Ed,
Your description of James W Thomas' service record matches the record I have. He was promoted to Artificier while in the 1st MO Engineers. He originally enlisted in the 25th MO Vols in St Joseph, Buchanan, MO for a 3 year enlistment and transferred to the Engineers. His record shows he collected at $25 bonus and a $4 Premium for enlisting originally in 1862, apparently for 3 years. Many signed up for 3 months apparently.

I have a nice copy of a tintype photo of him, matches the description in his record. My 98-year old uncle, his gr-nephew, has the original in a family bible along with photos of 2 of his daughters.

I'm having problems accepting the gravesite on findagrave.com though. The description is James W Thomas, but the tombstone is unreadable, looks more like Edward T Thomas. Also, why would he be buried in Fee Fee Cemetery instead of Jefferson Barracks Nat Cemetery. James W Thomas did not have any family in the St Louis area at all. They all were living in Buchanan or Harrison Counties, MO at the time, his wife was in Rushville, Buchanan, MO with their children. His records show he was due about $100 pay when killed. I wonder if his family ever got the money. I'm sure they could have used it.

I'll keep looking for him.

Tom Thomas