Fayetteville, Virginia, January 16, 1862.
Dear Uncle : — I am in receipt of your favor of New Year’s. So Allen got along. I hope he will not cause you more bother than he is worth. He was a good man here. I shall not be at all surprised if some day his owners undertake to recover him. You need not say this to him. His master still refuses to come in and take the oath of allegiance although an opportunity has been given him. He is a Rebel in the Rebel service.
We are doing well in all respects. I was at Camp Hayes, twenty-five miles further south, last week. They have pretty active times there with a few Rebel bushwhackers that infest the roads. Men are occasionally slightly wounded, but the shooting is from such great distances, and with common rifles, that no serious harm is done. The vast majority of the people are friendly.
As soon as four or five absent officers return, I shall ask for leave of absence. Say, in about three weeks.
Sincerely,
R.B. Hayes
S. Birchard.
