21 September 1864

Bridgman, Edward P., fl. 1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to parents of George Clapp

Hopes they are getting along well. They have no doubt heard that their son was wounded. "He was hit in the arm a little below the right shoulder joint by a piece of shell. The wound is about 2 inches long… half as wide, and ¾ of an inch deep." It did not damage the bone, but the wound has since swollen greatly. Thinks it will all come out alright. Will write again in a day or two to update them on Clapp's condition.

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22 September 1864

Bridgman, Edward P., fl. 1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to parents of George Clapp

Just came from the room where Clapp is staying. There is a piece of shell still stuck in his arm. It is about an inch square. He "looked poorly" in the morning but is looking better now. The doctor thinks he is doing well.

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24 September 1864

Bridgman, Edward P., fl. 1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to parents of George Clapp

George "is feeling better and he is looking better." George would write to them himself if he could. Has plenty of crackers and bread to eat. Read to him for a little while before writing this letter.

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25 September 1864

Bridgman, Edward P., fl. 1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to parents of George Clapp

Just came from George's room. Brought him some food. Made him a cup of hot chocolate with milk and sugar too. George looks a lot better this morning; he "is sitting up."

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27 September 1864

Bridgman, Edward P., fl. 1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to parents of George Clapp

George told him to tell them that "I am having the best of care and attention and am doing well." Believes he is indeed looking better.

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29 September 1864

Bridgman, Edward P., fl. 1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to parents of George Clapp

Is sitting at George's feet while writing this letter. He just had a few pieces of bread. "He is not [at] all discouraged," but would love to be at home to "help Charles eat all the chickens." George will likely stay here 4 or 5 weeks and then might be sent home on furlough. The arm is doing "as well as can be expected."

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3 October 1864

Bridgman, Edward P., fl. 1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to parents of George Clapp

"I have nothing new to report concerning George." He is improving gradually. He will likely make a full recovery, but knows the importance of taking care of himself. George's appetite is also very good. Will write again in a day or two.

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6 October 1864

Bridgman, Edward P., fl. 1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to parents of George Clapp

George was moved the day before yesterday to Sheridan Hospital, which is about ½ a mile away. He is still doing well, and his entire bunk was moved with him. "The surgeon says… there is no cause for worriment on his behalf; he has been a lucky boy." He has fared far better than most men with similar wounds. George's neighbor at the hospital was from the 2nd Rhode Island. He had a very serious wound; a bullet had punctured his left lung. He asked Bridgman to write to his mother he was sorry for all his sins. He did so, and included a lock of the wounded man's hair in the letter. Gets very…

GLC09355.100

8 October 1864

Bridgman, Edward P., fl. 1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to parents of George Clapp

Saw George have his wound dressed and it looks to be doing well. "I think that in about two weeks he will be able to leave here." Brought the mail to him, which made him happy. Brandwell is dead. Letters "are of high value" to him, so they should be sure to keep writing.

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10 October 1864

Bridgman, Edward P., fl. 1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to parents of George Clapp

Went to see George again today. Found him sitting up and "looking quite well." Believes he will be sent home on furlough soon. The wound is about 5 inches long. George "is in good spirits and comfortable." Gave him the $10 they sent this morning. Sends his love to all of his family and friends. Elisha is well.

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16 October 1864

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Parents

Is going to try writing with his left hand. "I am feeling quite nice and smart." Wants to come home very much, but must be patient. If he goes home too soon, the wound may get worse. Has "the best of care" here. Must stop; hand is getting tired. Ed Bridgman will write as often as ever.

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24 October 1864

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Parents

Left Winchester for Baltimore on the 18th. Spent three days at a hospital there, and was then ordered to Philadelphia, where he arrived yesterday. Wound is doing "very well." Is tired from the ride to the city. Does not know where he will be next or if he is moving at all, so they should not write until he has a permanent address.

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27 October 1864

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Parents

There has been "nothing done" about the possibility of him heading home to Northampton. The wound is doing "better than one could expect." Wishes he had a good flannel shirt from Mother. One shoulder would have to be very wide so as to not hurt the wound.

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1 November 1864

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Parents

Will be going home "between now and next Tuesday." Arm is doing "first rate." Tries to enjoy himself as best he can.

