Clark, Hank S. (fl. 1861-1865) to Washington
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03523.42.05 Author/Creator: Clark, Hank S. (fl. 1861-1865) Place Written: Rolla, Missouri Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 1 September 1861 Pagination: 4 p. ; 19.4 x 23.9 cm. Order a Copy
Written at camp near Rolla, Missouri. The scouting party has captured a secessionist who is now in the guard house. Thinks that the prisoner will be made to take an oath of loyalty to the Union then released. They may deal with him more harshly because Missouri is now under martial law. He has been digging trenches and chopping down trees to prepare for a Confederate attack. They have four 32 pound cannon to emplace and are digging positions for them. Once the guns are ready "a greater part of the forces now here will be taken away." There is a "vacancy" in his current regiment and he would like his old friend "Wash" to fill it. Does not have the greatest confidence in the officers, states they are "average," but thinks the men are very good. The weather has been warm. There are many men coming into the camp every day and he thinks that there will soon be a second 15th regiment.
Franklin W. Fuller from Howard, Illinois enlisted on 14 August 1862 as a Sergeant. He mustered into the I Company of the Illinois 74th Infantry on 4 September 1862. He was mustered out on 10 June 1865 in Nashville, Tennessee.
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