CINCINNATI, May 16, 1861.
DEAR UNCLE:–I have got your favor of the 14th. . . . You say nothing about my going into the war. I have been fishing for your opinion in several of my late letters. Unless you speak soon, you may be too late.
My new business arrangement and my prospects, bad as times are, are evidently good. Whenever other lawyers have business, I shall easily make all that is needed; but still, as Billy Rogers writes me, “This is a holy war,” and if a fair chance opens, I shall go in; if a fair chance don’t open, I shall, perhaps, take measures to open one. So don’t be taken by surprise if you hear of my soldiering. All the family have been sounded, and there will be no troublesome opposition.
In view of contingencies, I don’t like to leave home to visit you just now. I shall be able to leave money to support the family a year or two, without reckoning on my pay. Events move fast these days.
Since writing the foregoing, Judge [Stanley] Matthews called, and we have agreed to go to Columbus to lay the ropes for a regiment. There are a thousand men here who want us for their officers.
Sincerely,
R. B. HAYES.
S. BIRCHARD.