Somewhere In
Tygart's Valley, Near Cheat
Mountain Pass,
Virginia,
August 26, Monday evening, 8:30
P. M., after a march of eighteen miles, 1861.
Dearest: — You will
think me insane, writing so often and always with the same story: Delighted
with scenery and pleasant excitement.
We are camped
tonight in a valley surrounded by mountains on a lovely stream under great
trees. With the Third Ohio, Thirteenth Indiana, one-half of McCook's Ninth and
the Michigan artillery, which Mother remembers passed our house one Sunday
about the last of May, and McMullen's Battery, all in sight. Our General
Reynolds makes a good impression. We are disposed to love him and trust him. We
expect to remain here and hereabouts until the enemy, which is just over the
mountain, either drives us out, which I think he can't do, or until we are
strong enough to attack him. A stay of some weeks, we suppose.
What a lovely
valley! Joe and I will always stick by Ohio River water. It must be in the
summer chiefly made up of these mountain streams than which nothing can be
purer. Our mails will come here daily. I got a letter from Uncle delivered at
my tent within half an hour after it was up, dated 19th and directed as all
letters should be, Clarksburg.
We sent back our
band to escort in the Germans who were three hours behind us. I built a bridge
for them, etc., etc How polite they were. We like them so much.
Affectionately,
R. B. Hayes.
Have the daily Commercial
sent me directed, “Maj. R B. Hayes, 23d Ohio Regiment, Clarksburg.”
Mrs. Hayes.
SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and
Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 79-80
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