Thomas Franklin Gibboney
Pennsylvanian Born, Settler of Illinois
Thomas Franklin Gibboney, one of six children, left his home in Mifflin County, PA sometime after he was twenty-one and made the long hard trip to Illinois mostly by boat on the Ohio River until he reached the Mississippi in southern Illinois. He then traveled up the Mississippi to St. Louis where he then used the Illinois River to reach Havana, IL. We don't know whether he had relatives around this area or not, but he eventually settled in Waterford Township, IL.
According to the records discovered by Kenneth and Betty Gibboney, Thomas married Harriet P. Davis on October 25th 1860 at Mason City, IL. Harriet was originally from Ohio, so it is unclear as to how she arrived to Illinois and how the couple met. Two years later he enlisted in the US Army, specifically the 103rd Illinois Infantry Regiment History. An account of his service follows, this was copied from a Fulton County History Book 1889, at a public library, in Lewistown, IL in 1968.
"Mr. Gibboney is the owner of a farm on section 6, Waterford Township. On October 2nd, 1862, he enlisted in Company H, 103rd Illinois Infantry, under Captain Wright; was in twenty-six battles. He was struck twice by rebel bullets and once by a piece of shell and had a rib broken; served three years. He was in every battle except one. He was married in 1860 to Harriet Davis. They have three children living, William Henry, George Warren, and John Franklin, who mustered out June 21, 1865."
According to the records discovered by Kenneth and Betty Gibboney, Thomas married Harriet P. Davis on October 25th 1860 at Mason City, IL. Harriet was originally from Ohio, so it is unclear as to how she arrived to Illinois and how the couple met. Two years later he enlisted in the US Army, specifically the 103rd Illinois Infantry Regiment History. An account of his service follows, this was copied from a Fulton County History Book 1889, at a public library, in Lewistown, IL in 1968.
"Mr. Gibboney is the owner of a farm on section 6, Waterford Township. On October 2nd, 1862, he enlisted in Company H, 103rd Illinois Infantry, under Captain Wright; was in twenty-six battles. He was struck twice by rebel bullets and once by a piece of shell and had a rib broken; served three years. He was in every battle except one. He was married in 1860 to Harriet Davis. They have three children living, William Henry, George Warren, and John Franklin, who mustered out June 21, 1865."
Veteran Of The American Civil War
We are so very fortunate to have the words and thoughts of Thomas Franklin, which are delivered through a diary he kept while serving in the American Civil War. Much of what Thomas chronicles are the exact historic happenings of General Sherman's March to the Sea. The following are direct, word for word entries from his personal diary, written in 1865 leading up to the end of the American Civil War.
Feb 5.1865
Dear Father, Camp in the field of South Carolina. I am going to take some items on this campaign and if I live thru' I will send it to you, Father. Well, in the first place I will let you know that Carolina is principally swamps and low grounds and for the population it is principally negroes and farmers and the farms is of the lowest grade. |
I don't wonder at the South for wanting to secede since I have seen the kind of people it is settled with, all the horse thieves and murderers and law breakers and all other mean outlawed creatures (----cannot make out words----) from Asia, Africa, and England and from the North is in this State I believe, and we are the boys to rout them as long as we have Sherman for our Chieftan. He is a good general and we thinks a lot of his crew and we all like him.
He does the head work and we do the balance. We have not had him on any regular engagement on this march yet, we have done some skirmishing. The seventh corps had a pretty hard fight the third of this month. Today is the 5th. They took six pieces of artillery from rebels. Well, I can't send letters, but as soon as we get thru' to some point I will write to you and I will tell all the particulars as we are on the march. I have a garthering on my jaw. It pains me some today, but I am going to stick to the boys til we get thru' if it don't get too hard and sore.
He does the head work and we do the balance. We have not had him on any regular engagement on this march yet, we have done some skirmishing. The seventh corps had a pretty hard fight the third of this month. Today is the 5th. They took six pieces of artillery from rebels. Well, I can't send letters, but as soon as we get thru' to some point I will write to you and I will tell all the particulars as we are on the march. I have a garthering on my jaw. It pains me some today, but I am going to stick to the boys til we get thru' if it don't get too hard and sore.
