February 21, 1863

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Louise Walbridge

Talks about family affairs: his sister Sarah's illness and her decision to wean the baby; his wish to attend a party; asks about Louise's birthday.

GLC04663.14

7 March 1863

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Louise Walbridge

"Gen'l Hunter issued an order yesterday which says that all able bodied Negroes between the ages of eighteen and fifty one, not regularly employed in the Quartermaster and Commissary Departments, or as Officer's servants, shall be drafted, and organized into regiments or brigades."

GLC04663.15

21 March 1863

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Louise Walbridge

"It rains in smart little showers four times an hour." Discusses news about the 100th NY regiment. Writes of books he has read and one which he wants to read.

GLC04663.16

25 April 1863

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Louise Walbridge

Posted to a "battery" of one brass gun and two palmetto guns, rumors of a renewed attack on Charleston, exchanging newspapers with the Confederates, who "beat us in getting possession of the New York Papers." He then discusses the dangers of such exchanges.

GLC04663.17

8 May 1863

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Louise Walbridge

Death of friends, moving toward Charleston. Also mentions news from home: a fair raised $500, "Cousins Elbridge and Mary have done me the honor to name their baby after me."

GLC04663.18

24 May 1863

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Louise Walbridge

News of the reception of a regiment returning to Buffalo, the homesickness of soldiers, and bathing in the ocean. Also discusses the Confederate advantage architect of interior lines.

GLC04663.19

31 May 1863

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Louise Walbridge

Provides a reconnaissance on James Island. Reflects on the Battle of Fair Oaks, and the anniversary of that battle. Dicusses home and mentions that will leave on furlough in two weeks.

GLC04663.20

14 June 1863

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Louise Walbridge

Read The New System of Tactics and enjoyed it. A confederate steamer runs aground and is boarded every night by union troops who take her cargo. A boil is growing on his neck.

GLC04663.21

19 July 1863

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his son

Describes the attack on Fort Wagner. A page dated 7/20, lists missing and wounded officers. "Shortly after dark our troops advanced to the assault. The 54th Mass. (colored regiment) in the lead... [T]his regiment which went into the charge with over nine hundred in the ranks, cannot muster five hundred, with all their field officers killed, besides many of their line killed & wounded."

GLC04663.22

15 August 1863

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Louise Walbridge

Siege of Charleston. Four regiments of Negroes who are better at fatigue work than white soldiers. "The consequence is that fifty Negroes are equal to a hundred white soldiers, for ordinary work." Closes with the expectation that bombardment of the forts will begin on Monday: "Good bye Sumter!"

GLC04663.23

4 September 1863

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Louise Walbridge

Sister Rosalie [a Roman Catholic nun?] arrives at Folly Island from Buffalo. The joys of soldiering, progress of the siege, death of a sergeant.

GLC04663.24

7 October 1863

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Louise Walbridge

Provides a description of the attack on the "New Ironsides" by the Confederate torpedo boat "David." "The rebels came down the harbor in a small cigar shaped steamer... She lay off some distance from the Ironsides and sent a small boat with a torpedo to blow her up... It made a tremendous explosion, throwing water all over the vessels, but I do not think she is much injured... would have been a serious blow to us if she had succeeded in disabling the Ironsides, for she is worth the whole fleet of monitors put together..."

GLC04663.25

11 November 1863

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Louise Walbridge

Encloses a piece of brick taken from Fort Sumter [not included in collection] by a scouting party. Asks about the farm and selling the mill.

GLC04663.26

25 November 1863

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Louise Walbridge

Embarrassed by the news that several ladies inspected a uniform he sent home, worries about the recently discovered Canada Conspiracy, and pay of a black regiment. "The North Carolina regiment (colored), are to be paid off to morrow, it seems all the pay they are now entitled to is seven dollars. I think this is altogether too little. They work harder than any other troops, and should receive the same pay."

GLC04663.27

11 December 1863

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Louise Walbridge

Notes that he received a piece of wedding cake. Discusses the Sanitary Commission, the sinking of the "Weehawken," and an explosion in Fort Sumter, which was followed by Union mortar fire. Sarah sent him a book entitled, "The Wife's Strategy," which he finds "very lively, entertaining, home sort of book . . . ."

GLC04663.28

21 December 1863

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Louise Walbridge

Some members of the regiment went home on a recruiting campaign. Walbridge asked them to stop by the house. Reflects on the coming Christmas and Christmas past. Briefly discusses Hugo's description of the battle of Waterloo.

GLC04663.29

January 10, 1864

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Louise Walbridge

Discusses the weather and his brother George's decision to move to New York City.

GLC04663.30

January 21, 1864

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Louise Walbridge

Troops reviewed by General Gordon. Walbridge states it was a wonderful occasion.

GLC04663.31

February 2, 1864

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Louise Walbridge

News concerning his trip to Beaufort, blockade runner tried to enter Union occupied Charleston Harbor and ran aground near Fort Moultrie.

GLC04663.32

February 14, 1864

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Louise Walbridge

Ordered to report to Jacksonville, Florida. "I have existed on Folly Island for ten months, and I am not sorry to leave it, I don't well see how I can change for the worse, as far as location is concerned."

GLC04663.33

February 23, 1864

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Louise Walbridge

Written on board steamer "Maple Leaf." Continued on 25 February and the 28 February. Describes the ship which formerly sailed on Lake Ontario and was "chartered" by the government. The section dated 25 February is written from Jacksonville, Florida. Written on board steamer "Maple Leaf."

GLC04663.34

3 March 1864

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Louise Walbridge

Continued 3 April. Notes that General Hatch relieved General Seymour as commander of the District of Florida. Seymour is under investigation by a congressional committee on the Florida campaign. The section dated 3 April explains that a steamer had not come to take the mail yet.

GLC04663.35

9 March 1864

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Louise Walbridge

Assigned to General Seymour's staff. Discusses Kilpatrick's advance toward Richmond and hopes that Sherman will capture Mobile.

GLC04663.36

11 April 1864

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Louise Walbridge

Receives his commission [as captain, see # 42]. He is starting home on furlough but must first be mustered out of his old regiment. Hopes to visit home before George [his brother?] leaves. Death of a sister's young child.

GLC04663.37

12 April 1864

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Louise Walbridge

Assigned to Bermuda Hundred under Major General Butler. Describes the houses and trip up the river.

GLC04663.38