Thomas T. Ball

BALL, THOMAS T. (1837~1915) Thomas T. Ball was born in Mississippi, or Giles County, Tennessee in 1837; records are conflicting. He enlisted in the Confederate Army in Company A of the 10th Mississippi Infantry as a private on February 8, 1861.

Ball was discharged from the company on December 2, 1861, before they had participated in any major battles. The reason for his discharge is unknown. He reenlisted in Jackson, Mississippi, April 24, 1862 in Company H of the 38th Mississippi Cavalry, which later became known as the 38th Mounted Infantry. When he enlisted he was First Sergeant and by war's end he was a Second Lieutenant.

On September 19, 1862, Ball participated in the battle at Iuka, Mississippi. The next month he participated in the battle at Corinth, Mississippi where he was captured. The battle of Corinth was a two-day battle in which Confederate troops had control on the first day, October 3, 1862. But because of an illness Brigadier General Louis Hebert postponed the attack on the second day, giving Union troops enough time to regroup and regain control. Ball was released and returned to duty October 19, 1862.

The following year, Ball was captured again at Vicksburg, Mississippi. He signed the Oath of Allegiance July 8, 1863 at Vicksburg. However, he appears again on military rosters guarding Tuscaloosa, Alabama and on post duty at Montgomery, Alabama in 1864. The last roll he appeared on was in October 1864, although Ball indicated on his Confederate Pension Application that he was paroled April 24, 1865.

Ball moved to Texas in 1867, and made his living as a clerk. It is uncertain where he made residence until 1893, when Ft. Worth became his home. He was married at some point, but was a widower when he entered the Confederate Men's Home August 13, 1914. He listed his religious preference as a Methodist. He listed two people to notify upon his death, a Bessie B. Basse of Sedan, Kansas, and Willard Burton of Ft. Worth, Texas; their relationships to one another are not known.

Thomas Ball died March 28, 1915, and was buried at the Texas State Cemetery the next day.

Information taken from compiled military records, Confederate Home Roster, Confederate Pension Application, death certificate, the National Park Service website at itd.nps.org, and americancivalwar.com.