New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-07-02

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oheaply constructed than those proposed.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant
| C. B. COMSTOCK,
Major of Engineers and Brevet Brigadie
General, United States Army.
Brgadier Geserai A. A. Humphreys, Chief of En-
gineels United states Army.
Governor Hayes in the Army.
His career in the army began with the
war and ended with. it. He enlisted orlgi
nally as q private soldier, and was ap-
pointed major of the Twenty-tbird OHIO In
fantry by Governor Denn:son, who re-
guessed him to accept that position. Had
he been in search Of military honors he
could just as well have been colonel of bis
regiment as major; but, having had DO mill.
tary experience, hc insisted that some one
who had should be appointed to that posi-
ton. Accordingly it was given to Colonel,
atterward Major General Rosecrans. West
Virginia, the field Of operations in which
General Hayes mostly served, was COM
paratively an unprOpitious one for military
distinction. Had he been assigned to the
Army Of the Potomac or TO that of Sher-
man be would undoubtedly, had hi, life
been spared, have risen to the command of
an army corps Or department. In
West Virginia the service was ardu.
our, but the grand operations of the
war we're speedily transferred to other
quarters. The operations in West Virginia
were mostly expeditiOnary, and included
but few conspicuous battles. General Hayes
never met the enemy anywhere that he did
not distinguish himself for his courage,
skill and GOODNESS, snd this was notably SO
in the battle of South Mountain, where,
with his arm broken by q ballet, he fought
at the head Of his regiment until, overcome
by pain and loss of blood, he was carried
from the field. But it was not until SheIi-
dams campaigns in the valley, during the
year 1864, that he had opportunity to show
how much of soldier he was His charge
across the slough, in the battle of OpeQuan,
was scarcely excelled during the whole war
as feat of personal gallantry, and the
skill and intrepidity with which he handled
creek stamped him az a man of real mill
tary genius. With regular army men he
had already been so regarded, and was con-
sldered by them one OF the finest officers in
the volunteer service.
As illustrating his decision of character
and general fitness for great emergencies,
an incident may be narrated, Of which no
correct account has hitherto been published.
In June, 1863, an expedition, comprising
three brigades Zone of them that of Colonel
Hayes, with cavalry and artillery, was dis
view of capturing Saltville and breaking up
the Virginia and Tennessee railway. Start
ing from the Upper Kanawha, the expedi-
tiOn marched through frightfully wild and
rugged country. and after crossing several
ranges of mountains, struck and tore up the
railway, raided the neighboring country,
and returning by tedious and difficult
march, arrived within fifteen miles of
Fayetteville July %. During all this time
the command had been entirely separated
from mail communication, and knew
nothing Of the stirring events that had
happened in other departments. including
the surrender of Vicksburg, Lees defeat at
and John Morgsn's raid north
Of the Ohio. Colonel Hayes therefore rode
for ward to Fayetteville to obtain infOrma.
ton, and on reaching the town galloped at
once to the telegraph office, where, without
1ismoanting, he called to the operator
through the open window, What's the
,ewsW The III IN at the instrument turned |
md was about to give him a brief history |
Vt events, when signal came over the |
wires and the man SAID, Hold I'm called
jolonei Hayes then went into the office and |
cad the following dispatch as it came from |
he instrument:
John Morgan is crossing the Scloto at |
'iketon, Ohio, and is making for GAllipolis.
lie viii arrive there day after tomorrow"
This was startling news 70 Colonel Hayes |
John Morgan in Ohio he exclaimed,
and making for Gallipolis!' The operator
hen explained that the rebel raider was
ardy beset by Union cavalry, and that he
las evidently seeking escape from rhs
tate by crossing the Ohio river at CALI
oils, where there was no adequate force to
ispu.e his passage or to protect large guam |
ties of supplies which had been collected
lere. Colonel Hayes comprehenied the
tuation III an Instant, and as quickly sent
lis dispatch flashing over the wires:
Are there any rteaMb boats at Charles
,n?"
yes, two" was the almost immediate
nsweE.
'send them up to Fayetteville at once"
ayes responded.
An right" replied the Charleston quay
rDlas.er.
Colonel Hayes without having received
lother word OF information, jumped into
ie saddle and galloped back to camp,
teen miles. He reached camp at night
u, and laid the whole matter before Gen
al ScammoD, who gave him permission to
Ike two regiments and section of artil- |
~ and hasten to Gallipoiis. He then an
,unced his purpose to the soldiers, W no
'eeted his orders with wild hurrabs. In
,lf an hour his little column was in motion,
'oping its way alOB e the rough mountain |
ad. The night was moonless, and the
arhness sometimes so inlense that the ,
glments were compelled to hal. until the
ouds cleared before they could go for
ard. All night the weary march con-
lued, aud just as dawn began to streak ,
g SUBMITS of the mountains the column,
aching a high point overlooking the
anawha valley, near Fayetteville, saw the ,
70 steamboats, rounding bend and COM :
g up the river. The troops and the boats ,
ached the wharf almost simultaneously, :
d within an hour the whole command had ,
lbarked, and the steamers were under full | ,
adway down the Ksnawha, their decks ,
'ewn with tired and sleeping soldiers. By 9
Wight next morning the boats reached =
I.lipolis, and the troops disembarked and :
ok pOsions to defend the town, but Morgan
d been advised by spies of their approach
leu six miles away, and turned his column y
rthward toward POmerOy, another point | I
the Ohio. Colonel Hayes instantly re- q
barked and steamed up the river to over
ie him. He ar. ived in time to 90 out and y
ct the enemy while advancing upon the =
gn, but Morgsn's officers were not long in | II
covering that something tougher was in
Mt OF them than militia regiments, and p
y suddenly drew off, remounte2, and
de- for Bathngton's Island, point still d
Their up the river. Here Morgan seized o
o. On'h Oont, ouu ndu lCIIltu ONcT dUOuC |
of his men, when Colonel Hayes arrived, 81
sed the boat, and put stop to any fur "
r progress in that line. Morgan himself 81
crossed the river, but seeing that his a.
in body was about to be cut off, he re- u
ssed, and remained with bis soldiers to "
re their fortunes. After some fighting A
drew off again, and made for other ID
nts up the river. But the last oppor- o.
ity for escape had passed, and the Con. &c Sc
crate raiders, hardly beset by Generals u
oson and Shak!eford, were speedily IN ~
zen to the wall and forced to surrender. to
c York Times sc
be
Magnificent Jewel Presentation to | w
General Albert Pike. tr