CONFEDERATE SOLDIER LETTER—SERGEANT JERE M. CLAPP, “L” CO, 21ST NORTH CAROLINA INFANTRY

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Quantity Available: 1

Item Code: 1179-1674

Date “Camp Eight from Richmond/ June 19 1864.” Addressed to “Dear Sister”. Two pages (incomplete) in ink on lined paper, 7” x 8.5. Exhibits fold-marks and chipping along left and torn bottom margin. Else VG & entirely legible.

Text:  “I again seat myself to write  you a few lines to let you know that I am well…I can say to you that I received yours and Paps letters. Yesterday wrote June the 1st H & ant Rachel  and was turly glad to hear from you all but was sorry to hear that mother had got hurt so bad. I hope when I hear again she will be well….

We have been resting for the last five days though they keep on fighting in front. The Yankees are in 75 yards of our breastworks & have fortified. I am afraid they will undermine the ground & blow up our works & men like they did at Vicksburg. Old Grant is a mean old fella. [at which point the page is torn off}

Second page—”J.M Gant is well. J Wangel / Jesse & George Bullock are all well so I shall come to a close. Andrew Waggoner is at the hospital some wher. James Hopkins are well.  Rite soon & give me the news so no more, only remain your brother until / Death/ J.M. Clapp / I received the stamp you sent me in letter 5.”

A resident of Rockingham County, Jere M. Clapp enlisted as a Private and was mustered into Co. “L”, 21st North Carolina Infantry, 6/3/1861. At some point between Nov. 1861 and Feb. 1863 he promoted to Sergeant, and to 1st Sergeant 10/1/1864. He was wounded in the hip at Chancellorsville, 5/3/1863, and became a POW at Sailor’s Creek, 4/6/1865. Confined 4/8/1865 at Newport News, VA, he was released on taking the oath of allegiance at Newport News, VA, 6/16/1865.

The 21st North Carolina consisted of 12 companies organized in Danville, VA, in June 1865. After the 1st Manassas it participated in all the major battles and campaigns of the Army of Northern Virginia through the Bristoe, including Jacksons ‘62 Valley Campaign. At Gettysburg, attached to Hoke’s Brigade it lost 28 percent of 436 effectives in the fight for East Cemetery Hill. At Appomattox it surrendered with 6 officers and 112 men, only 40 of which were armed.

Even though incomplete, this letter remains a fine memento of a 21st NC first sergeant who, though wounded at Chancellorsville, followed the “Bonny Blue Flag” all the way to Appomattox. In protective sleeve.    [jp][ph:L]

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