Augusta County: Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara A. Hotchkiss, October
11, 1864
Summary:
Hotchkiss writes to his wife, commenting on affairs at home, the morale of the army, a recent
battle, and other military news.
Sara A. Hotchkiss
Tuesday Evening -- Oct 11 th 1864
New Market Va.
My Own Dear Wife:
We are off again tomorrow & I shall not be able to write to you for a day or two so I will write before I retire I wrote you a few days ago - yours of the 4 th Ist. came a day after Mr. Robinson's 2 nd "Sunday surprise" -- I wanted to surprise you the 3rd Sunday but "Old Jubal" said "no" so I had to moodily submit & forgo a sweet day at home & spend a cheerless one in camp but I trust such days will not last always & that a kind Providence will permit us to spend many quiet & happy years at home -- all the more happy because we have been compelled to spend so many away from each other & have been taught to appreciate the more fully each the others worth & mutual benefit. I have just written to Allie & hope to be able to send it in a few days -- I have told her plainly not to bring her sister with her, for she would not meet with a pleasant reception &c &c -- as I told you I would -- & have advised her to come on by Winchester -- I wonder if Frank has had to go out under the last order calling out all "detailed men." -- Write me. It seems hard my Dear to call out the detailed men, but the next 6 weeks determine our fate & every man must come out for that time & do his duty -- if they do all will be well & they can then go home in peace & stay there with safety -- see what the reserves did at Saltville & so they can do everywhere until this emergency is past -- All must put a shoulder to the wheel & roll on to the end of this campaign & I feel that the end will then come -- Our men in the field have lost none of their accustomed courage, their leaders none of their accustomed skill, but our ranks are depleted by the many bloody battles of this mighty campaign & we must have our lines lengthened to oppose those of the insolent foe that has added thousands upon thousands to his from every household in the North -- The enemy is determined to do all that numbers can do this year & we must, shall , & will meet him with even numbers -- no even as figures tell it, but every as moral courage & unconquerable will tell it -- So say for me, to all that they must cheerfully come now, and in two months all will be well -
I have written to Maj. bell to attend to Jordan's case & think it will be properly
cared for -- there will be no getting off now I think -- hope so any how --
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I have
got Charlie here -- had my black horse stolen -- he is doing well -- I may sell him yet -- hope
to get some more supplies for you and some things to trade on. I spoke to Reed to see about 20
gallons of molasses when at the lowest -- you can see him -- I shall send William home to cut
wood & prepare for winter & hope to be able to come & attend to it
myself --
Everything here wears a cheerful aspect, notwithstanding the reverse of last Sunday -- Rosser drove the Yankees down to Fisher's Hill, killed & captured a large number, got hundred of cattle & sheep; wagons & ambulances -- but there the Yankees massed all their cavalry -- on him -- 3 Divisions on two small ones & charged him & compelled him to retire rapidly & his artillery horses were so [unclear: jaded] they could not pull his guns out on the rough road he was on & the enemy captured them, but they got but few men & he reformed & drove them back again -- after they had forced Rosser back they massed on Lomax & served him the same way and with the same result -- Our cavalry all of it that was there -- did its duty & if the thousands that are improperly away had been their it would not have happened -- I trust we shall get an opportunity to retaliate -- Gen. Lee achieved a great success at Richmond on Friday & Mosby played havoc with two trains the Yanks sent up the Manassas Gap R.R. They say Capt. Sam Chapman prayed over 50 of the Yanks that he sent to their long home in retaliation for some killing they did at Front Royal -- Sam is the 2 nd in command with Mosby -- I am glad Nelly has resumed her studies & I hope Anne has too -- they must be very diligent -- Mrs. Strager here gave me a good warm pair of gloves -- I suffered terribly from cold hands last Sunday -- It is very pleasant now -- Get all your flour & eatables home as soon as you can -- get Mr. Reed to get a Bbl. of flour from Mr. Smith -- for you -- Pleasant dreams to you -- & may Heavenly blessings descend upon the heads of all the "loved ones at home" -- Write soon --
Your Aff. husband
Jed. Hotchkiss
