Thomas Harrison Holmes

Company C

Vital Stats

• 3/5/1834 - Born in Hancock County, Miss.

• 8/5/1843 - Sarah Ann Elizabeth Hawthorne born in Dacatur, Ga.

• 8/10/1865 - marrisd "Lizzie" Hawthorne.

• 8/1866 - Thomas Green Holmes born in Newton County.

• 2/1869 - Amanda Holmes is born in Newton County.

• 1872 - William Henry Jarvis Holmes is born in Newton County.

• 1873 - Laura Holmes is born.

• 1873 - Sarah Ann Elizabeth Hawthorne dies.

• 11/16/1876 - marries Tearcy A Horn.

• 10/12/1877 - Mary "Mollie" Holmes is born.

• 1880 - Harry Harrison Holmes is born.

• 1884 - Laura Holmes dies.

• 7/8/1918 dies in Jasper County, Texas

• 5/9/1942 - Thomas Green Holmes dies in Jefferson County.

• 8/16/1954 - Mollie Holmes McMahon dies.

Was the son of Thomas Holmes and Elizabeth Odom

Grandson of Thomas Charles Holmes and Elizabeth Jourdan.

Husband of Sarah Ann Elizabeth Hawthorne (8/5/1843 - 1873) and Tearcy A Horn.

Thomas Green Holmes married Arsula West.

Amanda Holmes married James E West.

Mollie Holmes married Eugene E McMahon.

1850 Census

• Newton County, Tx.
• Enumerated 12/21/1850
• Dwelling 218
• Living with Parents - Thomas age 50, farmer - $500 real estate, born in South Carolina.

• Mother - Elizabeth, 40 yrs old, born in Ga.

• Charles - brother - 19 yr old Domestic born in Miss.

• Jarvis - 18 yr old born in Miss.

• Thomas - 16 yr old male born in Miss.

• Ann - 14 yr old born in Texas

• John - 13 yr old born in Texas

• Bevediere - 11 yr old born in Texas

• Sarah - 9 yr old born in Tx.

• Claiborne - 8 yr old born in Tx.

• Joseph - 6 yr old born in Texas.

• Lenora - 4 yr old born in Tx.

• Mary Jane - 2/12 yr old born in Texas

1860 Census:

• Newton County, Texas

• Enumerated 7/16/1860

• Dwelling 321

• Living with Parents - Thomas age 59, farmer - $3200 real estate,8000 personal estate, born in South Carolina.

• Mother - Elizabeth, 49 yrs old, born in Ga.

• Charles - brother - 20 yr old Domestic born in Miss.

• W H J - 27 yr old born in Miss.

• Thos. H - 26 yr old male born in Miss.

• Ann - 25 yr old born in Texas

• Bevedier - 21 yr old born in Texas

• Sarah H - 19yr old born in Tx.

• Claiborne - 18 yr old born in Tx.

• Joseph W - 16 yr old born in Texas.

• Ellen - 14 yr old born in Tx.

Military

This is our attempt at transcribing the Court Martial of Private Thomas Holmes.

Liken’s Battalion – Charge: Striking a superior officer:

 Specification

 In this that, he Private Thomas Holmes of Company “C” Liken’s Battalion did on the 11^th day of March 1862 strike Coppl J A Roberts of Company “C” Liken’s Battn. This at Camp Irvine – Sabine Pass.

           Pvt Thomas Holmes, you have heard the charges preferred against you, How say you?  Guilty or not guilty?

           To which the accused, Pvt Thomas Holmes pleaded as follows – Not Guilty. 

          THE Judge Advocate here gave notice that should there be any persons present, who had been summoned as witnesses, they must now withdraw, and wait until called for. 

          Sgt. Thomas Leonard of Company “C” Liken’s Batt, a witness on the part of the prosecution was duly sworn. 

          By the Judge Advocate 

Ques.   Do you know the accused, if yes, What is his name and to what company is he attached?

Ans.     Yes sir:  I know him; His name is Thomas Holmes, he is attached to Company “C”  Liken’s Batt. 

Ques.  Do you know anything in regard to the accused having struck Corpl Roberts of Company “C” Liken’s Battalion?

Ans.  Yes Sir 

Ques.  State what you know about it?

Ans.  The difficulty occurred about a very frivolous matter; A present had been sent to the camp to myself and one or three others of a lady’s shoe heel wrapped up very nicely.  After we passed it around for some little time, having our fun over it.  Holmes came up, and about that time I remarked it didn’t smell good, that there was a singular smell about it, that there might be something nasty on, or something of that kind.  After passing it around a little more, Roberts remarked remarked to give it to him, that he’d smell of it and ??? what it was.  He took it and tried to stick it uder Holmes’ nose, when Holmes shoved him back and told not to do that.  Roberts advanced again and tried to stick it under his nose.  Holmes shoved him back a second time and I think struck at him.  Roberts then asked him to let him go and Holmes did so.  ??? ½ hour after that.  I was in the kitchen, when Holmes came in and sat down and we were talking.  Immediately after Roberts came in, and commenced abusing Holmes about the difficulty that they had had out of doors.  Holmes got up and told him to stop abusing him, that he did not want to hurt him, that he would as soon hurt a woman in labor as hurt him.  Roberts still persisted in abusing him, when Holmes got up and caught him by the collar.  I don’t know which struck first but after they ran together, I saw Holmes strike him twice.  I don’t know whether Holmes struch him.  I then parted them and the difficulty stopped. 

Ques.  Where and when did this accur.

Ans.  At Camp Irvine, Sabine Pass, on Monday in March, I can’t remember the exact day.  I think it was about the 10^th of March, but am not certain. 

Cross examined by the accused. 

