Saturday, June 24, 2023

Congressman Rutherford B. Hayes to Sardis Birchard, December 26, 1866

MEMPHIS, December 26, 1866.

DEAR UNCLE:— We are thus far on our way to New Orleans, with everything thus far the very pleasantest possible.

I last night experienced a new sensation. I went with General Howard to a meeting of colored people and made them a short talk. Their eager, earnest faces were very stimulating.

Sorry Buckland and his wife are not here. We meet the leading Rebels everywhere. The Rebel officers are particularly interesting. I get on with them famously. I talk negro suffrage and our extremest radicalism to all of them. They dissent but are polite and cordial.

Love to boys. Lucy very happy.

R. B. HAYES.
S. BIRCHARD.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, p. 37

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