Augusta County: Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara A. Hotchkiss, March
26, 1862
Summary:
Hotchkiss expresses his relief at his daughter's recovery from Scarlet Fever, and gives
details concerning the losses and outcome of a battle and continuing skirmishes.
Sara A. Hotchkiss
Wednesday March 26th 1862
Mt. Jackson
My Dr. Wife
Yours of the 23rd was recd. last evening
late & gave me some hope of Nelly's recovery, as she lingers on so well -- I gave up
all hopes of hearing of her alive after your first letter that I recd. We stood all day yesterday at the narrow passage waiting for the enemy to come
up, but Ashby drove them back & so we fell back to near Mt. Jackson -- the train was
very long & it was 5 o'clock when we started & it was late when we got there
back -- I got your letter after dark -- There are many that want furloughs to go home, but all
are refused -- I have come up to town to ask for one by the influence of Col. Baylor but it
will have to go to Woodstock for the Gen's Approval & I am in poor hopes of his
approving it as he wants troops so badly & Baylor trusts the Battallion to me more than the other officers. We are poorly provided with tents
& cooking utensils but have guns enough The battle of Sunday last was one of the
hardest yet -- the enemy had 25000 & we 2500 engaged --
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our loss is not
nearly as great as reported & many of our men are still coming in -- we took 10
prisoners -- Gen. J. says he accomplished all he expected by his
move I am in good health tho I have a little cold. Do not look for me
though I will come if I can -- If our darling Nelly should die have her buried at Union -- but
God grant she may be spared to us --
I have but a moment to write & must close -- Good bye. My love to all -- God bless the kind friends that aid you
Your Aff husband
Jed. Hotchkiss
Direct to Augusta Battallion Mt Jackson, to be forwarded
