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33rd New
Jersey Infantry
| Regimental History |
| Thirty-third Infantry. — Col., George W. Mindil; Lieut.-Col., Enos
Fourat; Majs., David A. Peloubet, Thomas O'Connor. This regiment was raised in the summer
of 1863, under an authorization issued to Col. Mindil, formerly of the 27th, being the
first veteran regiment raised in conformity to the conditions of the new system,
permitting the recruiting of "veteran volunteers." A call for extra troops being
made about the same time, Col. Mindil was directed to recruit mainly in the northern part
of the state and when completed the regiment represented almost exclusively the counties
of Essex, Morris, Passaic and Hudson, fully three-fourths of the men being credited to the
quota of Newark. Liberal bounties being offered at this time, the work of recruiting made
rapid progress, the regiment being mustered into the service of the United States on Sept.
3, only 55 days after the rendezvous at Newark was opened. The command was in all respects
a superior one, seven-eighths of the officers and three-fourths of the men having already
seen service in the field. Lieut.-Col. Fourat had participated in all the battles of the
1st N. J. brigade; the adjutant had served acceptably with the 27th; while the entire
field and staff, and most of the officers of the line, had previously held commands equal
in importance and responsibility to those now filled. The regiment was uniformed in the
Zouave dress and armed with the best Springfield rifles. On Sept. 8, under orders from the
war department, the 33d broke camp and the next morning embarked on transports lying in
the Passaic for Washington, crossing on the 13th into Virginia and two days afterward
marching for Warrenton, having in charge a train of 30 wagons loaded with supplies and
ammunition. Being transferred to the Army of the Cumberland it fought its first battle at
Chattanooga, Tenn., in Nov., 1863, at which time the aggregate loss of the regiment,
considering the work accomplished, was not large, amounting to 1 officer killed and 2
wounded, and 1 private killed and 12 wounded. The regiment also took a prominent part in
the following two days' heavy fighting of the ever-memorable battle of Chattanooga, where
the men with but little experience acquitted themselves with the bravery and tenacity of
their older, veteran comrades. Entering upon Sherman's Atlanta campaign it performed
valiant service at Mill Creek gap, losing 2 officers and 4 enlisted men killed, and 2
officers and 23 men wounded, several of the wounded subsequently dying. At Resaca the loss
of the regiment was 3 men killed, 1 officer and 24 enlisted men wounded. In the eight
days' fighting about New Hope Church the 33d lost 1 officer and 5 men killed and 27 men
wounded, it lost in the battle of Pine Knob 1 officer and 13 men killed, and 1 officer and
43 men wounded, the total casualties of the regiment during the campaign thus far being 8
officers and 139 enlisted men. After this engagement the regiment participated in the
skirmishes of Nancy's creek and Muddy creek, and in protecting the flank of the assaulting
columns of the 4th corps at Kennesaw mountain. At the battle of Peachtree creek the loss
of the regiment was over 70 in killed and wounded, Lieuts. Downes, Aspen and Warren being
taken prisoners by the foe, Aspen being badly wounded. Heavy works were now constructed
and the regiment was under constant fire for over a month, performing the heavy duty of
the trenches and the dangerous one of picket. It left Chattanooga with over 500 muskets,
and entered Atlanta with a few over 100, having lost 300 in killed or wounded. The small
remnant marched to the sea with Sherman, participating in the siege of Savannah, and then
after a month's rest continued the march up through the Carolinas. At Averasboro, N. C, a
few divisions of the Confederate army engaged the 1st and 3d divisions of the 20th corps,
but after a brilliant fight were compelled to retire, when the army was advanced
cautiously on near and parallel roads and the trains heavily guarded. The regiment
participated in the battle of Bentonville and Johnston's surrender followed in due time,
after which the homeward march commenced by way of Weldon, Five Forks, Richmond and
Fredericksburg, the regiment reaching Washington in time to participate in the grand
review of the armies of the Republic. It was retained in service until Aug. 2, lying near
Alexandria, and was then mustered out and proceeded to Newark. The total strength of the
regiment was 2,184, and it lost, by resignation 12, by discharge 59, by promotion 41, by
transfer 223, by death 147, by desertion 582, dismissed 2, unaccounted for 79, mustered
out 1,039. |
Footnotes:
Regimental history taken from "The Union Army" by Federal Publishing
Company, 1908 - Volume 3
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