From NKAA, Notable Kentucky African Americans Database (PIONEERS & PATRIOTS: Anderson County Military Servicemen, Revolutionary War - WWI)
White, Thomas
(born: 1846) Thomas White was born in May 1846 in Anderson County. He was no doubt a slave at his birth, which most likely occurred on the Aaron Mershon farm, where his brother George was known to have been.In 1864, The Union commander in Kentucky authorized the formation of Colored regiments. When this announcement was spread across the state, slaves left behind their bondage and flocked to Camp Nelson to join up. Among these former slaves was Thomas White, who joined his brother in volunteering to serve. He enlisted for service on September 10, 1864 at Camp Nelson and was mustered into Federal service on September 12 as a private in Company E of the 5th U.S. Colored Cavalry Regiment.
Although the regiment had not yet attained its full complement of men, those enrolled by the end of September were assigned to General Stephen Burbridge's command for his campaign into Southwest Virginia, and saw action at the First Battle of Saltville on October 2, 1864. After a fierce engagement the Federals were driven back, leaving a good number of dead and wounded behind, who were all eventually killed.
In December 1864 a second campaign at Saltville was initiated against the Confederate saltworks. This campaign, commanded by General George Stonman, also included the 5th U.S.C.C.R. On December 17-18, a heated battle was fought near Marion, Virginia, and the Union victory there paved the way for this second attack on Saltville which took place on December 20, resulting in a victory and the destruction of the works and lead mines in the area.
In January 1865, George returned to active duty, joining his company as it was detailed to escort a herd of cattle from Camp Nelson to Louisville. As this column passed through Mercer and Anderson Counties, its progress was closely monitored by Confederate partisans operating in the area. On January 25, 1865, just outside Simpsonville in Shelby County, the rebels attacked the Federal rear guard of about 25 Company E troopers, and the action resulted in a nearly complete massacre as most were killed or left for dead. Thomas's brother George was among the dead, while Thomas was not injured, indicating that he was on duty further up the trail.
After the war, Thomas returned to Lawrenceburg, where he worked as a teamster. Sometime prior to 1880 he was married and had two sons, Prewitt and Alonzo. About 1896, Thomas was married a second time to the widow Lydia Harris, and they had a daughter. The family appears on the 1900 Anderson County Census: Thomas White as a 54-year old Black man with wife Lydia, age 50, sons Prewitt, 19, and Alonzo, 15, and a daughter Della, age 2. Also in the home were step-sons James Harris, 22, and Robert Harris, 20.
Thomas was buried at Woodlawn Hills Cemetery in Lawrenceburg, and his grave there is marked by a government provided headstone that denotes his service.