Governor Rutherford B. Hayes to Charles Nordhoff, November 10, 1869

COLUMBUS, OHIO, November 10, 1869.

DEAR NORDHOFF: You are not the only "wretch" (I have adopted that good word from you) who harrows up the feelings of my wife by sending the Harper's picture of me. It has driven me into the photograph business and I am now jawing back in this way.

I want to send Walter "The President's Words" the book of Lincoln's wisdom, I named to you. How—by express or mail, and direction?

I have not seen Aunty Davis since your article on the Bible question. I fear she will think you have gone back on her hopes of you. I take the Bible side, largely because this war on the Good Book is in disguise a war on all free schools.

Sincerely,

R. B. HAYES.

CHARLES NORDHOFF.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, p. 70-1

Governor Rutherford B. Hayes to Oran Follett, November 11, 1869

COLUMBUS, OHIO, November 11, 1869.

MY DEAR SIR:—I am in receipt of your favor of the 9th in relation to the claims of Mr. Forster and Dr. Morton. I had some knowledge of the merits of Mr. Forster's application and have written two letters in his behalf. In reply to one I was told that consulates are all gobbled up long ago— that his only chance is the resignation or death of the present incumbents; and you know "few die and none resign.”

As to Dr. Morton, I know him well, but I suppose Mr. Harbough, who is a faithful good officer, ought not to be turned out. If more letters or good words in behalf of Mr. Forster are wanted, I am ready to furnish them. But as Mr. Lincoln said, when he was President: "I have very little influence with this Administration."

Sincerely,

R. B. HAYES.

HONORABLE O. FOLLETT,
        Sandusky, Ohio.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, p. 71

Diary of Judith Brockenbrough McGuire: September 25, 1863

There has been a great battle in the West, at Chickamauga, in Tennessee, between Bragg and Rosecranz. We are gloriously victorious! The last telegram from General Bragg tells of 7,000 prisoners, thirty-five pieces of cannon, and 15,000 small-arms, taken by our men. The fight is not over, though they have been fighting three days. Longstreet and his corps of veterans are there to reinforce them. A battle is daily expected on the Rapidan; and, to use Lincoln's expression, they are still "pegging away" at Charleston.

SOURCE: Judith W. McGuire, Diary of a Southern Refugee, During the War, p. 239

Diary of Josephine Shaw Lowell: April 3, 1862

No news today excepting that the House and Senate have both passed Lincoln's bill offering to buy the slaves from the border States. A very great advance.

One anecdote of President Lincoln, on very good authority, I must repeat. Mrs. Andrew being introduced, he immediately began: “Well, Mrs. Andrew, how do the Governor and Butler get on?” “You probably know more about it than I do, Mr. Lincoln,” was the reply. “Well,” answered Abe, “the more I hear of it the madder I get with both of them,” and upon her endeavoring to say a word for her husband, he reassured her in the following words: “Oh, you know I never get fighting mad with anybody.” Mrs. Andrew told the story to Mr. Gay the day it occurred and Mr. Gay told me, so it came direct. The next anecdote Mr. Gay gives on his own authority, i.e., the President said it to him. He was speaking of some little charge brought against him by the Tribune, and after saying it was neither just nor fair, he proceeded: “But I don't care what they say of me. I want to straighten this thing out and then I don't care what they do with me. They may hang me.” Dear old fellow! The following I cannot vouch for, although a Unitarian minister told it. It shows Mr. Lincoln's quickness in escaping questions and conversations which wouldn't be agreeable. Bishop Clarke having been to see him on business, thought he would consider it peculiar if he didn't speak of religious matters before leaving, so he began: “Mr. Lincoln, you have a heavy responsibility. I hope you have strength to bear it.” “Oh, yes,” interrupted old Abe. “Mrs. Lincoln was just saying this morning that I was growing fatter every day. Why, when I was inaugurated I could meet my fingers and thumb around my ankle, but I noticed today when I was putting on my stockings that I couldn't do it now by an inch.” Bishop Clarke left.

SOURCE: William Rhinelander Stewart, The Philanthropic Work of Josephine Shaw Lowell, p. 22-3