Clark Wright was a well-known Unionist in southwest Missouri. A native of Highland County, Ohio, he was married in 1847 to Sarah Hixson, the primary recipient of his letters.1 They settled in Polk County, Missouri in 1858. Wright saw combat in Missouri and Arkansas before being transferred to Mississippi in 1863.2 His letters describe the experiences of a prominent cavalry officer in the first half of the war.

As war came to Missouri in the summer of 1861, Union Brigadier General Nathaniel Lyon authorized the creation of Home Guard companies. Designed to act primarily as local defense forces, these companies were organized by prominent Union men and served for just a few months. One such unit was the Dade County Home Guard for which Clark Wright was a captain.3

General Lyon dispatched troops under Colonel Franz Sigel to intercept elements of the Missouri State Guard which had retreated into the southwest corner of the state. Wright and his men scouted for Colonel Sigel, and a portion of them were engaged in the Battle of Carthage on July 5. The Home Guard then covered Sigel’s retreat to Springfield. Here, they were officially mustered into the United States service and continued to perform scouting and escort duty.4

Wright and his command participated in General Fremont’s failed campaign to regain control of Missouri in the fall of 1861. The Federal defeat raised Southern hopes and left Union families without support. Writing from St. Louis, Wright vividly described how just a few short months of war had devastated the civilian population.

Sutch scenes of distress, has never been witnessed by me, as this county presents at this time the whole road is lined, with People, from Springfield to this place Thousands of Familys, now lying out in the Snow, with what little they could gather up, without a shoe to their feet, a Mouthful to eat, or a dime in their pockets, and unless they have some  speedy Relief, Hundreds will Starve to death, by the Road side. Horrid, Horrid, Horid.

Clark Wright Letter to Sarah J. Wright – Dec. 3, 1861

Wright’s Dade County volunteers formed the nucleus of the 6th Missouri Cavalry which was created on February 14, 1862.5 Having been promoted to colonel, Wright and his men returned to southwest Missouri with an army commanded by General Samuel R. Curtis. By March, General Curtis had advanced into Arkansas while Wright and his men were left north of the Missouri line to garrison the small town of Cassville and thus, missed the Battle of Pea Ridge.6

By January 1863, Wright and the 6th Missouri arrived near Vicksburg, the great Confederate stronghold on the Mississippi River. A wealthy area with many plantations, Wright described how many fine homes were abandoned by their owners,

This Country is verry finely improved and the Plantations immediately along our line evince much taste & a great amount of wealth, Judging from the improvements, &c the inhabitants have all fled and abandoned their homes. it looked bad enough to see the homes of Missourians abandoned, but here, a home is one, & no doubt equals in value twenty in Mo, we are now getting down to where they live, & when the war is effectually transferred into their own Country they will begin to understand what rebellion Costs, for as our Any Penetrates this Country those Happy Houses melt before the flames, notwithstanding our Commanding Officers.

Clark Wright Letter to Sarah Jane Wright – Jan. 22, 1863

The struggle against Vicksburg continued for another six months before the city surrendered to General Ulysses S. Grant on July 4. The siege was crucial to Union triumph and caused major setbacks for the Confederate army.

The rebels had 15000 Killed and wounded…They Killed mules and took supper from them.  Hundreds of them were found so weak from starvation that they could scarcely walk.

Clark Wright Letter to Sarah Jane Wright – Jul. 5, 1863

Wright became increasingly disillusioned with the army after his regiment left Missouri and Arkansas. Wright was officially discharged from the service in September 1863.7 He died in Lafayette, Indiana on March 2, 1875.8

Contributed by Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield, the State Historical Society of Missouri – Rolla, and the Pearce Civil War Collection, Navarro College

View this collection

1. Sarah Jane Hixon Bronson, Find A Grave, Sarah Jane Hixson Bronson (1832-1901) – Find a Grave Memorial
2. Wright, Clark.  Letter to Sarah Jane Wright. 22 Jan. 1863. 1997.098, Pearce Civil War Collection, Navarro College, Corsicana, Texas.
3. Tebbitts, Judge Jonas & Clark Wright, Community and conflict photo archive, https://ozarkscivilwar.org/photographs/tebbitts-judge-jonas-wright-clark/ 
4. Wright, Clark.  Letter to John C. Fremont. 10 Sep. 1861. 1997.098, Pearce Civil War Collection, Navarro College, Corsicana, Texas.
5. 6th Regiment, Missouri Calvary, Search For Battle Units – The Civil War (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)
6. Wright, Clark.  Letter to Sarah Jane Wright.  06 Mar. 1862.  WICR 30998. Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield, Republic, Missouri.
7. Tebbitts, Judge Jonas & Clark Wright, Community and conflict photo archive.
8. Thomas Clarkson “Clark” Wright, Find A Grave, Thomas Clarkson “Clark” Wright (1823-1875) – Find a Grave Memorial