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, NewJersey Volunteers; its various BATTLES and MARCHES, from the time of itsdeparture from New Jersey until its return; giving full details of everyevent that transpired; the author having taken an active part in thosememorable battles of the Potomac Army—the Maryland Campaign, theWilderness, Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor and Petersburg; finally ending inthe capture of Lee's Army, the occupation of Richmond and Petersburg byour 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 answeredthe call and rushed to arms. The Farmer leaves his plough, the Merchanthis store, and all join in one compact body to avenge the insultperpetrated upon our FLAG.
It is not a Foreign foe; but a war upon our soil—a civil war. Ourforces have been defeated and driven back; the rebel capital, almostwithin our grasp, has been wrested from us, and the enemy, flushed withvictory, are marching with countless hordes upon our almost defencelessCapitol. The disastrous defeat of McClellan from before Richmond hasawakened a feeling among the Northern people that something more activemust be done, that we are dealing with a wily foe prepared for war andbent upon the destruction of our once happy and prosperous Union.Congress having met, it was decided to call for more troops to assist inputting down this wicked rebellion, our army having been fearfullydecreased by sickness and by battles; the swamps of Virginia and thebroiling sun of a Southern clime have sent numbers to their graves. Ourarmy must be re-organized, and that speedily; fresh troops must fill theranks of those that are no more. A call for Six Hundred Thousand troopswas made; it resounded throughout the North, and soon our decimatedranks were refilled by men who but shortly before were engaged in thepeaceful pursuits of life, who are now stern warriors, armed andequipped for the fearful struggle awaiting them. Under that call the14th New Jersey Regiment was raised, a band of noble men from variousportions of the State. On the 8th of July, 1862, the Regiment was formedon the Old Battle Ground of Freehold, Monmouth Co., New Jersey, WilliamS. Truex appointed Commander. For nearly two months the officers werebusily engaged in preparing the men for the future; companies wereorganized, armed and equipped.[6] Men enlisting daily, not for bounties,but for patriotism; and soon the regiment was ready for its departurefor the seat of war. Tents were placed on a line, each company byitself