diff options
| -rw-r--r-- | .gitattributes | 3 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 37550-8.txt | 5473 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 37550-8.zip | bin | 0 -> 122825 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 37550-h.zip | bin | 0 -> 126486 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | 37550-h/37550-h.htm | 5533 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 37550.txt | 5473 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | 37550.zip | bin | 0 -> 122813 bytes | |||
| -rw-r--r-- | LICENSE.txt | 11 | ||||
| -rw-r--r-- | README.md | 2 |
9 files changed, 16495 insertions, 0 deletions
diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/37550-8.txt b/37550-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..341571c --- /dev/null +++ b/37550-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,5473 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Campaign of the Fourteenth Regiment New +Jersey Volunteers, by J. Newton Terrill + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Campaign of the Fourteenth Regiment New Jersey Volunteers + +Author: J. Newton Terrill + +Release Date: September 27, 2011 [EBook #37550] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CAMPAIGN OF 14TH REG. NEW JERSEY *** + + + + +Produced by David E. Brown and The Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was +produced from images generously made available by The +Internet Archive) + + + + + + + + + + CAMPAIGN + OF THE + FOURTEENTH REGIMENT + New Jersey Volunteers, + + BY + Sergeant J. NEWTON TERRILL, + Co. K, Fourteenth Regiment, New Jersey Volunteers. + + SECOND EDITION. + + NEW BRUNSWICK, N. J.: + DAILY HOME NEWS PRESS, COR. HIRAM AND DENNIS STREETS. + + 1884. + + + + +CONTENTS. + + +A complete History of the Campaign of the FOURTEENTH REGIMENT, NEW +JERSEY VOLUNTEERS; its various BATTLES and MARCHES, from the time of its +departure from New Jersey until its return; giving full details of every +event that transpired; the author having taken an active part in those +memorable battles of the Potomac Army--the Maryland Campaign, the +Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor and Petersburg; finally ending in +the capture of Lee's Army, the occupation of Richmond and Petersburg by +our forces, and the Rebellion crushed forever. + + + + +CAMPAIGN +OF THE +14th Regiment, New Jersey Volunteers. + + +War, with all its horrors, has dawned upon us. Thousands have answered +the call and rushed to arms. The Farmer leaves his plough, the Merchant +his store, and all join in one compact body to avenge the insult +perpetrated upon our FLAG. + +It is not a Foreign foe; but a war upon our soil--a civil war. Our +forces have been defeated and driven back; the rebel capital, almost +within our grasp, has been wrested from us, and the enemy, flushed with +victory, are marching with countless hordes upon our almost defenceless +Capitol. The disastrous defeat of McClellan from before Richmond has +awakened a feeling among the Northern people that something more active +must be done, that we are dealing with a wily foe prepared for war and +bent upon the destruction of our once happy and prosperous Union. +Congress having met, it was decided to call for more troops to assist in +putting down this wicked rebellion, our army having been fearfully +decreased by sickness and by battles; the swamps of Virginia and the +broiling sun of a Southern clime have sent numbers to their graves. Our +army must be re-organized, and that speedily; fresh troops must fill the +ranks of those that are no more. A call for Six Hundred Thousand troops +was made; it resounded throughout the North, and soon our decimated +ranks were refilled by men who but shortly before were engaged in the +peaceful pursuits of life, who are now stern warriors, armed and +equipped for the fearful struggle awaiting them. Under that call the +14th New Jersey Regiment was raised, a band of noble men from various +portions of the State. On the 8th of July, 1862, the Regiment was formed +on the Old Battle Ground of Freehold, Monmouth Co., New Jersey, William +S. Truex appointed Commander. For nearly two months the officers were +busily engaged in preparing the men for the future; companies were +organized, armed and equipped. Men enlisting daily, not for bounties, +but for patriotism; and soon the regiment was ready for its departure +for the seat of war. Tents were placed on a line, each company by +itself. The men seemed to know the work before them, and with stern +resolution, resolved to do their duty to the last. A police system was +organized, and the camp soon presented a healthy appearance. The men who +but a few days before were in their quiet homes by the family fireside +talking of war, were no longer there; their places were vacant and they +in camps anxiously awaiting orders to move. Soldiering then was new, the +men were no longer free. + +On the 26th of August, the Regiment was mustered in the United States +service for three years, unless sooner discharged, (or as the men +remarked, three years unless sooner shot). Soldiering now commenced in +earnest. At first the men unused to discipline were not disposed to obey +the rules, but they were soon made to know that they were soldiers, and +that Military rules must be obeyed or they be punished. A guard house +was built for the purpose of confining those that were disobedient, but +it was seldom used, only in case of drunkenness, when the offender was +placed in confinement until he became sober. A guard was placed around +the camp, each relief posted every two hours, and each man having a +certain place to walk until he was relieved by the Corporal or Sergeant +of the guard. At night the officer in charge of the guard visited each +post to see that every sentinel was doing his duty; it was called the +grand rounds. Midnight was the hour chosen. The men were furnished with +Sibly tents and a tick filled with straw to sleep on, each tent holding +sixteen men; six tents to a company and ten companies in the Regiment. A +full company was composed of 87 Privates, 5 Sergeants, and 8 Corporals, +with 3 Commissioned Officers, in all 103 men. The companies arranged in +alphabetical order. Drills, reviews, inspections and dress parades were +the order of the day. The camp was daily thronged with visitors, mostly +friends of the soldiers. A cook and cook-house were furnished, each +company marched down in single file to their meals. The rations +furnished the men were beef, pork, bread, beans, sugar and coffee. The +men were now fairly established in camp, and began to wonder when the +regiment would move to the front. Furloughs were granted the men, five +from each company, as all could not be furnished at once. Several broke +guard and escaped, taking French leave, returning before the regiment +left for the front. Various rumors were now in circulation, but none of +them were reliable. Some of them were that we were going to North +Carolina and to Texas, and others that the regiment was to join the +Potomac Army, but none knew the destination of the regiment, as there +were yet no orders from Washington to move. On the 31st of August the +regiment numbered over 950 men; they were ordered to form in line and +march to Freehold, 2½ miles from camp. It was a splendid sight. The +men were in the best of spirits, and with their new uniforms and +burnished guns presented a fine appearance. After marching around the +principal streets, the men returned to camp in _Dirt Cars_, a great many +receiving passes to go home while in camp. The nine months' men were +rapidly forming the 28th New Jersey, near the camp of the Fourteenth. +After the men of the 14th were fast for three years, they envied them, +and wished they had gone for nine months; but it was now too late, and +they must remain three long weary years, unless the war should sooner +end. + +On Monday, September 1st, orders were given the men to be ready to leave +at daylight the next morning, with three days rations for Washington. At +night the guards were ordered to load their muskets and fire upon any +one attempting to leave camp. The night was dark and rainy and the camp +flooded with water. The next morning three days' rations were furnished +the men, of hard tack and dry smoked beef. Tents were taken down and +packed up; the men were placed in old baggage cars (a passenger car +reserved for the officers,) and bade good bye to the old camp. As the +train left, it was thought by the men how many of them would return. +Friends were there to see them leave, the last good bye was said, and +the cars moved slowly off. Soon the camping ground was left far behind. +Arriving at Philadelphia the men were kindly received by the citizens, +and a good supper given them by the ladies of the Volunteer Refreshment +Saloon. This building is situated near the wharf, and thousands of +soldiers have been furnished with meals, being tired after a weary ride, +cooped up in tight cars. It was very refreshing. Three rousing cheers +were given for the ladies of Philadelphia for their kindness. The +regiment formed in line and marched to the Baltimore depot. The streets +were thronged with citizens, welcoming us and bidding us God speed. +Again the men were furnished with baggage cars and started for +Baltimore, arriving there at noon; the next day marching through the +city in the hot sun, with heavy knapsacks, to the Washington depot, and +lying on the sidewalk in the afternoon. While there the depot was set +on fire and burned down, supposed to be the work of an incendiary. +Several cars were consumed, and thousands of dollars lost. Several +regiments were there awaiting transportation. This time the men were +more fortunate and succeeded in getting passenger cars, and supposed +they were going to Washington; leaving Baltimore at 11 P. M., riding all +night, arriving at Frederick Junction, on the Baltimore and Ohio +Railroad, 58 miles from Baltimore, for the purpose of guarding Monocacy +Bridge, a splendid iron structure across Monocacy River. A field was +picked out and tents were placed on a line as before; the men were +furnished with ten rounds of ammunition. + +At night companies H and K were detailed for Picket. At midnight the +Colonel received a dispatch that the rebels under Stonewall Jackson were +invading the North in force and were now in Maryland, having crossed at +Edwards' Ferry. The regiment was drawn up in line of battle on the +Turnpike, remaining until morning. All was excitement, as the men were +new troops and unused to such scenes. Signal lights were displayed, and +the distant report of a gun booming on the midnight air informed us that +the enemy were near. The next morning orders were given to strike tents +and fall back. As the Fourteenth was the only regiment stationed at that +place, tents were soon down and placed on baggage cars; the Colonel +seized a coal train that was lying near and the men were soon on board. +The engineer being a rebel, and in favor of the South, was in no hurry +to start. The Colonel, becoming impatient, drew his revolver and +threatened to shoot him if he did not move. At five o'clock everything +was in readiness; muskets were fired in the air to prevent accident, as +the men were green troops and did not know how to use them. The train +moved off towards Baltimore, riding in those old coal cars, 40 miles to +Elysville. About one hour after leaving Monocacy the advance guard of +the rebels made their appearance. Had we remained longer our capture +would have been certain, as there were no other troops near, and the +whole rebel army in our front. The citizens of Elysville were very kind, +giving the men plenty to eat. At 10 o'clock the regiment marched up a +hill about one mile, encamping in an orchard, remaining ten days; doing +guard duty, picket and drilling, expecting daily orders to move. One of +our men returned to us, having been taken prisoner and paroled by the +rebels. They had burned the bridge at Monocacy, laid waste the country, +and were advancing northward, closely followed by the Potomac Army +under McClellan, overtaking them at ANTIETAM and SOUTH MOUNTAIN, a +terrible battle was fought, resulting in the utter discomfiture of the +rebels and sending them back across the Potomac completely routed. +Maryland Heights was taken by them in their retreat, with 11,000 +prisoners and 60 guns. Colonel Miles being in command, and a traitor at +heart, surrendered without firing a gun; he was killed in the attempt, +report says by his own son. Had he defended the place a few hours it +would not have been taken, as the Potomac Army was marching on rapidly +in pursuit. The men were paroled on the spot, the guns spiked, and the +rebels retreated in haste back into Virginia, our army encamping near +Harper's Ferry. While at Elysville one hundred men from the regiment +went to Monocacy to guard a provision train, commanded by Lt. Kerner, +remaining there two days. Scouting parties were sent out daily, houses +were searched and concealed weapons found hidden in holes, garrets and +cellars. The majority of the people were secesh and refused to give any +information. The regiment was encamped on a farm belonging to an officer +in the rebel army. Elysville is a small village on the Baltimore and +Ohio Railroad, 21 miles from Baltimore. It is quite a flourishing place. + +On the 16th of September, orders came for the regiment to proceed to +Monocacy and rebuild the bridge destroyed by the rebels. Again the men +were placed in baggage cars, a dismal rainy day, riding all night, +arriving at the Junction the next day. Everything looked desolate. The +bridge destroyed, remnants of wagons, dead horses and mules lying +around. A portion of the Potomac army was there awaiting supplies. It +was raining hard and very muddy. Tents were pitched in a plowed field in +regular order, guards were stationed around camp and no one allowed to +leave. The rebels left a squad of men to destroy the bridge; in the +attempt one man was blown up and buried near the ruins, leaving his arms +and head above ground. This was the first rebel the men had ever seen, +and for some time was an object of curiosity to us; he lay exposed +several days; at last his remains were taken up and decently interred by +our men. Parties were now set to work, the camp laid out in style, and a +regular system of order prevailed. The bridge was soon rebuilt and +guarded by our men. It was named Camp Hooker, in honor of Fighting Joe, +as Hooker was called. The city of Frederick was three miles distant, the +men receiving passes daily to visit the place. The drills and +inspections were very arduous; they were arranged systematically and in +perfect order. The reveille was sounded at six A. M.; every man was then +required to get up and answer to his name at roll call, proceed to the +woods and carry a log for the cook house. The drum then beat for +breakfast, each man taking his tin plate and cup to the cook; breakfast +consisting of coffee, pork or beef, and dry bread. At 8 o'clock the +guard was mounted for the day; the old guard relieved, would shoot at a +mark to clean their guns and were excused from drill for the morning. +The camp guard was as follows: One Captain as officer of the day, one +Lieutenant as officer of the guard, three Sergeants, three Corporals, +and ninety men, remaining on 24 hours. The duty of the officer of the +day was to see that the camp was kept clean and neat; that all offing +and dirt should be removed; also to visit the guard house each day and +once at midnight, and then visit each post, or as was called the grand +rounds. The duty of the officer of the guard was to see that each +sentinel was doing his duty, and to see that each officer was saluted +properly. The guard was divided into three reliefs, thirty men to a +relief; one sergeant and one corporal. The non-commissioned officers +were to post each relief every two hours. In case of extreme cold +weather, no sentinel was allowed to stand but one hour. At 9 o'clock the +drums beat for squad drill, lasting two hours; this was very tiresome to +the men; the same each day. At 12 the drum beat for dinner; at 2 +battalion drill until 4; at 5 dress parade, or inspection; supper at +six; roll call at 9; taps at 9.15. Each man was then required to put the +light out of his tent and retire. No loud talking or laughing was then +allowed. Military rules were very strict and must be obeyed. Each day's +duties were alike. Saturday afternoon was allowed the men to wash, and +amuse themselves as they pleased. + +At Monocacy the regiment lay nine months. Those months passed +pleasantly, and will ever be remembered as the best part of our three +years' soldiering. Many times, after a hard day's march or fight, the +men were heard to say, "If I was only at Monocacy, I would be +contented." The first few months nearly all the men were sick. The +Doctor's call was in the morning. At one time more than two-thirds of +the men were unfit for duty, a great many dying for the want of proper +care. The hospital was full, men lay in their tents unable to move. The +Surgeons did all that men could do, but nothing could stay the hand of +death. Sometimes as many as three lay dead at once. They were buried in +the Cemetery near Frederick City, with the honors of war. As each day +passed, some poor fellow was carried to his grave; the dead march +played, and all that remained of our comrade was consigned to the grave. +During that nine months seventy-five were buried, dying since their +enlistment. The men were not paid for six months, the rations were poor, +many became disheartened and desertions were frequent. + +On the 19th of September, one thousand rebels captured at the battle of +Antietam were brought in camp, for the regiment to guard. They were of +Longstreet's and Hill's divisions, and were a sorry looking set, a +specimen of the genuine rebel. Some were without hats and coats, while +others were shoeless and covered with filth and vermin. Several were +very intelligent, but the majority were ignorant, using expressions that +were very amusing to us, such as "down yere," "right smart I reckon," +"youns come to fight weens," etc. Officers could not be distinguished +from privates, as all were dressed alike in grey. They were kept under +guard two days, and then forwarded to Fort Delaware under a strong +escort commanded by Lieut. Kerner of Co. A. + +Days, weeks, and even months passed, and still the regiment lay +inactive. Battles were fought and victories won, but war to us was yet a +stranger. As we glanced at the past, the future arose before us with its +dangers and hardships. How soon would we be called to follow those who +had gone before us and were now at the front; sooner or later. The men +were willing and anxious to obey that call, and with their comrades in +arms lay down their lives if necessary, in defense of those glorious +stars and stripes, that had been trampled in the dust by men that were +once our brothers but now foes, worse than demons, men that looked upon +the laboring man as a being to detest, and were unworthy of notice. +Southern aristocracy in their eyes must rule, or the Union must be +dissolved. The men soon became efficient in drilling, and on dress +parade presented a fine appearance. Every musket was required to be +clean and in perfect order. Sunday morning was knapsack inspection, a +very tedious affair. Every man was required to be in line with knapsack, +haversack, canteen, musket and equipments with white gloves, boots +blacked and hair combed neatly. On Sunday morning, October 12th, the +regiment being out on inspection, were suddenly ordered to load their +pieces and form in line of battle. It was soon done, the men marching +out of camp at a double quick, accompanied by two pieces of artillery +from Battery L, Fifth U.S. Artillery that were lying at Monocacy bridge. +Stuart with his rebel cavalry had crossed the Potomac at night and then +were but a short distance off. The regiment marched six miles to +Urbanna, but did not succeed in overtaking them, being mounted they soon +recrossed the river, having stolen some two hundred horses. Our men +returned disappointed. We were then very brave, having never yet seen an +armed rebel. This was our first expedition, and was the subject of +comment for some time. A sufficient force was left to guard the camp. +The men were all anxious to go and did not like being left behind, as +they were anxious to participate in an engagement if necessary. + +Winter with its cold storms was fast approaching; the tents were +insufficient to protect the men from the cold. Trees were cut down and +stockades made, the tents floored and raised from the ground, and on +those stockades were very comfortable. The members of each tent clubbed +together and purchased a stove; the stockades were mudded up and the +tents were then as warm as any building. The long winter evenings were +spent in reading, writing, singing, dancing and various other +amusements. Log houses were built for cook houses, stables for the +horses and a guard house for each day's relief, and for the confinement +of those that failed to do their duty and obey the rules. Nothing +important occurred to disturb the dull monotony of camp life. Days +passed like a dream. The same routine of duty each day, such as drills, +inspections, reviews, etc. Christmas and New Years were very dull, and +passed off very quietly in camp. The most of the boys received boxes +from home and enjoyed a good dinner. Other poor fellows having no homes +or friends, were compelled to do without and eat hard tack and salt +pork. The boxes of hard tack sent us were marked Harrison's Landing, +having been with McClellan on the Peninsula campaign. Some of them were +mouldy and filled with worms, and marked 312 B. C., which was +interpreted by some of the boys 312 years before Christ; rather poor +food for men that were but a few miles from the National Capitol, +guarding a railroad carrying millions of supplies annually. + +On the night of January 6th, 1863, Co's E and K were ordered to be ready +to move in the morning, and be stationed along the railroad as guards. +The morning came clear and cold; every thing was packed and the men +placed with their baggage on open cars. Co. E was stationed at +Monrovia, seven miles distant from camp, and Co. K at Mount Airy, +fourteen miles from camp, quartered in a church. The men soon became +acquainted and made themselves at home. The church was situated on the +main road half a mile from Mount Airy, and half a mile from Ridgeville +on the Baltimore pike. Pickets and guards were stationed, although there +was no enemy near. Co. E at Monrovia were placed in their tents and were +compelled to lie on the ground. They were encamped near the railroad. +One of their number while there was run over and killed by the cars. +Eight companies remained at Monocacy. Col. Truex was appointed acting +Brigadier General with headquarters at Frederick City; Major Vredenberg, +Provost Marshal. The 3d Delaware regiment and Purnell Legion were at +Frederick, and were temporarily brigaded with the 14th New Jersey, all +under command of Col. Truex. The regiment had now been out over five +months, and had yet received no pay. The men were anxious to receive +their money, as several had large families at home depending upon them +for support. At last the paymaster arrived. He was hailed with joy, as +money was scarce. Five months' pay was due the men, but two months of it +only were paid. The men were very much dissatisfied, but the promise of +speedy payment soon quieted them. Two weeks later the men were paid +again, the government keeping back one month's pay. As a general thing +this was always done, very often the men receiving but two months' pay +when three or four were due them. + +The Winter passed with scarcely any snow, but rain fell in abundance. +Spring opened in all its glory. The Potomac army lay inactive in their +comfortable quarters near Falmouth. The roads were in such a condition +that an army could not move. Early in the spring six companies were +detached from the regiment and sent to Martinsburg, for the purpose of +re-enforcing Milroy, the enemy threatening an attack. Arriving at +Harper's Ferry, encamped on Maryland Heights three days. Arriving at +Martinsburg, two companies were stationed in a church, the others +encamping near the town. Co's B and G were left at Monocacy. The +companies remained at Martinsburg six weeks and then returned to camp, +as the threatened attack proved to be an alarm, the rebels +reconnoitering and then retiring. The men now began to get tired of +Monocacy, having lain there 9 months. A flag was presented to the +regiment by Gov. Parker. The men were drawn up in line with white +gloves, a band was hired for the occasion, and the flag was presented by +the Governor in person. Although the men were denied the luxuries of +life, they were far better off than the boys of the Potomac army with +good tents and pretty good food. The men were very well contented. +Numbers were anxious to move. Take us to the front was the general +cry. Soon the order came, pack up, boys, and prepare to move. The men +obeyed with alacrity, as all were glad to go, lying in camp so long. A +number of articles had accumulated that were of no use to us and were +left behind. The ground was as smooth and as even as a board floor, the +men drilling on it so often it became hard. When we entered it it was +mud knee deep. The men working with a will soon had their tents in line +and arranged in perfect order. To be ready to move without delay was the +order. Tents were struck and the regiment proceeded to the Relay House +on baggage cars. Co.'s E and K were ordered to be in readiness, and were +taken on board. Monocacy to us was a home, and with a sigh of regret we +left, although anxious to move. Arriving at the Relay House at five +o'clock, encamped in a field near the depot, the men lying out in the +dew. The next morning tents were pitched. Just as they were ready, +orders came for the men to send all surplus baggage home, as the +regiment was ordered to the front to join the Potomac Army. The rebel +army under Lee had again attempted the invasion of the North, and +re-enforcements were hurriedly sent on. Everything was left behind. The +men were now in light marching order, and were again placed on baggage +cars for Harper's Ferry, eighty-one miles from Baltimore. Co. E was left +at Monocacy to guard the bridge, stationed in block houses built by our +regiment. Arriving at Maryland Heights, the regiment marched up the +ascent in dust and sun. It was exceedingly warm, and the march very +tiresome. The Heights are ascended by a circuitous route that winds +around the mountain. The sun being very hot, and the roads very dusty, +it was very hard for the men, and they soon became tired with heavy +knapsacks, muskets and equipments. Arriving at the top, the regiment +encamped near the 6th New York Heavy Artillery regiment that had lain +there some six months. Their camp was in a splendid condition, clean and +neat, the men being more like regulars than volunteers, wearing new +clothes and white gloves. While on duty the men were compelled to lie +out, having been furnished with no tents or blankets, nor did the men +get any until the summer campaign was nearly over. The troops on the +Heights numbered some 7,000 men, under command of Gen. Tyler. + +The enemy were now across the Potomac in force, moving northward for +Pennsylvania, under command of their best and ablest leader, General +Lee, marching the same road they did the previous year, when under +command of their wily and strategic leader, Stonewall Jackson, now no +more. Lee, his superior in every respect, was now in full command of all +the armies of the Confederate States, superintending the army of +northern Virginia in person. Our army was commanded by Fighting Joe +Hooker, Burnside's successor. Both armies were straining every nerve. +Defeat to us was death. Washington, at the mercy of the rebels, would +soon fall, the independence of the South achieved, and Slavery, the +curse of our nation, would rule supreme. But God, in his wise +providence, saw fit to rule otherwise, and victory crowned our arms. + +The regiment was encamped on the Heights thirteen days. General Tyler +was relieved and General French succeeded him. He immediately set about +preparing the Heights for immediate defence. Trenches were dug, rifle +pits and cannon were placed in position. It was supposed the enemy, if +defeated, would fall back on Harper's Ferry, and everything was prepared +to give them a warm reception. During our sojourn on the Heights the +rain fell incessantly day and night, wetting us to the skin. Officers +and men, with spades and picks, were busily engaged in digging and +erecting fortifications in mud knee deep. A strong picket force was +thrown out on all roads every night, each regiment sending more than +half of their men. The works were at last finished, and Maryland Heights +were considered as impregnable--a second Gibraltar--its frowning +batteries and immense fortifications, manned by one division, were +sufficient to hold the whole rebel army in check. While there an alarm +spread that the enemy were coming. The men had never smelt powder and +were as new recruits. It was night and very dark. Soon some of the men, +mistaking others for rebels, fired their pieces, supposing the enemy +were near. Report after report followed in quick succession, the +darkness of the night preventing the men from seeing anything. At last +the firing ceased. The men awakened from their sleep were at first +confused, but soon became aware that no enemy was near, and closed their +eyes once more in sleep. Expecting an attack, and to prepare the men for +any emergency, every regiment was required to be in line at three +o'clock each morning, remaining until daylight. It was a very wise +precaution, as it proved beneficial to the men afterward. Two pontoon +bridges were laid across the Potomac to Virginia, one at Harper's Ferry, +another some three miles further North. The 14th regiment was on picket +at one, the 6th Md. at the other. Jno. Brown's cave being near, it was +visited by the men. This cave is an opening on Bollivar Heights, some +300 feet deep, filled with holes, and very dark. Here John Brown, and +some thirty desperadoes, were concealed for seven days, and were at last +compelled to surrender to the armed forces of Virginia. His object to +free the slaves of the South failed, and he, with his band of men, were +finally executed. The cave now bears his name, and is often visited by +persons anxious to see the cave of the renowned chieftain. The arsenal +and all public buildings were in ruins, the walls still standing. They +were destroyed at the commencement of the war by the Union forces, to +prevent them from falling into the hands of the enemy. Day and night the +men worked on the fortifications, strengthening them after they were +done. Lee was still moving northward, followed closely by Hooker, with +the Potomac Army. Arriving near Maryland Heights he visited Gen. French, +and ordered the Heights evacuated and the troops to re-enforce the army, +preparatory to a decisive battle. Gen. Halleck, then in command at +Washington, ordered Gen. French to remain, and ordered Hooker to be +relieved. Gen. Geo. B. Meade, commanding the Pennsylvania Reserves, was +placed in command of the army. He immediately ordered the troops to +evacuate the Heights and join the Potomac Army with all possible haste, +as re-enforcements were greatly needed. The men had worked hard, and +those immense fortifications were useless. + +The division under command of Major-General French evacuated the Heights +on Tuesday, June 30, destroying a vast amount of ammunition, grain, etc. +Eighty men from the 14th regiment, under command of Lieut. Bailey, were +detailed to guard the pontoon bridge near John Brown's cave, until the +Heights were evacuated. At four o'clock everything was ready, and the +column started. Heavy guns were placed on canal boats for Washington; +the sick were sent to convalescent camps, and everything that could not +be taken was destroyed. Orders were read to the troops to prepare for an +active campaign, and in light marching order; all baggage not really +needed was sent to Washington, and the men were ready for a march. +Company E, stationed at Monocacy, twenty-five miles away, was ordered +to join the regiment, marching in a heavy rain, remaining but one night +on the heights. At 5 P. M. the troops started, the rain pouring in +torrents, marching that afternoon seven miles with knapsacks, muskets, +equipments and three days' rations, passing Sandy Hook and Knoxville, +small, dilapidated villages near the ferry. These places, since the war, +were rapidly going to decay. Encamping in a field at night, lying on the +wet ground till morning. We were on the Heights two weeks, the rain +falling continually, the men constantly at work digging entrenchments +and on picket, but one day being clear. As the men left they gave a sigh +of relief, and hoped they would never see the place again. The rainy +season had now commenced, and the roads were almost impassible, the mud +in some places hub deep. It was with difficulty that the troops could +march, some sinking up to their knees in the mud. But seven miles were +made that day, and the troops, drenched with rain, cooked their scanty +supper of hard tack and salt pork by camp fires. Rail fences were +demolished and burned without regard to owners, and by the light of +these camp fires, without tents or blankets, the men bivouacked for the +night. This was the first march, and the men, exhausted, threw +themselves upon the wet ground, and soon were buried in slumber. Pickets +were stationed, and the dark, gloomy hours of the night passed slowly +along. + +The morning of July 1st dawned clear and bright; the reveille was +sounded, and the men awakened from their slumber to prepare for a weary +march. Breakfast of hard tack, coffee and pork was eaten, and the +troops, in solid columns to the number of 7,000, under command of Gen. +French, moved out on the road to Frederick City, passing through +Jefferson, a small village on the main road. The sun came out very warm. +The march was tiresome, as the men were not used to it. A great many +threw away their knapsacks, the ground being covered with them. The +farmers followed with their wagons, picking up everything that was +thrown away. The men were glad to get rid of all unnecessary loads. The +country along the route was splendid. The waving fields of grain, the +crops of grass, reminded us of home. But war was desolating the +land--cruel, unrelenting war! At four P. M. the column halted near +Frederick City, having marched since morning eighteen miles. The roads +were very bad, and the column was ordered to remain in camp one day. No +passes were allowed the men to visit Frederick City, and they lay +quietly in camp on the wet ground, tired and weary, the weather +intensely hot, the men bathing in Monocacy. A man from Co. H, named +Anderson, ventured beyond his depth and was drowned, not being able to +swim. Every effort was made to save him, but without avail. His body was +recovered and buried in the cemetery near Frederick. + +On Friday, July 3d, the troops were ordered to change camp near Monocacy +bridge, marching three miles, awaiting orders, passing through Frederick +City, marching company front, the roads very muddy, encamping near +Monocacy bridge, on the western side of the river. Remaining over night +the men felt the need of blankets, but still none were furnished. It was +raining and very disagreeable. It cleared off during the night. The +fourth of July was very warm. At noon orders came for the troops to move +to the support of the Potomac army, now engaged in a terrific struggle +with Lee and the flower of the rebel army at Gettysburgh. Defeat to our +forces was ruin; victory, everything. For four days the tide of battle +ebbed and flowed. The night of the fourth found the enemy in full +retreat, closely followed by our victorious Meade; a name hitherto known +only to the army, but now will ever be remembered as one of our proudest +leaders--Geo. W. Meade, the hero of Gettysburgh, and the commander of +the Potomac army. It again commenced to rain, and the men were wet +through. The guns of Gettysburgh were plainly heard. The men were not +allowed any rest, but passed on, hoping to arrive in time to take part +in that ever memorable battle, and to relieve those men, who for four +days had driven the enemy at all points with terrible slaughter. +Marching in the mud was slow, the artillery sinking deep in the mire. +The divisions now numbered some eight thousand men, having been +re-enforced by troops lying in the vicinity of Frederick City, passing +through Middletown, a small village eight miles from Frederick City. At +sunset the rain ceased for a short time, the sun setting in all its +glory. The surrounding country was splendid. Our march was through a +valley, the scenery being delightful. The column marched nineteen miles, +halting at midnight at Boonsboro Gap; headquarters at the Summit House, +eighteen miles from Hagerstown. The enemy were now in full retreat. This +was the second time the Confederates had attempted the invasion of the +North, and for the second time were defeated. Longstreet had several +times hurled his dense columns upon our centre, trying in vain to break +our lines, but each time was repulsed with terrible loss. A. P. Hill on +the right and Ewell on the left, sought, if possible, a weak spot, to +penetrate our lines, but firm as a rock the Union boys stood repulsing +each charge, strewing the ground with rebel dead, and driving them back +in confusion. Both armies were now in motion, each hoping by rapid +marches to outwit the other; Lee trying to get across the Potomac, and +Meade trying to intercept him. It was supposed that Lee would retreat by +the way of Boonsboro Gap, and French's division was ordered to hold it, +and keep the enemy in check, while the Potomac army moved, if possible, +in their rear. A strong line of battle was formed, and heavy pickets +thrown out. No fires were allowed. As each regiment came up they were +formed in line, stacked arms and lay on the wet ground until morning. +The night was very cold, and the men suffered very much with nothing but +the ground to lie on, with a knapsack for a pillow and the canopy of +heaven for a covering. + +The division was composed of three Brigades; the first consisting of the +151st N. Y., 6th N. Y. Heavy Artillery, 10th Vermont and 14th N. J., +commanded by Brig. Gen. Morris, formerly Colonel of the 6th N. Y. The +regiments were very large, numbering from eight hundred to one thousand +men. We remained at the Gap five days, the Potomac army passing through, +Lee having halted at Williamsport, the river being so high he could not +cross. As the veterans of many a hard fought battle passed, they were +loudly cheered by the new troops. Their soiled and worn out garments, +and their decimated ranks contrasted greatly with our well filled ranks +and new clothes. They looked upon us as new recruits, and remarks were +frequently made by them not altogether suiting us. Some of them were +that our regiments were as large as their brigades, and that we were too +green for the front. Such remarks did very well for the time, as we were +not inured to hardships as they were, but the war was not yet over. +After serving their three years they lay quietly at their homes, while +the boys that were then called green, were veterans, destined to see +more hardships and more fighting than those that enlisted at the +commencement of the war. Nine hundred and sixty rebels that were +wounded, with ambulances and baggage wagons, were sent back by Gen. Lee +with an escort, to Richmond. They were captured, together with several +important despatches, by Kilpatrick's cavalry, and brought in camp for +us to guard at Boonsboro Gap. Several of them were in a dying condition. +They were very destitute and ragged, with scarcely anything to eat. The +10th Vermont guarded them to Washington. The Regiment was encamped on +the spot where Gen. Reno fell at the battle of Antietam, a tree marking +the spot. It was on the plantation of Dr. Wise, his well being filled +with dead rebels thrown in for burial. Many a parent or loving wife will +never know their fate, thinking perhaps they were prisoners, and at the +close of the war would return to their homes; but they are now no more. +With thousands of Union soldiers their bones rest on Southern soil, +there to remain until the last trump shall sound to summon them to their +final account before a just and holy God. + +During the five days encampment at Boonsboro Gap, the weather was very +stormy and disagreeable; everything was excitement, and we were +confident that Lee and his army would be annihilated. The Potomac army +with its re-enforcements was rapidly concentrating, having marched from +Gettysburgh by various routes; flushed with victory they were anxious to +be led forward. The rebel army being very much disheartened by defeat +and scant of rations, some having five rounds of ammunition apiece, +desertions from their lines were numerous, a great many Maryland +soldiers returning to their homes sick and tired of rebeldom. Various +rumors were in circulation, and all felt that a decisive battle would +soon be fought, at what point none could tell, as none were certain of +the whereabouts of Lee's main force, he having retreated from +Gettysburgh in the darkness of the night; but it was supposed he was in +the vicinity of Williamsport, preparing to re-cross the river into +Virginia, and fall back as rapidly as possible, within the defences of +Richmond. A courier bearing despatches from Jeff. Davis to Gen. Lee was +captured by our scouts, and the despatches intercepted. They were orders +from Richmond for Lee to fall back immediately, as the place was +threatened by our forces under Butler from Fortress Monroe. Maryland now +presented a scene of desolation and woe; houses pillaged, robbed and +burned by the soldiers of both armies; trees were felled and rail fences +demolished without regard to owners. Orders were read to the troops +forbidding straggling, but by some those orders were not obeyed, and +foraging soon became common. The poorer classes were on the verge of +starvation, as everything they had was taken. The soldiers fared well, +helping themselves to everything that came in their way, without regard +to owners or to value, robbing hen roosts, killing sheep, hogs and +cattle. Fields of grain were trampled upon and laid waste; horses and +mules were turned loose to feed in fields of oats, wheat and clover. + +On the afternoon of July 9th, orders came for the division to move and +join the Potomac army, having been assigned as 3rd Division, 3rd Army +Corps, now commanded by Gen. French. Gen. Sickels, one of our ablest +Generals, formerly commanded the corps; he was everywhere in the hottest +of the fight. At Gettysburgh, while giving command to his men, he was +struck by a shell and severely wounded in the leg. It was found +necessary to amputate it, and the command of the corps was given to Maj. +Gen. French. The odd divisions, 1st, 2nd and 3rd, were formed in two, +our division as 3rd, commanded by Brig. Gen. Carr from New York State. +Leaving the gap, the division marched that afternoon six miles, joining +the Potomac army at night, encamping in a field. This was our first +entry in that army, and we remained there until the close of the war. +The 11th New Jersey was in the 2nd division. They were raised at Trenton +under the same call, and proceeded to the front a few days sooner than +the 14th. They were placed immediately in active service and had already +participated in several battles. At Gettysburgh they were in the hottest +of the fight, losing more than one-third of their men, and fighting +bravely. They now numbered but two hundred men; sickness and death on +the battle field had thinned their ranks, but still they were ready for +the contest and as eager as ever to be led forward. Six days had now +elapsed since the retreat of Lee from Gettysburgh; the army was again +concentrated and moved forward to the attack. We were now but one day's +march from the enemy, strongly entrenched at Williamsport. As yet we had +not seen a battle, nor had we seen an armed rebel. As new troops we were +all anxious to fight, but were disappointed, perhaps for the best. After +joining the Potomac army, the division encamped in a field until +morning, cooking coffee and hard-tack by camp fires built of rail +fences. The next morning the troops were awakened at reveille which was +sounded at sunrise. At 11 o'clock a forward movement was again made, +marching six miles, passing through a small village called Katyville. +The stores were closed, the majority of the men being secesh. Frederick +City was the base of supplies, and rations were plenty; such as an army +was allowed on a march, consisting of hard-tack, salt pork, sugar, +coffee and beef. As long as the troops remained in Maryland, they fared +well, but in Virginia, rations were scarce, often two or three days +passing without anything to eat; the troops marched very slow. As we +were approaching the enemy during the afternoon, but six miles were +marched. The Regiment encamping on a hill near a battery, arms were +stacked, the men prepared their evening meal. The camp fires of our army +were everywhere visible, and in the darkness of the night looked +splendidly. At nine o'clock the bugle sounded, and orders came to move +immediately. Various reports were soon circulated, but little time was +given for conjecture. Soon the troops were in motion, marching back a +forced march of eight miles, almost double quick, halting at twelve +o'clock in the vicinity of Boonsboro Gap, near the headquarters of Gen. +Meade. A line of battle was quickly formed, the troops sleeping on their +arms. The Regiment halted in a field of wheat cut and shocked, the men +helping themselves, making beds for the night. It being warm we slept +well until aroused the next morning at reveille. The weather was close +and very uncomfortable and marching very tedious. The troops had +advanced farther than was intended, and were almost within the enemy's +lines. The next morning orders came again to advance, marching three +miles in line of battle, maneuvering in various positions. The Regiment +was detailed to support a battery, remaining two days and three nights, +every moment expecting to attack the enemy, and wondered why the order +was not given. All were anxious to fight, and all were confident that +the rebel army would be defeated. Gen. Meade held a council of war with +his corps commanders, French, Howard, Sykes, Sedgwick, Warren and +Hancock, and it was decided not to attack, as the army needed +reorganizing and had suffered severely at Gettysburgh, the risk being +too great to run. The rebel army, although defeated, would fight with +desperation, and if victorious nothing could save Washington. Gen. Lee, +without exception, was the leading general of the rebel army, together +with A. P. Hill, Longstreet and Ewell, and they were formidable +antagonists to encounter. Taking advantage of the delay, the enemy were +rapidly re-crossing the river, having seized several boats, and with +their pontoon train soon constructed bridges. The river was falling and +everything was in their favor. While we were watching their front +nothing but their advance guard was in sight. On the night of July 14th +the retreat was discovered, but nothing could be done until morning. At +daylight our army was in pursuit, but without avail. Their rear guard, +numbering some five thousand men, was captured, the rest were safe +across the river, marching rapidly toward Richmond, a weakened, +demoralized army, disheartened by defeat. It is estimated that Lee lost +forty thousand men in his attempt to invade the North. Gen. Meade was +greatly censured by the people of the North for allowing the enemy to +escape, but Lee had yet a large army and victory to our forces not +altogether certain. The Potomac army by rapid marching and hard +fighting, had driven the enemy from our soil, and the heart-felt thanks +of millions of souls went up to God in praise. But still more was to be +done; the rebels were not conquered; large armies were yet to be +encountered and subdued; miles of territory hostile to the government to +be occupied, and treason crushed forever. The army moved five miles to +Williamsport, occupying the same ground the rebels did the night before. +We saw their breastworks and fortifications, but nothing of them, with +the exception of their rear guard of 5,000 men that was captured. We +remained at Williamsport until the morning of the 15th, when the pursuit +commenced. Orders were read to the troops to prepare for hard marching. +The weather was intensely hot, almost suffocating, and the roads very +muddy. We marched that day 14 miles, passing through the villages of +Fairplay and Donaldsville. The march was very severe, especially for the +new troops. Twenty from the 3d Corps fell out, exhausted, and died by +the road; several were sunstruck. At three o'clock the troops halted in +the vicinity of Sharpsburg until morning, the men nearly played out. +Muskets were stuck in the ground and shelters fastened upon them, to +protect the men from the rays of the sun. Tired and weary they threw +themselves upon the ground and most of them were soon asleep. Pickets +were placed as usual, until the next morning, when the army was again in +motion, marching that day 15 miles, encamping in Pleasant Valley, near +Harper's Ferry, remaining until the afternoon of the next day, the rain +pouring in torrents. The weather was very uncertain, one day very warm, +the next rainy and cold. + +On the afternoon of 17th, the column marched eight miles, very slowly, +passing Sandy Hook and crossing the Potomac at Harper's Ferry on +pontoons. For the first time our regiment trod the sacred soil of +Virginia. Alas! how few returned of that noble band of Jersey boys, the +bravest of the brave, that for the first time stood on that once sacred, +but now polluted, ground. The ravages of war had laid the country waste, +and destitution everywhere met the eye. An old dilapidated bridge +crossed the Shenandoah, and the troops marched over in single file, +moving around Louden Heights. The night being very dark and the march +very slow, they halted in a field at 12 o'clock until morning. The next +day was Sunday, but there was no rest--no such thing as Sunday in the +army. The regiment was detailed as rear guard of ammunition train, +marching eight miles, the sun being very warm, and the heat almost +insufferable, encamping with the main body of the corps in a field near +Keys Pass. The heat was so intense that neither army could march fast. +The rebels were now but one day's march from us, we having taken a +nearer route by way of Harper's Ferry, marching down the Louden Valley, +the enemy marching down the Shenandoah. + +The Summer campaign had thus far been an active one, and by the new +troops was considered wonderful. The rebel army was still moving +southward by slow marches, from eight to fifteen miles per day, the +weather too hot to permit marching faster, the Potomac Army in pursuit. +Lee, as wily and strategic as ever, refused to give battle, and, by a +series of maneuvers, succeeded in eluding our grasp. The different corps +marched by different routes, the cavalry frequently skirmishing with +their rear guard. But five miles were made on the 19th, as the troops +were waiting for supplies, passing through Snickersville, near Snicker's +Gap, and encamping in a field. At midnight we were routed out for +rations and a good supper issued. At four o'clock we were ordered to +move, marching fourteen miles before breakfast, halting at noon for +dinner. After resting an hour orders were given to move again, marching +three miles to Upperville, encamping on the ground where Buford had a +cavalry fight with the rebel leader, Stuart, the year previous. For +several hours skirmishing was kept up until dark, when Buford ordered a +charge. Stuart was driven from the field, retiring in the darkness of +the night, leaving his dead and wounded in our hands. The troops +remained at Upperville two days, the regiment being detailed for picket +the ensuing night. It was now rumored that Grant, the hero of Vicksburg, +was to take command of the army, Gen. Meade being too slow for the +people North. Had they been in the Potomac army, they would not have +been so eager to move, and march in the hot sun. Upperville is a small +village near Manassas Gap. The people, as a general thing, are very +ignorant, and gazed with wonder at us Yanks, as they called us. One +remark, especially, was amusing to the men. As the regiment was passing +an old house, being an advance guard, a little girl came running in, +exclaiming, "Mother, mother, take in your clothes, here comes the +Yanks!" This served as a bye-word for some time, the men often +exclaiming, as they passed a house, "Take in your chimney, old man, its +going to rain!" At four o'clock on the afternoon of the 22d, orders came +to fall in, marching six miles to Piedmont station, on the Orange and +Alexandria Railroad. At the commencement of the war this road was +destroyed by the rebels; ties were burned, rails bent, bridges +demolished, and wrecks of cars lay strewed around in various places. The +troops encamped on a hill until morning. Gen. Meade received information +that Ewell's corps was holding Manassas Gap, until the main body of the +rebel army had passed. Orders were given Gen. French to take the 3d +corps and, if possible, drive them from their position. At daylight the +next morning the corps started, with nothing to eat, as the rations had +not arrived. It was deemed necessary to drive the rebels from the gap, +and the men were compelled to go. The sun was very warm, and the troops, +hungry and weary, plodded on, marching fourteen miles, halting for a +rest at noon. At three o'clock the column advanced in line of battle, +the cavalry returning, having engaged the enemy during the morning, but +could do but little without infantry. Manassas Gap is a wild, romantic +spot, and very hilly. The brigade was formed and maneuvered in line of +battle; Berdan's sharpshooters were deployed as skirmishers and soon +engaged the enemy on Whopping Heights. Orders were given the men to load +and fix bayonets, some time being occupied in getting into position, +marching up hill and down. It was now supposed by the men that a battle +was to be fought. Our brigade was placed in position and ordered to +charge the enemy. The skirmishing now became heavier, and the sharp +crack of the sharpshooter's rifle could be distinguished from the rest. +The men from the 14th now thought they were to see their first battle, +and grasping their muskets with a steady nerve, moved forward. +Fortunately we escaped for the time. Fearing a flank movement, the order +for the 1st brigade to charge was countermanded, and they were sent to +the extreme right of the line to protect the flank, through a dense wood +of briars and filled with ditches. The firing on the left and centre now +became heavier. Sickels' old brigade, now commanded by Gen. Spinola, was +ordered to charge in place of the 1st brigade, which proved a success; +two hundred prisoners and two guns were captured from the enemy. Gen. +Spinola was wounded and retired from the field. Our loss in killed and +wounded was but sixty men. Night was now approaching; the main body of +the rebel army had passed; the firing ceased, and the enemy were +retreating in haste. The weather suddenly changed, and the night was +chilly and damp. The regiment encamped on the side of a hill, without +blankets, and with nothing to eat; tired and weary, the men were soon +asleep. At daylight the bugle aroused the men from their slumbers. No +traces of the enemy could be seen; maneuvered up hill and down in line +of battle during the morning, when the troops were ordered back to +Piedmont; the remaining corps were encamped there awaiting supplies. +During the march to Manassas Gap, the troops waded five streams, some of +them waist deep, passing a village called Markham. The afternoon of the +26th the column moved back the same road, fourteen miles, to Piedmont, +the weather intensely hot and the men falling out by the way. They were +two days without anything to eat but green grapes and berries that grew +by the roadside; this was the hardest march the men had had so far. +Arriving at Piedmont, rations were issued of hard tack, coffee and pork, +the men eating a good supply, and lying down until morning. Having +received five days' rations, the troops moved again the next day twelve +miles, passing near Salem; the weather, as usual, warm, and the roads +dusty, the mud soon drying up. The column halted for the night, and the +men, with weary limbs and blistered feet, lay on the ground to rest. The +next day was Sunday, marched eleven miles to Warrenton; guarding +ammunition train, remaining on the outskirts of the place in camp five +days. Warrenton is a pretty village, three miles from Warrenton +Junction, on the Alexandria, Richmond and Danville road. At the +commencement of the war it was a thriving place, but since it has gone +to decay. + +One hundred young men, the sons of wealthy parents, enlisted in the +rebel army; at the close of the war but eleven remained. Virginia is one +vast graveyard; the bones of three hundred thousand heroes there repose; +the merchant with the laborer, rich and poor, white and black. The +leaden messenger of death heeded not, but speed on, wielded by the hands +of men, once brothers, but now foes; engaged in cruel civil war, neither +party disposed to yield. + +At Warrenton, Colonel Truex, with three commissioned officers and five +enlisted men, started for Jersey to raise recruits. The regiment was +commanded by Lieut. Col. Hall during his absence. Having, as yet, +received no tents or blankets, we lay in the hot sun until August 1st, +when the troops were again ordered to move; marching on the wrong road, +thereby marching eight miles out of the way; returned again, marching +fifteen miles more, halting at Shut-eye Town, near Stoneman's Creek; no +signs of the enemy, the regiment still guarding the ammunition train. +This march was very severe, the men carrying five days' rations, +muskets, equipments, and sixty rounds of ammunition. More than one half +of the men fell out, some cursing the officers for leading them out of +the way. Remained near Stoneman's Creek four days, brigade drill under +Gen. Morris each day. Officers from different regiments were sent home +to recruit, to prepare for the Fall campaign; more men were needed and +the army again re-organized. The troops now halted on the banks of the +Rappahannock, the 3rd corps at Fox's Ford, our brigade encamping at Rout +Hill, five miles from Stoneman's Creek, near Bealton Station, picketing +the Rappahannock; the rebel army near Culpepper. Camps were laid out, +shelter tents and rubber blankets issued, the men needing them very +much. Tents were placed on a line and raised from the ground, with poles +cut from trees, and were inspected each Sunday morning by a staff +officer from headquarters. The troops were lying once more in camp, +drawing clothes and shoes. Muskets were cleaned up and inspected each +afternoon; company drill one hour each morning. The drills were very +arduous; brigade drill four hours each day, guard mounting and dress +parade at night. Rout Hill was a very unhealthy place, a great many of +the men taking sick, several of them dying. The 6th N.Y. Heavy Artillery +were detached from brigade and sent to Washington, organized as +provisional brigade and commanded by Col. Ketchum, who subsequently lost +his life at Cedar Creek. + +The brigade was now the largest in the corps; the 14th N. J. numbered +800 men, commanded by Col. Truex; the 10th Vermont 900 men, commanded by +Col. Henry, and the 151st N. Y. 900 men, commanded by Lieut. Col. Bowen, +in all 2,600 men, commanded by Brig. Gen. Morris. Details were made each +morning for picket from the various regiments, and stationed along the +Rappahannock. The camp now presented a healthy appearance, and a city +sprung up as if by magic. Old barns and out-houses were taken down by +the men, and comfortable Summer quarters were built, covered with +shelters. Games of ball, pitching quoits, and other amusements were +common. Sutlers arrived, the men were paid off, and marching for the +time was forgotten. + +The army was now rapidly filling up, recruits arriving each day. The +mail and papers regularly arrived, and served to while away the dull +hours of camp life. Nothing was as cheering to a soldier as a letter +from his loving friends at home. As each mail arrived, the postmaster +was surrounded by an eager crowd, anxious to hear from home. Those who +were fortunate enough to get a letter were envied by their unlucky +comrades. If the friends at home could have known the pleasure a letter +would give us, they would not have delayed, but would have answered +immediately upon reception. + +The troops remained in camp on the banks of the Rappahannock five weeks, +preparing for the Fall campaign. The 14th had now been in the army one +year, and had not thus far engaged in conflict with the enemy; several +times forming line of battle, every moment expecting to attack. For a +time we were fortunate, but, before the term of our enlistment had +expired, we were destined to see more marching and more fighting than +any regiment from New Jersey. Since the battle of Gettysburgh, there had +been no fighting of importance, and all were looking for a forward +movement. The rebel army had again been recruited, and were lying +quietly in camp near Culpepper, watching the movements of our forces, +and awaiting our advance. When least expected, the advance was made, and +the rebels surprised, as will be here-shown. + +On the 7th of September, the corps was reviewed; an imposing spectacle. +The divisions were drawn up in line of battle on an open plain, near +army headquarters the troops in heavy marching order, with knapsacks +packed and blankets rolled, marching and counter marching, and passing +in review before Gen. Meade and staff, the officers seated on horseback. +It was very tiresome to the men. After reviewing the troops, they +marched back to their quarters, the officers to Gen. Meade's, where a +collation was served, the wine passing freely around; the privates, that +did the fighting, by their camp fires, eating hard-tack and salt pork, +denied the comforts of life, far from home, on Southern soil, fighting +for liberty and union. + +During the afternoon of Sept 15, the Regiment being out on drill, were +ordered immediately to camp, and to prepare to move. Tents were struck, +knapsacks packed, and three days' rations issued. At five o'clock the +column moved forward, leaving our camp where we had lain five weeks, and +started towards the Rappahannock, marching five miles, halting at dark +near a mill on the Rappahannock, the men supposing they were to remain +until morning; but the troops were on the wrong road, the water at this +place being too deep to wade. The men were ordered to fall in, and +marched back across the fields, passing the old camp, and marching some +ten miles farther, encamping for the night on a low marshy swamp, near +Freeman's Ford, twelve miles from Bealton Station. The water at this +ford is very shallow, the main road to Richmond crossing at this point, +not deep enough for a bridge. The men were now well supplied with tents, +blankets and knapsacks for the Winter. The days were very warm, but the +nights were very cold, the dew falling heavily. Our loads were a burden; +knapsacks packed, five days rations and sixty rounds of ammunition, the +men calling themselves Uncle Sam's pack mules. At daylight the next +morning, the order to move forward was given, the men not knowing where +the enemy was stationed, nor in what force. The Rappahannock was waded +waist deep, the boys cheering as they felt the cold water gradually +rising till it was up to their waists, holding their muskets and +ammunition up in their hands, to prevent them from getting wet; marching +very fast, crossing Hazel river at Weldon's Ford, wading it still deeper +than the Rappahannock. After marching all day, with heavy loads, the +column halted at dark, having marched twenty miles. Tired and wet, the +men were glad to rest, and threw themselves on the ground for sleep. The +papers north were now filled with news, and were eagerly read by those +at home who knew nothing of war: the Potomac army has moved and will +soon be engaged in deadly strife with the enemy, and the war will soon +be over. Such reports were daily published, and by the people were +believed. It was thought by them that Lee was so badly whipped at +Gettysburgh that he would not fight; but they were mistaken, the rebel +army was recruited, re-organized, and as full of fight as ever, their +leaders determined on independence or extermination. The forward +movement had now commenced. + +The next day the troops marched five miles in line of battle, in a dense +wood. The equinoctial storm now came on, and the troops were ordered +into camp near Culpepper, remaining there twenty-three days, watching +the movements of the enemy strongly entrenched on the Rapidan. Pickets +were thrown out and camp life again commenced. Why the halt, none of the +men could tell, and for twenty-three days, drills, inspections and +reviews were in regular succession. This suited the men better than +marching, although tired of drilling. The 14th had not as yet lost any +men by battle, but a great many by sickness and death. Of the 950 +able-bodied men that had left New Jersey, 110 of them had died and were +buried in Maryland and Pennsylvania, and a few in Virginia. Eight +hundred and forty strong, the regiment occupied a large space of ground, +encamping in five lines, two companies in one line, or, as was called, +regimental divisions. The companies were in line as follows: A, F, D, I, +C, H, E, K, G and B. A on the right was called the senior company, B on +the left the second, and C centre or color company; the color guard was +composed of one Sergeant and eight Corporals, whose duty it was to +protect the flag. + +On the morning of the 22d of September, eight days' rations were issued +the men at two o'clock, and orders given to move at daylight. Tents were +packed and everything in readiness, when the order was countermanded, +the tents again placed on a line. The pickets were doubled, as it was +supposed the enemy was advancing, and were about to attack; but this was +soon forgotten, and vigilance again relaxed. + +Winter quarters were now talked of by the men, as cold weather was +approaching; they could scarcely keep warm in small shelter tents. Wood +was very scarce and had to be carried some distance. The cold winds of +October had come; extra blankets and overcoats were issued to protect +the men from the cold. Forty-two dollars per year were allowed the men +for clothing, and if they over-ran the amount, the difference was paid +by them; if not drawn, the government paid the balance due the men. + +On the 10th of October everything was quiet in camp. The various +regiments were out on drill, when suddenly the long roll was beaten, and +the troops, in double quick time, proceeded to camp. Orderlies were now +running in every direction, everything in confusion, as the enemy were +advancing in force. A line of battle was soon formed, extending some 15 +miles. Our pickets were driven in, and the rebels were slowly advancing. +Remained in line one hour, with arms stacked, the men lying on the grass +awaiting orders. Returned to camp and packed up, ready to move, as the +enemy had crossed the Rapidan and were advancing in force. At noon the +troops moved, maneuvering in various directions. As yet no decisive +order had been given, as it was not known what Lee's intentions were. +The regiment marched three miles, halting in the camp the 6th N. J. had +occupied, their camp showing signs of having been left in haste. The +majority of the men being on picket, wagons were sent for their +knapsacks. At ten o'clock the men pitched their shelters to get, if +possible, a little sleep. Tents were up but a short time when orders +came to pack up and move. The men formed in line but did not move, and +lay on the ground until morning by camp fires, when the men again fell +in, the day being Sunday, and marched in retreat, a forced march, the +enemy following firing on our rear guard. Several times during the +retreat a line of battle was formed by our men to protect the rear. Lee +had been heavily re-enforced by troops sent from Bragg's army in the +southwest, and was following closely, as the men remarked, "tight to our +heels," destroying the railroad, burning bridges, etc. At Brandy +station, the cavalry under Buford made a gallant charge, driving their +advance guard back to Culpepper. The 106th N. Y. of third division, +being on picket, were nearly surrounded, fighting their way out with +small loss. Both armies were now using every exertion, part of the time +Lee's army on a line with ours, moving for Centreville Heights. Arriving +at the Hazel river, the troops were obliged to wait until pontoons were +built, halting in line of battle, the rear guard skirmishing with the +enemy during the entire march. The troops soon filed over on two +bridges, which were taken up as soon as the army passed, the rebels +laying theirs shortly after. Darkness now came on, and still the march +was continued; the men, tired and weary often halting, forming line of +battle, moving back and then advancing. At ten o'clock the Rappahannock +was reached, the night very dark and cold; the men were compelled to +wade the river waist deep, the water running rapidly. The troops halted +on the banks of the river, having marched twenty-one miles since +morning. A line of battle was now formed and a heavy picket force thrown +out. The 14th Regiment was detailed, and orders given the men to light +no fires nor to sleep. Chilled through, the men stood all night in their +wet clothes. Several refused to cross the river and were taken prisoners +the next day. At first it was supposed the enemy would not follow any +farther than the river, but we were mistaken. All day Monday the men +remained on picket, watching the movements of the enemy. At Fox's Ford, +the 1st New Jersey cavalry were engaged for several hours, keeping the +enemy at bay. The fords were all heavily guarded by the cavalry, and +skirmishing was continually kept up. All was quiet in our immediate +front, while the deep booming of the cannon was heard at intervals +during the day on the extreme right or left. Our base of supplies was at +Alexandria. The retreat had thus far been admirably conducted by Gen. +Meade. Being afraid to hazard a battle against such odds, it was deemed +expedient to retreat within the defenses of Washington, and with the +troops there encamped to fight if necessary. It was now evident that it +was Lee's intention to make a grand raid in the rear of the Army of the +Potomac; cutting off railroad communication with Washington by +destroying the bridges; securing supplies for his half famished troops +and horses by seizing scattering wagon trains; and then by rapid marches +throw his main force upon different points, and, if possible, destroy +Gen. Meade's army by detail. When this flank movement was discovered +Gen. Meade ordered a rear movement east of Culpepper, by Kilpatrick's +and Buford's divisions of cavalry, with infantry supports. A. P. Hill's +rebel corps had advanced on our north flank, towards Warrenton, +threatening our right. Finding that Ewell's corps had not pursued us to +the river, Gen. Meade sent three corps and Buford's cavalry towards +Culpepper, but found no heavy force of the enemy there, Lee having by +this time pushed his main column towards Warrenton, threatening our +right and rear, while we were on the Rappahannock watching a portion of +one of his corps. Lee hoped to execute his well-planned movement upon +our rear, but our reconnoisance towards Culpepper led him to believe +that it was Gen. Meade's intention to get in his rear. Instead of moving +farther as he should have done, he halted his army, and took a position +to give a decisive fight. + +Up to this time Lee had the advantage, having surprised us while lying +in camp. He was as near Washington as Gen. Meade, and unencumbered with +trains, with every prospect of gaining Manassas or Centreville Heights, +and cutting off our retreat and all our heavy trains. He evidently +expected to be attacked on Tuesday, as we lay all day Monday on the +Rappahannock, watching, as we supposed, his whole army, when it was only +one of his corps, and he, as ignorant as we were, expecting us to attack +him, maintaining his position in line of battle until noon Tuesday, +awaiting our advance. Gregg's cavalry division had retarded the +movements of the rebel leader Stuart's advance over the Rappahannock +during Monday, although compelled to fall back from the river at night. +Quietly, during the reconnoisance on Monday, Gen. Meade had prepared his +trains, and got them en route rearward, and during Monday had withdrawn +his corps from the Rappahannock, destroyed the railroad bridges, +abutments and all, and sent the pontoons eastward before daylight on +Tuesday morning; sunrise saw the whole army well on the way towards +Washington. Our regiment was yet on picket, having been on over +twenty-four hours. At three o'clock in the morning we were ordered to +fall in, marching one mile, halting in the woods, stacking arms and +cooking breakfast. At four o'clock we formed in line of battle; Co.'s E +and G were sent out as skirmishers. Colonel Truex rode to the front of +the regiment telling them he wished every man in his place; he wanted no +shirking, as the enemy had crossed the river, their skirmishers were +slowly advancing, and would soon be in sight. Again we were destined not +to engage in battle, remaining in line one hour and then marched back, +passing the place we stood picket with our backs to the Rappahannock; +the army had crossed so often, only to return beaten by the foe. The +brigade was now several miles ahead, and the men were compelled to march +fast to keep up, passing the 1st and 2nd divisions, taking the fields +and by-roads; at three o'clock halting near the railroad, supposing we +were to remain until morning, as we had marched twenty miles. The enemy +were pressing and again we were ordered to move. From elevated points of +view the advance of our army over the plains of Manassas by four +different roads, with flanking columns of infantry stretching for miles +and moving steadily forward, was grand beyond description. Cannonading +and musketry were frequently heard on our left flank, as bodies of rebel +cavalry came down at different points, under the fixed belief that they +would reach the railroad and cut our line unopposed. They were very much +surprised at finding a force at every point, miles from the line of +travel, to meet and repel them there. Nor was Lee less surprised when he +learned that he was successfully out-generaled by Meade. He pushed off +Stuart's cavalry from Sulphur Springs upon our rear on Tuesday evening, +and rushed forward Hill's corps at a double quick to support them. Ewell +advanced more leisurely, capturing our stragglers, a great many falling +out, some forty from the 14th regiment were taken and sent to Belle +Isle, there to linger, starved and nearly frozen, during the long, +dreary days of Winter. + +The firing in the rear now became heavier, the men hastened their steps. +The 2nd corps was passed, halting in a woods for supper, and to protect +the rear, relieving the 3d corps that had guarded the rear during the +day. Our weary columns now pressed on without any rest until twelve +o'clock at night, when the camp fires of the advanced guard were +discerned in the distance. After marching through a dense woods, 3 miles +in length, the regiment halted in an open field with the rest of the +brigade near Greenwich, having been furnished with eight days' rations, +muskets, equipments and sixty rounds of ammunition, marched thirty-three +miles since morning. During the march Gen. French and staff were fired +into by guerillas, but fortunately none of them were injured. + +After resting about four hours, the troops were again routed out long +before daylight, resuming our march; being the rear guard the day +before, the 3d corps was now in advance in four columns. Our army +pressed on, knowing that if Centreville Heights were not reached by us +before Lee, all would be lost, and like Pope, Meade would have been left +to get out of the scrape the best way he could. At daylight Hill's corps +rushed upon Warren with the 2d corps; in vain he endeavored to cut them +off; forming the 2d corps in two lines of battle at Bristoe Station, the +brave Warren awaited their advance until within a few yards, and then +opened with his artillery and musketry, driving them back with severe +loss; in turn charging them, capturing 450 prisoners and 6 guns, leaving +500 of them killed and wounded on the field. When first attacked at +Bristoe Station, Warren threw his infantry from a hill south of the road +down through a swamp near the railroad, under a storm of shot and shell. +The raw recruits that were sent to the army at Rout Hill, were nearly +all of them placed in the 2d corps and in this, their first battle, gave +themselves up for lost. Pale and trembling they involuntarily went +forward, took position with their comrades and performed their portion +of the fight. Every whistling rifle ball, every shrieking shell, they +apprehended was to destroy them individually. It was beyond their +comprehension when told they had met, charged and beaten a brave enemy +in a fierce fight, and captured several hundred of Hill's veterans, six +guns and three battle flags, besides wounding hundreds of rebels, and +come out of the fight unhurt. Their immediate commanders say they fought +equally as well as the old boys, showing no signs of fear when the first +impulse had passed. At three o'clock the corps was ordered to halt, the +guns of Warren could be plainly heard. The regiment halted on Manassas +plains near a brick house used for a signal station, where Beauregard +had his headquarters at the battle of Bull Run. The day was rather +sultry; occasionally a shower came up, which was very refreshing to the +tired men. The troops had a splendid view of the old Bull Run battle +ground. The brigade countermarched one mile, and forming line of battle +proceeded to the help of Warren; but he needed no assistance, as he had +driven Hill back. During the march the enemy pressed us so hard that we +were compelled to leave the sick and wounded in their hands. Crossed +Broad Run, wading it knee deep; also crossed Bull Run at night, the army +forming a line front to the enemy, from Chantilly on the north to Wolf +Run shoals on the south. Not a farthing's worth of property had been +abandoned to, or destroyed by the enemy, out of millions of dollars +transported from Culpepper. Nearly seventy-five miles were marched in +three days, our advance on Centreville Heights being only a few hours +ahead of Lee. + +Thus Lee was again out-generaled by Maj. Gen. Meade; by ceaseless and +untiring vigilance he kept himself possessed of all their movements and +designs, and by marches of unparalleled rapidity, in which the troops +suffered without murmuring the loss of rest for successive nights, +marching on through daylight and darkness, in storm and cold, he +overcame the first day's march the enemy had gained, our advance being +already in possession of the Heights when the rear guard was engaged at +Bristoe, full ten miles distant. In consequence of hard marching the men +were very tired, and with blistered feet and weary limbs were glad to +rest on the old Bull Run battle ground, amid the bones of men and horses +that were now resting there. Forty from the regiment were captured on +the march, being unable to keep up. At 11 o'clock the troops encamped, +resting on their arms till morning. Maneuvering on the Heights, forming +line of battle, moving forward, passing the 1st, 2d and 5th corps on the +Heights; marching seven miles to Union Mills; raining hard. The next day +the regiment was detailed for picket, remaining on one day; was then +relieved by the 122d Ohio regiment of 3d division; remained at Union +Mills five days; every morning routed out at three o'clock in line of +battle until daylight. + +Our line of defence was now taken up as follows: From the vicinity of +Chantilly on the right to Union Mills on the left, with cavalry on +either flank; Birney's division of the 3d corps was stationed at Fairfax +Court House, the depot of supplies; the 3d division on the extreme left +at Union Mills; the 6th corps under Sedgwick, on the extreme right at +Chantilly, with Kilpatrick's cavalry to protect the flank; the 2d corps +in the rear, was held in readiness to be sent where most needed. The +troops were now inspected, and articles most needed given out, and new +clothing given to those who did not draw at Culpepper. Gen. Sickels, our +old commander, visited the corps at Union Mills. He was received by the +men with cheers, and welcomed back. His stay was brief, as he had not +recovered from his wound, his leg having been amputated near the hip. +Lee, foiled in his attempt to take Washington, retraced his steps, +falling back rapidly towards his entrenched position on the Rapidan. It +was feared that he would again cross the Potomac in the direction of +Harper's Ferry, for another extensive raid into Maryland and +Pennsylvania, as there were frequent reports coming from sources usually +reliable, but all of them proved groundless; if he had again attempted +it he would have found the Potomac army ready, and well prepared for any +engagement. With re-enforcements from Washington, the army was again +ready to move with a view to overtake Lee if he should be retreating, or +to intercept his return if he should have gone towards the Potomac. + +On the morning of Oct. 19, the order to advance was again given; +marching during the morning seven miles, halting at noon on Manassas +Plains, near Clarksville, marching over a railroad bridge at Pope's Run, +the rain pouring in torrents. Construction trains had now run as far as +Bristoe Station, the trussle bridge having been burnt by the rebels and +the tracks between Manassas and Catlet's Station almost wholly destroyed +by them. For the first time in two months we saw the cars, having +marched on by roads from Maryland to Culpepper, or on main roads far +from any railroad. The pursuit now commenced in earnest, and Lee, who +but a short time before was confident of victory, was now in turn +retreating. Again the tables were turned; by strategic skill Gen. Meade +had baffled all the designs of the skillful rebel chieftain. After a +weary march of three days in cold and storm, he succeeded in placing the +Union army in such a position that it would be madness for any foe to +attack it, and now the discomfited rebel army beats a hasty retreat, +attempting by rapid movements and shrewd devises, to get back to their +fortified position on the Rapidan before the Union Army could overtake +them in their haste. As we retired from the Rappahannock to the +fortified Heights of Centreville, the enemy followed, shouting victory; +every step they advanced seemed to them an assurance that Washington was +in their grasp. Proudly and defiantly they pressed on after our +retreating columns, thinking that the army of the Potomac had been +weakened by drafts upon it for the army in the southwest, and that we +would be wholly unable to protect the Union capitol; every mile we +retired strengthened them in their feeble delusion. Succeeding in +getting possession of the shortest line from the Rappahannock to +Centreville, they thought to possess those heights in advance of our +army, then wheeling destroy us, leaving Washington a sure fruit of their +success. It was a scheme well planned, and if successful, would have +given the Confederates their independence; but the commander of the +Union army was not idle, he understood their plans. By ceaseless and +untiring energy and by rapid marching, he came out victorious, and we +were again to traverse the same road, not in retreat, but as a +victorious army. Ten days from the time of our starting from Culpepper, +found us again on the advance. On the 20th the troops crossed Broad Run +and Kettle Run near Bristoe Station, wading them knee deep; found the +railroad destroyed, bridges and ties burned, marched over the hill where +Warren, with the 2d corps, engaged the enemy, the result being well +known to our readers, the remains of dead horses and men lying around; +marched 16 miles, taking the wrong road. The 1st and 2d divisions had +waded a stream very deep when the mistake was discovered, and they were +compelled to re-cross again, halting for the night near Greenwich; no +signs of the enemy, the weather very cold. + +The next day the column again started, marching seven miles, the 2d +corps halting at Buckley's Mills, and the 3d corps encamping at Catlet's +Station. The railroad was totally destroyed, the rebels having placed +the ties on heaps, and then setting them on fire; with the rails on top +becoming red hot, they were bent nearly double, rendering them entirely +useless. At Catlet's Station the troops were ordered in camp until the +railroad was rebuilt. The regiment was detailed for picket at +Weaverville, near a mill on Cedar Run; remained one day until relieved +by the 87th Pennsylvania; marched when relieved three miles, near corps +headquarters. The corps remained at Catlet's Station ten days, during +which time we were constantly on the move, changing camp five times. The +men were detailed to rebuild the railroad; trees were cut and ties made, +the men working with a will. Soon the road was re-built, rails having +been sent on construction trains from Washington; about forty miles of +road had been destroyed, part by our troops and part by the rebels. +During our encampment at Catlet's Station, the first military execution +that had ever occurred in the 3d corps took place on Friday afternoon +in the 1st division. The culprit was private Henry C. Beardsly, who +originally enlisted in the 5th Michigan infantry. He was always a +worthless, quarrelsome soldier and a shirk. He deserted before fighting +a battle, and afterwards enlisted in a cavalry regiment, from which he +also deserted; being caught with such a record there was no hope for +him. He was shot in the presence of the entire division at two o'clock +in the afternoon. The arrangements were most perfectly made by the +Provost Marshal of the division, the ceremonies being exceedingly +solemn. The poor fellow met his death more boldly than he lived. +Twelve-muskets were fired at him, eleven balls entered his breast, one +musket being blank; he died without a struggle. + +On the 30th of October the troops again moved forward, marching seven +miles to Warrenton Junction and encamping near Bealton Station. The road +was now completed from Washington to Warrenton, and supplies run to the +troops; encamped at the Junction seven days; company drill one hour each +day; the men were supplied with eight days' rations. On the 31st the +regiment was mustered in for four months' pay by Col. Truex; pontoon +trains were now sent forward, and preparations made to again cross the +Rappahannock. On Saturday, Nov. 7, the troops again moved forward. Lee +had sent large re-enforcements to Bragg, and thought himself secure, +thinking the Potomac army would not again advance until Spring, as +winter was approaching, and by that time the army of the Cumberland +would be whipped, and then with troops from Bragg would engage the +Potomac army. The rebel army was busily engaged in erecting winter +quarters, and building forts on the Rappahannock, little dreaming that +the Union army was again advancing. After marching fourteen miles the +6th corps, under Sedgwick, charged across the river at Kelly's Ford, +taking the enemy completely by surprise and capturing three thousand +prisoners, the rebels retreating in disorder. Lee at Culpepper heard the +firing in the distance and rushed to the front, but too late. He found +his army in a terribly demoralized condition, flying from the Potomac +army. At Freeman's Ford, the 1st division of the 3d corps also charged, +capturing three hundred prisoners, and driving Hill's corps back some +distance. Pontoons were soon laid, the rest of the army with the trains +passing over. Only a few days since and we were leaving the river in +haste, marching with unparallelled rapidity to the defenses of +Washington, now we were again on the Rappahannock. In the far distance +the booming of cannon announces that our advance is engaged with the +rear guard of the flying rebels, spreading consternation and terror +throughout their already disorganized and demoralized ranks. + +At dark the regiment was stationed in a pine woods on the river until +ten o'clock, when we were ordered to cross, having supported a battery +during the day, continually shelling the woods on the opposite shore; +crossed at Kelly's Ford, encamping on the banks of the river. At four +o'clock on Sunday morning the bugle sounded the reveille, and the men +were soon up packing their knapsacks, some making fires, others filling +canteens with water. Lieut. Tingly, of Co. E, in the darkness stumbled +over a man, as he supposed, still sleeping; turning around to awaken +him, he found a dead rebel sergeant who had been killed by one of our +shells. The rebels in their haste had left their dead without burial; +but little time was given to bury them, the pioneers covering them with +dirt. At seven o'clock the troops moved in line of battle, marching +eight miles, the artillery continually shelling their rear guard, +advancing as far as Brandy Station, the rebels placing four pieces of +artillery on a hill, shelling in return, killing two men and wounding +several in the 138th Pennsylvania. The 1st brigade was ordered to charge +the hill, and preparations were made, batteries were placed in position +and the hill shelled, when the rebels left in haste, our men taking +possession without opposition. The 14th was again fortunate, having as +yet lost not one man by battle. The troops now marched on a double +quick, the flying rebels discerned in the distance retreating in haste, +leaving a vast amount of ammunition and baggage in our hands. During the +afternoon the troops were massed in force at Brandy Station. The Potomac +army now composed of five corps, 1st, 2d, 3d, 5th and 6th, the 11th and +12th having been sent to the army of the Cumberland after the battle of +Gettysburg, and formed in one corps commanded by Major Gen. Hooker. The +1st corps was commanded by Gen. Franklin, the 2d by the brave Warren, +the 3d by Gen. French, the 5th by Sykes, the 6th by Sedgwick. The +cavalry divisions under Kilpatrick and Buford, were all under the +command of Major Gen. Meade. The 3d corps now halted in line of battle +in a dense woods, remaining until the ensuing night, when the troops +were routed out at nine o'clock, and ordered to fall in. It was supposed +that Lee was about to attack, having halted his retreating army on the +banks of the Rapidan; remaining in line in the cold two hours; marched +two miles, crossing the railroad at Brandy Station, halting for the +night near a small stream; lying in line of battle sleeping on our arms; +we were encamped on an open plain; there was scarcely any wood, the men +suffering very much from the cold. Lee, finding our men ready, fell +back; he had hoped to surprise Meade, but as vigilant as ever, he was +not to be caught napping. The men were ordered to lay down and be ready +to fall in at a moment's notice. The next morning three days' rations +were issued, and the troops ordered into camp, tents placed on a line, +remaining in camp five days, the men receiving two months' pay. The camp +had been occupied by the rebels, some of them having up winter quarters. +The men now supposed the army had halted for the winter; to make +themselves comfortable the men built chimneys of sod on one corner of +the tent, and built fires in them. A soldier can always make himself +comfortable; with his shelter pitched on sticks, a sod chimney built, +and the cracks of his tent filled with mud, he is then as happy as a +lord, and cares not for anything. Occasionally home was thought of as +something that had once been a pleasure, but now at war there seemed as +if there was no such thing as home; with no kind and loving friends +near, he submits to his lot without murmuring, caring not for the +future. The men were now very comfortable, and supposed they were to +remain some time. On the afternoon of the 14th the 1st brigade was +ordered to move to Culpepper, four miles distant. At four o'clock the +brigade started, marching several miles out of the way, the rain falling +heavily, wetting the men to the skin. The night was very dark, the +officers being unable to find the road, wandering around in the woods, +marching in swamps and ditches, sometimes up to their knees in mud; +occasionally a man fell down and was pulled out by his comrades; +marching on an old corduroy road, that for some time had been useless; +the rain poured in torrents; each man marching for himself and on his +own hook. At midnight Culpepper was reached, having marched twelve +miles, the correct distance being but four miles; the men halted in the +woods, building fires of brush to keep warm and to dry themselves. In +the morning the sun shone in all its splendor, the men presenting a +sorry plight covered with mud and water; the remainder of the army lying +quietly at Brandy Station; changed position during the morning; tents +placed on a line in regimental order. More than one-half the men had +fallen out, and now came straggling in; the brigade was sent to guard +Culpepper and the vicinity. The village of Culpepper is situated four +miles from Brandy Station and is quite a pretty place, of some two +thousand inhabitants, containing four churches, court house and county +jail; but few towns are on the railroad, Culpepper being the largest. + +Two companies were detailed for picket each day, the remaining companies +drilling brigade drill. Gen. Morris, having written a series of tactics, +was desirous of practicing, and ordered brigade drill each day. Winter +quarters were again the topic of conversation, as the cold was almost +unendurable. Nothing was now seen of the enemy, as they lay in their old +position on the Rapidan, and not very anxious to advance again, having +learned a lesson from us, although surprised and compelled to fall back +before it was more of an advantage to Meade than to Lee. The terrible +lesson they learned at Bristoe was not to be forgotten very soon, nor +our advance on the Rappahannock. But few men were lost on our side, the +enemy losing heavily in men and munitions of war. During our stay at +Culpepper two men were arrested as spies and sent to Washington; they +were dressed in the United States uniform and belonged to the guerilla +Mosby's command. Succeeding in eluding our pickets they entered our +lines with the intention of returning as speedily as possible, and +inform the rebels that there was but one brigade lying at Culpepper +easily accessible to them; frustrated in their plans, they were arrested +and subsequently met their fate as spies, being hung at Alexandria. +Efforts were made to save them, but of no avail, the rules of civilized +warfare demanded their execution, and the just deserts were meted out to +them to the fullest extent of the law. + +The brigade remained at Culpepper ten days, until the night of the 23d, +when orders were given to be ready to move at daylight. Although late in +the season, an advance was determined on and five days' rations issued +the men. Commencing to rain the order was countermanded, the brigade +leaving Culpepper and rejoining the division at Brandy Station, marching +four miles; lying in the mud near the railroad until Thursday, Nov. 26, +when the order to again advance was given, starting from Brandy Station +at 7 a. m. The troops in three columns moved towards the Rapidan, +crossing at different fords on pontoons; the enemy, not expecting an +advance, were as yet unprepared, reaching the river at five o'clock, the +3d corps crossing at Jacobs' Mill Ford, the trains following in the +rear; a force was left at Brandy Station to guard the railroad. After +marching fifteen miles the river was reached and crossed before dark; +nothing was seen of the enemy, their frowning breast works were empty. +Had they been manned by a sufficient force our crossing would not have +been so easy, as they had a splendid position for their artillery and a +raking fire from their batteries upon our advance. The troops were soon +over and formed in line of battle, throwing out heavy pickets, halting +in the woods near the river until routed out the next morning. The +column had advanced the evening previous until near the enemy, +countermarching and encamping for the night. Every preparation was made +for the ensuing day, as the enemy were moving, being aware of our +advance. The morning of the 27th was cold and dreary. It was +Thanksgiving Day at home, but to the poor soldier it was war, and many +that entered the fight that day lived not to see the morrow's sun; they +had spent their last Thanksgiving Day on earth, and now fill a soldier's +grave. + +Gen. French was sent in advance with the 3d corps, the 3rd division on +the lead, they overtaking the enemy at Locust Grove, a dense forest of +pine trees; the enemy were strongly posted. Our division had always lain +along the railroad, and thus far had never engaged in battle. We were +called by the other divisions of the corps, Gen. French's pets, as they +thought he favored us more than the rest, he being the former commander +of the 3rd division. The 1st division, commanded by Gen. Birney, was in +the rear of the 3d division. When they were told we were to charge the +enemy, the men of the 1st division exclaimed, "What! send French's pets +in there? they can't fight." The General hearing them, in his blunt +manner remarked, "We'll see if they can't fight. Move forward, boys." +Skirmishers from the 122nd Ohio regiment were immediately sent out. The +1st brigade being on the advance, was for the first time engaged with +the enemy, and for four hours was under fire, the men fighting bravely +until darkness ended the contest, standing their ground like veterans; +making a brilliant charge and driving the rebels from their position, +capturing several prisoners. The whole corps was by this time hotly +engaged, maintaining their ground, neither side gaining any material +advantage. Gen. Carr and staff were everywhere conspicuous, and +supported by the 6th corps, there was no such word as fail. The old 3d +corps had long established its reputation, which was never to be lost. +Ever since the organization of the Potomac army had the 3d corps been +foremost in the fight; commanded by a fighting man, Major Gen. Sickles, +it never wavered, always the first to enter and the last to leave. +Thousands had lost their lives in the seven days' fight before Richmond, +at Antietam, Chancellorsville and Gettysburgh, and thousands more were +to lose their lives in the brave old 3d. Each corps was ordered to have +a mark, designating it from the rest, the 3d corps choosing the diamond, +an emblem of worth. This originated from Gen. Kearney, commanding the +New Jersey brigade; in order to distinguish his men from the rest, he +ordered them to wear a red cross; the other commanders taking it in hand +until each corps had a mark and a corps flag; each division red, white +and blue. Of the corps in the Potomac army, the 1st was full moon; 2nd +club; 3d diamond; 5th Maltese cross, and 6th Roman cross. At Locust +Grove the red and blue patches of the different divisions were plainly +seen. The woods were so thick that artillery could not be used; the roar +of musketry as it vibrated among the trees was awful and sublime, +sounding as if the wind with all its force was rushing on moved by some +irresistible power. + +The officers and men of the 14th fought nobly, knowing that their +reputation depended on this, their first battle. Co's B and K being on +the extreme left of the line, became separated from the regiment, and +did not hear the order to fall back when relieved, remaining in one hour +after the regiment, not leaving until their ammunition was exhausted. +The regiment lost sixteen killed and fifty-eight wounded, having been in +the service sixteen months without engaging in battle, the other +regiments losing in proportion. Gen. Morris rode to the front, +congratulating the men for their bravery. In a few words he told them +that as new troops, a brigade never fought better; that they had +accomplished all that was desired of them. At dark the enemy retreated, +leaving their dead and wounded in our hands. All night long the surgeons +were busy dressing the wounds of our men, the cries of the poor wounded +fellows as they lay writhing under the knife were heart-rending; the +groans of the dying as they lay on the field were heard throughout the +night. The battle was now over, the enemy had fallen back, and the +troops remained on the field lying on their arms until morning. The +enemy had now fallen back in their old position at Mine Run awaiting our +approach; the weather very cold and mud knee deep; marched five miles, +halting near Robinson's Tavern; in a pine wood in front of the enemy's +breastworks, which were very strong. All Saturday and Sunday Gen. Meade +and his corps commanders were engaged in devising means to force the +enemy from their position on the western slope of Mine Run, being too +strongly posted to warrant making a direct assault upon their works, +although our forces outnumbered them two to one. Mine Run is a small +stream about ten feet wide, but very deep; on each side is a low marsh, +miry and reed grown. About one mile back from either side there were +cultivated patches of pine trees. On the south side the Potomac army lay +in line of battle all day Sunday, the 29th; none but the 3d corps had +thus far been engaged, the 3d division, the heaviest. The enemy had +moved out of their position to meet us, and at Locust Grove had +encountered our advance. After being defeated and driven back by the 3d +corps, they awaited our approach, having fortified the western slope by +a strong earthwork of felled trees, shrubbery and brush, forming an +almost impenetrable abattis. They had also dug a succession of rifle +pits within easy musket range of the creek, manned by sharpshooters, to +pick off our advance skirmishers, their line of defense extending from +what was called Clark's Mountain, on the plank road, to the mouth of the +stream, and was fully supported by artillery, and by our generals was +considered as strong as Fredericksburg. The artillery was brought +forward and placed in position in front of their batteries. Not a shot +had yet been exchanged since the battle of Locust Grove, each side +waiting for the other, the infantry being hidden from view by a thick +woods. In order to move them forward it was found necessary to bridge +the streams and morasses in various places, a work both difficult and +dangerous; this was done by the 1st division of the 3d corps. Sunday +passed, and at dark nothing had yet been done; thus far we had not +accomplished anything; with one corps we had met their advance, and +after a hard battle had driven them back a few miles in a strong +position not easily flanked, with severe loss on both sides. On Sunday +night the troops were massed and formed as follows: the 2d corps on the +extreme left at Clark's Mountain; the left centre was held by the 3d +corps; the centre by two divisions of the 1st, and the right by the 5th +and 6th corps. Gen. Warren with the 2nd corps was to attack Sunday +afternoon at 3 o'clock, and, if possible, turn the enemy's right wing; +the 5th and 6th corps, under Sykes and Sedgwick, were at the same time +to attack their left, while the 1st and 3d moved on the centre. The +reserve artillery had all been brought forward ready for action, but for +some reason the infantry failed to connect, and night slipped upon us +all drawn up in line of battle. That night a change was made in the +programme. Gen. Warren did not deem his force adequate to the task of +turning the enemy's right, so he was still re-enforced by the 1st and 3d +divisions of the 3d corps, marching at two o'clock Monday morning five +miles; the 3d division placed on the extreme left in the most dangerous +position, while Birney with his division was to support the artillery. +The army was now placed in their respective positions, and 8 o'clock +Monday morning was then set by Gen. Meade for the great battle to open. +The men lay down wrapped in their blankets on the frozen ground, to rest +and to dream of home. The night of Sunday was the coldest we had yet +experienced; ice formed in streams an inch in thickness. Several of the +men froze their limbs, and one or two lost their lives while on picket. +The enemy's sharpshooters were found frozen in their rifle pits, as a +great many of them had no overcoats or blankets. At 8 o'clock on Monday +the artillery began to play upon the enemy, and for an hour was as heavy +as ever was witnessed; the shells, as they flew shrieking through the +air, were plainly seen. The enemy replied feebly, not wishing to +disclose their position. The infantry did not make any demonstration +whatever, and after making a great deal of noise and wasting a large +amount of ammunition, the artillery was silenced by an order from +headquarters. The men were already in line with knapsacks unslung, the +3d division to lead and charge their extreme right. Gen. Meade rode to +the front, examined their works with his glass, and then countermanded +the order, as a fearful loss of life would ensue; the weather being so +cold the wounded would die if left uncared for. The 3d division remained +on the left until 3 o'clock Monday afternoon, when they returned to +their old position in the center with the balance of the corps. Nothing +more was done during the day but to form some other plan; but the wisest +plan our generals could agree on was to go back to our line on the +Rappahannock and take a fresh start. Accordingly the trains were all +ordered back across the Rapidan, the troops still in line watching the +enemy until the trains were all safe across. General Francis Meagher was +a guest at headquarters, and moved with the troops, engaging in battle +with the Irish Brigade, and narrowly escaped capture at Locust Grove. +Being dressed in citizen's dress, he was taken by the enemy to be a +reporter and no exertion was made to capture him. Had they known that he +was a distinguished general, and the leader of the old 69th New York +that gave them such reception at Bull Run, they would have captured him +certain; as it was, he escaped by spurring his horse out of their reach. + +On Tuesday, Dec. 1, 1863, the troops were ordered to fall back, as +nothing could be accomplished. The roads were in a terrible condition, +almost impassable; it was with difficulty that supplies could be sent to +the men by wagons over the route of thirty or forty miles. Our wounded +were suffering considerably; the most of them were compelled to walk, +as transportation could not be furnished; only those that had lost a +limb were allowed to ride. At dark pickets were placed as usual, the +main body of the army falling back, marching all night on a double quick +on the Fredericksburg plank road, the weather each hour growing colder. +All night long the troops moved in solid columns, a brilliant moon +lighting us on our way. The trains were all safe across, and were on +their way to Brandy Station, to be filled with supplies for the men. On +their return the boys set the woods on fire, and they were soon burning +in all directions. The pickets were relieved at 3 o'clock, when Lee +discovered the retreat; his army was soon in motion, but too late to do +any good. By daylight the army was all safe across the Rapidan, having +marched, or rather run twenty miles; several of the men were unable to +keep up and were captured. The troops crossed at Germania Ford, on two +pontoon bridges, which were taken up at 6 o'clock, and our batteries +placed on a hill ready for action. The rebel cavalry made their +appearance on the opposite side but were soon driven back by a few +shells, retiring suddenly with the few prisoners they had captured. The +pursuit was now abandoned, and the men, foot sore and weary, threw +themselves upon the ground and were soon buried in slumber. Rations were +scarce, the men having nothing to eat, and we were yet some distance +from Brandy Station, our base of supplies. The troops were allowed to +rest until noon. The men had become scattered during the march, and were +now joining their commands. Meade halted on the banks of the river, +hoping Lee would give battle. The men were in fine spirits and were now +anxious to fight the rebel army away from their entrenchments in an open +field; but Lee declined to give battle, and after exchanging a few shots +with the rear guard of our army, both armies retired from the river, Lee +moving back to Mine Run, the Potomac army to Brandy Station, to enter +winter quarters. At noon the column again moved, marching but five +miles, halting in a dense woods, with nothing to eat until two o'clock +the next morning, when the column again moved, marching nine miles, and +arriving at Brandy Station at 10 o'clock, the troops occupying their old +quarters near the railroad; the camp was welcomed with joy; weary, +hungry and nearly tired out, after an absence of eight days, returned, +having crossed the Rapidan, accomplishing but little. Fighting two days +on slim rations; recrossed again, having lost about two thousand men in +killed, wounded and missing. Again the people north were clamorous for +the removal of Meade; why did he not attack Lee in his entrenchments? +was the cry; Richmond must be taken, and all such remarks. It was +rumored that Hooker was again to take command, and we were to return +immediately to Mine Run; but the military men of the Potomac army knew +that the fortifications at Mine Run never could be taken by the Potomac +army, especially at this time of the year. If Lee was driven out of his +works, the success could not be followed up, as the cold was too intense +to permit a campaign of long duration. + +On the 4th of December, 1863, the troops were ordered into Winter +quarters, as nothing more could be done that Winter. The railroad was +guarded from Alexandria to Brandy Station by the 1st corps, the main +line extending from Culpepper to the Rapidan. Camps were now laid out in +regular order, each brigade by itself, the 1st brigade encamping on the +plantation of John Minor Botts, one of Virginia's noblest sons, who, at +the commencement of the war, refused to aid in breaking up the Union +formed by Washington and his compeers, one of the best governments the +world ever saw. Because he would not aid in bringing civil war, and aid +in slaughtering thousands of innocent men, he was for three months +confined in Libby Prison by the rebel leader, his daughter sharing his +confinement with him without a murmur. He was finally released on +parole, and was now residing at his mansion near Brandy Station. Trees +were felled by the men and comfortable Winter quarters built. As far as +the eye could reach were seen the tents of the Potomac army, occupying +several miles of ground; the 6th corps on the extreme right, near Hazel +River; the 5th corps on the left. Tents were soon built, the crevices +filled with mud, and a shanty built of stones, the whole covered with +shelters, three or four tenting with each other. Give a soldier a knife, +and with a few articles a tent will soon be built. Brandy Station, a +place heretofore but little known, was now the base of supplies for the +army, trains running as far as Culpepper, where the Cavalry were +encamped. Corduroy roads were built, fatigue parties being sent out each +day under competent officers. Large store houses were built, and +thousands of bushels of grain stored for the horses and mules. During +the Summer the troops had nothing to eat on the march but hard-tack, +sugar and coffee. Extra rations were now issued, some of the men faring +better than at home. Rations were issued every five days of hard-tack, +soft bread, sugar, coffee, beef, pork, pepper, salt, beans, dried +apples, potatoes and onions, the government always feeding the men well +while lying in camp. Furloughs were now granted the men for ten days, +some two hundred going each day. The people home had seen so many +soldiers that they were tired of them; a great many that were +Copperheads, afraid to come themselves, entertained no respect for the +boys in blue, but turned a cold shoulder to them. They cared not though, +as long as they had done their duty at the front, and despised the +sneaking Copperhead as not worthy of notice. Camp life was now entered +upon by the men with activity, knowing that spring would open with a +hard campaign. Drills were again in order, inspections and reviews. +Brandy Station was thronged with visitors from the North, who looked +with wonder upon the magnificent array of men, that for the past three +years had been battling for union and for liberty. The armies must again +be recruited for the spring campaign; great inducements were held out to +the men, and furloughs suddenly stopped. Any soldier that would +re-enlist for three years would receive three hundred dollars bounty and +thirty-five days furlough; all other furloughs were stopped. The men +anxious to see home, and thinking that the war would soon be over, +re-enlisted in large numbers, receiving their bounty and furlough. +Nearly the whole of the 87th Pennsylvania in the 3d division +re-enlisted; this was the finest drilled regiment in the service, their +term of enlistment expiring in the spring. The mails were now running +regular once each day. The paymasters arriving, the troops were paid in +full and the sutlers patronized largely. President Lincoln now issued a +call for three hundred thousand more men. In view of the large bounties +offered, a great many worthless men enlisted, soon after deserting; the +most of them were caught and were sent back to the headquarters of the +different divisions, and placed under arrest. A Provost Guard was formed +at each division headquarters, composed of picked men of the regiments, +consisting of one hundred men, five Sergeants and eight Corporals, whose +duties were to guard all prisoners, and in time of action to keep up all +stragglers, and while lying in camp to guard headquarters. Court +Martials were now in session, and each man under arrest was tried, and +if found guilty of any misdemeanor was immediately sentenced and placed +in confinement until the sentence was carried into effect. Some were +sentenced to hard labor, some to forfeit their pay, and various other +sentences according to the decision of the court. + +Lee was now encamped in the vicinity of Madison Court House, his main +force in a dense wilderness, and comfortably quartered in log houses, +each army picketing the Rapidan, whose swollen waters would not permit +crossing at this time of the year. Occasionally a small force of cavalry +was sent out to reconnoitre, but failed to draw any portion of the enemy +from their entrenchments. The headquarters of Gen. Meade were on a hill +and tastefully arranged, near Brandy Station. A new signal corps was +organized; several from the 14th were detached and placed on duty in +this corps. This branch of service was of great use to the army, as +orders could be signalized with rapidity from one part of the army to +the other. Sutlers were in abundance at Brandy Station, erecting +shanties for their goods. Shoemaker shops, watch making and ambrotype +galleries were built, and Brandy Station soon became a thriving town. +The 14th was encamped in an old rebel camp, the men using their old +houses, refitting them as good as new. As none but re-enlisted men were +allowed furloughs, the rest of the men contented themselves with passing +their time in camp with various amusements, playing match games of base +ball when not on duty. The Rapidan was strongly picketed, details from +the regiments made every three days. The 14th now numbered but six +hundred men for duty, three hundred and fifty less than when the +regiment left New Jersey. Nearly one hundred had died; sixteen had been +killed by battle; some were on detached service; some in hospitals, and, +sad to say, numbers had deserted. Gen. Morris was on leave of absence, +his place being filled by Colonel Truex, acting Brig. General. Several +ladies now visited the army, the most of them officers' wives, remaining +until the spring campaign commenced. + +In the latter part of December, a man named Armprister from the 3d +division was found guilty of desertion. He was sentenced to have his +head shaved, a board placed on his back marked utterly worthless, and to +be drummed out of camp. Such scenes were not common, this being the +first occurrence of the kind in our division. Capt. Allstrum of Co. G, +14th N.J., was appointed Provost Marshal of the division. His duty was +to see that all military rules were obeyed; that all sutlers and +purveyors were licensed, and to confiscate all rebel property that was +fortunate enough to fall into our hands. The discipline of the army was +now perfect, everything arranged and in perfect order; one grand master +mind at the head; the people North forming no idea how everything was +conducted, and with what precision each order was executed by the men. A +revival now spread throughout camp, and many became converted. Chaplain +Rose, of the 14th New Jersey, by his exertions organized prayer +meetings each evening, and through his means a greater part of the men +were led to seek God. Regimental churches were built of logs, covered +with tents furnished by the Sanitary Commission, and tracts, books and +papers distributed daily by men interested in the cause. A great many +that were converted were killed in the ensuing battles of the coming +campaign, which was destined to be the hardest ever witnessed. Tools +were furnished the men in abundance, and tents and churches rapidly +erected. A pioneer corps was also organized for each brigade. The tools +were packed in boxes, and carried on mules, slung across their backs. +During active service they were to march ahead of the troops, clearing +the way; also to bridge streams and ditches; build officers' tents, and +to make themselves useful in various ways. The troops were now taught to +maneuver by brigades and divisions; each afternoon was brigade drill and +dress parade, the officers and men presenting a fine appearance, having +lain in camp long enough to get fixed up. Clothing was issued in +abundance, and everything that was needed for an army was forwarded to +the men. Boxes were sent from home, but each one was examined by the +Provost Marshal to see if liquor was concealed therein; the men were not +allowed any. If the friends at home saw fit to send it for sickness, it +was taken from them and used by the headquarters officers. Various +dodges were resorted to by the men to obtain whiskey; packages of flour +were sent, with a small flask concealed in the inside, which was eagerly +drank by them, as rum of any kind was a luxury. + +The month of December had nearly passed, and the holidays were rapidly +approaching; the cold storms of winter kept the men pretty close, the +weather being too bad to permit drilling. Christmas and New Years were +very dull, the men receiving two months pay and new clothing, and the +officers drinking their good whiskey. + +Gen. Carr's headquarters were in a large white house, opposite John +Minor Botts', two miles from Brandy Station, and about a quarter of a +mile from the division. As there were several ladies visiting the +Potomac army, a grand ball was given and preparations made accordingly. +An addition was built to the house by men detailed from the division and +everything was arranged in perfect order; the room was handsomely +decorated with flags and evergreens. The night of January 25, 1864, the +ball was given, and everything passed off pleasantly; it was very +largely attended, but the privates were not allowed to enter; the +ladies were elegantly dressed. The 1st New Jersey Brigade Band, and 87th +Pennsylvania were engaged, and the music was excellent. The tickets were +ten dollars; dancing was kept up until morning; the supper was +magnificent, costing two thousand dollars; cooks were sent from +Washington, and everything that could be had; trains of cars coming up +during the afternoon loaded with officers bringing their ladies with +them. The leading generals of the Potomac army were present, the most +prominent among them being Meade, Warren, Hancock, French and others. +They enjoyed themselves very well, but the most of them were better at +fighting than at dancing. + +Nothing occurred to disturb the dull monotony of camp life during those +long Winter months, everything going on as usual; re-enlisted men +returning, others going in their places. On the morning of February 6th, +the troops received marching orders, to pack up with three days' rations +and hold themselves in readiness to move, as a reconnoissance in force +was ordered to find out the whereabouts of Lee's main force. At five +o'clock in the afternoon the command was given to start; the 3d corps +commanded by Gen. Birney, Gen. French being home on leave of absence. +The Provost Guard and 122d Ohio were left to guard the camp and +headquarters; the 3d division in advance; raining hard. The weather had +been very pleasant for some time, until orders were given to move, when +a storm suddenly came up and continued for three days. The first corps +met and engaged the enemy at Culpepper Ford, and after a brisk +engagement of several hours, our forces retired, being unable to cross +the river. The reconnoissance discovered Lee in position, his line +extending from the Rapidan to Orange Court House. The troops marched +eight miles, remaining in line of battle two days south of Culpepper, +when they returned to their old quarters, the 1st corps losing about two +hundred men in killed and wounded, but bringing in several prisoners +with them. All was again quiet in camp; everything dull. On the 25th the +paymaster again arrived, paying the men two months' pay. Colonel Cook +from New Jersey was present, taking home for the soldiers thousands of +dollars. The division was now reviewed by Gen. French, near Brandy +Station, several ladies being present; it was composed of three +brigades, numbering six thousand men. On the 28th, the weather being +extremely fine, a reconnoissance was again ordered by the 6th corps, +moving out early in the morning with three days' rations; the other +corps were ordered to hold themselves in readiness if needed. Nothing, +however, was discovered, the enemy refusing to leave their +entrenchments; on the 3d of March the corps returned, having been gone +three days. + +On the 29th of March the regiment was again mustered in for pay by Col. +Truex; every two months was muster, this being the eleventh time since +our enlistment. The men were formed in line, and their arms and +accoutrements examined, each man answering to his name; if not accounted +for he could not be mustered, nor could he receive his pay. + +In view of the coming campaign, it was found necessary by the +authorities at Washington to place at the head of the army a general, +giving him full command of all the forces then in our armies, to rank as +Lieutenant General. Congress was for some time unable to decide which of +our generals was the most competent. General Grant, then in command of +the southwestern army was finally chosen, and ordered to report +immediately at Washington. The hero of Vicksburg, of Port Hudson, and of +Pittsburg Landing, was placed in chief command, with a commission as +Lieutenant General, wearing three stars. + +From an early period in the rebellion Grant had been impressed with the +idea that active and continuous operations of all troops that could be +brought into the field, regardless of season and weather, were necessary +for a speedy termination of the war. The past two years had led us to +believe that the resources of the enemy and his numerical strength were +far inferior to ours, but as an offset to this, we had a vast territory +hostile to the government to garrison, and long lines of river and +railroad communications to protect to enable us to supply the operating +armies. The army in the east and west had thus far acted independently +and without concert, like a baulky team, no two ever pulling together, +enabling the enemy to use to great advantage his inferior lines of +communication for transporting troops from east to west, re-enforcing +the army most vigorously pressed, and enabling them to furlough large +numbers during seasons of inactivity on our part, to go to their homes +and do the work of producing for the support of their armies. It was now +the firm conviction of our leading men that no peace could be had that +would be stable and conducive to the happiness of the people, both North +and South, until the military power of the South was entirely broken. + +On the 16th of March General Grant arrived at Brandy Station and +proceeded immediately to the headquarters of Gen. Meade. After +reviewing the different corps, he rapidly re-organized the army. The 3d +corps was broken up, and placed in different corps; our division was +placed in the 6th corps as 3d division; the 14th had been in the 3d +corps eight months; what had been an organization so long was now no +more. Gen. French was relieved from the front and ordered to report at +Washington, and placed in command of the troops near Baltimore. The +Potomac army now consisted of but three corps, 2d, 5th and 6th, of +thirty thousand each. The 2d corps was commanded by Hancock; the 5th by +Warren, and the 6th by Sedgwick; General Meade still retained his +position as commander of the Potomac army, receiving his orders from +Grant. Sherman was placed in chief command in the southwest, and proved +himself a successful commander. + +The 3d division, which heretofore consisted of three brigades, was now +formed in two brigades; the 1st was commanded by General Morris, +consisting of the 14th New Jersey, 10th Vermont, 106th and 151st New +York, and 87th Pennsylvania. The 2nd brigade was commanded by Col. +Keifer, afterwards Brigadier General, and composed of the 110th, 122d +and 126th Ohio regiments, the only western troops in the Potomac army; +the 6th Maryland, 67th and 138th Pennsylvania troops, now commanded by +General Prince, the former commander of the 2d division, General Carr +reporting at Washington. The officers all met at headquarters +preparatory to the breaking up of the corps, and indulged in a jolly +time; groups were taken by artists, and after spending the day in mirth, +they returned to their quarters at night. Birney's old division lay in +camp near the 6th corps; they were ordered to join the 2d corps, and our +division to take their camp and join the 6th corps. Gen. Prince was +relieved, and General Ricketts placed in command of the division. Heavy +rains now came on and the order to change camp was countermanded until +April 1, when the division moved. The 14th regiment had built a new +camp, every tent on a line, and each one of an exact size; pine trees +were planted, and it was decided by