21 September 1866 - 31 October 1866

Printed document

Title: [pay voucher for Col. J. J. Reynolds]

Pay voucher for "Col. J. J. Reynolds, 26 U. S. Infantry." The document includes pay, clothing allowance, and subsistence allowance for Reynolds and two civilian servants. The total payment is $ 347.37. The document has not been signed. A note on verso indicates $278.00 paid to Col. D. McClure and $282.75 paid to Col. A. J. Turney.

GLC03614.02.06

17 November 1861

Smith, Asa, fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to sister

He writes that he heard southern regiments mutinied by Norfolk when they were not allowed to go to the defense of their states and said they would only fight under "the stars and stripes." A hard-of-hearing Union sergeant was accidentally shot by his own sentry when he failed to respond to the cry. He hopes he will be ordered to Beaufort. He reports that German scouts saw "2000 rebels" nearby and says if the Confederates attack Newport News, "they will get awfully whipped." The chaplain saw Senators Mason and Slidell. The men badly need new pants. Smith received letters from Wallace and…

GLC03696.06

3 November 1861

Smith, Asa, fl. 1861-1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to mother

to mother [Ann Smith] He is bored, as "There is nothing stirring here now, it is the dullest time that I have seen since I have been here," and talks about a recent storm and requests a blanket be sent to him. The regiment may soon receive a Sibley tent, a building for their horses, and clothing from ladies in a nearby town. He received a nice letter from Mr. Patten [a family friend] and responded. Numbered in pencil "22." Written at Camp Hamilton.

GLC03696.08

25 December 1864

Morse, George F., fl. 1864-1868

Autograph letter signed

Title: to father

the receipt of package, inquiry about a coat for Chris Skelton, the observance of Christmas in the barracks, and the harshness of the weather. Written on Hart Island

GLC02180.15

January 17, 1864

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to parents

Received a letter from them last night. Generally, when they mail a letter on a Monday, it arrives on a Thursday. Is happy to read their letters no matter how long they are. Is no longer working for the General Court Martial. The division headquarters has moved to Sandusky, Ohio along with two more brigades. Now will return to doing work with the company. When the court martial comes back, he can have the job again. Asks them to send the boots down to camp as soon as they are ready. Has not moved in a while, and therefore thinks his division has some "skedaddling" to do. General Terry, well…

GLC09355.041

20 March 1864

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Parents

Just returned home from chapel. Two men were baptized today. One was Sergeant John W. Stockwell. "If a man can be a Christian in this army he can be one anywhere." Went down to Brandy Station this morning, and needed a pass signed by a company leader, regiment leader, brigade leader, division leader, and corps leader in order to do so. Now has "a real live specimen of red tape." Got wet while jumping over a brook today; no boots of any kind could have helped him stay dry there. Does not think the raids they have been conducting against the Rebels "amount to much." "I do not believe the man…

GLC09355.054

24 July 1864

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Parents

Has not received a letter from them in two weeks. Marched up to Washington. Then went through much of Virginia Maryland over the past two weeks. Now is back only 6 miles from Washington D.C. "The whole trip has not amounted to anything" besides completely wearing the men out. Terrain was very rough. One bright note is that his boots stood up fairly well during the march. All that happened during the march was that they chased the Confederates around the countryside without engaging them. The 6th corps engaged the Rebels "within a stones throw of the Capitol and God knows I wish the Rebs had…

GLC09355.080

15 November 1863

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to parents

Marched from Kelly's Ford back towards Rappahannock Station, where there was a battle a week before. Crossed the Rappahannock River and marched six miles to their current location, "but I presume we shall not be here a great while." Cavalry had engaged the Rebels about 8 miles away, and therefore assumed they would be on the move soon. Buford successfully pushed the Rebels across the Rapidan River. "We have so often held up our heads and looked forward to a decided victory and then be repulsed that I hardly dare to hope" anymore. Will likely move to an old Confederate camp for the winter.…

