March 1863: Mindil's 27th NJ Regt. in Kentucky

In late March 1863, Colonel George W. Mindil's 27th New Jersey Volunteer Infantry Regiment was shipped to Cincinnati, Ohio to join General Ambrose Burnside in his new command.  Burnside welcomed Mindil and his troops and invited the regiment to have a special dinner at the market-house.

After dinner, the 27th NJ Regiment was ferried to Covington, Kentucky.  From Covington, the regiment was transported by train to Lexington, Kentucky. 

The 27th NJ Regiment was the first infantry regiment sent into Kentucky to support Federal cavalry in the fight against Confederate guerrilla bands.  The Union Cavalry was under attack by Brigadier General John Pegram's troops at Heckman's Bridge, near Nicholasville.  The 27th NJ relieved the cavalry on March 28.  The regiment had marched 16 miles, wearing full marching equipment, in just six hours.

Copyright 1999-2013: Jay C. Richards

February 1863: Mindil's 27th NJ Regt. at Newport News

In February 1863, Colonel George Mindil, commanding the 27th New Jersey Volunteer Infantry Regiment, took temporary command of the Brigade at Newport News, Virginia. 

The 27th NJ Regiment had set up its bivouac in Camp Burnside at Newport News.  The 27th NJ received praise for its camp layout from Congressman John Hill.  Congressman Hill wrote a letter dated April 2, 1863 to the Morristown Jerseyman newspaper in which he stated, "The encampment is like a neat little village, the whole being planned and laid out under the superintendence of Colonel Mindil, who has an eye to the comfort of his men, and always makes a point to select a good camp."

Brevet Major General Orlando Bolivar Wilcox wrote to Mindil, "I am proud of your connection with my division, and from the fine appearance and good instruction of your present regiment.  I am happy to observe your military talents are still employed with credit to yourself and to the advantage of the service."  

Because he had the finest drilled regiment in the 9th Corps, the teenage Colonel Mindil was recommended by the officers and a NJ Congressional delegation for promotion to Brigadier General.  President Abraham Lincoln approved Mindil's nomination, but the promotion could not take place at that time because the Senate had placed a limit on the number of generals.  

 

Copyright 1999-2013: Jay C. Richards

January 19, 1863: 31st NJ Regt. & "The Mud March"

In January 1863, the 31st New Jersey Volunteer Infantry Regiment was finally taken off detached duty as road and fort builders. The Regiment was placed in the 3rd Brigade, 1st Division, 1st Corps of the Army of the Potomac.  On January 19, the 31st NJ, commanded by Colonel Alexander Berthoud, of Washington, was ordered to participate in its first combat campaign as part of General Gabriel R. Paul's 3rd Brigade.

The three-day campaign was soon nicknamed "The Mud March" by the soldiers.  Colonel Berthoud was an attorney and politician who had very little taste for military activities, such as drilling and preparing for field duty, so his men were unprepared for the campaign.

William H. H. Warman, of Oxford Township [now White Township], enlisted in Company I [The Belvidere Company] in September 1862 at 22 years of age.  Warman reported on the campaign for The Belvidere Intelligencer.  Warman reported, "The recent march began on the 19th instant, Tuesday a.m.  We packed up and by 12 p.m. were ready and on the way, as we presumed to battle with the rebel foes of our country, on the other side of the Rappahannock.  The roads were good, but the sky o'er spread with portentous looking clouds.  We went on till night, and rain set in; halting about 9 p.m. on a pine and cedar woods near Falmouth, and just beyond the US Military R.R. running from Aquia Creek Landing to Falmouth.  Tents were hurriedly pitched amid the storm, woods set ablaze with innumerable campfires, clothing somewhat dried, a cold supper of 'hardess' [hardtack] and boiled fresh beef eaten, then retirement found in the low, cheerless damp tents.  By midnight, all was quiet, but stillness seemed like death's seed time.  Notwithstanding the dampness all around, we rose in rain feeling much refreshed by 'Nature's calm restorer.'

