Clapp, George (fl. 1839-1892) 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 much of their land, and their "grand reign of tyranny" will come to an end. Describes the beautiful house of a Rebel colonel that they happened upon earlier. It is on top of a hill and has fantastic views of the Blue Ridge mountains. The house has been co-opted by the Union army and has been damaged through their use. "Everything has the look of thrifty luxuriance" gone by. Tells her of the various people he and Bridgman have written to. Bridgman cannot write as long letters as he can. Heard that Juba and Sumner had enlisted. Is sure that another invasion of the North by Lee would be repulsed easily. Got a letter from Billy Pomeroy last night. "Would laugh" to see an army recruited for the purpose of raiding Richmond to free Union prisoners. Is working on teaching some of his comrades to read and write. Needed to get his shoe repaired, and a man working in the ambulance train said he could fix it if he could get his hands on some leather and pegs. Made the shoe pegs himself and scavenged for some leather. Wants to know what they think of his letters. "If they go a great ways I will write to some paper and have them published." Knows they "will laugh" at the idea of him being a newspaper correspondent, but is considering it seriously. Will send another photograph in this letter.