War diary and letters of Stephen Minot Weld

Friday, July 22. — The 2d Brigade were reviewed by General Ledlie. Sharp firing on our left in the afternoon. Court-martial adjourned immediately on account of review.

Headquarters 56th Mass. Vols.,
Near Petersburg, Va., July 21, ’64.

Dear Father, — General Bartlett arrived here today, and takes command, I believe, of our brigade. I should not be surprised if he received the command of the division, in case General Ledlie’s resignation is accepted, which, by the way, we hear nothing of. I hope that we shall have General Bartlett, as he is a good soldier and a pleasant fellow.

We are now on the front line again, in a pretty fair position. The men have to keep well under cover, however, in order to avoid the fire of the sharpshooters. The shells from the enemy’s mortars go over us, almost entirely. The second line is much more dangerous in this respect than the first. Colonel Jarves reached here day before yesterday. He is probably going on some court-martial, until he gets stronger.

There was a rumor that I was appointed Provost Marshal of Alexandria or of some other place. I don’t suppose there was the slightest truth in the story.

The Nineteenth Corps have arrived at Bermuda Hundred. They are to go into position on the north bank of the James, and I hear are to make a strong demonstration there. We hear good news from the Sixth Corps, that they have whipped the enemy severely at Snicker’s Gap, and taken some prisoners.

Things remain unchanged here. I hear nothing said about attacking, and see no indications of it in our front. On the contrary, everything looks like remaining here quietly some time. All the regiments whose time is out on or before the 25th of August are to be sent to Washington to perform garrison duty. I don’t think that anything of the kind would be done if we intended to resume active operations immediately.

Under this new call for 500,000 men, I hope to get some men for my regiment. Please send me any that you can lay hands on.

I went over to General Meade’s headquarters yesterday, and saw all my friends there. It is real pleasant to meet some of my old friends out here. In the Ninth Corps I have but few, most of my acquaintances being merely those whom I have met on this campaign.

I am busy every morning on court-martial. We meet about 10 A.M. and adjourn at 1 P.M. The remainder of the time I am with the regiment, attending to business there, or reading and writing.

Please tell Thomas’s father that we have received no information in regard to his son. He probably, to tell the truth, went to sleep on the picket line, and when the men fell back during the night, did not wake up, and was taken prisoner. He is not much of a loss to the regiment, although I am sorry for his parents. Has John Meagher’s son reached home? I suppose he will be furloughed from the hospital. . . .

As usual, I am enjoying perfectly good health. The regiment is in a pretty fair sanitary condition, consider ing the exposure they have to undergo. I lost one man named Swan yesterday, killed on picket. . . .

We have had two rainy, foggy days in the trenches, and unpleasant enough they were. They are the first we have had for the last six weeks. To-day, we have a nice cool breeze, and a pleasant sky overhead. The trenches are drying up, and will soon be inhabitable again. . . .

Thursday, July 21. — General Bartlett arrived at division headquarters. Saw Jones there. The enemy shelled us heavily during afternoon and evening. An attack was expected on Willcox’s front. Day pleasant.

Headquarters 56th Mass. Vols.,
Near Petersburg, Va., July 20, 1864-

Dear Hannah, — I received two letters from you at Beverly, dated on the 14th and 15th inst. I judge that you must be having a very pleasant time. . . . I think Miss Gardner would like to be out here. She might charge over some field where men had been fighting, and nearly step on many a poor dead fellow. It is the most unpleasant part of a fight to see some poor fellows horribly mutilated and dead lying by one’s side.

Raish Jarves arrived here yesterday. He will probably be put on court-martial. I went up with him to see General Burnside, who was quite kind to us. . . .

The rebels are getting a splendid range on us with their mortar-shells. They are beginning to throw them into the trenches, which makes it slightly uncomfortable, as you can well imagine. They send a piece through my shanty occasionally. At night it is really good fun to watch them. You can see them gracefully ascending until they almost seem to stand still, and then down they come faster and faster, and finally explode. As a general rule, they do but little damage, for it is very difficult to get an accurate range with them. Just as I had written this, along came two mortar-shells, and burst within 40 feet of my shanty. Pleasant life we lead here, I can assure you. Yesterday we had our first rain for six weeks, and uncomfortable enough it made us, I can assure you. The trenches were half full of mud and water, as well as all the officers’ quarters. I slept last night in a perfect mud-hole, half drenched myself. To-day we have a regular dog-day. Hot and sultry, a day that makes one feel dirty and sticky all over.

I am still on court-martial. It keeps me busy about three hours every morning.

The men had a rumor that I was appointed Provost Marshal of Alexandria, but I cannot find that there is any truth in the report.

We have had several false alarms in regard to the enemy attacking us. They are undoubtedly massed in our front, expecting an attack from us. They may attack us, however, some foggy morning.

We move out to the front line this evening. We have four days on the front line, and four days on the rear, two of the latter are passed in the rear and two in the second line. . . .

Wednesday, July 20. — Rain continued at intervals. We moved into the first line at dark, taking position on the right of the battery. Several shells came near our quarters. In the afternoon rode over to division hospital, and to General Meade’s headquarters, with Raish.

Monday, July 18. — We were moved to the rear and were inspected together with the 57th and 100th Pennsylvania. We then marched in review before Captain Hovey. In the evening we marched to the second line again and took position on the right of the 57th Massachusetts, who were on the extreme left.

Sunday, July 17. — Rode over to see General Barlow and General Hayes. Also saw John Perry. In the evening Tom Sherwin, Frank Weld, Captain Phillips and Captain Davis came over to see me. About nine o’clock we were moved to the second line, as it was reported that the enemy were massing in our front, and were going to attack us in the morning. No attack was made, however.

Saturday, July 16. — Went to court-martial as usual. Moved out in the evening to the rear. Saw John Jones in the evening. Day warm. Night chilly. Several shells burst near our quarters.

Headquarters 56th Mass. Vols.,
Near Petersburg, Va., July 15, ’64.

Dear Father, — I don’t know whether this will reach you or not, as all communication with Washington seems to be cut off.

There are various rumors afloat about what we are going to do, but without any foundation as far as I can see. I dare say that we may fall back in order to save Washington, although there is nothing certain.

I do hope that we shall not lose Washington. Things look squally there most certainly. I am perfectly well.