Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1893-10-03
a Monument to Major Thomp-

A movement is being made TO
erect a monument over the grave OF
Capt. James W. Thompson. at Win
chester, and a publication in the
Winchester papers says:
On the goth of March. 1864. Cap
tain r. Preston, Chew's Battery q,
was camped near Gordonsville, with
the Battalion of Stuart's Light Horse
Artillery. On the 25th-an election
of company officers having been
ordered, as Capt. Chew had just re-
ceived his commission as Major
1st Lieut.. James w. Thompson, u
son of John a. Thompson, of Sum
NIT Point, was elected Captain of
Chew's famous old Battery. and
from that date known as Thomp-
sons Battery, and under his CON
troll, although he was less than %
years old. The battery lost none of
its prestige, Drawer or more gallant
young officer was not in the service.
This Battery was always on the
front and engaged almost daily in
action. January 10th, 1863, the
Battery was disbanded owing to the
scarcity of rations and forage. 1t
was called tc assemble in Lynchburg
April 1st, 1865.
Major Tompson left Capt. Carter
in command and went to the front
near Petersburg. April 9TH, while
leading charge Of a squad of Ros-
ser's cavalry at High Bridge was
badly wounded. RalIying the men
he charged the second time and was
repulsed. Gathering a few he
charged the third time and was
killed. Captain Jacob EngIe, living
near Harper's Ferry, saw him shot
off his horse. A comrade ran to the
body and unbuckled his belt and
sabre stained with blood, gave it to
Capt. Engle with instructions to
keep it until lie called for it. Cap
tain Engle has it yet to fulfil that
trust. John Dean Adams was near
when Major Thompson was killed.
Major Jas. W.Thompson's remains
are buried in the third grave north of
Ashhy Brothers in the Virginia lot in
Stonewall Cemetery.
Three of his comrades in June
last, members of Turner Ashby
Camp, formed themselves into a
committee, to raise funds for a mon
ument, suggested by VIM. Lyman of
New Orleans, who was in Winches-
ter at Gen. Thos. L. Rosser's Re
union, stated at the time to Col Nc
Vicar that lie would contribute $50
90, and the following circular was
issued TO tile survivors of Chew's
afterwards Thompson's Battery
Stuart's Horse Artillery, A. N. V.
and the Laurel Brigade.
1t is proposed to erect mon ument
over the grave of our late Captain,
Major James w. Thompson. A de-
sign has been chosen, and approved
by DR.. Penn. Thompson and Col r.
z. Chew. The monument will be
appropriate for an artillery officer,
and will cost between $4,000 and
100000. Subscriptions are asked
from company and brigade associ-
ates. Treasurer of Ashby Camp,
james w. Barr, of Winchester, is
selected as custodian of this fund.
All subscriptions should be sent TO
him. JNO. ]. WILLIAMS,
DIR. w. p McGUIRE,
CHAs. w. MCVIcAR,
Committee.
June 10, 90.
Col. McVlcar has written over one
hundred letters for the object and
among them this one, written on mon
ument circulars, in July:
Comrade Charles Rouss:
/ only write to let You know
that the Camp is doing some good
things, and besides helping the needy,
gave an order for $500 or S4.0OI
worth of groceries yesterday. The
Camp is appreciated by our people.
1 am not writing for anything as
you have shown yourself q whole man
towards our people. Hope the sun
shine of life is your fate, and that
the clouds may all go by.
l am yours,
CHAs. w. McVIcAR.
Charles Rouss is an active mem
Der Of Ashby Camp of BayIor's Co..
18th Va. Cavalry, Rosser's Laurel
Brigade.
The result was n. return of the let:
ter, hundred dollar check and the
following Characteristic letter:
In reply TO your favor. 1 enclose
D my chek. Por dear Jim ThonIp-
son, knu him wei. He was kid
he last day of the war. a drawer
BOY never stood in Shoe LETTER.
With best wishes. r.
The monument fund stands as fol-
Ows:
Col. VIM. r. Lyman. N. Orleauss5O. 90
PEN. Thompson, Summit Point. 5000
Reuben Wonder, Shenandoah Co. 100
Lieut.. Milton Rouss ,Kabletown, % 90
IOhn Chew, Charles Town, 800
Col. DnIaney, Fauquier Co., 1000
Battery Boy, Winchester, 800
John Amber, Lynchburg, $500
;. B. Rouss, New. York City, 10000
Thomas Timberlake, LOO
Tohh Adams, 200 |
Two train robbers were killed and
our captured, Monday morning of
asst week, in the act of robbing a train
IN the Kansas City, St. Joseph and
Council Bluffs Railroad, near St.
Joseph, Mo. The Railroad company
iad information of the intended at
ack, and sent dummy train ahead
With large force of policemen.
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