees. 
 
 " 5. Three cheers only will be given at one time. 
 
 "6. On no occasion of public ceremonies will music be allowed 
 other tban Dodsworth's brass band, sixty pieces, in white pants. 
 
 " 7. At all parades in public the purses found on the line of 
 March will be religiously appropriated towards paying the band 
 (sixty pieces). 
 
 " 8. On public occasions the band (sixty pieces) will provide its 
 own supper. 
 
 " 9. The hour for assemblage will be early candle-light. 
 
 " 10. At all public suppers of the order, the following bill of fare 
 will be provided : 
 
 " First Course — Soups. 
 
 " Clam Soup, Eazor Soup, Ham Soup, and small white bean soup 
 in which one bean, carefully mashed, will be placed. 
 
 " Second Course — Roasts. 
 
 " Roast Peanuts, Roast Pig-Tail, Roast Clams, Roast Ham, Roast 
 Potatoes, and Roast Cow. 
 
46 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 " Third Course — Entrees. 
 
 " Clams, Eaked Apples, Alamode Mandrakes, Yams, Tarts, Tarry- 
 town Stew, Herring Point, Oat Meal Cakes, B. C. Crakers, Steamed 
 •Onions, Pickled Eels' Feet, Soldiers' Buttons, and Turtles' Eggs. 
 
 " Fourth Course — Fruits. 
 " Clams, Ground Apples, Persimmons, Strawberries, Duck Weed, 
 Eine-Cut, Greens. 
 
 "Fifth Course — Nuts. 
 "Clams, Hickory Nuts, Beach Nuts, Peanuts, Pig Nuts, Peacan 
 Nuts, Brazil Nuts, Peach Pits, Apple Seeds, Walnuts, Horse 
 -Chestnuts, and Amsterdam Nuts. 
 
 " Sixth Course — Pastry. 
 " Clam Pie, Shad Apple Pie Horse Radish Custard, Milk Pie, 
 "Union Buttered Sandwiches, Red Flannel and Turnip Pie a la 
 Mode Mince, and Mush and Milk. 
 
 " Seventh Course — Wines and Liquors. 
 
 " Clam Juice, Brandy and Water, Whiskey, Monongahela Rye, 
 Apple and Bourbon, Buttermilk Whey, Lemonade, Lime Juice, 
 ■Claret, Champagne, Gin, Bock Beer, Mead, Vinegar (vintage 1810), 
 •Cider, Port, Rhine Wine, Lager Beer, Ale, White of Egg and 
 Molasses. No side dishes allowed. 
 
 "11. Fines will be imposed by the G. S. as follows: For being 
 absent from a regular meeting, 1 pint whiskey ; for non-reception 
 of box in one month, } gallon whiskey ; for disorder and diso- 
 bedience of G. S., 1 bunch cigars ; for refusing drink to brother 
 member, 1 bottle Otard ; for failing to divide contents of box, 10 
 kegs lager beer. 
 
 "11£. Under no circumstances shall there be any appeal from 
 the decision of the Grand Salaam. 
 
 " lit- Sutlers who are distinguished members when elected 
 shall do their duty in the matter of boxes, and shall not charge 
 three prices. This Society assumes to regulate all sutlers, and 
 though it takes no commission on sales, requires the recognition 
 ■of its rights as a vast brotherhood. 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 47 
 
 " 12. No article of the above constitution or by-laws shall be 
 altered or repealed, unless a motion to that effect has been made 
 and carried." 
 
 As I have not a correct roll of the members of the above 
 association I will not append any names ; but I think the style 
 of composition will betray the author to nearly every old member 
 of the regiment. 
 
 Although much attention was paid to personal cleanliness and 
 the sanitary condition of the camp, yet much sickness prevailed 
 during the winter and early spring, and the regimental surgeons 
 found plenty of work in the field hospital. Bowel troubles and 
 typhoid fever were the most prevalent diseases, owing, no doubt, 
 not so much to unaccustomed exposure as to the contamination 
 of the water used for camp purposes. The source of water- 
 supply was generally running streams, and these, running close 
 to many camps, no doubt gathered up and spread the germs of 
 disease. The deaths from disease in the field hospital during the 
 winter and spring numbered nineteen, twelve of which were from 
 typhoid fever. The deaths from all causes from the time of 
 organization until the commencement of the Chancellorsville 
 campaign had been fifty-one. Three had been killed in battle. 
 Disease had, therefore, up to May 1st, 1863, taken forty-eight 
 of our number. 
 
 On March 30th, the Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Eighth and 
 Eleventh New Jersey Regiments were again sent to the picket- 
 line. About eleven o'clock that night it began snowing, and 
 continued until nine o'clock the next morning. 
 
 At that time our picket-line was about eight miles from camp, 
 and a tour of duty continued three days. The performance 
 of duty was pleasant enough in fine weather, but March of '63 
 was unusually stormy, snow falling at times to the depth of a 
 foot. Walking a picket-beat under such conditions was not very 
 agreeable. Fortunately there was an abundance of wood, so 
 that when not upon post, the men could make themselves quite 
 comfortable. 
 
43 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 Near midnight on the 31st, an alarm called all to arms, and 
 during the remainder of the night the companies took turns in 
 standing to their guns. Soon after daylight the booming of 
 cannon to the right told that a brisk action was in progress — in 
 the direction of Dumphries. The enemy had attempted to 
 pierce the picket-line, but were driven back with the loss of 
 several prisoners. 
 
 On April 2d the regiment returned to camp and resumed 
 the old routine of drill. On the evening of the 3d, Colonel 
 McAllister was serenaded by the band of the Eleventh Massa- 
 chusetts. 
 
 Sunday, the 5tb, brought snow again to the depth of seven 
 inches. As a consequence, there was exemption from drill on 
 Monday. 
 
 Just at nightfall on the 7th, President Lincoln, accompanied ' 
 by General Hooker and others, rode past the camp. 
 
 On April &th the Army of the Potomac was reviewed by 
 President Lincoln, Secretary Seward and the general officers of 
 the army. The review was held on the plain above Falmouth, 
 and special care had been taken to prepare the ground for it. 
 Stumps had been removed, gullies filled and the ground care- 
 fully staked out, so that no confusion might ensue. Nearly one 
 hundred thousand men passed in review. They looked able to 
 meet any emergency. 
 
 It was a magnificent sight. War at its best, in holiday attire 
 — glitter of guns in the sunlight, waving of flags in the breeze, 
 light, quick steps to the stirring music of bands, prancing of 
 horses and sparkle of buttons and lace. But it was an army 
 preparing for great deeds, nerving itself for heroic deaths. 
 
 The 9th of April ushered in a beautiful day, and also orders 
 for the regiment to proceed once more to the picket-line. 
 
 Several of the picket-posts were near a couple of farm-houses, 
 one of them occupied by a Union man, a former Pennsylvanian, 
 who had two daughters attending school in Philadelphia. The 
 surroundings looked comfortable and home- like. As the farmer 
 was busy threshing with the flail, some of the men, who had not 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 49 
 
 forgotten how to swing the " hungry club/' amused themselves 
 by helping him. The other house was occupied by a rebel, over 
 whom a strict watch was kept, as he had been detected making 
 signals to the enemy with lights. 
 
 A number of deserters came into the regimental picket-line, 
 one of whom said that he was tired of waiting for his breakfast 
 until he had gone to the river and caught it. 
 
 The river being not far away, some of the men went down to 
 the shore and held conversation with members of the Ninth 
 Alabama, doing duty on the other side. 
 
 The regiment returned to camp on the 12th, and instead of 
 drill on the 13th it had target practice. 
 
 The orders of the 14th clearly indicated an early move. Eight 
 days' rations were issued, three to be carried in haversacks and 
 five in knapsacks. Blankets and dress-coats were turned into 
 quartermaster's department, and each man received an extra pair 
 of shoes. In addition to all this, one hundred and twenty rounds 
 of ammunition were issued per man. 
 
 Another indication was the frequent reviews and inspections. 
 On the 16th General Carr made a personal inspection of the 
 brigade to see that each man had his supply of rations and am- 
 munition. The paymaster made a very welcome appearance the 
 following day and gave the regiment four months' pay, paying 
 up to March 1st, '63. A large amount of the money received 
 was sent to the homes of the soldiers, Colonel Cook, the State 
 agent, being on hand to receive it. 
 
 About this time considerable amusement was afforded by a 
 game of base-ball played between nines led by Captains Martin 
 and Logan, with Lieutenant J. C. Baldwin as umpire. Below 
 is the score : 
 
50 
 
 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 . Capt. Martin's Side. 
 
 
 1 
 
 • 1 
 1 
 1 
 1 
 1 
 1 
 1 
 1 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 'l 
 1 
 1 
 1 
 2 
 1 
 1 
 1 
 
 3 
 
 1 
 1 
 
 4 
 
 1 
 1 
 1 
 
 1 
 1 
 1 
 
 5 
 
 1 
 1 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 6 
 
 7 
 
 8 
 
 9 
 
 RUNS 
 
 OUTS. 
 
 Capt. L. Martin, . . . 
 Adj. J Schoonover, 
 Lieut. W. S Provost, . . 
 Lieut. A Beach, 
 Lieut. E. S. E. Newberry, 
 Lieut. S Leighton, 
 Capt. W. H Meeker, 
 Lieut. J. Souter, 
 Lieut. J. F. Buckley, 
 
 1 
 
 'l 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 'l 
 
 
 
 4 
 6 
 4 
 2 
 4 
 6 
 5 
 5 
 4 
 
 4 
 2 
 3 
 3 
 3 
 3 
 4 
 2 
 3 
 
 Totals, . . .... 
 
 9 1 9 
 
 2 
 
 6 
 
 5 
 
 4 
 
 4 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 40 
 
 27 
 
 
 Capt. 
 
 Logan's Side. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 3 
 
 4 
 
 5 
 
 6 
 
 7 
 
 8 
 
 9 
 
 RUNS. 
 
 OUTS. 
 
 Capt. D. B. Logan, . . 
 Lieut. J. H. Oldershaw, . 
 Capt. T. J. Halsey, . . . 
 Lieut. A. H. Ackerman, . 
 
 Sergt -Major Mount, . . 
 Drum Major Durant, 
 
 
 1 
 1 
 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 1 
 
 
 1 
 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 1 
 1 
 
 
 
 1 
 1 
 1 
 
 1 
 
 
 
 1 
 
 4 
 2 
 1 
 
 1 
 4 
 2 
 
 4 
 3 
 2 
 3 
 4 
 3 
 3 
 3 
 2 
 
 Totals, ... 
 
 2 
 
 3 
 
 1 
 
 2 
 
 
 
 3 
 
 
 
 4 
 
 
 
 15 
 
 27 
 
 During our early experience candidates for promotion as non- 
 commissioned officers were pat through an examination as to 
 their qualifications for the position. The custom afterwards fell 
 into disuse. At best, it was but a mere form, the examination 
 being very superficial, as the following report of one will show : 
 
 William Hand, of Company B, being awakened one night 
 from a sound sleep, was told to report immediately at the 
 Colonel's tent. He hastened to obey, wondering what he had 
 been doing, but could not think of any misdemeanor or breach 
 of discipline of which he had been guilty. Reaching the tent 
 he found it occupied by several staff and line officers. He was 
 told to be seated, and was then asked where he had received his 
 education. He answered, "At a common country school." 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 51 
 
 "Ever at college?" "No." "Can you read?" "Yes." 
 " Let us hear you read ? " He took a book and read a page or 
 two. " Can you write ? " " Yes." " Let's see you write." 
 He copied a page of the book from which he had been reading. 
 He was then asked if he knew anything of Geography. He 
 answered, "A little." " Grammar ? " " No." " What, never 
 studied grammar ! " " Oh, yes," he answered, " I studied it 
 for several years, and recited it to the satisfaction of the teacher, 
 but I never learned any of it." All the time he was wishing 
 they would tackle him on arithmetic — he was at home there — but 
 it was not mentioned. After a few more questions in regard to 
 military tactics he was dismissed. After returning to his 
 quarters he learned that he had been recommended for the 
 position of Fifth Sergeant, to which he was soon afterward 
 promoted. 
 
 Among the few who received furloughs during the winter was 
 a member of Company B, whom we will call " Joe." He was a 
 famous fisherman when at home, and whether longing for a mess 
 of fresh fish or not I do not know, but he was certainly very 
 anxious for a furlough. Captain Meeker made application for 
 him, but in the meantime orders came for the army to move, 
 and all such papers were held at headquarters. The move proved 
 to be the " mud- march." On returning to camp "Joe" became 
 very importunate about his furlough, questioning his officers so 
 continually that they became weary of it and forbade his saying 
 anything more about it. He got the impression that his com- 
 pany officers did not want him to go home. Finding little 
 sympathy in his own company, he made a confidant of " Cap. 
 Smith," of Company I. Smith was an incorrigible joker, and 
 was never so happy as, when opportunity offered, to get the 
 laugh on some one. He was very sympathetic, and advised 
 " Joe," as his Captain would take no interest in the matter, 
 to write direct to the President. As "Joe" could not write, 
 Smith volunteered to do it for him. Of course the letter never 
 reached President Lincoln. In course of time " Joe's " furlough 
 came, properly approved, and he started home, highly elated 
 
62 
 
 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 with the thought of having outwitted Captain Meeker. While 
 at home, and just before starting to rejoin his regiment, he went 
 fishing and caught a fine lot of smelts. He sorted out a basket 
 of the finest of them, and on reaching "Washington took them to 
 the White House. When relating the circumstance to the boys, 
 
 Chaplain K. Clarke Cline. 
 
 after his return, they asked him if he saw the President. He 
 said no ; he left the fish with a man at the door, and told him 
 the President would know whom they were from, for he had 
 granted him a furlough when his Captain refused it ! 
 
 The wood kept getting farther and farther away from camp, 
 until at last it was necessary to carry it nearly a mile. As a con- 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 53 
 
 equence the men would sometimes allow their supply to get so 
 nearly exhausted that an extra cold snap would set them to 
 hustling for a fresh supply. This occurred one cold night to 
 " Bully " and his tentmates. They could not go to the distant for- 
 sest, and wood must be had for morning. Who should go on the 
 skirmish for a supply? They decided to draw cuts, and the lot 
 fell to " Bully." He knew that there was a plentiful supply 
 around the officers' tents, but the thing was to get it without 
 being caught. After some thought he decided to try the chap- 
 lain's pile, thinking no doubt that if caught there the chaplain 
 would be more lenient than the other officers. He found a large 
 white-oak log beside the chaplain's tent and proceeded to shoulder 
 it. Before he could do so, however, the chaplain appeared and 
 offered to assist him, thinking no doubt to shame him from 
 taking it. But as "Bully" wanted wood pretty badly, and 
 already had it partly on his shoulder, he accepted the chaplain's 
 assistance, and walked off with it. The chaplain must have been 
 completely paralyzed at the man's audacity, for he never men- 
 tioned the matter. 
 
 Governor Joel Parker being on a visit to the front, and five 
 regiments of New Jersey troops being in the Second division of 
 the Third Corps, a review of the division was held in his honor 
 on Sunday, the 26th. In the evening he visited the camp of 
 the Eleventh, which had been decorated with evergreens in 
 anticipation of his coming. He was greeted with three cheers, 
 and on leaving, at the instance of Captain Halsey, three were 
 given for little Jersey. The religious services in the evening 
 were enlivened by the singing of a young lady who visited the 
 camp with her father. A. B. Searing says " some of the boys 
 wished to see her safely home, but our good old Colonel was so 
 very gallant that he gave no one else a chance to play the agree- 
 able." 
 
 On April 27th the entire corps was reviewed by General 
 Sickles, Secretary Seward, Lord Lyons, and other distinguished 
 officers. 
 
54 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 Before entering into an account of the stirring scenes that the 
 spring and summer of '63 ushered in it will be well to take a 
 retrospective glance. 
 
 The regiment's losses in battle up to this date had been but 
 three killed, and four wounded. But the change from the com- 
 forts of home to the roughness and exposure of camp- life had 
 brought its penalty, and disease had claimed many victims* 
 Twenty-one had died of typhoid fever alone. 
 
 Up to May 1st, '63, the deaths from all causes aggregated 51. 
 A hundred and ten had been discharged for disability and 
 other causes, three had been transferred to regiments from which 
 they had deserted, and a hundred and five had been dropped 
 from the rolls as deserters. In addition to this nearly two hun- 
 dred were absent sick and on detached service, so that at the 
 opening of the campaign the lighting strength of the regiment 
 could have been but little more than five hundred. 
 
 The losses were not confined exclusively to the rank and file. 
 A number of the officers had resigned during the fall and early 
 spring : Major Valentine Mutchler on April 4th ; Surgeon 
 Young on February 5th ; Surgeon Byington on March 20th ; 
 Captain Stagg, of Company G, December 28th, '62 ; Lieutenant 
 Anderson, Company F, on November 14th, '62 ; Captain Willis, 
 Lieutenants O. B. Fausett and Vancleve, of Company C, on 
 March 6th, '63. Company C was thus left entirely without 
 officers, and Colonel McAllister facetiously called them the lost 
 children. Captain Grover, of Company F, was discharged on 
 November 16th, '62. 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 55 
 
 Chapter V- 
 
 Hooker Takes Command — Chancellorsville. 
 
 JTEhe command of the Army of the Potomac had been given 
 *- to General Hooker on January 26th, 1863, and though 
 the change gave rise to some jealousies in high quarters, it was 
 looked upon with great favor by the men. His brilliant deeds 
 upon the Peninsula had won for him the sobriquet of " Fighting 
 Joe," and the rank and file had the utmost confidence in his 
 ability and skill. 
 
 " He assumed command with confidence, but with distrust in 
 the good will of Halleck, his superior at Washington," and I 
 . may here say that that distrust was not confined to Hooker alone, 
 but was entertained by the majority of the rank and file, who 
 looked upon Halleck as a jealous marplot and wholly unfitted 
 for the position he held. Hooker at once set about an energetic 
 reorganization of the army; he broke up the grand divisions 
 and restored corps organizations. As soon as possible he set 
 about the correction of the many abuses that had crept in, and 
 paid special attention to the commissary and quartermaster's de- 
 partments. He found the army in a demoralized condition. 
 Desertions were numerous ; it has been stated that as high as two 
 hundred a day occurred. 
 
 The deserters and absentees were sufficient to have made a 
 large army. The system of granting furloughs and leaves was 
 revised ; orders were issued that no leave should be granted to an 
 officer of high rank except from headquarters ; only one field 
 and two line officers could be absent from a regiment at one 
 time, and only two enlisted men out of a hundred, and they 
 from those who had the best records. 
 
 This change no doubt was necessary, and perhaps worked well 
 in general, but to some it seemed unjust, for some of the men 
 selected to receive this especial reward of merit thought it well 
 
56 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 to close their records while they were yet good, and failed to 
 return. 
 
 That was the case in Company E, of which the writer was a 
 member. Daniel Talmadge, chosen by Captain Halsey as the 
 most deserving man, concluded that " discretion was the better 
 part of valor," and not only failed to return, but the place that 
 then knew him as a citizen has since known him no more. As 
 a consequence no more furloughs were granted from Company 
 E during the winter. 
 
 The men in the ranks well knew that the frequent reviews 
 and inspections that were held during the spring of '63, the 
 drawing of extra rations and ammunition, indicated stirring 
 times. They were therefore not surprised when, on April 28th 
 at four P. M., they received orders to strike tents and be ready 
 to move at a moment's notice. 
 
 At six P. M. the order came to move. The line of march 
 was towards Franklin's Crossing, below Fredericksburg. The 
 march was continued until ten at night, when bivouac was 
 formed in a wooded ravine not far from the river. The after- 
 noon had brought a storm which continued through the night, 
 but notwithstanding no tents were pitched the men rolled 
 themselves in their blankets and slept as best they could. 
 
 At daylight on the 29th the regiment was astir, with orders 
 to be ready to move at seven o'clock. A short march brought 
 the regiment to near Franklin's Crossing, where it wenc into 
 bivouac in a wood and remained the rest of the day and follow- 
 ing night. Tents were pitched at night, as the rain continued 
 without any sign of abatement. 
 
 About noon on the 30th the command again fell in and 
 marched by a circuitous route back toward the old camp, which 
 was passed at half-past one. Keeping well back from the river, 
 and taking advantage of ravines and by-ways to escape the 
 observation of the enemy, the march continued until twelve 
 o'clock at night, when a halt was made about four miles from 
 United States ford. 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 57 
 
 The march was resumed at eight A. M. on the morning of May 
 1st. After crossing the Rappahannock at United States ford a 
 halt was made for dinner, after which the regiment moved about 
 a mile and took position in a deserted rebel camp. At four 
 P. M. heavy firing was heard toward the left, and the brigade 
 was ordered to move in that direction. Soon the order came to 
 double-quick, and the men, supposing they were going into 
 action, kept the ranks well closed. A short halt was made to 
 load, and then — on again at a rapid pace. It was nearly dark 
 when we filed into the wood to the left of the road running from 
 the ford, and halted en masse a short distance from the Chancel- 
 lorsville house, where General Hooker had his headquarters. We 
 stacked arms and lay down to rest, with orders to be ready to 
 fall in at a moment's notice. 
 
 With the Eleventh at that time were three colored servants. 
 A solid shot that came from a rebel battery, perhaps a mile 
 away, struck one of the servants, taking off one leg and shatter- 
 ing the other. The occurrence so demoralized the other two 
 that they applied for passes and left for home the next day. 
 
 Chancellorsville, that was to give name to one of the fiercest 
 and most sanguinary battles of the war, and that was to be the 
 last halting-place of so many of the brave men of the Eleventh, 
 consisted of a large brick mansion, built in the usual Southern 
 style. Near by were a number of negro cabins, the indispensable 
 accompaniment of Southern mansions in those days. It stood 
 about eleven miles from Fredericksburg, near the junction of 
 several roads, one running northward, with its branches, to United 
 States ford and the fords of the Rapidan. The old turnpike-road 
 from Culpepper, which joins the Orange plank-road two miles 
 west of Chancellorsville, there diverges to the left, to meet it 
 again half-way to Fredericksburg. To the westward stretches 
 that desolate region of scrubs and brambles known as the 
 Wilderness. 
 
 When the stampede of the Eleventh Corps began, on the 
 afternoon of May 2d, Berry's division was still in reserve near 
 the Chancellorsville house. About half-past four an aid rode up 
 
58 TEE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 with orders to move hastily forward. Knapsacks were thrown 
 in piles and left under guard, and the command was soon 
 double-quicking out the Gordonsville plank-road. 
 
 So dense was the mass of panic-stricken fugitives seeking 
 safety in flight that it was almost impossible to make our way 
 through them. One burly Teuton, making frantic efforts to 
 reach a place of safety, cries as he runs, " Me runs mit Howard, 
 me fights mit Sigel." Thereafter "Me fights mit Sigel" 
 became a catch-word in the army. 
 
 Sergeant McDavitt caught one of the flying Germans by the 
 shoulder, and pointing a revolver at him compelled him to enter 
 the ranks of Company E and go with it to the front. 
 
 Soon General Berry came galloping back and called out ex- 
 citedly : " Colonel McLaughlin, give me your regiment, 
 quick!" That was the First Massachusetts. With a wild 
 cheer they started on a dead-run down the road. It was nearly 
 dark when they filed into position on the right of the plank- 
 road ; the rest of the brigade soon formed in their rear. The 
 first position of the Eleventh was to the right of the plank-road 
 and some distance from it, but in perfecting the alignment dur- 
 ing the night the left of the regiment was brought to and rested 
 upon the road. The battle continued on the first line until after 
 dark. Then the volleys died away to fitful shots. The gloom 
 of the forest, the dreary cry of the " Whip-poor- Wills" that 
 came from every quarter seemed to exercise a depressing influ- 
 ence, and but little talk was indulged in. Suddenly, about 
 midnight, there came a crash and glare that opened every 
 drowsy eye. The guns posted in our rear opened a terrific fire,, 
 and for a while there was a very pandemonium of sound. The 
 vivid flashes of the guDS lighting up the gloom of the forest, the 
 shrieking and bursting of shells and the crash of falling limbs 
 combined to make a scene grand yet terrible. In regard to this 
 midnight battle, General Doubleday says : " It was Sickles 
 fighting his way home again." For a short time the battle 
 raged furiously, then slowly died away. Officers passed to and 
 fro, giving orders in low tones. General Berry rode along the 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 59 
 
 lines to see that all was well, and spoke words of cheer, little 
 thinking that it was to be his last battle-night. 
 
 Darkness gave opportunity for the coward to flee. I think, 
 however, few places were vacant in the Eleventh when the light 
 of Sunday morning, May 3d, broke upon it. 
 
 Quoting from Colonel McAllister's official report : " May 3d, 
 before the dawn of day, I was ordered to move my command 
 toward the plank-road, with the left resting on the road and at 
 right-angles with it, General Carr directing the formation. The 
 Eleventh Massachusetts, Colonel Blaisdell, came into the woods 
 and formed on our right, in the same line of battle. At 4:30 the 
 «nemy moved on our front line in heavy force, and the battle 
 raged furiously. The first line stood firm. After awhile the 
 left wing of the First Massachusetts gave way. Colonel 
 McLaughlin came back. I asked him what the matter was. He 
 replied that his left wing had given way, but the right was 
 standing firm, and that he was going back to rally the left wing. 
 I sent my Adjutant to General Carr to know whether E should 
 advance or remain in my position. I could not let my whole 
 regiment fire on account of the right wing of the First Massa- 
 chusetts being yet in place. I was ordered to throw the right of 
 my left wing forward, which I did, and continued firing. My 
 right wing held their fire until the enemy's volleys poured in on 
 them, when I ordered them to fire. Very soon we discovered 
 that the enemy was flanking us. I then ordered a right half- 
 wheel of my regiment and fired upon and drove the enemy back. 
 Captain Gamble, of the Eleventh Massachusetts, with eight men, 
 reported to me, and asked the privilege of joining us, which was 
 cheerfully granted. Both himself and his men fought bravely 
 and deserve great credit. 
 
 " In this position we continued for some time, our men fight- 
 ing bravely, holding our position in advance of the old line and 
 checking the enemy's advance, until at last the battery in the 
 road (a section of Dimick's) fell back, as well as the line in our 
 rear, and also the Second New Jersey Brigade, on the left of the 
 road. We then retreated slowly, keeping up a continual fire. 
 
60 
 
 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 After retreating across the road we joined the Second Brigade in 
 a charge upon the enemy, then in our cannon pits, and drove 
 them out, but the enemy being upon our flanks, we could not 
 hold them long and had to retreat toward the Chancellor house, 
 where we formed another line of battle, losing several men, 
 
 Captain Ira W. Cory. 
 
 after which we were ordered to fall back to a line of battle near 
 where we had lain en masse on the second. There we remained 
 a short time supporting a battery. We then fell back and joined 
 our own brigade. After shifting our position several times we 
 went into the afterward fortified camp, and fought no more that 
 day. 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 61 
 
 " Permit me to say that great credit is due to both officers and 
 men of our regiment — they stood well and fought well in every 
 position. To praise some might be doing injustice to others. 
 But I cannot pass on without favorably mentioning Lieutenant- 
 Colonel Moore, who acquitted himself with honor, and the 
 heroic conduct of Captain Kearney and Adjutant Schoonover, 
 who were of incalculable advantage in leading and urging the 
 men forward. And also A. Du Puget, the color-bearer. They 
 showed themselves every inch soldiers ; they all deserve great 
 credit, and promotion for meritorious conduct. Our loss in this 
 battle was 20 killed and 113 wounded. 
 
 " May 4th we lay in the woods until about the middle of the 
 day, when we marched out to the edge of the woods in front of 
 the breastworks, as a support to the pickets, the Berdan sharp- 
 shooters. My instructions were to lie down until the pickets 
 were driven in, then rise and resist the enemy's advance. I 
 did as directed. Soon the enemy came down and most of the 
 pickets came in. I went to the left to speak to the major in 
 command of the pickets and ask if all his men were out, so that 
 I could fire. He did not seem to hear me, but an order came 
 which I at first supposed to have been given by him, but I after- 
 ward learned that it was given by the lieutenant who had com- 
 mand of the picket on the right, to fall back. Almost at the same 
 time the enemy opened a battery with canister at short range, 
 which was immediately answered by our batteries opening upon 
 them with their guns at entirely too low a range, the shot 
 sweeping the surface of the ground. My men, taking the order 
 for mine, started back. Myself, Lieutenant-Colonel Moore and 
 Adjutant Schoonover tried in vain to rally them, but had we 
 succeeded we would have lost not less than a hundred men, 
 being in direct line between the two fires. Our right wing 
 halted in the ravine, the left went along the rifle-pits to the for- 
 tifications. We gathered the scattered forces and went back 
 with different orders — that if the enemy opened with their bat- 
 teries we should file into the rifle-pits, so that our batteries could 
 open on the enemy without injuring us. 
 
€2 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 "The enemy did not again bring their artillery to bear upon 
 us, but advanced with uncertainty, and before the sharpshooters 
 were out of the woods our guns opened upon them and we 
 remained lying on the ground — had one man wounded by our 
 shells. Our shells ploughed the ground up where we lay. 
 
 " The ' rebs ' were driven back. Trees were cut off at the roots 
 by our shells in front of us. Between the sharpshooters and the 
 enemy, we had one officer and twenty-three men wounded." 
 
 The official report gives in outline only the positions and work 
 of the regiment during the memorable 3d and 4th of May. The 
 details must be sought for elsewhere. 
 
 The entrance of the Eleventh Regiment to the battle of Chan- 
 cellorsville was under circumstances well calculated to try the 
 nerves of the most experienced veterans. As it hurried up the 
 Gordonsville plank-road it was met by a disorganized and fright- 
 ened mass of fugitives, horses, artillery, wild-eyed, hatless and 
 unarmed men. Officers, forgetful of honor, intermingled, care- 
 less of the fate of others, thoughtless of what calamities their 
 defection might bring upon their comrades, each individual 
 frantically seeking a place of safety. Was it not a wonder that, 
 green as the Eleventh was and unused to such scenes, it was not 
 caught up by the tide of disorder and with it carried to the rear? 
 Yet, though the shot fell around it and the exultant yells of the 
 victorious enemy came from their advancing columns in the woods 
 beyond, steadily as veterans the regiment kept its place. 
 
 The example of the leaders has much to do with the conduct 
 of troops in battle. If they are fearful and timid, it is quickly 
 noticed by the men in the ranks, and their conduct is regulated 
 accordingly. 
 
 The conduct of the leader of the Third Corps, General Daniel 
 E. Sickles, and of Generals Berry and Carr, was such as to in- 
 spire the men under them to deeds of daring. They were to be 
 found at the extreme front, in the thickest of the battle, encour- 
 aging and directing the men. And the leaders of the Eleventh 
 Regiment, Colonel McAllister, Lieutenant-Colonel Moore, Act- 
 ing Major Kearney, Adjutant Schoonover, and their subordi- 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 63 
 
 nates, by their conspicuous gallantry inspired the men to heroic 
 deeds. 
 
 When the dawn of Sunday morning, May 3d, ushered in the 
 battle by an advance of the enemy, and the Eleventh was ordered 
 to advance and meet them, they did so eagerly. William Hor- 
 ton, of Company E, did not arise with the rest of the company, 
 and an examination showed that he was dead, having been shot 
 through the head by the first fire of the enemy. 
 
 The enemy advanced cautiously, the thick woods screening 
 the opposing forces. It was supposed that a part of the First 
 Massachusetts was still maintaining their position on the first 
 line. To ascertain if sueh was the case, Colonel McAllister 
 says : " I asked if any one would volunteer to go and find out 
 what was in our front. A young boy (Lanterman, of Company 
 H) stepped out of the ranks and advanced. Soon returning, he 
 reported that only the enemy was in our front. I immediately 
 gave the command to commence firing." 
 
 During a battle the soldier in the ranks has but little chance 
 of seeing what is occurring on other parts of the line, even if 
 the fighting is upon open ground. But in a wood like that of 
 Chancellorsville, where the view was obstructed by trees and 
 underbrush, his view is limited to the comrades immediately 
 around him and the enemy in his front. Comrades of his own 
 company may be shot down and he not see them fall. To those 
 on the right of the regiment it did not seem necessary that any 
 one should be sent out to reconnoitre, for the right wing did not 
 commence firing until the enemy were in view. James P. 
 Myres and the writer, both of Company E, had advanced some 
 paces in front of their company. The writer had just turned 
 and said, " Hold on, Jim ; we are getting too far ahead," when the 
 column of the enemy, advancing at a left oblique, came into 
 view. We raised our guns to fire. Captain Halsey called out, 
 " Don't shoot, they are our own men." We called back, " They 
 are rebs., Captain," and immediately began firing. The com- 
 pany, coming up at this instant, began firing, and soon it became 
 general. 
 
64 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 The Eleventh Regiment maintained its position after the rest 
 of the brigade had fallen to the rear, and it was not until the 
 enemy began closiDg on its flanks that it fell back and joined the 
 Second New Jersey Brigade in a new alignment on the high 
 ground near the Chancellorsville house, to the left of the plank- 
 road. From that position it joined the Second Brigade in a 
 charge upon the enemy, who were then occupying the pits that 
 had been thrown up to protect the Union guns. The pits were 
 re-captured, but, as our flanks were wholly unprotected, we could 
 not hold them. 
 
 Daring the engagement the Second New Jersey Brigade 
 captured a number of battle-flags, but that result would hardly 
 have been possible had not the Eleventh maintained its position 
 on the flank of that brigade. 
 
 McAllister says : " Colonel Sewell informed me that he had 
 an opportunity to capture some flags, and asked me if I could 
 protect his flank while, so doing. I told him to go ahead and 
 take them, that the Eleventh would hold its ground. After- 
 ward, in conversation, he acknowledged his indebtedness to the 
 Eleventh for the assistance rendered during this exploit." 
 
 When the regiment was falling back across the plank-road, the 
 enemy kept up a terrific fire of shells. One of them struck in the 
 bank on the roadside, just as Company B was climbing up, end 
 exploded directly under the feet of Henry Hand, turning him 
 completely over. Though somewhat bruised and covered with 
 dirt, he escaped without serious injury. But he was less fortu- 
 nate on the following day, when the regiment was supporting the 
 sharpshooters. He then had the visor of his cap shot away, and 
 a piece of shell struck his gun, breaking it against his left side. 
 Though the skin was not broken, he received a severe internal 
 injury, from which he never fully recovered. Since the war he 
 has been an invalid and compelled to live in a Southern climate. 
 
 Shortly after the explosion of the shell under the feet of Henry 
 Hand, a ricochetting shot struck in the midst of Company F 
 killing Corporal James Hamilton, Francis B. Wilson and Pat. 
 Minton and wounding several others. It continued on its course 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 65 
 
 (nearly spent) until it reached Captain Meeker, where it stopped 
 against his left thigh, slightly bruising it. 
 
 The Eleventh Regiment never received the credit justly due it 
 for the prominent part it took in the battle of May 3d. It held 
 its position in the wood long after the troops upon its right had 
 given way, and after all the other regiments of the brigade had 
 fallen to the rear. And though at last outflanked and compelled 
 to slowly retire, it would not acknowledge defeat, but joined the 
 Second Jersey Brigade in holding the enemy in check while the 
 lines were re-forming in rear. 
 
 While the brigade was re-forming in rear, some one asked : 
 " Where is the Eleventh New Jersey ? " The reply was : " They 
 are out front, fighting on their own hook." The report was also 
 circulated that the Colonel was killed and the regiment taken 
 prisoners. But fortunately, though it passed through many nar- 
 row chances, it came out with organization still intact. 
 
 During all its after-experience the regiment never passed a 
 more trying half hour than that passed on the evening of the 
 4th, while supporting Berdan's Sharpshooters — a duty it per- 
 formed from the middle of the afternoon of the 4th until the 
 afternoon of the 5th. Its position was at the edge of a wood ; 
 in rear of it and across an open field were the Union entrench- 
 ments, filled with artillery. About midway across the open 
 field was a ravine, in which stood two large trees. In front of 
 the regiment was Berdan's Sharpshooters, facing the enemy's 
 sharpshooters. Back of the enemy's sharpshooters was high 
 ground, occupied by their batteries. Toward evening the enemy 
 ran a battery out to the edge of the wood and opened a sharp 
 fire of canister. Our batteries in the entrenchments responded, 
 but the guns were trained so low that their shot struck danger- 
 ously close to the regiment ; trees were cut off by shot from our 
 own guns, directly in front of it. The sharpshooters were ordered 
 to retire. The right wing of the Eleventh, mistaking the order, 
 also fell back, the left wing following. A part of the regiment 
 sought shelter in the ravine ; the rest continued to the breast- 
 works. The position of those in the ravine was terrible. Forty 
 
66 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 Union guns were firing over them, and the air above and around 
 seemed thick with flying metal. The trees spoken of were struck 
 at least fifty times. 
 
 For a half hour that terrible fire continued, and then the 
 enemy withdrew, and the regiment went back to its former posi- 
 tion near the wood. 
 
 The next day (the 5th) the rebel sharpshooters kept up an 
 annoying fire, and several men of the Eleventh were wounded, 
 among them Lieutenant Beach. When Beach was struck, one 
 of Berdan's Sharpshooters asked " if that fellow hit any one." 
 When told that Beach was struck, he replied : " I have my eye 
 
 on the ." The next instant there was a report, and the 
 
 " reb " came tumbling out of a tree. During the 4th and 5th, 
 besides Lieutenant Beach, twenty-three men were wounded. 
 Had the regiment remained in position at the edge of the wood 
 during the entire artillery fire it would have been almost anni- 
 hilated. 
 
 The sun came out very warm on the 5th and a number of the 
 men were sunstruck, among them Captain Meeker. He was 
 taken to the hospital at Potomac Creek, and from there sent to 
 the General Hospital at Newark. He returned to the regiment 
 in July, but was taken very sick the night of bis arrival and had 
 to return to the hospital. Finding that he was not likely to be 
 fit for duty for a long time he resigned, August 12th, '63, the 
 regiment thus losing one of its most promising officers. 
 
 The regiment was almost constantly under fire from Saturday 
 evening, the 2d, until 2 P. M. on Tuesday, the 5th, when it was 
 relieved and sent to the rear of the breastworks and given an 
 opportunity to rest. At 1 o'clock on the morning of the 6th it 
 received orders to fall in, and the march back across the river 
 began. The old camp was reached just before dark. Though 
 the men were nearly worn-out they passed a dreary, uncomfort- 
 able night. It was cold and rainy and the men nearly destitute 
 the tents, overcoats, etc., having been burned with the knap- 
 sacks on the battle-field. More than this, the excitement of the 
 battle was over and they had time to think, and now began to 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 67 
 
 realize the losses the regiment had sustained. They missed the 
 tentmates that had become dear to them by the associations of 
 the winter, the cheery voices that they would hear no more. It 
 was like the return of the wanderer who finds the homestead 
 deserted and the loved ones scattered. But the next day, the 
 7th, tents and blankets were issued. New families of comrades 
 formed and the work of refitting and cleaning the camp com- 
 menced, and soon things began to appear more cheerful and 
 home-like. 
 
 Many incidents occurred upon the campaign, many acts of 
 bravery during the battle, that are worthy of being recorded, but, 
 unfortunately, at this late day, either the forgetfulness or apathy 
 of the surviving comrades renders it impossible. 
 
 The night of the 2d, though not cold, was chilly enough to 
 make one feel the need of a blanket, but the men were entirely 
 without protection, their blankets having been turned in previous 
 to leaving camp, and overcoats either thrown away or left with 
 the knapsacks in the rear. Lieutenant Bloomfield and Ser- 
 geant Hand, of Company B, were together, and, feeling the 
 need of some covering, Bloomfield said he would go and get a 
 blanket. He went back as far as Hooker's headquarters, where 
 a number of horses were standing under the care of orderlies. 
 A roll of blankets was strapped to the saddle of one. Going 
 up to it he unstrapped the roll of blankets, all the time keeping 
 up a conversation with the orderly in charge of it. On reaching 
 the regiment he found that they had more blankets than they 
 needed ; so, after taking out a good double one, he re-packed 
 the roll and returned it to the saddle. Next morning he looked 
 for the horse, that he might return the borrowed blanket, but 
 could not find it, and before he could do so the battle opened, 
 and shortly afterward Bloomfield met his death, being shot in 
 the middle of the forehead. Captain Meeker, who was near 
 and saw Bloomfield fall, turned to Kelly, his second lieutenant, 
 and said, "Ned, there goes poor Lot." "Eh?" said Kelly, 
 who turned his head to look; just then a ball struck him over 
 the left ear, and Kelly, too, fell dead — both killed within a 
 
68 TEE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 minute. Meeker says : " The loss of both lieutenants (who were 
 dearly loved by the men) seemed to make the men wild, and 
 they fought as though they were determined to wipe out the 
 whole rebel army. Joe Frazer (who was killed at Locust 
 Grove) was determined to kill two rebel officers in retaliation, 
 
 Major William H. Loyd. 
 
 and he watched for them. Suddenly he ran up to me and said, 
 ' Cap, there's a hen on.' I asked him where. He pointed to a 
 tree and told me to watch it. I did watch it for a moment and 
 saw the head of a rebel officer ; but the sight was a brief one, for 
 ' Joe ' pulled and the officer dropped." 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 69 
 
 During the evening of the second, Lieutenant Oldershaw who 
 was a member of General Carr's staff, but temporarily assigned 
 to duty with General Berry, accompanied the General out 
 between the lines. They came to a deserted caisson, but saw 
 a rebel teamster approaching with two horses to take it off. 
 General Berry asked him who had sent him. He said, " the 
 General." They permitted him to attach the horses to the 
 caisson, and then sent him into the Union lines. During the 
 evening, when the firing occurred that resulted in the wound- 
 ing and subsequent death of. General Jackson, General Berry, 
 attended by Oldershaw, was again at the extreme front. When 
 returning they were accompanied by a rebel major, who in the 
 confusion mistook General Berry for his own chief. He rode a 
 splendid white horse, and Oldershaw, who ordered him to dis- 
 mount, thought that it should be his by right of capture ; but 
 much to his chagrin he was not allowed to keep it. 
 
 "So doubt, had Berry survived the battle, Oldershaw would 
 have been shown some mark of his favor, for while riding with 
 him through the shower of shot and shell, Berry turned to him 
 and asked his name. Oldershaw gave his name and regiment. 
 Berry replied, " Lieutenant, I shall not forget you." But, alas ! 
 brave, generous, noble-hearted Berry fell during Sunday morn- 
 ing's fight. 
 
 Jn Company E were two brothers, John and Charles Mann, 
 both brave and gallant soldiers. During the Sunday morning's 
 battle John was mortally wounded through the breast. Charles, 
 laying down his gun, took him upon his back to carry him off the 
 field. While so doing, Charles was knocked down by a falling 
 limb, but not seriously injured. He succeeded in getting his 
 brother to a place of comparative safety, and stayed with him 
 until he died. By so doing, Charles became a prisoner, but was 
 shortly released on parole. In less than a year Charles, too, met 
 a soldier's death, being killed at Locust Grove. 
 
 A soldier sometimes has a premonition of coming death. Such 
 was the case with Sergeant Daniel Bender, of Company H. Just 
 previous to the battle, in a conversation with A. B. Searing, of 
 
70 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 Company E, he said that he had a presentiment that he would 
 not live to see the end of the coming battle. His presentiment 
 proved too true, for a bullet, passing through the visor of his cap, 
 pierced his brain. One year afterward, when bivouacking upon 
 the battle-field of Chancellorsville, just before the battle of the 
 Wilderness, among many ghastly relics picked up was a skull, 
 the cap still upon it, and upon the visor was stamped " D. 
 Bender, Co. H, 11th N. J. Vols." A. B. Searing, of Company 
 E, cut the visor off and brought it home with him. 
 
 During or just after a battle many strange rumors find cur- 
 rency. I remember that after crossing the chain bridge, where 
 no enemy was near to cause the firing of a shot, a rumor reached 
 the North that the regiment had been hotly engaged and that a 
 number had been wounded, among them the writer. 
 
 At Chancellorsville, among the names of the killed published 
 in the Northern papers was that of Adjutant John Schoonover, 
 and a single line written by moonlight on the battle-field announc- 
 ing his safety, did not reach its destination until preparations 
 had been made to go after his body. 
 
 As a further evidence of the gallant part taken by the regi- 
 ment, and the esteem in which it was held by those who were in 
 a position to know of its work, I will quote the words of Generals 
 Hooker and Carr. 
 
 General Hooker, while visiting the wounded of the regiment, 
 said to Surgeon Welling : " This is a gallant regiment ; it fought 
 splendidly; officers and men alike deserve great credit." 
 
 General Carr, who temporarily succeeded to the command of 
 the division, after the death of General Berry, in a letter to the 
 Adjutant- General of the State, under date of May 15th, '63, said : 
 " The regiment greatly distinguished itself at the battle of Chan- 
 cellorsville. It is one of which the State of New Jersey has 
 reason to feel proud. Without a single exception the officers 
 and men of the regiment acted in the most gallant and heroic 
 manner." Again, in a letter dated May 18th, General Carr 
 repeats his words of commendation. 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 71 
 
 Previous to the battle of Chancellorsville the Eleventh had 
 been looked upon with something like contempt by the older 
 regiments from its own State, owing to its youthful personnel, 
 the average age being about seventeen. It was called "Mc- 
 Allister's boys," and arguing from that, they entertained the 
 opinion that the noise of the conflict and a sight of the 
 carnage would soon demoralize them. But its condnct at 
 Chancellorsville won the admiration of all, and thenceforth 
 " McAllister's boys " became a title of honor, and in the many 
 battles that it afterward passed through it maintained its repu- 
 tation and was always found ready and reliable, no matter how 
 desperate the enterprise. During the engagement the staff of the 
 flag carried by De Puget was shot away, and after the battle the 
 colors showed many signs of hard usage. 
 
 The regiment lost 2 officers and 17 enlisted men killed; 11 
 officers and 146 enlisted men wounded, and 8 missing — a total 
 of 184 out of the 500 taken into action. 
 
 The killed were Lieutenants Lot Bloomfield and Edward 
 Kelly, and private Michael Butler, of B ; Privates Hiram 
 Gress and George Watson, of D ; Sergeant James McDavitt and 
 privates William Horton, Peter Hann, John Cook and Riley 
 O'Brien, of E; Corporals James W. Hamilton, Pat. Minton 
 and Private Francis B. Wilson, of F ; Corporal William Mc- 
 Minn and Private Samuel Burk, of G • Sergeant Daniel Bender 
 and Levi P. Baird and Henry South, of H, and Josiah Van 
 Schoick, of I. 
 
 The officers wounded were : Captains Halsey and Myer, and 
 Lieutenant John B. Faussett, slightly, and Lieutenant New- 
 berry, severely ; Captains Logan, Martin and Ackerman, and 
 Lieutenants Volk, Cory, Provost and Beach, slightly. Many of 
 those reported wounded were so severely injured that they died 
 either upon the field or soon after reaching the hospital. Ser- 
 geant Guy P. Cox, of A, died at Washington, May 15th ; 
 Sergeant Emory Allenf of D, at Falmouth, June 11th ; Thomas 
 Murry, of E, at Washington, May 28th ; John Mann, of E, 
 at Chancellorsville, May 11th, and Daniel Palmer, of the same 
 
72 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 company, at Washington, June 23d. First Sergeant Jacob 
 Myer, of Company G, reached his home at Allentown, N. J., 
 where he died September 2d, '63. Joseph P. Eobare, of II, 
 died on the 3d of May, and William A. Decker, of the same 
 company, at Washington, May 30th ; William Baird, of I, died 
 at the Third Corps hospital, on the 18th of May, and William 
 H. Disbrow, also of I, at Stafford Court House, May 7 th. 
 William Fraley, of C, who was wounded on the 4th, while sup- 
 porting sharpshooters, died at Chancellors ville on the 6th of 
 May. 
 
 Fire added another horror to the battle-field of Chancellors- 
 ville. The exploding shells ignited the dead leaves and under- 
 brush, and many who were too severely injured to crawl from the 
 field perished in the flames. It is not positively known whether 
 any of the Eleventh perished in this manner or not, but it is 
 highly probable, for fire swept that part of the wood where its 
 severest fighting occurred, and no information was ever received 
 of some of those who were reported missing. 
 
 The regiment lost some of its most promising men, and it is 
 to be regretted that the data is not at hand to enable the giving 
 of such personal notices as their bravery and heroism deserve. 
 
 A correspondent to the " Paterson Guardian," under date of 
 May 30th, '63, says : "Among the brave men who gave their 
 lives to their country, at Chancellorsville, was Lieutenant Lot 
 Bloomfield. He is the second of the brothers of the family who 
 have fallen in defense of the flag in the present war, the elder 
 brother having been killed at Williamsburg." 
 
 From a private letter written by an officer of the Eleventh 
 just after the battle, we glean the following : " In the early part 
 of the battle and while the enemy's fire was very severe, Lieu- 
 tenant Lot Bloomfield turned to speak to me. Just as his 
 mouth was opened, and before he could speak a word, a minie 
 ball crashed through his brain and he fell at my feet, dead. The 
 shadow of death passed over his face as h#was falling, and I saw 
 it. It was terrible; but the rush and exoitement of the battle 
 left me no time to think of it until afterward." 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 73 
 
 Another private letter, written on May 20th, '63, says : 
 " Captain Ackerman was struck in the leg by a piece of shell, 
 but gallantly remained with his regiment until it was withdrawn 
 from the field, and has since continued on duty. He also had 
 his coat-tail adorned with a bullet-hole, while he received in his 
 left boot a bullet which passed through the leg of Lieutenant 
 Beach, of his company." 
 
 A letter written by a civilian, evidently a member of the 
 Sanitary Commission, to the " Paterson Guardian," May 21st, 
 '63, after giving a graphic account of the battle, says : " One 
 man whom I noticed quietly leaning on his rifle, his face 
 blackened with the smoke of powder and the perspiration 
 making streaks down his cheeks, told me, when I asked what 
 regiment, that he belonged to the Eleventh New Jersey. I very 
 naturally took an interest in the man and asked about his regi- 
 ment. He said that his regiment had been relieved ; that they 
 had ' fought like h — 1 ' ; that they had helped to capture four 
 stand of colors. I could not help exclaiming, ' Well done, Jer- 
 sey.' He asked if I was a Jerseyman, and, on my answering in 
 the affirmative, seized my hand with such violence as to nearly 
 drag me from my horse, and shook it for five minutes in a way 
 that would make any town-pump tremble all over." 
 
 Among the many who fell none gave promise of greater use- 
 fulness than Sergeant James McDavit, of Company E. He was 
 a young man of splendid physical development. His mental 
 qualifications were quickness of decision and determination in 
 execution. He was brave, but not foolhardy, and seemed to 
 possess all the qualifications that tend to the making of a good 
 soldier. When Captain Halsey was wounded, McDavit went to 
 his assistance. While binding up the Captain's wound, he was 
 struck in the head and died a few minutes afterward. The field 
 remaining in the hands of the enemy, it is not known what 
 became of his body. Like thousands of others, his resting-place 
 is unknown. 
 
 Lieutenant E. S. E. Newberry, who had been severely wounded 
 before being commissioned into the Eleventh, was wounded 
 
74 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 through the l'eg at Chancellorsville so that thereafter he was 
 unable to perform the duties of a foot-soldier. After his recov- 
 ery he served as a staff officer until January 28th, 1864, when 
 he resigned and accepted a commission in the "Veteran Reserve 
 Corps. 
 
 Newberry was a North Carolinian by birth, and had two 
 brothers holding commissions in the Confederate service. He 
 was a born Abolitionist, and at the commencement of the war 
 entered the Union service. Though having the quick temper of 
 most Southerners, he was greatly liked by his men, for they knew 
 that he would render exact justice. When off duty he did not 
 stand upon dignity, but met the men on familiar terms. When 
 duty called for strict discipline, all knew that obedience would be 
 exacted. While lying en masse near the Chancellor house, 
 orders were issued to detail men from each company to fill the 
 canteens. Newberry ordered William Minton to take the can- 
 teens of E and fill them. For some reason — the proximity of the 
 enemy or the dropping of occasional shot — Minton refused. 
 Newberry drew his revolver and, taking out his watch, said t 
 " Now, Bill, if in three minutes you have not gathered up those 
 canteens and gone for water I will blow your brains out." Min- 
 ton knew the Lieutenant would keep his word and hesitated no- 
 longer. Whether this bit of insubordination was foreign to the 
 man's nature or the lesson taught was a lasting one, I do not 
 know, but Minton afterward proved himself a good soldier until 
 severely wounded in front of Petersburg. 
 
 To the northward of Chancellorsville was another clearing in 
 which stood a small white house. To the eastward of this, and 
 just within the timber between the Ely's Ford road and the road 
 to Uniten States ford, had been established the general field hos- 
 pital. Hundreds of wounded lay upon the ground. The force of 
 surgeons and hospital attendants was entirely inadequate, and be- 
 fore many of the injured had received the attention required, the 
 battle had drawn close and shot and shell began to drop among 
 them, resulting in death and additional wounds. Several of the 
 surgeons and attendants were killed or wounded. A panic con- 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 75 
 
 sequently ensued, and all who could possibly help themselves 
 sought places of safety. The writer, who was among the 
 wounded, after creeping for a distance through the wood, found 
 himself along the river road. It was crowded with ambulances, 
 but no one seemed to pay any attention to him, and he possibly 
 would have been left to become a captive had not Lieutenant 
 Morehouse, of Company F, who had been assisting a wounded 
 officer, and. was making his way to the front again, discovered 
 him, and secured him a place in an ambulance. The ambulance 
 was a part of the Eleventh Corps hospital train, and the writer 
 was taken to a field hospital of that corps, established on the 
 high ground on the north bank of the river. That hospital was 
 also shelled by the enemy. Tuesday evening a number of the 
 wounded were moved to a farm-house further back from the 
 river, but the house and all the outbuildings were crowded with 
 wounded, so that many were compelled to lie out in the heavy 
 rain of Tuesday night. The writer and a drummer by the name 
 of Henry (from the Fifth New Jersey, I think), who was 
 wounded in the leg, lay side and side, and together were loaded 
 into an ambulance, some time toward morning, and taken to 
 Potomac creek. It would have been a rough ride for a sound 
 man, for it was pitch dark, and the road led through forests, 
 over stumps and gullies. The wounded were tossed about like 
 chips upon the waves. 
 
 Lieutenant Beach, who was wounded at Chancellorsville, re- 
 lates the following interesting incident, which occurred on his 
 way to Washington : 
 
 " I was wounded early in the morning of the last day of the 
 fight, and was put in an ambulance with a wounded Confederate 
 belonging to an Alabama regiment. We were driven to the 
 steamer at Aquia Creek to be transported to Washington. The 
 Confederate was laid on a cot next to mine on the upper deck. 
 Before we left the dock, President Lincoln telegraphed he was 
 coming down to look after the wounded, and the vessel was de- 
 tained until he arrived. As he came on our deck, grasping the 
 hand and speaking a word of comfort to every one, the Ala- 
 
76 
 
 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 bamian asked me who it was coming. I told him it was Presi- 
 dent Lincoln. He then asked me if the President would speak 
 to him. I replied I thought so. When the President came to 
 his cot, he took his hand and asked about his comfort and if his 
 wound had been dressed, and showed as much interest in his 
 
 Captain Samuel T. Sleeper. 
 
 welfare as he did in any of our own soldiers. When he left, the 
 Confederate was in tears and was completely overcome by the 
 kindly interest of the man against whose authority he wasifight- 
 ing. He said he hoped to live to return to his home and tell 
 his people how the great heart of Abraham Lincoln had gone 
 out toward him — a rebel." 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 77 
 
 Chapter VI. 
 
 The March to Gettysburg — Gettysburg. 
 
 After the battle, what was left of the regiment soon settled 
 down to the old routine of camp-life. The daily round of 
 duties — the drill, the guard, the picket, the review, the recon- 
 struction of camp, and the many details connected with the 
 rehabilitating of a shattered army — occupied the time and thoughts 
 through the daylight hours. But when gathered in their tents 
 at night, or around the camp-fires on the reserve picket-post, the 
 thoughts went back to the battle-field, and many personal experi- 
 ences were related, hairbreadth escapes and deeds of daring, 
 known only to the relator. 
 
 The comrades who were gone were not forgotten, but a soldier 
 soon learns to realize that wounds and death are the inevitable 
 results of war, and learns to look upon them with an indifference 
 and seeming lack of feeling incomprehensible to those who never 
 experienced the sights and sounds of a battle-field. The loser 
 of a finger or a toe, or the possessor of a flesh-wound sufficiently 
 severe to temporarily disable, were looked upon with envy or 
 made a subject of merriment — it meant a respite from duty, and 
 possibly a twenty or thirty days' furlough. 
 
 I do not think that the American soldier gives much con- 
 sideration to the probable dangers of the future. He does not 
 let his spirits become depressed by brooding over what may 
 occur, consequently he rushes into danger with a carelessness, 
 even a cheerfulness, peculiarly his own. It is only the boom of 
 the cannon and the crack of the rifle that will scatter the cards 
 from his pocket upon the roadside. 
 
 On May 11th the regiment participated in a review of the 
 corps by General Daniel E. Sickles. Only its lack of numbers 
 told of the desperate fighting through which the corps had 
 passed. Its entire loss at Chancellorsville footed up 4,039. On 
 the 12th the brigade was sent on picket, the Eleventh Regiment 
 
78 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 being held on reserve. While some of Company E were doing 
 guard-duty at General Carr's headquarters, who occupied a 
 country mansion in rear of the picket-line, a slave was brought 
 in under guard, who, in the absence of his mistress, had entered 
 the house, broken a portion of her furniture, stolen a gold and 
 a silver watch, ninety dollars in money, and decamped. I do 
 not know what disposition the General made of him. 
 
 A large number of our wounded had been left in the enemy's 
 hands ; they having scant facilities for caring for them, General 
 Lee, after taking their parole, allowed bridges to be laid, and on 
 the 13th the ambulances crossed and brought them within our 
 lines. 
 
 On the 14th the regiment was placed upon the front line of 
 pickets, where it remained until eight A. M. of the 15th, when it 
 was relieved and marched back to camp. 
 
 The 17th, being Sunday, brought its usual regimental inspec- 
 tion, its round of visits from the chaplain, who distributed tracts 
 and other reading-matter of a religious nature. 
 
 On the 18th a large detail was sent to Potomac creek, where 
 the corps hospital had been established, to assist in the erection 
 of tents and other work necessary to make the wounded com- 
 fortable. The Third Corps hospital lay along Potomac creek 
 and not far from the railroad running from Aquia Creek to 
 Falmouth, over which a large part of the supplies for the army 
 of the Potomac were taken. This short line of road was noted 
 for a very remarkable piece of engineering, material considered. 
 To cross the valley of Potomac creek required a bridge four 
 hundred feet in length and one hundred in height. When 
 General McDowell lay at Falmonth — the original bridge having 
 been destroyed — General Haupt caused a new one to be erected. 
 The material was poles cut from the adjacent woods, spliced and 
 braced together. "The bridge was finished about midnight. 
 Early next morning President Lincoln, with his cabinet, passed 
 over it to hold a conference with McDowell at Falmouth. On 
 his return he remarked to members of Congress that he had seen 
 the most remarkable structure that the human eye ever rested 
 
NEW JEBSEY VOLUNTEERS. 79 
 
 upon. ' That man, General Haupt, has built a bridge over Poto- 
 mac creek, upon which the trains to supply the army are moving 
 «very hour ; and upon my word, gentlemen, there is nothing in it 
 but bean-poles and cornstalks.' The bridge was destroyed and 
 rebuilt several times." * 
 
 Surgeon E. L. Welling, of the Eleventh New Jersey, was in 
 charge of the Division Hospital, and connected with it as nurses 
 were Miss Helen L. Gilson and Mr. Fay, of Chelsea, Massa- 
 chusetts. Only those who were recipients of their care can 
 make a just estimate of their services. Did the capricious 
 appetite of the feverish soldier long for something not in the 
 army bill of fare, Miss Gilson's name would bring it. And 
 how many times her songs revived the drooping spirits ! The 
 war called forth many noble women. But Miss Gilson seemed 
 nearer to the white diamonds — more directly the representative 
 of that army of self-sacrificing, heroic spirits that were serving 
 wherever suffering was to be found, some of whom gave not 
 only time and comfort, but health and even life. 
 
 Nothing occurred to disturb the dullness of camp-life until 
 June 11th, when marching orders were again received. Lee 
 had concluded that an invasion of the North was practicable, 
 and his army was headed for the rich fields of Pennsylvania. 
 It has been said that the most positive information that General 
 Lee was moving northward with his army was obtained through 
 an old colored man who sold pies to the Confederate army. 
 Some time during the battle of Chancellorsville he had come to 
 the northern side of the river, and found himself away from 
 home when Lee again took possession of Fredericksburg. Gen- 
 eral Sharp, who was at that time in charge of the Secret Service 
 department, offered to send him back if he would establish a 
 clothes-line telegraph on the other side near the shore, where his 
 wife was accustomed to do her washing. The instructions were 
 that if General Lee moved his troops to the north, a red article 
 should be hung upon the northern end ; if to the south, on the 
 
 *From History of One Hundred and Eighteenth. Pennsylvania. 
 
80 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 southern end ; if to the rear, the red article was to hang in the 
 center of the line, the number of articles appearing upon the 
 line to indicate the extent of the movement. Not many day& 
 elapsed before a red article appeared upon the extreme northern 
 end of the line. Day after day others were added, until the 
 entire northern end was covered with red. In the daily visits 
 of the old colored man to the army he had gained this import- 
 ant information and communicated it to General Sharp. 
 
 Hooker had learned, however, from his spies that an invasion 
 was talked of, and had written to President Lincoln, on the 
 28th, that the enemy was about to make a movement of some 
 kind. The movement of the rebel camps had also been noted by 
 the commander of the Army of the Potomac ; and yet, so skill- 
 ful had Lee managed his movements that it was probably not 
 until the taking of Winchester that his object was definitely 
 known. 
 
 The regiment broke camp on June 11th, and after marching 
 eight miles, bivouacked for the night at Harewood church. The 
 ground was not entirely unknown, for the hurried march of the 
 previous winter, through rain and sleet, had made the men 
 slightly acquainted with the locality. After a good night's rest 
 the troops were early astir, and six o'clock found them on the 
 move. The morning was beautifully clear, and a delightful 
 breeze tempered the heat. Morrisville, a point where four roads 
 met, was reached about noon. The Second Division took the 
 road to the river and reached Rappahannock Station at dark. 
 The First Brigade, however, continued to Beverly ford, which 
 it reached at ten P. M., making the march for the day twenty- 
 four miles. 
 
 Doubleday says : " It would seem that it was Lee's first in- 
 tention to march along the eastern base of the Blue Ridge, 
 directly toward Washington, trusting to his cavalry to conceal 
 his movements." The defeat of his cavalry at Brandy Station, 
 however, compelled him to take the valley route, where his 
 movements were entirely hidden by the mountains. In antici- 
 pation of a movement of that kind, however, Hooker had sent 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 81 
 
 the Third Corps to guard the fords opposite Culpepper, while 
 the Fifth Corps guarded those lower down. 
 
 The brigade remained at Beverly ford until the 14th, doing 
 picket-duty along the river. At dark on the 14th the pickets 
 were withdrawn and the march taken toward Bealton Station. 
 The march was continued along the railroad all night, and until 
 nine A. M. on the 15th, when a halt was made for breakfast one 
 mile east of Warrenton Junction. At one P. M. the troops 
 were again put in motion. The day was terribly close, and the 
 clouds of dust made marching almost unendurable. Hundreds 
 were compelled to fall out, and the ambulances were loaded with 
 those who had succumbed to the heat. Many were sun-struck, 
 some fatally. But still the march went on with few halts, until 
 eleven o'clock at night, when Manassas Junction was reached. 
 After rations were issued, the troops were allowed a much-needed 
 rest. The short march of only one mile on the 16 th was a God- 
 send to the still wearied men. The day's rest gave them renewed 
 vigor, and the march was resumed with cheerfulness on the 
 morning of the 17th. When Bull Run was reached the column 
 was halted and the men given an opportunity to take a much- 
 needed bath. At three P. M., thoroughly refreshed, the march 
 was resumed to Centerville, where bivouac was made for the 
 night. The 18th was an easy day. The regiment having been 
 detailed as guard to the wagon-train, only a half mile was 
 marched, but a heavy thunder-storm that came up made shelter 
 of any kind desirable. 
 
 The long march without adequate halts for rest, the extreme 
 heat and the stifling olouds of dust that were encountered on the 
 15th caused many good soldiers to straggle. However much 
 they may have desired to keep with their commands, they could 
 not do so, the work required being beyond their powers of 
 endurance. 
 
 Among the many who thus found themselves separated from 
 their regiments was a group of four belonging to Company B, 
 of the Eleventh New Jersey, namely, Wm. Hand, T. O'Doane 
 and Charles and John Vorhees ; and with them was a member 
 
82 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 of the Eleventh Massachusetts. They were all good soldiers, as 
 was proven at Gettysburg, where all five were wounded. As 
 they were marching down the railroad, a train of freight cars 
 stopped near them. Thinking they would gain time, and also 
 a rest, they climbed aboard and rode to Fairfax Station, where 
 they were informed that only those having a surgeon's pass could 
 go any further in that direction. They climbed down and 
 bivouacked for the night near a spring. The next morning they 
 were told by a wagon-ma9ter that the Third Corps was on a road 
 twenty miles to the westward and was marcning northward. 
 They were then in a dilemma, as it might take them several 
 days to overtake their commands, and they were entirely out of 
 rations, and the surrounding country had been so often subject 
 to forays that nothing was left to reward the forager. But 
 Hand rose equal to the occasion. An officer of the Commissary 
 Department was at the station issuing rations to the teamsters. 
 Doane was already quite sick, but Hand told him to make him- 
 self look as ill as possible and he would see if he could not work 
 upon the sympathies of the Commissary. Taking Doane with 
 him, he proceeded to the station and told the officer that he was 
 in charge of four sick men, with orders to take them to Alex- 
 andria; that they had given out and were out of rations, and 
 could go no further without getting something to eat. The Com- 
 missary asked where the other three men were. Hand told him 
 down by the railroad, not able to come up. The officer seemed 
 to hesitate, but Doane at that moment wilted down to the 
 ground, and, placing his head between his hands, he so nearly 
 assumed the appearance of a man approaching dissolution that 
 he turned the scale, and the officer, with one more look at him, 
 ordered his Sergeant to weigh out three days' rations for five 
 men. After getting the rations, Hand thanked him and rejoined 
 his comrades at the spring. After getting breakfast they started 
 toward Center ville, which they reached just as the head of the 
 Third Corps was passing. Adjutant Schoonover was the first 
 one to discover them as they approached the regiment, but so 
 well did they explain their absence — I think Hand must have 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 83 
 
 remained spokesman for the party — that they escaped with a 
 light reprimand. 
 
 By a strange coincidence all five of these men were wounded 
 at Gettysburg, Charles A. Vorhees losing both eyes and the man 
 from the Eleventh Massachusetts a leg. Hand afterwards rose 
 to the rank of First Lieutenant and John Vorhees to Sergeant, 
 and both served until the close of the war. Doane became per- 
 manently disabled and was transferred to the Veteran Reserve 
 Corps, and was discharged from it as Sergeant. 
 
 At three o'clock on the afternoon of the 19th the march was 
 resumed and Gum Springs reached about dark. There, with 
 the exception of a change of camp and the excitement occasioned 
 by the cavalry fight at Aldie, the sound of which could be 
 plainly heard, the regiment rested quietly until the 25th. 
 
 The inhabitants - of Gum Springs and vicinity were intensely 
 rebel, all the able-bodied men being either in the regular Con- 
 federate service or with Mosby's band of guerillas; consequently 
 but little restraint was put upon foragers. A party who went 
 out from the Eleventh on the 24th returned with twenty cows 
 and a miscellaneous lot of sheep, geese and chickens. Two 
 Union soldiers were found hanging in a barn, where they had 
 been murdered by guerillas. 
 
 While lying at Gum Springs a number of those who had 
 been left on duty at the hospital re-joined their commands. It 
 will be remembered that the Third Corps hospital had been 
 located at Potomac creek, and in the event of the Union army 
 moving northward it would be exposed to capture. In view of 
 this fact it seems strange that ample time had not been given for 
 the removal of the wounded and the hospital stores to a place of 
 safety. But it was not until the 13th — two days after the Corps 
 had started on its northward march — that orders were issued to 
 send the wounded and stores to Aquia Creek for transportation' 
 to Alexandria. Then the movement was made hastily and a 
 large quantity of stores, such as tents, provisions, small arms, 
 cars, etc., were destroyed. It was supposed that no troops 
 remained between the hospital and the enemy, when in fact 
 
84 
 
 TEE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 Sedgwick, who had been ordered to throw a portion of his corps 
 across the river at Franklin's crossing to ascertain if the enemy 
 still held their old position, did not re-cross until the night of 
 the 13th, and on the 15th was still between the Rappahannock 
 and Potomac creek. 
 
 Captain D. B. Logan. 
 
 As the experience of those left behind with the hospital may 
 be of interest, and as the experience of one is typical of all, I 
 will quote the account given by A. B. Searing, of Company E, 
 Eleventh New Jersey, who was one of the number : 
 
 " On the 13th we received orders to place all of the wounded 
 men in our corps hospital on board the cars and send them to 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 85 
 
 Aquia Creek. Those who were able rode to the cars in ambu- 
 lances, but some with fractured or amputated limbs had to be 
 tenderly carried there on stretchers. We did not get much 
 sleep or rest that night, as there were so many wounded to move. 
 The next day was Sunday, and we worked hard, taking down 
 the hospital tents and packing up. In the afternoon the sur- 
 geons left in a hurry, for there was no armed force of ours 
 known to be stationed between us and the rebels, and, having no 
 time to cart the hospital supplies to the cars, the Provost Mar- 
 shal gave us orders to destroy them. We burned up what tents 
 were left, and, going to the commissary building, we knocked in 
 the heads of the vinegar and molasses barrels and let their con- 
 tents run down the hill; set fire to the building containing 
 crackers, rice, sugar, and other eatables, and, taking a lot of 
 rifles stored near by, we broke their stocks off and threw them in 
 the creek, so that if the rebels found them they would be of no 
 use. In looking where the surgeons' tent had stood, one of our 
 number found a half-gallon jug of whiskey, which he con- 
 fiscated, and, noticing a box filled with sawdust, I put my hand 
 down in it and found several bottles of blackberry brandy, which 
 I divided among the soldiers, keeping one myself. We went 
 around the whole camp, making sure that everything was 
 destroyed or on fire, and about dark, not knowing how soon the 
 rebels would advance on us, our small detail of soldiers marched 
 down to the railroad station, and at nine F. M. left there on the 
 last train of cars for Aquia Creek, where the locomotives were 
 run on boats prepared for them. The cars and buildings were 
 burned, and at two A. M., on the 15th we took passage on board 
 a transport bound for Alexandria, Va., where we arrived about 
 sunrise. 
 
