Person:John Clark (139)

Name	John Clark
Gender	Male
Birth^[1]^[2]	Abt 1826	Pennsylvania, United States
Marriage	4 Jan 1849	DeKalb, Indiana, United Statesto Delilah Platz
Occupation^[6]	1850	Steuben (township), Steuben, Indiana, United Statesa farmer
Occupation^[7]	1860	Fairfield, DeKalb, Indiana, United Statesa grocer
Other	15 Jun 1860	Fairfield, DeKalb, Indiana, United StatesCensus 1860 with Delilah Platz
Other^[3]^[8]	27 Sep 1864	Kendallville, Noble, Indiana, United StatesMilit-Beg
Death^[3]^[4]	16 Dec 1864	Davidson, Tennessee, United States
Other`^?`		Anecdote
Other^[5]		Anecdote
Physical Description^[8]	1864	eyes Gray; hair brown; complexion fair; height 5 ft. 10 inches
Reference Number`^?`		3496

John Clark war my 3rd Great-Grandfather. --Kristy 13:32, 10 November 2008 (EST)

1 John Clark
2 Journal of the Fourth Army Corps
3 "Awaiting News of the Battle
4 "...some 50,000 to 55,000 Federal's on the field..
5 Burial NOTE:

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John Clark

was born circa 1826 at Lancaster Co., Pennsylvania, United States.  On 4 Jan 1849 at DeKalb Co., Indiana, United States, John Clark married Delilah Platz age 22, daughter of David Platts and wife to David Platts (--?--), by George Beard J.P.

In 1850 John's occupation was as a farmer at Steuben twp., Steuben Co., Indiana, United States. John Clark appeared on the 1850 Federal Census of Steuben twp., Steuben Co., Indiana, United States, in the household of his mother Elizabeth Clark, he was living here along with his wife, Delilah.

In 1860 John's occupation was as a grocer at Fairfield twp., DeKalb Co., Indiana, United States.

John Clark and Delilah Clark appeared on the 1860 Federal census of Fairfield twp., DeKalb Co., Indiana, United States, enumerated 15 Jun 1860, real estate value $50; personal property $400. They have six children, George, Henry, Elizabeth, Daniel, Mary, and a yet unnamed infant (will be Edward). He began military service on 27 Sep 1864 at Kendallville, Noble Co., Indiana, United States, mustered into the Civil War in Co. C of 35th Regiment Indiana Volunteer Infantry, under the command of Captain Abraham Peters on October 15, 1864 to serve for one year. He was drafted into service from Fairfield Township. He was described as eyes Gray; hair brown; complexion fair; height 5 ft. 10 inches in 1864. He died on 16 Dec 1864 at Franklin, Davidson Co., Tennessee, United States, more information: killed in action during Civil War at the Battle of Nashville, by a bursting of a shell, and he being hit by grape shot. This battle took place Dec. 15-16, 1864.

At the time of John's death, the 35th Regiment Indiana Volunteer was under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Augustus G. Tassin. (A Regiment was composed of 10 companies of 50-100 men)

They were part of the Second Brigade commanded by Brig.-General Walter C. Whitaker (A Brigade was composed of two or more regiments and totaling between 1,200 and 3,000 men).

This Brigade belonging to the First Division under control of Brig.-General Nathan Kimball. (A Division usually composed of two or three brigades)

This group was part of the Fourth Army Corps, with their leader being Brig.-General Thomas J. Wood. (Corps composed of two or three divisions, a Corps' strength varied from between 15,000 and 20,000 men, although for this battle the Corps was twice that size)

Their Major-General was George H. Thomas. "THIRTY-FIFTH INDIANA VOLUNTEER INFANTRY-- James Abel, Uriah Blue, John Bloomfield, Isaac Farver, Israel Horn, Henry M. Horner, Joseph Koch, Richard Kester, Daniel S. Kimes, Henry J. Kline, John Leighty, William Monroe, David A. Miller, Judson S. Miller, Byron Woodcock, and Jacob Yarnell were members of Company C of this regiment. This regiment campaigned through the South about the same as the Thirtieth. The regiment was in the battle of Chickamauga, and sustained unusually heavy losses. At Kenesaw Mountain later, the regiment again underwent a baptism of fire, and a hand-to-hand conflict with the enemy. Many others gave up their lives here, including Major John P. Dufficy" at DeKalb Co., Indiana, United States.

