History of the Re-union society of the 23d regiment N.J. volunteers
New Jersey infantry. 23d reg't, 1862-1863. [from old catalog]
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A X?*, *' ^ ... ,x^‘/r. . •X^y°w^‘ ■ ■ ■ -y. • ■ . v » \A A'- V * V A^ * #o • * * 4 A°^ .Or 0 * 6 ** A aV V\ \0 vv +' r\ ' ^ A'l'iW ° {v^ T’ .0’ ^ " * D N o °* <P <)*.•••'**> V% •• • y v^l!K' ^ ."jA^^'/Vi p N.- v -SSSMK5* v^ xu ^ ' ^sv/iyjp * * ^ °0 * * .i -. * 1 A° y '*'^^'1 ’ ^ y » LVl', > 4 .A <f. I HISTORY OF THE Re -Union Society OF THE 23d Regiment N. J. Volunteers ORGANIZED DECEMBER 13, 1888. PHILADELPHIA: KEYSTONE PRINTING CO 1890. 62340 was a T _. _ in the 3V- $. YcIttJtteatt, and having been honorably discharged from the United States service, and complied with our Constitution and By-Laws is a member of the Re-Union Society of the Twenty-Third Regiment New Jersey Volunteers. Attest: President. Secretary. PREFACE The Executive Committee of the “Re-Union Society of the Twenty-Third Regiment N. J. Volunteers,” at a meeting held at Mount Holly, decided to have published for the benefit of the members of said society, this book, containing a history of its organization, constitution and by-laws, original muster roll of regiment, with list of casualties, speeches, and such other matters pertaining to the history of the regiment, as might prove interesting to its members, feeling that in so doing they would be instrumental in placing within the reach of all matters of importance that never perhaps could come to them except through this source, and that If any misstatements have been unconsciously embodied in this work, they will be cheerfully corrected upon the presentation of trustworthy evidence of inaccuracy, in the future publications of this society. Capt. E. H. Kirkbride was selected to assist in preparing this work. J. Ridgway English, Isaac E. Shivers, John P. Jones, Franklin S. Gaskill, Benjamin S. Shreve, Executive Committee. Edgewater Park, December 13, 1888. By invitation of Col. E. Burd Grubb, the survivors of the Twenty-Third Regiment, New Jersey Volunteers, were requested to meet at his residence at Edgewater Park, on Thursday, December 13th, 1888, for the purpose of once more meeting together in friendly re-union, as well as to take into consideration the propriety of forming themselves into a permanent organization. At the station, some two hundred members of the “Old Yahoos” formed into line, and, after selecting Capt. E. H. Kirkbride as commander, proceeded in light marching order to assault the beautiful home of our much loved colonel, on the banks of the Delaware; on reaching which the command was brought to a “front,” and Colonel Grubb introduced by the officer in command, amid waving of hats, shouts of joy, and tears of happiness. At the command “break ranks” one grand rush was made for our old commander, which must have convinced him that for his noble conduct toward the “boys” while at the front he had engrafted himself so deeply in their affections that a quarter of a century of peace had not obliterated the love they then cherished for him. Many a tear was seen to trickle down the cheek of both Colonel and soldier as they clasped hands for the first time since the war. The grounds were beautifully decorated and everything to make the day a pleasant one, regardless Of expense, had been done; on the broad lawn east of the mansion a large tent was pitched, and in front of it was a huge “camp fire,” not of “green pine,” but of dry hickory cord wood, affording more grateful warmth than was accorded the regiment twenty-six years ago by the “Johnies” at Fredericksburg. The arrangements were in charge of Joseph R. Ridgway Post, No. 21, G. A. R., of Beverly, and they deserve great credit for the manner in which they did their work. All over the grounds could be seen groups of comrades, talking over the times they had spent together on the tented field, or trying to recognize each other after time in its ceaseless revolution of twenty-five years had wrinkled the brow and silvered the hair. Some two hours were spent in this pleasant manner when we were invited to assemble in the spacious hall of the mansion, where Col. Grubb welcomed the boys with these beautiful remarks: “With all my heart I welcome you, my old comrades in arms; I ought to feel as happy as a soldier can, when twenty-five years after the war I see before me, my old comrades, and the flag under which we fought, nothing is wanting to complete my happiness save the faces of those who are absent, and I trust that this is but the first of many.” More happy reunions. Chaplain Abbott was then called upon and offered up the following prayer: "Almighty God, source of all good, we bow our