RHEA COUNTY, TN - MISC - Civil War Letters ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Edna Clack Woodchippy@AOL.Com ==================================================================== Civil War Letters Copyright 1997 Edna Clack The following is a series of letters and misc writings from 1835 through the civil War era. William Raleigh Clack (1839-1919) left quite a record of his existance and that of his family in things he wrote plus items he kept written by others. He was a relucant participant in the Civil War. Before the war, he was very prolific and wrote many, many poetic articles. During the war, he kept a journal (in two parts) and wrote letters home. After the war and for about 30 years thereafter, it is difficult to find much that he recorded of a personal nature. In these pages, you will see the many sides of a young man and catch a glimpse of the 'maturing' effects of the War. The speech that he wrote condeming the very idea of splitting the Union is long and windy. If one struggles through it and considers the year and the age of the writer, it will reveal the torment of one soul who later joined the CSA. He served 15 months. After Vicksburg and that ordeal, he never returned to duty. As the family says about him, once he gave his oath at Vicksburg, he kept it. To those who knew him, that seemed to be his creddo - If you give your word, you keep it. Although torn about the circumstances, he later wore with pride, his Cross of Honor bestowed upon him by the UDC. This next letter is the only proof that I have ever seen concerning the parents of Anna Rogers. There is much controversary concerning the Blair family and who belonged to whom. Hope this settles this question about my grandmother back there. Letter provided by Margaret Webb. Letter from John Blair to Wesley Kenney East Tennessee, Blount County December 6, 1835 Dear Nephew, It is with feelings of gratitude that I embrace the present opportunity of writing in answer to your letter just received, dated 6 Oct. 1835, and I am thankful to hear of the state of health that you enjoy, but the most soul cheering intelligence is to hear that the most of you are living within the pales of the same Church of which I have long been a member and I trust in the manner of which you have wrote that you esteem it (the Christian Church) more than silver or gold and I am still more gratified to hear that you have in your juvenile years embarked in the glorious enterprise of preaching the gospel of the Redeemer and of collecting into one fold many of the ruined sons and daughters of Adam, and I would just enforce there the injunction of David to his son, :Thou, Solomon, my son, know the God of they Father and serve Him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind, etc. and you shall be as the light of the morning when the Sun riseth, even a morning without clouds." Although the summit of the Allegany separate between us and has for almost a half a century, yet that kind hand which made us and has cast our lots in different parts of the world. I am certain if we are faithful we will soon surround the Table of our Heavenly Father, and part no more. I will now give you a brief history of some other particulars. Myself and wife, for our age enjoy reasonable health, our children are all in health so far as my knowledge extends, three of which live 60 or 70 miles from me, they all belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church with their companions. one other married that lives some 2 or 5 miles which also belong to our church. We had eight children all of which we suppose are yet living. Their names are: William, Mary White, John, Elizabeth Pence, George, Susan, Samuel, Rebecca the youngest aged nine years. We all belong to the Methodist church except George and the two youngest. I will now inform you of the rest of the relatives in the Country. Brother William has been dead four years against the 5th day of September next, I believe (d. Sept. 5, 1831). We lived neighbors together and he went about 70 miles to see his daughter that lay sick; he started home and came within 30 miles of home. I visited him during his illness, he appeared to be much resigned to his approaching dissolution and I believe is this day in Abraham's bosom. He had for many years been an orderly member of the Baptist Church and Deacon of the same. His widow is yet living and lives quiet, quite a solitary life. Her children, only three in number, have all married and left her and she lives alone. I would just mention the death of Brother William's daughter that he went to see which took place 3 or 4 days before his death. Sister Anna is left a widow. She lives in Ray County, East Tennessee. She married James Rogers. Brother Thomas is living in Monroe County, near Madisonville, the county seat. He belongs to the Baptist Church. They were all well the last account. Brother Samuel lives adjoining me and is yet in his sins and blood, though he and his family enjoy good health. Sister Sarah married to Charles Lockard, lives in the State of Alabama. Sister Margaret was married to Jesse Ray, lives in Monroe County, East Tennessee. All are well. Brother Joseph lives in Middle Tennessee, Giles County though I have not seen him for eighteen years. The last acct. he was well. He and his wife, I heard belong to the M.E. Church. We appear to be scattered over a great part of the world, some in the south, some in the north and perhaps shall never meet till at the bar of God, but my hope is that we shall have a peaceable inheritance when sorrow and sighing shall flee away. You wish to know the state of religion in this Country. Religion here appears at the present to be at quite a low ebb, but it has flourished here like the palm tree and I think is progressing in the Country and though strange to tell, these mountains and valley that ever resounded with savage yells of cruelty have become peaceable and pleasant. We have camp meetings here annually; quarterly meetings, circuit preaching all through this country and although we have Winters yet thank Heaven we have Spring and Summer. I am truly grateful that your youthful news has reached us in this obscure part of the World and I trust that the Missionary spirit that you have exhibited to me will remain more permanent and lasting than monuments of Brass or Pillars of Marble, yes lasting as Eternity. Permit me here to render my kindest thanks for the interesting letter that you have addressed your aged Uncle and I trust that according to your promise you will continue this act of kindness to me until time with me shall be no more. I would be glad to see my friends in that Country and if age and circumstance would permit I would try to come and see you all. Souls in Tennessee are as precious as those in Pennsylvania and as a minister is scarcely ever going out of his way, I trust you will at least pay a visit at some period. North Georgia, South Alabama, Western Carolina and the southern part of Tennessee abound with the wandering sons of Ham. Our conference have sent Missionaries among them, which are bringing them into the fold of Christ by scores and by hundreds. There were last year several recommendations from the Cherokee Nation of this tribe to the Holston Conference, as proper persons for the Itineracy and some of our preachers sent to them with proper interpreters which has been useful to these people. Please write to me as often as you can. Give my respects to enquiring friends in that Country and accept for yourself the well wishes of a friend and Brother in the Church. John Blair Bro. Wesley Kenney Brother Benjamin Kenney and wife a word to you and I have done. I remember you both well though but a boy when I left that Country. Your feature is fresh in my mind, especially Benjamin. I have no expectations of seeing you in this world yet I think I will recognize you in the bright world of Glory. Be diligent that you may be fond of him in peace and without spot and blameless and may the great Head of the Church lead you on to Victory and Crown you in his Kingdom. I remain your brother in the Kingdom and patience of Christ. John & Elizabeth Blair Benjamin & Elizabeth Kenney *** Transcribed from the original by Edna Clack. Typed as it was, not cleaned up or changed. (Independently proofed by Carol Moyers). The following is a letter from Nathaniel and Margaret Wollard of Buffalo, Missouri, to Asa and Elizabeth Newport of Rhea County, TN., dated August 1, 1850. NOTE: MARGARET (ABEL) WOLLARD WAS THE WIDOW OF CALVIN NEWPORT WHEN SHE MARRIED NATHANIEL WOLLARD - (EC, 1987) State of Missouri, Dalles Co. August the 1 day 1850 This is to drop you a few more lines in life an to inform you dear brothers and sisters in the Lord that we are all in good health at this time for which we think we are thankfull to the giver of all good and perfect gifts for his mercy towards us and would be glad for these lines to find you'ns all in the same state. Your brothers children is all with me yet 4 of them is grown. Richard will leave me in a few days, he's married to a daughter of mine that was a young widow that has no children. David is near 6 feet high I've had the despepsey for 18 years and this last winter there came a Baptist preacher to my house and told me of a medicine that has cured ..... and my waigh has rise from 175 to 200 and ..... olde woman waigh is the same. We hante rec'd a letter from you in a long time and I would be glad to hear from you all offner altho I never say you ..... as David sade to his brether is there not a caus ..... think ther is for the Lord is Love and he makes it ..... one to his pepel by the seete visitation of his divine speret or elce I'm a deceve creture there for ..... take his commande to love one another I'll now giv you the sines of the times here We had a moderate winter after having a wet summer which made crops light, we had awet cule spring and grass was late a coming and it tuck a great deal of feed for stock and corn is scarce at 50 per bushel but the Lord has blessed us with good wheat crops that is worth 50 cents cash baken 4 cents fat calves from 8 to 10 dollars work cattle from 30 to 50 common farm horses from $30 to 50 mules from 50 to 100 dny goods low shugar 10 cents coffee 7 pounds to the dollar. I'm trying to raise a few mules and cattle. I have males and females for both. I have a good crop of corn at this time but we are needing rain bad in many places Worse than I am and I hante had any for 18 days. We have fruit in a bundence where there is orchards and a good deal of maste as yet on the trees. We are clear of the trouble in the Church that I had The members all stood with me but 2 and we hope that the Lord stood with us and has made it minifeste as he did with the children of Isreal.We found that nothing would do this Jones the preacher with 6 more with him except my life from the church and I asked the church to give me up to them and the answer was Brother Wollard if you die we die with you and the church declared on an fellowship with the association and we stood as lost sheep in the wilderness til the Lords time as we believe that Isaac shood be bornde as it ware and we hope that he has sent his Moses as it was and has led us out. There is anew association constituted on the same articlers of yourn as we had of yourn and we joined it as you will see by this minet and I'm bound to believe that the lord was the moderator of us. Many men and women was melted down with ters in seeing the love that a bounded among the members every effort that was made was as the voise of one man there is 5 preachers and a pece of a one in the littel asoation and I hope he is as the lord wood have him if he is one at all that is myself we desier the prear of god children that we may be fould with a weding garment on when the lord of the marege coms in 2 of our preachers is brothers in flesh and I think tha are the ables I ever hearde speeke of the Baptise conection there names is John and Wm Hatfilde we get the next asoation as you will see in the minet there has 4 joined our church latley and we expect about 7 more in a shorte time and Richard Newporte one of them and his wife Iv undrstude that old Richard Newporte of Ilenoys is moved in to our state and is living in about 30 miles of me and if he is I entende to see him my wife wishes this letter red to her old church to let them here from her once more in life as her love is grate towards them yeat she has had 4 children since she lived with me. 1 garle and 3 boys the garle is dead. There is a grate cry for preaching heare I hante stade at home but one sunday since April laste and my a pintement is out til October next you no I rote to you about Aarons calf he is dead in our parts one of his big