COLUMBUS, April 19,
1861.
DEAR UNCLE: — I came up last night to help Dr. James Webb
get a place as surgeon, and for other purposes not warlike. The doctor left for
the East as assistant surgeon of [the] Second Regiment with the soldiers this
morning. I shall return home on [the] next train.
At the first, I put down my foot that I would not think of
going into this first movement. This, of course, I shall stick to; but if this
war is [to] go on, it is obvious that sooner or later thousands will be dragged
into it who would now not contemplate doing so. Platt enjoys it hugely. So do
all the old-style people who like a strong government. It took a great many
delicate youngsters from our neighborhood; almost every other family on our
street sent somebody — Wilson Woodrow, Wright, Schooley, of our near neighbors.
I saw them in their tents last night — cold as Halifax, and compelled to get up
at 2:30 this morning to go East. A sharp experience for tenderly reared boys.
Come down and see us. All well here.
Sincerely,
R. B. HAYES.
S. BIRCHARD.
SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary
and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 9-10
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