Raynors HCA 2017-12
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/7/2017
A great war-date Union soldier's battle letter, 3pp. 4to., written by Corp. Robert A. Hubbel, Co. K, 14th New York State Vols., Miner's Hill, Va., Sept. 4, 1862, reading, in part: "…started for Manassas Junction…stopped as Pope's army were fighting at Thoroughfare Gap…at the foot of the mountains…were ordered to fall in and marched out at…double quick time to where the fight was, formed in line of battle having orders to hold a position…at all hazards…the report came that Stonewall Jackson was retreating in the direction of Manassas and intended to get out in that direction and cross the Rappahannock at Ellis Ford or Warrenton…about 1/2 hour his skirmishers came out of the woods on the opposite side of an open piece of ground…but fell back upon seeing…our troops…in a jiffy our skirmishers were sent in advance and entered the woods to the left…and had quite a skirmish killing one of the 62d Penn…and wounding 3 or 4 others…the Rebels brought out 2 pieces of artillery and commenced shelling us. At once our battery (Griffin's) returned the fire…the Rebel battery was forced to retire. After which considerable skirmishing was done…no general engagement ensued…he [Stonewall Jackson] probably thinking our position stronger than he wished to attack…all of Porter's Corps were in waiting for him…he would have received a sharp time had he come…Genl. Porter was in advance with the skirmishers and did not retire until they fell…back…Col. Berdan of Berdann's Sharpshooters was struck with a piece of shell on the shoulder injuring him slightly. He…dressed it and still commands the regiment…the next morning we…marched back to Manassas Junction where was the most of the Army of the Potomac…all this time fighting was going on all around us by…troops ahead and in the rear. At Manassas I saw about 500 prisoners…a hard looking lot they were…at Bull Run we…passed through the old battle ground…a more strong position can not be had…the fortifications were not so formidable, but the deep ravines and thick woods…and ditches we would have to cross were such that it must have been impossible to have crossed and get at them…we halted and got coffee…out of Bull Run…we could hear the cannonading and musketry all the time and were expecting to be called in all the time as extra cartridges were given out…we carry sometimes 60 and 80 rounds of cartridges in a battle…before dark we were ordered…forward toward the battle…our Corps had…been in the fight…the Rebels had turned our left flank…our troops were flying in all directions…we were there to stop them. It was caused by the wagons which upon the Rebels coming up on the left were ordered to fall back…taking it for a retreat. [They] started at the top of their speed…the wounded and stragglers catching the fever all started and caused quite a panic…the troops in the fight…fell back…in good order…and held the battlefield…we after the panic had subsided then marched back to Centreville and laid there until day before yesterday when we, acting in concert with Franklin's Corps, as rear guard started for Fairfax arriving there about noon…R. A. Hubbel…". Minor spotting, light soiling, else VG
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