Augusta County: Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara A. Hotchkiss, June
10, 1862
Summary:
Hotchkiss gives some details about a recent battle and efforts to drive the Federal forces
from the Valley.
Sara A. Hotchkiss
June 10th 1862
Lewis' -- Near Brown's Gap
My Dear Wife
We fought the enemy on Sunday and whipped them off the battle field killing many, that was
half way between Harrisonburg & Port Republic, then yesterday we came this side of the
river, burned the bridge & then fell on Shield's advance, 3 miles below Port Republic
and smashed 2 Brigades all to pieces, capturing 6 pieces of artillery and pursued them 12
miles, capturing some 800 prisoners, and we are now moved up into Brown's Gap, out of their
reach having only our front to guard, and now I suppose the Gen will commence some more
strategy, which may result in driving the enemy back out of the Valley -- we have been
wonderfully preserved, our loss has been small, and
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we have inflicted some severe
blows on the enemy, Providence seems to have favored us in all our movements, and we have come
out of the very jaws of destruction several times, as it were -- The Yanks actually came into
Port Republic while we were there, but our troops bravely drove them back and kept them from
destroying the bridge --
We did not get much sleep last night and I feel awfully stupid, so I will close this, but write soon -- I am very well, hope you are all getting along well -- May God bless you all --
Your affectionate husband
Jed. Hotchkiss