speakers turned in to forger of notes on other people when tha cudente get money for preaching and there is more of them ensnared in it tue and we expect will sufer at corte nexte you will see when our next assoation will bee and we wish you to a tende it if you can as we wish to see you in our contery My wife wishes to bee remembered to Brother Selers and Green and wood be glad to see them a gane and tel them to com if tha can we wish to bee remembered to all enquering frends rite to me on the recept of this letter so nomore at this time but remane your loving Brother and cister. Nathaniel and Marget Wollard to asa and elerzibeth Newporte and family NOTES: Nathaniel Wollard (1792-1863) 1st married Margaret Hardison. One of their children, Delilah, later married Richard C. Newport. Margaret Abel Newport Wollard (1808-1893), daughter of John David Abel and Ann Harner of Roane Co., Tn. Margaret married Calvin Newport (1806- 1840) in 1828 in Tn. Margaret, Calvin and family moved to Mo. in 1837. There remains a log, or account, of their trip West and the route they took. Calvin was the brother of Asa Newport and son of Richard Newport and Hannah Hinds. Their children were: Richard C., John David, Sarah Elizabeth, Mary Jane, Phoebe Ann, and Asa Monroe C. Newport Margaret (Abel Newport) & Nathaniel Wollard's children were: Rachel Louise (see above, "the garle is dead"), Nathaniel Jackson, Silas Benton, and James Moses Robert Wollard. Nathaniel, a large landowner in Buffalo, was killed by renegades with the usual disagreements over the Civil War. I also have a letter written by one of the children who witnessed his killing, describing the terrible scene. Margaret was living with her son, AMC Newport, in the 1870 Census. This might help explain the two Wollard letters. *** Written by Asa Newport while on his way to Mo. for a visit. October 4 - 1852 State of Kentucky Christian County on the banks of a creak whare we camped on last night Some two hundred and ten miles from home and in a much of a hurry to get started yet I desire to write you a fiew lines to let you know where we are and how we are getting along to my dearly beloved wife and children I am glad to have it to say to you that we are getting along very well and is in good health and as for my part I have felt better since I left home than I had for some weaks before you must put up with a mear skeatch from me at preasant it is likely to rain to day and we want to get on our team and coriall dose tollerable well our horses sholders gaulded a little the collar on my hors was too large and hurt my horse I cut some out of the top it then hurt the top of his neck so that we putin Mr. Kings mare and she dose fine by (fineley? - EC) my horses neck is near well again we have got this fare and spent about seven dollars in all mostley for pikeages we have paid 50 cts for corn in some places and some 40 cts & 20 to 25 for fodder and oats per dozin I have seen some of the rockeyest country that I ever did see I have no doubt of seeing 20 miles of rock fence in all and a number of stone houses of the finest kind and the worst roads for rocks and that of lime stone and the worst watter though we have not suffered much yet not withstanding all that I have seen for some near one hundred miles of the best country that I ever have seen it is no strange thing to see several hundred acres of cleared land at one view and many times no doubt 20 acres in tobacco on one field I have no thought but we have seen five hundred tobacco houses as large as the largest barns sheaded all round we have passed through many beautiful towns and vilages and at one time we traviled on a paved road and in a lane for 15 or 20 miles and a considerable portion cedar rails. (Back side of letter -EC) Please tell all that may pleas to enquire that we are all well and if oppertunity serve send word up to Mr Kings folks that he is well, My dear Loving Wife and well beloved keep in good hart I hope we will Embrace each other again in time I must come to a close for time for bids I should write more what I have wrote you may see has been done in a hurry I will write again in 8 or 10 days if you have any thing of importance to write write to War Eagle Ark So no more but remains your Loving and affectionate husband untill death shall cause my blood to cease to flow and my pulse to beat fare well till I write again To Elisabeth Newport Asa Newport and Children N.B. at twelve oclock stoped feed at a good spring within 2 miles of prinston where I expect to mail this letter we are yet gettin a long lovelly we are and have been for thirty miles traviling along under and by the side of the Magnetic Telegraph wire about twenty feet over head this is a long wire we expect to cross the Ohio tomorrow if we have good luck A. N. *** Letter addressed to Mr. Wiley B. Clack, Eagle Furnace, Roan County, E. Tenn and indicated it was from Chesapeake Mo dated Nov 25 with a big 5 in the corner (Wiley also moved out there before the Civil War)(Robert and Wiley both died during Civil War) State of Missouri Lawrence County Nov, the 21st 1852 Dear Brother I this sabbath morning take my pen in hand to inform you that I am well at present hopeing that these few lines may find you in good health I would have written to you before this time had I not thought I would have got an answer to one of the three that I wrote while on the Road I would be glad to hear from you all I expect you want to know how long we was on the road and what it cost We was 43 days on the road Expence between 40 and 50 Dollars Uncle T J Kerr is at Uncle Robert Kerrs. Uncle T.J. has wrented about 18 acres of land of Rolley Kerr. He has found a piece of land he expects to settle on it lays abut 2 miles West of Uncle Roberts I was at Uncle William Kerr last sunday they were all well tho aunt Nancy is pretty much like aunt Martha I have not see a nuf of the country to say much about it yet tho I have seen a nough to know that where good land and good watter is the land is taken up and without money aman cant gitet father - if you have not sold your land I would advise you not to sell for less than $2000. believeing that you cannot better your self for less I will now give you some of the prices of produce and stock good horses is worth from 75 to 100 Dollars per head Work Cattle from 40 to 50 Dollars per yoke Milk Cows from 15 to 20 Dollars per head hogs 5 dollars per hund Corn is worth 1 Dollar per barrell Wheat 40 cts per bushel I have now given you some of the prices of stock and produce I will write more fuller after a while must bring my remarks to a close so no more at present but remain your affectionate brother un till Death (signed) Robert, K. Clack with sketch of his seal A few words of explanation. Robert Kerr Clack (1825-1861) was the son of Micajah (1799-1886) and Margaret Kerr Clack (1796-1877) of Rhea County, Tn. He married Rachel Bonham (see letter of 1869 written by Rachel & Henderson Moore). The Kerrs mentioned in this letter were the children of Robert Kerr, Jr. (1758-1819) who married Amy George (1767-1786) on 12-12-1786 in Green Co., Tn. There were four (4) Clack/Kerr marriages back there. The three listed here plus the father of these Clacks, Rawleigh Clack (1772-1842) (Grandfather of R K Clack) also married Martha Kerr, (as his 2nd wife) sister to those listed here. "Uncle T.J. Kerr" was Thomas Jefferson Kerr (1805-1888) who married Martha Clack (b.1804) "Uncle Robert" was Robert Kerr (b. 1793) who married Elizabeth Clack (1797-1891) "Rolly Kerr" was probably Raleigh Clack Kerr b 1817 ( named for above) married Polly Garret. If this is the correct Rolly, he was the son of Robert and Elizabeth Clack. "William Kerr" b. 1797 married Nancy Hubbert. Based on this letter and other documents, there must have been a large contingent of Rhea County, Tn., friends and families making this trip in 1852. Newports. Clines, Kerrs, Clacks, and others. The Clack brothers (Robert and Wiley, pronounced Wylie) left Missouri in the middle of the night pushing their belongings in a hand cart. Things were heating up just before the Civil War and Lawrence County was getting very uncomfortable for Southern sympathizers (per Tommie Clack). This is the same Robert & Rachel Clack who mailed locks of hair back to the family in Tennesse, which we still have. Letter transcribed from the original 1997 by Edna Clack. The letter is in the possession of William Baxter Clack (b.1907) of Spring City, TN. *** Transcribed from the original by Edna Clack This is typed the way I found it, not cleaned up or changed. (Independently proofed by Carol Moyers) To Elder Asa Newport, Tennessee, Eagle Furnes Off State of Missouri, Dallas Co, January the 23 day 1854. Dear Brother Asa Newport and famly this to let you heare from us once more and through the tender merces of the Lord we are all well at this time and all the conection as far as I no for I have seen them all in a few days sence and wood bee glad for this paper to rach you in the same like blesing your sone in law and famly warse well the day before yesterday I warse there he lives on my upper place and is working now with Ben Powel for his pork he has bin at work with me some he has got him no place yeat when I heard he was a coming I bought a good place which warse good land water and timber with some cabens on it and 12 acres cleared on it and about 50 more to get in which is as good a place as I live on none entered I offered it to him for his wagen and steers it coste me more then that that ther is a blope of rock abov the spring a bout 10 feete high and tha sade tha warse a frad the children wood faull off on it the land is river bottom and I dont no wher he will settel but not far from us I expect there warse a lettle talk of his taking my farme and hands and rasing a crop with me but I dont no what he will do yeat tha a per to be well satisfide hear if tha ant tha hante tolde me yeat he is getting all his corn wheat and pork for laber and keeps his money to enter land with corn and pork warse plenty pork warse only worth from 2 1/2 to 3 corn one doller wheat 60 cents but cattel is high a good cow and calf is worth $25 and all other cattel in preportion and horses and mules nerly out of reason money is plenty heare good land a selling from 6 to 10 dollars a likiy negro man is worth from 12 to 15 hundred dollars wimen 10 hundred when money is so plenty you may expect it has run away with all Jueshich Religion and has caused meney that sinned to see the coper that warse in side hid tel tha got a chance for you no that when money is plenty that kind of religion dies like far flies when day brakes but thanks bee to Lord there is a true lite donte go out by day nor nite but it a pers to be but littel trubling of the water that is no increas in the churches but generley in pece. I rode nerly all laste sumer and faul til the weather setin cold we had a butiful dry faul we have had but littel rane since september the waters is loe our mills has to grind for some 10 or 15 countyes there has bin rite smarte of sickness in this contery this winter and some 15 or 20 deths in my aquantince and a monste reste my daugher Frances departed this life on the 30 day of december she marred againe and died in child bie and we have 5 of her children to rase her babey is yet a live we donte keep it but all the reste Jane still lives at home yeat John D. Newport is doing better then I expected but no increse nor none expected Br Asa donte think that I have for got you by my not writing sooner but as we thot youse warse getting letters from the reste and rote a bout us we woulde wate for we hante forgot you as a brother in the flesh and in christe as we hope for you and our selves for your faver and languge in the gospel is yeate fresh on ower minds and may tha stanthen you in the iner man that you may continue to bee mouth in wisdom streth in weakness that you may bee able to open your mouth in wisdom and spek both the words of truth and soberness and that it my have it desired effect a mong gods pepel and o that the lord wood giv zion a traveling spirit in ower day and genration that the kingdom of christ may bee glorified on earth and in heaven is the prane of my hart and we desier the prer of the children of the lord that he may keep us from the evels of the worlde that is brod a flote in the world. Richard and Delily and Ben and Sarah is all tring to get a liven Delily cauls her 2nd boy John Allen We wish you to let as meney of the conection see this as is convenente not for the exclence of my werd marks but you can read parte and gess what I mean Father Abel rote to us that he intended moving laste faul to this contry and we looked for him meney a time but saw him not tel J C Abel in 4 or 5 wekes to