Camp Reynolds, March 9, 1863.
Dear Uncle: —
Yours of last Sunday came to hand yesterday. Wife and boys still here — very
happy. They fish and row skiff and ride horseback. They can all row. Webb and
Birch rowed a large load of soldiers across the river and back — a large
roaring river, almost like the Ohio in a fair fresh. They will go home in a
week or two probably. We shall remain here two or three weeks and then probably
go to Charleston.
The new conscript act strikes me as the best thing yet, if
it is only used. I would only call enough men to recruit up weakened regiments,
and compel the return of the shirks and deserters. Make our commanders give
more time to drill and discipline; make the armies regulars — effectives; stand
on the defensive except when we can attack in superior numbers; send no more
regiments or gunboats to be gobbled up one at a time. Mass our forces and we
shall surely conquer.
Sincerely,
R. B. Hayes.
S. BlRCHARD.
SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and
Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 393-4
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