Letters from the Front - Nathan Hayward

Sunday, February 15, 1863

In a brief letter to his father Doctor Nathan Hayward related that the Twentieth was engaged in hard work in their provost duty in Falmouth. He noted that every department of the army had seen a change for the better since General Hooker had assumed command and noted that the removal of the grand divisions instituted by General Burnside had a positive effect. The quality and quantity of rations for the soldiers were improving, and he mentioned that all soldiers were to receive “three rations of potatoes, two of onions, and tea every week, and fresh bread at all times.”¹

References:
¹Nathan Hayward, "Letters," Association of Officers of the Twentieth Massachusetts Regiment, Reports, Letters and Papers Appertaining to Twentieth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, vol. 1, p. 410-412, Twentieth Massachusetts Special Collection, Boston Public Library, Boston, Massachusetts.

Letters from the Front - Nathan Hayward

Sunday, February 8, 1863

In a letter to his father Doctor Nathan Hayward remarked on the mildness of the winter in Falmouth, noting that bluebirds had returned to the Falmouth area. He pondered the next campaign of the Army of the Potomac, postulating that General Hooker may repeat McClellan’s movement toward the Peninsula as in the previous year. Doctor Hayward also mentioned that General Hooker’s popularity with the Army of the Potomac was rising, partially due to the furloughs granted to officers and enlisted men alike. ¹

References:
¹Nathan Hayward, "Letters," Association of Officers of the Twentieth Massachusetts Regiment, Reports, Letters and Papers Appertaining to Twentieth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, vol. 1, p. 408-410, Twentieth Massachusetts Special Collection, Boston Public Library, Boston, Massachusetts.

Letters from the Front - Nathan Hayward

Monday, February 2, 1863

Doctor Nathan Hayward penned a letter to his father from Falmouth, explaining that the Twentieth was encamped in the town of Falmouth as provost guard of the town. He mentioned that the conditions of the roadways were in terrible state due to recent weather. He also mentioned that despite the adverse weather conditions the regiment was healthy.

Doctor Hayward related that the appointment of General Joseph Hooker as the new commander of the Army of the Potomac has been received by the soldiers with indifference. He believed that Hooker was a fighter, but not a strategist. Hayward felt that the army lost its greatest remaining general when General William Franklin resigned his command as a direct result of Hooker's appointment.¹

References:
¹Nathan Hayward, "Letters," Association of Officers of the Twentieth Massachusetts Regiment, Reports, Letters and Papers Appertaining to Twentieth Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, vol. 1, p. 412-413, Twentieth Massachusetts Special Collection, Boston Public Library, Boston, Massachusetts.