Camp Tompkins, Near Gauley Bridge, October 19, 1861.
Dear Uncle: —
It is late Saturday night. I am away from my regiment at General Rosecrans'
headquarters and feel lonesome. The weather is warm, threatening rain. We are
waiting events, not yet knowing whether we are to stay here or go to some other
quarters for the winter. I can't help suspecting that important events are
looked for near Washington which may determine our course for the winter. All
things in that direction have, to my eye, a hopeful look. A victory there if decisive
will set things moving all over. We know the enemy we have been after is
heartily sick of this whole business, and only needs a good excuse to give it
up. A party of our men, bearing a flag of truce, spent a night with a party of
Lee's men a few days ago, and the conversations they report tell the story.
Matthews has gone home for a fortnight. It is quite probable
that I shall go home during the fall or winter for a short visit.
We have done no fortifying yet. We occasionally hear of a
little guerrilla party and scamper after them, but no important movements are
likely to occur here, unless a road should be opened from Washington to
Richmond.
I see that Buckland is in the war. That is right. The
noticeable difference between North and South in this war is, that South, the
leading citizens, the lawyers and public men of all sorts, go into the fight
themselves. This has not been so with us in the same degree. I am less disposed
to think of a West Point education as requisite for this business than I was at
first. Good sense and energy are the qualities required. . . .
Sincerely,
R. B. Hayes.
S. BlRCHARD.
SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and
Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 120-1
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