2023-03 HCA Auctions
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/7/2023
On April 9, 1865, the 185th was one of two regiments making up Joshua Chamberlain's brigade within the Fifth Corps. As Chamberlain's men approached Appomattox Court House, skirmishers leading the way, the battle was already dying out. John B. Gordon's Confederate corps, "fought to a frazzle," withdrew from their attacks against the Federal cavalry and infantry. Yet before fully giving up the field, a Confederate battery located near the Peers house, not far from the actual Appomattox Courthouse, fired their last shots of defiance-indeed their last shots of the war. Only about three hundred yards away, the New Yorkers could have seen the puff of dirty-white smoke followed by the loud report of the cannon. And then before anyone could really react, Hiram Clark was dead. He was, as one of his men wrote, "killed instantly, the shell passing through his body and afterwards taking off a foot of a member of the 198th Pennsylvania." The enlisted man eulogized Clark as "an excellent officer, a perfect gentleman, highly respected by all who knew him, not only for his soldierly qualities but his genial spirit, never dampened-and his kindness to and care for those under his immediate command." Even Clark's brigade commander, Joshua Chamberlain, wrote of the slain officer. Remarking that the officer's death was "not a strange thing for war," Chamberlain nonetheless said, "it seemed a cruel fate for one so deserving to share in his country's joy." Perhaps of an even crueler fate was the fact that Clark was the 185th's sole casualty in the battle. A Union soldier's 3pp letter, written by Hiram Clark who enlisted on 9/2/1864 at Marathon, NY as a 1st Lieutenant. and was killed on 4/9/1865 at Clover Hill, VA. Dateline Camp near Petersburg, Oct, 25th/65. In part, "You stated in your letter that you did not know who I should vote for. I hope you wouldn't think that I would enlist to face the thundering cannon of the enemy and then vote for a man whose name races through the rebel camp as the only hope of heir sincere peace. I enlisted to help restore the sacred trust which our forefathers have handed down to us from the foundation of our government, and never will I t... lay down my arms until rebellion is conquered and universal liberty be returned to the people of the United States. ... We have voted here .. Uncle Abe will win by a large majority. ... The Rebs took one of our Lieutenants prisoner yesterday .... but he was ... crossing our pickett lines ..." . On page four, Clark has glued a dozen small cotton balls with no explanation. Also included is the original 5th Corps patriotic cover showing the red 1st Division flag.
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