Fayetteville, Camp Union, November 30, 1861.
Dearest: — We are now
engaged in getting winter quarters fixed comfortably. There are not houses
enough to lodge all the men without too much crowding. We hope soon to have
elbow-room. We ease it off a little by being very liberal with furloughs. We
allow four men — “men of family preferred” — to go from each company for twenty
days. As a consequence, there must be daily some of our men going through
Cincinnati. The bearer will bring (probably) besides this letter, the
accoutrements which go with Birt's Mississippi rifle, and a couple of gold
pieces, one for a present for you and one for Grandma Webb.
We are doing well.
Today is bright and warm after a three-days storm of rain and sleet. I had a
letter from Laura. You may send my vest; also “Lucile.” All sorts of reading
matter finds grabbers, but I think of nothing except any stray Atlantic or
Harper's of late date. I do not wish to go home for some weeks, but if
necessary, I can now go home at any time. I prefer that every other officer
should go before I do. Dr. Joe is now acting as brigade surgeon, Colonel
Scammon as brigadier, and I as colonel; Dr. Jim, as temporary surgeon of the
Thirtieth.
All the people
hereabouts are crowding in to take the oath of allegiance. A narrow-chested,
weakly, poverty-stricken, ignorant set. I don't wonder they refuse to meet our
hardy fellows on fair terms. Captain Sperry says: “They are too ignorant to
have good health.”
Love to “all the
boys,” to Mother Webb, and ever so much for your own dear self.
Affectionately,
R.
Mrs. Hayes.
SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and
Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 154-5
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