Weston, August 1, 1861.
Dearest: — Do you
remember a year ago today we were riding on the Grand Trunk Railroad from
Detroit by Sarnia eastwardly? Jolly times those. If you were here, these would
be as pleasant. The water in the river below our camp flows past you in the
Ohio; in these low water days, about a month after they leave here.
We are now in
telegraphic communication with the world. Dr. Joe receives dispatches about
medicines and Colonel Scammon about military matters from Columbus and
Cincinnati. We had the two county court clerks before the colonel taking the
oath of allegiance to the United States and to the new Government of Virginia.
They squirmed a little, but were required to do it or go to Camp Chase.
Colonel Matthews
left this noon with five companies — right wing — for Sutton, a place
forty-four miles south of this place. We suspect that Wise has left western
Virginia. If so, our campaigning here is likely to be pacific and
uninteresting.
August 2. — I have
been out to report myself at reveille, and not feeling like resuming my nap, am
seated on my trunk jotting down these lines to my darling. Colonel Jewett
arrived last night from Zanesville. He finds his boy doing well. It is still
very uncertain what is to be the result. It is probable that no amputation will
be necessary, and there is hope that he may not be more than very slightly
crippled, He will be unable to use his foot, however, for perhaps months.
Our news is that
Wise has continued his retreat burning the bridges after him. This confirms our
suspicions as to his abandoning all west of the mountains. There is, however, a
report from the East that General Lee is to be sent out here to look after
General Rosecrans, with a considerable force. I do not believe it, but if so,
we shall have lively times. Colonel Ammen with the Twenty-fourth is reported in
our neighborhood. We shall be glad to be with them again.
Puds, here it is
Saturday, the 3d, and my foolishness isn't off yet and won't be until Monday.
It is so hot and pleasant. I am so lazy and good-natured. Joe says, “I wish
Webb was here”; I say, I wish you were all here. We may be ordered to move any
hour, and it may be [we] shall be here a week hence. We have got our camp into
good order — clean and pretty. Joe was pretty sick last night, but is under a
nice shade today, as lazy and comfortable as possible. The effect is curious of
this fine mountain air. Everybody complains of heat, but everybody is in a
laughing humor. No grumbling reaches me today.
I have called on
divers leading lawyers and politicians, generally Union men, and find them
agreeable people. The courthouse here is a good one and is used as a hospital
for all these regiments. About one hundred sick are there. When Joe gets
perfectly well, which I advise him not to do, he will have charge of all of
them. We have four or six there. . . .
Very affectionately, your
R.
“Love me?” I have
heard nothing from Ohio except an occasional newspaper. Write about Uncle and
everybody. Our men sing beautifully tonight.
Mrs. Hayes.
SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and
Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 52-4
No comments:
Post a Comment