Augusta County: Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara A. Hotchkiss,
November 11, 1863
Summary:
Hotchkiss comments on news from home, and speculates about the army's future activities.
Mrs. Sara A. Hotchkiss Churchville Augusta Co. Va.
Sara A. Hotchkiss
Hd. Qrs. 2nd
Corps
Nov. 11 th 1863
My Dear Wife:
I wrote you briefly the day we got here, to Morton Hall & have heard form you twice
since, so I must write a few lines again, tho' but 3 days since I
wrote. You have heard before this that my butter came safely to hand & very soon - I do
not think it could hve stopped at Gordonsville Mr. R. must have been mistaken - we enjoy the
butter much & I hope Mr. R. will continue his good offices in our behalf & get
us some more for you to keep till this is gone, also some nice dried apples or peaches -- Up to
the 7
th
you do not speak of getting the $40. I sent you by Mrs. Wise. I am very fearful your
exhaustive labors have been too much for you -- I was in hopes you would have had Richard to
aid you by this time -- I did not think you company would stay so long
-- I am glad Allie has got a good place in Staunton, but am sorry, truly sorry, her fond dream
of happiness has been dashed to the ground -- but perhaps it is all for the best God grant it
may be. I hope she will be benefitted by the surgeon of the Blind Instn. -- She must not task her eyes to teach -- if she finds her eyes too weak she
must not teach -- I do not wish her to --. Do not try to do so much My Dear -- I shall get you
a woman at Christmas -- I hope Richard intends to come up - it is about the time when he would
come up to see you. Does Mr. Walker go to the army this winter? Lt. Smith intends to become a
chaplain next year -- he intends to leave us about the 1
st
of Dec. I suppose we shall have another fight here -- Gen. Lee is full of it, to wipe out
the advantage Meade has gained & teach
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him a lesson -- O that we may gain a
substantial victory here yet this year -- I hope the forces sent may check Averill -- of course
they will do all they can to make diversions in favor of Meade -- but I think we have force
enough for any emergency that may occur. I thought I would have a chance before this to send
you some more money -- & I shall soon find a chance then you can pay James Henry the
Butcher claims -- &c &c -- I want to pay up as many of his claims as I can --
& get square with my account. It has turned quite cold - and threatens snow -- We are
in a house & do very well, but it sets quite hard on the soldiers. I cannot spare Lt.
Koemer any heavy paper as I want what I have -- I think - if I have any to spare when I come at
Christmas he shall have it. Get my pants made if you can - - I shall need them when winter sets
in. I am truly grateful to our neighbors for their kindness to you & hope I may have it
in my power to repay them -- the enemy is on one side of the Rapidan & we on the other
-- most of them are encamped near Brandy - Good night -- my love to all & kisses
& may our Heavenly Father bless & keep you is the prayer of
your devoted husband
Jed. Hotchkiss
