Born on 11 March 1818 in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania
“Shelbyville, Kentucky- October 7, 1862
Dear Wife and Children,
We are quite well and hope that this may meet you all enjoying the same good blessings. Yesterday (Sunday), we marched 18 miles and today we are in camp resting. Our men have had 2 battles with the enemy pickets, our reg. had two killed, our company none, but had a few wounded and some hurt by their horses falling. Thomas Hanna’s horse fell and hurt him. He will be home before this reaches you. I am very hardy. Camp life agrees well with me so far. My team at present consists of two mules for leaders and two horses for the wheel. They are a very good and gentle team. We have two extra horses that John takes along when we move. He has an easy time of it at present. Martha’s letter gave me much pleasure but the ending of Martin’s letter grieved me very much. I hope he will not use such language, let alone write it, but be a good study boy so as to be a honor to himself as well as the rest of us. He has a good chance to make an honorable name and position for himself and my heartfelt wish is that he will be a good boy. I have nothing more of importance to write to you. Direct as before and they will be forwarded to us. We hear from you every few days from persons passing back and forward and I suppose you hear from us often other than by letter. I write this sitting on a cartridge box with my paper on my knee. No more at present but remain your Simon Clever.” 47
Mrs. Clever,
I have just returned from town it is now one o’clock at nite[sic]. I am at a loss to [ ] to address you not having any acquaintance with you. Still I feald[sic] it my duty to send you a few lines. Mr. Simon Clever departed this life this day. I was notafyed[sic] of the fact in a short time. Leit. Cunningham and Wm. White and myself went up to the Hospital at once to make arrangements to have his remaines[sic] sent home. Which we did. A wooden coffin would cost 50 dollars and a metalick[sic] one 90 so we thought after consulting John’s fealings[sic] on the matter that the metalick[sic] one would be the cheapest and most substancial[sic] to send that distance. The [elscfere?] charges from hear[sic] to Louisville is 18 dollars making in all one hundred and 8 dollars. Then I went to work to gett[sic] a leave of absance[sic] for John for twenty dayes[sic]. That took me from 5 until twelve o’clock at night. I had to gow[sic] and see the General, that is General Rosencrans, in person to gett[sic] the papers approved. We heartley[sic] lament with you and the family in the loss of a good and kind husband and an affectionate father. Mr. Clever was and always has bin[sic] a very good friend of mine and I lament his death very mutch[sic] but we all have to pass sooner or later. This is a debt that we all owe.
John can tell you all the rest mutch[sic] better than I can. Feald[sic] assured that my best wishes shall attend you and the family.
Very Respectfully Yours
Capt. J. N. Van Skike
County L, 4th Ind Cavalry
“Headquarters 4th Indiana Cavalry near
Murfessboro, Tennessee, June 2d 1863
at a regular meeting of the officers and members of Comapny L 4th Indiana Cavalry
Capt. J. N. Vanskike Commanding a Committee of three was appointed, Consisting of Jonathan Schooley, George E. Grace and John Stouffer to draft Resolutions expressive of their feeling in regard to the death of the late lamented Simon Clever who departed this Life May 26th 1863.
taking into Consideration his age and the Surrounding Sircumstances[sic] at home, leaving as he did a home of peace and plenty, an interesting wife and family, and take up arms in defence of his Country, and endure the hardships and dangers that must necessarily follow in the pathway of a Soldier, we feel assured he was prompted by none other than Patriotic Motives.
therefore Resolved 1st
that in his death the army has lost a brave and Patriotic Soldier, and the Community in which he lived a worthy Member
I'm Kenneth Lee Clever, and yes, he's my great great Grandfather.
