The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1908-08-20
ONE OF kEARNY'sMEN.
In the First Troops That Crossed Lon
Bridge--On the Peninsula and n
Crampton's Gap.

| ONE OF kEARNf'S s. MEN.
In the First Troops That Crossed Lonl
Bridge-On the Peninsula and n
| Crampton's Gap.
Editor National Tribune: Let me givt
the true statement of the first soldier!
| that crossed the long bridge in 1861
| The writer was a member of Co A. &c
| n. j., portion of the New Jersey Brig
ade. credited with helping save Wash.
| ington. l am one of the 393 survivors
of the brigade to whom the State OF
New Jersey gave medals in recognition
| of that service. Our regiment was the
first to cross the Long Bridge on the
night of May %. 1861, at about II
o'clock, and as we carried a company
| flag ours was the first flag to cross that
bridge. portion of this historic flag
is still in Aaron Wilkes Post room, al
Trenton, in a glass case.
The passing over the bridge was wit
messed by President Lincoln and Gen
Scott. When We got to the bridge Gen.
Scott called Capt. Joseph Yard to him
who was close friend and had served
under him in the Mexican war. The
General gave orders to the Captain to
tell the men not to make any noise in
going over the bridge. Our company
was stationed at Gen. Lees home. Mrs.
Lee was there at the time. At the end
of the three months l reenlisted in Co.
b, 4th N. j.. for three years. The regi-
ment was in Gen. Kearny's Brigade,
and was in constant and active service.
The effective service of our regiment
was largely due to Gen. Kearny, who
constantly kept his men training. not
only as to army discipline. but in target
practice. 1t was the target practice
that made the regiment so strong in
battle, very little ammunition being vast
ed. 1t gave it the power to cope with
and defeat large numbers. At the bat
tie of Gaines's Mill it was Corp1 Joseph
Lawton that went in front of the 4th
N. J. About 3 o'clock the regiment
went into a most important position for
the protection of the brigade. 1t was
in front of Gen. Longstreet's Division.
The enemy charged, but was driven
back: then there was steady firing for
awhile. when the enemy charged again,
but was driven back with heavy loss.
Then the enemy stopped firing. Maj.
Birney asked Corp'l Joseph Lawton, of
Co. B. if he would go out and see why
the enemy had stopped. 1 came back
and told the Major that the enemy was
getting ready to march on our right
and left in large numbers. l had be-
fore gone into the enemy's lines over the
River. Capt. Johnston. of
Co. b, and four men of my company
and my brother are still living as wit
nesses of this statement. / saw what
the regiment had done. The ground
was covered with the dead and wound
ed, some places two deep. 1t was the
target practice that made the regiment
SO effective. The Major went after re-
The 18th Pa. came and
went in our front. 1t was late in the
day. The enemy soon charged on the
18th Pa, driving them back on us; we
again facing another charge. 1t was
then discovered that we were surround
ed. We were compelled to surrender.
l have recollection of my gun being
knocked down while in the act of aim
ing by a Texan soldier in my rear, who
said, You Yankee soldiers need not be
ashamed to surrender, for we thought
that we were fighting a larger number
than we had" This Texan gave the
writer a drink of water. 1t was worth
more than gold to me. He told me to
tell our men not to drink the water in
The ditch, as 1t was polluted with hu-
man blood. / would be glad to take
that Texan soldier by the hand, if he
IS alive. He was a brave man. He said
we would find difference in treatment
to us by the soldiers that would guard
Us at Richmond. The writer found his |
saying true. The suffering in Libby |
prison and Belle Island cannot be told. |
When exchanged we marched from
Belle Island to Harrison's Landing. The |
% take us, shed tears to see 5000 half
starved prisoners. 1t was like being in
heaven to see friends and the Old Flag
igain. An officer came aboard and read
paper, saying that there was going to
,e another battle that would decide If +
he Government should stand. The
'fficer called for all who would try to
AIRY gun, and said the Government
will reward US, the wagons carry our
,napsacks Nearly all the 4th n. J.
md many more of the other regiments
houldered guns. After marching for
ew days we got to Champions Gap
;ept. IA, 1862. Gen. Slocum talked to
is as we were ready to lead the charge.
ie said he head seen the 4th n. ]. when
t was nearly thousand strong. able
men; now it had only a few hundred
lie told us to keep in good heart, that
he darkest hour was just before the
freak of day. We got the order and
made the charge. We got to the stone
vail at the foot of the gap, driving
he enemy away and up in to the gap
o the turn of the road. they made a
tand there. / was with those who
ot on top Of the cut and we drove the
me back. In doing so we got the flash
f two cannon in our faces with canis-
er. 1t thinned our line. The enemy
ed. Going a little way / saw that 1
vas in the rear of the enemy, and
boxing down saw an officer encourage
ng his men. / saw Alfred Hoffman
nd got him to fire with me at the off,
er. The enemy saw their officer fall,
nd that they were getting a flank fire.
hey ran, put We got some of them. II
elieve that this was the turning point !
f the battle.-Joseph Lawton, 4th n.
:, Trenton, n. ].