Clapp, George (fl. 1839-1892) to parents
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC09355.025 Author/Creator: Clapp, George (fl. 1839-1892) Place Written: Warrenton, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 29 October 1863 Pagination: 4 p. : envelope ; 26.8 x 21 cm. Order a Copy
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, "it is now very difficult to get rations to us, but they are repairing the road fast and will soon run to this place with the cars." The troops are not starving, but it is a big adjustment from living in New York City. The engine of the train only broke down once on their journey, and the cars all managed to stay on the track for a wonder." Took a steamship from New York to Monmouth, New Jersey and took the train to Camden. Reached Philadelphia, which he thinks is "the best city in the Union." Took the train the rest of the way south through Baltimore to Fairfax Station. It then began to rain very hard, but the regiment still had to march to Fairfax Court House. Health is "first rate." His only fear is getting sick. Sorry that "the good people of… Northampton should have been so disturbed on my account… I think I can take care of myself." Sends his regards to his friends who all feared he would be shot. "I am not yet sorry I went home."
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