BELLAIRE, July 26, 1861,
Friday morning, 7:30 A. M.
DEAR BROTHER WILLIAM:—I write for you and Lucy. Please send this note to her. We were ordered at Zanesville to change our destination to this point and Grafton. Whether we are to go from Grafton to the Kanawha country or to Oakland, Maryland, is uncertain; we think Oakland is our point; we hope so. It is to hold in check a rising secession feeling and to sustain Union men. We reached here at midnight and slept in the cars until morning. All in good spirits. I will advise you as to the ultimate determination of our course.
If my pistols come to the express office, send them to me by express when you ascertain where we are. You can probably learn at the governor’s office, if not direct from me. The express to the armies is very safe usually. Love to all.
Yours,
R. B. HAYES.
W. A. PLATT.