luck for a letter for him and Br Gipson and Father Abel I hante heard from your other children for a long time tel J C Abel that John Abels daugh Jane is marred and I think has done well she marred a man by the name of Bolenger Br Asa let me recale somthing that I rote about Isack Richard told me Sarte nite that he was taking up a place in the big hollow above my upper farm that I didente no off the land is good but the timber is not there and a bad chance for water rite to me as sune as you git this and let us heare how sister Rachel how she is and direct your letter to Shade grove Pt dalles co as it is nere David Newports we now close by saying in truth that we remane your loving Brother & Sister tel deth we hope we wood bee glad if it suted you to move to this contery Nathaneil Wollard and Marget Wollard to Asa Newport and Elizabeth Newport Note: Asa Newport lived on Whites Creek, on the Rhea County side. Eagle Furnace was just across the creek in Roane Co, across from Asa's home. *** The next pages were taken from a notebook kept by W.R. Clack. The notebook is a 7 x 8 inch lined, composition type bound book. In 1986, it is in the possession of Bessie Clack Smith. The following is a speech written by W. R. Clack in 1859 when he was twenty years old. It was contained on pages 1-15. "THIS UNION" Ladies and Gentlemen, I will invite your attention for a few minutes to the great and important subject of union. That union which unites us, American people together as one people, that union which unites the government of the several states together as one government, and it is to that union that we are chiefly indebted for whatever makes us most proud of our country. Our progenitors only reached it by the discipline of their virtue in the mighty struggle of seven long and weary years of war and carnage. At last they obtained the prize for which they had been laboring, which was liberty, the strong silver cord which binds our union together. Under its influence these great interests immediately awoke as from the dead and every year of its duration has teemed with fresh proof of its utility and its blessings. It has been to us all a copious fountain of national, social and personal happiness. Indeed, Ladies and Gentlemen, a dark cloud once shaded this beautiful quarter of the globe. Consternation for awhile agitated the hearts of the inhabitants, war desolated their fields, and buried their vales in blood. But in the language of Patrick Henry, "The dayspring from on high soon opened upon them its glittering portals. The angel of liberty descended, draped on Washington's brow the wreath of victory and stamped upon American Freedom, the seal of omnipotence." The darkness gave back and the true light came forth and still shines as a beacon to enliven and rejoice mankind. Now if the American people will only discharge our duty our feet will no more descend into the vale of oppression, nor our shoulders bend under the weight of a foreign domination. But are we all discharging our duties is the question. Nay, we are not, gentlemen and fellow citizens. It pains me very much to have to tell you today, that there are wicked and corrupt men in the very midst of us, who are every moment seeking after a chance or an opportunity by which they can overthrow our liberties and our government which was so dearly purchased with the blood of our progenitors. They are using all the means within their powerto dissolve our union. The flippancy with which some demagogues speak and write of the probability, nay more the desirability of a desolution of this union is one of the worst signs of the times In the North the commercial value of the union is with the Republicans, a subject of calculations. In the south we have a party of disunionists who deny that the union is productive of any benefit to this section of the country. They assert their belief and make ridiculous attempts to prove that the South would be more prosperous out of than in the union A disunionist writer not long since asserted that between the North and the South there was not one point of agreement, and he went further and declared that a dissultion of the union was the only means under heaven to prevent Civil war. Now he must know if he knows anything that the foundation of this government is based upon mutual concessions by the several states, each making some sacrifice to obtain a full participation in the benefits of a common union. It would be a difficult task for any of the demagogues who outrage common sense and the patriotic feelings of the American people, to prove that the constitution have not been answered the purpose of its formation, which was declared to be, "..... to form a more perfect union, establish justice, insure domestic tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general welfare and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and to our posterity." We have the concurrent testimony of all the great patriots and statesmen who have flourished in the republic to the invaluable benefits which the constitution has conferred upon us, and we have the most conclusive evidence of its value in the unparalleled rise and progress of the United States. The immortal Washington taught us to regard the union as the main pillar in the edifice of our real independence; the support of tranquility at home; of our peace abroad; of our safety; of our prosperity; and of that very liberty which we so highly prize, has not the history of the United States verified the description of the union given by the venerated patriots? The republic is but a creation of yesterday as compared with some of the older nations of the earth; yet her growth has been so rapid that she already takes front rank with the proudest and most powerful of them. She bids fair, unless her career be unhappily checked by internal dissensions, to outstrip all of them in all that constitutes a prosperous and powerful commonwealth, as far as it now leads them in the liberty of its institutions and the freedom of its citizens. This republic is yet, in age, far within the limits of a single century. When independence was declared the population was then little more than two million. At that time its territory consisted of a mere belt ranging along the Atlantic coast. It has extended until it includes the vast expanses from the St. John to the Rio Grande and from the rock-ribbed coast of the stormy Atlantic to the long rolling wave of the mighty Pacific. The wilderness has been subdued. Smiling homesteads, pretty villages and large prosperous cities now meet the eye, where formerly the red man and the wild beast held sway. Liberty and civilization have marched westward with unfaltering step, and religion exercises its benign influence to the most remote bounds of our territory. Unrestricted enjoyment of the right of conscience, and the free exercise of political rights not accorded to any other people are the birthright of every citizen. In the eighty-fourth year of our independent existence we have made greater progress in all that constitutes a powerful nation, we have carried civilization farther than has ever been accomplished in a like period of time by any other nation of ancient or modern days. This republic is but of an age that can be reckoned by very little more than the ordinary span of human life; yet its ships float in every sea, however remote; its starry flag may be seen waving in every port; its adventurous ones travel in all lands, and are pioneers in discovery in the icy north, in torrid Africa, the islands of the Pacific, in Australia--- every point to which ships can penetrate or where intrepid daring can effect a foothold or make a survey. Many men now living can remember the Declaration of Independence, yet look at the invaluable contributions to literature which this republic has given to the world; look, at the many and rich contributions to science; see the great inventions which it has produced and which have effected the most surprising change in the world's economy--the cotton gin, the steamboat, and the magnetic telegraph. These have revolutionized the commercial world and added so immensely tocomfort, prosperity and happiness of mankind. They are only drops in the stream of inventions by whichthis country has contributed to the world's wealth. This republic can only reckon some fourscore and four years of existence, yet in war she has even been victorious and in the paths of peace her onward progress has been unparalleled. It has produced statesmen, orators, philosophers, poets, diviner, merchants and mechanics, fully equal to those of the oldest and most advanced in civilization of any of the nations now existing. It has grown from a feeble confederation of colonies until it has become mighty among the nations; its influence widespread, ever present, enduring and telling with powerful effect through out the civilized world. Its greatness is recognized by all the powers of the earth and its friendship is eagerly sought and carefully cherished by all. This republic is yet in its infancy as a power among the nations, compared with any and the most powerful of them, yet such is the mark it has made upon the century's page of the world's history; such is the influence of the example it has set of free institutions and representative government, such is the fame it has proudly won by the evidence it affords to the people of other countries of the happiness and prosperity of the people untrammelled by the onerous laws and usages to which they are subjected, that is an object of terror to despots and love and reverence to the down trodden of every land. It has opened a field for the enterprising and adventurous, a home for the poor and industrious and an asylum for the oppressed of every nation. Such is the republic of today, the fruit of the union which bad men arecombining to destroy. Gentlemen---in what does the safety of our country consist? I answer, in the preservation of the union. In every aspect in which I am able to view the subject, I regard the dissolution of the union as the direct consequence that can befall the people--the people of the South as well as the North. Such is the testimony of some of our most advanced and distinguished patriots of different political parties as to the value of the union and the constitution. Union is the only basis upon which the gorgeous pillows of our republic rest, the only foundation of our liberties. Then Gentlemen and Fellow Citizens of this vast republic, if you love liberty, if you wish to preserve that precious heritage bequeathed to you, go hand in hand as a band of brothers rally around the American standard, link your shields together in behalf of this our glorious union. Let your motto be "Our Union must and shall be preserved", and by the blessing of God may this country itself become a vast and splendid monument not of oppression and terror, but of love, of peace and of liberty upon which the world may gaze withadmiration forever. Gentlemen and Patriots of America: This should arouse us to our duty. We ought to lay aside all party and sectional strife and go forward to defend the constitution and the union. We should cry out with Webster in one unanimous voice, "Our union must and shall be preserved", and drown the demagogue cry of disunion and save our union and ourcountry's freedom. Gentlemen, if this union is ever dissolved, which may God in his mercy prevent, we must of necessity be engulfed in war with Europe and our republic will sink to rise no more. Oh! How it chills the blood of every true patriot to contemplate the everlasting chain of evils that would follow a dissolution of these blood bought states. Heaven would weep, a earth would groan and aged patriots would shudder to think that the last experiment of man's capacity for self-government had failed. That this glorious confederacy, once the brightness of the morning, the shadow of a great rock in a weary land, the silver ray of evening to the downtrodden in every clime, had sunk beneath the fearful wave of fratricidal gore, forced upon the country by mad and corrupt men. Parched be the tongue that would say "Disunion", and blasted be the arm that would attempt to sever the precious cords that bind us together as one common band of Brotherhood. (signed) W. R. Clack *** Letter courtesy of Robert Bailey. >From Jesse Stinecipher to F.M. Newport Crooked fork Morgan Co. April 29th 1860 Dear Brother I Received your leter on Saturday last Dated 26th of April we was glad to hear from you all and to hear that you was all Ejoing Tolerable helth Elizabeth has A fine sone he was born last evening or in the [page torn] Nighet and she is as well as could be Expected and the child appears to be Doing well so fare. May 