hearts before Thee with thankfulness. Thy providences toward us have been well directed; Thy mercies generous, Thy grace abundant and free. Our preserved lives with associated blessings attest Thy great goodness. Years of peace and general prosperity have passed and we are engaged in this re union of our regiment." Many of our comrades have fallen, some at the front during the fury of battle, others have been called from the peaceful pursuits of home. Some still remain in the ranks of life and duty. God of the brave and true, let Thy blessings crown the resting place of our dead comrades, and divinely protect the widow and the orphan. Bless our nation in all her great interests, in all sections, among all classes, and may the voice of rebellion be heard no more. Bless all who are in authority, and may our rulers love God and work righteousness, that the homes of the people may continue blessed. We are today sharing the kind hospitality of our beloved commander whose name is an inspiration to us all. We bless Thee, Oh God! for the honor thy servant achieved on hotly contested fields of battle, weaving an imperishable record for soldierly bearing and gentle manly kindness. We praise Thee that he is blessed with this. palatial home and its beautiful surroundings. Continue Thou to smile upon him and his, making home a constant center of happy attractions. Now grant us the help of Thy truth and grace that each one may love and serve Thee as Thou do’st require. We offer Thee our thanks, and petition for mercy in the name of Christ our adorable Redeemer, Amen. Before proceeding with his address, the colonel unfolded the “Old Yahoo” flag, which has been in his possession since the war, and the sight of which seemed to set the boys wild, as cheer upon cheer greeted it, such as can only be given by those who willingly offered their lives for its protection, and whose very threads are interwoven with the heart strings of those who had fought under its folds, and again would swear allegiance for its protection. This flag, a beautiful silk stand of National colors was presented to the regiment by Mayor Alfred Thompson, and was known throughout the army as the “ Yahoo” flag, from the fact that it bore On its face, the following inscription: “Twenty-third Regiment, New Jersey Yahoos,” a name given the regiment one night after “taps,” by General Torbert who directed one of his aids to go over and stop that noise of those Twenty-third “Yahoos.” ADDRESS BY COL. E. BURD GRUBB. On the fourth of August, 1862, President Lincoln ordered that a draft of 300,000 volunteers be immediately called to the service of the United States to serve for nine months unless sooner discharged. The quota of New Jersey was designated as 10,478, and the regulations for the draft were announced, providing that an enrollment be immediately made of all able-bodied male citizens between the ages of 18 and 45 years, and that the draft be made on the third of September. The State authorities at once took the necessary steps to meet the requirements of this order, but a general desire being manifested by the people of the State to fill the quota by voluntary enlistment, it was announced that volunteers in lieu of drafted men would be received up to the first of September, but that the draft would positively take place at the time appointed in any township which should not by that time have furnished the full number of men required. Everywhere throughout the State, the utmost enthusiasm and energy were exhibited, not only by those liable to the conscription, but by citizens of all ages and classes. For several days previous to that fixed for the draft, men poured into camp by The thousands, and by the evening of the second of September, the five camps contained 10,800 volunteers. This number was subsequently reduced, by medical examination, to 10,714, being 236 more than the number called for. The camps were as follows, viz: Camp No. 1 at Trenton, No. 2 at Beverly, No. 3 at Freehold, No. 4 at Newark, Brig. Gen. N. Halstead, Commander. G. M. Robeson, " Lieut. Col. Height, Brig. Gen. Van Vorst, Alex. Donaldson, " On the morning of the third the State authorities had the satisfaction of announcing to the Adjutant-General of the United States that the quota of New Jersey was in camp, without a single drafted man. As rapidly as possible, after being received in camp the men were organized into companies and regiments, clothed, uniformed, equipped and placed under instruction, and by the 10th of October all had left for the field. The Twenty-third, commanded by Col. J. S. Cox, was mustered into the United States service on the 13th of September, 1862, and comprised 39 officers and 955 enlisted men, making