1864/3/20

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

Upset over the death of Sarah's baby. He attended church service at General Seymour's house. He wants to go home and see his family.

GLC04662.063

1864/4/8

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

He encloses a rose [included] that he picked near his house. His express box arrived almost two months after being sent, "There has been time enough I suppose for it to have reached Constantinople." He likes his new nightshirts. However, the pants are light blue, the color of regimental officers. He needs dark blue pants, the color of the general staff. The steamer "Maple Leaf" was blown up by torpedoes. General Hatch has organized "Boat infantry" to search for any additional torpedoes. Walbridge draws a small picture of a torpedo recovered by this detail and describes its mechanisms…

GLC04662.064

1864/5/7

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

The steamer "Fanning" was sunk, taking with it a letter from Walbridge. He is now acting chief Quartermaster for the 10th Army Corps and has been very busy loading steamers. He desperately wants a furlough.

GLC04662.065

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

1864/5/22

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

Thanks his mother for her "cheering words" and is glad she is not too disappointed that he has given up on the idea of getting a furlough.

GLC04662.067

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

18 June 1864

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mrs. Walbridge

Writes to his mother that he returned last night from a two day excursion across the Appomattox River to bring supplies to the troops since their supply trains had not yet arrived. Discusses the fighting at Petersburg, 15-18 June 1864. States he rode along the front of Union Generals Winfield S. Hancock and William Farrar Smith's corps yesterday and says everything appears to be going well. Comments that Petersburg is only two and a half miles from their line. Reports that Hancock took 700 prisoners and two guns, while Union General Ambrose E. Burnside took 500 prisoners and seven guns.…

GLC04662.069

1864/6/24

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

"I have great confidence in Grant and so I believe has every other soldier in the army." They are having a drought and the roads have become very dusty. He gives his mother advice on selling one of their lots and building a house on another. He visits the 100th regiment which is camped 10 mile from Richmond.

GLC04662.070

1864/7/4

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

He has received a thirty day furlough and will start home on Friday. He describes ships decorated and batteries firing in observance of the 4th of July.

GLC04662.071

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

1864/12/11

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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

1864/12/20

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

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

GLC04662.086

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