General Meade to be the handsomest +camp in the Potomac army. The men were very sorry to leave, and some of +them threatened to burn their tents; the quarters we were to occupy were +in a poor place, far from the main road and very lonesome, but as +soldiers we were accustomed to such things, often putting up tents and +then compelled to leave them in a hurry. + +General Grant, having now assumed command, determined to bring the war +to a close as soon as possible. As it was too early for a forward +movement, the troops were permitted to remain in camp another month. +Grant, in consultation with his officers forming their plans for the +coming campaign, having every confidence in Meade, they were constantly +together. Grant first determined to use the greatest number of troops +practicable against the armed forces of the enemy, preventing him from +using the same force at different seasons against first one and then the +other of our armies, by ordering all armies to move at the same time, he +superintending each movement, his headquarters with the Potomac army. + +During the month of April, 1864, several men from the division banded +together and formed negro minstrels, building a house of logs covered +with canvass. Twenty-five cents was charged for admittance; part of the +proceeds were for the benefit of the Sanitary Commission; the house was +crowded each evening, as it was sometime since the men had seen anything +of the kind. + +Behind the Union lines there were many bands of guerillas, and a large +population that were hostile to the government, making it necessary to +guard every foot of road or river used in supplying our armies. In the +South a reign of military despotism prevailed which made every man and +boy capable of bearing arms a soldier, and those who could not bear arms +in the field acted as Provost Guards for collecting deserters and +returning them; thus enabling the enemy to bring almost his entire +strength in the field. Active preparations were now made on both sides +for the campaign which was shortly to open; of the magnitude of the work +before us none then knew. The enemy had concentrated the bulk of their +forces into two armies, commanded by Generals R. E. Lee and J. E. +Johnson, their ablest and best generals. The army of the Southwest, +under Sherman, was to oppose Johnson, and the army of the Potomac, under +Meade, to oppose Lee, all under the immediate command of Grant. The army +commanded by Lee occupied the south bank of the Rapidan, covering and +defending Richmond, the rebel capital, against the army of the Potomac. +The army under Johnson occupied a strongly entrenched position at +Dalton, Ga., covering and defending Atlanta, a place of great importance +as a railroad centre, against the armies under Sherman. These two armies +and the cities covered and defended by them, were the main objects of +the campaign. General Meade was instructed by Grant that Lee's army +would be his objective point, and wherever Lee went he must follow. +From the position of Lee's forces two different routes presented +themselves, one to cross the Rapidan below Lee, moving by his right +flank, the other above Lee, moving by his left. Each presented +advantages over the other, with corresponding objections; by crossing +above, Lee would be cut off from all correspondence with Richmond, or +from going North on a raid; but if the army took this route, all we did +would have to be done while the rations held out; and it separated us +from Butler moving from Fortress Monroe; if we took the other route, +Brandy Station could be used as a base of supplies until another was +secured on the York or James River. After a long consultation with +Meade, Grant decided to take the lower route. + +The Potomac army had now lain in quarters five months, the men expecting +every day orders to move. The papers North were urging a forward +movement, but Grant knew his own plans best and wished no advisers. +Three large armies were now to move on Richmond as soon as ordered by +Grant; the Potomac army covering Washington and in Lee's immediate +front; an army from Fortress Monroe commanded by Butler, and a large +force under Seigel to move up the Shenandoah Valley. + +The month of April was drawing rapidly to a close, and every preparation +had been made for the campaign soon to open. Supplies were forwarded to +Brandy Station in vast numbers; wagons packed with ammunition and +forage; the troops furnished with clothing and shoes; all condemned +horses and mules branded with the letter C and sent to Alexandria to be +corralled until sold, and others sent in their places; and all batteries +were furnished new guns and new horses, equipped for a hard campaign. It +having now been decided by Grant to move across the Rapidan below Lee, +preparations were made to start. Orders were sent to all generals +commanding different posts, to move not later than May 4, and by one +combined movement of all the armies to crush, if possible, the +rebellion. The most formidable foe to encounter was the army under Lee; +leaving the other armies to the discretion of their commanders but +subject to orders, he turned his whole attention to that one point, but +as usual issuing and receiving all orders. On the 1st of May the troops +were all drawn up in line, and orders read to them as follows: That the +campaign was soon to open; that every man must do his duty; that no +straggling nor foraging would be allowed, and all private property to be +protected. As there were several regiments whose term of service +expired soon, they were very reluctant to move, as they had served three +years faithfully. Orders were read to them especially, that if any of +them were found lurking in the rear or refusing to move forward, they +would be immediately shot, and commanders of regiments instructed to see +that on a march the troops moved in regular order. + +The 14th regiment had now sixteen months to serve of the three years. +Twenty months had passed since leaving New Jersey, and numbers were no +more. The regiment had been recruited and was now ready to move with six +hundred men and a full compliment of officers. Owing to the weather and +bad condition of the roads, operations were delayed later than was +intended. Every thing being now in readiness, and the weather favorable, +orders were given for the forward movement to commence immediately. The +first object aimed at was to break the military power of the rebellion +and capture the enemy's important stronghold. General Butler was to move +on Richmond with a force from Fortress Monroe, which, if successful, +would tend more to ending the war than anything else, unless it was the +capture of Lee's army. If Butler failed to take Richmond, it was Grant's +intention by hard fighting, either to compel Lee to retreat or so to +cripple him that he could not detach a large force to go North, and +still retain enough for the defences of Richmond. It was well understood +by both Butler and Meade, before starting on the campaign, that it was +the intention of Grant to place both armies south of the James, and in +case of failure to destroy Lee without it. + +Before giving Butler his final instructions, Grant visited Fortress +Monroe, giving him, in minute details, the objective points of his +operations, as the army of the Potomac was to move simultaneously with +him. Lee could not detach from his army with safety, and the enemy could +not have troops elsewhere to bring to the defences of the city in time +to meet a rapid movement from the north of the James river. Commanding +all our forces as Grant did, he tried to leave, as far as possible, Gen. +Meade in independent command of the Potomac army. The campaign that +followed proved him to be the right man in the right place; but his +commanding always in the presence of an officer superior to him in rank, +has drawn from him much of that public attention that his zeal and +ability entitled him to, and which he would otherwise have received. + +Having now given as far as possible the objects of the campaign, the +results of which will hereafter be shown, I will now proceed to give a +brief but true account of the campaign, in which the 14th regiment took +an active part, during the ensuing sixteen months, commencing from the +advance across the Rapidan, until the surrender of Lee's army and the +overthrow of the rebellion. + +All was quiet in camp, the men wondering when the forward movement would +commence, when, on the morning of May 3d, 1864, orderlies were seen +riding in all directions. That something unusual was going on was +apparent to all. The long roll was beaten, the men falling in line +without arms, and ordered to be ready to move in the morning, with five +days' rations. The afternoon was spent in packing up and writing home, +as none knew how soon the chance would be given them to write again. For +five months we had spent pleasant times in Winter quarters; but those +times were now over, and all the scenes of the previous years of war +were to be enacted again. For a time the men had almost forgotten war. +All had confidence in Grant and Meade, and hoped the war would speedily +close. All surplus baggage was sent to the rear. The forward movement +commenced early on the morning of the 4th of May, under the immediate +direction and orders of Gen. Meade. Before night the whole army was safe +across the Rapidan, the 5th and 6th corps crossing at Germania's Ford, +and the 2d corps crossing at United States Ford; the cavalry under Major +General Sheridan moving in advance with the greater part of the trains, +numbering about 4,000 wagons, meeting with but slight opposition; passed +the railroad we lay before, changing quarters with Birney's division. At +last the army has moved; the Summer campaign has commenced, and the +North will soon look for stirring news; with Grant as leader there is no +such word as fail. The day was very fine, the air rather cool, and the +troops in good spirits, anxious to change the dull monotony of camp life +for more active service in the field. The distance marched that day by +the troops was 15 miles. This was considered a great success, that of +crossing the river in the face of an active, large, well appointed and +ably commanded army. At the different fords Lee had erected very +formidable breastworks to retard the advance of the Union army, but +changing his plans his army remained in position in the Wilderness, and +the works were found unoccupied. No signs of the enemy being seen that +night, the troops encamped in a dense thicket of pines extending for +miles. Lee had chosen a strong position in the woods known as the +Wilderness, having erected strong earthworks and manned them with three +army corps, numbering, as near as can be ascertained, 120,000 men, under +command of Ewell, Longstreet and Hill. + +Early on the morning of the 5th, the advance corps, the 5th, under the +command of Major General G. K. Warren, met and engaged the enemy outside +of their entrenchments, near Mine Run. The battle raged furiously all +day, the whole army being brought into the fight as fast as the corps +could be brought into the field, which, considering the density of the +forest and narrowness of the roads, was done with commendable +promptness. Gen. Seymour, of Florida, arrived, and was placed in command +of the 2d brigade of the 3d division. Gens. Grant, Meade and staff were +at the front in the thickest of the fight, and were loudly cheered by +the men; some 400 prisoners were taken that day, among them several +officers. Five miles only were made that day, neither side gaining any +advantage; darkness coming on the firing ceased for a short time, the +troops building breastworks. Gen. Ricketts and staff being near the +front, a shell exploded in their midst, killing the horses of two staff +officers, but not injuring them. The 3d division was divided, the 1st +brigade being sent to re-enforce the centre, the 2d brigade the right; +the 14th was in the fight the entire day, and lost heavily; the 2d +brigade was fortunate, losing but few men. Gen. Sedgwick formed the 6th +corps in position, and the men lay behind their breastworks until +morning, the stars shining brightly. This was the first day's fight in +the Wilderness, resulting in no material advantage to either side; but +the losses were heavy, as both armies fought with desperation, and both +were confident of success. Gen. Burnside was ordered from North Carolina +with the 9th corps, and was at the time the army of the Potomac moved +left with the bulk of his corps at the crossing of Rappahannock River +and Alexandria Railroad, holding the road back to Bull Run, with +instructions not to move until he received notice that a crossing of the +Rapidan was secured, but to move promptly as soon as such notice was +received. This crossing he was apprised of on the afternoon of the 4th, +and by 6 o'clock on the morning of the 6th, he was leading his corps +into action near the Wilderness Tavern, or, as it was then called, +Robinson's Tavern, his troops having marched a distance of over 30 +miles, crossing both the Rappahannock and Rapidan Rivers. Considering +that a large proportion of his command, probably two-thirds, was +composed of new troops, unaccustomed to marches and carrying the +accoutrements of a soldier, this was a remarkable march. + +The battle of the Wilderness was renewed by us on the morning of the +6th, and continued with unabated fury until darkness set in, each army +holding their old positions. At night the enemy by a decisive movement +succeeded in turning our right flank, and a general stampede ensued, +horses, wagons and pack mules moving to the rear. The 2d brigade was in +the hottest of the fight and suffered severely, the 6th Maryland losing +more than one-half of their men and nearly all their officers. General +Seymour, commanding the brigade, was captured together with several +hundred prisoners, but the promptness of Gen. Sedgwick, who was +personally present, and commanding that portion of our line, soon +re-formed it and restored order; the 1st brigade still in a position +near the centre and under fire, but losing few men, the troops holding +their positions during the night. On the morning of the 7th, +reconnoissances showed that the enemy had fallen back behind their +entrenchments, with pickets to the front covering part of the battle +field. From this it was evident that the past two days' fighting had +satisfied Lee of his inability to further maintain the contest in the +open field. Notwithstanding his advantage of position, and that he would +wait an attack behind his works, as he could not be driven out by a +direct assault, orders were issued to move immediately, and, if +possible, get between him and Richmond. On the night of the 7th the +march was commenced towards Spottsylvania Court House, the 5th corps +moving on the most direct road; but the enemy became apprised of our +movement and having the shorter line was enabled to reach there first. +On the morning of the 8th General Warren met a force of the enemy which +had been sent out to oppose and delay his advance, to gain time to +fortify the line taken up at Spottsylvania. This force was steadily +driven back on the main force, within their recently constructed works +after considerable fighting, resulting in severe loss on both sides. It +has been currently reported and afterwards believed, that the Union army +was defeated in the first two days' fight in the Wilderness, but that +the bull dog courage of Grant refused to stay whipped, and unlike our +former generals, instead of retreating back across the Rapidan, he +determined on a flank movement on the enemy's right, and although +unsuccessful at first, it finally resulted in the capture of Richmond. +Burnside's corps was partly composed of negro troops; they were in a +fine condition and looked extremely well. All day long on Sunday (7th) +the 5th corps engaged the enemy at Spottsylvania; at dark they were +relieved by the 6th corps, and the 14th New Jersey was again heavily +engaged. Forming in line the troops erected works during the night after +marching that day fifteen miles, passing Chancellorsville, where a +number of bones and skulls lay around, the remnant of the old +Chancellorsville battle ground, where the rebel General Stonewall +Jackson was killed. The enemy had now strongly entrenched themselves, +assuming the defensive. Our losses in the last four days were severe. +Finding that Lee would not again leave his works, nothing was left but +to attack him, although a heavy loss of life would ensue in charging +their works; there was no other alternative. In those battles thousands +of brave men lost their lives in vain attempts to take the enemy's +works, and hundreds of wounded were hourly brought in from various +portions of the line. Hospitals were established in the rear, and +surgeons were busily engaged in amputating limbs and dressing wounds. +The weather was very warm, and the men suffered from thirst, as water +was scarce. During the night the troops remained in line, with but +little sleep. + +On the morning of the 9th, General Sheridan started on a raid with a +large cavalry force, to cut the enemy's communications; all day long +skirmishing was kept up, but not resulting in any battle. Major General +Sedgwick, who had so long commanded the 6th corps, an able and +distinguished soldier, was killed; he was at the front, on the left of +the 14th regiment, superintending the planting of a battery, when a +bullet from a sharpshooter struck him in the forehead, killing him +instantly. He was carried to the rear and his remains sent North; his +loss was greatly lamented, as he was beloved by all. Major Gen. H. B. +Wright succeeded him in command, the former commander of the 1st +division. General Morris being with him at the time, was also wounded in +the leg; Col. Truex succeeded him, being placed temporarily in command +of the brigade. The night of the 9th found the men in the same position. +The morning of the 10th was spent in maneuvering and fighting without +any decisive results; at noon a general engagement commenced; the rattle +of musketry and artillery was awful; this was the sixth day's fighting; +the enemy had been flanked from their strong position in the Wilderness, +at Mine Run, and with their whole force at Spottsylvania were opposing +us with desperation. Orders were now read to the men that Sherman had +whipped Johnson at Dalton, and that Butler was advancing on Richmond; +the troops were encouraged at this news and fought desperately. At 6 +o'clock a division of the 6th corps made a charge and captured a rebel +brigade numbering nearly three thousand men. Nothing but skirmishing was +kept up on the 11th until the morning of the 12th, when a general attack +was made on the enemy in position. This day will ever be remembered as +the hardest day's fighting the world ever saw; the entire line engaged +in all was over 200,000 men; the woods being very dense. Early in the +morning the 2d corps, Major General Hancock commanding, carried a +portion of the enemy's line, capturing the most of Bushrod Johnson's +division of Ewell's corps and twenty pieces of artillery; but the +resistance was so obstinate that the advantage gained did not prove +decisive. The rebels made three different charges to retake the line, +but were foiled in every attempt, our men mowing them down like grass, +as they lay piled on each other three and four deep; this was called the +slaughter pen; the 1st New Jersey suffered severely in this charge. The +13th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th were consumed in maneuvering and +skirmishing at various points, but nothing important was gained; +re-inforcements were now arriving in large numbers from Washington; our +losses thus far were over 20,000 men. Deeming it impracticable to make +any further attack upon the enemy at Spottsylvania, orders were issued +on the 18th with a view to a new movement to the North Anna river, to +commence on the night of the 19th at 12 o'clock. Late on the afternoon +of the 19th, Ewell's corps came out of their works on our extreme right +flank, but the attack was promptly repulsed with heavy loss. This +delayed the movement to the North Anna river until the night of the +21st, when it was commenced; but the enemy having again the shorter line +and being in possession of the main roads, were enabled to reach the +river in advance of us and took up a position behind it. At 11 o'clock +the troops started, marching all night and passing Guinia Station, the +enemy's former base of supplies, halting Sunday morning for breakfast, +and marching altogether thirty miles; halting for the night on the main +road; the 14th encamping at a place called Flipper Store; marching again +on the 23d ten miles, the 5th corps reaching the river in the afternoon, +followed closely by the 6th, and halting at night at Mount Carmel +Church, three miles from the river; the 2d and 9th corps got up about +the same time, the 2d holding the railroad bridge, and the 9th laying +between that and Jerico Ford. General Warren effected a crossing the +same afternoon, and succeeded in getting into position without much +opposition; soon after he was violently attacked, but repulsed the enemy +with great slaughter. On the morning of the 24th, the 6th corps moved +five miles, crossing the river on pontoons at Jerico's Ford, and passing +the enemy's rifle pits hastily thrown up, but more hastily evacuated on +the approach of the 5th corps; the 2d corps now joined the others, and +lay in a pine woods until morning. + +On Wednesday, the 25th, the 3d division was ordered to move, marching +five miles to Noles' Station, for the purpose of destroying a portion of +the Virginia Central Railroad, forty miles from Gordonsville and thirty +from Richmond; the men stacking arms went to work with a will, and the +road was soon destroyed for a distance of eight miles; at night the +division moved back to their old position with the corps. During the +afternoon Gen. Sheridan rejoined the army of the Potomac from the raid +which he had started upon at Spottsylvania, having destroyed the depot +at Beaver Dam and Ashland Station, four trains of cars, large supplies +of rations, and many miles of track, besides re-capturing 400 of our +prisoners who were on their way to Richmond under guard; met and +defeated the enemy's cavalry at Yellow Tavern; captured the first line +of works around Richmond, but finding the second line too strong to be +carried by assault, he re-crossed to the north bank of the Chickahominy +at Meadow's Bridge under heavy fire, and communicated with General +Butler. This raid had the effect of drawing off the whole of the enemy's +cavalry, making it comparatively easy to guard our trains. + +According to orders, Gen. Butler moved his main force up the James +River, and succeeded in taking Petersburg and destroying the railroad, +but, failing to fortify his position, he was attacked in a fog by +Beauregard and driven back; his army, therefore, though in a position of +great security, was as completely shut off from further operations +against Richmond as if it had been in a bottle strongly corked, and it +required but a small force of the enemy to hold it there. The army +having been sent to operate against Richmond was now lying at Bermuda +Hundred, without power to do anything. Butler had thus far proved +himself a military governor, but when it came to taking an army in the +field he was not competent; but had General Sheridan been placed in +command, Richmond would have fallen and the war ended sooner, thereby +saving thousands of lives; but those scenes are past, and errors that +are now seen if known at the time could have been avoided. The enemy +were now enabled to bring the most, if not all, of the re-enforcements +brought from the South by Beauregard, against the army of the Potomac, +and in addition to this a very considerable force was brought in, not +less than 15,000 men, by calling in the scattered troops under +Breckinridge from the western part of Virginia. The position at Bermuda +Hundred was as easy to defend as it was difficult to operate against the +enemy. Grant therefore determined to bring from it all available forces, +leaving only enough to secure what had been gained, and accordingly on +the 22d, the 18th army corps, under command of Major General W. F. +Smith, joined the army of the Potomac. On the 24th of May the 9th corps, +which had been a temporary command, was assigned to the army of the +Potomac, and from that time forward constituted a portion of General +Meade's command. Finding the enemy's position on the North Anna stronger +than any of his previous ones, Grant ordered another flank movement on +the night of the 26th to the north bank of the North Anna river, and +moved via Hanovertown, to turn the enemy's position by his right, +starting at dark and re-crossing at Jerico's Ford, marching seven miles +and then halting in the morning at Chesterfield's Station to issue +rations. Thus far our regiment had taken an active part in the campaign, +losing a great many men. Leaving Chesterfield at seven o'clock, we +marched during the day twenty miles, passing Concord Church and +Bowersville. Generals Torbert and Merritts' divisions of the cavalry, +and the 6th corps were in advance, crossing the Pamunkey river at +Hanovertown after considerable fighting, and on the 28th the two +divisions of cavalry had a severe but successful engagement with the +enemy near the river. On the 29th and 30th the troops advanced with +heavy skirmishing to the Hanover Court House and Cold Harbor Road, and +developed the enemy's position north of the Chickahominy. Late on the +evening of the 31st the enemy came out and attacked our left, but were +repulsed with considerable loss. An attack was immediately ordered by +General Meade along the entire line, which resulted in driving the enemy +from a part of his entrenched skirmish line. The 14th was on the +skirmish line during the afternoon, and lost several in killed and +wounded. Orderly Black of Co. I was shot in the heart and instantly +killed; Col. Truex was slightly wounded in the hand, but remained on +duty during the time; he was a brave officer and a fighting man, always +at the head of his men when they were in action. + +On the 31st General Wilson's division of cavalry destroyed the railroad +bridges over the North Anna river, and defeated the enemy's cavalry. +General Sheridan on the same day reached Cold Harbor Road, and held it +until relieved by the 6th corps and General Smith's command, which had +just arrived via White House, from General Butler's army. + +Grant had thus far failed to exterminate Lee, but, confident of success, +he determined, using his own expression, to fight it out on this line if +it took all summer. The 6th corps had thus far suffered severely in +those terrible battles of the Wilderness and Spottsylvania, losing over +10,000 men; but there was yet more to be done, as Lee was merely acting +on the defensive, choosing his own position. On the morning of June 1st, +1864, the army was again ordered to move, the 6th corps in advance, +starting at two o'clock a. m., and marching fifteen miles, relieving the +cavalry at Cold Harbor; the roads were very dusty and the sun very warm; +a heavy line of battle was formed during the afternoon; again the enemy +were ahead of us and were strongly entrenched awaiting our approach; the +cavalry had discovered their position and awaited our arrival. An attack +was made at five o'clock, forming in four lines of battle, the 3d +division being ahead, and the 14th New Jersey in the front line. A +terrible battle was fought which lasted long after dark; the losses were +very heavy on both sides; the 14th suffered severely, losing in the +fight, in the short space of two hours, two hundred and forty in killed +and wounded; Lieutenant Stults, of Co. H, and Lieutenant Tingley, of Co. +E, were killed. Our men were compelled to fall back a short distance, +entrenching during the night and building three lines of works. Firing +continued during the night; a great many wounded had fallen between the +lines unable to move, and lay all night under fire from both sides. +Robert Perrine, of Co. K, being wounded in the hip fell in a ravine, +being unable to move; he was struck eight times while lying there and +mortally wounded; he was brought in next morning, and died at the White +House. The Colonel of the 106th New York was also killed, his body lay +but a short distance off from our lines, but the firing being so heavy +it was impossible to get to him. The other corps having been held in +readiness now came up and formed under a heavy fire, the 9th corps on +the extreme left, the 5th on the right, and the 2d, 6th and 18th in the +centre. We were now but twelve miles from Richmond, and had, at an +immense loss of life, succeeded in driving Lee steadily back from Mine +Run. The dust and heat were almost intolerable and flies and lice were +in abundance. The men were compelled to lie close, as skirmishing was +continued day and night. During the attack the enemy made repeated +assaults on each of the corps not engaged in the main attack, but were +repulsed with heavy losses in every instance. The 2d of June was spent +in getting troops into position for an attack on the 3d, when the +enemy's works were again assaulted in hopes of driving them from their +position; in the attempt our loss was heavy, the 14th again suffering +severely. Both armies were very much weakened by repeated losses, the +enemy acting only on the defensive. Over 350 men had been lost from the +14th since crossing the Rapidan, but one short month before, and more +were yet to be lost ere the rebellion would be crushed. The troops +remained in line at Cold Harbor twelve days, and forts were built, heavy +lines of works erected, and a regular siege commenced. Firing was kept +up by the pickets and sharpshooters day and night, the men lying close +when not on duty; many were shot while going after water and cooking. +There was no place to wash and the weather was intensely hot; officers +and men were covered with lice, huddled together as they were behind the +works. Those twelve days were days that never will be forgotten; the +sufferings of the men can never be told; it was death to stand up, as +the bullets were continually flying through the air. + +On the night of the 9th the enemy made an attack along the line, hoping +to surprise our men, but they were handsomely repulsed by the 2d corps, +driving them back from their first line of works. On the afternoon of +the 6th a flag of truce was sent in by Lee requesting a suspension of +hostilities for two hours, for the purpose of burying the dead between +the lines; it was granted by General Meade, the pioneers were sent out +and the wounded brought in, the dead being buried where they lay. But a +few moments before both armies were engaged in hostile combat, now all +was as still as death, the men talking with each other and exchanging +papers, the Yankees trading sugar and coffee for tobacco; the works were +lined with unarmed men, all gazing upon the solemn scene. The two hours +soon passed, the signal was given, the men rushed back to their arms, +and the rattle of musketry was again commenced along the line, Lieut. +Tingly's body was recovered, but the body of Lieut Stults could not be +found. The brigade was still commanded by Colonel Truex, the regiment by +Lieut. Colonel Hall. The men were weary of the campaign, but there was +no rest, it being Grant's determination to take Richmond. From the +proximity of the enemy to their defences around Richmond it was +impossible, by any flank movement, to interpose between them and the +city. The army was still in a condition to either move by Lee's left +flank and invest Richmond from the north side, or continue the move by +his right flank to the south side of the James. Grant's plan from the +start was to defeat Lee north of Richmond, if possible; then after +destroying his lines of communication north of the James River, +transport the army to the south side and besiege Lee in Richmond, or +follow him south if he should retreat. After the battle of the +Wilderness, it was evident that Lee deemed it of the first importance to +run no risks with the army he then had, and acted fully on the defensive +behind his works, or feebly on the offensive immediately in front of +them, and in case of repulse could easily retire behind them. Without a +greater sacrifice of life than Grant was willing to make, all could not +be accomplished that he had desired north of Richmond; he therefore +determined to hold the ground we then occupied, taking advantage of any +favorable circumstances that might present themselves, until the cavalry +could be sent to Charlottesville or Gordonsville to break the enemy's +communications between Richmond and the southwest, and to cut off their +supplies, compelling them in time to evacuate Richmond; when the cavalry +got well off so that the enemy's cavalry would follow, to move the whole +army south of the James by the enemy's right flank, and, if possible, +cut off all supplies from all sources except by the canal. + +On the 7th, two divisions of cavalry were sent under General Sheridan +against the Virginia Central Railroad, to join with Hunter, who was then +moving up the Shenandoah Valley. Seigel had met the enemy and was +defeated by them with heavy loss, and was superseded by General Hunter. +Thus far the work of the three armies had been but one-half +accomplished. From the start, Butler was to take Richmond and +Petersburg; Siegel to move on Lynchburg, and the Potomac army to whip +Lee. Butler and Siegel had both failed, and the Potomac Army, that had +never yet failed, had thus far accomplished all that was desired of it, +and was left to finish what the other armies could not do. When Sheridan +started for Lynchburg he was instructed to again join the Potomac army, +choosing his own route in returning, after fulfilling his instructions. + +Attaching great importance to the possession of Petersburg, General +Smith's command, the 18th army corps was sent back to Bermuda Hundred +via White House, to reach there in advance of the army of the Potomac. +This was for the express purpose of capturing Petersburg, if possible, +before the enemy became aware of our intentions and re-enforce the +place. The 1st New Jersey regiment, whose term of office had now +expired, were relieved from the front and sent home; they bade their +comrades good-bye with happy hearts, soon to meet their loved ones at +home. For three long years they had battled for their country, and their +thinned ranks showed that they had suffered severely. The 14th had still +fifteen months to serve, the hardest yet to come. + +Finding that nothing more could be accomplished at Cold Harbor, the +movement to the south side of the James commenced. After dark, on the +night of the 12th, one division of cavalry under General Wilson, and the +5th corps, crossed the Chickahominy at Long Bridge, and moved out to +White Oak Swamp, to cover the crossing of the other corps. The advance +Corps reached James River at Charles City Court House on the night of +June 13th; the 6th corps was left to guard the rear and the trains; +marching on the night of the 12th twenty miles, halting thirty-two miles +from Richmond; on the morning of the 14th marched eight miles to Charles +City Court House, halting at noon near the river and pitching tents; +guarding the rear until the trains passed; a pontoon bridge was laid, +the troops crossing at Wyandott's Landing. The 3d division, the rear of +the entire army, remaining on the banks of the James three days, until +the trains had all passed. The army had now joined with Butler and moved +on Richmond. After the army had crossed, the pontoons were taken up, and +the 3d division placed on transports, and after sailing 25 miles--a +splendid moonlight night--we landed at Bermuda Hundred at three o'clock +the next morning. The James is a splendid River. One year ago the 14th +was on the cars riding to Harper's Ferry; now in the vicinity of +Petersburg. After landing the division marched eight miles, halting at +five o'clock near Butler's headquarters for breakfast; cannonading and +musketry at the front; the army was now in position, having failed to +capture Petersburg, were investing the place. + +During three years the armies of the Potomac and Northern Virginia had +been confronting each other. In that time they had fought more desperate +battles than it had ever fell to the lot of two armies to fight, without +materially changing the vantage ground of either. The southern press and +people, with more shrewdness than was displayed in the north, finding +that they had failed to capture Washington and march on to New York, as +they had boasted they would do, assured that they only defended their +capital and southern territory; hence Antietam, Gettysburg, and all the +other battles that had been fought, were by them set down as failures on +our part and victories for them. Their armies believed this, and it +produced a morale which could only be overcome by desperate and +continuous hard fighting. The battles of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, +North Anna and Cold Harbor, bloody and terrible as they were on our +side, were even more damaging to the enemy, and so crippled them as to +make them wary ever after of taking the offensive. Their losses in men +were probably not so great, owing to the fact that we were, save in the +Wilderness, almost invariably the attacking party, and when they did +attack it was in the open field. The details of those battles, which for +endurance and bravery on the part of the soldiery, have rarely been +surpassed, are too fresh in the minds of every one to be repeated again. +During the campaign of forty-three days from the Rapidan to James River, +the army had to be supplied from an ever-shifting base by wagons, over +narrow roads and through a densely wooded country, with a lack of +wharves at each new base at which to conveniently discharge vessels. Too +much credit cannot therefore be given to our chief quartermaster, as the +trains were made to occupy all the available roads between the army and +our water course, and but little difficulty was experienced in +protecting them. + +Before proceeding farther, it will be necessary to explain as briefly as +possible why Petersburg was not taken. As soon as the crossing of the +army commenced, Grant proceeded by steamer immediately to Bermuda +Hundred to give the necessary orders for the capture of the place. The +instructions to Butler were to send to General Smith immediately that +night all the troops he could give him, without sacrificing the position +he held. After remaining with Butler a few hours, he returned +immediately to the Potomac Army to hasten the crossing, and throw it +forward to Petersburg by divisions as rapidly as possible. We could thus +re-enforce our army more rapidly there than the enemy could bring troops +against us. General Smith got off as directed, and confronted the +enemy's pickets near Petersburg before daylight the next morning, but +for some reason did not get ready to assault their lines until near +sundown; then, with a part of his command only, he made the assault, and +carried the first line for a distance of two and a half miles, capturing +fifteen pieces of artillery and three hundred prisoners. This was about +seven P. M. Between the line thus captured and Petersburg there was +another line, and there was yet no evidence that the enemy had +re-enforced Petersburg with a single brigade from any source. The night +was clear, the moon shining brightly, and favorable to further +operations. General Hancock, with two divisions of the 2d corps, reached +General Smith soon after dark, but instead of taking those troops, and +pushing at once into Petersburg, he lay quiet until morning, when the +enemy under Beauregard came down from Richmond in force, and by the next +morning the inner line of the works was fully manned by rebel troops. An +attack was ordered the next morning, but failed, as the enemy were too +strongly posted. The troops commenced entrenching, and a strong line of +works was built around Petersburg. + +The 5th and 9th corps had now arrived, and the attack was again renewed +and persisted in with great fury, but only resulted in forcing the enemy +to an interior line of works, from which they could not be dislodged; +but the advantage gained in position by us was very great. The army then +proceeded to envelope Petersburg towards the south side road as far as +possible, without attacking their fortifications. The enemy, to +re-enforce Petersburg, withdrew from a part of their entrenchments in +front of Bermuda Hundred. Butler, taking advantage of this, at once +moved a force on the railroad between Petersburg and Richmond. The 3d +division was ordered to support Butler, if necessary, and was then lying +in front awaiting orders. About two o'clock Butler was forced back, the +enemy re-occupying their old line. As our division was not needed, we +were ordered to join the balance of the corps that had preceded us. + +On Sunday afternoon, June 19th, orders were issued. Accordingly at two +o'clock the division started, marching ten miles and crossing the +Appomattox River on pontoons. The evening was splendid; the boats +sailing on the river all reminded us of home. The negro troops were +guarding the bridge, their bands playing national airs as the columns +passed. At 11 o'clock the division halted near Petersburg, in full view +of the city. The next day a negro was hung in presence of the army, for +abusing a white lady. We remained in line the next day, the enemy +shelling the train. + +On the afternoon of the 21st, the corps was ordered to move and take +position on the left, the 3d division in advance; passed the 2d and 9th +corps, marching six miles, and forming in line of battle to cut the +enemy's communications, crossing the Norfolk railroad that had been +taken possession of by General Smith, in the attempt to take Petersburg; +lay in line of battle during the night, and advancing the next day, +building works. The Weldon railroad was reached and torn up some +distance. During the afternoon the enemy appeared in force, and +succeeded in flanking us, capturing several from the division; about +forty from the 14th were captured and several killed. At night the +troops fell back, after destroying three miles of road. The headquarters +of the 3d division was at the house of Brig.-General Williams, of the +rebel army. A new line of works was soon erected, the men sleeping on +their arms. The house of General Williams had been ransacked from top to +bottom by the soldiers, carpets torn up and everything destroyed. A +splendid piano was left in the house, and as several of the men could +play, dancing and singing were kept up in a rude style for several +hours. + +On the 22d, General Wilson, with two divisions of cavalry from the army +of the Potomac, and one division from the army of the James, moved +against the enemy's railroads south of the James and southwest of +Richmond, striking the Weldon railroad at Reams' Station, where he met +and defeated a force of the enemy's cavalry, reaching Burksville Station +on the afternoon of the 23d; and from there he destroyed the Danville +railroad for a distance of twenty-five miles, where he found the enemy +in position and was defeated with small loss. He then commenced his +return march, and on the 28th met the enemy again in force on the Weldon +Railroad, near Stony Creek; moving on the left, with a view of reaching +Reams' Station, supposing it to be in our possession. Here he again +engaged the enemy's cavalry supported by infantry, and was cut off with +all communication, with the loss of his artillery and train. A +Lieutenant and a few of his men cut their way through, and succeeded in +reaching headquarters. Informing General Meade of the situation of +General Wilson, orders were immediately issued to General Wright to take +the 6th corps and move out to the support of Wilson; starting at three +o'clock on the afternoon of July 29th, marched eight miles and halted +for the night near Reams' Station, the enemy retiring, as their force +was insufficient to cope with the cavalry and 6th corps. + +Wilson was now extricated from his perilous position, and with the 6th +corps remained at Reams' Station three days. The 14th New Jersey and +106th New York were detailed to destroy the railroad. General Wilson, +with the remainder of his force, crossed the Nattoway River, coming in +safely on our left and rear. The damage to the enemy in this expedition +more than compensated for the losses sustained; it severed all +connection with Richmond for several weeks. On the 13th of July the +regiment was mustered in for the thirteenth time, for four months' pay, +March, April, May and June, by Lieutenant-Colonel Hall. Our lines now +extended a distance of over thirty miles, from Reams' Station to the +Appomattox; the Potomac army lay behind extensive works that had been +erected under fire. In the recent campaign our losses had been heavy, +but still the army was large, as recruits and convalescents were +continually arriving. Butler's army extended from the Appomattox to Deep +Bottom, with cavalry on the flank and rear. It has been estimated that +Grant lost from the Rapidan to Petersburg, eighty thousand men in killed +and wounded. The losses of the enemy were not so great, as they were +acting on the defensive behind their works. + +It was supposed the enemy would make a grand attack on the morning of +the 4th of July, and preparations were made to meet them. The morning +dawned and the troops were all in line behind their works; the enemy's +communications were in danger, and the Potomac army must be driven back; +the morning passed and not a shot was fired along the entire line. It +was now evident that the enemy did not intend attacking, and the troops +laid aside their arms. The weather was warm and the sand dry and hot. +The men laid off in their shelter tents thinking of former days, when +the 4th was spent in a different manner. At noon General Butler, for the +purpose of firing a salute, trained and shotted one hundred guns upon +Petersburg, and the shells were soon flying through the air; the enemy +replied, and a lively cannonade was kept up until sunset. + +General Hunter having been placed in command of the armies of Western +Virginia, immediately took up the offensive, and moved up the Shenandoah +Valley, where he met the enemy, routed and defeated them, and moved +direct on Lynchburg, which place he reached on June 15th. Up to this +time he was very successful, and but for the difficulty of taking with +him sufficient ordnance stores over so long a march through a hostile +country, he would no doubt have captured that important place. To meet +this movement under Gen. Hunter, General Lee sent a force equal to a +corps, a part of which reached Lynchburg before Hunter. After +considerable skirmishing, Hunter, owing to a want of ammunition to give +battle, retired back from the place, and moved back by the way of the +Kanawha Valley; this lost to us the use of his troops for several weeks. +Immediately upon the enemy ascertaining that Hunter was retreating from +Lynchburg by way of the Kanawha River, thus laying the Shenandoah Valley +open for raids into Maryland and Pennsylvania, he moved down that +Valley. It was at first supposed to be only a small force of the enemy, +and General Wallace, with a brigade of one hundred days' men and +detachments from the Invalid corps, was sent to Monocacy Bridge. Their +advance, consisting of a few guerillas under the notorious Harry +Gillmore, were met and driven back. The troops in the Potomac army were +all lying in front of Petersburg, under fire day and night, preparing to +besiege the place. + +At two o'clock on the morning of July 6th the bugle sounded, and the +troops were ordered to fall in and prepare to move, the 3d division +being ordered to Harper's Ferry; the men were glad to go, as they were +tired of lying in the sand. At four o'clock the division started, and +marched fifteen miles to City Point, the dust and sand so thick that +nothing could be seen, the men being completely covered and no water +could be had; this march was very tiresome to the men, numbers falling +out on the way. City Point was reached at noon, and the men were placed +on transports, and new clothing was issued. The 14th Regiment and 151st +New York were placed on a splendid steamboat called the Sylvan Shore, +the men enjoying the sail very much, a distance of three hundred miles, +passing Fortress Monroe, Point Lookout, and the Rip Raps. The scenery +along the river was grand; they landed at Locust Point near Baltimore on +the morning of the 8th, at five o'clock. Rumors were now in circulation, +and the people of the North were alarmed for the safety of our National +Capitol, for instead of a few guerillas as was first supposed, it was a +grand raid of the enemy in force on an extensive scale. So silently and +secretly had this movement been conducted, that none were aware of the +magnitude of the invasion. Major General Jubal Early, with a force of +thirty thousand veteran troops, had taken possession of Martinsburg. +General Seigel, who was in command of our forces there, retreated across +the Potomac to Shepardstown, and General Weber, commanding at Harper's +Ferry, crossed the river and occupied Maryland Heights. On the 6th the +enemy occupied Hagerstown, moving a strong column toward Frederick City. + +The 3d division, under General Ricketts, numbering but five thousand +men, were placed immediately on baggage cars and forwarded to Monocacy, +the first train carrying the 87th Pennsylvanian and 14th New Jersey. The +enemy were now in force at Frederick City. The Baltimore American was +issued that day with the following address to the public: "That +Ricketts' division had arrived from the Potomac army; that the 14th New +Jersey and 87th Pennsylvania had reached Monocacy, and with such veteran +regiments as these nothing more need be feared" from the then supposed +guerillas. The remainder of the division was forwarded as rapidly as +possible, reporting to Gen. Wallace, then in chief command. Fourteen +months had elapsed since the 14th regiment had left Monocacy Bridge, but +the place looked natural; none dreamed that on the morrow a terrible +battle would be fought on the old camping ground; grass and weeds had +grown in abundance, and scarcely a vestige of the former camp could be +seen. The regiment with the troops that lay there, marched up to +Frederick City, and then around a circuit of ten miles, but nothing of +the enemy could be seen, and halting at ten o'clock, near the bridge, in +line of battle. + +Saturday, July 19th, 1834, will long be remembered by the Jersey boys. +The remainder of the division with General Ricketts and staff had +arrived, and orders were issued to form the men in line and prepare to +repel an attack, as it was now discovered that instead of a small force +it was a corps of rebels thirty thousand strong. To retreat would only +result in the capture of Washington and Baltimore, and it was determined +by Generals Wallace and Ricketts to hold Monocacy Bridge at all hazards, +and to retard the advance of the enemy as much as possible until +re-enforcements would arrive. Just one year had passed since the 14th +joined the Potomac army, and during that time we lost a great number of +men. + +At 9 o'clock the enemy's advanced skirmishers made their appearance; our +skirmishers had crossed the river, and advanced with promptness to meet +them. After a short time it was found impossible to withstand the enemy, +as they out-numbered us six to one. Our skirmishers were driven back +across the river, and the battle began, the enemy opening with several +pieces of artillery; the battle raged terribly for eight long hours. The +enemy crossed the river, driving our men steadily back, and coming up in +four lines of battle thirty thousand strong. Our little band of five +thousand men fought as if everything depended upon the issue, several +times driving the enemy back, strewing the ground with rebel dead, and +not until flanked right and left did the men fall back. The boys from +the 14th fought nobly, but with regret saw that they must retreat. The +regiment being on the extreme left of the line suffered severely; +Lieut.-Col. Hall, Adjutant Buckalew and several officers were wounded; +Captains Stullts, Kanine and Conover were killed, and every officer, +both field and line, was either killed or wounded except Captain J. J. +Janeway of Co. K. The command of the regiment devolved upon him, and he +fought bravely, leading the men on. The one hundred days' men would not +fight, but ran in all directions panic-struck, some of them reaching +Baltimore, fifty-eight miles distant, without halting. + +Eight long hours had passed, the enemy were pressing on all sides, and +it soon became evident that unless we retreated all would be lost. At +four o'clock the order was given to fall back, which was done in order, +the men disputing every inch of the ground; we had but four pieces of +artillery, and that without ammunition. The enemy poured grape and +cannister into our retreating columns, mowing down the men like grass. +More than one-half of the division were killed and wounded; several hid +in the woods and were captured next day. It was now every man for +himself; knapsacks, haversacks, and even canteens were thrown away. The +main force of the enemy moved on the Georgetown Pike to Washington, the +cavalry and a portion of the infantry following the retreating column as +far as New Market, six miles distance. It was a hard fought battle, but +what could five thousand men do against thirty thousand? Capt. Harris, +from Co. C, was twice wounded, and was again struck while being helped +to an ambulance; several staff officers were also wounded, among them +Capt. King, adjutant general of the division. Capt. Janeway was wounded +in the shoulder shortly after taking command, and was forced to leave; +the regiment was now without a commander. Several recruits had arrived +after the battle of Cold Harbor, and the regiment was partly filled, +entering the fight with three hundred and fifty men; but ninety-five +came out, two hundred and fifty-five being killed, wounded and captured +in that terrible battle. Of the nine hundred and fifty men that left New +Jersey, but ninety-five were left for duty, on the night of July 9th, +without an officer to command them. The other regiments suffered +greatly, but none of them losing as many men as the 14th. The news had +reached Baltimore and Washington that the enemy were pressing on and +preparations were made for an immediate defence, the citizens turning +out in vast numbers entrenching. The cities were proclaimed under +martial law and none allowed to leave. Time and again had the 14th +regiment drilled battalion and skirmish drills over the same hills, +little thinking that a terrible battle would be fought, and that the +regiment would suffer as it did. Although it resulted in a defeat to our +arms, it detained the enemy, and thereby served to enable Gen. Wright to +reach Washington with the two remaining divisions of the 6th corps, +which had been sent as soon as Gen. Grant was aware of the enemy's +movement. + +The 19th army corps from General Banks' command had been sent to +reinforce the Potomac army, but were immediately sent north with the 6th +army corps, together with the 8th army corps that had lain along the +Baltimore and Ohio railroad as guards. In a few hours a large army had +assembled at Washington, with the citizens of the place and every foot +of ground guarded; every avenue bristling with cannon. It was three days +march for the enemy from Moncacy and in that time Washington was in a +state of defence; all the forts were manned and the heavy guns loaded +and shotted. Citizens were armed and formed in companies, all work being +suspended. The remnant of the division reached the Baltimore pike, +retreating rapidly toward Baltimore, marching all night, passing through +New Market, Mount Airy and several small villages along the route; +reaching Ellicott's Mills on Sunday afternoon, having marched fifty-five +miles without resting. Harry Gillmore, with two hundred rebel cavalry, +had advanced as far as the railroad, destroying it between Baltimore +and Washington, capturing a train of cars and a mail and severing all +communication for two days; there was no Union cavalry near and they did +as they pleased. Frederick City was filled with rebel wounded, as our +boys had made every shot tell; if the first line was missed they were +sure to hit one of the rear lines. Two hundred thousand dollars was +demanded from the citizens, or the place would be laid in ashes; the +amount was paid by the banks; the city was pillaged and the houses +robbed. From Monocacy, the enemy having moved on Washington, reached +Rockville on the evening of the 10th. + +The 1st and 2d divisions of the 6th corps had been sent from City Point +and landed at Washington, and on a double quick proceeded to Fort +Stephens; by this time the enemy had reached there. Skirmishers from +both armies were immediately thrown out; the enemy, with dismay, saw +that instead of one hundred days' men and men from the Invalid corps, +they saw the red and white cross of the old 6th corps; they had laid in +front of Washington during the afternoon, intending to attack at night; +during that time the 6th and 19th corps had reached there, and +Washington was out of danger. The 3d division deserves all the praise +for saving the National Capital; holding them in check so long at +Monocacy, enabled other troops to arrive, but not a moment too soon. A +severe skirmish ensued, in which we lost about two hundred in killed and +wounded; the enemy's loss supposed to be greater. All was anxiety in the +city, as the fighting was but three miles distant, near Tennelly Town, +but when the veterans from the Potomac army arrived they were loudly +cheered, and were treated well. President Lincoln and members of the +Cabinet were present in Fort Stephens, witnessing the fight; the +skirmish lasted two hours, in which the enemy were defeated and driven +back; Washington almost within their grasp, was no longer in their +power. Vain delusion! Had the 3d division retreated from Monocacy +without fighting, the enemy would have reached there twelve hours +sooner, and the place would have been taken and hundreds of men lost +their lives. Every drop of blood shed at Monocacy, every life lost, was +sacrificed in a noble cause. Those fallen heroes, whose bones lie +bleaching there, if they could only know that their lives saved our +National Capital from destruction, would willingly exclaim, "I die +content, I gave my life for my country." + +The division remained at Ellicott's Mills until Monday afternoon, +stragglers coming in every few hours in squads; the men were placed on +baggage cars for Baltimore, sixteen miles distant, arriving there at +dark, lying near the track until morning; then marching two miles to +Druid Hill Park, near the outskirts of the city. This park was fitted up +at a great expense and was a beautiful place, the citizens were very +unwilling that the troops should encamp there, but General Ricketts +promising that nothing would be disturbed, consent was given, the men +encamping in regimental order; tents on a line and orders given not to +molest a thing, which was done. The rolls of the different regiments +were called; but one thousand three hundred men reported for duty of the +five thousand men embarked from Petersburg; three thousand seven hundred +had been killed, wounded and captured at Monocacy Bridge; an equal +number of the enemy were slain as they advanced in four lines, and a +bullet was sure to hit one. General Ricketts reported the division unfit +for duty; the men had lost their blankets and all their clothing, +keeping nothing but their guns. General Early finding that +re-enforcements had arrived retreated from Washington and was pursued by +the two divisions of the 6th corps, and the 8th and 19th corps on the +afternoon of the 14th. The division was ordered to join in the pursuit; +being placed in baggage cars for Washington, forty miles distant, +reaching the suburbs of the city at night, encamping until morning. The +next day marching through the city and through Georgetown, halting in +the afternoon near Tennelly Town; rations were issued and cattle +furnished for a tramp; moving again, marching in all eighteen miles; +halting at night near Cross Roads twelve miles from Washington. + +Learning the exact condition of affairs at Washington, General Grant +telegraphed the assignment of Major General Wright to the command of all +the troops that could be available to operate in the field against the +enemy, and directed that he should get outside of the trenches with all +the force he could and push Early to the last moment. On the 16th the +division started early, marching twenty-five miles; crossing the Potomac +at Edwards Ferry, wading it, nearly one mile wide and waist deep. While +the remnant of the Potomac army was lying in their camps at Petersburg, +the 6th corps was marching in the hottest of weather from fifteen to +twenty-five and even thirty miles per day, moving up and down the +Shenandoah Valley until a decisive battle was fought at Winchester, +resulting in defeat to the enemy and victory to us. On Sunday, the 17th, +but eight miles were made; the column halting near Leesburg; the 3d +division joining the corps as they had halted for us to come up, and now +began the hardest marching, unparalleled in history. The 6th corps +having the name of marching farther than any corps in the army and were +called Wright's walkers, for their rapidity in marching; horses and +mules fell lifeless along the road and were speedily replaced by others, +but the men that fell never to rise again could not be replaced. The +ambulances were full, and every baggage wagon with those that could not +walk. The army now numbered over forty thousand men, all under command +of Major General Wright, and was called the middle military division, +composed of the 6th, 8th and 19th army corps, with sixty pieces of +artillery. + +The 6th corps was temporarily commanded by Gen. Ricketts, the 8th by +Gen. Kelly and the 19th by Gen. Emory. The rebel army confronting us +were thirty-five thousand strong, commanded by Gen. Jubal Early, and +formed in five divisions, commanded by Gens. Rhodes, Ramsen, Wharton, +Pegram and Gordon, with the notorious guerillas, Imboden, Jones and +Harry Gillmore, the latter from Baltimore, together with Mosby, ever +hovering in our rear and on our flank, and knowing every foot of the +ground. These for a time were more than a match for our gallant little +army, as every house our army passed contained persons that would not +hesitate to inform the enemy of our movements, and who were in league +with those guerilla bands. The troops were all now together, and were +encamped near Leesburg, until three o'clock on the morning of the 18th, +when the troops were routed out, drawing three days' rations, with +orders to move. Marching out on the Georgetown pike, passing a place +called Hamilton, and then marching ten miles, through Snickersville, +near Snicker's Gap, the Potomac army encamped on the same ground the +previous year when in pursuit of Lee--reaching the banks of the +Shenandoah river during the afternoon; the enemy had halted, and were in +force on the opposite side, with a determination to resist our advance +and to give battle if our troops attempted a crossing; everything was in +their favor, as our men had the river to cross under fire. There was no +other alternative but to wade it nearly waist deep, and with a raking +fire from concealed batteries posted on a hill. The column halted, and a +skirmish line was formed, the men cooking dinner. Nearly every man had +something that he had picked up on the way, as the country was filled +with everything, such as hogs, chickens, honey and potatoes; all served +for a meal, and was eaten with a relish. Hard-tack and salt pork +remained in the haversack until needed. + +The command of General Hunter had now reached and re-occupied +Martinsburg, destroying over one million dollars worth of rations, and +capturing one thousand prisoners that the rebels had left as guards, +moving by detour, he flanked the enemy. As his force was insufficient to +meet them if they should fall suddenly upon him, he with his command +reached us while at Snicker's Gap, and reported to General Wright; they +had suffered almost incredible hardships, having lived on the country +for several weeks. Hunter was ordered to throw out a line of +skirmishers, and force the river; supported by the 1st division of the +6th corps they succeeded in crossing the river, when the enemy's +skirmishers advanced in three lines, driving Hunter's men pell mell back +in confusion, several of them being drowned; the 1st division did not +cross, as darkness came on. Both sides commenced shelling, and several +in the 6th corps were killed and wounded, the Major of the 2d New Jersey +infantry losing his leg; thus the day ended in disaster and defeat; but +the men were not disheartened, and rested as quietly on their arms as +though at home; a man can soon get used to anything. Many soldiers have +slept as soundly in action as if nothing was occurring, the deep booming +of the cannon and even shells striking near, failing to arouse them. + +The troops remained at Snicker's Gap two days, and nothing important +occurred, the enemy being still in force on the opposite side, and both +armies with pickets on each side of the river. All sorts of rumors were +circulated throughout camp, some of them very absurd. The men were glad +to rest, as none felt like marching, the sun being hot and the sand very +dry. On the morning of the 20th, it was discovered that the enemy had +left our immediate front, but having no cavalry, Gen. Wright could not +ascertain their movements. At eleven o'clock the troops were ordered to +move, wading the Shenandoah at Snicker's Gap. A splendid shower came up +and was very refreshing, as there had been no rain in sometime; the +column halted in a woods on the banks of a river. It was now evident +that the enemy were again making for Washington, and at dark the troops +were ordered immediately back, recrossing the river; marching all night +and part of the next day; moving back on the same road, the men nearly +worn out, and halting all night near Goose Run Creek, having marched +since crossing the Shenandoah thirty miles. + +The men now began to murmur at General Wright for marching them so hard, +this march being equal to the retreat from Culpepper, then the weather +being cold the men were enabled to stand it better. The next morning the +troops moved out again, marching twenty miles; halting at dark near +Lewinsville, the men were too tired to cook, and threw themselves on the +ground regardless of anything, and were soon asleep; it was now sixteen +days since the division had left Petersburg; having travelled during +that time, by water three hundred miles, by rail one hundred and sixteen +miles, and on foot one hundred and seventy-five miles, total five +hundred and ninety-one miles in that short space of time; but this was +comparatively nothing, considering the marching the men were compelled +to undergo while in the Shenandoah Valley. + +On the 23d of July the troops marched fifteen miles, crossing the +Potomac at Chain Bridge; again were the men within the defences of +Washington. The paymasters were present, paying the guards, and the +various detachments. On the 25th the troops received their pay for four +months, remaining at Washington four days, when the enemy again +attempted to remove north into Maryland and Pennsylvania. Gen. Wright +was ordered to move immediately to the vicinity of Harper's Ferry. The +troops started on the afternoon of July 26th, marching ten miles, +passing Tennelly Town, and halting at Rockville, the next day marching +eighteen miles, passing Gatysburg and Clarksburg, halting in the +afternoon near Hyattstown, with sore and blistered feet. Such marching +now began to tell upon the men, and many wished to meet the enemy and +engage in battle, rather than be marched to death. On the 28th marched +ten miles, passing Hyattstown and Urbanna, halting during the afternoon +at Monocacy Bridge, on the battle ground of July 9th. The ground was +broken up and traces of the conflict could be seen; remnants of shells, +cannon, and unburied corpses lay strewn around. Our boys, with feelings +of kindness ever displayed toward the enemy, carefully buried both +friend and foe. The members of the 14th regiment visiting their old +camp; after leaving Monocacy to join the Potomac army the men had never +expected to see the place again, but they were destined to fight as +severe a battle on the same ground one year after as was fought during +the war, and to see the place several during the three years, as the +army moved back and forth eight successive times while in Maryland. They +had tried to destroy the railroad bridge, but failed, as the pillars +were hollow and could not be blown up. The hotel and tank at the depot +were burned, the bridge also, crossing at the main road. There was now a +sufficient force to meet the enemy, without fear of flanking, and the +men anxious to fight. The 3d Maryland regiment was there guarding the +bridge. After resting a few hours orders were given to move, marching +eight more miles, halting at Jefferson until morning in the same field +the division halted when leaving Maryland Heights to join the Potomac +army the previous year. Leaving Jefferson on the morning of the 29th, +passing Petersville, Knoxville and Sandy Hook, crossing the Potomac at +Harper's Ferry, on pontoons, marching twenty-five miles, and halting at +Halltown on Bolivar Heights, near the headquarters of Gen. Crook. + +In the meantime Early had sent a raiding party into Pennsylvania, which +on the 30th burned the beautiful village of Chambersburg, and then +retreated towards Cumberland, where they were met and defeated by +General Kelley, and with diminished numbers escaped into the mountains +of West Virginia. From the time of the first raid, the telegraph wires +were frequently down between Washington and City Point, making it +necessary to transmit messages by boat. It took from twenty-four to +thirty-six hours to get dispatches through and return answers back, so +that often orders would be given by General Grant, and then information +would be received, showing a different state of things from those on +which they were based, causing a confusion and apparent contradiction of +orders, considerably embarrassing General Wright, and rendering +operations against the enemy less effective than they otherwise would +have been. To remedy this evil, it was necessary to have a commander +with full power, to act as he thought proper. General Grant therefore +ordered General Sheridan to have the supreme command of all the forces +in the departments of West Virginia, Washington and the middle military +division. + +General Sheridan had not yet arrived, and General Wright acting under +orders remained at Halltown, when it was discovered that the enemy were +again bent on invading the north; on the 30th of July the troops were +again ordered to move; marching back, passing Bolivar, re-crossing the +Potomac on pontoons at Harper's Ferry; marching all night, and all next +day thirty miles; halting on Sunday evening near Frederick City. As the +weather was hot and the roads dry, more than one half of the men fell +out; remaining three days, until August 3d, when the column marched six +miles; wading the Monocacy at Buckeystown, remaining in camp until the +night of the 5th, when orders were given to move, marching five miles to +Monocacy Bridge, it raining hard. At this time the enemy were in force +near Winchester, while our forces were at Monocacy, at the crossing of +the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad; leaving open to the enemy Maryland and +Pennsylvania. General Grant being so far off hesitated to give positive +orders for the troops to move lest by so doing it should expose +Washington. On the 4th of August, he left City Point, and visited +General Wright, at Monocacy, to determine for himself what was best to +be done; arriving there he consulted with Generals Wright and Hunter, +and then issued to them the following instructions: + + MONOCACY BRIDGE, MD., Aug 5th, 1864--8 P. M. + + _Maj.-Gen. Wright._ + + GENERAL: Concentrate all your available force without delay, in the + vicinity of Harper's Ferry, leaving only such railroad guards and + garrisons, for public property, as may be necessary. Use in this + concentrating the railroads, if so doing, time can be saved from + Harper's Ferry. If it is found the enemy has moved north of the + Potomac in large force, push north, follow them and attack them + wherever found. Follow them if driven south of the Potomac as long + as it is safe to do so. If it is ascertained that the enemy has but + a small force north of the Potomac, then push south with the main + force, detaching under a competent commander a sufficient force to + look after the raiders and drive them to their homes. In detaching + such a force, the brigade of cavalry, now _en route_ from Washington + via Rockville, may be taken into account. + + There are now on the way to join you three other brigades of + cavalry, numbering at least five thousand men and horse. These will + be instructed, in absence of further orders, to join you by the + south side of the Potomac, one brigade will start to-morrow. In + pushing up the Shenandoah Valley, where it is expected you will have + to go first or last, it is desirable that nothing should be left to + invite the enemy to return. Take all provisions, forage and stock + wanted for your command, and such as cannot be consumed destroy. It + is not desirable that the buildings should be destroyed; they should + rather be protected, but the people should be informed that as long + as an army can subsist among them, recurrences of these raids must + be expected, and we are determined to stop them at all hazards. + + Bear in mind that the object is to drive the enemy south, and to do + this you want to keep the enemy always in sight. Be guarded in the + course by the course they take. Make your own arrangements for + supplies of all kinds, giving regular vouchers for such as may be + taken from loyal citizens in the country through which you march. + + U. S. GRANT, + _Lieut.-Gen. U. S. Armies._ + +The troops were immediately put in motion, and were placed on the cars +at Harper's Ferry. General Grant was recognized and cheered by the men; +riding twenty-five miles, stopping at Bolivar Heights, near Halltown, +remaining there three days; the weather very warm. On the 6th of August +General Sheridan arrived, and after a conference with General Grant in +relation to military affairs in that vicinity, General Grant left for +City Point by way of Washington on the 7th. The middle military +department and the departments of West Virginia, Washington and +Susquehanna were constituted into the middle military division, and +Major-General Sheridan was assigned to temporary command of the same. +Two divisions of cavalry were sent from the army of the Potomac, +commanded by Generals Tolbert and Wilson. The middle military division +now numbered nearly fifty thousand men well armed and equipped, ready to +move and attack the rebel army now in position near Winchester; they had +also received re-enforcements, a division under General Anderson having +arrived. Both armies were nearly equal in strength, with the advantage +on the side of the enemy, as they had no capital to cover, and could +move in whatever direction they pleased. The men were engaged in +thrashing wheat and forwarding it to Richmond, having compelled every +farmer to give all their proceeds to the help of the Confederacy, +keeping but one-tenth for themselves. + +On the 10th of August, the troops moved out from their position at +Halltown, marching fifteen miles, passing through Charlestown, where +John Brown was hung. The march was continued the next day, marching +eighteen miles more, the enemy retreating up the valley, our forces +following them. After marching fifty miles in three successive days, +overtaking their rear guard on the afternoon of the 12th at Cedar Creek, +having passed through Newtown and Middletown, secesh villages, filled +with Mosby's guerillas, who were very peaceable until our army passed, +when they were ready to fall upon our rear guard, plundering, robbing, +and even murdering all they could. The main body of the rebels were +strongly entrenched on Fisher Hill, a place almost impregnable, that +could not be carried by a direct assault. The Shenandoah Valley was +filled with waving fields of grain, the crops ripe and ready for the +scythe. For nearly one hundred miles, the valley was level, and the +scenery splendid, this being the prettiest part of Virginia. At a +distance of seven to twelve miles apart, were villages that could be +discerned in the distance from Harper's Ferry to Stanton. No engagement +took place at Cedar Creek, as was expected, as we were too far from our +base of supplies to risk a battle. After lying near Cedar Creek three +days, the troops were ordered to fall back for the purpose of drawing +the enemy from Fisher Hill; starting at dark, moving back on the valley +pike; marching all night, passing through Newtown, Middletown and +Kurrentown, halting at Winchester for breakfast, passing through the +place, once a fine village, but now nearly deserted; no business was +transacted, as both rebel and union armies occupied the place at +different times. The troops marched during the night eighteen miles, and +during the morning ten miles, halting on a hill. + +The enemy supposing us retreating, followed us closely, skirmishing with +the cavalry at Winchester, in which a portion of the 1st New Jersey +brigade was captured while supporting the cavalry. Our rear guard was +driven from Winchester with considerable loss. The troops were compelled +to move the next day eighteen miles, encamping near Charlestown, the +enemy again halting at Winchester. In retaliation for Chambersburg, the +men burned and destroyed everything, entering houses and helping +themselves to all that came in their way. The men were out of rations, +living on the country two days, but flour, green corn and chickens in +abundance. + +Both armies were again in camp, with tents up in regular order, the +operations during the month of August being both of an offensive and +defensive character, resulting in a few skirmishes, but as yet no +general engagement had taken place. The two armies now lay in such a +position, the enemy on the west bank of the Opequan Creek, covering +Winchester, and our forces in position at Charlestown, so that either +army could bring on a battle at any time. Defeat to us would lay open to +the enemy Maryland and Pennsylvania for long distances, before our army +could check them, and under such circumstances Gen. Sheridan hesitated +to attack, and waited for more positive orders from Grant. The 14th +regiment was again recruited, swelling the number to about three +hundred men. Colonel Truex being at home, the regiment was commanded by +Major Vredenberg. Lieutenant Colonel Hall having been wounded at +Monocacy, resigned his commission. Major Vredenberg having been for the +past year inspector general on headquarter staff, he being the ranking +officer was relieved, and ordered to the command of the regiment at +Halltown on the 19th of August. + +Sunday, August 21st, the enemy surprised our camp at daylight attacking +in force. The troops soon formed in line of battle, fighting during the +day and building works; but few were lost on either side, as nothing but +skirmishing was kept up. At night our forces fell back to our old +position at Halltown, eight miles distant, the enemy pursuing and firing +upon our rear guard, compelling them to fall back in a hurry within the +defences of Maryland Heights, when the pursuit was abandoned, the rain +pouring in torrents. For several days bodies of troops, mostly cavalry, +were sent out on a reconnoissance, which discovered the enemy still in +position at Charlestown. The men were fast losing confidence in General +Sheridan, as he did nothing but advance and retreat without fighting a +decisive battle; but none of the men knew the energy and determination +of their gallant leader, who was only waiting for orders from General +Grant to bring on a general engagement. + +The troops remained in camp at Halltown six days, until Sunday, the +28th, when orders were given to move, passing the enemy's works near +Charlestown (the enemy having fallen back), and halted in a wood. During +the afternoon Chaplain Rose delivered a brief discourse as the men lay +in line, after which we moved again, halting in the old camp we were +driven from the previous Sunday, eight miles from Halltown, remaining +there until September 3d, when the troops moved again, marching eight +miles, encamping at a place called Clifton Farm. The 8th corps being on +the advance, met the enemy at Opequan Creek, and after a severe +engagement drove them back across the creek, with heavy loss on both +sides. Darkness and rain ended the contest, the troops sleeping on their +arms. Both armies were now very vigilant, as they were but a few miles +apart. The troops lay in camp at Clifton Farm fifteen days, drawing +extra rations and clothing. On the 15th of September, the 2d division of +the 6th corps with a brigade of cavalry, moved out on a reconnoissance +to Opequan Creek. The enemy were found in force, with strong works +erected on the opposite side, they were completely surprised. The 2d +division succeeded in capturing a South Carolina regiment, numbering +four hundred men, together with its officers and colors. + +After exchanging a few shots, the division returned with the prisoners +captured, the rebels crestfallen at our daring, but afraid to follow us +up. The men were very tired of maneuvering up and down the valley, and +were anxious to meet the enemy and decide which of the two armies was +the most competent to hold the valley. Grant finding the use of the +Baltimore and Ohio Railroad and the Chesapeake and Ohio canal, which +were both obstructed by the enemy, became so indispensably necessary to +us, and the importance of relieving Maryland and Pennsylvania from +continuously threatened invasion so great, that he determined to visit +General Sheridan and order an immediate attack. Leaving City Point on +the 15th of September, he visited him at Charlestown to decide after a +conference with him, what should be done, and after a calm deliberation +it was decided to attack as soon as the army and trains could be brought +into position. For convenience of forage the teams for supplying the +army were kept at Harper's Ferry. Grant remained at Sheridan's +headquarters but one day, giving his final orders, and leaving Harper's +Ferry for City Point, Sheridan returning to his headquarters and issuing +orders for a forward movement. + +On afternoon of Sunday, the 18th, orders were given the troops to move +at a moment's notice. All now felt that the time had arrived when the +rebel army under its audacious leaders, should be driven from the +Shenandoah Valley, where for the last two months they had bid defiance +to the loyal North, and with their frowning earthworks at Winchester +were ever ready to resist our advance. For several mornings previous to +the attack, the cavalry had darted up to their front and then retired, +after exchanging a few shots. This was done so often that when the +attack was made they were not as well prepared as if this had not been +done, as the advance was led by the dashing Custer, with his brigade of +cavalry. + +At two o'clock on the morning of the 19th of September, the troops on +two roads moved out, and marching twelve miles, crossed at Opequan +Creek. As usual the cavalry in stronger force than heretofore, attacked +them in their position. The rebels were completely surprised. Kershaw's +division had left the day before for the purpose of burning and +destroying what they could in Maryland and Pennsylvania. They were at +Bunker's Hill, ten miles off, when the attack was made, and Gen. Early +sent immediately for them, when they returned in haste, nearly all the +way on a double quick. + +Both armies soon became hotly engaged, and for some time it was doubtful +which side was gaining, but after a most sanguinary battle, which lasted +until six o'clock in the evening, the enemy were defeated with heavy +loss, their entire position carried from Opequan Creek to Winchester, +together with several thousand prisoners and five pieces of artillery; +the enemy rallied several times, only to be broken again by the terrible +onslaught of the Union boys. Kershaw's division arrived during the +afternoon, but too late, and with their comrades were compelled to fall +back. During the morning, the 19th army corps, which was on the extreme +left, was driven in, but supported by one division of the 6th corps they +rallied, and in turn drove the enemy back some distance; it was a hard +fought battle, and the enemy with their thinned ranks in a demoralized +condition retreated in haste through Winchester. General Early was so +intoxicated that it was with much difficulty that he could keep upon his +horse; the rebel press attributed their defeat to this. The rebel +soldiers were positive that Grant was in command, as Sheridan never +before had exhibited such generalship. The 3d division lost heavily in +killed and wounded; Colonel Ebright commanding the 126th Ohio was +killed, also General Russell, commanding 1st division 6th corps. + +The 14th lost in killed and wounded one hundred and sixty men, but the +greatest loss of all was Major Vredenberg. A braver officer never lived. +He was at the head of his regiment, ordering the men to charge a rebel +battery, when a shell struck him in the breast, knocking him from his +horse and killing him instantly. He was carried to the rear and his +remains sent to New Jersey. His loss was deeply felt by the men, as he +was always esteemed a brave and competent officer. The regiment charged +the battery, captured it, and the last order ever given by him was +executed with promptness, and the death of Major Vredenberg avenged. +Lieut. Green, commanding Co. I, was killed, and Capt. Bodwell, of Co. E, +wounded. Capt. Janeway was as conspicuous as ever, and fought well. He +was again placed in command of the regiment, as every other officer was +disabled, either killed or wounded. The 87th Pennsylvania had but a few +days to stay, but were as eager as ever to join in the fight. Several of +them were killed whose term had already expired. The rebel loss was very +severe in officers and men. Gens. Rhodes and Wharton that led the attack +at Monocacy, in which the 3d division suffered so severely, were both +killed. + +The ground was covered with the munitions of war, as our victorious army +pressed on after the flying rebels. The groans of the wounded and dying +were forgotten. Ghastly sights everywhere presented themselves to the +eye, but to the soldiers were as nothing, as such scenes were every day +sights. The houses in Winchester were filled with rebel wounded, who +were kindly cared for by the ladies of the place, both loyal and +disloyal. The news of our success was telegraphed immediately to +Washington, and the papers North were full of praises of our gallant +little Sheridan and his noble army; there was now no fear of another +invasion, and our National Capital was out of danger. The army now +reposed every confidence in Sheridan, and gave him the name of "Little +Phil," and those who but a few weeks before were ever ready to denounce +him were now the loudest in his praise. One hundred guns were fired at +Washington in honor of this great victory, which in itself was +considered one of the decisive battles of the war. Had our forces been +defeated and driven back, both Washington and Baltimore would have been +taken, and before another army could have been raised, both places would +have lain in ashes. This was the third and last attempted invasion of +the North by the Confederate army, which had each time ended in +disaster. The rebel papers were clamorous for the removal of Early, who +had praised him so highly but a short time before. + +The enemy retreated during the night, and made a stand in their strong +position at Fisher Hill; here they were confident of success, as it was +thought impossible to dislodge them from their position. Here Early +intended to make a stand until he received re-enforcements from +Richmond, and then retrieve his fast falling reputation. He supposed +General Sheridan would not attack, and he would have time to recruit. +Our column had halted at Winchester until daylight the next morning, +when they rapidly pressed on; the enemy were at this time on Fisher +Hill, twenty-two miles from Winchester; the troops halted at nine +o'clock at Newton for breakfast. The men had marched up and down the +valley so often, that every house and barn was familiar to them. +Kurrentown was the birthplace of the rebel General, Stonewall Jackson, +whose remains now repose there; had he then been living, and in command +of the rebel forces in the valley, it would have been different, for as +a strategic leader he had no equal. One day he would be in our front, +the next day in our rear, and it would have required all the skill of +our leaders to oppose him; as it was, Early was completely out-generaled +by General Sheridan. + +The troops halted at Newton one hour, and then moved forward; squads of +rebel prisoners were picked up, as they were too tired to proceed +farther. The number of prisoners captured in all was about five +thousand, while our loss at Winchester would not exceed one thousand +five hundred. After marching twenty-two miles, we crossed Cedar Creek on +a bridge built by the enemy, halting in the same woods the troops were +in five weeks before. The rebel army had just been paid in Confederate +money, which to them was as nothing; gold, which had been up to its +highest notch, now fell some twenty per cent., and produce in +proportion. + +The 21st of September was spent in forming the troops in position, as +General Sheridan had determined to attack; but nothing was accomplished +till night, when the 126th Ohio and 6th Maryland regiments charged the +enemy's skirmish line, driving them back two miles, and occupying a +splendid position for artillery; batteries were placed and the enemy +shelled, they not replying, as their ammunition was scarce. The morning +of the 22d found the troops in position; batteries from all parts of the +line opened, but as yet no response from the rebels. At three o'clock +Sheridan ordered an advance, the troops moving forward in eight lines of +battle. Early, expecting an attack in his immediate front, withdrew his +forces from the left of his line; taking advantage of this, the 8th +corps, with the 3d division, moved on their flank, and before they were +aware of it our cavalry were completely in their rear. A desperate +battle now ensued, which lasted until dark, when the enemy were driven +pell mell from their fortified position and retreated in confusion, +flanked both right and left, and their cavalry, under Imboden and Jones, +were compelled to run in one demoralized mass, followed by our +victorious columns pouring shot and shell into their retreating ranks. +The 3d division captured six pieces of artillery, two of them were taken +by the 14th regiment. Twenty-four pieces of artillery, fifteen stand of +colors, and one thousand one hundred prisoners were the fruits of this +victory. Sheridan was now almost worshiped by the men, as Fisher's Hill +had always been considered as impregnable, but "Cavalry Phil," or +"Flanking Sheridan," as he was called, had accomplished what Fremont, +Hunter, Banks and Shields had failed to do in the early days of the +rebellion. He was appointed a Maj.-General in the regular army, to fill +the place vacated by McClellan. In the battle of Fisher's Hill, the loss +in the 14th regiment was small, as they were on the flank with the 8th +corps; the 2d division lost heavily in killed. The casualties in the +regiment were but ten killed and thirty wounded. Captain McKnight's +battery of the 3d division created considerable panic in the enemy's +ranks, as every shell they fired fell among them. Under cover of this +battery, the division advanced and captured a line of works with four +hundred prisoners and four pieces of artillery. No time was allowed the +men to rest, although tired and weary and begrimed with dirt and powder. +The flying rebels were pursued during the night of the 22d, marching +twelve miles, through Strasburg and Woodstock, halting for a few hours' +rest in the morning. The enemy had a mortal fear of Custer and his +cavalry, as he was always on their flank and rear when least expected; +with one brigade to charge and another to blow the bugle, they could not +stand. Their cavalry leader, Imboden, was called "Runboden," as he was +always first to run when our cavalry appeared in sight. Four days' +rations were issued the men at Woodstock, the trains having followed. +The 87th Pennsylvania had served their three years, and were ordered to +return home, with the exception of the re-enlisted men, whose term of +service had not yet expired. + +Leaving Woodstock on the afternoon of the 23d, the troops marched six +miles, passing the village of Edenburg, and encamping in woods near the +railroad. The enemy had again halted on a hill and were skirmishing with +the cavalry. In the battles of Winchester and Fisher's Hill, the enemy +had lost in killed, wounded and prisoners, fifteen thousand men, fifteen +stands of colors, and thirty pieces of artillery, while the Union army +had lost but four thousand men. The troops were now pretty well rested, +and moved again on Saturday, the 24th, marching twenty miles, passing +the villages of Mount Jackson, Hawkenstown and New Market, still +following the enemy and skirmishing with the entire march. The pike was +level, and the retreating rebels could be plainly seen. McKnight's +battery was placed on the skirmish line, continually shelling the rear. +It was a splendid sight; the troops, in four parallel lines, with +cavalry on either flank, pursuing the flying rebels, they making a stand +several times, but our skirmish line compelled them to leave. The +weather was yet very warm. At dark the enemy opened upon us from a hill +with four pieces of artillery, but were soon compelled to leave. It was +a splendid picture for an artist--the sun setting behind the hills; the +flash of the cannon and musketry was grand beyond description. The men +foraging lived well, as the country was filled with vegetables of all +kinds; the army was now forty-two miles from Winchester and thirty miles +from Staunton. The troops entered camp for the night, marching the next +day eighteen miles in line of battle up the valley; the enemy could not +be seen, having moved during the night up the Luray Valley; halting at +Harrisonberg, 3d division headquarters at the house formerly occupied by +Fremont and Hunter as their headquarters. The troops remained in camp at +Harrisonberg ten days, confiscating tobacco, sugar, matches, etc.; +Harrisonberg is a very pretty place, twenty miles from Staunton, of +about one thousand inhabitants. Squads of men were sent out each day to +forage on the country, as the troops were out of rations, and it was +necessary the men should be supplied. The army was now one hundred and +four miles from Harper's Ferry, the base of supplies; it took the teams +four days to go and four to come; the route was infested with guerillas, +making it necessary to have a strong guard; but in spite of all +vigilance numbers of men were killed and the wagons captured. + +On the 29th the troops moved out at four o'clock, marching seven miles +to relieve the cavalry at Mount Crawford. Finding the enemy in strong +position they were driven back, as they were strongly posted in a gap in +the mountains; they were not again attacked and the troops moved back to +Harrisonberg. + +On the first of October the supply train arrived from Harper's Ferry, +with mail and papers, also the paymaster; the troops receiving two +months' pay. It was rumored in camp that Grant had moved at Petersburg, +capturing fifteen guns and four hundred prisoners. The cavalry again +started off, reaching Staunton, destroying the bridges and a large +amount of supplies, and advanced as far as Charlottesville. + +On the 6th of October orders were given to move; marching back, the +valley was now clear of the enemy. As it was feared they would again +return, every barn, out-house and hay-stack was burned on the route, to +prevent the enemy from subsisting in the valley, as most of the farmers +were secesh and helped the guerillas along. It was a splendid sight to +see the fires as the troops moved up the valley, from mountain to +mountain one continual blaze of fire. Twenty-four miles were made that +day, as it was cool, and the men were out of rations; the supply train +could not get up, and the valley was stripped by troops continually +passing. The troops slept that night in sight of Mount Jackson with +nothing to eat. The next day we marched seventeen miles, through Mount +Jackson and Woodstock, halting at dark; on the 8th marching twelve miles +to Strasburg, passing Fisher's Hill, where the enemy were whipped so +badly on the 22d of September. After stripping the valley of the most of +their supplies for the rebel army, the troops halted at Strasburg, and +took position on the north bank of Cedar Creek. + +Having received considerable re-enforcements, Early again returned to +the valley, and on the 9th of October encountered our cavalry near +Strasburg. Custer with his brigade advanced, and after a brief encounter +the enemy captured thirty wagons from General Torbert; the weather was +very cold and windy. Our whole force of cavalry now arrived, and the +enemy was driven back some distance, with the loss of eleven pieces of +artillery, a number of prisoners, and all their wagons, with those +captured from Torbert, our forces following them vigorously. + +As the valley was supposed to be clear of the enemy, the 6th corps was +ordered to Petersburg. Grant had moved several times and had captured +the Weldon Rail Road, extending his lines some distance. On the 10th, +orders were given to move, marching seventeen miles, passing through +Strasburg and Middletown, halting at Front Royal near Manassas Gap. +During our stay there, a man was accidentally shot in the Regiment, +dying the next day; his name was Ayers, of Co. B. A petition was +circulated among the Jersey soldiers to return home and vote; it was +signed by the officers, but was not carried through. The Legislature of +New Jersey was opposed to it, and used their utmost endeavors to prevent +it. While all other troops were allowed to vote in the field, New Jersey +was in the hands of the Copperheads, and her soldiers were not allowed +the privilege, and with bitter feelings of enmity towards them the +soldiers were compelled to stand it. + +The troops were now ordered to Petersburg, as there was no sign of the +enemy in the valley. On the 13th the corps started from Front Royal. +The troops had been in the valley some time, and did not wish to leave. +Sheridan was loved by all, and the men were still anxious to be under +his command, but positive orders from Grant were that the corps should +again join the Potomac army, having been only temporarily detached. The +weather was very cold, and visions of earthworks and trenches in front +of Petersburg rose vividly before the men, and none wished to go. After +marching fifteen miles, passing a place called White Post, the column +was ordered to halt, and soon it resounded throughout the line that the +order was countermanded. Cheer after cheer was given, and it was noised +around that Grant had taken Petersburg, with sixty pieces of artillery +and thirty thousand prisoners. The men were very jubilant over the move, +as it was believed. Moving back, the troops halted at a very pretty +place called Millwood, and the men immediately commenced foraging, as +there was provisions in abundance, no troops having ever encamped there. +It turned out that Grant's taking Petersburg was a hoax, and instead, +Early was moving down the valley, having received considerable +re-enforcements. The 8th and 19th corps were compelled to fall back from +Fisher's Hill, and encamped on the north bank of Cedar Creek. Soon the +deep booming of the cannon was heard at Millwood; at first the men +thought it a salute in honor of the great victory, but it proved to be +the 8th and 19th corps engaged with Early at Cedar Creek. On the morning +of the 14th at 2 o'clock, the corps was ordered to move immediately back +the same road to Fisher's Hill, marching twenty miles, and halting in +position near Middletown, as the enemy were again in force on Fisher's +Hill. All idea of going to Petersburg was now abandoned, as there was +enough to attend to in the valley. Early again had a large army and once +more confronted Sheridan, this time with both flanks heavily guarded on +Fisher's Hill. It was not then known how many troops the enemy had, as +their coming was unexpected. Pickets were doubled, and a line of works +erected on Fisher's Hill for the purpose of resisting our advance. The +troops now moved forward to Cedar Creek and were formed in line as +follows: The 8th corps on the extreme left, near Manchuhattan Mountain; +the 19th corps next, and the 6th on the right. Every morning the men +were routed out early expecting an attack, but none was made, and the +vigilance of the men was relaxed; five days the troops remained in camp +near Middletown. General Sheridan being on a visit to Grant at City +Point, during his absence the army was commanded by General Wright. All +was thought secure, and the men began to think the enemy's force +comparatively small; but they were in force, and the boys of the Union +soon knew it. Early had determined to make one grand effort, and if +possible save his reputation and recover all he had lost. Filled with +this determination he moved his whole force on the night of October +18th, crossed the mountain in single file which separated the branches +of the Shenandoah, forded the north fork, and early on the morning of +the 19th, under cover of the darkness and the fog, surprised and turned +our left flank, and captured the batteries that infiladed our whole +line, some 24 in all; the men were aroused from slumber only to find the +enemy in their rear. The 8th corps, panic stricken, fled, leaving all +their arms and ammunition in the hands of the enemy; they knew not which +way to turn, and hundreds were shot down and numbers captured. The 6th +corps, used to such things, rallied, and formed in line near Middletown. +By this time the wagons were on the road to Winchester. It was a +complete surprise, the troops falling back in confusion five miles. +General Wright ordered them to re-form, but with the 8th and 19th corps +in full retreat, the 6th could not stand alone, and with the rest were +compelled to fall back, but in order. A terrible battle was now fought, +and Early, confident of victory, urged on his men, who fought with +desperation; and visions of Washington again appeared before them. The +spoils that fell in their hands were a great compensation for what they +had lost; shelters, rubbers, knapsacks, blankets, and well filled +haversacks fell in the hands of the Johnnies, and to their half starved +and half clothed bodies were indeed prizes. After falling back five +miles our lines were partly rallied and the retreat stopped, but at a +fearful loss of life, and our boys were mad, fairly mad to think that +after ridding the valley of the enemy as they supposed, and whipping +them so badly, they were again in force and our army retreating from +them. Where is Sheridan? was the cry, as all seemed to feel that if he +was near the tide of battle would be turned in our favor. Soon a cloud +of dust was seen on the road; far in the distance, and with thunder +tread, came the well-known horse, carrying with it its rider, the brave +Sheridan; reaching the disordered line he inquired for General Wright. +The men soon knew that Sheridan was near, and all felt confident of +success. When the battle commenced he was at Winchester, but he arrived +in time to arrange the lines and repulse a heavy attack of the enemy. +The 8th and 19th corps were now partially rallied and formed in line, +with the 6th corps in the centre, immediately assuming the offensive and +attacking the enemy in turn. After considerable maneuvering Sheridan +ordered a charge, and the enemy in turn were driven back with great +slaughter, with the loss of their trains and artillery and the trophies +captured during the morning. Had not Sheridan arrived as he did, all +would have been lost. The cavalry under Custer were sent on their flank, +driving them pell mell across Cedar Creek, slaughtering them like sheep. +Sixty-one pieces of artillery were captured from them and eight thousand +prisoners. Our success was complete, though our loss was heavy, and +victory crowned our arms. Capt. McKnight's battery lost four pieces, and +nearly all their horses were killed or wounded. The 14th regiment was +commanded by Captain Janeway and lost heavily. Adjutant Burroughs Rose +was killed; he was formerly a private, and for gallant conduct had been +promoted from one position to another until he received his commission +as Adjutant, in place of Buckalew, who had resigned on account of wounds +received at Monocacy; he was a fine officer, and his loss could not +easily be supplied. + +The wreck of the rebel army escaped during the night, and fled in the +direction of Staunton and Lynchburg, and pursuit being made by the +cavalry to Mount Jackson, hundreds of them were captured. The battle of +Cedar Creek will long be remembered by the 6th corps. At first driven +back with severe loss, they in turn rallied, and to the brave 6th corps +will be attributed the tide of battle turning in our favor; for, had +they retreated in such confusion as the other corps, the enemy would +have been victorious. But the Wilderness, and those hard-fought battles +of the Potomac army, were lessons not easily forgotten, and the 6th +corps, as usual, was ready for any emergency. The 2d division lost +heavily in men, more so than the rest, as our lines fell back. The enemy +had stripped our dead and wounded as they lay on the field, and when our +men recovered their lost ground they were seen lying as they fell, stark +naked, and cold in the embrace of death. Such scenes only made our men +fight the harder, and Early paid dearly for his boldness in surprising +us in the morning. The rebel General, Ramsuer, was mortally wounded and +fell in our hands a prisoner. He died at the headquarters of General +Sheridan, and his remains were sent South by way of City Point. Thus +ended the enemy's last attempt to invade the North via the Shenandoah +valley; and Early, with his demoralized and disheartened troops, was +seen no more in that vicinity. Ninety pieces of artillery had been taken +from them at different times in the valley, and with ten pieces of +artillery, and about ten thousand men, they reached Staunton, and all +but one brigade were transported to Richmond, there to take part in the +subsequent battles near Petersburg. Our forces encamped in their old +position, and the next day engaged in burying the dead, the ground being +covered with both Union and Rebel soldiers. The field was hotly +contested by our men, and although surprised they were not whipped. +General Sheridan rode along the lines and was cheered by the men. +General Ricketts was temporarily placed in command of the 6th corps, and +was severely wounded early in the day. He was the best division +commander in the service, and when the men heard of his wound, all were +anxious for his safety. The papers spoke of him in the highest praise as +an excellent and able general. The following is an extract from Harper's +Weekly, which is quoted for the benefit of those who knew him well: + + General James B. Ricketts, wounded in the battle of Cedar Creek, is + a native of New York, from which State he was appointed a Cadet to + West Point in 1835. He graduated in 1839 with the grade of 2d + Lieutenant of artillery; in 1846 he was promoted to 1st Lieutenant, + and in August, 1852, was appointed Captain, having since 1849 + occupied the position of Regimental Quarter Master. + + General Ricketts was wounded in the first battle of Bull Run and + taken prisoner. For distinguished service in that battle he was + promoted to the rank of Brigadier General, and in nearly all the + Virginia campaign he has commanded a division. His division of the + 6th corps was in July last detached from the army of the Potomac and + sent to Harper's Ferry, taking part in the battle of Monocacy and in + all the subsequent battles in the Shenandoah Valley. In General + Sheridan's absence, General Wright assumed command of the army of + the Valley; his place at the head of the corps was occupied by + General Ricketts, who was wounded in the early part of the battle on + the 19th, and was for some time supposed to be in a dying condition. + If his wound should indeed prove a mortal one, the country will have + lost a very able officer. + +General Sheridan had again immortalized his name. As he came down the +pike, he exclaimed to the men: "Join your commands, boys, I'll wax h--l +out of them before night." At the sight of him our men pressed forward +with their usual impetuosity, and soon the Johnnies were in full +retreat. Thus a decisive battle was gained, which, but for the timely +arrival of General Sheridan, would have resulted in disaster. The +troops again entered camp, the tents on a line, with the cavalry in +pursuit of the flying enemy far up the valley. General Custer succeeded +in recapturing the colors lost by the 15th New Jersey; their +color-bearer being killed, it fell into the hands of the enemy. He +complimented the men for their bravery, telling them not from cowardice, +but through accident, they were lost, and that he was very much +gratified to return them. + +The weather was now very cold, and there were yet no signs of Winter +quarters. Nearly six months had passed since the troops crossed the +Rapidan, and what had been accomplished? Lee was driven step by step +from his stronghold in the Wilderness, flanked several times by Grant, +until he was within the fortifications of Richmond, his supplies cut +off, and closely besieged by Grant. Sherman had driven Johnson and his +successor, Hood, whipping them in every battle, and finally capturing +Atlanta, their stronghold, in the very heart of the Confederacy. Early +had been whipped in four pitched battles by Sheridan, and driven far up +the valley to Staunton, his artillery nearly all captured and his army +completely routed, and everything that an army could subsist on in the +valley destroyed. Price, in Missouri, had been driven in confusion, and +was in full retreat, followed by Rosecrans. The Copperheads North, +defeated in their every scheme, the soldiers now looked for the +re-election of Lincoln, and for a speedy termination of the war. + +It was now currently reported that Longstreet had succeeded Early, and +with thirty-five thousand men was again advancing up the valley. The +troops lay in camp at Middletown nineteen days, and it was discovered +the enemy had left the valley. On Nov. 6th the troops were ordered back +in the direction of Winchester, but the morning being very cold and +frosty the order was countermanded. On the 8th the election for +President was held in the various camps; the people of New Jersey had +denied their soldiers that privilege, and with bitter curses toward +them, the men lay quietly in camp. McClellan was scarcely thought of, +and the votes for Lincoln were far ahead. New Jersey had long been +considered as disloyal, and had she been one of the border States, would +long ago have seceded. Staunch old Maryland stood firm, and was far more +loyal than Jersey. But the rule of the Copperheads was of short +duration, and when the war was ended, and the boys in blue returned to +their homes, they were soon ruled out and their places filled by loyal +men. + +On the 9th of November the orders to move were again given, marching ten +miles, and passing for the last time Middletown and Newtown, halting at +Kurrentown, a very nice place; wood plenty, but water scarce. The +enemy's cavalry had again advanced, under their leader, Rosser, and +attacked our out-posts, but after considerable skirmishing they were +driven back in confusion and retired during the night. The papers now +arrived, and the re-election of Lincoln was hailed by the soldiers with +joy, as the majority of them were in favor of him. Many of the men now +commenced to build Winter quarters, and log huts were rapidly erected, +with chimneys built of sod. Officers and men were uncertain what to do, +as no orders were given to build Winter quarters. + +Nothing of importance occurred during the month of November; as usual +rumors were plenty. The different regiments were detailed to guard the +supply trains to and from Martinsburg, our base of supplies, as the +guerillas still infested the route. A railroad was commenced, and was +soon built from Halltown to Winchester, and was heavily guarded by the +8th corps. Winchester now became a lively place, as Sheridan's +headquarters were there. + +The 6th corps was reviewed by General Sheridan, and preparations were +again made to leave, as orders from Grant were to send the 6th corps to +Petersburg. The review was witnessed by the people of the surrounding +country; the day was not pleasant, but rainy and disagreeable. General +Sheridan took a farewell leave of the men, thanking them for their +bravery, and was sorry to see them leave; to the 6th corps the praise of +saving Washington was given. The men gave three rousing cheers for +Sheridan and the Shenandoah Valley; he then rode to his headquarters, +and the troops dispersed to their various camps. Their work in the +valley was over, and they were to again join the Potomac army, to take +part in the final drama--the capture of Richmond. Since leaving +Petersburg, the troops had in five months fought five pitched battles, +each time victorious, and had marched nearly 1,000 miles, a record that +no other corps in the army could boast of. The men deserved the praise +which was awarded them. + +On the 1st of December the 1st division moved, and was placed on cars at +Winchester for Washington. It was now certain the corps was to leave and +Winter quarters were abandoned. On the 3d, the 3d division followed the +1st, General Wright having gone the previous day. The division marched +ten miles, taking the cars at Stephenson Station and riding one hundred +and forty-two miles on the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, again passing +Monocacy Bridge; it being night the men were mostly asleep; arrived at +Washington on Sunday morning. But a few months before, when the city was +in danger and the troops were hurried from City Point, the people +flocked to see them and cheer them on their way, now scarcely a sound +was heard, Washington was out of danger. The 6th corps was again to +return to City Point, and by the people their hardships in the valley +were forgotten; they passed scarcely noticing the men, and without a +reception of any kind the troops were placed on transports for City +Point. The weather had changed and was as warm and as mild as spring. +The troops were furnished with three days' rations, and by three o'clock +were all on board. The 14th was placed on transport Keyport, passing +Fortress Monroe, and arriving at City Point at 11 o'clock on Monday +morning, riding on Grant's railroad sixteen miles. This track is laid on +the ground without grading and runs up hill and down in range of the +enemy's shells. The corps was to take the quarters of the 5th corps, +they moving on a reconnoissance to Weldon, North Carolina, for the +purpose of cutting the Southside railroad, and as much of the enemy's +communications as possible. The regiment had been in the middle +department nine months, lying at Monocacy Bridge; in the Potomac army +one year; and in the valley five months, and now back in the Potomac +army again. The 5th corps' quarters were on the Weldon railroad that had +been captured at an immense loss of life. There were now but two roads +leading into Richmond, the Southside road and the Danville road, which +were now aimed for, and as soon as the 6th corps arrived, the 5th with +two divisions of cavalry, moved out to Hatcher's Run, on the Boydton +plank road. They did not wish to leave their quarters, but were glad to +see the 6th corps come back and willingly gave up their quarters to +them. The troops halted until morning, and then occupied the tents +vacated by the 5th corps. The headquarters of the 3d division was in a +pretty place, having been fitted up with considerable care, but the +quarters of the men were very poor, being put up in the Fall with no +intention of remaining. + +The troops remained in quarters but one day, when they were ordered to +the support of the 5th corps, which had attacked the enemy at Weldon, +destroying thirty miles of the Southside road, and burning a large +amount of rations, besides capturing a number of prisoners and +contrabands. The division returned the next day, having marched but ten +miles, the 5th corps needing no assistance. It was snowing hard, and the +men suffering severely lying out in the storm. Both armies now +confronted each other for a distance of forty miles, with works in some +places but a few rods apart, but every precaution was taken to prevent a +surprise. The men from both sides were on friendly terms, talking with +each other and exchanging papers. In front of Petersburg was a fort +named Fort H--l from its close proximity to the rebels. Firing from +this fort was incessantly carried on day and night, and the men gave it +that name as it was continually under fire, killing numbers daily. + +Winter quarters were now fairly established, the men fixing up the old +tents very comfortably. Cold weather had now commenced and rainy days +were frequent; furloughs were granted the men from ten to twenty days, +large numbers visiting their homes. General Sherman was moving through +the heart of Georgia. His campaign is familiar to my readers, and as the +14th was in the Potomac army, it is not necessary to give an account of +Sherman's march. It was supposed by the men that the armies of Grant and +Sheridan would be consolidated in time, but all ideas of soon moving +were abandoned, as the roads were almost impassable, while Sherman was +farther south and able to move with his heavy trains, living on the +country. It was the main object of Grant to hold Lee in check to prevent +him from re-enforcing Johnson, and in time to sever all communication +from Richmond, compelling Lee to retreat farther south or to surrender. +By frequent moving he had extended his lines some distance, thereby +weakening the enemy's lines considerably. They were getting short of +rations, as Sherman was cutting their railroads in every direction. A +vast amount of supplies was stored at City Point for the use of our +armies; sutlers were in abundance and City Point in reality soon became +a city. The headquarters of General Grant were on a hill near the river. +Immense guns and fortifications were seen in all directions, fully +manned by men, while it was with difficulty that the enemy could raise +enough men to fill their works. Pickets and videttes from each side were +but a few rods apart, and frequently conversed with each other. The +battles of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, and Petersburg +were forgotten, and no one would ever think that those men who now were +so friendly with each other, had ever engaged in terrible strife on the +field of battle. The men from Early's command were in front of the 3d +division, and when on picket the scenes of the valley were often talked +of, but always with bitterness on the side of the enemy. Our boys would +cry out, "Halloo, Johnny Reb., did you get enough of the valley?" Johnny +replies, with his fingers up to his nose, "Do you Yanks see anything of +the South-side railroad?" Our men had been aiming for that, but had +failed repeatedly. + +The 14th was now re-organized, having received several recruits, to the +amount of two hundred. Captain Janeway, for bravery and meritorious +conduct, was promoted to the colonelcy of the regiment, he and +Lieutenant Baily being the only old officers from Freehold. The officers +were now mostly enlisted men, and by their conduct had won for +themselves a lasting reputation. Among those that distinguished +themselves, and in every action were at their posts, were Captains +Wanser, Manning and Marsh; Lieutenants Foster, Barkalew, Fletcher, +Hanning, White and Manderville. Each one had entered the ranks and had +won for himself his position. Colonel Truex was still in command of the +brigade, acting Brigadier General. The division commanded by General +Seymour, formerly commander of the 2d brigade, being captured in the +Wilderness, he was taken to Charleston and subsequently released, and +placed in command of the division in the absence of General Ricketts. + +All was now quiet in camp, with the exception of cannonading in front of +Petersburg, and picket firing along some portion of the line. This was +the third and last Winter in the army for the regiment; the first Winter +was spent at Monocacy, the second at Brandy Station, and the third at +Petersburg. + +Reports from various sources led Grant to believe that the enemy had +again detached three divisions from the army in front of Petersburg, to +again attempt the capture of Washington, via the Shenandoah Valley. He +therefore sent the 2d corps and Greggs' division of cavalry from the +army of the Potomac, and a force of General Butler's army, to threaten +Richmond from the north side of the James to prevent Lee from sending +troops away, and if possible to draw back those that were sent. In this +move six pieces of artillery and several hundred prisoners were +captured. Detained troops that were under marching orders ascertained +that but one division of the three reported detached had gone, which +soon returned when the movements of our forces had been discovered. The +enemy having drawn heavily from Petersburg to resist this movement, the +5th corps moved out on a reconnoissance on the left, to take possession +of the South-side road. During the day there was considerable fighting, +but the enemy were found in force, and the 5th corps was ordered back, +forming a line in rear of the army and building new quarters. + +The 6th corps was under marching orders, but did not leave as they were +not needed. Camp life again passed very pleasantly, as quiet was +resumed. A branch railroad was completed from the City Point and +Petersburg Railroad to the Weldon Railroad, and supplies were forwarded +in all kinds of weather without difficulty to all parts of the line. +Occasionally the enemy shelled our trains as they passed, but our +batteries opening theirs were soon silenced, as our ammunition was +plenty and theirs scarce. Recruits now arrived rapidly, and the army was +increased to one hundred and fifty thousand men. The enemy, by merciless +conscription, had pressed every man and boy in the field capable of +bearing arms, leaving none but the negroes at home to do the work. Each +Friday there was an execution of some kind in the army; men were hung +for deserting to the enemy, and others were shot for jumping bounties +and then deserting. It soon became a common thing, but it was necessary +as a lesson to others that these men should be executed. The troops had +lain in camp some time, when Grant again attempted to take the +South-side Road. The 2d corps followed by two divisions of the 5th +corps, with the cavalry in advance and covering the left flank of the +army, forced a passage of Hatcher's Run and moved up the north side of +it towards the South-side Road, until the 2d corps and part of the +cavalry reached the Boydton Plank Road where it crosses Hatcher's Run; +at this point our advance was but six miles distant from the South-side +Road, and the whistle of the enemy's engine could be plainly heard. But +finding that we had not reached the end of the enemy's communications, +and no place presented itself for a successful assault, it was +determined to withdraw within our fortified line, and orders were given +accordingly. On the return the enemy moved out across Hatcher's Run, and +made a desperate attack on General Hancock's right and rear. Hancock +immediately faced his corps to meet it, and after a bloody combat drove +the enemy within his works, and withdrew that night to his old position. + +From this time forward the operations in front of Richmond and +Petersburg until the spring campaign of 1865 were confined to the +defence and extension of our lines, and to offensive movements for +crippling the enemy's lines of communications, and to prevent his +detaching any considerable force to send south. Visitors from the north +again came in large numbers, among them several distinguished +foreigners. Our lines were to them a wonder, as they thought it +impossible for two armies to lie in such close proximity to each other +without fighting all the time; but the past had taught the men that +picket firing was but murder, and resulted in no advantage to either +side. The men drilled daily and were inspected each Sunday. The spring +campaign was looked forward to as a hard one, as it was supposed that +Lee and Johnson combined, if once together, would move south, and we +would have to follow. The tents of the men were ordered to be cleaned +neatly, as several cases of small-pox had made their appearance. General +Seymour commanding the division, was a strict disciplinarian, and orders +were issued by him that were thought by the men to be useless; every +non-commissioned officer was ordered to wear his chevrons, and if not +obeying was immediately reduced; each man in the division was also +ordered to wear his badge, and if any private was found without the blue +cross, he was placed under arrest. Division headquarters were but a +short distance from the troops, and were near the camp of the 50th New +York engineers, they having the prettiest camp in the army. They built a +splendid church, and negro minstrels were held nightly, officers of +distinction visiting it, and divine service was forgotten; each night +found the church full of men, who, if service had been held, would not +have been found there. + +Christmas was spent as usual dull and lonesome. Boxes were sent from +home to the men, and those that had none fared well, as the rations +given the men by the Government were plenty. The last day of the year +was very rainy. Early in the morning the rebel pickets in front of the +division made an attack, and surprised our men. The morning was dark and +our men were driven back, but the reserve pickets soon formed and drove +the rebels back in turn. Three men from the 9th New York were killed and +several were captured. The firing soon ceased, and the last day of the +year passed gloomily enough. The regiment was mustered in for four +months pay by Colonel Janeway, and the members of the 14th spent the +last day of the year very dull and lonesome in camp. + +January 1st, 1865, was a dull New Year's to the men, for instead of a +warm dinner at home, the fare of the men was hard-tack and salt pork. +The