Staid at Mr. Allen's, Martinsburg, last night. At 9 or 10 A. M., [the] Thirty-sixth and Thirteenth by cars to Cumberland. With staff at 3 P. M. to Cumberland. Supper and good time at Cumberland. Winter quarters here.
Wednesday, December 15, 2021
Diary of Brigadier-General Rutherford B. Hayes: Saturday, December 31, 1864
Monday, November 15, 2021
Brigadier-General Rutherford B. Hayes to Sardis Birchard, Monday, December 12, 1864
CAMP RUSSELL, VIRGINIA, December 12, 1864.
DEAR UNCLE:— The snow is at least eight inches deep. A fierce northwester has been blowing for the last fifteen hours and the cold is intense. I fear that men on the picket line will perish of cold. We probably notice severe weather more when living as we are in rather poor tents, but I certainly have seen nothing worse than this even on the shore of the lake.
The campaign in the Valley has closed. The Rebel infantry has all been withdrawn. Our own is leaving rapidly. It goes to Grant. The destination of Crook's command is not yet known. It probably waits news from Sherman.
I shall ask for a leave of absence as soon as we get orders to go into winter quarters, which may come any day.
I have been promoted to brigadier-general. The honor is no great things, it having been conferred, particularly at the first part of the war, on all sorts of men for all sorts of reasons; but I am a good deal gratified, nevertheless. It is made on the recommendation of General Crook, approved by Sheridan. This at the close of such a bloody campaign is something; besides, I am pleased that it seems so well received by officers and men of the command. It has not yet been officially announced, and will not be for perhaps a week or so.
I am very glad Governor Chase is Chief Justice. I had almost given up his appointment. I received letters from Swayne's friends urging me to write in his behalf. I heard nothing of the kind from the friends of Governor Chase. I suppose they felt safe. I replied to Perry and others that I was for Governor Chase.
It seems I have a place at West Point at my disposal. It is quite encouraging to know that my district abounds in young Napoleons. I hear of a new one almost every mail. The claim of one is based largely on the fact that he has two brothers in the service. I happen to know that they (both officers) have been so successful in finding soft places in the rear that neither of them after more than three years' service, has ever been in a battle!
I begin to feel very anxious about Sherman. His failure would be a great calamity in itself. Besides, it would bring into favor the old-fogy, anaconda style of warfare. Boldness and enterprise would be at a discount. If he has made a mistake, it is in not moving with more celerity.
We ought to have another draft without delay – or rather another call for troops, to be followed by a draft if volunteering failed to produce the required number within a reasonable period.
Wednesday, September 22, 2021
Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes to Sophia Birchard Hayes, Sunday, November 27, 1864
Camp Russell, November 27, (1864).
Sunday.
Dear MOTHER: — We are not in winter
quarters yet. The continued presence of the Rebel army in our front,
or Sherman's campaign, or Grant's, or something else, keeps us in
suspense. But we are gradually improving our condition and quarters
until now we are pretty comfortable, and if we finally stay here for
the winter, I, for one, shall not grumble.
We had a jovial Thanksgiving. A fair supply of turkeys and other
good things from the cities, together with good weather, made the day cheerful.
The railroad, it is supposed, will be finished to within four or five
miles of us this week. We shall then have mails and supplies
with some regularity.
I still hope to get settled in time to visit [home] during the
holidays. My kind regards to Mrs. Wasson and Sophia.
SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of
Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 541
Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes to Lucy Webb Hayes, December 6, 1864
CAMP RUSSELL, December 6, 1864.
MY DARLING: – We are very comfortable and very jolly. No army
could be more so. We have had no orders to build winter quarters, but we have
got ready for rough weather, and can now worry through it.
We have horse-races, music, church (sic!), and all
the attractions. No fighting, which makes me hope I shall get off the
last of this month to see my darling and the dear ones.
SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of
Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 543
Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes to Sophia Birchard Hayes, December 6, 1864
DEAR MOTHER: — I received your cheerful letter on Sunday. It finds us in
the best of spirits and so comfortably camped that we all
would be glad to know that our winter quarters would be at this camp.
We have the railroad finished to within eight miles; daily mails and telegraphic
communication with the world. The men have built huts four feet high,
eight or nine feet square, of logs, puncheons, and the
like, banked up with earth and covered with their shelter blankets.
My quarters are built of slabs and a wall tent. Tight and warm.
We are in woods on a rolling piece of ground. It will be muddy
but we are building walks of stone, logs, etc., so we can
keep out of the dirt. — I have a mantel-piece, a table, one chair,
one stool, an ammunition box, a trunk, and a bunk for furniture.
We get Harper's Monthly and Weekly,
the Atlantic, daily papers from Baltimore, New York, and Philadelphia.
The Christian Commission send a great many religious books. I selected
“Pilgrim's Progress" from a large lot offered me to choose from a few days
ago.
Our living is, ordinarily, bread (baker's bread) and beef, and coffee and milk
(we keep a few cows), or pork and beans and coffee. Occasionally we
have oysters, lobsters, fish, canned fruits, and vegetables. The
use of liquor is probably less than among the same
class of people at home. All kinds of liquor can be got,
but it is expensive and attended with some difficulty.
The chaplains now hold frequent religious meetings. Music we have
more of and better than can be had anywhere except in the large
cities. We have very fine horse-racing, much better managed than can be found
anywhere out of the army. A number of ladies can be seen
about the camps — officers' wives, sisters, daughters, and the
Union young ladies of Winchester. General Sheridan is particularly
attentive to one of the latter. General Crook is a single man —
fond of ladies, but very diffident. General Custer has a beautiful
young wife, who is here with him.
I have just seen a case of wonderful recovery — such
cases are common, but none more singular than this. Captain
Williams of my command was shot by a MiniƩ ball on the 24th of July
in the center of the back of his neck, which passed
out of the center of his chin, carrying away and shattering
his jaw in front. He is now perfectly stout and sound (his voice
good) and not disfigured at all. But he can chew nothing, eats only
spoon victuals!
Dr. Webb is a great favorite. The most efficient surgeon on the
battle-field in this army. He is complimented very highly in General Crook's
official report. He hates camp life, especially in bad weather, when he suffers
from a throat disease. My love to the household.
Tuesday, September 14, 2021
Diary of Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes, November 16, 1864
A fine November day. Had my tent floored, banked up, and a chimney. (The Sixth and Nineteenth Corps building winter quarters. P. M. rode to cavalry camp on Front Royal Road. Night, a wine-drinking.
SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 537
Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes to Lucy Webb Hayes, November 17, 1864
CAMP NEAR WINCHESTER, VIRGINIA, November 17, 1864.
DEAREST: When I wrote last I was in some doubt whether this Valley campaign was ended or not. It seems to be now settled. Early got a panic among his men and left our vicinity for good, I think.
The Sixth and Nineteenth Corps are building winter quarters. A telegraph line is put up and the railroad from Winchester to Harpers Ferry is nearly rebuilt. The location is a good one for a large body of troops. We are very pleasantly camped, but having no orders to put up winter quarters, have not fixed up for winter. We are very comfortable, however. My tent is floored, banked up, a good tent flue built, etc., etc. daily papers now regularly. The Baltimore American, a sound Republican paper, sells several thousand copies, more than all other papers put together. The Philadelphia Inquirer, also sound, sells next in number. The New York Herald, sound on the war in a sort of guerrilla style, sells one thousand to two thousand copies. No other newspapers have any large circulation, but the pictorials, Harper's Weekly having the preference, sell immensely — nearly as many copies, I judge, as the Baltimore American. The Christian Commission distributes a vast amount of religious reading matter gratuitously. The sutlers sell dime novels and the thunder-and-lightning style of literature, in large quantity.
