The following article was published in “The Star Ledger” – Kosciusko, Mississippi on March 6, 1908. It was located by the submitter, Ellen Oakes Pettit, in “SPECIAL COLLECTIONS” - the CLARK COLLECTION, Z 0031.000 at the Mississippi Department of Archives and History. It has been typed per the newspaper article with no change to spelling, etc. Mr. Clark relates a day by day description of a trip that he made from Kosciusko to the battlefields in Virginia during the War Between the States in August 1861. Mr. M. A. Clark, Micajah Adolphus Clark, was born 06 Dec 1822 in Anderson, SC and died on 02 Sep 1905. He married Annie Theresa McNulty on 13 Apr 1859. They are buried in the Kosciusko City Cemetery. M. A. Clark was the son of Major James Greene Clark and Frances Webb Clarke, who are buried at Bethel Methodist Church Cemetery in Attala Co., MS. TO THE SEAT OF WAR Trip of M. A. Clark From Kosciusko to Virginia On Wednesday evening, Aug. 28, 1861, we left Kosciusko for West Station, Miss., the nearest point on the railroad. It is still raining; the roads are heavy and our progress slow. We find the Apooktah Creek swimming, about one-half mile wide, so we could not get our wagon across until the next morning. Aug. 29. We reach Big Black River, but find it too deep to ford; so we send our wagon back, and have the ferryman take us and our baggage across in a skiff. We then had to pack our baggage one mile to West Station. We left on the train at 1 p.m. Aug. 30. We had breakfast at Holly Springs, dinner at Corinth and supper at Huntsville, Ala. Reached Chattanooga Saturday morning, Aug. 31; and changed cars for Knoxville, reaching there Sunday morning, where we again changed cars. We have a company of Georgia soldiers on our train. They carry muskets, pistols and heavy knives. At Strawberry Plain, 130 miles from Knoxville, two companies from Rayburn County, Tenn., guard the bridge across the beautiful Holston river. We pass Johnson, Tenn., where the 14^th Miss. Regiment is encamped. We have been traveling all the evening in view of the Blue Ridge mountains. At Bristol, on the borderline of Tenn. and Va., we change cars for Lynchburg, Va., at 5 p.m. Sept. 1, Sunday. We reach Lynchburg at 6 a.m., and rest for the day. We stop at the Norville House, and have a good breakfast; after which we get a carriage and go out to the Fair Grounds where Dan Russell’s Miss. Regiment is in camp. We went to visit Capt. Patterson’s Company, the Cooper Guard of Attala county. We found them doing well. A good many had been sick, but all were improving. W. D. Rimmer was quite sick with relapse from measles. John Smith was quite sick. They are in a beautiful place. After dinner at the tavern I visited the James River and canal. I then visited the Ladies’ Hospital, where I found E. Brister waiting on his son, who was improving. This hospital is under entire control of the ladies of Lynchburg, and everything is neat and clean, and the ladies very attentive to the 130 sick soldiers therein. I visited the regular army hospital, a large beautiful building, formerly a female seminary, situated on an elevated place where can be had a fine view of the city. There are 200 sick soldiers there. There are said to be 16,000 soldiers in Lynchburg. This city beats Vicksburg for hills. The streets run up the mountain, with bridges, 40 or 50 feet high from one hollow to another. Sept. 2. After an early breakfast we take the train for Richmond, 125 miles distant. A freight train wreck ahead detained us one hour, after which our train made up the time at a dangerous rate of speed. Our cars are crowded with soldiers from Cal., Tex., Ark., La., Miss, and other states. At Burksville, Va., we change cars, and find more soldiers here than at any other place. Reached Richmond at 1 p.m., stopping at Mrs. Grave’s boarding house. After dinner we get our passports, and then visited the Capitol square and saw the magnificent monument to the Virginia Revolutionary heroes. H. F. Moore and I went to the Fair Grounds and visited Capt. Love’s company from Attala county. They were doing fine. Some had been sick with measles and colds, but were all getting up and doing well except Johnson and one other man, a stranger to me. We reached our hotel after dark. Sept. 3. Left Richmond at 6 a.m. for Manassas, a two hours’ run. When the cars stopped at Louisa Court House, the ladies brought large baskets of peaches which they gave to the volunteers, and insisted on them taking them without charge. At Gordonsville we change cars for Manassas. Culpepper county is level and beautiful. In all my trip the cars have not been so crowded as between Gordonsville and Manassas. Quite a number were