Camp White, June 14, 1863.
Dear Uncle: — I received yours dated the 4th last night. I see by the Sentinel that you are a bank president, one of the “moneyed aristocracy” of the land.
No taking of Vicksburg yet. I still think we must get it soon. Vallandigham for governor? Pretty bold move. Rather rash if it is considered that forty to sixty thousand soldiers will probably vote. I estimate that about as many will vote for Vallandigham as there are deserters in the course of a year’s service — from one to five per cent. A foolish (or worse) business, our Democratic friends are getting into. I don’t like arbitrary or military arrests of civilians in States where the law is regularly administered by the courts, but no issue can be made on such questions while the Rebellion is unconquered, and it’s idle to attempt it.
Lucy and all the family are on a steamboat a few miles below here, and will be up this afternoon. We have had no trouble from Rebels since their repulse at Fayette, so I think they will be quite comfortable here.
15th. — Mother Webb and Lucy, with all the boys, are here. Boys are delighted.
Sincerely,
R. B. Hayes.
S. Birchard.
Camp White, June 2, 1863.
Dear Uncle: — Yes, I vote for you bank president. Signing the bills will be a bore, but then the signature can’t be counterfeited. . . .
Vicksburg appears to be a hard nut to crack. But with proper efforts to reinforce and supply Grant, he must, I think, succeed. The more obstinate the resistance, the more valuable will be the victory if we finally gain it. We are stronger here than we were. I now have a full brigade, four regiments infantry, a battery, and three campanies cavalry. We fortify all points deemed important.
Sincerely,
R. B. Hayes.
S. Birchard.
Camp White, May 27, 1863.
Dear Mother: — I received your letter and Laura’s a few days ago. . . . You seem to suppose Lucy and the boys are here. This is a mistake. I did not send for Lucy until yesterday. If the reports of General Grant’s victories at Vicksburg are true, I shall expect to see important changes in the location of troops in this quarter. I therefore tell Lucy that her best chance to visit me is now. . . .
We have had a good deal of marching, but little fighting, during the recent attempts of the enemy to get into this valley. They failed entirely in their efforts. We are sufficiently fortified to keep our positions against anything but greatly superior forces. If Grant is successful, at Vicksburg, as seems now probable, the whole prospect is changed and changed favorably.
Affectionately, your son,
Rutherford.
Mrs. Sophia Hayes.
Camp White, May 25, 863.
Dear Uncle: — The Rebels don’t make much progress towards getting us out. We are tolerably well fortified here and at Fayette. At the latter place they tried it, banging away three or four days and doing nothing.
I will see to the bank stock and try to pay a little at any rate.
Grant seems to be doing well. If all we hear is true, I think he will get Vicksburg soon.
I have sent to Lucy to come up as soon as Vicksburg is taken, thinking it probable that such an event may soon send us further out.
Sincerely,
R. B. Hayes.
S. Birchard.
Camp White, West Virginia, May 25, 1863.
Dearest: — If Vicksburg is taken it will perhaps take us to some other field. At least, important changes in our military policy may be looked for. Therefore, darling, I want you to visit me when you can, with such of the boys as you choose. All this is supposing Vicksburg ours. If not there will be time enough, I think, when you get ready to quit the city for the summer a few weeks hence.
Comly has his wife here. Captains Zimmerman and Sperry theirs, and more are expected — mine among the rest. — Love to all.
Affectionately,
R.
P. S. — Tell Stephenson I am now ready to sell the Hamilton property as proposed, if the offer can still be had.
Mrs. Hayes.
Camp White, West Virginia, [May 20 (?)], 1863.
Dear Uncle: — If I wrote you two or three days ago after getting your last, I take this one back; or let it go to my credit on future account. We are expecting to have our communications cut with the outside world soon again. We are tolerably fixed for it, and can worry through, if not too long continued.
We do not know accurately yet what has happened to Hooker. He is repulsed and his movement a failure. I hope he is left relatively as well off as he was before. If so, he is still, for all I see, our general. I can perceive nothing injurious to him personally in the failure. He has shown his disposition to do something, and, for all that appears, capacity. This is all we can demand. The radical vice is, as I have said to you before, I fear, in the army. Somebody behaves badly. This is always to be expected in all armies. But in this army it seems always to be at the vital point, where it is ruinous. I always feel when the Potomac Army moves, that if they are not routed, we are to be glad. So now, from present accounts, I feel happy that it is no worse. If our army under Hooker can keep employed the largest and best Rebel army, they are probably fulfilling their mission.
