Clapp, George, fl. 1839-1892 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 allow him to send any troops away to aid the armies of Bragg or Johnston." Two corps have left the army for Tennessee. Saw Sid this morning; he is well. Told him that if they do not see each other soon that they should write to each other. [Sereno] is dead; one of Massachusetts's "patriotic sons" has made the same sacrifice that thousands do daily. Muses on the insufficient nature of a burial. There is "nothing to tell the story of trouble but a simple pine board with the lost one's name inscribed on it, sometimes rudely done by a comrade's pen knife. There he is left alone and forgotten by all but those we hold most near and dear." Hopes that if he should die, he will be sent home so that he can be laid to rest with his family. Elisha wants them to ask Kate if she has received his letters, because she has not responded to them in a long time.