“Last Letter Written to Sister”

Lt. Dustan Walbridge

Letter to Sister

Location: Washington DC

Date: April 9th, 1864

Unit: 11th Vermont Infantry or 1st Vermont Heavy Artillery

Fort Totten D.C. Apr. 9th 64

Dear Sister

I received a letter from you some time ago and have neglected answering until now, not for want of time for lately I have had plenty of leisure but never have quite got about it. I have heard of your sickness and since have herd that you have been sick again. I am sorry no less to hear you are having so poor health. I fear you work too hard. You must be careful of your health. We can stand all sorts of grief when we are well.

I am well at present and have been since my last to you. I have been fortunate about that since being in the army. Have been sick but little I saw Isaac night before last. He was well looking tough and hearty. He had his corporal stripes on. He is now stationed at Ft. Bunker Hill on the other side of our Fort T. to what Slocom was and about the same distance from us.

I presume that you have hird I sent for Abbie to come out here. Yesterday I telegraphed to her not to come, but dont know as she would get the dispatch soon enough to stop her as she was to start this morning I suppose, but I hope she has got it in time. When I sent for her things looked the most like staying here to me that it ever had and as she had been always anxious to come out. I made arrangements and sent for her but since than things have changed and now it looks pretty strong as though we should move next week, but we have not got marching orders yet and may not go at all– If we go we will go into the Army of the Potomac in the 6th Corps (Sedgewicks). I suppose it is a sudden thing to us all but we are all willing to go but of course we shall see harder times than we have yet. But no harder than other troops and we are willing to take our share.

It will be quite a disappointment to me and a hard one to Abbie If we go on account of our plans to have her come out here – I had got pretty good quarters preserved (?) and been to considerable expense but of course Uncle Sam cant stop for these private arrangements. We must stand it.

I dont see why Sarah and Clara dont write to me. I wrote to them and to Alfred when I was home last summer, and never have received a word from any of them. I got a letter from Augustus this winter. He had quit at Mountain View and was at the city thought some of going into Min(?).

I fear that Clara is unhappy there, I know she is and I am afraid as you say that Russell dont use her right. She has had her share of troubles in this world – I know about that letter you spoke of, I dont think it was just the thing to copy it but I guess mother always kept it sacred. It will be all the same a hundred years from now. I some expected from what I heard that Lyman would be out here, and I hoped he would but Isaac told me he was not coming.

I know Alice you cant help but feel bad about the prospect of father getting married. I cant feel it as keenly as you of course, but I know something of your feelings. I think myself that he will get married after a while, but I really hope your feelings may change if that should be the case. It would seen to bad to have what little of the old home feeling there is left destroyed but if you are turned out I guess your mother will see that you dont have to beg. I hope you will get in at So. Hudilly, If any chance offers you must take it. I feel you ought to have a chance to go and I think you will. I am glad Julian takes an interest in his studies. I guess his father intends to cast him off entirely – This poor return for your good and interesting letter but please to accept it for what it is worth. Write to me as often often as possible. I will answer. My love to Ella and Julian and best respects to father.

From your brother

Dustan

______________________________________

Biography:

Dustan Walbridge

This is part two of the last letter I had posted for last week's Voices from the Past post.

Dustan is indeed the brother of Isaac Watts who wrote last week’s letter to his sister explaining Dustan’s death at Cold Harbor. Let's learn more about Dustan’s life in this letter.

Dustan was born in Peacham, Vermont in 1832. He was the son of Daniel A. Walbridge and Roxana Walbridge. Dustan’s dad passed away when Dustan was just 3 years old, and his mother would later get remarried to Lyman Watts which would give Dustan many half siblings, including Isaac Watts. Dustan wed Abbie Hardy on October 8th, 1860 and would end up having 1 daughter in 1861.

Dustan enrolled in Co. A of the 11th Vermont Infantry, also known as the 1st Vermont Heavy Artillery, in September 1862 as a private. By the beginning of 1864, he was made Sergeant Major and later was named 2nd Lieutenant of the company.

As stated previously, the 11th Vermont did not leave the defenses of Washington DC until 1864 when they were attached to the Army of the Potomac. This would have been shortly after the time that this letter was written; in April, they were no more than a couple of months from fighting in battles like Cold Harbor. In this letter, he talks about visiting his brother's tent on the other side of the fort (Fort Totten). He talks about how tough and hearty he looks with his stripes as Isaac also had been promoted numerous times while in service. His sister's health is also important to him as he talks about how she had been sick recently and wants her to take care of herself. He mentions that they will be moving soon and will be attached to the army of the Potomac, and he is worried because his wife, Abbie, may not make it there in time to see him before they leave.

This letter would only be written a couple of months before Dustan would pass from his wounds at Cold Harbor. Because of this, what is written on the envelope is both important and rather somber. Dustan’s sister wrote on the envelope, “Last letter was received from Dustan. I did not answer it.”

You can almost feel the guilt she has because she never got the chance to respond to her brother; she certainly did not expect something would happen so quickly. Dustan would end up passing from infection after an amputation of his right arm from wounds at Cold Harbor. His wife did make it down to be with him in his final days. Dustan is buried in Peacham Corner Cemetery, Peacham VT.