Dr. James McDonald Thomasson, Assistant Surgeon with Co. A., 59th Tennessee Mounted Infantry, CSA. He was probably born in Monroe County, Tennessee.
He attended medical school at the University of Nashville and is listed in the Catalogue of Students there in 1855-1856.
Entered the CSA in McMinn County, Tennessee on 23 November 1861.
On 18 April 1863, while his Regiment was "camped below Vicksburg", Thomasson tendered his resignation and asked for permission to return home due to his illness (hemorrhoids) and illness within his family. His resignation letter was accompanied by a statement from the surgeon of the regiment stating Thomasson was too ill to perform his duties.
Lt. Gen. Pemberton approved a 30 day leave of absence for Thomasson on 26 April 1863.
The final military document on Thomasson was his special requisition for a tent on 30 April 1863, assuming this is the time he was planning on leaving his regiment for home. Even so, the next day is described here:
From "Tennesseans in the Civil War", (Published by the Civil War Centennial Commision Nashville, Tenn. 1965 Part II):
"The brigade left Vicksburg May 1, as the rear guard of Lieutenant General Pemberton's Army marching toward Port Gibson. It halted at Baker's Creek, and was engaged with the enemy as guard for the baggage and trains; returned to Vicksburg May 6, "The men greatly exhausted"; and remained in the entrenchments from that time on. Colonel Reynolds reported: "During these 47 days, under the terrific fire of the enemy's artillery and infantry, the officers and men of the brigade bore themselves with constancy and courage. Often half fed, and illy clothed, exposed to the burning sun and soaking rain, they performed their duty cheerfully and without a murmur."
Herein lies discrepancies on Thomasson's possible place/date of death.
McMinn Co. Chancery Court Records on pg 131 #305 Filed 8 Nov 1871:
Nancy J. Thomasson V. Emma E. & Louisa ... James M. Thomasson, husband of Nancy, died intestate in Miss. on his way home from Vicksburg in 1862 (1863), leaving Emma age ten & Louisa age nine, his only children etc. petition to sell 3 acres & unfinished house.
From Monroe Co. Chancery Court Record # 571:
Emma and Louisa Thomasson by next friend v. J.W. Thomasson & others. Filed 22 Nov. 1875. Suit concerns notes. Emma and Louisa are minor children of Dr. James M. Thomasson of Polk Co., dec'd son of John Thomasson dec'd of Monroe Co. ..... Dr. James M. died in Aug. 1862 (should be 1863).
From "History of the Carlock Family and Adventures of Pioneer Americans", 1929 by Marion Pomeroy Carlock (one of the contributors was Robert Lee Carlock, youngest brother of Nancy Jane Carlock, James M. Thomasson's widow):
"Dr. Thomasson was a surgeon in the Confederate Army, surrendered at Vicksburg 07 July 1863. Contacted a fatal illness during the siege, returning home and dying about a week after his return."
Did he die in August 1863, over 3 months following his resignation and leave approval in April? Did he die at home in Tennessee or did he stay with his regiment and die somewhere along the way on his way home from Vicksburg following his regiments surrender on 04 July 1863?
As per this record, "Ancestry.com. U.S., Civil War Prisoner of War Records, 1861-1865 [database on-line]", James M. Thomasson is NOT listed as one of the men who surrendered from the 59th Regiment at Vicksburg. The record names every man who surrendered within the regiment.
I believe James was probably making his way home on 01 May 1863, the same day his regiment started making movement in and around Vicksburg.
But the questions remain, when and where did he die? Where is he buried? Who informed his family of his death in August 1863?
Lisa Thomasson-Bass
He attended medical school at the University of Nashville and is listed in the Catalogue of Students there in 1855-1856.
Entered the CSA in McMinn County, Tennessee on 23 November 1861.
On 18 April 1863, while his Regiment was "camped below Vicksburg", Thomasson tendered his resignation and asked for permission to return home due to his illness (hemorrhoids) and illness within his family. His resignation letter was accompanied by a statement from the surgeon of the regiment stating Thomasson was too ill to perform his duties.
Lt. Gen. Pemberton approved a 30 day leave of absence for Thomasson on 26 April 1863.
The final military document on Thomasson was his special requisition for a tent on 30 April 1863, assuming this is the time he was planning on leaving his regiment for home. Even so, the next day is described here:
From "Tennesseans in the Civil War", (Published by the Civil War Centennial Commision Nashville, Tenn. 1965 Part II):
"The brigade left Vicksburg May 1, as the rear guard of Lieutenant General Pemberton's Army marching toward Port Gibson. It halted at Baker's Creek, and was engaged with the enemy as guard for the baggage and trains; returned to Vicksburg May 6, "The men greatly exhausted"; and remained in the entrenchments from that time on. Colonel Reynolds reported: "During these 47 days, under the terrific fire of the enemy's artillery and infantry, the officers and men of the brigade bore themselves with constancy and courage. Often half fed, and illy clothed, exposed to the burning sun and soaking rain, they performed their duty cheerfully and without a murmur."
