Governor Rutherford B. Hayes to Manning F. Force, November 6, 1869

COLUMBUS, OHIO, November 6, 1869.

DEAR GENERAL: My wife and I both wish to say thank you for the beautiful pictures [reproductions of paintings in European galleries]. They are so fine that I want to be able to talk about them—how they are done; where are the originals; whose? etc., etc. I am told that a negative is obtained from the painting by the ordinary process, that the negative is retouched, and these pictures printed from the improved negative.

The next time I meet you I propose to hear you on your trip. So try not [to] forget it altogether.

Sincerely,

R. B. HAYES.

M. F. FORCE.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, p. 68

Major-General Henry W. Slocum to Major-General William T. Sherman, August 27, 1865

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF MISSISSIPPI,        

VICKSBURG, MISS., August 27, 1865.

MY DEAR GENERAL:

Your favor of the twenty-second has just come to hand. I came here without my family and with the intention of remaining only until the surplus generals were mustered out. I did not like to go out with a crowd of worthless officers who should have been mustered out long ago; but I think ——— & Co. will outlive me after all, as I do not intend to spend the winter here. I shall pay you a visit on my way home.

Force has reported and been assigned to the command of the Vicksburg District, relieving Maltby. Force is a good officer and I am glad to get him. Charley Ewing has not yet come.

Woods has been very sick at Mobile but is better. I have met many of your old officers and soldiers since we parted, and all of them, without exception, are "loyal."

I enclose an order just published. I did not like to take this step; but Sharkey should have consulted me before issuing an order arming the rebs and placing them on duty with the darkies in every county of the State. I hope the U. S. Military will soon be removed from the State, but until this is done it would certainly be bad policy to arm the militia.

Yours, truly,

H. W. SLOCUM.

Maj. Genl. W. T. SHERMAN,
        St. Louis, Mo.

SOURCE: New York (State). Monuments Commission for the Battlefields of Gettysburg and Chattanooga, In Memoriam: Henry Warner Slocum, 1826-1894, p. 105

Governor Rutherford B. Hayes to Sardis Birchard, December 19, 1868

COLUMBUS, December 19, 1868.

DEAR UNCLE:—Got home safe this morning. Had a good time. The most satisfactory part of the trip was several hours' quiet talk with General Grant. It was a most delightful talk. After he warms up he is just about such a man as Charley Boalt used to be quite as cheerful, chatty, and good-natured, and so sensible, clear-headed, and well-informed. I feel just as much at ease with him as I do with intimate friends like Hastings or Force more so than with Bushnell or even Buckland! This sounds strange, but I mention it because it will give you an idea how completely and wonderfully he remains unspoiled by his elevation. I think I will come up soon and give you some of his talk.

Sincerely,

R. B. HAYES.

S. BIRCHARD.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, p. 56-7

Governor Rutherford B. Hayes to Manning F. Force, July 25, 1868

COLUMBUS, July 25, 1868.

DEAR GENERAL:

You make me feel "wuss and wuss" but I can't make the trip. Her beauty and "incomparable” charms of all sorts I am sure are of the lasting kind. I can't say as to how she will "keep" in other respects. There is one thing (to the shame of our society be it spoken) which makes it probable that she will stay. She has no fortune to attract the flies.

Sincerely,

R. B. HAYES.

GENERAL M. F. FORCE,
        Cincinnati.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, p. 54

Congressman Rutherford B. Hayes to Manning F. Force, February 23, 1867

WASHINGTON, February 23, 1867.

DEAR GENERAL:—You will be pleased to hear that the appropriation of one hundred thousand dollars to buy your father's library passed the Committee of the whole today without objection or opposition. It will no doubt pass the House in the same way, and we consider it safe in the Senate. It is in the regular Civil Appropriation Bill.

Sincerely,

R. B. HAYES.

M. F. FORCE,
        Cincinnati.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, p. 42

Congressman Rutherford B. Hayes to Brevet Major-General Manning F. Force, March 17, 1866

WASHINGTON, D. C., March 17, 1866.

DEAR FORCE:— Thanks for the items from Mississippi. I had heard before of the intention to try to make you a candidate for judge. I trust it will be done. If the chances are fair, no doubt it will.