a total of 994, which left the State on the 26th day of September. Let us now look at the condition of the country at this time and the condition of the army which the Twenty-third New Jersey joined. These were what might well be called the darkest days of the war. War. In June, McClellan had floundered through the Chickamauga, leaving half of his magnificent army dead, wounded or prisoners; in August, Pope had offered himself as a target for the victorious legions of Lee, and Lee made a bull’s-eye of him. The veterans of the Army of the Potomac had crowded in front of the victorious rebels on northern soil, and only a few days before the Twenty-third New Jersey joined the Sixth Corps, the very doubtful battle of Antietam had been fought. The regiment, after leaving New Jersey, proceeded to Washington and went into camp at East Capitol Hill; a few days after this, it moved to Frederick City, Md., where it remained until the eighth of October, when it started for Bakersville to join the First New Jersey Brigade, with which it was ever after identified. Remaining at Bakersville until the 30th, the regiment marched with the brigade towards New Baltimore, and while here Col. Cox was relieved from command by Col. Torbert and Lieut. Col. H.O. Ryerson of the Second New Jersey regiment was placed in charge of the Twentieth-third. On the first day of November, the march was resumed, and on the ninth, the Potomac was crossed and the regiment pushed on with the army in the march towards Fredericksburg. At this time, Maj. Thompson and Adjt. Winans left the regiment, Lieut. Perkins of Company G being promoted to the place of the latter. On the 16th, the regiment broke camp and proceeded to Catlett’s Station and thence to Stafford Court House. Where it remained a fortnight, drilling actively. While here, Capt. E. Burd Grubb of the Third New Jersey, then serving on the staff of Col. Torbert, was commissioned Major of the Twenty-third in place of Albert Thompson resigned and joined the regiment on the third of December on the march to Falmouth, Va. The regiment approached the river on the afternoon of the 10th of December and lay along the bank about a quarter of a mile back of it, and on the evening of the 11th witnessed the cannonading and bombardment of the city and the heroic crossing of the river in the face of the enemy’s fire by the Michigan regiment, one of the most magnificent sights in all the war. At early dawn on the 12th, the Twenty-third was ordered to cross the river. The men had been aroused an hour before daylight and coffee had been made. The daylight broke with a thick fog hanging over the river and city of Fredericksburg, and as they climbed down the bank and almost groped along the slippery pontoon, doubtless the thoughts of many there were made more sombre by the death-like pall of mist that hung about them. On crossing, the regiment was formed in column of division in its place in the brigade and went out into the mist, which was so thick that one division could scarcely see the other in its front. After marching out about a quarter of a mile from the river bank, the brigade halted and line of battle was formed, here they remained in line of battle, unable to see anything and hearing nothing except muffled sounds in the fog around them, not a shot, not a challenge, nothing, until between nine and ten. O'clock. In the rear of the Twenty-third was heard the trampling of horses and some of the officers upon investigation, reported a very heavy line of Union cavalry just in our rear. Some of the officers had also been in front of our line a short distance and they immediately reported to the commanding officer that there was a ravine running parallel with our line of battle, which was extremely deep and with very precipitous sides. A short time after this and very fortunately before the fog lifted, the column withdrew across the river, before however they did succeed in crossing, the lifting of the fog permitted their enemy’s artillery to see them; it was here that Gen. Bayard, the commander of the cavalry, was killed by a cannon shot. About 10 o’clock the fog lifted, and being dispersed by the rays of the bright December sun, was soon rolled up, and the day was clear and bright. With the first lifting of the fog came the sounds of battle from the right and left, and when the veil of heaven was lifted from the spires of Fredericksburg, the veil of battle rose and took its place. With the chances and mischances and the management and mismanagement of that terrible battle, beyond what happened to the Twenty-third New Jersey, we have nothing to do. When the fog lifted, and just in front of the Twenty-third, about fifty yards away and on the edge