Death of Albert Thompson

Death of Albert Thompson. . Albert P. Thompson, was born near Murray in Calloway County, Kentucky in 1829. He moved to Paducah and practiced law with the firm of Bigger, Thompson, and Roe there before the Civil War. At the beginning of the War he was elected Lt. Colonel of the Third Kentucky Infantry (CSA), commanded by fellow Paducahan Lloyd Tilghman. When Tilghman was promoted to Brigadier General, Thompson became colonel and commanded the Third until his death. , The Third fought with distinction at Shiloh, sustaining significant casualties. It was then assigned to the Army of West Tennessee. The Third also saw major action at the Battle of Champion's Hill in 1863. Greatly reduced in number due to the losses it had sustained in battle, the Third was assigned to serve with General Nathan Bedford Forrest after the fall of Vicksburg. , In March 1864 the Third participated in Forrest's raid on Paducah. For most of the troops this was a return home. On the 25th they encountered Union pickets three miles from the city, but drove the pickets back nearly to Fort Anderson. Unlike most Civil War battles which were fought in open fields the Third fought federal troops in the streets of Paducah. Federal forces took refuge in Fort Anderson and the Third accomplished its mission by keeping federal troops in the fort while the rest of Forrest's troops collected horses and supplies. The Confederates withdrew after the raid had accomplished its major objectives - obtaining supplies and horses - leaving the federal troops in Fort Anderson. , Casualties were light, but included Colonel Thompson who was struck by an exploding artillery shell from a river gunboat while urging his troops forward for their final assault before withdrawing. Thompson was killed instantly only two blocks from his home., Colonel Thompson is buried with his first wife in the Bowman Cemetery, State Route 2075 in Calloway County. His tombstone refers to him as General A.P. Thompson - perhaps a posthumous promotion.