Camp Near Weston, Virginia
Wednesday, P. M., July 31, 1861.
Dear Mother: — How you
would enjoy sitting by my side on this beautiful hill and feasting your eyes on
the sweep of hills that surrounds us. Nothing in Vermont is finer. The great
majority of the people here are friendly and glad to have us here to protect
them from the Secessionists. This is agreeable; it puts us in the place of
protectors instead of invaders. The weather is warm, but a good breeze is
blowing. The water is good; milk and blackberries abundant, and the location
perfectly healthy. . . .
The village is a
pretty one with many good residences and nice people. The State is, or was, building
near where we are encamped a large lunatic asylum — an expensive and elegant
structure. The war stops the work. This part of Virginia naturally belongs to
the West; they are now in no way connected with eastern Virginia. The only
papers reaching here from Richmond come by way of Nashville, Louisville, and
Cincinnati. The courthouse and several churches are creditable buildings, and
the shrubbery and walks in the private grounds are quite beautiful.
Do not allow
yourself to worry if you do not hear often. I think of you often. Love to Laura
and all.
Affectionately, your son,
R. B. Hayes.
Mrs. Sophia Hayes.
SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and
Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 51
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