Camp Maskell, December 14, 1862.
Dearest:— Very
glad to have a good letter from you again. Very glad indeed the bag is found —
glad you read the article of Dr. Holmes in the Atlantic Monthly. It is,
indeed, a defense pat for your case. I knew you would like it. You must keep
it. When we are old folks it will freshly remind us of a very interesting part
of our war experience.
If the enchanted bag contains my spurs, and if they are both
alike (which I doubt), you may send them to me when a good chance offers. The
pair I now use are those worn by Lorin Andrews and given me by McCook. I don't
want to lose them.
The fine weather of the past week has been very favorable
for our business and we are getting on rapidly. The river is so low that a cold
snap would freeze it up, and leave us “out in the cold” in a very serious way —
that is, without the means of getting grub. This would compel us to leave our
little log city and drive us back towards Ohio. . . .
One of our new second lieutenants — McKinley — a handsome
bright, gallant boy, got back last night. He went to Ohio to recruit with the
other orderly sergeants of the regiment. He tells good stories of their
travels. The Thirtieth and Twelfth sergeants stopped at second-class hotels,
but the Twenty-third boys “splurged.” They stopped at the American and swung by
the big figure. Very proper. They are the generals of the next war.
I rode over to the Eighty-ninth. Promising boys over there.
I like the cousins much. Ike Nelson is a master spirit. The others will come
out all right.
Yes, darling, these partings don't grow any easier for us,
but you don't regret that, I am sure. It will be all the pleasanter when
it is all over. How is your health? Is all right with you? Your sake,
not mine. Thanks for the Harper and Atlantic, mailed me by
Stephenson. Love to all.
Conners whom we saw at Frederick is not dead. He
returned safely last night. All the wounded are gathering in except the
discharged. Sergeant Tyler whom we saw with his arm off at Frederick is in a
bad way — others doing well. . . .
Affectionately yours,
ever,
R.
P. S. — Three months ago the battle of South Mountain. We
celebrated it by climbing the mountain on the other side of the river to the
castle-like-looking rocks which overlook the Falls of the Kanawha. Captains
Hood, Zimmerman, Canby, Lovejoy and Lieutenant Bacon were of the party. Hood
and I beat the crowd to the top. Hood, the worst wounded, up first. When I saw
him shot through that day I little thought I would ever see him climbing
mountains again.
Mrs. Hayes.
SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and
Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 374-5
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