Augusta County: Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara A. Hotchkiss,
November 30, 1863
Summary:
Hotchkiss writes to his wife on his birthday, telling her of skirmishing and a possible
battle in the near future.
Sara A. Hotchkiss
Nov. 30th 1863
Camp 3 miles below Verdiersville, Orange Co -- Va
Though it is quite late, My darling -- I am weary, yet I know you will be anxious to hear
from me & that you have often thought of me this day -- with all the hearts devotion of
a loving wife - especially as this is my birthday -- but I cannot speak of that - We are still
confronting the enemy on opposite sides of the Mine Run some 14 miles N of E from Orange Court House we have thrown up a long line of strong entrenchments
& await their coming -- in some places the lines are not more than 200 yds apart -- and
today we have had some heavy artillery firing from the enemy -- to which we did not reply much, reserving our fire -- they did us some damage -- a few
wounded by uselessly exposing themselves & 3 or four killed -- whom I did not learn --
the enemy has been moving to our right & we anticipate a fight tomorrow -- some little
skirmishing has been going on too -- Mosley fell on the Yankee trains at Brandy &
destroyed a number of wagons & brought off prisoners -- & Stuart fell on the
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rear of Sedgwick's Corps below here & took a number of prisoners --
Today has been very cold & chilly -- a keen north wind, but our men endure all without a murmur, models of patience & fortitude -- God must bless our arms -- for there is so much devotion in our Army & so much reliance on the justice of our course --
All are in fine spirits & hope for the best --
Good bye & God bless you -- All my loved ones at home --
Write as usual -- & I shall get it --
Yours &c
Jed. Hotchkiss
