The "War Between the States" had divided the country, but also Tom's family. He volunteered for the 33rd Missouri Volunteer Infantry on the first of August 1862 at St. Louis, Missouri for a term of three years. Shortly after, he married the young Miss Clarissa V. Pilcher, daughter of Louisa (Ballard) and the late Ezekiel Pilcher, and less than a week later was at Camp Fisk, "two and a half miles from Rolla, due west on a high hill surrounded by Ravines."

While he was fighting for the Union, he and Clara exchanged many letters - several of which survived and were donated to the Missouri Historical Society. The last letter Thomas probably wrote his dear wife was from Helena, Arkansas on 17 Jun 1863 when the 33rd Missouri was preparing for an attack from Price's army. The enemy attacked their works on the fourth of July a few minutes before daylight. Thomas was listed as having received a "gun shot wound over right temple" and "prounounced mortal" but a passing soldier found a breath of life in him and he was taken to a Memphis hospital where he remained until he was discharged on permanent disability on 14 Dec 1863.

After he was well enough, he returned to his wife in St. Louis. Photographed here in about 1865, T.A.'s gunshot wound is clearly visible. He typically combed his hair over this wound and often wore a cap to hide the injury. Although he suffered from vertigo and many other symptoms after the injury, he continued to work as a self-employed carpenter and often worked with realty companies, bidding and securing, and supervising much of the work which was often done by his sons and Pilcher in-laws.

He and Clarissa became the parents of eight children, including two infant daughters who died in their infancy. The Moores resided in St. Louis where Clarissa studied at the Medical College of Missouri and graduated in 1886, becoming a Homoeopathic doctor. Sadly, she passed away at the young age of forty-four when their youngest child was not quite four years-old.

T.A. Moore lived to be seventy-six years old. He died in St. Louis on the 16th of June 1915 and was laid to rest at Bellfontaine Cemetery.

Entered into rest Wednesday, June 16, 1915, at 7:30 p.m., Thomas A. Moore, beloved husband of the late Clarissa V. Moore (nee Pilcher), and our dear father, father-in-law, grandfather and uncle, aged 77 years.

Funeral from the Leidner chapel 2223 St. Louis Avenue, Friday, June 18th at 2 p.m., thence to Bellefontaine Cemetery. Deceased was a member of Gen. Lyon Post No. 2, Department of Missour G.A.R.

Whereas it has pleased the Almighty Father to remove from this Earth and its associations another one of the Comrades of our Post, and we miss them more and more, as the numbers grows less. Comrade Thomas A. Moore, was born Oct. 31st, 1838, at Scio, Harrison County, Ohio. The family moved to Collinsville, Ill., in 1847, and later to St. Louis, where he received his education. Before the war, he was in the Livery and Ice Business, and afterwards became a builder and contractor.

He enlisted in the Union Army at St. Louis, Mo., on August 1st., 1862 in Co., K, 33rd Infantry Volunteers, Mo., and was in active service in the campaign in the South, at the Battle of Helena, Arkansas, was severely wounded by a Minnie Ball in his right temple and was left on the field for dead. This battle was fought on the 4th of July 1863 - celebrating our National Holiday. Comrade Moore was in the Hospital for many months, and was discharged at St. Louis, MO on the 14th of December 1863, on Surgeons Certificate of Disability.

He was mustered in the Gen. Lyon Post No. 2, Grand Army of the Republic, on July 10th, 1884. He was faithful to duty, having served the Post for many years as its Chaplain, and held this position at the time of his death. Comrade Moore died at the home of his Daughter, Mrs. S.E. Jones, No. 7 Parkland Place, Kirkwood, Mo, Wednesday, June 16, 1915, and was buried in Bellefontaine Cemetery, June 18th, 1915, with services by Gen. Lyon Post No. 2, GAR, with the ritualistic services of the Grand Army of the Republic.

Comrade Moore left one son and four daughters to mourn his death.

Therefore be it resolved that in the death of Comrade Thomas A Moore, this Post has lost a True, Faithful and Loyal Member, this community an Honest and Honrable Citizen, the Country a Patriotic Supporter, and his family a Kind, Loving and Dutiful Father. ... signed James P. Hesser, Commander | St. Louis, MO Sept. 20th 1915.

Note: Headstone photo taken by Gene Beals 2007.