Special Collections

Finding Aid for the Clark Family Collection
(MUM00074)

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Finding Aid for the Clark Family Collection

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Descriptive Summary
PURL:	http://purl.oclc.org/umarchives/MUM00074/
Title:	Clark Family Collection
Dates:	1832-1868 (bulk 1861-1863)
Collector:	Clark, Margery B. Rogers
Physical Extent:	2 boxes (.63 linear feet)
Repository:	University of Mississippi. Department of Archives and Special Collections.University, MS 38677, USA
Identification:	MUM00074
Language of Material:	English
Abstract:	Primarily letters written to Mrs. Margery B. Rogers Clark, wife of T. Goode Clark, by her husband and her two sons, Jonathan and A. Henry Clark; all three men fought in the Confederate Army and died at the Battle of Gettysburg.

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Administrative Information

Acquisition Information

Donated in 1979.

Processing Information

Collection processed by Archives & Special Collections staff. Finding aid encoded by Jason Kovari, 21 January 2010.

Additions

No further additions are expected to this collection.

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Subject Terms

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Formats

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Biographical Note

Margery B. Rogers Clark (9 January 1822 – August 1917) was born near the Cumberland River in Tennessee. Following her marriage
to Thomas Goode Clark, the couple settled near Sarepta, Mississippi and raised a family. Thomas G. Clark and his two sons,
Jonathan and Albert H., joined Company F of the 42nd Mississippi Infantry. All three men died at the Battle of Gettysburg,
July 1863.

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Scope and Content Note

Collection consists primarily of correspondence to Margery Clark, written by her husband and sons while in the Army. Collection
also includes some business papers concerning T.G. Clark.

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User Information

Prefered Citation

Clark Family Collection, Archives and Special Collections, J.D. Williams Library, The
University of Mississippi

Access Restrictions

The Clark Family Collection is open for research.

Copyright Restrictions

The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the
making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under
certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized
to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specified conditions
is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other
than private study, scholarship or research.” If a user makes a request for, or
later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use”,
that user may be liable for copyright infringement.

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Related Material

Resources at the University of Mississippi

For more Civil War materials, see our Civil War subject guide.

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Arrangement

This collection is arranged chronologically. Box 2 contains typscripts.

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Container List

Folder 1.1

T.G. Clark to Margery Clark (Grenada, Mississippi), 7 December 1861

Scope: Thomas discussing the election of regimental officers and the overall wellness of the company prior to their arrival at Camp Alcorn.

Folder 1.2

T.G. Clark to Margery Clark (Grenada, Mississippi), 9 December 1861

Scope: Thomas’ discussion of election results in the company, his longing for his wife, Margery, and desire for her to live & raise the children according to strong religious ethics.

Folder 1.3

T.G. Clark to Margery Clark (Camp Alcorn. Grenada, Mississippi), 13 December 1861

Scope: Thomas discussing the company’s wait to advance into Kentucky and finances.

Folder 1.4

T.G. Clark to Margery Clark (Columbus, Kentucky), 23 December 1861

Scope: Thomas discussing the cold weather and speculates on the likeliness of an attack by Union troops.

Folder 1.5

T.G. Clark to Margery Clark (Camp Boregard (sic.), Graves Co. Kentucky), 28 December 1861

Scope: Thomas discussing their voyage from the previous camp and the strength of the current force at Camp Beauregard; also discusses his desire to see Margery and the general health of the family. Finally, mentions his lack of having been paid.

Folder 1.6

T.G. Clark to Margery Clark (Union City, Tennessee), 19 January 1862

Scope: Thomas describing the health of the men, primarily Jonathan’s illness and the frequency of disease amongst the troops, and the movement of the Company, divided between Jackson, TN & Columbus, TN. Finally, mentions the idea of reenlistment after his tour has ended.

Folder 1.7

T.G. Clark to Unknown (Union City, Tennessee), 21 January 1862

Scope: Thomas writing of Jonathan’s illness and sending his greetings to mutual friends.

