The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1886-06-24
The Jersey Blues.

To THE EDITOR: Comrade A. w. Bradley's
claim in the June Sd number of THE NATIONAL
TRIBUNE, that his regiment was the first troops
TO camp in Virginia caused me to look over
my history lesson, and here are a few quota
tons from New Jersey and the Rebellion, by
Foster" that will explain themselves, and are
interesting facts of the first days of the war
that would like to have The NATIoNA TRIB-
UNE readers see:
President Lincoln issued his first call for
three months troops April To- 1861. New Jer-
sey's quota was four regiments of $50 men each,
3,l23 men in all. Gov. Olden received the re-
QUESTION of the War Department April H."
Immediately the militia companies of the
State offered their services and opened recruit
ing offices to fill their ranks In few days
over 100 companies, equal to 10000 men, had
offered their services. Those that were ae-
cepted assembled at Trenton, n. j., immedi-
ately."
"on April 26 Secretary Cameron notified
Gov Olden that the Government could not
furnish accouterments for the troops"
"The banks of the State, in contributions Of
from 5000 to $4,000 each, placed $45l 900 in
the Treasury of New Jersey for the purpose Of
equipping the troops"
1.-The State officers seemed equal to any
emergency, and by May 2 the whole brigade of
four regiments was ready to march, with full
complement Of officers, armed with mimic mus
kets, ammunition, full accouterments, hospital
and commissary supplies, with Gen. Theodore
Runyon in command"
lin the meantime communication with
Washington by railroad had been cut Off by
the burning of bridges, etc. So the Govern
ment pressed the propellers of the Delaware &
Rartan Canal into service. May Gen. Run
yon ordered his brigade to embark The day
following the fleet of 10 propellers Capt. r. Z.
Lopez in command) left Trenton, and on the
night of May the whole brigade, with four
pieces Of artillery, arrived off Annapolis, by
way of Delaware q Chesapeake Canal, Is hours
from Trenton"
Reported TO Gen. Butler for further orders,
and was by him sent on to Washington by rail-
road, and they were all there by the morning
Of the 9th and reported to Gen. Scott for duty"
"rhe first fully armed aud equipped regi-
ments to arrive, and the first full brigade Of
troops that reached the field"
capt. Raymond, Quartermaster, remained
at Trenton and forwarded supplies to the bril-
gade for over 10 days after the troops had left
thereby relieving the Government of great
burden, for already the resources of the Wash
ington authorities was over taxed.
"0n the 18th, at short notice, the whole bril-
gade marched 70 the White House and was
reviewed by the President, Gen. Scott and
members of the Cabinet" aud / claim it was
the first full brigade of u. S. Volunteer troops
ever reviewed by President of the United
States.
Tho rebels sought to fortify Arlington
flights. The movements were detected in time,
and May % Gen. Runyon was ordered to have
his brigade at Long Bridge at 2 o'clock next
morning. At ten minutes before three o'clock,
May %. the Jersey Blues" feet struck the soil
Of old Virginia, followed the railroad about two
miles, where the regiments were placed in
commanding positions on a hill and details
Immediately made to construct ratification,
the remainder Of the troops remaining under
arms until daylight.
And il is among the chief honors of this
brigade that the first regular work constructed
by the National troops at the beginning OF the
war, aud the first over which the National flag
was flung out, was completed by the brawny
arms Of Jerseymen, and by permission of Asst
Adj't-Gen. L. ID. Townsend was named by them
Fort Runyon.
Thus at last a secure Judgment was effected
on the soil of Virginia" commences on the
morning of May "a, while the I'd N. Y. was yet
sleeping on their transports.
1t was easy to get there, but TO be leaders OF
the van, and soldiers among soldiers was the
thing most needed in '0l. Jersey got there,
and don't you forget it,. p. NoRTHRUP,
Co II I'd N j Wyandotfe Kan