Camp Reynolds, Near Gauley Bridge, January 12, 1863.
Dear Uncle: —
Yours of the 6th came duly to hand. The death of Magee is indeed a public
calamity. No community has such men to spare. There is, I judge, no doubt of
the death of Leander Stem. More of my acquaintances and friends have suffered
in that than in any battle of the war except those in which my own regiment
took part. It was Rosecrans' personal qualities that saved the day. He is not
superior intellectually or by education to many of our officers, but in
headlong daring, energy, and determination, I put him first of all the
major-generals. He has many of the Jackson elements in him. Another general,
almost any other, would, after McCook's misfortune, have accepted a repulse and
turned all his efforts to getting off safely with his shattered army.
Sherman has been repulsed, it seems. No doubt he will get
aid from below and from Grant. If so, he will yet succeed.
I do not expect a great deal from the [Emancipation]
Proclamation, but am glad it was issued.
Notice Governor Seymour's message. It shows what I
anticipated when I was with you — that the logic of the situation will make a
good enough war party of the Democracy in power. If you want to see eyes
opened on the slavery question, let the Democracy have the power in the nation.
They would be the bitterest abolitionists in the land in six months. I am
perfectly willing to trust them.
I received a letter from Dr. Joe saying he would bring Lucy
and Birch and Webb back with him. They will enjoy it, I do not doubt.
I am now in command of [the] First Brigade of [the] Second
Kanawha Division. General Ewing has gone South with six regiments from this
quarter. This leaves us none too strong, but probably strong enough. I shall
probably have command of the extreme outposts. I am not yet in command at Gauley
Bridge. I say this because I think it very insufficiently garrisoned, and
if not strengthened a surprise would not be remarkable. If I am put in command,
as seems likely, I shall see it fixed up very promptly.
Sincerely,
R. B. Hayes.
S. BlRCHARD.
SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and
Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 387-8
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