Transcription
Camp Scribbling
Letters of Lt. Col. Thomas Clark
29th Ohio Volunteers
Occoquan and Dumfries, Virginia
Edited by Marilyn Clark - Snyder
August 24, 1994
Marilyn J. Hochmuth, Curator
The Weems-Botts Museum
P. O. Box 26
Dumfries, VA 22026
It was delightful talking to you this morning. Per our
conversation, I am sending you typed copies (that I happen to have
done) of Thomas Clark's letters starting with his description of
the skirmish at Occoquan, December 28, 1862; march towards
Dumfries; and the building of log huts "...on the ruins of this old
once populous place in Dumfries..", December 29, 1862. Included
are copies of the original letters [Slip 2 & 3, 9th Letter, 2nd
Army series].
I have typed excerpts from three of his letters; Letter 10, Slip 1
and 2, 2nd Army Series, January 4, 1863 and Letter 12, Slip 3, 2nd
Army Series, January 19, 1863; again included are copies of the
entire letters.
You will notice that he found a tombstone dated as far back as 1684
and could still see the foundation of the old church. I found it
interesting when Thomas mentioned about numerous rebels being
buried on the heights where the Union soldiers had built there
forts. I wonder where that was??
In Slip 2, 10th letter, Thomas mentions that the camp is just one
fourth of a mile from the town. Do you suppose that we might
figure out, by these two excerpts concerning their camp site, where
it was??
The letters of Lt Col. Thomas Clark are copyrighted by myself and
may not be published without my permission. If you wish to use
excerpts from the letters, that is permissible with source
identification.
Also enclosed are copies of an 1862 map of the Dumfries and
Occoquan area. I have marked possible routes that Thomas and the
29th Ohio Volunteers may have taken on their journey from Fairfax
Station to Dumfries. Note on the smaller map, showing more of the
Potomac, below the Quantico Creek there is the name "Evansport".
I found that Evansport, as shown on Civil War maps, was the future
site of Quantico, Va. This location was selected for the erection
of the heaviest Confederate battery in a series constructed along
the Prince William shore in the fall of 1861. [Prince William: The
Story of Its People & Its Places, page 96.] I just thought that
was interesting!
Marilyn J. Hochmuth, Curator
The Weems-Botts Museum
August 24, 1994
Page 2
As I mentioned, I have started preparing a notebook of Thomas
Clark's letters that he wrote, to his wife, Corrie, while encamped
near Dumfries from December 29, 1862 to April 20, 1863, with the
29th Ohio Volunteer Infantry. It will be a while yet before I have
time to transcribe them, but when I do, you will receive copies of
the typescript and original letters.
I will be down to Dumfries again soon to do some more historical
sleuthing! Hope to see you then.
Sincerely,
Marilyn
Marilyn Clark-Snyder
4102 Daniels Ave #204
Annandale, VA
703/354-2427
Enclosures
P. S. I decided to include in this letter, a picture of Thomas
Clark and a brief biography, of information I have been able to
glean so far.
CAMP SCRIBBLING
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
LETTERS OF LT COL THOMAS CLARK
29TH OHIO VOLUNTEERS
Skirmish at Occoquan and Winter in Dumfries, Virginia
December 28, 1862 - April 20 1863
Edited by Marilyn Clark-Snyder
1994
Prepared For
THE WEEMS-BOTT MUSEUM IN HISTORIC DUMFRIES, VIRGINIA
1994
Copyright January 1, 1994 by Marilyn Clark-Snyder
All rights reserved. No portion of
these letters or other text may be
reproduced in any form without
permission in writing from the
editor.
Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Clark
29th Ohio Volunteer Infantry
1861-1863
Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Clark
19th & 29th Ohio Volunteer Infantry
1861 -1863
By Marilyn (Clark) Snyder
October 28, 1993
Thomas Clark was born in Ackworth, New Hampshire on December 4,
1821, son of Robert and Sally (Wyman) Clark, died 1894 in
Cambridge, MA. He married, May 15, 1851, Cordelia (Corrie)
Richardson who died April 27, 1902, Cambridge, MA. Four children
were born of this union: Louise born 1856 died 1859 in Fitchburg,
MA, Walter Thomas born 1861 Cleveland, Ohio, (graduated from
Harvard Medical School, 1886, married Ann Greeley, practiced
medicine in Wocester, MA 1889 to 1908) died September 24, 1908; Ida
A. born 1854 in Alstead, NH, died (unmarried) July 22, 1940 and
Earnest Robert born 1865, also in Alstead, NH, died 1867 in
Cambridge, MA.
Thomas attended Norwich Military University for two years
(1841-1842), located in Northfield, VT. For several years he was
a teacher, then had a business in West Fitchburg, MA from 1850-
1857.
In 1857, looking for better business opportunities, Thomas read of
a man in Cleveland, Ohio in the grindstone business who wanted a
partner and capital (Thomas had already sold his store in
Fitchburg, MA, having planned on joining a
brother in Lawrence,
Kansas, but the brother died before they started the journey), so
he took the family and money and went to Cleveland, Ohio. He was
in business until 1861. Shortly after Fort Sumter surrendered,
April 15, 1861, and when President Lincoln
called for volunteers
from the State of Ohio, Thomas offered his services to the State
and was appointed State Drill Master at "Camp Cleveland. Corrie
remained in Cleveland and taught school.
Thomas' first Civil War letter, to Corrie, finds him on a train,
May 30, 1861, traveling to Camp Goddard, Zanesville, Ohio, as a
member of the 19th Ohio Volunteer Militia. He saw service with
Maj. Gen. George B. McClellan's army invading western Virginia,
June - July 1861, and was at the Battle of Rich Mountain, near
Beverly, VA (now W. VA).
Thomas, a Captain, was Drill Master of Co. D in the 19th Regiment,
a three month Ohio Volunteer Militia, which was disbanded by order
of the Adjt Gen, the end of July 1861, in Columbus, Ohio, disposing
of all three month volunteers not needed for active service; Thomas
was retained.
Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Clark
29th Ohio Volunteer Infantry
1861-1863
Page 2
The officers of the 19th Reg Ohio Volunteer Infantry [Lt. Col. E.
W. Hollingsworth, Maj. L. P. Buckley, Capt. N. A. Barrett, Capt. R.
Shurtleff, Capt. Robt. W. Crane, etc.] wrote a letter to Governor
Dennison [Ohio] August 3, 1861 soliciting an appointment as Capt.
for Thomas Clark - "We most cheerfully bear witness to his
efficiency as Drill Master in Co. D. of this Regt. and to the
promptness with which he has discharged every duty required of him,
as also to the readiness manifested to share with us the toils of
camp life in our late expedition to Western Va., and for this
general service rendered in the 19th Regt". Thomas was mustered
into the 29th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, August 14, 1861, at Camp
Giddings, Jefferson, Ashtubula County, Ohio. as a Major. The 29th
was just being organized and Thomas had a major role in setting up
the camp, recruiting new volunteers and training them. In
November, an election was held by the men of the 29th and Thomas
Clark was elected Lieutenant Colonel by David Tod, Governor
of Ohio, (this document was actually signed in January, 1862, and
predated) for a period of three years unless sooner discharged.
By December 26, 1861, Thomas and the 29th were at Champ Chase,
Columbus, Ohio and on January 18, 1862, they started out by train
for "Romney or Elsewhere"... February 16, 1862, found Thomas at
Camp Tyler, 2 1/2 miles from Paw Paw, W. VA on the Winchester road.
Orders were received on February 28th to prepare for a march...
By March 13, 1862, Thomas was in Winchester, VA and this was the
beginning of his activities against Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson in
the Shenandoah Valley, as a member of Colonel Erastus B. Tyler's
3rd Bridgade, Brigadier General James Shields' 2nd Division, and
Major General N. P. Banks Army of the Potomac.
