Near Weston, Virginia, August 4, 1861.
Dear Laura: —
As we ride about this exceedingly pretty country and through this reasonably
decent village, I am reminded of young ladies in Ohio by occasionally meeting a
damsel wearing a stars-and-stripes apron, or by seeing one who turns up her
nose at the said stars, etc.
We are leading camp life again — watching Secessionists,
studying geography, sending and receiving scouts and couriers and sich like.
Colonel Matthews has gone with the five companies of the right wing forty-four
miles further up into the hills. We shall follow him if there are any hostile
signs up there, and he will return to us if such sign fail him.
You and Jeanie A— have been of use. The bandages are used in
dressing the shocking wound of young Jewett of Zanesville — a lieutenant,
handsome, gallant, and intelligent. Just the person you would wish to serve in
this way. Dr. Joe hopes he will not be crippled. At first it seemed that he
must lose his foot; but your bandages or something else are bringing him up. It
will be perhaps months before he can walk.
The court-house here (about like yours) is a hospital for
the sick and wounded of all the regiments hereabouts. It would be a glorious
thing if some Florence Nightingales would come here. They could be immensely
useful, and at the same time live pleasantly in a pretty mountain village, safe
as a bug in a rug. Won't you come? It is easy getting here and cheap staying.
Too hot under canvas to write much. Love to all.
Your uncle,
R.
Miss Laura Platt,
Columbus.
SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and
Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 56
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