- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of The Potomac, VA - 3 September 1863
Behold me, installed in solemn state! having thus far lost no limb. Betimes, at seven this morning, I was duly at the Alexandria ferryboat with horses, Silas and Albert.
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of The Potomac, VA - 6 September 1863
I promised to tell you how I invited General Meade to go with me and see General Sykes. If I didn't know any thing, I looked like a Commander-in-Chief, for I had the best horse and the best accoutrements
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of The Potomac, VA - 9 September 1863
In my last I forwarded a landscape with Headquarters of the 3d Corps in the verdant background. In this, I will describe the Review, at which, as the Gauls say, "I assisted."
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of The Potomac, VA - 11 September 1863
The conversation of the officers is extremely entertaining, as most of them have been in a good many battles. They say that General Meade is an extremely cool man.
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of The Potomac, VA - 11 October 1863
Uncle Lee has concluded that we have stared long enough at each other, and so is performing some fancy antics, though whether he means to fight, or retreat after a feint, or merely take a walk, I know not.
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of The Potomac, VA - 16 October 1863
The Rebels toward evening went feeling along our line about three miles from here with cavalry and artillery, and kept up a desultory cannonade
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of The Potomac, VA - 19 October 1863
we saw a spectacle such as few even of the old officers had ever beheld; namely, 2500 waggons, all parked on a great, open, prairie-like piece of ground, hundreds of acres in extent.
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of The Potomac, VA - 23 October 1863
we drove in great state to General Halleck's office; where General Meade went in and held a solemn pow-wow; the two came forth presently and walked over to the White-House, where they held another pow-pow with the President.
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of The Potomac, VA - 26 October 1863
Did I tell you that Lee passed through Warrenton and passed a night. He was received with bouquets and great joy.
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of The Potomac, VA - 9 November 1863
Two regiments, the 6th Maine and 7th Wisconsin, just at sundown, as the light was fading, charged up a long, naked slope, in face of the fire of a brigade and of four cannon, and carried the works at the point of the bayonet.
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of The Potomac, VA - 13 November 1863
Here we continue to dwell in our pine wood, in grave content, consuming herds of cattle and car-loads of bread with much regularity.
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of The Potomac, VA - 27 November 1863
From Rapid Ann Station to Morton's Ford, the Rebels have a strong line of entrenchments, but, beyond that, it is practicable to force a crossing, because the north bank commands the south.
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of The Potomac, VA - 10 December 1863
ll the officers are inclined to be petulant and touchy, for they think that winter quarters are coming and are all stretching out for "leaves," which they know only a part can get.
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of The Potomac, VA - 12 December 1863
I am more and more struck, on reflection, with General Meade's consistency and self-control in refusing to attack.
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of The Potomac, VA - 16 December 1863
The peaceful dolce far niente of the forenoon was suddenly broken by a telegraph, announcing a Russian invasion nothing less than a legion of Muscovite naval officers pouring down, to the number of twenty -four, in a special train, on our devoted hea
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of The Potomac, VA - 23 January 1864
Yesterday came General Humphreys, to my great content. His son, with Worth and myself, rode down to bid him welcome.
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of The Potomac, VA - 31 January 1864
As I was riding the other day, I came on a rare bird, a real old family nigger; none of your lying, stealing, camp contrabands, but a real, grey-headed, old-fashioned Virginian nigger.
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of The Potomac, VA - 22 February 1864
General Meade is in excellent spirits and cracks a great many jokes and tells stories. You can't tell how different he is when he has no movement on his mind
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of The Potomac, VA - 24 February 1864
I went yesterday to a review of the 2d Corps gotten up in honor of Governor Sprague.
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of The Potomac, VA - 5 March 1864
Pa Meade is at Washington but I hope to have him back to-morrow.
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of The Potomac, VA - 18 April 1864
I have seen some high-bush blackberries that already had wee leaves, just beginning to open; and the buds of the trees are swelling; and hundreds of little toads sing and whistle all night, to please other hundreds of Misses toads.
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of The Potomac, VA - 15 May 1864
Well, to be more or less under fire, for six days out of seven, is not very good for the nerves, or very pleasant. But now that there is a quiet day, I thought I would make a beginning of describing to you the sad, bloody work we have been at.
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of The Potomac, VA - 16 May 1864
I will continue the letter of this morning, describing our first day's fight.
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of The Potomac, VA - 17 May 1864
Just at dark there occurred a most disgraceful stampede in the 6th Corps a thing that has been much exaggerated in the papers, by scared correspondents.
