Detailed Account of Guarding A Wagon Train From Harrison Landing to Hampton

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

War-date Union soldier's letter, 11pp. 8vo., written by Pvt. Rufus Robbins, [DOD, Philadelphia, January 7, 1863] Co. K, 7th Mass. Vols., Camp near Yorktown, Va., Aug. 24, 1862, concerned a very detailed account of their guarding a wagon train on the retreat down the Peninsula, in part: "…we have had a long and tedious march…to act as guard to the wagon train belonging to our division. Our division didn't move until the next day…you can have but a small idea of the magnitude of the train…we were a part of the time moving on the road with 1500 wagons each drawn by from 2 to 6 horses or mules…the roads were very dry and dusty…at times…I couldn't see a man marching 20 ft in advance of me. I was sick when I left camp but I dint know then what the matter was with me…my eyes and completion are yet little yellow. I have had the jaundice though not as badly as a great many in our company…I borrowed some cyane pepper of one of the boys before starting…I used [it] freely and I think with very good effect…I have learned that our doctor uses it quite freely with his medicines with people sick with that complaint…our route…from Harrison Landing to Hampton we spent 2 days and were then ordered back to this place…the troops of our div. didn't advance…made but very little progress…there were other trains and batteries on the road which had to pass us…our train is in motion again…on the Charles City road…passing Charles City Court House…it is but a very small village…it took 2 hours to get our train over the pontoon bridge and we halted another hour after crossing to feed the mules…I told Capt. Foster (Capt of the guard) that I was sick and got permission to ride a part of the time…took an early start in advance of the teams into the city…we found some apples…we were only going to pick up some under the tree when we heard a voice from the back yard warning us away. We found that they were owned by two Secesh ladies whose husbands…were off to the war. They were willing to sell them so we shook off as many as we wanted…we passed over the old Battle ground at Williamsburg…we passed through Yorktown and…halted at Big Bethel…I didn't eat a morsel…whilst I was there that was not a good medicine for my disorder and I took a bath every morning before breakfast…yours truly, Rufus." The original stamped transmittal cover is included. VG to near fine.

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