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The Iron Brigade

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The Iron Brigade Phil Kearny Civil War Round Table of Northern New Jersey * * * NEXT MEETING *** Wednesday, May 19th - 7PM - Online Zoom Presentation Volume 17 Issue 3 The Iron Brigade May 19, 2021 Speaker: Lawrence “Larry” Korczyk Hasbrouck Heights Gettysburg Licensed Battlefield Guide Municipal Building H 320 Boulevard O N L I N E : Wednesday, May 19th at 7:00pm Hasbrouck Heights, NJ See Details Below to Join In Officers of the Lawrence “Larry” Korczyk has Phil Kearny CWRT been a licensed battlefield guide at www.PhilKearnyCWRT.org Gettysburg National Military Park for eight years. He passed the park service President - Joe Truglio VP/Treasurer - Bob Gerber examination and became a licensed Rec Secretary - Edie Gerber guide in March 2013. Prior to this, he Corr Secretary - Norm Dykstra worked for 30+ years in the logistics Board Members: industry as a manager at several large Henry Ballone distribution centers. However, always Dennis Buttacavoli Victor Conversano having a love for history, particularly James M. Madden Civil War history, he read extensively, Lee Truglio joined a Civil War round table, became nd Ex Officio an active re-enactor for the 2 Rhode Sylvia Mogerman Island Volunteer Infantry Regiment, and dreamed of becoming a licensed Larry Korczyk guide. In 2012, he moved to Gettysburg with his wife Lori, studied for the exam and was able to realize a 22-year pursuit. Today, he Your membership and continued supportactively guides and works at the Gettysburg Museum & Visitor is always appreciatedCenter in the Facilities Department. as it assists with our programs andLarry’s tours topic will be on the Iron Brigade, from it’s formation, battles Send your dues to: and storied history of these men from the Mid-West. Norm Dykstra 77 Walray Ave, North Haledon, NJ 07508 You must register to join this Zoom Meeting Click this link Membership Dues https://zoom.us/meeting/register/tJwqceCrrz0rHNIZok8hJF1Y4i7f4_W6ZvD7 are $25 a year and you will receive an email confirming your registration. Use those instructions to sign on. Volume 17, Issue 3 Phil Kearny Civil War Round Table of Northern New Jersey Page 1 Due to Public Safety concerns Reserve Now for the Annual PKCWRT All Meetings & Presentations will Gettysburg Trip Weekend be ONLINE - Zoom Calls UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE Friday, Nov 5 - Sunday, Nov 7 Let us know where in Gettysburg you would like to tour! PKCWRT 2021 Schedule Details are still being worked out, including dinner venue however it’s time we look to book the hotel for the date. Wed, June 16th - 7pm Dennis Buttacavoli Richard Fritzky This year, the National Park Service conducted a Unfading Light controlled burn around the base of Little Round Top and The Sustaining Insight of Abraham Lincoln Munshower Field. Much of the overgrown brush is no longer present and areas not normally accessibility can be *Thurs, Sept 16th - 7pm seen. It would be a great opportunity to explore areas not Bob O’Connor H normally exposed or walked. Let us know where you Sarah Slater would like to tour, email us with recommendations. Confederate Spy & Missing Lincoln Conspirator Ten (10) discounted rooms have been reserved at the Gettysburg Best Western. A complimentary buffet Wed, October 20th - 7pm Brian Kammerer breakfast both mornings will also be provided. Civil War Map Making These rooms and rates will be held until October 5th. Sat-Sun, Nov 6 & 7 We urge you to reserve now! Gettysburg Battlefield Tour You can use this link to book and reserve at the Wed, Nov 17th - 7pm discounted rate: Chris Schloemer https://www.bestwestern.com/en_US/book/hotel- John Bell Hood rooms.39139.html?groupId=G41BM7V1 (Be sure to scroll down the web page for rates) Sat, Dec 4th @ 4pm Or call the hotel directly: Best Western (717) 334-1188 Holiday Party and use the Confirmation Code: #PKCWRT 11/05/21 Bistro 107, Moonachie, NJ Phil Kearny CWRT Regimental Bulletin Editor Joe Truglio, 15 Tuscany Circle Jim Madden Manchester, NJ 08759 848-227-3308 [email protected] [email protected] Volume 17, Issue 3 Phil Kearny Civil War Round Table of Northern New Jersey Page 2 Dennis Buttacavoli, a long time Phil Kearny Civil War Round Table Member and avid Civil War collector has shared another Captain Captain Matthew Smith Austin letter with us. Over the years, Dennis has contribuated other Captain Austin letters in this newsletter and in this installment there is a great description of the aftermath of Burnside’s Mud March. Austin was mustered into Co I, 5th New