The Battle of Seven Pines 17th Mississippi Letter.

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/27/2015

Good war-date Confederate soldier's letter, 4pp. 8vo., written by Pvt. Pinkney M. Lewis, Co. I, 17th Miss. Vols., "Battlefield near Richmond, Va., June 4, 1862", in part: "…our brigade was moved a few days a few days after and is now about 5 or 6 miles east of the city [Richmond] and whilst I am now writing I am at the wagon yard…about half way from the brigade…I was a little unwell and came out here…for purpose of getting some clean cloths as my knapsack was left here…I recon you would like to hear something about these two armies…on the map will will see the Chickahominy River and as far up and down…which is 4 or 5 miles along here the Yanks are on the opposite and our army on this side. The stream is small and the two armies [are]…on opposite hills about a mile apart…just below where our brigade (the 3d Miss. Brig.) is stationed the enemy is across…that is where the fight occurred the other day…the fight lasted the bigger part of two days. We drove them from their entrenchments. The loss on both sides was heavy, but we rather licked it on them…the 13th and 21st were sent down but the struggle ceased on their arrival. The 17th were on picket duty…we are on the outpost. Our company comes on duty every 3 days. We have several long range rifles in our Co. and occasionally turn over one of the blue jackets. They have the same chance at us, but none of our Regt has been hurt very badly yet. One of Co. F was slightly wounded yesterday in the arm while on his post. They shell us every day very hot but none of us hurt…but it makes the boys squat and dodge occasionally. The fight spoken of occurred the 31st and 1st. I suppose you have heard of the fight that came off here last week. It was about 4 miles above us but we could hear it…very distinctly…there will be small fights and heavy skirmishing every few days…to hear fights and skirmishing going on is more common than any shooting was in Old Desoto…I heard one of the hardest fights that I have heard since I have been in service…I thought…at the destruction of human lives of that lovely old home which I hope to see again…the health of our Co. is only tolerably or rather bad…out of 108 men about 50 are able for duty…intelligence just reached here of Beauregard's capturing 4,000 prisoners, good news. I will close…P. M. Lewis". Minor toning with archive tape repairs, else VG.

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