Another beautiful winter day — cold, quiet. Sun strong
enough to thaw all mud and ice. No ice on streams yet that will bear a man.
Building redoubts at either end of town. Since I came to Virginia in July, I
have not shaved; for weeks at a time I have slept in all clothes except boots
(occasionally in boots and sometimes with spurs), a half dozen times on the
ground without shelter, once on the snow. I have wore [worn] no white clothing
(shirts, drawers, etc.) for four months; no collar or neckerchief or tie of any
sort for two months; and have not been the least unwell until since I have
taken winter quarters here in a comfortable house. Now I have but a slight
cold.
SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and
Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 158
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