Augusta County: Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara A. Hotchkiss, April
29, 1863
Summary:
Hotchkiss describes troop movements in preparation for an expected battle, and describes to
his wife his possible role in the battle. He also comments & gives instructions on
affairs at home.
Sara A. Hotchkiss
April 29 th (Wednesday) 1863
Head Quarters 2 nd Corps Army of Northern Virginia
My Dear, Dear Wife --
I must write to you again upon the eve of an expected battle, that must be one of the most
sanguinary of the whole war -- The enemy commenced crossings at an early hour this morning,
lower down the river than before, about a mile & they had quite a fight with our picket
there & captured a company by flanking them -- we opposed them & opened some
artillery on them with marked effects keeping them back under the cover of the bank, but this
shore is commanded by the other & as soon as the fog cleared away we retired to our old
position & they have been massing troops in our front all day -- & had over
20,000, over, at dark, and will probably get most of their army over during the night -- and
tomorrow, O! tomorrow, Death will hold high carnival -- but I am sure, with God's blessing, we
shall whip them -- they made a demonstration also up in Culpeper, as if they thought of
advancing towards Richmond by two routes -- I think we have men enough for them & they
are all in fine spirits -- they cheered Gen. Jackson heartily as he rode along the lines - - he
sent his wife back to the Junction this morning -- she has only been a week with him --
enjoying the bliss of conjugal affection & he especially delighted as a father -- I did
not call to see her -- expecting to do so today -- she is about your size, perhaps a little
taller, and slenderly formed -- I do not expect to be about much in the fight tomorrow, as
there are enough to carry orders, unless something should happen to others, when I shall take
the place of some of them -- but it is somewhat remarkable that not one of Gen. Jackson's Staff
has ever been wounded seriously -- his prayers are a safe shield -- & he prays much for
his own military family -- I shall send you some money $50, in a day or so, as soon as the
month ends, and I want you to buy all the meat you want, cost what it may &
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anything else you need -- what is money good for if not for buying what we want -- I can get
the money to buy Lindsey's place & think I shall buy it -- it can do no harm -- for it
is worth what he asks for it, and if you prefer staying where you are I can rent it, but it is
so much more convenient, water, wood &c and then you are not off so by yourself -- Mr
Earitt is in hearing distance -- &c &c -- you do not say what you think of it
since you have heard the price -- I want to write to Mr. C. Bear to condole with them for the
loss of Willie, but they should not mourn -- he was taken away before "the cares of this world"
had damaged the purity of his character or contaminated the well of goodness that in him was an
ever flowing fountain -- and he has been transferred to Heaven while his ardor for truth,
purity & goodness was in its prime. -- and of him I can say, as much as of any one I
ever had as a pupil, that of him I knew no guile -- peace to his memory he is one of the blessed martyrs in the cause of liberty -- he has gained by his exchange
of worlds -- & though they "miss him at home" let them remember that "a correspondence
fixed with Heaven is aye a noble anchor."
I am sorry you had such a time with Nelly after she ate alum -- she should not eat anything unless you tell her she may --
I would like to see you all so much -- and I do pray earnestly that we may soon be able to end this war and that I may again return to the bosom of my family -- I know you pray so too --
I feel hopeful for the morrow & will write to you after it has passed --
Love & kisses for you all -- Write soon -- excuse brevity -- we breakfast at 3 tomorrow & I must sleep -- God bless you --
Your Affection -- husband
Jed. Hotchkiss
