Robeson County, NC - Biography of William Murray Thompson ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ William Murray Thompson Biography William Murray Thompson was born in Robeson County, North Carolina in a small log cabin. He was the son of Theophilus Thompson and Nancy Williams. He was the oldest child of three children. His father, Theophilus Thompson built a large two story farm house. Theophilus 1830 Robeson County Census Male 1 under 5 (William Murray Thompson) Female 1 10 to 15 1 10 to 15 1 30 to 40 (Nancy) 1 30 to 40 (Theophilus) 1 70 to 80 Theophilus 1840 Robeson County Census Male 2 5 to 10 (William Murray) Female 1 5 to 10 (Clarkey Ann) 1 40 to 50 (Theophilus) 1 20 to 30 Theophilus (Nancy not counted) 1850 Robeson County Census Theophilus 56 M Blacksmith Nancy 53 F William 20 M Blacksmith (William Murray) Samuel 18 M Farmer (Samuel Sebsation Barthemew) Clarkey 15 F (Clarkey Ann) In 1850, he was a young man of age 20. He was a Blacksmith in his father's Blacksmith shop. According to the 1850 Census. In 1850 his mother died. On September 6, 1854 he married Amanda Elizabeth Mc Callum in the home of his father, William Murray Thompson. In 1860 William Murray Thompson bought land in Roebson County, North Carolina by paying the back taxes. William Murray Thompson built a log cabin on the land for his bride Amanda Elizabeth Mc Callum Thompson and their children. William Murray Thompson 0379 1860 Census W. M. THOMPSON 30 M Farmer Robeson Cty, NC/ Co H, 51st Regt A. Thompson 27 F Robeson Cty, NC (Amanda) B. C. T. Thompson 4 F NC (B. Caroline Thomas) (also known as Floriana) S. S. Thompson 3 F NC (Sarah Sallie) R. V. Thompson 2 F NC (Rhoda Vernon) T. S. Thompson 6/12 M NC (Archibald Theophilis born 1-7-1960) (?) The Civil War started at Fort Sumter, North Carolina in April 1861. North Carolina seceded from the Union on May 20, 1961. The 51st Regiment of the North Carolina Volunteers was organized in Wilmington, NC on 4/13/1862. On 4/25/1862, William Murray Thompson and his brother, Samuel Sebastion Thompson enlisted in the same unit of the 51st Regiment of the North Carolina Volunteers, in Company H. He was a Private. He left behind his wife, Amanda, and 4 children ages 2, 4, 5, and 7 years of age. William Murray Thompson fought with valour. Thompson, William M. Confederate Infantry 51st Regiment, North Carolina Infantry May 23, 1862 William Murray Thompson was registered at the CSA General Military Hospital, No. 4, Wilmington, North Carolina with Rubeola. Rubeola is red measles which can produce pneumonia. Fever usually last 3 to 4 days and the fever rises high as the spots appear. A dry cough, red eyes and a runny nose appears. Tiny white spots appear on the inside of cheeks, gums and palate. The fever drops after the rash covers the body. The cough subsides and the eyes clear as the rash subsides. Given the lack of sanitation and medicine at the time, he was furloughed on May 29, 1862 to recuperate from the Rubeola at home. May 1862 absent sick at home according to his Confederate pay stubs. July 1862 Hospital Steward according to his Confederate pay stubs. The surgeons, nurses and the officers lived with their men in the open fields, in trenches swept by the fire of the enemy, literally dug ditches and holes burrowed into the earth. Sometimes in the rainy season the men were driven out like rats. They were half starved, in cold and storm and rain, and were exposed to every hazard. The medical department, quailed not; they patiently submitted to every hardship, often with systems shattered by privation and ill-health, whilst they performed services which required skill, care and serene courage. No extended reference can be made here to privations endured in prisons; and more than one example exists of by Surgeons and nurses voluntary surrendered in order that they might not be separated from their sick and wounded. Even the medical teams in the shelter of hospitals were placed near to the immediate theatre of the war. They had by no means light duties to perform and they were exposed to the dangers of the battlefield whilst in attendance upon the sick and wounded. They were always within range of shot and shell. Shells passed frequently over the hospital. Sometimes one shell struck within a few feet of the ward or it may enter the tent, and a third might passed through one of the tents provided to relieve the hospital that was over-crowded with the sick and wounded. Before the hospital was evacuated, the surgeon had to distribute the amputations among his assistants. There were many days and nights, without cessation, that they were required to complete the work. Batteries of gun fire were made more terrible by the crash of those bolts of steel, impelled with vengeful fury, which rained upon them by day and by night. The bullet was about the size of a quarter. It was a soft lead slug intended to expand when it