 

"Wednesday, 8 a.m., the long roll was beaten, and the startling orders came again. 'Up boys, strike tents, we are off.'  Soon all was bustle; tents struck, wrung out, rolled up, tied to the knapsack (wet too), haversack containing the remainder of three days rations, canteen filled with dirty water - all wet, thrown around the neck; tent, blanket, and knapsack heavy with moisture strapped to the back, we fell in line and marched off through mud of the consistency of putty, and ankle deep.  Northwestward towards the 'rebs,' but ere  night approached we 'filed left,' entered a thick, undisturbed forest of pines, and pitched tents on the ground saturated with water.  Night shut around us again, with dire threatenings of a severe rain, and it came; every few rods a bright flame went up and laid against the black sky. The small branches of the pine, with a rubber blanket overspread, was sufficiently abundant for a bed.  The scene was brilliant, but oh the background how dark! Shiverings, coughs, and whistlings meant to be joyous, and long drawn sighs, which followed close upon a joke or laugh, yet with all but few complaints were heard.  The brave fellows crept into their blankets to sleep, and by ten, all again was quiet, but the war reaper seemed to be sharpening his sickle.

 

"Thursday dawned with lowering clouds again, shutting out the sun's genial rays as if to prolong the dreary night.  Owing to the rain and the impassable condition of the roads for teams and provisions, &c., we were permitted to remain in the woods all Thursday.  This fact being learned by the reb's pickets across the river, privileged them to conspicuously post up the following eyre taunting sentence, 'Burnside Stuck In The Mud.'

 

"Friday, at the early reveille, up we got, not though with elastic spring of young life, but the labored movements of age - muscles sore, joints stiff, and a momentary feeling, 'this is tough,' but soon the soldier spirit was awakened, and to work we went again, stirring up the fires, untying our tin cups, making coffee with water from our canteens, filled the night before, getting our 'hard tack' and salt pork, breakfast standing, in haste as the Lord's Passover was eaten (would that were a like commemorative of deliverance, but the time is not yet); we folded up our tents like Arabs, and silently stole away.  Not, though, towards the enemy, but back to our old encampment.  No music, and upon the earth the tread, tread, tread of many thousand feet was heard, for the whole grand army was agitated, and the major part of it on the march..."

 

George W. S. Norton, of Belvidere, enlisted in Company I in September 1862 at 25 years of age.  Norton had a similar description of "The Mud March" when he wrote to F. P. Sellers at The Belvidere Intelligencer. Norton added to Warman's report, "The mud had gotten so deep that further progress was put to a stop, for at every turn, a wagon or caisson was seen sticking fast, and horses and mules up to their bellies in the mud.  In every gully, batteries, caissons, supply wagons, ambulances, &c. were up to their axles in the mud.  In one place, as I passed, I noticed 24 horses being hooked to a small piece of artillery, and then it could not be moved."

On January 21, General Joseph Hooker replaced General Abrose Burnside as the commander of the Army of the Potomac.

 

Copyright 1997-2013: Jay C. Richards

January 7, 1863: James Prall & the 31st NJ Regt.

On January 7, 1863, 2nd Lieutenant James Prall, of Company I (Belvidere Infantry Co.) of the 31st New Jersey Volunteer Infantry Regiment, wrote a letter to his family while in Camp Potomac near Belle Plains, Virginia.

Parts of the letter are missing but as much of the letter as possible is transcribed below:  "I don't know that I have any thing new to write to you this time.  I received your letter on Saturday just after I had sent mine to you.  I also wrote to Jabez and Sam on Sunday.  I are now engaged in building a new house for the Captain [Calvin T. James, of Belvidere], Lieutenant [Richard T.] Drake and myself.  If [we] do not have to move again when we get it done I think we will have a very nice place.  I went over the Potomac Creek yesterday and got a window and some boards, a door &c. out of a Rebel house that they had deserted.  It was nearly a new house, very nice, well furnished, but now it's about torn to pieces.  We confiscate or draw anything we want to can get down here.  This house lay over the Creek where they could not get to it or it would have been torn down way before this time.

"Now while I write, some of the boys are in our tent singing some splendid tunes.  they are now singing the tune called The soldiers' Lear.  It is beautiful to hear.  It has got quite cold here to day and is about as cold to night as any night we have here yet, but we have had splendid weather here this winter.

"Clark, I have just come from the Colonels.  I expect we will soon have to march again.  The Colonel [Alexander Berthoud, of Washington] said he had to report to Brigadier General...this morning and I will not mail this letter until I know something more.  I don't know whether we will have to move or not...this is Thursday night.  We have yet to receive new orders.  We will be relieved from all duties except drilling.  We will have to drill every day.  We are now Brigaded.  there is in the Brigade the 22nd, 24th, 30th and 31st New Jersey Regiments and the 137th Penna. and the 147th New York.  Brigadier General [Gabriel Rene] Paul will have command of the Brigade.  I believe we belong to Major General [John Fulton] Reynolds' Division.  It is called the First Division.  It is supposed that we will still remain here perhaps all winter as it will be impossible for the army to march by the overland route on to Richmond and...that the army will now go into winter quarters and then we will still remain in these quarters.  I are going to go on and finish..."