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Journal of the Fourth Army Corps

NOVEMBER 14, 1864-JANUARY 23, 1865.--Campaign in North Alabama and Middle Tennessee.

PULASKI, TENN.

O.R.--SERIES I--VOLUME XLV/1 [S# 93]

Source: http://www.civilwarhome.com/4corpsjournalnashville.htm

Note from Kris: I shall place in bold print where reference's are made in regards to John Clark's company's movements..--Kristy 13:32, 10 November 2008 (EST)

NASHVILLE, TENN.

December 2.--9 a.m., the troops of Fourth Corps take a new position and go into line of battle on a series of ridges running north of west about a mile and a half from Nashville; the line faces about west of south; the troops are all in one line. On the left of the corps is the Twenty-third Corps; on the right is General A. J. Smith's command. The left of our line is a few hundred yards east of the Granny White pike--Kimball's division is on the left, then Wood's division, then Wagner's. Wilson's cavalry is crossing the Cumberland River to-day, to remain on the north bank, watch the enemy, and prevent him from crossing. There is also a fleet of iron-clad gun-boats now in the river, also watching to prevent the enemy from crossing. 2 p.m., General Stanley turns over to General Wood the command of the corps. His wound is very painful, and he starts North on account of it this evening. General Wood turns over to General Beatty (one of his brigade commanders) the command of his division. 2.30 p.m., the enemy's, infantry approach to within about a mile and a half of our present line, and can now be seen deploying in line of battle; about two divisions can be seen. We at once made preparations to receive an attack. 6 p.m., the enemy does not advance; has not advanced from the position where he was first seen. 6.30 p.m., orders have been given to division commanders to intrench our position, to throw up parapets to-night, and make epaulements for batteries.

December 3.--Last night the enemy made quite an advance, and constructed a line of breast-works in front of the entire line of this corps, and extending beyond the right and left of it. In front of Streight's brigade (Beatty's division, Third) the enemy got possession of a ridge about 600 yards from our works, and along the crest of it for about one regimental front they have thrown up strong breast-works. Their line on the right and left of this is there much refused, and runs in such directions that it is at least one mile from our extreme right and left. This ridge is about opposite our center, and Colonel Streight occupies the ridge opposite it, of about the same height. 6 a.m., batteries are placed on Colonel Streight's front (two batteries), and we opened fire upon the enemy's works opposite. The batteries along the front of the Third Division and part of the First Division are also directed to fire upon the enemy's works. Brigadier-General Elliott has been assigned to the Second Division of this corps, and he takes command of it to-day. General Wagner, who has been commanding it, resumes command of his brigade--Second Brigade of the same division. 2 p.m., the pickets in front of our left are driven in by the enemy, who makes quite a show of an advance, displaying several lines of battle. After considerable skirmishing he advances a very short distance, where he remains until nearly dark and then falls back. He may intend to attack us at daylight to-morrow. Our artillery has kept up quite a steady fire upon the enemy all day. The enemy has not yet replied with artillery.

December 4.--No change in the enemy's or our lines to-day. We have been firing at the enemy's lines with artillery during the day and he has not yet replied. It is supposed he has not much artillery ammunition with him.

December 5.--No change in the enemy's lines to-day, except that his works may not be quite so full of troops as they were yesterday. We still keep up our artillery firing, and have been making observations to see whether there is a point in the enemy's lines that we can attack with a chance of success. Major-General Couch was assigned to duty with this corps, in accordance with orders from headquarters Department of the Cumberland. He reported to-day. As he ranks General Wood he will command the corps, but he refuses to exercise command yet.

