CSA Soldiers Rest

 

 

A Family Remembers Their Special Soldier
On The Anniversary Of His Death

Soldiers' Rest, Vicksburg, Mississippi

All gave some; some gave all.

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When Gen. Stephen Dill Lee dedicated the Monument for the Confederate Dead in 1893 at Soldiers' Rest, he said that while it was easy for those present at the gathering to remember the human cost of the recent war, monuments must be erected to speak for the dead of the South to generations to come.

 

"We wish to hand down to our posterity a feeling of reverence for their heroic forefathers, who risked their lives and lost fortunes for their country."

 

David A. Adcock is a wonderful example of passing the past down to his nephew and especially their family's part in it.

 

A. J. Clark
[Allen James Clark]
Co. E, 35th Miss.
Regt.
Born in Ala.
1818
Died at Siege
of Vicksburg
May 21, 1863
 

“... today, we refuse to leave you to become nothing more than a fading memory, a memory wraith who fades like a morning mist after a sunrise. 
No, in honor of all your children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and all your descendants: today, on this 153rd anniversary of your death on this very battlefield, I remember your life, your service to your country, and your ultimate sacrifice upon the field of honor.”

-- David A. Adcock

David A. Adcock and his nephew Peyton Boutte are both descendants of Pvt. Allen James Clark, interred in Soldiers' Rest. See his compiled service record at
https://www.fold3.com/image/20/185385753/

They visited the trenches of the 35th Miss. Reg. on May 21, 2016, where, exactly 153 years earlier Pvt. Clark died from wounds received at the siege of Vicksburg.

They were accompanied by Eddy Cresap, Joel T. Bailey, and James Earl (Sam) Price of J. C. Pemberton Camp 1354.

Mr. Adcock is a Baptist minister and a retired university professor in the field of philosophy. (His Ph.D. work was in Continental philosophy from Rice University and Cambridge.)

He talked about the old grave marker for Pvt. Clark. Mr. Adcock suggests that a family member could have installed the stone, perhaps even his son Erasmus David Harrison Clark, who fought in the same regiment with A. J. Clark at Vicksburg. The marker is in the midst of other old stones that appear to be set at about the same time.

Peyton and his uncle had a special observance for this day, one that mixes a family reunion with a memorial service.

Very special letters were read. They follow below.


To Private Allen James Clark, Mississippi 35th Infantry Regiment, C. S. A.

Dear Grandfather,

My name is David Adcock. I am your gr-gr-grandson.

Grandfather, I am the son of Lloyd Ferril Adcock, who was born in Neshoba County, Mississippi on December 23, 1915, not too far from where you lived many, many years ago.  Lloyd’s mom, my grandmother, was Daisy Melissa Strickland-Adcock.  Daisy was your granddaughter.  She, too, was born in Neshoba County, and there she is buried next to her husband, whose dad fought at Vicksburg with you. 

You never knew Daisy.  She was born long after Vicksburg, long after you passed, from this world.  But you would be proud of Daisy.  Daisy was the oldest daughter of your daughter Allie Clark, and she was a fine, upstanding Christian woman whose faith and faithfulness inspired all who knew her.  I don’t know much about your daughter Allie, but if Daisy is any indication, she, too, was a remarkable woman.

I am saddened by the thought that you hardly knew your daughter Allie.  Allie was only two years old when you faced the fiercest fight of your life along the Confederate lines at Vicksburg.  And when you didn’t return home, she grew up knowing only a faint memory of you. 

But today, we refuse to leave you to become nothing more than a fading memory, a memory wraith who fades like a morning mist after a sunrise.  No, in honor of all your children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and all your descendants: today, on this 153rd anniversary of your death on this very battlefield, I remember your life, your service to your country, and your ultimate sacrifice upon the field of honor.  

You haven’t been forgotten grandfather …. nor your children nor their children. I and others will continue to remember your life and your sacrifice. And as your great-great-great-granddaughter Ann says, “One day we will all meet in the Glory land”.  We look forward to that day.

