Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes to Sophia Birchard Hayes, April 24, 1864

Camp Reynolds, Near Gauley Bridge, May 1, 1864.

Dear Mother: — We have been marching now three days. We have a considerable force and are setting out on a campaign. We expect our full share of active service. We are under the immediate command of General Crook.¹ We all feel great confidence in his skill and good judgment. General Averill is also with us in command of the cavalry. I have the First Brigade of Infantry, consisting of [the] Twenty-third and Thirty-sixth Ohio, Fifth and Thirteenth Virginia Volunteers. The last named is not yet with us.

Lucy and the boys left on a steamboat at the same time I did. You will perhaps not hear from me often for a while. — Goodbye.

Your affectionate son,

R.

Mrs. Sophia Hayes.

_______________

¹ George Crook.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 454-5

Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes to Lucy Webb Hayes, May 17, 1863

Camp White, May 17, 1863.

Dearest:— Things look well for quiet in our vicinity for a time to come. We have had a good deal of excitement for the past fortnight, but it is over now. Any time you think best to come or send Grandma or any of the family, advise me as you start and we will be ready for you and glad to see you. Comly brings his new wife here soon. Ellen (Lieutenant Ellen), ditto. Mrs. Zimmerman, an agreeable lady, is here now.

My whole brigade except two or three detached companies, is now here. Delany, Simmonds, the Fifth and Thirteenth Virginia and a new cavalry company were sent for during the recent scare. We have nearly finished a tolerable fort, and have a gunboat. I have thirteen pieces of artillery.

I am most agreeably disappointed in my Virginia regiments. The Thirteenth is new and composed of West Virginians, but it has capital officers and they promise well in all respects. I reviewed them this Sunday morning. Their appearance would be creditable to an old regiment.

The Fifth was in all battles under Fremont and Pope last summer and behaved well, but was unfortunately officered. This has been corrected. Their present commander is an excellent man and I look for good things from them.

It perhaps would be better for you not to come until you are ready to leave Cincinnati for the summer, if you do leave for the summer. But you and Mother Webb will make your own arrangements and it will suit me.

As ever, affectionately,

R. B. Hayes.

Mrs. Hayes.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 409

Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes to Lucy Web Hayes, April 9, 1863

Camp White, April 10, i863.

Dearest: — Your most welcome letter reached me this morning. Tell Webby the little rooster is in fine feather. He has had a good many fights with a big rooster belonging to the family near our camp, but holds his own very bravely.

Yes, a coat of course. I am afraid about pants — they should be long and wide in the legs for riding if you get them. No vest is wanted. — Did the cash come to hand?

Our large flag at home would look well flying over this camp if you will send it by Mr. Forbes. As for the new regimental flag, you shall get it some day if you wish to do it.

The fine weather of a few days past has brought us out. We are very happy here again.

Colonel Matthews is perfectly right. He no doubt leaves the army on account of the impossibility of serving in the field. He was barely able to get through his first campaign. . . .

I am as glad as anybody that the Union ticket [in Cincinnati] was carried. The soldiers all feel happy over the recent indications at home. A few victories over the Rebels now would lift us on amazingly. — Yes, “cut off” sounds badly, but it was a very jolly time.

I have Captain Gilmore and Lieutenant Austin and two rifled guns camped here, besides four howitzers with gun squads on the steamboats. General Jenkins and about eight hundred men left the railroad at Marion, Smith County, southwestern Virginia, and crossed the mountains to the head waters of Sandy River and so across towards the mouth of Kanawha. They reached our outpost twenty-four miles from here and demanded a surrender. Captain Johnson with four companies of [the] Thirteenth Virginia declined to surrender and, after a good fight, repulsed General Jenkins. He then crossed Kanawha twenty miles from the mouth or less and attacked Point Pleasant at the mouth. Captain Carter and one company of [the] Thirteenth Virginia occupied the court-house. They could not keep the whole town clear of Rebels but defended themselves gallantly until relieved from Gallipolis. General Jenkins then retreated. Colonel Paxton and Captain Gilmore followed by different routes, worrying him badly and getting about forty prisoners.

Does Birch remember Captain Waller, a cavalry captain who took care of Colonel Paxton and sat opposite us at table often? Perhaps he recollects his little boy. Well he, the boy, rode with his father in the pursuit and captured two armed men himself!

Captain Stevens and all the others are commissioned. Naughton is wroth at Dr. Webb and me! . . . More photographs. Preserve with the war archives, and be sure of one thing, I love you so much.

As ever,

R.

Mrs. Hayes.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 403-5

Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes to Lucy Webb Hayes, April 1, 1863

Camp White, April 1, 1863.

