[Meadow Bluff, May 24, 1864]
The more we learn of the Rebels, etc., at Cloyd's Mountain,
the greater was our victory. It is well ascertained now that in addition to
their strong position and works, they had more men in the fight than we had,
and also more killed and wounded. They not only expected to check us
there, but fully counted on capturing our whole force. Their officers
whom we captured complain bitterly of their men not fighting. Our new
recruits, whom we were disposed to smile at, did splendidly. One of them,
whom Captain Hastings on inspection at Camp White told he must cut off his
hair, as men with long hair could not fight, meeting the captain in the midst
of the fight, the fellow at the head of his company, playfully remarked, shaking
his locks at the captain: “What do you think of longhair fighting now?”
SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and
Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 462
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