James Henry Clark

In 1860 he was a 19 year old foundry apprentice living with iron founder Darius Adams's family in Springfield, VT. He enlisted there on 7 May 1861 and mustered as a Private in Company A, 3rd Vermont Infantry on 16 July. He was sick in Union Hospital in Georgetown, DC from 6 to 16 August 1861.

He was in action on South Mountain on 14 September 1862. In October he wrote home:

I have been with the colors since the Battle of Crampton’s Gap as color guard. It is a little easier than going with the company. I suppose I am entitled to Corporal’s stripes but I think it will be doubtful if I take them because folks that don’t behave well sometimes get them taken off and that makes their clothes look bad.

The Battle of Crampton’s Gap was fought [on] my birthday — the 14th — I shall always remember it. If I ever reach home, I will give you a more definite description of these battles.

He was promoted to Corporal on 1 November 1862 and got leave to visit home in April 1863, but was killed in action in the Wilderness, VA on 5 May 1864.

His service from Peck1 and his Compiled Service Records,2 online from fold3. The quote above from his letter of 4 October 1862, transcribed and hosted online by Griff. Personal details from family genealogists and the US Census of 1860. His cenotaph in Townshend, MA is on Findagrave.

09/14/1841; Townsend, MA

05/05/1864; WIlderness, VA; burial in Riverside Cemetery, West Townsend, MA