This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: MaeCox Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/surnames.warren/4571.1.1.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: I too had wondered why Thomas and Leanne, being native Tennesseans, left that part of the country to travel to Illinois. A genealogy friend speculated it could be that Thomas didn't want to be part of the Confederate army, so in order to avoid that service, they crossed the border into Illinois, which was Union territory. We do know that while they were residing in Cairo, Alexander County, Illinois, Thomas joined the 143rd Illinois Volunteers on May 14, 1864. It looks like the Warren brothers were all in the Civil War, albeit different sides. While George and William enlisted with the Confederates, Thomas chose the Union side and saw most of his enlistement in Arkansas. Thomas only served five months and took a fever that led to a medical condition and a medical discharge. He was hospitalized in Illinois. He wrote on his pension application "...After my discharge in 1866, I lived in Puluskey County, Calladonie, Illinois. Left there in 1866 and went down to Tennessee in April 1866, To Jackson County, Gainsborough then to Gallatin, Sumner County, State of Tennessee." That is where he lived out his life and is buried. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.