William W. Clark

Name: William W. Clark Company: A First Sergeant; died at Fort Snelling March 10, 1862
Birth Date: about 1832 Place: Indiana	Mustered In Date: December 19, 1861 Rank: Private Age: 29 Residence prior to military service: Rice Lake (near Claremont), Dodge County, Minnesota Vocation prior to military service: Farmer
Death Date: March 10, 1862 Place: Fort Snelling Burial:

William W. Clark Biography and Civil War Narrative

W. W. Clark of Redwing died of typhoid fever. . . . His [illness] seems to have been one that defies the skill of man. Day after day I watched by his bedside, gave the medicine strictly as directed, but it seemed to have no effect on the disease whatsoever. I felt quite certain for several days before he died that his time on earth was short, but was not permitted to tell him any such thing for fear it would make him worse. Poor fellow, I think did not know he was going to die most of the day before he died. . . . I went to see him, helped him to sit up a little. When he laid down the cold, clammy sweat was on his brow. I did not think it was then, it being the first person I ever saw die. Shortly after he sat up, the doctor came in and said Clark was better than he had been for many days. I tried to believe it, but could not. After supper I went back to see him again and found him about the same. He seemed very glad to see me and requested me to stay with him that night. I told him I would and went and fixed him some milk punch to drink through the night. He drank some of it and lay down. While sitting by the stove making arrangements for this other nurse to sit up part of the night, the doctor came in to see him again. He went and looked at him and ordered him washed in whisky and water. I knew then he was worse. While we were getting the water ready, he called one of the nurses nearest to him and raised up his hand, drew one long breath and his spirit departed. Is this death or has he only fallen asleep? He sank without a groan or struggle. Clark is dead. The words are echoed from lip to lip. A slight feeling of sorrow passes over the countenances of his comrades as they think who will be called next, but it is only momentary, like dropping a pebble in the water, it soon closes around and all is still as before. There passes man. His place is filled by others and in a few days we hardly know such a man ever lived, but that wife and three children will miss him, many a long day.

Perhaps you would like to know how a soldier's funeral is conducted, but [he] is not to be buried here so I cannot tell you all. He will be sent home. We laid him out, dressed him in full uniform, the same as when on dress parade. We march out of the fort at the sound of the muffled drum. A few attendants go with him home. What a sad return to that wife and children. These seem as though they ought not to be, but he who rules the world and all that is in it knows what is best for us.

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