Augusta County: Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara A. Hotchkiss, August
30, 1863
Summary:
Hotchkiss writes to his wife, describing a Sunday in camp, the sermon, and music and dancing
entertainment. He gives his wife his thoughts on education/religious training for the
children.
Sara A. Hotchkiss
Aug. 30 th 1863
Hd. Qrs. 2 nd Corps Orange C.H.
My Darling Wife:
I have not heard from you but once since the one joyful day I spent at home & feel
uneasy at your unusual delay, but think the excitement that has been in the Valley may have
prevented, in fact unfitted you, for anything but care for the passing hour -- I suppose the
danger of an invasion of our quiet home has passed away & I thank God for it, &
you are saved from the presence of our cruel enemy. It is Sunday morning, we have had a sermon,
a morning lesson, from Habakkuk & all but myself have gone over to the churches, I
remain to attend to anything that may need attention, but all is quiet & in war we are
almost in profound peace -- in fact too much of ordinary life is becoming a part of our camp
life, and the tendency to amusements is far to prevalent for
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times like these. But
there are two sides to this question & much philosophy & some Scripture in the
song "Let the wide world wag as it will, We'll be gay & happy still" & the text
"There is a time for all things" & "There is nothing better than for a man to eat
& drink & enjoy the good of his labor". The Fast day was well &
solemnly observed, but yesterday there was a gay picnic, with music & dancing, at Gen.
Johnson's Hd. Qrs. -- to which all the officers of the
Division & the Corps Hd. Qrs. were invited, all but
two or three went from here -- I did not feel like going -could not think so much gaiety right,
though I am fond of rational amusements & like the cheerful
phase of things. I have been very busy & have much to do just now, as the surveys of
the country, from the parties in the field are coming in & I am making copies so we may
have a set of accurate maps for our use & this long rest is a perfect harvest time for
business, & I cannot now see my leaving time, but shall
obtain it before the winter that I may
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prepare for it for you, & have things
comfortable fixed up -- (D. V.) Mr. Lacy recd a few days ago a
box of the nice English Bibles & Testaments procured by Dr. Haze & I got a set
of the Gospels, four pretty little volumes, in flexible black covers, beautifully printed, for
Nelly, as she is learning the Scriptures, they are very pretty every way & then the
dear child can have the satisfaction of learning a whole volume -- I shall send them when I can
safely & I have another set which I shall keep a volume of at a time to read, but send
the others to you, in charge for my darling little Anna, whenever she shall begin to learn the
Scriptures & I have a nice Nonpareil Testament for My Dear Little Wife, which I think
she will like, it is small & plain, clearly printed & has a soft &
pleasant cover & I think will add a new pleasure to the reading of the Sacred Volume
she loves so well --
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The weather has been quite cold for several days & I
slept cold last night for the first time in a long while, but such is a soldier's life. I have
a copy of the Life of Jackson, which I wish to send to you though it is not very good &
not very entertaining to us that have read the living Man -- yet it has in it much to interest
others -- Gen. Lee is still in Richmond, maturing something I suppose & the cool
weather will invite to action & soon the horrid carnage of the battle will disquiet the
eye & sicken the heart. "O when will man cease to do evil? & when, O Lord! will
Thy kingdom come & Thy will be done on earth as in Heaven -- I heard Harman wish to go
home to-day & infer that his wife is in an interesting condition -- Mrs. Ewell is still here, but do not think her
presence is very good for the Old gent -- so says the Dr -- the "bold, bad man" as our Capt.
Johnson says --
I have no news my Dear -- my letter is very dull & I am rather stupid myself so this letter will only be like opening the door & looking at you, or rather letting you look at me & then bowing myself out. Write to me, my Love, if only a little & asking for "Heavenly blessings without Number" for all my little home circle, I will say good- bye
Your aff husband
Jed. Hotchkiss
How is Allie's health now -- have you heard? I shall send you money this week. Yours of the 28th came last night -- good -- first rate & I hope my 2 last are with you -- I have not heard of my slippers or letter - - Send Nelly to the school if it will relieve you -- but I believe there will be little saved & if we can educate them as we set out -- But I do not want you to have all the burden of it
