Letter from Lieutenant Alfred G. Clark to Mississippi Governor Charles Clark; August 23, 1864

Hd. Qr Provost Guard Gibsons Brigade In the Field W^of Atlanta Ga 23 Aug 1864

T^o Col James Kennard

Col

I hope the liberties I take in addressing of you with these few lines will be excused, since the almost entire depletion on the ranks of my Reg^t. I am now left without command. My Company having been reduced to only 4 or 5 men bearing arms. I am now assigned to duty in the Provost Guard of the Brigade. My motive in being thus troublesome is to beg of you should an opportunity offer in your department which I might be employed to a [greater?] advantage and of more usefulness to the confederate service than at present

I consider myself competent [?] [operation?] & machinery in any department or Branch connected therewith being a machinist and engineer by profession having experience of many years both in the building and Superintendance of machinery of all kind.

Should you deem proper even in any other branch were you think I would be of service I would be most happy to serve you.

The last time I was employed in your dep^t

was at Morton Miss. when in the capacity of ordnance sergrant of Austins Battalion of Sharp Shooters Adams Brigade you will recollect having recommended to Col [?] my book to be similarly copied for the use of ord sergeants which was done by Cap^t Cha^s Semple which will bring you to a recollection of the writer of the above

I am most happy to learn of your announcement to the Department position of Chief of Ordnance of the Army of Tenn"

I remain yours Most Respectfully

Alfred G. Clarke Lieut Com^d Provost Guard Gibsons Brigade Claytons Division

P. S. Soon after my election as Lieut. Lieut Sayers an officer Adams Brigade informed me that Col Thadowskie promised to recommend me to Col White Selma Arsenal. I suppose the duties of the old gentleman caused him to forget the same.

A. G. Clarke

23 Augst 1864 Lt. A. G. Clark asks to be assigned to duty in some workshops