August 7 [6].
Dearest: — I
wrote this last night — today has been a day of excitement. All has not been
quiet on New River. This morning at daylight I was aroused by a courier saying
our most distant picket had been fired on and as no one had come in, they were
believed to be all cut off. I got out two companies to see to it. In twenty
minutes another came in saying that the enemy three thousand to four thousand
strong, with artillery, were coming to attack our four companies at Packs
Ferry, under Major Comly. I sent word to the major and three companies, [and]
word to Flat Top for help. Well, they made the attack both at the ferry and the
ford — but it was across a broad river. Cannon shots barely missed many times.
Shell lit in close proximity and failed to explode, and our sharpshooters
getting bold and skilful, the enemy retreated, running the gauntlet of our sharpshooters
on the river bank for three miles. Not a man of ours killed or wounded.
Reinforcements reached us under Colonel Scammon at 4 P. M., just four hours
after the last Rebel had disappeared six miles above here. Our courier carried
the news to Flat Top in one hour and ten minutes. The “aid” did it in six
hours!
We had a terrific thunder-storm about six P. M. The
lightning struck our guard-tent. Five men were laid out apparently dead. Dr.
Joe and all of us were there in an instant. The men are all restored and I
think will all get well. They all appeared dead, and but for instant aid would
have died. . . .
[R.]
Mrs. Hayes.
SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and
Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 318
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