Camp Reynolds, Virginia, February 24, 1863.
Dear Uncle: — We are all well. Lucy and the boys enjoy camp life and keep healthy. Two of our companies have gone down the river to Charleston preparatory to moving the Twenty-third there. We expect to follow in two or three weeks. We care nothing about the change. It brings us into easier communication with home and has other advantages. We shall possibly remain there the whole spring. If so, after weather settles in May, it will be a pleasant trip for you to visit us if you can spare time.
I have no idea when Lucy will return home. The boys are doing well here.
Sincerely,
R. B. Hayes.
S. BIRCHARD.
Tuesday [February] 24th.
Meeting Miriam by mere accident on the road last evening and hearing of our surprising journey to Georgia, Mr. Halsey came to spend a last evening with us, and say good-bye. What a deluge of regrets, hopes, fears, etc. Perfectly overwhelming. Why had I not told him of it the night before? All our friends would be so disappointed at not having an opportunity of saying good-bye. If the Yankees would only postpone their attack so he might accompany us! But no matter; he would come on in two months, and meet us there. And would we not write to him?
Thank you! Miriam may, but I shall hardly do so! We had such a pleasant evening together, talking over our trip. Then we had a dozen songs on the guitar, gay, sad, and sentimental; then he gave me a sprig of jessamine as a keepsake, and I ripped open my celebrated “running-bag” to get a real for true silver five cents — a perfect curiosity in these days — which I gave him in exchange, and which he promised to wear on his watch-chain. He and Miriam amused themselves examining the contents of my sack and laughing at my treasures, the wretches! Then came — good-bye. I think he was sorry to see us go. Well! he ought to miss us! Ah! these farewells! To-day I bid adieu to Linwood. “It may be for years, and it may be forever!” This good-bye will cost me a sigh.
February 24, Tuesday. At the Cabinet-meeting the President expressed uneasiness at the rumor which he had just heard that the Queen of the West was captured. Told him what I heard yesterday from General Halleck. Stanton said he wholly discredited the story, but went and got the dispatches. On reading them, my apprehensions were increased. The President called on me later in the day, and we both came to the conclusion that the boat was lost to us.
[Diary] February 24.
Hurrah! Jubilee! Lands are to be set apart for the people so that they cannot be oppressed, or driven to work for speculators, or ejected from their homesteads. Orders to the superintendents to number the people by families.
24th. The mail brought me three letters, one from Lucy, one from home and one from Fannie. All good and cheering. How much I prize my letters. Back and forth to Post Commissary. In the evening beat Capt. N. two games of chess. Read some. Finished 4th Vol. Thede looks well in “sojer” clothes.
February 24th. Great stir among the Yankees. Much hard riding. They have stolen and forced people to give up every horse in town, even carriage horses. They ride as though the world were coming to an end. Some unhappy-looking troops have just passed our door with knapsacks packed and a pretty flag flying with 12th Battery upon it. The cannon have been sent to the boat; we presume that these people are on their way to Port Hudson.
Tuesday, 24th—There was quite a fire today in the town of Lake Providence, burning several vacant houses. In the excitement our men found two rebel flags. The Eleventh and Thirteenth Iowa received orders to embark with three days’ rations, and taking passage on the “Marie Deming” left for Greenville, about sixty-five miles up the river, to reinforce the brigade there.
Memphis, Tuesday, Feb. 24. Very pleasant spring day. Boys busy setting their accounts. Captain H. Dillon started home on a furlough. Lieutenant Simpson also went with a discharge.
Tuesday Feb. 24th 1863
Pleasant overhead and snow and water under foot and freezing tonight. Went down to Addis Photograph Gallery this morning and sat for my picture. Julia insists upon having my Photograph in her Album. Capt Henry Androus of 17th Mich called on me today. He is a fine looking officer, has been in five or six Battles and not been wounded. He has been home and is now on his way to join his Reg’t in “front.” Called at Maj Williams this evening. Mrs W. is getting much better and is now up all day. Was in to Willards an hour talking with friends. Just before nine, I called at Doct Munsons from whence I did not make my escape till eleven. They had a room full of Company as usual. The three Albany ladies are still there, had a long conversation with Mrs Pruyn discussing Morals and Religion. We agreed in the main, especialy upon the point, that Society is responsible for the Morals of the Community, and that it is Society, the public, that is to blame and guilty of most of the crimes Committed, at least partakers of the guilt. I wrote to Wife today, sent Julia two more Photographs, Genl Havelocks and Henry Androus. I think her Album must be full by this time. I have tonight written a letter to Sis Northam in answer to hers of yesterday.
![Aquia Creek Landing, Virginia (vicinity)]. Group at Captain W.S](https://dotcw.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Aquia-Creek-Landing-Virginia-vicinity.-Group-at-Captain-W.S_thumb.jpg "Aquia Creek Landing, Virginia (vicinity)]. Group at Captain W.S")
Title: [Aquia Creek Landing, Virginia (vicinity)]. Group at Captain W.S. Hall’s wagon camp
Creator: Alexander Gardner, photographer
Date Created: 1863 Feb.
Library of Congress image.
![Aquia Creek Landing, Virginia (vicinity)]. Group at Captain W.S](https://dotcw.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/Aquia-Creek-Landing-Virginia-vicinity.-Group-at-Captain-W.S.jpg "Aquia Creek Landing, Virginia (vicinity)]. Group at Captain W.S")
