Sutton, Or Suttonville, Virginia, September 5, 1861.
DEAREST: — We are in another camp of fine views. This is the
last stronghold of our army as we advance toward the enemy. We are now part of
an army of from six to eight thousand and are pushing towards an advancing
enemy stronger in numbers, it is said. Some time will perhaps elapse before we
meet, but we are pretty certain to meet unless the enemy withdraws. This, I
think, they will do. I like the condition of things. Our force, although not
large, is of good regiments for the most part: McCook's Ninth, Colonel Smith's
Thirteenth, Lytle's Tenth (Irish), are all here; also Colonel Moor's
Twenty-eighth (Markbreit's regiment), Colonel Lowe's Twelfth, our regiment, and
Colonel Porshner's Forty-ninth (Wilstach regiment) coming; also one part
company of Regulars; four companies artillery, four companies cavalry. An army
about as large as can well manoeuvre in these mountains. General Rosecrans is
in command in person with General Benham of the Regular Army to second him. We
are camped on both sides of Elk River, connected by a beautiful suspension bridge.
Camps on high hills; fortifications on all the summits. “A gay and festive
scene,” as Artemus Ward would say, especially about sundown when three or four
fine bands are playing in rivalry.
Elk River empties into Kanawha, so that the water now
dripping from my tent will pass you, perhaps, about a fortnight hence; the
clearest, purest water it is too. From the tops of the high hills you can see
the rocks in the river covered by ten or twenty feet of water. Nothing finer in
Vermont or New Hampshire.
I have just got a letter from Dr. James [D. Webb]. Say to
him, let all my letters be opened, and if any are important, send them;
otherwise, not, unless from some especial friend. Send me some stamps and tell
me how you are off for cash. We expect to be paid soon; if so, I can send you
some three hundred to six hundred dollars.
We are to have a bore here in a few days — a court-martial
on some officer in the Tenth or Twelfth, and I am to be judge-advocate, unless
I can diplomatize out of it, which I hope to do.
We got today papers from Cincinnati — the Times of
the 28th and the Commercial of the 2d. Think of it; only three days old!
It has rumors that General Rosecrans is captured. Well, not quite. He is in
good health, and the Twenty-third Regiment is his especial guard. No force can
get him here without passing my tent.
Among the interesting things in camp are the boys. You recollect
the boy in Captain McIlrath's company; we have another like unto him in Captain
Woodward's. He ran away from Norwalk to Camp Dennison; went into the Fifth,
then into the Guthries, and as we passed their camp, he was pleased with us,
and now is “a boy of the Twenty-third.” He drills, plays officer, soldier, or
errand boy, and is a curiosity in camp. We are getting dogs too, some fine ones;
almost all the captains have horses and a few mules have been “realized” —
that's the word — from Secessionists.
It is clearing off, so we shall be happy again. I am sorry
you are unwell. Don't get down-spirited. We shall get through and come home again.
Love and kisses for all the boys. Affectionate regards to Grandma. Jim's
letters will be very acceptable. Goodbye, darling.
Affectionately,
R. B. Hayes.
P. S. — If you could see the conveniences (?) I have for
writing, you would see how such a scrawl as this becomes a possibility. I have
found out the day of the week and month; it is Thursday, the 5th September,
1861.
Mrs. Hayes.
SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and
Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 85-7
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