Parisburg [Pearisburg], Virginia. — A perfectly
splendid day. No attack or approach last night. Passed out at daylight a mile
and a half in direction of enemy. Selected my ground in case of an approach of
the enemy. Talked with Mr. Pendleton [and] Colonel English. Find more
intelligence and culture here than anywhere else in Virginia. Today Sergeant
Abbott found a Rebel picket or scouting party on the mountain overlooking the
village, peering into us with a fine glass. A reconnaissance today discovered
three regiments in line marching coolly and well to the front as our men
crossed Walker's Creek, ten or twelve miles from here. They are said to have
three pieces of artillery and some cavalry.
We get no reinforcements today and hear of none on the way.
I have asked for artillery two or three times and get none. No message even
today. It is a great outrage that we are not reinforced. We are losing stores
all the time which the enemy slips away, — not [to] speak of the possibility of
an attack by an overwhelming force. Shameful! Who is to blame? I think we shall
not be attacked, but I shall have an anxious night.
SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and
Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 256
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