of the deep ravine, stood a small cedar tree, probably about 30 feet high, and, flying from its top was a red and white rag, which for a few moments no one paid any particular attention to. Suddenly, from the hill directly in front of the regiment and about 1,200 yards away, came a puff of smoke, and the Twenty-third New Jersey felt the thrill of the first hostile shell it had ever heard. The shell struck the ground within 10 feet of the root of the cedar tree, and bounding over the heads of the men, exploded in the rear. In the next three or four minutes half a dozen other shells were fired and it became evident that the cedar tree was the range which the rebel cannoneers were using. Having received permission from Col. Torbert, Col. Ryerson crowded the regiment forward into the ravine in order to protect them from what was becoming very good. Artillery practice. As the regiment passed over the edge of the ravine in line of battle, two shells were fired, one of which took off Col. Ryerson’s hat, without injury to its owner, and the other exploded just over the regiment and a piece of it went through the arm of private Elias Gibbs, of Company A, of Burlington. As soon as the regiment marched into the ravine it was entirely sheltered from this annoying artillery fire, which was replied to by that time by Hexamer’s Battery on our side. The batteries on the left, a mile or two away, were actively engaged with the enemy’s batteries on their front, and a hot fight was going on at Fredericksburg on our right. In the woods on our left was Franklin’s left grand division. We remained in this ravine about two hours, when we were moved by the right flank out of the ravine to the front and ordered to lie down in a corn-stubble field, in line of battle. Directly in front Of the Twenty-third, some companies of the Fifteenth New Jersey regiment were deployed as skirmishers and were engaged in picket firing with the enemy’s skirmishers. About opposite the left flank of the Twenty-third was a ravine running perpendicular to our line of battle and at a distance of about 200 yards from us a railroad crossed by means of an embankment and culvert, and along the bottom of this ravine and through the culvert, trickled a little rivulet. I will now again take up Foster’s narrative, which says: “At this time the battle was raging all along the line, but the brigade was not actually engaged until three o’clock, when Col. Torbert was ordered to advance one regiment, supported by a second, for the purpose of drawing the enemy from a position which it was important to occupy, two regiments of the Third brigade being at the same time placed under his orders. Col. Torbert at once ordered Col. Hatch, of the Fourth regiment, with about 300 men, to advance and take the position, simultaneously directing the left of the picket line with its reserve, under Maj. Brown, of the Fifteenth, to support the movement. These troops promptly advanced in the most handsome manner, under a severe fire of grape and canister, and then, reaching favorable ground, led by the gallant Hatch, charged the enemy’s position, driving them from it with great loss, and capturing twenty-five prisoners. Rallying, however, the rebels again returned to the fray, and the position becoming critical, the Twenty-third regiment under Col. Ryerson, and two regiments of the Third brigade, were hurried forward as a support — six companies of the Twenty-third becoming immediately engaged in fighting bravely. At this moment, however, when everything was favorable to our arms, Col. Torbert was ordered to halt the remainder of the supports and fall back from the railroad, holding it by pickets only. The charge of the Fourth down the ravine and up to the railroad was very handsome, the firing and fighting being very hot. The Twenty-third looked on for a few moments at the first fight they had ever seen, which was taking place within 200 yards of them and nearly opposite their left flank. By the time the blue coats of the Fourth regiment disappeared entirely from our view, driving the rebels back through the underbrush which fills the ravine, the order came for the Twenty-third to rise and fix bayonets, and immediately afterward the order was given, left face, column right, double quick, and away they went along the right bank of the ravine and in column of fours, directly on the railroad embankment. They had hardly risen before they were opened. Upon by 18 guns, and from that moment until they reached the shelter of the railroad embankment, driving the enemy helter skelter before them, they were subjected to a most terrible fire of artillery and small arms. Just before the regiment changed formation from column to line of