Here I recite MY Ancestral Line from Private Allen James Clark to ME:

0.     Private Allen J. Clark, 35th Mississippi Infantry Regiment, C.S.A. (Moore’s Brigade)  

Born in Alabama around 1818

Died on the field of battle at Vicksburg on May 21, 1863

1.     Allie Clark-Strickland                                 DAUGHTER of A. J. Clark

Born (Neshoba County, MS) 1861 – Died (Neshoba County, MS) 1945

2.     Daisy Melissa Strickland-Adcock           GRANDDAUGHTER of A. J. Clark

Born (Neshoba County, MS) 1883 – Died (Neshoba County, MS) 1959

3.     Lloyd Ferril Adcock                                                GREAT GRANDSON of A. J. Clark

Born December 23, 1915 in Neshoba County, Mississippi

Died January 27, 1992 in St. Martin Parish, Louisiana

4.     David Alan Adcock                                     GREAT GREAT GRANDSON of A. J. Clark

Born (Iberia Parish, LA) March 25, 1961

5.     Alyssa Miel Adcock-Besly                         GR GR GR GRANDDAUGHTER of A.J. Clark

Born in Houston, Texas - March 12, 1993

 


Grandfather,

My name is Phylis Ann (Rowden) Bailey and I am your gr-gr-gr-granddaughter.

I am the granddaughter of Ruby who was the daughter of Vera (Clark) Oliver who was the daughter of your son Erasmus David Harrison Clark, who so valiantly fought with you at the battle of Vicksburg. Erasmus lived to the age of 77 and had many descendants of which I am one.

I never knew your son, Grandfather Erasmus David Harrison,  as he died in Searcy, Arkansas before I was born. I only remember going to your gr-granddaughter, my Grandma Vera Clark Olivers home as a small girl. I remember walking up steps to a door with my father Ervin, your gr-gr-grandson. There was a large man with silver hair and glasses sitting in a chair greeting folks as they came through the door. I remember mostly the sad look on my Gr-grandfather Earl Oliver’s face as he had lost his beloved Vera, your gr-granddaughter and the daughter of your son Erasmus.  It is a memory which has stayed with me all these years.

 I do remember my Grandma Ruby Mae (Oliver) Rowden, your gr-granddaughter and daughter of Vera and Earl, who was born in 1902 in Gum Springs, Arkansas. We would visit Grandma and Grandpa Ruby and Rolla every summer. You see, my father and your gr-grandson, Ervin Rowden moved Momma, myself, brother Bob and sister Linda to Peoria, IL when I was about 4 years old. Brother Don and sister Diana came along a few years later.

Grandma Ruby was a small woman but she worked hard on that farm that her and Grandpa Rolla built. She used to take us kids to help in the garden, pick blackberries, churn the butter and fish. Yes, that’s right .. Grandma Ruby loved to fish. She lived to be 86 years old.

Ervin Earl, your gr-gr grandson passed in 1999. Dad was quite the musician. He self- taught with the guitar and harmonica and it was he that stirred my passion for finding and documenting our beloved ancestors. Dad had so much pride when it came to his roots. Unfortunately I didn’t find out that you were Erasmus’s father until after Dad passed. You would be proud to know that your gr-gr grandson served in the US Army in World WarII. He was stationed in the Aleutian Islands in a state which is called Hawaii.  Sadly grandfather there has been many Wars since you left us to join your Heavenly Father.

I am happy Grandfather with a wonderful husband named Rondal.  Your gr-gr-gr-gr grandsons, Todd, Christopher and Demetrius all served their country. Todd served in the Navy, Chris in the Marines and Demetrius in the Army. Proud of those boys!!

I am not able to be here in person today but I am here in spirit to honor you and your sacrifice.

You haven’t been forgotten grandfather …. nor your children nor their children. I and others will continue to piece your story together and add your many descendants to the Clark family tree. One day we will all meet in the Glory land.

