July 24. — The general sent Lieutenant Carson out to Waterloo with 20 cavalrymen, and five companies of infantry as a support. He saw nothing of the enemy except a straggler, whom he captured and sent in. He went a mile across the river, and then returned. He heard heavy firing towards Culpeper, proceeding from our cavalry, who crossed above here. In the evening Mrs. Wallach and her daughter came in from Culpeper. They said that when they left Culpeper there were no troops there. The firing was from our cavalry fighting infantry, near Annisville. General Ingalls arrived here this evening, and I obtained a paper from one of his party, the first I have seen for a week. I took a walk through the town during the afternoon. Saw some pretty girls, who would not even glance at us, however. The town is quite a pretty one, and has some neat cottages in it. Some of them reminded me very much of the houses on the Beverly shore. The population of Warrenton before the war was 2000. At present it cannot be over 600, and these mostly women and children. Almost all the families here are in mourning, but almost invariably, so I am told, give as the reason for wearing black, that some aged relative has died. I suppose they think that the Yankees would be glad to know of any one being killed in battle, and so refuse to tell.
War diary and letters of Stephen Minot Weld
July 23. — Captain Mitchell arrived here at 5 A.M., with orders for us to move to Warrenton, 13 miles from White Plains. General Kenly led. We reached Warrenton about 3 P.M.; Mosby’s men were ahead of us all along the route. We met the cavalry train parked about 8 miles from Warrenton. Our corps was camped on the Waterloo and Culpeper roads. Our headquarters are at the Warren Green Hotel. A year ago next November I passed through here with General Porter on the way to Washington. He had just been relieved, and was accompanied as far as this hotel by General Hooker. We saw Burnside at the hotel, General Halleck, and numerous other generals. There has been a great change since then. Burnside and Hooker both in command of this army, and both relieved. I wonder how much was gained by removing McClellan? We dined at the Warren Green on biscuit and bacon. Our wagon train, with General Cutler’s division, went by way of New Baltimore. Colonel Painter was fired at while entering the town. We sent skirmishers in at one end of the town while our wagon train was entering the other end.
July 22.— As we did not receive any orders to move last night, we supposed we were safe for to-day, but about 1 P.M. Major Biddle came up with orders for us to march on to White Plains. We started as soon as possible, compelling an old darkey and a man named Simmons to act as guides. We had a very pleasant march of about 9 miles, reaching White Plains about 8 P.M. On our way we found traces of Mosby’s corrals, etc. The day was pleasant.
July 21.— We remained in camp all day on the eastern outskirts of the town. I went down into the town and seized a man named Chancellor to act as a guide. I also gobbled a negro living on Mr. English’s place. I put them both under guard. Two drummer boys who were captured by Mosby yesterday came back this afternoon, having been paroled. They reported Mosby as being about 8 miles from here, and as having robbed Russell and Sanderson of all their money, etc. A man named Nolan was arrested and brought in, accused of having helped Mosby take the drummer boys. The weather was pleasant.
July 20. — Started at 4 A.M. for Middleburg, about 13 miles distant. Passed through the Quaker settlement, and through Circleville. Stopped at the Quakers’ houses and found them very pleasant and hospitable. We reached Middleburg about 5 P.M., after a long and wearisome march, losing our way several times, and having a great deal of trouble in finding a ford over Goose Creek. The bridge over the creek was destroyed by our cavalry some three weeks ago. We finally forded the creek at Benton’s Mill. Major Russell and Colonel Sanderson were gobbled near this ford by about twelve of Mosby’s men, and taken through Middleburg on their Way to Warrenton. After reaching M., I was sent to headquarters of the Army of the Potomac, and found them at Union, 6 miles distant. Received orders to stay where we were to-morrow. Baird is A. A. G.[1]
[1] As we were starting out this morning, we got one or two hundred yards ahead of the corps, and looking to the left, I saw fifty or sixty Confederate cavalry in the field, not more than two or three hundred yards to our left. I showed them to the general, and he told me to take our headquarters guard and go after them. As soon as they saw us, they retired in short order into the woods. I followed them for about a mile, but could not get them. I found a hospital for sick horses belonging to Mosby, but could accomplish nothing, so returned. When we got to Goose Creek, the general wanted to cross over. As we were about a quarter of a mile ahead of the corps, I begged him to wait, and he did so. Lucky he did, for Major Russell and Colonel Sanderson, who did cross a few minutes ahead of us, were captured by Mosby.
