An ordinance to dissolve the union between the State of North Carolina and the other States united with her, under the compact of government entitled "The Constitution of the United States." We, the people of the State of North Carolina in convention assembled, do declare and ordain, and it is hereby declared and ordained, That the ordinance adopted by the State of North Carolina in the convention of 1789, whereby the Constitution of the United States was ratified and adopted, and also all acts and parts of acts of the General Assembly ratifying and adopting amendments to the said Constitution, are hereby repealed, rescinded, and abrogated. We do further declare and ordain, That the union now subsisting between the State of North Carolina and the other States, under the title of the United States of America, is hereby dissolved, and that the State of North Carolina is in full possession and exercise of all those rights of sovereignty which belong and appertain to a free and independent State. Done in convention at the city of Raleigh, this the 20th day of May, in the year of our Lord 1861, and in the eighty-fifth year of the independence of said State.

With the Ordinance of Succession, a cry for volunteers was  heard throughout every county of North Carolina.  In the first two years of the war, seventeen Clemmer men, all residents of Gaston County and great grandsons of George Valentine "Felty" Klemmer (1747-1785), took up arms to defend their homeland against the Northern invaders.  The horrors of war exacted a terrible toll on these volunteers; six were captured by the enemy and interred in Federal prison camps, two died of Typhoid Fever, four were killed or mortally wounded, one incapacitated by a wound, and one deserted.  Leander R. Clemmer, 28th NC, Co. B, was the only Gaston County Clemmer present during Lee's surrender at Appomattox Court House.

A roster of all Clemmers' known to have fought for the Confederate States of America is provided below.  You can find a separate roster of Federal Clemmer soldiers here.  If you have additional details, photographs, or corrections on any of these individuals, please contact the Clemmer Kin webmaster immediately.

CLEMMER, ANDREW, Private
Andrew Clemmer was born in Gaston County and enlisted in Iredell County on August 12, 1862. He deserted at Liberty Mills, Virginia on April 11, 1864 and went over to the enemy on or about October 8, 1864.  His captors sent him to Washington, D.C., where he arrived on October 12, 1864.  Andrew was released on an unspecified date after taking the Oath of Allegiance.
Muster Rolls: Feb 1864 | Apr 1864 | Jun 1864 | Aug 1864
POW Records: 9 Oct 1864 | 12 Oct 1864 | Apr 1865
Maps: Liberty Mills, VA | Orange County, VA

CLEMMER, CEPHAS M., Private
Cephas Clemmer was born in Gaston County where he resided as a farmer prior to enlisting in Gaston County at age 20 on October 6, 1861. He died in a hospital at Richmond, Virginia, on or about June 29, 1862, of "phthisis pulmonalis" and/or "typhoid fever."

CLEMMER, JOHN M. LAFEYETTE, Private
"Fayette" Clemmer was born in Gaston County where he resided as a millwright prior to enlisting in Gaston County at age 25 on October 6, 1861.  He mustered in as Private, but was promoted to Corporal prior to March 1, 1862.  Fayette was wounded at Gaines' Mill, Virginia on June 27, 1862.  He was reduced to ranks on October 1, 1862. He returned to duty in November-December 1863.  Fayette was furloughed on January 11, 1864, apparently by reason of disability from wounds received at Gaines' Mill.  He reported absent without leave on April 28, 1864.  Fayette retired to the Invalid Corps on May 31, 1864 and retired from service on December 10, 1864.

CLEMMER, LABAN JONAS, Private
Jonas Clemmer resided in Gaston County and enlisted in Iredell County on August 12, 1862 for the war (*note: Moore's Roster lists Jonas as having enlisted in Dallas on October 6, 1861). He deserted at Liberty Mills, Virginia on April 11, 1864.  Jonas returned to duty subsequent to August 31, 1864. He was captured by the enemy at Amelia Court House, Virginia on April 5, 1865.  Jonas was confined at Point Lookout, Maryland until released on June 24, 1865, after taking the Oath of Allegiance.
Muster Rolls: Feb 1864 | Apr 1864 | Jun 1864 | Aug 1864
POW Records: Apr 1865
Photographs: circa 1860 | war-time sketch | circa 1900
Maps: Liberty Mills, VA | Orange County, VA
Additional Info: Moore's Roster

CLEMMER, LARKIN D., Private
Larkin D. Clemmer resided in Gaston County and enlisted at Liberty Mills, Virginia, April 1, 1864 for the war.  He was wounded in the thigh at Spotsylvania Court House, Virginia on May 12, 1864. Larkin reported absent without leave on July 3, 1864, but returned to duty in January-February 1865.  He was captured by the enemy at or near Fort Stedman, Virginia on March 25, 1865.  Larkin was confined at Point Lookout, Maryland, until released on June 24, 1865, after taking the Oath of Allegiance.

