John Robert Pedrick was born on October 2, 1840, in Gloucester county New Jersey (on the left in the photo). He was the youngest of five children (two boys and three girls) born to William R. Pedrick and Sarah Jane (nee Mattson) Pedrick. John had deep roots in New Jersey. The Pedricks came to America from England in 1679 to escape persecution for their Quaker beliefs. The Mattson family emigrated from Sweden in 1640 on the second voyage of the now famous ship the Kalmar Nyckel. Both families settled in south west New Jersey.
Little is known of John's life prior to 1861 except that earlier census records appear to show him working as a farm laborer for another family. Tragedy struck the Pedrick family in May of 1860 when the eldest and only other son, Asa, was stricken with, and ultimately succumbed to, Typhoid fever leaving John as the sole male heir.
Despite his position in the family, when news of the bombardment of Fort Sumter reached him, he was immediately moved to enlist in the Union Army in defense of the Union and on May 22, 1861, he was sworn in as a Private with the 3rd New Jersey, Company A (part of the famed "First Jersey Brigade"). This was to be a three year enlistment. The company was first sent to Camp Perrine but within days relocated to Camp Olden.
In a letter home written from Alexandria, Virginia and dated July 30, 1861, he wrote to report his status as among the living albeit with a "bad cold". John's company was among those sent to participate in the Bull Run campaign. The trip there was by rail but constantly delayed by Rebel sabotage of the bridges and rails and John and his company were forced to make repairs themselves even engaging in a skirmish along the way at Burt's Station some twelve miles from Bull Run. The company was approximately four miles from the Bull Run battlefield when they were halted. The firing of cannon could be heard and the men were eager to do their duty. Much to their dismay, retreat was ordered and the men returned to Alexandria. John reports one casualty: the drummer of Company H killed "accidently" leaving behind a wife and three children.
The fall of 1861 saw the company preparing for the coming winter. The men were tasked building a fort to be known as Fort Taylor. Initially each man was assigned to work on the fort for three hours a day. This was later increased to six hours a day. John was proud that the fort was being built and so named as he felt it would add to the glory of the New Jersey Volunteers.
On January 19, 1862, John wrote to his sister that he felt the war would be over in six to eight months and to thank her for a box of pies she had sent him.
On September 2, 1862 John was promoted to Corporal. In his next letter home dated October 2, 1862, he talks of the "Rebels big mistake" in invading loyal Maryland. His regiment having been victorious in two encounters (Crampton's Gap and South Mountain) leading up to the battle of Antietam. He notes that his company suffered two killed and three wounded in Maryland and six killed and eighteen wounded since leaving New Jersey.
In a letter to his parents dated December 9, 1862, John writes to his parents discussing the removal of McClellan as Union commander stating that it was unpopular among the men. He also expressed his faith that Burnside would lead them to ultimate victory. He lamented the fact that he could not send any money home at that time as the company had not been paid in five months.
John next wrote his parents on January 27, 1863, from White Oak Church, outside of Fredericksburg, Virginia. He relates that the weather had been bad with the mud "shoe top deep" while in the roads in was "hub deep". He also proudly announced his promotion of January 1, 1863, to Sergeant with the pay increase associated with it.
In late April of 1863, New Jersey Governor Joel Parker reviewed the troops stationed at White Oak Church. At that time he issued the Regimental flag to John as he was made the regimental color sergeant. Shorty thereafter the Chancellorsville campaign got under way. John's company (as part of the Sixth Corps) was tasked to remain at Marye's Heights as a feint to keep the Army of Northern Virginia occupied as the main Union Army proceeded south. The plan was for the Sixth Corps to eventually move west in a pincer movement. When John's company began its movement on May 3, 1863, it encountered heavy resistance outside of Fredricksburg. Forward movement halted in the vicinity of Salem Church where they took severe casualties. Among the killed at Salem Church was John R. Pedrick. One newspaper account (the Newton Sussex Register, May 8, 1863) reported the following, "The Third New Jersey's battle flag received a dozen or more bullet holes and was baptized in the blood of the Sergeant who carried it." One other account states that as John fell the flag became wrapped around his body.
