Camp Number 2, near Raleigh, Virginia. — The sky is
still overcast. We shall move on five miles today if it clears up.
At General Beckley's residence are the females of three
families. Mrs. Beckley and all cried when we left. One young lady, Miss Duncan,
has a lover in Company F; Miss Kieffer, in hospital staff, and all the other
damsels in the like category. They all speak of our regiment as such fine men!
We burned all their rails! Will pay for them if General Beckley is discharged.
At 10 o'clock marched to Shady Spring; camped on a fine
sandy piece of ground belonging to Dr. McNutt. The Secesh burned the dwelling,
the doctor being a Union man. Floyd camped here also. A large spring gives the
name to the place. The water gushes out copiously, runs on the surface a few
rods and runs again into the earth. The grass is starting. The horses of the
cavalry were turned loose on it and played their liveliest antics. The sun came
out bright, a clear, bracing breeze blowing. Altogether a fine afternoon and a
happy time.
SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and
Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 236
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