Camp White, July 22, 1863.
Dearest: —
Home again after an absence of two weeks, marching and hurrying all the time.
The last week after Morgan has been the liveliest and jolliest campaign we ever
had. We were at all the skirmishes and fighting after he reached Pomeroy. It
was nothing but fun — no serious fighting at all. I think not over ten killed
and forty wounded on our side in all of it. Unluckily McCook, father of Robert
and the rest, was mortally wounded. This hurt me but all the rest was mere
frolic. Morgan's men were only anxious to get away. There was no fight in them
when attacked by us. You will no doubt see great claims on all sides as to the
merits of his captors. The cavalry, gunboats, militia, and our infantry each
claim the victory as their peculiar property. The truth is, all were essential
parties to the success. The cavalry who pursued him so long deserve the lion's
share. The gunboats and militia did their part. We can truly claim that
Morgan would have crossed and escaped with his men at Pomeroy if we had not
headed him there and defeated his attempt. It is not yet certain whether Morgan
himself will be caught. But it is of small importance. His force which has so
long been the terror of the border, and which has kept employed all our cavalry
in Kentucky is now gone. Our victorious cavalry can now operate in the enemy's
country.
I thought of you often. We were quartered on steamboats —
men were singing, bands playing. Our band was back and with us, and such
lively times as one rarely sees. Almost everybody got quantities of trophies. I
got nothing but a spur and two volumes captured from the Twentieth Kentucky,
Captain H. C. Breman, and now recaptured by us. Morgan's raid will always be
remembered by our men as one of the happiest events of their lives.
Love to the dear boys and Grandmother. Joe is unwell and is
in a room in town.
Affectionately,
R.
Mrs. Hayes.
SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and
Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 421
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