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).
R
Mrs. Hayes.
Cedar Creek, November 2, 1864.
Dear Uncle: — We are waiting for the fall rains and the Presidential election before withdrawing for the season. A drizzle today gives us hope that our work is almost over for this year. I am more impatient than usual to see my family.
The campaign, if it closes now, will remain a most satisfactory one. I have only one drawback. I fear that Captain Hastings, my adjutant-general, will die of the wound got at Winchester, September 19. He is a man of the Rogers and Jesse Stem stamp. I can’t bear to lose him, but his chance is less from day to day. — My health is excellent as usual.
Sincerely,
R.
S. Birchard.
Wednesday, November 2. — Papers of 31st with much good news; small victories in West Virginia, east Tennessee, and over Price in Missouri. Early scolds his army.
Cedar Creek, November 1, 1864. — Saw the new moon over my right shoulder. Thar! “Thinking of absent wife and boys will blanch a faithful cheek.” God bless the dear ones! I never was so anxious to see them before. Another fine day; cold nights.
Monday, October 31.— [The] Fifth and Ninth Virginia consolidated as First Veterans West Virginia Volunteer Infantry. A splendid regiment it will be. Rode with Captain Hicks to Strasburg and down the Shenandoah below [the] railroad bridge and back to camp. Rebels at New Market with six pieces of artillery left! A month of splendid weather for campaigning. In a court-martial case for cowardice at Winchester a soldier testifies of the accused: “He is a good soldier in camp, but does not relish gunpowder well from what I saw.”
Sunday, October 30. — Another beautiful October day. We are having delicious weather. The only shadow on my spirits now is the critical condition of Captain Hastings. So brave, so pure, so good! God grant him life!
Saturday, October 29. — Bright and warm. Read “John Phoenix.” A new tent put up in good style. Bunk and fireplace.
Friday, October 28. — Rained hard last night; gusty and cold this A. M. Mem.: —Buy Lowell’s “Fireside Travels.” Barry, of Hillsboro, and West, of Cincinnati, bring poll-books for all and tickets for both sides. General Crook anxious to have Comly write our side of battle of Cedar Creek.
Camp At Cedar Creek, Virginia, October 27, 1864.
My Darling: — Yours of the 18th — the first since the boy — reached me last night. Very glad you were able to write so soon. I don’t want you to make any exertion to write — just write one line and it will be enough. Half a page of your little note sheet will be a long letter now. . . .
We have had so far fine weather. Our camps are as comfortable as possible. We expect to stay here until the season is too far advanced to admit of any formidable raids into Maryland or Pennsylvania. The Rebels, it is known, have been resolved to create a panic if possible in time to affect the Presidential election.
Some of the foolish fellows in the Sixth and Nineteenth Corps, feeling envious of our laurels in previous battles, have got the Eastern correspondents to represent the rout of Crook’s Corps as worse than theirs, etc., etc. There is not a word of truth in it. A sentence in General Sheridan’s dispatch was no doubt intended to correct this in a quiet way. “Crook’s Corps lost seven pieces of artillery, the Nineteenth, eleven, and the Sixth Corps, six.” We were attacked before them, and of course under more unfavorable circumstances, and yet we lost no more. In fact I lost nothing. My division fell back, but brought everything we had — our two cows, tents, and everything. Of course we lost no artillery, but did save an abandoned piece of the Nineteenth Corps.
I hope to see you soon. It is impossible now to tell when we shall be in a situation to ask for leaves of absence, but I suspect it will be within a month or six weeks. If we get on the railroad, I can go for a few days and not be missed.
The Rebels have not shown their heads since the last crushing defeat. Nothing but a determination to interfere with the election will bring back their forces. — Love to all.
Affectionately ever,
R
Mrs. Hayes.
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.
Affectionately ever, your
R
P. S. — Had a good letter from Force. He is returning to the Georgia front.
Mrs. Hayes.
