New Jersey in the Civil War

From Warriors of the Rebellion
Jump to navigationJump to search
Click a county on the map above to visit the home page for that county. Note that this is a modern map and does not necessarily reflect the county borders at the time of the conflict.

New Jersey - Union

Population and Demographics

This feature is not yet available. Check back soon for updates!

Antebellum New Jersey

This feature is not yet available. Check back soon for updates!

Conflict

1861

THE FIRST TROOPS

On April 15, 1861, President Lincoln published the Proclamation calling for 75,000 militia of the several States to suppress the southern "insurrection," citing an Act of Congress from February 28, 1795. On April 17, the Governor of New Jersey received a requisition from the War Department outlining the quota set for New Jersey troops. The Governor then issued his own proclamation on the same day ordering one regiment from each of the four Military Divisions of the state. The first company reported on April 23, and by April 30 the four militia regiments were completed and unofficially organized as the 1st New Jersey Brigade.

The Brigade was mustered into the service of the United States at Trenton, New Jersey on May 1, 1861 by Major Theodore T.S. Laidley and Lieutenant Alfred T.A. Torbert of the U.S. Army. It left the state on May 3, arrived in Annapolis, Maryland on May 5, and reported to the President at Washington, D.C. on May 6. Because of the speed and efficiency with which the Brigade was raised, it gained distinction as the first full brigade to arrive for defense of the National Capital.

At the Battle of Bull Run on July 21, the Brigade was held as a reserve and did not engage with the Confederate forces. Upon expiration of their term of service, the Brigade returned to New Jersey to muster out.

LINCOLN'S SECOND CALL

President Lincoln called for a new wave of volunteers on May 3, 1861. The Governor of New Jersey received


and on the 17th day of that month a requisition for Three Regiments of Infantry (Volunteers) to serve for three years or during the war, and General Orders No. 15, War Department Adjutant General's Office, Washington, D. C., May 4th, 1861, giving the plan of organization, was received by the Governor of this State. A sufficient number of companies having already offered their services, the Governor informed the Secretary of War, the following day (May 18th,) that the three regiments called for were ready for muster. These organizations were designated respectively the First, Second and Third Regiments. Under the provisions of an act of Congress, approved July 22d, 1861, and an official letter from the President, dated July 24th, 1861, authority was issued for the raising of five additional regiments - under this call the Fourth Regiment and Battery A were organized, and assigned to duty with the three regiments already raised and in the field. These organizations constituted and were generally known as the First Brigade, New Jersey Volunteers.

1862

This feature is not yet available. Check back soon for updates!

1863

This feature is not yet available. Check back soon for updates!

1864

This feature is not yet available. Check back soon for updates!

1865

This feature is not yet available. Check back soon for updates!

Units from New Jersey

Casualties from New Jersey

This feature is not yet available. Check back soon for updates!

Notes


Sources

  • Dyer, Frederick H. A Compendium of the War of the Rebellion. The Dyer Publishing Company (Des Moine, 1908). (Pages 1353-1366)
  • [1] - New Jersey Roster, Digitized
  • New Jersey. Adjutant-General’s Office. RECORD OF OFFICERS AND MEN OF NEW JERSEY IN THE CIVIL WAR, 1861-1865. Trenton, NJ, John L. Murphy, Steam Book and Job Printer, 1876. Two volumes. “Published by authority of the Legislature.” William S. Stryker, Adjutant General.