Alan J. Pitts
Re: 12th Infantry
Fri Mar 30 23:52:56 2001


Evidently there were two Thompsons in the same company, Harris (or Henry) and J. A. Thompson. Both were conscripted and sent to camp of instruction at Camp Watts, Notasulga Ala. July 28, 1863. After being drilled there, they were assigned to Co. "G", 12th Ala. Inf. Regt., and arrived in camp on Apr. 27, 1864.

They would barely have had time to become acquainted with other member of this company from Jackson County when Grant moved south and the battle of the Widerness began. There are several good histories of that battle as well as the battles of Spottsylvania, Hanover Station and Cold Harbor which followed one after another. You can trace your ancestor's regiment by looking up mentions of his brigade (Battle's) and division (Rodes'). Parks history of the 12th Ala. is the best of the older ones; I'd also look at anything on other regiments of the brigade because they will tell the story you want to know. The other regiments are the 3rd, 5th , 6th & 61st. There are many good references on the first three, so you should check the regimental bibliographies on Dr. Jones' related site.

After Cold Harbor, this divison was part of Early's command which was sent to the Shenandoah Valley in mid June 1864. I've always admired Early's campaign and thought anyone who could claim that his ancestor marched on Washington with Early should be proud. There's at least one good book on this stage of the campaign by VanDiver that should hel pexplain what was happening. Few people that like to think they know the various campaigns of the war know of this one.

Federal prisoner of war records contain testimony that Harris/Henry Thompson went over to the enemy while on picket duty near Harpers Ferry WV on July 8, 1864. However, he wasn't treated as a deserter but was sent to Elmira where he died. His grave number is 1003.

J. A. Thompson was captured the day after Early retreated from Washington, July 14, 1864. The regimental record says he deserted on July 12; Federal records say he was admitted to Old Capitol Prison Hospital with typhoid fever on July 15, 1864, and released on Aug. 12, 1864. He was then sent to Elmira NY where he died of chronic diarrhea on Oct. 7, 1864. He is buried in grave #587.

A final note: as I write, I recall that the character Richard Gere played in the movie "Sommersby" was supposed to have been in prison at Elmira. Perhaps you've seen that film....