battle, one shell burst in the ranks of Company K and wounded 10 men, and but for the fact that the aim of the rebel artillerists was a little too high, I do not believe it would have been possible for the regiment to have made the magnificent charge that it did. Just as the left of the regiment reached the embankment, the order was given, right face, left wheel, which brought the regiment by wheel up to the railroad embankment, and in making this wheel they drove out and scattered before them all the enemy who were on our side of the embankment. Just before our line of battle reached the embankment, and when they were probably within 50 yards of the plunging fire of the artillery from the hills, which was very severe, and also the rifle fire from the enemy on the embankment, which was very deadly, some confusion ensued, and in fact a slight momentary panic, the line wavered and fell back probably 40 or 50 steps, and The right of the line crowded in towards the left so much as to force four companies down into the ravine. Almost instantly rallying, they turned again, and in this turn, Capt. Jos. Ridgway of Company G, was instantly killed, and Capt. Samuel Carr of Company F, Lieut. James F. Budd of Company F, and 25 men were wounded. Very steadily and very gallantly and under a heavy fire, the six companies which were on the right of the ravine advanced to the railroad embankment which was the position which they were ordered to take. The left of the six companies rested on the culvert and the officer in command, Maj. Grubb, went there instantly to communicate with the officer in command of the Fourth regiment, Col. Hatch, his senior, who was of course then in command of the Twenty-third and the Fourth, they acting together. Col. Hatch crossed the culvert, walked through the rivulet to communicate with the commander of the Twenty-third, and as he did So several shots came through the culvert from the other side. In the conference which ensued between the two officers, Col. Hatch stated that he had just received orders from Col. By the fall of Col. Hatch, the command of the detachment of the Fourth and Twenty-third developed upon the commander of the six companies of the Twenty-third, Maj. Grubb, to whom an aid of Col. Torbert immediately brought an order directing him to withdraw, and this was done along the sides of the ravine, time being taken to pour one well-aimed solid volley at close range, into two small regiments of the enemy which had crossed the railroad below the ravine, and coming up expected doubtless to capture easily those within. This volley, aided by a similar one from the Fourth Vermont, which had been moved up below the ravine, broke the enemy and caused them to retire beyond the embankment. The Twenty-third was conducted back to its position in the cornfield and remained that night on the edge of the deep ravine through which it had marched in the morning. On the following morning, the men were relieved and fell back to the shelter of the bluff, where the line was re-formed and marched to the Place of bivouac. Here the command remained until the night of the 15th, when with the brigade, it re-crossed the river, and on the 16th encamped out of the reach of the rebel fire — on the 20th reaching White Oak Church and going into winter quarters. The regiment encamped in a pine woods, which was gradually cleared away for the purposes of the camp, and remained there in shelter tents, beneath which the men made themselves more comfortable by digging holes in the ground, some of which went down a distance of seven and eight feet. The regiment rapidly perfected itself in drill discipline, in brigade drills and brigade dress parades, which were here originated by Gen. Torbert, and in which the Twenty-third soon exhibited marked proficiency. On the eighth of January, 1863, orders were given to strike camp, and the regiment being drawn up in line of battle had Gen. Burnside's celebrated battle order read to them and proceeded to join in what is known as the “mud” march. After moving up the river beyond Falmouth, the regiment went into bivouac between four and five o’clock in the afternoon, in a pine woods along side of the road. As night fell it commenced sleeting, raining and snowing, and for the next two days the regiment had a most miserable experience, and the exposure and hardships of those two days in the sleet and snow in the pine woods without tents, caused the death and disablement of many a good man. On the morning of the second day, the weather cleared up but did not get cold, and the mud on the roads seemed to be practically fathomless. The Twenty-third was detailed to do duty in pulling the pontoons back, not from the river but from