Part 1

IN CAMP WITH

L COMPANY

Second Regiment

New Jersey Volunteer Infantry

BY

CORPORAL GEORGE W. PETTY

WYNKOOP HALLENBECK CRAWFORD CO. PRINTERS NEW YORK AND ALBANY

To the officers, and the men in the ranks, of my company, and to the memory of departed comrades, this book is respectfully dedicated.

The Author

"God of all nations! Sovereign Lord! In Thy dread name we draw the sword We lift the starry flag on high That fills with light our stormy sky."

PREFACE

In writing this book it has not been my purpose to compile a history of our Company, which would necessitate the gathering together of its records, which of themselves would be dry and uninteresting to the average reader, but such a narrative as would give to our friends a wider knowledge of our everyday life while in the service, and to my comrades that feeling of kinship so dear to the soldier's heart.

PART FIRST

THE MUSTERING

Company L was organized and mustered into the State service June 22, 1893, and assigned as the 11th company of the Second Regiment with headquarters at Paterson, with the following officers: Addison Ely, Captain; Wilkin Bookstaver, First Lieutenant; Joseph J. Blake, Second Lieutenant. Lieutenant Bookstaver resigned in February, 1896, Lieutenant Blake was promoted to First Lieutenant and First Sergeant Robert A. Brunner was promoted to Second Lieutenant. From its first season at rifle practice the Company was a decided factor in the making up of the State records; the first year, out of fifty-six companies it stood sixth, in 1895 it was fourth and in 1897 second on the list with ten sharpshooters and fifty-eight marksmen, pushing Company C of Paterson hard for first honors, that company having twelve sharpshooters and sixty marksmen. A match was arranged in the fall of '97 between the companies composing the Second Battalion, E, F, G and L, ten men constituting a team; this match we won handily.

Matches between the squads proved exciting and interesting, the prize being a silver loving cup donated by Lieutenant Brunner. Our range being on the meadows not only insured safety, but was actually one of the best ranges used by any Company in the State. Our discipline was excellent and our annual inspection invariably showed 100 per cent. The armory was built during the winter of 1896-7, and was formally opened in March, 1897, with a grand fair which was honored by a visit of Governor Griggs and a large number of military and civic officers. It cost about $20,000, and contains, besides a large drill-room, a well appointed stage, meeting rooms and living apartments.

During the winter of 1897-8 particular attention was given to Regimental, Battalion and Company drills in extended order and when spring opened and the mutterings of war were heard, the Company had been drilled quite thoroughly in battle exercises, and an enthusiasm had been instilled, so that every man was on his mettle. It was natural, then, that when the orders came the Company was enabled to turn out a larger percentage of National Guardsmen than any other Company in the regiment. The personnel of the entire body insured an honorable mention in the State annals. Our officers were capable and well liked; and the non-commissioned officers, that body of men in our armies which are the fighting unit, were a potent factor in our make up. How well these officers and subs did their duty the records of details, escorts, provost guards, etc., will show.

April 30, 1898, the orders we had been expecting arrived and from this time on a nervous excitement prevailed in the armory and spread for miles around. Final visits were made; business affairs wound up; underclothing bought, and when Sunday evening arrived it found us all ready to start. During the night the telegraph ticked off the rumors of the battle in Manila harbor, and at dawn all the country was aflame with patriotism and eager to know the facts. Every hour brought fresh tidings of that grand victory and it was with lighter hearts and more cheerful faces that we set about our final task.

Everywhere now was bustle and excitement, but it was freely predicted that we would not get further than Sea Girt, and we heard this repeated so often that we began to be rather anxious to be off, as if afraid the war would end before we had fairly got in it. The time to don our war togs came at last; mothers, sisters and sweethearts were given final injunctions not to worry, just as if we expected they would obey, and then we repaired to the armory, where the excitement was at fever heat and the crowd of sightseers outside pushed and swayed, the boys were impatient to be off. The clear notes of the bugle sound the assembly. The command to fall in is given. The drill-room is hushed, but the excitement is still there. Impatient commands are given and finally the sharp command, "March!" starts us on our journey and the beginning of our little world of warfare.

