It may be interesting to know the state of Gen. Hayes’ thoughts and feelings just before entering upon that desperate conflict in the Wilderness, where he lost his life. In a letter written upon the morning on which the march commenced, he says:

“This morning was beautiful, for

‘Lightly and brightly shone the sun,
As if the morn was a jocund one.’

“Although we were anticipating to march at eight o’clock, it might have been an appropriate harbinger of the day of the regeneration of mankind; but it only brought to remembrance, through the throats of many bugles, that duty enjoined upon each one, perhaps, before the setting sun, to lay down a life for his country.”

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