UNIT HISTORY
The 4th New Jersey Volunteer Infantry Regiment
A three year Regiment, they mustered into service at Camp Olden on 19 August, 1861, just outside of Trenton, New Jersey (The State Capital).
They first saw service in the defense of Washington, then action during the Peninsula Campaign. At Gaines Mill, most of the regiment along with the 11th Pennsylvania were surrounded and captured and marched through Richmond, Virginia, dragging their colors through the streets of Richmond. They were held captive at Belle Island and exchanged a month later. When they returned to service they were rearmed with smoothbore .69 Cal. muskets. They were held in reserve during the second battle of Bull Run. During the following Antietam Campaign they were engaged at Crampton's Gap on Sept. 14, 1862. The 4th New Jersey were largely responsible for flanking the Confederate line at Crampton's Gap. It was after this action that their Brigade Commander petitioned the state of New Jersey to present new colors to unit to replace those lost at Gaines Mill. Turn about being fair play, the unit captured (and scavenged) replacements rifled muskets to replace the obsolete smoothbores they were carrying. And their new battle cry was heard "Remember Richmond!" and "Remember Belle Island!"
During the remainder of the war, the unit was at Fredricksburg and at Chancellorsville. In June1863, most of the men reenlisted for the duration of the war and the regiment continued in service during the Gettysburg Wilderness, Cold Harbor, and Petersburg Campaigns through early 1964. They were sent to Washington along with the 6th Corps to help defend against Early's Raid. Then with Sheridan during the Valley Campaign through December 1864. They returned to Petersburg and were part of the final campaign to Appomattox Court House in April of 1865.
They mustered out of Federal service on 9 July, 1865 at Halls Hill, Virginia.
1st Brigade, 1st Division, VI Corps
Commanding Officer: Alfred Thomas Archimedes Torbert.
This Brigades Chain of Command:
Army - Army of the Potomac
Corps - Sixth (VI) Army Corps
Division - 1st Division, VI Corps
Units which make up this Brigade:
1st New Jersey Infantry
2nd New Jersey Infantry
3rd New Jersey Infantry
4th New Jersey Infantry