Under the trees

Late in the summer of 1884 the survivors of Co. D, the Clarke Cavalry, gathered "Under the shade of the trees" in front of Lieut. R. O. Allen's house and formed the "Association of the survivors of the Clarke Cavalry." A. Moore, Jr. brought in a constitution, they elected officers, and at the calling of the roll 32 answered to their names.

A newspaper column headed "Clarke Cavalry—Its Re-organization," describing the survivors of Co. D meeting in front of Lieut. R. O. Allen's house, adopting a constitution, electing officers and calling a roll of 32.

"Clarke Cavalry—Its Re-organization": the survivors of Co. D form their association under the trees at R. O. Allen's, and 32 answer the roll.

What this image does and does not showA crop of part of one page; the rest of the page is not shown.

Clarke Courier (Berryville, Va.), September 4, 1884, page 3. Library of Congress, Chronicling America. Rights Changes: Cropped from the Library of Congress page image to the region of this item, then cropped again to the opening of the report: 849 by 1150 pixels, shown at its own 849 by 1150 pixels; re-encoded as JPEG. Nothing retouched or added.

Source: Clarke Courier, Berryville, Va., September 4, 1884, page 3: "Clarke Cavalry—Its Re-organization" Open the full image

A monument for the dead

The next summer the survivors decided to build a monument to the Clarke men "who were slain in battle, or died from wounds received, or sickness contracted" in the war, and a committee, with A. Moore, Jr. as chairman, appealed to the county for help. Not everyone was pleased that the cavalry had taken the lead. A guest at the reunion of 1885 wrote that it was "possibly just a little grating to the feelings of old infantrymen to find themselves quietly 'left out in the cold'," but that the cavalry reunion was the best working association for the purpose.

In March 1886 the Legislature incorporated the association and let the Board of Supervisors give it ground in the court-yard square for the monument. It was unveiled fourteen years later, on Saturday, July 21, 1900.

A newspaper column addressed to the citizens of Clarke County announcing the survivors' decision to erect a monument to the county's soldiers who died in the war, appealing for aid, and signed by A. Moore, Jr., chairman, with the committee's names.

The survivors' committee, A. Moore, Jr., chairman, asks the county's help with a monument to its dead.

What this image does and does not showA crop of part of one page; the rest of the page is not shown.

Clarke Courier (Berryville, Va.), June 18, 1885, page 4. Library of Congress, Chronicling America. Rights Changes: Cropped from the Library of Congress page image to the region of this item: 879 by 1638 pixels, shown at its own 879 by 1638 pixels; re-encoded as JPEG. Nothing retouched or added.

Source: Clarke Courier, Berryville, Va., June 18, 1885, page 4: "Confederate Monument. To our Fellow Citizens of Clarke County," an appeal signed by the survivors' committee Open the full image

Bringing Topper home

In June 1885 the survivors brought home one of their own. F. P. Topper, "a Pennsylvanian," had fallen near Luray in 1864 and been buried there. His remains came to Berryville on the 10:38 train, and the Clarke Rifles escorted them to Grace Episcopal Church, where they lay under guard until three o'clock. Then the survivors of the company, under the command of Capt. J. McK. Kennerly, veterans of other commands under T. D. Gold, and townspeople on foot and in carriages followed the hearse to Green Hill, in "one of the largest processions that ever entered the cemetery," the Courier said.

A long newspaper column describing the remains of F. P. Topper of the Clarke Cavalry brought by train from near Luray, kept under guard at Grace Episcopal Church and carried in a large procession to Green Hill Cemetery.

"Reinterment of Topper's Remains": the survivors bring a comrade home from Luray, twenty-one years after he fell.

What this image does and does not showA crop of part of one page; the rest of the page is not shown.

Clarke Courier (Berryville, Va.), June 25, 1885, page 3. Library of Congress, Chronicling America. Rights Changes: Cropped from the Library of Congress page image to the region of this item: 851 by 1855 pixels, shown at its own 851 by 1855 pixels; re-encoded as JPEG. Nothing retouched or added.

Source: Clarke Courier, Berryville, Va., June 25, 1885, page 3: "Reinterment of Topper's Remains" Open the full image

Around the festive board

The reunions were where the company told its war. In August 1888 A. Moore, Jr. read his own narrative of the company's charge at Trevilian Station, and the Courier printed it. They were also feasts. A guest who had been to three of them wrote in 1891 that "Time has left its impress upon many of these old soldiers," and that they would "one by one drop from the ranks." But once a year, he wrote, the hardships of the war were "almost forgotten in the pleasure of meeting around the festive board."

A newspaper column from a letter about the Clarke Cavalry reunion, saying that time had left its mark on the old soldiers and that each year they met around the festive board and recounted deeds of valor.

