Pension Application of Joseph Thompson
Margaret's Great-Grandfather, Joseph Louis Thompson, made application for a disability pension for his Civil War service February 4, 1914. He enlisted in Company D of the 38 Battalion of Virginia Artillery in April 1861 and was released "about two weeks after Lee surrendered". He is 77 years old and has lived at 922 Court Street in Lynchburg, Virginia for 63 years. He is totally disabled due to being seventy seven years old.
In July 1927 his widow Mary Louise Thompson, then living in Richmond, Virginia, made application for a pension as the widow of a CSA veteran. Her application shows they were married October 13, 1863, right in the middle of his military service.
Margaret says there is a plaque on Clay Street in Lynchburg, on the old city water reservoir, that has Joseph Thompson's name along with other city residents that served in the war.
Here it is, part of the plaque showing the name Joseph L Thompson. We photographed it today, July 12, 2002. He was a First Lieutenant. The plaque is attached to the wall of the old reservoir at the corner of 7th and Clay Streets. This was where the headquarters of the regiment of light artillery stood during the war.
Here is a picture of Joseph Louis Thompson in his 'War Between the States' uniform.