Thomas had one slight diversion from the valley activities when the
29th and the rest of Shields' Division were sent to Fredericksburg,
VA on May 12, to support General McDowell's Army. The Division
returned to the Shenandoah Valley, by way of Manassas Gap, on May
29th.
At the Battle of Port Republic June 9, 1862, Thomas Clark was
captured by Jackson's troops. He was not injured, but lost his
horse and sword. From Port Republic he was taken to Lynchburg, VA
arriving there June 22nd; left there August 11th and went to
Richmond, VA where he arrived August 13th, landed on the side
opposite Richmond at Belle Island; was kept there but a day or two,
Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Clark
29th Ohio Volunteer Infantry
1861-1863
Page 3
when he was taken over to Libby Prison; left Libby on the morning
of 17th August. August 19th found Thomas at Fort Monroe (he had
been paroled) and in his letter of that date said that he was going
to Baltimore and then on to Washington D.C. One August 20, 1862,
Thomas wrote to Corrie from the National Hotel, Washington, D.C.
He was ill and said that he had not been able to sit up for long
for the last three weeks (which would have started in Salisbury
Prison, the last week in July), was very thin and suffering from a
canker in or on his mouth. He wrote "General Tyler is here. Also
Dr. Fifield and Adjt. Winship and will aid me in getting a long
leave of absence - failing to do that I shalltry and get a little pay
and as soon as I can, start for home..."
Thomas' next letter, dated September 23, 1862, indicated that he
had been home on leave and was now on a train from Cleveland to
Columbus, Ohio - "next stop Columbus Exchange hotel" (Camp Chase).
September 24th, Thomas wrote "have reported to Gen. Lew Wallace who
is a sharp black eyed man of very few words". Thomas mentions that
he is expecting to get a regiment of paroled prisoners, "if he can
take it". Then he wrote "will look around and see how the ground
lies. It don't look as though there was much for any army here, but
that's nothing. I was ordered to report here - & if ordered to go
away elsewhere it is not for me to ask where or why I'm sent - such
is military life." On October 15, 1862, Thomas was officially
exchanged, received furlough, and at which time he took Corrie and
Walter back to New Hampshire (Papermill Village). He returned to
active duty November 10, 1862, at Frederick, MD, where the 29th was
then stationed.
In December 1862, the 29th and Thomas moved into Virginia by way of
Harpers Ferry, Hillsboro, Centerville, Fairfax Station, Occoquan,
and finally stopping in Dumfries, VA. for the winter of 1862-63.
Thomas' last big battle was Chancellorsville, Virginia, May 1 - 4,
1863. He requested an early discharge after the Battle of
Chancellorsville (due to illness) and was mustered out June 19,
1863, at Leesburg, VA. He returned home, by steam boat, down the
Potomac and up the coast to Hartford, Conn., bringing "Old Rock"
(his horse) with him to continue the journey on land up to
Papermill Village, NH, still writing letters and sending them along
the way to let Corrie know his progress.
Thomas Clark wrote almost daily and sometimes several times a day,
even during a break in battles, or whenever he had a moment.
Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Clark
29th Ohio Volunteer Infantry
1861-1863
Page 4
Corrie apparently wrote often also, but unfortunately her letters
have not been preserved (or at least I haven't been able to locate
any). Thomas wrote about everything he was doing, thinking,
seeing, including interesting information about the officers he
served with (not always complimentary). All of the letters are
absolutely wonderful reading and so full of human feelings. He was
a "good" man with a wonderful sense of humor, even in very
difficult times. a trait I have seen in my own father and, you
know, I find that in myself.
The above is a brief biography of Thomas Clark. He was my Great-
Great Uncle [actually "half" Uncle as he was the half brother of my
Father's Grandfather, Amos Clark]. My Father was also Thomas Clark
and was the one responsible for obtaining these wonderful letters
from a family member. I obtained the letters (all 300 of them)
from my father several years ago and plan to publish them in the
near future.
