Camp Ewing, November 5, 1861.
Tuesday morning.
Dearest Lucy: — . . .
We are having stirring times again. The enemy on the other side of New River
are trying to shell such of our camps as lie near the river bank. We are just
out of reach of their shot. McCook, in sight of us below, is camped in easy
range, and they are peppering at him. I hear their guns every two or three
minutes as I write. He doesn't like to move, and probably will not until they
do him some serious harm. They fired all day yesterday without doing any other
mischief than breaking one tent pole. A ball or shell would hardly light before
his men would run with picks to dig it up as a trophy. It is probable that we
shall cross the river to attempt to drive them off in a day or two. You will
know the result long before this letter reaches you.
I had a note from
Jim yesterday, saying he had reached the steamboat landing below here. We look
for him today. I hope he will get up so as to be here to help take care of
things here while we cross the river.
I have nearly one
thousand dollars, seven hundred or eight hundred dollars of which I will send
you the first good chance. Two months' more salary is due me besides about
eighty-five dollars as judge-advocate. So we shall have funds plenty for this
winter.
I thought of you
all yesterday, and wished I could look in on you at Birch's birthday dinner.
You were thinking of the absent father and uncles.* So it is. We love each
other so much that on all sad or joyous occasions we shall always have each
other in mind. . . . Good-bye. Love to all.
Lovingly,
Rutherford.
Mrs. Hayes.
SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and
Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 138-9
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