Description
Very nice bible presented to future lieutenant Dustin Walbridge who would serve with the 11th Vermont Infantry. Later designated the 1st Vermont Heavy Artillery, Dustin would enroll in Company A, in September 1862 as a private. By January 1864 he had risen in rank to Sergeant Major and shortly afterwards was commissioned as 2nd Lieutenant of his company. They would serve in the defenses of Washington D. C. until May 1864 when they were ordered to reinforce the Army of the Potomac and reported for duty as infantry near Spotsylvania Court House. During the severe campaigning which ensued serving with the 6th Corps, the regiment participated in every battle of the 6th Corps from May, 1864, to April, 1865. During the Battle of Cold Harbor on 3 June 1864, however, Dustan was wounded and endured the pain of having his right arm amputated in a field hospital only to have it get infected and result in his death on 19 June 1864 at Douglas Hospital in Washington D. C. with his wife Abbie at his side. This amazing bible was presented to Dustin at the time of his enlistment by members of the Passumpsie Lodge, to which he was a member. Inside the front cover resides this wonderful ink inscription reading “Presented to Bro. Dustin S. Walbridge by vote of Passumpsie Lodge No. 27 September 3d, 1862″.
