26th Regiment, New Jersey Infantry

HISTORICAL NOTES:
The New Jersey 26th Infantry Regiment, like all the 9-months regiments, was hastily formed. It was composed of men from Newark and the adjoining towns of Orange, South Orange, Bloomfield and Caldwell, each furnishing one company, while Newark filled the remaining six. The regiment was mustered into the state service at Camp Frelinghuysen on Sept. 3, 1862, and mustered in September 18, 1862.

The regiment primarily saw action during the Battle of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. It was also involved in the first action of the Gettysburg Campaign during the Battle of Franklin's Crossing. Arriving in Stafford, Va., the 26th was notorious as the only Union unit still shooting musket ball weapons.

Assigned to the IX Corps with various Vermont Regiments, the 26th became fierce rivals with their Yankee mates resulting in a few memorable stories. At one point the 5th Vermont suspected the 26th of stealing meat from their butchery so the 5th Vermont laid a trap. The General's recently deceased Newfoundland dog was skinned for taxidermy and the 5th Vermont hung the carcass in their butchery. The next morning the carcass was gone and (apparently) the 26th NJ was well fed on dog meat. For the next few weeks each time the 26th marched by the 5th Vermont, the Vermonters would "bark". This eventually led to a large brawl near the White Oak Church.

The 26th fought two major engagements: During the Battle of Chancellorsville they were responsible for taking the area known as Marye's Heights and the Sunken Road. After subduing the Confederate resistance, they marched westward only to be further engaged during the Battle of Salem's Church.

Just prior to their 9 month enlistment ending the 26th NJ and 5th Vermont were called upon to spearhead the crossing of the Rappahanock at Franklin's Crossing. Under immense fire the units rowed pontoon bridges into position and overtook the Confederate rifle pits at great cost in both killed and wounded.

They mustered out at Newark,New Jersey, June 27, 1863.

The 26th New Jersey Infantry Regiment lost 1 officer and 14 enlisted men killed or mortally wounded and 21 enlisted men to disease during the Civil War. OFFICERS:

Col., Andrew J. Morrison

Lieut.-Cols., Thomas A. Colt, Edward Martindale

Majors., Jonathan W. DeCamp, William W. Morris.

ASSIGNMENTS:

Attached to 2nd Brigade, 2nd Division, 6th Army Corps, Army of the Potomac.

SERVICE:
Organized at Camp Frelinghuysen, Newark, N.J., and mustered in September 18, 1862. Left State for Washington, D.C., September 26. Camp on Capital Hill until October 1. Moved to Frederick, Md., October 1, thence to Hagerstown, Md., October 11. At Hagerstown, Md., until October 31. Movement to Falmouth, Va., October 31-November 19. Battle of Fredericksburg, Va., December 12-15. At Falmouth, Va., until April 27, 1863. "Mud March" January 20-24. Chancellorsville Campaign April 27-May 6. Operations at Franklin's Crossing April 29-May 2. Battle of Maryes Heights, Fredericksburg, May 3. Salem Heights May 3-4. Banks' Ford May 4. Franklin's Crossing June 5-13. Reached Washington, D.C., June 17. Mustered out at Newark, N.J., June 27, 1863. ROSTERS:
The composite rosters of this unit contains the names of 1210 men.

The New Jersey 26th was primarily composed of men from northern New Jersey. Company E was primarily German immigrants from Newark. BIBLIOGRAPHY: