Allen and James Thompson

Infobox Military Person
name=Allen Thompson
born= birth date|1847|10|1
died= death date and age|1906|2|27|1847|10|1
placeofbirth=Sandy Creek, New YorkSources are inconsistent on Allen Thompson's place of birth. His Medal of Honor citation gives New York City, while the book "Deeds of Valor" gives Sandy Creek, New York.]
placeofdeath=
placeofburial=


caption= Allen Thompson, Medal of Honor recipient
nickname=
allegiance= United States of America Union
branch= United States Army Union Army
serviceyears=
rank=Private
commands=
unit=4th New York Heavy Artillery Regiment
battles=American Civil War
awards=Medal of Honor
relations=
laterwork=Infobox Military Person
name=James G. Thompson
born= birth date|1849|12|25
died= death date and age|1921|5|23|1849|12|25
placeofbirth=Sandy Creek, New York
placeofdeath=
placeofburial=


caption= James G. Thompson, Medal of Honor recipient
nickname=
allegiance= United States of America Union
branch= United States Army Union Army
serviceyears=
rank=Private
commands=
unit=4th New York Heavy Artillery Regiment
battles=American Civil War
awards=Medal of Honor
relations=
laterwork=Brothers Allen Thompson (October 1, 1847 – February 27, 1906) and James G. Thompson (December 25, 1849 – 1921) were Union Army soldiers during the American Civil War and recipients of the highest decoration of the United States military, the Medal of Honor. They are one of only a few pairs of brothers to have received the medal.

Biography

Both brothers enlisted as privates in the 4th New York Heavy Artillery Regiment; Allen joined from Port Jarvis, New York, into Company I and James joined from Sandy Creek, New York, into Company K. During the Appomattox Campaign of March and April, 1865, the regiment served as infantry rather than artillery and was attached to a brigade in the 1st Division, II Corps, under division commander General Nelson A. Miles.

On April 2, 1865, the Thompsons' brigade was pursuing Confederate forces outside of Petersburg, Virginia, following the decisive Union victory at Five Forks the previous day.The Thompsons' Medal of Honor citations incorrectly give the date of their action as April 1, 1865] Upon coming across seemingly deserted enemy fortifications at White Oak Road and fearing an ambush, General Miles called for volunteers to reconnoiter the area. Seven men, including both Thompson brothers, stepped forward. Miles instructed them to advance through the trees to a designated spot in the distance and, once there, to signal back that the way was clear. If they encountered Confederate soldiers, they were to alert the brigade of the enemy's presence by opening fire immediately. The seven men advanced through the trees and were approximately one-fourth of the way to the designated spot when they were surprised by a group of about 50 Confederate soldiers. Ordered to lay down their guns and surrender, the Union men instead chose to fire, even though they were less than 100 feet from the numerically superior enemy force."Deeds of Valor", p. 502] James Thompson explained: Five of the group of seven were killed by the Confederate return fire, only the Thompson brothers survived. Allen Thompson retreated back to the Union lines, uninjured, while James Thompson lay severely wounded."Deeds of Valor", pp. 501-502] Alerted by the rifle fire, the Union forces commenced an attack; the Thompsons' brigade held its position while the 2nd Division flanked and routed the enemy force. A burial detail sent to inter the dead of the small reconnaissance party found James Thompson still alive.

Thirty-one years after the battle, on April 22, 1896, Allen and James Thompson were each issued the Medal of Honor for their actions at White Oak Road. The Thompsons' official Medal of Honor citations are nearly identical; James' citation reads:

Made a hazardous reconnaissance through timber and slashings, preceding the Union line of battle, signaling the troops and leading them through the obstructions.

Allen Thompson died at age 58 and was buried in Lakeview Cemetery, Cheyenne, Wyoming. James Thompson died fifteen years later at age 71 or 72 and was buried in Mount Hope Cemetery, San Diego, California.

Medal of Honor citation

Allen Thompson

Rank and organization: Private, Company I, 4th New York Heavy Artillery. Place and date: At White Oak Road, Va., April 1, 1865. Entered service at: Port Jarvis, N.Y. Birth: New York, N.Y. Date of issue: April 22, 1896.

Citation:

:Made a hazardous reconnaissance through timber and slashings preceding the Union line of battle, signaling the troops and leading them through the obstruction.

James Thompson

Rank and organization: Private, Company K, 4th New York Heavy Artillery. Place and date: At White Oak Road, Va., April 1, 1865. Entered service at: Sandy Creek, N.Y. Birth: Sandy Creek, N.Y. Date of issue: April 22, 1896.

Citation:

:Made a hazardous reconnaissance through timber and slashings, preceding the Union line of battle, signaling the troops and leading them through the obstructions.

ee also

*List of Medal of Honor recipients
*

Notes

References

*findagrave|11471866 Retrieved on 2007-12-06
*findagrave|7759213 Retreieved on 2007-12-06

*cite book
author = Beyer, W. F. and O.F. Keydel (eds.)
title = Deeds of valor: How America's Civil War heroes won the Congressional Medal of Honor
publisher = SMITHMARK Publishers
year = 2000
location = New York City
pages = pp. 501-502
isbn = 0-7651-1769-X
*cite web
publisher = U.S. Army Center of Military History
title = Civil War Medal of Honor Recipients (M-Z)
work = Medal of Honor Citations
date = 2004-09-01
url = http://www.army.mil/cmh/html/moh/civwarmz.html
accessdate = 2007-03-02

Persondata
NAME= Thompson, Allen and James
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=
SHORT DESCRIPTION= United States Army Medal of Honor recipient
DATE OF BIRTH=
PLACE OF BIRTH=
DATE OF DEATH=
PLACE OF DEATH=