CW-ISAAC CASS CLARK - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

Isaac and all four of his brothers enlisted in the 63rd Indiana Volunteer Infantryfor service during the war. Brother Eli Hugh Clark did not survive the war, and Charles Watson Clark died of his Civil War injuries in the late 1870's.

Spence's Peoples Paper 1875 "Reminiscences of an Old 63rd, Ind., Soldier" By Isaac C. Clark Covington, Ind., Nov. 27, 1875

Dear Editor: I propose to put down a few items found in a diary which I kept while connected with the 63rd Regiment, Ind., Vols., in the service of the United States, which I thought would be interesting to your readers, especially to those who shared with me the hardships that the old 63rd went through. Company B., of which I was a member, and Co. C., and D., were recruited in Fountain and Montgomery counties, during the months of January and February, 1862. Co. B., was commanded by your much esteemed Capt. H. R. Claypool. Co. D., by William McFall, all of Covington, the two latter having since died and gone to their reward. February 1862

Along with brother Charley, Ewing Patterson, Isaac McAlister, James Ludlow, Mike Heeter and myself went to Waynetown and enlisted as privates in Co. B, 63rd Indiana Volunteer Regiment commanded by Captain H. R. Claypool of Covington.

The kind townfolk of Waynetown put us up in their school house while we were mustering in and getting equipped. We received very kind treatment by the ladies and gentlemen of that place. Stayed for a week and then went back to Covington. February 23, 1862. Our three companies B, C, D under the command of Colonel John S. Williams and James McManomy bid adieu to foe and friend alike and started for Indianapolis chuck full of patriotism. All we wanted to do was an opportunity to whip all of the rebels in the Southern Confederacy.

February 24, 1862 Arrived in Indianapolis and returned to La Fayette this afternoon and took up quarters for the night in the courthouse.

February 25-May 26, 1862 We are put on duty guarding prisoners that have been quartered here. While here the regiment recruited Company A in La Fayette and put in the command of Capt. Brewster of that place. We took the prisoners to Camp Morton and pitched our tents in Camp Larz Noble and guarded the prisoners that are confined in Camp Morton.

May 27, 1862 The whole battalion got on the train and started in search of the enemy.

May 29, 1862 Arrived in Washington City and marched 8 miles to Tenallytown and went into camp. Here were continued company, regiment and battalion drill throughout the mornings and ending in the evening dress parade.

June 14-August 23, 1862 Marched to the wharf at Washington and went on board a steamer and crossed the Potomac river and went through Alexandria and went into camp a quarter of a mile south west of that place in Virginia. We received our first greenbacks (not graybacks) while in this camp from the government- my share being $63.20. The boys had a jolly time, eating, drinking, gambling, etc. Our chaplain, H. M. Bacon, went home and several of the boys sent a portion of their money home with him.

August 24, 1862 Left Alexandria, got aboard a train and went within ten miles of Rappahannoc station and went into camp at Warrenton Junction.

August 25-27, 1862 Made ready for a long march, and we did march for three days in succession, only stopping at noon long enough to make our coffee and partake of the same with a little hardtack. Several of the boys gave out and were left behind and some were taken sick, Col. Williams among the rest.

August 30, 1862 Continued marching and have heard the boom of cannon for two or three days and began to think that our opportunity was never at hand. At 3 o'clock we came to the memorable battlefield of Bull Run face to face with the enemy, with shot and shell flying in every direction; we halted a few moments on top of a hill where we had a full view of the battle that was being fought in the valley below us. I must confess that I felt a little shakey at that time about the knees, but I didn't tell anyone about it. We were soon brought into position to support one of our batteries, but we did not stay there for very long, for in about 2 hours after we arrived upon the battlefield, that portion of our army began to retreat, in doing so we became badly demoralized and in a few moments our officers could do nothing in a way of commanding the men. It seemed like every man was for saving himself, not caring a cent for his comrades; it was a Soldiers Run from Bull Run, with Rebels at our heels, pouring shot and shell into the confused ranks. I was always considered pretty quick on foot, so I lit out. I remember passing our old Major Pickens, a big, heavy set, pussgut-of-a-fellow, who was almost played out; he asked me to wait for him, but I simply told him I had not the time; to tell the truth, the scare at that retreat can better be imagined than described. We only had two men wounded in this battle, John Williams, who was struck with with a minnieball on the top of his head, and another man shot his thumb off. The bulk of the army made a stand at Centerville, but some of the men never stopped until they got under the protection of the dear old Capital.

