Harrisonburg—A fine day. First Brigade six miles out
grinding; came in after dark. Cannonading in front. A hegira of Dunkards and
others. Grant orders all provisions destroyed so "a crow flying from
Staunton to Winchester must carry his rations."
Thursday, April 29, 2021
Diary of Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes: Sunday, October 2, 1864
Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes to Lucy Webb Hayes, October 2, 1864
HARRISONBURG, VIRGINIA, Sunday, October 2, 1864.
DEAREST: — I am writing to you so often these days because I am
thinking of you more anxiously than usual, and on account of the great
uncertainty of our communications. There are some indications today that we
shall push on further south. You will know if we do by the papers. If so we
shall be cut off from friends more than ever.
Dr. Joe has gone with the First Brigade out about six miles to grind up
the wheat at some mills in that quarter. It seems to be a great place for
sport. They are having a jolly time.
We hear from Winchester today. One of our orderlies, Johnny Kaufman,
died of his wound. Captain Hastings and the rest are all doing well.
Great droves of cattle and sheep are going past us north. Everything
eatable is taken or destroyed. No more supplies to Rebels from this valley. No
more invasions in great force by this route will be possible.
P. M. - Indications look more like going on with our campaign. I would
prefer going towards my darling and the chicks. Still, I like to move. We came
here a week ago. After this active year I feel bored when we stop longer than a
day or two. I have tried all available plans to spend time. I read old Harpers,
two of Mrs. Hall's novels, — you know I don't "affect" women's
novels. I find myself now reading “East
Lynne.” Nothing superior in it, but I can read anything.
For the first time in five or six days, we are just startled by cannon
firing and musketry, perhaps four or five miles in our front. It is probably
Rebel cavalry pitching into our foraging parties, or making a reconnaisance to
find whether we have left.
"Have your men under arms,” comes from General Crook. I ask,
"Is it thought to be anything?" "No, but General Sheridan sends
the order to us." Well, we get under arms. This letter is put in my
ammunition box. I mount my horse and see that all are ready. The firing gets
more distant and less frequent. "We have driven them,” somebody
conjectures, and I return to my tent, “East Lynne," and my darling, no
wiser than ever.
I am in receipt of yours of [the] 13th. The mail goes back immediately.
Good-bye. Blessings on your head.
Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes to Sophia Birchard Hayes, October 2, 1864
DEAR MOTHER: — I have supposed that we would soon go
back, at least as far as Winchester. We have destroyed the railroad from
Richmond to Staunton in several places, and all the provisions and stores at
Staunton and for a considerable distance south of that point. It would seem to
be impossible for the Rebels to get supplies from this valley, or even to march
a large force through it for the purpose of invading Maryland and Pennsylvania.
There are now some appearances which would indicate that we may push on further
south. We have no regular communication now with the States, and if we go
further we shall probably be for some time out of hearing of friends.
All things with us are going on prosperously. The people here are more
inclined to submit than ever before.
I have heard nothing from Ohio later than the 8th — almost a month. I
still hope that we shall be allowed to return north. Love to all.
Thursday, October 6, 1864
SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of
Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 523
Thursday, April 1, 2021
Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: March 28, 1864
April-like day, but no rain; clouds, and sunshine, and warm.
About 2 P.M. the Secretary received a dispatch stating that the enemy had appeared in force opposite Fredericksburg, and attempted, without success, to cross. A copy of this was immediately sent to Gen. Lee.
It is said that Gen. Longstreet is marching with expedition down the Valley of the Shenandoah, to flank Meade or Grant. I doubt it. But the campaign will commence as soon as the weather will permit.
A letter from G. B. Lamar, Savannah, Ga., informs the Secretary that he (L.) has command of five steamers, and that he can easily make arrangements with the (Federal) commandant of Fort Pulaski to permit them to pass and repass. His proposition to the government is to bring in munitions of war, etc., and take out cotton, charging one-half for freight. Mr. Memminger having seen this, advises the Secretary to require the delivery of a cargo before supplying any cotton. Mr. M. has a sort of jealousy of Mr. Lamar.
SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 2, p. 178
Diary of John Beauchamp Jones: March 31, 1864
Cloudy and cold. No war news, though it is generally believed that Longstreet is really in the valley.
A speech delivered by the Hon. J. W. Wall, in New Jersey, is copied in all the Southern papers, and read with interest by our people.
SOURCE: John Beauchamp Jones, A Rebel War Clerk's Diary at the Confederate States Capital, Volume 2, p. 179
Saturday, December 12, 2020
Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes to Sardis Birchard, August 14, 1864
My health is excellent. Our troops are improving under the easy marches. We shall get well rested doing what the Sixth and Nineteenth Corps of the Potomac ([who] are with us) regard as severe campaigning.
I have heard nothing from home since I saw Lucy on 10th [of]
July. Direct to me: "First Brigade, Second Division, Army of West
Virginia, via Harpers Ferry."
Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes to William H. Smith, August 24, 1864
FRIEND SMITH: Your favor of the 7th came to hand on Monday. It was the first I had heard of the doings of the Second District Convention. My thanks for your attention and assistance in the premises. I cared very little about being a candidate, but having consented to the use of my name I preferred to succeed. Your suggestion about getting a furlough to take the stump was certainly made without reflection.
An officer fit for duty who at this crisis would abandon his post to electioneer for a seat in Congress ought to be scalped. You may feel perfectly sure I shall do no such thing.
We are, and for two weeks have been in the immediate presence of a large Rebel army. We have skirmishing and small affairs constantly. I am not posted in the policy deemed wise at headquarters, and I can't guess as to the prospects of a general engagement. The condition and spirit of this army are good and improving I suspect the enemy is sliding around us towards the Potomac. If they cross we shall pretty certainly have a meeting.
Cincinnati, Ohio.
SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 497
Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes to Lucy Webb Hayes, August 30, 1864
We are slowly (I think) pushing the enemy back up the Valley. We have some fighting, but no general engagement. Sheridan's splendid cavalry does most of the work. Heretofore, we (the infantry, especially [the] First and Second Brigades) have had to do our own work and that of the cavalry also. Now, if anything, the cavalry does more than its share. It is as if we had six or eight thousand such men as Captain Gilmore's; only better drilled. A great comfort this. Indeed, this is our best month.
The men are fast getting their Kanawha health and spirits back, now that we are rid of Hunter, hard marching night and day, and nothing to eat.
The paymaster, Major Wallace (he inquires after Mrs. Hayes of course), has found us at last. The color-company of [the] Twenty-third is Twelfth men a fine company of veterans. The color-sergeant is Charles W. Bendel of Maysville, Kentucky, of the Twelfth. He loves the flag as if he thought it his sweetheart – kisses it, fondles it, and bears it proudly in battle.
I hope things turn out so I can be with you about the time you would like me to be at home. Perhaps they will. Love to all.
SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 499-500