Camp Hayes, Raleigh, Virginia, April 2, 1862.
Dear Mother: —
I received your letter yesterday, just one day after it was written. Very glad
you are so well and happy. You do not seem to me so near seventy years old. I
think of you as no older than you always were. I hope you may see other happy
birthdays.
Our men stationed here, nine companies, were paid for the
third time yesterday. They send home about thirty thousand dollars. Many
families will be made glad by it. A small proportion of our men have families
of their own. The money goes chiefly to parents and other relatives. . . .
I send you two letters showing the business [we] are in.
General Beckley is the nabob of this county; commanded a regiment of Rebels
until we came and scattered [it]. He is now on his parole at home. The other is
from an old lady, the wife of the Baptist preacher here. Her husband preached
Secession and on our coming fled South.
We are all in the best of health. Love to Sophia and Mrs.
Wasson.
Your affectionate
son,
Rutherford.
P. S. — The total amount sent home from our regiment figures
up thirty-five thousand dollars.
Mrs. Sophia Hayes.
SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and
Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 221-2
No comments:
Post a Comment