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29 December 1864

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Parents

Had "no trouble at all" getting here; is in the best ward in the hospital. Is writing with his right hand for the first time since being wounded. Is "well as ever." Has a comfortable bed and plenty of blankets. Will get the best care possible at this hospital. There is plenty to eat at the hospital, but it is not as good as food from home. Will write again in a day or two. Written at Dale General Hospital

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2 January 1865

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Parents

Wishes them a happy new year. Generally wakes up at about 5:30; lies there until 6:00. Then gets dressed, cleans up, and makes his bed. Gets breakfast, then walks around a little until 9:00 when the surgeon comes. Goes to sleep at 8:00 PM and sleeps very well. "My arm don't pain me as much at night as it used to." Has not left the hospital grounds since arriving here. Christopher Colson, a member of his company, is at the hospital in ward 5. He was examined today to see if he was ready to return to his regiment, and will likely do so within the month. "He don't want to go, but I wish I was…

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5 January 1865

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Parents

Does not have much to do to spend time, so he will write. Has been reading almost every day. Went down to the city of Worcester the other day and saw Simeon. Will go again tomorrow. "He is a man that appears to feel for the soldier, and he was very particular to ask if I had enough to eat." Slipped and fell while walking out of a store. Landed on his bad arm, and "felt a sickening sensation" for a few moments after, but it does not seem that the fall did any significant damage. Saw in the paper that some clerks in Northampton had stolen money from their employers. Written at Dale General…

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11 January 1865

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Parents

Got their letter last night. "I can't say I really like life in hospital." Thinks the fact that he was home for several weeks makes being in the hospital even worse. Will try to get home as often as possible. Will get paid as soon as the paymaster is ready. Has heard they are going to be paid next week. Does not want to cause too much of a stir at the hospital for fear of being sent back to Satterlee. Heard from Simeon that Mrs. Bliss was "but just alive." Was going to call on Mr. Bliss earlier, but decided not to in light of his wife's illness. Needs a pass to go into the city. Can go as…

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18 January 1865

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Parents

Received their letter yesterday. There is a regular, "monotonous" rhythm to life at the hospital. Writes, reads, sleeps, and does little else. Goes into Worcester 2 or 3 times a week. On Monday, a library opened at the hospital for the use of the patients. The library is not much more than a room "12 feet wide and 35 long, quite high and well-lighted." The room is kept warm all the time, so he goes in there often to read. One of the pastors from the city came to speak to them last Monday. Has not seem Mr. Bliss since his wife died. It is possible that they will get paid this week. Wants to…

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5 February 1865

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Parents

Got back to the hospital last Friday. "My cold is much better." Finally found the key to his valise. Arm is doing much better, and "the swelling has left it." Hopes that it is warmer the next time he comes home. Written at Dale General Hospital

GLC09355.112

12 February 1865

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Parents

Did not get a letter from them this week. The surgeon examined his arm last Monday. He said that "you never will be able to do any military duty whatever and if you wish for your discharge you can have it now, but I wish you would not take it at present for I would like to watch the progress of your arm for some little time." Told him that he would not seek a discharge at the present time. Will do what will be best for him in the long term. Saw Mr. Bliss at Simeon's store. Thinks Father should come down to Worcester to see him. Written at Dale General Hospital .

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16 February 1865

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Parents

Got their letter Tuesday morning. Hopes his arm will stop running soon. Got a letter from Ed Bridgman on Saturday. The regiment had just returned from another raid. It is a shame how much marching the troops have to do. Met Mrs. Whitney, the mother of a man in his company. Did not have much news to give her, but will see her again as soon as possible. Will write to Bridgman today. Written at Dale General Hospital

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19 February 1865

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Parents

Does not have anything to write, but it is a good way to pass the time. Is only barely able to use a pen. Hopes that "by the 1st of May… I shall be able to do something besides living in a Hospital." Hates life here. The Surgeon General and Governor are both to be here on the 22nd of the month. Does not know what to do with the blue pants. Grant has made an arrangement for a prisoner exchange. "We can look for Sid now." Thinks Charley Graves sold his place for a good price. Written at Dale General Hospital .

GLC09355.115

24 February 1865

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Parents

Got their letter on Tuesday. His arm "grows stronger every day, but I have almost lost all patience waiting for it." It has been almost six months since he was injured. Hopes the wound will stop discharging soon. "I wrote to Dr. Barry last week for a description of the operation on my arm." Sorry to hear that Mother is so sick. Had "a rousing good dinner" on the night that the Governor came. Saw Rufus Sackett who was with Simeon yesterday. He is a member of the State Guards. Hopes they get some word from Sid soon. Written at Dale General Hospital .

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13 March 1865

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Parents

Should have written them sooner, but has not felt like writing recently. "This month is the worst part of the year for wounds… because the weather is so changeable." Is anxious to go home as soon as possible. Hopes he will get to spend at least a month at home this spring. At least there will be something for him to do at home, even "if it is nothing more than picking up chips." Feels ashamed to go home without being able to do much work. Has not heard from Providence and does not know why he would have. If Father wants him to, however, he will travel to Rhode Island with him as soon as he…

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