CLEMMER, LEMUEL L., Private
Lemuel L. Clemmer resided in Gaston County and enlisted in Iredell County at age 25 on August 12, 1862 for the war.  He was wounded at Fredericksburg, Virginia, on or about December 13, 1862.  He returned to duty prior to January 1, 1863.  Lemuel was captured once again at or near Fort Stedman, Virginia on March 23, 1865.  He was confined at Point Lookout, Maryland, until released on June 24, 1865, after taking the Oath of Allegiance,

CLEMMER, LEWIS J., Private
Lewis Clemmer was born in Gaston County where he resided as a farmer prior to enlisting in Gaston County at age 39 on October 6, 1861.  He was captured at Hanover Court House, Virginia on May 27, 1862 and confined at Fort Columbus, New York Harbor.  He was paroled and transferred to Aiken's Landing, James River, Virginia on July 12, 1862, for exchange.  He reported absent without leave prior to November 1, 1862.  Lewis returned to duty in November-December 1862.  He was wounded at or near Petersburg, Virginia on June 23, 1864.  He was detailed for hospital duty in November-December 1864.  Lewis reported absent on detail through February 1865. [Records of the Federal Provost Marshal indicate he deserted to Federal forces on October 8, 1864, and was released at Point Lookout, Maryland on June 24, 1865, after taking the Oath of Allegiance.]

CLEMMER, EDGAR PERRY, Private
Perry Clemmer resided in Gaston County where he enlisted on October 6, 1861.  He was mortally wounded in the neck and/or chest and captured at Hanover Court House, Virginia on May 27, 1862.  Perry died on or about June 16, 1862, of wounds.  His place of death was not reported.

CLEMMER, RUFUS M., Private
Rufus Clemmer was born in Gaston County where he resided prior to enlisting in Gaston County on May 10, 1862, for the war.  He died at Richmond, Virginia, September 1-2, 1862, of "typhoid fever."

CLEMMER, JAMES SIDNEY, Sergeant 
James Clemmer resided in Gaston County where he enlisted at age 24 in Dallas on May 1, 1861 and mustered in as a private.  He was present or accounted for until captured at Chancellorsville on May 3, 1863.  He was exchanged at City Point, Virginia on May 13, 1863.  James returned to duty prior to September 1, 1863 and was promoted to Sergeant on April 1, 1864.  He was present or accounted for until captured at Petersburg, Virginia on April 2, 1865.  He was confined at Hart's Island, New York Harbor, until released on June 17, 1865, after taking the Oath of Allegiance.

CLEMMER, E. J., Private 
E. J. Clemmer resided in Gaston County where he enlisted at age 24 in Dallas on July 30, 1861.  He was present or accounted for until wounded in the thigh at Chancellorsville, Virginia May 1-3, 1863.  He was hospitalized at Richmond, Virginia, where he died on or about September 25, 1863 of "erysipelas succeeding to compound fracture of the thigh". 

CLEMMER, G. A., Private 
G. A. Clemmer resided in Gaston County where he enlisted in Dallas at age 21 on July 30, 1861.  He was present or accounted for until killed at Fredericksburg, Virginia on December 13, 1862.

CLEMMER, John L., 1st Sergeant 
John Clemmer resided in Gaston County where he enlisted in Dallas at age 18 on July 30, 1861.  He mustered in as a private and was promoted to 1st Sergeant on October 1, 1864.  He was captured near Petersburg, Virginia on April 2, 1865 and confined at Point Lookout, Maryland, until released on June 24, 1865, after taking the Oath of Allegiance.

CLEMMER, LEANDER R., Private 
Leander Clemmer resided in Gaston County where he enlisted in Dallas at age 18 on July 30, 1861.  He was present or accounted for until he surrendered at Appomattox Court House, Virginia on April 9, 1865.

