Dispatches came last [night] from Colonel Matthews. He can't
return as ordered for fear of losing his command between Summersville and
Sutton; rumors of Wise, etc., etc. Colonels Tyler and Smith go with him nine
miles back towards Gauley Bridge to fortify. The colonel thinks this is a
mistake of judgment and is disgusted with it. I think Colonel Scammon is right.
Lieutenant Rice's men report that three men named Stout were
taken near Jacksonville by some of Captain Gaines' men and part of his command
and that afterwards Gaines' men killed them, alleging orders of Captain Gaines,
etc., etc. This is too bad. If any of my men kill prisoners, I'll kill them.
Captain McMullen with four mountain howitzers arrived this
morning — 12-pounders. Good! My horse, not Webb first but Webb second, by hard
riding foundered or stiffened. Mem.: — Lend no horse; see always that
your horse is properly cared for, especially after a hard ride.
SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and
Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 67-8
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