6th New Jersey Volunteer Infantry - Original Field & Staff Officers

Original Field & Staff Officers

Mustered in at the end of August/beginning of September 1861 -

• Colonel James T. Hatfield
• Lieutenant Colonel Simpson R. Stroud
• Major John P. Van Leer
• Adjutant Leonard J. Gordon
• Quartermaster Joseph Woodward
• Surgeon John Wiley
• Assistant Surgeon Redfield Sharp
• Chaplain Samuel T. Moore
• Sergeant Major Charles Merriam

Of the men who made up the 6th New Jersey's initial leadership, only Surgeon Wiley and Chaplain Moore would still serve in their duties when their three year enlistments expired in September 1864. Colonel Hatfield resigned due to "disability" just prior to the 1862 Peninsular Campaign. Lieutenant Colonel Simpson Stroud died of disease in Camden, New Jersey, in November 1861, never seeing any field service. Major John P. Van Leer would be promoted to Lieutenant Colonel to replace Stroud, and was killed in action at the Battle of Williamsburg (briefly leading the regiment before his demise). Adjutant Gordon resigned in January 1862 (his replacement, Lieutenant Aaron Wilkes of Company B, was also killed at the Battle of Williamsburg). Quartermaster Woodward resigned due to disability in April 1863. Assistant Surgeon Sharp was promoted to Surgeon of the 15th New Jersey Volunteer Infantry in July 1862. While Chaplain Moore continued to serve with the 8th New Jersey Volunteer Infantry after September 1864, Surgeon Wiley chose to not re-enlist after three full years, and was honorably mustered out. Sergeant Major Merriam was promoted to 1st Lieutenant of Company H before he resigned in January 1863.