CLEMMER, GEORGE P., Private 
George Clemmer was born in Lincoln County and resided in Gaston County where he was by occupation a farmer prior to enlisting in Gaston County at age 26, March 22, 1862.  He was present or accounted for from November 1862 through December 1863 and in May-August 1864. He reported on duty as a teamster during most of the war.  George survived the war. 

CLEMMER, J. L., Private 
J. L. Clemmer was born in Lincoln County and resided in Gaston County where he was by occupation a farmer prior to enlisting in Gaston County at age 30, March 22, 1862.  He reported present or accounted for from November 1862 through December 1863.  He was killed at Drewry's Bluff, Virginia on May 15, 1864.

CLEMMER, ENOCH PERRY., Captain 
Enoch Clemmer was commissioned on September 9, 1861.  Further service record not available. 

CLEMMER, GEORGE L., Private 
George L. Clemmer was born in Augusta County on December 25, 1842.  He mustered into Company D on April 17, 1861.  He was f urloughed on sick leave on June 15, 1861, place not stated.  George returned to duty on August 15, 1861.  He was discharged on January 15, 1862.

CLEMMER, HENRY C., Private 
Henry Clemmer was born in Augusta County on September 14, 1844.  He enlisted into Company D on April 17, 1861 as a Private.  He was discharged by a surgeon on November 19, 1861.  He again mustered into Company D on March 18, 1862.  Henry was a bsent due to sickness on July 15, 1862.  He returned to duty on February 15, 1863.  He was hospitalized in Staunton, Virginia and returned to duty again on April 15, 1863.  He was wounded on May 12, 1864 at Spotsylvania Court House, Virginia.  Henry was issued clothing on September 18, 1864.  He was paroled on May 15, 1865 in Staunton, Virginia.

CLEMMER, JACOB F., Private  
Jacob Clemmer was born in Augusta County in 1839.  He enlisted into Company D, date unknown, as a Private. No further record, though listed on post-war roster.

CLEMMER, JOHN C., Private
John C. Clemmer was a 24 year-old farmer at the time of enlistment on April 17, 1861.  He mustered into Company D May 25, 1861.  He suffered a head wound at Gettysburg, Pennsylvania on July 3, 1863.  He was detailed as a nurse at Gettysburg Hospital on July 30, 1863.  John returned to duty on April 15, 1864.  He was captured at Spotsylvania C.H., Virginia on May 12, 1864.  He was confined at New York Harbor, New York on May 15, 1864 and transferred to Fort Delaware, Delaware on May 19, 1864.  He died of disease as a POW on March 20, 1865 at Fort Delaware.  Cause listed as "erysipela".

CLEMMER, WILLIAM, Private
William Clemmer was born in Augusta County on July 22, 1839.  He enlisted in Company D, date unknown. No further record.  He survived the war.

CLEMMER, JAMES HARVEY., Private 
James H. Clemmer was born and resided in Rockbridge County.   He enlisted as a private in Company B.  He was detailed as a wagonmaker in Waynesboro, Virginia, date unknown.  James was listed in postwar roster as brother of William L.

CLEMMER, JAMES W., Private 
James W. Clemmer was born in Augusta County.  He enlisted in Company I, date unknown.  He was captured, though date and place not stated.  James was confined at Camp Chase, Ohio on November 15, 1864.  He died of "brain fever" at Camp Chase and is buried there at gravesite 812. 

CLEMMER, JAMES W., 4th Sergeant 
James W. Clemmer was born on June 3, 1838 in Rockbridge County.  He was a 23 year-old cabinetmaker when he enlisted and was mustered into Company B at Fairfield, Virginia on July 10, 1861 as 4th Sergeant.  He was transferred out on September 28, 1861.  Place of transfer unknown, no further record.  He was the brother of James Harvey. 

CLEMMER, J. L., Private 
Service record not available. 

CLEMMER, JOSEPH A., Private 
Service record not available. 

CLEMMER, W. K., Private 
Service record not available. 

CLEMMER, GEORGE W., 2nd Lieutenant 
Service record not available. 

CLEMMER, William H., Sergeant 
Service record not available. 

CLEMMER, JOHN J., Private 
Service record not available. 

CLEMER, A. L., Private 
Served in 23rd Mississippi Infantry, Co. A, service record not available. 

CLEMER, A. L., Private 
Served in 34th Mississippi Infantry, Co. A, service record not available. 

