Letters of Jedediah Hotchkiss, 1860-1865

• U. Burrows to Sara Hotchkiss, August 1, 1860

  U. Burrows writes to Sara Hotchkiss with information concerning several financial transactions, including a sale of land.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara Hotchkiss, June 27, 1861

  Hotchkiss describes his activities en route to camp in Monterey, Virginia. He writes about travelling and sleeping conditions, the scenery, and people's reactions to the beginning conflict.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara Hotchkiss, July 5, 1861

  Hotchkiss relates the remainder of his journey to Camp Garnett, discusses his efforts to secure a position in the army, and describes his surveying work.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara Hotchkiss, July 7, 1861

  Hotchkiss describes a small engagement with Federal forces, resulting in casualties on both sides. He remains uncertain about a possible job with the army and writes more about camp life.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara Hotchkiss, July 17, 1861

  Hotchkiss writes about camp life. He discusses a recent battle that resulted in the death of General Garnett and the capture, by the Yankees, of hundreds of Confederate troops, many of whom were then paroled.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara Hotchkiss, July 18, 1861

  Hotchkiss describes the return of paroled prisoners captured in a recent battle. He also gives his wife instructions concerning items he wishes sent to him.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara Hotchkiss, July 22, 1861

  Hotchkiss writes to his wife concerning his hopes of getting leave to go home, his recent illness, and living conditions in camp.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Editor of the Richmond Whig, July 22, 1861

  Hotchkiss relates a description of the battle at Rich Mountain to the Editor of the Richmond Whig.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Governor Letcher, July 27, 1861

  Hotchkiss writes to Governor Letcher on behalf of a Colonel Heck, who was captured and sent to a Union prison. He asks Letcher to consider a prisoner exchange so that Heck's regiment may be reorganized as it was before the war.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara Hotchkiss, July 30, 1861

  Hotchkiss describes his recent illness, the army's move from McDowell to Monterey, Va., and the possibilities for a post with General Lee's staff.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara Hotchkiss, August 3, 1861

  Hotchkiss discusses his typhoid attack and his employment in making maps.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara Hotchkiss, August 4, 1861

  Hotchkiss describes a quiet Sunday in camp and the religious services that took place. He also discusses his activities making maps.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara Hotchkiss, August 11, 1861

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

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara Hotchkiss, August 16, 1861

  Hotchkiss describes his continued search for a permanent appointment with the army, the presence of Yankees in Virginia, and he also discusses the treatment of sick soldiers by women.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara Hotchkiss, August 24, 1861

  Hotchkiss describes camp life, including food and shelter. He includes a floorplan drawing of his tent.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara Hotchkiss, August 26, 1861

  Hotchkiss writes a brief note concerning his appointment as Lieutenant of Engineers by General Loring.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara Hotchkiss, August [?], 1861

  A brief note by Hotchkiss, telling of the possibility of getting a furlough.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara Hotchkiss, September 17, 1861

  Hotchkiss describes a 7-day march towards the Yankees which ended with Jackson's failure to attack.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Nelson Hotchkiss, September 18, 1861

  Hotchkiss describes an extended march that ended in a failure to engage the Federal forces, his poor health, and other miscellaneous news.

• Lydia Hotchkiss to Family, December 28, 1861

  Lydia Hotchkiss writes to her children, relating information about agricultural prospects, health and illnesses, and other local news.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara Hotchkiss, [?] 15, 1861

  Hotchkiss writes of a recent battle defeat and retreat.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara Hotchkiss, March 18, 1862

  Hotchkiss describes the movement and encampment of the army.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara Hotchkiss, March 21, 1862

  Hotchkiss describes the army's current encampment, the weather, and the mustering in of militia units.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara Hotchkiss, March 23, 1862

  Hotchkiss recounts being mustered into the Confederate army and describes some troop movement.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara Hotchkiss, March 25, 1862

  Hotchkiss reacts to the news of his children's illness and recounts the results of a recent battle.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara Hotchkiss, March 26, 1862