GLC09355.027

7 December 1863

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to parents

Lists all of the things he wants send in his box: "1 pair of blue shirts of the color of blue yard not such a dark blue as you have made as they might fade. 1 pair of boots just like the last pair that Mellon made for me…1 pair of good woolen gloves and a pair of light buck the same as I have had. 1 pair of good suspenders. 2 handkerchiefs. 1 bunch of envelopes such as you send your letters to me in." List also includes paper, pencils, a portfolio, a hatchet, a tin cup, tobacco, and some grease for the boots. Has been on picket duty for a few days, but hopes to be heading back to camp soon.…

GLC09355.030

18 December 1863

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to parents

Has received all of their letters, but has been too busy to answer them while building winter quarters. Returned from picket to discover that the regiment had started to build log houses. It is "no small job." The shelter he is building is eight feet long and ten feet wide, but it is only four feet tall. They use the canvas from their tents as a roof, and the shelter has a fire pit in the middle. "It is expected that we will move from here every day." They might move to the other side of the Rappahannock for the winter. Wants them to send him the box soon with all of his specified contents.…

GLC09355.031

21 December 1863

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to parents

Has thought of a few more things they should put in his box, among them "a good tin-plated iron spoon" and a couple of plates. Also wants a towel, a coffee cup, and something "to fry pork in this winter." Is thinking of having his overcoat lined. Asks what they think of the idea. Is "liable to march all day through water and mud and get the holes of boots soaked through," so he needs the boots very soon. The wear and tear of living in the field can break down leather very quickly. "I know of some who put on good stout new shoes… and in just one week from that day were back in the old place…

GLC09355.032

1861-1864

Object

Title: [handkerchief]

Pink with white lace border. The handkerchief also has along one end a set of pink flowers sewn into the fabric.

GLC09355.035

January 10 1864

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to parents

Letter came last night and the box came the day before. Before then, there had not been any mail for 4 days, so when the call to "fall in for mail" came, the entire company was very excited. Lampoons the idea of the high-class, "high minded and noble blooded" FFVs (First Families of Virginia) who represent the planter class in the South. Occasionally sees a "scion of one of these FFVs… saying to himself 'Oh my Father where art thou now! Where is thy hiding place that I might take refuge with thee.'" Is very grateful for having received the box. The food in the box came in great condition and…

GLC09355.040

January 21, 1864

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mother

Attached with the letter is another letter to his and Edward Bridgman's old school teacher, which she is free to read if she wishes to do so. Asks her to put the letter in an envelope upon its arrival and send it to its destination. Is well and sends love to all. Asks how John likes his new business. Expects "every minute to hear orders for picket tomorrow," but has yet to receive such orders. Received a box from Charlie Davis containing a roast chicken 2 cans of fresh apples, a can of preserved peaches, pickles, apple pies, apples, a box of tobacco, a pair of gloves, some condensed milk,…

GLC09355.042

January 23, 1864

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Parents

Expects to go on picket duty in the morning, and decided to write now instead of waiting 4 days for when he has returned from picket. Colonel Edwards has applied to the War Department to allow for their regiment's reenlistment. "Cannot say how many he would get to do it," but thinks a fairly large amount of men would. If he were to reenlist, he would like to go into heavy artillery. "Sid will not reenlist upon any conditions." Is sure that the war will last at least until the next presidential election. Is sure that at the end of the war the planter class of the South - the "FFVs" - will lose…

GLC09355.043

January 31, 1864

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Parents

Has finished all of his Sunday work and now is able to write. Describes his normal daily chores: "As soon as we get our breakfast we commence to fix up generally. First - take down the gun and rub it up and clean it. Next follow suit with the bayonet. Then comes the cartridge box and belts to black and polish. Then polish the pieces of brass on them. Then black our boots. Then make the bed and fold up the blankets and coats and lay them at the head of the bed on the knapsack. Then clean off the shelves of which we have only two." The list continues. He has to clean up his dishes and utensils…

GLC09355.044

February 11, 1864

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Parents

Turns out that they will be staying put. The 2nd and 3rd corps "had a sweet little fight" with the Confederates, but the 6th corps was not needed. Feels very lucky that he did not have to fight, for it was raining very hard and the mud was knee deep at some points. Sent another letter to father asking for the boots. Would be shocked if he could not find enough leather to make a pair of boots in the three months it has been since he first asked for them. Should not have asked for custom boots and should have instead asked for ready made ones. "I don't think we shall have a chance to enlist…

