A member of the Twenty-Third Ohio, who went out with the regiment at the beginning of the war, tells the following anecdote, which occurred during the first visit of Mrs. Hayes to her husband’s camp. It is a simple story, which illustrates the character of the President’s wife completely.
“It was the first of our being out, when we had as yet known but little of the hardships of war. One day Mrs. Hayes arrived in camp, but the fact was not generally known. James Saunders was a member of my company. Jim, as he was called, was a tall, lean, unsuspecting, awkward country-boy—a good soldier, but not overly smart in detecting a joke. Consequently the boys used frequently to sell him quite badly; but he took it all in good part, and was entirely ready the next time a sell came along to ‘bite’ at it.
“For some time there had been sad need of some means of mending our clothes. This need was being discussed the next day after Mrs. Hayes’ arrival, and Jim was especially strong in his expressions of need for some one to mend his blouse, which really was in a very unpresentable condition.
“‘Why, Jim,’ said one of the boys, ‘didn’t you know that there is a woman in camp whose business it is to mend the boys’ clothes?’
“‘No,’ said Jim, in astonishment. ‘Where is she?’
“‘Up at the Colonel’s tent,’ said the other. ‘I was there and had her fix my coat yesterday, and she did a smackin’ good job, too.’
“‘Golly’ said Jim. ‘I’ll go up, then, this very afternoon, and git my blouse doctored. That is very handy, indeed.’
“True to his word Jim called around at the Colonel’s tent, and, with his hat under his arm, presented himself, with his awkwardest bow, at the entrance. He was received with marked politeness by the Colonel, and the boys who were lurking about appreciating the joke awaited developments. In a few moments Jim again appeared outside in his shirt sleeves, and the radiant smile that lit up his honest features showed that he had not been rebuffed, at least. Calling him aside, where a group of the boys were gathered, the following conversation took place:
“‘Well, Jim, did you find your woman?’
“‘Of course I did. She was just a settin’ there, and she’s a mighty good-looking woman, too.’