JAMES MADISON THORNSBURY, was, previous to his service in the 39th, a Private in the 14th Kentucky Infantry.

ENLISTED: 25 October, 1861, at Catlettsburg, Kentucky, in the 14th Kentucky Infantry; 25 November, 1862, at Peach Orchard, Lawrence County, Kentucky, in the 39th Kentucky Mounted Infantry.

MILITARY DATA: December, 1861, absent, sick with measles but still had to march to Middle Creek in January of ’62. Had a relapse and was discharged; listed as deserter from 14th as of May ’62 but was later given an official discharge from the 14th in 1867 (as per S.O. No. 96, War Dept., A.G.O.).

Captured January 9, ’64, at Turman’s Ferry. Prisoner of war records state that he was brought from Lynchburg, Virginia, to prison in Richmond, Kentucky, January 14th; to Macon, Georgia, May 7, ’64; escaped from Columbia, South Carolina, November 3, 1864; reported at Knoxville, Tennessee, December 1, 1864, and mustered in as 1st Lieutenant of Co. H. After the war, he suffered from “lung and breast disease and coughing [consumption]”.

MUSTERED OUT: 15 September, 1865, at Louisville, Kentucky.

FAMILY DATA: Wife: Mary (died 22 May, 1918); Children - McClelland, Martin, Kizzie, George S., Dolly, Kate D, Lizzie B., Lauchie, Olva D., John K. The Thornsbury family was related to the Coleman and King families.

RESIDENCE: Pikeville, Pike County, Kentucky; and Paw Paw Creek, Buchanan County, Virginia.

DEATH: 6 February, 1890, buried with Masonic Honors.