 

Lt. Prall wrote the following lines within the margins of his letter, "...you know when you are done reading this letter where will you find the end.  Clark to night it looks like snow and I think it will storm before morning.  It is very dark.  We can see the Signal light of the army very plain.  They look something like a large star up in the air but we do not understand what they mean...The Health of our Regiment now is very good.  We have but very few sick.  the drums are now beating for Roll Call.  It is half past Eight o'c.  I are having about the easiest times now for the last week that I have been soldiering.  I have not had much duty for the last few days except drilling and other camp duties.  I think this sheet is about full.  This is the last line that I will write on this sheet.  I will get a larger one next time.  I had nothing else to do to night so good night."

 

Copyright 1999-2013: Jay C. Richards 

December 20, 1862:James Prall & the 31st NJ Regiment

In 1861, James Prall joined the Belvidere Infantry Company of the Warren Brigade of NJ Militia.  On September 10, 1862, Prall was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant of Company I (Belvidere Infantry Co.) of the 31st NJ Volunteer Infantry Regiment    (9 months service).   Prall served his full enlistment. After he mustered out of service, he purchased a country store in Delaware Station, Knowlton Township from John I. Blair.  In 1863, Prall was appointed Postmaster of Delaware Station.  He opened a post office in his store at 9 Clinton Street.

On December 20, 1862,  Lt. Prall wrote a letter to his brother from camp in Belle Plains, Virginia.  Dear Brother: I now on this Saturday afternoon seat myself to answer your long wished for letter which I received on Wednesday last.  I was very glad to hear from you as it was the first letter I received since we left Camp Warren and I was glad to hear that you was all well.  Now in the first place I will ask you how many letters you have received from me since we left there.  I have written three besides this.  We have not got any regulation yet about our mail and have not received but one mail mail since we came here but I think there will be some arrangement soon so that we will get our mail twice a week.   Now I will tell you how we have been getting along and what we are at.  I will be two weeks on Monday [December 22, 1862] since we moved where we are encamped.  Since we have been here our Regiment has been engaged in different ways.  Two companies is doing guard duty down at the wharf which is about one mile from our camp.  Two companies goes down to the wharf every day to unload Boats that comes in with Grain & Hay for the army.  One company goes out on picket duty and five companies is at work making and corduroying a new Road that was from a new wharf that we have built to where the main army lays our camp and has been to work and is at work now at the wharf and on the road. 

"I have been on duty every day until this afternoon and came to camp to get men and axes to go into the woods to cut some spikes for the wharf and I saw the colonel and he told me he would give me clear this afternoon as he thought I had done my share of duty. So I get clear and thought I would improve my time in writing to you as I suppose we will all have to work tomorrow. 

"Clark, the fighting at Fredericksburg had stopped again and I are afraid that we have had the worst of the Bargain.  We certainly did not gain anything and all say we lost it.   [It] is said that our loss was from twelve to fifteen thousand in killed, wounded and missing.  I have been goin over to see the army.  They have all came back this side of the river but I have not got away yet.  There has been lots of them over here to see their friends in our Regiment.  The whole army appears to be down on [General Ambrose] Burnside and say that if [General George] McClellan had have been there, they believe we would have had a victory with nor so heavy a loss.  McClellan is the man.  Yet in this army he is the man that has got the confidence of the men and he can do with them what no other general can.  It is possible that the army will not make another strike here again this winter.  When this war will ever close is hard to tell but I think it is doubtful if it ever can be settled by fighting.  They have good fighting men and good Generals to manage them and they appear to be more determined.

"May [Prall's sister],  It is now Sunday morning and I have got clear of going out to work this morning.  It is a fine morning and I suppose you are about getting ready to go to church.  I think I will go this morning.  I have not been to meeting for some time.  We have had very fine weather since we have been here only a little cold but not much storm that is what makes it so unpleasant here.  Elijah Burd [of Hazen] just came in.  He says I must tell you all that he is getting along all right.  He says when you have nothing else to do to write to him.  I have not received but one letter from home in four weeks now but we will get a mail today and I hope I may get one.  I got one from Geo. Prall this week.  I would write often home but the only time I have had has been nights and I have to write to some others too.  As long as I write once a week I think I do very well but I want you all to write as often as you can.  When I write to one I write to you all.  I will now stop again until this evening and see if we get any mail or not now.

