Bridgeton pioneer. (Bridgeton, N.J.) 1884-1919, 1902-12-18
OLD oath VETS
IN REUNION

ooonoii oHHudi reunion OF tne twenty
fourth New Jersey Volunteers Asso-
citation, held here at the Town Hall
to-day, commemorated the fortieth
anniversary of the Battle of Fred
erlcksburg. and was the largest in the
history of the association. The ad-
dress of welcome was delivered by
Mayor Nichols and President s. S.
Ledden replied. At noon dinner was
served on the lower floor of the hall.
During the afternoon speeches were
made by William P. Haines, of
Mickleton Rev J. S. Cleeland and
Rev. f. W. Johnson, both of Clayton.
During the day several patriotic Sc
lections were rendered by the Clayton
Quartet.
Over 300 veterans were present.
The bad weather prevented the street
parade that was on the program.
At roll call it was found that seven
members had answered the last call,
and suitable resolutions were adopted.
These officers were elected: Presi-
dent, Samuel f. Bard, of Bridgeton ;
secretary, George M. Chester, of
Mauricetown; treasurer, Edgar Riley,
of Bridgeton vice presidents, William
Hancock, Isaac G. Hankins, John G.
Garwood, Benjamin Dilkes, E. @.
Cattell, Thomas Felmy, Samuel JOS
lyn, James G. Brooks, Harry Grimm
and G. D. Simpkins Port Norris
was selected asthe next place of meet
ing.
The reunion falls always on the
anniversary of the battle of Fred
ericksburg, in which the gath regi-
ment took a prominent part. The
battle took place December 13, 1862,
between the Union forces under Gen
eral Burnside and the Confederates
under General Lee. The battle was
fercely fought and many men fell on
both sides, but it was not decisive
contest, as Burnside finally recrossed
the. e4.river. The Confederate loss was
reported as 595 killed, 4,061 wounded
and 653 missing, while the Union loss
was 1,500 killed, 9,100 wounded, 900
prisoners and 750 stragglers. AS only
80, 900 of Burnside's 100, 900 men who
crossed the river were in action
against 25, 900 Confederates, the losses
were unusually large.
1t was presumed that the result of
this battle would have been far differ
ent and the attack upon Richmond
been at much earlier period than it
was had General Burnside been more
rapid in his movements. He sue
ceeded General Mcclellan in the COM
mand on November Z, and planned to
move upon Richmond at once, but was
not ready until November Is, by
which time General Lee had concen-
trated his whole army. The Army of
the Potomac had been organized into,
three grand divisions under Sumner,
Hooker and Franklin, and the former
was ordered to cross the Rappahan-
mock and seize the heights Of Fred
ericksburg But pontoons had not
reached Falmouth. opposite Fred
ericksburg, November II, he was de-
layed there a fortnight, and in the
the heights with half of his army,
under Longstreet. D. H. Hill was at
Port Royal, twenty miles down the
river, and between lay jackson, ready
to support either wing. When the
t0 rsx
on December IL, however, Lee brought
combined gave battle to the Union
troops, under Sumner, Hooker and
Franklin.
General Meade, who was in Frank
Inns corps, pushed for the centre of
service. He was reinforced by Glib
bon. Lees position on Marye's Hill
was attacked by French and Hancock,
who brought 10, 900 men into action
Of these 1900 were cut down by the
Confederates, who finally swept the
remnant back. General Hooker re-
newed the attempt with two divi-
sions, one led by Humphreys, but
they met solid sheet OF fire from
sunken road and finally suspended the
uGdVdllIuS hSShult dItoI lOsluS Iuhuy
men. This ended the battle, and al
though Burnside was inclined to re-
new it the following day, he yielded
to the representations of the majority
of his generals and recrossed the
river.
Re- Union of the 25th Reg.
Cape May, N. j., Dec. 13. The
third annual reunion of the Second
Battalion, Twenty fifth Regiment.
Veterans Association. New Jersey,
was held here to-day. They were met
at the depots by the Mayor and Coun-
oil of the city and members of the
local Grand Army Post. In a driz-
zling rain the veterans marched
through the various streets to the
High School building. Mayor Millett
extended them the freedom of the city
and Mayor Stoy, of Atlantic City, also
made an address. The former was
elected to honorary member of the as
sociation. A banquet was served at
one of the leading hotels, followed by
the election of these officers Presi-
dent, Major J. Kelley Brown; vice