First New Jersey Brigade facts for kids

The First New Jersey Brigade was a special group of soldiers from New Jersey who fought for the Union Army during the American Civil War. It was also known as the First Jersey Brigade or Kearny's New Jersey Brigade. This brigade was part of the Army of the Potomac and was officially called the 1st Brigade, 1st Division, VI Corps.

How the Brigade Started

The First New Jersey Brigade was unique because it was the only Union brigade during the Civil War made up entirely of units from one state: New Jersey.

It all began on May 4, 1861. The United States government asked New Jersey to provide three groups of infantry soldiers who would serve for three years. People from all over the state signed up to join.

• On May 21, 1861, the 1st New Jersey Volunteer Infantry officially joined the Union Army. This happened at Camp Olden in Trenton, New Jersey. Their leader was Maj. Theodore T. S. Laidley.
• Soon after, the 2nd New Jersey Volunteer Infantry joined on May 28, 1861.
• Then came the 3rd New Jersey Volunteer Infantry.

In June 1861, these three new regiments traveled to Virginia. There, they joined with other New Jersey soldier groups who had signed up for three months. Together, they formed a larger military unit called a division, led by Brig. Gen. Theodore Runyon. This was the first time these New Jersey soldiers officially formed a brigade.

Early Days in Battle

During the First Bull Run Campaign, most of the brigade was busy guarding important places like train stations, supply areas, and roads. They were considered too new or "green" to be ready for direct combat.

However, some companies from the 1st and 2nd New Jersey Infantries were sent to help stop the retreat at Centreville, Virginia. This happened after the Confederate forces defeated General Irvin McDowell's army at Manassas, Virginia on July 21, 1861. Unfortunately, they couldn't stop the retreat, and many of their own officers and soldiers also had to fall back.

In August 1861, the 4th New Jersey Volunteer Infantry was formed and added to the First New Jersey Brigade. From that time on, these four regiments (and any soldiers left from them) stayed together until the war ended.

Battles and Later Service

As the war continued, more regiments joined the brigade, but they were always from New Jersey.

• In September 1862, the 23rd New Jersey Volunteer Infantry (who served for nine months) and the 15th New Jersey Volunteer Infantry (who served for three years) were added. The 23rd New Jersey served until June 1863, while the 15th New Jersey stayed until the end of the war.
• On April 19, 1864, the 10th New Jersey Volunteer Infantry, also known as "Olden's Legion," joined.
• In March 1865, the 40th New Jersey Volunteer Infantry—the very last group of soldiers raised by New Jersey for the war—was added to the brigade.

First Major Battles

The brigade's first big battle was on June 27, 1862, at the Battle of Gaines' Mill. This was part of the Seven Days Battles. They suffered many losses there, and most of the 4th New Jersey soldiers were captured by Confederate forces.

The captured soldiers from the 4th New Jersey were later released in a prisoner exchange and returned to their side. However, they had lost their Model 1861 Springfield Rifles. Since new rifles weren't available, they were given older, less accurate muskets.

The brigade then fought in the Second Bull Run Campaign. Here, they accidentally ran into a large Confederate army group led by Major General Stonewall Jackson. Later, at Crampton's Gap during the Battle of South Mountain, they showed great bravery by charging up a hill. The 4th New Jersey even managed to get better rifles by picking up ones dropped by the Confederates.

Other Important Fights

The First New Jersey Brigade fought in many other important battles, including:

• Fredericksburg
• Chancellorsville
• Gettysburg
• The Wilderness
• Spotsylvania
• Cold Harbor
• Strasburg
• Fisher's Hill
• Cedar Creek

Regiments of the Brigade

Here are the different regiments that were part of the First New Jersey Brigade:

• First New Jersey Infantry
  • Served in brigade: June 1861 – June 3, 1864
  • Losses: 153 killed or died from wounds, 99 died from disease or accidents.

• Second New Jersey Infantry
  • Served in brigade: June 1861 – May 21, 1864
  • Losses: 96 killed or died from wounds, 69 died from disease or accidents.

• Third New Jersey Infantry
  • Served in brigade: June 1861 – June 3, 1864
  • Losses: 157 killed or died from wounds, 81 died from disease or accidents.

• Fourth New Jersey Infantry
  • Served in brigade: June 1861 – June 22, 1865
  • Losses: 161 killed or died from wounds, 105 died from disease or accidents.

• Tenth New Jersey Infantry "Olden Legion"
  • Served in brigade: April 19, 1864 – June 22, 1865
  • Losses: 93 killed or died from wounds, 190 died from disease or accidents.

• Fifteenth New Jersey Infantry "Fighting Fifteenth"
  • Served in brigade: September 30, 1862 – June 22, 1865
  • Losses: 240 killed or died from wounds, 132 died from disease or accidents.

• Twenty-Third New Jersey Infantry
  • Served in brigade: October 8, 1862 – June 27, 1863
  • Losses: 35 killed or died from wounds, 55 died from disease or accidents.

• Fortieth New Jersey Infantry
  • Served in brigade: February 2, 1865 – July 13, 1865
  • Losses: 2 killed or died from wounds, 17 died from disease or accidents.

Leaders of the Brigade

The first leader of the brigade was Brig. Gen. Philip Kearny. His training and strict rules helped turn the soldiers into a very effective fighting group.

After him, George W. Taylor took command. He was the colonel of the 3rd New Jersey Infantry and was promoted to brigadier general soon after. When he was badly wounded at the Second Battle of Bull Run, Alfred Thomas Torbert became the leader. He was the colonel of the 1st New Jersey Infantry.

Later commanders included:

• Col. Henry Brown (from the 3rd New Jersey)
• Col. William H. Penrose (from the 15th New Jersey)
• Cpt. Baldwin Hufty (from the 4th New Jersey)

Medal of Honor Heroes

Six brave soldiers from the First New Jersey Brigade received the Medal of Honor, which is the highest military award for courage:

• 1st Lieutenant William Brant, Jr. – 1st New Jersey Veterans Battalion
• Corporal Charles Ferren Hopkins – 1st New Jersey Volunteer Infantry
• Corporal Edmund English – 2nd New Jersey Volunteer Infantry
• Sergeant John P. Beech – 4th New Jersey Volunteer Infantry
• Captain Forrester L. Taylor – 23rd New Jersey Volunteer Infantry
• Private Frank E. Fesq – 40th New Jersey Volunteer Infantry

Monuments

A monument to the brigade at Gettysburg National Military Park

There is a large monument dedicated to the First New Jersey Brigade at the Gettysburg National Military Park. It stands on Weikert Hill and shows where the brigade was located during the famous battle.