George W. Thompkins

George W. Thompkins
Born	(1841-04-09)April 9, 1841 Otisville, Orange County, New York, U.S.
Died	February 22, 1934(1934-02-22) (aged 92) Schenectady, New York, U.S.
Place of burial	Vale Cemetery, Schenectady
Allegiance	United States of America Union
Service / branch	United States Army Union Army
Years of service	1862-1865
Rank	Corporal
Unit	124th New York Infantry Regiment
Battles / wars	American Civil War Battle of Fort Stedman
Awards	Medal of Honor

George W. Thompkins (April 9, 1841 - February 22, 1934), also known as George W. Tompkins, was a Union army soldier in the American Civil War. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions with the 124th New York Infantry ("Orange Blossoms") at the Battle of Fort Stedman. ^[1]

Early life

He was born in Otisville in Orange County, New York. ^[2]

Civil War

Thompkins enlisted in the Union army in the American Civil War on August 11,1862 at Port Jervis, New York, for a three year term. ^[3] He mustered in as a Private and on September 5, 1862 he was promoted to a Corporal.

Medal of Honor

Thompkins received his Medal of Honor (MOH) on April 6, 1865 for his actions in the Battle of Fort Stedman in Petersburg, Virginia. ^[4] He was one of five soldiers with the with the 124th New York Infantry to be awarded the Medal of Honor for their bravery during the Civil War. The others were Sergeant Thomas W. Bradley, Private Archibald C. Freeman, Private Nathan M. Hallock and 1st Lieutenant Lewis S. Wisner. Private Freeman was the only other one to receive a MOH for the capture of a battle flag. ^[5]

Citation

For extraordinary heroism on 25 March 1865, while serving with Company F, 124th New York Infantry, in action at Petersburg, Virginia, for capture of flag of 49th Alabama Infantry (Confederate States of America) from an officer who, with colors in hand, was rallying his men.

Date Issued: 6 April 1865 ^[6]

Death

He died on February 22, 1934 in Schenectady, New York and was buried in Vale Cemetery, Schenectady. ^{[2] [7]} His name was spelled "George W. Tompkins" on his tombstone, which is his real name. He entered the military under the name "George W. Thompkins."

References

1. "Thompkins, George W. - The National Medal of Honor Museum". mohmuseum.org. Retrieved May 22, 2025.
2. "George W. Thompkins | U.S. Civil War | U.S. Army | Medal of Honor Recipient". Congressional Medal of Honor Society. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
3. "124th Infantry -Report of the Adjutant General" (PDF).
4. "Medal of Honor - United States Army". www.army.mil. Retrieved May 22, 2025.
5. "124th Infantry Regiment :: New York State Military Museum and Veterans Research Center". museum.dmna.ny.gov. Retrieved May 22, 2025.
6. "George Thompkins - Recipient -". valor.militarytimes.com. Retrieved May 20, 2021.
7. "THOMPKINS". valecemetery.org. Retrieved May 22, 2025.