Chillicothe, June 11, 1865.
Dear Mother: — We are once more all together in good health. The three larger boys are all going to school and are improving in their books. Little George is a very fine-looking and promising child.
We had a pleasant trip to Richmond. … I expect to go to Cincinnati in a few days and will probably be at Delaware to spend Sunday with you. I am now out of the army. Laura and General Mitchell will come home soon. General Mitchell has also resigned and will be out of the army in a few days.
I am very happy to be through with the war.
Affectionately, your son,
Rutherford.
Mrs. Sophia Hayes.
Washington, D. C, May 28, 1865.
Dear Mother: — Mr. and Mrs. Phelps of Fremont joined us here this morning. We expect to finish our trip together. I suppose that week after next I shall start home, done with the war. Laura and Lucy are enjoying themselves very much. General Mitchell and myself have been busy a large part of the time, leaving our wives to follow their own plans. We shall probably leave here tomorrow to visit Richmond, and will come West soon after. Mitchell will perhaps stay in service a few weeks or months longer. — Love to friends.
Affectionately, your son,
R.
Mrs. Sophia Hayes.
New Creek, West Virginia, May 20, 1865.
Dear Colonel: — My wife came here last evening. I have sent in my resignation and asked to be relieved. I hope to get to Washington to the great doings to come off next week.
I take “Old Whitey” home (to Fremont, Ohio,) and hope you will be able to ride him again.
It is not yet known when troops of the class of Twenty-third, Thirty-sixth, and First West Virginia Veterans will be mustered out. They are all now at Staunton and appear to enjoy it much.
I have had the Cincinnati papers withdraw my name from the candidate list. I am of course much obliged to the brigade, but it would not be the thing for me to allow it.
My wife says she is glad you have sound views on the treatment of Rebels. She doubts her husband.
If Sherman did it with an eye to political advancement, as some say, of course it is bad, but if he thought to follow the policy of Lincoln as indicated by Weitzell’s programme (and this I believe), he surely ought not to be abused for it.
My wife sends regards to your sister and yourself. Excuse haste.
Sincerely,
R. B. Hayes.
Lieutenant-colonel Russell Hastings.
New Creek, West Virginia, May 20, 1865.
Dear Uncle: — Lucy arrived here last night with me from Chillicothe. We expect to go to Washington in a few days, and after a little run about, home probably by way of Fremont about the 5th to 10th of June. I have sent my resignation, and shall be out of service just four years after entering it. My chest will go to Fremont by express; my horse and equipments, flag, sword, etc., etc., start tomorrow with my orderlies. If they need cash, please let them have it
Sincerely,
R. B. Hayes.
S. Birchard.
New Creek, West Virginia, May 20, 1865.
Dear Mother: — I got here safely with Lucy last night. I have resigned to take effect the week after next, and will probably be at Delaware within three weeks to see you. We shall travel about a few days before starting West.
The soldiers are leaving for home very rapidly. They are all in excellent spirits and glad to go. I have no idea that many of them will ever see as happy times again as they have had in the army. — I shall perhaps return by way of Fremont.
Affectionately, your son,
R.
Marietta, Ohio, May 14, 1865.
Dear Mother: — Having business on this end of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, I came on this far to meet Lucy. She will go back to New Creek with me, and remain as long as I stay in the army — that is about two weeks.
The weather is very fine, and I never saw the Ohio River and its hills and bottoms looking so well. We shall probably go up the Ohio to Wheeling, and thence by railroad back. I now intend to leave the army so as to get settled up and ready for home by the 10th to 15th of June. I shall go to Delaware and Fremont before Cincinnati.
Affectionately, your son,
R.
New Creek, May 12, 1865.
Dear Mother: — I have returned from Washington, and shall start this afternoon for Chillicothe. I do not leave the army for a few days until I know what is to be done with my favorite troops. As soon as that is known I quit. I shall bring Lucy here to await events. . . .
Affectionately, your son,
R.
Mrs. Sophia Hayes.
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.
Washington, May 7, 1865.
Dear Mother: — . . . The President impresses me more favorably than I anticipated. He strikes one as a capable and sincere man — patriotic and with a great deal of experience as a public man.
The great armies are getting back from the South to this city in great numbers. Grant and Sheridan are here. Sherman is soon coming. All think the war at an end. . . .
Affectionately, your son,
R.
Mrs. Sophia Hayes.
