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…

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6 March 1864

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Parents

Last wrote them two weeks ago. Went out on a walk "for our health." Took in 30 blacks, destroyed 2 grist mills, took two loads of bacon, and captured some 50 Rebels while on the walk. The 6th corps was acting as reserves to cover General Custer's raids into the Virginia countryside. Returned from picket duty on Friday, February 26. Took "as little baggage as possible" on the march. On the first night of the march, they headed to James City, a distance of about 20 miles. After another few days of marching, he went and found Sid, who was "under great affliction. His feet were all blisters."…

GLC09355.049

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

13 March 1864

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Parents

It is tough to realize that it has already been 18 months since he first joined the army. Back then, "we were quite confident of a speedy success." Thought he would be back by the following spring. "Today everything denotes that we may confidently expect no cessation of these hostilities during our term of service." Part of the problem is that they are fighting an enemy "who are bound to hold out to the last man." Believes that many are deserting the Rebel army because they are not as invested in the conflict. Most of them are not rich slaveholders and therefore are not inclined to risk their…

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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

18 March 1864

Jones, George N., fl. 1865

Autograph document signed

Title: [permission for George Clapp to leave camp]

This document was permission for George Clapp to leave camp and go to Brandy Station, Virginia, to visit a friend and return no later than 5:00 PM. It is signed by numerous officers on the company, regiment, and brigade level. Written at Camp Sedgwick.

GLC09355.053

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…

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1 April 1864

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to brother

Just dug a grave for a member of his own company. Henry Leonard died this morning at 8:35. He had a bad cold, and "was advised to go into our regiment hospital and was getting better until last night at 11 o'clock when he was taken worse and rapidly failed." He died of pneumonia. As early as yesterday no one could have thought he would not recover fully. "Enclose you will find a letter directed to his mother informing her of his death as we cannot tell how to direct the letter to her." Edward Bridgman has written the letter to his mother. He, Sid, and Elisha are all well. Reminds him not to…

GLC09355.057

10 April 1864

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Parents

Has been working to send Henry Leonard's body home to his family for the past three days. Went to the division headquarters on behalf of the company to see how it could be done. Made "3 or 4 trips" to Brandy Station to an embalmer. "There is quote a formula to go through here in the army to get a team to do anything no matter what" it may be. Was detailed for provost guard duty. Did not want to leave the company at that time, but was glad he got the job. Provost guard duty lasts for 24 hours straight. Has to guard "over 50 tons of ammunition." Just outside the guardhouse is a wagon load of…

GLC09355.059

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

13 May 1864

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Parents

Is on duty at the division hospital. Today is the ninth day of fighting. "We are getting the best of the Rebs but it is slow work for they are desperate." Major Moody and Captain Wetherell were both wounded. "The loss is very heavy on both sides." Took 6,000 prisoners yesterday including 4 Confederate generals and 30 artillery pieces. Will likely be at the division hospital on duty until the end of this battle. Is well but very tired. "I have been a witness to many amputations and feel as though I could almost do it myself. The last two days we have used [to] move artillery and there is a…

GLC09355.064

16 May 1864

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Parents

"Sid is reported taken prisoner. He has been missing since Friday night. The 10th were surrounded and a number taken prisoners." He definitely is not killed or injured because his body was not found when the army retook that area soon after. Had he been wounded, he would have been left behind. Since his time is almost up, he will likely be exchanged soon. "It seems to me that our division has done most all the fighting. We have no lost in killed and wounded more than half the number our division came over the Rapidan with." There were 8,000 in the division, and there have been 4,580…

GLC09355.065

19 May 1864

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Parents

About two miles from the house he wrote the last letter in. Has marched from one side of the battle line to the other and back. Saw Sid's commanding officer carried away wounded. Captain Bigelow was wounded in the head. Hopes to be able to write "a good long letter" accounting his movements later. Fighting started on Thursday the 5th and there has been fighting ever since. Some days the fighting is heavy, others light. "Our division has been in front all the time since the fight began. Has not heard any news from Sid.

