Edward Livingston Campbell

“ When the roll is called, three hundred and sixty-one times it must be answered, "Dead on the field of honor." They gave their lives for the Union, for their country, for the cause of human liberty. Their names should be written in gold, and hallowed by a grateful people with affectionate remembrance. No other regiment from New Jersey suffered nearly so heavy a loss, though most were much larger in numbers. ”

“ Sweeping down through a ravine, clambering up the opposite rocks to the grassy slope which fronted the rebel line, under a perfect storm of bullets, which fortunately passed almost wholly just over their heads, they rushed up to and entered the works in advance of any other troops, capturing a number of guns, and pursued the flying enemy across the plain until darkness covered their retreat. ”

“ Whilst the Army of the Potomac was being re-fitted and supplied for the fall campaign, the regiment enjoyed, in the midst of picket and other duties, a much-needed month of opportunity for drill and discipline at Bakersville, Maryland—a short time, as all experience will attest, to convert into "soldiers" a thousand men fresh from the untrammeled freedom of civil life, strangers to the rigor of military discipline, the profession of arms, and the art of war. ”

“ It may be doubted if a more perilous "forlorn hope" was ever more daringly executed.
The Sixth Corps took position on the left of the line as it was formed, its lamented commander falling on the same spot at which one of the color-bearers of the Fifteenth had but just fallen; and on the afternoon of the 9th the regiment was detached, with the First, to turn the right flank of the enemy and gain possession of a cross-roads. After wading a deep swamp, and a sharp brush with the rebel skirmishers, the cross-roads was under their guns, and they were separated some distance from the main army. ”

“ Who will question the usefulness and value of a zealous religious instructor in the ranks of an army in the field?
On the 4th of May, 1864, the army broke camp for the long and bloody campaign from the Rapidan to Petersburg, and the 5th, 6th, and 7th found the regiment engaged, with the balance of the army, in "the Wilderness," doing its full duty with the regiments which fought by its side. On the 8th, about noon, at the head of the corps, it reached the front of Spottsylvania C.H., after a long night march, by a circuitous route. ”

“ The writer saw much of Union soldiers during four years of service—regulars, volunteers and militia—and hopes he may be permitted to say, without invidious comparison, that this regiment was marked for the high intellectual and moral character of its enlisted men. Those accustomed to the management and handling of troops know what this means on the battle field and in active campaign. It was largely officered with men who had already seen a year of active service, and who subjected it at once to a rigid discipline. ”

“ In the pursuit of Early's flying troops from the gates of Washington, it became necessary to send a force across to the parallel road on which the enemy were moving, to ascertain the position of the rear of their column, and verify a suspected intention on their part to halt and strike in flank our rapidly-advancing column. The Fifteenth New Jersey was sent upon that mission, and executed it to the satisfaction of the corps commander, but found no such design on the part of the enemy. ”

“ In the darkness the men sometimes became intermingled with the enemy, a Union officer, at one time, assuming command of a rebel regiment. About eleven o'clock, in the outskirts of the city, the contest was finally given up, all the left getting away but a detachment of the Tenth, which got lost in the darkness, and a few men of the Fifteenth and Fourth, surrounded unawares. ”

“ In this battle, one of the three field officers of the Fifteenth was killed, and the other two wounded; the line, rank and file, suffered severely.
From Cedar Creek, back to the main army before Petersburg, through the remaining operations there, including the final assault and capture of Petersburg and Richmond, along the rapid pursuit to Appomatox, we cannot follow the regiment in detail. We have already exceeded our limits. We must content ourselves with saying that, throughout these, and those of previous campaigns which have been passed over without mention, it always did its duty. ”

“ We are very busy, and on duty night and day. All of us are nearly worn out. We suppose that we are beating the enemy, but there is much confusion of reports, &c. As I write this we are lying [18] about a mile and a half from Spottsylvania Court House, on the extreme left of our lines. Sergt. Van Gilder, Co. K, will die of his wound—a canister shot in the side—the ball remaining. Albert L. Carmer, Co. D, will most likely die—shot through the lungs. There are many badly wounded. Our regiment captured a battle-flag from the rebels. ”

“ Two rebel skirmish lines successively pushed against them, soon retired, being badly punished, and Early's army ployed into columns of attack. There was something seriously ludicrous in the sight. Twenty thousand rebels could be distinctly seen from [14] the hills on which our right rested, carefully forming to attack a feeble line of skirmishers. Our brigade numbered but eight hundred and fifty muskets, all told; no supports but the color-guards. The cavalry, massed to the rear, could render no assistance against heavy columns of infantry. ”

“ They were an educated and intelligent class of men, many of them of liberal education and in course of training for the higher walks of business or professional life. They were men of a high tone of moral character and of that sturdy and tenacious patriotism which the history of every country, and especially of our own, shows to reside more especially in the fixed population connected with the soil as its owners or tillers. ”

“ Whilst the formation was proceeding, the stubborn skirmish continued, and, as we afterward learned, Early decided to postpone the attack until the next day. Just before dark, however, Breckenridge, who commanded Early's left division, was led in some way to suspect the weakness of the force before him, and obtained permission to put his left brigade in charge. The solid mass plunged directly through our attenuated line of one man to every five or ten paces; then brigade after brigade charged in echelon from their left to right. The fighting qualities of men were seldom more severely tested. ”

“ The balance of the corps having carried the Heights by a gallant charge, it marched [9] through the town, over the Heights, and up the plank road to Salem Church, a few miles from Chancellorsville. Here it encountered a large part of the rebel army, diverted to its front after a successful checking of Hooker. A determined assault was delivered, but failed to drive them from their well-chosen position. ”

“ How industriously, willingly, and effectively that month was employed, the subsequent history of the regiment fully attests.
From this time forward, to the close of the war, its history is that of the famous "Sixth Corps"—than which, probably, no corps ever did more hard fighting and effective service, or achieved a more enviable fame.
Its official fighting record, as made up by the Adjutant-General of the State, is as follows:
Fredericksburg, Va., Dec. 13 and 14, 1862; Fredericksburg, Va., May 3, 1863; Salem Heights, Va., May 3 and 4, 1863; Franklin's Crossing, Va., June 6 to 14, 1863 ”

“ I send you a list of casualties in our regiment up to the present time. Most of those reported missing, are most likely killed or wounded and prisoners. The desperation of our fighting has never been equalled in this war. Our brigade is nearly used up. ”

“ We do not know which of the returns is the more correct. Both have been very carefully compiled.
[When the army crossed the Rapidan on the 2d inst., the 15th regiment mustered about 450 officers and men. After the series of battles from the 4th to the 15th inst., there were but 157 fit for duty left.] ”

“ For a complete list, please see the end of this document.
HISTORICAL SKETCH OF THE FIFTEENTH REGIMENT NEW JERSEY VOLUNTEERS.
FIRST BRIGADE, FIRST DIVISION, SIXTH CORPS.
TRENTON, N.J.:
Wm. S. Sharp, Printer and Stereotyper.
1880.
[5]
SKETCH.
Every regiment of soldiers has a character of its own. ”