Military unit
The 9th New Jersey Infantry Regiment (also called Jersey Muskrats) was an American Civil War infantry regiment from New Jersey that served from October 1861 through July 1865 in the Union Army. The regiment got its nickname, "Jersey Muskrats", during the Battle of Roanoke Island when they successfully "sloshed through shoe sucking mud into waist deep water in "division" formation", giving the regiment a two-company front flanking the enemy. The regiment was the last to leave the state in 1861 but the first to see battle.
The 9th took part in the Burnside Expedition into North Carolina. The regiment remained in North Carolina with the occupation force until early 1864 when the first enlistment was up. In January 1864 the regiment went back to New Jersey where more than 50% of those whose three-year term was about to expire reenlisted. This allowed the regiment to add "Veteran" to the name, a mark of distinction for the men. Those who reenlisted for three more years were given a 30-day veteran furlough. The regiment then moved into Virginia leading to the Siege of Petersburg. The 9th was then transferred back to North Carolina for garrison duty for the remainder of the war.
Formation.
The 9th New Jersey Infantry Regiment was raised as a regiment of riflemen with broadsides posted throughout the state during September 1861 for 'sharpshooters', men who could show proficiency with a rifle. Recruiting started in September but the first muster occurred on 5 October at Camp Olden near Trenton. The camp was named for the governor of New Jersey, Charles Smith Olden. The regiment's nickname was the "Jersey Muskrats".
The regiment was issued new Springfield rifle-muskets (possibly the Springfield Model 1861) in late November after being issued smoothbore muskets. The men, recruited as sharpshooters, protested and Governor Olden made a special request to get the best weapon available to men.
Key training dates:
Federal service.
The 9th moved out of Camp Olden on 4 December for Washington, D.C., to join the Union Army. The regiment participated in the North Carolina Expedition (also called the "Burnside Expedition") into Roanoke Island, North Carolina, commanded by Ambrose Burnside.
Key service dates: (non-battle related)
First battle.
The first test of the regiment came in February 1862 during the Burnside Expedition to Roanoke Island in North Carolina.
The regiment was assigned to the command of Brigadier-General Jesse L. Reno, embarked on two naval vessels on 10 January, and made for Fortress Monroe. They remained there for two days when sail was made and the vessels headed south. The next day the ships anchored at Hatteras Inlet.
Colonel Joseph Allen and Dr. Weller (Surgeon) drowned while returning to the ship, Ann E. Thompson, from a meeting with General Burnside on 15 January. Lieutenant-Colonel Heckman, Adjutant Zabriskie, and Quartermaster Keys were also aboard the gig but survived. Heckman assumed command. There were other incidents reported by ships in and around the inlet (e.g. sand bars, etc.).
On 7 February, the force landed on Roanoke Island and entrenched for the evening. The 9th was in Second Brigade, under General Reno. At 6 o'clock the next morning (8 Feb.), First Brigade advanced against the enemy. The 9th was ordered forward about 8 o'clock to pass the 51st New York and report to General Foster.
The 9th lost 9 killed and 25 wounded.
Into North Carolina.
On 11 March 1862 the regiment boarded ships again and landed the next day at the mouth of the Neuse River. The brigade attacked an entrenched enemy position the morning of the 14th. Their destination was New Bern, North Carolina (sometimes written as "Newberne"). The 9th lost 4 killed and 58 wounded.
When Burnside and most of the Expedition force transferred to Virginia, the 9th remained in the Carolinas as part of an 8,000-man coastal occupation force. In May 1862, two companies were disbanded and the men were distributed to fill out the ranks of the other companies; this left the 9th with the usual 10 companies of an infantry regiment instead of the original 12.
Regimental headquarters was set up near "Carolina City", the companies were assigned railroad guard and garrison duty throughout the area.
The regimental headquarters remained in barracks during the Battle of Fort Macon on 25 and 26 April 1862 but various companies were assigned picket duty to guard the approaches from Wilmington.
