Camp Tompkins, October 27, 1861.
Dearest: — I
have had a week's work trying twenty cases before a court-martial held in one
of the fine parlors of Colonel Tompkins' country-seat. I have profaned the
sacred mansion, and I trust that soon it will be converted into a hospital for
our sick. My pertinacity has accomplished something towards that end. My week's
work has had painful things, but many pleasant ones. I trust no life will be
lost, but I fear it. Still I have done my duty kindly and humanely.
The weather generally has been good. The paymasters are here
and general joy prevails. I expect to remain at this camp about a week or ten
days. Whether I shall return to my regiment or go around to Grafton is not yet
certain, probably the latter.
I see that the Sixth Street ladies are at work for the
Tenth. All right. Clothing, but blankets and bedding comforts, etc., still
more, will be needed this winter. Army blankets are small and are getting thin
and worn-out. As cold weather comes on the well, even, will need all they can
get. As yet, in this region, nobody but sick men have any business to complain.
Dr. Joe has an order from General Rosecrans to Jim to come
out and assist him. If he comes let him bring a good blanket or comfort for me.
If I am away it can be kept for me till I return or used by somebody else.
During the next ten days I shall get money plenty to send you for all debts,
etc., etc.
I can quite certainly make you a visit, but I hardly know
when to do it. Dr. Joe will want to visit home sometime this fall or winter and
you better “maturely consider,” as the court martial record says, when you
would prefer him to come. Of course he must wait for Dr. Clendenin and I for
Colonel Matthews. My preference is about December.
Mother and Jim both seem to think letters never reach us. We
get all your letters now, and quite regularly. There was a period after
Carnifax when we were out of reach, but now we are in line again. We see
Cincinnati papers of the 24th on the 26th. By the by, you need not renew my
subscription to the Commercial. No use to send papers. We get them from
the office sooner in another way.
If Jim comes let him get an assortment of late papers, Harper's,
Atlantic, etc., etc., and keep them till he gets to our camp. We are
the outermost camp and people are coaxed out of their literature before they
get to us. . . .
I dined in a tent with fourteen officers and one lady
on Wednesday. Her husband was formerly a steamboat captain, now a major in
[the] First Kentucky. She evidently enjoyed her singular position; bore her
part well. . . .
Affectionately, your
Rutherford.
Things I would like before winter sets in — I am not sure
that Dr. Jim better bring them — there is no hurry:
1. A good large blanket; 2. An India-rubber coat, common
black, — Dr. J—'s size; 3. A pair of gloves, riding, buckskin or sich; 4. A
thick dark blue vest, military buttons and fit; my size at Sprague's; 5. Enough
blue cord for seams of one pair of pants; Dr. Joe's poem, “Lucile”; 6. Two
blank books, size of my diaries — good nice ruled paper, 6 or 8 inches by 4 or
5; 7. A pocket memorandum book. I could make a big list, but I'll quit.
Mrs. Hayes.
SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and
Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 124-6
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