the roads near the river where They were stuck in the mud, and it will appear almost incredible, but it is nevertheless true, that the average possibility of 400 men on the ropes pulling one pontoon, was to move it 100 yards an hour. In several cases it was found necessary to give the men rations of whiskey when they had by almost superhuman efforts, succeeded in pulling the pontoon to the top of a small hill. Gen. Brooks and some of his staff attempted to cross the road where the Twenty-third was working, but the General was thrown from his horse into the mud and very narrowly escaped drowning. Lieut. Col. Milnor, a few minutes afterwards, had almost precisely a similar accident. The mud holes through which the pontoons were dragged, were in some instances eight feet deep. The men worked from early morning until after the middle of the afternoon when the task was accomplished and the regiment was marched back to its old camp at White Oak Church. It was dismal work trying to make themselves comfortable, by cleaning the snow and sleet out of the holes that had been comfortable quarters until their shelter tents were removed and they were open to the weather; however, this was soon made better and the regiment re-commenced its daily routine of drill and picketing down the Rappahannock toward the left of the army, and furnishing details for corduroying the roads, which during that time, were being made down towards the river. At this time, on the ninth of March, E. Burd Grubb, who had been promoted to be Lieut. Col. on the 24th of December in place of Lieut. Col. George Brown resigned, was made colonel of the regiment, Col. Ryerson having been transferred to the Tenth New Jersey then doing provost-guard duty at Washington. On the 29th of April, the Twenty-third regiment crossed the Rappahannock with the brigade two miles below Fredericksburg and took position in a line with the rifle-pits facing the enemy, and a little below the Bannard House, in which position it remained under occasional shell and picket fire, but without any serious engagement, until the morning of the third of May, when the Sixth Corps moved to assault the Heights of Fredericksburg. The following description is taken from Foster’s narrative: “Here, says one who participated in the engagement, the men at once became exposed to a shower of missiles, and all the horrors of desperate battle were revealed to view.” Soon the terrible fire of the enemy began to take effect in the ranks — Captain Severs of Company C, being badly wounded, and a number of the men more or less seriously injured. On the right, the storming party was seen steadily advancing up the Heights, and soon breaking into a run, the whole line swept over the works, and turning the guns upon the flying rebels, commanded Fredericksburg and the Heights. The enemy thus driven from his position, the Twenty-third, with the brigade, was ordered to advance, and moving rapidly through Fredericksburg, proceeded some three miles along the plank road in the direction of Chancelorsville, steadily pushing the enemy before them. At this time the Twenty-third was in column on the right of the brigade, and led going up the road which was fringed with thick pine trees, suddenly the right of the regiment emerged from these woods. Here the road passed through wheat fields then clad in the early verdure of spring, and on the left-hand side of the road, about 500 yards from the edge of the woods, stood a farm house. Gen. Brooks, who was sitting on his horse in the middle of the road, directed Col. Grubb to place his Regiment in line of battle on the left of the road with the right of the regiment resting on the road. Col. Grubb gave the order, column left, on the right by file into line, and on riding into the field where his men were coming into line, he saw directly in front of them and at a distance of probably 800 yards, a line of battle of the enemy, and in the garden of the farm house mentioned, he noticed several field pieces. The men came up rapidly into position, the colors and general guides were thrown out on the line, and just as the two wings of the regiment were deployed, the enemy opened fire with his artillery. The first shell killed the horse of the commander of the regiment, killed one of the color guard and severely wounded another, also wounding Lieut. Budd and several of the color company. Undismayed by this, the men came quickly into line and the order being given to move forward, went on a double quick. As soon as the regiment moved towards the artillery it was limbered up and driven along the road to a line of battle. The enemy moved back slowly and RE-UNION SOCIETY sullenly and disappeared in the thick pine woods