Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes

Camp At Cedar Creek Near Strasburg, Virginia,

October 21, 1864.

My Darling: — We have had another important victory over General Early’s oft-defeated army. Reinforced by a division or two of Longstreet’s Corps, he was foolish enough to follow and attack us here on the 19th. In the darkness and fog of early morning he was successful in doubling up our left flank, held by General Crook’s little First Division, and so flanking our whole army out of its position, capturing for the time our camps, a good many cannon, and perhaps fifteen hundred prisoners. But soon after it got light, we began to recover and finally checked and held them.

In the afternoon we took the offensive and without much difficulty or loss flogged them completely, capturing all their cannon, trains, etc., etc., and retaking all we had lost besides many prisoners. The Rebels marched off a part of our prisoners. For a time things looked squally, but the truth is, all the fighting capacity of Early’s army was taken out of it in the great battle at Winchester a month ago. My loss was small. In the Thirteenth Lieutenant-Colonel Hall, a conspicuously brave and excellent officer, was killed. Lieutenant McBride (of [the] Twelfth) was wounded in [the] Twenty-third; two officers of [the] Fifth [Virginia] ditto.

As usual with me I had some narrow escapes. While galloping rapidly, my fine large black horse was killed instantly, tumbling heels over head and dashing me on the ground violently. Strange to say I was only a little bruised and was able to keep the saddle all day. (Mem..: — I lost all my horse trappings, saddle, etc., including my small pistol.) I was also hit fairly in the head by a ball which had lost its force in getting (I suppose) through somebody else! It gave me only a slight shock. — I think serious fighting on this line is now over.

. . . I suppose you are pleased with the result of the election. Of course, I am, on general reasons. My particular gratification is much less than it would be, if I were not so much gratified by my good luck in winning “golden opinions” in the more stirring scenes around me here. My share of notoriety here is nothing at all, and my real share of merit is also small enough, I know, but the consciousness that I am doing my part in these brilliant actions is far more gratifying than anything the election brings me.

Love to all. I am more than anxious to see you again.

Affectionately ever, your

R.

Mrs. Hayes.

Wednesday, October 19. — Before daylight under cover of a heavy fog Rebels attacked the left. Colonel Thoburn’s First Division was overwhelmed. His adjutant, Lieutenant —— brought me the word. We hurried up, loaded our baggage, and got into line. [The] Nineteenth Corps went into the woods on right (one brigade). General Sheridan was absent. General Wright, in command, directed my division to close up on [the] Nineteenth. Too late; the fugitives of the First Division and the Nineteenth’s brigade came back on us. The Rebels broke on us in the fog and the whole line broke back. The Rebels did not push with energy. We held squads of men up to the fight all along. My horse was killed instantly. I took Lieutenant Henry’s, of my staff. We fell back — the whole army — in a good deal of confusion but without panic. Artillery (twenty-five pieces) fell into Rebel hands and much camp equipage. About two and one-half miles back, we formed a line. [The] Rebels failed to push on fast enough.

P. M. General Sheridan appeared; greeted with cheering all along the line. His enthusiasm, magnetic and contagious. He brought up stragglers. “We’ll whip ’em yet like hell.” he says. General Crook’s men on left of pike. — Line goes ahead. A fine view of the battle. [The] rebels fight poorly. Awfully whipped. —Cannon and spoils now on our side. Glorious!

Tuesday, October 18. — A letter from Stephenson congratulating- me on my election by twenty-four hundred majority. Iln the] First District, Eggleston has seventeen hundred majority. Still busy on entrenchments.

Monday, October 17. — My election [to Congress] reported. Seventeen [Republican] to two [Democratic] members of Congress; in Ohio; sixteen to eight in Pennsylvania. Better than all. Governor Morton elected by a good majority in Indiana.

Camp Near Strasburg, Virginia, October 15, 1864.

Dear Uncle: — We are resting. Early, reinforced, came up a few days ago, evidently thinking a good part of our army had gone to Grant. Finding his mistake, he moved back to his old fortifications on Fisher’s [Hill], and is now there digging and chopping like mad. What we are to do about it, I can’t tell. It must be a serious business for the Rebels to feed an army there now.

I have not yet heard from the Ohio election. The two Ohio regiments in my old brigade (Twenty-third and Thirty-sixth Ohio) gave five hundred and fifteen votes for the Union state and county ticket, and none at all for the Democrats. People at home can’t beat that!

Give my regards to Father Works and to Mr. and Mrs. Valette. My sympathies or congratulations, perhaps, should be given to Mr. Oscar Valette. I see he is drafted. Of course, his health will be reason enough not to go. Jim Webb was drafted; ill health excused him.

Sincerely,

R.

S. Birchard.

Camp Near Strasburg, Virginia, October 15, 1864.

Dear Mother: — We have remained quiet in camp during this week with the exception of one afternoon’s skirmishing. Early, or somebody with a considerable force, is entrenched near us. We may fight another battle with him, but I have no information as to the intention.

Colonel Comly is very well. He has had great luck to get through all this fighting with so little injury. He and the Twenty-third have been in all the hottest places. Over twenty officers in the regiment have been killed or wounded since the first of May. . . . My love to all.

Affectionately, your son,

R.

Mrs. Sophia Hayes.

Cedar Creek Near Strasburg, Virginia, Saturday
Morning before breakfast, October 15, 1864.

My Darling Wife: — Oceans of love for you and the fine new boy — yes, and for the boys all. You may be sure I shall come to see you as soon as affairs here will allow. . . .

Early with a large re-inforcement came up to us on Thursday evening. He evidently supposed that the Sixth and Nineteenth Corps were gone. The Sixth was gone. He came up very boldly. But after a brisk affair, learning that the Nineteenth was still here, he hastily withdrew and took up his old entrenched position on Fisher’s Hill. Yesterday he was at work fixing his left on North Mountain where we turned him before. The Sixth came back yesterday. This morning the Sixth and Nineteenth are moving out as if for battle.

In any event, you know all I would wish to say. So, think of me, dearest, as ever your

Loving Husband., R.

Mrs. Hayes.

Saturday, October 15. — Rebels still in front. Election said to be favorable. Captain Hastings I fear is worse. Mosby captures a railroad train. General Angus gets Mosby’s artillery. Mosby gets three hundred thousand [dollars].

Friday, October 14. — I had five killed and six wounded by the Rebel battery yesterday. Colonel Brown, Thirteenth, went out and established a picket line easily. General Early very timid. Captain Little, five days in Libby [Prison, at Richmond], says Mosby’s men are gentlemen.