came in contact with bone. This caused horrific injuries, destroying bone and tissue beyond hope of repair. The defense was so desperate and destructive that the troops and their medical attendants had to be frequently relieved. William Murray Thompson was present July and August 1862 according to his Confederate pay stubs. William Murray Thompson was a hospital nurse from September 1862 till the end of the war according to his Confederate pay stubs. Through most of the war he was a hospital nurse as extra voluntary duty. He was also a field hospital nurse. When a soldier was wounded he was taken to the field hospital. This is where the trauma emergencies were preformed. If a wounded man did not die in the field then he was sent to the general hospital behind the lines. He served on the field and in the general hospital behind the lines. The living conditions in camps was the main cause of disease such as dysentery, pneumonia, malaria and many other diseases. Sanitation was poor on both sides. Water supplies were often contaminated. Civilian volunteers supplied medicines and rolled bandages. They worked in the hospitals and camps. Confederate soldiers suffered more from hunger and disease than the Union soldiers, but they had greater staying power. The penalty for desertion was death. Regulations specified the uniform for the Confederate troops, but a regulated uniform was rarely seen. Soldiers wore what ever they could get their hands on. Occasionally they received clothing from home and sometimes they scavenged among the dead Union soldiers for clothing. Soldiers drilled first thing in the morning, then drilled again, and again. Sometimes they stopped to eat a little something and then would have roll call. On 10/1/1862 the unit, 51st Regiment of the North Carolina Volunteers became a part of Clingman's Brigade under General Thomas L. Clingman. Dec 17, 1962- The 1st action occurred near Goldsboro, North Carolina. January and February, 1863 he was doing extra daily duty as a nurse in the Regiment Hospital. Feb 18, 1863 the 51st Regiment North Carolina Infantry was at Charleston, North Carolina and then at Savannah, Georgia. March & April, 1863 he was present according to his Confederate pay stubs. William Murray Thompson rose in rank from Private to Third Corporal then to 2nd Lieutenant. May 1, 1863 the 51st Regiment North Carolina Infantry went back to Wilmington, North Carolina to Top Soil Sound. July 1, 1863 Company H of the 51st Regiment North Carolina Infantry went to New Bern, North Carolina to stop the raiding of the Wilmington , North Carolina Weldon Railroad. July 10, 1863 the 51st Regiment North Carolina Infantry was in Charleston, South Carolina at Morris Island. The 51st Regiment North Carolina Infantry bore the brunt of the assault. Nov. 24, 1963 51st Regiment of the North Carolina went back to Tarboro, North Carolina by rail. They remained there till Jan. 5, 1964 when they proceeded to Petersburg, Virginia and Camp Hill near Petersburg, Virginia. Later in Jan. 1864 they returned to North Carolina for a skirmish at Bachelor's Creek. January and February 1864 William Murray Thompson was present according to his Confederate pay stubs. Later in Jan. 1864 the 51st Regiment North Carolina Infantry returned to North Carolina for a skirmish at Bachelor's Creek. March and April absent for detached service to the Provost Guard Petersburg, Virginia according to his Confederate pay stubs. April 1, 1864 he was at Petersburg, Virginia.. May 1, 1864 the 51st Regiment North Carolina Infantry was at Dunlop's Farm 4 miles from Richmond, Virginia. May 12, 1864 the 51st Regiment had heavy losses at Drewry’s Bluff. With the fall of Yorktown, the Confederate ironclad Virginia at Norfolk was scuttled to prevent her capture. This opened the James River to Federal gunboats. On May 15, five gunboats, including the ironclads Monitor and Galena, steamed up the James to test the Richmond defenses. They encountered submerged obstacles and deadly accurate fire from the batteries at Drewry’s Bluff, which inflicted severe damage on the Galena. The Federal Navy was turned back. Beaureguard drives Butler back from Drewry’s Bluff back into the Bermuda Hundred defenses. May 31, 1864- He was at Cold Harbor, Virginia. On May 31, 1864 Sheridan’s cavalry seized the vital crossroads of Old Cold Harbor, Virginia just nine miles from Richmond, Virginia. On June 1, 1864 they relied heavily on their new repeating carbines and shallow entrenchments, Sheridan’s troopers threw back an attack by Confederate infantry. Confederate reinforcements arrived from Richmond and from the small battles at Totopotomoy Creek, Virginia and North Anna, Virginia lines. Confederate troops were dug in and well fortified. Late on June 1,1964 the Union VI and XVIII Corps reached Cold Harbor, Virginia and assaulted the Confederate works with some success. Many of the troops on both sides pinned slips of paper to their coats, bearing their name and address as they knew this was a hopeless battle. By June 2, 1964 both armies were on the field, forming on a seven-mile front that extended from Bethesda Church, Virginia to the Chickahominy River, Virginia. At dawn June 3, 1864 the II and XVIII Corps, followed later by the Union IX Corps, assaulted along the Bethesda Church-Cold Harbor, Virginia line and were slaughtered at all points. Grant commented in his memoirs that this was the only attack he wished he had never ordered. The armies confronted each other on these lines for ten days until the night of June 12, 1864. 