Clark, Gardner B. – May 6, 1863

Michigan Civil War Collection


Click here for this soldier’s biography: https://micivilwar.com/authors/clark-gardner-b/
Regiment: 1st U.S. Volunteers Sharpshooters Battles Mentioned: Chancellorsville, Virginia Historical Figures: Army of the Potomac May 6th 1863 My Own Dear Mary. Jenny: Once more in the deadly conflict we have me our foes and dearly have we paid the penalty of the son of man waring against his Brother man. Many of my brave comrades have laid their lives upon the altar of their countrys good. Foremost on the list stands my more than Brother Brewer. By my side he fell. Struck with instantaneous death. A ten found solid shot passing through his heart. He had been through a terriffic charge had driven the foe nearly a mile and in turn had been. obliged to fall back. And then amid the hottest artillery firing I ever saw they laid him life= =less at my feet. I know not whether you would call it presentiment. I do not but I had watched all day to see if he was safe. His name and memory will be remem= =bered and cherished by all his comrades in arms. We avenge his death. Single handed we drive -our co. alone- a brigade of Rebels. killing and wounding them by scores until they broke like a flock of sheep. It was in a dense wood and by the rapidity of our firing they supposed we had an overpowering force. Of the forty three men we took into action in five minutes time six= teen were either killed or wounded. We captured some two hundred. This was Sunday May 3rd. The day before we were out skirmishing and captured entire the 23rd Georgia compri= =sing one field and eighteen line officers and 360 Enlisted men. In this affair we were connected with three other companies. Num= bering less than seventy five men. I cannot give details for every minute we expect the battle. “to-be-continued.” We have a good position and cannot fail to win. We left camp the 28th. All was blind until we crossed the river. Co. “C.” never yet has been drove from the field and never will. Give my kind regards to all.              Yours Ever Gardner. Lieut G. B. Clark [On Envelope:] Brewers death Miss Mary Baxter Grand Rappids Box 450 Michigan