December 6.--Nothing of importance to-day. The enemy is still strengthening his works. We still keep up our artillery fire. The enemy replied with a few shots from two guns opposite the knoll held by Colonel Streight's brigade. Major-General Couch assigned to the Twenty-third Corps today; leaves General Wood in command of the Fourth Corps.

December 7.--The enemy is moving a force to his left, opposite General A. J. Smith's command, and he is constructing works extending in the same direction. 2 p.m., General Thomas directed General Wood to discover, by observation or pressing forward our picket-line, whether the enemy is yet in strength opposite us. Division commanders report that the enemy yet occupies the works opposite our front in the same strength as yesterday, if not in greater. This fact is reported to General Thomas. Observations have been made to-day to find some point in the enemy's line of works that we can assault. An assault will be made by the Fourth Corps as soon as the troops can get ready--within a few days.

December 8.--Last night the enemy extended his lines to his left, a short distance beyond the position he held at dark, and constructed there a line of breast-works. 12.15 p.m., the enemy force back the skirmish line of the Twenty-third Corps, just where it joins the skirmish line of the First Division of this corps. This caused part of our skirmish line on our left to fall back a short distance. The enemy's skirmishers followed up closely, but they were driven back and our original skirmish line re-established. 3 p.m., it has been decided to attack the enemy at daylight on the morning of the 10th instant. An assault will be made by the Second Division of this corps upon that part of the enemy's lines opposite Streight's brigade, Third Division, just northeast of the Hillsborough pike. The Second Division will be supported by the rest of the corps, save one brigade to be left in our works. General A. J. Smith's column will follow up the assault and cover our right flank, and the cavalry will follow up General Smith.

December 9.--9 a.m., heavy storm of rain, snow, and sleet. It has been impossible to observe the movements of the enemy this morning on account of the state of the atmosphere. 10 a.m., a deserter came into our lines; he reports that Hood is making preparations for a movement. 2 p.m., received a dispatch from General Thomas, of which the following is a copy:

HEADQUARTERS DEPARTMENT OF THE CUMBERLAND,

Nashville, Tenn., December 9, 1864.

Owing to the severity of the storm raging to-day it is found necessary to postpone the operations designed for to-morrow morning until the breaking up of the storm. I desire, however, that everything be put in condition to carry out the plan contemplated as soon as the weather will permit [it] to be done, so that we can act instantly when the storm clears away. Acknowledge receipt.

G. H. THOMAS,

Major-General.

Nothing of importance occurred along our lines to-day. There has been much picket-firing. The day has been quite cold.

December 10.--There is no apparent change in the enemy's lines this morning. The same force appears to be opposite us, and the enemy is still working on his parapets, strengthening them. The snow and sleet that fell yesterday is yet on the ground. It is almost impossible to move over it either on horseback or on foot. 2.50 p.m., received a note from General Thomas asking General Wood--

What is the condition of the ground between the enemy's line and your own? Is it practicable for men to move about on it with facility?

3 p.m., replied to General Thomas' note, stating that the ground is covered with a heavy sleet, which would make the handling of troops difficult, if not impracticable; from the condition of the ground an offensive movement would be feeble, &c. The enemy is working on a new and interior line of works this evening. The line appears to be almost parallel to the first line and about half a mile in the rear of it.

December 11.--10 a.m., there is a meeting of corps commanders at General Thomas' headquarters. It is decided that we cannot attack the enemy with any show of success until the weather moderates and the snow and sleet now on the ground thaws. The ground is yet covered with a cake of ice, and it is very difficult to move over it. The weather still continues very cold---below the freezing point. There is no change in the appearance of the enemy's lines--except that he is still working on his interior line--the new one he is constructing. Considerable picket-firing to-day; no artillery firing. General Grant has been insisting for several days that General Thomas must attack the enemy. This will be done as soon as the weather will permit. 10 p.m., received dispatch, of which the following is a copy:

Brigadier-General Wood:

Have your command put in readiness to-morrow for operations. I wish to see you at my headquarters at 3 p.m. to-morrow.

