August 2. — The general rode down to the river this morning and crossed. We went first to the hill on the left, where General Cutler’s division is. From there we rode to the hills on the right, where General Robinson’s division is. Our position is a very strong one. We have rifle-pits built along the whole line. After being out we came back to camp with General Buford and staff, who remained and dined with us. The day was the warmest we have had yet, it being very oppressive and disagreeable. Heard nothing more about my commission. I think that there must be some mistake somewhere.
War diary and letters of Stephen Minot Weld
August 1.—We received orders last night to picket the river from Beverly Ford to Wheatley’s Ford; to hold the opposite bank of the river until the bridge was built; and also to hold the railroad from Warrenton Junction to Rappahannock Station. This is a good job for one corps to accomplish. We struck tents early in the morning, and the general, Jackson, and I, started for Rappahannock Station in an ambulance. When we arrived there we found that we had about 100 cavalry and some sharpshooters across the river. The enemy retired without firing a shot, being only videttes. The engineers began to lay the bridge soon after we got there, and as soon as it was finished the cavalry began crossing. As soon as they had sufficient force over, a squadron went off to the right, and deployed as skirmishers, advancing up the hill very prettily, but meeting no enemy. Soon after, another force rode out to the front, and deployed as skirmishers, followed at a distance by the whole body of cavalry. It was a very pretty sight, and had it not been for the excessive heat of the sun, one would have enjoyed looking at them. As it was, however, it was as much as one’s life was worth to stand out in the broiling sun any length of time. Our cavalry met with no resistance until they had gone some two miles and a half from the river. I got leave about noon to go out and see the fight. I found our forces a mile beyond Brandy Station, and soon after I got there the 8th New York made a charge on 4 guns, which they came near taking. Our headquarters are at a Mr. Bower’s house, where General Buford was. In the evening I was sent to find General Buford. He was about three miles from the river. He advanced within a mile and a half of Culpeper, driving Jones’s and Hampton’s brigades of cavalry that far. He met A. P. Hill’s corps, and was driven back two miles this side of Brandy Station.
[The cavalry staff officers were a lively set of boys. Craig Wadsworth and a lot of them sat down while there was a short halt before going into a fight, and began playing poker. In a few minutes the game was interrupted by the call to arms, and off they went into the fight, and were in the charge on the four guns. It was as near a capture as anything I ever saw.]
July 31.— Rode up to headquarters of the Army of the Potomac this morning in an ambulance with the general, Jackson, and Wainwright. About halfway our ambulance broke down, compelling us to seize one belonging to the Sixth Corps, which was passing at the time. We reached headquarters about 3 P.M., having been three or four hours going 10 miles. On the edge of the town of Warrenton we found an immense quartermaster’s establishment, where they were repairing ambulances, shoeing mules and horses, etc. Headquarters were half a mile out from the town, on the Sulphur Springs road. Took lunch with Perkins. Saw Riddle, Oliver, Mitchell, etc. Started to come back on our horses at 6.30 P.M., having passed a very pleasant afternoon. When we arrived at camp, which was at 9 P.M., I found a letter from Father saying that I had been telegraphed for on the 29th instant by General Schouler. Day pleasant.
Headquarters 1st Army Corps,
Camp at Warrenton, July 30, 1863.
Dear Father, — I received your letters of the 27th and 28th inst., and am very much obliged to you indeed for the trouble you have taken to obtain that position for me.
On receiving the letter, I went to General Newton, and told him that I expected the commission as lieutenant colonel, and that as soon as convenient to him, after receiving the commission, I would like to go home. I also told him that I was sorry to leave him, and that I was much obliged to him for his kindness to me. He said that he was sorry to lose me, but that he congratulated me on my promotion, etc. He was very kind to me indeed, and told me the best way to get my discharge. As soon as I receive my commission, I will start for home. I shall take James and both of my horses with me. The box of clothing I luckily received last night. I shall endeavor to get that bundle sent by Lieutenant Corcoran, but I am afraid that I stand a poor chance of obtaining it.
