Augusta County: Jedediah Hotchkiss to Nelson H. Hotchkiss,
November 14, 1864
Summary:
Hotchkiss relates army activities of the past month, the military situation in the Valley,
and activities in preparation for winter. He also writes of affairs at home.
Nelson H. Hotchkiss
November 14, 1864
Headqyarters, Valley District, New Market, Va.
My dear Brother:-
Your very welcome letter came to hand some time ago, but I have put off answering it from day
to day until I am almost ashamed to write. We had our battle of the 19th of October when we had
the greatest victory of the war in the morning and one of the greatest losses in the evening -
and needlessly, Our men giving way from a panic; then the General sent me to Richmond with
dispatches and I was gone several days, but was only home from midnight until 4 o'clock one
night - that consumed some days - then I had to make maps of the battle of the 19th for a
report; then we have just gotten back from another expedition down the Valley in which we went
to Newtown - went down to see what Sheridan was doing - found him fortified there and fixing to
spend the Winter near Charlestown. Our cavalry had a fight with Custer's division and routed it
handsomely - Rosser's division doing it. In the mean time while that was going on towards the
North mountain the Yankees attacked McCausland's cavalry at Cedarville and he repulsed them and
drove them off, then supposing they had left he went to grazing his horses when the Yankees
came back and fell on him with a new force and drove him several miles, capturing two pieces of artillery. It seems impossible for us to go down the
Valley without losing some artillery. We took 200 prisoners from Custer. We got reports which
show that there have been over 10,000 cavalry opposed to us here, and the infantry force has
been very large also. We are back at our old stoppinng place again and I suppose will stay here
until we go into Winter quarters. It is getting quite cold. It snowed some yesterday. There has
been quite a scattering of detailed men. A good many have gone to the
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Yankees.
Lickliter and his brother went; their families are to follow. General Early lets them all go
through the lines; says he does not want any of the stock of runaways left. Capt. Sterrett and
Robert Chochran have joined the 10th Va. Cavalry and go to Richmond. I suppose Miss Allie will
come on to Virginia in February. She is teaching a profitable music class at home and making
money. I expect I shall be able to spend the winter in Staunton, not far from home and I hope
to take a furlough early in the season and come over to see you. How are you off for forage? Do
you have any hay or grass. I should like to put one of my horses somewhere for the winter to
live on hay and be well cared for. What is the state of things with you? I shall be greatly
obliged for a barrel or keg of sorghum molasses; provisions are scarce and dear and everything
helps. Did your sweet potato crop do anything? I wish you had a snug place in the Valley but I
fear you would find it hard to buy one now, unless you could get one of the abandoned farms in
Rockingham, left by men that went off with Sheridan. Bob Gray went off; I wonder if he did not
go to Hale's Eddy? Sara gets along finely managing and keeps up her spirits admirably. Is full
of energy and hope. The children are growing rapidly. I should enjoy a visit to you very much
and if I come have you any way to come to Rockfish after me and shall I bring along the whole
family and have a visitation? Hope Harriet has gotten well. You have
had a hard time but must hope on, hope ever. My love to the children. I am obliged to Sarah for
her part of the letter. It's cold in my cloth house and I must quit. Write to me very soon,
As ever, Your brother,
Jed. Hotchkiss.