A guest at three reunions: once a year the war's hardships were "almost forgotten in the pleasure of meeting around the festive board."

What this image does and does not showA crop of part of one page; the rest of the page is not shown.

Clarke Courier (Berryville, Va.), August 20, 1891, page 3. Library of Congress, Chronicling America. Rights Changes: Cropped from the Library of Congress page image to the region of this item: 708 by 629 pixels, shown at its own 708 by 629 pixels; re-encoded as JPEG. Nothing retouched or added.

Source: Clarke Courier, Berryville, Va., August 20, 1891, page 3: "Clarke Cavalry Reunion," a communicated letter Open the full image

Answering the roll

Many reunions opened with a roll call, and the Courier printed the names. In 1896 "Thirty-two survivors of the gallant old company" attended. At the twentieth reunion, in 1903, the members stood bareheaded while "the roll of the honored dead was called." Two years later only sixteen came, and six had died since the summer before.

At the 34th reunion, in August 1918, four men answered the roll: J. S. Ware, Nicholas Moore, Jos. N. Wheat and A. Moore, Jr., who had presented the association's constitution thirty-four years before.

A short passage of a newspaper report saying that only sixteen of the survivors were present at the reunion and that six members had died since the previous meeting a year before.

"Only sixteen of the survivors were present": six had died since the year before.

What this image does and does not showA crop of part of one page; the rest of the page is not shown.

Clarke Courier (Berryville, Va.), August 30, 1905, page 1. Library of Congress, Chronicling America. Rights Changes: Cropped from the Library of Congress page image to the region of this item: 985 by 462 pixels, shown at its own 985 by 462 pixels; re-encoded as JPEG. Nothing retouched or added.

Source: Clarke Courier, Berryville, Va., August 30, 1905, page 1: the report of the Clarke Cavalry reunion of 1905 Open the full image

A short passage of a newspaper report listing the four members who answered the roll at the Clarke Cavalry reunion of 1918: J. S. Ware, Nicholas Moore, Jos. N. Wheat and A. Moore, Jr.

The 34th reunion, August 1918: four members answer the roll.

What this image does and does not showA crop of part of one page; the rest of the page is not shown.

Clarke Courier (Berryville, Va.), September 5, 1918, page 1. Library of Congress, Chronicling America. Rights Changes: Cropped from the Library of Congress page image to the region of this item: 723 by 351 pixels, shown at its own 723 by 351 pixels; re-encoded as JPEG. Nothing retouched or added.

Source: Clarke Courier, Berryville, Va., September 5, 1918, page 1: "Clarke Cavalry Reunion," the report of the 34th reunion Open the full image

About the reportsWhat the evidence says
What the evidence says

Twelve Clarke Courier items of 1884 to 1918, read on the Library of Congress page images, report the founding, the monument effort, the reburial of F. P. Topper and the reunions of the survivors of the Clarke Cavalry.

The reports are contemporary, and two letters give their writers' views. Counts are the paper's. Roll calls record attendance, not survival.

  • An account exists✓ Supported by a source

    The Clarke Courier of September 4, 1884 reported that the survivors of Co. D, the Clarke Cavalry, met under the trees in front of Lieut. R. O. Allen's house and formed the "Association of the survivors of the Clarke Cavalry"; 32 answered the roll.

    See the evidence
    ✓ Supported by a sourceAn account exists

    The Clarke Courier of September 4, 1884 reported that the survivors of Co. D, the Clarke Cavalry, met under the trees in front of Lieut. R. O. Allen's house and formed the "Association of the survivors of the Clarke Cavalry"; 32 answered the roll.

    What the source supports

    The founding of the survivors' association.

    Uncertainty

    The report gives "last Friday" for the meeting, not a date.

    Source

    Reporting

    Evidence role: supports. The meeting and the society's name.

    Clarke Courier, Berryville, Va., September 4, 1884, page 3: "Clarke Cavalry—Its Re-organization"

    Clarke Courier, Berryville, Va. · 1884-09-04 (publication)

    Locator: Page 3, "Clarke Cavalry—Its Re-organization"

    Relevant passage
    Under the shade of the trees that ornament the grounds in front of Lieut. R. O. Allen's residence the survivors of Co. D, Clarke Cavalry, assembled last Friday, and there formed a society to be known as the "Association of the survivors of the Clarke Cavalry,"

    Checked: Original inspected. A digital reproduction was inspected; no original has been handled.

    Open source

    Source family: clarke-courier. Multiple passages from one source are not independent witnesses.

    Reporting

    Evidence role: supports. The constitution, presented by A. Moore, Jr.

