Identified as Hugh Thompson of the Fifteenth O.V.I.

Who was borne off the field at Pickett's Mill for Dead

During the recent encampment of the Department of Ohio, G.A.R., in this city, an instance came to notice in which an old soldier, who was wounded in one of the numerous battles of the late war, had lost his memory in such a manner as to render him a pitiable object among  his old army comrades. He went by the name of Henry Thompson, "Old Reliable", and "Shorty" interchangeable, though he was by no means certain what his true name was. He now resides on a farm near Pearlette, Kansas. He served through the war in one of the Ohio regiments. but in which one he could not remember. Last winter, while reading an account of a reunion he came upon the name of E.K. Beach, of Bradner, and addressed him several letters asking him to seek out some of his companions and learn the number of his regiment, and especially, if possible, establish his name. Mr. Beach became interested in his new found correspondent, especially as he was an unfortunate old soldier, and several letters were exchanged between the two. At a camp fire held recently at Bradner Post, Commander Conger was present and became interested in the nameless old man, and through his influence the correspondent came to this city to attend the encampment to seek some information concerning the unfortunate veteran. He also brought along a photograph which he had received and placed it on exhibition. None of the visitors, however, recognized as the portrait of a former comrade in arms, and the friend of the name seeking veteran left Springfield with his mission unaccomplished. Those letters he had received, however, he submitted to the TImes, hoping that by the publication of the facts connected with the old man's eventful history prior to his being wounded in one  of the fights around Atlanta, his right name might be established. The unforunate soldier remembers also that he was in one of the battles where he received a wound which has since deprived him of the full use of his memory, and has at times unfitted him for either mental or manual labor.

     He was so wounded on his head either by the explosion of a shell or by a saber thrust, and he so far lost the use of his memory, that he forgot the number of his regiment, the names of his officers and comrades and even his own name. After receiving the wound he was borne off the field for dead, but he was picked up and sent to the hospital somewhere where wounded colored soldiers were also cared for. Here or elsewhere he was confined seven years.

     In 1871, he drifted to Illinois, and subsequently he removed to Kansas and settled on a settler's claim, near Pearlette, in Meade county. Starting with these data, the Times sought to establish his identity so that he could receive a pension he so richly deserves. The letters of the unfortunate old soldier as well as those of army comrades were published in order to obtain, if possible, some clue by which he could be identfied. William G. Marsh, of Marysville, thought from the description of the man that his name was James Flack of the 125th. Hon. Alexander Dickson, of Canfield was written to and the cirmumstances of Flack's supposed death related. Letters and suggestions were exchanged freely. Upon the suggestion of Captain J.H.Updegrove, of this city, a letter with the account of the old soldier's wandering and misfortune, were sent to his brother, Captain J.R. Updegrove, of Van Wert, who commanded Company H, of the 15th O.V.I. It was then conjectured that "Old Reliable" had been wounded or killed at Resaca.

     The letter, which was published May 3rd, was passed from hand to hand, especially among the survivors of the Fifteenth, Seventy-ninth and One Hundred and Twenty-fifth, and freely commented upon, as it was supposed he belonged to one of those regiments. No photograph or other information concerning the old soldier was then at hand. A correspondence between the old soldier and R.M. Thompson sprang up. Several letters from the veteran were subsequently published. The old soldier, who by reason of his wound has partially lost his reasoning powers, has at length found out his name. He has always thought his name was Thompson. When signing his name, he usually omitted the "P". He will be at Van Wert at the time of the regimental reunion, and his identity will be fully established. His loss of memory has been not the only source of grievance to him in business, but not knowing his name of regiment, he could not secure a pension. He is now entitled to a pension and a liberal one for the injuries he received while following the vicissitudes of the "stars and stripes".