William F. Thomas

A 21 year old coach maker in Swedesburg, he enlisted and mustered in Harrisburg on 20 April 1861 as Private, Company I, 4th Pennsylvania Infantry for 3 months's service. He mustered out with them on 27 July 1861. Soon after, on 31 August he enrolled again, in Norristown, and mustered as First Sergeant, Company C, 51st Pennsylvania Infantry on 15 September 1861 in Harrisburg.

Captain Bolton, Company A, said Sergeant Thomas was the first man across the Lower Bridge on 17 September 1862 at Antietam. He was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant two days later.

He was promoted to First Lieutenant on 13 May 1864 and to Captain on 24 April 1865. He mustered out with his Company on 24 July 1865 in Alexandria, VA.

His service from the Card File.1 His role at Antietam from Captain Bolton's essay in Historical Sketches for the Historical Society of Montgomery County, PA; online from the Internet Archive.

c. 1839