James Riley Weaver's Civil War

The Diary of a Union Cavalry Officer and Prisoner of War, 1863–1865

John T. Schlotterbeck, Wesley W. Wilson, Midori Kawaue, Harold A. Klingensmith

• Publisher: The Kent State University Press
• Year: 2019
• ISBN:
  9781631013539
• Topic: History
• Subtopic: American Civil War History
• Index: History

666 days of diary entries documenting the life of a Union officer held in Confederate prisons

Captured on October 11, 1863, James Riley Weaver, a Union cavalry officer, spent nearly seventeen months in Confederate prisons. Remarkably, Weaver kept a diary that documents 666 consecutive days of his experience, including not only his life in a series of prisons throughout the South, but his precaptivity cavalry duties, and his eventual return to civilian life. It is an unparalleled eyewitness account of a crucial part of our history.

Weaver's observations never veer into romanticized descriptions; instead, he describes the "little world" inside each prison and outdoor camp, describing men drawn from "every class of society, high and low, righ and poor, from every country and clime." In addition, Weaver records details about life in the Confederacy that he gleans from visitors, guards, new arrivals, recaptured escapees, Southern newspapers, and even glimpses through windows.

As the editors demonstrate, Weaver's diary-keeping provided an outlet for expressing suppressed emotions, ruminating on a seemingly endless confinement that tested his patriotism, religious faith, and will to survive. In the process, he provides not only historically important information but also keen insights into the human condition under adversity.

One

“The Arts and Scenes of Active Warfare”

The Making of a Cavalry Officer, June 1–July 17, 1863

By June 1, 1863, when James Weaver’s second diary begins, the 18th Pennsylvania Cavalry was a well-trained and equipped but untested fighting unit. Although the adoption of rifled muskets gradually shifted cavalry deployments from offensive to defensive actions, Weaver’s regiment still engaged in reconnaissance missions; in sharp fights at Hanover, Pennsylvania; in mounted charges at Gettysburg and at Hagerstown, Maryland; and in aggressive pursuit of Robert E. Lee’s forces as they retreated toward Virginia. By summer 1863, the Union cavalry had reached near parity with their much-vaunted Confederate counterparts, and the tenacity and endurance of the 18th marked their passage from raw recruits to battle-hardened soldiers, and the regiment eventually became known as the “Fighting Eighteenth.”

As the Gettysburg Campaign opened, Maj. Gen. Julius Stahel’s Cavalry Division, Department of Washington, was reassigned to Maj. Gen. Joseph Hooker’s Army of the Potomac. On June 28, the transfer became permanent as the 18th, along with the 1st West Virginia, the 1st Vermont, and the 5th New York, formed the 1st Brigade commanded by Brig. Gen. Elon J. Farnsworth. This formed half of Brig. Gen. Judson Kilpatrick’s 3rd Division, under Cavalry Corps commander Gen. Alfred Pleasonton. In early May, Col. Timothy M. Bryan Jr., a West Point graduate, took command of the 18th; earlier, Capt. William P. Brinton had been made lieutenant colonel. Weaver, eager for promotion, received appointment to sergeant major at regimental headquarters in January and a commission as second lieutenant, Company C, on June 18. As First Lieutenant Samuel Montgomery was ill, Weaver led the company.¹

After a decisive but costly victory at Chancellorsville, Virginia, in May 1863, Lee decided to invade the North a second time, hoping to resupply his depleted army and depress Northern morale. Maj. Gen. J. E. B. Stuart’s cavalry moved ahead to secure the gaps in the Blue Ridge Mountains in order to screen Lee’s infantry as it moved down the Shenandoah Valley toward Maryland. Pleasonton’s cavalry was unable to dislodge Stuart at Brandy Station, Culpeper County, Virginia, on June 9 and failed to learn the Army of Northern Virginia’s location. The 18th was not engaged in these actions, but Hooker ordered Stahel’s cavalry to move south from their Fairfax Court House encampment to the Rappahannock River on reconnaissance and then be the Army of the Potomac’s rearguard as it followed Lee across the Potomac River. War’s sounds—bugle calls, band music, drums, horses’ hooves, tramping feet, and cannons’ roars—left indelible echoes as the men of the 18th marched off to combat. Rumors of Confederate advances, like the reported sacking of Harrisburg on June 17, although later proved false, increased anxieties about their foe. After crossing into Maryland on June 26, the men of the 18th were greeted with “many smiling faces & plenty of banners” as well as an abundance of food. Four days later, as companies from the 18th guarded the 1st Brigade’s rear and protected wagons and ambulances, they ran into Stuart’s scouts south of Hanover, Pennsylvania. A Confederate charge drove them back into the town center where the rest of the regiment had been resting. The Pennsylvanians retreated in disarray only to be saved when the 5th New York Cavalry swept in and recaptured the town. Although the 18th “did not stand firm,” Weaver admitted, and suffered the heaviest casualties—three killed, twenty-four wounded, and fifty-seven missing—they did delay Stuart’s reunion with Lee.²