John, until the time of his death, and the Third New Jersey had participated in all of the major battles fought by the Army of the Potomac from Bull Run, through the Peninsula Campaign, Second Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Mud March and finally Chancellorsville. At time of his death John was twenty-two. His body was not recovered.
Little is known of John's life prior to 1861 except that earlier census records appear to show him working as a farm laborer for another family. Tragedy struck the Pedrick family in May of 1860 when the eldest and only other son, Asa, was stricken with, and ultimately succumbed to, Typhoid fever leaving John as the sole male heir.
Despite his position in the family, when news of the bombardment of Fort Sumter reached him, he was immediately moved to enlist in the Union Army in defense of the Union and on May 22, 1861, he was sworn in as a Private with the 3rd New Jersey, Company A (part of the famed "First Jersey Brigade"). This was to be a three year enlistment. The company was first sent to Camp Perrine but within days relocated to Camp Olden.
In a letter home written from Alexandria, Virginia and dated July 30, 1861, he wrote to report his status as among the living albeit with a "bad cold". John's company was among those sent to participate in the Bull Run campaign. The trip there was by rail but constantly delayed by Rebel sabotage of the bridges and rails and John and his company were forced to make repairs themselves even engaging in a skirmish along the way at Burt's Station some twelve miles from Bull Run. The company was approximately four miles from the Bull Run battlefield when they were halted. The firing of cannon could be heard and the men were eager to do their duty. Much to their dismay, retreat was ordered and the men returned to Alexandria. John reports one casualty: the drummer of Company H killed "accidently" leaving behind a wife and three children.
The fall of 1861 saw the company preparing for the coming winter. The men were tasked building a fort to be known as Fort Taylor. Initially each man was assigned to work on the fort for three hours a day. This was later increased to six hours a day. John was proud that the fort was being built and so named as he felt it would add to the glory of the New Jersey Volunteers.
On January 19, 1862, John wrote to his sister that he felt the war would be over in six to eight months and to thank her for a box of pies she had sent him.
On September 2, 1862 John was promoted to Corporal. In his next letter home dated October 2, 1862, he talks of the "Rebels big mistake" in invading loyal Maryland. His regiment having been victorious in two encounters (Crampton's Gap and South Mountain) leading up to the battle of Antietam. He notes that his company suffered two killed and three wounded in Maryland and six killed and eighteen wounded since leaving New Jersey.
In a letter to his parents dated December 9, 1862, John writes to his parents discussing the removal of McClellan as Union commander stating that it was unpopular among the men. He also expressed his faith that Burnside would lead them to ultimate victory. He lamented the fact that he could not send any money home at that time as the company had not been paid in five months.
John next wrote his parents on January 27, 1863, from White Oak Church, outside of Fredericksburg, Virginia. He relates that the weather had been bad with the mud "shoe top deep" while in the roads in was "hub deep". He also proudly announced his promotion of January 1, 1863, to Sergeant with the pay increase associated with it.
In late April of 1863, New Jersey Governor Joel Parker reviewed the troops stationed at White Oak Church. At that time he issued the Regimental flag to John as he was made the regimental color sergeant. Shorty thereafter the Chancellorsville campaign got under way. John's company (as part of the Sixth Corps) was tasked to remain at Marye's Heights as a feint to keep the Army of Northern Virginia occupied as the main Union Army proceeded south. The plan was for the Sixth Corps to eventually move west in a pincer movement. When John's company began its movement on May 3, 1863, it encountered heavy resistance outside of Fredricksburg. Forward movement halted in the vicinity of Salem Church where they took severe casualties. Among the killed at Salem Church was John R. Pedrick. One newspaper account (the Newton Sussex Register, May 8, 1863) reported the following, "The Third New Jersey's battle flag received a dozen or more bullet holes and was baptized in the blood of the Sergeant who carried it." One other account states that as John fell the flag became wrapped around his body.
John, until the time of his death, and the Third New Jersey had participated in all of the major battles fought by the Army of the Potomac from Bull Run, through the Peninsula Campaign, Second Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Mud March and finally Chancellorsville. At time of his death John was twenty-two. His body was not recovered.
