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Walbridge, Charles E. (b. 1842) to his mother

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC04662.008 Author/Creator: Walbridge, Charles E. (b. 1842) Place Written: Bottoms Bridge, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 1862/6/20 Pagination: 4 p. Order a Copy

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, Mrs. Crump says. I mention this to show the kind of regret, which the F.F.V's feel when they lose one of their stock."

Walbridge, Charles E., 1842-?

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