Fig. 4. Movements of the 18th Pennsylvania Cavalry, January–October 1863. (DePauw University)

The 18th acquitted itself bravely at Gettysburg. At a July 2 skirmish at Hunterstown on the extreme Confederate left, the 18th turned the engagement by reinforcing the 6th Michigan Cavalry and preventing a countercharge by Brig. Gen. Wade Hampton’s cavalry, which then withdrew. Brigadier General Farnsworth “said we had done a splendid achievement,” Weaver proudly recorded. On the morning of the next day, the 18th marched southwest of Round Top on the Union far left. In the late afternoon, as Gen. George Pickett’s men made their ill-fated charge at the Union center, Kilpatrick, over Farnsworth’s strenuous objections, ordered a mounted charge northward across a field of woods and boulders, perhaps as a counterattack to turn the Confederate line once Pickett was repulsed. They faced the 1st Texas Infantry entrenched behind a stone fence piled high with wood rails. Incurring heavy fire at close quarters, the 18th never flinched but eventually retreated, dismounted, and set up a skirmish line at the edge of the field. Piecemeal attacks by the four regiments of Farnsworth’s 1st Brigade and by four regiments from Brig. Gen. Wesley Merritt’s Reserve Brigade briefly penetrated Confederate lines, but the Federals soon fell back, incurring heavy losses. The 18th alone reported twenty casualties. Farnsworth led part of the 1st Vermont’s charge but became caught between the Texas and Alabama units and died under murderous fire. This was the US Cavalry’s wartime nadir.³

Over the next two weeks the 18th faced unrelenting action in seven engagements as the Union cavalry pursued Lee’s retreating forces. Despite nighttime attacks, coordinated light artillery and mounted charges, hand-to-hand combat, and captures of Confederate wagons and prisoners, the Union cavalry failed to dislodge Stuart’s forces, whose successful parries provided Lee additional time to cross the swollen Potomac River. Marching through “mud & rain” on July 4, the 18th arrived at Monterey Pass on South Mountain in Maryland, joined a midnight attack on Lt. Gen. Richard S. Ewell’s supply trains, and captured over a hundred wagons and more than a thousand prisoners. Continuing their advance, the next evening they encountered Confederate ambushers. Their objective was Hagerstown, Maryland, which protected Williamsport, Lee’s intended crossing point. Supported by light artillery, the 18th charged into the town on July 6 and pushed out the Confederates. An infantry counterattack turned into dismounted hand-to-hand combat under steady artillery fire. The Federals withdrew while incurring heavy losses, including several officers. Unlike other Maryland and Pennsylvania towns, loyalties in Hagerstown were divided, and a female Confederate allegedly shot a sergeant from Weaver’s regiment. Two days later, the 18th first engaged the enemy as dismounted skirmishers until dark and successfully repulsed Stuart’s cavalry north of Boonsboro, then charged the Confederates after infantry reinforcements arrived. Union forces again targeted Hagerstown on July 12 and 13, and the 18th, held in the rear, engaged in skirmishing and picketing. Although Lee’s infantry had escaped to Virginia the previous day, a successful attack on July 15 against Maj. Gen. Henry Heth’s rearguard at Falling Waters on the Potomac captured two thousand prisoners. Company B of the 18th guarded the prisoners and delivered them to Berlin, Maryland, before crossing the Potomac on July 17.⁴

The exhausted men and horses of the 18th reported for picket duty at Snickers Gap in the Blue Ridge Mountains on the Loudoun-Clarke county line. Although they had failed to catch Lee, Weaver believed the 18th had acquitted itself honorably. “Amid these trials and difficulties, only a few murmurs were heard,” he wrote, and “truly the boys acted bravely [at Hagerstown], for when death stared all in the face, they stood firm.”⁵