bands of the regiments were playing national airs. It was the +Sabbath and all was as still as death; not a shot disturbed the silence +of the day. The soldier as he thought of his home, contrasted that with +camp life, and wondered when the war would end. Most of the headquarter +officers were under the influence of liquor, but the regimental officers +were unable to obtain whiskey and remained sober, as the orders of Gen. +Seymour were very strict, that no whiskey should be sold at the brigade +commissaries. It was feared that the enemy would make an attack at +night, and orders were given the pickets not to sleep, as it was rumored +in the southern papers that Lee was about to astonish the world by some +bold movement, and what it was no one could tell. His movement was +anxiously looked forward to by the men, as it was reported that he was +heavily re-enforced by troops from General Hardee's command and from +Breckinridge's. The rebels seemed to be in good spirits, and our men +supposed something unusual had occurred, but it turned out that the +rebel officers had furnished the men gunpowder and whiskey, and then +ordered them to cheer in honor of some great victory, but what victory +it was they knew not, neither did our men. + +General Sherman was making sad havoc on southern soil, and the rebel +soldiers, disheartened by repeated defeats, were discouraged, and they +deserted in large numbers to our ranks. Proclamations were issued by the +authorities at Washington and freely distributed among the rebel +pickets, that any one of their number deserting would be sent within any +part of our lines to his home, and paid for his musket and equipments; +though many deserted to our ranks, there were double the number that +went to the rear. The rebel soldiers were ordered to fire on all their +men attempting to desert, but the most of them were anxious to leave, +and fired their muskets in the air. Despondency now prevailed to a great +extent among the rebels, and all felt that their cause was lost, while +on our side the men were furnished with clothing in abundance, with +plenty of rations, and were well contented. Guerillas and raiders were +very active, hovering on our flank and rear; often with concealed +batteries posted on a hill on the banks of the James, would fire on our +boats as they passed to and fro from Washington to City Point. The river +was lined with gunboats, but a few shells from our iron-clads soon drove +them off. The most noted of those was Mosby; with picked men from +Virginia, men that knew every road, his operations were very successful, +but not so successful as the previous year, when our army was dependent +upon a single track railroad from Washington to Brandy Station, as this +passed the entire distance through a hostile country, and every mile had +to be guarded by troops. Occasionally Mosby with his men would make a +grand raid, and after destroying a portion of the track, would retire +with but small loss and with considerable plunder, before our men could +recover from their surprise; now our water communications needed but a +few men on iron-clads, while the most of the troops were at the front. +Heavy rains now set in, and nothing of importance occurred during the +month of January. During this time Jefferson Davis visited Macon, +Georgia, and made a speech, which was reported in the papers south, and +soon became known to the whole country, as the men exchanged papers +daily with the enemy in front of Petersburg. He disclosed his plans, +thus enabling Grant to fully meet him. He also exhibited the weakness of +supposing that an army that had been beaten and fearfully decimated in +vain attempt at the defensive, could successfully undertake the +offensive against the army that had so often defeated it, as he said in +his speech that Lee would soon resume the offensive, and would drive the +Potomac army from its almost impregnable hold on Richmond and +Petersburg; but the future showed that this never was accomplished. + +The rebel cause now Looked gloomy enough. Sherman had reached the sea +coast, and the Confederacy was cut completely in two. Nothing more could +be looked for in the southwest, and the whole attention of Grant and Lee +was turned to this one point. In the latter part of January the enemy +again attempted to surprise our pickets and break our lines if possible, +but they were signally defeated in their plans and driven back with +severe loss. In front of the 2d brigade of the 3d division was one of +the largest forts on the line, mounting fifteen guns; it was named Fort +Fisher, and was manned by the 9th New York Heavy Artillery. A large +lookout some two hundred feet high was built near this fort for the +purpose of witnessing the enemy's movements. It was reported that on a +certain day the enemy were to shell this lookout; all preparations were +made in Fort Fisher, the guns doubly shotted and turned upon the enemy's +works, and upon the headquarters of General Longstreet, but a short +distance in the rear of their lines. The day passed and not a shot was +fired, as they knew full well that our guns out-numbered theirs two to +one, and if once opened would do terrible execution, as they had done +heretofore. The breastworks at this point were nearer together than at +any other part of the line, being but a few rods apart. Details were +made from the various regiments daily to guard supplies from City Point, +and to bring ordnance stores for the troops. The new recruits were also +guarded to the front, and then furnished with arms and assigned to their +different commands. + +On the night of January 16th, the troops were formed in line of battle, +as it was rumored that the enemy were about to attack; with extreme +caution the men formed in line behind the works, but no attack was made. +It was not known what move they would make, as their leaders were +becoming desperate, and would not hesitate to sacrifice the lives of the +men to accomplish their ends. The news of the capture of Fort Fisher was +read to the troops, and cheer after cheer given for our army and navy. +Gen. Butler was denounced as incompetent to command an army in the +field; all honor was due Major General Terry for his bravery. One +hundred guns were shotted and trained upon the enemy's works from Fort +H--l as a salute. The enemy did not reply; they were crest-fallen +enough, as Wilmington, their most important point, would soon fall, and +like Fort Fisher would soon be occupied by United States troops. + +On the 24th of January, the enemy made a desperate attempt to break +through our water communications at City Point. Three gunboats moved +down, and after a desperate fight with our shore batteries, they were +compelled to fall back with the loss of one of their boats and another +disabled. Our iron-clads had nearly all of them gone with the expedition +to Fort Fisher. Lee hoped to take advantage of this, and lay City Point +in ashes and destroy our base of supplies, thereby compelling Gen. Grant +to fall back; but the shore batteries of one hundred pound guns did +terrible execution, and with but small loss on our side, the enemy +retired with heavy loss. For several months Gen. Butler had been digging +Dutch Gap Canal, which had proved a failure, as the war ended before it +was finished; he was relieved by order of General Grant, and ordered to +report at Lowell, Massachusetts. The weather was now very cold, and the +Potomac was frozen; often two and three days elapsed before the +transports could arrive from Washington. The month of January passed +dull enough. Desertions from the enemy were more numerous than ever, +often one and two hundred coming over each night. + +On the morning of February 1st, all was excitement in camp, as the +troops were ordered to move out on the left of the line to Hatcher's +Run. The sick were all sent to City Point, and preparations made to move +with all the troops, with the exception of enough to hold the lines in +our immediate front, which were strengthened by the pioneers. All +preparations were made when a terrible storm arose, and the movement was +abandoned. Montgomery Blair had been on a mission of peace to Richmond +but had failed. President Lincoln had agreed to meet representatives +from the Southern Confederacy, and arrange, if possible, terms of peace. +Accordingly Vice President Stephens, Hunter and Campbell passed through +the lines on February 2d, and met President Lincoln and Secretary Seward +at Hampton Roads; but no terms could be agreed upon, as the enemy wished +the recognition of the Southern Confederacy, their cry being +independence or extermination. After a brief conference they returned to +Richmond, and all hope of a speedy peace was abandoned. + +The 67th Pennsylvania from the 3d division was filled with new recruits +that had received large bounties. A great many of them deserted, and +several of them were caught and sent back to division headquarters and +placed in irons. They were tried by a military court-martial, and one of +their number sentenced to be shot as a warning to others. Six of them +had hid in the woods near City Point, and were constructing a raft for +the purpose of escaping, but were captured, and one of their number +named James Hicks, was sentenced to death. He was placed in close +confinement in a tent with two guards over him, and was informed of his +fate but bore it very composedly. He was furnished with good victuals, +and attended by a Catholic priest from the 2d corps. He was also allowed +to telegraph to his friends who interceded for him, and was finally +pardoned by President Lincoln, and ever after made a good soldier, doing +his duty well. + +On the 5th of February, the 5th corps with two divisions of cavalry, +moved out again to Hatcher's Run, on the Boydton Plank Road, for the +purpose of lengthening our lines. After remaining out two days, the +enemy in force attacked the 5th corps driving them back. The 1st +division, 6th corps, was ordered to their support, and arrived in time +to assist the 5th corps, driving the enemy back in return. The whole +army was under marching orders but did not move, as nothing could be +accomplished, and the 5th corps returned with the loss of one thousand +men, several of the wounded dying from cold and exposure. + +The rebels were now deserting at the rate of one hundred per day. The +fall of Charleston was announced, causing gloom in the rebel army, but +great rejoicing in ours, and the men now looked forward to the end of +the war, it being currently reported that the enemy were to evacuate +Petersburg and Richmond. Nearly four years had passed, and now our flag +was floating over the battered walls of Fort Sumter and Charleston where +the ordinance of secession was first passed. General Sherman was moving +rapidly northward, and news of victories were constantly reaching us. +The fall of Wilmington was their last important place, and they were now +cornered, not knowing which way to move. The officers were now deserting +as well as the men, bringing with them their side-arms and equipments. + +General Grant deemed it of the utmost importance before a general +movement of the armies operating against Richmond, that all +communications North of the James River should be cut off, the enemy +having withdrawn the bulk of their forces from the Shenandoah Valley, +and sent it South up the valley, which, if successful, would accomplish +a great deal towards the capture of Richmond. Ordering General Sheridan +to move on Lynchburg, leaving a sufficient force to look after Mosby and +his guerillas, he started from Winchester on the 27th of Feb. with two +divisions of cavalry numbering five thousand each, and on the 1st of +March he secured the bridge which the enemy attempted to destroy, across +the middle fork of the Shenandoah at Mount Crawford, and entered +Staunton on the 2d, the enemy having retreated to Waynesboro. Thence he +pushed on to that place, where he found the enemy in force in an +entrenched position under General Early, and without stopping to make a +reconnoissance, an immediate attack was ordered, the position carried, +and one thousand six hundred prisoners, eleven pieces of artillery and +seventeen battle flags were captured; the prisoners under a strong +escort were sent back to Winchester. After destroying a vast amount of +property and railroads, he took up his line of march for the White +House, following the canal towards Columbia, destroying every lock upon +it and cutting the banks wherever practicable. He rested at Columbia one +day, and sent information to General Grant of his whereabouts; an +infantry force was sent to get possession of the White House, with +supplies to meet him. Moving from Columbia in a direction to threaten +Richmond, he crossed both North and South Anna Rivers, and after +destroying all the bridges and many miles of railroad, proceeded down +the north bank of the Pamunkey to White House, which place he reached on +the 19th with his command in safety. After the long march by the cavalry +over Winter roads, it was necessary to rest and refit at the White +House. At this time the greatest uneasiness to the men was, the fear +that Lee would leave his stronghold about Petersburg for the purpose of +uniting with Johnson before driven out, or before our men were ready for +pursuit, as Lee had the interior route and could form with Johnson, and +with their forces combined, whip Sherman before our forces could get up. + +As usual before a campaign, the troops were furnished with new clothing +and extra rations. On the 24th of February the paymasters arrived, and +the troops received four months' pay, their last payment in the field; +but none knew it then, nor had the least idea of the war ending so soon. +General Sheridan's raid had created a panic in Richmond, and Pegram's +division was sent through Richmond at a double quick on Sunday morning, +passing Libby Prison, and was seen by our prisoners; but they returned +the next day, as Gen. Sheridan was safely at the White House strongly +fortified against any attack. The pickets were ordered to watch the +enemy closely, and if they attempted to leave at night, to follow them +up. The 28th of February was the last day of Winter, and was rainy and +disagreeable; the log shanties, or as the men called them, shebangs, +were full of water, as this was the hardest rain there had been in some +time. At division headquarters there were nineteen bounty jumpers +heavily ironed, and under sentence of court martial; it was determined +by the military court that one of them should die as a warning to the +rest. Hicks had been pardoned by the President, and was at his regiment +doing duty. Rebel officers now came in our lines, three and four each +night; when the officers began to desert, there was not much to look for +from the men. + +Of the number of bounty jumpers under sentence of court martial, John +Kelly, from the 67th Pennsylvania, was sentenced to be shot to death +with musketry on Friday, the 10th of March. The rest were punished in +various ways; some of them were sent to the Rip Raps, and others were to +work on the fortifications around Fortress Monroe. As this was the +first military execution in the division, it was hoped that he would be +pardoned. His friends interposed in his behalf, but all to no purpose, +and the order for his execution was given. The morning of Friday, March +10th, dawned clear and bright, and all were impressed with the solemn +scene. The division was formed in line at nine o'clock about one mile +from camp, to witness the sad event. He had been visited daily by the +priest, and was prepared to die. At 10 o'clock he was led from the +guard-house by the sergeant in charge of the prisoners from the 14th New +Jersey, and the procession moved as follows: First, the band playing the +dead march, followed by the prisoner sitting on his coffin with the +priest and four pall-bearers, and an escort of twenty men marching with +reverse arms to the scene of the execution. The division in line +presented arms. After passing the troops, the band and firing party +filed to the right, the prisoner and pall-bearers to the left. His +sentence was then read to him, and the priest administered the +sacrament; but he seemed totally indifferent, and as unmoved as if a +spectator. He was then placed on his coffin with his arms and eyes +bandaged, and exclaimed, "Fire low, boys, hit me in the heart and kill +me at once." The command was given to fire, and eight balls entered his +body; each one of them would have proved mortal. Four men were reserved +in case he was not killed, but they were not needed, as he was instantly +killed, a warning to all deserters. He was placed in his coffin and +buried where he fell. The arrangements were conducted by the Provost +Marshal, Major Brown; everything was in perfect order, and the division +returned to their quarters. + +It was now evident to all that the end of the rebellion was near at +hand. Johnson was retreating from before Sherman, who, with the forces +of Generals Terry and Schofield combined, was sweeping everything before +them. Charleston and Wilmington in our hands, and all blockade running +stopped, there was no hope for them. The last gun and the last article +from England had reached them, and all hopes of foreign intervention +long since abandoned. With their men deserting by hundreds, and all +communication with Richmond and Petersburg severed, with the exception +of two roads, and those insufficient to supply the armies within the +defences of the rebel capital; the last raid of Sheridan had done them +more injury than any previous one. Our army was large and well equipped, +only waiting for the roads to permit an advance. The men dreaded a +forward movement, as there was no way of flanking Lee; their works must +be assaulted and carried at an immense loss of life if attempted, but a +decisive blow must be struck and that soon. + +The 17th of March being St. Patrick's day, it was largely celebrated by +the Irish brigade, by racing, tumbling and jumping for the amusement of +the rest; there were several accidents, and one or two were killed. On +the 20th, the 1st division 6th corps was reviewed by General Meade. This +was the finest day there had been in some time and the men presented a +fine appearance. The New Jersey brigade was admired by all for its +precision in marching, and for the noble bearing of the men. Several +major-generals were present; also Admiral Porter. General Wheaton, the +division commander, was mounted on a superb horse, with a splendid +bridle and saddle presented to him by the men. At three o'clock the +review was over, and the men marched back to their quarters. + +All surplus baggage was now sent to the rear, as instructions for a +general movement of the armies operating against Richmond were issued, +and all sutlers, purveyors and citizens were ordered to leave within +twenty-four hours. General Sherman moved from the White House, crossed +the James, and formed a junction with the army of the Potomac in front +of Petersburg. + +The 14th regiment now numbered three hundred men for duty, commanded by +Lieut. Colonel Janeway. The men had but a few months to stay, and were +not anxious to again enter an engagement. The orders from Grant were for +the men to move on the left, for the purpose of turning the enemy from +their position around Petersburg. All preparations were how made for an +immediate advance as soon as the weather would permit. The month of +March with its colds and rains had nearly passed. Gen. Sherman had +reached Goldsboro, and was resting his weary army. Johnson was in +command of Hood's army, but like the army of Lee, his men were deserting +in large numbers, as they deemed their cause lost; but their leaders +determined to hold on to the last, and then, if unsuccessful, to leave +the country. + +The 6th corps had been so far recruited that it numbered nearly twenty +thousand men. After the battle of Monocacy the 14th numbered but +ninety-five men for duty. The regiment had been repeatedly recruited, +and now, with three hundred men and eighteen officers, was ready for the +campaign. A great many of the men had received furloughs, but there +were some who had not seen their homes since enlisting. Of the number +that had left New Jersey nearly three years before, there but few +remained; numbers had been killed, and numbers were at their homes +discharged on account of wounds. At the hospitals many poor fellows lay +in pain that would willingly rejoin their comrades if able; there were +scarcely any of the old boys left that had not been wounded. + +On the 23d of March, Lee passed along the whole line of the rebel army, +inspecting and reviewing the troops. There was very little display of +the old enthusiasm with which his presence was wont to be greeted, as +the men were discouraged and saw no farther use of fighting. Desertions +were still numerous, and a new arrangement was made by the rebel +officers; instead of details from the several regiments as heretofore, a +whole regiment was placed at once on picket. They believed that this +would prevent desertions. But this new device was wholly without effect, +as whole companies would desert at once, bringing with them their arms +and equipments. + +The troops were all in their respective positions, with no positive +orders to move, nor was it scarcely thought that the enemy would dare +attack our position. Early on the morning of the 25th of March, when +least expected, they assaulted our lines in front of the 9th corps, and +so unexpected was the attack, that ere our men could recover from their +surprise the enemy had captured Fort Steadman and part of the line to +the right and left of it, established themselves and turned the guns of +the fort upon us. But the troops on either flank held their ground until +the reserves were brought up, and after a desperate battle the enemy was +driven back with heavy loss in killed and wounded, and two thousand +prisoners. They paid dearly for their advance, as it was their intention +to break our lines, if possible. General Meade at once ordered the other +corps to advance and feel the enemy in their respective fronts. The +campaign had now commenced, which soon ended in the downfall of the +rebellion. It was hastened by the enemy, as General Grant would not have +moved so soon. + +The whole army was now in motion and winter quarters abandoned; pushing +forward, the 2nd and 6th corps captured and held the enemy's strongly +intrenched picket line with heavy loss. The enemy made desperate +attempts to retake this line but without success; our losses were heavy +but the enemy's still greater. Ever since General Grant halted in front +of Petersburg, General Lee had been watching for some weak point in our +lines where he might hope for success, and not waste his men against our +strongly fortified line. He took his time because it was necessary to be +very careful, he could not afford to lose a chance or a single man and +yet this point where he made his attack was apparently on the +supposition that Gen. Grant had weakened his lines to help Sherman, as +his attack was in heavy force; but the whole affair was a splendid one +for us as they were repulsed with great slaughter, their loss in killed, +wounded and prisoners amounting to nearly six thousand men, and this at +that time was a terrible loss to Lee. The nights were spent with anxiety +by the men, lest each morning should bring the report that the enemy had +retreated during the night before. It was firmly believed that Lee would +retreat, and with Johnson and him combined, a long, tedious and +expensive campaign consuming most of the Summer, would become necessary. +By moving out of quarters, the army would be in a better condition for +pursuit, and would at least by the destruction of the Danville Railroad, +retard the concentration of the two armies of Generals Lee and Johnson, +and cause the enemy to abandon much material that they might otherwise +save. + +It was not fully ascertained at first the amount of damage done by the +enemy in their attack on the 25th. They had massed four divisions under +General Gordon, and when our men were asleep, made a furious attack on +our line in front of the 9th corps, capturing the fort and guns, and at +the same time they attacked Fort Haskell, but were repulsed with heavy +loss. President Lincoln and lady were present, and witnessed the fight +at a distance. For several days, the division commanded by General +Gordon had held a position in front of the 9th corps, and at midnight +they were silently and promptly formed for a charge; everything was now +ready, and the order forward was given without raising an alarm or a +suspicion. The rebel troops were out safely to their line of works +thrown up for the protection of their skirmishers. At a given signal +they bounded over these works and rapidly cutting gaps in our _Chevaux +de Frise_, pressed on with a yell towards our lines. The attack being +sudden and totally unexpected, and made in almost overwhelming force, +caused our skirmish line to give way before our reserves could get up. +The rebels, confident of success, pressed on with vigor and succeeded in +breaking our line at a point near Fort Steadman; reaching our abattis +they poured a terrific volley in our lines, breaking through on the +left; they captured the fort by charging from the rear. So rapidly was +this accomplished that the officer in command of the fort was captured +with a portion of his men. Re-enforcements soon arrived from the other +corps, and a terrible volley was poured into the enemy's ranks, who were +now bent only on plunder; they could not long remain under such heavy +fire and at last were compelled to fall back. Our infantry flanked the +fort and cut off a large body of the rebel troops, that were commanded +in person by Gen. Gordon, who led the attack. As they fell back they +were literally slaughtered by our men, as grape and cannister were +poured in their retreating ranks. This was their last hope, and +crest-fallen, they fell back to their lines with a loss of over six +thousand men. + +Just four hours after the repulse of the rebel attack on the right of +our line, the thunder of artillery and the crash of musketry again +rolled loudly on the chilly March air. This time, however, everything +was changed, the sound came from the left, not from the right; we were +now the attacking party, not the rebels, and the ground we won was not +recovered by them. General Grant, angry at their boldness, determined to +let them know that the Potomac army was yet as ready as ever, and the +6th corps, which never knew the word fail, was ordered to the assault +for the purpose of preventing the rebels from massing their troops, and +at the same time to ascertain if possible their strength; advancing in +three lines, the enemy's entire skirmish line was captured. They had +erected a number of rifle pits in front of their main line; they were +driven out of these works and compelled to fall back or else be +captured; several surrendered at once as they were anxious to enter our +lines. The position from which the attack was made by the 6th corps, was +at the left of our line and near Fort Fisher; the thirty pound guns +doing terrible execution. At two o'clock in the morning, Major-General +Wright and staff reached Fort Fisher, where he was joined by Generals +Wheaton, Seymour, Getty, Keifer and other 6th corps officers. The picket +line was now held by the 10th Vermont and 14th New Jersey, supported by +the 110th and 122d Ohio regiments. The order forward was given, and the +first assault was made by the 10th and 14th, under command of Colonel +George B. Davison, of the 10th Vermont. The rebel position was charged +with great gallantry and success, entering and occupying the line +assaulted. The rebels were now aware of the weakness of the attacking +party, as the two regiments advanced, and they soon massed a column of +troops to drive them back; but the 3d division of the 6th corps was on +hand and gave them such a volley that they fell back in confusion, and +the entire line remained in our possession. The loss in the 14th +regiment was comparatively small, as the fighting did not continue long. +The artillery in the different forts by this time became warmly engaged +with the rebel batteries, and a company of the 9th N. Y. Heavy +Artillery, of the 3d division, sent a shell with such accuracy as to +blow up a caisson in one of the rebel forts; shells were screaming +through the air, and away to the left volleys of musketry told that the +2nd corps was now heavily engaged. Part of the 3d division was placed on +the left of the line with the 2d corps. It was composed of the 10th +Vermont, 14th New Jersey, 110th and 122d Ohio, 6th Maryland and part of +the 9th N. York Heavy Artillery; this composed nearly all the 2d +brigade, with two regiments from the 1st brigade. + +The line was now formed for another assault, and when everything was in +readiness the flag of the 1st brigade of Colonel Truex was waved as a +signal to move forward. From the parapet of Fort Fisher the blue cross +of the 3d division, 6th corps, waved, and from thousands of brave men +about to risk life and limb came back a ringing cheer, and as onward +they swept many a God-speed followed them. The batteries on both sides +were hard at work, and not many minutes elapsed before the sharper ring +of small arms was heard. + +The line was fast closing on the rebel position, and their outer works +were soon reached. Major Prentiss, from the 6th Maryland, was the first +to enter their works. Scores of rebels preferred capture to running +away, and as soon as they saw our troops inside of their lines, they +threw down their arms and gave themselves up as prisoners of war. The +loss on both sides was heavy; the 14th, as usual, fought well, losing +their share of men in killed and wounded. The result of this fight +proved that the enthusiasm and energy of Lee's troops had dwindled down +to zero. They fought like hopeless, not desperate, men; the spirit which +animated them two years ago had been broken by repeated defeats, and +tamed by short rations. The new position gained was, on Sunday morning, +March 26, held by the entire 6th corps, ready to repel any attack the +enemy would make. The 14th was again on picket, and the long night +passed slowly away, without a shot along the entire line; the enemy was +badly beaten and was quiet the rest of the night. Our men fought +splendidly and successfully, and at night there was a wide-spread +enthusiasm among the troops at the glorious success of the day. The +enemy began the sanguinary work. + +The Spring campaign was now opened with favorable auspices to our side, +with a prospect of soon ending the war. The ground gained by the 6th +corps was held during the next three days, the lines having been +advanced one mile and a half from our former position. The 14th was now +relieved from picket; tired and weary, the men lay down to sleep, having +had none for nearly three days. The rebel dead, as they lay strewn +around, were but skin and bone, a fact not to be wondered at, when it is +remembered that for the last six months their chief article of diet had +been a small quantity of corn meal daily. + +From the night of the 29th to the morning of the 31st, the rain fell in +such torrents as to make it impossible to move a wheeled vehicle, except +when corduroy roads were laid in front of them. On the 30th, General +Sheridan had advanced as far as Five Forks, where he found the enemy in +force, and awaited re-enforcements. In the meantime, the 2d and 6th +corps were holding the line they had captured without any farther +fighting, awaiting orders to advance. The men were now confident that +the enemy's main works could be carried, and were clamorous to be led +on; but the rain and roads would not permit an advance. + +On the morning of April 1st, General Sheridan, re-enforced by the 5th +corps, drove the enemy back on Five Forks, capturing all their artillery +and six thousand prisoners. In front of the 2d and 6th corps there was +nothing but picket firing during the day; at night a heavy cannonade +commenced, and was kept up until morning. Gen. Grant now ordered an +attack along the entire line; accordingly, the 6th corps was massed and +formed in three divisions. At three o'clock on Sunday morning, without a +noise, the column was formed for a charge, with the 9th corps in reserve +to follow the 6th, if successful. General Sheridan, with his cavalry and +the 5th corps, were to attack at the same time, the result being well +known to our readers. At four o'clock the order to move forward was +given, and the 3d division in advance, with a yell charged the enemy's +works, and their entire line was captured with many prisoners and guns. +The 6th corps swept everything before them; the wildest enthusiasm +prevailed, and the men fought reckless of life and limb. Three thousand +prisoners were captured by the 6th corps alone. There was a tremendous +struggle during the day in woods, fields, hills and valleys, and on the +roads and creeks a few miles south and west of Petersburg, and from +twenty to thirty miles beyond the rebel Capital; never was such a scene +presented to the eye. The whole rebel army was now in full retreat +before our victorious troops. Petersburg was captured by the 6th corps +and the Southside road reached and torn up for many miles. The result of +this day's fight was the capture of Petersburg with twelve thousand +prisoners, many thousand stand of arms, and the utter rout of the rebel +army. The most wicked of all rebellions had now absolutely received its +death-blow, and was so positively crushed that no power on earth could +save it. Lee's retreat proved an utter rout. At midnight on Sunday, +Richmond was evacuated, Jeff. Davis taking the rail for Danville; the +lower portion of the city was burned and totally destroyed. For four +long years had our brave men fought, and now the rebel Capital was in +our possession, General Wetsell entering and occupying it on Monday +morning at daylight. The rebel army seemed to hold together feebly +before the battles, but the fierce struggle of Saturday and Sunday had +completely used them up. We had taken twelve thousand prisoners in the +two days, and there were twelve thousand more killed and wounded. Only +one-half of Lee's army was now left; such a force could not long stand +alone with a victorious army in pursuit. It was now Lee's intention to +join Johnson if possible, and such a run would cost them ten thousand +more men. + +While the 6th corps was holding the captured picket line without much +fighting, there was severe fighting on the left of the line. It was +reserved for this corps to divide the formidable rebel army, which for +so many months defied our power to drive them from the city of +Petersburg. There were two objects in view; one to create a division in +favor of Gen. Sheridan, and the other to cut the rebel army in two and +destroy the far-famed Southside road. The first notice given the men was +at nine o'clock, when a dispatch came from Gen. Meade, telling of the +success of Gen. Sheridan on the left, and his heavy capture of +prisoners, and ordered the troops to be massed at three o'clock on +Sunday morning as was heretofore stated, and charge the rebel line. The +pickets were also ordered to advance in front of the different +divisions, but did not succeed in arousing a suspicion among them that +we were to attack. The rebels showed how far they were from suspecting a +movement, by calling out to know if we were celebrating April fool's day +at that time in the morning. The order given for the assault was carried +out very punctually, owing to the fact that the greater the surprise the +greater would be our chance of success; the troops therefore moved +outside of the works at two o'clock. The moon had gone down, and the +night was intensely dark; a thin chilly mist arose from the ground, +which served still farther to conceal our movements from the enemy. On +the extreme left of the line was the 1st brigade, with Colonel Truex in +command, and the 14th New Jersey on the right of the brigade under +Colonel Janeway. In forming the line, it was Gen. Wright's intention to +attack in such overwhelming force that failure would be impossible; then +when the column had made good its entrance into the rebel works, the +divisions on the right and left might deploy, and drive the enemy from +their works as effectually as if a fresh corps had attacked. To +co-operate with the attacking column, Gen. Park, with the 9th corps, was +held in reserve, while Sheridan, far away to the left, was thundering on +their flank. Just before the attack, Gen. Wright and staff rode up to +the picket line; a match was struck and the time ascertained; it wanted +just fifteen minutes of four o'clock, and an officer was sent back to +Fort Fisher with orders to fire a signal gun exactly at four o'clock. A +few shots were fired by the enemy as the match was struck, and then all +was still; no object was visible at a distance of a few yards, and of +the thousands of men massed, not one could be seen by the enemy's line. + +Suddenly a bright flash leaped out into the darkness, and a loud report +from a twelve pounder rolled in the air; a minute elapsed and a similar +sound came from the left some ten miles away, telling that the signal +was understood. The veterans of the different divisions were now pushed +forward, and the dull crash of musketry and the flash of artillery told +that the battle had begun. The enemy was surprised, but soon rallied, +and a terrific strife now took place. The entire line from right to left +was heavily engaged. Daylight dawned slowly to the men, whose hearts +were already relieved, as it was noticed that the enemy's firing became +more feeble. Gen. Wright's assertion was fulfilled, that he would go +through them like a knife, as their entire line was captured, together +with thousands of prisoners, numerous pieces of artillery and many +battle flags. It was the most complete achievement of the war, and the +first rays of the morning's sun beamed on the ramparts of the captured +forts with the rebel army in full retreat. To retain what we had gained +was necessary to gain more; for this purpose, the 3rd division was +deployed to the left from forts on other parts of the line. The rebels +were already firing on our men, and it was necessary to capture those +forts and silence the guns. The two brigades under command of Colonels +Truex and Keifer, pushed gallantly forward, and Gen. Wright after +assuring himself of the safety of that part of the line, turned his +attention to the left. The division took possession of a portion of the +rebel lines, and soon struck the Southside road, destroying it for over +ten miles. Later in the day when our men had completely cleared the +rebels out of that part of the line, the work of destroying the road was +resumed. General Seymour continued pushing toward the rebels left with +the 3d division, and at one point had as severe a fight as any which +occurred during the day. The rebels had a battery of six guns, two +twenty pounders and four light field pieces, which they served in +magnificent style. Our line was rapidly advanced and a charge made by +the 1st brigade, and six more guns were added to the number already +captured. From this point our progress to the left was comparatively +easy, as the enemy were in full retreat. Soon a line of glittering +bayonets were seen advancing towards us, and Major-General Gibbons +informed Gen. Wright that the advancing column belonged to the 24th +corps. + +The 6th corps had by this time reached the vicinity of Hatcher's Run, +and it was decided to right-about-face and march for Petersburg by the +Boydton Plank Road. The troops had but commenced moving towards +Petersburg, when a hearty cheer was given by the rear regiments. The +cause was soon ascertained to be the arrival of Lieut. General Grant and +staff, and as soon as the soldiers saw the Lieutenant-General, they +shouted, "Boys, here's General Grant, three cheers for him," and all +along the line as he rode on his black horse, Jeff. Davis, the men +cheered him with the wildest enthusiasm; he rode with head uncovered, +and bowed his thanks for the soldiers' hearty greeting. On seeing +Generals Wright, Seymour, Wheaton and other 6th corps officers, he shook +hands with great heartiness, and after spending a short time in +conversation, he proceeded towards Petersburg, the corps following +rapidly. On reaching the place, preparations were at once commenced to +attack the works immediately surrounding Petersburg. For this purpose +Gen. Seymour of the 3d division was sent forward to the right of the +line; Gen. Getty to the centre, and Gen. Wheaton to the left. Artillery +was put into position, and soon the battle raged with even greater fury +than in the morning. The rebels seemed determined to defend their forts +to the last, but nothing could withstand the tried valor of General +Wright's troops. The long lines were gradually closed on the forts and +garrisons, and they were compelled to give way before the hard fighting +of the 6th corps. Until after nightfall the contest continued, and the +fate of Petersburg was decided. Major C. K. Prentiss, of the 6th +Maryland, was the first to enter the rebel works, but was unfortunately +shot through the chest a short time afterward. A rebel lieutenant was +picked up wounded, who gave his name as Lieut. Prentiss, of the 2d +Maryland regiment; he was a younger brother of the major, whom he had +not seen since the rebellion broke out; they were both placed in the +hospital together, and their wounds dressed. The meeting between the +brothers was very affecting, causing many to shed tears. Our losses in +killed and wounded, considering the hard fighting, were very light, as +the rebels aimed too high for their fire to be destructive. Night found +us in the possession of Petersburg, with an immense quantity of stores +and ammunition that the enemy had left in their haste. Lee with the +remnant of his army, had fled in the direction of Danville, a +demoralized disheartened force. The loss in the 14th did not exceed one +hundred in killed and wounded. The troops fought well, but none better +than the 14th New Jersey. Led by a brave officer, Lieut.-Colonel +Janeway, they with the rest caused many a rebel to bite the dust, and +with about one hundred and fifty men left, participated in the attack. + +The charge of Major-Gen. Wright's veterans under cover of the darkness +and mist, preceding the break of day, will forever live in history as +one of the grandest and most sublime actions of the war. With +irresistible force they broke through the rebel line, in which months of +labor had been expended, and then turning the rebel guns on other +hostile forts, they swept along the rebel line for a distance of five +miles, capturing men, guns and colors. When it is remembered how much +depended on them, and what would have been the consequence if they +failed, the country will treasure as household words the names of +Wright, Getty, Seymour, Wheaton, and other generals who led the +oft-tried but never defeated men of the 6th corps to victory, on the +morning of Sunday, April 2d. + +Under cover of the darkness on Sunday night, Lee withdrew the remnant of +his army and fell back across the Appomattox. The bridge across the +river was partially burned by them, but the flames were soon +extinguished by our troops, who commenced entering Petersburg shortly +after sunrise on Monday morning, and were objects of great curiosity to +the negroes of the city. They capered around our men in a most ludicrous +manner, and at every fresh arrival yelled out, "Dar comes de clebber +yankees." The stores were all closed, and the city seemed to have left +off doing business. Our enterprising news boys entered the city along +with the soldiers, and almost before the rear guard of the rebels had +crossed the river, the New York Herald, of March 31st, was sold in the +streets of Petersburg. + +The final movement in pursuit of the balance of Lee's army commenced at +daylight. It was General Grant's intention to use them up entirely in +case the charge of the 6th corps should prove a success, and accordingly +the 2d, 5th, 6th and 24th corps, together with the cavalry under General +Sheridan, were put in motion to find the rebels. The camps around +Petersburg were left, and the whole of the grand army of the Potomac was +fairly en route by eight o'clock, with all their teams, ambulances, pack +mules, droves of cattle, and all other necessities for campaigning. +After long weary waiting around Petersburg for nearly nine months, the +change was agreeable, and the recent victories added considerably to the +good spirits of the men. The country passed through was in a fine state +of cultivation, and the bright green of early vegetation looked very +cheerful when contrasted with the brown sandy waste we had looked on for +so long a time. The 6th corps moved in the following order: Getty's +division ahead, Wheaton in the centre, and Seymour with the 3d division +in the rear. + +During the day the troops marched forty miles; night found the advance +at Mount Pleasant Church. Hundreds of rebels had been picked up on the +march. The roads were very muddy from the recent rains, and on no other +occasion could the men have marched as far, but all knew the necessity +of capturing Lee's army, and all were willing to do their best. During a +temporary halt in the afternoon, Gen. Meade passed the 6th corps on his +way to the front. He was recognized by the men and greeted with loud and +enthusiastic cheers; for a short time the scene was one that could be +better imagined than described, so great was the enthusiasm inspired by +the presence of the Commander of the army of the Potomac. Caps were +waved and cheers given in a manner which is only heard and seen where +thousands of soldiers are greeting a commander who has won their +confidence and esteem. General Meade returned the greeting of the 6th +corps by repeated bows, although compelled to bestow considerable +attention on the management of the spirited horse he was riding. On +reaching the spot where Gen. Wright was standing, he reined in his +horse, and said to him, laughingly, "The 6th corps men are in such good +spirits that they seem determined to break my neck;" to which the +General replied, that "He imagined they were proud of their success," +when Gen. Meade, with much feeling said, "Yes, we all know, _and the +country shall know_, that the 6th corps did the business; to them we owe +our success in breaking the rebel line, and we feel very grateful to +them for it." + +On the 6th at daylight, the 2d, 5th and 6th corps were at Burksville +Station, and Lee was near Amelia Court House. The enemy again made a +stand, when they were attacked by General Sheridan with his cavalry, and +the 1st and 3d divisions of the 6th corps. A desperate battle was again +fought, which resulted in the capture of six rebel generals, Ewell, +Pegram, Barton, DeBoise, Corse and Fitz Hugh Lee, several thousand +prisoners, fourteen pieces of artillery, and thousands of small arms. +Lee's army was now closely pressed, and nothing could save him from +capture. The troops moving down the road on a parallel with the enemy, +they were again attacked at Sailor's Creek. The 3d division in advance +was moved up the road held by the enemy, which was carried by the +division. By this time Wheaton's division was put into position as +rapidly as possible on the left of the line. While these operations were +going on, similar ones were occurring at other points. By bold and +strategic movements Grant had almost surrounded Lee, and his surrender +was speedily looked for. The men were exhausted and needed rest, but +there was none until Lee's army had been captured. The lines of the 1st +and 3d divisions were again advanced, and swept down the road for a +distance of two miles. Arriving at a deep and difficult creek, the enemy +were found in line on the opposite side; they were immediately attacked +and driven back from Sailor's Creek. In this engagement our loss was +heavy, especially in the 1st division, as the men were compelled to +cross under heavy fire. The 14th was now rapidly diminished in numbers, +with only about 100 men left; but those that were left were as full of +fight as ever. The rebel General A. P. Hill was killed in front of +Petersburg while urging on his men; his loss was felt by them, as he was +one of their leading corps commanders. Ewell was in our hands, and of +the four leading generals of the rebel army, Lee and Longstreet only +were left. + +The pursuit was kept up the entire week following the capture of +Richmond and Petersburg, in which the troops marched over two hundred +miles. It was soon found that the enemy had fled from Sailor's Creek to +the north side of the Appomattox; but so close was the pursuit that our +forces secured the bridge, and immediately crossed the 6th corps at +Farmersville. Feeling that Gen. Lee's chance of escape was utterly +hopeless, and his men dropping out at every mile, the following dispatch +was sent to him by General Grant; + + TO ROBERT LEE, COM'G ARMY OF C. S. OF AMERICA: + + GENERAL: + + The result of the last week must convince you of the hopelessness of + further resistance on the part of the army of Northern Virginia. In + this struggle I feel that it is so, and regard it as my duty to + shift from myself the responsibility of any further effusion of + blood, by asking of you the surrender of that portion of the + Confederate States army known as the army of Northern Virginia. + + U. S. GRANT, + Lieut. General. + +To this General Lee replied: + + I received your note of this date. Though not entertaining the + opinion you express on the hopelessness of further resistance on the + part of the army of Northern Virginia, I reciprocate your desire to + avoid useless effusion of blood, and therefore will treat with you + on terms of surrender. + + R. E. LEE, + General. + +While this correspondence was carried on, the troops were not idle, and +Sunday morning found both armies again in line at Appomattox Court +House. Writing and fighting at the same time, General Grant showed that +he was more than a match for Lee; just as he would have stopped any +attempt on Lee's part to escape through his lines, so he stopped his +attempt to escape from him. In the afternoon an arrangement was made for +an interview with the rebel General. General Grant offered to parole all +of Lee's army, and give the officers their side arms and private +property. Lee at once accepted this proposition and the fighting ceased, +and the war was practically ended; so in a few days, and by means of a +few short letters, the dreadful contest which had disturbed the country +for four years, was brought to a close, and the whole rebel army was in +our hands. + +The troops were fighting at Appomattox Court House, and knew nothing of +the correspondence of Grant and Lee, when orders came for a suspension +of hostilities for two hours. At two o'clock in the afternoon General +Meade rode along the lines, and with hat in hand, exclaimed, "Boys, Lee +has surrendered." At first it was not credited, but coming from the +mouth of General Meade, it could not be doubted, and one continuous +shout was given. The men were in ecstasies, and could scarcely restrain +themselves; tremendous cheers were given and caps were thrown in the +air. Men hugged and squeezed each other, and all felt that the war was +over. + +The stipulations for the surrender were carried into effect, and the +rebel army was no longer an organized body of men. Twenty-five thousand +men were all that were left, and ten thousand of them were unarmed. They +were permitted to return to their homes, which they gladly did, and the +army of Northern Virginia ceased to exist. It could scarcely be believed +that Lee had surrendered, and while the men were marching and fighting, +Grant and Lee were in correspondence with each other. Sunday, the 9th of +April, will ever be remembered, especially by the soldiers of the +Potomac army. In the short space of fifteen days, Lee had been driven +from his position in front of Petersburg and compelled to retreat; +Richmond in our possession, and he finally compelled to surrender to +General Grant. + +The 5th corps and one division of cavalry were ordered to remain at +Appomattox Court House, until the paroling of the surrendered army was +completed and to take charge of the public property. The remainder of +the army immediately returned to Petersburg, but were ordered to halt at +Burksville and enter camp; the men were greatly in need of rest and +rations. Once more tents were placed on a line as before. Nothing was +talked of but the recent victories, and the people North were rejoicing; +guns were fired throughout the country in honor of our success. Too much +praise cannot be given to the privates and officers of the Potomac army, +and to our noble leader, Grant. + +With but one hundred men for duty, the 14th entered camp at Burksville, +with bronzed features and soiled garments, covered with Virginia mud; +they looked for a speedy return to their homes. All that was possible +for them to do they had done, and New Jersey cannot but be proud of such +a noble band of heroic men. Commencing on the river from which the +Potomac army derived its name, until the surrender of Lee at Appomattox +Court House, Virginia, all have a proud record for having done their +full share in restoring our Union as it was. + +Johnson had not yet surrendered, and as each day passed reports were +circulated among the men, that the Potomac army was to march in his +rear. Scarcely had the men commenced to rejoice at their success, when +there came a blow that was more terrible than any defeat. In camp at +Burkesville the men little knew what calamity was to befall the nation. +A dispatch was sent from Washington that our beloved President had been +assassinated. Our noble leader who for the last four years had guided +our nation in the midst of war was foully stricken down by the +assassin's hand. Rejoicing was turned into mourning, and the men when +fully aware that Lincoln was no more, were clamorous to move on Gen. +Johnson, and with vows of vengeance, determined if possible to avenge +his death. Gloom now prevailed among the men, as he was beloved by +friend and foe. But a few days before he was at the front, and by his +presence cheered the men on to victory; now he lay in the cold embrace +of death. The Southern leaders, now fleeing from their homes, were the +instigators of this horrible crime. All business was suspended in the +army on the day of his burial. Jeff. Davis had fled, and at Danville +stopped long enough to make a speech. He told his followers that their +cause was not yet lost; that the rebel capital had been evacuated for +the purpose of concentrating their armies; he did not then know that Lee +had surrendered his army to Grant. Remaining a few hours at Danville he +proceeded South, and was finally captured in the disguise of a female--a +fitting end for such a leader. + +The men were now anxious to move towards Washington and be mustered out, +as the Potomac army had done its duty; but Johnson had still a large +army, and was in consultation with Gen. Sherman in regard to a +surrender, but no terms could be agreed upon, and it was determined to +crush him. Accordingly, the 6th corps and Sheridan's cavalry were +ordered to move on his rear. On Sunday night, April 23d, the corps was +ordered to be ready to move at daylight, which way the men knew not, but +it was supposed for Washington; but the men soon found out that they +had a hard march before them to Danville, one hundred and twenty miles +distant. In four days the march was made; the sun was very warm, and the +men suffered very much. General Wright, wishing to win more glory, was +anxious to fall on Johnson's rear. He marched the men very fast, until +he was bitterly cursed by them, and with blistered feet and weary limbs +the men plodded on in dust and sun, and were loud in their complaints +against Wright for marching so fast. When in pursuit of Lee, the men +deemed it necessary and did not murmur, but marching thirty miles a day, +for four successive days was more than human nature could bear, when it +was unnecessary. Water was very scarce; often ten and twelve miles were +passed without meeting a stream or well of any kind. Danville was +reached by the 1st division at noon on the fourth day, and was quietly +taken possession of by Gen. Hamlin's brigade. The Union army had never +marched that way, and the Yanks were an object of curiosity to the +negroes. There was considerable of rolling stock in the place which had +not been moved, and was captured. The troops marched through the place +and encamped on the outskirts of the town. One day was given the men to +rest, and orders issued to move again. The corps was but forty miles +from Johnson, and in two days would have been thundering on his rear. +Gen. Wright was very anxious that the corps should win new laurels, but +the men were not, as they had won enough, for if anything was done, the +praise was given the officers and not the men, when they did the work. + +The troops were in camp but a few hours, when a dispatch was received by +General Wright with the news of Johnson's surrender; the men were formed +in line and the dispatch read to them. All knew that their marching and +fighting was done, and cheers were given for Sherman and his noble army; +each battery was ordered to fire a salute of thirty-two guns, and the +bands ordered to play national airs. The war was now over and right glad +were the men of it. Home was now talked of, but the men were too weary +to rejoice much. The campaign, from winter quarters to the surrender of +Lee and the march to Danville, had been a hard one. Thirty miles a day +when the war was over was more than the men of the 6th corps wished for, +and Gen. Wright lost much of the respect due him, as he was in command, +and such marching was needless. + +Danville is a town of some importance, forty miles from Goldsboro, the +scene of Johnson's surrender. Had he not surrendered as soon as he did, +he would have heard the thunder of the artillery and musketry of the 6th +corps in his rear in less than forty-eight hours; but the men were not +anxious to move further south, and remained quietly in camp. At this +place the rebels had a large house where the Union prisoners were kept. +The graveyard where they were buried was visited by the men; the most of +them had died of starvation and cruel treatment. About seven thousand +were crowded in a small lot; it will ever remain a curse to the South, +showing the cruel treatment our men received at their hands. + +The troops remained in camp at Danville until the 16th of May, when +orders came to move; leaving camp at four in the morning, marching +through Danville, and placed on baggage cars, riding one hundred and +sixty miles all day and all night, to Richmond. The day was warm and +dusty, and the ride very tedious, as the men were in open cars; crossed +Staunton River on a bridge built by our forces since the occupation of +Danville, passing the old camp at Burksville, reaching Richmond on the +morning of the 17th, and entering camp near Manchester, remained there +eight days. The other corps were at Washington with Sherman's army, and +were paid off and mustered out as rapidly as possible. The 6th corps, +always first in action, was the last to go home; their work was now +done, and all were anxious to return to their homes. Camp life passed +very pleasantly, and passes were given the men to visit Richmond. Rebel +officers and soldiers were numerous, and were loitering around with +feelings of hatred towards the Union soldiers; they were whipped but not +subdued, and to-day the same feeling exists in the South as it did four +years ago. + +The remainder of the troops were now at Washington, and Gen. Wright did +all he could to get transportation for his corps; but the authorities at +Washington were not willing, and the men ware compelled to march. When +Washington was threatened by Early, the 6th corps was transported there +in a hurry; but now the war was over, and with hundreds of transports +lying at City Point, the men were not allowed to ride. The distance was +one hundred and twenty miles, the sun warm and the roads muddy from +recent rains. The 24th army corps of the army of the James was still at +Richmond doing guard duty, with headquarters at the former residence of +Jeff. Davis. + +On Monday, March 24, the corps was ordered to move for Washington, +marching out at three o'clock, passing in review at Manchester and at +Richmond, crossing the James on pontoons. After marching through the +principal streets, the troops took the road to Washington, marching that +day twenty miles, the roads in some places almost impassable, several +teams sticking in the mud; passed the works thrown up by McClellan in +the Peninsula campaign, crossing the Chickahominy River and Stony Creek, +and halting for the night at Hanover Court House. We moved out the next +day on the same road the army was on one year ago; then after the enemy, +trying to take Richmond, now with the war over, bound for home. The day +was very warm, and the men fell out by hundreds; many were sunstruck, +several dying. At night the column halted at Chesterfield Station, +having marched twenty miles since morning. + +On the 29th the rain fell in torrents, wetting the men to the skin; the +roads were in a horrible condition, the mud knee-deep. The weather had +suddenly changed and it was very cold; the men were as wet as they could +be. At 9 o'clock the troops moved out; the marching was very slow as the +men ware nearly worn out, having done nothing but march since last +winter quarters. But ten miles were made that day, the men entering camp +at dark. Shelter tents were hastily put up, but the damp ground was a +hard place to lie for tired and weary man, but the men did not care, as +the war was over and they were homeward bound. The corps was now stuck +in the mud and could not move; this was the last march, and a hard one +it was. The men lay in camp until the roads were nearly dried, which did +not take long, as the sandy roads of Virginia did not long remain muddy +with the hot sun to dry them; two days were spent in camp. Six days were +given Gen. Wright to march from Richmond to Washington, but it could not +be done. The rations were giving out, the men having nothing but +hard-tack and coffee. + +On Monday, the 29th, the roads were in better condition, and the troops +moved out. The day was cool, marching in eight hours twenty miles to +Fredericksburg, arriving there at noon, crossed the Mat Ta Po and Nye +Rivers, these four streams forming the Mattapony River. Headquarters +were near the city on the Heights where Generals Burnside and Hooker +fought in '62 and '63. The next day the march was resumed, the 3d +division in the rear, passed through Fredericksburg, a very pretty +place, but now nearly every house bore the marks of shells; the place +was in a very dilapidated condition. The column crossed the +Rappahannock on pontoons, marching sixteen miles, wading Aquia Creek, +camping in a field at four o'clock. On the 31st, the 3d division was in +the centre, marching eighteen miles very fast, arriving in camp at three +o'clock. Hard-tack, coffee and sugar were issued the men at night. On +June 1st the headquarter wagons were sent ahead, marching eighteen +miles, and encamping near Fairfax Court House. The next day fourteen +miles were made, passing the Potomac army lying quietly in their camp, +anxiously awaiting orders to be mustered out. Tents were pitched on a +line at Bailey's Cross Roads, eight miles from Washington, having been +ten days coming from Richmond, two days stuck in the mud. + +The marching and fighting were now over, and the men entered camp with +the expectation of soon seeing their homes. The remaining corps were +soon mustered out as rapidly as possible, and the officers of the +different regiments were working day and night on the muster rolls. The +weather was very warm and dry, and rations poor. The nearer the troops +were to Washington the poorer were the rations they had to eat. The +detached men from the regiment were now ordered back, and the new +recruits transferred to the 2d New Jersey with two hundred and thirty +men; all that remained of the old 14th New Jersey were ready to return +home. + +On Thursday, June 8th, the 6th corps was reviewed in Washington in +presence of President Johnson and other leading officials. At four +o'clock in the morning the men moved out of camp, marching to +Washington. At nine o'clock the column was formed; the men were neatly +brushed, with muskets in fine order and wearing white gloves, crossing +Long Bridge and passing in review down Pennsylvania avenue. The sun was +intensely hot, and in the crowded streets the men suffered very much; +many were sunstruck and died. The men were not used to pavements, nor to +marching in close order. After the review the troops returned to their +respective camps, having marched twenty miles since leaving camp; it was +more than a day's march, and very hard on the men. Soon the muster rolls +were ready, and were sent into headquarters for inspection; they were +pronounced correct, and preparations were made to muster out the men as +soon as possible. The rolls of the 14th were ready first, and they were +the first to leave for their homes. + +Seventeen days had elapsed since the corps arrived at Washington. On +the afternoon of June 19th, the regiment was formed in line and marched +to headquarters, and was mustered out of the United States service. +Soldiering in the field was now done, and with happy hearts the men +returned to their quarters. At midnight the long roll was beaten and the +regiment ordered to move at daylight, marching to Washington, passing +through Georgetown. The men were placed on baggage cars, but did not get +off until night, arriving in Philadelphia on the morning of the 21st. A +good breakfast was given the men by the Volunteer Refreshment Saloon. +Three cheers for the ladies of Philadelphia were given, and the regiment +marched to the ferry, crossing over to Camden and taking the cars for +Trenton, forty miles distant, arriving at noon. The ladies of the place +gave the war-worn veterans a hearty welcome and a warm reception. A +splendid dinner was provided, and the men enjoyed it much; such a dinner +was indeed a feast, such as the men had not seen for many a long day, +after which they were marched to the barracks and ordered in. At first +they refused to go, but the promise of a speedy payment was +satisfactory, and the men entered, remaining all night; the next day +forming in line and marching through the principal streets; everywhere +the regiment was greeted with cheers. Another dinner was served, and +speeches made by Governor Parker, Lieut.-Colonel Hall, and others. The +men then returned to the barracks, and passes were given them for five +days. All were in good spirits, and were glad they were again in their +native State. + +The regiment had bean gone nearly three years, leaving New Jersey with +nine hundred and fifty active men; two hundred and thirty returned. +During that time, having participated in numerous battles and +skirmishes, fighting each time with that bravery for which the New +Jersey troops were noted for. In that time the regiment had traveled by +rail one thousand and fifty miles, by water six hundred and twenty-eight +miles, and on foot two thousand and fifteen miles. At the expiration of +five days the men returned, and on the 20th of June, 1865, received +their final payment by Major Newell, after passing through almost +incredible hardships, participating in all the battles of the Potomac +Army from Gettysburg to the surrender of Lee, leaving more than one half +of their men on Southern soil, their bones now bleaching in the sun. The +men were soon to separate and return to their homes. The clash of arms +and the groans of the wounded and dying would no more be heard, and +those that were left would soon engage in the active pursuits of life, +and war forgotten. The 14th New Jersey, a noble regiment, will ever be +remembered by the people of the State as the defenders of our Union and +Constitution. + + +A FEW WORDS TO MY COMRADES IN ARMS AND THEN I AM DONE: + +Fellow soldiers: For three years we battled for our country's rights +and for our homes. We are widely separated; but with grateful memory +of the past we live for the future. Our country is now at peace. If +the call to arms should ever again resound throughout the land, may +we ever be ready. Let not the thoughts of former days and past +hardships deter us from again rushing to arms, for without a country +we are as nothing. With proud hearts we think of the past, knowing +and feeling that we have done our duty. We were welcomed home, and +by the fireside relate tales of by-gone days; of days of pleasure +and of pain; of those dark hours when our country was in danger, and +when we answered the call TO ARMS. Prosperity now reigns. Our flag, +the proud emblem of liberty, floats throughout the land from North +to South, and we as a nation are happy and prosperous beneath its +folds. The proud Eagle of America soars aloft on every ocean, and +the star-spangled banner floats on every sea. Our nation has passed +through a great deal in four years, and New Jersey has done her duty +nobly. Thousands of her brave sons have given their lives for their +country, and those that remain will read this book with interest. As +these pages are perused by the members of the 14th, scenes that were +long since forgotten will be fresh in memory. Soldiers, our work is +done! These terrible days of war are over. Throughout the land +soldiers' societies exist. Let every man that was a soldier join +these societies, and do all in their power to help those widows and +orphans whose husbands and fathers fill a soldier's grave, and ever +remember that our flag, the stars and stripes, must wave o'er this +Glorious Union now and forever. As a country we have no equal. +Slavery forever abolished and our nation saved, with thanks to the +Almighty for our safe return to our homes and families, to go no +more to war. + +Those men who in the hour of peril remained at home and did all in +their power to help along the glorious cause, and by their actions +showed that they respected a soldier, will be looked upon by the +returned veterans as men; but those mean sneaking Copperheads that +were forever denouncing the North and were in favor of the South, +will be despised by us for their meanness. New Jersey is redeemed, +and to-day a loyal Governor sits in his seat at Trenton, a soldier's +friend. What we have passed through can be known only to us, and now +happy at our homes are content. The South is subdued, and has +learned a terrible lesson, that this Union can never be broken, and +as a united nation will live forever. As a regiment, the 14th no +longer exists, but the name of the 14th New Jersey from the old 6th +corps, will never be forgotten, but ever be remembered with pride as +a band of heroic men, that gave themselves for their country in its +hour of peril. It is but natural that the people should turn with +beaming eyes and grateful hearts to the heroic Union soldiers who +have nobly periled their all in defence of their country. Forever +shall the memory of our gallant dead be embalmed in the hearts of +the living. On the banks of many southern rivers; under the +spreading foliage of many a forest tree; on the hillsides and in the +valleys of the South, are tens of thousands of those grassy mounds +which mark the last resting places of the noble Union dead. In many +a northern home the widow and the orphan, the brother and the +sister, the bereaved father and disconsolate mother await the coming +of that step that so often in the past had been the sweetest music +to their ears. But they await in vain. Never more shall a mother's +kiss be pressed upon his brow as he sleeps in his little cot in the +humble chamber of the old homestead; but in the heart of a redeemed +nation his memory shall live forever. Comrades, I am done! Our +beloved country, healed of its wounds, to-day stands among other +powers a free and independent nation forever. Liberty, that +priceless gem, was purchased at a fearful cost. But those brave men +who now live will ever, with proud step and beaming eye, exclaim +with emotion, that with my help the country was saved. The +star-spangled banner planted high upon the everlasting hills of +truth and justice, shall wave to the breeze till time shall be no +more; recognized by foreign powers as the head of all nations. In +the annals of fame, our country lives forever! + + Written by SERGEANT J. NEWTON TERRILL, + New Brunswick, New Jersey. + +Commenced Sept. 1st, 1865; finished July 15th, 1866. + + + + +TRANSCRIBER'S NOTES: + + + Text in italics is surrounded with underscores: _italics_. + + Inconsistencies in capitalization and hyphenation have been retained + from the original. + + Inconsistencies in spelling have been retained from the original + unless they are obvious typographical errors which have been corrected + as follows: + Page 9: anp changed to and + Page 10: batallion changed to battalion + Page 14: extra word "the" removed + Monacacy changed to Monocacy + Page 18: west-tern changed to western + Page 20: obbing changed to robbing + Page 21: loosing changed to losing + cecesh changed to secesh + weer changed to were + Page 24: Patomac changed to Potomac + A changed to At + Page 25: bayanets changed to bayonets + Page 27: ffve changed to five + Page 28: onr changed to our + Page 34: eqally changed to equally + Page 35: ceaceless changed to ceaseless + Page 36: Manasses changed to Manassas + Page 47: af changed to of + Page 48: misdeameanor changed to misdemeanor + Page 50: maneuvre changed to maneuver + Page 54: sonth changed to south + Page 63: missing word "of" added + farward changed to forward + Torbett changed to Torbert + Page 66: superceded changed to superseded + Page 71: regi-iment changed to regiment + Page 73: date in original is unclear; it must be Saturday, July + 19th, 1834. + Page 75: date in original shows July 9th; it possibly could be July + 19th. + Page 76: advancrd changed to advanced + Tennery changed to Tennelly + sacrified changed to sacrificed + Page 79: Hark-tack changed to Hard-tack + Page 81: extra word "the" removed + neccessary changed to necessary + Page 82: Monacacy changed to Monocacy + Page 91: Charlottsville changed to Charlottesville + Page 94: infaladed changed to infiladed + Page 97: ther changed to their + Page 99: quartere changed to quarters + Page 100: Spotttylvania changed to Spottsylvania + Page 108: Waynsboro changed to Waynesboro + Page 122: sgirits changed to spirits + Page 124: remembred changed to remembered + Page 127: were changed to where + Page 132: river changed to rivers + foilage changed to foliage + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Campaign of the Fourteenth Regiment +New Jersey Volunteers, by J. Newton Terrill + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CAMPAIGN OF 14TH REG. NEW JERSEY *** + +***** This file should be named 37550-8.txt or 37550-8.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/3/7/5/5/37550/ + +Produced by David E. Brown and The Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was +produced from images generously made available by The +Internet Archive) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +https://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at https://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +https://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at https://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit https://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including including checks, online payments and credit card +donations. To donate, please visit: https://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + https://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/37550-8.zip b/37550-8.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..bc0b6c9 --- /dev/null +++ b/37550-8.zip diff --git a/37550-h.zip b/37550-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..96f7672 --- /dev/null +++ b/37550-h.zip diff --git a/37550-h/37550-h.htm b/37550-h/37550-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..686a380 --- /dev/null +++ b/37550-h/37550-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,5533 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> +<!-- $Id: header.txt 236 2009-12-07 18:57:00Z vlsimpson $ --> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> + <title> + The Project Gutenberg eBook of Campaign of the Fourteenth Regiment New Jersey Volunteers, by J. Newton Terrill. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> + +body {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + +p {margin-top: .75em; text-align: justify; margin-bottom: .75em;} + +hr {width: 33%; margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 2em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; clear: both;} + +.big {font-size: 125%;} +.huge {font-size: 150%;} +.giant {font-size: 200%;} + +.pagenum {position: absolute; left: 92%; font-size: smaller; text-align: right;} + +.blockquot {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} +.bqright {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; text-align: right;} +.center {text-align: center;} +.right {text-align: right;} +.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Campaign of the Fourteenth Regiment New +Jersey Volunteers, by J. Newton Terrill + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Campaign of the Fourteenth Regiment New Jersey Volunteers + +Author: J. Newton Terrill + +Release Date: September 27, 2011 [EBook #37550] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CAMPAIGN OF 14TH REG. NEW JERSEY *** + + + + +Produced by David E. Brown and The Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was +produced from images generously made available by The +Internet Archive) + + + + + + +</pre> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[1]</a></span></p> + + + + +<p class="center"><span class="giant">CAMPAIGN</span></p> +<p class="center">OF THE</p> +<p class="center"><span class="huge">FOURTEENTH REGIMENT</span></p> +<p class="center"><span class="giant">New Jersey Volunteers,</span></p> +<p> </p> +<p class="center">BY</p> +<p class="center"><span class="big">Sergeant J. NEWTON TERRILL,</span></p> +<p class="center">Co. K, Fourteenth Regiment, New Jersey Volunteers.</p> +<p> </p> +<p class="center">SECOND EDITION.</p> +<p> </p> +<p class="center"><span class="big">NEW BRUNSWICK, N. J.:</span><br/> +DAILY HOME NEWS PRESS, COR. HIRAM AND DENNIS STREETS.</p> +<p> </p> +<p class="center">1884.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[2]</a></span></p> + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[3]</a></span></p> +<p class="center"><span class="huge">CONTENTS.</span></p> +<p> </p> +<p>A complete History of the Campaign of the <span class="smcap">Fourteenth Regiment, New +Jersey Volunteers</span>; its various <small>BATTLES</small> and <small>MARCHES</small>, from the time of its +departure from New Jersey until its return; giving full details of every +event that transpired; the author having taken an active part in those +memorable battles of the Potomac Army—the Maryland Campaign, the +Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor and Petersburg; finally ending in +the capture of Lee's Army, the occupation of Richmond and Petersburg by +our forces, and the Rebellion crushed forever.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[4]</a></span></p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[5]</a></span></p> +<p class="center"><span class="huge">CAMPAIGN</span><br/> +OF THE<br/> +<span class="huge">14th Regiment, New Jersey Volunteers.</span></p> +<p> </p> + +<p>War, with all its horrors, has dawned upon us. Thousands have answered +the call and rushed to arms. The Farmer leaves his plough, the Merchant +his store, and all join in one compact body to avenge the insult +perpetrated upon our <small>FLAG</small>.</p> + +<p>It is not a Foreign foe; but a war upon our soil—a civil war. Our +forces have been defeated and driven back; the rebel capital, almost +within our grasp, has been wrested from us, and the enemy, flushed with +victory, are marching with countless hordes upon our almost defenceless +Capitol. The disastrous defeat of McClellan from before Richmond has +awakened a feeling among the Northern people that something more active +must be done, that we are dealing with a wily foe prepared for war and +bent upon the destruction of our once happy and prosperous Union. +Congress having met, it was decided to call for more troops to assist in +putting down this wicked rebellion, our army having been fearfully +decreased by sickness and by battles; the swamps of Virginia and the +broiling sun of a Southern clime have sent numbers to their graves. Our +army must be re-organized, and that speedily; fresh troops must fill the +ranks of those that are no more. A call for Six Hundred Thousand troops +was made; it resounded throughout the North, and soon our decimated +ranks were refilled by men who but shortly before were engaged in the +peaceful pursuits of life, who are now stern warriors, armed and +equipped for the fearful struggle awaiting them. Under that call the +14th New Jersey Regiment was raised, a band of noble men from various +portions of the State. On the 8th of July, 1862, the Regiment was formed +on the Old Battle Ground of Freehold, Monmouth Co., New Jersey, William +S. Truex appointed Commander. For nearly two months the officers were +busily engaged in preparing the men for the future; companies were +organized, armed and equipped.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[6]</a></span> Men enlisting daily, not for bounties, +but for patriotism; and soon the regiment was ready for its departure +for the seat of war. Tents were placed on a line, each company by +itself. The men seemed to know the work before them, and with stern +resolution, resolved to do their duty to the last. A police system was +organized, and the camp soon presented a healthy appearance. The men who +but a few days before were in their quiet homes by the family fireside +talking of war, were no longer there; their places were vacant and they +in camps anxiously awaiting orders to move. Soldiering then was new, the +men were no longer free.</p> + +<p>On the 26th of August, the Regiment was mustered in the United States +service for three years, unless sooner discharged, (or as the men +remarked, three years unless sooner shot). Soldiering now commenced in +earnest. At first the men unused to discipline were not disposed to obey +the rules, but they were soon made to know that they were soldiers, and +that Military rules must be obeyed or they be punished. A guard house +was built for the purpose of confining those that were disobedient, but +it was seldom used, only in case of drunkenness, when the offender was +placed in confinement until he became sober. A guard was placed around +the camp, each relief posted every two hours, and each man having a +certain place to walk until he was relieved by the Corporal or Sergeant +of the guard. At night the officer in charge of the guard visited each +post to see that every sentinel was doing his duty; it was called the +grand rounds. Midnight was the hour chosen. The men were furnished with +Sibly tents and a tick filled with straw to sleep on, each tent holding +sixteen men; six tents to a company and ten companies in the Regiment. A +full company was composed of 87 Privates, 5 Sergeants, and 8 Corporals, +with 3 Commissioned Officers, in all 103 men. The companies arranged in +alphabetical order. Drills, reviews, inspections and dress parades were +the order of the day. The camp was daily thronged with visitors, mostly +friends of the soldiers. A cook and cook-house were furnished, each +company marched down in single file to their meals. The rations +furnished the men were beef, pork, bread, beans, sugar and coffee. The +men were now fairly established in camp, and began to wonder when the +regiment would move to the front. Furloughs were granted the men, five +from each company, as all could not be furnished at once. Several broke +guard and escaped, taking French leave, returning before the regiment +left for the front. Various rumors were now in circulation,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[7]</a></span> but none of +them were reliable. Some of them were that we were going to North +Carolina and to Texas, and others that the regiment was to join the +Potomac Army, but none knew the destination of the regiment, as there +were yet no orders from Washington to move. On the 31st of August the +regiment numbered over 950 men; they were ordered to form in line and +march to Freehold, 2½ miles from camp. It was a splendid sight. The +men were in the best of spirits, and with their new uniforms and +burnished guns presented a fine appearance. After marching around the +principal streets, the men returned to camp in <i>Dirt Cars</i>, a great many +receiving passes to go home while in camp. The nine months' men were +rapidly forming the 28th New Jersey, near the camp of the Fourteenth. +After the men of the 14th were fast for three years, they envied them, +and wished they had gone for nine months; but it was now too late, and +they must remain three long weary years, unless the war should sooner +end.</p> + +<p>On Monday, September 1st, orders were given the men to be ready to leave +at daylight the next morning, with three days rations for Washington. At +night the guards were ordered to load their muskets and fire upon any +one attempting to leave camp. The night was dark and rainy and the camp +flooded with water. The next morning three days' rations were furnished +the men, of hard tack and dry smoked beef. Tents were taken down and +packed up; the men were placed in old baggage cars (a passenger car +reserved for the officers,) and bade good bye to the old camp. As the +train left, it was thought by the men how many of them would return. +Friends were there to see them leave, the last good bye was said, and +the cars moved slowly off. Soon the camping ground was left far behind. +Arriving at Philadelphia the men were kindly received by the citizens, +and a good supper given them by the ladies of the Volunteer Refreshment +Saloon. This building is situated near the wharf, and thousands of +soldiers have been furnished with meals, being tired after a weary ride, +cooped up in tight cars. It was very refreshing. Three rousing cheers +were given for the ladies of Philadelphia for their kindness. The +regiment formed in line and marched to the Baltimore depot. The streets +were thronged with citizens, welcoming us and bidding us God speed. +Again the men were furnished with baggage cars and started for +Baltimore, arriving there at noon; the next day marching through the +city in the hot sun, with heavy knapsacks, to the Washington depot, and +lying on the sidewalk in the afternoon.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[8]</a></span> While there the depot was set +on fire and burned down, supposed to be the work of an incendiary. +Several cars were consumed, and thousands of dollars lost. Several +regiments were there awaiting transportation. This time the men were +more fortunate and succeeded in getting passenger cars, and supposed +they were going to Washington; leaving Baltimore at 11 P. M., riding all +night, arriving at Frederick Junction, on the Baltimore and Ohio +Railroad, 58 miles from Baltimore, for the purpose of guarding Monocacy +Bridge, a splendid iron structure across Monocacy River. A field was +picked out and tents were placed on a line as before; the men were +furnished with ten rounds of ammunition.</p> + +<p>At night companies H and K were detailed for Picket. At midnight the +Colonel received a dispatch that the rebels under Stonewall Jackson were +invading the North in force and were now in Maryland, having crossed at +Edwards' Ferry. The regiment was drawn up in line of battle on the +Turnpike, remaining until morning. All was excitement, as the men were +new troops and unused to such scenes. Signal lights were displayed, and +the distant report of a gun booming on the midnight air informed us that +the enemy were near. The next morning orders were given to strike tents +and fall back. As the Fourteenth was the only regiment stationed at that +place, tents were soon down and placed on baggage cars; the Colonel +seized a coal train that was lying near and the men were soon on board. +The engineer being a rebel, and in favor of the South, was in no hurry +to start. The Colonel, becoming impatient, drew his revolver and +threatened to shoot him if he did not move. At five o'clock everything +was in readiness; muskets were fired in the air to prevent accident, as +the men were green troops and did not know how to use them. The train +moved off towards Baltimore, riding in those old coal cars, 40 miles to +Elysville. About one hour after leaving Monocacy the advance guard of +the rebels made their appearance. Had we remained longer our capture +would have been certain, as there were no other troops near, and the +whole rebel army in our front. The citizens of Elysville were very kind, +giving the men plenty to eat. At 10 o'clock the regiment marched up a +hill about one mile, encamping in an orchard, remaining ten days; doing +guard duty, picket and drilling, expecting daily orders to move. One of +our men returned to us, having been taken prisoner and paroled by the +rebels. They had burned the bridge at Monocacy, laid waste the country, +and were advancing northward, closely followed<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[9]</a></span> by the Potomac Army +under McClellan, overtaking them at <span class="smcap">Antietam</span> and <span class="smcap">South Mountain</span>, a +terrible battle was fought, resulting in the utter discomfiture of the +rebels and sending them back across the Potomac completely routed. +Maryland Heights was taken by them in their retreat, with 11,000 +prisoners and 60 guns. Colonel Miles being in command, and a traitor at +heart, surrendered without firing a gun; he was killed in the attempt, +report says by his own son. Had he defended the place a few hours it +would not have been taken, as the Potomac Army was marching on rapidly +in pursuit. The men were paroled on the spot, the guns spiked, and the +rebels retreated in haste back into Virginia, our army encamping near +Harper's Ferry. While at Elysville one hundred men from the regiment +went to Monocacy to guard a provision train, commanded by Lt. Kerner, +remaining there two days. Scouting parties were sent out daily, houses +were searched and concealed weapons found hidden in holes, garrets and +cellars. The majority of the people were secesh and refused to give any +information. The regiment was encamped on a farm belonging to an officer +in the rebel army. Elysville is a small village on the Baltimore and +Ohio Railroad, 21 miles from Baltimore. It is quite a flourishing place.</p> + +<p>On the 16th of September, orders came for the regiment to proceed to +Monocacy and rebuild the bridge destroyed by the rebels. Again the men +were placed in baggage cars, a dismal rainy day, riding all night, +arriving at the Junction the next day. Everything looked desolate. The +bridge destroyed, remnants of wagons, dead horses and mules lying +around. A portion of the Potomac army was there awaiting supplies. It +was raining hard and very muddy. Tents were pitched in a plowed field in +regular order, guards were stationed around camp and no one allowed to +leave. The rebels left a squad of men to destroy the bridge; in the +attempt one man was blown up and buried near the ruins, leaving his arms +and head above ground. This was the first rebel the men had ever seen, +and for some time was an object of curiosity to us; he lay exposed +several days; at last his remains were taken up and decently interred by +our men. Parties were now set to work, the camp laid out in style, and a +regular system of order prevailed. The bridge was soon rebuilt and +guarded by our men. It was named Camp Hooker, in honor of Fighting Joe, +as Hooker was called. The city of Frederick was three miles distant, the +men receiving passes daily to visit the place. The drills and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[10]</a></span> +inspections were very arduous; they were arranged systematically and in +perfect order. The reveille was sounded at six A. M.; every man was then +required to get up and answer to his name at roll call, proceed to the +woods and carry a log for the cook house. The drum then beat for +breakfast, each man taking his tin plate and cup to the cook; breakfast +consisting of coffee, pork or beef, and dry bread. At 8 o'clock the +guard was mounted for the day; the old guard relieved, would shoot at a +mark to clean their guns and were excused from drill for the morning. +The camp guard was as follows: One Captain as officer of the day, one +Lieutenant as officer of the guard, three Sergeants, three Corporals, +and ninety men, remaining on 24 hours. The duty of the officer of the +day was to see that the camp was kept clean and neat; that all offing +and dirt should be removed; also to visit the guard house each day and +once at midnight, and then visit each post, or as was called the grand +rounds. The duty of the officer of the guard was to see that each +sentinel was doing his duty, and to see that each officer was saluted +properly. The guard was divided into three reliefs, thirty men to a +relief; one sergeant and one corporal. The non-commissioned officers +were to post each relief every two hours. In case of extreme cold +weather, no sentinel was allowed to stand but one hour. At 9 o'clock the +drums beat for squad drill, lasting two hours; this was very tiresome to +the men; the same each day. At 12 the drum beat for dinner; at 2 +battalion drill until 4; at 5 dress parade, or inspection; supper at +six; roll call at 9; taps at 9.15. Each man was then required to put the +light out of his tent and retire. No loud talking or laughing was then +allowed. Military rules were very strict and must be obeyed. Each day's +duties were alike. Saturday afternoon was allowed the men to wash, and +amuse themselves as they pleased.</p> + +<p>At Monocacy the regiment lay nine months. Those months passed +pleasantly, and will ever be remembered as the best part of our three +years' soldiering. Many times, after a hard day's march or fight, the +men were heard to say, "If I was only at Monocacy, I would be +contented." The first few months nearly all the men were sick. The +Doctor's call was in the morning. At one time more than two-thirds of +the men were unfit for duty, a great many dying for the want of proper +care. The hospital was full, men lay in their tents unable to move. The +Surgeons did all that men could do, but nothing could stay the hand of +death. Sometimes as many as three lay dead at once. They were buried<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[11]</a></span> in +the Cemetery near Frederick City, with the honors of war. As each day +passed, some poor fellow was carried to his grave; the dead march +played, and all that remained of our comrade was consigned to the grave. +During that nine months seventy-five were buried, dying since their +enlistment. The men were not paid for six months, the rations were poor, +many became disheartened and desertions were frequent.</p> + +<p>On the 19th of September, one thousand rebels captured at the battle of +Antietam were brought in camp, for the regiment to guard. They were of +Longstreet's and Hill's divisions, and were a sorry looking set, a +specimen of the genuine rebel. Some were without hats and coats, while +others were shoeless and covered with filth and vermin. Several were +very intelligent, but the majority were ignorant, using expressions that +were very amusing to us, such as "down yere," "right smart I reckon," +"youns come to fight weens," etc. Officers could not be distinguished +from privates, as all were dressed alike in grey. They were kept under +guard two days, and then forwarded to Fort Delaware under a strong +escort commanded by Lieut. Kerner of Co. A.</p> + +<p>Days, weeks, and even months passed, and still the regiment lay +inactive. Battles were fought and victories won, but war to us was yet a +stranger. As we glanced at the past, the future arose before us with its +dangers and hardships. How soon would we be called to follow those who +had gone before us and were now at the front; sooner or later. The men +were willing and anxious to obey that call, and with their comrades in +arms lay down their lives if necessary, in defense of those glorious +stars and stripes, that had been trampled in the dust by men that were +once our brothers but now foes, worse than demons, men that looked upon +the laboring man as a being to detest, and were unworthy of notice. +Southern aristocracy in their eyes must rule, or the Union must be +dissolved. The men soon became efficient in drilling, and on dress +parade presented a fine appearance. Every musket was required to be +clean and in perfect order. Sunday morning was knapsack inspection, a +very tedious affair. Every man was required to be in line with knapsack, +haversack, canteen, musket and equipments with white gloves, boots +blacked and hair combed neatly. On Sunday morning, October 12th, the +regiment being out on inspection, were suddenly ordered to load their +pieces and form in line of battle. It was soon done, the men marching +out of camp at a double quick, accompanied by<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[12]</a></span> two pieces of artillery +from Battery L, Fifth U.S. Artillery that were lying at Monocacy bridge. +Stuart with his rebel cavalry had crossed the Potomac at night and then +were but a short distance off. The regiment marched six miles to +Urbanna, but did not succeed in overtaking them, being mounted they soon +recrossed the river, having stolen some two hundred horses. Our men +returned disappointed. We were then very brave, having never yet seen an +armed rebel. This was our first expedition, and was the subject of +comment for some time. A sufficient force was left to guard the camp. +The men were all anxious to go and did not like being left behind, as +they were anxious to participate in an engagement if necessary.</p> + +<p>Winter with its cold storms was fast approaching; the tents were +insufficient to protect the men from the cold. Trees were cut down and +stockades made, the tents floored and raised from the ground, and on +those stockades were very comfortable. The members of each tent clubbed +together and purchased a stove; the stockades were mudded up and the +tents were then as warm as any building. The long winter evenings were +spent in reading, writing, singing, dancing and various other +amusements. Log houses were built for cook houses, stables for the +horses and a guard house for each day's relief, and for the confinement +of those that failed to do their duty and obey the rules. Nothing +important occurred to disturb the dull monotony of camp life. Days +passed like a dream. The same routine of duty each day, such as drills, +inspections, reviews, etc. Christmas and New Years were very dull, and +passed off very quietly in camp. The most of the boys received boxes +from home and enjoyed a good dinner. Other poor fellows having no homes +or friends, were compelled to do without and eat hard tack and salt +pork. The boxes of hard tack sent us were marked Harrison's Landing, +having been with McClellan on the Peninsula campaign. Some of them were +mouldy and filled with worms, and marked 312 B. C., which was +interpreted by some of the boys 312 years before Christ; rather poor +food for men that were but a few miles from the National Capitol, +guarding a railroad carrying millions of supplies annually.</p> + +<p>On the night of January 6th, 1863, Co's E and K were ordered to be ready +to move in the morning, and be stationed along the railroad as guards. +The morning came clear and cold; every thing was packed and the men +placed with their baggage on open<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span> cars. Co. E was stationed at +Monrovia, seven miles distant from camp, and Co. K at Mount Airy, +fourteen miles from camp, quartered in a church. The men soon became +acquainted and made themselves at home. The church was situated on the +main road half a mile from Mount Airy, and half a mile from Ridgeville +on the Baltimore pike. Pickets and guards were stationed, although there +was no enemy near. Co. E at Monrovia were placed in their tents and were +compelled to lie on the ground. They were encamped near the railroad. +One of their number while there was run over and killed by the cars. +Eight companies remained at Monocacy. Col. Truex was appointed acting +Brigadier General with headquarters at Frederick City; Major Vredenberg, +Provost Marshal. The 3d Delaware regiment and Purnell Legion were at +Frederick, and were temporarily brigaded with the 14th New Jersey, all +under command of Col. Truex. The regiment had now been out over five +months, and had yet received no pay. The men were anxious to receive +their money, as several had large families at home depending upon them +for support. At last the paymaster arrived. He was hailed with joy, as +money was scarce. Five months' pay was due the men, but two months of it +only were paid. The men were very much dissatisfied, but the promise of +speedy payment soon quieted them. Two weeks later the men were paid +again, the government keeping back one month's pay. As a general thing +this was always done, very often the men receiving but two months' pay +when three or four were due them.</p> + +<p>The Winter passed with scarcely any snow, but rain fell in abundance. +Spring opened in all its glory. The Potomac army lay inactive in their +comfortable quarters near Falmouth. The roads were in such a condition +that an army could not move. Early in the spring six companies were +detached from the regiment and sent to Martinsburg, for the purpose of +re-enforcing Milroy, the enemy threatening an attack. Arriving at +Harper's Ferry, encamped on Maryland Heights three days. Arriving at +Martinsburg, two companies were stationed in a church, the others +encamping near the town. Co's B and G were left at Monocacy. The +companies remained at Martinsburg six weeks and then returned to camp, +as the threatened attack proved to be an alarm, the rebels +reconnoitering and then retiring. The men now began to get tired of +Monocacy, having lain there 9 months. A flag was presented to the +regiment by Gov. Parker. The men<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span> were drawn up in line with white +gloves, a band was hired for the occasion, and the flag was presented by +the Governor in person. Although the men were denied the luxuries of +life, they were far better off than the boys of the Potomac army with +good tents and pretty good food. The men were very well contented. +Numbers were anxious to move. Take us to the front was the general +cry. Soon the order came, pack up, boys, and prepare to move. The men +obeyed with alacrity, as all were glad to go, lying in camp so long. A +number of articles had accumulated that were of no use to us and were +left behind. The ground was as smooth and as even as a board floor, the +men drilling on it so often it became hard. When we entered it it was +mud knee deep. The men working with a will soon had their tents in line +and arranged in perfect order. To be ready to move without delay was the +order. Tents were struck and the regiment proceeded to the Relay House +on baggage cars. Co.'s E and K were ordered to be in readiness, and were +taken on board. Monocacy to us was a home, and with a sigh of regret we +left, although anxious to move. Arriving at the Relay House at five +o'clock, encamped in a field near the depot, the men lying out in the +dew. The next morning tents were pitched. Just as they were ready, +orders came for the men to send all surplus baggage home, as the +regiment was ordered to the front to join the Potomac Army. The rebel +army under Lee had again attempted the invasion of the North, and +re-enforcements were hurriedly sent on. Everything was left behind. The +men were now in light marching order, and were again placed on baggage +cars for Harper's Ferry, eighty-one miles from Baltimore. Co. E was left +at Monocacy to guard the bridge, stationed in block houses built by our +regiment. Arriving at Maryland Heights, the regiment marched up the +ascent in dust and sun. It was exceedingly warm, and the march very +tiresome. The Heights are ascended by a circuitous route that winds +around the mountain. The sun being very hot, and the roads very dusty, +it was very hard for the men, and they soon became tired with heavy +knapsacks, muskets and equipments. Arriving at the top, the regiment +encamped near the 6th New York Heavy Artillery regiment that had lain +there some six months. Their camp was in a splendid condition, clean and +neat, the men being more like regulars than volunteers, wearing new +clothes and white gloves. While on duty the men were compelled to lie +out, having been furnished with no tents or blankets, nor did the men +get any until<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span> the summer campaign was nearly over. The troops on the +Heights numbered some 7,000 men, under command of Gen. Tyler.</p> + +<p>The enemy were now across the Potomac in force, moving northward for +Pennsylvania, under command of their best and ablest leader, General +Lee, marching the same road they did the previous year, when under +command of their wily and strategic leader, Stonewall Jackson, now no +more. Lee, his superior in every respect, was now in full command of all +the armies of the Confederate States, superintending the army of +northern Virginia in person. Our army was commanded by Fighting Joe +Hooker, Burnside's successor. Both armies were straining every nerve. +Defeat to us was death. Washington, at the mercy of the rebels, would +soon fall, the independence of the South achieved, and Slavery, the +curse of our nation, would rule supreme. But God, in his wise +providence, saw fit to rule otherwise, and victory crowned our arms.</p> + +<p>The regiment was encamped on the Heights thirteen days. General Tyler +was relieved and General French succeeded him. He immediately set about +preparing the Heights for immediate defence. Trenches were dug, rifle +pits and cannon were placed in position. It was supposed the enemy, if +defeated, would fall back on Harper's Ferry, and everything was prepared +to give them a warm reception. During our sojourn on the Heights the +rain fell incessantly day and night, wetting us to the skin. Officers +and men, with spades and picks, were busily engaged in digging and +erecting fortifications in mud knee deep. A strong picket force was +thrown out on all roads every night, each regiment sending more than +half of their men. The works were at last finished, and Maryland Heights +were considered as impregnable—a second Gibraltar—its frowning +batteries and immense fortifications, manned by one division, were +sufficient to hold the whole rebel army in check. While there an alarm +spread that the enemy were coming. The men had never smelt powder and +were as new recruits. It was night and very dark. Soon some of the men, +mistaking others for rebels, fired their pieces, supposing the enemy +were near. Report after report followed in quick succession, the +darkness of the night preventing the men from seeing anything. At last +the firing ceased. The men awakened from their sleep were at first +confused, but soon became aware that no enemy was near, and closed their +eyes once more in sleep. Expecting an attack, and to prepare the men for +any emergency, every regiment was required<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span> to be in line at three +o'clock each morning, remaining until daylight. It was a very wise +precaution, as it proved beneficial to the men afterward. Two pontoon +bridges were laid across the Potomac to Virginia, one at Harper's Ferry, +another some three miles further North. The 14th regiment was on picket +at one, the 6th Md. at the other. Jno. Brown's cave being near, it was +visited by the men. This cave is an opening on Bollivar Heights, some +300 feet deep, filled with holes, and very dark. Here John Brown, and +some thirty desperadoes, were concealed for seven days, and were at last +compelled to surrender to the armed forces of Virginia. His object to +free the slaves of the South failed, and he, with his band of men, were +finally executed. The cave now bears his name, and is often visited by +persons anxious to see the cave of the renowned chieftain. The arsenal +and all public buildings were in ruins, the walls still standing. They +were destroyed at the commencement of the war by the Union forces, to +prevent them from falling into the hands of the enemy. Day and night the +men worked on the fortifications, strengthening them after they were +done. Lee was still moving northward, followed closely by Hooker, with +the Potomac Army. Arriving near Maryland Heights he visited Gen. French, +and ordered the Heights evacuated and the troops to re-enforce the army, +preparatory to a decisive battle. Gen. Halleck, then in command at +Washington, ordered Gen. French to remain, and ordered Hooker to be +relieved. Gen. Geo. B. Meade, commanding the Pennsylvania Reserves, was +placed in command of the army. He immediately ordered the troops to +evacuate the Heights and join the Potomac Army with all possible haste, +as re-enforcements were greatly needed. The men had worked hard, and +those immense fortifications were useless.</p> + +<p>The division under command of Major-General French evacuated the Heights +on Tuesday, June 30, destroying a vast amount of ammunition, grain, etc. +Eighty men from the 14th regiment, under command of Lieut. Bailey, were +detailed to guard the pontoon bridge near John Brown's cave, until the +Heights were evacuated. At four o'clock everything was ready, and the +column started. Heavy guns were placed on canal boats for Washington; +the sick were sent to convalescent camps, and everything that could not +be taken was destroyed. Orders were read to the troops to prepare for an +active campaign, and in light marching order; all baggage not really +needed was sent to Washington, and the men were ready for a march. +Company E, stationed at Monocacy,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span> twenty-five miles away, was ordered +to join the regiment, marching in a heavy rain, remaining but one night +on the heights. At 5 P. M. the troops started, the rain pouring in +torrents, marching that afternoon seven miles with knapsacks, muskets, +equipments and three days' rations, passing Sandy Hook and Knoxville, +small, dilapidated villages near the ferry. These places, since the war, +were rapidly going to decay. Encamping in a field at night, lying on the +wet ground till morning. We were on the Heights two weeks, the rain +falling continually, the men constantly at work digging entrenchments +and on picket, but one day being clear. As the men left they gave a sigh +of relief, and hoped they would never see the place again. The rainy +season had now commenced, and the roads were almost impassible, the mud +in some places hub deep. It was with difficulty that the troops could +march, some sinking up to their knees in the mud. But seven miles were +made that day, and the troops, drenched with rain, cooked their scanty +supper of hard tack and salt pork by camp fires. Rail fences were +demolished and burned without regard to owners, and by the light of +these camp fires, without tents or blankets, the men bivouacked for the +night. This was the first march, and the men, exhausted, threw +themselves upon the wet ground, and soon were buried in slumber. Pickets +were stationed, and the dark, gloomy hours of the night passed slowly +along.</p> + +<p>The morning of July 1st dawned clear and bright; the reveille was +sounded, and the men awakened from their slumber to prepare for a weary +march. Breakfast of hard tack, coffee and pork was eaten, and the +troops, in solid columns to the number of 7,000, under command of Gen. +French, moved out on the road to Frederick City, passing through +Jefferson, a small village on the main road. The sun came out very warm. +The march was tiresome, as the men were not used to it. A great many +threw away their knapsacks, the ground being covered with them. The +farmers followed with their wagons, picking up everything that was +thrown away. The men were glad to get rid of all unnecessary loads. The +country along the route was splendid. The waving fields of grain, the +crops of grass, reminded us of home. But war was desolating the +land—cruel, unrelenting war! At four P. M. the column halted near +Frederick City, having marched since morning eighteen miles. The roads +were very bad, and the column was ordered to remain in camp one day. No +passes were allowed the men to visit Frederick City, and they lay +quietly in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span> camp on the wet ground, tired and weary, the weather +intensely hot, the men bathing in Monocacy. A man from Co. H, named +Anderson, ventured beyond his depth and was drowned, not being able to +swim. Every effort was made to save him, but without avail. His body was +recovered and buried in the cemetery near Frederick.</p> + +<p>On Friday, July 3d, the troops were ordered to change camp near Monocacy +bridge, marching three miles, awaiting orders, passing through Frederick +City, marching company front, the roads very muddy, encamping near +Monocacy bridge, on the western side of the river. Remaining over night +the men felt the need of blankets, but still none were furnished. It was +raining and very disagreeable. It cleared off during the night. The +fourth of July was very warm. At noon orders came for the troops to move +to the support of the Potomac army, now engaged in a terrific struggle +with Lee and the flower of the rebel army at Gettysburgh. Defeat to our +forces was ruin; victory, everything. For four days the tide of battle +ebbed and flowed. The night of the fourth found the enemy in full +retreat, closely followed by our victorious Meade; a name hitherto known +only to the army, but now will ever be remembered as one of our proudest +leaders—Geo. W. Meade, the hero of Gettysburgh, and the commander of +the Potomac army. It again commenced to rain, and the men were wet +through. The guns of Gettysburgh were plainly heard. The men were not +allowed any rest, but passed on, hoping to arrive in time to take part +in that ever memorable battle, and to relieve those men, who for four +days had driven the enemy at all points with terrible slaughter. +Marching in the mud was slow, the artillery sinking deep in the mire. +The divisions now numbered some eight thousand men, having been +re-enforced by troops lying in the vicinity of Frederick City, passing +through Middletown, a small village eight miles from Frederick City. At +sunset the rain ceased for a short time, the sun setting in all its +glory. The surrounding country was splendid. Our march was through a +valley, the scenery being delightful. The column marched nineteen miles, +halting at midnight at Boonsboro Gap; headquarters at the Summit House, +eighteen miles from Hagerstown. The enemy were now in full retreat. This +was the second time the Confederates had attempted the invasion of the +North, and for the second time were defeated. Longstreet had several +times hurled his dense columns upon our centre, trying in vain to break +our<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span> lines, but each time was repulsed with terrible loss. A. P. Hill on +the right and Ewell on the left, sought, if possible, a weak spot, to +penetrate our lines, but firm as a rock the Union boys stood repulsing +each charge, strewing the ground with rebel dead, and driving them back +in confusion. Both armies were now in motion, each hoping by rapid +marches to outwit the other; Lee trying to get across the Potomac, and +Meade trying to intercept him. It was supposed that Lee would retreat by +the way of Boonsboro Gap, and French's division was ordered to hold it, +and keep the enemy in check, while the Potomac army moved, if possible, +in their rear. A strong line of battle was formed, and heavy pickets +thrown out. No fires were allowed. As each regiment came up they were +formed in line, stacked arms and lay on the wet ground until morning. +The night was very cold, and the men suffered very much with nothing but +the ground to lie on, with a knapsack for a pillow and the canopy of +heaven for a covering.</p> + +<p>The division was composed of three Brigades; the first consisting of the +151st N. Y., 6th N. Y. Heavy Artillery, 10th Vermont and 14th N. J., +commanded by Brig. Gen. Morris, formerly Colonel of the 6th N. Y. The +regiments were very large, numbering from eight hundred to one thousand +men. We remained at the Gap five days, the Potomac army passing through, +Lee having halted at Williamsport, the river being so high he could not +cross. As the veterans of many a hard fought battle passed, they were +loudly cheered by the new troops. Their soiled and worn out garments, +and their decimated ranks contrasted greatly with our well filled ranks +and new clothes. They looked upon us as new recruits, and remarks were +frequently made by them not altogether suiting us. Some of them were +that our regiments were as large as their brigades, and that we were too +green for the front. Such remarks did very well for the time, as we were +not inured to hardships as they were, but the war was not yet over. +After serving their three years they lay quietly at their homes, while +the boys that were then called green, were veterans, destined to see +more hardships and more fighting than those that enlisted at the +commencement of the war. Nine hundred and sixty rebels that were +wounded, with ambulances and baggage wagons, were sent back by Gen. Lee +with an escort, to Richmond. They were captured, together with several +important despatches, by Kilpatrick's cavalry, and brought in camp for +us to guard at Boonsboro Gap. Several of them were in a dying condition. +They were very destitute and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span> ragged, with scarcely anything to eat. The +10th Vermont guarded them to Washington. The Regiment was encamped on +the spot where Gen. Reno fell at the battle of Antietam, a tree marking +the spot. It was on the plantation of Dr. Wise, his well being filled +with dead rebels thrown in for burial. Many a parent or loving wife will +never know their fate, thinking perhaps they were prisoners, and at the +close of the war would return to their homes; but they are now no more. +With thousands of Union soldiers their bones rest on Southern soil, +there to remain until the last trump shall sound to summon them to their +final account before a just and holy God.</p> + +<p>During the five days encampment at Boonsboro Gap, the weather was very +stormy and disagreeable; everything was excitement, and we were +confident that Lee and his army would be annihilated. The Potomac army +with its re-enforcements was rapidly concentrating, having marched from +Gettysburgh by various routes; flushed with victory they were anxious to +be led forward. The rebel army being very much disheartened by defeat +and scant of rations, some having five rounds of ammunition apiece, +desertions from their lines were numerous, a great many Maryland +soldiers returning to their homes sick and tired of rebeldom. Various +rumors were in circulation, and all felt that a decisive battle would +soon be fought, at what point none could tell, as none were certain of +the whereabouts of Lee's main force, he having retreated from +Gettysburgh in the darkness of the night; but it was supposed he was in +the vicinity of Williamsport, preparing to re-cross the river into +Virginia, and fall back as rapidly as possible, within the defences of +Richmond. A courier bearing despatches from Jeff. Davis to Gen. Lee was +captured by our scouts, and the despatches intercepted. They were orders +from Richmond for Lee to fall back immediately, as the place was +threatened by our forces under Butler from Fortress Monroe. Maryland now +presented a scene of desolation and woe; houses pillaged, robbed and +burned by the soldiers of both armies; trees were felled and rail fences +demolished without regard to owners. Orders were read to the troops +forbidding straggling, but by some those orders were not obeyed, and +foraging soon became common. The poorer classes were on the verge of +starvation, as everything they had was taken. The soldiers fared well, +helping themselves to everything that came in their way, without regard +to owners or to value, robbing hen roosts, killing sheep, hogs and +cattle. Fields of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span> grain were trampled upon and laid waste; horses and +mules were turned loose to feed in fields of oats, wheat and clover.</p> + +<p>On the afternoon of July 9th, orders came for the division to move and +join the Potomac army, having been assigned as 3rd Division, 3rd Army +Corps, now commanded by Gen. French. Gen. Sickels, one of our ablest +Generals, formerly commanded the corps; he was everywhere in the hottest +of the fight. At Gettysburgh, while giving command to his men, he was +struck by a shell and severely wounded in the leg. It was found +necessary to amputate it, and the command of the corps was given to Maj. +Gen. French. The odd divisions, 1st, 2nd and 3rd, were formed in two, +our division as 3rd, commanded by Brig. Gen. Carr from New York State. +Leaving the gap, the division marched that afternoon six miles, joining +the Potomac army at night, encamping in a field. This was our first +entry in that army, and we remained there until the close of the war. +The 11th New Jersey was in the 2nd division. They were raised at Trenton +under the same call, and proceeded to the front a few days sooner than +the 14th. They were placed immediately in active service and had already +participated in several battles. At Gettysburgh they were in the hottest +of the fight, losing more than one-third of their men, and fighting +bravely. They now numbered but two hundred men; sickness and death on +the battle field had thinned their ranks, but still they were ready for +the contest and as eager as ever to be led forward. Six days had now +elapsed since the retreat of Lee from Gettysburgh; the army was again +concentrated and moved forward to the attack. We were now but one day's +march from the enemy, strongly entrenched at Williamsport. As yet we had +not seen a battle, nor had we seen an armed rebel. As new troops we were +all anxious to fight, but were disappointed, perhaps for the best. After +joining the Potomac army, the division encamped in a field until +morning, cooking coffee and hard-tack by camp fires built of rail +fences. The next morning the troops were awakened at reveille which was +sounded at sunrise. At 11 o'clock a forward movement was again made, +marching six miles, passing through a small village called Katyville. +The stores were closed, the majority of the men being secesh. Frederick +City was the base of supplies, and rations were plenty; such as an army +was allowed on a march, consisting of hard-tack, salt pork, sugar, +coffee and beef. As long as the troops remained in Maryland, they fared +well, but in Virginia, rations were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span> scarce, often two or three days +passing without anything to eat; the troops marched very slow. As we +were approaching the enemy during the afternoon, but six miles were +marched. The Regiment encamping on a hill near a battery, arms were +stacked, the men prepared their evening meal. The camp fires of our army +were everywhere visible, and in the darkness of the night looked +splendidly. At nine o'clock the bugle sounded, and orders came to move +immediately. Various reports were soon circulated, but little time was +given for conjecture. Soon the troops were in motion, marching back a +forced march of eight miles, almost double quick, halting at twelve +o'clock in the vicinity of Boonsboro Gap, near the headquarters of Gen. +Meade. A line of battle was quickly formed, the troops sleeping on their +arms. The Regiment halted in a field of wheat cut and shocked, the men +helping themselves, making beds for the night. It being warm we slept +well until aroused the next morning at reveille. The weather was close +and very uncomfortable and marching very tedious. The troops had +advanced farther than was intended, and were almost within the enemy's +lines. The next morning orders came again to advance, marching three +miles in line of battle, maneuvering in various positions. The Regiment +was detailed to support a battery, remaining two days and three nights, +every moment expecting to attack the enemy, and wondered why the order +was not given. All were anxious to fight, and all were confident that +the rebel army would be defeated. Gen. Meade held a council of war with +his corps commanders, French, Howard, Sykes, Sedgwick, Warren and +Hancock, and it was decided not to attack, as the army needed +reorganizing and had suffered severely at Gettysburgh, the risk being +too great to run. The rebel army, although defeated, would fight with +desperation, and if victorious nothing could save Washington. Gen. Lee, +without exception, was the leading general of the rebel army, together +with A. P. Hill, Longstreet and Ewell, and they were formidable +antagonists to encounter. Taking advantage of the delay, the enemy were +rapidly re-crossing the river, having seized several boats, and with +their pontoon train soon constructed bridges. The river was falling and +everything was in their favor. While we were watching their front +nothing but their advance guard was in sight. On the night of July 14th +the retreat was discovered, but nothing could be done until morning. At +daylight our army was in pursuit, but without avail. Their rear guard, +numbering some five<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span> thousand men, was captured, the rest were safe +across the river, marching rapidly toward Richmond, a weakened, +demoralized army, disheartened by defeat. It is estimated that Lee lost +forty thousand men in his attempt to invade the North. Gen. Meade was +greatly censured by the people of the North for allowing the enemy to +escape, but Lee had yet a large army and victory to our forces not +altogether certain. The Potomac army by rapid marching and hard +fighting, had driven the enemy from our soil, and the heart-felt thanks +of millions of souls went up to God in praise. But still more was to be +done; the rebels were not conquered; large armies were yet to be +encountered and subdued; miles of territory hostile to the government to +be occupied, and treason crushed forever. The army moved five miles to +Williamsport, occupying the same ground the rebels did the night before. +We saw their breastworks and fortifications, but nothing of them, with +the exception of their rear guard of 5,000 men that was captured. We +remained at Williamsport until the morning of the 15th, when the pursuit +commenced. Orders were read to the troops to prepare for hard marching. +The weather was intensely hot, almost suffocating, and the roads very +muddy. We marched that day 14 miles, passing through the villages of +Fairplay and Donaldsville. The march was very severe, especially for the +new troops. Twenty from the 3d Corps fell out, exhausted, and died by +the road; several were sunstruck. At three o'clock the troops halted in +the vicinity of Sharpsburg until morning, the men nearly played out. +Muskets were stuck in the ground and shelters fastened upon them, to +protect the men from the rays of the sun. Tired and weary they threw +themselves upon the ground and most of them were soon asleep. Pickets +were placed as usual, until the next morning, when the army was again in +motion, marching that day 15 miles, encamping in Pleasant Valley, near +Harper's Ferry, remaining until the afternoon of the next day, the rain +pouring in torrents. The weather was very uncertain, one day very warm, +the next rainy and cold.