Thomas William Timberlake

By Pierre Gerges

Thomas Timberlake, a 22 years old soldier, who was killed fighting for his country. Timberlake was born in October 7, 1842 and volunteered to serve in the Sixth Virginia Cavalry. This biography discusses his service during The American Civil War, 1861-1865.

According to the 1860 census, he was living in Jefferson, Virginia with Thomas E. Sublette, 30 years old, and Charlotte H. Sublette, 25 years old, who were probably his relatives or friends. His spouse, Thomas E. Sublette worked as a merchant, while him, Thomas Timberlake worked as a clerk.

He joined the Confederate army in Virginia in 1861 and was in the 6th regiment of the Virginia Cavalry, Company D, Film# M382 roll 55. His service record shows his card numbers as the following: 50798846, 50798937, 50799036, 50799151, 50799253, 50799356, 50799463, 50799573, 50799682, 50799803, 51969126, 52003115. The original cards are located in the National Archives in Washington, D.C. His record shows that he has two medical cards and no personal papers in the record.

In reading his service record, Timberlake appears on a Register of payments on Descriptive Lists in the period from Jan. 1 to April 30, 1864 and was paid $48 in May 8, 1864 by J. Ambler (signed by L. E. Fehe). He appears enlisted on Company Muster Roll of 6th Cavalry, Company D in September, October, November, and December of 1861 in Shepherdstown, West Virginia (now) by Captain Hardesty for a period of one year. He, after, was paid by Maj Fuld until July the first and then by Captain R. Carter until November the first. The following year, 1862, Timberlake again appears in Company Muster Roll in May, June, as dated, August 31, September, October, November, and December; he was re-enlisted in March 18, 1862 in Warrenton Junction, Virginia by Captain Nelson for a period of two years which were the time of the war. He, at that time, was being paid by Captain Carter until June 30, 1862. Following 1862, Timberlake was still in Company Muster Roll until January and February of the year 1863. He was paid by Captain Carter until October 31, 1863. Timberlake was admitted to the hospital in May 16, 1864 and after he came out he again appeared on Company Muster Roll for the months July, August, September, and October of the year 1864. He was re-enlisted in February 9, 1864 in the Orange Court House by Captain Richard during the period of war. He after was paid by Captain Carter until February 25, 1864 and then by J. Ambler until May 8, 1864. The Confederate States paid to Thomas Timberlake, as listed, for monthly pay, from January 1, 1864 to April 30, 1864, being four months at $12 per month, the amount: $48.00 and eight days of June 1864 were received in Richmond by Maj. John Ambler, Quartermaster C. S. Army. Timberlake was present in all the listed events and was never absent in anytime he was enlisted in. (signed by Q. J. Taylor)

In 1864, Timberlake appeared on a register of Receiving and Wayside Hospital, or General Hospital no. 9, in Richmond, Virginia. He was admitted in May 16, 1864 and was dated, May 17th, the disposition was Chimborazo. He also appeared on a register of C. S. A. General Hospital in Charlottesville, Virginia. He was admitted in June 12, 1864. His primary disease was intermittent fever including furlough. He stayed at the hospital for four days and was sent home in June 15, 1864. He returned to duty in July 29, 1864. (Signed by J. Cary)

On September 19, 1864, during the campaign of Third Winchester in Virginia, (or The Battle of Opequon as it is called) Timberlake was killed in action of age 22 years old. Burial Episcopal and Masonic Cem. Middleway. This battle pitted Union General Philip Sheridan’s army of the Shenandoah against Confederate General Jubal Early’s army of the Valley west of Opequon Creek. On September 17, 1864, General Early attacked the B&O railroad in Martinsburg, West Virginia leaving divisions behind to occupy the area around Winchester. General Sheridan decided to exploit the opportunity to isolate portion of Early’s army. He attacked General Early’s army inaugurating a campaign that would drive the Confederates out of the Shenandoah Valley forever. Third Winchester was the bloodiest battle of the Shenandoah Valley, resulting in about 8,630 estimated casualties, were about 5,020 union casualties and about 3,610 Confederate casualties, which included Thomas W. Timberlake. By the end of October, 1864, Sheridan had brought the Valley firmly under the Union Control.

In conclusion, Timberlake wasn’t only an ideal soldier who served his country with all his heart, but a southern partisan, who followed the needs of his southern heritage.

Bibliography & Citations

1860 census, www.ancestryclassroom.com

Civil War Confederate Service Record, Sixth Cavalry Virginia, www.fold3.com

Third Battle of Winchester, www.civilwartrust.org

www.civilwarscholars.com (Military bio & picture)