    Clarke Courier, Berryville, Va., September 4, 1884, page 3: "Clarke Cavalry—Its Re-organization"

    Clarke Courier, Berryville, Va. · 1884-09-04 (publication)

    Locator: Page 3, "Clarke Cavalry—Its Re-organization"

    Relevant passage
    Mr. A. Moore jr. from the committee appointed to draft and report a constitution and rules presented the same and they were unanimously adopted.

    Checked: Original inspected. A digital reproduction was inspected; no original has been handled.

    Open source

    Source family: clarke-courier. Multiple passages from one source are not independent witnesses.

    Reporting

    Evidence role: supports. The 32 at the roll call.

    Clarke Courier, Berryville, Va., September 4, 1884, page 3: "Clarke Cavalry—Its Re-organization"

    Clarke Courier, Berryville, Va. · 1884-09-04 (publication)

    Locator: Page 3, "Clarke Cavalry—Its Re-organization"

    Relevant passage
    At the calling of the roll 32 responded to their names

    Checked: Original inspected. A digital reproduction was inspected; no original has been handled.

    Open source

    Source family: clarke-courier. Multiple passages from one source are not independent witnesses.

    AI-assisted source check (Claude Opus 5.5) · 2026-10-12. How this project checks its sources

  • An account exists✓ Supported by a source

    In June 1885 a committee of the survivors, with A. Moore, Jr. as chairman, appealed in the Courier for help to build a monument to the Clarke men "who were slain in battle, or died from wounds received, or sickness contracted" in the war.

    See the evidence
    ✓ Supported by a sourceAn account exists

    In June 1885 a committee of the survivors, with A. Moore, Jr. as chairman, appealed in the Courier for help to build a monument to the Clarke men "who were slain in battle, or died from wounds received, or sickness contracted" in the war.

    What the source supports

    The survivors' plan for a monument and who led it.

    Uncertainty

    An appeal in the committee's own words; it did not yet say where the monument would stand.

    Source

    Reporting

    Evidence role: supports. The decision to build.

    Clarke Courier, Berryville, Va., June 18, 1885, page 4: "Confederate Monument. To our Fellow Citizens of Clarke County," an appeal signed by the survivors' committee

    Clarke Courier, Berryville, Va. · 1885-06-18 (publication)

    Locator: Page 4, "Confederate Monument"

    Relevant passage
    At the late meeting of the survivors of the Clarke Cavalry, it was determined to erect a suitable monument to the memory of our county men, and others members of military organizations from this county, who were slain in battle, or died from wounds received, or sickness contracted in the military service of their country during the late war.

    Checked: Original inspected. A digital reproduction was inspected; no original has been handled.

    Open source

    Source family: clarke-courier. Multiple passages from one source are not independent witnesses.

    Reporting

    Evidence role: supports. The chairman.

    Clarke Courier, Berryville, Va., June 18, 1885, page 4: "Confederate Monument. To our Fellow Citizens of Clarke County," an appeal signed by the survivors' committee

    Clarke Courier, Berryville, Va. · 1885-06-18 (publication)

    Locator: Page 4, "Confederate Monument," the signature

    Relevant passage
    A. Moore, Jr., Ch'n.

    Checked: Original inspected. A digital reproduction was inspected; no original has been handled.

    Open source

    Source family: clarke-courier. Multiple passages from one source are not independent witnesses.

    AI-assisted source check (Claude Opus 5.5) · 2026-10-12. How this project checks its sources

  • An account exists✓ Supported by a source

    In June 1885 the survivors brought home the remains of F. P. Topper, "a Pennsylvanian" of the company who had fallen near Luray in 1864; the Clarke Rifles escorted them to Grace Episcopal Church to lie under guard, and the survivors, other veterans under T. D. Gold, and citizens followed the hearse to Green Hill in one of the largest processions the cemetery had seen, the Courier reported.

    See the evidence
    ✓ Supported by a sourceAn account exists

    In June 1885 the survivors brought home the remains of F. P. Topper, "a Pennsylvanian" of the company who had fallen near Luray in 1864; the Clarke Rifles escorted them to Grace Episcopal Church to lie under guard, and the survivors, other veterans under T. D. Gold, and citizens followed the hearse to Green Hill in one of the largest processions the cemetery had seen, the Courier reported.

    What the source supports

    Topper's reburial and who carried it out.

    Uncertainty

    The paper's words for the cause are its own, of 1885.

    Source

    Reporting

    Evidence role: supports. The remains and who arranged their return.

