29 October 1863

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to parents

Received two letters from them, one on the 20th and one on the 23rd. Has been on the march ever since he was at Centerville, so he has not had time to write. Marched 15 miles to Gainesville and then to New Baltimore. Later received orders to march to 5 miles to Warrenton that night. Since arriving, "we have laid out no less than 5 camps and moved again from one to the other." Town center is "in plain sight from our camp." There are 50,000 troops in the area. Does not know where the Confederate troops are. On account of the damage Lee's army did to the railroad during the Gettysburg Campaign…

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15 May 1863

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to parents

Is writing his first letter since April 27. Wrote a quick note earlier making sure they knew he was well, but "I do not consider that to be a letter." Received orders on the night of the 27th to prepare for an early march. No order to march was given the next morning; it was raining. Orders came in at noon to march at 2:00 PM. Marched "about 3 miles and got very near to the river without the Rebels knowing we were moving." Crossed the river at night and surprised the Confederate guards, capturing them. Laid down a pontoon bridge. Were ordered to march up and down the river, "making a great…

GLC09355.001

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…

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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…

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3 April 1864

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Parents

Will be home 17 months from tomorrow. "God grant that the cloud which now hangs over our nation" will be gone by then. The war is God's punishment. "There was never a more corrupt and sinful government than ours has been" for the past 20 years. Believes the war will not end until there is no more "fraud, dishonesty, deceit, and immorality." Finally got paid for 4 months pay. Was going to be paid, but the raid interrupted pay. The paymaster returned, but without sufficient money for the whole regiment, and had to return to Washington. He finally came back with 4 months of pay yesterday.…

GLC09355.058

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…

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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

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

5 November 1863

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to parents

Received their letter last night and was surprised to find out that they had not received his most recent letter. Are now camped almost in the town center and is very near General Sedgwick's headquarters. Is guarding a road that has been a target for guerrillas. The guerrillas took "the drivers and mules of a whole wagon train consisting of 46 mule teams. "They are a cunning set of people." Does not know what he will be doing before setting up winter quarters; Meade does not seem willing to make an offensive move. His main objective right now seems to be to "keep a close watch on Lee and not…

GLC09355.026

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

21 November 1863

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to parents

Is in his tent while it rains, and therefore has nothing to pass the time with other than writing. Got a short letter from his father yesterday. Hopes mother's eyes do not get much worse than they already are. Just went to visit Sid; "he is well as ever." He will be home in seven months, and "it don't seem to me such a very long time before we can say the same." Believes that by the time Sid's group leaves the rebellion will be "a good part crushed out." Camp has become very monotonous; takes consolation in the knowledge that at dinner at the end of the day he can tell himself "one day more…

GLC09355.028

5 December 1863

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to parents

Received their letter yesterday. Marched 15 miles earlier in the week. Was going to start on Monday morning, but it was too rainy then. The march was delayed until Thanksgiving morning. Crossed the Rapidan River at Jacob's Ford and stayed there that night. Was eager to join the fight about 2 miles ahead of them. "As good luck would have it our part of the line was not attacked." Was on the extreme right flank of the army. Advanced to the Rebel lines through very thick forest. His division served as reserves during the battle. Early the next morning, "we were moved out to the front and a part…

GLC09355.029

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

21 December 1863

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to parents

Has time to write more now. "We are quite comfortably situated." The bunks are one on top of the other, "steamboat style." Most of the time needed to build it is spent cutting and hauling the wood necessary for it. Considers the last movements before settling down for the winter to be a success that even General Meade could not have anticipated. Thinks they will move to the rear soon; "the Rapidan is not worth anything to us." Cannot dislodge Lee from Orange Court House. Meade must not sacrifice too much in trying to hold this position in his opinion. "We cannot hold our position" unless they…

GLC09355.033

27 December 1863

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to parents

Has not received any letters from them, but did get two newspapers. Now has time to read the papers, a luxury that he did not have before. Can even read at night sometimes when they get candles, "which we do have given [to] us sometimes." Drew rations for up through January 1, 1864 yesterday. Got, among other things, beans and dried apples. Also got a good amount of fresh potatoes and soft bread for 3 out of the 5 days. Will eat hardtack for the other 2. Has heard that a box is on its way from Northampton for a Christmas dinner for the company. "We are very comfortable in our log houses." Got…

GLC09355.034

3 January 1864

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to parents

Received their letter on New Years Day. "What a change there has been" in the past year. All of the commissioned officers who came with the company from Northampton are gone for one reason or another. Perhaps more importantly, "the old troops now in the field with whom we have lived and associated with for the past 18 months will take their leave and return to their peaceful firesides" soon. Soon he will be one of the veterans. "I dread [that] hour as much as anything I know of." Lieutenant Robinson is going to be promoted to captain of the company, "and no one will suit the company any…

GLC09355.037

5 January 1864

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to parents

Got a letter from him last week. Made a mistake at the top of the page with the address and wrote Northampton. It is the first time he has made such a mistake, "but it shows where my thoughts are most of the time." Heard at division headquarters that they will be marching soon. If they do march, it will likely be towards Harpers Ferry. Does not know if they will go by foot or train. There is about 3 inches of snow on the ground. "How in heavens name we can ever march" in this weather "is more than I know." Thinks his brother's writing has improved significantly. Wants to know if their father…

GLC09355.038

Circa 1864

Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to brother

The letter includes a note stating this letter was sent in the same envelope as the letter dated 1864/01/05. Asks how the "flour grain and coal business" is. Asks him to tell Joe that he can "cure himself… by just taking a gun and coming out here." Glad that he is going to send another paper. They stay up later, until 11 or 12 at night, now that they have candles. Never hears from Eddie. Asks him to give his best regards to Cal Kingsley for him. Written at Camp Sedgwick.

GLC09355.039

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…

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