Camp Sewell, October 3, 1861.
Dearest: —
This is a pleasant morning. I yesterday finished the work of a court-martial
here; am now in my own tent with my regiment “at home.” It does seem like home.
I have washed and dressed myself, and having nothing to do I hope to be able
today to write to all. I begin, of course, with my darling wife, of whom I
think more and more affectionately the longer we are separated. And the dear
boys too — kiss and hug them warmly.
We are evidently at the end of our campaign in this
direction for this season. The bad roads and floods make it impossible longer
to supply an army so far from railroads and navigable waters. How soon we shall
begin our backward march, I do not know. If the enemy were not immediately in
front of us we should leave instantly but, no doubt, our leaders dislike to
make a move that will look like a retreat from an enemy that we care nothing
about. But there is nothing to be gained by staying so far in the mountains,
and the danger of starving will send us back to Gauley Bridge long before this
reaches you. We shall, no doubt, garrison and fortify the strong points which
control western Virginia, and the question with us all is, who is to stay and
who go to some pleasanter scene.
We are now in General Schenck's brigade, and hope he will
have influence enough to get us a place in the Kentucky or some other army. We
are, no doubt, the crack American regiment of all this region, and think we
should have the conspicuous place. I think we shall get out of here, but we
shall see. I think there will be no battle here. The enemy are strongly
entrenched and far superior to us in numbers. Besides there is no object in attacking
them. They have twenty-two pieces of artillery. They will not attack us, unless
encouraged to do so by our apparent retreat. If they come out of their
entrenchments to fight us we think we have got them. So if our retreat is
prudently managed, I suspect there will be nothing but skirmishing. That we
have a little of daily.
Since we passed into the mountains, we are out of reach of
mails. It is almost a month since the date of your last letter. I am still on
General Rosecrans' staff although with my regiment, and you can direct letters
as heretofore, except instead of “Clarksburg” put “Gauley Bridge,” and ask Dr.
James W. to leave the new direction at the Commercial office.
I am in the best of health. I speak of this always because
it is now a noticeable thing. No man in our regiment has been healthier than I
have, perhaps none so healthy. I have not been laid up a moment, hardly felt
even slightly unwell.
It is singular how one gets attached to this life with all
its hardships. We are a most jovial happy set. Our mess now is Colonel Scammon,
Lieutenant-Colonel Matthews, Dr. Clendenin, Dr. Joe, and myself. I doubt if
anywhere in the country a happier set gather about the table. Joe is full of
life, occasionally unwell a little, but always jovial. Matthews has had some of
his old troubles — nothing serious — but is a most witty, social man. Colonel Scammon
takes medicines all the time, but is getting fat, and is in the best of temper
with all of us. General Schenck and his staff are also here. Donn Piatt
is one of them. The general and Donn add greatly to our social resources.
Indeed I have seen no regiment that will at all compare with us in this
respect. . . .
I shall be thirty-nine years old, or is it thirty-eight,
tomorrow? Birthdays come along pretty fast these days.
Do the boys go to school? I hope they will be good scholars,
but not study at the expense of growth and health. . . .
If the paymaster ever gets along I shall be able to send
home money enough to pay debts, taxes, and keep you going for some time.
We have news of a victory by McClellan. We hope it is true.
Whatever may befall us, success at Washington if followed up secures our
country's cause. Love to all.
Affectionately, as
ever,
R.
Mrs. Hayes.
SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and
Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 104-6
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