Gideon W. Thompson

Gideon W. Thompson
Born (1823-02-18)February 18, 1823
Died January 8, 1902(1902-01-08) (aged 78)
Place of burial Barry Cemetery, Platte Co., MO
Allegiance  Missouri
 Confederate States of America
Service/branch Missouri State Guard
 Confederate States Army
Years of service 18611865
Rank Colonel
Battles/wars American Civil War
*Siege of Lexington
*Battle of Pea Ridge
*First Battle of Independence
*Second Battle of Springfield
*Battle of Hartville
*Battle of Helena

Gideon W. Thompson (February 28, 1823 - January 8, 1902)[1] was a colonel in the Missouri State Guard and the Confederate Army during the American Civil War. He assumed command on the field after the fall of Brigadier General John T. Hughes at the First Battle of Independence.

Early life

Gideon W. Thompson was born in Todd County, Kentucky to Robert C. Thompson and Eveline (Roberts).[2] They relocated to Howard County, Missouri while Gideon was a toddler.[3] Gideon became a farmer and livestock trader in Platte County, Missouri.[4]

Civil War

At the outbreak of the Civil War, Thompson was elected captain of a company in the 5th Division of the Missouri State Guard.[5] Serving in the major battles of Price's 1861 Missouri campaign he was elected major then colonel in November 1861.[6] In August 1862 he was recruiting a new regiment in Missouri and suffered a wound to the foot or leg at the First Battle of Independence.[7][8]

Thompson was appointed Colonel of the 6th Missouri Cavalry (Confederate) November 9, 1862 as a result of John T. Coffee's removal from command on charges of drunkenness. The regiment participated in three large Missouri raids in 1863, including the Battle of Hartville and the defense of Little Rock, Arkansas. At the Battle of Hartville, he was reported as doing his duty "well and nobly"[9] while commanding his regiment. After the Battle of Hartville, he was mistakenly reported dead in enemy communications by Union Brigadier General Fitz Henry Warren.[10] After his many exploits during these campaigns, a command reorganization in December 1863 resulted in his replacement by another commander.[11]

Post-war

At the close of hostilities, Thompson returned to his farm in Platte County, Missouri. He died January 8, 1902 and is buried in the Barry Cemetery in Clay County, Missouri.[12]

References

  1. See Find a Grave: http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=40241723
  2. Annals of Platte Co., p. 804
  3. Eakin, Battle of Independence, p. 79
  4. Allardice, p. 370
  5. Allardice, p. 370
  6. Sterling Price's Lieutenants, Rev. ed., p. 292
  7. Eakin, Battle of Independence, p. 77
  8. Eakin, Battle of Lone Jack, p. 10
  9. “Marmaduke’s Expedition into Missouri”. Index to the Miscellaneous Documents of the House of Representatives. Congressional edition, Volume 2580. United States Congress. U.S. Government Printing Office, 1889, p. 204.
  10. “Marmaduke’s Expedition into Missouri”. Index to the Miscellaneous Documents of the House of Representatives. Congressional edition, Volume 2580. United States Congress. U.S. Government Printing Office, 1889, p. 188.
  11. McGhee, Guide to Missouri Confederate Units, pp. 94,95
  12. Allardice, p. 370

See also

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