Raynors HCA 2017-12
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/7/2017
A great war-date Union soldier's letter, 3pp. folio, written by Corp. Robert A. Hubbel, Co. K, 14th New York State Vols., Harrison's Landing, Va., Aug. 2, 1862, reading, in part: "…on the night of the 31st July…we were awoke by the booming of cannon and the bursting of shell in the camps…there was nothing for us to do but stay and take…it as one place no safer than another. They were being thrown all around without any particular aim…the rebels came down to the edge of the hills on the other side of the river and with small field pieces commenced firing at us. Our gunboats returned the fire with vigor and after arranging themselves in position got a cross fire on them…it was stormy and dark. They fired from three heavy guns shell and shot and in about 3/4 hour they silenced the rebel batteries and made them retire…several were killed and wounded. One man in our brigade killed from the 62d Penna. Regt and some wounded…also the 4th Mich. had some wounded. Our regiment had none hurt but several unwelcome calls were made in the tents…one piece of shell passing through Genl. Griffin's tent…another passing through one of the band tents struck the ground and glanced off passing through our Doctor Weet's tent and going over in the 17th N. Y. V. killed a man…laying in his tent…near the river they have some 200 or 250 negroes that have…come in. They use the males for teamsters & digging etc and the females for cooks, nurses etc. They are all in a lot together and go by the name of the Negro Brigade…when the firing commenced a shell burst among them slightly injuring one or two…although a guard is placed over them to keep track of them and prevent disorder they all started right and left…the getting away…for the woods you never saw. One would start and 30 or 40 would follow, some would fall and others on top of them…the boys stood and laugh[ed] at them…they would also…tell them that the rebels were right on their heels…then away they would go again faster than ever. It was fun to see them, but poor fellows they did not know…yesterday afternoon Syke's brigade crossed the river…guarded by the gunboats…skirmished about 2 miles back and found nothing…[but] 12 or 13 wounded secesh soldiers at a house…before leaving…Syke's brigade burned several houses near the river…and brought away quite a lot of goods…R. A. Hubbel…". Minor spotting, light soiling, else VG
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