GEO. H. THOMAS,

Major-general.

It is very cold to-night and clear.

December 12.--The sun shines bright this morning, but it is yet very cold. The enemy is yet digging and throwing up works in our front, and is constructing an epaulement for batteries in front of General A. J. Smith's works and in rear of his (the enemy's) flank work. Batteries placed at this point will command the Hillsborough and, perhaps, the Hardin pikes. 3 p.m., at a meeting of corps commanders at General Thomas' headquarters it is decided that we cannot move to attack the enemy or to demonstrate until the ice and sleet that yet covers the ground thaws. Considerable picket-firing to-day. No change within the enemy's lines discovered.

December 13.--No change to-day. It is yet quite cold, but the wind is from the southeast. 5 p.m., growing quite warm, and the ice is thawing. Usual picket firing to-day. The enemy's second, or interior, line appeared better manned (more troops) than heretofore.

December 14.--7 a.m., the ice and sleet has all disappeared this morning. The ground is very muddy and there is a heavy fog. 11 a.m., owing to the heavy fog nothing can be seen of the enemy's lines this morning. 12.30 p.m., received a note from General Thomas, directing that preparations lye made for a move as per previous arrangements, and that General Wood meet him at his headquarters at 3 p.m. The following is a sketch of our lines (of the Fourth Corps) and the rebel lines as they appear. The usual picket-firing to-day. It has grown quite warm, and the ground is turning very muddy. Has been very foggy all day. The conference at General Thomas' headquarters resulted in the decision to attack the enemy to-morrow, if not too foggy. 6 p.m., received Special Orders, headquarters Department of the Cumberland, of which the following is a copy. 7 p.m., issued orders to division commanders to have everything in readiness to move at 6 a.m. to-morrow. General Elliott will form his division slightly in echelon with General A. J. Smith's left, and refuse his left; General Kimball will form on General Elliott's left, slightly in echelon, with his division refusing his left; and Brigadier-General Beatty will form his division on General Kimball's left, slightly in echelon, refusing his left, or, rather, resting his left on our present line of works near the position now occupied by Streight's brigade, opposite Montgomery Hill.

