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

1865/2/6

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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. [Hampton Roads Peace Conference which occurred 2/3 at Fort Monroe on the "River Queen."]

GLC04662.092

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

1865/2/29

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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

1865/3/24

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

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

GLC04662.098

1865/10/8

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 now only a heap of ruins or blank, half fallen walls."

GLC04662.110

1865/10/1

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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

1865/11/23

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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

1866/1/16

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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

1862/3/12

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his mother

His journey to Washington. He describes a "society" in Philadelphia which met them at the train station and furnished them with a home made meal complete with crockery and white table cloths. Indicates that the regiment was well received at every place it traveled through except Baltimore where "we had nary a cheer and I thought everybody looked as if they were sorry to see us." He spends his first night in a "wall tent". [GLC 4663, # 1 contains an excellent description of the capitol building.]

GLC04662.003

1862/9/11

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his mother

He is waiting to join up with his regiment. Due to the expense of staying in the city, he had to release his servant, a contraband from Virginia. He thinks the rebels are in a precarious situation in Maryland and adds that as long as the war lasts, business will be good in Buffalo.

GLC04662.014

1862/6/1

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his mother

Battle of Seven Pines [Fair Oaks] Lists the officers killed, wounded, and captured. He estimates that his regiment lost over 200. He has been made acting quartermaster.

GLC04662.006

1862/6/14

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his mother

His regiment is resting for the first time since they left Camp Scott. A band of "guerrillas" [Stuart's cavalry] attacked the railroad at Tunstall's station. Discusses his duties as a quartermaster. He now wears a private's uniform with shoulder straps and warns his mother that he looks "a little rough." He encloses a letter for Louise [GLC 4663, # 4].

GLC04662.007

1862/6/20

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his mother

A short visit to the front line, followed by a visit to the Commissary Sergeant, Bowen, who has commandeered a plantation. The owners fled and the slaves want Bowen to run the farm. Walbridge describes the house, food and slaves on plantation. Also, during a visit to a neighboring plantation, the owner's wife told Walbridge: "Most of their crops are uncultivated, as all the 'niggers' have left for White House [Va.] to earn an honest penny or two for themselves; except for two, one of whom had a very sick wife in the spring when the rest left, who has since died, A very valuable woman,…

GLC04662.008

1862/7/3

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his mother

They are currently camped at the birth place of William Henry Harrison. The house has been turned into a hospital. Stonewall Jackson turned the right flank of the Union Army, captured White House, Va and forced the retreat of the army. Many of the men are sick and wounded but the doctor and the steward have surrendered to the Confederates in order to care for captured wounded. He sent money home by a previous mail.

GLC04662.009

1862/7/12

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his mother

He asks his mother to send various articles of clothing and leather goods such as sword belts, boots and a holster. The regimental quartermaster is returning so Walbridge may have to return to his company. Describes an officer's dinner and a visit to a local plantation where the overseer complained about Union troops taking all the grain. He encloses a Secesh pay roll and buttons, confederate money, and a court deposition dated 1689, which he took from Warwick Court House [none of these items are included in the collection].

GLC04662.010

1862/11/3

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

A southerner came into the picket lines in order to ask that he and his family be allowed to cross into union territory and move north. The order was given to move the family and its property. Walbridge headed the detail to move the man and his property and bought a cow from the man.

GLC04662.018

1862/12/15

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

Captured a large number of prisoners and livestock. Discusses an expedition to Wood's Cross Roads and the regiments reception by the townsfolk, who were all secessionist. Received his commission as senior 1st lieutenant.

GLC04662.020

1862/12/27

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

Regiment is being transferred, possibly to North Carolina. Christmas Day was dull. Christmas eve was full of excitement as rebels fired on a picket line, causing the entire union line to prepare for attack. The only casualty was a hog.

GLC04662.022

1863/3/12

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

The expedition cannot progress until the navy is ready. Col. Davis is acting a division commander. Davis may hold that position permanently since General Heckman was never confirmed by the senate.

GLC04662.029

1863/4/14

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

Continue on 4/15 & 4/16 written from Folly Island. An account of the capture of Folly Island, the bombardment of Charleston, and the failure of union troops to take the city. Also, Walbridge sees an armed, black confederate soldier. It has been eight months since the regiment has been paid.

GLC04662.032

1863/4/30

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

Continued 5/1. A lengthy description of the camp. Discusses real estate values, gardening, asks about family members and hopes for a renewed attack on Charleston. Section dated 5/1 says that the regiment will move about 5 miles down river.

GLC04662.033

1863/5/15

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

Continued 5/16. Since the men have nothing else to do, they spend their time beautifying the camp (widening the streets, flower gardens, etc.). Walbridge describes the improvements they have made and his plans to put a filter in the well. The section dated 5/16 says the rebels floated a message across the river. The message told of Hooker's defeat.

GLC04662.035

1863/6/6

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

Discusses food available for officers. A reconnaissance party brings back word that the Confederates are short of food.

GLC04662.036