 " On the 16th, I was on duty day and night, guarding the 
 hospital supplies. The next day we were busy unloading the 
 cargo from the vessel upon which we came, which consisted 
 principally of supplies to be distributed among the various hos- 
 pitals in the city. On the 20th we were still on guard over the 
 supplies on the wharves and vessels at Alexandria. 
 
86 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 " On the 21st, owing to the uncertainty as to where the different 
 regiments were, to which our detail of guards and nurses be- 
 longed, it was proposed to send us to Camp Distribution, there to 
 stay until we could be safely sent to our various commands. W e 
 numbered about forty men, and the majority were anxious to 
 rejoin their regiments without delay, and hearing that the army 
 was at Leesburg, we decided to try to find them. Filling our 
 haversacks with provisions, which the ladies of our hospital gave 
 us, we were placed in charge of a commissioned officer, who 
 formed one of our number, and at three P. M. Saturday we got 
 on the cars at Alexandria and rode fifteen miles over a very poor 
 railroad, which was as far as they could run, the bridges beyond 
 being destroyed and the country unsafe, owing to bushwhacker* 
 and guerillas. Leaving the cars behind us we struck out through 
 the country and marched to Johnson farm, where we bivouacked 
 for the night. 
 
 " Sunday morning found us again on the tramp, and after 
 marching through Drainesville, we orossed Broad run, and at 
 seven P. M. we arrived at Goose Creek, a small hamlet of about 
 half a dozen dwellings, where we camped for the night near a 
 house occupied by a widow lady, Mrs. Miller, son and a daughter 
 named Virginia. I did not see a single able-bodied man, all 
 being in the rebel army. But the ladies were very pleasant, and 
 none of our party was allowed to forage any, and paid a fair 
 price for everything they bought. In the evening a number of 
 our boys called upon Mrs. Miller and her family, and she ex- 
 pressed a desire to hear some good Union songs. Elias Blanchard 
 and several others complied with her request, and in return Miss 
 Virginia favored us with some Confederate songs. We had no 
 alarms during the night, and on Monday morning several of us 
 lightened our knapsacks by giving Mrs. Miller what we could 
 spare. 
 
 " The next thing was to provide some way to cross Goose 
 creek, which was quite a large stream of water. Finally we 
 found a scow, and a boy who ferried us across, six at a time. 
 After all had crossed over we fell in line and marched on until 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 87 
 
 ten A. M., when we reached Leesburg, which was quite a large 
 town, with fine, pleasantly- shaded streets. We had expected to 
 find the Third Corps there, and were very much disappointed 
 when told that they were at Gum Springs, fifteen miles 
 away. We procured three days' rations of hard-tack, coffee and 
 sugar, and at four P. M. we left there and marched a few miles 
 and encamped for the night. The early morning found us on 
 the move. We again crossed Goose creek, at a place where a 
 bridge had recently been built by the Eleventh Corps, and march- 
 ing on through a fine section of country, the fields of which were 
 covered with corn and wheat, we found our corps at noon, and 
 I re-joined my regiment, glad to be once more with my comrades." 
 
 At ten A. M., on June 25th, the corps was again set in motion. 
 The march led to the Potomac at Edwards Ferry, near the mouth 
 of Goose creek, where a pontoon bridge had been constructed- 
 After a brief halt upon the Maryland shore, the march was con- 
 tinued by way of the towpath of the Ohio and Chesapeake canal. 
 Rain was falling heavily, and soon the tramping of many feet 
 made the towpath very insecure footing. Darkness fell ; still the 
 tramp continued hour after hour, slipping, sliding — sometimes 
 cursing when a misstep caused some one to measure his length in 
 the mnd — the canal on one side, the steep river-bank upon the 
 other — no place for halting, nothing to do but worry on through 
 the darkness and dampness, hoping that the canal would soon be 
 crossed and a halt ordered. The division was stretched out like 
 a skirmish-line. At last the Monocacy was reached, the canal 
 crossed, and at two o'clock in the morning, after a march of 
 twenty-five miles, those who were with their commands had an 
 opportunity to lie down and rest upon the sodden ground. But 
 the division was well scattered, and up to eleven o'clock, the 
 time that the march was resumed, stragglers kept coming in. 
 
 The night of the 26th the bivouac was upon the Catoctin 
 mountain. 
 
 June 27th, the Eleventh Regiment was rear-guard to the 
 wagon-train, and were early on the move. We soon met evidence 
 that the old flag was still loved and cherished by many of the 
 
88 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 inhabitants of Maryland. As we passed a farm-house standing 
 some distance back from the road, a group of ladies standing 
 upon the porch greeted us by waving the Stars and Stripes. 
 This evidence of loyalty and friendship, a thing to which we had 
 been strangers for some time, put new life into each lagging foot- 
 step, and, dressing-up the ranks, we passed as on review, saluting 
 the ladies with colors, music and three hearty cheers. Later in 
 the day we passed through the town of Jefferson, and there 
 received a very enthusiastic welcome. Flags were waving across 
 the streets, and from many windows white handkerchiefs held by 
 fair hands fluttered welcomes from porches, windows and door- 
 ways. But with a steady tramp we passed through and left the 
 town behind, and at nine P. M. reached Burkettsville, where we 
 bivouacked for the night. Burkettsville was a pleasant village, 
 beautifully situated at the foot of the South mountains. It con- 
 tained quite a number of dwellings and two churches, and as we 
 marched through it, Sunday morning, June 28th, bells were call- 
 ing the worshipers to assemble. The sweet tones, vibrating 
 upon the calm morning air, redolent with all the odors of queenly 
 June, and re-echoing from the green mountain-sides, seemed sadly 
 at variance with the marching columns, the glittering rifles and 
 frowning cannons around. They brought to our mental vision 
 scenes that we had left far behind us in our own loved North- 
 land — scenes that many were to look upon never again. For a 
 while we were oblivious to the instruments of death around us. 
 We heard not the tramping of horses, the rumble of guns and the 
 clanking of sabers. We saw not the dusty roadway filled with a 
 winding column of blue. No ! We were again wending our way 
 toward where the village spire peeped above the trees. We saw 
 from every road and footpath friends and loved ones hastening, 
 and we heard the pastor's opening prayer and the sweet tones of 
 the choir as they carried aloft the music of some old familiar 
 hymn. We saw the gray-haired father's reverent bow and the 
 mother's time-wrinkled yet tender hands closed in silent devo- 
 tion. We were awakened from our reverie by the command, 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 89 
 
 " Close up ! Close up ! " The vision had passed ; home was far 
 away and war's stern realities around us. 
 
 Later in the day we marched through Middletown, beyond 
 which we halted for dinner, then past a hamlet called Jerusalem, 
 and soon in the distance we saw the spires of Frederick. Before 
 reaching the town the ranks were closed up and flags unfurled, 
 and with bands playing and colors flying we marched through 
 the city that gave birth to the author of the " Star Spangled 
 Banner." The inhabitants greeted us with every demonstration 
 of delight, but they seemed to be surprised at our numbers. 
 One old gentleman who from an upper window was busily en- 
 gaged in waving a flag, as he gazed down the long street and 
 saw the blue-coated column come pouring steadily on, kept ex- 
 claiming, as if in wonder, " Still they come ! still they come ! " 
 As the boys passed beneath his window they greeted him with 
 hearty cheers. We marched through the city without a halt and 
 on beyond the Monocacy river, where a halt was made for the 
 night, after a march of nineteen miles. 
 
 The transition from the pine forests and desolated fields of 
 Virginia, from contact with a disloyal people, who meet you 
 with open defiance or ill-concealed dislike, to the fruitful fields 
 and overflowing loyalty of western Maryland was especially 
 grateful to the army. It gave new courage to the heart and life 
 to the lagging footstep. 
 
 Colonel Schoonover, writing of the march through Maryland, 
 says : " There was enthusiasm in the towns and hospitality in 
 the farm-houses. Cup after cup of water was passed to the 
 thirsty soldiers from the many springs bursting out along the 
 roadside. Up through the beautiful valleys and cozy towns we 
 were welcomed with bright smiles and waving handkerchiefs. 
 At one point on the roadside a number of big-hearted women 
 had provided a large quantity of sandwiches and handed them 
 to the men as they passed by. This act of generosity and kind- 
 ness brought forth repeated and hearty cheers from the ranks. 
 I do not know how far down the line the lunch reached, but I 
 
90 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 am prepared to give my individual testimony in favor of Mary- 
 land sandwiches." 
 
 The beat of drums roused us from slumber at early dawn on 
 the morning of June 29th, and before we had time to prepare 
 any breakfast, the order came to fall in. So, with empty stom- 
 achs, we started in the direction of Taneytown, once the resi- 
 dence of Chief Justice Taney, whose "Dred Scott" decision was 
 one of the brands that helped to kindle the flame of rebellion. 
 We crossed Pipe creek on the way, and at five P. M. bivouacked 
 for the night one mile beyond Taneytown. During the day 
 General Daniel E. Sickles, commander of the Third Corps, who 
 had been absent on leave, re-joined it, and the wild cheering that 
 followed his passage through the ranks showed the great esteem 
 in which he was held by the men under him. And here let me 
 say that I do not believe any General of the war possessed in a 
 greater degree the love and confidence of his men. 
 
 The long marches had been hard upon the men, and doubly 
 hard upon their clothing. Shoes, especially, were in a very 
 dilapidated condition, some of the men being entirely barefoot. 
 The supply-trains being within reach, a rest was therefore taken 
 until noon of the 30th, and the much-needed shoes and stock- 
 ings issued. The halt gave the country people arsund an op- 
 portunity to indulge their curiosity. They came trooping from 
 every direotion to see the soldiers, never having seen such an 
 aggregation of men before. One old lady was overheard saying, 
 " Uriah, I must run right home and get the children, for they 
 will never get a chance to see such a sight again." The field- 
 pieces, especially, were objects of wonder and awe, such instru- 
 ments of death having perhaps been heard of, but never before 
 seen. No doubt in years to come, around many a winter fire- 
 side the aged will tell to eager-listening children how they saw 
 the grand Army of the Potomac sweeping up to the bloody yet 
 decisive battle of Gettysburg. 
 
 About one P. M. the command was again under way. The 
 march was back to Taneytown, and then headed toward Emmetts- 
 burg. After a march of about four miles a halt was made for 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 91 
 
 the night in a wheat-field. The grain had been cut and bound, 
 and the sheaves made luxurious beds for the soldiers. 
 
 Hooker, finding himself hampered, and his plans thwarted by 
 Halleck, had, on the 28th of June, tendered his resignation, 
 which was quickly accepted, and General George G. Meade, the 
 commander of the Fifth Corps, was given command of the army. 
 The immediate cause of Hooker's resignation was the refusal of 
 Halleck to permit him to withdraw the ten thousand men, held 
 as a useless garrison, at Harper's Ferry. With them he wished 
 to strengthen Slocum, who had been instructed to act directly 
 against Lee's communications (a movement countermanded by 
 Meade). That Halleck's refusal was the result of dislike for 
 Hooker was shown by the fact that Meade was permitted to 
 break up the post at Harper's Ferry, notwithstanding Hooker 
 had been refused permission to do so. The army knew Meade 
 only as the commander of the Fifth Corps, but it had become 
 accustomed to sudden changes, and it excited but little comment. 
 
 On the morning of July 1st, after the regiment was formed 
 for the march, the following order was read by Adjutant 
 Schoonover : 
 
 " Headquarters Army of the Potomac, 
 
 " June 30th, 1863. 
 
 "The commanding General requests that previous to the 
 engagement soon expected with the enemy, corps and all other 
 commanding officers will address their troops, explaining to them 
 briefly the immense issues involved in this struggle. The enemy 
 are on our soil, the whole country now looks anxiously to the 
 army to deliver it from the presence of the foe. Our failure to 
 do so will leave us no such welcome as the swelling of millions 
 of hearts with pride and joy at our success would give to every 
 soldier in the army. Homes,- friends and domestic altars are 
 involved. The army has fought well heretofore, it is believed that 
 it will fight more desperately and bravely than ever if it is 
 addressed in fitting terms. Corps and other commanders are 
 authorized to order the instant death of any soldier who fails in 
 his duty at this hour. 
 
 " By command of" Majoe-General Meade. 
 
 " S. Williams, A. A. G." 
 
92 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 After the reading of the order from Geueral Meade, Colonel 
 McAllister addressed the Eleventh Regiment as follows : 
 
 " Sons of New Jersey, the hour of battle is at hand. The 
 soil of Pennsylvania is the contested field. We must stand 
 shoulder-to- shoulder with her sons and drive the enemy fiom 
 
 Captain A. H. Ackerman. 
 
 her borders, cost what it may. Your past bright record is a 
 guarantee to me that you will not falter. In the dark days of the 
 revolution, when the gallant Jersey Blues were fighting for liberty 
 upon their own soil, their Pennsylvania brothers rushed to their 
 assistance and helped them triumph. We are now called upon 
 to do for Pennsylvania what she did for us. Now with hearts 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 93 
 
 filled with love of country and a firm reliance on God, let us go 
 forward. Are you ready for the march and the fight ? " 
 
 " Yes, yes," was the answer, with three hearty cheers. It was 
 a scene never to be forgotten. The less than three hundred that 
 remained of the old regiment, formed in hollow square, although 
 footsore and weary from days of toilsome marching, listened, 
 eager to catch the words of the leader who always said, " Come." 
 And as his ringing words fell upon their ears, guns were grasped 
 tighter and faces, bronzed by a year's sun and storms, lit up with 
 the glow of the patriotic fires that glowed within their hearts, 
 revealing a stern determination to do all that men and patriots 
 could do to wipe away the stain that the contaminating touch of 
 treason's footsteps had placed upon the free soil of the loyal Key- 
 stone State. 
 
 With hearts warmed and weariness almost forgotten, the regi- 
 ment again pressed forward. Emmettsburg, a town that had been 
 partly destroyed by fire — the work, it was said, of a Southern 
 sympathizer — was reached about noon. Just beyond the town 
 the troops were halted, and as the impression prevailed that they 
 would remain there through the balance of the day and night, 
 and as provisions had become scarce, many of the men scattered 
 among the surrounding farmers in search of food. Here Hand, 
 of Company B, again became separated from his command. He 
 had gone out in search of something to eat, and visited house 
 after house only to find that some one had been before him. At 
 last, when about two miles from camp, he struck a house, near 
 the mountain, that had not been visited. He purchased a pan 
 of milk, two pies and a loaf of bread. While settling for his 
 purchases the farmer asked him if he had heard firing in the 
 direction of Gettysburg. Hand replied that he had not. The 
 farmer told him to listen and he would hear it. He did hear it 
 then, and on looking back toward Emmettsburg he saw that the 
 troops were in motion. Hastily filling his canteen, and drinking 
 as much of the milk as he could, he put the bread in his haver- 
 sack and the pies on a cabbage-leaf, which he took in his hands. 
 Starting back upon a run, soon the pies began to break and their 
 
94 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 contents to ooze out between his fingers. To save them he was 
 compelled to stop and eat them. On reaching the place where 
 the regiment had been he found that all had left except Joseph 
 Decker of his company, who had remained to take care of his 
 things. Hand divided the bread and milk, and then they started 
 after the regiment, which they overtook near morning. 
 
 Not far from Emmettsburg we crossed Mason and Dixon's 
 line, and once more trod the soil of a Northern State. Just as 
 we crossed the line a German woman came out of a house with a 
 pail of water, saying : " Here's Pennsylvania water for you, 
 boys." The boys responded by giving three cheers for the old 
 Keystone State. 
 
 News had been received that the First Corps had met the 
 enemy at Gettysburg, and that General Reynolds, its commander, 
 had been killed. We had not gone far before we heard the dull 
 boom of cannon, and we knew that all haste would be made to 
 reach the scene of the conflict. Evening came, but there was no 
 time for eating. Darkness closed around us, but there was no 
 time for rest. Trains were left behind in the hurry, for we must 
 be in the enemy's front by the morning. 
 
 About midnight we took the wrong road, and only the fortu- 
 nate capture of the enemy's videttes, without giving an alarm, 
 saved us from marching into their lines. A farmer said they had 
 a battery planted commanding the road only a short distance 
 ahead. The order was passed down the line to about-face and 
 retrace our steps as quietly as possible. Soon we struck the right 
 road, and about two A. M. on the morning of July 2d we halted 
 near what was to become one of the most famous battle-fields of 
 modern times. Worn-out with rapid marching, we soon were 
 slumbering peacefully j nor did we dream that ere another sun 
 should set many of our number would be lying pulseless and 
 still but a short distance from where we were then resting. 
 
 Before entering into an account of the battle, it would be well 
 perhaps, to give the reader a faint idea of the general features of 
 the battle-field. 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 95 
 
 Gettysburg, the county seat of Adams, is situated near the 
 center of the county, and about ten miles south and east of the 
 range of hills known as the South Mountains. The surround- 
 ing country is rough, being broken by ridges of granite that in 
 some early geological period the internal fires had forced up 
 through the softer shale. 
 
 The town, previous to its rude awakening in 1863, was a 
 quiet, sleepy one, nestling peacefully in a pleasant hollow formed 
 by two ridges. The ridges are not continuous, but here and 
 there fall away to almost level stretches, but without, however, 
 entirely losing their outlines. Frequent rounded knolls also 
 mark their general course. Looking westward from the town, 
 at the distance of half a mile the eye rested upon a long wooded 
 crest, the center of which was crowned by the buildings of the 
 Lutheran Theological Seminary, from which fact the western 
 ridge took the name of Seminary Ridge. The eastern ridge — 
 which was occupied by the Union troops — was shaped somewhat 
 like a fish-hook, and began on the western side of Rock creek, 
 at a wooded knoll called Culp's hill, circling around to Cemetery 
 Hill — the site of the village burying-ground — and then bore 
 nearly due south and terminated at Big Roundtop, nearly three 
 miles away. Little Roundtop, a lower and less precipitous 
 eminence, lay to the north of Big Roundtop, and separated 
 from it by a rocky, wooded valley. Some distance north of 
 Little Roundtop the ridge almost entirely disappeared, leaving a 
 stretch of comparatively low ground. 
 
 A short distance to the west of Roundtop was a triangular- 
 shaped ridge, a portion of which was known as the Devil's Den. 
 The Devil's Den was a vast pile of irregular-shaped granite 
 blocks, separated here and there by deep fissures. Its face was 
 precipitous, and from beneath it flowed a spring of clear cold 
 water. The land between Roundtop and *the Devil's Den was 
 low and marshy, and was traversed by a sluggish stream. 
 
 Two roads ran from the town to the southward, the Taney- 
 town road on the west, and the Baltimore pike to the eastward. 
 The Emmettsburg road, however, entered the Baltimore pike a 
 
 G 
 
96 TEE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 short distance from the town, near the base of Cemetery Hill. 
 It bore west of south, following a minor ridge. South of the 
 iunction of the Emmettsburg and Baltimore roads, the Taney- 
 town road crossed the Emmettsburg road and Cemetery Ridge 
 diagonally, and then took a course southward between the two, 
 keeping to the eastward of the Ridge and the Little Roundtop. 
 The principal cross-road was one connecting the Baltimore and 
 Taneytown roads, just south of Powers Hill, and another con- 
 necting the three ran just north of Little Roundtop and crossed! 
 the Emmettsburg road at the Peach Orchard, one mile from 
 Roundtop. Another left the Emmettsburg road still further 
 south and followed the valley between the Roundtops. These 
 were the roads that traversed the field, or were in the immediate 
 vicinity of the field of operations of the regiment. But various 
 other roads centered upon the village from the east, north and 
 westward — ten in all, I believe, entered the town. This alone 
 would make it a point of great strategic importance. The Han- 
 over road entered from the east ; from the northeast came the 
 road to York. Almost due north a road led to Carlisle, in the 
 Cumberland Valley, but between it and the York road was one 
 leading to Hunterstown and other points. To the northwest ran 
 the road to Chambersburg, but north of it, to join it again at 
 Cashtown, ran the road to Mummasburg. A -road leaving 
 further south and running southwest led to Fairfield and Mon- 
 terey. 
 
 The many roads centering at the village and the open farm- 
 land surrounding it afforded excellent facilities for moving and 
 manoeuvring troops. 
 
 The morning of July 2d dawned close and foggy, but with no 
 indication to those in the ranks that a tremendous struggle was 
 to take place within a few hours. 
 
 About ten o'clock we were moved forward and placed en masse. 
 We remained in position until nearly three, when the line was 
 advanced and deployed along the Emmettsburg road. The posi- 
 tion of the Eleventh New Jersey was to the left of what was 
 known as the Smith house. In the rear of the buildings was an 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 97 
 
 apple orchard, and south of that a young peach orchard. This 
 
 fact has led some to believe that our position was in the historic 
 
 peach orchard, which was still further to the left and beyond a 
 
 cross-road, or rather at the junction of the cross-road with the 
 
 Emmettsburg road. Our first position was with the right of the 
 
 regiment, resting near the buildings, and the regiment extending 
 
 down and nearly parallel with the road, but some twenty paces 
 
 to the east of it. The First Brigade occupied the right of the- 
 
 division and corps. The Eleventh New Jersey was upon the 
 
 left of the brigade, the Second New Hampshire, Twenty-sixth 
 
 Pennsylvania, Sixteenth and Eleventh Massachusetts extending 
 
 to the right. The First Massachusetts occupied an advanced 
 
 position across the road, near a house occupied by a family by 
 
 the name of Miller, the house, however, being known as the 
 
 Sogers house. The enemy had posted a long line of batteries on 
 
 the ridge to our left in a position to command Birney's front and 
 
 enfilade Graham's and Humphries' divisions. Scarcely had the 
 
 line taken position when they opened upon us a terrifio fire. 
 
 Our batteries responding, for half an hour the earth trembled 
 
 beneath the jar of guns. Seeley's Battery (K), Fourth United 
 
 States, which had been posted on our right, was ordered to our 
 
 left, and its place was taken by Turnbull's Battery, from the 
 
 artillery reserve. The air seemed thick with flying missiles. 
 
 Tons of metal hurtled over and fell around us, and it was only 
 
 by hugging the ground closely that we escaped serious loss. 
 
 Fortunately but few men in the regiment were struck, but there 
 
 were many narrow escapes. 
 
 There is nothing more trying to the nerves of soldiers than 
 lying unprotected under a galling artillery fire, and we were not 
 sorry when its cessation told us that the enemy were advancing 
 to the charge. We had not long to wait. On our right and front, 
 Wright, Perry and Wilcox, of ft. H. Anderson's Division, A. 
 P. Hill's Corps, led their veteran brigades; and to the left, 
 through the peach orchard, Barksdale led his Mississippians ; 
 Kershaw's Brigade was next on the enemy's right, and his 
 brigade, with Barksdale's left advancing at a right angle with our 
 
98 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 line of battle, completely enfiladed Carr's Brigade and rendered 
 its position untenable. 
 
 Barksdale, as he led bis brigade, riding a white horse and 
 wearing upon his head a red fez, was perhaps the most con- 
 spicuous figure in the charge ; his example and enthusiasm were 
 equal to a brigade of men. 
 
 General Carr, our brigade commander, seeing that the most 
 effectual way of checking the charge of the enemy was by bring- 
 ing down their leader, sent Captain Benedict to the commander 
 of the Eleventh New Jersey with orders to bring down the 
 officer on the white horse. Captain Cory, whose company was 
 on the extreme left of the regiment, was instructed to direct the 
 entire fire of his Company (H) at this officer. He did so, with 
 the result that the officer fell. After the fighting for the day 
 had ceased his rank was ascertained, and he was carried to 
 General Carr's headquarters, where it was found that he was 
 fatally wounded, being pierced with five balls. 
 
 As has been seen, Barksdale's charge pushing back everything 
 from his front, struck our left flank, necessitating a change of 
 front. The movement successfully executed (though a difficult 
 one under fire), placed our regiment at an angle with the 
 Emmettsburg road and nearly parallel with the cross-roads belows 
 It also threw us back from the ridge along the Emmettsburg road 
 and placed us on the low ground in rear of the orchard. We were 
 then facing towards the peach orchard, but the position placed 
 us under a cross-fire from Anderson's troops. Our batteries 
 ploughed lanes through the living masses in front of them, yet 
 they pressed on. Here occurred our most desperate fighting and 
 our greatest loss. In a little less than half an hour we lost four 
 officers killed and ten wounded, and three-fifths of our enlisted 
 men. Quoting from Schoonover : 
 
 'As the enemy's line appeared in splendid order on the high 
 ground in our front, Major Kearney, overflowing with excite- 
 ment, exclaimed ' I tell you we are going to have a fight ! ' 
 The words were hardly uttered when a ball crashed through his 
 knee. His hand dropped from my shoulder, where it was rest- 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 99 
 
 ing, and he spun like a top to the rear, landing at least ten feet 
 from me. Having sent two men to carry him to a place of 
 safety, I hurried to the right of the regiment to notify the 
 Colonel of the Major's absence and there learned that he had 
 been severly wounded and taken to the rear. I informed Cap- 
 tain Martin, the senior officer present, that he was in command 
 of the regiment. Returning to the left, an order was received 
 from General Carr to change front by bringing our left to the 
 rear, to meet General Barksdale's charge. During the execution 
 of this movement Captains Logan and Martin were wounded, 
 and both were killed before reaching a place of safety. A 
 moment later Captain Ackerman, the next senior, fell dead by 
 my side. This was the third commanding officer killed and the 
 second wounded in the space of ten or twelve minutes. After 
 maintaining this position for about half an hour, with ranks 
 sadly thinned and somewhat disorganized, the line fell back." 
 
 During the earlier part of the engagement Adjutant Schoon- 
 over was struck in the breast by a piece of shell, but not seriously 
 injured. Being again struck with a buckshot, he was forced to 
 go temporarily to the rear. 
 
 Some distance to the rear of our second position there grew a 
 hedge-row, or fringe of chaparral, near which the brigade finally 
 took position, and from which it made a charge and re-occupied 
 the ground held during the hottest part of the battle. During 
 this movement the remnant of the regiment was commanded by 
 Captain Loyd. This line was maintained during the greater 
 part of the night. Adjutant Schoonover's absence was a brief 
 one, as he re-joined the regiment during the early part of the 
 evening and, by request of Captain Sleeper, the senior officer 
 present, took command. Captain Loyd, being disabled, had 
 been compelled to seek surgical aid. 
 
 During the desperate fighting of the afternoon the regiment had 
 become somewhat disorganized and scattered, so that, perhaps, 
 not more than one-half of the survivors were present with the 
 colors during the forward movement in the evening. But little 
 sleep was obtained by those who remained on the front during 
 
100 
 
 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 the night, and, added to the want of sleep and that exhaustion 
 and feeling of depression which follow a desperate struggle, 
 were the pangs of hunger, as for two days past the rations had 
 been meager. The forced march of the 1st of July, lasting well 
 into the morning of the 2d, had taken us away from our trains, 
 
 Captain S. M. Layton. 
 
 and the movements and fighting of the 2d had prevented any 
 opportunity for drawing rations. So that the morning of the 
 3d found the survivors of the Eleventh weak for the want of 
 food. Men were seen turning their haversacks inside out, hoping 
 to find a few crumbs remaining, or wandering over the fields where 
 other troops had been, picking up the crumbs that had fallen. 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 101 
 
 The position of the Third Corps on the morning of July 3d 
 was to the left of the First Corps, and the Eleventh Regiment 
 found itself in a rocky woodland. Here a ration of hard bread 
 and coffee was issued in the morning, and somewhat later in the 
 day a ration of fresh meat was brought up, but before it could 
 be issued, orders came to fall in. Leaving a guard over the 
 meat — for that was too precious to lose — we started on a double- 
 quick to the right and front. After proceeding nearly a mile, a 
 halt was made in rear of a line of batteries, which occupied the 
 crest in front. This position was held during the heavy cannon- 
 ading that preceded Pickett's charge, and until the charge had 
 been repulsed. Then we marched back to our former position 
 in the wood. Pickett's charge had proved a failure, and the 
 battle of Gettysburg was practically ended. 
 
 During the heavy cannonading, when supporting the batteries, 
 the Adjutant had his horse shot from under him. Sergeant 
 Egan, of Company E, was struck on the leg by a glancing piece 
 of shell. Jumping to his feet and clapping his hand upon the 
 injured spot, he declared, very emphatically, that it would take 
 more than that to send him to the rear. 
 
 In all bodies of troops there are men to be found who, to put 
 it mildly, deem " discretion the better part of valor." We do 
 not claim that there was none such in the Eleventh, but the 
 number was few, and the reputation for bravery won by it in 
 the bloody woods of Chancellorsville was ably maintained at 
 Gettysburg. There were many individual acts of bravery per- 
 formed upon the battle-field, but the majority of them will have 
 to go unrecorded, because of the forgetfulness or reticence of the 
 survivors. 
 
 In concluding his report of the engagement of the 2d, Adjutant 
 Schoonover thus refers to the conduct of both officers and men : 
 " To mention some may seem to do gross injustice to others, 
 but I cannot pass by the untiring efforts of Lieutenant Buckley 
 to rally the men. Captains Loyd and Cory also deserve special 
 mention for their coolness and bravery. As an act of individual 
 bravery I desire to mention that of Corporal Thomas Johnson, 
 
102 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 of Company I. When two color-bearers had been shot down I 
 ordered him to take the colors and advance twenty yards to the 
 front, as the regiment was wavering. He did so, and did not 
 leave his position until ordered to the rear. The services of 
 Lieutenant Joseph C. Baldwin, on the 3d, as Acting Adjutant, 
 were invaluable." 
 
 Corporal Thomas Johnson, of Company I, spoken of as 
 taking the colors at Gettysburg, was one of the most fearless of 
 the many brave men of the regiment, but unfortunately he was 
 wofully lacking in education, which unfitted him for the higher 
 positions that he otherwise might have attained and that his 
 courage deserved. He was promoted to Sergeant, September 
 1st, '63, and received the complimentary commission of Second 
 Lieutenant of Company A June 13th, '65. Such commissions 
 were issued to a number of non-commissioned officers about the 
 time of the regiment's discharge, but it was a very empty honor, 
 as none of the recipients were mustered into the positions to 
 which they were supposed to have been promoted. 
 
 Among the many brave men who fell on the afternoon of the 
 2d there was none whose loss was more deeply felt by his com- 
 rades than Sergeant Eliphalet Sturdevant, of Company E. He 
 was a man who bad reached middle life with stainless character, 
 unostentatious in manner, of a retiring yet kindly disposition, 
 having a pleasant word and a helping hand for all ; yet he was 
 firm and decided in duty, and, above all, a sincere Christian, 
 who became a soldier from pure love of country and deep sense 
 of duty. He was a good singer, and his musical voice was often 
 heard leading in some patriotic song to cheer the men on their 
 long and weary marches. He fell severely wounded and was 
 taken to the field hospital, where his left leg and right arm were 
 amputated, from the effects of which he died on July 13th. 
 
 Captain Luther Martin, who, at the time of his death, was 
 the senior Captain with the regiment, was a printer, and for a 
 long time was engaged in the " Fredonian " office, New Bruns- 
 wick. He afterward became proprietor of the "Plainfield 
 Gazette." He first joined the army June 7th, '61, as Second 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 103 
 
 Lieutenant of Company A, First New Jersey Volunteers. His 
 health becoming impaired, he was compelled to resign. Novem- 
 ber 28th, '61, when the Eleventh was being organized, having 
 thoroughly recovered, he accepted a commission as Captain, and 
 recruited Company D. He was a brave and conscientious 
 officer. 
 
 Captain Dorastus B. Logan was first wouuded in the foot. 
 Edward Kinney, from E, and a man from C, went to assist him 
 to the rear, but they had not gone far when the Company C 
 man was killed. Kinney then endeavored, unassisted, to get 
 the captain to a place of safety, but was himself knocked down 
 by a piece of shell and forced to abandon the Captain, who was 
 killed before he could be taken off the field. 
 
 In the death of Captain Andrew Ackerman the regiment lost 
 a gallent and promising officer. 
 
 Major Kearney, as before mentioned, was wounded in the 
 knee. He was taken from the field and sent to St. Luke's Hos- 
 pital, New York, where he died August 9th. Of him the 
 " Paterson Guardian," of August 12th, '63, says : 
 
 " We regret to learn of the death of Major Philip J. Kearney, 
 of the Eleventh Regiment, which occurred on Sunday night. 
 Major Kearney, who was but twenty-two years old, was a cousin 
 and namesake of General Phil. Kearney, and, like him, has 
 given his life for the cause of his country. He was brave, cool, 
 and daring, and greatly beloved by the regiment. He was on 
 engineering service in Mexico when the rebellion broke out, but 
 returned to this country, and, being commissioned Captain, 
 recruited in this city Company A, of the Eleventh. He was 
 subsequently promoted Major." 
 
 General Joseph B. Carr, Commander of the First Brigade, 
 in his report to General A. A. Humphries, Division Com- 
 mander, calls attention to the meritorious conduct of Colonel 
 Robert McAllister, Major Kearney and Adjutant John 
 Schoonover, and to Lieutenant John Oldershaw, of the 
 Eleventh, acting Aid-de-camp. He tenders his sincere thanks 
 for valuable services rendered during the battle. Lieutenant — 
 
104 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 afterward Captain — Oldershaw seems to have been eminently 
 fitted for the position of staff officer. He served on the staff of 
 General Slough at Alexandria, afterward upon that of General 
 Berry at Chancellorsville, and again upon Carr's at Gettysburg, 
 and from each chief under whom he served he received the 
 highest commendation. 
 
 As an instance of how a man may sometimes pass through the 
 most imminent danger, and yet escape serious injury, we will 
 take the case of Adjutant Schoonover. After the battle of 
 Gettysburg was over, in taking an inventory of his clothing 
 six bullet-holes were found, and one rent made by a piece of 
 shell. Add to this the fact that his horse was shot from under 
 him on the 3d, and we have a chapter of miraculous escapes. 
 
 Company F, I think, had in its ranks the tallest man in the 
 regiment. He measured six feet four inches and wore a No. 
 14 shoe. The Government had made no provisions for feet of 
 that size, and it was necessary to send to Philadelphia for shoes 
 to fit them. During the battle this man was struck on the top 
 of the head — a mere scalp-wound, but sufficient to produce 
 temporary insensibility. He was left for dead upon the field, 
 but a few days afterward, much to the surprise of all, he came 
 walking into the regiment. Adjutant Schoonover meeting him, 
 remarked, " Why, I thought you were killed." He replied, 
 " So I was ; but only on top of the head." The Adjutant 
 dryly remarked, " Tou ought to be thankful that you are not 
 six-foot-five." 
 
 In this connection, as an evidence of rather more than ordinary 
 endurance, may be mentioned the case of Private Thomas D. 
 Marbecker, of Company E. At the battle of Chancellorsville 
 he received a severe wound and was taken to Potomac Creek 
 hospital, when it was ascertained that Lee was moving north- 
 ward. The hospital was broken up and the patients sent to 
 Washington and Alexandria. Marbecker was sent to the Man- 
 sion House, Alexandria. Not liking hospital life, he resolved to 
 rejoin his regiment at the first opportunity. The next morning, 
 after reaching the Mansion House, some baggage-wagons were 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 105 
 
 brought to the hospital to take a squad of convalescents to the 
 convalescent-camp. Watching his opportunity, he climbed into 
 one of the wagons with them, reaching the camp at noon. Soon 
 afterward the examining surgeon came along, and Marbecker, 
 without displaying his wound — though it was in an unhealed 
 condition — reported himself fit for duty. He started for the regi- 
 ment the next morning by way of the Ohio and Chesapeake 
 canal, and rejoined it at Gum Springs, Va., June 24th. All that 
 he possessed in the way of equipment was a haversack, canteen 
 and woolen blanket. But that night a member of his company, 
 Charles Kinney, who was on guard over the horses, received a 
 kick that rendered him unfit for duty. Marbecker took his gun 
 and equipments and next morning started with the boys for 
 Gettysburg, though compelled to go limping along with one hand 
 holding his clothing away from his unhealed wound. Adjutant 
 Schoonover, seeing his condition, wanted him placed in an 
 ambulance ; but he asked to be permitted to stay with his com- 
 pany. Like many others, he became nearly barefoot before 
 reaching Taneytown, where shoes were issued. He stayed with 
 the company, however, and fought with it through the battle of 
 Gettysburg ; but it was Hot until the rest afforded by the encamp- 
 ment at Beverly Ford that the wound entirely healed. 
 
 The battle of Gettysburg was a terribly destructive one to the 
 Eleventh Regiment. Few regiments engaged in it suffered as 
 great a percentage of loss. It went into the engagement with 
 255 muskets. Its losses aggregated 157 ; of these, 3 officers and 
 18 enlisted men were killed and 9 officers and 115 enlisted men 
 were wounded, and 12 missing. Of the wounded, Major Kear- 
 ney and nine enlisted men died of their wounds soon afterward. 
 
 The killed were : Captains Andrew Ackerman, of Company 
 C; Luther Martin, of Company D, and Dorastus B. Logan, of 
 Company H. Sergeant Corum Richter, Privates Joseph Ches- 
 ton and John Clark, of Company C ; Corporal Isaac Hender- 
 flhot and Private Randolph Merriman, of Company D ; Private 
 Thomas Tinney, of Company E ; Private John L. Cozzins, of 
 Company F; Privates George S. Bird, George H. Bunting, 
 
106 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 Henry Elbertson, Michael Goff, Stewart Parent and Peter Rob- 
 bins, of Company G ; Private Edward Barber, of Company H ; 
 Corporals W. H. Morgan and Jeremiah O'Brien, and Privates 
 Henry Kring and Martin Bekie, of Company K. 
 
 The wounded were : 
 
 Field and Staff— Colonel Robert McAllister, severely; Major 
 Philip J. Kearney, severely; Adjutant John Schoonover, 
 slightly. 
 
 Company A — First Sergeant Joseph Burns, severely; Cor- 
 poral Tyler L. Haring, died July 4th, 1863, at field hospital ; 
 Corporal Emilie Wappenstein, Privates Emmet Burk, Christo- 
 pher Snyder, George H. Johnson and Isaac Harlow, slightly ; 
 Henry McMahon, Robert E. Mayo (arm amputated), William 
 H. Weaver, Archibald Patton, Daniel Snyder and Hiram Mar- 
 tin, severely. 
 
 Company B — First Lieutenant William S. Provost, severely ; 
 First Sergeant William Hand, slightly ; Corporals Charles A. 
 Vorhees and Thaddeus O'Doane, severely ; Privates John H. 
 Rue (died July 19th), James A. Louther, Albert Oas, William 
 Smith, Fidelle Hasse, Samuel Stacker, severely ; Benjamin F. 
 Jackson, died July 7th ; Jacob Van Pelt, died at Baltimore, 
 July 9th ; John Vorhees and Andrew Webster, slightly. 
 
 Company C — Second Lieutenant John B. Faussett, severely ; 
 Sergeant David Schaffer, slightly; Corporal Amos Rockhill 
 and Privates John Linsey, Franklin Armstrong, James K. 
 Webb, John Crane, Charles Stevenson and Peter Cougle, 
 severely, and Richard V. Howell, slightly. 
 
 Company D — Corporal Emanuel Runyon, Privates Richard 
 Burtrone, Edward Spellman and Theodore Beatty. 
 
 Company E — Sergeant Eliphalet Sturdevant, died July 13th ; 
 Sergeant William Egan, slightly ; Corporals Benjamin Joiner 
 and Absalom Talmadge, severely ; Elise F. Rose, slightly ; 
 Privates Charles Bowman, Samuel Morse, severely ; James F. 
 Gibson, Edward J. Kinney, James King, Thomas Scattergood, 
 John Wilson and Joseph Walton, slightly. 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 107 
 
 Company F— Captain^ William H. Lloyd, slightly; First 
 Lieutenant Edwin R. Good, severely ; First Sergeant Benjamin 
 F. Moorehouse, Sergeant Thomas S. White and James C. White, 
 slightly ; Corporals John F. Bartine, Edward White, Charles 
 Dilks and George Morton, severely ; Privates Edward Powers, 
 William H. Calhoun, Ephraim Robbins, severely; James Thom- 
 son, William Collins and Miller H. Lewis, slightly. 
 
 Company G — Sergeant F. W. King, severely ; O. F. Hollo- 
 way, slightly ; Corporals George Halloway and Israel Nixon, 
 severely ; Privates Charles Kcenig, Smith H. Eldridge, Thomas 
 Lowry, George A. McGuire, George F. Seaver, William Em- 
 mons, Abijah Thomson and John W. Lloyd, severely ; Chap- 
 man Marcellus, Thomas Foutch, Thomas Kelly and Joseph 
 Fowler, slightly. 
 
 Company H — Second Lieutenant William E. Axtell, severely ; 
 Sergeant John V. Lanterman, Privates William Halsey, Patrick 
 King, John J. Sites, John C. Nutt, Bartley Owen, Joseph L. 
 Decker, severely; Joshua Barber, Timothy K. Pruden, slightly. 
 
 Company I- — Sergeant Thomas J. Thompson, slightly ; Cor- 
 porals Richard J. Merrill and John W. Joline, severely; Cor- 
 porals E. W. Robinson and Michael Coony, slightly ; Privates 
 George Chamberlain, Jacob L. Chevalier, James Finnons, 
 Francis Wassimer, William H. Luce, John M. Errickson, Alfred 
 Barcalow, Henry L. Mollison and Daniel J. Buckley, severely ; 
 Stacy Babcock, slightly. Silas D. Clark died July 2d. 
 
 Company K — First Sergeant Charles C. Reilly, slightly ; 
 Corporal Edward Appleton, severely ; Privates Amnon J. Foote, 
 John Ardner, Gershom J. Forate, Frederick Soldner, William 
 Carson (leg amputated), severely ; John Labort, slightly. 
 
 I cannot vouch for the absolute correctness of the names in 
 the list of wounded herein given. It has been gleaned from 
 various sources, but principally from the reports on file at the 
 Adjutant-General's office. As these reports were generally 
 made soon after a battle, it was possible for mistakes to occur. 
 Men have been reported wounded — and even killed — who in a 
 few days turned up uninjured, having for one cause or another 
 
108 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 wandered from their commands. But from the comparisons 
 that I have been enabled to make, I think the aggregate loss 
 will be found correct. 
 
 Adjutant Schoonover, in his report to Le Grand Benedict, 
 Assistant Adjutant-General of the brigade (a copy of which I 
 
 Adjutant Alexander Beach, Jr. 
 
 have before me), gives the loss as 18 killed, 130 wounded, and 6 
 missing, a total of 154. But as there were 18 enlisted men 
 and 3 commissioned officers killed, it seems evident that he has 
 failed to include the officers, which would make the killed 21 
 and the aggregate the same as that which I have given. The 
 only difference in the two estimates would then be that six of 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 109 
 
 those whom I have given as missing are included in the Adju- 
 tant's list of wounded. 
 
 General Carr's report, dated August 1st, '63, gives the losses 
 as 3 officers and 14 enlisted men killed, 9 officers and 115 en- 
 listed men wounded (he gives no missing), or an aggregate of 
 only 141. The official roster gives 3 officers and 18 men killed, 
 a total of 21. If that is correct, there must be a deficiency of 4 
 in General Carr's report of the killed. These, with the 12 
 missing added, would make the loss as I have given it — 157. 
 
 With the exception of a reconnoissance sent out by General 
 Birney, and an attack upon a battery by Crawford — who were 
 both cautioned by Meade not to bring on a battle — the army lay 
 inactive during the 4th. Lee showed no ■ disposition to renew 
 the conflict, and Meade did not care to jeopardize the laurels 
 already won. 
 
 It was not until the morning of the 5th that it was definitely 
 ascertained that Lee's army was retreating. 
 
 Burial parties were sent out, and those who could get away 
 from their commands went out to view the scene of carnage, and 
 surely it was a scene never to be forgotten. Upon the open 
 fields, like sheaves bound by the reaper, in crevices of the rocks, 
 behind fences, trees and buildings ; in thickets, where they had 
 crept for safety only to die in agony; by stream or wall or 
 hedge, wherever the battle had raged or their weakening steps 
 could carry them, lay the dead. Some, with faces bloated and 
 blackened beyond recognition, lay with glassy eyes staring up at 
 the blazing summer sun ; others, with faces downward and 
 clenched hands filled with grass or earth, which told of the 
 agony of the last moments. Here a headless trunk, there a 
 severed limb; in all the grotesque positions that unbearable 
 pain and intense suffering contorts the human form, they lay. 
 Upon the faces of some death had frozen a smile ; some showed 
 the trembling shadow of fear, while upon others was indelibly 
 set the grim stamp of determination. All around was the 
 wreck the battle-storm leaves in its wake — broken caissons, dis- 
 mounted guns, small arms bent and twisted by the storm or 
 
110 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 dropped and scattered by disabled bands ; dead and bloated 
 borses, torn and ragged equipments, and all tbe sorrowful wreck 
 that the waves of battle leave at their ebb ; and over all, hugging 
 the earth like a fog, poisoning every breath, the pestilential 
 stench of decaying humanity. 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. Ill 
 
 Chapter VII. 
 
 Wapping Heights — March to Beverly Ford — 
 Rappahannock. 
 
 THE 4th, 5th and 6th of July passed without any change in 
 the position of the regiment or any incident to mar the 
 quietness of the bivouac. Toward evening on the 4th, however, 
 there began one of those severe storms of rain that seemed to 
 follow nearly every heavy battle. Shelter-tents were pitched, 
 but they were soon found insufficient for protection, for the rain 
 poured through and under them so that the boys obtained but 
 little rest during the night. 
 
 It will be well to take a look backward. Less than a year 
 had passed since the regiment left the State, 979 strong; yet 
 here at the end of its third battle it mustered less than a com- 
 pany. To be sure, all its losses were not battle losses. Many 
 had died of disease ; some had been discharged for disability ; 
 some were on detached service ; many had either grown tired of 
 the service or fearful of its dangers, and had " Folded their tents 
 like the Arabs and had silently stolen away " ; and a few, whose 
 patriotism when at home had named with the heat of a Vesuvian 
 eruption, finding that their stomachs were too weak to digest 
 hard bread when seasoned with burning powder, or their nerves 
 too delicate to stand the sight of bloodshed, were trying to live 
 a quiet and unostentatious life in the shadow of some hospital or 
 convalescent camp until discharge should come. However, the 
 proportion of desertions from the Eleventh up to this time was 
 not greater than that of many other regiments during their first 
 year's service, and no regiment was without its quota of the 
 second class — the weak-kneed and faint-hearted. 
 
 "We left the field of Gettysburg at daylight on the 7th and 
 reached Emmettsburg at noon. The afternoon's march led 
 through Franklinville to Mechanicsville, where we halted for 
 the night, having marched a distance of eighteen miles. 
 
112 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 It rained continuously the night of the 7th, and rain was still 
 falling when we took up the line of march at six o'clock the 
 morning of the 8th. It cleared, however, during the day, but the 
 muddy roads made the march a very tiresome one. At Lewis- 
 town we halted for about two hours and then resumed the march 
 for Frederick City, the vicinity of which was reached about five 
 o'clock. After resting an hour we marched through the town, 
 and halted for the night about two miles beyond. 
 
 In Frederick City the famous Seventh New York were doing 
 guard duty, and their handsome suits, white collars, shining 
 boots and equipments, natty little cartridge-boxes and generally 
 neat appearance contrasted strangely with the mud-splattered, 
 smoke-grimed and generally tattered troops who marched by 
 them. Among the members of the Seventh we saw our old 
 Drum-Major, George F. Durant, who had been discharged by 
 order from the War Department which directed the discharge of 
 all chief musicians and superfluous bands. As his old comrades 
 filed by him they made him the subject of many good-natured 
 gibes, and jokingly invited him to share their mnddy march, but 
 he laughingly declined. 
 
 July 9th, General Carr took command of the division, General 
 Humphries having been appointed Chief of Staff to General 
 Meade. Lieutenant-Colonel Tripp, of the Sixteenth Massachu- 
 setts, being the senior regimental commander present, took com- 
 mand of the brigade. The casualties among the staff officers 
 of the brigade had been heavy, so that the majority of the regi- 
 ments were under the command of line officers, Captain Dunning, 
 of Company K, being in command of the Eleventh. General 
 French's division, formerly stationed at Harper's Ferry, here 
 ioined us, and General French took command of the Third Corps. 
 
 The march was resumed at six A. M. on the morning of the 
 9th, and as we left the valley of the Monocacy and climbed the 
 slopes of the mountains the backward view was a magnificent 
 one. In the distance Frederick City, with its spires and houses 
 glorified by the morning's golden sunlight ; in the far and mid- 
 dle distance, well-kept farm-buildings seemingly peeping from 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 113 
 
 groves of fruit or forest trees, and all around green pastures, 
 fields of moving corn and shocks of golden grain, and, through 
 it all, twisting here and there like a silver thread through a rich 
 arabesque, dividing the near from the far, flowed the quiet, 
 limpid stream. At noon we reached Middletown, peacefully 
 snuggled in the lap of the hills, and rested two hours. We 
 then marched to Turner's Gap and bivouacked for the night. 
 
 July 10th General Prince took command of the Second Divi- 
 sion and Carr resumed command of the brigade. We marched to 
 Keedysville, where we thought to remain for the night, but 
 after a rest of a couple of hours the march was resumed and 
 kept up until midnight, when a halt was made near Boonsboro. 
 There had been a cavalry brush at Boonsboro the day previous, 
 and the vicinity showed signs of the encounter. 
 
 We took an early start on the morning of the 11th, marching 
 a mile before breakfast to get up an appetite. After breakfast 
 we took the road to Funkstown, beyond which we halted and 
 remained for the night. Our bivouac was in a wheat-field, and 
 the sheaves made very comfortable beds. 
 
 Sunday, July 12th, was a beautiful summer day, but every- 
 thing seemed to indicate that its peacefulness would be broken 
 by the boom of cannon and the rattle of musketry. Orders had 
 been issued to be ready to move at a moment's notice, and couriers 
 riding to and fro seemed to point to an approaching conflict. 
 Yet notwithstanding these indications of battle a well-attended 
 religious service was held in a field near by. 
 
 About noon orders came to move, and the men obeyed with 
 alacrity. They believed that at last Meade had determined to 
 attack, and so enthusiastic were they, so anxious for the fight, 
 that they had no doubt the result would be the capture of 
 Lee's army. That had been the prevailing spirit from the time 
 that victory was declared at Gettysburg. Major-General David 
 B. Birney, when asked by the Committee on the Conduct of the 
 War as to the condition of the army after the battle, answered, 
 " I have never seen the army so confident of success, in more ad- 
 mirable spirits, and so anxious for a fight." But a quiet march 
 
114 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 of about two miles, and then we again went into bivouac. It 
 soon came to be understood by the men that another grand op- 
 portunity was to pass unimproved ; that when the Potomac 
 should be fit to cross, Lee was to be permitted to retire unmolested. 
 
 No move was made on the 13th, but before we had time to 
 cook coffee on the morning of the 14th we were moving for- 
 ward. We soon came to a double line of breastworks, bnt their 
 former occupants were safe upon the Virginia shore. Sunrise of 
 the 15th found us packed up and on the way. We passed 
 through the villages of Fairplay and Sharpsburg, and, crossing 
 the Antietam creek, bivouacked for the night. 
 
 On the 16th we marched through Rohrersville and Browns- 
 ville and halted for the night, in the midst of a heavy rain, near 
 Burnsides' old camp in Pleasant Valley. 
 
 The rain was still falling on the morning of the 17th. We 
 lay in camp until 4 P. M., when we marched to the Potomac, 
 and, crossing a pontoon bridge, entered historic Harper's Ferry. 
 The town seemed to be entirely deserted. The stores were 
 empty and the houses desolate ; no fires sent their curling wreaths 
 of smoke from the chimneys ; no curious faces peered from win- 
 dows or doorways; the tramp of passing troops, the rumble 
 of baggage- wagons and artillery were the only sounds that echoed 
 through the silent streets. Crossing the Shenandoah bridge, we 
 wound beneath the overhanging cliffs of Bolivar Heights and 
 entered Loudon Valley. After marching about two miles on the 
 Leesburgh road, we bivouacked for the night. 
 
 Four o'clock A. M. of the 18th found us en route, and at 
 8.30 we reached the village of Hillsboro, whose inhabitants 
 were bitterly disloyal. The country through which we were 
 passing had been greatly favored by nature, and was one of 
 much natural beauty. Park-like forests of hardwood occurred 
 at intervals, while the fields were naturally fertile, but dis- 
 figured by squalid negro-cabins or the more squalid cabins of 
 the poorer whites, while even the more pretentious mansions of 
 the richer class showed the blighting touch of the indolence that 
 is one of the concomitants of slavery. The surface of the 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 115 
 
 country was rolling and watered by frequent streams, while 
 along the northwest horizon stretched nature's eternal wind- 
 break, the rugged Blue Ridge mountains. 
 
 Eight o'clock A. M. of the 19th found us again on the way, 
 but after a march of four miles we encamped in a delightful 
 piece of woodland near Woodford's grove. In that part of 
 Virginia, and on down to Warrenton, the blackberry seemed to 
 grow in wild luxuriance ; roadsides and hedges and fallow-fields 
 were thick with the brambles drooping with their loads of the 
 black, luscious fruit. As soon as a halt was ordered and arms 
 were stacked, the men would scatter to fill their stomachs and 
 caps with the rich, juicy berry. Nowhere in my wanderings 
 have I seen the Hubus fruticoms grow in greater luxuriance or 
 possess a richer flavor. Or is it only a memory ? Mutton, too, 
 seemed to thrive near Woodford, for some of the boys declared 
 that mutton and blackberry sauce was really an epicurean dish. 
 Notwithstanding the transient pleasures gathered by the way- 
 side, the men were out of spirits, and went about their duties in 
 a listless, uninterested manner. They recognized the fact that 
 the opportunity to deal a vital blow to the Confederacy had 
 been neglected, and that Lee, upon his own ground, would be 
 able to hold the army at bay for months, perhaps years. As 
 one of the men tersely wrote from this point, we were out of 
 clothing, and very tired. 
 
 On July 20th we were called up at three A. M., and at sun- 
 rise marched to Upperville, where an attack was expected. The 
 Eleventh was posted on a hill as support to the First New Jersey 
 battery. We remained in position during the 21st, but no 
 enemy appeared. 
 
 At two P. M. of the 22d we were again on the way, and at 
 night bivouacked near Piedmont. 
 
 At half- past four the following morning the march was resumed 
 in the direction of Manassas Gap, which was reached about nine 
 o'clock. The corps was immediately formed for action, with 
 battalions closed in mass. Keeping this formation, it advanced 
 
116 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 up the mountain, the Excelsior Brigade in front. It was a 
 beautiful sight, the entire corps being in view as it advanced up 
 the steep hillside, a line of skirmishers leading. The enemy was 
 encountered near the summit, and for awhile the firing was 
 pretty sharp, but soon the rebels retreated down the farther side, 
 
 CaptainlCharles A. Oliver. 
 
 keeping up a severe shell-fire, however, from a battery posted on 
 a hill beyond. In this encounter the division lost about two 
 hundred men ; there were no casualties in the Eleventh. It was 
 the intention of Meade to intercept the march of Lee's army by 
 pushing through Manassas Gap, and for that purpose the Third 
 Corps was advanced. The other corps was to follow. General 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 117 
 
 Lee, leaving a small body to delay the Union advance, bad already 
 crossed the Shenandoah and was pushing on up the Valley. 
 
 On the morning of the 24th the advance was continued to 
 Front Royal. Finding no enemy, with the exception of about 
 one hundred wounded, we returned to Markham and encamped 
 for the night. 
 
 In connection with the battle of Manassas Gap, an incident 
 occurred which resulted in the dishonorable dismissal from the 
 service, without trial, of a lieutenant who was in command of 
 his company. 
 
 When the firing of the skirmishers had become quite brisk, 
 and the line of battle was about to advance to their support, it 
 was discovered that the commanding officer of the regiment was 
 nowhere to be found, and by request of Captain Sleeper, the only 
 captain present, the adjutant took command. At this juncture of 
 affairs the lieutenant spoken of above declared positively that 
 he would " not go into the fight." When asked for his reason he 
 replied that if he did he would " disgrace himself and his com- 
 pany." An appeal was made to his honor, as an officer in 
 command, with a warning of the result of such action. As the 
 line moved forward he went to the rear, and did not make his 
 appearance until the regiment returned and all danger for the 
 present had passed. Schoonover, who had no patience with 
 cowardice in any form, resolved to try an experiment and make 
 an example of this officer. He at once addressed a letter to the 
 commanding officer of the army, through the proper channels, 
 
 requesting that Lieutenant be dishonorably dismissed from 
 
 the service of the United States, for cowardice in the face of the 
 enemy. The next day he was so dismissed, by command of 
 Major-General Meade. 
 
 At five A. M. the next morning the march was resumed, and 
 Piedmont reached about nine, when a halt was made until noon. 
 The footsore and lame were then placed in ambulances, and 
 the march continued three miles beyond the village of Salem. 
 The village of Salem showed traces of former prosperity, but in 
 
118 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 the absence of its able-bodied inhabitants, decay was creeping 
 upon it. 
 
 The march of the day had been a hot and dusty one, and 
 partly through a flat and uninteresting country. Springs and 
 running streams were few and the men suffered very much with 
 thirst. A well along the roadside, in the village, offered a cool- 
 ing draught, but so great was the crush around it that we 
 marched by without making an effort to obtain water. The 
 clear running stream, near the banks of which we bivouaced, was 
 therefore hailed with grateful delight. The Eleventh, however, 
 spent the night on picket. 
 
 The march of the 26th led us through Warrenton and to the 
 wooded banks of a running stream about three miles beyond. 
 There new clothing was issued, and the men enjoyed a luxury 
 they had been deprived of for weeks. With the exception of the 
 few days the regiment lay at Gum Springs, from the time it had 
 broken camp in front of Fredericksburg, on June 11th, to its halt 
 beyond Warrenton, on July 26th, the men had had no oppor- 
 tunity to thoroughly cleanse their persons or clothing. With the 
 exception of shoes, no clothing had been issued since before the 
 opening of the campaign, and a majority of those who had started 
 with a change in their knapsacks had been compelled to throw 
 them away, to lighten loads, during the hot and dusty marches 
 northward. Consequently, the majority of the men literally 
 carried their wardrobes on their backs. 
 
 A suit of clothing worn for six weeks without proper washing 
 is not only apt to become slightly soiled, but to furnish happy 
 hunting-grounds for the pediculus, a species of insect that is very 
 prolific in warm weather — and one that causes untold annoyance 
 to the person so unfortunate as to make its acquaintance. It was 
 not an uncommon thing, during the halts on the march to and 
 from Gettysburg, to see whole regiments with their under-gar- 
 ments off, intently examining the seams, as if they were inspect- 
 ors of clothing, concerned in the material and making. Even 
 field and staff officers might have been seen skirmishing desper- 
 ately with the common enemy. It was therefore with feelings 
 
NEW JEBSEY VOLUNTEERS. 119 
 
 of great satisfaction that we received a new outfit of clothing 
 while lying along the swift-running stream beyond Warrenton. 
 
 The next problem was to make a transfer of clothing without 
 making a transfer of inhabitants. A happy idea suggested itself. 
 The new clothing was taken down to the stream and laid on the 
 bank. The men then waded across to the other side, where they 
 divested themselves of their old garments, and, after a thorough 
 wash, re-crossed to where the new clothing was left. Once in their 
 new habilaments they felt like new men. It may be an exaggera- 
 tion, but some of the men said that the cast-off clothing made 
 desperate efforts to re-cross the stream and follow them back to 
 camp. 
 
 A. B. Searing, of Company E, writing from this place, says : 
 "Both clothing and men are about worn-out. The Fifth 
 Corporal is acting Lieutenant, and one of the privates acting 
 First Sergeant. There are about nine well men in the com- 
 pany ; the rest are worn-out with overmarching — this makiDg 
 the forty-seventh day since breaking camp below Falmouth." 
 
 On the 27th, Lieutenant-Colonel Moore and two other officers 
 re-joined the regiment. 
 
 On the 31st the First Massachusetts left the brigade, having 
 been ordered to New York to assist in quelling the draft riots. 
 And let me say here that with the exception of a few demagogues, 
 whose sympathies were with slavery and disunion, those who 
 engaged in the riots were principally foreigners — men who had 
 come to this country to escape the tyranny of European govern- 
 ments. Ignorant of, or careless of, the fact that the issue was 
 one of slavery or freedom, they lent themselves as willing instru- 
 ments to rivet such fetters upon the limbs of others as they had 
 for ages been trying to break from their own, and notwithstand- 
 ing the fact that thousands of their own countrymen were laying 
 down their lives for the cause of freedom in their adopted 
 country, they committed the most atrocious acts through preju- 
 dice of race and color. But such are the inconsistencies of 
 human nature. 
 
120 TEE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 The 31st being the day set apart as a day of national thanks- 
 giving for the success of the Union armies, religious services 
 were held near General Carr's headquarters. In the evening the 
 band of the Eighty-fourth Pennsylvania serenaded the regimental 
 officers, and Mr. Gridley, our regimental sutler, related his 
 experience as a runner from Mosby's Guerillas. He came very 
 near being captured. In his efforts to escape he killed two horses 
 by overdriving. 
 
 August 1st we moved to within two miles of Beverly ford 
 and laid out a new camp. Seventy men were detailed from the 
 regiment for picket. They marched to Fox's ford and from there 
 to Beverly ford, on the Rappahannock, and established a picket- 
 line along the river. The day was excessively warm and some 
 of the detail were sunstruck. A ny survivor of the old regiment 
 who did picket duty along this line, especially near the mouth of 
 the stream that emptied into the river near the old dam or lock, 
 will not have forgotten the Rappahannock mosquitoes. Jersey 
 has the reputation of being pre-eminent in the cultivation of this 
 agile little songster, but it is the experience of the writer that 
 for size, pertinacity, audacity and general cussedness, the " crit- 
 ter " that has its habitat along the banks of the beautiful Rap- 
 pahannock may well challenge the world. The boys insisted 
 that the enemy had them trained, not only to annoy the Union 
 pickets, but to commit depredations on the supplies of the Union 
 army. I will not vouch for the truth of the statement, but I 
 have it from the lips of an alleged eye-witness that two of them 
 were seen trying to carry a Union beef over to the enemy's lines. 
 
 We remained in camp near Beverly ford until September 15th, 
 undergoing the usual routine of camp and picket duty. The 
 weather was very warm, many cases of sunstroke occurred, 
 and bowel troubles were prevalent. But notwithstanding, the 
 regiment grew slowly in numbers by the return of those who 
 had been absent because of sickness or wounds. 
 
 There was a review of the division by General Prince on 
 August 12th, and one of the corps by General Meade on Sep- 
 tember 7th. 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 121 
 
 On the 21st of August Adjutant Schoonover received his com- 
 mission as Lieutenant-Colonel, an honor that he had gallantly 
 earned. 
 
 On the 29th of August quite a number of the Eleventh went 
 over to the Fifth Corps to witness the execution of five deserters 
 from the One Hundred and Eighteenth Pennsylvania. It was 
 a sad sight, yet the true soldier can feel but little sympathy for 
 men like these, who were guilty of repeated desertions. One of 
 them was said to have deserted twelve times and had taken the 
 thirteenth bounty when caught. Of the number, two were 
 Catholics, two Hebrews, and one a Protestant. 
 
 On September 15th we received orders to move at four P.M., 
 but darkness came before we got, under way for the Rappahan- 
 nock. The march led through dense woods and miry swamps, 
 but at last, near morning, we struck an open field and lay down 
 to rest. Much to our surprise and disgust, wheu daylight came 
 we found ourselves within five hundred yards of our old camp. 
 Nearly all night long we had been circling around through the 
 woods, scarcely more than a mile from our starting-point at any 
 time. However, we made a new start on the morning of the 
 16th, the First Brigade in front, and, marching to Freeman's 
 ford, waded the river. After crossing we again lost our direction, 
 but upon reaching the McDown house a native was pressed into 
 service as guide, and without any further mishaps we reached 
 the road to Culpepper. On our route we also forded the 
 Aestham river, a swift and moderately deep stream, and toward 
 night encamped near Culpepper, after a wearisome march of 
 twenty miles. The march, however, had its compensations, for 
 the country was not quite so barren as the region we had left, 
 and apples, peaches, chickens and corn were gathered in on the 
 way. 
 
 On the ' morning of the 1 7th we took our position about one 
 mile to the right of the town, the First Brigade on our right, 
 the Second in our rear. 
 
 The morning of the 18th was very stormy, but about noon it 
 cleared and we moved to a new position on a hill beyond the 
 wood. Captain Halsey here received his commission as Major. 
 
122 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 On the 19th we again changed position, company streets were 
 laid out, and everything seemed to indicate a permanent encamp- 
 ment. 
 
 We remained quietly in camp until October 8th, when the 
 division was ordered to James City to support Kilpatrick's cav- 
 alry. Leaving our knapsacks stored in the depot at Culpepper, 
 we started under light marching orders at 4:30. General Carr 
 having been assigned to the Third Division, McAllister com- 
 manded the brigade. It will be remembered that Colonel Mc- 
 Allister had been severely wounded at Gettysburg. His wounds 
 having healed, he re-joined the regiment on October 2d. The 
 night of his return he was serenaded by the band of the Eleventh 
 Massachusetts, and speeches were made by himself, Halsey and 
 others. We marched through Culpepper and at 11 A. M. went 
 into position near James City. Notwithstanding this section of 
 the country had been visited frequently by detachments from 
 both armies, there seemed to be plenty of forageable material 
 remaining, which the men were not backward in appropriating. 
 
 On the 10th, despatches received from the Signal Corps indi- 
 cated that Lee was again moving northward. A detachment of 
 his army had crossed the Rapidan in our front, capturing seventy 
 of our division pickets. At twelve o'clock we fell back to a 
 new position, and at 3 P. M. retired about three miles and took 
 position on the Culpepper road. The enemy, having crossed in 
 force, were pressing hard upon the cavalry in front. About nine 
 P. M. we were ordered to return to Culpepper. One of our 
 men having sprained his ankle, Chaplain Cline (but recently 
 joined, Knighton having resigned) placed him upon his horse, 
 and, taking the soldier's rifle, marched alongside. This little 
 incident, trifling as it may appear, served to indicate the character 
 of the man who henceforth was to be our moral and spiritual 
 teacher. It showed the unselfishness, the thoughtfulness for 
 others, the kindliness of heart, that characterized Chaplain Cline 
 throughout his entire connection with the regiment, and won for 
 him the love and esteem of both officers and men. We did not 
 reach Culpepper until after midnight. After getting our knap- 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 123 
 
 sacks and drawing eight days' rations, we lay down to rest until 
 morning. 
 
 Sunrise of the 11th found us again on the way, fairly entered 
 upon the race for Centerville, the enemy following closely. We 
 crossed the Aestham river on pontoons, and at midnight forded 
 the Rappahannock at Freeman's ford. Once over the river a 
 rapid pace was kept up until about three o'clock in the morning, 
 when we halted in the roadway. There were good rail-fences 
 along each side of the road when we halted, but they quickly 
 disappeared, and soon rows of camp-fires glowed along each 
 side. The genial warmth was welcome, for the night was 
 chilly and our clothing being wet from fording the river added 
 to our discomfort. 
 
 On the 12th the Second Division of the Third Corps, to 
 which we belonged, picketed the river from Beverly to Free- 
 man's ford. As we were marching aloDg on the following 
 morning the writer picked from the dust of the road a dried and 
 shriveled human hand, a relic, no doubt, of some former battle 
 or skirmish. 
 
 At eight o'clock the pickets re-joined the division at the De 
 Long house. The Eighty-fourth and Twenty-sixth Pennsyl- 
 vanias were thrown out as flankers, and the march resumed by 
 way of Warrenton Junction and Auburn to Greenwich, which 
 was reached at three o'clock on the morning of the 14th, march- 
 ing all night. During this march — as it was afterward ascer- 
 tained — we passed so close to two brigades of Stuart's cavalry 
 that they could hear the conversation of our men. 
 
 During the 13th the First Division of the Third Corps 
 (Birney's) had encountered Stuart's troopers near Auburn, and 
 after a sharp fight of half an hour, and a loss of about fifty men, 
 repulsed them. The Union troops engaged in this fight were 
 principally Collis' Brigade and the Tenth Massachusetts 
 Battery. Stuart, finding himself out off, was obliged to bivouac 
 within the Union lines, and while the Second Division was 
 passing, his troops lay concealed in a thick growth of pines 
 
124 
 
 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 between the Hues of march of the Second Corps and the Second 
 Division of the Third Corps. 
 
 As has been stated, the Second Division reached Greenwich 
 at 3 A. M. on the morning of the 14th. After a rest of an 
 hour the column pushed on, the Eleventh Regiment acting as 
 
 Captain William H. Meeker. 
 
 flankers. Heavy firing was heard in the direction of Bristow, 
 but the march was continued across the historic plains of 
 Manassas until half-past three, when we halted in columns of 
 regiments for an hour and a half's rest, upon the old battle-field 
 of Bull Run. At five P. M., after fording Bull Run creek, 
 the march was continued to near Centerville, when we again 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 125 
 
 formed in columns of regiments and lay down to the rest so 
 much needed, for the men were nearly exhausted by the long 
 marches and loss of sleep. The firing heard during the day was 
 occasioned by an attack of the enemy upon the Second and Fifth 
 Corps, near Bristow. They were repulsed, however, with the 
 loss of eleven pieces of artillery and five hundred prisoners. 
 
 Meade succeeded in concentrating his army around Center- 
 ville, and Lee, seeing that an attack would be'folly, began to 
 fall back, tearing up the railroad as he went. 
 
 On the 15th we marched to Union Mills. During the day 
 the enemy attempted to force a passage over Bull Run, at Ale- 
 Lean's ford, two miles above, but were handsomely repulsed by 
 the Second New Jersey Brigade, with a loss of sixty killed and 
 wounded. During this attaek we were momentarily expecting 
 to be called into action, and at one time were formed in line and 
 ordered to load, but the attack being repulsed, our services were 
 not needed. 
 
 The " race," as this retreat was familiarly called, was about 
 ended, but the prestige remained with Lee. With an inferior 
 force he had compelled the retreat of the Union army, caused 
 the destruction of considerable material, wrecked the railroad to 
 beyond the Rappahannock, and captured about two thousand 
 prisoners, the majority of whom, however, were stragglers. 
 
