War diary and letters of Stephen Minot Weld

Thursday, July 14. — Shelled again to-day. Troops were up all night expecting an attack, as a deserter came in and said that a great many more would come in if we would throw up rockets. We saw rockets thrown up, but whether the deserters came or not, I don’t know. Day pleasant.

Wednesday, July 13. — Heard accounts from Washington. Enemy shelled us from mortars during day. Day warm.

[Every evening the rebs would fire about a dozen mortar-shells at us, about dusk. We could see the lighted fuse going way up in the air, then stopping, and then coming down, and could tell pretty nearly where it was going to fall. Before their shells had reached the ground, our batteries would respond with an equal number, and return the compliment.]

Headquarters 56th Mass. Vols.,
Near Petersburg, Va., July 12, ’64.

Dear Father, — . . . Lee seems to be playing a bold game. The rumors are that all his old army have gone up into Maryland, and that Beauregard’s men are left in our front. If true, I suppose we shall have another campaign in Maryland and Penn. One consolation is that our men fight much better there than they do here.

Please tell Hannah that I received the letter she sent by Colonel Bartlett this afternoon. It was forwarded by him. He apologized for not being able to deliver it in person.

Will you please collect any money that may be due me from my bond or railroad shares, and divide it between Hannah and Alice. They can use it to help pay for going to the sea-shore, or in any other way they see fit. Now that things are so high, I imagine that it will be acceptable to them. I enclose the orders for the money.

I received a letter from —— yesterday. I cannot like her. It seems to me that she likes to parade her sufferings to every one. I am sorry for her, although I must say that I dislike her as a woman extremely.

We move out to the front line to-night and remain there four days.

I went to General Meade’s headquarters last night, and saw all my friends there. I then went into General Meade’s tent with Captain Bache, and called on him. He remembered me, much to my astonishment, and we had quite a pleasant conversation for 15 minutes.

I saw George Barnard and Tom Sherwin yesterday. Both were well. . .

Tuesday, July 12. — Lieutenant French was wounded in the side to-day. Also a man named Kurtz in A Company, in the face. We moved to the front line in the evening. One of the color-guard was killed while we were moving out. Lieutenant Lipp and Captain Fay went to City Point.

Headquarters 56TH Mass. V.,

Near Petersburg, Va., July 11, 1864.

Dear Hannah, — . . . Yesterday morning I made use of the adjournment of the court-martial (it being Sunday) and started with John Jones for Point of Rocks, near which are the headquarters of the Tenth Corps. We went to see Quartermaster Hutchings, and found him there alive and well. On the way I passed General Smith’s headquarters, Eighteenth Corps, and had from there quite a fair view of Petersburg, and the surrounding country. I could see the Appomattox, and the enemy’s batteries on the other side. The view is really a very pretty one. The country is fertile and broken, being a constant succession of hills, sometimes wooded, and again in some places under cultivation.

We crossed the Appomattox at Point of Rocks, on a pontoon bridge. On the other side we saw an enormous tower, over a hundred feet high, built by General Butler as a signal station. From here we had a ride of about three miles to headquarters Tenth Corps. Here we found Captain Hutchings, and in company with him rode over to wharf on the James River, where Quartermaster Thompson of the 25th Massachusetts is stationed. Here I indulged in a glass of iced milk, which was a great luxury, I can assure you. As we approached the James River, we had a most beautiful view of the banks on both sides. The valley of the James is probably the most fertile portion of Virginia. On the opposite side of the James we could see enormous fields of wheat already ripe and ready to be gathered. In fact, all the land that is under cultivation is planted with wheat or corn. On the other bank, I could see Aiken’s house and Landing. I recognized it immediately, it being the place where I was exchanged almost two years ago. From Jones’s wharf, we went on board a tugboat, and steamed up to the Alackinaw, a gunboat commanded by Captain Beaumont, formerly in command of the Nantucket. When I was introduced, he asked me immediately if I was any relation to Dr. Weld, and wished to be remembered to him. The tugboat that we went out on is called the Linda. There are four of them, called torpedo boats. They have a long pole lashed to their bow on which a torpedo with 150 lbs. of powder can be placed. As soon as the enemy’s ironclads make their appearance, these four tugs fix their torpedoes on and bunt into her. The gunboat Mackinaw was lying right off Aiken’s Landing. After dining with Captain Beaumont, we went on shore with him to see Mr. Aiken’s family and place. Aiken himself has just been arrested. We found his daughter, 14 years old, with two little brothers and two small sisters, the sole occupants of the house. It is a fine brick mansion with a park for deer on one side and numerous negro shanties, etc., on the other side. During an engagement the other day, between the enemy’s boats and ours, a hundred-pound shell exploded close by the house, denting the bricks in nine or ten places. The little girl was very polite indeed. She was strong Secesh. I could not help pitying her though. Only think of the poor child being exposed to the insults of any straggling soldiers or sailors who might come along.