The Sixth and Nineteenth Corps have built fine fieldworks. The weather has been good and a great many squads and regiments are drilling. There are a score or two of bands. Possibly two are better than ours not more than that. There is a good deal of horse-racing with tolerably high betting. The scenes at the races are very exciting. You would enjoy them. Nothing so fine of the kind is anywhere to be [seen] in civil life. Here the subordination of rank, the compulsory sobriety of the great crowds, etc., rid these spectacles of such disagreeable accompaniments as rioting, drunkenness, and the like. – We are beginning to have oyster and wine suppers and festive times generally.
General Crook has gone to Cumberland, and it is thought that my command will be ordered there for the winter, but this is all guess. I am again in command of the division after going back to the brigade for one day. How we shall be organized ultimately is not settled. I prefer the brigade. It now has three fine veteran regiments and the Thirteenth. The First Virginia Veterans (old Fifth and Ninth) is splendid.
I mean to ask for a leave as soon as we get housed in our winter quarters. I hope to see you by Christmas.
Tell Birch I am greatly pleased to have a letter from him. He will soon be one of my chief correspondents. — Love to all. Affectionately ever, your
R.
P. S. — Hastings is getting better slowly. There are now hopes of his recovery. His sister is with him.
Mrs. Hayes.
SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 537-9
Monday, August 9, 2021
Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes to Lucy Webb Hayes, Wednesday, November 2, 1864
CAMP AT CEDAR CREEK, VIRGINIA, NOVEMBER 2, 1864.
MY DARLING: — We get trains through from Martinsburg regularly once in four days. We return them as often. I try to write you by every regular train. We hope to get mails with each train.
We have had most charming weather all the fall. Our camps are healthful and pleasant, but we all are looking forward to the "going into winter quarters" with impatience. We suppose a week or two more here will finish the campaign. Then a week or two of disagreeable marching and delays and then rest.
My tent and "fixin's” are as cozy as practicable. If my darling could share them with me, I could be quite content. I never was so anxious to be with you. This has been one of the happy periods with me. I have had only one shadow over me. You know Captain Hastings was severely wounded at the battle of Winchester, September 19. For three or four weeks he has been in a most critical condition. I have had a feeling that he would get well. I still hope, but all agree that his chance is very slight. He may live a month or die at any time. He is the best man whose friendship I have formed since the beginning of the war.
Doctor is well and has a great deal of enjoyment. We still think we shall have no more heavy fighting this fall. General Duffie was captured by Mosby! He was to marry Miss Jeffries soon (the younger).
SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 532-3
Diary of Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes: Wednesday, November 9, 1864
Marched eleven miles to camp south of Kernstown. Whole army glad to move towards winter quarters. — Result of election in this division: Lincoln, 575; McClellan, 98.
SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 535
Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes to Lucy Webb Hayes, Sunday, November 13, 1864
MY DARLING:- You see we have made one day's march towards civilization, and, as we hope, towards our much wished for winter quarters. The weather has been and still is very favorable for the season - cold and windy to be sure, but very little rain. We do not know how far north we shall go. No doubt as far as some railroad and telegraphic communication. We have halted here for four days past, probably on account of reports that the Rebel army, reinforced and reorganized, is following after us. We do not know how it is, but if they wish to try conclusions with us again, it is likely General Sheridan will meet them.
My first brigade went to Martinsburg a week ago. It was hoped that they would not have to come back, but the probability now is that they will return. If so, I shall assume command of them again. General Duval has returned cured of his wound. I could perhaps keep a division, but under the circumstances I much prefer my old brigade. It has been greatly improved by the addition of the Ninth Virginia Veterans, who now with the Fifth form the First Virginia Veterans under Lieutenant-Colonel Enochs — a splendid regiment.
We are rejoiced that Captain Hastings is improving; he is still low but decidedly improving. His sister, whom you know, and a brother are with him.
Lincoln's election was so confidently expected that it does not cause so much excitement as we sometimes see, but it gives great satisfaction here.
