Edward A. Clapp was a 28-year-old Hudson lawyer and Saint Croix County judge when he enlisted in the Hudson City Guards on April 19, 1861. He was promoted to sergeant of Company G, 6th Wisconsin Infantry, fairly quickly and sent on recruiting trips. On August 24, 1862, he was promoted to 2nd lieutenant and to 1st lieutenant on October 17 of the same year.
Edward A. Clapp was killed on May 27, 1863, at Port Hudson, Louisiana.
From The Hudson North Star, May 29, 1861:
Military Meeting in Polk County.— At a meeting of the “Polk County Rifles” held at Osceola, Friday, May 17th, Hon. Dan’l Mears was appointed Chairman, and Aug. Gaylord Secretary. Kenyon’s Hall being filled to overflowing with patriotic citizens of the County. Speeches was [sic] called for, and by request Dr. Thornhill and Judge Clapp who were very opportunely with us from Hudson, and Messrs Reymert and Bartlett from St. Croix responded. Their stirring appeals were heartily seconded by repeated cheers, and an enthusiasm which showed not only the old fire of ’76 but the determined spirit of 1861.
From The Hudson North Star, June 12, 1861:
Recruiting.—With Judge Clapp and other friends, we started on Monday morning of last week [June 3] to obtain recruits for the company at Camp St. Croix. At Somerset we were joined by Major Herriman, and went up Apple river to Messrs. Jewell and Barker’s mill. At the mill we found Mr. Palmer, of this city, and many friends. Here was a drive of some 11,000,000 feet of lumber, and about 100 men running as fine logs as we ever saw through the shute of the mill dam. The banks of the river dotted with the lumbermen’s tents, the curling smoke of the camp fires, the men riding and pusing the rolling logs in the water, the perilous positions the drivers placed themselves in, the resistless force with which the huge logs pitched over the dam, and the rushing current of the swollen river formed a grand and imposing scene. In the evening a bon-fire was built, the drum and fife was brought into requisition, and the lumbermen assembled to hear Judge Clapp, Major Herriman, and William Barker, Esq.—The speeches were good, and to the point, and cheer after cheer rang out upon the night air, testifying the enthusiastic patriotism of the hardy lumbermen. In this vicinity twelve good recruits were obtained. Had the drive been in, we verily believe a company would have enlisted. All praise is due to Messrs. Noyes and Palmer, who told the men under their employ that if they wished to enlist, they would settle with them at once and allow them to go. Some four or more accepted of the proposition. The same honor is due William Barker. We would like to speak at length of incidents connected with the trip of Jewelville, Huntington, Somerset &c, &c. For the kindness and good cheer we received at the hands of friends, we return our grateful thanks. The county is alive with patriotism, which wells up from the deep fount of loyal hearts.
From The Prescott Journal, October 30, 1861:
SERGEANT E. A. CLAPP, of the Hudson City Guards, has returned home for the purpose of recruiting a few men. No better opportuoiiy [sic] is offered for going into the service.
From The Hudson North Star, October 30, 1861:
Sergeant Clapp.—Better known by our citizens as Judge Clapp, is now here from the “Fourth Regiment” on the recruiting business. When the first call for volunteers was sounded through the land, Judge Clapp laid aside his civil honors, business and the quiet and comfort of a good professional occupation, to enlist in the ranks of the Hudson City guards, as a private, that he might peril his life in the defense of our common country. He labored with others early, and late, to fill up the ranks of our gallant company which has won for itself and us such proud honors. The Hudson City guards now need twelve men to fill up their depleted ranks, to the original number of one hundred and one men.
The noble boys in the Guards wish those recruits to come from no where else but from their own home—from the Valley of the St. Croix. Sergeant Clapp has come into our party midst for that purpose, he comes as the especial agent of our gallant company. He has not come in vain. Though this Valley of the St. Croix has raised three companies, and Captain Mears is now raising the fourth, though our population is spare and our quota has long since been more than furnished, we know that twelve valiant men will volunteer to join their brothers in arms.
Monday evening a large, and enthusiastic meeting was held at Rickard’s Hall, which was addressed by Sergeant Clapp, with enthusiastic patriotism. He spoke at length of the Fourth Regiment, gave a hopeful account of the position of affairs at the seat of war, and explained the advantage recruits would have in rapidly learning a soldier’s duty by going into a company like the Guards, and a regiment like the Fourth which has had five months experience on the field and in camp.
Three men have enlisted already, and by the time Sergeant Clapp has visited the various towns, we have no kind of doubt as to his success. He has opened a recruiting station at the Post Office where recruits may be enrolled, and any information obtained of Mr. Seymore.
From The Polk County Press of June 20, 1863:
— We are informed by John L. DALE, that EDWARD A. CLAPP, of Hudson, member of Gen. SHERMAN’S staff [William T. Sherman], and who is well known to many of our citizens, being the law partner of ALLAN DAWSON, Esq., of Hudson, and who enlisted in the Hudson City Guards at the outbreak of the rebellion, was killed in the recent battle at Port Hudson, La. He was a brilliant lawyer, a loyal true man, a brave unflinching soldier and died a hero, at the head of an advancing column. He entered the ranks as a private, and by his integrity and brave conduct was promoted a lieutenant, and placed on Gen. SHERMAN’s staff.
From The Prescott Journal: of June 20, 1863:
Judge CLAPP, of Hudson, Lieut. in the Hudson Guards, 4th Wis., was killed in the attack of Port Hudson.—He was acting as aid to Gen. Sherman. Judge CLAPP led a lucrative business, and enlisted as a private at the first call for volunteers. He has fallen a victim to the slaveholder’s rebellion. Honor to the fallen brave!
From the June 27, 1863, Prescott Journal:
— We learn by a letter from the 4th regiment, published in the Madison Journal, that Judge Clapp’s body was buried on the battle field, where he fell. If this is true, the efforts of friends to recover his body will probably be in vain. [Edward A. Clapp]
We learn by a letter later than the above, that Lieut. Clapp is buried at Baton Rogue [sic: Rouge]. The letter stated that he conducted himself with the greatest coolness and daring, during the battle, and fell within 20 yards of the intrenchments.—Hudson Times.
From The Prescott Journal, November 21, 1863:
The Hudson Bar have passed very appropriate resolutions on the death of Lieut. E. A. CLAPP and Hon. James B. Gray.
The Civil War and Northwest Wisconsin 