The 9th New Jersey Infantry Regiment (also called Jersey Muskrats) was an American Civil War infantry regiment from New Jersey that served from October 1861 through July 1865 in the Union Army.Foster, J: New Jersey and the Rebellion p. 203.Bilby, J: Remember You Are Jerseymen! p. 137 The regiment got its nickname, Jersey Muskrats, during the Battle of Roanoke Island when they successfully "sloshed through shoe sucking mud into waist deep water in "division" formation", giving the regiment a two-company front flanking the enemy.Bilby, J: Remember You Are Jerseymen! p. 143 The regiment was the last to leave the state in 1861 but the first to see battle.
The 9th took part in the Burnside Expedition into North Carolina. The regiment remained in North Carolina with the occupation force until early 1864 when the first enlistment was up. In January 1864 the regiment went back to New Jersey where more than 50% of those whose three-year term was about to expire reenlisted. This allowed the regiment to add "Veteran" to the name, a mark of distinction for the men. Those who reenlisted for three more years were given a 30-day veteran furlough. The regiment then moved into Virginia leading to the Siege of Petersburg. The 9th was then transferred back to North Carolina for garrison duty for the remainder of the war.
Formation The 9th New Jersey Infantry Regiment was raised as a regiment of riflemen with broadsides posted throughout the state during September 1861 for 'sharpshooters', men who could show proficiency with a rifle. Recruiting started in September but the first muster occurred on 5 October at Camp Olden near Trenton. The camp was named for the governor of New Jersey, Charles Smith Olden. The regiment's nickname was the Jersey Muskrats.
The regiment was issued new Springfield rifle-muskets (possibly the Springfield Model 1861) in late November after being issued smoothbore muskets. The men, recruited as sharpshooters, protested and Governor Olden made a special request to get the best weapon available to men.Bilby, J: Remember You Are Jerseymen! p. 136
Key training dates: 5 October 1861 – First Muster at Camp Olden near Newark, New Jersey 26 November 1861 – Issued Springfield rifled-muskets to replace smoothbore muskets (reference?) 4 December 1861 – Embarked for Washington to join the Union Army
Federal service
The 9th moved out of Camp Olden on 4 December for Washington, D.C., to join the Union Army.Foster, J: New Jersey and the Rebellion p. 203–204 The regiment participated in the North Carolina Expedition (also called the Burnside Expedition) into Roanoke Island, North Carolina, commanded by Ambrose Burnside.Foster, J: New Jersey and the Rebellion p. 204Bilby, J: Remember You Are Jerseymen! p. 139
Key service dates: (non-battle related) 6 December 1861 – Arrived at Washington, entered camp on the Bladensburg turnpike 4 January 1862 – Embarked for Annapolis, Maryland
First battle The first test of the regiment came in February 1862 during the Burnside Expedition to Roanoke Island in North Carolina.
The regiment was assigned to the command of Brigadier-General Jesse L. Reno, embarked on two naval vessels on 10 January, and made for Fortress Monroe. They remained there for two days when sail was made and the vessels headed south. The next day the ships anchored at Hatteras Inlet.
Colonel Joseph Allen and Dr. Weller (Surgeon) drowned while returning to the ship, Ann E. Thompson, from a meeting with General Burnside on 15 January.Foster, J: New Jersey and the Rebellion p. 204–205 Lieutenant-Colonel Heckman, Adjutant Zabriskie, and Quartermaster Keys were also aboard the gig but survived. Heckman assumed command. There were other incidents reported by ships in and around the inlet (e.g. sand bars, etc.).
On 7 February, the force landed on Roanoke Island and entrenched for the evening. The 9th was in Second Brigade, under General Reno.Foster, J: New Jersey and the Rebellion p. 208 At 6 o'clock the next morning (8 Feb.), First Brigade advanced against the enemy. The 9th was ordered forward about 8 o'clock to pass the 51st New York and report to General Foster.Foster, J: New Jersey and the Rebellion p. 209
The 9th lost 9 killed and 25 wounded.Foster, J: New Jersey and the Rebellion p. 211
Into North Carolina On 11 March 1862 the regiment boarded ships again and landed the next day at the mouth of the Neuse River.Bilby, J: Remember You Are Jerseymen! p. 144Foster, J: New Jersey and the Rebellion p. 212 The brigade attacked an entrenched enemy position the morning of the 14th. Their destination was New Bern, North Carolina (sometimes written as "Newberne"). The 9th lost 4 killed and 58 wounded.Bilby, J: Remember You Are Jerseymen! p. 145
When Burnside and most of the Expedition force transferred to Virginia, the 9th remained in the Carolinas as part of an 8,000-man coastal occupation force. In May 1862, two companies were disbanded and the men were distributed to fill out the ranks of the other companies; this left the 9th with the usual 10 companies of an infantry regiment instead of the original 12.
Regimental headquarters was set up near "Carolina City", the companies were assigned railroad guard and garrison duty throughout the area.
The regimental headquarters remained in barracks during the Battle of Fort Macon on 25 and 26 April 1862 but various companies were assigned picket duty to guard the approaches from Wilmington.Foster, J: New Jersey and the Rebellion p. 214
On 26 July 1862 Colonel Heckman led six companies of the 9th to Young's Cross Roads.Bilby, J: Remember You Are Jerseymen! p. 145–147 Colonel Heckman and Surgeon Woodhull were slightly wounded during this skirmish.Bilby, J: Remember You Are Jerseymen! p. 147Foster, J: New Jersey and the Rebellion p. 215
Company B was involved in a skirmish near New Bern on 31 August 1862.Foster, J: New Jersey and the Rebellion p. 217 A corporal was wounded in the hand. Two more companies went after the enemy and returned with several prisoners.