But bedlam had broken loose. Steadily we marched out of the doorway, only to face a great crowd. Our feelings were various at this time, I doubt not. Personally I wanted to get away from that crowd and felt angry that they should be cheering so, not daring to look aside, but deaf to all the shouts of encouragement. I was fully realizing the fact that it was not such a fine thing to leave home and friends for a perilous two years of strife and bloodshed. Finally reaching the station by a circuitous route, we waited fully an hour for the train. This was extremely trying to us, but amid an outburst of cheers we boarded it bound for camp, and now our spirits rose, for we were off, and instead of looking behind it was forward, and we determined then and there to make the best of everything as we found it, and that duty in its plainest, boldest light lay before us, and now was the time to begin. Our officers and non-coms were hurrying through the cars, making up lists, detailing guards, making assignments. Every engine we passed saluted us with deafening screeches; factory, street and doorway contributed their share of waving handkerchiefs and cheering crowds, the streets of Newark near the station were packed with people, and so the patriotism followed us all the way to Sea Girt, which was reached at four in the evening.

Immediately disembarking, we formed rapidly and marched to the camp grounds, passing in review before the Governor. This was my first view of the War Man of our State. Standing upon a horse block in front of the White House with uncovered head and a sober, serious countenance, Governor Voorhees impressed me with the belief that he, at least, felt the full responsibility of his position. Well and nobly did he fill it. From Trenton he brought his headquarters to Sea Girt and there he stayed until he saw the last regiment depart for the south, having ceaselessly urged forward equipments, personally looked after the comfort of the men, taken a deep and thoughtful interest in all our surroundings, and finally bid us Godspeed upon our journey, a loyal, devout patriot.

As we marched to our streets ominous mutterings and black storm clouds in the west warned us to get sheltered as quickly as possible; and at the word, ranks were broken and a wild scramble for tents began; but we were soon roused out again to get sacks of straw to sleep upon. This news was comforting, for the fresh green sod, still moist from recent rains, was anything but inviting. The sacks were intended for two battalions. Our battalion was to have had cots. There was considerable confusion and orders got mixed, so we sailed in with the other fellows to get sacks. These were stored at the rear of the mess houses about 200 yards back of the camp. Eight hundred men got the order at the same time and all made a dash for the pile. The sacks were about seven feet long and it was a most ludicrous spectacle to see the men dragging these clumsy things after them. The field seemed alive with great brown ants crawling after each man. The boys enjoyed the fun greatly. Guards were being posted and we soon made ready for the night. While the blankets were being issued it commenced to rain; and after eating the last crust of bread we had brought from home, we turned in and slept soundly.

Tuesday we received cots, while those tents which could boast of floors were given the sacks.

The rations or "grub" served the first day consisted of a small piece of steak and a whole loaf of bread. The bread broken in half with the meat between would make a home made sandwich that could be eaten on the installment plan. The loaf was our allowance of bread for the day. Coffee of rather doubtful quality was served, also one whole boiled potato, and some of them appeared to have grown for a couple of years. This breakfast was duplicated every day during the week. At dinner the meat ration was varied by bacon, liver or fish.

Mustering officers and surgeons were very busy all the time, and companies of the First and Third were constantly passing our tents, to and from the mustering field. Orders were received to hurry up the mustering of the Second Regiment. Rumor had it that we were to go to Washington in a few days, the Third to stay and the First to go to Chickamauga Park to act with the Regulars in the contemplated invasion of Cuba. During the week the showers and wet fields kept us continually indoors and the first Sunday in camp it rained a flood. The streets were turned into quagmires and every now and then the slip-slop of some soldier passing the tent made the situation all the more gloomy.

Detailed news of Commodore Dewey's victory in Manila harbor reached us Sunday morning. The completeness of it, with such slight injury to ourselves, was pronounced as marvelous and cheering broke through the sodden air, stirring the dripping camp to life and action.

This day was my initiation as Corporal in Guard Mounting and, although the Junior Corporal present, I was detailed to take out the first relief. It rained incessantly and at nine in the evening the guard was dismissed. My face then was quite numb from exposure. At three o'clock the next morning the guard resumed its duty.

The second week turned out to be a pretty stiff one for drills, the weather being less wet. Friday, May 13th, we were examined by Surgeon Brien of our Regiment and all but four passed. One man failed to report; he had left camp for home. In the evening G Company started out with fife and drum to have a good time. They carried nearly the whole Battalion with them to the quarters of the commanding officers, who were repeatedly called out and made short speeches amid much cheering, after which the boys paraded through the camp. They were received with considerable enthusiasm in every street. The escapade proved welcome, for it diverted our thoughts from the weather.