Herein lies discrepancies on Thomasson's possible place/date of death.
McMinn Co. Chancery Court Records on pg 131 #305 Filed 8 Nov 1871:
Nancy J. Thomasson V. Emma E. & Louisa ... James M. Thomasson, husband of Nancy, died intestate in Miss. on his way home from Vicksburg in 1862 (1863), leaving Emma age ten & Louisa age nine, his only children etc. petition to sell 3 acres & unfinished house.
From Monroe Co. Chancery Court Record # 571:
Emma and Louisa Thomasson by next friend v. J.W. Thomasson & others. Filed 22 Nov. 1875. Suit concerns notes. Emma and Louisa are minor children of Dr. James M. Thomasson of Polk Co., dec'd son of John Thomasson dec'd of Monroe Co. ..... Dr. James M. died in Aug. 1862 (should be 1863).
From "History of the Carlock Family and Adventures of Pioneer Americans", 1929 by Marion Pomeroy Carlock (one of the contributors was Robert Lee Carlock, youngest brother of Nancy Jane Carlock, James M. Thomasson's widow):
"Dr. Thomasson was a surgeon in the Confederate Army, surrendered at Vicksburg 07 July 1863. Contacted a fatal illness during the siege, returning home and dying about a week after his return."
Did he die in August 1863, over 3 months following his resignation and leave approval in April? Did he die at home in Tennessee or did he stay with his regiment and die somewhere along the way on his way home from Vicksburg following his regiments surrender on 04 July 1863?
As per this record, "Ancestry.com. U.S., Civil War Prisoner of War Records, 1861-1865 [database on-line]", James M. Thomasson is NOT listed as one of the men who surrendered from the 59th Regiment at Vicksburg. The record names every man who surrendered within the regiment.
I believe James was probably making his way home on 01 May 1863, the same day his regiment started making movement in and around Vicksburg.
But the questions remain, when and where did he die? Where is he buried? Who informed his family of his death in August 1863?
Lisa Thomasson-Bass
Dr. James McDonald Thomasson, Assistant Surgeon with Co. A., 59th Tennessee Mounted Infantry, CSA. He was probably born in Monroe County, Tennessee.
He attended medical school at the University of Nashville and is listed in the Catalogue of Students there in 1855-1856.
Entered the CSA in McMinn County, Tennessee on 23 November 1861.
On 18 April 1863, while his Regiment was "camped below Vicksburg", Thomasson tendered his resignation and asked for permission to return home due to his illness (hemorrhoids) and illness within his family. His resignation letter was accompanied by a statement from the surgeon of the regiment stating Thomasson was too ill to perform his duties.
Lt. Gen. Pemberton approved a 30 day leave of absence for Thomasson on 26 April 1863.
The final military document on Thomasson was his special requisition for a tent on 30 April 1863, assuming this is the time he was planning on leaving his regiment for home. Even so, the next day is described here:
From "Tennesseans in the Civil War", (Published by the Civil War Centennial Commision Nashville, Tenn. 1965 Part II):
"The brigade left Vicksburg May 1, as the rear guard of Lieutenant General Pemberton's Army marching toward Port Gibson. It halted at Baker's Creek, and was engaged with the enemy as guard for the baggage and trains; returned to Vicksburg May 6, "The men greatly exhausted"; and remained in the entrenchments from that time on. Colonel Reynolds reported: "During these 47 days, under the terrific fire of the enemy's artillery and infantry, the officers and men of the brigade bore themselves with constancy and courage. Often half fed, and illy clothed, exposed to the burning sun and soaking rain, they performed their duty cheerfully and without a murmur."
Herein lies discrepancies on Thomasson's possible place/date of death.
McMinn Co. Chancery Court Records on pg 131 #305 Filed 8 Nov 1871:
Nancy J. Thomasson V. Emma E. & Louisa ... James M. Thomasson, husband of Nancy, died intestate in Miss. on his way home from Vicksburg in 1862 (1863), leaving Emma age ten & Louisa age nine, his only children etc. petition to sell 3 acres & unfinished house.
From Monroe Co. Chancery Court Record # 571:
Emma and Louisa Thomasson by next friend v. J.W. Thomasson & others. Filed 22 Nov. 1875. Suit concerns notes. Emma and Louisa are minor children of Dr. James M. Thomasson of Polk Co., dec'd son of John Thomasson dec'd of Monroe Co. ..... Dr. James M. died in Aug. 1862 (should be 1863).