3rd I commenced to right and Did not finish my leter I can Tell you as Before th [torn] we ar all gitting along as well as can be Expected. I will Now Tell you [torn] hav Bin very puny and unwell for [torn] I have not bin able to doe But little [torn] Since last fall I have been Doctrin [torn] most of the time. The Dotor sais it [torn] my Stomach he sias it is weeke [torn] my stomach I was not Right last Sou[torn] of the time I had Blindness & swiming(?) [torn] the head then weekeness and numbness in my limbs part of the time as much as I could walk about But Now I am Beter But not stout yet But I think I am improving som But slowly I think I havent any thing very strange to wright I am Done planting my corn what I cared(?) to plant this spring I have planted a half [torn] or something like 6 acres we have had [torn] some three or four heavy frosts and has Bit the corn jenerly that was up and in places it has Bit the potatoes and Beens and killed the fruit in some places. There is plenty of fruit hur I think yet. I will now tell you that the wheete is jenerly froze out I have seene some few pieces of wheete that I will perhaps make some I have sode oats in part of mine and what is left is so scatur(?) that it can not make now(?) sarcity you wrote that your was loking for us to come Down las month we have a bad chance to come if we was all well enough owing to Bad luck I lost my younge hors last fall or four part of winter he got Down in the Stable and worked an got under the Sill [torn] self to deth and I have Bin Trying [torn] buy me another Nag But seemes I can [torn] find one to suit me that is for [torn] I have Bin Trading I hav Bought [torn] littil Black girl seven 7 years old [torn] She cost me $700. I got hur of [torn] SCHOOLER and I ow part towards [torn] yet I ow $233. I hav the money owing to me if I can git it to pay. I will come to a close Buy Requesting you to come out if you can and if you can not you must wright as Soon as you get this. So no more at presant But Remains yours as Ever. Jesse & Elizabeth STONECIPHER F.M. NEWPORT *** Mouse Creek April 16/1860 Mr. S. G. Clack Your very polite favor of the 15th inst. was duly received. Your inquiry I understand to be meaning as to how you shall proceed in fitting up an oration as the representative of a Literary Society? The course most commonly pursued of those thus appointed is as follows. Select your subject for an address just as though you had nothing to do with a society and write your speech on that subject & when you have finished it then append a very short address to the members of the society who have thus honored you by making you their representative. The address to that society is usually introduced after thus manner. "Gentlemen & members of the Lyceume Society of Mouse Creek Academy." You will of course in this short address say a few words as to the origin or object of it - of the good which has resulted from it - & close by a few words to them in a like effect "And may it long live as a movement - to show by whom it was established & may its benefits influence be felt & acknowledged by them who shall come after them & may many rise up & call her blessed" Would these words of direction be insufficient to direct you in your task - (after you have selected your subject) any service I can render you so as to make it your own production - will be cheerfully & gratuitously given you - Your Linuro Friend A. H. Barkley *** 1860/61 Two short letters were on one small piece of paper - undated. They were written by Robert Kerr Clack amd his wife Rachel Bonham. Robert was the son of Micajah and Margaret Kerr Clack. It's a long story but suffice it to say I have looked for these two little girls for many years. I have a lock of hair from each of them that has been preserved by the family since 1860. If you have any clue as to how to find the descendants, contact me and I will relate the full story. They lived in Texas when this letter was written (1860/61). Robert was later killed in 1861 in the battle of Wilson's Creek in Mo. Father & Mother I will write to you in a few days we Rec'd three letters from Missouri our connection was all well Uncle John's health is better then it was when Spencer was there. I wish to be remembered by you all. no more at presant but remain yours affectionately R.K.C. (his seal) (On other side) As F.M. has been writing to you all I will defer writing til a nother day Here is a lock of our little babes hair. Mary V. is not sending any of hers and she cant for a while for it has not got as mutch on it head as this little lock. This is to Mc. & Margaret Clack R.K. & R.E. Clack (his seal) (There were two locks of hair enclosed in the letter) *** Mouse Creek E. Tenn. Nov. 9th, 1860 S. G. Clack, Sir, Yours came to hand after some delay, just as I was about to start off to Camp-Meeting. I gave it a hasty reading and slipped it in my pocket, I think, expecting to re-read and answer when I returned, but when I came to look for it I could not find it, and suppose I must have lost it. I have delayed writing you, hoping to find yours that I might be able to answer in full. But I guess I will never find yours and I will write you a few lines rendering an excuse and to ask you to pardon my carelessness. I was glad to hear from you and to learn that you were doing so well and enjoying such good health. I hope you will do well for yourself and something for your country. You sent me a proposition for solution and I remember it was something about the curvature (?) of the earth's surface but don't know the conditions of the problem and consequently can not solve it, and it may be I could not if I did, but I would give it a trial. Our schools are all small this fall. I have about thirty five. Elias N. Stalens (?) is married to a Miss Johns. G.H. Denton had a very severe attack of the fever this fall, he is about well now though very weak. Susan Denton is sick at this time but some better; hers is the only case in the place I believe. They have it reported about here that I am to be married soon and I don't deny a word of it for it is my wish to do so if I can, though I don't know what fair one it is that is to be so unfortunate as to take me as a worser half. I would be glad to find out soon, but I suppose they will let me know in time to put on my fixups. I think of going to Sweet-water tomorrow to Church. Well they say Tenn has gone for Bell. (No signature, a page is apparently missing *** 1st 1861 Alvarado Johnson Cty Texas April Dear Brother & Sister After a long silence we once more take our pen in hand to drop you a few lines to let you know we are still in the land of the living and enjoying a reason able portion of health for which we feel thankfull to our heavenly father and ..... when these few lines comes to hand ......... may find you all enjoying the same .............blessing I scarcely know how to inter ................about the times here our delegation ...................ust got home from Austin a ..... ...have heard but little about what has been done there I suppose Governor Hous ton has resigned his office as he could not take the oath to come under the southern confederacy there has been a good many deprodations committted on our frontier borders by indians & mean white men but they are (bottom of page torn off - other side of page) (looks as thought it was torn off at a fold) Wheat is worth $1.00 per bushel flower $4 per hundrd corn here $1.50 per bushel me... the same off from 60c to 1.00 dollar a b ... hel bacon scarce a little selling at 15 c a pound beef plenty a 2 1/2 c to 3 cents a po... nd money scarce land from $2 to 10 dol... per acre I will now give you a small sk tch of the connexion so far as I know brother Wm.. B. Rogers and all his .... ily came out here and made a c... gether and about the time it was .... ...notion to go back to Louisiana....... ..... their crop for one third its a ... put out if they had a stayed here & sold ... they lost by traveling round abot they could of bought them a home but the mind of ma... is always roving they had 13 children with the... 8 sons & 5 daughters the two oldest boys mar... R; C..C.. Rogers married a young widow that lives here near me and has lived here some 5 ye... (remaing part gone) end of letter *** Although W R Clack wrote many, many obituraries, I am including this one for a special reason. Not only is it typical of his writing ability and style, Eva and Raleigh were engaged to be married at the time of her death. It is one of the most moving things I've ever read. Try it, and see if you can get all the way through it without 'feeling his pain.' OBITUARY Another christian has gone to her reward. Another home smitten of God and desolate. Another well known footfall missed. Another family altar mantled with mourning. Miss Julinda Evaline Wester, died at her residence in Rhea Co., Tenn., August 2, 1861, of fever terminating in acute gastritis. She was born in Roane County, Tenn., Feby the 2nd, 1845,and was therefore in her 17th year. The Christian character is a theme too lofty, too nearly allied to God to be ambrotysed in a memorial. It is a spiritual masterpiece beyond the province and limit of human description. We may gather the most pleasing recollections from the shadows of memory for our structure, yet the image however vivid is dark compared to the original. No one can write a perfect obituary of a perfect christian. It is only a form without life--a soulless statue whose unmeaning stare tells us little of the archtype. The presence of the departed is necessary to make it appreciated; without, it is callous, cold and empty. This tribute of respect, therefore, can only be interesting to those whose memories are still replete with the recollections of the one who is gone; whose influence is still felt, and whose words are yet fondly repeated. Those who knew not Miss Evaline Wester personally will never know her this side of the grave. She was a dutiful obedient child, possessed a remarkably amiable disposition. She had received a good education having more than ordinary intellect, possessing a combination of attractions of person, mind and manners rarely met with on this earth. She delighted much in books, but the Bible was always her main sheetanchor even from childhood. Her character was woven of graces, which like jewels of rare worth lent a luster to her life. No discordant or jarring elements in her constitution of mind or soul, but always the same--kind, affectionate and noble. Her deportment in every relation in life was a continual display of blended virtues; a scene of practical religion, worthy the emulation of every christian. Her humility and goodness recommended her everywhere, and secured to her the love of all. She professed religion and joined the M. E. church in Roane County Tenn in the year A. D. 1857 of which she remained a faithful efficient member until she was called to leave the church militant to join the church triumphant. As the clock struck one on the night of the 2nd of August, she breathed her last calmly and serenely without a struggle or even a frown. By her won request her lifeless body was deposited in the cemetery in Roane Co., on the Tennessee River nine miles below Kingston (where she had saw some of her nearest relatives laid) to remain until the morning of the resurrection. There was a long concourse of people at her burying. Many wept over her remains, for she had many friends. She has left a numerous host of friends together with a kind mother and three brothers to mourn her absence but thank God they mourn not as those who have no hope for they feel that their loss is her eternal gain, for she has entered into that rest which remains to the people of God. It has been my destiny to witness many scenes of death and suffering but never can I forget the words and features of this dying girl. About six hours before she expired she asked "does the doctor think I am dying". Not receiving a direct answer she said "do you think I will get well." I told her I feared not. I then asked her if she was willing to die. She turned her eyes up towards me and replied in a mild and gentle tone; "I have suffered so much let me reflect two minutes then I will respond." Then settled upon her countenance a calm serenity, a brilliancy entirely unearthly and beyond the power of language to describe. When she replied, "yes, I am ready to go. I feel entire resignation and perfect reliance on my saviour. Jesus is with me." Reaching her hand to me which was bathed in the icy dews of death she said softly "Will you meet me in Heaven." I told her I would try and meet her there. "Farewell, then", she said. She then prayed the Lord to be with her and strengthen her in faith in the trying hour of