  Hotchkiss expresses his relief at his daughter's recovery from Scarlet Fever and providing details concerning the losses and outcome of a battle and continuing skirmishes.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara Hotchkiss, March 26, 1862

  Hotchkiss describes the Confederate army's movements and the women of Winchester. He also conveys news of soldiers from Augusta County.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara Hotchkiss, March 30, 1862

  Hotchkiss writes of his appointment as Acting Topographical Engineer on General Jackson's staff and of the drafting of all the militia units into the regular Confederate army.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara Hotchkiss, April 2, 1862

  Hotchkiss describes skirmishes with Federal forces. He also discusses his new position in the army and gives brief details about the battle of Kernstown.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara Hotchkiss, April 4, 1862

  Hotchkiss reports on the draft conducted by the Confederate government. He discusses his daughter's illness and describes the various people he has met recently.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara Hotchkiss, April 10, 1862

  A brief note from Hotchkiss to his wife, telling of recent bad weather and its effects on the soldiers.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara Hotchkiss, April 10, 1862

  Hotchkiss answers some questions that his wife had asked concerning their finances. He also discusses their hired slave, Allen, and requests that his wife send certain items.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara Hotchkiss, April 14, 1862

  Hotchkiss describes the members of General Jackson's staff to his wife, and relates some news about the Confederate draft, the militia, and a prisoner from New York.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara Hotchkiss, April 17, 1862

  Hotchkiss relates news of a skirmish and describes his current lodgings.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara Hotchkiss, April 20, 1862

  Hotchkiss describes an expedition to burn several bridges, ending in a skirmish with Federal forces and a Confederate retreat.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara Hotchkiss, April 24, 1862

  Hotchkiss relates news of the Federal forces in Winchester and discusses the election of army officers.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara Hotchkiss, May 3, 1862

  Hotchkiss describes Confederate and Federal troop movement in western Virginia and the Shenandoah Valley.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara Hotchkiss, May 3, 1862

  Hotchkiss describes his activities in observing Federal forces and the army's attempts to build a corduroy road.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara Hotchkiss, May 8, 1862

  Hotchkiss writes that the Confederate army is passing close to Augusta County, and that he hopes to be able to see his wife.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara Hotchkiss, May 9, 1862

  Hotchkiss describes the battle and results of the recent action at Bull Pasture Mountain.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara Hotchkiss, May 10, 1862

  Hotchkiss describes the retreat of the Federal forces towards Moorefield, Virginia, and lists numbers and names of the dead and wounded.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara Hotchkiss, May 25, 1862

  A brief note from Hotchkiss to his wife to tell about a Confederate victory over General Banks.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara Hotchkiss, May 26, 1862

  Hotchkiss gives a detailed account of the Confederate forces' retaking of Winchester and of their drive to push the Federal forces out of the Valley.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara Hotchkiss, May [?], 1862

  Hotchkiss writes about traveling and gives miscellaneous instructions for those at home.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara Hotchkiss, June 4, 1862

  Hotchkiss writes a brief note to his wife telling about bad weather.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Nelson Hotchkiss, June 4, 1862

  Hotchkiss writes to his brother to ask him to hire someone to help Hotchkiss' wife on the farm. He also relates news about the army, including the exploits of General Ashby.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara Hotchkiss, June 10, 1862

  Hotchkiss gives some details about a recent battle and about efforts to drive the Federal forces from the Valley.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara Hotchkiss, June 15, 1862

  Hotchkiss relates news of skirmishes with Federal forces and of Confederate successes against Generals Shields and Fremont. He also describes the harsh treatment of civilians by Fremont's "Dutch" troops.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara Hotchkiss, June 24, 1862

  Hotchkiss requests his wife to send him certain items from home, mostly food and clothing.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara Hotchkiss, July 4, 1862

  Hotchkiss relates some brief details about a battle at Turkey Point, below Richmond.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara Hotchkiss, July 15, 1862

  Hotchkiss writes to tell his wife that he will not be able to go home for a visit as planned because of possible battle activity near Gordonsville, where Jackson's troops will be needed.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara Hotchkiss, July 18, 1862

