Person Record

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1 of 1977 Melvin Clark

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Metadata

Name

Clark, Melvin Lewis

Genealogy ID

60915

Born

10 APR 1840

Birthplace

Richmond, Tioga PA

Deceased

04 APR 1902

Deceased where

Mansfield, Tioga PA

Cemetery

Prospect Cemetery

Occupation

Postmaster 1877 USPS
Merchant - Furniture

Titles & honors

Civil War
G.A.R. Mansfield Post # 48
School Board President

Military

Civil War

Father

Phineas M. Clark

Mother

Mary Budd

Spouse

Sarah Louise Beach

Children

Jay Hiram Clark
Hugh G. Clark
Howard B. Clark
Budd A. clark
Fordyce Allen Clark

Reference

Obit 1883 GAR bio

Notes

CLARK, Col. Melvin Lewis [SRGP 60915] d. Mansfield "last Fri." in 62st yr., uremic poisoning, b. near Mansfield April 10th 1840 to Phineas M. & Polly Budd Clark, m. Jan. 3rd 1866 Sara Beach (dau. Of Lyman Beach) & left 4 sons: Jay H. of Harrisburg; Howard B. of Williamsport; Budd A. of Mansfield & Fordyce M. of Brooklyn, N.Y.; also 2 bros. left (of 5 children); George M. of New York & Albert of Seattle & 1 1/2 bro. Frank A. of Mansfield; 3 sis. Mrs. Emily Phelps of New York; Mrs. Clara Clisby of Atlanta, Ga.; Mrs. Elizabeth Grosa of Chicago [Mansfield Advertiser 1902 9-Apr]

M. L. was postmaster in Mansfield PA. He served four years in the military during the Civil War and spent eleven months in a prison camp.

MELVIN L. CLARK was born in Richmond, near Mansfield, April 20th 1840. He enlisted in September 1861 in Company B 101st Pa. volunteers; served as second lieutenant, then as captain for nearly three years; was promoted to be lieutenant-colonel May 20th 1865, and was mustered out in July following. He married Sarah L. Beach, of Mansfield, January 3d 1866. [1883 History]

M. L. Clark Honor Guard at Lincoln’s Funeral

Melvin Lewis Clark entered the service Sept. 26, 1861 at Mansfield. Pa., as 1st Sergeant in Co. B 101st Reg’t Pa. Vol. Inf. He was promoted to Liet. Col. May 18th, 1865. He was discharged from the service July 26, 1865 at Harrisburg, Pa., at the close of the war.

He was engaged in the siege of Yorktown, the battles of Williamsburg, Fair Oaks, Seven Pines, White Oak Swamp, Malvern Hill and Blackwater, Va., also Kingston, Whitehall, Goldboro, Little Washington and Plymouth, NC. During four years of service he was in a hospital but four days at White House Landing.

He was taken prisoner with his company at the four days battle at Plymouth, NC on April 20th 1864 by General Hakes’ Division of the Army of Northern Va. He was confined at Macon, Ga., about three months; at Savannah, Ga., three weeks; at Charleston, S.C., three weeks, during which he with 600 other officers were kept under fire of the guns of the Union batteries at Columbia, S.C., between four and five months and a few days each at Charlotte, Raleigh and
Goldsboro.

He escaped from Columbia prison the last of November 1864. After traveling ten nights and hiding during the day, tracked by blood hounds and fed by slaves, he was recaptured near Belton, Anderson County, S.C., 150 miles from Columbia and was returned to Columbia prison. He was exchanged March 1st, 1865 at Wilmington, NC.

In Dec. 1862, during the Goldboro raid, he was detached with his company before the battle of Kingston and after a march of twenty miles, held the picket line twelve hours. During the battle, which lasted six hours, they supported a battery and when the Rebels retreated Co. B pursued with the Regiment, having been thirty-six hours without sleep or rest. In the spring of 1863 they were detached from the regiment and sent to Rose Bay, Hyde County, NC to guard a bridge. While there, they captured a large quantity of supplies from the guerrillas. In April 1864, he was selected by Gen. Wessles and sent in command of fifty picked men to destroy the salt works at Keretuck Sound 100 miles distance. They returned in eight days having destroyed the works without the loss of a man.

