Description:

Civil War
Harrison Point Landing, VA, July 6, 1862
Union Soldier Details Experience at Battle of Seven Pines & Seven Days Battles
ALS

An autograph letter signed from a Union soldier describing his recent battles at Seven Pines and the Seven Days Battles. 4pp of a bifolium, measuring 4.25" x 7", Harrison Point Landing, Virginia, dated July 6, 1862. Writing to a cousin in Pottstown, Pennsylvania, Union soldier George Scheetz [or Sheets] details Battle of Seven Pines and the Seven Days Battles, which were the culmination of General George B. McClellan's failed 1862 Peninsular Campaign. On Union letterhead. With flattened folds and separations which have been repaired with tape. Light toning and moderate staining at the centerfold. Very good overall with excellent content.

Highlights from the letter read in part:
"…I expect when the news reached Pottstown that the Army had fallen back from Fair Oaks it caused quite an excitement but it is for our own good for it is thought that the Rebels have a much stronger force there than what our Head Commander was aware of. Therefore we were obliged for to retreat until we have reinforcements or else be defeated in the attempt to take Richmond. Before our rear guard left Fair Oaks they burnt up all that we could not get along. We had to set fire to a large pile of crackers, sugar, meat, &c which would have fed 75,000 men for 7 days. And besides a large lot of clothing had to be burnt for to prevent them from falling into the hands of the Rebels, but enough of this as you have heard of our Regt being in another Battle. I will give you some little account of the fights. The first Battle that took place in our rear on the retreat was about 1 1/2 mile below Fair Oaks to the left of the Rd. & Y. R.R.R. [Richmond & York River Railroad] the enemy came close to us before any firing was done on any side. At length they made their appearance out of the woods, driving our skirmishers into the Reserve, when at once Grape and Cannister was poured into them making them run in all directions but they formed again and marched up in front of the 1 California Regt. and opened fire. But the Californians fought them well for about half an hour. After they marched out our Regt. took their place. We did not have much for to do for our Col. J. R. Brooke commanded us not to fire until we were all ready for to give them a good volley at the word fire. We opened and the effect of our Rifles mad them skadadle. But this wasn't the only fight we were in for we had fighting to do for 3 days in our Ret rear. The solid shot and shell came in and around us thick enough for a while. I cannot give you the correct or full account as I have no time but you can see it in the Pottstown paper by next week. As in regard of sending a Rebel sword to your father, I will do it if I have any chance for to get hold of one. I seen plenty of rifles, swords &c of which the Rebs used against us but they were all stamped U.S. I want to get something of their own stamp…"

George Scheetz, or Sheets (1840-1905), was a veteran of the Civil War, first enlisting April 21, 1861 with Co. C 4th Regiment PA Volunteers. Upon the termination of his enlistment, he served with Co. A 53rd Pennsylvania Regiment. He was severely wounded at the Battle at Fredericksburg, lying on the battlefield all day before being rescued at night. His wounds from this battle were severe enough to earn his discharge on March 10, 1863. Prior to the Battle of Gettysburg, Scheetz reenlisted in the emergency regiment, Co. F, 26th Pennsylvania, which had only been organized on June 22, 1863, in response to Lee's invasion of the North. They helped slow the Confederate advance into Gettysburg and had likely bought a critical day's time for the Army of the Potomac to reach the scene.

The Battle of Seven Pines, also known as the Battle of Fair Oaks or Fair Oaks Station, took place from May 31 to June 1, 1862, as part of McClellan's Peninsula Campaign. McClellan had reached the outskirts of Richmond, but was driven back by Confederate forces led by General Joseph E. Johnston. The results of the battle were inconclusive, though both sides claimed victory. It was the largest battle in the Eastern Theater up to that time and marked a key turning point in the war when Gen. Johnston was injured and Robert E. Lee was appointed as Confederate commander in his place. The more aggressive Lee initiated the Seven Days Battles, which resulted in a Union retreat in late June. Seven Pines would be the closest Union forces came to Richmond until near the end of the war.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 4.25" x 7"
  • Artist Name: Civil War
  • Medium: ALS

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