Headquarters 56TH Mass. V.,
Near Petersburg, Va., July 11, 1864.
Dear Hannah, — . . . Yesterday morning I made use of the adjournment of the court-martial (it being Sunday) and started with John Jones for Point of Rocks, near which are the headquarters of the Tenth Corps. We went to see Quartermaster Hutchings, and found him there alive and well. On the way I passed General Smith’s headquarters, Eighteenth Corps, and had from there quite a fair view of Petersburg, and the surrounding country. I could see the Appomattox, and the enemy’s batteries on the other side. The view is really a very pretty one. The country is fertile and broken, being a constant succession of hills, sometimes wooded, and again in some places under cultivation.
We crossed the Appomattox at Point of Rocks, on a pontoon bridge. On the other side we saw an enormous tower, over a hundred feet high, built by General Butler as a signal station. From here we had a ride of about three miles to headquarters Tenth Corps. Here we found Captain Hutchings, and in company with him rode over to wharf on the James River, where Quartermaster Thompson of the 25th Massachusetts is stationed. Here I indulged in a glass of iced milk, which was a great luxury, I can assure you. As we approached the James River, we had a most beautiful view of the banks on both sides. The valley of the James is probably the most fertile portion of Virginia. On the opposite side of the James we could see enormous fields of wheat already ripe and ready to be gathered. In fact, all the land that is under cultivation is planted with wheat or corn. On the other bank, I could see Aiken’s house and Landing. I recognized it immediately, it being the place where I was exchanged almost two years ago. From Jones’s wharf, we went on board a tugboat, and steamed up to the Alackinaw, a gunboat commanded by Captain Beaumont, formerly in command of the Nantucket. When I was introduced, he asked me immediately if I was any relation to Dr. Weld, and wished to be remembered to him. The tugboat that we went out on is called the Linda. There are four of them, called torpedo boats. They have a long pole lashed to their bow on which a torpedo with 150 lbs. of powder can be placed. As soon as the enemy’s ironclads make their appearance, these four tugs fix their torpedoes on and bunt into her. The gunboat Mackinaw was lying right off Aiken’s Landing. After dining with Captain Beaumont, we went on shore with him to see Mr. Aiken’s family and place. Aiken himself has just been arrested. We found his daughter, 14 years old, with two little brothers and two small sisters, the sole occupants of the house. It is a fine brick mansion with a park for deer on one side and numerous negro shanties, etc., on the other side. During an engagement the other day, between the enemy’s boats and ours, a hundred-pound shell exploded close by the house, denting the bricks in nine or ten places. The little girl was very polite indeed. She was strong Secesh. I could not help pitying her though. Only think of the poor child being exposed to the insults of any straggling soldiers or sailors who might come along.
We rode back home again in the moonlight, having passed a very pleasant day. It is the first time that I have been able to get away from the regiment since the campaign began.
We have received orders to begin besieging Petersburg in front of the Fifth and Ninth Corps. We shall have a hard time at it, I am afraid.
The Sixth Corps have gone to Washington to fight the rebels who invaded Maryland.
Our regiment is in the rear now, resting for two days. To-morrow we go to the front again.
Tell Father to be careful what he says about General L. or any other general. It may get me into trouble if he is not so. General L. has resigned, and will probably leave us in a day or two. He has always treated me kindly and I don’t care about saying anything against him.
Love to all. The flies bite so, I can’t write any more.