</p> + +<p>On the afternoon of 17th, the column marched eight miles, very slowly, +passing Sandy Hook and crossing the Potomac at Harper's Ferry on +pontoons. For the first time our regiment trod the sacred soil of +Virginia. Alas! how few returned of that noble band of Jersey boys, the +bravest of the brave, that for the first time stood on that once sacred, +but now polluted, ground. The ravages of war had laid the country waste, +and destitution everywhere<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span> met the eye. An old dilapidated bridge +crossed the Shenandoah, and the troops marched over in single file, +moving around Louden Heights. The night being very dark and the march +very slow, they halted in a field at 12 o'clock until morning. The next +day was Sunday, but there was no rest—no such thing as Sunday in the +army. The regiment was detailed as rear guard of ammunition train, +marching eight miles, the sun being very warm, and the heat almost +insufferable, encamping with the main body of the corps in a field near +Keys Pass. The heat was so intense that neither army could march fast. +The rebels were now but one day's march from us, we having taken a +nearer route by way of Harper's Ferry, marching down the Louden Valley, +the enemy marching down the Shenandoah.</p> + +<p>The Summer campaign had thus far been an active one, and by the new +troops was considered wonderful. The rebel army was still moving +southward by slow marches, from eight to fifteen miles per day, the +weather too hot to permit marching faster, the Potomac Army in pursuit. +Lee, as wily and strategic as ever, refused to give battle, and, by a +series of maneuvers, succeeded in eluding our grasp. The different corps +marched by different routes, the cavalry frequently skirmishing with +their rear guard. But five miles were made on the 19th, as the troops +were waiting for supplies, passing through Snickersville, near Snicker's +Gap, and encamping in a field. At midnight we were routed out for +rations and a good supper issued. At four o'clock we were ordered to +move, marching fourteen miles before breakfast, halting at noon for +dinner. After resting an hour orders were given to move again, marching +three miles to Upperville, encamping on the ground where Buford had a +cavalry fight with the rebel leader, Stuart, the year previous. For +several hours skirmishing was kept up until dark, when Buford ordered a +charge. Stuart was driven from the field, retiring in the darkness of +the night, leaving his dead and wounded in our hands. The troops +remained at Upperville two days, the regiment being detailed for picket +the ensuing night. It was now rumored that Grant, the hero of Vicksburg, +was to take command of the army, Gen. Meade being too slow for the +people North. Had they been in the Potomac army, they would not have +been so eager to move, and march in the hot sun. Upperville is a small +village near Manassas Gap. The people, as a general thing, are very +ignorant, and gazed with wonder at us Yanks, as they called us. One +remark, especially,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span> was amusing to the men. As the regiment was passing +an old house, being an advance guard, a little girl came running in, +exclaiming, "Mother, mother, take in your clothes, here comes the +Yanks!" This served as a bye-word for some time, the men often +exclaiming, as they passed a house, "Take in your chimney, old man, its +going to rain!" At four o'clock on the afternoon of the 22d, orders came +to fall in, marching six miles to Piedmont station, on the Orange and +Alexandria Railroad. At the commencement of the war this road was +destroyed by the rebels; ties were burned, rails bent, bridges +demolished, and wrecks of cars lay strewed around in various places. The +troops encamped on a hill until morning. Gen. Meade received information +that Ewell's corps was holding Manassas Gap, until the main body of the +rebel army had passed. Orders were given Gen. French to take the 3d +corps and, if possible, drive them from their position. At daylight the +next morning the corps started, with nothing to eat, as the rations had +not arrived. It was deemed necessary to drive the rebels from the gap, +and the men were compelled to go. The sun was very warm, and the troops, +hungry and weary, plodded on, marching fourteen miles, halting for a +rest at noon. At three o'clock the column advanced in line of battle, +the cavalry returning, having engaged the enemy during the morning, but +could do but little without infantry. Manassas Gap is a wild, romantic +spot, and very hilly. The brigade was formed and maneuvered in line of +battle; Berdan's sharpshooters were deployed as skirmishers and soon +engaged the enemy on Whopping Heights. Orders were given the men to load +and fix bayonets, some time being occupied in getting into position, +marching up hill and down. It was now supposed by the men that a battle +was to be fought. Our brigade was placed in position and ordered to +charge the enemy. The skirmishing now became heavier, and the sharp +crack of the sharpshooter's rifle could be distinguished from the rest. +The men from the 14th now thought they were to see their first battle, +and grasping their muskets with a steady nerve, moved forward. +Fortunately we escaped for the time. Fearing a flank movement, the order +for the 1st brigade to charge was countermanded, and they were sent to +the extreme right of the line to protect the flank, through a dense wood +of briars and filled with ditches. The firing on the left and centre now +became heavier. Sickels' old brigade, now commanded by Gen. Spinola, was +ordered to charge in place of the 1st brigade, which proved a success;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span> +two hundred prisoners and two guns were captured from the enemy. Gen. +Spinola was wounded and retired from the field. Our loss in killed and +wounded was but sixty men. Night was now approaching; the main body of +the rebel army had passed; the firing ceased, and the enemy were +retreating in haste. The weather suddenly changed, and the night was +chilly and damp. The regiment encamped on the side of a hill, without +blankets, and with nothing to eat; tired and weary, the men were soon +asleep. At daylight the bugle aroused the men from their slumbers. No +traces of the enemy could be seen; maneuvered up hill and down in line +of battle during the morning, when the troops were ordered back to +Piedmont; the remaining corps were encamped there awaiting supplies. +During the march to Manassas Gap, the troops waded five streams, some of +them waist deep, passing a village called Markham. The afternoon of the +26th the column moved back the same road, fourteen miles, to Piedmont, +the weather intensely hot and the men falling out by the way. They were +two days without anything to eat but green grapes and berries that grew +by the roadside; this was the hardest march the men had had so far. +Arriving at Piedmont, rations were issued of hard tack, coffee and pork, +the men eating a good supply, and lying down until morning. Having +received five days' rations, the troops moved again the next day twelve +miles, passing near Salem; the weather, as usual, warm, and the roads +dusty, the mud soon drying up. The column halted for the night, and the +men, with weary limbs and blistered feet, lay on the ground to rest. The +next day was Sunday, marched eleven miles to Warrenton; guarding +ammunition train, remaining on the outskirts of the place in camp five +days. Warrenton is a pretty village, three miles from Warrenton +Junction, on the Alexandria, Richmond and Danville road. At the +commencement of the war it was a thriving place, but since it has gone +to decay.</p> + +<p>One hundred young men, the sons of wealthy parents, enlisted in the +rebel army; at the close of the war but eleven remained. Virginia is one +vast graveyard; the bones of three hundred thousand heroes there repose; +the merchant with the laborer, rich and poor, white and black. The +leaden messenger of death heeded not, but speed on, wielded by the hands +of men, once brothers, but now foes; engaged in cruel civil war, neither +party disposed to yield.</p> + +<p>At Warrenton, Colonel Truex, with three commissioned officers<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span> and five +enlisted men, started for Jersey to raise recruits. The regiment was +commanded by Lieut. Col. Hall during his absence. Having, as yet, +received no tents or blankets, we lay in the hot sun until August 1st, +when the troops were again ordered to move; marching on the wrong road, +thereby marching eight miles out of the way; returned again, marching +fifteen miles more, halting at Shut-eye Town, near Stoneman's Creek; no +signs of the enemy, the regiment still guarding the ammunition train. +This march was very severe, the men carrying five days' rations, +muskets, equipments, and sixty rounds of ammunition. More than one half +of the men fell out, some cursing the officers for leading them out of +the way. Remained near Stoneman's Creek four days, brigade drill under +Gen. Morris each day. Officers from different regiments were sent home +to recruit, to prepare for the Fall campaign; more men were needed and +the army again re-organized. The troops now halted on the banks of the +Rappahannock, the 3rd corps at Fox's Ford, our brigade encamping at Rout +Hill, five miles from Stoneman's Creek, near Bealton Station, picketing +the Rappahannock; the rebel army near Culpepper. Camps were laid out, +shelter tents and rubber blankets issued, the men needing them very +much. Tents were placed on a line and raised from the ground, with poles +cut from trees, and were inspected each Sunday morning by a staff +officer from headquarters. The troops were lying once more in camp, +drawing clothes and shoes. Muskets were cleaned up and inspected each +afternoon; company drill one hour each morning. The drills were very +arduous; brigade drill four hours each day, guard mounting and dress +parade at night. Rout Hill was a very unhealthy place, a great many of +the men taking sick, several of them dying. The 6th N.Y. Heavy Artillery +were detached from brigade and sent to Washington, organized as +provisional brigade and commanded by Col. Ketchum, who subsequently lost +his life at Cedar Creek.</p> + +<p>The brigade was now the largest in the corps; the 14th N. J. numbered +800 men, commanded by Col. Truex; the 10th Vermont 900 men, commanded by +Col. Henry, and the 151st N. Y. 900 men, commanded by Lieut. Col. Bowen, +in all 2,600 men, commanded by Brig. Gen. Morris. Details were made each +morning for picket from the various regiments, and stationed along the +Rappahannock. The camp now presented a healthy appearance, and a city +sprung up as if by magic. Old barns and out-houses were taken<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span> down by +the men, and comfortable Summer quarters were built, covered with +shelters. Games of ball, pitching quoits, and other amusements were +common. Sutlers arrived, the men were paid off, and marching for the +time was forgotten.</p> + +<p>The army was now rapidly filling up, recruits arriving each day. The +mail and papers regularly arrived, and served to while away the dull +hours of camp life. Nothing was as cheering to a soldier as a letter +from his loving friends at home. As each mail arrived, the postmaster +was surrounded by an eager crowd, anxious to hear from home. Those who +were fortunate enough to get a letter were envied by their unlucky +comrades. If the friends at home could have known the pleasure a letter +would give us, they would not have delayed, but would have answered +immediately upon reception.</p> + +<p>The troops remained in camp on the banks of the Rappahannock five weeks, +preparing for the Fall campaign. The 14th had now been in the army one +year, and had not thus far engaged in conflict with the enemy; several +times forming line of battle, every moment expecting to attack. For a +time we were fortunate, but, before the term of our enlistment had +expired, we were destined to see more marching and more fighting than +any regiment from New Jersey. Since the battle of Gettysburgh, there had +been no fighting of importance, and all were looking for a forward +movement. The rebel army had again been recruited, and were lying +quietly in camp near Culpepper, watching the movements of our forces, +and awaiting our advance. When least expected, the advance was made, and +the rebels surprised, as will be here-shown.</p> + +<p>On the 7th of September, the corps was reviewed; an imposing spectacle. +The divisions were drawn up in line of battle on an open plain, near +army headquarters the troops in heavy marching order, with knapsacks +packed and blankets rolled, marching and counter marching, and passing +in review before Gen. Meade and staff, the officers seated on horseback. +It was very tiresome to the men. After reviewing the troops, they +marched back to their quarters, the officers to Gen. Meade's, where a +collation was served, the wine passing freely around; the privates, that +did the fighting, by their camp fires, eating hard-tack and salt pork, +denied the comforts of life, far from home, on Southern soil, fighting +for liberty and union.</p> + +<p>During the afternoon of Sept 15, the Regiment being out on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span> drill, were +ordered immediately to camp, and to prepare to move. Tents were struck, +knapsacks packed, and three days' rations issued. At five o'clock the +column moved forward, leaving our camp where we had lain five weeks, and +started towards the Rappahannock, marching five miles, halting at dark +near a mill on the Rappahannock, the men supposing they were to remain +until morning; but the troops were on the wrong road, the water at this +place being too deep to wade. The men were ordered to fall in, and +marched back across the fields, passing the old camp, and marching some +ten miles farther, encamping for the night on a low marshy swamp, near +Freeman's Ford, twelve miles from Bealton Station. The water at this +ford is very shallow, the main road to Richmond crossing at this point, +not deep enough for a bridge. The men were now well supplied with tents, +blankets and knapsacks for the Winter. The days were very warm, but the +nights were very cold, the dew falling heavily. Our loads were a burden; +knapsacks packed, five days rations and sixty rounds of ammunition, the +men calling themselves Uncle Sam's pack mules. At daylight the next +morning, the order to move forward was given, the men not knowing where +the enemy was stationed, nor in what force. The Rappahannock was waded +waist deep, the boys cheering as they felt the cold water gradually +rising till it was up to their waists, holding their muskets and +ammunition up in their hands, to prevent them from getting wet; marching +very fast, crossing Hazel river at Weldon's Ford, wading it still deeper +than the Rappahannock. After marching all day, with heavy loads, the +column halted at dark, having marched twenty miles. Tired and wet, the +men were glad to rest, and threw themselves on the ground for sleep. The +papers north were now filled with news, and were eagerly read by those +at home who knew nothing of war: the Potomac army has moved and will +soon be engaged in deadly strife with the enemy, and the war will soon +be over. Such reports were daily published, and by the people were +believed. It was thought by them that Lee was so badly whipped at +Gettysburgh that he would not fight; but they were mistaken, the rebel +army was recruited, re-organized, and as full of fight as ever, their +leaders determined on independence or extermination. The forward +movement had now commenced.</p> + +<p>The next day the troops marched five miles in line of battle, in a dense +wood. The equinoctial storm now came on, and the troops were ordered +into camp near Culpepper, remaining there twenty-three days, watching +the movements of the enemy strongly entrenched<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span> on the Rapidan. Pickets +were thrown out and camp life again commenced. Why the halt, none of the +men could tell, and for twenty-three days, drills, inspections and +reviews were in regular succession. This suited the men better than +marching, although tired of drilling. The 14th had not as yet lost any +men by battle, but a great many by sickness and death. Of the 950 +able-bodied men that had left New Jersey, 110 of them had died and were +buried in Maryland and Pennsylvania, and a few in Virginia. Eight +hundred and forty strong, the regiment occupied a large space of ground, +encamping in five lines, two companies in one line, or, as was called, +regimental divisions. The companies were in line as follows: A, F, D, I, +C, H, E, K, G and B. A on the right was called the senior company, B on +the left the second, and C centre or color company; the color guard was +composed of one Sergeant and eight Corporals, whose duty it was to +protect the flag.</p> + +<p>On the morning of the 22d of September, eight days' rations were issued +the men at two o'clock, and orders given to move at daylight. Tents were +packed and everything in readiness, when the order was countermanded, +the tents again placed on a line. The pickets were doubled, as it was +supposed the enemy was advancing, and were about to attack; but this was +soon forgotten, and vigilance again relaxed.</p> + +<p>Winter quarters were now talked of by the men, as cold weather was +approaching; they could scarcely keep warm in small shelter tents. Wood +was very scarce and had to be carried some distance. The cold winds of +October had come; extra blankets and overcoats were issued to protect +the men from the cold. Forty-two dollars per year were allowed the men +for clothing, and if they over-ran the amount, the difference was paid +by them; if not drawn, the government paid the balance due the men.</p> + +<p>On the 10th of October everything was quiet in camp. The various +regiments were out on drill, when suddenly the long roll was beaten, and +the troops, in double quick time, proceeded to camp. Orderlies were now +running in every direction, everything in confusion, as the enemy were +advancing in force. A line of battle was soon formed, extending some 15 +miles. Our pickets were driven in, and the rebels were slowly advancing. +Remained in line one hour, with arms stacked, the men lying on the grass +awaiting orders. Returned to camp and packed up, ready to move, as the +enemy had crossed the Rapidan and were advancing in force. At noon the +troops moved, maneuvering in various directions.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span> As yet no decisive +order had been given, as it was not known what Lee's intentions were. +The regiment marched three miles, halting in the camp the 6th N. J. had +occupied, their camp showing signs of having been left in haste. The +majority of the men being on picket, wagons were sent for their +knapsacks. At ten o'clock the men pitched their shelters to get, if +possible, a little sleep. Tents were up but a short time when orders +came to pack up and move. The men formed in line but did not move, and +lay on the ground until morning by camp fires, when the men again fell +in, the day being Sunday, and marched in retreat, a forced march, the +enemy following firing on our rear guard. Several times during the +retreat a line of battle was formed by our men to protect the rear. Lee +had been heavily re-enforced by troops sent from Bragg's army in the +southwest, and was following closely, as the men remarked, "tight to our +heels," destroying the railroad, burning bridges, etc. At Brandy +station, the cavalry under Buford made a gallant charge, driving their +advance guard back to Culpepper. The 106th N. Y. of third division, +being on picket, were nearly surrounded, fighting their way out with +small loss. Both armies were now using every exertion, part of the time +Lee's army on a line with ours, moving for Centreville Heights. Arriving +at the Hazel river, the troops were obliged to wait until pontoons were +built, halting in line of battle, the rear guard skirmishing with the +enemy during the entire march. The troops soon filed over on two +bridges, which were taken up as soon as the army passed, the rebels +laying theirs shortly after. Darkness now came on, and still the march +was continued; the men, tired and weary often halting, forming line of +battle, moving back and then advancing. At ten o'clock the Rappahannock +was reached, the night very dark and cold; the men were compelled to +wade the river waist deep, the water running rapidly. The troops halted +on the banks of the river, having marched twenty-one miles since +morning. A line of battle was now formed and a heavy picket force thrown +out. The 14th Regiment was detailed, and orders given the men to light +no fires nor to sleep. Chilled through, the men stood all night in their +wet clothes. Several refused to cross the river and were taken prisoners +the next day. At first it was supposed the enemy would not follow any +farther than the river, but we were mistaken. All day Monday the men +remained on picket, watching the movements of the enemy. At Fox's Ford, +the 1st New Jersey cavalry were engaged for several hours, keeping the +enemy at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span> bay. The fords were all heavily guarded by the cavalry, and +skirmishing was continually kept up. All was quiet in our immediate +front, while the deep booming of the cannon was heard at intervals +during the day on the extreme right or left. Our base of supplies was at +Alexandria. The retreat had thus far been admirably conducted by Gen. +Meade. Being afraid to hazard a battle against such odds, it was deemed +expedient to retreat within the defenses of Washington, and with the +troops there encamped to fight if necessary. It was now evident that it +was Lee's intention to make a grand raid in the rear of the Army of the +Potomac; cutting off railroad communication with Washington by +destroying the bridges; securing supplies for his half famished troops +and horses by seizing scattering wagon trains; and then by rapid marches +throw his main force upon different points, and, if possible, destroy +Gen. Meade's army by detail. When this flank movement was discovered +Gen. Meade ordered a rear movement east of Culpepper, by Kilpatrick's +and Buford's divisions of cavalry, with infantry supports. A. P. Hill's +rebel corps had advanced on our north flank, towards Warrenton, +threatening our right. Finding that Ewell's corps had not pursued us to +the river, Gen. Meade sent three corps and Buford's cavalry towards +Culpepper, but found no heavy force of the enemy there, Lee having by +this time pushed his main column towards Warrenton, threatening our +right and rear, while we were on the Rappahannock watching a portion of +one of his corps. Lee hoped to execute his well-planned movement upon +our rear, but our reconnoisance towards Culpepper led him to believe +that it was Gen. Meade's intention to get in his rear. Instead of moving +farther as he should have done, he halted his army, and took a position +to give a decisive fight.</p> + +<p>Up to this time Lee had the advantage, having surprised us while lying +in camp. He was as near Washington as Gen. Meade, and unencumbered with +trains, with every prospect of gaining Manassas or Centreville Heights, +and cutting off our retreat and all our heavy trains. He evidently +expected to be attacked on Tuesday, as we lay all day Monday on the +Rappahannock, watching, as we supposed, his whole army, when it was only +one of his corps, and he, as ignorant as we were, expecting us to attack +him, maintaining his position in line of battle until noon Tuesday, +awaiting our advance. Gregg's cavalry division had retarded the +movements of the rebel leader Stuart's advance over the Rappahannock +during Monday, although compelled to fall back<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span> from the river at night. +Quietly, during the reconnoisance on Monday, Gen. Meade had prepared his +trains, and got them en route rearward, and during Monday had withdrawn +his corps from the Rappahannock, destroyed the railroad bridges, +abutments and all, and sent the pontoons eastward before daylight on +Tuesday morning; sunrise saw the whole army well on the way towards +Washington. Our regiment was yet on picket, having been on over +twenty-four hours. At three o'clock in the morning we were ordered to +fall in, marching one mile, halting in the woods, stacking arms and +cooking breakfast. At four o'clock we formed in line of battle; Co.'s E +and G were sent out as skirmishers. Colonel Truex rode to the front of +the regiment telling them he wished every man in his place; he wanted no +shirking, as the enemy had crossed the river, their skirmishers were +slowly advancing, and would soon be in sight. Again we were destined not +to engage in battle, remaining in line one hour and then marched back, +passing the place we stood picket with our backs to the Rappahannock; +the army had crossed so often, only to return beaten by the foe. The +brigade was now several miles ahead, and the men were compelled to march +fast to keep up, passing the 1st and 2nd divisions, taking the fields +and by-roads; at three o'clock halting near the railroad, supposing we +were to remain until morning, as we had marched twenty miles. The enemy +were pressing and again we were ordered to move. From elevated points of +view the advance of our army over the plains of Manassas by four +different roads, with flanking columns of infantry stretching for miles +and moving steadily forward, was grand beyond description. Cannonading +and musketry were frequently heard on our left flank, as bodies of rebel +cavalry came down at different points, under the fixed belief that they +would reach the railroad and cut our line unopposed. They were very much +surprised at finding a force at every point, miles from the line of +travel, to meet and repel them there. Nor was Lee less surprised when he +learned that he was successfully out-generaled by Meade. He pushed off +Stuart's cavalry from Sulphur Springs upon our rear on Tuesday evening, +and rushed forward Hill's corps at a double quick to support them. Ewell +advanced more leisurely, capturing our stragglers, a great many falling +out, some forty from the 14th regiment were taken and sent to Belle +Isle, there to linger, starved and nearly frozen, during the long, +dreary days of Winter.</p> + +<p>The firing in the rear now became heavier, the men hastened their steps. +The 2nd corps was passed, halting in a woods for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span> supper, and to protect +the rear, relieving the 3d corps that had guarded the rear during the +day. Our weary columns now pressed on without any rest until twelve +o'clock at night, when the camp fires of the advanced guard were +discerned in the distance. After marching through a dense woods, 3 miles +in length, the regiment halted in an open field with the rest of the +brigade near Greenwich, having been furnished with eight days' rations, +muskets, equipments and sixty rounds of ammunition, marched thirty-three +miles since morning. During the march Gen. French and staff were fired +into by guerillas, but fortunately none of them were injured.</p> + +<p>After resting about four hours, the troops were again routed out long +before daylight, resuming our march; being the rear guard the day +before, the 3d corps was now in advance in four columns. Our army +pressed on, knowing that if Centreville Heights were not reached by us +before Lee, all would be lost, and like Pope, Meade would have been left +to get out of the scrape the best way he could. At daylight Hill's corps +rushed upon Warren with the 2d corps; in vain he endeavored to cut them +off; forming the 2d corps in two lines of battle at Bristoe Station, the +brave Warren awaited their advance until within a few yards, and then +opened with his artillery and musketry, driving them back with severe +loss; in turn charging them, capturing 450 prisoners and 6 guns, leaving +500 of them killed and wounded on the field. When first attacked at +Bristoe Station, Warren threw his infantry from a hill south of the road +down through a swamp near the railroad, under a storm of shot and shell. +The raw recruits that were sent to the army at Rout Hill, were nearly +all of them placed in the 2d corps and in this, their first battle, gave +themselves up for lost. Pale and trembling they involuntarily went +forward, took position with their comrades and performed their portion +of the fight. Every whistling rifle ball, every shrieking shell, they +apprehended was to destroy them individually. It was beyond their +comprehension when told they had met, charged and beaten a brave enemy +in a fierce fight, and captured several hundred of Hill's veterans, six +guns and three battle flags, besides wounding hundreds of rebels, and +come out of the fight unhurt. Their immediate commanders say they fought +equally as well as the old boys, showing no signs of fear when the first +impulse had passed. At three o'clock the corps was ordered to halt, the +guns of Warren could be plainly heard. The regiment halted on Manassas +plains near a brick house used for a signal station, where Beauregard<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span> +had his headquarters at the battle of Bull Run. The day was rather +sultry; occasionally a shower came up, which was very refreshing to the +tired men. The troops had a splendid view of the old Bull Run battle +ground. The brigade countermarched one mile, and forming line of battle +proceeded to the help of Warren; but he needed no assistance, as he had +driven Hill back. During the march the enemy pressed us so hard that we +were compelled to leave the sick and wounded in their hands. Crossed +Broad Run, wading it knee deep; also crossed Bull Run at night, the army +forming a line front to the enemy, from Chantilly on the north to Wolf +Run shoals on the south. Not a farthing's worth of property had been +abandoned to, or destroyed by the enemy, out of millions of dollars +transported from Culpepper. Nearly seventy-five miles were marched in +three days, our advance on Centreville Heights being only a few hours +ahead of Lee.</p> + +<p>Thus Lee was again out-generaled by Maj. Gen. Meade; by ceaseless and +untiring vigilance he kept himself possessed of all their movements and +designs, and by marches of unparalleled rapidity, in which the troops +suffered without murmuring the loss of rest for successive nights, +marching on through daylight and darkness, in storm and cold, he +overcame the first day's march the enemy had gained, our advance being +already in possession of the Heights when the rear guard was engaged at +Bristoe, full ten miles distant. In consequence of hard marching the men +were very tired, and with blistered feet and weary limbs were glad to +rest on the old Bull Run battle ground, amid the bones of men and horses +that were now resting there. Forty from the regiment were captured on +the march, being unable to keep up. At 11 o'clock the troops encamped, +resting on their arms till morning. Maneuvering on the Heights, forming +line of battle, moving forward, passing the 1st, 2d and 5th corps on the +Heights; marching seven miles to Union Mills; raining hard. The next day +the regiment was detailed for picket, remaining on one day; was then +relieved by the 122d Ohio regiment of 3d division; remained at Union +Mills five days; every morning routed out at three o'clock in line of +battle until daylight.</p> + +<p>Our line of defence was now taken up as follows: From the vicinity of +Chantilly on the right to Union Mills on the left, with cavalry on +either flank; Birney's division of the 3d corps was stationed at Fairfax +Court House, the depot of supplies; the 3d division on the extreme left +at Union Mills; the 6th corps under Sedgwick, on the extreme right at +Chantilly, with Kilpatrick's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span> cavalry to protect the flank; the 2d corps +in the rear, was held in readiness to be sent where most needed. The +troops were now inspected, and articles most needed given out, and new +clothing given to those who did not draw at Culpepper. Gen. Sickels, our +old commander, visited the corps at Union Mills. He was received by the +men with cheers, and welcomed back. His stay was brief, as he had not +recovered from his wound, his leg having been amputated near the hip. +Lee, foiled in his attempt to take Washington, retraced his steps, +falling back rapidly towards his entrenched position on the Rapidan. It +was feared that he would again cross the Potomac in the direction of +Harper's Ferry, for another extensive raid into Maryland and +Pennsylvania, as there were frequent reports coming from sources usually +reliable, but all of them proved groundless; if he had again attempted +it he would have found the Potomac army ready, and well prepared for any +engagement. With re-enforcements from Washington, the army was again +ready to move with a view to overtake Lee if he should be retreating, or +to intercept his return if he should have gone towards the Potomac.</p> + +<p>On the morning of Oct. 19, the order to advance was again given; +marching during the morning seven miles, halting at noon on Manassas +Plains, near Clarksville, marching over a railroad bridge at Pope's Run, +the rain pouring in torrents. Construction trains had now run as far as +Bristoe Station, the trussle bridge having been burnt by the rebels and +the tracks between Manassas and Catlet's Station almost wholly destroyed +by them. For the first time in two months we saw the cars, having +marched on by roads from Maryland to Culpepper, or on main roads far +from any railroad. The pursuit now commenced in earnest, and Lee, who +but a short time before was confident of victory, was now in turn +retreating. Again the tables were turned; by strategic skill Gen. Meade +had baffled all the designs of the skillful rebel chieftain. After a +weary march of three days in cold and storm, he succeeded in placing the +Union army in such a position that it would be madness for any foe to +attack it, and now the discomfited rebel army beats a hasty retreat, +attempting by rapid movements and shrewd devises, to get back to their +fortified position on the Rapidan before the Union Army could overtake +them in their haste. As we retired from the Rappahannock to the +fortified Heights of Centreville, the enemy followed, shouting victory; +every step they advanced seemed to them an assurance that Washington was +in their grasp. Proudly and defiantly they pressed on after our<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span> +retreating columns, thinking that the army of the Potomac had been +weakened by drafts upon it for the army in the southwest, and that we +would be wholly unable to protect the Union capitol; every mile we +retired strengthened them in their feeble delusion. Succeeding in +getting possession of the shortest line from the Rappahannock to +Centreville, they thought to possess those heights in advance of our +army, then wheeling destroy us, leaving Washington a sure fruit of their +success. It was a scheme well planned, and if successful, would have +given the Confederates their independence; but the commander of the +Union army was not idle, he understood their plans. By ceaseless and +untiring energy and by rapid marching, he came out victorious, and we +were again to traverse the same road, not in retreat, but as a +victorious army. Ten days from the time of our starting from Culpepper, +found us again on the advance. On the 20th the troops crossed Broad Run +and Kettle Run near Bristoe Station, wading them knee deep; found the +railroad destroyed, bridges and ties burned, marched over the hill where +Warren, with the 2d corps, engaged the enemy, the result being well +known to our readers, the remains of dead horses and men lying around; +marched 16 miles, taking the wrong road. The 1st and 2d divisions had +waded a stream very deep when the mistake was discovered, and they were +compelled to re-cross again, halting for the night near Greenwich; no +signs of the enemy, the weather very cold.</p> + +<p>The next day the column again started, marching seven miles, the 2d +corps halting at Buckley's Mills, and the 3d corps encamping at Catlet's +Station. The railroad was totally destroyed, the rebels having placed +the ties on heaps, and then setting them on fire; with the rails on top +becoming red hot, they were bent nearly double, rendering them entirely +useless. At Catlet's Station the troops were ordered in camp until the +railroad was rebuilt. The regiment was detailed for picket at +Weaverville, near a mill on Cedar Run; remained one day until relieved +by the 87th Pennsylvania; marched when relieved three miles, near corps +headquarters. The corps remained at Catlet's Station ten days, during +which time we were constantly on the move, changing camp five times. The +men were detailed to rebuild the railroad; trees were cut and ties made, +the men working with a will. Soon the road was re-built, rails having +been sent on construction trains from Washington; about forty miles of +road had been destroyed, part by our troops and part by the rebels. +During our encampment at Catlet's Station, the first military execution +that had ever<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span> occurred in the 3d corps took place on Friday afternoon +in the 1st division. The culprit was private Henry C. Beardsly, who +originally enlisted in the 5th Michigan infantry. He was always a +worthless, quarrelsome soldier and a shirk. He deserted before fighting +a battle, and afterwards enlisted in a cavalry regiment, from which he +also deserted; being caught with such a record there was no hope for +him. He was shot in the presence of the entire division at two o'clock +in the afternoon. The arrangements were most perfectly made by the +Provost Marshal of the division, the ceremonies being exceedingly +solemn. The poor fellow met his death more boldly than he lived. +Twelve-muskets were fired at him, eleven balls entered his breast, one +musket being blank; he died without a struggle.</p> + +<p>On the 30th of October the troops again moved forward, marching seven +miles to Warrenton Junction and encamping near Bealton Station. The road +was now completed from Washington to Warrenton, and supplies run to the +troops; encamped at the Junction seven days; company drill one hour each +day; the men were supplied with eight days' rations. On the 31st the +regiment was mustered in for four months' pay by Col. Truex; pontoon +trains were now sent forward, and preparations made to again cross the +Rappahannock. On Saturday, Nov. 7, the troops again moved forward. Lee +had sent large re-enforcements to Bragg, and thought himself secure, +thinking the Potomac army would not again advance until Spring, as +winter was approaching, and by that time the army of the Cumberland +would be whipped, and then with troops from Bragg would engage the +Potomac army. The rebel army was busily engaged in erecting winter +quarters, and building forts on the Rappahannock, little dreaming that +the Union army was again advancing. After marching fourteen miles the +6th corps, under Sedgwick, charged across the river at Kelly's Ford, +taking the enemy completely by surprise and capturing three thousand +prisoners, the rebels retreating in disorder. Lee at Culpepper heard the +firing in the distance and rushed to the front, but too late. He found +his army in a terribly demoralized condition, flying from the Potomac +army. At Freeman's Ford, the 1st division of the 3d corps also charged, +capturing three hundred prisoners, and driving Hill's corps back some +distance. Pontoons were soon laid, the rest of the army with the trains +passing over. Only a few days since and we were leaving the river in +haste, marching with unparallelled rapidity to the defenses of +Washington, now we were again on the Rappahannock.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span> In the far distance +the booming of cannon announces that our advance is engaged with the +rear guard of the flying rebels, spreading consternation and terror +throughout their already disorganized and demoralized ranks.</p> + +<p>At dark the regiment was stationed in a pine woods on the river until +ten o'clock, when we were ordered to cross, having supported a battery +during the day, continually shelling the woods on the opposite shore; +crossed at Kelly's Ford, encamping on the banks of the river. At four +o'clock on Sunday morning the bugle sounded the reveille, and the men +were soon up packing their knapsacks, some making fires, others filling +canteens with water. Lieut. Tingly, of Co. E, in the darkness stumbled +over a man, as he supposed, still sleeping; turning around to awaken +him, he found a dead rebel sergeant who had been killed by one of our +shells. The rebels in their haste had left their dead without burial; +but little time was given to bury them, the pioneers covering them with +dirt. At seven o'clock the troops moved in line of battle, marching +eight miles, the artillery continually shelling their rear guard, +advancing as far as Brandy Station, the rebels placing four pieces of +artillery on a hill, shelling in return, killing two men and wounding +several in the 138th Pennsylvania. The 1st brigade was ordered to charge +the hill, and preparations were made, batteries were placed in position +and the hill shelled, when the rebels left in haste, our men taking +possession without opposition. The 14th was again fortunate, having as +yet lost not one man by battle. The troops now marched on a double +quick, the flying rebels discerned in the distance retreating in haste, +leaving a vast amount of ammunition and baggage in our hands. During the +afternoon the troops were massed in force at Brandy Station. The Potomac +army now composed of five corps, 1st, 2d, 3d, 5th and 6th, the 11th and +12th having been sent to the army of the Cumberland after the battle of +Gettysburg, and formed in one corps commanded by Major Gen. Hooker. The +1st corps was commanded by Gen. Franklin, the 2d by the brave Warren, +the 3d by Gen. French, the 5th by Sykes, the 6th by Sedgwick. The +cavalry divisions under Kilpatrick and Buford, were all under the +command of Major Gen. Meade. The 3d corps now halted in line of battle +in a dense woods, remaining until the ensuing night, when the troops +were routed out at nine o'clock, and ordered to fall in. It was supposed +that Lee was about to attack, having halted his retreating army on the +banks of the Rapidan; remaining in line in the cold two hours; marched +two miles, crossing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span> the railroad at Brandy Station, halting for the +night near a small stream; lying in line of battle sleeping on our arms; +we were encamped on an open plain; there was scarcely any wood, the men +suffering very much from the cold. Lee, finding our men ready, fell +back; he had hoped to surprise Meade, but as vigilant as ever, he was +not to be caught napping. The men were ordered to lay down and be ready +to fall in at a moment's notice. The next morning three days' rations +were issued, and the troops ordered into camp, tents placed on a line, +remaining in camp five days, the men receiving two months' pay. The camp +had been occupied by the rebels, some of them having up winter quarters. +The men now supposed the army had halted for the winter; to make +themselves comfortable the men built chimneys of sod on one corner of +the tent, and built fires in them. A soldier can always make himself +comfortable; with his shelter pitched on sticks, a sod chimney built, +and the cracks of his tent filled with mud, he is then as happy as a +lord, and cares not for anything. Occasionally home was thought of as +something that had once been a pleasure, but now at war there seemed as +if there was no such thing as home; with no kind and loving friends +near, he submits to his lot without murmuring, caring not for the +future. The men were now very comfortable, and supposed they were to +remain some time. On the afternoon of the 14th the 1st brigade was +ordered to move to Culpepper, four miles distant. At four o'clock the +brigade started, marching several miles out of the way, the rain falling +heavily, wetting the men to the skin. The night was very dark, the +officers being unable to find the road, wandering around in the woods, +marching in swamps and ditches, sometimes up to their knees in mud; +occasionally a man fell down and was pulled out by his comrades; +marching on an old corduroy road, that for some time had been useless; +the rain poured in torrents; each man marching for himself and on his +own hook. At midnight Culpepper was reached, having marched twelve +miles, the correct distance being but four miles; the men halted in the +woods, building fires of brush to keep warm and to dry themselves. In +the morning the sun shone in all its splendor, the men presenting a +sorry plight covered with mud and water; the remainder of the army lying +quietly at Brandy Station; changed position during the morning; tents +placed on a line in regimental order. More than one-half the men had +fallen out, and now came straggling in; the brigade was sent to guard +Culpepper and the vicinity. The village of Culpepper is situated four +miles from Brandy Station<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span> and is quite a pretty place, of some two +thousand inhabitants, containing four churches, court house and county +jail; but few towns are on the railroad, Culpepper being the largest.</p> + +<p>Two companies were detailed for picket each day, the remaining companies +drilling brigade drill. Gen. Morris, having written a series of tactics, +was desirous of practicing, and ordered brigade drill each day. Winter +quarters were again the topic of conversation, as the cold was almost +unendurable. Nothing was now seen of the enemy, as they lay in their old +position on the Rapidan, and not very anxious to advance again, having +learned a lesson from us, although surprised and compelled to fall back +before it was more of an advantage to Meade than to Lee. The terrible +lesson they learned at Bristoe was not to be forgotten very soon, nor +our advance on the Rappahannock. But few men were lost on our side, the +enemy losing heavily in men and munitions of war. During our stay at +Culpepper two men were arrested as spies and sent to Washington; they +were dressed in the United States uniform and belonged to the guerilla +Mosby's command. Succeeding in eluding our pickets they entered our +lines with the intention of returning as speedily as possible, and +inform the rebels that there was but one brigade lying at Culpepper +easily accessible to them; frustrated in their plans, they were arrested +and subsequently met their fate as spies, being hung at Alexandria. +Efforts were made to save them, but of no avail, the rules of civilized +warfare demanded their execution, and the just deserts were meted out to +them to the fullest extent of the law.</p> + +<p>The brigade remained at Culpepper ten days, until the night of the 23d, +when orders were given to be ready to move at daylight. Although late in +the season, an advance was determined on and five days' rations issued +the men. Commencing to rain the order was countermanded, the brigade +leaving Culpepper and rejoining the division at Brandy Station, marching +four miles; lying in the mud near the railroad until Thursday, Nov. 26, +when the order to again advance was given, starting from Brandy Station +at 7 a. m. The troops in three columns moved towards the Rapidan, +crossing at different fords on pontoons; the enemy, not expecting an +advance, were as yet unprepared, reaching the river at five o'clock, the +3d corps crossing at Jacobs' Mill Ford, the trains following in the +rear; a force was left at Brandy Station to guard the railroad. After +marching fifteen miles the river was reached and crossed before dark; +nothing was seen of the enemy, their frowning breast works were empty. +Had they been manned by a sufficient force our crossing would not have +been so easy, as<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span> they had a splendid position for their artillery and a +raking fire from their batteries upon our advance. The troops were soon +over and formed in line of battle, throwing out heavy pickets, halting +in the woods near the river until routed out the next morning. The +column had advanced the evening previous until near the enemy, +countermarching and encamping for the night. Every preparation was made +for the ensuing day, as the enemy were moving, being aware of our +advance. The morning of the 27th was cold and dreary. It was +Thanksgiving Day at home, but to the poor soldier it was war, and many +that entered the fight that day lived not to see the morrow's sun; they +had spent their last Thanksgiving Day on earth, and now fill a soldier's +grave.</p> + +<p>Gen. French was sent in advance with the 3d corps, the 3rd division on +the lead, they overtaking the enemy at Locust Grove, a dense forest of +pine trees; the enemy were strongly posted. Our division had always lain +along the railroad, and thus far had never engaged in battle. We were +called by the other divisions of the corps, Gen. French's pets, as they +thought he favored us more than the rest, he being the former commander +of the 3rd division. The 1st division, commanded by Gen. Birney, was in +the rear of the 3d division. When they were told we were to charge the +enemy, the men of the 1st division exclaimed, "What! send French's pets +in there? they can't fight." The General hearing them, in his blunt +manner remarked, "We'll see if they can't fight. Move forward, boys." +Skirmishers from the 122nd Ohio regiment were immediately sent out. The +1st brigade being on the advance, was for the first time engaged with +the enemy, and for four hours was under fire, the men fighting bravely +until darkness ended the contest, standing their ground like veterans; +making a brilliant charge and driving the rebels from their position, +capturing several prisoners. The whole corps was by this time hotly +engaged, maintaining their ground, neither side gaining any material +advantage. Gen. Carr and staff were everywhere conspicuous, and +supported by the 6th corps, there was no such word as fail. The old 3d +corps had long established its reputation, which was never to be lost. +Ever since the organization of the Potomac army had the 3d corps been +foremost in the fight; commanded by a fighting man, Major Gen. Sickles, +it never wavered, always the first to enter and the last to leave. +Thousands had lost their lives in the seven days' fight before Richmond, +at Antietam, Chancellorsville and Gettysburgh, and thousands more were +to lose their lives in the brave old 3d. Each corps was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span> ordered to have +a mark, designating it from the rest, the 3d corps choosing the diamond, +an emblem of worth. This originated from Gen. Kearney, commanding the +New Jersey brigade; in order to distinguish his men from the rest, he +ordered them to wear a red cross; the other commanders taking it in hand +until each corps had a mark and a corps flag; each division red, white +and blue. Of the corps in the Potomac army, the 1st was full moon; 2nd +club; 3d diamond; 5th Maltese cross, and 6th Roman cross. At Locust +Grove the red and blue patches of the different divisions were plainly +seen. The woods were so thick that artillery could not be used; the roar +of musketry as it vibrated among the trees was awful and sublime, +sounding as if the wind with all its force was rushing on moved by some +irresistible power.</p> + +<p>The officers and men of the 14th fought nobly, knowing that their +reputation depended on this, their first battle. Co's B and K being on +the extreme left of the line, became separated from the regiment, and +did not hear the order to fall back when relieved, remaining in one hour +after the regiment, not leaving until their ammunition was exhausted. +The regiment lost sixteen killed and fifty-eight wounded, having been in +the service sixteen months without engaging in battle, the other +regiments losing in proportion. Gen. Morris rode to the front, +congratulating the men for their bravery. In a few words he told them +that as new troops, a brigade never fought better; that they had +accomplished all that was desired of them. At dark the enemy retreated, +leaving their dead and wounded in our hands. All night long the surgeons +were busy dressing the wounds of our men, the cries of the poor wounded +fellows as they lay writhing under the knife were heart-rending; the +groans of the dying as they lay on the field were heard throughout the +night. The battle was now over, the enemy had fallen back, and the +troops remained on the field lying on their arms until morning. The +enemy had now fallen back in their old position at Mine Run awaiting our +approach; the weather very cold and mud knee deep; marched five miles, +halting near Robinson's Tavern; in a pine wood in front of the enemy's +breastworks, which were very strong. All Saturday and Sunday Gen. Meade +and his corps commanders were engaged in devising means to force the +enemy from their position on the western slope of Mine Run, being too +strongly posted to warrant making a direct assault upon their works, +although our forces outnumbered them two to one. Mine Run is a small +stream about ten feet wide, but very deep; on each side is a low marsh, +miry<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span> and reed grown. About one mile back from either side there were +cultivated patches of pine trees. On the south side the Potomac army lay +in line of battle all day Sunday, the 29th; none but the 3d corps had +thus far been engaged, the 3d division, the heaviest. The enemy had +moved out of their position to meet us, and at Locust Grove had +encountered our advance. After being defeated and driven back by the 3d +corps, they awaited our approach, having fortified the western slope by +a strong earthwork of felled trees, shrubbery and brush, forming an +almost impenetrable abattis. They had also dug a succession of rifle +pits within easy musket range of the creek, manned by sharpshooters, to +pick off our advance skirmishers, their line of defense extending from +what was called Clark's Mountain, on the plank road, to the mouth of the +stream, and was fully supported by artillery, and by our generals was +considered as strong as Fredericksburg. The artillery was brought +forward and placed in position in front of their batteries. Not a shot +had yet been exchanged since the battle of Locust Grove, each side +waiting for the other, the infantry being hidden from view by a thick +woods. In order to move them forward it was found necessary to bridge +the streams and morasses in various places, a work both difficult and +dangerous; this was done by the 1st division of the 3d corps. Sunday +passed, and at dark nothing had yet been done; thus far we had not +accomplished anything; with one corps we had met their advance, and +after a hard battle had driven them back a few miles in a strong +position not easily flanked, with severe loss on both sides. On Sunday +night the troops were massed and formed as follows: the 2d corps on the +extreme left at Clark's Mountain; the left centre was held by the 3d +corps; the centre by two divisions of the 1st, and the right by the 5th +and 6th corps. Gen. Warren with the 2nd corps was to attack Sunday +afternoon at 3 o'clock, and, if possible, turn the enemy's right wing; +the 5th and 6th corps, under Sykes and Sedgwick, were at the same time +to attack their left, while the 1st and 3d moved on the centre. The +reserve artillery had all been brought forward ready for action, but for +some reason the infantry failed to connect, and night slipped upon us +all drawn up in line of battle. That night a change was made in the +programme. Gen. Warren did not deem his force adequate to the task of +turning the enemy's right, so he was still re-enforced by the 1st and 3d +divisions of the 3d corps, marching at two o'clock Monday morning five +miles; the 3d division placed on the extreme left in the most dangerous +position, while Birney with his division was to support<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span> the artillery. +The army was now placed in their respective positions, and 8 o'clock +Monday morning was then set by Gen. Meade for the great battle to open. +The men lay down wrapped in their blankets on the frozen ground, to rest +and to dream of home. The night of Sunday was the coldest we had yet +experienced; ice formed in streams an inch in thickness. Several of the +men froze their limbs, and one or two lost their lives while on picket. +The enemy's sharpshooters were found frozen in their rifle pits, as a +great many of them had no overcoats or blankets. At 8 o'clock on Monday +the artillery began to play upon the enemy, and for an hour was as heavy +as ever was witnessed; the shells, as they flew shrieking through the +air, were plainly seen. The enemy replied feebly, not wishing to +disclose their position. The infantry did not make any demonstration +whatever, and after making a great deal of noise and wasting a large +amount of ammunition, the artillery was silenced by an order from +headquarters. The men were already in line with knapsacks unslung, the +3d division to lead and charge their extreme right. Gen. Meade rode to +the front, examined their works with his glass, and then countermanded +the order, as a fearful loss of life would ensue; the weather being so +cold the wounded would die if left uncared for. The 3d division remained +on the left until 3 o'clock Monday afternoon, when they returned to +their old position in the center with the balance of the corps. Nothing +more was done during the day but to form some other plan; but the wisest +plan our generals could agree on was to go back to our line on the +Rappahannock and take a fresh start. Accordingly the trains were all +ordered back across the Rapidan, the troops still in line watching the +enemy until the trains were all safe across. General Francis Meagher was +a guest at headquarters, and moved with the troops, engaging in battle +with the Irish Brigade, and narrowly escaped capture at Locust Grove. +Being dressed in citizen's dress, he was taken by the enemy to be a +reporter and no exertion was made to capture him. Had they known that he +was a distinguished general, and the leader of the old 69th New York +that gave them such reception at Bull Run, they would have captured him +certain; as it was, he escaped by spurring his horse out of their reach.</p> + +<p>On Tuesday, Dec. 1, 1863, the troops were ordered to fall back, as +nothing could be accomplished. The roads were in a terrible condition, +almost impassable; it was with difficulty that supplies could be sent to +the men by wagons over the route of thirty or forty miles. Our wounded +were suffering considerably; the most<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span> of them were compelled to walk, +as transportation could not be furnished; only those that had lost a +limb were allowed to ride. At dark pickets were placed as usual, the +main body of the army falling back, marching all night on a double quick +on the Fredericksburg plank road, the weather each hour growing colder. +All night long the troops moved in solid columns, a brilliant moon +lighting us on our way. The trains were all safe across, and were on +their way to Brandy Station, to be filled with supplies for the men. On +their return the boys set the woods on fire, and they were soon burning +in all directions. The pickets were relieved at 3 o'clock, when Lee +discovered the retreat; his army was soon in motion, but too late to do +any good. By daylight the army was all safe across the Rapidan, having +marched, or rather run twenty miles; several of the men were unable to +keep up and were captured. The troops crossed at Germania Ford, on two +pontoon bridges, which were taken up at 6 o'clock, and our batteries +placed on a hill ready for action. The rebel cavalry made their +appearance on the opposite side but were soon driven back by a few +shells, retiring suddenly with the few prisoners they had captured. The +pursuit was now abandoned, and the men, foot sore and weary, threw +themselves upon the ground and were soon buried in slumber. Rations were +scarce, the men having nothing to eat, and we were yet some distance +from Brandy Station, our base of supplies. The troops were allowed to +rest until noon. The men had become scattered during the march, and were +now joining their commands. Meade halted on the banks of the river, +hoping Lee would give battle. The men were in fine spirits and were now +anxious to fight the rebel army away from their entrenchments in an open +field; but Lee declined to give battle, and after exchanging a few shots +with the rear guard of our army, both armies retired from the river, Lee +moving back to Mine Run, the Potomac army to Brandy Station, to enter +winter quarters. At noon the column again moved, marching but five +miles, halting in a dense woods, with nothing to eat until two o'clock +the next morning, when the column again moved, marching nine miles, and +arriving at Brandy Station at 10 o'clock, the troops occupying their old +quarters near the railroad; the camp was welcomed with joy; weary, +hungry and nearly tired out, after an absence of eight days, returned, +having crossed the Rapidan, accomplishing but little. Fighting two days +on slim rations; recrossed again, having lost about two thousand men in +killed, wounded and missing. Again the people north were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span> clamorous for +the removal of Meade; why did he not attack Lee in his entrenchments? +was the cry; Richmond must be taken, and all such remarks. It was +rumored that Hooker was again to take command, and we were to return +immediately to Mine Run; but the military men of the Potomac army knew +that the fortifications at Mine Run never could be taken by the Potomac +army, especially at this time of the year. If Lee was driven out of his +works, the success could not be followed up, as the cold was too intense +to permit a campaign of long duration.</p> + +<p>On the 4th of December, 1863, the troops were ordered into Winter +quarters, as nothing more could be done that Winter. The railroad was +guarded from Alexandria to Brandy Station by the 1st corps, the main +line extending from Culpepper to the Rapidan. Camps were now laid out in +regular order, each brigade by itself, the 1st brigade encamping on the +plantation of John Minor Botts, one of Virginia's noblest sons, who, at +the commencement of the war, refused to aid in breaking up the Union +formed by Washington and his compeers, one of the best governments the +world ever saw. Because he would not aid in bringing civil war, and aid +in slaughtering thousands of innocent men, he was for three months +confined in Libby Prison by the rebel leader, his daughter sharing his +confinement with him without a murmur. He was finally released on +parole, and was now residing at his mansion near Brandy Station. Trees +were felled by the men and comfortable Winter quarters built. As far as +the eye could reach were seen the tents of the Potomac army, occupying +several miles of ground; the 6th corps on the extreme right, near Hazel +River; the 5th corps on the left. Tents were soon built, the crevices +filled with mud, and a shanty built of stones, the whole covered with +shelters, three or four tenting with each other. Give a soldier a knife, +and with a few articles a tent will soon be built. Brandy Station, a +place heretofore but little known, was now the base of supplies for the +army, trains running as far as Culpepper, where the Cavalry were +encamped. Corduroy roads were built, fatigue parties being sent out each +day under competent officers. Large store houses were built, and +thousands of bushels of grain stored for the horses and mules. During +the Summer the troops had nothing to eat on the march but hard-tack, +sugar and coffee. Extra rations were now issued, some of the men faring +better than at home. Rations were issued every five days of hard-tack, +soft bread, sugar, coffee, beef, pork, pepper, salt, beans, dried +apples, potatoes and onions, the government always feeding the men well<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span> +while lying in camp. Furloughs were now granted the men for ten days, +some two hundred going each day. The people home had seen so many +soldiers that they were tired of them; a great many that were +Copperheads, afraid to come themselves, entertained no respect for the +boys in blue, but turned a cold shoulder to them. They cared not though, +as long as they had done their duty at the front, and despised the +sneaking Copperhead as not worthy of notice. Camp life was now entered +upon by the men with activity, knowing that spring would open with a +hard campaign. Drills were again in order, inspections and reviews. +Brandy Station was thronged with visitors from the North, who looked +with wonder upon the magnificent array of men, that for the past three +years had been battling for union and for liberty. The armies must again +be recruited for the spring campaign; great inducements were held out to +the men, and furloughs suddenly stopped. Any soldier that would +re-enlist for three years would receive three hundred dollars bounty and +thirty-five days furlough; all other furloughs were stopped. The men +anxious to see home, and thinking that the war would soon be over, +re-enlisted in large numbers, receiving their bounty and furlough. +Nearly the whole of the 87th Pennsylvania in the 3d division +re-enlisted; this was the finest drilled regiment in the service, their +term of enlistment expiring in the spring. The mails were now running +regular once each day. The paymasters arriving, the troops were paid in +full and the sutlers patronized largely. President Lincoln now issued a +call for three hundred thousand more men. In view of the large bounties +offered, a great many worthless men enlisted, soon after deserting; the +most of them were caught and were sent back to the headquarters of the +different divisions, and placed under arrest. A Provost Guard was formed +at each division headquarters, composed of picked men of the regiments, +consisting of one hundred men, five Sergeants and eight Corporals, whose +duties were to guard all prisoners, and in time of action to keep up all +stragglers, and while lying in camp to guard headquarters. Court +Martials were now in session, and each man under arrest was tried, and +if found guilty of any misdemeanor was immediately sentenced and placed +in confinement until the sentence was carried into effect. Some were +sentenced to hard labor, some to forfeit their pay, and various other +sentences according to the decision of the court.</p> + +<p>Lee was now encamped in the vicinity of Madison Court House, his main +force in a dense wilderness, and comfortably quartered<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span> in log houses, +each army picketing the Rapidan, whose swollen waters would not permit +crossing at this time of the year. Occasionally a small force of cavalry +was sent out to reconnoitre, but failed to draw any portion of the enemy +from their entrenchments. The headquarters of Gen. Meade were on a hill +and tastefully arranged, near Brandy Station. A new signal corps was +organized; several from the 14th were detached and placed on duty in +this corps. This branch of service was of great use to the army, as +orders could be signalized with rapidity from one part of the army to +the other. Sutlers were in abundance at Brandy Station, erecting +shanties for their goods. Shoemaker shops, watch making and ambrotype +galleries were built, and Brandy Station soon became a thriving town. +The 14th was encamped in an old rebel camp, the men using their old +houses, refitting them as good as new. As none but re-enlisted men were +allowed furloughs, the rest of the men contented themselves with passing +their time in camp with various amusements, playing match games of base +ball when not on duty. The Rapidan was strongly picketed, details from +the regiments made every three days. The 14th now numbered but six +hundred men for duty, three hundred and fifty less than when the +regiment left New Jersey. Nearly one hundred had died; sixteen had been +killed by battle; some were on detached service; some in hospitals, and, +sad to say, numbers had deserted. Gen. Morris was on leave of absence, +his place being filled by Colonel Truex, acting Brig. General. Several +ladies now visited the army, the most of them officers' wives, remaining +until the spring campaign commenced.</p> + +<p>In the latter part of December, a man named Armprister from the 3d +division was found guilty of desertion. He was sentenced to have his +head shaved, a board placed on his back marked utterly worthless, and to +be drummed out of camp. Such scenes were not common, this being the +first occurrence of the kind in our division. Capt. Allstrum of Co. G, +14th N.J., was appointed Provost Marshal of the division. His duty was +to see that all military rules were obeyed; that all sutlers and +purveyors were licensed, and to confiscate all rebel property that was +fortunate enough to fall into our hands. The discipline of the army was +now perfect, everything arranged and in perfect order; one grand master +mind at the head; the people North forming no idea how everything was +conducted, and with what precision each order was executed by the men. A +revival now spread throughout camp, and many became converted. Chaplain +Rose, of the 14th<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span> New Jersey, by his exertions organized prayer +meetings each evening, and through his means a greater part of the men +were led to seek God. Regimental churches were built of logs, covered +with tents furnished by the Sanitary Commission, and tracts, books and +papers distributed daily by men interested in the cause. A great many +that were converted were killed in the ensuing battles of the coming +campaign, which was destined to be the hardest ever witnessed. Tools +were furnished the men in abundance, and tents and churches rapidly +erected. A pioneer corps was also organized for each brigade. The tools +were packed in boxes, and carried on mules, slung across their backs. +During active service they were to march ahead of the troops, clearing +the way; also to bridge streams and ditches; build officers' tents, and +to make themselves useful in various ways. The troops were now taught to +maneuver by brigades and divisions; each afternoon was brigade drill and +dress parade, the officers and men presenting a fine appearance, having +lain in camp long enough to get fixed up. Clothing was issued in +abundance, and everything that was needed for an army was forwarded to +the men. Boxes were sent from home, but each one was examined by the +Provost Marshal to see if liquor was concealed therein; the men were not +allowed any. If the friends at home saw fit to send it for sickness, it +was taken from them and used by the headquarters officers. Various +dodges were resorted to by the men to obtain whiskey; packages of flour +were sent, with a small flask concealed in the inside, which was eagerly +drank by them, as rum of any kind was a luxury.</p> + +<p>The month of December had nearly passed, and the holidays were rapidly +approaching; the cold storms of winter kept the men pretty close, the +weather being too bad to permit drilling. Christmas and New Years were +very dull, the men receiving two months pay and new clothing, and the +officers drinking their good whiskey.</p> + +<p>Gen. Carr's headquarters were in a large white house, opposite John +Minor Botts', two miles from Brandy Station, and about a quarter of a +mile from the division. As there were several ladies visiting the +Potomac army, a grand ball was given and preparations made accordingly. +An addition was built to the house by men detailed from the division and +everything was arranged in perfect order; the room was handsomely +decorated with flags and evergreens. The night of January 25, 1864, the +ball was given, and everything passed off pleasantly; it was very +largely attended,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span> but the privates were not allowed to enter; the +ladies were elegantly dressed. The 1st New Jersey Brigade Band, and 87th +Pennsylvania were engaged, and the music was excellent. The tickets were +ten dollars; dancing was kept up until morning; the supper was +magnificent, costing two thousand dollars; cooks were sent from +Washington, and everything that could be had; trains of cars coming up +during the afternoon loaded with officers bringing their ladies with +them. The leading generals of the Potomac army were present, the most +prominent among them being Meade, Warren, Hancock, French and others. +They enjoyed themselves very well, but the most of them were better at +fighting than at dancing.</p> + +<p>Nothing occurred to disturb the dull monotony of camp life during those +long Winter months, everything going on as usual; re-enlisted men +returning, others going in their places. On the morning of February 6th, +the troops received marching orders, to pack up with three days' rations +and hold themselves in readiness to move, as a reconnoissance in force +was ordered to find out the whereabouts of Lee's main force. At five +o'clock in the afternoon the command was given to start; the 3d corps +commanded by Gen. Birney, Gen. French being home on leave of absence. +The Provost Guard and 122d Ohio were left to guard the camp and +headquarters; the 3d division in advance; raining hard. The weather had +been very pleasant for some time, until orders were given to move, when +a storm suddenly came up and continued for three days. The first corps +met and engaged the enemy at Culpepper Ford, and after a brisk +engagement of several hours, our forces retired, being unable to cross +the river. The reconnoissance discovered Lee in position, his line +extending from the Rapidan to Orange Court House. The troops marched +eight miles, remaining in line of battle two days south of Culpepper, +when they returned to their old quarters, the 1st corps losing about two +hundred men in killed and wounded, but bringing in several prisoners +with them. All was again quiet in camp; everything dull. On the 25th the +paymaster again arrived, paying the men two months' pay. Colonel Cook +from New Jersey was present, taking home for the soldiers thousands of +dollars. The division was now reviewed by Gen. French, near Brandy +Station, several ladies being present; it was composed of three +brigades, numbering six thousand men. On the 28th, the weather being +extremely fine, a reconnoissance was again ordered by the 6th corps, +moving out early in the morning with three days' rations; the other +corps<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span> were ordered to hold themselves in readiness if needed. Nothing, +however, was discovered, the enemy refusing to leave their +entrenchments; on the 3d of March the corps returned, having been gone +three days.</p> + +<p>On the 29th of March the regiment was again mustered in for pay by Col. +Truex; every two months was muster, this being the eleventh time since +our enlistment. The men were formed in line, and their arms and +accoutrements examined, each man answering to his name; if not accounted +for he could not be mustered, nor could he receive his pay.</p> + +<p>In view of the coming campaign, it was found necessary by the +authorities at Washington to place at the head of the army a general, +giving him full command of all the forces then in our armies, to rank as +Lieutenant General. Congress was for some time unable to decide which of +our generals was the most competent. General Grant, then in command of +the southwestern army was finally chosen, and ordered to report +immediately at Washington. The hero of Vicksburg, of Port Hudson, and of +Pittsburg Landing, was placed in chief command, with a commission as +Lieutenant General, wearing three stars.</p> + +<p>From an early period in the rebellion Grant had been impressed with the +idea that active and continuous operations of all troops that could be +brought into the field, regardless of season and weather, were necessary +for a speedy termination of the war. The past two years had led us to +believe that the resources of the enemy and his numerical strength were +far inferior to ours, but as an offset to this, we had a vast territory +hostile to the government to garrison, and long lines of river and +railroad communications to protect to enable us to supply the operating +armies. The army in the east and west had thus far acted independently +and without concert, like a baulky team, no two ever pulling together, +enabling the enemy to use to great advantage his inferior lines of +communication for transporting troops from east to west, re-enforcing +the army most vigorously pressed, and enabling them to furlough large +numbers during seasons of inactivity on our part, to go to their homes +and do the work of producing for the support of their armies. It was now +the firm conviction of our leading men that no peace could be had that +would be stable and conducive to the happiness of the people, both North +and South, until the military power of the South was entirely broken.</p> + +<p>On the 16th of March General Grant arrived at Brandy Station and +proceeded immediately to the headquarters of Gen. Meade.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span> After +reviewing the different corps, he rapidly re-organized the army. The 3d +corps was broken up, and placed in different corps; our division was +placed in the 6th corps as 3d division; the 14th had been in the 3d +corps eight months; what had been an organization so long was now no +more. Gen. French was relieved from the front and ordered to report at +Washington, and placed in command of the troops near Baltimore. The +Potomac army now consisted of but three corps, 2d, 5th and 6th, of +thirty thousand each. The 2d corps was commanded by Hancock; the 5th by +Warren, and the 6th by Sedgwick; General Meade still retained his +position as commander of the Potomac army, receiving his orders from +Grant. Sherman was placed in chief command in the southwest, and proved +himself a successful commander.</p> + +<p>The 3d division, which heretofore consisted of three brigades, was now +formed in two brigades; the 1st was commanded by General Morris, +consisting of the 14th New Jersey, 10th Vermont, 106th and 151st New +York, and 87th Pennsylvania. The 2nd brigade was commanded by Col. +Keifer, afterwards Brigadier General, and composed of the 110th, 122d +and 126th Ohio regiments, the only western troops in the Potomac army; +the 6th Maryland, 67th and 138th Pennsylvania troops, now commanded by +General Prince, the former commander of the 2d division, General Carr +reporting at Washington. The officers all met at headquarters +preparatory to the breaking up of the corps, and indulged in a jolly +time; groups were taken by artists, and after spending the day in mirth, +they returned to their quarters at night. Birney's old division lay in +camp near the 6th corps; they were ordered to join the 2d corps, and our +division to take their camp and join the 6th corps. Gen. Prince was +relieved, and General Ricketts placed in command of the division. Heavy +rains now came on and the order to change camp was countermanded until +April 1, when the division moved. The 14th regiment had built a new +camp, every tent on a line, and each one of an exact size; pine trees +were planted, and it was decided by General Meade to be the handsomest +camp in the Potomac army. The men were very sorry to leave, and some of +them threatened to burn their tents; the quarters we were to occupy were +in a poor place, far from the main road and very lonesome, but as +soldiers we were accustomed to such things, often putting up tents and +then compelled to leave them in a hurry.</p> + +<p>General Grant, having now assumed command, determined to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span> bring the war +to a close as soon as possible. As it was too early for a forward +movement, the troops were permitted to remain in camp another month. +Grant, in consultation with his officers forming their plans for the +coming campaign, having every confidence in Meade, they were constantly +together. Grant first determined to use the greatest number of troops +practicable against the armed forces of the enemy, preventing him from +using the same force at different seasons against first one and then the +other of our armies, by ordering all armies to move at the same time, he +superintending each movement, his headquarters with the Potomac army.</p> + +<p>During the month of April, 1864, several men from the division banded +together and formed negro minstrels, building a house of logs covered +with canvass. Twenty-five cents was charged for admittance; part of the +proceeds were for the benefit of the Sanitary Commission; the house was +crowded each evening, as it was sometime since the men had seen anything +of the kind.</p> + +<p>Behind the Union lines there were many bands of guerillas, and a large +population that were hostile to the government, making it necessary to +guard every foot of road or river used in supplying our armies. In the +South a reign of military despotism prevailed which made every man and +boy capable of bearing arms a soldier, and those who could not bear arms +in the field acted as Provost Guards for collecting deserters and +returning them; thus enabling the enemy to bring almost his entire +strength in the field. Active preparations were now made on both sides +for the campaign which was shortly to open; of the magnitude of the work +before us none then knew. The enemy had concentrated the bulk of their +forces into two armies, commanded by Generals R. E. Lee and J. E. +Johnson, their ablest and best generals. The army of the Southwest, +under Sherman, was to oppose Johnson, and the army of the Potomac, under +Meade, to oppose Lee, all under the immediate command of Grant. The army +commanded by Lee occupied the south bank of the Rapidan, covering and +defending Richmond, the rebel capital, against the army of the Potomac. +The army under Johnson occupied a strongly entrenched position at +Dalton, Ga., covering and defending Atlanta, a place of great importance +as a railroad centre, against the armies under Sherman. These two armies +and the cities covered and defended by them, were the main objects of +the campaign. General Meade was instructed by Grant that Lee's army +would be his objective<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span> point, and wherever Lee went he must follow. +From the position of Lee's forces two different routes presented +themselves, one to cross the Rapidan below Lee, moving by his right +flank, the other above Lee, moving by his left. Each presented +advantages over the other, with corresponding objections; by crossing +above, Lee would be cut off from all correspondence with Richmond, or +from going North on a raid; but if the army took this route, all we did +would have to be done while the rations held out; and it separated us +from Butler moving from Fortress Monroe; if we took the other route, +Brandy Station could be used as a base of supplies until another was +secured on the York or James River. After a long consultation with +Meade, Grant decided to take the lower route.</p> + +<p>The Potomac army had now lain in quarters five months, the men expecting +every day orders to move. The papers North were urging a forward +movement, but Grant knew his own plans best and wished no advisers. +Three large armies were now to move on Richmond as soon as ordered by +Grant; the Potomac army covering Washington and in Lee's immediate +front; an army from Fortress Monroe commanded by Butler, and a large +force under Seigel to move up the Shenandoah Valley.</p> + +<p>The month of April was drawing rapidly to a close, and every preparation +had been made for the campaign soon to open. Supplies were forwarded to +Brandy Station in vast numbers; wagons packed with ammunition and +forage; the troops furnished with clothing and shoes; all condemned +horses and mules branded with the letter C and sent to Alexandria to be +corralled until sold, and others sent in their places; and all batteries +were furnished new guns and new horses, equipped for a hard campaign. It +having now been decided by Grant to move across the Rapidan below Lee, +preparations were made to start. Orders were sent to all generals +commanding different posts, to move not later than May 4, and by one +combined movement of all the armies to crush, if possible, the +rebellion. The most formidable foe to encounter was the army under Lee; +leaving the other armies to the discretion of their commanders but +subject to orders, he turned his whole attention to that one point, but +as usual issuing and receiving all orders. On the 1st of May the troops +were all drawn up in line, and orders read to them as follows: That the +campaign was soon to open; that every man must do his duty; that no +straggling nor foraging would be allowed, and all private property to be +protected.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span> As there were several regiments whose term of service +expired soon, they were very reluctant to move, as they had served three +years faithfully. Orders were read to them especially, that if any of +them were found lurking in the rear or refusing to move forward, they +would be immediately shot, and commanders of regiments instructed to see +that on a march the troops moved in regular order.</p> + +<p>The 14th regiment had now sixteen months to serve of the three years. +Twenty months had passed since leaving New Jersey, and numbers were no +more. The regiment had been recruited and was now ready to move with six +hundred men and a full compliment of officers. Owing to the weather and +bad condition of the roads, operations were delayed later than was +intended. Every thing being now in readiness, and the weather favorable, +orders were given for the forward movement to commence immediately. The +first object aimed at was to break the military power of the rebellion +and capture the enemy's important stronghold. General Butler was to move +on Richmond with a force from Fortress Monroe, which, if successful, +would tend more to ending the war than anything else, unless it was the +capture of Lee's army. If Butler failed to take Richmond, it was Grant's +intention by hard fighting, either to compel Lee to retreat or so to +cripple him that he could not detach a large force to go North, and +still retain enough for the defences of Richmond. It was well understood +by both Butler and Meade, before starting on the campaign, that it was +the intention of Grant to place both armies south of the James, and in +case of failure to destroy Lee without it.</p> + +<p>Before giving Butler his final instructions, Grant visited Fortress +Monroe, giving him, in minute details, the objective points of his +operations, as the army of the Potomac was to move simultaneously with +him. Lee could not detach from his army with safety, and the enemy could +not have troops elsewhere to bring to the defences of the city in time +to meet a rapid movement from the north of the James river. Commanding +all our forces as Grant did, he tried to leave, as far as possible, Gen. +Meade in independent command of the Potomac army. The campaign that +followed proved him to be the right man in the right place; but his +commanding always in the presence of an officer superior to him in rank, +has drawn from him much of that public attention that his zeal and +ability entitled him to, and which he would otherwise have received.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span>Having now given as far as possible the objects of the campaign, the +results of which will hereafter be shown, I will now proceed to give a +brief but true account of the campaign, in which the 14th regiment took +an active part, during the ensuing sixteen months, commencing from the +advance across the Rapidan, until the surrender of Lee's army and the +overthrow of the rebellion.</p> + +<p>All was quiet in camp, the men wondering when the forward movement would +commence, when, on the morning of May 3d, 1864, orderlies were seen +riding in all directions. That something unusual was going on was +apparent to all. The long roll was beaten, the men falling in line +without arms, and ordered to be ready to move in the morning, with five +days' rations. The afternoon was spent in packing up and writing home, +as none knew how soon the chance would be given them to write again. For +five months we had spent pleasant times in Winter quarters; but those +times were now over, and all the scenes of the previous years of war +were to be enacted again. For a time the men had almost forgotten war. +All had confidence in Grant and Meade, and hoped the war would speedily +close. All surplus baggage was sent to the rear. The forward movement +commenced early on the morning of the 4th of May, under the immediate +direction and orders of Gen. Meade. Before night the whole army was safe +across the Rapidan, the 5th and 6th corps crossing at Germania's Ford, +and the 2d corps crossing at United States Ford; the cavalry under Major +General Sheridan moving in advance with the greater part of the trains, +numbering about 4,000 wagons, meeting with but slight opposition; passed +the railroad we lay before, changing quarters with Birney's division. At +last the army has moved; the Summer campaign has commenced, and the +North will soon look for stirring news; with Grant as leader there is no +such word as fail. The day was very fine, the air rather cool, and the +troops in good spirits, anxious to change the dull monotony of camp life +for more active service in the field. The distance marched that day by +the troops was 15 miles. This was considered a great success, that of +crossing the river in the face of an active, large, well appointed and +ably commanded army. At the different fords Lee had erected very +formidable breastworks to retard the advance of the Union army, but +changing his plans his army remained in position in the Wilderness, and +the works were found unoccupied. No signs of the enemy being seen that +night, the troops encamped in a dense thicket of pines extending<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span> for +miles. Lee had chosen a strong position in the woods known as the +Wilderness, having erected strong earthworks and manned them with three +army corps, numbering, as near as can be ascertained, 120,000 men, under +command of Ewell, Longstreet and Hill.</p> + +<p>Early on the morning of the 5th, the advance corps, the 5th, under the +command of Major General G. K. Warren, met and engaged the enemy outside +of their entrenchments, near Mine Run. The battle raged furiously all +day, the whole army being brought into the fight as fast as the corps +could be brought into the field, which, considering the density of the +forest and narrowness of the roads, was done with commendable +promptness. Gen. Seymour, of Florida, arrived, and was placed in command +of the 2d brigade of the 3d division. Gens. Grant, Meade and staff were +at the front in the thickest of the fight, and were loudly cheered by +the men; some 400 prisoners were taken that day, among them several +officers. Five miles only were made that day, neither side gaining any +advantage; darkness coming on the firing ceased for a short time, the +troops building breastworks. Gen. Ricketts and staff being near the +front, a shell exploded in their midst, killing the horses of two staff +officers, but not injuring them. The 3d division was divided, the 1st +brigade being sent to re-enforce the centre, the 2d brigade the right; +the 14th was in the fight the entire day, and lost heavily; the 2d +brigade was fortunate, losing but few men. Gen. Sedgwick formed the 6th +corps in position, and the men lay behind their breastworks until +morning, the stars shining brightly. This was the first day's fight in +the Wilderness, resulting in no material advantage to either side; but +the losses were heavy, as both armies fought with desperation, and both +were confident of success. Gen. Burnside was ordered from North Carolina +with the 9th corps, and was at the time the army of the Potomac moved +left with the bulk of his corps at the crossing of Rappahannock River +and Alexandria Railroad, holding the road back to Bull Run, with +instructions not to move until he received notice that a crossing of the +Rapidan was secured, but to move promptly as soon as such notice was +received. This crossing he was apprised of on the afternoon of the 4th, +and by 6 o'clock on the morning of the 6th, he was leading his corps +into action near the Wilderness Tavern, or, as it was then called, +Robinson's Tavern, his troops having marched a distance of over 30 +miles, crossing both the Rappahannock and Rapidan Rivers. Considering<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span> +that a large proportion of his command, probably two-thirds, was +composed of new troops, unaccustomed to marches and carrying the +accoutrements of a soldier, this was a remarkable march.</p> + +<p>The battle of the Wilderness was renewed by us on the morning of the +6th, and continued with unabated fury until darkness set in, each army +holding their old positions. At night the enemy by a decisive movement +succeeded in turning our right flank, and a general stampede ensued, +horses, wagons and pack mules moving to the rear. The 2d brigade was in +the hottest of the fight and suffered severely, the 6th Maryland losing +more than one-half of their men and nearly all their officers. General +Seymour, commanding the brigade, was captured together with several +hundred prisoners, but the promptness of Gen. Sedgwick, who was +personally present, and commanding that portion of our line, soon +re-formed it and restored order; the 1st brigade still in a position +near the centre and under fire, but losing few men, the troops holding +their positions during the night. On the morning of the 7th, +reconnoissances showed that the enemy had fallen back behind their +entrenchments, with pickets to the front covering part of the battle +field. From this it was evident that the past two days' fighting had +satisfied Lee of his inability to further maintain the contest in the +open field. Notwithstanding his advantage of position, and that he would +wait an attack behind his works, as he could not be driven out by a +direct assault, orders were issued to move immediately, and, if +possible, get between him and Richmond. On the night of the 7th the +march was commenced towards Spottsylvania Court House, the 5th corps +moving on the most direct road; but the enemy became apprised of our +movement and having the shorter line was enabled to reach there first. +On the morning of the 8th General Warren met a force of the enemy which +had been sent out to oppose and delay his advance, to gain time to +fortify the line taken up at Spottsylvania. This force was steadily +driven back on the main force, within their recently constructed works +after considerable fighting, resulting in severe loss on both sides. It +has been currently reported and afterwards believed, that the Union army +was defeated in the first two days' fight in the Wilderness, but that +the bull dog courage of Grant refused to stay whipped, and unlike our +former generals, instead of retreating back across the Rapidan, he +determined on a flank movement on the enemy's right, and although +unsuccessful at first, it finally resulted in the capture of Richmond. +Burnside's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span> corps was partly composed of negro troops; they were in a +fine condition and looked extremely well. All day long on Sunday (7th) +the 5th corps engaged the enemy at Spottsylvania; at dark they were +relieved by the 6th corps, and the 14th New Jersey was again heavily +engaged. Forming in line the troops erected works during the night after +marching that day fifteen miles, passing Chancellorsville, where a +number of bones and skulls lay around, the remnant of the old +Chancellorsville battle ground, where the rebel General Stonewall +Jackson was killed. The enemy had now strongly entrenched themselves, +assuming the defensive. Our losses in the last four days were severe. +Finding that Lee would not again leave his works, nothing was left but +to attack him, although a heavy loss of life would ensue in charging +their works; there was no other alternative. In those battles thousands +of brave men lost their lives in vain attempts to take the enemy's +works, and hundreds of wounded were hourly brought in from various +portions of the line. Hospitals were established in the rear, and +surgeons were busily engaged in amputating limbs and dressing wounds. +The weather was very warm, and the men suffered from thirst, as water +was scarce. During the night the troops remained in line, with but +little sleep.</p> + +<p>On the morning of the 9th, General Sheridan started on a raid with a +large cavalry force, to cut the enemy's communications; all day long +skirmishing was kept up, but not resulting in any battle. Major General +Sedgwick, who had so long commanded the 6th corps, an able and +distinguished soldier, was killed; he was at the front, on the left of +the 14th regiment, superintending the planting of a battery, when a +bullet from a sharpshooter struck him in the forehead, killing him +instantly. He was carried to the rear and his remains sent North; his +loss was greatly lamented, as he was beloved by all. Major Gen. H. B. +Wright succeeded him in command, the former commander of the 1st +division. General Morris being with him at the time, was also wounded in +the leg; Col. Truex succeeded him, being placed temporarily in command +of the brigade. The night of the 9th found the men in the same position. +The morning of the 10th was spent in maneuvering and fighting without +any decisive results; at noon a general engagement commenced; the rattle +of musketry and artillery was awful; this was the sixth day's fighting; +the enemy had been flanked from their strong position in the Wilderness, +at Mine Run, and with their whole force at Spottsylvania were opposing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span> +us with desperation. Orders were now read to the men that Sherman had +whipped Johnson at Dalton, and that Butler was advancing on Richmond; +the troops were encouraged at this news and fought desperately. At 6 +o'clock a division of the 6th corps made a charge and captured a rebel +brigade numbering nearly three thousand men. Nothing but skirmishing was +kept up on the 11th until the morning of the 12th, when a general attack +was made on the enemy in position. This day will ever be remembered as +the hardest day's fighting the world ever saw; the entire line engaged +in all was over 200,000 men; the woods being very dense. Early in the +morning the 2d corps, Major General Hancock commanding, carried a +portion of the enemy's line, capturing the most of Bushrod Johnson's +division of Ewell's corps and twenty pieces of artillery; but the +resistance was so obstinate that the advantage gained did not prove +decisive. The rebels made three different charges to retake the line, +but were foiled in every attempt, our men mowing them down like grass, +as they lay piled on each other three and four deep; this was called the +slaughter pen; the 1st New Jersey suffered severely in this charge. The +13th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th were consumed in maneuvering and +skirmishing at various points, but nothing important was gained; +re-inforcements were now arriving in large numbers from Washington; our +losses thus far were over 20,000 men. Deeming it impracticable to make +any further attack upon the enemy at Spottsylvania, orders were issued +on the 18th with a view to a new movement to the North Anna river, to +commence on the night of the 19th at 12 o'clock. Late on the afternoon +of the 19th, Ewell's corps came out of their works on our extreme right +flank, but the attack was promptly repulsed with heavy loss. This +delayed the movement to the North Anna river until the night of the +21st, when it was commenced; but the enemy having again the shorter line +and being in possession of the main roads, were enabled to reach the +river in advance of us and took up a position behind it. At 11 o'clock +the troops started, marching all night and passing Guinia Station, the +enemy's former base of supplies, halting Sunday morning for breakfast, +and marching altogether thirty miles; halting for the night on the main +road; the 14th encamping at a place called Flipper Store; marching again +on the 23d ten miles, the 5th corps reaching the river in the afternoon, +followed closely by the 6th, and halting at night at Mount Carmel +Church, three miles from the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span> river; the 2d and 9th corps got up about +the same time, the 2d holding the railroad bridge, and the 9th laying +between that and Jerico Ford. General Warren effected a crossing the +same afternoon, and succeeded in getting into position without much +opposition; soon after he was violently attacked, but repulsed the enemy +with great slaughter. On the morning of the 24th, the 6th corps moved +five miles, crossing the river on pontoons at Jerico's Ford, and passing +the enemy's rifle pits hastily thrown up, but more hastily evacuated on +the approach of the 5th corps; the 2d corps now joined the others, and +lay in a pine woods until morning.</p> + +<p>On Wednesday, the 25th, the 3d division was ordered to move, marching +five miles to Noles' Station, for the purpose of destroying a portion of +the Virginia Central Railroad, forty miles from Gordonsville and thirty +from Richmond; the men stacking arms went to work with a will, and the +road was soon destroyed for a distance of eight miles; at night the +division moved back to their old position with the corps. During the +afternoon Gen. Sheridan rejoined the army of the Potomac from the raid +which he had started upon at Spottsylvania, having destroyed the depot +at Beaver Dam and Ashland Station, four trains of cars, large supplies +of rations, and many miles of track, besides re-capturing 400 of our +prisoners who were on their way to Richmond under guard; met and +defeated the enemy's cavalry at Yellow Tavern; captured the first line +of works around Richmond, but finding the second line too strong to be +carried by assault, he re-crossed to the north bank of the Chickahominy +at Meadow's Bridge under heavy fire, and communicated with General +Butler. This raid had the effect of drawing off the whole of the enemy's +cavalry, making it comparatively easy to guard our trains.</p> + +<p>According to orders, Gen. Butler moved his main force up the James +River, and succeeded in taking Petersburg and destroying the railroad, +but, failing to fortify his position, he was attacked in a fog by +Beauregard and driven back; his army, therefore, though in a position of +great security, was as completely shut off from further operations +against Richmond as if it had been in a bottle strongly corked, and it +required but a small force of the enemy to hold it there. The army +having been sent to operate against Richmond was now lying at Bermuda +Hundred, without power to do anything. Butler had thus far proved +himself a military governor, but when it came to taking an army in the +field he was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span> not competent; but had General Sheridan been placed in +command, Richmond would have fallen and the war ended sooner, thereby +saving thousands of lives; but those scenes are past, and errors that +are now seen if known at the time could have been avoided. The enemy +were now enabled to bring the most, if not all, of the re-enforcements +brought from the South by Beauregard, against the army of the Potomac, +and in addition to this a very considerable force was brought in, not +less than 15,000 men, by calling in the scattered troops under +Breckinridge from the western part of Virginia. The position at Bermuda +Hundred was as easy to defend as it was difficult to operate against the +enemy. Grant therefore determined to bring from it all available forces, +leaving only enough to secure what had been gained, and accordingly on +the 22d, the 18th army corps, under command of Major General W. F. +Smith, joined the army of the Potomac. On the 24th of May the 9th corps, +which had been a temporary command, was assigned to the army of the +Potomac, and from that time forward constituted a portion of General +Meade's command. Finding the enemy's position on the North Anna stronger +than any of his previous ones, Grant ordered another flank movement on +the night of the 26th to the north bank of the North Anna river, and +moved via Hanovertown, to turn the enemy's position by his right, +starting at dark and re-crossing at Jerico's Ford, marching seven miles +and then halting in the morning at Chesterfield's Station to issue +rations. Thus far our regiment had taken an active part in the campaign, +losing a great many men. Leaving Chesterfield at seven o'clock, we +marched during the day twenty miles, passing Concord Church and +Bowersville. Generals Torbert and Merritts' divisions of the cavalry, +and the 6th corps were in advance, crossing the Pamunkey river at +Hanovertown after considerable fighting, and on the 28th the two +divisions of cavalry had a severe but successful engagement with the +enemy near the river. On the 29th and 30th the troops advanced with +heavy skirmishing to the Hanover Court House and Cold Harbor Road, and +developed the enemy's position north of the Chickahominy. Late on the +evening of the 31st the enemy came out and attacked our left, but were +repulsed with considerable loss. An attack was immediately ordered by +General Meade along the entire line, which resulted in driving the enemy +from a part of his entrenched skirmish line. The 14th was on the +skirmish line during the afternoon, and lost several in killed and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span> +wounded. Orderly Black of Co. I was shot in the heart and instantly +killed; Col. Truex was slightly wounded in the hand, but remained on +duty during the time; he was a brave officer and a fighting man, always +at the head of his men when they were in action.</p> + +<p>On the 31st General Wilson's division of cavalry destroyed the railroad +bridges over the North Anna river, and defeated the enemy's cavalry. +General Sheridan on the same day reached Cold Harbor Road, and held it +until relieved by the 6th corps and General Smith's command, which had +just arrived via White House, from General Butler's army.</p> + +<p>Grant had thus far failed to exterminate Lee, but, confident of success, +he determined, using his own expression, to fight it out on this line if +it took all summer. The 6th corps had thus far suffered severely in +those terrible battles of the Wilderness and Spottsylvania, losing over +10,000 men; but there was yet more to be done, as Lee was merely acting +on the defensive, choosing his own position. On the morning of June 1st, +1864, the army was again ordered to move, the 6th corps in advance, +starting at two o'clock a. m., and marching fifteen miles, relieving the +cavalry at Cold Harbor; the roads were very dusty and the sun very warm; +a heavy line of battle was formed during the afternoon; again the enemy +were ahead of us and were strongly entrenched awaiting our approach; the +cavalry had discovered their position and awaited our arrival. An attack +was made at five o'clock, forming in four lines of battle, the 3d +division being ahead, and the 14th New Jersey in the front line. A +terrible battle was fought which lasted long after dark; the losses were +very heavy on both sides; the 14th suffered severely, losing in the +fight, in the short space of two hours, two hundred and forty in killed +and wounded; Lieutenant Stults, of Co. H, and Lieutenant Tingley, of Co. +E, were killed. Our men were compelled to fall back a short distance, +entrenching during the night and building three lines of works. Firing +continued during the night; a great many wounded had fallen between the +lines unable to move, and lay all night under fire from both sides. +Robert Perrine, of Co. K, being wounded in the hip fell in a ravine, +being unable to move; he was struck eight times while lying there and +mortally wounded; he was brought in next morning, and died at the White +House. The Colonel of the 106th New York was also killed, his body lay +but a short distance off from our lines, but the firing<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span> being so heavy +it was impossible to get to him. The other corps having been held in +readiness now came up and formed under a heavy fire, the 9th corps on +the extreme left, the 5th on the right, and the 2d, 6th and 18th in the +centre. We were now but twelve miles from Richmond, and had, at an +immense loss of life, succeeded in driving Lee steadily back from Mine +Run. The dust and heat were almost intolerable and flies and lice were +in abundance. The men were compelled to lie close, as skirmishing was +continued day and night. During the attack the enemy made repeated +assaults on each of the corps not engaged in the main attack, but were +repulsed with heavy losses in every instance. The 2d of June was spent +in getting troops into position for an attack on the 3d, when the +enemy's works were again assaulted in hopes of driving them from their +position; in the attempt our loss was heavy, the 14th again suffering +severely. Both armies were very much weakened by repeated losses, the +enemy acting only on the defensive. Over 350 men had been lost from the +14th since crossing the Rapidan, but one short month before, and more +were yet to be lost ere the rebellion would be crushed. The troops +remained in line at Cold Harbor twelve days, and forts were built, heavy +lines of works erected, and a regular siege commenced. Firing was kept +up by the pickets and sharpshooters day and night, the men lying close +when not on duty; many were shot while going after water and cooking. +There was no place to wash and the weather was intensely hot; officers +and men were covered with lice, huddled together as they were behind the +works. Those twelve days were days that never will be forgotten; the +sufferings of the men can never be told; it was death to stand up, as +the bullets were continually flying through the air.</p> + +<p>On the night of the 9th the enemy made an attack along the line, hoping +to surprise our men, but they were handsomely repulsed by the 2d corps, +driving them back from their first line of works. On the afternoon of +the 6th a flag of truce was sent in by Lee requesting a suspension of +hostilities for two hours, for the purpose of burying the dead between +the lines; it was granted by General Meade, the pioneers were sent out +and the wounded brought in, the dead being buried where they lay. But a +few moments before both armies were engaged in hostile combat, now all +was as still as death, the men talking with each other and exchanging +papers, the Yankees trading sugar and coffee for tobacco; the works were +lined with unarmed men, all gazing upon the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span> solemn scene. The two hours +soon passed, the signal was given, the men rushed back to their arms, +and the rattle of musketry was again commenced along the line, Lieut. +Tingly's body was recovered, but the body of Lieut Stults could not be +found. The brigade was still commanded by Colonel Truex, the regiment by +Lieut. Colonel Hall. The men were weary of the campaign, but there was +no rest, it being Grant's determination to take Richmond. From the +proximity of the enemy to their defences around Richmond it was +impossible, by any flank movement, to interpose between them and the +city. The army was still in a condition to either move by Lee's left +flank and invest Richmond from the north side, or continue the move by +his right flank to the south side of the James. Grant's plan from the +start was to defeat Lee north of Richmond, if possible; then after +destroying his lines of communication north of the James River, +transport the army to the south side and besiege Lee in Richmond, or +follow him south if he should retreat. After the battle of the +Wilderness, it was evident that Lee deemed it of the first importance to +run no risks with the army he then had, and acted fully on the defensive +behind his works, or feebly on the offensive immediately in front of +them, and in case of repulse could easily retire behind them. Without a +greater sacrifice of life than Grant was willing to make, all could not +be accomplished that he had desired north of Richmond; he therefore +determined to hold the ground we then occupied, taking advantage of any +favorable circumstances that might present themselves, until the cavalry +could be sent to Charlottesville or Gordonsville to break the enemy's +communications between Richmond and the southwest, and to cut off their +supplies, compelling them in time to evacuate Richmond; when the cavalry +got well off so that the enemy's cavalry would follow, to move the whole +army south of the James by the enemy's right flank, and, if possible, +cut off all supplies from all sources except by the canal.</p> + +<p>On the 7th, two divisions of cavalry were sent under General Sheridan +against the Virginia Central Railroad, to join with Hunter, who was then +moving up the Shenandoah Valley. Seigel had met the enemy and was +defeated by them with heavy loss, and was superseded by General Hunter. +Thus far the work of the three armies had been but one-half +accomplished. From the start, Butler was to take Richmond and +Petersburg; Siegel to move on Lynchburg, and the Potomac army to whip +Lee. But<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span>ler and Siegel had both failed, and the Potomac Army, that had +never yet failed, had thus far accomplished all that was desired of it, +and was left to finish what the other armies could not do. When Sheridan +started for Lynchburg he was instructed to again join the Potomac army, +choosing his own route in returning, after fulfilling his instructions.</p> + +<p>Attaching great importance to the possession of Petersburg, General +Smith's command, the 18th army corps was sent back to Bermuda Hundred +via White House, to reach there in advance of the army of the Potomac. +This was for the express purpose of capturing Petersburg, if possible, +before the enemy became aware of our intentions and re-enforce the +place. The 1st New Jersey regiment, whose term of office had now +expired, were relieved from the front and sent home; they bade their +comrades good-bye with happy hearts, soon to meet their loved ones at +home. For three long years they had battled for their country, and their +thinned ranks showed that they had suffered severely. The 14th had still +fifteen months to serve, the hardest yet to come.</p> + +<p>Finding that nothing more could be accomplished at Cold Harbor, the +movement to the south side of the James commenced. After dark, on the +night of the 12th, one division of cavalry under General Wilson, and the +5th corps, crossed the Chickahominy at Long Bridge, and moved out to +White Oak Swamp, to cover the crossing of the other corps. The advance +Corps reached James River at Charles City Court House on the night of +June 13th; the 6th corps was left to guard the rear and the trains; +marching on the night of the 12th twenty miles, halting thirty-two miles +from Richmond; on the morning of the 14th marched eight miles to Charles +City Court House, halting at noon near the river and pitching tents; +guarding the rear until the trains passed; a pontoon bridge was laid, +the troops crossing at Wyandott's Landing. The 3d division, the rear of +the entire army, remaining on the banks of the James three days, until +the trains had all passed. The army had now joined with Butler and moved +on Richmond. After the army had crossed, the pontoons were taken up, and +the 3d division placed on transports, and after sailing 25 miles—a +splendid moonlight night—we landed at Bermuda Hundred at three o'clock +the next morning. The James is a splendid River. One year ago the 14th +was on the cars riding to Harper's Ferry; now in the vicinity of +Petersburg. After landing the division marched eight miles, halting at +five o'clock near Butler's<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span> headquarters for breakfast; cannonading and +musketry at the front; the army was now in position, having failed to +capture Petersburg, were investing the place.</p> + +<p>During three years the armies of the Potomac and Northern Virginia had +been confronting each other. In that time they had fought more desperate +battles than it had ever fell to the lot of two armies to fight, without +materially changing the vantage ground of either. The southern press and +people, with more shrewdness than was displayed in the north, finding +that they had failed to capture Washington and march on to New York, as +they had boasted they would do, assured that they only defended their +capital and southern territory; hence Antietam, Gettysburg, and all the +other battles that had been fought, were by them set down as failures on +our part and victories for them. Their armies believed this, and it +produced a morale which could only be overcome by desperate and +continuous hard fighting. The battles of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, +North Anna and Cold Harbor, bloody and terrible as they were on our +side, were even more damaging to the enemy, and so crippled them as to +make them wary ever after of taking the offensive. Their losses in men +were probably not so great, owing to the fact that we were, save in the +Wilderness, almost invariably the attacking party, and when they did +attack it was in the open field. The details of those battles, which for +endurance and bravery on the part of the soldiery, have rarely been +surpassed, are too fresh in the minds of every one to be repeated again. +During the campaign of forty-three days from the Rapidan to James River, +the army had to be supplied from an ever-shifting base by wagons, over +narrow roads and through a densely wooded country, with a lack of +wharves at each new base at which to conveniently discharge vessels. Too +much credit cannot therefore be given to our chief quartermaster, as the +trains were made to occupy all the available roads between the army and +our water course, and but little difficulty was experienced in +protecting them.</p> + +<p>Before proceeding farther, it will be necessary to explain as briefly as +possible why Petersburg was not taken. As soon as the crossing of the +army commenced, Grant proceeded by steamer immediately to Bermuda +Hundred to give the necessary orders for the capture of the place. The +instructions to Butler were to send to General Smith immediately that +night all the troops he could give him, without sacrificing the position +he held. After<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span> remaining with Butler a few hours, he returned +immediately to the Potomac Army to hasten the crossing, and throw it +forward to Petersburg by divisions as rapidly as possible. We could thus +re-enforce our army more rapidly there than the enemy could bring troops +against us. General Smith got off as directed, and confronted the +enemy's pickets near Petersburg before daylight the next morning, but +for some reason did not get ready to assault their lines until near +sundown; then, with a part of his command only, he made the assault, and +carried the first line for a distance of two and a half miles, capturing +fifteen pieces of artillery and three hundred prisoners. This was about +seven P. M. Between the line thus captured and Petersburg there was +another line, and there was yet no evidence that the enemy had +re-enforced Petersburg with a single brigade from any source. The night +was clear, the moon shining brightly, and favorable to further +operations. General Hancock, with two divisions of the 2d corps, reached +General Smith soon after dark, but instead of taking those troops, and +pushing at once into Petersburg, he lay quiet until morning, when the +enemy under Beauregard came down from Richmond in force, and by the next +morning the inner line of the works was fully manned by rebel troops. An +attack was ordered the next morning, but failed, as the enemy were too +strongly posted. The troops commenced entrenching, and a strong line of +works was built around Petersburg.</p> + +<p>The 5th and 9th corps had now arrived, and the attack was again renewed +and persisted in with great fury, but only resulted in forcing the enemy +to an interior line of works, from which they could not be dislodged; +but the advantage gained in position by us was very great. The army then +proceeded to envelope Petersburg towards the south side road as far as +possible, without attacking their fortifications. The enemy, to +re-enforce Petersburg, withdrew from a part of their entrenchments in +front of Bermuda Hundred. Butler, taking advantage of this, at once +moved a force on the railroad between Petersburg and Richmond. The 3d +division was ordered to support Butler, if necessary, and was then lying +in front awaiting orders. About two o'clock Butler was forced back, the +enemy re-occupying their old line. As our division was not needed, we +were ordered to join the balance of the corps that had preceded us.</p> + +<p>On Sunday afternoon, June 19th, orders were issued. Accordingly at two +o'clock the division started, marching ten miles and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span> crossing the +Appomattox River on pontoons. The evening was splendid; the boats +sailing on the river all reminded us of home. The negro troops were +guarding the bridge, their bands playing national airs as the columns +passed. At 11 o'clock the division halted near Petersburg, in full view +of the city. The next day a negro was hung in presence of the army, for +abusing a white lady. We remained in line the next day, the enemy +shelling the train.</p> + +<p>On the afternoon of the 21st, the corps was ordered to move and take +position on the left, the 3d division in advance; passed the 2d and 9th +corps, marching six miles, and forming in line of battle to cut the +enemy's communications, crossing the Norfolk railroad that had been +taken possession of by General Smith, in the attempt to take Petersburg; +lay in line of battle during the night, and advancing the next day, +building works. The Weldon railroad was reached and torn up some +distance. During the afternoon the enemy appeared in force, and +succeeded in flanking us, capturing several from the division; about +forty from the 14th were captured and several killed. At night the +troops fell back, after destroying three miles of road. The headquarters +of the 3d division was at the house of Brig.-General Williams, of the +rebel army. A new line of works was soon erected, the men sleeping on +their arms. The house of General Williams had been ransacked from top to +bottom by the soldiers, carpets torn up and everything destroyed. A +splendid piano was left in the house, and as several of the men could +play, dancing and singing were kept up in a rude style for several +hours.</p> + +<p>On the 22d, General Wilson, with two divisions of cavalry from the army +of the Potomac, and one division from the army of the James, moved +against the enemy's railroads south of the James and southwest of +Richmond, striking the Weldon railroad at Reams' Station, where he met +and defeated a force of the enemy's cavalry, reaching Burksville Station +on the afternoon of the 23d; and from there he destroyed the Danville +railroad for a distance of twenty-five miles, where he found the enemy +in position and was defeated with small loss. He then commenced his +return march, and on the 28th met the enemy again in force on the Weldon +Railroad, near Stony Creek; moving on the left, with a view of reaching +Reams' Station, supposing it to be in our possession. Here he again +engaged the enemy's cavalry supported by infantry, and was cut off with +all communication, with the loss of his artillery and train. A +Lieutenant and a few of his men cut their way<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span> through, and succeeded in +reaching headquarters. Informing General Meade of the situation of +General Wilson, orders were immediately issued to General Wright to take +the 6th corps and move out to the support of Wilson; starting at three +o'clock on the afternoon of July 29th, marched eight miles and halted +for the night near Reams' Station, the enemy retiring, as their force +was insufficient to cope with the cavalry and 6th corps.</p> + +<p>Wilson was now extricated from his perilous position, and with the 6th +corps remained at Reams' Station three days. The 14th New Jersey and +106th New York were detailed to destroy the railroad. General Wilson, +with the remainder of his force, crossed the Nattoway River, coming in +safely on our left and rear. The damage to the enemy in this expedition +more than compensated for the losses sustained; it severed all +connection with Richmond for several weeks. On the 13th of July the +regiment was mustered in for the thirteenth time, for four months' pay, +March, April, May and June, by Lieutenant-Colonel Hall. Our lines now +extended a distance of over thirty miles, from Reams' Station to the +Appomattox; the Potomac army lay behind extensive works that had been +erected under fire. In the recent campaign our losses had been heavy, +but still the army was large, as recruits and convalescents were +continually arriving. Butler's army extended from the Appomattox to Deep +Bottom, with cavalry on the flank and rear. It has been estimated that +Grant lost from the Rapidan to Petersburg, eighty thousand men in killed +and wounded. The losses of the enemy were not so great, as they were +acting on the defensive behind their works.