Camp Number 6, Giles Court-house,
May 9, 1862. A. M.
Sir: — Your
dispatch of yesterday reached me about 10:30 o'clock P. M. Its suggestions and
cautions will be carefully heeded. If in any important respect my reports are
defective, I shall be glad to correct the fault. The novelty of my situation
and the number and variety of claims upon my attention must be my apology for
what may seem negligence. Our men and horses are getting worn-out with guard,
picket, and patrol duty, added to the labor of gathering in forage and
provisions. You say nothing of the forward movement having been disapproved,
nor of abandoning or reinforcing this point. I infer that we may look
for reinforcements today. It is of the utmost importance that we get prompt and
large additions to our strength. The facts are these: Large amounts of forage
and provisions which we might have got with a larger force are daily going to
the enemy. The enemy is recovering from his panic, is near the railroad and
getting reinforcements. He is already stronger than we are, at least double as
strong. But all this you already know from repeated dispatches of mine and I
doubt not you are doing all you can to bring up the needed additions to our
force.
I learn from contrabands that there is a practicable way for
foot and horse, not teams, up Walker's Creek on this side, by which a force can
pass over the mountains, five or seven miles from the road and reach the rear
or turn the enemy's position. From the general appearance of the hills near
here I think that some such passage can be found. The enemy has destroyed the
boats at the ferries, or removed them from this side wherever it was possible
to do so. The quartermaster is rigging up mule teams and ox teams to do the
extra hauling with considerable success. There is of course some grumbling
among owners of wagons, etc., but I tell them it is a military necessity. The
morning papers of Lynchburg are received here frequently the evening of the
same day and regularly the next day. This shows how near we are to the centre
of things.
Respectfully,
R. B. Hayes,
Lieutenant-colonel 23D Regiment O. V. I.,
Commanding.
P. S. — Details are constantly made from the force ready for
battle to take care of prisoners, guard bridges, etc., etc., until our force
here is reduced to a very small figure. Instant action is required one way
or the other.
Colonel E. P. Scammon,
Commanding Third
Brigade.
SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and
Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 260-1
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