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, 4pp. folio, written by Corp. Robert A. Hubbel, Co. K, 14th New York State Vols.,"Camp near Fredericksburg, Va., Dec. 17, 1862," reading, in part: "Again we have encountered the enemy and again been obliged to withdraw without succeeding…our Corps marched at daylight…and advanced towards the river…in front of Fredericksburg…which…was in possession of the enemy…we did not immediately cross but laid masked some two days during which time the batteries were at work trying to batter down the fortifications built by the Rebels…about 3/4 miles back of the city…in front of which was a level plain…although our batteries did well we were unable to dislodge them. The city was then shelled and cleared of all their forces. We then threw pontoons boats across the river and gained possession of the city. The Rebs fell back under the protection of their works and…breastworks they had erected. We then formed in line of battle at the head of the town and at the word "forward" commenced our march and then the ball opened…our field pieces…could not be placed…without doing damage to our men. The fighting of the infantry commenced on Saturday about 11…a. m. and did not cease until 8…when darkness closed upon us. The firing was the most terrific…I ever heard and certainly…I ever was engaged in. Our brigade went in about 3 1/2 o'clock and after engaging about 1/2 hour the line was ordered to charge. We did so and after a most severe encounter we were forced to fall back…but rallied and made a stand against a counter charge…they in turn were repulsed with great loss…we had the best position being so near their fortifications that they could not depress the guns…to bear upon our…line……we…were somewhat protected by a slight raise in ground and by laying and loading on our backs…many lives were saved. When the firing had stopped after dark we…formed a line in front and near the Rebel line and threw out pickets…some 15 or 20 feet and on the brow of the raise of ground…staid there all saturday night and all day Sunday. We laid all Sunday…on our side or back not daring to raise our head for fear of their sharpshooters…a more worn out set you never saw. We were mud from head to foot and all blacked…with powder…no fight was commenced on Sunday…a continual fire was however kept up by sharp shooters…their position is such…not to endeavor the second time to take it…Franklin is on their right and Sumner on the left. They have a very large force here and we will have some bother taking it…our regimental loss was 45 killed and wounded (5 killed…our Major Michael was wounded before we got to the field, in fact, most of the loss…was had before we arrived…in the line of battle…the greatest damage…to a Regt is going in and coming out of a battle field…Regts can not stand it all the time and have to be relieved by others…Whitbeck…was hit by a piece of shell and we thought wounded badly at the time but he is all right…it only glanced and did no damage expect stinging him. Coons is the only one severely hurt. He was hit by a stone that a shell struck and scattered. Kirkland Hallenbeck, Post Skidmore and Haynor are names…in our company that were slightly hurt and had to go to the rear. I thank god I am all right…Capt, Graze of Co. A was shot in the bowels and is not expected to survive. Our Capt. acted…like a brave and gallant commander…he is cool, clm, determined and gives the commands in a loud and clear voice. [He is] the largest man in the regiment…on Sunday night about 8 o'clock our Regt was relieved and we marched silently back to Fredericksburg and formed in line in the Main street…at least 4 or 5 hours sleep musketry was heard and a call to arms sounded…after some 15 minutes firing out in front it stopped and we again laid down and everything was quiet until Monday morning…Tuesday morning we fell in and recrossed the river. We were about the last troops in the city. All the killed were buried and the wounded brought away…R. A. Hubbel. Light soiling, else VG
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