New Jersey And The Civil War 1861 - 1865
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President-elect Lincoln spoke separately to each branch of the
New Jersey legislature on his inaugural journey to Washington. In the Senate, he referred to Trenton's Revolutionary War heroics
and spoke of himself as a "humble instrument in the hands of the Almighty, and of this, his almost chosen people, for perpetuating
the object of that great struggle.
"Mr. President and Gentlemen of the Senate of the State of New-Jersey:
I am very grateful to you for the honorable reception of which I have been the object. I cannot but remember the place that
New-Jersey holds in our early history. In the early Revolutionary struggle, few of the States among the old Thirteen had more
of the battle-fields of the country within their limits than old New-Jersey. May I be pardoned if, upon this occasion, I mention
that away back in my childhood, the earliest days of my being able to read, I got hold of a small book, such a one as few
of the younger members have ever seen, 'Weem's Life of Washington.' I remember all the accounts there given of the battle
fields and struggles for the liberties of the country, and none fixed themselves upon my imagination so deeply as the struggle
here at Trenton, New-Jersey. The crossing of the river; the contest with the Hessians; the great hardships endured at that
time, all fixed themselves on my memory more than any single revolutionary event; and you all know, for you have all been
boys, how these early impressions last longer than any others. I recollect thinking then, boy even though I was, that there
must have been something more than common that those men struggled for; that something even more than National Independence;
that something that held out a great promise to all the people of the world to all time to come; I am exceedingly anxious
that this Union, the Constitution, and the liberties of the people shall be perpetuated in accordance with the original idea
for which that struggle was made, and I shall be most happy indeed if I shall be an humble instrument in the hands of the
Almighty, and of this, his almost chosen people, for perpetuating the object of that great struggle. You give me this reception,
as I understand, without distinction of party. I learn that this body is composed of a majority of gentlemen who, in the exercise
of their best judgment in the choice of a Chief Magistrate, did not think I was the man. I understand, nevertheless, that
they came forward here to greet me as the constitutional President of the United States -- as citizens of the United States,
to meet the man who, for the time being, is the representative man of the nation, united by a purpose to perpetuate the Union
and liberties of the people. As such, I accept this reception more gratefully than I could do did I believe it was tendered
to me as an individual.
Address to the New Jersey General Assembly "Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen: I have just enjoyed the honor of
a reception by the other branch of this Legislature, and I return to you and them my thanks for the reception which the people
of New-Jersey have given, through their chosen representatives, to me, as the representative, for the time being, of the majesty
of the people of the United States. I appropriate to myself very little of the demonstrations of respect with which I have
been greeted. I think little should be given to any man, but that it should be a manifestation of adherence to the Union and
the Constitution. I understand myself to be received here by the representatives of the people of New-Jersey, a majority of
whom differ in opinion from those with whom I have acted. This manifestation is therefore to be regarded by me as expressing
their devotion to the Union, the Constitution and the liberties of the people. You, Mr. Speaker, have well said that this
is a time when the bravest and wisest look with doubt and awe upon the aspect presented by our national affairs. Under these
circumstances, you will readily see why I should not speak in detail of the course I shall deem it best to pursue. It is proper
that I should avail myself of all the information and all the time at my command, in order that when the time arrives in which
I must speak officially, I shall be able to take the ground which I deem the best and safest, and from which I may have no
occasion to swerve. I shall endeavor to take the ground I deem most just to the North, the East, the West, the South, and
the whole country. I take it, I hope, in good temper--certainly no malice toward any section. I shall do all that may be in
my power to promote a peaceful settlement of all our difficulties. The man does not live who is more devoted to peace than
I am. None who would do more to preserve it. But it may be necessary to put the foot down firmly. And if I do my duty, and
do right, you will sustain me, will you not? Received, as I am, by the members of a Legislature the majority of whom do not
agree with me in political sentiments, I trust that I may have their assistance in piloting the ship of State through this
voyage, surrounded by perils as it is; for, if it should suffer attack now, there will be no pilot ever needed for another
voyage.
