Campaign of the Fourteenth Regiment New Jersey Volunteers Part 5

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 ma.s.sed 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 Sat.u.r.day 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 ma.s.sed 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 a.s.sault 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 ma.s.sed, 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 a.s.sertion 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 a.s.suring 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 pus.h.i.+ng 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 quant.i.ty 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, partic.i.p.ated 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 pa.s.sed 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 pa.s.sed 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 s.h.i.+ft 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 s.p.a.ce 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 n.o.ble 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 n.o.ble 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 pa.s.sed 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 Was.h.i.+ngton that our beloved President had been a.s.sa.s.sinated. Our n.o.ble leader who for the last four years had guided our nation in the midst of war was foully stricken down by the a.s.sa.s.sin'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 Was.h.i.+ngton 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 Was.h.i.+ngton; 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, wis.h.i.+ng 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 pa.s.sed 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 n.o.ble 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, pa.s.sing 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 Was.h.i.+ngton 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 pa.s.sed very pleasantly, and pa.s.ses 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 Was.h.i.+ngton, and Gen. Wright did all he could to get transportation for his corps; but the authorities at Was.h.i.+ngton were not willing, and the men ware compelled to march. When Was.h.i.+ngton 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 Was.h.i.+ngton, marching out at three o'clock, pa.s.sing in review at Manchester and at Richmond, crossing the James on pontoons. After marching through the princ.i.p.al streets, the troops took the road to Was.h.i.+ngton, marching that day twenty miles, the roads in some places almost impa.s.sable, several teams sticking in the mud; pa.s.sed 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 Was.h.i.+ngton, 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, pa.s.sed through Fredericksburg, a very pretty place, but now nearly every house bore the marks of sh.e.l.ls; 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, pa.s.sing 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 Was.h.i.+ngton, 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 Was.h.i.+ngton 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 Was.h.i.+ngton in presence of President Johnson and other leading officials. At four o'clock in the morning the men moved out of camp, marching to Was.h.i.+ngton. 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 pa.s.sing 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 p.r.o.nounced 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 Was.h.i.+ngton. 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 Was.h.i.+ngton, pa.s.sing 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 princ.i.p.al 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 pa.s.ses 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 partic.i.p.ated 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 pa.s.sing through almost incredible hards.h.i.+ps, partic.i.p.ating 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 n.o.ble regiment, will ever be remembered by the people of the State as the defenders of our Union and Const.i.tution.

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 hards.h.i.+ps deter us from again rus.h.i.+ng 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 pa.s.sed through a great deal in four years, and New Jersey has done her duty n.o.bly. 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 pa.s.sed 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 n.o.bly 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 gra.s.sy mounds which mark the last resting places of the n.o.ble 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.