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of The Potomac, VA - 18 May 1864
I have no right to complain: I have less hardship, more ease, and less exposure than most officers, and, if I must be with the army in the field, I have as good a place as one can well expect.
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of The Potomac, VA - 19 May 1864
Near Piney Branch Church we halted, pitched tents and had something cooked. Meanwhile there was firing towards Spotsylvania, an ill omen for us. The Rebels were there first and stood across the way.
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of The Potomac, VA - 20 May 1864
These men are incomprehensible now standing from daylight to dark killing and wounding each other by thousands, and now making jokes and exchanging newspapers!
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of The Potomac, VA - 23 May 1864
The Rebels were firing a great many explosive bullets, which I never saw before. When they strike they explode, like a fire-cracker, and make a bad wound; but I do not suppose, after all, that they are worse than the others.
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of The Potomac, VA - 22 May 1864
We are camped, this lovely evening, in a great clover field, close to a large, old-fashioned house, built of bricks brought from England in ante-revolutionary times. The band is playing "Ever of Thee I m Fondly Dreaming" - so true and appropriate
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of The Potomac, VA - 23 May 1864
Grant, mounted on the purloined black pony, ambled along at a great pace, but General Meade, who got his pride up at Grant's rapidity, set off at a rate that soon raised a cloud of dust
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of The Potomac, VA - 24 May 1864
If you want a horrible hole for a halt, just pick out a Virginia church, at a Virginia cross-roads, after the bulk of an army has passed, on a hot, dusty Virginia day!
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of The Potomac, VA - 28 May 1864
We now had struck a classic ground where the old McClellan men began to have "reminiscences," worse than you and Anna Curtis, when you get together.
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of The Potomac, VA - 1 June 1864
General Meade was in one of his irascible fits to-night, which are always founded in good reason though they spread themselves over a good deal of ground that is not always in the limits of the question.
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of The Potomac, VA - 2 June 1864
Sharp as steel traps those Rebs! We cannot shift a hundred yards, but presto ! skirmishers for ward! and they come piling in, pop, pop, pop; with re serves close behind and a brigade or two hard on the reserves, all poking and probing
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of The Potomac, VA - 3 June 1864
We had very severe fighting this morning, all along the lines.
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of The Potomac, VA - 4 June 1864
The slightest movement would provoke a volley, and any unusual stir would open a battery. This is characteristic of troops in a new position. When they have remained awhile, they begin to be more quiet
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of The Potomac, VA - 5 June 1864
This afternoon I carried a flag of truce quite an episode in my military experiences.
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of The Potomac, VA - 13 June 1864
Last night, at dark, the whole army was in motion for "Charles City" on the James River (there is no "city" there, but I believe a house and a barn).
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of Potomac, VA - 16 June 1864
At four in the morning they began to ferry over the 5th Corps; of this, two divisions were loaded from Wilcox's wharf and two from a wharf near the bridge; the bridge itself being in constant use for the passage of the main train.
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of Potomac, VA - 18 June 1864
A general attack was planned for an early hour, so Headquarters, which had lain down late, had scarce a chance to turn over once before it was routed out again, just at day light.
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of Potomac, VA - 19 June 1864
I was again selected, as the man having good clothes, to undertake the mission.
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of Potomac, VA - 23 June 1864
About this time a Vermont captain (bless his soul !) went and actually did something saucy and audacious.
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of Potomac, VA - 24 June 1864
It is praise not to be pitched into by the Great Peppery : and he is very kind to me. To be sure, I watch him, as one would a big trout on a small hook, and those who don't, catch volleys at all hours!
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of Potomac, VA - 25 June 1864
not only has it been remarkably broiling, but this region is so beclouded with dust and smoke of burning forests, and so unrelieved by any green grass, or water, that the heat is doubled.
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of Potomac, VA - 6 July 1864
As to the A. of P., it is sitting here, trying to get some fresh cabbages, not very successfully, so far the last issue, I am told, furnished one small one to every fifteen men.
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of Potomac, VA - 10 July 1864
Sometimes I feel like saying to the Rebels: "You're a brave set of men, as ever were; and honest the mass of you. Take what territory you have left and your nigs, and go and live with your own delusions."
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of Potomac, VA - 12 July 1864
We live very much after the way of Arabs, when you think of it nomadic, staying sometimes a day, sometimes a month in a place, and then leaving it, with all the bowers and wells that cost so much pains.