 On the 16th, the First Massachusetts, which had been to New 
 York to assist in quelling the draft riots, re-joined the brigade. 
 We also received a visit from General Daniel E. Sickles, our 
 old corps commander, who had lost a leg at Gettysburg. He 
 was received with every demonstration of joy. So great was 
 the enthusiasm, and so eager were the men to get near him, that 
 it was with the greatest difficulty that he could make his way 
 through the crowds that collected around him. At one point 
 he was completely surrounded, and the boys good-naturedly told 
 him that he could not go any further until he had given them a 
 speech. He laughingly replied that it should never be the fate 
 of a good general to get surrounded, but if such fate befell him, 
 the first thing he should do was to try to cut his way out. He 
 
126 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 had become surrounded (fortunately by friends], and the only 
 way he saw to cut his way out was by a short speech ; and the 
 speech was given. Sickles, by his gallantry and soldierly 
 qualities, had endeared himself to nearly every man in the old 
 Third Corps, and especially was he the idol of the Second 
 Division. 
 
 We remained at Union Mills until the morning of the 19th, 
 when, in the midst of a heavy rain, we again started toward the 
 Rappahannock. We halted for the night at Bristow Station. 
 The enemy had completely destroyed the railroad, bridges were 
 burned, the road torn up, sleepers burned, and rails heated and 
 bent so as to be entirely useless. 
 
 We moved at six A. M. on the 20th, and encamped for the 
 night three miles beyond Greenwich. At Greenwich was a very 
 handsome property, owned by an alleged British subject. Men 
 from the Eleventh were detailed to guard it. The owner com- 
 plained very bitterly to Colonel Schoonover of his treatment by 
 the soldiers. His lawn, he said, had been destroyed by the 
 cavalry and artillery; the soldiers had killed and eaten his 
 Southdowns ; and, worst of all, he had no wine to offer to his 
 friends, as the government would not permit him to bring it 
 through the lines. Poor fellow ! we sympathized with him even 
 while greasing our jaws with a chop from his imported mutton ; 
 and I know that the chops tasted as good as if they had been cut 
 from dyed-in-the-wool American sheep. As for his wine — I do 
 not suppose we would have been classed as his friends; but 
 good, straight, forty-rod commissary would touch a spot, in the 
 average soldier, that the richest of imported wines coulJ not 
 reach. 
 
 The position of safe-guard, though often a sinecure, was not 
 eagerly sought after by the men. If they did their duty they 
 were very apt to get the ill-will of their comrades. Especially 
 was that the case if guarding anything edible. The soldier con- 
 sidered food, in any of its varieties, legitimate spoil of war, and 
 vigilant indeed would be the guard that could keep it from being 
 confiscated. Dry wood was also considered contraband. If an 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 127 
 
 encampment was near or a bivouac made for the night, a pile of 
 rails or line of fence offered temptation not to be resisted. How 
 often, when orders were given not to disturb a fence and guards 
 were put on to protect it, have we seen it steal away, rail by rail, 
 until, to the despair of the guard, he had no fence to protect ! 
 The guard's sympathies were with his comrades, and, if possible, 
 he would shut his eyes to their depredations. This was illus- 
 trated by a case related by Colonel Schoonover. On one occasion 
 a guard was placed over a pile of dry rails near the house of the 
 proprietor. A coffee-cooler approached and asked for a rail. 
 " Can't have it," replied the guard, but added, " of course, if a 
 big crowd of you came I could not protect them." The big 
 crowd did come, and the pile soon disappeared. 
 
 October 21st we left Greenwich early in the morning and 
 marched to Catlett's Station, where it was rumored that we were 
 to make a permanent encampment. Three days' rations were 
 issued and company streets marked out, but the rumor proved to 
 be unfounded. The nights had begun to grow quite cold, and 
 the men, being destitute of blankets and overcoats— none having 
 been issued since the burning at Chancellorsville— suffered con- 
 siderably, the nights being passed in alternate freezing aud thaw- 
 ing. They would lie down until thoroughly chilled, then, by 
 walking around or standing by the camp-fires, get thawed out 
 sufficiently to try another nap. 
 
 On the 26th the regiment moved about one mile, and located 
 another camp. Some of the men began stockading their tents 
 and finished them in time to enjoy their shelter for one night 
 before another move was ordered. The few days that the troops 
 remained in this location the regimental pickets did duty in the 
 vicinity of Weaversville and along Cedar creek. The surround- 
 ing woodland seemed to be the favorite haunt of squirrels, both 
 gray and black often being seen upon the same tree. It was 
 hard for those in whose veins coursed sportsman blood to resist 
 the temptation to shoot, but they were compelled to refrain from 
 so doing by fear of alarming the army, and the tempting 
 game gamboled unmolested. The surrounding inhabitants pro- 
 
128 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 fessed to be pure and unadulterated Unionists. They said that 
 they had helped to destroy the railroad, but under duress. 
 However, I think their Unionism lasted only so long as the boys 
 in blue remained with them. 
 
 On the 29th the much-longed-for and badly-needed woolen 
 blankets arrived. 
 
 At seven o'clock on the morning of the 30th we again broke 
 camp and marched three miles beyond Warrenton Junction, 
 where we remained until November 7th, doing guard and picket 
 duty, and sometimes taking a hand at railroad-building. 
 
 On the morning of the 7th we again advanced, and as we 
 approached the river the boom of guns told us that a battle was 
 in progress. We reached Kelly's ford about two o'clock. The 
 First Division being in the lead, it encountered the enemy at that 
 point, and, crossing the river, after some severe fighting drove 
 them from their position, capturing one battle-flag and a number 
 of prisoners. The loss to McAllister's brigade was twelve men. 
 The pontoons being laid, about sundown the Second Division- 
 crossed -the river and took position on the high ground beyond. 
 The few houses constituting the hamlet of Kellysville, or Kelly's 
 ford, showed marks of the engagement, and one standing on the 
 bluff near our position, which had been deserted, had been well 
 riddled by shells. The Sixth Corps, which had crossed some 
 miles to our right, at Rappahannock Station, had been more suc- 
 cessful, capturing sixteen hundred prisoners, six pieces of artil- 
 lery, four battle-flags and a pontoon bridge. 
 
 On the morning of the 8th a colored servant — supposed to be 
 General Ewell's — ignorantly rode into our lines with a breakfast 
 neatly packed in a basket. He rode a splendid animal, which, 
 with the negro and breakfast, was confiscated. 
 
 Early in the morning we again advanced, seeing troops in the 
 distance. Preparations for battle were made, but they proved to 
 be the Sixth Corps. Near the railroad we halted for a couple of 
 hours, and, being Sunday, Chaplain Cline took advantage of 
 the occasion to hold religious service. He spoke of how our 
 friends at home were worshiping in peace and quietness, and 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 129 
 
 contrasted our surroundings — armies marshaled in battle array, 
 the glitter of guns, the rattle of equipments, horsemen hurrying 
 to and fro, and now and then the dull boom of cannon ; one con- 
 dition safety, the other imminent danger. After a rest of a 
 couple of hours we took to the march again, and about half past 
 three reached Brandy Station, where we halted for the night. 
 Near Brandy Station we found that the enemy had made every 
 preparation for a winter encampment. Their log-cabins were 
 commodious and well built, roofed principally with boards. 
 They were far superior to any we had occupied, and I think we 
 learned from them something of the art of making ourselves com- 
 fortable for the winter. There was also evidence of a hasty 
 departure. In some places officers' swords were found hanging 
 in their quarters, fires were still burning, and in some instances 
 the meat was cooking for supper and the dough ready-mixed for 
 baking. No doubt the "Yankees" were heartily anathematized 
 for so summarily dispossessing them. 
 
 November 9th we lay at Brandy Station, closed in mass, until 
 just as night was approaching we deployed in line of battle and lay 
 down to rest. We held the same position until the morning of 
 the 11th, when we moved about one mile and took possession of 
 one of the enemy's deserted camps. The weather had become 
 cold enough to make some other shelter than simple tents desir- 
 able, and as soon as possible we set about preparing winter 
 quarters. As the position of the rebels' camp did not suit our 
 alignment, new streets were laid out, and the work of building 
 begun. As the enemy's camp furnished material, ready prepared, 
 it was not long before we had comfortable quarters erected. The 
 situation was all that could be desired. In front of us was 
 rolling farm-land, and but a few yards from camp a fine stream 
 of running water. To the rear, as far as the eye could reach, an 
 unbroken forest seemed to offer an inexhaustible supply of fire- 
 wood. 
 
 On the 12th we received a welcome visit from Major Webb, 
 the paymaster, and drew two months' pay. 
 
130 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 On the 16th, General Sedgwick, accompanied by some Russian 
 officers, reviewed the Corps, and on the 18th brigade inspection 
 was held. 
 
 On the 20th, on behalf of the State, General Torbert presented 
 the Eleventh with a new stand of colors, to take the place of the 
 battle-worn ones that had been returned. 
 
 On November 23d, orders were received to be ready to march 
 in the morning. 
 
 Reveille was beaten at four A. M. on the 24th. We got our 
 breakfasts, packed up, and fell into line, but it was raining 
 heavily, and the order to march was countermanded. 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 131 
 
 Chapter VIII. 
 
 Locust Grove — Mine Run. 
 
 "C t arly morning of the 26th found us on the march. About 
 -*-* noon we halted in a wood near Jacob's ford, on the 
 Rapid an. Between the wood and the river was an open field 
 about three hundred yards wide. Not knowing what force of 
 the enemy might be concealed in the thickets beyond the river, 
 some precaution was necessary. A section of artillery was placed 
 in position at the edge of the wood to cover the advance of the 
 pontoons. The wagons containing the boats were then hurried 
 forward, the drivers lashing their teams to a run. The boats 
 were quickly placed in the water, and a detachment of the Elev- 
 enth New Jersey, under Captain Loyd, soon ferried across, 
 Colonel Schoonover going in the first boat and the first to jump 
 ashore as it struck the opposite side. The bluff on the southern 
 shore was so steep that a horseman could ascend only with diffi- 
 culty. The men quickly dashed to the top, and forming a 
 skirmish-line, advanced across the field. The rebel videttes fired 
 a few shots and then fell back. 
 
 A. B. Searing says : " I was climbing over a high rail-fence 
 when I saw, across the field, a rebel soldier rise out of a clump 
 of bushes, take aim, and fire. The bullet whistled overhead, 
 doing no harm, but the soldier's face, the sun glistening on his 
 rifle, seems indelibly impressed upon my mind. Passing on, I 
 examined the bushes where he had been, and found an empty 
 cartridge-paper stamped " Richmond, Va." At a farm-house 
 near by two rebel soldiers were captured who were home on 
 furlough. After the retreat of the enemy's pickets, a detach- 
 ment of cavalry crossed, and, forming in line, went forward at a 
 gallop. After we had crossed the field we halted for a few 
 minutes in front of a house occupied by an old widow lady. 
 She complained very bitterly because our line was placed in 
 front of her house, saying that her own men would shoot her. 
 
132 
 
 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 The old lady was talked to in a consoling manner and her fears 
 quieted, but she gave us to understand that she was a bitter 
 secessionist, and denounced our cause as wicked. Leaving the 
 old lady's house in the rear, we pressed forward through a narrow 
 wood-road. We had advanced about four miles when, from a 
 
 Lieutenant Joseph C. Baldwin. 
 
 mill in front, our column was again fired upon. The firing 
 resulted in the wounding of a dog. As it came yelping to the 
 rear it was followed by the doctors and other non-combatants, 
 who no doubt — like the dog — thought the rear the safest place. 
 Darkness had fallen, and it being ascertained that we were upon 
 the wrong road — one that would lead us in front of the enemy's 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 133 
 
 works instead of upon the flank — we fell back two or three 
 miles and bivouacked for the night." 
 
 We moved early on the morning of the 27th, taking the road 
 to Robertson's Tavern. The enemy formed across the road and 
 disputed our passage, but skirmishers were thrown forward and 
 we continued to advance. Colonel Blaisdell, commanding the 
 brigade, ordered the Eleventh New Jersey to relieve the First 
 Massachusetts, who were on the skirmish-line. We did so, and 
 continued to advance until we struck the enemy in strong line 
 of battle, posted along the edge of a clearing in which was a 
 house and other farm-buildings. Around these buildings the 
 enemy was strongly posted. Our skirmishers advanced under 
 the personal command of Colonel Schoonover to a line of fence 
 running along the edge of the field. Our line of battle was 
 formed just in the rear, near the edge of the wood. Soon the 
 firing became brisk, and the enemy advanced to the attack. The 
 Twenty-sixth Pennsylvania, on our left, at first gave way, car- 
 rying a portion of the Eleventh with them, but our men soon 
 rallied, and the Twenty-sixth rallying again, took position on 
 the line and fought splendidly. After awhile the Fifth Excel- 
 sior, on our right, gave way, and soon the troops upon our left 
 fell back, leaving both flanks of the Eleventh exposed, notwith- 
 standing which it held its ground. Just at this critical moment 
 an aid from Colonel Blaisdell came forward with orders for the 
 Eleventh New Jersey to advance. He did not come near enough 
 to deliver the order in person, but sent it forward with one of 
 our men. McAllister called back for him to deliver the order 
 in person, but the situation being uncomfortably warm just then, 
 he failed to do so. The smoke of battle lifting, revealed the 
 enemy overlaping each flank — a few minutes more and the line 
 of retreat would be closed and the regiment captured. The 
 order was given to fall back, which we did slowly. Keeping 
 our faces to the enemy, we fought our way back to where our 
 artillery was posted and lay down in the edge of the wood. Our 
 guns fired over us, and sent suoh a shower of canister in the 
 advancing ranks of the enemy that they soon fell back. As we 
 
134 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 were falling back, and just as we readied the clearing at the 
 edge of the wood, Johnson, our color-bearer, unfurled the colors 
 and waved them defiantly in the face of the enemy. 
 
 The following graphic description was written by Captain 
 Hand, formerly Sergeant of Company B : 
 
 "At the battle of Locust Grove, November 27th, '63, most of 
 our regiment was armed with Harper's Ferry muskets, but some 
 of us had lost our muskets and fownd Springfield rifles. Mine 
 had been lost and I found a splendid rifle, which came very near 
 being the cause of my being lost. Colonel Schoonover went up 
 to the picket-line while we were in line of battle and discovered 
 the enemy's pickets just across an open field in the edge of the 
 wood about easy rifle range, but too far away for the muskets to 
 be effective. He called back for some one with a good rifle to 
 come up. I responded, leaving my knapsack and haversack, 
 expecting to return soon, but almost as soon as I had taken posi- 
 tion on the picket-line and had commenced firing the enemy 
 began to advance, and when they showed themselves in the open 
 field our line arose and began firing over our heads, so that if 
 we attempted to fall back we were in as much danger from 
 friends as foes. I was lying next to a man by the name of Val- 
 entine Greer. We had no protection whatever, so we lay as 
 close as we could and kept firing as fast as possible. On the 
 ground between us we had a package of cartridges open from 
 which we loaded. The enemy kept advancing, but our men 
 held their ground, and there seemed nothing for us skirmishers 
 to do except to continue firing. I was all the while hoping that 
 our men would advance to where we were, but the enemy did 
 the advancing. Finally, when they were very near, a Bhot 
 struck poor Greer in the head. He gave a short, quick groan 
 and turned on his back, and I thought he was dead, but I 
 learned afterward that he lived until the next morning. When 
 the enemy were almost near enough to reach me with their hands 
 I discovered that our line was retreating. I looked over my 
 shoulder and saw a ravine running in the direction our men were 
 going. 1 started for the same, taking Greer's gun with me as 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLVNTEERS. 135 
 
 well as my own. Springfield rifles were scarce in those days, 
 and I was not willing to leave it for the enemy to use. I spent 
 the greater part of the night in looking over the battle-field for 
 the body of my friend Joe Frazee, who was killed there, but it 
 had been taken away and properly cared for by Sergeant Hew- 
 son, of oar company, who was in charge of an ambulance train." 
 
 On some parts of the skirmish-line the enemy actually did 
 reach our skirmishers. Joshua Beach, of Company E, was 
 literally pulled over the fence by them. Some time during the 
 early part of the night, Colonel McAllister asked for men to go 
 out over the field to see if any of our wounded remained there. 
 Sergeant William Hand, of Company B, Edward Kinney and 
 the writer, of Company E, and several others whose names I 
 have forgotten, volunteered for the service. The duty was not 
 a pleasant one, owing to the uncertainty as to where the enemy's 
 pickets were posted. 
 
 Our party started down the road leading through the wood, 
 but had not gone far when we heard groans and calls from the 
 right. Advancing in that direction, we found a wounded rebel 
 lying behind a log. He had been struck below the knee and his 
 leg was completely shattered. Finding that we were Yankees, 
 he said he did not expect us to do much for him, but would be 
 glad if we would fix him so that he could rest a little more com- 
 fortably. He told us he belonged to Johnson's division and 
 was from North Carolina, and had been only two weeks in the 
 service, leaving a wife and eight children at home. He said 
 that he had escaped conscription for a long while, but they caught 
 him at last, and this was the result. That he was speaking 
 truthfully was evidenced by his knapsack, which contained such 
 articles as only a new recruit would carry. We assured him that 
 we would take him to the rear, where his wound would be cared 
 for, and he seemed very grateful when we left him in charge of 
 some stretcher-bearers whom we met at the edge of the wood. 
 Poor fellow ! we heard he died next day, after undergoing ampu- 
 tation. 
 
136 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 Returning to the wood after taking out the North Carolinian, 
 we soon found the body of James M. Woodruff, of Company H. 
 Woodruff was only a boy and had a great penchant for boots, and 
 just before breaking camp had bought a new pair of cavalry 
 boots. These were a tempting prize to the " Johnnies," and in 
 order to get them off they had pulled his body astride a tree. 
 Further to the left we found Einaldo Stevens, of Company A, 
 who was severely wounded. He was taken to the rear and suc- 
 ceeded in reaching Alexandria, where he died at the Mansion 
 House hospital on December 8th. While some of the party was 
 taking Stevens to the rear, the others moved forward to where 
 the skirmish-line had been posted. The members of Company 
 E were looking for their comrade, Charles Mann. Mann was a 
 soldier who never shirked a duty, and had volunteered to go for- 
 ward as a skirmisher. We knew that, if not a prisoner, he was 
 either dead or too badly wounded to get off the field. We found 
 him lying on his back, dead, near where he had been fighting. 
 He made the last of three brothers, all of whom gave their lives 
 for the preservation of the Union. When Charles Mann went 
 into the battle he had upon his person quite a sum of money, 
 besides a good watch. When found, he had been stripped of 
 everything of value. He was left lying where found and buried 
 next morning. Adam, of Company A, Fifth New Jersey, died 
 on board a hospital-ship at Fortress Monroe from wounds received 
 in one of the battles of the Peninsula. John, of Company £, 
 Eleventh, was mortally wounded at Chancellorsville, and died in 
 the hands of the enemy. 
 
 To illustrate how indifferent to danger or thoughtless of peril 
 a soldier may sometimes become, I will mention an incident that 
 occurred during this battle. A member of Company E, who at 
 that time was an inveterate smoker, took out his pipe, filled and 
 lit it, and resumed firing as coolly as if nothing unusual was 
 occurring. Another member of the same company, Ed. Kinney, 
 his Hibernian blood being pretty well warmed up, took a posi- 
 tion on a stump, and after exhausting the cartridges in the top 
 part of his cartridge-box, endeavored to draw the magazines so 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 137 
 
 as to get at the lower boxes, but he tugged and pulled in vain, 
 the damp weather having rusted them fast. Colonel Schoon- 
 over and the writer both went to his assistance, but with a like 
 result. I have heard profanity in many forms, and in various 
 languages, but never any to exceed that uttered by Kinney on 
 this occasion. 
 
 War has its humors, as well as pathos, and things sometimes 
 occur upon a battle-field, amidst the most imminent dangers that 
 excite the laughter of the spectators. On one occasion, at Locust 
 Grove, a wounded man, belonging to Company C, was being 
 carried out upon a stretcher. Before a place of safety was 
 reached, a solid shot came whizzing pretty close to the party. 
 The stretcher-bearers dropped the stretcher and ran for shelter, 
 but imagine their surprise when the wounded man, who 
 previously could not walk, hastily jumped up and outstripped 
 them in the race. 
 
 Colonel McAllister, in a letter dated December 14th, '63, thus 
 refers to some of the incidents of this engagement : " The dying 
 message of Corporal Joseph Frazee, of Company B, to his 
 mother, was : ' I die for my country.' He was a noble and brave 
 man. Sergeant Smith, who died on the field, shot through the 
 head, was no less brave, and was moreover a true Christian." 
 
 The battle of Locust Grove lasted but a few hours, but it was 
 fiercely fought, and the Eleventh New Jersey proved anew that 
 they were entitled to the name that by common consent had been 
 given them, " The fighting Eleventh." The aggregate loss of 
 the regiment was 31 — 7 killed, 16 wounded, 7 prisoners and 1 
 missing. To give a correct idea of the percentage of loss it will 
 be well to state that at the commencement of the battle of Locust 
 Grove the regiment numbered less than two hundred men. The 
 exact figures are not available. A. B. Searing, of Company E, 
 who was a close observer and who made it a point to write down 
 everything of importance that came to his notice, says that at the 
 close of the battle we had only 105 men remaining with the 
 regiment. 
 
138 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 The killed were Sergeant Alfred Smith, of Company A; Cor- 
 poral Joseph H. Frazee and Valentine Greer, of Company B ; 
 Corporal Peter Burk and Private Jeremiah Dunham, of Company 
 D ; Privates Charles Mann, of Company E, and James Wood- 
 ruff, of Company H. 
 
 The wounded were Sergeant-Major William S. Rockhill, Ser- 
 geant Joseph Burns, Corporal William Colfer, and Private 
 Rinaldo Stevens (whe died December 8th), of Company A; 
 Corporal Thomas Blackwood and Private Ephraim Britton, of 
 Company C; Albert E. Lyons and George Zindle, of Company 
 E; William S. Pitman, of Company G; Sergeant Henry C. 
 Woodruff and Corporal John Fleming, of Company H ; Ser- 
 geant Thomas Johnson, Privates Christian Quod and Steven G. 
 Cronk, of Company I ; Sergeants Charles Repp and Ebenezer 
 Kennedy, of Company K. 
 
 The prisoners were Henry Hoffman and Patrick Brennan, of 
 Company D; Joshua Beech, Cyrus L. Talmadge and William 
 Hoffman, of Company E ; Daniel Smires, of Company G, and 
 Jacob Menner, of Company K. John Ardner, of Company K, 
 marked missing, was no doubt killed. Of the prisoners only 
 two, Daniel Smires and Patrick Brennan, lived to return from 
 the rebel prisons. 
 
 Among the seemingly miraculous escapes was that of Corporal 
 Thomas Blackwood, of Company C. He was what Colonel Mc- 
 Allister denominated "one of the praying members," a man to 
 be found in attendance at any of the religious services held in 
 the regiment and prominent in all efforts tending to the moral 
 welfare of the men. It was his invariable custom to carry a 
 copy of the New Testament in his blouse-pocket, and to that 
 habit he owed his preservation at Locust Grove. A bullet 
 striking him on the breast, penetrated the Testament and was 
 held by it, thereby saving him from what no doubt would have 
 been a severe, if not mortal, wound. 
 
 As letters written at any time during the regiment's service 
 relative to comrades who fell upon the field of battle may well 
 be considered a part of the regiment's history, I will here insert 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 139 
 
 a letter from Chaplain Cline to Mra. Elizabeth Dunham, who 
 was made a widow by the death of Jeremiah Dunham, at Locust 
 Grove. He says : 
 
 " Madam — The sad news of the death of your husband has already 
 been borne to you. Our Hospital Steward, Mr. Titsworth, told me 
 he would write to his father and request him to break to you the 
 sorrowful intelligence. Tour husband fell a martyr in his 
 country's cause in the battle near Jacob's mill-ford, Eapidan 
 river, Friday afternoon, November 27th. He was buried and his 
 grave marked. I know this is sorrowful tidings to tell you — that 
 he whom you dearly loved can see you no more on earth ; that 
 he can come to his home no more. Oh, this terrible war is break- 
 ing so many hearts, and making desolate so many happy homes ! 
 But what a glorious death it is to die for one's country ! The 
 graves of such patriots as your husband are honored graves. Is 
 not this a consolation ? He rests now ; a Christian soldier, and, 
 thanks be to God, your husband not only fought the battles of 
 his country, but that better fight — the good fight of faith. He 
 had enlisted under the banner of Jesus Christ and was fighting 
 the battle of the Lord. But he has fought his last fight for his 
 country and his God, and hath conquered, and has gone to 
 receive his reward. He will be remembered by his country- 
 men as one who gave his life for their welfare, and, we humbly 
 trust and believe, will wear the victor's crown in heaven. As 
 you are aware, I have been in the regiment only since last Sep- 
 tember, but in my little acquaintance with Mr. Dunham, I learned 
 to love him. I have had many seaons of pleasant conversation 
 with him in his tent, and in my own, and have enjoyed his presence 
 and his assistance at our religious meetings. He was a frequent 
 attendant at our prayer-meetings, our Sabbath service, and our 
 Bible-class, and seemed deeply interested in the study of the 
 Scriptures, and by his remarks rendered the lessons more interest- 
 ing and instructive to us all. I already miss him — I, too, am mourn- 
 ing, and would not have you cease to weep over his sad and sudden 
 death. Oh, no ! Jesus wept at the grave of his friend Lazarus, 
 but when you weep, mourn not as those who have no hope ; re- 
 member who has afflicted you. God is too wise to err and too 
 
140 
 
 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 good to afflict us for our harm. He does all things well, all things 
 work together for good to thern that love God. ' Whom the Lord 
 loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every one whom he receiveth.* 
 God says concerning you and your children, 'A father of the 
 fatherless, and a judge of the widow is God in his holy habita- 
 
 Lleutenant William Hand. 
 
 tion.' — Psalm 68 : 5. Again, ' Leave thy fatherless children ; I 
 will preserve them, and let thy widows trust in me.' ' Trust in the 
 Lord, he will sustain thee.' ' He will never leave thee nor forsake 
 thee.' We all sympathize with you in your affliction, and you are 
 remembered at our prayer-meetings. H I can do anything for 
 you, I shall take great pleasure in doing it. Please write me. I 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 141 
 
 believe nothing was found on the person of your husband. If he 
 had anything, it was taken by the enemy, as they had possession 
 of the field for a time. May God bless you and yours. 
 " Eespectfully, &c, 
 
 "E. Clakk Cline, 
 " Chaplain Eleventh New Jersey Volunteers." 
 
 Colonel Schoonover, who was something of an expert with 
 the rifle, took delight in acting as a sharpshooter upon the ad- 
 vance line whenever occasion offered. He therefore could not 
 resist the temptation presented by the skirmish-line at Locust 
 Grove. It will be remembered that our skirmishers had been 
 posted along a fence at the edge of the wood. The enemy's line 
 was posted along a fence on the opposite side of the narrow field 
 which intervened. Some of them, however, had crept forward 
 and were hidden in the high grass. A constant fire was kept up 
 between the two lines. Schoonover crept forward to the fence 
 where our skirmishers were posted — to have advanced in an 
 erect position would have been to court death — and borrowing a 
 gun from one of the men, awaited a shot. He made two shots, 
 but without effect. The third shot was at a rebel who had been 
 lying in the grass a short distance from the fence. An occasional 
 puff of smoke revealed the positions of those who had had the 
 temerity to conceal themselves in the grass some distance beyond 
 their picket-line. He directed some of the men near him to fire 
 at the spot where the smoke was seen to rise, while others were 
 to hold their fire and take the game on the wing. He had a fair 
 open shot at one as he was scaling the fence. The shot must 
 have taken effect, for the man required assistance to reach a place 
 of safety. But the sharpshooting from that part of our line 
 elicited a sharp return, during which Valentine Greer, of Com- 
 pany B, was shot through the head. 
 
 Before daylight on the morning of November 28th we were 
 again on the move to join General Warren. Through torrents 
 of raiu, and mud ankle deep, we pushed forward. Late in the 
 afternoon we halted about three miles beyond Robertson's tavern. 
 
142 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 Supposing that we were to remain all night, tents were put up 
 and preparations made to pass the night as comfortably as cir- 
 cumstances would permit; but at dark orders came to move 
 forward. The intense darkness, combined with the almost im- 
 passable condition of the roads, made marching very difficult. 
 After struggling along for four hours, making only that many 
 miles, we halted for the remainder of the night. It was bitterly 
 cold, but soon large fires were built, and the chilled and weary 
 men lay down to catch a few hours' rest. 
 
 Early on Sunday morning, the 29th, we were again on the 
 move, but seemingly in a purposeless manner. We would move 
 and halt, move on again and wait. It was very cold, a genuine 
 winter's day, and, as no fire was allowed, it was only by constant 
 walking or stamping that we could keep our feet from freezing. 
 We bivouacked for the night in a pine wood, and though it was 
 bitterly cold, ice forming an inch in thickness, no fires could be 
 built, owing to the proximity of the enemy ; so the best we could 
 do was to wrap our overcoats and blankets around us and shiver 
 and stamp the night away. Some of the men were even destitute 
 of overcoats, having only a single blanket to protect them. 
 
 On the morning of the 30th we marched up the plank-road 
 and massed just to the left of it. The Second and Third 
 Divisions of the Third Corps had been ordered to report to 
 General Warren, to join in a contemplated charge upon the 
 enemy, who were posted in strong works beyond Mine Run. 
 As we lay in position, with their works in plain view, there was 
 not a man, officer or private, who did not fully realize the 
 danger of the undertaking. I cannot better describe the posi- 
 tion and feelings of the men than by quoting the words of 
 Colonel Schoonover : 
 
 "At six o'clock in the morning Colonel McAllister, com- 
 manding the brigade, sent for the regimental commanders and 
 gave them, under the circumstances, this remarkable informa- 
 tion : At seven o'clock our artillery would open on the right 
 and continue firing without cessation for one hour, when a 
 simultaneous charge of thirty thousand men, under General 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 143 
 
 Warren, would be made upon the enemy's works. He wished 
 us to communicate these facts to the line officers, and they in 
 turn to their men, so that all, both officers and men, could fully 
 understand the importance and magnitude of the work before 
 them, and make whatever preparations they might desire. 
 Upon my return I called the officers together and repeated the 
 information given me, and endeavored to impress upon their 
 minds their duties as officers, and gave such general instructions 
 as I deemed proper. The officers seemed silent and thought- 
 ful. It was admitted that one- half, at least, would fall in 
 the assault, while to hold the works would cost many lives. 
 " Perhaps there never was an hour in the regiment's history 
 when both officers and men so thoroughly realized the great 
 danger of an undertaking as they did upon this occasion. The 
 scene was an unusual one. Many things combined to make it 
 so. The enemy's works, with their guns glistening in the sun- 
 light, three lines of abatis, and a swampy, difficult approach, 
 were all in plain sight. The morning was intensely cold. To 
 be wounded on a day like this was not a pleasant thing to con- 
 template. It is doubtful if the survivors of well-fought fields 
 anticipated the opening of such a tragedy as this bid fair to be 
 with any emotions of pleasure. And the eagerness which is 
 sometimes manifested by those who have never experienced the 
 realities of battle, has more of seriousness about it to the veteran 
 soldier. I doubt that if on any similar occasion in the experience 
 of the regiment so many valuables, addresses and messages to 
 friends were given to the chaplain as there were on that cold 
 winter morning at Mine Run. It was a strange, sad spectacle. 
 But as the morning wore on the rumor came that the charge had 
 been abandoned. It was reported that it did not meet the 
 approval of General Warren.* The cloud was lifted, and a 
 
 * Colonel Schoonover states that lie was recently informed by Colonel 
 Washington A. Roebling, of Trenton, who was on Warren's staff, that 
 the General and himself made a careful inspection of the enemy's works 
 from our picket-line— creeping out for that purpose. General Warren 
 believed the works were too formidable to make a successful charge upon 
 them. 
 
144 TEE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 marked change was soon manifested along the line. Officers 
 and men breathed freely once more, and many were the expres- 
 sions of admiration for General Warren and his wise decision." 
 
 It was said that Warren, when asked if he could take the 
 position in his front, answered yes, but that he would lose 
 twenty thousand men in doing it. 
 
 I well remember the morning of the contemplated charge. I 
 had been in charge of a picket detail on the flank during the 
 night, with orders to assemble and follow at daylight. As I 
 came up to the regiment I was met by Bishop W. Mains, who 
 said, " Tom, you should have stayed back ; we are to make a 
 charge at eight o'clock." Together we went out beyond the 
 lines to view the position, and if I ever regretted being prompt 
 in the performance of duty it was that morning after viewing 
 the slashed timber which covered the slope up which our charge 
 would lead. We remained in position until night and then fell 
 back about three miles and bivouacked. 
 
 About ten A. M. on December 1st the brigade received orders 
 to report to General Gregg, commanding the cavalry, at Parker's 
 Store. We reached our position about three P. M., and were 
 formed in line of battle along the road, and remained until day- 
 light the next morning. There was no rest during the night, as 
 an attack was momentarily expected. Soon after daylight orders 
 came to move. The Eleventh New Jersey brought up the rear 
 of the brigade, only a troop of cavalry being in its rear. We 
 marched down the plank-road toward Chancellorsville until we 
 came to the road leading to Germania ford, and, turning to the 
 left, we followed it until the ford was reached, where we crossed 
 the river. After crossing the river we marched about four miles, 
 then encamped in a wood. A day's rations were issued, and for 
 the first time in several days we enjoyed a square meal. 
 
 On the evening of the 3d we reached our old camp at Brandy 
 Station. 
 
 The campaign had been a short but very severe one. Not only 
 had the men been compelled to undergo the hardship incident to- 
 cold and storm, but owing to the bad condition of the roads it 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 145 
 
 had been impossible to forward sufficient supplies, and many of 
 the men suffered the pangs of hunger. Some, being two or three 
 days without rations, tried to quiet the gnawings of huDger by 
 chewing hard corn. Just before re-crossing the Rapidan, a field 
 was passed in which a few small turnips remained. They were 
 eagerly seized and greedily devoured. How welcome, then, was 
 the day's ration received after reaching the north side of the river ! 
 I know of one case, at least, where it made only one square meal. 
 
 On this campaign Chaplain Cline won the entire confidence of 
 the men by his active sympathy and many acts of kindness. He 
 could often be seen tramping through the mud while some tired 
 soldier was having a lift upon his horse. Soldiers were skep- 
 tical of professions. It took a practical demonstration to win 
 their belief and confidence. The Chaplain, by these practical 
 demonstrations of sympathy for the men, won their confidence 
 and thereby opened the way for the good work that the winter 
 brought forth. 
 
 It will be remembered that when Sergeant William Hand 
 went forward to the skirmish-line at Locust Grove, he left his 
 knapsack, with blanket and overcoat, on the main line of battle. 
 When the rapid advance of the enemy in strong force pushed 
 the regiment back, Hand was compelled to get out as best he 
 could, with no time to recover his knapsack. This left him with 
 no protection but a thin blouse, and during the bitter cold that 
 followed he suffered very much. The night that we left the 
 position beyond Robertson's tavern, a horseman came along and 
 inquired if there were any Plainfield men in the regiment. 
 Hand recognized him as Thomson Thorn, an old friend and 
 neighbor. While talking together, Thorn observed that Hand 
 was very cold and thinly clad, and asked him where his overcoat 
 and blanket were. The details of his . loss were told. Thorn 
 turned and rode away, saying, " I have something for you." He 
 soon returned with a blanket, a half-side of fresh pork and a 
 haversack of potatoes. As large fires were permitted that night, 
 Company B at least enjoyed a comfortable supper, for there was 
 enough to supply them all. 
 
146 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 The Mine Run campaign ended the active operations for the 
 year 1863, and the army settled down to the quiet and rest of 
 winter quarters at Brandy Station. 
 
 Before entering into a description of our life at Brandy Sta- 
 tion, it might be well to take a glance backward and summarize 
 the losses, and note the changes that had occurred in the regi- 
 ment since the beginning of its career. 
 
 The roster gives the total strength of the regiment when 
 mustered at Trenton as 979 officers and men. 
 
 The losses, up to January 1st, '64, were as follows: Officers 
 killed, 6 ; died of wound, 1 ; enlisted men killed, 22 ; died of 
 wounds, 23; died from other causes, 57 ; missing in action, 13. 
 Discharged for disability and other causes — officers, 3 ; enlisted 
 men, 162. Deserted, 122; transferred, 60; officers resigned, 
 14; officers promoted to another regiment, 1. Making a total 
 loss of 484. In addition there had been 21 officers and 288 
 men wounded, making an apparent loss of 793, and a remaining 
 strength of 186. To be sure, many of the wounded had re- 
 turned to their commands, but it is a question if the absent, sick 
 and on detached service, would not counterbalance the accretions 
 made from that source. In the absence of the Adjutant's morn- 
 ing report I think it would be safe to say that the effective 
 strength of the regiment on January 1st, '64, did not exceed 200. 
 Searing, who was a close observer, places the strength of the 
 regiment, after the battle of Locust Grove, at 105. I do not 
 know from what source his information was obtained, but from 
 the figures I have been able to obtain, I must consider his esti- 
 mate too low. Of the 122 deserters, 82 had deserted before the 
 regiment left Trenton, and 19 more before its first battle . 
 making 101 in all before the regiment had fired a shot. Of the 
 sick, left behind at Trenton, one had died and 11 been dis- 
 charged before leaving the State. Deducting the deserters and 
 those left behind, sick, instead of the regiment leaving the State 
 979 strong, as the rolls would seem to indicate, it numbered 860 
 officers and men. 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEEBS. 147 
 
 As has been previously stated, when the regiment marched 
 from Alexandria 4 commissioned officers and 215 men were left 
 behind sick. So that it will be seen that the regiment never had 
 a fighting strength of more than 600. Of those left behind at 
 Alexandria a large proportion never reported back to the regi- 
 ment, being either transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps or 
 numbered with the discharged. 
 
 Following is the official report, by Colonel McAllister, of the 
 part taken by the Eleventh New Jersey Volunteers in the cam- 
 paign and battle of Mine Run, November 26th to December 3d, 
 1863: 
 
 "Headquarters 11th Reg., N. J. V., } 
 
 "Near Brandy Station, Va., > 
 
 " Dec. 4th, 1863. ) 
 
 " Sir — I have the honor, in accordance with orders from Corps 
 Headquarters, to report, relative to the part my regiment took in 
 the late campaign and battle beyond the Bapidan river, as follows : 
 
 " Thursday morning, Nov. 26th, broke camp and moved toward 
 the river. 1 P. M., arrived at Jacobs' Ford ; Colonel Blaisdell, 
 commanding Brigade, ordered me to march down to the river, 
 close by the pontoons, and as soon as a boat was launched in the 
 water, man it with twenty-five (25) men and cross without delay. 
 We soon reached the opposite shore, deployed as skirmishers, and 
 marched up to the crest of the hill, when we discovered a few rebel 
 cavalrymen, who fired a few shots and disappeared. I then 
 advanced the line until ordered to halt for further orders. In 
 about 1£ hours the column moved forward, the rebels firing occa- 
 sionally and retreating. On arriving at a creek and mill, we 
 halted, countermarched, and bivouacked for the night in the 
 woods. 
 
 " Sep. 27th. Up early, and moved on a road leading towards 
 Bobertson's tavern. The enemy crossed our road and disputed 
 our passage. Skirmishers were thrown out, and we continued 
 our advance for a short time, when the enemy showed himself in 
 force. I was then ordered to support the skirmishers, which I 
 did for 1J hrs., as circumstances required, when I was ordered to 
 relieve Col. McLaughlin, which order I obeyed, with my right 
 resting on the road and advanced my pickets to the fence and the 
 
148 
 
 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 regiment close in their rear. The enemy fired rapidly. Lt. Col. 
 Schoonover went in person on the picket-line, directing opera- 
 tions, increasing our fire and driving the enemy back. The fire 
 now slackened, everything seemed to be working favorable. The 
 enemy now advanced in force. The 26th Penn. Eeg. on my left 
 
 Lieutenant John B. Faussett. 
 
 gave way, carrying with it some of our men. Major Halsey and 
 myself soon brought them back, the 26th Penn. Reg. rallied, and 
 all fought splendidly. In a short time the 5th Excelsior Regiment 
 broke, afterwards the line on my left gave way. My regiment 
 stood firm holding the enemy in check until the ground on my 
 flanks was occupied by the enemy in force ; three minutes more 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 149 
 
 and we would have been taken prisoners. I then ordered my 
 men to fall back. In doing so, Johnson, the color-bearer, on 
 reaching the open space at the cross-roads stopped, unfurled the 
 National flag and waved it in the face of the enemy. On arriving 
 at the battery, we re-formed and joined the brigade at Division 
 Headquarters, formed in line of battle and lay down to rest. Our 
 loss in this battle was (6) six killed, twenty (20) wounded, (2) 
 two missing, (2) two taken prisoner, in all (30) thirty. With 
 but few exceptions our officers and men did well. I cannot 
 refrain from mentioning the names of Lt. Col. Schoonover, Maj. 
 Halsey and Adjt. Beach. They acquitted themselves with honor. 
 
 "Nov. 28th, 1 A. M. Ordered to advance on the picket-line, 
 where we remained until early dawn, then moved with the 
 column toward and past Robertson's Tavern, bivouacked for the 
 night between the turnpike and plank-road toward Orange Court 
 House. 
 
 "Nov. 29th. Moved forward toward the plank-road, to sup- 
 port Gen. Warren. Bivouacked in the woods for the night. 
 
 " Nov. 30th. Ordered to report to Gen. Warren. Moved up 
 the plank-road, filed off to the left in line of battle — in front of 
 the enemy's works — preparatory to a charge, lay there until 
 evening, returned (3) three miles and bivouacked for the night. 
 
 " Dec. 1st, 12 A. M. Ordered with the Brigade to report to 
 Gen. Gregg, down the plank-road, at Parker's Store. Arrived at 
 3 P. M., formed line of battle along the road and remained there 
 until daylight next morning. 
 
 " December 2d. Early dawn, moved with and in rear of the 
 brigade. Nothing in rear of us but one regiment of cavalry. 
 Came down the plank-road towards Chancellorsville, then struck 
 off in the direction of Culpepper Ford. Crossed on pontoons, 
 then moved to Ely's Ford, turned in direction of the camp and 
 bivouacked for the night. 
 
 "December 3d, 8 A. M. Started at the head of our brigade 
 and reached camp early in the evening. 
 
 " Very respectfully, 
 
 "Tour obdt. servant, 
 
 "Robebt McAllister, 
 
 "Col. Gomdg. Regt." 
 
150 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 Chapter IX. 
 
 Camp at Brandy Station. 
 
 The five months spent in quarters at Brandy Station, though 
 not a period of unalloyed pleasure, was yet perhaps the most 
 pleasant period in our army experience. Easy communication 
 with the North enabled us to receive many testimonials of love 
 from the friends left behind. Many boxes of delicacies, and 
 packages of books and papers found their way to the front. 
 Although drills, inspections, etc., were kept up, we found 
 leisure for reading, writing, and practicing the sccial amenities in 
 a manner peculiar to army life. Frequent reviews were held, 
 not so much to test the discipline and proficiency of the troops 
 as to exhibit them to the admiring eyes of the female friends and 
 relatives of the officers in command. Access to the army being 
 easy, and comparatively safe, and there being no indications of 
 another campaign during the winter, the wives of general and 
 staff officers took advantage of the opportunity offered to visit 
 the army. The boys learned to know them by sight and to read 
 the indications pretty closely. If a strange lady was seen issuing 
 from headquarters, a review of some kind was sure to follow 
 within a few days; and though they became somewhat irk- 
 some, from their frequency, the men were gallant enough to 
 submit without much grumbling. 
 
 The long rows of log cabins, with wide streets between, had 
 few claims to architectural beauty. Outwardly they presented 
 pretty much the same appearance — rough surfaces of logs, chinked 
 between and daubed plentifully with Virginia mud, and roofed 
 with canvas more or less weather-stained, according to its age of 
 service. At one end an uncouth projection, something like a 
 bay-window in its first stage of evolution, continued some feet 
 above the roof, and in some instances terminating in a headless 
 pork or sugar-barrel, constituted a fire-place and chimney. A 
 low opening, closed with a rubber blanket, or rough door made 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 151 
 
 of cracker- boxes, hung with leather hinges, served for an 
 entrance, and all around an embankment of dirt to keep the 
 water from entering. Inside, the general arrangements were 
 alike ; across one end, bunks, one above another, to accommodate 
 four persons, made of poles and filled with aromatic pine boughs 
 known as Virginia feathers ; hooks on each side, where the guns 
 and equipments were hung ; a floor of split logs, boards or hard- 
 ened earth, dependent upon opportunity or the energy of the 
 inmates. At one side a rude table, made of pieces of boxes or 
 any odd bits of board that could be obtained, and hung with 
 pieces of leather so as to be lowered when not in use ; above the 
 fire-place, perhaps a rude shelf. These were the general features, 
 but in the minor details there was as much difference as there 
 was diversity of tastes of the inmates. Some were so neat and 
 orderly that one would almost think that a woman's hand had 
 arranged them. The table would be covered with paper or a 
 piece of muslin, and in the center piled whatever reading-matter 
 the mess might possess, accompanied by the almost universal 
 package of Killikinnick, for it was a hard matter to get four 
 soldiers together without one or more smokers being of the party- 
 All had to be kept reasonably clean, as frequent inspections were 
 made and a few hours' extra drill or some other punishment 
 awaited the negligent. 
 
 The ordinary routine of camp duty was the same, day after day 
 — reveille and roll-call, sick-call, guard-mount, two hours' drill, 
 either company, battalion, or brigade — then dinner. Afternoon, 
 two hours' drill, dress- parade, roll-call at retreat, tattoo at nine, 
 and taps a quarter of an hour later, when all lights were supposed 
 to be extinguished. In many tents convivial parties would 
 frequently gather, who paid but little attention to taps. The 
 officer of the day, passing around, would call out, " Lights out 
 in there." "All right, Lieutenant," would be the answer, and 
 the lights would disappear, only to spring up again brightly 
 as soon as the sound of his footsteps had died away. 
 1 Some one has said, " Turn a sailor adrift upon a log in mid- 
 ocean and he will get whiskey." It might almost as well be 
 
152 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 said, " Put a soldier in the center of an arid desert, and if he 
 has a love for the ardent he will manage some way to get it." 
 Certain it is that thongh every effort was made to prevent the 
 private soldier getting intoxicating liquors, he could at any time 
 during the winter encampment get as much as he had money 
 with which to pay. Sutlers and commissaries were under 
 orders not to sell it to enlisted men, but soldiers were full of 
 strategy, and if a forged order or pair of shoulder-straps assumed 
 for the occasion would not bring it, they would find some other 
 way. 
 
 About this time a question of seniority arose between Colonel 
 McAllister, of the Eleventh New Jersey, and Colonel Blaisdell, 
 of the Eleventh Massachusetts. Fending the settlement of the 
 question McAllister was in command of the brigade. He was 
 known as a sincere Christian, but of rather a puritanical bent, 
 and strongly opposed to the use of intoxicants in any form. It 
 was very rarely, and only upon extraordinary occasions, that he 
 would allow it to be issued to the men. And this recalls a 
 little incident of which he was the hero. At Gettysburg, after 
 he was wounded and taken to the rear, he was being cared for 
 by Dr. Welling. The doctor urged him to take a little whiskey 
 to stimulate his waning strength, but McAllister steadily refused. 
 Welling then, without his knowledge, prepared an appetizing 
 milk punch, which McAllister readily drank. He was heard 
 afterward speaking in terms of praise of the milk given by the 
 Gettysburg cows. 
 
 But to return : Blaisdell, on the other hand, was not partic- 
 ularly known as a teetotaler, and did not object to the men 
 having their regular ration of stimulants. Though both col- 
 onels were brave and gallant soldiers, they could not, because of 
 disparity of tastes and dispositions, become very warm friends. 
 It was a current rumor in the camp at the time that Blaisdell 
 had said if he regained command of the brigade by the holidays, 
 he would have the entire brigade drunk. I cannot vouch for 
 the truth of the rumor, but it is a matter of history that such an 
 occurrence transpired, and shortly after Blaisdell took command 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 153 
 
 an unusual quantity of "commissary " was issued, and the drink- 
 ing men, on one night at least, were pretty thoroughly intoxi- 
 cated. The over-indulgence came near bringing about a serious 
 riot. The camp of the Excelsior Brigade adjoined ours, and 
 visits back and forth were frequent. On the night in question 
 some of the members of the Fourth Excelsior were visiting 
 friends in Company K, of the Eleventh. Cards were brought 
 out and drink flowed freely. As a result a dispute arose, ending 
 in a fight. The visitors, getting the worst of it, ran to their 
 camp for assistance. A crowd came pouring over and the battle 
 spread. Other companies became involved, and even the Twenty- 
 sixth Pennsylvania, or rather members of it, who were always 
 our warmest friends, came with offers of assistance. It was not 
 until Colonel McAllister armed a part of the regiment and 
 charged the crowd that the trouble was ended. 
 
 It is almost impossible to collect a body of men without hav- 
 ing some who are inclined to cast off moral restraint. The 
 Eleventh contained some such men, but I think the moral tone 
 of the regiment was equal to, if not above, the average. That it 
 was so was owing to the earnest efforts of its colonel, and above 
 all to its chaplain, E. Clark Cline, who possessed in an eminent 
 degree those qualities that win the love of the thoughtful and 
 command the respect of the most reckless. Allied to a winning 
 kindliness of manner was an earnest Christianity that none could 
 question. He was ever ready to give aid to even the humblest, 
 and no circumstances, no matter how trying, were ever known to 
 extort from him any but the gentlest words. All who were with 
 the regiment while he was connected with it know how earnestly 
 he worked for the moral and spiritual welfare of its members. 
 As soon as we became settled in camp, therefore, a chapel was 
 erected and meetings were held regularly through the winter, 
 which resulted in a number of conversions. In addition, a tem- 
 perance society was organized and many induced to sign the 
 pledge. 
 
 On the evening of February 29th the Hon. John Hill, of 
 Boonton, addressed the temperance organization, and it also 
 
154 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 received visits from Mr. Fay and Miss Helen L. Gilson, of 
 Chelsea, Mass. There is a great deal of truth in the old couplet : 
 
 "Wherever God erects a house of prayer, 
 The devil always builds a chapel there." 
 
 For no sooner had the temperance society been organized than 
 the liquor element organized an anti-temperance society, pledg- 
 ing themselves to destroy (by drinking) all the liquor they could 
 get. The badge that distinguished the members of this society 
 was a cent cut in two, and one-half suspended from the button- 
 hole by a narrow ribbon. This society consisted of enlisted 
 men. Another one, of like character, existed among the line 
 officers, whose badge consisted of a grain of corn, typical of the 
 source of commissary whiskey. 
 
 Among the amusements of the winter were balls and minstrel 
 . performances. A large hall, 40 by 70 feet, had been built for 
 the use of the brigade. The season was opened by a grand ball 
 held by the officers, and as there were many ladies visiting the 
 army, of course it was a very enjoyable affair. Afterward the 
 room was turned over to the use of enlisted men, and the regiments 
 would take turns in giving entertainments. But as the enlisted 
 men had no wives nor daughters visiting them, and a dance 
 without something resembling femininity not being very attract- 
 ive, the want was filled by dressing in female garb the youngest 
 and most effeminate of the soldiers. Some sent North for female 
 apparel, but as that was not always practicable, many ways were 
 resorted to and many varieties of material used to get up costumes. 
 Colonel McAllister, no doubt, would have been very indignant 
 had he known that one of his table- covers sometimes figured as a 
 skirt upon George W. Lindley, the writer's " steady company." 
 Said cover was procured through Charles Abers, of Company E, 
 employed at regimental headquarters. Hoops were fashionable 
 in those days, and grapevines being plenty in Virginia forests, a 
 little ingenuity produced a passable article of crinoline. Woolen 
 mufflers and handkerchiefs formed an important part of the dress- 
 goods, but the crowning mark of the whole costume was the 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 155 
 
 head-dress, glittering with crescents and silver stars, made of paste- 
 board and tin-foil. Some of the boys developed a great talent for 
 dressing, and the correctness of their costumes, with their slender 
 forms and almost girlish features, would have deceived any but 
 the most critical observer. When all were gathered beneath the 
 brilliant glow of the hundreds of penny-dips that shone from 
 bayonet-formed candelabra, the many-colored costumes and spark- 
 ling jewels formed an ensemble that was immense. Excellent 
 music was furnished, both string and brass, by the musicians of 
 the brigade, and at midnight an excellent supper was given. It 
 cost something, for sutlers' charges were high ; but oh ! the fun 
 we had ! 
 
 Moralists might say, " You could have put your time to better 
 use." Perhaps ! But I do not think any who participated in 
 these diversions lost any of their soldierly qualities. They fought 
 just as desperately and died just as bravely as if they had spent the 
 time shivering in the shadows and brooding over possible death. 
 I do not think a man is any better or braver because he wears an 
 elongated countenance and continually mutters, "Memento mori." 
 Tiring of dances the hall was given up to a troupe of min- 
 strels who gave really good performances, for the members were 
 nearly all professionals. What profession or calling could you 
 not find represented in the army ? 
 
 The season closed with a grand conflagration. Some incen- 
 diary fired the building, and in spite of the heroic efforts of the 
 New York firemen, from the Excelsior Brigade, who quickly 
 had their machines on the spot — said machines consisting of the 
 running-gears of baggage- wagons with ropes attached — the build- 
 ing was entirely consumed. No insurance. 
 
 Several snow-storms occurred during the winter. At one time 
 snow fell to the depth of a foot. The camp was quickly cleared 
 of it by shoveling it into rubber blankets and carrying it away. 
 On the night of February 3d there was a very heavy hail- 
 storm, hail-stones as large as walnuts falling. 
 
 On the morning of February 6th we were aroused long before 
 daylight by the beating of drums. Orders were received to 
 
156 
 
 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 pack knapsacks, put three days' rations in our haversacks, and 
 be ready to move at seven o'clock, but it was not until five 
 P. M. that the bugle sounded for us to fall in. Cannonading 
 had been heard all day in the direction of the Rapidan, and 
 though the roads were in a miserable condition from the rain of 
 
 Captain John Oldershaw. 
 
 the previous night we pressed rapidly forward. About ten 
 P. M. we crossed Robertson's river and encamped for the bal- 
 ance of the night in the woods beyond. Large fires were 
 quickly kindled, and spreading our rubber blankets on the 
 ground and our woolen ones over us, we were soon sleeping us 
 only tired soldiers can. 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 157 
 
 The 7th was Sunday, and Chaplain Cline, as was his custom, 
 distributed papers and tracts. At one o'clock we gathered 
 around a large stump, which served as a pulpit, and listened to 
 an excellent sermon. The meeting was an impressive one and 
 many hearts were touched by the chaplain's earnest words. 
 The circumstances by which we were surrounded lent solemnity 
 to the occasion. The ground we were occupying had been the 
 scene of a conflict the day before, and while we were listening 
 the occasional boom of cannon could be heard not far away. 
 We did not know how soon we should be called into action. I 
 have no doubt many serious thoughts were evoked, for they will 
 at times come to the most thoughtless. At four P. M. we were 
 ordered to return to camp, which was reached a little after dark. 
 
 Near where our regiment did picket-duty lived two families. 
 One, by the name of Stuart, were bitter secessionists; the name 
 of the other family was Jackson, and consisted of an old man — 
 who called himself Hickory Jackson — wife and two daughters. 
 They were all profoundly loyal to the Union. At the time of 
 the retreat from Culpepper, General Buford's cavalry was 
 engaged in a skirmish on Jackson's farm, a number of men 
 being wounded on both sides. After the fighting was over, 
 Jackson and his daughters carried in and cared for the Union 
 wounded, which so enraged the Confederates, who shortly after- 
 ward occupied the ground, that they threatened to hang him, 
 and even went so far as to put the rope around his neck. That 
 his life was spared was no doubt due to consideration of his age. 
 
 On February 15th the division was reviewed by about thirty 
 of the wives and daughters of field and staff officers. General 
 Prince was ostensibly in command, but I think our real com- 
 manders in those days were the visiting ladies. The balance of 
 the month of February passed without anything of note occur- 
 ring. We went through the ordinary round of duties, and 
 having plenty to eat and comfortable quarters we really enjoyed 
 the passing hours. 
 
 The Sixth Corps having been advanced to Madison Court 
 House on the 28th to aid a cavalry movement under Custer, the 
 Third Corps occupied their picket-line during their absence. 
 
158 TEE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 On March let the Eleventh occupied a part of the Sixth 
 Corps' old picket-line, near the residence of a Mr. Farner. 
 
 By an act of Congress, approved February 29th, '64, the 
 grade of Lieutenant-General had been revived. The act carried 
 with it the command of all the armies of the United States. On 
 March 9th, General U. S. Grant received his commission as 
 Lieutenant-General, and on the 10th visited the headquarters of 
 the Army of the Potomac, then at Brandy Station. Soon the 
 sounds of preparation for the opening of the spring campaign 
 were heard. 
 
 On March 4th General Meade had recommended to the War 
 Department the consolidation of the five infantry corps of the 
 army into three corps. An order from the War Department, 
 on March 25th, authorized the carrying-out of Meade's sugges- 
 tion. The Second, Fifth and Sixth were to be retained, but 
 consolidated into two divisions. The old First Corps, consoli- 
 dated into two divisions, made the Third and Fourth Divisions 
 of the Fifth Corps. French's Division, which had joined the 
 Third Corps after Gettysburg, was sent to the Sixth Corps, mak- 
 ing its Third Division. The old Third, that had won the proud 
 name of " Old Guard of the Potomac," made the Third and 
 Fourth Divisions of the Second Corps. The new arrangement 
 caused a great deal of dissatisfaction, especially among the 
 members of the old Second Division. They were proud of the 
 glorious record that the old White Diamonds had made. But 
 when it became known that it was to retain its distinctive badge, 
 and, though merged with other troops, would still be knows as 
 the White Diamonds, the voice of complaint ceased, and the day 
 came when they were just as proud to be known as " Hancock's 
 Foot Cavalry " as they had been of the title " Old Guard." 
 
 On April 8th, the regiment was detailed to do picket-duty 
 along the Rappahannock, below Kelly's Ford. Five of the 
 picket-posts were on a narrow strip of land between the river 
 and a ereek (or mill-race), the strip terminating at the upper 
 end in a swamp. The creek was crossed by a rude bridge of logs. 
 It had been raining more or less for several days, and after the 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 159 
 
 posts had been relieved on the 9th the rain came down again in 
 torrents, the river and creek began to rise, and before the men 
 between the creek and river were aware of any danger their fires 
 were drowned out and the bridge swept away. They started for 
 higher ground, but the creek was too deep and swift to ford. 
 The only alternative lay through the swamp. After floundering 
 about in it until eleven o'clock, sometimes in water up to the 
 armpits, they succeeded in reaching high ground near the ruins 
 of an old building. Here they built a large fire and remained 
 until morning, drying their clothing. When daylight came they 
 found that a man by the name of Smith, belonging to the 
 Twenty-sixth Pennsylvania, was missing, no doubt having been 
 carried away by the torrent while trying to ford the creek. 
 
 About the middle of April suttlers and civilians were ordered 
 to the rear, and the order was a warning to us that we had not 
 much longer to remain idle. 
 
 On the 22d the Second Corps, numbering about 25,000 men, 
 was reviewed by General Grant, and for the first time we saw 
 the man who was to lead us to ultimate victory. 
 
 On the 25th the division was consolidated into two brigades. 
 The First Brigade, consisting of the First and Sixteenth Massa- 
 chusetts, Twenty-sixth and One Hundred and Fifteenth Penn- 
 sylvania, the Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Eighth and Eleventh New 
 Jersey, was placed under the command of Colonel Robert 
 McAllister, of the Eleventh New Jersey. The Second Brigade, 
 consisting of the Eleventh Massachusetts, Seventieth, Seventy- 
 first, Seventy-second, Seventy-third, Seventy-fourth and One Hun- 
 dred and Twentieth New York and Eighty-fourth Pennsylvania, 
 was placed under command of Colonel William R. Brewster, 
 of the Seventy-third New York or Fourth Excelsior. General 
 Gersham Mott was assigned to the command of the division. 
 
 It was evident to every man in the army that active operations 
 were soon to begin. From the fact that General Grant was to make 
 his headquarters with the Army of the Potomac, and from what 
 we had heard of him as a fighter, we were satisfied that the inde- 
 cision that had marked previous campaigns would no longer exist. 
 
160 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 Chapter X. 
 
 Across the Rapidan and Southward — Wilderness — 
 Spottsylvania — Cold Harbor. 
 
 ON the morning of May 4th, '64, between twelve and one 
 o'clock, came the long-expected order to move. It was 
 after daylight, however, when we bid farewell to the old encamp- 
 ment that for five months had been our home, and where we 
 had enjoyed more pleasures and more real comfort than during 
 any other period in our army-life. It was well that we could 
 not pierce the future and see the dreadful carnage through which 
 we were to pass ; that we could not know the hardships and 
 terrible losses that we were to meet. Could we have seen before 
 us our course from the Rapidau to the James, strewn as it 
 became with the bodies of dead men ; could we have heard the 
 groans of the thousands of mangled comrades that were to echo 
 along that bloody march, I doubt not but our hearts would have 
 
 Note. — At the battle of Chancellorsville Lieutenant John B. Faussett 
 was reported as slightly wounded. The injury was more serious than at 
 first supposed, and proved to be permanent. He had on at the time a 
 private's overcoat. The bullet, passing through it, struck a buckle on his 
 shoulder-belt, twisting that out of shape ; it struck a stud in his shirt- 
 front, crushed the stone, and, stopping against his breast, caused a severe 
 contusion. At the battle of Gettysburg he was wounded in the head, and 
 the New York papers reported him among the killed, but he recovered 
 and re-joined his regiment. On the march to the Wilderness he was sun- 
 struck ; he endeavored to keep up with his command, but he could not, and 
 fell unconscious on the top of the bluff on the south side of the Rapidan, 
 where he lay until evening, in imminent peril of rolling into the swift- 
 flowing stream. Regaining consciousness he endeavored, in a staggering, 
 uncertain way, to follow the line of march. While in this condition he 
 was seen by Colonel Gilkyson and others, who at first thought that he 
 was intoxicated, but an examination showed that he was suffering from 
 sun-stroke and scarcely conscious of what he was doing. He was cared 
 for and to sent to the hospital. 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 161 
 
 become faint. About noon we reached the Rapidan and crossed 
 upon pontoons at Ely's ford, and about five P. M. reached the 
 old battle- field of Chancellorsville. We were escorting the 
 trains and consequently did not reach the appointed stopping- 
 place until several hours after the main body of the corps. The 
 head of the corps had reached Chancellorsville at ten A. M., 
 and the entire corps, with the exception of the trains and the 
 troops guarding them, was up by one P. M. We had marched 
 about twenty-five miles, the day had been unusually warm and 
 many officers and men were overcome with the heat, those show- 
 ing the least endurance who had indulged the most freely in 
 commissary whiskey during the winter. Thousands of blankets 
 and overcoats were left on the roadside. It was a veritable har- 
 vest for the darkies living along the line of march. One sable 
 female was observed " toting " off seven overcoats and two pairs 
 of boots. We bivouacked not far from the scene of our 
 desperate fighting of the year before, and many of the men took 
 the opportunity to visit our old battle-line to the right of the 
 plank-road, where we had first met the enemy's onslaught. The 
 scarred trees gave evidence of the fight, and all around lay the 
 wreckage of the battle. But saddest of all were the bleached 
 bones of the comrades who had fallen there. They had been 
 hastily buried in shallow graves and the winter's storms had in 
 places washed away the light soil and laid bare the fleshless 
 bones. Here an arm was seen protruding from the earth, and 
 there .the whitened skeleton of a foot peeped above the dead 
 leaves. Skulls lay around, and among those picked up was that 
 of Sergeant Daniel Bender, of Company H, with the cap still 
 upon it. He had been shot through the head, the bullet piercing 
 the visor of his cap. Upon the under side of the visor of his 
 cap was stamped "D. Bender, Co. H, 11th N. J. V." A. B. 
 Searing, of Company E, cut out the inscription and brought it 
 home. 
 
 Early on the 5th we were on the move, our destination being 
 Shady Grove church, on the Catharpin road. The head of the 
 column had reached a point two miles beyond Todd's tavern, 
 
162 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 which is situated near the junction of the Brock and Catharpin 
 roads, when General Hancock received orders to halt the corps 
 at Todd's tavern and await developments, as the enemy had been 
 discovered in force on the pike. It soon became apparent that 
 the enemy were moving in force down the Orange plank-road 
 and pike. General Hancock was ordered to move up the Brock 
 road to its junction with the Orange plank-road, preparations to 
 be made to move forward to Parker's store. 
 
 No sooner had we taken position along the Brock road than 
 we began to throw up breastworks along the western side of the 
 road. We had no entrenching tools. Hastily throwing together 
 what rails and fallen timber we could find, we covered them as 
 best we could with dirt, using our bayonets to loosen the earth, 
 and cups, tin-plates and hands to throw it up. Quite a respect- 
 able line of defense against infantry was soon constructed, but it 
 would have been useless had it been possible for the enemy to 
 have brought artillery against it. 
 
 The corps was formed along the Brock road, Birney's division 
 to the right, Mott's division continuing the line to the south of 
 the road. Both divisions were under the command of General 
 Birney. At 4:15 the order was given to advance. We moved 
 forward by columns of companies to the front. Our front was 
 covered with a dense growth of bushes, matted and locked together 
 by green runners commonly called "cat briars." After great 
 difficulty we found our way through and formed line of battle in 
 the more open wood beyond. Firing began almost immediately 
 and raged with fury. General Hancock says : " The fight became 
 very fieice at once, the lines of battle were exceedingly close, the 
 musketry continuous and deadly along the entire line." After 
 advancing a distance, pressing the enemy back, the Excelsior 
 Brigade, on our left, gave way, the enemy having got upon their 
 flank. The First Brigade, however, held its position until the 
 enemy got upon its flank, when it, too, was compelled to fall 
 back to the line of works along the road, where it re-formed. 
 
 The fighting on the right by Birney's and Getty's divisions 
 continued until eight o'clock. Hill's lines were shattered, and 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 163 
 
 had there been an hour more of daylight, he would have been 
 driven from the field. General Alexander Hays, commanding 
 the Second Brigade of Birney's division, was killed at the head 
 of his command. Owing to the dense forests, little artillery 
 could be used. A section of Dow's battery, on the Orange plank- 
 road, did good service, this and the remainder of Dow's battery, 
 in the second line, on the left of Mott's division, being the only 
 artillery in position on that part of the field or along our division 
 front. 
 
 Daylight of the 6th found us under arms and ready to 
 advance. The line moved forward at 4:30, Mott's and Birney's 
 divisions being in the front line. The enemy was attacked with 
 vigor, and after a severe contest his lines were broken and pushed 
 back in confusion through the woods, with severe loss in killed, 
 wounded and prisoners. Mott's division had pushed beyond the 
 rest of Birney's line. So far in advance was it that its shots fell 
 in the rear of the enemy's batteries. We were now about one 
 mile in advance of our works upon the Brock road, but in fight- 
 ing our way forward through the thick undergrowth, our lines 
 had become broken and confused. While in this condition, 
 Longstreet made an attack upon our left, striking Frank's 
 Brigade, of Gibbons' Division — which had fought its way to a 
 junction with McAllister — on the left and rear, and quickly 
 swept it out of the way. MoAllister, who, at the first fire upon 
 Frank's Brigade, had in person ascertained the position of the 
 flanking force, changed the front of his brigade to meet the 
 attack, but the enemy overlapping and getting in its rear, it too 
 was forced back. The confusion extending to the right, the 
 line was ordered to withdraw to the breastworks on the Brock 
 road. 
 
 Longstreet made preparations to follow up his success, and at 
 four o'clock pushed forward to the attack. McAllister's Brigade 
 occupied the second line of works that had been built east of 
 the road, the Excelsiors occupying the line in front. As Long- 
 street's men came yelling through the woods the Excelsiors 
 wavered and seemed on the point of breaking, but the confusion 
 
164 
 
 TEE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 was only momentary. Settling down to their work they fought 
 gallantly until their ammunition was exhausted. Just as their 
 fire slackened the enemy planted a flag upon the works and were 
 about to leap over when the word " Charge " was given to the 
 Eleventh JNew Jersey and Sixteenth Massachusetts, The men 
 
 Lieutenant Titus Berry. 
 
 rushed impetuously forward and quickly swept the enemy back 
 from the works. The Eleventh New Jersey, whose colors were 
 the first to be planted upon the front line, were eager to pursue ; 
 they swept over and beyond the line, but were ordered to return. 
 The musketry-fire maintained during this attack has seldom been 
 equaled. " It was like one continuous roll of thunder, long, deep 
 
NEW JERSEY, VOLVNTEERS. 165 
 
 and heavy, grand, yet fearful to listen to. It was the music to 
 enliven and electrify a soldier, and cheer after cheer went up 
 from the Union lines, while out in the tangled jungle was heard 
 the peculiar ' ki yi ' of Longstreet's men." 
 
 During this attack Dow's battery, the Sixth Maine — one sec- 
 tion on the plank-road and one on the left of the division — did 
 effective service. During the fight of the morning the first line 
 of works, composed almost entirely of dry logs, took fire. They 
 were still burning when Longstreet made the attack in the after- 
 noon. The smoke and heat compelling the abandonment of 
 some parts of the line, Hancock's men being nearly out of am- 
 munition and the trains too far to the rear to replenish quickly, 
 all thought of following up Longstreet's repulse was abandoned, 
 and the day's fighting was ended. Our loss was comparatively 
 small, the heaviest loss falling upon Birney's and Getty's men, to 
 our right. Lieutenant Kennedy and a number of enlisted men 
 were wounded. David Alpaugh, of Company E, a recruit who 
 had joined the regiment on February 12th, received a ballet and 
 three buckshot in his thigh. George W. Lindley, of Company 
 K, one of the color-guard, had a very narrow escape. A bullet, 
 striking a daguerreotype that he carried in his breast-pocket, was 
 thereby deflected ; the daguerreotype was broken into pieces, but 
 his life was saved. I will say, in passing, that it was the picture 
 of a young lady who afterward became his wife. 
 
 Colonel McAllister, as usual, was in the thickest of the fray. 
 Two horses were shot from under him, one a new black that he 
 had bought during the winter, and Old Charlie, known to every 
 old member of the regiment. Charlie was a great favorite with 
 the Colonel, having accompanied him through nearly all of his 
 campaigns. 
 
 The night of the 6th we lay on our arms in rear of the second 
 line of works. 
 
 On the morning of the 7th we were early under arms, and 
 though we were moved from point to point, the day passed 
 without any engagement. During the afternoon Colonel Sohoon- 
 over was detailed as division officer of the day, and directed to 
 
166 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 take the Eleventh New Jersey and Twenty-sixth Pennsylvania 
 and establish a picket-line through the battle-ground of the 
 previous day. Schoonover says : " The establishment of this 
 line in the darkness, the men stumbling over the dead bodies of 
 friends and foes, was a duty not altogether pleasant." 
 
