Augusta County: Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara A. Hotchkiss, April
26, 1864
Summary:
Hotchkiss describes the actions of Grant and the Union army, and relates miscellaneous
news.
Sara A. Hotchkiss
A. M. Ap. 26th 1864
Hd. Qrs. 2nd Corps
My Dear Sara:
I thought I should have heard from you before now -- but I suppose you have written my letter
has stuck by the way -- I have written twice, but know you expect another this week and I would
not deprive you of the small amount of pleasure that lies in my power to confer on you -- We
are now having fine weather & expect to have active operations in a few days. Grant
still employs himself in reviews & changing his camps -- he has also been digging some
entrenchments this side of Culpeper C. H. on Mrs. Green's land
-- The grass here is quite green & our horses are doing very well -- picking up after
the hard winter they have passed through most of them are quite thin & look badly. I
have been much pleased listening to the songs of a mocking bird that sings every morning at my
window & calls around him all the varieties of birds that frequent the place by
imitating their notes & "calls" -- it is quite amusing to see a bird come flying up to
answer the love call of its mate & as suddenly turn & dart off at a note of
alarm seeming to come from an enemy -- The bird is a very plain looking one, but certainly
quite wonderful -- I today packed up another box to send home, which I shall
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send to
Staunton to the care of Maj. Bell--. I enclose the demijohn & one crock in the box --
if any one goes to staunton in the course of two weeks they can get it, but do not borrow any
trouble about it -- I sent back nearly all my clothes -- want to take as little baggage as
possible so I may have room for something else if we succeed in getting anything. How
cheeringly every thing goes on this Spring -- we seem to be favored in everything and if we can
only whip the "Army of the Potomac" I think we shall be in a fair way to secure peace by the
close of the year -- Mrs. Ewell has gone away & the poor old General is almost
disconsolate -- gets up early in the morning & walks about
nearly all day -- he is very active now & in fine health & sprints -- we are
enjoying the butter & pickles very much -- How comes on the garden -- the stock
&c & & especially how comes on my dear little wife & my two
babies -- Heaven bless them. It almost made me homesick last Sunday to thing that I was so far from home -- My kind regards to Mrs. Wise & family -- I
have been so busy I have not had tiem to call on Mrs. Stubblefield. Be sure & write to
me often -- & tell me if there is anything you want & how you get along -- I am
so sorry I have to leave you thus all alone -- but our God will protect --
Good bye my love & kisses for you all
Your aff husband
Jed. Hotchkiss
