Friday, 22. — Rode alone down to Gauley over Kanawha and Gauley Rivers, up New River, and stayed at headquarters of General Rosecrans. Always treated well there. Ate pickled oysters immoderately and foolishly; drank mixed drinks slightly but foolishly. But spent an agreeable night with General Rosecrans, Major Crawford, and Captain Reynolds and Major Jos. Darr. Good men all. Cold, desperately windy night; slept coldly in Captain Hartsuff’s tent.
Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes
Thursday, 21. — Colonel Ewing bent on a quarrel with Avery about an old secesh horse; a nice gentleman, Colonel Ewing, but so “set in his way.” Lieutenant Hunter returned Lieutenant Warren gone to headquarters to be captain of ordnance.
Wednesday, 20. — A wet disagreeable day. Captain Reynolds returned from a trip to Raleigh with a flag of truce. Town of Raleigh abandoned. Floyd on beyond. They treated the captain and his party well. The impression is they are not averse to peace. Once taught to respect the North, they will come to terms gladly, I think.
Tuesday, 19. — General Schenck and staff left today. General Schenck sick — not health enough for this work. We are rejoiced reading news of the naval expedition to Port Royal. It looks well. I hope the present anticipations will be fully realized.
Fayetteville, Virginia,
November 19, 1861. (Tuesday).
Dearest: — We are housed comfortably in a fine village deserted by its people, leaving us capital winter quarters. Floyd intended to winter here, but since his retreat we are left in possession.
We have had severe marching; two nights out without tents — one in the rain and one on the snow. We stood it well. Not a man sick of those who were well, and the sick all improving— due to the clear frosty weather.
Dr. Joe is reading with much satisfaction the news of the success of our fleet. It is most important. We are hoping to stay here for the winter if we do not leave Virginia. It is much the best place we have been in. All, or nearly all, people gone, fine houses, forage, healthy location, etc., etc. Direct to Gauley as usual. I think of you almost constantly these days.
We are now entirely clear of the enemy. I met a party of Georgians yesterday with a flag of truce; had a good friendly chat with them. They are no doubt brave fine fellows but not hardy or persevering enough for this work. They really envied us our healthy and rugged men. They are tired of it heartily.
I can’t yet tell when Dr. Joe or Jim or myself will come home, but one of us will pretty certainly come within a fortnight. No, I shall not be able to come so soon, but one of the doctors, will I think. Love to the dear boys and Grandma and so much for your own dear self.
Affectionately,
R.
Mrs. Hayes.
Monday, 18. — No signs of Jenkins last night. Heard cannon firing down Kanawha and got ready some rail barricades under direction of Colonel Ewing — rather shabby affairs; could see it gave confidence to men. Ordered back to Fayetteville; returned at dark.
November 17, Sunday. — I was sent in command of one hundred men of Twenty-third and one hundred of Twenty-sixth six miles towards Raleigh to Blake’s to watch a road on which it was thought Colonel Jenkins’ Rebel cavalry might pass with prisoners and plunder from Guyandotte. We bivouacked on the snow in fence corners — ice half inch thick — and passed the night not uncomfortably at all. A party of Rebels from Floyd’s army met us here with a flag of truce. Had a good little chat with several of them. They did not seem at all averse to friendly approaches. It seemed absurd to be fighting such civil and friendly fellows. I thought they were not so full of fight as our men — acted sick of it. One youngster, a lieutenant in Phillips’ Legion, T. H. Kennon of Milledgeville, Georgia, wanted to buy back his little sorrel mare which we had captured — a pleasant fellow. They were after Croghan’s body.
Saturday, November 16. — General Benham’s brigade marched back towards Gauley, leaving here with cheers after their inclement night! Colonel Scammon went on reconnaissance towards Raleigh, in command; nothing to do. Present for duty four hundred and nine. No sick; all sick and weakly gave out before we reached here; a number left to guard property, do work at Gauley, etc.
November 15. Friday. — General Benham’s brigade return from the pursuit of Floyd. He runs like a quarter-horse. One of the servants says that when Floyd was here, Mrs. Mauser said she hoped he wouldn’t leave. He replied: “I assure you, madam, I’ll not leave Cotton Hill until compelled by death or the order of the Secretary of War”; and, added the darkey, “The next I saw of him he was running by as fast as he could tar.” At night, a fierce snow-storm; no shelter for many of the troops; bivouac in it!
November 14, Thursday. — A dark, cold, rainy morning. Marching before daylight in pitchy darkness. (Mem.: — Night marches should only be made in extremest cases; men can go farther between daylight and dark than between midnight and dark of the next day, and be less worn-out.) We stopped in the dark, built fires, and remained until daylight, when we pushed on in mud and rain past enemy’s entrenchments on Dickinson’s farm to Fayetteville where we arrived about eight or nine A. M. After passing enemy’s works, [we found] the road strewed with axes, picks, tents, etc., etc. — the debris of Floyd’s retreating army. Fayetteville, a pretty village, deserted by men and by all but a few women. We quartered with Mrs. Mauser; her secession lord gone with Floyd. We heard P. M. of General Benham’s skirmishers killing Colonel St. George Croghan today — colonel of Rebel cavalry and son of Colonel George Croghan of Fort Stephenson celebrity. Died in a bad cause; but Father O’Higgins, of the Tenth, says he behaved like a Christian gentleman. Colonel Smith wears his sword. Shot through the sword-belt.
