Camp Reynolds, May 1, [1864]. 12 M.
Dearest: — I am in the old log cabin at a desk where our bed stood. The troops are on the hill overlooking the Falls. The Fifth has gone to Tompkins Farm. I write you merely to finish the good-bye so hastily spoken on the steamboat. Your visit has been the greatest possible happiness to me. I carry with me the pleasantest recollections of you dear ones all. Goodbye.
Affectionately,
R.
Mrs. Hayes.
Camp Reynolds, Near Gauley Bridge, May 1, 1864.
Dear Mother: — We have been marching now three days. We have a considerable force and are setting out on a campaign. We expect our full share of active service. We are under the immediate command of General [George] Crook. We all feel great confidence in his skill and good judgment. General Averill is also with us in command of the cavalry. I have the First Brigade of Infantry, consisting of [the] Twenty-third and Thirty-sixth Ohio, Fifth and Thirteenth Virginia Volunteers. The last named is not yet with us.
Lucy and the boys left on a steamboat at the same time I did. You will perhaps not hear from me often for a while. — Goodbye.
Your affectionate son,
R.
Mrs. Sophia Hayes.
April 26, 1864. — All things point to early action. [The] Thirty-sixth Ohio came up and entered our camp yesterday morning; now below us. The enlisted men gave General Crook a seven-hundred-dollar sword on our parade this morning.
Avery, a major, on his way to Annapolis with the Sixtieth. Glad he is getting his deserts; sorry to lose him. I hope the Thirty-sixth is to be with us. General Durfie and others dined with me today. All talked action.
Camp White, April 24, 1864.
Dear Mother: — We are very busy, and of course happy getting ready for campaigning. General Averell is here and large additions are daily arriving to our force. The Thirty-sixth Ohio is at present added to my command, I hope permanently.
Lucy and the other ladies are preparing to go to Ohio. The weather is favorable and everything is cheering and full of life. …
Your affectionate son,
R.
Mrs. Sophia Hayes.
Camp White, April 20, 1864.
Dear Uncle: — It now seems certain that we are to take an active part in the summer’s campaign. We expect to see some of the severe fighting. The Rebel troops in our front are as good as any, and we shall attempt to push them away. My brigade is three large regiments of infantry, containing a good many new recruits. They have been too much scattered (at ten or twelve places) to be properly drilled and disciplined. Still we have some of the best men in service. Of course, if they should break or falter in action, I will be a good deal exposed, otherwise, not so much as heretofore. Still I have no misgivings on my own account, and even if I had, you know my views of such things well enough to know that it would not disturb me much.
Lucy and the boys will soon go to Chillicothe to stay in that vicinity with or near her relatives. Birch would like to go to Fremont, if his mother could go with him.
Sincerely,
R. B. Hayes.
S. Birchard.
Camp White, April 9, 1864.
Dear Mother: — It is wet and stormy weather, but we are all safely sheltered and care nothing for wind or rain.
I am very glad you can write so cheerfully as you did in your last letter. If you could see what I see every day you would think the people of the North were blessed indeed. I feel confident that we are more than half through with the work of crushing [the] Rebellion.
I send you this time the writing of my grandfather [about his ancestors]. It will interest you a great deal. I would be glad if you would preserve it or send it to Uncle Birchard for him to keep for me. I wish you would write me a similar account of your ancestors. Mrs. Wasson’s excellent memory of dates and names may aid you.
Affectionately, your son,
Rutherford.
Mrs. Sophia Hayes.
Camp White, April 3, 1864.
Dear Uncle: —. . . I have spent the last week visiting the five posts between here and Sandy occupied by my men. We are picking up a good many Rebels in small squads. Things look like active operations here as everywhere else, but nothing definite yet.
Sincerely,
R. B. Hayes.
S. Birchard.
Camp White, March 26, 1864.
Dear Mother: — We are now having a cold rain-storm, but are all well. There is considerable sickness among our new recruits of the usual sort — measles, mumps, and a little smallpox and fever. Nothing very serious so far, and as the weather gets warmer we hope to get clear of it altogether.
Mrs. Ellen, a nice lady, wife of our quartermaster, is teaching the two smaller boys regularly and speaks very encouragingly of her scholars. Lucy schools the larger boy with a young soldier who is a good deal older than Birch, but not so far advanced. . . .
I hope you will get through the raw weather of spring without serious illness. — Love to all.
Affectionately, your son,
R.
Mrs. Sophia Hayes.
Camp White, March 11, 1864.
Dear Uncle: — Home again with Lucy and all the boys — well and happy. Birch did not meet his brothers until he saw them here last night. Three happier boys I never saw. They are all very well. — Love to all.
Sincerely,
R. B. Hayes.
S. Birchard.
Columbus, February 29, 1864.
Dear Mother: — We are having a pleasant visit. The new Mrs. Platt we like well. Her presence will be a good thing for the little folks and Laura receives and treats her in a very sensible and happy way.
I go to Cincinnati tomorrow or day after, and early next week leave for the Kanawha.
Affectionately,
Rutherford.
Mrs. Sophia Hayes.
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