Augusta County: Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara A. Hotchkiss,
November 4, 1864
Summary:
Hotchkiss describes skirmishing with Federal troops, and numbers of prisoners taken. He also
comments on food supplies for the winter at home.
Sara A. Hotchkiss
Nov. 14th 1864
Head Quarters Valley District New Market Va.
My Dear Wife --
I wrote to you a few days ago -- the evening before we started down
the Valley -- I now write again from the same old camp -- We went down to Newtown -- drove the
Yankee Cavalry away from Middletown -- found them fortified at Newtown -- made some
demonstrations -- Our Cavalry on the "Back Road" -- three regiments -- were attacked by Custer's Division of the Yankee Cavalry & driven back several
miles -- we then brought up the rest of Rosser's Division & fell on the flank of the
Yankee Div. & routed it & drove it over 3 miles, scattering it in every
direction & capturing over 200 prisoners & holding our first position -- in the
meantime another body of Yankee Cavalry attacked McCausland's Brigade of Cavalry at Cedarville,
in the Front Royal Road & he drove them back, they came again & he drove them
back & supposing they would not come on again he was grazing his horses, when they got
reinforced & came on again & found him unprepared & drove him back
several miles & got 2 pieces of artillery from
[page 2]
him -- he lost about 100 men
-- all told we skirmished some with the Yankees on Saturday then fell back that night to
Fisher's Hill, then came back here yesterday -- We went to find whether Sheridan was still in
the Lower Valley & found him with his whole force & strongly entrenched - we
got the late papers & found that Lincoln was elected -- by a large majority -- the
Yankees are rebuilding the Winchester Railroad & fixing to
have winter uqarters in the Lower Valley -- . I got chance to sketch the line of battle
&c at Cedar Creek William came to me at Fisher's Hill - got back here when I expected
-- I got your letter, & Maj. Bell's about Green's baggage, but
found no letter from Mrs. Butcher in the coat pocket -- you certainly did not put it in -- send
it to me & I will attend to it -- her funds were not lost by the burning of the bank's
money. Col. Smith has come up here as Chief Engineer of the Army -- just the news I want here
& he tells me that the Chief Engineer will give me the
highest civil
[page 3]
appointment in his power & a salary of $4000 a year -- he
cannot commission me because I am from Virginia -- they all make such a fuss about appointments
from Virginia -- that will be better than I expected & I shall be very much gratified
by it -- & hope soon to get the appointment -- say nothing about it -- I am glad you
got some wood & hope you will have enough until I can get you
more -- I suppose our winter quarters will be some where in Rockingham -- if so I shall get
mine at or near home -- at least in Staunton -- won't that be good -- then I can get home at
least once a week -- hope you are not going to have the rheumatism. I can let you have my two
smaller flannels (shirts) as I have two others in my box in Staunton & you had better
use them -- Mr. R's things were all right -- I sent you $20. in my last. I send you $20. in
this also. -- & I will try & supply your wants -- the Quarter Master has no money now or I
[page 4]
would send a larger amount
-- but will keep sending -- You say you got your 4
th
bbl. of flour -- & do not see where the 5
th
is to come from -- I engaged from Sieg Trimble, Hanger, & Geeding & you
got one from Smith through Glossbrenner I thought -- that makes 5. I
want to provide for being at home some during the winter -- Mr. Seig is also to have some
potatoes for us -- I sent to Maryland for the articles Miss Kate wants
-- Put me up some pickles & things & buy some apple butter if you can if you
have none to spare. I shall be after my meds chest again in due time -- I shall not draw on
your resources though as heretofore -- things are too scarce -- but then your storehouse always
seems to yield something -- & I have unbounded faith in it -- It has been bitter cold
& I found my blanket a great comfort I tell you -- The new
coat fits finely -- only I did not mean to have it sent here -- Many
thanks for the chestnuts to Nelly and Anne & the 3 apples -- Heaven bless you all I am
glad your pest is gone -- All things "work together for good" Write soon
Your loving husband
Jed. Hotchkiss