CLEMER, ANDREW, Private 
Served in 31st North Carolina Infantry, Company unknown, service record not available. 

CLEMER, G. L., Jr., Private 
Served in 62nd Virginia Mounted Infantry, Co. I, service record not available. 

CLEMER, G. L., Sr., Private 
Served in 62nd Virginia Mounted Infantry, Co. I, service record not available. 

CLEMER, JAMES, Private 
Served in 2nd Tennessee Cavalry, Co. A and H, service record not available. 

CLEMER, JAMES H., Private  
James H. Clemer was a resident of Lexington, Virginia, and enlisted as a Private in the 5th Virginia Infantry, Co. A, date unknown.  He was listed as a POW on June 4, 1864 in Piedmont, Virginia.  He was paroled on March 3, 1865, place not stated.  James was hospitalized at Chimborazo Hospital in Richmond, Virginia on March 11, 1865 with "chronic diarrahea".

CLEMER, L. J., Private 
Served in 31st North Carolina Infantry, Company unknown, service record not available. 

CLEMER, W. D., Private 
Served in Georgia Cavalry, Gartrell's Co., service record not available. 

CLEMER, WILLIAM LEWIS, Corporal
Served in Virginia Light Artillery, Donald's Co., service record not available. 

CLIMER, BENNET, Private
Bennet Climer was a resident of Gilmer County, Georgia.  He enlisted on August 29, 1862 into Co. A, Smith's Legion Infantry.  He transferred out on March 15, 1863 into Co. H, 65th Georgia Infantry.  He was absent without leave on March 12, 1864, whereby he was court martialed and convicted.  Bennet was detailed to Loudon, Tennessee as a teamster on April 27, 1863. 

CLIMER, J. P., 1st Corporal
J. P. Climer was a resident of Floyd County, Georgia.  He enlisted on April 1, 1862 as a Private in Co. C, 40th Georgia Infantry. He was promoted to 1st Corporal on November 15 1863.  He was parolled on May 16, 1865 at Marion, Alabama. 

CLIMER, J. S., Private
He enlisted in Co. C, 15th Kentucky Cavalry on April 1, 1863.  Date and method of discharge not given. 

CLIMER, JOHN M., Sergeant
John M. Climer was a 30 year old resident who was born in Guilford County and resided in Rockingham County, North Carolina.  He enlisted on February 27, 1862 as a Sergeant.  He mustered in Co. E, 45th North Carolina Infantry on April 2, 1862. He was discharged on August 28, 1862 when he furnished a substitute.

CLIMER, JOHN P., Private
He enlisted on September 20, 1861 as a Private in Co. G, 22nd Georgia Infantry. He was discharged on December 15, 1861.

CLIMER, T. J., Private
T. J. Climer enlisted on March 1, 1862 as a Private in Co. H, 45th North Carolina Infantry. He was mentioned as having provided Andrew J. Pirtle as a substitute in September 1862. 

CLYMER, ISAAC D., Private
Isaac Clymer served in 2nd North Carolina Cavalry, Co. F.  He enlisted on May 24, 1862 in Guilford County.  He was paroled on May 9, 1865 in Greensboro, North Carolina.

CLYMER, JOHN H., Private
John H. Clymer served in 6th Georgia Infantry, Co. B.   He was a resident of Dade County, Georgia when he enlisted as a Private on May 20, 1861.  He was killed on September 17, 1862 at Sharpsburg, Maryland.

CLYMER, Reuben D., Private
Reuben Clymer served in the 6th Georgia Infantry, Co. B.  He was a resident of Dade County, Georgia when he enlisted on May 20, 1861.  Reuben was listed as wounded (date and place not stated) with a disabled left arm in 1863.  He was discharged because of wounds on January 2, 1864.

1. JJordan, Weymouth T., Jr. NORTH CAROLINA TROOPS 1861 - 1865 A ROSTER Vol. IX Infantry 32nd-35th and 37th Regiments
2. Moore, John W. (editor). ROSTER OF NORTH CAROLINA TROOPS IN THE WAR BETWEEN THE STATES. 3 of 4 volumes. Raleigh: Ashe & Gatling, 1882. 1st edition
3. Company Muster Rolls and POW Records: General Services Administration National Archives and Records Service
4. Historical Data Systems, Inc. American Civil War Research Database: http://www.civilwardata.com