CAMPAIGN

OF THE

FOURTEENTH REGIMENT

New Jersey Volunteers,

BY

Sergeant J. NEWTON TERRILL,

Co. K, Fourteenth Regiment, New Jersey Volunteers.

SECOND EDITION.

NEW BRUNSWICK, N. J.:
DAILY HOME NEWS PRESS, COR. HIRAM AND DENNIS STREETS.

1884.

CONTENTS.

A complete History of the Campaign of the Fourteenth Regiment, New Jersey Volunteers; its various BATTLES and MARCHES, from the time of its departure from New Jersey until its return; giving full details of every event that transpired; the author having taken an active part in those memorable battles of the Potomac Army—the Maryland Campaign, the Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor and Petersburg; finally ending in the capture of Lee's Army, the occupation of Richmond and Petersburg by our forces, and the Rebellion crushed forever.

CAMPAIGN
OF THE
14th Regiment, New Jersey Volunteers.

War, with all its horrors, has dawned upon us. Thousands have answered the call and rushed to arms. The Farmer leaves his plough, the Merchant his store, and all join in one compact body to avenge the insult perpetrated upon our FLAG.

It is not a Foreign foe; but a war upon our soil—a civil war. Our forces have been defeated and driven back; the rebel capital, almost within our grasp, has been wrested from us, and the enemy, flushed with victory, are marching with countless hordes upon our almost defenceless Capitol. The disastrous defeat of McClellan from before Richmond has awakened a feeling among the Northern people that something more active must be done, that we are dealing with a wily foe prepared for war and bent upon the destruction of our once happy and prosperous Union. Congress having met, it was decided to call for more troops to assist in putting down this wicked rebellion, our army having been fearfully decreased by sickness and by battles; the swamps of Virginia and the broiling sun of a Southern clime have sent numbers to their graves. Our army must be re-organized, and that speedily; fresh troops must fill the ranks of those that are no more. A call for Six Hundred Thousand troops was made; it resounded throughout the North, and soon our decimated ranks were refilled by men who but shortly before were engaged in the peaceful pursuits of life, who are now stern warriors, armed and equipped for the fearful struggle awaiting them. Under that call the 14th New Jersey Regiment was raised, a band of noble men from various portions of the State. On the 8th of July, 1862, the Regiment was formed on the Old Battle Ground of Freehold, Monmouth Co., New Jersey, William S. Truex appointed Commander. For nearly two months the officers were busily engaged in preparing the men for the future; companies were organized, armed and equipped. Men enlisting daily, not for bounties, but for patriotism; and soon the regiment was ready for its departure for the seat of war. Tents were placed on a line, each company by itself. The men seemed to know the work before them, and with stern resolution, resolved to do their duty to the last. A police system was organized, and the camp soon presented a healthy appearance. The men who but a few days before were in their quiet homes by the family fireside talking of war, were no longer there; their places were vacant and they in camps anxiously awaiting orders to move. Soldiering then was new, the men were no longer free.

On the 26th of August, the Regiment was mustered in the United States service for three years, unless sooner discharged, (or as the men remarked, three years unless sooner shot). Soldiering now commenced in earnest. At first the men unused to discipline were not disposed to obey the rules, but they were soon made to know that they were soldiers, and that Military rules must be obeyed or they be punished. A guard house was built for the purpose of confining those that were disobedient, but it was seldom used, only in case of drunkenness, when the offender was placed in confinement until he became sober. A guard was placed around the camp, each relief posted every two hours, and each man having a certain place to walk until he was relieved by the Corporal or Sergeant of the guard. At night the officer in charge of the guard visited each post to see that every sentinel was doing his duty; it was called the grand rounds. Midnight was the hour chosen. The men were furnished with Sibly tents and a tick filled with straw to sleep on, each tent holding sixteen men; six tents to a company and ten companies in the Regiment. A full company was composed of 87 Privates, 5 Sergeants, and 8 Corporals, with 3 Commissioned Officers, in all 103 men. The companies arranged in alphabetical order. Drills, reviews, inspections and dress parades were the order of the day. The camp was daily thronged with visitors, mostly friends of the soldiers. A cook and cook-house were furnished, each company marched down in single file to their meals. The rations furnished the men were beef, pork, bread, beans, sugar and coffee. The men were now fairly established in camp, and began to wonder when the regiment would move to the front. Furloughs were granted the men, five from each company, as all could not be furnished at once. Several broke guard and escaped, taking French leave, returning before the regiment left for the front. Various rumors were now in circulation, but none of them were reliable. Some of them were that we were going to North Carolina and to Texas, and others that the regiment was to join the Potomac Army, but none knew the destination of the regiment, as there were yet no orders from Washington to move. On the 31st of August the regiment numbered over 950 men; they were ordered to form in line and march to Freehold, 2½ miles from camp. It was a splendid sight. The men were in the best of spirits, and with their new uniforms and burnished guns presented a fine appearance. After marching around the principal streets, the men returned to camp in Dirt Cars, a great many receiving passes to go home while in camp. The nine months' men were rapidly forming the 28th New Jersey, near the camp of the Fourteenth. After the men of the 14th were fast for three years, they envied them, and wished they had gone for nine months; but it was now too late, and they must remain three long weary years, unless the war should sooner end.

On Monday, September 1st, orders were given the men to be ready to leave at daylight the next morning, with three days rations for Washington. At night the guards were ordered to load their muskets and fire upon any one attempting to leave camp. The night was dark and rainy and the camp flooded with water. The next morning three days' rations were furnished the men, of hard tack and dry smoked beef. Tents were taken down and packed up; the men were placed in old baggage cars (a passenger car reserved for the officers,) and bade good bye to the old camp. As the train left, it was thought by the men how many of them would return. Friends were there to see them leave, the last good bye was said, and the cars moved slowly off. Soon the camping ground