1863/2/12

Smith, David V.M., 1823-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elizabeth Smith

The army has begun to move out via the railroad to Acquia Creek. His regiment is still on picket duty and must keep the Rebels from noticing the movement of the rest of the army. General Hooker feeds the army better than Burnside did.

GLC04189.28

1863/2/13

Smith, David V.M., 1823-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Charley

General Hooker has given orders that all Union troops and sutlers must be out of Falmouth by 10 AM the following day. He advises his son not to go to school as it may interfere with his health. He tells his younger son, Rufus, to begin chewing tobacco.

GLC04189.29

1863/2/26

Smith, David V.M., 1823-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elizabeth Smith

Contains a lengthy description of the weather including rain, snow, and more mud. Discusses picketed duty and his mess mates. He has not shaved "except with a pair of scissors" since he left Salem.

GLC04189.30

1863/3/5

Smith, David V.M., 1823-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elizabeth Smith

His wife has rented out part of the Barn. He is very ill.

GLC04189.31

1863/3/6

Smith, David V.M., 1823-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elizabeth Smith

Discusses picket duty in a ravine and guard duty near the Lacy House. He agonizes over keeping warm and adds "the way we kept warm at the Lacy House was by Running around it[.] The main house was about 100 ft long." He also discusses fraternization with the Confederates: "The Rebels are very sociable across the River and are very anxious to trade anything they have got for Coffee & the way they get it across the River is to fastening it to a board & hoist sail in it & set it afloat & the wind will carry it across."

GLC04189.32

1863/3/17

Smith, David V.M., 1823-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elizabeth Smith

Discusses skirmishing along his picket line and mentions the funeral of a member of their regiment. His regiment got into a fight with a New York regiment over wood. Only twenty-five men from his company are fit for duty.

GLC04189.33

1863/3/25

Smith, David V.M., 1823-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elizabeth Smith

He is ill again. Sickness has decimated the regiment: "a good many get sick that never get well again[.] [W]e have a funeral in the Regiment nearly every day on an average[.] [L]ast night we had 3 . . . ." Describes a skirmish on the 17th between Cavalry units.

GLC04189.34

1863/4/13

Smith, David V.M., 1823-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elizabeth Smith and children

He is ill with dysentery. He requests a box [i.e. care package] containing Wrights pills, medicine for diarrhea, and food. The regiment has not been paid in a long time. Thirty-six men in the regiment are now fit for duty.

GLC04189.35

1863/4/15

Smith, David V.M., 1823-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elizabeth Smith

The regiment's orders to move out have been delayed by rain. He asks his wife not to send the box [see #35] since boxes become lost when they are forwarded. He believes the regiment may go to Charleston, Vicksburg, or Richmond.

GLC04189.36

1863/4/21

Smith, David V.M., 1823-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elizabeth Smith and family

He is feeling better, although "the medicine I have taken has settled in my bones So it is hard for me to walk. Some has [sic] lost the use of their limbs altogether & others have lost all the toes off their feet." He still expects his package to come and mentions that it may be delayed because the transport boats have been moving out of the area. He describes rebel deserters who complain of a lack of food, clothing and pay.

GLC04189.37

1863/4/24

Smith, David V.M., 1823-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Charles

He describes cooking in camp and speculates that Hooker is moving the army out to keep the Confederates from sending reinforcements to Vicksburg.

GLC04189.38

1863/4/30

Smith, David V.M., 1823-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elizabeth Smith and family

He received his box. Last night, troops crossed below Fredericksburg found the city well fortified. His regiment has also moved from their old camp and may see action soon.

GLC04189.39

1863/5/4

Smith, David V.M., 1823-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elizabeth Smith

Describes the move from Falmouth to his current position on the battlefield. He writes of his units performance in the battle and notes "the old troops say it was the hardest Battle so far they was ever in..."

GLC04189.40

1863/05/07

Smith, David V.M., 1823-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elizabeth Smith and family

The army has retreated back to their old camp. Describes Stonewall Jackson's maneuver which forced them to retreat. He discusses losses to the regiment and lists the names of friends who were killed or wounded. He writes that he had been in battle five days and nights and "2 nights & 1 day under fire of artillery & Small arms...I can get along with small arms very well for we cannot hear the Ball until it strikes. But the shells Grape & canister you can hear from the time they start (or are in the air) and every one thinks it may hit him (So the feeling at such times is…

GLC04189.41

1863/5/18

Smith, David V.M., 1823-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elizabeth Smith and family

The regiment has moved near General French's headquarters. They earned the nickname the "bloody 12th." General French sent orders to retreat three times before the regiment finally obeyed. Discusses comrades wounded in the battle.

GLC04189.43

1863/5/22

Smith, David V.M., 1823-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elizabeth Smith

He believes the unit may be ordered back to Ellicotts Mills to guard the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. Most of the men in the regiment have nine month enlistments that will be ending soon. Nine month men are called "Lincoln's pets."

GLC04189.44

1866/3/25

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

Plans to attend a big government auction in Macon, Georgia. Before he goes home, he must stop in Washington and settle his old quartermaster accounts. He advises his mother on financial affairs including rent houses, and an oil well.

GLC04662.121

1866/5/2

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

His quartermaster paper work is being inspected. He has met many of his army friends in the city.

GLC04662.123

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