Augusta County: Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara A. Hotchkiss, August
11, 1861
Summary:
Hotchkiss describes his efforts to furnish his tent, visitors to camp, and items he sent his
wife, Sara.
Sara A. Hotchkiss
Sunday night, Aug. 11th 1861
Monterey Va.
My Ever Dear Wife:
Mr. Bear & Mr. Sieg came along Friday P.M. and stopped to see me a short time, left
me the box of things you sent, the good calico shirt, the splendid "needle & book"
& contents for which I am especially thankful -- and the nice quilt which added to my
stock of bed clothes makes me a very nice bed, for I found the woolen blankets rather rough to
sleep in, especially when it was warm at night, as it has been for a few nights -- but now I
double the quilt & get between the folds and feel quite as though [added: keep my coat] I was in bed -- [illeg.] the being as good as alone
-- though the ground is covered all around -- I am now in my own tent -- drew one some four
days ago -- a good wall tent -- & took Dr. Opie -- a son of Col. Opie & a good
fine fellow, in as tent mate & we two have a tent to ourselves and therefore are quite
comfortable -- I have a chair & stand that I borrowed from Mr. Stephenson -- and with
trunks & boxes as seats we got along very well -- the only drawback is the frequent
calls on the Dr & the numerous cases that he has to treat -- it is quite amusing to
hear the complaints of the men -- especially of the militia of Highland who are encamped near
us -- I have been surprised at the seeming want of any power of endurance in these mountain men
-- they wear down very soon and seem unable to endure any fatigue & more of them are
sick than any other class of soldiers here. Mr. Emerson preached for us today from Ps. 118-6 --
a very good brief
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sermon -- the parson is about as good looking as ever -- is very
sound on the question of State rights &c. I took a ride after dinner, on one of Mr.
Sieg's horses, with Mr. Bear & enjoyed it much -- though only a mile, as I have been
staying very closely in camp for the past week -- It is raining now -- it rains here every day
& every night -- but I get along & stand it first rate -- I have had some cold,
but am almost over it, and am very careful not to expose myself & try and keep every
thing dry -- airing everything whenever the sun comes out, which happens at least once a day --
I do not know what day I can come home, but I do not want to come until I can get some money
that I may rent some good place for you & see you removed there & properly
fixed up before I come away -- I have fully made up my mind that I will not leave you where you
will be subjected to petty annoyances and are constantly unhappy -- & I hope I can find
some good place where you can be well cared for & will enjoy yourself as well as you
can with me away -- I know that your fond heart will always find the hours weary & home
desolate when I am not there, but Providence wills it that I must be away, it seems, for the
path of duty is to me the path to be trodden & I can only despise those that in this
hour of their country's danger keep back any assistance they can render -- I have urged
resistance & I cannot but use my feeble efforts to resist, trusting to a kind
overruling God to bring all things to a happy conclusion and to reward all those that do their
duty
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I send you back a small box that I have, in which I have put my summer vest,
which I do not need & my worn out woolen drawers -- they may be of use to me yet -- but
I have 3 pairs of osnaburg drawers that I saved from the stores at
Beverly & they are just the kind & all I want -- I have also sent you 4 lbs. of
sugar, 3 lbs of rice & 1 pound of coffee -- and am sorry that I cannot send you more --
but I can only get these things by certifying that they are for "my own use" -- and as such I
send them to you -- and you can use them and say nothing about it to any one -- not even
telling the children where they came from -- though I prefer that you should have them as part
& parcel of myself. I am glad you did not worry yourself to send me something to eat,
(though the crackers are very nice you sent -- but I fear you robbed yourself on my account --)
for we fare very well, have good bread & butter & sometimes eggs & Mr.
Bear gave me a half bushel of potatoes & two splendid tomatoes & we have been
living off the top of the heap. Mr. B. & Mr. S. came back here last night &
have spent the day here -- they wish to get their teams -- and will stay until tomorrow -- I
have had a very good visit with Mr. B -- he tells me of the breaking up of his carriage --
Rebecca gone to teach &c. Young McCoy who taught in Staunton Academy last year is here in Capt. Lilley's Co. as Sergeant -- he and Miss Eddie Bell
are constant correspondents and it is rumored that they are engaged --
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I have
agreed to do an extra job for a Lieut. Humphrey's of Miss -- and make him a map of the Retreat
of Gen. Garnett, in which he participated -- he wants it to send home & I shall get pay
for that, eight or ten dollars & if I can only get the rest that I due me I shall be
able to get along very well -- and think I can get up [illeg.] of necessity for
procuring some mapping &c articles and get home for a few days -- though, as I wrote
before, they refuse furloughs to any but those chronically sick -- I went to see about the
spool thread -- they have none of the kind you want -- I send you a spool of another no. that I
bought some time ago at McDowell -- I will buy the calico you want as soon as I get some funds
I am about ashore now -- as I did not have much & had to buy some saddle bags
&c &c now & then. The troops here will probably be moved from here in a
day or two -- which way is uncertain - - some think towards Hardy County -- I do not know -- but will write -- I can hardly say what I shall do -- for I know
not myself -- of one thing be sure -- you & my loved children are ever in remembrance
-- and I pray God may again safely unite us at home in peace -- It is late and I must go to my
pallet -- may you have sweet slumbers and be blessed with all the blessings a gracious God can
bestow --
Truly your affectionate husband
Jed. Hotchkiss