John Robert Pedrick was born on October 2, 1840, in Gloucester county New Jersey (on the left in the photo). He was the youngest of five children (two boys and three girls) born to William R. Pedrick and Sarah Jane (nee Mattson) Pedrick. John had deep roots in New Jersey. The Pedricks came to America from England in 1679 to escape persecution for their Quaker beliefs. The Mattson family emigrated from Sweden in 1640 on the second voyage of the now famous ship the Kalmar Nyckel. Both families settled in south west New Jersey.
Little is known of John's life prior to 1861 except that earlier census records appear to show him working as a farm laborer for another family. Tragedy struck the Pedrick family in May of 1860 when the eldest and only other son, Asa, was stricken with, and ultimately succumbed to, Typhoid fever leaving John as the sole male heir.
Despite his position in the family, when news of the bombardment of Fort Sumter reached him, he was immediately moved to enlist in the Union Army in defense of the Union and on May 22, 1861, he was sworn in as a Private with the 3rd New Jersey, Company A (part of the famed "First Jersey Brigade"). This was to be a three year enlistment. The company was first sent to Camp Perrine but within days relocated to Camp Olden.
In a letter home written from Alexandria, Virginia and dated July 30, 1861, he wrote to report his status as among the living albeit with a "bad cold". John's company was among those sent to participate in the Bull Run campaign. The trip there was by rail but constantly delayed by Rebel sabotage of the bridges and rails and John and his company were forced to make repairs themselves even engaging in a skirmish along the way at Burt's Station some twelve miles from Bull Run. The company was approximately four miles from the Bull Run battlefield when they were halted. The firing of cannon could be heard and the men were eager to do their duty. Much to their dismay, retreat was ordered and the men returned to Alexandria. John reports one casualty: the drummer of Company H killed "accidently" leaving behind a wife and three children.
The fall of 1861 saw the company preparing for the coming winter. The men were tasked building a fort to be known as Fort Taylor. Initially each man was assigned to work on the fort for three hours a day. This was later increased to six hours a day. John was proud that the fort was being built and so named as he felt it would add to the glory of the New Jersey Volunteers.
On January 19, 1862, John wrote to his sister that he felt the war would be over in six to eight months and to thank her for a box of pies she had sent him.
On September 2, 1862 John was promoted to Corporal. In his next letter home dated October 2, 1862, he talks of the "Rebels big mistake" in invading loyal Maryland. His regiment having been victorious in two encounters (Crampton's Gap and South Mountain) leading up to the battle of Antietam. He notes that his company suffered two killed and three wounded in Maryland and six killed and eighteen wounded since leaving New Jersey.
In a letter to his parents dated December 9, 1862, John writes to his parents discussing the removal of McClellan as Union commander stating that it was unpopular among the men. He also expressed his faith that Burnside would lead them to ultimate victory. He lamented the fact that he could not send any money home at that time as the company had not been paid in five months.
John next wrote his parents on January 27, 1863, from White Oak Church, outside of Fredericksburg, Virginia. He relates that the weather had been bad with the mud "shoe top deep" while in the roads in was "hub deep". He also proudly announced his promotion of January 1, 1863, to Sergeant with the pay increase associated with it.
In late April of 1863, New Jersey Governor Joel Parker reviewed the troops stationed at White Oak Church. At that time he issued the Regimental flag to John as he was made the regimental color sergeant. Shorty thereafter the Chancellorsville campaign got under way. John's company (as part of the Sixth Corps) was tasked to remain at Marye's Heights as a feint to keep the Army of Northern Virginia occupied as the main Union Army proceeded south. The plan was for the Sixth Corps to eventually move west in a pincer movement. When John's company began its movement on May 3, 1863, it encountered heavy resistance outside of Fredricksburg. Forward movement halted in the vicinity of Salem Church where they took severe casualties. Among the killed at Salem Church was John R. Pedrick. One newspaper account (the Newton Sussex Register, May 8, 1863) reported the following, "The Third New Jersey's battle flag received a dozen or more bullet holes and was baptized in the blood of the Sergeant who carried it." One other account states that as John fell the flag became wrapped around his body.