July 19. — We started at 6 A.M., and moved on to Hamilton, 8 miles distant. We found this town a regular secession hole, like almost all other towns in Virginia. Our headquarters were at a Mr. Janney’s house. He was captured a short time ago trying to run goods over the river at Point of Rocks. Day warm and pleasant.
July 18. — Headquarters started at 5 A.M., and crossed the river at Berlin. Saw Captain Reese at the Bridge. We moved on to Lovettsville, and from there to Waterford, 7 miles distant. Just before reaching Waterford, we met a Union man, who said that a rebel cavalryman, named Orison, who lived there, was at home. I rode over to the house with two orderlies, and found that his horse was gone, and that he was not to be found. I soon found him, however, in the weaving-house, and sent him to Captain Taylor. Waterford is a good Union town. I hear that there are not more than five rebel families in the whole town. We stayed at Mr. Hough’s house, and were very kindly treated. We lived on the fat of the land, much to our enjoyment. The march to-day was one of the pleasantest we have had on this campaign. Major Russell was sick to-day, and for a few hours I acted as A. A. G. Weather pleasant.
Headquarters 1st Army Corps, July 17, 1863.
Dear Father, — I received your note of July 13th, and hasten to answer it. I would like that position you speak of, and hope you can get it for me. Either that or a majority, I would like, and feel myself competent to fill such a position. I could get any number of recommendations for such a position, but would prefer not to do so, as I don’t care about having anything to do with getting it myself. If General Reynolds were alive, I could get a very high recommendation, and could get such probably from General Newton, although he does not know me well enough as yet. General Porter would do anything of the kind I wished, but I suppose anything from him would do me more harm than good at present. I think that General Sedgwick would be very willing, also, to help me. Colonel Hayes of my regiment, and General Barnes would both of them be glad to assist me. If you find that you can get me such a position, I wish you would try to get it in Griswold’s regiment, provided there are none others better than his. I could have my own way there. . . .
We move across the river in a day or two, but whether to Washington or Richmond, I don’t know. Probably for the latter place, although we have rather a small force for an advance in that direction.
I am much obliged to you for getting that present for Frank Balch. I meant to have written to you to do so, but on account of moving all the time, and the bustle and excitement attending the march, I forgot it.
Please let me know in your next letter how John Perry is and where he is staying. . . .
July 17. — Rained heavily in the morning, and continued at intervals during the day. We had a rest for one day, and welcome it was, too. Our meals we obtained from the house. I received a letter from Father and one from Hannah. I answered Father’s immediately. The Fifth and Sixth Corps crossed the river this afternoon. The rumor is that the Second and Twelfth move down the Shenandoah Valley. Late this evening we received orders to move at 4 A.M. across the river to Waterford, about 12 miles distant.
Headquarters 1st Army Corps,
Camp near Berlin, July 16, 1863.
Dear Hannah, — We are wanderers on the face of the earth, like the Israelites of old. We don’t stop 24 hours in the same place, but keep up this eternal marching all the time. We are going to cross the river again at the same place that we crossed last year.
We are having glorious news now, and I really think that the end of this rebellion begins to draw near. The only thing that mars this good news is the account we have of the riots in New York, which I hope the Government will put down with a strong hand, and not stop until they have shot or hung every one of the rioters. It is disgraceful, and I only wish that I could be in New York to help kill some of the rascals. I see by to-day’s paper that there has been some disturbance in Boston. I don’t think there will be much danger of a riot there. I suppose that the Winthrop Home Guard will turn out in Jamaica Plain and prevent any disturbance there. Tell Father not to expose himself, for you know how excitable he is, and in case of any trouble I am afraid that he will be in the midst of it. A regiment of Regulars and a battery of artillery have gone from here to New York, and I think that with their assistance the draft will be put through in that place.
We are now near Berlin, and have our headquarters in the front yard of a Mr. West, amongst a large grove of trees. We get our meals in his house and are living quite comfortably.
July 17.
. . . Our cavalry crossed the Potomac last night at Harper’s Ferry. There is a pontoon bridge being laid at Berlin, and we shall probably cross on it to-morrow. I suppose we shall push for Warrenton, as we did last year, and then we shall remain there, or make for Richmond. General Meade seems desirous of pushing ahead as fast as possible, but I am rather afraid that our present force is too small to take Richmond. However, we shall not remain inactive for a very long time, and you may feel sure that General Meade will do all in his power to whip the rebs. . . .
