Stonewall Jackson's Staff Learn Some Revolutionary War History, 1862

[Jedediah Hotchkiss, “Campaigns of 1861, 1862… Memoranda & Journal of Jed. Hotchkiss, Top. Eng. Valley District… “ Jedediah Hotchkiss Papers, Library of Congress:]

[themes:

1. Revolutionary War--memory and commemoration

2. Civil War]

Tuesday, July 29^th [,1862]. We [Confederate General Thomas Jonathan “Stonewall” Jackson and his staff] moved our camp to Mechanicsville, farther away from the front and to new and clean grounds, 6 miles S. of Gordonsville. We have our camp at the old [Mechanicsville Baptist] church, a little west of the village…. dined near the Mechanicsville church. Rain in P.M. Bought potatoes at $5 a bush.

Wednesday, July 30^th. Worked at map. We have a very nice place for our camp and in a region where we can get fresh supplies. Heard from home; a good letter. Went to Gordonsville in the P. M.

…

Sunday, Aug. 3^rd. Wrote my wife early in the morning, then went to church with the General to hear Rev. Dr. [Joseph C.] Stiles preach, in the camp of Lawton’s Brigade of Georgians, in the woods a mile from our camp. The text was, “Show thyself a man”, a subject which he handled ably…. When we got back to camp we found the Hon. Wm. C. Rives there, and in the course of conversation he spoke of the reminiscences of the spot where we were, of LaFayette’s retreat across Raccoon Ford, on the Rapidan, and on to Mechum’s river, (creek) not far from here, cutting out or widening the road, which passes through here and to this day is called the “Marquis’ Road”. Cornwallis pursued him, leisurely, until Green joined him, La Fayette, when Cornwallis, in turn, retreated. A fine warm day.

…

Tuesday, Aug. 5^th. A very warm day. In the P. M. we moved our Hd. Qrs. back to Col. [Jonathan] Magruder’s, 4 miles beyond Gordonsville. It was intensely hot….