[from the diary of Charles Hay, on leave from the 23rd Ohio]

                                                                             
                                       Holmesville, O., January 29th, 1862.
Left home this evening, and shall take the cars in
the morning at this place for Western Virginia, via.
Orrville, Alliance, & Wellsville.  Attended the Disciple
church during the evening.  It is difficult for us
to determine when I shall again have the pleasure
of communings and associating with friends, and
enjoying the comforts and pleasures which home &
the association of friends will bring.  But I shall
not repine at my lot, however hard it may be; for
I know it is not the worst that has been
endured.  “There is no place like home,” I know,
but I am willing to forsake home & friends when
our country is endangered by foe without or within,
if, by so doing, I can assist her in her peril,
and to establish her on that firm basis “The
Constitution as our Fathers made it.”  What they fought
for and labored to establish, their children should with
the same courage, ardor and unanimity try to protect.
Our Country is the best the world has ever seen, and
Our Constitution has been denominated “a grand chart of
human freedom;”  for these our fathers “fought, bled & died,”
and have left them an inheritance to us to

preserve, protect, and improve, and we shall strive
zealously with “might and main” to defend them from
foes without or traitors within, so that, when through
the “fiery ordeal,” they may be brighter than before.
     Should we fail, should we allow our country to fall,
and be swallowed up in the vortex of disunion and
treason, it will be a burlesque on a Republican
form of Government, and an everlasting shame to the
American people. ~~  I’m off for Western Virginia
tomorrow morning, if I have no ill luck, but I must
say, that, during my short stay amongst my friends,
and acquaintances, that I have enjoyed myself hugely,
and for the kindness and friendly feeling manifested
by my friends, I am under everlasting obligations, and
the “good times” I have had will be classed with
my pleasant remembrance, and the thought of these
will tend to make my task easy, and my burden light.
For the cordiality and unvarying kindness of the
people at large, they have the sincere & heartfelt
thanks of     Your unworthy Servant,
                                         Chas. Hay

                                                                           
[transcript by Mary Roy Dawson Edwards]

MSS 13925