Walbridge, Charles E. (b. 1842) to Mrs. Walbridge
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC04662.101 Author/Creator: Walbridge, Charles E. (b. 1842) Place Written: Raleigh, North Carolina Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 16 April 1865 Pagination: 10 p. ; 20.5 x 13 cm. Order a Copy
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 house and furnishings as very handsome which makes him wonder if the people in the interior of the Confederacy have suffered as much as he thought. States they must march tomorrow. Explains that the reason for this rest stop was due to the slow progress of the negotiations of Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston's surrender. Relays that they were ecstatic to hear of Robert E. Lee's surrender. Advises that their marching orders have since been countermanded which he hopes means that Johnston's surrender is imminent. Postscript note dated 18 April states they are still in Raleigh with no prospect of leaving.
Charles E. Walbridge enlisted on 21 September 1861 in Buffalo, New York as a 2nd Lieutenant. He was commissioned into "H" company of NY 100th Infantry on 3 January 1862, and later promoted to Captain and Assistant Quartermaster on 17 April 1863. Future promotions also include Major on 1 January 1865, and Lieutenant & Quartermaster on 8 July 1865. Walbridge was mustered out on 7 October 1865. General Robert E. Lee surrendered the Army of Northern Virginia at the Appomattox Courthouse on 9 April 1865. Johnston surrendered to Sherman near Durham Station, North Carolina on 26 April 1865.
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