1864/8/6

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

He is on his way back to the front. He has seen a physician about his "comforter" trouble. It caused his eye to swell shut and had to be opened by the doctor.

GLC04662.072

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

1864/8/27

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

A quick note sent with a check for $100.

GLC04662.075

1864/8/29

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

He was sorry to learn that his mother has a sore finger and urges her to use a soap and sugar poultice prescribed by the doctor. He reports that men injured early in the campaign are now returning to duty.

GLC04662.076

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

1864/9/14

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

Reports that more and more reinforcements arrive daily. Leon [Brown # 126 , in 4663 his letter is addressed to cousin Louise] has become a clerk for Walbridge.

GLC04662.078

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

1864/10/7

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

Thomas Colson has arrived and now works in the blacksmith shop. Walbridge must assume the duties of depot Quartermaster in addition to his regular duties. He hopes to be promoted and is building a log office. Notes 33 Confederates deserted and surrendered. "At all events this army is going to vote for Abraham Lincoln and so is the whole country."

GLC04662.080

1864/10/9

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

He is glad to hear that his mother's boarders are not disagreeable. Louise has resumed teaching school. He needs to buy a coat and has assumed responsibilities for foraging and steamers.

GLC04662.081

1864/10/23

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

Received a package from home. The honey jar broke and made everything sticky, but did no real damage. A family across the river sent some butter and wine jelly as a thank you for ice sent to them when they were sick. The family had treated McClellan's troops well in 1862 and as a result, had special privileges with the current army.

GLC04662.082

1864/11/24

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

The enlistments of many men of the 100th have expired, but the government will not muster them out until 1/9. He is angry that someone told his family there was a yellow fever epidemic at Bermuda Hundred; there had not been one case yet.

GLC04662.083

1865/11/24

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

Had Thanksgiving dinner with Captain Phelm onboard the "Daylight." A scrap book had started correspondence between Phelm and Annie [Walbridge's sister]. Rumors that Sherman is close to capturing Savannah. Wishes he was home to escort his sisters to parties.

GLC04662.084

1862/12/20

Smith, David V.M., 1823-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elizabeth Smith and children

Smith describes his march from Washington, loading and unloading baggage cars, and being ordered to load the wounded onto steamers at Acquia Creek. They are camped within the sights of Confederate artillery. Addressed from Virginia nearly opposite the City of Fredericksburg.

GLC04189.20

1863/5/10

Elwell, D. B., fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Friend Furm

Letting his old tentmate know what has happened to him.

GLC04189.42

1862/10/11

Smith, David V.M., 1823-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elizabeth Smith

He expects to leave for home in a few days. Page 3 and 4 are addressed to Charles.

GLC04189.10

1862/10/13

Smith, David V.M., 1823-1863

Letter

Title: to unknown [fragment]

The rebels have torn up the road between camp and Frederick, Maryland and are now within 5 miles of the federal camp.

GLC04189.11

1862/10/28

Smith, David V.M., 1823-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elizabeth Smith

The blacksmith shop has been rented out. Mentions rumor that the army will move soon and General Wool has stopped issuing furloughs. Smith begs his wife not to mention his liquor consumption. He assures her that he is now a sober man and it hurts him to have her constantly mention his past drinking. Smith believes his wife does not want him to come home and hopefully suggests that they forget the past and work on their future.

GLC04189.13

1862/11/4

Smith, David V.M., 1823-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elizabeth Smith & children

Describes an offer in which ten men from each company would have the "privilege" of being allowed to join the regular army for five years. They have captured quite a few rebels and spies including: "A big nigger that has been watching us and telling the Rebel part of the Community what we was doing . . . ." He expects to be paid soon and will send her most of his money. He will need to keep some cash to purchase boots and winter clothes.

GLC04189.14

1862/11/4

Smith, David V.M., 1823-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Charles

He describes non-stop guard duty to his son Charles. Smith also tells the story of a young drummer boy his son's age, who snuck out of camp in a flour barrel in order to visit town. He advises his son not to become a soldier.

GLC04189.15

1862/11/11

Smith, David V.M., 1823-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elizabeth Smith

He is still on guard duty. Discloses accounts that he would like his wife to collect. He also wants her to find out whether soldiers have to pay tax and, if so, how much. Briefly mentions the removal of McClellan and his renewed hope for a furlough.

GLC04189.16

1862/11/25

Smith, David V.M., 1823-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elizabeth Smith & children

The army is building a General Hospital in town and his regiment has been assigned to guard it. He again asks his wife not to mention the "Rum question," claiming it makes him "feel a little dry until I forget it again." Continues on 11/26 to mention twenty-five hour period of guard duty in the rain.

GLC04189.17

1862/11/18

Smith, David V.M., 1823-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elizabeth Smith

Discusses guard duty, the value of the equipment in his blacksmith shop, and an increase in desertions from some regiments who have not received furloughs.

GLC04189.18

1862/11/31

Smith, David V.M., 1823-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Elizabeth Smith and Charles C. Smith

The regiment was excused from guard duty on Thanksgiving to attend church and a dress parade. Smith urges Charles to learn to write and to study geography. "I now see the need of understanding the geography and the map and then I could tell when I Read the papers where the different branches of our army is and how far they are from one another." He also describes the whipping of a black man. "I saw a Negro whiped the other day they tied him to the flag pole and foot and gave him 20 lashes each lash made him cry (O Lord) it looked hard but I believe it was Right for he had been stealing…

GLC04189.19

1862/12/25

Smith, David V.M., 1823-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Charles Carroll Smith

Discusses visiting friends in another regiment. He received his pay but his money and overcoat were stolen. He discusses thievery in camp and loading the wounded on to boats at Acquia Creek.

GLC04189.21