Diary of Major Rutherford B. Hayes: November 1, 1861

Camp Tompkins. — Cold, gusty, but sunshiny. The fine band of the Second Kentucky does discourse glorious music. A dapper little fellow with a cane, “a nice young man,” fit for Fourth Street in piping times of peace, walked by my tent just now. Not a fellow in camp with his army blue, tattered or not, who does not feel above him.

The enemy have just begun to fire on the ferry and on the teams and passers between here and Gauley Bridge. They have cannon and riflemen on the opposite side of New River. Went with Sweet scouting to ascertain exact position of enemy. Followed up rills and ravines, running imminent risk of breaking necks; discovered tolerable views of the enemy. The echoes of the cannon and bursting shells were grand in these defiles. Two of our men slightly wounded. The ferry stopped during daylight (but doing double duty at night), is all that was accomplished. Great waste of ammunition, great noise, excitement among soldiers. Vox praterea nihil. Got home at night, tired enough, in the rain.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 134

Diary of Major Rutherford B. Hayes: Tuesday Morning, October 29, 1861

Camp Tompkins.  — A bright, cold October morning, before breakfast. This month has been upon the whole a month of fine weather. The awful storm on Mount Sewell, and a mitigated repetition of it at Camp Lookout ten days afterward, October 7, are the only storms worth noting. The first was unprecedented in this country and extended to most of the States. On the whole, the weather has been good for campaigning with this exception. Camp fever, typhus or typhoid, prevails most extensively. It is not fatal. Not more than four or five deaths, and I suppose we have had four or five hundred cases. Our regiment suffers more than the average. The Tenth, composed largely of Irish laborers, and the Second Kentucky, composed largely of river men, suffer least of any. I conjecture that persons accustomed to outdoor life and exposure bear up best. Against many afflictions incident to campaigning, men from comfortable homes seem to bear up best. Not so with this.

I have tried twenty cases before a court-martial held in Colonel Tompkins' house the past week. One conviction for desertion and other aggravated offenses punished with sentence of death. I trust the general will mitigate this.

We hear that Lieutenant-Colonel Matthews, who left for a stay of two weeks at home about the 18th, has been appointed colonel of a regiment. This is deserved. It will, I fear, separate us. I shall regret that much, very much. He is a good man, of solid talent and a most excellent companion, witty, cheerful, and intelligent. Well, if so, it can't be helped. The compensation is the probable promotion I shall get to his place. I care little about this. As much to get rid of the title “Major” as anything else makes it desirable. I am prejudiced against “Major.” Doctors are majors and (tell it not in Gath) Dick Corwine is major! So if we lose friend Matthews, there may be this crumb, besides the larger one of getting rid of being the army's lawyer or judge, which I don't fancy.

Colonel Baker, gallant, romantic, eloquent soldier, senator, patriot, killed at Edwards Ferry on the upper Potomac! When will this thing cease? Death in battle does not pain me much. But caught surprised in ambush again! After so many warnings. When will our leaders learn? I do not lose heart. I calmly contemplate these things. The side of right, with strength, resources, endurance, must ultimately triumph. These disasters and discouragements will make the ultimate victory more precious. But how long? I can wait patiently if we only do not get tricked out of victories. I thought McClellan was to mend all this. “We have had our last defeat, we have had our last retreat,” he boasted. Well, well, patience! West Pointers are no better leaders than others.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 126-7

23rd Ohio Independent Battery Light Artillery

Detached from 2nd Kentucky Infantry 1861. No record in Ohio troops. See Simmons' 1st Kentucky Battery.

SOURCE: Frederick H. Dyer, A Compendium of the War of the 3, p. Rebellion, Part 1494

Late From The Prisoners

A letter was received in this city on Saturday from Col. W. E. Woodruff, of the Second Kentucky Volunteers who is now a prisoner with the rebels. – The letter was dated the 1st of January.  Col. Woodruff and his companions, Lieut. Col. Neff, and Capt. Austin, are now incarcerated at Columbia, S. C., and were on the 1st inst. enjoying excellent health.  They await their release and return to the service with much anxiety. – {Lou. Jour., 27th.

– Published in The Burlington Weekly Hawk-Eye, Burlington, Iowa, Saturday, February 1, 1862, p. 2

Bruce’s Brigade Position Marker: Shiloh National Military Park

U. S.

ARMY OF THE OHIO.

BRUCE’S (22^D) BRIGADE, 

2^D KENTUCKY, 1^ST KENTUCKY,

20^TH KENTUCKY,

NELSON’S (4TH) DIVISION

THIS BRIGADE, WITH ITS REGIMENTS IN ORDER AS ABOVE,

WAS ENGAGED HERE AT 10 A. M. APRIL 7, 1862.

IT ADVANCED ACROSS THE PEACH ORCHARD.

NOTE: The position marker for Battery “A,” 1st Illinois Light Artillery can be seen in the background.

An Incident of the War

We of the North can scarcely realize the hard struggles and bitter trials of feelings that the Union men of the Border States, fighting in the Federal ranks have to undergo in this unnatural strife. Brother is arrayed against brother, father against son, and numerous cases have come to light where members of one family have come face to face in the heat of battle. A letter from a member of the 2d Kentucky to his relatives, in this city describes an incident of this kind, in the battle of Pittsburg Landing. He says:

During this battle a Sergeant in the 2nd Kentucky, Co. B, found his brother, a mere boy, (a private in the 4th Kentucky Rebel Regiment) lying wounded on the field, unconscious. He carried him off, and he is now better and seems to regret what he had done. It is touching to see two brothers one defending his country the other a traitor, wounded and a prisoner. All Sergt. B___ said was, “Eddy, what will mother say when she hears of this?” – Cleveland Herald.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Wednesday Morning, April 30, 1862, p. 2