Cross Lanes, Near Gauley River,
Below Summersville, Virginia,
September 19, Thursday
A. M., [1861].
Dearest: — I
fear you do not get the letters I have written the last ten days, as we are out
of the reach of mail facilities. I got your letter of the 5th about forty miles
north of here out of a waggon-train that I stopped. You can always know of my
welfare from the correspondence in the Gazette and [the] Commercial. They
are informed directly from headquarters. I see their correspondents daily.
Colonel Scammon being at the head of a brigade (a very little one), Colonel
Matthews commands our regiment. On the day of the fight, and most of the time
since, I have had an independent command. Most [of] the time almost a regiment,
made up from our regiment, the Thirtieth, and small parties of cavalry. I have
thus far been the sole judge-advocate also of this army; so I am very busy. We
tried three cases yesterday. It is a laborious and painful business. And after
writing so much I would not write you but for my anxiety to have you know how
much I think of and love you. Love and kisses to all the boys.
My impression is that the enemy has left our bailiwick
entirely, but there are rumors of re-enforcements, etc., etc. If so, we shall
have another fight within ten days. With anything like management and decent
luck, we shall surely beat them. But there is a great deal of accident in this
thing. Not enough to save them unless they do better than heretofore.
Dr. Joe is well. All of us getting thin and tough. Matthews
has lost twenty-five pounds, Dr. Joe five pounds. I have lost five to eight.
The soldiers generally from ten to twenty pounds. I never was so stout and
tough. You need not send my pants unless you see somebody coming direct or get
a chance with Mr. Schooley's things. I am well fixed. Dr. McDermott is here,
one week from Ohio. We now get news by way of Kanawha in two days from
Cincinnati.
You need have no fear of my behaviour in fight. I don't know
what effect new dangers might have on my nerves, but the other day I was
several minutes under a sharp guerrilla fire — aimed particularly at Captain
Drake and myself (being on horseback), so I know somewhat of my capacity. It is
all right. In the noisy battle, for it was largely noise, none of our regiment
was under fire except the extreme right wing of my little command; two were
wounded, and I could hear the balls whistle away up in the air fifty feet over
my head; but it amounted to nothing. A portion of Colonel Lytle's men caught
nearly all the danger, and they were under a very severe fire.
It is beautiful weather — lovely moonlight nights. A great
many well cultivated farms; plenty of fruit, vegetables, and food. Good-bye
again. The paymaster is expected soon. I shall be able to send you lots of
money if he does [come], as I now spend next to nothing. Kisses for all.
Dearest, I love you so much.
Affectionately,
Rutherford.
P. S. — This letter is so incoherent by reason of
interruptions. Joe wants me to say that we had peaches and cream just now.
Mrs. Hayes.
SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and
Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 95-7
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