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Civil War Soldiers - Lucas
| Lucas, Thomas J., brigadier-general,
U.S. Army, was born in Lawrenceburg, Ind., Sept. 9, 1826. He learned
his father's trade, that of a watchmaker, but joined the 4th Ind.
volunteers for the Mexican war as a drummer boy, was made 2nd
lieutenant on the same day, and while in the service in Mexico was
promoted 1st lieutenant and adjutant. Returning to Indiana in 1848, he
resumed his former occupation. In 1861 he raised a company of which he
was chosen captain, and which became part of the 16th Ind. regiment,
of which he was commissioned lieutenant-colonel, May 20. He
distinguished himself at Ball's bluff, Va., where he covered the
retreat of the national forces, and on Aug. 19, 1862, he was chosen
colonel of his regiment, which reenlisted for three years or the war.
He engaged in the battle of Richmond, Ky., where his regiment, after
the loss of 200 men, was completely routed and afterwards sent to
Indianapolis, furloughed and reorganized, and in December joined
Grant's army at Vicksburg, during the operations around which place
Col. Lucas was wounded three times. He was afterwards ordered to
command the post of Vermillionville, La., and then was placed at the
head of a cavalry brigade, with which he did good service in the Red
River expedition, first in the advance, then in covering the retreat
of Banks' army, and then in the advance again to the Mississippi. He
was promoted brigadier-general of volunteers, Nov. 10, 1864, and
commanded a division of cavalry in the operations about Mobile,
defeated the Confederates at Claiborne and led raids into western
Florida, southern Georgia, and Alabama. He was brevetted major-general
of volunteers March 26, 1865, and after his command was mustered out
he was ordered to New Orleans, by request of Gen. Sheridan, where he
remained until the affairs of the French in Mexico were settled, and
then returned to his home in Lawrenceburg, Ind., in Jan., 1866. After
the war Gen. Lucas was employed in the United States revenue service,
1875-81, was postmaster of Lawrenceburg, 1881-85, and in 1886 was an
unsuccessful candidate on the Republican ticket for Congress.
Source: The Union Army: A History of Military Affairs in the Loyal
States 1861-1865, Volume 8 Biographical, 1908
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