Raynors HCA 2016-10
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 10/21/2016
The letter archive was written and signed by Charles Eliphalet Walbridge who on 1/3/1862 he was commissioned into "H" Co. NY 100th Infantry; then 4/17/1863 he was commissioned into US Volunteers Quartermaster's Dept. and was Mustered Out on 10/7/1865. Each letter gives lots of information about the fight for Fort Sumter. Here is a summary of each letter: 1) Folly Island, S.C. April 18, 1863; In part, “We are again on the noble isle of Folly… we use extraordinary precautions against surprise… detail 3 companies every night to go out and suppose the picket... I was almost in hope that a few Rebs would come so that I could get pay for the men I had wounded and captured. The enemy are in very strong force on James Island… we are to be reinforced. There are but now 4 other regiments on the island – all smaller than the 100th – and one battery…The 100th are camped about the center of the island; the 39th IL. Occupy the camping ground about a mile further up. We are greatly annoyed at night by a species of sand flea or gnat… they torment one terribly. When I come off picket, my hand and wrists looked as if I had some cutaneous disease; the bites swell up in great white bunches and smart for 5-6 days after they are inflicted….”, plus, 2) Folly Island, S.C. May 10, 1863; In aprt, “ ... news of Hooker’s successfully crossing the Rappahannock at Four Points. Yesterday the Rebel pickets told ours that Hooker was beaten; this morning they say that Hooker is in Richmond! About noon we heard that papers had reached the Island containing the same information; while just at dusk the Colonel’s orderly arrived who informed me that there was news of Hooker having been driven back across the river with the loss of 6,000. So you see we can do as the showman told the little boy… ‘Take our choice’! ... Genl. Hunter has issued an order that in accordance with the recent act of Congress, furloughs will be granted to 5% of the men of each company… as you may imagine, there was quite a commotion among the officers… I went down to the Regiment to see about it and learned that Gen. Vodges was not going to grant leaves of absence to commissioned officers....”, plus 3) FFolly Island, S.C. July 29, 1863; In part “Our troops are working hard on Morris Island planting guns, erecting batteries, etc. The Rebels bother us some with their shells. They fire a shell almost every minute... From my tent door I can see the whole field of operations. Wagner on my right, then Cummings Point with Battery Bee, then Sumter stands our plainly in the centre of the circle; then comes Mr. Pleasant, a village on the opposite side of Charleston Harbor, while clear round to the left rise 3 spires of churches in Charleston… have a fine view of the sea with the blockading fleet, monitors, etc. ..”, plus, 4) Folly Island, S.C. August 6th, 1863; In part, “We have had large reinforcements from N.C. and Norfolk… Glad to hear that you were on hand to quell the riot… I congratulate you on having become a military man. There is no doubt but the U.S. is destined to be hereafter a great military nation… We have had a real misfortunate… the capture of Capt. PAYNE. He was captured in a small boat in Charleston Harbor night before last. He had some ten men with him... they were all killed but one. He escaped and reports that Capt. Payne was not hurt.... The Rebs opened fire on Capt. Payne but didn’t hurt him…”, plus, 5) Folly Island, S.C. August 21, 1863; In part, “The bombardment commenced Monday morning and has continued ever since. The fire has mostly been directed at Sumter. The wall on this side appears to be half down. It is completely shattered… can’t hold out much longer. Sumter does not reply to our fire at all. Night before last Sumter fired her sunset guns, the first she had fired all day and hauled down her colors… her flag has been ‘down’ half a dozen times but it is always raised again....reported that Sumter’s flagpole and all has just fallen over. I wish it might never be raised again… “, plus, 6) Folly Island, S.C. October 10th, 1863; In part, “There was a rather singular affair occurred on James Island a few days ago. Our lookouts observed a squadron of Cavalry and 8-10 regiments coming down from the direction of Charleston on the double quick. They disappeared in behind Secessionville and shortly after, musketry and artillery were heard as if a smart skirmish was in progress… Two deserters stated that a N.C. Regiment had mutinied…it is proposed to build a RR from Pawnee Landing (about the center of Folly Island on Folly River) to this point, also to construct ferry slips on both shores of Lighthouse Inlet, and run a N.Y. Ferry boat back and forth…”
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