Congressman Rutherford B. Hayes to Sardis Birchard, March 2, 1866

WASHINGTON, March 2, 1866.

DEAR UNCLE:— With a party, Generals Schenck, Crook, Smith, and their ladies, I went to see the picture of "The Storm in the Rocky Mountains" by [Albert] Bierstadt. It is very beautiful and wonderful. By gaslight the effect is incomprehensible, such brilliancy and light and shade! Mr. Bierstadt says it is better by daylight. I shall see.

R.

We are not quite sure yet whether Andy is with us or against us—in a party sense, I mean. Doctrinally, he is against us on many things and with us on a few.

Love to Mother. Lucy is at home.

Sincerely,

R. B. HAYES.

S. BIRCHARD.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, p. 19