1862/08/08

Morris, Charles F., fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: "Dear brother."

Charles was not hurt but his hat was blown off and his gun knocked out of his hand in battle. The fight was hard and he hopes there won't be another like it soon.

GLC06451.010

[n.d.]

Morris, Charles F., fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: John Morris.

There was a fight and they were close enough to see the Confederates but they were unable to kill any of them.

GLC06451.012

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

1863/9/25

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

1863/10/24

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

He writes that he offered George [his brother] a job in the Quartermaster's office. He is surprised at the number of young ladies who have married while he was away. Discusses the attack of the Confederate torpedo boat "David" on the "Ironsides".

GLC04662.047

1864/2/21

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

Continued 2/22 at Hilton Head. He is waiting for a transport to take him to Florida. He hopes to get an appointment [as quartermaster] and a furlough. Reports the news of the Florida expedition: it has lost 7 guns, 400 wounded men have been captured by Confederates and the army has retreated.

GLC04662.059

1864/2/29

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

Describes the fighting near Lake City [Battle of Olustee or Ocean Pond, 2/20/1864] as quite severe: over 1700 killed, wounded, and missing. He comments: "The negro troops did very well except the 8th U.S. Colored Troops, which is a new regiment, having only left Philadelphia a few weeks ago. They broke and run making scarcely any fight at all. but even this was no worse than one of the white regiments which did the same thing. Two of the colored regiments however, the 54th Massachusetts and the 1st North Carolina, are said to have done splendidly." He advises his mother on family…

GLC04662.060

1864/3/15

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

He is acting Chief Quartermaster for the Department. He encloses a copy of the Free South, a newspaper printed by the army which contains some Confederate articles [not included]. One Southern article tells of another battle in Florida, which Walbridge does not consider a battle since only one union soldier was killed. He notes that Southern losses were much higher.

GLC04662.061

1864/5/16

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

He can hear the musket fire from a battle near Petersburg [Drewry's Bluff or Fort Darling]. Sheridan's cavalry appeared across the river from their headquarters.

GLC04662.066

1864/6/2

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

He would like to be with Grant's army. He advises his mother on financial affairs, to sell some property and invest the money in government bonds. He gives the interest of the bonds in greenbacks as $492, and in gold as $800. He gives the recent report of a battle [Cold Harbor], but adds that he must wait until he receives the New York papers before he knows what really happened.

GLC04662.068

1864/8/16

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

Rumors that the federal line at Petersburg has advanced and captured several lines of rifle pits.

GLC04662.073

1864/8/19

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

The death of Cousin Lydia's child. Reports on a battle [Weldon Railroad] and expects that Grant will remove all troops from the other side of the James and begin a new strategy.

GLC04662.074

1864/9/4

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

They have received word of the capture of Atlanta. His train and depot were inspected and Col. Howard said, "he never before saw a depot in as good order..." Grant's army has taken possession of the Weldon railroad. He is trying to find a substitute for his brother George. Walbridge had hoped to send a colored man up to Buffalo to take George's place, but General Butler forbid any black man from leaving the department. He hopes a friend of his can find a white substitute.

GLC04662.077

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

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

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

1865/2/24

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

February 7, 1863

Weeks, John F., fl. 1860-1882

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents

Writes that he has had worse treatment since being paroled and will not be doing guard duty while he is on parole. Comments that if the fighting were left to the officers, there would be another Bull Run. Plans to visit home if he gets paid soon. Written at the Benton Barracks Union Military Camp

GLC06728.037

February 28, 1864

Weeks, John F., fl. 1860-1882

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his brother and sister

Writes that he is having trouble with his lungs but is in comfortable winter quarters. Believes that contrary to newspaper reports, Longstreet's forces will attack in Georgia not Knoxville. Akins his like of soldiering to a cat's love for hot soap and writes that the rebel forces shoot carelessly. Names the battles he's participated which include Pea Ridge, Perryville, Stone River, and Mission Ridge. Gives an account of men in his company that were killed or wounded in Stone River, Chickamauga, and Mission Ridge. Tells his siblings that he will teach them how to make a soldier's holiday…

GLC06728.065