7,000 union soldiers died in just one half hour. The dead cover covered five acres of ground. Grant regretted the attack on Cold harbor. Grant decided not to risk more attacks. He positioned his calvary as a screen so that his troops could slip away. On June 14, 1864 the Union II Corps were ferried across the river at Wilcox’s Landing by transports. Campaign: Grant’s Overland Campaign (May-June 1864) Date(s): May 31-June 12, 1864 Principal Commanders: Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant and Maj. Gen. George G. Meade [US]; Gen. Robert E. Lee [CS] Forces Engaged: 170,000 total (US 108,000; CS 62,000) Estimated Casualties: 15,500 total (US 13,000; CS 2,500) June 1, 1964 the 51st Regiment North Carolina Infantry was at Battle of Cold Harbor. Other Names: Second Cold Harbor, Virginia Date(s): June 15-18, 1864 On June 15, 1864 the rest of the army began crossing on a 2,200-foot long pontoon bridge at Weyanoke, Virginia. Abandoning the well-defended approaches to Richmond, Virginia Grant sought to shift his army quickly south of the river to threaten Petersburg, Virginia. There was a long siege at Petersburg. For six weeks there was blazing heat and no rain and then there was too much rain. Result(s): Confederate victory On June 17, 1864 They defended the assault on the City of Petersburg, Virginia. This battle was part of the Richmond-Petersburg Campaign June 1864-March 1865 June 17, 1864- Assault on Petersburg ,Virginia. Location: City of Petersburg, Virginia Campaign: Richmond-Petersburg Campaign (June 1864-March 1865) Principal Commanders: Lt. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant and Maj. Gen. George G. Meade [US]; Gen. Robert E. Lee and Gen. P.G.T. Beauregard [CS] April 30 to August 1864 absent sick in hospital in Richmond, Virginia according to his Confederate pay stubs. September to October 1864 absent Promoted from 3 Corporal to 2nd Lieutenant August 29th 1864 Home sick furlough Columbus County, North Carolina according to his Confederate pay stubs. August 29, 1864 promoted to 2nd Lieutenant by Coronal H. M. Ketchan according to his Confederate pay stubs. According to his pay stubs he was promoted while in the hospital in Richmond, Virginia. November and December 1964 present according to his Confederate pay stubs. December 24, 1864 the 51st Regiment North Carolina Infantry marched to Richmond, Virginia and then to North Carolina January 12, 1865 the 51st Regiment North Carolina Infantry was at the Fall of Fort Fisher. March 7-9, 1865 the 51st Regiment North Carolina Infantry was at the Battle of Southwest Creek near Kinston where they retired from Sherman’s advance. Later William Murray Thompson was assigned to the general hospital. The general hospital was usually over flowing with the wounded, as well as, the sick. Sanitation was poor and water supplies were often contaminated. Diseases killed more men than their enemy. For every death from combat on the Confederate side, three soldiers died from disease. The Union Army had one death from combat to 2 1/2 deaths from disease. Care for the sick got better as the war went on. While marching from Cold Harbor, Meade’s Army of the Potomac crossed the James River on transports and a 2,200-foot long pontoon bridge at Windmill Point. Butler’s leading elements (XVIII Corps and Kautz’s cavalry) crossed the Appomattox River at Windmill Point and attacked the Petersburg defenses on June 15. The 5,400 defenders of Petersburg under command of Gen. P.G.T. General Beauregard were driven from their first line of entrenchments back to Harrison Creek. After dark the XVIII Corps was relieved by the II Corps. On June 16, the II Corps captured another section of the Confederate line. On the 17th, the IX Corps gained more ground. General Beauregard stripped the Howlett Line (Bermuda Hundred) to defend the city, and Lee rushed reinforcements to Petersburg from the Army of Northern Virginia. The II, XI, and V Corps from right to left attacked on June 18 but was repulsed with heavy casualties. The Confederate works were heavily manned by now and the greatest opportunity to capture Petersburg without a siege was lost. The siege of Petersburg began. The Union Gen. James St. Clair Morton, chief engineer of the IX Corps, was