Camp Tompkins, October 18, 1861.
Dearest: — Soon after I
had sent off my letter yesterday, Mr. Schooley stopped with your bundle and
letter. All most acceptable, gloves, etc., particularly. I get all your
letters. . . .
Don't worry about
the country. Things are slowly working around. For a first campaign by a green
people, we have done well. The Rebellion will be crushed even at this rate by
the time our three years are up. McClellan is crowding them. They must fight or
run soon, and I think either is death.
We have a little
excitement every day over some guerrilla story. But the rumors as they are
sifted vanish rapidly into smoke.
Dr. Menzies was
here today. He is troubled about his family, about his colonel, and so on. Very
queer how some clever people manage to keep in a worriment under all
circumstances.
One paymaster has
come up. We hope to see ours some day. I shall send you funds as soon as they
are paid me.
It is raining — a
settled fall rain. But we are in a valley (not on top of Mount Sewell). I have
a board floor to my tent. Who cares for the rain? — especially if my wife and
bairns are safe under a tight roof by a warm fire. Keep up good courage. Kiss
the boys, give my love to all, and continue to have happy dreams about your
Affectionate husband,
Rutherford.
Mrs. Hayes.
SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and
Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 118
No comments:
Post a Comment