</p> + +<p>It was supposed the enemy would make a grand attack on the morning of +the 4th of July, and preparations were made to meet them. The morning +dawned and the troops were all in line behind their works; the enemy's +communications were in danger, and the Potomac army must be driven back; +the morning passed and not a shot was fired along the entire line. It +was now evident that the enemy did not intend attacking, and the troops +laid aside their arms. The weather was warm and the sand dry and hot. +The men laid off in their shelter tents thinking of former days, when +the 4th was spent in a different manner. At noon General Butler, for the +purpose of firing a salute, trained and shotted one hundred guns upon +Petersburg, and the shells were soon flying through the air; the enemy +replied, and a lively cannonade was kept up until sunset.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span>General Hunter having been placed in command of the armies of Western +Virginia, immediately took up the offensive, and moved up the Shenandoah +Valley, where he met the enemy, routed and defeated them, and moved +direct on Lynchburg, which place he reached on June 15th. Up to this +time he was very successful, and but for the difficulty of taking with +him sufficient ordnance stores over so long a march through a hostile +country, he would no doubt have captured that important place. To meet +this movement under Gen. Hunter, General Lee sent a force equal to a +corps, a part of which reached Lynchburg before Hunter. After +considerable skirmishing, Hunter, owing to a want of ammunition to give +battle, retired back from the place, and moved back by the way of the +Kanawha Valley; this lost to us the use of his troops for several weeks. +Immediately upon the enemy ascertaining that Hunter was retreating from +Lynchburg by way of the Kanawha River, thus laying the Shenandoah Valley +open for raids into Maryland and Pennsylvania, he moved down that +Valley. It was at first supposed to be only a small force of the enemy, +and General Wallace, with a brigade of one hundred days' men and +detachments from the Invalid corps, was sent to Monocacy Bridge. Their +advance, consisting of a few guerillas under the notorious Harry +Gillmore, were met and driven back. The troops in the Potomac army were +all lying in front of Petersburg, under fire day and night, preparing to +besiege the place.</p> + +<p>At two o'clock on the morning of July 6th the bugle sounded, and the +troops were ordered to fall in and prepare to move, the 3d division +being ordered to Harper's Ferry; the men were glad to go, as they were +tired of lying in the sand. At four o'clock the division started, and +marched fifteen miles to City Point, the dust and sand so thick that +nothing could be seen, the men being completely covered and no water +could be had; this march was very tiresome to the men, numbers falling +out on the way. City Point was reached at noon, and the men were placed +on transports, and new clothing was issued. The 14th Regiment and 151st +New York were placed on a splendid steamboat called the Sylvan Shore, +the men enjoying the sail very much, a distance of three hundred miles, +passing Fortress Monroe, Point Lookout, and the Rip Raps. The scenery +along the river was grand; they landed at Locust Point near Baltimore on +the morning of the 8th, at five o'clock. Rumors were now in circulation, +and the people<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span> of the North were alarmed for the safety of our National +Capitol, for instead of a few guerillas as was first supposed, it was a +grand raid of the enemy in force on an extensive scale. So silently and +secretly had this movement been conducted, that none were aware of the +magnitude of the invasion. Major General Jubal Early, with a force of +thirty thousand veteran troops, had taken possession of Martinsburg. +General Seigel, who was in command of our forces there, retreated across +the Potomac to Shepardstown, and General Weber, commanding at Harper's +Ferry, crossed the river and occupied Maryland Heights. On the 6th the +enemy occupied Hagerstown, moving a strong column toward Frederick City.</p> + +<p>The 3d division, under General Ricketts, numbering but five thousand +men, were placed immediately on baggage cars and forwarded to Monocacy, +the first train carrying the 87th Pennsylvanian and 14th New Jersey. The +enemy were now in force at Frederick City. The Baltimore American was +issued that day with the following address to the public: "That +Ricketts' division had arrived from the Potomac army; that the 14th New +Jersey and 87th Pennsylvania had reached Monocacy, and with such veteran +regiments as these nothing more need be feared" from the then supposed +guerillas. The remainder of the division was forwarded as rapidly as +possible, reporting to Gen. Wallace, then in chief command. Fourteen +months had elapsed since the 14th regiment had left Monocacy Bridge, but +the place looked natural; none dreamed that on the morrow a terrible +battle would be fought on the old camping ground; grass and weeds had +grown in abundance, and scarcely a vestige of the former camp could be +seen. The regiment with the troops that lay there, marched up to +Frederick City, and then around a circuit of ten miles, but nothing of +the enemy could be seen, and halting at ten o'clock, near the bridge, in +line of battle.</p> + +<p>Saturday, July 19th, 1834, will long be remembered by the Jersey boys. +The remainder of the division with General Ricketts and staff had +arrived, and orders were issued to form the men in line and prepare to +repel an attack, as it was now discovered that instead of a small force +it was a corps of rebels thirty thousand strong. To retreat would only +result in the capture of Washington and Baltimore, and it was determined +by Generals Wallace and Ricketts to hold Monocacy Bridge at all hazards, +and to retard the advance of the enemy as much as possible until<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span> +re-enforcements would arrive. Just one year had passed since the 14th +joined the Potomac army, and during that time we lost a great number of +men.</p> + +<p>At 9 o'clock the enemy's advanced skirmishers made their appearance; our +skirmishers had crossed the river, and advanced with promptness to meet +them. After a short time it was found impossible to withstand the enemy, +as they out-numbered us six to one. Our skirmishers were driven back +across the river, and the battle began, the enemy opening with several +pieces of artillery; the battle raged terribly for eight long hours. The +enemy crossed the river, driving our men steadily back, and coming up in +four lines of battle thirty thousand strong. Our little band of five +thousand men fought as if everything depended upon the issue, several +times driving the enemy back, strewing the ground with rebel dead, and +not until flanked right and left did the men fall back. The boys from +the 14th fought nobly, but with regret saw that they must retreat. The +regiment being on the extreme left of the line suffered severely; +Lieut.-Col. Hall, Adjutant Buckalew and several officers were wounded; +Captains Stullts, Kanine and Conover were killed, and every officer, +both field and line, was either killed or wounded except Captain J. J. +Janeway of Co. K. The command of the regiment devolved upon him, and he +fought bravely, leading the men on. The one hundred days' men would not +fight, but ran in all directions panic-struck, some of them reaching +Baltimore, fifty-eight miles distant, without halting.</p> + +<p>Eight long hours had passed, the enemy were pressing on all sides, and +it soon became evident that unless we retreated all would be lost. At +four o'clock the order was given to fall back, which was done in order, +the men disputing every inch of the ground; we had but four pieces of +artillery, and that without ammunition. The enemy poured grape and +cannister into our retreating columns, mowing down the men like grass. +More than one-half of the division were killed and wounded; several hid +in the woods and were captured next day. It was now every man for +himself; knapsacks, haversacks, and even canteens were thrown away. The +main force of the enemy moved on the Georgetown Pike to Washington, the +cavalry and a portion of the infantry following the retreating column as +far as New Market, six miles distance. It was a hard fought battle, but +what could five thousand men do against thirty thousand? Capt. Harris,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span> +from Co. C, was twice wounded, and was again struck while being helped +to an ambulance; several staff officers were also wounded, among them +Capt. King, adjutant general of the division. Capt. Janeway was wounded +in the shoulder shortly after taking command, and was forced to leave; +the regiment was now without a commander. Several recruits had arrived +after the battle of Cold Harbor, and the regiment was partly filled, +entering the fight with three hundred and fifty men; but ninety-five +came out, two hundred and fifty-five being killed, wounded and captured +in that terrible battle. Of the nine hundred and fifty men that left New +Jersey, but ninety-five were left for duty, on the night of July 9th, +without an officer to command them. The other regiments suffered +greatly, but none of them losing as many men as the 14th. The news had +reached Baltimore and Washington that the enemy were pressing on and +preparations were made for an immediate defence, the citizens turning +out in vast numbers entrenching. The cities were proclaimed under +martial law and none allowed to leave. Time and again had the 14th +regiment drilled battalion and skirmish drills over the same hills, +little thinking that a terrible battle would be fought, and that the +regiment would suffer as it did. Although it resulted in a defeat to our +arms, it detained the enemy, and thereby served to enable Gen. Wright to +reach Washington with the two remaining divisions of the 6th corps, +which had been sent as soon as Gen. Grant was aware of the enemy's +movement.</p> + +<p>The 19th army corps from General Banks' command had been sent to +reinforce the Potomac army, but were immediately sent north with the 6th +army corps, together with the 8th army corps that had lain along the +Baltimore and Ohio railroad as guards. In a few hours a large army had +assembled at Washington, with the citizens of the place and every foot +of ground guarded; every avenue bristling with cannon. It was three days +march for the enemy from Moncacy and in that time Washington was in a +state of defence; all the forts were manned and the heavy guns loaded +and shotted. Citizens were armed and formed in companies, all work being +suspended. The remnant of the division reached the Baltimore pike, +retreating rapidly toward Baltimore, marching all night, passing through +New Market, Mount Airy and several small villages along the route; +reaching Ellicott's Mills on Sunday afternoon, having marched fifty-five +miles without resting. Harry Gillmore, with two hundred rebel cavalry, +had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span> advanced as far as the railroad, destroying it between Baltimore +and Washington, capturing a train of cars and a mail and severing all +communication for two days; there was no Union cavalry near and they did +as they pleased. Frederick City was filled with rebel wounded, as our +boys had made every shot tell; if the first line was missed they were +sure to hit one of the rear lines. Two hundred thousand dollars was +demanded from the citizens, or the place would be laid in ashes; the +amount was paid by the banks; the city was pillaged and the houses +robbed. From Monocacy, the enemy having moved on Washington, reached +Rockville on the evening of the 10th.</p> + +<p>The 1st and 2d divisions of the 6th corps had been sent from City Point +and landed at Washington, and on a double quick proceeded to Fort +Stephens; by this time the enemy had reached there. Skirmishers from +both armies were immediately thrown out; the enemy, with dismay, saw +that instead of one hundred days' men and men from the Invalid corps, +they saw the red and white cross of the old 6th corps; they had laid in +front of Washington during the afternoon, intending to attack at night; +during that time the 6th and 19th corps had reached there, and +Washington was out of danger. The 3d division deserves all the praise +for saving the National Capital; holding them in check so long at +Monocacy, enabled other troops to arrive, but not a moment too soon. A +severe skirmish ensued, in which we lost about two hundred in killed and +wounded; the enemy's loss supposed to be greater. All was anxiety in the +city, as the fighting was but three miles distant, near Tennelly Town, +but when the veterans from the Potomac army arrived they were loudly +cheered, and were treated well. President Lincoln and members of the +Cabinet were present in Fort Stephens, witnessing the fight; the +skirmish lasted two hours, in which the enemy were defeated and driven +back; Washington almost within their grasp, was no longer in their +power. Vain delusion! Had the 3d division retreated from Monocacy +without fighting, the enemy would have reached there twelve hours +sooner, and the place would have been taken and hundreds of men lost +their lives. Every drop of blood shed at Monocacy, every life lost, was +sacrificed in a noble cause. Those fallen heroes, whose bones lie +bleaching there, if they could only know that their lives saved our +National Capital from destruction, would willingly exclaim, "I die +content, I gave my life for my country."</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span>The division remained at Ellicott's Mills until Monday afternoon, +stragglers coming in every few hours in squads; the men were placed on +baggage cars for Baltimore, sixteen miles distant, arriving there at +dark, lying near the track until morning; then marching two miles to +Druid Hill Park, near the outskirts of the city. This park was fitted up +at a great expense and was a beautiful place, the citizens were very +unwilling that the troops should encamp there, but General Ricketts +promising that nothing would be disturbed, consent was given, the men +encamping in regimental order; tents on a line and orders given not to +molest a thing, which was done. The rolls of the different regiments +were called; but one thousand three hundred men reported for duty of the +five thousand men embarked from Petersburg; three thousand seven hundred +had been killed, wounded and captured at Monocacy Bridge; an equal +number of the enemy were slain as they advanced in four lines, and a +bullet was sure to hit one. General Ricketts reported the division unfit +for duty; the men had lost their blankets and all their clothing, +keeping nothing but their guns. General Early finding that +re-enforcements had arrived retreated from Washington and was pursued by +the two divisions of the 6th corps, and the 8th and 19th corps on the +afternoon of the 14th. The division was ordered to join in the pursuit; +being placed in baggage cars for Washington, forty miles distant, +reaching the suburbs of the city at night, encamping until morning. The +next day marching through the city and through Georgetown, halting in +the afternoon near Tennelly Town; rations were issued and cattle +furnished for a tramp; moving again, marching in all eighteen miles; +halting at night near Cross Roads twelve miles from Washington.</p> + +<p>Learning the exact condition of affairs at Washington, General Grant +telegraphed the assignment of Major General Wright to the command of all +the troops that could be available to operate in the field against the +enemy, and directed that he should get outside of the trenches with all +the force he could and push Early to the last moment. On the 16th the +division started early, marching twenty-five miles; crossing the Potomac +at Edwards Ferry, wading it, nearly one mile wide and waist deep. While +the remnant of the Potomac army was lying in their camps at Petersburg, +the 6th corps was marching in the hottest of weather from fifteen to +twenty-five and even thirty miles per day, moving up and down the +Shenandoah Valley until a decisive battle was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span> fought at Winchester, +resulting in defeat to the enemy and victory to us. On Sunday, the 17th, +but eight miles were made; the column halting near Leesburg; the 3d +division joining the corps as they had halted for us to come up, and now +began the hardest marching, unparalleled in history. The 6th corps +having the name of marching farther than any corps in the army and were +called Wright's walkers, for their rapidity in marching; horses and +mules fell lifeless along the road and were speedily replaced by others, +but the men that fell never to rise again could not be replaced. The +ambulances were full, and every baggage wagon with those that could not +walk. The army now numbered over forty thousand men, all under command +of Major General Wright, and was called the middle military division, +composed of the 6th, 8th and 19th army corps, with sixty pieces of +artillery.</p> + +<p>The 6th corps was temporarily commanded by Gen. Ricketts, the 8th by +Gen. Kelly and the 19th by Gen. Emory. The rebel army confronting us +were thirty-five thousand strong, commanded by Gen. Jubal Early, and +formed in five divisions, commanded by Gens. Rhodes, Ramsen, Wharton, +Pegram and Gordon, with the notorious guerillas, Imboden, Jones and +Harry Gillmore, the latter from Baltimore, together with Mosby, ever +hovering in our rear and on our flank, and knowing every foot of the +ground. These for a time were more than a match for our gallant little +army, as every house our army passed contained persons that would not +hesitate to inform the enemy of our movements, and who were in league +with those guerilla bands. The troops were all now together, and were +encamped near Leesburg, until three o'clock on the morning of the 18th, +when the troops were routed out, drawing three days' rations, with +orders to move. Marching out on the Georgetown pike, passing a place +called Hamilton, and then marching ten miles, through Snickersville, +near Snicker's Gap, the Potomac army encamped on the same ground the +previous year when in pursuit of Lee—reaching the banks of the +Shenandoah river during the afternoon; the enemy had halted, and were in +force on the opposite side, with a determination to resist our advance +and to give battle if our troops attempted a crossing; everything was in +their favor, as our men had the river to cross under fire. There was no +other alternative but to wade it nearly waist deep, and with a raking +fire from concealed batteries posted on a hill. The column halted, and a +skirmish line was formed, the men cooking dinner. Nearly every man had +something<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span> that he had picked up on the way, as the country was filled +with everything, such as hogs, chickens, honey and potatoes; all served +for a meal, and was eaten with a relish. Hard-tack and salt pork +remained in the haversack until needed.</p> + +<p>The command of General Hunter had now reached and re-occupied +Martinsburg, destroying over one million dollars worth of rations, and +capturing one thousand prisoners that the rebels had left as guards, +moving by detour, he flanked the enemy. As his force was insufficient to +meet them if they should fall suddenly upon him, he with his command +reached us while at Snicker's Gap, and reported to General Wright; they +had suffered almost incredible hardships, having lived on the country +for several weeks. Hunter was ordered to throw out a line of +skirmishers, and force the river; supported by the 1st division of the +6th corps they succeeded in crossing the river, when the enemy's +skirmishers advanced in three lines, driving Hunter's men pell mell back +in confusion, several of them being drowned; the 1st division did not +cross, as darkness came on. Both sides commenced shelling, and several +in the 6th corps were killed and wounded, the Major of the 2d New Jersey +infantry losing his leg; thus the day ended in disaster and defeat; but +the men were not disheartened, and rested as quietly on their arms as +though at home; a man can soon get used to anything. Many soldiers have +slept as soundly in action as if nothing was occurring, the deep booming +of the cannon and even shells striking near, failing to arouse them.</p> + +<p>The troops remained at Snicker's Gap two days, and nothing important +occurred, the enemy being still in force on the opposite side, and both +armies with pickets on each side of the river. All sorts of rumors were +circulated throughout camp, some of them very absurd. The men were glad +to rest, as none felt like marching, the sun being hot and the sand very +dry. On the morning of the 20th, it was discovered that the enemy had +left our immediate front, but having no cavalry, Gen. Wright could not +ascertain their movements. At eleven o'clock the troops were ordered to +move, wading the Shenandoah at Snicker's Gap. A splendid shower came up +and was very refreshing, as there had been no rain in sometime; the +column halted in a woods on the banks of a river. It was now evident +that the enemy were again making for Washington, and at dark the troops +were ordered immediately back, recrossing the river; marching all night +and part of the next day; moving back on the same road, the men nearly +worn<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span> out, and halting all night near Goose Run Creek, having marched +since crossing the Shenandoah thirty miles.</p> + +<p>The men now began to murmur at General Wright for marching them so hard, +this march being equal to the retreat from Culpepper, then the weather +being cold the men were enabled to stand it better. The next morning the +troops moved out again, marching twenty miles; halting at dark near +Lewinsville, the men were too tired to cook, and threw themselves on the +ground regardless of anything, and were soon asleep; it was now sixteen +days since the division had left Petersburg; having travelled during +that time, by water three hundred miles, by rail one hundred and sixteen +miles, and on foot one hundred and seventy-five miles, total five +hundred and ninety-one miles in that short space of time; but this was +comparatively nothing, considering the marching the men were compelled +to undergo while in the Shenandoah Valley.</p> + +<p>On the 23d of July the troops marched fifteen miles, crossing the +Potomac at Chain Bridge; again were the men within the defences of +Washington. The paymasters were present, paying the guards, and the +various detachments. On the 25th the troops received their pay for four +months, remaining at Washington four days, when the enemy again +attempted to remove north into Maryland and Pennsylvania. Gen. Wright +was ordered to move immediately to the vicinity of Harper's Ferry. The +troops started on the afternoon of July 26th, marching ten miles, +passing Tennelly Town, and halting at Rockville, the next day marching +eighteen miles, passing Gatysburg and Clarksburg, halting in the +afternoon near Hyattstown, with sore and blistered feet. Such marching +now began to tell upon the men, and many wished to meet the enemy and +engage in battle, rather than be marched to death. On the 28th marched +ten miles, passing Hyattstown and Urbanna, halting during the afternoon +at Monocacy Bridge, on the battle ground of July 9th. The ground was +broken up and traces of the conflict could be seen; remnants of shells, +cannon, and unburied corpses lay strewn around. Our boys, with feelings +of kindness ever displayed toward the enemy, carefully buried both +friend and foe. The members of the 14th regiment visiting their old +camp; after leaving Monocacy to join the Potomac army the men had never +expected to see the place again, but they were destined to fight as +severe a battle on the same ground one year after as was fought during +the war, and to see the place<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span> several during the three years, as the +army moved back and forth eight successive times while in Maryland. They +had tried to destroy the railroad bridge, but failed, as the pillars +were hollow and could not be blown up. The hotel and tank at the depot +were burned, the bridge also, crossing at the main road. There was now a +sufficient force to meet the enemy, without fear of flanking, and the +men anxious to fight. The 3d Maryland regiment was there guarding the +bridge. After resting a few hours orders were given to move, marching +eight more miles, halting at Jefferson until morning in the same field +the division halted when leaving Maryland Heights to join the Potomac +army the previous year. Leaving Jefferson on the morning of the 29th, +passing Petersville, Knoxville and Sandy Hook, crossing the Potomac at +Harper's Ferry, on pontoons, marching twenty-five miles, and halting at +Halltown on Bolivar Heights, near the headquarters of Gen. Crook.</p> + +<p>In the meantime Early had sent a raiding party into Pennsylvania, which +on the 30th burned the beautiful village of Chambersburg, and then +retreated towards Cumberland, where they were met and defeated by +General Kelley, and with diminished numbers escaped into the mountains +of West Virginia. From the time of the first raid, the telegraph wires +were frequently down between Washington and City Point, making it +necessary to transmit messages by boat. It took from twenty-four to +thirty-six hours to get dispatches through and return answers back, so +that often orders would be given by General Grant, and then information +would be received, showing a different state of things from those on +which they were based, causing a confusion and apparent contradiction of +orders, considerably embarrassing General Wright, and rendering +operations against the enemy less effective than they otherwise would +have been. To remedy this evil, it was necessary to have a commander +with full power, to act as he thought proper. General Grant therefore +ordered General Sheridan to have the supreme command of all the forces +in the departments of West Virginia, Washington and the middle military +division.</p> + +<p>General Sheridan had not yet arrived, and General Wright acting under +orders remained at Halltown, when it was discovered that the enemy were +again bent on invading the north; on the 30th of July the troops were +again ordered to move; marching back, passing Bolivar, re-crossing the +Potomac on pontoons at<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span> Harper's Ferry; marching all night, and all next +day thirty miles; halting on Sunday evening near Frederick City. As the +weather was hot and the roads dry, more than one half of the men fell +out; remaining three days, until August 3d, when the column marched six +miles; wading the Monocacy at Buckeystown, remaining in camp until the +night of the 5th, when orders were given to move, marching five miles to +Monocacy Bridge, it raining hard. At this time the enemy were in force +near Winchester, while our forces were at Monocacy, at the crossing of +the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad; leaving open to the enemy Maryland and +Pennsylvania. General Grant being so far off hesitated to give positive +orders for the troops to move lest by so doing it should expose +Washington. On the 4th of August, he left City Point, and visited +General Wright, at Monocacy, to determine for himself what was best to +be done; arriving there he consulted with Generals Wright and Hunter, +and then issued to them the following instructions:</p> + +<p class="bqright"> +<span class="smcap">Monocacy Bridge, Md.</span>, Aug 5th, 1864—8 <small>P. M.</small></p> + +<p class="blockquot"><i>Maj.-Gen. Wright.</i></p> + +<p class="blockquot"><span class="smcap">General</span>: Concentrate all your available force without delay, in the +vicinity of Harper's Ferry, leaving only such railroad guards and +garrisons, for public property, as may be necessary. Use in this +concentrating the railroads, if so doing, time can be saved from +Harper's Ferry. If it is found the enemy has moved north of the +Potomac in large force, push north, follow them and attack them +wherever found. Follow them if driven south of the Potomac as long +as it is safe to do so. If it is ascertained that the enemy has but +a small force north of the Potomac, then push south with the main +force, detaching under a competent commander a sufficient force to +look after the raiders and drive them to their homes. In detaching +such a force, the brigade of cavalry, now <i>en route</i> from Washington +via Rockville, may be taken into account.</p> + +<p class="blockquot">There are now on the way to join you three other brigades of +cavalry, numbering at least five thousand men and horse. These will +be instructed, in absence of further orders, to join you by the +south side of the Potomac, one brigade will start to-morrow. In +pushing up the Shenandoah Valley, where it is expected you will have +to go first or last, it is desirable that nothing should be left to +invite the enemy to return. Take all provisions, forage and stock +wanted for your command, and such as cannot be consumed destroy. It +is not desirable that the buildings should be destroyed; they should +rather be protected, but the people should be informed that as long +as an army can subsist among them, recurrences of these raids must +be expected, and we are determined to stop them at all hazards.</p> + +<p class="blockquot">Bear in mind that the object is to drive the enemy south, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span> to do +this you want to keep the enemy always in sight. Be guarded in the +course by the course they take. Make your own arrangements for +supplies of all kinds, giving regular vouchers for such as may be +taken from loyal citizens in the country through which you march.</p> + +<p class="bqright">U. S. GRANT,<br /> +<i>Lieut.-Gen. U. S. Armies.</i></p> + +<p>The troops were immediately put in motion, and were placed on the cars +at Harper's Ferry. General Grant was recognized and cheered by the men; +riding twenty-five miles, stopping at Bolivar Heights, near Halltown, +remaining there three days; the weather very warm. On the 6th of August +General Sheridan arrived, and after a conference with General Grant in +relation to military affairs in that vicinity, General Grant left for +City Point by way of Washington on the 7th. The middle military +department and the departments of West Virginia, Washington and +Susquehanna were constituted into the middle military division, and +Major-General Sheridan was assigned to temporary command of the same. +Two divisions of cavalry were sent from the army of the Potomac, +commanded by Generals Tolbert and Wilson. The middle military division +now numbered nearly fifty thousand men well armed and equipped, ready to +move and attack the rebel army now in position near Winchester; they had +also received re-enforcements, a division under General Anderson having +arrived. Both armies were nearly equal in strength, with the advantage +on the side of the enemy, as they had no capital to cover, and could +move in whatever direction they pleased. The men were engaged in +thrashing wheat and forwarding it to Richmond, having compelled every +farmer to give all their proceeds to the help of the Confederacy, +keeping but one-tenth for themselves.</p> + +<p>On the 10th of August, the troops moved out from their position at +Halltown, marching fifteen miles, passing through Charlestown, where +John Brown was hung. The march was continued the next day, marching +eighteen miles more, the enemy retreating up the valley, our forces +following them. After marching fifty miles in three successive days, +overtaking their rear guard on the afternoon of the 12th at Cedar Creek, +having passed through Newtown and Middletown, secesh villages, filled +with Mosby's guerillas, who were very peaceable until our army passed, +when they were ready to fall upon our rear guard, plundering, robbing, +and even murdering all they could. The main body of the rebels were +strongly entrenched on Fisher Hill, a place almost impregnable,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span> that +could not be carried by a direct assault. The Shenandoah Valley was +filled with waving fields of grain, the crops ripe and ready for the +scythe. For nearly one hundred miles, the valley was level, and the +scenery splendid, this being the prettiest part of Virginia. At a +distance of seven to twelve miles apart, were villages that could be +discerned in the distance from Harper's Ferry to Stanton. No engagement +took place at Cedar Creek, as was expected, as we were too far from our +base of supplies to risk a battle. After lying near Cedar Creek three +days, the troops were ordered to fall back for the purpose of drawing +the enemy from Fisher Hill; starting at dark, moving back on the valley +pike; marching all night, passing through Newtown, Middletown and +Kurrentown, halting at Winchester for breakfast, passing through the +place, once a fine village, but now nearly deserted; no business was +transacted, as both rebel and union armies occupied the place at +different times. The troops marched during the night eighteen miles, and +during the morning ten miles, halting on a hill.</p> + +<p>The enemy supposing us retreating, followed us closely, skirmishing with +the cavalry at Winchester, in which a portion of the 1st New Jersey +brigade was captured while supporting the cavalry. Our rear guard was +driven from Winchester with considerable loss. The troops were compelled +to move the next day eighteen miles, encamping near Charlestown, the +enemy again halting at Winchester. In retaliation for Chambersburg, the +men burned and destroyed everything, entering houses and helping +themselves to all that came in their way. The men were out of rations, +living on the country two days, but flour, green corn and chickens in +abundance.</p> + +<p>Both armies were again in camp, with tents up in regular order, the +operations during the month of August being both of an offensive and +defensive character, resulting in a few skirmishes, but as yet no +general engagement had taken place. The two armies now lay in such a +position, the enemy on the west bank of the Opequan Creek, covering +Winchester, and our forces in position at Charlestown, so that either +army could bring on a battle at any time. Defeat to us would lay open to +the enemy Maryland and Pennsylvania for long distances, before our army +could check them, and under such circumstances Gen. Sheridan hesitated +to attack, and waited for more positive orders from Grant. The 14th +regiment was again recruited, swelling the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span> number to about three +hundred men. Colonel Truex being at home, the regiment was commanded by +Major Vredenberg. Lieutenant Colonel Hall having been wounded at +Monocacy, resigned his commission. Major Vredenberg having been for the +past year inspector general on headquarter staff, he being the ranking +officer was relieved, and ordered to the command of the regiment at +Halltown on the 19th of August.</p> + +<p>Sunday, August 21st, the enemy surprised our camp at daylight attacking +in force. The troops soon formed in line of battle, fighting during the +day and building works; but few were lost on either side, as nothing but +skirmishing was kept up. At night our forces fell back to our old +position at Halltown, eight miles distant, the enemy pursuing and firing +upon our rear guard, compelling them to fall back in a hurry within the +defences of Maryland Heights, when the pursuit was abandoned, the rain +pouring in torrents. For several days bodies of troops, mostly cavalry, +were sent out on a reconnoissance, which discovered the enemy still in +position at Charlestown. The men were fast losing confidence in General +Sheridan, as he did nothing but advance and retreat without fighting a +decisive battle; but none of the men knew the energy and determination +of their gallant leader, who was only waiting for orders from General +Grant to bring on a general engagement.</p> + +<p>The troops remained in camp at Halltown six days, until Sunday, the +28th, when orders were given to move, passing the enemy's works near +Charlestown (the enemy having fallen back), and halted in a wood. During +the afternoon Chaplain Rose delivered a brief discourse as the men lay +in line, after which we moved again, halting in the old camp we were +driven from the previous Sunday, eight miles from Halltown, remaining +there until September 3d, when the troops moved again, marching eight +miles, encamping at a place called Clifton Farm. The 8th corps being on +the advance, met the enemy at Opequan Creek, and after a severe +engagement drove them back across the creek, with heavy loss on both +sides. Darkness and rain ended the contest, the troops sleeping on their +arms. Both armies were now very vigilant, as they were but a few miles +apart. The troops lay in camp at Clifton Farm fifteen days, drawing +extra rations and clothing. On the 15th of September, the 2d division of +the 6th corps with a brigade of cavalry, moved out on a reconnoissance +to Opequan Creek. The enemy were found in force, with strong<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span> works +erected on the opposite side, they were completely surprised. The 2d +division succeeded in capturing a South Carolina regiment, numbering +four hundred men, together with its officers and colors.</p> + +<p>After exchanging a few shots, the division returned with the prisoners +captured, the rebels crestfallen at our daring, but afraid to follow us +up. The men were very tired of maneuvering up and down the valley, and +were anxious to meet the enemy and decide which of the two armies was +the most competent to hold the valley. Grant finding the use of the +Baltimore and Ohio Railroad and the Chesapeake and Ohio canal, which +were both obstructed by the enemy, became so indispensably necessary to +us, and the importance of relieving Maryland and Pennsylvania from +continuously threatened invasion so great, that he determined to visit +General Sheridan and order an immediate attack. Leaving City Point on +the 15th of September, he visited him at Charlestown to decide after a +conference with him, what should be done, and after a calm deliberation +it was decided to attack as soon as the army and trains could be brought +into position. For convenience of forage the teams for supplying the +army were kept at Harper's Ferry. Grant remained at Sheridan's +headquarters but one day, giving his final orders, and leaving Harper's +Ferry for City Point, Sheridan returning to his headquarters and issuing +orders for a forward movement.</p> + +<p>On afternoon of Sunday, the 18th, orders were given the troops to move +at a moment's notice. All now felt that the time had arrived when the +rebel army under its audacious leaders, should be driven from the +Shenandoah Valley, where for the last two months they had bid defiance +to the loyal North, and with their frowning earthworks at Winchester +were ever ready to resist our advance. For several mornings previous to +the attack, the cavalry had darted up to their front and then retired, +after exchanging a few shots. This was done so often that when the +attack was made they were not as well prepared as if this had not been +done, as the advance was led by the dashing Custer, with his brigade of +cavalry.</p> + +<p>At two o'clock on the morning of the 19th of September, the troops on +two roads moved out, and marching twelve miles, crossed at Opequan +Creek. As usual the cavalry in stronger force than heretofore, attacked +them in their position. The rebels were completely surprised. Kershaw's +division had left the day<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span> before for the purpose of burning and +destroying what they could in Maryland and Pennsylvania. They were at +Bunker's Hill, ten miles off, when the attack was made, and Gen. Early +sent immediately for them, when they returned in haste, nearly all the +way on a double quick.</p> + +<p>Both armies soon became hotly engaged, and for some time it was doubtful +which side was gaining, but after a most sanguinary battle, which lasted +until six o'clock in the evening, the enemy were defeated with heavy +loss, their entire position carried from Opequan Creek to Winchester, +together with several thousand prisoners and five pieces of artillery; +the enemy rallied several times, only to be broken again by the terrible +onslaught of the Union boys. Kershaw's division arrived during the +afternoon, but too late, and with their comrades were compelled to fall +back. During the morning, the 19th army corps, which was on the extreme +left, was driven in, but supported by one division of the 6th corps they +rallied, and in turn drove the enemy back some distance; it was a hard +fought battle, and the enemy with their thinned ranks in a demoralized +condition retreated in haste through Winchester. General Early was so +intoxicated that it was with much difficulty that he could keep upon his +horse; the rebel press attributed their defeat to this. The rebel +soldiers were positive that Grant was in command, as Sheridan never +before had exhibited such generalship. The 3d division lost heavily in +killed and wounded; Colonel Ebright commanding the 126th Ohio was +killed, also General Russell, commanding 1st division 6th corps.</p> + +<p>The 14th lost in killed and wounded one hundred and sixty men, but the +greatest loss of all was Major Vredenberg. A braver officer never lived. +He was at the head of his regiment, ordering the men to charge a rebel +battery, when a shell struck him in the breast, knocking him from his +horse and killing him instantly. He was carried to the rear and his +remains sent to New Jersey. His loss was deeply felt by the men, as he +was always esteemed a brave and competent officer. The regiment charged +the battery, captured it, and the last order ever given by him was +executed with promptness, and the death of Major Vredenberg avenged. +Lieut. Green, commanding Co. I, was killed, and Capt. Bodwell, of Co. E, +wounded. Capt. Janeway was as conspicuous as ever, and fought well. He +was again placed in command of the regiment, as every other officer was +disabled, either killed or<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span> wounded. The 87th Pennsylvania had but a few +days to stay, but were as eager as ever to join in the fight. Several of +them were killed whose term had already expired. The rebel loss was very +severe in officers and men. Gens. Rhodes and Wharton that led the attack +at Monocacy, in which the 3d division suffered so severely, were both +killed.</p> + +<p>The ground was covered with the munitions of war, as our victorious army +pressed on after the flying rebels. The groans of the wounded and dying +were forgotten. Ghastly sights everywhere presented themselves to the +eye, but to the soldiers were as nothing, as such scenes were every day +sights. The houses in Winchester were filled with rebel wounded, who +were kindly cared for by the ladies of the place, both loyal and +disloyal. The news of our success was telegraphed immediately to +Washington, and the papers North were full of praises of our gallant +little Sheridan and his noble army; there was now no fear of another +invasion, and our National Capital was out of danger. The army now +reposed every confidence in Sheridan, and gave him the name of "Little +Phil," and those who but a few weeks before were ever ready to denounce +him were now the loudest in his praise. One hundred guns were fired at +Washington in honor of this great victory, which in itself was +considered one of the decisive battles of the war. Had our forces been +defeated and driven back, both Washington and Baltimore would have been +taken, and before another army could have been raised, both places would +have lain in ashes. This was the third and last attempted invasion of +the North by the Confederate army, which had each time ended in +disaster. The rebel papers were clamorous for the removal of Early, who +had praised him so highly but a short time before.</p> + +<p>The enemy retreated during the night, and made a stand in their strong +position at Fisher Hill; here they were confident of success, as it was +thought impossible to dislodge them from their position. Here Early +intended to make a stand until he received re-enforcements from +Richmond, and then retrieve his fast falling reputation. He supposed +General Sheridan would not attack, and he would have time to recruit. +Our column had halted at Winchester until daylight the next morning, +when they rapidly pressed on; the enemy were at this time on Fisher +Hill, twenty-two miles from Winchester; the troops halted at nine +o'clock at Newton for breakfast. The men had marched up and down the +valley so often, that every house and barn was familiar to them.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span> +Kurrentown was the birthplace of the rebel General, Stonewall Jackson, +whose remains now repose there; had he then been living, and in command +of the rebel forces in the valley, it would have been different, for as +a strategic leader he had no equal. One day he would be in our front, +the next day in our rear, and it would have required all the skill of +our leaders to oppose him; as it was, Early was completely out-generaled +by General Sheridan.</p> + +<p>The troops halted at Newton one hour, and then moved forward; squads of +rebel prisoners were picked up, as they were too tired to proceed +farther. The number of prisoners captured in all was about five +thousand, while our loss at Winchester would not exceed one thousand +five hundred. After marching twenty-two miles, we crossed Cedar Creek on +a bridge built by the enemy, halting in the same woods the troops were +in five weeks before. The rebel army had just been paid in Confederate +money, which to them was as nothing; gold, which had been up to its +highest notch, now fell some twenty per cent., and produce in +proportion.</p> + +<p>The 21st of September was spent in forming the troops in position, as +General Sheridan had determined to attack; but nothing was accomplished +till night, when the 126th Ohio and 6th Maryland regiments charged the +enemy's skirmish line, driving them back two miles, and occupying a +splendid position for artillery; batteries were placed and the enemy +shelled, they not replying, as their ammunition was scarce. The morning +of the 22d found the troops in position; batteries from all parts of the +line opened, but as yet no response from the rebels. At three o'clock +Sheridan ordered an advance, the troops moving forward in eight lines of +battle. Early, expecting an attack in his immediate front, withdrew his +forces from the left of his line; taking advantage of this, the 8th +corps, with the 3d division, moved on their flank, and before they were +aware of it our cavalry were completely in their rear. A desperate +battle now ensued, which lasted until dark, when the enemy were driven +pell mell from their fortified position and retreated in confusion, +flanked both right and left, and their cavalry, under Imboden and Jones, +were compelled to run in one demoralized mass, followed by our +victorious columns pouring shot and shell into their retreating ranks. +The 3d division captured six pieces of artillery, two of them were taken +by the 14th regiment. Twenty-four pieces of artillery, fifteen stand of +colors, and one thousand one hundred prisoners were the fruits of this +victory. Sheridan was now almost worshiped by the men,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span> as Fisher's Hill +had always been considered as impregnable, but "Cavalry Phil," or +"Flanking Sheridan," as he was called, had accomplished what Fremont, +Hunter, Banks and Shields had failed to do in the early days of the +rebellion. He was appointed a Maj.-General in the regular army, to fill +the place vacated by McClellan. In the battle of Fisher's Hill, the loss +in the 14th regiment was small, as they were on the flank with the 8th +corps; the 2d division lost heavily in killed. The casualties in the +regiment were but ten killed and thirty wounded. Captain McKnight's +battery of the 3d division created considerable panic in the enemy's +ranks, as every shell they fired fell among them. Under cover of this +battery, the division advanced and captured a line of works with four +hundred prisoners and four pieces of artillery. No time was allowed the +men to rest, although tired and weary and begrimed with dirt and powder. +The flying rebels were pursued during the night of the 22d, marching +twelve miles, through Strasburg and Woodstock, halting for a few hours' +rest in the morning. The enemy had a mortal fear of Custer and his +cavalry, as he was always on their flank and rear when least expected; +with one brigade to charge and another to blow the bugle, they could not +stand. Their cavalry leader, Imboden, was called "Runboden," as he was +always first to run when our cavalry appeared in sight. Four days' +rations were issued the men at Woodstock, the trains having followed. +The 87th Pennsylvania had served their three years, and were ordered to +return home, with the exception of the re-enlisted men, whose term of +service had not yet expired.</p> + +<p>Leaving Woodstock on the afternoon of the 23d, the troops marched six +miles, passing the village of Edenburg, and encamping in woods near the +railroad. The enemy had again halted on a hill and were skirmishing with +the cavalry. In the battles of Winchester and Fisher's Hill, the enemy +had lost in killed, wounded and prisoners, fifteen thousand men, fifteen +stands of colors, and thirty pieces of artillery, while the Union army +had lost but four thousand men. The troops were now pretty well rested, +and moved again on Saturday, the 24th, marching twenty miles, passing +the villages of Mount Jackson, Hawkenstown and New Market, still +following the enemy and skirmishing with the entire march. The pike was +level, and the retreating rebels could be plainly seen. McKnight's +battery was placed on the skirmish line, continually shelling the rear. +It was a splendid<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span> sight; the troops, in four parallel lines, with +cavalry on either flank, pursuing the flying rebels, they making a stand +several times, but our skirmish line compelled them to leave. The +weather was yet very warm. At dark the enemy opened upon us from a hill +with four pieces of artillery, but were soon compelled to leave. It was +a splendid picture for an artist—the sun setting behind the hills; the +flash of the cannon and musketry was grand beyond description. The men +foraging lived well, as the country was filled with vegetables of all +kinds; the army was now forty-two miles from Winchester and thirty miles +from Staunton. The troops entered camp for the night, marching the next +day eighteen miles in line of battle up the valley; the enemy could not +be seen, having moved during the night up the Luray Valley; halting at +Harrisonberg, 3d division headquarters at the house formerly occupied by +Fremont and Hunter as their headquarters. The troops remained in camp at +Harrisonberg ten days, confiscating tobacco, sugar, matches, etc.; +Harrisonberg is a very pretty place, twenty miles from Staunton, of +about one thousand inhabitants. Squads of men were sent out each day to +forage on the country, as the troops were out of rations, and it was +necessary the men should be supplied. The army was now one hundred and +four miles from Harper's Ferry, the base of supplies; it took the teams +four days to go and four to come; the route was infested with guerillas, +making it necessary to have a strong guard; but in spite of all +vigilance numbers of men were killed and the wagons captured.</p> + +<p>On the 29th the troops moved out at four o'clock, marching seven miles +to relieve the cavalry at Mount Crawford. Finding the enemy in strong +position they were driven back, as they were strongly posted in a gap in +the mountains; they were not again attacked and the troops moved back to +Harrisonberg.</p> + +<p>On the first of October the supply train arrived from Harper's Ferry, +with mail and papers, also the paymaster; the troops receiving two +months' pay. It was rumored in camp that Grant had moved at Petersburg, +capturing fifteen guns and four hundred prisoners. The cavalry again +started off, reaching Staunton, destroying the bridges and a large +amount of supplies, and advanced as far as Charlottesville.</p> + +<p>On the 6th of October orders were given to move; marching back, the +valley was now clear of the enemy. As it was feared they would again +return, every barn, out-house and hay-stack was<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span> burned on the route, to +prevent the enemy from subsisting in the valley, as most of the farmers +were secesh and helped the guerillas along. It was a splendid sight to +see the fires as the troops moved up the valley, from mountain to +mountain one continual blaze of fire. Twenty-four miles were made that +day, as it was cool, and the men were out of rations; the supply train +could not get up, and the valley was stripped by troops continually +passing. The troops slept that night in sight of Mount Jackson with +nothing to eat. The next day we marched seventeen miles, through Mount +Jackson and Woodstock, halting at dark; on the 8th marching twelve miles +to Strasburg, passing Fisher's Hill, where the enemy were whipped so +badly on the 22d of September. After stripping the valley of the most of +their supplies for the rebel army, the troops halted at Strasburg, and +took position on the north bank of Cedar Creek.</p> + +<p>Having received considerable re-enforcements, Early again returned to +the valley, and on the 9th of October encountered our cavalry near +Strasburg. Custer with his brigade advanced, and after a brief encounter +the enemy captured thirty wagons from General Torbert; the weather was +very cold and windy. Our whole force of cavalry now arrived, and the +enemy was driven back some distance, with the loss of eleven pieces of +artillery, a number of prisoners, and all their wagons, with those +captured from Torbert, our forces following them vigorously.</p> + +<p>As the valley was supposed to be clear of the enemy, the 6th corps was +ordered to Petersburg. Grant had moved several times and had captured +the Weldon Rail Road, extending his lines some distance. On the 10th, +orders were given to move, marching seventeen miles, passing through +Strasburg and Middletown, halting at Front Royal near Manassas Gap. +During our stay there, a man was accidentally shot in the Regiment, +dying the next day; his name was Ayers, of Co. B. A petition was +circulated among the Jersey soldiers to return home and vote; it was +signed by the officers, but was not carried through. The Legislature of +New Jersey was opposed to it, and used their utmost endeavors to prevent +it. While all other troops were allowed to vote in the field, New Jersey +was in the hands of the Copperheads, and her soldiers were not allowed +the privilege, and with bitter feelings of enmity towards them the +soldiers were compelled to stand it.</p> + +<p>The troops were now ordered to Petersburg, as there was no sign of the +enemy in the valley. On the 13th the corps started<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span> from Front Royal. +The troops had been in the valley some time, and did not wish to leave. +Sheridan was loved by all, and the men were still anxious to be under +his command, but positive orders from Grant were that the corps should +again join the Potomac army, having been only temporarily detached. The +weather was very cold, and visions of earthworks and trenches in front +of Petersburg rose vividly before the men, and none wished to go. After +marching fifteen miles, passing a place called White Post, the column +was ordered to halt, and soon it resounded throughout the line that the +order was countermanded. Cheer after cheer was given, and it was noised +around that Grant had taken Petersburg, with sixty pieces of artillery +and thirty thousand prisoners. The men were very jubilant over the move, +as it was believed. Moving back, the troops halted at a very pretty +place called Millwood, and the men immediately commenced foraging, as +there was provisions in abundance, no troops having ever encamped there. +It turned out that Grant's taking Petersburg was a hoax, and instead, +Early was moving down the valley, having received considerable +re-enforcements. The 8th and 19th corps were compelled to fall back from +Fisher's Hill, and encamped on the north bank of Cedar Creek. Soon the +deep booming of the cannon was heard at Millwood; at first the men +thought it a salute in honor of the great victory, but it proved to be +the 8th and 19th corps engaged with Early at Cedar Creek. On the morning +of the 14th at 2 o'clock, the corps was ordered to move immediately back +the same road to Fisher's Hill, marching twenty miles, and halting in +position near Middletown, as the enemy were again in force on Fisher's +Hill. All idea of going to Petersburg was now abandoned, as there was +enough to attend to in the valley. Early again had a large army and once +more confronted Sheridan, this time with both flanks heavily guarded on +Fisher's Hill. It was not then known how many troops the enemy had, as +their coming was unexpected. Pickets were doubled, and a line of works +erected on Fisher's Hill for the purpose of resisting our advance. The +troops now moved forward to Cedar Creek and were formed in line as +follows: The 8th corps on the extreme left, near Manchuhattan Mountain; +the 19th corps next, and the 6th on the right. Every morning the men +were routed out early expecting an attack, but none was made, and the +vigilance of the men was relaxed; five days the troops remained in camp +near Middletown. General Sheridan being on a visit to Grant at City +Point, during<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span> his absence the army was commanded by General Wright. All +was thought secure, and the men began to think the enemy's force +comparatively small; but they were in force, and the boys of the Union +soon knew it. Early had determined to make one grand effort, and if +possible save his reputation and recover all he had lost. Filled with +this determination he moved his whole force on the night of October +18th, crossed the mountain in single file which separated the branches +of the Shenandoah, forded the north fork, and early on the morning of +the 19th, under cover of the darkness and the fog, surprised and turned +our left flank, and captured the batteries that infiladed our whole +line, some 24 in all; the men were aroused from slumber only to find the +enemy in their rear. The 8th corps, panic stricken, fled, leaving all +their arms and ammunition in the hands of the enemy; they knew not which +way to turn, and hundreds were shot down and numbers captured. The 6th +corps, used to such things, rallied, and formed in line near Middletown. +By this time the wagons were on the road to Winchester. It was a +complete surprise, the troops falling back in confusion five miles. +General Wright ordered them to re-form, but with the 8th and 19th corps +in full retreat, the 6th could not stand alone, and with the rest were +compelled to fall back, but in order. A terrible battle was now fought, +and Early, confident of victory, urged on his men, who fought with +desperation; and visions of Washington again appeared before them. The +spoils that fell in their hands were a great compensation for what they +had lost; shelters, rubbers, knapsacks, blankets, and well filled +haversacks fell in the hands of the Johnnies, and to their half starved +and half clothed bodies were indeed prizes. After falling back five +miles our lines were partly rallied and the retreat stopped, but at a +fearful loss of life, and our boys were mad, fairly mad to think that +after ridding the valley of the enemy as they supposed, and whipping +them so badly, they were again in force and our army retreating from +them. Where is Sheridan? was the cry, as all seemed to feel that if he +was near the tide of battle would be turned in our favor. Soon a cloud +of dust was seen on the road; far in the distance, and with thunder +tread, came the well-known horse, carrying with it its rider, the brave +Sheridan; reaching the disordered line he inquired for General Wright. +The men soon knew that Sheridan was near, and all felt confident of +success. When the battle commenced he was at Winchester, but he arrived +in time to arrange the lines<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span> and repulse a heavy attack of the enemy. +The 8th and 19th corps were now partially rallied and formed in line, +with the 6th corps in the centre, immediately assuming the offensive and +attacking the enemy in turn. After considerable maneuvering Sheridan +ordered a charge, and the enemy in turn were driven back with great +slaughter, with the loss of their trains and artillery and the trophies +captured during the morning. Had not Sheridan arrived as he did, all +would have been lost. The cavalry under Custer were sent on their flank, +driving them pell mell across Cedar Creek, slaughtering them like sheep. +Sixty-one pieces of artillery were captured from them and eight thousand +prisoners. Our success was complete, though our loss was heavy, and +victory crowned our arms. Capt. McKnight's battery lost four pieces, and +nearly all their horses were killed or wounded. The 14th regiment was +commanded by Captain Janeway and lost heavily. Adjutant Burroughs Rose +was killed; he was formerly a private, and for gallant conduct had been +promoted from one position to another until he received his commission +as Adjutant, in place of Buckalew, who had resigned on account of wounds +received at Monocacy; he was a fine officer, and his loss could not +easily be supplied.</p> + +<p>The wreck of the rebel army escaped during the night, and fled in the +direction of Staunton and Lynchburg, and pursuit being made by the +cavalry to Mount Jackson, hundreds of them were captured. The battle of +Cedar Creek will long be remembered by the 6th corps. At first driven +back with severe loss, they in turn rallied, and to the brave 6th corps +will be attributed the tide of battle turning in our favor; for, had +they retreated in such confusion as the other corps, the enemy would +have been victorious. But the Wilderness, and those hard-fought battles +of the Potomac army, were lessons not easily forgotten, and the 6th +corps, as usual, was ready for any emergency. The 2d division lost +heavily in men, more so than the rest, as our lines fell back. The enemy +had stripped our dead and wounded as they lay on the field, and when our +men recovered their lost ground they were seen lying as they fell, stark +naked, and cold in the embrace of death. Such scenes only made our men +fight the harder, and Early paid dearly for his boldness in surprising +us in the morning. The rebel General, Ramsuer, was mortally wounded and +fell in our hands a prisoner. He died at the headquarters of General +Sheridan, and his remains were sent South by way of City Point. Thus +ended<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span> the enemy's last attempt to invade the North via the Shenandoah +valley; and Early, with his demoralized and disheartened troops, was +seen no more in that vicinity. Ninety pieces of artillery had been taken +from them at different times in the valley, and with ten pieces of +artillery, and about ten thousand men, they reached Staunton, and all +but one brigade were transported to Richmond, there to take part in the +subsequent battles near Petersburg. Our forces encamped in their old +position, and the next day engaged in burying the dead, the ground being +covered with both Union and Rebel soldiers. The field was hotly +contested by our men, and although surprised they were not whipped. +General Sheridan rode along the lines and was cheered by the men. +General Ricketts was temporarily placed in command of the 6th corps, and +was severely wounded early in the day. He was the best division +commander in the service, and when the men heard of his wound, all were +anxious for his safety. The papers spoke of him in the highest praise as +an excellent and able general. The following is an extract from Harper's +Weekly, which is quoted for the benefit of those who knew him well:</p> + +<p class="blockquot">General James B. Ricketts, wounded in the battle of Cedar Creek, is +a native of New York, from which State he was appointed a Cadet to +West Point in 1835. He graduated in 1839 with the grade of 2d +Lieutenant of artillery; in 1846 he was promoted to 1st Lieutenant, +and in August, 1852, was appointed Captain, having since 1849 +occupied the position of Regimental Quarter Master.</p> + +<p class="blockquot">General Ricketts was wounded in the first battle of Bull Run and +taken prisoner. For distinguished service in that battle he was +promoted to the rank of Brigadier General, and in nearly all the +Virginia campaign he has commanded a division. His division of the +6th corps was in July last detached from the army of the Potomac and +sent to Harper's Ferry, taking part in the battle of Monocacy and in +all the subsequent battles in the Shenandoah Valley. In General +Sheridan's absence, General Wright assumed command of the army of +the Valley; his place at the head of the corps was occupied by +General Ricketts, who was wounded in the early part of the battle on +the 19th, and was for some time supposed to be in a dying condition. +If his wound should indeed prove a mortal one, the country will have +lost a very able officer.</p> + +<p>General Sheridan had again immortalized his name. As he came down the +pike, he exclaimed to the men: "Join your commands, boys, I'll wax h—l +out of them before night." At the sight of him our men pressed forward +with their usual impetuosity, and soon the Johnnies were in full +retreat. Thus a decisive battle was gained, which, but for the timely +arrival of General<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span> Sheridan, would have resulted in disaster. The +troops again entered camp, the tents on a line, with the cavalry in +pursuit of the flying enemy far up the valley. General Custer succeeded +in recapturing the colors lost by the 15th New Jersey; their +color-bearer being killed, it fell into the hands of the enemy. He +complimented the men for their bravery, telling them not from cowardice, +but through accident, they were lost, and that he was very much +gratified to return them.</p> + +<p>The weather was now very cold, and there were yet no signs of Winter +quarters. Nearly six months had passed since the troops crossed the +Rapidan, and what had been accomplished? Lee was driven step by step +from his stronghold in the Wilderness, flanked several times by Grant, +until he was within the fortifications of Richmond, his supplies cut +off, and closely besieged by Grant. Sherman had driven Johnson and his +successor, Hood, whipping them in every battle, and finally capturing +Atlanta, their stronghold, in the very heart of the Confederacy. Early +had been whipped in four pitched battles by Sheridan, and driven far up +the valley to Staunton, his artillery nearly all captured and his army +completely routed, and everything that an army could subsist on in the +valley destroyed. Price, in Missouri, had been driven in confusion, and +was in full retreat, followed by Rosecrans. The Copperheads North, +defeated in their every scheme, the soldiers now looked for the +re-election of Lincoln, and for a speedy termination of the war.</p> + +<p>It was now currently reported that Longstreet had succeeded Early, and +with thirty-five thousand men was again advancing up the valley. The +troops lay in camp at Middletown nineteen days, and it was discovered +the enemy had left the valley. On Nov. 6th the troops were ordered back +in the direction of Winchester, but the morning being very cold and +frosty the order was countermanded. On the 8th the election for +President was held in the various camps; the people of New Jersey had +denied their soldiers that privilege, and with bitter curses toward +them, the men lay quietly in camp. McClellan was scarcely thought of, +and the votes for Lincoln were far ahead. New Jersey had long been +considered as disloyal, and had she been one of the border States, would +long ago have seceded. Staunch old Maryland stood firm, and was far more +loyal than Jersey. But the rule of the Copperheads was of short +duration, and when the war was ended, and the boys in blue returned to +their homes, they were soon ruled out and their places filled by loyal +men.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span>On the 9th of November the orders to move were again given, marching ten +miles, and passing for the last time Middletown and Newtown, halting at +Kurrentown, a very nice place; wood plenty, but water scarce. The +enemy's cavalry had again advanced, under their leader, Rosser, and +attacked our out-posts, but after considerable skirmishing they were +driven back in confusion and retired during the night. The papers now +arrived, and the re-election of Lincoln was hailed by the soldiers with +joy, as the majority of them were in favor of him. Many of the men now +commenced to build Winter quarters, and log huts were rapidly erected, +with chimneys built of sod. Officers and men were uncertain what to do, +as no orders were given to build Winter quarters.</p> + +<p>Nothing of importance occurred during the month of November; as usual +rumors were plenty. The different regiments were detailed to guard the +supply trains to and from Martinsburg, our base of supplies, as the +guerillas still infested the route. A railroad was commenced, and was +soon built from Halltown to Winchester, and was heavily guarded by the +8th corps. Winchester now became a lively place, as Sheridan's +headquarters were there.</p> + +<p>The 6th corps was reviewed by General Sheridan, and preparations were +again made to leave, as orders from Grant were to send the 6th corps to +Petersburg. The review was witnessed by the people of the surrounding +country; the day was not pleasant, but rainy and disagreeable. General +Sheridan took a farewell leave of the men, thanking them for their +bravery, and was sorry to see them leave; to the 6th corps the praise of +saving Washington was given. The men gave three rousing cheers for +Sheridan and the Shenandoah Valley; he then rode to his headquarters, +and the troops dispersed to their various camps. Their work in the +valley was over, and they were to again join the Potomac army, to take +part in the final drama—the capture of Richmond. Since leaving +Petersburg, the troops had in five months fought five pitched battles, +each time victorious, and had marched nearly 1,000 miles, a record that +no other corps in the army could boast of. The men deserved the praise +which was awarded them.</p> + +<p>On the 1st of December the 1st division moved, and was placed on cars at +Winchester for Washington. It was now certain the corps was to leave and +Winter quarters were abandoned. On the 3d, the 3d division followed the +1st, General Wright having gone the previous day. The division marched +ten miles, taking the cars at Stephenson Station and riding one hundred +and forty-two<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span> miles on the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, again passing +Monocacy Bridge; it being night the men were mostly asleep; arrived at +Washington on Sunday morning. But a few months before, when the city was +in danger and the troops were hurried from City Point, the people +flocked to see them and cheer them on their way, now scarcely a sound +was heard, Washington was out of danger. The 6th corps was again to +return to City Point, and by the people their hardships in the valley +were forgotten; they passed scarcely noticing the men, and without a +reception of any kind the troops were placed on transports for City +Point. The weather had changed and was as warm and as mild as spring. +The troops were furnished with three days' rations, and by three o'clock +were all on board. The 14th was placed on transport Keyport, passing +Fortress Monroe, and arriving at City Point at 11 o'clock on Monday +morning, riding on Grant's railroad sixteen miles. This track is laid on +the ground without grading and runs up hill and down in range of the +enemy's shells. The corps was to take the quarters of the 5th corps, +they moving on a reconnoissance to Weldon, North Carolina, for the +purpose of cutting the Southside railroad, and as much of the enemy's +communications as possible. The regiment had been in the middle +department nine months, lying at Monocacy Bridge; in the Potomac army +one year; and in the valley five months, and now back in the Potomac +army again. The 5th corps' quarters were on the Weldon railroad that had +been captured at an immense loss of life. There were now but two roads +leading into Richmond, the Southside road and the Danville road, which +were now aimed for, and as soon as the 6th corps arrived, the 5th with +two divisions of cavalry, moved out to Hatcher's Run, on the Boydton +plank road. They did not wish to leave their quarters, but were glad to +see the 6th corps come back and willingly gave up their quarters to +them. The troops halted until morning, and then occupied the tents +vacated by the 5th corps. The headquarters of the 3d division was in a +pretty place, having been fitted up with considerable care, but the +quarters of the men were very poor, being put up in the Fall with no +intention of remaining.</p> + +<p>The troops remained in quarters but one day, when they were ordered to +the support of the 5th corps, which had attacked the enemy at Weldon, +destroying thirty miles of the Southside road, and burning a large +amount of rations, besides capturing a number of prisoners and +contrabands. The division returned the next<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span> day, having marched but ten +miles, the 5th corps needing no assistance. It was snowing hard, and the +men suffering severely lying out in the storm. Both armies now +confronted each other for a distance of forty miles, with works in some +places but a few rods apart, but every precaution was taken to prevent a +surprise. The men from both sides were on friendly terms, talking with +each other and exchanging papers. In front of Petersburg was a fort +named Fort H—l from its close proximity to the rebels. Firing from +this fort was incessantly carried on day and night, and the men gave it +that name as it was continually under fire, killing numbers daily.</p> + +<p>Winter quarters were now fairly established, the men fixing up the old +tents very comfortably. Cold weather had now commenced and rainy days +were frequent; furloughs were granted the men from ten to twenty days, +large numbers visiting their homes. General Sherman was moving through +the heart of Georgia. His campaign is familiar to my readers, and as the +14th was in the Potomac army, it is not necessary to give an account of +Sherman's march. It was supposed by the men that the armies of Grant and +Sheridan would be consolidated in time, but all ideas of soon moving +were abandoned, as the roads were almost impassable, while Sherman was +farther south and able to move with his heavy trains, living on the +country. It was the main object of Grant to hold Lee in check to prevent +him from re-enforcing Johnson, and in time to sever all communication +from Richmond, compelling Lee to retreat farther south or to surrender. +By frequent moving he had extended his lines some distance, thereby +weakening the enemy's lines considerably. They were getting short of +rations, as Sherman was cutting their railroads in every direction. A +vast amount of supplies was stored at City Point for the use of our +armies; sutlers were in abundance and City Point in reality soon became +a city. The headquarters of General Grant were on a hill near the river. +Immense guns and fortifications were seen in all directions, fully +manned by men, while it was with difficulty that the enemy could raise +enough men to fill their works. Pickets and videttes from each side were +but a few rods apart, and frequently conversed with each other. The +battles of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, and Petersburg +were forgotten, and no one would ever think that those men who now were +so friendly with each other, had ever engaged in terrible strife on the +field of battle. The men from<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span> Early's command were in front of the 3d +division, and when on picket the scenes of the valley were often talked +of, but always with bitterness on the side of the enemy. Our boys would +cry out, "Halloo, Johnny Reb., did you get enough of the valley?" Johnny +replies, with his fingers up to his nose, "Do you Yanks see anything of +the South-side railroad?" Our men had been aiming for that, but had +failed repeatedly.</p> + +<p>The 14th was now re-organized, having received several recruits, to the +amount of two hundred. Captain Janeway, for bravery and meritorious +conduct, was promoted to the colonelcy of the regiment, he and +Lieutenant Baily being the only old officers from Freehold. The officers +were now mostly enlisted men, and by their conduct had won for +themselves a lasting reputation. Among those that distinguished +themselves, and in every action were at their posts, were Captains +Wanser, Manning and Marsh; Lieutenants Foster, Barkalew, Fletcher, +Hanning, White and Manderville. Each one had entered the ranks and had +won for himself his position. Colonel Truex was still in command of the +brigade, acting Brigadier General. The division commanded by General +Seymour, formerly commander of the 2d brigade, being captured in the +Wilderness, he was taken to Charleston and subsequently released, and +placed in command of the division in the absence of General Ricketts.</p> + +<p>All was now quiet in camp, with the exception of cannonading in front of +Petersburg, and picket firing along some portion of the line. This was +the third and last Winter in the army for the regiment; the first Winter +was spent at Monocacy, the second at Brandy Station, and the third at +Petersburg.</p> + +<p>Reports from various sources led Grant to believe that the enemy had +again detached three divisions from the army in front of Petersburg, to +again attempt the capture of Washington, via the Shenandoah Valley. He +therefore sent the 2d corps and Greggs' division of cavalry from the +army of the Potomac, and a force of General Butler's army, to threaten +Richmond from the north side of the James to prevent Lee from sending +troops away, and if possible to draw back those that were sent. In this +move six pieces of artillery and several hundred prisoners were +captured. Detained troops that were under marching orders ascertained +that but one division of the three reported detached had gone, which +soon returned when the movements of our forces had been discovered. The +enemy having drawn heavily from Peters<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span>burg to resist this movement, the +5th corps moved out on a reconnoissance on the left, to take possession +of the South-side road. During the day there was considerable fighting, +but the enemy were found in force, and the 5th corps was ordered back, +forming a line in rear of the army and building new quarters.</p> + +<p>The 6th corps was under marching orders, but did not leave as they were +not needed. Camp life again passed very pleasantly, as quiet was +resumed. A branch railroad was completed from the City Point and +Petersburg Railroad to the Weldon Railroad, and supplies were forwarded +in all kinds of weather without difficulty to all parts of the line. +Occasionally the enemy shelled our trains as they passed, but our +batteries opening theirs were soon silenced, as our ammunition was +plenty and theirs scarce. Recruits now arrived rapidly, and the army was +increased to one hundred and fifty thousand men. The enemy, by merciless +conscription, had pressed every man and boy in the field capable of +bearing arms, leaving none but the negroes at home to do the work. Each +Friday there was an execution of some kind in the army; men were hung +for deserting to the enemy, and others were shot for jumping bounties +and then deserting. It soon became a common thing, but it was necessary +as a lesson to others that these men should be executed. The troops had +lain in camp some time, when Grant again attempted to take the +South-side Road. The 2d corps followed by two divisions of the 5th +corps, with the cavalry in advance and covering the left flank of the +army, forced a passage of Hatcher's Run and moved up the north side of +it towards the South-side Road, until the 2d corps and part of the +cavalry reached the Boydton Plank Road where it crosses Hatcher's Run; +at this point our advance was but six miles distant from the South-side +Road, and the whistle of the enemy's engine could be plainly heard. But +finding that we had not reached the end of the enemy's communications, +and no place presented itself for a successful assault, it was +determined to withdraw within our fortified line, and orders were given +accordingly. On the return the enemy moved out across Hatcher's Run, and +made a desperate attack on General Hancock's right and rear. Hancock +immediately faced his corps to meet it, and after a bloody combat drove +the enemy within his works, and withdrew that night to his old position.</p> + +<p>From this time forward the operations in front of Richmond and +Petersburg until the spring campaign of 1865 were confined<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span> to the +defence and extension of our lines, and to offensive movements for +crippling the enemy's lines of communications, and to prevent his +detaching any considerable force to send south. Visitors from the north +again came in large numbers, among them several distinguished +foreigners. Our lines were to them a wonder, as they thought it +impossible for two armies to lie in such close proximity to each other +without fighting all the time; but the past had taught the men that +picket firing was but murder, and resulted in no advantage to either +side. The men drilled daily and were inspected each Sunday. The spring +campaign was looked forward to as a hard one, as it was supposed that +Lee and Johnson combined, if once together, would move south, and we +would have to follow. The tents of the men were ordered to be cleaned +neatly, as several cases of small-pox had made their appearance. General +Seymour commanding the division, was a strict disciplinarian, and orders +were issued by him that were thought by the men to be useless; every +non-commissioned officer was ordered to wear his chevrons, and if not +obeying was immediately reduced; each man in the division was also +ordered to wear his badge, and if any private was found without the blue +cross, he was placed under arrest. Division headquarters were but a +short distance from the troops, and were near the camp of the 50th New +York engineers, they having the prettiest camp in the army. They built a +splendid church, and negro minstrels were held nightly, officers of +distinction visiting it, and divine service was forgotten; each night +found the church full of men, who, if service had been held, would not +have been found there.</p> + +<p>Christmas was spent as usual dull and lonesome. Boxes were sent from +home to the men, and those that had none fared well, as the rations +given the men by the Government were plenty. The last day of the year +was very rainy. Early in the morning the rebel pickets in front of the +division made an attack, and surprised our men. The morning was dark and +our men were driven back, but the reserve pickets soon formed and drove +the rebels back in turn. Three men from the 9th New York were killed and +several were captured. The firing soon ceased, and the last day of the +year passed gloomily enough. The regiment was mustered in for four +months pay by Colonel Janeway, and the members of the 14th spent the +last day of the year very dull and lonesome in camp.</p> + +<p>January 1st, 1865, was a dull New Year's to the men, for instead<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span> of a +warm dinner at home, the fare of the men was hard-tack and salt pork. +The bands of the regiments were playing national airs. It was the +Sabbath and all was as still as death; not a shot disturbed the silence +of the day. The soldier as he thought of his home, contrasted that with +camp life, and wondered when the war would end. Most of the headquarter +officers were under the influence of liquor, but the regimental officers +were unable to obtain whiskey and remained sober, as the orders of Gen. +Seymour were very strict, that no whiskey should be sold at the brigade +commissaries. It was feared that the enemy would make an attack at +night, and orders were given the pickets not to sleep, as it was rumored +in the southern papers that Lee was about to astonish the world by some +bold movement, and what it was no one could tell. His movement was +anxiously looked forward to by the men, as it was reported that he was +heavily re-enforced by troops from General Hardee's command and from +Breckinridge's. The rebels seemed to be in good spirits, and our men +supposed something unusual had occurred, but it turned out that the +rebel officers had furnished the men gunpowder and whiskey, and then +ordered them to cheer in honor of some great victory, but what victory +it was they knew not, neither did our men.</p> + +<p>General Sherman was making sad havoc on southern soil, and the rebel +soldiers, disheartened by repeated defeats, were discouraged, and they +deserted in large numbers to our ranks. Proclamations were issued by the +authorities at Washington and freely distributed among the rebel +pickets, that any one of their number deserting would be sent within any +part of our lines to his home, and paid for his musket and equipments; +though many deserted to our ranks, there were double the number that +went to the rear. The rebel soldiers were ordered to fire on all their +men attempting to desert, but the most of them were anxious to leave, +and fired their muskets in the air. Despondency now prevailed to a great +extent among the rebels, and all felt that their cause was lost, while +on our side the men were furnished with clothing in abundance, with +plenty of rations, and were well contented. Guerillas and raiders were +very active, hovering on our flank and rear; often with concealed +batteries posted on a hill on the banks of the James, would fire on our +boats as they passed to and fro from Washington to City Point. The river +was lined with gunboats, but a few shells from our iron-clads soon drove +them off.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span> The most noted of those was Mosby; with picked men from +Virginia, men that knew every road, his operations were very successful, +but not so successful as the previous year, when our army was dependent +upon a single track railroad from Washington to Brandy Station, as this +passed the entire distance through a hostile country, and every mile had +to be guarded by troops. Occasionally Mosby with his men would make a +grand raid, and after destroying a portion of the track, would retire +with but small loss and with considerable plunder, before our men could +recover from their surprise; now our water communications needed but a +few men on iron-clads, while the most of the troops were at the front. +Heavy rains now set in, and nothing of importance occurred during the +month of January. During this time Jefferson Davis visited Macon, +Georgia, and made a speech, which was reported in the papers south, and +soon became known to the whole country, as the men exchanged papers +daily with the enemy in front of Petersburg. He disclosed his plans, +thus enabling Grant to fully meet him. He also exhibited the weakness of +supposing that an army that had been beaten and fearfully decimated in +vain attempt at the defensive, could successfully undertake the +offensive against the army that had so often defeated it, as he said in +his speech that Lee would soon resume the offensive, and would drive the +Potomac army from its almost impregnable hold on Richmond and +Petersburg; but the future showed that this never was accomplished.</p> + +<p>The rebel cause now Looked gloomy enough. Sherman had reached the sea +coast, and the Confederacy was cut completely in two. Nothing more could +be looked for in the southwest, and the whole attention of Grant and Lee +was turned to this one point. In the latter part of January the enemy +again attempted to surprise our pickets and break our lines if possible, +but they were signally defeated in their plans and driven back with +severe loss. In front of the 2d brigade of the 3d division was one of +the largest forts on the line, mounting fifteen guns; it was named Fort +Fisher, and was manned by the 9th New York Heavy Artillery. A large +lookout some two hundred feet high was built near this fort for the +purpose of witnessing the enemy's movements. It was reported that on a +certain day the enemy were to shell this lookout; all preparations were +made in Fort Fisher, the guns doubly shotted and turned upon the enemy's +works, and upon the headquarters of General Longstreet, but a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span> short +distance in the rear of their lines. The day passed and not a shot was +fired, as they knew full well that our guns out-numbered theirs two to +one, and if once opened would do terrible execution, as they had done +heretofore. The breastworks at this point were nearer together than at +any other part of the line, being but a few rods apart. Details were +made from the various regiments daily to guard supplies from City Point, +and to bring ordnance stores for the troops. The new recruits were also +guarded to the front, and then furnished with arms and assigned to their +different commands.</p> + +<p>On the night of January 16th, the troops were formed in line of battle, +as it was rumored that the enemy were about to attack; with extreme +caution the men formed in line behind the works, but no attack was made. +It was not known what move they would make, as their leaders were +becoming desperate, and would not hesitate to sacrifice the lives of the +men to accomplish their ends. The news of the capture of Fort Fisher was +read to the troops, and cheer after cheer given for our army and navy. +Gen. Butler was denounced as incompetent to command an army in the +field; all honor was due Major General Terry for his bravery. One +hundred guns were shotted and trained upon the enemy's works from Fort +H—l as a salute. The enemy did not reply; they were crest-fallen +enough, as Wilmington, their most important point, would soon fall, and +like Fort Fisher would soon be occupied by United States troops.</p> + +<p>On the 24th of January, the enemy made a desperate attempt to break +through our water communications at City Point. Three gunboats moved +down, and after a desperate fight with our shore batteries, they were +compelled to fall back with the loss of one of their boats and another +disabled. Our iron-clads had nearly all of them gone with the expedition +to Fort Fisher. Lee hoped to take advantage of this, and lay City Point +in ashes and destroy our base of supplies, thereby compelling Gen. Grant +to fall back; but the shore batteries of one hundred pound guns did +terrible execution, and with but small loss on our side, the enemy +retired with heavy loss. For several months Gen. Butler had been digging +Dutch Gap Canal, which had proved a failure, as the war ended before it +was finished; he was relieved by order of General Grant, and ordered to +report at Lowell, Massachusetts. The weather was now very cold, and the +Potomac was frozen; often two and three days elapsed before the +transports could arrive<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span> from Washington. The month of January passed +dull enough. Desertions from the enemy were more numerous than ever, +often one and two hundred coming over each night.</p> + +<p>On the morning of February 1st, all was excitement in camp, as the +troops were ordered to move out on the left of the line to Hatcher's +Run. The sick were all sent to City Point, and preparations made to move +with all the troops, with the exception of enough to hold the lines in +our immediate front, which were strengthened by the pioneers. All +preparations were made when a terrible storm arose, and the movement was +abandoned. Montgomery Blair had been on a mission of peace to Richmond +but had failed. President Lincoln had agreed to meet representatives +from the Southern Confederacy, and arrange, if possible, terms of peace. +Accordingly Vice President Stephens, Hunter and Campbell passed through +the lines on February 2d, and met President Lincoln and Secretary Seward +at Hampton Roads; but no terms could be agreed upon, as the enemy wished +the recognition of the Southern Confederacy, their cry being +independence or extermination. After a brief conference they returned to +Richmond, and all hope of a speedy peace was abandoned.</p> + +<p>The 67th Pennsylvania from the 3d division was filled with new recruits +that had received large bounties. A great many of them deserted, and +several of them were caught and sent back to division headquarters and +placed in irons. They were tried by a military court-martial, and one of +their number sentenced to be shot as a warning to others. Six of them +had hid in the woods near City Point, and were constructing a raft for +the purpose of escaping, but were captured, and one of their number +named James Hicks, was sentenced to death. He was placed in close +confinement in a tent with two guards over him, and was informed of his +fate but bore it very composedly. He was furnished with good victuals, +and attended by a Catholic priest from the 2d corps. He was also allowed +to telegraph to his friends who interceded for him, and was finally +pardoned by President Lincoln, and ever after made a good soldier, doing +his duty well.</p> + +<p>On the 5th of February, the 5th corps with two divisions of cavalry, +moved out again to Hatcher's Run, on the Boydton Plank Road, for the +purpose of lengthening our lines. After remaining out two days, the +enemy in force attacked the 5th corps driving them back. The 1st +division, 6th corps, was ordered to their support, and arrived in time +to assist the 5th corps, driving<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span> the enemy back in return. The whole +army was under marching orders but did not move, as nothing could be +accomplished, and the 5th corps returned with the loss of one thousand +men, several of the wounded dying from cold and exposure.</p> + +<p>The rebels were now deserting at the rate of one hundred per day. The +fall of Charleston was announced, causing gloom in the rebel army, but +great rejoicing in ours, and the men now looked forward to the end of +the war, it being currently reported that the enemy were to evacuate +Petersburg and Richmond. Nearly four years had passed, and now our flag +was floating over the battered walls of Fort Sumter and Charleston where +the ordinance of secession was first passed. General Sherman was moving +rapidly northward, and news of victories were constantly reaching us. +The fall of Wilmington was their last important place, and they were now +cornered, not knowing which way to move. The officers were now deserting +as well as the men, bringing with them their side-arms and equipments.</p> + +<p>General Grant deemed it of the utmost importance before a general +movement of the armies operating against Richmond, that all +communications North of the James River should be cut off, the enemy +having withdrawn the bulk of their forces from the Shenandoah Valley, +and sent it South up the valley, which, if successful, would accomplish +a great deal towards the capture of Richmond. Ordering General Sheridan +to move on Lynchburg, leaving a sufficient force to look after Mosby and +his guerillas, he started from Winchester on the 27th of Feb. with two +divisions of cavalry numbering five thousand each, and on the 1st of +March he secured the bridge which the enemy attempted to destroy, across +the middle fork of the Shenandoah at Mount Crawford, and entered +Staunton on the 2d, the enemy having retreated to Waynesboro. Thence he +pushed on to that place, where he found the enemy in force in an +entrenched position under General Early, and without stopping to make a +reconnoissance, an immediate attack was ordered, the position carried, +and one thousand six hundred prisoners, eleven pieces of artillery and +seventeen battle flags were captured; the prisoners under a strong +escort were sent back to Winchester. After destroying a vast amount of +property and railroads, he took up his line of march for the White +House, following the canal towards Columbia, destroying every lock upon +it and cutting the banks wherever practicable. He rested at Columbia one +day, and sent information to General Grant of his<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span> whereabouts; an +infantry force was sent to get possession of the White House, with +supplies to meet him. Moving from Columbia in a direction to threaten +Richmond, he crossed both North and South Anna Rivers, and after +destroying all the bridges and many miles of railroad, proceeded down +the north bank of the Pamunkey to White House, which place he reached on +the 19th with his command in safety. After the long march by the cavalry +over Winter roads, it was necessary to rest and refit at the White +House. At this time the greatest uneasiness to the men was, the fear +that Lee would leave his stronghold about Petersburg for the purpose of +uniting with Johnson before driven out, or before our men were ready for +pursuit, as Lee had the interior route and could form with Johnson, and +with their forces combined, whip Sherman before our forces could get up.</p> + +<p>As usual before a campaign, the troops were furnished with new clothing +and extra rations. On the 24th of February the paymasters arrived, and +the troops received four months' pay, their last payment in the field; +but none knew it then, nor had the least idea of the war ending so soon. +General Sheridan's raid had created a panic in Richmond, and Pegram's +division was sent through Richmond at a double quick on Sunday morning, +passing Libby Prison, and was seen by our prisoners; but they returned +the next day, as Gen. Sheridan was safely at the White House strongly +fortified against any attack. The pickets were ordered to watch the +enemy closely, and if they attempted to leave at night, to follow them +up. The 28th of February was the last day of Winter, and was rainy and +disagreeable; the log shanties, or as the men called them, shebangs, +were full of water, as this was the hardest rain there had been in some +time. At division headquarters there were nineteen bounty jumpers +heavily ironed, and under sentence of court martial; it was determined +by the military court that one of them should die as a warning to the +rest. Hicks had been pardoned by the President, and was at his regiment +doing duty. Rebel officers now came in our lines, three and four each +night; when the officers began to desert, there was not much to look for +from the men.</p> + +<p>Of the number of bounty jumpers under sentence of court martial, John +Kelly, from the 67th Pennsylvania, was sentenced to be shot to death +with musketry on Friday, the 10th of March. The rest were punished in +various ways; some of them were sent to the Rip Raps, and others were to +work on the fortifications<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span> around Fortress Monroe. As this was the +first military execution in the division, it was hoped that he would be +pardoned. His friends interposed in his behalf, but all to no purpose, +and the order for his execution was given. The morning of Friday, March +10th, dawned clear and bright, and all were impressed with the solemn +scene. The division was formed in line at nine o'clock about one mile +from camp, to witness the sad event. He had been visited daily by the +priest, and was prepared to die. At 10 o'clock he was led from the +guard-house by the sergeant in charge of the prisoners from the 14th New +Jersey, and the procession moved as follows: First, the band playing the +dead march, followed by the prisoner sitting on his coffin with the +priest and four pall-bearers, and an escort of twenty men marching with +reverse arms to the scene of the execution. The division in line +presented arms. After passing the troops, the band and firing party +filed to the right, the prisoner and pall-bearers to the left. His +sentence was then read to him, and the priest administered the +sacrament; but he seemed totally indifferent, and as unmoved as if a +spectator. He was then placed on his coffin with his arms and eyes +bandaged, and exclaimed, "Fire low, boys, hit me in the heart and kill +me at once." The command was given to fire, and eight balls entered his +body; each one of them would have proved mortal. Four men were reserved +in case he was not killed, but they were not needed, as he was instantly +killed, a warning to all deserters. He was placed in his coffin and +buried where he fell. The arrangements were conducted by the Provost +Marshal, Major Brown; everything was in perfect order, and the division +returned to their quarters.</p> + +<p>It was now evident to all that the end of the rebellion was near at +hand. Johnson was retreating from before Sherman, who, with the forces +of Generals Terry and Schofield combined, was sweeping everything before +them. Charleston and Wilmington in our hands, and all blockade running +stopped, there was no hope for them. The last gun and the last article +from England had reached them, and all hopes of foreign intervention +long since abandoned. With their men deserting by hundreds, and all +communication with Richmond and Petersburg severed, with the exception +of two roads, and those insufficient to supply the armies within the +defences of the rebel capital; the last raid of Sheridan had done them +more injury than any previous one. Our army was large and well equipped, +only waiting for the roads to permit<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span> an advance. The men dreaded a +forward movement, as there was no way of flanking Lee; their works must +be assaulted and carried at an immense loss of life if attempted, but a +decisive blow must be struck and that soon.</p> + +<p>The 17th of March being St. Patrick's day, it was largely celebrated by +the Irish brigade, by racing, tumbling and jumping for the amusement of +the rest; there were several accidents, and one or two were killed. On +the 20th, the 1st division 6th corps was reviewed by General Meade. This +was the finest day there had been in some time and the men presented a +fine appearance. The New Jersey brigade was admired by all for its +precision in marching, and for the noble bearing of the men. Several +major-generals were present; also Admiral Porter. General Wheaton, the +division commander, was mounted on a superb horse, with a splendid +bridle and saddle presented to him by the men. At three o'clock the +review was over, and the men marched back to their quarters.</p> + +<p>All surplus baggage was now sent to the rear, as instructions for a +general movement of the armies operating against Richmond were issued, +and all sutlers, purveyors and citizens were ordered to leave within +twenty-four hours. General Sherman moved from the White House, crossed +the James, and formed a junction with the army of the Potomac in front +of Petersburg.</p> + +<p>The 14th regiment now numbered three hundred men for duty, commanded by +Lieut. Colonel Janeway. The men had but a few months to stay, and were +not anxious to again enter an engagement. The orders from Grant were for +the men to move on the left, for the purpose of turning the enemy from +their position around Petersburg. All preparations were how made for an +immediate advance as soon as the weather would permit. The month of +March with its colds and rains had nearly passed. Gen. Sherman had +reached Goldsboro, and was resting his weary army. Johnson was in +command of Hood's army, but like the army of Lee, his men were deserting +in large numbers, as they deemed their cause lost; but their leaders +determined to hold on to the last, and then, if unsuccessful, to leave +the country.</p> + +<p>The 6th corps had been so far recruited that it numbered nearly twenty +thousand men. After the battle of Monocacy the 14th numbered but +ninety-five men for duty. The regiment had been repeatedly recruited, +and now, with three hundred men and eighteen officers, was ready for the +campaign. A great many of<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span> the men had received furloughs, but there +were some who had not seen their homes since enlisting. Of the number +that had left New Jersey nearly three years before, there but few +remained; numbers had been killed, and numbers were at their homes +discharged on account of wounds. At the hospitals many poor fellows lay +in pain that would willingly rejoin their comrades if able; there were +scarcely any of the old boys left that had not been wounded.</p> + +<p>On the 23d of March, Lee passed along the whole line of the rebel army, +inspecting and reviewing the troops. There was very little display of +the old enthusiasm with which his presence was wont to be greeted, as +the men were discouraged and saw no farther use of fighting. Desertions +were still numerous, and a new arrangement was made by the rebel +officers; instead of details from the several regiments as heretofore, a +whole regiment was placed at once on picket. They believed that this +would prevent desertions. But this new device was wholly without effect, +as whole companies would desert at once, bringing with them their arms +and equipments.</p> + +<p>The troops were all in their respective positions, with no positive +orders to move, nor was it scarcely thought that the enemy would dare +attack our position. Early on the morning of the 25th of March, when +least expected, they assaulted our lines in front of the 9th corps, and +so unexpected was the attack, that ere our men could recover from their +surprise the enemy had captured Fort Steadman and part of the line to +the right and left of it, established themselves and turned the guns of +the fort upon us. But the troops on either flank held their ground until +the reserves were brought up, and after a desperate battle the enemy was +driven back with heavy loss in killed and wounded, and two thousand +prisoners. They paid dearly for their advance, as it was their intention +to break our lines, if possible. General Meade at once ordered the other +corps to advance and feel the enemy in their respective fronts. The +campaign had now commenced, which soon ended in the downfall of the +rebellion. It was hastened by the enemy, as General Grant would not have +moved so soon.</p> + +<p>The whole army was now in motion and winter quarters abandoned; pushing +forward, the 2nd and 6th corps captured and held the enemy's strongly +intrenched picket line with heavy loss. The enemy made desperate +attempts to retake this line but without success; our losses were heavy +but the enemy's still greater. Ever<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span> since General Grant halted in front +of Petersburg, General Lee had been watching for some weak point in our +lines where he might hope for success, and not waste his men against our +strongly fortified line. He took his time because it was necessary to be +very careful, he could not afford to lose a chance or a single man and +yet this point where he made his attack was apparently on the +supposition that Gen. Grant had weakened his lines to help Sherman, as +his attack was in heavy force; but the whole affair was a splendid one +for us as they were repulsed with great slaughter, their loss in killed, +wounded and prisoners amounting to nearly six thousand men, and this at +that time was a terrible loss to Lee. The nights were spent with anxiety +by the men, lest each morning should bring the report that the enemy had +retreated during the night before. It was firmly believed that Lee would +retreat, and with Johnson and him combined, a long, tedious and +expensive campaign consuming most of the Summer, would become necessary. +By moving out of quarters, the army would be in a better condition for +pursuit, and would at least by the destruction of the Danville Railroad, +retard the concentration of the two armies of Generals Lee and Johnson, +and cause the enemy to abandon much material that they might otherwise +save.</p> + +<p>It was not fully ascertained at first the amount of damage done by the +enemy in their attack on the 25th. They had massed four divisions under +General Gordon, and when our men were asleep, made a furious attack on +our line in front of the 9th corps, capturing the fort and guns, and at +the same time they attacked Fort Haskell, but were repulsed with heavy +loss. President Lincoln and lady were present, and witnessed the fight +at a distance. For several days, the division commanded by General +Gordon had held a position in front of the 9th corps, and at midnight +they were silently and promptly formed for a charge; everything was now +ready, and the order forward was given without raising an alarm or a +suspicion. The rebel troops were out safely to their line of works +thrown up for the protection of their skirmishers. At a given signal +they bounded over these works and rapidly cutting gaps in our <i>Chevaux +de Frise</i>, pressed on with a yell towards our lines. The attack being +sudden and totally unexpected, and made in almost overwhelming force, +caused our skirmish line to give way before our reserves could get up. +The rebels, confident of success, pressed on with vigor and succeeded in +breaking our<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span> line at a point near Fort Steadman; reaching our abattis +they poured a terrific volley in our lines, breaking through on the +left; they captured the fort by charging from the rear. So rapidly was +this accomplished that the officer in command of the fort was captured +with a portion of his men. Re-enforcements soon arrived from the other +corps, and a terrible volley was poured into the enemy's ranks, who were +now bent only on plunder; they could not long remain under such heavy +fire and at last were compelled to fall back. Our infantry flanked the +fort and cut off a large body of the rebel troops, that were commanded +in person by Gen. Gordon, who led the attack. As they fell back they +were literally slaughtered by our men, as grape and cannister were +poured in their retreating ranks. This was their last hope, and +crest-fallen, they fell back to their lines with a loss of over six +thousand men.</p> + +<p>Just four hours after the repulse of the rebel attack on the right of +our line, the thunder of artillery and the crash of musketry again +rolled loudly on the chilly March air. This time, however, everything +was changed, the sound came from the left, not from the right; we were +now the attacking party, not the rebels, and the ground we won was not +recovered by them. General Grant, angry at their boldness, determined to +let them know that the Potomac army was yet as ready as ever, and the +6th corps, which never knew the word fail, was ordered to the assault +for the purpose of preventing the rebels from massing their troops, and +at the same time to ascertain if possible their strength; advancing in +three lines, the enemy's entire skirmish line was captured. They had +erected a number of rifle pits in front of their main line; they were +driven out of these works and compelled to fall back or else be +captured; several surrendered at once as they were anxious to enter our +lines. The position from which the attack was made by the 6th corps, was +at the left of our line and near Fort Fisher; the thirty pound guns +doing terrible execution. At two o'clock in the morning, Major-General +Wright and staff reached Fort Fisher, where he was joined by Generals +Wheaton, Seymour, Getty, Keifer and other 6th corps officers. The picket +line was now held by the 10th Vermont and 14th New Jersey, supported by +the 110th and 122d Ohio regiments. The order forward was given, and the +first assault was made by the 10th and 14th, under command of Colonel +George B. Davison, of the 10th Vermont. The rebel position was charged +with great gallantry and success, entering and occupying the line +assaulted. The rebels<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span> were now aware of the weakness of the attacking +party, as the two regiments advanced, and they soon massed a column of +troops to drive them back; but the 3d division of the 6th corps was on +hand and gave them such a volley that they fell back in confusion, and +the entire line remained in our possession. The loss in the 14th +regiment was comparatively small, as the fighting did not continue long. +The artillery in the different forts by this time became warmly engaged +with the rebel batteries, and a company of the 9th N. Y. Heavy +Artillery, of the 3d division, sent a shell with such accuracy as to +blow up a caisson in one of the rebel forts; shells were screaming +through the air, and away to the left volleys of musketry told that the +2nd corps was now heavily engaged. Part of the 3d division was placed on +the left of the line with the 2d corps. It was composed of the 10th +Vermont, 14th New Jersey, 110th and 122d Ohio, 6th Maryland and part of +the 9th N. York Heavy Artillery; this composed nearly all the 2d +brigade, with two regiments from the 1st brigade.</p> + +<p>The line was now formed for another assault, and when everything was in +readiness the flag of the 1st brigade of Colonel Truex was waved as a +signal to move forward. From the parapet of Fort Fisher the blue cross +of the 3d division, 6th corps, waved, and from thousands of brave men +about to risk life and limb came back a ringing cheer, and as onward +they swept many a God-speed followed them. The batteries on both sides +were hard at work, and not many minutes elapsed before the sharper ring +of small arms was heard.</p> + +<p>The line was fast closing on the rebel position, and their outer works +were soon reached. Major Prentiss, from the 6th Maryland, was the first +to enter their works. Scores of rebels preferred capture to running +away, and as soon as they saw our troops inside of their lines, they +threw down their arms and gave themselves up as prisoners of war. The +loss on both sides was heavy; the 14th, as usual, fought well, losing +their share of men in killed and wounded. The result of this fight +proved that the enthusiasm and energy of Lee's troops had dwindled down +to zero. They fought like hopeless, not desperate, men; the spirit which +animated them two years ago had been broken by repeated defeats, and +tamed by short rations. The new position gained was, on Sunday morning, +March 26, held by the entire 6th corps, ready to repel any attack the +enemy would make. The 14th was again on picket, and the long night +passed slowly away, without a shot<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span> along the entire line; the enemy was +badly beaten and was quiet the rest of the night. Our men fought +splendidly and successfully, and at night there was a wide-spread +enthusiasm among the troops at the glorious success of the day. The +enemy began the sanguinary work.</p> + +<p>The Spring campaign was now opened with favorable auspices to our side, +with a prospect of soon ending the war. The ground gained by the 6th +corps was held during the next three days, the lines having been +advanced one mile and a half from our former position. The 14th was now +relieved from picket; tired and weary, the men lay down to sleep, having +had none for nearly three days. The rebel dead, as they lay strewn +around, were but skin and bone, a fact not to be wondered at, when it is +remembered that for the last six months their chief article of diet had +been a small quantity of corn meal daily.</p> + +<p>From the night of the 29th to the morning of the 31st, the rain fell in +such torrents as to make it impossible to move a wheeled vehicle, except +when corduroy roads were laid in front of them. On the 30th, General +Sheridan had advanced as far as Five Forks, where he found the enemy in +force, and awaited re-enforcements. In the meantime, the 2d and 6th +corps were holding the line they had captured without any farther +fighting, awaiting orders to advance. The men were now confident that +the enemy's main works could be carried, and were clamorous to be led +on; but the rain and roads would not permit an advance.</p> + +<p>On the morning of April 1st, General Sheridan, re-enforced by the 5th +corps, drove the enemy back on Five Forks, capturing all their artillery +and six thousand prisoners. In front of the 2d and 6th corps there was +nothing but picket firing during the day; at night a heavy cannonade +commenced, and was kept up until morning. Gen. Grant now ordered an +attack along the entire line; accordingly, the 6th corps was massed and +formed in three divisions. At three o'clock on Sunday morning, without a +noise, the column was formed for a charge, with the 9th corps in reserve +to follow the 6th, if successful. General Sheridan, with his cavalry and +the 5th corps, were to attack at the same time, the result being well +known to our readers. At four o'clock the order to move forward was +given, and the 3d division in advance, with a yell charged the enemy's +works, and their entire line was captured with many prisoners and guns. +The 6th corps swept everything before them; the wildest enthusiasm +prevailed, and the men<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span> fought reckless of life and limb. Three thousand +prisoners were captured by the 6th corps alone. There was a tremendous +struggle during the day in woods, fields, hills and valleys, and on the +roads and creeks a few miles south and west of Petersburg, and from +twenty to thirty miles beyond the rebel Capital; never was such a scene +presented to the eye. The whole rebel army was now in full retreat +before our victorious troops. Petersburg was captured by the 6th corps +and the Southside road reached and torn up for many miles. The result of +this day's fight was the capture of Petersburg with twelve thousand +prisoners, many thousand stand of arms, and the utter rout of the rebel +army. The most wicked of all rebellions had now absolutely received its +death-blow, and was so positively crushed that no power on earth could +save it. Lee's retreat proved an utter rout. At midnight on Sunday, +Richmond was evacuated, Jeff. Davis taking the rail for Danville; the +lower portion of the city was burned and totally destroyed. For four +long years had our brave men fought, and now the rebel Capital was in +our possession, General Wetsell entering and occupying it on Monday +morning at daylight. The rebel army seemed to hold together feebly +before the battles, but the fierce struggle of Saturday and Sunday had +completely used them up. We had taken twelve thousand prisoners in the +two days, and there were twelve thousand more killed and wounded. Only +one-half of Lee's army was now left; such a force could not long stand +alone with a victorious army in pursuit. It was now Lee's intention to +join Johnson if possible, and such a run would cost them ten thousand +more men.</p> + +<p>While the 6th corps was holding the captured picket line without much +fighting, there was severe fighting on the left of the line. It was +reserved for this corps to divide the formidable rebel army, which for +so many months defied our power to drive them from the city of +Petersburg. There were two objects in view; one to create a division in +favor of Gen. Sheridan, and the other to cut the rebel army in two and +destroy the far-famed Southside road. The first notice given the men was +at nine o'clock, when a dispatch came from Gen. Meade, telling of the +success of Gen. Sheridan on the left, and his heavy capture of +prisoners, and ordered the troops to be massed at three o'clock on +Sunday morning as was heretofore stated, and charge the rebel line. The +pickets were also ordered to advance in front of the different +divisions, but did not succeed in arousing a suspicion among them<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span> that +we were to attack. The rebels showed how far they were from suspecting a +movement, by calling out to know if we were celebrating April fool's day +at that time in the morning. The order given for the assault was carried +out very punctually, owing to the fact that the greater the surprise the +greater would be our chance of success; the troops therefore moved +outside of the works at two o'clock. The moon had gone down, and the +night was intensely dark; a thin chilly mist arose from the ground, +which served still farther to conceal our movements from the enemy. On +the extreme left of the line was the 1st brigade, with Colonel Truex in +command, and the 14th New Jersey on the right of the brigade under +Colonel Janeway. In forming the line, it was Gen. Wright's intention to +attack in such overwhelming force that failure would be impossible; then +when the column had made good its entrance into the rebel works, the +divisions on the right and left might deploy, and drive the enemy from +their works as effectually as if a fresh corps had attacked. To +co-operate with the attacking column, Gen. Park, with the 9th corps, was +held in reserve, while Sheridan, far away to the left, was thundering on +their flank. Just before the attack, Gen. Wright and staff rode up to +the picket line; a match was struck and the time ascertained; it wanted +just fifteen minutes of four o'clock, and an officer was sent back to +Fort Fisher with orders to fire a signal gun exactly at four o'clock. A +few shots were fired by the enemy as the match was struck, and then all +was still; no object was visible at a distance of a few yards, and of +the thousands of men massed, not one could be seen by the enemy's line.</p> + +<p>Suddenly a bright flash leaped out into the darkness, and a loud report +from a twelve pounder rolled in the air; a minute elapsed and a similar +sound came from the left some ten miles away, telling that the signal +was understood. The veterans of the different divisions were now pushed +forward, and the dull crash of musketry and the flash of artillery told +that the battle had begun. The enemy was surprised, but soon rallied, +and a terrific strife now took place. The entire line from right to left +was heavily engaged. Daylight dawned slowly to the men, whose hearts +were already relieved, as it was noticed that the enemy's firing became +more feeble. Gen. Wright's assertion was fulfilled, that he would go +through them like a knife, as their entire line was captured, together +with thousands of prisoners, numerous pieces of artillery and many +battle flags. It was the most complete<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span> achievement of the war, and the +first rays of the morning's sun beamed on the ramparts of the captured +forts with the rebel army in full retreat. To retain what we had gained +was necessary to gain more; for this purpose, the 3rd division was +deployed to the left from forts on other parts of the line. The rebels +were already firing on our men, and it was necessary to capture those +forts and silence the guns. The two brigades under command of Colonels +Truex and Keifer, pushed gallantly forward, and Gen. Wright after +assuring himself of the safety of that part of the line, turned his +attention to the left. The division took possession of a portion of the +rebel lines, and soon struck the Southside road, destroying it for over +ten miles. Later in the day when our men had completely cleared the +rebels out of that part of the line, the work of destroying the road was +resumed. General Seymour continued pushing toward the rebels left with +the 3d division, and at one point had as severe a fight as any which +occurred during the day. The rebels had a battery of six guns, two +twenty pounders and four light field pieces, which they served in +magnificent style. Our line was rapidly advanced and a charge made by +the 1st brigade, and six more guns were added to the number already +captured. From this point our progress to the left was comparatively +easy, as the enemy were in full retreat. Soon a line of glittering +bayonets were seen advancing towards us, and Major-General Gibbons +informed Gen. Wright that the advancing column belonged to the 24th +corps.</p> + +<p>The 6th corps had by this time reached the vicinity of Hatcher's Run, +and it was decided to right-about-face and march for Petersburg by the +Boydton Plank Road. The troops had but commenced moving towards +Petersburg, when a hearty cheer was given by the rear regiments. The +cause was soon ascertained to be the arrival of Lieut. General Grant and +staff, and as soon as the soldiers saw the Lieutenant-General, they +shouted, "Boys, here's General Grant, three cheers for him," and all +along the line as he rode on his black horse, Jeff. Davis, the men +cheered him with the wildest enthusiasm; he rode with head uncovered, +and bowed his thanks for the soldiers' hearty greeting. On seeing +Generals Wright, Seymour, Wheaton and other 6th corps officers, he shook +hands with great heartiness, and after spending a short time in +conversation, he proceeded towards Petersburg, the corps following +rapidly. On reaching the place, preparations were at once commenced to +attack the works immediately surrounding<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span> Petersburg. For this purpose +Gen. Seymour of the 3d division was sent forward to the right of the +line; Gen. Getty to the centre, and Gen. Wheaton to the left. Artillery +was put into position, and soon the battle raged with even greater fury +than in the morning. The rebels seemed determined to defend their forts +to the last, but nothing could withstand the tried valor of General +Wright's troops. The long lines were gradually closed on the forts and +garrisons, and they were compelled to give way before the hard fighting +of the 6th corps. Until after nightfall the contest continued, and the +fate of Petersburg was decided. Major C. K. Prentiss, of the 6th +Maryland, was the first to enter the rebel works, but was unfortunately +shot through the chest a short time afterward. A rebel lieutenant was +picked up wounded, who gave his name as Lieut. Prentiss, of the 2d +Maryland regiment; he was a younger brother of the major, whom he had +not seen since the rebellion broke out; they were both placed in the +hospital together, and their wounds dressed. The meeting between the +brothers was very affecting, causing many to shed tears. Our losses in +killed and wounded, considering the hard fighting, were very light, as +the rebels aimed too high for their fire to be destructive. Night found +us in the possession of Petersburg, with an immense quantity of stores +and ammunition that the enemy had left in their haste. Lee with the +remnant of his army, had fled in the direction of Danville, a +demoralized disheartened force. The loss in the 14th did not exceed one +hundred in killed and wounded. The troops fought well, but none better +than the 14th New Jersey. Led by a brave officer, Lieut.