Brigadier-General Rutherford B. Hayes to Sophia Birchard Hayes, January 22, 1865

CHILLICOTHE, Sunday morning, January 22, 1865.

DEAR MOTHER: — We returned here yesterday afternoon.

. . . I read your journal of the family and your early times in Ohio to Uncle Sardis. It was very interesting. It reminded him of many things which he had entirely forgotten. I am very glad you wrote it. I shall always preserve and prize it. I do not wish to impose any labor on you, but it would gratify me very much if you would occasionally put down in the same way anything you happen to think of.

Aunt McKell's oldest son (a captain) returned from Sherman since I was here. He is out of service. His time was out three months ago, but he remained to go through the Georgia campaign.

One of our officers from Cumberland tells me he thinks we shall see very little more hard service during the war. — Love to all.

Affectionately, your son,

RUTHERFORD.

MRS. SOPHIA HAYES.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 556