We had an inspection today of the brigade. The Twenty-third was pronounced the crack regiment in appearance, … [but] I could see only six to ten in a company of the old men. They all smiled as I rode by. But as I passed away I couldn't help dropping a few natural tears. I felt as I did when I saw them mustered in at Camp Chase.

Letter to Lucy Webb Hayes (17 December 1864) - Diary and Letters of Rutherford Birchard Hayes (1922 - 1926)