5 September 1862

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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's illness. "The report is this morning that the enemy have crossed into Maryland, really it seems as if they are allowed to go where they please."

GLC04663.07

March 3, 1865

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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

16 April 1865

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 the march to oversee the wagon trains consisting of 390 army wagons and 90 ambulances. Informs that the staff is staying in the Exchange Hotel and General Alfred H. Terry has a house directly across. Praises Terry profusely. Calls Raleigh the prettiest place in the south and describes the land and the buildings in detail. Describes Terry's…

GLC04662.101

18 April 1862

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Louise Walbridge

Discusses marching orders, his impression of Warwick, and building a road to Yorktown.

GLC04663.02

13 June 1862

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Louise Walbridge

Advises his sister not to teach any longer, managing the property and defends his brigade from attacks resulting from their performance at Fair Oaks. He also tells of wounded men who lay on the battlefield for three days and who claimed to have been treated well by the confederates. He has been detailed as Quartermaster.

GLC04663.03

14 June 1862

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Louise Walbridge

Mentions Stuart's raid at Tunstall's Station.

GLC04663.04

17 July 1862

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Louise Walbridge

He estimates the Confederate army at 200,000. There have been thunderstorms every night for several days, yet the days have been sunny.

GLC04663.05

12 October 1862

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Louise Walbridge

Notes he saw a girl from home in Alexandria. Discusses the fate of friends, the weather and two photographs that have disappeared.

GLC04663.08

8 November 1862

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Louise Walbridge

Writes of the cold weather and a recent snowfall. Notes he ixed up his tent for the winter months and has received gloves from mother.

GLC04663.09

15 November 1862

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Louise Walbridge

Tells how a Southern woman tried to burn down her house rather than let the North use it for a hospital. Also speculates on the possibility of foreign war, reparations for damages caused by a pirate, invasion from Canada, and advice for fortifying Buffalo.

GLC04663.10

9 December 1862

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Louise Walbridge

Interesting story of a lady and child who left a package addressed to General Dix near a picket line. Upon receiving the package, Dix boarded a steamer bound for Fortress Monroe.

GLC04663.11

27 December 1863

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Louise Walbridge

Transport via steamer, description of conditions aboard the ship. Written on board steamer Belvidere, Hampton Roads.

GLC04663.12

February 2, 1863

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Louise Walbridge

Tells of the Montauk's attack on Fort Pulaski. "I know my letters are very dull now a days but you must remember, that we are completely cut off from the outer world."

GLC04663.13

February 21, 1863

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Louise Walbridge

Talks about family affairs: his sister Sarah's illness and her decision to wean the baby; his wish to attend a party; asks about Louise's birthday.

GLC04663.14

7 March 1863

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Louise Walbridge

"Gen'l Hunter issued an order yesterday which says that all able bodied Negroes between the ages of eighteen and fifty one, not regularly employed in the Quartermaster and Commissary Departments, or as Officer's servants, shall be drafted, and organized into regiments or brigades."

GLC04663.15

21 March 1863

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Louise Walbridge

"It rains in smart little showers four times an hour." Discusses news about the 100th NY regiment. Writes of books he has read and one which he wants to read.

GLC04663.16

25 April 1863

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Louise Walbridge

Posted to a "battery" of one brass gun and two palmetto guns, rumors of a renewed attack on Charleston, exchanging newspapers with the Confederates, who "beat us in getting possession of the New York Papers." He then discusses the dangers of such exchanges.

GLC04663.17

8 May 1863

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Louise Walbridge

Death of friends, moving toward Charleston. Also mentions news from home: a fair raised $500, "Cousins Elbridge and Mary have done me the honor to name their baby after me."

GLC04663.18

24 May 1863

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Louise Walbridge

News of the reception of a regiment returning to Buffalo, the homesickness of soldiers, and bathing in the ocean. Also discusses the Confederate advantage architect of interior lines.

GLC04663.19

31 May 1863

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Louise Walbridge

Provides a reconnaissance on James Island. Reflects on the Battle of Fair Oaks, and the anniversary of that battle. Dicusses home and mentions that will leave on furlough in two weeks.

GLC04663.20

14 June 1863

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Louise Walbridge

Read The New System of Tactics and enjoyed it. A confederate steamer runs aground and is boarded every night by union troops who take her cargo. A boil is growing on his neck.

GLC04663.21

19 July 1863

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his son

Describes the attack on Fort Wagner. A page dated 7/20, lists missing and wounded officers. "Shortly after dark our troops advanced to the assault. The 54th Mass. (colored regiment) in the lead... [T]his regiment which went into the charge with over nine hundred in the ranks, cannot muster five hundred, with all their field officers killed, besides many of their line killed & wounded."

GLC04663.22

15 August 1863

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Louise Walbridge

Siege of Charleston. Four regiments of Negroes who are better at fatigue work than white soldiers. "The consequence is that fifty Negroes are equal to a hundred white soldiers, for ordinary work." Closes with the expectation that bombardment of the forts will begin on Monday: "Good bye Sumter!"

GLC04663.23

4 September 1863

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Louise Walbridge

Sister Rosalie [a Roman Catholic nun?] arrives at Folly Island from Buffalo. The joys of soldiering, progress of the siege, death of a sergeant.

GLC04663.24

7 October 1863

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Louise Walbridge

Provides a description of the attack on the "New Ironsides" by the Confederate torpedo boat "David." "The rebels came down the harbor in a small cigar shaped steamer... She lay off some distance from the Ironsides and sent a small boat with a torpedo to blow her up... It made a tremendous explosion, throwing water all over the vessels, but I do not think she is much injured... would have been a serious blow to us if she had succeeded in disabling the Ironsides, for she is worth the whole fleet of monitors put together..."

GLC04663.25