5 August 1865

Brunt, William, fl. 1863-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Martha Cook

Brunt has just returned from Iowa with two of his children, Dora and David. Dora, who is sixteen, has just been married to an Englishman. Writes that "while I was gone to Iowa Olive let passion instead of virtue rule her & became inconstant to me - this was indeed painful to bear & I obtained a Divorce." Brunt has custody of his children and property. He has given Olive $100 "& sent her home & henceforth we shall be two persons." Mentions that Olive also cheated on him two years earlier. Brunt's son, David, died of typhoid soon after the divorce. Hopes that Martha's…

GLC07006.13

1861-1865

Brunt, William, fl. 1863-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Martha and Robert Weir

Most of Brunt's letter to Martha is missing. Writes to Robert that "things look rather gloomy for us at preasant [sic] but Clouds & sunshine must alternately follow each other." Mentions that he has little time to read the news. Describes a test he has prepared for the black soldiers under his command, in which he will stage a fake attack on his company in order to prove that they are able to "stand fire." Asks Robert to write a testimonial of William's Union loyalty while living in Kentucky, but "please do it in a way so that it will not create a suspicion of my asking it."

GLC07006.14

30 June 1853

Stevens, Aaron D., 1831-1860

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister

Describes time at Fort Massachusetts in the New Mexico Territory. Tells of joining the dragoons and their confrontations with Native Americans, including Navajos ("Navhoes") and the Utah nation.

GLC07231.01

10 March 1853

Stevens, Aaron D., 1831-1860

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister

Tells news of life as dragoon, and boredom of time at Fort Massachusetts. Mentions the possibility of tracking Utah Indians to Salt Lake, possibility of returning east, of traveling to California. Discusses brother Lemuel's decision to become a whaler.

GLC07231.02

27 May 1863

Hester, John H., fl. 1863-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Margaret Hester

GLC03056.02

1 August 1864

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Parents

Left Hyattsville the day after he wrote that last letter. Marched to the Monocacy River, then crossed and proceeded 3 miles to their current location. Used a pontoon bridge to cross the Potomac River and go through Harpers Ferry to Bolivar Heights. Heard they are to move to Emmitsburg soon. It was so hot this afternoon that "the thermometer was 105 in the shade." Over 1,000 men suffered sun stroke. "I was not overcome by the heat, but don't think I could have gone over 4 or 5 miles farther." It has been this hot ever since the corps left Washington. Does not know how whatever army they have…

GLC09355.083

1961

New York Public Library

Pamphlet

Title: Regimental Publications and Personal Narratives of the Civil War, Vol. 1, Northern States, Part 2 New York

GLC08880.053

1961

New York Public Library

Pamphlet

Title: Regimental Publications and Personal Narratives of the Civil War, Vol. 1, Northern States, Part 3, New England States

GLC08880.054

1962

New York Public Library

Pamphlet

Title: Regimental Publications and Personal Narratives of the Civil War, Vol. 1, Northern States, Part 4, New Jersey and Pennsylvania

GLC08880.055

1962

New York Public Library

Pamphlet

Title: Regimental Publications and Personal Narratives of the Civil War, Vol. 1, Northern States, Part 5, Indiana and Ohio

GLC08880.056

1962

New York Public Library

Pamphlet

Title: Regimental Publications and Personal Narratives of the Civil War, Vol. 1, Northern States, Part 6, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin

GLC08880.057

1962

New York Public Library

Pamphlet

Title: Regimental Publications and Personal Narratives of the Civil War, Vol. 1, Northern States, Part 7, Index of Names

GLC08880.058

27 July 1864

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Parents

Just camped for the night. Feeling very tired. He and his friend John Banks decided to stop at 9:00 PM one night to get some rest while the army moved on. Found a good orchard to sleep in. Later caught up with the rest of the army at about 2:00 the next afternoon. "I believe it is decided to keep the 6th Corps here and not send them back to the Army of Potomac again." Knows they are worried about Sid, but is convinced he is fine. Thinks he will be exchanged sooner rather than later. Knows Grant cannot control everything "here, there, and everywhere. I never thought he was a supreme being."…

GLC09355.081

Circa 1864

Autograph document signed

Title: [record of the wound that George Clapp suffered on 1864/09/19]

This document is a record of the wound that George Clapp suffered on 1864/09/19, which was a "right humerus shattered by mini ball." Shows that Clapp was discharged a year later and pensioned in September 1873.