September 2, 1862 Our command marched from Centerville to where the Chain Bridge crosses the Potomac.

September 3-24, 1862 We marched all day, in fact we marched around there over the hills nearly every day and sometimes all night for two or three weeks, and were just about worn out from hard marching and exposure, besides having disposed of all our household and kitchen furniture on our retreat, save one rubber blanket apiece. In fact the boys began to murmur against their officers as did the the Israelites of old, saying that they would rather die among the flesh pots of Egypt, than to be worn out in this kind of style. While undergoing those hardships and meditating upon our recent defeat, we were joyfully surprised by receiving the news that we were going home, and when we received orders to march to the depot at Washington, some of the boys that had been too sick to march for several days past, received strength all at once sufficient to march to the depot homeward bound.

September 25, 1862 We got aboard a train and started home, by way of Baltimore and Pittsburgh.

September 28, 1862 Arrived at Indianapolis this evening and here joined the remaining 6 companies of the 63rd that had been recruited during our campaign in Virginia. These are commanded by Col. McManomy (he was not with us in Virginia).

October 7, 1862 We all came home on furlough of 8 days.

October 16, 1862 We returned from furlough to Indianapolis and spent the next 6 weeks guarding drafted men in Camp Sullivan, afterwhich we moved to Burnside Barracks, Indianapolis.

December 25, 1862 Co's A., B., C., D., H., and K. boarded the train at the Union Depot and went to Shepherdsville, Ky. and there we left Co's A., C., D., and K., to guard the bridge (railroad) that crossed Salt River. Co. B. stopped at Long Lick Creek to guard a bridge (railroad) there; Co. H., went 5 miles further down the road. Co. H, is commanded by Capt. La Tourette ; Co. K, by Capt. Bolan.

January 1, 1863 Brother Hugh Clark, of Co. H., died today at Shepersville Stockade (Bullet County), Ky.

January 1863-January 1864 We remained on the railroad from Louisville to Lebanon, Ky. from December 1862, until the 20th of Jan. 1864. We enjoyed ourselves pretty well while here guarding the road and had plenty to eat and wear. On July 4, a band of guerrillas attacked the Lebanon train and the train guard belonging to Co. K., gave them battle, killing two of the enemy. One of our men by the name of Kemp, was shot through the right shoulder.

On July 6, Gen. John Morgan, with 3 thousand men, captured and robbed the Nashville train, they also attacked Co. C. and captured five of the men, but they were paroled by Morgan; they also burned the bridge, water tank and stockades at Long Lick Creek; they went from there to the Ohio river, below Louisville, captured a boat and crossed the river into Indiana, and commenced a wholesale business, such as burning railroad bridges, stealing and murdering the citizens.

Our officers were on the first of August 1863, as follows, namely: James McManomy, Col.; J.N. Stiles, Lieutenant Col.; John H. Brewster, Major; J.E. Patterson, Adjutent; C.V. Jones, Surgeon; Augustus C. Walker, Assistant Surgeon; Dr. Hamilton, Quartermaster. Our regiment was then assigned to the 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division of the 23rd Army Corps. Three of our men died during the fall of 1863, namely: Mike Wagner, William Gilpin, Charley Robinson.

January 20-22, 1864 Left Lebanon and after marching 3 days in succession, averaging 15 miles per day, we arrived at Camp Nelson, Ky.

January 30, 1864 Quartermaster Hamilton resigned and we got 23 new recruits to the regiment.

February 2, 1864 Lieutenant Hogan of the 10th Massachusetts Regt., was shot and killed today, by a Captain of the 2nd Ky. cavalry.

February 7,1864 Col. McManomy received his resignation papers to-day, and I.W. Stiles took command of the regiment.

February 14, 1864 The 4 companies of our regiment that had been playing Home Guard at Indianapolis, arrived to-day.

February 15, 1864 A man in Co. F., died today with the tremors.

February 22, 1864 Jimmy Jones received his commission as 1st lieutenant, or quartermaster of the regiment.

February 25-May 7, 1864 We marched almost constantly for near two months and a half, sometimes we would be on a regular raid inside of the enemy lines, tearing up railroads, burning bridges, and etc., sometimes we had nothing to eat, and sometimes plenty.

May 8, 1864 Arrived at Dalton, Georgia, where the battle commenced.

