Luray Va

October 29^th 1917

 

Mr. Luther W. Hopkins

 

                        Dear Sir

                                    I have just read your book from Bull Run to Appomattox which I borrowed from Rev. J. C. Hooks to whom you sent a copy. He is now my pastor. I was quite interested in the book, as I traveled almost the entire route I saw the smoke from the first gun fired at Bull Run by the Yankees and continued till I was wounded in falling back from Five Points when Lee began to face / back from Petersburg, & had to be hauled off the field. I had a horror of prison life & managed to get outside of their line of march & so escaped. In about 1 months time my brother who had been a surgeon in the army had gone home & heard from me & came in search of me & took me home. I was getting along very well of my wound by that time.

 

In 1862 I joined a company being raised by Capt. J. H. Graybill of Woodstock, who is still living. was made orderly sargent. was elected as Lieutenant the day before / the Battle of Branday Station. We were surrounded there & fought our way out. Our Capt. was captured there & never got back till the close of hostilities.

 

Soon after the sole command of the company devolved upon me till I was wounded in the retreat from Richmond & Petersburg.

 

I led my company in the advanced guard through Gettysburg. The first troops entering, while command of six command companies of moved on to Wrightsville on the Susquehanna & burned the bridges back to Gettysburg. I write thus not boasting but only stating facts. / I believe I was at your Father's house during the war. I preached to the soldiers a great-deal during the war having as my associate Rev J. T. Maxwell who is still living at Staunton Va. In 1867 I connected with the Baltimore Conference, answered to roll call 45 years consecutively. I was the Pastor of your Brother's family for 4 years nearly 40 years ago.

 

I spent the day with Dr. Yancy a couple of years ago, & such changes, changes, I felt like I wanted to get away. I just thought I would write this to you. I am now a superanuated preacher living at Luray /

I don't know that I ever met you. But I know George & Luther & Ed & Geraldine.

 

Floyd Weaver who is the Commonwealth Clerk of the Court of Page Co. told me your brother is still living. The Weavers lived a mile or two from Mr. Hopkins & Floyd is a splendid fellow George is dead. Dr. Yancy married his widow. Edward died a / a month or so ago. My children attended the school with them all 4 years at McGaheysville. I knew Miss Bert. Harriet heard from her for a long time.

 

This was all started up by your book. I am still right vigorous & do a good deal of work. Yrs. very Truly

            H. M. Stricker

 

[upside down] Dr. Harris [?] me. HMS.

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