A lawyer in Murfreesboro, North Carolina before the War, he was commissioned Captain of Company F, Fifth Infantry on 16 May 1861. He was wounded and captured at Williamsburg, Virginia in May 1862 and released in August.

In the Antietam Campaign:
He assumed command of the Regiment on September 14, at South Mountain, when Colonel McRae was given command of the Brigade as Gen Garland was killed. He was wounded again - in the foot - in action at Sharpsburg.

The remainder of the War:
He was promoted to Colonel on 16 January 1863, and was wounded for the third time at Chancellorsville in May. Following that battle he was mentioned for his bravery by Gen Rodes who said he "had behaved most gallantly on the first day, and was, unfortunately, wounded by one of our own men after the close of that day's fight"1.

He was killed in action at Spottsylvania Courthouse on 12 May 1864.

Thomas M Garrett