Biography

Henry Francis Clarke served as Chief Commissary of the Army of the Potomac under General George B. McClellan during the Civil War. Before the Civil War, Clarke fought and was wounded in the Mexican-American War, for which he received the brevet rank of captain. He then served as Commissary in Utah during the Mormon revolts, and was appointed Chief Commissary of the Army of the Potomac in September 1861. After General Ulysses S. Grant was appointed Commander in Chief of the Armies of the Union, Clarke requested duty away from combat, and was moved to New York City. He received the brevet of Brigadier-General for his service during the Gettysburg Campaign, and was breveted Major-General for his service during the war. After the war, Clarke served in New York, Boston, Baltimore, and as Chief Commissary in Chicago, Missouri, and Governor's Island, after which he retired in 1884.