Headquarters 23d Reg't., O. V. Inf., U.
S. A.,
Mountain Cove, Six Miles Above Gauley
Bridge,
October 9, 1861.
Dear Brother: — We are
now near or at the point where an entrenched camp for winter quarters is to be
established. It will command the main entrance to the head of the Kanawha
Valley, and can be held by a small force; is within a day's ride of navigable
waters connecting with Cincinnati, and telegraphic communication nearly
completed. From half to two-thirds of the men in western Virginia can be spared
as soon as a few days' work is done. Indeed, green regiments just recruited
could take care of this country and release soldiers who have been hardened by
some service. Our regiment is second to no other in discipline, and
equal in drill to all but two or three in western Virginia. We think it
would be sensible to send us to Kentucky, Missouri, or the sea coast for the
winter. We can certainly do twice the work that we could have done four months
ago, and there is no sense in keeping us housed up in fortifications and
sending raw troops into the field. In Kentucky, disciplined troops — that is,
men who are obedient and orderly — are particularly needed. A lot of lawless
fellows plundering and burning would do more hurt than good among a Union
people who have property. We have met no regiment that is better than ours, if
any so good.
Now, the point I am
at is, first, that a large part of the soldiers here can be spared this winter;
second, that for service, the best ought to be taken away. With these two ideas
safely lodged in the minds of the powers that be, the Twenty-third is sure to
be withdrawn. If you can post the Governor a little, it might be useful.
We are pleasantly
associated. My mess consists of Colonel Scammon, Lieutenant-Colonel Matthews,
Drs. Clendenin and Webb. The general (Schenck) and staff quarter in our
regiment, so that we have the best of society. My connection with General
Rosecrans' staff, I manage to make agreeable by a little license. I quarter
with my regiment, but am relieved from all but voluntary regimental duty. I
think I have never enjoyed any period of my life as much as the last three
months. The risks, hardships, separation from family and friends are balanced
by the notion that I am doing what every man, who possibly can, ought to do,
leaving the agreeable side of things as clear profit. My health has been
perfect. A great matter this is. We have many sick, and sickness on marches and
in camps is trebly distressing. It makes one value health. We now have our sick
in good quarters and are promised a ten days' rest. The weather today is
beautiful, and I don't doubt that we shall get back to good condition in that
time.
Your election
yesterday, I hope, went overwhelmingly for “Tod and Victory.” We talked of
holding an election here, but as we liked Jewett personally, it was not pushed.
We should have been unanimous for the war ticket.
Letters now should
be sent to Gauley Bridge. Love to all.
Sincerely,
R. B. Hayes.*
Wm. A. Platt.
_______________
* This letter was placed in the Governor's hands for his
information. It was then sent to Mrs. Hayes, who on October 23 forwarded it to
Mr. Birchard. In her accompanying letter Mrs. Hayes wrote that she had seen
Colonel Matthews, who had told her that “Rutherford was almost the only man who
had not been sick or affected some by the campaign, that he was perfectly well
and looking better than ever.” Mrs. Hayes tries bravely to conceal her sense of
loneliness, but it appears unmistakably in her closing paragraph where she
writes: “We would be so glad to see you. Yours and Rutherford's room is waiting
— the books are lonely and everybody and everything would meet you so gladly.”
SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and
Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 112-4
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