  Hotchkiss describes his trip from Staunton to Gordonsville. He also talks about the conditions in camp and the possibilities for future battles.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara Hotchkiss, July 22, 1862

  Hotchkiss describes the army's encampment north of Gordonsville after a battle near Richmond.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara Hotchkiss, July 27, 1862

  Hotchkiss writes of continued skirmishes with Federal troops, an attack of cholera, his desire for food from home, and his opinions on his daughter's education.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Nelson Hotchkiss, July 27, 1862

  Hotchkiss relates miscellaneous information about the army and gives his brother instructions to send him certain items.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara Hotchkiss, August 3, 1862

  Hotchkiss describes the Confederate camp at Mechanicsville, especially the surrounding countryside and the availability of supplies. He relates news of a skirmish and reports that the Confederate forces are expanding in numbers.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara Hotchkiss, August 9, 1862

  Hotchkiss describes meeting and fighting Federal troops near Culpeper. The Confederate troops lost one general but took hundreds of prisoners.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Nelson Hotchkiss, August 14, 1862

  Hotchkiss gives his brother a detailed account of the battle near Cedar Run.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara Hotchkiss, August 16, 1862

  Hotchkiss relates the results of the Battle of Cedar Run, including those killed or wounded, and prisoners and arms taken. He also describes the Federal efforts to find and bury their dead.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara Hotchkiss, September 1, 1862

  Hotchkiss describes a Confederate victory near Gainsville, Virginia.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara Hotchkiss, September 8, 1862

  Hotchkiss describes the recent battle near Groveton, including the capture of 60 Washington citizens who traveled out to watch the fight. The Confederate troops then moved towards Maryland, and Hotchkiss relates the welcome they received as they made their way towards Frederick City, Maryland.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara Hotchkiss, September 17, 1862

  Hotchkiss relates news of the Confederate Army's trip into Maryland and its capture of 11,000 Federal troops in Virginia.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara Hotchkiss, September 21, 1862

  Hotchkiss relates the battle of Sharpsburg (at Antietam Creek) and gives his thoughts on his daughter's education.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Nelson Hotchkiss, September 28, 1862

  Hotchkiss writes to his brother on various topics, including recent battles and troop movements, his daughters' education, the lack of army provisions, northern opinions of the war, and the growth of the Confederate Army.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara Hotchkiss, October 5, 1862

  Hotchkiss enumerates some items he has shipped home. He describes a brief skirmish and a visit by Abraham Lincoln to the Federal forces at Harper's Ferry.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara Hotchkiss, October 12, 1862

  Hotchkiss recounts his experience mapping the battlefield of the Kernstown battle and gives news of various people.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara Hotchkiss, October 14, 1862

  Hotchkiss briefly describes a successful raid by Stuart into Pennsylvania, which passed through Chambersburg.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara Hotchkiss, October 26, 1862

  Hotchkiss writes of bad weather that has delayed him at an inn while scouting and relates news of the people he met there. He spent the next night at Mt. Sidney and relates news of people from there as well.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara Hotchkiss, November 2, 1862

  Hotchkiss describes troop movements in the Valley, and discusses the northern political races and their implications for peace.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara Hotchkiss, November 12, 1862

  Hotchkiss describes his travels as he maps the countryside and tells of the people and places he sees.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Nelson Hotchkiss, November 12, 1862

  Hotchkiss describes his trip to the Cedar Run battlefield, current skirmishes and prisoners taken, and the state of the surrounding countryside.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara Hotchkiss, November 16, 1862

  Hotchkiss arrives at the army camp near Winchester and relates various pieces of news, including possible troop movement, information about the command change in the Federal army, and the sympathetic attitude of captured Yankee prisoners, including an Irishman.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara Hotchkiss, December 4, 1862

  Hotchkiss writes of his new orders from General Jackson to make another map and of the Federal and Confederate troops near Fredericksburg.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Nelson Hotchkiss, December 4, 1862