death and when her last breath was gone to receive her spirit in haven. And prayed him to have mercy upon her relatives and friends who are left behind her, and to fit and prepare them for death and judgment so that when the last trump should sound that they would be enabled to meet where parting would be no more, around the eternal throne to rejoice and sing the praises of God forever. She then turned to her mother and said Oh! mother meet me in heaven. Tell all my relatives and friends I am gone home and to meet me there. Then there was a pause in her conversation. Turning her eyes toward heaven--with a brilliant but calm and serene countenance; she appeared like a heavenly bird about to take its everlasting flight standing upon the summit of the Mount of Faith, waiting her Master's bidding and gazing with holy triumph on the shining prospect before her. No doubt angels and ministering saints was hovered nigh, watching the conflict ready to escort her spirit home, when the summons come. There were no visible clouds of doubt lingered there. Discovering her mother weeping, she said, "Mother weep not for me" because I am called from this suffering world. Her mother then asked her if she felt prepared to go. She replied, "yes, I am ready and willing to go. Jesus is my friend." How near her kind friends were to her heart. How dear her heart broken mother. What faith but that of the christian could break those strong ties. But it was the will of God; She bowed submissive, and in a few hours she passed the Paradise of God. Let us all remember her dying request, "Meet me in Heaven." I for one can never forget it while I am permitted to live. That last sad request will remain "Meet me in Heaven." Plant you an evergreen Scatter the rose, Where little Evaline Takes her repose. Dew-drops will glisten there Zephyns will play, Yet her immortal parts Passed, passed away. Gone to the Spirit land, Wafted above, Joined to that happy band Basking in love. Meet her ye earthly friends "Meet me," she cried Waving her icy hand Calmly and died. Go to that evergreen- Kneel there and pray- Where little Evaline's Spirit may stray. Even in future life Morning and evening Remember her parting words, "Meet me in Heaven." What can I say in conclusion, to soothe the anguish of the stricken mother in the hour of bitter trial. In this hour when she is, --called to part in helpless, hopeless, brokenness of heart, from her young, her beautiful and well accomplished daughter. Nothing, nothing. My own feelings forbid the mockery of an attempt. I can only pray that God in his providence may sanctify the distressing dispensation, and the bereaved mother may be comforted with the assurancethat the "pure in heart shall meet again." Over the venerated remains of this servant of God and daughter in Israel may well be inscribed the glorious saying given to the apostle from heaven. Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord, from henceforth; yea, saith the spirit, they may rest from their labors and their works do follow them. Signed W. R. Clack Rhea County Tenn Oct. 15th., 1861 This next was then entered into his journal a few pages beyond the above: I know that thou art far away, Yet in my own despite My still expectant glances stray Inquiring for the sight Though all too sure that thy sweet face Can bless no glance of mine, At every turn, in every place My eyes are seeking thine, I hope--how vain the hope, I know-- That some propitious chance May bring thee here again to throw Thy sweetness on my glance, But loveliest one, where'er thou art What'er be my despair, Mine eyes will seek thee, and my heart Will love thee every where, Bye, Miss Eva *** Letter addressed to W.R. Clack, Eagle Furnace, Tenn From his brother, Spencer Guess Clack, postmarked Lake P.O., Tenn Nov 8th, 1861 W.R. Clack, Sir, I will inform you that I have an agency to buy hogs and if you can buy any from McCaleb or anyone else for me please do so I will give 8.5 cents per lb gross and pay the money in Confederate Bonds or any other good money when I receive the hogs. If you get any please let me know. Rolly some of our troops have left C, Gap and come down to Big Creek or Jim-Town - stirring times among the Volunteers Now I learn from good authority that the Federal Troops are determined to make an effort to come into Tenn this month and take possession of our R. Road, etc, and if they succede history never give account of such maurading as will be in our midst. When I contemplate that I have an aged Father & Mother and sisters who will be exposed to the brutal treatment of the Deamon North if they get in; my blood boils up with indignation and resentment that I can hardly stay at home. (signed) Spencer G. Clack *** Letter addressed to Mr. Mc. Clack Eagle Furnace Rone Co Tenn This is to Micajah Clack, father of M R. Micajah who lived on the Rhea County side of White's Creek, but at this particular time, the Post Office was across the creek in Roane Co. "Rone" is his spelling. Original letter in possession of W.B. Clack. Transcribed by Edna Clack 1994 May the 10 1862 Dear Father and Mother I grasp my pen to drop you a fiew lines to let you know that we are well at presant hopeing these fiew lines may find you well I came home on last Munday I left W. R. Clack well and Charles also I will start back next Tuesday I wood bea glad to see you beafore I go back if I could but it will bea out of my power to do it unless you can come to see me for I hant got anything to wride a horse with and I cant come it barback I wish you and Mother would come and see us beafore I go back I cant tell when I will come home again I may never come again we cant tell what we will do if I never see you again I hope to meet you wheare parting is no more if any of you wants to write to the boyes I will carry the nuse Papy do you know wother thare is any chance to cross the river with a horse or not if thare is I wish some of you would meet me at the river and go with me to Sweetwater and I will pay you for it your affectionate son M.R. Clack M.O. Clack *** The spelling in this next letter is difficult but, as always, when I transcribe information, I try to type it just as I found it Sometime after the War, Micajah moved to Dallas Co, Mo, and lived out his life there. June the 17, 1862 Mr. Dr. W. M. Wilson I will drop you a few lines to let you know that I am not well eanuff to under take to start back to camp. I hav not hardly ben able to g o ever sence I came home I went to fathers yesterday and I was not able to any further and father started out to see if he could hire som person to go in my plase he said that there was no ... for me to undertake to go back to camp I am very week I started to come home from fathers and I got so sick that I was compeld to stop and take my bead I cant tell you how long it will beafore I can come I will come just as soon as I get able to go I am vary sorrow that I cant come for I know that you need me at my post I hav takeing som medison and I hope it will help me (starts here with a different hand writing--EC) Micajah is wirse and Margaret and I will have to finish it if father gits any one to go in my place a month or too I will not go back till his time is out but if he dont git some one I will come just as soon as I get able and if I ant ther in a fiew days if I dont get some one to go in my place I want you to write and let me know whether I have don rong or not If I have don rong I cant help it for I couldant ride too miles this morning and it wouldnt be worth my while to start for I couldnt git ther at all if you think ther is any danger of them punishen me for it let me know it and if I am abel to git ther I will go rite and let me know M. R. Clack to Dr. Wilson (on the other side of this sheet of paper is a letter to Wm Clack --EC) Dear Bruther I drop you a few lines on this side I got home last Saturday night and was very sick then and have been getting wirs ever since and I dont know whether it will turn to the flu or to the feever I am very bad off and ant able to go back at all if I was I would be shor to go for ther is more danger her at home then ther would be in camp for the yankees is reite close here but if they was rite her I couldnt get back to camp I hope they wont get me if they get too close to me I will try and get on your side of the river a grate many of the rhea county foalks is moving over ther but we ant gon yet but we dont know how soon we will have to go Wroley you dont know how sorey I am because I cant come back to camp to be with you but roley do the best can and as soon as ever I can come I will be thare I want you to write as soon as you git this and let me know whether they will be mad or not roley I want you to go and see Mr. D. W. Horner and tell him about me being sick and tell him that all the rest of the family is well and tell him that we will write a friday and let him know how we are so no more at this time candley remains your bruther untell deth M. R. Clack to Wm Clack and Margaret Clack NOTE: This is the same Dr. Wilson involved in Old Friendship Church. He was First Lieut. Wilson until A.J. Cawood was killed at Vicksburg. He then became Capt. of Co. B. ---- D.W. Horner was father-in-law to M.R. Clack and a Confederate soldier. He died or was killed the next month. He was a Deacon & licensed minister at Yellow Creek Baptist Church. Ref: Glenn Chattin and "Rhea & Meigs Counties in the Confederate War" by V.C. Allen. *** Civil War Diary kept by W R Clack (1 of 2) Transcribed by Edna Clack woodchippy@aol.com Rout of the 43rd. Regt of Tenn Vol from Abington VA. - Took our exit Aug. 8th./62 WHEN DIST- NAMES OF PLACE COUNTY STATE ARRIVED ANCE Aug. Castle woods Rusel VA. 12 30 Sept. Gladesville Wise VA. 6 24 The county seat Pound Gap " " 9 16 Ky line Whitsburge Letahin Ky 10 15 County seat Beaver Creek Floyd " 12 35 Analasm " " 14 13 Lt MCarty killed Salyerville Magoffin " 15 30 Burning Gas West Liberty Morgan " 18 21 Warmly received Olympian Springs Bath " 20 37 Blue Grass Mt. Sterling Montgomery " 21 15 A banner presented to us Middletown Bonsboro " 29 12 Paris " " " 10 County Seat Centerville " " 30 5 Newtown Scott " " 6 Georgetown " " " 6 County seat Oct. Elkhorn River Franklin " 2 14 Frankford " " 4 4 State Capitol (continued on next page) Oct. Versailes Woodford Ky 5 14 Miss Emma Ky River " " 5 8 Salvisa Mercer " 6 6 Versailes Woodford " 8 14 a fight expected here today Lawrenceburg ----- " 9 12 chasing the enemy Salvisa Merceer " 10 14 Harrodesburg " " " 12 a fight inevitable tomorrow Dicks River ------ " 11 8 rather skedaddling Lancaster Lancaster " 14 12 Big Ridge ------ " 16 28 marched all night Rock Castle ------ " 17 16 London Laurel " 18 16 Oh say can Flat Lick ------ " 20 34 you see by Cumberlandford ------ " 21 6 C - Gap ------ Tenn 22 14 Tazewell Claiborn " 23 13 Clinch River ------ " 24 15 Blain's X Roads Grainger " 25 17 Snowed Cambel Station Knox " 30 36 Lenoir's Station Roane " " 9 Total 607 miles Written by W.R. Clack Nov 5th, 1862 (pointing hand) Continued Dec Kingston Roane Tenn 9 18 Lenoir's Station " " 20 18 enrout for Vicksburg Dalton ---- Ga. 22 87 Atlanta ---- " 24 100 West Point ---- Ala. 25 85 Montgomery ---- " " 85 Mobile ---- " 27 113 Meridian ---- Miss 28 134 Forest's Stn ---- " 21 47 Jackson ---- " 30 53 Jan. Vicksburg Warren " 1 45 Jany 1, 1863 May Port Gibson " " 2 45 they fought here yesterday near Vicksburg " " 4 35 Skirmish again yesterday Big Black R. " " 12 8 on picket Bovina " " 13 20 Edward's Depot ---- " 14 8 28 miles from Jackson Baker's Creek ---- " 16 -- Heavy fighting today Vicksburg Warren " 17 38 fight at Big Black Bridge The siege of Vicksburg lasted until July 4th, 1863. We left there on the 12th and arrived at home on the 28th. Total 2415 (3648) miles (signed) W. R. Clack END OF THE FIRST DIARY The following is a transcript of a small, leather bound diary kept by William Raleigh Clack (1839-1919) while he was at Vicksburg, Mississippi, during 1863. Transcribed by Edna Clack woodchippy@aol.com W. R. Clack Private of Co. B. 43 Regt. Tenn. Vols- Aged 24 years 3 mo. and 19 days This May 23, 1863 Yesterday the enemy attempted to charge our breastwork but were repulsed with great slaughter sharp shooters firing this morning -sharp shooting and heavy cannonading continued all day. May 24 - Sharp shooting and cannonading as usual this morning -continued all day - May 25 - Dueling commenced early again this morning. 3 o'clock p.m. - A flag of truce asking for permission to bury their dead. It was granted. All is quiet now on our line. May 26 - The enemy opened fire at daylight this morning. We moved over to the river below town just before daylight andtook a position in the trenches. 