    Clarke Courier, Berryville, Va., June 25, 1885, page 3: "Reinterment of Topper's Remains"

    Clarke Courier, Berryville, Va. · 1885-06-25 (publication)

    Locator: Page 3, "Reinterment of Topper's Remains"

    Relevant passage
    The remains of F. P. Topper—a Pennsylvanian who died in defence of the lost cause—which had been lying near Luray, where he fell and was buried in 1864, were brought to this place on Saturday last and reinterred with military honors—the arrangements originating with and being conducted by the survivors of the Clarke Cavalry, C. S. A., to which command he belonged.

    Checked: Original inspected. A digital reproduction was inspected; no original has been handled.

    Open source

    Source family: clarke-courier. Multiple passages from one source are not independent witnesses.

    Reporting

    Evidence role: supports. Under guard at Grace Church.

    Clarke Courier, Berryville, Va., June 25, 1885, page 3: "Reinterment of Topper's Remains"

    Clarke Courier, Berryville, Va. · 1885-06-25 (publication)

    Locator: Page 3, "Reinterment of Topper's Remains"

    Relevant passage
    Topper's remains reached here on the 10:38 train, and were escorted by the Clarke Rifles from the depot to Grace Episcopal Church, where they were placed under guard until the hour for reinterment—3 o'clock in the afternoon.

    Checked: Original inspected. A digital reproduction was inspected; no original has been handled.

    Open source

    Source family: clarke-courier. Multiple passages from one source are not independent witnesses.

    Reporting

    Evidence role: supports. The procession.

    Clarke Courier, Berryville, Va., June 25, 1885, page 3: "Reinterment of Topper's Remains"

    Clarke Courier, Berryville, Va. · 1885-06-25 (publication)

    Locator: Page 3, "Reinterment of Topper's Remains"

    Relevant passage
    Following the hearse were the survivors of the Clarke Cavalry, under command of Capt. J. McK. Kennerly, soldiers of other regiments and battallions, under charge of Mr. T. D. Gold, and citizens on foot and in carriages, the whole—making one of the largest processions that ever entered the cemetery

    Checked: Original inspected. A digital reproduction was inspected; no original has been handled.

    Open source

    Source family: clarke-courier. Multiple passages from one source are not independent witnesses.

    AI-assisted source check (Claude Opus 5.5) · 2026-10-12. How this project checks its sources

  • An account exists✓ Supported by a source

    At the 34th reunion, in August 1918, four members answered the roll: J. S. Ware, Nicholas Moore, Jos. N. Wheat and A. Moore, Jr.

    See the evidence
    ✓ Supported by a sourceAn account exists

    At the 34th reunion, in August 1918, four members answered the roll: J. S. Ware, Nicholas Moore, Jos. N. Wheat and A. Moore, Jr.

    What the source supports

    The last roll call this story found.

    Uncertainty

    The report names the four who answered; others living may not have attended.

    Source

    Reporting

    Evidence role: supports. The four.

    Clarke Courier, Berryville, Va., September 5, 1918, page 1: "Clarke Cavalry Reunion," the report of the 34th reunion

    Clarke Courier, Berryville, Va. · 1918-09-05 (publication)

    Locator: Page 1, "Clarke Cavalry Reunion"

    Relevant passage
    the following members on the call of the roll answered to their name: J. S. Ware, Nicholas Moore, Jos. N. Wheat and A. Moore, Jr.

    Checked: Original inspected. A digital reproduction was inspected; no original has been handled.

    Open source

    Source family: clarke-courier. Multiple passages from one source are not independent witnesses.

    AI-assisted source check (Claude Opus 5.5) · 2026-10-12. How this project checks its sources

Each statement above is assessed on its own evidence. Nothing here is averaged, scored or voted on, and a well-attributed account can be documented while what it describes stays unconfirmed.

Closing notes
What to take awayThe Clarke Cavalry's survivors kept their company together for thirty-four years after the war: a monument, a comrade brought home, and a roll call each summer that grew shorter until four were left.

Source note

This story rests on the Clarke Courier's reports and letters, 1884 to 1918, read on the Library of Congress page images. The words of the appeal and of the reports ("the lost cause," "the heroic charge") are theirs and of their time; this site does not adopt them. The roll calls show who attended, not who was living: a man absent from a list may simply have stayed home. The men named are on this site's roll of Clarke's veterans, with the years each answered the roll.

Open question

When did the Association of the Survivors of the Clarke Cavalry hold its last meeting, and who was its last member?

Know more about this story, or see something to correct? Help fill a gap. It stays private until it is reviewed.

Remember this place or someone in this story? Share a memory, even if you do not know the date. It stays private until it is reviewed.

Go deeper: every source under this story Follow another thread

The Clarke Rifles: Berryville's company, 1859 to 1920

The county's infantry company, the Clarke Rifles, as its comrades remembered it.