Ques.  Was not Corpl Roberts between me and the door and advancing on me when I took hold of him ???

Ans.  I knew he was between him and the door and I think advancing on him.  In fact, he was advancing all the time  after he came in abusing Holmes. 

By the Counsel: 

Ques: What was the abusing language that Roberts used toward Holmes, When he came into the kitchen.

Ans.  He told Holmes that he had acted the damned shit towards him.  I think it was the language or something to that affect. 

Ques.  Did Roberts appear to be very angry while talking to Holmes in the kitchen?

Ans.   He did. 

Ques. What has been the conduct of Holmes as a soldier during your acquaintance with him?

Ans.  I believe, Sir, he has made a very quiet peaceably good soldier as far as I know. 

Private F M Harper of Company “C” a witness on the part of the prosecution was duly sworn by Judge Advocate 

Ques.  Do you know the accused, if yes, what is his name and to what company does he belong?

Ans.  I know him, his name is Thomas Holmes, and belongs to Captain Irvine’s company. 

Ques.  What do you know of the accused, that Holmes having struck Corpl Roberts, of Co. C Liken’s Batt. If anything, state all the circumstances?

Ans.  I saw Thomas Holmes hit at Corpl Roberts, he knocked his hat off and Corpl Roberts hit at him back.  Holmes then caught him along here (the witness taking hold of the collar of his coat)  when Roberts told him to let him go, when he done it. 

Ques.  When was this and where?

Ans.  At Camp Irvine, Sabine Pass – I have no recollection of the date, it was in the month of March. 

Private L D Wheeler of Company “C” Liken’s Batt. A witness was duly sworn by the accused 

Ques.  Do you know anything of the difficulty Robert’s and myself, if so,  state what you know.

Ans.  The first I saw of the difficulty between Holmes and Corpl Roberts, I was building a fire in front of my tent and saw Corpl Roberts standing there with two other men, when Holmes passed.  I saw Corpl Roberts go up to Holmes and say “Mr. Holmes, here is a shoe heel, its got some shit on it”.  Holmes told him he was unwell and didn’t feel like having any fun this morning. Corpl Roberts then insisted upon his smelling it anyway.  Holmes again told him he didn’t feel well, and wanted to go away and not fool with him and said “didn’t I tell you not to put that in my face.  Holmes then shoved him back two or three steps I should think.  Corpl Roberts told him to turn him loose which Holmes did and Holmes walked off into the quarters.  I then saw nothing more of it for some two or three hours.  After I had finished building the fire, I sat down on the gallery and was cleaning my gun, had it cleaned and was about to put it up when Corpl  Roberts came out of the quarters just behind me and was working his Bowie knife down his pants: he pulled his vest down over the handle when I spoke to him. I asked him “John what you going to do with that?”  He replied I'm going to use it if anyone fools any more with me. Holmes had before this come into the kitchen.  I then went into the kitchen I heard someone ask him “ what was the matter, that he looked very serious “.  Corpl Roberts said nothing himself, someone else spoke up and said “ Mr. Holmes had fell out with him “.  He, Corpl Roberts, then spoke up and said “ yes and no one???  a damn Shit would do it either “ that it was a damn mean trick “' and that no one but a damn Shit would do it anyway “.  Repeating this last remark the second time.  Holmes then walked up to him and took him by the collar, and asked him “ do you call me a damn Shit?  “ what reply Corpl Roberts made I didn't hear, he mumbled over something.  I was in a corner of the kitchen, and too far to hear well. Mr. Holmes then shoved him down in a corner and struck at him whether he struck him or not I can't tell, his hand had blood on it, but I could see no marks of it on Corpl Roberts.  There was 18 or 19 persons in the room, any common sized man can not get near enough to see well.  I saw them shuffling when some of those around, Sergeant Leonard, I think, told them to stop it, that they ought to be ashamed. 

Question: did not Corpl Roberts call me a son of a bitch before stroking him out in the yard? 

Answer: well yes Sir, I think there was something of the kind said.  When Corpl Roberts shoved it in his face, there was something said about “smell it damn you”, well I can't say exactly what was said. 

Question: Did he not call me a “son of a bitch” in the kitchen after I told him not to do it? 

Answer: I don't think I heard him call him a “son of a bitch” in the kitchen, he called him a damn Shit. 

Question:  Did you hear Corpl Roberts say, he had done wrong and was sorry for it? 

Answer: Yes Sir I did, after Mr. Holmes was put under arrest. 

          Private Henry Read of company C Liken’s Battalion a witness on the part of the defense was duly sworn. 

Question:  State what you know of the difficulty between Corpl Roberts and myself.

 Answer: Corpl Roberts had a shoe heel and was going among the other man, putting it in their faces when Holmes came along, he then went at Holmes with it.  Holmes told him (Corpl Roberts) not to trouble him as he was sick, and did not feel like being fooled with.  Corpl Roberts continued after him, with the shoe heel and rubbed it in his face.  Holmes then took hold of him and shoved him back.  Roberts then told him to turn him loose, and he did so.  Holmes then turned off and went into the house.  Then Corpl Roberts called him a son of a bitch.  That is all I saw of it.

          The testimony on both sides having been heard, the accused stated that he had no statement to make to the court as a defense.

          The statements of both parties being with us in possession of the court, the court was cleared for deliberating, and after having maturely considered the evidence adduced, found the accused, private Thomas Holmes, of company see Liken’s Battalion as follows 

Of the specification                                 Guilty

Of the charges                                            Guilty

          The court therefore do sentence him to be sent back to his company, having been punished sufficiently already.

Notes of Interest

The following is copied from an e-mail we received from Irene Walton of Nacogdoches, Texas

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