Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes

Camp Near Strasburg, Virginia, October 12, 1864.

Dear Uncle Scott: — I am much obliged for your letter announcing the arrival of the big boy and the welfare of his mother. I had been looking for news somewhat anxiously. I intended to have had a daughter, but I failed to see the new moon over my right shoulder. I am glad to hear he promises to be a good boy, as Aunt Phoebe writes Dr. Joe.

We had a quiet election here yesterday. My old brigade, Ohio voters, were unanimous — the two veteran regiments voting as follows: Twenty-third — two hundred and sixty-six Union; Thirty-sixth — two hundred and fifty-nine ditto, and no Copperheads. The whole of Crook’s Command stands fourteen hundred Union and two hundred Democrats in round numbers — three-fourths of the Democrats being in companies from Monroe and Crawford [counties].

Our campaign in the Valley is supposed to be ended. It winds up with a most signal cavalry victory. It is believed that the Sixth and Nineteenth Corps with Sheridan’s splendid cavalry will join Grant and that Crook’s hard-worked command will have the duty of guarding the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad in winter quarters. We hope this is correct. If so, I shall probably get home by Christmas for a good visit.

I am compelled to write this on the half sheet of your letter. — Love to all.

Sincerely,

R. B. Hayes.

Matthew Scott Cook.
Chillicothe, Ohio.

Headquarters Second Infantry Division A. W. Va.,
Camp Near Fisher’s Hill, South Of Strasburg, Virginia,

October 10, 1864.

Dearest: — I am very anxious to hear from you. I hope you are doing well.

We have slowly returned from our splendid campaign to this point. The Rebel cavalry impudently undertook to harass us as we approached here. General Sheridan halted his army and sent his cavalry back supported by two of my infantry regiments (Ninth and Fourteenth Virginia) and gave them a complete flogging, capturing their cannon (nine), train, and many prisoners. They were chased from the field at a run for twenty miles.

I don’t know when we shall return to Winchester, but probably soon. This valley will feed and forage no more Rebel armies. It is completely and awfully devastated — “a belt of desolation,” as Sherman calls it for one hundred and twenty-five miles or more from our lines. — My love to all.

Ever affectionately,

R.

P. S. — Just heard through Captain Douglass (10 A. M.) that I am the father of another boy. God bless the boy — all the boys — and above all the mother. — H.

Mrs. Hayes.

Sunday, October 9. — Felt a great repugnance to fighting another battle last night; all right this morning. Our cavalry flogged the Rebels handsomely today. Took nine pieces of artillery and many prisoners and train. Captain H. J. Farnsworth. a quartermaster, reported to my division.

[Thursday, October 6, the Union forces began to retire down the Valley. That day Hayes’s division marched north twenty-four miles to Mount Jackson. The next day it made Woodstock, fourteen miles. Then

Saturday, October 8. — Marched eleven miles to Fisher’s Hill. Ascended Round Top Mountain, Rebel signal station. A fine view of the Valley, marred by the fires and smoke of burning stacks and barns. A bitter, windy, cold afternoon and night. Rebel cavalry harrassing our rear.

Harrisonburg, Virginia, October 4, 1864.

Dear Mother: — I celebrate my forty-second birthday by writing a few letters.

We have had a few gloomy days — wet, windy, and cold — but this morning it cleared off bright and warm. The camps look prettier than usual. Many flags are floating gaily and every one seems hopeful and happy. There is a universal desire to return towards the Potomac. We shall probably soon be gratified, as we have pretty nearly finished work in this quarter.

I am in excellent health. This life probably wears men out a little sooner than ordinary occupations, even if they escape the dangers from battle and the like, but I am certain that we are quite as healthy as people who live in houses. — My love to all.

Affectionately, your son,

R.

Mrs. Sophia Hayes.

Tuesday, October 4. — My birthday — forty-two. Wrote to mother. Lieutenant Meigs killed last night by guerrillas, three miles south of camp. Houses on the road for five miles burned by order of General Sheridan. Not according to my views or feelings.[1]

[1] The order was mitigated. Only a few houses near the scene of the murder were burned.

Camp South Of Harrisonburg, Virginia,
Sunday, October 2, 1864

Dear Mother: — I have supposed that we would soon go back, at least as far as Winchester. We have destroyed the railroad from Richmond to Staunton in several places, and all the provisions and stores at Staunton and for a considerable distance south of that point. It would seem to be impossible for the Rebels to get supplies from this valley, or even to march a large force through it for the purpose of invading Maryland and Pennsylvania. There are now some appearances which would indicate that we may push on further south. We have no regular communication now with the States, and if we go further we shall probably be for some time out of hearing of friends.

All things with us are going on prosperously. The people here are more inclined to submit than ever before.

I have heard nothing from Ohio later than the 8th — almost a month. I still hope that we shall be allowed to return north. — Love to all.

Affectionately, your son,

R.

Mrs. Sophia Hayes.

Harrisonburg, Virginia, Sunday, October 2, 1864.

Dearest: — I am writing to you so often these days because I am thinking of you more anxiously than usual, and on account of the great uncertainty of our communications. There are some indications today that we shall push on further south. You will know if we do by the papers. If so we shall be cut off from friends more than ever.

Dr. Joe has gone with the First Brigade out about six miles to grind up the wheat at some mills in that quarter. It seems to be a great place for sport. They are having a jolly time.

We hear from Winchester today. One of our orderlies, Johnny Kaufman, died of his wound. Captain Hastings and the rest are all doing well.

Great droves of cattle and sheep are going past us north. Everything eatable is taken or destroyed. No more supplies to Rebels from this valley. No more invasions in great force by this route will be possible.

P. M. — Indications look more like going on with our campaign. I would prefer going towards my darling and the chicks. Still, I like to move. We came here a week ago. After this active year I feel bored when we stop longer than a day or two. I have tried all available plans to spend time. I read old Harpers, two of Mrs. Hall’s novels, — you know I don’t “affect” women’s novels. I find myself now reading “East Lynne.” Nothing superior in it, but I can read anything.

For the first time in five or six days, we are just startled by cannon firing and musketry, perhaps four or five miles in our front. It is probably Rebel cavalry pitching into our foraging parties, or making a reconnaisance to find whether we have left.

“Have your men under arms,” comes from General Crook. I ask, “Is it thought to be anything?” “No, but General Sheridan sends the order to us.” Well, we get under arms. This letter is put in my ammunition box. I mount my horse and see that all are ready. The firing gets more distant and less frequent. “We have driven them,” somebody conjectures, and I return to my tent, “East Lynne,” and my darling, no wiser than ever.

I am in receipt of yours of [the] 13th. The mail goes back immediately. Good-bye. Blessings on your head.

Affectionately ever,

R.

Mrs. Hayes.

Harrisonburg, Sunday, October 2, 1864. — A fine day. First Brigade six miles out grinding; came in after dark. Cannonading in front. A hegira of Dunkards and others. Grant orders all provisions destroyed so “a crow flying from Staunton to Winchester must carry his rations.”