NEW JERSEY 2ND LIGHT ARTILLERY (Three Years)

Battery B.-Capts., John E. Beam, A. Judson Clark; First Lieuts. John B. Monroe, George T. Woodbury, Samuel H. Baldwin, Robert Sims, Edward P. Clark, Jacob Rhein; Second Lieuts., Robert Fairchild, Benjamin Galbraith, Leander McChesney. This battery was organized in Aug., 1861, by Capt. John E. Beam. and was composed principally of members of Co. F, 1st regiment, who had just been discharged. It was mustered into the U. S. service on Sept. 3, at Trenton, but owing to the want of quartermaster's stores, did not leave for Washington until the latter part of the month. Soon after reaching the capital it received its guns and horses and was ordered to report to Gen. Heintzelman, commanding the 3d corps, when it went into camp on the Mount Vernon road, 2 miles south of Alexandria, and prepared for winter quarters. It had its first opportunity to test its guns at the siege of Yorktown, being twice engaged, but without other casualties than the loss of 3 horses. When the enemy evacuated the place the battery moved forward to Williamsburg, where it was again engaged. In the battle of Seven Pines it did splendid service and at Peach Orchard, where the left of the command was under Lieut. Clark, it received special mention in orders for its gallantry, being directed to inscribe "Peach Orchard" upon its colors. In the Seven Days' retreat from in front of Richmond it was engaged at Malvern Hill, where it suffered the loss of Capt. Beam killed and 2 men wounded. The fall of 1862 was spent in marching and reconnaissances without any decided results until December, when the command was again brought into action at Fredericksburg. In May, 1863, when Hooker moved against the enemy, the battery was desperately engaged at Chancellorsville, Capt. Clark then commanding the 1st division artillery. The battery lost 4 men killed, 5 wounded and 2 taken prisoners. At Gettysburg the entire loss of the command was 5 killed and 21 wounded 47 of its horses being also killed. It accompanied the army on the Mine Run campaign, having participated in three skirmishes, at Auburn, Kelly's ford and Thoroughfare mountain. In the last grand campaign against Richmond, commenced in May, 1864, the battery was engaged with the 2nd corps in the battles around Spottsylvania, at the North Anna, Totopotomy and Cold Harbor, at the latter place being under fire for 1O days. The losses in these several engagements were 9 men, in killed, wounded and prisoners. Before Petersburg the command was engaged in June, marching four days later to the left of the line, and was sharply engaged at Jerusalem plank road, with the loss of 1 man killed, 2 wounded and several horses killed. At Deep Bottom and Reams' station it again showed its excellent fighting qualities, Capt. Clark at both places commanding the corps artillery. At Sutherland's station it was the only battery mentioned for gallantry and efficiency in the report of Gen. Humphreys, the corps commander, and in all the closing actions of the war in which it participated it displayed the same conspicuous courage which secured it recognition in earlier engagements. It was mustered out at Trenton, N. J., on June 16, 1865. Source: The Union Army, vol. 3 Gettysburg after battle report: Report of Capt. A. Judson Clark, Battery B, First New Jersey Light Artillery. Near Beverly Ford, Va., August 14, 1863. Capt.: I have the honor to submit the following report of the part taken by this battery in the engagement near Gettysburg, July 2: Early on the morning of July 2, the battery was moved to the front, and placed in the second, near the left, of the line of batteries. About 9.30 a. m. the battery, by your orders, was moved to the front and left, and placed in line on the rise of ground midway between Gen. Sickles' headquarters and the peach orchard, on the Emmitsburg road, where we remained until about 2 p. m. At this time the enemy's infantry was discovered passing in column across the Emmitsburg road to our left and front, and distant about 1,400 yards, and, by direction of Gen. Sickles, I placed my battery in position, and opened fire upon their position, using shell and case shot, firing very slowly and apparently with good effect, as, after some 6 or 7 rounds, the columns had entirely disappeared, and no more were seen to pass that point. Nothing more transpired until about 3 p. m. (at this time the battery was in line at the foot of the next slope, near the peach orchard), when a rebel battery, which had just been placed in position near a house on the Emmitsburg road, about 1,400 yards to our front, opened fire on my position, and I was ordered by you to go back and attack the battery. This I did, using shell and case shot, and, after a pretty short fight, silenced the battery, but only for a short time, when they opened again, as did other batteries which they had brought into position on my right. From this time until night the fire from them was rapid and severe. About 3.30 p. m. the enemy's infantry commenced moving down from our front and right in strong columns, under cover of a heavy artillery fire, and the fire soon became sharp and obstinate. I immediately opened on them with shell and case shot, but although the fire seemed very destructive, opening large gaps in their ranks, it only temporarily checked them, and they pressed steadily on. I continued firing case and shell, however, at the column, and, later in the fight, into the woods on my immediate front and left, in which the enemy were pushing our troops, that seeming to be at the time the main point of their attack. About 6.30 p. m. another of the enemy's columns commenced moving across my front, and distant about 350 yards, when I began firing canister, doing great execution, throwing the column wholly into confusion, and causing it to seek shelter behind the slope of a hill just beyond them. By this time our infantry on both sides had fallen back, as had also several batteries, when, having no supports, I deemed it best to retire, which I did, to near the ground occupied the previous evening. In the battle of the following day the battery was not engaged. I was obliged to leave one caisson and one caisson body on the field for the want of horses to bring them off, but subsequently recovered them. My loss in men was as follows: One man killed, 16 men wounded, and 3 missing, 2 of whom are known to be prisoners. I had 17 horses killed, and 5 disabled so badly that I was obliged to abandon them. Of the conduct of the officers and men, I can only say that it was in the highest degree commendable for courage and bravery. I am, captain, your obedient servant, A. JUDSON CLARK, Capt. First New Jersey Artillery, Comdg. Battery B. Capt. Geo. E. Randolph, Chief of Artillery, Third Corps.

Source: Official Records: Series I. Vol. 27. Part I. Reports. Serial No. 43

New Jersey 2nd Artillery (Union)

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