Drury’s Bluff, Va., May 9, 1865.
We were reviewed by Howard, Logan and Hartsuff this morning as we passed through Petersburg. We lie tonight along the outer line of Drury’s Bluff defenses which Butler took a year ago this month. Signs of a good deal of fighting; good many roads, etc. The James river is about one mile to our right. I have been to some very fine forts. Fort Wagner and Fort Stevens (or Stephens) are the best, on the second and main line of Rebel works, which Butler was working against when the Rebels came out and whipped him. From one fort I saw the spires of Richmond, James river and Shipping, Fort Darling and Fort Harrison. Coming back toward camp we found one of our soldiers unburied in the bushes. His skull was brought in by our hospital steward.
Tuesday, 9th—We started at 3 o’clock this morning and marched fifteen miles, going into bivouac on the banks of the James river near Manchester. Sherman’s entire army is arriving at this place and will lie here three or four days, after which we are to start for Washington City to be mustered out of the service.
9th. Went off on the 4:25 A. M. train on Ohio Central. Reached Bellaire at 10:30 A. M. Crossed the river and took the Baltimore & Ohio R. R. Very poor conveniences. Enjoyed the scenery along the Monongahela, Cheat river and Potomac. Slept considerably.
Washington, D. C, May 9, 1865.
Dear Laura: — I suppose from what I hear of your gallant husband that he will be here in a few days. I guess also that after the grand doings of the army, when it gets here, that he will resign, as I mean to do, and go home. Now, why shouldn’t our wives come after us? I hereby empower you to order Lucy to come with you to Washington about the 20th or 25th. Write me what you think of it.
Affectionately,
R.
Mrs. Laura Mitchell,
Columbus.
Washington, May 9, 1865.
Dearest: — I am here looking on at the closing scenes. I wish you were here with me. I shall know in a few days how long I shall stay. If I am to remain long you must come here.
I now think it probable I shall stay in service just a month longer. If so, I will send for you. Otherwise, you will see me at home within a fortnight.
I could talk to you a great deal about things, but I don’t care to write them.
I am a very little bored by having my name mentioned for governor. The answer is simply, I have accepted another place, and that is reason enough for not looking further.
I send you Bishop Simpson’s excellent address on Lincoln. — The foolish talk about your husband was not paid for I assure you.
Affectionately ever,
R.
Mrs. Hayes.
Colonel Lyon’s Letters.
May 9, 1865.—Yesterday was quite a gala day here. The Fourth Army Corps, mustering 20,000 muskets, was reviewed by Major-General Thomas. The day was very fine and everything passed off nicely. Our women never saw anything of the kind before, and of course were delighted. Adelia brought a side-saddle from home and I have a nice, gentle little mare which she proposes to ride about the country. We are pleasantly situated in a beautiful grove on Mill creek, about four miles south of town, and are enjoying unadulterated camp life. When we were gone a few days ago the boys built an arbor over our tent and made us a rude bedstead. We eat from a rough table set under a tree, and have no floor in our tent.
We are all watching with great interest the final disposition to be made of the army, with strong hopes that we shall be sent home before many weeks elapse. Certainly there is no more active service for us in this war. The Government has failed to pay the troops as it should. There is eight months’ pay due this corps. Adelia will stay as long as the prospect is good for our being soon discharged.
_
Letter from Mrs. Lyon’.
Tuesday, May 9, 1865.—We attended the review. It was the most gorgeous sight I ever saw. The bugler makes more music in the calls than I ever heard before. He passed in review alone and played all the bugle calls. We had an ambulance at our disposal, and we went around to see the sights. I saw much more of Nashville than I did when we were living there.
I must tell you how our bedstead is made. The posts are four posts driven into the ground, and the end and side pieces are nailed onto them. Some small trees were split and laid on them, the flat side up, and over that is a straw bed. The quilts are in a bad plight. William has gone to bed so often with his spurs on that they are pretty well used up. I frequently got my arms through the holes, but I have had them washed clean and have mended them the best I could, and get along with them the best I can. The blue spread covers it all and looks nice. We can’t get any more here. I forgot to tell you about the headboard of our bedstead. There are three boards four inches wide driven into the ground lengthwise. This keeps the pillows in place.
Chattanooga, Tuesday, May 9. Very much pleasanter after yesterday’s rain. Drilled to-day in camp twice. No orders disposing of us poor “critters” received yet, although much expected. Great dissatisfaction exists among the veterans in regard to the government mustering out all the sick soldiers, recruits, etc. except the veterans. It is not right, I think. They came out first and have been the means of bringing about this happy end, and they should be the first to receive the reward, I think. We have been eating hard-tack for the last two days, and I find myself suffering from the change. My system, weakened from living on inadequate food, is not vigorous enough to digest it, hence the return of diarrhea.
