Sewell Mountain, General Cox’s Camp,
September 27 (Saturday or Friday, I am told), 1861.
Dear L –: – We are in the midst of a very cold rain-storm; not farther south than Lexington or Danville and on the top of a high hill or small mountain. Rain for fifteen hours; getting colder and colder, and still raining. In leaky tents, with wornout blankets, insufficient socks and shoes, many without overcoats. This is no joke. I am living with McCook in a good tent, as well provided as anybody in camp; better than either General Cox or Rosecrans.
I write this in General Cox’s tent. He sits on one cot reading, or trying to read, or pretending to read, Dickens’ new novel, “Great Expectations.” McCook and General Rosecrans are in the opposite tent over a smoke, trying to think they are warmed a little by the fire under it. Our enemy, far worse provided than we are, are no doubt shivering on the opposite hill now hidden by the driving rain and fog. We all suspect that our campaign in this direction is at an end. The roads will be miry, and we must fall back for our supplies. My regiment is fourteen miles back on a hill. When clear we can see their tents.
Just now my position is comparatively a pleasant one. I go with the generals on all reconnaissances, see all that is to be seen, and fare as well as anybody. We were out yesterday P. M. very near to the enemy’s works; were caught in the first of this storm and thoroughly soaked. I hardly expect to be dry again until the storm is over.
Good-bye, dearest.
Affectionately,
R.
Mrs. Hayes.
As one who has shown great interest in the 23rd OVI for nearly 40 years now, primarily because my Gr Gr Grandfather, Sylvester Leach (1841-1928) – a Private and Veteran Volunteer in Co D, 23 OVI, I find the “Letters and Diary of Rutherford B. Hayes” to be fascinating to say the very least. In addition, I have been to the Hayes Presidential Library in Fremont, OH on several occasions to do research. In particular, I find his letter to Lucy Hayes of Sept 27, 1861 at Sewell Mtn, to be greatly indicative of the great hardships and privations that Hayes and his men of the 23rd OVI were forced to endure in the harsh mountain environment of West Virginia and Virginia for 4 long years. Thank you and your efforts of this blog inn bringing bringing this colorful history of Hayes and his regiment to life in an age where many have lost knowledge and appreciation for American History.
Thanks for commenting. I actually first shared this years ago when I published my way through the civil war day-by-day. In republishing it in a new journey through the way, I am not as familiar with the OVI experiences as I was then as this time I am primarily just scheduling each post for the applicable date. Hayes’ letters and diary entries, though, add a dimension to my American Civil War Chronicles in chronicling the war in a region most would not think of when considering the American Civil War.