My Ancestral Line from Private Allen James Clark to ME:

0.     Private Allen J. Clark, 35th Mississippi Infantry Regiment, C.S.A. (Moore’s Brigade)  

Born in Alabama in 1819

Died on the field of battle at Vicksburg on May 21, 1863

1.     Erasmus David Harrison Clark                            SON of A. J. Clark

Born (Neshoba County, MS) 1847 – Died ( White County, AR) 1924

2.     Vera Clark Oliver                                              GRANDDAUGHTER of A. J. Clark

Born (Phillips Co, AR) 1879 – Died (Searcy, AR) 1958

3.     Ruby Mae Oliver Rowden              GR GR GRANDDAUGHTER  of A. J. Clark

Born May 24, 1902 in White County, Arkansas

Died June 3, 1988 in White County, Arkansas

 

      4.  Ervin Earl Rowden              GR GR GRANDSON of A. J. Clark

Born (Gum Springs, AR) May 24, 1920

Died (Bowling Green, KY) Oct 6 1999

 

      5.  Phylis Ann Rowden Bailey            GR GR GR GRANDDAUGHTER of A.J. Clark

Born in Searcy, AR – April 10, 1949

We are bound to you, though we cannot

look  into your eyes or hear your voice.

We honor your history. We cherish your life.

We will tell your story. We will remember you.

Your granddaughter Ann,

Saturday May 21, 2016

 


 

PEYTON BOUTTE

Here I recite MY ANCESTOR Private A. J. Clark’s Family Line Down to ME:

0.     Private Allen J. Clark, 35th Mississippi Infantry Regiment, C.S.A. 

Died on the field of battle at Vicksburg on May 21, 1863

1.     Allie Clark-Strickland                                 DAUGHTER of A.J. Clark

2.     Daisy Melissa Strickland-Adcock           GRANDDAUGHTER of A.J. Clark

3.     Lloyd F. Adcock                                          GREAT GRANDSON of A.J. Clark

(My great grandfather)

4.     Barbara Jean Adcock-Boutte                  GR GR GRANDDAUGHTER of A.J. Clark

(My grandmother)

5.     Duane Carey Boutte                                  GR GR GR GRANDSON of A.J. Clark

(My dad)

6.     PEYTON BOUTTE                                        GR GR GR GR GRANDSON of A.J. Clark

Born in Louisiana on November 8, 2005

And here I am today, May 21, 2016, to honor my Gr-Gr-Gr-Gr Grandfather who was mortally wounded on May 19, 1863, and died here at this spot on May 21, 1863.  May you rest in peace.
 

 

 

Mississippi’s 35th Infantry Regiment, Confederate States of America, 1862-1865

 
 
STORY
 

Mississippi’s 35th infantry regiment “was organized at West Point [Mississippi] March, 1862.”[1]  The Regiment was divided into ten (10) companies.  Colonel William S. Barry commanded the regiment.  Lieutenant Colonels Charles R. Jordan and Reuben H. Shotwell served under Colonel Barry, with Majors Thomas F. Holmes and Oliver C. Watson rounding out the primary officers of the regiment.  G. W. Dillard served as the regiment’s Adjutant.

Privates Allen J. Clark and his son Erasmus David Harrison Clark of Neshoba County were assigned to Company E of the 35th infantry regiment of Mississippi.  Company E was recruited out of Neshoba County and assigned to the regiment on March 6, 1862.  Company E was also known as the Neshoba Dixies.  The 35th Mississippi Infantry Regiment was assigned to General John C. Moore’s Brigade.  [Note: It is under the subject “Moore’s Brigade” that most of the history of the 35th MS Infantry Regiment can be gleaned.]

Prior to Vicksburg, the 35th Mississippi infantry regiment participated in a defensive assignment at Guntown, Mississippi, a skirmish with Union soldiers near Burnsville, and a major battle at Corinth, Mississippi in early October 1862, in which the 35th, serving as the Confederate advance guard, received many casualities (see map of “battle of Davis Bridge”; link listed above). 

Both A. J. Clark and his son Erasmus David Harrison Clark were captured at Corinth in early October, 1862, and paroled shortly afterward.  As expected, they returned to their regiment and rejoined the fight.