Additional information, in this biography, has come from the files
and notes of George G. Clark which are now in the archives of
Dartmouth College Library, Hanover, NH; "War of the Rebellion:
Official Records of The Union and Confederate Armies"; "The
Richardson Memorial", by J. A. Vinton, 1876; and "Norwich
University 1819-1911", Vol. 2, by William A. Ellis, 1911.
Marilyn Clark-Snyder's path to Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Clark:
* Marilyn Jean (Clark) Snyder
Thomas Byron Clark (Father)
Myron Justice Clark (Grandfather)
Amos Clark (Great Grandfather)
Robert and Mary (Clark) Clark (First Wife)
(Great-Great Grandfather)
*Thomas Clark (Lt. Col. in Civil War)
(Great-Great Uncle)
Robert and Sally (Wyman) Clark (Second Wife)
(Great-Great Grandfather)
Marilyn J. Snyder
4102 Daniels Ave. #204
Annandale, VA
Phone: 703/354-2427
Slip 2 9' Letter 2d Army Series
Rebel Fort Near Ocoquan Creek Va
Sunday Morning 2 oclock Dec 28' 1862
We moved from camp a little past 9 last Eve leaving Tents &
Baggage behind__ We moved slowly & and as I supposed we should
took the road direct for Dumfries Landing This Old Rebel Fort
built last winter by the 16" N. C. Regy directly on our way & as
more or less rebel cavalry were known to be in the neighborhood
it was supposed they would attempt to reoccupy the Fort & if they
did so could dispute out passage with a vim that would require
the strongest kind of a Saltpetre & - Blue pill discussion to
make them yield the question_We must therefore were entrusted
with the mission ie. to take & hold the Fort till daylight when
more troops would arrive if needed_ I have by the aid of a little
picket fire of dry sticks & leaves just sent back by a courier
the following despatch to Gen Geary _ vis__
Sunday 2 AM Dec 28'/62
Sir - I have the honor to report that the 29' O. V. I.
has taken the position indicated in your orders. We are
now in the old Rebel Fort & intend to hold it. Our
pickets were fired on & driven in a few minutes before
our arrival_ Respectfully
LF Buckly Col commanding
for Lt Col Clark
But my fire is going out & we propose not making any more_sleep
will be out of the question & I would probably write more but
will be minus a light & will therefore dry up_ 7 A.M. We had it
a little cool last night but as I did not sit down until after
daylight I felt quite comfortable. All danger from a night attack
being now over We have got rousing fires & are engaged making
coffee & making ourselves comfortable The night did not seem
much longer than some of those long cold nights when some years
ago I used to go over near East Lempster my immediate-reward
being a few pleasant hours of chit-chat_a smile a kiss &
sometimes a very bad cold with ultimate reawrd of one of the
best little wives in the world _
Our pickets were fired on by a little squad of Rebel Cavalry_but
their fire was promptly returned by the 1st Maine Cavalry & the
Rebs wheeled & ran_Dont know that any body was hurt_ 10 .AM. Gen
Geary has joined us with more force & appears to be waiting for
still more troops to cross the ford _ We have moved out about a
mile towards Dumfries & formed in line if battle across the road_
Things look to an old Soldier as though the Gen was anticipating
a bit of a skirmish through of course we know nothing of what
force there may be in front__
1
9P .M._Sunday Eve_Well we have had a rough time today & a
long march.considering that we were on our arms & without sleep
last night_About noon our advance guard came upon a force of the
Rebel Stuarts Cavalry said to number 1500. They charged boldly
upon us & drove in our cavalry scouts but a few shells from our
artillery & one volley from Cos A & E of the 29' which has been
our advance guard all day set them skedadling in another
