Clinch mustered into the Confederate army as a private in December 1862 and within a year was promoted to 1st lieutenant and regimental adjutant for the 4th Regiment, Georgia Volunteer Cavalry, commanded by his older brother Duncan, and rose to captain and commander of Clinch's Artillery Company, or "Clinch's Light Battery," which was named for him, in the fall of 1863.
Among other battles, Captain Clinch's Light Battery fought to defend Fort McAllister near Savannah, GA, during the Second Battle of Fort McAllister (1864) where it was stationed to provide support and to occupy field works along the route from the railroad and river to the fort during the attack by Sherman's forces on December 13, 1864.
During the siege, he was wounded at least 11 times, slashed by a sword in the face, bayoneted in the neck and arms and shot through the shoulder, continuing to fight after the fall of the fort until his wounds were so severe he could no longer stand. He was taken to a nearby plantation. His wounds were considered mortal, but he was eventually taken to a hospital at Beaufort, SC, where he struggled between life and death for three months, undergoing multiple surgeries. Eventually his brother Houston Clinch took Bayard to the family plantation where he recuperated. Houston told the New York Sun newspaper that Bayard never fully recovered his physical vigor. An obituary published in the New York Sun newspaper said Clinch "was known throughout the south as the most wounded Confederate soldier who lived to tell of the strife." He was promoted to major during his recuperation.
Among other battles, Captain Clinch's Light Battery fought to defend Fort McAllister near Savannah, GA, during the Second Battle of Fort McAllister (1864) where it was stationed to provide support and to occupy field works along the route from the railroad and river to the fort during the attack by Sherman's forces on December 13, 1864.
During the siege, he was wounded at least 11 times, slashed by a sword in the face, bayoneted in the neck and arms and shot through the shoulder, continuing to fight after the fall of the fort until his wounds were so severe he could no longer stand. He was taken to a nearby plantation. His wounds were considered mortal, but he was eventually taken to a hospital at Beaufort, SC, where he struggled between life and death for three months, undergoing multiple surgeries. Eventually his brother Houston Clinch took Bayard to the family plantation where he recuperated. Houston told the New York Sun newspaper that Bayard never fully recovered his physical vigor. An obituary published in the New York Sun newspaper said Clinch "was known throughout the south as the most wounded Confederate soldier who lived to tell of the strife." He was promoted to major during his recuperation.
Clinch mustered into the Confederate army as a private in December 1862 and within a year was promoted to 1st lieutenant and regimental adjutant for the 4th Regiment, Georgia Volunteer Cavalry, commanded by his older brother Duncan, and rose to captain and commander of Clinch's Artillery Company, or "Clinch's Light Battery," which was named for him, in the fall of 1863.
Among other battles, Captain Clinch's Light Battery fought to defend Fort McAllister near Savannah, GA, during the Second Battle of Fort McAllister (1864) where it was stationed to provide support and to occupy field works along the route from the railroad and river to the fort during the attack by Sherman's forces on December 13, 1864.
During the siege, he was wounded at least 11 times, slashed by a sword in the face, bayoneted in the neck and arms and shot through the shoulder, continuing to fight after the fall of the fort until his wounds were so severe he could no longer stand. He was taken to a nearby plantation. His wounds were considered mortal, but he was eventually taken to a hospital at Beaufort, SC, where he struggled between life and death for three months, undergoing multiple surgeries. Eventually his brother Houston Clinch took Bayard to the family plantation where he recuperated. Houston told the New York Sun newspaper that Bayard never fully recovered his physical vigor. An obituary published in the New York Sun newspaper said Clinch "was known throughout the south as the most wounded Confederate soldier who lived to tell of the strife." He was promoted to major during his recuperation.
Among other battles, Captain Clinch's Light Battery fought to defend Fort McAllister near Savannah, GA, during the Second Battle of Fort McAllister (1864) where it was stationed to provide support and to occupy field works along the route from the railroad and river to the fort during the attack by Sherman's forces on December 13, 1864.
During the siege, he was wounded at least 11 times, slashed by a sword in the face, bayoneted in the neck and arms and shot through the shoulder, continuing to fight after the fall of the fort until his wounds were so severe he could no longer stand. He was taken to a nearby plantation. His wounds were considered mortal, but he was eventually taken to a hospital at Beaufort, SC, where he struggled between life and death for three months, undergoing multiple surgeries. Eventually his brother Houston Clinch took Bayard to the family plantation where he recuperated. Houston told the New York Sun newspaper that Bayard never fully recovered his physical vigor. An obituary published in the New York Sun newspaper said Clinch "was known throughout the south as the most wounded Confederate soldier who lived to tell of the strife." He was promoted to major during his recuperation.
Gravesite Details
Data extracted from City of Savannah Burial Information
Family Members
Advertisement
Advertisement
