7 October 1863

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to parents

Received their letter yesterday. Still at the guard house but thinks he will be released soon. Is punished "by carrying a log." The lieutenant colonel was too busy "attending to his own private pleasures" to attend a court martial, so the colonel took it upon himself to give them some sort of punishment. It was a "splendid sight for the New Yorkers." Managed to carry a small stick. William Bridge arrived at the guard house two nights ago. He deserted and reenlisted to receive the $300 bonus as a substitute, but was recognized by members of his regiment. Thinks that "cutthroats" like him…

GLC09355.022

11 October 1863

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to parents

Received their letter from the quartermaster last night. Some rumors that they were leaving soon. Had a good visit and "am contented now." Saw George Wright yesterday. Did not have a chance to ask him what he had heard about what was going to happen to him. "I do not think I can help the case now." Does not expect to ever look young again; is growing old daily. Thanks them for the stamps, but cannot write any more today.

GLC09355.023

18 October 1863

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to parents

Once again has gone into the field. In camp about 100 rods away from the 10th Massachusetts. Joined the brigade this morning after leaving New York City on Wednesday. Just saw Sid and the rest of his regiment. Engine on their train broke down, demonstrating "our usual good luck." In the front line of battle. "I don't think we shall have a fight here although we can't tell" for sure. Was taken out of the guard house the morning they left New York, and was "ordered to report to my company which I did and am with them now." Presumes he has finished that ordeal.

GLC09355.024

31 May 1858

Wright, Augustus Romaldus, 1813-1891

Printed document

Title: "Arrest of Walker-Central America"

Speech given by Rep. Augustus Wright in the House of Representatives on the arrest of William Walker in Central America. Walker was an American Citizen who expatriated himself to Nicaragua. He was later captured by the navy without legal authorization. Wright firmly opposed such action.

GLC02691.11.003

20 July 1813

Autograph document

Title: [A list of officers detained, discharged officers, and letters to be carried home for the soldiers]

A list of officers detained in the service to the United States, officers discharged, and letters to be carried home for the soldiers.

GLC02669.036

February 6, 1860

Stafford, Robert H., fl. 1837-1866

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister

mentions he has joined a society in college. also speaks of wanting to improve his letter writing.

GLC02618.001

18 March 1860

Stafford, Robert H., fl. 1837-1866

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister

mentions a cousin who was recently wounded and may lose his hand

GLC02618.002

18 September 1860

Stafford, Robert H., fl. 1837-1866

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ma

Stafford describes a prayer meeting.

GLC02618.003

8 October 1860

Stafford, Robert H., fl. 1837-1866

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister

talks about sophomore year and roommate troubles

GLC02618.004

17 November 1860

Stafford, Robert H., fl. 1837-1866

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister

complains that he receives hardly any letters, talks about war in general

GLC02618.005

8 June 1861

Stafford, Robert H., fl. 1837-1866

Autograph letter signed

Title: to father

talks about the war spirit and the company that they started at school "Ogletree Guards."

GLC02618.006

12 July 1861

Stafford, Robert H., fl. 1837-1866

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sisters

describes initial days as a soldier, camping grounds, food, the company

GLC02618.007

20 September 1861

Stafford, Robert H., fl. 1837-1866

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ma

describes the life of a soldier: sleeping in the rain, changing landscapes, the food, etc.

GLC02618.008

15 October 1861

Stafford, Robert H., fl. 1837-1866

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Ma

He writes that he received the blanket and requests his shoes and suspenders. He will send his pistol along with some money home. Written at Camp Masked Battery

GLC02618.009

12 October 1848

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Garrett Moore

He reports his journey and arrival. He describes travel and boarding arrangements. Mrs. Livingston is unwell. A man was killed there in a duel the previous week, but was promptly caught.

GLC04191.24

15 December 1848

Moore, John, 1826-1907

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Moore

He describes the students in his class, less wild than he expected. He reports a recent Catholic fair to benefit an orphan asylum, doing more for the relief of the destitute than any other denomination. M. Fitzsimmons, an Irish refugee and leader in the recent revolt, visited and made speeches about the Irish atrocities. He discusses plans for their father's tombstone. He doesn't see the need for a funeral sermon as their father didn't belong to any denomination. A local smallpox epidemic is causing problems.

