War diary and letters of Stephen Minot Weld

Hall’s Hill, Va., Feb. 18, 1862.

Dear Hannah, — . . I went with General Porter to Miner’s Hill to-day, and saw and I must say also heard, some cannon firing. One gun from Griffin’s Battery, Regular Army, and one from Weeden’s Battery (R. I.) came out to practise before the general. The firing was quite successful. My horse was a little uneasy, but no more so than any of the others. You ought to hear those shells scream when they fly through the air. I feel certain I should bob my head if I heard one coming towards me. You have no idea what a fiendish noise they make. It is just like a locomotive going by one like a lightning flash, screaming with its shrillest whistle all the time.

I am going to a staff supper to-morrow night, or rather to a supper given by General Alartindale’s staff to our staff. I anticipate a very pleasant time and will give you a report of it soon.

I was just speaking to you about Griffin’s Battery. You know he was at Bull Run and lost his battery, through the want of military knowledge of other parties, who ordered him within musket range of the enemy without supporting him by sufficient infantry. The battle was in a great measure lost to us by General Barry, who rode up to Griffin, who had his guns loaded with grape, and told him not to fire upon some regiments which were marching in front of him, saying that they were our side. Griffin knew better and could have cut them all to pieces, if it had not been for this order of General Barry, whom he was obliged to obey. It turned out afterwards that these troops were Johnston’s just arrived from Winchester. Griffin would have driven them from the field if it had not been for General Barry.

In regard to these things which I have written home about any military matters or opinions, of course you all understand that they must not go too far from home, for I might get myself into trouble if they did. . . .

General Porter said (that’s the formula I begin all military news with) the other day that Colonel Gorman, — I think that is his name, — who took command after Stone[1] left, did not think Stone guilty. When General Porter heard of Stone’s arrest he felt pretty badly, but did not say much, evidently being afraid that some of the charges were true. I have heard him express no opinion about the matter lately.

We are enjoying a beautiful serenade now, and you can imagine me writing amid the most beautiful strains of music, and enjoying it very much, I can tell you.

I give you below a sketch of the inside of my tent, taken by Darley. Tent supposed to be transparent.

1. Lieut. Weld at his table

2. Saddle

3. Bedstead

4. Stove and wood piled round it

5. Trunk

6. Wash-stand

7. Pole used as a hat-tree, with various things hung upon it, — coat, holsters, towel, clothes-brush. The other things hanging there represent sticks with a crook, instead of nails.

I think Darley sketches pretty well, don’t you?

I was sorry to hear from General ______ this evening that General Grant in Tennessee is not to be depended upon. He is a man of great energy and a laborious worker, but the general says that he cannot be depended upon. He is just as likely to be drunk in the gutter as to be sober. I am therefore sorry that he is to be made a major general. If it were not for Buell, the general says that he would be licked in Tennessee. Let me caution you all again not to let anything I write go too far, as it is not meant to be spread around and might get me into trouble if it does get around. . . .

[1] Charles P. Stone, who afterwards held high military office under the Egyptian government.

Monday, February 17. — A most delightful day in some respects, although cloudy and rainy. We received the cheering news from Tennessee of our success there.[1] The general instantly dispatched messengers, or rather orderlies, to the different brigadiers under his command, and ordered them to call out their respective brigades, and read them the “glorious news.” The order was obeyed, and such cheers I never heard before. The men were delighted, and received in honor of the event a ration of whiskey. General Porter was extremely pleased, and had several colonels in his tent, to whom he gave whiskey, etc. I unfortunately could not drink, but I made up for it in wishing. We also heard that Savannah had been taken, but whether this was true or not, I am unable to say. We had Captain Allen of the 5th Massachusetts Battery here to dinner, and as far as I could judge he was a very gentlemanly person. I received a letter from Alice[2] to-day, extremely well written both as to the handwriting and mental part. Her letters will bear reading twice.

[1] The capture of Forts Henry and Donelson.

[2] My sister, Alice B. Weld.