From "History of the Carlock Family and Adventures of Pioneer Americans", 1929 by Marion Pomeroy Carlock (one of the contributors was Robert Lee Carlock, youngest brother of Nancy Jane Carlock, James M. Thomasson's widow):
"Dr. Thomasson was a surgeon in the Confederate Army, surrendered at Vicksburg 07 July 1863. Contacted a fatal illness during the siege, returning home and dying about a week after his return."
Did he die in August 1863, over 3 months following his resignation and leave approval in April? Did he die at home in Tennessee or did he stay with his regiment and die somewhere along the way on his way home from Vicksburg following his regiments surrender on 04 July 1863?
As per this record, "Ancestry.com. U.S., Civil War Prisoner of War Records, 1861-1865 [database on-line]", James M. Thomasson is NOT listed as one of the men who surrendered from the 59th Regiment at Vicksburg. The record names every man who surrendered within the regiment.
I believe James was probably making his way home on 01 May 1863, the same day his regiment started making movement in and around Vicksburg.
But the questions remain, when and where did he die? Where is he buried? Who informed his family of his death in August 1863?
Lisa Thomasson-Bass
He attended medical school at the University of Nashville and is listed in the Catalogue of Students there in 1855-1856.
Entered the CSA in McMinn County, Tennessee on 23 November 1861.
On 18 April 1863, while his Regiment was "camped below Vicksburg", Thomasson tendered his resignation and asked for permission to return home due to his illness (hemorrhoids) and illness within his family. His resignation letter was accompanied by a statement from the surgeon of the regiment stating Thomasson was too ill to perform his duties.
Lt. Gen. Pemberton approved a 30 day leave of absence for Thomasson on 26 April 1863.
The final military document on Thomasson was his special requisition for a tent on 30 April 1863, assuming this is the time he was planning on leaving his regiment for home. Even so, the next day is described here:
From "Tennesseans in the Civil War", (Published by the Civil War Centennial Commision Nashville, Tenn. 1965 Part II):
"The brigade left Vicksburg May 1, as the rear guard of Lieutenant General Pemberton's Army marching toward Port Gibson. It halted at Baker's Creek, and was engaged with the enemy as guard for the baggage and trains; returned to Vicksburg May 6, "The men greatly exhausted"; and remained in the entrenchments from that time on. Colonel Reynolds reported: "During these 47 days, under the terrific fire of the enemy's artillery and infantry, the officers and men of the brigade bore themselves with constancy and courage. Often half fed, and illy clothed, exposed to the burning sun and soaking rain, they performed their duty cheerfully and without a murmur."
Herein lies discrepancies on Thomasson's possible place/date of death.
McMinn Co. Chancery Court Records on pg 131 #305 Filed 8 Nov 1871:
Nancy J. Thomasson V. Emma E. & Louisa ... James M. Thomasson, husband of Nancy, died intestate in Miss. on his way home from Vicksburg in 1862 (1863), leaving Emma age ten & Louisa age nine, his only children etc. petition to sell 3 acres & unfinished house.
From Monroe Co. Chancery Court Record # 571:
Emma and Louisa Thomasson by next friend v. J.W. Thomasson & others. Filed 22 Nov. 1875. Suit concerns notes. Emma and Louisa are minor children of Dr. James M. Thomasson of Polk Co., dec'd son of John Thomasson dec'd of Monroe Co. ..... Dr. James M. died in Aug. 1862 (should be 1863).
From "History of the Carlock Family and Adventures of Pioneer Americans", 1929 by Marion Pomeroy Carlock (one of the contributors was Robert Lee Carlock, youngest brother of Nancy Jane Carlock, James M. Thomasson's widow):
"Dr. Thomasson was a surgeon in the Confederate Army, surrendered at Vicksburg 07 July 1863. Contacted a fatal illness during the siege, returning home and dying about a week after his return."
Did he die in August 1863, over 3 months following his resignation and leave approval in April? Did he die at home in Tennessee or did he stay with his regiment and die somewhere along the way on his way home from Vicksburg following his regiments surrender on 04 July 1863?
As per this record, "Ancestry.com. U.S., Civil War Prisoner of War Records, 1861-1865 [database on-line]", James M. Thomasson is NOT listed as one of the men who surrendered from the 59th Regiment at Vicksburg. The record names every man who surrendered within the regiment.
I believe James was probably making his way home on 01 May 1863, the same day his regiment started making movement in and around Vicksburg.
But the questions remain, when and where did he die? Where is he buried? Who informed his family of his death in August 1863?
Lisa Thomasson-Bass
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