May 9, 1864 We left Raleigh at 4 o'clock a.m. and advanced at 5 o'clock. Our regiment through out a skirmish line and a brisk fire soon commenced all along the line for the entire day, and as we advanced, the enemy retreated, and the action ceased at dark. Jack Ninon Co. B., was wounded, Jacob Jones of Co. B., was wounded; Mike Nevil Co. B., was wounded and fell into enemy hands; Henry C. Skinner, and Alva Lacy, of Co. B., was slightly wounded; John Murphy, Co. B., missing.

May 10, 1864 Reveille at daybreak by our artillery. We fell back a little ways and made coffee. William Cavanaugh, Co. B., wounded this morning. James Ludlow, being very sick was taken to the hospital. We received glorious news to-day from Gen. Grant in Virginia.

May 11, 1864 We lay in line of battle all night and until noon to-day, it rained hard all night, which made it rather uncomfortable for us. Gen. Manson, who commanded our brigade, told us to fall into ranks about noon, and we marched about one mile and built works as we were expecting an attack.

May 12, 1864 We marched 15 miles, passed through Tunnel Hill Station and went into camp. We left the 4th corps near Dalton, still fighting.

May 13, 1864 We advanced at 1 o'clock, a.m., marched 12 miles, then halted and took breakfast, then marched 3 miles further, passing through Snake Creek gap. We marched in several different directions and part of the time without haversacks. We heard heavy cannonading all day, also musketry in the evening. We captured one prisoner.

May 14, 1864 We advanced at 9 o'clock, a.m., threw out our skirmish line and came upon the enemy at 11 a.m., and there was quite a brisk artillery duel between the two armies while our infantry was advancing, and about noon there was a general charge made along the whole line upon the enemies works. Our brigade charged across an open field and took the first line of the enemies works, and fought until they had exhausted all of their ammunition, which was about 3 hours, then they were relieved. The drum corps, of which I was a member, was formed into a stretcher corps, and we were engaged in carrying off the wounded and dead from the field from the time the battle commenced until 12 o'clock at night. Our regiment lost 108 killed and wounded during the time they were engaged in the fight. Major Ewing Paterson, and Lieut. Wm. Swank, of Co. B., were amoung the killed. General Manson was slightly wounded; William Adkins mortally wounded; Bellville Adkins killed, both of Co. H. I regret that I did not take down more of the names of those who fell on that battlefield, the fact is, I did not have much time to take notes. May 15, 1864 The battle was renewed at daybreak, but there was no very hard fighting in our front until 9 o'clock a.m., then they went at it in earnest, Sunday as it was. Our brigade changed positions to the left about noon, but the stretcher corps commanded by Major Prickard, was busily engaged carrying off and burying the dead until midnight. Lieut. Swank's brother, who belonged to the 86th Ind., came to see him just before we lowered him into the grave. Lieut. Swank was one of our best men; he was at his post facing the enemy, when a ball pierced his heart. William Crane of Co. H., was one that was mortally wounded on Saturday; I asked him if his wound pained him much, he said yes; but he didn't care for that, just so we whipped them.

May 16, 1864 There was some hard fighting last night, on our left about midnight, and at daybreak there was not a live rebel to be seen and our command as well as the entire army, pursued the enemy; however, a part of our stretcher corps, with many other like squads of men, remained and searched the field for our dead, and we got our men buried by 3 p.m., and caught up with our regiment the next day. So ends the battle of Resaca, Georgia.

May 17-26, 1864 We pursued the enemy as fast as we could for about 8 days; our cavalry was skirmishing with the enemy rear guard nearly all of the time until the 26th, when the rebels again made a stand and showed fight; we got in the range of their artillery and they threw shells, grape and canister shot into our ranks which brought us to a halt. We had four of our regiment wounded at this place; Capt. Jenkins of Co. I., was severely wounded.

May 27, 1864 There was heavy cannonading and brisk skirmishing kept up all day. The enemy shelled our hospital last night after dark. William Phillips of Co. A., was wounded last night by a shell thrown at our hospital; he was there cooking for his company. William Fouch of Co. K., was mortally wounded. The rebel skirmishers made several charges last night upon our skirmish line but were each time repulsed. We built our breast works last night.

May 28, 1864 The fight was kept up all day by our skirmish line and our artillery. James Williams and Press Bonan were slightly wounded.

May 29, 1864 I tried to sleep last night in about 10 steps of one of our 30 pound brass cannon, and it threw a shell at the enemy just about every 20 minutes during the night, and I slept remarkably well between shots. Our men had lost so much sleep that they could lay down and go to sleep almost anywhere regardless of what was going on around them. The fight was kept up as usual today.

