In this letter Hayes wrote to fellow Civil War veteran Major James L. Foley, who had commanded the 10th Kentucky Cavalry, re in part: "Thanks for your kind favor of the 12th. I am his[--?] 'a little daft as it were' on the subject of songs on festive occasions. I dre[--?] speeches, and am uplifted by song. No doubt your perseverance is all that it should be. It so strikes me. I congratulate you for it…"