I could argue with you on the wisdom and justice of what Congress is doing with our erring sisters if I knew exactly your points. The truth is, Congress has done next to nothing yet on that subject, and can give good reasons for not having yet done anything. The position held by the majority is this: The Rebel States having gone into insurrection and lost their lawful State Governments, it is for the law-making power of the Nation to say when (or whether) such new State Governments have been set up as ought to be recognized. Is not this sound? Granting this, ought we to recognize any State Government which does not undertake, at least, to afford adequate protection to Union people and freedmen? And further, is there evidence showing such State Governments except in Tennessee and possibly Arkansas?

The practice will come to you, no fear of that.

Sincerely,

R. B. HAYES.

GENERAL M. F. FORCE,
        Cincinnati.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 3, p. 20

Diary of 5th Sergeant Osborn H. Oldroyd: June 7, 1863

The 20th was at the front all day, sharp shooting. There is a good deal of danger in this kind of business, but we have our fun at it notwithstanding. Another effigy hoisted a little above our rifle-pits, in an instant drew the fire of the enemy. It was our ruse to get them to raise their heads a little, and when they did, we fired back, and the result generally justified the refrain to which our thoughts were moving,

Should a rebel show his pate,

To withdraw he'll prove too late.

We have caught them that way several times.

We still keep unshaken confidence in General Grant, and the ultimate success of our cause. We shall stand firm at our posts, yielding cheerful obedience to all orders, and march bravely on without halting to wrangle and grumble at every imaginary shortcoming in our officers, while our country is in such distress, and when her cries are borne to us upon every breeze. To be in Grant's army, McPherson's corps, Logan's division and the 20th Ohio, commanded by our brave and courteous colonel, M. F. Force, is to be as well off as any soldier in any army in the world.

SOURCE: Osborn Hamiline Oldroyd, A Soldier's Story of the Siege of Vicksburg, p. 46

Diary of 5th Sergeant Osborn H. Oldroyd: May 19, 1863

This day beholds a cordon of steel, with rivets of brave hearts, surrounding Vicksburg. The enemy left their fortifications on the first, twelfth, fourteenth, sixteenth and eighteenth of this month, and dealt their best blows to prevent the occurrence of what we have just accomplished—the surrounding of their well fortified city. We have now come here to compel them to surrender, and we are prepared to do it either by charge or by siege, and they cannot say to us nay. They have fought well to keep their homes free from invasion, and surely deserve praise for their brave return to battle after so many defeats. Our army encircles the city from the river above to the river below, a distance of seven and a half miles.

The three corps have taken respective positions as follows: Sherman's Fifteenth occupies the right of the line, resting on the river above; General McClernand's Thirteenth touches the river below, while McPherson's Seventeenth stands in the center. Our own division, commanded by Logan, occupies the road leading to Jackson.

In taking our position we did a great deal of skirmishing, and I suppose the same difficulty was probably experienced by the rest of the line. We have been nineteen days on the march around Vicksburg, and the time has been full of excitement— quite too varied for a comprehensive view just now, but those who have borne a part in it will store it all away in memory, to be gone over between comrades by piece-meal, when they meet after the war is over.

The personal experience of even the humblest soldier will get a hearing in years to come, for it is the little things in an unusual life that are most entertaining, and personal observations from the rank and file, narrated by those who saw what they describe, will make some of the most instructive paragraphs of the war's history.

This has been a day to try the nerves of the boys, while taking position in front to invest the doomed city. It has been a day to try men's souls, and hearts, too. The long lines of rebel earthworks following the zig-zag courses of the hills, and black field guns still menacing from their port-holes, bristle with defiance to the invaders.

Our regiment, the 20th Ohio, being ordered in position on the Jackson road, immediately passed to the left in front of Fort Hill, where it stood ready to charge at a moment's notice. Meanwhile Colonel Force cautiously made his way in front of the different companies and spoke familiarly to his men words of encouragement. Said he, "boys, I expect we shall be ordered to charge the fort. I shall run right at it, and I hope every man will follow me." At that instant a soldier of one of the companies on the left was found snugly hid in a ravine under the roots of a tree, and his lieutenant's attention being called to the fact, he was ordered out, when he replied, "lieutenant, I do not believe I am able to make such a charge."

