Eight Miles West Of Washington,
Upton’s Hill, September 3, 1862.
Dear Uncle: —
The fighting at and near Bull Run battlefield is finished and our army has
withdrawn to the fortifications near Washington, leaving General Cox's force
here on the outposts. The general result I figure up as follows: We lose ten to
fifteen cannon, five thousand to eight thousand killed, wounded, or prisoners,
a large amount of army stores, railroad stock, etc., destroyed, and the
position. The enemy lose a few cannon, about the same or a greater number
killed and wounded, not so many prisoners by about half, and hold the position.
It is not a decided thing either way. We had decidedly the advantage in the
fighting of Thursday and Friday, 28th and 29th. At the close of the 29th
Jackson was heavily reinforced, and worsted us on Saturday. Saturday evening our
reinforcements reached General Pope and we were about equal in the subsequent
skirmishing. I get some notions of the troops here, as I look on and listen,
not very different from those I have had before.
The enemy here has a large force of gallant and efficient
cavalry. Our cavalry is much inferior. The Rebel infantry is superior to ours
gathered from the cities and manufacturing villages of the old States. The
Western troops, are, I think, superior to either. The Rebels have as much good
artillery as we have. We have largely more than they have, but the excess
is of poor quality. In generalship and officers they are superior to us. The
result is we must conquer in land warfare by superior numbers. On the water we
have splendid artillery, and are masters. High water, deep rivers, heavy rains,
are our friends.
General Sigel is a favorite with troops. General Banks and
Schenck are praised by them. General McDowell is universally denounced. General
Pope is coldly spoken of. General McClellan is undoubtedly a great favorite
with men under him. Last night it was announced that he was again in command at
this the critical region now. Everywhere the joy was great, and was
spontaneously and uproariously expressed. It was a happy army again.
There is nothing of the defeated or disheartened among the
men. They are vexed and angry — say they ought to have had a great victory, but
not at all demoralized. I speak, of course, only of those I see, and I have
seen some of the most unfortunate regiments. Everyone now recognizes the policy
of standing on the defensive until the new levies are organized and ready. All
that we can save is clear gain. Unless the enemy gets decided and damaging
advantages during the next fortnight or so, it is believed we can push them
back with heavy loss and with a fair prospect of crushing them. I see you are
having another demonstration at Cincinnati and Louisville. I can't think it can
end successfully. The great number of new troops must be able to hold them in
check until they will be compelled to fall back. Once let the enemy now begin a
retrograde movement with our great wave after them and I think they must go
under.
We are here a good deal exposed. Anything that shall happen
to me, you will know at once. I feel very contented with my personal situation.
Your certain aid to my family relieves me from anxiety on their account. It is
an immense relief to be here away from the petty but dangerous warfare of west
Virginia.
Direct General Cox's Division, via Washington. I already get
the Sentinel here of late date — the last published.
P. M. — Since writing the foregoing I received your letter
of the 28th inst. [ult] Your letters will come to me with great certainty, I do
not doubt, and quicker than when I was in west Virginia.
We see that a strong Rebel force occupies Lexington,
Kentucky. All the river towns are threatened. This is our dark hour. We will
[shall] weather it, I think. Generalship is our great need.
Glad you will write often. — I shall stay with the
Twenty-third. — I saw Haynes and told him I supposed we were cut out by the
orders. I care nothing about it. Haynes was looking thin.
Sincerely,
R. B. Hayes.
Since writing I have been in a caucus of the major-generals.
It is curious, but a large number of truthful men say Sigel is an accomplished
military scholar, but such a coward that he is of no account on the
battle-field! Funny! We don't know all about things and men from the
newspapers.
S. Birchard.
SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and
Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 340-2
