Augusta County: Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara A. Hotchkiss, October
22, 1863
Summary:
Hotchkiss comments on affairs at home, food in camp, and miscellaneous information.
Sara A. Hotchkiss
Oct. 22 nd 1863
Brandy Station
My Dear:
I recd. yours of the 14
th
today, so long, on my way up here to see if Mrs. Wise's daughters had heard from home --
& as Uncle Jeff goes up tomorrow I avail myself of it to write you a few lines. I am
much gratified that Allie has recovered from her worst state & reason has resumed its
sway -- I think she has done right & am ready to sustain her -- I wrote fully in my
letter of a few days ago & hope that has come to hand. As to Lora you must do as you
please & charge as you please, I have not a word to say, only I fear you would have too
much to do -- I want you to use your
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own judgement, for I
am not at home to aid you & all the trial would be your own -- I know you have enough
to do & unless you were helped at the same time I fear you would only add to your cares
& I do not want that -- but as I said I cannot advise - I wrote to you to send the
butter I hear from you that Reed has butter & Cheese for me at quite a reasonable rate
-- I am much obliged to him & now the getting of them -- the ladies tell me that Mrs.
Wise is coming down next week -- perhaps she would take charge of them especially if she has
any one with her & I will be under many obligations -- or Mr. Reed may find some one
coming to the army who will bring them to
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Brandy Station -- where Maj. Hawks will
take care of them -- he is at Dr. Harris' house a short distance from the depot -- have Reed
box them securely -- & I want them to come by some safe charge --
Mr. W. J. Points comes down day after tomorrow & if Reed can get them to him he will bring them down. We are on hard tack, bread & meat but in very good quarters, in a roomy old house -- "Berry Hill", 4 miles from here -- full of broken furniture which the Yankess destroyed -- If my butter & cheese get here I shall live very well for a long time & they will be as cheap as any thing we buy. Get him to get you some if you can --
I am very well & very hard at work -- I heard today that Imboden captured 480
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Yankees at Charlestown but was retreating up the Valley Much love & Kisses for
all may our merciful God bless you --
Write to me soon - the young ladies here send you much love --
My regards to Mrs. Wise & family -- Tell Allie to be of good cheer.
I will write to Mr. Bear in a day or two -- I am waiting to hear from some of the officers of the Eng. Rgt It was a roll of flat cap paper I wanted to send to Lt. Koerner -- the thick white & I had put 40 sheets in one roll -- not the thin but the thick
Good bye my love
Your Aff husband
Jed. Hotchkiss
