Up Gauley River, Camp Sewell, October 3, 1861.
Dear Uncle: — I should
have written you, if I had known where you were. We are in the presence of a
large force of the enemy, much stronger than we are, but the mud and floods
have pretty much ended this campaign. Both the enemy and ourselves are
compelled to go back to supplies soon. I think, therefore, there will be no
fight. We shall not attack their entrenchments now that they are reinforced,
and I suspect they will not come out after us. Donn Piatt just peeped in. He
always has funny things. I said, quoting Webster, “I still live.” “Yes,” said
he, “Webster — Webster. He was a great man. Even the old Whigs about Boston admit
that!” And again, speaking of the prospect of a fight, he said: “This whistling
of projectiles about one's ears is disagreeable. It made me try to think at
Bull Run of all my old prayers; but I could only remember, ‘Oh Lord, for these
and all thy other mercies, we desire to be thankful.’”
We shall soon go
into winter quarters at posts chosen to hold this country, Gauley Bridge,
Charleston, etc., etc. Who will get into a better place, is the question. We
all want to go to Washington or to Kentucky or Missouri. We are in General
Schenck's brigade, and hope he will make interest enough to get us into good
quarters. There is much sickness among officers and men. My health was never
better than during these four months. I hope you will continue to improve.
I am still in
General Rosecrans' staff; but having just finished an extensive tour of
court-martial, am again in camp with my regiment in good order. It is like
going home to get back. Still this practicing on the circuit after the old
fashion, only more so — an escort of cavalry and a couple of wagons with tents
and grub — has its attractions. I shall get out of it soon, but as a change, I
rather enjoy it.
Between you and
Piatt, I must get a strong, fleet, sure-footed horse for the next campaign. If
the paymaster comes, I shall be able to pay from one hundred and fifty to two
hundred dollars. My present horse turns out well, very well, but the winter
will probably use him up, and I must get another.
Hereafter, direct
to me, Gauley Bridge, instead of Clarksburg.
We have just
learned that McClellan has had a success at Washington. If so, whatever happens
here, the cause is safe. I hope the news is true.
Sincerely,
R. B. Hayes.
S. BlRCHARD.
SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and
Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 106-7
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