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Clark, Hank S., fl. 1861-1865 to Washington

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03523.42.04 Author/Creator: Clark, Hank S., fl. 1861-1865 Place Written: Rolla, Missouri Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 19 August 1861 Pagination: 3 p. : Height: 24.9 cm, Width: 19.8 cm Order a Copy

Written at camp near Rolla, Missouri. Writes that is he sorry that Franklin Fuller's army was so "knocked up." He states that he cannot complain because things have not been bad in Missouri. The officers refused to move until they had been paid and received rifles. When they received word that General Nathaniel Lyon had been killed, the men were ready to go on the condition that Major General John C. Fremont provide rifles and money. According to Clark, General Fremont did not have enough money so used money from his "own pocket and took the government as security for it." He thinks there is sufficient force to drive the rebels from the state. There are rumors of a rebel army 20 miles from the Union army. Writes that the troops of General Franz Sigel have been returning to camp [from the Battle of Carthage] and look "pretty badly cut up." Some of the men are going home as their three month enlistments are expiring. A troop fell asleep while on guard duty and will be court-martialed for it. Teases him about breaking into people's homes and the trouble they used to get into.

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