John, until the time of his death, and the Third New Jersey had participated in all of the major battles fought by the Army of the Potomac from Bull Run, through the Peninsula Campaign, Second Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Mud March and finally Chancellorsville. At time of his death John was twenty-two. His body was not recovered.
Little is known of John's life prior to 1861 except that earlier census records appear to show him working as a farm laborer for another family. Tragedy struck the Pedrick family in May of 1860 when the eldest and only other son, Asa, was stricken with, and ultimately succumbed to, Typhoid fever leaving John as the sole male heir.
Despite his position in the family, when news of the bombardment of Fort Sumter reached him, he was immediately moved to enlist in the Union Army in defense of the Union and on May 22, 1861, he was sworn in as a Private with the 3rd New Jersey, Company A (part of the famed "First Jersey Brigade"). This was to be a three year enlistment. The company was first sent to Camp Perrine but within days relocated to Camp Olden.
In a letter home written from Alexandria, Virginia and dated July 30, 1861, he wrote to report his status as among the living albeit with a "bad cold". John's company was among those sent to participate in the Bull Run campaign. The trip there was by rail but constantly delayed by Rebel sabotage of the bridges and rails and John and his company were forced to make repairs themselves even engaging in a skirmish along the way at Burt's Station some twelve miles from Bull Run. The company was approximately four miles from the Bull Run battlefield when they were halted. The firing of cannon could be heard and the men were eager to do their duty. Much to their dismay, retreat was ordered and the men returned to Alexandria. John reports one casualty: the drummer of Company H killed "accidently" leaving behind a wife and three children.
The fall of 1861 saw the company preparing for the coming winter. The men were tasked building a fort to be known as Fort Taylor. Initially each man was assigned to work on the fort for three hours a day. This was later increased to six hours a day. John was proud that the fort was being built and so named as he felt it would add to the glory of the New Jersey Volunteers.
On January 19, 1862, John wrote to his sister that he felt the war would be over in six to eight months and to thank her for a box of pies she had sent him.
On September 2, 1862 John was promoted to Corporal. In his next letter home dated October 2, 1862, he talks of the "Rebels big mistake" in invading loyal Maryland. His regiment having been victorious in two encounters (Crampton's Gap and South Mountain) leading up to the battle of Antietam. He notes that his company suffered two killed and three wounded in Maryland and six killed and eighteen wounded since leaving New Jersey.
In a letter to his parents dated December 9, 1862, John writes to his parents discussing the removal of McClellan as Union commander stating that it was unpopular among the men. He also expressed his faith that Burnside would lead them to ultimate victory. He lamented the fact that he could not send any money home at that time as the company had not been paid in five months.
John next wrote his parents on January 27, 1863, from White Oak Church, outside of Fredericksburg, Virginia. He relates that the weather had been bad with the mud "shoe top deep" while in the roads in was "hub deep". He also proudly announced his promotion of January 1, 1863, to Sergeant with the pay increase associated with it.
In late April of 1863, New Jersey Governor Joel Parker reviewed the troops stationed at White Oak Church. At that time he issued the Regimental flag to John as he was made the regimental color sergeant. Shorty thereafter the Chancellorsville campaign got under way. John's company (as part of the Sixth Corps) was tasked to remain at Marye's Heights as a feint to keep the Army of Northern Virginia occupied as the main Union Army proceeded south. The plan was for the Sixth Corps to eventually move west in a pincer movement. When John's company began its movement on May 3, 1863, it encountered heavy resistance outside of Fredricksburg. Forward movement halted in the vicinity of Salem Church where they took severe casualties. Among the killed at Salem Church was John R. Pedrick. One newspaper account (the Newton Sussex Register, May 8, 1863) reported the following, "The Third New Jersey's battle flag received a dozen or more bullet holes and was baptized in the blood of the Sergeant who carried it." One other account states that as John fell the flag became wrapped around his body.
John, until the time of his death, and the Third New Jersey had participated in all of the major battles fought by the Army of the Potomac from Bull Run, through the Peninsula Campaign, Second Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Mud March and finally Chancellorsville. At time of his death John was twenty-two. His body was not recovered.
Family Members
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