9 o'clock land batteries have commenced shelling town again and a number of gunboats in sight. The prospects for our success and deliverance seems to darken every day. Oh! May the God of heaven aid and deliver us from this unhappy state is the constant prayer of the writer May 27- Three gunboats come up opposite our line and shell us rapidly for an hour but hurt none of our regt. One man just to our right had his head shot off and two others were wounded. In the meantime another boat attempted to pass down by our batteries which was sunk up at town. Sharp shooting and cannonading is going on along our back lines and a general engagement is expected daily. It is reported that Genl. Johnson has attacked the enemy in the rear. 4 o'clock p.m. - The yankee pickets have come in sight of our lines. May 28 - Sharp shooters as usual opened fire at daylight. A few can be seen in sight of our line again this morning . The gun boats that attacked us yesterday are about two miles below on the opposite side of the river lying still. W. R. Clack May 29 - Firing commenced after day dawned again this morning. 8 o'clock a.m. - heavy cannonading going on along our back line and continued an hour or two. Twelve transports and two gun boats came down today and have anchored out in line of battle above Vicksburg. One boat came up and shelled us awhile today but done no damage to us. 3 o'clock p.m. - All appears quiet along our back lines at present. It has the appearance of rain this evening cloudy and thundering. Gun boat shelled us a while tonight. W. R. C. May 30 - Day dawned and the sun rose in its undimmed splendor this morning and all is quiet and still around old Vicksburg - not even the firing of a gun can be heard around our line. Those boats spoken of yesterday are still in sight above town - anchored out. 7 o'clock p.m. Mortars shelling us from the other side of the river and the gunboat dropping a shell occasionally from below. May 31 - 3 o'clock a.m. - heavy cannonading going on along our line on the left. 4 o'clock a.m. - Gun boat shelling us. One man belonging to the battery was wounded last night by a shell from the mortar. 6 o'clock a.m. - All appears quiet on our lines at this hour. The Yankees threw shells at us occasionally all day. W.R.C. June 1 - Heavy cannonading was heard this morning just at daybreak on our left. It is supposed they were making a charge on our trenches. All appears quiet at 7 o'clock -From 8 o'clock a.m. cannonading continued in a mild manner all day long on front lines. W.R.C. June 2 - All appears tolerably quiet this morning - occasionally a cannon can be heard. Lieut. Hopkins started home tonight. Moon is now shining bright and the Yankees are shelling town at 11 o'clock p.m. June 3 - All is quiet this morning. 3 o'clock p.m. - Gun boats are now shelling us. Charley Graves was wounded a few minutes ago by one of those shells. His leg will have to be amputated. 4 o'clock p.m. - Heavy cannonading at this hour on the back line - musketry can also be heard. It is reported that Johnson will attack the enemy on Friday the 5th. 8 o'clock p.m. - We left our trenches and moved up the line to the left, to support a weak point near the Hauls Ferry road. Heavy cannonading is now going on at that point. 9 o'clock p.m. - The gunboats have now come up and are now shelling the bottoms in the direction of town rapidly. They continued an hour, then calmed down and we got to sleep a little. W.R.C. June 4 - We are now in Col. Brad rear on the Hauls Ferry road sharp shooters opened fire at daylight this morning in our front. An attack is expected today. The minies and shellsare now whistling over our heads. God speed the happy hour when we shall be delivered from this unhappy state. 5 o'clock p.m. -I have just now been informed that some La troops went over the river and spiked those mortars opposite town last night. A negro boy had his head shot off with cannon ball in sight of us this morning and two other were wounded. He was in a house near the breastworks. 9 o'clock p.m. - firing has about ceased - occasionally we can hear a sharp report from the pickets. W.R.C. June 5 - Things are tolerable this morning - some shooting going on as usual on our lines. We are still held as reserve at the same place. 7 o'clock p.m. - I feel very unwell and have been all day. 9 o'clock - all is quiet tonight. Oh! Lord watch over us while we sleep tonight. W.R.C. June 6 - The sharp shooters opened fire at daylight this morning but in a milder manner than common - continued all day. Night has come on and the firmament is again decked with the beautiful stars, while we lay us down again to sleep upon the rough ground of Vicksburg. I pray heaven's blessings to rest upon us. W.R.C. June 7 - Several cannons were fired during the night on our line commenced as usual at day dawn. 9 o'clock a.m. W. Adams was just now wounded (thought mortally) by a spent ball. The Feds have just commenced shelling town again after an intermission of two days. W.R.C. June 8 - Things are going on as usual this morning. Another man of Co. D. was wounded this morning. 7 o'clock p.m.firing pretty rapid at this hour. We have received intelligence from Johnston and also from other points of a late date by the grapevine telegraph which is very cheering. It is said that an English fleet of boats have come over to our aid and are now in possession of New Orleans and General Lee has nearly destroyed the Yankee army in Virginia. Genl. Price has got possession of Helena above here on the Mississippi river; also that Genl. Loring has retaken Snider's Bluff on the Yazoo. W.R.C. June 9 - Some shooting continued all last night. Firing going on as usual this morning. Night has come on again and the Yankees are shelling town rapidly from the opposite side of the river. W.R.C. June 10 - Sharp shooting as usual again today. 4 o'clock p.m. -We have had a fine rain today. 5 o'clock p.m. -cannonading pretty rapidly at this hour. Night has again come on. The wind is blowing hard and a dark cloud is rising, while the bright lightnings play across the heavens and the awful thunder appears to shake the whole earth. Oh! May Jehovah, he who rides upon every tempest protect me tonight. W.R.C. June 11 - Very cloudy and damp this morning. It rained very hard last night and our things are nearly all wet - somesharp shooting going on today. We are liable to be struck with a ball any minute. We are in a position where they fall all around us and in our midst. J. L. Miller was struck with one today. The ball was well spent and didn't enter his flesh. It is reported that Genl. Grant has called for 100,000 more men to reinforce him, Genl. Price has taken Helena and therefore cut off his supplies. It is said we have in Vicksburg 31,380 men with 30 or 40 days rations. W.R.C. June 12 - Cannonading continued all night. Sharp shooters commenced operations early again this morning and continued all day. W.R.C. June 13 - Firing at intervals was kept up all last night. The sharp shooters as usual commenced their daily operations very early and in a little warmer manner than usual. June 14 - All around our lines was more quiet than usual last night, but we were awakened from our sleep early this morning by the sharp shooters. 12 o'clock - heavy cannonading to our left. It is supposed a charge is about being made upon our trenches. 7 o'clock p.m. - We have no news yet from the left. Another sabbath has passed and we are still confined to this same unhappy place and almost without any ray of hope of deliverance.Oh! Lord how long shall we remain in this state? Deliver us at once Oh! Lord. W.R.C. June 15 - Sharp shooting as usual today. It has the appearance of rain this morning. All the convalesce that are able have come out from the hospital by order of the Brig. surgeon. I judge from this that a heavy attack is expected upon our line. It is reported that the Yankees are receiving heavy reinforcements. 7 o'clock p.m. - This day passed off tolerably quiet. We wait impatiently for the hour of our deliverance. May God speed the hour. June 16 - Things are going on here this morning as usual. No change in anything as I can see. 7 o'clock p.m. - Warm firing has been kept up all day. I lie down again to rest with the ethereal blue for my covering, and pray the Lord to watch over me while I sleep. W. R. Clack June 17 - There was a right smart shooting during the last night. Firing as usual this morning. 6 o'clock p.m. - Co's B and G now starts out on picket in front of the trenches. 7 o'clock - we have arrived at the picket post. The bullets cut pretty close to us here. Speed - speed the hour that we'll deliver from this place. W.R.C. June 18 - Things passed off tolerably quiet last night. Sharp shooters opened fire early this morning. A Georgan belonging to our picket post was killed today. We were relieved from post at 6 o'clock p.m. by Co. K and retired to our camp and ate supper and lay down to rest. I had just gone to sleep and I was aroused from my slumber by the rattling of musketry. The enemy was attempting to drive in on our pickets and get possession of our post. The remainder of our regiment was ordered out and took a position in the renches with Col. Barklelew. By this time the firing had pretty well ceased as our boys still occupied their post. We had one man wounded. WRC June 19 - We left the trenches at daylight this morning and came back to our old position in the hollow. Things are tolerably quiet this morning - some sharp shooting going on 7 o'clock p.m. - all passed off tolerably quiet today. We commenced drawing flour today. WRC June 20 - Heavy cannonading commenced at daylight this morning and continued until 11 o'clock - While the bombs bursted and the pieces fall all around us and among us but hit none of our regiment. Thanks be to high heaven for our protection. The evening passed off tolerably quiet. WRC June 21 - Another Sabbath morning has rolled around and found us still confined to the neighboring hill of Vicksburg without any better prospects of our deliverance. It is reported that Johnson has attacked the enemy but I doubt it. Sharp shooters are pecking away as usual this morning. Warm firing was kept up all day. WRC June 22 - At 12 o'clock last night Co. B and G. and one Co. of 57 Ga. was ordered outside of our entrenchments to attack and drive the enemy from the ditches which was near our picket post. We succeeded in driving them from their first ditch. But we were forced by over whelming numbers to fallback as their ditch did not give us any protection from the enemies fire; which we did in good order. Lieut. Crookshanks was killed; Sargeant Denton and Gilbert Murray was wounded of Co. G -Capt. Cawood, Sargent Miller and Wm. Brady of Co. B was wounded. One of the Ga. was killed and two wounded. It was with great reluctance that I went into it, but I said nothing. I saw it could not profit us anything for we could not hold it when taken. I thank God that we escaped as well as what we did. Sharp shooting going on as usual today. Oh Lord my heavenly Master deliver us from this unhappy state.Hear my prayer Oh! God and save us from the destruction of our enemies. W.R.C. June 23 - Another attempt was made last night to charge the enemy trenches by six Co's of our regiment and a squad of Georgians which was successful. We drove them back and filled up their ditch, but our regiment suffered severely. We had twenty one killed and wounded. George Loy of Co. B. was killed and Andy Hughes and Wm. Boles as wounded. Though it is said the Yankees occupy the same ground again oday that they did yesterday. Andy Hughes died today. Loy was not killed instantly but die d early this morning. W. R. Clack June 24 - The next regiment to our left charged the Yankee ditches in their front last night and drove them back, but the Yankees occupied their old position today. Sharpshooting as usual today and the Mortar battery is shelling town. W. R. Clack June 25 - Four companies of our regiment (Co. B was one of the four) was ordered out last night to reinforce Col. B. as a heavy attack was expected to be made last night. We remained there in the ditches until 11 or 12 o'clock when we were relieved by a regiment and received orders to move back to our old position on the river. Daylight has come and the sharp shooters are at work -an attack is expected here today. The Yankees appear to be pressing upon our lines. Major Guthre was wounded today by a ball from sharp shooters. We had heavy cannonading here on the lower end of our lines this evening. Night has come on and one third of us has to be on watch and while we stand as bold sentinels upon the watchtower around Vicksburg, I pray Heaven's blessings to rest upon us and that the all seeing eye of Jehovah may watch over us and protect us from all danger and harm. W.R.C. June 26 - Sharp shooters firing away as usual this morning 4 o'clock p.m. we have received orders to move back to support Col. Bartlow. 