"May, I just received the mail and Brown Clark's letter & one from Mary and Sam.  I was glad, very glad, to hear from you all. I also just received some of my butter & mangoes that I left at Mr. Swayze's which I are very glad to get.  The butter & mangoes & some bread & pies & some chicken he sent to Israel Swayze, he is in our Company, we will have a good time New Year.  That will do me as much good as the whole bag at Washington and are glader to get it.  I will get the balance of the butter now when I want it.  Elijah Burd wanted me to write father and tell him to get his folks to move there by you that he wanted them to do it.  I hope it will be so that father and Clark can get down this winter.  There is close by us I suppose about 2,000 Soldiers from all parts.  I must now close hoping to hear from you all soon.  I will write Mary as soon as I can.  Tell George I are glad.  I want all to write.  Happy New Year to all.  As ever, your Bro., James Prall."

Copyright 1999-2012: Jay C. Richards     

December 1862: 9th NJ Regiment in North Carolina

December 1862 was a time of battles for the Jersey Ninth.  On December 8, Colonel Charles Heckman, of Easton/Phillipsburg, was assigned independent command of a group consisting of the 9th NJ Volunteer Infantry Regiment, a detachment of the 3rd New York Volunteer Cavalry Regiment, and a battery from the 1st Rhode Island Volunteer Artillery.  Heckman's assignment was to capture the railroad junction at Goldsborough, North Carolina.

 

On December 13, Heckman's force approached Kinston.  The bridge over the Southwest Creek had been destroyed, and a Confederate entrenchment had been set up at the site.  While Heckman;s artillery exchanged fire with the rebel guns, he sent three companies of infantry to cross the river to outflank the rebels.  The remainder of the infantry was to cross the river over a nearby mill dam.  The rebels ran from their fortification as the Jersey Ninth advanced.  It was reported that a Confederate officer had been heard yelling to his men, "There comes that Dutch Heckman! You had better save yourselves  while you have the time!"

 

Outside of Kinston, Heckman found a heavily fortified Confederate artillery battery, covered by swamp on three sides and the Neuse River on the fourth side, and which was overlooking a bridge leading into the town.  Heckman ordered the Rhode Island battery to set up its guns on a commanding position and fire on the rebel artillery.  With reinforcements from the 17th Massachusetts, the 99th Pennsylvania, the 52nd New York, and 89th New York Infantry Regiments plus another battery of artillery, Heckman ordered the attack on four rebel infantry regiments positioned in the woods outside of town.

 

When the rebel infantry was sufficiently moved away enough to allow Federal forces to approach the bridge, the rebel artillery abandoned their position and also ran toward the bridge.  After escaping over the bridge, with the 9th NJ and the 17th Massachusetts right behind them, the Confederate rear guard set fire to the bridge.  Unfortunately, the burning bridge took the lives of other Confederates who had tried to cross the burning bridge.  More than 400 southern soldiers were taken prisoner since they could not cross the bridge to Kinston.  Under fire from sharpshooters, Heckman's men extinguished the flames on the bridge before it was completely destroyed. 

 

Annoyed with the sharpshooters, Captain William Curtis and the 9th NJ Regiment's Color Guard ran across the smoldering bridge and into an earthwork at the end of the bridge and captured 50 rebel soldiers.  The captured flag was sent to the governor of New Jersey. 

 

Proceeding toward Goldsborough, Heckman's force fought its way through Whitehall on December 16.  The force set up camp eight miles from its destination.  The group had been ordered to destroy the tracks of the Wilmington & Weldon Railroad and the Atlantic & North Carolina Railroad as well as a bridge spanning the river, which was 1/8 of mile in length.  After two hours of continuous fighting, Heckman's troops reached the bridge. 

 

Many of the men of the Jersey 9th volunteered to set fires on the bridge, which was still covered by enemy artillery and muskets.  Corporal James W. Green and Private Elias C. Winans, both of Company K, were selected.  After several attempts, and while under constant musket fire, the two men finally got a fire started with leaves and kindling.   Heckman's aide-de-camp Lieutenant Graham and Private William Lemons, of Company E, ran onto the wooden bridge carrying fusees [magnesium flares] to help get the bridge burning.  Soon the bridge was afire.  The four men ran back to their units.  The troops then destroyed railroad tracks. 

 

As the infantry began to leave the site, two brigades of Confederate troops advanced to attack Heckman's artillery batteries in the rear of the Federal column.  The infantry rushed to the aid of the artillery. The artillery crews set up their guns and poured grape and canister shot into the southern troops, forcing the rebels to retreat.  Heckman's command returned to Newbern, North Carolina on December 20. 

