Collection Search

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

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...

GLC04662.079

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...

GLC04662.080

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

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...

GLC04662.082

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

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...

GLC04662.084

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

to mother

Short note sent with a Christmas gift [a tea service, see #89].

GLC04662.086

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...

GLC04662.087

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

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

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

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

to mother

He thinks the rebellion will be over by the 4th of July. Reminisces about friends and playing in the snow. Leon must return to his regiment. Confederate peace commissioners came into Union lines while Confederate bands played patriotic union songs...

GLC04662.092

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...

GLC04662.093

to mother

He has no news to relate. Is anxiously awaiting news about Sherman. The Richmond papers will not print anything about Sherman's march because they do not want to reveal any information the North might not know.

GLC04662.094

to mother

Visiting acquaintances who have rented a plantation and planted a corn crop. He was surprised to learn that some of the plowhands were women. Walbridge has invested $1000.

GLC04662.095

to mother

He is looking forward to the end of the war so he can find employment. He writes that he can give a family friend a job as a driver for $30 a month plus rations.

GLC04662.096

to mother

He writes to announce his commission as a brevet major.

GLC04662.097

to mother

The quartermaster is buying the arms of Confederates who have deserted. Walbridge advises his mother on financial affairs.

GLC04662.098

to mother

Order to be the quartermaster of General Turner's division at Wilmington, N.C. His employees at Bermuda Hundred gave him a watch and a chair as a going away present. Written on board steamer "Transit."

GLC04662.099

to mother

He is now Chief Quartermaster of the 10th Army Corps, which gives him the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Leon is also stationed at Wilmington.

GLC04662.100

to Mrs. Walbridge

Writes to his mother that Union General William T. Sherman's army is in Raleigh, North Carolina, where he is also comfortably stationed. Reports that they left Faisson's depot on 10 April and marched four days to Raleigh. Recounts his duty during...

GLC04662.101

to mother

Mr. Pratt has offered to help George and Walbridge start their own business in Chicago. Walbridge announces he will stay in the army for a few months.

GLC04662.102

to mother

Quick note sent with a check for $100.

GLC04662.103

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

to mother

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

GLC04662.123

to Louise Walbridge

Walbridge describes Washington D.C. and includes a lengthy descriptions of an equestrian statue of General Andrew Jackson, capitol building and its statues, the paintings in the dome, and its ventilation system.

GLC04663.01

to Louise Walbridge

Relays rumors of Confederates in Maryland and the death of Kearny: "he was brave as a lion. The city is in mourning over the death tolls in recent battles. He used in battle to take his reins in his mouth, and with his sword in his right hand (he...

GLC04663.06

to Louise Walbridge

Writes that he has become separated from his regiment and has gone to Washington to find their location. Mentions soldiers from Buffalo whom he has met in Virginia. Discusses his sister's "school of instruction." He is sorry to hear of Lydia Cornell...

GLC04663.07

[Lieutenant Colonel George DePeyster Arden]

Vignette bust portrait showing Arden with mustache. Identifying inscription on verso states that Arden commanded the 10th New York Heavy Artillery regiment on 7 September 1864.

GLC05528.02

to mother

Describes the contents of his house as a bunk, table, washstand, chair, and bench all made of unpainted wood. The cooking is done in a small tent in back of the house. He hopes to get a furlough.

GLC04662.104

to mother

He has just returned from furlough and has finally received his promotion to Lieutenant Colonel. He is rethinking his intention to resign since his new rank brings with it an annual salary of $2700.

GLC04662.105

to mother

The troops have been paid off and are beginning to desert. He thinks he may resign from the army soon.

GLC04662.106

to mother

He no longer receives the pay of a Lieutenant Colonel. He plans to leave the army in a few days. The 100th regiment is in Richmond and will be mustered out.

GLC04662.107

to mother

He will stay in the South for two or three months. He has borrowed $3000 from Mr. Pratt and is investing in stock [selling horses and mules in South Carolina, see # 68 ] speculation. He has been formally relieved of duty and is anxious to get home...

GLC04662.108

to mother

He has purchased his stock and will start South immediately.

GLC04662.109

to mother

He is on his way to Augusta, Georgia to sell his stock. He thinks Columbia must have been a beautiful city before Sherman marched through. "There are a few fire places left yet, which serve to show what the city was, but most of the buildings are...

GLC04662.110

to mother

His stock is not selling as fast as he had hoped. He thinks Darlington is the wealthiest district in the state and adds, "The people are very sesech in their proclivities and are as 'ugly as sin', as the children say."

GLC04662.111

to mother

He has been renting out his teams, but will now sell them. He received a job offer from Pratt & Co. and plans to accept it.

GLC04662.112

to mother

His stock is selling slowly, but he has already made enough to cover his original purchase and all his expenses. He will hold an auction and hopes to sell of the rest of the teams at that time. Hopes to be home before Christmas.

GLC04662.113

to mother

Describes the damage done by union bombardment and subsequent fires. Hopes to dispose of his stock in auction. Wants to be home for Christmas.

GLC04662.114

to mother

He asks his mother to buy Christmas presents for him to give to the rest of the family. Tomorrow is Thanksgiving in Charleston, "But the southern people know nothing about our time honored anniversary. Thanksgiving is pre-eminently a New England...

GLC04662.115

to mother

He has made $3000 in profit in the last three months. Still hopes to be home for Christmas.

GLC04662.116

to mother

Describes the auctions which are occurring throughout the state. Discusses the weather, which is quite warm one day and cool the next. Also discusses the economic stagnation of the south.

GLC04662.117

to mother

Does not think his family needs to worry about an outbreak of small pox near their house. He thinks his vaccination kept him from getting the disease, even though he was in the company of small pox victims on several occasions. He has been delayed...

GLC04662.118

to mother

He has purchased many items at auction, including 257 army wagons. He spilled a mixture of kerosene oil and lamp black all over his face and clothes and had a horrible time trying to clean up.

GLC04662.119

to mother

He is feeling homesick. Selling the mules and wagons is taking a long time. He writes of a girl from home, Katie Pratt, whom he is interested in and who his mother thinks would be a good choice for a wife. Yet he will not marry until he is...

GLC04662.120

to mother

He has a 22 hour lay over while waiting for a train. He plans to go to Macon, and Savannah, Georgia before catching a steamer bound for New York. The family oil well has made "a fair show." He can not wait to come home and work.

GLC04662.122