left behind, among whom were Capt. L. D. Fletcher, James McAdory, H. F. Moore, N. B. Whitehead, son and servant. As the cars started I caught hold of the steps and rode 30 miles to Culpepper court house, holding on. When the conductor opened the door I rushed past him and got a seat in the ladies’ car. There are about 2000 sick soldiers at Culpepper. Their disease is mostly measles. Manassas was reached at 6 p.m. A great many soldiers were stationed here. I went out and looked at the defences. On the breastworks are many cannon, Beauregard’s and Johnson’s headquarters are here. I was surprised at the magnitude of the war preparations. I am certain the place can be held against almost any force. Sept. 4. Capt. Fletcher and H. F. Moore came up. After much trouble we engaged a two horse wagon and left at 9 a.m. for Leesburg, 30 miles distant. In about 5 miles we struck the battlefields of Manassas. The road for two miles was almost intolerable from the scent of the carcasses of dead horses and dead Yankees, who had been buried about one foot deep and were dug and scratched up and lying on top of the ground. Their bones will be scattered all over the field. This was to me perfectly shocking. Where Sherman’s battery was taken, the dead horses lay thick. I went to the house where the old lady was killed, and found it literally shot all to pieces. I would have looked over the battlefield more had not the scent been so bad. Was satisfied with what I saw. After hard driving we reached Leesburg a little after dark, where Evans’ brigade was encamped. Found the boys getting along fine. Some few were out in the country sick. Sept. 5. Found Jo Weatherly, Chas. S. Cone, N. L. McWhorter and Larken Towers quite sick. They were at the Odd Fellows’ Hospital, except Weatherly, who was at Col. Ramy’s. Lieut. O’Briant and Wm. C. Lewis were at the latter place. I spent the day visiting the sick. There are over 200 sick soldiers in Leesburg. Sept. 6. I hired a horse and rode out 8 miles in the country to Waterford, 15 miles below Harper’s Ferry, to Col. N. S. Braden’s house, where I found my brother Benj. A. Clark, and young Harrison. In the evening I went one mile further and found M. L. Durham. Mat is doing well, and spoke of returning to camp in a few days. Sept. 7. Worked all day trying to get a discharge for B. A. Clark, but can’t do anything until he comes in to be examined. Sept. 6 (sic), Sunday. With H. F. Moore and others, went over to the entrenchments, about 3 miles from camp, where we had a good view of the Potomac river and a brigade of the enemy’s camp. We went nearer the river where Capt. Eckford’s company was stationed as a picket guard. The Yankees shot some bomb shells at this company, one bursting in 200 yds. Of the camp, and another just beyond them. One struck without it bursting; I had it in my hands. It weighed about 10 pounds. Some of the boys, from our side and some from theirs, after making an agreement to quit shooting, went in swimming from either side. One man from Eckford’s company and one from the enemy swam until they met each other, and exchanged newspapers. The Yankee papers are cast down over the great defeat at Bull Run, their name for Manassas. We got back about dinner and found that B. A. Clark had reached camp. After dinner I got Dr. Gilmore, the surgeon, to examine him. He said he ought to be discharged for disability. I had the papers fixed up and signed by Capt. Fletcher, Dr. Gilmore, Col. Barksdale and Gen. Evans. Sept. 9. I visited all the sick today, finding them much improved. Sept. 10. I went up town to see Dr. Most for B. A. Clark. I then got our hack and came on back to camp, where I found our regiment fixing up to move on a little nearer to the Potomac. We bade them good bye and left for Manassas. At 9 a.m. we reached the battlefield. H. F. Moore and I took a general survey of it for an hour. We saw where the hardest fighting was done. Reached Manassas at 5 p.m., where we met Rev. J. R. Farrish, J. D. Fletcher and some others from Madison county, Miss. I went up to Gen. Beauregard’s headquarters to see Maj. Peyton, one of his aides. I found them busy examining six Yankee prisoners who had been taken the day before; consequently could not attend to any business until next day. I returned to Manassas where we had difficulty in getting supper. I volunteered my services in bringing water for a lady, and after bringing three buckets got supper which I paid for. I looked around for a place to sleep. H. F. Moore and I went into a car and did well. The rest of our company slept in a house which was being built. Sept. 11. After breakfast I had an interview with Maj. Peyton at Gen. Beauregard’s