Feb. 8.
Yesterday we drove the enemy from the railroad that runs from Richmond to Charleston and we tore the tracks up. There is one more road to cut yet and then they can't get anything from Charleston. We have drove them all day yesterday before us without much trouble or much fighting or loss on this trip so far is merely nothing. We are laying over today on our orders I guess. Old Pap Sherman is planning some way to trick the rebels while we rest. We only marched about seven miles yesterday. Well, I think the rebels will give up before long. |
Feb. 15th.
We fought the rebels until about noon, drove them in their works. We crawled up so close on them we could pick off the cannoners. They throwed back grapes and cansters at us by the peck, but we gave them mines in proportion. In the afternoon they lighted out. We overhauled them in the evening about sunset.
They had a line of battle formed on the north side of a large plantation, so we formed a line and waited for them to open the hold but they wouldn't come. They formed a line of cavalry in the front of their infantry so we went for them about dusk, but they lighted out, so we got supper and stopped for the night. The rebels commenced shelling us about 10 o'clock that night. We jumped out and threw up the works.
Feb 16th.
We crossed the river that is the Saluda Rover and stopped that night on an island.
Feb 17th.
We crossed the Brod River, but we had to fight for it. The rebels charged on the boys while they were laying the pontoons but they got repulsed so we crossed and drove them from the capitol of South Carolina. The name of the city is Columbia.
We will stop here two or three days I guess. Well, I hear Gilmore and his negroes has taken Charleston and recaptured some of our soldiers. Well, I can't send no letters from here nor get any. I would like to hear from home. I don't know where we will go from here, but I think we will strike for North Carolina. It rained all day yesterday and last night too. It makes every effort miserable that a solider has, but it is all for the Union. Well, some of the boys burnt Columbia before we left.
Feb. 26th.
We marched ten miles today. We are in camp for the night on Lynch Creek. We captured one hundred of their prisoners. The rebels is on the other side of the creek. I don't think they will show much fight.
Feb 27th.
We have revel this morning at five. We are going to cross Lynch River as soon as we can get a bridge up. The Fourth Division is over. The rebels let the water down on us last evening. We captured about five hundred in all yesterday and won a flag. Hurrah for the Yankees.
We fought the rebels until about noon, drove them in their works. We crawled up so close on them we could pick off the cannoners. They throwed back grapes and cansters at us by the peck, but we gave them mines in proportion. In the afternoon they lighted out. We overhauled them in the evening about sunset.
They had a line of battle formed on the north side of a large plantation, so we formed a line and waited for them to open the hold but they wouldn't come. They formed a line of cavalry in the front of their infantry so we went for them about dusk, but they lighted out, so we got supper and stopped for the night. The rebels commenced shelling us about 10 o'clock that night. We jumped out and threw up the works.
Feb 16th.
We crossed the river that is the Saluda Rover and stopped that night on an island.
Feb 17th.
We crossed the Brod River, but we had to fight for it. The rebels charged on the boys while they were laying the pontoons but they got repulsed so we crossed and drove them from the capitol of South Carolina. The name of the city is Columbia.
We will stop here two or three days I guess. Well, I hear Gilmore and his negroes has taken Charleston and recaptured some of our soldiers. Well, I can't send no letters from here nor get any. I would like to hear from home. I don't know where we will go from here, but I think we will strike for North Carolina. It rained all day yesterday and last night too. It makes every effort miserable that a solider has, but it is all for the Union. Well, some of the boys burnt Columbia before we left.
Feb. 26th.
We marched ten miles today. We are in camp for the night on Lynch Creek. We captured one hundred of their prisoners. The rebels is on the other side of the creek. I don't think they will show much fight.
Feb 27th.
We have revel this morning at five. We are going to cross Lynch River as soon as we can get a bridge up. The Fourth Division is over. The rebels let the water down on us last evening. We captured about five hundred in all yesterday and won a flag. Hurrah for the Yankees.
Feb. 28th.