Monday, June 1, 1863. Sent my diary home last night; also a party of 100 men went on a scout, having to report to Catlett’s Station.⁶ Various reports today of a supported attack but all official news are opposed to and contradict the report. Great talk of us being only nine months men and are to be discharged again 16th of July next, but all official knowledge favors our staying the three years for which we enlisted. Also got orders that no one should leave his post until further orders, owing to the report of that attack. Got two letters from Bro. Asbury, and from F. A. Arter⁷ and wrote one to M. Keley. News concerning Grant are sparse but we are all in good hope that he is as well situated as he reports. Expected to have exciting times all around now as the time for activity has arrisen. Feel tolerably well, but not so well as formerly, having a slight headache but [MS page torn].

Tuesday, June 2. The Roster of promotions of officers was sent to the Governor⁸ today having my name recommended for 2nd Lt. instead of 1st Lt. since 1st Lt. Montgomery’s case had not been decided by the Court-Martial,⁹ and he could not be recommended to Captaincy, but as soon as his case is decided, the former arrangement will be all O.K. Today was grand, and taking a ride enjoyed myself both grazing my horse and partaking of tame¹⁰ strawberries, which grow in a desolated garden. The 2nd Pa. were paid off putting us in mind of that desirable individual’s presence. The Scout came in, having captured literally “a variety wagon load” composed of guns, picks, spades, axes, clothes, sugar, salt, paper, tents, balls, powder, lead and in fact everything even secesh money.¹¹ This all inside our lines, showing that we are infested with rebels yet. They say they saw lots of gold and silver but did not consider that “contraband”¹² so they [MS page torn].

Wednesday, June 3. Today was pleasant having rained enough last night to lay the dust and make it cool. Had nothing particularly strange, and only little to do. Had my usual ride into the country and got quite a fine lot of strawberries. Got a chart¹³ of Co. “B” with the Staff & Field, also the Non Commissioned Staff. Sent it home to my mother as a memento of the war. Got a letter from Hud. McCall, who has left the college and gone home to Leesville, Carroll Co., Ohio.¹⁴ Wrote four letters, one to Frank Arter, one to Brother Frank, one to Frank Thomas, and one to Aggie Jack.¹⁵ News but sparse from Gen. Grant and fears are entertained for his safety and indications are that part of the Fredericksburg [forces] have gone to reinforce Pemberton at Vicksb’g and what remain are trying to scare us, or they really mean an attack of which many around us are really afraid.¹⁶ Health good and all [MS page torn].

Thursday, June 4. The morning as usual was pleasant, but toward noon the weather got very warm, making all seek the shade. Sick list: six officers and sixty-two men, being 1/10 of all present and matters in the Hospital are reported to be in a bad condition.¹⁷ [God?] protect one from ever getting there. Got orders to hold the command in readiness to move in short notice, as the pickets had been attacked and are rather expected a visit from Moseby and maybe Stewart but the day passed and we were not called out.¹⁸ But the orders are so strict, allowing no officer or man to leave his post that we can easily see that the authorities are expecting something. News from Grant not so encouraging, saying that he has fallen back to entrench himself against attack by Joe Johnson.¹⁹ Wrote a letter to Hud. McCall and feeling well retired.

Friday, June 5. Nothing strange today. Not too warm having a cool breeze with occasional showers. Had a ride on the horse I traded “Fatty” for and decidedly pleased, as he is so easy, loping and racing but is not as strong as the one I gave. But sacrifice strength for ease. Got two letters, one from Jennie and one from Br. John, which I answered.²⁰ Good news from Grant that he is fully able to take Johnston and capture Vicksburg besides.²¹ Reunion of Mosbey, having attacked our picket at Frying Pan,²² but was repulsed. Still under marching orders, but no signs of moving. One man died in hospital, sixty-two on the sick report.²³ I am well and have no complaints but great reason to be grateful. Hear of the Draft or enrollment progressing prosperously so that soon we may expect a fight to crush secession.²⁴

Saturday, June 6. Still pleasant, being warm but indications of rain. News from Grant as usual progressing slowly but surely. Excitement about is the same. Had a regimental review, and had orders for a brigade one at 4 P.M., which was countermanded and another order to go on a scout with four days rations. Got ready and was waiting orders to move, when at 4 o’clock P.M. got orders to detail 50 men and two officers to guard Brigade Head Quarters,²⁵ while the rest were o...