Headquarters 23D Reg't, O. V. Inf., U. S. A.,
August 17, 1861.
Dear Uncle: —
We are kept very busy, hunting up guerrillas, escorting trains, etc., etc.
Attacking parties are constantly met on the roads in the mountains, and small
stations are surrounded and penned up. We send daily parties of from ten to one
hundred on these expeditions, distances of from ten to forty miles. Union men
persecuted for opinion's sake are the informers. The Secessionists in this
region are the wealthy and educated, who do nothing openly, and the vagabonds,
criminals, and ignorant barbarians of the country; while the Union men are the
middle classes — the law-and-order, well-behaved folks. Persecutions are
common, killings not rare, robberies an every-day occurrence.
Some bands of Rebels are so strong that we are really in
doubt whether they are guerrillas or parts of Wise's army coming in to drive us
out. The Secessionists are boastful, telling of great forces which are coming.
Altogether, it is stirring times just now. Lieutenant-Colonel Matthews is
nearly one hundred miles south of us with half our regiment, and is not strong
enough to risk returning to us. With Colonels Tyler and Smith, he will fortify
near Gauley Bridge on [the] Kanawha.
Dr. Rice is here sick in charge of Dr. Joe. He got in safely
from a post that was invested about thirty miles west. He will get well, but
has been very sick. This is the healthiest country in the world. I have not
been in such robust health for a great while. My horse is not tough enough for
this service. I had better have taken Ned Jr., I suspect, although there is no
telling. The strongest horses seem to fail frequently when rackabones stand it
well. The Government has a good many horses, and I use them at pleasure. When I
find one that will do, I shall keep it. . . .
Sincerely,
R. B. Hayes.
S. Birchard.
SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and
Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 68-9
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