 Though little that was startling occurred during this night's 
 picket-duty, the surroundings were such as to make a vivid and 
 lasting impression upon the minds of all who participated in it. 
 The stillness of the night, the gloom of the forest, so deep as to 
 be almost shadowless, making the forms of comrades only a pace 
 or two distant look like dim silhouettes against a darker back- 
 ground ; clumps of bushes, stumps and fallen limbs took weird 
 and threatening shapes; imagination played fantastic tricks, and 
 fallen logs became lurking foes and the harmless murmur of 
 each gentle breeze the voice of waiting enemies, and as we 
 moved slowly forward through the gloom our feet would come 
 in contact with some yielding substance, and, reaching down, our 
 hands perhaps would fall upon the clammy face of a corpse, for 
 the woods was filled with death's ghastly trophies. Everything 
 seemed shadowy and unreal. A volley from the enemy would 
 have given relief to the strained nerves. But hark ! A cheer 
 breaks from the right of the Union lines. Oh ! what a relief. 
 The strained nerves relax, the silence is broken ; down the line 
 it sweeps ; regiment after regiment takes it up and carries it 
 along until it dies away on the extreme left. The rebels, though 
 ignorant of the cause, send back yells of defiance, from left 
 to right. Keeping pace with the Union cheer sweeps the south- 
 ern yell. And what has caused this burst of enthusiasm from 
 Union throats ? Grant is riding along the lines. 
 
 Sunday morning, May 8th, we pushed our picket-line further 
 to the front, passing over portions of the battle-field thickly 
 strewn with the dead of both armies. In some places feeble 
 attempts had been made toward burying the dead ; no graves 
 were dug, only a little dirt thrown over the faces and bodies, 
 leaving the limbs exposed. But many were lying just as they 
 fell. A. B. Searing, says : " In one place I counted twenty-four 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 167 
 
 Confederates and twenty Union soldiers lying close together. In 
 another place I noticed a dead Confederate upon his knees, with 
 his face buried in the dirt. Still another I saw hanging dead 
 upon the top rail of a fence, his feet on one side and his head on 
 the other." In places the positions of the opposing forces were 
 marked by two lines of dead, lying almost as thickly as lines of 
 battle, and not over twenty yards apart. 
 
 During the night of the 7th, and morning of the 8th, the 
 army moved toward Spottsylvania Court House. The Eleventh 
 New Jersey was the last body of infantry to leave the field of 
 the Wilderness. The picket-line was withdrawn about ten o'clock 
 A. M. without interruption from the enemy. They fired a few 
 shots as we left the plank-road, upon a small body of cavalry 
 that was in our rear, but they gave us no further trouble. 
 
 During the morning of the 8th, while yet on the picket-line, 
 Sergeant Hand and Andrew Webster captured a rebel who had 
 two Union prisoners in charge, who were from an Ohio regiment. 
 He had started with them to the rear, but lost his bearings, and 
 came too close to the Union lines. The Ohio men were very 
 happy to find themselves again within the Union lines, and will- 
 ingly assumed the duty of taking their former guard to Union 
 headquarters. Soon afterward a man was seen running swiftly 
 toward our lines. He was ordered to halt, but was too much 
 excited to heed the command. As he was unarmed, and wore a 
 blue coat, he was not fired upon. Beaching our lines he fell, 
 completely exhausted. It was some minutes before he could tell 
 his story. He was a very young Ohio boy, and had been cap- 
 tured and sent under guard to the rear ; the guards becoming 
 careless, he made a break for liberty — two shots were fired after 
 him, but fortunately were badly aimed. He was very glad to 
 find himself again among friends. 
 
 " The impression among officers and men no doubt was pretty 
 general that a retreat of the army across the Rapidan would be 
 ordered, as it had been the custom in the past to fight a battle 
 and then retreat, and it was not unreasonable to suppose this 
 would be repeated. When the order came from General Grant 
 
168 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 to move on toward Spottsylvania Court House, the boys made up 
 their minds that 'Meade's and Lee's express route,' ae they 
 called it, was to be abandoned, and that Grant proposed to estab- 
 lish an office nearer Richmond." 
 
 The march to Todd's Tavern, though not a long one, was a 
 very warm one, two officers and a number of men falling from 
 sunstroke. We reached the brigade in the afternoon and at once 
 went to work building a strong line of earthworks, many of the 
 men using their plates for want of shovels. The night the 
 regiment lay at Todd's Tavern its commanding officer, Colonel 
 Schoonover, enjoyed the luxury of a cellar-door for a resting- 
 place, being quite sick during the afternoon, and suffering with a 
 burning thirst and showing other symptoms of fever. Dr. 
 Welling prescribed for him "Commissary thick with ginger." I 
 do not know whether the whiskey and ginger or the cellar-door 
 was the more efficacious, but the symptoms abated and the colonel 
 was ready for duty in the morning. 
 
 On the morning of the 9th we moved to a position on the 
 Catharpin road, where we remained until three o'clock in the 
 morning, getting but little rest, however, for twice during the 
 night we were. called to arms by heavy picket- firing. 
 
 We marched at three A. M. the morning of the 10th, the 
 division having been ordered to report to General Wright, com- 
 manding the Sixth Corps. About nine o'clock we took position 
 to the left of the Sixth Corps, the left of the division resting 
 near the Brown house. We immediately threw up works and 
 remained in position until five P. M., when the division was 
 formed and ordered to advance. It went forward through the 
 woods, pressing the enemy's pickets back until near their breast- 
 works, when it was met by an enfilading fire from their batteries, 
 which caused it to fall back in some confusion. The Eleventh 
 was on the left of the division, and when Colonel Schoonover 
 observed the line breaking away from the right, he ordered the 
 regiment to lie down, and with the exception of a small portion 
 of his command, which was broken from the right and carried 
 back with the rest of the division, it was held in this advanced 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 169 
 
 position. After remaining there quietly for some time, word 
 was sent to General Mott that the Eleventh was still at the front 
 and awaiting orders. Instructions were soon received from the 
 commanding officer of the division to establish a picket-line, 
 which was done, the regiment remaining in this position during 
 the night and until dark the next day. 
 
 During the advance on the 5th, Lieutenant-Colonel Schoon- 
 over was slightly wounded ; Sergeant Iliff, Company E, was 
 taken prisoner, and Ellis F. Rose, of the same company, was 
 missing — no doubt killed, as he was not heard from afterward- 
 Sergeant Marbacher was struck on the haversack, which was 
 swinging on his hip, by a partially-spent canister, which did no 
 harm, however, further than to damage his rations and cause 
 iiim to fall into a ditch over which he was about to jump. 
 
 There was no apparent cause why the division should have 
 fallen back in confusion on this occasion, as the losses do not 
 indicate that the enemy's fire was very destructive. Grant in 
 his Memoirs says the movement failed because of the " feeble 
 action of Mott." Certainly it will be admitted that the 
 Eleventh Regiment is entitled to marked credit for remaining 
 in this advanced position after the entire division, with this 
 exception, had gone in confusion to the rear. 
 
 Daring the forenoon of the 11th, the picket-line was much 
 annoyed by sharpshooters who fired from the protection of the 
 Landron house, about one-fourth of a mile in front. In the 
 afternoon an order was received from General Mott to take what 
 men of the Eleventh were on the skirmish-line and the Twenty- 
 -sixth Regiment and charge upon this house. The advance was 
 made under a galling fire from the enemy, with considerable loss 
 until the fire of the enemy's artillery was drawn, when the line 
 was ordered to withdraw. This movement was under the com- 
 mand of Lieutenant Colonel Schoonover. Sergeant-Major John 
 Lanterman, one of the bravest and coolest soldiers, under all 
 circumstances, that we had in the regiment, was killed by a 
 sharpshooter from this house, and his loss was very much felt. 
 His name was soon to have been forwarded to the Governor for 
 
170 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 a captain's commission. Lieutenant Savidge was also badly 
 wounded. It was supposed at the time that this movement was 
 merely intended to dislodge the enemy's sharpshooters, but it 
 was afterwards learned that it was for the more important pur- 
 pose of developing the enemy's position. 
 
 On page 225, volume second, "Grant's Memoirs," may be 
 found this statement : 
 
 "On the 11th there was no battle and but little firing; none 
 except by Mott, who made a reconnoissance to ascertain if there 
 was a weak point in the enemy's line." 
 
 At dark the regiment was ordered to re-join the brigade, which 
 was in position about one mile to the right, in rear of the Sixth 
 Corps ; but hardly had it reported when the division was ordered 
 to its old position near the Brown house. It will be remembered 
 that on the morning of the 10th Mott's Division, the Fourth of 
 the Second Corps, had been detached from the corps and ordered 1 
 to report to General Wright, commanding the Sixth Corps — the 
 position of the balance of the corps being on the right of the 
 Fifth Corps, holding the extreme right of the Union line. But 
 on the afternoon of the 11th General Meade received an order 
 from General Grant directing him to move the three divisions 
 of the Second Corps by the rear of the Fifth and Sixth, under 
 cover of the night, and place the entire Second Corps in position 
 between the Sixth and Ninth Corps, so as to join the Ninth in a 
 vigorous attack upon the enemy at four o'clock on the morning 
 of the 12th. Mott's Division was therefore moved to its old 
 position near the Brown house, where the remainder of the corps 
 joined it, and all took position between the Sixth and Ninth 
 Corps, ready for the assault as soon as there was sufficient light 
 to enable the troops to keep their direction. The formation for 
 attack was : Barlow's and Birney's Divisions in front, Birney on 
 the right, Mott in Birney's rear in one line ; Gibbon's Division 
 in reserve in rear of Barlow and Birney. At 4:35 the order was 
 given to advance. In moving forward a gap was formed to the 
 right of Birney, and McAllister's brigade was deflected to the 
 right to fill this gap, thereby becoming a part of the first line. 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 171 
 
 In order to understand the battle of May 12th it is necessary 
 to have some idea of the formation of the enemy's lines, at 
 least that part involved in the assault. I will make no attempt 
 to describe the entire course of the enemy's works, but, starting 
 at a point on the Brock road — that is, the road running from 
 Germania ford to Spottsylvania Court House — the line ran a 
 a little east of north for about two hundred yards, then east 
 for a short distance, then northeast for about a fourth of a 
 mile. That part of the line was held by Kershaw, whose left 
 extended beyond the right of the Fifth Corps. Then the line 
 ran east of north for about one-fourth of a mile through slashed 
 timber to a point where a re-entrant connected a short inner 
 parallel with the main line. Rhodes' Division of E well's Corps 
 held this part of the line, Dale's Brigade resting on the Bloody 
 Angle. Here a short angle looked southwest from this angle ; 
 for about half a mile the general course was northeast, with two 
 or three eastward-deflecting angles, until it reaohed the high 
 cleared ground of Landron's farm. Here it turned sharply and 
 ran southeastward for a fourth of a mile, having fairly open 
 ground in front and woods about the McCool house in the rear. 
 This part of the line was occupied by Johnson's Division, of 
 Ewell's Corps. Then the line looked east and northeast for 
 another fourth of a mile, and then bore a little west of south 
 until it reached a small stream, an affluent of the Ny, which ran 
 from the direction of the McCool house. Another small stream, 
 coming from the westward, passed through their lines about two 
 hundred yards to the south, and the two met just outside the 
 Union works. Between these streams their line was broken, but 
 the gap was protected by a detached work on the high ground . 
 A little to the rear from these detached works a line extended 
 about two-thirds of the way across to the westward line of de- 
 fense. From this second stream the line ran southeast until it 
 struck a third stream, which ran northeasterly and nearly due 
 east from the point where we took up the line on the Brock 
 road. About an eighth of a mile north of this point a line ran 
 across in rear of the Harrison house, and connected with the 
 
172 
 
 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 western salient a short distance north of the Brock road. We 
 will follow it no further, though the line was continued south- 
 ward for nearly three miles, to a point near Snell's bridge on 
 the river Po. The general contour of this portion of the enemy's 
 lines resembled a horse-shoe with the toe sharply bent. The por- 
 
 Sergeant T. O'Doane. 
 
 tion of the line running east and west from the toe or apex was 
 known as the east and west salients. Down the west salient, in 
 front of the inner parallel mentioned, was the part of the line- 
 known as the " death, or bloody angle." 
 
 We said that in moving forward McAllister's brigade was 
 pushed to the right and thereby became a part of the first line 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 173 
 
 but the troops, converging toward one common center, the apex 
 of the enemy's works became densely massed, which necessitated 
 further movements to the right and left. Barlow, therefore, 
 struck the enemy's line on the eastern salient and McAllister 
 well down on the western, just in front of the " death angle." 
 
 Stewart's Brigade, of Johnson's Division, held the east salient. 
 Captain McHenry Howard, of Stewart's staff, says : " Stewart's 
 Brigade broke first on the left at the angle ; the brigade was 
 taken flank and rear." This would indicate that Birney's and 
 McAllister's troops must have entered the works before Barlow 
 and Gibbons, whose troops had rushed forward and formed on 
 Barlow's left, they being in Stewart's front. Birney, entering at 
 the apex, would have struck Stewart on the flank, and McAllister, 
 being further down the west salient, the fire from his troops would 
 have struck Stewart's rear — the distance at this point from the 
 east to the west salients being not more than five hundred yards. 
 
 But to return : As we moved forward orders were given to 
 make as little noise as possible. The ground inclined up to the 
 enemy's works and in our front was wooded ; but to the left, 
 Barlow soon struck the open ground of the Landron farm. As 
 soon as they struck this open ground they gave voice to a cheer, 
 which was answered by a volley of musketry and two cannon 
 shots. The line now moved rapidly forward, and, before the 
 enemy could recover, had swept over the works, capturing four 
 thousand prisoners, twenty pieces of artillery, with their caissons 
 and horses, thirty colors, a quantity of small arms, together with 
 Major-General Edward Johnson and Brigadier- General George 
 H. Stewart. But the battle was not to be so easily won as this 
 initial success would seem to indicate. We pressed forward to 
 the second line of works, but they had been strongly manned, 
 and the advance was checked. 
 
 The position captured was of the utmost importance to Lee, 
 and he rapidly threw forward reinforcements. Gordon's troops, 
 who had been held to support both Johnson and Rhodes', and 
 Ramsecure's Brigade from the left of Rhodes', were soon on the 
 ground, and then ensued one of the most desperate struggles of 
 
174 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 the war. The Union forces were pushed back and the enemy 
 again occupied the interior of the works, but the Union troops 
 clung desperately to their face and could not be dislodged. "At 
 the point occupied by the Eleventh Regiment, the reverse side of 
 the salient, offered but little protection from the fire of the 
 enemy's works on the hill, consequently our men moved a little 
 to the left where a sharp descent in the ground running from and 
 forming an acute angle with the salient offered some protection. 
 For some distance to the left of. where our line joined the works 
 the enemy occupied one side and we the other. Our line under 
 the brow of the hill opened fire over the top of the works so soon 
 as formed. This was our only safety, for when our fire slackened 
 for a moment the enemy would rise from behind the works and 
 pour a destructive fire into our ranks along the foot of the hill. 
 Our forces at this point was not less than ten ranks in depth. 
 The enemy brought up their re-inforcements under cover of the 
 woods in the rear. Many of them, either ignorant of our position 
 or over-anxious to single out an officer, would raise their heads 
 above the works and fall back dead. Our fire was mainly kept 
 up by those in the rear loading their pieces and passing them up 
 to the front ranks. A great portion of the enemy's fire was of 
 a random character, although many of our men were hit by shots 
 fired through the crevices of the logs and holes in the earth- 
 works. Frequently their muskets could be seen with the barrels 
 resting on top of the logs and the stock in a forked stick, the gun 
 was then fired without exposing the hand. No doubt many of 
 our men were struck by these shots, and invariably in the head. 
 Lieutenant-Colonel Schoonover was slightly wounded under the 
 ear by one of these shots. Occasionally during the day the 
 enemy would display a regimental flag above the works, but the 
 staff would be almost instantly cut off by our bullets. Their 
 works at this point were constructed with traverses a few yards 
 apart. Several times a white flag was shown above the works, 
 and as soon as our fire would slacken, the men, evidently between 
 two of these traverses, would jump-over and surrender. At one 
 time the men to the left of where the white flag was displayed 
 
NEW JEBSEY VOLUNTEERS. 175 
 
 discovered the movement too soon for us, and for our own safety 
 we were compelled to open fire before all of them were safely 
 over, and a number fell back into their own lines pierced by the 
 bullets of friends and foes. The fire was kept up until nearly 
 midnight, when it ceased, and the entire line fell into our hands 
 after fourteen hours of constant fighting." 
 
 Colonel Schoonover says : " I went over the works at daylight 
 the next morning, and the sight was one not easily forgotten. 
 In the ditches between the traverses I counted two hundred and 
 fifty dead, mostly shot in the head, and in some places they lay 
 three and four deep. I only recollect finding one wounded man 
 there. He was sitting erect, his eyes completely closed, and seemed 
 in great agony. A short distance in the rear of the rebel works I 
 noticed two rebel colonels lying side by side, while their horses 
 lay near them. The evidence of the continued fire at this point 
 during the day and part of the night was everywhere apparent. 
 The trees near the works were stripped of their foliage, and 
 looked as though an army of locusts had passed during the 
 night. The brush between the lines was cut and torn into 
 shreds, and the fallen bodies of men and horses lay there with 
 the flesh shot and torn from the bones. The peculiar whirring 
 sound of a flying ramrod was frequently heard during the day. 
 I noticed two of these that had fastened themselves in the oak 
 trees near by. While the great number of the enemy's dead 
 and the terrible effects of our fire upon the logs composing the 
 breastworks attested the general accuracy of our fire, the absence 
 of the foliage from the top of the tallest trees made it evident 
 that during a battle there is much random firing. There is a 
 large percentage of men in actual battle who load carefully, aim 
 deliberately and shoot to kill. On the other hand, it is not an 
 uncommon thing for a soldier, amidst the excitement of battle, 
 to load his gun, shut his eyes and fire in the air straight over his 
 head." 
 
 General McGowan, of Wilcox's Division, Hill's Corps, says : 
 " Our men lay on one side of. the breastworks, the enemy on the 
 other, and in many instances men were pulled over. The 
 
176 TEE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 trenches on the right of the ' bloody angle ' had to be cleared 
 more than once. An oak tree, twenty-two inches in diameter? 
 in the rear of the brigade, was cut down by musket-balls, and 
 fell about twelve o'clock Thursday night, injuring several men 
 in the First South Carolina Regiment." 
 
 Brigadier-General Lewis A. Grant, of the Sixth Corps, whose 
 brigade took position on our left during the forenoon, says : " I 
 was at the angle the next day. The sight was terrible and 
 shocking — much worse than at ' bloody lane,' Antietam. There 
 a great many men were lying in the road and across the rails of 
 torn-down fences and out in the corn-field, but they were not 
 piled several deep and their flesh was not so torn and mangled 
 as at the 'angle.'" 
 
 Among the many acts of heroism performed during the terrible 
 struggle of the 12th of May there is one that came under the 
 observation of members of the Eleventh that is particularly 
 worthy of note. A youthful soldier, belonging to one of the 
 Vermont regiments that had taken position on our left, leaped 
 upon the works, and, running a short distance along them, dis- 
 charged his gun into the ranks of the enemy, not more than a 
 foot away. This act he repeated several times, his comrades 
 passing loaded guns up to him. It was a splendid exhibition of 
 courage, and he paid for it with his life, for he soon fell back 
 among his comrades, shot through the neck. 
 
 The loss to the Eleventh was about 70 in killed and wounded. 
 That it was not greater was owing to its fortunate position at the 
 ravine before mentioned, and to the fact that such an incessant 
 fire was kept up that it was impossible for the enemy to fire with 
 any accuracy. 
 
 Tne officers killed were Captain Samuel T. Sleeper, of Com- 
 pany I, and Lieutenant William Egan, of Company E. Egan 
 was killed at the opening of the battle. As the regiment was 
 moving forward through the wood, Egan and the writer were 
 marching side by side, almost touching elbows, when a shot, 
 coming from an oblique direction, passed through the ranks of 
 Company I, killing Nathaniel Cole, then striking Egan in the 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 177 
 
 lower part of the breast it passed entirely through his body. He 
 fell without a groan. 
 
 Toward morning on the 13th Lee withdrew his troops from 
 the salient and took position in the line across its base in rear of 
 the Harrison house. Owing to the expiration of the terms of 
 service of several of the regiments belonging to Mott's Division, 
 and the losses in battle, its numbers had become so reduced that 
 on the 13th it was consolidated into one brigade under General 
 Mott and assigned to Birney's Division — the Third. McAllis- 
 ter, therefore, resumed command of the regiment. But little 
 change occurred in the position of the regiment on the 13th 
 other than was necessary to rectify the alignments and man the 
 works along our front. A brisk picket-fire, however, was kept 
 up throughout the day. In the evening orders were issued to 
 be ready to attack at four o'clock on the morning of the 14th, 
 but not to attack until further orders. The Fifth and Sixth 
 Corps had been ordered to move to the left and attack the 
 enemy's right on the morning of the 14th, and our attack was to 
 be made in connection with theirs. But, owing to the bad con- 
 dition of the roads and the intense darkness, they did not reach 
 their positions until too late to make the attack a successful one. 
 Consequently the day was a comparatively quiet one along the 
 main line. The pickets, however, kept up a brisk fire and 
 sharpshooters indulged in their usual diversion of trying to pick 
 off any exposed officer. Though the day was a quiet one it was 
 far from being a comfortable one to the army, for the rain fell 
 steadily. 
 
 At four A. M. on the 15th the Second Corps was moved to 
 the rear of the Ninth Corps. Our brigade, however, took posi- 
 tion in the front line of works to the right of the Ninth Corps. 
 This move of the brigade had been made necessary by an attack 
 upon the picket-line, and, as usual, the White Diamonds were 
 rushed to the point of danger, but the attack proved to be of 
 little force, and as the day wore on it promised to be undisturbed 
 except by the usual fire of pickets and sharpshooters. About 
 noon the rebels ran out a battery and began throwing shells, 
 
178 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 more, I presume, as a matter of annoyance than with the expec- 
 tation of any great havoc, yet it resulted in a great loss to the 
 Eleventh Regiment by the killing of Lieutenant Joseph C. 
 Baldwin, one of our best and most promising officers. 
 
 Colonel Schoonover says : " He had been serving on the staff 
 of General McAllister, and had that morning joined the regiment, 
 bringing with him a presentiment that his death was very near 
 at baud. He was a general favorite, and his presence always 
 brought with it sunshine and cheer ; but on that day he was un- 
 usually depressed, and it seemed as if the shadow of his coming 
 doom preceded the fatal shot. There was quiet along the lines, 
 and not even a probability of danger that day. But Baldwin 
 could not relieve his mind of the belief that he was to die soon. 
 At this time the regiment, with the brigade, occupied the outer 
 line of works, the corps being massed in rear, preparatory to an 
 onward move. We were sitting side by side, leaning against 
 one of the traverses, which had been placed in the works as a 
 protection against a flank fire. His conversation was of home, 
 of the church he used to attend, and especially of the coming 
 marriage of his sister — cards having been received by him that 
 very day. In the midst of all this quiet, the rebel General 
 Rosser brought up a battery of artillery and commenced an 
 enfilade of our lines. Few shots had been fired when one forced 
 its way through between two of the logs composing the traverse, 
 crushed the head of poor Baldwin, causing instant death. He 
 had given his life for his country, and the blood which flowed 
 from his wound sealed the cards which had brought an invita- 
 tion to the marriage festivities of an only sister." 
 
 Baldwin was buried on the field, and his grave marked with 
 a board bearing his name, rank and command. His body was 
 recovered in January, 1866, and his funeral attended from St. 
 Paul's church, Newark, January 29th, 1866. His remains were 
 buried at Fairfield, N. J., by the side of his wife, who had died 
 just six months previous to his death. When killed he was 
 writing to his sister, and the last sentence was, " The rebs keep 
 throwing shells, but they are well spent, and from my position 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 179 
 
 I can't see that they do any harm." He was a ready writer and 
 corresponded for several papers, his best nom de plumes being 
 " Ned Carroll " and " Frank Greenwood." In one fictitious 
 dispatch from the seat of war he graphically described the death 
 of Comrade Ned Carroll, and signed it " Frank Greenwood." It 
 was a strange coincidence that it proved a faithful description of 
 the manner of his own death a few weeks later. 
 
 The 16th and 17th were passed in comparative quiet, but on 
 the night of the 17th, just as we had fallen asleep, orders came 
 to be ready to move at a moment's notice. We moved about half 
 a mile, stacked arms and lay down again. Meade, thinking the 
 concentration of our forces upon the enemy's right had induced 
 them to so weaken their left that a successful attack might be 
 made there, ordered the Sixth and Second Corps to move under 
 cover of the night to the position of May 12th, and attack on 
 the morning of the 18th. The assault was made at four A. M., 
 by Barlow's and Gibbons' Divisions of the Second Corp, with 
 the Sixth Corp on their right. Birney's Division, being held in 
 reserve, took position in the works under a severe fire of shells. 
 The assault was without result, the enemy being found on the 
 alert and their works strongly manned. 
 
 On the evening of the 17th a strong picket detail was sent 
 out from the brigade to relieve those already posted. The 
 picket-line ran northward from the main line until it reached 
 two negro, cabins connected with the Landron estate and within 
 sight of the line of works that we had thrown up near the Brown 
 house. Then it turned eastward. Late in the afternoon of the 
 17th, Sergeant Marbaker, of Company E, with six men from 
 various companies, relieved a lieutenant and six men at the 
 angle-post, situated at one of the cabins. Explicit orders were 
 given not to fire unless the enemy made an attack, and not to 
 disturb them if they attempted to form a picket-line. Just 
 before dark it was noticed that they were collecting behind our 
 abandoned works near the Brown house. Thinking they were 
 only forming a few picket-posts no shots were fired at them. 
 Suddenly an attack was made upon our picket-line to the left, 
 
180 TEE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 which attracted our attention. Upon turning again toward the 
 Brown house a heavy skirmish-line was found advancing from 
 behind the line of works. The pickets to the left were driven 
 in, and those in the vicinity of the cabins, seeing a strong force 
 advancing, fell back to the main line. Only Marbaker 
 remained, sheltered by the chimney. It was either the risk of 
 being shot or certain capture. To escape he must necessarily 
 run up hill, exposed to the fire of a hundred guns. Several 
 times he stepped out preparatory to a run, but the whizzing 
 bullets would quickly send him to cover again. At last, when 
 the enemy had advanced to within less than a hundred yards of 
 him, the dread of rebel prisons prevailed and he made a dash 
 for liberty. Immediately the rebel skirmish-line opened upon 
 him, and though the bullets whistled pretty lively, providentially, 
 he escaped injury. I will not say that he out ran the bullets, 
 but I do know that it would have taken a pretty fast horse to 
 have beaten him up the hill. Fortunately the ascent was not a 
 very long one, and the descent on the other side quite steep, so 
 that cover was soon reached. The enemy advanced to within 
 easy musket-shot of the main line, but soon withdrew. The 
 pickets that had fallen back were posted again that night in the 
 open ground in front of the works, -and on the morning of 
 the 18th were advanced to the woods beyond and westward of 
 the Brown house, where they remained until the morning of the 
 19th. 
 
 During the night of the 18th, or morning of the 19th, the 
 Second Corps was withdrawn from the right and marched to 
 Anderson's Mill, which point was reached a little after daylight. 
 Whether intentionally or through neglect, the pickets belonging 
 to Mott's brigade — about fifty men under command of a captain 
 from the Eighth New Jersey — were not called in. Two shots 
 from the left, just after daylight on the morning of the 19th, 
 warned the captain in command to look about him. In doing 
 so he found that his command was alone, no pickets being either 
 to his right or left. He gave the command to assemble on the 
 right, and started toward where the corps had been left on the 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 181 
 
 18th, but on reaching the open ground by the Brown house was 
 confronted by a rebel skirmish-line. The direction of march 
 was then changed for the Fredericksburg road, but it was only 
 by the sharpest of marching that the detail escaped capture, and 
 it was not until late in the afternoon that it re-joined the brigade 
 at Anderson's Mill. The report had been spread that the entire 
 detail had been made prisoners, and its appearance in camp 
 made quite a sensation. 
 
 Of the guns captured on the morning of the 12th, eight pieces 
 were brought into our lines by McAllister's men ; two, however, 
 were placed in position, when captured, and served with effect 
 against their former owners, the gunners being volunteers from 
 the infantry, among them being Sergeant William Hand, of 
 ■Company B. 
 
 The loss of the regiment in the various conflicts around 
 Spottsylvania was 70 in killed, wounded and missing. In view 
 of the severity of the fighting that had occurred the loss does not 
 seem to be great. But when it is remembered that at the open- 
 ing of the campaign the regiment could have numbered but few 
 over two hundred, it will be seen that, taken in connection with 
 the loss at the Wilderness, it was relatively great. 
 
 The corps was withdrawn from the right on the morning of the 
 19th and marched to Anderson's Mill, where it went into 
 bivouac. The men were informed that they would remain there 
 until the following morning. After two weeks of almost contin- 
 uous fighting the prospect of having twenty-four hours' rest was 
 indeed a pleasant one. But rest is a very uncertain quantity in 
 campaigning, and as we were taking our supper, preparatory, as 
 we supposed, to a good night's sleep, the orders came to fall in and 
 move with all possible despatch. " Ewell had been directed by 
 General Lee to demonstrate on his front " to ascertain whether 
 Grant was moving to the left. The attack fell upon Tyler's 
 Division, which was composed of new troops, principally heavy 
 artillery, that had never before been engaged. 
 
 General Hancock says they "acquitted themselves well." 
 The firing becoming heavy, Hancock was directed to send a divi- 
 
182 
 
 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 sion to Tyler's assistance. Birney's Division was therefore 
 doubled-quicked to the scene of action and into line of battle. 
 Two of the brigades took position to the right of Tyler, but the 
 force of the attack was nearly spent and by ten o'clock all was 
 quiet again. Ewell, in this dash, captured a few wagons, but they 
 were re-taken. 
 
 Sergeant Thomas I). Marbaker. 
 
 On the morning of the 20th we returned to onr former posi- 
 tion at Anderson's Mill. McAllister, writing from here, says: 
 "Our losses in the brigade have been over 800. In the 
 Eleventh New Jersey there is only one line officer on duty." 
 
 The loss to the army in the battles of the Wilderness and 
 Spottsylvania Court House, including the Ninth Corps, had 
 
NEW JEBSEY VOLUNTEEBS. 183 
 
 been — killed and wounded, 28,207 ; missing, 4,903 ; and there 
 had been 4,225 sick sent to Washington. Making a total loss to 
 the army in sixteen days of 37,335. 
 
 At midnight of the 20th the Second Corps left Anderson's 
 Mill. This was a movement of the Second Corps alone, the 
 object being to isolate it from the rest of the army, with the 
 expectation that Lee would follow and strike it, thus giving the 
 rest of the Army of the Potomac an opportunity to attack him 
 before he had time to intrench. Our course for a while ran 
 eastward until we struck the road leading to Guiney's Station. 
 There the few survivors of the old First Massachusetts, whose 
 time had expired, bid us good-bye. They turned their faces 
 northward toward home, friends and safety ; we ours southward, 
 toward future battles and greater hardships. We reached 
 Guiney's Station about daylight. Our route lay through a fer- 
 tile, well- cultivated country. Coming as we did from a region 
 where marching armies had tramped-out every sign of hus- 
 bandry, or swamp and tangled thickets had impeded every foot- 
 step, these fields, garnished with the green of growing crops and 
 dotted with well-kept homesteads, seemed an earthly paradise. 
 We passed through the village of Bowling Green, forty-five 
 miles from Richmond. Before the war it contained a free popu- 
 lation of about 250; now not an able-bodied man remained, and 
 the women, many of whom were clothed in mourning, took care to 
 let us know that they were bitterly disloyal, and many were the 
 prophecies of evil bestowed upon us. But the colored popula- 
 tion, both male and female, was very much in evidence, and 
 stood grouped along the roadway watching for every article that 
 a soldier might find too heavy to carry. One sable female was 
 noticed carrying off a dozen coats and as many shirts — but they 
 were self-propelling — and a pair or two of boots, and not for- 
 getting to turn around and show her ivories whenever the boys 
 would give her a " whoop." 
 
 About four P. M. we crossed the Mettapony river near Mil- 
 ford Station and halted about one mile beyond, having marched 
 
184 THE ELEVENTH BEGIMENT, 
 
 a distance of about twenty miles. The day had been very 
 warm and several cases of sunstroke occurred. 
 
 On Sunday, the 22d, we worked all day throwing up earth- 
 works which we were to occupy only one night, for seven A. M. 
 Monday found us again on the march, headed for the North 
 Anna river, which we reached at four P. M. Colonel Schoon- 
 over was detailed to post the picket-line. Across the river the 
 enemy could be seen busily at work. After dark our picket- 
 line was relieved and the brigade moved four miles down the 
 river and again threw up earthworks. It was nearly morning 
 when they were completed, and the men got but little rest. We 
 had now been nineteen days upon the campaign. They had been 
 nineteen days of almost constant toil, marching, fighting or 
 working, and all were nearly exhausted. Yet the men worked 
 cheerfully, for they had learned by experience the value and 
 added strength of an earthwork. Though we had learned the 
 value of works and cheerfully built them, there were many 
 whose strength gave way to the constant strain. 
 
 General McAllister, writing from here, says : " Work, work 1 
 fight, fight, takes all our time ; we sleep only from two to four 
 hours a day. It is the hardest campaign I have ever seen, and 
 before its commencement would not have believed that I could 
 have gone through it; but God has given me health and strength 
 to bear up." 
 
 Soon after daylight on the 24th the enemy opened upon us 
 with artillery from beyond the river. Just above where we were 
 lying, at Chesterfield ford, the North Anna was spanned by a 
 light wooden bridge. The enemy had a battery planted so as to 
 command the bridge and its approaches ; it seemed impossible for 
 troops to cross without meeting with serious loss. About 7 A. M. 
 our skirmishers pushed across, followed closely by the Sixth New 
 Jersey, and they in turn by the brigade, led by McAllister, and 
 though the rebels kept up a constant fire of shot and shell the 
 crossing was effected without serious loss, which seemed miracu- 
 lous, for one fair shot striking the bridge would have been suffi- 
 cient to render it impassable. Though the rebel battery was 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 185 
 
 posted less than half a mile away, and was served at short inter- 
 vals throughout the day, not one shot struck the bridge. When 
 the sound of a passing shot is heard men will often involuntarily 
 <lodge. The action does not detract from their courage, but it 
 sometimes causes merriment. Several dodges had been made on 
 -the morning in question by the men behind the works, and 
 Colonel Schoonover had laughingly chided the men. As we 
 started to cross the bridge the enemy sent in their shots a little 
 faster, and one, passing pretty close to the Colonel, he unthink- 
 ingly made obeisance to it. That was one for the boys, and they 
 quickly called out, " Dodge the big ones, Colonel ! " After 
 crossing the river we took position in the enemy's abandoned 
 works. All day they kept up a fire of shell without, however, 
 doing much damage. After dark the line was advanced, and 
 another night was spent with pick and shovel. 
 
 We remained comparatively quiet until midnight on the 26th, 
 when we re-crossed the river, and, after marching about a mile, 
 halted in an open field and obtained what we then considered a 
 good rest. It continued until twelve o'clock on the 27th, when 
 the march was resumed and kept up until one o'clock on the 
 morning of the 28th, when we halted within a half mile of the 
 Pamunkey river. A little rest was obtained there, but at ten A. 
 M. we were again on the road, marching down the Pamunkey. 
 At five in the afternoon we crossed the river on pontoons at 
 Huntley's, four miles above Hanovertown. During this march 
 of more than thirty miles not more than one house' to the mile 
 could be seen. The Sixth Corps had crossed the river about 
 noon and had taken position across the Hanover Court House, 
 or River road, at Crump creek. The Second Corps formed line 
 on the left of the Sixth, completing the cover of the road from 
 Crump creek to Hawes' Shop. As usual, a good part of the 
 night was spent in throwing up earthworks. When the regi- 
 ment crossed at this place it went into line near a house occupied 
 by a lady and her children. The formation of the line so near 
 her house led her to believe that a battle was about to com- 
 mence. She was wild from fright; reason seemed almost de- 
 
186 TEE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 throned, and her frantic screaming made her an object of pity.. 
 She was finally pacified and persuaded to enter her house and 
 remain there. 
 
 On the 29th General Hancock was directed to make a recon- 
 noissance on the roads leading from Hawes' Shop to Atlees and 
 Richmond, but it was not until late in the afternoon that we 
 were put in motion. Barlow's Division was on the lead, and 
 struck the enemy in force near where the Richmond road crosses 
 the Totopotomy creek. The other two divisions of the corps 
 coming up, Gibbons' took position on Barlow's left and Birney's 
 on his right. This brought us near the road leading to Hanover 
 Court House. There was no rest again that night, for morning 
 was close at hand when our works were completed. 
 
 On the 30th the Eleventh New Jersey, Fifth New Jersey and 
 First Massachusetts Heavy Artillery, under the command of 
 Colonel McAllister, made a reconnoissance in connection with 
 Colonel Egan. Skirmishers were thrown forward and to the left 
 to connect with Colonel Egan. Egan*s line soon encountered 
 the enemy and were subjected to a heavy fire of musketry. At 
 dark the division moved forward and threw up a new line of 
 works. 
 
 Colonel Schoonover was division officer of the day, and as 
 such it was his duty to establish the picket-line for the night. 
 He says : " I had one of the toughest jobs I ever undertook — 
 that of establishing a picket-line with a regiment of heavy artil- 
 lery in a dense forest, through swamps and ravines, and momen- 
 tarily in danger of running into the enemy's lines. The line 
 was completed at half-past two in the morning. Once we drew 
 the enemy's fire and had one man wounded ; several were stuck 
 in the mud. On the morning of the 31st fifty men reported to 
 me with instructions that I should feel for the enemy. I did so 
 and, in conjunction with a party on the left, entered their works 
 on the opposite side of the valley. We lost one man killed and 
 took two prisoners. The enemy's flags and cannon were in plain 
 view before us. I took a hasty sketch of their works and re- 
 ported the situation to General Mott." 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 187 
 
 The brigade advanced at seven A. M., and, under a heavy fire 
 of shell, took possession of a line of works that the enemy had 
 abandoned. We soon moved forward again, and, under a fire 
 from the rebel batteries, built a new line of works. One man 
 was wounded in the regiment during the day. After dark we 
 ■crossed the valley and began the construction of another line, 
 but about midnight re-crossed and occupied the line previously 
 built. We had become so accustomed to building works during 
 the night only to abandon them in the morning that it was no 
 surprise to us when the order came at seven o'clock on the 
 following morning, June 1st, to fall in. We moved to the right 
 and took position on the road leading to Hanover Court House. 
 There we hoped to have a little rest, but soon an aid came riding 
 up with orders for the Eleventh New Jersey to picket the roads 
 at the Overton house. Two men, of Company K, who had been 
 sent on a scout, were captured near the Butler house. In the 
 afternoon we were joined by the Twentieth Indiana, and the 
 picket-line was extended, the left resting at the Overtoils and 
 the right at Butler's. The Butler house was used as headquar- 
 ters for the picket-line, and it was from Miss Butler that we 
 obtained information of the capture of our two men. Miss 
 Butler's father had been arrested by our cavalry and was held a 
 prisoner within our lines. She seemed very much distressed, 
 and shed tears profusely when making known her troubles. 
 Schoonover says : " Visions of a good old-fashioned night's rest 
 loomed up before me, but just as Miss Butler came in with a 
 mattress and pillow, orders came to assemble the picket im- 
 mediately." 
 
 We re-joined the brigade and lay down until daylight of the 
 2d, when we took up the march for Cold Harbor, which we 
 reached about ten A. M. We rested until the afternoon, then 
 moved about one mile, and were formed in columns of regiments, 
 and bivouacked for the night. Late in the afternoon heavy firing 
 was heard upon the right. It was occasioned by Early's attack 
 upon Burnside. He succeeded in capturing a number of prisoners 
 from the skirmish-lines of the Ninth and Fifth Corps, but the 
 
188 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 main object of the attack was not accomplished, which was to 
 sweep down, upon and turn our right flank. The night was a 
 stormy and disagreeable one. Rations had become scarce, and it 
 was necessary to send men back to carry up boxes of hard-tack, 
 as the wagons could not get to us. I think the labor of carrying 
 them was entirely superfluous, for, had they been unboxed, they 
 were sufficiently animated to have been driven up. But a 
 hungry soldier was seldom very fastidious in regard to food, in 
 fact they could not afford to be — the only alternative being eat 
 what was issued or go hungry; so the hard-tack was eaten and, in 
 the absence of meat, served for both rations. 
 
 The men passed an uncomfortable night and were but little 
 rested when, at four o'clock on the morning of the 3d, orders 
 came to fall in. A general attack had been ordered. The 
 formation of the Second Corps was Barlow's and Gibbons 
 Divisions in advance, Birney's supporting. As we moved into 
 position across an open field, outside the works, we were exposed 
 to a heavy fire of artillery and had four men wounded. The 
 line was formed back of a hill which afforded some protection 
 from a direct fire, but we were still exposed to an enfilading fire 
 from the enemy's salients. Two men (John H. Gilbert, of Com- 
 pany E, and White, of Company F,) were wounded while lying 
 in line of battle. " The line of the Fifth Corps being too much 
 extended to permit of offensive operations," at noon Birney's 
 Division was sent to strengthen it. We remained on the line of 
 the Fifth Corps until the afternoon of the 4th, when, being 
 relieved by Burnside's troops, we returned to the left and re- 
 joined the Second Corps. 
 
 There was very heavy firing along the line on the morning of 
 the 4th, and everything seemed to indicate a renewal of the effort 
 to take the enemy's position. But the welcome orders to suspend 
 offensive operations was given. After being relieved by Burn- 
 side's troops, and marched to the rear, we were massed in the 
 woods and given an opportunity to wash and rest. 
 
 One month had passed since leaving our comfortable quarters 
 at Brandy Station — a month of unprecedented hardships, of 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 189 
 
 desperate fighting, weary marches and long nights of exhausting 
 labor. We had had scarcely a night of unbroken slumber, our 
 little rest having been caught here and there as the exigencies of 
 the campaign permitted, going sometimes for days without cook- 
 ing a meal, but snatching a bite upon the line of battle, eating 
 as we marched along, and sometimes, perhaps in the short inter- 
 vals of labor, stealing time to cook a cup of the much-wished- 
 for and much-needed coffee. It had been a campaign scarcely 
 paralleled in the history of warfare. The line of march was 
 dotted with the graves of our best and bravest, the hospitals in 
 the rear filled with mangled humanity. And notwithstanding 
 all this, and nearly exhausted as we were, we did not lose heart 
 but looked forward cheerfully and hopefully, thinking that the 
 end could not be far. 
 
 It rained the night of the 4th, but in spite of the rain we 
 enjoyed our respite from the dangers and toils of the front. 
 
 At 5 P. M. on the 5th we moved a short distance to the left 
 and halted in rear of the second line of works. Just after dark, 
 as we were moving still further to the left and just as we had 
 reached an exposed position, the rebels opened upon us a terrific 
 fire of shot and shell, and notwithstanding it was intensely dark 
 they seemed to know our exact position. So fierce was the fire for 
 a few minutes that the men scattered for cover. No doubt some 
 will remember this incident from the malodorous pits into which 
 some of them tumbled when seeking shelter in the darkness 
 from the enemy's flying missiles. During this cannonading a 
 shell burst directly in front of the writer's eyes, which, for the 
 time, completely blinded him. The cannonading lasted only 
 a few minutes, then the column continued its movement to the 
 left and halted at Barker's Mills. This placed our division 
 upon the extreme left of the Union lines and about three- 
 quarters of a mile from the Chickahominy river. The lines 
 were formed and strongly intrenched. The position of the 
 Eleventh Regiment was on a hillside sloping down to the mill- 
 pond. The works ran along the crest of the hill. This pond 
 afforded splendid facilities for bathing and washing clothing, 
 
190 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 and the men took advantage of this opportunity to scrub off the 
 grime and dust that bad been accumulating during the month, 
 for it was about the first opportunity that had been afforded for 
 making a thorough cleansing since breaking camp at Brandy 
 Station. But our pleasure was not entirely unalloyed, for our 
 friends on the other side, fearful that we would forget them, 
 occasionally kept sending us their iron compliments. 
 
 About five o'clock on the afternoon of the 9th a number of 
 officers, including General Mott and staff, were sitting near the 
 headquarters of the regiment, when the enemy opened a vigorous 
 fire of shell upon our line of works, which extended along the 
 crest, some twenty or thirty feet above the place occupied by the 
 officers. As they thought their position an entirely safe one, and 
 as an occasional shell fell into the pond among the bathers, who 
 did not seem at all disturbed by the intruders, the affair was very 
 keenly enjoyed. But soon a change came over the scene. A 
 conical ten-pound shell burst over the works, and a piece of the 
 missile, of about three pounds weight, shot directly down the 
 hill and struck Colonel Schoonover in the back. His first im- 
 pression was that he had been hit with a solid shot. In the 
 language of the lamented Baldwin, he was ready to exclaim, 
 " Life is in a nutshell, and I am shelled out." For a moment or 
 two he thought that he was fatally wounded, but it proved to be 
 only a bruise, which kept him from duty a day or two. 
 
 One of the most pleasant features of our stay at Barker's Mill 
 was the amicable relations that existed between the pickets of the 
 opposing armies. Along our front a mutual truce was agreed 
 upon, and many a friendly chat was held (paradoxical as it may 
 sound) with the enemy's pickets. The usual barter of tobacco, 
 papers, sugar and coffee was carried on, and they even permitted 
 our pickets to get water from a spring just within their lines. 
 This was one of the strange anomalies of the war between North 
 and South — in action bitterly intent upon taking each other's 
 lives, but, when opportunities like this occurred, meeting with 
 the friendly feeling of neighbors. This truce had one condition, 
 the ignorance of which led to the death of a member of the 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 191 
 
 Eleventl condition was, that either party should be per- 
 
 mitted to nre upon mounted officers. On the 10th Colonel 
 McAllister was division officer of the day, and, being ignorant 
 of the agreement between the pickets, took his orderly, Wilson 
 Snooks, of Company C, and rode directly to the front. He was 
 fired upon by a sharpshooter. The ball missed the Colonel but 
 struck and instantly killed the orderly. He was buried the same 
 day, near our works on the hill. 
 
192 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 Chapter XI. 
 
 Across the James — Petersburg. 
 
 But Sunday night, June 12th, brought an end to the rest 
 and comparative quiet that we had been enjoying at Bar- 
 ker's Mill. After darkness had fallen we quietly withdrew from 
 our works, and, following the Fifth Corps, crossed the Chicka- 
 huminy river at Long's bridge. The Fifth Corps took position 
 covering the roads to the north and westward, while the Second 
 continued toward the James by way of St. Mary's church and 
 Charles City Court-House. About ten, bivouac was made for the 
 night, but march was resumed at five A. M. on the 13th. The 
 James river was reached at Wilcox landing about dark. The corps 
 began crossing on the morning of the 14th, but it was not until 
 after noon that we embarked upon the " James Powell " and were 
 ferried over to Windmill Point. As we steamed across the 
 beautiful river our hearts were filled with new hope, for we had 
 bidden farewell to the swamp and miasmata of the Chickahom- 
 iny, to the long line of graves that stretched not only across the 
 peninsula, but across the hills, and valleys, and streams, and 
 through the fertile fields and tangled swamps of Virginia up to 
 the Rapid an. We were bidding farewell to old battle-fields and 
 entering upon a new field of operations. It was well that the 
 future was to us as a " sealed book " — that we could not see the 
 hot, deadly trenches of Petersburg, the fierce assaults along the 
 line, the nine months of constant toil and danger that stretched 
 out between us and the end. Had we possessed that gift of pre- 
 science our hearts would have been less buoyant. We disem- 
 barked at Windmill Point and bivouacked for the night, and 
 remained there until 10.30 A. M. on the 15th. Hancock had 
 been ordered to wait for 60,000 rations that Butler was to send 
 him. But as the rations did not arrive, orders were given to 
 move forward. Had we moved directly to Petersburg after dis- 
 embarking at Windmill Point, we could have reached it early on 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 193 
 
 the 15th, before Lee would have had time to reinforce Beaure- 
 gard, and perhaps the history of the war would have been 
 different and thousands of lives and long months of toil saved. 
 For it was not until sunset on the 15th that the First Brigade 
 (Hogood's, of Hoke's Division) of reinforcements reached Beaure- 
 gard and took position south of the Appomattox. Humphries 
 says : " Had General Hancock's instructions merely directed him 
 to move his corps by the most direct route to the intrenchments of 
 Petersburg it would have arrived there by four o'clock — certainly 
 by six o'clock — and in time to attack with Smith's force. It 
 would have found no infantry and but little artillery on Smith's 
 left, and continuing to advance would have secured Petersburg." 
 But the fatal delay was caused by the order to wait for rations, 
 which in our case were not received, and we reached the defenses 
 of Petersburg early on the morning of the 16th, half famished, 
 and would have gone breakfastless had it not been that the 
 colored troops whom we relieved generously shared their rations 
 with us. 
 
 We were now near Petersburg, within sight of its church- 
 spires, and in the enemy's outer line of defenses captured 
 by Hinks' colored troop on the 15th. The day was spent in 
 maneuvering subject to a fire from the enemy's batteries. At five 
 P. M. the division was formed in three lines of battle, the right 
 resting upon the Petersburg road, the New Jersey regiments of 
 the Third Brigade being in the Second line, with the Eleventh 
 upon the extreme left. Soon after five the line moved out in 
 front of the works and advanced upon the enemy. The advance 
 was met with a severe fire, before which our first line disappeared. 
 The second line, under command of McAllister, however, re- 
 mained intact and advanced close to the enemy's works. Find- 
 ing them too strong to be carried by assault, efforts were put 
 forth to hold what ground had been gained, and though subject 
 to a deadly fire, the New Jersey troops held their position until 
 near morning, enabling other troops to fortify the ridge in their 
 rear. The position of the Eleventh was on a hillside, and with- 
 
194 
 
 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 out any covering to shield it from the fire from the enemy's 
 works which were situated just across the ravine. During the 
 night we ran out of ammunition, but were supplied by the First 
 Maine Heavy Artillery, who were throwing up works on the 
 ridge in ^our rear. We held this exposed position until two 
 
 Lieutenant C. H. Rossiter. 
 
 o'clock in the morning, when, the line in our rear being com- 
 pleted, we were ordered back. 
 
 The loss to the Eleventh was five killed and thirty-five 
 wounded. The killed were Captain Sydney M. Layton, of 
 Company D ; Private Thomas Twigg, of Company D ; Private 
 James Freeman, of Company G; Corporal James Fleming, of 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 195 
 
 Company H, and Private Stacy Babcock, of Company I. Of 
 the wounded their injuries proved fatal to five : Roderick B. 
 Nelson, of Company D, died August 31st, at New York ; Miller 
 H. Lewis, of Company F, died June 24th ; John Barry, of 
 Company G, died June 19th ; William Linsey, of Company I, 
 died June 28th ; Sergeant Daniel Adriance, of Company X, at 
 the field hospital, June 20th. Three others were so badly in- 
 jured as to be unfit for any further active service and were 
 discharged. 
 
 To many readers the word " regiment " signifies a body of one 
 thousand men. And to such the loss will not appear very large. 
 But when we take into consideration the fact that up to this time 
 we had received but few recruits, and the continued losses by 
 disease and battle had reduced our numbers to less than two 
 hundred, the proportion of loss will be fully realized. 
 
 Sergeant David McAllister, while lying on the hillside, was 
 struck in the foot, the bullet entering the heel, passing through 
 the entire length of the foot and coming out between the first 
 and second toes. As he raised up to go to the rear he was again 
 struck, the second time in the neck, disabling him for life. It is 
 natural for men to lie down when holding a line of battle ; in 
 fact, the order was generally given to do so ; but a recumbent 
 position in such a place as that occupied by the regiment on the 
 16th of June was one of the worst that could be taken, for the 
 enemy's shots, coming, as they did, from the opposite rise of 
 ground, would be apt to pass diagonally through the person 
 struck. The writer recognized that fact, and would not lie down, 
 though repeatedly importuned to do so by members of his com- 
 pany. Repeatedly some one would say : " Tom, get down ; 
 you'll get hit." But " Tom " steadily refused to do so. 
 
 Along toward midnight Hand, the writer and another got 
 possession of a shovel and began digging a pit. The enemy were 
 comparatively quiet while we were digging, but just as we got it 
 large enough to shelter the three they opened with a volley. 
 The pit was speedily occupied, and remained occupied until the 
 regiment fell back. 
 
196 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 On the 17th Colonel McAllister was transferred to the com- 
 mand of the Second Brigade, its commander having been wounded. 
 Lieutenant-Colonel Schoonover was therefore left in command of 
 the regiment. Under the hill in rear of the line of works erected 
 the night before we lay quietly until dusk, when, the enemy 
 making an attack upon our line, we were moved to the right. 
 Some of the boys will remember this movement to the right 
 under fire, from the eagerness with which they took advantage of 
 the protection of the ditch that ran nearly parallel with our line 
 of mareh. 
 
 During the 17th the enemy abandoned the line of works on 
 our front that they had held so stubbornly on the 16th and took 
 position across a ravine, from five hundred to a thousand yards 
 further back. 
 
 On the night of the 17th Meade issued orders for an assault 
 to be made early on the morning of the 18th by the Second, 
 Ninth and Fifth Corps. The corps were formed in the order 
 named, with the Second on the right. In compliance with this 
 order the advance was made about daybreak, McAllister, with 
 the Second Brigade, leading. On advancing it was found that 
 the works on our immediate front had been abandoned. The 
 line pressed forward, however, until they encountered the enemy 
 in a new line of works. For a while the fighting was terrific, 
 but the enemy's works were found too strongly manned to be 
 carried, and our troops, being subject to an enfilading fire, were 
 forced to retire; not, however, until they had suffered severe 
 loss. Later in the day the Third Brigade made an assault over 
 the same ground, the First Maine Heavy Artillery leading. 
 This was one of the regiments that had been garrisoning the 
 fortifications at "Washington, and joined the Army of the Poto- 
 mac. After Spottsylvania it was about 1,800 strong. The First 
 Maine charged with vigor, and reached a point closer to the 
 rebel lines than had the troops which preceded them. They 
 struggled manfully for a while to hold their ground, but so ter- 
 rific was the fire to which they were exposed that they in turn 
 were compelled to fall back. Their loss in killed and wounded 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 197 
 
 in this assault was six hundred and thirty-two. Fortunately for 
 the Eleventh, it was not called upon to participate in this charge. 
 The regiment had two men wounded on the 17th and one on 
 the 18th. 
 
 General McAllister, writing of the operations of the 18th, 
 says : " This division lost in the battle of yesterday (the 18th) 
 more than a thousand men, and the greatest loss was in the 
 Second and Third Brigades during their charges. The conduct 
 of both brigades in these charges was highly creditable, but 
 owing to their repulse Viotory will never record their heroic 
 deeds— deeds worthy of the greatest victory of the war. After 
 the heavy artillery retired the ground was strewn with wounded, 
 dead and dying. The cry of the wounded is ' Water ! water ! 
 water ! ' but no relief can be sent them. Hundreds of our 
 wounded thus died in sight. It was perfectly heartrending to 
 hear their cries and yet be unable to give them that relief which 
 we would so gladly have furnished." 
 
 On the 19th we moved to the right near the Hare house and 
 threw up works. This was the beginning of the work afterward 
 known us Fort Steadman. It will be remembered that Colonel 
 McAllister was in command of the Second Brigade. When 
 lying near the Hare house he had his headquarters in a little 
 earthwork just in rear of the main line, but within range of the 
 enemy's sharpshooters. One afternoon a major, just fresh from 
 the North, who had been appointed quartermaster, visited him 
 on business. It was about time for the evening meal, and the 
 Colonel invited him to share it. While they were enjoying 
 their coffee and hard-tack the sharpshooters began to send over 
 their leaden compliments. The major was noticed to look up 
 inquisitively as they went singing by. When about half 
 through their meal one came quite close. " What kind of birds 
 are those that sing so strangely ? " asked the major." " Minie 
 birds," says McAllister. " What birds ? " Before his question 
 could be answered again one struck close by and gave him the 
 desired information. The major hastily excused himself, saying 
 
198 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 that he was not hungry, and rode away. We remained in the 
 vicinity of the Hare house until one o'clock on the morning of 
 the 21st, when we were relieved by a brigade of colored troops 
 from the Ninth Corps, and marched to the rear and bivouacked 
 in a field. 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 199 
 
 Chapter XII. 
 
 Mahone's Attack — Major Halsey and Others Captured. 
 
 JTThb movement of the Second aDd Sixth Corps to the left of 
 -*• the Jerusalem plank-road, to get possession of the Weldon 
 railroad, began on the 21st of June. In this advance the 
 Eleventh New Jersey constituted the skirmish-line of the 
 brigade. About dark it established the line along the edge of 
 a wood, the enemy's entrenched picket-line being about two 
 hundred yards to the front in an open field. This line the regi- 
 ment occupied during the night of the 21st and still held on the 
 22d. Some distance from the left of our picket-line there was a 
 large cleared space, across which the rebel videttes were in plain 
 view. Intersecting our line was a wood-road leading out to this 
 opening and back to a cleared field in front of our main line. 
 Frequently during the day Colonel Schoonover had gone up this 
 road, more through motives of curiosity than anything else. 
 The last trip he made in that direction he discovered a move- 
 ment of the enemy that saved the regiment from being captured 
 entire. It was late in the afternoon and he was approaching a 
 point from which he had a number of times taken a view of the 
 enemy's vidette line, when he was met with a volley from the 
 very spot that he had visited not half an hour before. The 
 Sixth Corps was upon our left, but by some mistake a gap had 
 been left between it and Barlow's Division of the Second Corps. 
 The rebel General Hill, who was moving down to check this 
 movement upon the Weldon road, had discovered this gap, and, 
 at the time Schoonover was making his reconnoissance, was 
 swinging through upon Barlow's flank and rear. Fortunately 
 the Colonel escaped and hastened back. As he was making his 
 way back he met the mail-carrier of Barlow's Division with a 
 mule and two well-filled pouches leisurely making his way to 
 the front. The situation of affairs was explained to him and he 
 changed his direction to the rear without any argument. Schoon- 
 
200 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 over then hastened to inform Barlow of the situation of affairs 
 and found him washing his feet in a stream near by. His 
 division, which had just got into position, was taking things 
 very coolly, the shade of the forest being very grateful after their 
 hot and dusty march. Hill's troops soon struck Barlow's 
 Division on the flank and rear, which, as it invariably does, pro- 
 duced great confusion. Barlow's Division was rolled back upon 
 Mott's and both were compelled to retreat with heavy loss. 
 This exposed the flank of Gibbons' Division, and the enemy 
 swept quickly upon them. They, too, were thrown into disorder 
 and fell back with the loss of four guns and several regiments 
 with their colors. The position of the Eleventh, upon the ex- 
 treme front, was a particularly dangerous one, and but for the 
 timely discovery of the enemy's advance by Colonel Schoonover 
 the entire regiment would have been captured. As it was it was 
 compelled to run. a gauntlet of fire from front, flank and rear, 
 but it escaped with the loss of Major Halsey and forty men. 
 
 During the march on the 21st, Hand, Mulvey and Dixon, of 
 Company B, somehow captured a big turkey. They took turns 
 in carrying it, hoping to get a chance to cook it, but the regi- 
 ment was out on the skirmish-line all night, so that they had no 
 opportunity, and during the flank movement next day Dixon 
 and the turkey were both captured. 
 
 After the fiasco of the 22d, we strengthened our works and 
 encamped in their rear, where we lay undisturbed until July 
 12th. Though we had a respite from the dangers of the battle, 
 our rest was not a very enjoyable one. The heat was intense, 
 almost unbearable ; the roads and fields were but beds of dust, 
 that rose in clouds before every gentle breeze, and everything 
 was covered with the hue of earth. We would long for a breeze 
 to fan away the stifling heat, and, when the breeze came, for a 
 calm, that eyes, ears and nostrils might be freed from the smoth- 
 ering cloud. Vegetation almost disappeared. And to add 
 intensity to our discomfort, water was scarce and bad, and could 
 only be obtained by digging deep wells in the clay soil, and dip- 
 ping it from the bottom of these with cans tied to the end of 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 201 
 
 long poles. No rain had fallen since the 4th of June, and 
 the drought remained unbroken until the 21st of July, a period 
 of forty-seven days. Even here, amid all these discomforts, 
 our good chaplain had prepared a place for religious services. 
 A soldier's place of worship was necessarily a rude one. Above 
 him spring no graceful arches of carven stone ; no stained and 
 pictured windows tempered the sun's hot glare and turned the 
 brightness of day to a dim religious twilight ; no fluted columns 
 of polished stone reared their graceful shapes around him. 
 His eye saw no masterpiece of sculptor's art looking from veiled 
 niches ; no miracle pictures of saints in gorgeous robes fastened 
 the eye to panels or spandrels ; no richly-upholstered seats 
 wooed to reBt and forgetful n ess; no deep diapason of organ to 
 awaken the slumbering music of the soul ; no extraneous aids. 
 And yet, perhaps, the worship was as acceptable as that of those 
 who meet in temples made rich and gorgeous by the toil of the 
 artisan and the genius of the artist. 
 
 Often, like the fathers of old, we met beneath the emerald 
 arches of the forest, where God's voice could be heard whisper- 
 ing in the passing breeze and the voices of feathered songsters 
 mingled with the songs of praise, and even the squirrel would 
 cease his chattering as if to listen. Sometimes we sat among the 
 violets, upon the springy turf of the meadow, while the daisies 
 nodded to and fro as if in approval. Again it might be, as at 
 Spottsylvania, where the sod was stained with blood and the 
 crack of the rifle and the boom of the cannon gave emphasis to 
 every prayer. But here we gathered upon rude seats of logs, 
 cushioned with bark and moss and lichen ; did we look up, our 
 eyes rested upon a vaulted arch made dazzling with frescoes from 
 God's own hand — frescoes of clouds that pigments could not 
 imitate, sunshine beyond the painter's art; or night's jewels 
 peeping through the rifted branches ; columns too, had we, of 
 soldierly pines, whose branches were eternally sighing ; of sturdy 
 oaks, whose rounded boles climbed upward from gnarled and 
 knotted roots — truly, a " temple not made with hands." And 
 
202 TEE ELEVENTE REGIMENT, 
 
 mingling with the tones of man's worship was the hum of insects- 
 worshiping in unison. 
 
 On June 25th Colonel McAllister resumed command of the 
 Third Brigade, and on the 28th again took command of the regi- 
 ment. On the 30th the regiment was paid, receiving four 
 months' pay. 
 
 On July 12th we moved out of the trenches and were massed 
 near the Jerusalem plank-road, and told to " fix up " camp, and 
 yet but little time was allowed us to do so, for we were employed 
 both day and night in tearing down old works and building 
 covered ways to enable our artillery and supplies to reach the- 
 front line of works. The Sixth Corps had been withdrawn from 
 our left and sent to Washington and the Shenandoah Valley. 
 Therefore it became necessary to contract our lines. Many of 
 the works that had been built on the left were torn down, so 
 that, should the enemy make an advance, there would be no lines 
 of empty works behind which they could find shelter. 
 
 On July 23d, General Birney having been assigned to the 
 command of the Tenth Corps, General Mott took command of 
 the division and Colonel McAllister was again placed in command 
 of the brigade. We were kept at work on the covered ways and- 
 other works constituting our line of defense. We were on fatigue 
 duly every other day, starting out as early as four in the morning 
 and remaining until seven in the evening. We worked in reliefs, 
 two hours at a time — still it made a long and tiresome day. 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 203 
 
 Chapter XIII. 
 
 Across the James — Mine Explosion — Ream's Station. 
 
 7f BOUT the 25th of July, General Grant determined to send 
 ^*- a body of troops secretly to the north bank of the James. 
 The object was threefold : first, to destroy the railroads leading 
 northward ; secondly, if the chances seemed favorable, the 
 cavalry was to make a dash upon Richmond, infantry being 
 sent to support the cavalry if the movement should prove suc- 
 cessful ; thirdly, he thought this movement might induce Lee 
 to weaken the force holding Petersburg, so that there would be 
 a better promise of success in the assault attending the springing 
 of Burnside's mine. Accordingly, on the evening of the 26th, 
 the corps was put in motion. We broke camp at four P. M., 
 crossed the Appomattox at Point of Rocks, and continued the 
 march by the light of fires that had been built to guide us. We 
 crossed the James river at daylight, at Deep Bottom. Bailey's 
 creek, which is twelve miles below Richmond, empties at Deep 
 Bottom. Two pontoons had been laid here, one above and one 
 below the mouth of the creek. They were held by General 
 Foster, of the Tenth Corps. Hancock determined to cross by 
 the lower bridge and attack the enemy's left flank, leaving Gen- 
 eral Foster to hold them in front. 
 
 After crossing the James, the line was formed with the cav- 
 alry on the right. The enemy was not in any strong force east 
 of the creek, and were driven away by our skirmishers, Barlow's 
 skirmishers capturing a battery of four twenty-pound Parrot 
 guns on the New Market road. The entire corps was advanced 
 through the woods, swinging on the left. The enemy could be 
 fleen in strong force, and working very busily, on a ridge west 
 of Bailey's creek, about a mile distant. A strong column could 
 also be seen marching to the left. A few shots from the gun- 
 boat " Saugus," dropped in the marching column, soon caused 
 a scattering, Hancock's orders not permitting an assault in front. 
 
204 
 
 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 We were withdrawn to the line of works previously captured, 
 where we remained until the night of the 28th. While lying: 
 here in line of battle we received what, under the circumstance, 
 was a very peculiar ration, namely, one of salt mackerel. Had 
 we been in camp, where such food could have been properly pre- 
 
 Lieutenant William E. Axtell. 
 
 pared, it would have made a very acceptable change ; but in- 
 line of battle the boys scarcely knew what to do with them, 
 and many of them were thrown away. This came near proving 
 a casus belli to two members of Company E, one contending 
 that the other should have given them away if he did not want 
 to use them, and the other, that he had a right to do as he 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 205 
 
 pleased with his own. Nations have met in shock of battle for 
 less cause, but fortunately in this case, though words waxed 
 plentiful, mediation brought about a peace ere blood was spilled. 
 
 At dark on the evening of the 28th, Mott's Division re crossed 
 the James, and after marching until near daylight, halted in 
 the woods in rear of the Eighteenth Corps, who were to join 
 Burnside at the mine. We remained under cover of the woods 
 until dark, when we marched silently into the works and re- 
 lieved the Eighteenth Corps. Our position was upon the bottom- 
 lands just to the south or southeast of the Appomattox river. 
 The suburbs of Petersburg could be plainly seen, whenever it 
 was possible to raise the head above the breastworks, but that 
 was a hazardous undertaking and seldom indulged in, for the 
 enemy's main works were not over four hundred yards distant, 
 and each showing of a blue cap above our works called forth a 
 volley from the rebel guns. 
 
 The writer's curiosity at this point came near costing him his 
 life ; hearing something drop on the outer edge of the parapet 
 he foolishly put his head above the works to see what it might 
 be. It happened to be a bomb, which, at the instant of looking, 
 exploded. It was a close shave, but close shaves were common 
 occurrences in the trenches in front of Petersburg. 
 
 Our works at this point were very strong and well supplied 
 with bomb-proofs and traverses for the protection of the men. 
 The mine was to have been sprung at daylight, but a defect in 
 the fuse delayed it until twenty minutes to five. At that time 
 a low, rumbling sound and the simultaneous discharge of eighty 
 heavy guns and mortars and as many field-pieces told us that the 
 work was accomplished. The explosion was a complete success, 
 causing an opening one hundred and fifty feet long and about 
 twenty deep. The enemy's redoubt was rendered a complete 
 ruin. Eight magazines, each charged with a thousand pounds 
 of powder, had been exploded ; but, unfortunately, the assault, 
 though at first promising success, proved a failure ; or, as Gen- 
 eral Grant termed it, "a miserable affair." Had the assault 
 been entrusted to leaders who would have led instead of hiding 
 
206 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 in bomb-proofs in the rear there is no reason why Petersburg 
 should not have fallen at that time. 
 
 After the assault at the mine orders came to McAllister to 
 demonstrate on his front with the view of ascertaining whether 
 the enemy's line had been weakened enough to give hope of a 
 successful assault. To have sent men over the works would 
 have been sending them to almost certain death. So McAllister 
 adopted a novel yet effectual method of ascertaining the strength 
 of the forces occupying the works in our front. The brigade 
 was formed in two ranks and the men were instructed to place 
 their caps upon the muzzles of their guns and at the command 
 " March " the guns were to be raised so that they were visible. 
 The command was then given in a loud voice, " Fourth bat- 
 talion, battalion of direction, forward, guide center, march ! " 
 At the command " March " three cheers were given and the caps 
 were raised enough to give the enemy the idea that we were pre- 
 paring to move over the works. The fire that followed this 
 demonstration showed very plainly that the rebel works were 
 too strongly manned to make a successful assault possible. A 
 few caps may have been wounded, but the men being under 
 cover were not hurt. During the day, however, eight men 
 in the brigade were wounded by shells from the enemy's bat- 
 teries across the Appomattox ; one lost a leg and two had arms 
 shot off. 
 
 At dark we were relieved by the Ninth New Jersey, and, after 
 withdrawing, marched back to the camp occupied previous to 
 our march to the north bank of the James. We were ordered 
 to " fix up " camp, and there was a good prospect for a long 
 rest ;• but we knew that it could not last very long, for Han- 
 cock's Cavalry, as the Second Corps was facetiously called, was 
 seldom long at rest. It was thrown here and there, wherever a 
 point was threatened or an attack was to be made. 
 
 Thursday, August 4th, was set apart by the President as a 
 day of fasting. Accordingly, orders were issued that all work 
 not a military necessity should be suspended, and that religious 
 services should be held by the chaplains throughout the army. 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 207 
 
 In the morning Colonel McAllister had service at Brigade Head- 
 quarters, conducted by Mr. Sovereign, Chaplain of the One Hun- 
 dred and Twentieth New York, and in the evening services were 
 held at the regiment by Chaplain Cline. 
 
 On the evening of the 5th we were called out hurriedly and 
 marched in the direction of the Eighteenth Corps. The heavy 
 firing from the direction of their position indicated that an attack 
 was being made. But the firing soon ceased, and we were or- 
 dered to about face and return to camp. 
 
