Augusta County: Jedediah Hotchkiss to Nelson H. Hotchkiss,
August 15, 1863
Summary:
Hotchkiss writes his brother, discussing affairs at home, particularly the situation of a
young woman in their household that wants to make a trip to her home in New York.
Nelson H. Hotchkiss
Aug 15th., 1863
Head quarters 2 Corps Orange Court House Va.
My dear Brother:-
I have written to you several times since I have heard from you but no my letters have
miscarried or something else and I cannot deny myself the pleasure of dropping you a few lines.
I was home for a single day last week and found them all well and getting along finely, saving
the war constantly waged between Jordan and Mrs. (what do you call her in the orchard?) and my
family, being so near of course a few of the bombs will explode outside of the line of regular
attack, but the peacefully inclined neighbors were intending to interfere so I suppose a truce
has been declared by this time. Uncle Wooster was the sole monarch at the Big House and was
reveling in all the glory of an extensive pigsty into which he had converted the entire house.
Everything was looking finely and the promise of abundance was cheering. Harvey Bear was complaining but all the rest of the people were well. I did not see
Allie as she was at the Springs but heard she was getting better. I want her to go to my house
and stay. She had become Acclammated to the Valley and its water and can stand the climate
there. I was very sorry to hear that you had so many of you been sick and am extremely anxious
to hear if you are better. I was fearful of the change of water but hope you may all survive
from the effects when the weather moderates. It has been intensely hot but the Army has stood
it finely and is in fine health and spirits. We have frequent thunderstorms that cool the air
and keep it healthy. While I am writing now at night the big drops are pattering on my cloth
house and the thunder is rolling overhead but we are on a hill and the water runs off so we do
not mind it. I have just written a long letter
[page 2]
to Allie in reply to one she wrote
me more than a month ago and which reached me a few days ago. She wants to go home to New York but I do not see how the difficulties are to be overcome. No
passports are granted and if she got outside of our lines there would be no getting back and
she is as anxious to get back as to go. I am sorry the poor girl has so set her heart on gong
for it will be hard on her not to go: then the funds are so hard to obtain at the present
ruinous rates of exchange. I do not know her views now, her letter was written so long ago, but
I have written to know her wishes and will do all in my power for her but that will be little
for a nonproducer stands no chance now and one in the army can only say with the poet "'Tis
strange that bread should be so dear and flesh and blood so cheap." It is far better to have no
passing to or from the north now. It creates suspicions and looks badly to the army and those
engaged in fighting against our cruel and outrageous enemies and I do feel that the less we
have to do with them now or hereafter the better.
We are all getting along very well. The army is rapidly filling up and all are in fine spirits. The enemy keeps near Washington and will probably stay there. I am very busy now but will come to see you if I can so tell me how I could get there and the best way. Do the cars connect from Gordonsville? Write to me at once and let me know how you all are. My love to all. My best wishes to my friends, the Dr. and family. We have no news. All is quiet, but we are ready and keep watch and ward, excuse brevity, the Lord be with you all.
Your affectionate brother,
Jed.
My thanks to Lora for my nice picture. I will write to her.