May 30-June 3, 1864 There was a hard fought battle last night about one mile to the right of our command, it was reported next morning that the rebel loss was twelve hundred, while our loss was slight, from the fact that the enemy made the charge, and our men were behind their works. Our artillery did the most execution, throwing grape and canister shot. The enemy held their position and fought it until June 3rd, when they retreated.

June 4, 1864 It was a running fight from there to Atlanta, Georgia which lasted about 3 months. We were either fighting or in hearing of those that were fighting, nearly every day and night, until the capture of Atlanta, which happened about the first of September, 1864. Sometimes the enemy would stop and fight, and there was quite a number of hard fought battles and several thousand were killed and wounded on both sides during the race, especially was this the case at Kenasaw Mountain. After we had taken Atlanta, we went into camp at Decatur, Georgia.

I will give the names of those that were killed and wounded since June 3rd, that belong to the 63rd: Amos Moore, Co. A., killed Jerry Brown, Co. H., killed John Bly, Co. D., killed John McDonald, Co. F., killed Theodore Perine, Co. I., killed Lee Gray, Co. H., killed Watson Hendrix, Co. H., wounded George Kineas, Co. H., wounded Jackson Blair, Co. H., wounded Scott Ludlow, Co. B., wounded There was 3 killed and 8 wounded that I did not get the names of Lieut. Zook and Lieut. Jacob Claypool, died with disease, Lieut. York, Co. D., and Milton Paugh, Co. H., were taken prisoners. Capt. Morris, of Co. C., was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel, about July 4th, 1864, also Capt. Frank Wilcox was promoted to Major of The Regt.

June 22, 1864 Gen. Mc Pherson was killed also the rebel Gen. Hardee was wounded and fell into our hands.

July 7, 1864 We waded the Chattahoocha River. The water was just about chin deep, and one-half mile from bank to bank, and we all stripped off our clothing and carried them above our heads. I was carrying a snare drum at that time with one head knocked out, so I just put my clothing, household and kitchen furniture in my drum and took it across on my head. October 1, 1864 Gen. Sherman started on his march to the Sea, and Gen. Thomas and Gen. Schofield with a

small army (including our command.) marched down into Alabama, then back to Dalton, Georgia, went aboard a train and went to Carter's Station, below Nashville, Tenn., left the train and marched for some 10 days before we came upon the enemy, (or rather they came upon us,) and as it was or turn to retreat, we faced about and started for Nashville, however we did not run as at Bull Run, but we would retreat in good style for a while, then build works and fight. We burned all the railroad bridges as we came to them.

November 25, 1864 Isaac McCalister, Co. B., slightly wounded, Douglas and Smith Co. G., mortally wounded, William Colwell, Co. H., severly wounded.

November 29-30, 1864 We marched all night. Arrived at Franklin, Tenn. in the morning. Here we halted, and built a line of works, and we thought ( as the rebels seemed anxious for a fight, ) that we would try our hand on them at this place, so we made all necessary preparations. We had cannon placed along our line of works, about 50 yards apart, besides a number of well fortified forts, containing several pieces of artillery. At 4 o'clock p.m., the enemy came, they drove in our pickets and made a desperate charge upon our works, but were driven back with a great slaughter, however this did not satisfy them, and they came again and again until they had made as much as 8 or 10 different charges upon our works. They took a portion of our works at one time, but they were immediately retaken by our men; they fought with a desperation worthy of a better cause. The battle lasted 7 hours; we retreated at 11 p.m. Co. D., had one man killed, Co. E., one wounded. The enemy loss was reported at 8 or 10 thousand. Our regt., had helped build a great many lines of works during the war, but this was the first time that they had the privilege of fighting behind works during a general engagement. We retreated to Nashville, and went into camp at Fort Negley. The enemy followed us but they did not make a charge upon us at Nashville as they did at Franklin, I think that they had got about enough of charging; but they halted some distance from the city and built works. We remained in camp some 15 days, and there was some fighting going on every day during this time

December 15, 1864 A portion of our army went around on the enemy's left flank and attacked them, while at the same time the remaining portion of the army, with all of the artillery that could be brought to bear on the enemy, attacked them in front. We fought them for near two days and nights before they retreated, we captured quite a number of prisoners, also several pieces of artillery. Those of the enemy that remained, took to their heels and we never got sight of them any more. We marched back to Franklin and went into camp on the battle ground, and we marched from there to the Tennessee river at Clifton, went aboard the steamer Minnehaha, and went down to Paducah, then came up the Ohio river to Portland, Ky. Here we left the steamer, marched to Cincinnati, here we disembarked and went aboard a train and went to Washington D.C., from there to Alexandria, Va., here we left the train and took up our quarters at the Soldiers Home. R. D. Brown and Mr. Yetter, of Covington, Ind., paid us a visit while here.

