This Federal cavalry mounted service jacket, dark blue with yellow piping, has eight brass “eagle” buttons on front, two brass “eagle” buttons on collar, and two on each sleeve.
The jacket was worn by William D. Thompson, Company I, 3rd Missouri Cavalry. Thompson, a farmer from Delaware County, New York, ran away from home at the age of 16 and joined the 3rd Missouri in Palmyra in December 1861. He fought to defend Springfield on January 8, 1863, and was one of 180 men from the 3rd Missouri Cavalry involved in the Battle of Hartville. He was wounded in the groin at Hartville on January 11, 1863, and spent time in the post hospital at Lebanon, Missouri. He returned to duty, but became sick in July 1864 and was sent home on furlough. He died on September 11, 1864 in Stephenson County, Illinois.
Image Courtesy Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield; WICR 30158