We mustered for pay this morning. Still laying at Lynch River. The rebels sent one brigade down yesterday to drive us back, but we can't drive, that ain't our name. They fought awhile then charged on us. We drove them back so I guess they have re-crossed the Pee Dee River. It is about about fifteen miles from here. We had revele at five this morning. Well, I must go get dinner.
Mar. 1.
Camp on Lynch River. What is going on in Camp, some playing the fiddle, some singing songs and playing sixty-six and some getting ready to go a forging. Our regiment escorted a train down the river about three miles this afternoon, came back and crossed the river. We are now in camp for the night and nothing to eat.
Mar. 2nd.
We had revele at five this morning. We got and made some coffee and fried some meat--bread is played out. We marched twelve miles today, no dinner, hard times, sweet potatoes for supper. All for the Union. Cheer up my lively ladies we will be all right tomorrow, new market camp.
Mar. 3rd.
Today is the day for Mr. Lincoln to renew his seat with Mr. Johnson for he's a sitter. Well, we are at a place called Cheraw on the Pee Dee River. The rebels is on one side and Yankees are the other.
Mar. 5th.
We are laying here tonight. The rebels lighted out last night and left ammunition and camps (----cannot make out words----). They have lots of torpedos around this town.
Mar. 6th.
We had revele at four this morning. Took up our beds and marched five miles so here we are yet. I don't think we will stop longer then till morning. There was a detail out of our regiment yesterday to escort a dispatch some place. I did not learn where, but I think it went to Grant. Well, I must get me some supper, yes, yes.
Mar. 7th.
We have revele at five this morning. We marched ten miles today. We are in a camp for the night if we don't get other orders. I feel pretty well today. A rooster for supper last evening it was pretty well. I guess it was one that was left when Jackson went thru' here with his army.
Mar. 8th.
We had revele at five this morning and marched about twelve miles today. It has rained all day and is raining yet, but we are in camp for the night at a place called Laurel Hill. Well, it has been a long time a wandering and I long to be home. Well, it is raining yet, but the Lord is always on the soldiers side. We are blessed with a couple of rulers and we have a shanty made out of them that will turn rain and we are laying under here telling our big yarns, and we are enjoying ourselves the best at present.
We mustered for pay this morning. Still laying at Lynch River. The rebels sent one brigade down yesterday to drive us back, but we can't drive, that ain't our name. They fought awhile then charged on us. We drove them back so I guess they have re-crossed the Pee Dee River. It is about about fifteen miles from here. We had revele at five this morning. Well, I must go get dinner.
Mar. 1.
Camp on Lynch River. What is going on in Camp, some playing the fiddle, some singing songs and playing sixty-six and some getting ready to go a forging. Our regiment escorted a train down the river about three miles this afternoon, came back and crossed the river. We are now in camp for the night and nothing to eat.
Mar. 2nd.
We had revele at five this morning. We got and made some coffee and fried some meat--bread is played out. We marched twelve miles today, no dinner, hard times, sweet potatoes for supper. All for the Union. Cheer up my lively ladies we will be all right tomorrow, new market camp.
Mar. 3rd.
Today is the day for Mr. Lincoln to renew his seat with Mr. Johnson for he's a sitter. Well, we are at a place called Cheraw on the Pee Dee River. The rebels is on one side and Yankees are the other.
Mar. 5th.
We are laying here tonight. The rebels lighted out last night and left ammunition and camps (----cannot make out words----). They have lots of torpedos around this town.
Mar. 6th.
We had revele at four this morning. Took up our beds and marched five miles so here we are yet. I don't think we will stop longer then till morning. There was a detail out of our regiment yesterday to escort a dispatch some place. I did not learn where, but I think it went to Grant. Well, I must get me some supper, yes, yes.
Mar. 7th.
We have revele at five this morning. We marched ten miles today. We are in a camp for the night if we don't get other orders. I feel pretty well today. A rooster for supper last evening it was pretty well. I guess it was one that was left when Jackson went thru' here with his army.
Mar. 8th.
