Augusta County: Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara A. Hotchkiss, August
4, 1864
Summary:
Hotchkiss writes a brief note to his wife, reporting that the army is on the move again, and
relating some news from Northern papers.
Sara A. Hotchkiss
Aug. 4th 1864
Head Quarters Valley District Bunker's Hill Va.
My Dear Wife:
We are off again, this morning -- March to the river today & there we go I know not
where save that we are keeping the Yankee nation in perpetual ferment -- We yesterday got the
Yankee papers of the 2
nd
in which they say that our Cavalry confiscated $100000, of the people of Chambersburg,
which they would not, or could not pay & he carried out his threat (Gen. McCausland)
& burned the town, destroying all the public buildings & some [illeg.]
dwellings The people of Pa. are terribly frightened & the Governor takes any men that
will come -- regardless of time or circumstances and issue arms to them -- Mosby also crossed
the river below Harper's Ferry & made a demonstration towards Frederick & made
the Yanks move away everything they had -- they thought 30,000 men were coming again to go
where they please -- They say they lost 5000 men in attempting to keep the salient they blew up
at Petersburg & were quite glowing over the result, advertising that they accomplished
nothing -- & suffered great loss -- they say the colored troops were very
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badly used up -- They had 9 tons of powder in their mine & had been a month
excavating it -- I sent my box up by J. Parkins & it may be some days before it comes
-- We are going & I must close -- Love & blessings for you all --
Your Affectionate husband
Jed. Hotchkiss