SOURCE: Osborn Hamiline Oldroyd, A Soldier's Story of the Siege of Vicksburg, p. 27-9

Diary of 5th Sergeant Osborn H. Oldroyd: May 15, 1863

The familiar "Attention, battalion!" was heard from our Colonel, when we marched back upon the same road that had led us to Jackson, camping as usual at dark. We passed through Clinton, and the inhabitants were surprised to see us returning so soon, for they fully expected to hear of our being defeated and driven back. But they did not know our metal. The last few days have been full of excitement, and although we have marched and fought hard, and lost some of our best men, besides getting tired and hungry ourselves, we are more resolved than ever to keep the ball rolling. The thinner our ranks are made by fighting and disease, the, closer together the remnants are brought. We shall close up the ranks and press forward until the foe is vanquished. Soldiers grow more friendly as they are brought better to realize the terrible ravages of war. As Colonel Force called us to "Attention!" this morning, one of the boys remarked, "I love that man more than ever." Yes, we have good reason to be proud of our Colonel, for upon all occasions we are treated by him as volunteers enlisted in war from pure love of country, and not regulars, drawn into service from various other motives, in time of peace.

SOURCE: Osborn Hamiline Oldroyd, A Soldier's Story of the Siege of Vicksburg, p. 22

Diary of 5th Sergeant Osborn H. Oldroyd: May 11, 1863

The raid on the fence before going into camp.

We drew two days' rations and marched till noon. My company, E, being detailed for rear guard, a very undesirable position. General Logan thinks we shall have a fight soon. I am not particularly anxious for one, but if it comes I will make my musket talk. As we contemplate a battle, those who have been spoiling for a fight cease to be heard. It does not even take the smell of powder to quiet their nerves—a rumor being quite sufficient.

We have no means of knowing the number of troops in Vicksburg, but if they were well generaled and thrown against us at some particular point, the matter might be decided without going any further. If they can not whip us on our journey around their city, why do they not stay at home and strengthen their boasted position, and not lose so many men in battle to discourage the remainder? We are steadily advancing, and propose to keep on until we get them where they can't retreat. My fear is that they may cut our supply train, and then we should be in a bad fix. Should that happen and they get us real hungry, I am afraid short work would be made of taking Vicksburg.

Having seen the four great Generals of this department, shall always feel honored that I was a member of Force's 20th Ohio, Logan's Division, McPherson's Corps of Grant's Army. The expression upon the face of Grant was stern and care-worn, but determined. McPherson's was the most pleasant and courteous—a perfect gentleman and an officer that the 17th corps fairly worships. Sherman has a quicker and more dashing movement than some others, a long neck, rather sharp features, and altogether just such a man as might lead an army through the enemy's country. Logan is brave and does not seem to know what defeat means. We feel that he will bring us out of every fight victorious. I want no better or braver officers to fight under. I have often thought of the sacrifice that a General might make of his men in order to enhance his own eclat, for they do not always seem to display the good judgment they should. But I have no fear of a needless sacrifice of life through any mismanagement of this army.

SOURCE: Osborn Hamiline Oldroyd, A Soldier's Story of the Siege of Vicksburg, p. 13-5

Captain Charles Wright Wills: July 23, 1864

July 23, 1864.

The fight came off the 22d, and a glorious one it was for us. Lieutenant Blair of our regiment was killed, also Charles Buck, of Company F, and John Smith of my company. There were seven wounded only. Our brigade gets credit for 400 prisoners. They took us in rear and every other way, but the repulse was awful. Everybody is wishing that they may repeat the attack. Generals McPherson and Force are killed. (Force, was not killed.) Our regiment gets credit for its part, though we were very fortunate in losing so few. Our skirmish line is within one mile of the town.

SOURCE: Charles Wright Wills, Army Life of an Illinois Soldier, p. 283

Diary of Major Rutherford B. Hayes: Tuesday Evening, October 29, 1861

This is the anniversary of the Literary Club — the society with which so much of my life is associated. It will be celebrated tonight. The absent will be remembered. I wish I was there. How many who have been members are in the tented field! What a roll for our little club! I have seen these as members: General Pope, now commanding in Missouri; Lieutenant-Colonel Force of the Twentieth, in Kentucky; Major Noyes of the Thirty-ninth, in Missouri; Lieutenant-Colonel Matthews, Twenty-third, in Virginia; Secretary Chase, the power (brain and soul) of the Administration; Governor Corwin, Minister to Mexico; Tom Ewing, Jr., Chief Justice of Kansas; Ewing Sr., the great intellect of Ohio; Nate Lord, colonel of a Vermont or New Hampshire regiment; McDowell, a judge in Kansas; McDowell (J. H.), a senator and major in Kansas; Oliver and Mallon, common pleas judges; Stanton, a representative Ohio House of Representatives; and so on. Well, what good times we have had! Wit, anecdote, song, feast, wine, and good fellowship — gentlemen and scholars. I wonder how it will go off tonight.

