Hayes, Rutherford Birchard (1822-1893) to Eliakim P. Scammon
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03385 Author/Creator: Hayes, Rutherford Birchard (1822-1893) Place Written: Green Meadows, West Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 13 August 1862 Pagination: 1 p. : docket ; 17 x 20 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. States that he cannot get enough information about mill privileges and navigation on the New River. "At Richmond there is a fall of 8 to 12 feet - at other points there are falls which have always been Supposed to prevent all navigation, but 'impossible' is a hard word. I wouldn't speak it on my meagre information. I can say very difficult and dangerous."
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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