August 26, 1861.
Dear Uncle : — We are
camped somewhere near, I think, the head of Tygart's Valley, near Cheat
Mountain Pass. Several regiments are in sight, and the enemy under Lee so near
that our outposts have fights with his daily. We are under a capital general,
and are fast getting ready. I think we are safe; if not, we shall be within a
very short time. We expect to stay here until we or the enemy are whipped, or
back out for fear of a whipping — probably weeks.
We are in [a]
lovely little valley on a fine clear trout stream, with high mountains on all
sides and large trees over us. A perfect camp, perfectly protected by
entrenchments for miles up the valley, pickets and scouts in all directions,
etc., etc. A telegraph finished to headquarters of our general from General
Rosecrans' at Clarksburg, and rapid mail carriers daily to the same place. For
instance, your letter of the 19th was handed to me at my tent by the courier
within half an hour after our arrival here.
Glad Fanny is with
you. Lee will not whip us unless we attack him with a force too small. If he attacks
us, we are the best off. The postage stamps are all gone.
Sincerely,
R. B. Hayes.
I got four Fremont Journals.
Much obliged.
SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and
Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 78-9
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