John Wesley Clark
Birthdate: October 21, 1830
Birthplace: Moretown, Vermont
Prewar Occupation: Carriage Manufacturer
Spouse: Betsey Ann Dewey
Died: August 4, 1898 (aged 67)
Buried: Green Mount Cemetery in Montpelier, Vermont
SERVICE NOTES
Service/Branch: United States Army
Entered Service In: Vermont
Entered Service On: September 28, 1861
Unit: 6th Vermont Infantry
Rank: First Lieutenant and Regimental Quartermaster
Additional Service Notes: Participated in several engagements including the battles of Lee's Mills, Williamsburg, Golding's Farm, Savage Station, White Oak Swamp, Crampton's Gap, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Maryland Heights, Gettysburg, and others of minor importance. On April 7 1864 he was promoted to captain and assistant quartermaster of volunteers.
MEDAL OF HONOR DETAILS
Location of Action: Near Warrenton, Virginia
Date of Action: July 28, 1863
Date Award Issued: August 17, 1891
Citation: Defended the division train against a vastly superior force of the enemy; he was severely wounded, but remained in the saddle for 20 hours afterward until he had brought his train through in safety.
Additional Notes: Clark was in command of a squad of convalescents defending the wagon train when it was attacked by a rebel cavalry force greatly outnumbering Clark's squad. With a navy six shooter, a breech loading rifle, and the gallant support of his convalescents, he made a bold stand and beat off the rebels. Although he was severely wounded in this engagement, he remained in the saddle for twenty hours until the wagon train was out of the enemy's reach.
Photo and some info from: Deeds of Valor, Walter Frederick Beyer & Oscar Frederick Keydel, Perrien-Keydel Co., 1902
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