The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1867-12-06
FORT MASON, TEXAS, |
Nov. 18th, 1867.

FORT MASON, TEXAS,
Nov. 18th, 1867.
ool. John Thompson, Moundsvtlle.
Marshall county, West Va. m.
DEAR SIR-It becomes my painful
duty to inform you Of the death OF your
SON, Major John A.'Thonlpson, at this
post this morning, at the hands OF des-
peradoes while communicable peace
In an atfray between them and party
OF soldiers just arrived from Fort Chad
bourne. Rvs
The ball struck the right cheek below
the eye, cutting the Internal carotid
artery, and emerging below the left
ear, with fatal hemorrhage In about
twenty moments. was by his side In u
few minutes, but my best endeavours
to preserve his valuable life were hope.
lessly futile.
He was universally esteemed here;
his many noble qualities winning him
n large circle of friends, who with his
incons0lable family, aud the army,
which loses one OF Its most valuable
officers, will ever deplore his irrepara.
Bile loss.
Accept, dear Sir, my most sincere
sympathy In this, your sud bereaye.
ment.
Mrs. Thompson will leave for st.
Louis as soon as u prOper escort can DO
secured to accompany her.
Very Respectfully, Yours,
JNo. |. HuLsH,
A. d. Surg. u. s.. a.
THE following extract is taken from
the San Antonio, (Texas,) Express, OF
the 18th ult:
An express from Fl. Mason arrived
In this city on Saturday morning bring.
Ing the intelligence OF the brutal muir.
der OF Major John A. Thompson, com.
mander al that post, on Thursday m orn.
ing last. Major Thompson was out
riding with his wife and two children,
and passing by store about halt a
mile from the fort, saw u difficulty
tuking place between some citizens and
soldiers, he stopped his ambulance and
ordered sergeant who was present, 10
have the parties arrested, upon which
the desperadoes, turned upon the Major
and his sergeant, shooting the Nh or
through the head killing him Instantly
while by his wite's side, and mortally
woundlng the sergeant, The murder.
ers having their horses at hand lied be.
lore any attempt for their arrest could
be made. Three names are given of this
gang ofsrebel murderers: Doughty
Taylor, Hays and Spencer; they are the
same gang who murdered the freed.
men ut Lavernia a few months since,
and who were allowed to go free from a
too.eaSy sense of Justice OH the part of
our authorities; they have been hang.
Ing around the forts TO rob the soldiers
on pay day, and have at last crowned
their villainy by numbering Union
officer.
Scouts have been sent In all directions
to, If possible, catch tho uurderers,
The otlicersOI the regiment have oiTer-
ed one thousand dollars reward for
their arrest and delivery to the military
authorities.
Major Thompson served through the
rebellion with credit. He had Just 70.
ceived his promotion to the rank OF
Major, and was only waiting the ar.
rival Of an officer TO relieve him so that
he could proceed to his new post In
Kansas with the Seventh Regiment
United StnieS Cavalry. A man OF no.
BILE qualities and genial nature, he was
universally beloved by his fellow
officers and the men under his com.
mund. He wis very happy In his do.
nestle relations, having one OF the
sweetest OF women for wife, and two
beautiful children. On the banks OF
the Ohio River his aged father and
mother, surrounded with ease and
wealth, but recently urged their son TO
resign, and come home and bless their
declIningyeaB. Just OH the eve Of de.
parture this man, about whom 10 much
love, and friendship, and happiness
was clustering, was shot down byH
rebel ASSASSIN out on the frontier OF
Texas.