Adjutant Samuel Kirkwood Clark, 25th Iowa Infantry

Adjutant Samuel Kirkwood Clark

SOURCE: Henry Warren Lathrop, The Life and Times of Samuel J. Kirkwood, Iowa's War Governor, photographic insert between p. 284 & 285

Colonel George A. Stone to Governor Samuel J. Kirkwood, March 14, 1863

Young's Point, La., March 14, 1863.

My Dear Sir: — Your favor of the 25th ult., is received. I had heard of the Adjutant's death several days before your letter came to hand. The news of his death cast a gloom over the entire regiment, men as well as officers, and little groups gathered in almost every street of our camp giving and receiving the sad intelligence.

It is not flattery or idle words to say that the loss of no officer would have been more deplored than his. You say truly “he was an honorable, noble boy,” and had, by strict attention to his duties, by the energetic manner of always doing his duty, by his kindness to all and by his cool, gallant conduct at the hill of Vicksburg and Post Arkansas, endeared himself to all of us. None speak of him but to praise, and I do not think he had an enemy in the whole regiment. – I cannot express in words to you, my dear sir, how I mourn him, and have only heart to say that up to this period of my life I have had but two among all my companions whom I really loved – Frank Mann and S. Kirkwood Clark – one was shot down by my side at Wilson's Creek and the other I lost at Post Arkansas.

I envy each his death. God grant when in His good providence I am to die, I may meet a soldier's death and die, like Frank and the Adjutant, charging a Rebel battery.

I am, sir, Very truly yours,

GEO. A. STONE.

Samuel J. Kirkwood, Iowa City.

SOURCE: Henry Warren Lathrop, The Life and Times of Samuel J. Kirkwood, Iowa's War Governor, p. 286

Governor Samuel J. Kirkwood to Samuel Kirkwood Clark, January 1, 1862

Des Moines, Iowa, Jan. 1, 1862.

Dear Kirk: — A happy New Year to you. I send you a New Year's gift, in the shape of your commission, so that you are a lieutenant and eighteen years old on the same day.

Be a "good boy" and do your duty manfully, and you will always be sure of the affection of your uncle

KIRKWOOD.

SOURCE: Henry Warren Lathrop, The Life and Times of Samuel J. Kirkwood, Iowa's War Governor, p. 285