Thomas Ayers

Thomas Ayers

Thomas Ayers enlisted on February 15, 1865 as a Private into Company F, 33rd Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He listed his residence as Lynnville, Illinois at his enlistment. He drowned on March 2, 1865 in the Mississippi when steamer, James Watson, which was taking him south to join his regiment, hit a snag and sank just below the mouth of the White River en route from Memphis to New Orleans. He and about 20 other soldiers that drowned were buried on the Mississippi River bank; the river later destroyed the military burials.

In 2011, a memorial was arranged for by Richard Smith recognizing him. It was placed in Tahoma National Cemetery in Kent, Washington. Four people attended the ceremony, Norma and Richard Smith and Jack and Arlene Alton. The plaque is in Section 9A site 104.

Shortly thereafter, Richard Smith arranged for five of his Thomas’ comrades also to be recognized with plaques in Tahoma Cemetery (Absalom KelIy, Samuel Dickinson, Ralph Potter, Archibald Campbell, and John Kelton).

Photograph and information submitted by Richard Smith .

Thomas Ayers