December 15.--6 a.m., very foggy; cannot well form the troops yet. 9 a.m., General Smith has a long distance to swing around before we can advance, and his troops are forming slowly. 12.30 p.m., our right is now moving slowly, conforming to General Smith's movement. 12.30 p.m., General Beatty ordered by General Wood to assault the works on Montgomery Hill. Colonel Post's brigade selected to make the assault. 1 p.m., Post assaults Montgomery Hill, and carried it handsomely. We captured quite a number of prisoners. Our loss in killed and wounded not large for the success. 1.30 p.m., General Thomas sent word that he has sent General Schofield to General Smith's right, to enable the cavalry to go around the enemy's left flank, and he wishes General Wood to mass his troops toward General Smith's left. Our reserves were at once massed in that direction. 2 p.m., visited General Smith on his line. Our whole line now swinging up toward the enemy's works. 2.30 p.m., General Smith carried the left of the enemy's works. At once word was sent to division commanders of Fourth Corps to push forward. 3.15 p.m., Generals Elliott and Kimball advance, skirmishing severely. 3.25 p.m., Generals Kimball and Elliott occupy high ground, now very near the enemy's solid works. 4 p.m., General Elliott ordered to advance and take the hill in his front, on which the enemy has a strong line of works and a battery that is annoying us very much. 4.30 p.m., General Elliott has not yet started, and he is again ordered to move forward. He said that he was waiting for General Smith to come up and connect with his right; he has advanced beyond General Smith's left. He was directed to move at once and cover his right with his reserve brigade. 4.30 p.m., General Kimball was ordered to take the same hill. He moved forward at once, assaulted vigorously, and captured the hill, with the enemy's works and a four-gun battery. General Elliott's division arrived upon the hill just as it was captured. General Kimball assaulted with his whole division. He captured quite a number of prisoners and four battle-flags. The enemy retreated in the direction of the Franklin pike, and formed a line along it, running at right angles to their old line of works, which they yet held from the Franklin pike to their extreme right. 5 p.m., received directions from General Thomas to move forward eastward, toward the Franklin pike, and to reach it if possible before dark, drive the enemy, and form the corps across the pike, facing south. 5.30 p.m., the troops have just been formed--it took some time to form them, owing to the confusion following the capture of the hill--and have started in lines of battle for the Franklin pike, two miles and a half off. 6. p.m., we have reached the Granny White pike, three-quarters of a mile from the Franklin pike, and it is so dark that the troops cannot move farther without confusion.The corps is formed parallel with the pike (on east side), our right connecting with General Smith and our left resting about half a mile from the first rebel works out front Nashville. The enemy has barricaded his front on the Nashville pike, and we are skirmishing with him. 8 p.m., call at General Thomas' headquarters. He directs that if the enemy has not gone from our front in the morning to attack him; if he has gone, to cross the Franklin pike, move down the east side of it, while Schofield moves on the pike, followed by General Smith's command. The cavalry will move to the right of General Smith, perhaps on the Granny White pike. 11.30 p.m., directed division commanders to move at daylight in the morning, in accordance with General Thomas' instructions; if the enemy has gone, General Elliott to lead, followed by Kimball, then Beatty; if the enemy has not gone, to attack him.

We have lost about 350 killed and wounded to-day (Fourth Corps); no prisoners. Have taken near 500 prisoners and 8 guns, besides a small amount of small-arms, &c., and carried the enemy's works in two places by assault. There has been very heavy firing all day since 1 p.m. It is reported to-night that the army captured 26 guns and 1,500 prisoners to-day.