During the winters of 1863 and 1864, he was detailed as a member of the Board of Court-Martial by which a large number of officers and men were tried for various offenses.

After his exchange he attended the funeral of Lincoln as one of the 600 men constituting the guard of honor. He then joined his regiment at Ranoke Island, NC, where 800 recruits were received making a total of 1100 men. The regiment was then ordered to Newburn, NC, where he took command and brought to Harrisburg, where all were discharged.

Sgt. Clark was 21 years of age when he enlisted Oct. 5, 1861. He was promoted to 2nd Lt., Aug. 9, 1862 and to Captain on Oct. 1, 1862. Captured at Plymouth, NC April 20, 1864. Commissioned a Lt. Col. May 18, 1865. He was not mustered out at the time but given the additional honor of being placed in command and discharged with his company later at Harrisburg.

He was a charter member of General Mansfield Post No. 48, GAR and served as its commander. His GAR chair with this inscription on the back, "M.L. Clark, Lt. Co. 101st Pa. Vol. Reg.", Ga

AT Badge, Black Rosette arm band worn in Washington and other momentos are in the possession of his grandson, Budd M. Clark of Wysox. They will be displayed during the 1961 4th of July Celebration in Mansfield.

MELVIN LEWIS CLARK was born the 10th day of April 1840 in Mansfield, Tioga County, PA. And entered the service Sept. 26th 1861 at Mansfield, PA as 1st Sergt. in Co. B, 101st Regt. PA Vol. Inf. He was promoted to 2nd Lieut. Aug. 9th 1862; to Captain Sept. 23rd 1862 and to Lieut. Col. May 18th 1865. He was discharged from the service July 26th 1865, at Harrisburg, PA on account of close of the war. He was engaged in the siege of Yorktown, the battles of Williamsburg, Fair Oaks. Seven Pines, White Oak Swamp, Malvern Hill and Blackwater, VA; and Kingston, Whitehall, Goldsboro, Little Washington and Plymouth, NC. During four years of service he was in hospital but four days; at White House Landing. He was taken prisoner with his company at the close of the four days battle at Plymouth, NC on April 20th 1864 by General Hoke’s Division of the Army of Northern VA. He was confined at Macon, GA about three months, at Savannah, GA, three weeks, at Charleston, SC, three weeks; during which he with 600 other officers was kept under fire of the guns of the Union batteries at Columbia, SC between four and five months, and a few days each at Charlotte, Raleigh, and Goldsboro. He escaped from Columbia prison the last of Nov. 1864. After traveling ten nights and hiding during the day; tracked by blood hounds and fed by slaves he was recaptured near Belton, Anderson Co., SC, 150 miles from Columbia and returned to Columbia prison. He was exchanged March 1st 1865 at Wilmington, NC. In Dec. 1862 during the Goldsboro raid, he was detached with his company before the battle of Kingston, and after a march of twenty miles, held the picket line twelve hours. During the battle which lasted six hours, they supported a battery and when the Rebels retreated Co. B pursued with the regiment having been thirty-six hours without sleep or rest. In the spring of 1863 they were detached from the regiment and sent to Rose Bay, Hyde Co., NC to guard a bridge. While there they captured a large quantity of supplies from the guerrillas. In April 1864 he was selected by Gen. Wessler and sent in command of fifty picked men to destroy the salt works at Keretuck Sound, 100 miles distant. They returned in eight days having destroyed the works without the loss of a man. During the winter of 1863 and 1864 he was detailed as a member of the board of court-martial by which a large number of officers and men were tried for various offenses. After his exchange he attended the funeral of Lincoln as one of the 600 officers constituting the guard of honor. He then joined his regiment at Roanoke Island, NC where 800 recruits were received making a total of 1100 men. The regiment was then ordered to New Berne, NC where he took command and brought it to Harrisburg, where all were discharged. – GAR#48, pp. 13, 14

Appointed postmaster at Mansfield Post Office 06 July 1877