Charleston, West Virginia, July 2, 1864.
Dear Mother: — We got back
here yesterday. I find a letter from you [of] June 11. No doubt others are on
the way from Martinsburg — the point to which all our letters were forwarded
for some weeks.
I am glad you are
back at Columbus again and in tolerable health. We have had altogether the
severest time I have yet known in the war. We have marched almost continually
for two months, fighting often, with insufficient food and sleep, crossed the
three ranges of the Alleghenies four times, the ranges of the Blue Ridge twice,
marched several times all day and all night without sleeping, and yet my health
was never better. I think I have not even lost flesh.
We all believe in
our general. He is a considerate, humane man; a thorough soldier and
disciplinarian. He is hereafter to have the sole command of us. I mean, of
course, General Crook. General Hunter was chief in command, and is not
much esteemed by us. . . . I think Colonel Comly will get home a few days. His
health has not been very good during the latter part of our campaign.
I hope you will not
be overanxious about me. What is for the best will happen. In the meantime I am
probably doing as much good and enjoying as much happiness here as I could
anywhere. — Love to all. I knew you would like Mrs. Platt.
Affectionately, good-bye,
R.
P. S. — I expect to
remain here a fortnight or more.
Mrs. Sophia Hayes.
SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of
Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 479-80
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