Thompson Family Papers and Photographs
1861-1988
WVM Mss 1553
0.5 linear ft. (1 archives box and one flat box) of papers and 0.2 linear ft. (1 folder, 5 tintype folders, and 7 cartes de visite folders) of photographs.
Wisconsin Veterans Museum
(Map)
Papers and photographs pertaining to members of the Thompson family of Rubicon, Wisconsin who served in the Civil War. Papers include correspondence and biographical material about the family. The bulk of the correspondence includes letters written by Jackson Thompson to his future wife, Sarah Throne, while he was serving with the 7th Wisconsin Light Artillery. In the letters, Jackson describes daily life as a soldier, the general health of himself and fellow soldiers, and the daily activities associated with military life. He also writes frequently about his love for Sarah and his hope the war would end so he could return to her. Jackson also describes interactions with Southern civilians and freed slaves. In one letter (August 23, 1862), Jackson describes an incident in which he states his unit freed slaves that were white from a Southern home. Another letter (October 12, 1862) describes Jackson witnessing the transportation of Confederate prisoners, and provides details of their condition and health. He also relays general updates about the movement of his unit and about skirmishes and battles. One letter (August 24, 1864) describes in detail the Second Battle of Memphis, which was a Confederate cavalry raid on Union positions under the command of Nathan Bedford Forrest. The letter provides information about the raid and how Jackson escaped capture. In another interesting letter (April 28, 1865), he describes witnessing the explosion and sinking of the SS Sultana, a steamer that sunk when a boiler exploded. The ship had been transporting recently paroled Union prisoners of war, and it is estimated that 1600 passengers were killed in the accident. Jackson provides details of the accident, and how he assisted in rescuing survivors from the Mississippi River. Other correspondence includes letters written by Sarah to Jackson and letters written to Sarah by her brother, John Throne. The letters written by Sarah generally describe news from home, her desire for the war to end and Jackson to return home, and news she has heard about the war. One letter (December 25, 1864) includes a poem she wrote expressing her love for Jackson. The letters from John Throne include descriptions of his unit's movements, daily life in the military, and his desire for the war to end so he could return home. One letter (November 18, 1864) states that he was arrested for disobeying orders and could not leave his quarters. Additional manuscripts include photocopies of biographical material and service records for members of the Thompson family, as well as photocopies of magazine articles which contain transcriptions of letters wrote by Jackson and Sarah. Photographs are a mix of tintypes and carte-de-visite images of various members of the Thompson family. Tintypes include images for Jackson Thompson, Elisha Thompson, William Thompson, and Alfred Thompson, all brothers who served in the Civil War. Also included is a tintype of John Throne. All of the images show the men in their uniforms and have tint applied to their buttons and cheeks. Alfred, who served in the Iron Brigade, is seen wearing his Hardee hat. The carte-de-visites include images of Alfred Thompson, Elisha Thompson, Laura Thompson, and Stephen Thompson. Also included are images of Sarah Throne, and two fellow soldiers who served in the 7th Light Artillery, Charles A. J. Higgins and Charles E. Munn. Two additional black and white paper photographs show the tombstones of Jackson and Elisha, and a copy photograph of an original image of Elisha, Jackson, and Laura sometime after the Civil War are also part of the collection.
English
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