Camp Green Meadows. — I got a lame, halting
permission from Colonel Scammon to go on an errand of mercy over New River into
Monroe [County] after the family of Mr. Caldwell, a Union man, who has been
kept away from home and persecuted for his loyalty. The colonel says I may go if
and if; and warning me of the hazards, etc., etc., shirking all
responsibility. It is ridiculous in war to talk this way. If a thing
ought to be done according to the lights we have, let us go and do it, leaving
events to take care of themselves. This half-and-half policy; this do-less
waiting for certainties before action, is contemptible. I rode to the ferry and
arranged for the trip with Major Comly.
Six companies go over the ferry tonight and go on towards
Indian Creek. Two stop at the Farms Road, to protect our rear from that
approach; four companies and the cavalry will go to Indian Creek take post at
the cross-roads, and the waggons and cavalry will push on to Mr. Caldwell's and
get his family before daylight and start back. The whole party will retire to
the ferry if possible before night of the 26th.
SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and
Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 309-10
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