GLC09355.046

February 14, 1864

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Parents

Does not have any news to write; they have not moved. Weather has been nice, so they may move soon. The ground is dry and the roads are in good condition. "My only wish now is that my box with my boots may come before we do start." Glad to hear his grandmother is doing well. Tells them that there is no way they can drum him out of the service; it only happens as a "severe punishment" and comes with a dishonorable discharge. Asks for news of William Dickinson. Has not seen Sid for a few days, but he was well before that. He never leaves his company to visit. His parents will be escorting Sid…

GLC09355.047

February 21, 1864

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Parents

"This week chronicles a new era in my army life." "Rejoiced" to hear the box with his boots is on its way. Thinks the shoemaker purposely delayed the making of his boots. It is ridiculous that he had to go all the way to Boston to find leather. "We had a chapel built and we have prayer meetings 3 evenings of the week, a bible class Sunday forenoon and preaching in the afternoon." Has gone to some of the prayer sessions, but does not want to go today because he has guard duty tonight. Weather has been very cold for a week now. Has been writing with ink all winter, but they have not mentioned…

GLC09355.048

9 March 1864

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to brother

Stationery has a blue cross stamp marking the 6th corps, 3rd division of the U.S. Army. Received his letter two weeks ago and does not want him to think he forgot to write. Has spent the last week recovering from their recent march. Has been "mending up all my clothes" and "sewing on buttons." Has always thought that the coming campaigns of the spring and summer would be repetitions of past battles, and "if it should happen to be so, it will be productive of some hard and forced marches if not some fighting." Half of his term of service has passed. "How many of our own relatives, friends, and…

GLC09355.050

24 March 1864

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Father

Is sending him a package which includes a pair of gloves. If he does not send them home, he will throw them away within a few days of being on the march. "I have not worn them but very little." Received his letter tonight. Captain Robinson is home on a ten day leave. He, Elisha, and Sid are all well. Had marching orders earlier, but they were countermanded. The gloves could be good for weaning calves.

GLC09355.055

26 March 1864

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Parents

Decided to write today before going out on picket duty. It "pleases me to know my many friends at home are interested in" his letters. Pat Lovett has arrived at camp. Glad to hear they have been entertained by the various officers who have the privilege to go home and see their friends. It snowed "8 or 9 inches" a few days ago, which is the most he has seen since being in Virginia. Saw the school and town report for the past year. Would think that Moody and Bliss would be heading back to the field soon. It is good that mother has new neighbors, "for she won't be lonesome now." Sadly will not…

GLC09355.056

5 June 1864

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Parents

This letter was sent in the same envelope as the letter #69. Did not get to write as much as he had wanted to yesterday, and decided to write more today. The Rebels charged their lines last night between 9:00 and 10:00, but were unable to break through. "We lost about 50 in our Regt. By shells day before yesterday. I think the loss in our Regt. Must now be over 300 in killed and wounded." There has been fighting for 33 days straight now. The 2nd Rhode Island was shipped home today, but with hardly 100 men left in it. Bought a rubber overcoat for $4.00 before leaving Brandy Station.

GLC09355.070

27 June 1864

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Parents

Mail has become more regular, so they can send as much as they want. Is almost out of paper and needs more. Also needs a lot of new envelopes. They can send those things fairly easily by speaking to a postman before sending it. If they write "Soldier Package" on the outside, then it will not cost much to send. Also needs new socks. If they do as he says and send the package direct, "I will get it and no mistake in 3 days time." The government has been working hard to fix up the mail. There is a well nearby; managed to get some very clean water. The handkerchief they sent him "is the prettiest…

GLC09355.075

8 April 1944

Weiner, Sylvia, 1912-2008

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Morris "Moe" Weiner

Sylvia talks about weather, and shows interest in a bracelet Moe has said he will send her.

GLC09414.0227