Camp Hastings, Near Cumberland, Maryland,
January 8, 1865.
Dear Uncle: — I am now in our winter camp. All things seem to be about as they should be. My leave of absence for twenty days has been granted, and I shall start home in two or three days. I shall probably not be able to stay with you more than one day. I can’t yet tell, but I suppose about the 25th I shall get around to Fremont. I hope to reach Chillicothe on the 12th. Yours of the first I got last night. I will stay with Mother one or two days at Delaware.
Sincerely,
R. B. Hayes.
P. S. — My adjutant, Captain Hastings, is getting well. He is at Winchester and can’t yet be moved from his bed. He will be major of [the] Twenty-third and in two or three months can probably ride. I have named my camp after him.
S. Birchard.
Cumberland, Maryland, January 6, 1865.
Dear Uncle: — We are getting into very pleasant quarters. The town is a fine one, plenty of parties, balls, etc., etc., for the beaux — fine mountain scenery — good water and wood convenient.
There are still odds and ends of business to be finished, and then no reason that I can see why I should not go home. I expect quite confidently to be at home within two weeks. . .
The reason for my promotion, etc., has been officially announced “for gallantry and meritorious services in the Battles of Opequon, Fisher’s Hill, and Cedar Creek” and dates from the Battle of Cedar Creek, October 19. All very satisfactory.
Sincerely,
R. B. Hayes,
S. Birchard.
Cumberland, Maryland, January 5, 1865.
Dearest: — I am just in receipt of yours of the 21st. It has probably been on the hunt of me a week or more.
I am very glad you are pleased to call the little soldier George Crook. I think it is a pretty name, aside from the agreeable association.
We are most pleasantly located here. In the midst of fine mountain scenes, plenty of wood and water, and no duty for the men. They are already in their new huts and are very jolly over it.
The publication of my appointment has been made. I have not yet got the original document. It was missent to New York City and will go from there to Chillicothe. If it gets there before I do you will open it. It gives as the reason of the appointment, gallantry and good conduct in the late battles in the Shenandoah Valley and dates from the Battle of Cedar Creek, October 19, 1864. Aside from the vanity which goes always with brass buttons, I have other reasons for wanting the grounds of the appointment published. No flourish of trumpets, no comment, but simply, “Colonel R. B. Hayes, Twenty-third Regiment O. V. I., has been apopinted brigadier-general” for (here quote the exact words of the appointment). Show this to Uncle Scott and request him to have the paragraph published in the Chillicothe paper when the letter of appointment gets there. I may be there first, but it is still doubtful.
The doctor is very happy — young ladies, a pretty town, parties, balls, etc.
I hope to get home within a fortnight. — Love to all.
Affectionately, ever,
R.
Mrs. Hayes.
Thursday, 5. — Fine winter day. All goes well at camp. Shall call it Camp Hastings. Eve with Generals Crook [and] Duval and doctors at Mr. Thurston’s. The old gentleman a fine staunch Unionist. Miss Tidball, a cousin of doctor’s sang Secesh songs. Pretty girl.
Tuesday, 3. — Bright day. Walked up Wills Creek to the Narrows. Received appointment as brigadier-general, dated November 30, to rank from October 19, “for gallantry and meritorious servies in the battles of Opequon, Fisher’s Hill, and Middletown.” Put on shoulder-straps worn by General Crook in Tennessee. Changed quarters from Revere House to St. Nicholas.
Revere House, Cumberland, Maryland, Monday, January 2, 1865. — A fine day. Rode to camp, out one mile north of railroad, east of town. Men all busy getting up huts. Scenery, mountains, etc., around the “Mountain City” very pretty.
Eagle adopted as our badge. Red Eagle for my division. Army of West Virginia in three divisions; General Duval, the First; Kelley, Second; Stephenson, Third. I have First Brigade, First Division.
Cumberland, Maryland, January 1, 1865. Dearest: — We reached here last night. We shall build winter quarters and soon settle down. I shall apply for a leave of absence as soon as we are all fixed, and then to see the dear ones! On the 30th we were marching from Stephenson’s Depot to Martinsburg. I often thought of the twelve-years-ago day [wedding-day], and of the happiness my darling has been to me since. I do hope I shall see you soon. — Love to all. Affectionately, your R. Mrs. Hayes.
Saturday, 31. — Staid at Mr. Allen’s, Martinsburg, last night. At 9 or 10 A. M., [the] Thirty-sixth and Thirteenth by cars to Cumberland. With staff at 3 P. M. to Cumberland. Supper and good time at Cumberland. Winter quarters here.
Friday, 30. — A cold morning, but ground thaws during day. March seventeen miles to Martinsburg. Men in fine spirits. Camp in the snow!
Wednesday, 28. — Thawing and muddy. General Crook and staff go by railroad to Cumberland. We hope to follow soon. Rain this eve. Attack on Fort Fisher by Porter, etc.; no results as yet. We hope Wilmington will be closed — but?