Folder 1.8

Albert H. Clark to William H. McDonald, 27 April 1862

Scope: Albert, from home, writing to his friend detailing his social life and longing for youthful happiness. Also discusses State’s Right, Southern identity and concern over the possibility of the North pushing the troops back to Grenada.

Folder 1.9

T.G. Clark to Margery Clark (Camp near Grenada, Mississippi), 14 June 1862

Scope: Thomas discussing the general wellbeing of the company, their upcoming trip to Virginia, family finances.

Folder 1.10

Jonathan Clark to Margery Clark (Camp Mott, near Richmond), 21 July 1862

Scope: Jonathan writing to his mother concerning his need of new shoes and assuring her of his well being.

Folder 1.11

T.G. Clark to Margery Clark (Camp Mott, near Richmond), 24 August 1862

Scope: Thomas discusses the death of Lieutenant Paschall and rumor concerning troop advances towards Washington. Also writes about the health of the soldiers in Camp Mott. Finally discusses news of home matters, particularly the sale of his horse, against his wishes, and his desire to see his family.

Folder 1.12

Jonathan Clark to Margery Clark (Camp Mott, near Richmond), 11 September 1862

Scope: Unsigned (Jonathan Clark’s writing) description of advances by the Confederate Army & increase in troops; also brief mention of the girls at home.

Folder 1.13

T.G. Clark to Margery Clark (Camp Mott, near Richmond), 18 September 1862

Scope: Thomas writing about his desire to take a furlough, which has been rejected and his need for new clothing. Finally mentions his desire to send money home from the front.

Folder 1.14

T.G. Clark to Margery Clark (Camp Mott, near Richmond), October 1862

Scope: Thomas discussing the way in which Margery should distribute the money accompanying the letter

Folder 1.15

T.G. Clark to Margery Clark (Camp Mott, near Richmond), 13 October 1862

Scope: Reiteration of the previous letter, dated October 1862, regarding distribution of the same money. Mentions the death of Thos. Goode and rumor of injury from the troops on the Potomac, including their friend Ben Brown who lost part of his left arm. Also includes discussion of the need to hire a hand for the mill & fatten some hogs.

Folder 1.16

T.G. Clark to Margery Clark (Camp Mott, near Richmond), 19 October 1862

Scope: Thomas writing of the troops’ health and advice on business matters at home.

Folder 1.17

T.G. Clark to Margery Clark (Camp Hiddell, 4 miles north of Richmond), 12 December 1862

Scope: Thomas discussing rumors of the front at Fredericksburg & the Confederate Army being pushed back to Grenada, the health of various troops, his rejected furlough, weather conditions in Virginia, and advice on home matters & hiding food from the Union troops.

Folder 1.18

T.G. Clark to Margery Clark (Camp near Goldsboro, N.C.), 15 January 1863

Scope: Thomas discussing the smallpox outbreak & vaccinations in the regiment, his failed attempt for a furlough, his disdain for Colonel Miller, news of 15 year old son, Isaac, joining the Cavalry and rumors of home events.

Folder 1.19

Albert H. Clark to Margery Clark (Goldsboro, N.C.), 18 January 1863

Scope: Albert Henry discussing the high rate of injury and death, the difficulties of being on the front and his fear of Isaac joining the war; says that there is “no honor attached to them that die in the army they are forgotten forever among those that were well” and hopes to be able to return. Also mentions rumors of harsh treatment of civilians by Union troops in Mississippi.

Folder 1.20

Albert H. Clark to Margery Clark (Camp near Goldsboro, N.C.), 19 January 1863

Scope: Albert, appending a note to the letter dated 18 January 1863, discusses more on troop movements and rumors of a Union attack on Greensboro, which would severely impact supply routes; if they are attacked, it is rumored that they would head to Kinston, N.C.

