Clapp, George (fl. 1839-1892) to parents
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC09355.041 Author/Creator: Clapp, George (fl. 1839-1892) Place Written: Camp Sedgwick, Brandy Station, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 17 January 1864 Pagination: 12 p. : envelope ; 20.2 x 16.5 cm. Order a Copy
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 known as a harsh man on the march, has been moved to Ohio, "and I am glad of it." Terry was once so convinced that the 37th had been beaten while on the other side of the Rapidan River that "he coolly turned to some staff officers and said that if they had any friends in the 37th they had better bid them adieu for they never would come out of that place," but he had been wrong. Notes that generals have a knack for being able to speak calmly and plainly about the loss of four or five thousand men. Thinks "there is going to be a pile of fighting… this summer." Would love to receive a letter from his mother. "I think they will try another route to Richmond" this summer. Tells them that he indeed has a received a letter from Mamie Keith, but it was some time ago. Never thought he would see Charlie while in the field, because he was in the 3rd corps, but at Gettysburg, while he was relieving part of the 3rd corps, it turned out he met men in Charlie's regiment. Would have looked harder for Charlie, but was ordered to go "double time" towards the front lines without breaking rank. Later saw more of the 1st Massachusetts and asked if they knew Charlie. He was talking to members of Charlie's company at the time. They had heard he was in the hospital at Washington D.C. Does not know if he needs a dressing gown. Has no use for it on the march or on picket, but "would really like it" in camp. Asks them to send one of his photographs to Mrs. Damon. Some women loiter outside the picket lines, seeing if any men will call on them. Would like to do so if he could, because one of them "is the handsomest women I ever saw." Has orders not to talk to them, but thinks he can get away with it. Will keep his eye out for any guerrillas while he goes out to talk to the women.
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