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of Potomac, VA - 20 July 1864
Our camp was this morning taken by assault by a cavalcade which turned out to be Major-General Ben F. Butler and a portion of his Staff. He is the strangest sight on a horse you ever saw
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of Potomac, VA - 31 July 1864
You must know that all the time they were putting in the powder they could hear the enemy digging pretty near them, over their heads; for they had suspected we were mining, and had begun digging, to try to find it
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of Potomac, VA - 4 August 1864
This was quite a festal day for us. The General, accompanied by the Frenchies, Rosencrantz, Bache, Biddle and myself, paid a grand visit to Butler. Butler was in high feather.
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of Potomac, VA - 11 August 1864
Sheridan has been appointed to command all the upper Potomac forces, which is saying that he is to command all the troops to drive Early out of the Shenandoah Valley.
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of Potomac, VA - 16 August 1864
Express orders were given to put in the best troops and have the division generals lead them if necessary. General Meade made examinations in person of the enemy's lines
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of Potomac, VA - 18 August 1864
Last night I had got well into the first sound sleep, when images of war began to intrude on my dreams, and these, taking on a more corporeal form, gradually waked me enough to prove to my mind that there was a big racket going on.
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of Potomac, VA - 21 August 1864
Last night, Hancock, with his two remaining divisions, marched from Deep Bottom and took position on our left, ready to support Warren.
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of Potomac, VA - 24 August 1864
What you say of Meade's want of success is, as a fact, true; but what I don't understand is, that the successes are Grant's but the failures Meade's. In point of reality the whole is Grant's
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of Potomac, VA - 25 August 1864
There has been more fighting to-day. Hancock, at Reams station, was destroying the railroad (Weldon) and holding a position
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of Potomac, VA - 29 September 1864
The 6.45 P.M. train, which bore me, on Monday, from the ancient town of Beverly, did arrive in very good season in Boston, where I hired a citizen, in the hack line, to convey me with speed and safety to the Worcester depot.
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of Potomac, VA - 2 October 1864
There were more Christian Commissioners, who were joined by those who had come with me. The funniest people you ever saw ! Their great and overshadowing anxiety was dinner
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of Potomac, VA - 3 October 1864
Rosey drew me aside with an air of mystery and told me that the whole army was ordered to be packed and ready at four the next morning, all prepared to march at a moment's notice.
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of Potomac, VA - 2 October 1864
The engineers were trotting round briskly, you may depend, ordering a redoubt here and a battery there, all intent on fencing in our new property. Luckily, the soil is very light and easy to dig, for our earthworks have now to be measured by miles.
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of Potomac, VA - 4 October 1864
The General rode along the whole front of the new line and carefully examined it, accompanied by his Staff and by the taciturn Roebling.
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of Potomac, VA - 7 October 1864
General Grant was on a flying visit to Washington to-day. I like to have him down here: first, he gives a General balance and steadiness ; then, what is most important, he can order just order what groceries he pleases, and no questions asked
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of Potomac, VA - 11 October 1864
Did I tell you of the two spies, last night?
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of Potomac, VA - 14 October 1864
How shall I vote? I don't know that I shall be given the chance; but, if I am, I shall vote for the blue-blooded Abraham.
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of Potomac, VA - 17 October 1864
You see I can't be enthusiastic about such a government as Lincoln's, when I see, under my nose, the petty tyranny and persecution they practise against subordinate officers.
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of Potomac, VA - 28 October 1864
I called our movement a grand reconnaissance in force; it would be more fair to call it an "attempt," whose success depended on the enemy not having certain advantages of position.
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of Potomac, VA - 6 November 1864
I can say with certainty that there is not a General in this army from whom the nigs might expect a judicious helping hand more than from Meade.
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of Potomac, VA - 11 November 1864
The McClellan procession might have spared their tapers, as he has gone up, poor Mac, a victim to his friends ! His has been a career manque, and a hard time he has had, and low he has fallen.
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of Potomac, VA - 16 November 1864
They have made Sheridan a Major-General in the Regular Army. I think he deserves it for that remarkable battle of Cedar Creek.
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of Potomac, VA - 22 November 1864
General Humphreys bestirred himself to give rational entertainment to the two Englanders; and so General Meade ordered a couple of brigades of cavalry turned out and a horse-battery.
