39th New Jersey Volunteer Infantry
Encyclopedia
The 39th New Jersey Volunteer Infantry was an infantry
regiment
from the state of New Jersey
that was raised to fight in the American Civil War
. It was one of three units to be raised after President Abraham Lincoln
called for five hundred thousand more men in July 1864 to finish off the Confederacy
.
West Point
graduate and Regular Army officer Abram C. Wildrick was appointed colonel
and commander of the 39th New Jersey, and James H. Close, a veteran officer who served in the 2nd New Jersey Volunteer Infantry, became the regiment's lieutenant colonel
. Because the unit was being organized late in the war, enlistees became hard to find. To attract more enrollees, bounties became higher than usual, yet by early October 1864, only five companies
had been organized. On October 4, those five companies left the state for the front. By October 21, the remainder of the regiment joined them, and the united unit had a total strength at about one thousand men.
Through the next five months, the men of the 39th New Jersey experienced hard service in the trenches around Petersburg, Virginia
. However, it wasn't until April 2, 1865, when the men of the 39th New Jersey fought their first actual pitched battle. On that day, the Union Army enacted assaults on Confederate positions, which were designed to break the Siege of Petersburg
. The 39th New Jersey, in the lead of four other veteran regiments that charged forward, suffered heavy losses in the assault. At the end of the battle, the regiment suffered 17 killed and 74 wounded, a total of 91 casualties.
The regiment was mustered out on June 17, 1865, with 819 men. On April 2, 1865, Colonel Wildrick received a brevet rank
of brigadier general
in the Regular Army for his leadership.
3 Officers
29 Enlisted men
Wounded who recovered
1 Officer
60 Enlisted men
Died of disease or accidents
-Officer
10 Enlisted
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
regiment
Regiment
A regiment is a major tactical military unit, composed of variable numbers of batteries, squadrons or battalions, commanded by a colonel or lieutenant colonel...
from the state of New Jersey
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
that was raised to fight in the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. It was one of three units to be raised after President Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th President of the United States, serving from March 1861 until his assassination in April 1865. He successfully led his country through a great constitutional, military and moral crisis – the American Civil War – preserving the Union, while ending slavery, and...
called for five hundred thousand more men in July 1864 to finish off the Confederacy
Confederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
.
West Point
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
graduate and Regular Army officer Abram C. Wildrick was appointed colonel
Colonel (United States)
In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, colonel is a senior field grade military officer rank just above the rank of lieutenant colonel and just below the rank of brigadier general...
and commander of the 39th New Jersey, and James H. Close, a veteran officer who served in the 2nd New Jersey Volunteer Infantry, became the regiment's lieutenant colonel
Lieutenant Colonel (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Air Force, and United States Marine Corps, a lieutenant colonel is a field grade military officer rank just above the rank of major and just below the rank of colonel. It is equivalent to the naval rank of commander in the other uniformed services.The pay...
. Because the unit was being organized late in the war, enlistees became hard to find. To attract more enrollees, bounties became higher than usual, yet by early October 1864, only five companies
Company (military unit)
A company is a military unit, typically consisting of 80–225 soldiers and usually commanded by a Captain, Major or Commandant. Most companies are formed of three to five platoons although the exact number may vary by country, unit type, and structure...
had been organized. On October 4, those five companies left the state for the front. By October 21, the remainder of the regiment joined them, and the united unit had a total strength at about one thousand men.
Through the next five months, the men of the 39th New Jersey experienced hard service in the trenches around Petersburg, Virginia
Petersburg, Virginia
Petersburg is an independent city in Virginia, United States located on the Appomattox River and south of the state capital city of Richmond. The city's population was 32,420 as of 2010, predominantly of African-American ethnicity...
. However, it wasn't until April 2, 1865, when the men of the 39th New Jersey fought their first actual pitched battle. On that day, the Union Army enacted assaults on Confederate positions, which were designed to break the Siege of Petersburg
Siege of Petersburg
The Richmond–Petersburg Campaign was a series of battles around Petersburg, Virginia, fought from June 9, 1864, to March 25, 1865, during the American Civil War...
. The 39th New Jersey, in the lead of four other veteran regiments that charged forward, suffered heavy losses in the assault. At the end of the battle, the regiment suffered 17 killed and 74 wounded, a total of 91 casualties.
The regiment was mustered out on June 17, 1865, with 819 men. On April 2, 1865, Colonel Wildrick received a brevet rank
Brevet (military)
In many of the world's military establishments, brevet referred to a warrant authorizing a commissioned officer to hold a higher rank temporarily, but usually without receiving the pay of that higher rank except when actually serving in that role. An officer so promoted may be referred to as being...
of brigadier general
Brigadier general (United States)
A brigadier general in the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, is a one-star general officer, with the pay grade of O-7. Brigadier general ranks above a colonel and below major general. Brigadier general is equivalent to the rank of rear admiral in the other uniformed...
in the Regular Army for his leadership.
Regimental statistics
Killed or died of wounds3 Officers
29 Enlisted men
Wounded who recovered
1 Officer
60 Enlisted men
Died of disease or accidents
-Officer
10 Enlisted