On August 7, 2010 I had the privilege of participating in the First Saturday's Descendants Day at African American Civil War Musuem in Washington, D.C. I gave a presentation on the Life of Benjamin Thompson: 82nd United States Colored Troops Soldier. Benjamin Thompson is my great-great grandfather.
Born about 1840 in Hinds County, Mississippi, Benjamin made his way to Baton Rouge ending up in Port Hudson, Louisiana where he enlisted with the loosely organized Ullman's Brigade (as mandated by President Lincoln to allow African-Americans to fight for the Union). The unit became the 10th Corp d'Afrique and later the 82nd USCT. He fought in notable Civil War battles at Ft. Barrancas, FL and Ft. Blakely, AL. This is where he sustained injuries which qualified him to file and receive a soldier's pension in 1890.
After the war, Benjamin spent a year in New Orleans, Louisiana. He followed what would become Hwy 61, from Port Hudson into Adams County, Mississippi. On the 1870 federal census he appears with his first wife Susan Robinson Thompson in the Natchez City limits. Apparently, Susan 'passed away' in 1880 and he married Hannah Moore in 1884. Benjamin and Hannah had six children together and raised Hannah's daughter from a previous relationship. Benjamin passed away from his injuries sustained in war, physical and mental, in 1909 at Natchez Hospital. His second wife, Hannah, passed away in 1936 from kidney failure.
*A special "Thank you" to my geneabuddy Ingrid from Afrigeneas.com for attending and taking these photos! Another special "Thank You" to Dorsey for chauferring me around Washington, D.C.
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