Camp Union, Fayetteville, Virginia, December 29, 1861.
Dearest: — I have no
letter from home since the boy was born. I have by mail Commercials of
several days later date and hoped for a letter; but I comfort myself by
thinking that all is going well with you, or the telegraph would inform me.
I now begin to think
anxiously of coming home. If nothing occurs unforeseen, I must get home before
the next month runs out. We have sent Major Comly with a detachment to occupy
Raleigh, twenty-five miles further into the bowels of the land, and his absence
may prevent my coming so soon as I hope, but I shall come if possible.
Dr. McCurdy is
sick, and will probably go home soon. Dr. Hayes, the brigade surgeon,
seems to be a nice gentleman, and gets along well with Dr. Jim, as surgeon of
the Twenty-third. Colonel Scammon has been unwell, and says that while he likes
Dr. Hayes as a gentleman, he would prefer to be doctored by Dr. Joe, and
inquires often as to his coming. I tell him Dr. Joe will in no event return
before the 10th and not then unless you are out of all danger.
Make Joe tell me
all about “the boy.” Does “the face of the boy indicate the heart of the boy”?
Do you love him as much as the others? Do you feel sorry the fourth was not a
daughter? I think it's best as it is. — Love to “all the boys” and kiss the
little one.
Affectionately,
R. B. Hayes.
Mrs. Hayes.
SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and
Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 171
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