  Hotchkiss relates his travels to eastern Virginia and gives his brother instructions for food and other provisions at home.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara Hotchkiss, December 7, 1862

  Hotchkiss sends his wife a list of items he wants from home and relates bits of news about camp life, skirmishes, and the weather.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Nelson Hotchkiss, December 7, 1862

  Hotchkiss gives his brother a brief description of the two armies' positions on opposite banks of the Rappahannock and then discusses his provisioning needs, as well as matters at home.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara Hotchkiss, December 13, 1862

  Hotchkiss writes to his wife on the eve of a battle and speculates on his possible fate.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara Hotchkiss, December 14, 1862

  Hotchkiss continues his letter from the previous day and describes the battle just fought.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara Hotchkiss, December 17, 1862

  Hotchkiss describes a recent battle and discusses people at home, such as slaves and children.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara Hotchkiss, December 17, 1862

  Hotchkiss gives his wife instructions for sending him a box.

• Colonel Imboden to Sara Hotchkiss, December 18, 1862

  Colonel Imboden writes to Sara Hotchkiss, thanking her and the ladies of Augusta County for the supplies they gathered for the Confederate troops.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara Hotchkiss, December 21, 1862

  Hotchkiss writes briefly about the position of Federal forces, the possibility of securing a leave, and his health.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara Hotchkiss, December 31, 1862

  Hotchkiss writes a brief note to his wife, mentioning his plan to ask for a furlough.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara Hotchkiss, [no month, day], 1862

  Hotchkiss continues a previous letter, describing camp life and giving instructions concerning food at home.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara Hotchkiss, January 2, 1863

  Hotchkiss writes of his failure to obtain a slave and his life in camp, and he also provides miscellaneous instructions for his wife.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Nelson Hotchkiss, January 4, 1863

  Hotchkiss describes his trip back to camp on New Year's Day, when the trains were crowded with hired slaves going to new work situations. He also expresses optimism at the way in which military matters are unfolding in the west.

• M.W. Pollard to Cousin James, May 6, 1863

  M. W. Pollard writes to her cousin James, telling him of her life at school, her studies, her teachers, and the people she has met. Also, she relates news of family members.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Nelson Hotchkiss, May 20, 1863

  Hotchkiss gives his brother a description of recent military action: a series of battles that saw both his tent-mate killed and General Jackson wounded.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Nelson Hotchkiss, August 15, 1863

  Hotchkiss writes his brother, discussing affairs at home, particularly the situation of a young woman in their household who wants to make a trip to her home in New York.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Nelson Hotchkiss, August 21, 1863

  Hotchkiss writes to his brother after hearing of the latter's severe illness. He also discusses the army's recent fast day and the state of the army's provisions.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Nelson Hotchkiss, October 25, 1863

  Hotchkiss describes recent troop movements, Stuart's cavalry skirmishes, and possible winter quarters for the Confederate army. He also discusses matters at home.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Nelson Hotchkiss, January 24, 1864

  Hotchkiss relates news from home to his brother, including information about the death of their sister. He also discusses food prices, Confederate currency, and slave hiring.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Sara Hotchkiss, August 24, 1864

  Hotchkiss describes in brief some movements of the armies. He also discusses matters relating to a female relative, including her reception at her northern home and her Confederate sweetheart.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Nelson Hotchkiss, October 3, 1864

  Hotchkiss describes news about recent skirmishes and the damage done by Federal troops in the Valley. He also relates news of people back home.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Nelson Hotchkiss, November 14, 1864

  Hotchkiss relates army activities of the past month, the military situation in the Valley, and activities in preparation for winter. He also writes of affairs at home.

• Jedediah Hotchkiss to Nelson Hotchkiss, December 30, 1864

  Hotchkiss writes to his brother while on furlough. He describes the weather, the hiring of slaves, and news of various neighbors, friends, and family.

• Elisabeth Reddy to Sara Hotchkiss, March 29, 1870

  Elisabeth Reddy writes to her sister, Sara Hotchkiss, relating family news, including children's education, a change in residence, family photographs, and health.