On 26 July 1862 Colonel Heckman led six companies of the 9th to Young's Cross Roads. Colonel Heckman and Surgeon Woodhull were slightly wounded during this skirmish.
Company B was involved in a skirmish near New Bern on 31 August 1862. A corporal was wounded in the hand. Two more companies went after the enemy and returned with several prisoners.
Major-General John G. Foster led an expedition to Tarboro, North Carolina (also called "Tarborough") starting 31 October 1862. The force met heavy resistance about 4 o'clock in the afternoon on 2 November. Second Brigade, commanded by a Colonel Stevenson, ordered the 44th Massachusetts forward but they retired after a brief engagement. The 24th Massachusetts was then brought forward to engage the enemy but they were also forced back under heavy fire. The 9th rushed forward past the enemy fort and the bridge fired by the enemy to reach a clay bank beyond the swamp near Rowell's Mills.
Colonel Heckman and Company I of the 9th attacked across the still burning bridge into the enemy fort. Other components of the regiment forded the water above and below the bridge. Faced with this attack the enemy abandoned their position.
On 8 December 1862 Colonel Heckman was given an independent command that included the 9th New Jersey, a detachment from the 3rd New York Cavalry, and the 1st Rhode Island Battery.
On 11 December, General Foster led another raid intent on disrupting traffic on the Weldon Railroad indirectly supporting General Burnside's attack on Fredericksburg, Virginia. Foster led 10,000 to 12,000 directly west toward Goldsboro, North Carolina (sometimes written as "Goldsborough").
The regiment spent the last part of 1862 on several raids intent on keeping the enemy busy:
Colonel Heckman was promoted to brigadier general for his actions at Goldsboro. Heckman was replaced by Abram Zabriskie, who had been serving as lieutenant-colonel. The New Jersey legislature sent a new state flag to the regiment in recognition of their actions.
Into South Carolina.
On 20 January 1863 the regiment moved out with General Foster's command for South Carolina. The regiment reached St. Helena Island on 9 February or 10 where they remained in drill for two months. After a brief move toward Charleston (see Samuel Francis Du Pont 7 April attack) the regiment moved back to North Carolina.
Back to North Carolina.
On 13 August 1863 Major-General Peck assumed command of the Department of North Carolina from General Heckman. The 9th was sent to Carolina City due to "chills and fever". The regiment remained there for about six weeks. During this time nearly 300 men were unfit for duty. The regiment then moved to Newport News, Virginia on 18–20 October where Heckman's command was based. The 9th remained there for the remainder of 1863.
Re-enlistment (1864).
The first three-year term of enlistment expired in January 1864. 480 men agreed to re-enlist, a result of over 50% (two-thirds actually) and the regiment changed its name from the 9th New Jersey Volunteer Infantry to the 9th New Jersey Volunteer Veteran Infantry. The men re-enlisted for "three years or the war".
Re-enlistment dates:
Since over 50% of the men re-enlisted the regiment became known as the 9th New Jersey "Veteran" Volunteers in January 1864. The regiment joined the Army of the James during the Peninsular Campaign leading to Petersburg, Virginia. 1865 saw the regiment back in North Carolina where they finished the war.
Virginia service.
The regiment reformed at Getty's Station and set sail on 14 April 1864 in a series of movements intended to disguise their true goal. XVIII Corps landed at Bermuda Hundred, Virginia, and took possession of the peninsula. (see also Bermuda Hundred Campaign)
The Star Brigade under General Heckman was ordered toward the Richmond and Petersburg Railroad. On 6 May, the brigade encountered two understrength South Carolina regiments positioned in a sunken road. While outnumbered the Carolinian held ground. General Heckman was wounded and the 9th lost 4 dead and 30 wounded.
On 7 May the Union force moved forward again, slowly pushing the Confederate force back toward the railroad. The 9th suffered an additional 1 killed and 10 wounded.
