The Union Army

Civil War History

It was the second day of the Battle of Gettysburg, July 2,1863, the most tremendous and fateful of the Civil War. General William Barksdale's Mississippians spearheaded a ferocious assault through the Peach Orchard, breaking down picket fences by the force of their infantry charge, smashing through Union defenders, and creating general chaos. A Union colonel would call it "the grandest charge that was ever made by mortal man." Flushed with success, Barksdale pointed his sword toward Cemetery Ridge half-a-mile distant and shouted, "Forward, men! Forward!"

A huge hole had opened in the Union line. To help fill it, the 7th New Jersey surged on the run down a dirt road, only to collide with retreating Union batteries whose frantic horses were escaping hell. The remnants of a Federal infantry regiment rushing to the rear added to the tangled chaos, and advance Rebel infantrymen began to fire into the turmoil. Would the 7th New Jersey break and run for safety as Barksdale's massive attack swept forward? Or were the men of the 7th willing to barter their lives for the time the Union defenses desperately needed?
Suddenly, the order to charge sounded amid the confusion, and the proud colors of the 7th rose to lead the way. The New Jersey line charged ahead with bayonets flashing to try and stem the overwhelming tide of Barksdale's hard-fighting veterans. Precious time was gained as the brave men of the 7th fired volleys into the advancing gray line. Then, as Barksdale drove his men forward through the fire, Union sharpshooters mortally wounded him. The Mississippians would not carry the day, and General Robert E. Lee would say that Barksdale's loss was one of the reasons why the South failed to capture Cemetery Ridge.

he 7th New Jersey Volunteer Infantry Regiment was formed in September 1861, at Camp Olden in Trenton, with a complement of 38 officers and 882 enlisted men. It was initially commanded by Colonel Joseph W. Revere. The regiment was attached to Casey's Provisional Brigade, Division of the Potomac, until October 1861. It was then assigned to the 3rd Brigade in Hooker's Division in the Army of the Potomac until March 1862, when the 7th New Jersey joined the 2nd Division of the 3rd Corps, and was transported by ship to the Virginia Peninsula for the siege of Yorktown.
The regiment saw action at the battles of Williamsburg and Fair Oaks, then encamped before Richmond in General McClellan's campaign to strike a death blow at the heart of the Confederacy. During the aborted campaign, they also engaged in battles at Oak 3rove (near Seven Pines), Savage Station, and Malvern Hill. Later in 1862, the 7th participated in General Pope's campaign in northern Virginia, fighting at Bristoe Station, Groveton, Bull Run, and Chantilly. At year's end, the men of the 7th fought at Fredericksburg, then engaged in another major battle it Chancellorsville in May of 1863.

The 7th New Jersey arrived at Gettysburg on June 30, 1863, with 22 officers and 309 enlisted men. Of these, 114 would be killed or wounded at Gettysburg, principally on the second day of the ferocious fighting. While supporting Union battery units, the 7th suffered considerable casualties when Confederate artillery screamed into their ranks. Then, as Union battery caissons fled a Southern onslaught, the New Jersey men covered their retreat in the face of withering Confederate fire. The 7th's commander, Colonel Louis R. Francine, quickly realized that only a counterattack would be effective, and gave the order: "Fix bayonets; forward, double-quick, charge!" As his devoted men followed the colors with confident shouts, Francine fell mortally wounded. The color company commander, Captain William R. Hillyer, also fell wounded. Lieutenant Colonel Francis Price Jr. rallied the survivors for another stand by the Trostle house, where he was shot through the thigh. Major Frederick Cooper then led the resistance.
After Lee's withdrawal from Gettysburg, the 7th New Jersey pursued his army back to Virginia. Later, the 7th saw more action at the Wilderness, Spotsylvania, Cold Harbor, and the siege at Petersburg. For their extraordinary fighting spirit, a monument was erected at Gettysburg honoring the 7th New Jersey.