Premier among Union combat organizations at Crampton’s Gap stands the First New Jersey Brigade commanded by Col. Alfred T.A. Torbert. The Jersey Brigade held left center of the Union line. The assault on Col. Thomas Munford’s primary Confederate position was intended as a simultaneous attack all along the line of battle. Instead Torbert’s brigade charged forward first, quickly dispersing Virginia infantry holding a thin line of defense in Mountain Church Road. Here the Jerseymen struck an empty void on the mountainside and kept going uphill until they reached the gap road, 1st and 3rd regiments in front, 2nd and 4th regiments close behind.
Reaching the road, Col. Henry Brown of the 3rd New Jersey sighted the flank of Gen. Howell Cobb’s newly arrived support regiments just getting into place below him in the woods to his lower right. Brown wheeled his line on the road, coming down directly behind the Cobb Legion Infantry. Meanwhile the balance of Torbert’s regiments inclined to their right, enveloping the Legion front and flank. Surrounded on three sides, the Legion line was nearly doubled back upon itself as it fought for survival. Within twenty minutes the Legion suffered 72 percent casualties, most accounted for as prisoners of war. Two stands of colors were captured.
Somewhat disarrayed, the 1st and 3rd sorted out their conquest while elements of the 2nd and 4th continued up the gap road where they assisted in reduction of Cobb’s last stand in the gap. Soldiers of the 4th New Jersey were largely responsible for flanking the final Confederate position at twilight. Crampton’s Gap had been won largely through the efforts of Torbert’s unstoppable juggernaut.
Afterward Torbert was so pleased with the performance of the 4th Regiment that he petitioned the State of New Jersey to present new colors to the unit to replace those lost in action at Gaines’ Mill in June of that year where the regiment had been surrounded and forced to surrender. Turn about had become fair play. This was a unique distinction because these new colors bore commemorative scrolls heralding gallantry at Crampton’s Gap.
Early the following year Torbert also procured similar colors for his other three regiments, all in tribute to their performance that day. Though of like design, each regiment’s new state flag bore a different central motif. That of the 4th New Jersey bore a full-color depiction of their charge up South Mountain. Hard field service and age have now made this painting wholly indiscernible. The brigade’s subsequent field service unfolded beneath the memorable words "Crampton’s Pass", benchmark for battles to come.
*******POINTS OF INTEREST********
*This is a full immersion event. First person is expected. IF PARTICIPANTS BLATANTLY CHOOSE TO BREAK FIRST PERSON, THEY WILL BE ASKED TO LEAVE DURING THE EVENT!*
* NO CAMERAS are allowed. A person on each side will be assigned to discreetly take images during the event.*
*All rations will be issued to registered participants. This is a flat haversack event.*
*Participants should arrive with 60 rounds of properly packaged ammunition*
*The event will go live at 9 PM on Friday evening. All participants should try as much as possible to be ready to move out at this time. Plans are in place to get participants to the locations of their respective army if getting on site by 9 PM is not possible*
*Anticipate the event ending no later than noon on Sunday*
*July in Wisconsin can see temperatures of high 90s. Hydration before the event will be vital!*
*Ram rods will be used*