To do more than this, would speedily end the Rebellion. To do merely this, will end it in time.
Perhaps I better take stock in your bank. I could now pay one or two thousand cash, and by selling my Hamilton property, could increase it soon to five thousand dollars. What say you?
Sincerely,
R. B. Hayes.
S. BIRCHARD.
Camp White, May 17, 1863.
Dear Uncle:—. . . We are in no danger here. We have built a tolerably good fort which we can hold against superior forces perhaps a week or two or more. We have a gunboat which will be useful as long as the river is navigable. My whole brigade has been here. The most of it is good and the rest is improving.
I like your bank project.
The Richmond hoax was a severe one. It did not reach us in a way to command belief. I still stick to Hooker. The Rebel loss of Jackson gives us the best of that effort. I hope the Potomac Army will get a victory sometime.
Sincerely,
R. B. Hayes.
S. BIRCHARD.
Camp White, May 17, 1863.
Dearest: — Things look well for quiet in our vicinity for a time to come. We have had a good deal of excitement for the past fortnight, but it is over now. Any time you think best to come or send Grandma or any of the family, advise me as you start and we will be ready for you and glad to see you. Comly brings his new wife here soon. Ellen (Lieutenant Ellen), ditto. Mrs. Zimmerman, an agreeable lady, is here now.
My whole brigade except two or three detached companies, is now here. Delany, Simmonds, the Fifth and Thirteenth Virginia and a new cavalry company were sent for during the recent scare. We have nearly finished a tolerable fort, and have a gunboat. I have thirteen pieces of artillery.
I am most agreeably disappointed in my Virginia regiments. The Thirteenth is new and composed of West Virginians, but it has capital officers and they promise well in all respects. I reviewed them this Sunday morning. Their appearance would be creditable to an old regiment.
The Fifth was in all battles under Fremont and Pope last summer and behaved well, but was unfortunately officered. This has been corrected. Their present commander is an excellent man and I look for good things from them.
It perhaps would be better for you not to come until you are ready to leave Cincinnati for the summer, if you do leave for the summer. But you and Mother Webb will make your own arrangements and it will suit me.
As ever, affectionately,
R. B. Hayes.
Mrs. Hayes.
Camp White, May 7, 1863.
Dearest: — The boxes came safely. The flag will not be cut. The coat fits well. Straps exactly according to regulations or none. The eagles are pretty and simple and I shall keep them until straps can be got of the size and description prescribed, viz., “Light or sky-blue cloth, one and three-eighths inches wide by four inches long; bordered with an embroidery of gold one fourth of an inch wide; a silver embroidered spread eagle on the center of the strap.”I am content with the eagles as they are but if straps are got, let them be “according to red-tape.” The pants fit Avery to a charm and he keeps them. What is the price? I’ll not try again until I can be measured. I do not need pants just now.
We have a little smallpox in Charleston. Lieutenant Smith has it, or measles. Also raids of the enemy threatened. I wouldn’t come up just now; before the end of the month it may be all quiet again. Bottsford’s sister and other ladies are going away today.
We are building a fort on the hill above our camp — a good position. We are in suspense about Hooker. He moves rapidly and boldly. If he escapes defeat for the next ten days he is the coming man. — Pictures O. K., etc., etc. — Love to all.
Affectionately,
R. B. Hayes.
Mrs. Hayes.
May 7, [1863]. — Another movement of the army of the Potomac, this time under General Hooker, a man of energy and courage. Whether able and skilful enough to handle so great an army is the question. He is confident and bold. His crossing the Rappahannock was sudden and apparently successful. It looked a little like separating his army. The great fighting [at Chancellorsville] was on Saturday and Sunday, reported vaguely as “indecisive.” Again this suspense — “with us or with our foes?” All day Sunday I was thinking and talking of the battle. The previous news satisfied me that about that time fighting would be done.
