Thomas Witt enlisted on February 1, 1862, as a second lieutenant and was assigned to the 1st Missouri Light Artillery, Battery K; on September 26, 1862, he was detailed as the regiment’s quartermaster. He was promoted to first lieutenant on October 22, 1863, and re-assigned to Battery L.

The 1st Missouri Light Artillery fought in numerous battles; Witt’s Battery K participated in the battles of Forts Henry and Donelson, Shiloh, Corinth, Helena, and Little Rock. After his transfer, Witt was stationed in Springfield and northwest Arkansas. The back of the photograph was signed by Witt on January 7, 1863, at Corinth, Mississippi.

Witt was mustered out of the service on August 4, 1865, at Benton Barracks. He died on December 7, 1913, in St. Louis, Missouri.

Carte-de-Visite by Unknown Photographer

Image Courtesy Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield; WICR 11728