David Clark Bio-Sketch

QUICK FACTS (DC)

Name: David Clark
Rank: Brigadier General of Militia
Education: Raleigh’s Episcopal School of North Carolina for Boys
Birth Date: February 11, 1820
Birth Place: Scotland Neck, NC
Death Date: October 4, 1882
Death Place: Airlie Plantation, Littleton, NC

David Clark was born on February 11, 1820, near Scotland Neck, NC in Halifax County. His parents were David and Louisa Norfleet Clark, members of a wealthy planter family. He enjoyed all the privileges of that high social status. David Clark attended private school in Raleigh at the Episcopal School of North Carolina for Boys.  Upon completion of his studies, he settled in his home county of Halifax, NC. He set up his own plantation in the Littleton area and was a successful planter.  David Clark became a Colonel in the 15th North Carolina Militia Regiment prior to the war. In this role, he received orders, in 1861, to the service of the State of North Carolina. James Martin directed the 15th Regiment to organize the state’s defense of the upper coastal plain region.  The defense system that Clark helped organize got its test by Ambrose Burnside in early 1862. He was successful in taking Roanoke Island and several areas on the mainland. The Federal forces occupied much of this region until the end of the war.  In response to the invasion, Clark received orders to direct the militiamen in the defense of the Roanoke River. In this role, Clark received orders to cut trees and place them in the river, as well as, to sink four vessels to help block it from invasion. Governor Henry Clark (no relation) was impressed with his efforts and promoted him to Brigadier General of Militia. He also placed several regiments into a brigade under his command. General Clark directed this brigade until late April of 1862 when the regular Confederate Army relieved them. David Clark returned to his plantation and remained there until his death on October 4, 1882.  His remains rest in the Thorne-Clark burial grounds near Bethel Hill.