Weston, Virginia, August 8, 1861.
Dear Uncle: —
I am glad to learn by a letter from Mother that you are getting well enough to
ride about town. I hope you will continue to gain. If you should want to take a
short trip this fall, I am not sure but a journey this way would be as
enjoyable as any you could make. By getting a note from Governor Dennison, you
could travel on railroad (now run by the Government) to Clarksburg, and thence,
there are all sorts of conveyances, from a teetering ambulance to an
old-fashioned Pennsylvania six-horse waggon.
Our regiment is divided for the present. One half under
Colonel Matthews has gone forty-four miles south. We remain in charge of a
great supply depot, and charged with keeping in order the turbulent of this
region. The Union men are the most numerous, but the other side is the more
wealthy and noisy. We are kept busy enough with them.
This town is about as large as Fremont was ten years ago,
has a fine court-house and other county buildings. A lunatic asylum for the
State of great size was building when the war broke out. It is a healthy hilly
country, very picturesque, and hotter today than the Cincinnati landing. We are
so busy that we do not complain much of the tediousness of camp life. We are
now constantly hearing of the approach of General Lee from eastern Virginia
with a force large enough to drive us out and capture all our stores, if
one-fourth that is told is true. He is said to be about seventy-five miles
southeast of us in the mountains. Whether there is truth in it or not, I have
no doubt that troops will be urged into this region to hold the country. At any
rate, as it is on the route to east Tennessee, and on a route to cut off the
railroads from the southwest, I am sure there ought to be a splendid Union army
assembled here. I suppose it will be done.
Lucy and the boys are in Pickaway County. Dr. Jim was taken
prisoner at Manassas, but escaped; lost his carpet-sack, but captured a
secession horse which he brought home. Dr. Joe enjoys it well. Colonel Scammon
is an agreeable gentleman to associate with. We have a great deal of amusement.
Dr. Joe visits the secession folks, and reports a great many good things. They
say that in two weeks they will see us scattering like sheep before the great
army of Lee and Wise.
When you write, direct to me, “Twenty-third Regiment, Ohio
Volunteers, Clarksburg, Virginia,” and it will be sent wherever I may chance to
be. We are now connected by telegraph with the whole country. A dispatch to or
from Weston, is more certain of delivery than a letter. Love to all.
Sincerely,
R. B. Hayes.
S. BlRCHARD.
SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and
Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 58-60
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