As stated earlier, at the battle of Corinth (October 3-5, 1862), the 35th Mississippi, as part of Moore’s brigade, served as the advance guard of the attacking Confederate forces.  [This is sometimes called the Battle of Davis Bridge or the 2nd Battle of Corinth.]  According to General Moore’s account, heavy fighting was involved.  At one point, General Moore exclaimed that they had received “the severest fire I ever imagined possible.” 

The brigade briefly took the town of Corinth, fighting house to house to drive out the Union forces.  However, the victory was short lived and soon Moore’s brigade was overwhelmed.  By the end of the battle, at least 32 were dead, 110 were wounded and 347 soldiers were missing, most of which were captured.  From Civil War service records, we know that A. J. and Erasmus Clark were among those captured.  [General Moore, unaware that most of his forces had been captured, complained that many of his troops abandoned their duties after the battle and returned home (Rowland & Howell, 314).  Moore noted, however, that the 35th regiment’s commander, Col. William S. Barry, served honorably, negotiating a flag of truce with Union forces so he could bury his dead.  Moore reported: “He is a gallant and efficient officer, of whom his State may well be proud.”]    

The Second Battle of Corinth was the first major test of Mississippi’s 35th Infantry Regiment, but it was not the last.  After the battle of Corinth, Moore’s brigade regrouped and marched toward Vicksburg.  The 35th Mississippi engaged in battle again in late November and early December, 1862, as Union General Ulysses S. Grant attempted to advance on the central railroad toward Vicksburg.  The 35th endured several more casualties, and Grant eventually succeeded in destroying the railroad, a key supply route for Vicksburg. 

By January 2, 1863, Moore’s brigade, including the Mississippi 35th, had suffered significant losses. But the brigade continued to fight on, including A. J. Clark and his son.

On January 2, 1863, the 35th Mississippi, along with the rest of Moore’s brigade, was ordered to reinforce confederate troops who were defending Blake’s levee just north of Vicksburg.  It seems that Moore’s brigade remained there until March 12th, when they were ordered to Snyder’s Bluff to board boats headed toward Yazoo City.  Actually, they were bound for the hastily constructed “Fort Pemberton” near Greenwood, Mississippi, south of Yazoo City.  Fort Pemberton was at a strategic place on the river and could only be accessed by boat.  The first attack on Fort Pemberton had occurred on March 11th, with two Union Ironclads bombarding the tiny defensive position, hastily constructed of cotton bales and other materials at hand.  But the Fort held and Grant’s Union forces were forced to withdraw.  Moore’s brigade and the 35th Mississippi were sent as reinforcements the following day.  While all reinforcements finally arrived on March 20th, “infantry operations were limited” due to the flooding of the river.  Nonetheless, the fort was well reinforced. 

The 35th Mississippi Regiment served at Fort Pemberton near Greenwood during the remainder of March and into April 1863, “holding in check the [Union] expedition down Yazoo Pass, then navigable on account of high water from the Mississippi” (Rowland & Howell, p. 315).  This was a critical position, although the regiment saw little action here, despite the fact that in early April Union forces began construction of a battery nearby. 

It is possible that A. J. Clark and his son were among those soldiers assigned to harass the Union engineers trying to construct that battery, since “sharpshooters were sent to annoy the workmen.”  However, as Rowland & Howell write, “The fighting was mainly between the land batteries and gunboats” (315).  Nonetheless, it is important to note that if Grant had succeeded in taking Fort Pemberton, Vicksburg would have fallen before the battle had begun!  Finally, on April 4th, confederate infantry forces at Fort Pemberton attacked the Union forces attempting to construct the battery and forced the Union to withdraw from the area.  The fort was never taken.

Eventually, Moore’s brigade was ordered back to Vicksburg to help with defenses.  The Mississippi 35th was assigned to an area just south of the Great Redoubt, where they dug trenches and erected a barricade as well as parapets for defense.  It is here that A. J. Clark spent his last days, perhaps anxiously awaiting the day the Union would attack.