9 May XVIII and X corps pushed south to Swift Creek, finally able to destroy a portion of the Richmond and Petersburg Railroad. The 9th suffered an additional 1 killed and 9 wounded. Major-General Butler then pulled back to Bermuda Hundred.
Drewry's Bluff.
On 12 May, Butler moved against Drewry's Bluff overlooking the James River. This second battle for Fort Darling at the top of the bluff is officially called the Battle of Proctor's Creek. The battle resulted in 6,000 casualties. XVIII Corps was effectively stopped until Grant and Lee maneuvered their way to Cold Harbor.
The 9th lost more men at Drewry's Bluff than any other engagement of the war.
Note: "Drewry's Bluff" is also spelled "Drury's Bluff".
Colonel Zabriskie was wounded in the throat and later died of his wounds on 24 May. The 9th was not engaged in the following days of the battle, except to defend against attack on 20 May.
Brigadier-General Heckman was captured during this battle. General Butler offered to exchange Major-General Walker for Heckman but the offer was rejected. The Richmond "Examiner" called Heckman's brigade "foot cavalry" when reporting his capture.
The 9th was almost constantly engaged in skirmishes until 29 May when ordered to White House, Virginia, on the Pamunkey River by way of City Point. The regiment then marched to Cold Harbor.
Cold Harbor.
The Battle of Cold Harbor was the last battle of Grant's Overland Campaign. Maj. Gen. William F. "Baldy" Smith's XVIII Corps joined up with Grant's Army of the Potomac at Cold Harbor. The addition of Smith's 16,000 men would extend the Union line. XVIII Corps arrived about 3 o'clock in the afternoon on 3 June 1864.
Second Division under the command of Brig. Gen. John H. Martindale, including the 9th New Jersey, was deployed on the right of Smith's force. The 9th arrived on the field late and was not involved in the bloody Union attacks. The 9th did, however, enter the trenches; the result was 1 enlisted man killed, 1 officer wounded, and 34 enlisted men wounded.
The next several days saw the 9th engaged but not part of any of the costly frontal attacks. By the 12th Grant began the next set of movements that would bring the army to Petersburg. The 9th covered the XVIII Corps withdraw to White House and then Bermuda Hundred.
Upon reaching Bermuda Hundred on 15 June 1864 the nine remaining companies of the 9th plus much reduced 23 Massachusetts were formed into the Provisional Brigade. This was all that was left of Heckman's Star Brigade. The Provisional Brigade was then assigned to X Corps temporarily.
Petersburg.
The 9th marched 35 miles in 12 hours to reach the outskirts of Petersburg in early June. The regiment remained in the muddy trenches and bombproof dugouts until 29 July 1864. Their time in the trenches, however, was anything but dull "sharpshooting and being sharpshot" most of the time.
On 29 July, the 9th moved to provide support for the "Burnside Mine" the next morning. The regiment's exact movements are not known but there was at least one casualty (see below) so they must have been within range of the city defenders.
Known casualties:
After the Crater, the 9th moved back to the trenches and bombproof dugouts.
Back to North Carolina.
On 25 August 1864 the regiment moved to Point of Rocks where they met the recently released General Heckman. He promised to have them transferred back to North Carolina. With that in mind, the regiment was ordered to North Carolina on 17 September.
On 21 October 1864 the 108 surviving veterans that had not reenlisted left North Carolina for home.
On 7 January 1865 Lieutenant J. Madison Drake rejoined the regiment. Lt. Drake had been captured at Drewry's Bluff but escaped by jumping from a train on its way to South Carolina. He had made it back to Union held territory by moving cross country.
Deactivation.
On 12 July 1865 the regiment was mustered out of the army at Goldsborough, North Carolina. The next day the men proceeded by rail to Danville, Virginia. The men then passed through City Point, Baltimore, and Philadelphia to reach Trenton on 18 July. The men were