Thomas Jefferson Williams was a resident of Francisco, IN (Gibson County) when he enlisted as a private on January 8th, 1864. He enlisted the same day as Charles M. Cochran (who enlisted as a Corporal). They were both mustered into Company D of the 120th Indiana Infantry. The 120th mustered out on 1/8/66, serving two full years.

The Colonels of the 120th were Richard F. Barter (3/12/64 through 8/8/64) and Allen W. Prather (8/17/64) and Reuben C. Kise (9/1/65).

The 120th was engaged in the following action during the Civil War: (Georgia) Rocky Face Ridge, Resaca, Kennesaw Mountain, seige of Atlanta; (Tennessee) Columbia, Franklin and Nashville. The original strength of the 120th was 976 men. They gained an additional 219 recruits to equal a total of 1,195. They suffered 151 deaths during the war.

The 120th was part of the 23rd Corps, Army and Department of Ohio for most of the Civil War.

Col. Israel Stiles’ report on the 120th at Franklin

Col. Israel Stiles (63rd IN) wrote this about the 120th in his Official Report on December 5, 1864:

“…the 120th Indiana on the left was subjected to a terrific enfilading fire, both from the enemy’s artillery and infantry. The regiment and its commander, Colonel [Allen] Prather, in my opinion, deserve great praise for the heroic manner with which they held their position, the loss of which might have resulted in a defeat to our army.”

For a regimental history of the 120th please click here.

1849 Gibson County Retrospect
Based on “Indiana Gazetteer,” published by E. Chamberlain

� Gibson County was organized in 1813 and was named in honor of General John Gibson, Secretary of the Treasury from 1801 to 1816, and repeatedly acting Governor in the absence of Governor Harrison. He had been taken prisoner in early life by the Indians, continued among them many years and was familiar with their language and usages. It was to him that the celebrated speech of Logan was made. Though far advanced in life, he would have been still active, but for blindness, which afflicted him during the latter part of his service. Gibson County is bounded west by the Wabash, north by White River, east by Pike, and south by Warrick, Vanderburgh and Posey counties. It contains about 450 square miles. It is divided into eight civil townships, to-whit: Montgomery, Patoka, Johnson, Columbia, Washington, White River, Wabash and Barton. � The population in 1830 was 5,417, in 1840, 8,977, and at this time [1849] about 11,000. The surface of the country is agreeably undulating; a small portion of the county is barrens; about one sixth is river bottoms on the Wabash, Patoka and White rivers; the balance is heavily timbered with walnut, beech, sugar, hickory, ash, oak, etc. The soil is generally loam and sand, and very productive in corn, wheat, and oats, which are taken to a southern market in flat boats. Hogs, horses and cattle are also raised largely for exportation, to the value of $200,000 annually There are in the county six grist and saw mills propelled by water; four steam grist and 4 do. Saw mills; about thirty stores and groceries, tow lawyers, physicians and preachers in every neighborhood, and generally good schools. The opening of the canal and other advantages for trade and agriculture presented to Gibson County, through heretofore too much neglected, must make this an important part of the State.