Title: Alfred E. Waldo Letter

Date/Date Range :   1863 October 26

Extent: 0.1 linear feet

Abstract:

This letter, written on 1863 October 26, details the defense of Knoxville, Tennessee against General James Longstreet's attack. Waldo's regiment was sent to participate in this defense.

Call number: MS-3184

Repository: University of Tennessee Special Collections Library, Knoxville, TN

Aquisition Information:

Purchased by Special Collections on 2007 June 26.

Access Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Copyright:

The copyright interests in this collection remain with the creator. For more information, contact the Special Collections Library.

Preferred Citation:

[Identification of Item], Alfred E. Waldo Letter, MS-3184. University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Special Collections Library.

Collection consists of a single folder.

Alfred Edward Waldo was born on 1844 March 13 in Stoughton, Massachusetts to William P. Waldo (1810-1895) and Mary Talbot Waldo (1821-1903). Waldo mustered into Company E of the 35th Massachusetts Infantry on 1862 August 19 at the age of 18. During the Battle of the Spotsylvania Courthouse in Spotsylvania, Virginia, Waldo received a severe arm wound. He was sent to Washington D.C. and placed in the Armory Square Hospital. He passed away there on 1864 June 7. Waldo is buried at the Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.

This letter, written by Alfred Waldo to his father, details his role in the defense of Knoxville, Tennessee against General James Longstreet's attack. Waldo writes that the Confederate Army has 30,00 troops at the road to Philadelphia but Federal forces have pushed them back 20 miles. Waldo is stationed at a camp on the east side of the Tennessee River. He mentions the Signal Corps stationed on the hills and at the battle front, but sadly he cannot read their signals and feels that he is in the dark. He asks his father for new shirts, as his Government shirt is so short that it will not stay tucked in. Waldo reports that the Government shoes, unlike the shirts, will get him through the winter.

• Soldiers -- Massachusetts -- Correspondence.
• Tennessee -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865.
• United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865.
• Knoxville (Tenn.) -- History -- Siege, 1863.