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

1863/6/11

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

Acknowledges receipt of a package containing clothes, dinnerware, dried fruits, wine, cakes and other delicacies. He is now the district Quartermaster. He asks how his sister Sarah's baby is doing.

GLC04662.037

1863/6/26

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

Waiting to hear information about Lee's raid into Pennsylvania. Discusses his new duties and mentions that a sergeant has resigned.

GLC04662.038

1863/6/30

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

The men who were supposed to go home on furlough got no further than Hilton Head. He writes that he has been very busy supervising the loading and unloading vessels.

GLC04662.039

1863/7/14

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

Briefly describes the charge on Fort Wagner which he mistakenly says was led by the 7th Connecticut. The 100th Regiment dug trenches and erected a battery which captured a rebel battery. [Walbridge gives a correct and compelling description of the attack on Fort Wagner in GLC 4663.022.]

GLC04662.040

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

1863/9/15

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

Reports the Confederate evacuation of Forts Wagner and Gregg. Now believes he will be allowed to remain quartermaster. He has bought a colt and intends to raise her. Informs his mother that he sent home a 42 pound shell fired from a confederate gun.

GLC04662.044

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

1863/11/15

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

Describes the camp of the 112th and a church sermon held there. Walbridge plans to open a sawmill on the Island.

GLC04662.048

1863/11/19

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

He "countermands" his request for clothing since a local tailor said he could fix Walbridge's clothes and writes of friends from home.

GLC04662.049

1863/12/5

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

He is visiting Hilton Head. The quartermasters in this town all "own" houses there. He has received a package, but hasn't had time to open it yet. He has orders to oversee the construction of a canal [the Dutch Gap Canal].

GLC04662.050

1863/12/7

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

He was very excited to open his box of clothes, food and other materials. "I took as much pleasure . . . as children usually do in emptying their stockings on Christmass [sic] morning." He reports that the monitor "Weehawken" has sunk, probably due to a boiler explosion. He is upset by the reports of the Sanitary Commission which tell of the hardships at Belle Island, a prisoner of war camp in Richmond. He worries over the fate of a soldier. "I am afraid one of my men, 'Sam Patterson' the Indian is still at Belle Island."

GLC04662.051

December 25, 1863

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

The army celebrated Christmas with an artillery barrage on the city of Charleston. As a result a fire broke out in the city which burned for 11 hours. The rebels fired back, hit a gun boat and killed three people. He is applying for leave, but does not want to get his hopes up. His sawmill is running but needs a new boiler. He mentions the progress of the canal.

GLC04662.052

1864/1/2

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

His "boy" Isaac, who is nineteen years old, wants an education. He can read and write a little and "is quite a mathematician." He requests a first grade reader, a geography book, and an arithmetic book for Isaac's education. He was not approved for furlough.

GLC04662.053

1864/1/21

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

He asks what gifts his mother purchased for the family with the money he sent. The sawmill is running very well. He is, once again, Quartermaster of Vodges division. He needs a new nightshirt.

GLC04662.054

1864/1/22

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

Sends his mother a box of sea shells and pebbles that he has collected. Describes three types of shells and instructs her on deodorizing them.

GLC04662.055

1864/1/30

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

"I attended a hop at Gen'l Saxton's, and saw some real live ladies, and danced with them!" Is considering buying confiscated lands, but thinks the speculators may have beaten him to them.

GLC04662.056

1864/2/6

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

An expedition has left from Hilton Head, no one is sure where they are going. "Florida has been talked of considerably, as it's destination, but that makes me think that it is going to some other point." He hopes that he will be transferred soon.

GLC04662.057

1864/2/14

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

Ordered to report to Jacksonville, Florida.

GLC04662.058

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