Clapp, George (fl. 1839-1892) to Parents
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC09355.047 Author/Creator: Clapp, George (fl. 1839-1892) Place Written: Camp Sedgwick, Brandy Station, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 14 February 1864 Pagination: 12 p. : envelope ; 19.3 x 11.9 cm. Order a Copy
Does not have any news to write; they have not moved. Weather has been nice, so they may move soon. The ground is dry and the roads are in good condition. "My only wish now is that my box with my boots may come before we do start." Glad to hear his grandmother is doing well. Tells them that there is no way they can drum him out of the service; it only happens as a "severe punishment" and comes with a dishonorable discharge. Asks for news of William Dickinson. Has not seen Sid for a few days, but he was well before that. He never leaves his company to visit. His parents will be escorting Sid home from Pittsfield. Believes that experience is necessary to lead a good life: "I really think that a person ought to have two lives: the first to live in order to learn how to live, the second for a person could life a pretty good sort of life if he had the real experience of one life before it." Would like for others to read his letters. "I should think it might puzzle anyone to make out what sort of a chap I was by my correspondence." Does not plan on borrowing from Aunt Caroline upon returning. Troops often run out of wood on cold days because they get the same amount of wood every day regardless of the weather. The wood lot is 4 miles away, so getting extra wood is impossible. The colonel has a large pile of wood, but when men stole a few sticks on a bitterly cold night, he had the thieves arrested. Stole a very large log one night while on guard duty. Hid it in his quarters, "put it in bed, and covered it up in blankets." His new captain is named John Robinson. "He came out a private in the 10th Mass. and was promoted to a lieutenant while we were at Camp Chase." Believes Robinson will make a great captain if only in contrast to his horrible earlier commanders. They are about the same age. Glad to hear that Uncle Russell enjoyed his letter. With the letters he writes for other members of the squad, he is writing at least 4 letters a week now. Will write to Charlie Davis this afternoon. Would only reenlist if Sedgwick were put in charge of the Army of the Potomac.
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