Folder 1.21

Jonathan Clark to Margery Clark (Camp near Goldsboro, N.C.), 27 January 1863

Scope: Jonathan discussing his health and that of the company; conditions at camp, including easy access to food and water; rumor of a possible furlough for 1 of 20 men; prices of food supplies; rumors of home events and laments not hearing from the women at home.

Folder 1.22

T.G. Clark to Margery Clark (Camp near Goldsboro, N.C.), 29 January 1863

Scope: Thomas discussing his concern over Isaac’s desired enlistment and speculates about the possibility of fighting before Spring.

Folder 1.23

T.G. Clark to Margery Clark (Camp near Goldsboro, N.C.), 30 January 1863

Scope: Thomas again discussing a rejected furlough and rumors of a possible fight; also inquires about matters at home, mainly crops and livestock. Reiterates his fear of Isaac joining the Cavalry and requests that he wait until Thomas returns.

Folder 1.24

T.G. Clark to Margery Clark (Camp near Goldsboro, N.C.), 13 February 1863

Scope: News of Isaac’s arrival to the company and mention of the difficulty for new recruits and the impossibility of leaving duty; also mentions Isaac running a fever.

Folder 1.25

T.G. Clark to Margery Clark (Black Water, Virginia), 26 February 1863

Scope: Thomas detailing the travels of the company from Goldsboro, N.C. to Black Water, Va.; also speculates on the possibility of a fight. Mentions that Isaac is not yet “in the service” and that he may substitute for another soldier.

Folder 1.26

Jonathan Clark to Margery Clark (Camp Green, Virginia), 16 March 1863

Scope: Jonathan discussing his desire to leave the front and Thomas’ attempt to substitute Isaac for another soldier for 1500 Confederate dollars.

Folder 1.27

T.G. Clark to Margery Clark (Camp near Ivor, Southhampton County, Virginia), 11 May 1863

Scope: Thomas detailing the fighting around Suffolk & Fredericksburg, Virginia, and the movement of his company

Folder 1.28

T.G. Clark to Margery Clark (Trigg County), 17 May 1863

Scope: Thomas discussing setting his affairs at Bim Clark’s (Trigg County) and his desire to return home, through Jackson; also mentions Isaac working at home. [This letter may be misdated.]

Folder 1.29

T.G. Clark to Margery Clark (Camp near Fredericksburg, Virginia), 8 June 1863

Scope: Thomas discussing the situation and position at Fredericksburg and rumors of tactics, including the possibility of General Lee heading to Maryland. Thomas also discusses having been home.

Folder 1.30

T.G. Clark to Margery Clark (Camp near Fredericksburg, Virginia), 13 June 1863

Scope: Thomas discussing troop positions at Fredericksburg and the current level of engagement; also discusses his desire to go home to care for his family.

Folder 1.31

A.H. Clark to Margery Clark (Camp near Fredericksburg, Virginia), 13 June 1863

Scope: Albert discussing various deserters and the situation at Fredericksburg. [2nd page possibly written by Albert for Isaac] Isaac discusses the probability of him returning home with the next person to receive furlough.

Folder 1.32

T.G. Clark to Margery Clark (Camp Alcorn, Grenada, Mississippi), Undated [December 1861]

Scope: Thomas discussing preparations for the company’s movement.

Folder 1.33

Jonathan Clark to Margery Clark (Camp Lee near Richmond, Virginia), Undated [December 1862]

Scope: Jonathan writing of the wounded soldiers and his guard duty over Union prisoners. Also discusses the rising prices or supplies, such as Molasses, and rumor of Union troops in Oxford.

Folder 1.34

Clippings (2) – 1 obituary for Margery B. Rogers (“Grandmother Clark”) . 1 printing of honorable discharge notice for Prvt. Middleton B. Clark (Sources Unknown), Undated

Folder 1.35

Business Papers. T.G. Clark, 1832-1868 (15 items)

Box 2

Photocopies & Transcriptions of Letters