 

On December 22, Colonel Heckman finally received his commission promoting him to  Brigadier General.  the commission had been issued in Washington, DC on October 29, 1862 but did not arrive in North Carolina until December.  Heckman was assigned to 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, 18th Corps.  His brigade consisted of the 9th NJ, 3rd Massachusetts, 8th Massachusetts, and 23rd Massachusetts Infantry Regiments.  On December 24, a new stand of colors [National & Regimental flags] were presented to the 9th NJ by the New Jersey Legislature.  The flags cost taxpayers $700.

 

Copyright 1997-2012: Jay C. Richards                                            

December 1862: Battle of Fredericksburg (Part Three)

On December 12, 1862, Colonel George W. Mindil and his 27th NJ Volunteer Infantry Regiment were ordered to be the first to cross the newly constructed pontoon bridges  over the Rappahannock River to enter Fredericksburg, Virginia.  Guarding those bridges were the men of the 11th NJ Volunteer Infantry Regiment.   Not far behind the 27th NJ marched the men of Colonel Edward Campbell's  15th NJ Volunteer Infantry Regiment in the 6th Corps.  During the day the 27th NJ took up a position behind the Fredericksburg Gas Works in the second line of battle.  The regiment spent the day under fire from Confederate artillery batteries.

The men of Colonel Robert McAllister's 11th NJ Regiment were ordered to cross the Rappahannock River from Falmouth to Fredericksburg on December 14th. The 11th NJ relieved the battle-weary men of the 26th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Regiment.  Two companies were dispatched to relieve the 26th PA Regiment's pickets. the pickets had exchanged fire with the rebels for several hours and sustained a loss of four men wounded and six men missing. On December 15th, the 11th NJ Regiment was ordered to cross the river back to Falmouth.

 

Reverend Alanson Haines, Chaplain of the 15th NJ Regiment, praised the work of Dr. Redford Sharp, of Belvidere, Surgeon of the 15th NJ.  "Doctor Redford Sharp, the principal surgeon, was most active and efficient.  Though detailed to the Division Hospital, he was able to do much for the wounded of the regiment brought to him, and was specially tender and careful of all under his charge.   He gave nearly five years to the cause of humanity in the army, and his name deserves remembrance along with the good and the brave."

On December 13, Sergeant Cicero H. Drake, of Belvidere, serving in the 142nd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry Regiment, was wounded in the leg by shrapnel.  He was transported by railroad to Washington, D.C. to Finley Hospital, 6th Ward.   Drake wrote in a letter to J. R. Butts, of Belvidere, "I am now comfortably housed in this hospital.  We have a warm room, good beds and good attendance. My wound is not a bad one, and is doing well.  Beside the hole made by the slug that wounded me, I have six ball holes through my clothes.  Our company lost, in killed and wounded, that I know of, 37 - perhaps not more than 6 or 8 were killed.  Among the killed was Charles Wallace, cousin to Isaac Wallace.  He was a favorite of mine, and I regret his loss very much.  William Divit [or Davitt], son of Matthew Divit, formerly of Warren County, was among the slain."

Many of the NJ troops returned to Belle Plain, Virginia.  Lieutenant Birdsall Cornell, of the 1st NJ Volunteer Cavalry Regiment, visited some of the Knowlton Township men of Company G, 31st NJ Volunteer Infantry Regiment for the Christmas season.  Cornell wrote, "On Sunday, the 28th, I had the unexpected pleasure of meeting my old friends Captain B. F. Howey and Lieutenant James F. Green, Co. G, 31st N.J. Vols. and partook of their hospitality in the shape of a splendid dinner of roast beef, chicken, eggs &c., quite a rarity for a soldier to enjoy; Captain Howey, I am happy to state, is enjoying excellent health, but Green has been indisposed for some time, but is now improving.  1st Lieutenant [William C.] Larzelier, of the same company, is also in good health.  All the officers of this company enjoy the respect and confidence of their men to an unusual degree.

"The 31st Regiment, I learn, have had very arduous duties to perform since they came into the service.  While in Maryland, they were engaged in the construction of a Fort, and since having crossed the river into Virginia, they have been constantly employed , through all kinds of weather, in repairing roads, rebuilding bridges, &c. This is an unthankful service for a soldier, and it is very seldom they receive sufficient credit for it, as the movements of our armies depend very much upon the energy and perseverance of this class of men."

Copyright 1997-2012: Jay C. Richards