Staunton, Vieginia, June 9, 1864.
Dearest: — I
wrote you yesterday a letter which if it reaches you at all, will be some days
in advance of this. I send this by the men whose term of service has expired
and who go to "America" in charge of prisoners captured a few days
ago by General Hunter at the battle of Piedmont or "New Hope."
All operations in this quarter have been very successful. We
reached here yesterday morning after an exciting and delightful march of nine
days from Meadow Bluff. . . .
The men not enlisting (one hundred and sixty) with nine
officers left our camp this morning to start tomorrow in charge of Colonel
Moore. The hand played “Home, Sweet Home.” The officers who leave are Captains
Canby, Rice, Stevens, Sperry, and Hood; First Lieutenants Stephens,
Chamberlain, Smith, Jackson, and Hicks. We have left seven full companies and
twelve good officers. The old flags go to Columbus to the governor by the
color-bearer. We shall quite certainly get more men from the Twelfth in a
couple of weeks than we now lose.
I send Carrington with the little sorrel to sell or leave
with Uncle Moses if he fails to sell him, and Uncle Moses can do what he
pleases with him.
I send a pistol captured at Blacksburg from Lieutenant-Colonel
Linkus, Thirty-sixth Virginia, Rebel. Also pencil memorandum of no account.
Preserve the handbill showing Lee's appeal to the people of this (Augusta)
county.
I have just visited the very extensive hospitals here. They
are filled with patients, two-thirds Secesh, one-third our men. Nothing could
be finer. In a fine building (Deaf and Dumb Asylum), in a beautiful grove — gas
and hydrants — shade, air, etc. The Secesh were friendly and polite; not the
slightest bitterness or unkindness between the two sorts. If I am to be left in
hospital this is the spot.
Direct to “Second Infantry Division (or General Crook's
Division), Department West Virginia, via Martinsburg.”
Love to all. —
Affectionately ever,
R.
Mrs. Hayes.
SOURCE: Charles
Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes,
Volume 2, p. 472-3