 The days passed, with nothing to break their quietness but the 
 usual routine of camp and fatigue duty, until half-past two on 
 August 12th, when we broke camp and marched to City Point, 
 reaching there at eight o'clock in the evening. The day had 
 'been very warm, and the dusty roads made the march a trying 
 one. 
 
 About noon on the 13th the corps began to embark upon 
 transports, and by four P. M. all were aboard and the trans- 
 ports steamed down the river. Speculation ran high — we were 
 going to be sent on some distant expedition — Washington and 
 the Valley perhaps ; anyway, we were to leave Petersburg and 
 vicinity. " The wish was father to the thought," for we were 
 anxious to be sent to a new field of action. A few miles down 
 the river, then anchors were dropped, and the boats lay to. As 
 the time passed the men's spirits went down — leaving did not 
 look so certain. It might be a ruse after all. But when ten 
 o'clock came all speculation was ended, for anchors were weighed 
 and the boats steamed up the river, past City Point and on to 
 Deep Bottom, where we arrived about one o'clock on the morn- 
 ing of the 14th. It was found necessary to construct a tem- 
 porary wharf before the troops could be landed. This was done 
 as speedily as possible, and at two o'clock we began to dis- 
 embark. 
 
 All were off" and massed upon the river bank at eight o'clock. 
 Two regiments were then thrown out as skirmishers, and 
 advanced across the plain, the troops following in line of battle. 
 A few small posts of the enemy were found in the edge of the 
 
208 TEE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 woods, bat they were soon driven away, and we occupied the 
 works near what was called the Tavern and Pottery, on the New 
 Market or river road. The skirmishers were again advanced, 
 and drove the enemy across the field and through the woods te 
 the protection of their main line. The Second and Third Brigades 
 were massed near the gate-posts on the New Market road. 
 General Barlow, who was in command of the First and Second 
 Division, was to attack near Fussell's Mill with the greater part 
 of the two divisions. But owing to the length of his line he 
 took to the assault but one brigade, of Gibbons' Division, which 
 after repeated attempts failed to break the enemy's line. At five 
 P. M. McAllister was ordered to report with the Third Brigade 
 to General Barlow, but did not reach him until the fighting was 
 over for the day. 
 
 At daylight on the 15th the brigade re-joined the division on 
 the New Market road. During the afternoon it was advanced 
 up the road and massed in the edge of a wood from which the 
 enemy's camp could be plainly seen. At seven o'clock in the 
 evening Colonel Schoonover was ordered to take the Eleventh 
 New Jersey and post them in an oak grove near the bridge-head. 
 It was accordingly moved to that position and a strong picket 
 placed on the New Market road. During the night it was 
 joined by the One Hundred and Twentieth New York. At ten 
 A. M., 16th, it re-joined the brigade which was found occupying 
 the position of the previous day. 
 
 It is not within the province of the work to speak of the 
 doings of other regiments further than is necessary to illustrate 
 the position of our own. But when injustice has unwittingly 
 been done a brave and worthy officer, a short digression, intended 
 to place the oredit where it is due, may be pardoned. On the 
 16th the Eighth New Jersey, then numbering not more than a 
 hundred men, supported by the Eleventh Massachusetts, was 
 deployed and sent forward to develop the enemy's position. 
 They advanced under a terrific fire to within a short distance of 
 the enemy's main line, losing in the movement sixteen in killed 
 and wounded. Foster, on page 147 of " New Jersey and the 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 209 
 
 Rebellion," says, "The Gallant Eighth, under command of 
 Colonel Ramsey, advanced steadily under a deadly cross-fire from 
 the rebels, who opened all their guns and musketry," etc. This 
 charge was not led by Colonel Ramsey, but by Major Virgil M. 
 Healy, of the Eighth, to whom should be given the credit. 
 
 But to return to the Eleventh. No move was made on the 
 17th. At seven P. M. on the 18th the regiment returned to the 
 oak grove near the bridge-head, where it was soon after joined 
 by the rest of the brigade. About ten o'clock in the evening we 
 were relieved, and, re-crossing the James by the lower pontoon, 
 massed on the neck and waited for our pickets. At one o'clock 
 in the morning of the 19th the march was resumed and kept up 
 until after daylight, when we halted in rear of the Ninth Corps. 
 At eleven o'clock we moved into the works between Forts Mor- 
 ton and Mickle, relieving a brigade of colored troops. 
 
 We found the works in a filthy condition, and spent the 20th 
 in cleaning them up. Our division extended from the right of 
 the Petersburg and Norfolk Railroad to Fort Alexander Hays, 
 near the Strong house, having relieved nearly the entire Ninth 
 Corps. The Third Brigade was upon the right of the division. 
 At that point the lines were very close together, and safety 
 required that we should keep entirely under cover, as the least 
 exposure drew the fire of the rebel sharpshooters. One man was 
 wounded on the 20th while on fatigue duty. The fire of the 
 sharpshooters and pickets was maintained day and night, and 
 during each of the two nights that we lay in the trenches at that 
 point we were treated to a brilliant pyrotechnic display by the 
 artillery. 
 
 On the 21st an experiment was made to ascertain the strength 
 of the rebel line in our front. A few pieces of light artillery 
 were brought into the works and began firing, and at the same 
 time a demonstration was made similar to the one practiced on 
 July 30th. It proved a decided failure. The rebels crept into 
 their holes and did not fire an answering shot. 
 
 At two P. M. we were relieved by a portion of the Eighteenth 
 Corps and were ordered to the left of the Jerusalem plank-road 
 
210 TEE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 to connect with the Ninth Corps. We reached our position 
 about dark, and spent the night in throwing up breastworks. 
 When daylight came we found that we were on familiar ground, 
 being just in rear of the position held during the latter part of 
 June and first of July. 
 
 It will be remembered that General Mott's Division left the 
 north bank of the James river on the night of the 18th. General 
 Hancock, with the First and Second Divisions, remained until 
 the evening of the 20th. They reached their old camp on the 
 morning of the 21st. After a brief rest they were ordered to the 
 " Strong " house, then to the " Gurley " house, in rear of War- 
 ren's position. 
 
 On the 22d, General Hancock, with the First and Second 
 Divisions and Gregg's cavalry, was charged with the destruction 
 of the Weldon Railroad as far south as Rowanty creek. It was 
 this movement that brought on the battle of Ream's Station. 
 The work had been accomplished as far as Malone's bridge road, 
 three miles south of Ream's Station, when, learning that a 
 large force of the enemy were advancing against him, he took 
 position behind the slight works at the station which had been 
 thrown up by the troops sent to the relief of General Wilson in 
 June. 
 
 About the time the attack began on Miles' Division at Ream's 
 Station (two P. M. on the 25th), Mott was ordered to send all 
 his available force to the help of Hancock. Accordingly the 
 Second and Third Brigades, with a battery of artillery and a 
 squadron of cavalry under McAllister (Mott remaining with the 
 First Brigade in the trenches), was ordered to march down the 
 plank-road to its intersection with the Ream's Station road and 
 there report to General Hancock. We reached the designated 
 point, which was about four miles from Ream's Station, at five 
 P. M. Aids were dispatched to notify Hancock of our arrival ; 
 but before orders could be received from him General Meade 
 came up in person and ordered McAllister to advance his force 
 (which had been increased by a regiment of cavalry) along the 
 plank-road towards the Blackwater — to take a good position 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 211 
 
 and throw cavalry pickets well out. By dark we were in posi- 
 tion and awaiting the attack of the enemy's force that was 
 supposed to be moving towards us. After dark, Hancock with- 
 drew and McAllister's command covered the rear. Had Mc- 
 Allister's command been sent direct to Hancock, no doubt the 
 result of the battle would have been different. 
 
 We returned to our old camp and resumed the round of picket 
 and fatigue. 
 
 The only loss sustained during the above-mentioned move- 
 ments was the capture of our First Assistant Surgeon, J. Down 
 Heritage. In a letter to Colonel Schoonover the Doctor has 
 related the event and what followed so graphically that I will 
 quote "it as written : 
 
 " Col. John Schoonover : 
 
 "My Dear Sir — You will remember that we — that is, our division 
 — were ordered out in the afternoon to guard a road leading to the 
 rear of Beam's Station, where the Second Division, I think, had 
 been engaged during the afternoon and had been defeated by the 
 rebels. This road led over the ' Blackwater * river, or creek, and 
 yourself and I rode out in front of where the regiment was posted 
 (directly across the road to the bridge) I suppose, a mile to the 
 front. We saw no enemy and returned to the command. The 
 cannonading was still going on on our right, and as we were off 
 the line of travel to the rear, and could get no tidings of how the 
 fight was going, and as there was no probability of an engagement 
 of our division, I suggested that I should go down and ascertain 
 whether we had been licked or not. You assented, and I started. 
 I rode back until I struck the returning ambulances, but could 
 ascertain nothing, and kept on until I went directly to the front 
 — Gregg's headquarters — and found that we had been most beau- 
 tifully whipped, and the infantry was being relieved by the cav- 
 alry. It was now becoming dark, and to make matters worse, a 
 thunder-shower came up, when it became as dark as Erebus. A 
 captain, who had been to Gregg's headquarters for something, 
 started with me to return, but, having forgotten something, re- 
 turned, saying to me that I was on the right road, to go on slowly, 
 and he would overtake me. I obeyed instructions, and heard 
 
212 THE ELEVENTH BEGIMENT, 
 
 plainly, a short distance to my left, the artillery going to the rear. 
 The road I was on had been made that day for military purposes 
 only ; and I was going along moderately, when I was halted. It 
 being dark, I naturally thought I had struck our picket-line, as I 
 could distinctly see the forms of men lying on the ground like 
 pickets in a row. I began to explain that I had no intention to 
 desert, and had ridden up to the line by mistake, intending to go 
 to the rear, and turned my horse's head away with the intention 
 of going off, whereupon I heard several muskets cocked, and as 
 that always means business, I faced around again very suddenly, 
 and was again ordered to dismount, when about the following 
 conversation ensued : 
 
 " Reb. — ' Dismount.' 
 
 "Doctor — 'I'll be d if I do. I have only ridden up to 
 
 your line by mistake, and can explain thoroughly my intentions ; 
 I have, as I have told you, no intention of deserting, and if you 
 will send your officer here I will explain to him.' 
 
 "Reb. — ' Corporal of the guard, send Captain here ! ' 
 
 " Captain puts in an appearance, when I go over the same rig- 
 marole to him. It being so dark as to make it impossible to see 
 anything more than a man's form, when he reiterated the order 
 
 for me to dismount, I told him, 'I'll be d if I would,' and 
 
 that I might have some cause, as I then thought, against a fellow 
 who seemed to me to be putting on airs, I asked, * What troop 
 are you ? ' 
 
 " Captain—' Hill's Corps. 
 
 " I do not remember in my life to have had the starch taken 
 out of me quicker by two words than was done on that occasion. 
 I, of course, upon his solemn assurance that such was the case, 
 dismounted and walked back to headquarters, where I was turned 
 over by the Captain to the officer of the day or provost guard, I 
 believe. I, however, asked the Captain to let me have my 
 blankets and overcoat and French book which I had in my 
 saddlebags, to the latter of which he assented, and as I was study- 
 ing French, so that I could make myself understood to those 
 French recruits we received a short time before, and as I had 
 visions of Libby and Andersonville, and a prolonged stay before 
 me, thought that the books would be my best friends. 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 213 
 
 " The rebels soon gathered around and began to chaff us — for 
 there were several in the squad there that night — and after standing 
 it awhile I reminded them we were their prisoners and it was 
 hardly fair to blackguard us when they had our lives in their 
 hands and our mouths were consequently sealed. Whereupon 
 they said that I could help myself, and talk all I wanted, and 
 shouldn't be hurt. I said, ' I will take you at your word, boys, 
 and while waiting for the column to move on had about as spicy a 
 debate as I ever participated in, and gave them our views of the 
 -war and our perfect confidence of whipping them. They assured 
 me that they had beaten us to-day, and intended to storm the 
 works to-morrow and clean up the line from one end to the other 
 I reminded them that the commanding General hardly ever gave 
 such long notice of intended movements, but if he had done 
 so, and they tried it, they would pile themselves up in front of 
 them by thousands and then wouldn't get inside and I only hoped 
 they would try it. A great deal more was said and they got in 
 .good humor over my sallies and we had rather a good time. The 
 boys at the front on both sides were better than those at the rear. 
 
 " Well, we were marched off after awhile and bivouacked in a 
 field in the rain and mud, and after a long while I went to sleep. 
 
 " Was aroused in the morning and was marched off, as the guard 
 said, toward Petersburg. On the march, which was twenty-five 
 miles this day, we were halted ten minutes every hour for rest, as 
 were the troops accompanying us, and they informed me that it 
 was their custom on all marches to do so. 
 
 " Every hour I went to sleep regularly, and was aroused by the 
 guard. I found myself in a squad of twenty-five privates, with one 
 lieutenant of some New York regiment. I had no means of writing 
 down names, and so have forgotten all my companions on this 
 dreary march. 
 
 " We were taken to Mahone's headquarters, near Petersburg, 
 which the guards said was near the fort where the mine was 
 ■exploded, which would bring it nearly opposite Fort Merton on our 
 line. There we lay on the ground the second night, I with two 
 blisters on each heel as big as an old-fashioned cent. Yon see, I 
 had a pair of high boots on for horseback-riding, and, not being 
 used to marching, it was more than I bargained for. I missed my 
 
214 TEE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 mare sadly. In the morning I asked the guard if they were going 
 to give us anything to eat, for we had fasted since the day before 
 yesterday at noon then, and began to fell somewhat hollow^ 
 He answered that he did not know anything about it, when I 
 asked permission to call an officer — for we were near headquarters- 
 
 sergeant Eliphalet Stnrdevant. 
 
 — he gave me permission, when I hailed one and asked the same 
 question, and was very coolly informed that no provisions had been 
 made for any issue of rations, and I asked if he couldn't give the 
 lieutenant and myself some ' grub.' He said he would, and soon 
 returned with two biscuits about the usual biscuit size. I gave 
 one to the lieutenant and kept one myself. It tasted very well 
 though it had been baked in the ashes. I saw their manner of 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 215 
 
 issuing rations the day before from their wagons. Their flour 
 and meal was dealt out of bags by the commissary to the troops 
 on the march. How the ' deuce ' they managed to cook it I 
 couldn't see, but I suppose by the ' ash-cake' method. 
 
 "About nine o'clock the next morning we were ordered to ' fall 
 in,' and marched over to Johnson's headquarters, in Petersburg, 
 and made a circuit of the town for the purpose of display. Just 
 as we entered, there was several of our flags, captured the day 
 before, waving, and as we passed them the lieutenant and myself 
 raised our caps, and the squad broke into a cheer. This made 
 the guard as mad as March hares, and they were going to bayonet 
 them if they didn't keep their mouths shut. The whole popula- 
 tion were along the streets, and we were jeered and chaffed un- 
 mercifully, and asked if we didn't ' want to go home to our mam- 
 mies,' ' how we liked it as far as we had got,' ' your army will be 
 all broke up now you fellows are gone.' One fellow said, 'Ain't 
 they the worst-looking pills you ever did see ? ' We were a per- 
 fect menagerie for them. 
 
 " Arrived at headquarters I asked to be sent to hospital. Upon 
 signing parole it was done and I was put in charge of a sergeant 
 and sent to Hill's Corps Hospital, reporting to the surgeon in 
 charge, to whom I gave my gold pen, assuring him that I did not 
 need it and could get another whenever I was exchanged. He 
 treated me very kindly and introduced me to the mess of surgeons, 
 asking them to take care of me, which they did very hospitably. 
 The first night in hospital, after the work of the day was done 
 and before supper, they brought out from under a bunk a very 
 curious old-fashioned stone jug, and poured therefrom a clear 
 liquid into a cup, and with their compliments presented it to me. 
 I recognized the 'critter' at once as 'old apple' by the smell, 
 and though nobody had, in my presence, imbibed any of the stuff 
 and visions of ' pizen ' floated through my brain, I was too dry 
 for one thing, and their hearty manner inspired me with confidence 
 for another, so with a 'here's to you' I proceeded to get outside 
 of it and felt better. They were a lot of ' jolly good fellows.' 
 
 "I was put in charge of our wounded when they arrived, to the 
 number of three hundred, and organized a nurse corps of the 
 slightly wounded. The rebel surgeons paid no attention to me 
 or our wounded after I was put in charge, and only furnished me 
 
216 THE ELEVENTH BEGIMENT, 
 
 with instruments and a little morphia. I performed several very 
 important operations. Amputation of the thigh, arm, several of 
 hand and fingers, removed testicles from one, and many other 
 wounds were dressed. These men had been without attention for 
 three days when I took them, and lots of their wounds had mag- 
 gots in them. For this condition they gave me spirits of tur- 
 pentine and a syringe, and when this was injected into a wound 
 it was amusing to see those maggots boil out like a boiling spring. 
 It was a new experience to me then, and I have never seen the 
 like since. 
 
 " I was there three days, and the wounded were removed to 
 Richmond as fast as their wounds were dressed or operated upon. 
 At the expiration of this time I was ordered to report at Libby 
 Prison, and having given my parole and having taken the precau- 
 tion to have a copy for myself, I was sent alone from Petersburg. 
 I arrived in Richmond and having the greater part of the day 
 before me concluded to see what I could of the city before report- 
 ing, and wandered around to the cemetery and through it to the 
 hotel (I forget its name now) since burned. Saw Jeff. Davis 
 house, and all the time when any suspicious characters eyed me 
 inquired the way to Libby Prison. When I began to get tired I 
 managed to find it, and was sent to the officers' room where I 
 found about two hundred and fifty — for I did not count them — 
 officers confined, and went supperless to bed on the floor. I had 
 brought my blanket and overcoat with me and was warmly wel- 
 comed to a mess which was without these necessary articles of 
 comfort. A ' mess ' there consisted of three or four who were 
 together possessed of a plate and cup, which was used by turns ; 
 there were no spoons, knives or forks. I had a good knife and 
 was looked upon as a very fortunate individual, and with it I made 
 a spoon from a piece of pine board I cut from a shelf. I have it 
 to-day. It was not at all elegant, but I could eat bean soup with 
 it, which was the sine qua non. I gave my knife to one of the 
 boys when I came away. I carried two hundred and fifty dollars 
 through the Confederacy with me concealed in the patch of my 
 cavalry pantaloons. Good place, wasn't it? I put it there (except 
 a fifty-dollar note) the first night I was captured. I was never 
 searched and could have carried it in my pocket. Nor was any- 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 217 
 
 thing taken from me except my horse and equipments. I am not 
 sure Uncle Sam ought not to pay me for that horse. 
 
 '' I had a fifty-dollar note changed while in Libby by a colonel, 
 who seemed to have some underground way of getting such things 
 done, and bought ten dollars' worth of Confederate money — re- 
 ceiving ten for one — and with this hundred dollars sent, through 
 the colonel, for ten loaves of bread ($10.00), one paper of Killi- 
 kinick smoking tobacco ($1.00), one-half dozen pipes ($10.00), 
 and we had a feast and afterward a smoke, and I forgot a pack of 
 cards ($10.00, and they were second-hand at that). We had a 
 good time after that, but how the deuce the colonel managed it I 
 never knew. He had a commission, I think, on what he invested, 
 but I am not sure of details at this late day. Not knowing 
 how long I should have to stay in limbo, I began to economize, 
 and think I limited my expenses to ten dollars a day (Confederate). 
 I have been sorry ever since I didn't give the boys a regular blow- 
 out, but charity begins at home under those circumstances. But 
 when I left I loaned the boys all I had but a hundred dollars. 
 They were all " White Diamond " fellows and took their notes 
 with instructions who to send them to when I got safely 
 through the lines. And I am happy to say that I was repaid to 
 the last cent by their friends with many thanks, and had sent to 
 me the most expensive knife I have ever owned since by the 
 friends of the officer I gave mine to when I left. 
 
 " The rations in Libby were cornbread, about three inches by 
 two, a thin slice of bacon on it, twice a day, bean soup twice a 
 week " only this and nothing more." And the bean soup was 
 made on the plan of church fair soups nowadays — much soup to 
 few beans. It was just sufficient to keep the soul in the body and 
 that was about all it would do. But the boys seemed to be hav- 
 ing a good time, and as a rule took things philosophically, though 
 there were some notable exceptions. 
 
 " One day ' Turner,' I think it was, came to the head of the stair- 
 way and called out for sugeons and chaplains to report there, and 
 I assure you we were not long in getting ready. Money was soon 
 loaned, blankets given to the boys, farewells said and messages 
 received for those at home, many of them verbal and memorized- 
 Some addresses were given and whatever could be done in about 
 ten minutes was done. And we were marched down into the 
 
218 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 hall, given a piece of cornbread, and away to the boat which 
 steamed down the river to Aikin's Landing, where we were taken 
 by a circuitous route about a mile out into country and around to 
 our vessel, and the old flag looked better than I had ever seen it 
 look before. I have never since lost my respects for the " Old 
 Gridiron" as the rebs called it. The boys cheered it and we had 
 a perfect reunion when we got on board, though half of us had 
 never seen each other before. I then met the boy, he couldn't 
 have been more than eighteen or nighteen years old, whose leg I 
 had amputated at the thigh, while at Petersburg, and he waa 
 doing splendidly. I never saw him after we got to Washington, 
 and do not know whether he pulled through or not, though I 
 would like very much to know. 
 
 " You remember that Colonel McAllister wanted to know why 
 I didn't stop off at City Point and join the regiment. I guess not 
 — not if the court knew itself — with a twenty- day leave of absence 
 ahead ! Well ! Well ! Though as a matter of fact the steamer 
 didn't stop. 
 
 "I had a sort of a row with a rebel colonel, going up to 
 Petersburg on the march. He was one of your peppery, hot- 
 headed, pompous individuals, and riding up to me, he said : ' I 
 understand you represent yourself as a Federal Surgeon.' I 
 answered, ' yes, sir ; I am one,' with a little emphasis on the am. 
 Says hot-head, 'How, sir, are we to know that?' I answered, 'By my 
 commission.' I always carried my commission in an inside pocket 
 of my vest, which I handed to him. It was signed by Joel Parker, 
 Governor of New Jersey, and it would have done you good to- 
 
 have heard that d n fool curse Joel. He just let himself loose 
 
 on Joel and swore he was an infernal renegade, and ought to be 
 the last man to sign such an infernal document as that, with many 
 ' cuss ' words interlarded, and then gave me a dressing down for 
 coming down to the South, and burning their houses, and oppress- 
 ing men who were better than the scum of Northern States ; that 
 we ought to be ashamed of ourselves, &c. He got as mad as a 
 man can get over that commission ; there were some sentences in it 
 that rumpled him, I forget what now, but he did go on terribly for 
 abouf half an hour. I just told him that we were prisoners and it 
 was not best for us to discuss such matters unless we were 
 equally situated, and walked on in silence, and took his blasted 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 219 
 
 "billingsgate, and have been mad at myself ever since that I didn't 
 shoot some hot shot or words into him. But I verily believe that 
 if I had 'sassed back' he would have got off his horse and 
 ' licked ' me, or cracked me over the head with his sword ; he was 
 a regular termagant, and as hot as pepper. 
 
 " Do you remember the Sergeant — I forget his name — who was 
 killed at Hatcher's Run, in a skirmish nearly in sight of our camp 
 there, a little to the left ? Poor boy, he was sick and I had ex- 
 cused him from duty that morning. But when the regiment went 
 out he went along and ' got left.' He need not have gone at all. 
 I forget his name, but you will remember him, no doubt. 
 
 "J. Down Heritage." 
 
 The Sergeant alluded to by Doctor Heritage was James 
 Roalefs, First Sergeant of Company K. The fight was at the 
 Armstrong house, March 25th, '65. Sergeant Samuel Kerr, of 
 Company G, was killed the same day. An account of the fight 
 will be found elsewhere. 
 
 On September 4th, the news of the capture of Atlanta reached 
 us, and in honor of Sherman's victory a salute of twenty rounds 
 was fired from every gun along our line. 
 
220 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 Chapter XIV 
 
 Fort Davis— Poplar Spring Church— Boynton Plank-road. 
 
 ON the 5th of September the regiment moved into Fort 
 Davis (called by some Fort Crawford). This was the 
 largest earthworks along the line, giving accommodation to an 
 entire brigade. It was situated to the left of the Jerusalem 
 plank-road, and with Fort Sedgwick (better known as " Fort 
 Hell"), which was to the right of the road and about four 
 hundred yards nearer the enemy's works, commanded that 
 approach. 
 
 Soon after taking position in Fort Davis, a body of colored 
 troops marched up the road on their way to the front. Their 
 officers must certainly have been ignorant of the proximity of 
 the enemy's line and the position of their guns, but they did 
 not long remain so, for a moving column in plain sight, on an 
 unsheltered roadway, was too tempting a mark for the rebel 
 gunners to resist, and soon shot and shell began to fall around 
 them. They did not wait for orders to seek shelter, but, drop- 
 ping knapsacks and other impedimenta, soon became a dissolv- 
 ing cloud, many of them tumbling into the ditch of Fort Davis* 
 Their frantic efforts to get out of reach of the rebel guns caused 
 considerable amusement to the men in the fort who were watch- 
 them, but I doubt if the negroes considered it a laughing matter. 
 
 In front of Fort Sedgwick, also held by a part of McAllister's 
 Brigade, the enemy's entrenched picket-line ran along the crest, 
 a short distance from our main line of works. They were a little 
 too close for our comfort, consequently it was determined to 
 make an effort to capture their pits and compel them to seek a 
 position nearer their own line. Accordingly two regiments of 
 DeTrobriand's Brigade, supported by the Eleventh New Jersey 
 and Eleventh Massachusetts, of McAllister's Brigade, were 
 ordered to make the assault. Entrenching tools were to be 
 carried, so that if the pits were taken they could be turned 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 221 
 
 immediately. Preparations were made on the evening of the 
 9th of September, but it was not until one o'clock on the morn- 
 ing of the 10th, after the moon had set, that the line moved 
 forward. The enemy was taken completely by surprise, and the 
 pits and eighty prisoners were captured. They made several 
 attempts to recapture them, but their efforts were futile. One 
 mistake was made, however, that marred our success, which 
 otherwise would have been complete. Colonel Biles, in the 
 darkness, mistook the tree — a point to which he had been ordered 
 to advance — and pushed ahead too far, thus exposing his flank. 
 As soon as daylight enabled the enemy to see his position they 
 made an attack upon him, capturing about forty of his men and 
 re-taking some of the pits on our right. This resulted in placing 
 their pickets on a line with ours and bringing one of their pits 
 so close to ours that only the bank of dirt separated them. The 
 casualties in the Eleventh were the wounding of Lieutenant 
 Morehouse and three men. 
 
 On the morning succeeding the capture of the picket-line the 
 pickets of the contending forces agreed upon a truce. Some of 
 the rebels, in the confusion of the attack, had left their haver- 
 sacks in the captured pits. They asked if we would restore 
 them. This we readily agreed to do if they would meet us half 
 way between the lines, to which they assented, and their property 
 was restored. We were having a very sociable time, bartering 
 coffee for tobacco, exchanging papers and views of the war, when 
 an officer passed along their line. He talked for a few minutes 
 with some of our boys on the right, and then returned to their 
 main line of works. Nothing was said until the officer had 
 reached the shelter of their works. Then the pickets in our 
 front told us we would have to get under cover as they had orders 
 to commence firing. They acted very honorably, giving us all 
 ample time to get into our pits. Then began the fusillade, which 
 was kept up almost continuously until the end of the siege. 
 There was an exception to the honorable conduct of the rebels 
 in front of us. During the continuance of the truce some of their 
 troops, holding the line further to the right, kept picking away 
 
222 TEE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 at us. When we asked who they were and why they did not 
 stop firing, we were told that they were some South Carolinians 
 who did not know any better. 
 
 For a few days after capturing these pits and until we got 
 covered ways built, relieving picket was an extremely hazardous 
 undertaking. It was generally done in the evening, but the 
 enemy would somehow ascertain when the relief was going out 
 and sweep the field over which it bad to pass with an unusually 
 hot fire, so that the relief and relieved bad to run a gauntlet of 
 bullets. 
 
 Among the men in the pit occupied by Sergeant William Hand 
 was a German who seemed to have had no experience in the use 
 of entrenching-tools. The Sergeant watched for a while his 
 awkward movements with the pick. At last, becoming impa- 
 tient, he told him to sit down and he would show him how to 
 use it. The German took the seat vacated by Hand, but scarcely 
 had he sat down before a bullet crashed through his head, killing 
 him instantly. His body was laid carefully outside the pit, and 
 when the picket was relieved his death was reported. Stretcher- 
 bearers were sent to bring it in, but as the way to the picket-line 
 was across a bullet-swept field, they failed to find it. His Ger- 
 man comrades lamented very much that the body was not brought 
 in. Andrew Webster, who had been in the same pit, asked why 
 they did not go after it, and offered to accompany them, but they 
 did not seem willing to go. It was finally brought in by Hand 
 and Webster, at the risk of their own lives. 
 
 During the truce along the picket-line, Sergeant Webster took 
 four canteens and a haversack and went back to Fort Davis for 
 rations. He had the canteens filled with coffee and the haver- 
 sack with crackers, then started for the front again. He bad 
 also procured a box of matches from the sutler for Robert Leo, 
 who was in the pit with Hand. These he put in his blouse 
 pocket. Upon reaching Fort Hill (or Sedgwick) he found that 
 the truce had been ended and that the enemy were again sweep- 
 ing the field with bullets. He did not know what to do. To 
 cross the open field seemed like sure death. At last he resolved 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 223 
 
 to risk it, and getting outside the works, crept about half the 
 distance, or to where the ground began to descend, then arose 
 and ran for the pits. As he arose he dropped the matches ; pick, 
 ing them up he continued and succeeded in reaching the pits 
 unharmed. 
 
 On the 11th of September John W. Trout, of Company F, 
 was shot in the head and killed while looking through a loop- 
 hole. He had been repeatedly warned against doing so, as the 
 enemy's telescopic rifles made the pastime a very dangerous one. 
 
 Even at this period of the siege the rank and file of the rebel 
 army began to realize that they were in Grant's toils. In a let- 
 ter written by one brother to another, which was found in a 
 knapsack in one of the captured pits, the writer says: "Grant 
 has Lee entangled. The cars are running right along the Union 
 camp, supplying their troops with everything they need, while 
 we are starving. The cause of the Confederacy has gone up ; 
 there is no use of fighting any longer." 
 
 Some idea of the extent of the picket-firing can be had from 
 the fact that during the three days succeeding the capture of the 
 picket-pits at Fort Sedgwick, the Third Brigade detail expended 
 60,000 rounds of ammunition. 
 
 On Sunday, the 11th, Chaplain Cline held service in Fort 
 Davis. During the progress of the service an artillery duel was 
 raging along the lines, and just over the heads of the worshipers 
 the bullets were whistling merrily. 
 
 The position in the fort was not altogether a safe one. Men 
 were in some instances struck while sleeping, and many narrow 
 escapes occurred. Colonel Schoonover, Chaplain Cline and 
 another officer sat down to dine, and while the Chaplain was ask- 
 ing a blessing, a bullet whistled over the table, passing between 
 them — rather an unpleasant memento mori at a feast. And 
 yet so accustomed had soldiers become to such interruptions that 
 they did not in the least disturb their equanimity. 
 
 Recruits now began to come in rapidly. On the 16th thirty- 
 eight joined the regiment, on the 17th, twenty-eight, and on the 
 18th, sixteen. But they were not of the best material of which 
 
224 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 to make an army or fill up a depleted one. The majority of them 
 were substitutes, and a large proportion foreigners who had been 
 attracted by the high prices paid by those who had neither suf- 
 ficient courage or patriotism to give their personal services. Very 
 few of these substitutes ever intended coming to the front ; those 
 that did being so striotly guarded that they could not get an 
 opportunity to escape. A large proportion deserted to the enemy. 
 Of those accredited to the Eleventh New Jersey during the sum- 
 mer and autumn of '64, 247 deserted on the way, 54 to the enemy 
 and 40 managed to remain in the rear at hospitals, convalescent- 
 camps, etc., making during that period a total of 341 accredited to 
 the regiment that did not add a man to its strength. 
 
 On the 24th of September the Second Corps was extended to 
 relieve the Tenth. This move placed us in the line about one 
 mile to the right of Fort Davis. There we remained until the 
 first of October, when we were withdrawn and marched to the 
 railroad near the bridge crossing the Blackwater creek, where we 
 took the cars for the left. After reaching the end of the military 
 road,- we marched about two miles through the rain and over 
 very muddy roads to near Poplar Spring Church, where, about 
 dark, we went into bivouac for the night, under shelter of the 
 wood. We were now on the left of the Ninth Corps, having 
 been sent to its support and to extend its left — the First and 
 Second Divisions remaining in the entrenchments. 
 
 Early on the morning of the 2d of October the skirmishers 
 were advanced, the division following closely in line of battle. 
 Our skirmishers soon struck the enemy, but continued to 
 advance, pressing them back and capturing their advance line 
 of works. The forward movement was continued for about a 
 mile further to the enemy's main line, which was found well 
 manned with infantry and artillery, and which opened upon us a 
 heavy fire. As no orders were given to press the attack, we lay 
 down and held our position until four P. M., when we moved 
 back to the position occupied earlier in the day. During the 
 action a piece of shell killed one man in the Eleventh Massa- 
 chusetts and then struck a sergeant in the leg, tearing it almost 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 225 
 
 off — it hanging by a mere shred. With the utmost coolness the 
 sergeant took out his knife and cut it loose. As he was being 
 carried in a blanket to the rear, he said to Colonel McAllister : 
 " I have done my duty, Colonel, and have lost my leg in a good 
 cause." The colonel answered, " Yes, Sergeant, you have done 
 your duty." Then addressing those who were carrying him, 
 continued, " Boys, handle him tenderly ; he's a brave man ; 
 take good care of him." He was in good spirits and bore the 
 pain manfully, but he died that night in the field hospital. 
 
 The 3d and 4th of October were spent in building entrench- 
 ments. On the evening of the 3d the regiment received one 
 hundred and thirty-eight recruits, nearly all of them entirely 
 ignorant of soldiers' duties. One in Company E, on the morn- 
 ing after his arrival, was told by the First Sergeant that he was 
 detailed for fatigue duty. He wanted to know what fatigue 
 duty meant. When told that in that instance it meant to 
 chop down trees and shovel dirt, he replied that he did not 
 feel very well that morning, and guessed he would not go. He 
 soon learned that in the army it was not a matter of feeling or 
 desire, but of obedience. 
 
 At four P. M. on the 5th the regiment under command ot 
 Captain John Oldershaw, Acting Major, moved back to the 
 trenches between forts Davis and Alexandre Hays, and relieved 
 Bissel's brigade of colored troops. When Colonel McAllister 
 reported to the commander of the colored brigade that he was 
 ready to relieve him, he asked how many pickets they had out. 
 The Colonel commanding replied, " Five hundred, but as your 
 troops are a part of the Second Corps you will not need more 
 than half that number." 
 
 As we were passing the Yellow tavern on our return from 
 Poplar Spring Church a gentleman, hearing that we were the 
 Third Division of the Second Corps, exclaimed, " The old 
 Third Corps ! I must see those brave troops," and hastened out 
 in the storm to see us tramping along in the mud. 
 
 At one P. M. on the 6th of October we withdrew from the 
 trenches and formed camp in the pine woods in the rear, where 
 
226 
 
 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 Hancock's Cavalry rested until October 26th. The name 
 Hancock's Cavalry was given to the Second Corps by the other 
 troops, because of the frequency and rapidity of its movements. 
 It was thrown here, there, and everywhere — sometimes to the 
 extreme right, then hastily again to the left, and occasionally it 
 
 Lieutenant Alplieus Hill. 
 
 brought up in the center. On one of its hurried marches from 
 the left to the right, while it was enjoying a brief halt, a 
 byscander asked what troops we were. " Why," said a com- 
 rade in the ranks, " don't you know ? Hancock's Cavalry ! we 
 have just stopped to let the officers change horses." In a 
 conversation between one of our pickets and one of the rebel 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 227 
 
 pickets, the rebel asked why it was that wherever they went 
 they met the Second Corps. It was well to have a reputation 
 for bravery and reliability ; it was a high honor to be placed at 
 the point of danger and to be called upon at critical moments, 
 but it certainly was not always conducive to comfort. 
 
 On October 8th Lieutenant George C. Boice was killed upon 
 the picket- line. He had posted his pickets and stood warming 
 himself by a fire that some of the men had built — the night 
 being quite chilly — when a rebel sharpshooter picked him off. 
 He had been Quartermaster Sergeant from the organization of 
 the regiment until July 25th, '64, when he was commissioned 
 Second Lieutenant of Company G. He had fulfilled the duties 
 of his former position to the satisfaction of both officers and 
 men, and no doubt would have been as efficient as an officer of 
 the line. 
 
 Desertions from the rebel army had become very frequent. 
 Though the Richmond papers spoke of plenty of provisions in 
 store, yet, day by day, Lee's commissariat grew scantier; and 
 to men living in a state of semi-starvation the knowledge that 
 but a short distance away was plenty to be had for the asking 
 was a temptation that many could not resist. Two Floridians 
 who entered our picket-line at that time stated that a meal's 
 victuals cost in Petersburg thirty-six dollars in Confederate 
 money, and that the pay of a private soldier was eleven dollars 
 per month of the same kind of currency. Just think of work- 
 ing over three months for the price of one meal — that one dollar 
 in greenbacks would buy ten and in some places fifteen in their 
 scrip. That fact alone showed that the people of the South 
 had lost faith in the success of their cause and believed in the 
 ultimate triumph of the TJnion. 
 
 On the 19th of October Captain John Oldershaw was 
 ordered to report to the headquarters of the First Brigade, First 
 Division, and assume the duties of Brigade Inspector. 
 
 The Presidential election of 1864 caused considerable excite- 
 ment and discussion among the troops. Though New Jersey 
 had virtually disfranchised her soldiers they were none the less 
 
228 TEE ELEVENTH BEOIMENT, 
 
 interested, and when commissioners from other States arrived 
 and began to take the vote of their troops in the field, New 
 Jersey troops were subjected to taunts that made them entertain 
 anything but kindly feelings for the Legislature that had 
 refused them the privilege. It was generally supposed that the 
 troops from New Jersey, especially the original members of the 
 old regiments, were largely in favor of McClellan. I have no 
 doubt that they were so until the adoption of the Chicago plat- 
 form with the nomination of Pendleton. After the action of the 
 convention became known and the platform had been read, 
 together with the utterances of such men as C. C. Burr, of 
 New Jersey; Judge Miller, of Ohio; Deane, of Iowa, and 
 others, McClellan lost friends rapidly among the soldiers. 
 Few soldiers in the field were in favor of a temporizing policy. 
 They wanted a vigorous prosecution of the war, realizing that 
 it was the quickest and surest way to peace. 
 
 As I have said, the feeling of indignation among the New 
 Jersey troops was great, owing to the action of the State Legis- 
 lature denying to its soldiers the right to vote in the field. Nat- 
 withstanding this unjust and unpatriotic action, it was decided 
 by the officers and men of the Eleventh R egimen t to poll the 
 vote of the men present and forward the result thereof to the 
 press of the State as an expression of its choice as to who should 
 be President. " About this time we were receiving many re- 
 cruits to fill our broken ranks, the most of whom enlisted for the 
 large bounties then being paid, and many of whom were profes- 
 sional 'bounty-jumpers.' It is but just to add that a small per- 
 centage of these recruits were truly loyal and made excellent sol- 
 diers. In order that it might not be said they were controlled 
 or influenced in their choice, the commanding officer of each 
 company selected a non-commissioned officer, who was requested 
 to approach each man separately and ascertain from him his 
 choice, using no persuasion whatever." Unfortunately, but one 
 of the company poll-lists is now available, that of Company E. 
 That is in the possession of Bishop W. Mains, who was the non- 
 commissioned officer selected by Captain Gage to canvass the 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 229 
 
 oompany. Though the document is stained with blood from a 
 wound he received through the left lung at the battle of Boyn- 
 ton plank-road, it is still legible, and shows the result to have 
 been : 
 
 Old members of the company for Lincoln, 14 
 
 " " " " McClellan, 6 .. 
 
 Eecruits for Lincoln, 15 
 
 "McClellan, 20 .. 
 
 26 29 
 
 Total 55 
 
 Lincoln's majority, 3 
 
 The document has a further value in that it shows the strength 
 of the company at that time and the number of recruits then 
 with it. 
 
 On the 1 7th of October occurred one of those pathetic incidents 
 inseparable from war. At the house where our division com- 
 mander had his headquarters lived an old gentleman, his daughter- 
 in-law, and two grand-daughters. When our army first occupied 
 the territory around Petersburg, the son had been found with 
 rebel arms in his hands and was held as a prisoner of war. The 
 family had been very wealthy, but the war had so impoverished 
 them that they were dependent upon our government and the 
 generosity of the division staff for the necessaries of life. The 
 youngest of the daughters, a young lady of about sixteen, 
 became sick, and though our surgeons gave her every attention, 
 died. There they were, surrounded by the enemy, cut off from 
 all sympathizing friends, the father a prisoner, wealthy yet in 
 want. The officers of the division staff showed their sympathy 
 for the bereaved family by furnishing a handsome coffin and 
 bearing the body to the family burying-ground. The band 
 played the funeral march, and though the idea of having a 
 * l Yankee " chaplain officiate seemed repugnant, yet they consented 
 and Mr. Stevenson, of the American Tract Society, conducted 
 the services at the grave. 
 
230 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 On the evening of October 24th we were relieved by Miles r 
 First Division, and marching back joined our Second Division 
 and massed in rear of the lines. At five o'clock on the after- 
 noon of the 26th we marched to the Weldon railroad, near the 
 Globe tavern, and bivouacked for the night. 
 
 At half past three on the morning of the 27th the column 
 was put in motion. The morning was dark and stormy and the 
 country thickly wooded, so that progress was necessarily slow. 
 A little after daylight we crossed Hatcher's run at the Vaugn 
 road crossing. The enemy disputed the crossing, and Smythe's 
 Brigade, of the Second Division, which was on the lead, forded 
 the run waist-deep and captured the enemy's works on the oppo- 
 site side. The march was continued by way of the Dabney mill 
 road — a narrow wood-road, illy adapted for the movement of 
 troops — to its intersection with the Boynton plank-road, about 
 one mile south of Burgess' mill, which point was reached about 
 noon. The brigade was about massing with the rest of the 
 division, when General Meade sent an aid with orders that we 
 should defend the road, as the enemy were coming in that direc- 
 tion. Gibbons' Division, commanded by General Egan in the 
 absence of Gibbons, had advanced up the Boynton road toward 
 Hatcher's run. 
 
 The enemy had a battery posted near Burgess' tavern, and 
 another up the White-oak road, which joins the Boynton road at 
 the tavern. These batteries began to play as soon as the head of 
 the corps came out on the open ground, near the junction of the 
 Dabney mill and Boynton roads. Beck's Battery, however, soon 
 silenced the one near the tavern, and Egan's Division, advancing, 
 took position across the Boynton road, near the White-oak road. 
 Two brigades were to the right and one to the left of the plank- 
 road, resting on the White-oak road. McAllister's Brigade had 
 now been sent up to strengthen Egan, and Beck's Battery had 
 moved up so as to command the enemy's guns north of Hatcher's 
 run. One section, however, under Metcalf, was stationed on the 
 ridge in the rear and on the east side of the Boynton road. Thi» 
 section was supported by Pierce's Brigade of Mott's Division. 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 231 
 
 Their position was about midway between Egan and the brigade 
 of De Trobriand, which was posted near the junction of the Dab- 
 ney mill and Boynton roads. It being determined that Egan, 
 supported by McAllister, should occupy the high ground north 
 of the run, Egan's Division was advanced in that direction. The 
 Tenth Massachusetts Battery, which had taken the place of Beck's 
 (whose ammunition was exhausted), was posted so as to command 
 the White-oak road. One section, however, was placed north of 
 the barn, to cover the advance of Egan's troops. Egan moved 
 forward without much opposition, and had secured the bridge and 
 captured one gun, when a volley was heard from the right and 
 rear, which left no doubt that the enemy had entered the gap 
 between the Second and Fifth Corps and were attacking in the 
 rear. 
 
 A brief description of the field will give a better understanding 
 of the condition of affairs at the time of the attack. The ground 
 occupied by Egan's and McAllister's troops, with the Tenth 
 Massachusetts Battery, was a high, cleared field. Through this 
 clearing, running north by east, passed the Boynton plank-road. 
 The clearing extended north and south about one-half mile. 
 About one third of the distance across from the southern edge of 
 the clearing the Boynton road was entered by the White-oak road 
 from the west, up which the enemy had a battery posted. The 
 cleared ground extended up the White-oak road. At the north- 
 west junction of the roads stood an unpainted wooden building 
 known as Burgess' tavern, and nearly opposite to the east of the 
 Boynton road a barn. Northward the ground fell away to 
 Hatcher's run and a mill-pond, and eastward to a dense wood. 
 To the south the ground descended to a swampy thicket, perhaps 
 forty or fifty yards wide, south of which was another high, cleared 
 field ; commencing nearly opposite the swamp and running south 
 and southwest was another strip of woodland. 
 
 Metcalf's section of Beck's Battery, supported by Pierce's 
 Brigade, occupied positions in the last-mentioned clearing, or the 
 ridge south of the swamp. Two regiments of Pierce's Brigade, 
 accompanied by Captain Lloyd, of the Eleventh New Jersey, 
 
232 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 who was upon Pierce's staff, had entered the wood to the right 
 of Metcalf 's guns. These were struck by Mahone's Division, 
 which was advancing through the wood toward the Boynton 
 road, and quickly swept out of the way. The enemy came out 
 on Metcalf 's right, who only had time to turn his guns and fire 
 a couple of rounds when they were upon him. They captured 
 the guns and continued advancing until they had crossed the 
 Boynton road. 
 
 In the meantime Egan had sent word to McAllister to change 
 front and charge the enemy in our rear. McAllister replied 
 that he had not time to change front, but would about-face and 
 charge left in front. The order was quickly given, and the 
 charge gallantly made down the hill, through the morass, and 
 up the opposite slope. The Eleventh .New Jersey reached the 
 crest and re-captured Metcalf 's guns. It will be remembered 
 that we had come to an about-face, and consequently were left 
 in front — the troops upon our left failed to reach the crest. 
 This threw the flank of our regiment in the air, so to speak, or 
 rather with the flank unprotected. In fact, both flanks were 
 unprotected, as the Eleventh New Jersey was the only regiment 
 that reached the crest south of the swamp when Metcalf s guns 
 were in position. This subjected us to a flank fire from Mahone's 
 troops in the woods to our left, and from the guns on the White- 
 oak road on our right and from the enemy's infantry in our 
 front. Besides, we were under the fire of De Trobriand's 
 brigade, which had changed front and taken position parallel 
 with the Dabney mill road, facing toward us. 
 
 The enemy, finding themselves between two fires, moved off 
 to the right and made an attack upon our left, or more properly 
 our right, for we were still left in front. To meet this attack 
 we re-crossed the swamp and formed, facing east. Darkness 
 following, the attacks of the enemy ceased. About ten o'clock 
 in the evening orders came to move back, and though the night 
 was pitch-dark it was obeyed with alacrity, for we had begun 
 to think that Richmond would be our involuntary destination. 
 A number of our wounded had been collected in the tavern and 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 233 
 
 barn, near the plank-road, but as the ambulance-train was 
 nearly a mile away many of them had to be left behind, and fell 
 into the hands of the enemy. Among those fortunate enough 
 to reach the rear was Bishop W. Mains and Joseph Walton, of 
 Company E, both wounded through the left lung. Their 
 wounds were severe, and had they fallen into the enemy's hands 
 no doubt both would have died. Many wounded were left 
 lying upon the field. No opportunity having occurred to 
 collect them, they were picked up by the enemy the next 
 morning. Among them was George W. Lindley, of Company 
 K, one of the color-guard, who had received two wounds in the 
 leg. 
 
 Before leaving the field Colonel McAllister visited the 
 wounded that had been collected in the buildings near the road, 
 and speaking of it he says : "But one surgeon made his appear- 
 ance at these hospital-houses — no nurse, no chaplain, hardly a 
 candle to light up the room. Captain Granger, a veteran 
 captain and brave and gallant officer, commanding the Eleventh 
 Massachusetts, that day fell, mortally wounded. He lay upon 
 the floor suffering intense pain. He was so anxious to be taken 
 to the ambulance I ordered his regiment to carry him, and as 
 many others as they could, down to the ambulances, about a 
 mile distant. We had no stretchers, it was pitch dark, and 
 raining. Some were carried down, some left behind, and some 
 died while being carried. On arriving at the place the 
 ambulances were gone, and they had to be left. Captain 
 Granger died. I had the greatest regard for him, he was so 
 brave and gallant. He always did his duty. He belonged to 
 the Eleventh Massachusetts." 
 
 Men lacking courage sometimes resort to queer methods to 
 escape the dangers of the battle. Among the recruits in 
 Company E was a substitute named Eeiley. He seemed to 
 have a great aversion to participating in the charge across the 
 morass, and made many excuses for stopping. But Lieutenant 
 Hand, who was in command of the company that day, noticed 
 the man's lack of nerve and determined to keep him in. As a 
 
234 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 last resort TLeiley loosened his clothing so that they dropped 
 about his feet, thinking, no doubt, that he would be allowed to 
 stop and arrange them, and by that time the line would be so 
 far advanced that he could slip away without being observed. 
 But the Lieutenant saw through his scheme and, becoming 
 angry at the man's cowardice, gave him a stroke with the flat of 
 his sword, then called Corporal Mains (afterward wounded) to 
 take charge of him and bring him to the front, which the 
 corporal quickly did. But in spite of these precautions the 
 fellow managed to get away and allowed himself to be captured. 
 
 Lieutenant William Hand, who was in command of Company 
 E during the battle, says : " Company E and Company H, then 
 under command of Lieutenant Cummings, did some desperate 
 fighting. They tried to capture two black pieces of light artil- 
 lery. We had possession of them two or three times, and 
 fought hand-to-hand for them, long after the brigade and regi- 
 ment had fallen back across the swamp. But we were over- 
 powered and driven back before we could get them off. Men 
 never tried harder, nor did braver fighting, than the two corn- 
 companies did for those two pieces. They deserved success, but 
 it was not in human nature to withstand the odds that were 
 against them." 
 
 In reading the account of this battle by Billings, historian of 
 the Tenth Massachusetts Battery, it would seem that the infantry 
 upon the field — and McAllister's Brigade especially — were of 
 no practical use ; that the battle was fought almost exclusively 
 by the Tenth Battery. But his statement is so at variance with 
 the accounts of other participants in the battle and with the 
 reports of the officers in immediate command of the troops 
 engaged that it is hardly necessary to notice his account. We 
 do so only because justice to the brave men who fought and the 
 heroes who died upon that hotly-contested field demands it. 
 No one who knew anything about the Tenth Battery would 
 doubt their fighting qualities, and surely they won renown 
 enough to make it unnecessary for their historian to try to exag- 
 gerate their merits by disparaging the work of other equally 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 235 
 
 brave and meritorious troops. That he has done so there can 
 be no question, for he says in effect that Mott's troops (McAl- 
 lister's Brigade was the only troops of Mott's on that part of the 
 field) "came running back through their guns like frightened 
 sheep, and refused to halt though repeatedly urged to do so." 
 Thus leaving it to be inferred that McAllister's entire brigade 
 acted the part of poltroons. He charges General Hancock with 
 ignorance of facts, and completely ignores the account of General 
 Egan, who was in immediate command, and under whose eye 
 each movement was executed. Strange, is it not, that the man 
 in the ranks (if doing his duty) should have advantages for 
 observation and knowledge superior to the general in command, 
 whose duty and interest require that he be cognizant of the 
 operations over the entire field ? But let us see what General 
 Egan says : 
 
 "October 29th, 1864. 
 "General — Through you I beg to thank Colonel McAllister, 
 commanding your Third Brigade, for indispensable services ren- 
 dered to myself and command during recent operations. Colonel 
 McAllister brought up his command at a critical moment, when I 
 was almost surrounded by a force of vast disparity of strength. 
 The defiant bearing of the enemy showed that they regarded their 
 combinations as undoubtedly successful and waiting only final 
 execution. My command had done everything possible when 
 Colonel McAllister saved them. I cannot sufficiently thank him. 
 The recounting the particulars of his service is unnecessary, as 
 they were too brilliant not to have been made public ere this. 
 But I beg that you will, if consistent, commend them at large to 
 the Major-General commanding the corps, as I shall take great 
 
 pleasure in doing. 
 
 " Your most obt. servant, 
 
 "T. W. Egan, 
 
 " Brig. -Gen. Gomdg. 2d Division. 
 
 " To Bvt. Maj.-Gen. Mott, Comdg. 3d Div." 
 
 General Egan's words of commendation should put to rest 
 any doubts of the courage and efficiency of the Third Brigade at 
 
236 THE ELEVEN1H REGIMENT, 
 
 the battle of Boyn ton plank-road. But bis words are confirmed 
 by General McAllister, whose veracity was never questioned by 
 anyone who knew him. In a letter to his family, written just 
 after the battle, he says : " I shall never forget that day nor 
 that battle. Surrounded on all sides, cut off from the rest of the 
 corps, no connection with the Fifth Corps, the victorious yells of 
 the enemy sounding in our ears — our fate seemed to be sealed. 
 There seemed no hope of escape. It was a time of suspense and 
 doubt. Add to all, and what was still worse, some of Egau's 
 men were out of ammunition and none could be had. Not a 
 spade nor shovel to throw up breastworks. But God put it into 
 our hearts to fight on. Trusting to Him, we charged down the 
 hill. The enemy became panic-stricken and gave way. We 
 rushed on, and received not only the enemy's front and flank 
 fire, but from our line in front." 
 
 He also commends the brigade in the following general order : 
 
 " Headquarters Third Brigade, Third Division, ) 
 
 " Second Army Corps, > 
 
 " General Order, No. 5. " October 31st, 1864 ) 
 
 " The Colonel commanding brigade congratulates the officers 
 and men of the command for the manner in which they marched 
 to the Boynton plank-road, and the gallantry displayed by them 
 on the 27th instant, reflecting great credit on the old brigade. 
 Your bravery and determination, as exhibited when surrounded 
 by the enemy, is a new wreath added to the laurels of honor won 
 by this command in the days that are past. May this, and the 
 gallant deeds of those battles, stimulate us to do or die for onr 
 country in the great cause in which we are engaged. Let each of 
 us resolve to do our duty, and, by the blessing of God, victory will 
 perch upon our banners, peace will crown our exertions, and 
 millions will do honor to those who have so nobly borne our ban- 
 ners through the trying scenes of this rebellion. As we shed tears 
 for the lost comrades who have fallen by our sides, let our prayers 
 go up to God for protection to the widows and the orphans, and 
 our sympathies be with them. 
 
 "Robert McAllister, 
 
 " Thos. H. Dunham, " Gol. Gomdg. Third Brigade. 
 
 "A. A. A. G." 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 237 
 
 There is no need to multiply witnesses. These should be 
 sufficient to refute the unworthy insinuations made by Mr. Bil- 
 lings. That some stragglers, such as are found hanging on the 
 rear of every battle, may have gone back through the guns of 
 the Tenth Battery we do not doubt, but that any organization 
 acted in the manner described is entirely contrary to facts. 
 
 As has been stated, about ten o'clock we reported back to 
 General Mott, and after marching several miles over the 
 Dabney Mill road, went into bivouac. We rested until noon on 
 the 28th, when we resumed the march to the breastworks, and 
 re- occupied them at Fort Morton. 
 
 During one of the operations to the left, and after the troops 
 had been withdrawn from the entrenchments preparatory to 
 marching, we received what, under the circumstances, was a very 
 peculiar ration and the only one of the kind that I remember to 
 have seen issued during our term of service, namely, a ration of 
 dried codfish. The brigade commissary must have had a large 
 supply on hand and been very anxious to get rid of it, for each 
 man received either an entire fish or a very large half. Had we 
 been remaining in camp, where they could have been properly 
 prepared, they would have made an acceptable addition to our 
 menu, for soaked, boiled, and minced with potatoes and made 
 into cakes or balls, they are not at all bad eating. But what should 
 we do with them on a march, and perhaps in battle ? A column 
 of men, each with a codfish strapped to his knapsack, would 
 make a ludicrous spectacle. They might have been worn on the 
 breast as bullet-protectors, but the odor was so strong that unless 
 we had kept well to the windward of the enemy it would have 
 warned them of our approach, and anyway, who wanted to be 
 found dead with a deader codfish clasped to his bosom? Had 
 we belonged to the artillery we might have used them as missiles 
 of war, and I have no doubt that in the half-starved condition 
 of the enemy there would have been a regular stampede from all 
 parts of their line as soon as they found that we were using cod- 
 fish for cannon-balls (patent applied for). Take it all in all, 
 those immigrants from Newfoundland caused us considerable 
 
238 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 perplexity, until one comrade with mischief prepense quietly 
 swiped another over the head with one. The question was solved. 
 The blow had been struck, war was declared. From man to 
 man, from company to company, from regiment to regiment, the 
 wave of battle swept. None thought of saving ammunition ; 
 the air was thick with " flying fish," and so the historic battle of 
 the cod raged until the order came to march, and the troops 
 moved off leaving the field covered with dead (codfish). 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 239 
 
 Chapter XV. 
 
 Fort Morton. 
 
 X7okt Morton occupied a position on the line about one 
 -*- thousand yards to the left of Fort Haskell, and almost 
 directly opposite Elliot's salient, the scene of Burnside's mine 
 «xplosion on July 30th. It was a part of the main line of 
 works, which here occupied a ridge, the ground sloping rather 
 abruptly to a small stream which ran northward and emptied 
 into the Appomattox, to the eastward of Blandford, a suburb of 
 Petersburg. Eastward of the stream was the roadbed of the 
 Norfolk and Petersburg Railroad. The armament of the fort 
 oonsisted of four thirty two-pound siege guns, four braBs how- 
 itzers, and several large mortars. A bomb-proof magazine, and 
 another large bomb-proof for the accommodation of troops, also 
 occupied the interior. Bunks for the accommodation of the 
 occupants were arranged along the southern side of the bomb- 
 proof. A wide shelf or bench, formed of timbers and earth, 
 ran along the north side, leaving a narrow passage. Upon the 
 shelf were piled boxes of ammunition for small arms and a num- 
 ber of boxes containing chloride of lime for disinfecting pur- 
 poses. The odor of the latter may have been wholesome, but it 
 certainly was not very pleasant to those occupying the bomb- 
 proof. Company E and, I think, a part or whole of another 
 company, which I cannot remember, occupied the bomb-proof in 
 the fort. The rest of the regiment held the connecting lines. 
 The headquarters were in bomb proofs, a short distanoe in 
 the rear, on the eastward slope. The picket-line which here 
 ran nearer the enemy's works than at any other point along the 
 line, in fact so close to their main works at one point that they 
 could not establish a picket-line, was strongly entrenched and 
 well protected by traverses. The part of the line directly in 
 front of Fort Morton was on the crest beyond the stream. To 
 the north it circled eastward until it re-crossed the stream. A 
 
240 
 
 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 like formation prevailed toward the south. So that the contour 
 of the line directly in front of thejfort was nearly that of a half 
 
 circle. 
 
 I have said that the line was well protected by traverses; there 
 was an exception, however. A'part of the line to the left, which 
 
 Sergeant; James;McDavitt. 
 
 ran down the slope to the stream, turned sharply to the south- 
 west, and was exposed to the fire of the enemy's sharpshooters, 
 which rendered it untenable or at least extremely dangerous 
 during the daytime. This the writer knows from personal 
 experience. He was at](that time acting First Sergeant of the 
 company (the First Sergeant, Augustus Tucker, having been 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 241 
 
 detailed to Trenton on recruiting service the previous winter), 
 and bad no call upon the picket-line. But one afternoon, being 
 a little tired of the fort and bomb-proof, he thought he would 
 like to pay a visit to the boys on the outer line. He, in company 
 witn Corporal Leonard Gillen, reached the line without drawing 
 the enemy's fire, and passed the exposed part leading down to 
 the stream. Some men from his own company were posted 
 south of the stream, and among them Sharp, who had constructed 
 a miniature mortar out of a section of ride-barrel, and was 
 amusing himself by shelling the enemy, using minie-balls for 
 bombs. After a few minutes conversation with the men, we 
 started to return, but had forgotten the danger of the exposed 
 position, and as a consequence, were walking erect, perfectly un- 
 concerned. Corporal Gillen had just passed through the traverse, 
 he being ahead, when a ball from a rebel sharpshooter's rifle 
 nipped the top of the writer's cap. It was a good line-shot, but 
 a little too high. The approach to the picket-line was protected 
 by a covered way, and with the exception of where it crossed 
 the stream was exposed to the enemy's fire, and men were 
 frequently wounded at that point. 
 
 On the night of November 5th, or rather the morning of the 
 6th, the enemy made a desperate effort to wrest from our pos- 
 session that part of the picket-line spoken of as occupying the 
 crest beyond the stream. They succeeded in capturing a number 
 of posts, but before they could turn them to their use, they were 
 driven out with great loss. For the successful accomplishment 
 of this re-capture, credit is chiefly due to Captain Charles F. 
 Gage, of the Eleventh New Jersey, who was in charge of the 
 picket. He made a reconnoissance in the darkness, and person- 
 ally located the right of the enemy's force and led the attack 
 upon them, fighting his way from pit to pit until the line was 
 re- captured. 
 
 Colonel Schoonover says : " Immediately in front of the fort 
 our pickets occupied an old line of field-works, which was within 
 seventy-five yards of the fort held by a portion of General 
 Hill's Corps, and in the immediate command of General Gracie, 
 
242 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 formerly of Elizabeth, N. J. The nearness of our picket-line 
 was a great annoyance to the enemy, who kept up a constant fire 
 upon our men who held the coveted position on the brow of the 
 bill. Some distance in rear of the fort (Morton) a platform had 
 been erected in the top of a tall tree, where a number of men 
 were stationed to detect, if possible, any movement on the part 
 of the enemy. 
 
 " On the afternoon of November 5th, it was discovered from 
 this lookout that the enemy were busy in carrying some kind of 
 material from the rear into the fort. From this movement the 
 inference was correctly drawn that an attack was contemplated 
 upon our exposed picket-line. The men were instructed to be 
 on the alert that night, as the enemy would in all probability 
 attempt to capture the position. 
 
 "As had been predicted, the attack was made shortly after 
 midnight, and the picket-line, composed of men from the One 
 Hundred and Twentieth New York and the Eleventh New 
 Jersey, were driven from their position, leaving the enemy in 
 possession of about forty posts. The officers on duty from the 
 Eleventh New Jersey were Lieutenants Oliver and Schoonover. 
 While every man engaged displayed great bravery, to the cool- 
 ness and skill of Captain Charles F. Cage, who was in command 
 of the picket-line, must be largely attributed the successful re- 
 capture of the lost works. He went in person, under cover of 
 darkness, to within a few feet of the picket-post occupied by the 
 right of the enemy's line, and, having located their position, 
 placed his men in an angle of the works and opened fire, which, 
 fortunately, enfiladed the entire line occupied by the enemy. 
 There was no escape from the deadly bullets which came from 
 that angle. The rails which they had brought to the fort and 
 carried with them when the charge was made, gave them but 
 little protection. The fire of our men was effective and the loss 
 of the enemy heavy. 
 
 " The following day General Gracie requested, under flag of 
 truce, permission to remove his dead, which was granted. It was 
 a remarkable and impressive sight that met my eyes as I went 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 243 
 
 upon the scene of the previous night's conflict. A large number 
 of their dead lay along the most exposed portion of the line. 
 Many of them had attempted to dig with their hands into the 
 hard, baked soil, and instant death had left their bodies in almost 
 lifelike positions. The fingers were still bent, the muscles unre- 
 laxed, and their faces, cold in death, still bore the stamp of 
 desperation." 
 
 McAllister says: " The dash was so sudden that about forty 
 picket-posts gave way, but our brave boys turned on the enemy 
 and re-captured about one-half of the number and turned the 
 enemy's flank. A desperate fight ensued — a hand-to-hand con- 
 test over the breastworks; bullets, bayonets and butts of muskets 
 were used. The battle raged fearfully. I sent fifty more men 
 to the assistance of our gallant boys. After a struggle of a short 
 time we re-captured some more of our pits, but in the balance 
 the enemy fought with stubbornness unparalleled. I sent fifty 
 more men to their assistance, and on the battle raged. It was now 
 near the dawn of morning, and I knew the necessity of re-captur- 
 ing these works before daylight. I sent fifty more men, but 
 before they reached the scene of action the day was ours, and 
 resulted in nearly fifty rebel prisoners for us, among them one 
 lieutenant. The slaughter of the enemy, this lieutenant said, 
 was terrific. They lost terribly from our enfilade fire. They 
 carried their wounded and dead back, but some lay on the ground 
 where they fought. They had brought shovels and picks with 
 them, and also a cross-cut saw to cut through the timbers in the 
 breastworks. The lieutenant said they designed turning our 
 works and holding them. The prisoners we took were all South 
 Carolinians, and they fought desperately and long before they 
 would give up. The bravery, gallantry and determination of 
 my officers and men in this contest merit my warmest praise. 
 My loss in killed, wounded and missing is only twenty-nine. A 
 prisoner who came into headquarters told General Hancock that 
 they had lost two hundred." 
 
 Following are the general orders issued relative to the fight : 
 
244 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 " Headquarters 2d Army Coeps, \ 
 " November 6th, 1864. j 
 
 " My Dear General — I was highly gratified to hear of the brave 
 conduct of your troops this morning and of the ability and deter- 
 mination displayed by Colonel McAllister, commanding brigade, 
 in re-taking the picket-line wrested from our picket-line last night. 
 "I am very truly your obedient servant, 
 
 "W. S. Hancock, 
 " Maj.-Gen. Commanding. 
 
 '• To Bvt. Maj.-Gen. Mott, Commanding 2d Div., 2d Corps." 
 
 " Headquarters 3d Division, 2d Army Corps, ) 
 
 "Nov. 7th, '64. J 
 " Gen. Order 671. 
 
 " The Brevet Major-General commanding takes great pleasure 
 in expressing to the command his gratification with the good con- 
 duct of the troops engaged in the affair of the night of the 5th 
 instant, resulting in the re-taking of that portion of the picket- 
 line wrested from us by an overwhelming force of the enemy, the 
 capture of forty-two prisoners, including one commissioned officer, 
 the forcing of the enemy to leave in our hands a number of their 
 dead, and a quantity of small arms and entrenching tools. Special 
 mention is due to Colonel McAllister, commanding Third Brigade, 
 who gave his personal superintendence to the operations, and to 
 the officers on his staff who rendered him such efficient service. 
 The conduct of the officers and men of the One Hundred and 
 Twentieth New York and Eleventh New Jersey Volunteers, who 
 were directly engaged, is worthy of emulation. Such gallantry 
 always displayed would soon bring the rebellion to a close. 
 " By command of 
 
 " Brevet Maj.-Gen. Mott, 
 
 "J. P. Finklemier, A. A. Gen." 
 
 " Headquarters Third Brigade, Third Drv. 2d A. Corps, 1 
 
 "Nov. 8th, 1864. ) 
 
 "Officers and Soldiers of the Third Brigade: 
 
 " The Colonel commanding brigade returns his thanks to the 
 soldiers of his command for their noble bearing and gallant con- 
 duct in the affair of the evening of the 5th inst. Special praise 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 245 
 
 and credit is due the three companies of the One Hundred and 
 Twentieth New York Volunteers, and one company of the Eleventh 
 New Jersey Volunteers, and staff and line officers, who so nobly 
 led these gallant bands of brave soldiers to a successful re-capture 
 of the lost works against an overwhelming force of the enemy. 
 The skill, bravery and determination of the officers and men thus 
 ■engaged, representing these, and nearly all the regiments in this 
 brigade, are worthy of note, and should be placed side by side 
 with the heroic deeds and gallantry displayed in other and greater 
 battles. By a firm reliance in God, and by His blessing and a 
 determination to do our duty, this conflict for our glorious Union 
 will soon be ended in favor of its restoration. 
 
 " Robert McAllister, 
 
 "Col. Commanding. 
 
 " Thos. H. Dunham, A. A. A.-Gen." 
 
 As soon as the loss of the pits became known, Captain Gage 
 hastened forward with a company of the Eleventh New Jersey, 
 and placed them in position in the angle to the enemy's right, 
 where their fire would enfilade the captured pits. General 
 McAllister's language would seem to indicate that a portion of 
 the pits had been re-captured before the re-enforcement of fifty 
 had been sent forward. If this is so — and we know from per- 
 sonal recollection and the testimony of participants that it is — 
 it would seem that great credit should have been given to Cap- 
 tain Gage and Lieutenant Charles A. Oliver. And yet, in none 
 of the general orders do we find any recognition of the great 
 services rendered by them on that occasion. It is not ours to 
 discuss the whys or wherefores, but simply to state a fact. 
 
 During our occupancy of Fort Morton and the connecting 
 works, artillery duels were of almost nightly occurrence. There 
 was but little danger to be apprehended from the flight of solid 
 shot or rifled shells, as the works were amply strong to resist 
 their penetrating power, but the shriek and scream of the 
 missiles as they passed swiftly just above the heads of the men 
 was enough to set weak nerves in a tremble. But the noise of 
 their flight and explosion, with the roar and jar of the guns, 
 
246 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 was a necessary element to the grandeur of the scene presented 
 by the flight of scores of bombs circling through the air. The 
 course of the bombs could be followed by the light of the burn- 
 ing fuse, and their flight would be watched with fearless interest 
 until the downward curve would seem to indicate a near ap- 
 proach, when a hurried rush would be made for the bomb-proof, 
 where, under cover, the men would eagerly listen for the jar of 
 the explosion that told that the danger was past. But the men 
 Would not remain long under shelter ; the fireworks were too 
 grand to be missed, and dodging the " big ones " was an ex- 
 hilarating sport. Enough bombs were thrown to have caused 
 great loss to the opposing armies had they all been effective. I 
 do not know what damage ours may have done to the enemy, 
 but the damage from theirs was comparatively slight. 
 
 During the month that we lay in Fort Morton I think but 
 one bomb exploded within the fort — that was during a night 
 duel, when an attack was anticipated and the garrison was nnder 
 arms. It resulted in the wounding, and subsequent death, of 
 Ferdinand Martin, of Company H. His left leg was so badly 
 shattered that amputation was necessary. He died in the corps 
 hospital, at City Point, December 4th. He was a foolishly brave 
 man, often exposing himself unnecessarily. He was so tall that 
 when standing up on the entrenched picket-line his head would 
 show above the works. Yet so great was his contempt for danger 
 that he often made himself a mark for the enemy's sharpshooters. 
 At the time he was wounded a piece of the bursted bomb struck 
 his gun, cutting the barrel completely in two pieces. The stock- 
 end was not found, but the other end of the severed barrel is now 
 in the possession of Colonel Schoonover, and is regarded as a 
 great curiosity. 
 
