Beschreibung:

HAYES, Rutherford B. (1822-1893), President . Autograph letter signed ("R.B. Hayes") as Brevet Major General, to Robert P. Kennedy, "Camp Hastings," [West Virginia], 1 April 1865. 1 page, 4to (9½ x 7 9/16 in.), lined stationary, very small piece missing from left margin, evidence of mounting on verso . HAYES REQUESTS LEAVE FROM CIVIL WAR DUTY TO ATTEND TO A MATTER "IMPORTANT TO MY CONSTITUENTS" Hayes was a loyal Republican at the outset of the Civil War and, like so many other patriotic politicians, received a military commission as the conflict commenced. Appointed Major of the 23rd Ohio Infantry, he was quickly promoted to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel then Colonel after receiving a severe wound at the Battle of South Mountain (14 September 1862) and Brigadier General after the Battle of Cedar Creek (19 October 1864). Hayes was brevetted a Major General on March 13, 1865 while serving on garrison duty in West Virginia. He was elected to Congress while still in uniform. Always mindful of the voters at home, here, eight days before Lee's surrender, Hayes requests leave so that he can attend to their needs: "Some days ago I applied for leave to visit Washington...The capture of the mail Thursday may have got my leave. It is important to my constituents to attend to one of the appointments (of no special import to me) and I want to go there soon. A friend at W[ashington] writes me that he spoke of it at the War Dept and was told there would be no difficulty about it...I will be obliged if you give Gen H[alleck] the facts. I will join my command on twelve hours notice, and in no event be absent longer than five days." This was likely Hayes's first opportunity to visit Washington after his election victory.