Noble County, Ohio - Chapter 15: Noble County in the War, 1887 (part 2 of 2)

Frkkman C. Thompson was born in Wa.shington County, Pa., February 25, 1840. In the autumn of 1854 the family removed to Noble (bounty and settled in Stock Township. Shortly after he had i)assed his sixteenth birthday he enlisted as a private in Company F, One IIundre<l and Sixteenth Regiment, Ohio A"olunteer Infantry, and although but a mere boy he was with the regiment in all its marches, skirmishes and biittles, and on many occasions he evidenced a degree of bravery and coolness under fire that would have done credit to a veteran. In the assiiult on Fort Gregg, April 2, lsH5, he distinguished himself for his pluck and daring. In this engagement (which General Grant in his Memoirs says '* was the most de*j)erate that was seen at any time in the East '') through a perfect tornado of grape and cannister, he and his comrades reached the last ditch. How to scale the parapet was a question requiring only a moment for solution. Using each other as laddei*s they commenced the ascent. Almost at the top one was shot and fell back into the ditch. Thompson was struck twice with a musket, and fell into the ditch with several ribs broken, but in a sliort time was again on the top of the parapet fighting with muskets loaded and handed him by his commdes below. Soon the advantage was taken possession of, and the whole army swept in, and the fort was ours. In appreciation of this, " the greatest feat of i>ersonal heroism recorded during the war," Congress voted the "gallant thirteen" medals of honor. The order under which Mr. Thompson's medal was bestowed is as follows :

Herewilh I enclose a medal of honor to be presented to you under resolution of Congress for distinguished service at Fort Gregg. By order of the Secretary of War. Very respectfully, E. D. Townsend, a. a. G.

Thompson participated in the closing events of the war, and witnessed the surrender of the Confederate army at Appomattox. He was one of the number selected to carry the rebel flags surrendered by General Lee to Washington. They were conveyed by special steamer and were received by the Secretary of War with great ceremony. He took them each by the hand, and in language which evidenced his sincerity and gratitude, he thanked them for the great service they had done theii* country.

On the muster out of his regiment he returned to his home. He had not at this time attained his majority although for three long years he had been fighting his country's battles. In 1875 he was elected sheriff of the county, and upon the expiration of his term was re-elected. In 1866 he was married to Miss Mary Archer. She died in 1879, and in 1883 he was again married to Miss Amanda Archer, a cousin of his first

Caitain John Brown, an officer of the Ninety-second Regiment Ohio Volunteer Infantry, was a Scotchman by birth, and emigrated to this country when he was about eighteen yeai's of age. He was an industrious and honorable gentleman, identifying himself with all the moml and secular interests of the communities in which he was located. When the storm of war broke over his adopted country, it found him an outspoken and staunch patriot, ready to help in any way to preserve the life and unity of the Republic. In 1862 he aided in the raising of a company here at Summerfield that united with other companies at Pamp Marietta, forming the Ninet3'^-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry. The company was called Company D, of which he was elected fii'st lieutenant ; and in June, 1(S63, was promoted to the captaincy of Company H of the same regiiment. He was a splendid officer, beloved by all his men, ready to share with his men in all the hardships and dangers of an army life in active service. While gallantly leading his company on the dreadful field of Chickamauga, September 19, 1863, he was wounded in the heel or ankle ; at the time no thoughts were entertained but that he would get well. He was taken back to Nashville, where, unexpectedly to almost all, he died on the 5tli of October. His remains were brought back to Summerfield, October 10, 1863, and

Lieutenant William R. Kikk was l)orn in Guernsey County, Ohio, in 1835, and came to Sarahsville in 1S54. In 18()2 he enlisted as private in Company E, Ninety-second Ohio A^olunteer Infantry. By virtue of his unimpeachable record as a soldier he rose from a private to the lieutenancy of his company. His I'egiment was attached to the Army of the Cumberland, and he participated in all the notable battles in which it was engaged. He was mustered out with his company at the close of the war, and returned to his home in Sarahsville, where he now resides.