 A short distance to the rear of the main line of works was a 
 grove of pine trees. There the officers had rigged up a game of 
 General Logan's ten-pins. A cross-piece was put from one tree 
 to another, as high as possible from the ground. From it was 
 suspended a rope, to the lower end of which was fastened a 
 spherical case or shell. Pins were stood up at a given distance. 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 247 
 
 The game consisted in knocking down the pins by the returning 
 swing of the shell. Occasionally, when the game was at its height, 
 the enemy would take a hand in it by trying to knock down the 
 players with shell not fastened to a rope. 
 
 There was little relaxation for the men, however, while occu- 
 pying this position on the line. The picket details were so heavy 
 that the men were on duty every alternate day. This led to the 
 only desertion to the enemy that occurred in Company E, although 
 there were many among the substitutes in other companies — six- 
 teen from Company I alone. 
 
 On November 10th a substitute by the name of Thomas Jones 
 reported for duty to Company E. On the same evening an 
 unusually large detail was called for from the company, which 
 could not be filled except by giving one man a double tour of 
 duty. Jones, who seemed a modest, well-meaning young man, 
 volunteered to go in the man's place, saying that he had had an 
 easy time of it back at the hospital and might as well get used 
 to his duties at once. The sergeant hesitated for awhile, for 
 there was an order against sending substitutes on picket, but, 
 thinking the man was trustworthy, at last accepted his services, 
 and fitted him out with a borrowed gun and equipments and 
 sent him out with the detail. The gun and equipments were in 
 the pit next morning, but Jones had disappeared. 
 
 Quite a scare was gotten up one day by some of the men in 
 the bomb-proof starting the report that the enemy could be 
 heard mining underneath the fort. We listened. Sure enoughj 
 sounds like the stroke of a pick seemed to come from below. 
 The magazine was opened and ears laid to the ground ; the 
 same pick-strokes were heard. There were some grave faces 
 and anticipations of an aerial flight. But the gravity turned to 
 laughter when it was discovered that the alarm was caused by a 
 soldier leaning against a gun-carriage and idly tapping the 
 wheel with a spike. To those in the bomb-proof the sound 
 seemed subterranean. 
 
 Thanksgiving Day found us still in Fort Morton, but it 
 brought us remembrances from the North in the shape of 
 
248 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 boxes of turkeys for a Thanksgiving dinner, a treat that was 
 highly appreciated by the boys in the trenches. 
 
 It was not often that a case occurred where one bullet caused 
 three separate and distinct wounds, but such a case occurred upon 
 the picket-line in front of Port Morton. One day one of our 
 men (whose name I cannot now ascertain) came in with a wound 
 through the hand. After the surgeon had dressed the 
 wounded hand, the man complained of a soreness in the upper 
 part of the arm. An examination showed that the bullet had 
 also passed through the arm above the elbow. The surgeon 
 attended to that wound, and a further examination revealed the 
 fact that the bullet had also entered the back, where it was found 
 lodged against the shoulder-blade. 
 
 Another illustration of the curious course sometimes taken by 
 bullets was furnished at the battle of Chancellorsville. A bullet 
 struck a limb of a tree almost directly over the head of Lieuten- 
 ant Kennedy, and, being deflected downward, wounded him in 
 the foot. 
 
 A party of young men in Plainfleld, who were neighbors and 
 schoolmates, had often talked of enlisting, but some of them were 
 too young for the service. In August, '62, they resolved to make 
 the effort. The names of the party were Aaron Fatout, Henry 
 Hand, T. O'Doane, Aaron Lines, Joseph Frazee, William Smith, 
 Peter Cook, Andrew Webster, William Hand and John Good- 
 win. Aaron Fatout, at the last moment, yielded to the entreaties 
 of his young wife and resolved to stay at home. He was killed 
 the next day by falling from a building upon which he was at 
 work. The rest of the party proceeded to Elizabeth, where they 
 met Captain Meeker, under whom they all enlisted, with the 
 exception of John Goodwin, who was rejected on account of age. 
 The history of the eight will be found in the history of the regi- 
 ment, for they each made a record worthy of mention. Goodwin 
 was not content, however, until he became a soldier, and joined 
 the regiment in September, '64, under the name of John A. 
 Zuckswort. 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 249 
 
 There was an order existing in the army in those days against 
 the wearing of boots by infantrymen ; first, because they destroyed 
 the uniformity of the troops, and, secondly, because they were 
 uncomfortable on long marches, causing blistered feet and ankles, 
 and consequently being the cause of straggling. John, like many 
 another young soldier, had a strong penchant for boots, and, 
 being either ignorant of the order or forgetful of it, had provided 
 himself with a fine pair of cavalry boots. While on picket one 
 day to the left of Petersburg he felt the need of tobacco, and 
 having a surplus of coffee, struck up a trade with the enemy's 
 picket opposite. He got some tobacco and also a Richmond 
 paper. While the trade was being consummated the officer in 
 command of the picket appeared. After a few questions the 
 matter was apparently dropped. Upon returning to camp, how- 
 ever, he was ordered to report to Colonel Schoonover. On enter- 
 ing the Colonel's tent and saluting, the Colonel asked what he 
 had in his hand. He replied, "A rebel paper." "Let me see 
 it." The Colonel took the paper and began reading, leaving 
 Zuckswort standing— a badly frightened boy, dreaming of court- 
 martial, punishment, etc. After keeping him in suspense for 
 several minutes, the Colonel looked up from the paper and said : 
 " Young man, you must take off those boots and wear shoes. 
 That's all ; go to your quarters." He left the Colonel's tent as 
 happy as a young boy released from school, for he had been badly 
 frightened. But he lost his paper and boots. 
 
 In one of the minor engagements in front of Petersburg, 
 Zuckswort (Goodwin) was severely wounded in the left hip and 
 right thigh by the bursting of a shell. He was taken from the 
 field by Andrew Webster and William Hand. A piece of shell 
 was taken from the left hip, he was sent to the field hospital and 
 from there given a furlough home. He could walk only upon 
 crutches, so that it was a difficult matter for him to get off the 
 cars to procure food, and as he had started upon the journey with 
 only six hard-tack, he was nearly starved when he reached Plain- 
 field. Upon the expiration of his furlough he was sent to the 
 hospital in Newark, N. J., where an operation was performed. 
 
250 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 Continuing to grow worse, he was allowed to be taken home, 
 where he received his discharge January 25th, 1865. He finally 
 regained his health, but was left permanently crippled. 
 
 Among a group of men from Company B cooking around a 
 camp fire one day was Tom Terry, the drummer, Zuckswort, 
 and a green Irishman, who, in common with most of his country- 
 men from the snakeless isle, stood in deadly terror of a serpent. 
 After the Irishman had put his pan upon the fire, he asked hi& 
 comrades if they would attend to it while he went after water 
 for coffee. In his absence Terry and Zuckswort substituted 
 another pan, in which they had coiled a dead snake. On his 
 return he lifted the cover to see how his cooking was progress- 
 ing. One glance and he dropped it in terror and started hurriedly 
 away with the exclamation, " Holy Moses ! Oh, Lord, save my 
 soul ! the devil and the snakes are in the pan ! " Nor could he 
 be prevailed upon to go near it again. 
 
 Among the recruits who came to the regiment during the 
 summer of '64 was a substitute by the name of Daniel Popovitz, 
 who was assigned to Company K. He claimed to have been a 
 major on Louis Kossuth's staff during the Hungarian revolu- 
 tion ; an officer in the English army during the Crimean war ; 
 to have been in the service of the Sultan of Turkey — in fact, to 
 to have held commissions under nearly every government of 
 Europe. He was a good linguist and a showy drillmaster, an 
 art that could have been learned entirely outside of armies. On 
 the strength of his proficiency in drill he was warranted a Ser- 
 geant over the heads of men who had been doing their duty from 
 the first organization of the regiment, and it was reported and 
 generally believed that a commission was about to be given him. 
 In the meantime, notwithstanding orders existed that no "sub" 
 should receive a furlough, through the influence of the regi- 
 mental commander he was permitted to return to New York, 
 ostensibly to meet his wife on her arrival from Hungary. If 
 such a being existed he probably met her in Hungary, for Popo- 
 vitz returned no more — only a letter stating that he had gone to 
 his native country. 
 
NEW JEBSEY VOLUNTEERS. 251 
 
 Chapter XVI. 
 
 With Warren to Hicksford— From December 7th 
 to 12th, '64. 
 
 JTEhe element of uncertainty entered so largely into the life 
 ■*- of a soldier that he could never, even for the shortest 
 period, claim a fixed habitation. One day a camp would be 
 laid out, perhaps in a strip of woodland. Immediately, with 
 bee-like industry, the soldiers would set about clearing away the 
 underbrush and felling the giants of the forest. It would be 
 fell and chop, split and hew, and in a few days the forest would 
 have disappeared and in its stead would stand a city of log huts, 
 whose intervening streets, well graded and drained, would seem 
 to have been the labor of weeks or months. Such comforts as 
 were accessible were gathered around, and in spite of past ex- 
 perience the boys would begin to congratulate themselves upon 
 having at last gone into permanent winter quarters. The duties 
 of the day have been performed, and night, with its promise of 
 rest, has come; fires have been fixed for the night, taps have 
 beaten, and the drowsy soldier is about to sink into forgetfulness 
 of the privations around him, or a slumber filled with dreams of 
 scenes left far behind and the faces of the loved ones far away in 
 the Northland. But hark ! Upon the winter's frosty air, ring- 
 ing sharp and clear, is borne the sound of hurried hoof-beats. 
 A belated officer, perhaps, who has been to visit friends in some 
 distant camp, or a courier with orders to or from the outposts. 
 But no — they turn into headquarters. Every one is quickly on 
 the alert, and comrade says to comrade, "Marching orders." 
 The hoof-beats begin again and are soon lost in the distance. A 
 few minutes of suspense and then comes the voices of company 
 commanders : " Have tents struck and be ready to march at 
 daylight." Then speculation runs wild. " I wonder where we 
 are to be sent now ? " One says we are to make an attack on 
 
252 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 the right ; another, on the left, while some have decided that we 
 are to be sent far away. To some the balance of the night brings 
 little rest ; the thoughtful ones spend a portion of it in writing 
 letters to those at home, while others, either careless or wise, as 
 you may consider them, get all the rest they can. Ah! that 
 element of uncertainty as to what the hour was to bring forth — 
 was it not one of the fascinations of a soldier's life ? 
 
 We had just become comfortably fixed in camp, when Decem- 
 ber 6th brought us one of these sudden changes. Half- past six 
 o'clock ou the morning of December 7th found our division in 
 motion, with our faces turned southward, following Gregg's 
 Cavalry and the Fifth Corps, the Third Brigade in the rear. 
 Just as we were about to move, Colonel McAllister received his 
 well-earned promotion as Brevet Brigadier-General for gallant 
 and distinguished services at Boynton plank-road, on October 
 27th. We soon struck the Jerusalem plank-road, and turned 
 toward North Carolina. We had not marched many miles 
 before it began to rain heavily, making the marching extremely 
 tiresome. The march was a very rapid one, and the halts few 
 and short. Heavily-loaded as the troops were with blankets, 
 overcoats and the extra clothing necessary in winter, the rapid 
 marching told heavily upon them, and the roadway was soon 
 lined with stragglers. Others, in their efforts to keep up with 
 their comrades, lightened their loads by throwing away over- 
 coats and blankets, articles which they could illy spare. At one 
 point in particular it seemed to me that for hundreds of yards 
 the roadsides were covered with such impedimenta thrown away 
 by the troops in our front. It was surely a rich harvest for the 
 ill-clad Southern bushwhackers, who were skulking in swamps 
 and thickets awaiting our passage and an opportunity to shoot 
 down and rob some foot-sore straggler. 
 
 Just after dark we crossed the Nottaway river on pontoons 
 and bivouacked on the southern bank. We had matched a dis- 
 tance of twenty miles through rain and mud, and the order to 
 bivouac was a welcome one. The evening brought a cessation 
 of the rain, the clouds broke away and the stars began to look 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 253 
 
 down upon a weary and wet lot of soldiers. Camp-fires were 
 lit and soon the fragrant aroma of coffee — that panacea for 
 many a soldier's ills — perfumed the evening air. Then pipes 
 for those who smoked, and rest upon the sodden ground. 
 
 After the enjoyment of so many years of comfort since the 
 war, it seems incredible that a soldier could have rested under 
 the circumstances that oftentimes surrounded him. Sometimes 
 he slept in line of battle, while the shot and shell were 
 whistling and shrieking over him and the jar of guns made 
 the earth tremble; sometimes upon the sodden ground, while 
 rain-drops washed his upturned face ; again, upon the hardened 
 earth, while frost was binding the streamlets or the snow-flakes 
 weaving for him an extra covering. Under conditions that to 
 the civilian would seem the most improbable, the soldier rested. 
 
 On the morning of December 8th the roll was called long 
 before the break of day, and at half-past six the column was 
 again in motion. All the troops comprising the expedition had 
 crossed the evening previous, except the stragglers, who were 
 picked up by the cavalry that had followed to the river, and by 
 them taken back to camp to prevent their being captured by the 
 enemy. The day turned out warm and pleasant, overcoats were 
 at a discount, and, as before, many thoughtlessly threw them 
 away — an act which they very much regretted before the expedi- 
 tion reached camp again. 
 
 The country through which we were then passing seemed to 
 be fertile and well tilled, but the same condition prevailed that 
 was found in so many parts of the South through which Union 
 troops passed. It seemed to be populated only by women, 
 children and negroes. If a white man was seen, it was a speci- 
 men too old and decrepit to take to the shelter of the swamp 
 and thickets. This condition did not prevail because there were 
 no able bodied white men in the country (as many of our poor 
 stragglers found to their sorrow), but because with guns in their 
 hands they were lying in hiding, waiting until the column 
 should pass beyond hearing, that they might pick off unwary 
 
254 
 
 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 stragglers and rob the bodies even to nakedness. Many mur- 
 ders of this kind were perpetrated, of which we knew nothing 
 until the return-march revealed them. In the meantime the 
 women were clamoring for safe-guards to protect their property, 
 which in many cases, on the outward march, were provided. 
 
 Lieutenant Edwin K. Good. 
 
 After a long, hard march we neared Jewett's Station, on the 
 Weldon railroad, where we learned that our cavalry had already 
 burned the station, cut the telegraph and were busy tearing up 
 the railroad. We bivouacked for the night to be ready for a 
 hard day's work on the morrow. The weather had changed 
 again and the north wind was bringing with it frost and ice. 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 255 
 
 Large camp-fires were lit and the night passed as comfortably as 
 the circumstances would permit. 
 
 The boys were astir very early on the morning of the ninth, 
 for the weather had grown so cold during the night that it was 
 impossible to obtain much sleep, the only comfort to be had 
 being around the camp-fires. Daylight was awaited with 
 impatience, but with its coming we fell in line and marched 
 down the railroad until we reached the track not yet destroyed. 
 The cavalry had been at the work of destruction on the after- 
 noon of the 8tb, but, owing to their method of working, their 
 progress had not been very rapid. Their plan was to pry the 
 rails loose from the sleepers (which, owing to a lack of proper 
 tools, was rather difficult), then lift the sleepers from their beds 
 and put them in piles to be burned. General McAllister 
 introduced a quicker (and what may be called the Western) 
 method of accomplishing the same result. Although his 
 business had been that of building railroads, he yet seemed to 
 be well versed in the art of destroying them. The 
 brigade was deployed in single file on one side of the road, a man 
 to each tie ; then commands were given not known in military 
 tactics, and not taught at West Point. First, the command was, 
 " Take hold," when every man would bend over and grasp the 
 «nd of a tie ; then would follow the command, " Lift up," and 
 in a few moments the railroad would be lying upside down. 
 The strain incident to the turning would so loosen the spikes that 
 the removal of the rails became much easier. After the separa- 
 tion of rails and sleepers the latter would be piled up and set on 
 fire. The rails would then be placed across the burning sleepers, 
 with the ends projecting. As the center became heated the ends 
 would bend to the ground, thus making it impossible to use them 
 again without being sent to the mill to be straightened. Often- 
 times the heated rails would be taken and twisted around trees 
 and telegraph poles. It was heavy work, but was thoroughly 
 enjoyed by most of the men, and sometimes quite a rivalry would 
 exist as to who could put the most crooks in a heated rail. When 
 the destruction of one section was completed we would move to 
 
256 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 another, and so the work went on until nine o'clock in the even- 
 ing, when we were ordered to bivouac for the night, and were 
 told that the object of the expedition had been accomplished and 
 that at daylight we would begin our return march. 
 
 Our advance at this time was near the North Carolina line,, 
 and for many miles the railroad was utterly destroyed. During 
 the day our pickets brought in a booty of one prisoner, nineteen 
 head of cattle and two mules. On the outward march the right* 
 of private property had been respected, at least by the officers 
 and men of our division. That there was some plundering I 
 have no doubt, for among large bodies of men there will always 
 be found some who recognize no law but the law of might, and 
 who, despite orders and the strictest discipline, will find ways of 
 appropriating anything they think will be useful to themselves. 
 Safe-guards were granted whenever the women asked for themy 
 for the men, if not honest, were at least nan est. But so peculiar 
 was the moral bias of these people that they could unblushingly 
 ask protection for their property while knowing that their friends 
 and relations were lying in wait to treacherously take the lives 
 of the friends and comrades of their protectors. 
 
 Near where we were working at one time on the 9th stood 
 a neat farm-house, occupied, as usual, by a Southern lady. She 
 complained that the cavalry had plundered her place and stolen 
 seven thousand dollars in gold. She wanted a safe-guard, which 
 General McAllister granted her. Soon afterward one of her 
 out-buildings was found to be on fire. As the flames progressed 
 a fusillade of small arms was heard which caused us for the 
 moment to think that the enemy was upon us, but it was found 
 to proceed from the burning building, in which had been con- 
 cealed a number of loaded guns. For what purpose? A 
 peaceable farmer would not need so many arms for his own pro- 
 tection. After that occurrence but little attention was paid ta 
 the request for safe-guards. 
 
 The night of the 9th came cold and wet — rain, snow and sleet 
 made sleep almost impossible, and, as on the previous night, the 
 boys spent most of their time around the blazing camp-fires. 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. ' 257 
 
 We were bivouacked in a woods, and morning revealed the 
 trees decked in crystals of ice. Early morning of the 10th 
 found us in motion, with our faces once more turned northward, 
 Crawford's Division, of the Fifth Corps, in rear of the infantry, 
 Gregg's cavalry following. We were quite a distance in the 
 enemy's country, cut loose from all communication with the 
 main army, and it was expected that the enemy would try to 
 prevent our return and that we would have to fight our way 
 through. Preparations were made accordingly; flankers were 
 thrown well out and every precaution taken to prevent a 
 surprise. 
 
 It was a fine, crisp winter morning and the rising sun revealed 
 nature in royal robes. From every twig hung pendants of 
 crystals, and the fields and meadows that yesterday were clothed 
 in the brown hues of decay were now decked with diamonds 
 which sparkled with iridescent lustre beneath each sunbeam. 
 But, oh, what miserable marching ! The same sun that irradiated 
 the twigs and grasses turned the roads to liquid mud, except 
 where here and there an ice-coated pool lay in wait for the unwary 
 footstep. But we had to press on, with few and short halts. 
 
 We had not marched many miles before the booming of cannon 
 told us that the enemy was hanging on our rear, but Gregg 
 repulsed them with his cavalry and the column pushed on. 
 
 The night of the 10th was bitterly cold, and it was the fortune 
 of the Eleventh to bivouac on the crest of a wind-swept hill ; but 
 the writer does not remember any cold winter's night during his 
 term of service when he slept more snugly and comfortably than 
 he did on that same cold night of December 10th, '64. He, 
 with four or five comrades, was fortunate enough to secure the 
 lee side of a log for a bed-chamber. After scraping together 
 what leaves we could (we did not pitch any tents), we pooled our 
 blankets, overcoats and tents and made a family bed. It was the 
 writer's good luck to get a central position, where (with the 
 possible exception of the tip of his nose) the cold could not reach 
 him. Judging from the restlessness of those on the outer sides 
 of the bed, they were not quite so comfortable. 
 
258 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 Early on the morning of the 11th we were again on the 
 move toward Sussex Court House. The roads were solid in the 
 early morning, but the heightening sun soon brought about the 
 same conditions that had prevailed the day before. During the 
 previous day we had heard frequent rumors of Union soldiers 
 being found murdered and stripped along the way, but we, as a 
 regiment, had had no ocular proof of their truth. We had 
 not gone far on the way on the morning of the 11th, when word 
 was brought that six or seven dead bodies were lying close to- 
 gether in the woods, not far from the line of march. General 
 McAllister and a number of others went to view them. It was 
 a pitiful sight; from all appearances they had been stripped and 
 made to kneel in a circle, then shot — murdered in cold blood. 
 What else could it be called but murder ? When we who par- 
 ticipated in the great conflict shall have passed away, and the 
 historian shall weigh with impartial scales the acts and motives 
 of the contestants, giving due weight to such barbarous acts 
 as these and the more barbarous acts perpetrated in the prison- 
 pens of the South, how shallow then will appear the boast of 
 chivalry ! 
 
 After proof of such murders, committed not by the regular 
 soldiery of the South, but by the so-called home-guards, who, 
 hidden in swamp and thicket, like beasts of prey, lay in wait 
 for the unsuspecting straggler, and whose wives all along the 
 line of march had been clamoring for protection for their 
 property, is it any wonder that the remainder of our home- 
 ward march should have been lit by the flames of burning 
 stacks and barns ! 
 
 Toward night we reached the Nottaway river, where we halted. 
 Two regiments were thrown out as flankers, and the balance of 
 the brigade was ordered back to meet General Crawford, relieve 
 him and protect the crossing. After Crawford's men had reached 
 the north side, McAllister's Brigade were assembled and followed. 
 Thirty men, however, of the Eleventh, who, under Lieutenant 
 Hand, had been sent back to guard the roads, came near being 
 left. They reached the bridge only in time to walk across on 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 259 
 
 the string-pieces, the planking having been removed. After 
 marching a few miles on the north side, bivouac was made for 
 the night. 
 
 At seven o'clock on the morning of the 12th we resumed the 
 march along the Jerusalem plank-road, and in the afternoon 
 reached our lines and went into camp. If there was any one among 
 us who still entertained the idea that the Southern blacks were 
 perfectly contented with the conditions of slavery, this Weldon 
 railroad raid was well calculated to dispel it. From nearly every 
 plantation passed they came in squads to join the line of march. 
 Willingly turning their backs upon the only homes their lives 
 had kuown, joyfully cutting loose from all the associations that 
 under other conditions humanity is so loth to sever, they came 
 with smiling faces and cheerful shouts to take refuge beneath the 
 folds of our flag, recognizing, as if by intuition, that its broad 
 stripes and glittering stars were the symbols of liberty and 
 equality. Ignorant as they were of the world's ways and of all 
 knowledge of political ethics, they seemed to have learned that 
 the blue-clad columns trudging so sturdily along the Southern 
 highways had not sprung to arms for sectional supremacy ; had 
 not taken their lives in their hands because of hate to persons or 
 people, but for love of the grand principle of individual liberty 
 and national unity. 
 
 It may be well to note in detail a few of the many incidents 
 that occurred in this connection during our five days' campaign 
 
 During the 8th, on our way out, a group came hastening 
 from a distant farm-house. It consisted of father, mother and 
 a number of children. As they took their places along the 
 highway, ready to join the column that was to lead them to the 
 land of promise, they discovered that one daughter had been 
 left behind. The father, fearful that he would be detained if 
 he returned for her, tearfully implored some one to go. One of 
 General McAllister's aids rode up to the house, and, getting 
 the child, brought it to the father. His thankfulness was un- 
 bounded, and the happy family, now united, gave voice to many 
 expressions of gratitude. Colonel Price, of the Seventh New 
 
260 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 Jersey, with the kindness that ever distinguished him, interested 
 himself in their welfare and had them placed in a baggage- 
 wagon. 
 
 Again, on the 10th, on our return march, when passing a 
 plantation, owned, I think, by a Mr. Level (who, however, was 
 not visible, though his wife assured us that he was a first-rate 
 Union man — I suppose he and his sons were kindly protecting 
 our flanks to warn us of the approach of the enemy), a group of 
 seventeen came hastening across the fields to join the Union 
 column. They had heard of our approach, and upon seeing the 
 stars and stripes floating in the breeze they gathered their 
 household goods and hastened to its protecting folds. They 
 were of all sizes and almost every hue. One, a girl of about 
 sixteen, was very pretty and showed but little trace of negro 
 blood ; another, a year or so older, was very dark, but each 
 called the same woman mother. Although the weather was 
 cold enough to make the need of heavy clothing felt, these poor 
 people were very thinly clad, the girls having on light summer 
 clothing and only a threadbare shawl to add its protection. 
 There were also two small children, but in the excitement of 
 flight one had been forgotten. The older and darker of the 
 two girls mentioned dropped her bundle and started back, 
 saying that she would carry the child herself rather than it 
 should be left behind. She soon returned, bearing it with her, 
 but in an almost nude condition, its bare legs being exposed to 
 the biting winter air. The mother carried the youngest, the 
 daughter mentioned the next, and, though some of the party were 
 barefooted, with smiling faces they trudged along the half- 
 frozen highway beside the Union soldiers. A stream was 
 reached which had to be forded. This caused a dilemma, but 
 members of McAllister's staff, taking the youngest upon their 
 horses in front, carried them safely over, and the happy party 
 went on rejoicing. It was a laughable sight to see those men of 
 many battles carrying in their arms those woolly-headed 
 pickaninnies, but it was an act that did credit to their humanity. 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 261 
 
 Shortly after crossing the stream we went into bivouac for 
 the night. A tent was put up for the contrabands, supper 
 given them, and blankets with which to make themselves 
 ■comfortable for the night. But the family was not com- 
 plete and they could not be content. A week or two 
 previous to our coming, one of the daughters had been tied 
 to a whippingpost and given one hundred lashes by her mis- 
 tress, after which she had fled to the woods and yet remained in 
 hiding. Her brother had carried her food at night. The father 
 and brother seeing the rest of the family safe with the Union 
 troops and comfortably fixed for the night, resolved to devote the 
 night to finding the missing one. It was a dangerous under- 
 taking, for the enemy hung upon our rear, and if captured, the 
 least that would have been done would have been to remand 
 them to captivity, followed by punishment for attempting to 
 escape. But much to the joy of all, long before dawn they 
 returned, bringing the missing one with them. 
 
 The winter of '64 and '65 was a very cold one in Virginia, 
 and good winter quarters were things to be desired. It was not, 
 therefore, very agreeable, after becoming pleasantly located, with 
 stockades well built and all things comfortably fixed to guard 
 against the cold, to be ordered out upon some expedition or flank 
 movement ; and still less agreeable to be compelled, on return- 
 ing, to locate a new position and begin again the construction of 
 quarters, knowing that other troops who, perhaps, had not been 
 upon any extended service, were enjoying the fruits of our labor 
 in the camp left behind. But such seemed to be our fate during 
 the winter of '64 and '65. Perhaps the exigencies of the service 
 called for it, but it was disagreeable, nevertheless. 
 
 After returning from the Weldon railroad expedition, we 
 located near the Globe tavern, or Yellow house, as it was more 
 generally known, and attempted once more to make ourselves 
 comfortable. 
 
 In this connection I will relate the tale of Oliver's horse, as 
 given me by Lieutenant Hand. Lieutenant Oliver had a 
 brother attached to one of the cavalry regiments, who, in the 
 
262 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 course of bis wanderings, had become possessed of a superfluous 
 horse. Knowing that Charles A., who belonged to the Eleventh 
 foot regiment, must often become weary with much tramping, 
 he made him a present of the extra steed. The Lieutenant was 
 highly* elated with his acquisition, and indulged in many a secret 
 smile when he thought of his brother officers tramping along 
 through mud and slush, while he, above such discomforts, rode 
 by. Just before we started with Warren on the Weldon rail- 
 road raid Oliver obtained leave of absence. He was anxious to 
 see home, but reluctant to leave the horse. Upon leaving, he 
 placed it (with many admonitions) in the care of Proctor, the 
 cook. Proctor was generally known as " Kate," and being 
 cook for many line officers he had a generous supply of pots, 
 pans and other cooking paraphernalia, which, when the regi- 
 ment moved, he strapped upon Oliver's horse. That would not 
 have made an overload, but the officers soon began to grow 
 weary and piled their blankets and other impedimenta on the 
 horse until he looked like an animated furniture van. " Kate n 
 frequently expostulated, saying the horse was overloaded, but they 
 either laughed at him or met his expostulations with threats of 
 getting another cook if he could not get the horse along. That 
 would generally silence him, for he was very partial to good 
 living and not very fond of fighting. Sometimes the horse 
 would tumble into a ditch, then "Kate'' would have to unload 
 to get him out; then would come all the trouble of re-packing. 
 With many hard words, and much tugging and hauling, "Kate" 
 managed to get the horse back to camp. Judge of his surprise 
 and grief when, on going out the following morning to attend 
 to its wants, he found it dead. I doubt if Oliver ever learned 
 the real cause of his horse's demise. 
 
 For several weeks we were allowed to remain near the Yellow 
 house, doing picket-duty, and every third day sending out heavy 
 working details to help in the construction of Fort Fisher and 
 its connecting lines. It was near Fort Fisher that the famous 
 signal tower that afterward stood as a landmark for miles around 
 was erected. All who were with the regiment will remember it 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 263 
 
 — and the signal station perched like an enormous crow's nest in 
 the top of a giant pine tree. 
 
 On the 23d of December the regiment, with the rest of the 
 division, was called out to witness the execution of a deserter. I 
 do not remember to what command he belonged, but he had 
 deserted to the enemy, and, passing northward through the lines, 
 had been caught, tried by court-martial, and condemned to be 
 shot. Had he manifested the same courage upon the battle-field 
 that he did at the place of execution he would have won the 
 encomiums of his comrades. He met his fate undaunted, and 
 even removed the bandage when placed over his eyes. Courage 
 is a variable quality, present at times when death seems immi- 
 nent and absent when danger is remote. 
 
 Between our picket-lines at this point was a large field of un- 
 husked corn, but the pickets on each side were so watchful that 
 for a time neither party could harvest it. On January 16th, 
 however, the enemy came out with the intention of having a 
 corn-husking frolic, and as our pickets were not invited to par- 
 ticipate, they naturally took offense at such a lack of courtesy, 
 and drove them away with a hot picket-fire. The firing caused 
 a general alarm and soon the whole command was under arms 
 and in line of battle. The next day the bone of contention was 
 removed by our brigade going out in force with wagons and 
 harvesting the entire crop. 
 
 Although it was always uncertain how long we would remain 
 tenants of any one camp while on the siege of Petersburg, when- 
 ever opportunity offered some place was prepared for religious 
 services. At the Yellow house a brigade chapel had been 
 erected, which was dedicated on Sunday, January 15th. The 
 services were very interesting — four chaplains participating. A 
 melodeon had been procured, the music of which, added to that 
 of the choir of male voices, carried us in fancy back to the peace- 
 ful Sabbath services that we had enjoyed at our far-away 
 Northern homes. 
 
 Chaplain Cline, in a letter written on December 23d, '64, 
 speaking of the state of the regiment at that time, says : " Con- 
 
264 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 valescents had joined us, so that on leaving Brandy Station we 
 set out with 256 enlisted men and 21 commissioned officers. I 
 cannot give you the exact number, but I think about 60 are 
 still absent, wounded. Many of these, everyone knows, will 
 never be fit for duty again ; 24 are reported prisoners or missing 
 in action ; as near as I can tell, 30 have been killed upon the 
 field of battle, or died of wounds received there, 5 of whom 
 were commissioned officers — Captains Sleeper and Lay ton, Lieu- 
 tenants Baldwin, Egan and Boice. Four other officers were dis- 
 charged on the ground of disability, and two, I am sorry to say, 
 were dismissed. This may give you some idea of the changes 
 in our regiment since last spring. Of our Christian brother- 
 hood — our regimental church — numbering forty-seven in May, 
 but sixteen are with us. Five of our little band lost their lives 
 in their country's service, fifteen are absent in hospitals or 
 among our suffering heroes in rebel prisons, and the remaining 
 eleven are on detached duty at Trenton, Brigade Headquarters, 
 or elsewhere. These are the facts. The figures as I give them 
 are full of meaning, and as I write them down my thoughts run 
 back to last winter, and I contrast the scene as it was then with 
 what it is to-day. How striking and how sad the contrast is ! 
 
 " To-day at twelve o'clock John E. Dixon, First Maine Heavy 
 Artillery, was shot for desertion. According to order, our 
 division was present to witness the execution. As Chaplain Hop- 
 kins and I, with a party of men, were very busy cutting and haul- 
 ing logs to complete our chapel, we were excused." 
 
 On January 17th the division was reviewed by Generals 
 Humphries, Mott and McAllister. 
 
 On the afternoon of the 28th a party of seven contrabands, 
 five males and two females, came in through the picket detail of 
 the Eleventh. Their clothing was a fitting illustration of the 
 scarcity of such articles in the Confederacy, being composed of 
 many pieces held to their persons with bands of tar-string, and 
 would have. excelled Joseph's in the variety of colors. They 
 had come from Dinwiddie Court House, and having had to ford 
 many small streams, their clothing was stiff with ice and their 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 265 
 
 feet nearly frozen. Strange, what hardships and privations 
 humanity will suffer for love of freedom, even when it confers 
 but a doubtful boon ! 
 
 Just at evening on February 4th orders came to be ready to 
 march at daylight the next morning. That night services were 
 held in the chapel for the last time, and then the men lay 
 down to get what rest they could, for marching orders brought 
 with them an uncertainty as to when another opportunity would 
 be had ; and under the conditions existing in the army at that 
 time they were almost equivalent to orders to fight. 
 
266 THE ELEVEN1H REGIMENT, 
 
 Chapter XVII. 
 
 Hatcher's Run — Armstrong House. 
 
 The movement inaugurated on the morning of the 5th was 
 another attempt to grasp with the left hand of the army 
 some of Lee's lines of communication with the South. It was 
 supposed that the Boynton plank-road was being used by the 
 enemy's wagon-trains in conveying supplies to their army from 
 the lower stations on the Weldon railroad. Gregg was there- 
 fore ordered to move with the cavalry to Dinwiddie Court 
 House by way of Ream's Station, and from there up and down 
 the Boynton road, capturing whatever trains he could. Warren, 
 with the Fifth Corps, was to take position on the Vaughn 
 road, midway between Hatcher's run and the court-house, so as 
 to be within supporting distance of the cavalry under Gregg. 
 Humphries, with his two reserve divisions, was to take position 
 at the crossing of the Vaughn road over Hatcher's run and at 
 Armstrong's mill, keep up communication with General 
 Warren, and also with the left of the entrenchments held by 
 General Miles' First Division of the Second Corps. 
 
 By seven o'clock on the morning of the 5th the regiment was 
 on the move. After a march of about three miles we crossed a 
 branch of Hatcher's run and went into position near the Thomp- 
 son* house. General McAllister's official report will perhaps 
 give the best idea of the position and work of the regiment 
 during the day : 
 
 " Headquarters 3d Bsi., 3 Div., 2d A. C, 1 
 " February 14th, 1865. j 
 
 "Major — In compliance with orders from Division Headquarters, 
 I have the honor to report the part taken in the operations of the 
 5th and 6th insts. According to orders received, we broke camp 
 and left on the morning of the 5th, the brigade following the 
 
 * McAllister called it the Tucker house. 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 267 
 
 Second, commanded by General West. On passing the Armstrong 
 house we were halted, and I was ordered by General Mott to 
 place my brigade in line of battle near the Tucker house, across 
 the road leading past it, and to throw out pickets well to the 
 front, connecting them with the Second Division pickets on my 
 left. Also to guard well my right. This was accomplished in a 
 very short time, giving my personal supervision to the placing of 
 the pickets and connecting them with the Second Division pickets, 
 on the road leading through the left center of my line, as directed. 
 After taking a survey of the whole field, and making myself ac- 
 quainted with the swamp on my front and right, I returned to my 
 command. At twelve-thirty I received orders from General 
 Humphries to build breastworks. My men went at it with a will 
 and soon had the works well under way. I, at the same time, 
 extended them toward the swamp on my right to prevent being 
 flanked. Meanwhile an order was received from General Mott to 
 throw a regiment across the road a considerable distance from 
 my left. This road led down towards the Armstrong mill. I 
 placed the Seventh New Jersey, commanded by Colonel Price, 
 and had my brigade connect with him by taking distance to the 
 left. The works were now nearly completed. 
 
 "At 3:30 P. M. a staff officer from Brevet Brigadier-General 
 Bamsey presented a telegram from General Humphries, directing 
 General Kamsey to relieve me in my position. At the same time 
 the head of General Bamsey's brigade appeared upon the ground 
 with the General leading it. I obeyed the order, and sent my 
 Adjutant-General, Captain Finklemaier, to division headquarters 
 for orders, in the meantime massing my brigade in the rear. 
 
 "At four P. M. I received orders to form on the left of General 
 Bamsey. I at once commenced the movement. My right regi- 
 ments were just filing in when the attack commenced on the 
 picket-line. I then ordered double-quick, and the men moved in 
 rapidly. Lieutenant-Colonel Willian, of General Humphries' 
 staff, then informed me that there was a gap in the line, between 
 myself and Bamsey, caused by General Bamsey closing to the 
 right. My rear regiment, the Eleventh New Jersey, Colonel 
 Schoonover, intended for the left of the line, was taken off and 
 hurried into this gap. They received a fire from the enemy, and 
 returned it, causing the left of the enemy's line of battle to falter 
 
268 
 
 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 and lie down. The fire was taken up all along the line as fast as 
 my troops were formed. The pickets on my new front having 
 run in without firing a shot, left the enemy right on us before I 
 had my line completed. Eegiment after regiment, as fast as they 
 wheeled into position, opened on the rebels, causing their line to 
 
 Private A. B. Sealing. 
 
 halt and lie down.* The left regiment, the Eighth New Jersey, 
 under Major Hartford, had no works, and were exposed to a 
 terrible fire in their exposed position, but they stood nobly and 
 fought splendidly. Not a man of this regiment, nor indeed of the 
 whole brigade, left for the rear. 
 
 sion 
 
 * The pickets on our front at this time belonged to the Second Divi- 
 
NEW JJEBSEY VOLUNTEERS. 269 
 
 " Major Hartford and his regiment deserve especial credit for 
 the gallantry they displayed in getting into position under the 
 severe fire and holding it, without -works, while two regiments of 
 the Second Division, that had been lying for hours a little to my 
 left, on the approach of the enemy gave way without firing a gun, 
 leaving a still larger space between my left and the Second Divi- 
 sion. After completing the line on my left I rode along the line 
 with my Adjutant-General, Captain Finklemaier, encouraging the 
 men to stand firm and the day would be ours. The One Hundred 
 and Twentieth New York, Colonel Lockwood, was on the right of 
 the Eighth New Jersey, and he and all his officers were on their 
 feet doing the same. The Seventh New Jersey, Colonel Price, 
 came next. This regiment was formed at a different angle so as to 
 enable them to pour an enfilading fire on the enemy's lines, and 
 prevent them from advancing into the gap. I gave the order and 
 it was executed handsomely, and added very much to the repulse 
 of the enemy. Had it not been for this and the aid of the artillery 
 of the Tenth Massachusetts, commanded by Lieutenants Green 
 and Adams, which was throwing its fire across the swamp at right 
 angles with the enfilading fire, all would have been lost. Those 
 artillery officers deserve great credit, and I have the pleasure of 
 mentioning them favorably. 
 
 " The enemy advanced with the yell so well known to all, and 
 fell back ; again they advanced with a determination to break my 
 line, but my line stood firm and rolled back the tide of battle in a 
 highly creditable manner. Prisoners said they advanced in three 
 fines of battle. From all I could see and learn, I think that was 
 the case, though the woods prevented our seeing their movements. 
 
 "In riding along the line I found Chaplain Hopkins, of the 
 Eleventh Massachusetts, using a gun and firing constantly, and 
 encouraging the men to stand firm. He is deserving of mention. 
 
 " Before the battle ended General Humphries and a part of his 
 staff came upon the line and was an eye-witness to the scene. It 
 was pleasing to see how the appearance of the corps commander 
 inspired our men to new effort. 
 
 " The third attack of the enemy then attempted ended in a com- 
 plete route, and, night closing in, they fell back to the woods, 
 leaving their dead behind them. During the latter part of the 
 engagement two regiments of the Second Division came up to the 
 
270 TEE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 support of the left of my line, and at the close the whole of the 
 Second Brigade formed on my left. A number of prisoners came 
 in during the evening and were forwarded. During the night our 
 pickets were thrown out, and, tired and exhausted as the men were, 
 most part of the night was spent in building breastworks on the 
 left of the gap ; the rest laid on their arms during the night. 
 
 "On the 6th the strengthening of the line was continued : our 
 picket-line was advanced, and details were sent out to slash the 
 timber and bury the enemy's dead. During the afternoon part of 
 my command was sent out on a reconnoissance toward the enemy's 
 line, which they discovered to be about one and a half miles from 
 our own. 
 
 " February 7th, packed up and remained under arms until dark ; 
 one-fourth of the men remained under arms all night. 
 
 " In conclusion, permit me to say my officers and men did all that 
 could be desired of them ; the former, regardless of their own per- 
 sonal safety, encouraging the men to stand firm, the latter firing 
 low, as directed. To mention some would be doing injustice to 
 others. I must, however, not omit to mention Captain J. P. 
 Finklemaier, who fully sustained his previous reputation for 
 bravery and gallantry in action, advancing and encouraging officers 
 and men everywhere under the most terrific fire. Also my aids, 
 Captains Charles F. Bowers, A. A. D. C, and Lewis M. Morris, 
 Brigade Inspector, and Lieutenant W. Plimley, who went with a 
 will into the thickest of the fight whenever ordered. Subjoined I 
 have the honor to submit a list of casualties : 
 
 " Seventh New Jersey, 1 man wounded. Eighth New Jersey, 11 
 enlisted men killed, 2 officers and 35 enlisted men wounded. 
 Eleventh New Jersey, 1 enlisted man killed and 1 wounded. One 
 Hundred and Twentieth New York, 2 enlisted men wounded. 
 Total killed, 12 enlisted men. Wounded, 2 officers and 39 enlisted 
 men ; total, 53. 
 
 "B. McAllister. 
 
 " To Major E. Driver, A. A. G. 2d Div. 2d A. C." 
 
 As will be seen from General McAllister's official report, it 
 was one of the fortunate chances of war that saved the Eleventh 
 from taking position in the open ground on tne left of the line. 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 271 
 
 Had not Ramsey's closing to the right left a vacancy that the 
 Eleventh was hurried in to fill, its roll of casualties no doubt 
 would have grown to greater proportions. The difference be- 
 tween the loss sustained by the Eighth New Jersey (which was 
 on open ground without breastworks) and the other regiments of 
 the brigade shows the great benefit to be derived from even a 
 slight line of works when troops are acting on the defensive. 
 
 Although General McAllister's report gives only general com- 
 mendation to the officers and men of the brigade, except in the 
 case of Major Hartford and the immediate members of his staff, 
 I think as much could be said for all the officers of the brigade. 
 I am certain that no officer or man belonging to the Eleventh 
 shirked a duty. Conspicuous among them for coolness of bear- 
 ing and seeming disregard of danger was Colonel John Schoon- 
 over and Captain Charles F. Gage. We know that it was 
 impossible to have mentioned by name all enlisted men who 
 bore themselves gallantly through battle, but we of the ranks 
 sometimes felt that unnecessary praise was lavished upon those 
 in office, who, after all, did only their duty and what their 
 superior position gave them opportunity to do. A good leader 
 no doubt is a prime essential to a good army, but no matter how 
 brave and capable a leader might be, he would be helpless with- 
 out brave and trusty men to follow. We, know that the morale 
 of a regiment or brigade was often lowered by hearing (in gen- 
 eral orders) extravagant praise given to some favorite officer, who 
 at best did nothing but his duty, while the soldier in the ranks 
 was spoken of in vague and general terms. The American sol- 
 dier in the war of the rebellion was not a machine, as are the 
 majority of the soldiers in European armies, but a man who had 
 volunteered for a specific purpose, and who, though obeying 
 orders, would not subordinate his thinking and reasoning facul- 
 ties to authority, and he was apt at times to listen with disgust 
 to the extravagant praise lavished upon those who had been 
 fortunate enough (through political or other influences) to secure 
 a pair of shoulder straps. He recognized the fact that without a 
 union of parts there could be no perfect whole, and that the 
 
272 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 humblest man in the ranks who did bis whole duty deserved as 
 much as he who commanded and directed — for each did only as 
 much as circumstances or ability enabled him to do. 
 
 In the attempt to break through our lines at this point, three 
 of the enemy's divisions, parts of Hill's and Gordon's Corps, 
 under General Gordon, were engaged. They were confident of 
 success, and General Gordon, in conversation after the war, 
 expressed surprise that his repeated attempts had been foiled by 
 only one brigade and a battery of artillery. 
 
 During the battle, while the enemy's lines were pressing hard 
 upon us, Chaplain Hopkins, of the One Hundred and Twentieth 
 New York, began to sing the " Battle-cry of Freedom." The 
 song was taken up by the brigade, and there is no doubt that as 
 the strains of music rose above the battle's din many hearts 
 resolved anew to " rally 'round the flag " whenever danger 
 menaced it. 
 
 Just before the opening of the battle, and while General 
 McAllister was directing the formation of the Seventh New 
 Jersey, a horseman in the uniform of a Union major approached 
 him with the remark : " General, I almost took a rebel officer." 
 The General replied, "Why did not you altogether do it? ,r 
 " He was well armed," said the major. "So are you," said Mc- 
 Allister, " and who are you ? " "I have charge of the picket- 
 line in front," he replied. "Then you belong to the Second 
 Division," answered the General, and gave no further thought to 
 the major at the time. On looking around for him some time 
 afterwards, for the purpose of making some inquiries in regard 
 to the pickets, he found that he had disappeared. Then it 
 occurred to the General that he might have been a rebel spy. 
 Events that occurred after the war had ended proved the sur- 
 mise a correct one. In a conversation between the Generals,. 
 after the war, speaking of this battle, McAllister asked Gordon 
 if he had sent an officer in the uniform of a Union major to 
 ascertain our position. Gordon replied, " Most likely I did." 
 
 Another interesting incident in connection with the battle of 
 February 5th was disolosed after the war had ended. Lieutenant 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 273 
 
 U. B. Titus, ordnance officer of the Third Division, Second Corps, 
 learned from Lieutenant Jones, who had held a position on Gen- 
 eral Gordon's staff, that when McAllister and staff rode out to 
 inspect the picket-line they passed near a number of Gordon's 
 men, under Lieutenant Jones, who were lying in ambush. They 
 had their guns leveled, when Lieutenant Jones ordered them not 
 to fire, remarking, " That man looks too honest to be shot down 
 like a dog." Had they fired, probably not one of the party 
 would have escaped. General Gordon, in conversation with 
 McAllister afterward, corroborated Lieutenant Jones' story. 
 
 Lieutenant U. B. Titus, the ordnance officer of the Third 
 Division, Second Corps, says : " Daring the fight I received an 
 order from General McAllister for ammunition, with the accom- 
 panying request to hasten it with all speed, as his regiments had 
 nearly exhausted their supply. I at once advanced with a load 
 of powder-coated Yankee pills to a spot as close as practicable in 
 the rear. In the course of issuing the ammunition and upon the 
 line I met with the General. Taking me by the hand, he ex- 
 claimed, ' Lieutenant, you have brought us just what we want; 
 we are giving it to them to day.' " 
 
 I will here say, by way of explanation, that wagons contain- 
 ing ammunition were seldom hauled to the extreme front. They 
 were taken as close as was consistent with safety, and from that 
 point the ammunition was distributed by hand. On this occa- 
 sion Lieutenant Titus, realizing the urgency of the case, did not 
 wait for ordinary details to do the work, but personally assisted 
 in carrying the ammunition to the line of battle. 
 
 Discouraged with the failure of their third attempt to pierce 
 our lines, the enemy retired behind their works. It was then 
 night, but it brought little rest to the tired soldiers, for most of 
 the night was spent in strengthening the works, not knowing 
 but the morrow might bring a renewal of the conflict. 
 
 On the 6th, our pickets were pushed farther to the front, but 
 no material change was made in the position of the regiment, 
 the work upon the lines being continued. Details were sent oat 
 to bury the dead, and others to slash the timber on our front. 
 
274 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 During the afternoon a part of the brigade went on a reconnois- 
 sance toward the enemy's line. Their main works were found 
 to be over a mile from us. 
 
 On the 7th of February we packed up and stood under arms 
 until night, and a part of the regiment was kept under arms 
 aH night. This order of thus spending the nights became more 
 and more frequent as the time approached for the final move- 
 ment. Some part of the command would be on duty constantly 
 during the hours of darkness, and an hour or two before day- 
 break the entire regiment would be called out. It was a wise 
 precaution, no doubt, but it was not very pleasant to be awakened 
 at a time when slumber was soundest and sweetest. 
 
 During the succeeding days we built a second line of works, 
 and made ourselves as comfortable as circumstances would 
 permit. 
 
 On February 21st a salute of a hundred guns was fired in 
 honor of the fall of Charleston and Columbia, South Carolina. 
 
 Desertions from the enemy's ranks had been very frequent, 
 an average of about ten a day coming in on our brigade picket- 
 line alone. 
 
 On the 24th another salute was fired in honor of the capture 
 of Wilmington, North Carolina. 
 
 Among the deserters who came in our line on March 1st 
 was an old man who said he had served three years and was 
 tired of it, and as his home was near Wilmington, and as that 
 place was now in possession of the Union troops, he would try 
 to make his way home again. Another, a young man, had been 
 enrolled since '61 but had escaped the army until that winter, 
 when they had hunted him with bloodhounds from the moun- 
 tains, where he had fled for safety, and to keep from taking up 
 arms against the Union. Many of the deserters who came in 
 on this part of the line were from Cook's Brigade of North 
 Carolinians. On the second of March, between the hours of 
 one A. M. and ten P. M. seventy-three came in through our 
 brigade picket-line. Even to the dullest mind the fact was plain 
 that the Confederacy was falling to pieces. 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 275 
 
 An unusually bright and intelligent-looking man was brought 
 to headquarters one morning by the picket-guard. Colonel 
 Schoonover inquired of him if General Picket was not becom- 
 ing alarmed at the frequent desertions from his division and 
 whether any steps had been taken to prevent desertions from his 
 line. He replied that " the usual number of men on a picket- 
 post was three, but it had recently been increased to four by 
 addiDg a man who was known to be reliable." " How, then," it 
 was asked " did you get away ? " " Oh," he answered, " I was 
 the reliable man on my post last night." 
 
 On the evening of March 4th the Rev. Dr. Hale, of Penning- 
 ton, N. J., arrived at brigade headquarters, as the guest of 
 General McAllister. Some extracts from the Reverend Doctor's 
 account of this visit may be of interest to the reader as showing 
 the impression our mode of living made upon the mind of a 
 civilian. He says : 
 
 " I left Pennington on Friday, March 3d, for the seat of war 
 in Virginia, Dr. Welling acting as escort ; passed through Tren- 
 ton and Philadelphia to Baltimore, going thence by steamer via 
 Fortress Monroe, and arrived early on March 4th at City Point, 
 the headquarters of the Army of the Potomac. In a freight-car, 
 on rough boards supported by boxes, we were conveyed slowly 
 to our destination, the Tucker house, near Hatcher's run, on the 
 railway built by the government for the transportation of troops, 
 provisions and ammunition. This was a distance of about thirty 
 miles in a southerly direction. Arriving about sunset, we were 
 cordially welcomed by General McAllister and assigned quarters 
 in the spacious parlor of the Tucker house, with the General and 
 his surgeon. A large open fireplace, well filled with logs and 
 sticks of pine, furnished a bright fire to cheer us and keep off 
 the cold. Window- sash and window glass had long since disap- 
 peared, and the places of doors and windows were supplied with 
 canvas. The next day, being the Sabbath, I preached morning 
 and evening in the chapel of the brigade. This was a structure 
 unique and attractive, tastefully put together throughout with 
 unhewn pine logs, poles and branches, with fixed seats and pulpit 
 
276 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 of the same, and carpeted with small green branches, all so well 
 arranged as to make a comfortable house of worship. This was 
 the handiwork of the soldiers of the brigade, by order of their 
 sympathetic, upright Christian commander. 
 
 " If there were any church- members who entered the army 
 leaving their religion behind them, General McAllister was not 
 one of them. He was nowhere and at no time ashamed of 
 Christ. He was equally firm in the practice of abstinence from 
 all intoxicating liquors, and he neither used alcohol himself nor 
 offered it to others. Although his rigid temperance principles 
 were not agreeable to some, yet they could not withhold their 
 respect from one who, in so manly a way, acted according to the 
 dictates of his conscience. No efforts were spared by him during 
 his four years' service as an officer in the army to persuade his 
 men to be habitually and thoroughly sober. Had all the officers 
 and men of the Union army indulged less in stimulating 
 beverages we would have had fewer defeats and a shorter war, 
 with a smaller expenditure of money and an immensely less 
 ■sacrifice of precious lives. 
 
 " One of the most painful scenes witnessed was the military 
 execution of a private, who had been tried by court-martial for 
 desertion, convicted and sentenced to be shot. A hollow square 
 was occupied on three sides by the regiments of the division in 
 command of General Miles. To the middle of the fourth side 
 was led the prisoner, an Irishman, attended by a priest. After 
 a short religious ceremony the condemned man was seated on 
 his coffin, then, at a signal by an officer, the fatal shot was 
 fired and instantly he fell dead. As soon as the surgeon pro- 
 nounced him dead he was placed in his coffin and buried in a 
 grave already opened near by. The penalty for desertion is just 
 and essential to the safety of the army, but some of these poor 
 ignorant men are too stupid to know when they are breaking 
 the law. 
 
 " Among the heroic ladies to whom the nation owes a debt of 
 lasting gratitude is Miss Helen Louise Gilson, who came into the 
 army under the protection of her uncle, Mr. Fay, of Boston, 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 277 
 
 Mass. She was a fine representative of those Christian women 
 of high intellectual culture, energy of character and patriotic 
 devotion, who helped to carry our nation through the war and 
 at the same time infused a more elevated moral tone through the 
 army. Upon the close of the war Miss Gilson returned home 
 and was married to Mr. Hamilton Osgood. 
 
 " The severe labors, exposure, cares and anxieties of her army 
 life had broken down a naturally strong constitution, so that she 
 lived only about one year. A handsome monument has been 
 erected over her grave in Mount Auburn cemetery by the Third 
 Corps Uniqn, under the direction of Dr. E. L. Welling, chairman 
 of the committee appointed for that purpose." 
 
 On March 11th there was a review of the corps by Generals 
 Meade and Humphries. The 25th of March brought the prelude 
 to the campaign of '65, which ended with the surrender of Lee 
 at Appomattox. A little after four A. M., while Company E, of 
 the Eleventh, was taking their turn at standing under arms in 
 the breastworks, heavy firing began upon the right. Soon the 
 entire brigade was under arms and orders were issued to pack up 
 and be ready to move at once. The enemy had made an attack 
 upon the Ninth Corps at Fort Steadman, broken through our 
 lines and captured the works. The capture of the picket-line 
 at that point was made easy because of the existing order to per- 
 mit deserters from the enemy's lines to bring their arms with 
 them. Groups of men, representing themselves as deserters, 
 entered the Ninth Corps' picket-line in front of Port Steadman 
 and captured the pits, thus opening the way for the assaulting 
 column. 
 
 Our camp was soon stripped of canvas, knapsacks packed and 
 the men ready for further orders. No movement, however, was 
 made until about ten o'clock, when the Eleventh Regiment was 
 ordered to demonstrate against the enemy's picket-line to the left 
 of the Armstrong house. We marched out in front of the works 
 and entered the woods to the left of the open space. Skirmishers 
 were thrown out and advanced to within two hundred and fifty 
 yards of the enemy's pits. 
 
278 TEE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 Colonel Schoonover, thinking the enemy's position too strong 
 to be assaulted with only one regiment, so reported to General 
 McAllister, who then sent the One Hundred and Twentieth 
 New York to his assistance, which was placed in position to the 
 right of the Eleventh. Three companies, however, of the One 
 Hundred and Twentieth were ordered to the left to protect the- 
 flank. 
 
 General McAllister, who had up to this time remained with 
 the front line, received orders from General Mott to place the 
 two regiments under command of Colonel Schoonover and 
 return to his headquarters, where he (General Mott) was waiting 
 to see him. The line was soon pushed forward to the edge of 
 the wood, from where the enemy's picket could be plainly seen 
 across an open field. Schoonover gave the order to charge, and 
 the line, led by its commander, sprang forward at a double- 
 quick, and although the advancing line was subject to an 
 artillery fire from the left and a severe musketry fire from the 
 front, the pits were quickly reached and captured, with about 
 one hundred prisoners. 
 
 As some of our men reached one of the pits still held by the 
 enemy, one of them placed his gun nearly against the breast of 
 one of our men and pulled the trigger, but fortunately the cap 
 failed to explode. Our Union soldier attempted to retaliate, but 
 his gun, too, played him false. Captain Thompson (who was 
 never far from the front) then appeared upon the scene, and 
 with a blow from his sword laid the rebel stunned and bleeding 
 at his feet. 
 
 The enemy kept up a rapid artillery fire for some time, and a 
 continuous musketry fire from their main line of works, less than 
 six hundred yards distant. The fire from one of the enemy's 
 redoubts to our left so enfiladed the line of picket-pits as to 
 render them untenable while the fire continued, while everyone 
 who showed himself was subject to a fire from their main line of 
 works. In front of their main line at this point was a strong 
 palisade, and in front of that nearly four hundred yards of 
 slashing. 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 27£ 
 
 General Smythe's Division should have connected with our 
 left, but at three in the afternoon had not yet done so, con- 
 sequently our left flank was unprotected. About that hour the 
 enemy advanced under cover of the woods and by a sudden 
 dash succeeded in capturing a portion of the line on our left. 
 
 It will be remembered that three companies of the One 
 Hundred and Twentieth New York had been sent to the left 
 flank. Upon these companies fell the weight of the flank attack,, 
 with the inevitable result that some were captured and others 
 driven from the field. This is written intending no disparagement 
 to the gallant men of the One Hundred and Twentieth, for no 
 other troops could have acted better when taken on flank and 
 rear. The result of this attack, however, left the left flank of 
 the Eleventh exposed and the presence of the enemy there in 
 temporary confusion. But the men- were quickly rallied, and, 
 advancing again, recaptured the part of the line lost. Lieutenant- 
 Colonel Lockwood, of the One Hundred and Twentieth New 
 York, who was division officer of the day, displayed great 
 gallantry in rallying and advancing his regiment during this 
 movement. Soon after the re-establishment of the line th& 
 Eleventh Massachusetts reported to the front, and was placed by 
 Colonel Schoonover in the wood upon the left. We also madfr 
 connection with General Smythe by taking distance to the left. 
 As the distance to be covered was about six hundred yards, it 
 left our line very weak. 
 
 About six o'clock in the evening the enemy again advanced 
 with a strong force, through the wood, upon our left. They 
 moved with great rapidity, and with a rush and a yell were upon- 
 us and, capturing pit after pit, succeeded in re-taking the entire 
 line, with about eighty prisoners. General McAllister coming up 
 with the Seventh and Eighth New Jersey the lines were re- 
 formed, but General Smythe having withdrawn his front no 
 further advance was made. The firing continued brisk all along 
 the line until long after dark. The shells shrieked through the- 
 woods, cutting away branches of trees and scattering the frag- 
 ments around us, but at last the noise of the battle ceased. 
 
-280 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 We remained in position until one o'clock on the morning of 
 the 26tb, when we were ordered to return to camp, leaving a 
 strong picket-line to hold the position. 
 
 The Eleventh New Jersey and the One Hundred and Twentieth 
 New York captured during the day one hundred and fifty pris- 
 oners, and lost in killed, wounded and missing one hundred and 
 forty-five enlisted men and two officers. The loss to the Eleventh 
 was sixty-four. The killed were Sergeant James Koalefs, of 
 •Company K, and Sergeant Samuel Kerr, of Company G. The 
 body of Sergeant Eoalefs was left between the lines. The next 
 <lay Chaplain Cline went, under a flag of truce, to recover it, but 
 the enemy had buried it. Sergeant Kerr had but recently rejoined 
 the regiment as an exchanged prisoner. lie had one of the main 
 arteries severed by a ballet and bled to death before surgical 
 assistance could be reached. 
 
 Daring the advance through the wood Company E was upon 
 the skirmish-line. Among its men there was one who, though 
 he had been with the regiment from the date of its muster into 
 the service, I think had never passed through a battle. By some 
 hook or crook he would always manage to escape the eyes of the 
 officers and get out, but would invariably turn up smiling when 
 the danger was over. 1 believe he had a genuine desire to pass 
 through an engagement, but timidity was so ingrained in his con- 
 stitution that whenever the opportunity offered he could not 
 pluck up courage to do so. 
 
 On the day in question Captain Gage, of Company E, was 
 acting Major, and the command of the company devolved upon 
 Sergeant Marbaker. He resolved that, if possible, he would 
 keep an especial watch upon the man mentioned. Daring a 
 halt that occurred in the wood, the Sergeant passed to the right 
 of the company. While there the line advanced again. Mak- 
 ing his way back towards the left, he found his man absent ; no 
 one seemed to know what had become of him. The Sergeant, 
 determined to find him, went back to where the line had been 
 halted. He was found in company with another, huddled 
 behind a big pine tree. When asked what they were doing 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 281 
 
 ■there, they expressed the utmost surprise that the line should 
 have advanced without their knowledge. They were escorted 
 to their places again, and though one managed to slip away 
 afterward, the one who was under especial charge was kept in 
 place until the fighting was over and the company returned to 
 camp. After finding himself safely in camp he came to the 
 Sergeant and thanked him for having kept him in line, saying, 
 " I can now honestly say that I have been through one battle." 
 I have related this incident to show that some who shirked did 
 so not because they chose to be cowards, but because nature had 
 endowed them with an excess of timidity they could not over- 
 come. I believe the man mentioned had a desire to become a 
 good soldier, but he simply could not. 
 
 As opposed to this, I noticed among the recruits in the same 
 company who were passing through their first battle experience 
 a man (Richard Porter by name) whose face was blanched and 
 whose limbs were trembling with fear. He evidently realized 
 to its full extent the danger that surrounded him, and yet, 
 paradoxical as it may seem, though terribly afraid, he had the 
 -courage to face the danger. 
 
 The New York papers in their reports of this engagement — 
 for probably the first time — gave the Eleventh the credit it 
 deserved, the " Herald " being especially commendatory. Just 
 previous to the action of the 25th, for some breach of discipline, 
 Lieutenant Alonzo Merritt had been placed under arrest. When 
 the fighting began he was in camp with Lieutenant William 
 Hand, then acting quartermaster. Hand asked him how he 
 would like to go out and help the boys. Merritt was ready in a 
 moment, and he and Hand both came to the front and took part 
 in the battle. Merritt conducted himself so gallantly that he was 
 released from arrest, and no charge made against him. 
 
 On returning to camp, after the fighting of the 25th, we again 
 put up tents and took up the routine of camp duty. But we 
 knew that our quiet could not long remain unbroken. Every 
 one felt that the operations of the 25th were really the initial 
 movements of the campaign — that the subsequent days of rest 
 
282 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 were but the inhalation of breath before the final struggle — for 
 " final " we felt that it would be. The frequent desertions from- 
 Lee's army during the winter told us that many of his veterans- 
 had lost all hope for the success of the cause for which they had 
 fought so long and gallantly. We knew that he still had a 
 
 Corporal A. S. Talmage. 
 
 formidable army of tried veterans, behind works that were unusu- 
 ally strong, and that the sacrifice of many lives would yet be 
 called for before the end should come. Yet we were anxious 
 for the commencement of the campaign, that it might be sooner 
 ended. Consequently there was but little grumbling when the 
 order to pack up and move came on the morning of the 29th. 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 283 
 
 " Headquarters 11th Regiment, New Jersey Vols. 7 
 "Camp near Hatcher's Run, Va., March 27, 1865. j 
 
 " Captain — In accordance with circular from Brigade Head- 
 quarters of this date, I have the honor to report the operations of 
 my command on the 25th inst. aB follows : 
 
 "About 10 A. M. I was directed by the Brevet Brigadier- 
 ■General commanding to take my regiment and make such 
 demonstrations against the enemy's picket-line on the left of the 
 4 Armstrong House ' as would develop the strength in his main 
 works. 
 
 "I entered the woods on the left of the open space and 
 advanced a skirmish-line to within about 250 yards of the enemy's 
 picket-line, when I determined, after viewing the ground, that one 
 Tegiment was insufficient to make a successful attack. The One 
 ■Hundred and Twentieth New York was accordingly sent forward 
 and placed on the - right of the Eleventh New Jersey. Three 
 companies of the latter regiment I deployed to the left in the 
 woods to protect my flank. The line was then advanced quickly 
 to the edge of the woods, when a charge was ordered and the 
 men went handsomely forward under a raking fire of artillery 
 from the woods, capturing the enemy's picket-pits with nearly 100 
 prisoners. The enemy kept up a rapid fire of artillery for some 
 time and a continued fire of musketry from the main works, 
 "which were less than 600 yards distant. I do not think there was 
 more than a thin single rank behind the works at the time. The 
 redoubt on the extreme right of the enemy's line so completely 
 enfiladed the line of picket-pits that it would have been untenable 
 had the fire been continued, while every man who showed himself 
 received a volley from their line of works. At this point the 
 enemy .have about 400 yards of slashing and a palisade 30 yards 
 in advance of the works. 
 
 " About three P. M. a force of the enemy advanced under cover 
 of the woods on the left of the line and succeeded in capturing a 
 portion of the line. The men were rallied a short distance in the 
 rear, the line advanced and the pits re-taken with a few prisoners. 
 Much credit is due to Lieutenant-Colonel Lockwood, of the One 
 Hundred and Twentieth New York Volunteers, then Division 
 Officer of the Day, for the gallant manner in which he assisted to 
 advance his regiment at this time. A short time after the line was 
 
284 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 re-established, the Eleventh Massachusetts reported to me and 
 was placed upon the left, in the woods. About this time I saw 
 General Smythe, who desired me to connect with his right and 
 protect his flank, as he was about to make a charge upon the enemy. 
 
 " As I had previously received orders from General McAllister 
 to make this connection, I attended to it in person. I was obliged 
 to extend my lines at least 600 yards to accomplish this, leaving it 
 weak through the woods. 
 
 "About six o'clock in the afternoon the enemy again advanced 
 through the woods on the left with a strong force and rushed upon 
 the hue with a yell, capturing pit after pit toward the right, and 
 finally succeeded in re-taking the entire line and about eighty pris- 
 oners. The men were re-formed along the pits occupied at present 
 by the picket-line, where they remained until withdrawn, about one 
 A. M. on the morning of the 26th. The Eleventh Massachusetts- • 
 was withdrawn, as directed, with the same division. I deem the 
 conduct of the regiments engaged in the capture and re-capture of 
 the enemy's line during the day was all that could be expected. 
 Too much praise cannot be given them for the manner in which 
 they first charged and captured the line. The officers, without 
 exception, behaved nobly. I desire to mention particularly Major 
 Scott, Captains Holmes and Newkirk, and Adjutant Russell, of the 
 One Hundred and Twentieth New York ; Captains Gage, More- 
 house and Thompson, and First Lieutenant Oliver, of the Eleventh 
 New Jersey. These officers deserve much credit for their personal 
 bravery and efficiency. A more cordial and earnest-working officer 
 than Major Scott I have never met. The reports of Lieutenant- 
 Colonel Rivers, Major Scott and Captain Gage are enclosed. 
 " Very respectfully, 
 
 "Your obdt. servant, 
 "(Sd.) John Schoononer, 
 
 " Lieut- Col. Comdg. 
 
 " To Capt. J. P. Finklemaier, A. A G., 3d Brigade, 3d Division, Ind. 
 Corps." 
 
 Following is the official report of the part taken by the Third 
 Brigade, Third Division, Second Army Corps, from March 29th 
 to April 14th, 1865 : 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 285- 
 
 " Headquarters 3d B., 3d D., 2d A. C, ") 
 "April 15th, 1865. J 
 "Captain A. W. Keene, A. A. G. Sd Div., Id A. 0.: 
 
 " In compliance with orders from Div. H. Q., I have the honor 
 to submit the report of operations of this command from Mar. 
 the 28th to date. Pursuant to orders, the brigade broke camp 
 on the morning of the 29th, and with the rest of the division 
 moved to the left. Our movements on the 29th and 30th con- 
 sisted in advancing our lines cautiously, the enemy's skirmishers- 
 falling back before us. On the 31st we moved further toward the 
 left to relieve the division near Boynton plank-road, where the 
 enemy was found strongly entrenched, three of their forts com- 
 , manding the road. An assault on one of these having been 
 ordered at 12 M., the 11th Mass., Lt.-Col. C. C. Eivers, and the. 
 120th N. T., Lt.-Col. Lockwood, supported by the left wing of the 
 8th N. J., Maj. Hartford, and the 11th N. J., Li-Col. Schoonover, 
 advanced. The regiments charged through heavy slashing to 
 crest of the hill overlooking the eneniy's works, and succeeded 
 in driving the enemy from and occupying a part of their rifle-pits 
 capturing some fifteen of their pickets. The attack was made- 
 under a severe fire from the enemy's batteries and sharp musketry 
 from their pits. After remaining there under the enfilading fire, 
 the enemy's artillery sweeping the entire front, for one hour, 
 orders were received to withdraw, which was a more difficult task, 
 than the advance. The men were drawn off almost one by one 
 under a severe fire from the enemy's sharpshooters, not, however,, 
 without the loss of many men killed, wounded and captured. 
 At dark the brigade was ordered to the left of the Boynton plank- 
 road, and took a position near a run in the woods. 
 
