Temple Clark was a 34 year old lawyer in Manitowoc at the time of his enlistment on April 18, 1861. A married man, he was instrumental in organizing the first company of men from Manitowoc when the news of the war first reached the village. Elected Captain of the company on April 27, 1861 and served in this capacity until he was promoted to Assistant Adjutant General of the US Volunteers on the staff of General Plummer. Horace Walker then replaced Clark as the Captain of Co. A, 5th Wisconsin Volunteers. Temple Clark was wounded at the battle of Corinth, Mississippi and resigned on July 22, 1863.