Major-General John G. Foster led an expedition to Tarboro, North Carolina (also called "Tarborough") starting 31 October 1862. The force met heavy resistance about 4 o'clock in the afternoon on 2 November. Second Brigade, commanded by a Colonel Stevenson, ordered the 44th Massachusetts forward but they retired after a brief engagement. The 24th Massachusetts was then brought forward to engage the enemy but they were also forced back under heavy fire. The 9th rushed forward past the enemy fort and the bridge fired by the enemy to reach a clay bank beyond the swamp near Rowell's Mills.
Colonel Heckman and Company I of the 9th attacked across the still burning bridge into the enemy fort. Other components of the regiment forded the water above and below the bridge. Faced with this attack the enemy abandoned their position.
On 8 December 1862 Colonel Heckman was given an independent command that included the 9th New Jersey, a detachment from the 3rd New York Cavalry, and the 1st Rhode Island Battery.Foster, J: New Jersey and the Rebellion p. 219
On 11 December, General Foster led another raid intent on disrupting traffic on the Weldon Railroad indirectly supporting General Burnside's attack on Fredericksburg, Virginia. Foster led 10,000 to 12,000 directly west toward Goldsboro, North Carolina (sometimes written as "Goldsborough").
The regiment spent the last part of 1862 on several raids intent on keeping the enemy busy:
12 December 1862 – Deep Creek, North CarolinaFoster, J: New Jersey and the Rebellion p. 266 13 December 1862 – Southwest Creek and before Kinston, North Carolina 14 December 1862 – Kinston, North Carolina 16 December 1862 – Whitehall, North Carolina 17 December 1862 – Goldsboro, North Carolina
Colonel Heckman was promoted to brigadier general for his actions at Goldsboro. Heckman was replaced by Abram Zabriskie, who had been serving as lieutenant-colonel.Bilby, J: Remember You Are Jerseymen! p. 149 The New Jersey legislature sent a new state flag to the regiment in recognition of their actions.
Into South Carolina On 20 January 1863 the regiment moved out with General Foster's command for South Carolina. The regiment reached St. Helena Island on 9 February or 10 where they remained in drill for two months. After a brief move toward Charleston (see Samuel Francis Du Pont 7 April attack) the regiment moved back to North Carolina.
Back to North Carolina On 13 August 1863 Major-General Peck assumed command of the Department of North Carolina from General Heckman. The 9th was sent to Carolina City due to "chills and fever".Foster, J: New Jersey and the Rebellion p. 235 The regiment remained there for about six weeks. During this time nearly 300 men were unfit for duty. The regiment then moved to Newport News, Virginia on 18–20 October where Heckman's command was based. The 9th remained there for the remainder of 1863.Bilby, J: Remember You Are Jerseymen! p. 151
Re-enlistment (1864) The first three-year term of enlistment expired in January 1864.Foster, J: New Jersey and the Rebellion p. 236 480 men agreed to re-enlist, a result of over 50% (two-thirds actually) and the regiment changed its name from the 9th New Jersey Volunteer Infantry to the 9th New Jersey Volunteer Veteran Infantry. The men re-enlisted for "three years or the war".
Re-enlistment dates: 17 January 1864 – Mustered out at Newark, New Jersey 18 January 1864 – Re-enlistment at Newark, New Jersey January–February 1864 – 30-day Veteran furloughsBilby, J: Remember You Are Jerseymen! p. 152
Since over 50% of the men re-enlisted the regiment became known as the 9th New Jersey Veteran Volunteers in January 1864. The regiment joined the Army of the James during the Peninsular Campaign leading to Petersburg, Virginia. 1865 saw the regiment back in North Carolina where they finished the war.
Virginia service The regiment reformed at Getty's Station and set sail on 14 April 1864 in a series of movements intended to disguise their true goal. XVIII Corps landed at Bermuda Hundred, Virginia, and took possession of the peninsula.Bilby, J: Remember You Are Jerseymen! p. 153 (see also Bermuda Hundred Campaign)
The Star Brigade under General Heckman was ordered toward the Richmond and Petersburg Railroad. On 6 May, the brigade encountered two understrength South Carolina regiments positioned in a sunken road. While outnumbered the Carolinian held ground. General Heckman was wounded and the 9th lost 4 dead and 30 wounded.
On 7 May the Union force moved forward again, slowly pushing the Confederate force back toward the railroad. The 9th suffered an additional 1 killed and 10 wounded.
9 May XVIII and X corps pushed south to Swift Creek, finally able to destroy a portion of the Richmond and Petersburg Railroad. The 9th suffered an additional 1 killed and 9 wounded. Major-General Butler then pulled back to Bermuda Hundred.
Drewry's Bluff On 12 May, Butler moved against Drewry's Bluff overlooking the James River. This second battle for Fort Darling at the top of the bluff is officially called the Battle of Proctor's Creek. The battle resulted in 6,000 casualties. XVIII Corps was effectively stopped until Grant and Lee maneuvered their way to Cold Harbor.
The 9th lost more men at Drewry's Bluff than any other engagement of the war.Bilby, J: Remember You Are Jerseymen! p. 156 KilledWoundedMissingSubtotalOfficers210315Enlisted1615355224TOTAL1816358239
Note: Drewry's Bluff is also spelled Drury's Bluff.
Colonel Zabriskie was wounded in the throat and later died of his wounds on 24 May.Foster, J: New Jersey and the Rebellion p. 243–244 The 9th was not engaged in the following days of the battle, except to defend against attack on 20 May.Foster, J: New Jersey and the Rebellion p. 244–245