Stephen Thomas
Stephen Thomas was born 6 December 1809, in Bethel, Vermont. Prior to the war he was a woolen manufacturer, politician and judge.
In April 1861, Stephen Thomas represented the town of West Fairlee at the special session of the Legislature, which was called to consider what part the State would take in the War of the Rebellion, already begun. He was a member of the committee having under consideration a bill for raising half a million dollars toward the support of our troops in the field. He was the last man of the committee to speak, and urged that the bill be amended to read one million dollars, adding: "Until this rebellion shall be put down, I have no friends to reward and no enemies to punish, and I trust that the whole strength and power of Vermont, both of men and money, will be put into the field to sustain the government."
He was commissioned Colonel Eighth Vermont Infantry 12 November 1861; wounded 27 May 1863; appointed Brigadier-General of volunteers 1 February 1865; mustered out of the United States service 24 August 1865.
Stephen Thomas commenced recruiting the Eighth Regiment and two batteries of light artillery, at the expense of the United States Government, on 21 January 1862. When he had the organization filled to the maximum number the Government objected to mustering it into service until all the bills for recruiting, uniforming and equipping were paid. This, by the aid of Quartermaster Fred E. Smith, was done on 19 February 1862.
On 4 March 1862, the Eighth Vermont Regiment, Colonel Thomas commanding, and the First Vermont Light Battery left Brattleboro for the Department of the South, and reported to Brigadier-General Phelps at Ship Island, in the gulf of Mexico, on 5 Apr.
It is of historical value to note that the first regiment of colored troops raised for the United States service, and composed of the free colored men of New Orleans, reported for duty to Colonel Stephen Thomas of the Eighth Vermont, 24 October 1862, to go upon an expedition with his own regiment into Western Louisiana. After the capture of New Orleans, Colonel Thomas had command of all the troops on the west bank of the Mississippi.
Colonel Thomas was present in all the important engagements in which the Eighth Vermont participated. He performed signal service at the battle of the Cotton, 14 January 1863, where, with the Eighth, he crossed the Bayou Teche and cleaned the rifle pits of the enemy, saving the Union fleet.
At Bisland, La., 12 April 1863, he was with his regiment in the first line of battle, supporting the artillery and under a severe artillery fire. During the day he alone kept upon his horse, although frequently urged to dismount.
He command a brigade during the siege of Port Hudson, which lasted forty-four days. On 27 May, in the first assault upon the enemy's works, the Union forces moved in three lines of battle, Colonel Thomas' brigade being the third. The two proceeding brigades being broken up, Colonel thomas took the advance, and with a brilliant charge drove the enemy inside the main works, and secured the position, which they held during the remainder of the seige. In this assault Colonel Thomas was wounded, and lost two of his four staff officers. He was also prominent in the night assault on 10 Jun 63, in which his regiment suffered severely.
Colonel Thomas, at the battle of Opequan, Va., 19 September 1864, was commended in general orders for his services, he having, at a critical time in the battle, upon his own responsibility, ordered a charge which did much to break the enemy's center.
He was engaged in the battle of Fisher's Hill, 22 September 1864, and in the battle of Cedar Creek, 19 October. When Early surprised the Union forces, his brigade was ordered to cross the pike and stem the rebel advance until our lines could be re-formed, and held the position until his brigade was nearly annihilated. He was also prominent in the advance during the afternoon, when Sheridan resumed command of the army and turned the defeat of the morning into a victory in the evening. In this engagement Colonel Thomas lost a horse, shot from under him. For his brave and valiant services, Colonel Thomas was made Brigadier-General of Volunteers, and in the spring of 1865 was assigned to the command of a brigade of New York, Indiana and Ohio regiments, in General Hancock's Corps.
After the war, General Thomas was a farmer, pension agent, and served 1867-1869 as Lieutenant Governor of Vermont. He died 18 December 1903, in Montpelier, and is buried in Green Mount cemetery in that city.
Source - Revised Roster, pp 299, 394, 750.
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