The Newark star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1909-1909, 1909-08-16
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CAPSULE NO. 81.
RY M.ToWENAS
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.

CAPSULE I. 81. -
" HEN the first call for troops vas made New Jersey vas asked to co-
w tribute our regiments to the 5000 men, wanted. To this quota Newark
furnished on regiment-the First A recruiting station wa opened here, but
the patriot citizens were SO unanimously eager to rush to the defense of the
Union that it was necessary to close it again in a very short time. It seemed
almost if the station had been left open a little while Newark might hav.
scraped up all of the soldiers President Lincoln wanted for the NINETY
days" campaign. OF course the extravagant statement that they might have
done this is not being made, as population figures of that time would refute
it at once. But so far as the spirit Of the thing was concerned thu declaration
may stand. Once ten full companies had been recruited for the First the
patriotism of tn town spent itself in equippng the local warriors When
finally they were ready for the campaign not a detail of their OUTFIT had been
overlooked. Later they we're to excite the admiration of Washington and the
President a the bsta appearing body of volunteer troops which showed up in
defense of the capital.
The First regiment, with a full complement of LOO men. marched away to
war April 30 1861 If gala" will work overtime to describe the situation 1T
may be used here. The departure Of the troops was a gala occasion. Every
N in W who could get to a position along the line of marchc came to cheer.
Every member of the fire department, with the exception of a few who
were left in each of the fire houses to see that 40 incendiry tried to burn
them down, formed an escort FOR the troops. Apparently the terrific and long
storm which he val cloud threatened was not wen suspected, al
there were but few minor notes in the glad and hearty good-by which hi
members of he first were accorded. The regiment ws commanded by Colonel
Adophus J. johnson and Lieutenant Colonel James Peckwen. From Trenton
tho full Jersey contingent was hurried or to Washington which was svon hon
believed to be threatened by the southerners. The capital welcomed HI J@-
seyres with oen arms inasmuch Is their sonierly appearance inspired a de-
gree of confidence Such volunteers as had already appeared in Washington
savored so little of IA n anything pertaining to it that the above mentioned
confidence had retired to a position in the remote background. 1t plucked up
heart an hope when he gallant First and the thee lister regiments came
upon the scene Official Washington was so well pleased with the response
from Jersey to the call for troops that the secretary of a snt the following
letter to Governor oMn:
For your prompt patriotic response to the call of the general govern
mnt 1 tender to o an he people Of New Jersey my heartfelt thanks"
No more striking proof was furnished that political differences were forgot
ten in this time If stress than the fact that seven-eighths OF. the members of the
First regiment were Democrats who had been opposed to Mr.. Idncolns election.
That fact was called to IN President attention and HI is said to LAY regarded
it as most significant. Prior to the departure of the First and as h outgrowth
Of a great public meeting a committee had been appointed "o take in charge
and carry forward all measures needful for the equipment of tn troops, and
to take such measures in cooperating with the authorities for the general
security an protection as may be deemed advisable" 1t was called thu Public
Aid Committee of the City OF Newark, and was composed of the following
citizens: Marcus I. Ward, Joseph F. Bradley, Alfred L Dennis Beach Wander
pool, snas H. Khchen, James N. Qunby, Joseph n. Tuul, George Peters,
Peter H. Bauantne, James F. Bond, Thomas Kirkpatrick, Jacob Lagowiz
Stephen H Condht Theodore p Howell, William Rankin, Joseph H HaIsey
Nicholas Moore, S. R. w. Heath, Jacob STICKY, James Dougherty and Aldermen
John C Littel, James Smith. John Remer. Charles S. Macknet n W. A.
Whitney