March 1862, the Battle of New Bern was over and the men of the 9th New Jersey Volunteers, which included almost all of Ocean County sons, had done themselves proud. Col. Charles A. Heckman, a former railroad conductor from Phillipsburg, reported to the governor of New Jersey.

“Again the Ninth by its cool, substantial and effective bravery, has sustained the honor of its state with characteristic gallantry.