-Colonel +Janeway, they with the rest caused many a rebel to bite the dust, and +with about one hundred and fifty men left, participated in the attack.</p> + +<p>The charge of Major-Gen. Wright's veterans under cover of the darkness +and mist, preceding the break of day, will forever live in history as +one of the grandest and most sublime actions of the war. With +irresistible force they broke through the rebel line, in which months of +labor had been expended, and then turning the rebel guns on other +hostile forts, they swept along the rebel line for a distance of five +miles, capturing men, guns and colors. When it is remembered how much +depended on them, and what would have been the consequence if they +failed, the country will treasure as household words the names of +Wright, Getty, Seymour, Wheaton, and other generals who led the +oft-tried but never defeated men of the 6th corps to victory, on the +morning of Sunday, April 2d.</p> + +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span>Under cover of the darkness on Sunday night, Lee withdrew the remnant of +his army and fell back across the Appomattox. The bridge across the +river was partially burned by them, but the flames were soon +extinguished by our troops, who commenced entering Petersburg shortly +after sunrise on Monday morning, and were objects of great curiosity to +the negroes of the city. They capered around our men in a most ludicrous +manner, and at every fresh arrival yelled out, "Dar comes de clebber +yankees." The stores were all closed, and the city seemed to have left +off doing business. Our enterprising news boys entered the city along +with the soldiers, and almost before the rear guard of the rebels had +crossed the river, the New York Herald, of March 31st, was sold in the +streets of Petersburg.</p> + +<p>The final movement in pursuit of the balance of Lee's army commenced at +daylight. It was General Grant's intention to use them up entirely in +case the charge of the 6th corps should prove a success, and accordingly +the 2d, 5th, 6th and 24th corps, together with the cavalry under General +Sheridan, were put in motion to find the rebels. The camps around +Petersburg were left, and the whole of the grand army of the Potomac was +fairly en route by eight o'clock, with all their teams, ambulances, pack +mules, droves of cattle, and all other necessities for campaigning. +After long weary waiting around Petersburg for nearly nine months, the +change was agreeable, and the recent victories added considerably to the +good spirits of the men. The country passed through was in a fine state +of cultivation, and the bright green of early vegetation looked very +cheerful when contrasted with the brown sandy waste we had looked on for +so long a time. The 6th corps moved in the following order: Getty's +division ahead, Wheaton in the centre, and Seymour with the 3d division +in the rear.</p> + +<p>During the day the troops marched forty miles; night found the advance +at Mount Pleasant Church. Hundreds of rebels had been picked up on the +march. The roads were very muddy from the recent rains, and on no other +occasion could the men have marched as far, but all knew the necessity +of capturing Lee's army, and all were willing to do their best. During a +temporary halt in the afternoon, Gen. Meade passed the 6th corps on his +way to the front. He was recognized by the men and greeted with loud and +enthusiastic cheers; for a short time the scene was one that could be +better imagined than described, so great was the<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span> enthusiasm inspired by +the presence of the Commander of the army of the Potomac. Caps were +waved and cheers given in a manner which is only heard and seen where +thousands of soldiers are greeting a commander who has won their +confidence and esteem. General Meade returned the greeting of the 6th +corps by repeated bows, although compelled to bestow considerable +attention on the management of the spirited horse he was riding. On +reaching the spot where Gen. Wright was standing, he reined in his +horse, and said to him, laughingly, "The 6th corps men are in such good +spirits that they seem determined to break my neck;" to which the +General replied, that "He imagined they were proud of their success," +when Gen. Meade, with much feeling said, "Yes, we all know, <i>and the +country shall know</i>, that the 6th corps did the business; to them we owe +our success in breaking the rebel line, and we feel very grateful to +them for it."</p> + +<p>On the 6th at daylight, the 2d, 5th and 6th corps were at Burksville +Station, and Lee was near Amelia Court House. The enemy again made a +stand, when they were attacked by General Sheridan with his cavalry, and +the 1st and 3d divisions of the 6th corps. A desperate battle was again +fought, which resulted in the capture of six rebel generals, Ewell, +Pegram, Barton, DeBoise, Corse and Fitz Hugh Lee, several thousand +prisoners, fourteen pieces of artillery, and thousands of small arms. +Lee's army was now closely pressed, and nothing could save him from +capture. The troops moving down the road on a parallel with the enemy, +they were again attacked at Sailor's Creek. The 3d division in advance +was moved up the road held by the enemy, which was carried by the +division. By this time Wheaton's division was put into position as +rapidly as possible on the left of the line. While these operations were +going on, similar ones were occurring at other points. By bold and +strategic movements Grant had almost surrounded Lee, and his surrender +was speedily looked for. The men were exhausted and needed rest, but +there was none until Lee's army had been captured. The lines of the 1st +and 3d divisions were again advanced, and swept down the road for a +distance of two miles. Arriving at a deep and difficult creek, the enemy +were found in line on the opposite side; they were immediately attacked +and driven back from Sailor's Creek. In this engagement our loss was +heavy, especially in the 1st division, as the men were compelled to +cross under heavy fire. The 14th was now rapidly diminished in numbers, +with only about 100 men<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span> left; but those that were left were as full of +fight as ever. The rebel General A. P. Hill was killed in front of +Petersburg while urging on his men; his loss was felt by them, as he was +one of their leading corps commanders. Ewell was in our hands, and of +the four leading generals of the rebel army, Lee and Longstreet only +were left.</p> + +<p>The pursuit was kept up the entire week following the capture of +Richmond and Petersburg, in which the troops marched over two hundred +miles. It was soon found that the enemy had fled from Sailor's Creek to +the north side of the Appomattox; but so close was the pursuit that our +forces secured the bridge, and immediately crossed the 6th corps at +Farmersville. Feeling that Gen. Lee's chance of escape was utterly +hopeless, and his men dropping out at every mile, the following dispatch +was sent to him by General Grant;</p> + +<p class="blockquot"> +<span class="smcap">To Robert Lee, Com'g Army of C. S. of America:</span></p> + +<p class="blockquot"><span class="smcap">General:</span></p> + +<p class="blockquot">The result of the last week must convince you of the hopelessness of +further resistance on the part of the army of Northern Virginia. In +this struggle I feel that it is so, and regard it as my duty to +shift from myself the responsibility of any further effusion of +blood, by asking of you the surrender of that portion of the +Confederate States army known as the army of Northern Virginia.</p> + +<p class="bqright">U. S. GRANT,<br /> +Lieut. General.<br /> +</p> + +<p>To this General Lee replied:</p> + +<p class="blockquot">I received your note of this date. Though not entertaining the +opinion you express on the hopelessness of further resistance on the +part of the army of Northern Virginia, I reciprocate your desire to +avoid useless effusion of blood, and therefore will treat with you +on terms of surrender.</p> + +<p class="bqright"> +R. E. LEE,<br /> +General.</p> + +<p>While this correspondence was carried on, the troops were not idle, and +Sunday morning found both armies again in line at Appomattox Court +House. Writing and fighting at the same time, General Grant showed that +he was more than a match for Lee; just as he would have stopped any +attempt on Lee's part to escape through his lines, so he stopped his +attempt to escape from him. In the afternoon an arrangement was made for +an interview with the rebel General. General Grant offered to parole all +of Lee's army, and give the officers their side arms and private +property. Lee at once accepted this proposition and the fighting ceased, +and the war was practically ended; so in a few days, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span> by means of a +few short letters, the dreadful contest which had disturbed the country +for four years, was brought to a close, and the whole rebel army was in +our hands.</p> + +<p>The troops were fighting at Appomattox Court House, and knew nothing of +the correspondence of Grant and Lee, when orders came for a suspension +of hostilities for two hours. At two o'clock in the afternoon General +Meade rode along the lines, and with hat in hand, exclaimed, "Boys, Lee +has surrendered." At first it was not credited, but coming from the +mouth of General Meade, it could not be doubted, and one continuous +shout was given. The men were in ecstasies, and could scarcely restrain +themselves; tremendous cheers were given and caps were thrown in the +air. Men hugged and squeezed each other, and all felt that the war was +over.</p> + +<p>The stipulations for the surrender were carried into effect, and the +rebel army was no longer an organized body of men. Twenty-five thousand +men were all that were left, and ten thousand of them were unarmed. They +were permitted to return to their homes, which they gladly did, and the +army of Northern Virginia ceased to exist. It could scarcely be believed +that Lee had surrendered, and while the men were marching and fighting, +Grant and Lee were in correspondence with each other. Sunday, the 9th of +April, will ever be remembered, especially by the soldiers of the +Potomac army. In the short space of fifteen days, Lee had been driven +from his position in front of Petersburg and compelled to retreat; +Richmond in our possession, and he finally compelled to surrender to +General Grant.</p> + +<p>The 5th corps and one division of cavalry were ordered to remain at +Appomattox Court House, until the paroling of the surrendered army was +completed and to take charge of the public property. The remainder of +the army immediately returned to Petersburg, but were ordered to halt at +Burksville and enter camp; the men were greatly in need of rest and +rations. Once more tents were placed on a line as before. Nothing was +talked of but the recent victories, and the people North were rejoicing; +guns were fired throughout the country in honor of our success. Too much +praise cannot be given to the privates and officers of the Potomac army, +and to our noble leader, Grant.</p> + +<p>With but one hundred men for duty, the 14th entered camp at Burksville, +with bronzed features and soiled garments, covered with Virginia mud; +they looked for a speedy return to their<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span> homes. All that was possible +for them to do they had done, and New Jersey cannot but be proud of such +a noble band of heroic men. Commencing on the river from which the +Potomac army derived its name, until the surrender of Lee at Appomattox +Court House, Virginia, all have a proud record for having done their +full share in restoring our Union as it was.</p> + +<p>Johnson had not yet surrendered, and as each day passed reports were +circulated among the men, that the Potomac army was to march in his +rear. Scarcely had the men commenced to rejoice at their success, when +there came a blow that was more terrible than any defeat. In camp at +Burkesville the men little knew what calamity was to befall the nation. +A dispatch was sent from Washington that our beloved President had been +assassinated. Our noble leader who for the last four years had guided +our nation in the midst of war was foully stricken down by the +assassin's hand. Rejoicing was turned into mourning, and the men when +fully aware that Lincoln was no more, were clamorous to move on Gen. +Johnson, and with vows of vengeance, determined if possible to avenge +his death. Gloom now prevailed among the men, as he was beloved by +friend and foe. But a few days before he was at the front, and by his +presence cheered the men on to victory; now he lay in the cold embrace +of death. The Southern leaders, now fleeing from their homes, were the +instigators of this horrible crime. All business was suspended in the +army on the day of his burial. Jeff. Davis had fled, and at Danville +stopped long enough to make a speech. He told his followers that their +cause was not yet lost; that the rebel capital had been evacuated for +the purpose of concentrating their armies; he did not then know that Lee +had surrendered his army to Grant. Remaining a few hours at Danville he +proceeded South, and was finally captured in the disguise of a female—a +fitting end for such a leader.</p> + +<p>The men were now anxious to move towards Washington and be mustered out, +as the Potomac army had done its duty; but Johnson had still a large +army, and was in consultation with Gen. Sherman in regard to a +surrender, but no terms could be agreed upon, and it was determined to +crush him. Accordingly, the 6th corps and Sheridan's cavalry were +ordered to move on his rear. On Sunday night, April 23d, the corps was +ordered to be ready to move at daylight, which way the men knew not, but +it was supposed for Washington; but the men soon found out that they +had<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span> a hard march before them to Danville, one hundred and twenty miles +distant. In four days the march was made; the sun was very warm, and the +men suffered very much. General Wright, wishing to win more glory, was +anxious to fall on Johnson's rear. He marched the men very fast, until +he was bitterly cursed by them, and with blistered feet and weary limbs +the men plodded on in dust and sun, and were loud in their complaints +against Wright for marching so fast. When in pursuit of Lee, the men +deemed it necessary and did not murmur, but marching thirty miles a day, +for four successive days was more than human nature could bear, when it +was unnecessary. Water was very scarce; often ten and twelve miles were +passed without meeting a stream or well of any kind. Danville was +reached by the 1st division at noon on the fourth day, and was quietly +taken possession of by Gen. Hamlin's brigade. The Union army had never +marched that way, and the Yanks were an object of curiosity to the +negroes. There was considerable of rolling stock in the place which had +not been moved, and was captured. The troops marched through the place +and encamped on the outskirts of the town. One day was given the men to +rest, and orders issued to move again. The corps was but forty miles +from Johnson, and in two days would have been thundering on his rear. +Gen. Wright was very anxious that the corps should win new laurels, but +the men were not, as they had won enough, for if anything was done, the +praise was given the officers and not the men, when they did the work.</p> + +<p>The troops were in camp but a few hours, when a dispatch was received by +General Wright with the news of Johnson's surrender; the men were formed +in line and the dispatch read to them. All knew that their marching and +fighting was done, and cheers were given for Sherman and his noble army; +each battery was ordered to fire a salute of thirty-two guns, and the +bands ordered to play national airs. The war was now over and right glad +were the men of it. Home was now talked of, but the men were too weary +to rejoice much. The campaign, from winter quarters to the surrender of +Lee and the march to Danville, had been a hard one. Thirty miles a day +when the war was over was more than the men of the 6th corps wished for, +and Gen. Wright lost much of the respect due him, as he was in command, +and such marching was needless.</p> + +<p>Danville is a town of some importance, forty miles from Goldsboro,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span> the +scene of Johnson's surrender. Had he not surrendered as soon as he did, +he would have heard the thunder of the artillery and musketry of the 6th +corps in his rear in less than forty-eight hours; but the men were not +anxious to move further south, and remained quietly in camp. At this +place the rebels had a large house where the Union prisoners were kept. +The graveyard where they were buried was visited by the men; the most of +them had died of starvation and cruel treatment. About seven thousand +were crowded in a small lot; it will ever remain a curse to the South, +showing the cruel treatment our men received at their hands.</p> + +<p>The troops remained in camp at Danville until the 16th of May, when +orders came to move; leaving camp at four in the morning, marching +through Danville, and placed on baggage cars, riding one hundred and +sixty miles all day and all night, to Richmond. The day was warm and +dusty, and the ride very tedious, as the men were in open cars; crossed +Staunton River on a bridge built by our forces since the occupation of +Danville, passing the old camp at Burksville, reaching Richmond on the +morning of the 17th, and entering camp near Manchester, remained there +eight days. The other corps were at Washington with Sherman's army, and +were paid off and mustered out as rapidly as possible. The 6th corps, +always first in action, was the last to go home; their work was now +done, and all were anxious to return to their homes. Camp life passed +very pleasantly, and passes were given the men to visit Richmond. Rebel +officers and soldiers were numerous, and were loitering around with +feelings of hatred towards the Union soldiers; they were whipped but not +subdued, and to-day the same feeling exists in the South as it did four +years ago.</p> + +<p>The remainder of the troops were now at Washington, and Gen. Wright did +all he could to get transportation for his corps; but the authorities at +Washington were not willing, and the men ware compelled to march. When +Washington was threatened by Early, the 6th corps was transported there +in a hurry; but now the war was over, and with hundreds of transports +lying at City Point, the men were not allowed to ride. The distance was +one hundred and twenty miles, the sun warm and the roads muddy from +recent rains. The 24th army corps of the army of the James was still at +Richmond doing guard duty, with headquarters at the former residence of +Jeff. Davis.</p> + +<p>On Monday, March 24, the corps was ordered to move for<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span> Washington, +marching out at three o'clock, passing in review at Manchester and at +Richmond, crossing the James on pontoons. After marching through the +principal streets, the troops took the road to Washington, marching that +day twenty miles, the roads in some places almost impassable, several +teams sticking in the mud; passed the works thrown up by McClellan in +the Peninsula campaign, crossing the Chickahominy River and Stony Creek, +and halting for the night at Hanover Court House. We moved out the next +day on the same road the army was on one year ago; then after the enemy, +trying to take Richmond, now with the war over, bound for home. The day +was very warm, and the men fell out by hundreds; many were sunstruck, +several dying. At night the column halted at Chesterfield Station, +having marched twenty miles since morning.</p> + +<p>On the 29th the rain fell in torrents, wetting the men to the skin; the +roads were in a horrible condition, the mud knee-deep. The weather had +suddenly changed and it was very cold; the men were as wet as they could +be. At 9 o'clock the troops moved out; the marching was very slow as the +men ware nearly worn out, having done nothing but march since last +winter quarters. But ten miles were made that day, the men entering camp +at dark. Shelter tents were hastily put up, but the damp ground was a +hard place to lie for tired and weary man, but the men did not care, as +the war was over and they were homeward bound. The corps was now stuck +in the mud and could not move; this was the last march, and a hard one +it was. The men lay in camp until the roads were nearly dried, which did +not take long, as the sandy roads of Virginia did not long remain muddy +with the hot sun to dry them; two days were spent in camp. Six days were +given Gen. Wright to march from Richmond to Washington, but it could not +be done. The rations were giving out, the men having nothing but +hard-tack and coffee.</p> + +<p>On Monday, the 29th, the roads were in better condition, and the troops +moved out. The day was cool, marching in eight hours twenty miles to +Fredericksburg, arriving there at noon, crossed the Mat Ta Po and Nye +Rivers, these four streams forming the Mattapony River. Headquarters +were near the city on the Heights where Generals Burnside and Hooker +fought in '62 and '63. The next day the march was resumed, the 3d +division in the rear, passed through Fredericksburg, a very pretty +place, but now nearly every house bore the marks of shells; the place +was in a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span> very dilapidated condition. The column crossed the +Rappahannock on pontoons, marching sixteen miles, wading Aquia Creek, +camping in a field at four o'clock. On the 31st, the 3d division was in +the centre, marching eighteen miles very fast, arriving in camp at three +o'clock. Hard-tack, coffee and sugar were issued the men at night. On +June 1st the headquarter wagons were sent ahead, marching eighteen +miles, and encamping near Fairfax Court House. The next day fourteen +miles were made, passing the Potomac army lying quietly in their camp, +anxiously awaiting orders to be mustered out. Tents were pitched on a +line at Bailey's Cross Roads, eight miles from Washington, having been +ten days coming from Richmond, two days stuck in the mud.</p> + +<p>The marching and fighting were now over, and the men entered camp with +the expectation of soon seeing their homes. The remaining corps were +soon mustered out as rapidly as possible, and the officers of the +different regiments were working day and night on the muster rolls. The +weather was very warm and dry, and rations poor. The nearer the troops +were to Washington the poorer were the rations they had to eat. The +detached men from the regiment were now ordered back, and the new +recruits transferred to the 2d New Jersey with two hundred and thirty +men; all that remained of the old 14th New Jersey were ready to return +home.</p> + +<p>On Thursday, June 8th, the 6th corps was reviewed in Washington in +presence of President Johnson and other leading officials. At four +o'clock in the morning the men moved out of camp, marching to +Washington. At nine o'clock the column was formed; the men were neatly +brushed, with muskets in fine order and wearing white gloves, crossing +Long Bridge and passing in review down Pennsylvania avenue. The sun was +intensely hot, and in the crowded streets the men suffered very much; +many were sunstruck and died. The men were not used to pavements, nor to +marching in close order. After the review the troops returned to their +respective camps, having marched twenty miles since leaving camp; it was +more than a day's march, and very hard on the men. Soon the muster rolls +were ready, and were sent into headquarters for inspection; they were +pronounced correct, and preparations were made to muster out the men as +soon as possible. The rolls of the 14th were ready first, and they were +the first to leave for their homes.</p> + +<p>Seventeen days had elapsed since the corps arrived at Washington.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span> On +the afternoon of June 19th, the regiment was formed in line and marched +to headquarters, and was mustered out of the United States service. +Soldiering in the field was now done, and with happy hearts the men +returned to their quarters. At midnight the long roll was beaten and the +regiment ordered to move at daylight, marching to Washington, passing +through Georgetown. The men were placed on baggage cars, but did not get +off until night, arriving in Philadelphia on the morning of the 21st. A +good breakfast was given the men by the Volunteer Refreshment Saloon. +Three cheers for the ladies of Philadelphia were given, and the regiment +marched to the ferry, crossing over to Camden and taking the cars for +Trenton, forty miles distant, arriving at noon. The ladies of the place +gave the war-worn veterans a hearty welcome and a warm reception. A +splendid dinner was provided, and the men enjoyed it much; such a dinner +was indeed a feast, such as the men had not seen for many a long day, +after which they were marched to the barracks and ordered in. At first +they refused to go, but the promise of a speedy payment was +satisfactory, and the men entered, remaining all night; the next day +forming in line and marching through the principal streets; everywhere +the regiment was greeted with cheers. Another dinner was served, and +speeches made by Governor Parker, Lieut.-Colonel Hall, and others. The +men then returned to the barracks, and passes were given them for five +days. All were in good spirits, and were glad they were again in their +native State.</p> + +<p>The regiment had bean gone nearly three years, leaving New Jersey with +nine hundred and fifty active men; two hundred and thirty returned. +During that time, having participated in numerous battles and +skirmishes, fighting each time with that bravery for which the New +Jersey troops were noted for. In that time the regiment had traveled by +rail one thousand and fifty miles, by water six hundred and twenty-eight +miles, and on foot two thousand and fifteen miles. At the expiration of +five days the men returned, and on the 20th of June, 1865, received +their final payment by Major Newell, after passing through almost +incredible hardships, participating in all the battles of the Potomac +Army from Gettysburg to the surrender of Lee, leaving more than one half +of their men on Southern soil, their bones now bleaching in the sun. The +men were soon to separate and return to their homes. The clash of arms +and the groans of the wounded and dying would no more be heard, and +those that were<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span> left would soon engage in the active pursuits of life, +and war forgotten. The 14th New Jersey, a noble regiment, will ever be +remembered by the people of the State as the defenders of our Union and +Constitution.</p> + +<p> </p> +<p><span class="smcap">A Few Words to My Comrades in Arms and Then I Am Done</span>:</p> + +<p>Fellow soldiers: For three years we battled for our country's rights +and for our homes. We are widely separated; but with grateful memory +of the past we live for the future. Our country is now at peace. If +the call to arms should ever again resound throughout the land, may +we ever be ready. Let not the thoughts of former days and past +hardships deter us from again rushing to arms, for without a country +we are as nothing. With proud hearts we think of the past, knowing +and feeling that we have done our duty. We were welcomed home, and +by the fireside relate tales of by-gone days; of days of pleasure +and of pain; of those dark hours when our country was in danger, and +when we answered the call <small>TO ARMS</small>. Prosperity now reigns. Our flag, +the proud emblem of liberty, floats throughout the land from North +to South, and we as a nation are happy and prosperous beneath its +folds. The proud Eagle of America soars aloft on every ocean, and +the star-spangled banner floats on every sea. Our nation has passed +through a great deal in four years, and New Jersey has done her duty +nobly. Thousands of her brave sons have given their lives for their +country, and those that remain will read this book with interest. As +these pages are perused by the members of the 14th, scenes that were +long since forgotten will be fresh in memory. Soldiers, our work is +done! These terrible days of war are over. Throughout the land +soldiers' societies exist. Let every man that was a soldier join +these societies, and do all in their power to help those widows and +orphans whose husbands and fathers fill a soldier's grave, and ever +remember that our flag, the stars and stripes, must wave o'er this +Glorious Union now and forever. As a country we have no equal. +Slavery forever abolished and our nation saved, with thanks to the +Almighty for our safe return to our homes and families, to go no +more to war.</p> + +<p>Those men who in the hour of peril remained at home and did all in +their power to help along the glorious cause, and by their actions +showed that they respected a soldier, will be looked upon by the +returned veterans as men; but those mean sneaking Copperheads that +were forever denouncing the North and were in<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span> favor of the South, +will be despised by us for their meanness. New Jersey is redeemed, +and to-day a loyal Governor sits in his seat at Trenton, a soldier's +friend. What we have passed through can be known only to us, and now +happy at our homes are content. The South is subdued, and has +learned a terrible lesson, that this Union can never be broken, and +as a united nation will live forever. As a regiment, the 14th no +longer exists, but the name of the 14th New Jersey from the old 6th +corps, will never be forgotten, but ever be remembered with pride as +a band of heroic men, that gave themselves for their country in its +hour of peril. It is but natural that the people should turn with +beaming eyes and grateful hearts to the heroic Union soldiers who +have nobly periled their all in defence of their country. Forever +shall the memory of our gallant dead be embalmed in the hearts of +the living. On the banks of many southern rivers; under the +spreading foliage of many a forest tree; on the hillsides and in the +valleys of the South, are tens of thousands of those grassy mounds +which mark the last resting places of the noble Union dead. In many +a northern home the widow and the orphan, the brother and the +sister, the bereaved father and disconsolate mother await the coming +of that step that so often in the past had been the sweetest music +to their ears. But they await in vain. Never more shall a mother's +kiss be pressed upon his brow as he sleeps in his little cot in the +humble chamber of the old homestead; but in the heart of a redeemed +nation his memory shall live forever. Comrades, I am done! Our +beloved country, healed of its wounds, to-day stands among other +powers a free and independent nation forever. Liberty, that +priceless gem, was purchased at a fearful cost. But those brave men +who now live will ever, with proud step and beaming eye, exclaim +with emotion, that with my help the country was saved. The +star-spangled banner planted high upon the everlasting hills of +truth and justice, shall wave to the breeze till time shall be no +more; recognized by foreign powers as the head of all nations. In +the annals of fame, our country lives forever!</p> + +<p class="right"> +Written by <span class="smcap">Sergeant J. Newton Terrill</span>,<br /> +New Brunswick, New Jersey.</p> + +<p>Commenced Sept. 1st, 1865; finished July 15th, 1866.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<p class="center"><span class="huge">TRANSCRIBER'S NOTES:</span></p> +<p> </p> + +<p>Inconsistencies in capitalization and hyphenation have been retained from the original.</p> + +<p>Inconsistencies in spelling have been retained from the original unless they are obvious typographical errors which have been corrected as follows:<br/> + +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Page 9: anp changed to and</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Page 10: batallion changed to battalion</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Page 14: extra word "the" removed</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 6.2em;">Monacacy changed to Monocacy</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Page 18: west-tern changed to western</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Page 20: obbing changed to robbing</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Page 21: loosing changed to losing</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 6.2em;">cecesh changed to secesh</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 6.2em;">weer changed to were</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Page 24: Patomac changed to Potomac</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 6.2em;">A changed to At</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Page 25: bayanets changed to bayonets</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Page 27: ffve changed to five</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Page 28: onr changed to our</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Page 34: eqally changed to equally</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Page 35: ceaceless changed to ceaseless</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Page 36: Manasses changed to Manassas</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Page 47: af changed to of</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Page 48: misdeameanor changed to misdemeanor</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Page 50: maneuvre changed to maneuver</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Page 54: sonth changed to south</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Page 63: missing word "of" added</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 6.2em;">farward changed to forward</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 6.2em;">Torbett changed to Torbert</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Page 66: superceded changed to superseded</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Page 71: regi-iment changed to regiment</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Page 73: date in original is unclear; it must be Saturday, July 19th, 1834.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Page 75: date in original shows July 9th; it possibly could be July 19th.</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Page 76: advancrd changed to advanced</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 6.2em;">Tennery changed to Tennelly</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 6.2em;">sacrified changed to sacrificed</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Page 79: Hark-tack changed to Hard-tack</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Page 81: extra word "the" removed</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 6.2em;">neccessary changed to necessary</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Page 82: Monacacy changed to Monocacy</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Page 91: Charlottsville changed to Charlottesville</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Page 94: infaladed changed to infiladed</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Page 97: ther changed to their</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Page 99: quartere changed to quarters</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Page 100: Spotttylvania changed to Spottsylvania</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Page 108: Waynsboro changed to Waynesboro</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Page 122: sgirits changed to spirits</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Page 124: remembred changed to remembered</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Page 127: were changed to where</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em;">Page 132: river changed to rivers</span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 6.2em;">foilage changed to foliage</span></p> + + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Campaign of the Fourteenth Regiment +New Jersey Volunteers, by J. Newton Terrill + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CAMPAIGN OF 14TH REG. NEW JERSEY *** + +***** This file should be named 37550-h.htm or 37550-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/3/7/5/5/37550/ + +Produced by David E. Brown and The Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was +produced from images generously made available by The +Internet Archive) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +https://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at https://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +https://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at https://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit https://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including including checks, online payments and credit card +donations. To donate, please visit: https://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + https://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. + + +</pre> + +</body> +</html> diff --git a/37550.txt b/37550.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..b437a26 --- /dev/null +++ b/37550.txt @@ -0,0 +1,5473 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Campaign of the Fourteenth Regiment New +Jersey Volunteers, by J. Newton Terrill + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Campaign of the Fourteenth Regiment New Jersey Volunteers + +Author: J. Newton Terrill + +Release Date: September 27, 2011 [EBook #37550] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CAMPAIGN OF 14TH REG. NEW JERSEY *** + + + + +Produced by David E. Brown and The Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was +produced from images generously made available by The +Internet Archive) + + + + + + + + + + CAMPAIGN + OF THE + FOURTEENTH REGIMENT + New Jersey Volunteers, + + BY + Sergeant J. NEWTON TERRILL, + Co. K, Fourteenth Regiment, New Jersey Volunteers. + + SECOND EDITION. + + NEW BRUNSWICK, N. J.: + DAILY HOME NEWS PRESS, COR. HIRAM AND DENNIS STREETS. + + 1884. + + + + +CONTENTS. + + +A complete History of the Campaign of the FOURTEENTH REGIMENT, NEW +JERSEY VOLUNTEERS; its various BATTLES and MARCHES, from the time of its +departure from New Jersey until its return; giving full details of every +event that transpired; the author having taken an active part in those +memorable battles of the Potomac Army--the Maryland Campaign, the +Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor and Petersburg; finally ending in +the capture of Lee's Army, the occupation of Richmond and Petersburg by +our forces, and the Rebellion crushed forever. + + + + +CAMPAIGN +OF THE +14th Regiment, New Jersey Volunteers. + + +War, with all its horrors, has dawned upon us. Thousands have answered +the call and rushed to arms. The Farmer leaves his plough, the Merchant +his store, and all join in one compact body to avenge the insult +perpetrated upon our FLAG. + +It is not a Foreign foe; but a war upon our soil--a civil war. Our +forces have been defeated and driven back; the rebel capital, almost +within our grasp, has been wrested from us, and the enemy, flushed with +victory, are marching with countless hordes upon our almost defenceless +Capitol. The disastrous defeat of McClellan from before Richmond has +awakened a feeling among the Northern people that something more active +must be done, that we are dealing with a wily foe prepared for war and +bent upon the destruction of our once happy and prosperous Union. +Congress having met, it was decided to call for more troops to assist in +putting down this wicked rebellion, our army having been fearfully +decreased by sickness and by battles; the swamps of Virginia and the +broiling sun of a Southern clime have sent numbers to their graves. Our +army must be re-organized, and that speedily; fresh troops must fill the +ranks of those that are no more. A call for Six Hundred Thousand troops +was made; it resounded throughout the North, and soon our decimated +ranks were refilled by men who but shortly before were engaged in the +peaceful pursuits of life, who are now stern warriors, armed and +equipped for the fearful struggle awaiting them. Under that call the +14th New Jersey Regiment was raised, a band of noble men from various +portions of the State. On the 8th of July, 1862, the Regiment was formed +on the Old Battle Ground of Freehold, Monmouth Co., New Jersey, William +S. Truex appointed Commander. For nearly two months the officers were +busily engaged in preparing the men for the future; companies were +organized, armed and equipped. Men enlisting daily, not for bounties, +but for patriotism; and soon the regiment was ready for its departure +for the seat of war. Tents were placed on a line, each company by +itself. The men seemed to know the work before them, and with stern +resolution, resolved to do their duty to the last. A police system was +organized, and the camp soon presented a healthy appearance. The men who +but a few days before were in their quiet homes by the family fireside +talking of war, were no longer there; their places were vacant and they +in camps anxiously awaiting orders to move. Soldiering then was new, the +men were no longer free. + +On the 26th of August, the Regiment was mustered in the United States +service for three years, unless sooner discharged, (or as the men +remarked, three years unless sooner shot). Soldiering now commenced in +earnest. At first the men unused to discipline were not disposed to obey +the rules, but they were soon made to know that they were soldiers, and +that Military rules must be obeyed or they be punished. A guard house +was built for the purpose of confining those that were disobedient, but +it was seldom used, only in case of drunkenness, when the offender was +placed in confinement until he became sober. A guard was placed around +the camp, each relief posted every two hours, and each man having a +certain place to walk until he was relieved by the Corporal or Sergeant +of the guard. At night the officer in charge of the guard visited each +post to see that every sentinel was doing his duty; it was called the +grand rounds. Midnight was the hour chosen. The men were furnished with +Sibly tents and a tick filled with straw to sleep on, each tent holding +sixteen men; six tents to a company and ten companies in the Regiment. A +full company was composed of 87 Privates, 5 Sergeants, and 8 Corporals, +with 3 Commissioned Officers, in all 103 men. The companies arranged in +alphabetical order. Drills, reviews, inspections and dress parades were +the order of the day. The camp was daily thronged with visitors, mostly +friends of the soldiers. A cook and cook-house were furnished, each +company marched down in single file to their meals. The rations +furnished the men were beef, pork, bread, beans, sugar and coffee. The +men were now fairly established in camp, and began to wonder when the +regiment would move to the front. Furloughs were granted the men, five +from each company, as all could not be furnished at once. Several broke +guard and escaped, taking French leave, returning before the regiment +left for the front. Various rumors were now in circulation, but none of +them were reliable. Some of them were that we were going to North +Carolina and to Texas, and others that the regiment was to join the +Potomac Army, but none knew the destination of the regiment, as there +were yet no orders from Washington to move. On the 31st of August the +regiment numbered over 950 men; they were ordered to form in line and +march to Freehold, 2-1/2 miles from camp. It was a splendid sight. The +men were in the best of spirits, and with their new uniforms and +burnished guns presented a fine appearance. After marching around the +principal streets, the men returned to camp in _Dirt Cars_, a great many +receiving passes to go home while in camp. The nine months' men were +rapidly forming the 28th New Jersey, near the camp of the Fourteenth. +After the men of the 14th were fast for three years, they envied them, +and wished they had gone for nine months; but it was now too late, and +they must remain three long weary years, unless the war should sooner +end. + +On Monday, September 1st, orders were given the men to be ready to leave +at daylight the next morning, with three days rations for Washington. At +night the guards were ordered to load their muskets and fire upon any +one attempting to leave camp. The night was dark and rainy and the camp +flooded with water. The next morning three days' rations were furnished +the men, of hard tack and dry smoked beef. Tents were taken down and +packed up; the men were placed in old baggage cars (a passenger car +reserved for the officers,) and bade good bye to the old camp. As the +train left, it was thought by the men how many of them would return. +Friends were there to see them leave, the last good bye was said, and +the cars moved slowly off. Soon the camping ground was left far behind. +Arriving at Philadelphia the men were kindly received by the citizens, +and a good supper given them by the ladies of the Volunteer Refreshment +Saloon. This building is situated near the wharf, and thousands of +soldiers have been furnished with meals, being tired after a weary ride, +cooped up in tight cars. It was very refreshing. Three rousing cheers +were given for the ladies of Philadelphia for their kindness. The +regiment formed in line and marched to the Baltimore depot. The streets +were thronged with citizens, welcoming us and bidding us God speed. +Again the men were furnished with baggage cars and started for +Baltimore, arriving there at noon; the next day marching through the +city in the hot sun, with heavy knapsacks, to the Washington depot, and +lying on the sidewalk in the afternoon. While there the depot was set +on fire and burned down, supposed to be the work of an incendiary. +Several cars were consumed, and thousands of dollars lost. Several +regiments were there awaiting transportation. This time the men were +more fortunate and succeeded in getting passenger cars, and supposed +they were going to Washington; leaving Baltimore at 11 P. M., riding all +night, arriving at Frederick Junction, on the Baltimore and Ohio +Railroad, 58 miles from Baltimore, for the purpose of guarding Monocacy +Bridge, a splendid iron structure across Monocacy River. A field was +picked out and tents were placed on a line as before; the men were +furnished with ten rounds of ammunition. + +At night companies H and K were detailed for Picket. At midnight the +Colonel received a dispatch that the rebels under Stonewall Jackson were +invading the North in force and were now in Maryland, having crossed at +Edwards' Ferry. The regiment was drawn up in line of battle on the +Turnpike, remaining until morning. All was excitement, as the men were +new troops and unused to such scenes. Signal lights were displayed, and +the distant report of a gun booming on the midnight air informed us that +the enemy were near. The next morning orders were given to strike tents +and fall back. As the Fourteenth was the only regiment stationed at that +place, tents were soon down and placed on baggage cars; the Colonel +seized a coal train that was lying near and the men were soon on board. +The engineer being a rebel, and in favor of the South, was in no hurry +to start. The Colonel, becoming impatient, drew his revolver and +threatened to shoot him if he did not move. At five o'clock everything +was in readiness; muskets were fired in the air to prevent accident, as +the men were green troops and did not know how to use them. The train +moved off towards Baltimore, riding in those old coal cars, 40 miles to +Elysville. About one hour after leaving Monocacy the advance guard of +the rebels made their appearance. Had we remained longer our capture +would have been certain, as there were no other troops near, and the +whole rebel army in our front. The citizens of Elysville were very kind, +giving the men plenty to eat. At 10 o'clock the regiment marched up a +hill about one mile, encamping in an orchard, remaining ten days; doing +guard duty, picket and drilling, expecting daily orders to move. One of +our men returned to us, having been taken prisoner and paroled by the +rebels. They had burned the bridge at Monocacy, laid waste the country, +and were advancing northward, closely followed by the Potomac Army +under McClellan, overtaking them at ANTIETAM and SOUTH MOUNTAIN, a +terrible battle was fought, resulting in the utter discomfiture of the +rebels and sending them back across the Potomac completely routed. +Maryland Heights was taken by them in their retreat, with 11,000 +prisoners and 60 guns. Colonel Miles being in command, and a traitor at +heart, surrendered without firing a gun; he was killed in the attempt, +report says by his own son. Had he defended the place a few hours it +would not have been taken, as the Potomac Army was marching on rapidly +in pursuit. The men were paroled on the spot, the guns spiked, and the +rebels retreated in haste back into Virginia, our army encamping near +Harper's Ferry. While at Elysville one hundred men from the regiment +went to Monocacy to guard a provision train, commanded by Lt. Kerner, +remaining there two days. Scouting parties were sent out daily, houses +were searched and concealed weapons found hidden in holes, garrets and +cellars. The majority of the people were secesh and refused to give any +information. The regiment was encamped on a farm belonging to an officer +in the rebel army. Elysville is a small village on the Baltimore and +Ohio Railroad, 21 miles from Baltimore. It is quite a flourishing place. + +On the 16th of September, orders came for the regiment to proceed to +Monocacy and rebuild the bridge destroyed by the rebels. Again the men +were placed in baggage cars, a dismal rainy day, riding all night, +arriving at the Junction the next day. Everything looked desolate. The +bridge destroyed, remnants of wagons, dead horses and mules lying +around. A portion of the Potomac army was there awaiting supplies. It +was raining hard and very muddy. Tents were pitched in a plowed field in +regular order, guards were stationed around camp and no one allowed to +leave. The rebels left a squad of men to destroy the bridge; in the +attempt one man was blown up and buried near the ruins, leaving his arms +and head above ground. This was the first rebel the men had ever seen, +and for some time was an object of curiosity to us; he lay exposed +several days; at last his remains were taken up and decently interred by +our men. Parties were now set to work, the camp laid out in style, and a +regular system of order prevailed. The bridge was soon rebuilt and +guarded by our men. It was named Camp Hooker, in honor of Fighting Joe, +as Hooker was called. The city of Frederick was three miles distant, the +men receiving passes daily to visit the place. The drills and +inspections were very arduous; they were arranged systematically and in +perfect order. The reveille was sounded at six A. M.; every man was then +required to get up and answer to his name at roll call, proceed to the +woods and carry a log for the cook house. The drum then beat for +breakfast, each man taking his tin plate and cup to the cook; breakfast +consisting of coffee, pork or beef, and dry bread. At 8 o'clock the +guard was mounted for the day; the old guard relieved, would shoot at a +mark to clean their guns and were excused from drill for the morning. +The camp guard was as follows: One Captain as officer of the day, one +Lieutenant as officer of the guard, three Sergeants, three Corporals, +and ninety men, remaining on 24 hours. The duty of the officer of the +day was to see that the camp was kept clean and neat; that all offing +and dirt should be removed; also to visit the guard house each day and +once at midnight, and then visit each post, or as was called the grand +rounds. The duty of the officer of the guard was to see that each +sentinel was doing his duty, and to see that each officer was saluted +properly. The guard was divided into three reliefs, thirty men to a +relief; one sergeant and one corporal. The non-commissioned officers +were to post each relief every two hours. In case of extreme cold +weather, no sentinel was allowed to stand but one hour. At 9 o'clock the +drums beat for squad drill, lasting two hours; this was very tiresome to +the men; the same each day. At 12 the drum beat for dinner; at 2 +battalion drill until 4; at 5 dress parade, or inspection; supper at +six; roll call at 9; taps at 9.15. Each man was then required to put the +light out of his tent and retire. No loud talking or laughing was then +allowed. Military rules were very strict and must be obeyed. Each day's +duties were alike. Saturday afternoon was allowed the men to wash, and +amuse themselves as they pleased. + +At Monocacy the regiment lay nine months. Those months passed +pleasantly, and will ever be remembered as the best part of our three +years' soldiering. Many times, after a hard day's march or fight, the +men were heard to say, "If I was only at Monocacy, I would be +contented." The first few months nearly all the men were sick. The +Doctor's call was in the morning. At one time more than two-thirds of +the men were unfit for duty, a great many dying for the want of proper +care. The hospital was full, men lay in their tents unable to move. The +Surgeons did all that men could do, but nothing could stay the hand of +death. Sometimes as many as three lay dead at once. They were buried in +the Cemetery near Frederick City, with the honors of war. As each day +passed, some poor fellow was carried to his grave; the dead march +played, and all that remained of our comrade was consigned to the grave. +During that nine months seventy-five were buried, dying since their +enlistment. The men were not paid for six months, the rations were poor, +many became disheartened and desertions were frequent. + +On the 19th of September, one thousand rebels captured at the battle of +Antietam were brought in camp, for the regiment to guard. They were of +Longstreet's and Hill's divisions, and were a sorry looking set, a +specimen of the genuine rebel. Some were without hats and coats, while +others were shoeless and covered with filth and vermin. Several were +very intelligent, but the majority were ignorant, using expressions that +were very amusing to us, such as "down yere," "right smart I reckon," +"youns come to fight weens," etc. Officers could not be distinguished +from privates, as all were dressed alike in grey. They were kept under +guard two days, and then forwarded to Fort Delaware under a strong +escort commanded by Lieut. Kerner of Co. A. + +Days, weeks, and even months passed, and still the regiment lay +inactive. Battles were fought and victories won, but war to us was yet a +stranger. As we glanced at the past, the future arose before us with its +dangers and hardships. How soon would we be called to follow those who +had gone before us and were now at the front; sooner or later. The men +were willing and anxious to obey that call, and with their comrades in +arms lay down their lives if necessary, in defense of those glorious +stars and stripes, that had been trampled in the dust by men that were +once our brothers but now foes, worse than demons, men that looked upon +the laboring man as a being to detest, and were unworthy of notice. +Southern aristocracy in their eyes must rule, or the Union must be +dissolved. The men soon became efficient in drilling, and on dress +parade presented a fine appearance. Every musket was required to be +clean and in perfect order. Sunday morning was knapsack inspection, a +very tedious affair. Every man was required to be in line with knapsack, +haversack, canteen, musket and equipments with white gloves, boots +blacked and hair combed neatly. On Sunday morning, October 12th, the +regiment being out on inspection, were suddenly ordered to load their +pieces and form in line of battle. It was soon done, the men marching +out of camp at a double quick, accompanied by two pieces of artillery +from Battery L, Fifth U.S. Artillery that were lying at Monocacy bridge. +Stuart with his rebel cavalry had crossed the Potomac at night and then +were but a short distance off. The regiment marched six miles to +Urbanna, but did not succeed in overtaking them, being mounted they soon +recrossed the river, having stolen some two hundred horses. Our men +returned disappointed. We were then very brave, having never yet seen an +armed rebel. This was our first expedition, and was the subject of +comment for some time. A sufficient force was left to guard the camp. +The men were all anxious to go and did not like being left behind, as +they were anxious to participate in an engagement if necessary. + +Winter with its cold storms was fast approaching; the tents were +insufficient to protect the men from the cold. Trees were cut down and +stockades made, the tents floored and raised from the ground, and on +those stockades were very comfortable. The members of each tent clubbed +together and purchased a stove; the stockades were mudded up and the +tents were then as warm as any building. The long winter evenings were +spent in reading, writing, singing, dancing and various other +amusements. Log houses were built for cook houses, stables for the +horses and a guard house for each day's relief, and for the confinement +of those that failed to do their duty and obey the rules. Nothing +important occurred to disturb the dull monotony of camp life. Days +passed like a dream. The same routine of duty each day, such as drills, +inspections, reviews, etc. Christmas and New Years were very dull, and +passed off very quietly in camp. The most of the boys received boxes +from home and enjoyed a good dinner. Other poor fellows having no homes +or friends, were compelled to do without and eat hard tack and salt +pork. The boxes of hard tack sent us were marked Harrison's Landing, +having been with McClellan on the Peninsula campaign. Some of them were +mouldy and filled with worms, and marked 312 B. C., which was +interpreted by some of the boys 312 years before Christ; rather poor +food for men that were but a few miles from the National Capitol, +guarding a railroad carrying millions of supplies annually. + +On the night of January 6th, 1863, Co's E and K were ordered to be ready +to move in the morning, and be stationed along the railroad as guards. +The morning came clear and cold; every thing was packed and the men +placed with their baggage on open cars. Co. E was stationed at +Monrovia, seven miles distant from camp, and Co. K at Mount Airy, +fourteen miles from camp, quartered in a church. The men soon became +acquainted and made themselves at home. The church was situated on the +main road half a mile from Mount Airy, and half a mile from Ridgeville +on the Baltimore pike. Pickets and guards were stationed, although there +was no enemy near. Co. E at Monrovia were placed in their tents and were +compelled to lie on the ground. They were encamped near the railroad. +One of their number while there was run over and killed by the cars. +Eight companies remained at Monocacy. Col. Truex was appointed acting +Brigadier General with headquarters at Frederick City; Major Vredenberg, +Provost Marshal. The 3d Delaware regiment and Purnell Legion were at +Frederick, and were temporarily brigaded with the 14th New Jersey, all +under command of Col. Truex. The regiment had now been out over five +months, and had yet received no pay. The men were anxious to receive +their money, as several had large families at home depending upon them +for support. At last the paymaster arrived. He was hailed with joy, as +money was scarce. Five months' pay was due the men, but two months of it +only were paid. The men were very much dissatisfied, but the promise of +speedy payment soon quieted them. Two weeks later the men were paid +again, the government keeping back one month's pay. As a general thing +this was always done, very often the men receiving but two months' pay +when three or four were due them. + +The Winter passed with scarcely any snow, but rain fell in abundance. +Spring opened in all its glory. The Potomac army lay inactive in their +comfortable quarters near Falmouth. The roads were in such a condition +that an army could not move. Early in the spring six companies were +detached from the regiment and sent to Martinsburg, for the purpose of +re-enforcing Milroy, the enemy threatening an attack. Arriving at +Harper's Ferry, encamped on Maryland Heights three days. Arriving at +Martinsburg, two companies were stationed in a church, the others +encamping near the town. Co's B and G were left at Monocacy. The +companies remained at Martinsburg six weeks and then returned to camp, +as the threatened attack proved to be an alarm, the rebels +reconnoitering and then retiring. The men now began to get tired of +Monocacy, having lain there 9 months. A flag was presented to the +regiment by Gov. Parker. The men were drawn up in line with white +gloves, a band was hired for the occasion, and the flag was presented by +the Governor in person. Although the men were denied the luxuries of +life, they were far better off than the boys of the Potomac army with +good tents and pretty good food. The men were very well contented. +Numbers were anxious to move. Take us to the front was the general +cry. Soon the order came, pack up, boys, and prepare to move. The men +obeyed with alacrity, as all were glad to go, lying in camp so long. A +number of articles had accumulated that were of no use to us and were +left behind. The ground was as smooth and as even as a board floor, the +men drilling on it so often it became hard. When we entered it it was +mud knee deep. The men working with a will soon had their tents in line +and arranged in perfect order. To be ready to move without delay was the +order. Tents were struck and the regiment proceeded to the Relay House +on baggage cars. Co.'s E and K were ordered to be in readiness, and were +taken on board. Monocacy to us was a home, and with a sigh of regret we +left, although anxious to move. Arriving at the Relay House at five +o'clock, encamped in a field near the depot, the men lying out in the +dew. The next morning tents were pitched. Just as they were ready, +orders came for the men to send all surplus baggage home, as the +regiment was ordered to the front to join the Potomac Army. The rebel +army under Lee had again attempted the invasion of the North, and +re-enforcements were hurriedly sent on. Everything was left behind. The +men were now in light marching order, and were again placed on baggage +cars for Harper's Ferry, eighty-one miles from Baltimore. Co. E was left +at Monocacy to guard the bridge, stationed in block houses built by our +regiment. Arriving at Maryland Heights, the regiment marched up the +ascent in dust and sun. It was exceedingly warm, and the march very +tiresome. The Heights are ascended by a circuitous route that winds +around the mountain. The sun being very hot, and the roads very dusty, +it was very hard for the men, and they soon became tired with heavy +knapsacks, muskets and equipments. Arriving at the top, the regiment +encamped near the 6th New York Heavy Artillery regiment that had lain +there some six months. Their camp was in a splendid condition, clean and +neat, the men being more like regulars than volunteers, wearing new +clothes and white gloves. While on duty the men were compelled to lie +out, having been furnished with no tents or blankets, nor did the men +get any until the summer campaign was nearly over. The troops on the +Heights numbered some 7,000 men, under command of Gen. Tyler. + +The enemy were now across the Potomac in force, moving northward for +Pennsylvania, under command of their best and ablest leader, General +Lee, marching the same road they did the previous year, when under +command of their wily and strategic leader, Stonewall Jackson, now no +more. Lee, his superior in every respect, was now in full command of all +the armies of the Confederate States, superintending the army of +northern Virginia in person. Our army was commanded by Fighting Joe +Hooker, Burnside's successor. Both armies were straining every nerve. +Defeat to us was death. Washington, at the mercy of the rebels, would +soon fall, the independence of the South achieved, and Slavery, the +curse of our nation, would rule supreme. But God, in his wise +providence, saw fit to rule otherwise, and victory crowned our arms. + +The regiment was encamped on the Heights thirteen days. General Tyler +was relieved and General French succeeded him. He immediately set about +preparing the Heights for immediate defence. Trenches were dug, rifle +pits and cannon were placed in position. It was supposed the enemy, if +defeated, would fall back on Harper's Ferry, and everything was prepared +to give them a warm reception. During our sojourn on the Heights the +rain fell incessantly day and night, wetting us to the skin. Officers +and men, with spades and picks, were busily engaged in digging and +erecting fortifications in mud knee deep. A strong picket force was +thrown out on all roads every night, each regiment sending more than +half of their men. The works were at last finished, and Maryland Heights +were considered as impregnable--a second Gibraltar--its frowning +batteries and immense fortifications, manned by one division, were +sufficient to hold the whole rebel army in check. While there an alarm +spread that the enemy were coming. The men had never smelt powder and +were as new recruits. It was night and very dark. Soon some of the men, +mistaking others for rebels, fired their pieces, supposing the enemy +were near. Report after report followed in quick succession, the +darkness of the night preventing the men from seeing anything. At last +the firing ceased. The men awakened from their sleep were at first +confused, but soon became aware that no enemy was near, and closed their +eyes once more in sleep. Expecting an attack, and to prepare the men for +any emergency, every regiment was required to be in line at three +o'clock each morning, remaining until daylight. It was a very wise +precaution, as it proved beneficial to the men afterward. Two pontoon +bridges were laid across the Potomac to Virginia, one at Harper's Ferry, +another some three miles further North. The 14th regiment was on picket +at one, the 6th Md. at the other. Jno. Brown's cave being near, it was +visited by the men. This cave is an opening on Bollivar Heights, some +300 feet deep, filled with holes, and very dark. Here John Brown, and +some thirty desperadoes, were concealed for seven days, and were at last +compelled to surrender to the armed forces of Virginia. His object to +free the slaves of the South failed, and he, with his band of men, were +finally executed. The cave now bears his name, and is often visited by +persons anxious to see the cave of the renowned chieftain. The arsenal +and all public buildings were in ruins, the walls still standing. They +were destroyed at the commencement of the war by the Union forces, to +prevent them from falling into the hands of the enemy. Day and night the +men worked on the fortifications, strengthening them after they were +done. Lee was still moving northward, followed closely by Hooker, with +the Potomac Army. Arriving near Maryland Heights he visited Gen. French, +and ordered the Heights evacuated and the troops to re-enforce the army, +preparatory to a decisive battle. Gen. Halleck, then in command at +Washington, ordered Gen. French to remain, and ordered Hooker to be +relieved. Gen. Geo. B. Meade, commanding the Pennsylvania Reserves, was +placed in command of the army. He immediately ordered the troops to +evacuate the Heights and join the Potomac Army with all possible haste, +as re-enforcements were greatly needed. The men had worked hard, and +those immense fortifications were useless. + +The division under command of Major-General French evacuated the Heights +on Tuesday, June 30, destroying a vast amount of ammunition, grain, etc. +Eighty men from the 14th regiment, under command of Lieut. Bailey, were +detailed to guard the pontoon bridge near John Brown's cave, until the +Heights were evacuated. At four o'clock everything was ready, and the +column started. Heavy guns were placed on canal boats for Washington; +the sick were sent to convalescent camps, and everything that could not +be taken was destroyed. Orders were read to the troops to prepare for an +active campaign, and in light marching order; all baggage not really +needed was sent to Washington, and the men were ready for a march. +Company E, stationed at Monocacy, twenty-five miles away, was ordered +to join the regiment, marching in a heavy rain, remaining but one night +on the heights. At 5 P. M. the troops started, the rain pouring in +torrents, marching that afternoon seven miles with knapsacks, muskets, +equipments and three days' rations, passing Sandy Hook and Knoxville, +small, dilapidated villages near the ferry. These places, since the war, +were rapidly going to decay. Encamping in a field at night, lying on the +wet ground till morning. We were on the Heights two weeks, the rain +falling continually, the men constantly at work digging entrenchments +and on picket, but one day being clear. As the men left they gave a sigh +of relief, and hoped they would never see the place again. The rainy +season had now commenced, and the roads were almost impassible, the mud +in some places hub deep. It was with difficulty that the troops could +march, some sinking up to their knees in the mud. But seven miles were +made that day, and the troops, drenched with rain, cooked their scanty +supper of hard tack and salt pork by camp fires. Rail fences were +demolished and burned without regard to owners, and by the light of +these camp fires, without tents or blankets, the men bivouacked for the +night. This was the first march, and the men, exhausted, threw +themselves upon the wet ground, and soon were buried in slumber. Pickets +were stationed, and the dark, gloomy hours of the night passed slowly +along. + +The morning of July 1st dawned clear and bright; the reveille was +sounded, and the men awakened from their slumber to prepare for a weary +march. Breakfast of hard tack, coffee and pork was eaten, and the +troops, in solid columns to the number of 7,000, under command of Gen. +French, moved out on the road to Frederick City, passing through +Jefferson, a small village on the main road. The sun came out very warm. +The march was tiresome, as the men were not used to it. A great many +threw away their knapsacks, the ground being covered with them. The +farmers followed with their wagons, picking up everything that was +thrown away. The men were glad to get rid of all unnecessary loads. The +country along the route was splendid. The waving fields of grain, the +crops of grass, reminded us of home. But war was desolating the +land--cruel, unrelenting war! At four P. M. the column halted near +Frederick City, having marched since morning eighteen miles. The roads +were very bad, and the column was ordered to remain in camp one day. No +passes were allowed the men to visit Frederick City, and they lay +quietly in camp on the wet ground, tired and weary, the weather +intensely hot, the men bathing in Monocacy. A man from Co. H, named +Anderson, ventured beyond his depth and was drowned, not being able to +swim. Every effort was made to save him, but without avail. His body was +recovered and buried in the cemetery near Frederick. + +On Friday, July 3d, the troops were ordered to change camp near Monocacy +bridge, marching three miles, awaiting orders, passing through Frederick +City, marching company front, the roads very muddy, encamping near +Monocacy bridge, on the western side of the river. Remaining over night +the men felt the need of blankets, but still none were furnished. It was +raining and very disagreeable. It cleared off during the night. The +fourth of July was very warm. At noon orders came for the troops to move +to the support of the Potomac army, now engaged in a terrific struggle +with Lee and the flower of the rebel army at Gettysburgh. Defeat to our +forces was ruin; victory, everything. For four days the tide of battle +ebbed and flowed. The night of the fourth found the enemy in full +retreat, closely followed by our victorious Meade; a name hitherto known +only to the army, but now will ever be remembered as one of our proudest +leaders--Geo. W. Meade, the hero of Gettysburgh, and the commander of +the Potomac army. It again commenced to rain, and the men were wet +through. The guns of Gettysburgh were plainly heard. The men were not +allowed any rest, but passed on, hoping to arrive in time to take part +in that ever memorable battle, and to relieve those men, who for four +days had driven the enemy at all points with terrible slaughter. +Marching in the mud was slow, the artillery sinking deep in the mire. +The divisions now numbered some eight thousand men, having been +re-enforced by troops lying in the vicinity of Frederick City, passing +through Middletown, a small village eight miles from Frederick City. At +sunset the rain ceased for a short time, the sun setting in all its +glory. The surrounding country was splendid. Our march was through a +valley, the scenery being delightful. The column marched nineteen miles, +halting at midnight at Boonsboro Gap; headquarters at the Summit House, +eighteen miles from Hagerstown. The enemy were now in full retreat. This +was the second time the Confederates had attempted the invasion of the +North, and for the second time were defeated. Longstreet had several +times hurled his dense columns upon our centre, trying in vain to break +our lines, but each time was repulsed with terrible loss. A. P. Hill on +the right and Ewell on the left, sought, if possible, a weak spot, to +penetrate our lines, but firm as a rock the Union boys stood repulsing +each charge, strewing the ground with rebel dead, and driving them back +in confusion. Both armies were now in motion, each hoping by rapid +marches to outwit the other; Lee trying to get across the Potomac, and +Meade trying to intercept him. It was supposed that Lee would retreat by +the way of Boonsboro Gap, and French's division was ordered to hold it, +and keep the enemy in check, while the Potomac army moved, if possible, +in their rear. A strong line of battle was formed, and heavy pickets +thrown out. No fires were allowed. As each regiment came up they were +formed in line, stacked arms and lay on the wet ground until morning. +The night was very cold, and the men suffered very much with nothing but +the ground to lie on, with a knapsack for a pillow and the canopy of +heaven for a covering. + +The division was composed of three Brigades; the first consisting of the +151st N. Y., 6th N. Y. Heavy Artillery, 10th Vermont and 14th N. J., +commanded by Brig. Gen. Morris, formerly Colonel of the 6th N. Y. The +regiments were very large, numbering from eight hundred to one thousand +men. We remained at the Gap five days, the Potomac army passing through, +Lee having halted at Williamsport, the river being so high he could not +cross. As the veterans of many a hard fought battle passed, they were +loudly cheered by the new troops. Their soiled and worn out garments, +and their decimated ranks contrasted greatly with our well filled ranks +and new clothes. They looked upon us as new recruits, and remarks were +frequently made by them not altogether suiting us. Some of them were +that our regiments were as large as their brigades, and that we were too +green for the front. Such remarks did very well for the time, as we were +not inured to hardships as they were, but the war was not yet over. +After serving their three years they lay quietly at their homes, while +the boys that were then called green, were veterans, destined to see +more hardships and more fighting than those that enlisted at the +commencement of the war. Nine hundred and sixty rebels that were +wounded, with ambulances and baggage wagons, were sent back by Gen. Lee +with an escort, to Richmond. They were captured, together with several +important despatches, by Kilpatrick's cavalry, and brought in camp for +us to guard at Boonsboro Gap. Several of them were in a dying condition. +They were very destitute and ragged, with scarcely anything to eat. The +10th Vermont guarded them to Washington. The Regiment was encamped on +the spot where Gen. Reno fell at the battle of Antietam, a tree marking +the spot. It was on the plantation of Dr. Wise, his well being filled +with dead rebels thrown in for burial. Many a parent or loving wife will +never know their fate, thinking perhaps they were prisoners, and at the +close of the war would return to their homes; but they are now no more. +With thousands of Union soldiers their bones rest on Southern soil, +there to remain until the last trump shall sound to summon them to their +final account before a just and holy God. + +During the five days encampment at Boonsboro Gap, the weather was very +stormy and disagreeable; everything was excitement, and we were +confident that Lee and his army would be annihilated. The Potomac army +with its re-enforcements was rapidly concentrating, having marched from +Gettysburgh by various routes; flushed with victory they were anxious to +be led forward. The rebel army being very much disheartened by defeat +and scant of rations, some having five rounds of ammunition apiece, +desertions from their lines were numerous, a great many Maryland +soldiers returning to their homes sick and tired of rebeldom. Various +rumors were in circulation, and all felt that a decisive battle would +soon be fought, at what point none could tell, as none were certain of +the whereabouts of Lee's main force, he having retreated from +Gettysburgh in the darkness of the night; but it was supposed he was in +the vicinity of Williamsport, preparing to re-cross the river into +Virginia, and fall back as rapidly as possible, within the defences of +Richmond. A courier bearing despatches from Jeff. Davis to Gen. Lee was +captured by our scouts, and the despatches intercepted. They were orders +from Richmond for Lee to fall back immediately, as the place was +threatened by our forces under Butler from Fortress Monroe. Maryland now +presented a scene of desolation and woe; houses pillaged, robbed and +burned by the soldiers of both armies; trees were felled and rail fences +demolished without regard to owners. Orders were read to the troops +forbidding straggling, but by some those orders were not obeyed, and +foraging soon became common. The poorer classes were on the verge of +starvation, as everything they had was taken. The soldiers fared well, +helping themselves to everything that came in their way, without regard +to owners or to value, robbing hen roosts, killing sheep, hogs and +cattle. Fields of grain were trampled upon and laid waste; horses and +mules were turned loose to feed in fields of oats, wheat and clover. + +On the afternoon of July 9th, orders came for the division to move and +join the Potomac army, having been assigned as 3rd Division, 3rd Army +Corps, now commanded by Gen. French. Gen. Sickels, one of our ablest +Generals, formerly commanded the corps; he was everywhere in the hottest +of the fight. At Gettysburgh, while giving command to his men, he was +struck by a shell and severely wounded in the leg. It was found +necessary to amputate it, and the command of the corps was given to Maj. +Gen. French. The odd divisions, 1st, 2nd and 3rd, were formed in two, +our division as 3rd, commanded by Brig. Gen. Carr from New York State. +Leaving the gap, the division marched that afternoon six miles, joining +the Potomac army at night, encamping in a field. This was our first +entry in that army, and we remained there until the close of the war. +The 11th New Jersey was in the 2nd division. They were raised at Trenton +under the same call, and proceeded to the front a few days sooner than +the 14th. They were placed immediately in active service and had already +participated in several battles. At Gettysburgh they were in the hottest +of the fight, losing more than one-third of their men, and fighting +bravely. They now numbered but two hundred men; sickness and death on +the battle field had thinned their ranks, but still they were ready for +the contest and as eager as ever to be led forward. Six days had now +elapsed since the retreat of Lee from Gettysburgh; the army was again +concentrated and moved forward to the attack. We were now but one day's +march from the enemy, strongly entrenched at Williamsport. As yet we had +not seen a battle, nor had we seen an armed rebel. As new troops we were +all anxious to fight, but were disappointed, perhaps for the best. After +joining the Potomac army, the division encamped in a field until +morning, cooking coffee and hard-tack by camp fires built of rail +fences. The next morning the troops were awakened at reveille which was +sounded at sunrise. At 11 o'clock a forward movement was again made, +marching six miles, passing through a small village called Katyville. +The stores were closed, the majority of the men being secesh. Frederick +City was the base of supplies, and rations were plenty; such as an army +was allowed on a march, consisting of hard-tack, salt pork, sugar, +coffee and beef. As long as the troops remained in Maryland, they fared +well, but in Virginia, rations were scarce, often two or three days +passing without anything to eat; the troops marched very slow. As we +were approaching the enemy during the afternoon, but six miles were +marched. The Regiment encamping on a hill near a battery, arms were +stacked, the men prepared their evening meal. The camp fires of our army +were everywhere visible, and in the darkness of the night looked +splendidly. At nine o'clock the bugle sounded, and orders came to move +immediately. Various reports were soon circulated, but little time was +given for conjecture. Soon the troops were in motion, marching back a +forced march of eight miles, almost double quick, halting at twelve +o'clock in the vicinity of Boonsboro Gap, near the headquarters of Gen. +Meade. A line of battle was quickly formed, the troops sleeping on their +arms. The Regiment halted in a field of wheat cut and shocked, the men +helping themselves, making beds for the night. It being warm we slept +well until aroused the next morning at reveille. The weather was close +and very uncomfortable and marching very tedious. The troops had +advanced farther than was intended, and were almost within the enemy's +lines. The next morning orders came again to advance, marching three +miles in line of battle, maneuvering in various positions. The Regiment +was detailed to support a battery, remaining two days and three nights, +every moment expecting to attack the enemy, and wondered why the order +was not given. All were anxious to fight, and all were confident that +the rebel army would be defeated. Gen. Meade held a council of war with +his corps commanders, French, Howard, Sykes, Sedgwick, Warren and +Hancock, and it was decided not to attack, as the army needed +reorganizing and had suffered severely at Gettysburgh, the risk being +too great to run. The rebel army, although defeated, would fight with +desperation, and if victorious nothing could save Washington. Gen. Lee, +without exception, was the leading general of the rebel army, together +with A. P. Hill, Longstreet and Ewell, and they were formidable +antagonists to encounter. Taking advantage of the delay, the enemy were +rapidly re-crossing the river, having seized several boats, and with +their pontoon train soon constructed bridges. The river was falling and +everything was in their favor. While we were watching their front +nothing but their advance guard was in sight. On the night of July 14th +the retreat was discovered, but nothing could be done until morning. At +daylight our army was in pursuit, but without avail. Their rear guard, +numbering some five thousand men, was captured, the rest were safe +across the river, marching rapidly toward Richmond, a weakened, +demoralized army, disheartened by defeat. It is estimated that Lee lost +forty thousand men in his attempt to invade the North. Gen. Meade was +greatly censured by the people of the North for allowing the enemy to +escape, but Lee had yet a large army and victory to our forces not +altogether certain. The Potomac army by rapid marching and hard +fighting, had driven the enemy from our soil, and the heart-felt thanks +of millions of souls went up to God in praise. But still more was to be +done; the rebels were not conquered; large armies were yet to be +encountered and subdued; miles of territory hostile to the government to +be occupied, and treason crushed forever. The army moved five miles to +Williamsport, occupying the same ground the rebels did the night before. +We saw their breastworks and fortifications, but nothing of them, with +the exception of their rear guard of 5,000 men that was captured. We +remained at Williamsport until the morning of the 15th, when the pursuit +commenced. Orders were read to the troops to prepare for hard marching. +The weather was intensely hot, almost suffocating, and the roads very +muddy. We marched that day 14 miles, passing through the villages of +Fairplay and Donaldsville. The march was very severe, especially for the +new troops. Twenty from the 3d Corps fell out, exhausted, and died by +the road; several were sunstruck. At three o'clock the troops halted in +the vicinity of Sharpsburg until morning, the men nearly played out. +Muskets were stuck in the ground and shelters fastened upon them, to +protect the men from the rays of the sun. Tired and weary they threw +themselves upon the ground and most of them were soon asleep. Pickets +were placed as usual, until the next morning, when the army was again in +motion, marching that day 15 miles, encamping in Pleasant Valley, near +Harper's Ferry, remaining until the afternoon of the next day, the rain +pouring in torrents. The weather was very uncertain, one day very warm, +the next rainy and cold. + +On the afternoon of 17th, the column marched eight miles, very slowly, +passing Sandy Hook and crossing the Potomac at Harper's Ferry on +pontoons. For the first time our regiment trod the sacred soil of +Virginia. Alas! how few returned of that noble band of Jersey boys, the +bravest of the brave, that for the first time stood on that once sacred, +but now polluted, ground. The ravages of war had laid the country waste, +and destitution everywhere met the eye. An old dilapidated bridge +crossed the Shenandoah, and the troops marched over in single file, +moving around Louden Heights. The night being very dark and the march +very slow, they halted in a field at 12 o'clock until morning. The next +day was Sunday, but there was no rest--no such thing as Sunday in the +army. The regiment was detailed as rear guard of ammunition train, +marching eight miles, the sun being very warm, and the heat almost +insufferable, encamping with the main body of the corps in a field near +Keys Pass. The heat was so intense that neither army could march fast. +The rebels were now but one day's march from us, we having taken a +nearer route by way of Harper's Ferry, marching down the Louden Valley, +the enemy marching down the Shenandoah. + +The Summer campaign had thus far been an active one, and by the new +troops was considered wonderful. The rebel army was still moving +southward by slow marches, from eight to fifteen miles per day, the +weather too hot to permit marching faster, the Potomac Army in pursuit. +Lee, as wily and strategic as ever, refused to give battle, and, by a +series of maneuvers, succeeded in eluding our grasp. The different corps +marched by different routes, the cavalry frequently skirmishing with +their rear guard. But five miles were made on the 19th, as the troops +were waiting for supplies, passing through Snickersville, near Snicker's +Gap, and encamping in a field. At midnight we were routed out for +rations and a good supper issued. At four o'clock we were ordered to +move, marching fourteen miles before breakfast, halting at noon for +dinner. After resting an hour orders were given to move again, marching +three miles to Upperville, encamping on the ground where Buford had a +cavalry fight with the rebel leader, Stuart, the year previous. For +several hours skirmishing was kept up until dark, when Buford ordered a +charge. Stuart was driven from the field, retiring in the darkness of +the night, leaving his dead and wounded in our hands. The troops +remained at Upperville two days, the regiment being detailed for picket +the ensuing night. It was now rumored that Grant, the hero of Vicksburg, +was to take command of the army, Gen. Meade being too slow for the +people North. Had they been in the Potomac army, they would not have +been so eager to move, and march in the hot sun. Upperville is a small +village near Manassas Gap. The people, as a general thing, are very +ignorant, and gazed with wonder at us Yanks, as they called us. One +remark, especially, was amusing to the men. As the regiment was passing +an old house, being an advance guard, a little girl came running in, +exclaiming, "Mother, mother, take in your clothes, here comes the +Yanks!" This served as a bye-word for some time, the men often +exclaiming, as they passed a house, "Take in your chimney, old man, its +going to rain!" At four o'clock on the afternoon of the 22d, orders came +to fall in, marching six miles to Piedmont station, on the Orange and +Alexandria Railroad. At the commencement of the war this road was +destroyed by the rebels; ties were burned, rails bent, bridges +demolished, and wrecks of cars lay strewed around in various places. The +troops encamped on a hill until morning. Gen. Meade received information +that Ewell's corps was holding Manassas Gap, until the main body of the +rebel army had passed. Orders were given Gen. French to take the 3d +corps and, if possible, drive them from their position. At daylight the +next morning the corps started, with nothing to eat, as the rations had +not arrived. It was deemed necessary to drive the rebels from the gap, +and the men were compelled to go. The sun was very warm, and the troops, +hungry and weary, plodded on, marching fourteen miles, halting for a +rest at noon. At three o'clock the column advanced in line of battle, +the cavalry returning, having engaged the enemy during the morning, but +could do but little without infantry. Manassas Gap is a wild, romantic +spot, and very hilly. The brigade was formed and maneuvered in line of +battle; Berdan's sharpshooters were deployed as skirmishers and soon +engaged the enemy on Whopping Heights. Orders were given the men to load +and fix bayonets, some time being occupied in getting into position, +marching up hill and down. It was now supposed by the men that a battle +was to be fought. Our brigade was placed in position and ordered to +charge the enemy. The skirmishing now became heavier, and the sharp +crack of the sharpshooter's rifle could be distinguished from the rest. +The men from the 14th now thought they were to see their first battle, +and grasping their muskets with a steady nerve, moved forward. +Fortunately we escaped for the time. Fearing a flank movement, the order +for the 1st brigade to charge was countermanded, and they were sent to +the extreme right of the line to protect the flank, through a dense wood +of briars and filled with ditches. The firing on the left and centre now +became heavier. Sickels' old brigade, now commanded by Gen. Spinola, was +ordered to charge in place of the 1st brigade, which proved a success; +two hundred prisoners and two guns were captured from the enemy. Gen. +Spinola was wounded and retired from the field. Our loss in killed and +wounded was but sixty men. Night was now approaching; the main body of +the rebel army had passed; the firing ceased, and the enemy were +retreating in haste. The weather suddenly changed, and the night was +chilly and damp. The regiment encamped on the side of a hill, without +blankets, and with nothing to eat; tired and weary, the men were soon +asleep. At daylight the bugle aroused the men from their slumbers. No +traces of the enemy could be seen; maneuvered up hill and down in line +of battle during the morning, when the troops were ordered back to +Piedmont; the remaining corps were encamped there awaiting supplies. +During the march to Manassas Gap, the troops waded five streams, some of +them waist deep, passing a village called Markham. The afternoon of the +26th the column moved back the same road, fourteen miles, to Piedmont, +the weather intensely hot and the men falling out by the way. They were +two days without anything to eat but green grapes and berries that grew +by the roadside; this was the hardest march the men had had so far. +Arriving at Piedmont, rations were issued of hard tack, coffee and pork, +the men eating a good supply, and lying down until morning. Having +received five days' rations, the troops moved again the next day twelve +miles, passing near Salem; the weather, as usual, warm, and the roads +dusty, the mud soon drying up. The column halted for the night, and the +men, with weary limbs and blistered feet, lay on the ground to rest. The +next day was Sunday, marched eleven miles to Warrenton; guarding +ammunition train, remaining on the outskirts of the place in camp five +days. Warrenton is a pretty village, three miles from Warrenton +Junction, on the Alexandria, Richmond and Danville road. At the +commencement of the war it was a thriving place, but since it has gone +to decay. + +One hundred young men, the sons of wealthy parents, enlisted in the +rebel army; at the close of the war but eleven remained. Virginia is one +vast graveyard; the bones of three hundred thousand heroes there repose; +the merchant with the laborer, rich and poor, white and black. The +leaden messenger of death heeded not, but speed on, wielded by the hands +of men, once brothers, but now foes; engaged in cruel civil war, neither +party disposed to yield. + +At Warrenton, Colonel Truex, with three commissioned officers and five +enlisted men, started for Jersey to raise recruits. The regiment was +commanded by Lieut. Col. Hall during his absence. Having, as yet, +received no tents or blankets, we lay in the hot sun until August 1st, +when the troops were again ordered to move; marching on the wrong road, +thereby marching eight miles out of the way; returned again, marching +fifteen miles more, halting at Shut-eye Town, near Stoneman's Creek; no +signs of the enemy, the regiment still guarding the ammunition train. +This march was very severe, the men carrying five days' rations, +muskets, equipments, and sixty rounds of ammunition. More than one half +of the men fell out, some cursing the officers for leading them out of +the way. Remained near Stoneman's Creek four days, brigade drill under +Gen. Morris each day. Officers from different regiments were sent home +to recruit, to prepare for the Fall campaign; more men were needed and +the army again re-organized. The troops now halted on the banks of the +Rappahannock, the 3rd corps at Fox's Ford, our brigade encamping at Rout +Hill, five miles from Stoneman's Creek, near Bealton Station, picketing +the Rappahannock; the rebel army near Culpepper. Camps were laid out, +shelter tents and rubber blankets issued, the men needing them very +much. Tents were placed on a line and raised from the ground, with poles +cut from trees, and were inspected each Sunday morning by a staff +officer from headquarters. The troops were lying once more in camp, +drawing clothes and shoes. Muskets were cleaned up and inspected each +afternoon; company drill one hour each morning. The drills were very +arduous; brigade drill four hours each day, guard mounting and dress +parade at night. Rout Hill was a very unhealthy place, a great many of +the men taking sick, several of them dying. The 6th N.Y. Heavy Artillery +were detached from brigade and sent to Washington, organized as +provisional brigade and commanded by Col. Ketchum, who subsequently lost +his life at Cedar Creek. + +The brigade was now the largest in the corps; the 14th N. J. numbered +800 men, commanded by Col. Truex; the 10th Vermont 900 men, commanded by +Col. Henry, and the 151st N. Y. 900 men, commanded by Lieut. Col. Bowen, +in all 2,600 men, commanded by Brig. Gen. Morris. Details were made each +morning for picket from the various regiments, and stationed along the +Rappahannock. The camp now presented a healthy appearance, and a city +sprung up as if by magic. Old barns and out-houses were taken down by +the men, and comfortable Summer quarters were built, covered with +shelters. Games of ball, pitching quoits, and other amusements were +common. Sutlers arrived, the men were paid off, and marching for the +time was forgotten. + +The army was now rapidly filling up, recruits arriving each day. The +mail and papers regularly arrived, and served to while away the dull +hours of camp life. Nothing was as cheering to a soldier as a letter +from his loving friends at home. As each mail arrived, the postmaster +was surrounded by an eager crowd, anxious to hear from home. Those who +were fortunate enough to get a letter were envied by their unlucky +comrades. If the friends at home could have known the pleasure a letter +would give us, they would not have delayed, but would have answered +immediately upon reception. + +The troops remained in camp on the banks of the Rappahannock five weeks, +preparing for the Fall campaign. The 14th had now been in the army one +year, and had not thus far engaged in conflict with the enemy; several +times forming line of battle, every moment expecting to attack. For a +time we were fortunate, but, before the term of our enlistment had +expired, we were destined to see more marching and more fighting than +any regiment from New Jersey. Since the battle of Gettysburgh, there had +been no fighting of importance, and all were looking for a forward +movement. The rebel army had again been recruited, and were lying +quietly in camp near Culpepper, watching the movements of our forces, +and awaiting our advance. When least expected, the advance was made, and +the rebels surprised, as will be here-shown. + +On the 7th of September, the corps was reviewed; an imposing spectacle. +The divisions were drawn up in line of battle on an open plain, near +army headquarters the troops in heavy marching order, with knapsacks +packed and blankets rolled, marching and counter marching, and passing +in review before Gen. Meade and staff, the officers seated on horseback. +It was very tiresome to the men. After reviewing the troops, they +marched back to their quarters, the officers to Gen. Meade's, where a +collation was served, the wine passing freely around; the privates, that +did the fighting, by their camp fires, eating hard-tack and salt pork, +denied the comforts of life, far from home, on Southern soil, fighting +for liberty and union. + +During the afternoon of Sept 15, the Regiment being out on drill, were +ordered immediately to camp, and to prepare to move. Tents were struck, +knapsacks packed, and three days' rations issued. At five o'clock the +column moved forward, leaving our camp where we had lain five weeks, and +started towards the Rappahannock, marching five miles, halting at dark +near a mill on the Rappahannock, the men supposing they were to remain +until morning; but the troops were on the wrong road, the water at this +place being too deep to wade. The men were ordered to fall in, and +marched back across the fields, passing the old camp, and marching some +ten miles farther, encamping for the night on a low marshy swamp, near +Freeman's Ford, twelve miles from Bealton Station. The water at this +ford is very shallow, the main road to Richmond crossing at this point, +not deep enough for a bridge. The men were now well supplied with tents, +blankets and knapsacks for the Winter. The days were very warm, but the +nights were very cold, the dew falling heavily. Our loads were a burden; +knapsacks packed, five days rations and sixty rounds of ammunition, the +men calling themselves Uncle Sam's pack mules. At daylight the next +morning, the order to move forward was given, the men not knowing where +the enemy was stationed, nor in what force. The Rappahannock was waded +waist deep, the boys cheering as they felt the cold water gradually +rising till it was up to their waists, holding their muskets and +ammunition up in their hands, to prevent them from getting wet; marching +very fast, crossing Hazel river at Weldon's Ford, wading it still deeper +than the Rappahannock. After marching all day, with heavy loads, the +column halted at dark, having marched twenty miles. Tired and wet, the +men were glad to rest, and threw themselves on the ground for sleep. The +papers north were now filled with news, and were eagerly read by those +at home who knew nothing of war: the Potomac army has moved and will +soon be engaged in deadly strife with the enemy, and the war will soon +be over. Such reports were daily published, and by the people were +believed. It was thought by them that Lee was so badly whipped at +Gettysburgh that he would not fight; but they were mistaken, the rebel +army was recruited, re-organized, and as full of fight as ever, their +leaders determined on independence or extermination. The forward +movement had now commenced. + +The next day the troops marched five miles in line of battle, in a dense +wood. The equinoctial storm now came on, and the troops were ordered +into camp near Culpepper, remaining there twenty-three days, watching +the movements of the enemy strongly entrenched on the Rapidan. Pickets +were thrown out and camp life again commenced. Why the halt, none of the +men could tell, and for twenty-three days, drills, inspections and +reviews were in regular succession. This suited the men better than +marching, although tired of drilling. The 14th had not as yet lost any +men by battle, but a great many by sickness and death. Of the 950 +able-bodied men that had left New Jersey, 110 of them had died and were +buried in Maryland and Pennsylvania, and a few in Virginia. Eight +hundred and forty strong, the regiment occupied a large space of ground, +encamping in five lines, two companies in one line, or, as was called, +regimental divisions. The companies were in line as follows: A, F, D, I, +C, H, E, K, G and B. A on the right was called the senior company, B on +the left the second, and C centre or color company; the color guard was +composed of one Sergeant and eight Corporals, whose duty it was to +protect the flag. + +On the morning of the 22d of September, eight days' rations were issued +the men at two o'clock, and orders given to move at daylight. Tents were +packed and everything in readiness, when the order was countermanded, +the tents again placed on a line. The pickets were doubled, as it was +supposed the enemy was advancing, and were about to attack; but this was +soon forgotten, and vigilance again relaxed. + +Winter quarters were now talked of by the men, as cold weather was +approaching; they could scarcely keep warm in small shelter tents. Wood +was very scarce and had to be carried some distance. The cold winds of +October had come; extra blankets and overcoats were issued to protect +the men from the cold. Forty-two dollars per year were allowed the men +for clothing, and if they over-ran the amount, the difference was paid +by them; if not drawn, the government paid the balance due the men. + +On the 10th of October everything was quiet in camp. The various +regiments were out on drill, when suddenly the long roll was beaten, and +the troops, in double quick time, proceeded to camp. Orderlies were now +running in every direction, everything in confusion, as the enemy were +advancing in force. A line of battle was soon formed, extending some 15 +miles. Our pickets were driven in, and the rebels were slowly advancing. +Remained in line one hour, with arms stacked, the men lying on the grass +awaiting orders. Returned to camp and packed up, ready to move, as the +enemy had crossed the Rapidan and were advancing in force. At noon the +troops moved, maneuvering in various directions. As yet no decisive +order had been given, as it was not known what Lee's intentions were. +The regiment marched three miles, halting in the camp the 6th N. J. had +occupied, their camp showing signs of having been left in haste. The +majority of the men being on picket, wagons were sent for their +knapsacks. At ten o'clock the men pitched their shelters to get, if +possible, a little sleep. Tents were up but a short time when orders +came to pack up and move. The men formed in line but did not move, and +lay on the ground until morning by camp fires, when the men again fell +in, the day being Sunday, and marched in retreat, a forced march, the +enemy following firing on our rear guard. Several times during the +retreat a line of battle was formed by our men to protect the rear. Lee +had been heavily re-enforced by troops sent from Bragg's army in the +southwest, and was following closely, as the men remarked, "tight to our +heels," destroying the railroad, burning bridges, etc. At Brandy +station, the cavalry under Buford made a gallant charge, driving their +advance guard back to Culpepper. The 106th N. Y. of third division, +being on picket, were nearly surrounded, fighting their way out with +small loss. Both armies were now using every exertion, part of the time +Lee's army on a line with ours, moving for Centreville Heights. Arriving +at the Hazel river, the troops were obliged to wait until pontoons were +built, halting in line of battle, the rear guard skirmishing with the +enemy during the entire march. The troops soon filed over on two +bridges, which were taken up as soon as the army passed, the rebels +laying theirs shortly after. Darkness now came on, and still the march +was continued; the men, tired and weary often halting, forming line of +battle, moving back and then advancing. At ten o'clock the Rappahannock +was reached, the night very dark and cold; the men were compelled to +wade the river waist deep, the water running rapidly. The troops halted +on the banks of the river, having marched twenty-one miles since +morning. A line of battle was now formed and a heavy picket force thrown +out. The 14th Regiment was detailed, and orders given the men to light +no fires nor to sleep. Chilled through, the men stood all night in their +wet clothes. Several refused to cross the river and were taken prisoners +the next day. At first it was supposed the enemy would not follow any +farther than the river, but we were mistaken. All day Monday the men +remained on picket, watching the movements of the enemy. At Fox's Ford, +the 1st New Jersey cavalry were engaged for several hours, keeping the +enemy at bay. The fords were all heavily guarded by the cavalry, and +skirmishing was continually kept up. All was quiet in our immediate +front, while the deep booming of the cannon was heard at intervals +during the day on the extreme right or left. Our base of supplies was at +Alexandria. The retreat had thus far been admirably conducted by Gen. +Meade. Being afraid to hazard a battle against such odds, it was deemed +expedient to retreat within the defenses of Washington, and with the +troops there encamped to fight if necessary. It was now evident that it +was Lee's intention to make a grand raid in the rear of the Army of the +Potomac; cutting off railroad communication with Washington by +destroying the bridges; securing supplies for his half famished troops +and horses by seizing scattering wagon trains; and then by rapid marches +throw his main force upon different points, and, if possible, destroy +Gen. Meade's army by detail. When this flank movement was discovered +Gen. Meade ordered a rear movement east of Culpepper, by Kilpatrick's +and Buford's divisions of cavalry, with infantry supports. A. P. Hill's +rebel corps had advanced on our north flank, towards Warrenton, +threatening our right. Finding that Ewell's corps had not pursued us to +the river, Gen. Meade sent three corps and Buford's cavalry towards +Culpepper, but found no heavy force of the enemy there, Lee having by +this time pushed his main column towards Warrenton, threatening our +right and rear, while we were on the Rappahannock watching a portion of +one of his corps. Lee hoped to execute his well-planned movement upon +our rear, but our reconnoisance towards Culpepper led him to believe +that it was Gen. Meade's intention to get in his rear. Instead of moving +farther as he should have done, he halted his army, and took a position +to give a decisive fight. + +Up to this time Lee had the advantage, having surprised us while lying +in camp. He was as near Washington as Gen. Meade, and unencumbered with +trains, with every prospect of gaining Manassas or Centreville Heights, +and cutting off our retreat and all our heavy trains. He evidently +expected to be attacked on Tuesday, as we lay all day Monday on the +Rappahannock, watching, as we supposed, his whole army, when it was only +one of his corps, and he, as ignorant as we were, expecting us to attack +him, maintaining his position in line of battle until noon Tuesday, +awaiting our advance. Gregg's cavalry division had retarded the +movements of the rebel leader Stuart's advance over the Rappahannock +during Monday, although compelled to fall back from the river at night. +Quietly, during the reconnoisance on Monday, Gen. Meade had prepared his +trains, and got them en route rearward, and during Monday had withdrawn +his corps from the Rappahannock, destroyed the railroad bridges, +abutments and all, and sent the pontoons eastward before daylight on +Tuesday morning; sunrise saw the whole army well on the way towards +Washington. Our regiment was yet on picket, having been on over +twenty-four hours. At three o'clock in the morning we were ordered to +fall in, marching one mile, halting in the woods, stacking arms and +cooking breakfast. At four o'clock we formed in line of battle; Co.'s E +and G were sent out as skirmishers. Colonel Truex rode to the front of +the regiment telling them he wished every man in his place; he wanted no +shirking, as the enemy had crossed the river, their skirmishers were +slowly advancing, and would soon be in sight. Again we were destined not +to engage in battle, remaining in line one hour and then marched back, +passing the place we stood picket with our backs to the Rappahannock; +the army had crossed so often, only to return beaten by the foe. The +brigade was now several miles ahead, and the men were compelled to march +fast to keep up, passing the 1st and 2nd divisions, taking the fields +and by-roads; at three o'clock halting near the railroad, supposing we +were to remain until morning, as we had marched twenty miles. The enemy +were pressing and again we were ordered to move. From elevated points of +view the advance of our army over the plains of Manassas by four +different roads, with flanking columns of infantry stretching for miles +and moving steadily forward, was grand beyond description. Cannonading +and musketry were frequently heard on our left flank, as bodies of rebel +cavalry came down at different points, under the fixed belief that they +would reach the railroad and cut our line unopposed. They were very much +surprised at finding a force at every point, miles from the line of +travel, to meet and repel them there. Nor was Lee less surprised when he +learned that he was successfully out-generaled by Meade. He pushed off +Stuart's cavalry from Sulphur Springs upon our rear on Tuesday evening, +and rushed forward Hill's corps at a double quick to support them. Ewell +advanced more leisurely, capturing our stragglers, a great many falling +out, some forty from the 14th regiment were taken and sent to Belle +Isle, there to linger, starved and nearly frozen, during the long, +dreary days of Winter. + +The firing in the rear now became heavier, the men hastened their steps. +The 2nd corps was passed, halting in a woods for supper, and to protect +the rear, relieving the 3d corps that had guarded the rear during the +day. Our weary columns now pressed on without any rest until twelve +o'clock at night, when the camp fires of the advanced guard were +discerned in the distance. After marching through a dense woods, 3 miles +in length, the regiment halted in an open field with the rest of the +brigade near Greenwich, having been furnished with eight days' rations, +muskets, equipments and sixty rounds of ammunition, marched thirty-three +miles since morning. During the march Gen. French and staff were fired +into by guerillas, but fortunately none of them were injured. + +After resting about four hours, the troops were again routed out long +before daylight, resuming our march; being the rear guard the day +before, the 3d corps was now in advance in four columns. Our army +pressed on, knowing that if Centreville Heights were not reached by us +before Lee, all would be lost, and like Pope, Meade would have been left +to get out of the scrape the best way he could. At daylight Hill's corps +rushed upon Warren with the 2d corps; in vain he endeavored to cut them +off; forming the 2d corps in two lines of battle at Bristoe Station, the +brave Warren awaited their advance until within a few yards, and then +opened with his artillery and musketry, driving them back with severe +loss; in turn charging them, capturing 450 prisoners and 6 guns, leaving +500 of them killed and wounded on the field. When first attacked at +Bristoe Station, Warren threw his infantry from a hill south of the road +down through a swamp near the railroad, under a storm of shot and shell. +The raw recruits that were sent to the army at Rout Hill, were nearly +all of them placed in the 2d corps and in this, their first battle, gave +themselves up for lost. Pale and trembling they involuntarily went +forward, took position with their comrades and performed their portion +of the fight. Every whistling rifle ball, every shrieking shell, they +apprehended was to destroy them individually. It was beyond their +comprehension when told they had met, charged and beaten a brave enemy +in a fierce fight, and captured several hundred of Hill's veterans, six +guns and three battle flags, besides wounding hundreds of rebels, and +come out of the fight unhurt. Their immediate commanders say they fought +equally as well as the old boys, showing no signs of fear when the first +impulse had passed. At three o'clock the corps was ordered to halt, the +guns of Warren could be plainly heard. The regiment halted on Manassas +plains near a brick house used for a signal station, where Beauregard +had his headquarters at the battle of Bull Run. The day was rather +sultry; occasionally a shower came up, which was very refreshing to the +tired men. The troops had a splendid view of the old Bull Run battle +ground. The brigade countermarched one mile, and forming line of battle +proceeded to the help of Warren; but he needed no assistance, as he had +driven Hill back. During the march the enemy pressed us so hard that we +were compelled to leave the sick and wounded in their hands. Crossed +Broad Run, wading it knee deep; also crossed Bull Run at night, the army +forming a line front to the enemy, from Chantilly on the north to Wolf +Run shoals on the south. Not a farthing's worth of property had been +abandoned to, or destroyed by the enemy, out of millions of dollars +transported from Culpepper. Nearly seventy-five miles were marched in +three days, our advance on Centreville Heights being only a few hours +ahead of Lee. + +Thus Lee was again out-generaled by Maj. Gen. Meade; by ceaseless and +untiring vigilance he kept himself possessed of all their movements and +designs, and by marches of unparalleled rapidity, in which the troops +suffered without murmuring the loss of rest for successive nights, +marching on through daylight and darkness, in storm and cold, he +overcame the first day's march the enemy had gained, our advance being +already in possession of the Heights when the rear guard was engaged at +Bristoe, full ten miles distant. In consequence of hard marching the men +were very tired, and with blistered feet and weary limbs were glad to +rest on the old Bull Run battle ground, amid the bones of men and horses +that were now resting there. Forty from the regiment were captured on +the march, being unable to keep up. At 11 o'clock the troops encamped, +resting on their arms till morning. Maneuvering on the Heights, forming +line of battle, moving forward, passing the 1st, 2d and 5th corps on the +Heights; marching seven miles to Union Mills; raining hard. The next day +the regiment was detailed for picket, remaining on one day; was then +relieved by the 122d Ohio regiment of 3d division; remained at Union +Mills five days; every morning routed out at three o'clock in line of +battle until daylight. + +Our line of defence was now taken up as follows: From the vicinity of +Chantilly on the right to Union Mills on the left, with cavalry on +either flank; Birney's division of the 3d corps was stationed at Fairfax +Court House, the depot of supplies; the 3d division on the extreme left +at Union Mills; the 6th corps under Sedgwick, on the extreme right at +Chantilly, with Kilpatrick's cavalry to protect the flank; the 2d corps +in the rear, was held in readiness to be sent where most needed. The +troops were now inspected, and articles most needed given out, and new +clothing given to those who did not draw at Culpepper. Gen. Sickels, our +old commander, visited the corps at Union Mills. He was received by the +men with cheers, and welcomed back. His stay was brief, as he had not +recovered from his wound, his leg having been amputated near the hip. +Lee, foiled in his attempt to take Washington, retraced his steps, +falling back rapidly towards his entrenched position on the Rapidan. It +was feared that he would again cross the Potomac in the direction of +Harper's Ferry, for another extensive raid into Maryland and +Pennsylvania, as there were frequent reports coming from sources usually +reliable, but all of them proved groundless; if he had again attempted +it he would have found the Potomac army ready, and well prepared for any +engagement. With re-enforcements from Washington, the army was again +ready to move with a view to overtake Lee if he should be retreating, or +to intercept his return if he should have gone towards the Potomac. + +On the morning of Oct. 19, the order to advance was again given; +marching during the morning seven miles, halting at noon on Manassas +Plains, near Clarksville, marching over a railroad bridge at Pope's Run, +the rain pouring in torrents. Construction trains had now run as far as +Bristoe Station, the trussle bridge having been burnt by the rebels and +the tracks between Manassas and Catlet's Station almost wholly destroyed +by them. For the first time in two months we saw the cars, having +marched on by roads from Maryland to Culpepper, or on main roads far +from any railroad. The pursuit now commenced in earnest, and Lee, who +but a short time before was confident of victory, was now in turn +retreating. Again the tables were turned; by strategic skill Gen. Meade +had baffled all the designs of the skillful rebel chieftain. After a +weary march of three days in cold and storm, he succeeded in placing the +Union army in such a position that it would be madness for any foe to +attack it, and now the discomfited rebel army beats a hasty retreat, +attempting by rapid movements and shrewd devises, to get back to their +fortified position on the Rapidan before the Union Army could overtake +them in their haste. As we retired from the Rappahannock to the +fortified Heights of Centreville, the enemy followed, shouting victory; +every step they advanced seemed to them an assurance that Washington was +in their grasp. Proudly and defiantly they pressed on after our +retreating columns, thinking that the army of the Potomac had been +weakened by drafts upon it for the army in the southwest, and that we +would be wholly unable to protect the Union capitol; every mile we +retired strengthened them in their feeble delusion. Succeeding in +getting possession of the shortest line from the Rappahannock to +Centreville, they thought to possess those heights in advance of our +army, then wheeling destroy us, leaving Washington a sure fruit of their +success. It was a scheme well planned, and if successful, would have +given the Confederates their independence; but the commander of the +Union army was not idle, he understood their plans. By ceaseless and +untiring energy and by rapid marching, he came out victorious, and we +were again to traverse the same road, not in retreat, but as a +victorious army. Ten days from the time of our starting from Culpepper, +found us again on the advance. On the 20th the troops crossed Broad Run +and Kettle Run near Bristoe Station, wading them knee deep; found the +railroad destroyed, bridges and ties burned, marched over the hill where +Warren, with the 2d corps, engaged the enemy, the result being well +known to our readers, the remains of dead horses and men lying around; +marched 16 miles, taking the wrong road. The 1st and 2d divisions had +waded a stream very deep when the mistake was discovered, and they were +compelled to re-cross again, halting for the night near Greenwich; no +signs of the enemy, the weather very cold. + +The next day the column again started, marching seven miles, the 2d +corps halting at Buckley's Mills, and the 3d corps encamping at Catlet's +Station. The railroad was totally destroyed, the rebels having placed +the ties on heaps, and then setting them on fire; with the rails on top +becoming red hot, they were bent nearly double, rendering them entirely +useless. At Catlet's Station the troops were ordered in camp until the +railroad was rebuilt. The regiment was detailed for picket at +Weaverville, near a mill on Cedar Run; remained one day until relieved +by the 87th Pennsylvania; marched when relieved three miles, near corps +headquarters. The corps remained at Catlet's Station ten days, during +which time we were constantly on the move, changing camp five times. The +men were detailed to rebuild the railroad; trees were cut and ties made, +the men working with a will. Soon the road was re-built, rails having +been sent on construction trains from Washington; about forty miles of +road had been destroyed, part by our troops and part by the rebels. +During our encampment at Catlet's Station, the first military execution +that had ever occurred in the 3d corps took place on Friday afternoon +in the 1st division. The culprit was private Henry C. Beardsly, who +originally enlisted in the 5th Michigan infantry. He was always a +worthless, quarrelsome soldier and a shirk. He deserted before fighting +a battle, and afterwards enlisted in a cavalry regiment, from which he +also deserted; being caught with such a record there was no hope for +him. He was shot in the presence of the entire division at two o'clock +in the afternoon. The arrangements were most perfectly made by the +Provost Marshal of the division, the ceremonies being exceedingly +solemn. The poor fellow met his death more boldly than he lived. +Twelve-muskets were fired at him, eleven balls entered his breast, one +musket being blank; he died without a struggle. + +On the 30th of October the troops again moved forward, marching seven +miles to Warrenton Junction and encamping near Bealton Station. The road +was now completed from Washington to Warrenton, and supplies run to the +troops; encamped at the Junction seven days; company drill one hour each +day; the men were supplied with eight days' rations. On the 31st the +regiment was mustered in for four months' pay by Col. Truex; pontoon +trains were now sent forward, and preparations made to again cross the +Rappahannock. On Saturday, Nov. 7, the troops again moved forward. Lee +had sent large re-enforcements to Bragg, and thought himself secure, +thinking the Potomac army would not again advance until Spring, as +winter was approaching, and by that time the army of the Cumberland +would be whipped, and then with troops from Bragg would engage the +Potomac army. The rebel army was busily engaged in erecting winter +quarters, and building forts on the Rappahannock, little dreaming that +the Union army was again advancing. After marching fourteen miles the +6th corps, under Sedgwick, charged across the river at Kelly's Ford, +taking the enemy completely by surprise and capturing three thousand +prisoners, the rebels retreating in disorder. Lee at Culpepper heard the +firing in the distance and rushed to the front, but too late. He found +his army in a terribly demoralized condition, flying from the Potomac +army. At Freeman's Ford, the 1st division of the 3d corps also charged, +capturing three hundred prisoners, and driving Hill's corps back some +distance. Pontoons were soon laid, the rest of the army with the trains +passing over. Only a few days since and we were leaving the river in +haste, marching with unparallelled rapidity to the defenses of +Washington, now we were again on the Rappahannock. In the far distance +the booming of cannon announces that our advance is engaged with the +rear guard of the flying rebels, spreading consternation and terror +throughout their already disorganized and demoralized ranks. + +At dark the regiment was stationed in a pine woods on the river until +ten o'clock, when we were ordered to cross, having supported a battery +during the day, continually shelling the woods on the opposite shore; +crossed at Kelly's Ford, encamping on the banks of the river. At four +o'clock on Sunday morning the bugle sounded the reveille, and the men +were soon up packing their knapsacks, some making fires, others filling +canteens with water. Lieut. Tingly, of Co. E, in the darkness stumbled +over a man, as he supposed, still sleeping; turning around to awaken +him, he found a dead rebel sergeant who had been killed by one of our +shells. The rebels in their haste had left their dead without burial; +but little time was given to bury them, the pioneers covering them with +dirt. At seven o'clock the troops moved in line of battle, marching +eight miles, the artillery continually shelling their rear guard, +advancing as far as Brandy Station, the rebels placing four pieces of +artillery on a hill, shelling in return, killing two men and wounding +several in the 138th Pennsylvania. The 1st brigade was ordered to charge +the hill, and preparations were made, batteries were placed in position +and the hill shelled, when the rebels left in haste, our men taking +possession without opposition. The 14th was again fortunate, having as +yet lost not one man by battle. The troops now marched on a double +quick, the flying rebels discerned in the distance retreating in haste, +leaving a vast amount of ammunition and baggage in our hands. During the +afternoon the troops were massed in force at Brandy Station. The Potomac +army now composed of five corps, 1st, 2d, 3d, 5th and 6th, the 11th and +12th having been sent to the army of the Cumberland after the battle of +Gettysburg, and formed in one corps commanded by Major Gen. Hooker. The +1st corps was commanded by Gen. Franklin, the 