Camp White, July 22, 1863.
Dearest: — Home again after an absence of two weeks, marching and hurrying all the time. The last week after Morgan has been the liveliest and jolliest campaign we ever had. We were at all the skirmishes and fighting after he reached Pomeroy. It was nothing but fun — no serious fighting at all. I think not over ten killed and forty wounded on our side in all of it. Unluckily McCook, father of Robert and the rest, was mortally wounded. This hurt me but all the rest was mere frolic. Morgan’s men were only anxious to get away. There was no fight in them when attacked by us. You will no doubt see great claims on all sides as to the merits of his captors. The cavalry, gunboats, militia, and our infantry each claim the victory as their peculiar property. The truth is, all were essential parties to the success. The cavalry who pursued him so long deserve the lion’s share. The gunboats and militia did their part. We can truly claim that Morgan would have crossed and escaped with his men at Pomeroy if we had not headed him there and defeated his attempt. It is not yet certain whether Morgan himself will be caught. But it is of small importance. His force which has so long been the terror of the border, and which has kept employed all our cavalry in Kentucky is now gone. Our victorious cavalry can now operate in the enemy’s country.
I thought of you often. We were quartered on steamboats — men were singing, bands playing. Our band was back and with us, and such lively times as one rarely sees. Almost everybody got quantities of trophies. I got nothing but a spur and two volumes captured from the Twentieth Kentucky, Captain H. C. Breman, and now recaptured by us. Morgan’s raid will always be remembered by our men as one of the happiest events of their lives.
Love to the dear boys and Grandmother. Joe is unwell and is in a room in town.
Affectionately,
B
Mrs. Hayes.
Steamboat Victress, Ohio River, July 22, 1863.
Dear Uncle: — We have been after Morgan for a week. The Twenty-third was in all the fighting at Pomeroy and Buffington and took two hundred and six prisoners. The Rebs couldn’t fight soldiers at all. We lost one man. We had a most glorious time. We go up the Kanawha again today.
Sincerely,
R. B. Hayes.
S. Birchard.
[July 22, 1863].— [On the] 16th, at Fayette, heard that Morgan was in Ohio at Piketon, leaving there for Gallipolis. General Scammon wisely and promptly determined to head him [off] by sending me. (This was after a sharp controversy.) [The] Seventeenth with [the] Twenty-third and Thirteenth took steamboats from Loup Creek for Gallipolis. [The] 18th at Gallipolis heard Morgan had pushed by up the Ohio as if to cross at Pomeroy.
Sunday, 19th, [at] Pomeroy. Halted; found the militia waiting in position for Morgan. About noon he came; the Twenty-third went out to meet him; found him in force; sent for [the] Thirteenth; formed lines of battle. Morgan ditto. Seeing we were “regulars and not militia” (words of inspection of Rebels), he hurried off, with some loss. We had one wounded, in his hand — Clemens, Company B.
[The] 20th, at daylight, found Morgan at Buffington Island. He was here attacked by General Judah’s cavalry and the gunboats. Not much fighting by Rebels, but great confusion, loss of artillery, etc., etc.
On to Hockingport; guarded the ferries over the Ohio at Lee’s Creek, Belleville, and Hocking.
[The] 21st, back to Gallipolis. Morgan’s army gone up. We got over two hundred prisoners. Everybody got some. No fight in them. The most successful and jolly little campaign we ever had.
[The] 22nd, Wednesday, home again in Camp White. [The] Thirteenth left at Point Pleasant; [the] Fifth sent to Gauley Bridge.
Fayetteville, July 16, 1863.
Dear Uncle: — We are on our return from beyond Raleigh. Rebs we were after left their stronghold without a fight, and our troops destroyed their works. Shall probably return to Charleston soon. Morgan in Ohio! I wish we were there also. All things look well. The escape of Lee does not disappoint me. To get rid of him so easily is a success. We shall get him some day. I enjoyed this last little campaign very much indeed.
Sincerely,
R. B. Hayes.
S. BIRCHARD.
Fayetteville, July 16, 1863.
Dear Mother: — We have been into Dixie and are safe out again into our own lines — a very lively and pleasant raid.
I see Morgan is raiding in Ohio. I hope he will be caught. It will not surprise me if we are called home to look after him. I regard this as one of the reckless efforts of a despairing and lost cause. Certainly the Rebel prospects were never before so dark, nor ours so cheering.
I am very well. No time to say more.
Affectionately,
R. B. Hayes.
Mrs. Sophia Hayes.
Fayetteville, July 16, P. M., 1863.
Dearest: — We reached here today; left Raleigh yesterday. The Rebels were fortifying beyond Raleigh on Piney. They were already annoying us a good deal from there. We reached their works Tuesday, 14th. After feeling for their position we withdrew for the night. In the morning they were gone. A force is destroying their works and we are so far on our way back. We may go on another expedition before returning to Charleston, but not one involving much risk.
Morgan is in Ohio. I wish we were there also. Possibly we may be if he remains long. Very queer, these last struggles of the Rebs. They are dying hard, but it seems like the convulsive and desperate efforts of the dying. . . . Love to all.
Affectionately, dear one, your
R.
Mrs. Hayes.
[July 16, 1863]. — We reached Raleigh Tuesday, 14th, about 12:30 P. M. Found the enemy strongly fortified at Piney River. It was deemed unsafe to assault in front, and finding it would take much time to turn the position, it was resolved to leave without attempting to storm the works. During the night the Rebels kindly relieved us by running away! P. M. We started for Fayette on the 15th.
CAMP Joe Webb, Near Fayetteville, West Virginia, Sun day, July 12, 1863. — We are starting on an expedition to Raleigh County and perhaps further. I do not fully approve of the enterprise. We are too weak to accomplish much; run some risks; and I see no sufficient object to be accomplished.
I wrote to Lucy yesterday. I shall not write to Mother or Uncle until my return. It would only cause them anxiety and do no good. Of course this book will be sent home in case of accident, and they will here see that they were not forgotten. Dear boys, darling Lucy, and all, good-bye! We are all in the hands of Providence and need only be solicitous to do our duty here and leave the future to the Great Disposer.
11. — Moved to foot of Cotton Hill, Fayette side.
10 — At Loup Creek all day.