GLC09355.082

15 August 1864

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Parents

Does not know when he will be able to send his letters, for they are now over 50 miles from Harpers Ferry, the nearest supply station where he can send mail. His brigade was detached from the rest of the army and ordered to wait for the supply train. "Where we go next is beyond my imagination." General Sheridan has taken control of this part of the army. Hopes they will not move for some time so that they have time to rest. Does not see what good can come from the fact that "we have lost more men than we could by active campaigning." Wishes he could be with Sid. They should not wait to send…

GLC09355.084

20 August 1864

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Parents

Clapp says Charles Town is in Virginia, but was mistaken. Received two letters from them yesterday. One also came with $1, socks, suspenders, and a handkerchief, all of which he appreciated greatly. Does not get mail as regularly as while at Petersburg. In "the last 48 hours… we had no sleep nor not a mouthful of food." Encountered some farm animals and killed them, but did not have much time to prepare and cook them. His brigade was sent back to Winchester, Virginia to wait for the supply train while the rest of the corps marched south. The supply train consists of over 3,000 wagons full of…

GLC09355.085

24 August 1864

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Parents

Will write quickly; the mail goes out in half an hour. Does not feel "in the best mood." At about 8:00 AM on the 21st, the Rebels attacked the army's pickets. The entire army scrambled into fighting position "as soon as possible." His company was marshaled into the skirmishers line. A few members of his company were mortally wounded. Was on picket duty when the Confederates attacked. Did not know Johnny Banks was wounded until he rejoined the company the day after the attack. "We fell back to this place and they followed us up closely all the time a fighting our rear guard of cavalry." Pratt…

GLC09355.086

26 August 1864

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Parents

Got a letter from them dated 1864/08/21 last night. They write of not having received a letter from him in a long time, but does not know why his letters have not been delivered. Most of his letters have been short, "hurried" ones simply letting them know he was alright, but now will write a longer one. Saw that Metcalf died. Has made several raids into different cornfields and gardens for food. "The Army has stripped every corn field and potato patch they have been near in this valley and made perfect hogs of themselves." Thinks the war will end this fall. If they are not going to send the…

GLC09355.087

1 September 1864

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Parents

Just received a letter from them. Glad to know that everyone is well. Has moved farther up the valley since his last letter. During the march, the cavalry fought in front of them the whole way. The Confederates turned back upon discovering the main infantry column of the army, "so we escaped any fight with them." Has heard that much of the Rebel army in the area is on its way to Richmond. Thinks the war is about over in this part of the country. Has sent some papers home for them to read. Also sent an engraving of their winter quarters. His company's street was the first on the left side of…

GLC09355.088

9 September 1864

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Parents

Would have sent the earlier letter sooner, but had to march the next day and therefore did not have time to mail it. Is now on picket for three days starting from last night. Elisha has not arrived yet. "The Johnnies are a not very great distance from us." Most of the fighting has involved cavalry, but was involved in "a little fight for 3 or 4 hours." Asks them to say hello to Mrs. Phillips for him. Does not need them to send him a new pen. News has been nothing but good for a couple of weeks now. Hopes the war will be over by winter. Would like to be at home for the election.

GLC09355.089

13 September 1864

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Parents

Received his first letter from them in over two weeks. "I think this department is the worst we have ever been in for mail arrangements." Has started to drill twice a day. "The weather is variable." It often rains without warning, and nights can be very cold. Has gotten much better at carrying heavy loads on marches. Will not have to spend any extra money on clothing this fall and winter. Will not write a letter to Johnny Banks' mother. "I am not capable of writing such a letter as I should wish to send to her under the existing circumstances, and again E.P.B. wrote immediately to her."…

GLC09355.090

15 September 1864

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Parents

The supply train is here; will be able to send a letter tonight. Is "as well as usual." The weather has been very strange; it has alternated very quickly between sun and rain. Heard a rumor last night that Petersburg was taken but does not know if it was true. Does not have good access to reputable news. Hopes he will receive a letter with the next mail call. Got a letter from Charlie in the last mail, but not one from them. They should tell Charlie he should write as many letters as he likes. Is "quite indifferent" about the upcoming presidential election, but believes that a change in…

GLC09355.091

18 September 1864

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Parents

Is well and enjoying himself. Hates to write a letter and then send it many days later. Will write a longer letter to them soon. General Grant visited the corps last Friday. Sheridan appears to know what he is doing; "he keeps a shark look out for General Early and goes out himself to the front." Needs a pair of gloves and some more envelopes. Wants the gloves to be made now so that they can be sent for come winter in a moment's notice. Does not want to be as demanding as he was last winter, so he is giving them as much notice as possible. Will send some money home when he gets paid. Will…

GLC09355.092

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.

GLC09355.093

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.

GLC09355.094