"Gentlemen, I have already spoken longer than I intended, and must beg leave to stop here. Four years later, he would run again, but this time against a
Jerseyman, former leader of the Army of the Potomac, George McClellan, of West Orange. McClellan clearly won New Jersey (and
only two other states).
But war was not on the mind of Jerseymen. Bergen and Essex County
Democrats opposed the war and after Union forces were routed in the Battle of Bull Run, Bergen County residents held peace
rallies. The Emancipation Proclamation was denounced by New Jerseyans as being unjust, fanatical and unconstitutional. Both
houses of the New Jersey legislature passed antiwar resolutions. And Trenton judge, David Naar, stated,"We are cutting
each other's throats for the sake of a few worthless Negroes."
During the War, three thousand nine hundred and eighty-one (3,981) Commissions were issued by the State to Officers in New Jersey Organizations. During the Winter of 1863 and 1864, by authority from the War Department, a large number of Men belonging to New Jersey Regiments and in active service, were re-enlisted in the field for three years or during the War, and many men belonging in this State, who had served in regiments of other States, were re-enlisted to the credit of New Jersey. More men offered their services than the State had authority to accept, and so those who, although they had preferred to enlist in New Jersey Organizations, went into regiments of other States, the Excelsior Brigade of New York, the Forty-eighth New York Infantry, the One Hundred and Twelfth Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery, the Eleventh Pennsylvania Cavalry, First New York Cavalry, &c., &c., and the State lost the credit on her quota. A large number of men residents of this State entered the service to the credit of the State, in organizations entirely under the control of the general Government. Under the provisions of a proclamation of the President of the United States, January 1, 1863, the enrollment of Colored men in the Army and Navy was authorized. This State had no regiments of Colored troops, but such as were enlisted to the credit of the State were forwarded to the general Rendezvous, at Philadelphia, Pa., for muster in and assignment to regiments of United States Colored Troops. The State lost credit for a large number of Colored men, they having entered the service in the Fifty-fourth and Fifty-fifth Massachusetts Infantry, First Rhode Island Heavy Artillery, &c. The Veteran Reserve Corps was instituted under authority from the War Department, April 28, 1863, and was composed of Officers and enlisted Men who had been in active service but were disqualified for duty in the field by reason of disability, or wounds received in the line of duty. Very many availed themselves of this opportunity, enlisted therein and were credited on the quota of the State. Under orders from the War Department, November 28, 1864, Hancock's Corps, United States Volunteers, was organized, to be composed entirely of those who had served in the Army not less than two years. A large number of men of this State enlisted in this branch of the service and were placed to the credit of the State. Under the direction of the War Department, January 19, 1864, recruiting offices for the enlistment of men for the Regular Army of the United States were established in different places in the State. A large number of men were enrolled for this service, and were forwarded to their respective regiments. The State also obtained credit for a large number of men who had been previously recruited, such as Hospital Stewards, General Service, Engineer Corps, Ordnance Corps, Signal Corps, &c. Under existing orders governing enlistments and credits, the State received no credit for those entering the Naval and Marine service prior to February 24, 1864. Under the provisions of an Act of Congress approved July 4, 1864, it is provided that all persons in the Naval service of the United States, who entered said service during the present Rebellion, who were not credited by reason of their being in said service, and not enrolled prior to February 24, 1864, shall be enrolled and credited upon the quota of the State in which they resided, upon satisfactory proof to the Secretary of War of their residence. The credits due this State under this act were determined by a commission of two, of whom the State named one and the Secretary of War the other. One thousand nine hundred and five (1,905) recruits of this class were credited by the commission, but this number was subsequently increased to four thousand eight hundred and fifty-three (4,853). On the first of February, 1864, the President issued a call for five hundred thousand men. The quota of this State was fixed by the War Department, and a draft ordered, one in May and one in September. The draft was made but as a large number of those subject to draft had volunteered and had been placed to the credit of the State, very few were called into the service in this manner.
New Jersey and the Civil War 1861 - 1865
by
Len Entrabartolo
2001-2008 New Jersey and the Civil War 1861-1865 is protected under
the copyright laws of the United States of America
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