Colonel John J. Cladek

[Mike Serpa]

LOC - Colonel John J. Cladek of Co. B, 3rd New Jersey Infantry Regiment, Co. H, 5th New Jersey Infantry Regiment, 30th New Jersey Infantry Regiment and 35th New Jersey Infantry Regiment in zouave uniform with sword

 

[Nathan Stuart]

The back of this photo shows the signature of Col. John J. Cladek (1824-1884), as well as his writing of his identified regiment, being the 35th NJV. After reviewing his service periods, this would suggest the photo was taken between Aug. 15, '63 and Aug. 12, '65 ( more specifically, possibly at sometime in period during Aug./Sep./Oct., '63, before the regiment left NJ for Washington DC).

Col. Cladek m/i to the 35th NJV on Aug. 15, '63, for three years, but was dismissed prematurely on Aug. 12, '65. (see https://historicalpubs.njstatelib.org/searchable_publications/civilwar/NJCWidx27/ @ page 1054).

Interestingly, the reasons for his early dismissal as regimental colonel might be worth investigating further - common reasons included incompetence, drunkenness, conduct unbecoming and insubordination. Apparently, Col. Cladek was dismissed from the service on Aug. 12, '65, for defrauding his men of pay due to them.

 

[RedRover]

Col. Cladek also served as major of a battalion of the New Jersey Rifle Corps...

From 1869...

The New Jersey Rifle Corps was reorganized into the New Jersey National Guard in March-April, 1869.

Some of the officers of the Rifle Corps were reorganized into the "New Jersey Rifle Corps and Veterans Regiment" under Gen. Theodore Runyon. Cladek was listed as a Major with the corps as of November, 1869.

 

[Mike Serpa]

The back of this photo shows the signature of Col. John J. Cladek (1824-1884), as well as his writing of his identified regiment, being the 35th NJV. After reviewing his service periods, this would suggest the photo was taken between Aug. 15, '63 and Aug. 12, '65 ( more specifically, possibly at sometime in period during Aug./Sep./Oct., '63, before the regiment left NJ for Washington DC).

Col. Cladek m/i to the 35th NJV on Aug. 15, '63, for three years, but was dismissed prematurely on Aug. 12, '65. (see https://historicalpubs.njstatelib.org/searchable_publications/civilwar/NJCWidx27/ @ page 1054).

Interestingly, the reasons for his early dismissal as regimental colonel might be worth investigating further - common reasons included incompetence, drunkenness, conduct unbecoming and insubordination. Apparently, Col. Cladek was dismissed from the service on Aug. 12, '65, for defrauding his men of pay due to them.

All I found was he was dismissed. Thanks for finding why he was dismissed.

 

[Nathan Stuart]

Seems his dismissal from service did not impact him enrolling as a major in the NJ Rifle corps, later reorganized into the NJ National Guard in March, 1869.

Thought his gravestone marker (see https://images.findagrave.com/photos/2015/341/6886185_1449611129.jpg ) by highlighting the words, ..."Served Full Enlisted Terms In The"... might have been an attempt to deflect from any dubious/questionable exit from service.