Dearest: — We are again in communication with America after being cut off about four or five days by General Jenkins. He attacked two posts garrisoned by [the] Thirteenth Virginia — and one had Lieutenant Hicks, the color sergeant and six men of Twenty-third. In both cases General Jenkins was badly worsted losing seventy men killed or captured, while we lost only four killed and five wounded. A sorry raid so far.

Judge Matthews, I see, is to be superior court judge. I suppose his health is the cause. He had a difficulty before he left the Twenty-third which at times unfitted him for service in the field.

Awful weather for tent life the last week — snow, rain, and wind “all to once.” I am really glad you left when you did. A few weeks hence if Jenkins lets us alone we shall be in condition to enjoy your presence.

Love to the dear boys. Webb will, I am sure, study hard when he hears how much I want him to be a scholar. Birch and the others are right of course.

The Prince's [Prince of Wales] wedding you read, I know. No happier than ours!

Affectionately,

R.

Mrs. Hayes.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 401

Diary of Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes: Monday, March 30, 1863

A cold, clear night last night; a fine morning, but a white frost — light. Report that the steamer which left here yesterday morning with Quartermaster Fitch, Paymaster Cowen, etc., on board was fired into nearly opposite Buffalo. Said to be ten companies of Jenkins' men, some crossing Kanawha, a few with horses. Lieutenant-Colonel Comly with five companies [of the] Twenty-third went down [the] river in [a] steamboat to Coal's Mouth to defend that point.

4 P. M. — Reported that Point Pleasant is in possession of the Rebels,

6 P. M. — Dispatch from Captain Fitch says [that a] company of [the] Thirteenth Virginia holds out in court-house at Point Pleasant; with impromptu gunboats from Gallipolis drove the Rebels out of Point Pleasant; can certainly hold it until dark.

9 P. M. — Dispatch: Rebels driven back, twelve killed, fourteen taken prisoners. Our loss one killed, one wounded, three officers ( ?) taken prisoners. Stores all safe.

10 P. M. — Rebels retreated up Kanawha; starving, out of shoes, and ammunition.

Colonel Comly ordered to rig up steamboat so as to protect men and go down the river to prevent Jenkins from recrossing the river.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 399-400

Diary of Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes: Saturday, March 28, 1863

Rain all night. Yesterday, a clear, cold morning; a white frost; cloudy and hazy all day; rain at night.

P. M. Rode with Dr. Webb, Lieutenant McKinley, and a dragoon out on road to Coal Forks as far as Davis Creek, thence down the creek to the Guyandotte Pike (river road), thence home. Crossed the creek seven times; water deep and bottom miry.

Today a fight between four hundred Jenkins' or Floyd's men and two hundred and seventy-five Thirteenth Virginia [men] at Hurricane Bridge. Rebels repulsed. Our loss three killed and six wounded, one mortally. Floyd's men coming into Logan, Boone, Wayne, Cabell, and Putnam [Counties], reporting Floyd dismissed and his troops disbanded. The troops from being state troops refuse to go into Confederate service but seem willing to fight the Yankees on their own hook.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 398

Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes to Sardis Birchard, March 22, 1863

Camp White, Near Charleston, Virginia, March 22,1863.

Dear Uncle: — We came out of the wilderness a week ago today. We are now pleasantly located on the left bank of the Kanawha, just below (opposite) Charleston. We are almost at home, and can expect to see anxious friends soon. You would, I think, enjoy a trip up here in a few weeks. You can get on a steamer at Cincinnati and land at our camp, and be safely and comfortably housed here. Lucy and the boys, after a most happy time, went home yesterday. We shall expect to see them again while we are here.

We seem intended for a permanent garrison here. We shall probably be visited by the Rebels while here. Our force is small but will perhaps do. My command is Twenty-third Ohio, Fifth and Thirteenth Virginia, three companies of cavalry, and a fine battery. I have some of the best, and I suspect some of about the poorest troops in service. They are scattered from Gauley to the mouth of Sandy on the Kentucky line. They are well posted to keep down bushwhacking and the like, but would be of small account against an invading force. We have three weak, but very good regiments, Twenty-third, Twelfth, and Thirty-fourth Ohio, some, a small amount, of good cavalry and good artillery, and about three or four regiments of indifferent infantry. So we shall probably see fun, if the enemy thinks it worth while to come in. Come and see me.

