Last night I went in
to Columbus to bid good-bye to the boys; on the road met Lucy, Laura, and
Mother Webb; advised them to return. After we were at home (Platt's), Lucy
showed more emotion at my departure than she has hitherto exhibited. She wanted
to spend my last night with me in Camp Chase. I took her out. We passed a happy
evening going around among the men gathered in picturesque groups, cooking
rations for three days at the camp fires. Early in the morning, as she was anxious
Mother Webb should see the camp before I left, I sent her in by a hack to
return with Mother Webb which she did, and they saw us leave the camp.
I marched in with
the men afoot; a gallant show they made as they marched up High Street to the
depot. Lucy and Mother Webb remained several hours until we left. I saw them
watching me as I stood on the platform at the rear of the last car as long as
they could see me. Their eyes swam. I kept my emotion under control enough not
to melt into tears. — A pleasant ride to Bellaire; staid in the cars all night.
SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and
Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 43-4
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