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of Potomac, VA - 27 November 1864
The day was further remarkable for the departure of my dear General Humphreys to take command of the 2d Army Corps. For Hancock has got a leave of absence, and will doubt less be put to recruiting fresh troops
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of Potomac, VA - 28 November 1864
I was surprised they did not fire upon us, as there was a great crowd and evidently several generals among us. But I believe they never shoot. The pickets, on either side, are within close musket-range but have no appearance of hostility.
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of Potomac, VA - 29 November 1864
I did not have room to tell you of the ingenious inventions of General Butler for the destruction of the enemy. He never is happy unless he has half a dozen contrivances on hand.
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of Potomac, VA - 1 December 1864
At daylight General Gregg made a start, with nearly his whole cavalry division, for Stony Creek station.
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of Potomac, VA - 3 December 1864
At the end of each month, General Meade sends up his pay-rolls, that is, a large printed sheet which each officer fills up, stating what the Government owes him, and say ing that he hasn't cheated Uncle Sam
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of Potomac, VA - 6 December 1864
There arrived Captain Alden, with 253 brevets, of all grades, for the Army of the Potomac. Do you know what a brevet is, and the force thereof? A brevet commission gives the dignity, but not always the pay or the authority, of the rank it confers.
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of Potomac, VA - 9 December 1864
Miles's division of the 2d Corps was sent to aid the cavalry in forcing Hatcher's Run. They marched out early and found several regiments holding the crossing
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of Potomac, VA - 3 March 1865
General Webb is a good piece of luck, as successor to General Humphreys. He is very jolly and pleasant, while, at the same time, he is a thorough soldier, wide-awake, quick and attentive to detail.
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of Potomac, VA - 4 March 1865
Yesterday the rain gave over partly, and so, in the afternoon, Rosie and I mounted and rode forth to see the new line to the left. The mare knew me and greeted me, in her characteristic way, by trying to kick and bite me.
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of Potomac, VA - 8 March 1865
At ten A.M. the General got a telegraph (one of those charming City Point surprises) saying that a train was just then starting, holding a dozen of womenkind and a certain force of the male sex
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of Potomac, VA - 10 March 1865
What think you we did yesterday? We had a "Matinee Musicale," at the Chapel of the 50th New York Engineers. Nothing but high-toned amusements, now-a-day, you will perceive.
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of Potomac, VA - 11 March 1865
From Grant we got a despatch that he would come up, with some ladies and gentlemen, to see our left and to review a few troops.
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of Potomac, VA - 26 March 1865
Our train went briskly up to the front and stopped not far from the little rustic chapel you saw; for there was General Parke with his Staff, waiting to receive the General and report the morning's work
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of Potomac, VA - 29 March 1865
This has been a day of manoeuvre and not much fighting. To-morrow may see something more serious.
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of Potomac, VA - 31 March 1865
The rain held up about ten A.M. and the sun once more shone. By this time our lines, running east and west, had been moved due north, till they rested their right on Hatcher's Run, north of the Crow house
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of Potomac, VA - 2 April 1865
We began our day early, for, about light, I heard Duane say, outside my tent: "They have evacuated Petersburg." Sure enough, they were gone
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of Potomac, VA - 4 April 1865
Grant had camped there, too, and had confirmed the rumor that Richmond was in our hands; also had stated that Sheridan, in his pursuit towards Amelia Court House, reported much abandoned property
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of Potomac, VA - 5 April 1865
Last night, at 9.30, came a note from Sheridan, dated at Jetersville, saying that he was there, entrenched, with the 5th Corps and a part of the cavalry; that the whole Rebel army was in his front trying to get off its trains
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of Potomac, VA - 6 April 1865
We are pelting after Old Lee as hard as the poor dough boys legs can go. I estimate our prisoners at 16,000, with lots of guns and colors.
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of Potomac, VA - 8 April 1865
We have been making our usual little picnic to-day say nineteen miles and have got about half-way between Burkeville Junction and Lynchburg.
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of Potomac, VA - 9 April 1865
It was a strange spectacle, to see the officers laughing and giving each other $500 notes of a government that has been considered as firmly established by our English friends!
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of Potomac, VA - 17 April 1865
Now, when I should be only overflowing with joy and thankfulness at these great results, I keep finding myself boiling and fuming over the personal neglect of General Meade
- Theodore Lyman letter to Elizabeth Russell
Headquarters Army Of Potomac, VA - 23 April 1865
Monday April 10 is a day worthy of description, because I saw the remains of our great opponent, the Army of Northern Virginia.
