Augusta County: Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara A. Hotchkiss, April
17, 1864
Summary:
Hotchkiss writes to his wife, describing activities in camp, a church service, and the
progress of the war.
Sara A. Hotchkiss
Sunday P.M. April 17th 1864
My Dear One:
Much to my regret I could not find any way to get home short of walking in & back
& the mud is too deep for that much effort, for my friends consider me constitutionally
averse to much exertion, so I have patiently endured my fate -- tired one night on my
diminished no: of blankets & eaten a cold dinner today off the nice biscuits, butter
&c that you sent me, after a good breakfast on ditto with buttermilk - - Mr. Robinson
& Billy started yesterday morning with the horses & I let William go to
[unclear: May] last night -- Mr Reed & Maj. Rogers spent the night with me --
I got eggs & butter for Gen. E. -- have too much baggage
yet, but do not see how I can diminish it -- I sent back any quantity to you, as you have no
doubt fully realized by this time -- I do not see how you got it unloaded, but hope you had
some help -- If there is anything in the lot that you want use it -- Mr. R. sent you his odd
shoe
[page 2]
I was up at church today -- Wm Bakers -- All the
Episcopal Church was there -- a perfect [illeg.] of ladies -- I do not know why there
was in service at the Epis. Ch. -- No news of special
interest, though it is said Longstreet has arrived at Charlottesville -- We must expect active
operations very soon now -- There were two bottles of Vinegar -- they got here too late for me
to get more -- You had better put this recipe in your note book -- Dr. Chapman gave it to me --
he uses it to kill the nerve in a tooth Viz - - 1 Grain of Arsenic, 1 Grain of Morphine,
Kreosote enough to make a paste of it, then put a piece the size of a pins head in the cavity
& confine it there with a little wax -- or cottn & wax --
I did not hear anything of Nelly's tooth when I was home - so it must have gotten well -- I hope to get to camp safely tomorrow -- though I have many bundles to look after. I will write to you very soon after I get there -- You must be of good cheer -- I hope this campaign may, by God's blessing, end the war -- The news from Louisiana is very cheering -- it is said Banks got a bad whipping & that he sent over 7000 wounded to Baton Rouge. Be of good cheer my love and try and not exert yourself too much Many kisses for you all -- the children must learn much this spring and summer
Good bye & God be with you
Your Aff husband
Jed. Hotchkiss
