Augusta County: Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara A. Hotchkiss, July
17, 1861
Summary:
Hotchkiss writes about camp life. He discusses a recent battle that resulted in the death of
General Garnett and the capture, by the Yankees, of hundreds of Confederate troops, many of
whom were then paroled.
Sara A. Hotchkiss
July 17th 1861
Monterey
My Ever Dear Wife:
I received your two letters by Mr. Frazier & one from
Nelson by Mr. Hunger & was indeed glad to hear from you, though deeply moved by your
anxieties and distress concerning me - - I wrote to you the very day after the flight from Camp
Garnett & hoped you would get my letter before you heard of the fight, & I
wrote the next day too that you might surely hear from me & told you the main events of
the fight & wrote fully to Nelson yesterday. I am sure you have
heard from me before now and are relieved from apprehensions -- I am faring finely now -- mess
with Capt. Lilley's men & have a good suit of clothes given me by them when they chose
me an honorary member of the company. We have provisions that were sent us from Augusta
& then our mess has a good cook in it. I am sorry you have so much concern for me,
because it wearies you out - though I am as much concerned for you
& my darling children -- but but have not as much time to brood over it being in the
whirl & excitement of camp life & in the midst
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of stirring events
that attract & at the same time distract the attention The men are gathering in slowly -- some 6 or 700 were taken
prisoners but they have been released on their parole of honor we are informed and will be here
today all except Col. Pegram who was a U. S. Army officer & him they have taken to Ohio
as a prisoner. Gen. Garnett was killed & his army is now on the way here by the way of
Hardy County -- having had a desperate fight, lost most of their
baggage and had a few hundred killed, inflicting a considerable loss on the enemy -- The men
that came through on parole yesterday say the enemy buried 137 of their men & 27 of
ours after the Rich Mt. fight -- they say the enemy had 20000 men there while we had but 1800.
I do not want anything now except another flannel shirt & you need not send that unless
I send for it. You may send me 3 collars & my woolen vest if
you have a chance. I saved a plenty of socks & drawers & got a new pair of
shoes & shall get an overcoat from the public stores I shall
write to you often & when I know what I shall do myself I will tell you what to do. I
am acting as the Adjutant of our Regiment now -- The stage goes in a
few minutes -- I am getting used to sleeping on the floor &c write often I get all the
news by Nat. Tyler Editor of the Enquirer Love to all my sweet wife
& kiss the babies for me.
Truly Your Affectionate husband
Jed. Hotchkiss
