This paper is a by-product resulting from research completed for "Lincoln Cemetery- the Story Down Under" a paper published in October 2011. After finding many articles about the "colored" G.A.R. Post in the local newspaper as part of that research, it seemed obvious that the story of this fine organization needed to be told.
I also received the greatest sense of purpose for its publication when I read a booklet written by Jacob M. Goodyear entitled "The G.A.R. Posts of Cumberland County." This paper was read before the Cumberland County Historical Association on January 18, 1951. The paper included all the "White" G.A.R. organizations of Cumberland County including: Captain Colwell Post No. 201, Joshua W Sharp Post No. 371, B. F. Eisenberger Post No. 462, Col. H. I. Zinn Post No. 415, Corporal McClean Post No. 423, Kennedy Post No. 490, Greacy Post No. 630.
The omission of the Corp. Jesse G. Thompson G.A.R. Post 440 was notable. Post 440 was organized in 1884. The last known veteran, John Carter, died in 1924. Therefore, this organization had a presence in Cumberland County for forty years and should have been recognized with the other G .A.R. Posts in the county.
The Post organizers chose to honor Corporal Jesse G. Thompson, a local Civil War Veteran, who had served distinctively during the war. A brief history of his life and military service follows.
"TRIBUTE TOA YOUNG SOLDIER"
Jesse G. Thompson was born c. 1844, in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania. He was one of five children born to Benjamin and Mary Thompson. His siblings included one sister, Mary Jane, and three brothers, George, Richard and William. Until his enlistment, Jesse worked as a laborer in Carlisle, Pennsylvania.
On Schedule I, Consolidated List of all persons of Class 1, subject to military duty in the fifteenth Congressional District (Cumberland and Perry Counties) dated July 13, 1863, Jesse G. Thompson appears: age 20, occupation waiter, unmarried, Capt. R. M. Henderson, Provost Marshall.
Less than a year later on February 17, 1864, Jesse Thompson was mustered into service as a Private in Co. A, 32nd Regiment of the U. S. Colored Infantry. He was described as a young man, age 20, 5 feet 5 inches tall with a yellow complexion. Jesse was promoted to corporal on March 18, 1864. For an undocumented reason, he was demoted eight months later on October 22, 1864, but that demotion was temporary. He regained the rank of corporal on July 1, 1865.
According to Bates, toward the close of November, 1865, General Foster, in command of the Department of the South was directed by General Halleck to make a demonstration in the direction of Pocotaligo, Georgia, for the purpose of diverting attention from General Sherman's front, which was now approaching the sea. Foster could spare only five thousand troops for this purpose, and with these, ascending the Broad River in transports to Boyd's Neck, he landed and hurried forward a force under General J. P. Hatch, to break the Charleston and Savannah Railroad. The Thirty-second regiment was in Hatch's command. On the morning of the 30th, Hatch encountered a rebel force under command of General Gustavus W Smith, at Honey Hill, three miles from Grahamsville, in a commanding position behind breast-works. Hatch immediately attacked, and though pushing his advance with obstinacy and bravery, he was compelled to fall back, sustaining heavy losses. The Thirty-second had nine killed and forty-two wounded. Lieutenant Robert D. Winters received a mortal wound, and died on the 22nd of December. Lieutenant Colonel Geary was severely wounded and was incapacitated from further duty.
Intent on the purpose of his expedition, Foster sent a force under General E. E. Potter, across the Coosawhatchie River to Deveaux Neck, where, on the 6th of December, he seized a position commanding the railroad, which he began to fortify. Early on the following morning, the enemy approached stealthily and attacked, thinking to surprise the Union forces. The attack fell heavily on the Thirty-second regiment which was holding the extreme right of the line with Company A receiving the first shock. The regiment was taken unaware, but rallied manfully and repulsed the attack. The position was held without further molestation until General Sherman, in triumph, entered Savannah. Jesse mustered out August 22, 1865, and returned to Carlisle. He died on September 27, 1868, and was buried at Carlisle Barracks, Carlisle, Pennsylvania. No obituary was found in the local papers to substantiate this information.
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