Camp Near Weston, Virginia, August 9, 1861.
Friday Afternoon.
Dearest: — I have
just read your letter postmarked the 5th at Kingston. Right pleased with you.
Very happy to get your good letter. It has been bright, warm (hot) weather
since Sunday, but today at noon a fine rain began to fall, and this afternoon I
was loafing about in the tents, hard up for occupation. Lying alone in my tent,
your letter came in with one from Uncle written Sunday. Wasn't it so lucky?
I've nothing to tell you, I believe. Dr. Joe is well — perfectly — again; busy
changing his hospital from the court-house and jail to a secession church which
doesn't run now. The colonel is busy giving passes to citizens wishing to
travel roads guarded by our picquets.
Colonel Matthews under Colonel Tyler has gone to
Summersville about seventy miles south of this. They are looking for Wise. In
the meantime we have rumors that General Lee is marching over the mountains to
push the Union forces in this region out of the State, and to seize the stores
so abundantly gathered hereabouts. We have no means of knowing the truth here;
if there is anything in it, we shall be called to Buchanan [Buckhannon],
sixteen miles east, where the first attack is expected. There is a little more
activity among the enemy in this quarter since these rumors became rife. Our
party from the south, returning today, report that an attack was made up the
road on two companies of Colonel Lytle's men by a party in ambush, who fired
one volley and ran off into the hills. One man killed and four wounded. Captain
Gaines (our prosecutor) called to see me last night. His company is detached
from his regiment, guarding a party putting up telegraph wires. Mr. Schooley
returned from Cincinnati with late news last night. He says, it [was] so lonely
he really wished to get back to camp. I am sorry to have Colonel Matthews and
the right wing gone, but except that we are doing nicely. Colonel Scammon is in
better health and things go on very smoothly.
The soldiers fare very well here, and stand in little need
of sympathy, but when I have an opportunity to smooth matters for them, I try
to do it, always remembering how you would wish it done. What a good heart you
have, darling. I shall try to be as good as you would like me to be.
Young Jewett got safely home. He is likely to have a long
and serious time getting well, but will probably be very slightly, if at all,
crippled. Colonel Ammen is at Clarksburg. If we have any force sent against us,
we shall be with him; otherwise, not at present.
I am glad you are visiting at Aunt Margaret's this hot
weather. Do you recollect when we were up [the] Saguenay a year ago at this
time? Here Colonel Scammon came in full of pleasant gossip, feeling happy with
letters from his wife and daughters. No more chance to write in time for
tonight's mail. Continue to address me at Clarksburg until I direct otherwise.
Love to all at Elmwood. Kiss the boys all around.
Affectionately,
R. B. Hayes.
Mrs. Hayes.
SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and
Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 61-2
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