Augusta County: Jedediah Hotchkiss to Nelson H. Hotchkiss,
October 3, 1864
Summary:
Hotchkiss describes to his brother news about recent skirmishes and the damage done by
Federal troops in the Valley. He also relates news of people back home.
Nelson H. Hotchkiss
Oct. 3rd. 1864.
Hd. Qrs. V.D. Mt. Sidney, Va.
My dear Brother,
It has been a long, long time since I heard from you, and I lately learned that you had not
heard from me, though I have written often. I hope this may reach you tho'. We have had all sorts of fortune lately. Have been badly handled in two fights,
but not half as badly as the Yankees as our own papers assert. At Winchester we had whipped the
Yankee infantry when their cavalry charged ours on the left and broke them and got in the rear
of our infantry and compelled them to fall back, and they took a good many prisoners, but we
retired in good order and saved all our trains; the same thing happened at Fisher's Hill, only
the enemy got thirteen pieces of artillery. They only took some 500 prisoners from us. Since
then we have successfully resisted them, holding them back at New Market and driving off their
cavalry from New Hope and Waynesboro. The Yankees are now near Harrisonburg, but I hope they
will not be there long. They did but little damage in Augusta county;
burned a few barns and mills in the lower end of the county, but in Rockingham they have done a
vast amount of damage, burning mills, barns, wheat and hay stacks, and robbing houses. The
cavalry, some of it, was from Broome county. I got hold of a copy of the Broome Co. Republican;
see that David and Albert Hotchkiss had joined the cavalry. Giles had gotten the quota
diminished by 100 for the county. Rev. Mr. Gilbert is in Binghamton, and I see that his
daughter has lately been married to Mr. Bruce. I will send you the paper, though torn, as soon
as I have sent it home. I only heard of them. Will look out for the prisoners now and get the
news. The Yankees did not go to Churchville this time at all, those that
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retreated
from Waynesboro went by Spring Hill and Mossy Creek, but in so much haste that they did no
damage. They burned Mohler's barn at the cave, and J.C. Roler's at Mt. Sidney. The loss of
grain to us is very great, but I hope there is still enough left. The corn crop is a tolerable
one, and they only use enough of that to feed their horses. The only damage done the R.R. was to burn the bridges over South river at Waynesboro and over
Christian's creek. They robbed Mr. Garber's store in Staunton of $5,000 worth of goods. There
is a tale in circulation that Gen. Early was drunk at Winchester and also at Fisher's Hill.
There is not one word of truth in it. A baser slander was never circulated. It is true Gen.
Early is a drinker of spirits, is too fond of it, but I have never seen him under the influence
of liquor since we started on this campaign. He is sober enough to know his duty and attend to
it at all times, and it is much to be regretted that such stories should be circulated. My
usual luck attends me in regard to horses. A few days ago I had 4, now I have only 2, one
killed and one died, I got one for the killed one and now one has been stolen. I had a fine
colt that I wished to send you to keep, but it was killed in the fight at Weyer's Cave.
Miss Allie cannot stand it at home, and she desires to come back to Virginia. The fogs make
her sick, and the people torment her, call her traitor, etc., and she is very anxious to get
back. She had not heard from any of our people as she had spent most of the time at home and
had not been well. I succeeded in getting a supply of flour with much difficulty. So many had
sold all to the government before I got a chance to look out and a good many had sold on
speculation, but I got a barrel here and one there, and so made up what I wanted. Henry
[unclear: Sliey] stays
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at the old place and manages it for the heirs, the
old lady being dead. Sam. Cochran died a few days ago, from fever,
at home. Robert is a detailed farmer, also H. Seig and Frank Sterrett. Young Hite died from the
effects of a wound. We have been resting today, after a hard march yesterday through the rain,
and we have enjoyed the sunshine. I went and heard Mr. Bowman preach. Mr. Hildebrand has been
getting along badly at Churchville. They do not support him. He says no one of the Methodists
has done anything for him since he came there. Mr. Greeding has joined the Presbyterian Church
and been made an Elder. They are all well at home. Got a good deal frightened about the
Yankees. What are you doing and all the family? I should be delighted to see you all, but see
no chance now. I have only been three days at home since March. My love to all. Write me soon
to Hd. Qrs. Valley District, care of Gen. Early.
Your aff. Brother,
Jed.