leaving only its skirmishers, who then briskly engaged the skirmishers of the Second which overlapped the front of the Twenty-third. The regiment passed a hedge where it was halted, and then moving forward again, was halted and given a moment’s breathing spell just at the edge of the woods into which the enemy had disappeared. Each man holding his piece at a “ready,” they plunged forward into the underbrush and pine which was so thick that it was impossible to see into it at any distance at all. Going through this perhaps 20 yards they came suddenly upon a line of battle of the enemy standing ready for them at a distance of not over 60 yards away. It is difficult to say exactly which fired the first, the Colonel of the Twenty-third gave the order to fire the instant he saw the enemy and he thinks, and always has thought, that his men fired a fraction of a second before the rebels did. Dead. At the same time an officer from the right company, called to the colonel that the right had been turned. The colonel went to the left of the regiment, ascertained that the One Hundred and Twenty-first New York, which had been on the left of the Twenty-third, was not in its place, and seeing imminent danger of capture, ordered the Twenty-third to fall back. This retreat was made in as orderly a manner as possible under the circumstances. The enemy did not advance immediately, but by the time the fragments of the First New Jersey Brigade had reached a distance of 100 yards beyond the woods in their retreat, the enemy came to the edge of the woods and opened a deadly fire upon them. The colors of the Twenty-third were shot down twice; Lieut. Sibley of Company A, was shot dead while taking the colors up. Steadily and sullenly, and firing in the face of their pursuing foe, the men of the Twenty-third withdrew along the road until they reached a battery of light artillery perhaps 500 steps from where The battle had been fought, and here they halted and turned. The Second Division of the Sixth Corps came up, and the enemy, which did not approach beyond the fringe of the woods, retreated into them, being probably prevented as much as anything else from pursuing, by the fact that the woods having caught fire from the battle were burning fiercely in their rear. On the following morning, the fourth, we fell back, with batteries in line of battle and infantry in support, ready for the coming fight. All day we lay here, our part of the line not being attacked until late in the afternoon, when a fierce assault was made, with which, however, we had nothing to do. In this assault, the enemy suffered terribly from our guns, his line seeming to melt away before their discharges until nothing was left. Just before dark, one company of each regiment was ordered to be deployed as skirmishers and thrown out one hundred yards in advance of the line. This detail was intended to be sacrificed, if necessary, to the safety of the corps. For, just after dark, orders to begin the retreat were given. The Twenty-third was among the regiments honored with this detail as rear-guard. Once we were halted, deployed, and preparations made for a combat in the dark, but the rebels gave up the pursuit, being probably fearful of an ambuscade, when our retreat was resumed and continued until we arrived in the vicinity of United States Ford. Here the enemy came up with us, and during the remainder of the night maintained a desultory fire, but without any serious effect. So exhausted were the men on their arrival at the ford that they threw themselves on the ground without shelter or blankets and were almost immediately asleep. Just at dawn on the fifth we crossed the river, and about eight o’clock halted for rest, still in full view of the enemy, who soon opened fire, continuing it until noon — happily without inflicting any damage. Late in the afternoon we received orders to return to the river bank to prevent the capture or burning of the pontoon boats, which, though swung to our side, it was impossible to remove from the water, owing to the sharp pursuit of the enemy. Soon after Taking position, rain began to fall, continuing during the entire night, and gradually increasing in volume until it seemed a very deluge. The men of course suffered the greatest discomfort, but with the morning the storm ceased, and a regiment appearing to relieve us, we marched to our starting point, whence on the following day we proceeded to White Oak Church, in the vicinity of which we encamped, and for a brief season were permitted to rest. The loss of the Twenty-third in this action was, officers, four killed and seven wounded; enlisted men, 20 killed, 57 wounded and 31 missing; a greater loss than that of any regiment