Augusta County: Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara A. Hotchkiss, July 7,
1861
Summary:
Hotchkiss describes a small engagement with Federal forces, resulting in casualties on both
sides. He remains uncertain about a possible job with the army, and writes more about camp
life.
Sara A. Hotchkiss
Sunday night -- July 7th 1861
Camp Garnett
My Dear Wife:
I wrote you a brief note this morning by Mr. Sheets, one of Capt. Sterrett's men who went home to stay & enclosed five dollars in it for you. I intended to write you a long, long letter today, but in the morning Messengers came into camp at full speed saying that the enemy was advancing upon us & so the breast works were manned, extra scouts sent out, some placed in ambuscade, &c &c, I took a horse and became aid for the time to the Col. to convey orders &c &c, and thus the whole day was spent in the midst of excitement, the troops keeping to their arms, but as yet no attack has been made, though some look for one tonight.
There was an engagement last night between some of the scouts of our camp & those of
the enemy. Three of our men were badly wounded, one shot through & through the lungs,
another in the head & shoulder & another in the leg I think -- they are all
doing well & it is thought they may recover. Of the enemy, two were certainly killed
& likely five or six. They were in the wood & fired on our scouts who returned
the fire. Our men took the pistols, gun & money of one of the men & two letters
that were on him -- his name was Johns, from Ohio -- one letter was from a young sister, full
of love for him, wishing he would come home, not caring whether promoted or [illeg.]
the war would only end so that he could [illeg.] to them. It was written at Brookville.
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The other letter was from a cousin who seemed to think everything of the young man
& prayed that he might get back -- but alas the poor fellow was destined never to see
them again. The scouts said his body was the fairest of any they had ever seen.
Today our men were going along & thought the enemy was concealed near at hand in the
woods, so the fired into the woods and then some of the enemy showed
themselves in the road when our men fired at them & killed one certainly, &
more they think. Maj. N. Tyler, one of the Eds. of the Enquirer
was in command of them -- he is a good fellow & eats part of the time with us at Head
Quarters, where we sup, breakfast & dine on greasy cakes of dough made into the shape
of biscuits & hardened on the outside & partway through, with coffee &
meat, sometimes hard crackers, now & then a taste of butter, sometimes a loaf of bread
from some where as a present, or a piece of cake procured in the same way. The fare is "pretty
tough" but borne without grumbling, & the Col. is a no. one good fellow & so
are his aids, clerks &c -- but Lt. Col. Pegram came here today & assumes the
command & so I do not know what will be [unclear: done] or what chance I will
stand for [unclear: staying]
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I will write tomorrow what the prospect is for a permanent situation during the war -- I
suppose you have heard that Mr. Doyle & his two sons, Tom & __ were wounded the
other day. It is a sorrowful thing to have so many brave fellows cut up, & some killed,
like one of the Rockbridge Cavalry the other day, when all we ask of the North is to be left
alone in the enjoyment of inherited rights. We shall surely conquer but O! how many precious
lives must be lost, & how many homes made desolate before the end shall come. Adj. Hoover & I built ourselves a bark tent &
stretched a piece of cotton over it & got two boards to fasten up in one corner for a
table & have two stools made by driving a post into the ground & nailing on a
board & two beds made by a pole to fence off a space & bark laid down &
then straw filled in & I have a blanket & my cloak for a bed I got one of the
jackets, made for the Cavalry -- Yesterday I was out in the woods fixing a line of pickets
& got wet through & through, the black of the jacket coloring my shirt
& myself too. I came back after the rain & never washed off as much [deleted: ] in my life -- it made me almost [illeg.] through the night --
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Tuesday morning -- I have no time to write this morning -- was up by 3 A.M. & the mail soon goes -- I will write again in a day or so. I should like to be at home very much & hope I may soon be there.
Love to all -- kiss the children -- May you be kept safely & God bless you.
Good bye, Your aff- husband
Jed. Hotchkiss