 "April 1st, at 5 A. M., the brigade was ordered to occupy the 
 line held on the afternoon of March 31st. After dark we again, 
 returned to the line in the woods held the previous night. Heavy 
 skirmishing was sustained all night, and when on the 2d of April,, 
 at 3 A. M., orders were received to withdraw to the position occu- 
 pied the day previous, the enemy opened a most galling fire of 
 artillery and musketry on our line. A general attack on the enemy's 
 line having been ordered on the 2d of April, Gen. Mott directed 
 me to send out and attack the enemy's picket-line in our immediate 
 front. The 8th N. J. was selected accordingly, accompanied by 
 
286 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 myself and staff. On reaching our picket-line, the enemy opened 
 a terrific fire of musketry, shell and canister upon us. The regi- 
 ment steadily advanced and succeeded in capturing the enemy's 
 whole picket-line in our front, 165 prisoners and 200 muskets. 
 The enemy's artillery fire still continued, which, however, was soon 
 -silenced by our men pouring a well-directed musketry fire into 
 their main line. The 11th Mass. and 11th N. J., whom I had 
 ordered for support, advanced. The enemy was observed to with- 
 draw their guns and leave. In the subsequent charge on the 
 enemy's main works, another lot of prisoners were captured. 
 Major Hartford succeeded in first planting our flag on the enemy's 
 redoubt at 9 :30 A. M. The whole command behaved most gallantly 
 in this charge and our men were seen grappling with the enemy, 
 who in some places offered the most stubborn resistance. 
 
 " This over the command moved, with the rest of the division, 
 toward Petersburg, in front of which the enemy bivouacked for 
 the night, and where news was received of the evacuation of 
 Petersburg and Eichmond. April the 3d, orders having been 
 received to pursue the enemy, we left, in connection with the 
 •division, the front of Petersburg, taking the river road toward the 
 Danville railroad, which we crossed on the morning of the 5th, 
 marching on the left of said road. We passed Jettersville on the 
 morning of the 6th, where the enemy's line was discovered in our 
 front. The 11th Massachusetts, on the left of the Division skir- 
 mish line, rendered valuable service. The balance of the brigade 
 was formed at once in line of battle and marched forward for 
 several miles, the 2d Brigade, Gen. Pierce, on the right, the 6th 
 •Corps on the left. 
 
 " At 3 P. M. a charge was ordered, which was executed in very 
 handsome style. "We succeeded in driving the enemy from our 
 front, and the 120th New York and 11th Massachusetts, with the 
 balance of the brigade, materially assisted in capturing the 
 enemy's wagon train and quite a number of prisoners. 
 
 "On the morning of the 7th we crossed the Appomattox at 
 High Bridge about two miles from Farmville. The enemy again 
 made a stand, and skirmishing was sustained all day. During the 
 night of the 7th the enemy left our front. We rapidly pushed 
 him toward Piedmont coal mine, New Store and Lynchburg road, 
 toward Appomattox Court House, where, at 3 P. M. of the 9th, 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 287 
 
 official intelligence was received of the surrender of General Lee. 
 The troops were then consigned to three camps, and remained so 
 until the 10th. The 8th New Jersey was then ordered to escort 
 the ammunition train back to Burksville. The rest of the brigade, 
 having followed the division toward Farmville, on the 11th, was 
 ordered to act as rear guard to the artillery train, with which it 
 arrived near Burksville on 14th, about 4 P. M. 
 
 " During this short and eventful campaign all the officers and 
 men of this command have exhibited such commendable bravery 
 and endurance that it is almost impossible to make a distinction. 
 I cannot, however, omit to mention particularly the brave and 
 gallant conduct of the following officers, and to recommend them 
 for brevet promotion : Lt. Col. John Schoonover, 11th N. J., and 
 Capt. John P. Pinklemaier, A. A. G., to date from the 21st of 
 Jan., on which date both officers have been recommended for 
 brevet promotion, in just appreciation of their valuable services 
 during last summer's oampaign. They have since, on the 5th of 
 February, near Hatcher's Bun, as well as throughout this cam- 
 paign, fully sustained their previous reputation, and are so well 
 known throughout the corps for their gallant and efficient conduct 
 in the field, that I deem it my duty to renew the application for 
 their well-earned promotion. Maj. Hartford, 8th N. J., for 
 gallantry exhibited on the 2d of April ; Col. Francis Price, 7th N. 
 J.; Lt. Col. Lockwood, 120th N. Y.; Maj. Scott, 1st Lt. and 
 Adjt. ; E. McRussell, 120th N. York; Capt. Chas. F. Gage, 11th 
 N. J., have exhibited commendable bravery on all occasions 
 during the campaign. Lt. "Win. Plunley, A. A. D. C, on my 
 staff, for his brave conduct on the 2d of April with Maj. 
 
 Hartford. 
 
 "Bobert McAllister, 
 
 " J. P. Finklemaier, "Brig. Gen. Gomdg. 
 
 "A. A G." 
 
 " Headquarters 3d Brig., 3d Div., 2d A. C. ) 
 "Gen. Order No. 7. "April 12th, 1865. J 
 
 "To the Officers and Men of this Brigade: 
 
 " It is a pleasure for me to again congratulate you on the bril- 
 liant success of this campaign, and the noble manner in which 
 you have acquitted yourselves in the different affairs in which you 
 
288 THE ELEVENTH BEGIMENT, 
 
 have participated. I must favorably mention the One Hundred 
 and Twentieth New York, temporarily commanded by Major 
 Scott, and the Eleventh New Jersey, commanded by Captain 
 Charles F. Gage, all under command of Lieutenant-Colonel 
 Schoonover, for their gallantry in taking and re-taking the 
 enemy's picket-line, with a large number of prisoners, on the 
 25th of March, under a severe fire of artillery and musketry. 
 The Seventh New Jersey, Colonel Price, for timely assistance 
 rendered late in the evening, in establishing the broken line and 
 making connection, under fire of the enemy. 
 
 " The Eighth New Jersey, Major Hartford ; Eleventh Massa- 
 chusetts, Major Dunham, and One Hundred and Twentieth New 
 York, Lieutenant-Colonel Lockwood, all under command of 
 Colonel C. C. Eivers, for gallantry in developing the enemy's 
 forces on the Boynton plank-road on March 31st. 
 
 " The Eighth New Jersey, Major Hartford, for the capture of 
 the picket-line, on the 2d of April, with a large number of prisoners 
 and arms, under a galling fire of shell and musketry, and planting 
 our flag on the enemy's redoubt. The Eleventh Massachusetts, 
 for their gallant advance with the division skirmishers on the 
 6th. The Eleventh Massachusetts and One Hundred and Twen- 
 tieth New York for their early connection with the Second 
 Brigade in the advance on the evening of the 6th, and the balance 
 of the regiments for their promptness in throwing out skirmishers 
 and their handsome advance which drove back the enemy and 
 assisted in capturing the wagon-train. While all were not engaged 
 at once, each did its share in helping to secure the great result, 
 of which you may all feel proud, and can now rejoice over the 
 greatest victory of the war. But in our rejoicing let us not forget 
 the gallant dead, that our prayers may go out daily for the widows 
 and orphans, and our hearts open to their wants in sympathy and 
 benevolence. 
 
 "Robert McAllister, 
 
 " J. P. Finklemaier, Brig.-Gen. Gomm'd'g. 
 
 "A. A. G." 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 289 
 
 Chapter XVIII. 
 
 Capture of Petersburg— Amelia Springs— Farmville— 
 Lee's Surrender. 
 
 After waiting until the Army of the James had taken our 
 places in the entrenchments, we moved by the left flank 
 down the Vaughn road, across Hatcher's run. Marching two or 
 three miles, we halted, faced to right and threw up a line of 
 works. Soon the order came to advance, and with skirmishers 
 thrown well out we moved slowly and cautiously toward the 
 enemy's lines, passing in the meantime an old line of rebel 
 works. This movement continued until dark, when we were 
 again ordered to move by the left flank. A heavy rain-storm 
 had set in, which, with the darkness and heavy undergrowth in 
 the forest, rendered marching very difficult. After passing a 
 deserted rebel camp we were halted, and lay in line of battle the 
 remainder of the night. A night's rest, obtained under such 
 conditions, is not a very pleasant one, nor conducive to sleep ; at 
 least, it would not be to a civilian. But neither mud nor rain 
 was sufficient to keep a tired soldier from sleeping. They 
 would catch a few winks under the most unfavorable of circum- 
 stances and on the most unpromising of beds. I remember 
 having obtained a passable night's rest upon a wagon-tongue, 
 with head and shoulders crowded upon the hounds and legs 
 twisted around the pole. 
 
 The rain was still falling heavily on the morning of March 
 30th. A hasty breakfast over, we again moved forward in line 
 of battle. Our advance led through woods and swamps and 
 across the Dabney mill road, about midway between Dabney's 
 mill and the junction of the road with the Boynton plank-road. 
 Soon after crossing the Dabney mill road our skirmishers struck 
 the enemy's pickets, but pressed them back, and we continued 
 advancing until we reached the vicinity of the Crow house, where 
 we halted and hastily threw up a line of works. We remained 
 
290 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 in that position until near two o'clock on the morning of March 
 31st, when we were ordered to fall in, and the movement by the 
 left flank was again taken up. The rain had ceased, but the 
 mud made marching wearisome work. Daylight found us at 
 the Boynton plank-road and near the enemy's works, which had 
 been built on our old battle ground of October 27th. Just to 
 the left of our brigade stood the white-oak tree under which 
 Hancock had his headquarters at the commencement of that 
 battle and from which the enemy had driven him. 
 
 The old battle-ground was hardly recognizable. From each 
 side of the Boynton road frowned a formidable battery — one 
 occupying the field upon which we had been so nearly captured 
 and from which we made the charge on October 27th — while 
 stretching westward along the White-oak road, now a heavy line 
 of earthworks, to the right and left the timber had been slashed 
 so that the features of the entire field had been changed. I think 
 but few at first recognized it as the place which a former visit 
 had cost us so dearly. 
 
 About 12 M., an assault having been ordered upon the enemy's 
 works at this point, the Eleventh Massachusetts and One Hun- 
 dred and Twentieth New York, supported by the Eleventh and 
 Eighth New Jersey, were formed under cover of the wood and 
 ordered forward. They charged through the slashing and reached 
 the crest overlooking the enemy's main line, capturing a portion 
 of their picket-line and a few prisoners. Daring the advance a 
 terrific artillery fire had been poured upon them, one spherical 
 case wounding fifteen men in Companies B and I of the Eleventh 
 New Jersey. Among the wounded was Sergeant Owens. Owing 
 to an enfilading fire from the enemy's batteries, the position 
 attained was found to be untenable, and after holding it for about 
 an hour the line was ordered to fall back to their former position. 
 This was found to be a more dangerous undertaking than the 
 forward movement had been. From some parts of the line the 
 men had to return one at a time, running the gauntlet of the 
 enemy's fire until they had regained the shelter of the woods. 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 291 
 
 Sometime after this assault the Eleventh Regiment was moved 
 by the left flank to the open ground near the Boynton plank- 
 road, and in direct range of the enemy's batteries. There it lay 
 for some time with no other protection than that afforded by a 
 few rails. The enemy opened upon it a severe artillery fire, 
 but fortunately no one was injured, though there were some very 
 narrow escapes. The writer, while standing in rear of his 
 company issuing ammunition, was splattered with dirt by a 
 bursting shell.* 
 
 About dark we were moved still farther to the left and took 
 position in the woods, to the left of the Boynton plank- road. 
 Some parts of the line occupied that night by the Eleventh was 
 very swampy, so much so that the men had to cut brush with 
 which to build a staging to keep themselves out of the water. 
 
 About five o'clock on the morning of April 1st the regiment was 
 moved back to the position occupied on the previous afternoon. 
 At dark, we again returned to the position in the woods held the 
 night before. Heavy skirmishing continued through the night, 
 and when, at three o'clock on the morning of the 2d, we were 
 again ordered to re-occupy our line on the right of the road, the 
 enemy opened on us a severe musketry and artillery fire. 
 
 At 7:30 an assault upon the enemy's lines was ordered. The 
 Eighth New Jersey leading, captured the enemy's picket-line 
 and a number of prisoners. It was followed closely by the 
 Eleventh New Jersey and Eleventh Massachusetts. As the line 
 advanced the enemy was observed to withdraw their guns ; the 
 
 * While the regiment was lying in this exposed position under the 
 heavy shell-fire from the enemy's batteries, General Grant and staff rode 
 along the lines within easy range of the enemy's guns. Evidently 
 inferring from the large escort that it was an officer of high rank, at 
 least thirty guns were trained upon the cavalcade as long as it was in 
 sight. This may seem like a needless exposure on the part of the 
 commanding general of an army, but it is a notorious fact, and the 
 history of the war will bear me out in the assertion, that no officer, no 
 matter what his rank, -who never came near enough to the enemy to hear 
 the whistling of a bullet or feel the jar of a bursting shell, made a record 
 for himself which is looked upon by posterity as especially brilliant. 
 
292 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 line then pushed rapidly forward and soon their main works 
 and a number of prisoners were in our hands. 
 
 Near where we entered the enemy's works stood a small, un- 
 painted house. It was tightly closed and showed no signs of 
 occupancy. James P. Myers, of Company E, then serving as a 
 stretcher-bearer, knocked at the door and, receiving no answer 
 and supposing the house to be empty, delivered a blow with the 
 end of his stretcher which burst the door open. The room 
 seemed to be unfurnished and untenanted, bat from the semi- 
 darkness a voice cried, " Young man, don't come in here." 
 Peering through the gloom he discovered a figure clothed in 
 bed-ticking — the figure of a woman, so old and bent and 
 wrinkled that she seemed more like a wraith than a human 
 being. Startled by the ghost-like appearance, Myers beat a 
 hasty retreat, saying, " Don't be afraid, old woman ; I won't 
 hurt you." 
 
 Others may have investigated the premises, but Myers was 
 satisfied with one glimpse of its uncanny occupant. 
 
 Leaving the works in our rear, and the old battle field of the 
 " Bull- ring" to our right, we crossed Hatcher's run and passed 
 up to the Boynton plank-road, which we followed towards 
 Petersburg, the enemy flying before us. 
 
 The Sixth Corps, having entered the enemy's works opposite 
 Fort Fisher, swept to the left as far as Hatcher's run, then facing 
 about marched in the direction of Petersburg. The Second and 
 Third Divisions of the Second Corps (Miles with the First 
 Division having followed the enemy out the Claiborne road 
 toward Sunderland Station) were ordered to continue in the same 
 direction, and connect with the left of the Sixth Corps. The 
 Third Division consequently continued up the Boynton road for 
 several miles until connection was made. It was then late in 
 the day and it was ordered to bivouac for the night. 
 
 On the morning of the 3d of April, it having been ascer- 
 tained that Lee had retreated during the night, we were ordered 
 to take up the pursuit. By eight o'clock A. M. we were on the 
 march by way of the river road. The march was kept up as 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 293 
 
 rapidly as the state of the roads would permit uuti! half past 
 eleven in the evening, when a halt was ordered for the night. 
 At six o'clock on the morning of the 4th we were again in 
 motion, following the Fifth Corps towards Jettersville. Merritt's 
 cavalry, coming in from our right, interrupted our march. 
 After the passage of the cavalry the column was again pushed 
 rapidly forward until near night, when it went into bivouac. 
 
 The men were then entirely out of rations and the trains were 
 eagerly looked for, but at two o'clock on the morning of the 5th, 
 when the march was resumed, they had not yet reached us. 
 Shortly after crossing Deep creek, Merritt's cavalry, which had 
 been near Bevel's bridge, on the Appomattox, again interrupted 
 the march. The infantry filed out of the road to allow the 
 cavalry to pass, and remained at that point to await the coming 
 of rations. About 8:15 the trains came up and rations were 
 issued. The men were given time to get breakfast, but at ten 
 o'clock orders came to move forward. Toward evening we 
 reached the vicinity of Jettersville, where we found the Fifth 
 Corps entrenched. It was supposed that Lee was concentrating 
 his army near Amelia Court. House; dispositions were therefore 
 made to attack him at that point. 
 
 On the morning of the 6th the Second Corps, in conjunction 
 with the Fifth and Sixth, was ordered to advance toward Amelia 
 Court House. Our division was to the left of the Richmond 
 and Danville railroad. After proceeding a few miles it was 
 found that Lee was in full retreat toward Lynchburg, having 
 passed our left during the night. The line of march was there- 
 fore changed, the Second Corps taking the direction of Deatons- 
 ville. The enemy's rear guard was found posted on high ground 
 beyond Flat creek, near Amelia Springs. After a sharp brush, 
 during which General Mott was wounded, they were dislodged, 
 and the advance continued. A running fire was kept up until 
 near dark, when they again made a stand on the high ground 
 eastward of Sailor's creek. The First Brigade, which had been 
 leading, was then placed upon the reserve, and the Second, under 
 General Price, and Third, under General McAllister, formed in 
 
294 THE ELEVENTH BEGIMENT, 
 
 line of battle and pushed forward. The enemy made a spirited 
 resistance, but were soon driven from their position. 
 
 On reaching the high ground overlooking Sailor's creek the 
 cause of the enemy's stand at that point was discovered. Parked 
 on low ground, east of the creek, was a train of one hundred and 
 fifty wagons. The drivers had just begun to pull out, but, our 
 line pressing swiftly down the slope, they escaped only with their 
 teams, leaving wagons and contents in our hands. The wagons 
 were loaded with miscellaneous stores, some even containing 
 female clothing. Many of the boys secured trophies of this cap- 
 ture, such as books, surgical instruments, and other pieces of 
 portable property. The writer obtained a military map of Vir- 
 ginia (since lost), and a Signal Corps glass which he gave to 
 Lieutenant Berry, from whom it was stolen. By the time these 
 movements were completed darkness had fallen, and the troops 
 bivouacked for the night. Beside the train mentioned the corps 
 gained, during its day's operations, three pieces of artillery, thir- 
 teen flags, and about seventeen hundred prisoners. 
 
 On the morning of the 7th we pushed forward to the Appo- 
 mattox, which we crossed at High -bridge. The enemy had set 
 fire to the railroad bridge at that point, and were making an 
 effort to destroy the wagon bridge, when Barlow's Second Divi- 
 sion reached the ground. Barlow's men advanced at a double- 
 quick and drove the enemy away, saving the wagon bridge. 
 Four spans at the north end of the railroad bridge were burned, 
 but the balance was saved, General Humphries says, " chiefly 
 by the efforts of Colonel Livermore and his party, who put out 
 the fire while the enemy were skirmishing under their feet." 
 
 After crossing the Appomattox we took a road leading to the 
 northwest, and which runs into the old Lynchburg stage-road 
 about four miles north of Farmville, thus leaving Farmville to 
 our left. Barlow's Division, however, continued up the rail- 
 road toward that place. 
 
 About one o'clock we struck a large force of the enemy 
 entrenched near the old stage-road. It was afterward ascertained 
 that nearly all that remained of Lee's army was concentrated 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 295 
 
 there. Our lines were kept pressed up close to the enemy, and 
 heavy skirmishing continued through the afternoon and into the 
 night. 
 
 One Southern writer, speaking of how closely they were pressed 
 on this occasion, says : " The enemy seemed to be ubiquitous - 
 the firing increased in rapidity and extent, until three sides were 
 at once set upon by the enemy. I never was so bewildered as on 
 this occasion." 
 
 Preparations were made for an attack in the morning, but 
 when the morning of the 8th dawned it was found that Lee had 
 again retreated. 
 
 About 6:30 we again took up the pursuit by way of the Lynch- 
 burg stage-road. We passed New Store about sundown. About 
 two miles beyond we halted for a rest. After a rest of a couple 
 of hours the column was again put in motion and continued the 
 march until after midnight, when we bivouacked. Having 
 marched in all about twenty-six miles, being without food, the 
 men were nearly exhausted. 
 
 Negotiations for the surrender of Lee's army had been pend- 
 ing since the evening of the 7th, when Grant's first letter was- 
 sent by General Humphries through the lines near Farmville. 
 
 When we halted at midnight on the 8th, Longstreet's troops 
 were less than three miles in advance of us. 
 
 The supply- trains reached us on the morning of the 9th, and 
 after rations were issued the column was again put in motion. 
 The head of the corps soon came within sight of the enemy, and 
 preparations for an attack were being made when a truce was 
 called. It was then about eleven o'clock. 
 
 The hours dragged slowly along ; anxiety was intense. Every 
 man knew that the truce indicated a continuance of the negotia- 
 tions for surrender and that the end could not be long delayed. 
 Every man was on the qui vive for news. If an officer came 
 galloping from the direction of the enemy, the men would say 
 excitedly, " Here comes news ; now we'll know ! " and when he- 
 passed by with no announcement of surrender, every countenance- 
 would drop. 
 
296 THE ELEVENTH SEGMENT, 
 
 Torn with hopes and fears, the hours passed slowly away until 
 four o'clock came. Then from the direction of Lee's army came, 
 at a rapid gallop, a group of officers. As they drew near, Meade, 
 bare-headed, with his hair streaming in the wind and wildly 
 waving his cap, was seen in advance. Every man was quickly 
 on his feet. As the commander of the Army of the Potomac 
 dashed past, he cried out: "Lee has surrendered! Lee has 
 surrendered ! " 
 
 Instantly the wildest excitement prevailed. The feelings that 
 had been so long suppressed burst forth in the wildest cheers. 
 Guns were fired and caps darkened the air. Officers were called 
 upon and compelled to speak, but could scarcely be heard, for 
 every patriotic sentiment elicited the wildest applause. The 
 artillery began to boom as if a battle were raging ; but soon its 
 voice was silenced for fear its tones, sounding of joy instead of 
 carnage, would lacerate the sensitive feelings of the conquered. 
 
 It was late in the night when the camp settled down to quiet- 
 ness, and calmer thought brought a full realization of what the 
 surrender of Lee's army meant to us. It meant an end to the 
 bitter struggle that had sown our land with the graves of our 
 noblest and best; that had brought sorrow to thousands of home- 
 circles and clothed tens of thousands in the habilaments of mourn- 
 ing ; that had bent the proud head of the father and silvered the 
 dark tresses of the mother ; that had ravished the roses from the 
 ■cheek of the maiden and stifled the joyous laughter of children ; 
 that had filled the country and towns with men maimed and 
 crippled by the stroke of the weapon or broken and shattered by 
 disease; that had left desolate ruins where once stood happy 
 •homes. It meant peace — peace in its full, broad significance; 
 peaceful nights, with no shot of picket or shriek of shell to break 
 our slumber ; no bray of bugle or rattle of drum to call us hur- 
 riedly to arms ; days undisturbed by the roll of musketry or the 
 thunder of cannon, with no dread of assault or enemy in ambush ; 
 no more long marches through dust or mud — through stifling 
 heat or pinching cold, with blistered feet and aching limbs. It 
 meant rest, and finally — home ! 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 297 
 
 Two days previous to breaking camp for the final campaign 
 men were detailed from the regiment to accompany the supply- 
 train. The men detailed from Company E were A. B. SeariDg 
 and Lambert Sharp, better known as " Bully." " Bully " was 
 one of the most incorrigible foragers in the regiment, and he did 
 not always confine his operations to property belonging to the 
 enemy. After his first night's duty at brigade headquarters he 
 returned to camp bringing three canteens of whiskey. It was 
 not until the boys had drank freely of it that they asked how he 
 obtained it, well knowing that it was not by any usual method. 
 The answer, if true, was not very assuring to sensitive stomachs. 
 He told them that he had bored a hole in the barrel, sucked it 
 out with a straw, and then transferred it to the canteen. 
 
 Molasses, when it could be procured, was thought to add a 
 desirable flavor to hard-tack. When passing New Store a 
 barrel with its head knocked out stood on the roadside. 
 " Molasses, molasses," ran along the line, and tin-cups were 
 ■quickly loosened from haversacks. As the barrel was reached 
 cups made a hurried dip, but you can imagine the strength of 
 the language used when, instead of Porto Rico, it was found to 
 be tar ! 
 
 Any lover of tobacco who passed through Farmville had no 
 need to want, for it was found there in abundance, and in 
 almost every form then known to the manufacturers of the 
 weed. Our trains passed through the town, and some of the 
 wagons being empty, Sharp, with his usual enterprise, loaded on 
 a goodly supply of tobacco, which he generously distributed 
 among his comrades in the company as soon as he met with 
 them. 
 
 Before resuming the account of our return from Appomattox 
 to Burksville Junction, and from Burksville Junction to Wash- 
 ington and on to Trenton, we will take up Lieutenant William 
 Hand's narrative of his service with the supply-trains during 
 this last and memorable campaign of the Army of the Potomac. 
 
 On February 1st, '65, Lieutenant William Hand, then of 
 ■Company I, was detailed as Acting- quartermaster of the 
 
298 
 
 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 Eleventh New Jersey, which position he retained until the regi- 
 ment was mustered out of service. After receiving this appoint- 
 ment, however, Lieutenant Hand participated in two of the bat- 
 tles in which the regiment was engaged — at Hatcher's run Feb- 
 ruary 5th, and the Armstrong house, already noted, March 25th,. 
 '65. 
 
 Lieutenant W. H. Egan. 
 
 Lieutenant Hand says : " From April 3d to the 9th we were 
 constantly on the move. We started with six good fat mules to- 
 each wagon, but before the surrender of Lee they were nearly 
 all worn-out. We used all kinds of devices to keep them going. 
 Every day we would make the loads of two or three wagons as 
 light as possible and send them on ahead to issue rations to the 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 299 
 
 men. Then they would have a chance to rest until the train 
 «ame up, when those teams would be put to heavy loads and 
 the tired mules to the lighter wagons and sent forward again. 
 We did the best we could to keep the men in rations, but it was 
 very difficult, as the men were marching day and night and our 
 mules were fast giving out with constant work and no rest. We 
 threw out everything that we could do without, and pressed into 
 service everything in the shape of a horse or mule that we could 
 find. It was a common thing to see quartermasters and ser- 
 geants and wagon-masters tugging at wheels or unloading and 
 loading wagons to get them out of the mud. Sometimes we 
 would put two or three teams to one wagon, pull it out of a 
 mud-hole or over a hill, and then go for another. 
 
 " I was sent to the front one day with rations. We loaded 
 wagons as light as we could, and, putting six of our best mules 
 to each, started on the jump to overtake the men. We reached 
 them about sundown and issued the rations. They were then 
 ordered to make themselves comfortable for the night, but before 
 they had time to make their coffee, another order was received 
 directing every one to press forward at once, and engage the 
 enemy wherever and whenever he was found, without waiting 
 for additional orders. ' For,' the order stated, ' General Lee 
 will surely surrender to-morrow if he is pressed.' He was 
 pressed, and surrendered. 
 
 " Our train was at Farmville when the surrender took place. 
 We were ordered immediately back to Burksville Junction. 
 
 " Our train started on the morning of the 10th of April, but 
 I was detailed to remain in Farmville in charge of a large 
 quantity of ammunition that was taken from the wagons to 
 make them lighter. I was to wait for some empty wagons that 
 were at the front issuing rations ; on their return I was to bring 
 the ammunition in them. We expected them about ten o'clock 
 in the morning, so I kept no rations for myself, nor horse. I 
 waited all day until dark, then I saw army headquarters come 
 into Farmville, and I reported to the Quartermaster-General. 
 He referred me to Major Johns, who told me that all the wagons 
 
300 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 were loaded heavily with captured guns and equipments, and 
 that there was no possibility of taking our ammunition. So I 
 left it there and started for Burksville. It was very dark, the 
 road was as bad as a road can get, and I had never been that 
 way before, but I thought my horse would naturally follow the 
 road the wagons had gone. 
 
 " It was a dreary, dismal ride, and I was entirely alone. Several 
 times I had to get down and feel for the tracks of the wagons to 
 make sure that I was on the right road. At last I reached 
 Burksville and found our wagons. Under one of them, asleep 
 on the ground, were my two Sergeants, Crisp and Titsworth. It 
 was about daylight, and knowing that ' Ed ' would soon be up 
 to take care of my horse I left him standing and crawled in 
 between the two sergeants, and, although I was very hungry, 
 was soon fast asleep. It was the first time in eleven days that I 
 had had an opportunity to take off my shoes and go to sleep 
 right. Even then I was not allowed to sleep long — I was called up 
 at eight o'clock for breakfast, my sergeants having invited me to 
 breakfast with them. And how I did eat ! They had some good 
 steak and coffee ; I thought it was the best that I had ever tasted. 
 After breakfast I went to sleep and slept the remainder of the 
 day. 
 
 " That evening the regiment came and the line officers with 
 whom I usually messed set ' Kate ' to work cooking a big: 
 kettle of beans. As they were cooking, each officer began to 
 season them to suit his own taste, until at last, with so many 
 bosses, the beans were about spoiled. Then Captain Smith 
 capped the climax, as he usually did, by stirring them with a 
 big bar of soap. So we had no beans that night. Then, to 
 change the program, we sat down and played euchre for sutler's 
 goods. We soon had Lieutenant Kockhill elected for twenty- 
 seven dollars' worth, and we voted that he should purchase that 
 amount for supper, which he did, and we had a royal supper — 
 without beans. 
 
 "Among other things that had beeu thrown out to lighten the 
 wagons was a Dutch oven belonging to Colonel Schoonover. 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 301 
 
 He felt very badly over the loss of it, and scolded me for throw- 
 ing it oat. I promised to get him another, and rode out in the 
 country to look for one. I found some colored people using 
 one in a large farm-house — there were no white people on the 
 plantation. I offered to buy the oven, but the boss darkey said 
 they ' couldn't spar it no how.' I offered a dollar, then two, 
 and so on up to five, but he would not sell. I thought Colonel 
 Schoonover's comfort was of more importance to me than theirs, 
 especially as I was only acting quartermaster and we had a long 
 march before us to Washington. If the Colonel appointed' 
 another Quartermaster I would have to march. If I retained 
 my position I would have a horse to ride, so I must have that 
 oven ; and, as I could not buy it, I confiscated it. I just 
 dumped the contents on the table and took it to camp and pre- 
 sented it to the Colonel. 
 
 "About this time we met an intelligent contraband who wanted 
 to come North. We engaged him to assist our cook, black our 
 shoes, keep our tents in order and make himself generally 
 useful. He wanted to know what we were willing to pay for 
 his services. Captain Smith suggested that if we fed and 
 clothed him $100 per week would be about the right figure, 
 and as no one objected, he thought that he was properly 
 installed into a good job at a pretty fair income. After a while 
 he began to look around for some money, but he never could 
 seem to meet the particular omcer whose duty it was to pay the 
 assistant cook for that particular week. There was a good 
 many of us, and somehow he always tackled the wrong one. 
 The one he wanted to see always happened to be absent when he 
 wanted to see him ; or, if he found him, it was not his week for 
 paying the assistant cook. We brought him along to Trenton 
 and left him there, but he never could learn the proper method 
 of collecting an assistant cook's salary. 
 
 " While we were in camp at Burksville a new horse was drawn 
 for the use of the adjutant. He was a beautiful dappled- gray,, 
 but he was a bad one, and the adjutant could not ride him. 
 
302 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 " One day Adjutant Berry was sick and Lieutenant Alonzo 
 Merritt was acting. He had about enough commissary aboard 
 to make him feel very brave, so he brought out the gray horse 
 •' to show him,' as he said, ' who was adjutant.' Then we had 
 a circus. Merritt was very sorry that he happened to be adjutant 
 before he got through. It was great amusement for the men, but 
 hard on Merritt and his clothing. He received many a fall before 
 he gave it up, but he failed to convince the horse that he really 
 was adjutant. 
 
 " Captain Gage afterward trained him and made him quite gen- 
 tle. Then I exchanged with Adjutant Berry, he taking my 
 black horse and I the gray. I was very proud of him, but on 
 the road from Richmond to Fredericksburg he suddenly became 
 very lame and I was obliged to leave him. I took my saddle 
 and bridle on my back and for about half a day trudged along 
 on foot, being a subject for laughter from every quartermaster 
 and sergeant on the road. At last I met a sergeant who had 
 captured a bony-looking specimen, apparently about twenty or 
 thirty years old and weighing about five hundred pounds. I 
 thought he might carry me until I could get something better, 
 so I bought him for thirty dollars. I found out afterward that 
 he was only four years old, and after he had been fed awhile and 
 got strong he could outrun any horse in the regiment. I brought 
 him home and sold him for ninety dollars, and he was afterward 
 «old for two hundred and fifty. 
 
 " In passing through Richmond on our way back to Washington, 
 I, in company with other quartermasters, rode about the city, 
 visited Belle Isle, Libby Prison and other places of interest, and 
 talked with many people along the streets. Most of the people 
 with whom we talked told us that at the time General McClellan 
 first appeared before Richmond there was nothing in the world 
 to prevent his taking the city; that everything was prepared 
 for evacuating it and that the Confederate army and the people 
 were greatly surprised when it was learned that he was falling 
 back. 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 303 
 
 " On our way we crossed the old battle-field of Fredericksburg, 
 and we then saw how very difficult it would have been for Gen- 
 eral Burnside to have taken the heights. In looking down 
 from the position occupied by the Confederates, the wonder 
 seemed to be how the Union army got so far as they did without 
 losing more men — though God knows it lost enough. 
 
 " When we left Washington for Trenton an opportunity pre- 
 sented itself — and I could not resist the temptation — to get even 
 with a wagonmaster who had refused me a ride nearly three years 
 before, when I was very sick. I was in charge of the transpor- 
 tation and I had provided a car for the officers, one for the non- 
 commissioned officers, and the remainder of the train for the 
 private soldiers. 
 
 " Our wagonmaster was making himself comfortable with the 
 non-com's, when 1 ordered him out and told him to go with the 
 soldiers. I would have liked to have made him walk had I had 
 the authority. 
 
 "When we reached Trenton we did not meet with as enthusiastic 
 a reception as some other regiments had received, and the men 
 felt somewhat disappointed. One day, as I was passing from 
 camp to my boarding-house, I saw Jimmie Butler, of Company 
 B, throwing water from the canal to the bank as fast as he could 
 with his cap. I asked him what he was doing. He said he was 
 going to flood the city and drown them all because they had not 
 entertained us as they should. But, fortunately, before we left 
 the city the ladies gave us a handsome collation and saved the 
 ■city from destruction by flood." 
 
304 THE ELEVENTH BEGIMENT, 
 
 Chapter XIX. 
 
 Our Return March— Burksville— Washington — The Grand 
 Review — Trenton — Mustered Out. 
 
 ON April 10th we began our return March, acting as rear- 
 guard to the artillery. We reached Burksville Junction 
 at four P. M. on the 14th. Many members of the late Army 
 of Northern Virginia accompanied us on the march, and while 
 many expressed delight at the termination of the war, others 
 were extremely bitter and made many foolish boasts of what 
 they would yet do. 
 
 At Burksville camps were laid out and preparations made for 
 a few weeks' rest or a march southward to meet Sherman's army y 
 as circumstances might dictate. 
 
 The spirit of content and satisfaction that follows a conscious- 
 ness of duty well done, a task faithfully performed, pervaded 
 the entire army. The glow of joy and hope beamed from every 
 face, when suddenly the news came that President Lincoln had 
 been assassinated, and the army was plunged into mourning. 
 Each felt as if he had lost a personal friend, one in whom he 
 had reposed the supremest confidence — and, indeed, such was 
 Lincoln to every true soldier of the Union. The humblest 
 private in the ranks, had he a grievance, had he met with in- 
 justice, felt that if the matter could be brought to "Uncle 
 Abe's" attention he would meet with justice; but justice tem- 
 pered with mercy. The news at first engendered bitter feelings 
 toward our conquered foe. But calmer thought and the evidently 
 sincere regrets expressed by many of our late antagonists, con- 
 vinced us that the death of our noble chief was looked upon by 
 the better class of Southern people as a new calamity. 
 
 On the 19th the entire brigade assembled to hear an obituary 
 sermon upon the late President. The brigade flags at half-mast r 
 the regimental standards draped, the muffled drums and low 
 booming of minute-guns told of an army in mourning. 
 
NEW JEBSEY VOLUNTEERS. 305 
 
 While in camp at Burksville, a number of our old members, 
 who had been absent sick or as prisoners, re-joined the regiment. 
 Among them was Sergeant Alpheus Iliff, of Company E, who 
 had been captured on the 10th of May, '64, at Spottsylvania. 
 He had been reported missing, and his family mourned him as 
 one dead. It was therefore a surprise to his comrades to learn 
 that for seven months he had been suffering the tortures of 
 Andersonville and Florence. He was the only prisoner from 
 Company E who was taken as far south as Andersonville who 
 returned to tell of his sufferings. 
 
 On Tuesday, May 2d, we broke camp at Burksville and 
 turned our faces northward. After a march of about eleven 
 miles we encamped for the night between Jettersville and 
 Amelia Court House. 
 
 After an early breakfast on the morning of the 3d, we resumed 
 our journey. Passing Amelia Court House, we marched to the 
 Appomattox river, which we crossed on pontoons, and halted 
 for the night a short distance beyond. 
 
 The extreme heat on the 4th made the march a very fatiguing 
 one, and quite a number were overcome by the heat. The line 
 of march led through a fine agricultural country, which showed 
 comparatively few marks of war's devastation. White inhabitants 
 were not so scarce as they had been along the lines of some of 
 our previous marches, but could often be seen curiously watching 
 the passage of the columns of blue. One old gentleman gave 
 expression to his amazement by exclaiming,-" You Yanks must 
 have a right smart heap of men." At sundown we halted for 
 the night. 
 
 The rain was falling heavily on the morning of the 5th, but 
 notwithstanding we were early on the way, and at noon reached 
 Manchester, opposite Bichmond. Here Major Halsey re-joined 
 us, having been absent sick, and took command of the regiment, 
 Colonel Schoonover being absent on leave. 
 
 We lay near Manchester until Saturday, the 6th, when we 
 marched through the town and down to the James river, which 
 we crossed on pontoons, the bridges having been burned by the 
 
306 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 enemy when they evacuated the city. The line of inarch led by 
 Libby Prison, the scene of so much suffering and cruelty, also 
 by " Castle Thunder," almost as notorious, and through some of 
 the principal streets and past the capitol, on the steps of which 
 stood Generals Meade and Halleck. The colored population 
 gave us a joyous welcome, but the whites looked sullen and 
 disappointed. We soon left the city behind and encamped for 
 the night near Mechanicsville. 
 
 We were off again at an early hour next day, crossed the 
 Chickahominy, passed Hanover Court House and did not stop 
 for the night until the Pamunkey had been left two miles 
 behind us. 
 
 The night of the 8th we bivouacked on a plantation owned 
 by James Lucknow, and the evening of the 9th found us on 
 the border of Spottsylvania oounty. 
 
 Early dawn of May 10th found us again on the march. 
 Crossing the Ta river we marched through the village of Thorn- 
 burg and continued the route by way of the Massaponax church 
 to near Fredericksburg. Our march led us across the rivers Ta, 
 Po and Ny, which with the southern branch, the Mat, united 
 form the Mattapony river. 
 
 At eight A. M. on the 11th we again fell into line. Marching 
 through Fredericksburg we crossed the Rappahannock on pon- 
 toons to Falmouth, and took the road to Hartwood church, near 
 which well-remembered locality we halted for the night. 
 
 Our route on May 12th was over a very rough road to Cedar 
 run, over which we were ferried in a pontoon boat, thence to 
 Broad run, which we forded. The march was kept up until 
 near midnight, when we halted near the Orange and Alexandria 
 railroad. 
 
 On the 13th we marched to three miles beyond Fairfax Court 
 House, by way of Manassas Junction and Centerville, fording, 
 on the way, Silver run, Kettle run and Bull Run river. 
 
 The 14th, being the Sabbath, we were given a day's rest. 
 Chaplain Cline held service under the shade of a large apple 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 307 
 
 tree. Colonel Schoonover returned and resumed command of 
 the regiment. 
 
 At two o'clock on the afternoon of the 15th we moved on 
 again, and after a march of about eight miles went into camp 
 near Four-mile run, where we remained until orders came to 
 start for home. 
 
 Though the war was over, and no enemy menaced us, yet for 
 some inexplicable reason the march from Burksville Junction to 
 near Washington had been pushed with as much vigor as if the 
 fate of the nation depended upon our reaching a certain point at 
 a given hour. Through rain and mud, dust and heat, early and 
 late, the march was kept up, to the extreme limit of endurance 
 and beyond, for, in fact, men who had escaped the deadly missiles 
 of the enemy on hard -fought fields, met death from sun-stroke 
 on this homeward march, over roads where no enemy lurked in 
 ambush or disputed our way from well-manned earthworks. 
 
 Who was to blame I cannot say. Certainly the government 
 was not so penurious as to hasten, in this manner, the discharge 
 of the men who had served it so long and faithfully. 
 
 A rumor was current at the time that a wager existed between 
 the staff officers of the Second and Fifth Corps as to which should 
 first reach its place of destination. If the rumor was true those 
 responsible should have been severely punished. 
 
 Both corps left Richmond on May 6th, and from there to 
 Fredericksburg their routes were nearly identical. But from 
 there on the Fifth had much the shortest route, it going direct to 
 the Occoquan at Wolf Run Shoals, and thence to their place of 
 encampment, while the Second Corps, as has been shown, 
 diverged northward by way of the Hartwood Church to the 
 Orange and Alexandria Railroad, and then by way of Centerville 
 and Fairfax Court House. 
 
 On Sunday, May 21st, Chaplain Cline delivered a very 
 touching sermon. He recalled with much feeling our long 
 association, the difficulties under which we had often met to 
 worship God — sometimes in the trenches, where the deep voice 
 of the cannon and the sharp crack of the rifle mingled with the 
 
308 TEE ELEVENTE REGIMENT, 
 
 voice of prayer and praise. He exhorted all to " become as 
 faithful soldiers for Christ as they had been for country." 
 
 The 22d was spent in polishing-up for the grand review. 
 
 On the 23d occurred the grand review of the Army of the 
 Potomac. At seven A. M. we left camp and marched across 
 the long bridge and up through the city to the east of the 
 capitol, where we remained until nine o'clock, when the signal 
 for the column to move was given. The line of march led up 
 Pennsylvania avenue. The sidewalks were thronged with 
 citizens, whose enthusiasm knew no bounds. All along the line 
 of march the heartiest cheers greeted us, while from nearly 
 every window flags and handkerchiefs were waving; flowers 
 were scattered in profusion, so that nearly every soldier carried 
 a bouquet in the muzzle of his musket. On the steps of public 
 buildings were grouped the children of the public schools, who 
 sang patriotic songs as we marched by. Theirs were the first 
 childish voices that many of us had heard for nearly three years, 
 and the sweet tones of their voices echoing above the strains of 
 martial music seemed to us a guarantee of peace and home. As 
 we passed the reviewing stand occupied by President Johnson, 
 Generals Grant, Meade and others, someone proposed three 
 cheers for the officers and men of the Eleventh New Jersey, and 
 they were given with a will. In many places banners were 
 displayed bearing the motto, " The public schools of Washing- 
 ton welcome the heroes of the Republic. The only National 
 debt we can never pay is the debt we owe to the victorious 
 Union soldiers." 
 
 After passing the reviewing stand the march was continued to 
 Georgetown, where we re-orossed the Potomac on a pontoon 
 bridge laid just below the aqueduct; then through Arlington to 
 camp, which we reached thoroughly tired-out with the day's 
 march and excitement. 
 
 On May 25th the camp was visited by Mrs. General McAllis- 
 ter and daughter, Mrs. Dr. Welling, Dr. Kirk and wife, Hon. 
 Marcus L. Ward, Hon. John Hill and others. In the evening 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 309 
 
 the camp of the Fifth and Second Corps, occupying opposite 
 positions, were brilliantly illuminated. 
 
 On the 30th we marched to Bailey's cross-roads, where the 
 corps was reviewed by many distinguished officers, both civil and 
 military, among whom were President Johnson, Secretary Stan- 
 ton, Generals Meade, Hancock and Humphries, Admiral 
 Farragut and others. 
 
 We had not been many days in camp near Washington before 
 the knowledge of our presence reached the camp of the con- 
 valescents, situated near by, and the various hospitals in and 
 -contiguous to Washington, and men who had been absent for 
 months, some because of wounds and sickness and others for 
 unexplained reasons, began to report back to their commands, all 
 anxious to accompany the regiment and be with it when it should 
 report back to the State. 
 
 Every regiment had a class of men who, while apparently 
 healthy, would manage in some way to get back to hospitals or 
 convalescent camps and remain there for months, or eventually 
 get transferred to the veteran reserve corps. Only those skilled 
 in that system of soldiering knew of the methods employed to 
 win the favor of the surgeons in charge so as to be reported 
 month after month as unfit for duty. Doubtless they made 
 themselves useful in some capacity, but a capacity that could 
 have been filled by those less fitted to stand the rigors of cam- 
 paigning. The aggregate of this class of men would have made 
 a respectable army as to size, but hardly as to courage, and per- 
 haps it was a wise provision to keep them in the rear, as they 
 would have been only a detriment to the brave boys in front. 
 Some of this class, who had been absent so long that they had 
 been dropped from the rolls, came walking into camp as smil- 
 ingly and as self-conscious as if their individual exertions had 
 brought about the final end of the war, and only that the war 
 was ended, and no good purpose could be served by their punish- 
 ment, were they allowed to escape. 
 
 One afternoon during our march northward from Fredericks- 
 burg we encountered one of the most terrific thunder-storms 
 
310 THE ELEVENTH BEGIMENT, 
 
 that we had met during all our experience as soldiers. The 
 thunder rolled like volleys of artillery, and the vivid electrie 
 sparks leaped from gun to gun till the regiment at times seemed 
 to be marching through sheets of flame. To add to the con- 
 sternation, a team attached to one of our baggage-wagons was 
 struck, and, I think, the entire team killed. While the storm 
 was still raging we were ordered to go into bivouac. We 
 managed to put up tents, but they were almost useless, for the 
 beating rain came through them as though they were sieves, and 
 streams poured underneath. To lie down was impossible, so we 
 huddled beneath our rubber blankets as best we could and 
 waited for the storm to pass. 
 
 As we approached Washington, and long before we came in 
 sight of the dome of the capitol, venders of pies, cakes, bread* 
 and the various luxuries to which we had long been strangers, 
 began to meet us. They scented the prey from afar, and know- 
 ing how lavish soldiers were with money, calculated to return 
 with empty wagons but well-filled pocket-books. If so, one 
 who pulled out along the road as the Eleventh was passing, 
 returned to Washington a sadly disappointed man. Peering 
 into the wagon one of our men discovered that it was loaded 
 with what the boys denominated soft bread, in contradistinction 
 to hard- tack. As usual, it was in sheets of eight or twelve 
 loaves. To fix bayonet was but the work of a moment — a rapid 
 oharge and a sheet was captured. The movement was quickly 
 followed up, and soon the entire load was marching with the 
 column, and the vender turned his face homeward with a lighter 
 wagon, but not much heavier purse. 
 
 Again, while lying in camp, we were visited by another with 
 a load of radishes and onions. He drove into camp, halted, 
 and turned his back to his horse and made ready to deal out 
 green groceries to purchasers. Some one slyly gave the horse a 
 prod with a bayonet which started it off at a double-quick. The 
 huckster, who was leaning against the tail of the wagon, turned 
 one somersault and the wagon, colliding with a stump, another,. 
 
NEW JEBSEY VOLUNTEERS. 311 
 
 while radishes and onions flew about promiscuously, to the profit 
 of the boys, who quickly gathered them up. 
 
 On the 2d of June General McAllister issued the following 
 farewell order to the officers and men of the old Third Brigade : 
 
 1 
 
 5.) 
 
 " Headquarters Third Brigade, Third Division, ] 
 " Second Army Corps, 
 " General Order, No. 10. June 2d, 1865. 
 
 " To the Officers and Soldiers of the Third Brigade : 
 
 " As we are about to separate, allow me once more to congratu- 
 late you upon your past and brilliant career, which now becomes 
 a matter of history. The war is over, the contest ended. The 
 glorious old flag of our country, consecrated by the blood of our 
 fallen heroes — under the folds of which you have so often, so long 
 and so gallantly fought and bled — now floats in triumph all over 
 our land. The war brought us to the field — peace returns us to 
 our homes. Our work is done, and we go to enjoy with our 
 friends in the several States represented in this command the 
 fruits of our victory. New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts- 
 have an interest in you as their representatives, and will do full 
 justice to the old Third Brigade. In parting with you I feel more 
 than I can express or language convey. We shared each other's 
 dangers, toils and fatigues on the march, in the battle, in the 
 charge, with victory or defeat. Ties of more than an ordinary 
 kind bind us together. Good-bye, comrades in arms ; God bless 
 you and the widows and orphans of those who have fallen by our 
 sides, and if we never meet again on earth may we meet in a 
 brighter and better world. 
 
 "Robert McAllister, 
 " J. P. Finklemaier, Brig. Genl. 
 
 "A. A. G." 
 
 On Sunday, June 4th, Chaplain Cline preached his last sermon- 
 to the Eleventh Regiment south of the Potomac. It was, in 
 fact, his farewell talk to the men with whom he had been identi- 
 fied for nearly two years and for whose welfare he had worked so- 
 earnestly. It was a touching effort, eloquent with reminiscences- 
 of the camp and the march, the battle and hospital. 
 
312 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 Between twelve and one o'clock on the morning of the 7th of 
 June we were notified that transportation had been procured and 
 that we would start for home at four A. M. There was no more 
 sleep that night, and tents were struck and knapsacks packed 
 long before morning. The recruits who had served but a short 
 time were notified that they had been transferred to and con- 
 solidated with the new men of the Twelfth, and would have to 
 report to that regiment. The most of them received the news 
 oalmly, for they knew that the war was over and at the farthest 
 itheir stay would be for only a few weeks. But one Joseph Lee, 
 
 The above cut shows the effects of a bnUet from the rebel lines upon a 
 Testament in the pocket of Sergeant Thomas Blackwood, of Company C. 
 Sergeant Blackwood now resides in Trenton, New Jersey, and still has in his 
 possession this highly-prized book. 
 
 a drafted man belonging to Company E, was very anxious to get 
 home, and could not believe that he was to be left behind. He 
 was assured by his comrades that he would have to remain, but 
 he would not believe them. Going to Sergeant Marbaker he 
 asked if it was true that he could not go home with the regiment. 
 The Sergeant told him that it was, but assured him that he would 
 not have to remain long ; that, as the war was ended, the remain- 
 der of his stay would be only a picnic. But he could not become 
 reconciled to the idea, and exclaimed : " I'll never get home ! I 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 313 
 
 know I'll never get home ! I'll die, I'll be d— d if I don't ! I'll 
 die, I'll be d — d if I don't ! " Though the man's distress was 
 evidently real and his determination to die pathetic, the men 
 could not help but laugh at his manner of expressing it. He 
 did get home, however, in spite of his expressed determination 
 not to do so, being mustered out with the rest of those transferred 
 to the Twelfth on July 15th. Besides the enlisted men trans- 
 ferred to the Twelfth were several commissioned officers of the 
 Eleventh : Captain T. J. Thompson and Lieutenant U. B. Titus 
 to Company A of that regiment ; Lieutenant E. White to Com- 
 pany C ; Lieutenant George H. Johnson to Company D, pro- 
 moted to first lieutenant of Company B June 24th, and Second 
 Lieutenant Watson P. Tuttle to Company I of the Twelfth. 
 
 At four o'clock on the morning of the 7th of June, '65, we 
 turned our backs upon our last encampment south of the Poto- 
 mac, crossed the long bridge for the last time as soldiers, 
 marched past the capitol and to the Soldiers' Best, where we 
 breakfasted. A train of box-cars stood ready to reeeive us. 
 We climbed on board and waited. Slowly the hours dragged 
 away, and no movement. "Are we never going to start?" is the 
 cry. At last, about two o'clock in the afternoon, we pulled out 
 for the North. The box-cars were stifling, and all who could 
 climbed on top. At Baltimore there was a long delay, but at 
 last we were again under way. We passed through Wilmington 
 and reached Philadelphia about two o'clock on the morning of 
 the 8th, stacked arms on Otsego street and breakfasted at 
 the Volunteer refreshment saloon. Stretched across the street 
 near the saloon was a large flag bearing the motto, " The 
 City of Brotherly Love Welcomes with Hearty Cheer the 
 Eeturning Braves." And here let me say that during the 
 long years of war no city in the Union did more — if as 
 much — for the soldier than did the City of Brotherly Love. 
 No worthy Union soldier had need to go hungry upon her 
 streets or want for a place to lay his head. The hands of her 
 inhabitants seemed never to grow weary of ministering to his 
 ■comfort, and their purses were ever open to supply his wants. 
 
314 TEE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 After daylight we marched to the ferry and crossed to Cam- 
 den, where our feet pressed again the soil of our native State. 
 After some delay we again boarded the cars for Trenton, which 
 was reached about nine A. M. We left the cars on East Canal 
 street, below State, and forming into line were marched up State 
 street to the capitol, where we very impatiently listened to 
 speeches by Governor Parker and General McAllister, after 
 which we were marched down to Camp Bayard. 
 
 Camp Bayard was situated on Coleman street, Chambersburg, 
 (now a part of the city of Trenton). It contained a large brick- 
 building, then used as a barracks (now as a cracker bakery). The 
 building and parade-ground were inclosed with a high board- 
 fence, with the gates or " sally-port " on Coleman street. Guards- 
 were placed all around the camp and orders issued to permit no 
 one to go out without a pass. The men paid but little attention 
 to the order. For nearly three years they had been amenable to 
 discipline, had submitted to orders that they had sometimes 
 thought unjust, and all without grumbling or a sign of insubor- 
 dination, but now that they were practically at home, the war over, 
 and no real necessity existing for such strict orders, they looked 
 upon them as an unwarranted stretch of authority. Many of 
 them lived in the city, but a few minutes' walk from camp ; 
 others had homes but an hour or two's ride away, and they did 
 not feel like submitting quietly to being penned-up day after day. 
 As a consequence, though no demonstration was made, the camp 
 was deserted by all who lived within easy reach of home. Some 
 of the guards had even placed their guns in their quarters and 
 wandered off. The writer had charge of the guard on the sally- 
 port. Home was only sixteen miles away — he had not seen it for 
 three years — should he stay in camp over night ? No ; the temp- 
 tation was too strong. Turning the guard over to a friend 
 (Sergeant George W. Lindley) he reported to Captain Gage that 
 he was going home. The captain suggested that he had better 
 have a pass and gave him one ; but, pass or no pass, home would 
 have been reached that night. That was the feeling of the- 
 majority, and guards were practically useless. On returning to- 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 315 
 
 camp, Lindley informed the writer that his guards had nearly all 
 left him before morning. Those who remained in camp on the 
 9th were treated to a fine collation by the ladies of the city. 
 The next day the following card appeared in the "State 
 ■Gazette " : 
 
 " Camp Bayard, June 10th, 1865. 
 "Editor State Gazette: 
 
 "Dear Sib — I desire, through the columns of your paper, to 
 return the thanks of the members of the Eleventh and Twelfth 
 Kegiments to Mrs. M. Whittaker, Mrs. Wauf old, Mrs. Willet Dunn, 
 Mrs. Robert S. Johnson, Mrs. Captain Corey, Miss Martha Young, 
 the Misses Buckman, and Mr. George James, for the splendid 
 repast given us at camp on Friday evening. This act of kindness 
 is duly appreciated and will be long remembered. 
 
 " John Schoonovbk, 
 " Bvt. Gol. Commanding." 
 
 On the 13th a dinner was given to the Eleventh and Twelfth 
 Begiments in Bechtel's Hall on Front street. Speeches were 
 made by Governor Parker, Hon. Marcus L. Ward, General Mc- 
 Allister, Colonel Schoonover, Mayor Mills and others. 
 
 We lay in Camp Bayard a week, awaiting our pay. Though 
 our discharges had not been given us, they had been made out 
 and dated the 6th, on which date we were mustered out of the 
 service of the United States. We were no longer under pay and 
 the men were anxious to reach their homes and again take up 
 the duties of citizenship. The delay may have been necessary, 
 but the men could not understand it and grew very impatient. 
 Several times a date had been set for payment, but the time would 
 pass by without any sign of receiving it. On the afternoon of 
 the 14th, without consulting with officers, nearly two hundred 
 men of the Eleventh and Twelfth formed in line and marched 
 up to the State House to ascertain just when they were to be paid 
 Being assured that it would not be later than the next afternoon, 
 they quietly marched back to camp. On the afternoon of the 
 15th, at 2 o'clock, we marched up Broad street, signed the rolls, 
 received pay and discharges and once more became citizens of the 
 State of New Jersey. 
 
316 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 Chapter XX. 
 
 Account of the Imprisonment of Corporal Aaron Lines, of 
 Company B. 
 
 Aaeon Lines, of Company B, was captured by E well's men on 
 October 14th, 1863, during the retreat from Culpepper — the 
 movement familiarly known as " the race." A short time pre- 
 vious to this movement he had made application to be transferred 
 to the cavalry — as a weakness of the chest made him fear that he 
 would not be able to bear the strain of long marches. But his 
 application was refused, the Adjutant saying that such men as 
 he could not be spared from the regiment. His fears proved 
 true, for during the hurried movement back to Centerville heights 
 he was compelled to fall out, and, as stated, was picked up by 
 Ewell. He was taken to the rear, as Ewell was forming for the 
 attack upon Warren at Bristow. As he was passing through the 
 rebel lines Ewell, who was sitting on his horse near by, asked 
 him how many corps we had in there. Lines answered, " I do 
 not know." He was turned over to a lieutenant in command of 
 the rebel provost-guard and put with a squad of other prisoners 
 who had been picked up on the march. As the rebel lines 
 advanced the prisoners were also moved forward and kept but a 
 short distance in rear of their line of battle, so close that during 
 the engagement they were under fire from the Union guns. 
 During the temporary absence of the lieutenant in command, a 
 major, with an Irish orderly, rode up and dismounted. They 
 were followed by about fifty dilapidated " Johnnies " on foot. 
 The major, with foul oaths, commanded the prisoners to take off" 
 their shoes. The order was very reluctantly obeyed. Lines, 
 who had on a very good pair, hesitated until the major in person 
 approached him and ordered him to take them off. He asked if 
 that was the way they treated prisoners of war. " Yes," replied 
 the major, "this is the way we treat you d — Yankees, who 
 come down here to rob us and burn oar homes." Lines answered, 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 317 
 
 " Perhaps I may some time see you a prisoner." That made the 
 representative of chivalry so angry that he reached for his revolver. 
 Lines, without further hesitation, took off the shoes and handed 
 them over. About that time the lieutenant returned, and was 
 seemingly very indignant at the major's treatment of the prison- 
 ers, and threatened to have him placed under arrest. But the 
 major expressed his willingness to assume all responsibility, and 
 the dialogue ended. The shoes were quickly appropriated by 
 the waiting crowd, who in turn threw their old ones to the 
 prisoners ; but many of them were left on the ground, as they 
 were not worth picking up. 
 
 When Lee's army turned "to retrace their steps the prisoners,, 
 now barefooted, were marched ahead, through woods and ravines, 
 over stones, briars and bushes. Their feet soon became so- 
 lacerated and swollen that it was almost impossible to rest their 
 weight upon them. But still they had to press on, keeping pace 
 with the mounted guard. Some gave out and died by the way- 
 side. They were nearly starved, but no rations were given them 
 until they reached the Rappahannock. They forded the river 
 and were hurried on through our old camp to Culpepper and the 
 Eapidan. 
 
 Lines says : " I cannot find words to describe my feelings, 
 either mental or physical. I am no longer craving something to 
 eat. I reel as I go ; the bottoms of my feet are scoured with the- 
 mud and gravel until they are perfectly raw; my legs seem para- 
 lyzed ! When I get warmed up I experience the most excru- 
 ciating pains from the ends of my toes to the hip-joints ! How 
 can I endure it? I seize a stick from the roadside to help hold 
 myself up, and, by grasping it with both hands, I relieve some- 
 what the weight from my feet ! " 
 
 They reached the Rapidan after dark and were placed on board 
 of cars and taken to Richmond, where they arrived in the day- 
 time. As they were marched up to Libby, men called from the 
 upper stories, " You have come to h — 1 ; if you have any money 
 hide it ! " They were packed in so closely that when they lay 
 down they had to lie partly across each other. After three or 
 
318 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 four days had passed, and after clothing and persons were 
 thoroughly searched for money, Lines, with a number of others, 
 was sent to Belle Isle. The lower part of the island, toward 
 Richmond, was nearly covered with dilapidated Sibley tents. 
 These were crowded full of prisoners, but were not sufficient to 
 accommodate near the numbers that were collected there. Those 
 unfortunate enough to be crowded out had to stand the inclem- 
 encies of the weather as best they could. Autumn passed and the 
 icy-blasts of winter began to sweep over the island, chilling to the 
 bone the half-clad, unprotected men. No wood was given to those 
 in tents, and not until some had died from exposure to the cold 
 was any given to those who were without shelter, and then it 
 was issued in such small quantities that it was practically 
 useless. Had it been equally divided among the whole number 
 it would have amounted to a stick about the size of a man's 
 fore-arm per capita esch day. The rations were ferried over 
 from Richmond, and consisted of about four or five ounces of 
 bread, a microscopic piece of pork, a pint of water colored with 
 about a tablespoonful of boiled peas (called soup), and occasion- 
 ally a little molasses or sorghum. So hungry would the 
 prisoners become that they would stand for hours upon the 
 river-bank straining their eyes to catch a glimpse of the boat 
 that was to bring them temporary relief. Many were without 
 blankets — Lines was fortunate enough to have kept his — but 
 there was none to spare to put under them, and they were com- 
 pelled to lie upon the frozen earth. After a few minutes of 
 such repose the side next the ground would be nearly paralyzed 
 with cold. All night long men could be heard double-quicking 
 up and down through the camp to keep from freezing. Upon 
 one occasion it was so cold that a cup of water that Lines had 
 placed near him froze solid and cracked open on the top during 
 the night. Many had their hands and feet frozen. Clothing 
 -was sent through the lines by the United States Government, 
 but those that received it almost immediately traded it to the 
 guards for food, being better able to stand the piercing stings of 
 frost than the gnawing pangs of hunger. 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 319 
 
 Lines, when captured, had a pair of home-made stockings 
 which had been sent him by his mother but a short time before. 
 These, with leather sewed upon the bottoms, constituted the 
 only foot-covering he had for nearly a year. It was rumored 
 that thousands of rations had been sent through the lines for the 
 prisoners by the United States Government, but if so the only 
 portion of it received by Lines was a piece of pork about half 
 an inch thick and two and a half inches square and a few 
 crackers, about one-half a ration as issued to the Union soldier. 
 
 Around the upper part of the camp at Belle Isle was built a 
 breastwork about four feet high ; the guards were placed outside 
 of that, and, as at Andersonville and other places of confinement 
 for Union prisoners, they appeared to take delight in shooting 
 anyone who went anywhere near the so-called dead-line ; they 
 seemed to shoot through mere wantonness or love of bloodshed. 
 
 No people of modern times, and no civilized people of any 
 time, have exhibited more brutality in their treatment of helpless 
 prisoners of war than did those of the South in charge of the 
 various prison-pens during the late war of the rebellion. That 
 prisoners should sometimes have gone without a sufficient supply 
 of food in a land that was taxed to its utmost to furnish food 
 «nough for its armies and inhabitants could be excused, but that 
 they should have gone shelterless and fireless in a land rich in 
 timber cannot be overlooked. There was no excuse for their 
 being deprived of proper facilities for cleanliness and being com- 
 pelled to use water poisoned by the fetid drainage of cesspools, 
 in a land ribboned with pure streamlets and deep-flowing rivers. 
 
 It is the right of all prisoners of war to escape if possible, 
 and for their captors to re- take them if they can, but it is not the 
 right of any civilized people to hunt men with bloodhounds, 
 like beasts of prey, and stand by rejoicing while the savage brutes 
 tear and lacerate unarmed and emaciated captives. It was not 
 their right to punish men — who were only flying from almost 
 certain death by starvation — with the stocks, beneath a burning 
 sun, until over-burdened nature gave way and death came to their 
 relief, nor to place iron collars around the necks of honorable 
 
320 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 soldiers and cords upon their thumbs and tie them up so that 
 only their toes touched the earth, and leave them for twelve 
 hours to suffer the most excruciating tortures, so that when cut 
 down they fell a mass of helpless quivering flesh upon the 
 ground. Words cannot describe the various tortures, the untold 
 and untellable miseries that Union soldiers were subjected to in 
 the prison hells of the South, commanded as they were by mon- 
 sters and guarded by brutes. Time will not erase the blot from 
 Southern honor, nor eternity be any too long to bleach out the 
 stains made by the flow of the blood of the helpless. 
 
 On the 22d of February, '64, a number of prisoners, among 
 whom was Lines, were given three days' rations, which consisted 
 of a cake about nine inches in diameter and two and a half inches- 
 thick, made of corn meal. They were then taken from Belle 
 Isle and marched to the railroad, where they were loaded in box- 
 cars, about sixty to a car. They were told that they were to be 
 taken to a point of exchange. But day after day passed and they 
 knew, by the rising temperature, that they were journeying 
 southward. Through the day the doors of the cars were kept 
 slightly open so that the air inside was comparatively pure ; but 
 at night they were tightly closed and locked, and the air, breathed 
 over and over, soon became foul and suffocating. The prisoners 
 begged that the doors might be opened only a few inches, but 
 the guards were deaf to entreaties, and though a number died of 
 suffocation before the journey was ended, no change was made 
 in the condition of things. 
 
 The journey seemed interminable, suffering as they were from 
 hunger, thirst and want of air. But at last, after being a week 
 upon the way, they reached that inferno of Southern contriving, 
 Andersonviile prison-pen. 
 
 Andersonville is situated in Sumter county, Georgia, on the 
 Georgia Central railroad, and about sixty miles southwest of 
 Macon. The prison-pen, which, at its largest, contained about 
 twenty-five acres, was surrounded by a stockade of pine logs 
 sixteen feet high, the lower ends firmly imbedded in the ground. 
 The inner fence or dead-line consisted of narrow pine board* 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 321 
 
 nailed to posts. Along the stockade at intervals platforms were 
 built for the guards. Another stockade about six feet high 
 extended around outside, to be used as breastworks in case of an 
 attempted rescue. At the corners earthworks containing cannons 
 were so constructed as to enfilade the sides. Through the center 
 ran a stream, bordered by swamps, toward which the ground 
 pitched from either end. Upstream, outside the stockade, was 
 situated the cook-house, the refuse from which and washings of 
 utensils were thrown into the stream from which the prisoners 
 were compelled to get their water-supply. The water was often 
 coated with a greasy scum so nauseating that only the greatest 
 thirst could induce men to drink it. But this was not the worst. 
 For a long time no conveniences for the men's necessities were 
 provided, and the swamp on either side of the stream became 
 the depositories for human excrement through which the pris- 
 oners had to wade to reach the water. 
 
 One writer says : " No provision was made until very near the 
 close of our incarceration towards carrying off the refuse or 
 sewage. The filth that accummulated through the long summer 
 months can neither be described nor imagined. Most of it col- 
 lected in and about the three acres of swamp, and I have seen 
 that three acres one animated mass of maggots, from one to two 
 feet deep, the whole swamp moving and rolling like waves of 
 the sea." (A causeway was afterwards built to the stream.) 
 
 At one time near thirty-five thousand men were confined 
 within the inclosure. Some few had tents. Some fortunate 
 enough to have kept their blankets, made shelters of them; 
 some ripped up whatever clothing they could spare and sewed the 
 pieces together to make shelters from the intense heat of 
 the eun. A number of prisoners were sent out to work 
 during the day. On returning they would sometimes bring in 
 slabs of pine from four to five feet long and about eight inches 
 wide. Some of the men would buy or trade for these slabs and 
 with them would construct huts by digging a hole in the ground. 
 A crotched stick would be set up at each end, a ridge-pole laid 
 on and one end of the slabs rested upon the pole and the other 
 
322 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 on the ground ; the slabs would then be covered with earth and 
 one end walled up with mud. This style of building, in the 
 dialect of the prison, would be called a shebang. Others built 
 huts of mud, into which they would crawl like burrowing beasts. 
 But the pen became so crowded that there ceased to be room in 
 the higher part of the ground for even these primitive shelters, 
 and the island in the swamp was also occupied. But there were 
 thousands who were absolutely without shelter from the burning 
 heat of the sun and the beating of the rain (and during the 
 month of June, '64, it rained nearly every day,) and the heavy 
 dews at night. These unfortunates lay around in the little shade 
 cast by the rude structures of their more fortunate comrades. 
 The ground became so impregnated with filth that, after every 
 heavy rain, maggots would issue from it and crawl over the sur- 
 face. It was impossible to keep clean, as soap was seldom issued ; 
 during the ten months only about one-quarter of a pound per 
 man was given, and there was only the greasy water of the run 
 in which to cleanse clothing and persons, consequently the most 
 lothesome of vermin preyed upon their bodies. 
 
 The rations consisted of meat and mush, alternated with meat 
 and meal, occasionally stock peas. Sometimes sorghum molasses, 
 one tablespoonful for a ration. It took a week of saving to 
 accumulate enough for a taste. The meat was what was called 
 corned beef, or rancid bacon, a day's ration weighing from two 
 to four ounces. It was often issued so spoiled as to be unfit for 
 food, yet it was greedily devoured by the famishing prisoners. 
 The mush was thrown loosely into wagons and carted to the 
 prisoners, who received it on their blankets, they being about the 
 only receptacles of sufficient size that they possessed. The meal 
 was in sacks, and one pint of meal, or its equivalent in mush, 
 was given for a day's ration. It was a nice point to issue the 
 rations equally and impartially. To facilitate the work there was 
 a commissary appointed for every three hundred men, who drew 
 the rations for that number. They in turn issued them to 
 commissaries representing squads of twenty-five, who issued 
 them to the men. Even then dissensions would arise, for the 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 323 
 
 starving men would quarrel over a crumb and fight for a bone. 
 And, indeed, a bone, even when meatless, was an acquisition. 
 
 Lines says he used to start out early every morning hunting 
 bones. After he had found enough to fill the small fruit-can 
 that was his only cooking-utensil, he would break them up andi 
 by boiling, extract what little substance they might contain, thus 
 making a dish of bone-soup ; but he was not always successful 
 in getting enough, for many others were engaged in the hunt. 
 
 Up to July 1st, '64, the rations were issued raw, and though 
 the surrounding country was heavily timbered, little wood was 
 supplied for cooking purposes. To be sure, squads were sent out, 
 but they returned with little more than enough to supply their 
 personal wants, and any surplus could only be procured by pur- 
 chase or barter. The stumps that had been left standing when 
 the inclosure was built were hacked entirely away by the knives 
 of the prisoners, and even the roots were dug up and utilized. 
 
 Words cannot describe the appearance of the thousands who 
 were compelled to inhabit that place of torment. Men, hollow- 
 eyed and cadaverous with starvation, bearing but little semblance 
 to human beings, dragged their tottering limbs around day after 
 day. Others, too feeble for self-help, with limbs swollen and 
 distorted, and covered with scurvy sores, or rotten with gangrene, 
 worms eating them long ere the breath had left their bodies, lay 
 apathetic, waiting for the end. Did they pray, it was only for 
 speedy death. 
 
