Augusta County: Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara A. Hotchkiss,
September 24, 1864
Summary:
Hotchkiss describes to his wife a battle at Fisher's Hill, Virginia, in which the Confederate
troops broke ranks and fled. He also comments briefly on affairs at home.
Sara A. Hotchkiss
Sept 23 rd 11 A. M. 1864
Rodes Hill
My Dear Sara:
I have only time to write you a few words -- We had a battle yesterday at Fisher's Hill,
which resulted quite disastrously from the fact that our men broke & ran & we
lost some 15 pieces of artillery & a good many small arms & some prisoners --
but we brought off all our wagons & nearly all of our troops and are now making a stand
here, the enemy's coming slowly after us -- I hope we may not have to fall back any further,
but should not be surprised if we came up to Harrisonburg or even to
Staunton, but movements are on foot too aid us & I think all will soon be well -- Our
troops behaved badly -- & got into a panic -- Col. Pendleton was mortally wounded, just
at dark & we had to leave him in
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Woodstock -- I am truly sorry for his young
wife -- he was one of the best officers in the army & it will be difficult to fill his
place -- William got scared in the stampede & I have not seen him yet, but hear that he
went up the road badly "demoralized" Thanks to a Kind Providence I escaped -- my horse was hit
by the fragments of a shell & one piece struck my hand but did
no damage -- If William comes home I want him to come back -- I do not want Mr. Geedings to
sell my horse for less than 15 or $1600 -- Love to all write soon Don't get the "blues" all
will yet be well -- Don't know of any one you know hurt -- Good bye & God bless you
Your Affectionate husband
Jed. Hotchkiss
