John J. Clarke Papers, 1861-1865

Access and use

Location of collection:
Virginia Military Institute Archives
Preston Library
Virginia Military Institute
345 Letcher Ave.
Lexington, VA 24450-0304
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Jeffrey S. Kozak
Phone: (540) 464-7516
Phone: (540) 464-7566
Fax: (540) 464-7089
Restrictions:

There are no restrictions.

Terms of access:

There are no restrictions.

Preferred citation:

John J. Clarke Papers, mss 00112, Virginia Military Institute Archives, Lexington, Virginia.

Summary

Language:
English
Preferred citation:

John J. Clarke Papers, mss 00112, Virginia Military Institute Archives, Lexington, Virginia.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection consists of Clarke's Civil War papers (1861-1865; 12 items). Documents include commissions, military orders, correspondence and dispatches concerning activities in and around Charleston, South Carolina during the period 1864-1865; letter (Feb. 4, 1865) to Col. Clarke from Headquarters discussing proposed training of African-American troops in the Engineer Corps.

For Provisional Army of Virginia; signed by Governor John Letcher.

Issued by Confederate States of America War Department; appointing Clarke Captain, Corps of Engineers, Provisional Army Confederate States.

Clarke appointed Chief Engineer, Peninsula Department, by order of General John B. Magruder.

"In prosecuting the work of obstructing James River you are authorized to seize for the Confederate States any vessels in the river which you may need...."

Regarding the construction of a bridge.

From Clarke, requesting "Co. B., 23rd Regiment South Carolina Volunteers, Elliott's Brigade, now serving near Petersburg, be ordered to report to me here, for service on boats supplying Fort Sumter."

Thanking Clarke for his gift of a pair of spurs

Conveying Gen. Lee's opinion about Clarke's plan for training of black engineer soldiers.

Confidential detailed directive regarding the withdrawal of troops and materials from Charleston, the harbor forts, and on the defensive lines. From Headquarters, Charleston, SC (Department of South Carolina, Georgia and Florida)

"Engineer Officers and Acting Engineers now on duty with Major John McCrady, Acting Chief Engineer." Charlotte, North Carolina.

For horse.

Written at Chesterville, SC by Capt. [Smith?]; regarding duty assignments of various officers; surveying and mapping project.

Biographical / historical:

Little is known about the personal history of John J. Clarke. His date and place of birth are unknown; during the pre-war years he was employed as a civil engineer. In April 1861, he was commissioned Captain in the Confederate Army Engineer Corps and served as an engineer until the end of the war, rising to the rank of Colonel. By 1864 he was the Chief Engineer for the Department of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. At war's end Clarke settled in Georgia, where he was Superintendent of the Georgia Central Railroad; records indicate that he was living in Savannah in 1868. He died circa 1889 in an accident in New Jersey.

Acquisition information:
The papers were donated to the Virginia Military Institute in 1958 by Charles Kennon Clarke.
Arrangement:

The papers are arranged in chronological order.

Physical description:
The papers consist of 12 items and are filed in one folder.