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7th Massachusetts Soldier's Letter Archive

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A great Civil War soldier's war-date letter and image archive of Private Rufus Robbins, Co. K, 7th Massachusetts Volunteers. This good lot consists of over 90 of Robbins' soldier letters, dated from the time of his enlistment in June 1861 at Taunton, Mass. through December 1862 while he suffers from dysentery at Carver Hospital, Washington also included is a 1/6th plate ruby-red ambrotype of Rufus Robbins as a pre-war civilian, plus a modern photocopy of Robbins in uniform which he mentions was taken in Washington in December 1861. Robbins' letters are highly informative detailing many of his wartime experiences including guarding rebel plantation houses, building forts that became part of Washington's defenses, and marching and fighting throughout his regiment's frontline experiences including campaigning near Washington in late 1861, McClellan's Peninsula campaign and the Antietam campaign. Amazingly, nearly all of the 7th initial three commanders, all of whom Robbins mentions in these letter, attained brigadier general status during the war. The letters read, in very small part: "…[first letter from Taunton]…we arrived here about noon [and] were marched into a building about 40 ft. wide and as long as Faneuil Hall…our company was examined soon after supper. The examination was a short one…he wanted to know if I was a well hearty man and would stand by my captain. Yes sir was my ans[wer]…[Taunton, Mass., June 14]…our company is divided into four sections. Each section mess together…[Washington, July 18]…we had a pretty good view of Washington…I saw about as many Blacks as Whites. The little darkie children are very pretty…went out for a target shoot. Shot twice…I hit it both times. Distance 75 yds…[Washington, Aug. 2]…we are having a new uniform making at the city…I don't suppose the defeat has had a tendency to discourage our troops…as we…engaged them at great disadvantage…[Aug. 7]…this morning we went out about a mile…picked up a few runaways…[Aug. 20]…we are digging trenches at the width of about 6 feet…and sods lain as to make a perpendicular wall…I feel very confident that when the time comes I shall have strength to do my duty…[Aug. 28]…last week the picket gave us a false alarm…we were then given as much ammunition as our cartridges boxes would hold…the box will weigh when thus filled 12 to 15 lbs…I managed to slip my box around behind me so that it didn't play on me…[Sept. 4]…I don't know who will occupy the forts which we have built [in the defenses of Washington]…we have finished one and the guns are mounted ten in number…the Rebels are anxious to attack Washington…[Sept. 18]…our new Col. [Nelson H. Davis]….is a very smart man and…will make better soldiers of us than…[Brig. Gen. Darius] Couch…we are now under the strictest military discipline…the slightest offense subjects us to some kind of punishment. It is…common…to see men standing upon the top of a barrel from six to 12 hours for not being present at roll call or talking in the ranks…[Sept. 28]…we have been at work on the fort today…we are at work on the magazine now…the magazine is in the center of the Fort…we are hearing guns and are ordered to remain near our tents…[Nov. 1]…Gen. Scott has resigned. I do not learn that McClellan intends to pursue any different course…[Nov. 30]…I had 6 photographs taken at the cost of $2.00. I couldn't have a smaller number of that kind {carte de visite] taken and…they would be the most convenient kind to send…[Feb. 2, 1862]…our new Col. takes command today. [His name is] D[avid] A. Russell of Boston. We all think he will be the man for us…[Feb. 5]…we had a target shoot this morning, distance 180 yds [the] target likeness is of a man…a few hit but I was not among that number…[Feb. 26]…last Monday the wind blew furiously…there was a soldier killed in the N. Y. 36…a pole fell and struck him on the head…one of the general's orderlies recd a wound…by the falling of timbers…his horse was injured…and died a few hours after…[Mar. 5]…Major Hurlow told us we should have a fight soon but Gen. Keyes countermanded the order…we have got as good a colonel as ever commanded a Regt. he is a Capt in the Regular service [and] was in the Mexican War. It makes a great difference weather we have a real or sham Col…[Mar. 16]…the orderly came in and told us to be in