Richard C. Bridges Collection

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  Richard C. Bridges to his sister, undated

  Richard C. Bridges

  Fragment of a letter presumably from Richard C. Bridges to his sister informing her that she need not send him winter clothes; he is well-supplied by the government.

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  J. T. Alford to Mr. Bridges, 25 March, 1864

  J. T. Alford

  Letter from J. T. Alford to Bridges describing his own wound and the mortal casualty of their friend Dick; mentions Grant's relentless determination to take Richmond and his (Alford's) belief in the Confederacy's success.

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  Richard C. Bridges to his sister, 25 April 1864

  Richard C. Bridges

  Letter from Richard C. Bridges to his sister thanking her for a letter hand-delivered by Alford; relates the turn many soldiers have taken towards religion; asks her to check whether his name is still in the books at church.

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  Richard C. Bridges to his sister, 26 May 1864

  Richard C. Bridges

  Letter from Richard C. Bridges to his sister written for him by a Virginia woman on the amputation of his left leg; describes his encouraging prognosis and attentions of the surgeons and nurses.

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  Richard C. Bridges to his sister, 30 January 1864

  Richard C. Bridges

  Letter from Richard C. Bridges to his sister describing the present comforts of camp life (plentiful blankets and warm clothes); describes the execution of a deserter.

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  Louisa A. Smith to Matilda Norman, 3 June 1864

  Louisa A. Smith

  Letter from Louisa A. Smith to Matilda Norman telling her of her (Norman's) brother's death by fever the day before at 9AM; offers to send a lock Richard's hair and his ring to her.

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  Richard C. Bridges, presumably to his sister, [28 February or 1 March 1863]

  Richard C. Bridges

  Partially damaged letter from Richard C. Bridges describing his regiment's move from Goldsboro, N.C.

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  Richard C. Bridges to his sister, 10 January 1863

  Richard C. Bridges

  Letter from Richard C. Bridges to his sister thanking her and Sister Carrie for warm clothes; recalls the pleasure of furlough; despite the Yankee plan to invade the state, some believe there will be peace by next March.

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  Richard C. Bridges to his sister, 29 January 1863

  Richard C. Bridges

  Letter from Richard C. Bridges to his sister describing the spread of smallpox in Goldsboro; insists on his family being vacinated; considers his wounded side to be improving; remarks on widespread hopes for an early peace.

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  Richard C. Bridges to his sister, 2 January 1863

  Richard C. Bridges

  Letter from Richard C. Bridges to his sister naming dead, dismembered, and missing comrades. Writes of Lee's defeat of Burnsides at Fredricksburg and a wide determination to win the war; mentions cheap, plentiful food.

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  Richard C. Bridges to his sister, 5 May 1863

  Richard C. Bridges

  Presumably dictated letter from Richard C. Bridges to his sister describing last Friday's battle; asks her to forward his letter to William Forthwith; predicts mail routes will be cut off; warns that the Yankees will plunder, but not murder women and children.

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  Richard C. Bridges to his sister Carrie, 15 May 1863

  Richard C. Bridges

  Letter from Richard C. Bridges to his sister Carrie describing a bout of the flu; laments the incursions and ravishments of Union troops; fears he has lost communication with home.

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  Richard C. Bridges to his sister Carrie, 22 July 1863

  Richard C. Bridges

  Letter from Richard C. Bridges to his sister Carrie from the hospital where he was recovering from a wound to his leg; recounts the fortunes of friends in the Crystal Springs Company; vows to fight for revenge after all is lost.

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  Richard C. Bridges to his Sister M., 16 April 1863

  Richard C. Bridges

  Letter from Richard C. Bridges to his sister M. describing his participation in the capture of Suffolk, VA; mentions his affliction with the mumps; asks for drawers and pants, as well as thinner shirts for summer.

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  Richard C. Bridges to his Sister M., 27 March 1863

  Richard C. Bridges

  Letter from Richard C. Bridges to his sister M. acknowledge receipt of her letters; prophesies battles at Murfreesborough and on the Rappahannock once the weather clears; dismisses rumors of demoralized Union army; expects war to go on for up to five more years.

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  Richard C. Bridges to his sister Matilda, 16 August 1863

  Richard C. Bridges

  Letter from Richard C. Bridges to his sister Matilda describing his poor health; predicts that neither army will be quick to resume hostilities after the Battle of Gettysburg.

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  Richard C. Bridges to his sister Matilda, 31 July [1863?]

  Richard C. Bridges

  Letter from Richard C. Bridges to his sister Matilda describing both his good health and that of the army; rues exorbitant prices in Richmond; describes movements of troops.

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  Richard C. Bridges to Sister M., 4 February 1863

  Richard C. Bridges

  Letter from Richard C. Bridges to his sister inquiring on the lack of letters he has received; mentions continuing problems with his wound; describes a foot of snow, but expresses cheer for the naval victory of Charleston; asks about his friends and sends money to repay a debt owed to Brother James.

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  Richard C. Bridges to his friend Mr. Norman, 18 January 1862

  Richard C. Bridges

  Letter from Richard C. Bridges to his friend Mr. Norman about camp life; discusses act of Congress offering 60 days furlough and bounty for two-year reenlistment; mentions large union fleet below batteries on the Potomac; inquires about his girl.

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  Richard C. Bridges to his sister, 22 February 1862

  Richard C. Bridges

  Letter from Richard C. Bridges to his sister answering her reproach for not having received his letters; notes a dearth of provisions; refers to fights in the West; describes preparations for a battle on the Potomac and the sinking of a schooner; condemns single men who fail to enlist.

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  May Alford to Matilda Norman, 6 December [?]

  May Alford

  Letter from May Alford to Matilda Norman inviting her and her family to visit; mentions religious and domestic matters.

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  Richard C. Bridges to his sister, 31 December 1861

  Richard C. Bridges

  Letter from Richard C. Bridges to his sister repenting the decision to volunteer against the wishes of his recently-deceased mother; describes ample foodstuffs and Christmas in the camp.

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  Richard C. Bridges to mother, 10 July 1861

  Richard C. Bridges

  Letter from Richard C. Bridges to his mother describing conditions in camp and movements of troops; he also asks for clothing and money.

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  Richard C. Bridges to mother, 3 November 1861

  Richard C. Bridges

  Letter from Richard C. Bridges to his mother concerning the guarding of batteries on the Potomac; states the probability of an attack on Manassas; describes the battle at Leesburg; asks after blankets and clothes.

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  Richard C. Bridges to sister, 25 October 1861

  Richard C. Bridges

  Letter from Richard C. Bridges to his Sister describing the Confederate Army's blockading of the Potomac; he asks for a blanket and an overcoat.

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  Richard C. Bridges to sister, 26 January 1861

  Richard C. Bridges

  Letter from Richard C. Bridges to his sister describing life in Oxford; while not a member of the "University Blues," he has a sense of foreboding for the new year.

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  Richard C. Bridges to Sister M., 5 November 1861

  Richard C. Bridges

  Letter from Richard C. Bridges to his Sister M recounting the bloody summer campaign of 1861 and October 4th offensive against General Meade; mentions adequate food and clothing, but a lack of tents; describes army life for their acquaintances.