Augusta County: Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara A. Hotchkiss, June
16, 1870
Summary:
Hotchkiss writes to his family from Lexington, describing a dinner at General Lee's and
Church attendance. He comments on affairs at home.
Sara A. Hotchkiss
Jun. 16th 1870
Lexington Va.
My Dear Wife & Children --
I was greatly delighted on hearing from you through Nelly's delightful letter of a week ago
today, for I had looked for a letter two days before & not getting one was sadly
disappointed -- I intended to write to you last night but had one of my inveterate head aches
& so could do nothing but "kill time" & try to get sleepy & finally got
to sleep well towards morning & so, by my ususal remedy, got pretty much well again,
barring the "sore" head that remains as a sting behind. I was sorry to hear that "Ma" has
neurolgia -- I am a full convert to open fires again -- I have felt so much better, every way,
since using them & shall surely "turn out" the Latrobe as Ma desires -- In fact I wish
you would open & use the fire place at once, only firing up the "heater" when very cold
-- I think you would all be benefitted by it -- I was astounded to
hear that Stiles had come -- I had no idea that he was coming & expressly told Uncle A.
that I did not
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want him to come unless you wrote to Aunt
& asked for him to come -- I cannot conceive how he got the idea into his head any
other way -- I hope to be home for a day or so in a week or 10 days and will then see --
& hope in the mean time you may get along without much trouble -- but I really feel
better satisfied that you have some male in the house that is white. I am glad you got an
arrangement for a boy to do your chores & hope you will get all the help you feel that
you want & I will provide for it. I am very busy & have been feeling very well
until yesterday. I had no idea there was so much difference in the climate -- it is so much
warmer here -- I am satisfied -- than in Staunton -- I dined at Gen. Lee's last Thursday, by
invitation, with Mrs. Gen. Albert Sidney Johnston & daughter from California & Col. W. P. Johnston & wife -- we had an interesting talk after
dinner about California, the Chinese & c. I called at Dr.
Madison's Friday, after dinner & had a pleasant visit
there -- they had many
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questions to ask about all of you, Staunton &c --
They use open grates now -- have not used their furnace this year -- I
have not called at any other places as yet -- I have a fine Philadelphia photograph of Gen. Lee with his autograph which he gave me -- it is for Ma -- so
none of the rest of you need speak for it. In writing to Mr. Haynes I enclosed a photograph of
Gen. Lee with his Autograph to Mrs. Haynes -- and told him to tell her
it was a "rebel" present -- I went to Church twice today -- at 11 A.M. to the Presbyterian Church where Dr. Kirkpatrick preached a long &
very good sermon & the choir sang very mechanically &
the organ was played very jerky with 10 minutes preludes -- At 4 P.M.
I went to Episcopal Church & heard Dr. Pendleton on "How
beautiful are the feet &c. The Dr. had to rub the government twice -- I don't think you
could find as many "unregenerate" rebs, in any other place in the state -- it "crops out" all
around -- & I could not help thinking Ma would find here many "congenial spirits" -- I
have just been reading the "Central" -- a good number -- I thought how you had all read it
today also -- It would
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be a much more endurable "exile" if I could be at home on
Sunday & when I coem I shall make it so as to take in a Sunday -- I got the Spectator
-- much obliged -- but you need not send any more for I find all the
town papers at the printing office & go there & run them over -- Sandy Garber
was here last night -- as full of troubles as ever & as shiftless -- has had a fuss
with [unclear: "Dunning"] & drove him off -- but told me he had heard that he
had gone back yesterday -- I am much gratified at Nelly's statement
of what she intends to do in the way of study & hope she may & will persevere
-- I know Anna is getting along also & if you both get so you can go to school of
course I shall send you -- but you can learn more, far more, with "Mother," if you will -- We will see when I come - - I am sorry to hear
that Grand Ma is worse -- I hope she may get better & that Ma may find her in the
spring in her ususal health - Mr. Ruffner came to see me & we had a long talk -- he is sanguine of success - I don't think Allan will run --
This letter is for all & I want all to write -- I won't
excuse Ma -- I want the continuation of the sweet good page she gave me -- Stiles [?] must be a
good boy says uncle Jed -- Heaven's
blessings on you all --
Yours in love --
Jed. Hotchkiss