I had been temporarily assigned to the Quartermaster's Department shortly after our arrival at camp and was kept quite busy all the time making up schedules of equipments for each Regiment, and these were completed only within a few days of our departure south. Col. George G. Felton, Deputy Quartermaster-General, was in charge and was a most efficient officer. His department was a hive of industry, unloading cars, filling quotas, making out lists and distributing to the regiments, and when everything had been supplied he viewed with satisfaction as well an equipped force as ever entered the volunteer service of the United States.

While serving here I missed a number of marches the Company participated in, the most notable being the march along the beach and through the thick woods and swamps, ending with a vigorous charge over the sand hills bordering the ocean.

The manual of arms used by the National Guard was abruptly changed to conform to the army manual and this change was brought about in an incredibly short time under the able instruction of our First Lieutenant, and the movements were executed with marked precision. Considerable attention was given to setting up exercises as practiced by the United States Army, so that we became quite proficient in the simpler movements. Though not having enough clear days to go more deeply into the more difficult exercises, the Regiment in companies would be at times seen on the field and it proved quite an interesting sight.

The interesting ceremony of transforming us into soldiers of the United States Army occurred on Saturday afternoon, May 14th, before a large crowd of excursionists. Captain Ely being absent, Lieutenant Blake formed the Company a little after noon and marched us to the front of the mustering tent. Upon the arrival of the Captain the ceremony proceeded.

As our names were called we formed in double time to the right of the officer, the Sergeants and Corporals making the alignment. This was to prove our actual presence. The names were again called. This time the officers formed the first line, the non-commissioned officers the second, and the balance, the third line, in company formation. An opportunity to withdraw was then given, the penalties for disobedience, desertion and other crimes enumerated in the articles of war were explained. He then ordered us to take off our caps, raise our right hands and swear to uphold the Government, fight _all_ its enemies and be true soldiers of the United States, "so help me God." The Regiment was mustered the next day.

The First Regiment received its marching orders May 16th and on the 19th we were formed to escort this finely equipped Regiment to the station. They were bound for Camp Alger, near Washington, D.C. It was believed at the time that this Regiment was to go to Cuba with the first invading army and it was with intense interest that we watched these stalwart men, most of them of Irish fighting stock, loaded down with their equipments march silently past. We gave them a cheer and a Godspeed as their train drew out. The episode sent us back to camp thinking hard over the uncertainties of life and what was to be the outcome of the war.

Up to this time the wet weather had made Sunday services impossible, but Sunday, May 21st, was a grand day and after inspection of quarters the men of the Second and Third Regiments assembled on the lawn at the White House, while flags gayly fluttered, visitors arriving in their best attire, carriages and bicycles on the outskirts, with the ever-present green sward as a background stretching down to the sea, made a memorable picture and as the Governor stepped from the threshold of his cottage he could not but admire the pretty scene.

He motioned that his chair should be placed in the midst of "his boys" instead of a more favorable position but apart from them. He took a lively interest in the service and sang "Onward Christian Soldiers" with as much vim as anybody. Chaplain Glazbrook of the Third early interested his hearers by citing during his discourse an ancient fable of an invincible, conquering warrior and his ultimate end.

As far as appearances went, the last week in camp turned us all into sure enough soldiers, having been fully equipped for field service. The distributing of underwear and clothing was unique in its way. Our Quartermaster took my measure: For blouse, 36-inch; for trousers, 32-inch × 30-inch. This is what was issued to me: Blouse, 38-inch; trousers, 34-inch × 31-inch; blue shirt, 15-1/2-inch; shoes, nothing smaller than 8 or 9. After much protesting I finally consented to take the above to be exchanged later. That later never came. Our Uncle Sammy evidently believed in giving all his soldier boys plenty of room for development.

Each Company now had a cooking arrangement, known as a "Buzzacott," invented by a private of that name in the Regular Army. It consisted of a number of flat bars of iron welded together and resting on legs one foot from the ground and so joined together as to fold up or take apart as necessity demanded, the whole arrangement making a gridiron about two feet wide by four feet long when in use; one field desk and cooking utensils, while each man was provided with one suit of underwear, socks, blue shirt, trousers and blouse of state uniform, campaign hat, web cartridge belt, Springfield rifle, leggings, kit--viz, one each combination frying pan and plate, knife, fork, tablespoon and cup--haversack, knapsack, poncho, blanket and canteen. This outfit would become complete when we received fifty rounds of ammunition and it was just about as much as we could stagger under.