GLC09355.066

29 May 1864

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Parents

It has been impossible for him to write since he sent his last letter. Does not even know if his last letters reached them. "It has been march, dig, and fight all the time." Has crossed the Pamunkey River and engaged the Rebels on the other side. Is about 18 miles from Richmond. Hopes Sid is unhurt. Captured a few Rebels who had been near Sid's regiment when it was captured. Managed to talk to a Confederate who saw a few of the officers, was able to describe a person who seemed like Sid, and confirmed that that man was unhurt. Elisha hurt his finger and has gone to the hospital to get it…

GLC09355.067

31 May 1864

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Parents

Finally got a letter from them last night. Does not know if they have gotten his other letters; they had not received any when they wrote their most recent letter. Manson [Munyan] died a week ago at Fredericksburg. "I think we will have a big fight here this afternoon or tomorrow." Nearly got sunstroke yesterday it was so hot. Did not have very hard work to do, but had not had anything to eat because rations are running low. "I should have had enough to last me but the boys in my company were entirely out and hungry as wolves, so I let what I had go to them." Will write a few lines to Hattie…

GLC09355.068

4 June 1864

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Parents

Has a few moments to spare while there is a lull in the fighting. "I have weathered the storm unharmed" so far. Fighting starts at dawn and does not stop "for anything" until well after sundown. The Confederates have "quite a strong position here." Looks like the construction of heavy siege works has begun. Has gotten nearer to Richmond. "Burnside's niggers fight well, and I wish they could be made to do all the fighting." Last night there was a massive Confederate artillery barrage. He and everyone else lay "flat on their faces and lay so till after dark." Wishes Father would send him some…

GLC09355.069

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

9 June 1864

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Parents

As he is neither on duty nor cooking, has some time to write. There is not much firing going on alone the lines at the moment. "Now both armies lay facing each other." Both sides fire 20 or 30 cannons over the course of 24 hours and have made heavy fortifications. "They rake our camp [with] every shot." When the shells come, "we all make a grand rush for the breastworks just like a pack of frightened rabbits going for their holes." Did not have anything to eat the other night. Found a group of "dead beats" - soldiers who take jobs such as cooking for an officer in order to stay away from the…

GLC09355.071

21 June 1864

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Parents

Has received two letters from them since he last wrote. Would have written sooner, but has not had time to do so. "I am very well off." Suspects he would write more if Sid were here. Despite the address on this letter, they do not hold the city. "I witnessed the hanging of a nigger within 3 rods of where we then lay." The 10th Massachusetts went home; wishes Sid were with them. Some blacks were hanged at the camp. "I stood and see that nigger hang and within myself wished that such might have been the fate of that class years ago." Was very sick last night but feels better today. Had a "…

GLC09355.072

23 June 1864

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Parents

The letter is dated 1864/06/24, but Clapp's next letter, dated 1864/06/24, was written the next day, and he acknowledges his error in the prior letter. Would be sleeping instead of writing, "but the flies eat me up." Feels better than he did the last time he wrote. Moved to the extreme left flank of the army at dusk. There has not been much heaving fighting here, just "a little lively skirmishing." Is about 5 miles west of Petersburg. The mail coming from home has not had trouble, but it seems that the mail going home has been stopped. "I guess [Sid] will not grumble at a few months sojourn…

GLC09355.073

24 June 1864

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Parents

Attached to this letter is a poem titled "Another Brave has Fallen" that was cut from a newspaper. Yesterday's letter dated the 24th was actually written on the 23rd. Did not march last night. Had heard that the Rebels were massing for an attack on their lines, but the attack never came. At daylight, however, there was some "sharp fighting on our right." Would like very much to receive a package from home, but tells them not to send it with a man home on furlough. As soon as they find a camp, "I will give you some good long letters all about this campaign." Has kept a daily record of events…

GLC09355.074

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

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…

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