Augusta County: Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara A. Hotchkiss, October
15, 1864
Summary:
Hotchkiss relates the latest battle news to his wife, describing Confederate successes, and
Union prisoners taken. He comments briefly on the coming presidential election in the North,
and on affairs at home.
Sara A. Hotchkiss
Saturday Oct 15 th 1864
Fisher's Hill Va.
My Dear Wife:
I last night received your fine letter of the 10th (Monday). I have written to you since then, from New Market, & hope my letter
has come to hand before now & cheered you up some - I am truly sorry you feel so
despondent & take so much "[unclear: though] for the morrow" - I am sure I
could cheer you up if at home, but you must "fear not but trust in Providence &
remember that the Lord has always provided for us & promises that the seed of the
righteous shall never be forsaken" We have been here now three days - found the Yankee pickets
at Strasburg, our cavalry, drove them off & we moved some
infantry & Artillery to the top of a hill & shelled a brigade the Yanks had on
picket & made it scatter every way, then opened on one of their camps & they
ran from it pell mell, leaving everything, they then advanced some
troops across to the hill we were on, not knowing that we had infantry there & our men
met them & drove them back with considerable loss - we captured 65
prisoners & killed & wounded a good many - among the killed was Col.
Wells who commanded the Yankee force that came up the Valley last winter - we had 22 killed
& about 120 wounded - since then no action has taken place, each party looking at the
other & wondering what it was doing. The prospect seems bright in every quarter -
things get along well at Richmond &
[page 2]
Hood has surely made one of the boldest
movements of the war & must be successful if the half that is said of his army is true
-- in fact we have always gained by taking bold measures & if Sherman is compelled to
leave Georgia there will be a great revulsion of feeling in the North -- & peace
sentiments will be in fashion again. Connecticut appears to have gone for McClellan -- we are
desirous of hearing from the Pa. election -- a lady from the West, who has lately come to New
Market, says the West will go for McClellan, & Price is doing much in his favor by
occupying the larger portion of Missouri -- I hope you may be able to get some wood for present
use -- I intend to get home before long & attend to the hauling & cutting up of
a winter supply -- I shall be able to get fodder enough & I will put one horse into my
pocket if I can do no better. I am sorry Mr. Geeding got offended, for I thought the government
would impress his hay & he would be just as willing to let me have some of it but no
matter -- he has done much for us & I have no right or reason to complain of him -- I
asked you about Capt Sterrett in my last did he have time to go to Richmond? I do not need my
clothes & prefer that you keep them at home -- I am sorry you were disappointed about coming over to camp, but I knew our movements were
very uncertain as I wrote you -- I do not know what we will do here -- I will write often --
Write soon -- Love to the children -- & may Heaven bless you all
Your affectionate Husband
Jed. Hotchkiss