GLC04191.29

24 June 1875

Schures, H.B., fl. 1875

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Joseph J. Reynolds

He jokes that Reynolds must be in a healthy climate judging by the weight of the ladies. He also discusses various improvements to the city including a railroad and a penitentiary.

GLC03614.02.16

1 June 1864

Cranor, Franklin, fl. 1862-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Delia Slocum

While the Battle near Dallas rages Cranor tells Delia that someone from their neighborhood was shot and wounded and the tale of a few men who spent six days in jail. He asks for clarification of a joke she made about him in her last letter. He has had problems with photographs that he wants to send to her.

GLC03791.014

24 April 1864

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Parents

Received a letter and a package containing tobacco, paper, and envelopes. Was almost out of envelopes, but had enough paper "to last me a month." Hopes he will be able to write a lot during the summer. Now has enough paper to write for the next two months. So many things are being sent to Washington that he had to give up his own tent. Has built summer quarters with a friend named William H. Averell from Conway. Will not have to do picket duty again until he returns to his company. A provost guard is never supposed to be near the front, so they will be all the way in the rear during battles…

GLC09355.061

26 April 1864

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to brothers

"Everyone is waiting expecting to have orders to move almost every day now." Rations have come from Washington "in abundance" to prepare for the march. Anything that cannot be carried has been sent away to Washington. Had gotten word that a dozen or so prisoners were going to try to "make a dash and get away," but the guards were prepared and therefore prevented any escape attempt. Wishes he could see him now. "We are having such fine weather."

GLC09355.062

18 March 1864

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Charlie

Is about as far from General Meade's headquarters as the distance from their home to the local school house. Never saw it until two days ago. Was given some leisure time while on guard duty and used it to go to Meade's headquarters. It covers "about 4 or 5 acres of ground." Meade's quarters are not as grand as one would think. It consists of "two large tents about 20 feet long and 15 feet wide. He could very easily pass for some attendant instead of the commander of the Army of the Potomac. "His dress is very plain and he does not put on any airs." The provost marshal also resides at the army…

GLC09355.052

17 April 1864

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Parents

Time is flying by. Will be home in just over 16 months. Expects the next 4 months of battles will "till loudly on our regiment." They have often been part of the reserves in a battle, and therefore expects to be put in the front line more often this year. Used to feel lucky when put in reserve, but no longer feels that way. More troops arrive at the camp every day. "We shall have an army here over 160,000 strong." Butler is moving up the Peninsula. Burnside is moving to Goldsboro to cut the railroad lines. Grant will move to take Richmond by the most direct route, while the other two armies…

GLC09355.060

1 May 1864

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Parents

This is likely his last Sunday at this camp. Orders came in that when they do break camp, they must not burn the camp down like usual. They must also not light any fires for the first two weeks that they are on the move so as to not give away their position. Those orders point to the beginning of a march very soon. The mail has not stopped yet. Sorry to hear that they all have "hard colds;" fortunately has not had one yet. Gets wet often, but the clothes dry right on his body. Sees Sid as often as he can. "I expected to hear you had built a hen house long before this." Supposes she will be…

GLC09355.063

5 July 1864

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Parents

Finally received a letter from them. Will respond immediately, as he had held off writing another letter home for the arrival of one. The corps left on a raid to destroy part of the Weldon Railroad. "They met with no trouble at all" and returned 4 days later. Headquarters for the corps has moved a mile and a half into the woods. That raid was the first march that he did not go on with the rest of the corps. "When we move the dust is so thick we can hardly see a rod from us either way." Their division's job seems to be to guard the far left and rear of the besieging Union army. "They are…

GLC09355.076

14 November 1862

Jackson, Richard H., fl. 1861-1865

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Father

He reports a sad incident in which two Germans were practicing a bayonet exercise and one accidently pierced the heart of the other. He tried to shoot himself afterward but was prevented from doing so and locked up.

GLC07705.114