The Civil War exploded in 1862 as the armies of Union General Ulysses S. Grant and Confederate General Albert Sidney Johnston collided at Shiloh, near Pittsburgh Landing in Tennessee. The Battle of Shiloh was one of the bloodiest engagements of the war, and the level of violence shocked North and South alike. Corporal Robert Thomas fought for his country and his life.

Headstone of Corporal Robert T. Thomas

Robert T. Thomas was a corporal in the 28th Illinois Infantry, Company H during the American Civil War. When he enlisted in the Union Army some information was collected about him which included his height which was 5′ 8 3/4 inches, he had red hair, blue eyes and his complexion was listed as sandy. Robert Thomas was single when he joined the army and his occupation was that of a farmer. He was born on July 21, 1843 in Fulton County, Illinois. The American Civil War took place from 1861 to 1865 tearing the country apart. His service entry age was 18, and his service entry date 1 September 1861. He enlisted for a period of 3 years. Remarks REENLISTED AS A VETERAN VOLUNTEER. Residence Place when he enlisted was Ipava, Fulton County, Illinois. Record Source- Illinois Civil War Muster and Descriptive Rolls. Robert Thomas was the second great uncle of Conrad Farr.

Sulter coin used by 28th Illinois soldiers to purchase goods.

The 28th Illinois Infantry

The 28th Illinois Infantry was organized at Camp Butler, Illinois (dubbed “Camp Misery” because of overcrowding and poor conditions) seven miles northeast of Springfield, Illinois, which had just been opened as a training camp for Illinois soldiers, and was mustered into Federal service on August 15, 1861. Between that date and March 15, 1866, when the regiment was mustered out and then discharged at Camp Butler on May 13, 1866, 290 soldiers died, 184 of them from disease and 106 killed and mortally wounded in battle.

Campaigns

Battle of Shiloh where Robert Thomas saw action

The 28th Illinois Infantry saw action at the Battle of Fort Henry, the momentous, bloody Battle of Shiloh, and the Siege of Corinth, Mississippi. General Ulysses Grant’s Central Mississippi campaign ( November 2, 1862—January 10, 1863) culminated in the Siege of Vicksburg (June 11—July 4, 1863), one of the most important Union victories of the war. It opened the Mississippi River for the Union and cut the Confederacy in half. The Vicksburg victory effectively finished the Confederacy in the West, severing Texas, Arkansas and large parts of Louisiana from the remainder of the insurgent states.

Letter from William Kinsley 28th Illinois Company H 1862

Vicksburg’s surrender was followed by the campaign against the Confederacy’s fourth largest city, Mobile, Alabama which fell after the siege and capture of Spanish Fort and the Battle of Fort Blakely (February 17—April 12, 1865). The 28th Illinois Infantry completed later assignments with the occupation of Brazos Santiago, Clarksville, and Brownsville, Texas (July, 1865—March, 1866). Corporal – Company H 28 Illinois Infantry Robert T. Thomas Civil War Pension Application from the National Archives in Washington, DC stated that at Mobile, Alabama Thomas got rheumatism and chronic diarrhea during the summer of 1865, which affected his spine and kidneys. He weighed 168 pounds at the time.

A.H. Robinson served in the 28th Illinois Infantry

More about Robert Thomas. He married Elizabeth Koons on September 19, 1867 in Fulton County, Illinois. They had two daughters Etta and Mary Thomas. He died December 22, 1915 in Astoria, Illinois. Robert Thomas was a farmer. He owned his own home and farm. He could read and write. He was also a good carpenter.