Sincerely,

R. B. Hayes.

S. Birchard.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 395-6

Further Particulars of the Winchester Battle

WINCHESTER, March 25. – The details of last Sunday’s fight have been received.  There have been more deeds of heroic daring performed in this battle, than in any other in history.  Capt. Schrieber, Aid and Inspector General of Gen. Shields’ division, while riding to the crest of a hill to the left of stone ledge, with two Orderlies, was confronted by five rebel cavalry, who emptied their revolvers, killing to Orderlies.  Capt. Schrieber charged them, running one of them through to the hilt of his sword, and received a ball in his cap, but was unharmed.

Capt. Perkins, Chief of Gen. Banks’ staff, was mainly instrument in planning the attack and performed deeds of skill and valor.

The twelve rebel regiments engaged were all Virginians, which were 1st, 2nd, 4th, 13th, 23rd, 42nd and 22nd, and one Provisional and one Irish Regiment.  They had Ashby’s Cavlary, two eight gun batteries and one six gun battery.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, March 29, 1862, p. 3

Further Particulars of the Battle Near Winchester

WASHINGTON, March 25.

Gen. Shields has received a dispatch from Maj. Gen. Banks, dated 5 miles beyond Strasburg.  The enemy are still in retreat and our forces in hot pursuit.  The loss of the rebels must have been enormous. – They have abandoned wagons along the road filled with dead and dying.  The houses on the route are found crowded with the wounded and dead.  The dwellings in the towns adjacent to the battle field of Sunday are also found filled with the wounded.

The inhabitants aided the rebels in carrying off their wounded during the day, and burying them as quick as dead.

Our artillery makes terrible havoc among the enemy in their flight, and the rout bids fair to be one of the most dreadful of the war.

The details of last Sunday’s flight have been received.  There have been performed more deeds of personal daring than in any battle in history.  Capt. Schrieber, aid and Inspector-Gen. of Gen. Shields’s division, while riding to Crest Hill, to the left of Stone Ledge, with two orderlies, was confronted by five rebel cavalry who emptied their revolvers, killing the two orderlies. – Capt. Schrieber charged them, running one of them through to the hilt of his sword and received a ball through his cap, but was unharmed.  Capt. Perkins, chief of Gen. Banks’ staff, was mainly instrumental in planning the attack and performed deeds of skill and valor.

The 12 rebel regiments engaged were all Virginians, which were the 1^st, 2d, 4^th, 13^th, 23d, 42d and 32d, and one provisional and one Irish regiment.  They had Ashby’s cavalry, 2 8-gun batteries and 1 six-gun battery, also one 4 gun battery, making 26 guns, among which were some captured at Bull Run.

Four color bearers of the 5^th Ohio regiment were severally killed, when Capt. Whitcomb seized the colors and was shot through the head.

A youthful rebel soldier received two wounds in his breast, and when he was approached by one of our officers inquired if the officer knew Gen. Banks; he recieved an affirmative reply.  He then said: tell him I want to take the oath of allegiance, for I have three brothers in the Federal service, and I want them to know that I die true to the Union.

The arm of Gen. Shields is badly shattered, and owning to an imperfect setting it must be reset to-morrow night.

All is quiet in the neighborhood of Strasburg.

It is reported that two sons of the late J. A. Washington were in Monday’s fight and that both were wounded and one of them taken prisoner.

The Baltimore and Ohio railroad have taken charge of Winchester and Potomac railroads.  Persons can purchase tickets of the Baltimore company.

We have buried all the rebel dead that have been brought to town.  Eighty-five were buried on the battle field, and 123 on the roadside between here and Strasburg.

A messenger from Strasburg states that Gen. Johnston was to have joined Jackson at Strasburg, but he subsequently sent him word that he could not until Monday night.

These combined forces were found to have numbered 25,000 or 30,000.  They were intending to keep Banks from moving to another point, but Jackson being impressed with the belief that our troops had nearly all left, hazarded his fatal advance alone.

WINCHESTER, March 25.

This evening our column is five miles beyond Strasburg, still in pursuit of the flying rebels.

All letters for officers and soldiers in Gen. Banks’ division should be directed to Winchester, till further notice.

WASHINGTON, March 25.

The following dispatch from Gen. Shields to Senator Rice, dated to-day at Winchester, was received in the Senate this afternoon:

On the morning of the 23d, my command, 7,000 or 8,000 strong, was attacked near this place by Jackson, with 9 regiments of infantry and an Irish battalion, about 1,500 cavalry, and 28 pieces of artillery.  After a severe fight the enemy was put in complete rout, leaving behind two pieces of cannon, four caissons and a large number of small arms, and about 600 prisoners.

Our loss is 150 killed and 300 wounded.  The enemy’s loss is 500 killed and 1,000 wounded.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Thursday Morning, March 27, 1862, p. 1