Today at Germantown: September 5, 1863
Lt. Colonel Theodore Lyman, a recent arrival at the headquarters of George Gordan Meade, spent his first Sunday with the Army of the Potomac. Assigned as Meades aide-de-camp. After attending church with the 93rd New York infantry ("they sung well, but not so well as New Englanders would have done") he sat down to lunch. Several generals paid visits and at least one joined Meade for lunch, Second Corps commander Gouverneur Kimble Warren, formally the Chief Topographical Engineer of the Army of the Potomac.
Lyman had a favorable opinion of him.
"He strikes me as the most original officer that have seen; a small dried up, pointed nose, though still a young man, with a restless black eye, like a weasels's, and a body & mind that seem full of watch-maker's springs. He has a broad New York accent and is by no means particular in grammar. His conversation shows that his mind is extremely ready and sure, on all points."
Warren would lead the Second Corps until the return of Winfield Scott Hancock. He would then replace George Sykes as commander of the Fifth Corps during the Overland and Petersburg campaigns, losing favor and his command in the waning days of the war.
Showing posts with label Theodore Lyman. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Theodore Lyman. Show all posts
Monday, September 5, 2011
Monday, November 15, 2010
A heavy cannonading in the distance
Today at Brandy Station: November 15, 1863
As I reviewed what was on the minds of soldiers today, the sound of heavy cannonading was heard in many camps. It began around 9am and was "off to the left". The cause was unknown, but "...are anticipating a battle somewhere on the Rapidan River"
The firing was also heard in the Midland area, between Warrenton Junction and Bealeton. "This morning the day was opened with cannonading in our front; with what success is not known."
Orders were given throughout the army to be ready to move at a moments notice.
According to Theodore Lyman, of General Meade's staff: [written on November 16] "Yesterday morning we heard heavy artillery fire, apparently not over two miles away! It proved to be a reconnaissance by Custer at Raccoon Ford, 10 miles away. The damp air probably conveyed the sound; but there was some singular reflection, for at Stevensburg it was not heard at all."
It wasn't heard in Stevensburg (five miles), but it was heard in Midland (nearly 20 miles), Bealeton (15 miles), along the Hazel River (13 miles) and near Cedar Mountain (about 5 miles), and Brandy Station (10 miles). Acoustic shadow strikes again.
As I reviewed what was on the minds of soldiers today, the sound of heavy cannonading was heard in many camps. It began around 9am and was "off to the left". The cause was unknown, but "...are anticipating a battle somewhere on the Rapidan River"
The firing was also heard in the Midland area, between Warrenton Junction and Bealeton. "This morning the day was opened with cannonading in our front; with what success is not known."
Orders were given throughout the army to be ready to move at a moments notice.
According to Theodore Lyman, of General Meade's staff: [written on November 16] "Yesterday morning we heard heavy artillery fire, apparently not over two miles away! It proved to be a reconnaissance by Custer at Raccoon Ford, 10 miles away. The damp air probably conveyed the sound; but there was some singular reflection, for at Stevensburg it was not heard at all."
It wasn't heard in Stevensburg (five miles), but it was heard in Midland (nearly 20 miles), Bealeton (15 miles), along the Hazel River (13 miles) and near Cedar Mountain (about 5 miles), and Brandy Station (10 miles). Acoustic shadow strikes again.
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