We had revele at five this morning and marched about twelve miles today. It has rained all day and is raining yet, but we are in camp for the night at a place called Laurel Hill. Well, it has been a long time a wandering and I long to be home. Well, it is raining yet, but the Lord is always on the soldiers side. We are blessed with a couple of rulers and we have a shanty made out of them that will turn rain and we are laying under here telling our big yarns, and we are enjoying ourselves the best at present.
Listen to an army reveille HERE.
This is what Thomas keeps referring to at the start of most journal entries.
This is what Thomas keeps referring to at the start of most journal entries.
Mar. 9th.
We marched about nine miles today. We had to turnpike the road nearly all the way. With poles and rails. It has been raining today again, the roads is getting very muddy. The mud is about knee deep. We are in North Carolina. We are camped tonight close to Lumber River.
Mar. 10th.
We had revel at three today. Marched nine miles today. The roads is very bad. We are at a place called Carlville.
Mar. 11th.
We had revel at three this morning. We only marched eight miles today. The roads is so muddy that the teams can't get along very well.
Mar. 12th.
Revel at four this morning. We marched fourteen miles today. We crossed Rock River today and passed thru' Rock Fish Village and we are in camp about two miles from Fayetteville. It is on the Cape Fear River. There was one of our gun boats run up and shelled the rebels out of there yesterday.
Mar. 13th.
We are laying on the Cape Fear yet. Some of the troops crossed the river this morning and had a fight with the rebels. Our boys backed them out. I think we will cross this evening. I heard there would be a change to send mail out from here. I hope to hear from home. "But when gathering clouds around I view, and days are dark and friends are few, on him I lean---who not in vain experienced every human pain. He sees my wants always (----cannot make out words----).
We marched about nine miles today. We had to turnpike the road nearly all the way. With poles and rails. It has been raining today again, the roads is getting very muddy. The mud is about knee deep. We are in North Carolina. We are camped tonight close to Lumber River.
Mar. 10th.
We had revel at three today. Marched nine miles today. The roads is very bad. We are at a place called Carlville.
Mar. 11th.
We had revel at three this morning. We only marched eight miles today. The roads is so muddy that the teams can't get along very well.
Mar. 12th.
Revel at four this morning. We marched fourteen miles today. We crossed Rock River today and passed thru' Rock Fish Village and we are in camp about two miles from Fayetteville. It is on the Cape Fear River. There was one of our gun boats run up and shelled the rebels out of there yesterday.
Mar. 13th.
We are laying on the Cape Fear yet. Some of the troops crossed the river this morning and had a fight with the rebels. Our boys backed them out. I think we will cross this evening. I heard there would be a change to send mail out from here. I hope to hear from home. "But when gathering clouds around I view, and days are dark and friends are few, on him I lean---who not in vain experienced every human pain. He sees my wants always (----cannot make out words----).
Mar. 14th.
We laid in camp till about Noon today and then crossed the Cape Fear River so here we are yet. We sent about fifteen hundred rebels down the river this morning.
Mar. 15th.
Laid in camp till about night and then crossed the Cape Fear River about midnight and went to camp for the night.
Mar. 16th.
We had revele about five this morning. We marched about sixteen miles today, waded (----cannot make out words----) river. It has been raining nearly all day. We are in camp for the night. we have bark under us to keep us out of the mud and water tonight.
We laid in camp till about Noon today and then crossed the Cape Fear River so here we are yet. We sent about fifteen hundred rebels down the river this morning.
Mar. 15th.
Laid in camp till about night and then crossed the Cape Fear River about midnight and went to camp for the night.
Mar. 16th.
We had revele about five this morning. We marched about sixteen miles today, waded (----cannot make out words----) river. It has been raining nearly all day. We are in camp for the night. we have bark under us to keep us out of the mud and water tonight.
Retrace Thomas' Steps During his Diary
Mar. 17th.
We marched twelve miles today. Our regiment was train guard today. Warren and some of the forty boys is going about three miles form here to run a grist mill so I guess we will get some meal tomorrow. The rebels is in front of us about six miles tonight. I think we will go for them in the morning.
Mar. 18th.
We marched twelve miles today and drove the rebels before us after having a little fight with them. We crossed a river called the High Harey today and the rebels destroyed the bridge and we had to wade the river, but that was just fun for us.
Mar. 20th.
We had some fighting today. The 14th Corp had a hard fight today.
Mar. 21.
We had another fight today. Robert Clark got wounded today. I look for a big fight here. Well, we had some hard fighting today, but we held our grounds. Mark Ames was wounded today in the hip pretty bad.
April 10th.
Some skirmishing today.
April 12th.
Skirmishing today again.
April 13th.
Tied up some talk of Johnson surrendering. I think he had better--if he don't he will be the worst whipped man that has been since this war commenced. I am in hope the fighting part of this war is over. When this cruel war is over pray and pray that we meet again.
April 13th.
Petersburg. I was at Mount Vernon today to visit Washington's homestead. It is a very nice place, everything left just as he left it. I went all over the place. I felt just like going to a burying. I have seen his monument in several places.
May 20th.
I was over to visit the 205th Penn. boys today. They were pretty near all gone in to Washington.
May 23rd.
Today we came from Anderson--will cross the Potomac and are camping on the south east of Washington for the night.
May 24th.
Today we had our revele in Washington. I am color bearer and as we passed along by the White House there was a little girl run up to me and gave me a very nice bunch of roses. Well, this is the 25th of May. We are in camp about four miles from Washington City at a place called Christian Springs. I don't think it will be long till we will be on our way home.
May 26th.
It is raining today all day. It makes everything disagreeable for the soldiers. Nothing going on in camp only card playing and once in awhile one writing a letter, some fiddling. We ain't allowed to cut any green timbers on this place and we don't get much wood to make fire so we lay most of our time in our tents. Simon Burkholder was over to see me yesterday P.M. Looking for John Gibbney and Henery Miller. One of these days I went to see them the other day, but they were both gone so I did not see them.
We marched twelve miles today. Our regiment was train guard today. Warren and some of the forty boys is going about three miles form here to run a grist mill so I guess we will get some meal tomorrow. The rebels is in front of us about six miles tonight. I think we will go for them in the morning.
Mar. 18th.
We marched twelve miles today and drove the rebels before us after having a little fight with them. We crossed a river called the High Harey today and the rebels destroyed the bridge and we had to wade the river, but that was just fun for us.
Mar. 20th.
We had some fighting today. The 14th Corp had a hard fight today.
Mar. 21.
We had another fight today. Robert Clark got wounded today. I look for a big fight here. Well, we had some hard fighting today, but we held our grounds. Mark Ames was wounded today in the hip pretty bad.
April 10th.
Some skirmishing today.
April 12th.
Skirmishing today again.
April 13th.
Tied up some talk of Johnson surrendering. I think he had better--if he don't he will be the worst whipped man that has been since this war commenced. I am in hope the fighting part of this war is over. When this cruel war is over pray and pray that we meet again.
April 13th.
Petersburg. I was at Mount Vernon today to visit Washington's homestead. It is a very nice place, everything left just as he left it. I went all over the place. I felt just like going to a burying. I have seen his monument in several places.
May 20th.
I was over to visit the 205th Penn. boys today. They were pretty near all gone in to Washington.
May 23rd.
Today we came from Anderson--will cross the Potomac and are camping on the south east of Washington for the night.
May 24th.
Today we had our revele in Washington. I am color bearer and as we passed along by the White House there was a little girl run up to me and gave me a very nice bunch of roses. Well, this is the 25th of May. We are in camp about four miles from Washington City at a place called Christian Springs. I don't think it will be long till we will be on our way home.
May 26th.
It is raining today all day. It makes everything disagreeable for the soldiers. Nothing going on in camp only card playing and once in awhile one writing a letter, some fiddling. We ain't allowed to cut any green timbers on this place and we don't get much wood to make fire so we lay most of our time in our tents. Simon Burkholder was over to see me yesterday P.M. Looking for John Gibbney and Henery Miller. One of these days I went to see them the other day, but they were both gone so I did not see them.
The Grand Review
Above Thomas references his participation of the infamous Grand Review in Washington, DC. The Grand Review took place on May 23rd and 24th and was a parade of Union Soldiers relishing in the victory and accomplishments of the Union over the Rebels.
