Alfred Edward Waldo was born on March 13, 1844 in Stoughton, Massachusetts to William P. (1810-1895) and Mary Talbot Waldo (1821-1903). He enlisted in the Union Army on August 11, 1862 with Company E 35th Massachusetts Infantry Volunteers. Alfred wrote weekly letters to his parents describing his location and activities during the Civil War. He died on June 7, 1864 at Armory Square Hospital in Washington D.C. from wounds received in battle and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.