2d by the brave Warren, +the 3d by Gen. French, the 5th by Sykes, the 6th by Sedgwick. The +cavalry divisions under Kilpatrick and Buford, were all under the +command of Major Gen. Meade. The 3d corps now halted in line of battle +in a dense woods, remaining until the ensuing night, when the troops +were routed out at nine o'clock, and ordered to fall in. It was supposed +that Lee was about to attack, having halted his retreating army on the +banks of the Rapidan; remaining in line in the cold two hours; marched +two miles, crossing the railroad at Brandy Station, halting for the +night near a small stream; lying in line of battle sleeping on our arms; +we were encamped on an open plain; there was scarcely any wood, the men +suffering very much from the cold. Lee, finding our men ready, fell +back; he had hoped to surprise Meade, but as vigilant as ever, he was +not to be caught napping. The men were ordered to lay down and be ready +to fall in at a moment's notice. The next morning three days' rations +were issued, and the troops ordered into camp, tents placed on a line, +remaining in camp five days, the men receiving two months' pay. The camp +had been occupied by the rebels, some of them having up winter quarters. +The men now supposed the army had halted for the winter; to make +themselves comfortable the men built chimneys of sod on one corner of +the tent, and built fires in them. A soldier can always make himself +comfortable; with his shelter pitched on sticks, a sod chimney built, +and the cracks of his tent filled with mud, he is then as happy as a +lord, and cares not for anything. Occasionally home was thought of as +something that had once been a pleasure, but now at war there seemed as +if there was no such thing as home; with no kind and loving friends +near, he submits to his lot without murmuring, caring not for the +future. The men were now very comfortable, and supposed they were to +remain some time. On the afternoon of the 14th the 1st brigade was +ordered to move to Culpepper, four miles distant. At four o'clock the +brigade started, marching several miles out of the way, the rain falling +heavily, wetting the men to the skin. The night was very dark, the +officers being unable to find the road, wandering around in the woods, +marching in swamps and ditches, sometimes up to their knees in mud; +occasionally a man fell down and was pulled out by his comrades; +marching on an old corduroy road, that for some time had been useless; +the rain poured in torrents; each man marching for himself and on his +own hook. At midnight Culpepper was reached, having marched twelve +miles, the correct distance being but four miles; the men halted in the +woods, building fires of brush to keep warm and to dry themselves. In +the morning the sun shone in all its splendor, the men presenting a +sorry plight covered with mud and water; the remainder of the army lying +quietly at Brandy Station; changed position during the morning; tents +placed on a line in regimental order. More than one-half the men had +fallen out, and now came straggling in; the brigade was sent to guard +Culpepper and the vicinity. The village of Culpepper is situated four +miles from Brandy Station and is quite a pretty place, of some two +thousand inhabitants, containing four churches, court house and county +jail; but few towns are on the railroad, Culpepper being the largest. + +Two companies were detailed for picket each day, the remaining companies +drilling brigade drill. Gen. Morris, having written a series of tactics, +was desirous of practicing, and ordered brigade drill each day. Winter +quarters were again the topic of conversation, as the cold was almost +unendurable. Nothing was now seen of the enemy, as they lay in their old +position on the Rapidan, and not very anxious to advance again, having +learned a lesson from us, although surprised and compelled to fall back +before it was more of an advantage to Meade than to Lee. The terrible +lesson they learned at Bristoe was not to be forgotten very soon, nor +our advance on the Rappahannock. But few men were lost on our side, the +enemy losing heavily in men and munitions of war. During our stay at +Culpepper two men were arrested as spies and sent to Washington; they +were dressed in the United States uniform and belonged to the guerilla +Mosby's command. Succeeding in eluding our pickets they entered our +lines with the intention of returning as speedily as possible, and +inform the rebels that there was but one brigade lying at Culpepper +easily accessible to them; frustrated in their plans, they were arrested +and subsequently met their fate as spies, being hung at Alexandria. +Efforts were made to save them, but of no avail, the rules of civilized +warfare demanded their execution, and the just deserts were meted out to +them to the fullest extent of the law. + +The brigade remained at Culpepper ten days, until the night of the 23d, +when orders were given to be ready to move at daylight. Although late in +the season, an advance was determined on and five days' rations issued +the men. Commencing to rain the order was countermanded, the brigade +leaving Culpepper and rejoining the division at Brandy Station, marching +four miles; lying in the mud near the railroad until Thursday, Nov. 26, +when the order to again advance was given, starting from Brandy Station +at 7 a. m. The troops in three columns moved towards the Rapidan, +crossing at different fords on pontoons; the enemy, not expecting an +advance, were as yet unprepared, reaching the river at five o'clock, the +3d corps crossing at Jacobs' Mill Ford, the trains following in the +rear; a force was left at Brandy Station to guard the railroad. After +marching fifteen miles the river was reached and crossed before dark; +nothing was seen of the enemy, their frowning breast works were empty. +Had they been manned by a sufficient force our crossing would not have +been so easy, as they had a splendid position for their artillery and a +raking fire from their batteries upon our advance. The troops were soon +over and formed in line of battle, throwing out heavy pickets, halting +in the woods near the river until routed out the next morning. The +column had advanced the evening previous until near the enemy, +countermarching and encamping for the night. Every preparation was made +for the ensuing day, as the enemy were moving, being aware of our +advance. The morning of the 27th was cold and dreary. It was +Thanksgiving Day at home, but to the poor soldier it was war, and many +that entered the fight that day lived not to see the morrow's sun; they +had spent their last Thanksgiving Day on earth, and now fill a soldier's +grave. + +Gen. French was sent in advance with the 3d corps, the 3rd division on +the lead, they overtaking the enemy at Locust Grove, a dense forest of +pine trees; the enemy were strongly posted. Our division had always lain +along the railroad, and thus far had never engaged in battle. We were +called by the other divisions of the corps, Gen. French's pets, as they +thought he favored us more than the rest, he being the former commander +of the 3rd division. The 1st division, commanded by Gen. Birney, was in +the rear of the 3d division. When they were told we were to charge the +enemy, the men of the 1st division exclaimed, "What! send French's pets +in there? they can't fight." The General hearing them, in his blunt +manner remarked, "We'll see if they can't fight. Move forward, boys." +Skirmishers from the 122nd Ohio regiment were immediately sent out. The +1st brigade being on the advance, was for the first time engaged with +the enemy, and for four hours was under fire, the men fighting bravely +until darkness ended the contest, standing their ground like veterans; +making a brilliant charge and driving the rebels from their position, +capturing several prisoners. The whole corps was by this time hotly +engaged, maintaining their ground, neither side gaining any material +advantage. Gen. Carr and staff were everywhere conspicuous, and +supported by the 6th corps, there was no such word as fail. The old 3d +corps had long established its reputation, which was never to be lost. +Ever since the organization of the Potomac army had the 3d corps been +foremost in the fight; commanded by a fighting man, Major Gen. Sickles, +it never wavered, always the first to enter and the last to leave. +Thousands had lost their lives in the seven days' fight before Richmond, +at Antietam, Chancellorsville and Gettysburgh, and thousands more were +to lose their lives in the brave old 3d. Each corps was ordered to have +a mark, designating it from the rest, the 3d corps choosing the diamond, +an emblem of worth. This originated from Gen. Kearney, commanding the +New Jersey brigade; in order to distinguish his men from the rest, he +ordered them to wear a red cross; the other commanders taking it in hand +until each corps had a mark and a corps flag; each division red, white +and blue. Of the corps in the Potomac army, the 1st was full moon; 2nd +club; 3d diamond; 5th Maltese cross, and 6th Roman cross. At Locust +Grove the red and blue patches of the different divisions were plainly +seen. The woods were so thick that artillery could not be used; the roar +of musketry as it vibrated among the trees was awful and sublime, +sounding as if the wind with all its force was rushing on moved by some +irresistible power. + +The officers and men of the 14th fought nobly, knowing that their +reputation depended on this, their first battle. Co's B and K being on +the extreme left of the line, became separated from the regiment, and +did not hear the order to fall back when relieved, remaining in one hour +after the regiment, not leaving until their ammunition was exhausted. +The regiment lost sixteen killed and fifty-eight wounded, having been in +the service sixteen months without engaging in battle, the other +regiments losing in proportion. Gen. Morris rode to the front, +congratulating the men for their bravery. In a few words he told them +that as new troops, a brigade never fought better; that they had +accomplished all that was desired of them. At dark the enemy retreated, +leaving their dead and wounded in our hands. All night long the surgeons +were busy dressing the wounds of our men, the cries of the poor wounded +fellows as they lay writhing under the knife were heart-rending; the +groans of the dying as they lay on the field were heard throughout the +night. The battle was now over, the enemy had fallen back, and the +troops remained on the field lying on their arms until morning. The +enemy had now fallen back in their old position at Mine Run awaiting our +approach; the weather very cold and mud knee deep; marched five miles, +halting near Robinson's Tavern; in a pine wood in front of the enemy's +breastworks, which were very strong. All Saturday and Sunday Gen. Meade +and his corps commanders were engaged in devising means to force the +enemy from their position on the western slope of Mine Run, being too +strongly posted to warrant making a direct assault upon their works, +although our forces outnumbered them two to one. Mine Run is a small +stream about ten feet wide, but very deep; on each side is a low marsh, +miry and reed grown. About one mile back from either side there were +cultivated patches of pine trees. On the south side the Potomac army lay +in line of battle all day Sunday, the 29th; none but the 3d corps had +thus far been engaged, the 3d division, the heaviest. The enemy had +moved out of their position to meet us, and at Locust Grove had +encountered our advance. After being defeated and driven back by the 3d +corps, they awaited our approach, having fortified the western slope by +a strong earthwork of felled trees, shrubbery and brush, forming an +almost impenetrable abattis. They had also dug a succession of rifle +pits within easy musket range of the creek, manned by sharpshooters, to +pick off our advance skirmishers, their line of defense extending from +what was called Clark's Mountain, on the plank road, to the mouth of the +stream, and was fully supported by artillery, and by our generals was +considered as strong as Fredericksburg. The artillery was brought +forward and placed in position in front of their batteries. Not a shot +had yet been exchanged since the battle of Locust Grove, each side +waiting for the other, the infantry being hidden from view by a thick +woods. In order to move them forward it was found necessary to bridge +the streams and morasses in various places, a work both difficult and +dangerous; this was done by the 1st division of the 3d corps. Sunday +passed, and at dark nothing had yet been done; thus far we had not +accomplished anything; with one corps we had met their advance, and +after a hard battle had driven them back a few miles in a strong +position not easily flanked, with severe loss on both sides. On Sunday +night the troops were massed and formed as follows: the 2d corps on the +extreme left at Clark's Mountain; the left centre was held by the 3d +corps; the centre by two divisions of the 1st, and the right by the 5th +and 6th corps. Gen. Warren with the 2nd corps was to attack Sunday +afternoon at 3 o'clock, and, if possible, turn the enemy's right wing; +the 5th and 6th corps, under Sykes and Sedgwick, were at the same time +to attack their left, while the 1st and 3d moved on the centre. The +reserve artillery had all been brought forward ready for action, but for +some reason the infantry failed to connect, and night slipped upon us +all drawn up in line of battle. That night a change was made in the +programme. Gen. Warren did not deem his force adequate to the task of +turning the enemy's right, so he was still re-enforced by the 1st and 3d +divisions of the 3d corps, marching at two o'clock Monday morning five +miles; the 3d division placed on the extreme left in the most dangerous +position, while Birney with his division was to support the artillery. +The army was now placed in their respective positions, and 8 o'clock +Monday morning was then set by Gen. Meade for the great battle to open. +The men lay down wrapped in their blankets on the frozen ground, to rest +and to dream of home. The night of Sunday was the coldest we had yet +experienced; ice formed in streams an inch in thickness. Several of the +men froze their limbs, and one or two lost their lives while on picket. +The enemy's sharpshooters were found frozen in their rifle pits, as a +great many of them had no overcoats or blankets. At 8 o'clock on Monday +the artillery began to play upon the enemy, and for an hour was as heavy +as ever was witnessed; the shells, as they flew shrieking through the +air, were plainly seen. The enemy replied feebly, not wishing to +disclose their position. The infantry did not make any demonstration +whatever, and after making a great deal of noise and wasting a large +amount of ammunition, the artillery was silenced by an order from +headquarters. The men were already in line with knapsacks unslung, the +3d division to lead and charge their extreme right. Gen. Meade rode to +the front, examined their works with his glass, and then countermanded +the order, as a fearful loss of life would ensue; the weather being so +cold the wounded would die if left uncared for. The 3d division remained +on the left until 3 o'clock Monday afternoon, when they returned to +their old position in the center with the balance of the corps. Nothing +more was done during the day but to form some other plan; but the wisest +plan our generals could agree on was to go back to our line on the +Rappahannock and take a fresh start. Accordingly the trains were all +ordered back across the Rapidan, the troops still in line watching the +enemy until the trains were all safe across. General Francis Meagher was +a guest at headquarters, and moved with the troops, engaging in battle +with the Irish Brigade, and narrowly escaped capture at Locust Grove. +Being dressed in citizen's dress, he was taken by the enemy to be a +reporter and no exertion was made to capture him. Had they known that he +was a distinguished general, and the leader of the old 69th New York +that gave them such reception at Bull Run, they would have captured him +certain; as it was, he escaped by spurring his horse out of their reach. + +On Tuesday, Dec. 1, 1863, the troops were ordered to fall back, as +nothing could be accomplished. The roads were in a terrible condition, +almost impassable; it was with difficulty that supplies could be sent to +the men by wagons over the route of thirty or forty miles. Our wounded +were suffering considerably; the most of them were compelled to walk, +as transportation could not be furnished; only those that had lost a +limb were allowed to ride. At dark pickets were placed as usual, the +main body of the army falling back, marching all night on a double quick +on the Fredericksburg plank road, the weather each hour growing colder. +All night long the troops moved in solid columns, a brilliant moon +lighting us on our way. The trains were all safe across, and were on +their way to Brandy Station, to be filled with supplies for the men. On +their return the boys set the woods on fire, and they were soon burning +in all directions. The pickets were relieved at 3 o'clock, when Lee +discovered the retreat; his army was soon in motion, but too late to do +any good. By daylight the army was all safe across the Rapidan, having +marched, or rather run twenty miles; several of the men were unable to +keep up and were captured. The troops crossed at Germania Ford, on two +pontoon bridges, which were taken up at 6 o'clock, and our batteries +placed on a hill ready for action. The rebel cavalry made their +appearance on the opposite side but were soon driven back by a few +shells, retiring suddenly with the few prisoners they had captured. The +pursuit was now abandoned, and the men, foot sore and weary, threw +themselves upon the ground and were soon buried in slumber. Rations were +scarce, the men having nothing to eat, and we were yet some distance +from Brandy Station, our base of supplies. The troops were allowed to +rest until noon. The men had become scattered during the march, and were +now joining their commands. Meade halted on the banks of the river, +hoping Lee would give battle. The men were in fine spirits and were now +anxious to fight the rebel army away from their entrenchments in an open +field; but Lee declined to give battle, and after exchanging a few shots +with the rear guard of our army, both armies retired from the river, Lee +moving back to Mine Run, the Potomac army to Brandy Station, to enter +winter quarters. At noon the column again moved, marching but five +miles, halting in a dense woods, with nothing to eat until two o'clock +the next morning, when the column again moved, marching nine miles, and +arriving at Brandy Station at 10 o'clock, the troops occupying their old +quarters near the railroad; the camp was welcomed with joy; weary, +hungry and nearly tired out, after an absence of eight days, returned, +having crossed the Rapidan, accomplishing but little. Fighting two days +on slim rations; recrossed again, having lost about two thousand men in +killed, wounded and missing. Again the people north were clamorous for +the removal of Meade; why did he not attack Lee in his entrenchments? +was the cry; Richmond must be taken, and all such remarks. It was +rumored that Hooker was again to take command, and we were to return +immediately to Mine Run; but the military men of the Potomac army knew +that the fortifications at Mine Run never could be taken by the Potomac +army, especially at this time of the year. If Lee was driven out of his +works, the success could not be followed up, as the cold was too intense +to permit a campaign of long duration. + +On the 4th of December, 1863, the troops were ordered into Winter +quarters, as nothing more could be done that Winter. The railroad was +guarded from Alexandria to Brandy Station by the 1st corps, the main +line extending from Culpepper to the Rapidan. Camps were now laid out in +regular order, each brigade by itself, the 1st brigade encamping on the +plantation of John Minor Botts, one of Virginia's noblest sons, who, at +the commencement of the war, refused to aid in breaking up the Union +formed by Washington and his compeers, one of the best governments the +world ever saw. Because he would not aid in bringing civil war, and aid +in slaughtering thousands of innocent men, he was for three months +confined in Libby Prison by the rebel leader, his daughter sharing his +confinement with him without a murmur. He was finally released on +parole, and was now residing at his mansion near Brandy Station. Trees +were felled by the men and comfortable Winter quarters built. As far as +the eye could reach were seen the tents of the Potomac army, occupying +several miles of ground; the 6th corps on the extreme right, near Hazel +River; the 5th corps on the left. Tents were soon built, the crevices +filled with mud, and a shanty built of stones, the whole covered with +shelters, three or four tenting with each other. Give a soldier a knife, +and with a few articles a tent will soon be built. Brandy Station, a +place heretofore but little known, was now the base of supplies for the +army, trains running as far as Culpepper, where the Cavalry were +encamped. Corduroy roads were built, fatigue parties being sent out each +day under competent officers. Large store houses were built, and +thousands of bushels of grain stored for the horses and mules. During +the Summer the troops had nothing to eat on the march but hard-tack, +sugar and coffee. Extra rations were now issued, some of the men faring +better than at home. Rations were issued every five days of hard-tack, +soft bread, sugar, coffee, beef, pork, pepper, salt, beans, dried +apples, potatoes and onions, the government always feeding the men well +while lying in camp. Furloughs were now granted the men for ten days, +some two hundred going each day. The people home had seen so many +soldiers that they were tired of them; a great many that were +Copperheads, afraid to come themselves, entertained no respect for the +boys in blue, but turned a cold shoulder to them. They cared not though, +as long as they had done their duty at the front, and despised the +sneaking Copperhead as not worthy of notice. Camp life was now entered +upon by the men with activity, knowing that spring would open with a +hard campaign. Drills were again in order, inspections and reviews. +Brandy Station was thronged with visitors from the North, who looked +with wonder upon the magnificent array of men, that for the past three +years had been battling for union and for liberty. The armies must again +be recruited for the spring campaign; great inducements were held out to +the men, and furloughs suddenly stopped. Any soldier that would +re-enlist for three years would receive three hundred dollars bounty and +thirty-five days furlough; all other furloughs were stopped. The men +anxious to see home, and thinking that the war would soon be over, +re-enlisted in large numbers, receiving their bounty and furlough. +Nearly the whole of the 87th Pennsylvania in the 3d division +re-enlisted; this was the finest drilled regiment in the service, their +term of enlistment expiring in the spring. The mails were now running +regular once each day. The paymasters arriving, the troops were paid in +full and the sutlers patronized largely. President Lincoln now issued a +call for three hundred thousand more men. In view of the large bounties +offered, a great many worthless men enlisted, soon after deserting; the +most of them were caught and were sent back to the headquarters of the +different divisions, and placed under arrest. A Provost Guard was formed +at each division headquarters, composed of picked men of the regiments, +consisting of one hundred men, five Sergeants and eight Corporals, whose +duties were to guard all prisoners, and in time of action to keep up all +stragglers, and while lying in camp to guard headquarters. Court +Martials were now in session, and each man under arrest was tried, and +if found guilty of any misdemeanor was immediately sentenced and placed +in confinement until the sentence was carried into effect. Some were +sentenced to hard labor, some to forfeit their pay, and various other +sentences according to the decision of the court. + +Lee was now encamped in the vicinity of Madison Court House, his main +force in a dense wilderness, and comfortably quartered in log houses, +each army picketing the Rapidan, whose swollen waters would not permit +crossing at this time of the year. Occasionally a small force of cavalry +was sent out to reconnoitre, but failed to draw any portion of the enemy +from their entrenchments. The headquarters of Gen. Meade were on a hill +and tastefully arranged, near Brandy Station. A new signal corps was +organized; several from the 14th were detached and placed on duty in +this corps. This branch of service was of great use to the army, as +orders could be signalized with rapidity from one part of the army to +the other. Sutlers were in abundance at Brandy Station, erecting +shanties for their goods. Shoemaker shops, watch making and ambrotype +galleries were built, and Brandy Station soon became a thriving town. +The 14th was encamped in an old rebel camp, the men using their old +houses, refitting them as good as new. As none but re-enlisted men were +allowed furloughs, the rest of the men contented themselves with passing +their time in camp with various amusements, playing match games of base +ball when not on duty. The Rapidan was strongly picketed, details from +the regiments made every three days. The 14th now numbered but six +hundred men for duty, three hundred and fifty less than when the +regiment left New Jersey. Nearly one hundred had died; sixteen had been +killed by battle; some were on detached service; some in hospitals, and, +sad to say, numbers had deserted. Gen. Morris was on leave of absence, +his place being filled by Colonel Truex, acting Brig. General. Several +ladies now visited the army, the most of them officers' wives, remaining +until the spring campaign commenced. + +In the latter part of December, a man named Armprister from the 3d +division was found guilty of desertion. He was sentenced to have his +head shaved, a board placed on his back marked utterly worthless, and to +be drummed out of camp. Such scenes were not common, this being the +first occurrence of the kind in our division. Capt. Allstrum of Co. G, +14th N.J., was appointed Provost Marshal of the division. His duty was +to see that all military rules were obeyed; that all sutlers and +purveyors were licensed, and to confiscate all rebel property that was +fortunate enough to fall into our hands. The discipline of the army was +now perfect, everything arranged and in perfect order; one grand master +mind at the head; the people North forming no idea how everything was +conducted, and with what precision each order was executed by the men. A +revival now spread throughout camp, and many became converted. Chaplain +Rose, of the 14th New Jersey, by his exertions organized prayer +meetings each evening, and through his means a greater part of the men +were led to seek God. Regimental churches were built of logs, covered +with tents furnished by the Sanitary Commission, and tracts, books and +papers distributed daily by men interested in the cause. A great many +that were converted were killed in the ensuing battles of the coming +campaign, which was destined to be the hardest ever witnessed. Tools +were furnished the men in abundance, and tents and churches rapidly +erected. A pioneer corps was also organized for each brigade. The tools +were packed in boxes, and carried on mules, slung across their backs. +During active service they were to march ahead of the troops, clearing +the way; also to bridge streams and ditches; build officers' tents, and +to make themselves useful in various ways. The troops were now taught to +maneuver by brigades and divisions; each afternoon was brigade drill and +dress parade, the officers and men presenting a fine appearance, having +lain in camp long enough to get fixed up. Clothing was issued in +abundance, and everything that was needed for an army was forwarded to +the men. Boxes were sent from home, but each one was examined by the +Provost Marshal to see if liquor was concealed therein; the men were not +allowed any. If the friends at home saw fit to send it for sickness, it +was taken from them and used by the headquarters officers. Various +dodges were resorted to by the men to obtain whiskey; packages of flour +were sent, with a small flask concealed in the inside, which was eagerly +drank by them, as rum of any kind was a luxury. + +The month of December had nearly passed, and the holidays were rapidly +approaching; the cold storms of winter kept the men pretty close, the +weather being too bad to permit drilling. Christmas and New Years were +very dull, the men receiving two months pay and new clothing, and the +officers drinking their good whiskey. + +Gen. Carr's headquarters were in a large white house, opposite John +Minor Botts', two miles from Brandy Station, and about a quarter of a +mile from the division. As there were several ladies visiting the +Potomac army, a grand ball was given and preparations made accordingly. +An addition was built to the house by men detailed from the division and +everything was arranged in perfect order; the room was handsomely +decorated with flags and evergreens. The night of January 25, 1864, the +ball was given, and everything passed off pleasantly; it was very +largely attended, but the privates were not allowed to enter; the +ladies were elegantly dressed. The 1st New Jersey Brigade Band, and 87th +Pennsylvania were engaged, and the music was excellent. The tickets were +ten dollars; dancing was kept up until morning; the supper was +magnificent, costing two thousand dollars; cooks were sent from +Washington, and everything that could be had; trains of cars coming up +during the afternoon loaded with officers bringing their ladies with +them. The leading generals of the Potomac army were present, the most +prominent among them being Meade, Warren, Hancock, French and others. +They enjoyed themselves very well, but the most of them were better at +fighting than at dancing. + +Nothing occurred to disturb the dull monotony of camp life during those +long Winter months, everything going on as usual; re-enlisted men +returning, others going in their places. On the morning of February 6th, +the troops received marching orders, to pack up with three days' rations +and hold themselves in readiness to move, as a reconnoissance in force +was ordered to find out the whereabouts of Lee's main force. At five +o'clock in the afternoon the command was given to start; the 3d corps +commanded by Gen. Birney, Gen. French being home on leave of absence. +The Provost Guard and 122d Ohio were left to guard the camp and +headquarters; the 3d division in advance; raining hard. The weather had +been very pleasant for some time, until orders were given to move, when +a storm suddenly came up and continued for three days. The first corps +met and engaged the enemy at Culpepper Ford, and after a brisk +engagement of several hours, our forces retired, being unable to cross +the river. The reconnoissance discovered Lee in position, his line +extending from the Rapidan to Orange Court House. The troops marched +eight miles, remaining in line of battle two days south of Culpepper, +when they returned to their old quarters, the 1st corps losing about two +hundred men in killed and wounded, but bringing in several prisoners +with them. All was again quiet in camp; everything dull. On the 25th the +paymaster again arrived, paying the men two months' pay. Colonel Cook +from New Jersey was present, taking home for the soldiers thousands of +dollars. The division was now reviewed by Gen. French, near Brandy +Station, several ladies being present; it was composed of three +brigades, numbering six thousand men. On the 28th, the weather being +extremely fine, a reconnoissance was again ordered by the 6th corps, +moving out early in the morning with three days' rations; the other +corps were ordered to hold themselves in readiness if needed. Nothing, +however, was discovered, the enemy refusing to leave their +entrenchments; on the 3d of March the corps returned, having been gone +three days. + +On the 29th of March the regiment was again mustered in for pay by Col. +Truex; every two months was muster, this being the eleventh time since +our enlistment. The men were formed in line, and their arms and +accoutrements examined, each man answering to his name; if not accounted +for he could not be mustered, nor could he receive his pay. + +In view of the coming campaign, it was found necessary by the +authorities at Washington to place at the head of the army a general, +giving him full command of all the forces then in our armies, to rank as +Lieutenant General. Congress was for some time unable to decide which of +our generals was the most competent. General Grant, then in command of +the southwestern army was finally chosen, and ordered to report +immediately at Washington. The hero of Vicksburg, of Port Hudson, and of +Pittsburg Landing, was placed in chief command, with a commission as +Lieutenant General, wearing three stars. + +From an early period in the rebellion Grant had been impressed with the +idea that active and continuous operations of all troops that could be +brought into the field, regardless of season and weather, were necessary +for a speedy termination of the war. The past two years had led us to +believe that the resources of the enemy and his numerical strength were +far inferior to ours, but as an offset to this, we had a vast territory +hostile to the government to garrison, and long lines of river and +railroad communications to protect to enable us to supply the operating +armies. The army in the east and west had thus far acted independently +and without concert, like a baulky team, no two ever pulling together, +enabling the enemy to use to great advantage his inferior lines of +communication for transporting troops from east to west, re-enforcing +the army most vigorously pressed, and enabling them to furlough large +numbers during seasons of inactivity on our part, to go to their homes +and do the work of producing for the support of their armies. It was now +the firm conviction of our leading men that no peace could be had that +would be stable and conducive to the happiness of the people, both North +and South, until the military power of the South was entirely broken. + +On the 16th of March General Grant arrived at Brandy Station and +proceeded immediately to the headquarters of Gen. Meade. After +reviewing the different corps, he rapidly re-organized the army. The 3d +corps was broken up, and placed in different corps; our division was +placed in the 6th corps as 3d division; the 14th had been in the 3d +corps eight months; what had been an organization so long was now no +more. Gen. French was relieved from the front and ordered to report at +Washington, and placed in command of the troops near Baltimore. The +Potomac army now consisted of but three corps, 2d, 5th and 6th, of +thirty thousand each. The 2d corps was commanded by Hancock; the 5th by +Warren, and the 6th by Sedgwick; General Meade still retained his +position as commander of the Potomac army, receiving his orders from +Grant. Sherman was placed in chief command in the southwest, and proved +himself a successful commander. + +The 3d division, which heretofore consisted of three brigades, was now +formed in two brigades; the 1st was commanded by General Morris, +consisting of the 14th New Jersey, 10th Vermont, 106th and 151st New +York, and 87th Pennsylvania. The 2nd brigade was commanded by Col. +Keifer, afterwards Brigadier General, and composed of the 110th, 122d +and 126th Ohio regiments, the only western troops in the Potomac army; +the 6th Maryland, 67th and 138th Pennsylvania troops, now commanded by +General Prince, the former commander of the 2d division, General Carr +reporting at Washington. The officers all met at headquarters +preparatory to the breaking up of the corps, and indulged in a jolly +time; groups were taken by artists, and after spending the day in mirth, +they returned to their quarters at night. Birney's old division lay in +camp near the 6th corps; they were ordered to join the 2d corps, and our +division to take their camp and join the 6th corps. Gen. Prince was +relieved, and General Ricketts placed in command of the division. Heavy +rains now came on and the order to change camp was countermanded until +April 1, when the division moved. The 14th regiment had built a new +camp, every tent on a line, and each one of an exact size; pine trees +were planted, and it was decided by General Meade to be the handsomest +camp in the Potomac army. The men were very sorry to leave, and some of +them threatened to burn their tents; the quarters we were to occupy were +in a poor place, far from the main road and very lonesome, but as +soldiers we were accustomed to such things, often putting up tents and +then compelled to leave them in a hurry. + +General Grant, having now assumed command, determined to bring the war +to a close as soon as possible. As it was too early for a forward +movement, the troops were permitted to remain in camp another month. +Grant, in consultation with his officers forming their plans for the +coming campaign, having every confidence in Meade, they were constantly +together. Grant first determined to use the greatest number of troops +practicable against the armed forces of the enemy, preventing him from +using the same force at different seasons against first one and then the +other of our armies, by ordering all armies to move at the same time, he +superintending each movement, his headquarters with the Potomac army. + +During the month of April, 1864, several men from the division banded +together and formed negro minstrels, building a house of logs covered +with canvass. Twenty-five cents was charged for admittance; part of the +proceeds were for the benefit of the Sanitary Commission; the house was +crowded each evening, as it was sometime since the men had seen anything +of the kind. + +Behind the Union lines there were many bands of guerillas, and a large +population that were hostile to the government, making it necessary to +guard every foot of road or river used in supplying our armies. In the +South a reign of military despotism prevailed which made every man and +boy capable of bearing arms a soldier, and those who could not bear arms +in the field acted as Provost Guards for collecting deserters and +returning them; thus enabling the enemy to bring almost his entire +strength in the field. Active preparations were now made on both sides +for the campaign which was shortly to open; of the magnitude of the work +before us none then knew. The enemy had concentrated the bulk of their +forces into two armies, commanded by Generals R. E. Lee and J. E. +Johnson, their ablest and best generals. The army of the Southwest, +under Sherman, was to oppose Johnson, and the army of the Potomac, under +Meade, to oppose Lee, all under the immediate command of Grant. The army +commanded by Lee occupied the south bank of the Rapidan, covering and +defending Richmond, the rebel capital, against the army of the Potomac. +The army under Johnson occupied a strongly entrenched position at +Dalton, Ga., covering and defending Atlanta, a place of great importance +as a railroad centre, against the armies under Sherman. These two armies +and the cities covered and defended by them, were the main objects of +the campaign. General Meade was instructed by Grant that Lee's army +would be his objective point, and wherever Lee went he must follow. +From the position of Lee's forces two different routes presented +themselves, one to cross the Rapidan below Lee, moving by his right +flank, the other above Lee, moving by his left. Each presented +advantages over the other, with corresponding objections; by crossing +above, Lee would be cut off from all correspondence with Richmond, or +from going North on a raid; but if the army took this route, all we did +would have to be done while the rations held out; and it separated us +from Butler moving from Fortress Monroe; if we took the other route, +Brandy Station could be used as a base of supplies until another was +secured on the York or James River. After a long consultation with +Meade, Grant decided to take the lower route. + +The Potomac army had now lain in quarters five months, the men expecting +every day orders to move. The papers North were urging a forward +movement, but Grant knew his own plans best and wished no advisers. +Three large armies were now to move on Richmond as soon as ordered by +Grant; the Potomac army covering Washington and in Lee's immediate +front; an army from Fortress Monroe commanded by Butler, and a large +force under Seigel to move up the Shenandoah Valley. + +The month of April was drawing rapidly to a close, and every preparation +had been made for the campaign soon to open. Supplies were forwarded to +Brandy Station in vast numbers; wagons packed with ammunition and +forage; the troops furnished with clothing and shoes; all condemned +horses and mules branded with the letter C and sent to Alexandria to be +corralled until sold, and others sent in their places; and all batteries +were furnished new guns and new horses, equipped for a hard campaign. It +having now been decided by Grant to move across the Rapidan below Lee, +preparations were made to start. Orders were sent to all generals +commanding different posts, to move not later than May 4, and by one +combined movement of all the armies to crush, if possible, the +rebellion. The most formidable foe to encounter was the army under Lee; +leaving the other armies to the discretion of their commanders but +subject to orders, he turned his whole attention to that one point, but +as usual issuing and receiving all orders. On the 1st of May the troops +were all drawn up in line, and orders read to them as follows: That the +campaign was soon to open; that every man must do his duty; that no +straggling nor foraging would be allowed, and all private property to be +protected. As there were several regiments whose term of service +expired soon, they were very reluctant to move, as they had served three +years faithfully. Orders were read to them especially, that if any of +them were found lurking in the rear or refusing to move forward, they +would be immediately shot, and commanders of regiments instructed to see +that on a march the troops moved in regular order. + +The 14th regiment had now sixteen months to serve of the three years. +Twenty months had passed since leaving New Jersey, and numbers were no +more. The regiment had been recruited and was now ready to move with six +hundred men and a full compliment of officers. Owing to the weather and +bad condition of the roads, operations were delayed later than was +intended. Every thing being now in readiness, and the weather favorable, +orders were given for the forward movement to commence immediately. The +first object aimed at was to break the military power of the rebellion +and capture the enemy's important stronghold. General Butler was to move +on Richmond with a force from Fortress Monroe, which, if successful, +would tend more to ending the war than anything else, unless it was the +capture of Lee's army. If Butler failed to take Richmond, it was Grant's +intention by hard fighting, either to compel Lee to retreat or so to +cripple him that he could not detach a large force to go North, and +still retain enough for the defences of Richmond. It was well understood +by both Butler and Meade, before starting on the campaign, that it was +the intention of Grant to place both armies south of the James, and in +case of failure to destroy Lee without it. + +Before giving Butler his final instructions, Grant visited Fortress +Monroe, giving him, in minute details, the objective points of his +operations, as the army of the Potomac was to move simultaneously with +him. Lee could not detach from his army with safety, and the enemy could +not have troops elsewhere to bring to the defences of the city in time +to meet a rapid movement from the north of the James river. Commanding +all our forces as Grant did, he tried to leave, as far as possible, Gen. +Meade in independent command of the Potomac army. The campaign that +followed proved him to be the right man in the right place; but his +commanding always in the presence of an officer superior to him in rank, +has drawn from him much of that public attention that his zeal and +ability entitled him to, and which he would otherwise have received. + +Having now given as far as possible the objects of the campaign, the +results of which will hereafter be shown, I will now proceed to give a +brief but true account of the campaign, in which the 14th regiment took +an active part, during the ensuing sixteen months, commencing from the +advance across the Rapidan, until the surrender of Lee's army and the +overthrow of the rebellion. + +All was quiet in camp, the men wondering when the forward movement would +commence, when, on the morning of May 3d, 1864, orderlies were seen +riding in all directions. That something unusual was going on was +apparent to all. The long roll was beaten, the men falling in line +without arms, and ordered to be ready to move in the morning, with five +days' rations. The afternoon was spent in packing up and writing home, +as none knew how soon the chance would be given them to write again. For +five months we had spent pleasant times in Winter quarters; but those +times were now over, and all the scenes of the previous years of war +were to be enacted again. For a time the men had almost forgotten war. +All had confidence in Grant and Meade, and hoped the war would speedily +close. All surplus baggage was sent to the rear. The forward movement +commenced early on the morning of the 4th of May, under the immediate +direction and orders of Gen. Meade. Before night the whole army was safe +across the Rapidan, the 5th and 6th corps crossing at Germania's Ford, +and the 2d corps crossing at United States Ford; the cavalry under Major +General Sheridan moving in advance with the greater part of the trains, +numbering about 4,000 wagons, meeting with but slight opposition; passed +the railroad we lay before, changing quarters with Birney's division. At +last the army has moved; the Summer campaign has commenced, and the +North will soon look for stirring news; with Grant as leader there is no +such word as fail. The day was very fine, the air rather cool, and the +troops in good spirits, anxious to change the dull monotony of camp life +for more active service in the field. The distance marched that day by +the troops was 15 miles. This was considered a great success, that of +crossing the river in the face of an active, large, well appointed and +ably commanded army. At the different fords Lee had erected very +formidable breastworks to retard the advance of the Union army, but +changing his plans his army remained in position in the Wilderness, and +the works were found unoccupied. No signs of the enemy being seen that +night, the troops encamped in a dense thicket of pines extending for +miles. Lee had chosen a strong position in the woods known as the +Wilderness, having erected strong earthworks and manned them with three +army corps, numbering, as near as can be ascertained, 120,000 men, under +command of Ewell, Longstreet and Hill. + +Early on the morning of the 5th, the advance corps, the 5th, under the +command of Major General G. K. Warren, met and engaged the enemy outside +of their entrenchments, near Mine Run. The battle raged furiously all +day, the whole army being brought into the fight as fast as the corps +could be brought into the field, which, considering the density of the +forest and narrowness of the roads, was done with commendable +promptness. Gen. Seymour, of Florida, arrived, and was placed in command +of the 2d brigade of the 3d division. Gens. Grant, Meade and staff were +at the front in the thickest of the fight, and were loudly cheered by +the men; some 400 prisoners were taken that day, among them several +officers. Five miles only were made that day, neither side gaining any +advantage; darkness coming on the firing ceased for a short time, the +troops building breastworks. Gen. Ricketts and staff being near the +front, a shell exploded in their midst, killing the horses of two staff +officers, but not injuring them. The 3d division was divided, the 1st +brigade being sent to re-enforce the centre, the 2d brigade the right; +the 14th was in the fight the entire day, and lost heavily; the 2d +brigade was fortunate, losing but few men. Gen. Sedgwick formed the 6th +corps in position, and the men lay behind their breastworks until +morning, the stars shining brightly. This was the first day's fight in +the Wilderness, resulting in no material advantage to either side; but +the losses were heavy, as both armies fought with desperation, and both +were confident of success. Gen. Burnside was ordered from North Carolina +with the 9th corps, and was at the time the army of the Potomac moved +left with the bulk of his corps at the crossing of Rappahannock River +and Alexandria Railroad, holding the road back to Bull Run, with +instructions not to move until he received notice that a crossing of the +Rapidan was secured, but to move promptly as soon as such notice was +received. This crossing he was apprised of on the afternoon of the 4th, +and by 6 o'clock on the morning of the 6th, he was leading his corps +into action near the Wilderness Tavern, or, as it was then called, +Robinson's Tavern, his troops having marched a distance of over 30 +miles, crossing both the Rappahannock and Rapidan Rivers. Considering +that a large proportion of his command, probably two-thirds, was +composed of new troops, unaccustomed to marches and carrying the +accoutrements of a soldier, this was a remarkable march. + +The battle of the Wilderness was renewed by us on the morning of the +6th, and continued with unabated fury until darkness set in, each army +holding their old positions. At night the enemy by a decisive movement +succeeded in turning our right flank, and a general stampede ensued, +horses, wagons and pack mules moving to the rear. The 2d brigade was in +the hottest of the fight and suffered severely, the 6th Maryland losing +more than one-half of their men and nearly all their officers. General +Seymour, commanding the brigade, was captured together with several +hundred prisoners, but the promptness of Gen. Sedgwick, who was +personally present, and commanding that portion of our line, soon +re-formed it and restored order; the 1st brigade still in a position +near the centre and under fire, but losing few men, the troops holding +their positions during the night. On the morning of the 7th, +reconnoissances showed that the enemy had fallen back behind their +entrenchments, with pickets to the front covering part of the battle +field. From this it was evident that the past two days' fighting had +satisfied Lee of his inability to further maintain the contest in the +open field. Notwithstanding his advantage of position, and that he would +wait an attack behind his works, as he could not be driven out by a +direct assault, orders were issued to move immediately, and, if +possible, get between him and Richmond. On the night of the 7th the +march was commenced towards Spottsylvania Court House, the 5th corps +moving on the most direct road; but the enemy became apprised of our +movement and having the shorter line was enabled to reach there first. +On the morning of the 8th General Warren met a force of the enemy which +had been sent out to oppose and delay his advance, to gain time to +fortify the line taken up at Spottsylvania. This force was steadily +driven back on the main force, within their recently constructed works +after considerable fighting, resulting in severe loss on both sides. It +has been currently reported and afterwards believed, that the Union army +was defeated in the first two days' fight in the Wilderness, but that +the bull dog courage of Grant refused to stay whipped, and unlike our +former generals, instead of retreating back across the Rapidan, he +determined on a flank movement on the enemy's right, and although +unsuccessful at first, it finally resulted in the capture of Richmond. +Burnside's corps was partly composed of negro troops; they were in a +fine condition and looked extremely well. All day long on Sunday (7th) +the 5th corps engaged the enemy at Spottsylvania; at dark they were +relieved by the 6th corps, and the 14th New Jersey was again heavily +engaged. Forming in line the troops erected works during the night after +marching that day fifteen miles, passing Chancellorsville, where a +number of bones and skulls lay around, the remnant of the old +Chancellorsville battle ground, where the rebel General Stonewall +Jackson was killed. The enemy had now strongly entrenched themselves, +assuming the defensive. Our losses in the last four days were severe. +Finding that Lee would not again leave his works, nothing was left but +to attack him, although a heavy loss of life would ensue in charging +their works; there was no other alternative. In those battles thousands +of brave men lost their lives in vain attempts to take the enemy's +works, and hundreds of wounded were hourly brought in from various +portions of the line. Hospitals were established in the rear, and +surgeons were busily engaged in amputating limbs and dressing wounds. +The weather was very warm, and the men suffered from thirst, as water +was scarce. During the night the troops remained in line, with but +little sleep. + +On the morning of the 9th, General Sheridan started on a raid with a +large cavalry force, to cut the enemy's communications; all day long +skirmishing was kept up, but not resulting in any battle. Major General +Sedgwick, who had so long commanded the 6th corps, an able and +distinguished soldier, was killed; he was at the front, on the left of +the 14th regiment, superintending the planting of a battery, when a +bullet from a sharpshooter struck him in the forehead, killing him +instantly. He was carried to the rear and his remains sent North; his +loss was greatly lamented, as he was beloved by all. Major Gen. H. B. +Wright succeeded him in command, the former commander of the 1st +division. General Morris being with him at the time, was also wounded in +the leg; Col. Truex succeeded him, being placed temporarily in command +of the brigade. The night of the 9th found the men in the same position. +The morning of the 10th was spent in maneuvering and fighting without +any decisive results; at noon a general engagement commenced; the rattle +of musketry and artillery was awful; this was the sixth day's fighting; +the enemy had been flanked from their strong position in the Wilderness, +at Mine Run, and with their whole force at Spottsylvania were opposing +us with desperation. Orders were now read to the men that Sherman had +whipped Johnson at Dalton, and that Butler was advancing on Richmond; +the troops were encouraged at this news and fought desperately. At 6 +o'clock a division of the 6th corps made a charge and captured a rebel +brigade numbering nearly three thousand men. Nothing but skirmishing was +kept up on the 11th until the morning of the 12th, when a general attack +was made on the enemy in position. This day will ever be remembered as +the hardest day's fighting the world ever saw; the entire line engaged +in all was over 200,000 men; the woods being very dense. Early in the +morning the 2d corps, Major General Hancock commanding, carried a +portion of the enemy's line, capturing the most of Bushrod Johnson's +division of Ewell's corps and twenty pieces of artillery; but the +resistance was so obstinate that the advantage gained did not prove +decisive. The rebels made three different charges to retake the line, +but were foiled in every attempt, our men mowing them down like grass, +as they lay piled on each other three and four deep; this was called the +slaughter pen; the 1st New Jersey suffered severely in this charge. The +13th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th were consumed in maneuvering and +skirmishing at various points, but nothing important was gained; +re-inforcements were now arriving in large numbers from Washington; our +losses thus far were over 20,000 men. Deeming it impracticable to make +any further attack upon the enemy at Spottsylvania, orders were issued +on the 18th with a view to a new movement to the North Anna river, to +commence on the night of the 19th at 12 o'clock. Late on the afternoon +of the 19th, Ewell's corps came out of their works on our extreme right +flank, but the attack was promptly repulsed with heavy loss. This +delayed the movement to the North Anna river until the night of the +21st, when it was commenced; but the enemy having again the shorter line +and being in possession of the main roads, were enabled to reach the +river in advance of us and took up a position behind it. At 11 o'clock +the troops started, marching all night and passing Guinia Station, the +enemy's former base of supplies, halting Sunday morning for breakfast, +and marching altogether thirty miles; halting for the night on the main +road; the 14th encamping at a place called Flipper Store; marching again +on the 23d ten miles, the 5th corps reaching the river in the afternoon, +followed closely by the 6th, and halting at night at Mount Carmel +Church, three miles from the river; the 2d and 9th corps got up about +the same time, the 2d holding the railroad bridge, and the 9th laying +between that and Jerico Ford. General Warren effected a crossing the +same afternoon, and succeeded in getting into position without much +opposition; soon after he was violently attacked, but repulsed the enemy +with great slaughter. On the morning of the 24th, the 6th corps moved +five miles, crossing the river on pontoons at Jerico's Ford, and passing +the enemy's rifle pits hastily thrown up, but more hastily evacuated on +the approach of the 5th corps; the 2d corps now joined the others, and +lay in a pine woods until morning. + +On Wednesday, the 25th, the 3d division was ordered to move, marching +five miles to Noles' Station, for the purpose of destroying a portion of +the Virginia Central Railroad, forty miles from Gordonsville and thirty +from Richmond; the men stacking arms went to work with a will, and the +road was soon destroyed for a distance of eight miles; at night the +division moved back to their old position with the corps. During the +afternoon Gen. Sheridan rejoined the army of the Potomac from the raid +which he had started upon at Spottsylvania, having destroyed the depot +at Beaver Dam and Ashland Station, four trains of cars, large supplies +of rations, and many miles of track, besides re-capturing 400 of our +prisoners who were on their way to Richmond under guard; met and +defeated the enemy's cavalry at Yellow Tavern; captured the first line +of works around Richmond, but finding the second line too strong to be +carried by assault, he re-crossed to the north bank of the Chickahominy +at Meadow's Bridge under heavy fire, and communicated with General +Butler. This raid had the effect of drawing off the whole of the enemy's +cavalry, making it comparatively easy to guard our trains. + +According to orders, Gen. Butler moved his main force up the James +River, and succeeded in taking Petersburg and destroying the railroad, +but, failing to fortify his position, he was attacked in a fog by +Beauregard and driven back; his army, therefore, though in a position of +great security, was as completely shut off from further operations +against Richmond as if it had been in a bottle strongly corked, and it +required but a small force of the enemy to hold it there. The army +having been sent to operate against Richmond was now lying at Bermuda +Hundred, without power to do anything. Butler had thus far proved +himself a military governor, but when it came to taking an army in the +field he was not competent; but had General Sheridan been placed in +command, Richmond would have fallen and the war ended sooner, thereby +saving thousands of lives; but those scenes are past, and errors that +are now seen if known at the time could have been avoided. The enemy +were now enabled to bring the most, if not all, of the re-enforcements +brought from the South by Beauregard, against the army of the Potomac, +and in addition to this a very considerable force was brought in, not +less than 15,000 men, by calling in the scattered troops under +Breckinridge from the western part of Virginia. The position at Bermuda +Hundred was as easy to defend as it was difficult to operate against the +enemy. Grant therefore determined to bring from it all available forces, +leaving only enough to secure what had been gained, and accordingly on +the 22d, the 18th army corps, under command of Major General W. F. +Smith, joined the army of the Potomac. On the 24th of May the 9th corps, +which had been a temporary command, was assigned to the army of the +Potomac, and from that time forward constituted a portion of General +Meade's command. Finding the enemy's position on the North Anna stronger +than any of his previous ones, Grant ordered another flank movement on +the night of the 26th to the north bank of the North Anna river, and +moved via Hanovertown, to turn the enemy's position by his right, +starting at dark and re-crossing at Jerico's Ford, marching seven miles +and then halting in the morning at Chesterfield's Station to issue +rations. Thus far our regiment had taken an active part in the campaign, +losing a great many men. Leaving Chesterfield at seven o'clock, we +marched during the day twenty miles, passing Concord Church and +Bowersville. Generals Torbert and Merritts' divisions of the cavalry, +and the 6th corps were in advance, crossing the Pamunkey river at +Hanovertown after considerable fighting, and on the 28th the two +divisions of cavalry had a severe but successful engagement with the +enemy near the river. On the 29th and 30th the troops advanced with +heavy skirmishing to the Hanover Court House and Cold Harbor Road, and +developed the enemy's position north of the Chickahominy. Late on the +evening of the 31st the enemy came out and attacked our left, but were +repulsed with considerable loss. An attack was immediately ordered by +General Meade along the entire line, which resulted in driving the enemy +from a part of his entrenched skirmish line. The 14th was on the +skirmish line during the afternoon, and lost several in killed and +wounded. Orderly Black of Co. I was shot in the heart and instantly +killed; Col. Truex was slightly wounded in the hand, but remained on +duty during the time; he was a brave officer and a fighting man, always +at the head of his men when they were in action. + +On the 31st General Wilson's division of cavalry destroyed the railroad +bridges over the North Anna river, and defeated the enemy's cavalry. +General Sheridan on the same day reached Cold Harbor Road, and held it +until relieved by the 6th corps and General Smith's command, which had +just arrived via White House, from General Butler's army. + +Grant had thus far failed to exterminate Lee, but, confident of success, +he determined, using his own expression, to fight it out on this line if +it took all summer. The 6th corps had thus far suffered severely in +those terrible battles of the Wilderness and Spottsylvania, losing over +10,000 men; but there was yet more to be done, as Lee was merely acting +on the defensive, choosing his own position. On the morning of June 1st, +1864, the army was again ordered to move, the 6th corps in advance, +starting at two o'clock a. m., and marching fifteen miles, relieving the +cavalry at Cold Harbor; the roads were very dusty and the sun very warm; +a heavy line of battle was formed during the afternoon; again the enemy +were ahead of us and were strongly entrenched awaiting our approach; the +cavalry had discovered their position and awaited our arrival. An attack +was made at five o'clock, forming in four lines of battle, the 3d +division being ahead, and the 14th New Jersey in the front line. A +terrible battle was fought which lasted long after dark; the losses were +very heavy on both sides; the 14th suffered severely, losing in the +fight, in the short space of two hours, two hundred and forty in killed +and wounded; Lieutenant Stults, of Co. H, and Lieutenant Tingley, of Co. +E, were killed. Our men were compelled to fall back a short distance, +entrenching during the night and building three lines of works. Firing +continued during the night; a great many wounded had fallen between the +lines unable to move, and lay all night under fire from both sides. +Robert Perrine, of Co. K, being wounded in the hip fell in a ravine, +being unable to move; he was struck eight times while lying there and +mortally wounded; he was brought in next morning, and died at the White +House. The Colonel of the 106th New York was also killed, his body lay +but a short distance off from our lines, but the firing being so heavy +it was impossible to get to him. The other corps having been held in +readiness now came up and formed under a heavy fire, the 9th corps on +the extreme left, the 5th on the right, and the 2d, 6th and 18th in the +centre. We were now but twelve miles from Richmond, and had, at an +immense loss of life, succeeded in driving Lee steadily back from Mine +Run. The dust and heat were almost intolerable and flies and lice were +in abundance. The men were compelled to lie close, as skirmishing was +continued day and night. During the attack the enemy made repeated +assaults on each of the corps not engaged in the main attack, but were +repulsed with heavy losses in every instance. The 2d of June was spent +in getting troops into position for an attack on the 3d, when the +enemy's works were again assaulted in hopes of driving them from their +position; in the attempt our loss was heavy, the 14th again suffering +severely. Both armies were very much weakened by repeated losses, the +enemy acting only on the defensive. Over 350 men had been lost from the +14th since crossing the Rapidan, but one short month before, and more +were yet to be lost ere the rebellion would be crushed. The troops +remained in line at Cold Harbor twelve days, and forts were built, heavy +lines of works erected, and a regular siege commenced. Firing was kept +up by the pickets and sharpshooters day and night, the men lying close +when not on duty; many were shot while going after water and cooking. +There was no place to wash and the weather was intensely hot; officers +and men were covered with lice, huddled together as they were behind the +works. Those twelve days were days that never will be forgotten; the +sufferings of the men can never be told; it was death to stand up, as +the bullets were continually flying through the air. + +On the night of the 9th the enemy made an attack along the line, hoping +to surprise our men, but they were handsomely repulsed by the 2d corps, +driving them back from their first line of works. On the afternoon of +the 6th a flag of truce was sent in by Lee requesting a suspension of +hostilities for two hours, for the purpose of burying the dead between +the lines; it was granted by General Meade, the pioneers were sent out +and the wounded brought in, the dead being buried where they lay. But a +few moments before both armies were engaged in hostile combat, now all +was as still as death, the men talking with each other and exchanging +papers, the Yankees trading sugar and coffee for tobacco; the works were +lined with unarmed men, all gazing upon the solemn scene. The two hours +soon passed, the signal was given, the men rushed back to their arms, +and the rattle of musketry was again commenced along the line, Lieut. +Tingly's body was recovered, but the body of Lieut Stults could not be +found. The brigade was still commanded by Colonel Truex, the regiment by +Lieut. Colonel Hall. The men were weary of the campaign, but there was +no rest, it being Grant's determination to take Richmond. From the +proximity of the enemy to their defences around Richmond it was +impossible, by any flank movement, to interpose between them and the +city. The army was still in a condition to either move by Lee's left +flank and invest Richmond from the north side, or continue the move by +his right flank to the south side of the James. Grant's plan from the +start was to defeat Lee north of Richmond, if possible; then after +destroying his lines of communication north of the James River, +transport the army to the south side and besiege Lee in Richmond, or +follow him south if he should retreat. After the battle of the +Wilderness, it was evident that Lee deemed it of the first importance to +run no risks with the army he then had, and acted fully on the defensive +behind his works, or feebly on the offensive immediately in front of +them, and in case of repulse could easily retire behind them. Without a +greater sacrifice of life than Grant was willing to make, all could not +be accomplished that he had desired north of Richmond; he therefore +determined to hold the ground we then occupied, taking advantage of any +favorable circumstances that might present themselves, until the cavalry +could be sent to Charlottesville or Gordonsville to break the enemy's +communications between Richmond and the southwest, and to cut off their +supplies, compelling them in time to evacuate Richmond; when the cavalry +got well off so that the enemy's cavalry would follow, to move the whole +army south of the James by the enemy's right flank, and, if possible, +cut off all supplies from all sources except by the canal. + +On the 7th, two divisions of cavalry were sent under General Sheridan +against the Virginia Central Railroad, to join with Hunter, who was then +moving up the Shenandoah Valley. Seigel had met the enemy and was +defeated by them with heavy loss, and was superseded by General Hunter. +Thus far the work of the three armies had been but one-half +accomplished. From the start, Butler was to take Richmond and +Petersburg; Siegel to move on Lynchburg, and the Potomac army to whip +Lee. Butler and Siegel had both failed, and the Potomac Army, that had +never yet failed, had thus far accomplished all that was desired of it, +and was left to finish what the other armies could not do. When Sheridan +started for Lynchburg he was instructed to again join the Potomac army, +choosing his own route in returning, after fulfilling his instructions. + +Attaching great importance to the possession of Petersburg, General +Smith's command, the 18th army corps was sent back to Bermuda Hundred +via White House, to reach there in advance of the army of the Potomac. +This was for the express purpose of capturing Petersburg, if possible, +before the enemy became aware of our intentions and re-enforce the +place. The 1st New Jersey regiment, whose term of office had now +expired, were relieved from the front and sent home; they bade their +comrades good-bye with happy hearts, soon to meet their loved ones at +home. For three long years they had battled for their country, and their +thinned ranks showed that they had suffered severely. The 14th had still +fifteen months to serve, the hardest yet to come. + +Finding that nothing more could be accomplished at Cold Harbor, the +movement to the south side of the James commenced. After dark, on the +night of the 12th, one division of cavalry under General Wilson, and the +5th corps, crossed the Chickahominy at Long Bridge, and moved out to +White Oak Swamp, to cover the crossing of the other corps. The advance +Corps reached James River at Charles City Court House on the night of +June 13th; the 6th corps was left to guard the rear and the trains; +marching on the night of the 12th twenty miles, halting thirty-two miles +from Richmond; on the morning of the 14th marched eight miles to Charles +City Court House, halting at noon near the river and pitching tents; +guarding the rear until the trains passed; a pontoon bridge was laid, +the troops crossing at Wyandott's Landing. The 3d division, the rear of +the entire army, remaining on the banks of the James three days, until +the trains had all passed. The army had now joined with Butler and moved +on Richmond. After the army had crossed, the pontoons were taken up, and +the 3d division placed on transports, and after sailing 25 miles--a +splendid moonlight night--we landed at Bermuda Hundred at three o'clock +the next morning. The James is a splendid River. One year ago the 14th +was on the cars riding to Harper's Ferry; now in the vicinity of +Petersburg. After landing the division marched eight miles, halting at +five o'clock near Butler's headquarters for breakfast; cannonading and +musketry at the front; the army was now in position, having failed to +capture Petersburg, were investing the place. + +During three years the armies of the Potomac and Northern Virginia had +been confronting each other. In that time they had fought more desperate +battles than it had ever fell to the lot of two armies to fight, without +materially changing the vantage ground of either. The southern press and +people, with more shrewdness than was displayed in the north, finding +that they had failed to capture Washington and march on to New York, as +they had boasted they would do, assured that they only defended their +capital and southern territory; hence Antietam, Gettysburg, and all the +other battles that had been fought, were by them set down as failures on +our part and victories for them. Their armies believed this, and it +produced a morale which could only be overcome by desperate and +continuous hard fighting. The battles of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, +North Anna and Cold Harbor, bloody and terrible as they were on our +side, were even more damaging to the enemy, and so crippled them as to +make them wary ever after of taking the offensive. Their losses in men +were probably not so great, owing to the fact that we were, save in the +Wilderness, almost invariably the attacking party, and when they did +attack it was in the open field. The details of those battles, which for +endurance and bravery on the part of the soldiery, have rarely been +surpassed, are too fresh in the minds of every one to be repeated again. +During the campaign of forty-three days from the Rapidan to James River, +the army had to be supplied from an ever-shifting base by wagons, over +narrow roads and through a densely wooded country, with a lack of +wharves at each new base at which to conveniently discharge vessels. Too +much credit cannot therefore be given to our chief quartermaster, as the +trains were made to occupy all the available roads between the army and +our water course, and but little difficulty was experienced in +protecting them. + +Before proceeding farther, it will be necessary to explain as briefly as +possible why Petersburg was not taken. As soon as the crossing of the +army commenced, Grant proceeded by steamer immediately to Bermuda +Hundred to give the necessary orders for the capture of the place. The +instructions to Butler were to send to General Smith immediately that +night all the troops he could give him, without sacrificing the position +he held. After remaining with Butler a few hours, he returned +immediately to the Potomac Army to hasten the crossing, and throw it +forward to Petersburg by divisions as rapidly as possible. We could thus +re-enforce our army more rapidly there than the enemy could bring troops +against us. General Smith got off as directed, and confronted the +enemy's pickets near Petersburg before daylight the next morning, but +for some reason did not get ready to assault their lines until near +sundown; then, with a part of his command only, he made the assault, and +carried the first line for a distance of two and a half miles, capturing +fifteen pieces of artillery and three hundred prisoners. This was about +seven P. M. Between the line thus captured and Petersburg there was +another line, and there was yet no evidence that the enemy had +re-enforced Petersburg with a single brigade from any source. The night +was clear, the moon shining brightly, and favorable to further +operations. General Hancock, with two divisions of the 2d corps, reached +General Smith soon after dark, but instead of taking those troops, and +pushing at once into Petersburg, he lay quiet until morning, when the +enemy under Beauregard came down from Richmond in force, and by the next +morning the inner line of the works was fully manned by rebel troops. An +attack was ordered the next morning, but failed, as the enemy were too +strongly posted. The troops commenced entrenching, and a strong line of +works was built around Petersburg. + +The 5th and 9th corps had now arrived, and the attack was again renewed +and persisted in with great fury, but only resulted in forcing the enemy +to an interior line of works, from which they could not be dislodged; +but the advantage gained in position by us was very great. The army then +proceeded to envelope Petersburg towards the south side road as far as +possible, without attacking their fortifications. The enemy, to +re-enforce Petersburg, withdrew from a part of their entrenchments in +front of Bermuda Hundred. Butler, taking advantage of this, at once +moved a force on the railroad between Petersburg and Richmond. The 3d +division was ordered to support Butler, if necessary, and was then lying +in front awaiting orders. About two o'clock Butler was forced back, the +enemy re-occupying their old line. As our division was not needed, we +were ordered to join the balance of the corps that had preceded us. + +On Sunday afternoon, June 19th, orders were issued. Accordingly at two +o'clock the division started, marching ten miles and crossing the +Appomattox River on pontoons. The evening was splendid; the boats +sailing on the river all reminded us of home. The negro troops were +guarding the bridge, their bands playing national airs as the columns +passed. At 11 o'clock the division halted near Petersburg, in full view +of the city. The next day a negro was hung in presence of the army, for +abusing a white lady. We remained in line the next day, the enemy +shelling the train. + +On the afternoon of the 21st, the corps was ordered to move and take +position on the left, the 3d division in advance; passed the 2d and 9th +corps, marching six miles, and forming in line of battle to cut the +enemy's communications, crossing the Norfolk railroad that had been +taken possession of by General Smith, in the attempt to take Petersburg; +lay in line of battle during the night, and advancing the next day, +building works. The Weldon railroad was reached and torn up some +distance. During the afternoon the enemy appeared in force, and +succeeded in flanking us, capturing several from the division; about +forty from the 14th were captured and several killed. At night the +troops fell back, after destroying three miles of road. The headquarters +of the 3d division was at the house of Brig.-General Williams, of the +rebel army. A new line of works was soon erected, the men sleeping on +their arms. The house of General Williams had been ransacked from top to +bottom by the soldiers, carpets torn up and everything destroyed. A +splendid piano was left in the house, and as several of the men could +play, dancing and singing were kept up in a rude style for several +hours. + +On the 22d, General Wilson, with two divisions of cavalry from the army +of the Potomac, and one division from the army of the James, moved +against the enemy's railroads south of the James and southwest of +Richmond, striking the Weldon railroad at Reams' Station, where he met +and defeated a force of the enemy's cavalry, reaching Burksville Station +on the afternoon of the 23d; and from there he destroyed the Danville +railroad for a distance of twenty-five miles, where he found the enemy +in position and was defeated with small loss. He then commenced his +return march, and on the 28th met the enemy again in force on the Weldon +Railroad, near Stony Creek; moving on the left, with a view of reaching +Reams' Station, supposing it to be in our possession. Here he again +engaged the enemy's cavalry supported by infantry, and was cut off with +all communication, with the loss of his artillery and train. A +Lieutenant and a few of his men cut their way through, and succeeded in +reaching headquarters. Informing General Meade of the situation of +General Wilson, orders were immediately issued to General Wright to take +the 6th corps and move out to the support of Wilson; starting at three +o'clock on the afternoon of July 29th, marched eight miles and halted +for the night near Reams' Station, the enemy retiring, as their force +was insufficient to cope with the cavalry and 6th corps. + +Wilson was now extricated from his perilous position, and with the 6th +corps remained at Reams' Station three days. The 14th New Jersey and +106th New York were detailed to destroy the railroad. General Wilson, +with the remainder of his force, crossed the Nattoway River, coming in +safely on our left and rear. The damage to the enemy in this expedition +more than compensated for the losses sustained; it severed all +connection with Richmond for several weeks. On the 13th of July the +regiment was mustered in for the thirteenth time, for four months' pay, +March, April, May and June, by Lieutenant-Colonel Hall. Our lines now +extended a distance of over thirty miles, from Reams' Station to the +Appomattox; the Potomac army lay behind extensive works that had been +erected under fire. In the recent campaign our losses had been heavy, +but still the army was large, as recruits and convalescents were +continually arriving. Butler's army extended from the Appomattox to Deep +Bottom, with cavalry on the flank and rear. It has been estimated that +Grant lost from the Rapidan to Petersburg, eighty thousand men in killed +and wounded. The losses of the enemy were not so great, as they were +acting on the defensive behind their works. + +It was supposed the enemy would make a grand attack on the morning of +the 4th of July, and preparations were made to meet them. The morning +dawned and the troops were all in line behind their works; the enemy's +communications were in danger, and the Potomac army must be driven back; +the morning passed and not a shot was fired along the entire line. It +was now evident that the enemy did not intend attacking, and the troops +laid aside their arms. The weather was warm and the sand dry and hot. +The men laid off in their shelter tents thinking of former days, when +the 4th was spent in a different manner. At noon General Butler, for the +purpose of firing a salute, trained and shotted one hundred guns upon +Petersburg, and the shells were soon flying through the air; the enemy +replied, and a lively cannonade was kept up until sunset. + +General Hunter having been placed in command of the armies of Western +Virginia, immediately took up the offensive, and moved up the Shenandoah +Valley, where he met the enemy, routed and defeated them, and moved +direct on Lynchburg, which place he reached on June 15th. Up to this +time he was very successful, and but for the difficulty of taking with +him sufficient ordnance stores over so long a march through a hostile +country, he would no doubt have captured that important place. To meet +this movement under Gen. Hunter, General Lee sent a force equal to a +corps, a part of which reached Lynchburg before Hunter. After +considerable skirmishing, Hunter, owing to a want of ammunition to give +battle, retired back from the place, and moved back by the way of the +Kanawha Valley; this lost to us the use of his troops for several weeks. +Immediately upon the enemy ascertaining that Hunter was retreating from +Lynchburg by way of the Kanawha River, thus laying the Shenandoah Valley +open for raids into Maryland and Pennsylvania, he moved down that +Valley. It was at first supposed to be only a small force of the enemy, +and General Wallace, with a brigade of one hundred days' men and +detachments from the Invalid corps, was sent to Monocacy Bridge. Their +advance, consisting of a few guerillas under the notorious Harry +Gillmore, were met and driven back. The troops in the Potomac army were +all lying in front of Petersburg, under fire day and night, preparing to +besiege the place. + +At two o'clock on the morning of July 6th the bugle sounded, and the +troops were ordered to fall in and prepare to move, the 3d division +being ordered to Harper's Ferry; the men were glad to go, as they were +tired of lying in the sand. At four o'clock the division started, and +marched fifteen miles to City Point, the dust and sand so thick that +nothing could be seen, the men being completely covered and no water +could be had; this march was very tiresome to the men, numbers falling +out on the way. City Point was reached at noon, and the men were placed +on transports, and new clothing was issued. The 14th Regiment and 151st +New York were placed on a splendid steamboat called the Sylvan Shore, +the men enjoying the sail very much, a distance of three hundred miles, +passing Fortress Monroe, Point Lookout, and the Rip Raps. The scenery +along the river was grand; they landed at Locust Point near Baltimore on +the morning of the 8th, at five o'clock. Rumors were now in circulation, +and the people of the North were alarmed for the safety of our National +Capitol, for instead of a few guerillas as was first supposed, it was a +grand raid of the enemy in force on an extensive scale. So silently and +secretly had this movement been conducted, that none were aware of the +magnitude of the invasion. Major General Jubal Early, with a force of +thirty thousand veteran troops, had taken possession of Martinsburg. +General Seigel, who was in command of our forces there, retreated across +the Potomac to Shepardstown, and General Weber, commanding at Harper's +Ferry, crossed the river and occupied Maryland Heights. On the 6th the +enemy occupied Hagerstown, moving a strong column toward Frederick City. + +The 3d division, under General Ricketts, numbering but five thousand +men, were placed immediately on baggage cars and forwarded to Monocacy, +the first train carrying the 87th Pennsylvanian and 14th New Jersey. The +enemy were now in force at Frederick City. The Baltimore American was +issued that day with the following address to the public: "That +Ricketts' division had arrived from the Potomac army; that the 14th New +Jersey and 87th Pennsylvania had reached Monocacy, and with such veteran +regiments as these nothing more need be feared" from the then supposed +guerillas. The remainder of the division was forwarded as rapidly as +possible, reporting to Gen. Wallace, then in chief command. Fourteen +months had elapsed since the 14th regiment had left Monocacy Bridge, but +the place looked natural; none dreamed that on the morrow a terrible +battle would be fought on the old camping ground; grass and weeds had +grown in abundance, and scarcely a vestige of the former camp could be +seen. The regiment with the troops that lay there, marched up to +Frederick City, and then around a circuit of ten miles, but nothing of +the enemy could be seen, and halting at ten o'clock, near the bridge, in +line of battle. + +Saturday, July 19th, 1834, will long be remembered by the Jersey boys. +The remainder of the division with General Ricketts and staff had +arrived, and orders were issued to form the men in line and prepare to +repel an attack, as it was now discovered that instead of a small force +it was a corps of rebels thirty thousand strong. To retreat would only +result in the capture of Washington and Baltimore, and it was determined +by Generals Wallace and Ricketts to hold Monocacy Bridge at all hazards, +and to retard the advance of the enemy as much as possible until +re-enforcements would arrive. Just one year had passed since the 14th +joined the Potomac army, and during that time we lost a great number of +men. + +At 9 o'clock the enemy's advanced skirmishers made their appearance; our +skirmishers had crossed the river, and advanced with promptness to meet +them. After a short time it was found impossible to withstand the enemy, +as they out-numbered us six to one. Our skirmishers were driven back +across the river, and the battle began, the enemy opening with several +pieces of artillery; the battle raged terribly for eight long hours. The +enemy crossed the river, driving our men steadily back, and coming up in +four lines of battle thirty thousand strong. Our little band of five +thousand men fought as if everything depended upon the issue, several +times driving the enemy back, strewing the ground with rebel dead, and +not until flanked right and left did the men fall back. The boys from +the 14th fought nobly, but with regret saw that they must retreat. The +regiment being on the extreme left of the line suffered severely; +Lieut.-Col. Hall, Adjutant Buckalew and several officers were wounded; +Captains Stullts, Kanine and Conover were killed, and every officer, +both field and line, was either killed or wounded except Captain J. J. +Janeway of Co. K. The command of the regiment devolved upon him, and he +fought bravely, leading the men on. The one hundred days' men would not +fight, but ran in all directions panic-struck, some of them reaching +Baltimore, fifty-eight miles distant, without halting. + +Eight long hours had passed, the enemy were pressing on all sides, and +it soon became evident that unless we retreated all would be lost. At +four o'clock the order was given to fall back, which was done in order, +the men disputing every inch of the ground; we had but four pieces of +artillery, and that without ammunition. The enemy poured grape and +cannister into our retreating columns, mowing down the men like grass. +More than one-half of the division were killed and wounded; several hid +in the woods and were captured next day. It was now every man for +himself; knapsacks, haversacks, and even canteens were thrown away. The +main force of the enemy moved on the Georgetown Pike to Washington, the +cavalry and a portion of the infantry following the retreating column as +far as New Market, six miles distance. It was a hard fought battle, but +what could five thousand men do against thirty thousand? Capt. Harris, +from Co. C, was twice wounded, and was again struck while being helped +to an ambulance; several staff officers were also wounded, among them +Capt. King, adjutant general of the division. Capt. Janeway was wounded +in the shoulder shortly after taking command, and was forced to leave; +the regiment was now without a commander. Several recruits had arrived +after the battle of Cold Harbor, and the regiment was partly filled, +entering the fight with three hundred and fifty men; but ninety-five +came out, two hundred and fifty-five being killed, wounded and captured +in that terrible battle. Of the nine hundred and fifty men that left New +Jersey, but ninety-five were left for duty, on the night of July 9th, +without an officer to command them. The other regiments suffered +greatly, but none of them losing as many men as the 14th. The news had +reached Baltimore and Washington that the enemy were pressing on and +preparations were made for an immediate defence, the citizens turning +out in vast numbers entrenching. The cities were proclaimed under +martial law and none allowed to leave. Time and again had the 14th +regiment drilled battalion and skirmish drills over the same hills, +little thinking that a terrible battle would be fought, and that the +regiment would suffer as it did. Although it resulted in a defeat to our +arms, it detained the enemy, and thereby served to enable Gen. Wright to +reach Washington with the two remaining divisions of the 6th corps, +which had been sent as soon as Gen. Grant was aware of the enemy's +movement. + +The 19th army corps from General Banks' command had been sent to +reinforce the Potomac army, but were immediately sent north with the 6th +army corps, together with the 8th army corps that had lain along the +Baltimore and Ohio railroad as guards. In a few hours a large army had +assembled at Washington, with the citizens of the place and every foot +of ground guarded; every avenue bristling with cannon. It was three days +march for the enemy from Moncacy and in that time Washington was in a +state of defence; all the forts were manned and the heavy guns loaded +and shotted. Citizens were armed and formed in companies, all work being +suspended. The remnant of the division reached the Baltimore pike, +retreating rapidly toward Baltimore, marching all night, passing through +New Market, Mount Airy and several small villages along the route; +reaching Ellicott's Mills on Sunday afternoon, having marched fifty-five +miles without resting. Harry Gillmore, with two hundred rebel cavalry, +had advanced as far as the railroad, destroying it between Baltimore +and Washington, capturing a train of cars and a mail and severing all +communication for two days; there was no Union cavalry near and they did +as they pleased. Frederick City was filled with rebel wounded, as our +boys had made every shot tell; if the first line was missed they were +sure to hit one of the rear lines. Two hundred thousand dollars was +demanded from the citizens, or the place would be laid in ashes; the +amount was paid by the banks; the city was pillaged and the houses +robbed. From Monocacy, the enemy having moved on Washington, reached +Rockville on the evening of the 10th. + +The 1st and 2d divisions of the 6th corps had been sent from City Point +and landed at Washington, and on a double quick proceeded to Fort +Stephens; by this time the enemy had reached there. Skirmishers from +both armies were immediately thrown out; the enemy, with dismay, saw +that instead of one hundred days' men and men from the Invalid corps, +they saw the red and white cross of the old 6th corps; they had laid in +front of Washington during the afternoon, intending to attack at night; +during that time the 6th and 19th corps had reached there, and +Washington was out of danger. The 3d division deserves all the praise +for saving the National Capital; holding them in check so long at +Monocacy, enabled other troops to arrive, but not a moment too soon. A +severe skirmish ensued, in which we lost about two hundred in killed and +wounded; the enemy's loss supposed to be greater. All was anxiety in the +city, as the fighting was but three miles distant, near Tennelly Town, +but when the veterans from the Potomac army arrived they were loudly +cheered, and were treated well. President Lincoln and members of the +Cabinet were present in Fort Stephens, witnessing the fight; the +skirmish lasted two hours, in which the enemy were defeated and driven +back; Washington almost within their grasp, was no longer in their +power. Vain delusion! Had the 3d division retreated from Monocacy +without fighting, the enemy would have reached there twelve hours +sooner, and the place would have been taken and hundreds of men lost +their lives. Every drop of blood shed at Monocacy, every life lost, was +sacrificed in a noble cause. Those fallen heroes, whose bones lie +bleaching there, if they could only know that their lives saved our +National Capital from destruction, would willingly exclaim, "I die +content, I gave my life for my country." + +The division remained at Ellicott's Mills until Monday afternoon, +stragglers coming in every few hours in squads; the men were placed on +baggage cars for Baltimore, sixteen miles distant, arriving there at +dark, lying near the track until morning; then marching two miles to +Druid Hill Park, near the outskirts of the city. This park was fitted up +at a great expense and was a beautiful place, the citizens were very +unwilling that the troops should encamp there, but General Ricketts +promising that nothing would be disturbed, consent was given, the men +encamping in regimental order; tents on a line and orders given not to +molest a thing, which was done. The rolls of the different regiments +were called; but one thousand three hundred men reported for duty of the +five thousand men embarked from Petersburg; three thousand seven hundred +had been killed, wounded and captured at Monocacy Bridge; an equal +number of the enemy were slain as they advanced in four lines, and a +bullet was sure to hit one. General Ricketts reported the division unfit +for duty; the men had lost their blankets and all their clothing, +keeping nothing but their guns. General Early finding that +re-enforcements had arrived retreated from Washington and was pursued by +the two divisions of the 6th corps, and the 8th and 19th corps on the +afternoon of the 14th. The division was ordered to join in the pursuit; +being placed in baggage cars for Washington, forty miles distant, +reaching the suburbs of the city at night, encamping until morning. The +next day marching through the city and through Georgetown, halting in +the afternoon near Tennelly Town; rations were issued and cattle +furnished for a tramp; moving again, marching in all eighteen miles; +halting at night near Cross Roads twelve miles from Washington. + +Learning the exact condition of affairs at Washington, General Grant +telegraphed the assignment of Major General Wright to the command of all +the troops that could be available to operate in the field against the +enemy, and directed that he should get outside of the trenches with all +the force he could and push Early to the last moment. On the 16th the +division started early, marching twenty-five miles; crossing the Potomac +at Edwards Ferry, wading it, nearly one mile wide and waist deep. While +the remnant of the Potomac army was lying in their camps at Petersburg, +the 6th corps was marching in the hottest of weather from fifteen to +twenty-five and even thirty miles per day, moving up and down the +Shenandoah Valley until a decisive battle was fought at Winchester, +resulting in defeat to the enemy and victory to us. On Sunday, the 17th, +but eight miles were made; the column halting near Leesburg; the 3d +division joining the corps as they had halted for us to come up, and now +began the hardest marching, unparalleled in history. The 6th corps +having the name of marching farther than any corps in the army and were +called Wright's walkers, for their rapidity in marching; horses and +mules fell lifeless along the road and were speedily replaced by others, +but the men that fell never to rise again could not be replaced. The +ambulances were full, and every baggage wagon with those that could not +walk. The army now numbered over forty thousand men, all under command +of Major General Wright, and was called the middle military division, +composed of the 6th, 8th and 19th army corps, with sixty pieces of +artillery. + +The 6th corps was temporarily commanded by Gen. Ricketts, the 8th by +Gen. Kelly and the 19th by Gen. Emory. The rebel army confronting us +were thirty-five thousand strong, commanded by Gen. Jubal Early, and +formed in five divisions, commanded by Gens. Rhodes, Ramsen, Wharton, +Pegram and Gordon, with the notorious guerillas, Imboden, Jones and +Harry Gillmore, the latter from Baltimore, together with Mosby, ever +hovering in our rear and on our flank, and knowing every foot of the +ground. These for a time were more than a match for our gallant little +army, as every house our army passed contained persons that would not +hesitate to inform the enemy of our movements, and who were in league +with those guerilla bands. The troops were all now together, and were +encamped near Leesburg, until three o'clock on the morning of the 18th, +when the troops were routed out, drawing three days' rations, with +orders to move. Marching out on the Georgetown pike, passing a place +called Hamilton, and then marching ten miles, through Snickersville, +near Snicker's Gap, the Potomac army encamped on the same ground the +previous year when in pursuit of Lee--reaching the banks of the +Shenandoah river during the afternoon; the enemy had halted, and were in +force on the opposite side, with a determination to resist our advance +and to give battle if our troops attempted a crossing; everything was in +their favor, as our men had the river to cross under fire. There was no +other alternative but to wade it nearly waist deep, and with a raking +fire from concealed batteries posted on a hill. The column halted, and a +skirmish line was formed, the men cooking dinner. Nearly every man had +something that he had picked up on the way, as the country was filled +with everything, such as hogs, chickens, honey and potatoes; all served +for a meal, and was eaten with a relish. Hard-tack and salt pork +remained in the haversack until needed. + +The command of General Hunter had now reached and re-occupied +Martinsburg, destroying over one million dollars worth of rations, and +capturing one thousand prisoners that the rebels had left as guards, +moving by detour, he flanked the enemy. As his force was insufficient to +meet them if they should fall suddenly upon him, he with his command +reached us while at Snicker's Gap, and reported to General Wright; they +had suffered almost incredible hardships, having lived on the country +for several weeks. Hunter was ordered to throw out a line of +skirmishers, and force the river; supported by the 1st division of the +6th corps they succeeded in crossing the river, when the enemy's +skirmishers advanced in three lines, driving Hunter's men pell mell back +in confusion, several of them being drowned; the 1st division did not +cross, as darkness came on. Both sides commenced shelling, and several +in the 6th corps were killed and wounded, the Major of the 2d New Jersey +infantry losing his leg; thus the day ended in disaster and defeat; but +the men were not disheartened, and rested as quietly on their arms as +though at home; a man can soon get used to anything. Many soldiers have +slept as soundly in action as if nothing was occurring, the deep booming +of the cannon and even shells striking near, failing to arouse them. + +The troops remained at Snicker's Gap two days, and nothing important +occurred, the enemy being still in force on the opposite side, and both +armies with pickets on each side of the river. All sorts of rumors were +circulated throughout camp, some of them very absurd. The men were glad +to rest, as none felt like marching, the sun being hot and the sand very +dry. On the morning of the 20th, it was discovered that the enemy had +left our immediate front, but having no cavalry, Gen. Wright could not +ascertain their movements. At eleven o'clock the troops were ordered to +move, wading the Shenandoah at Snicker's Gap. A splendid shower came up +and was very refreshing, as there had been no rain in sometime; the +column halted in a woods on the banks of a river. It was now evident +that the enemy were again making for Washington, and at dark the troops +were ordered immediately back, recrossing the river; marching all night +and part of the next day; moving back on the same road, the men nearly +worn out, and halting all night near Goose Run Creek, having marched +since crossing the Shenandoah thirty miles. + +The men now began to murmur at General Wright for marching them so hard, +this march being equal to the retreat from Culpepper, then the weather +being cold the men were enabled to stand it better. The next morning the +troops moved out again, marching twenty miles; halting at dark near +Lewinsville, the men were too tired to cook, and threw themselves on the +ground regardless of anything, and were soon asleep; it was now sixteen +days since the division had left Petersburg; having travelled during +that time, by water three hundred miles, by rail one hundred and sixteen +miles, and on foot one hundred and seventy-five miles, total five +hundred and ninety-one miles in that short space of time; but this was +comparatively nothing, considering the marching the men were compelled +to undergo while in the Shenandoah Valley. + +On the 23d of July the troops marched fifteen miles, crossing the +Potomac at Chain Bridge; again were the men within the defences of +Washington. The paymasters were present, paying the guards, and the +various detachments. On the 25th the troops received their pay for four +months, remaining at Washington four days, when the enemy again +attempted to remove north into Maryland and Pennsylvania. Gen. Wright +was ordered to move immediately to the vicinity of Harper's Ferry. The +troops started on the afternoon of July 26th, marching ten miles, +passing Tennelly Town, and halting at Rockville, the next day marching +eighteen miles, passing Gatysburg and Clarksburg, halting in the +afternoon near Hyattstown, with sore and blistered feet. Such marching +now began to tell upon the men, and many wished to meet the enemy and +engage in battle, rather than be marched to death. On the 28th marched +ten miles, passing Hyattstown and Urbanna, halting during the afternoon +at Monocacy Bridge, on the battle ground of July 9th. The ground was +broken up and traces of the conflict could be seen; remnants of shells, +cannon, and unburied corpses lay strewn around. Our boys, with feelings +of kindness ever displayed toward the enemy, carefully buried both +friend and foe. The members of the 14th regiment visiting their old +camp; after leaving Monocacy to join the Potomac army the men had never +expected to see the place again, but they were destined to fight as +severe a battle on the same ground one year after as was fought during +the war, and to see the place several during the three years, as the +army moved back and forth eight successive times while in Maryland. They +had tried to destroy the railroad bridge, but failed, as the pillars +were hollow and could not be blown up. The hotel and tank at the depot +were burned, the bridge also, crossing at the main road. There was now a +sufficient force to meet the enemy, without fear of flanking, and the +men anxious to fight. The 3d Maryland regiment was there guarding the +bridge. After resting a few hours orders were given to move, marching +eight more miles, halting at Jefferson until morning in the same field +the division halted when leaving Maryland Heights to join the Potomac +army the previous year. Leaving Jefferson on the morning of the 29th, +passing Petersville, Knoxville and Sandy Hook, crossing the Potomac at +Harper's Ferry, on pontoons, marching twenty-five miles, and halting at +Halltown on Bolivar Heights, near the headquarters of Gen. Crook. + +In the meantime Early had sent a raiding party into Pennsylvania, which +on the 30th burned the beautiful village of Chambersburg, and then +retreated towards Cumberland, where they were met and defeated by +General Kelley, and with diminished numbers escaped into the mountains +of West Virginia. From the time of the first raid, the telegraph wires +were frequently down between Washington and City Point, making it +necessary to transmit messages by boat. It took from twenty-four to +thirty-six hours to get dispatches through and return answers back, so +that often orders would be given by General Grant, and then information +would be received, showing a different state of things from those on +which they were based, causing a confusion and apparent contradiction of +orders, considerably embarrassing General Wright, and rendering +operations against the enemy less effective than they otherwise would +have been. To remedy this evil, it was necessary to have a commander +with full power, to act as he thought proper. General Grant therefore +ordered General Sheridan to have the supreme command of all the forces +in the departments of West Virginia, Washington and the middle military +division. + +General Sheridan had not yet arrived, and General Wright acting under +orders remained at Halltown, when it was discovered that the enemy were +again bent on invading the north; on the 30th of July the troops were +again ordered to move; marching back, passing Bolivar, re-crossing the +Potomac on pontoons at Harper's Ferry; marching all night, and all next +day thirty miles; halting on Sunday evening near Frederick City. As the +weather was hot and the roads dry, more than one half of the men fell +out; remaining three days, until August 3d, when the column marched six +miles; wading the Monocacy at Buckeystown, remaining in camp until the +night of the 5th, when orders were given to move, marching five miles to +Monocacy Bridge, it raining hard. At this time the enemy were in force +near Winchester, while our forces were at Monocacy, at the crossing of +the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad; leaving open to the enemy Maryland and +Pennsylvania. General Grant being so far off hesitated to give positive +orders for the troops to move lest by so doing it should expose +Washington. On the 4th of August, he left City Point, and visited +General Wright, at Monocacy, to determine for himself what was best to +be done; arriving there he consulted with Generals Wright and Hunter, +and then issued to them the following instructions: + + MONOCACY BRIDGE, MD., Aug 5th, 1864--8 P. M. + + _Maj.-Gen. Wright._ + + GENERAL: Concentrate all your available force without delay, in the + vicinity of Harper's Ferry, leaving only such railroad guards and + garrisons, for public property, as may be necessary. Use in this + concentrating the railroads, if so doing, time can be saved from + Harper's Ferry. If it is found the enemy has moved north of the + Potomac in large force, push north, follow them and attack them + wherever found. Follow them if driven south of the Potomac as long + as it is safe to do so. If it is ascertained that the enemy has but + a small force north of the Potomac, then push south with the main + force, detaching under a competent commander a sufficient force to + look after the raiders and drive them to their homes. In detaching + such a force, the brigade of cavalry, now _en route_ from Washington + via Rockville, may be taken into account. + + There are now on the way to join you three other brigades of + cavalry, numbering at least five thousand men and horse. These will + be instructed, in absence of further orders, to join you by the + south side of the Potomac, one brigade will start to-morrow. In + pushing up the Shenandoah Valley, where it is expected you will have + to go first or last, it is desirable that nothing should be left to + invite the enemy to return. Take all provisions, forage and stock + wanted for your command, and such as cannot be consumed destroy. It + is not desirable that the buildings should be destroyed; they should + rather be protected, but the people should be informed that as long + as an army can subsist among them, recurrences of these raids must + be expected, and we are determined to stop them at all hazards. + + Bear in mind that the object is to drive the enemy south, and to do + this you want to keep the enemy always in sight. Be guarded in the + course by the course they take. Make your own arrangements for + supplies of all kinds, giving regular vouchers for such as may be + taken from loyal citizens in the country through which you march. + + U. S. GRANT, + _Lieut.-Gen. U. S. Armies._ + +The troops were immediately put in motion, and were placed on the cars +at Harper's Ferry. General Grant was recognized and cheered by the men; +riding twenty-five miles, stopping at Bolivar Heights, near Halltown, +remaining there three days; the weather very warm. On the 6th of August +General Sheridan arrived, and after a conference with General Grant in +relation to military affairs in that vicinity, General Grant left for +City Point by way of Washington on the 7th. The middle military +department and the departments of West Virginia, Washington and +Susquehanna were constituted into the middle military division, and +Major-General Sheridan was assigned to temporary command of the same. +Two divisions of cavalry were sent from the army of the Potomac, +commanded by Generals Tolbert and Wilson. The middle military division +now numbered nearly fifty thousand men well armed and equipped, ready to +move and attack the rebel army now in position near Winchester; they had +also received re-enforcements, a division under General Anderson having +arrived. Both armies were nearly equal in strength, with the advantage +on the side of the enemy, as they had no capital to cover, and could +move in whatever direction they pleased. The men were engaged in +thrashing wheat and forwarding it to Richmond, having compelled every +farmer to give all their proceeds to the help of the Confederacy, +keeping but one-tenth for themselves. + +On the 10th of August, the troops moved out from their position at +Halltown, marching fifteen miles, passing through Charlestown, where +John Brown was hung. The march was continued the next day, marching +eighteen miles more, the enemy retreating up the valley, our forces +following them. After marching fifty miles in three successive days, +overtaking their rear guard on the afternoon of the 12th at Cedar Creek, +having passed through Newtown and Middletown, secesh villages, filled +with Mosby's guerillas, who were very peaceable until our army passed, +when they were ready to fall upon our rear guard, plundering, robbing, +and even murdering all they could. The main body of the rebels were +strongly entrenched on Fisher Hill, a place almost impregnable, that +could not be carried by a direct assault. The Shenandoah Valley was +filled with waving fields of grain, the crops ripe and ready for the +scythe. For nearly one hundred miles, the valley was level, and the +scenery splendid, this being the prettiest part of Virginia. At a +distance of seven to twelve miles apart, were villages that could be +discerned in the distance from Harper's Ferry to Stanton. No engagement +took place at Cedar Creek, as was expected, as we were too far from our +base of supplies to risk a battle. After lying near Cedar Creek three +days, the troops were ordered to fall back for the purpose of drawing +the enemy from Fisher Hill; starting at dark, moving back on the valley +pike; marching all night, passing through Newtown, Middletown and +Kurrentown, halting at Winchester for breakfast, passing through the +place, once a fine village, but now nearly deserted; no business was +transacted, as both rebel and union armies occupied the place at +different times. The troops marched during the night eighteen miles, and +during the morning ten miles, halting on a hill. + +The enemy supposing us retreating, followed us closely, skirmishing with +the cavalry at Winchester, in which a portion of the 1st New Jersey +brigade was captured while supporting the cavalry. Our rear guard was +driven from Winchester with considerable loss. The troops were compelled +to move the next day eighteen miles, encamping near Charlestown, the +enemy again halting at Winchester. In retaliation for Chambersburg, the +men burned and destroyed everything, entering houses and helping +themselves to all that came in their way. The men were out of rations, +living on the country two days, but flour, green corn and chickens in +abundance. + +Both armies were again in camp, with tents up in regular order, the +operations during the month of August being both of an offensive and +defensive character, resulting in a few skirmishes, but as yet no +general engagement had taken place. The two armies now lay in such a +position, the enemy on the west bank of the Opequan Creek, covering +Winchester, and our forces in position at Charlestown, so that either +army could bring on a battle at any time. Defeat to us would lay open to +the enemy Maryland and Pennsylvania for long distances, before our army +could check them, and under such circumstances Gen. Sheridan hesitated +to attack, and waited for more positive orders from Grant. The 14th +regiment was again recruited, swelling the number to about three +hundred men. Colonel Truex being at home, the regiment was commanded by +Major Vredenberg. Lieutenant Colonel Hall having been wounded at +Monocacy, resigned his commission. Major Vredenberg having been for the +past year inspector general on headquarter staff, he being the ranking +officer was relieved, and ordered to the command of the regiment at +Halltown on the 19th of August. + +Sunday, August 21st, the enemy surprised our camp at daylight attacking +in force. The troops soon formed in line of battle, fighting during the +day and building works; but few were lost on either side, as nothing but +skirmishing was kept up. At night our forces fell back to our old +position at Halltown, eight miles distant, the enemy pursuing and firing +upon our rear guard, compelling them to fall back in a hurry within the +defences of Maryland Heights, when the pursuit was abandoned, the rain +pouring in torrents. For several days bodies of troops, mostly cavalry, +were sent out on a reconnoissance, which discovered the enemy still in +position at Charlestown. The men were fast losing confidence in General +Sheridan, as he did nothing but advance and retreat without fighting a +decisive battle; but none of the men knew the energy and determination +of their gallant leader, who was only waiting for orders from General +Grant to bring on a general engagement. + +The troops remained in camp at Halltown six days, until Sunday, the +28th, when orders were given to move, passing the enemy's works near +Charlestown (the enemy having fallen back), and halted in a wood. During +the afternoon Chaplain Rose delivered a brief discourse as the men lay +in line, after which we moved again, halting in the old camp we were +driven from the previous Sunday, eight miles from Halltown, remaining +there until September 3d, when the troops moved again, marching eight +miles, encamping at a place called Clifton Farm. The 8th corps being on +the advance, met the enemy at Opequan Creek, and after a severe +engagement drove them back across the creek, with heavy loss on both +sides. Darkness and rain ended the contest, the troops sleeping on their +arms. Both armies were now very vigilant, as they were but a few miles +apart. The troops lay in camp at Clifton Farm fifteen days, drawing +extra rations and clothing. On the 15th of September, the 2d division of +the 6th corps with a brigade of cavalry, moved out on a reconnoissance +to Opequan Creek. The enemy were found in force, with strong works +erected on the opposite side, they were completely surprised. The 2d +division succeeded in capturing a South Carolina regiment, numbering +four hundred men, together with its officers and colors. + +After exchanging a few shots, the division returned with the prisoners +captured, the rebels crestfallen at our daring, but afraid to follow us +up. The men were very tired of maneuvering up and down the valley, and +were anxious to meet the enemy and decide which of the two armies was +the most competent to hold the valley. Grant finding the use of the +Baltimore and Ohio Railroad and the Chesapeake and Ohio canal, which +were both obstructed by the enemy, became so indispensably necessary to +us, and the importance of relieving Maryland and Pennsylvania from +continuously threatened invasion so great, that he determined to visit +General Sheridan and order an immediate attack. Leaving City Point on +the 15th of September, he visited him at Charlestown to decide after a +conference with him, what should be done, and after a calm deliberation +it was decided to attack as soon as the army and trains could be brought +into position. For convenience of forage the teams for supplying the +army were kept at Harper's Ferry. Grant remained at Sheridan's +headquarters but one day, giving his final orders, and leaving Harper's +Ferry for City Point, Sheridan returning to his headquarters and issuing +orders for a forward movement. + +On afternoon of Sunday, the 18th, orders were given the troops to move +at a moment's notice. All now felt that the time had arrived when the +rebel army under its audacious leaders, should be driven from the +Shenandoah Valley, where for the last two months they had bid defiance +to the loyal North, and with their frowning earthworks at Winchester +were ever ready to resist our advance. For several mornings previous to +the attack, the cavalry had darted up to their front and then retired, +after exchanging a few shots. This was done so often that when the +attack was made they were not as well prepared as if this had not been +done, as the advance was led by the dashing Custer, with his brigade of +cavalry. + +At two o'clock on the morning of the 19th of September, the troops on +two roads moved out, and marching twelve miles, crossed at Opequan +Creek. As usual the cavalry in stronger force than heretofore, attacked +them in their position. The rebels were completely surprised. Kershaw's +division had left the day before for the purpose of burning and +destroying what they could in Maryland and Pennsylvania. They were at +Bunker's Hill, ten miles off, when the attack was made, and Gen. Early +sent immediately for them, when they returned in haste, nearly all the +way on a double quick. + +Both armies soon became hotly engaged, and for some time it was doubtful +which side was gaining, but after a most sanguinary battle, which lasted +until six o'clock in the evening, the enemy were defeated with heavy +loss, their entire position carried from Opequan Creek to Winchester, +together with several thousand prisoners and five pieces of artillery; +the enemy rallied several times, only to be broken again by the terrible +onslaught of the Union boys. Kershaw's division arrived during the +afternoon, but too late, and with their comrades were compelled to fall +back. During the morning, the 19th army corps, which was on the extreme +left, was driven in, but supported by one division of the 6th corps they +rallied, and in turn drove the enemy back some distance; it was a hard +fought battle, and the enemy with their thinned ranks in a demoralized +condition retreated in haste through Winchester. General Early was so +intoxicated that it was with much difficulty that he could keep upon his +horse; the rebel press attributed their defeat to this. The rebel +soldiers were positive that Grant was in command, as Sheridan never +before had exhibited such generalship. The 3d division lost heavily in +killed and wounded; Colonel Ebright commanding the 126th Ohio was +killed, also General Russell, commanding 1st division 6th corps. + +The 14th lost in killed and wounded one hundred and sixty men, but the +greatest loss of all was Major Vredenberg. A braver officer never lived. +He was at the head of his regiment, ordering the men to charge a rebel +battery, when a shell struck him in the breast, knocking him from his +horse and killing him instantly. He was carried to the rear and his +remains sent to New Jersey. His loss was deeply felt by the men, as he +was always esteemed a brave and competent officer. The regiment charged +the battery, captured it, and the last order ever given by him was +executed with promptness, and the death of Major Vredenberg avenged. +Lieut. Green, commanding Co. I, was killed, and Capt. Bodwell, of Co. E, +wounded. Capt. Janeway was as conspicuous as ever, and fought well. He +was again placed in command of the regiment, as every other officer was +disabled, either killed or wounded. The 87th Pennsylvania had but a few +days to stay, but were as eager as ever to join in the fight. Several of +them were killed whose term had already expired. The rebel loss was very +severe in officers and men. Gens. Rhodes and Wharton that led the attack +at Monocacy, in which the 3d division suffered so severely, were both +killed. + +The ground was covered with the munitions of war, as our victorious army +pressed on after the flying rebels. The groans of the wounded and dying +were forgotten. Ghastly sights everywhere presented themselves to the +eye, but to the soldiers were as nothing, as such scenes were every day +sights. The houses in Winchester were filled with rebel wounded, who +were kindly cared for by the ladies of the place, both loyal and +disloyal. The news of our success was telegraphed immediately to +Washington, and the papers North were full of praises of our gallant +little Sheridan and his noble army; there was now no fear of another +invasion, and our National Capital was out of danger. The army now +reposed every confidence in Sheridan, and gave him the name of "Little +Phil," and those who but a few weeks before were ever ready to denounce +him were now the loudest in his praise. One hundred guns were fired at +Washington in honor of this great victory, which in itself was +considered one of the decisive battles of the war. Had our forces been +defeated and driven back, both Washington and Baltimore would have been +taken, and before another army could have been raised, both places would +have lain in ashes. This was the third and last attempted invasion of +the North by the Confederate army, which had each time ended in +disaster. The rebel papers were clamorous for the removal of Early, who +had praised him so highly but a short time before. + +The enemy retreated during the night, and made a stand in their strong +position at Fisher Hill; here they were confident of success, as it was +thought impossible to dislodge them from their position. Here Early +intended to make a stand until he received re-enforcements from +Richmond, and then retrieve his fast falling reputation. He supposed +General Sheridan would not attack, and he would have time to recruit. +Our column had halted at Winchester until daylight the next morning, +when they rapidly pressed on; the enemy were at this time on Fisher +Hill, twenty-two miles from Winchester; the troops halted at nine +o'clock at Newton for breakfast. The men had marched up and down the +valley so often, that every house and barn was familiar to them. +Kurrentown was the birthplace of the rebel General, Stonewall Jackson, +whose remains now repose there; had he then been living, and in command +of the rebel forces in the valley, it would have been different, for as +a strategic leader he had no equal. One day he would be in our front, +the next day in our rear, and it would have required all the skill of +our leaders to oppose him; as it was, Early was completely out-generaled +by General Sheridan. + +The troops halted at Newton one hour, and then moved forward; squads of +rebel prisoners were picked up, as they were too tired to proceed +farther. The number of prisoners captured in all was about five +thousand, while our loss at Winchester would not exceed one thousand +five hundred. After marching twenty-two miles, we crossed Cedar Creek on +a bridge built by the enemy, halting in the same woods the troops were +in five weeks before. The rebel army had just been paid in Confederate +money, which to them was as nothing; gold, which had been up to its +highest notch, now fell some twenty per cent., and produce in +proportion. + +The 21st of September was spent in forming the troops in position, as +General Sheridan had determined to attack; but nothing was accomplished +till night, when the 126th Ohio and 6th Maryland regiments charged the +enemy's skirmish line, driving them back two miles, and occupying a +splendid position for artillery; batteries were placed and the enemy +shelled, they not replying, as their ammunition was scarce. The morning +of the 22d found the troops in position; batteries from all parts of the +line opened, but as yet no response from the rebels. At three o'clock +Sheridan ordered an advance, the troops moving forward in eight lines of +battle. Early, expecting an attack in his immediate front, withdrew his +forces from the left of his line; taking advantage of this, the 8th +corps, with the 3d division, moved on their flank, and before they were +aware of it our cavalry were completely in their rear. A desperate +battle now ensued, which lasted until dark, when the enemy were driven +pell mell from their fortified position and retreated in confusion, +flanked both right and left, and their cavalry, under Imboden and Jones, +were compelled to run in one demoralized mass, followed by our +victorious columns pouring shot and shell into their retreating ranks. +The 3d division captured six pieces of artillery, two of them were taken +by the 14th regiment. Twenty-four pieces of artillery, fifteen stand of +colors, and one thousand one hundred prisoners were the fruits of this +victory. Sheridan was now almost worshiped by the men, as Fisher's Hill +had always been considered as impregnable, but "Cavalry Phil," or +"Flanking Sheridan," as he was called, had accomplished what Fremont, +Hunter, Banks and Shields had failed to do in the early days of the +rebellion. He was appointed a Maj.