Camden People - THOMAS M. K. LEE JR.

The following is derived from
George Reeser Prowell's
History of Camden County, N.J.
published in 1886

Captain Thomas M.K. Lee Jr. early in 1861, identified himself with the troops who volunteered from the city of Camden. He enlisted as a private in Company F, Fourth Regiment New Jersey Volunteer Militia; was promoted sergeant and served with the regiment until discharged at expiration of term of service, July 31, 1861. He enlisted August 9, 1861, in Company I, Sixth Regiment New Jersey Volunteer Infantry, for three years. September 9, 1861, he was commissioned first lieutenant of the company; and, on January 16, 1863, was commissioned as captain of Company K of his regiment. He commanded the regiment from Spottsylvania Courthouse VA, to North Anna River ; was detailed judge advocate on the staff of Brigadier General McAllister, commanding Third Brigade, Third Division, Second Army Corps, and as the same under Major General Gershom Mott. He was mustered out with his regiment September 7, 1864.

With his regiment he participated in the following battles :

Siege of Yorktown VA, April and May, 1862

Williamsburg VA, May 5, 1862

Fair Oaks, June 1 and 2, 1862

Seven Pines VA, June 25, 1862

Savage Station. VA, June 29, 1862

Malvern Hill VA, July 1, 1862

Bristow Station VA, August 27,1862

Second Bull Eun, August29,1862

Chantilly VA, September 1, 1862

Centreville VA, September 2, 1862

Fredericksburg VA, December 13 and 14, 1862

Chancellorsville VA, May 3 and 4,1862

Gettysburg, Pa., July 2 and 3, 1863

Wapping Heights VA, October 15 1863

Mine RunVA, November 29 and 30, 1863

Wilderness VA, May 5 to 7, 1864

Spottsylvania VA, May 8 to 11, 1864

Spottsylvania Courthouse VA, May 12 to 18, 1864

North Anna River VA, May 23 to 24, 1864

Tolopotomy Creek VA, May 30, 1864

Cold Harbor VA, June 1 to 5, 1864

Petersburg VA, June 16 to 23, 1864

Deep Bottom VA, July 25 to 27,1864

Mine Explosion VA, July 30,1864

North Bank James River VA, August 14 to 18, 1864

Ream's Station VA, August 25, 1864

Captain Lee was wounded in the head at battle of Chancellorsville, and was wounded in face and neck at battle of Spottsylvania. He returned to Camden after the war and was elected, in 1865, as county clerk, and held the position for five years. He died December 10, 1873, aged thirty-seven years, and was buried in Evergreen Cemetery. A wife and one child survive him.

In January of 1876, a Grand Army of the Republic Post was organized in Camden NJ. At the first meeting of the new post, it was unanimously decided to honor Captain Lee by adopting the name Thomas M.K. Lee Post. The Thomas M.K. Lee Post No. 5, Grand Army of the Republic had among its members several prominent Camden residents, including Mahlon F. Ivins Sr., Benjamin D. Coley (who had served under Captain Lee with Company K, 6^th New Jersey Infantry Regiment), George R, Danenhower, Dr. John W. Donges, and Dr. Henry Genet Taylor.