1862/12/27

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

Regiment is being transferred, possibly to North Carolina. Christmas Day was dull. Christmas eve was full of excitement as rebels fired on a picket line, causing the entire union line to prepare for attack. The only casualty was a hog.

GLC04662.022

1863/1/8

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

Appointed acting brigade quartermaster. Was glad to hear everyone had a happy Christmas.

GLC04662.023

1863/1/19

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

Discusses the staff of Col. Davis who is Walbridge's brigade commander. Walbridge is brigade quartermaster.

GLC04662.024

1863/1/26

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

Short letter sent with some artillery shells [not included].

GLC04662.025

1863/1/18

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

He is glad to hear from the family. He is living well but meals cost 50 cents shipboard. Discusses the failed attempt of a black servant to make apple dumplings. Written from U.S. Steamer Catawba, Beaufort Harbor.

GLC04662.026

1863/2/11-13

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

Continued on February 13. Worries that their current expedition will turn out to be as bad as Banks' expedition. The men are shooting crocodiles and gathering oranges.

GLC04662.027

1863/2/14

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

He has received eight letters in the mail. He advises his mother on managing their rental property, writes about friends and family members back home and remarks that their current expedition has come to a stand still.

GLC04662.028

1863/3/12

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

The expedition cannot progress until the navy is ready. Col. Davis is acting a division commander. Davis may hold that position permanently since General Heckman was never confirmed by the senate.

GLC04662.029

1863/3/13

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

General Heckman has returned. Walbridge inquires about taxes and the sale of some property. He has been notified that if he wishes to be Captain of Company H he must leave brigade command and return to his company.

GLC04662.030

1863/4/1

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

He resigned from his duties as Quartermaster in order to rejoin his regiment. He is sending home photographs [not included].

GLC04662.031

1863/4/14

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

Continue on 4/15 & 4/16 written from Folly Island. An account of the capture of Folly Island, the bombardment of Charleston, and the failure of union troops to take the city. Also, Walbridge sees an armed, black confederate soldier. It has been eight months since the regiment has been paid.

GLC04662.032

1863/4/30

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

Continued 5/1. A lengthy description of the camp. Discusses real estate values, gardening, asks about family members and hopes for a renewed attack on Charleston. Section dated 5/1 says that the regiment will move about 5 miles down river.

GLC04662.033

1863/5/11

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

Promoted to Captain. Describes the condition of his clothing and a young man who is clerk to the regimental Quartermaster. Hopes to get a furlough soon.

GLC04662.034

1863/5/15

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

Continued 5/16. Since the men have nothing else to do, they spend their time beautifying the camp (widening the streets, flower gardens, etc.). Walbridge describes the improvements they have made and his plans to put a filter in the well. The section dated 5/16 says the rebels floated a message across the river. The message told of Hooker's defeat.

GLC04662.035

1863/6/6

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

Discusses food available for officers. A reconnaissance party brings back word that the Confederates are short of food.

GLC04662.036

1863/6/11

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

Acknowledges receipt of a package containing clothes, dinnerware, dried fruits, wine, cakes and other delicacies. He is now the district Quartermaster. He asks how his sister Sarah's baby is doing.

GLC04662.037

1863/6/26

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

Waiting to hear information about Lee's raid into Pennsylvania. Discusses his new duties and mentions that a sergeant has resigned.

GLC04662.038

1863/6/30

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

The men who were supposed to go home on furlough got no further than Hilton Head. He writes that he has been very busy supervising the loading and unloading vessels.

GLC04662.039

1863/7/14

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

Briefly describes the charge on Fort Wagner which he mistakenly says was led by the 7th Connecticut. The 100th Regiment dug trenches and erected a battery which captured a rebel battery. [Walbridge gives a correct and compelling description of the attack on Fort Wagner in GLC 4663.022.]

GLC04662.040

1863/8/4

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

He has been sick lately but feels better now. Large numbers of reinforcements are arriving from North Carolina and Norfolk. Both side appear to be busy readying themselves for battle.

GLC04662.041

1863/08/29

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

He expects that he will be relieved of his duties as Quartermaster and made to rejoin his regiment. He describes the progress of the siege of Charleston.

GLC04662.042

1863/9/5

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

He writes of the capture of a small group a confederates, the bombardment on Fort Wagner and the siege of Charleston. Also discusses the whereabouts of friends.

GLC04662.043

1863/9/15

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

Reports the Confederate evacuation of Forts Wagner and Gregg. Now believes he will be allowed to remain quartermaster. He has bought a colt and intends to raise her. Informs his mother that he sent home a 42 pound shell fired from a confederate gun.

GLC04662.044

1863/9/25

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

A tent mate is ill. He hopes to be paid soon. He writes a list of clothing items he wishes to have sent to him. A corporal is promoted to 1st Lieutenant because he brought the colors back from the attack on Fort Wagner [7/14/1863]. "I like the idea of rewarding meritorious conduct, but he is no more fit to be a 1st Lieutenant, than I am to be Brigade General."

GLC04662.045

1863/10/13

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

He has been recommended for the position of Assistant Quartermaster. Lists items he would like sent to him. The Confederate occupied Forts, Moutlrie and Johnson, are now firing on the Union Forts Gregg and Wagner.

GLC04662.046