Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes

Monday, November 14. — Cold, windy day. This morning the First Brigade returned from Martinsburg. I assumed command again and camped them pleasantly in a wood on the extreme left. Slept cold.

Camp Four Miles South Of Winchester, Virginia,
November 13, 1864. — Sunday.

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.

Affectionately ever, your

R.

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.

Sunday, November 13. — Windy and very cold. General Powell on Front Royal road captures from McCausland two guns, two colors, and two hundred prisoners! A fine affair. Rode to the front. Rebels gone.

Saturday, November 12. — November weather; like snow, only it doesn’t. Captain Blazer and his scouts make some captures; a deserter from Sixth Corps was married in ten days after.

Friday, November 11.— Clear and cold. Skirmishing all P. M. on our right. What does it mean? We don’t want to fight any more battles this fall, but if we do we shall probably whip them.

Thursday, November 10. — Rode to Winchester; saw Hastings; he is better! Very great hopes of his recovery. Lincoln probably gets all the States but three! Good. General Duval returns improved from his wound.

Wednesday, November 9. — 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.

Tuesday, November 8, — Went with Generals Sheridan and Crook and Colonel Forsythe to polls of [the] Thirty-fourth Regiment. All vote for Lincoln. General Sheridan’s “maiden vote.” All of this A. M. under arms.

Camp Cedar Creek, Virginia, November 4, 1864.

My Dear Son: — This is your birthday — eleven years old today — almost a man. In less than eleven years more, everybody will call you a man, you will have a man’s work to do and will be expected to know as much as men know. But you are a good student and an industrious boy, and I have no fears of your being an ignorant or a lazy man.

I wish I could be with you today. I would buy you something that don’t cost much, for I mustn’t spend much now or I shan’t have anything left for that new little brother of yours. Besides, I would tell you about the battles. Uncle Joe has all the good stories now. He says up in Winchester the people work for the soldiers to make a living — they wash and mend and bake. The soldiers say they bake two kinds of pies, “pegged” and “sewed”! The difference is the “pegged” have no sugar in them.

One boy in the Twenty-third was shot in the face. The ball entered near his nose and passed over or through the cheekbone up towards the outer corner of his eye. The surgeon thought it was a small bullet and fearing it would injure his eye to probe for it, let it alone. He got along very well for three weeks, when they cut it out near his temple. They were astonished to find that it was an iron grape-shot over an inch in diameter — as large as one of your India-rubber balls! He is well and never did suffer much! . . .

There have been a good many changes in the Twenty-third and the First Brigade since you saw them last at Loup Creek. Captain McKinley is on General Crook’s staff. He has not been wounded, but every one admires him as one of the bravest and finest young officers in the army. He has had two or three horses shot under him. General Crook said his mess was starving for want of a good cook, so we let him have Frank. Frank is doing well there. Billy Crump has been so faithful that a short time ago he was given a furlough, and is now with his wife. He is coming back soon. Lieutenant Mather is on my staff as provost marshal. He is the only one you are acquainted with. . . .

The band is full; all of them safe and well. I hear them now playing for guard-mounting. We have many fine bands in this army, but none better than ours.

I have lost three horses killed or disabled since I saw you in July. I am now riding a “calico” horse lent to me by Captain Craig. My John horse is with me still, but he will never get fit to use again.

My orderly in the place of Carrington is Underhill of [the] Twenty-third, an excellent young man; you would like him better than Carrington.

Did I write your mother that I found my opera-glass again? It was lost at the battle of Fisher’s Hill. I got it about three weeks afterwards from a Thirty-fourth soldier who found it near the first cannon we captured.

It is getting very cold. We build a sort of fireplace in our tents and manage to be pretty comfortable. You and Webb would enjoy being in this camp. There is a great deal to see and always something going on.

You must learn to write me letters now. My love to all family, “Puds” and all.

Affectionately, your father,

R. B. Hayes.

Master S. B. Hayes [Birchard A. Hayes],
Chillicothe, Ohio.