> John D. Metz > Director of Archives, Records, and Collection Services > The Library of Virginia Dear Mr. Metz, I saw the answer to you sent to another researcher's military question, and wondered if you might have the time to help me with two military quandaries I have: 1. My 2great-grandfather, Alexander Jennings THOMPSON was born in Franklin Co, VA, 23 Nov 1832, enlisted in the Confederate Army 29 May 1861, Wytheville, VA, by Col. H. Heth, (according to NARA records) was wounded 19 Sept 1864 at the Battle of the Opequon, and died _25_ Sept 1864 of his wounds. I have queried the Winchester-Frederick Historical Society and others, and though he died in a U.S. Army Field Hospital, there is apparently no record of where he was buried. I know many/most Confederates were buried in "trench graves", but shouldn't they have a record of some kind? Your comment to the query referenced earlier about a burial at the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery reminded me of "my" Alex THOMPSON, because an "Alexander THOMPSON" is buried there who died on _26_ Sept 1864, but is listed as a "non-military civilian". It is my understanding that some soldiers from the eastern battles were buried in Jefferson Barracks. How would one go about investigating whether or not my suspicion is valid? 2. My second question is not so convoluted: my first cousin, Charles Lewis HALE, Jr., born in 1913 in Roanoke, VA, served in WWII as a bomber pilot and was on terminal leave from the USAAF when in April of 1946, he took off from Borges Airfield in Yolo Co, CA, and crashed back into a hangar, which subsequently burned. Does the state of Virginia's military archives hold any records of his service in the war? At the time of his death, his second wife was pregnant with their only child, a son, who was born the following October. I'd like to give him more info on his dad's war experience. To my knowledge he was a Captain at war's end, had been previously married and had a daughter named Sue Ann, aged about 13 when he died. Any information you can provide in either instance would be greatly appreciated. Sincerely Carolyn HALE BRUCE Virginia Beach, VA To subscribe, change options, or unsubscribe, please see the instructions at http://listlva.lib.va.us/archives/va-roots.html