Augusta County: Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara A. Hotchkiss, June
15, 1862
Summary:
Hotchkiss relates news of skirmishes with Federal forces and Confederate successes against
Generals Shields and Fremont. He also describes the harsh treatment of civilians by Fremont's
"Dutch" troops.
Sara A. Hotchkiss
Sunday June 15th 1862
Near Mt. Meridian, Augusta Co Va,
My Dear Wife
"The Union supreme at all points." [accompanied by image of a compass]
(captured Federal paper)
Your letter of a few days ago came duly to hand, and was very welcome, though I had heard
from you by some of the neighbors, and sent you word by Mr. Helms that I was still in [deleted: ] after the battles of the 8th and 9th,
I was too tired to write, or well as too busy, after the battle, making a sketch of the country
around our position for the use of the different officers who did not know the country. I have
been hoping that Nelson might be able to get away and come down here, but the road is so bad
that it would be to the great discomfort of any one that should attempt to come. I did not get
to eat any of the nice victuals you prepared for me, for the General sent me ahead when we left
Mt. Solon and I was not at my wagon again until we got to Winchester and so everything had
spoiled, much to my regret, but while fighting & marching are going on we do not often
see our wagons until quite late at night, I wish I had the things now, but I am doing very well
as I am among my friends here and have been invited out several times, I hope I may get home
soon but I cannot well ask to go for several are away that have not been
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off
before. If we go to Mt. Crawford I will send from there what I have for you, unless I got a
chance from here; I shall not send until I am sure it will go safely, I would like some
provisions from home, some substantials, crackers and butter, but
little of anything else, and I may be able to send for that. We are being heavily reinforced
and I suppose will soon be on the march again after the enemy. God blesses our arms, our men
all fight like heroes, and success has heretofore attended all our efforts -- We whipped
Fremont on the 8th, and part of our army slept nearer to Harrisonburg
that night than he did, we inflicted a great deal of damage on him, drove his regiments with
great slaughter from the field and then came on the next day, and unmolested crossed the river
and whipped Shields completely, captured all his artillery and pursued him 10 miles
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capturing several hundred of his men and scattering his whole army to the four winds, while
Fremont drew up on the opposite side of the river and witnessed Shields defeat, only throwing
over a few shot and shell after the whole affair had ended and we were sending our ambulances
to bring Shields' own dead & wounded from the field, and Fremont was near enough to see
what we were doing, and he actually threw shell at the building in which the wounded of both
armies lay, with a hospital flag flying from it -- the brute. Shield's men fought well for
their officers made them believe that we would kill every man that we captured -- They said
many of them would give themselves up if they knew we would treat them kindly. Many of them
regretted that Ashby was killed -- for he was killed on Friday -- in
a skirmish after a sort of battle in which he had displayed great valor -- he is a great loss
to us,
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we miss him every day, but hope that Providence may raise up some men to
supply his place -- and be the right hand of Jackson. The men of Fremont are Dutch -- of the
very worst sort, they have plundered the country wherever they have been, they stripped the
houses at Cross Keys completely, taking all the drapes of the ladies, breaking up the dishes
&c &c They wrapped up their dead in the blankets, carpets, quilts &c
that they had taken from the houses -- they were very brutal to the women in language, and
stole everything they could get hold of. they came up "spoiling for a fight and a good many of
them spoiled after the fight" as Gen. Ewell says. I will write more about the battles, or tell
you more when I see you. We had sacrament today in camp, it was a solemn scene, and Dr. Dabney
prefaced it by some excellent remarks --. Our men are enjoying the rest, they are now getting,
very much, and will soon be ready for another march. I did not send the illustrated papers, as
I said, but I will send them the first chance. Write often and may
God bless you all. Love to all
Your affectionate husband
Jed. Hotchkiss