direction_results on our side. one man in Co A struck with a
spent shot which may give him a sore leg for a few days though he
has marched all day_ Two or three dead Secesh discovered & some
more were helped away .We moved several miles in line of Battle
with 2 Cos deployed as skirmishers_ The Rebs have retreated
before us all day_We have made about 12 miles & have skirmished
with the enemy perhaps half the distance . being quite as much in
line of Battle & over the Fields & through thick woods. as in
columns in the road. results to your humble servant Tore my pants
a little & feel somewhat tired though not "played out". Old Rock
has done a good service. though he has had nothing to eat all day
but oak leaves & twigs & this Eve one ear of corn_Our waggon
having on it the Forage Officer rations & cooking utensils for
the Regt was ordered back this morning & we must go it dry_ I
have been able to help along three privates who gave out by
putting one man on my horse & carrying the guns of the others_
For the last 5 miles we have lost sight of the enemy & have kept
the road.A barren desolate looking country .most of the houses
burned_ Towards Eve we came in sight of a fulled rigged schooner
on the Potomac a large wide road now all cut up by army teams &
cavalry with a telegraph line on it_This with the vessel on the
River indicate land marks of Civilization_ None would have
reminded us more strongly of home unless it had been a nice white
cottage with a well dressed good looking woman in its open door
& a cradle seen within__This last we did not see_ We are now
encamped for the night in a little ravine with good fires of dry
trees _ a little raw pork & a few "US Pics Hard-crackers in my
Haversack has with a cup of coffee made one a good supper. Guess
Ill have a hash made of whats left for breakfast_ Im all right
but poor Old Rock has to content himself with eating dry oak
leaves & gnawing the bark from a green tree_I give him one of my
blankets tonight & with my feet near a good fire by the light of
which I have been scribbling will now turn in & invoke sleep___
Monday Dec 29' _ 8 AM - Some of the boys have made a requisition
on a Gristmill near by & the old Horse has a generous feed of
corn meal this morning_We are now 4 miles from the rest of the
Brigade__ Gen Geary here bids us Good Bye & goes back or
Elsewhere_We go on to join the Brigade at Dumfries_I am sorry to
have him leave us_ He is a plain blunt man. Yesterday he was on
foot some of the way & a soldier on his horse. He is one of my
kind of men.Says he knew Doct Clark of Lawrence Kan very well &
very favorably_ [Doctor Hiram Clark, brother to Thomas Clark]
2
We shall move on soon_ It was reported that our Old Brigade had
to fall back when attacked the other day_but Major Crane of the
7' Ohio who has just rode out with Doct Fifield to see us says
they didnt fall back at all but that the Rebels didnt give us
more than half a chance to kick them before they lit out with a
big lot of wounded _ Reports are said to be in the papers that
our forces surrendered which is a mistake_It was the same force
that attacked us on the way_They began here by [Continued on next
Slip 3 - 9' Letter 2' Army Series]
Slip 3 - 9' Letter 2' Army Series
surrounding & capturing our pickets & the first satutation
[situation] our men had were the enemys shells flying into the
town__
2 PM. We are now at Dumfries_Col has pretty nearly played out.
The Qr Master & commissary are both back at Fairfax Station & our
men have nothing to eat I must again in this emergency play Qr
Master & Commissary both & consequently may not write any more
today
Tuesday Dec 30' _ I procured one days rations last night & the
boys feel better. I also as Qr Master procured Forage for horses.
