Hayes, Rutherford Birchard (1822-1893) to Eliakim P. Scammon
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02997 Author/Creator: Hayes, Rutherford Birchard (1822-1893) Place Written: Camp White, West Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 3 April 1863 Pagination: 1 p. : docket ; 25 x 20 cm. Order a Copy
Hayes writes as Colonel of the 23rd Regiment of Ohio Volunteers to Brigadier General Scammon in Charleston. States that he sent Lieutenant William McKinley (later elected U.S. president) to tell Scammon about Confederate General Albert G. Jenkins's force and advises to send cavalry after them. Writes, "Gen. Jenkins is reported to have crossed the pike leading from Guyandotte to the Mouth of Coal with less than half the men he brought with him." Says that many of Jenkins's men have been left behind and "...are likely to remain until they are either scared away or find a chance to escape on Union Men's horses." Feels that Captain Gilmore's company might be able to scare them away or catch a few. In August, 1862, Brigadier General Albert G. Jenkins had led a 500-mile raid through West Virginia and into Ohio later that month and into September. In the spring of 1863, William "Grumble" Jones (and Jenkins) began a similar raid on Baltimore & Ohio Railroad in West Virginia (April 21 - May 21, 1863). In the summer of 1863, Colonel Hayes headed an expedition of two regiments and a sectioin of artillery to engage Confederate General John H. Morgan (and his Morgan's Raiders) along the Ohio River. Due to his efforts, Hayes prevented the raiders from re-crossing the Ohio River, and thereby compelled Morgan to surrender.
Hayes fought in the Civil War 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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