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First NJ Brigade Flag
Historical Preface
The First New Jersey Brigade, composed originally of the first
three reigments that were mustered into the United States service for three years, was without a brigade general until the
ideal soldier, Kearny took command. The Fourth New Jersey Volunteers was afterwards added, and when the Brigade had lost through
death in the field, wounds and sickness, more than half its numbers, the Fifteenth and Twenty-third Regiments were added to
it. It was a matter of pride with the State auhtorities to keep the Brigade a distinctly Jersey organization, and later when
its ranks were again so reduced that five regiments were not much stronger than a single full regiment, the Tenth and again,
the Fortieth Regiments were added to it.
Be it Resolved
The division arrived in the York River on April 22nd, 1862 and
disembarked at Cheeseman's Creek. Just at this time the Brigade, was greatly depressed by the transfer of their General to
the command of the Third Division of the Third Corps, under General Heintzelman. Colonel George W. Taylor, of the Third New
Jersey Volunteers, was made Brigade General. When it became known that the contemplated transfer of General Kearny to another
and more important command had been nullified by his declining promotion unless he was allowed to take his "pets" with him,
which alternative had been refused by the commander of the army, the Legislature of New Jersey passed the following resolution
on March 20th, 1862:
"That New Jersey highly appreciated the disinterested fidelity
of General Philip Kearny in declining proffered promotion rather than separate himself from the command of the Jerseymen entrusted
to him."
"That the transfer of General Kearny from the command of the Jersey Brigade
to a division in Heintzelman's corps was a matter of great concern and regret to the people of New Jersey is evidence
by the resolutions passed by the Legislature of that State on March 28th, 1862:
"Resolved, That to the New Jersey Volunteers belong the praise not
only of checking the retreat of the Federal forces retiring from Bull Run and greatly aiding in the preservation of the National
Capital from capture, but also of advancing, unsupported, on the rebel stronghold at Manassas and compelling its precipitate
abandonement; and that General Kearny deserves the warm approval and thanks of the Nation for his boldness in making this
advance, and this skillful strategy he displayed in its execution.
"Resolved, That having already testified our high appreciation of
the self-sacrificed and fidelity to his trust, which led General Kearny to decline promotion rather than leave his Brigade,
we now express our regret at the existence of any such necessity and respectfully suggest to those in authority the propriety
(unless it be inconsistent with the public interest) of combining all the New Jersey troops on the Potomac into one division
and placing the same under the command of General Kearny, whose devotion to his soldiers, care for their comfort and discipline,
and brilliant qualities as an officer, entitles the country to his services in a higher position than the one he now occupies.
"Resolved, That a copy of these resoluitions be forwarded to the
Honorable the Secretary of War."
VI Corps
First Division
First Brigade
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