Highly Detailed Battle of Seven Pines Letter

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/3/2015

War-date Union soldier's battle letter, 4pp. 4to., written by Pvt. Rufus Robbins, [DOD, Philadelphia, January 7, 1863] Co. K, 7th Mass. Vols., Seven Pines, Va., June 17, 1862, in part: "…we were in line very quickly after the firing commenced. Moved a few rods to the left and halted on the road leading to Williamsburg…here we were near a clump of buildings (a planter's house and several slave huts). We halted here some 15 or 20 minutes. We stood front to the road. Ambulances were bringing past us the dead and wounded. Those not so badly wounded walked in. Some assisted by their comrades, others alone using canes. This was a hard sight…in our rear was a panic stricken Regt…come in…they were badly scattered. Their Col. was trying to rally them…for the fight but with poor success. Our next move was to the right off the Williamsburg stage road onto one crossing the railroad. We halted…between the Williamsburg road and the RR…in front of an old building which…was being used for a hospital. At this place the bullets were coming towards us but not very thick. They were fighting in the woods in front of us. I saw a Regt. of our men pass in the woods…on a charge…Gen. Couch led them on but they were repulsed…with great loss…Gen. Couch came up in front of our line. He was siting on his horse in front of me when a bullet struck the ground at his horse's feet. He gave it a look of contempt. Another came striking a tree directly behind Lieut. [Abijah L.] Mayhew and a few inches above his head. He was standing in the rear of us and it passed as near the head of my right hand man as it did to Mayhew…he fell and was…getting up when a piece of shell passed over him. Our next move was across the RR…and formed a line of battle in the woods…the route from d to e was hasty. After forming our line…we noticed a change in our officers. Gen. Couch and staff, Col. Russell and others looked troubled. The men whispered there is trouble. We are cut off. We have got to go to Richmond prisoners. This…would have proved true had it not been for the timely arrival of Gen. Sumner with his troops…Capt. Walker (one of Couch's aids) rides hurriedly up and tells him that a large Rebel force is right upon us. "Impossible" says Couch. They must be our men…an aid…sent from Sumner to Couch told him if he could hold his position 1/2 an hour…he [Sumner] would be with him. Now is the critical moment. The Rebels are upon us. Sumner and his troops are in sight. We move back…to the bend. It is but a few rods. A Regt. of our men are running out of the woods…closely followed by a large Rebel force…now Sumner's men are resting a little in our rear…Rickett's Battery…in Sumner's command…is on the bend with us…we…in their rear to support them. The Rebs fire upon our men which are retreating out of the woods. We recd a part of their volley. Some of the balls come too highland some too low…one…struck one of Comp. I in the leg. [Sgt. Charles Faas] He had to have it amputated. The right wing of our Regt returned the fire…the battery opens upon them. The Rebs are retreating followed by…a storm of shot…hundreds must have fallen…we were called away…soon after the battery opened…the engagement lasted there until dark. They seemed to be determined to have that battery…the battle commenced again about sunrise. Lasted…about 2 hours…we made…little change in our position that day…our troops occupied the RR as far as I could see…most of the fighting was farther on the RR towards Richmond…your affectionately, Rufus". Also included, is a small 2pp. slip of paper, on which Rufus adds a closing statement to his parents concerning his health and bit more commentary on the battle, and the original transmittal cover.

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