Camp [piatt], Ten Miles Above Charleston,
West Virginia, June 30, 1864.
Dear Mother: — We got
safely back to this point yesterday after being almost two months within the
Rebel lines. . . . We have had a severe and hazardous campaign and have, I
think, done a great deal of good. While we have suffered a good deal from want
of food and sleep, we have lost very few men and are generally in the best of
health. . . . General Crook has won the love and confidence of all. General
Hunter is not so fortunate. General Averell has not been successful either. We
had our first night's quiet rest all night for many weeks.
Dr. Joe went to Ohio
with our wounded yesterday and will see Lucy. He has been a great treasure to
our wounded.
We have hauled two
hundred [wounded men] over both the Blue Ridge and the Alleghenies and many
smaller mountains, besides crossing James River and other streams. Our
impression is that the Rebels are at the end of their means and our success now
will speedily close the Rebellion.
Affectionately,
R. B. Hayes.
Mrs. Sophia Hayes.
SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of
Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 477-8
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