He was born on 4 June 1846, to John Thompson and Rachel A Talley (5), in New Castle, Delaware (2). He was 19 when he was enlisted in 1864 (8). He was listed in the family bible as Columbus Atwood Thompson but was later known as Charles. (5).
He was a waterman when he enlisted in 1864 (2).
He was 5 feet 6 inches tall, had a dark complexion, grey eyes, and dark hair (2).
On 8 September 1863, Joseph Sinex wrote a letter requesting Chas. Thomson's return. He claimed that on 16 May 1863, General Tyler had ordered Charles Thomson to guard his private baggage at Appnia Creek (7). Thomson was supposed to be a clerk at the Convalescent Camp in Alexandria, Virginia (7). Although this is before Thomson's enlistment, I have not found anyone else Sinex could be referring to.
He enlisted for three years, as a recruit, on 26 January 1864, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (1, 2, 8). He was mustered into service, as a private, at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on 26 January 1864 (1, 8). He was enlisted by Lieutenant Shipley, and mustered into service by Lieutenant Burke (2). He served as a private in company E (1, 2).
He was wounded in the arm while skirmishing with the enemy, on 27 October 1864 at Hatcher's Run, Virginia (1, 2). He later lost his arm (2).
He was discharged at Washington, DC, on 9 February 1865 (1) or 11 February 1865 (2, 3) on surgeon's certificate of disability (1, 2, 3, 8, 9).
He had at least one son, Wilfred Ivanhoe Thompson, who was born in 1881 and died in 1964 (4). Wilfred married Anna Laberta Marshall, who was born about 1884 and died on 13 April 1960 (4).
Charles Thompson died on 3 December 1916 (6). He is buried at the Mount Hope Cemetery, 884 Concord Rd., Aston, Pennsylvania 19014, plot 3, block 16 (4). His gravestone inscription is: "Chas Thompson Co. E 91 PA INF" and it is located in Plot 3, Block 16 (4). His wife, Anna E., is buried next to him. She died on 21 February 1935 at the age of 89 (6). Another person is named on Anna's gravestone, Viola E. Thompson, but her relationship is currently unknown (4).
Susan Thompson Coraor is researching Thompson. E-mail her at brentana@aol.com.
1 Bates, Samuel Penniman. History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5. Harrisburg: B. Singerly, state printer, 1869-71. 5 volumes. 'Ninety-first regiment', volume 3, pages 186-233. (In the roster)
2 descriptive roll, company E, entry 122 (Charles Thompson)
3 company E, register of men discharged, number 35 (Charles Thompson)
4 e-mail, Bob Coraor, 18 and 20 January 2001
5 family bible, John and Rachel Thompson family (information supplied in (4))
6 Mt. Hope cemetery records (information supplied in (4))
7 letter, Sinex to Marvin, 8 September 1863 (Chas. Thomson; the date is surprising, but I haven't found anyone else this could be)
8 Civil War Veterans' Card File, available at the Pennsylvania State Archives, searched 6 September 2004 (Charles Thompson)
9 consolidated morning report, 91st Pennsylvania, 18 February 1865 (Chas Thompson)
