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(Picture courtsey of Mr. Michael Thomason, grandson
of John A. Thomason, pvt, USA, Fort Ringgold.
He writes the following.)
22 June, 2001
Mr. Villarreal,
I have enclosed the photograph of my grandfather, John A. Thomason, when he was stationed at
Fort Ringgold. Here is his story:
John A. Thomason (pictured at far left,sitting) was born in March of 1888, the youngest of seven
children. He ran away from home and joined the Army in 1905, when he was only seventeen.
He could have enlisted in Abilene or Dallas, as they were the nearest cities of any size to his home
in Haskell. Instead, he went all the way to Galveston to sign up. I am guessing he wanted to be as
far away from his brothers as he could manage, so they wouldn't find him and make him come home.
They knew a lot of people, and had a lot of dealings in the surrounding cities, so it may be that he
wanted to be well clear of any attempts to locate him.
In Galveston, he was enlisted on the 29th day of Novermber 1905 by a Captain George A. Spencer.
I will guess that 21 was the minimum enlistment age in 1905, as my grandfather added five years
to his age and called himself 22. That way, he did not have anyone sign for him as a minor. He was
described as 5'10", blue eyes, dark brown hair, and fair complexion.
He was next sent to Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio, and after just a few weeks, sent by train to Fort
Ringgold,Texas. He arrived there on 4th of January 1906, and was assigned to Company 'I' 26th Infantry
Regiment, Foot Service White (as differentiated from Foot Service Colored).
The photo was taken sometime later that year. From what I read, Fort Ringgold was closed down
temporarily at the end of 1906. The postcard was dated 11th of Oct. 1906, and was postmarked from
Fort Sam Houston. ...snip...I am currently trying to find out more about the practice of 'buying out'
enlistments during this period, and why the post closed for a time before WWI, and more of the
general history of the time. I know that my grandfather truly enjoyed his time at Fort Ringgold, and
recalled those days with fondness, his first foray from home on the greater adventur of his life. He came
back home to Haskell and married a girl he'd met in San Antonio, and the rest, as is said, is history.
(Signed)
Michael Thomason, grandson of
John A. Thomason, pvt, USA Fort Ringgold
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