readiness to march…our Col told Gen. Couch that he was marching us at n unreasonable rate…the news of the evacuation of…Bull Run caused Gen. Keys to order a halt at Prospect Hill…[Warwick Court House, April 7]…we left camp near New Port News last Friday. We are now near the enemy…[Yorktown, April 18]…there has been some smart skirmishing near us. I don't know how soon the attack will be made upon Yorktown…we have got one of the best Col in the world…we were called up twice last night…it is reported that the Merrimack is sunk…[Apr. 27]…we are building what is called Corduroy Roads through the swamps…[Warwick, May 3]…one of our number is stationed close to the edge of the River to watch the Rebel pickets…Mr. Gunboat will not give us any trouble…we have batteries on our side of the river…that would take care of him at short notice…[New Kent County, Va., May 11]…we marched 20 miles Friday and 8 yesterday we are going to Richmond…concerning the Battle of Williamsburg…our position was in the woods…our loss was great but the Rebel loss was greater…Co. K was one of the companies detailed to go to Williamsburg with a part of the prisoners we took…1/2 of them were not interested in the cause…but some were unyielding as Tigers…[May 15]…we broke camp…marched about 40 rods…there are 16 to 20 thousand of us on the road [with] several long mule trains and batteries…we have surrounded and taken a large lot of prisoners…[May 18]…we have come…a little in advance of our main army. There are 3 Regts of us…Col. Russell had command of the whole. We are…driving in the Rebel pickets…we shall get to Richmond without any fighting…[Seven Pines, June 14]…we are…7 miles from Richmond…we had our toes …on the fighting line…we moved to the right some three miles to Fair Oaks where we had the Battle…Gen. McCall…is dong well…[June 15]…we didn't return to our camp…as a company…Frank H…found my knapsack…empty. Portfolio, drawers, stocking…were all gone…[Seven Pines, June 21]…a new rule…requires us to be up at 1/2 past 3 and stand in line of battle…this is to prevent an unexpected attack…there was some cannonading on our right this morning…[June 24]…we are stationed at a saw mill…we have got a prisoner…he is not a soldier but a citizen…[Harrison Landing, Aug. 3]…perhaps it is necessary to reinforce Pope…some of the English subjects have provided Secesh with Iron clad gunboats which are already in the James River…things are looking a little dark…[Aug. 10]…I hear…that Edwin [R. Robbins] has enlisted…he is in God's keeping…[Edwin Robbins, 38th Mass. was WIA Port Hudson & Winchester]…[Camp near Chain Bridge, Sept. 5]…we left our camp near Yorktown on the morning of Aug. 29th…a ferry boat…took us to the steamer Knickerbocker…the distance from Alexandria to Fairfax…is not less than 42 miles. Some have called it the hardest march we have ever had…[Downsville, Md., Sept 25]…the Rebels have taken a pretty severe drilling here in Md…we have marched through a very pretty country…[Oct. 6]…we have had…a review by the President…[Downsville, Oct. 15]…William Lincoln…gave me some medicine…Major Harlow came to see me whilst I was sick…he…wanted to know if there was anything I wanted. I told him straw to put in my tent…he lent me 75 cts…[Cherry Run, Md., Oct. 25]…I put on my new Frockcoat…it is quite a pretty one, dark blue and pretty fine [with] 9 bright buttons…buttons up high in the neck…[camp near Baltimore, Md., Nov. 14]…the Doctor is very kind to me…and I assure you I have friends here that will not see me suffer…[Carver Hospital, Washington, Nov. 22]…I am not dangerously sick…I am very weak and…my appetite very poor…[Nov.23]…the doctor is giving me Joline [?] 30 drops pr day and a mixture of Quinine 3 teaspoons full…[Nov. 28]…ten or twelve noisy fellows have been sent to their Regts and we have two new nurses in exchange for two very poor ones…[Dec. 13]…I am getting better…very slowly. My diarrhea is much better today…but I don't feel much stronger yet…[Dec. 16]…I am as weak yet as that old Rat…Father killed 20 years ago…at the old Arnold house…my appetite is…sometimes pretty good but oftener very poor…[Dec. 17]…I am to leave here in a few hours for Philadelphia…the prospect of getting home will be much greater there…". Much more interesting content while many of the letters include its original transmittal cover, some of which are signed by Congressman James Buffinton. Overall very good.

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