CINCINNATI, April 23,
1861.
DEAR UNCLE : — No doubt the accounts sent abroad as to the
danger we are in from Kentucky are much exaggerated. Kentucky is in no
condition to go out immediately. If the war goes on, as I think it ought, it is
probable that she will leave us, and that we shall be greatly exposed, but she
has no arms, and almost no military organization. Even their secession governor
is not prepared to precipitate matters under these circumstances. We are
rapidly preparing for war, and shall be on a war footing long before Kentucky
has decided what to do.
Lucy dislikes to leave here just now. She enjoys the
excitement and wishes to be near her mother and the rest of us; but as for
camping down in Spiegel Grove and roughing it, she thinks that will be jolly
enough, and as soon as we are quiet here, she will be very happy to go into
quarters with you. . . .
A great many gentlemen of your years are in for the war. One
old fellow was rejected on account of his gray hair and whiskers. He hurried
down street and had them colored black, and passed muster in another company.
Sincerely,
R. B. HAYES.
Yours of the 22nd just received. Fremont has done well. We
are sending about four thousand [volunteers] from here, if all are accepted,
besides [having] eight thousand more stay-at-homes. I am acting captain of our
crack rifle company. I shall go into the ranks as a private in a week or two.
S. BIRCHARD.
SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary
and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 10-11
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