Three Forks of the Kentucky River Historical Association

Elijah Thomas

by Great Granddaughter Betty Thomas Finger

Elijah Thomas, the youngest of the four sons of Joseph Thomas who served in the Civil War, enlisted in the 14th Regiment of the KY Cavalry on Dec 3, 1862, for a one-year term. Like his twin brothers, Levi and Eli, he was just a few months shy of his 21st birthday when he enlisted. (Perhaps Joseph and Anna had told their boys they had to wait until they were 21 to go off to the war and gave in to their persistence shortly before that date.) Elijah was tall, 5 feet 10 inches, and favored his older brother, Levi, having light hair and complexion and blue eyes. He was mustered-in to Company G in February of 1863.

Elijah Thomas with his grandson,
Elijah (my father). Taken c.1914

The 14th Regiment was assigned to duty scouting in the mountains of Eastern Kentucky and operating against guerrillas until January of 1864. The regiment was engaged in numerous skirmishes, and was continuously marching. Like his brothers and many others before him, Elijah contracted measles at camp and because of exposure to the elements, it settled in his lungs. He was treated at the camp hospital and sent home for a time on sick furlough, but returned to duty and continued serving until he was Honorably Discharged at Camp Nelson on March 24, 1864. Unlike his older brothers, Elijah lived a long life (perhaps due to his shorter term of enlistment and thus less exposure to camp life).

After the war, Elijah married Lucy Ann Carmack (born August 11, 1849, TN), the daughter of Abraham Carmack and "Alsey" Dean, on December 11, 1868. They had eight children: Isabella, born November 22, 1872; Lewis "Bud", born March 19, 1874; Elsie Ann "Dee", born October 13, 1876; Millard, born April 19, 1880; Martha, born December 11, 1882; Sidney, born October 1885; Mary Elizabeth, born April 22, 1888; and Ida Ely, born August 22, 1890. To these eight children were born 55+ grandchildren to Elijah and Lucy.

Elijah died at the age of 91, on April 3, 1933, outliving his beloved wife by 29 years. Lucy died March 18, 1904. Both are buried in the Griffith Cemetery, Southfork, Owsley County Kentucky.

Sources:
The Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System (CWSS)
Captain Thomas L. Speed's The Union Regiments of Kentucky
Civil War pension records of Eli, Levi, Elijah, and Elisha Thomas.