Lot 153
CIVIL WAR DIARY OF PVT. JAMES CLARK
The 1864 diary of Pvt. James H. Clark of Co. E in the 39th Illinois Volunteers. Clark enlisted in December 1863 and served until he was killed near Deep Bottom Run, Virginia in August 1864. The diary reads, in small part: "[Feb. 11, 1864] Camp Butler Albert Perkins Dead this Morning about 9 O'clock I write a letter to his Mother also one to Nellie as man found dead in Bunk Barrack... [Mar. 20] Washington This morning I visited the Capitol of our Nation Splendid site [sic]... [Mar 21] Camp Va. this morning ever thin is in an uproar none of us know what we were going to do nor where to commence [?]... [Mar. 31] Camp Grant...we got our guns to day... [Apr. 8] Camp Grant the booming of Cannon was hurd [sic] this morning about 3 A. M.... [Apr. 24] Camp Grant...We have got Marching orders. [Apr. 25] Camp Grant Rainy this morning struck tents and marched 9 A. M. Alexandria 12 N[oon] at Soldiers Rest - took transport about 3 PM for Fortress Monroe Passed Fort Washington about 4:30 and Mt. Vernon soon after... [Apr. 26] Chesapeak[e] Bay... Arrived off Fort Monroe 10 A.M. Started again arrived off Yorktown 4 P. M. Walked 1 1/2 miles North West and Camped. [Apr. 27] Glouster [sic] Point... Thing[s] have been in an uproar all day and we did not know what to do...[Apr. 30]... 10 A.M. Grand Review of 6 hours Colonel Osborn came to Camp & By Brigadear [sic] General Foster & Major Gen B. Butler... [May 7] Ft Darling We was Called up at 3 A.M. to be Ready for an attack but there was none. Then we came out in line to hold Rifle Pit. Semmons[?] brig[ade] about 2 miles away about 300 killed and Wounded...[May 9] Chesterfield Chester Co. Va... we fell in line and marched to the front a few shots exhange[d] amongst the Scermeshers [sic]. We are Skermishing [sic] out in front but saw Nothing to shoot at - Took possession of a plantation too all his pigs & poultry &. [May10] Chesterfield, Va., We are supporting a Battery to day There has been quite a sckermish [sic] this forenoon. our Artillery Played on them considerable we know not the result yet. Evening we fell back to the rear of our Breastworks... [May 14] Chesterville, Va. Left for the Front with two days rations. Our Cl. O Osborn Major Leinton[?] wounded. Carr & Benton killed A Rogers Wounded by shell. Several others Killed & wounded. [May 15] Battle Filed The 39th throwed [sic] up Breast Works under fire all day of the Rebbles [sic] Finished our Breast works when the Moon wend down about two O'clock. [May 16] Battle Field The Enimy [sic] opened a brisk fire on us this morning... the 39th held their Position until they were Flanked Several of our men Wounded & some Mission... [May 18] Brest Works ...laid with our Arms on all day... skirmishing in front. The gun Boats Plaid [sic] on the Enimy [sic] Part of the day...[May 20] Breast Works... 2 P.M. started for the front with our Brigade (Howel Commanding) Drove the Enimy [sic] took some Prisoners a major General Walker...[May 22] At the Parripets [sic] The Rebs maid [sic] a dash on our pickets... but wher[e] repulsed after a heavy cannonade they displayed a flag of Truce at their paripets[sic] to day for some rason... [May 23 head Quart[ers] I was put under arrest last [nigh?] for smashing a cap on my gun by order of Gen. Terry the 39 is out on Picket...[May 31] Head [Quarters] ... Fighting towards Richmond and on the left. The Rebs opened on us about 2:30 P.M. They kept it up about an hour...[June 1]... Rebs opened on us about 2.30 this Morning shelled us about an hour...[June 2] Bermuda Hundred Va. They commenced to shell us last night about 10.30 P M And this morning at 6 A M they charged on our Piekcts [sic] and Drove them some distance. they gave us another Sheling at noon...[June 3]...Our Regiment lost 27 men yesterday...[June 9]... Gen. Gilmore made a raid towards [sic] Petersburg Distroyed [sic] the R. Road Bridge across Appomattox tore up some tracks... [June 16]...this morning Rebs left their Parapets I guess to draw our men in ambush our men went out had heavy sckirmishing took lots of Prisoners...[June 17] ...The 39 went on Picket a again last night - after dark The Rebs formed in two lines our Pickets drove them in their works again...[June 22] Turkey Bend Va. .. a Reble [sic] Scouting Party came out to attack us got repulsed. The Gunboats shelled the Woods... [July 4] Pikcet line...4 of July National Salute Fired at 12 N[oon] 34 Guns... [Aug. 13] Camp... Got Orders to be ready to march at Sundwon [Aug. 14] Deep Bottom, Va. Took up the line of [march] at 11 P.M. Marched round by Yorker Bend [?] Crossed Poontoon [Bridge] ... Attacked the enimy [sic] at Sunrise The 39 went to the Front I was rear guard. [Aug. 16] The 39 was relieved 1 PM last night and went down the River about half mile. advanced North about 3 or 4 miles Supported a battery 30 or 40 of the 39 Killed. [Aug. 16-17?] Deep Bottom... formed in close column and charged on the enemy's [sic] works took them with heavy loss and took about 300 prisoners and three horses drove back throwed up work[s] formed in line of battle and lay in the pits... sent a flag of truce to bury our dead there was 64 brought into our lines James Clark buddy was not recovered as the rebels had commenced to bury them when the truce went out. [Aug. 18] Lay in the works all day, had a h a heavy rain the rebels made an assault on our works and were repulsed and drove back to their works. [?] in our lines after night-fall/ [Aug. 19] Four miles north of deep Bottom lay on our arms at night on the Charles City road and preparing to fortify Major Linton returns to make the regt. a visit." From that point on, the diary is blank. Although official records indicate Clark was killed on the 16th of August, this diary would suggest it could have occurred as late as the 19th. However, Clark seems to run the last four dates together so it is unclear, but the diary does place the last entry north of Deep Bottom. A superb diary with a good deal of battle content, offered with carte-de-visite photograph of Clark and his wife. Binding and many pages loose, front board of diary detached, else very good condition.
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