Congressman Rutherford B. Hayes to Lucy Webb Hayes, April 8, 1866

WASHINGTON, April 8, 1866.

MY DEAR DARLING:— The last week is the only one since you left that you would have enjoyed here particularly. The Connecticut election early in the week was an enjoyable thing. The passage of the Civil Rights Bill in the Senate over the veto was a most exciting and delightful thing-such enthusiasm was manifested. Things have improved here. The general feeling is hopeful, loyal, and patriotic. A great change from that [of February] 22nd, when treason crept out an d triumphed. The next thing was the great party at Grant's the night of the passage of the Civil Rights Bill. All our side was there in great spirits, Trumbull, Stevens, and all. The President stood between General and Mrs. Grant. Vice-President (Rebel) Stephens stood near. Montgomery Blair, etc., etc. Old Thad shook hands cordially with Andy. Andy presented him to Mrs. Grant. It was the happiest gathering I have seen. Andy looked and behaved very well indeed.

R.

Judge Kelley introduced me to his daughter, telling her if she ever saw my wife she would see the image of her mother. (Her mother was a first wife.) He said she looked like the daughter except as she departed from her mother in some resemblance to him all an injury. The daughter is a good-looking young person. Love to the bairns.

Affectionately ever, your

R.

MRS. HAYES.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, p. 22

Congressman Rutherford B. Hayes to Sardis Birchard, January 10, 1866

WASHINGTON, D. C., January 10, 1866.

DEAR UNCLE:— Mrs. Grant is an unpretending, affectionate, motherly person who makes a good impression on everybody. Her naïveté is genuine and very funny at times. Boston sent a fund for a library to Grant. [Senator] Sumner and [Congressman] Hooper called to see Mrs. Grant about it. They asked her how much library room or space she had. "Well," she said, "I have given no attention to that. We have an old bookcase upstairs that isn't half full. It has a few Patent Office Reports and some other books in it. I don't think any of them are interesting books. I never read much. When I was a little girl my father gave me Josephus and another history. I forget what it was. I tried to read it and couldn't.” Sumner suggested “Rollins’ Ancient History.” "Yes, that is it. I couldn't read it and I haven't read much since. The Patent Office Reports I tried to read once, but couldn't. I put a lounge in the room where the bookcase is. I thought anybody who read the Patent Office Reports would want to lie down.”

Sumner asked her if she had read her husband’s report. She said: “When he was writing it, he was sometimes a little cross if interrupted. I came into his room and looked over his shoulder. He was pretty short. I asked him how he got along. He handed me three pages and I read them, but he didn't seem to want me, and I went out. I read what the New York Herald said about the general's report. It said it was the best since Cæsar's reports. So I called the general Cæsar. But after [a] while he didn't seem to like it, and said I must stop it.”

I think Mrs. Valette will appreciate this if she can read it.

Sincerely,

R. B. HAYES.

S. BIRCHARD.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, p. 13-4

Major-General Ulysses S. Grant to Julia Dent Grant, June 29, 1863

June 29th 1863

Dear Julia,

During the present week I think the fate of Vicksburg will be decided. Johnston is still hovering beyond the Black river and will attack before you receive this or never. After accumulating so large an army as he has, at such risk of loosing other points in the Confederacy by doing it, he cannot back out without giving battle or loosing prestige. I expect a fight by Wednsday or Thursday. There may be much loss of life but I feel but little doubt as to the result.—Saturday or Sunday next I set for the fall of Vicksburg. You can come down then and bring the children with you. We will have to make some arrangement for them to go to school as soon as schools open after vacation. You will have to stay with them as a general thing but by selecting a good place for you and them to board you can visit me a part of the time, when I am still. I do not expect to be still much however whilst the war lasts. Fred, has returned from his uncles. He does not look very well but is not willing to go back until Vicksburg falls. I think I will send him a trip as far North as St. Paul after the fall of Vicksburg. Remember me to all at home. You do not say whether you have leased the farm or not. I do not want White to hold it. Kiss the children for me.

Ulys.

SOURCE: John Y. Simon, Editor, The Papers of Ulysses S. Grant, Volume 8, p. 444-5

Major-General Ulysses S. Grant to Julia Dent Grant, June 9 1863

June 9th 1863.

DEAR JULIA,

I wrote to you by every courier I was sending back up to the Capture of Jackson. Having written to you to start for Vicksburg as soon as you heard the place was taken, and thinking that would be before another letter would reach you, I wrote no more. You may start down as soon as you receive this letter. If Vicksburg is not in our hands then you can remain on board the steamer at the landing with the prospect of my calling to gee you occationally. I have enjoyed most excellent health during the campaign, so has Fred. Fred, has enjoyed his campaign very much. He has kept a journal which I have never read but suppose he will read to you. The Pony, "Little Rebel," which I have got for Miss & Jess, is the smallest horse I ever saw. I want you to get saddles for both the children. The saddle I had for Jess was a very old one and being rode by persons too large for it it broke to pieces and had to be thrown away. I can tell you but little about matters here. We are up close to the enemy's forts and so far as the present force is concerned we must capture them. The enemy however may make a desperate effort to get a force outside of me to relieve the present garrison. If they do I occupy one of the strongest imaginable positions. I have ordered all the troops from West Tennessee that can possibly be spared from there. In addition to this other troops are coming from Kentucky and Mo. With the whole of them there is but little doubt but that I can hold out against anything likely to be brought against me. I want to see you very much dear Julia and also our dear little children.

Good bye

Ulys.

SOURCE: John Y. Simon, Editor, The Papers of Ulysses S. Grant, Volume 8, p. 332