7 o'clock we now start out to the trench. June 27 - We got to rest last night. Everything was more quiet all night than common. Firing commenced at daylight again this morning. 8 o'clock a.m. - the mortars are dropping shells about us. They are throwing them about five miles. 7 o'clock p.m. We now start out to the trenches again. A young man by the name of Garghess belonging to the 3rd Tenn. Regt. was killed here in fifty yards of me this evening with a piece of a shell. Oh! Lord I pray for thy protection. W. R. Clack June 28 - Another Sabbath has found me alive and well for which I feel very thankful and glorify my heavenly Master. Things were very quiet last night. I worked nearly all night planting a battery. Sharp shooters commenced operating as usual at daylight. Lieut. Clepes of Co. E was mortally wounded this morning. He was in the trenches. W. R. C. June 29 - Sharp shooting today as usual. Mathisas of Co. F. died in the trenches this morning of cramp. He did not live more than ten minutes after he was taken. King Stalcup of the 31st Tenn. Regt. was killed last night by some of our own men. The Yankees made a charge on our right this evening but were repulsed. W.R.C. June 30 - Some picket fighting done last night to our right. Sharp shooting as usual today. 10 o'clock a.m. - pretty heavy cannonading to our right at this hour. We lie in the trenches every night. The sun has now set beneath the western horizon for the last time in June, '63 and we are still in possession of Vicksburg. W.R.C. July 1 - William Bowles of Co. P. died last night about 10 o'clock. Things are moving along here about as usual today. W.R.C. July 2 - Firing was kept up all night from the mortar batteries on the opposite side of the river. Sharp shooters as usual this morning. The evening passed off tolerably quiet. WRC July 3 - Things are rocking along as usual this morning. 10 o'clock General Pemberton sent out a flag of truce requesting General Grant to cease firing on our hospital. All was quiet up until 1 o'clock p.m. - 3 o'clock p.m. Heavy cannonading along the river. 6 o'clock p.m. - Pemberton now sends out another flag of truce trying to make a compromise preparatory for a surrender. 7 o'clock we now go to the trenches. All is very quiet now. WRC July 4 - All is very quiet this morning around Vicksburg. The boys and the Yanks are conversing together.10 o'clock a.m. -Vicksburg is surrendering on account of our rations giving out. We marched to General Reynold's headquarters and stacked our arms and then came back to our old position where we expect to remain until we are paroled. The evening passed off very quiet. WRC July 5 - Sabbath morning has again rolled around and I (with many others) as a prisoner. The Yankees visited us today and we conversed freely and friendly together. We are treated with great hospitality by them. Today has been unusually calm. W.R. Clack July 8 - Wm. Casey was seriously burnt this evening by foolishly setting powder on fire. We have not as yet received our paroles but expect to get them in the morning. W. R. Clack July 9 - We have just returned from town with our apparoles. WRC July 10 - Wm. Hill died last night. My friend (?)died day before yesterday. We are expecting to leave here tomorrow morning. WRC July 12 - Yesterday we drew six days rations preparatory for a trip to Jackson, Miss, and today we marched out at 7 o'clock a.m. and tonight we are camped 7 1/2 miles from Vicksburg on the railroad. It has the appearance of rain tonight. W.R. Clack July 13 - We marched out this morning at 4 o'clock and struck camp at 6 o'clock p.m in 8 1/2 miles of Raymond - distance 15 miles. I had a pretty severe chill this evening with fever. WRC July 14 - We marched out at 5 o'clock a.m. and came Via Raymond to Coopers Wells - distance 13 1/2 miles. Lieut. Pyott, J.H.C. Pyott and Thomas Roddy were left at Raymond in the hospital sick. WRC July 17 - I am so unwell that I cannot keep up my journal any longer. We are moving along the best we can. A good many of the boys are chilling. July 21 - We have at last arrived at Enterprise, the place so long looked for. We are to take the train in the morning for Mobile at 7 o'clock. It is now raining hard, but we are under shelter. My health is improving. WRC July 24 - We left Enterprise yesterday morning at 8 o'clock a.m. and arrived at Mobile at 8 o'clock p.m. and lay by through the night. 7 o'clock a.m. We are now passing up Tom Bigbee on the boat. WRC July 28 - I arrived at home today. (END OF DIARY) The following is an alphabetical listing of the names mentioned in the Vicksburg Diary kept by W.R. Clack Adams, W. Lee, General Barklelew, Colonel Loring, General Bartlow, Colonel Loy, George Boles, Willaim Mathisas Brad, Colonel Miller, J.L. Brady, William Miller, Sargeant Casey, William Murray, Gilbert Cawood, Capt. A.J. Pemberton, General Clepes, Lieut. Price, General Crookshanks, Lieut Pyott, Lieut. Denton, Sargeant Pyott, J.H.C. Garghess Reynolds, General Gillespie, Colonel James W. Roddy, Thomas Grant, General Stalup, King Graves, Charley Guthrie, Major Hill, William Hopkins, Lieut Hughes, Andy Johnson, General *** The following item was found between the pages of W. R. Clack's account book in the possession of W. B. Clack of Spring City, Tenn.--EC "W. R. Clack - of Co. "B", 43rd Regt. Tenn Vol. has leave of absence just twelve days after which he will rejoin his company whereever it is or be considered a deserter August 6th 1862 Approved by A. J. Cawood Capt.(signature) Jas. W. Gillespie Col. Com." (signature) (Hand written permission for leave) *** The following is one piece of paper with 3 different letters on it. William Raleigh Clack, Micajah Rogers Clack, and their brother-in-law, Charles Brady, all served together in the CSA Tenn 43rd during the Civil War. Charles was married to Mary Lamira Clack, sister of WR & MR. Amy was also their sister. Margaret was Margaret Horner, wife of MR. Letter in the possession of William Baxter Clack (grandson of W.R. Clack), transcribed by Edna Clack 1994 Castle Woods, Va. Sept 2nd, 1862 My dear wife, I can inform you that I am well with the exception of cold. I was very sorry to hear that you are yet sick, and I banished from your presence but I hope the time is not far distant when I will be priviidged to return home to administer to your wants, and necessities, and enjoy the sweets of a quiet home. I send you fifty dollars, which I want you to take and use to the best of advantages, til I can come home. Tell the boys to work a head and do the best they can - and if I live I think I will be with them next summer - I have no news of much importance to write. Rolly has wrote you all the news worth writing. We wil leave here in the morning if we can get ready, there are several wagons to repair before we can march We expect to go about one hundred and ten miles beyond the Ky line and it is about forty miles to Ky which will make 150 miles in all. I do not know in what direction we will go when we get to Ky. There are not but _____ ______ at this place but I reckon there are more on the way - I wrote you a letter and mailed it just before Rolly got back to camp, which I hope you have got before now - you shall hear from ocassionally. Write to me - So nothing more at present, but remain Your affectionate, Husband, (signed) Chas. Brady W.R.C. to Miss Amy Dear Sister With great pleasure I seat myself to address you a note. Amy you can hardly imagine my feeling the morning I left home. The thoughts of leaving my home to wander among strangers far from the lovely suns of home in an enemy land, grieved my heart and filled my soul with sorrow. But I must learn to be content with my lot, let it be cast where it may, and my fate whatever it may be, - we will leave here in a short time, - and it may be that I will fall a victim upon some battlefield far from you and my home, but rest assured I have a conflicting hope that He who is able will save me, - That my spirit, while my body lies mangled upon the gray battlefield, will be guided by the bright light from the eternal world, to mansions of everlasting bliss, - I must quit writing for the present, give my best love and respects to all. Tell Mother howda for me, so nothing more at present but remain, - Your affectionate Brother (signed) W R Clack Dear Father & Mother as Charles has not fild his cheat I will drop you a few lines to let you know that I am well with the exception of cold Father & Mother I hardly know how to express my self to you I often think of you all oh that I could see you all won time more tho it is out of my power to see you all now I hope that you will remember me in your prares I want you to tell Margaret Howdy for me you have no idy the trouble I have to bere I hav the world the flesh & the devil tocontend with hear but I hope by the aaid of youre prares to over cum all of them I will say I devote my time in sirching the Scriptures I hav a hope that will reach beyond the graive o that I coud git something that wod releav my troubled hart when I think of you my hart feels like it will burst I hav tried to ware it off but I cant to save my life I hav left all I care for in this world behind which I lov o Lord what shall I do I cant never bare it o Margaret Margaret God bess you I will close for the present Mother I think so much of your kiss I cant eat it I send you won in its plase (signed) M.R. Clack *** This letter was written by Spencer Guess Clack to his brothers serving in the CSA Army. His brothers were William Raleigh and Micajah Rogers Clack Letter addressed to W.R. Clack & M.R. Clack Rhea Co., Tenn. Octr.10th 1862 Dear Brothers In the Army; Once more I have taken up my pen to write you though I have nothing much new nor strange to write. Papa and Amy & Margaret have been writing and I suppose they give what news is going. The news we have from the War Department is very good, our success is very flattering. All the men between the ages of 18 to 55 have been enrolled in E. Tenn. and I believe all from 18 to 35 will immediately be ordered out. I am exempted as a S. Teacher. I am not teaching now I had to suspend school on account of my wounded leg, the particulars of which I gave you in a former letter. I think I will be able to take up school again in a few days. We are all well except Marion he has had a bad spell of fever but the fever is broken on him and is mending. We sincerely hope that you are well. We have had no letter from you since the 16th Sept. I suppose the curriers cant pass for the Bush Whackers. Dear Brothers we will wait with painful anxiety until we hear from you. We learn through the Press that you are near the Enemy & doubtless ere this time you have had a Battle. We know you will write if you have a chance. Brother Rolley you said if I never saw you any more not to forget my brother. ... no - Rolley how could I forget my Dear Brothers who have been so kind to me and who have left everything that is sacred and Dear to them. Forget you no - never. I am almost always thinking of thee and I dreamed every night for a week of being with you & Micajah if I was with you I would be better satisfied. I pray God, if he intends this war for a chastisement of the American people; to shield and protect my dear brothers who are not responsible for this war. Tell Charles his family is well. Farewell my Dear Brothers - may God bless you. S.G. Clack NOTE: Papa referred to above was Micajah Clack (1799-1886), Amy was his sister, and Margaret Horner had married his brother, Micajah Rogers Clack. Marion was Francis Marion Clack, his brother. *** THE FOLLOWING WAS ON A SCRAP OF PAPER, NO DATE, NO ADDRESS -- PHOTO-COPY PROVIDED BY GLENN A. CHATTIN dear children I saw a word in your letter that makes me so glad ... you say you are trying to sustain a good connection & onor your parents which is right in the site of god & man & it will prove a blesing to you & now my sons I would still be gladen if in your nesc you would say you are determined to seake the salvation of your soules & go to haven with us may god so impres your minds is the prair of your loving father & Mother I expect to be thare on the 17 fair well MC & Margaret Clack ( --- Was he heading for Vicksburg??? See next letter -- EC) *** Photo-Copy of the following letter provided by Glenn Chattin. Vicksburg Mississippi March 4th 1863 Dear Sister I once more grasp my pen in hand to write you a few lines. - I received your very kind letter by the hand of Charles, which I read with the greatest pleasure. I opened it over and over and thought of you and the great distance we are apart, and of the circumstances