in the brigade except the Fifteenth. On the last day of May, the regiment went out for a final tour of picket duty, returning to camp on the third of June. All thought was now turned homeward and we were hourly in expectation of receiving orders from Washington, the term of service of the regiment expiring on the 13th of June. But hardly had we returned from picket, when it was rumored that we were again to be sent across the Rappahannock, at first this was deemed incredible, but the inevitable “three days cooked rations” were prepared and orders came to march at daylight the following day. The regiment then proceeded to the banks of the river, where it remained until the following day, when it crossed, and under cover of the ensuing night threw up a breastwork extending along the entire front of our position in front of the city and Heights of Fredericksburg. The enemy, immediately upon discovering us, opened fire, but without inflicting any loss. Each day still further strengthened our works, and a couple of sandbag batteries for the mounting of some heavy guns, were fast approaching completion, when finally orders came for our return to Beverly, to be mustered out. Accordingly, we re-crossed the Rappahannock, and marched directly to Falmouth, going thence by rail to Belle Plain Landing, and from that point by steamer to Washington. In due time, Beverly was reached amid general acclamations, and the men separated on furlough, awaiting the completion of the preparations for muster-out. But the Twenty-third was to see further service before it was finally disbanded. Late in June, the country was startled by the news of Lee’s advance into Pennsylvania, and the supposed danger of Harrisburg, the Capital of the State. Then a few days later came the stirring proclamation of Gov. Parker, appealing to the people and regiments not yet disbanded or in process of formation, to hasten to the aid of a sister State. When this appeal was issued, less than half of the members of the Twenty-third were in camp, but Col. Grubb promptly ordered the “assembly” and asked all who would follow him to step two paces to the front. Not a man hesitated. Transportation was at once telegraphed for, but it was late in the day before it was furnished. In the dusk of the evening, the regiment landed at Walnut street wharf in Philadelphia, and preceded by a band, marched through the crowded streets, greeted at every step by peals of cheers, to the Harrisburg depot, whence it being impossible to procure transportation, it proceeded to the corner of Twenty-seventh and Market streets, where it was quartered for the night. On the following morning, after some delay and a great deal of trouble, Col. Grubb succeeded in procuring a train of coal cars in which the men were stowed as comfortably as possible, and so carried to Harrisburg, now supposed to be closely menaced by the rebels. Reaching the city, however, the men who had been so eager To get on, found no excitement whatever, much to their surprise. The Twenty-third was the first regimental organization to reach the city, but strangely enough, it was coolly rather than enthusiastically received by the people whom it had made such haste to defend. New Jersey may well be proud of the record of the gallant regiment whose services are here best imperfectly narrated. In every action in which it was called upon to take part, it exhibited distinguished gallantry, and in the ranks, sadly thinned by the casualties of the field, were soldiers whose names deserve to be written side by side with the best and noblest of the Republic. Many of the officers and men again, in other organizations, met the nation’s foe, and fought through the war, some attaining high and deserved promotion. The Thirty-seventh New Jersey was largely composed of members of the Twenty-third, the Fortieth also drew many of its members from the same noble organization. The Third Cavalry took many more, while numbers still re-enlisted in the older regiments and earned fresh distinction on later fields. During the delivery of his address, the Colonel was frequently interrupted by bursts of applause or “you” "Right," "I saw that myself," and other such expressions, showing the deep interest all felt in its delivery. After this all were invited to partake of a splendid collation, not of "hard tack" and bean soup such as we had at the "front," but a "set out" such as only caterer Dubell knows how to get up, and to which all did ample justice. On re-assembling around the "campfire," we were treated to a beautiful display of fire works by daylight, which afforded much amusement to all, until called to order by the colonel for the purpose of forming a permanent organization. 