Clarksburg, Virginia, July 27, 1861 (?) (I
believe) Saturday (I know).
Dear Wife: — Our second
day, from Bellaire to this place, was an exceedingly happy one. We travelled
about one hundred and thirty miles in Virginia, and with the exception of one
deserted village of Secessionists (Farmington), we were received everywhere
with an enthusiasm I never saw anywhere before. No such great crowds turned out
to meet us as we saw from Indianapolis to Cincinnati assembled to see Lincoln,
but everywhere, in the corn and hay fields, in the houses, in the roads, on the
hills, wherever a human being saw us, we saw such honest spontaneous
demonstrations of joy as we never beheld elsewhere. Old men and women, boys and
children — some fervently prayed for us, some laughed and some cried; all did
something which told the story. The secret of it is, the defeat at Washington
and the departure of some thousands of three-months men of Ohio and Indiana led
them to fear they were left to the Rebels of eastern Virginia. We were the
first three-years men filling the places of those who left. It was pleasant to see
we were not invading an enemy's country but defending the people among whom we
came. Our men enjoyed it beyond measure. Many had never seen a mountain; none
had ever seen such a reception. They stood on top of the cars and danced and
shouted with delight.
We got here in the
night. General Rosecrans is with us. No other full regiment here. We march
tomorrow up the mountains. All around me is confusion — sixteen hundred horses,
several hundred wagons, — all the preparations for a large army. Our own men in
a crowded camp putting up tents. No time for further description.
Captain McMullen
will go to Columbus to return. He will get my pistols of Mr. Platt, if they
come to Columbus in time.
You would enjoy such
a ride as that of yesterday as much as I did. It was perfect. Now comes the
hard work. Good-bye; love to all.
Affectionately,
R. B. Hayes.
P. S. — Colonel
Matthews showed me a letter from his mother received at the moment of his
leaving. She said she rejoiced she was the mother of seven sons all loyal and
true, and that four of them were able to go to the war for the national rights.
The view from where
I sit is most beautiful — long ranges of hills, a pleasant village, an
extensive sweep of cultivated country, the fortified hill where an Indiana
regiment prepared to defend itself against overwhelming odds, etc., etc.
Direct all letters
and express matters to Clarksburg, Virginia, with my title and regiment until
further directions. This is the great depot for operating in western Virginia,
and all letters, etc., will be sent from here forward to me.
Mrs. Hayes.
SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and
Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 45-7
No comments:
Post a Comment