Camp Hayes, Raleigh, Virginia. — A fine pleasant
morning. About 11 A. M. Captain Gilmore of Company [C, First] Pennsylvania
[Virginia] Cavalry, came in, saying, “My scouts sent out this morning have all
been killed or captured”; two only returned. It turned out that eight cavalry
patrols of his company, who left here about 8:30 A. M., this morning, were
fired upon by a gang of men concealed in the woods about seven miles from here
on the Princeton Road near Hunly's. Two were killed, two wounded, one taken
prisoner. One of the wounded men and two unhurt galloped into camp, having
taken a circuitous route over the hills and through the woods. At this writing
our loss is two killed and one taken prisoner.
I think the manner of this scouting or patrolling very
objectionable. Six to ten men every morning about the same hour have been in
the habit of riding out six to ten miles on this road. Nothing was easier than
to lay an ambush for them. I suspect that the enemy fled instantly, that they
are bushwhackers or militia. I sent out the whole cavalry company under Captain
Gilmore and Companies B, H, and K, under Captain Drake, to get the bodies of
the dead and the wounded man. Hunly is suspected to communicate intelligence to
the enemy. None of these people are perfectly reliable. They will do what is
necessary to protect their property.
Henderson, of Company H, taken prisoner last January,
returned last night. He was exchanged and left Richmond February 23. He is
called “Cleveland” by his company from the place of his enlistment. Others call
him the “Pet Lamb,” from his delicate and youthful appearance. He is a quiet,
observing, enterprising youngster; slender, sickly-looking, amiable; runs all
risks, endures all hardships, and seems to enjoy it. A scout in fact, he is in
constant danger of being taken for a spy. I must watch him. I suspect he is a
genius. His father and mother died when he was a child.
SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and
Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 207-8
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