Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes

“I feel much encouraged about the war; things are every way looking better.”—Rutherford B. Hayes

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Gauley River, 8 Miles South Of Summersville, September 11, 1861. Dear Lucy: – Well, darling, we have had our first battle, and the enemy have fled precipitately. I say “we,” although it is fair to say that our brigade, consisting of the Twenty-third, the Thirtieth (Colonel Ewing), and Mack’s Battery had little or nothing to [...]

Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes

First battle… such as it was.—Rutherford B. Hayes

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Tuesday, 10.–Marched seventeen miles, drove enemies’ pickets out of Summersville, followed nine miles to Gauley river. Enemy entrenched on a hill, high, steep, and hidden by bushes, three to six thousand strong. We get ready to attack. We have been divided into three brigades: First, General Benham’s, consisting of Tenth (Colonel Lytle’s Irish), Twelfth (Colonel [...]

Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes

“…almost all the captains have horses and a few mules have been “realized”—that’s the word—from Secessionists.”—Rutherford B. Hayes

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SUTTON, OR SUTTONVILLE, VIRGINIA, September 5, 1861. DEAREST:–We are in another camp of fine views. This is the last stronghold of our army as we advance toward the enemy. We are now part of an army of from six to eight thousand and are pushing towards an advancing enemy stronger in numbers, it is said. [...]

Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes

“General Rosecrans takes command here. We go south to Sutton, etc., until we meet the enemy.”—Rutherford B. Hayes

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Wednesday, 3 [4].–Saw General Rosecrans and staff. Caught our guard without a salute. We go with him south today. A good time with McCook and his Ninth. Marched from Bulltown to Flatwoods on road to Sutton, about ten or eleven miles. Camped on a hill with Captain Canby’s Company F of our right wing and [...]

Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes

Drummed Out!—Rutherford B. Hayes

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Sunday, 1 [September].–Drummed three men (youngsters) out of Captain Drake’s company, by [the] colonel’s order. The men all approve it but it makes me sick. The boys all probably confirmed thieves before they joined the army, but it makes me sick. Also sent back a waggon-master and drivers. This pleased me. The rascals refused to [...]

Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes

Long march—Rutherford B. Hayes

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Wednesday, 28.–A long march over a bad path–thirty miles–to French Creek, or Scotchtown. Boarded with Mrs. Farrell. A fine Union settlement. Forty years ago a Massachusetts colony came here, and their thrift, morality, and patriotism are the salt of this region. Slept in tent of Culbertson and Lieutenant–of Captain Remley’s Fifth Regiment. Noble and generous [...]

Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes

Tygart’s Valley, near Cheat Mountain Pass.—Rutherford B. Hayes

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Monday evening, August 26.– Marched today up the beautiful valley, “Tygart’s Valley” I believe, to this pretty camp in the hills, eighteen miles. Saw our general. About forty-five, a middle-sized, good-looking man, educated at West Point. An army man, good sense, good talker–General Reynolds. Oh, what a lovely spot! _______ August 26, 1861. DEAR UNCLE:–We [...]

Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes

“Captain Clark…, dined us yesterday at Widow What’s-her-name’s hotel”—Rutherford B. Hayes

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Beverly, August 25. Sunday.–A cold night. Clear but foggy this A. M. No orders to march yet. Good! Provisions and provender, i. e. rations and forage, scarce and poor. Captain Clark, a spirited German (Prussian) officer of the “Greys,” dined us yesterday at Widow What’s-her-name’s hotel, Got letters here from Lute, Uncle, and Mother, with [...]

Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes

“Danger here; men killed and an enemy coming or near Cheat River.”—Rutherford B. Hayes

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Saturday 24.–Doctor and I laughed at a soldier who said it was Saturday. We thought it was Thursday. The finest day’s march yet. Streams, mountain views, and invigorating air! Reached Buckhannon [Beverly] at 2 P. M.; greeted by friends in the Guthries warmly–Captain Erwin, Captain Bense, Captains Tinker, Clark. Saw Tatem, sick, Charles Richards, Tom [...]

Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes

“Men are constantly arriving, showing the rapid concentration at this point of a large body of troops.”—Rutherford B. Hayes

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August 21.–Changed camping place at Buckhannon to a fine spot one and one-half miles on road to Cheat Mountain. Got settled with McMullen’s Battery just as rain set in at night. Had letters from Jim and Will Scott and Uncle George. _______ BUCKHANNON, VIRGINIA, August 21, 1861. DEAR MOTHER:–You may send this letter, showing my [...]

Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes

“After a world of confusion…, we got off at daylight.”—Rutherford B. Hayes

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August 19. Monday.–No more rumors. A tolerably pretty day. At 12 M. [midnight] got orders to quietly strike tents and with three days’ rations and the minimum amount of baggage move to Buckhannon. Two companies, Captain Drake’s and Captain Zimmerman’s, had just returned from a scouting expedition to Walkersville, etc. No rest yet. After a [...]

Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes