Thompson Bird Lamar

Son of Lucius Quintus Cincinnatus Lamar (1797-1834), he was a wealthy physician, planter, and Florida state legislator before the War. In 1860 he was a 32 year old "gentleman" in Monticello, Jefferson County, FL. He mustered there as Captain of Company I, 1st Florida Infantry on 19 April 1861 and was discharged 30 January 1862. He enrolled again and mustered as Lieutenant Colonel of the 5th Florida Infantry on 8 April 1862.

He was with his regiment in Maryland in September 1862, and took command at Sharpsburg on 17 September after Colonel Hately assumed Brigade command (and was wounded). He was himself wounded in the arm at Sharpsburg and relieved by Major Davis.

He was detailed as Assistant Adjutant General to General Joseph Johnston to January 1864 then was appointed Colonel of his regiment on 28 March 1864 (to date from 6 July 1863) after Colonel Hately was disabled and retired. He was wounded by gunshots to his left hand, losing his index finger, and left leg in action in the Wilderness, VA on 6 May 1864 and was killed by a sniper at Petersburg, VA on 30 August 1864.

His basic service information from the State of Florida,1 with details from Allardice2 and his Compiled Service Records,3 online from fold3. His wounding at Sharpsburg from the CMH;4 the command relationships there from Carmen.5 Personal details from family genealogists and the US Census of 1860. His gravesite is on Findagrave, source also of his picture, from a photograph contributed by Conner.

He married Sarah Burch Bailey (1830-1909) in April 1850 and they had 5 children.

Some references have him wounded and captured by the 4th New Jersey Infantry (see Colonel Hatch's report) at Crampton's Gap on 14 September 1862; this is likely confusion with his brother Jefferson Mirabeau Lamar who was mortally wounded and captured at Crampton's Gap, and died nearby the next day.

01/27/1828; Milledgeville, GA

08/30/1864; Petersburg, VA; burial in Bellamy Cemetery, Jefferson County, FL