War diary and letters of Stephen Minot Weld

March 27. — Day clear and beautiful. There was a hurdle-race at General Birney’s headquarters, besides other amusements. One man was seriously injured by his horse falling on him. The general and staff went over to the race, and from there to Major Spaulding’s, where the general reviewed the detachment. I was at home all day. Received present of some fish from Major Cassin.

March 26. — Captain Strang went to Washington and Captain Bowers left to report to General Woodbury. One lieutenant and 4o men reported to Captain Rasdereschen for trestle-bridge drill. Colonel Stuart spent the night here. Snowing in the morning. Cloudy most of the day. Went over to headquarters of the Army of the Potomac in the evening with Colonel Stuart. Saw General Williams in regard to the Adjutant-General, Captain Williams. The general said that Captain Williams wished very much to remain where he was. Said that the general might nominate any one he chose for the place. Lieutenant Perkins and Van Brocklin went up to Bank’s Ford. Issued an order to Captain Slosson to furnish balks to General Birney.

March 25. — Captain Rasdereschen[1] came here today, to see about his new trestle bridge. The general had some spikes and hooks made according to his plans. An order was sent to Captain Slosson to furnish chess to General Birney for use on Friday. Day cool and pleasant, and very windy. Cloudy at night. General selected a place for Major Spaulding’s command to encamp.

[1] Captain Rasdereschen, if I remember right, was a Russian who had invented some new kind of bridge. He was currently reported to feed on candles and nothing else.

Headquarters Engineer Brigade,

Camp near Falmouth, March 24, 1863.

Dear Father, — We moved over here to the headquarters of the Engineer Brigade yesterday morning. I am still acting as adjutant-general, but expect to be relieved to-morrow or next day. Last Sunday I went down to the Fifth Army Corps, and inquired about Captain Williams, who is on duty there as additional adjutant-general. He was away on a leave of absence, but from what I could learn, he is a very nice fellow. He will probably be ordered to join General Benham. I am sufficiently acquainted with the duties now to perform them whenever the regular officer is absent. I should not like to be adjutant-general permanently, as there is too much office work, and as it is too confining. I think if the army cross successfully, and everything in our department is done promptly and well, that General Benham will stand a very good chance of promotion. In case he is promoted, I shall be also. We are about a third of a mile from headquarters of the army. It is always the custom, I believe, to have the Engineer Brigade near by headquarters.

We shall move soon, I am quite certain. Orders come in every day, which show that a move is soon to be made.

Lieutenant Perkins, our new aide, joined us to-day. He is a very pleasant fellow. . . .

I have no idea where we shall cross the river. I should think that if we crossed down below, we might move to the York River, and establish our base of supplies there.

We have two regiments in this brigade, the 50th and 15th New York Volunteers, numbering about 7800 men in all. .They are very much scattered though, one company being at Harper’s Ferry, one at Washington, and the rest scattered through this army, some at Aquia Creek, some at Stoneman’s Switch, and some at Belle Plain. There are six pontoon trains with the brigade, only two of which are completely equipped and ready. The others lack transportation, but will soon be complete. . . .

March 24. — General visited detachments at Belle Plain. Confidential circular received from headquarters in regard to leaves of absence after April 1. To-day was set apart for a hurdle race and a good time generally at General Birney’s headquarters, but on account of recent rains it was postponed until Friday.

March 23. — General Benham rode off this morning with Captain Bowers, Lieutenant Van Brocklin, and Major Spaulding. He visited the commands of Major Spaulding and Captain Slosson. Major Spaulding and Lieutenant Van Brocklin selected a new encampment for the pontoon train. Captain Lubey went down to Belle Plain to drill in the pontoon-bridge laying. Moved our headquarters over to the Engineer Brigade. Morning pleasant, but towards afternoon it grew cloudy.

March 22. — Colonel Sherwin, 22d Massachusetts, came over to see me this morning. We rode down to the Fifth Army Corps, and stopped on the way at General [David B.] Birney’s and General Whipple’s headquarters. Saw Captain Dalton[1] and in company with him rode down to headquarters of the Fifth Corps. Saw Colonel Locke and Colonel [Alexander S.] Webb, and asked about Captain Williams. He was very highly recommended by both of them. Then went to the 18th and 22d Massachusetts and to General Barnes’s headquarters. Then called on Captain Martin, and Colonel Vincent,’ 83d Pennsylvania. Came hack to camp at 5 P.M. Was cloudy in morning, but cleared off towards noon. Roads muddy.

[1] Captain Henry R. Dalton. He was on Genera] Russell’s staff.

March 22. — Colonel Sherwin, 22d Massachusetts, came over to see me this morning. We rode down to the Fifth Army Corps, and stopped on the way at General [David B.] Birney’s and General Whipple’s headquarters. Saw Captain Dalton[1] and in company with him rode down to headquarters of the Fifth Corps. Saw Colonel Locke and Colonel [Alexander S.] Webb, and asked about Captain Williams. He was very highly recommended by both of them. Then went to the 18th and 22d Massachusetts and to General Barnes’s headquarters. Then called on Captain Martin, and Colonel Vincent,’ 83d Pennsylvania. Came hack to camp at 5 P.M. Was cloudy in morning, but cleared off towards noon. Roads muddy.

[1] Captain Henry R. Dalton. He was on Genera] Russell’s staff.

March 21. — General Woodbury started for Washington this morning, and General Benham issued General Orders No. 1, announcing his staff. For the present I am acting as adjutant-general. Did not move from headquarters to-day on account of the storm. Saw General Williams[1] about adjutants-general, and found that there were two unassigned, Captain Williams and Captain Wood.

[1] General Seth Williams; he was the bearer of the letters between General Grant and General Lee at Appomattox.