Sergt. Albert Newell Hubbard, a 28-year-old farmer from Windsor, Mass., enlisted in July 1862 into Co. B of the 34th Mass. Infantry. HE WAS IN THE SHOT-UP COLOR GUARD AT NEW MARKET! For the next 3 years, he would see many battles eventually being wounded in October of 1864 at Cedar Creek, Virginia. Hubbard’s letters came onto the market a number of years ago and this one was a real “keeper” because in it he gives his first hand experience at the battle of New Market. It was at New Market that the famous V. M. I. Cadets charged the Union lines. What we are offering is an 11-page “diary” style letter that Hubbard mailed home. Apparently, Hubbard would send home a portion periodically. This portion covers from April 27 to June 7, 1864. On the back of the last page Hubbard signs his name, “A. N. Hubbard”. The diary is written in pencil- a bit faint in places, but all readable and many pages are stained (as if they went through the Civil War!). The overall “character” of this piece is great and a wonderful item for the Massachusetts collector. WHILE MOST OF THE DIARY DOESN’T SAY A WHOLE LOT, THE PORTION ON NEW MARKET IS GREAT AND THIS ITEM CAN BE DISPLAYED WITH THAT PORTION SHOWING!
#L29 – Price $695
Transcription:
1
Martinsburg, VA., Apr. 27
We started about 8 o’clock and
marched to Bunker Hill and camped.
Bunker Hill April the 30th
It is fine this morning we have been
mustered in for pay for March and April.
It rained this afternoon some.
Bunker Hill May the 1st
We started about 10 o’clock and got to
Winchester about 1 hour before sundown.
Winchester May the 2nd
Weather warm and fine. Had a division
drill this afternoon began to rain and
rained all night.
2
Winchester May 3rd
It is cold as blazes
Winchester May 4th
Is a little warmer have turned in our
knapsacks but they have not left camp.
Had a battalion drill
Winchester May 5th
It is quite warm had a skirmish drill
and a dress parade.
Winchester May 6th
We had a brigade drill. Our knapsacks
started for Martinsburg.
Winchester May 7th
Is warm, apple trees are all in blossom.
3
Winchester May the 8th
It is very warm. Had a company
inspection
Winchester May 9th
We started at 6 this morning and got
to Cedar Creek at 2 in the afternoon,
some 16 miles.
Cedar Creek May 10th
We had a battalion drill
Cedar Creek May 11th
We started at 6 and marched in the rear
as rear guard. Has rained all the way
more or less.
Some 3 miles from Woodstock May the 12th
It rains all the time. Most of the boys are
at Forageing today.
4
3 miles from Woodstock May the 13th
It rains some today but not much – is
warmer.
May the 14th, 3 miles from Woodstock
It rained some. We started at 11 and went
through Woodstock, New Town and
Mount Jackson and got to New Market.
When the Rebs began to shell us but it was
almost dark and so we did not have to go
into the engagement but the artillery did
and silenced them. Then we went into
camp or rather lay down in the rain. Was
called up twice in the night. In the
morning we drawled rations and got ready.
5
May 15 New Market
It rains quite hard but the Rebs are here in
great force and we have got to fight. They
came up in line about 3 o’clock and the
fight commenced and the boys fell fast. We
were ordered to charge on them and charge
we did. There was all of our color guard hit
but me and I expected it. Then we had to
retreat and burnt the bridge across the
Shenandoah and marched all night and all
day when we went out there from Woodstock
we marched 27 miles in 7 miles and rested
only twice, once 5 minutes and once 10.
So you see we were spent.
6
May 16
We marched all day but was so near played
out that we did not go very fast but got most
to Cedar Run about a mile and camped for
the night.
May 17th
We have got back to our old campground.
May 18th
We started up the valley again this morning
with our brigade and went some 5 miles and
camped. Saw some Rebs.
May 19
Have got back to Strasburg and camped. I
don’t know how long we shall stay here.
7
Strasburg, Virginia May 20th
The day has been warm and fine. We have
picket duty to do every other day but I don’t
have to go but lay in camp.
Strasburg May 21st
It continues warm and fine. The boys have
got back or rather have joined us that were
left at Martinsburg and they say that Johnny
Miner was left on the field but we expected
killed or a prisoner – we don’t know. I got
a letter from Nila dated the 14th of May
Strasburg the 22nd
It is warm and fine with a good breeze. We
had a dress brigade and one Sergeant was
reduced to the ranks for sulking and
swearing and disobedience of orders.
8
Strasburg May the 23rd
The weather is warm and fine, the
Company is out on Pickett. Siegel has
been relieved to go to the Army of the
Potomac and Hunter has taken command
here.
Strasburg, Virginia May 24th
The weather is fine here and inspection
and a thundershower.
Strasburg May 25th
Weather fine, our company is on guard.
Had a thundershower and having a dress
parade. Rained in the evening hard.
Strasburg May 26th
This morning we started and marched
to Woodstock. One of Company H
Corporals was shot this morning accidently.
Woodstock May 27th
Rained this morning, but has cleared off.
The brigade commish. had a drill. I had
a good one.
9
Woodstock May the 28th
The weather is fine and pleasant. The non-
commish. had a drill and we had a dress
parade.
Woodstock May 29th
We started at half past 5 on the march
south. Came through Woodstock,
Edinburg, Mount Jackson and almost to
New Market and camped about 1 ½ miles
from where we had the fight.
Camp near New Market May 30th
The morning is fine and we had fresh
pork and fruit. They went over and buried
our boys and found some of our boys that
were wounded and left by the Rebs.
Johnny Miner was among them and
found some in a barn wounded and left them.
10
Near New Market May 31st
It is very hot and we have all got to go foraging.
The whole regiment got a lot of stuff –
horses, cows, sheep, flour, corn, ham and etc.
June 1st near New Market
It is hot and dry. The company are out on
drill. We have got orders to march at 5 in
the morning.
Near New Market June 2
Went through New Market saw some of our
wounded boys. Got to Harrisonburg and
camped. Found quite a lot of our boys were
wounded and taken prisoners but they were
paroled.
Harrisonburg June 3
We lay in camp all day. It was hot.
Harrisonburg June 4th
Started at 5 and got to Port Republic has
rained some.
Port Republic the 5th of June
It is a cloudy day, we started and soon found
the enemy in force. Fought all day and drove
them like sheep all this at our near Piedmont.
Our company lost and wounded heavily.
2 killed, 1 bled to death.
11
Piedmont the 6th of June
Started for Staunton and got there without
seeing the enemy. We got some 800 prisoners
besides the wounded that fell into our hands.
Had a good thundershower.
Staunton June 7th
Went out about 5 miles and came back.
Cropped view on back of the last page:
