War diary and letters of Stephen Minot Weld

Headquarters Engineer Brigade,

Near Falmouth, Va., April 4, 1863.

Dear Father, — I received a note from you in regard to George yesterday. . . .

I don’t know how soon we shall move. They are granting furloughs again, on the ground that the roads are bad. These high winds that we are having, however, are drying the roads wonderfully fast. I went out yesterday on the Warrenton road, about to be an important one, I judge, and found it very bad. The mud movement under Burnside cut it up so much that it will be some time before it is decent again. I was going out of the lines on business, but had so much trouble with the pickets that it got too late to go. The President and his wife arc coming down this afternoon, to review the troops. The review will come off to-morrow.

Channing Clapp of the 1st Massachusetts Cavalry will probably be appointed as our adjutant-general. He is a very nice fellow, and will make a pleasant addition to our staff. I am still acting as such.

We have been fixing up our tents and camp-ground the last few days. It looks quite nicely here now. The whole camp is surrounded with a pine hedge, about ten feet high, and the interior is nicely gravelled. . . .

I send you an old copy of the countersigns. A list like the enclosed is sent out every week to the headquarters of each corps.

April 4. — Lieutenant Perkins returned to-day from Washington. He could not get my money, so that I shall be obliged to go to Washington for it myself. The day has been cold and disagreeable, and promised a storm, which began about nightfall. It snowed quite fast, and blew a very heavy gale. No signs of an immediate move. Report says the President and Cabinet will be down tomorrow to see a review of the whole army.

April 3. — General Benham arrived here this morning at 8 o’clock. About 11 A.M. Lieutenant Van Brocklin, Captain Strang, and I started for Major Spaulding’s old camp. From there we went to the new camp, and then to the picket line, but here we were stopped, our passes being of no avail. On the way back, stopped at the 10th Massachusetts and saw Major George N. Macy. Camp was partially surrounded with a hedge to-day.

April 2. — Channing Clapp came over from camp, and we went over to General Sedgwick’s together. As we found no one in there, we went to General Devens’s[1] where we saw the general, Colonel Eustis, and Lieutenant Davis of the 1st Massachusetts Cavalry. I sent the general’s letter asking for Clapp, to General Williams, and also a communication asking to have him detailed as acting assistant adjutant-general until his regular appointment arrived. Saw General W. personally about it. Weather pleasant, but very windy in the evening.

[1] General Charles Devens, afterwards Justice of the Massachusetts Supreme Court, and Attorney-General of the U. S. under President Hayes.

April 1. — General Benham and Lieutenant Perkins went to Washington. The army was stampeded last night by a report that the enemy were coming down on us. From all that I can learn, it was probably an “April Fool.” I went down to Dalton’s to-day, and then to General Griffin’s. Also saw Colonel Hayes in regard to George, and received a favorable answer. Went to the 22d Massachusetts with Barnard, and saw Sherwin. Day pleasant and windy. I should judge from indications I see around me, that the next move will be in the direction of Burnside’s mud movement.[1] Some think that we shall be sent out to the Mississippi. Granting furloughs again certainly does not look much like a speedy move.

[1] This refers to the Fredericksburg campaign, which was so called.

March 31. — Severe snowstorm in the night. Sent over to Captain Clapp in the afternoon to see about adjutant-generalship.

March 30. — Colonel Stuart came up from Aquia Creek with one company. Captain Slosson’s boats were moved to-day. Captain Strang back from Washington.

March 29. —Went over to the 10th Massachusetts, with Whittier.[1] Saw Ropes, Macy, and Holmes. Was not very successful in regard to George. From the loth we went to General Whipple’s headquarters, where we saw Henry Dalton. From there went to General [Charles] Griffin’s, and then to [George M.] Barnard’s. Started from the i8th Massachusetts to the 1st Massachusetts Cavalry, where I saw Clapp and Bowditch.[2] Spoke to Clapp about coming here as inspector-general. He said he would like to come. Day very pleasant, but windy.

[1] Charles A. Whittier, my classmate.

[2] Charming Clapp, and Nathaniel I. Bowditch.

Headquarters Engineer Brigade,
Near Falmouth, March 28, 1863.

Dear Father, — Do you know of any good engineers in Boston, who would like commissions in this brigade? I wish you would write me, and let me know, as General Benham wants to find some good engineers to commission. I told him that I would write you, and see whether you knew of any such.

I received your letter inclosing George’s recommendations, and sent them over instantly to Captain Abbott of the 20th, a friend of mine and a classmate.[1] He is a son of Judge Abbott. I could not deliver them personally, as my duties kept me closely confined in camp. I sent a very strong letter of recommendation with them, and told Abbott that I would consider it a personal favor if he would recommend George. I also told him that I would be over at his camp to-morrow and see him about it. He sent back word that he would make it all right when I came over. I also asked him to show the recommendations to Major Macy, who is in command. I shall go over tomorrow and see him personally. Even if I could not get George a place there, I feel quite sure I could get him one in this brigade. You need not say anything about it, as I do not wish to raise any false hopes. You can let George know that I am doing my best for him.

I hear that Longfellow’s son ran away, and enlisted as a private in the 1st Massachusetts Battery, and that Senator Sumner sent for the captain of the battery, and told him that he would get L. a commission in the regular army if he (the captain) thought him fit for it.

General Benham is trying to collect the brigade together, and soon we shall have most of the companies near headquarters, together with a band. At present the brigade is very much scattered, some being at Harper’s Ferry, some at Washington, and the rest scattered throughout the army.

I am still acting adjutant-general, and do not know how soon I shall be relieved.

The general is going to appoint an inspector-general on his staff. If I can find a good fellow, I shall get him on the staff. The new aide, whom I got, is a very nice fellow. His name is Perkins.

Yesterday was a delightful day, but to-day we have one of those everlasting rains. It has cleared up again to-night.

General Birney’s division had races yesterday. There were some 10,000 spectators present. As usual, there were some accidents, men being thrown and breaking their legs.

The army is in good spirits, and very good discipline. As soon as we can move, we shall do so. . . .

[1] Henry L. Abbott, of the 10th Massachusetts, who showed great military ability. He was killed later in the war.