February 3, 1865 We left the Home and marched to the wharf, drew 5 days rations, and went aboard the steamer Atlantic, and started down the Potomac river with about 3 thousand troops on board the vessel, we went to Fortress Monroe and from there to Fort Fisher, North Carolina. On the 2nd day after we left Fortress Monroe, we had a pretty rough sea, the waves ran high and the vessel rocked like a cradle, any more than it rocked endwise, and about this time there was about 3 thousand of us got seasick, then came the tugs of war. I thought that I would rather take my chances in battle on land than go through another spell of sea sickness. I heard it said that the best plan when one got sick, was to lay flat on his back on the floor of the vessel; and I accordingly stretched my self out, and as I lay there pondering in my mind whether to live or die, one of the men on a bunk above me emptied the contents of his stomach into my face, this somewhat aroused my fighting qualities, and I came to the conclusion that I would live long enough to thrash that fellow.

February 8, 1865 We left the vessel and went into camp at Fort Fisher, N. C., just a few days after the fort had been taken by our troops; we remained here for several days.

February 11, 1865 Watson Hendrix of Co. H., died. February 14, 1865 Andrew Young of Co. A., died. The enemy is still in possession of Fort Anderson, just across Cape Fear river and there is fighting going on every day by our gun boats; also by our troops that had crossed the river.

February 16, 1865 We crossed the river and advanced toward Fort Anderson, skirmishing with the enemy all the while. James Harpin of Co. C., had one of his legs shot off by a shell from one of our gun boats.

February 18, 1865 The enemy evacuated the fort during the night and it was a running fight from there to Wilmington, N.C.

February 21, 1865 The enemy evacuated Wilmington during the night. February 22, 1865 We went into camp in Wilmington, and it is Gen. Washington's birthday, and our fleet fired one hundred guns in honor of the same.There is a great rejoicing amoung the colored population, because of the arrival of the Yanks (as they call us).

February 27, 1865 --

thousand of our troops arrived at Wilmington today who have just been exchanged or released from Southern prisons. Milton Paugh of Co. H., was with them; they are all in a suffering condition, many of them too weak to walk, and the majority of them almost destitute of clothing.

March 1, 1865 -- 9 hundred of our officers arrived here, who also have been exchanged, and sent in from the rebel lines. Lieut. York, of Co. D., was with them.

March 6, 1865 We marched from Wilmington.

March 21, 1865 Arrived at Goldsborough and here on the 23rd we joined Gen. Sherman's army that had marched through to the sea.

April 5, 1865 We received news that Gen. Grant has taken Richmond, Va., with about 25 thousand prisoners and 500 pieces of artillery, which caused much rejoicing among the troops.

April 10, 1865 We left Goldsborough and started for Raleigh, the capital of the state.

April 12, 1865 We received the news that the rebel, Gen. Lee, has surrendered up his entire army to Gen. Grant, which again has caused the greatest excitement among the troops. We also heard that the Governor of North Carolina has surrendered to our advanced guard, the city of Raleigh.

April 14, 1865 We arrived in Raleigh, the rebels all played out. There was several rebel officers arrived in the city from Lee's army, with their swords hanging at their sides. April 17, 1865 We received the sad news of the death of President Lincoln.

April 19, 1865 We received the long looked for news of the surrender of the Confederate States to the Union, and the long hoped for peace in our land once more. Many of the boys could not help shouting, not withstanding the sad news of the assassination.

April 22, 1865 The first battalion or the first four companies of the Regt., bid farewell to our comrades in arms, and started home; but alas, what a sad thought; our number was small, only 102 in all, including 7 officers, namely: Col. Morris, Capt. Henderson, Capt. H.O. Skinner, Lieut's Nebeker, Points, McMannomy and Davis.

April 28, 1865 We arrived at Indianapolis and saw the remains of President Lincoln while here.

May 6, 1865 We arrived at Covington and I can truthfully say that I don't want any more war in mine. Below is the number, (as near as I can ascertain) of the killed and wounded, and No., of miles travelled, etc., No. Killed........................................60 No. Wounded................................115 No. Died with disease......................20 Total.............................................195 No. of miles marched.....................1,785 No. of miles by railroad.................4,975 No. of miles by water....................2,310 Total.............................................9,070