Synopses & Reviews
This extensive two-way exchange of letters between Rufus Robbins and members of his family provides a highly personalized view of the life of a Union soldier, as well as life on the home front in South Abington, Massachusetts, an important source of war materiel. Enlisting in the Seventh Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment at the seasoned age of 31, Rufus carefully crafts letters that are articulate, graphic, and often witty and that contribute much to our understanding of the daily course of the war. Notes from home reflect the Robbins family's ever-present worry and concern for Rufus' well-being. His brothers detail their involvement in the sewing of army boots, an activity for which South Abington held a large contract.
As a confirmed Universalist, Rufus struggled to live a life of faith in the midst of war. His letters demonstrate the depth of his character, showing both maturity and confidence. However, as the war continued, one sees his belief in the righteousness of the Union cause, his confidence in God, and his sometimes naive simplicity replaced with a more realistic form of idealism. In this collection, those interested in military affairs can learn about the economic workings of the camps, the recreational outlets for the soldiers, and the grim realities of the Peninsula Campaign, while scholars focussing on civilian life will gain a greater understanding of the impact of the war on the families and friends left behind.
Review
Whether one studies religious life, the history of medicine and disease, the industrialization of America, or military history in its fullest sense, this manuscript provides valuable information....I see it as a uniquely valuable addition to the history of the United States, and a resource that both scholars and students will want to exploit.Mary R. Habeck Asst. Professor Department of History Yale University
Review
...an unusual and informative set of letters and will be of interest to military and social historians alike, as well as general readers interested in the firsthand descriptions of wartime experiences.North &South
Synopsis
This extensive two-way exchange of letters between Rufus Robbins and members of his family provides a highly personalized view of the life of a Union soldier, as well as life on the home front in South Abington, Massachusetts, an important source of war materiel. Enlisting in the Seventh Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry Regiment at the seasoned age of 31, Rufus carefully crafts letters that are articulate, graphic and often witty and that contribute much to our understanding of the daily course of the war. Notes from home reflect the Robbins family's ever-present worry and concern for Rufus' well-being. His brothers detail their involvement in the sewing of army boots, an activity for which South Abington held a large contract.
Synopsis
Reveals the extensive exchange of letters between Rufus Robbins and members of his family, providing a highly personalized view of the life of a Union soldier, as well as life on the home front.
About the Author
ELLA JANE BRUEN teaches at Sacred Heart High School and Intermediate School in Kingston, Massachusetts.BRIAN M. FITZGIBBONS has been a Civil War re-enactor with the Massachusetts Twelfth Regiment of Volunteers. He has visited and studied many Civil War battlefields, including Manassas, Antietam, Fredericksburg, and Gettysburg.
Table of Contents
Preface
Introduction
Letters from 1861
Letters from 1862
Letters from 1863
Appendix I: Chronology of the Seventh Regiment
Appendix II: Captain George Reed's letter to the Abington Standard
Index