The 15th Regiment of the New Jersey Infantry served for the majority of the war. The regiment was mustered in August 25, 1862 in Flemington, New Jersey and the troops mustered out June 22, 1865 in Hall’s Hill, Virginia.[1] Throughout the regiment’s service, they lost a total of 372 men. Eight officers and 232 men were killed during battle and one officer and 131 men were killed by disease during the regiment’s service.[2]

Charles Vanauken was recruited to Company D of the 15th Infantry Regiment of New Jersey on August 17, 1864. On the 17th, the Infantry skirmished throughout Newtown and Winchester, leaving 61 men either killed or missing.[3] On September 19, 1864 the Infantry fought in Opequon, Virginia. The Battle of Opequon, also known as the Third Battle of Winchester, resulted in a Union victory.[4] Union forces were under the command of Philip Sheridan, who faced off against the Confederate forces of Lieutenant General Jubal A. Early.[5] The 15th Regiment lost 50 enlisted men during the Battle of Opequon, which may have included Charles Vanauken, who was reported missing.[6]

[1] Harry L. Harris and John T. Hilton, eds. A history of the Second Regiment, N. G. N. J, Second N. J. Volunteers, Spanish War, Fifth New Jersey Infantry. Internet Arechive. FHL digital book

[2] Dyer, Frederick H. 15th Regiment Infantry Fighting 15th Union Regimental Histories New Jersey. 1998. Accessed June 07, 2016. http://www.civilwararchive.com/Unreghst/unnjinf2.htm#15thinf.

[3] U.S., American Civil War Regiments, 1861-1866. Ancestry. 1999. Accessed June 07, 2016. http://search.ancestryclassroom.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?_phsrc=qvu7.

[4] "U.S., American Civil War Regiments, 1861-1866." Ancestry. 1999. Accessed June 07, 2016. http://search.ancestryclassroom.com/cgi-bin/sse.dll?_phsrc=qvu7.

[5] Adelman, Garry E. "The Third Battle of Winchester." Civil War Trust. Accessed June 09, 2016. http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/thirdwinchester/third-winchester-history-articles/winchesteradelman.html?referrer=http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/thirdwinchester/third-winchester-history-articles/winchesteradelman.html.

[6] Alanson A. Haines, History of the Fifteenth Regiment New Jersey Volunteers (New York : Jenkins & Thomas, printers), 348, accessed June 7, 2016, http://archive.org/stream/historyoffifteen00hain#page/348/mode/2up

Charles H Vanauken