Thomas Bourne
Encyclopedia
Thomas Bourne was a Union Navy
sailor in the American Civil War
and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor
, for his actions at the Battle of Forts Jackson and St. Philip
.
, Bourne began his career as a sailor at age 14, serving as a cabin boy
on ships in the Atlantic Ocean
. He eventually found his way to the U.S. state of New York
, and enlisted in the U.S. Navy from there in 1861. By April 1862, he had reached the rank of seaman
and was a gun captain aboard the . On April 24, the Varuna participated in a Union attack on Fort Jackson
and Fort St. Philip
near New Orleans, Louisiana
. During this action, the ship was rammed twice by the Confederate
steamer (formerly known as the Charles Morgan) and eventually sunk. Bourne continued to operate his gun throughout the close-range fight, despite intense Confederate fire. He survived the battle and the sinking without injury. For these actions, he was awarded the Medal of Honor a year later, on April 3, 1863.
In 1864, Bourne was injured while shifting a gun. He was discharged later that year, in November, at the rank of chief
quartermaster.
After his military service, Bourne became a farmer in the village of Jones in Cass County, Michigan
. He married Hannah Fowler and the couple moved to Schoolcraft, Michigan
. About six months later, his wife died and Bourne returned to Jones; he eventually remarried. Bourne died of heart disease
at about age 53 and was buried at Poe Cemetery near Jones. His grave was marked by a simple veteran's headstone until 2009, when it was discovered that he was a Medal of Honor recipient. A new headstone which made note of his Medal of Honor was dedicated on October 10, 2009.
Bourne's Medal of Honor was passed down through his family until reaching his great-great-granddaughter, who donated the medal to Michigan's Own Military & Space Museum in Frankenmuth
.
Union Navy
The Union Navy is the label applied to the United States Navy during the American Civil War, to contrast it from its direct opponent, the Confederate States Navy...
sailor in the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration, the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
, for his actions at the Battle of Forts Jackson and St. Philip
Battle of Forts Jackson and St. Philip
The Battle of Forts Jackson and St. Philip was the decisive battle for possession of New Orleans in the American Civil War. The two Confederate forts on the Mississippi River south of the city were attacked by a Union Navy fleet...
.
Biography
A native of EnglandEngland
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, Bourne began his career as a sailor at age 14, serving as a cabin boy
Cabin boy
A Cabin boy or ship's boy is a boy who waits on the officers and passengers of a ship, especially running errands for the captain....
on ships in the Atlantic Ocean
Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean is the second-largest of the world's oceanic divisions. With a total area of about , it covers approximately 20% of the Earth's surface and about 26% of its water surface area...
. He eventually found his way to the U.S. state of New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, and enlisted in the U.S. Navy from there in 1861. By April 1862, he had reached the rank of seaman
Seaman
Seaman is one of the lowest ranks in a Navy. In the Commonwealth it is the lowest rank in the Navy, followed by Able Seaman and Leading Seaman, and followed by the Petty Officer ranks....
and was a gun captain aboard the . On April 24, the Varuna participated in a Union attack on Fort Jackson
Fort Jackson, Louisiana
Fort Jackson is a decommissioned masonry fort located some up river from the mouth of the Mississippi River in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana. It was constructed as a coastal defense of New Orleans between 1822 and 1832, and was a battle site in the American Civil War. It is a National Historic...
and Fort St. Philip
Fort St. Philip
Fort St. Philip is a decommissioned masonry fort located on the eastern bank of the Mississippi River, about up river from its mouth in Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana...
near New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans is a major United States port and the largest city and metropolitan area in the state of Louisiana. The New Orleans metropolitan area has a population of 1,235,650 as of 2009, the 46th largest in the USA. The New Orleans – Metairie – Bogalusa combined statistical area has a population...
. During this action, the ship was rammed twice by the Confederate
Confederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
steamer (formerly known as the Charles Morgan) and eventually sunk. Bourne continued to operate his gun throughout the close-range fight, despite intense Confederate fire. He survived the battle and the sinking without injury. For these actions, he was awarded the Medal of Honor a year later, on April 3, 1863.
In 1864, Bourne was injured while shifting a gun. He was discharged later that year, in November, at the rank of chief
Chief Petty Officer
A chief petty officer is a senior non-commissioned officer in many navies and coast guards.-Canada:"Chief Petty Officer" refers to two ranks in the Canadian Navy...
quartermaster.
After his military service, Bourne became a farmer in the village of Jones in Cass County, Michigan
Cass County, Michigan
Cass County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the population was 51,104. It is part of the South Bend–Mishawaka, IN-MI, Metropolitan Statistical Area which has a total population of 316,663 and is sometimes considered part of Greater Michiana...
. He married Hannah Fowler and the couple moved to Schoolcraft, Michigan
Schoolcraft, Michigan
-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of , all land. Schoolcraft is located on a prairie, and much of the land outside of the village is used as farm land, with the primary crops being corn and soybeans.-Demographics:...
. About six months later, his wife died and Bourne returned to Jones; he eventually remarried. Bourne died of heart disease
Heart disease
Heart disease, cardiac disease or cardiopathy is an umbrella term for a variety of diseases affecting the heart. , it is the leading cause of death in the United States, England, Canada and Wales, accounting for 25.4% of the total deaths in the United States.-Types:-Coronary heart disease:Coronary...
at about age 53 and was buried at Poe Cemetery near Jones. His grave was marked by a simple veteran's headstone until 2009, when it was discovered that he was a Medal of Honor recipient. A new headstone which made note of his Medal of Honor was dedicated on October 10, 2009.
Bourne's Medal of Honor was passed down through his family until reaching his great-great-granddaughter, who donated the medal to Michigan's Own Military & Space Museum in Frankenmuth
Frankenmuth, Michigan
Frankenmuth is a city in Saginaw County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 4,838 at the 2000 census. The 2009 census estimate places the population at 4,619. The city is located within Frankenmuth Township, but is politically independent. Bronner's CHRISTmas Wonderland, which bills...
.
Medal of Honor citation
Bourne's official Medal of Honor citation reads:Served as captain of a gun on board the U.S.S. Varuna during an attack on Forts Jackson and St. Philip and while under fire and ramming by the rebel ship Morgan, 24 April 1862. During this action at extremely close range while his ship was under furious fire and was twice rammed by the rebel ship Morgan, Bourne remained steadfast at his gun and was instrumental in inflicting damage on the enemy until the Varuna, badly damaged and forced to beach, was finally sunk.