The Ott family were longtime residents of Augusta County, Virginia. Union and Confederate forces had fought grueling battles in the region in 1862, but by the fall of 1864 the area was under firm Confederate control. However, the Confederate army regularly sent soldiers to confiscate crops, cattle, and other goods as the southern economy unraveled under the strain of war. In this letter, Ginnie Ott tells her husband Enos, stationed at Camp Lee in Richmond, about shortages in the area and encourages him to stay where he is rather than seek a transfer to a company closer to home.
Nov 21st 1864
My Dear Husband
I seat myself this morning to drop you a few lines, in answer to yours of the 15th. I was not at Pa’s when they got the letter but they sent it to me the same day. I was glad to hear that you were well and hope when these few lines reach you, you may still be enjoying the best of health. Henry came home last night on a seven days furlough to gather up some provisions for the company he belongs to & to take down his cattle. Frank McNutt came with him. Henry has a bad cold & sore throat. Mag and Sister went to Staunton last Friday. I would have written and sent the letter by them but I sent with them for some things I was obliged to have and I thought I would not write until they would get back and see whether they could get the things or not. They got all I wanted except white flanel & I wish if you can get any in Richmond you would send me 4 or 5 yds. The calico you sent me came to hand all right; it is very pretty indeed. Mr. Row is at home now. He says he cannot make your boots without your measure. You will have to send it soon or he cannot make them atal [at all] as he expects to go to the army the ninth of next month. Mag went out last week to hunt the brandy & could not find it. She wishes to know where it is though I suppose she will say something about it in her letter. Sister wants to know what black calico is selling at down there. She wants to get a dress and there was but one peice in Staunton and it was very coarse. She says if [it] is not too dear she would [like] for you to get her a dress & she will pay you in silver if you wish it. There was three men here gathering the tithe corn [the 10 percent of crops requisitioned by the Confederate government] out of the field last week, and four men here yesterday trying to get wheat, and there are two wagons here now for the hay. I have not heard from Mr Newton yet whether he can let you have a hat or not. Pa will see about it and I will let you know. We will send you the things you wrote for as soon as we can. You spoke about getting before the board but I think if you have to stay in service you are as safe there as any place else. The men in the Valley have had some very hard marching to do lately. I believe I have no news to write. We are all well. Nothing more at present.
your affectionate Wife
Ginnie Ott
Source: Ginnie Ott to Enos Ott, November 21, 1864, The Valley of the Shadow: Augusta County, Virginia, Personal Papers, University of Virginia Library, http://valley.lib.virginia.edu/papers/A2909.