killed on June 17. Forces Engaged: 104,000 total (US 62,000; CS 42,000) Estimated Casualties: 11,386 total (US 8,150; CS 3,236) Result (s): Confederate victory Sept. 30, 1964- Assault on Fort Harrison. October 29, 1864-he was on the lines below Richmond, Virginia near Petersburg, Virginia according to his Confederate pay stubs. Petersburg, Virginia linked most of the railroads to Richmond, Virginia. General Grant sent James P. Wilson’s cavalry to strike the rails west of Petersburg, Virginia and Richmond, Virginia. Wilson’s cavalry destroyed six miles of railroad track before he was driven off by the rebel cavalry. Rail connections were cut off for weeks and supply problems arose until the break was mended. President Abraham Lincoln witnessed the skirmish. There was a long siege lasted six weeks at Petersburg, Virginia. One half of the line would fire while the other half tried to sleep. They fought in blazing heat with no rain and then with too much rain. Sharp shooting and artillery duels occurred anytime of the day or night. October 30, 1864-he was at Dove Hill Farm, Virginia according to his Confederate pay stubs. December, 24- March to Richmond, Virginia and then to North Carolina. January 12, 1865- Fall of Fort Fisher, North Carolina. After the failure of his December expedition against Fort Fisher, Maj. Gen. Benjamin Butler was relieved of command. Maj. Gen. Alfred Terry was placed in command of a "Provisional Corps," including Paine's Division of U.S. Colored Troops, and supported by a naval force of nearly 60 vessels, to renew operations against the fort. After a preliminary bombardment directed by Rear Adm. David D. Porter on January 13, Union forces landed and prepared an attack on Maj. Gen. Robert Hoke's infantry line. On the 15th, a select force moved on the fort from the rear. A valiant attack late in the afternoon, following the bloody repulse of a naval landing party carried the parapet. The Confederate garrison surrendered, opening the way for a Federal thrust against Wilmington, the South's last open seaport on the Atlantic coast. Location: New Hanover County Campaign: Operations against Fort Fisher and Wilmington (January-February 1865) Date(s): January 13-15, 1865 Principal Commanders: Rear Adm. David D. Porter and Maj. Gen. Alfred Terry [US]; Gen. Braxton Bragg, Maj. Gen. Robert Hoke, and Col. Charles Lamb [CS] Forces Engaged: Expeditionary Corps, Army of the James [US]; Hoke's Division and Fort Fisher Garrison [CS] Estimated Casualties: 2,000 total Result(s): Union victory March 7-9, 1865- Battle of Southwest Creek near Kinston and then retired from Sherman's advance. A Union expedition led by Brigadier General John G. Foster left New Berne in December to disrupt the Wilmington & Weldon Railroad at Goldsborough. The advance was stubbornly contested by Evans’s Brigade near Kinston Bridge on December 14, but the Confederates were outnumbered and withdrew north of the Neuse River in the direction of Goldsborough. Foster continued his movement the next day, taking the River Road, south of the Neuse River Kinston Location: Lenoir County April 10, 1865- Retire to Raleigh, North Carolina at Bush Hill, North Carolina 51st Regiment surrendered with Johnston's Army. May 2, 1865 William Murray Thompson was paroled. William Murray Thompson was one of the few officers that were not injured in the war. Though out the Civil War William Murray Thompson remained faithful to his military duties. He was hospitalized twice and furloughed home once but he always returned to duty. He was one of the few officers who returned home unwounded yet bullets rained on the hospitals. When William Murray Thompson returned from the Civil War he built a house on the land that he bought in 1860. It had a separate kitchen out back and vegetable garden next to the kitchen. William Murray Thompson, tall man third from right with church group. William Murray Thompson used the medical knowledge that he learned during the war to help to people in Hallsboro, Robeson County, North Carolina. He continued farming and blacksmithing. He had 5 more children after the war. He had 9 children in all Children of William Murray Thompson and Amanda Elizabeth Mc Callum Thompson. B. Caroline Thomas Thompson September 12, 1855 Sarah Sallie Thompson June 30, 1857 Rhoda Vernon Thompson July 09, 1858 Archibald Theophilus Thompson January 07, 1860 Nancy Josephine Thompson December 25, 1860 Clarkey Amanda Thompson 1866 James Edward Thompson, Sr. December 12, 1867 Daniel Covington Thompson November 10, 1869 William Alexander Thompson May 01, 1877 William Murray Thompson died April 20, 1896. He is buried at Smith's Crossings, Hallsboro, Robeson County, North Carolina. ___________________________________________________________________ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by L. Jacobson ___________________________________________________________________