If they have leaves and the leaves are still pliable and succulent, then they are not dead. Cutting down established clematis vines to a low level is generally not a bad thing unless you have cut through a sizeable woody trunk but depending on the timing of this activity and the age of the vine, it can set the plants back, perhaps even limiting their growth the following season. Continue to water and fertilize as usual and look for additional regrowth either later this season or next.

Knowing the type of clematis in question and also your location could produce additional advice :-))

I grow lots of different types of plants, but clematis never fail to surprise me by turning up again after I thought they were gone for good. I would follow gardengal's advice and hope for the best. Don't give up until a couple of seasons have passed without a sign of life

I grow lots of different types of plants, but clematis never fail to surprise me by turning up again after I thought they were gone for good. I would follow gardengal's advice and hope for the best. Don't give up until a couple of seasons have passed without a sign of life

Would you say that the same statement applys to my situation?
My poor clematis. It's a Jackamanii. I'm in central IL
Plant purchased "06 I planted it in a container and it grew that summer and flowered. That winter I buried the container in my garden bed and mulch around the plant. It was fine Spring/Summer of 07 grew as expected. Was gorgeous.
THEN, late fall of o7 I removed it from container and planted it in my garden bed. I pruned it hard--thru the woody base. I mulched heavily. So, spring 08 a terrible shock. My gutter had come away from the house just enough that the Jackamanni had re'd pounding rain in winter and early spring and it was raising from the ground. The roots were exposed to the elements!!.. I dug it out in April 08. The roots were alive. Then, stupidly I cut some of the roots off! It just seemed like there were too many for my itsy bitsy woody stem. sigh. I put it in a container. I covered the maybe 1/2 in. of woody stem that was left. It's on my back porch. I do water and fertilize but no sign of growth at all. I'm afraid it's just going to rot out back.
So what do you think? A small chance maybe?

No such thing as too many roots. Your Clem has been dug up and moved often so it may take it a year to recover from the shock. I would not give up yet.

Really, I wouldn't give up on it yet either. Keep it watered and give it some more time. It sounds like it was pretty big and had a pretty big root system, so I'd be real hopeful.

OH, thanks to both of you!. You've given me hope. I've wanted a Jackamanii for years. I was so excited in O6 when I purchased. Ok, then. I'll keep waiting. TY