This march has been rough on our horses
as well as men_but if we
can rest here a few days.Old Rock will be kicking up his heels as
usual & will be as apt as ever at extending his hindmost muscles
where a mule or Darky passes him _ I was intending to lie down
& have a good sleep.had a good fire of pine logs & had just got
stretched down perpendicularly to it when an order came in to
sleep on our arms & for the Officers to be on the lookout as the
enemy are said to be hovering around us & that the telegraph
wires have been cut.on both sides of us this P. M._ In case of an
attack upon our pickets we are to go out on the Brentsville Road
& hold it_ Midnight I have been out with one or two Officers
reconnoitering for a position on said Road_found a short cut
where I can get the Regt out into position quick & having punched
up my Fire must manage to sleep with both Ears and one Eye open
till daylight _ A little knot of us are around my fire
occasionally spinning yarns_The men generally are sleeping & the
rest of us are ready to rally them if a signal come in from the
Pickets_In addition to my other orders & duties I am detailed as
Officer of the Day tomorrow
Wed Dec 31' _ No attack last night & only an hour or two sleep _
Brigade Guard montering is over _ Pickets posted & now I must go
& get rations & Forage_It is said the Qr Master & comm' will
arrive today with our waggons & I shall be glad to see them as
this stepping outside of my regular duty to play Conn' & Qr
Master is a bore still I had rather do it than have the men
suffer & I find at such times they always look to me to help them
out of any troubles. They dont like to call on an Officer who
snaps them up short_
Evening. 10 PM. I have been my whole rounds & have delivered the
countersign & have got into camp again. t has been since sundown
a little cool & snowy & I guess too dark for a cavalry dash on us
tonight & so I will prepare to rest Hallo.Here come a letter from
home written Dec 7 the 3 of Corries Series _ I have already
noticed the 4' of the same series & the last shall be first
1
sometimes_ In war times they may be lucky to be at all _ I dont
care if your last letters do come first they are always good &
fresh if they are sometimes 3/4' of a month old when rec' _They
tell me of my little circle of loved ones at home_which circle
would now be complete if Papa was only in it. But as that cannot
be just yet we must be content with the poor privilege of talking
on paper & waiting a long time for answers.Your last contains the
Phillips letter & now I can make the order to E. Richardson &
will send you the copy. that is as soon as I can get a pen & ink
while.if we dont get driven out or ordered Elsewhere_ Our men
have been busy today in cutting away the bushes in our camp &
building little Log huts with fireplaces using their shelter
Tents for roofs_already quite a city has sprung up on the ruins
of this old once populous place in Dumfries about 18 miles South
of Fairfax Sta & about 20 or 25 north of Falmouth &
Fredericksburg_ The last end of this slip the close of the day &
last of the year.a fitting to retire & say Good night
Camp of the 29" Regt. Ohio Vol Infts. 1" Brigade
2n Div 12' Army Corps. Near Dumfries Va
Sunday Jan 4 1863_Slip 1_10" Letter 2d Army Series
"...I have been out sometime about a little among the older
inhabitants & making inquiries about this dilapidated old Town_I
find nothing of importance to write about save the Old Burying
ground which is now in a thick growth of Pine & Oak Some Oak trees
among the graves are 18 inches in Diameter_It is said the old
church owned 200 acres of land.the most of which was used to bury
in_some crumbling Tablets & Tombstones have distinct dates as far
back as 1684. The foundation of the old church is also very
distinct among the Trees_Last Winter a large Rebel force were
encamped here & very many of them died_It is said that about a
Thousand of them died & were buried her while they occupied this
place_..."
Slip 2 10" Letter 2n Army Series [January 6, 1863]
"...Having business today down at the Commissaries which is in the
Town & perhaps a fourth of a mile distant_ I wondered a little
among the Old Dilapidated houses..."
Slip 3 12" Letter 2n Army Series_Monday Jan 19/63
"...I have been out this morning to take another turn through the
old burying grounds in the woods. I found one grave made as late
as 1846 but generally there have been scarcely any buried here
since 1820.though sometime about 1750 It seems to have been a
frequent burying place for some distance about here_but in another
part of the yard where the brush had been cit out. the new graves
were thick The Head Boards bore the name & Regt that the sleeper
belonged to_I found Texas Regts quite numerous as also some from
NC, Sc & Ala_Texas Soldiers must have been very numerous here last
winter or else the climate was very fatal to them. as there is
another lot of them buried about a mile from this place on the
heights where our Forts now stand Ill bet their Secesh friends
will have to work some if they ever remove them as our large Fort
with heavy Embankments is right on them__..."Transcriber
Adam Kitchen
