Campaign of the Fourteenth Regiment New Jersey Volunteers Part 4

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 a.s.sumed 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 pa.s.sed 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 pa.s.sing 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 skirmis.h.i.+ng 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 Was.h.i.+ngton 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 Was.h.i.+ngton. 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 pa.s.sing Monocacy Bridge; it being night the men were mostly asleep; arrived at Was.h.i.+ngton 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, Was.h.i.+ngton was out of danger. The 6th corps was again to return to City Point, and by the people their hards.h.i.+ps in the valley were forgotten; they pa.s.sed 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, pa.s.sing 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 sh.e.l.ls. 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 a.s.sistance. 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 impa.s.sable, 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 Was.h.i.+ngton, 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 pa.s.sed 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 sh.e.l.led our trains as they pa.s.sed, 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 pa.s.sage 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 a.s.sault, 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 Hanc.o.c.k's right and rear. Hanc.o.c.k immediately faced his corps to meet it, and after a b.l.o.o.d.y 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 pa.s.sed 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 Was.h.i.+ngton 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 pa.s.sed to and fro from Was.h.i.+ngton to City Point. The river was lined with gunboats, but a few sh.e.l.ls 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 Was.h.i.+ngton to Brandy Station, as this pa.s.sed 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 sh.e.l.l 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 pa.s.sed 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 a.s.signed 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 sh.o.r.e 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 sh.o.r.e 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 Ca.n.a.l, 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, Ma.s.sachusetts. The weather was now very cold, and the Potomac was frozen; often two and three days elapsed before the transports could arrive from Was.h.i.+ngton. The month of January pa.s.sed 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 pa.s.sed 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 a.s.sist 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 pa.s.sed, and now our flag was floating over the battered walls of Fort Sumter and Charleston where the ordinance of secession was first pa.s.sed. 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 ca.n.a.l 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, pa.s.sing 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 pa.s.sing 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 b.a.l.l.s 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 a.s.saulted 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 amus.e.m.e.nt 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 n.o.ble 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 pa.s.sed. 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 pa.s.sed 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 a.s.saulted 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; pus.h.i.+ng 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, r.e.t.a.r.d 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 ma.s.sed 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 a.s.sault for the purpose of preventing the rebels from ma.s.sing 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 a.s.sault 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 a.s.saulted. The rebels were now aware of the weakness of the attacking party, as the two regiments advanced, and they soon ma.s.sed 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 sh.e.l.l with such accuracy as to blow up a caisson in one of the rebel forts; sh.e.l.ls 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 a.s.sault, 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 G.o.d-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 pa.s.sed 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 quant.i.ty of corn meal daily.