Union forces arrived at Vicksburg on May 18, 1863.  By this point, Pemberton had lost the bulk of his army, many of which were killed at Champion Hill and Big Black River Bridge just a few days earlier.  Pemberton had roughly 30,000 troops to defend a perimeter over 6 miles long outside of the town of Vicksburg.  Grant had over 77,000 Union troops surrounding the city.  Late in the evening of May 18th, just before midnight, Grant ordered his artillery to open fire on the Confederate lines.  On May 19th, Grant ordered a massive assault against the Confederate lines. The Union assault on Moore’s brigade was furious, with constant artillery shelling and enemy fire upon the Confederate parapets.  It was here, during the May 19th assault on Confederate lines that Allen J. Clark was mortally wounded.  Eventually, the bombardment ceases early on the morning of May 21st.  But it was too late for A. J. Clark.  He died of his wounds on May 21st, 1863, still in the Confederate trenches just south of the Great Redoubt.

It is said that the shelling and Union gunfire upon the Confederate lines was so fierce that over 2,000 artillery shells from those few days were found in the area of Moore’s Brigade alone.  General Moore report of the event to General Pemberton on May 21st read as follows:    

SIR: I have the honor to report the following casualties in my command during the day: Killed, 6; wounded, 12.  

I had four guns disabled by the enemy's artillery, viz: One 18-pounder; one James, rifled; one Napoleon, 12-pounder, and one Parrott, 10-pounder. I hope to be able to have the two first mentioned and, perhaps, the Napoleon gun in working order by to-morrow morning. 

The enemy's fire has been exceedingly galling during the day; in some instances their shots passed entirely through the parapets, killing and wounding men on the inside. They have been able to concentrate the fire of three batteries, at widely distant points, on the same work. One of the most important works on my line has been without a gun in working condition since about 10.30 a.m. 

The enemy has indicated no design of assaulting in my front during the day. Yesterday troops were massed and moved forward a short distance, but seemed deterred by a few well-directed shots. I fear the move has been deferred indefinitely.

Very respectfully, 
JNO. C. MOORE, 
Brigadier-General.

As stated above, Private Allen Clark was among the six soldiers killed during that first Union assault at Vicksburg.  According to his Civil War service records, A. J. Clark was mortally wounded on May 19th and died in the trenches two days later on May 21st.  A. J. Clark’s son, Erasmus David Harrison Clark, was also wounded.  He survived the war and died in 1924. 

As a final note, the first captain of the 35th’s Company E, Captain H. M. Walsh, was also killed at Vicksburg.  He died on June 4, 1863.  Walsh was A. J. Clark’s primary commander.

So ends the brief history of Allen J. Clark’s involvement with Mississippi’s 35th Infantry Regiment, C. S. A.


 

[1] Dunbar Rowland, with supplemental information by H. Grady Howell, Jr.  Military History of Mississippi 1803-1898 (Madison, Mississippi:  Chickasaw Bayou Press, 2003), p. 313.

 

Sources:

1.     Dunbar Rowland, with supplemental information by H. Grady Howell, Jr.  Military History of Mississippi 1803-1898 Including a Listing of All Known Mississippi Confederate Military Units (Madison, Mississippi:  Chickasaw Bayou Press, 2003).

2.     http://www.civilwar.org,  especially their "Battlefields" section, for the Battle of Corinth, MS, Second Battle of Corinth with map, the Battle of Iuka with map, and the Battle of Davis' Bridge with map.

 


   

 

A. J. Clark was in 35 Miss. Inf., Co. E. He entered as a
Private and left as a Private.

 

Images from
https://www.fold3.com/image/20/185385753/

 

A. J. Clark became a 2nd Corporal on
6 Jan 1863.

 

A. J. Clark was a 2nd Corporal from Jan 6 1863 until
1 May 1863 when he was again a Private.

 

 

 

Son of A. J. Clark

This is the folder cover for the record cards of
Erasmus David Harrison Clark, son of A. J. Clark.

See his record at

https://www.fold3.com/image/271/185385753

His parole paper is also there.

   

List of Soldiers of the 35th Mississippi Infantry Regiment Killed in Vicksburg Campaign 1862-1863
(A 3-page pdf file with soldiers listed by name, by company, and by date of death.)

 

 
 
 
 

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