1864/9/14

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

Reports that more and more reinforcements arrive daily. Leon [Brown # 126 , in 4663 his letter is addressed to cousin Louise] has become a clerk for Walbridge.

GLC04662.078

1864/9/20

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

He wishes his mother would not feel guilty about using the money he sends home, and instructs her to hire a servant if she intends to take in boarders. Thomas [Colson, see # 80.] has had financial troubles. Walbridge offered him a job at $30 a month plus board. Reports on the success of Sheridan at Winchester.

GLC04662.079

1864/10/7

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

Thomas Colson has arrived and now works in the blacksmith shop. Walbridge must assume the duties of depot Quartermaster in addition to his regular duties. He hopes to be promoted and is building a log office. Notes 33 Confederates deserted and surrendered. "At all events this army is going to vote for Abraham Lincoln and so is the whole country."

GLC04662.080

1864/10/9

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

He is glad to hear that his mother's boarders are not disagreeable. Louise has resumed teaching school. He needs to buy a coat and has assumed responsibilities for foraging and steamers.

GLC04662.081

1864/10/23

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

Received a package from home. The honey jar broke and made everything sticky, but did no real damage. A family across the river sent some butter and wine jelly as a thank you for ice sent to them when they were sick. The family had treated McClellan's troops well in 1862 and as a result, had special privileges with the current army.

GLC04662.082

1864/11/24

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

The enlistments of many men of the 100th have expired, but the government will not muster them out until 1/9. He is angry that someone told his family there was a yellow fever epidemic at Bermuda Hundred; there had not been one case yet.

GLC04662.083

1865/11/24

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

Had Thanksgiving dinner with Captain Phelm onboard the "Daylight." A scrap book had started correspondence between Phelm and Annie [Walbridge's sister]. Rumors that Sherman is close to capturing Savannah. Wishes he was home to escort his sisters to parties.

GLC04662.084

1864/12/11

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

Sent home money for Christmas presents. Wishes he could be home for Christmas. He has been busy getting supplies ready for an upcoming expedition.

GLC04662.085

1864/12/20

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

Short note sent with a Christmas gift [a tea service, see #89].

GLC04662.086

1864/12/23

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

A steamer arrived with 1700 express boxes, two of which were for Walbridge. Hopes that the good fortune shown with the surrender of Savannah and Fort Fisher will continue with future success. A letter from Annie makes his wonder if she has become to attached to Captain Phelm. He thinks the correspondence should be broken off.

GLC04662.087

1864/12/29

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

He will deliver Annie's Christmas present to Phelm on New Years Day. An expedition to take Wilmington, North Carolina failed.

GLC04662.088

1865/1/2

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

Notes he is glad to hear his mother liked the tea service, but worries that she has not acknowledge the money he sent. An explosion finished construction on the Dutch Gap Canal.

GLC04662.089

1865/1/4

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

He and George have visited family members in New York and have been to the Brooklyn Academy of Music. He leaves for Baltimore in the evening.

GLC04662.090

1865/1/15

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

General Butler has been removed from command and some of his staff officers are going with him. His mother has finally received the letter and money he sent before Christmas. He had a mild case of dysentery.

GLC04662.091

1865/2/6

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

He thinks the rebellion will be over by the 4th of July. Reminisces about friends and playing in the snow. Leon must return to his regiment. Confederate peace commissioners came into Union lines while Confederate bands played patriotic union songs. [Hampton Roads Peace Conference which occurred 2/3 at Fort Monroe on the "River Queen."]

GLC04662.092

1865/2/24

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

The capture of Wilmington and Fort Anderson. Worries that Beauregard and Lee will join forces. Many southerners are deserting into union lines and even more are simply going home. He has been ordered to the Department of the South. Describes the visit of his brother, George.

GLC04662.093

1865/2/29

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

He has no news to relate. Is anxiously awaiting news about Sherman. The Richmond papers will not print anything about Sherman's march because they do not want to reveal any information the North might not know.

GLC04662.094

March 3, 1865

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

Visiting acquaintances who have rented a plantation and planted a corn crop. He was surprised to learn that some of the plowhands were women. Walbridge has invested $1000.

GLC04662.095

1865/3/9

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

He is looking forward to the end of the war so he can find employment. He writes that he can give a family friend a job as a driver for $30 a month plus rations.

GLC04662.096

1865/3/12

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

He writes to announce his commission as a brevet major.

GLC04662.097

1865/3/24

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

The quartermaster is buying the arms of Confederates who have deserted. Walbridge advises his mother on financial affairs.

GLC04662.098

1865/3/31

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

Order to be the quartermaster of General Turner's division at Wilmington, N.C. His employees at Bermuda Hundred gave him a watch and a chair as a going away present. Written on board steamer "Transit."

GLC04662.099

1865/04/05

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

He is now Chief Quartermaster of the 10th Army Corps, which gives him the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Leon is also stationed at Wilmington.

GLC04662.100

16 April 1865

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mrs. Walbridge

Writes to his mother that Union General William T. Sherman's army is in Raleigh, North Carolina, where he is also comfortably stationed. Reports that they left Faisson's depot on 10 April and marched four days to Raleigh. Recounts his duty during the march to oversee the wagon trains consisting of 390 army wagons and 90 ambulances. Informs that the staff is staying in the Exchange Hotel and General Alfred H. Terry has a house directly across. Praises Terry profusely. Calls Raleigh the prettiest place in the south and describes the land and the buildings in detail. Describes Terry's…

GLC04662.101

1865/5/12

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

Mr. Pratt has offered to help George and Walbridge start their own business in Chicago. Walbridge announces he will stay in the army for a few months.

GLC04662.102