which surrounds us at present - and I could but shed a tear of grief over our sad misfortunes. Amy I am very sorrow indeed to inform you that Micajah has failed to get his discharge. It was approved by all up to Genl Pembleton, and it was handed over to Surgeon Brown for examination and his decision on the case and he just recommended him to be sent to General Hospital for treatment, and tho Genl just recommended that surgeon Brown's endorsement will be carried out, so this killed the hole, - Micajah is back at Mr Stouts, and will remain here for a while til he gets a little stouter then he expects to return to camp. Our Surgeon (Hodge) and Col Gillespie both tells him that he would do about as well here as at the Hospital. I powerfully regret that I was so unwell when Pappa and Bob started home I believe if I had been well I would have got Micajah off home, I would have tried a hundred ways or got him off. The Col said they ought to have stold him off if no other way. - but the time is passed and we must do the best we can. He is still improving but will not be able for any duty soon. Miss Amy I have no news of great interest to write you at this time. The Enemy is reinforcing daily. They sent a flag of truce over the other day, with an order for our men to quit firing into their transports as they passed along the Miss - River, as they would hang the last prisoner they had of our men, our reply was to go a head and we would retaliate. - It is believed now that a heavy fight will be fought here this spring. - I am a thousand times obliged to you, Mother, and Lemira for those cakes and sausage you sent me. I and Micajah eat it with great delight, and talked about the pleasant scenes of home and your great kindness for sending us such delicious things. We both tender you our grateful thanks, and insure you that we will ever remember your kind favors, - Tell Marion and Mary that I was proud to get a letter from them and to hear that Marion is excused from service. - Miss Amy you wanted to know whether I thought it was right for a person to go contrary to their own will just to please others or not. I would say it is not. Live according to the Golden Rule if you want to do right and be happy. - I must close Tell John when you write that I would like to have him in our company, if he wants to come. - So I again bid you adieu. Your affectionate Brother until death {signed} W.R. Clack P.S. Tell Pappa that I lay four days after he left at Stout's before I was able to do anything. My jaw swelled up over my eye, and it pained me a great deal but it is now well. W.R.C. *** W. R. Clack Eagle Furnace Tenn. 1863 - May 16 The hour of battle appears to be close at hand in which I expect to engage, and it may be my fate to fall a victim to the rude hand of death in the struggle. If so, this is intended to inform the reader that I feel ready to go. My enemies may destroy my mortal body but my spirit will elude their grasp. I feel assured that Jesus will bear it up under his balmy wings from the gory battlefield to its eternal rest. Copy this and send it to my father NOTE:This was written by William Raleigh Clack {1839-1919} while at Vicksburg. *** Sept 1st, 1864 ..... It is hard to conceive of the great joy that will aaminate and enliven the hearts of the people when this cruel slaughter of Americans by Americans are ended. Where the marshal music of the hateful fife and drum are superseded by the sweet songs of peace. When the march of armies gives way to the march of industry and civilization. When spears are turned into pruning hooks and swords into plowshares, and the Goddess of Liberty folding away forever the bloodstained banner of Civil War wares upon her wounded bosom the healing olives branch of peace. Written By W. R. Clack *** The following piece of paper was stored among the pages of the Asa Newport account book---EC "Claim of Amy Clack as was Amy Johnson now of the County of Rhea, State of Tenn, for a horse-$175.00. Submitted under the Act approved July 4, 1864. Wood, Boyd & Martin claimants' solicitors, No. 40 1/2 Cherry St., Nashville, Tenn. I, Amy Johnson, on oath state, that I am a citizen of the County and State aforesaid; that I was, at the date the claim hereinafter set forth originated, and have been ever since, loyal to the United States; that on about the 17th day of January, in the year 1864, at my residence, in the County of Rhea, and State of Tennessee, the following horse was taken from me by 26th Ohio troops, to wit: A sorrel horse about six years old valued and well worth at the time one hundred and seventy five dollars...$175.00. That for which no receipt or voucher was given for said horse; that said horse was actually taken by said Regiment for the use of, and used by, the army of the United States; that no payment has been made or compensation received in any way, or from any source whatever, for the whole or any part of said claim; that it has not been transferred to any person or persons whomever, and that the price charged is reasonable and just, and does not exceed the market rate or price of horses at the time and place stated. Signature of claimant. Amy Johnson State of Tennessee County of Rhea This day personally appeared before the undersigned, William W. Love, a justice of the peace of Rhea County, in the State aforesaid, Amy Johnson, who subscribed and made oath to the foregoing affidavit, this twenty ninth day of September in the year one thousand eight hundred and sixty five. Signature of officer. Wm. W. Love, JP 3rd Civil District of Rhea County EC--The above was on a pre-printed form and on the inside Charles Brady and Marion Clack had signed an oath that they witnessed the taking of the horse from her residence, also a signed statement by the County Court Clerk that Wm. Love was a justice of the peace and an authorization signed by Amy Johnson, Charles Brady and Marion Clack for Horatio King of Nashville to prosecute for the foregoing claim. *** Found among the pages of W.R. Clack's Account Book--- A printed handbook titled "BY-LAWS of RHEA SPRING'S LODGE of ANCIENT YORK MASONS ( Kingston: J. C. Owings, printer, 1866 .) contained the following names as officers and members:John C. Abernathy, Jeremiah C. Wasson, Joseph B. Peters, Archibald McCalib, Thomas K. Munsey, Isaac L. Hutchirson, Joel I. Pyott, John Wasson, R. B. Shirley, Samuel H. Dickey, George W. Renfroe. (those were listed as officers, the following were listed as members)-- Joseph L. Abernathy, Suel Phillips, John W. Thompson, Enoch Collins, Bentin Leuty, G. B. Keys, J. H. H. Hood, Thomas P. Moore, Thomas F. Torbett, Steven Cawood, W. R. S. Thompson, George Armour, J. S. Brown, J. W. Smith, and Andrew Marney. *** Envelope addressed to : McCaghia Clack (Micajah-EC) Sulpher Springs Rhea Co Tenn Chesepeak Lawrence Co Mo April 2 69 Dear Father & Mother I embrace the present of writing you afew lines I read aletter from Spencer last week we was happy to hear that you was all alive & well This leaves us all well & I hope will find you all enjoying the same blessing Uncle T J & Aunt Patty is failing fast Bob & Eliza living with them Little Bob & his wife lives in anew house joining therse They are all geting along very well Wilbern Hendrix is doing well he now owns the Michel farm more than he did when Marion & Spencer was here The connectiion is all geting very well as fare as I know Uncle Bob & Aunt Betsy is tolerbal frail They are living alone Uncle T J told me that he heard tht Mat Kerr was drinking his self to death he is not able to sit up & drinks all the time Uncle Billy is very feble I have nothin of interest to write people are bery buisy in there crops wheat crops genrly look well wheat is worth 1;50 cts per bushel corn 50 cts & bacon 15 cts per lbs I do not hear of any stock selling I have not heard from Ma in two months she moved near Fayettvill about the 20 sept Joseph was there he went back to Texas to wind up his business & stay with her if he could stand the climate he ws wonded three times & has aball in his hip that pains him agreat deal at times I have not seen him since Feb 62 james did not go with and he sowed wheat here & went to school with Mary & Margaret T they have been going ner 5 months it has thrown me be hind with my work going to school did not hurt Tennys eyes but she cant gin cotton I do not let her do any thing tht hurts eyes tho she wants to do any thing to help me she is anexception often remarked henderson does not allow me to reprove her to hurt her feelings I intend to have their photographs taken as soon as I can & send to you I will tell you some of our bad luck & you will not think hard of us for not going to town & have ing there likenesses taken hendersons horses & cattle was all taken in the war& the most of his hogs he bought a couple of ponies raised one colt & the mare was hooked & kiled we now have two one with the big head the other crippled don't think they work this summer got a yoke of cattle one died he is now brakeing a young yoke we lost two milk cows this spring a the dogs had lik to have kiled all the sheep so we have abad chance to go I can not for the loss of property if i can keep my family we lost our babe John Milton on 2 of sept last age 5 months & two weeks give my respects to all the connection tell them to write us I will write & have Mary to tell Uncle John & aunt if they wish to hear from me they will have to write to us I want you all to write I will not do as I have Mary & Eliza will write in ashort time I remain as ever your affectionate daughter (signed) Rachel & Henderson Moore to Mc & Margaret Clack A few words of explanation: Rachel Bonham Clack Moore, widow of Robert Kerr Clack Micajah and Margaret Kerr Clack were the parents of Robert Kerr Clack, Spencer Guess Clack, and Francis Marion Clack, among others. Spencer referred to above was probably Spencer Guess Clack of Rhea County, TN Marion was Frances Marion Clack of Rhea County. Uncle T J and Patty - Thomas Jefferson Kerr married Martha Clack. Uncle Bob and Aunt Betsy were Robert Kerr and Elizabeth Clack. Mary and Margaret T (Tenny) were children from Rachel's 1st marriage to Robert Kerr Clack. I don't have any proof that Margaret T and Tenny were one and the same person, but I would almost bet her middle name was Tennessee.. Eye problems seem to be a Clack family trait, especially back in the 1800's and early 1900's. *** The following letter is in the possession Bessie Clack Sharp Smith of Rhea County, TN. The letter is from Sarah Davis Clack, widow of Wiley Blount Clack, son of Micajah and Margaret Kerr Clack. Bonham Fanin County Texas December the 19th 1869 Very Deare & Mutch belove Father & Mother Brothers & Sisters One time mour I take my pen in hand to write to you a few lines to let you no that we all are well & doing the best we can I do hop when these few lines come to hand that will finde you all well I havent any thang of importans to write to you I can inform you that Farley Brady has got out heare tell his Father & Mother that he staid all night with me the 6 night of this month he was well & had bin every since he left home he went on out to Elds County with that man Paw went with him to town he tolde Paw that he would bee back a gains Christmans I want him to come back I am about buying me a peace of land I will gave him a offer to live with me and help me imrpov my place if he will I think my cotton and twelv hogs porke is worth 8 cents and is thaugh will bee worth 10 cents we maid a good crop of corn and a very good wheat I done no how we will make out next yeare about work I am agoing to send Newton to school next summer the school will commence the first of Jan it is aten months school we have had some very coald weather for about two weeks we had two snows last weak you none no how glad I was to see Farley and to heare from you all one time more I was sorrow to heare of Spencer abeing sick this summer I was gald to heare of Father & Mother abeing well and abel to go about and see your children I would bee so glad to see you all one more time Father I will send you a minute of our Association and I want you to read it and tell me how tha lik it what tha think of it I want you to send me one of your minute I wante you all to write to me often I will quit writing for the preasant and if Farley comes back I will get him to write or I willl write a gain you must excuse my awkered wrot letter and bad writing and bad spelling we send our best love and respectes to you all so nothing mour at preasant but remain as ever sister until death. signed Sarah F Clack (This is the widow of Wiley Blount Clack. The letter has been typed as it was written without any clean up. It was transcribed by Edna Clack and proofed and verified by Carol Moyers 1987)