Queer world! We fret our little hour, are happy and pass away. Away! Where to? “This longing after immortality! These thoughts that wander through eternity”! I have been and am an unbeliever of all these sacred verities. But will I not take refuge in the faith of my fathers at last? Are we not all impelled to this? The great abyss, the unknown future, — are we not happier if we give ourselves up to some settled faith? Can we feel safe without it? Am I not more and more carried along, drifted, towards surrendering to the best religion the world has yet produced? It seems so. In this business, as I ride through the glorious scenery this loveliest season of the year, my thoughts float away beyond this wretched war and all its belongings. Some, yes many, glorious things, as well as all that is not so, [impress me] ; and [I] think of the closing years on the down-hill side of life, and picture myself a Christian, sincere, humble, devoted, as conscientious in that as I am now in this — not more so. My belief in this war is as deep as any faith can be; — but thitherward I drift. I see it and am glad.

All this I write, thinking of the debates, the conversations, and the happiness of the Literary Club. It has been for almost twelve years an important part of my life. My best friends are among its members — Rogers, Stephenson, Force, James. And how I have enjoyed Strong, McConkey (alas!), Wright, McDowell, Mills, Meline, and all! And thinking of this and those leads me to long for such communion in a perfection not known on earth and to hope that in the future there may be a purer joy forever and ever. And as one wishes, so he drifts. While these enjoyments are present we have little to wish for; as they slip from us, we look forward and hope and then believe with the college theme, “There is more beyond.” And for me to believe is to act and live according to my faith.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 127-8

Diary of Corporal Alexander G. Downing: Sunday, May 8, 1864

All is quiet. We had dress parade this evening and an order was read to the effect that the troops should drill two hours a day in company or skirmish drill, and besides that, the recruits should drill four hours a day; also that there are to be four roll calls a day, and company inspection every morning at 8 o'clock. There are about five thousand men in camp under command of Brig. Gen. F. M. Force, and all are in fine spirits and well fitted for a fight. The general quartermaster has large quantities of rations and ammunition here, and there are some three or four thousand beef cattle for our meat supply. This camp puts us in mind of our camp at Pittsburg Landing, two years ago, but I do not think that we will have such a battle as we had then, although the rebels' cavalry is quite active.

Source: Alexander G. Downing, Edited by Olynthus B., Clark, Downing’s Civil War Diary, p. 186

Major Rutherford B. Hayes to Manning F. Force, June 12, 1861

Columbus, June 12, 1861.

Dear Force: — You can't regret more than I do the issue of this business, so far as you are concerned. I have tried to get two companies (so as to include you and Company A of G. G.¹) admitted. Failing in that, I tried one, but the thing is all settled, and the governor fears to disturb the elements again.

Our regiment promises to be an exceedingly pleasant one. We are the first regimental officers on the ground. Our colonel will command in this camp until a brigadier-general arrives. We are the best known persons, and the struggle is to get into our regiment from all quarters. The camp is yet higgledy-piggledy and will require some labor to bring it up. But all goes on rapidly. We have been busy as bees a large part of the time in the scorching sun; but so far, it [is] great fun. I enjoy it as much as a boy does a Fourth of July.

Sincerely,

R. B. Hayes.

M. F. Force, Esq.

­­­­­­­­­­­­_______________

¹ Guthrie Greys.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 24-5

Major Rutherford B. Hayes to Manning F. Force, June 10, 1861

Columbus, June 10, 1861.

Dear Force: — I do not dispatch you as to matters here, because it is not certain what will be done, but our present impression is, that we can get no additional companies into our regiment Full regiments have been made up, and the governor is assigning officers to them, or, rather, he makes up regimental staffs, and assigns companies from a list of accepted companies already in camp. . . .  This mode of doing the thing creates some difficulty, and changes are possible, but not probable. I regret this, but we can't perhaps change it. The governor is doing it in a frank, manly way which relieves us from all embarrassment in the premises.

Sincerely,

R. B. Hayes.

M. F. Force, Esq.

Cittcinnati.

SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 22-3