Tuesday morning, 6 A. M., October 8.
Your election day.
Dearest: — This wet dirty
letter and its writer have had considerable experience in the last twenty-four
hours, and since the
above was written. In the first place we have had another bitter storm, and
this cold raw morning we shiver unless near the fires. At one time yesterday I
thought I should have to take back a good deal of what I said in the letter I
had just started for Cincinnati. I was at the hospital three-quarters mile from
camp, helping Dr. Joe and Captain Skiles put the sick into wagons to be
transported to Gallipolis and Cincinnati, when firing was heard and word came
that the enemy in force had attacked our camp. The doctor and I hurried back
leaving Captain Skiles to look after the sick. All the army, seven regiments
(five to six thousand men), were forming in line of battle. I joined my
regiment, and after waiting a half hour or so we were ordered to quarters with
word that it was only a scouting party driving in our pickets. This was all in
a rain-storm. The poor fellows in hospital — many of them — panic-stricken,
fled down the road and were found by Dr. Joe on his return three or four miles
from the hospital. Three of our regiment got up from their straw piles, got
their guns and trudged up the road and took their places in line of battle. The
behavior of the men was for the most part perfectly good. The alarm was
undoubtedly a false one. No enemy is near us.
We shall go, if the
sun comes out, seven miles nearer home, to Mountain Cove, and begin to build
quarters and fortifications for a permanent stronghold. This brings us within
an easy day's ride of the navigable waters of the Kanawha. Thence a steamboat
can take us in about a day or so to Cincinnati. Pretty near to you. Telegraph
also all the way.
Speaking of
telegraph makes me think I ought to say Captain Gaines (our prosecuting
attorney) has done as much, I think more, useful service, dangerous too, than
any other officer in western Virginia. The history of his company, protecting
the telegraph builders, would be a volume of romantic adventures.
Lieutenant Christie,
of General Cox's staff, tells me Union Chapel has had a division, and troubles.
Sorry to hear it. If you are compelled to leave, be in no haste to choose a new
church. I want to confer on that subject. I think it important to be connected
with a church, and with the right one. Mere nearness is important. This would
favor the church near Seventh and Mound, if you can consent to go to a
Presbyterian [church]. But of this hereafter.
I somehow think we
shall meet within a month or two. I am very well and very full of fun this
morning. A credit to be jolly.
Affectionately,
R. B. Hayes.
Captain Howard goes
home in broken health. I shall send this, dirty as it is, by some sick officer
or soldier. You must see some of them.
Mrs. Hayes.
SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and
Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 109-10
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