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Augusta County: Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara A. Hotchkiss, August 11, 1861

Summary:
Hotchkiss describes his efforts to furnish his tent, visitors to camp, and items he sent his wife, Sara.


Sara A. Hotchkiss

Sunday night, Aug. 11th 1861

Monterey Va.

My Ever Dear Wife:

Mr. Bear & Mr. Sieg came along Friday P.M. and stopped to see me a short time, left me the box of things you sent, the good calico shirt, the splendid "needle & book" & contents for which I am especially thankful -- and the nice quilt which added to my stock of bed clothes makes me a very nice bed, for I found the woolen blankets rather rough to sleep in, especially when it was warm at night, as it has been for a few nights -- but now I double the quilt & get between the folds and feel quite as though [added: keep my coat] I was in bed -- [illeg.] the being as good as alone -- though the ground is covered all around -- I am now in my own tent -- drew one some four days ago -- a good wall tent -- & took Dr. Opie -- a son of Col. Opie & a good fine fellow, in as tent mate & we two have a tent to ourselves and therefore are quite comfortable -- I have a chair & stand that I borrowed from Mr. Stephenson -- and with trunks & boxes as seats we got along very well -- the only drawback is the frequent calls on the Dr & the numerous cases that he has to treat -- it is quite amusing to hear the complaints of the men -- especially of the militia of Highland who are encamped near us -- I have been surprised at the seeming want of any power of endurance in these mountain men -- they wear down very soon and seem unable to endure any fatigue & more of them are sick than any other class of soldiers here. Mr. Emerson preached for us today from Ps. 118-6 -- a very good brief

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sermon -- the parson is about as good looking as ever -- is very sound on the question of State rights &c. I took a ride after dinner, on one of Mr. Sieg's horses, with Mr. Bear & enjoyed it much -- though only a mile, as I have been staying very closely in camp for the past week -- It is raining now -- it rains here every day & every night -- but I get along & stand it first rate -- I have had some cold, but am almost over it, and am very careful not to expose myself & try and keep every thing dry -- airing everything whenever the sun comes out, which happens at least once a day -- I do not know what day I can come home, but I do not want to come until I can get some money that I may rent some good place for you & see you removed there & properly fixed up before I come away -- I have fully made up my mind that I will not leave you where you will be subjected to petty annoyances and are constantly unhappy -- & I hope I can find some good place where you can be well cared for & will enjoy yourself as well as you can with me away -- I know that your fond heart will always find the hours weary & home desolate when I am not there, but Providence wills it that I must be away, it seems, for the path of duty is to me the path to be trodden & I can only despise those that in this hour of their country's danger keep back any assistance they can render -- I have urged resistance & I cannot but use my feeble efforts to resist, trusting to a kind overruling God to bring all things to a happy conclusion and to reward all those that do their duty

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I send you back a small box that I have, in which I have put my summer vest, which I do not need & my worn out woolen drawers -- they may be of use to me yet -- but I have 3 pairs of osnaburg drawers that I saved from the stores at Beverly & they are just the kind & all I want -- I have also sent you 4 lbs. of sugar, 3 lbs of rice & 1 pound of coffee -- and am sorry that I cannot send you more -- but I can only get these things by certifying that they are for "my own use" -- and as such I send them to you -- and you can use them and say nothing about it to any one -- not even telling the children where they came from -- though I prefer that you should have them as part & parcel of myself. I am glad you did not worry yourself to send me something to eat, (though the crackers are very nice you sent -- but I fear you robbed yourself on my account --) for we fare very well, have good bread & butter & sometimes eggs & Mr. Bear gave me a half bushel of potatoes & two splendid tomatoes & we have been living off the top of the heap. Mr. B. & Mr. S. came back here last night & have spent the day here -- they wish to get their teams -- and will stay until tomorrow -- I have had a very good visit with Mr. B -- he tells me of the breaking up of his carriage -- Rebecca gone to teach &c. Young McCoy who taught in Staunton Academy last year is here in Capt. Lilley's Co. as Sergeant -- he and Miss Eddie Bell are constant correspondents and it is rumored that they are engaged --

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I have agreed to do an extra job for a Lieut. Humphrey's of Miss -- and make him a map of the Retreat of Gen. Garnett, in which he participated -- he wants it to send home & I shall get pay for that, eight or ten dollars & if I can only get the rest that I due me I shall be able to get along very well -- and think I can get up [illeg.] of necessity for procuring some mapping &c articles and get home for a few days -- though, as I wrote before, they refuse furloughs to any but those chronically sick -- I went to see about the spool thread -- they have none of the kind you want -- I send you a spool of another no. that I bought some time ago at McDowell -- I will buy the calico you want as soon as I get some funds I am about ashore now -- as I did not have much & had to buy some saddle bags &c &c now & then. The troops here will probably be moved from here in a day or two -- which way is uncertain - - some think towards Hardy County -- I do not know -- but will write -- I can hardly say what I shall do -- for I know not myself -- of one thing be sure -- you & my loved children are ever in remembrance -- and I pray God may again safely unite us at home in peace -- It is late and I must go to my pallet -- may you have sweet slumbers and be blessed with all the blessings a gracious God can bestow --

Truly your affectionate husband

Jed. Hotchkiss



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