Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-1913. Charles Eliphalet Walbridge papers, 1861-1895.
Title:
Charles Eliphalet Walbridge papers, 1861-1895.
Civil War letters, 1861-1865, and 1868 and bound volume, 1890-1895, re Walbridge's service as captain of company H, 100th New York Volunteers, and in various quartermaster posts, and moving goods and freight with mule teams in the months following the Confederate surrender. Letters, Mar. and May 1863, to his brother George written from St. Helena and Folly Island, S.C., discuss the pros and cons of remaining as captain of his company or moving to a quartermaster post. His remarks are historically pertinent in view of the key role he later assumed. In June, Gen. Israel Vogdes appointed him chief quartermaster of the district of the Stono, and he became responsible for transportation and supplies during the operations against forts Wagner, Gregg, and Sumter. Walbridge's stint at Port Royal coincided with the federal land auctions. "Government has lately sold the plantations in this vicinity for taxes," he reported on 16 March; "they are subject to be redeemed within one year by having the purchase money and 15% interest refunded. After that time the title is good. Plantations of 800 or 1000 acres with fine buildings &c, sold from $1000 to $2000. I believe none brought more than $2000." The letter continues, "Last night Lieut. Weidensaul...and I took a ride of 8 miles up [St. Helena] island & back. We went into two churches, both of which are very pleasantly situated in the woods. We got into the first by a window, and found an organ in good condition, and the Bible in the pulpit just as it was left, there was also a handsome marble font in the church. The second church is in use; it was decorated with wreaths of evergreen, and on the gallery opposite the pulpit the inscription in evergreen, 'His people are free' - -From which I judge that the 'Gideonites' run the church; I think I shall try and go there next Sunday to attend the service. These 'Gideonites' so called, are persons who come from the North, of course mostly from New England, to educate the darkies. There are a good many ladies among them.... We have been here (detached) over a week; the duty has been very light. I merely put a guard around the camp from sunset to sunrise, and do not have to throw out any outposts. The men were pretty well jaded out when we came up here, but they are now in fine spirits; two or three of the boys, (there are several in the company not over eighteen) are now playing horse in the street, carrying each other on their backs &c." Walbridge feared that his family's anxiety had been heightened at a time when his company was under orders not to send letters north in consequence of their participation as advance picket during the 7 April bombardment of Ft. Sumter, an unsuccessful attack by gunboats during which the Keokuk was sunk. Correspondence re general progress of the campaign, camp life, government land auctions, the situation of the African American freedmen, and particularly to Walbridge's activities as a private freight and mule team operator in late 1865; and insights re business conditions at war's end. Other items include Walbridge's enlistment papers, 1868, for New York National Guard; membership papers in Union army veterans organizations; and bound volume of proceedings of the 100th Regiment New York State Vols. sixth annual reunion, 1892.
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