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

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

1861/05/01

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his mother

He has completed his business in Washington and warns his mother not to work too hard in the garden. He is not sure how long he will remain in the city. Written on the stationary of George W. Walbridge [a brother] of Pratt & Company.

GLC04662.001

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

1862/3/30

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his mother

Describes a miserable march from Washington to Alexandria. A bivouac site on marshy land and a cold rain prompted soldiers to seek other places to sleep, including a tomb. Discusses rations for the troops and his dining at private homes. Inquires whether one of the family houses has been rented yet.

GLC04662.004

1862/8/25

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his mother

He is feeling better and expects to return to his unit in about a week. Since he does not know where they are, he will have to go to Washington to learn their location. A gang of men are putting up a large building, which Walbridge thinks may be a very large hospital. [The men may have been building the prisoner of war camp that would open on the island.] He claims it is a fine location in the summer but imagines the winter would be rather bleak.

GLC04662.013

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

1862/3/10

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his mother

Camped at Park Barracks in front of the Astor House. The regiment has orders to be ready to march, but no one is sure exactly when they will move out. He briefly mentions sight-seeing in the city and gives the whereabouts of other relatives in the city.

GLC04662.002

1862/4/20

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his mother

Writes from camp Scott that his regiment has not been paid yet. He believes his brother George is not healthy enough to be a soldier. Discusses the condition of his clothing, says he gets along well with the other officers, and hopes that one day he will be commissioned in the regular army. He says it is wonderful to receive letters from home. Responding to them "seems almost like talking with you."

GLC04662.005

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

1862/8/4

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his mother

The regiment is electing a colonel. He is still a quartermaster.

GLC04662.011

1862/8/18

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his mother

He has taken ill with Cholera Morbus and is in the hospital. Describes the facilities, including a hotel and cottages which have been taken over by the hospital. Hopes to rejoin his regiment soon. He thinks McClellan is "played out" and that Pope and Banks are doing a good job.

GLC04662.012

1862/9/27

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his mother

His return to the regiment with 100 new recruits from Alexandria. Thanks his mother and other family members for their letters.

GLC04662.015

1862/10/11

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his mother

He has been recommended for a commission. Mentions a brigade drill and an upcoming undress parade, where the regiment will line up, without arms and with clean underwear in their haversacks, march to the river and undress for bathing. The regiment has not been paid since the 30th of April.

GLC04662.016

1862/10/26

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

The regiment has been paid. He warns his mother to be careful about accumulating new debts.

GLC04662.017

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

1862/11/27

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

Thanksgiving. He writes that he did not have turkey because his cook did not see the need to make it.

GLC04662.019

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

1862/12/19

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

Regiment has received orders to be ready to march by the next morning. He worries about whether or not they will return to this camp. The enclosure wishes his mother a merry Christmas and indicates that he sent money.

GLC04662.021

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

1863/1/8

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

Appointed acting brigade quartermaster. Was glad to hear everyone had a happy Christmas.

GLC04662.023