We rode back home again in the moonlight, having passed a very pleasant day. It is the first time that I have been able to get away from the regiment since the campaign began.

We have received orders to begin besieging Petersburg in front of the Fifth and Ninth Corps. We shall have a hard time at it, I am afraid.

The Sixth Corps have gone to Washington to fight the rebels who invaded Maryland.

Our regiment is in the rear now, resting for two days. To-morrow we go to the front again.

Tell Father to be careful what he says about General L. or any other general. It may get me into trouble if he is not so. General L. has resigned, and will probably leave us in a day or two. He has always treated me kindly and I don’t care about saying anything against him.

Love to all. The flies bite so, I can’t write any more.

Monday, July 11. — Court finished case of Lieutenant Knickerbocker, and then adjourned till Wednesday. Rode over to General Griffin’s headquarters, and then to General Meade’s. Dined with Bache, and saw General Meade and had a pleasant chat with him. Rained on the way home, the first we have had for a long time. Had a very pleasant time. The regiment moved to the second line.

Sunday, July 10 — Jones took breakfast [with me], and then we started with Captain Sealy for Point of Rocks. We rode by General Smith’s headquarters, and reached the Appomattox. The country we passed through was very fertile indeed. We could see Petersburg and the batteries on both sides of the Appomattox. Crossed the Appomattox at Point of Rocks on a pontoon bridge, and went to the Tenth Corps headquarters, where we met Captain Hutchings. With him we went to Jones’s Landing on the James River, where we found Quartermaster Thompson. Had a pleasant time here, and then went out on a tug to the gunboat Mackinaw, which was anchored off Aiken’s Landing. We met Captain Beaumont here, and dined with him, and then rowed across to Aiken’s Point. This was the place where I was exchanged two years ago. After remaining here a little while, we went back to Thompson’s, and from there rode home. Day very warm. Roads very dusty. Regiment moved to the rear.

Saturday, July 9. — Court continued the case of Lieutenant Knickerbocker, and then adjourned till Monday. John Jones came over to see us to-day. Went over to Fifth Corps headquarters in afternoon, and then to General Turner’s headquarters, where I took tea. Made arrangements with John to go to Point of Rocks in the morning.

Headquarters 56th Mass. Vols.,
Near Petersburg, July 8, 1864.

Dear Hannah, — . . . You ask me what rifle-pits are. A rifle-pit proper is a small hole dug for sharpshooters or pickets. It is detached and separate from any other pit, and holds from one to three men. The term is commonly used, however, as synonymous with breastworks. I give you a profile view of one properly constructed. When the men fire, they stand on the place marked “3 feet.” That is called the “banquette.” When they are not in action, they go down 2 feet lower, and are pretty well protected. When we are at all exposed to a flank fire, traverses are built. They are mounds of earth running at right angles with the main rifle-pit. They have to be built quite high and thick in order to resist artillery. Where I was the last time I was at the front, we would have to trust to our legs and a kind Providence to protect us whenever we went anywhere from the pits. The enemy would shoot at us regularly. In most cases narrow ditches are dug, with the earth from the ditch thrown up towards the enemy, leading to the rear. The men can walk in these ditches with comparative safety.

Yesterday as our regiment was moved to the second line, I went out on a travelling expedition. I called on General Barlow first. He had just received the notice of ——’s dismissal from the service. It seems he asked the hospital steward to give him something to make him sick. It is too bad, especially as his brothers have done well. He had a great deal better have been killed. From General Barlow’s I went to General Hayes’s, my old colonel. He commands the brigade of Regulars in the Fifth Corps. I then went to the 10th Massachusetts, but could see no one that I knew. I went to the Second Corps hospital and found John Perry, and had a very pleasant time. John Perry will probably go home with the 10th. Their time is out to-day, and fifty of them go home. We were moved into the second line last evening in anticipation of an attack from the enemy, which did not come off.

I saw Frank Weld last evening and gave him your message. Torn Sherwin was with him. . . .