As the story goes, Thomas, along with his comrades parading the Grand Review, cut up the Company H Regiment Union Flag and each took a small piece. To the left is a photo of the actual piece of the flag Thomas took. It has been handed down from generation to generation. |
The Diary Continued...
May 27th.
The weather is very disagreeable today. It is raining today again, rained all night last night. The roads is very muddy, the ground is quite moist. If it keeps on raining the ground will soon be as soft as a feather bed to sleep on and we will have a good time.
May 28th.
Rained and rained today. Rain is about all the go down here with us. There is some talk of us getting mustered out in a few days. I hope we will. I want to get in a civilized world again as soon as possible. We have don our fighting and when we get home we will do our voting. Well, we will you know.
May 29th.
Nothing going on this morning only cleaning up camp. The rumor is that we will go to Texaxs in a few days, but I don't think we will for I heard that Kirby-Smith had surrendered and it was to (----cannot make out words----) him that we was going after. I was going to the branch this morning to wash and I rain against a setup and punched a hole in my cheek so when I come back I sent up to Cap's tent to look in his glass to see how I looked. So I was lucky enough to run against the center pole and punch another one just below the first one. I tell you I was inclined to think my luck was turning. I would of swore, but that was against my morals, but I thot some things. About tight times on (----cannot make out words----).
May 30th.
Camp life. There is all kinds of maneuvers going on in camp. I have washed my shirt and got dinner and cleared off a place to put my (----cannot make out words----) and wrote a letter. Well, there is a lot of folks out in camp from Washington today with cakes and pies and beer and pickles and other things to numerous to keep account of ---.
The weather is very disagreeable today. It is raining today again, rained all night last night. The roads is very muddy, the ground is quite moist. If it keeps on raining the ground will soon be as soft as a feather bed to sleep on and we will have a good time.
May 28th.
Rained and rained today. Rain is about all the go down here with us. There is some talk of us getting mustered out in a few days. I hope we will. I want to get in a civilized world again as soon as possible. We have don our fighting and when we get home we will do our voting. Well, we will you know.
May 29th.
Nothing going on this morning only cleaning up camp. The rumor is that we will go to Texaxs in a few days, but I don't think we will for I heard that Kirby-Smith had surrendered and it was to (----cannot make out words----) him that we was going after. I was going to the branch this morning to wash and I rain against a setup and punched a hole in my cheek so when I come back I sent up to Cap's tent to look in his glass to see how I looked. So I was lucky enough to run against the center pole and punch another one just below the first one. I tell you I was inclined to think my luck was turning. I would of swore, but that was against my morals, but I thot some things. About tight times on (----cannot make out words----).
May 30th.
Camp life. There is all kinds of maneuvers going on in camp. I have washed my shirt and got dinner and cleared off a place to put my (----cannot make out words----) and wrote a letter. Well, there is a lot of folks out in camp from Washington today with cakes and pies and beer and pickles and other things to numerous to keep account of ---.
Life After War
Following Thomas' involvement in the war, he returned to his farm in Waterford Township, IL. It was here that he returned to his wife Harriet and son toddler son, William Henry. The couple then had two more son's, George Warren and John Franklin.
Honorable Mention At Library of Congress
Obituary
"Thomas Franklin Gibboney was born April 11, 1833, in Mifflin County, PA. He died at his home in Table Grove, IL on March 7, 1916 at the age of 82 years, 10 months, 26 days. He is survived by his wife and children, Henry of Colorado, George of Table Grove, and Frank of Ipava.
Mr. Gibboney volunteered for service to his country in the 103rd Regiment Illinois Infantry. He, having served three years, was honorably discharged in 1865. He was distinguished from his other comrades in that he was promoted to color-bearer for snatching up the flag from the dead comrade who had borne it to death. He served as color bearer for 18 months after his promotion. As we look back over his long life we see great incentive to acts courageous and deeds of honor. In a measure we feel the fire, that aroused him to face death to push forward the flag, burn within our own lives and urge us on in our daily tasks. We love his memory and we revere his name. We shall number him as one of our benefactors in the time of a great national calamity." |