War diary and letters of Stephen Minot Weld

Friday, July 29. — Charlie Amory came as brigade adjutant-general. We were called up to General Bartlett’s headquarters and told that the mine was to be sprung, and our division was to lead in the charge. We were told that we were to press on through the mine to the hill beyond, called Cemetery Hill. We were relieved about 10 P.M. by colored troops from the Eighteenth Corps, and moved to the rear. About 2 A.M. we moved to the front through Willcox’s covered way, and got into position about 4 A.M.

Headquarters 56th Mass. Vols.,
Near Petersburg, Va., July 28, 1864.

Dear Hannah, — I enclose a beautiful ambrotype of two illustrious officers of Uncle Sam’s Army. One of them is Major Hovey (just promoted to Major A. I. G. of General Ledlie’s staff) and the other is your humble servant. This work of beauty and art was taken at City Point, Virginia, yesterday. I went down there on a pleasure trip with Major H., and had quite a pleasant time. I stopped at General Benham’s headquarters, which are at the Point, to see Channing Clapp. He was not there, so I resolved to beard the lion in his den, and see the general himself. So in I went, and shook hands with him. He was very polite, and asked after Uncle Oliver. We had quite a long talk on war matters, etc., in which the old gentleman showed his usual amount of conceit. He bid me good-bye very pleasantly.

I then went to General Grant’s headquarters, to see Mr. Dunn and thank him for bringing me that box, but could not find him. Please thank Father and receive my own thanks yourself for the contents of the box. We also went down to the wharf at City Point, where we saw the usual amount of ships, steamers, sutlers’ shops, etc., which always congregate at the depot of supplies for an army. Near here we had our pictures taken, each one costing two dollars. About a mile from City Point we came to the army hospitals, in a fine location, with the grounds well laid out and neatly policed, etc. They have two engines there which pump the water up from the river into a tank. From this tank the water is distributed all over the grounds to large wooden tubs. All the streets are watered by regular watering carts, so that the grounds are free from dust, and the air cool and pleasant. Dr. Dalton is in charge of the whole machine. We stopped and called on him, and had a very pleasant time. He is Henry Dalton’s brother, and is a very smart man indeed. After leaving the hospital we rode for home, or rather for the second line of rifle-pits in General Burnside’s front, having passed a very agreeable day. On reaching my regiment, I found that we were under orders to be ready to move, as an attack was expected on our left, the Second Corps having moved from there to the extreme right, the other side of James River. Hancock had a fight there, capturing 4 guns and some provisions. You will learn the particulars by the papers before this reaches you.

The mine is all finished, the powder in, the fuse all ready, and nothing wanting to make it go off except a lighted match, which will be applied, I think, to-morrow morning. Our brigade moves to the front line to-night, so that I don’t know whether we shall be in the scrimmage or not. I rather think we shall get into it, however, before the day is out. It will make some noise, as there are to be five (5) tons of gunpowder placed in it.

I hope that the attack, or assault, will be successful; for if it is, we shall [have] Petersburg in our possession. . . .

Headquarters 56th Mass. Vols.,
Near Petersburg, Va., July 26, 1864.

Dear Hannah, — I received a letter from you this morning dated July 22d. . . .

I am now in a most delightful situation, sitting under the shade of some large trees near General Burnside’s headquarters, with a delightfully cool breeze blowing. We are now enjoying our two days in the rear, but unfortunately they end this evening, making it necessary for us to go back to the second line of works.

Our brigade was reviewed this morning by General Ledlie. We had quite a decent review considering the situation we have been in.

My box arrived yesterday with everything safe. I invited John Jones to dinner, and just as dinner arrived, General Bartlett came in, so that we had quite a sociable time of it. Your candy and ginger came in as a dessert, and quite a welcome one it was. The cigars were very nice indeed. To-day I opened the cracker-box, and treated myself and friends to them. They were hard and dry, and tasted remarkably well.

I had a letter from Eliot Furness[1] a day or two ago, asking me to try and get him a position as field officer in one of the negro regiments under General Burnside. He said he wanted to get it so that he might be married. He is at present with General Gordon at Memphis, Tennessee.

That mine that I told you of is finished and I expect that it will soon be blown up. It extends under the first and second lines of the enemy. I understand that two or three tons of powder are to be placed in it. Imagine what a cheerful time the enemy, who may be above it when it is blown up, will have. . . .

[1] William Eliot Furness, a classmate.