December 16.--6 a.m., the enemy appears in our front in considerable force. Skirmishing commences. 6.30 a.m., we drive the enemy's skirmishers and advance toward the Franklin pike. 8 a.m., gain possession of the Franklin pike, driving the enemy's skirmishers. They retreat down the pike, southward. It is supposed the enemy has been retreating in this direction during the night--toward Brentwood. As soon as the dispositions indicated in orders last night were made General Elliott pushed his column ahead down the east side of the Franklin pike. He did not move more than half a mile when he met a strong line of the enemy's skirmishers. He at once deployed and tried to form connection on his right with General Smith. General Beatty formed on his left, deployed in two lines of battle, and General Kimball's division deployed in his rear. The enemy now occupies a strong line of steep hills that run across the pike, almost at right angles, four miles north of Brentwood. The pike runs through a gap in these hills. They have constructed a new and strong line of works covering this gap and quite a distance in front of it. On the left of the pike, facing south, the line of works runs over a high and strong ridge. This line also extends beyond our right and past General A.J. Smith's front. 10 a.m., General Smith does not reach within half a mile of our right, and General Kimball's division is put in to fill up the gap. 10.15 a.m., we advance about three-quarters of a mile, driving back the enemy's skirmishers, and we can advance no farther without assaulting the enemy's works. Our skirmishing now is very heavy and severe. 12.25 p.m., Major-General Steedman's command moves up and connects with us on our left. Generals Kimball and Elliott report the enemy moving from behind their works, past their fronts, toward our left. They must be massing on either side of the pike, and especially on the ridge on the left of the pike, looking south. 1 p.m., General Beatty is directed to reconnoiter and see whether this ridge or hill on the left of the pike, with the enemy's works, can be carried by assault. At 2 p.m. Colonel Post, who made a personal reconnaissance, said that he could take it with his brigade. He was at once ordered to do so. 2.45 p.m., Colonel Post assaults the hill (or ridge), supported by Colonel Streight's brigade of same division--Third. The assault was made with great vigor (General Steedman covered our left flank),but was unsuccessful. Part of the troops got into the enemy's works, but the fire was so heavy that they could not stay. The enemy had here massed the troops that he had drawn from his left, opposite General Smith. Colonel Post was badly wounded, perhaps mortally. Our loss in the assault, in killed and wounded, about 450. The troops were very successfully drawn back to the point from where they started; the enemy did not follow. 3.40 p.m., General Smith carried the works on the enemy's extreme left. This being observed, Generals Beatty, Elliott, and Kimball were at once ordered to move forward and assault the enemy's works in their fronts. They moved forward almost simultaneously--first, Kimball; second, Elliott; third, Beatty. They carried the enemy's works handsomely, capturing over 700 prisoners and 9 guns. Kimball captured 5 guns, Beatty, 4. Post's brigade, assisted by Knefler's (of Third Division), again assaulted the hill on the left of the pike (looking south), capturing the 4 guns and quite a number of prisoners. During the first assault these four guns did much execution, firing double-shotted canister at our men, close range. As soon as the works were taken we pushed forward in line of battle, driving the enemy's rear guard, and at dark reached a point about a mile from Brentwood. The enemy used his ammunition very freely today. His artillery firing was heavy and very accurate. The artillery firing of this corps was very heavy. We expended 2,400 rounds of ammunition, from eighteen guns. We have lost during the day about 700 killed and wounded; no prisoners. We have captured 979 prisoners and 11 guns. The army to day captured ---- guns and about ----prisoners. 12.30 p.m., received instructions from Major-General Thomas to move the Fourth Corps in the "present order," to-morrow, "in pursuit of the enemy. Your wagon trains will follow the troops in the order of precedence. Major-General Wilson's command of cavalry will be on the left of and cover your left flank." "Union rear echelon troops [below] passed a quiet day behind the lines in Nashville on December 16, even as fierce fighting was taking place a few miles to the south. That morning the city laid under what one observer termed a "Scotch mist," which burned off by midday, when the temperature reached the mid-'60s. The soldiers pictured were part of a garrison that had occupied Nashville since mid-1963, a period of 18 months during which the warrants picturesque town became, according to one diarist, a "dreary waste."

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"Awaiting News of the Battle

--huddled against the cold, federal infantrymen man the trenches in the outer line of Nashville's defenses in this photograph taken on December 16, 1864. A ditch lined with sharpened stakes, called a fraise, and an abatis--felled trees arranged to form a barrier against attacking infantry -- are visible in front of the earthworks. Rough, temporary board shelters, dubbed "shebangs" by the soldiers, clutter the area immediately behind the earthworks. A wagon train, parked in the field in front of the works, indicates preparations to join in the pursuit of Hood's beaten Confederates.

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"...some 50,000 to 55,000 Federal's on the field..

387 killed... For a battle of such magnitude, the casualties were remarkably low. The Army of Tennessee [Confederate] was deciminated, its effectiveness ended; yet, despite some accounts, it was not yet "destroyed." a hard core remained capable of defensive fight, but there was not to be the material to build the army up again after Nashville. The fighting around the Tennessee capital with the last major battle in the west... The Army of the Cumberland [Union] under Thomas had won an impressive victory in eliminating the major western Confederate army as an aggressive force, and halting forever the dream of the Southern advance into the North".

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Burial NOTE:

All efforts to find John Clark's military grave have turned up nothing. We fear he is lost somewhere in an unmarked grave. I thought I had found him in Nashville National cemetery, further research by David E. Clark found that this grave was occupied by a soldier from New York. --Kristy 13:32, 10 November 2008 (EST)

References