CSA BG Charles Clark and BG J.B. Clark, Jr.
Posted: Tue Feb 27, 2007 8:47 pm
Brigadier General Charles Clark, CSA. (b. 1810, d. 1877) Charles Clark was born in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1810. He moved to Natchez in 1831 and became involved in Mississippi state politics through a friendship with General Thomas Hinds, a veteran of the War of 1812, who was one of the most influential men in south Mississippi. Clark volunteered for service during the Mexican War, and helped organize the Thomas Hinds Guards; by the end of the war he was colonel of the 2nd Mississippi Regiment of Volunteers. Clark was in favor of immediate secession, and had been an advocate of secession since switching from Whig to Democrat in the late fifties. Following secession Mississippi made Clark a brigadier-general, then promoted him to Major General of state troops. Clark entered Confederate service as a brigadier, and was wounded leading a division in Polk’s corps at Shiloh. Clark recovered in time to lead a division in Breckenridge’s attack on Baton Rouge in August 1862. During the battle Clark was severely wounded, when a ball passed through his right thigh and shattered the bone. The severely wounded became prisoners when the army retreated, Clark's wound was thought to be mortal. He was taken to New Orleans for treatment, and his wife nursed him back to health, though he was never able to walk without crutches and left military service and captivity. In 1862 he was elected governor of Mississippi, and was reelected in 1864. Following the war Clark was briefly held prisoner at Fort Pulaski. Following his release he was invited to address the state legislature, he declined as he was "still a prisoner of State and on parole." Despite his injuries Clark served as a circuit judge until his death, he was able to ride so long as he was assisted in mounting and dismounting. After a lingering illness, Clark died of pneumonia on 18 December 1877 and was buried in the Doro Plantation Cemetery.
Brigadier General John Bullock Clark, Jr., CSA. (b. 1831, d. 1903) Clark was born in Fayette, Missouri. He attended the University of Missouri then went to California during the gold rush. Failing to make his fortune, Clark went east and graduated from Harvard Law School in 1854. He then practiced law in Fayette until the outbreak of the Civil War. Clark was commissioned a lieutenant in the 6th Missouri Infantry Regiment, and rose quickly to the rank of major. He saw action in some of the earliest battles of the war, including at Carthage, Springfield, and Wilson’s Creek where he was wounded. Clark commanded the 3rd Division of the Missouri State Guard as a colonel at the Battle of Pea Ridge. He earned was promoted to brigadier general on March 6, 1864 for gallantry at Mansfield, Louisiana. Clark then was transferred to cavalry and spent the remainder of the war in command of Marmaduke's brigade. Following the war he was elected five times to the U.S. House of Representatives (1873-83) and afterward served for six years as Clerk of the House of Representatives (1883-89). His health failed in his final years; he suffered paralysis for a full year prior to his death on 7 September 1903. He was buried in Rock Creek Cemetery in Washington D.C.
Brigadier General John Bullock Clark, Jr., CSA. (b. 1831, d. 1903) Clark was born in Fayette, Missouri. He attended the University of Missouri then went to California during the gold rush. Failing to make his fortune, Clark went east and graduated from Harvard Law School in 1854. He then practiced law in Fayette until the outbreak of the Civil War. Clark was commissioned a lieutenant in the 6th Missouri Infantry Regiment, and rose quickly to the rank of major. He saw action in some of the earliest battles of the war, including at Carthage, Springfield, and Wilson’s Creek where he was wounded. Clark commanded the 3rd Division of the Missouri State Guard as a colonel at the Battle of Pea Ridge. He earned was promoted to brigadier general on March 6, 1864 for gallantry at Mansfield, Louisiana. Clark then was transferred to cavalry and spent the remainder of the war in command of Marmaduke's brigade. Following the war he was elected five times to the U.S. House of Representatives (1873-83) and afterward served for six years as Clerk of the House of Representatives (1883-89). His health failed in his final years; he suffered paralysis for a full year prior to his death on 7 September 1903. He was buried in Rock Creek Cemetery in Washington D.C.