headquarters and secured his assistance in getting a discharge for B. A. Clark. I then carried him up to the hospital to be examined by the medical directory. After this we witnessed the burial of a soldier named Leach, from Wilkinson county, Miss. I then visited the guard house to see more Yankee prisoners. I talked to one some time; found him to be a saucy fellow. He did not blame us for fighting; but said we could not have the same views. I then went out to visit the Miss. regiment here. Spent some time with Capt. Dudley’s company. A great many of them were sick. One of them, named Roby, I think was dying. H. F. Moore and I went out in the evening to Gen. Johnston’s headquarters, where I had the pleasure of seeing Gen. Johnston. I succeeded in getting a full discharge for B. A. Clark. I wound up my day’s labors by visiting the artillery company’s breastworks. Gen. Beauregard is moving his headquarters today up to Fairfax court house. We have to eat and sleep here anywhere we can. There are lots of thieves here. Two were arrested today. We slept in the cars tonight. Sept. 12. We left Manassas at 7 a.m. In 20 miles we reach Beleton Station, where James and John Comfort and Calvin Winters had been sick. James Comfort and C. Winters left the day before for camp. John was still there, sick but improving. They think he has consumption. James has gone to try to get a discharge for him. At Culpepper we pass a Virginia company, King William Artillery. There are 2500 soldiers here. Reached Lynchburg at 4 p.m., where we stop at the Norvell hotel until 2 p.m. tomorrow. Took a carriage and went out to visit Col. Russell’s regiment. Found Capt. Patterson’s company doing well. A few more sick, viz.: Sam Sanders, Wm. Bain, W. D. Rimmer and Joe Hollingsworth. Rimmer and Hollingsworth were at a private house and doing very well. We remained in camp until next morning. (To be continued in one more series which will close with M. A. Clark’s listing of volunteers from Attala Co., Miss. by Beats. It probably does not contain names of those who volunteered after September, 1861.)

thank for post the Clark diary; will be look ford for the other part; Charles McAdams, p o box 20184 white hall ark 71612 tenman.1@sbcglobal.net phone 870 247 5123 ________________________________ From: Ellen Pettit <eopettit@hughes.net> To: MSATTALA@rootsweb.com Sent: Fri, May 14, 2010 10:21:15 AM Subject: [MSATTALA] MICAJAH A. CLARK'S DIARY DESCRIPTION OF TRIP TO BATTLEFIELDS IN 1861 The following article was published in “The Star Ledger” – Kosciusko, Mississippi on March 6, 1908. It was located by the submitter, Ellen Oakes Pettit, in “SPECIAL COLLECTIONS” - the CLARK COLLECTION, Z 0031.000 at the Mississippi Department of Archives and History. It has been typed per the newspaper article with no change to spelling, etc. Mr. Clark relates a day by day description of a trip that he made from Kosciusko to the battlefields in Virginia during the War Between the States in August 1861. Mr. M. A. Clark, Micajah Adolphus Clark, was born 06 Dec 1822 in Anderson, SC and died on 02 Sep 1905. He married Annie Theresa McNulty on 13 Apr 1859. They are buried in the Kosciusko City Cemetery. M. A. Clark was the son of Major James Greene Clark and Frances Webb Clarke, who are buried at Bethel Methodist Church Cemetery in Attala Co., MS. TO THE SEAT OF WAR Trip of M. A. Clark From Kosciusko to Virginia On Wednesday evening, Aug. 28, 1861, we left Kosciusko for West Station, Miss., the nearest point on the railroad. It is still raining; the roads are heavy and our progress slow. We find the Apooktah Creek swimming, about one-half mile wide, so we could not get our wagon across until the next morning. Aug. 29. We reach Big Black River, but find it too deep to ford; so we send our wagon back, and have the ferryman take us and our baggage across in a skiff. We then had to pack our baggage one mile to West Station. We left on the train at 1 p.m. Aug. 30. We had breakfast at Holly Springs, dinner at Corinth and supper at Huntsville, Ala. Reached Chattanooga Saturday morning, Aug. 31; and changed cars for Knoxville, reaching there Sunday morning, where we again changed cars. We have a company of Georgia soldiers on our train. They carry muskets, pistols and heavy knives. At Strawberry Plain, 130 miles from Knoxville, two companies from Rayburn County, Tenn., guard the bridge across the beautiful Holston river. We pass Johnson, Tenn., where the 14^th Miss. Regiment is encamped. We have been traveling all the evening in view of the Blue Ridge mountains. At Bristol, on the borderline of Tenn. and Va., we change cars for Lynchburg, Va., at 5 p.m. Sept. 1, Sunday. We reach Lynchburg at 