Manasquan had always been an enticing place even during our short stay at camp for rifle practice in former years and it became doubly so now as the boys formed acquaintances there, and notwithstanding the orders, guard running was becoming quite an art and up to this time had been very successful, so when an order was read at dress parade prescribing penalties relating to this subject there were many long faces in the ranks. These penalties were graded according to the seriousness of the offense: guard house one to six days, ditto on bread and water; again for absence without leave, "Carrying a forty pound pack six hours a day for four days." The guilty ones were often seen fore and aft of a wagon bringing sand from the beach for the low places in "Shoulder Strap row" and doing other "chores."

The sentries were given strict orders to prevent this running out at night and the bayonet was sometimes used with disagreeable effect. The bands of discipline were tightened and the Regiment took a great brace. The parades were superb and brought crowds from all the nearby towns, and now that the sun shone the parade ground was a beautiful sight, stretching down to the sea with its hundreds of tents laid out in strict accordance to regulations.

Tent pitching and striking was practiced at every favorable opportunity and was under the charge of a line officer, each Company detail under the immediate supervision of its Artificer, assisted by the Sergeants and Corporals.

Thursday, May 25th, we formed for escort of the Third Regiment. We had a different feeling this time, more of sympathy than otherwise, for they were to do garrison duty at Fort Hancock, Sandy Hook fortifications and at Pompton Plains to guard the powder mills there. It rained hard at midnight just as each section was disembarking at its destination. The Fort Hancock detail had a particularly sorry time of it after leaving the cars.

Monday, May 30th, was observed as a holiday and enough men were gotten together to form a battalion for the purpose of assisting the G.A.R. at their services in Manasquan. This battalion was composed entirely of the Sons of Veterans of the Civil War and was a striking example of how fighting blood runs down through generations. That evening we had parade and review before the Governor. A telegram from the War Department was read in orders directing the Regiment to proceed at once to Chickamauga Park.

This order was the prevailing topic of conversation for the rest of the evening. During the night long trains of cars arrived, but notwithstanding the nearness of our departure for the actual seat of war, and Chickamauga was recognized as only a stepping stone to Tampa, where the invading army was gathering, we slept soundly and peacefully. Such was the effect of the fresh salt breezes from the ocean and the outdoor life that in one short month our nervous systems had been completely renovated, and exciting events could not make any inroads upon our time for repose, but we always rose fresh and bright at daylight, ready for the day's drills and exercises. Tuesday broke bright and clear and found most of our "traps" packed and awaiting final orders. I hastily arranged to take a night at home. All furloughs had been stopped, but mine was "managed" with a few others, thanks to our commanding officer. After visiting everybody we could in the short time allotted to us we started for camp again Wednesday morning. Arriving there at noon, we found all the tents down, baggage being packed and the men sitting on their knapsacks eating hard tack. A few lucky ones were eating sandwiches.

There was work ahead for me, however, and I was soon assisting on the Company rolls, which were being made up for (as we thought) State pay. While this was going on the Company was marched out and photographed. It was a good picture, but unfortunately the Captain and a number of men were left out, owing to absence on details. The sun shone from an unclouded sky and with direct fierceness as if to atone for its shyness for the past four weeks. Everything now being ready, tents and baggage loaded, we marched out in heavy marching order and were again photographed. Orders now arrived rapidly and we were soon forming for a final review before the Governor.

Crowds had come down to see us off, and many were the tearful farewells and handshakes. But what a load our equipments made. We had discarded all the comforts and a great many things we believed we could do without, but still there was an immense dead weight in those knapsacks and the tinkling cups dangling from our haversacks added to this discomfort. The repeated warnings and commands of "close up, close up," caused the men, heavily loaded as they were, to jostle each other while the veins in their foreheads stood out like whip cords. The tremendous physical strain, together with the heat, made this a never-to-be forgotten march, and was only equalled by the celebrated "dust march" at the end of our journey. With very little delay we boarded our section and with many a frantic farewell we started on our long and eventful journey to the land of palms and soft breezes.

PART SECOND

THE JOURNEY SOUTH