 But let me turn again to the account given by Lines. " Look 
 any direction and our eyes would meet distressing sights. Men 
 dead and dying, and we could render them no assistance, for it 
 was all that we could do to care for ourselves. Words cannot 
 describe it, as it was during the summer months. From one to 
 three hundred died daily, diarrhoea and scurvy being the prevalent 
 diseases. Scurvy would first appear in the gums, then would fol- 
 low pains in the legs and arms, the calves of the legs would swell, 
 turn yellow, then black and blue spots would appear, which 
 finally became running sores. The cords of the legs would be- 
 come so contracted that it was impossible to stand without the 
 
324 TEE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 aid of a crutch, and then only upon the tips of the toes. I have 
 seen fly-blows in the corners of the eyes and mouths of men 
 before the breath had left their bodies, and the sores upon their 
 persons were filled with maggots. I have helped to take off 
 their clothing and try to wash them when the smell was too 
 horrible to be endured. Under these terrible sufferings the 
 minds of many gave way and they became as groveling idiots. 
 
 " One day a man passed me entirely nude ; he turned to pass 
 between two brush arbors ; a stick passed from one arbor to the 
 other about a foot from the ground ; he could easily have stepped 
 over it, but instead he lay down and with great difficulty crept 
 under it. Another, who had lost a leg at Chickamauga, delib- 
 erately walked across the dead-line and sat down ; his comrades 
 tried to call him back, but he did not heed them, and they dared 
 not go after him ; as soon as the guard saw him he took deliber- 
 ate aim and blew out his brains. 
 
 " I did not receive any soap during the thirteen months that 
 I was at Andersonville. Our mothers would not have known 
 us, so dirty were we. It was impossible to keep clean. We 
 were nearly eaten up by vermin — they were in the sand, in the 
 blankets, in fact everywhere; two or three times a day I would 
 strip myself and search every inch of clothing, but it was in 
 vain. 
 
 " During the month of August a sudden and terrible thunder- 
 storm arose. It was like a cloud-burst. So heavy a body of 
 water fell that it swelled the small stream until it covered the 
 swamp and swept away a part of the stockade. As the storm 
 began to cease the guards opened with their batteries and sent 
 the shot screaming over our heads. They no doubt thought 
 that we would endeavor to escape through the breach and fired 
 to frighten us. The stockade was quickly repaired. During 
 the height of the storm the lightning, which was incessant, 
 struck in several places, at one place killing a number of men. 
 At one place where it struck — on the east side, between the dead- 
 line and the stockade — a stream of clear water issued from the 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 325 
 
 ground, and continued to run, affording thereafter a plentiful 
 supply of pure water. 
 
 " I will leave the scenes of horror within the stockade and 
 turn to those in the so-called hospital. The hospital was an 
 inclosure of about three or four acres, surrounded by a high 
 board-fence. One side rested upon a swamp. Within the 
 inclosure was erected a few tents. The death-rate there was 
 something terrible. I, with twenty-three others, was placed 
 under a strip of canvas stretched over a ridge-pole. In two 
 weeks I was the only one left out of the original twenty-four. 
 But as fast as one would die the vacant place would be filled. 
 The patients all lay upon the ground, except those in the gan- 
 grene ward. The stench from that ward was horrible, and could 
 be smelled fifty yards away. The suffering of the patients was 
 beyond my powers of description, and the sights so pitiful that 
 they have remained indelibly impressed upon my memory. 
 Would to God that I had never witnessed them, or that forget- 
 fulness would come and blot out the memory of the many hor- 
 rible scenes of suffering that I had to look upon while powerless 
 to relieve. I saw one man with gangrene on the side of the 
 neck, the bone and muscles exposed ; at last the arteries were 
 ■eaten off, and death ensued from bleeding. I saw another, with 
 his thigh swollen to the size of a nail-keg, with a hole eaten in 
 it in which I could lay my head. Another, naked while the 
 nurse was treating his sores with nitrate of silver, who seemed to 
 be but a mass of putrid flesh from the crown of his head to the 
 soles of his feet. These are but three cases, and perhaps not the 
 worst that could have been found among the many hundreds of 
 Union soldiers who suffered and died of that terrible malady at 
 Andersonville. 
 
 " Out under the stately pines stood the operating tables where 
 day after day the knife and saw were kept busy cutting off 
 decaying members. This method was generally successful, for 
 death followed and brought a permanent cure. I was suffering 
 with scurvy ; no sores broke out upon me, but I was racked with 
 •excruciating pains and could scarcely move. When but two of 
 
326 
 
 THE ELEVENTH BEGIMENT, 
 
 Gettysburg Monument. 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 327 
 
 us were left of the twenty-four, my comrade and I would crawl 
 down to the edge of the swamp and rub each other with sand, 
 which afforded temporary lelief. I found that he was fast sink- 
 ing, and one morning I found him dead by my side, under the 
 blanket that we had occupied together. I helped to lay him out 
 in the street ready for the dead-wagon. I took from his pocket 
 a knife and tuning-fork, which I still possess, but would gladly 
 return to his friends did I know where to find them. His name 
 has passed from my memory, but I know that he was a member 
 of a Connecticut regiment, and had been captured at Plymouth, 
 North Carolina. 
 
 " With the exception that we in the hospital were a little 
 better sheltered we had but few advantages over those in the 
 stockade or pen, for medicines were either not to be had or were 
 given in such small quantities as to be useless. The doctors 
 would pass around mornings to ascertain the nature of the disease. 
 If it was diarrhoea, he would advise the drinking of oak-bark 
 tea, a remedy hard to get in a pine forest. If scurvy, he would 
 prescribe Irish potatoes, if we could get them. Fortunately, I 
 had one dollar and fifty cents which I had obtained by the sale 
 of a bucket. With that I bought one dozen potatoes and ate 
 one a day, raw, and soon got better. As soon as I was able I 
 did what I could to help those who were helpless. Among them 
 was a boy of sixteen who lay dying upon the cold, damp ground. 
 He was entirely helpless, and at his request I would frequently 
 turn him over that, by a change of position, he might get a little 
 ease ; but so sore was his body that he would cry like a little 
 child when touched. 
 
 " Oh, what pitiful sights ! And though years have passed and 
 my eyes fill with tears when I recall them, I still seem to see 
 the death-dews gathering upon the brows of the dying and hear 
 the vain but pitiful cries for mother, sister, wife and loved ones. 
 
 " There were times when every tent and substitute for a tent 
 in the hospital inclosure was full, and the new patients would 
 have to lie out in the streets until death made a vacancy for 
 them — entirely helpless. The flies would gather upon festering 
 
:328 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 sores and the maggots held revel in their yet living bodies. The 
 grim reaper daily gathered in his scores, and the dead-wagon on 
 its rounds never wanted for a load. They were piled into the 
 wagon, one upon another, like sticks of wood, and hurried to the 
 graves, which were long trenches about seven feet wide and two 
 feet deep, in which they were laid side by side. 
 
 " I will relate one or two more acts of uncalled for cruelty 
 that I witnessed before I close. The prisoners were in the habit 
 of trading to the guards for food whatever they could spare 
 from their scant stores. One day I saw a comrade with a pair 
 of shoes bartering with a guard, who, at that point, was sta- 
 tioned within the enclosure near the swamp. While in the act 
 a rebel officer and detective came along. The detective seized 
 the shoes and threw them on the ground, at the same time 
 applying the most abusive epithets to the prisoner. The pris- 
 oner remonstrated, whereupon the detective seized the officer's 
 sword and dealt him a severe blow across the temple and 
 again upon the thigh and then drew back as if to thrust him 
 through the heart, but after cursing for a while he returned the 
 saber to the officer and passed on. How my blood boiled at 
 the indignity and how earnestly I wished that I could be upon 
 equal footing, if only for a minute, with the cowardly dastard ; 
 but I was helpless. 
 
 "Again, one day, I heard the sharp crack of a rifle, and has- 
 tened in the direction from which the sound came. I saw lying 
 about ten or twelve yards from the board-fence (this was within 
 the hospital enclosure) the dead body of a comrade ; his crutches 
 lay on each side where they had fallen from his hands. No one 
 was near him ; they did not dare to go. I asked of a comrade 
 standing near the cause of the shot, and was told that the dead 
 comrade had asked the guard outside something relative to trad- 
 ing for food. The answer was a minie-ball. There were large 
 spaces between the boards of the fence at this point, but 1 
 noticed that the ball had passed through the board and entered 
 the left breast of the crippled soldier, causing almost instant 
 death. You can imagine my feelings as I gazed upon the fast- 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 329 
 
 ■stiffening body of my comrade, and then upon the murderer of 
 a helpless invalid as he walked unconcernedly up and down 
 outside the palisade." 
 
 There were several hundred prisoners outside of the prison- 
 pen on parole of honor, some engaged in the cook-house, others 
 chopping wood, digging graves or burying the dead. For three 
 months previous to leaving Andersonville, Lines was engaged 
 in this outside work. 
 
330 TEE ELEVENTE REGIMENT, 
 
 Chapter XXI. 
 
 Letter from Rev. E. Clark Cline, Chaplain Eleventh New- 
 Jersey Volunteers — Lieutenant Baldwin's Head-board. 
 
 MY story, if I should tell it, I should have to say, does 
 not begin as early as I have often wished it had. I seemed 
 to be so hindered in getting to the front by a series of provi- 
 dences that it was not till August, 1863, that my commission- 
 came and I hurried to join you. I can never forget the warm 
 welcome given me by both officers and men and the respect 
 always shown me and, I think, the work I came among them to 
 do, from the beginning of my regimental life till I, with all my 
 comrades, was mustered out. I am fully conscious how far I 
 failed in doing for the noble fellows all they needed and 
 deserved, but with the knowledge I then and since gained I feel 
 I could serve them better if we were to go out to service again- 
 Let them try me and see. I don't know whether there were 
 more Christian men in the Eleventh than in other regiments — 
 my personal acquaintance with other regiments was not sufficient 
 to enable me to say — but I do know we had many noble, godly 
 men among us. Some of these came to the army thinking it was 
 nigh impossible to lead a religious life there — and we who were 
 there well know that it was not an easy thing — but they found 
 that God's grace was as present in the army, and as mighty to 
 help, as at home. And not a few who had been hiding their 
 colors came out bold and bright, standing up for Christ and 
 doing Him faithful service. 
 
 I wish you could get a picture of a prayer-meeting around a 
 camp-fire, smoked on one side, frozen on the other, yet as enjoy- 
 able a meeting and as fruitful of good as any ever held in the 
 finest churches at home, if we dare be the judge. And if you 
 could put the General and other officers of various ranks among 
 the attendants and participants in the service of the meeting, the 
 picture would be truer. I would like to recall the revivals in 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 331 
 
 the army in the winter of '63 and '64, and much of a like 
 -work in the subsequent year also, but it is a difficult task to 
 describe such an experience, especially after the lapse of more 
 than a quarter of a century and amid surroundings so different 
 from those that are now our lot. 
 
 My little tent, when in camp, would be crowded with the boys 
 through the day when not on duty — and at night as well, want- 
 ing to know the way to be saved. Our meetings, either around 
 an out- door fire or in our log chapels, were largely attended, and 
 many of the boys at that time enlisted again — now as soldiers of 
 the Lord — and were better soldiers of their country for it. 
 Officers, too, took up the cross and professed Christ, and became 
 happy Christians and valuable helpers to me. I can't give you 
 their names — I had better not try to do so. I couldn't mention 
 them all, and I ought not to omit one worthy a place in this dis- 
 tinguished roll. Some are still living ; I thank them for their 
 help. Some are dead ; their memory is sweet to this day. And 
 some who did not take an active part in this religious work, yet 
 aided me much in their hearty recognition of its value and in 
 doing what they could to make it as easy for me as possible. 
 Perhaps I ought to name as such helper the Colonel who was 
 so much of the time in command of the regiment. 
 
 A regimental temperance society was organized on December 
 15th, '63, with Dr. Welling as its first president. He delivered 
 an address before the society and a large audience assembled with 
 it. The address was published. This temperance society was 
 quite a feature in army life. I guess I had better not tell you 
 who were members of the society, for in publishing them you 
 might draw special attention to those who did not join, and then 
 the readers into whose hands the history might fall would draw 
 their inferences ; that would not be fair. This society was the 
 means of good. I find that twenty-six signed the pledge on 
 one day, sixteen on another, fourteen on another, and it kept 
 growing. 
 
 Only a few days after I joined the regiment I found that there 
 were some deserters of the Union army in our division guard- 
 
332 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 house. Daily visits to them, and oftener sometimes, under such 
 circumstances — knowing their guilt and seeing the possible 
 penally of their crime staring them in the face — you can imagine 
 my experience, just on the field, was sad and trying. Personal 
 interviews, and occasionally a public religious service, were not 
 without their profit, I trust, to these men. Efforts made in their 
 behalf with the authorities resulted, at first, in a stay of execu- 
 tion, and, finally, in their pardon. But the experience of those 
 days, with the terrible strain on my feelings, I shall never forget. 
 I have referred to my work that lay directly in the line of th& 
 religious and spiritual welfare of the regiment. Any one familiar 
 with army life, looking back on work of this kind, must recall 
 the hindrances in its way. With no place of worship except an 
 occasional log-chapel when in winter quarters, and this often 
 vacated by a move of the army almost as soon as built, and so 
 almost always obliged to bold our meetings in the open air, and 1 
 this when we were lying quiet for any length of time ; when it 
 was cold and uncomfortable, the men often engaged so as not to- 
 be at leisure to attend ; the restraints of home and home influences 
 taken away; the temptations many and strong — some would 
 think the fruit of Christian work would be small. But I dare 
 say that the attendance at our religious services, with all the 
 discomfort often connected with it, and other difficulties in other 
 respects in the way, compared favorably with the attendance of 
 Sabbath services and prayer-meetings at home, with all the 
 attractions and comforts and social helps that at home are in its 
 favor — and the results of religious services were very much, and 
 circumstances considered, in the measure, what we find them at 
 home. They encouraged the men, gave them stimulus and 
 strength for the hard service in camp, and the stern ordeal of 
 faoing the enemy and bravely fighting him on the battle-field, 
 and of resisting the trying temptations of army life, and led them, 
 in more cases than we shall ever know till we shall meet them in 
 heaven, from sin to the Saviour, and from a wild, reckless, way- 
 ward life, to that of a humble, happy, useful Christian. Of 
 course in such things we cannot use figures — that is God's 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 33$ 
 
 province alone — but we can speak of the great interest shown in 
 their own personal salvation, and in the salvation of others, by 
 both officers and men, especially in the winter of '63 and '64, 
 and even up to the abandonment of our camp near Brandy Sta- 
 tion in May, '64, and on the march, and in the battles of the 
 campaign that followed. 
 
 I have referred to the visits of the men to my little tent to 
 ask the way into the new life, their avowal there and in the 
 public meetings of their enlistment in the Christian army, and 
 of the new Captain under whom they intended to fight. And 
 that they held out in the new life, was in most cases true of our 
 soldiers as of the citizen Christian at home, with the experience 
 of over a quarter of a century now in the quiet and helpful 
 success of church life at home. I think as many maintained 
 their Christian characters, with all the disadvantages of their 
 army surroundings, as I have found men doing here. Some of 
 them deserve a story to be written of their Christian soldier- 
 life, as has been written of Havelock and Headly, Vicars and 
 Adjutant Stearns, and many others, whose memory thus re- 
 hearsed will not soon be forgotten. 
 
 I seem yet to hear the dear boys singing and praying, and 
 testifying their love for Christ, and of the help they felt He 
 gave them in the hardships and dangers of the army. Even on 
 the march, when possible, we used to gather for a prayer-meet- 
 ing, and we separated to take up the march again or go into 
 battle. 
 
 I find in diary of May 10th, '64 : " Resting on march after 
 dark; went to right of the regiment, sat down with Captain 
 Sleeper and Sergeant-Major Lanterman on a blanket and began 
 to sing ; the boys gathered around and we had a good prayer- 
 meeting; closed with singing 'Oh, that will be joyful, joyful 
 to meet to part np more,' " etc. Little did I think it would be a 
 parting meeting with Captain Sleeper, Lieutenant Egan, Ser* 
 geant-Major Lanterman and many others. 
 
 Another means of good to the soldiers during the war was thfr 
 religious reading-matter so generously furnished by the Christian. 
 
334 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 -Commission — for which our gratitude is ever due — and distri- 
 buted by the Chaplains. Thousands of religious papers and 
 tracts and Testaments and hymn-books — they did more than 
 help while away leisure hours; they made the little tent more 
 like home, gave food for the mind, stimulus to their hearts and 
 fresh courage for their wearing work, and led many to Christ 
 and built up for these a strong Christian life. 
 
 How shall I tell you of my experience in the hospital with 
 the sick and wounded — the times we shall never forget, when 
 we sat down by the little hard bunks on which the dear men 
 were breathing out their lives, with no wife or mother or s ; ster 
 to care for them when they felt their need so much — doing what 
 we could for them, but not able to take the place of their loved 
 ones, whom they longed so to see, but dying without it. Then, 
 too, gathering the wounded after the battles, the rows lying on 
 some hillside till the hospital could be reared ; or, they cared for 
 and often from necessity hurriedly to be sent for further treat- 
 ment ; some, no help for them ; some crying for water ; others 
 groaning from pain ; others, in their delirium, and though near- 
 ing death, thinking they were on the battle-field and fighting as 
 bravely as ever. Oh, those were dreadful days! I can't tell 
 you of them as they were. 
 
 Then the burying of the dead ; that, too, hastily, if they were 
 to be buried at all — still, always taking time for a prayer and 
 the burial service. In the hurried movements of the army and 
 many to bury after battle, no material from which to make a 
 coffin, we had to be content to wrap them in their blanket or 
 overcoat and lay them thus in the grave, and always, even then, 
 if possible, marking the spot with their name, regiment and 
 oompany. When in camp and dying from disease more care 
 could be taken, and if nothing better could be found, empty 
 hard-tack boxes taken apart and put together would make a 
 coffin. I think it was only one, perhaps two, that was not 
 buried of our regiment from September, '63, to our mustering- 
 out at the close of the war, and this one or two could not be 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 335 
 
 found after the battle. All oredit to the noble fellows who 
 helped in this work. 
 
 The dead were removed in the winter of '65 from along the 
 lines of battle to more permanent spots, which were fenced, in 
 the rear. I wish they all could have been sent home and buried 
 with their kindred — how many more thousand graves would 
 there have been to decorate then — but of course this could not 
 be ; still, the dear boys and their friends who gave them to their 
 country deserved it. But they will be found at the resurrection. 
 
 I received from Titsworth, who brought it from brigade or 
 division headquarters, the mail and distributed it in the 
 regiment. This daily pleasurable event — and still more 
 pleasurable if we weren't so situated as to get it daily — you can 
 recall as vividly as I. "Yes, we can hear again the joyous cry, 
 " Here comes the mail ! " as the Chaplain was seen with loaded 
 arms wending his way from company to company. We can see 
 his look of pleasure as some comrade with smile-lit face received 
 from his bands the looked-for and welcome letter, and hear his 
 words of condolence when forced to reply to eager questioning, 
 "No, nothing for you to day." We can see the eager opening 
 of envelopes and the smile broaden to a laugh as the record of 
 some simple doing at the home far away was read. We can 
 see the envious look, or the shadow of grief and disappointment 
 that seemed to say, " Well, they have forgotten me, they don't 
 care for me any more," creep over the faces of those who were 
 so unfortunate as to receive no token from home. We cau see 
 those selfish in their pleasure, or too proud to publicly give .way 
 to emotion, steal quickly away to the privacy of their tents or 
 some secluded place to read and re-read the loving messages. 
 
 Oh ! those loving messages received in the days when we were 
 soldiering, written, as they often were, in irregular characters, 
 for the mother's hand would tremble and her tears blot out the 
 lines as she tried to pen words of love and encouragement to 
 her boy so far away. But youth sometimes forgets that mother's 
 love is best, and even her loving words are for the time for- 
 gotten, and the heart throbs to the ever new but "old, old 
 
— '*! 
 
 1 
 
 AJ#. //'"A.i' t/*< . 
 
 V/istt, <jc:>'/jy? 3. 
 
 
 
 
 X-/-,: 
 
 7 ; 
 
 -/ 
 
 
 a ■ 
 
 / 
 
 Fac-siniile of the last communication sent by the Regimental Commander to the 
 skirrnlsh-line. Captain C. A. Oliver was In command. 
 
NEW JEBSEY VOLUNTEERS. 337 
 
 story." Father's, mother's or sister's letters may be passed to 
 comrades, boyhood's friends, but hers, never. They were read 
 in secret, conned over upon the picket-post, and just before the 
 clash of battle the hand would instinctively go to the blouse 
 pocket to learn if the precious missive was yet safe. And after 
 the red tide had swept to its full, and ebbed away, leaving its 
 human wreckage cast upon the battle-shore, how often those 
 loving missives were found clasped by stiffened fingers and 
 stared at by glassy eyes. The writers could not tell, they could 
 not know, the joy that came with those messages from home 
 But there was some that brought no message of joy ; that told 
 of loved ones lying on beds of pain, or with eyes closed and 
 hands stilled forever. How strong then the temptation to brave 
 all authority and court dishonorable death for one sight of the 
 loved one's face. But all honor to the soldier that so few in 
 selfish grief forgot honor and duty. 
 
 I will relate an incident illustrating the grand patriotism of 
 the boys, and, occuring among the first experiences of my army 
 life, it impressed me very much. Corporal Joseph Frazer, of 
 Company B, was mortally wounded at Locust Grove. He was 
 taken to the division hospital, and seeing he was not to live he sent 
 this dying message to his mother, " Tell my mother I die for my 
 country." I 
 
 I have spoken of a chaplain's work, and it often came to him 
 with the wounded on the battle-field, binding up their wounds 
 as well as we could do it with the appliances at hand, giving 
 them drink, loading them in ambulances, or getting them on 
 stretchers, or anything else that was handy, to be carried to the 
 rear, to the temporary field-hospital. A good sample of this 
 work was on the day of the battle of Spottsylvania Court 
 House. Let me tell it just as I jotted it down at the time: 
 
 " What wounded I saw — the dead and dying all around — 
 Captain Goodfellow, Judge-Advocate, wounded ; got an ambu- 
 lance for him, and helped carry him down the hill ; Captain 
 Warren, First Massachusetts, mortally wounded; had a few 
 words with him ; Captain Ayres, killed j Colonel Schoonover 
 
338 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 and Captain Sleeper, both reported killed ; hunted for the bodies 
 at the front ; carried back wounded soldiers ; at one time left all 
 alone with the dead and dying; a wounded man from the 
 Twelfth New Jersey praying for the blessing of Christ, and re- 
 joicing in His presence with Him. Went to the field-hospital 
 to look after our wounded ; found that the report of Colonel 
 Schoonover's death had reached there and that preparations had 
 been made to send his body home ! went back to the front again, 
 determined to have his body, if possible ; went to the extreme 
 front ; bullets whistling among the trees ; not finding the 
 Colonel's body, came back. I met Captain Starboard, who said 
 the Colonel was alive — he had seen him five minutes before. 
 Oh, how glad I felt ! Hastened again to the hospital with the 
 joyful news. Early next morning (Friday) — too late that night 
 to do anything more — went to the front again ; found the bodies 
 of Captain Sleeper and Lieutenant Egan, and brought them to 
 the hospital ; buried Cole and Castner. I was detailed to go to 
 Belle Plain with the bodies of Captain Sleeper, Lieutenant Egan 
 and Captain Evans, Seventh New Jersey ; the wagons were all 
 in use taking off the wounded. Near midnight I went to the 
 division hospital to see if I could get a wagon there, but all were 
 in use. I was sorry — I so much wanted to get the bodies home. 
 Early Saturday morning had to bury them, as we were about to 
 move." 
 
 Such was the fate of war. How trying it was ! 
 
 We all remember Lieutenant Baldwin. What a bright fel- 
 low he was, a genial, warm-hearted man and good, brave soldier. 
 The winter we lay at Brandy Station his wife died. I saw him 
 quite frequently after his return from her funeral. But the 
 best and most satisfactory talk was on the afternoon of May 3d. 
 He called to see me at my tent and we had a good time together ; 
 talked about his brother — then a missionary to China— of a 
 possibility of his going there sometime to assist his brother in 
 the printing work of the missionary station ; of our Regi- 
 mental Temperance Sooiety, which he joined, signing the pledge 
 that afternoon. Then we turned to the subject of personal 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 339 
 
 religion, in which I thought he seemed unusually interested. 
 But we were soon interrupted by a call of an orderly from 
 Brigade Headquarters, where he was serving as Acting- Adjutant, 
 and soon after we broke camp and were on the march. As 
 he was at the head of the brigade and engaged in his pressing 
 duties I did not get to see him again till the 10th, when, as the 
 brigade was forming to make a charge on the enemy, he rode up 
 to my side and said, " I want a good long talk with you the 
 first chance that we have." I never saw him again to have the 
 talk ; the hard, continuous fighting kept us apart, and on Sab- 
 bath, the 15th, he was instantly killed. 
 
 We had an experience at the field-hospital after the battle of 
 the Wilderness. After that awful fight we had many wounded 
 on our hands. Was attending to some men when orders came 
 to send all wounded men away. Carried them down to the road 
 and began to load them in ambulances when an orderly came 
 riding up and saying : " Captain — ; — said that the wounded 
 should be unloaded and the teams sent off, the enemy was in 
 possession of Ely's ford." Some said " the man is a spy," and 
 began to question him ; others were in favor of listening to him ; 
 and others still said, " go on with the loading." There was 
 great excitement there for a while, with all those poor fellows 
 to care for and not knowing what we were- to do. But we did 
 what our hearts prompted us to do — load them in the ambulances 
 and do the best we could to get them to the rear where they 
 could be kindly cared for — and it proved to be the right thing. 
 
 I often think of that charge the army was put in line to make 
 at Mine Run. I recall it here, not to go into particulars, but to 
 remind you of the sober faces on us all that November morning. 
 How fearfully cold it was ! I find that I have a record that it 
 was reported that men had frozen on the picket-line Sunday 
 night or Monday morning. Well, when the order came, and we 
 got in line and knew what we were to do, a gloom fell on us all- 
 Hardly one, I dare say, as he thought where and into what he 
 was going, expected to come back alive. Money, pocket-books, 
 watches and messages were brought by the men until I did not 
 
340 ' THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 know what to do with them all. Ah ! it was a time of terrible 
 suspense and serious thought. I understood that on another 
 part of the line the men wrote their names and addresses on 
 strips of paper and put them in their pockets, that they who 
 found them dead might identify them. And the fearful strain 
 and trial lasted all day, even to our brave men — and they were 
 brave — ready at any time to die for the country and the cause of 
 the Union. What a relief it was when the order was counter- 
 manded and we moved back. If that charge had been made, 
 what a chapter in history somebody would have had to write ! 
 I believe to-day, as I believed then, from what everyone said, 
 that men thanked God for deliverance that day who had never 
 prayed before. 
 
 That whole campaign — less than a week in length — was a 
 hard one. We left our camp on Thanksgiving day. It was a 
 beautiful day. We marched all day, crossing the Rapidan, and 
 skirmished nearly all the time. Our Thanksgiving dinner was 
 eaten at eight o'clock that night — nothing since five o'clock that 
 morning. After a sort of sleep and rest, advanced and soon 
 found the enemy, and the battle of Locust Grove was the result. 
 
 I was with the regiment awhile, then, as the wounded needed 
 care, assisted in carrying them to the hospital — I remember we 
 had to remove this once during the fight— on stretchers, on 
 boards, on doors they were borne back. The fighting did not 
 last so long, but the wounded seemed a good many for the time. 
 I tried to get some one to help me back with a poor fellow, but 
 as all were engaged, I helped him on my horse, and while I led 
 the old black, saw to the carrying of another. That night with 
 the wounded was a sample of our battle-field experience. The 
 field was covered with wounded men. We built a fire and made 
 them as comfortable as we could ; but what comfort ! The air 
 cold and damp, and many of the poor fellows without blankets 
 and lying on the cold ground. As I passed from place to place 
 I met the continued cry, " Can't you dress my wound ? " " Can't 
 you give me some water ? " while all around was heard groan- 
 ings and cries of pain. A good part of the time I was with 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 341 
 
 one of our boys. How he suffered all that long night— not a 
 wink of sleep. Though the doctors gave him repeated doses of 
 morphine, he could not lie down, but sat up and cried and cried 
 with pain. But this was not the only one ; the field was covered 
 •with them. 
 
 Next morning we found another of our men wounded in the 
 head and nearly dead ; we could scarcely see him breathe, yet 
 thought he might recover if something was done for him. So 
 we got a stretcher, laid him on it and covered him with blankets, 
 expecting to take him to the hospital, but on the way saw some 
 ambulances and had him put in one ; but the poor fellow died. 
 So it went. 
 
 These few incidents are but samples of many of like nature 
 that occurred. They serve to show the scope of a chaplain's 
 work, and prove that the position was far from being a sinecure 
 when filled by such a man as E. Clark Cline. I do not know 
 whether other chaplains were as conscientious as he. I do know 
 ■that none could have been more so. His heart was in his work. 
 He did not wait for duty to drag him from personal comfort and 
 prod him onward. He sought for duties — often made them— 
 and then performed with heartiness and earnest patriotism ; and 
 ■all in a manner so unostentatious that the veriest scoffer could 
 not help but say, " Truly he is a Christian." 
 
 Quoting further from his letter, he says : " I find in one of 
 my monthly reports the following : ' We have been much cheered 
 by an order from these headquarters confiscating all moneys 
 found in the hands of gambling parties, and appropriating the 
 same for the use of the sick ; and the energetic efforts of the 
 commanding officer of the regiment have been used to the carry- 
 ing-out of the same.' " 
 
 In another report reference is made to the work of grace in the 
 regiment in the winter of '63 and '64, as follows : " With a rest 
 of some months, with nothing to disturb the attention save a 
 light picket duty on the picket-line, and an occasional reconnois- 
 sance, our chapel, after it was built, was crowded every night 
 
342 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 with eager worshipers and earnest seekers after truth. We 
 believe many found the ' pearl of great price,' and learned of 
 that wisdom which is more precious than rubies. Their cour- 
 ageous fight against sin proved in whose service they had enlisted, 
 and their valiant testimony for Christ showed that they were 
 contending for the crown of eternal life. A singing-class, and 
 frequent gatherings of staff and line officers for this interesting: 
 service, I find noted in my diary. Lieutenant- Colonel Schoon- 
 over, Adjutant Beach, Captain Sleeper, Captain Kennedy, Dr. 
 Heritage and Sergeant-Major Mount were among the singers. 
 This not only helped to while away the time of camp-life, but 
 proved in many ways helpful to all who shared in it. 
 
 " In speaking of our religious work I hesitate to mention the 
 names of those who were earnest helpers in it for fear that some 
 deserving ones will be omitted. Still, some of the dead I can 
 name ; chief among them was Captain Sleeper, of Company I. 
 In a slip cut from a lied Bank paper, after his death, I find I 
 was reported saying this about him : ' I have learned to love him 
 as a brother. How he did help me in winning souls to Christ ; 
 how brave he was for his Saviour, as well as for his country' 
 Everybody loved him — all mourn his loss.' 
 
 "I remember Lieutenant Egan was just beginning to take 
 hold of Christian work when he was removed from us by death. 
 Lieutenant Boice, on duty as Commissary Sergeant so long, was 
 not privileged to be with us in our religious meeting in the regi- 
 ment, but I remember one night he stood up among his comrades 
 and confessed Christ, and began then a faithful service for Him, 
 and kept it up till his sad, sudden death on the picket-line. 
 
 " Then there was Jeremiah Dunham, of Company D, killed at 
 Locust Grove. The Sabbath before, he was at our prayer- meet- 
 ing and gave us some very interesting statements in relation to 
 Bible history, which he had heard made by a missionary from 
 Palestine. We talked of our plans for conducting our Bible-class 
 in the future, and expected he would be spared to tell us more. 
 
 " Occasionally a visitor in camp gave us help. Prominently 
 among these was the Rev. George Hale, D. D., then pastor of the 
 Presbyterian church of Pennington, N. J. How the men lis- 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 34£ 
 
 tened to his stirring sermons and his temperance addresses and 
 talks at oar prayer- meetings, and profited by them ! Hon. John 
 Hill, of Boonton — what a friend to the soldier, and how we 
 enjoyed his visits to the camp ! Mr. Titswortb, the father of our 
 Titsworth boys, came down and helped us ; Rev. Dr. Duryea 
 preached in our chapel ; Rev. Mr. Smith, brother of Captain- 
 Smith of the Eleventh Massachusetts, did the same; Rev. Mr. 
 Renker, of New Jersey, did also. And who does not remember 
 Uncle John Vassar and his grand work in the army ! Human 
 panegyric is too feeble to pay the tribute which is his due. I 
 never knew another like him. 
 
 "My brother chaplains with whom it was my privilege to 
 work I remember clearly: Rev. Mr. Sovereign, Fifth New 
 Jersey ; Rev. Mr. Moore, Sixth New Jersey ; Rev. Mr. Hamil- 
 ton, Seventh New Jersey ; Rev. Mr. Hopkins, One Hundred 
 and Twentieth New York ; Rev. Mr. Twichell, Second 
 Excelsior; Rev. Mr. Eastman, Third Excelsior; Rev. Mr. 
 Beck, Twenty-sixth Pennsylvania ; Rev. Mr. Watson, Eleventh 
 Massachusetts. 
 
 " It is not easy to tell of the work done in saving souls, 
 lightening burdened hearts, making men happy, comforting the 
 sorrowing, helping the weary to rest, making their life in the 
 army, so humble and hard, often as much like home as possible. 
 These are things which the Lord does, and in which we feeble 
 men are but little instruments. To tell how many meetings 
 were held, and sermon3 preached, and talks made in prayer- 
 meetings, and visits made to the boys and visits received from 
 them, and papers and tracts and Testaments and other books 
 given to the men, all this were easy ; but to tell the fruit of all 
 tbis in souls brought to Christ, and joy filling human hearts,, 
 and better lives and nobler service for the country, and 
 triumphant deaths, is not my portion to do. This is the history 
 of the Eleventh New Jersey that is to be read in the better 
 world. I would like to tell you of my correspondence with the 
 mothers, or wives, or sisters, as the case would be, of deceased 
 soldiers. What letters these broken-hearted ones did write I 
 Ah ! there were patriots at home as well as in the field." 
 
344 
 
 THE ELEVENTH SEGMENT, 
 
 
 k^\*V\c 
 
 — 
 
 The above cut brings to mind an interesting incident in the 
 'life of a soldier when surrounded by the dangers and vicissitudes 
 ^f actual warfare. 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 345 
 
 The successful charge by the Second Army Corps upon the 
 enemy's works at the Bloody Angle, near Spottsylvania Court 
 House, took place May 12th, 1864. On the Sunday following, 
 May 15th, the brigade to which the Eleventh Regiment was 
 attached ocoupied a line of works in the extreme front, as an 
 advance guard, the army being massed some distance to the rear 
 preparatory to another advance in the direction of Richmond. 
 Some time during the day, General Rosser, commanding a brigade 
 of rebel cavalry in our immediate front, brought up a battery 
 and commenced an enfilade fire upon our line. 
 
 The works which we occupied were constructed of small pine 
 logs and earth, with an occasional traverse. Lieutenant-Colonel 
 Schoonover and his Adjutant, Lieutenant J. C. Baldwin, were 
 sitting side by side and leaning against one of these traverses. 
 
 Several shells had dropped into the Twenty-sixth Pennsyl- 
 vania, on the right of the Brigade, killing a number of men, 
 when suddenly one forced its way through between two of the 
 logs composing the traverse, crushing Baldwin's head and caus- 
 ing instant death. The shell rolled ten or twelve feet away, but 
 fortunately the fuse went out and no explosion took place. 
 
 Colonel Schoonover, fearing that the enemy might gain pos- 
 session of the works, had Baldwin's body hastily rolled into an 
 army blanket and directed that it be buried in a grove of pines 
 a short distance to the rear of the line. A board from a cracker- 
 •box was secured upon which he cut the name, rank and date of 
 death. This was placed at the head of Baldwin's grave, and 
 when his body was brought to New Jersey the board was brought 
 with it. It is still in the possession of Lieutenant Baldwin's 
 sister, Mrs. Martin, widow of the late Senator Martin, of this 
 State. She has kindly furnished the plate for this work. 
 
346 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 Chapter XXII. 
 
 Sketches. 
 
 Brevet Major-General Robert McAllister, the sub- 
 ject of this sketch, was born on a farm situated in Lost 
 Creek Valley, Juniata county, Pa. Previous to the War of the 
 Rebellion he took great interest in military matters, and rose 
 through the various grades to the rank of Brigadier-General, 
 and had command of the Brady Brigade of the uniformed militia 
 of Pennsylvania. When the rebellion broke out he was in New 
 Jersey, building a tunnel through the Oxford hills, at Oxford, 
 Warren county, for the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western 
 Railroad Company. When Sumter was fired on, his partner 
 was left in charge of the heavy contract, and McAllister raised 
 a company at Oxford, went to Trenton, was commissioned by 
 Governor Olden as Lieutenant-Colonel in the First New Jersey 
 Regiment, serving in that capacity until July 28th, 1862, when 
 he was appointed Colonel of the Eleventh Regiment. He was 
 temporarily in command of the First Brigade, Second Division,. 
 Third Corps, also of the Second Brigade, Second Division of 
 the same Corps. On the 24th of June, 1864, he took command 
 of the Third Brigade, Third Division, Second Corps (Second 
 New Jersey Brigade), filling that position during the remainder 
 of the war. On the 27th of October, 1864, he was appointed 
 Brigadier- General, by brevet, for gallant and distinguished 
 services at the Boynton Plank- road, and on the 13th of March, 
 1865, was brevetted Major-General for meritorious services dur- 
 ing the war. He was mustered out of the service on the 6th of 
 June, 1865. 
 
 He was present at the first Bull Run, rendering efficient 
 service in arresting the retreat of our forces. He participated in 
 the battles of West Point, Gaines' Mill, Charles City Cross- 
 roads, White Oak Swamp and Malvern Hill. At Gaines' 
 Mill he was in command, the regiment suffering severely in that 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 347 
 
 -engagement. His bravery was conspicuous at Fredericksburg, 
 and be was specially mentioned for bis gallantry at Chancellors- 
 ville and Gettysburg, being severely wounded in the latter 
 engagement. After an absence of ninety days he returned to 
 the field and participated in all the engagements of his brigade 
 from that time until the close at Appomattox. 
 . In the engagements of Hatcher's Run and Boynton Plank- 
 road General McAllister, by his coolness and intrepidity, won 
 the special commendations of his superiors. Foster, in his 
 History of New Jersey and the Rebellion, truthfully says : 
 41 General McAllister was not merely conspicuous for courage on 
 the field in the hour of battle, he was hardly less distinguished 
 for the blamelessness of his life in camp and his conscientious 
 devotion to his duties as a Christian. He was one of those who 
 carried their religion with them to the field, and illustrated in 
 the midst of all its jostling vices, all its clamorous temptations, 
 the virtues which religion nourishes and enriches." 
 
 The following extract is copied from the report of the fourth 
 annual reunion of the Second New Jersey Brigade Society, held 
 at Camden, New Jersey, April 9th, 1891 : 
 
 " And hardly had the badge of mourning been removed from 
 our flag before the angel of death came in our midst and took 
 from us that splendid soldier, our old Commander, our late 
 President, Major-General Robert McAllister. No braver soldier 
 went a -field. He was the bravest among the brave. No one 
 performed the duties to the letter as he. No duty unperformed." 
 
 "We pause to shed a soldier's tear upoD his grave. He died 
 as he had lived, the Christian General and the gentleman, 
 beloved and respected by all who knew him. 
 
 Chaplain Cline says of General McAllister: "He was a 
 self-denying, laborious officer, often performing duties which 
 men in the same position generally placed upon subordinate 
 officers, doing this for fear all might not be done rjght. And 
 he knew no danger — always in the extreme front, never asking 
 anybody to go where he had not been first himself. I could 
 give many instances of great bravery and devotion to his work, 
 
348 
 
 TEE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 but will mention only one. During those fearful battles of the 
 wilderness, he worked so hard and was so careful and anxious, 
 both day and night (as he always was in time of special danger), 
 
 General McAllister's Monument at Belvidere. 17. J. 
 
 that he was entirely exhausted, but would not give up. Two- 
 horses had been shot under him, he had received a blow on an 
 old wound sustained at Gettysburg, and was suffering jfrom this, 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 349- 
 
 but he would not listen to his friends and take the rest he 
 absolutely needed. 
 
 "After the enemy had retired from our immediate front, he 
 did go back to the hospital to get a quiet night's sleep, but 
 next morning, early, he was at his post again. His conduct was 
 regulated by a pure love of country and 8trict[conscientiousness. 
 There was no affectation in his fervid patriotism ; no absorbing 
 ambition for military renown in his desire to meet the foe, but 
 a quiet determination and an inflexible firmness which were not 
 always seen. He brought to the service a character mellowed 
 by religious culture, and was throughout a Christian officer; 
 loving the approval of conscience more than the plaudits of 
 men." 
 
 He died February 23d, 1891, and was buried at Belvidere, 
 New Jersey, where, through the generosity of his fellow-citizens, 
 a handsome monument has been erected to his memory. It was 
 dedicated May 30th, 1894. 
 
 John Schoonovjer, Brevet- Colonel Eleventh New Jersey 
 Volunteers, was born at Bushkill, Pa., August 12th, 1839. He 
 received his education from the common schools of his native 
 place and the instructions of the Bev. J. K. Davis, of Smith- 
 field, Pa. At the age of sixteen he began the work of teaching 
 and preparation for college. The outbreak of the rebellion found 
 . him thus employed at Oxford, Warren county, N. J. Soon 
 after the proclamation of President Lincoln calling for seventy- 
 five thousand men to serve for three months, Schoonover joined 
 a company raised by Captain Campbell at Belvidere. The com- 
 pany reported at Trenton, but so quickly had the State's quota 
 been filled — the four regiments being completed in seven days — 
 that they reached the capital too late for acceptance. As the 
 company was about to return to Belvidere, Captain Campbell 
 stepped to the front and asked all who were willing to go with 
 him for three years to do likewise. But seven responded, Schoon- 
 over being one of the seven. The number of three-year patriots 
 being so small, all returned to their homes. But Schoonover's 
 
350 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 patriotism was not of the kind that could rest content with the 
 acquisition of such laurels as these, and we soon find him again 
 at Trenton as a private in Company D (Captain Valentine Mutch- 
 ler), First New Jersey Regiment, for three years. This regi- 
 ment left the State June 28th, 1861. The following September 
 Schoonover was made corporal. The ensuing winter, Colonel 
 Torbert, then commanding the First Regiment, issued an order 
 directing each captain to select a sergeant to prepare for examina- 
 tion, the one standing the highest to receive a commission as Second 
 Lieutenant. No Sergeant of Company D being willing to stand 
 the trial, the subject of this sketch was selected to represent that 
 company. Four only appeared for examination, the successful 
 one being Commissary Sergeant S. G. Blythe. Schoonover, 
 standing second, was promoted Commissary Sergeant, dating 
 from March 24th, 1862. He served in that position until 
 August 2d, 1862, when he received a commission as Adjutant 
 of the Eleventh New Jersey Volunteers, then organizing at 
 Trenton. The Eleventh left the State on August 25th, 1862, 
 and was first engaged in Burnside's attack upon Fredericksburg. 
 The first engagement proved to the men of the Eleventh that 
 their Adjutant was one on whom they could depend. During 
 the desperate fighting of- the regiment in the woods at Chan- 
 cellorsville, on May 3d and 4th, 1862, Adjutant Schoonover 
 was conspicuous for his bravery and coolness, and received 
 honorable mention therefor. On the 2d of July, at Gettysburg, 
 he received two wounds and six bullet-holes through his cloth- 
 ing, and on the 3d his horse was shot under him. He again 
 received slight wounds at Spottsylvania and at Barker's Mills, 
 but he never thought his wounds sufficiently severe to necessitate 
 going to the rear. He was commissioned Lieutenant-Colonel in 
 1863, and brevetted Colonel March 13tb, 1865, for conspicuous 
 gallantry. 
 
 Chaplain Cline says of Colonel Sohoonover: "He ever 
 showed himself to be a man of rare excellence, of great firmness 
 and energy, of a dauntless courage which never calculated 
 danger when a duty was to be performed, a high sense of right 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 351 
 
 and unflinching adherence to its obligations, with intellectual 
 endowments of a superior order and social qualities which won 
 the affection and admiration of all his associates. Kind-hearted 
 to his command, never exacting from them any unnecessary 
 work and always ready to do everything in his power for their 
 comfort and happiness, he was universally beloved and honored, 
 and there was scarcely one who would not have given his life, if 
 needs be, to save his. Brave himself and ever in the front of 
 the battle, he took them there ; and in camp his regiment was in 
 the highest state of discipline and order." 
 
 Major Thomas J. Halsey entered the service as Captain 
 of Company E, Eleventh New Jersey Volunteers, a company 
 that was largely made up of citizens of Morris county. He 
 was severely wounded in the battle of Chancellors ville, and for 
 a time was absent from his command. Soon after re-joining the 
 regiment he was commissioned Major, to date September 14th, 
 1863. June 23d, 1864, in Mahone's successful attack upon our 
 lines, Major Halsey and twenty-six men were made prisoners. 
 With the exception of Gettysburg and Wapping Heights, when 
 he was absent on account of wounds received at Chancellorsville, 
 Major Halsey had been present with the regiment in all its 
 engagements, and received special mention for his gallant be- 
 havior at the battle of Locust Grove. 
 
 After being confined for eight months in the Andersonville 
 prison, enduring all its hardships and privations, he again re- 
 ported for duty. 
 
 Major Halsey was a man of sterling worth and irreproach- 
 able character. He was patriotic in the fullest sense of the 
 word, and by his manly bearing and genial disposition won 
 many friends. 
 
 At the close of the rebellion he resumed business in his native 
 State, but later on he removed to Missouri, where he died 
 January 20th, 1893. 
 
 Db. E. L. Welling, of Pennington, New Jersey, entered 
 the service as Assistant Surgeon of the Third Regiment, New 
 
352 TEE ELEVENTE REGIMENT, 
 
 Jersey Volunteers, June 25th, 1861. He was made Surgeon of 
 the Eleventh New Jersey Volunteers July 19th, 1862. After 
 the battle of Fredericksburg, he took charge of the Corps Hos- 
 pital, and rendered distinguished services while in the perform- 
 ance of this duty. He developed exceptional ability as an 
 organizer and manager of hospitals on a large scale, and was 
 more or less on this duty until the close of the war. He was 
 Secretary of the Third Army Corps Union from its organization 
 to the day of his death ; served for some time as Surgeon-in- 
 Chief in the National Guard, on the staff of General W. J, 
 Sewell, and, on the death of Dr. W. W. L. Phillips, he was 
 appointed to succeed him as Medical Director of the National 
 Soldiers' Home, at Hampton, Virginia. Owing to failing health, 
 he was compelled to resign and retire to his home at Penning- 
 ton. His army comrades held him in high esteem, and he gave 
 his country over four years of valuable and patriotic service. 
 He died November 29th, 1897. 
 
 Philip J. Kearny possessed many of the characteristics of his 
 distinguished cousin, General Philip Kearny. He was brave, 
 ambitious, and a thorough soldier. Entering the service as 
 Captain of Company A, he was commissioned Major of the 
 regiment May 3d, 1863. 
 
 Major Kearny received special mention for his bravery at the 
 battle of Chancellorsville. 
 
 He was seriously wounded, July 2d, at the battle of Gettys- 
 burg, a ball crushing through his knee joint, from the effects of 
 which he died at St. Luke's U. S. Army General Hospital, New 
 York city, August 9th, 1863. In the death of Major Kearny 
 the regiment lost one of its best officers. 
 
 Chaplain E. C. Cline was born in Warren county, New 
 Jersey. He graduated at Lafayette College in 1857 and at 
 Princeton Theological Seminary in 1862, and was ordained for 
 the army July 6th, 1863, entering at once the service of the 
 Christian Commission. From this duty he was called to the 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 353 
 
 Chaplaincy of the Eleventh New Jersey. He was mustered into 
 the regiment September 11th, 1863, and was constantly on duty 
 from that time until the close of the war, when he was mustered 
 out with the regiment, June 6th, 1865. 
 
 The position of Chaplain was one of great responsibility. 
 Not only was it his office to preach and to pray — he was the 
 soldier's counselor. When sickness came his duties found him 
 at the bedside in camp and hospital ; on the long and weary 
 march he gave them cheer and sometimes bore their burdens ; 
 with tireless hand and sleepless eye he assisted in the care of the 
 wounded and was their support in the hour of death ; he wrote 
 letters for the living and looked after the burial of the dead, and 
 communicated the sad news to their friends. 
 
 In all the varied and self-denying duties which the earnest and 
 devoted Chaplain performed, no one in all the service was better 
 fitted, or served more faithfully, than Chaplain Cline. The whiz 
 of a bullet or the shriek of a shell was not an unfamiliar sound 
 to his ears. He went wherever duty called him, and his services 
 in camp and hospital, on the march and battle-field, are gratefully 
 remembered by the regiment. 
 
 At the close of the war he became pastor of the church at 
 Oxford, New Jersey, and in 1887 he was called to his present 
 charge at Phillipsburg, New Jersey. In the church at the latter 
 place, a handsome memorial window, in commemoration of the 
 regiment's dead, has been erected by its members and friends. 
 It was dedicated June 6th, 1891. 
 
 Iea W. Coey entered the service as a Sergeant in Company 
 K, Seventh New Jersey Volunteers, September 15th, 1861. 
 When the Eleventh was organized, he was commissioned First 
 Lieutenant of Company H. He was promoted to the Captaincy 
 of this company in July, 1863, taking the place of Captain D. 
 B. Logan, who was killed in the battle of Gettysburg. After 
 Logan's death, Cory took command of his company, which, at 
 that time, was on the extreme left of the regiment. When Gen- 
 eral Barksdale, commanding a Mississippi brigade, was charging 
 
354 THE ELEVENTH BEGIMENT, 
 
 down through the open fields in our front, word was received 
 from General Carr by the commanding officer of the regiment to 
 have some one bring down the mounted officer who was leading 
 the charge in our front. Captain Cory was instructed to have 
 his entire company execute this order, and the gallant Barksdale 
 fell that afternoon. When asked that night where he was 
 wounded, he replied, " All over." He was absent for a time on 
 detached service at Draft Rendezvous, at Trenton, N. J., but 
 was present with the regiment, with this exception, during its 
 entire term of service. Captain Cory was a brave, thoroughly 
 reliable and conscientious officer. 
 
 Joseph C. Baldwin entered the service as Sergeant of Com- 
 pany K, Eleventh New Jersey Volunteers, August 11th, 1862; 
 Second Lieutenant, Company K, February 18th, 1868 ; First 
 Lieutenant, Company C, August 26th, 1863. Baldwin was a 
 man of rare intelligence, and his genial and happy disposition 
 made him a host of friends. He was killed at Spottsylvania 
 Court House, Va., May 15th, 1864. A short time previous to 
 his death he was made acting Adjutant of the regiment, and 
 while leaning against one of the traverses in the line of works 
 occupied by our troops, a shell forced its way through between 
 the logs composing the traverse, crushing his head and causing 
 instant death. A career which undoubtedly would have proved 
 brilliant was suddenly cut off, and his death was a great loss to 
 the regiment and deeply felt by his comrades. 
 
 Captain W. H. Meeker was born in Rochester, N. Y., 
 May 9th, 1842, but has lived in Elizabeth, N. J., since 1848. 
 He enlisted as Corporal May 21st, 1861, in Company A, First 
 Regiment, New Jersey Volunteers ; promoted to Sergeant, and 
 was discharged at Meohanicsville, Va., June 12th, 1862, to 
 enable him to accept a commission as Captain of Company B, 
 Eleventh New Jersey Volunteers. He had command of his com- 
 pany in the battles of Frederioksburg and Chancellorsville, but 
 was prostrated with sunstroke soon after the latter engagement. 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 355 
 
 He re-joined the regiment at Warrenton, Va., July 31st, 1863 ; 
 was honorably discharged for disability September 3d, 1863, 
 Special Order No. 396, War Department, the regiment losing 
 the services of a brave and valuable officer. The following testi- 
 monial, signed by the members of his company, was handed him 
 upon his departure from the regiment : 
 
 "Captain Meeker: 
 
 " Sir — In view of your contemplated departure from the field, 
 we, the few remaining members of your company, would take this 
 occasion to testify to your bravery and worth, regretting our 
 inability to offer at this time a more substantial token of our regard 
 and esteem. 
 
 " Tour bearing on the field of Chancellorsville we are proud to 
 emulate, and in your retirement to the circle of civil life we hope 
 for you a speedy restoration to health, and at home you will bear 
 with you our heart's best wishes for your happiness and future 
 welfare." 
 
 Thomas D. Marbakee, the Regimental Historian, was born 
 August 23d, 1846, on the Musconetcong Mountains, Hunterdon 
 county, New Jersey. He left school at eleven years of age, 
 commencing at that date to earn his own living. He entered 
 the service July 19th, 1862, as a private in Company E, before 
 be was sixteen years of age. Marbaker was a type of hundreds 
 of young men whose exceedingly youthful appearance frequently 
 stood in the way of that advancement to which their bravery, 
 efficiency and endurance entitled them. He was made Corporal 
 August 20th, 1863, and Sergeant November 1st, 1863. Sergeant 
 Marbaker was severely wounded at Chancellorsville, but left the 
 hospital and rejoined the regiment on its march to Gettysburg. 
 The Adjutant, discovering that he was in the ranks marching 
 with a running wound, advised him to at once get in an ambu- 
 lance, but Marbaker, with a pluck and endurance that was sur- 
 prising, remained with his company and stood shoulder to shoulder 
 with his comrades in the great conflict at Gettysburg. He was 
 mustered out with the regiment June 6th, 1865. 
 
356 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 William E. Axtell commenced his military service as Second 
 Lieutenant in Company H. He was present with the regiment 
 in all its marches and engagements up to and including the battle 
 of Gettysburg, where he was severely wounded, on account of 
 which he resigned September 29th, 1863. He was commissioned 
 First Lieutenant July 2d, 1863, but not mustered. In the resigna- 
 tion of Lieutenant Axtell, the regiment was deprived of the 
 services of a brave and efficient officer. 
 
 Sergeant Euphalet Sturdevant entered the service 
 August 18th, 1862, in Company E, Eleventh New Jersey Vol- 
 unteers. From the start he was a soldier in whom reliance 
 could be placed in whatever duty he was called upon to perform. 
 He was not only a good soldier in the camp and on the march, 
 but he filled well his part upon the field of battle. He fell 
 severely wounded at the battle of Gettysburg ; was taken to the 
 field-hospital, where his left leg and right arm were amputated, 
 from the effects of which he died July 13th. There was no one 
 whose loss was more deeply felt by his comrades than Sergeant 
 Sturdevant. A man of irreproachable character, modest and 
 retiring in his disposition, and an earnest and devoted Christian. 
 In his death the regiment lost one of its bravest and most efficient 
 men. His body was taken to his native village — Bockaway, 
 New Jersey — where he was buried with military honors. 
 
 Major W. H. Loyd was born in Philadelphia, Pa., 
 January 27th, 1839, and at outbreak of the war was engaged in 
 the stock brokerage business. He joined the First Pennsylvania 
 Reserve Militia April, 1861, as private ; Second Lieutenant 
 Eleventh New Jersey Volunteers, August 12th, 1862 ; First 
 Lieutenant, November 17th, 1862 ; Captain, March 16th, 
 1863 ; commissioned Major Seventh New Jersey Volunteers, 
 October 13th, 1864, and while awaiting muster was severely 
 wounded, October 27th, 1864, at the battle of Boynton Plank 
 road, while serving as Brigade Inspector, Second Brigade, 
 Third Division, Second Army Corps. During winter of 1863-4 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 
 
 357 
 
 was detached from regiment and assigned to staff duty, first as 
 A. A. I. General, First Division, Third Corps. Upon 
 consolidation of Third and Second Corps was appointed Brigade 
 Inspector and assigned to Second Brigade, Third Division, 
 Second Corps; was honorably discharged for disability from 
 wounds, January 13th, 1865. 
 
 That Major Loyd enjoyed the confidence of his superior 
 officers is evidenced by his frequent promotions. Upon leaving 
 the service he re-entered the banking business, in Philadelphia, 
 in which he is still engaged. 
 
 Portion of a minie-ball received at the battle of Bojnton Road, Va., October 
 27th, 1864, by Major William H. Loyd, Eleventh New Jersey Volunteers. 
 Extracted by Or. K. M. Girvin, May 16th, 1896, at the Presbyterian Hospital, 
 Philadelphia. The other part was extracted by Dr. John Neil, Surgeon, 
 TJ. S. A., December, 1864. This photograph is exact size. Weight of bullet, 
 -one ounce. The 'wound has never healed from the first, and is still open. 
 
 Majok John T. Hill was born in New Brunswick, N/J., 
 July, 1836. He entered the service as a Captain in Company I, 
 Eleventh New Jersey Volunteers, at its organization, and bore a 
 -conspicuous part in its first battle, Deoember 13th, 1862, at 
 Fredericksburg, Va. The following April he received a com- 
 mission as Major of the Twelfth New Jersey Inftmtry, and joined 
 
358 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 that regiment a short time before the Chancellorsville campaign. 
 After the rout of the Eleventh Corps, Colonel Willets beiDg 
 badly wounded in the early part of the fight, the command de- 
 volved upon Major Hill. At Gettysburg the regiment was also- 
 under his command, and its splendid achievements on that battle- 
 field have been fully recorded in history. He remained in com- 
 mand until the latter part of the summer of 1863, when he was 
 stricken down with inflammatory rheumatism, and, much against 
 his will, he was honorably discharged for disability early in 
 1864. His enforced withdrawal from the service was regretted 
 by all his comrades in arms. His record throughout was that of 
 a brave and faithful officer, a trusted and honored commander. 
 
 T. O. Doane enlisted as a private in Company B, August 
 16th, 1862 ; promoted to Corporal, October 1st, 1862 ; was 
 present with the regiment at the battles of Fredericksburg and 
 Chancellorsville, where he was slightly wounded. At Gettys- 
 burg he was wounded in the head, and remained in the hospital 
 at Baltimore until December, 1863, when he was transferred to 
 Company B, Twentieth Veteran Reserve Corps ; was promoted 
 to Sergeant, and was on special duty as detective on the staff of 
 Mayor A. G. Brady, Provost Marshal, at Point Lookout; 
 mustered out, July 29th, 1865. He now resides in Plainfield, 
 New Jersey. 
 
 Cyprian H. Rossitbr entered the service as Corporal, in- 
 Company K, June 13th, 1862 ; Sergeant, July 1st, 1863 ; First 
 Sergeant, August 1st, 1 864 ; Second Lieutenant, Company B, 
 September 18th, 1864; First Lieutenant, Company E, October 
 23d, 1864; Captain, Company F, June 13th, 1865, not mustered. 
 Captain Rossiter was a brave and efficient officer. He was 
 mustered out with the regiment, June 6th, 1865. 
 
 John B. Faussett first entered the service as Sergeant in 
 Company A, three-months militia. Served in that capacity 
 from April 27th, 1861, to July 31st, 1861. He was made First 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 359" 
 
 Sergeant of Company C, Eleventh New Jersey "Volunteers, 
 August 15th, 1862; Second Lieutenant, March 6th, 1863; 
 First Lieutenant, September 29th, 1863. Lieutenant Faussett 
 received wounds both at Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. He 
 was sunstruck while the regiment was on the March from its 
 winter camp at Brandy Station to the Wilderness, and was dis- 
 charged for disability, July 19th, 1864. He has resided since 
 that time in Trenton, New Jersey. 
 
 Charles A. Oliver was born in New Brunswick, New 
 Jersey, September 8th, 1843. He enlisted as a private in Com- 
 pany I, Eleventh New Jersey Volunteers, August llth^ 1862; 
 Corporal, September 7th, 1862 ; Sergeant, December 28th, 1862 ;. 
 Second Lieutenant, Company E, June 26th, 1863 ; First Lieu- 
 tenant, Company A, October 23d, 1864 ; Captain, Company A, 
 June 13th, 1865. Not mustered. 
 
 Captain Oliver was wounded at the battles of Gettysburg and 
 the Wilderness. He was present with the regiment in all its 
 battles, marches and skirmishes, and was, under all circumstances, 
 a brave and efficient officer. In the night attack and re-capture 
 of the picket-line at Fort Morton he bore a very prominent part.: 
 He now resides at New Brunswick, New Jersey. 
 
 Lieutenant Edwin R. Good was mustered into the service 
 as Second Lieutenant of Company F, August 13th, 1862; pro- 
 moted to First Lieutenant, February 18th, 1863. Lieutenant 
 Good was almost continuously in command of his company from 
 the time of its entrance into active service. He was slightly 
 wounded in the foot at the battle of Chancellorsville, but remained 
 on the field, having been temporarily placed in command of 
 Company B— Lieutenants Bloomfield and Beilly both having; 
 been killed and Captain Meeker prostrated by sunstroke soon 
 after the battle. After the return to camp, he again took com- 
 mand of his own company. He received three wounds in the 
 battle of Gettysburg — in the left arm and in the shoulder and 
 elbow of his right arm. The bullet which entered his shoulder 
 
360 TEE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 he still has in his possession. After an absence of sixty days,' 
 Lieutenant Good re-joined the regiment, but as his wounds were 
 still unhealed, he was sent to Georgetown Seminary Hospital, and 
 after remaining there some time was discharged for disability by 
 order of the War Department. Lieutenant Good was a brave 
 and valuable officer, and his loss was keenly felt both by his 
 company and regiment. He now resides at Hamilton Square, 
 New Jersey. 
 
 Alonzo B. Searing enlisted in Company E, Eleventh New 
 Jersey Volunteers, August 18th, 1862, and was, at the time of 
 his entrance into the service, eighteen years of age. He was 
 with the regiment during its entire term of service, being present 
 at its muster-out, June 6th, 1865. Searing, like many others in 
 the regiment, became a soldier when quite young, and the effect- 
 ive fighting element of the army was composed of just such 
 men, the great bulk of them serving in the three-years volun- 
 teers of 1861 and 1862. At Gettysburg the two men on his 
 immediate right were mortally wounded, while he escaped with 
 a slight ankle wound. Searing was a faithful, brave and effi- 
 cient soldier. Since the close of the war he has served five years 
 in the National Guard of New Jersey. He now resides at 
 Dover, New Jersey. 
 
 Alphbus Iliff, entered the service as a Corporal in Com- 
 pany E, June 15th, 1862 ; Sergeant, July 1st, 1863 ; commis- 
 sioned Second Lieutenant Company B, May 22d, 1865; not 
 mustered; commissioned First Lieutenant Company A, June 
 13th, 1865; not mustered. Lieutenant Iliff was captured on 
 the 10th of May, 1864, and for a time endured the sufferings 
 and hardships of prison life. He rejoined the regiment before 
 the close of the war, and was present when it was mustered out 
 of the service June 6th, 1865. He rendered his country faith- 
 ful, patriotic and conscientious service. 
 
 James McDavitt, the subject of this sketch, was a member 
 of Company E, and, previous to his enlistment, lived at Dover, 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 361 
 
 New Jersey. A man of splendid physique and fine soldierly 
 bearing, be gave every evidence of rapid advancement and a 
 brilliant future, but like many others he was taken soon after 
 his enlistment, and the regiment lost the services of one of its 
 bravest and most promising men. At the battle of Chancellors- 
 ville, when Captain Halsey was wounded, McDavitt went to 
 his assistance, and while binding up the Captain's wound he 
 was struck in the head and died a few minutes afterward. Like 
 thousands of others, the place of his burial is unknown. 
 
 Alexander Beach, Jr., enlisted May 30th, 1861, as a pri- 
 vate in Company K, Second New Jersey Volunteers ; was com- 
 missioned Second Lieutenant, Company B, Eleventh New Jersey 
 Volunteers, August 16th, 1862; First Lieutenant, March 6th, 
 1863; Adjutant, August 26th, 1863; Captain, Company I, 
 June 13th, 1865 ; wounded at Chancellorsville, May 4, 1863. 
 Adjutant Beach was, under all circumstances, a thorough and 
 reliable officer, and during his term of service, by his upright 
 and manly bearing as a soldier, he commanded? the respect and 
 -confidence of his superior officers. He received special mention 
 for his gallant behavior at the battle of Locust Grove. He now 
 resides in Newark, N. J. 
 
 Andrew H. Ackerman enlisted in the Second Regiment, 
 New Jersey Volunteers, May 30th, 1861, as a private. Pro- 
 moted First Lieutenant Company A, Eleventh Regiment, July 
 21st, 1862; Captain Company C, March 6th, 1863. He was 
 killed while in command of his company, July 2d, 1863, at 
 ■Gettysburg, Pa. He had won the respect and confidence of his 
 superior officers by his coolness and bravery at Fredericksburg 
 und Chancellorsville, and to be taken thus early in his military 
 career deprived the regiment of the services of one of its most 
 valuable and promising officers. 
 
 Captain Dorastus B. Logan, the subject of this sketch, 
 was a man of strong character and sterling worth. Of remark- 
 
362 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT, 
 
 able self-control and dignified presence, he was universally 
 respected by bis comrades in arms. He entered the service as 
 Captain of Company H, August 14th, 1862; proved his value 
 as an officer by his brave and efficient services at Fredericksburg 
 and Chancellorsville. He was killed while in command of his 
 company at Gettysburg, Pa., July 2d, 1863. 
 
 Lieutenant William H. Egan entered the service as 
 First Sergeant of Company E, July 22d, 1862, and was pro- 
 moted First Lieutenant of Company H, October 5th, 1863. 
 He was killed at Spottsylvania Court House, Virginia, May 
 12th, 1864. The circumstances under which Lieutenant Egan 
 was killed were most remarkable. The Second Corps in its 
 successful charge on the enemy's line of entrenchments on the 
 morning of May 12th was formed in three lines, the Eleventh 
 Regiment being in the third line. A few minutes previous to 
 the advance, Lieutenant Egan went to the Chaplain, handed 
 him his watch and other articles, gave him his address and said 
 that he would be killed by the first shot fired by the enemy. 
 According to rebel history, on the day previous General Lee 
 had sent away from the Angle twenty pieces of artillery, with 
 positive instructions that they should return and be in position 
 by daylight next morning. As the corps advanced at daylight 
 on the morning of the 12th the artillery was galloping into posi- 
 tion, but only had time to unlimber and fire two shots. The 
 first one passed through the body of Egan, causing instant 
 death. His loss was deeply felt. He was brave, reliable, and 
 possessed the characteristics which combine to make a good 
 officer. 
 
 The record of Captain Samuel T. Sleeper, the subject of 
 this sketch, was that of a brave, conscientious and upright sol- 
 dier. Entering the service as First Lieutenant of Company I, 
 August 6th, 1862, he was made the Captain of his company 
 June 2d, 1863. He rendered valuable and distinguished ser- 
 vices both at Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. He was killed- 
 
NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS. 363 
 
 in the great charge of the Second Corps at Spottsylvania Court 
 House, Va., May 12th, 1864. Of a quiet and unassuming dis- 
 position and irreproachable character, his early death was 
 greatly regretted by his comrades, and took from the regiment 
 one of its most valuable officers. 
 
 Captain John Oldebshaw, the subject of this sketch, 
 began his military life as First Lieutenant in Company X, 
 August 19th, 1862. He was commissioned Captain of his 
 company October 23d, 1863, and was mustered out with the 
 regiment June 6th, 1865. Throughout his entire service 
 •Captain Oldershaw was conspicuous as a brave, reliable and 
 efficient officer. He was much of the time on staff duty, both 
 at Brigade and Division headquarters, and while occupying 
 these positions frequently received mention and commendation 
 ibr his bravery and efficiency. 
 
 "William Hand enlisted as a private in Company B, August 
 11th, 1862; Sergeant, February 1st, 1863; First Sergeant, 
 July 1st, 1863 ; Second Lieutenant, Company I, October 13th, 
 1864; Acting Regimental Quartermaster, February 1st, 1865; 
 First Lieutenant, Company E, June 13th, 1865. He was 
 wounded in the right foot, at Gettysburg, July 2d, 1863 ; was 
 present for duty in every engagement of the regiment, and 
 was a brave, thoroughly capable and reliable officer. His 
 present residence is in Plainfield, New Jersey. 
 
 Sidney M. Layton began his military life as First Lieu- 
 tenant of Company D. He served faithfully in this position 
 until July 3d, 1863, when he was promoted to the Captaincy of 
 his company, vice Martin, killed. Captain Layton was killed in 
 action near Petersburg, Va., June 16th, 1864. He was buried 
 at City Point National Cemetery, Va.; section C, division 4, 
 grave 73. 
 
 Chables F. Gage, whose services are fully recorded else- 
 where in this history, enlisted as a Sergeant in Company F, Fifth 
 
364 THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 
 
 Eegiment, New Jersey Volunteers, August 22d, 1861. He was 
 early transferred to the Signal Service Department, and while 
 serving in that capacity received a commission as First Lieutenant 
 of Company G, Eleventh New Jersey Volunteers, dated Decem- 
 ber 5th, 1863. He was promoted to the Captaincy of Company 
 E, June 26th, 1864, and brevetted Major for conspicuous gal- 
 lantry April 9th, 1865. For coolness and intrepidity, Captain 
 Gage had few equals. No duty was too hazardous for him to 
 undertake, and his personal service in locating the rebel line after 
 its night capture of our picket-line in front of Fort Morton, Va., 
 has become a matter of history. He was mustered out with the 
 regiment June 6th, 1865. 
 
 Titus Berry, Jr., the subject of this sketch, entered the 
 service as a Corporal in Company E, August 9th, 1862 ; Ser- 
 geant, September 1st, 1863; Second Lieutenant, October 23d r 
 1864. He was commissioned Adjutant June 13th, 1865, but 
 not mustered. Lieutenant Berry was a brave, faithful and deserv- 
 ing officer. He was mustered out with the regiment, June 6th, 
 1865. 
 
 Corporal Absalom S. Talmadge was mustered in with the 
 regiment August 18th, 1862. He was present with his com- 
 pany in all its marches and battles up to the battle of Gettys- 
 burg, where he was severely wounded in the head. He remained 
 in the hospital until February, 1864, when he rejoined the regi- 
 ment at Brandy Station, Va. He was again wounded at the 
 battle of the Wilderness and sent to the hospital at Washington, 
 D. C. After his recovery he was detailed for duty in the Com- 
 missary Department, at Washington, where he remained until 
 the close of the war, when he was mustered out with the regi- 
 ment. Talmage was a brave and efficient soldier, and always 
 had the confidence of his superior officers. 
 
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