Anderson's men often referred to killing Union prisoners as "paroling them," perhaps partly so as not to cause several prisoners to panic and bolt at once.

Regarding as to why the family of James W. Thomas was not granted a pension, you need to refer to the widow's application housed in the National Archives and Records Administration. You could use a NARA center, and there are a few placed around the country; or go to the NARA off Capitol Mall in Wash. D. C., or hire someone to do that for you. In that cause, you can use the "Hot Link" at the box at the top of this page and see how much this gentleman would charge to do that for you. Last time I checked, if you filled out the form yourself (available at your local library or online) it will cost you about $127 or thereabouts to obtain copies of those documents through the mail. This makes it sensible to consider hiring somebody.

Regarding accounting for all the soldiers, Sergeant Goodman said there were 26 Union soldiers on the train. Two or so of them were quick and sharp enough to obtain clothes from passengers and hide their true identities before leaving the train, according to historian Wiley Britton. From what I read in several versions I think there were 22 bodies of killed Union soldiers at Centralia including two or three who tried to run into a house and were chased and killed in hiding places. A local account written in the 1920's said while all the shooting was taking place another man ran, grabbed a guerrilla's horse, and rode away to escape.

The point of all this, is there is always "wiggle-room" in the middle of violent battles--even one-sided ones. I know such thoughts send conspiracy fans into orbit, but a lot can happen during a riot, battle, or other violent mass act--especially for men who use their sense of survival and don't let panic take control. Don't forget that many of Anderson's men wore Union uniforms while they traveled, and that may be why they forced those Union prisoners to strip first thing after they took them off the train.

Bruce Nichols