6 a.m., and rest for the day. We stop at the Norville House, and have a good breakfast; after which we get a carriage and go out to the Fair Grounds where Dan Russell’s Miss. Regiment is in camp. We went to visit Capt. Patterson’s Company, the Cooper Guard of Attala county. We found them doing well. A good many had been sick, but all were improving. W. D. Rimmer was quite sick with relapse from measles. John Smith was quite sick. They are in a beautiful place. After dinner at the tavern I visited the James River and canal. I then visited the Ladies’ Hospital, where I found E. Brister waiting on his son, who was improving. This hospital is under entire control of the ladies of Lynchburg, and everything is neat and clean, and the ladies very attentive to the 130 sick soldiers therein. I visited the regular army hospital, a large beautiful building, formerly a female seminary, situated on an elevated place where can be had a fine view of the city. There are 200 sick soldiers there. There are said to be 16,000 soldiers in Lynchburg. This city beats Vicksburg for hills. The streets run up the mountain, with bridges, 40 or 50 feet high from one hollow to another. Sept. 2. After an early breakfast we take the train for Richmond, 125 miles distant. A freight train wreck ahead detained us one hour, after which our train made up the time at a dangerous rate of speed. Our cars are crowded with soldiers from Cal., Tex., Ark., La., Miss, and other states. At Burksville, Va., we change cars, and find more soldiers here than at any other place. Reached Richmond at 1 p.m., stopping at Mrs. Grave’s boarding house. After dinner we get our passports, and then visited the Capitol square and saw the magnificent monument to the Virginia Revolutionary heroes. H. F. Moore and I went to the Fair Grounds and visited Capt. Love’s company from Attala county. They were doing fine. Some had been sick with measles and colds, but were all getting up and doing well except Johnson and one other man, a stranger to me. We reached our hotel after dark. Sept. 3. Left Richmond at 6 a.m. for Manassas, a two hours’ run. When the cars stopped at Louisa Court House, the ladies brought large baskets of peaches which they gave to the volunteers, and insisted on them taking them without charge. At Gordonsville we change cars for Manassas. Culpepper county is level and beautiful. In all my trip the cars have not been so crowded as between Gordonsville and Manassas. Quite a number were left behind, among whom were Capt. L. D. Fletcher, James McAdory, H. F. Moore, N. B. Whitehead, son and servant. As the cars started I caught hold of the steps and rode 30 miles to Culpepper court house, holding on. When the conductor opened the door I rushed past him and got a seat in the ladies’ car. There are about 2000 sick soldiers at Culpepper. Their disease is mostly measles. Manassas was reached at 6 p.m. A great many soldiers were stationed here. I went out and looked at the defences. On the breastworks are many cannon, Beauregard’s and Johnson’s headquarters are here. I was surprised at the magnitude of the war preparations. I am certain the place can be held against almost any force. Sept. 4. Capt. Fletcher and H. F. Moore came up. After much trouble we engaged a two horse wagon and left at 9 a.m. for Leesburg, 30 miles distant. In about 5 miles we struck the battlefields of Manassas. The road for two miles was almost intolerable from the scent of the carcasses of dead horses and dead Yankees, who had been buried about one foot deep and were dug and scratched up and lying on top of the ground. Their bones will be scattered all over the field. This was to me perfectly shocking. Where Sherman’s battery was taken, the dead horses lay thick. I went to the house where the old lady was killed, and found it literally shot all to pieces. I would have looked over the battlefield more had not the scent been so bad. Was satisfied with what I saw. After hard driving we reached Leesburg a little after dark, where Evans’ brigade was encamped. Found the boys getting along fine. Some few were out in the country sick. Sept. 5. Found Jo Weatherly, Chas. S. Cone, N. L. McWhorter and Larken Towers quite sick. They were at the Odd Fellows’ Hospital, except Weatherly, who was at Col. Ramy’s. Lieut. O’Briant and Wm. C. Lewis were at the latter place. I spent the day visiting the sick. There are over 200 sick soldiers in Leesburg. Sept. 6. I hired a horse and rode out 8 miles in the country to Waterford, 15 miles below Harper’s Ferry, to Col. N. S. Braden’s house, where I found my brother Benj. A. Clark, and young Harrison. In the evening I went one mile further and found M. L. Durham. Mat is