Hayes, Rutherford Birchard (1822-1893) to Eliakim P. Scammon
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02993 Author/Creator: Hayes, Rutherford Birchard (1822-1893) Place Written: Camp Green Meadows, West Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 23 July [1862] Pagination: 2 p. ; 24.5 x 19.5 cm. Order a Copy
Hayes writes as Lieutenant Colonel of the 23rd Regiment of Ohio Volunteers to Scammon, his superior, as commander of the 1st Brigade. Writes that he will adopt his suggestions on the howitzers. Discusses the difficulties of watching a ford. States that the pickets are watching it but he feels that "...an enemy wishing to cross and advised of the position of our pickets would first capture the pickets, which could as they are now posted be easily done..." Asks his advice on this. Discusses a suggestion re Capt. Drake; suggests Scammom write to Gov. Tod about it. States that the 23rd Ohio has been broken in two which he thinks is enough for one campaign. Says that other regiments have not been divided at all and remarks, "Our other half has spent the hot weather in a ravine, and are now getting intermittent fevers as a consequence...Let us all get together now." Gives his idea for a plan. Year inferred from content.
Hayes served in the Civil War in the 23rd Ohio Infantry Regiment as Lt. Colonel, Colonel, and rose to the rank of brevet major general. Between 1867 and 1876 he served three terms as Governor of Ohio, and was elected President in 1876. Scammon was commissioned colonel of the 23rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry in June 1861. He was promoted to brigadier general October 15, 1862 and commanded the District of Kanawha until February 3, 1864 when he was captured and held as a prisoner of war until August 3, 1864. In the last months of the war, he commanded the District of Florida.
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