-General in the regular army, to fill +the place vacated by McClellan. In the battle of Fisher's Hill, the loss +in the 14th regiment was small, as they were on the flank with the 8th +corps; the 2d division lost heavily in killed. The casualties in the +regiment were but ten killed and thirty wounded. Captain McKnight's +battery of the 3d division created considerable panic in the enemy's +ranks, as every shell they fired fell among them. Under cover of this +battery, the division advanced and captured a line of works with four +hundred prisoners and four pieces of artillery. No time was allowed the +men to rest, although tired and weary and begrimed with dirt and powder. +The flying rebels were pursued during the night of the 22d, marching +twelve miles, through Strasburg and Woodstock, halting for a few hours' +rest in the morning. The enemy had a mortal fear of Custer and his +cavalry, as he was always on their flank and rear when least expected; +with one brigade to charge and another to blow the bugle, they could not +stand. Their cavalry leader, Imboden, was called "Runboden," as he was +always first to run when our cavalry appeared in sight. Four days' +rations were issued the men at Woodstock, the trains having followed. +The 87th Pennsylvania had served their three years, and were ordered to +return home, with the exception of the re-enlisted men, whose term of +service had not yet expired. + +Leaving Woodstock on the afternoon of the 23d, the troops marched six +miles, passing the village of Edenburg, and encamping in woods near the +railroad. The enemy had again halted on a hill and were skirmishing with +the cavalry. In the battles of Winchester and Fisher's Hill, the enemy +had lost in killed, wounded and prisoners, fifteen thousand men, fifteen +stands of colors, and thirty pieces of artillery, while the Union army +had lost but four thousand men. The troops were now pretty well rested, +and moved again on Saturday, the 24th, marching twenty miles, passing +the villages of Mount Jackson, Hawkenstown and New Market, still +following the enemy and skirmishing with the entire march. The pike was +level, and the retreating rebels could be plainly seen. McKnight's +battery was placed on the skirmish line, continually shelling the rear. +It was a splendid sight; the troops, in four parallel lines, with +cavalry on either flank, pursuing the flying rebels, they making a stand +several times, but our skirmish line compelled them to leave. The +weather was yet very warm. At dark the enemy opened upon us from a hill +with four pieces of artillery, but were soon compelled to leave. It was +a splendid picture for an artist--the sun setting behind the hills; the +flash of the cannon and musketry was grand beyond description. The men +foraging lived well, as the country was filled with vegetables of all +kinds; the army was now forty-two miles from Winchester and thirty miles +from Staunton. The troops entered camp for the night, marching the next +day eighteen miles in line of battle up the valley; the enemy could not +be seen, having moved during the night up the Luray Valley; halting at +Harrisonberg, 3d division headquarters at the house formerly occupied by +Fremont and Hunter as their headquarters. The troops remained in camp at +Harrisonberg ten days, confiscating tobacco, sugar, matches, etc.; +Harrisonberg is a very pretty place, twenty miles from Staunton, of +about one thousand inhabitants. Squads of men were sent out each day to +forage on the country, as the troops were out of rations, and it was +necessary the men should be supplied. The army was now one hundred and +four miles from Harper's Ferry, the base of supplies; it took the teams +four days to go and four to come; the route was infested with guerillas, +making it necessary to have a strong guard; but in spite of all +vigilance numbers of men were killed and the wagons captured. + +On the 29th the troops moved out at four o'clock, marching seven miles +to relieve the cavalry at Mount Crawford. Finding the enemy in strong +position they were driven back, as they were strongly posted in a gap in +the mountains; they were not again attacked and the troops moved back to +Harrisonberg. + +On the first of October the supply train arrived from Harper's Ferry, +with mail and papers, also the paymaster; the troops receiving two +months' pay. It was rumored in camp that Grant had moved at Petersburg, +capturing fifteen guns and four hundred prisoners. The cavalry again +started off, reaching Staunton, destroying the bridges and a large +amount of supplies, and advanced as far as Charlottesville. + +On the 6th of October orders were given to move; marching back, the +valley was now clear of the enemy. As it was feared they would again +return, every barn, out-house and hay-stack was burned on the route, to +prevent the enemy from subsisting in the valley, as most of the farmers +were secesh and helped the guerillas along. It was a splendid sight to +see the fires as the troops moved up the valley, from mountain to +mountain one continual blaze of fire. Twenty-four miles were made that +day, as it was cool, and the men were out of rations; the supply train +could not get up, and the valley was stripped by troops continually +passing. The troops slept that night in sight of Mount Jackson with +nothing to eat. The next day we marched seventeen miles, through Mount +Jackson and Woodstock, halting at dark; on the 8th marching twelve miles +to Strasburg, passing Fisher's Hill, where the enemy were whipped so +badly on the 22d of September. After stripping the valley of the most of +their supplies for the rebel army, the troops halted at Strasburg, and +took position on the north bank of Cedar Creek. + +Having received considerable re-enforcements, Early again returned to +the valley, and on the 9th of October encountered our cavalry near +Strasburg. Custer with his brigade advanced, and after a brief encounter +the enemy captured thirty wagons from General Torbert; the weather was +very cold and windy. Our whole force of cavalry now arrived, and the +enemy was driven back some distance, with the loss of eleven pieces of +artillery, a number of prisoners, and all their wagons, with those +captured from Torbert, our forces following them vigorously. + +As the valley was supposed to be clear of the enemy, the 6th corps was +ordered to Petersburg. Grant had moved several times and had captured +the Weldon Rail Road, extending his lines some distance. On the 10th, +orders were given to move, marching seventeen miles, passing through +Strasburg and Middletown, halting at Front Royal near Manassas Gap. +During our stay there, a man was accidentally shot in the Regiment, +dying the next day; his name was Ayers, of Co. B. A petition was +circulated among the Jersey soldiers to return home and vote; it was +signed by the officers, but was not carried through. The Legislature of +New Jersey was opposed to it, and used their utmost endeavors to prevent +it. While all other troops were allowed to vote in the field, New Jersey +was in the hands of the Copperheads, and her soldiers were not allowed +the privilege, and with bitter feelings of enmity towards them the +soldiers were compelled to stand it. + +The troops were now ordered to Petersburg, as there was no sign of the +enemy in the valley. On the 13th the corps started from Front Royal. +The troops had been in the valley some time, and did not wish to leave. +Sheridan was loved by all, and the men were still anxious to be under +his command, but positive orders from Grant were that the corps should +again join the Potomac army, having been only temporarily detached. The +weather was very cold, and visions of earthworks and trenches in front +of Petersburg rose vividly before the men, and none wished to go. After +marching fifteen miles, passing a place called White Post, the column +was ordered to halt, and soon it resounded throughout the line that the +order was countermanded. Cheer after cheer was given, and it was noised +around that Grant had taken Petersburg, with sixty pieces of artillery +and thirty thousand prisoners. The men were very jubilant over the move, +as it was believed. Moving back, the troops halted at a very pretty +place called Millwood, and the men immediately commenced foraging, as +there was provisions in abundance, no troops having ever encamped there. +It turned out that Grant's taking Petersburg was a hoax, and instead, +Early was moving down the valley, having received considerable +re-enforcements. The 8th and 19th corps were compelled to fall back from +Fisher's Hill, and encamped on the north bank of Cedar Creek. Soon the +deep booming of the cannon was heard at Millwood; at first the men +thought it a salute in honor of the great victory, but it proved to be +the 8th and 19th corps engaged with Early at Cedar Creek. On the morning +of the 14th at 2 o'clock, the corps was ordered to move immediately back +the same road to Fisher's Hill, marching twenty miles, and halting in +position near Middletown, as the enemy were again in force on Fisher's +Hill. All idea of going to Petersburg was now abandoned, as there was +enough to attend to in the valley. Early again had a large army and once +more confronted Sheridan, this time with both flanks heavily guarded on +Fisher's Hill. It was not then known how many troops the enemy had, as +their coming was unexpected. Pickets were doubled, and a line of works +erected on Fisher's Hill for the purpose of resisting our advance. The +troops now moved forward to Cedar Creek and were formed in line as +follows: The 8th corps on the extreme left, near Manchuhattan Mountain; +the 19th corps next, and the 6th on the right. Every morning the men +were routed out early expecting an attack, but none was made, and the +vigilance of the men was relaxed; five days the troops remained in camp +near Middletown. General Sheridan being on a visit to Grant at City +Point, during his absence the army was commanded by General Wright. All +was thought secure, and the men began to think the enemy's force +comparatively small; but they were in force, and the boys of the Union +soon knew it. Early had determined to make one grand effort, and if +possible save his reputation and recover all he had lost. Filled with +this determination he moved his whole force on the night of October +18th, crossed the mountain in single file which separated the branches +of the Shenandoah, forded the north fork, and early on the morning of +the 19th, under cover of the darkness and the fog, surprised and turned +our left flank, and captured the batteries that infiladed our whole +line, some 24 in all; the men were aroused from slumber only to find the +enemy in their rear. The 8th corps, panic stricken, fled, leaving all +their arms and ammunition in the hands of the enemy; they knew not which +way to turn, and hundreds were shot down and numbers captured. The 6th +corps, used to such things, rallied, and formed in line near Middletown. +By this time the wagons were on the road to Winchester. It was a +complete surprise, the troops falling back in confusion five miles. +General Wright ordered them to re-form, but with the 8th and 19th corps +in full retreat, the 6th could not stand alone, and with the rest were +compelled to fall back, but in order. A terrible battle was now fought, +and Early, confident of victory, urged on his men, who fought with +desperation; and visions of Washington again appeared before them. The +spoils that fell in their hands were a great compensation for what they +had lost; shelters, rubbers, knapsacks, blankets, and well filled +haversacks fell in the hands of the Johnnies, and to their half starved +and half clothed bodies were indeed prizes. After falling back five +miles our lines were partly rallied and the retreat stopped, but at a +fearful loss of life, and our boys were mad, fairly mad to think that +after ridding the valley of the enemy as they supposed, and whipping +them so badly, they were again in force and our army retreating from +them. Where is Sheridan? was the cry, as all seemed to feel that if he +was near the tide of battle would be turned in our favor. Soon a cloud +of dust was seen on the road; far in the distance, and with thunder +tread, came the well-known horse, carrying with it its rider, the brave +Sheridan; reaching the disordered line he inquired for General Wright. +The men soon knew that Sheridan was near, and all felt confident of +success. When the battle commenced he was at Winchester, but he arrived +in time to arrange the lines and repulse a heavy attack of the enemy. +The 8th and 19th corps were now partially rallied and formed in line, +with the 6th corps in the centre, immediately assuming the offensive and +attacking the enemy in turn. After considerable maneuvering Sheridan +ordered a charge, and the enemy in turn were driven back with great +slaughter, with the loss of their trains and artillery and the trophies +captured during the morning. Had not Sheridan arrived as he did, all +would have been lost. The cavalry under Custer were sent on their flank, +driving them pell mell across Cedar Creek, slaughtering them like sheep. +Sixty-one pieces of artillery were captured from them and eight thousand +prisoners. Our success was complete, though our loss was heavy, and +victory crowned our arms. Capt. McKnight's battery lost four pieces, and +nearly all their horses were killed or wounded. The 14th regiment was +commanded by Captain Janeway and lost heavily. Adjutant Burroughs Rose +was killed; he was formerly a private, and for gallant conduct had been +promoted from one position to another until he received his commission +as Adjutant, in place of Buckalew, who had resigned on account of wounds +received at Monocacy; he was a fine officer, and his loss could not +easily be supplied. + +The wreck of the rebel army escaped during the night, and fled in the +direction of Staunton and Lynchburg, and pursuit being made by the +cavalry to Mount Jackson, hundreds of them were captured. The battle of +Cedar Creek will long be remembered by the 6th corps. At first driven +back with severe loss, they in turn rallied, and to the brave 6th corps +will be attributed the tide of battle turning in our favor; for, had +they retreated in such confusion as the other corps, the enemy would +have been victorious. But the Wilderness, and those hard-fought battles +of the Potomac army, were lessons not easily forgotten, and the 6th +corps, as usual, was ready for any emergency. The 2d division lost +heavily in men, more so than the rest, as our lines fell back. The enemy +had stripped our dead and wounded as they lay on the field, and when our +men recovered their lost ground they were seen lying as they fell, stark +naked, and cold in the embrace of death. Such scenes only made our men +fight the harder, and Early paid dearly for his boldness in surprising +us in the morning. The rebel General, Ramsuer, was mortally wounded and +fell in our hands a prisoner. He died at the headquarters of General +Sheridan, and his remains were sent South by way of City Point. Thus +ended the enemy's last attempt to invade the North via the Shenandoah +valley; and Early, with his demoralized and disheartened troops, was +seen no more in that vicinity. Ninety pieces of artillery had been taken +from them at different times in the valley, and with ten pieces of +artillery, and about ten thousand men, they reached Staunton, and all +but one brigade were transported to Richmond, there to take part in the +subsequent battles near Petersburg. Our forces encamped in their old +position, and the next day engaged in burying the dead, the ground being +covered with both Union and Rebel soldiers. The field was hotly +contested by our men, and although surprised they were not whipped. +General Sheridan rode along the lines and was cheered by the men. +General Ricketts was temporarily placed in command of the 6th corps, and +was severely wounded early in the day. He was the best division +commander in the service, and when the men heard of his wound, all were +anxious for his safety. The papers spoke of him in the highest praise as +an excellent and able general. The following is an extract from Harper's +Weekly, which is quoted for the benefit of those who knew him well: + + General James B. Ricketts, wounded in the battle of Cedar Creek, is + a native of New York, from which State he was appointed a Cadet to + West Point in 1835. He graduated in 1839 with the grade of 2d + Lieutenant of artillery; in 1846 he was promoted to 1st Lieutenant, + and in August, 1852, was appointed Captain, having since 1849 + occupied the position of Regimental Quarter Master. + + General Ricketts was wounded in the first battle of Bull Run and + taken prisoner. For distinguished service in that battle he was + promoted to the rank of Brigadier General, and in nearly all the + Virginia campaign he has commanded a division. His division of the + 6th corps was in July last detached from the army of the Potomac and + sent to Harper's Ferry, taking part in the battle of Monocacy and in + all the subsequent battles in the Shenandoah Valley. In General + Sheridan's absence, General Wright assumed command of the army of + the Valley; his place at the head of the corps was occupied by + General Ricketts, who was wounded in the early part of the battle on + the 19th, and was for some time supposed to be in a dying condition. + If his wound should indeed prove a mortal one, the country will have + lost a very able officer. + +General Sheridan had again immortalized his name. As he came down the +pike, he exclaimed to the men: "Join your commands, boys, I'll wax h--l +out of them before night." At the sight of him our men pressed forward +with their usual impetuosity, and soon the Johnnies were in full +retreat. Thus a decisive battle was gained, which, but for the timely +arrival of General Sheridan, would have resulted in disaster. The +troops again entered camp, the tents on a line, with the cavalry in +pursuit of the flying enemy far up the valley. General Custer succeeded +in recapturing the colors lost by the 15th New Jersey; their +color-bearer being killed, it fell into the hands of the enemy. He +complimented the men for their bravery, telling them not from cowardice, +but through accident, they were lost, and that he was very much +gratified to return them. + +The weather was now very cold, and there were yet no signs of Winter +quarters. Nearly six months had passed since the troops crossed the +Rapidan, and what had been accomplished? Lee was driven step by step +from his stronghold in the Wilderness, flanked several times by Grant, +until he was within the fortifications of Richmond, his supplies cut +off, and closely besieged by Grant. Sherman had driven Johnson and his +successor, Hood, whipping them in every battle, and finally capturing +Atlanta, their stronghold, in the very heart of the Confederacy. Early +had been whipped in four pitched battles by Sheridan, and driven far up +the valley to Staunton, his artillery nearly all captured and his army +completely routed, and everything that an army could subsist on in the +valley destroyed. Price, in Missouri, had been driven in confusion, and +was in full retreat, followed by Rosecrans. The Copperheads North, +defeated in their every scheme, the soldiers now looked for the +re-election of Lincoln, and for a speedy termination of the war. + +It was now currently reported that Longstreet had succeeded Early, and +with thirty-five thousand men was again advancing up the valley. The +troops lay in camp at Middletown nineteen days, and it was discovered +the enemy had left the valley. On Nov. 6th the troops were ordered back +in the direction of Winchester, but the morning being very cold and +frosty the order was countermanded. On the 8th the election for +President was held in the various camps; the people of New Jersey had +denied their soldiers that privilege, and with bitter curses toward +them, the men lay quietly in camp. McClellan was scarcely thought of, +and the votes for Lincoln were far ahead. New Jersey had long been +considered as disloyal, and had she been one of the border States, would +long ago have seceded. Staunch old Maryland stood firm, and was far more +loyal than Jersey. But the rule of the Copperheads was of short +duration, and when the war was ended, and the boys in blue returned to +their homes, they were soon ruled out and their places filled by loyal +men. + +On the 9th of November the orders to move were again given, marching ten +miles, and passing for the last time Middletown and Newtown, halting at +Kurrentown, a very nice place; wood plenty, but water scarce. The +enemy's cavalry had again advanced, under their leader, Rosser, and +attacked our out-posts, but after considerable skirmishing they were +driven back in confusion and retired during the night. The papers now +arrived, and the re-election of Lincoln was hailed by the soldiers with +joy, as the majority of them were in favor of him. Many of the men now +commenced to build Winter quarters, and log huts were rapidly erected, +with chimneys built of sod. Officers and men were uncertain what to do, +as no orders were given to build Winter quarters. + +Nothing of importance occurred during the month of November; as usual +rumors were plenty. The different regiments were detailed to guard the +supply trains to and from Martinsburg, our base of supplies, as the +guerillas still infested the route. A railroad was commenced, and was +soon built from Halltown to Winchester, and was heavily guarded by the +8th corps. Winchester now became a lively place, as Sheridan's +headquarters were there. + +The 6th corps was reviewed by General Sheridan, and preparations were +again made to leave, as orders from Grant were to send the 6th corps to +Petersburg. The review was witnessed by the people of the surrounding +country; the day was not pleasant, but rainy and disagreeable. General +Sheridan took a farewell leave of the men, thanking them for their +bravery, and was sorry to see them leave; to the 6th corps the praise of +saving Washington was given. The men gave three rousing cheers for +Sheridan and the Shenandoah Valley; he then rode to his headquarters, +and the troops dispersed to their various camps. Their work in the +valley was over, and they were to again join the Potomac army, to take +part in the final drama--the capture of Richmond. Since leaving +Petersburg, the troops had in five months fought five pitched battles, +each time victorious, and had marched nearly 1,000 miles, a record that +no other corps in the army could boast of. The men deserved the praise +which was awarded them. + +On the 1st of December the 1st division moved, and was placed on cars at +Winchester for Washington. It was now certain the corps was to leave and +Winter quarters were abandoned. On the 3d, the 3d division followed the +1st, General Wright having gone the previous day. The division marched +ten miles, taking the cars at Stephenson Station and riding one hundred +and forty-two miles on the Baltimore and Ohio railroad, again passing +Monocacy Bridge; it being night the men were mostly asleep; arrived at +Washington on Sunday morning. But a few months before, when the city was +in danger and the troops were hurried from City Point, the people +flocked to see them and cheer them on their way, now scarcely a sound +was heard, Washington was out of danger. The 6th corps was again to +return to City Point, and by the people their hardships in the valley +were forgotten; they passed scarcely noticing the men, and without a +reception of any kind the troops were placed on transports for City +Point. The weather had changed and was as warm and as mild as spring. +The troops were furnished with three days' rations, and by three o'clock +were all on board. The 14th was placed on transport Keyport, passing +Fortress Monroe, and arriving at City Point at 11 o'clock on Monday +morning, riding on Grant's railroad sixteen miles. This track is laid on +the ground without grading and runs up hill and down in range of the +enemy's shells. The corps was to take the quarters of the 5th corps, +they moving on a reconnoissance to Weldon, North Carolina, for the +purpose of cutting the Southside railroad, and as much of the enemy's +communications as possible. The regiment had been in the middle +department nine months, lying at Monocacy Bridge; in the Potomac army +one year; and in the valley five months, and now back in the Potomac +army again. The 5th corps' quarters were on the Weldon railroad that had +been captured at an immense loss of life. There were now but two roads +leading into Richmond, the Southside road and the Danville road, which +were now aimed for, and as soon as the 6th corps arrived, the 5th with +two divisions of cavalry, moved out to Hatcher's Run, on the Boydton +plank road. They did not wish to leave their quarters, but were glad to +see the 6th corps come back and willingly gave up their quarters to +them. The troops halted until morning, and then occupied the tents +vacated by the 5th corps. The headquarters of the 3d division was in a +pretty place, having been fitted up with considerable care, but the +quarters of the men were very poor, being put up in the Fall with no +intention of remaining. + +The troops remained in quarters but one day, when they were ordered to +the support of the 5th corps, which had attacked the enemy at Weldon, +destroying thirty miles of the Southside road, and burning a large +amount of rations, besides capturing a number of prisoners and +contrabands. The division returned the next day, having marched but ten +miles, the 5th corps needing no assistance. It was snowing hard, and the +men suffering severely lying out in the storm. Both armies now +confronted each other for a distance of forty miles, with works in some +places but a few rods apart, but every precaution was taken to prevent a +surprise. The men from both sides were on friendly terms, talking with +each other and exchanging papers. In front of Petersburg was a fort +named Fort H--l from its close proximity to the rebels. Firing from +this fort was incessantly carried on day and night, and the men gave it +that name as it was continually under fire, killing numbers daily. + +Winter quarters were now fairly established, the men fixing up the old +tents very comfortably. Cold weather had now commenced and rainy days +were frequent; furloughs were granted the men from ten to twenty days, +large numbers visiting their homes. General Sherman was moving through +the heart of Georgia. His campaign is familiar to my readers, and as the +14th was in the Potomac army, it is not necessary to give an account of +Sherman's march. It was supposed by the men that the armies of Grant and +Sheridan would be consolidated in time, but all ideas of soon moving +were abandoned, as the roads were almost impassable, while Sherman was +farther south and able to move with his heavy trains, living on the +country. It was the main object of Grant to hold Lee in check to prevent +him from re-enforcing Johnson, and in time to sever all communication +from Richmond, compelling Lee to retreat farther south or to surrender. +By frequent moving he had extended his lines some distance, thereby +weakening the enemy's lines considerably. They were getting short of +rations, as Sherman was cutting their railroads in every direction. A +vast amount of supplies was stored at City Point for the use of our +armies; sutlers were in abundance and City Point in reality soon became +a city. The headquarters of General Grant were on a hill near the river. +Immense guns and fortifications were seen in all directions, fully +manned by men, while it was with difficulty that the enemy could raise +enough men to fill their works. Pickets and videttes from each side were +but a few rods apart, and frequently conversed with each other. The +battles of the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, and Petersburg +were forgotten, and no one would ever think that those men who now were +so friendly with each other, had ever engaged in terrible strife on the +field of battle. The men from Early's command were in front of the 3d +division, and when on picket the scenes of the valley were often talked +of, but always with bitterness on the side of the enemy. Our boys would +cry out, "Halloo, Johnny Reb., did you get enough of the valley?" Johnny +replies, with his fingers up to his nose, "Do you Yanks see anything of +the South-side railroad?" Our men had been aiming for that, but had +failed repeatedly. + +The 14th was now re-organized, having received several recruits, to the +amount of two hundred. Captain Janeway, for bravery and meritorious +conduct, was promoted to the colonelcy of the regiment, he and +Lieutenant Baily being the only old officers from Freehold. The officers +were now mostly enlisted men, and by their conduct had won for +themselves a lasting reputation. Among those that distinguished +themselves, and in every action were at their posts, were Captains +Wanser, Manning and Marsh; Lieutenants Foster, Barkalew, Fletcher, +Hanning, White and Manderville. Each one had entered the ranks and had +won for himself his position. Colonel Truex was still in command of the +brigade, acting Brigadier General. The division commanded by General +Seymour, formerly commander of the 2d brigade, being captured in the +Wilderness, he was taken to Charleston and subsequently released, and +placed in command of the division in the absence of General Ricketts. + +All was now quiet in camp, with the exception of cannonading in front of +Petersburg, and picket firing along some portion of the line. This was +the third and last Winter in the army for the regiment; the first Winter +was spent at Monocacy, the second at Brandy Station, and the third at +Petersburg. + +Reports from various sources led Grant to believe that the enemy had +again detached three divisions from the army in front of Petersburg, to +again attempt the capture of Washington, via the Shenandoah Valley. He +therefore sent the 2d corps and Greggs' division of cavalry from the +army of the Potomac, and a force of General Butler's army, to threaten +Richmond from the north side of the James to prevent Lee from sending +troops away, and if possible to draw back those that were sent. In this +move six pieces of artillery and several hundred prisoners were +captured. Detained troops that were under marching orders ascertained +that but one division of the three reported detached had gone, which +soon returned when the movements of our forces had been discovered. The +enemy having drawn heavily from Petersburg to resist this movement, the +5th corps moved out on a reconnoissance on the left, to take possession +of the South-side road. During the day there was considerable fighting, +but the enemy were found in force, and the 5th corps was ordered back, +forming a line in rear of the army and building new quarters. + +The 6th corps was under marching orders, but did not leave as they were +not needed. Camp life again passed very pleasantly, as quiet was +resumed. A branch railroad was completed from the City Point and +Petersburg Railroad to the Weldon Railroad, and supplies were forwarded +in all kinds of weather without difficulty to all parts of the line. +Occasionally the enemy shelled our trains as they passed, but our +batteries opening theirs were soon silenced, as our ammunition was +plenty and theirs scarce. Recruits now arrived rapidly, and the army was +increased to one hundred and fifty thousand men. The enemy, by merciless +conscription, had pressed every man and boy in the field capable of +bearing arms, leaving none but the negroes at home to do the work. Each +Friday there was an execution of some kind in the army; men were hung +for deserting to the enemy, and others were shot for jumping bounties +and then deserting. It soon became a common thing, but it was necessary +as a lesson to others that these men should be executed. The troops had +lain in camp some time, when Grant again attempted to take the +South-side Road. The 2d corps followed by two divisions of the 5th +corps, with the cavalry in advance and covering the left flank of the +army, forced a passage of Hatcher's Run and moved up the north side of +it towards the South-side Road, until the 2d corps and part of the +cavalry reached the Boydton Plank Road where it crosses Hatcher's Run; +at this point our advance was but six miles distant from the South-side +Road, and the whistle of the enemy's engine could be plainly heard. But +finding that we had not reached the end of the enemy's communications, +and no place presented itself for a successful assault, it was +determined to withdraw within our fortified line, and orders were given +accordingly. On the return the enemy moved out across Hatcher's Run, and +made a desperate attack on General Hancock's right and rear. Hancock +immediately faced his corps to meet it, and after a bloody combat drove +the enemy within his works, and withdrew that night to his old position. + +From this time forward the operations in front of Richmond and +Petersburg until the spring campaign of 1865 were confined to the +defence and extension of our lines, and to offensive movements for +crippling the enemy's lines of communications, and to prevent his +detaching any considerable force to send south. Visitors from the north +again came in large numbers, among them several distinguished +foreigners. Our lines were to them a wonder, as they thought it +impossible for two armies to lie in such close proximity to each other +without fighting all the time; but the past had taught the men that +picket firing was but murder, and resulted in no advantage to either +side. The men drilled daily and were inspected each Sunday. The spring +campaign was looked forward to as a hard one, as it was supposed that +Lee and Johnson combined, if once together, would move south, and we +would have to follow. The tents of the men were ordered to be cleaned +neatly, as several cases of small-pox had made their appearance. General +Seymour commanding the division, was a strict disciplinarian, and orders +were issued by him that were thought by the men to be useless; every +non-commissioned officer was ordered to wear his chevrons, and if not +obeying was immediately reduced; each man in the division was also +ordered to wear his badge, and if any private was found without the blue +cross, he was placed under arrest. Division headquarters were but a +short distance from the troops, and were near the camp of the 50th New +York engineers, they having the prettiest camp in the army. They built a +splendid church, and negro minstrels were held nightly, officers of +distinction visiting it, and divine service was forgotten; each night +found the church full of men, who, if service had been held, would not +have been found there. + +Christmas was spent as usual dull and lonesome. Boxes were sent from +home to the men, and those that had none fared well, as the rations +given the men by the Government were plenty. The last day of the year +was very rainy. Early in the morning the rebel pickets in front of the +division made an attack, and surprised our men. The morning was dark and +our men were driven back, but the reserve pickets soon formed and drove +the rebels back in turn. Three men from the 9th New York were killed and +several were captured. The firing soon ceased, and the last day of the +year passed gloomily enough. The regiment was mustered in for four +months pay by Colonel Janeway, and the members of the 14th spent the +last day of the year very dull and lonesome in camp. + +January 1st, 1865, was a dull New Year's to the men, for instead of a +warm dinner at home, the fare of the men was hard-tack and salt pork. +The bands of the regiments were playing national airs. It was the +Sabbath and all was as still as death; not a shot disturbed the silence +of the day. The soldier as he thought of his home, contrasted that with +camp life, and wondered when the war would end. Most of the headquarter +officers were under the influence of liquor, but the regimental officers +were unable to obtain whiskey and remained sober, as the orders of Gen. +Seymour were very strict, that no whiskey should be sold at the brigade +commissaries. It was feared that the enemy would make an attack at +night, and orders were given the pickets not to sleep, as it was rumored +in the southern papers that Lee was about to astonish the world by some +bold movement, and what it was no one could tell. His movement was +anxiously looked forward to by the men, as it was reported that he was +heavily re-enforced by troops from General Hardee's command and from +Breckinridge's. The rebels seemed to be in good spirits, and our men +supposed something unusual had occurred, but it turned out that the +rebel officers had furnished the men gunpowder and whiskey, and then +ordered them to cheer in honor of some great victory, but what victory +it was they knew not, neither did our men. + +General Sherman was making sad havoc on southern soil, and the rebel +soldiers, disheartened by repeated defeats, were discouraged, and they +deserted in large numbers to our ranks. Proclamations were issued by the +authorities at Washington and freely distributed among the rebel +pickets, that any one of their number deserting would be sent within any +part of our lines to his home, and paid for his musket and equipments; +though many deserted to our ranks, there were double the number that +went to the rear. The rebel soldiers were ordered to fire on all their +men attempting to desert, but the most of them were anxious to leave, +and fired their muskets in the air. Despondency now prevailed to a great +extent among the rebels, and all felt that their cause was lost, while +on our side the men were furnished with clothing in abundance, with +plenty of rations, and were well contented. Guerillas and raiders were +very active, hovering on our flank and rear; often with concealed +batteries posted on a hill on the banks of the James, would fire on our +boats as they passed to and fro from Washington to City Point. The river +was lined with gunboats, but a few shells from our iron-clads soon drove +them off. The most noted of those was Mosby; with picked men from +Virginia, men that knew every road, his operations were very successful, +but not so successful as the previous year, when our army was dependent +upon a single track railroad from Washington to Brandy Station, as this +passed the entire distance through a hostile country, and every mile had +to be guarded by troops. Occasionally Mosby with his men would make a +grand raid, and after destroying a portion of the track, would retire +with but small loss and with considerable plunder, before our men could +recover from their surprise; now our water communications needed but a +few men on iron-clads, while the most of the troops were at the front. +Heavy rains now set in, and nothing of importance occurred during the +month of January. During this time Jefferson Davis visited Macon, +Georgia, and made a speech, which was reported in the papers south, and +soon became known to the whole country, as the men exchanged papers +daily with the enemy in front of Petersburg. He disclosed his plans, +thus enabling Grant to fully meet him. He also exhibited the weakness of +supposing that an army that had been beaten and fearfully decimated in +vain attempt at the defensive, could successfully undertake the +offensive against the army that had so often defeated it, as he said in +his speech that Lee would soon resume the offensive, and would drive the +Potomac army from its almost impregnable hold on Richmond and +Petersburg; but the future showed that this never was accomplished. + +The rebel cause now Looked gloomy enough. Sherman had reached the sea +coast, and the Confederacy was cut completely in two. Nothing more could +be looked for in the southwest, and the whole attention of Grant and Lee +was turned to this one point. In the latter part of January the enemy +again attempted to surprise our pickets and break our lines if possible, +but they were signally defeated in their plans and driven back with +severe loss. In front of the 2d brigade of the 3d division was one of +the largest forts on the line, mounting fifteen guns; it was named Fort +Fisher, and was manned by the 9th New York Heavy Artillery. A large +lookout some two hundred feet high was built near this fort for the +purpose of witnessing the enemy's movements. It was reported that on a +certain day the enemy were to shell this lookout; all preparations were +made in Fort Fisher, the guns doubly shotted and turned upon the enemy's +works, and upon the headquarters of General Longstreet, but a short +distance in the rear of their lines. The day passed and not a shot was +fired, as they knew full well that our guns out-numbered theirs two to +one, and if once opened would do terrible execution, as they had done +heretofore. The breastworks at this point were nearer together than at +any other part of the line, being but a few rods apart. Details were +made from the various regiments daily to guard supplies from City Point, +and to bring ordnance stores for the troops. The new recruits were also +guarded to the front, and then furnished with arms and assigned to their +different commands. + +On the night of January 16th, the troops were formed in line of battle, +as it was rumored that the enemy were about to attack; with extreme +caution the men formed in line behind the works, but no attack was made. +It was not known what move they would make, as their leaders were +becoming desperate, and would not hesitate to sacrifice the lives of the +men to accomplish their ends. The news of the capture of Fort Fisher was +read to the troops, and cheer after cheer given for our army and navy. +Gen. Butler was denounced as incompetent to command an army in the +field; all honor was due Major General Terry for his bravery. One +hundred guns were shotted and trained upon the enemy's works from Fort +H--l as a salute. The enemy did not reply; they were crest-fallen +enough, as Wilmington, their most important point, would soon fall, and +like Fort Fisher would soon be occupied by United States troops. + +On the 24th of January, the enemy made a desperate attempt to break +through our water communications at City Point. Three gunboats moved +down, and after a desperate fight with our shore batteries, they were +compelled to fall back with the loss of one of their boats and another +disabled. Our iron-clads had nearly all of them gone with the expedition +to Fort Fisher. Lee hoped to take advantage of this, and lay City Point +in ashes and destroy our base of supplies, thereby compelling Gen. Grant +to fall back; but the shore batteries of one hundred pound guns did +terrible execution, and with but small loss on our side, the enemy +retired with heavy loss. For several months Gen. Butler had been digging +Dutch Gap Canal, which had proved a failure, as the war ended before it +was finished; he was relieved by order of General Grant, and ordered to +report at Lowell, Massachusetts. The weather was now very cold, and the +Potomac was frozen; often two and three days elapsed before the +transports could arrive from Washington. The month of January passed +dull enough. Desertions from the enemy were more numerous than ever, +often one and two hundred coming over each night. + +On the morning of February 1st, all was excitement in camp, as the +troops were ordered to move out on the left of the line to Hatcher's +Run. The sick were all sent to City Point, and preparations made to move +with all the troops, with the exception of enough to hold the lines in +our immediate front, which were strengthened by the pioneers. All +preparations were made when a terrible storm arose, and the movement was +abandoned. Montgomery Blair had been on a mission of peace to Richmond +but had failed. President Lincoln had agreed to meet representatives +from the Southern Confederacy, and arrange, if possible, terms of peace. +Accordingly Vice President Stephens, Hunter and Campbell passed through +the lines on February 2d, and met President Lincoln and Secretary Seward +at Hampton Roads; but no terms could be agreed upon, as the enemy wished +the recognition of the Southern Confederacy, their cry being +independence or extermination. After a brief conference they returned to +Richmond, and all hope of a speedy peace was abandoned. + +The 67th Pennsylvania from the 3d division was filled with new recruits +that had received large bounties. A great many of them deserted, and +several of them were caught and sent back to division headquarters and +placed in irons. They were tried by a military court-martial, and one of +their number sentenced to be shot as a warning to others. Six of them +had hid in the woods near City Point, and were constructing a raft for +the purpose of escaping, but were captured, and one of their number +named James Hicks, was sentenced to death. He was placed in close +confinement in a tent with two guards over him, and was informed of his +fate but bore it very composedly. He was furnished with good victuals, +and attended by a Catholic priest from the 2d corps. He was also allowed +to telegraph to his friends who interceded for him, and was finally +pardoned by President Lincoln, and ever after made a good soldier, doing +his duty well. + +On the 5th of February, the 5th corps with two divisions of cavalry, +moved out again to Hatcher's Run, on the Boydton Plank Road, for the +purpose of lengthening our lines. After remaining out two days, the +enemy in force attacked the 5th corps driving them back. The 1st +division, 6th corps, was ordered to their support, and arrived in time +to assist the 5th corps, driving the enemy back in return. The whole +army was under marching orders but did not move, as nothing could be +accomplished, and the 5th corps returned with the loss of one thousand +men, several of the wounded dying from cold and exposure. + +The rebels were now deserting at the rate of one hundred per day. The +fall of Charleston was announced, causing gloom in the rebel army, but +great rejoicing in ours, and the men now looked forward to the end of +the war, it being currently reported that the enemy were to evacuate +Petersburg and Richmond. Nearly four years had passed, and now our flag +was floating over the battered walls of Fort Sumter and Charleston where +the ordinance of secession was first passed. General Sherman was moving +rapidly northward, and news of victories were constantly reaching us. +The fall of Wilmington was their last important place, and they were now +cornered, not knowing which way to move. The officers were now deserting +as well as the men, bringing with them their side-arms and equipments. + +General Grant deemed it of the utmost importance before a general +movement of the armies operating against Richmond, that all +communications North of the James River should be cut off, the enemy +having withdrawn the bulk of their forces from the Shenandoah Valley, +and sent it South up the valley, which, if successful, would accomplish +a great deal towards the capture of Richmond. Ordering General Sheridan +to move on Lynchburg, leaving a sufficient force to look after Mosby and +his guerillas, he started from Winchester on the 27th of Feb. with two +divisions of cavalry numbering five thousand each, and on the 1st of +March he secured the bridge which the enemy attempted to destroy, across +the middle fork of the Shenandoah at Mount Crawford, and entered +Staunton on the 2d, the enemy having retreated to Waynesboro. Thence he +pushed on to that place, where he found the enemy in force in an +entrenched position under General Early, and without stopping to make a +reconnoissance, an immediate attack was ordered, the position carried, +and one thousand six hundred prisoners, eleven pieces of artillery and +seventeen battle flags were captured; the prisoners under a strong +escort were sent back to Winchester. After destroying a vast amount of +property and railroads, he took up his line of march for the White +House, following the canal towards Columbia, destroying every lock upon +it and cutting the banks wherever practicable. He rested at Columbia one +day, and sent information to General Grant of his whereabouts; an +infantry force was sent to get possession of the White House, with +supplies to meet him. Moving from Columbia in a direction to threaten +Richmond, he crossed both North and South Anna Rivers, and after +destroying all the bridges and many miles of railroad, proceeded down +the north bank of the Pamunkey to White House, which place he reached on +the 19th with his command in safety. After the long march by the cavalry +over Winter roads, it was necessary to rest and refit at the White +House. At this time the greatest uneasiness to the men was, the fear +that Lee would leave his stronghold about Petersburg for the purpose of +uniting with Johnson before driven out, or before our men were ready for +pursuit, as Lee had the interior route and could form with Johnson, and +with their forces combined, whip Sherman before our forces could get up. + +As usual before a campaign, the troops were furnished with new clothing +and extra rations. On the 24th of February the paymasters arrived, and +the troops received four months' pay, their last payment in the field; +but none knew it then, nor had the least idea of the war ending so soon. +General Sheridan's raid had created a panic in Richmond, and Pegram's +division was sent through Richmond at a double quick on Sunday morning, +passing Libby Prison, and was seen by our prisoners; but they returned +the next day, as Gen. Sheridan was safely at the White House strongly +fortified against any attack. The pickets were ordered to watch the +enemy closely, and if they attempted to leave at night, to follow them +up. The 28th of February was the last day of Winter, and was rainy and +disagreeable; the log shanties, or as the men called them, shebangs, +were full of water, as this was the hardest rain there had been in some +time. At division headquarters there were nineteen bounty jumpers +heavily ironed, and under sentence of court martial; it was determined +by the military court that one of them should die as a warning to the +rest. Hicks had been pardoned by the President, and was at his regiment +doing duty. Rebel officers now came in our lines, three and four each +night; when the officers began to desert, there was not much to look for +from the men. + +Of the number of bounty jumpers under sentence of court martial, John +Kelly, from the 67th Pennsylvania, was sentenced to be shot to death +with musketry on Friday, the 10th of March. The rest were punished in +various ways; some of them were sent to the Rip Raps, and others were to +work on the fortifications around Fortress Monroe. As this was the +first military execution in the division, it was hoped that he would be +pardoned. His friends interposed in his behalf, but all to no purpose, +and the order for his execution was given. The morning of Friday, March +10th, dawned clear and bright, and all were impressed with the solemn +scene. The division was formed in line at nine o'clock about one mile +from camp, to witness the sad event. He had been visited daily by the +priest, and was prepared to die. At 10 o'clock he was led from the +guard-house by the sergeant in charge of the prisoners from the 14th New +Jersey, and the procession moved as follows: First, the band playing the +dead march, followed by the prisoner sitting on his coffin with the +priest and four pall-bearers, and an escort of twenty men marching with +reverse arms to the scene of the execution. The division in line +presented arms. After passing the troops, the band and firing party +filed to the right, the prisoner and pall-bearers to the left. His +sentence was then read to him, and the priest administered the +sacrament; but he seemed totally indifferent, and as unmoved as if a +spectator. He was then placed on his coffin with his arms and eyes +bandaged, and exclaimed, "Fire low, boys, hit me in the heart and kill +me at once." The command was given to fire, and eight balls entered his +body; each one of them would have proved mortal. Four men were reserved +in case he was not killed, but they were not needed, as he was instantly +killed, a warning to all deserters. He was placed in his coffin and +buried where he fell. The arrangements were conducted by the Provost +Marshal, Major Brown; everything was in perfect order, and the division +returned to their quarters. + +It was now evident to all that the end of the rebellion was near at +hand. Johnson was retreating from before Sherman, who, with the forces +of Generals Terry and Schofield combined, was sweeping everything before +them. Charleston and Wilmington in our hands, and all blockade running +stopped, there was no hope for them. The last gun and the last article +from England had reached them, and all hopes of foreign intervention +long since abandoned. With their men deserting by hundreds, and all +communication with Richmond and Petersburg severed, with the exception +of two roads, and those insufficient to supply the armies within the +defences of the rebel capital; the last raid of Sheridan had done them +more injury than any previous one. Our army was large and well equipped, +only waiting for the roads to permit an advance. The men dreaded a +forward movement, as there was no way of flanking Lee; their works must +be assaulted and carried at an immense loss of life if attempted, but a +decisive blow must be struck and that soon. + +The 17th of March being St. Patrick's day, it was largely celebrated by +the Irish brigade, by racing, tumbling and jumping for the amusement of +the rest; there were several accidents, and one or two were killed. On +the 20th, the 1st division 6th corps was reviewed by General Meade. This +was the finest day there had been in some time and the men presented a +fine appearance. The New Jersey brigade was admired by all for its +precision in marching, and for the noble bearing of the men. Several +major-generals were present; also Admiral Porter. General Wheaton, the +division commander, was mounted on a superb horse, with a splendid +bridle and saddle presented to him by the men. At three o'clock the +review was over, and the men marched back to their quarters. + +All surplus baggage was now sent to the rear, as instructions for a +general movement of the armies operating against Richmond were issued, +and all sutlers, purveyors and citizens were ordered to leave within +twenty-four hours. General Sherman moved from the White House, crossed +the James, and formed a junction with the army of the Potomac in front +of Petersburg. + +The 14th regiment now numbered three hundred men for duty, commanded by +Lieut. Colonel Janeway. The men had but a few months to stay, and were +not anxious to again enter an engagement. The orders from Grant were for +the men to move on the left, for the purpose of turning the enemy from +their position around Petersburg. All preparations were how made for an +immediate advance as soon as the weather would permit. The month of +March with its colds and rains had nearly passed. Gen. Sherman had +reached Goldsboro, and was resting his weary army. Johnson was in +command of Hood's army, but like the army of Lee, his men were deserting +in large numbers, as they deemed their cause lost; but their leaders +determined to hold on to the last, and then, if unsuccessful, to leave +the country. + +The 6th corps had been so far recruited that it numbered nearly twenty +thousand men. After the battle of Monocacy the 14th numbered but +ninety-five men for duty. The regiment had been repeatedly recruited, +and now, with three hundred men and eighteen officers, was ready for the +campaign. A great many of the men had received furloughs, but there +were some who had not seen their homes since enlisting. Of the number +that had left New Jersey nearly three years before, there but few +remained; numbers had been killed, and numbers were at their homes +discharged on account of wounds. At the hospitals many poor fellows lay +in pain that would willingly rejoin their comrades if able; there were +scarcely any of the old boys left that had not been wounded. + +On the 23d of March, Lee passed along the whole line of the rebel army, +inspecting and reviewing the troops. There was very little display of +the old enthusiasm with which his presence was wont to be greeted, as +the men were discouraged and saw no farther use of fighting. Desertions +were still numerous, and a new arrangement was made by the rebel +officers; instead of details from the several regiments as heretofore, a +whole regiment was placed at once on picket. They believed that this +would prevent desertions. But this new device was wholly without effect, +as whole companies would desert at once, bringing with them their arms +and equipments. + +The troops were all in their respective positions, with no positive +orders to move, nor was it scarcely thought that the enemy would dare +attack our position. Early on the morning of the 25th of March, when +least expected, they assaulted our lines in front of the 9th corps, and +so unexpected was the attack, that ere our men could recover from their +surprise the enemy had captured Fort Steadman and part of the line to +the right and left of it, established themselves and turned the guns of +the fort upon us. But the troops on either flank held their ground until +the reserves were brought up, and after a desperate battle the enemy was +driven back with heavy loss in killed and wounded, and two thousand +prisoners. They paid dearly for their advance, as it was their intention +to break our lines, if possible. General Meade at once ordered the other +corps to advance and feel the enemy in their respective fronts. The +campaign had now commenced, which soon ended in the downfall of the +rebellion. It was hastened by the enemy, as General Grant would not have +moved so soon. + +The whole army was now in motion and winter quarters abandoned; pushing +forward, the 2nd and 6th corps captured and held the enemy's strongly +intrenched picket line with heavy loss. The enemy made desperate +attempts to retake this line but without success; our losses were heavy +but the enemy's still greater. Ever since General Grant halted in front +of Petersburg, General Lee had been watching for some weak point in our +lines where he might hope for success, and not waste his men against our +strongly fortified line. He took his time because it was necessary to be +very careful, he could not afford to lose a chance or a single man and +yet this point where he made his attack was apparently on the +supposition that Gen. Grant had weakened his lines to help Sherman, as +his attack was in heavy force; but the whole affair was a splendid one +for us as they were repulsed with great slaughter, their loss in killed, +wounded and prisoners amounting to nearly six thousand men, and this at +that time was a terrible loss to Lee. The nights were spent with anxiety +by the men, lest each morning should bring the report that the enemy had +retreated during the night before. It was firmly believed that Lee would +retreat, and with Johnson and him combined, a long, tedious and +expensive campaign consuming most of the Summer, would become necessary. +By moving out of quarters, the army would be in a better condition for +pursuit, and would at least by the destruction of the Danville Railroad, +retard the concentration of the two armies of Generals Lee and Johnson, +and cause the enemy to abandon much material that they might otherwise +save. + +It was not fully ascertained at first the amount of damage done by the +enemy in their attack on the 25th. They had massed four divisions under +General Gordon, and when our men were asleep, made a furious attack on +our line in front of the 9th corps, capturing the fort and guns, and at +the same time they attacked Fort Haskell, but were repulsed with heavy +loss. President Lincoln and lady were present, and witnessed the fight +at a distance. For several days, the division commanded by General +Gordon had held a position in front of the 9th corps, and at midnight +they were silently and promptly formed for a charge; everything was now +ready, and the order forward was given without raising an alarm or a +suspicion. The rebel troops were out safely to their line of works +thrown up for the protection of their skirmishers. At a given signal +they bounded over these works and rapidly cutting gaps in our _Chevaux +de Frise_, pressed on with a yell towards our lines. The attack being +sudden and totally unexpected, and made in almost overwhelming force, +caused our skirmish line to give way before our reserves could get up. +The rebels, confident of success, pressed on with vigor and succeeded in +breaking our line at a point near Fort Steadman; reaching our abattis +they poured a terrific volley in our lines, breaking through on the +left; they captured the fort by charging from the rear. So rapidly was +this accomplished that the officer in command of the fort was captured +with a portion of his men. Re-enforcements soon arrived from the other +corps, and a terrible volley was poured into the enemy's ranks, who were +now bent only on plunder; they could not long remain under such heavy +fire and at last were compelled to fall back. Our infantry flanked the +fort and cut off a large body of the rebel troops, that were commanded +in person by Gen. Gordon, who led the attack. As they fell back they +were literally slaughtered by our men, as grape and cannister were +poured in their retreating ranks. This was their last hope, and +crest-fallen, they fell back to their lines with a loss of over six +thousand men. + +Just four hours after the repulse of the rebel attack on the right of +our line, the thunder of artillery and the crash of musketry again +rolled loudly on the chilly March air. This time, however, everything +was changed, the sound came from the left, not from the right; we were +now the attacking party, not the rebels, and the ground we won was not +recovered by them. General Grant, angry at their boldness, determined to +let them know that the Potomac army was yet as ready as ever, and the +6th corps, which never knew the word fail, was ordered to the assault +for the purpose of preventing the rebels from massing their troops, and +at the same time to ascertain if possible their strength; advancing in +three lines, the enemy's entire skirmish line was captured. They had +erected a number of rifle pits in front of their main line; they were +driven out of these works and compelled to fall back or else be +captured; several surrendered at once as they were anxious to enter our +lines. The position from which the attack was made by the 6th corps, was +at the left of our line and near Fort Fisher; the thirty pound guns +doing terrible execution. At two o'clock in the morning, Major-General +Wright and staff reached Fort Fisher, where he was joined by Generals +Wheaton, Seymour, Getty, Keifer and other 6th corps officers. The picket +line was now held by the 10th Vermont and 14th New Jersey, supported by +the 110th and 122d Ohio regiments. The order forward was given, and the +first assault was made by the 10th and 14th, under command of Colonel +George B. Davison, of the 10th Vermont. The rebel position was charged +with great gallantry and success, entering and occupying the line +assaulted. The rebels were now aware of the weakness of the attacking +party, as the two regiments advanced, and they soon massed a column of +troops to drive them back; but the 3d division of the 6th corps was on +hand and gave them such a volley that they fell back in confusion, and +the entire line remained in our possession. The loss in the 14th +regiment was comparatively small, as the fighting did not continue long. +The artillery in the different forts by this time became warmly engaged +with the rebel batteries, and a company of the 9th N. Y. Heavy +Artillery, of the 3d division, sent a shell with such accuracy as to +blow up a caisson in one of the rebel forts; shells were screaming +through the air, and away to the left volleys of musketry told that the +2nd corps was now heavily engaged. Part of the 3d division was placed on +the left of the line with the 2d corps. It was composed of the 10th +Vermont, 14th New Jersey, 110th and 122d Ohio, 6th Maryland and part of +the 9th N. York Heavy Artillery; this composed nearly all the 2d +brigade, with two regiments from the 1st brigade. + +The line was now formed for another assault, and when everything was in +readiness the flag of the 1st brigade of Colonel Truex was waved as a +signal to move forward. From the parapet of Fort Fisher the blue cross +of the 3d division, 6th corps, waved, and from thousands of brave men +about to risk life and limb came back a ringing cheer, and as onward +they swept many a God-speed followed them. The batteries on both sides +were hard at work, and not many minutes elapsed before the sharper ring +of small arms was heard. + +The line was fast closing on the rebel position, and their outer works +were soon reached. Major Prentiss, from the 6th Maryland, was the first +to enter their works. Scores of rebels preferred capture to running +away, and as soon as they saw our troops inside of their lines, they +threw down their arms and gave themselves up as prisoners of war. The +loss on both sides was heavy; the 14th, as usual, fought well, losing +their share of men in killed and wounded. The result of this fight +proved that the enthusiasm and energy of Lee's troops had dwindled down +to zero. They fought like hopeless, not desperate, men; the spirit which +animated them two years ago had been broken by repeated defeats, and +tamed by short rations. The new position gained was, on Sunday morning, +March 26, held by the entire 6th corps, ready to repel any attack the +enemy would make. The 14th was again on picket, and the long night +passed slowly away, without a shot along the entire line; the enemy was +badly beaten and was quiet the rest of the night. Our men fought +splendidly and successfully, and at night there was a wide-spread +enthusiasm among the troops at the glorious success of the day. The +enemy began the sanguinary work. + +The Spring campaign was now opened with favorable auspices to our side, +with a prospect of soon ending the war. The ground gained by the 6th +corps was held during the next three days, the lines having been +advanced one mile and a half from our former position. The 14th was now +relieved from picket; tired and weary, the men lay down to sleep, having +had none for nearly three days. The rebel dead, as they lay strewn +around, were but skin and bone, a fact not to be wondered at, when it is +remembered that for the last six months their chief article of diet had +been a small quantity of corn meal daily. + +From the night of the 29th to the morning of the 31st, the rain fell in +such torrents as to make it impossible to move a wheeled vehicle, except +when corduroy roads were laid in front of them. On the 30th, General +Sheridan had advanced as far as Five Forks, where he found the enemy in +force, and awaited re-enforcements. In the meantime, the 2d and 6th +corps were holding the line they had captured without any farther +fighting, awaiting orders to advance. The men were now confident that +the enemy's main works could be carried, and were clamorous to be led +on; but the rain and roads would not permit an advance. + +On the morning of April 1st, General Sheridan, re-enforced by the 5th +corps, drove the enemy back on Five Forks, capturing all their artillery +and six thousand prisoners. In front of the 2d and 6th corps there was +nothing but picket firing during the day; at night a heavy cannonade +commenced, and was kept up until morning. Gen. Grant now ordered an +attack along the entire line; accordingly, the 6th corps was massed and +formed in three divisions. At three o'clock on Sunday morning, without a +noise, the column was formed for a charge, with the 9th corps in reserve +to follow the 6th, if successful. General Sheridan, with his cavalry and +the 5th corps, were to attack at the same time, the result being well +known to our readers. At four o'clock the order to move forward was +given, and the 3d division in advance, with a yell charged the enemy's +works, and their entire line was captured with many prisoners and guns. +The 6th corps swept everything before them; the wildest enthusiasm +prevailed, and the men fought reckless of life and limb. Three thousand +prisoners were captured by the 6th corps alone. There was a tremendous +struggle during the day in woods, fields, hills and valleys, and on the +roads and creeks a few miles south and west of Petersburg, and from +twenty to thirty miles beyond the rebel Capital; never was such a scene +presented to the eye. The whole rebel army was now in full retreat +before our victorious troops. Petersburg was captured by the 6th corps +and the Southside road reached and torn up for many miles. The result of +this day's fight was the capture of Petersburg with twelve thousand +prisoners, many thousand stand of arms, and the utter rout of the rebel +army. The most wicked of all rebellions had now absolutely received its +death-blow, and was so positively crushed that no power on earth could +save it. Lee's retreat proved an utter rout. At midnight on Sunday, +Richmond was evacuated, Jeff. Davis taking the rail for Danville; the +lower portion of the city was burned and totally destroyed. For four +long years had our brave men fought, and now the rebel Capital was in +our possession, General Wetsell entering and occupying it on Monday +morning at daylight. The rebel army seemed to hold together feebly +before the battles, but the fierce struggle of Saturday and Sunday had +completely used them up. We had taken twelve thousand prisoners in the +two days, and there were twelve thousand more killed and wounded. Only +one-half of Lee's army was now left; such a force could not long stand +alone with a victorious army in pursuit. It was now Lee's intention to +join Johnson if possible, and such a run would cost them ten thousand +more men. + +While the 6th corps was holding the captured picket line without much +fighting, there was severe fighting on the left of the line. It was +reserved for this corps to divide the formidable rebel army, which for +so many months defied our power to drive them from the city of +Petersburg. There were two objects in view; one to create a division in +favor of Gen. Sheridan, and the other to cut the rebel army in two and +destroy the far-famed Southside road. The first notice given the men was +at nine o'clock, when a dispatch came from Gen. Meade, telling of the +success of Gen. Sheridan on the left, and his heavy capture of +prisoners, and ordered the troops to be massed at three o'clock on +Sunday morning as was heretofore stated, and charge the rebel line. The +pickets were also ordered to advance in front of the different +divisions, but did not succeed in arousing a suspicion among them that +we were to attack. The rebels showed how far they were from suspecting a +movement, by calling out to know if we were celebrating April fool's day +at that time in the morning. The order given for the assault was carried +out very punctually, owing to the fact that the greater the surprise the +greater would be our chance of success; the troops therefore moved +outside of the works at two o'clock. The moon had gone down, and the +night was intensely dark; a thin chilly mist arose from the ground, +which served still farther to conceal our movements from the enemy. On +the extreme left of the line was the 1st brigade, with Colonel Truex in +command, and the 14th New Jersey on the right of the brigade under +Colonel Janeway. In forming the line, it was Gen. Wright's intention to +attack in such overwhelming force that failure would be impossible; then +when the column had made good its entrance into the rebel works, the +divisions on the right and left might deploy, and drive the enemy from +their works as effectually as if a fresh corps had attacked. To +co-operate with the attacking column, Gen. Park, with the 9th corps, was +held in reserve, while Sheridan, far away to the left, was thundering on +their flank. Just before the attack, Gen. Wright and staff rode up to +the picket line; a match was struck and the time ascertained; it wanted +just fifteen minutes of four o'clock, and an officer was sent back to +Fort Fisher with orders to fire a signal gun exactly at four o'clock. A +few shots were fired by the enemy as the match was struck, and then all +was still; no object was visible at a distance of a few yards, and of +the thousands of men massed, not one could be seen by the enemy's line. + +Suddenly a bright flash leaped out into the darkness, and a loud report +from a twelve pounder rolled in the air; a minute elapsed and a similar +sound came from the left some ten miles away, telling that the signal +was understood. The veterans of the different divisions were now pushed +forward, and the dull crash of musketry and the flash of artillery told +that the battle had begun. The enemy was surprised, but soon rallied, +and a terrific strife now took place. The entire line from right to left +was heavily engaged. Daylight dawned slowly to the men, whose hearts +were already relieved, as it was noticed that the enemy's firing became +more feeble. Gen. Wright's assertion was fulfilled, that he would go +through them like a knife, as their entire line was captured, together +with thousands of prisoners, numerous pieces of artillery and many +battle flags. It was the most complete achievement of the war, and the +first rays of the morning's sun beamed on the ramparts of the captured +forts with the rebel army in full retreat. To retain what we had gained +was necessary to gain more; for this purpose, the 3rd division was +deployed to the left from forts on other parts of the line. The rebels +were already firing on our men, and it was necessary to capture those +forts and silence the guns. The two brigades under command of Colonels +Truex and Keifer, pushed gallantly forward, and Gen. Wright after +assuring himself of the safety of that part of the line, turned his +attention to the left. The division took possession of a portion of the +rebel lines, and soon struck the Southside road, destroying it for over +ten miles. Later in the day when our men had completely cleared the +rebels out of that part of the line, the work of destroying the road was +resumed. General Seymour continued pushing toward the rebels left with +the 3d division, and at one point had as severe a fight as any which +occurred during the day. The rebels had a battery of six guns, two +twenty pounders and four light field pieces, which they served in +magnificent style. Our line was rapidly advanced and a charge made by +the 1st brigade, and six more guns were added to the number already +captured. From this point our progress to the left was comparatively +easy, as the enemy were in full retreat. Soon a line of glittering +bayonets were seen advancing towards us, and Major-General Gibbons +informed Gen. Wright that the advancing column belonged to the 24th +corps. + +The 6th corps had by this time reached the vicinity of Hatcher's Run, +and it was decided to right-about-face and march for Petersburg by the +Boydton Plank Road. The troops had but commenced moving towards +Petersburg, when a hearty cheer was given by the rear regiments. The +cause was soon ascertained to be the arrival of Lieut. General Grant and +staff, and as soon as the soldiers saw the Lieutenant-General, they +shouted, "Boys, here's General Grant, three cheers for him," and all +along the line as he rode on his black horse, Jeff. Davis, the men +cheered him with the wildest enthusiasm; he rode with head uncovered, +and bowed his thanks for the soldiers' hearty greeting. On seeing +Generals Wright, Seymour, Wheaton and other 6th corps officers, he shook +hands with great heartiness, and after spending a short time in +conversation, he proceeded towards Petersburg, the corps following +rapidly. On reaching the place, preparations were at once commenced to +attack the works immediately surrounding Petersburg. For this purpose +Gen. Seymour of the 3d division was sent forward to the right of the +line; Gen. Getty to the centre, and Gen. Wheaton to the left. Artillery +was put into position, and soon the battle raged with even greater fury +than in the morning. The rebels seemed determined to defend their forts +to the last, but nothing could withstand the tried valor of General +Wright's troops. The long lines were gradually closed on the forts and +garrisons, and they were compelled to give way before the hard fighting +of the 6th corps. Until after nightfall the contest continued, and the +fate of Petersburg was decided. Major C. K. Prentiss, of the 6th +Maryland, was the first to enter the rebel works, but was unfortunately +shot through the chest a short time afterward. A rebel lieutenant was +picked up wounded, who gave his name as Lieut. Prentiss, of the 2d +Maryland regiment; he was a younger brother of the major, whom he had +not seen since the rebellion broke out; they were both placed in the +hospital together, and their wounds dressed. The meeting between the +brothers was very affecting, causing many to shed tears. Our losses in +killed and wounded, considering the hard fighting, were very light, as +the rebels aimed too high for their fire to be destructive. Night found +us in the possession of Petersburg, with an immense quantity of stores +and ammunition that the enemy had left in their haste. Lee with the +remnant of his army, had fled in the direction of Danville, a +demoralized disheartened force. The loss in the 14th did not exceed one +hundred in killed and wounded. The troops fought well, but none better +than the 14th New Jersey. Led by a brave officer, Lieut.-Colonel +Janeway, they with the rest caused many a rebel to bite the dust, and +with about one hundred and fifty men left, participated in the attack. + +The charge of Major-Gen. Wright's veterans under cover of the darkness +and mist, preceding the break of day, will forever live in history as +one of the grandest and most sublime actions of the war. With +irresistible force they broke through the rebel line, in which months of +labor had been expended, and then turning the rebel guns on other +hostile forts, they swept along the rebel line for a distance of five +miles, capturing men, guns and colors. When it is remembered how much +depended on them, and what would have been the consequence if they +failed, the country will treasure as household words the names of +Wright, Getty, Seymour, Wheaton, and other generals who led the +oft-tried but never defeated men of the 6th corps to victory, on the +morning of Sunday, April 2d. + +Under cover of the darkness on Sunday night, Lee withdrew the remnant of +his army and fell back across the Appomattox. The bridge across the +river was partially burned by them, but the flames were soon +extinguished by our troops, who commenced entering Petersburg shortly +after sunrise on Monday morning, and were objects of great curiosity to +the negroes of the city. They capered around our men in a most ludicrous +manner, and at every fresh arrival yelled out, "Dar comes de clebber +yankees." The stores were all closed, and the city seemed to have left +off doing business. Our enterprising news boys entered the city along +with the soldiers, and almost before the rear guard of the rebels had +crossed the river, the New York Herald, of March 31st, was sold in the +streets of Petersburg. + +The final movement in pursuit of the balance of Lee's army commenced at +daylight. It was General Grant's intention to use them up entirely in +case the charge of the 6th corps should prove a success, and accordingly +the 2d, 5th, 6th and 24th corps, together with the cavalry under General +Sheridan, were put in motion to find the rebels. The camps around +Petersburg were left, and the whole of the grand army of the Potomac was +fairly en route by eight o'clock, with all their teams, ambulances, pack +mules, droves of cattle, and all other necessities for campaigning. +After long weary waiting around Petersburg for nearly nine months, the +change was agreeable, and the recent victories added considerably to the +good spirits of the men. The country passed through was in a fine state +of cultivation, and the bright green of early vegetation looked very +cheerful when contrasted with the brown sandy waste we had looked on for +so long a time. The 6th corps moved in the following order: Getty's +division ahead, Wheaton in the centre, and Seymour with the 3d division +in the rear. + +During the day the troops marched forty miles; night found the advance +at Mount Pleasant Church. Hundreds of rebels had been picked up on the +march. The roads were very muddy from the recent rains, and on no other +occasion could the men have marched as far, but all knew the necessity +of capturing Lee's army, and all were willing to do their best. During a +temporary halt in the afternoon, Gen. Meade passed the 6th corps on his +way to the front. He was recognized by the men and greeted with loud and +enthusiastic cheers; for a short time the scene was one that could be +better imagined than described, so great was the enthusiasm inspired by +the presence of the Commander of the army of the Potomac. Caps were +waved and cheers given in a manner which is only heard and seen where +thousands of soldiers are greeting a commander who has won their +confidence and esteem. General Meade returned the greeting of the 6th +corps by repeated bows, although compelled to bestow considerable +attention on the management of the spirited horse he was riding. On +reaching the spot where Gen. Wright was standing, he reined in his +horse, and said to him, laughingly, "The 6th corps men are in such good +spirits that they seem determined to break my neck;" to which the +General replied, that "He imagined they were proud of their success," +when Gen. Meade, with much feeling said, "Yes, we all know, _and the +country shall know_, that the 6th corps did the business; to them we owe +our success in breaking the rebel line, and we feel very grateful to +them for it." + +On the 6th at daylight, the 2d, 5th and 6th corps were at Burksville +Station, and Lee was near Amelia Court House. The enemy again made a +stand, when they were attacked by General Sheridan with his cavalry, and +the 1st and 3d divisions of the 6th corps. A desperate battle was again +fought, which resulted in the capture of six rebel generals, Ewell, +Pegram, Barton, DeBoise, Corse and Fitz Hugh Lee, several thousand +prisoners, fourteen pieces of artillery, and thousands of small arms. +Lee's army was now closely pressed, and nothing could save him from +capture. The troops moving down the road on a parallel with the enemy, +they were again attacked at Sailor's Creek. The 3d division in advance +was moved up the road held by the enemy, which was carried by the +division. By this time Wheaton's division was put into position as +rapidly as possible on the left of the line. While these operations were +going on, similar ones were occurring at other points. By bold and +strategic movements Grant had almost surrounded Lee, and his surrender +was speedily looked for. The men were exhausted and needed rest, but +there was none until Lee's army had been captured. The lines of the 1st +and 3d divisions were again advanced, and swept down the road for a +distance of two miles. Arriving at a deep and difficult creek, the enemy +were found in line on the opposite side; they were immediately attacked +and driven back from Sailor's Creek. In this engagement our loss was +heavy, especially in the 1st division, as the men were compelled to +cross under heavy fire. The 14th was now rapidly diminished in numbers, +with only about 100 men left; but those that were left were as full of +fight as ever. The rebel General A. P. Hill was killed in front of +Petersburg while urging on his men; his loss was felt by them, as he was +one of their leading corps commanders. Ewell was in our hands, and of +the four leading generals of the rebel army, Lee and Longstreet only +were left. + +The pursuit was kept up the entire week following the capture of +Richmond and Petersburg, in which the troops marched over two hundred +miles. It was soon found that the enemy had fled from Sailor's Creek to +the north side of the Appomattox; but so close was the pursuit that our +forces secured the bridge, and immediately crossed the 6th corps at +Farmersville. Feeling that Gen. Lee's chance of escape was utterly +hopeless, and his men dropping out at every mile, the following dispatch +was sent to him by General Grant; + + TO ROBERT LEE, COM'G ARMY OF C. S. OF AMERICA: + + GENERAL: + + The result of the last week must convince you of the hopelessness of + further resistance on the part of the army of Northern Virginia. In + this struggle I feel that it is so, and regard it as my duty to + shift from myself the responsibility of any further effusion of + blood, by asking of you the surrender of that portion of the + Confederate States army known as the army of Northern Virginia. + + U. S. GRANT, + Lieut. General. + +To this General Lee replied: + + I received your note of this date. Though not entertaining the + opinion you express on the hopelessness of further resistance on the + part of the army of Northern Virginia, I reciprocate your desire to + avoid useless effusion of blood, and therefore will treat with you + on terms of surrender. + + R. E. LEE, + General. + +While this correspondence was carried on, the troops were not idle, and +Sunday morning found both armies again in line at Appomattox Court +House. Writing and fighting at the same time, General Grant showed that +he was more than a match for Lee; just as he would have stopped any +attempt on Lee's part to escape through his lines, so he stopped his +attempt to escape from him. In the afternoon an arrangement was made for +an interview with the rebel General. General Grant offered to parole all +of Lee's army, and give the officers their side arms and private +property. Lee at once accepted this proposition and the fighting ceased, +and the war was practically ended; so in a few days, and by means of a +few short letters, the dreadful contest which had disturbed the country +for four years, was brought to a close, and the whole rebel army was in +our hands. + +The troops were fighting at Appomattox Court House, and knew nothing of +the correspondence of Grant and Lee, when orders came for a suspension +of hostilities for two hours. At two o'clock in the afternoon General +Meade rode along the lines, and with hat in hand, exclaimed, "Boys, Lee +has surrendered." At first it was not credited, but coming from the +mouth of General Meade, it could not be doubted, and one continuous +shout was given. The men were in ecstasies, and could scarcely restrain +themselves; tremendous cheers were given and caps were thrown in the +air. Men hugged and squeezed each other, and all felt that the war was +over. + +The stipulations for the surrender were carried into effect, and the +rebel army was no longer an organized body of men. Twenty-five thousand +men were all that were left, and ten thousand of them were unarmed. They +were permitted to return to their homes, which they gladly did, and the +army of Northern Virginia ceased to exist. It could scarcely be believed +that Lee had surrendered, and while the men were marching and fighting, +Grant and Lee were in correspondence with each other. Sunday, the 9th of +April, will ever be remembered, especially by the soldiers of the +Potomac army. In the short space of fifteen days, Lee had been driven +from his position in front of Petersburg and compelled to retreat; +Richmond in our possession, and he finally compelled to surrender to +General Grant. + +The 5th corps and one division of cavalry were ordered to remain at +Appomattox Court House, until the paroling of the surrendered army was +completed and to take charge of the public property. The remainder of +the army immediately returned to Petersburg, but were ordered to halt at +Burksville and enter camp; the men were greatly in need of rest and +rations. Once more tents were placed on a line as before. Nothing was +talked of but the recent victories, and the people North were rejoicing; +guns were fired throughout the country in honor of our success. Too much +praise cannot be given to the privates and officers of the Potomac army, +and to our noble leader, Grant. + +With but one hundred men for duty, the 14th entered camp at Burksville, +with bronzed features and soiled garments, covered with Virginia mud; +they looked for a speedy return to their homes. All that was possible +for them to do they had done, and New Jersey cannot but be proud of such +a noble band of heroic men. Commencing on the river from which the +Potomac army derived its name, until the surrender of Lee at Appomattox +Court House, Virginia, all have a proud record for having done their +full share in restoring our Union as it was. + +Johnson had not yet surrendered, and as each day passed reports were +circulated among the men, that the Potomac army was to march in his +rear. Scarcely had the men commenced to rejoice at their success, when +there came a blow that was more terrible than any defeat. In camp at +Burkesville the men little knew what calamity was to befall the nation. +A dispatch was sent from Washington that our beloved President had been +assassinated. Our noble leader who for the last four years had guided +our nation in the midst of war was foully stricken down by the +assassin's hand. Rejoicing was turned into mourning, and the men when +fully aware that Lincoln was no more, were clamorous to move on Gen. +Johnson, and with vows of vengeance, determined if possible to avenge +his death. Gloom now prevailed among the men, as he was beloved by +friend and foe. But a few days before he was at the front, and by his +presence cheered the men on to victory; now he lay in the cold embrace +of death. The Southern leaders, now fleeing from their homes, were the +instigators of this horrible crime. All business was suspended in the +army on the day of his burial. Jeff. Davis had fled, and at Danville +stopped long enough to make a speech. He told his followers that their +cause was not yet lost; that the rebel capital had been evacuated for +the purpose of concentrating their armies; he did not then know that Lee +had surrendered his army to Grant. Remaining a few hours at Danville he +proceeded South, and was finally captured in the disguise of a female--a +fitting end for such a leader. + +The men were now anxious to move towards Washington and be mustered out, +as the Potomac army had done its duty; but Johnson had still a large +army, and was in consultation with Gen. Sherman in regard to a +surrender, but no terms could be agreed upon, and it was determined to +crush him. Accordingly, the 6th corps and Sheridan's cavalry were +ordered to move on his rear. On Sunday night, April 23d, the corps was +ordered to be ready to move at daylight, which way the men knew not, but +it was supposed for Washington; but the men soon found out that they +had a hard march before them to Danville, one hundred and twenty miles +distant. In four days the march was made; the sun was very warm, and the +men suffered very much. General Wright, wishing to win more glory, was +anxious to fall on Johnson's rear. He marched the men very fast, until +he was bitterly cursed by them, and with blistered feet and weary limbs +the men plodded on in dust and sun, and were loud in their complaints +against Wright for marching so fast. When in pursuit of Lee, the men +deemed it necessary and did not murmur, but marching thirty miles a day, +for four successive days was more than human nature could bear, when it +was unnecessary. Water was very scarce; often ten and twelve miles were +passed without meeting a stream or well of any kind. Danville was +reached by the 1st division at noon on the fourth day, and was quietly +taken possession of by Gen. Hamlin's brigade. The Union army had never +marched that way, and the Yanks were an object of curiosity to the +negroes. There was considerable of rolling stock in the place which had +not been moved, and was captured. The troops marched through the place +and encamped on the outskirts of the town. One day was given the men to +rest, and orders issued to move again. The corps was but forty miles +from Johnson, and in two days would have been thundering on his rear. +Gen. Wright was very anxious that the corps should win new laurels, but +the men were not, as they had won enough, for if anything was done, the +praise was given the officers and not the men, when they did the work. + +The troops were in camp but a few hours, when a dispatch was received by +General Wright with the news of Johnson's surrender; the men were formed +in line and the dispatch read to them. All knew that their marching and +fighting was done, and cheers were given for Sherman and his noble army; +each battery was ordered to fire a salute of thirty-two guns, and the +bands ordered to play national airs. The war was now over and right glad +were the men of it. Home was now talked of, but the men were too weary +to rejoice much. The campaign, from winter quarters to the surrender of +Lee and the march to Danville, had been a hard one. Thirty miles a day +when the war was over was more than the men of the 6th corps wished for, +and Gen. Wright lost much of the respect due him, as he was in command, +and such marching was needless. + +Danville is a town of some importance, forty miles from Goldsboro, the +scene of Johnson's surrender. Had he not surrendered as soon as he did, +he would have heard the thunder of the artillery and musketry of the 6th +corps in his rear in less than forty-eight hours; but the men were not +anxious to move further south, and remained quietly in camp. At this +place the rebels had a large house where the Union prisoners were kept. +The graveyard where they were buried was visited by the men; the most of +them had died of starvation and cruel treatment. About seven thousand +were crowded in a small lot; it will ever remain a curse to the South, +showing the cruel treatment our men received at their hands. + +The troops remained in camp at Danville until the 16th of May, when +orders came to move; leaving camp at four in the morning, marching +through Danville, and placed on baggage cars, riding one hundred and +sixty miles all day and all night, to Richmond. The day was warm and +dusty, and the ride very tedious, as the men were in open cars; crossed +Staunton River on a bridge built by our forces since the occupation of +Danville, passing the old camp at Burksville, reaching Richmond on the +morning of the 17th, and entering camp near Manchester, remained there +eight days. The other corps were at Washington with Sherman's army, and +were paid off and mustered out as rapidly as possible. The 6th corps, +always first in action, was the last to go home; their work was now +done, and all were anxious to return to their homes. Camp life passed +very pleasantly, and passes were given the men to visit Richmond. Rebel +officers and soldiers were numerous, and were loitering around with +feelings of hatred towards the Union soldiers; they were whipped but not +subdued, and to-day the same feeling exists in the South as it did four +years ago. + +The remainder of the troops were now at Washington, and Gen. Wright did +all he could to get transportation for his corps; but the authorities at +Washington were not willing, and the men ware compelled to march. When +Washington was threatened by Early, the 6th corps was transported there +in a hurry; but now the war was over, and with hundreds of transports +lying at City Point, the men were not allowed to ride. The distance was +one hundred and twenty miles, the sun warm and the roads muddy from +recent rains. The 24th army corps of the army of the James was still at +Richmond doing guard duty, with headquarters at the former residence of +Jeff. Davis. + +On Monday, March 24, the corps was ordered to move for Washington, +marching out at three o'clock, passing in review at Manchester and at +Richmond, crossing the James on pontoons. After marching through the +principal streets, the troops took the road to Washington, marching that +day twenty miles, the roads in some places almost impassable, several +teams sticking in the mud; passed the works thrown up by McClellan in +the Peninsula campaign, crossing the Chickahominy River and Stony Creek, +and halting for the night at Hanover Court House. We moved out the next +day on the same road the army was on one year ago; then after the enemy, +trying to take Richmond, now with the war over, bound for home. The day +was very warm, and the men fell out by hundreds; many were sunstruck, +several dying. At night the column halted at Chesterfield Station, +having marched twenty miles since morning. + +On the 29th the rain fell in torrents, wetting the men to the skin; the +roads were in a horrible condition, the mud knee-deep. The weather had +suddenly changed and it was very cold; the men were as wet as they could +be. At 9 o'clock the troops moved out; the marching was very slow as the +men ware nearly worn out, having done nothing but march since last +winter quarters. But ten miles were made that day, the men entering camp +at dark. Shelter tents were hastily put up, but the damp ground was a +hard place to lie for tired and weary man, but the men did not care, as +the war was over and they were homeward bound. The corps was now stuck +in the mud and could not move; this was the last march, and a hard one +it was. The men lay in camp until the roads were nearly dried, which did +not take long, as the sandy roads of Virginia did not long remain muddy +with the hot sun to dry them; two days were spent in camp. Six days were +given Gen. Wright to march from Richmond to Washington, but it could not +be done. The rations were giving out, the men having nothing but +hard-tack and coffee. + +On Monday, the 29th, the roads were in better condition, and the troops +moved out. The day was cool, marching in eight hours twenty miles to +Fredericksburg, arriving there at noon, crossed the Mat Ta Po and Nye +Rivers, these four streams forming the Mattapony River. Headquarters +were near the city on the Heights where Generals Burnside and Hooker +fought in '62 and '63. The next day the march was resumed, the 3d +division in the rear, passed through Fredericksburg, a very pretty +place, but now nearly every house bore the marks of shells; the place +was in a very dilapidated condition. The column crossed the +Rappahannock on pontoons, marching sixteen miles, wading Aquia Creek, +camping in a field at four o'clock. On the 31st, the 3d division was in +the centre, marching eighteen miles very fast, arriving in camp at three +o'clock. Hard-tack, coffee and sugar were issued the men at night. On +June 1st the headquarter wagons were sent ahead, marching eighteen +miles, and encamping near Fairfax Court House. The next day fourteen +miles were made, passing the Potomac army lying quietly in their camp, +anxiously awaiting orders to be mustered out. Tents were pitched on a +line at Bailey's Cross Roads, eight miles from Washington, having been +ten days coming from Richmond, two days stuck in the mud. + +The marching and fighting were now over, and the men entered camp with +the expectation of soon seeing their homes. The remaining corps were +soon mustered out as rapidly as possible, and the officers of the +different regiments were working day and night on the muster rolls. The +weather was very warm and dry, and rations poor. The nearer the troops +were to Washington the poorer were the rations they had to eat. The +detached men from the regiment were now ordered back, and the new +recruits transferred to the 2d New Jersey with two hundred and thirty +men; all that remained of the old 14th New Jersey were ready to return +home. + +On Thursday, June 8th, the 6th corps was reviewed in Washington in +presence of President Johnson and other leading officials. At four +o'clock in the morning the men moved out of camp, marching to +Washington. At nine o'clock the column was formed; the men were neatly +brushed, with muskets in fine order and wearing white gloves, crossing +Long Bridge and passing in review down Pennsylvania avenue. The sun was +intensely hot, and in the crowded streets the men suffered very much; +many were sunstruck and died. The men were not used to pavements, nor to +marching in close order. After the review the troops returned to their +respective camps, having marched twenty miles since leaving camp; it was +more than a day's march, and very hard on the men. Soon the muster rolls +were ready, and were sent into headquarters for inspection; they were +pronounced correct, and preparations were made to muster out the men as +soon as possible. The rolls of the 14th were ready first, and they were +the first to leave for their homes. + +Seventeen days had elapsed since the corps arrived at Washington. On +the afternoon of June 19th, the regiment was formed in line and marched +to headquarters, and was mustered out of the United States service. +Soldiering in the field was now done, and with happy hearts the men +returned to their quarters. At midnight the long roll was beaten and the +regiment ordered to move at daylight, marching to Washington, passing +through Georgetown. The men were placed on baggage cars, but did not get +off until night, arriving in Philadelphia on the morning of the 21st. A +good breakfast was given the men by the Volunteer Refreshment Saloon. +Three cheers for the ladies of Philadelphia were given, and the regiment +marched to the ferry, crossing over to Camden and taking the cars for +Trenton, forty miles distant, arriving at noon. The ladies of the place +gave the war-worn veterans a hearty welcome and a warm reception. A +splendid dinner was provided, and the men enjoyed it much; such a dinner +was indeed a feast, such as the men had not seen for many a long day, +after which they were marched to the barracks and ordered in. At first +they refused to go, but the promise of a speedy payment was +satisfactory, and the men entered, remaining all night; the next day +forming in line and marching through the principal streets; everywhere +the regiment was greeted with cheers. Another dinner was served, and +speeches made by Governor Parker, Lieut.-Colonel Hall, and others. The +men then returned to the barracks, and passes were given them for five +days. All were in good spirits, and were glad they were again in their +native State. + +The regiment had bean gone nearly three years, leaving New Jersey with +nine hundred and fifty active men; two hundred and thirty returned. +During that time, having participated in numerous battles and +skirmishes, fighting each time with that bravery for which the New +Jersey troops were noted for. In that time the regiment had traveled by +rail one thousand and fifty miles, by water six hundred and twenty-eight +miles, and on foot two thousand and fifteen miles. At the expiration of +five days the men returned, and on the 20th of June, 1865, received +their final payment by Major Newell, after passing through almost +incredible hardships, participating in all the battles of the Potomac +Army from Gettysburg to the surrender of Lee, leaving more than one half +of their men on Southern soil, their bones now bleaching in the sun. The +men were soon to separate and return to their homes. The clash of arms +and the groans of the wounded and dying would no more be heard, and +those that were left would soon engage in the active pursuits of life, +and war forgotten. The 14th New Jersey, a noble regiment, will ever be +remembered by the people of the State as the defenders of our Union and +Constitution. + + +A FEW WORDS TO MY COMRADES IN ARMS AND THEN I AM DONE: + +Fellow soldiers: For three years we battled for our country's rights +and for our homes. We are widely separated; but with grateful memory +of the past we live for the future. Our country is now at peace. If +the call to arms should ever again resound throughout the land, may +we ever be ready. Let not the thoughts of former days and past +hardships deter us from again rushing to arms, for without a country +we are as nothing. With proud hearts we think of the past, knowing +and feeling that we have done our duty. We were welcomed home, and +by the fireside relate tales of by-gone days; of days of pleasure +and of pain; of those dark hours when our country was in danger, and +when we answered the call TO ARMS. Prosperity now reigns. Our flag, +the proud emblem of liberty, floats throughout the land from North +to South, and we as a nation are happy and prosperous beneath its +folds. The proud Eagle of America soars aloft on every ocean, and +the star-spangled banner floats on every sea. Our nation has passed +through a great deal in four years, and New Jersey has done her duty +nobly. Thousands of her brave sons have given their lives for their +country, and those that remain will read this book with interest. As +these pages are perused by the members of the 14th, scenes that were +long since forgotten will be fresh in memory. Soldiers, our work is +done! These terrible days of war are over. Throughout the land +soldiers' societies exist. Let every man that was a soldier join +these societies, and do all in their power to help those widows and +orphans whose husbands and fathers fill a soldier's grave, and ever +remember that our flag, the stars and stripes, must wave o'er this +Glorious Union now and forever. As a country we have no equal. +Slavery forever abolished and our nation saved, with thanks to the +Almighty for our safe return to our homes and families, to go no +more to war. + +Those men who in the hour of peril remained at home and did all in +their power to help along the glorious cause, and by their actions +showed that they respected a soldier, will be looked upon by the +returned veterans as men; but those mean sneaking Copperheads that +were forever denouncing the North and were in favor of the South, +will be despised by us for their meanness. New Jersey is redeemed, +and to-day a loyal Governor sits in his seat at Trenton, a soldier's +friend. What we have passed through can be known only to us, and now +happy at our homes are content. The South is subdued, and has +learned a terrible lesson, that this Union can never be broken, and +as a united nation will live forever. As a regiment, the 14th no +longer exists, but the name of the 14th New Jersey from the old 6th +corps, will never be forgotten, but ever be remembered with pride as +a band of heroic men, that gave themselves for their country in its +hour of peril. It is but natural that the people should turn with +beaming eyes and grateful hearts to the heroic Union soldiers who +have nobly periled their all in defence of their country. Forever +shall the memory of our gallant dead be embalmed in the hearts of +the living. On the banks of many southern rivers; under the +spreading foliage of many a forest tree; on the hillsides and in the +valleys of the South, are tens of thousands of those grassy mounds +which mark the last resting places of the noble Union dead. In many +a northern home the widow and the orphan, the brother and the +sister, the bereaved father and disconsolate mother await the coming +of that step that so often in the past had been the sweetest music +to their ears. But they await in vain. Never more shall a mother's +kiss be pressed upon his brow as he sleeps in his little cot in the +humble chamber of the old homestead; but in the heart of a redeemed +nation his memory shall live forever. Comrades, I am done! Our +beloved country, healed of its wounds, to-day stands among other +powers a free and independent nation forever. Liberty, that +priceless gem, was purchased at a fearful cost. But those brave men +who now live will ever, with proud step and beaming eye, exclaim +with emotion, that with my help the country was saved. The +star-spangled banner planted high upon the everlasting hills of +truth and justice, shall wave to the breeze till time shall be no +more; recognized by foreign powers as the head of all nations. In +the annals of fame, our country lives forever! + + Written by SERGEANT J. NEWTON TERRILL, + New Brunswick, New Jersey. + +Commenced Sept. 1st, 1865; finished July 15th, 1866. + + + + +TRANSCRIBER'S NOTES: + + + Text in italics is surrounded with underscores: _italics_. + + Inconsistencies in capitalization and hyphenation have been retained + from the original. + + Inconsistencies in spelling have been retained from the original + unless they are obvious typographical errors which have been corrected + as follows: + Page 9: anp changed to and + Page 10: batallion changed to battalion + Page 14: extra word "the" removed + Monacacy changed to Monocacy + Page 18: west-tern changed to western + Page 20: obbing changed to robbing + Page 21: loosing changed to losing + cecesh changed to secesh + weer changed to were + Page 24: Patomac changed to Potomac + A changed to At + Page 25: bayanets changed to bayonets + Page 27: ffve changed to five + Page 28: onr changed to our + Page 34: eqally changed to equally + Page 35: ceaceless changed to ceaseless + Page 36: Manasses changed to Manassas + Page 47: af changed to of + Page 48: misdeameanor changed to misdemeanor + Page 50: maneuvre changed to maneuver + Page 54: sonth changed to south + Page 63: missing word "of" added + farward changed to forward + Torbett changed to Torbert + Page 66: superceded changed to superseded + Page 71: regi-iment changed to regiment + Page 73: date in original is unclear; it must be Saturday, July + 19th, 1834. + Page 75: date in original shows July 9th; it possibly could be July + 19th. + Page 76: advancrd changed to advanced + Tennery changed to Tennelly + sacrified changed to sacrificed + Page 79: Hark-tack changed to Hard-tack + Page 81: extra word "the" removed + neccessary changed to necessary + Page 82: Monacacy changed to Monocacy + Page 91: Charlottsville changed to Charlottesville + Page 94: infaladed changed to infiladed + Page 97: ther changed to their + Page 99: quartere changed to quarters + Page 100: Spotttylvania changed to Spottsylvania + Page 108: Waynsboro changed to Waynesboro + Page 122: sgirits changed to spirits + Page 124: remembred changed to remembered + Page 127: were changed to where + Page 132: river changed to rivers + foilage changed to foliage + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Campaign of the Fourteenth Regiment +New Jersey Volunteers, by J. Newton Terrill + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CAMPAIGN OF 14TH REG. NEW JERSEY *** + +***** This file should be named 37550.txt or 37550.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/3/7/5/5/37550/ + +Produced by David E. Brown and The Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at https://www.pgdp.net (This file was +produced from images generously made available by The +Internet Archive) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, +set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to +copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to +protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project +Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you +charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you +do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the +rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose +such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and +research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do +practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is +subject to the trademark license, especially commercial +redistribution. + + + +*** START: FULL LICENSE *** + +THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE +PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK + +To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free +distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work +(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project +Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project +Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at +https://gutenberg.org/license). + + +Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic works + +1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to +and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property +(trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all +the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy +all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. +If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the +terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or +entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. + +1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be +used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who +agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few +things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works +even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See +paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement +and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. See paragraph 1.E below. + +1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" +or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the +collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an +individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are +located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from +copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative +works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg +are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project +Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by +freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of +this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with +the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by +keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project +Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. + +1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern +what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in +a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check +the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement +before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or +creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project +Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning +the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United +States. + +1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: + +1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate +access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently +whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the +phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project +Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, +copied or distributed: + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + +1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived +from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is +posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied +and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees +or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work +with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the +work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 +through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the +Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or +1.E.9. + +1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted +with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution +must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional +terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked +to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the +permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. + +1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this +work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. + +1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this +electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without +prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with +active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project +Gutenberg-tm License. + +1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, +compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any +word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or +distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than +"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version +posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org), +you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a +copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon +request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other +form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm +License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. + +1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, +performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works +unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. + +1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing +access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided +that + +- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from + the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method + you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is + owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he + has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the + Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments + must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you + prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax + returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and + sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the + address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to + the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." + +- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies + you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he + does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm + License. You must require such a user to return or + destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium + and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of + Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any + money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the + electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days + of receipt of the work. + +- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free + distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. + +1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm +electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set +forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from +both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael +Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the +Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. + +1.F. + +1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable +effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread +public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm +collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain +"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or +corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual +property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a +computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by +your equipment. + +1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right +of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project +Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project +Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all +liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal +fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT +LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE +PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE +TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE +LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR +INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH +DAMAGE. + +1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a +defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can +receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a +written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you +received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with +your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with +the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a +refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity +providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to +receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy +is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further +opportunities to fix the problem. + +1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth +in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER +WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO +WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. + +1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied +warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. +If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the +law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be +interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by +the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any +provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. + +1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the +trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone +providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance +with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, +promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, +harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, +that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do +or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm +work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any +Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. + + +Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm + +Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of +electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers +including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists +because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from +people in all walks of life. + +Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the +assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's +goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will +remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project +Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure +and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. +To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation +and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 +and the Foundation web page at https://www.pglaf.org. + + +Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive +Foundation + +The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit +501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the +state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal +Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification +number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at +https://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent +permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. + +The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. +Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered +throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at +809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email +business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact +information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official +page at https://pglaf.org + +For additional contact information: + Dr. Gregory B. Newby + Chief Executive and Director + gbnewby@pglaf.org + + +Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg +Literary Archive Foundation + +Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide +spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of +increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be +freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest +array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations +($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt +status with the IRS. + +The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating +charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United +States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a +considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up +with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations +where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To +SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any +particular state visit https://pglaf.org + +While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we +have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition +against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who +approach us with offers to donate. + +International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make +any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from +outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. + +Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation +methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other +ways including including checks, online payments and credit card +donations. To donate, please visit: https://pglaf.org/donate + + +Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic +works. + +Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm +concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared +with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project +Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. + + +Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed +editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. +unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + https://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/37550.zip b/37550.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..c6e2b70 --- /dev/null +++ b/37550.zip diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..71f8bf7 --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #37550 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/37550) |