We are encamped close by the spot that General Porter was, last year. His not moving when ordered to, was one of the charges against him. Our position here is not very pleasant. We are on low ground, which gets soaked every time there is a rain, and yet decent drinking water is impossible to get hold of. It is convenient on account of being so near the railroad, but that is its only advantage. I saw Charlie Horton and Motley yesterday. They were both well. General Gordon, on whose staff Motley is, is in the Eleventh Corps, much to his disgust. The corps has such a bad reputation that any good soldier feels himself disgraced to be in it. The best way is to disband it and mix it in with the other corps.
James has a letter from his wife which says that he is drafted. If so, he had better enlist in the regiment I am going into, and then let me detail him as my servant.
General Newton does not work his staff nearly as much as General Reynolds used to. I am rather sorry for it, as I like to have plenty to do out here. I am not at all afraid of having too much to do at Readville. I like the idea, and think that it will do me good.
There has been some sharp correspondence between Halleck and Meade. Halleck telegraphed that this army could not fight or march worth a damn. Meade immediately asked to be relieved, but this was not granted, and Halleck apologized. If you take into consideration our inferior force, every one must acknowledge that Meade has done all that a man could do. Even now, we do not number 50,000 infantry in this army. If we are compelled to cross the Rappahannock with our present number, we shall stand a fair chance of being soundly whipped. We shall have to wait here until we receive our conscripts. . . .
July 30. — Received a letter from Father, saying that the Governor had signed my commission, and that I would soon receive notice to come home. Weather showery.
July 29.— Received a letter from Father, saying that I had been nominated as lieutenant colonel by Charley Griswold, and that the Governor was going to confirm the nomination. Told the general, who said that he was sorry to lose me, but that he was glad to congratulate me on my promotion. Was not very well to-day. Charley Horton came over here in the afternoon, and I rode over with him to General Gordon’s. We had a fine band here belonging to General Gordon’s old brigade. Rainy throughout the day, as it has been ever since we have been here.
July 28. — Went this morning to the 2d Massachusetts and saw Bill Perkins, George Thompson, and Francis. From there I went to General Greene’s headquarters, and saw Charley Horton.[1] Went to Gordon’s division of the Twelfth Corps, and saw Gray, Motley, and Scott.[2] When I came back, I found that the general had gone to Rappahannock Station. Nothing new. Weather showery in the afternoon.
[1] Charles P. Horton, Harvard 1857.
[2] Henry B. Scott, my classmate.
July 27.— I rode up to Rappahannock Station, where we have a brigade and a battery. Found that the enemy were on the opposite bank, but not in very great force. Rode over to General Buford’s headquarters, which were near, and saw Wadsworth. Dined with them, and rode down here with Captain Keough. Lamed my mare on the way down. Jackson returned to-night, and brought our mess stuff. The Eleventh Corps is now on our right, the Twelfth in our rear, the Second three miles from us, on the road to Warrenton, and the Third and Sixth at or near Warrenton. Had a heavy shower during the day. Weather unsettled and close.
July 26. Sunday. — Lieutenant Jackson started for Washington this morning. We gave him various commissions to execute for us. Robinson’s division went up to Bealeton to protect the railroad, etc. Day pleasant.
July 25. — Received orders to march at daylight this morning for Warrenton Junction. Started as ordered, and reached there by noon, a distance of io miles. Before leaving in the morning, Mrs. Smith, wife of Extra Billy,[1] came up to the hotel, to try to get back her cattle, which General Cutler took. I believe she was successful. She said that she hoped Extra B. would be inaugurated Governor of the State and the Union in January next. We found the Eleventh Corps just arriving at the Junction as we came in. Two divisions of the corps were placed on the right of the railroad, and one proceeded to Beale-ton. We found good water scarce, as it always is in this vicinity. Our headquarters were near the Junction, in a grove of trees. This makes the third time that I have encamped at Warrenton Junction during this war. The first time last August, with General Porter; the second time last month, with General Reynolds; and the third time with General Newton.
[1] “Extra Billy Smith,” Governor of Virginia somewhere about the beginning of the War. Called “Extra Billy” Smith because he put in so many bills for extras.
