Some of the most edifying and illuminating letters from the Civil War years were not written by the celebrated generals and great civil leaders but by those who were not necessarily involved in the main currents of activity.

A good example of this type is found in a letter written by Isaac Hockaday of Lexington to his mother, Mrs. Emily Mills Hockaday, in Fulton. The letter, written before the Battle of Lexington took place, is reproduced below.

Lexington Sept 13th 1861 Mrs. Hockaday Fulton Mo

Dear Mother On Wednesday evening about sundown Col Marshalls1 Regiment & Col. Peabodys Regiment of Infantry retreated back to this place from Warrensburg where they had gone to seize the funds in the Bank at that place.

They had hardly gotten to town before the advance picket guard of Jacksons men I suppose under Rains drove in the Federal Pickets they unhorsed one of them & riped and tore through our yard & Barn lot on the hunt of him; from that time until yesterday morning there was a continual fire among the Pickets on both sides in the road runing by my house about sun up I went over to Mr Bolly to see him about moving our families out of the way & whilst at his house the Federals from town came out & cut me off from home leaving no one with May & the children.

They got into a hot skirmish in my corn & hemp fields which lasted until ten oclock in the day about which time I got one of the Federal soldiers to take me home, & found all well but considerably alarmed—The Federal Troops passed in 20 steps from my front window—They burned the covered bridge between my house & Mr Dimicks after which it was quiet on my Road.

In the evening they had a heavy skirmish near Dr Vaughns house. I suppose 1000 guns were fired & about sun down a tremendous volley of musketry & cannonading near the college & back of Col Woods old place. The result of the several engagements I am unable to state, suppose several killed on both sides. I was not 100 yards from home after I once got back during the day I would rejoice if you had May & the children with you all.

I dont see how we are to get away The amount of Troops in either side I am unable to say. The Jackson men are reported 18000 strong I would to God Jackson had been at some thing else when he inaugurated this war in Missouri the whole country will be destroyed & every man broke in it in order to take her out I care not. which way she goes slavery is doomed in this state. I feel as if we had better lost all of our negroes than suffered as we have already— Great outrages have been committed upon some of our citizens but that we may expect from all armies. I have not been disturbed in my property and feel as if it was a fortunate thing I was caught and sworn early in the action.

I am determined to observe my obligations religiously to the Government, several of the men taken and sworn at the time I was have gone it is said into the army how wrong it was & how seriously it may effect them — not for all I possess would I be in their places. Friday Morning. Sept 14th This morning is a wet & rainy & bids fair to be a wet day.

I looked for a general engagement to day had it not been so wet—what the evening may bring forth God only knows— Sunday Monday & Tuesday passed without any thing of interest on Wednesday the Battel began and lasted for three days— The Federal troops have entrenched themselves and fought bravely numbering about 3500— General Price had about 20,000 men on the field but not half of that number really engaged. On Friday evening they surrendered unconditionally. General Price lost about 50 killed & 50 or 60 wounded the Federals loss was 144 killed & about 260 or 70 wounded I have read of Battel fields but never expected to see one we could hear it all at our house. The day of the surrender there was a constant fire kept up all day until about 5 oclock—, & the next day I passed all over the field & it presented one scene of destruction Horses Mules Men & Hogs lying in all directions some dead whilst others maimed & manageled—The Federals burned Saml Wilsons House, Mrs Roberts, Tom Wallaces, Jno & Tom Alfords, Flemings & Mr Hunters it will all but ruin Hunters should he not get pay for it I suppose General captured 2000 muskets—3000 Pistols 1500 Sabers, 2000 Saddels all their Baggage Waggons camp equipage & about $1,000,000 taken from our Bank, which General Price had replaced. It was a great victory & a terrible blow to the Government. We are almost litterally destroyed, between the two different armies—Say to Mrs Watkins that her son was in the fight but was not hurt he is sick at our house & says he will be at home just as soon as he gets able, he has something like chills & feaver he is rather low spirited, but will be up in a few days— Ezechial McClanahan is here also he has fever & is quite unwell— things look gloomy here business of every kind is suspended— Give our love to all Yours & c Isaac