1862/04/16

Morris, Wilmor W., fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: George M. Morris.

Wilmor describes a confrontation near three Confederate forts. The Confederates nearly surrounded them and fired rifles and muskets, creating a "shower of balls mixed with grape an[d] shell" but they retreated and "lost not a man." He declares "It is not hard work so long as a person dont git hurt." Written at Camp McClellan.

GLC06451.046

1862/06/10

Morris, Wilmor W., fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: "Brother an[d] friends."

Wilmor is not sure whether Jesse went to Philadelphia or not but assures them that "god will shield us in the day of Battle." He describes the recent Battle of Fair Oaks, whose battlefield "was the most terrifying place I ever seen the dead lay thick." He claims the Confederates meant to take them all prisoner and "a heap of the nobility came out too see us runn." He has heard that the Confederate soldiers are tired and that they had to "force the North Carolina troops too fight they don't know that the state has returned too the union an[d] called her Troops home."

GLC06451.049

1861/10/22

Watson, J., fl. 1861

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: Wilmor W. Morris.

Watson considered writing earlier but explains "I know you get all the current news of your old haunts from the fair sex." He reports that conditions are improving, most of the "iron works, rolling mills, glass houses etc. have resumed operations," and predicts it is "very likely the northern states will see tolerable good times this winter." He reminds Wilmor that "there are thousands upon thousands of pulses beating in expectation of your efforts." He heard that Senator Baker from Creyor was killed in a skirmish under General Stone.

GLC06451.054

1863/6/5

Smith, David V.M., 1823-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elizabeth Smith

The regiment is under marching orders, probably to Maryland or Pennsylvania. He hopes to hear good news from Vicksburg.

GLC04189.46

1863/6/22

Smith, David V.M., 1823-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elizabeth Smith

A description of the old Bull Run battlefield. He describes trees cut in half and open graves. "We passed over an old Battle Field they say it was one of Bull Run Battles. I saw a number of Graves Some with legs out. Some with arms out & Some Scarcely Covered at all. Boots lay about with feet still in them & Some seen fingers laying on the ground & I seen several sculls & other Bones about the feild [sic] & woods." The regiment belongs to French's division, which is being held in reserve to guard supplies and ammunition.

GLC04189.48

1863/7/10-11

Smith, David V.M., 1823-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elizabeth Smith

Describes the Battle of Gettysburg. Smith was stationed in the Union center near a stone wall. Smith's regiment may have missed the first day's battle because he writes Pickett's Charge occurred on the second day. "We was in the front & center for 3 days & nights it Rained every day & night. 2 nights I lay or sit in water about 6 inches deep by the side of a Stone fence that was of good use to us for protection against their Balls there was a powerful effort made on the centre the Second day after they had tried the Right & Left & been Repulsed in both they had 160…

GLC04189.49

1863/7/19

Smith, David V.M., 1823-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Family

He reports that Marylanders act more friendly toward the troops than the people in Pennsylvania. News concerning the fall of Vicksburg and Port Hudson.

GLC04189.50

1862/04/14

Morris, Charles F., fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: Susannah L. Morris.

Charles reports that they fought last Friday and "whip[ped] the rebells and took 25 prisoners" which they sent to Washington.

GLC06451.009

1861/10/06

Morris, Charles F., fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: George M. Morris.

There was a fight and the men had to march 6 miles only to "drill quick" back to cross the "Chane Bridge." He tells his mother and brother that he is going to enlist for 15 years if they approve "for I like to sold[i]er."

GLC06451.004

1861/10/15

Morris, Charles F., fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: George M. Morris.

Charles is expecting "a bat[t]le hear [here] soon and I do not care how soon fore I would like to fight." Written at Camp Pierpont.

GLC06451.006

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