Generals Sheridan and Crook both voted for him. It was General Sheridan's first vote!
I have no decided feeling about the little soldier's name. But I can't help thinking, suppose he should die after living long enough to become very dear to all of you. Would it not be awkward to think of the dear lost ones by the same name? And is not the idea of death now associated with the nickname “Little Jody"? But I am quite indifferent. Decide as you wish, or leave it to be decided by the boys.
Give my love to the kind friends.
Captain Reed, who sent you the dispatch, is an officer on Colonel Thoburn's staff — who was thoughtful enough to contradict the false report.*
P.S. — Doctor and I rode to the front this P. M., a very cold, windy, raw day. From the best information I can get, nothing but cavalry has been seen. I think the Rebel army is not a-going to disturb us again. General Powell took two guns, two flags, and two hundred prisoners from General McCausland last night. A very handsome affair. The Second Virginia Cavalry is getting as good as any of them under General Powell.
MRS. HAYES.*See "Life of Hayes," Vol. I, page 257.
SOURCE: Charles
Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard
Hayes, Volume 2, p. 535-7
Sunday, July 25, 2021
Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes to Lucy Webb Hayes, October 25, 1864
CAMP NEAR STRASBURG, VIRGINIA, October 25, 1864.
MY DARLING:— . . . .We expect to remain here some time yet. I suspect that apprehension is felt at Washington that the Rebels will try to get up a raid into Maryland or Pennsylvania to create a panic about the time of the Presidential election, and that we are kept here to prevent it. I can't think that after the complete defeat of Early's Army on the 19th, any serious attempt will be made to drive us back. I regard the fighting on this line as at an end for this year. I suspect that about the 10th [of] November we shall move north, and I hope go into winter quarters soon afterwards.
We are having fine weather. Camped on a wooded ridge, we are very comfortable. This life is a good deal like that of the fall of 1861 when General Rosecrans' Army was camped around Tompkins' Farm. The men were then very sickly. Now there is no sickness. We now talk of our killed and wounded. There is however a very happy feeling. Those who escape regret of course the loss of comrades and friends, but their own escape and safety to some extent modifies their feelings.
Laura has a daughter! I must write her a congratulatory note. But how much I prefer a boy. Well stocked as our house is with boys, I almost rejoice that our last is not a girl.
My regards and love to all the good friends who are so kind to you. Kiss all the boys.
P.S. - Had a good letter from Force. He is returning to the Georgia front.
MRS. HAYES.
SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 529-30
Wednesday, June 23, 2021
Colonel Rutherford B. Hayes to Matthew Scott Cook, October 12, 1864
CAMP NEAR STRASBURG, VIRGINIA, October 12, 1864.
Dear UNCLE Scott:— I am much obliged for your letter announcing the arrival of the big boy and the welfare of his mother. I had been looking for news somewhat anxiously. I intended to have had a daughter, but I failed to see the new moon over my right shoulder. I am glad to hear he promises to be a good boy, as Aunt PhÅbe writes Dr. Joe.
We had a quiet election here yesterday. My old brigade, Ohio voters, were unanimous the two veteran regiments voting as follows: Twenty-third — two hundred and sixty-six Union; Thirty-sixth — two hundred and fifty-nine ditto, and no Copperheads. The whole of Crook's Command stands fourteen hundred Union and two hundred Democrats in round numbers — three-fourths of the Democrats being in companies from Monroe and Crawford (counties).
Our campaign in the Valley is supposed to be ended. It winds up with a most signal cavalry victory. It is believed that the Sixth and Nineteenth Corps with Sheridan's splendid cavalry will join Grant and that Crook's hard-worked command will have the duty of guarding the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad in winter quarters. We hope this is correct. If so, I shall probably get home by Christmas for a good visit.
I am compelled to write this on the half sheet of your letter. Love to all.
Chillicothe, Ohio.
SOURCE: Charles Richard Williams, editor, Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes, Volume 2, p. 524