Camp Number 5, Princeton, May 5, 8 A. M. [1862].
Sir: — There
will be no difficulty in turning the enemy's position at the Narrows of New
River. There are paths or open woods accessible to infantry leading across the
mountains to the right of the Narrows into the valley of Wolf Creek; thence by
good roads to the mouth of Wolf Creek, four to six miles from Giles
Court-house, and in the rear of the Narrows. This you will understand by
looking at any map of this region. Guides can be procured who will undertake to
pilot us across, a circuit of perhaps ten or twelve miles. I doubt whether the
enemy will attempt to hold the Narrows. Their force was the Forty-fifth
Regiment, and about eight hundred militia of Giles, Montgomery, and Counties.
The Forty-fifth has a large part of it scattered over
towards the Wytheville Road, a part missing, and the remnant at the Narrows
will run on the first excuse. The force now here can take the Narrows on your
order in forty-eight hours. They are said to have some artillery — three to six
pieces. I have sent reliable scouts to try to get accurate information. A Rebel
captain of the Forty-fifth said: “No man could stand the yelling of the
Yankees, especially as they fired so fast!!” Twenty wagons [with] provisions
and Company B, Thirtieth, arrived at 2 P. M. They report the roads hence to
Raleigh very good and improving; the trouble is from Raleigh to Gauley.
Captains Hunter and Lovejoy have arrived. They report
Captain Foley died of his wounds. This will be a death-blow to the “Copperheads.”
All the people tell us we need apprehend no bushwhacking this side of that
gang, either here or in front of us.
I am much gratified with the order and messages you send. I
know I have not given you as full and explicit reports of things as would have
been desirable. But when actually engaged in an enterprise I am so occupied in
trying to do the best thing that I can't write satisfactorily. I
think in this matter every important thing was right, save possibly one which I
will explain when we meet. We can get here and in the country in front
considerable meat — some cured but mostly fresh. In sending forward provision
trains this can to some extent be considered. More salt and less meat can be
sent.
Will you dispatch General Cox that our long-range muskets
are much needed in the present service. Our experience the last few days
satisfies everyone that a man who can kill at four hundred yards is worth three
or four men with common muskets. The quartermaster will never, send them unless
General Cox orders it.
It rained during the night and is cloudy this morning. I think
we shall not have another “smart spell of falling weather,” however. In the
house intended for your headquarters are ten or fifteen rooms of all sorts,
some chairs and tables but no bedding, a good kitchen cooking stove, two
negro women and all appendages. Thomas will be able to make it a good
establishment in a few hours for everybody you want and room for hospitality.
If, however, you prefer smaller quarters, there are three or four others that
will do as well, and the house in question can be a hospital if needed. No sick
here now. You must have your bedding with you when you arrive if possible.
Respectfully,
R. B. Hayes,
Lieutenant-colonel 23D Regiment O. V. I.,
Commanding Detachment.
[colonel Scammon.]
SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and
Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 250-1
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