Jersey Volunteer Infantry on August 24, 1861 as a private. He quickly was promoted to Comm Sergeant and by Nov 1862 was a 2nd Lieutenant in Co G of the 5th NJ. He mustered out of service on September 7, 1864 in Trenton. Austin wrote a series of letters home to his parents of which Dennis has shared with us again. Camp of the Fifth New Jersey Vols Near Falmouth, Va. January 24, 1863 Dear Father- We are back to our old camp again. The record of the last few days may be briefly stated, thus: On the 20th at 1 p.m. On this day, Burnside begins an offensive against The Army of Northern Virginia that quickly bogs down as several days of heavy rain turn the roads of Virginia into a muddy quagmire. The campaign was abandoned three days later, broke camp - everything being packed up for a final “leave”, marched about one mile and a half yesterday on the road leading to Belle Plains (our course was North & West with the intention of crossing the river above Falmouth.) Belle Plains was a steamboat landing on the south bank of Potomac Creek off the H Potomac River, in Stafford County. Belle Plains was used as an alternate supply point to Aquia Landing, about one mile from camp, therefore, we rested until after sundown. Rain (and at first snow) set in from the N.E. being very cold with strong wind. Troops and pontoon & ammunition trains were continually passing. We had got very good fires going with the expectation of passing some portion of the night as we were. After a time word came to return to camp, pass the night as well as we could, and be ready to move early in the morning. We provided for ourselves as well as we could in our recently deserted cabins and rain coming down heavily, continued all night, 21st found us in not very good condition to march, but we got away about 7 o’clock and by 3 p.m. had marched some 5 miles, raining all the time. We went into camp in a thick pine timber and soon had good fires as to make ourselves quite comfortable. Rain fell a good portion of the night, sometimes heavily. 22nd, about noon, the Division was ordered out to make corduroy roads so that the trains could return, artillery, ammunition, &c. It was evident the move could not be made on account of the rain. Returned to camp and in the morning of 23rd went out again to complete the road. I believe the entire Corps was out road making. Took all the fence along the route and fell a good deal of timber. Mended the road for a mile and a half. About noon returned and at 2 p.m. started back for our old camp in which we were again quartered. What I say of this Regt. applies to this Corps and I suppose to all the army, or so much of it as was to cross the river above Falmouth. Weather cleared up and sun shone warm after we had started on our return. The country is rolling, soil sandy, with quicksand bottom in many places so that wagons sink down to the axle. Never were roads on the Peninsula worse than these. The difference was in their favor. It now looks as though the winter campaign was at an end. It does not take long ‘tis true for the roads to dry up so as to be passable, but it takes less time, but an hour, to make them impassable, I wish that it might be that Richmond from this direction might be abandoned. We found our camp in a wet condition. Many things had been destroyed under the supposition that we were never to return. It will take time to dry out the ground and get ourselves comfortable again, Have not seen paper for five days but I suppose you have been informed frequently of the passage of the army across the river. I am thankful in being able to say I am very well and that I did not suffer in health or strength, although much exposed. We were often in mud ankle deep where there was no choice, and as often in the water to the wetting of the feet. The steady rains had soaked the earth and the roads turned to impassable mud. The wagons and artillery simply sank and could not be removed from the quagmire. Men and animals died of exhaustion trying to slog through the mud. They tried leaving the roads and crossing the fields but it was just as bad. Meanwhile Confederates across the river that were quite aware of Burnside’s advance, sat and watched, mocking the Union troops with signs, saying “this way to Richmond,” and “need help?.” The men were ordered back to camp the day of this letter, January 24. Did not send money by Col. Cook as intended as my bills were not settled and I did not know how to act understandingly. How long we are to remain here I cannot of course tell, but it will be safe to come or send me anything you may have.
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