Princeton. — A clear, cold, bright day. Got a letter
from my dear wife, very patriotic, very affectionate. An angel of a wife, I
have. And the boys, dear little fellows! I hope we shall be together again
before many months.
I have been rather anxious today. We heard from contrabands
and others that the Narrows [of New River] was deserted except by a small guard
for property and tents. Major Comly with Companies H, I, and K and Captain
Gilmore's Cavalry was dispatched to the point eighteen to twenty-two miles
distant. No tidings yet, although a courier ought to have reached here before
this time if they and he travelled rapidly. I suggested that if necessary to
secure property they go to Giles Town.
In the meantime I hear that a foraging party of six of our
men as guards under Corporal Day, with three battery men and a waggon, have
been taken by a large party of cavalry on the Tazewell Road, ten miles.
Jenifer's Cavalry have gone to Tazewell; got their horses and are now in the
saddle ready to cut off our men. Oh, for an enterprising cavalry force!
I have looked for a messenger since 5 o'clock from Major
Comly. At midnight received a message from Major Comly that the party finding
the Narrows deserted and all property gone, had gone on to Giles and taken it
completely by surprise, capturing some prisoners and a large amount of stores,
— two hundred and fifty barrels of flour and everything else. Very lucky! and
Colonel Scammon thereupon approved of the whole expedition, although it was
irregular and in violation of the letter of orders. The enemy just out of Giles
were at least eleven hundred and had forces near to increase it to fifteen
hundred. Our party was only two hundred and fifty! The colonel fearing the
capture of our little party ordered me to proceed at daylight with two
companies Second Virginia Cavalry and the rest of [the] Twenty-third Regiment
to reinforce Giles.
SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and
Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 253-4
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