doing well, and spoke of returning to camp in a few days. Sept. 7. Worked all day trying to get a discharge for B. A. Clark, but can’t do anything until he comes in to be examined. Sept. 6 (sic), Sunday. With H. F. Moore and others, went over to the entrenchments, about 3 miles from camp, where we had a good view of the Potomac river and a brigade of the enemy’s camp. We went nearer the river where Capt. Eckford’s company was stationed as a picket guard. The Yankees shot some bomb shells at this company, one bursting in 200 yds. Of the camp, and another just beyond them. One struck without it bursting; I had it in my hands. It weighed about 10 pounds. Some of the boys, from our side and some from theirs, after making an agreement to quit shooting, went in swimming from either side. One man from Eckford’s company and one from the enemy swam until they met each other, and exchanged newspapers. The Yankee papers are cast down over the great defeat at Bull Run, their name for Manassas. We got back about dinner and found that B. A. Clark had reached camp. After dinner I got Dr. Gilmore, the surgeon, to examine him. He said he ought to be discharged for disability. I had the papers fixed up and signed by Capt. Fletcher, Dr. Gilmore, Col. Barksdale and Gen. Evans. Sept. 9. I visited all the sick today, finding them much improved. Sept. 10. I went up town to see Dr. Most for B. A. Clark. I then got our hack and came on back to camp, where I found our regiment fixing up to move on a little nearer to the Potomac. We bade them good bye and left for Manassas. At 9 a.m. we reached the battlefield. H. F. Moore and I took a general survey of it for an hour. We saw where the hardest fighting was done. Reached Manassas at 5 p.m., where we met Rev. J. R. Farrish, J. D. Fletcher and some others from Madison county, Miss. I went up to Gen. Beauregard’s headquarters to see Maj. Peyton, one of his aides. I found them busy examining six Yankee prisoners who had been taken the day before; consequently could not attend to any business until next day. I returned to Manassas where we had difficulty in getting supper. I volunteered my services in bringing water for a lady, and after bringing three buckets got supper which I paid for. I looked around for a place to sleep. H. F. Moore and I went into a car and did well. The rest of our company slept in a house which was being built. Sept. 11. After breakfast I had an interview with Maj. Peyton at Gen. Beauregard’s headquarters and secured his assistance in getting a discharge for B. A. Clark. I then carried him up to the hospital to be examined by the medical directory. After this we witnessed the burial of a soldier named Leach, from Wilkinson county, Miss. I then visited the guard house to see more Yankee prisoners. I talked to one some time; found him to be a saucy fellow. He did not blame us for fighting; but said we could not have the same views. I then went out to visit the Miss. regiment here. Spent some time with Capt. Dudley’s company. A great many of them were sick. One of them, named Roby, I think was dying. H. F. Moore and I went out in the evening to Gen. Johnston’s headquarters, where I had the pleasure of seeing Gen. Johnston. I succeeded in getting a full discharge for B. A. Clark. I wound up my day’s labors by visiting the artillery company’s breastworks. Gen. Beauregard is moving his headquarters today up to Fairfax court house. We have to eat and sleep here anywhere we can. There are lots of thieves here. Two were arrested today. We slept in the cars tonight. Sept. 12. We left Manassas at 7 a.m. In 20 miles we reach Beleton Station, where James and John Comfort and Calvin Winters had been sick. James Comfort and C. Winters left the day before for camp. John was still there, sick but improving. They think he has consumption. James has gone to try to get a discharge for him. At Culpepper we pass a Virginia company, King William Artillery. There are 2500 soldiers here. Reached Lynchburg at 4 p.m., where we stop at the Norvell hotel until 2 p.m. tomorrow. Took a carriage and went out to visit Col. Russell’s regiment. Found Capt. Patterson’s company doing well. A few more sick, viz.: Sam Sanders, Wm. Bain, W. D. Rimmer and Joe Hollingsworth. Rimmer and Hollingsworth were at a private house and doing very well. We remained in camp until next morning. (To be continued in one more series which will close with M. A. Clark’s listing of volunteers from Attala Co., Miss. by Beats. It probably does not contain names of those who volunteered after September, 1861.) ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to MSATTALA-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message